Me: Ok, i was made aware that i left some details out in the last chapter about Garden and its emeragnce into the Symphonian Dimension so let me straighten those out. First, for those that are curious, Terra Garden is about the size of a small city. It is the home of several hundred Seed, cadets, and students and is basically a miniture city in itself. Second, the opening of the rift was an educated guess. Since Tia is Cetra, she cause feel the flucuations in Lifestream and could use that to estimate approx. where a rift might open. Now i believe those were the major issues so on with the story!
Lloyd: (sigh) Jen Rem doesn't own TOS, FF, or Ash.
"Tia, let's go inside. We should be able to talk in there." Kratos said, grabbing my hand and leading me inside Colette's house.
Phildra, Colette's grandmother sat at the table and smiled at me as we came inside. "And who is this young woman Kratos?"
"This is my fiancée, Tiamatt. She just returned from her own journey and tracked me back here to Iselia." Kratos explained pulling a chair out for me to sit down on before he sat beside me.
"I see. It is a pleasure to meet you Tiamatt." Phildra answered with a nod. "And I see that you appear to be expecting. You both must be excited."
"Yes, but I'm a little nervous. This is my first child and my own mother died giving birth to me. I'm worried that I might inherit her fate." I answered, placing a hand on my growing abdomen.
Kratos smiled reassuringly, and put a hand over mine, wrapping his other arm around my shoulders. "Nothing will happen to either you or the baby, Tia. I promise."
"Thank you Kratos. I don't know what I would do without you." I smiled back, turning to kiss him as he still had me in his arms around me.
"You have changed from the mercenary I originally hired to protect Colette but it appears to have had some positive effects." Phildra laughed as Colette came downstairs.
"Tiamatt! You're back!" Colette cried, running down the rest of the stairs and almost tripping but I used my sorceress magic to stop her fall. "Thanks."
"Be careful Colette. We can't have you getting hurt." I sighed as she walked slowly towards us.
"Phildra, thank you for your hospitality. Your kindness was greatly appreciated but now we must go. Chosen, if you are ready?" Kratos said, standing up and helping me to my feet. Colette nodded, still smiling as she followed us outside towards the main entrance to the city. "We need to go to Dirk's for information on the Chosen's illness."
"What? Colette, you're sick?" I cried in shock, looking at the blonde girl who had one hand over her shoulder.
"I'm fine. Really. Don't worry about it." Colette mumbled.
"Colette, this is serious! Let me see it and I may be able to get my medics to help." I said, but she just looked away, still holding one shoulder. "Colette, I'm just trying to help."
"I know but, Tiamatt, I'm becoming one big exsphere. I don't think any of your people could help me with this." The Chosen said quietly.
"It'll be alright, Colette. We'll get through this and get you cured." I reassured her, putting a hand on the shoulder that she wasn't holding. "I promise."
"Thank you ." Colette nodded, now smiling as Lloyd and the others walked towards us.
"Geez, Tiamatt, are you letting yourself go or what?" Zelos smirked. "AH!"
"Zelos, I would've thought you'd have learned by now not to mess with me." I growled, kicking the red head one more time for good measure. "Geez, first Granis, now Zelos. What's with all the perverts?"
"Granis is here too?" We all turned to see Marth, Hiro, Kayla, Vincent, Jo, and Nightfire just outside the gate. "How the hell did he get here?"
"He hid from the escorts when he was supposed to be returned to Kryian. Personally, I'll laugh my ass off if he loses his job but there's no one better suited to run all of Saturn's politcal matters then him. And I really don't want to have to take up that leadership position again." I explained with a sigh. "You should have seen it earlier though, Kratos scared Granis off."
"He had no right to be harassing a pregnant woman, let alone my fiancee." Kratos added, crossing his arms over his chest as he smiled at me. "Now I believe we should be going."
"Yeah, hopefully Dad will know what to do." Lloyd nodded and walked through the gate towards the woods. As the others started to follow the red clad swordsman, Hiro, Kayla, and Kratos stayed near the back by me.
