FFIX - Script - 1.5 - Lindblum
[The scene resumes inside the castle. The airship is parked, and the four characters walk out of it. The words "Lindblum Grand Castle" appear on the screen]
Vivi
"Wow! This castle is huge! It's even bigger than Alexandria Castle!"
Zidane
"Yeah. They don't call it Lindblum Grand Castle for nothing."
Steiner
"An indoor airship dock! This is truly amazing...!"
"Even her Majesty's Red Rose would easily fit in here."
Zidane
"...Dagger, you don't look too impressed. Have you been here before?"
Dagger
"Yes, I came here a few times when I was little... I haven't been here since my father passed away."
[Three Lindblum guards walk up to them]
Zidane
"Here comes the welcoming committee."
Elite Guard
"That's a really old airship."
Dagger
"Greetings. I am Princess Garnet Til Alexandros."
"I humbly request an audience with Regent Cid."
Elite Guard
"You must be kidding! No member of the royal family, let alone a princess, would ever ride in such a shabby airship."
"And look at the company you're keeping."
Steiner
"How dare you accuse the princess of lying!? The princess was forced to come here under extreme circumstances!"
Elite Guard
"Then show me some kind of proof of your royal heritage."
Dagger
"Very well..."
[She walks up to the Elite Guard and shows him something]
Elite Guard
"This pendant...is it a Falcon Claw!? ...No. The shape is a little different."
"Call Minister Artania!"
[One of the guards walks away. Steiner turns to speak to Zidane]
Steiner
"If you weren't such a filthy-looking oaf, they would not be so suspicious of us!"
Zidane
"Hey, I'm not the idiot wiht the loud voice, and the dirty, rusty armor."
Steiner
"WHAT!!!?"
[Minister Artania walks onto the screen. The Elite Guard turns around and approaches him]
Minister Artania
"What is going on?"
Elite Guard
"Sir, we have unknown visitors who wish to see the regent."
"And one of them is carrying a pendant that looks like a Falcon Claw."
Minister Artania
"!"
"You are dismissed. I'll take care of this."
Elite Guard
"Yes, sir!"
[The Elite Guard leaves with the other remaining guard. Dagger runs up to the Minister. The other three characters follow behind her]
Dagger
"Uncle Artania!"
Minister Artania
"It's good to see you, Princess."
"Please follow me. The regent is waiting."
Dagger
"?"
[Everyone follows him. The head to the lift, and head up]
Minister Artania
"Lindblum Castle has three levels, all connected by this lift."
"From the Base Level, which lies below the Mist, you can take a trolley to the harbor and the back gate."
"Ships hardly arrive at the harbor anymore since travel by air has become so popular."
"The Mist poses great danger, so we've sealed off everything."
"Just above the Base Level is the Mid Level."
"You can ride the air cab from the Mid Level to go to town."
"The Upper Level contains the royal chamber and conference room."
"Access to that level is restricted, because the regent himself resides there."
Zidane
"Hey, Dagger, what's Regent Cid like?"
"I lived in Lindblum for a while but I've never met him."
Dagger
"Regent Cid is very wise. He always thinks ahead."
"He may seem a bit odd at times, but he is very dependable. He and my father were best friends..."
"...I wonder if he will even listen to what I have to say..."
Zidane
"Don't worry. We're not leaving until he does."
Minister Artania
"We will arrive at the Upper Level shortly."
[They arrive at the Upper Level, and Minister Artania enters Cid's room first]
Minister Artania
"Sire, Princess Garnet of Alexandria wishes to see you."
[Dagger enters the room and bows. She looks at Cid's throne, which is empty]
Steiner
"Princess, is something wrong?"
Dagger
"The regent isn't here, and I don't know who... Take a look at the throne."
Steiner
"!"
"What in the world...?"
[A small, white oglop peeks out from behind the throne]
<Gwok-gwok.>
<Gwok-gwok!>
[The oglop jumps onto the throne and starts hopping towards them]
"Greetings!"
Steiner
"!!!"
"OG...???"
"OGLOP!"
[Runs forward and punches the oglop back to the throne]
Minister Artania
"Sire!"
"What!?"
Steiner
"!?"
Dagger
"Wh...!?"
[Zidane walks into the room]
Zidane
"Dagger, what's wrong? Why aren't you talking to - "
"GEEZ! That's an oglop!"
[Vivi walks in]
Vivi
"Wow... Even the oglops are big in Lindblum."
