Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX or any of it's characters.
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Chapter Six: Terror in Burmecia
Blank rushed as quickly as he could to the theater district, as he didn't want to be late to the festival of the hunt... again.
Once, about two years ago or so, Blank participated in the festival of the hunt against Zidane, Marcus, and Cinna, to prove himself. They probably fought about something or another, but it doesn't really matter. Either way, they all participated in the hunt, however none of them claimed victory. It was a dragon knight from Burmecia, he was supposed to be some great warrior, so Blank and the rest of the guys didn't feel to bad about themselves. Either way, for some reason, Blank proved what he wanted to prove, maybe he got as many points as he said he would or something like that, but he succeeded, however he barely succeeded. He was late to the business district, which is where he was supposed to start, due to a very beautiful woman he saw, and probably barely was able to claim victory.
Anyway, this time Blank quickly jumped off of the aircab and ran out into the theater district. He saw a fang chasing a mu, so he went after the fang first, as it would give him the most points. Blank pulled out his new sword out of the sheath on his back, it was still a little heavy so he kept his regular sword attached to his side, just in case. Blank pulled his sword high in the air and it flew down and smashed the fang in the skull, causing blood to immediately explode out of the beast's head.
Blank grinned, until the mu who the fang had been chasing leapt and struck Blank's back, causing him to fall forward, and barely dodge the fang's corpse. Blank then quickly pulled out his regular sword and tried to slice the beast, but it had leapt away right out of his reach. Blank then flipped back up, and jumped at the mu, surprising it into a state of paralysis, and Blank then swiped the mu's head off. Blank rushed back and picked up his large new sword, when he saw a large purple bird that he was unfamiliar with.
But he didn't care, all he knew was that it was an enemy, and that he was supposed to kill it. The bird swooped down at Blank at a speed Blank hadn't suspected, giving him barely any time to dodge out of the way, but he managed to do it. Blank then turned and saw the bird ready to swing down again, and so he swung down his older sword, and the beast swooped right into the blade.
"LEADING WITH 20 POINTS," a voice boomed across the city, "BLANK!"
Blank grinned, until the announcer immediately corrected himself, "NOW, LEADING WITH 22 POINTS, RANDALL!"
Blank frowned but then rushed down closer to the Tantalus hide out, where he saw another fang emerge from a play area a little deeper in the theater district. The fang leapt at Blank, but he was only meet by the end of Blank's sword, and his blood flew in just about every direction, including Blank's white t-shirt. Blank was a little dismayed, but didn't care the least, as he then rushed out of the theater district and into the industrial district.
In the industrial district, Blank cut through two mus, three fangs, and another one of those purple birds. Afterwards, Blank headed to the business district, where he first killed a mu and a purple bird, then, after seeing Vivi running from a fang, killed a fang, then heard two high pitched screams. Blank immediately rushed to the source and he saw two kids trapped by a huge zaghnol, a gigantic beast with reddish fur and resembled a bull.
What's a zaghnol doing here?! Blank thought, but then decided the time for thinking of those things was past. Blank rushed into action, pulling out his new, heavy sword and sliced the beast's belly, however drew little blood. The beat then turned and faced the thief, and it seemed to blank like he was an ant about to go into combat against an elephant. Blank pulled his sword out in front of him, in a defensive position, hoping it might make the beast have second thoughts about attacking Blank.
However, it didn't.
The zaghnol roared and charged at Blank, the ground trembled under the hooves of the raging beast, and Blank felt the urge to flee, but then remembered the sole purpose he came to the zaghnol, and the reason he still stood there now. The kids. The two young kids, one boy and another a girl, both probably less than seven. Blank couldn't turn his back on them now, he had to fight this fearsome beast.
Blank leapt out of the way, and the beast skidded to a halt and turned to face Blank once more. It looked like he was about to charge once more, when suddenly the titan screeched in pain, and Blank could see an electrical charge squirming through the beast's body. The beast then turned to face his new opponent, meanwhile, Blank rushed up and stabbed the beast in the back with his heavy blade, making it roar in pain once more, and he turned and faced Blank again.
