Filling In The Blanks

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy IX, or any of its characters.

A/N: Just another chapter… :D

Chapter 46: Maybe There's Still Hope

A few weeks had passed, and finally, Zidane was able to walk around their new premises. He had declined multiple tours, and decided to just meander around, seeing what there was to see. Vivi had a surprise for him later, but he still had a few hours to kill.

Things had been going so well for them… They hadn't been figured out – which was honestly a surprise, now that there were four airships in their possession. Under great, and new magic, from one of the girls who dwelled in Terra, they were able to keep the ships pretty much invisible.

Right now, the blonde had stopped to take a rest in the grass, leaning up against the rough bark of a tree. He fiddled with a few flowers he'd absentmindedly plucked from the grass, his azure eyes staring almost straight ahead. The small breeze rustled his clothes, and he closed his eyes for a moment, sucking in the soft breath of the forest.

It was so different than Terra here, and though he liked the lights, and mysteries of his native world, he found it much more relaxing to be out in the open. He'd never been one to be cooped up too long, and it would have only been a matter of time before he went knocking on Kuja's door, had he not shown up when he did.

It was great to finally be outside, solely because he'd been locked up in a room, bed ridden, for a few weeks. As soon as he could walk again, they started to assemble groups to take off in the airships, landing in different parts of the world to recruit.

It would be an extremely dangerous mission every time they left these grounds of their new hideout. Zidane couldn't believe the number of volunteers to venture back to Dali. That was probably going to be one of the most dangerous places they could possibly wander into, and yet, a mass amount of the resistance yearned just to see the place they had once called home again.

There would also be a ship eventually landing in the Western part of the Mist Continent, hopefully recruiting from Cleyra, Lindblum, Bermecia, and every small village and resistance group in between. Treno would be a trip for Tantalus, when Zidane was strong enough, though Blank was weary – that being the last place he'd lost his best friend once before.

One would also make a trip to both the Fire Shrine and Esto Gaza across the waters, though the blonde knew that he wouldn't be included on another overseas trip. He couldn't forget Ispen, the Water and Wind shrine, Oeilvert, Daguerro, and a few villages along the way. Quina had also said something about many people over there taking refuge in Qu's Marsh, hoping that Kuja wouldn't bother with a swampy area. They trusted their cooking friend enough to check it out, though with the villain's wretched influence lined so thickly over the rest of the world, nobody really had a lot of faith there would be anyone there willing to risk everything to help.

Zidane knew that this was going to be a huge leap of faith, and hypothetically, this could take months to finish, let alone training everyone, and trying to get an attack plan ready on Alexandria. He cringed knowing that it would be hard for some – most of the original members – to go back to the abandoned kingdom and destroy it, but he understood that that's what they needed to do.

With all of this going through his thoughts though, this wasn't what he was most worried about. His problem was the blonde girl. His heart ached when he thought of what Kuja had said to him that night… The fact that she could be evil now truly wasn't even an option in his mind, though… if Kuja's words had tainted her, he worried that she and he would go up against each other in a fight… And that fight, Zidane knew, he would lose… Even if Elouise had done terrible, horrible things – he wouldn't be able to kill her…

"Zidane…" The voice shook him from his thoughts, ripping him from the images forming in his mind. It started him, and he looked up, befuddled, as the hefty man strolled up to him.

He was still very professional, and held a little too much pride in himself when he walked, but Zidane understood that he was trying to tone it down, so he didn't come off as a complete asshole… at least, that's what the blonde wanted to tell himself.

"Rusty… what's up?" He showed a crooked grin as a crease formed in the man's helmet. "Do you ever take that armor off?" An embarrassed blush crept onto the man's face.

"That's not the point…" He grunted, slowly sitting down next to Zidane. He cast his eyes out over the horizon, never really understanding how people could simply stare into space, even with thoughts overwhelming them, without doing anything.

