Chapter 34: Madain Sari: Theft
As soon as we arrived in Madain Sari, Eiko ran ahead of us. "I'm home!" no one was coming. She tried again "I'M HOME!" her voice echoed across the canyon walls.
'I'm sure they heard that' I thought.
Sure enough, the Moogles appeared and flew towards Eiko. She immediately walked up to them. "Moco told me the news. Are you alright?"
Morrison waved this away. "Come now! Talk later, kupo!" Eiko nodded and ran off into the village.
Zidane spoke. "H-hey, Eiko?" She was to far away to hear him. Zidane turned to look at us. "We'd better follow her!" we all nodded and followed Eiko to the storage room that's below the kitchen.
The Moogles were everywhere and were taking up too much room. Dagger and Zidane managed to squeeze through, but now it was too crowded for Vivi and me. We decided to go back up to the kitchen and listen to the conversation up there.
I heard Eiko's voice. "It's...it's...the precious stone that has been passed down in this village for generations is gone! My grandparents said...they said that we should take care of it because it's a symbol of the summoners' heritage."
I heard Zidane's voice. "Well...how about crying for a change? It'll help."
I heard Eiko again, and she sounded mad. "I'm not gonna cry! I'm a grown-up now, and crying won't help one bit!"
Zidane spoke again. "Alright. How about we start looking for clues?"
Now I heard Dagger. "I'll help, too."
I heard Eiko again, and it sounded like she had the hiccups. " Hiccup. is it... Hiccup. is it my fault? Hiccup. is it 'cause I broke my promise and opened the Iifa Tree's seal? Hiccup. everyone...everyone was watching over the stone."
That's when I felt a sharp pain in my head. I grabbed my head and gritted my teeth. Vivi looked at me with concern. "Are you alright, Michael?"
The pain subsided, but it was still there. I looked at Vivi and nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just getting a headache that's all." Vivi nodded his head.
That's when we saw Eiko run up the stairs into the kitchen and into the dinning room. Vivi and I quickly followed her…it was a good thing we did. A woman grabbed Eiko from behind, and ran off with her towards the Eidolon Wall. I saw the large battle axe and immediately knew who it was; Lani.
I turned to look at Vivi. "Vivi, go back and get the others. I'll go help Eiko." Vivi nodded and ran off to get Zidane and Dagger. I ran off towards the Eidolon Wall.
As soon as I entered the wall, I confronted Lani. She was standing on the central fire pit, and was holding Eiko by her wing ornament that was on her back. "Lani, let Eiko go."
She turned to look at me. "Well, if it isn't one of the two good sir knights who beat me back in Fossil Roo. I believe I have the advantage this time" she said, holding Eiko higher up.
Eiko started swinging her arms and legs. "Michael, get me down from here!"
I looked from her to Lani. "You hide behind a six year old girl. You're nothing more than a dishonorable witch."
Lani grew angry "I'd watch what you say, if I were you. One more insult like that, and the girl dies." I reached for my reverse blade sword, but thought better of it. I didn't want to put Eiko in anymore danger then what she was already in.
Eiko spoke. "Michael, beat this bimbo!"
Lani's anger rose, and she lifted Eiko higher into the air. "Alright, that does it!" She reached into her pocket and pulled out some kind of plant. She shoved the plant into Eiko's mouth before I could do anything about it. Eiko stopped talking and fell limp; she was asleep. Lani sighed in relief "that's better. That whiney, little, loudmouthed brat was really getting on my nerves."
That's when I felt the others enter the area. Lani turned to look at Zidane. "Well, so there's the other good sir knight."
Zidane looked at Eiko then looked at her. He assumed a fighting stance. "What have you done to Eiko?"
Lani spoke. "She was too rambunctious, so I put her to sleep with a sleeping weed."
He lowered his fighting stance. "Sleeping weed, eh?" Zidane cracked a smile and looked at Dagger. "Then she's probably sleeping well."
Dagger spoke. "If it's my pendant you're after, than leave the others out of it!"
Lani shook her head. "No can do. This is way too convenient to pass up! Hand over the pendant, and I'll hand over the girl, capice?" that's when she noticed something. "What happened to the pendant that you always have on?"
Zidane spoke "I have it."
Lani turned to look at him. "Oh, you really are a good knight. Now, cough it up already!"
Zidane spoke. "First, tell me something. Was it you who stole the village stone?"
She nodded. "Queen Brahne is after the royal pendant. I found another jewel just like it in this village! I'm glad I came all this way looking for it! Now, hand it over!" Zidane looked uncertain and glanced at me.
