Chapter 58: Reunion

Eight months have past since we defeated Necron. Vivi was now ten years old, and he grew an inch. I had also turned twenty. Vivi and I had also been discussing certain plans for his future and mine.

I returned to Memoria using my ring. Once there, I found the Invincible, and was able to get it out of Memoria. I also paid a visit to Hades just to be polite. After that, I rode the Invincible back to the Black Mage Village.

During my stay in the village, I began teaching the mages and Genomes important lessons about life. Thankfully, Kuja and Vivi were there to support me. Though he won't say it, I can tell that Vivi is starting to trust Kuja. I also noticed that Mikoto and Mr. 288 always seemed to be around each other. I knew that something was going on there, but I didn't want to jump to conclusions.

I also continued to train Vivi. Now that we weren't in the middle of an adventure, I had more time to train him. I also trained Kuja, but I didn't train him in combat. I trained him on how to come to terms with the evil deeds he had committed in the past. By extending the Black mages life spans, he took his first step towards redemption. He still had his own personal demons to deal with, and I was doing my best to help him confront them. The Genomes also seemed to be developing personalities, much to everyone's delight.

Due to my constant teaching, the mages and Genomes gave me the title 'Wise Teacher.' I hardly call myself a wise teacher, but if they want to call me that, so be it. Eventually, a day came that I knew would come.

I was sitting in a chair in my hut, reading a book, when Vivi walked in. He seemed excited. "Michael, we got a letter from Dagger."

I closed my book and looked at Vivi. "What does it say?"

He spoke. "It's her birthday next week, and we're invited. There's gonna be a play, and guess what's playing?"

I shrugged. "I'm guessing 'I Want to Be Your Canary.'"

He looked surprised. "How'd you know?"

I smiled. "Lucky guess."

He held out two pieces of paper. I spoke. "I'm guessing those are our tickets?"

He nodded. "Yeah, and they're real. I checked."

I smiled. "That's good to hear."

Vivi spoke. "So, when are we leaving?"

I thought for a moment. "When was that letter sent?"

Vivi looked at it, and gasped. "It was sent a week ago, her birthday is today!"

I stood up. "Well then we better leave now."

Vivi looked excited. "You're right; I can't wait to see everyone. It's been so long." I nodded in agreement.

The door opened, and Kuja walked in. We turned to him. He spoke. "What's all the commotion about?"

Vivi spoke. "Dagger's birthday is today, and Michael and I are heading to Alexandria right now."

Kuja smiled. "Well, have a good time."

I spoke. "Hang on, Kuja. You're coming, too."

This shocked Vivi and Kuja. They both spoke at the same time. "Why?"

I spoke. "Because everyone is going to be there, and I believe everyone else has a right to know that you're still alive."

Kuja looked skeptical. "I'm not sure."

I spoke. "You're gonna have to meet them at some point. It may as well be now." Kuja sighed, he clearly didn't like the idea of confronting the others.

Finally, he spoke. "Alright, I'll go."

I nodded. "Good, but don't reveal yourself until I tell you to, okay?" He nodded. I smiled. "Good…well, I'm all set to go. How about you guys?"

Kuja spoke. "I better get something to conceal my identity." Kuja left the room.

Vivi turned to me. "Are you sure it's a wise idea to bring him along. I mean, I'm sure none of the others are going to be pleased to see that he's alive, especially Dagger."

I nodded. "I know, but Kuja's gonna have to face them sooner or later. I think he's ready."

Vivi spoke. "Yeah, but are our friends ready?"

I shrugged. "We'll find out soon enough."

After a few minutes, Kuja entered the room. He was wearing a long robe. He had the hood up. His face was hidden in shadow. He spoke. "Well, what do you think?"

I looked at the robe. "I think it'll do. I don't think they'll know it's you unless they get really close to you." After that was set, I used my ring, and we departed for Alexandria.

We arrived right outside the entrance to Alexandria. I looked at the city. "It's been a while."

Vivi nodded. "Yeah, the last time we were here, it was a burning wreck."

I nodded. "Dagger, Steiner, and Beatrix have really done a great job with the reconstruction." Vivi and Kuja both nodded. I turned to them. "Well, let's go." They nodded and we entered Alexandria.

When we were in front of the tavern, Vivi fell over. No, he didn't fall over; he was knocked over by…Puck. Puck spoke. "Pick up the pace, will ya?" That's when he noticed who it was. He was surprised. "I don't believe it! Vivi!"