They sat in silence for a moment, Steiner trying rather hard to stare, in an attempt to figure out with the beauty behind it was, and Zidane glanced, as curious as a small child, at the former knight, wondering exactly what it is he wanted if he wasn't going to speak.

"Are you gonna talk?" Zidane laughed as the man shook his head, being torn out of his thought process.

Steiner cleared his throat sheepishly, and leaned back on his palms, uncharacteristically stretching his legs out in front of him. "You know what's coming soon… don't you?"

As much as the Genome felt the urge to make a comedic comment, he held his tongue and nodded slowly, blinking lazily. "Yeah… I do…" There he went – staring at the horizon again. The sun's rays peaked out from behind a cloud for a few moments, and both silenced, willing to soak up their heat while they lasted.

Only seconds later, it disappeared again, and Steiner opened his eyes to continue. "Then you know how dangerous it's going to be…"

This time, Zidane only nodded.

"No screw ups…" Steiner murmured, sighing in defeat, "I know that… It must be hard for you, and do not for one moment assume that I think I understand the types of feelings you're going through, but…" Azure eyes locked with steely grey in shock shock, "When I was traveling with Fratley, unsure who was alive, and who had perished, after the attack on Dali, I believe I finally realized that perhaps that's what constantly ate away at you every single day – that held you back from something that maybe you could have perfected…" He shook his head.

"I know I do not understand fully what you're going through, but I do know somewhat ofthe feeling of not knowing what ally is still alive… When the thought crossed my mind that… Well… that Beatrix –" He was having a hard time admitting his feelings, but Zidane let on an encouraging smile, showing the knight that he knew what he was trying to say. "When I thought Beatrix could have been dead…" He shook his head, "I didn't know what I might do with myself…"

"Believe me…" Zidane mumbled, "She didn't know what to do with her self either…"

Steiner sucked in another breath, "I apologize for having such a curt attitude with you… I see now that you mean no harm, and that you're only trying to do what is best for others, but also trying to put your mind at peace too, so that you can fight with us to your full potential."

"Why are you telling me this?" The Genome wondered, turning fully to glance at him.

"It is no secret about you and Dagger…" He sighed, "Where I thought you were irritating, Bronson was even more so… He has developed a sort of fondness for Dagger that just seems off." Steiner shook his head, "I wouldn't worry about it, but I only say this because there is going to be a lot of difficulty ahead…" He licked at his lips and wiped his gloved hands on his legs, as though trying to swipe away some of his nerves.

"I just want to know that you will be there to protect her, and not assume anything…" He shook his head, for what seemed the umpteenth time in the conversation, "I won't be able to protect her forever, that much I know… but you can… and you will – I'm giving you this chance thief, don't mess it up… Something as fragile as love has a hard time sometimes during times of war and death… Do not stop trying though…" He shrugged, not saying anymore.

Zidane took a few long moments to contemplate everything Steiner had just told him. Though none of it was exactly news to him, he felt suddenly touched that the former night had taken the time to come and speak with him. Maybe Rusty wasn't so bad after all… and just had a stick up his ass this whole time… Maybe being in love with Beatrix, and thinking he almost lost her had done something to the guy. His answer wasn't expected by the older man.

"You're getting all soft there, Rusty…" Zidane laughed, freely letting the sound echo off of the trees. "'Where thou love is sometimes fragile during times of war, it often possesses an unbreakable strength…' "

It was Steiner's turn to glance at the Tantalus member in shock. Had he just quoted Lord Avon? Finally, for what seemed like the first time in a very long time, the man cracked a smile and shook his head, a low chuckle emanating from his throat. "Just as unpredictable and unexpected as ever…"

Zidane only winked, feeling as though that summed up the answer enough.

"Zidane!" Both turned at Vivi's small voice, as he wobbled down the path in a hurry, "It's time!" He beamed, and the blonde rose an eyebrow at Steiner, slowly getting up from his position. What was it that could possibly have the black mage so excited?

"You have to come!" He called out, eyes a dazzling gold. "It's time to see the black mage village!"