"See I told you that one day you'd have a brat like me!" Hiro laughed, hugging my shoulders.
"Right well I hope my kid isn't as much of a brat as you were when you were little, Hiro. " I sighed, smiling slightly at the memory of when he had decided to tease me and he ended up not being able to walk till the next day after the beating. "Um, Kayla?"
"Yeah Imoto?" Kayla asked, looking at me.
"Um,…how did you know you were having twins? Was it just a feeling or what?" I said slowly, receiving curious looks from Kratos and Hiro. Kayla just started to grin.
"It was a feeling. No, more like…a knowing, like inner knowledge. I could just sense how many I was having. It was the same way when I was with Nick during my first pregnancy." Kayla explained, still grinning. "You know what that's like don't you?"
"I didn't say anything." I answered, looking away. "Though it is highly unlikely that the experiments done to me only enhanced my natural senses and the dragon DNA is the most bonded to my own Cetra DNA. It is possible."
"So…you basically just admitted that you know you're having twins because you gained dragon senses." Hiro laughed.
"Is this true Tia?" Kratos asked me.
I looked at him, blushing a little. "Um, well, I'm not exactly sure but I think so which would make sense after the Keeper mentioned children. I still want to do the scan though to double check in about a month."
"I understand." Kratos nodded, smiling at me again before becoming serious. "Tiamatt, I want you to stay at Garden. You'll be safe there."
"Kratos, I have to stay for a while anyways. Now that Garden is here in Sylvarant, I have to reschedule the Seed Exams and may even have to postpone the Garden Festival. I also need to see if I can speak with Yuan." I explained.
"Why do you need to speak with him?" Hiro asked, looking confused.
"I need more information on the Dimensional Transfer System and also need one installed in Garden. If Garden can get to Theth'ella, then I can send a squad down to destroy the Junon reactor."
Kratos was still glaring at me sternly. "I hope that you do not plan to lead the attacks youself, Tia. At four months pregnant, I would think you would have the sense to not endanger our children or yourself." I sighed and crossed my arms over my chest. "Tiamatt, I'm sorry if I seem strict but I just don't want to lose the person who gave me back my hope and helped me open my eyes. Beside Lloyd, you and the twins are my most important possessions. I couldn't stand to lose any of you."
"I know Kratos. I just feel like my wings have been clipped and that all I can do is watch what is happening from the sidelines. I've never been good at that." I nodded, sighing again. "But, for our family, I'll try."
"So who are you going to put in charge for the reactor then?" Hiro asked, as I gave in to Kratos' request.
"I guess you, Marth, Jo, or Nightfire. I'm going to need someone to collect all the data from the computers before we destroy them and any humans who were awaiting testing that may have been left behind will have to be rescued and probably need to be treated before they can return home."
"Hey, Imoto, do you think I could stay with you at that Garden thing you're talking about?" Kayla asked. I nodded and she jumped up and down excitedly. "Thank you Imoto!"
Soon we were at Dirk's where we learned that the dwarf knew nothing on Colette's condition but were allowed to stay for the night to rest if needed. However, since Dirk's house was small and Garden was still nearby, I invited everyone there to rest. The Symphonians were shicked at the sight of the giant school that floated above the planet's surface as a transport that Excious sent down brought us to the entrance.
"Welcome back Headmistress." A Seed said at the gate. " Rooms have been prepared for your guest. Would you like me to escort them there?"
"That won't be nessacary. I will do that myself." I said and dismissed the Seed before leading the group further into Garden. "This is Terra Garden. Feel free to use any of our facilities but I must warn you. The training center is stocked with wild monsters and I don't want to have to remove any of you in body bags so be careful."
"Body bags? You're not serious are you?" Zelos asked, raising an eyebrow as he watched a couple of cadets walk down the corridor that led to the training center.