Vivi got up and looked at him. "Hi, Puck."

I turned to Puck as well. "Remember me?"

He looked at me. "Michael! You're here, too!" I nodded.

Puck spoke. "Damn, how long has it been?"

I spoke. "I'd say ten months."

Puck whistled. "Wow, it has been awhile." Vivi and I nodded.

Vivi spoke. "So…are you going to sneak into the play again?"

He smiled. "Hell ya, why waste money on a ticket when I can just sneak in. How about you two?" I smiled, and showed him my ticket. Vivi showed his as well.

Puck was surprised. "How did you guys get those? Are they real?"

I spoke. "Yeah, they're real. As to how we got them, let's just say that it really helps when you know the Queen of Alexandria personally."

He whistled again. "Wow…well, enjoy the show. Later." He tried to run off, but I stopped him.

"Wait, Puck." He turned to me.

He looked irritated. "What is it?"

I motioned to Kuja. "My friend here doesn't have a ticket. Can you take him with you? I promise; he'll be very helpful."

Puck thought for a moment. "I will…if he becomes my slave."

I bent my head towards Kuja's ear. I whispered, "Just say yes. You don't have to take him seriously." Kuja nodded.

He spoke. "Fine…I'll be your…slave."

Puck looked pleased. "Awesome, man I'm getting good at this. Alright, follow me slave." He ran off.

Kuja turned to me. "Are you sure about this?"

I nodded. "Trust me, he can get you in. After all, you can't very well walk through the front door with us without a ticket."

He nodded. "Very well."

"Hey, hurry up slave!" Kuja sighed.

I spoke. "Vivi and the rest of us are staying at the castle for the night. Once the play is over go to my room, and wait for me, alright?" He nodded and ran off with Puck. Vivi and I walked on to the ticket booth.

When we got to the ticket booth, I realized that it was the same ticket master from last time. He recognized us. "Why, hello you two. Come to see the play again." He looked at Vivi. "I hope your ticket isn't a fake like last time, son."

I spoke. "We have real tickets this time, courtesy of her royal highness, Queen Da-I mean Garnet." 'Well, that sounded impressive' I thought, sarcastically.

He nodded. "I see, well hand me you-" he stopped in mid-sentence. His jaw dropped "wait a minute. You two were with the queen when she helped save Gaia, right?" We both nodded, hesitantly. He seemed excited. "You guys are heroes! Can I have your autographs?" Both Vivi and I were shocked, but we both nodded, and gave him our autographs. He smiled. "Thanks, now I have proof that I met you two."

I nodded. "Uh, yeah, anyway about our tickets."

He looked puzzled; then he remembered. "Oh, right. Give them to me." we handed him our tickets; he stamped them, and handed them back to us. "There you go. Enjoy the show."

Vivi nodded. "We will." We left the ticket booth, walked to the lake after showing our tickets to the guards, boarded the boat, and arrived in front of Alexandria Castle.

The castle was fully restored, giant sword, and all. Vivi spoke. "Wow…I think the castle looks bigger."

I spoke. "You think so too, huh. Well, let's go in." He nodded and we walked towards the entrance to the castle.

A guard stopped us when we got to the entrance. "Halt, are you ticket holders?"

I spoke. "We wouldn't be here if we weren't, now, would we?"

She smirked. "Anyway, you must take the stairs to the upper level, from there go-" I cut her off.

"Yeah, we know where to go. This isn't our first time her, but thanks for the info, and keep up the good work." Vivi and I walked into the palace.

While we were walking to our seats, Vivi spoke "Remember the last time we saw this play?"

I smiled and nodded. "How could I forget? That was a big turning point in all our lives."

Vivi nodded. "Yeah, and he was still with us." I nodded knowing full well who he meant by 'he.' Vivi spoke. "I just can't believe he hasn't shown up yet, and you even said that you didn't see him at the Iifa Tree when you rescued-" I cut him off.

"I know, and I think it would be best that we not discuss who I saved until the time is right."

Vivi nodded in understanding. "Right…sorry."

I looked at him. "It's okay." Eventually, we made it to our seats. I could see that the Theater Ship had arrived.

"VIVI, MICHAEL!"

We turned around, and saw Eiko running at us. I smiled "Eiko, you made it." She ran up to us, and hugged each one of us. She hugged Vivi longer than she hugged me. I did my best to hide my smile when I saw them hug.

She looked at us. "How did you guys get here so fast?"

I spoke. "It helps when you have a certain ring." I showed her my pearl ring.

