| There is one constant in an ever-changing world: Everything is changing. -Dragon�s Words; vol.1, pg. 3 Part 47 The others appeared on the teleporter on the other side of the room. Tiovex ran to me, but stopped short. [Why do I smell magic all over you?] [So Kuja doesn�t know.] [Know what?] [You�ll see.] Meanwhile, everyone else had agreed to invade Kuja�s room. They crashed through the doors and into the room. We followed, but only to make sure they didn�t get themselves killed pulling such a foolish stunt. It was my fault, really. I hadn�t been keeping an eye on everyone to the fullest extent. If I had, I would�ve noticed that Eiko and Vanel were far behind the rest, since they were so small. But I didn�t notice and soon there were cries for Zidane and myself. Turning, I saw the pair being held by Thorn and Zorn. They struggled, but the twins were holding them just so that they couldn�t get away. Kuja ran off and so did the twins and Zidane semi-panicked. The first thing he did was turn on me. � Kiti!� I lowered my head. [I�m sorry.] He snarled and leapt at me, tumbling me over. His anger shattered the magic covers around us (not that it mattered anymore anyway) and he went in for a shot at my throat while I was distracted. I struck first, raking my talons up his neck and tearing scales off. He shrieked and jumped away, gasping for breath. For a bit I was given the satisfaction of victory. Then, just as Tiovex made the suggestion that we follow Kuja, Zidane rushed at me again. I beat him soundly, pinning him on the floor and roaring directly in his face. His tail immediately came up and laid along his stomach. Well, at least he knows when he�s beaten. [I know what I have done wrong!] I snarled. [You need not attempt to punish me for it! And as you persist in discipline, Kuja escapes! Cease your idiocy at once and get up! I am going after Kuja, with or without your help!] With that, I let him go and ran to the teleporter. It took me to the dock, but Kuja had gotten away already. I was about to give chase when something pounced on me from behind. It was Zidane, and he looked terrified. [Please! Don�t go chasing after him by yourself!] I wriggled away from him. [And how do plan to stop me, hatchling?] [I can�t, I know. But please, don�t go alone. If you won�t do it for me do it for Tiovex because he�s about to go into cardiac arrest and I don�t want that on my hands.] I snorted and made a dive for the edge of the rock. Something else landed on me and lifted me off my feet. I squealed and struck blindly, but I couldn�t reach it. I was having trouble breathing and got more frantic every little second. As my breath came out in loud wheezes and the silence everywhere else was overpowering, I had to wonder if I was going to die like this. There was a far-off voice in the back of my head giving me stern advice in the voice of Tiovex�s mother, the late Queen Raniou. . . . [Child, the world is a cold place--as I�m sure you already know--and when you die, everyone who cares will probably either be dead or turned on you. I know that sounds bleak, but that�s my experience. It�s why we dragons are so solitary. Once burned, twice shy, as they say.] . . . She had been right. Tiovex had been right. I had been a fool to raise a human thinking that I could change something by doing so. What a joke. I can�t believe, with all my years of life, that I fell for such a stupid idea. [My apologies, Ziaden . . . for everything . . . It will never happen again . . .] [No, Mother! Don�t say that! I was just upset, I didn�t mean it!] � Let her go, Amarant!� I was released and my vision blacked out momentarily from the sudden rush of oxygen, coming back grayed and fuzzy. I laid on the ground, gasping airlessly, my hands pawing slowly at the sky. [Mother, are you okay? . . . Are you even alive?] Rolling to my side, I struggled up and staggered for the open air. A quick hand knocked me over gently. [Stop ignoring me!] [I�m not ignoring you. I�m just not answering.] An exasperated huff. [Can you walk? Fly?] [If you�d let me up!] I snapped. [Great. Okay, how much can you carry, Tiovex?] [My wings can carry as much as my body can hold. They have no limit.] [Perfect. You carry Steiner and Quina.] � What about me?� Steiner demanded. � I�m your transportation,� Tiovex explained. � Get on. You too, Quina.� [Mother?] I stretched and made sure everything still functioned properly. [Hm?] [You take Freya and Amarant.] � I hate dragons,� Amarant grumbled, getting on my back behind Freya. � I hate humans,� I replied. � Hm, what do you know, we have something in common after all. We hate each other.� � You two are with me,� Zidane said to Garnet and Vivi. Once everyone was settled we took off. Zidane appeared surprised at the ease of flight. [Hey, Kiti, you know, you�re right.] [You didn�t believe me before?] [. . .] We swooped by the Blue Narciss to let the others jump off. Zidane hovered briefly to give Blank instructions, then took off. Tiovex and I followed, skimming just over the waves. Steiner finally noticed that Garnet wasn�t on the ship and shouted after us as though we were trying to take her far enough away so we could eat her. � Bring the queen back, you scoundrel!� Zidane turned and made a face, rolling his eyes and letting his tongue swing limply in mockery. � She�s just fine with me, Rusty!� Then he took off again, laughing. Garnet shrieked happily. Steiner threw a tantrum right there on the deck. � You bring her back, thief!� Tiovex and I trailed Zidane by several hundred feet to keep the Blue Narciss on track. This gave the emperor time to question me. <--Part 46 Part 48--> |