Chapter Five

"Do we even have homework this week?"

I shrugged and looked up at the light blue sky. Birds squawked at each other as they flew by, raining bird crap at some unsuspecting teenagers smoking near graffiti-defaced walls. Nearby, a young woman stared up, mumbling what sounded like prayers. One of the birds swooped in and grabbed the piece of bread she had by her side. Oddly enough, it dunked the bread on a cup of coffee also sitting besides the woman before flapping once more into the air and disappearing into the horizon.

"Excuse me," I said to my small companion and brought myself to my feet. "I have something to do." Striding along the street, I took a lungful of fresh gasoline air, my mind void of any thought. I stopped in front of the woman and, with my eyes closed, spoke in a calm voice, "By the power vested in me by the Almighty Cookie, you have been given a second chance at life. Your slate is now clean of any crime. Change your ways and start anew."

With the words said, I returned to my companion's side and watched the woman gather her belongings before rushing to the interior of the mall.

"Was that really necessary?" My companion asked, chocolate brown eyes stared back at me, waiting patiently for an answer.

I shrugged. "I was given the Power. I have to use it because I'm the only one who can."

"And did this Power of yours have anything to do with the fact that I'm stranded in a game-world like you are?"

I looked at her sharply.

"Rebecca, snap out of it."

"Huh?" I blinked and looked at Zidane tiredly, my mind still on the Cookie. The Almighty One and Only—

Oh shoot. Am I always this insane? I must not be totally awake from my dream state yet. This explains why I was almost eaten by the last five fiends we've passed along the way. I sighed. My dignity will never be the same again.

"Is there something on your mind, Rebecca?" Garnet asked, concern clearly written on her face.

"Yes," Steiner agreed. "You do seem awfully quiet this morning."

Well let's see. I dreamed I was some kind of cookie prophet or whatever, I miss my friend a lot and I want coffee. Now. And why couldn't I have the Moogle for breakfast? I made a face at that last bit and scratched my head. Completely twisted, I know. "Bad dream."

"Did it involve naked dancing men by any chance?" Zidane gave me a sly grin and a wink.

"Yes," I chirped, my face brightening. "It was a complete nightmare." Hah! Take that, monkey boy. If I had a tail like you, I'd wave it in front of your face. If I had a computer in front of me, I'd also put the appropriate smiley but alas, I am deprived of my technological needs at the moment. Wait. What was I just saying again? Well, Zidane was looking at me with a bemused expression on his face so I doubt it's any good.

Garnet let out a gasp, bringing our attention to her. "The Ice Cavern!"

We ran to the mouth of the cave and stared at it, our mouths wide open like cartoons about to swallow some massive food usually not of the healthy variety. Alright, so I can't really quite vouch the same for my fellow travelers but my mouth really was open. Good thing the bugs here are your larger-than-normal kind or else I'd have swallowed a few by now.

And since I was so distracted, I hadn't even noticed that they had already walked inside. Why do I feel so left out?! Am I just not meant to be here? Well obviously. I'm not a game character after all.

I bumped into Steiner who had suddenly stopped in front of me and was hopping up and down screaming something about not touching anything. I didn't really mind though because I was used to bumping into things and usually having to glue them back together. Then again, I suck at arts and crafts so it often looks different after I try to fix it. Thankfully, Steiner isn't the fragile kind.

We trudged along the cavern in a single file with Zidane at the front and Steiner at the back. I pulled my jacket close and gritted my teeth, carefully walking besides Garnet. It's a good thing I'm wearing my winter boots. I still slip with them on but at least not as much as my normal shoes do. With knees wobbling about, I dragged myself up some blocks of ice and helped Garnet who was struggling to climb upwards as well. Unlike Zidane, the rest of us had mighty trouble in the ice; we can't just jump up on the icy floor and not fall down. Maybe it's the tail. Maybe it gives him something extra in the balancing department.