She smiled. "Oh, yeah. I almost forgot about that thing."

Vivi spoke. "So, where's Cid and Hilda."

Eiko turned to him. "Oh, there gonna be sitting next to Dagger in the royal booth."

I spoke. "I see." Eiko started fidgeting. She seemed very anxious. I spoke. "Do you have something to say Eiko. You look like you want to tell us something, desperately."

She had a huge smile on her face. "Cid and Hilda are gonna adopt me!" she said, jumping into the air, ecstatically.

Vivi spoke. "Really, so you're going to be-"she cut him off.

"Princess Eiko Carol of Lindblum!"

Vivi nodded. "Yeah."

I spoke. "Well, that's great Eiko. We're glad to hear it. But wouldn't you be Princess Eiko Fabloo of Lindblum."

She spoke. "They said its okay for me to keep my surname."

I nodded. "Oh, okay." Eiko walked over to her seat. She sat next to Vivi.

"So, you three make it I see. I so happy." We turned around, and saw Quina walking towards us.

Eiko spoke. "Quina, hi. How are you doing?"

She spoke. "I okay. They have many good ingredients for tasty munchies here. I so happy."

I spoke. "That's good to hear, Quina. So, you're like the Royal Chef."

She nodded. "Yes, I Royal Chef. I so happy."

Vivi spoke. "Yeah, we got that the first time." Quina went and sat down in a chair that was right in front of me. Thankfully, my height was mostly in my upper body. I could easily see over her chef's hat.

"Well, it's nice to see you guys again." I turned around in my seat, and saw Freya approach us.

I smiled. "Freya, good to see you again."

She nodded. "Likewise."

Vivi spoke. "So how are the reconstruction efforts going in Burmecia."

She smiled. "It's going along great. At the rate we're going Burmecia will be restored in about six months."

Eiko spoke. "That's good to hear." Freya sat down in front of Eiko, much to Eiko's dismay. Eiko had to stand up in order to look over Freya's hat.

I spoke. "So, has Fratley returned?"

She nodded. "Yes, he still doesn't remember me or his past, but…I think we'll be fine."

I smiled. "I'm happy to hear that."

Eiko spoke. "Uh, Freya, could you take off your hat. I can't see." Freya nodded, and removed her hat.

With her hat removed, her long white hair fell down to her shoulders. She turned to Eiko. "Better?"

Eiko nodded. "Better."

"So, you're all here." I turned around, and saw Amarant approach us.

I smiled. "How's it going Amarant?"

He shrugged. "Same old. I've just been traveling around the Mist Continent with no real destination in mind."

I nodded. "I see…and I also see that you brought along company." I saw Lani approach us.

Before anyone said anything, she spoke. "Don't worry. I'm not gonna attack you. I'm just here to watch the play." She walked over and sat next to me. Amarant sat in front of Vivi. Now, Vivi had to stand in order to see over Amarant's hair.

After fifteen minutes. The play began. Baku walked out onto the stage dressed as King Leo. He spoke. "Ladies and Gentlemen! Tonight's performance is a story that takes place long, long ago. Our heroine, Princess Cornelia, is torn from her lover, Marcus. She attempts to flee the castle, only to be captured by her father, King Leo. Tonight's story begins when Marcus and Cornelia decide to run away together." He motioned to the royal seats "And now, Your Royal Majesty, Queen Garnet, Lord Steiner, Lady Beatrix, Regent Cid, Lady Hilda." Then, he motioned to our seats. "Noble ladies and lords, and heroes of Gaia." He motioned to the surrounding rooftops. "And our rooftop viewers, Tantalus proudly presents 'I Want to Be Your Canary!'" He took a bow, and the play began.

I didn't really pay much attention to the play. I just sort of zoned out. Suddenly, in the next scene, a robed figure walked onto the stage. That immediately caught my attention.

The robed figure spoke. "The time for our departure is long past. Where is Cornelia?"

Cinna walked onto the stage. "Marcus, the ship soon embarks! Board ye this boat alone, and peace could come to both kingdoms, as Blank so said. Speak, Marcus!"

Marcus spoke. "She told me that she could not live without me. So, the sun is our enemy, too. The eastern sky grows bright. Will we not spread our wings, as yonder birds in joyous flight?"

Cinna was annoyed. "Hark, Marcus! They cannot wait any longer! The ship departs!" Cinna left the stage.

