AUTHOR'S NOTE: What's up everyone? I was waiting as long as possible until I start Chapter 3. I decided to finally start 'cause I love this story so much so far. This is where things in the story get moving. Hope you all enjoy! Sorry for taking so long but I just couldn't find the time this past while, with a job and all. And to the few people who actually E-mailed me, Thanks for pushing me to finish, it helped. R&R Please!
Revive and Return
Chapter 3: A Little Insight.
Garnet woke up to the sun shining through the silk white curtains that hang in front of her window. She could hear the birds chirping outside as they flew around. She sat up and looked around her room. She sighed and climbed out of bed.
Garnet was brushing her hair as she was running all what had happened with the Black Mages and Genomes from last night through her head.
Garnet went into a room where a bath was prepared for her by one of the maids. She slipped into the tub and relaxed in the steamy hot water. Garnet couldn't really think straight. The mages and genomes were now living in the castle. She didn't know how long she could keep that up. She was going to be meeting with the Burmecian King today and overall, Zidane was still on her mind.
Garnet looked up at the ceiling lost in thought. Right now, I should probably only focus on the meeting with Burmecia.
When she was finally done, Garnet got out, dried off and got dressed in her white dress. She stared herself down in the mirror. Meeting with another leader, something she hasn't done before. She's only seen her mother do it on several occasions. She needed to be as formal as she can possibly be.
She was interrupted by a knock on her door. "Your Majesty? You have a visitor." Beatrix' voice came through the door.
Garnet opened the door and saw Beatrix bowing to her and Hi was behind Beatrix. "Oh, hello Hi. Nice to see you so early."
"Same for you." Hi smiled with closed eyes and then bowed. "I just wanted to go over the meeting with Burmecia with you."
Garnet nodded. "Sure, sure."
Garnet and Hi walked down the hall toward the balcony where she watched performances.
"Now remember, you can't just accuse them of holding Zidane. They will turn it all against you. Politically and publicly."
Garnet nodded. "So…?"
"So, you just say that they have something you want and in return you will give them something they want."
"Right." Garnet nodded confidently.
"Just do your best and don't lose hope. Remember…this is all for Zidane, and they have him."
Garnet nodded.
"Well, good luck. I must be on my way. I have other things to attend to."
"Ok." Garnet smiled. "Thanks a lot for your help Hi. I could have never done all this without you. If you ever need anything. Anything at all. You know where to come to."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Hi bowed. "Now, I must make haste." Hi walked away and as soon he was out of Garnet's sight, he smiled evilly and disappeared into thin air.
Garnet awaited patiently until the ship was ready for departure. She wasn't going to make the King of Burmecia walk to the kingdom so she thought she might as well use an airship to go there. Garnet slumped in her chair, still unsure how she was going to pull this off correctly.
"Your Majesty," Beatrix walked in. "Your ship is ready. We will be leaving right away."
Garnet nodded. "Okay. Let's go. We can't waste any time." Garnet stood up and walked to the airship that awaited her outside. Beatrix followed her closely behind.
Garnet went up a ramp to the main deck of the ship to where a seat was prepared for her to sit comfortably. Garnet stared down at her trembling hands. She was scared yet at the same time she was angry. She was angry at a lot of things, herself, Burmecia, this whole situation. And she was scared of what could happen.
Garnet became lost in thought. Okay, I tell them they have something I want in return for something they want. I give them their demands and they give me Zidane. I don't know what they want. Money? Help for the repairs? Well, whatever it is…I will give them anything.
Garnet began to clench her fists at the thought of them refusing to give Zidane back. I will give them anything…Garnet glared looking straight ahead. Even a wa- Garnet was knocked out of thought with a loud crackling sound and a loud boom. She looked and noticed there was a storm outside. She realized they must now be to Burmecia. She thought about what she was just thinking and shook her head. I can't do that, it would be wrong. Stay focused Garnet. She said to herself inhaling then exhaling.
A carriage was set up outside for her so she can properly get through the rain. It took her from the ship and through the town. She looked at the town as she went through and noticed how bad it really was. The rain was strong and horrible for them to be building in it. All of the Burmecians and even some Cleyrans were all building but stopped to watch the carriage go by.
Garnet looked ahead and saw the castle ahead. It wasn't a huge castle like Alexandria or Lindblum but you could tell it was where the King resides. The carriage pulled up next to the entrance. Beatrix got out from the front and held up an umbrella to lead Garnet the little bit the carriage couldn't take her.
"Watch your step Your Majesty. And watch your dress too, the ground is wet."