"Absolutly. We lost one new cadet just yesterday because he under estimated the monsters we had just recently restocked. But on a better note," I began to point in different directions were various facilities were located. "Our cafeteria is open from 4 am to 10 pm like the majority of the facilites. Out Library is up to date on the history and information. The gym is down on the lower level. The Quad is currently a mess as we were preparing for the Garden Festival tonight. The dorms are over there and our class rooms are on the second floor. Oh, and if any of you need medical treatment, our infirmary is over there. Dr. Lecia can treat any of your medical needs for you if you need them."
"Hey Colette, let's go get something to eat!" Lloyd said, grabbing the Chosen's hand as she nodded.
"I would like to learn more about the history of your world." Raine exclaimed, eyes bright as she walked towards the library.
Soon most of the Symphonians were off wandering Garden. Nightfire and Marth went to the training center, both determined to out do each other as Jo decided to retreat to his dorm. Kayla told Vincent that she was hungry and they soon joined Lloyd and Colette for dinner.
"I need to go to the Quad and check on the preparations for the Festival tonight." I sighed, turning towards the large outdoor arena.
"I thought you were going to postpone it?" Hiro asked, both him and Kratos following me.
"When Balamb Garden first became mobile and crashed into Fisherman's Horizen, we still had the festival. Even if we are no longer on Earth, we will still have the Garden Festival. Besides, I've been looking forward to this and many of the students want to hear what music I brought from the other version of Earth especially since I found a way to hack into the computers of home from my GS. I've got all the new media updates but I need to make sure some of the videos and other related items don't spread among the students." I explained, walking outside to see that the finishing touches were being done and food being brought out to fill the buffet.
"This world is also a game on your human world correct?" Kratos said, as I smiled and told an older cadet to inform Excious that everything was ready.
"Yes, the games called Final Fantasy are the history of this world. Well to be more precise, Final Fantasy 7 and 8 are the history of this world just as Sylvarant and Theth'ella are from the game called Tales of Symphonia."
"So our past is just a game to people in another world? It's pretty hard to think I was created from someone else's mind." Hiro said, shaking his head.
"Why? I am the creation of a human girl whose concious is now combined with my own. What's to say that someone did not imagine her in some other dimension? People in general are brillant and imaginitive creatures. We are all guilty of undersetimating the powers of the mind all because the effects seem insignificant yet in some dimension, one girl's ideas created me. Someone else' ideas created you and what we know as our past. And yet another created Sylvarant, Theth'ella and the people who inhabit the worlds along with its twisted reality." I explained and then sighed. "It is best to not think of these things. They only cause confusion for those who are the created. We are best left blind to the truth and should continue our lives as if it were unknown. Besides, if we are alive and happy, what does it matter? Now, we should get ready for the Festival. It starts in half an hour and I need to change into my uniform." With that, I turned and walked away, leaving Kratos and Hiro to blink in shock at what I had said.
Third Person POV
"You know, for a moment, I thought the old Tia was back." Hiro said as the Cetra walked away.
"But she is right. The created are best left blind to the truth to avoid confusion but I believe her. It was during the short time when Tiamatt's mind and Madison's were seperated that Ryukinogami was designed. Madison drew it in her sleep and then shortly afterwards, we received the sword from a future Kayla. I have also seen the notebooks where Tiamatt's life and history is written down on paper." Kratos nodded, recalling on the memories of actually reading some of what was written.
"…Tiamatt has gone through hell. Growing up without any parents, being one of Hojo's research experiments, and losing Sephiroth three times. Then to live on as every else she knows, including me, dies. I couldn't deal with that if I were in her place and that's not even including all the problems with Jenova Tia has had." The blonde swordsman sighed before looking at Kratos. "I'm glad she's got you now, Kratos and you've given her the one thing she's wanted for so long, a family. Tia is like my big sister and to see her so happy simply amazes me."