Zidane jumped up, eyes wide, "What? Already?! No way!" A grin broke onto his face, and he raced up to Vivi, dodging out of his way. "What are you waiting for slow poke?! Let's go!" He teased at the black mage, who was flustered at the confusion.

He stumbled to a stop, scanning the area around a grinning Steiner for the thief, before turning around and seeing him gesturing to hurry. He laughed and started to run again, teetering this way and that as he followed his very best friend through the forest, even though it was he who knew where they needed to go, and not Zidane.

Steiner rose then, feeling as though his deed was done. He would wait to see what would happen with Zidane later, before deciding if he should tell him anything else.

?

"Are we there yet?!"

"You sure didn't lose your spunk," Cid laughed, walking with the two of them. He decided that today he would have a private walk into the village with his own two dreamers, and sideways glanced at the one constantly complaining.

Zidane hobbled along a little uncomfortably. Daily healing sessions with Dagger had more than one benefit, but he definitely wasn't ready to do a five mile hike the wilderness.

The blonde decided to ignore the Regent's comment, and continue to walk, perhaps rethinking his need to complain. Instead, he focused on Vivi who practically pranced in front of them, excitable and hypnotically.

"So tell me about the village," Zidane offered up, in hopes to start a conversation.

Cid was about to answer, but was surprised when Vivi beat him to the punch. "Zidane it's really great!" He insisted, "These mages know a lot about black magic, and can teach me a lot, while we can teach them a lot… and they know a lot about Kuja…"

Suddenly, Zidane's goofy grin vanished, and he became instantaneously serious. Cid noticed this… His encounter must have been much more powerful than the old man originally thought. Gnawing his lip, he listened carefully.

"What do they know about Kuja?" He asked – but maybe was a little to demanding. Vivi peeped, and started to stutter.

"Perhaps we should find out for ourselves…" Cid spoke wisely, cutting the attention of both of them off of each other, over to where the seemingly endless mirage of road rippled and disappeared in front of them.

Zidane's jaw dropped, and he gaped like a fish as all three wondered inside.

One mage was already there waiting for them. "Welcome…" This mage seemed all knowing and much older, spreading his arms out wide.

Vivi ran up to him, bowing in his presence, causing an echo of laughter to emerge from the mage. "Now little one, surely you know enough that that's not necessary, isn't that right?" His glowing eyes glimmered as he patted Vivi's hat.

"You're… you're…"

"We told you, didn't we?" Cid asked him, slapping him painfully on the back as he strode forward, his cape bellowing behind him.

"Well… yeah… but…"

The elder mage laughed again, "You are standing now in the Black Mage Village…" He nodded slowly, "We have many things to discuss, young one…"

They walked further into the village now, and all the while, the blonde's crystal blue eyes just kept getting wider and wider. Small mages – smaller than Vivi even, ran around each other, while others cast spells purely for entertainment. Some acted out merry plays, others did housework, and some even created new companions – pets if you would – to stay with them.

"How could you guys have been here all this time, and never been found out? Who are all of you? I've never seen a mage before Vivi who was actually zoned into the world."

The elder mage's mood become somber, and he turned to glance at the Genome. "My young friend… Let me explain to you…"

He motioned to the land in front of them. "As the Genomes, humans, white mages, Bermecians, and every other race among these lands, black mages are as you…" A slow nod of his head confirmed his words. "Of course… we started as a small race, just like any other. But from the beginning, our race of black mages has been powerful, but gentle. Kuja realized this long ago, and realized he wouldn't be able to convince us to join him, so he created more of us…"

"Created?" Zidane asked, tilting his head.

They were still walking, but leaving behind the bustle of the middle of the village.

The elder mage nodded, "Manufactured if you will… He couldn't get it just right though… Many began mindless and unaware of their surroundings, simply sticking to their tasks at hand."

"That explains all of the black mages we've run into…" Vivi nodded, glancing up at Zidane.