This time, the beast seemed to give himself an electrical charge, and it didn't seem to hurt him the least. Blank was completely confused by this strange gesture, but then he instantly saw why. Another bolt of lightning flew and hit the creature, however, this time, it didn't seem to hurt him, but instead heal him. The beast then charged at Blank, who had been too confused to move at the time, and Blank realized that he was now a sitting duck. However, very fortunately, a spear flew down from what seemed like the heavens, and then came down Freya, the Burmecian woman he had meet at the castle.
However, the beast seemed to take this effect the same as Blank's slice, it was still fairly weak. Freya then leapt off, and landed next to Blank. "Can you fight?" the dragon knight asked.
"Yeah," Blank nodded.
"I suggest we attack at the same time," Freya said. "Before he strikes, understood?"
"Alright," Blank agreed, pulling his heavy blade up in front of him. "On three. One... two... THREE!!!"
Blank and Freya then both charged at the beast, however, in their run, Freya leapt up in the air. She left me for dead, Blank angrily thought. No time to stop running now! So, Blank continued his run, and the zaghnol, knowing that Blank was going to try and kill him, began to stamped towards him once more. However, when the zaghnol was no less than six feet away, a spear flew down from the sky, striking the beast's back, making it roar in pain. Then, Blank saw a fireball strike the back of the monster, and finally, Blank sliced his sword through the zaghnol's neck, causing it to tumble to the ground.
Freya then landed on the ground and pulled her spear from the beast's back, then Blank turned to congratulate Vivi for helping them attack, but instead saw a different mage there. This mage was wearing a long red overcoat that was currently unbuttoned, revealing black pants and a belt, that held the sheath of what looked like a short sword, and a black muscle shirt. He wore a red hat almost identical to Freya's except it didn't have large dragon ears sticking out of the sides of it and long black hair that nearly reached his shoulders dangled beneath it.
"Who... who are you?" Blank asked.
"I'm-" the mage began, but then was interrupted.
"ONCE AGAIN LEADING WITH 213 POINTS..." the announcer called. "BLANK! REMEMBER FOLKS, THERE'S ONLY 1 MINUTE AND 16 SECONDS REMAINING UNTIL THE TIME'S UP! TRY AND BEAT BLANK'S SCORE!"
Instantly, the mage rushed away, and so Blank turned back to Freya. "Hmpf," the dragon knight muttered. "So you get all the points."
"Yeah," Blank grinned, though he tried to hide it. "I did, after all, deliver the finishing blow."
"I suppose," Freya muttered, then turned. "Where did those kids go?"
"Kids..." Blank muttered then remembered them, in the heat of battle it is easy to forget some things. "I dunno. I'll find em, you can go fight."
"Very well," the dragon knight nodded, then held her staff to her side. "Farewell." She then disappeared into the skies once more.
I need her to teach that to me, Blank thought, then shook the subject out of his head. Blank walked back to where they were cornered and called, "Kids?! You here?!"
"We're over here!" a young child called, and Blank hurried to the source, worrying that he may have been to late in his arrival. Once he came to the source, which was a very thin alley that Blank himself could barely squeeze through, he saw the young girl crying, holding her arm, and the boy stood above her, bitting his fingernails. "Whaddo we do?!" the boy cried as the girl bawled.
Blank was a little worried at first, but then bent down next to the girl and pulled a potion out of his pocket. Blank made sure the girl drank it all and she willingly did, despite it's bitter taste, and almost immediately it began it's magic. The girl still cried, but not nearly as much as before, and she took her hand off of her arm. Blank could see that it was all swelled up and could have been a broken bone and an infection. Blank knew potions couldn't tend broken bones, but they could make them feel slightly better and could almost definitely heal that infection, if Blank was right about it.
And it seemed Blank was, the swelling began to fade away, slowly at first, but then fairly quickly, ending up into a bruise. She still seemed to be in pain, however, so Blank guessed that it was a broken arm, so he lifted her up, and rushed out of the alley, with the boy trailing shortly behind him. Blank went up to the closest door, which was also the medicinal shop, and kicked at it and then called, "Hey! Anyone in here?!"