Marcus spoke. "Could she have betrayed me? Nay, ne'er would my love speak false. I must have faith! She shall appear if I only believe! As the sun lends me no ear, I pray instead to the twin moons!" He looked up at the twin moons, and raised his hands to the sky. "I beseech thee, wondrous moonlight, grant me my only wish!" That's when the figure turned around and threw of his robe, to reveal that he was none other than…Zidane. Zidane smiled. "Bring my beloved Dagger to me!"

I looked up at the royal seats. I saw Dagger lean over the balcony. She had a shocked expression on her face. She turned and ran. A few seconds later, she burst through the doors to the nobles seats, and ran to Zidane. She had no time for manners and pushed through the many nobles.

That was when I saw her necklace come loose. It flew through the air, and she turned to see it soar towards the ground. I quickly jumped out of my seat, landed on the ground, and managed to catch her necklace before it hit the ground. I turned to Dagger, smiled, and motioned for her to keep going. She smiled, nodded, turned, and continued running towards the stage.

She made her way through the nobles, and jumped at Zidane. Zidane caught her, and spun her around a few times. She looked up at him, and laid her head against his chest. She also pounded his chest a few times with her fist.

That was when the audience started to clap and cheer. I just stood there and watched the spectacle. Finally, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I jumped into the air raised my fist towards the sky and shouted "YEEEEES!" After that, I kept quiet and clapped while Zidane and Dagger held each other.

After fifteen minutes, we had all assembled in the throne room. Zidane looked at all of us. "Hi, guys. Long time no see." Vivi and Eiko immediately ran up to Zidane and hugged him.

Vivi spoke. "Zidane, we missed you so much!"

He spoke. "I know. I missed you guys, too."

I turned to Dagger. "Here, Dagger" I threw her necklace at her. She caught it, and put it back on.

She smiled. "Thanks, Michael." I nodded, and turned my attention back to Zidane.

Freya spoke. "How did you survive?"

He spoke. "Well, I have to thank Kuja for that." That shocked everyone, including me.

He spoke. "You see, the roots from the Iifa Tree were about to crush us both. I tried to shield Kuja, but he pushed me out of the way at the last second with a blast of magic. He saved my life."

Steiner spoke. "One good deed doesn't make up for the crimes he committed."

Zidane spoke. "well, actually…we all owe him our lives. He's the one who teleported us out of Memoria. Who knows what would've happened to us if we had stayed there."

Freya spoke. "Even if that is the case. It still doesn't make up for much."

Zidane spoke. "You weren't with him in the last moments of his life. He was truly sorry for all the trouble he had caused. He finally realized what it meant to live."

Amarant spoke. "Too little, too late."

Zidane nodded. "Maybe, but-" we were interrupted when the door to the throne room opened.

Two guards walked in. They were escorting a robed figure into the room. My heart skipped a beat; it was Kuja, thankfully he still had his hood up. 'Dammit, Puck. Don't tell me you abandoned him. If you did, I swear I'll…' my thought trailed off. I turned to Vivi. He looked shocked as well.

The guard spoke. "We found this man when the nobles were leaving. He was accompanied by a Burmecian child, but he got away. We did catch this one, though."

The other guard turned to the robed figure. "Remove your hood, and show your face." The figure didn't respond, and didn't remove the hood. The guard spoke. "Fine, I'll take it off myself."

I ran at the guard, and grabbed her hand. I gave her a serious look. "Leave him to me. You two are dismissed."

The guard spoke. "The only ones who can order me is the queen or the general." I looked at Dagger. I mouthed the word 'please.'

She nodded. "You two are dismissed. We'll handle this intruder." The guards saluted, and left the room. We were alone, now.

Dagger spoke. "I take it you know this person, Michael?"

I spoke. "All of you know him. I please ask that none of you overreact. I was planning on having you met this guy tomorrow, but those guards just killed that idea." I turned to the robed figure. He turned to me. I sighed, and nodded. He removed his hood.

Everyone gasped, except for Vivi and me. Dagger was shocked. "Kuja!"

Steiner unsheathed his Excalibur II, and ran at Kuja. He performed his Climhazzard technique. I unsheathed my reverse blade sword, ran in front of Kuja, and blocked Steiner's attack. He was shocked. I pushed him back.

I spoke "I said, don't overreact."

Dagger spoke "overreact! ...OVERREACT! That's the man who killed my mother, destroyed my Kingdome, and nearly destroyed the universe!"

Zidane spoke. "Actually, it was Garland who destroyed Alexandria."