"And even the ones in the fake Alexandria…" The blonde commented, putting his hands on his hips.

"But alas, there is a way to change that."

"Change them? But how can we save them all?" Zidane asked, averting all of his attention back to the elder mage.

He nodded slowly, contemplating the way he would explain it, "Rather we cannot do a thing, besides show them a life that isn't mindless killing. More notably, we've learned over time, that when they see something emotionally drastic – like the death of a parent in front of a child, or a husband who dies, his wife's picture slipping from his hand as he falls to the ground – they suddenly became "aware", like they're coming out of a daze…"

"So, you're saying they have to experience something emotionally traumatizing for someone who has emotions?"

"In a way, yes… Of course, considering Kuja's unaware mages are never around happy circumstances – true love's blossom, a child being born – or something of the such, we don't know if that would cause their awareness…"

"So when they come aware, they just live out the rest of their lives?" Zidane glanced at Vivi, wondering if once upon a time, he wasn't aware, or if he'd been one of the very few of the race.

"The manufactured mages have a very short lifespan… Ten years is a very long time, and most don't become aware – because they don't get put into those types of situation – until they're at least five years of age…"

"So they just…" Zidane looked at him with sad eyes, "die?"

"To those who were never born, but manufactured, the concept is much harder to grasp." He nodded solemnly, "They refer to it as "stopping". And it's a very large shame…"

"So mages just… stop?"

"They suddenly become like dolls… Unmoving, but nothing inside of them has stopped working… It's almost as though their battery just runs… well… dead…"

"So they're dying, but not really because they were never really born?" Cid asks, trying to see if putting it in such a way was correct, for Zidane to understand. He recalls Vivi getting this same story the last time they ventured to the village.

The elder mage nodded. "While those from the race live for thirty or perhaps even a few more years see many friends come and go… Other than that, and the ignorance of common sense, there isn't a difference between us… Except perhaps in power. I believe that's why Vivi is seen so highly in Kuja's eyes…"

"What do you mean?" The blonde cocked his head to the side.

"Race mages are very powerful… It simply takes too much to manufacture mass productions of very powerful mages – and even the few that are created, do not meet the power of race mages…" He nodded slowly, "That's why we can assume that Vivi is a race mage… But perhaps the other parts of his family were not…"

"So created mages and race mages can mate and have children?"

The elder mage nodded, "I know it seems hard to grasp but they were created to be exactly like the others – so Kuja probably felt leaving out a reproductive system wouldn't be fitting… He wanted them to blend in, after all…"

"But it's not something they can use unless they're aware, right?"

"Correct… Ah!" He pointed straight ahead, "This is the place I was looking for… Come, come inside!" He ushered, waving everyone in.

Zidane stepped in carefully, noticing how everything seemed a little downsized to fit the Black Mages' stature.

"Now… Kuja…" He sucked in a breath, "Let's talk about Kuja, and the conflict going on with him…"

Zidane's face grew hard, knowing now was the time to get serious. "Right… Kuja…"

?

Zidane's jaw dropped, eyes sparkling. He was honestly touched, "So you're saying you'll help?"

The elder mage nodded wisely and calmly, "We won't be as powerful as Vivi of course… But we'll be able to help, and I think more spell casters on your side will give you a great advantage. We're also teaching a special squad how to shoot arrows, though they're not very good yet…"

"This is…" He couldn't find the way to form words, "Thank you, so, so much…"

"How can we possibly repay you? We have no money, nor any land, or –" Cid began, but was cut off when the elder held up his hand.

"Only free roam of the world…" He smiled, "Quarters to fit in properly after Kuja's bastard reproduction has given us a sour name…" Shaking his head, he glanced at Vivi, "Of course, most of us will probably return here… But we would like that as an option… Vivi is quite an inspiration to all of us…"

"M-me? Why me?"

"Why – you are a race mage with no help from others! You've made close friends with all sorts of different people, and you're a dreamer!" He laughed, "Plus, you're in a resistance – we all strive to do something great in the world…"

Zidane's eyes seemed to shine. Vivi was finally getting the credit he deserved for the things he's done – no matter how small.

