FINAL FANTASY IX: Arch-Angel

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CHAPTER 1

She hugged him as if her life depended on him. "How did you survive?" she asked him.

He smiled, "I didn't have a choice. I had to live. I wanted to come home to you... So,I sang your song..."

Garnet held onto Zidane tightly as the crowd around her continued to applaud and celebrate. Everyone was there...except for Vivi. Shortly before her 17th birthday, she had received the news that Vivi, the young black mage that had gone with them on their quest had "stopped". Now, the only connection they all had to Vivi was his many and very energetic son's...Vivi's sons...

She smiled turning to look at everyone, then realized about her necklace. She had dropped it, when she ran down the steps to see Zidane. She gave him another hug, and ran into the crowd, where her crystal necklace lay on the pavement. She picked it up. The strap on it was broken, but she didn't care.

i"It doesn't matter..."/i

She held onto it, and ran back to Zidane. "Zidane? What happened? After you left, what happened?"

Zidane ran his fingers through the back of his hair. He didn't want to talk about it, that was for sure. Kuja's death hit him kind of hard.

i"Oh man...This is gonna get complicated..."/i

But, he didn't have time to think, at least not before everyone else began to crowd around them. Eiko, Freya, Amarant, Steiner, and everyone else began heckling Zidane to talk about what happened.

"Zidane! What happened? Are you ok?" Eiko asked, as she put her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, I..."

"You sure took your time," Amarant said.

"I know..."

"Where were you? Her Majesty was worried Zidane!" Steiner yelled.

"Rusty, give me a-"

"You've missed a lot Z-"

"Ok. I get the picture, guys! I didn't get back fast enough. Sorry. It's just...I went back to help Kuja, and we ended up getting almost creamed to death by the Iifa Tree. I made it back, but..."

"Kuja didn't..." Amarant finished. Zidane nodded.

"I couldn't save him. And he said he regretted what he did. At least I could be there with him until the end. So, he didn't have to die alone. That's what friends do."

"And this is the guy who tried to destroy Gaia and destroyed Terra, right?" Amarant replied.

"Yes, but it was the noble thing to do Zidane!" Steiner said.

Zidane started to feel the queasyness in his stomach go back to normal. "Yeah, it was. It was the right thing to do, and I don't regret it. So, exactly how much have I missed?" Eiko sighed, as Garnet smiled.

"Not too much," she replied.

Just then, Zidane's comrades, Blank, Cinna, Marcus, and Ruby came to join him.

"Giving out autographs, Zidane?" Blank asked.

Zidane grinned, "Haha...just catching up."

"I'll say..." Cinna replied. Blank started to laugh.

"Let it go you two, "Marcus said.

"Hey, Zidane! Someone over in the crowd wants to see you," Cinna said. Zidane stretched.

"I'm tired, though. Performing makes you tired. I'll see 'em later," he replied.

"Zidane, ya'll as lazy as a blind mule," Ruby said.

"Thanks, Ruby, but I'll take the compliments later..."

"Are you ok, Zidane? You're sure acting weird..." Eiko said.

"Yeah. I'm fine. Just tired, that's all. I'm gonna go take a snooze. See you guys later."

Zidane walked into the Prima Vista and closed the door behind him. Everyone just stared.

"W-what's going on with Zidane? This isn't like him!" Eiko said.

"Maybe it's just an off day for the guy. He's been through heck..." Amarant said.

"That's not what I mean! Hmph! Nincumpoop!" Eiko replied, putting her hands on her hips.

"Kids..." Amarant muttered.