Almost immediately, he heard a feminine voice reply, "Are there any beasts out there?"
Blank glanced around, though he didn't need to, as he knew that there weren't any. "No," he responded. "Please hurry!"
Almost immediately the door burst open, revealing a fairly young girl, maybe about the age of Claire, or maybe a year older, with auburn hair and green eyes. She was wearing a white button up shirt that had a patch sewed on that said, 'Welcome To Allie's' then claimed, 'I'm Allie!' Immediately, Blank recognized Allie and he's sure she would have recognized him had he not been holding a crying girl.
"Hurry in, hurry in," Allie said, clearing the way as Blank and the boy rushed in. Blank set the girl on the counter, making sure her arm was in the most comfortable condition it could be in, then turned back to the door. "Where are you going, Blank?!" the woman cried. "What did you do to this young girl?!"
Blank turned back, hoping he wouldn't have been remembered but he obviously was, and sighed and turned to face Allie, Ruby's sister. "I didn't do anything!" Blank said. "Listen, I'll talk to in a bit, alright!"
"Oh fine," she huffed, putting her hands on her waist. "But you'd better come back after the hunt."
"Yeah, alright," Blank nodded and rushed out. Just like her sister, Blank thought then slightly chuckled. At least Ruby wasn't in the crash... I just hope she isn't in trouble over in Alexandria...
About a year and a half ago, shortly after Ruby had joined the acting troupe, she and Blank went out on a date. The two immediately hit it off and had been dating for... well, they dated until they began planning for the kidnap of Claire, about a month before it actually happened. Blank was very happy being with her, especially when night came, and maybe he really did love Ruby. However, one great night that turned to a terrible night in a hurry, he had gotten drunk. He and the guys had just succeeded robbing this rich guy who lived in Treno, and after pulling in over 1000 gil, which they accomplished, they would always go down to the bar and have a drink or two on Baku. However, this specific night was the finals for the hunting competition, and it was the theater district's Reno verses the business district's Rude. You see, in all nations, specifically Lindblum as it was founded by hunters, hunting was a very, very popular sport. And this was the final competition.
So, the boys decided to hang around a little while, and during the course, they all got very drunk, except for Marcus, who was choose not to drink too much as he didn't want a hang over, and Baku, who already suffered from hangovers enough and didn't want another one. Reno of theater district won, and so the boys got even drunker. Then Blank, happy not only because they won hunting tournament but also because they got much richer in a single night, decided to celebrate with Ruby. So, he staggered over to Ruby's apartment, which was shared with Allie, Ruby's sister.
In his drunkenness, Blank mistook Allie to be Ruby, and so he had, according to Allie and Blank couldn't defend himself as he had no recollection of the evening, slept with her. Blank woke up the next morning not only with the worst hangover of his life, but with Allie and Ruby standing above him, both glaring down at him from their couch. In the end, Ruby seemed to forgive Blank, but still broke up with him, and Allie continued to hate Blank, and would probably hate him even more once she realized that Ruby was still in Alexandria.
Blank loathed that night, and wanted his Ruby back, and perhaps he still did, but he had gotten over her, as she seemed to have gotten over him as well. However he still thinks that Ruby wants him back as he wants her back, but nothing may come of it. He had made, according to Allie, the most foolish mistake a man could, but he had no one to blame but himself... well, alcohol as well, for being so addicting. After that night, Blank had never drunk a beer, but he thinks he will sooner or later, just not as much as he would to get a hangover.
As soon as Blank ran back into the aircab station, the announcer spoke once more, "THE WINNER IS... BLANK! WITH AN ALL TIME HIGH OF 212!" Blank grinned, and then took the aircab to the castle.
Once they had gotten back, Regent Cid congratulated Blank and give him the Master Hunter award and 10,000 gil. Blank grinned, and Steiner, though angry that Blank had won, applauded him along with the rest of the team and Freya.
Just then, the young mage who was wearing all red and assisted Blank and Freya when they fought the zaghnol walked in, looking down at his black boots. "Ahh, Randall," Cid looked over at the boy. "How did you do?"
