Okay this is my first fanfic ever submitted so I'd be really happy if you commented, even if yu hate it! I've been wanting to write a fanfic about FF9 for ages and I was so happy when this idea popped into my head! I've really enjoyed writing it so I'dlike people to enjoy reading it... hopefully!And I got to include Mikoto dances happily.

Background info on the title: Definition,Redundant - not needed anymore. This goes for a lot ofcharacters and situationsin the story but if I tell you now i'll spoil it!

Chapter one

'She's all alone again
Wiping the tears from her eyes
Some days he feels like dying
Some days it's not worth trying
Now that they both are finding
She gets so sick of crying.'
Extraordinary Girl – Green Day

Are you still crying?

She didn't reply.

Has he gone again?

She covered her ears with her palms, slick with the salty tears that trickled down her cheeks.

Oh, poor girl. So alone. So alone. You were always alone.

She curled up beneath her sheets into a ball, hugging herself and rocking slightly as she tried to block the voices.

But we are with you, love. Haven't we always been with you? Haven't we always protected you?

She knew they were right but she hated them and thought that perhaps she always had done.

We'll stay with you. We know how to comfort you. We love you. Unlike him. He never loved you –

'Shut up! He did… he does! Please… leave me –'

Alone? Always alone. If he loves you then why are you alone now? Where do you think he is now, hm?

She squirmed as inner anguish blossomed like a poison flower inside of her as they put images in her mind of him with others… so many others; they showed him touching them, kissing their naked forms, slick with sweat, his lust building as they became one, making them cry out with pleasure. She grasped her head and cried out.

'No no! These are all false! You're wrong! He'd never –'

He has betrayed you countless times and we know and we saw and we pitied you, love, for falling for such an unworthy fool.

She said nothing now, silent tears wetting her pillow. She stopped rocking and curled tighter into a ball, cloaked in the midnight darkness that invaded her room.

Sweet one, you are so fragile and weak. He bewitched you with a façade of love and look at what you have become. Look at what he has done to you. You are an empty shell of a person, broken and pathetic.

She looked at herself, naked beneath the sheets and felt a sudden burst of loathing erupt in her. She directed it at herself and clawed at her body until blood and skin was lodged beneath her nails and crimson lines bleached her milk-white skin. She was pathetic and useless, how easily she could be manipulated by simple words and gestures. She was no queen!

But you are soon to become a great one: one that will live forever in the books of history and memories. Your people will remember you for eternity. Isn't that what you want, love?

She wiped away her tears and nodded at nothing, listening to the voices that purred in her mind.

It is time to begin, love. We must prepare for a new beginning.

Three years later

Zidane ambled down the cobbled streets of Alexandria whistling a tune while wondering what sort of reaction his return would induce. He was eagerly anticipating seeing his beloved wife again; he had missed her dearly after all and longed to see her face and hear her melodious voice once more. He felt ashamed for leaving her alone for three years but he was sure she would understand. The mission had been of import to her as well, she had shown great interest in the artefact and although she had been adverse to the idea of him retrieving it for her, she hadn't seem at all irked by his departure.

Then again, he didn't realise that it would take so long just to accomplish the task of obtaining such a tiny gem. It had been the other side of the world and hidden deep within an underground cave riddled with passageways and the most ferocious of monsters – just like the archaeologist has informed Garnet.

But Zidane saw this as an excellent opportunity not only to indulge himself in another quest but to make his wife happy as well. He had only been back at the palace for eight months when the information on the artefact came through but Zidane was adamant to go and felt that it would not harm their relationship.

His and Garnet's relationship was an amorous one and they spent every waking – and sleeping – moment with one another. But over a space of just a few short years of living in Alexandria Castle the thief had become restless and belligerent. He left not long after when a noble requested for a small group of Knights to retrieve a mystical sword from the melting Ice Cavern. It was surely a dangerous quest but Zidane was bored and volunteered to go immediately. Garnet never complained once so he made a habit of taking requests of that sort.

Perhaps I stretched it a little too far this time, Zidane thought with a grin.

His boots clonked on the wooden draw bridge as he strode up to the castle's entrance. The Pluto Knights stared at him with their mouths gaping open in shock. Zidane acknowledged them with a cheeky grin and shoved his hands in the pockets of his dirty, black trousers.

The sound of metal clinking together methodically accompanied with the heavy footfalls announced the arrival of Adelbert Steiner. He came marching around the corner with an authoritive frown on his face and came to a jerky halt as he spotted the Genome.

Zidane had expected some sort of amiable welcome – even from Steiner – but… he just stood there, mouth agape, arms hanging limply by his side. Zidane would've of mistaken the reaction for shock if he had not seen the look in his eyes; a whirlwind of sadness, pity, confusion and anxiety raged through those open windows and Zidane became concerned.

'Hey Rusty, is my wife busy?'

Steiner's mouth snapped shut and his eyes grew wider. He coughed nervously. 'Oh. Y-yes. I mean…No. I…err… how long have you been back?'

'Not long,' Zidane chirped and followed Steiner down the opulent corridors of the palace. 'I must've got in some time early this morning by boat.'

