Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy IX or any of its characters, plots, music, etc…
A/N: Sorry, I'm too tired for too much stuff…look at me! I can't even make sense! Ah well, enjoy the chapter.
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I was in an empty room…surrounded only by shadows….no Zidane…
"Zidane?" I called into the darkness.
Silence was the only response given…I was afraid.
"Zidane!"
My eyes had begun to well up with tears. As I sat there crying, the shadows around me began to close in on me.
"ZIDANE!" I screamed.
I began to run as fast as I could, but no matter how hard or how far I ran, I didn't seem to make any progress. Finally, my legs gave and I fell to my knees. The shadows didn't slow at all in their pursuit.
Now unable to escape, I panicked, "ZIDANE, PLEASE!"
I closed my eyes and tried to shield myself from the oncoming shadows. Nevertheless, I could feel the shadows surrounding me…suffocating me…killing me…
Then, all of a sudden, I felt the shadows pull back as though they were cringing.
I ventured to open my eyes.
Zidane stood over me protectively in his familiar battle stance. He glanced at me through the corner of his eye, giving me a look I couldn't quite decipher.
He leapt forward, swinging his daggers into the darkness, pushing it back. The shadows receded into the horizon leaving it perfectly white.
Zidane turned to face me, and collapsed to his knees. I crawled up to him, taking him into my arms.
"Zidane!" I said shaking him gently, "What's wrong?"
He was breathing heavily, "I'm sorry…Dagger…They're only after you because of…me…I don't think I can keep protecting you…"
He had the tone of a man who wished to give up…but couldn't.
He sighed and fell back into my arms, mumbling, "I-I…can't………Dagger…"
I squeezed him softly, forcing a smile, "It's alright. You needn't protect anyone. Just rest knowing I'm holding you."
His eyes slowly began to close, "Dagger…I'm…sorry…"
His whole body seemed to relax.
"Z-Zidane?" I whispered nervously.
He just lay there with a look of peace on his face. Tears began to slide down my cheeks, "Don't worry, Zidane. I'm here with you…"
The shadows began creeping closer with caution.
I lifted Zidane's head to my own, holding my tearstained face to his. I slowly began rocking him as a mother would her child through a storm.
"I wrote a song…" I whispered, "It's a song of healing…so maybe…maybe it will help you find your way…I'm sure you know the tune…"
I held him tighter as I began to sing,
"Alone for a while, I've been searching through the dark
For traces of the love you left inside my lonely heart
To weave by picking p the pieces that remain
Melodies of life: love's lost refrain
Our paths they did cross, though I cannot say just why
We met, we laughed, we held on fast, and then we said goodbye
And who'll hear the echoes of stories never told?
Let them ring out loud 'til they unfold
In my dearest memories, I see you reaching out to me
Though you're gone, I still believe that you can call out my name
A voice from the past, joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony
And so it goes on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying birds
Forever and beyond
So far and away, see the bird as it flies by
Gliding through the shadows of the clouds up in the sky
I've laid my memories and dreams upon those wings
Leave them no, and see what tomorrow brings
In your dearest memories, do you remember loving me?
Was it fate that brought us close and now leaves me behind?
A voice from the past joining yours and mine
Adding up the layers of harmony
And so it goes on and on
Melodies of life
To the sky beyond the flying birds
Forever and on
If I should leave this lonely world behind
Your voice will still remember our melody
Now I know we'll carry on
Melodies of life
Come circle round and grow deep in our hearts…"
I pulled Zidane closer as the shadows engulfed us and sang the song's final line, "As long as we remember…"
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I woke up with tears in my eyes and Kuja, Beatrix, and Steiner standing around me.
"Your Majesty!" Beatrix exclaimed, "You've finally awoken! Are you alright? You were having a terrible nightmare!"
I looked past her with a blank look on my face and tears slipping down my face, "It's alright…I've said my goodbyes…"
Kuja looked at me with alarm, "To whom?"
I closed my eyes and curled into a ball, "…Zidane…"
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A/N: oooooooooooooooooooooh! It took me a long time to figure out how to pull this chapter off, but I did it! YAY! BTW: I'm listening to "Home" from Dream Theatre's album "Scenes from a Memory" teehee!
Please review!