"We have both have gone through a lot in our long years, some of which are simliar. I believe it is that has brought Tiamatt to me. I can understand her pain and she can understand mine. But theres also something about Tiamatt, I'm not sure if it's the true Tiamatt or Madison but, it gives me hope that everything will be made right. That the mistakes that I have made in aiding Yggdrasil will all be fixed." The Seraph added, smiling as his fiancee returned, now wearing the royal blue uniform of Seed with Excious beside her and numerous students arriving as well.
Tiamatt stepped onto a small stage where several large speakers sat along with a small computer as Lloyd and the other Symphonians rejoined Kratos. The angel couldn't help but smile as he looked at Tiamatt, whose pregnancy showed even though she was still early into her term. The crowd of students and Seed talked among themselves excitedly and a few even began to talk to the Symphonians till Tiamatt raised a hand to about shoulder height, causing the Quad to become silent.
"Welcome to 345th Garden Festival! Many years ago, our school was founded by Cid Kramer as a home to those orphaned during the first of the Sorceress Wars. But Garden was also much more. It was meant to train elite mercenaries called Seed to defeat the few Sorceresses that tried to control the world. Garden has played an important role in our world's history by training Seed to defeat the Sorceresses, leading to the reversal of Time Compression that had been caused by Ultimecia. With the defeat of Ultimecia, Garden faded out of existence as Seed became insignificant until a mere 139 years ago. Garden was revived as the greatest military power in the Sol System, meant to hunt down the twisted remnants of human beings who only purpose was to serve the Calamity. Now Jenova is locked away and the Remnants numbers are diwindling. Soon Garden's task will be complete but we will not fade away. Garden will remain a crucial part of the Sol System but tonight is our night to celebrate. Lay aside your weapons and textbooks and enjoy yourselves as we celebrate 345 years of Garden!"
The crowd cheered happily as Tiamatt dismissed herself from the platform and moved by the computer. Kratos walked towards her and looked over her shoulder as she hooked her GS to the computer and scrolled through various songs till she found one in particular.
"They want music from Gaia and I can't think of a better song to start this with." Tiamatt grinned as she she clicked on the chosen song and it started to play.
"Let's get it started, in here!" the female voice sang, causing the Seed and students to cheer loudly. "And the bass keeps runnin' runnin' and runnin' runnin' and runnin' runnin' …"
"This is music from your world?" Kratos asked, hands over his ears as the music blasted through the speakers.
"Yeah. Black Eyed Peas. They're a pretty good band and I thought I song was appropriate." Tiamatt nodded, programing a list of songs to be played before standing up. "Kratos, can I talk to you for a moment?" the Seraph nodded and followed her back into the main building, away from the deafening music. "The last four months that I've been gone, I've done a lot of thinking. I know it's only been a week in this world but…"
"What is it Tiamatt?"
"I've been thinking about what you told me about Origin, how you're the seal. I realize that now all the pacts with the other summon spirits have been made so the next would be..." Tiamatt trailed off, tears starting to form in the corner of her eyes as she looked at Kratos. "There has to be some other way, Kratos. Some way that you don't have to die."
"Tia…" the Seraph gently brushed away a tear before embracing the woman. "I'm sorry. I'll try to find a way around this but…"
"Kratos, please, don't leave me. I can't raise our children by myself. We have to find some other way."
"Be strong Tiamatt. Even if something does happen to me, you must be strong." Kratos whispered, rubbing her back in reassurance. "Right now our biggest concern is your safety. We can't have anything happen to our child or children if you are correct about having twins."
"I know Kratos. I wouldn't let anything happen, not when so much rides on our children." Tiamatt nodded.
"What do you mean?"
"I am the last of the Cetra. Any children we have will carry Cetran blood. They are the future of my people Kratos. I would never endanger something that is so important." Kratos looked taken back by Tiamatt's choice of words.
"Is that all our children mean to you, the future of the Cetra?"
"No of course not. Kratos, how could you think that?" Tiamatt cried in shock. "These are OUR children we're talking about and while yes they are important because they will be of Cetran descent, they are still our children. Nothing could change that."