'I see…. And you didn't…sp-speak to anyone one the way?'

'Nope. Came right here to see Dagg – er – Garnet.'

'I see.'

Zidane followed the captain while attempting to tug the wrinkles out of his filthy shirt; previously white and whole, a long gash now severed the material across his chest, a scar marring his skin beneath; a close call.

He was eager to tell his tale to everyone and was slightly annoyed when Steiner didn't press him for questions about his quest. The knight merely trotted hastily in front of him, pressing nothing but silence onto the man behind him. At that time though, Zidane let it pass, he was more anxious to see his wife.

They came to the Grand Hall and Steiner halted him and gave him another peculiar look.

'Zidane, there is something…something I should t-tell you,' he began. Zidane had suspected that something was wrong and braced himself for the worst as horrific images danced through his mind.

'I… Her Majesty…she…'

'Steiner! Let him in!'

Zidane nearly burst when two separate emotions suddenly clashed and confronted each other. Joy overruled the worry as her voice rang shrilly through the arching doors before them and filled every fibre of his being with an immense passion that he would not be able to relate to for a long time after. He bumbled clumsily through the doorway and looked up to the elegant throne that crowned the end of the hall, and at the figure that sat on its golden lap.

She was as beautiful as he remembered. Her dark hair was plaited down her back, her face as perfect as a china dolls and her skin just as white, her eyes were dark beacons, gold flecked, swimming with emotion and rimmed with long, feathery eyelashes. An ornate dress of cream and gold rippled to the floor, adding to her elegant appearance.

'Garnet?' he breathed softly, and approached her cautiously, as if any sudden movement would shatter her fragile form, 'I-I'm back.'

Zidane felt a shiver run down his spine as her eyes rested on him. A painted smile decorated her face and her eyes were cold like steel.

'Yes. I know. I've been aching to see you again, husband,' her voice was crisp and frosty. The look in her eyes unnerved Zidane and he scratched the back of his head awkwardly.

'Yeah, I missed you a lot, Dagger. I'm glad I'm back.'

She stood abruptly and he saw anger flash in her eyes. Her fists were clenched balls beside her slender thighs.

'You did not miss me!' she hissed, and then relaxed suddenly, the fiery spark soothed by a chilling calmness that smoothed over her features. 'Why did it take so long, love?'

'Well…erm, it wasn't the easiest of tasks you know…I spent most of my energy just trying to enter –'

'Liar!' she screeched, 'Liar! Liar! Liar! I know what you've been doing you bastard! Do you think I don't know?' Her voice had become hideously high pitched and cracked under her fury.

Zidane had taken a few steps back in surprise at her unexpected outburst. He was confused and somehow injured by this, yet through the vines of gentle emotions rose the head of a snake; black anger that burned cold flames inside his chest.

'What exactly are you accusing me of?'

She confronted him, face to face and he could see a difference now she was closer. Her eyes were full of pain and something else that he couldn't recognise, something that twisted his soul and made him want to scream.

'Don't pretend you don't know. I'm not a little girl anymore! I know what you've been doing… fucking all those girls, you loved it didn't you? Were they so much better than me? Did you tell them so after?'

'Dagger, I never betrayed you. You're my wife. I lov –'

'Don't say those words! Never never never speak those words to me ever again! I want you to –'

She stopped mid sentence and stared wide eyed past her husband to the doorway. She shut her mouth and a ghost of a smile flickered upon her altered features. Despite himself, Zidane turned around and was faced by a younger man staring fearfully at his wife and him.

'I-I hope I haven't come a-at a bad time…'

He was obviously in his early twenties and had eyes as round as an owls' and as blue as the sky. He had a drooping mouth and a long, swan-like neck with tufts of dark hair sprouting thickly from his head. The man's eyes fixed on Garnet but darted occasionally to Zidanes.

'No, no,' she cooed and reached out for him, 'You've come at a perfect time, my love.'

Zidane flinched and felt as if every part of his body had been frozen. The hall seemed to whirl and spin and reality slipped from his fingers like grains of sand as he watched them embrace and share a passionate kiss. He couldn't believe what he was seeing, tried to convince himself that he must be dreaming; he was numb to the core.

But soon this numbness boiled away.

He felt his heart physically shattering. In all his life he had never felt such pain, it was an unbearable load that lingered heavily inside his chest, clawing out at his very body, mind and soul like a panicking bird trapped in a cage. A cloud of despair descended upon him and he wished that it wasn't real, that this wasn't happening. He clutched his chest suddenly and found it had to breathe; it hurt so much! Hot tears sprung to his wide eyes that stayed locked onto the couple no matter how hard he tried to pull them away. He couldn't bear it, he couldn't. It was too much.

The feeling swept over him and was replaced by its darker sibling. A haze clouded his vision and he began to shake uncontrollably. He glared at them with clenched teeth, his eyes were shooting fire and the weight inside his chest began to froth and boil and spit. His tail lashed back and forth savagely. He let out a frustrated cry and he drew his dagger - the same one she cut her hair with - the same one he would kill her with.