Garnet got out holding up her dress from the ground. She was shielded by the rain thanks to Beatrix, but she was already soaked.
Garnet was lead into the castle where it was dry from the rain. Some soldiers came up greeting her. Garnet could tell they weren't some normal soldiers. They were Dragon Knights and even though Beatrix was the best in the Alexandrian Army, even she would have a problem with several Dragon Knights.
"Welcome Queen Garnet to Burmecia. The King is eager to meet with you so please, follow me." They led her and Beatrix to a conference room. There was a long table with two chairs at each side. There were even more Dragon Knights at the end of the table but Garnet didn't see the King. She sat down and waited.
A young Burmecian boy walked in and at the way the guards treat him, Garnet could tell he was important. Garnet knelt down to greet him. "Why hello there. Are you the son of the King?" Garnet had a very friendly smile as she spoke.
"I was! I'm the King now since he was murdered. I am King Puck!" Puck stood up straight proud of his title.
Garnet looked around and could tell that he was serious. The guards new it was hard to believe so they all nodded to her. Then Garnet jumped up straight and bowed to him. "It is a great honor to meet you Sir King Puck. I thank you for being able to meet me here today."
"Yea, yea. Sit down already. You came here for a reason and I want you here for a reason. So what do you need?"
"Well, um, there is something you have that I want in return for something you want. Like a trade." Garnet sat down as she spoke as calmly as she could.
Puck thought to himself. She must be talking about that Zidane guy that Hi person told me about. "Well, our demands our that we would like to have a little more help building our city back to the way it was. Hell, maybe even better! Your mother did do this so I would hope you could help us, I'm sure she would have wanted the same, right?"
"I'm sure she would have." Garnet nodded.
"But, your demand, what is it?"
"Garnet looked up kind of surprised. I was hoping I didn't have to say it. Oh no…what do I do? Garnet began to panic. "Well, uh-um, I…you…you know y'know, um…"
Outside on top of a window sill Hi was watching the meeting. He smiled evilly knowing exactly what was going to happen. He knew Puck was going to ask what exactly was her demands and he purposely didn't prepare her for this kind of situation.
"Well, come on. What is your demands so we can make this 'trade'?" Puck grew a little impatient.
Well, I guess I have no choice. Garnet swallowed. "I want in return the man you have captive, Zidane."
I thought so. "Um, I'm sorry to burst your bubble but we don't have anyone held captive."
No. This can't be happening. Garnet put her face into her hands. What do I do? He is refusing to give him back. I trust in Hi's words.
Garnet jumped up and slammed her hands on the table. "I will do anything to get him back. Anything. Just please…give him back to me." Garnet began to cry.
"I'm sorry, we don't have him." Puck felt sorry for her but at the same time he was getting mad at the accusations.
"Please…give him back…" Tears were falling onto the table and Garnet began to lose balance.
Puck clenched his fists. "We don't have him! If you stop accusing us of taking someone we don't even know then we might help you!"
"Stop lying to me!" Garnet screamed. "I know you have him. You can't lie to me when I know you have him! GIVE HIM BACK!"
Beatrix grabbed Garnet on the shoulders. "Calm down Garnet. You mustn't accuse them of having Zidane. They don't have him. That's why we sent the others to find him remember? Plus, Freya and Frately would have told us."
"What would you know, you are just a soldier." Garnet spoke bitterly. "They probably don't even know. Come on, their King is a mere child." Garnet stared at Puck with the utmost hatred.
"I have had enough!" Puck slammed his fists on the table. "I am going to have to ask you to leave! NOW!"
"Fine." Garnet said coldly. "But I will get my Zidane back from you. You just wait and see." Garnet ran out of the room. Beatrix looked at Puck. "Listen, she isn't her normal self, she is usually very loving, caring and kind. Please don't pay any mind to what she just said." Puck just stared at Beatrix. Beatrix bowed and ran after her.
Puck turned in his chair and watched the carriage leave the village. He rubbed his eyes out of tiredness and frustration. "Leon." Puck said softly.
"Yes sir." A dragon Knight walked out from the shadows. He wore a black Dragon Knight outfit, had a darker fur color and he held a spear that seemed different for normal battle. More like something used for stealth.
"You are to watch Garnet and inform us of her plans. If she seems like she may rage war on us, then I want to be the first to attack." Leon nodded and disappeared out the door.
Hi laughed as he stood on the head of a statue outside the castle. "Sorry Puck, but you will not be getting the first attack."