"I'm sorry Tiamatt. I should have known that." Kratos kissed her gently before unwrapping his arms from around her. "Let's go back to that festival of yours for a while. I'll have to leave soon and I wouldn't mind spending my remaining time with you at something you've spent so much time on."
"Thank you Kratos." Tiamatt nodded, wiping her face off before rejoining everyone else in the Quad.
"They said all teenagers scare the living shit out of me, they could care less as long as someone'll bleed, so darken your clothes or strike a violent pose, maybe they'll leave you alone, but not me!' My Chemical Romance sang as the video for 'Teenager' ended and the computer moved onto another song.
"Hey Tia! Are kids in your world really like that?" Zelos asked out of curiousity after the song ended.
"Sadly…yes but not all."
"pity, it seems like your world really knows how to party!" Zelos laughed as a new Linkin Park song started to play.
"In this farewell, there's no blood, there's no alibi, 'cause I've drawn regret from the truth of a thousand lies." As the song played, the computer put up a projection from the video. "So let mercy come and wash away, what I've done! I'll face myself, to cross out what I've become. Erase myself, and let go of what I've done!"
Tiamatt and Kayla watched the projection silently as the video showed a tall building collapse in a plume of smike and ash before switching to a clip of people scurrying from its wake. Another scene showed a small child with a gun followed by another clip with an large explosion. Tiamatt's eyes clouded over slightly, recalling memories as more images came, some of nature, some of destruction.
"Put to rest, what you thought of me, while I clean this slate, with the hands of uncertainty. So let mercy come and wash away, what I've done! I'll face myself, to cross out what I've become, Erase myself, And let go of what I've done! For what I've done, I start again, and whatever pain may come, today this ends, I'm forgiving what I've done!" the song ended and the entire quad watched the video end as well, in awe and shock at what was seen.
"Still think my world is one big party Zelos? When I left, my country was at war with another merely because our president believed there were weapons of mass destruction there and while we did remove a powerful tyrant, we also forced thousands of people to repair the damage we, the United States, had caused. Humans of that world are slowly killing the planet as more and more pollutants are released and the planet's temperature continues to rise. The building you saw collapse, that was once one of two buildings called the World Trade Center. Terrorist hi-jacked several planes and flew them into the building, taking many lives in one of our largest cities. My world is not all fun and games Zelos. In ways, it is worse then what is happening here." Tiamatt said, looking at the red haired Chosen, whose face had fallen. "But what happens in that world does not affect the others. This night is meant to be fun for those here tonight."
Satisfied, the festival continued though it now switched between music of the two worlds. Kratos couldn't help but smile as Colette drug Lloyd onto the floor as a slow song started and the two teens swayed gently to the music. Genis was casting glancing at Presea and constantly opened his mouth to start speaking before closing it suddenly again. Even Zelos and Sheena were dancing though every few seconds, a loud smack was heard followed by a cry of pain as Zelos stopped in his attempt to grope. Raine was talking with some of the instructers as Regal quietly listened to the music with his eyes closed. Nightfire and Marth, surprising sat quietly talking with Jo. Hiro talked with Tiamatt, but the Cetra kept glancing at Kratos who was leaning against the wall nearby, watching the crowd. Finally, Tiamatt walked up to the Seraph.
"Do you want to dance?" Kratos looked at Tiamatt in surprise as she waited for his response.
"I don't dance."
"Well nether do I but things can change right? Let's try something new even if we do make fools of ourselves, at least we'll look like fools together right?" Tiamatt smiled and grabbed his hand, trying to pull him forward. "Come on Kratos."
"Tiamatt, I really should get going..." the Seraph said, trying to pull his hand from her grasp but the Cetra wouldn't let go. Even when he tried to glare at her, she just pouted till he sighed in defeat. "One dance Tiamatt. Then I really must go."
"One dance is all I ask for Kratos." Tiamatt smiled, as he moved his hands to her waist and she looped her arms around his neck.
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