The Dark Messenger

Chapter 2

Lying awake. It was what Zidane did. His sort of… nighttime activity. He had gotten back to Alexandria late. The storm had lowered visibility, and the Red Rose took longer then expected.

Garnet had gotten worried. Typical, really. Zidane appreciated her concern, but he also found it tiresome. Hell, he was a Tantalus thief… or, he had been.

Ah yes, home. Tantalus. Thinking about this got him thinking about that weird Genome. He seemed almost intent on Zidane returning to Tantalus, like he had something to gain from it. Huh, he couldn't have. He's just a simple Genome.

But it was puzzling that he knew all of this, all about Zidane… about his feelings. That was… curious, to say the least.

An hour passed. Two. Three. His desires were eating at him, and he wouldn't fall asleep again until they were met. This was true. Maybe just a trip to Lindblum? Home for a bit? No, then he'd just want it more.

…

"I need to go home." Zidane muttered in the dark. That kid was right, mysterious and odd all the same. But how would he do it? Just abandon Garnet with a kingdom? That's as bad as abandoning her with a new child, truly. And that was something Zidane couldn't do either.

He couldn't just tell her "I'm going back to Tantalus." either. But wait a minute, wait… She had Beatrix and Steiner. Not to mention a good many knights. Wouldn't that be enough? Probably, although Rusty wasn't exactly an on the ball guy.

Beatrix could take care of her. She had always been a relative, if not blood, but emotional. Steiner was sworn to protect her too, and he cared for her. Yeah… Yeah, she could handle it by herself. She had before he came back… before they tied the knot.

"I'm going." Zidane stated. "It may hurt her for a while, but… I can't stay. I wasn't made for royalty."

Zidane got up and marched out, cloaked, weapons at the ready. His tail made the back of the cloak swish, it was kind of funny.

Zidane entered Ruby's theatre and looked around. Empty. Not a single patron. Must not be a showing tonight.

He walked towards the stage and took off his hood. Voices from backstage.

"I really miss the kid, but do you think he'd ever join up again?" Cinna.

"I think he wants to. He told me himself." Baku.

"But what about the obligations he has?" Marcus.

"Ya know, I'm not sure." Baku.

Zidane found it odd that they were talking about this the moment it was happening. Maybe fate had destined it this way. He opened the stage door and walked in, head hung low.

"Zidane?" Marcus burst, surprised by his sudden entrance.

"What're you doing here, kid?" Baku asked, marching forward.

"I… I want to join Tantalus. Just like the old days."

"Well kid, I don' know if-"

"This is my decision, and I have already made up my mind!" Zidane yelled, staring intently at Baku. His blue eyes seemed aflame.

Baku turned this over in his head and was about to open his mouth when Cinna cut it. "Once Tantalus, always Tantalus! Right Baku?"

The big guy thought. "Right. Welcome home, kid."

Zidane faced the door for a moment, as if contemplating if this decision was worth it. He apparently ruled against his apprehension and face Tantalus once more. "You heading back to Lindblum again?"

"We'd made plans to head out tomorrow. The Prima Vista II's docked near the city." Blank stated, just entering the room. "Good to have you back, Zidane."

"I… I'm going to board the Prima Vista." Zidane muttered, moving towards the door. "I can't leave soon enough."

Baku spoke up. "Hey kid." Zidane stopped and listened. "You sure about leaving Garnet?"

"…I only know what my heart desires." Zidane stated, exiting Ruby's theatre.

A long walk through the back alleys of Alexandria put him on course to the Airship docks. Alexandria's docks were quite the sight. The ships were connected to scaffolding overhanging the waterfalls. They simply flew up and turned to leave. It wasn't as massive as Lindblum's docks, but it was quite ingenious, as the city had no other place with enough sufficient air to dock ships, especially the ones as massive as the Prima Vista.

Zidane put his cloak on. He'd rather not be spotted as the king. Upon reaching the docks he approached the dock master.

"I'm with Tantalus troupe."

"Ah. The Prima Vista II is docked in bay 14." He stated, looking over lists of ships and cargo.

Zidane walked off, looking almost as if he was gliding beneath the dark cloak. The day was young, and he could just barely make out light coming over the Alexandrian/Burmecian mountain divide.

Walking through the halls of the theatre ship, the Genome looked for a place to rest, and found a bed in crew quarters. Lying down, he fell asleep for the first time in what felt like weeks.

Zidane's eyes flickered open. He could feel the ship rocking; moving through the sky. Thank god, he was finally leaving this place he had once longed so much to return to, after the Iifa Tree…

"Hey, Ziddy!"

Zidane bolted up, staring into one of the Tantalus performer's eyes. "Good to see ya, your highness!"

A smile spread across Zidane's face. Finally, amongst his own. "Just be so you don't get thrown into the dungeon, Elliko!"

