Final Fantasy IX Sequal, "Forever Fantasy"

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“AAAAH!! CHOOOOO!!” A large, pig-man with a beard and goggles sneezed loudly as he walked over to join a small group of suspicious looking individuals who, actually, weren’t suspicious at all.

“Hello boys,” Baku; Leader of Tantalus, a roving do-gooder band of thieves and actors, said while saluting his troop.

“What’s goin’ on, boss?” Blank; a spiky red-haired man, along with the other five present, saluted back.

“Just wonderin’ if any o’ you had seen Zidane around?” Baku said in his gruff way.

“Nope, not yet anyway,” Marcus; the pointy-eared man said, shaking his head.

“He’d better hurry up! Queen Garnet’s gonna’ speak soon!” Cinna, the creepiest one of all, warned.

Zenero, Benero, and Genero; the triplets, who looked like trunk-less elephants with clipper-claws, were too busy eating slices of cake to reply.

Already, a multitude of guests were arriving at Alexandria castle while hundreds more were leaving their rooms upstairs to join the festivities. The Tantalus Troupe was only a drop in the bucket of the thousands of guests invited to Queen Garnet’s Twentieth Birthday Celebration. Baku sneezed again as Blank pointed towards the main staircase. “There he is! And he has someone with him!”

Baku, Marcus, Cinna and Blank made their way through a crowd of Nobles and stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

“Yo Zidane! Where’ve you been?” Blank clapped Zidane on the back as he walked to greet them.

“Just upstairs. How’s everyone, and hey? Where’s Ruby?” He saluted the group.

“Ruby said she had some stuff to take care of at the Mini-theatre. She’ll be along later.” Zenero got his head out of the slice of cake he was eating long enough to speak.

“Nothin’ much has changed, if that’s what you mean…” Baku sniffed, continuing.

“Yeah, I’d say that you’re the one that’s changed, Zidane,” Marcus said.

“What are you talking about?” Zidane looked puzzled.

“What are ya’ all prettied up for?” Cinna asked, waving his hammer around, which he never let go of.

“Well jeez! Can’t I look nice for my babe’s birthday!?” Zidane cried indignantly.

“I guess,” Blank said, folding his arms over his narrow chest, “but don’t overdo it, ok?”

“Sure…” Zidane put a hand behind his head. “Anyway, uh.. I’d like to introduce you guys to my friend here.” Zidane motioned to Kuja who had, up until this point, been standing respectfully to one side.

“This, my friends, is Kuja.” Zidane said with a grin.

Kuja stepped forward, shook hands, and bowed, “It is very nice to meet you. I have heard nothing but good things about Tantalus.”

“Nice to meetcha’ too. You certainly look familiar, Kuja.” Baku nodded and looked at Zidane for help on refreshing his foggy memory. “Don’t I already know this guy from somewhere?”

“Nope.. I don’t think so…” Zidane was evasive. Luckily, Marcus came to his rescue without knowing it.

“We should get down to the main floor. Garnet’s going to speak soon,” he turned and walked towards the crowd of eagerly awaiting people.

“Yeah, c’mon, boys!” Baku nodded over his shoulder, “don’t wanna’ miss your girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend, eh?” Kuja chuckled as he followed the others, leaving Zidane standing alone.

“Well, actually… Hey! Wait up!” Zidane called, noticing that he had been left behind.

Hundreds of people were standing around the throne platform as Zidane and company made their way through the throng. Zidane and Kuja broke off from the rest of the group to stand as close as possible next to the dais. There, seated regally on her carved, jewel-studded chair, sat Garnet, dressed in a long, flowing gown of soft, lavender silk and satin. The quaint fabric curved around her soft breasts and came to a point at her shoulders, in which long sleeves came down to cover the tops of her hands to her fingers. She wore two, small silver rings on both hands, a silver diamond-studded crown high atop her head, and the Royal Pendant gracefully around her bare, perfumed neck.

“My gods…” Zidane breathed slowly, completely in awe.

“She is beautiful…” Kuja, too, was humbled in front of this goddess.

As they watched spellbound, Queen Garnet Til Alexandros the 17th stood and spoke.

“Thank you all for coming together to partake on this fine day. As I am sure you all know, today is my Twentieth Birthday. It is a happy time and I hope you will all join me in celebrating,” Garnet smiled at the so many kind faces, her voice sounding clearly throughout the hall.

“I shall now explain a little bit about what is to come. After this, there will be various events held outside in the Town Square for all ages and maturates. There shall be games, prizes, and contests. For more information, please ask our Activities Director, Sir Blank of Tantalus.” At this Baku and the others turned to stare at him.

“What?” Blank shrugged.

“After lunch,” Garnet continued, “which will be held in the gardens, a fighting tournament shall be held in the Town Square as well. There will be three divisions; Strength, Weapon, and Magic. So, whomever thinks that they have what it takes, please enter, for prizes will be awarded the winner in each area. Dinner will be held later this evening and besides games, we also have live musical and theatrical performances by our Lindblum Tantalus Theater Troupe, so don’t miss it!” Garnet smiled and raised her arms in the air, “Let the celebrations begin!” A mighty cheer went up from the crowd as the festivities commenced.
Queen Garnet floated gracefully down the dais steps and talked casually to her subjects, for she never liked to put herself above others due to rank or stature.. knowing that once, she had been one of them.

“Come on,” Zidane whispered to Kuja, “let’s go see her.” Kuja followed Zidane through crowds of people towards the adorned Queen.

“Should we?” Marcus looked after the pair.

“Nah… we’ve got better things to do, right?” Blank eyed Marcus accusingly.

“Oh yeah! Let’s go, Bro.” Marcus took off after Blank in the opposite direction of Zidane and Kuja.
It took a moment for Zidane to reach Garnet, for there were so many people anxious to speak with her.

“Dagger!” Zidane cried as he finally made his way to her.

“Zidane! I’m so glad you’ve arrived!” Garnet turned and smiled. Zidane gasped a little, for Garnet was even more beautiful to look upon up close.

“My dear, sweet Dagger,” Zidane said, moving nearer to her and bending down on one knee, kissing her hand. People who had gathered around them cried out with delight. Queen Garnet and Master Zidane had many admirers.

“Why Zidane! You look very charming!” Garnet blushed at Zidane’s good looks.

“Thanks! Kuja did it,” Zidane motioned to Kuja, who stood slightly off to one side.

“Kuja, you look marvelous as well,” Garnet nodded and smiled.

“Please, do not flatter me. If anyone should, it need be I to you. My Queen, you look absolutely stunning.” Kuja bowed gracefully.

“Why thank you, Kuja. I shall remember your kind words,” she smiled again, taking Zidane’s hand. “Shall we cruise the grounds together, Zidane?” Garnet asked.

“Of course, my darling!” he played the part so well.

“Kuja, we’ll be back in a bit, and oh… If anyone ever asks who you are, don’t feel weird about telling them. You make sure to use my last name too because you’re my brother, okay?” Zidane said.

“If it is alright with you, then yes. Thank you,” Kuja smiled.

“See you later!” Zidane smiled back then wandered off into the crowd with Garnet by his side.

Kuja watched them go, and then he too turned and headed off into the masses, towards the punch bowl. Nothing like a little drink to relax a soul…


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