Steiner
"What is the meaning of this!?"
"How dare you greet the princess like this!?"
"Get that repulsive bug off the throne immediately, and call the regent!"
Minister Artania
"Please, settle down! You ARE before the regent!"
Steiner
"What!? Enough of your nonsense!"
Dagger
"Steiner, stand down."
"I remember that moustache. Is that really you, Uncle Cid?"
Regent Cid
"Yes. Greetings, all <gwok>. I am Cid Fabool, Regent of Lindblum."
"I knew it was you - I recognized your pendant's description; it's so much like my 'Falcon Claw.'"
"I'm delighted to see you again, Garnet. You have truly <gwok> become a fine lady. I, on the other hand..."
Minister Artania
"Allow me to explain."
"About six months ago, someone snuck into the castle and attacked the regent in his sleep."
"Unfortunately, we were too late..."
"The regent had been transformed into an oglop, and his wife, Lady Hilda, was abducted."
Dagger
"My goodness..."
Zidane
"Whoever pulled this off had to be highly skilled, like me."
Steiner
"Hmph! I'll bet it was you!"
Regent Cid
"That's not possible."
Zidane
"How can you be so sure? Do you know who we are?"
Regent Cid
"Of course. I may be a bug <gwok>, but I am still the ruler of Lindblum."
Dagger
"Uncle Cid, I appreciate you seeing me on such short notice. I desperately need to speak to you about my mother."
Regent Cid
[Hops off the throne]
"That's what I figured."
[Walks down the steps in front of the throne, to Dagger]
"But I'm sure it can wait ‘til tomorrow."
"Why don't you all get some rest for today?"
Dagger
"Thank you."
Minister Artania
"It is time for lunch. Please follow me."
[The screen fades to black, and fades back in on Zidane. He's walking on a street in Lindblum, about to enter a bar]
Zidane
"I can't stand the food at the castle. It's way too high-class for my tastes."
"How can anyone get full on that stuff?"
"The cheap food here is a lot better."
"Today's special is... Soup du Silence. Not bad."
[He walks into the bar/resturant]
Zidane
"Yo, Pops. I'll have the stupid special."
Bobo
"Who said that!?"
"Zidane... I figured it was you."
Zidane
"How've you been?"
Bobo
"Alright, I guess..."
"Have a seat. Your soup'll be ready in a minute."
Lilian
"Do you mind? You're standing in everyone's way."
Zidane
"Wow..."
[Steps out of the way so Lilian, a waitress, can pass, before walking up to her]
"Hey."
Lilian
"Yeah? Do you want a drink?"
Zidane
"How about you and me go for a cruise on an airship?"
Lilian
"Really!? An airship!?"
Zidane
"Sounds like you've never been on one. You know, Lindblum is quite a sight from high above."
Woman at the Counter
"Hey, monkey-tail, you're disturbing the other customers."
Zidane
[Turns around furiously]
"What the - you've got a tail, too, rat-face!"
Woman at the Counter
"Rat-face... After I finish my drink, I'm gonna kick your butt."
Bobo
"Hey, Zidane, take it outside."
[The Woman at the Counter stands up and faces Zidane]
Zidane
"!!!"
Woman at the Counter
"Long time, Zidane."
Zidane
"Hey! What's up!?"
"Wait a minute..."
Woman at the Counter
"You forgot my name?"
Zidane
"No, I remember."
"You're Helga, right?"
Woman at the Counter
"Wrong."
Zidane
"...Christine?"
Woman at the Counter
"No!"
Zidane
"...Oh yeah!"
"You used to live next door to me. How's it going...Ratchel?"
"Man, you've really gotten...big."
Woman at the Counter
"You nasty little - "
Zidane
"Come on. I'm just kiddin'. You know I never forget a pretty girl's name."
[Name the character "Freya"]
Zidane
"So, how've you been, Freya?"
Freya
"...Same old Zidane."
[Both of them stand together, in front of the counter]
Zidane
"How long has it been?"
Freya
"About 3 years."
Zidane
"Hey, did you ever find out anything about your boyfriend?"
Freya
"No..."
Zidane
"So... What brings you to Lindblum?"
Freya
"The Festival of the Hunt. What else? It's a good oppurtunity to test my skills."
Zidane
"Oh... Well, I'm sure you'll find him someday."
Freya
"Aren't you participating?"
Zidane
"...Nah. I think I'll pass."
Freya
"Lazy bum."
