As an Ending von Yvi ================================================================================ Prolog: -------- Disclaimer Final Fantasy IX (and all related content) belongs to Square Soft/Square Enix. (Honestly? If I owned that company there would be a superb FFIX remake!) --- Prologue “There are things that we don't want to happen but have to accept, things we don't want to know but have to learn, and people we can't live without but have to let go.” Author Unknown It was very late at night in Alexandria and the streets were left empty after another busy day and its citizens still had a couple of peaceful hours until the sunlight would wash the darkness away and presented them with a new day full of surprises. Everyone dreamed away or so one would think. General Beatrix knew better. As the proud warrior walked through the abounded corridors of the castle, her candle being the only light source at sight, she knew what she would find once she reached the small chamber at the end of the stone hallway. After being permitted inside her eyes focused on a slender girl who seemed more than a little lost on the big, heavily ornated chair in front of a neatly kept desk. “Your Highness,“ the woman said in an even tone, “it is past midnight. Maybe you should rest yourself, tomorrow's agenda will be very demanding.“ “Thank you, Beatrix.“ said the young queen smilingly, which only darkened the rings underneath her eyes. “I will retire to my bed chamber as early as this matter is dealt with. You may leave and get some rest yourself.“ “As you wish. Good night.“ The General bowed and left the room, knowing that she would return in an hour or two to carry the young monarch into the royal chamber herself. Meanwhile said regent rubbed her eyes, stifled a yawn and forced her tired mind to focus on the matter at hand. She hated to cause the people around her to worry. However she knew she couldn't help it this time for she needed to keep herself occupied. Any lack of occupation would leave her mind time to wander. And she knew from experience they would drift to thoughts of him... “Focus!” she chided herself and continued working for another chime before her consciousness was finally claimed by a dreamless slumber. --- Half a moon later, a very pale looking Garnet Till Alexandros closed her chamber doors in a hurry, turned the key and starred at the worn, fawn colored envelope in her hands, which had been addressed to “Queen regent Garnet Till Alexandros XVII, Southern continent, Alexandria.” The formal addressee was nothing out of the ordinary for she received several letters in this fashion every day. But those aristocrats sent their message boys to deliver them, this one however had been given to her by a very tired looking moogle who, despite the fact that he could hardly stand, had insisted loudly on handing the document to “No one but tha' Queen herself, kupo!”. At first she had expected it to be one of Vivi's monthly reports about the blackmages' progress, but dropped that thought as soon as she noticed the unfamiliar, almost too perfect handwriting on the front. The possibilities of the parchment's contend filled her with dread and overwhelming fear. She hardly noticed the alarmed glances she received from her guards and hardly remembered her (in retrospective rather rude) cancellation of all the day's meetings. Shaking hands opened the undecorated seal. --- Author's Note Hi there everyone and welcome to “As an Ending“! I know this AN is likely to be skipped - but please don't. As you have been warned this is going to be a long fan fiction (right now I'm guessing at 50-80 chapters) The length will vary but I seriously doubt they will ever be as short as this one again. By the way: The end is already written and the plot line thoughtfully planed out. I would love to have you around for the journey to our beloved heroes' happily(?) ever after. PS: Yes, “As an Ending“ is one of those story titles you most likely won't understand until the last line of the last chapter. But please let me know your guesses at any time ^__^ PPS: I run my texts through two spell check programs before I post them but since English isn't my native language I tend to make mistakes that aren't checkable for them, therefore please feel free to point out any mistakes you find in your reviews. (If you'd like to beta this story: please let me know ^.^) Hosted by Animexx e.V. (http://www.animexx.de)