Lani saw the gesture. "Hold on! You're plotting something, aren't you? Stay right there!" Zidane growled at her. She turned to look at Vivi "you, Black Mage!"
Vivi looked startled. "Huh? M-Me?"
She nodded. "Bring me the pendant! Remember, do as I say if you value this brat's life!"
Vivi looked uncertain and turned to Zidane. "Zidane…" he said.
Zidane nodded his head. "Do it, Vivi."
Vivi nodded. "O-okay…" He took the pendant from Zidane and approached Lani. Lani laughed victoriously.
"Hold it!"
I turned at the sound of the voice and saw a tall, blue-skinned, red-haired man jump down at Lani. He knocked Lani off the fire pit. Eiko went flying through the air, but I pushed Vivi over towards her and he caught her, again.
The sleeping weed was wearing off, and Eiko was waking up. Vivi looked down at her. "Are you alright?" She nodded and Vivi set her on the ground.
She spoke. "What's going on?" A look of realization crossed her face. "Where's that old hag?"
Lani looked at her. "Oh, that's it! Who are you calling a hag?"
Eiko turned to look at her. "You!"
Zidane smiled. "So, the tables turn! Now, hand over the jewel you stole!"
Lani looked, angrily, at the red-haired man. "What are you tryin' to do, Red? I thought you're supposed to be the number one bandit!"
Red crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not here to help. I just want it to be fair."
This confused Lani. "What are you talking about?"
Red spoke. "Leave the jewel and get out of here."
This shocked Lani. "What? We're partners on this job!"
Red spoke. "I don't work with hostage-taking scumbags. Now, get lost. Or..." he assumed a fighting stance and flexed the muscles in his wrist forcing the blades of his claw weapon to emerge. "Would you rather fight me?"
Lani put her battle axe away and gave Red the jewel. She gave him a look of pure hate. "Mark my words! I'll collect the bounty on YOU someday!" With that said she jumped on top of the Eidolon Wall and escaped.
After she left, Red turned to Zidane. "Now, fight me!"
This confused Zidane. "Just a second here. What's going on?"
Red spoke. "I told you. I'm not here to help. I just want to level the playing field."
Zidane loosened his shoulders. "Fair enough, let's do it."
Dagger was shocked "Zidane!"
Zidane didn't look at her, but spoke anyway. "It's okay. I was just looking for more ways to impress you!" Zidane got his Ogre ready and the battle began.
Zidane jumped at Red and tried to strike him, but Red jumped out of the way. Red counterattacked by swinging his clawed right hand upwards at Zidane. Zidane managed to step back from the attack, but the claws still tore the front of his shirt. Zidane jumped back, put away his Ogre, and pulled out his daggers instead. I nodded at Zidane's decision. 'A good idea. In this battle, speed is what matters not power, but be careful Zidane, this guy's a tricky one' I thought.
Red charged at Zidane and swung his claw at him again. Zidane ducked the blow, and slashed Red across the chest with one of his daggers. Red retreated back; the injury he had given him wasn't lethal, but I bet it stung. Red circled Zidane and eyed him more cautiously. He was like a predator circling his prey.
Finally, he reached into his pocket, pulled out a bladed disk, and threw it at Zidane. Zidane managed to roll to the side and managed to avoid the deadly disk. The disk continued on its course and struck the wall; chipping of a piece of Atomos's mural. Eiko saw this and grew mad. "Hey, watch where you're throwing those things! These murals are irreplaceable you moron!" Red didn't pay any attention to her, and instead focused his attention on Zidane.
Red was growing tired of this game. "Let's settle this hand-to-hand, no weapons." Zidane nodded his head and sheathed his daggers. Red removed the claw on his left hand, and threw it over at us. I snatched it before it hit the ground. Zidane saw the gesture and undid his dagger belt. He threw that over to me as well. He also threw me his Ogre. Now the two of them wouldn't be tempted to use weapons.
Red spoke again. "If one of us lands on our back then that guy has to give the one still standing his weapon to finish off the person, got it?" Zidane nodded, but before the fight continued, Zidane held up his hand.
"Hold it, what about those bladed disks."
Red spoke. "you mean the Pinwheel. I only had the one. I don't have any others. Now, if there's nothing else let's continue." Zidane nodded his head and prepared to attack.
Zidane charged at Red and managed to duck his attack. Zidane performed a back flip kick, and caught him under the chin. Red stumbled back, but recovered from the attack faster then Zidane had thought he would. He grabbed Zidane by his belt, lifted him up, and threw him into the wall.