Zidane
"...Are you ever gonna go back?"
Freya
"I have no reason to return to Burmecia."
"There is nothing there for me anymore."
[The screen fades to black, and Zidane goes to sleep. The screen fades back in as Cid is walking up to his throne, with Dagger following him]
Regent Cid
"So, how is the queen? Is she still as vibrant as ever?"
Dagger
"Yes, but..."
"Since Father died, Mother has been acting very strangely..."
Regent Cid
"I'm not surprised <gwok-gwok>. They loved each other so much..."
Dagger
"We haven't spoken much lately. Also, a suspicious man has been prowling the castle."
"I don't know what's going on anymore... I fear that she might be planning something terrible."
"I've brought this matter to everybody's attention, but no one has taken me seriously."
"They all think I'm distraught over losing Father..."
Regent Cid
"I understand why you are so eager. I'm happy that you came to me for help."
Dagger
"At this point, I think you're the only person Mother will listen to..."
"When I heard that Lindblum's theater ship was coming to Alexandria, I decided to sneak on board and come here no matter what."
"I just never expected the crew to kidnap me..."
Regent Cid
"It was me... I was the one who ordered Tantalus to kidnap you."
Dagger
"!?"
Regent Cid
"I once promised your father <gwok>, that should anything happen, I would protect you."
"We've known about the disturbances in Alexandria for some time."
"But had we acted directly, it would've started a war."
"So, I asked Baku for help. He and I go way back."
"The play was the perfect cover to enter Alexandria and get you out. No one would suspect Lindblum was behind it."
"We were <gwok> forced to take action, because we knew Alexandria would never seek our help."
"I'm relieved we were able to get you here."
Dagger
"At the Village of Dali, we saw numerous black mages. They looked like golems, controlled by some powerful magic."
"On top of that, they were being created under Alexandria's supervision."
"I don't know how they're related to Vivi, but if Mother is planning to use them for war..."
Regent Cid
"We won't let that happen."
"Even if she were to command an army of black mages, she won't make a move as long as we have our airship fleet."
"Don't worry <gwok-gwok>. Everything will be fine."
Dagger
"I'm so sorry, Uncle."
Regent Cid
‘Now, now, come on. Don't be so formal."
"I'm helping you because I am your Uncle Cid, not because I am the regent of Lindblum."
Dagger
"Thank you so much."
[The screen changes to a different location]
Dagger
"What is this place...?"
Regent Cid
"The heart and soul of Lindblum: our airship dock. This is Dock No. 1, where we conduct our research <gwok>."
Dagger
"But...where are the airships?"
Regent Cid
"Lonely, isn't it...?"
"We had a new airship model in here about 6 months ago."
"It was our latest creation: it didn't require Mist to fly."
Dagger
"The man who attacked you - was he the one who ran off with it?"
Regent Cid
"Good guess, but no... Actually... I met a lovely lady at the pub..."
Dagger
"...Um?"
Regent Cid
"When Hilda found out about my little affair, she used her magic and turned me into an oglop."
"Then she stormed off in the new airship, which I named Hilda Garde. Pretty ironic, eh?"
"......"
"She hasn't been back since <gwok>."
"I've been working on Hilda Garde 2, but it hasn't been going too well. My mind just isn't the same as an oglop."
"I'm hopeless..."
"But that doesn't mean I can't help you. I'll do my best for Alexandria."
Dagger
"Thank you... But with South Gate badly damaged, I don't know how we can get to Alexandria..."
Regent Cid
"Don't worry. South Gate is being repaired as we speak."
"Once the repairs are finished, we'll go to Alexandria."
Dagger
"Yes. I'm sure Mother will finally open her eyes to the truth."
Regent Cid
"......"
Dagger
"Uncle, is something wrong?"
Regent Cid
"Huh? No, I was just thinking... about how the theater ship crashed."
"Baku sure has good men working under him..."
[The scene changes to an inn, where Zidane wakes up, stretches, and stands in front of a window, looking outside. Vivi walks into the room]
Vivi
"Good morning."
Zidane
"You're up early."
Vivi
"Lindblum is really a busy place. I've never seen this many people before."
"I wonder where people go if they wanna be alone..."
Zidane
"Lindblum has always been like this. People come here from all over the world."
"Some of them come here to become airship engineers, sculptors, actors..."
Vivi
"Wow..."
Zidane
"I don't even remember why I came here my first time."
"Before I knew it, I was living here with my Tantalus brothers."
