Auto the Frogster: Thank you sooo much for reviewing. You are my only reviewer so far. This chapter is for you and Morgan and James (although Morgan and James never review)

N/A: Please review when you read! If you like this then maybe I'll update more often. I introduce two characters in this chapter that I made up. They obviously are not in the game.

Disclaimer: I don't own FFIX or Star Ocean:TTEOT (I make a reference to a character from that game in this chapter). Square Enix owns both games.

Chapter 2: The Start of A Wild Goose chase?

Eiko hurriedly packed her things and ran to outside the city to the airship. There waiting for her was a tall, slim figure dressed in black. He was wearing leather boots and gloves and he carried a Ragnarok in its sheath. His hair was a bright-green color (imagine Fayt Leingod from Star Ocean:TTEOT with green hair instead of blue). By the way he stood, Eiko could tell he was well disciplined and patient. He was 18 years old and about 5'9". He had dazzling deep blue eyes.

"Are you Captain Roven?" Eiko asked the figure.

"Yes, but you can call me Tyler if you like," Tyler answered. "You must be Eiko then." Eiko nodded. "I was told that we are first headed to the Black Mage Village on the Outer Continent."

Eiko and Tyler boarded the Invincible with all of Eiko's things. Eiko had forgotten how huge the Invincible was. Even with all the technological advances made in the last 10 years, it was still the fastest airship in the world! The airship was filled with Alexandria's finest aircrew.

"Queen Garnet and Captain Steiner and even General Beatrix asked me to personally ensure your safety," Captain Roven informed Eiko. "I'm sure at your age you know it is unwise to go off by yourself."

"Of course I know that! I'm only 2 years younger than you!"

"Captain, we should be at Black Mage Village in 30 minutes," yelled a crewmember. Tyler simply nodded. Then he walked off to a different part of the airship.

"Don't pay any attention to Captain Roven. He didn't mean to treat you like a child," and unknown voice called. A figure approached Eiko. The figure was a girl about 5'6" and 17 years old. She had bright blue eyes and long black hair. In fact, her hair was so long it almost touched the floor. She wore shorts, leather boots, and a blue shirt. She also wore a multi-colored scarf and a pair of goggles around her neck.

"Who are you?" Eiko asked.

"Me? Why I'm Natalie Belmont, one of the best airship pilots you'll ever see," Natalie looked at Eiko's hair in amazement. "I've never seen purple hair before, did you dye it?" Eiko shook her head no. "Sorry again about Captain Roven, he can be harsh sometimes. I guess he has a right to boss us around; after all he is 3rd in command. Only Beatrix and Steiner have more authority. Hey you're not a new crew member!"

"No, I'm Eiko Carol from Linblum."

"Forgive me for being so rude."

"No need to explain."

Just then Tyler returned to find Eiko and Natalie conversing. "You can't go to the Black Mage Village right now, Eiko. You should stay here on the Invincible while I and my crew fight. I promised Queen Garnet on my life that you would be safe," Tyler explained.

"What? But I have to see Vivi."

"Captain, the village is burning to the ground! We have to hurry and help the Black Mages!" screamed Natalie. Turning to Eiko she said, "This is horrible! Bombs are killing the Black Mages."

"What?" Eiko rushed up to the nearest window. The whole village was like a huge bonfire. Those still alive cast torrents of Blizzaga and Water to halt the blaze. "I have to help. I can't just watch this and do nothing!" Eiko thought.

"I'm sorry to leave you like this, but I have to help fight, Eiko. I can't stand here and watch as my friends and my captain die!" Natalie exclaimed as she ran and followed Tyler outside.

Tyler drew his Ragnarok while Natalie charged in with her Partisan. "Ready, attack!" commanded Captain Roven.

"I have to help, I can't just watch," Eiko thought. She grabbed the Angel Flute and headed outside. It was a bloodbath. The Black Mages had been able to stop the village from burning completely to the ground but it had cost many lives. Eiko, without thinking, ran around the ruins of the village casting Life and Full-life on the fallen. Because she wasn't paying much attention, a bomb easily backed her into the remains of a village hut. "Oh no I can't die. I'll never get to see Vivi again. I'll never get to tell him how I feel about him." Eiko's life flashed before her eyes. "Am I going to die?" The bomb charged forward. "Oh no I don't have enough MP, I can't cure. Only one more hit and I'm as good as dead."

Out of nowhere, Captain Roven lunged forward with his Ragnarok drawn. The bomb fell to the ground when he sliced it in half. Eiko stood in silence when she realized she wasn't dead.