In the carriage, Garnet was crying. Beatrix caught up to the carriage, since it left without her, and jumped in with Garnet. "Your Majesty, what is the meaning of all this?" Beatrix was far beyond angry but had a weird feeling up her sleeve. The same feeling she had with Queen Brahne when she went corrupted.
"I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't believe I said those things to the King." Garnet was still crying very hard. She had tears from both ends of both of her eyes falling and she had a runny nose. "I never would have thought I'd say that. I just lost all thought and things just came out."
Beatrix didn't know what to do nor did she know how they were going to fix things. As far as she knew, Burmecia may as well be their enemy.
"I want to go see Uncle Cid." Garnet blurted out. "I want to ask him for advice on what I should do."
Beatrix nodded. "As you wish."
Puck could see the Airship flying away every time a lightning bolt struck. Soon, he couldn't see it anymore. But he knew things would be fine since Leon has his eye on them.
Hi stood at the front gates of Burmecia, ready for his own attack. "I wonder what would be enough for an attack but not something that would wipe them all out. Hmm. I guess fifteen will do." Hi held out his hand and a bunch of glowing white balls of energy came down from the sky. For every ball a Black Mage jumped out. All of the mages immediately ran into the village. Hi could hear the sounds of the Burmecians screams and explosions.
"HA hahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaa, this is great. Everything is going so much better then I thought. It's also so entertaining to watch too." Hi turned around and disappeared in the rain.
Beatrix stood outside the door to the conference room in Lindblum Castle. She stood with other guards who seemed to be scared considering they were slightly shaking, sweating and wouldn't look her in the eyes.
"WHAAAT!"
Beatrix quickly turned to the door. She could hear Regent Cid screaming at Garnet. Beatrix wasn't too happy to hear the Regent screaming at Garnet for something she really couldn't have helped. Yet, Beatrix couldn't say anything out of line and she did kind of understand.
Inside the room, Cid was stomping back and forth flinging his arms up and down. "I can't believe you said that to the KING! What in god's name were you thinking?"
Garnet didn't say anything. She had nothing to say nor did she have an excuse. She did not know why she said those things but…she did.
"Well?" Cid waited for a response impatiently.
"Honey?" Hilda put her hands on his shoulders and rubbed them. "Don't get so mad just yet. She's probably shaken up by that meeting. You go rest, don't give yourself a heat attack now." Hilda pushed him out the door where the guards and Beatrix were waiting who jumped into attention and saluted. Cid just waved his hand carelessly back and forth as though he didn't care. Beatrix looked to Hilda and bowed and then walked to Garnet.
Before Beatrix didn't get a word out before Garnet got up from a chair and started to head for the door. "Um…ma'am? What is it we are doing?"
"We are staying here for the night and I am going to wait for Uncle Cid to give me advice on what to do once he calms down." Garnet continued forward.
Beatrix was about to tell Garnet she didn't agree with Regent Cid's actions but instead, she held her tongue and followed her.
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Everyone stood there in awe as they stared at the Iifa Tree. What they saw was a large army of monsters surrounding the tree itself. Flying monsters took the whole sky above and around the tree, land monsters covered the surface of the tree and the big monsters took front line. The army was so huge that it even blocked the sun from shining down.
Frately didn't say anything and tried to keep his cool but even he was sweating bricks.
"Th-this is a…big problem…very big." Freya said still looking at the monsters. "What do you think we should do Frately?"
"What do you mean?" Eiko blurted out. "We should run for the hills and wait for them to leave!"
"The brat has a point." Amarant spoke up. "What can we possibly do against that number? We may as well go get the Alexandrian, Lindblum, Burmecian and what's left of the Black Mages to take that on and then I'm still unsure. It's no wonder now why we haven't gotten into much fights. They're all friggin here!"
"True." Frately said calmly. "But, I don't think they are planning on leaving any time soon. I think they are waiting for something. They have noticed are presence and have blockaded the entrance on this side. So they might be protecting something from intruders, and in this case…us. So, whatever that is, they are waiting for it."
"Wow!" Amarant said sarcastically. "As helpful as that may be…we still are on issue number one: What the hell do we do?"
"We need to get in but how?" Frately thought and so did everyone else.
"A decoy!" Steiner said. "Or actually, deCOYS! We should have a person sneak in while everyone else draws the monsters attention here."
"Not bad Steiner." Frately grinned.
"Who should go?" Vivi asked.
"Normally I would say Zidane but I think either Frately, Freya or Amarant." Steiner said.
"Agreed but I think that I'm not much suited for climbing trees." Amarant grumbled. "How 'bout Freya or Frately?"