Vivi
"Do they still live here?"
Zidane
"Yeah. Our hideout is in the Theater District."
"I'm gonna go there right now. Do you wanna come along?"
Vivi
"Um, that's okay. I'm gonna go look around town."
Zidane
"Okay. Then I'll give you a little tour."
Vivi
"...No, that's okay. I can go by myself."
Zidane
"Ohhh...okay... Go find yourself a cute girl, alright?"
[Vivi walks out of the room]
- Teach me, Mogster! (My first synthesis lesson)(Same swamp as the first two times, with Mogster and Moggy)
Moggy
"Hey, Bro. What are you gonna teach me today?"
Mogster
"Lots of neat stuff."
"Today, I'm gonna talk about the Synthesis Shop."
"What do you wanna go over?"
[In addition to all the Help Topics from the first two tutorials, a new topic, "Synthesis Shops", is at the bottom of the screen. When done looking at the help topics, choose "Nothing", the last choice]
Moggy
"Gosh, Bro. You sure know a lot."
Mogster
"Yeah, I know..."
[Zidane exits the Inn]
- Small-Town Knight in a Big City [Steiner is walking in the Business District]
Steiner
"What a huge town! I'm completely lost."
[Talks to a passerby]
Steiner
"Pardon me..."
Female Red Mage
"Geez... You're dressed awful funny."
Steiner
"...I am Captain Adelbert Steiner of Alexandria, and I humbly request your assistance to get back to the castle."
Female Red Mage
"Ha-ha-ha! That's a new one!"
"Nice try, but I don't date bums."
"You should really scrape that rust off, it's disgusting."
Steiner
"Wha...?"
[Steiner walks over to a stand of pickles]
Steiner
"Huh?"
Grandma Pickle
"Do you always strike out that badly?"
"I think you need a new line. A little shine wouldn't hurt, either."
Steiner
"What are these things?"
Grandma Pickle
"They're called gysahl pickles."
"They're one of Lindblum's delicacies."
"Do you wanna try one?"
Steiner
"...It smells terrible!"
Grandma Pickle
"The worse they smell, the better they taste."
Steiner
"I guess I'll try one."
[Picks up a pickle and eats it]
Steiner
"!!!"
"UGHUAAA!!!
[Falls down]
Grandma Pickle
"Oh, my. Even the locals don't eat them in one bite."
Steiner
"Phew... But you're right. They are good."
[Zidane runs from the door of the Inn to the Aircab terminal, on the other side of the road]
- Vivi's Shopping [Vivi is in an item shop]
Vivi
"Wow, this nut smells really good."
"I think I'll buy one..."
"This place has a lot of unusual things."
"Is this food? It looks good."
"It looks like the sesame buns that Grandpa used to make."
[Vivi looks at a sign]
= Alice's Item Shop =
Festival of the Hunt Sale ends today!]
Vivi
"Wow, there's gonna be a festival!"
[Vivi walks to the counter]
Vivi
"Hi. I wanna buy this."
Alice
"Oh, are you friends with the moogles?"
Vivi
"Huh?"
Alice
"This item is called a Kupo Nut. Kupo Nuts are moogles' favourite food."
Vivi
"Oh. I didn't know that."
Alice
"I think that's the last one..."
"Go ahead, honey. It's on me."
Vivi
"Really!? Thank you!"
[Received Kupo Nut!]
"Um, what is this Festival of the Hunt like?"
Alice
"Well, we let a bunch of animals loose and..."
Vivi
(Oh, there's gonna be a lot of animals.)
"It sounds like fun! Thank you!"
[Vivi runs out of the store]
Alice
"What's so fun about fighting savage beasts...? Wait a minute! Did I say ‘animals' again!?"
[Zidane hops onto the air cab and is brought to the Theater District]
- Steam Engine [Steiner is walking on a path leading towards the castle]
Steiner
"I'm lost again... Where is the princess?"
"The town is big, the castle is big, why does everything have to be so big!?"
[Steiner looks in various directions, then talks to a nearbye man]
Steiner
"Pardon me. Can you tell me where I am?"
Grandpa
"What, you're lost?"
"Gee... You're a solder for cryin' out loud."
"This is the bridge that connects the castle and the airship docks."
"That big building in front of us houses the docks."
[The screen moves upwards, showing all of the gigantic building]
Steiner
"Wh-What is that large airship!?"
Grandpa
"Amazing, isn't it?"