"Way to go, Vivi!" He cheered.

"I guess I don't know what to say…" He pulled his hat tighter onto his head.

"We must reveal the existence of your village to the rest of our resistance…" Cid nodded.

The elder mage looked down, obviously debating two different answers. "I will ask you not to do that…"

"How will they trust you?"

"We will roam amongst your ranks, but I fear the safety of those who do not wish to fight, if our façade is dropped, and our village revealed…"

"I understand…" Cid stood then, holding out his hand for a firm shake, "We will make arrangements for those who wish to stay amongst us, and learn from us, to eventually fight with us…"

"Good… Thank you…" He stood and bowed to Zidane and Vivi, "Thank you dreamers, for giving us a fighting chance…"

"We wouldn't…" Vivi began, but glanced at the blonde to see if it was okay for him to talk. "We wouldn't be able to be an inspiration to anyone, if we didn't have the resistance standing behind us… We need you guys just as much as you need us…"

The blonde smiled, realizing just how right Vivi was.

"We'll visit again soon, this place is so cool!" Zidane waved goodbye, and started back down the path. Vivi waddled behind him, full of thought. Cid was the one who quickly caught up to his side.

"Much to think about, isn't there?"

Zidane nodded, "Yeah… I hope everywhere else is as ready to help…"

"I don't think you understand how much the rumors of two dreamers escaping Kuja's tight fist would stir the hearts and hopes of people…" He smiled, his ridiculous mustache wavering as his lips moved, "We thank you for everything you've done… especially sticking with us…"

"I don't think Vivi and I would have made it out in the beginning if it weren't for your main squad…" He bowed, uncharacteristically, but respectfully nevertheless, "I thank you, Regent Cid… Someday, I believe that Tantalus will be greatly in your debt…" He gave a wry smile, "Someday I believe we'll be doing your dirty work again after this is all over…"

Cid gave a great laugh and put a hand on Zidane's back, steering him away, "Come now, don't be ridiculous…"

?

A few weeks passed, and slowly, ever so slowly, Zidane got back into training. He and Blank began goofing around again, and his healing sessions became fewer and fewer with Dagger.

The blonde had yet to really meet this Bronson character everyone talked about – the man mysteriously slinking away every time he knew the Genome would be coming into the picture. Obviously, he found Zidane as a threat, but didn't want to cause any more trouble.

"What the matter, Dagger? Can't keep up with my sweet moves?" Blank taunted, twirling his dagger around and jumping at her.

She ducked and he flew over her, but she spun around when she knew he was advancing, swiping her feet underneath his, knocking him on his back. The rest of their audience burst into laughter.

"You should have seen through that one!" Cinna snorted between laughs, clutching his large belly and pointing at the redhead.

"You come take her on then, you jack ass!" He barked, shaking his fist. While he was screaming at his teammate, she almost pranced up to him, beating him on the back with her staff. He let out a loud groan and fell to the ground.

"And the viiiictor iiiiis Daaaaaggerrrr!" Cinna yelled, jumping around.

Everyone began to clap and cheer. With a bright smile, she bowed a few times, "Thank you, thank you!" She laughed. "Who's my next unworthy opponent?!" She challenged.

"I think Zidane's next on the list," Marcus snickered.

Everyone quieted for a moment, before turning to stare at the blonde, who was absentmindedly staring off into space. A little too innocently, because Marcus pointed him out almost immediately.

Dagger lowered her staff, the fun suddenly sucked out of the challenge. She watched as Zidane shrugged sheepishly at her, but after being prodded by a few, stood up, and walked in her direction.

"You can't be serious," she groaned, smacking her face with her palm.

"Hey now, you're not supposed to hit yourself, that's cheating," He stated, tilting his head.

"I can't fight you."

He gave a lopsided smile, "I can't fight you either."