"What the hell were you thinking! You could've been killed!" shouted Tyler.

"I'm sorry, I just couldn't stand there and watch everyone fight. I knew I had to do something! I used up so much MP reviving the Black Mages that I couldn't use Cure anymore. I was sure I was going to go to meet my maker and then you came from nowhere and rescued me."

"I wouldn't have had to save you if you had stayed on the Invincible." He paused. "Still, you saved all those Black Mages." They were both silent for a few seconds. "The area's been cleared of the bombs. We will stay and assist the survivors and then leave for our next destination."

"Where might that be?" Eiko questioned.

"Wherever you decide. It's totally up to you. I don't think you'll find what you've been searching for in these ruins. Ask the Black Mages, they'll tell you to look elsewhere."

"Maybe I will ask them about Vivi. I didn't see him anywhere. He must have left the village before we got here," Eiko thought. Grabbing her Angel Flute, she followed Tyler outside the hut. She observed the area that used to be Black Mage Village. It looked like a labyrinth of forsaken ruins even though hours before it was a beautiful forest village. She walked up to and boarded the Invincible. The airship was now very crowded and contained dozens of survivors.

"Hey, you're okay!" yelled Natalie as she approached Eiko.

"Yeah, I thought I was a goner, but then Captain Roven saved me," Eiko answered.

"That's just like captain. He's always there when you need him. He's so gallant," Natalie paused. "So, did you find what you were looking for?"

"No, I didn't find Vivi. I'm hoping he left the village before we came. Hey, how does everyone know I'm looking for him?"

"Queen Garnet told all of us that you were going on a journey to find an old friend." Natalie stopped. "So you're on a mission to find someone named Vivi?"

"Yes, I'm looking for a black mage named Vivi. Beatrix said that he was here about a year ago."

"Vivi must be very special to you."

"Yes he is, but I doubt he even remembers me. It's been 10 years since I last saw him," Eiko could feel her face turning red.

"I'm certain he remembers you. Hey, you should talk to one of the Black Mages. I'll bet they'll know where Vivi went," Natalie suggested. Eiko nodded and walked up to a Black Mage.

"Do you know Vivi?" Eiko asked.

"Yes I do. If you wanted to talk to him, he's not anywhere around here. He left about 3 days ago. He said he was going on a journey to find someone he hadn't seen in 10 years," the Black Mage replied.

"Did he tell you where he was going?"

"Yeah, he said first he was traveling to Madain Sari."

"Thanks. If he comes back, please tell him a friend was looking for him." Eiko walked away. "Madain Sari? What's he doing there? Maybe he's looking for Queen Garnet. She often takes vacations there. No, I don't think Vivi would know that. He hasn't seen Garnet in 10 years. He could be looking for Zidane, but why would Zidane be there?" Eiko reflected on what the Black Mage told her.

"So, where's our next destination?" Natalie asked.

"My birthplace, Madain Sari," Eiko replied.

"You've decided then," stated Tyler as he approached Eiko and Natalie. "We'll help the survivors get to Conde Petie tomorrow then we can leave for Madain Sari."

"The Black Mages are going to Conde Petie? Why are they going there?" Natalie inquired.

"Apparently, the Black Mages and the people of Conde Petie are friends. They have agreed to assist them in the rebuilding process. You both should get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a long day," answered Tyler as he moved away.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow," Natalie said as she turned and ambled away. Eiko left and went to bed. She was so tired from the long day that she quickly and easily fell asleep. She woke up the next morning when she heard people talking. She got dressed and stepped off the Invincible.

"We'll be leaving now, as soon as the crew has their breakfast," Tyler said.

"Thanks for your help. I don't think any of us would be alive if you hadn't come along," said a Black Mage. Tyler told Eiko of the plan. Everyone had their breakfast and they set a course for Madain Sari.

It didn't take long for them to arrive at Madain Sari. Tyler, Natalie, and Eiko exited the airship when it landed. It seemed to be a perfect day. The skies were very clear. However, Eiko thought it was too quiet. Something seemed wrong. Eiko looked around and didn't see any of the moogles.

Cliffie:Out of nowhere, a huge figure dropped from the sky. Eiko knew instantly who it was. It was a Black Waltz. " Don't think I'm going to let you through," stated the Black Waltz. It reached down and grabbed Natalie. " One more move, and this girl dies!" Natalie was defenseless without her Partisan.