"It's the Hilda Garde 2."
"Since it is equipped with a steam engine, developed by the regent himself, it can fly without Mist."
[Screen shifts back down to Steiner and Grandpa]
Steiner
"Impossible. How can it fly without being powered by Mist?"
Grandpa
"What cave did you just crawl out of!? This is the age of steam power!"
"The source of steam power is water. It's much safer than Mist."
"Heh-heh-heh! A bright future awaits us all!"
[The old man walks away, as Steiner looks up at the Hilda Garde 2]
[Zidane, now in the Theater District, returns to the Tantalus building. He walks in and looks around]
Zidane
"I figured there wouldn't be anybody here..."
"It looks like no one's been here for a while."
[Walks over to the site and leans against a wall]
"What to do, what to do...?"
[Large gears on the back wall begin to turn]
"Geez. It's that late already... I wonder what Dagger's doing."
[A bell on the back wall, probably being powered by the gears, begins to move and ring]
- What can I do?[Dagger is in the guest bedroom of Lindblum Castle]
"...A bell's ringing... A performance in the Theater District must've just ended."
[Dagger walks towards the stairs, but a guard runs up it to block her way]
Elite Guard
"Is there anything you need, Your Highness?"
Dagger
"No, thank you. I'm thinking of going outside and having a look around."
Elite Guard
"I'm sorry, Your Highness, but we cannot grant this request."
"Right now, there are many people coming to Lindblum for the Festival of the Hunt."
"Therefore, things are quite chaotic in the town, making security rather difficult."
"Also, very few people know of your presence here."
"It's for your own safety. Please understand."
Dagger
"Okay, I understand..."
[Dagger walks to a bed and sits on it]
"...I can't stand sitting around like this."
"I didn't come here to be protected."
"I just want to help Mother..."
[Scene returns to Zidane, still learning against the wall. Two small kids, a boy and a girl, run in]
Bunce
"There he is!"
Lucilla
"I told you he'd be here."
[Zidane stops learning against the wall]
Bunce
"Why didn't you tell us that you were back? We're in Tantalus, too, you know."
Zidane
"What?"
Lucilla
"Yeah."
"Uncle Baku said if we find some treasure, we can be in Tantalus, too."
Bunce
"Yeah. Check this out."
[Bunce and Zidane walk to each others. Zidane looks at something in his hand]
Zidane
"Wow, those are trick sparrow's wings! That sure is some treasure you've found, alright!"
Lucilla
"Yay!"
Brucie
"Yipee!"
"So, did the plan work?"
Zidane
"...Yeah. Princess Garnet is at the castle."
Lucilla
"Really!? Wow..."
"So, what's she like? Is she cute?"
Bunce
"Did you ask her out yet?"
Zidane
"No... I think she's pretty busy. Plus, she's a princess and I'm a... you know, so...I don't know."
Lucilla
"I bet she misses you."
Bunce
"Yeah. You should go see her."
Lucilla
"Good luck!"
Bunce
"See ya!"
[Both of the kids run out]
Zidane
"I wonder if she got to talk to Cid... Maybe I should go see her..."
[Zidane leaves the Tantalus building]
- Baku and His Crew [Baku and company are walking towards some sort of stone structure. Underneath a bridge connecting outside of a forest-area (where they are) and the stone structure is a running river]
Baku
"A-CHOO!"
[Cinna kneels down near some plants, and a "ding!"-type sound is heard]
Cinna
"Phew, that tasted good!"
"I can't believe we found a way out of Evil Forest before it got petrified!"
Marcus
"...it's all thanks to our bro, who pointed out the river before he took the map to Zidane."
"What do we do now, Boss? We gotta save our brother..."
Baku
"Yer right."
"But first, we'll let the guys outside drink some water from the lake."
"Cinna, bring them over."
[Cinna runs off the screen]
"Hey, about Blank..."
"I think it's better that Evil Forest stays petrified..."
Marcus
"Are you serious!?"
Baku
"Don't get me wrong."
"I ain't sayin' this out of concern for our safety."
Marcus
"Then...why?"
Baku
"I'm sure he wouldn't wanna be saved if it meant Evil Forest was gonna be restored, too..."
Marcus
"...You're right."
Baku
"We gotta start lookin'."
"There's gotta be another way to cure his petrification somehow. We ain't too late."
"We gotta do what we can."
Marcus
"I gotcha, Boss!"