"Aww come on!" Cinna whined, "The two star crossed lovers, fighting to the death –"

"Cinna!" She cried, blushing furiously. Everyone else let out hoots of laughter. "Him dying isn't funny!"

"Oh so you think you could kill me, huh?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Well no, I just –" His eyes sparkled at her.

"Give it your best shot…" He pulled out his dagger, waving her forward with it.

"Zidane this is silly – you're just back on your feet after an injury…"

"Dagger –"

"An injury I saved you from! I'm not about to have you –"

"Dagger!" He called out sharply to her. She clamped her mouth shut and stared at him. "It's just a bit of fun… You didn't kill Blank, did you?"

"Just his ego," Cinna nodded, "This will be fun! Come on!"

He smiled at her when she sucked in a breath and slid into a defensive stance, "Alright…"

"Leeet's get ready to ruuuuuumble!" Cinna shouted, but the hesitation was obvious in both parties.

Zidane half heartedly moved forward and swung. She lamely dodged it. "If you're going to be sloppy, you're going to make it hard for me to miss you," He teased.

"If I have to try, so do you!" She huffed at him, crossing her arms.

He jumped behind her and swept her off her feet. She landed on her butt with an 'oof'. "I am trying!" He yelled with a laugh.

She stood off the ground, blushing madly again, before charging at him. He was ready for her blunt attack, but didn't see it coming when she suddenly flipped over him. Whipping around, he saw the staff just before it clunked him in the head, causing him to dizzily move about.

Cheers erupted from the sidelines as Zidane chuckled, and sliced dramatically at the air, "You'll never get away from me!" A few bobs on the head from Dagger wasn't going to hurt him.

He joking poked at her a few more times, before getting hit again, her energy catching up with her spirit. His vision wavered a little, and he guessed it was probably because of the hard hits he'd taken in his fight with Kuja.

But as the fight continued, things around him slowly started to change. Slowly, Dagger's raven hair rinsed into blonde, and her calm, chocolate eyes became flared emerald ones. The cheers quickly became screams, and no longer was he in the relaxed grass, but on cobblestone, surrounded not by blowing leaves, but burning buildings.

"How could you?!" She shrieked at him, her own dagger out in front of her. "I'm going to kill you Zidane!" This fight became all too familiar. His head started to swim more as his reality jumped from one vision to another.

Would he eventually have to fight Elouise?

"Stop," he murmured, as another blow narrowly missed him, "Elouise…" He groaned, tears pricking his eyes.

A sudden pain ripped through his body, as though his leg was shattered again, fire burning dangerously close to him. He screamed, and fell to the ground, not noticing that it was velvet grass that reached his palms.

Tantalus was on their feet in seconds, along with a few others, rushing over to the blonde. "Zidane!" They all yelled, and Blank scrambled to his side, shaking his arm, "Wake up, man!"

Dagger backed up, her staff forgotten in the grass. The wild look he gave them, the tears the pricked his eyes, and the agonizing scream that he'd let out moments ago. It scared her… Had she really hurt him?

Turning to flee as everyone else tried to calm him down, she found herself running right into none other than Bronson.

"Hey, are you alright?" He asked her, pulling back to see tears streaming down her face.

"I'm f-fine… Just frightened and –" She glanced back at Zidane, who was wearily clutching his head, and burst into tears. "This is my fault!"

"What's your fault?" He put his hands on her shoulders and shook her mildly, "Garnet what –"

At the sound of her real name, people began to turn their heads, and finally knocked from his trance, Zidane lifted his head from his hands.

"Who the fuck is he…?" The blonde muttered, his blurred vision seeing someone else engulfing Dagger in a hug. He leapt from his position in the grass, knocking several people back.

"Zidane!" Blank called out in frustration, not really in favor of seeing his kind and gentle friend go berserk on this guy.

With a drunken step, Zidane stumbled towards where he thought the pair was. It wasn't a wonderful first impression to his obvious rival, but it didn't seem to bother the thief much. He mustered a stance and stared up at the guy.