We stumbled through the next few tunnels, meeting monster-sized jellos, little beasties with furcaps and…furballs that have tusks implanted in their mouths? Now those scared the heck outta me. I had to run around in circles before Steiner had dispatched it for me all the while shouting orders like I'm some kind of natural born soldier who actually knows what I'm supposed to do. Hello? Do I look like I know what redoublement means? I can barely do my Math right!

Ugh. Ok, so I was lying about that Math part but still! Maybe I should take up magecraft instead? You don't see Vivi trying to lop off some fiend's head. He just shakes his wrists and fireballs come shooting out of his hands. I might need to look for a pair of glowing yellow eyes though but I doubt they have those in the local market.

I can almost see the petrified look on Vivi's face if he could read my thoughts right now.

"Look out!" Garnet shouted. I turned my head. I fell to the floor with a thud as a large beastie jumped on top of me, its foul breath making my noise wrinkle with disgust. You know what? I think I'd be better off right now if someone shouted, "Duck," instead. Actually, "Bring your sword at this angle," would probably be my best bet but considering the fact that if I do kill the monster with it above me, my shirt would be ruined from the blood dripping down from the beastie.

The smell of burnt flesh replaced the foul smell coming from the fiend's mouth. It didn't do my nose any good at all but it did make the monster get off me. As I carefully brought myself to my feet—I didn't want any joints suddenly hurting—I watched the monster dance around in a vain attempt to stop the flames which burned against its dull grey coat. I turned away and felt my gut wrench in pained sadness. I knew monsters had to be killed and all but it still hurts to actually see them die before your eyes. I had been lucky so far that I hadn't been able to actually witness a monster dying; I was often too busy running around, trying not to get eaten.

Zidane helped me to my feet and patted my arm awkwardly. I guess he wasn't used to overly emotional girls who had never experienced seeing something die before their very eyes. I wonder what Garnet felt?

With that in mind, I take a peek at our Alexandrian princess. She yawned and rubbed her eyes, giving the fiend one last look before walking to Steiner's side where the two exchanged words in a not so oh-why-must-we-be-cruel-to-these-poor-animals-slash-monsters kind of way. O-kay…? Am I the only one here who is even slightly disturbed by this?

…I guess that's a yes. I trotted after them and focused my attention on actually trying to focus my attention on my surroundings. Oh, and that statement happens to make no sense, no matter how many times I repeat it in my head.

We only encountered one more monster before we arrived at a tunnel with a frozen Moogle in it. I'm afraid to say that I had once again been ravaged—I mean, jumped on—by the monster in question. Don't ask.

If I was faced with the problem of a frozen Moogle, I would probably try to hack the icy Moogle-cube which would probably result with a dead Moogle and a heavy heart. Fortunately, we had Vivi and his handy Fire spell to prevent people like me from killing harmless little furballs with pompoms for antennae.

"Hot! Hot! Hot! You bastards," the Moogle shrieked and shook its fur. It stopped after a while and seemed sheepish. "Oh, I can move again. Ehehe. Sorry for that, kupo. Name's Mois by the way."

"Well, Mr. Moist," Garnet said, completely ignorant of the real spelling of Mois' name, "I'm glad that you can move again. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"I'm alright now, kupo! And I think I should be asking you that question, kupo. Since you all helped me, kupo, I think it'd only be reasonable if I helped you guys too, kupopo!"

"We don't really need—" Steiner began but was interrupted by the Moogle.

"I know, kupo!" Mois bounced off the icy plinth. With his red pompom bobbing back and forth, the Moogle walked to the left side of the room. With a cry of outrage, he stomped his feet up and down before sitting on the ground with a pout. "Darn it, kupo! I didn't think my stuff would freeze from the cold too, kupopo!"

"I'm sure Vivi can help you get them back if you ask nicely, kupo," I answered as politely as I could, mentally stabbing my big toe with a fork for trying to sound like a bloody Moogle.

"Really, kupo? I'd very much appreciate that, kupo," Mois said sincerely, his eyes wide with hope. "By the way, your accent is not that good, kupo. Lacks a certain kind of oomph to it."