[Marcus runs to the stone structure, which seems to be blocked off from entering. Meanwhile, Cinna has long since returned and taken his spot on the right side of the screen, near the water]
Baku
"......"
"Hey, Cinna... What are you doing over there?"
Cinna
"This springwater might make some good coffee! I'll get the fixin's!"
Baku
"Do I gotta remind you what happens to members who don't listen to their boss?"
Cinna
"N-NO! Please, not that!"
"I'll bring everyone over right now!"
[Cinna runs off]
[Zidane leaves the Theater District and returns via the aircab to the castle. Once there, he heads to the guest bedroom area. Steiner is there, and appears to be deep in thought]
Zidane
"What are you doing here?"
Steiner
"You! What have you done with the princess!? Where is she!?"
Zidane
"Whoa, take it easy. I just got here."
Steiner
"The princess is gone! She was supposed to stay in this room."
Zidane
"Maybe she went out for a little walk."
Steiner
"How can you be so calm!? This is a very serious matter!"
"Have you forgotten all the danger she faced just to get here!?"
"What if something terrible happens to her!?"
"What am I doing here!? I must go find her! Out of my way!"
[Steiner runs out of the room. Zidane leaves the room]
Zidane
"I wonder where she went..."
[Zidane heads to the water fountain, in the room which has 3 exits: one leading to the airship dock, one leads to the lift, and the third one leading to the room which has the door to the bedroom. He hears someone singing]
Zidane
"That song... I've heard it somewhere before."
"That sweet voice... It's Dagger. She's upstairs."
[Zidane tries to go to the area with the lift, but the hallway leading there is being blocked by a guard, and he won't let him]
Soldier
"Sorry. Only authorized personnel can use the lift."
Zidane
"Man, I've gotta get past this guy somehow."
"Maybe if I disguise myself as a guard, he'll let me through."
[Zidane leaves for another room, and wakes up a sleeping guard]
Zidane
"Hey, wake up!"
Sleepy Soldier
"...Huh?"
Zidane
"I just saw a suspicious character wandering around!"
Sleepy Soldier
"WHAT!? Wh-Where!?"
Zidane
"Upstairs. Follow me."
[The soldier runs up the stairs and heads out towards the water fountain room, but Zidane, standing beside the door to the guest bedroom, tells him to stop]
Zidane
"No! In here!"
Sleepy Soldier
"Huh!?"
[The Sleepy Soldier and Zidane run in through the door. The next scene shows the room before the guest bedroom, along with the lines]
Sleepy Soldier
"Alright, you bastard! Show yourself!"
"Hey, what are you doing!?"
[You hear the sound of punches and kicks. A moment later, Zidane runs out of the room, garbed in the soldier's clothes]
Zidane
"That was easy."
[Zidane returns to the Water Fountain room]
Zidane
‘I should be able to get on the lift now."
[Zidane gets past the soldier, onto the lift, and heads up, removing his soldier outfit. He heads to the top of the castle]
[FMV. We hear Garnet singing, as Zidane walks up the last few steps. She's standing near the edge, birds surrounding her, flying around. She looks at Zidane, then looks up at the sky, as the birds all fly away]
Zidane
"Nice song."
Dagger
"How did you get up here? This is a restricted area."
Zidane
"Come on, I do this for a living."
Dagger
"...oh yeah. You're a member of Tantalus. It must've been easy for you."
"......"
Zidane
"...?"
"Whew... What a view..."
"Hey! There's a telescope! Let's go check it out."
"Come on."
[Zidane and Dagger walk up to the telescope]
Zidane
"Hmmm..."
[Looking through the telescope, you see various places, along with a message]
"Marshland: There's probably a lot of weird things living there. Maybe I should check it out sometime."
"Aerbs Mountains: Those are the mountains that surround Burmecia. I guess the best ay to get there is through the cavern at the base."
"Ceebell River: That river flows right by South Gate. You can get to the gate by walking along the river."
"South Gate: Oh, there's South Gate. I wonder if they've started repairing it... It'll probably take a while to fix everything."
"Aerbs Mountains: Alexandria is beyond those mountains. I bet they're looking for us."
"??? Forest: Hey, there's a chocobo. Maybe I can catch a chocobo in that forest."
Dagger
"Let me see."
Zidane
"How's the view?"
Dagger
(...I've made so much trouble for everyone...)
(Uncle Cid knew everything...)
(That's why he asked Tantalus to get me out of Alexandria.)
(No matter how hard I try, I'm always a step behind in everything...)