Frately thought. "You're right Amarant, but since I would rather not send Freya by herself and we need someone to lead here, I'll go."
"B-but, Frately…" Freya said hesitant on letting him go.
"No no. I'm going, I'll be back in a few." Frately ran off in another direction headed to the back of the tree making it as least obvious as possible to the monsters.
Everyone just sat down and looked at the horde of monsters that were watching them like Vultures…hell, some of the monsters were Vultures.
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Frately had successfully snuck past the monsters in the back by climbing through the roots of the tree. He came to an opening under him that he jumped through landing into a brightly lit room. He took a look around and when he turned around he saw seven cocoon like pods, one of which has already been open, the first one from the left.
Frately stared at them, wide-eyed. "What the…what are those?" Frately asked himself aloud. He crept up to the opened one, nothing but mist leaked out. He moved to a closed one but couldn't see what was inside, just mist and a figure shaped head.
Roots from above led to each pod and just as he noticed he heard a screeching, howling sound come down and a light shown through the roots and led to the second pod from the left.
The pod shown bright from the inside and burst open with a bunch of mist spraying out. Frately jumped backwards across the room and hid.
When the mist finally cleared, Frately saw nothing in the pod. Frately walked up to the pod cautiously but nothing seemed to have come out. He sighed out of relief but only a little too soon…
"Who are you…?" A quiet, soft voice echoed from behind him. Frately swung around to see a man standing face-to-face with him. He wore exactly the same black cloak that Hi wore but the hood was down. He had blackish-purple hair that covered most of his face except for his left eye which was also the same color but his eyes were dulled out as if he was blind or had no emotions at all.
"I am Frately of Burmecia…who are you?" Frately was obviously scared but tried his best to stay calm.
"I am…Oboru, and you do not…" Oboru lifted his hand. "Belong here." He smacked Frately across the room and into the wall. Before Frately could open his eyes and realize what had happened, Oboru was already whispering into his ear. "Why are you here…?" Frately immediately was thrown into the floor.
Frately could here him land on the ground from where they were in the wall and walk towards him. Frately grabbed his Glyph and stabbed it through Oboru but he disappeared almost like…"A shadow...?" Frately said to himself.
"Let your worst nightmares become reality…" Oboru held out his hand and a black hole tore open and he grabbed Frately by the face and threw him in.
Frately hit the floor hard. He brought himself to his knees and opened his eyes to fire all around him. He barely made out the area…but it was Burmecia. The fire burned so hard that it didn't even rain and the sky was black, the scenery was red and the air was filled with the smell of flesh and screams. Everywhere he looked someone was being hunted like a rat by a Black Mage.
A woman ran by being chased by three black mages and right then, the woman trips to the ground. All of the mages surround her and as she begs for mercy the mages start beating and stabbing her with their staves until she didn't move and they lit her corpse on fire.
He saw a family run into a house for shelter. Several black mages stopped outside the house and banded together and started casting Demi all in one on the entire house…with a loud 'crunch' and the screams of the people, the house was downsized under the force of Demi.
Frately looked away but to face his one and only lover being held up by the back of her head. The person holding her was none other than himself. Frately watched as tears began to flow from Freya's eyes and eventually, from his own.
He looked at himself, the Frately that was holding Freya who pulled out his Glyph and slowly pushed it through Freya's back coming out her chest. Freya made a couple choking and gurgling sounds but went limp after the Glyph went all the way through.
Frately screamed as loud as he can and flung to the floor, holding his head, eyes wide open. The other Frately through Freya's body to the ground right where he was and Frately was forced to stare into her hollow eyes.
Frately let out another deafening scream and puked all over the floor and himself. His eyes went dull and he fell to the floor breathing heavily.
The other Frately walked up to him and lifted up his Glyph ready to stab down on him but to be cut in half and disappear like a shadow. Frately squinted to see another man standing where the other Frately was. Frately looked up from the floor to see Grey-ish boots, a tail moved about out from under the cloak, Blue-ish pants, he noticed the man was holding a Thief's Sword, on his belt was a Dagger hanging, but the ragged cloak cover the rest of the man.
The man held out his hand. "Come on Frately, you helped me, I help you." The man smiled and Frately reached up for his hand. Everything around Frately vanished like shadows and a bright light flashed in his eyes.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hey everyone, hope you liked that chapter cause it was a pain to get finished but I finally finished it while waiting for an episode of Inu Yasha to load up on YouTube, haha. Chapter 4 is on it's way and I really hope I don't get stuck without the time again like this chapter. Hopefully it'll be up soon!
Disclaimer: I do not own FF 9.