He was buff, and looked fresh cut out of the army: something that was immensely fishy. "Who are you?!" He called out, even though the blonde knew exactly who he was.

The man glanced down at the crying princess in his arms, and back up at this boy. To Bronson, Zidane looked weak, but quick and sneaky, and a generally nice person… Except right now a fire danced in his sapphire eyes, and his eyebrows knit together in frustration. He was gripping the hilt of his dagger a little too tightly.

"Obviously someone who doesn't make Garnet cry…"

It was lucky Blank was on him in a second, tearing him back from his sudden jolt towards the two. Dagger shoved Bronson back, "He didn't make me cry!" She insisted.

Bronson took her face in his hands, and rubbed away the tears streaking down her face, "What do you call that then?" He asked gently. This made her cry harder. She hated this confrontation – she hated that Bronson had showed up, and she hated that she was too weak and confused to what she did to Zidane to pull away.

"Get away from her!" Zidane snarled, jerking against Blank's, and now Marcus' too, hold.

"Or what?" He narrowed his eyes, "You gonna fight me?"

That was all it took for Zidane to let out a fierce cry, tearing away from the two other Tantalus members and streaking forward. Bronson threw Dagger out of the way, and prepared to block Zidane. But he was too fast – way faster than the newcomer had expected, and the Genome easily landed the first right hook into jaw.

As soon as she hit the ground, Dagger was up again, trying to get in the middle of the two.

Bronson, quickly overcoming the first brutal hit, slammed into a weakened Zidane with full force, knocking him to the ground. But as soon as he tried to pounce, Zidane's legs were up and throwing him backwards.

Bronson slid in the dirt, throwing up a cloud. He glanced around, listening hard for some sort of sign that the blonde was coming after him. When he heard none, he jumped up, charging forward to get out of the dust cloud.

Unfortunately for Bronson, Zidane was right there waiting, kicking off of his chest, throwing all the air from Bronson's lungs. He heaved for a moment, wiping at the corners of his mouth.

"You're not bad… for a thief."

Zidane threw his head back, "I've heard better insults from the Qu's!" The taller blonde growled and lunged for him once more.

As they continued to fight, Blank tried to wrestle Dagger back from getting involved. Most others stood in amazement, watching this newcomer try and fight one of the dreamers. And another group were still wondering what was going on with Zidane. It was a split between stopping them and not, igniting arguments of their own.

"You can't get in the middle!" Blank yelled at the raven haired girl, tears spilling out of her eyes.

She tried to shake him off, but to no avail, "Blank you don't get it!" She tried to plead, screaming.

"You're going to get hurt –"

"Zidane is going to get hurt?! What did I do to him, Blank?!" She demanded, hair spewing around her face wildly, "He's not okay! Bronson's going to hurt him!"

"Zidane can take care of himself!" The redhead insisted.

"I can't let him get hurt over me!"

Blank rolled his eyes. Women were so melodramatic sometimes, and he cringed when he thought about it. But this distraction gave Dagger the upper hand. She smashed her foot down over his, causing him to trip and yelp in pain.

With full force, she sprinted forward, hopefully stopping the fight.

"Both of you!" She sobbed, not knowing what else to do. "Stop!"

Before the two made contact again, she wheeled in front of them, hopefully stopping their attacks. She didn't want to see them fight like this… Fight like this over her.

There was a lot of yelling and screaming, people realizing what was about to happen.

Smack!

Dizzily, she stumbled forward, holding her head, before collapsing on the ground.

"Dagger!" Zidane cried, horrified as to what they'd just done.

?

A/N: So kind of a lame ending, but I figured I needed to end it somewhere. I promise the next chapter will pick back up some more, but I figured I'd give you a LITTLE love competition, since there hasn't been any in awhile. Anyways :)

Sorry for such the long time between updates. I have been so so busy for the last few months, I haven't been able to much of anything! Thanks for whoever has stuck with me thus far!

-zesty-