(I'm so helpless...)
Zidane
"...What's wrong?"
Dagger
"Zidane..."
"Why did you help me come here - to Lindblum?"
"...Is it because your boss ordered you to?"
Zidane
"I just wanted to help you. That's all."
"The boss didn't agree with me..."
"...so I ended up leaving the band."
Dagger
"Really!? I'm sorry."
Zidane
"Don't worry about it. It isn't the first time I've left."
Dagger
"Zidane..."
Zidane
"Yeah?"
Dagger
"Oh...um... How were you planning to abduct me?"
Zidane
"We were gonna put you to sleep with sleeping weed, then kidnap you."
"It's mostly used for kids, but a big dose can knock out an adult just as easily."
Dagger
"I guess you didn't need it, since I came along on my own."
"Hey... Would you mind giving me some?"
"I've had a hard time sleeping lately."
Zidane
"Um, I don't think that's a good idea. You might get addicted. Maybe all you need is some company, eh?"
Dagger
"Oh, please. Do you think I'm that naive?"
Zidane
"Heh, heh. Can't blame me for trying."
Dagger
"......"
Zidane
"U-Um... Th-That song... Were you singing it in the Village of Dali?"
Dagger
"...Yes. So, you were up that night..."
Zidane
"What is that song, anyway?"
Dagger
"...I don't know. I can't even remember where I learned it."
"I sing it whenever I feel sad or lonely..."
"For some reason, it comforts me and reminds me that I'm not alone."
Zidane
"I guess it's a mystical song... Let me hear it again."
[Dagger begins singing it again. The screen fades to black, and focuses in on Steiner in a Weapons shop, starting at an armor setup]
Steiner
"Hmm..."
"I never expected to find such fine armor in a place like this."
Customer
"Yes, I'll buy that one, too."
"Who knows when that Brahne will start another war..."
Steiner
"WHAT!? The queen would never start a war!"
"You dare speak ill of the queen!?"
Customer
"Who the hell are you?"
Steiner
"I'm a......an armor collector!"
Customer
"Oh. Well, in that case, can you recommend some good armor?"
Steiner
"I...I must go!"
[Steiner walks out of the store. The screen changes to an area outside, where two kids are playing with small dolls]
Phillipo
"GO, Knights of Pluto! Yeah!!!"
Poncho
"What are those things?"
"They look so stupid."
"I'm gonna take Cid's airships and destroy them."
Phillipo
"HEY, cut it out! YOU BROKE MY KNIGHT!"
"I'm gonna go tell your mom!"
Poncho
"No, come on!"
[Phillipo runs off, Poncho following him. Vivi walks up and looks at the figures]
Vivi
"'Royal Action Figures'...?"
"Those black mages were like toys... being controlled by someone..."
[Screen changes to Freya, hopping from a building to the top of the Tantalus building]
Freya
"The sky looks ominous..."
"Something's about to happen."
[She jumps down, to in front of the building]
"Sir Fratley, where are you...?"
"I need you..."
[She jumps down. Screen changes to Cid at the airship dock]
Regent Cid
"Okay!"
"It should work now."
Engineer Zebolt
[Walks into the room]
"Sire, it's no good."
Regent Cid
"What!?"
Engineer Zebolt
"We can't stabilize the engine system. It can't run for more than 10 minutes."
Regent Cid
"Darn it..."
"My mind hasn't been the same since I became an oglop..."
[Screen returns to Zidane and Dagger, on top of the building near the telescope]
Zidane
"Hey, Dagger."
"So when do you wanna go on that airship cruise?"
Dagger
"What are you talking about?"
Zidane
"...!?"
"(What am I thinking!? I asked the girl at the...) Never mind."
Dagger
"Well...it sounds like you've asked the wrong girl."
Zidane
"Wait, I-I can explain."
Dagger
"Why bother?"
"Go have a wonderful time."
Zidane
"Oh, man..."
"Okay, how about this? If I get first place in tomorrow's hunting festival, you and me'll go out on a date!"
Dagger
"How does that have anything to do with me?"
Zidane
"Come on. Pleaaase."
Dagger
"...Fine."
Zidane
"Okay, it's a date!"
[Zidane runs off the screen]
Dagger
"......"
[Screen changes to two guards standing in front of a large closed carriage]
Officer
"It may be tradition, but this is a dreadful festival."
"So many lives lost every year, especially because of him..."
Captain
"Hardly. The festival is a test of manhood. I tingle with excitement every year."
