Zidane and Dagger had changed in the four years since their great adventure. They'd learned a lot from eachother in the two years they'd been lovers. garnet had taught Zidane to take it easy, relax, and to stop fidgeting. Zidane had taught Garnet that all work and no play makes a dull Queen. Of course they got plenty of play in every night.

Zidane still hadn't quite gotten used to the silken clothes he had to wear, even now he'd been King almost a year. He had to fight hard not to fidget in his throne as Steiner relayed a message to them.

"We've recieved word that the Genomes have completed construction of Bran Bal II. Their Emperor, who wishes to remain anonymous, has requested an audience with My Lord and Lady."

"Wow..."breathed Garnet, looking up at the crystal structures aroun them. "The Genomes sure are handy."

Garnet and Zidane stood in the front hall of the crystal palace, waiting for the Emperor. After several moments, Mikoto stepped out in a pink gown, her golden hair plaited in a braid to her waist.

"Mikoto?!"said Zidane in surprise. "You're the Emperor? But then shouldn't it be Empress?"

Mikoto rolled her eyes at her older brother's empty-headedness.

"No, Zidane. I'm the Princess, second in line for the throne."

"I am the Emperor,"said a silky voice as a silvery figure stepped up behind Mikoto.

"Kuja?!"gasped the King and Queen of Alexandria, reaching for their weapons.

"Wait!"exclaimed Mikoto, holding her hands out palms forward, fingers spread. "It's alright. He's turned over a new leaf. All the Genomes agreed he would make the best Emperor."

Garnet and Zidane sheathed their weapons, and Kuja smiled kindly.

"If possible, the Princess and I would like a word with the King and Queen alone in the conference room."

"So what's going on?"asked Zidane once they were seated in the conference room.

Kuja sighed and pressed a button. A holographinc image of a young girl, no older than sixteen, appeared before them. She had black eyes and matching hair to her chin. Her body was covered by a black sweater, matching knee-socks, a white mini skirt, and matching boots almost to the tops of her socks. Nestled on her head was a tiny summoner's horn. She giggle sweetly.

"Greetings. My name is Peaches. I can only hope my audience consists of Zidane and Garnet of Alexandria, Vivi of Treno, Freya and Frately of Burmecia, Cid, Hilda, and Eiko of Lindblum, and Kuja and Mikoto of Bran Bal II."She gave a syruppy sweet smile. "I've come to give you all a warning." She chuckled darkly, an evil demeaner spreading across her face as her clothes shifted to a miniature red kimono. "Gaia is mine! Each of you shall surrender you Kingdoms, Regions, and Empire, or suffer by my hand! And..."she pointed forward. "Sumano and Alexander will die!"

The image faded, and Garnet clutched at her husband's hand. Zidane turned his gaze to Kuja.

"Who are Sumano and Alexander?"

Mikoto rose from her seat, her pink skirt billowing at her ankles.

"We weren't sure at first either, so we did some research. At the time of Madain Sari's destruction fourteen years ago, there were three royal heirs; a six-year-old Princess name Sumano, a new-born Prince named Alexander, and a two-year-old Princess named...Peaches."

Garnet wrinkled her brow.

"Those names...sound so familiar."

"You grew up in Madain Sari,"nodded Kuja. "It's possible you even knew the Prince and Princesses."

Garnet screamed in agony as a memory welled in her mind. A memory of that night on gthe boat...The night Mother died...

Garnet opened her eys and looked up at her mother. She seemed weak. Garnet check to make sure her brother and sister were asleep before she went to her mother.

"Momma, are you okay?"asked the child. Her mother smiled.

"Yes, Daughter. I am well. Listen. If anything happens, if I should...stop moving...I want you to take care of your brother and sister, understand?"

"Yes, Momm,"she said, felling a drop on her cheek. The storm was returning...

Garnet gasped as she finally snapped back into the present. Zidane, Kuja, and Mikoto were all looking at her concernedly.

"I remember,"she whispered. "On the boat with my mother and I. It wasn't just us. There was a little girl. And a baby. A tiny baby boy."She shuddered, clutching at Zidane. "I think...Zidane, I think I'm Sumano."

"It adds up,"speculated Kuja. "If the Princess were alive today, she'd be twenty years old."

"So Garnet..."began Zidane.

"I want to be called by my real name,"interrupted Garn- er, Sumano.

"Right. So...Sumano ended up in Alexandria. Peaches became an evil brat bent on world domination. Where did their brother end up?"

Mikoto gave Kuja a hard look, and the Emperor of Bran Bal II sighed.

"I think I know."

CLIFFHANGER!!! So, anyone wanna take a guess at who Sumano and Peaches' baby brother is?

Peaches:Hey! I have a bone to pick with you, Miss Oh-High-And-Mighty-Authoress! What kinda name is Peaches?! Huh?!

Chris:Well, I was originally gonna name Sumano Sumomo (plum), but then I realized Sumano would sound kinda like 'summoner'. YOUR name was supposed to be Momoko (little peach) so I named ya Peaches. Deal with it.