"Attention Tantalus crew, we're approaching Grand Citadel South Gate!" Cinna called over an intercom. He liked to sound captainly, which just pissed Baku off.

South Gate, home of the famous Summit Station Bundt Cake. God, Zidane loved those cakes. He climbed out of the bed and realized that he hadn't taken off his cloak last night. He did so, revealing… nothing special. A black shirt and black, rather baggy pants. He kept simple both out of the want and need to.

Reaching over to grab his pair of Orichalcons, he noticed that he hadn't brought the Alexandria swallow with him. Good, that could have caused trouble.

His tail wagged to and fro as he marched up to the bridge. The layout hadn't changed between Prima Vista I and Prima Vista II very much, luckily. Walking around the ship brought back a lot of memories.

On bridge he smiled, getting a warm feeling from once more seeing Baku commanding a ship and Cinna piloting. His memories of piloting the ship to Alexandria so long ago to kidnap Garnet… being shot down by Brahne… He oddly found these comforting. Maybe it was just being home.

"Hey, Zidane! You're up! Gwahahahahaha!" Baku hollered, watching Cinna ease the creaking tub towards the gate in the south mountain range.

"I haven't been to Lindblum in so long… I wonder what Regent Cid will think when I show up without Garnet. Hm, I should use my cloak." Zidane said to himself. "Oh, but dear gods. Eiko will see right through me."

Baku had been listening. "We'll try to get you into the city without the royalty spotting you, kid. Now go down to the engine and check the steam levels."

"Yes sir, boss sir!" Zidane stated, giving off an overly humorous salute. Heh, it felt pretty weird calling someone sir rather than being addressed as it.

The Genome walked down to the maintenance area and slid down a pipe into the boiler room. He used his arms and tail to swing around the room and dropped in front of the engine.

"Attention Tantalus, we are entering the Citadel. Zidane, drop the boiler pressure! We don't need too much power, we're docking here." Cinna called. Zidane did as instructed and marched back up to the bridge.

The Prima Vista docked inside the gate and hooked up to scaffolding.

'Why are we docking here…?" Zidane thought to himself, marching onto the deck. He had no need to disguise himself here; all sorts of people came through. And god, he wanted one of those cakes.

Baku swaggered on deck, a sword hung from his belt. He was about to leave the ship when he noticed Zidane eyeing him inquisitively. "Stay here. This'll only take a minute."

"But I want bundt cake!" Zidane cried like a child. Baku grinned. "Cinna does to. I'll pick you one up."

Baku left the ship chuckling; he was up to something. And Zidane knew it.

"Five… four… three… two… one." Zidane muttered, watching Baku walk off to Summit Station. With that, he leapt off of the ship and landed on all fours on the dock. He inched around the corner, peering into the station.

"So, you want some info on a potential heist?" Zidane couldn't see who was talking, but he sounded sly.

Baku gave off his trademark laugh. "Gwahahahahaha, you know it!"

"Hm, heheheheh, this is interesting, Baku, for once you're crawling to me. So, naturally, you owe me."

"Hey, I'm not known for owing people… well, except for that time that I broke that guy's leg at a performance because he told me to. Sued me rotten." Baku muttered. He was trying to make a funny, but his counterpart did not laugh.

"Alright, Baku. Burmecia is still rebuilding, as you know. Well, a shipment of gil is being sent there, to aid in the restoration project. You know what must be done."

"Gwahahahahahaha, Trekkto, YOU'RE a Burmecian. Selling out your own kind is low, even for you!" Baku hollered.

"Yes, well, let's just say that the king and I have… stressed relations." 'Trekkto' said. So he was a Burmecian.

"So, what's in it for you, you little rat?" Baku asked.

"Just the pleasure of seeing my old pal in the money."

"Sure… let's say, you get a quarter, and we call it even. I've got a big crew to think about."

"It is done, then." Trekkto hissed. "I shall see you… around, my good man… er, pig."

"Gwahahahahaha!" Baku hollered. With that, his counterpart was gone. The big guy went to a shop and bought a couple cakes, and started on his way back to the ship.

Zidane cornered him, leaning against the wall, and pretending to be bored. "So… who was that?"

"Didn't I tell you to stay on ship?"

"There are a lot of things you tell me to do, but that doesn't stop me." Zidane stated bluntly, toying with his fingernails.

"…Alright, alright. Let's just say he was a… business partner. He's gonna get us all RICH!"

"Huh, Trekkto… that name isn't exactly familiar. Ol' friend of the family, boss?"

"Gwahahahahaha, the family wouldn't have let that guy come within a hundred miles of themselves, kid! Let's just say he's a very good customer, and I ain't answerin' any more questions."

"Is he in the Burmecian mafia?"

"Yes." Baku stated. Well that was easy.

The two strolled back to the ship, laughing.

END