Zidane hit the wall, hard, and slid to the floor. He looked up and saw a big blue fist heading straight for his head. He quickly rolled out of the way, and managed to avoid Red's attack.
Red couldn't stop his attack, and hit the wall with his fist. The wall cracked and a few pieces fell off. This set Eiko off again. "What did I just say about the Murals?" Red wasn't paying attention, and was circling Zidane again.
Zidane charged at Red and performed a jump kick. Red stepped to the side, and grabbed Zidane's tail as he flew by. With Zidane's tail in his hand, he swung Zidane around and threw him into the wall, again, earning another reprimand from Eiko. "Will you just leave the wall alone?" Red's had enough at this point.
He turned to Eiko. "Will you shut up you little brat!" he said. Unfortunately, for him, this gave Zidane time to get back up.
Zidane charged at Red and jumped into the air. Red readied himself for Zidane's attack. To his surprise, Zidane ended up jumping over his head. Red turned around and received a roundhouse kick in the gut from Zidane. Red doubled over, completely winded. Zidane took advantage of this and uppercut him in the face. Red stumbled back, and Zidane sweep kicked him off his feet.
Red was on the ground and I threw Zidane his daggers. He grabbed them, quickly unsheathed them, and brought them close to Red's neck before he could get up. Zidane smiled down at him. "I win." Zidane got up.
Red got up on one knee. "I…I lost? Go on. Finish me!"
Zidane spoke. "Can you stand?" Red didn't say anything. Zidane spoke again. "Give back what you stole." Red got up and gave Zidane the stone. Zidane turned to look at Eiko. "Eiko, I got it back!"
Red spoke again. "Now, finish me!"
Zidane turned to look at him. "You wanna die that bad? I just spared your life."
Red spoke. "So you want to banish me, then?"
Zidane shrugged his shoulders. "You can go if you want. I won't follow you."
Red pointed his finger accusingly at Zidane. "Aha! Trying to trick me, eh?"
This confused Zidane. "trick you?"
Red spoke. "I tried to kill you! Why are you letting me go?"
Zidane spoke. "The fight's over, and we're both still alive. Good enough, right? We got back what was stolen from us, after all."
Red seemed irritated. "Listen to you. I lost to some spineless thief."
Zidane spoke "The sly eagle doesn't kill at whim." Red kept silent. After a few seconds he jumped on top of the wall, and left.
After watching him leave, Zidane turned back to Eiko. He gave Eiko the stone. "Keep that in a safe place."
Eiko nodded. "I will! Thanks, Zidane!" She turned around and looked at Vivi. "Well? You're not going to leave me alone after what just happened, are you?"
Vivi looked confused. "Huh?"
Eiko spoke. "I'm going." She ran off and Vivi followed after her. I decided to run off after them as well.
I followed them back to the storage room. I walked inside and saw Vivi standing near the right-side wall. Eiko was standing in the middle of the room starring out the window. After a few seconds, Zidane and Dagger arrived. I moved over to the left of the room to give them more space.
Vivi spoke to Zidane. "She's been quiet the whole time."
Eiko spoke. "Zidane, let me ask you something. My grandfather told me not to leave the village until my sixteenth birthday...but I want to go with you guys! I really do! Do you think it's okay if I leave this village?"
Zidane spoke. "I'll agree if that's what you want. Eiko, come with us. Forget what your grandpa said."
I turned to Vivi. "Don't you have something to say to her, Vivi?" Vivi looked confused, but a look of realization crossed his eyes.
He turned to look at Eiko. Eiko was already looking at him. "Remember what you taught me at the Iifa Tree? You said I shouldn't ever lie to myself. I'll try to be more honest with my own feelings... You should, too, Eiko..."
Eiko thought about this for a minute and smiled. "I forgot my own advice, Vivi! Thanks! I'll wear the jewel as an earring. It'll be okay then, right, Zidane?" She put the jewel on.
Dagger spoke. "Eiko, I think Mog wants to talk to you."
Mog slowly entered the room. "Ku-Kupo" Eiko said nothing. "Kuuupoh!"
Eiko smiled. "What? You think I'm made at you?" a look of anger crossed her face. "I'm furious! You went off without me again! You promised me you wouldn't! What would you do if you went off and got into trouble?"
Mog looked sad. "Kupo…" she paused.
Eiko calmed down. "Oh well. Thank goodness we're both alright."
Vivi looked at Eiko. "You're always nice to Mog, aren't you, Eiko?"