The man released Garnet from his grip and took several small steps back, trembling and attempting to speak; he raised his hands in defense at the older man. But it wasn't him that Zidane wanted. It was her. She stood there with her eyes shut and a slight smile of satisfaction on her face as if nothing had happened between them at all and he was so irate he wanted her dead.

The Genome raised his dagger above his head in order to strike but something stirred within the depths of his mind, something that had not been awoken for many, many years.

Zidane…

He froze in his position and swallowed but found his mouth to be dry. He was looking at his wife straight in the face now, inches from her beautiful visage that called to him, repulsed him, attracted him, repelled him. Her features were flawless, an indomitable beauty that he wanted so much and instead she was sharing her bed with someone else. He remembered her from before, pure, magnanimous, loving. Who was this that stood before him? So dark and imperfect, dominated by a ghoulish grin that chilled him to the bone? He loved her so much. What… what am I doing?

Zidane, what are you doing?

His sister's voice whispered inside his head and surprised him so muchhis dagger clattered to the floor at her feet and Garnet looked at him quizzically, the man still quivering behind her like a lost child. His mind was a theatre of thoughts that raced and struggling within him to be acknowledged.

'What's wrong husband? I thought you were going to harm me?' Her voice was cool and controlled. It made the fire spit cold sparks, singeing his heart and soul. Of course he couldn't kill her!

Something shifted behind her eyes and her smile dissipated. 'You left me alone. I was always alone. You kept leaving me. Over and over. Wasn't I…wasn't I good enough for you? Did you have to go elsewhere to slake your lust?' He couldn't say anything, just stand so close to her that he could smell her sweet scent and watch as she curled her fists and glared daggers at him. 'Zidane Tribal I hate you. I hate you. I hate you! I hate you so fucking much! You are and never were my husband or lover or friend I hate you! I never want you near me again, I never want to see your face, I never want your touch back, I never want to hear your voice I want you away from me! Get away from me! Get away from me! I hate you!'

She pushed him. He was caught off guard and stumbled backwards away from her. Her complexion had become sinister and horrifically distorted in a twisted grin as his own dagger flashed in her hand. She threw herself upon him in a cloud of white material that passed before his eyes. Garnet straddled him and attempted to plunge the dagger into his chest, her body arched as she drew her body back and Zidane caught a glimpse of insanity in her eyes. It was pure instinct and reflex that blocked the attack, gripping her wrist and twisting it until she cried out in pain. The dagger fell from her hand. He pushed her off of him and reclaimed his weapon before confronting her again.

His mind was on fire as he studied her; she clutched her left wrist and leaned forward slightly panting, a heinous look scarring her expression. She had tried to kill him!

'Dagger…I…'

'Don't talk to me!' she screeched, tears slid down her cheeks but she was still furious. 'Don't say my name! Don't say you're sorry! Don't give me an excuse! Just…just…go!'

Zidane stood with his dagger in one hand and the other outstretched toward her. He felt like he was petrified, unable to move from that spot, unable to take his eyes off of her. He loved her so much but he could see it in her eyes. The hate. The hate she felt for him was abundant and obvious behind those brown beacons that he had spent hours staring into before. Something fell away from him then. A hole appeared in his soul and a part of him became dead, crumbled away within him like the skeleton of a dead leaf. That fragile part of him was no more and he was to change from that day.

She saw the change too but tried not to react to it. She saw the light go out in his eyes and watched his face uncertainly as he let his arms hang limply beside him, let the dagger drop heavily to the floor with an echoless clunk. His tail stopped moving and just hung lifelessly behind him. His eyes dropped to the floor, his expression blank.

Her husband's arm twitched and he turned away without a word and left. He left her. Alone. Again. Always alone. I'm always alone. You're always alone. Don't you see? We told you, didn't we? If he loved you he would've stayed, would've tried to understand. I wonder where he's going now? I bet I know. I bet you know. You –

The door slammed and rung out loudly through the hall but fell on deaf ears.

Are always alone and now you've made it worse you stupid stupid girl why did I do that why did I dismiss the person I love? I love him Zidane come back come back!

Why are you calling him to come back? After everything he did to you? You don't love him. He doesn't love you.

'He does! He does love me he said!'

If he did love you then why did he leave so quickly? We've told you, love, you only need us. Do what we say and we shall show you true emotion. We shall show you true love. He is not part of our equation.

The man behind Garnet stirred and tottered to the door as silently as he could, he was sure his wife had gone quite mad. She was crouched in the middle of the floor, rocking slightly, speaking quietly to herself and shaking her head furiously.

And your new husband is no longer part of this ordeal anymore. Remember, everyone is pawns in this game. Dispose of him before he causes trouble, love.

The Queen of Alexandria reclaimed her composure and previous husband's weapon and rose. The dagger's hilt felt cold and comforting against her palm as she stalked her new husband's exiting form swiftly. With one sharp flick she thrust the dagger into his back. His arms came up in shock and he let out a stifled cry. Blood snaked along the hilt and stained her hands. She felt the warm liquid trickle down her fingers and puddle in the hollow of her palm, her sleeves soaking up the crimson blood. Garnet smiled contently.