The mage sighed and took another step, "Not as good as I was hoping..."
"Oh hey!" Blank exclaimed. "It's you!"
"Hmm?" the boy muttered as he glanced over at Blank. "Ahh yes, the one who defeated the zaghnol. You must be Blank, correct?"
"Yeah," Blank nodded, and pointed and Freya. "And that's Freya."
"Yes," the mage nodded. "Nice too meet you once again."
Blank then turned to Vivi, "Hey, Vivi, he's a black mage too, just like you!"
"Black mage?" the young man asked. "Oh no, I am not a black mage, though I am not surprised at your thought. You only saw me use my black magic, however I also use white magic."
"Wha..." Blank muttered, then looked at Cid for answered, however Claire answered before the regent could.
"He's a red mage," Claire answered, looking at the boy. "They're sort of a... jack of all trades, I suppose."
"Indeed," the young man, Randall, smiled.
"He is my advisor to be," Cid explained.
"But... I thought people who worked in the castle couldn't participate in the hunt," Blank said.
"Yes, but he doesn't work for me just yet," Cid said, making the boy look down. "His training is nearly complete, and he should be finishing shortly. Actually, had he won this year's hunt, he would have become my advisor."
"Aww geez," Blank muttered, looking at Randall, then back at Cid. "Well, he did help me take down the zaghnol... if that counts."
"I know what he did," Cid said. "I was watching him and yourself through the entire hunt, and I truly did expect him to win. However, Blank, your skill seemed to claim victory in the end."
"I... suppose..." Blank muttered, feeling sorry for causing Randall to lose his job opportunity.
"Anyways, it is now time for our annual feast!" Cid proclaimed. "Bring on the-"
"Sire!" a voice called from outside the doors. The voice was raspy and was very dry, sounding as if the owner of the voice hadn't had a drink for years. The doors then burst open and, instead of seeing some strong man who had the ability to burst the doors open, the being was crawling through the door. Actually, it was just a Burmecian knight, perhaps a dragon knight like Freya, he had wounds all over his body and the man's eyes were closed, and, from the look of it, it seemed permanent.
Immediately Artania leaped in front of the oglop regent, and whispered, "Hide regent, I'll hold him back."
"Look at him closely, Artania," Cid whispered and stepped in front of him. "A wound has blinded him," Cid then spoke louder, "Speak, soldier."
"Oh regent...!" the knight begged. "They... they're in the... Gizamaluke's Grotto... mages... black mages... pointy... hats..."
"Pointy... hates?" Claire mumbled. "Black mages...?"
"Headed... towards..." the Burmecian continued. "Bur...me... ... ..."
"No!" Freya exclaimed and rushed to his side. "You can't!"
"Call a medic!" Cid ordered Artania.
"It's too late..." Freya mumbled. "He's... dead."
"Oh... I'm sorry," Cid muttered.
"Sire!" Randall exclaimed. "We must go to Gizamaluke's Grotto! We must stop them from reaching Burmecia!"
"Silence, Randall," Cid commanded. "You must think your plans through more clearly, we lost too many soldiers in the festival of the hunt. The only way we could even try to strike the people in the grotto, is by starving those inside of the grotto."
"And it goes against rule 12 in the Leon Code..." Randall muttered. "We could hide from them and once they come out, we strike."
"It is possible," Cid announced. "But I believe that it would be hard to hide a few airships, besides it could still be considered under rule 12."
"... I guess..." Randall muttered. "But... then what do we do? We can't just leave them there to die!"
"We'll take the airships to Burmecia," Cid explained. "We'll wait for them there."
"But, sire," the minister began. "What about the watch on Alexandria?"
"We'll have to surrender that," Cid sighed. "Burmecia is our ally, and we must not lose allies at this time."
"I must go to Burmecia!" Freya exclaimed.
"The chocobo knights!" Randall exclaimed. "We'll send the chocobo knights! Freya can go with them!"
"I'm going too!" Blank exclaimed.
"But Blank," Felix began. "What of your friends? What of Tantalus?"
"They can fight against some monsters," Blank explained. "But I don't know if Burmecia can stand against the Alexandrian army."