Eiko looked at him. "Well, yeah. We're best friends, after all! We were born on the same day, and we have always been together. This is our friendship ribbon! Mog gave it to me!" She held out a ribbon. She turned to Mog. "Mog, do you have the ribbon I gave you?"
Mog nodded "kupo!" and showed everyone the ribbon.
Eiko spoke "It's too big for her now, but once we're both sophisticated ladies, we'll wear them together!"
Mog nodded "kupo!"
Eiko spoke again. "Maybe then, Zidane, you'll dance with me?" She looked at Zidane, and saw that he wasn't paying attention. Eiko spoke. "Zidane?"
Zidane still wasn't paying attention. Finally, Zidane spoke "I didn't know Mog was a girl…" he paused. I turned to the entrance, and noticed that Dagger was gone.
I spoke. "Zidane, Dagger's gone."
He looked at me, and then looked behind him. "Where'd she go? I guess I'll have to find her." Zidane walked out of the room.
Eiko looked at me. "Michael, why did you tell him that?"
I gave her an innocent look. "What? Zidane can't go see his girl? We already discussed this, Eiko, and I haven't changed my mind."
She looked mad. "I still think I have a chance!"
I sighed. "Fine, whatever, I've already warned you once. I won't warn you again." She pouted, turned away from me, and looked out the window.
I turned and walked towards the exit. Before I left, I stopped and looked at Vivi. "Are you coming, Vivi?"He looked at me and shook his head. "I-I think I'll stay here for a bit."
I looked over at Eiko then looked back at him and nodded. "Okay, I'll see you later, brother." I turned and left the storage room.
I walked up to the kitchen and sat in one of the chairs. I looked out at the sea. The sun was starting to set, and the view was great. My head was throbbing. I was getting annoyed; ever since we went to the Iifa Tree I've been getting this terrible headache. I looked out at the canyons. "Wow…the sun makes the canyon seem like its on fire…a fire…why do I feel like I should be remembering something?"
Suddenly, the pain in my head increased ten fold. I stood up, grabbed my head with both my hands, and cried out in pain. I felt myself slipping into darkness. I was out before I even hit the ground.
I saw Michael leave and stayed in the room with Eiko. I wanted to go with him, but I didn't want to leave Eiko alone. I don't think she likes being alone.
Eiko turned around. She saw me. "Vivi, why are you still here? I thought you'd be with Michael."
I looked at her. "I-I didn't want to leave you alone, Eiko. I didn't think you'd like that, but if you want me to leave…" I paused.
Eiko smiled. "That's sweet of you to stay, Vivi, and you're right; I don't want to be alone. Thanks."
I felt a weird sensation go through my body, but it felt kinda nice. I liked the way she smiled. I spoke "you're welcome."
That's when I heard someone cry out in pain. My eyes widened. Eiko confirmed my fears on who I thought it was.
"That was Michael!" she said.
I looked at her. "We gotta help him!" She nodded and we both ran out of the storage room, and into the kitchen.
When we got to the kitchen I saw Michael, face-down, on the ground. "Michael!" I ran over to him and turned him over.
Eiko came over and joined me. Eiko spoke. "Is he alright?"
I shrugged. "I-I don't know. H-He doesn't look like he was attacked. W-We gotta get him into a bed."
"What all the noise?" I turned and saw Quina walk into the kitchen from the dinning room. She saw Michael on the floor. "Why Michael on floor? Floor not good to sleep on."
I spoke. "Quina, can you help us get him into one of the bedrooms?"
Quina nodded. "Okay, I help."
She walked over and picked Michael up off the floor. "You no sleep on floor anymore, Michael." She slung him over her shoulder, walked into the dinning room, walked into the bedroom hall, walked into Michael's room, and put Michael on the bed.
Eiko and I followed Quina into the room. I went over to Michael's side. Eiko spoke. "Will he be okay?"
I turned to her. "He has to be okay. He has to…" I paused and turned back to Michael.
After a few minutes, we heard Zidane yell, "Eiko, Vivi, Quina! I need some help."
I turned to them. "Go help Zidane. I'll stay here." They nodded and left the room. I turned back to look at Michael.
After a minute, Eiko came back into the room. "It's Dagger; she's fainted, too."
I was surprised. "What? What happened?"
She shrugged her shoulders. "I don't know. Zidane said she was fine, and then she just collapsed."
I thought about this. "Can you take care of her? I'll stay here and look after Michael." She nodded and left the room.
I turned back to look at Michael. I climbed on top of the bed and knelt by his side. 'Michael, you have to get better. You're my brother…I need you.'