What the heck?! Am I that bad with an accent that I can't even do Moogle? I sighed dejectedly and watched Vivi nervously comply with the Moogle's wishes. My nose twitched at the smell of burning ice. Maaaaan. I have a slight addiction to the smell of a fire burning, especially the kind you get from matchsticks.

…Hello, my name is Rebecca and I'm an addict.

"Here, kupo!" Mois said and dragged a slightly scorched knapsack towards the rest of the group. "I found these things in some chests while I was wandering in these caves, kupo! You can have them if you want, kupopo. I certainly don't need them, kupo." He flipped the bag open and took out some Potions, an Ether, a Leather Wrist, and a Mage Masher, dumping them on the floor. So that's where those items went to. Wait.

"But we didn't see any chests along the way," I replied, barely stopping myself from another kupo. "Even the empty ones."

"Dunno, kupo," the Moogle said and shrugged. "Maybe they got frozen too, kupo, like I did."

Zidane sat cross-legged on the floor and started sorting out the items. He gave the Leather Wrist to Vivi and kept the Mage Masher to himself. His old daggers went to me with a wink and the words, "In case you lose your sword."

The nerve! I strapped the daggers around my waist and took out the belt for my sword. Unsheathing it, I made a mental note to ask Steiner later if there are ways to carry both weapons on my person. For now, I'll just carry my sword around.

What? You'd think I'd complain after getting a freebie? No way, man. I'm not that stupid. What if he asks for the stuff back?

Zidane gave the Potions back to Mois and thanked him for the items. He also asked Mois if the Moogle needed a letter delivered. I think it's common courtesy here; Zidane asked the same thing this morning to a Moogle who gave us a flute. A bit weird for a mailing system but who was I to complain? After all, I'm a weird one myself, being the only non-game character in this place.

We trudged back to the forked part of the cave after a quick goodbye to Mois who was heading for the opposite direction. I just hope he survives all those crazy monsters lurking about. I swear if I ever was left behind, I'd cry.

Taking out the handkerchief I always keep in my pocket, I take a moment to blow my nose before following my comrades once more. It really was getting cold in here. I stumbled and fell flat on my face, the taste of the snow not a welcoming one in my mouth. I didn't care though; I was really tired and sleepy…

Snap out of it, Rebecca! If you're left behind, no one's going to look after April's babies. Wait. What? I struggled against the snowy floor and managed to roll to my side where I could see things a bit more clearly. I knew I said something about mothering twenty-seven of April's children but seriously, that joke is getting way too old.

I see Garnet's feet up ahead; the girl must have fallen asleep already. I yawned and closed my eyes, burrowing my cheek against the snow. If the team thinks it's time for a nap then I'm all for it.

My eyes fluttered open to be met in darkness, the kind I've seen before. I felt something or someone lift me off the ground which is a feat in itself. Honestly, I am that heavy. With my feet touching the floor once more, I turned around. Of course, the only thing I actually saw was a black shape. "Lights?" I croaked and gulped. I hope I don't pee on my pants now. I mean, that always happens in scary movies, don't you think?

Those last three words really piss me off actually. I mean, don't you feel as if you're accusing someone of not thinking? I think that is wrong. Then again, I shouldn't even be thinking such things right now, especially since I'm faced with a UFB—an Unidentified Foreign Blob.

Light shimmered from the figure, making my eyes water from the brightness of it all. If I knew this would have happened, I'd have demanded a pair of sunglasses first. Wiping my face of the tears, I squinted and saw to my surprise, a woman in her early twenties. She was broomstick-thin with curly hair and an emotionless mask for a face. She also had glowing red eyes which scared the crap out of me. I mean, isn't she aware that she looks like some sort of minion of the dark? And how come I'm reminded of a certain person when I look at her? That is, if Robin is actually considered a person. Another one of those Playstations then?

"Hello," the woman spoke, her voice filled with so much sympathy that you'd think I was about to die or something.

…Or was? Insert dramatic music here. "Hi? Who are you?"