"I suppose..." Felix muttered. "I guess I shall go as well."
"M-Me too..." Vivi said, slightly whimpering. "I want to see the mages..."
"Why?" Freya asked. "Why would you risk your life for foreigners?"
"This is a war," Blank answered. "I can't let Alexandria conquer the world..."
To this, Claire looked down, but then bobbed her head up and announced, "I'm going too!"
"What?!" Steiner exclaimed. "Never! Princess, this is a war! A war is dangerous!"
"I know that!" the princess said, putting her hands on her hips. "But, if mother is behind the attack, she may be at Burmecia!"
"That is true," Blank said. "But I don't think you should come."
"Come on!" Claire cried. "They would never expect me to travel with a small group of soldiers!"
"That's why it's even worse!" Felix exclaimed. "They may accidently kill you!"
"But... please..." Claire begged, clasping her hands together as if she were praying. "I... I have to end this war..."
"This war isn't your fault," Blank told her. "You can't blame yourself for it. It... it's not your fault."
"Thank you, Blank," Claire thanked him. "But... I still must try to resolve this war. My mother is the reason for this rule, and I must do all I can to stop the war."
"I suppose... if Blank and Steiner were to stay back and specifically protect her..." Felix muttered.
"I would never trust the princess with that bandit!" Steiner exclaimed.
"Then I'll go with you!" Randall exclaimed.
"What are you talking about?" Freya said. "You must help the people here."
"I can not, they need not my help... however, I have a plan!" Randall exclaimed. "I lead the attack on the Alexandrians here. It'll prove that I can become a great advisor!"
"Very well," the regent nodded in approval. "Is everyone else alright with that?"
"That's fine!" Freya exclaimed. "Now please! We must hurry!"
"Of course!" the regent exclaimed, then turned to Artania. "Get the chocobo knights, and open the Dragon Gate!"
"Yes sir!" Artania saluted, and rushed out of the room.
"Well then..." the regent said. "It will take time for the chocobo knights to get prepared and for the Dragon Gate to get open. Shall we feast?"
Everyone looked over at Freya, knowing that she would have the choice here. Inside, Freya was having a hard choice, she could just begin running to Burmecia, back to the place she vowed never to return, the place where her love, Fratley, had left. He vowed to return, but she only heard rumors of his death, it had been three years since she had last seen him.
"When Burmecia is in trouble, I shall return," Fratley had once said, and the voice echoed through her mind and she felt even more of an urge to flee to Burmecia, in case Fratley had finally returned. However, she was a dragon knight, perhaps the greatest in Burmecia since Fratley had... dare she think it? She was a dragon knight and she knew that she must think through options first, and riding on a chocobo would be much faster, even if you left later.
"We can feast..." Freya finally spoke.
"Thank you, Miss Freya," Cid slightly bowed. "We shall feast!"
So, they had eaten their feast, which was quite delicious however Blank noticed Freya hadn't eaten much, but would he if he learned Lindblum was in attack and he was in another nation eating? No, no he would not eat much at all. Afterwards, they went down to the Dragon Gate where Blank saw ten chocobo knights, these were knights, most of which holding arrows so they would be able to attack while still moving, but they all had a sheath on their hip as well. They were all well protected, almost as well protected as Steiner but it probably equaled out as they had decent armor, and looked like they were ready to strike at any time.
Randall, the red mage, had made extra sure that they had everything they needed, extra weapons, many medicinal items, and extra armor. Randall struck Blank as a very responsible person, and probably had the potential of one day becoming a great advisor for the Lindblum kingdom. Blank decided that he would make extra sure that Randall always ends up alright, however Freya didn't seem to like him. But Blank understood why, she thought Randall was taking this battle, this war, as just another test. And it did seem that way, but this is a great way to initiate a new advisor for Cid.
Then, after Randall checked all their equipment about ten times, they were off.
Hope you enjoyed it
PLEASE REVIEW!!!
A/N: I don't own ff10 either... this is for the chocobo knights, I thought that a group of four wouldn't stand against an army...
Anyway... thanks for those of you who reviewed and for those who didn't... DO!!!