She turned to him. "I don't care! He's still responsible for the damage!"

Zidane turned to Kuja. "How did you survive, Kuja? You were crushed!"

He nodded. "Yes, I was, but Michael resurrected me."

Steiner spoke. "LIES! Master Michael would never-" I cut him off.

"He's telling the truth."

The entire room fell silent. Everyone was stunned, except for Vivi, Kuja, and myself. Dagger spoke. "What did you say?" her voice was barely above a whisper.

I sighed. "I better start from the beginning" everyone nodded. I told them everything, from when I resurrected him, to the training I've had him go through. When I was finished, they were all silent.

Finally, Zidane spoke. "Well, it's good to see that you survived after all, brother." This surprised Kuja and everyone else, except me.

I smiled. 'I knew Zidane would understand' I thought.

Dagger wasn't pleased with that response. "Whose side are you on, Zidane?"

He turned to her. "Michael's right about Kuja. He has changed. I saw it in the Iifa Tree. Michael believes he's changed, and so does Vivi. After all, he did help Michael extend the Black Mage's life spans. Besides, Michael and Vivi have been around him for eight months, and they're still alive. I'd say he's changed. All of us changed in some way during our adventure. So why can't Kuja?" Vivi and I nodded in agreement

I looked at the rest of them. "Well, what about you guys?"

Amarant spoke. "He didn't do anything to me personally, so why should I care? If you say he's changed, fine."

Steiner spoke. "I say, let him speak for himself." I turned to Kuja. He nodded.

"What can I really say? I can't undo what I've done, but I can help restore what is left. With every fiber of my being, I will repent for what I've done to this world, and its people. I swear it."

I was a bit surprised. 'He never sounded this sincere before' I thought. This seemed to convince them, well, mostly.

Eiko spoke. "I guess I can forgive him, but it'll be a long time before I'll ever trust him."

Quina spoke. "I forgive, but I not forget."

Steiner spoke. "I suppose I'll forgive him, but if he so much as takes one step out of line, I won't hesitate to kill him."

Beatrix spoke. "I agree with Steiner."

Amarant spoke. "I don't really care that much. I'll forgive him."

Freya spoke. "I guess I'll forgive him."

Vivi spoke. "I already forgave him."

Zidane spoke. "I can forgive you, too bro."

Cid spoke. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I forgive you as well."

Hilda spoke. "I can forgive him as well." We all turned to Dagger.

I spoke. "What about you Dagger?"

Dagger stood silent for a moment. I could see the hate in her eyes. Finally, she walked over to Kuja. She stood face-to-face with him. That…was when she smacked him across the face, hard. The sound was enough to make everyone cringe. She spoke; her voice was filled with malice. "I'll pardon you, but I won't trust you, and I doubt I ever will." Kuja turned his face to her, and said nothing. Dagger turned from him, and walked back to her throne.

Zidane walked over to Kuja and smiled. "Well, bro, I do believe that you're forgiven."

Kuja looked stunned. That's when Kuja's lip began to quiver. His body also started to shake. Much to everyone's surprise, Kuja began to cry. Everyone was taken aback by this. Even I was surprised. Zidane embraced Kuja and allowed him to cry on his shoulder. I watched Zidane as he whispered comforting words into Kuja's ear. I couldn't help, but smile. Eight months ago, these two were at each others throats. Now, you'd never guess that they were once mortal enemies.

After a while, Kuja stopped crying, and Zidane let go of him. I could see that everyone was giving Kuja a sympathetic look, even though most of them tried their best to hide it; Dagger was trying the hardest.
After a while, I spoke. "Well, there's only one way to end this night."

Everyone turned to me. I smiled, and turned towards General Beatrix. "I believe you offered me a rematch, general. I'm ready whenever you are."

She smiled. "I'm always ready for a fight. Let's go to the courtyard." I nodded, and followed her out to the courtyard. The others followed as well.

As soon as we got to the courtyard, I turned to Beatrix. "What are the rules?"

She turned to me. "You decide." I thought for a moment. I decided that using magic would be cheap since my magic was better than hers.

Finally, I spoke. "No magic, no potions, no interference, and…no low blows."

She smiled and nodded. "Very well, let us begin."

Before the battle began, I spoke. "I warn you Beatrix. The last time we fought I was a Hiten Mitsurugi Style apprentice. Now, I am a Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi Style." Beatrix shrugged and readied herself. I unsheathed my reverse blade sword, and prepared to fight General Beatrix yet again.