"I am," a moment of hesitation, "a friend."

"That's good…I think," I said, screwing up my face in thought. "It'd be nice though if you gave me an actual name."

"Zero," the woman spoke and folded her arms. She was trying to look calm but she's far too nervous in my opinion. Maybe she had too much coffee? But I'm not sure if coffee actually does that to you…or to a PS for that matter.

"Well, Zero, um…was there something you wanted to say to me or are you just visiting?"

"The rules have changed, Rebecca. Finishing FF9 isn't your number one priority anymore. Surviving is."

The heck?! "What do you mean?"

"They forced Mother to raise the stakes. The Expendables are now allowed to go to other worlds to eliminate the competition. If an Expendable finishes his or her game-world, that person is allowed to go and attack the others with even more power as their Playstations no longer have the burden of maintaining a game-world. Once everyone—"

"Wait," I said, feeling awfully dizzy, "whose mother? And what's an expendable? Am one?"

"Robin didn't explain to you any of this?" I shook my head. "Mother is our leader. She decides everything and she's the one responsible for the Game which you are a part of right now as an Expendable. The Game itself was made for the Developers, those who create new games. With the graphics getting better, the quality of the games has declined. Most of the games now are just for eye-candy."

"I can sort of understand that," I said and tilted my head. Oh who was I kidding? I can barely understand whatever she's saying! I blame it on the headache. "So let me guess. Expendables are humans like me who are placed in game-worlds and made to finish them because the Developers need some inspiration?"

"Yes, that is the case," Zero admitted. "Now, as I've said, once everyone has finished their game-worlds, a tournament will take place to ensure that there will only be one winner. This whole Game is going to turn bloody, Rebecca. You'll have to train yourself and prepare for the worst."

"Oh fuck."

Moments after Rebecca had disappeared, Robin stepped out of a doorway in the darkness and looked at Zero, her eyes worried. "Did it go well?"

"What do you think?" The whisper was barely audible.

"I think maybe we should have told her that there's a way out of all of this?"

Zero turned and stared at Robin's face desperately as if searching something in those blue eyes. "Are you backing out now, Robin? That's not like you at all."

"It's not like me to act all ignorant too, Zero. I just can't turn my face away to what might happen to her. If she dies—"

"Then you should have thought of this before you decided to join!"

"How was I supposed to know? We were given no warning, Zero. Just a message that the rules have been changed. Does that seem fair to you?"

"Playing the Game never was." Zero spoke harshly and stopped, her eyes wide with surprise. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be so—"

"Brutally honest with me?" Robin laughed bitterly. "Why do you think I've always asked for your help? Certainly not to get compliments, that's for sure."

Zero's gaze softened. "Well if it helps, I have faith in our Expendable. She may not have the strength or the power that Expendables usually possess—"

"Don't forget courage."

"—but her heart's in the right place," Zero said with a glare to her companion. "Maybe she can find other ways to win against her opponents."

Robin shrugged and looked at Zero innocently. "Heck, maybe she can even talk her way out of dying."

A/N: If you've noticed, I don't really include the dialogue from the game. This is because I haven't played it in years and, although I do have a copy of the game script somewhere, it doesn't really feel original for me if I just add dialogue that's already been said several times. Plus, I only add commentary myself when I feel that it really is funny for me to do just that.

Oh! And I always forget this but...I really write short chapters that are usually six to eight chapters long. I just can't seem to write longer. I think it's because when I finish a chapter, I usually reread it thrice before posting it. (And I still get grammatical errors. Yey me.)

I don't know how Mois' name is pronounced so forgive me if I'm wrong. Plus, I love the word kupo. It makes my word count higher.

I've also mentioned this before but I'll say it again. There will be no updates of any kind for the next couple of weeks. I'm really sorry. Personal reasons. I'll still write of course, I just don't have the almighty Deadline looming over my head.

Oh, and one last thing. That dream at the start of the chapter happened to me. For real. (Except my friend didn't accuse me of bringing her into a game-world.)