[A third guard approaches them, and stands beside the closed carriage]
Soldier
"This is the last carriage. All the preparations for the Festival of the Hunt are complete."
Officer
"Very good. Now we wait for the signal."
Captain
"Yes, sir."
[All of a sudden, the carriage's door is let open and a slew of beasts run out. The officer exclaims something and runs away]
Captain
"..."
[Next screen, the Soldier runs up to someone]
Soldier
"The fangs have been freed."
Officer
"What!? We haven't even received the minister's authorization!"
Soldier
"We believe that they're going to release 'him' any minute."
Officer
"Alright, release the mus before they let him loose."
"Hurry!"
[A doorway to a building is opened, and dozens of blue mus are released, running out]
[Scene changes to a path located above a large gate]
"All is ready!"
Soldier
"Alright. Standby!"
Breeder
"This year's specimen is perfect. Nothing can stop him!"
[The "specimen" bangs against the door repeatedly]
Breeder
"Ha ha ha! What power!"
Soldier
"Hey, make him stop! It's too early to let him loose!"
Breeder
"How? I have no control over him."
Soldier
"Dammit!"
"Open the gate at once! The gate's gonna fall apart!"
Breeder
"GO, ZAGHNOL!"
[The Zaghnol runs out]
[Scene changes back to the guest bedroom, where Dagger, Steiner, Vivi and Freya are gathered, waiting for Zidane]
Vivi
(Where's Zidane...?)
Steiner
"Please, Princess. It's for your own safety."
Dagger
"Okay..."
Freya
(I wonder if Zidane has improved his skills...)
[Zidane walks in]
Zidane
"Hey, guys. Sorry I'm late."
Elite Guard
"Alright, let's begin."
[The Festival of the Hunt is explained. You have 12 minutes to kill as many creatures as you can. The winner will be crowned Master Hunter and receive the hunter's reward.]
Elite Guard
"What do you wish for your hunter's reward?"
Zidane
"I'll go with Gil all the way!"
Freya
"I'll take an Add-on."
Elite Guard
"And you, Mr. Vivi?"
Vivi
"WHAT!? I never signed up!"
Zidane
"I thought you would do pretty well, so I signed you up."
"Don't worry. With your black magic, it'll be a piece of cake."
Vivi
"I...I don't know..."
Freya
"That was very inconsiderate of you, Zidane."
Zidane
"Oh!"
"(How about this? If you win, I'll fix you up for a date with Dagger.)"
Vivi
"Me and the princess!?"
Zidane
"(SHHH! Keep it down!)"
Steiner
"What was that!? You just mentioned the princess."
"What evil deeds are you plotting now!?"
Zidane
"It's nothing, right, Vivi?"
Vivi
"Y-Yeah."
Elite Guard
"So, what would you like for your reward?"
Vivi
"Oh, um... I'll take a Card."
Elite Guard
"Okay. Gil, an Add-on, and...a Card."
"The festival will begin shortly. You all have different starting points."
"Hunter Zidane will start in the Theater District, Hunter Freya will start in the Industrial District, and Hunter Vivi will start in the Business District."
[The screen fades to black, and resumes with only Zidane in the bedroom. He takes the aircab out of the castle, and the Festival of the Hunt begins!]
[Scene changes to Steiner and Dagger, walking up to, then standing, on the walkway above the gate where Zaghnol was freed]
Steiner
"Such rudeness! Princess, they are treating you like a commoner!"
Dagger
"Oh, hush. We get a great view from here."
Steiner
"Hmm, you're right. I can see the entire town."
"Princess, look! Master Vivi is also participating!"
Dagger
"I can't believe it. He seemed reluctant earlier."
Steiner
"MASTER VIVI!!! THE PRINCESS AND I ARE ROOTING FOR YOU!!!"
Dagger
"COME ON, VIVI!!!"
"YOU CAN DO IT!"
Steiner
"No! Master Vivi!"
Dagger
"Look out! Oh, gosh! I can't watch anymore!"
Steiner
"YOU CAN'T WIN JUST BY RUNNING! A GOOD OFFENSE IS THE BEST DEFENSE! ATTACK!"
"You can't lost to that monkey Zidane!"
"YES! THAT'S IT!"
"NOW'S YOUR CHANCE! ONE MORE TIME!"
"VIVI, BEHIND YOU!"
"YES! GO!"
[Zidane gets off the aircab, as the 12 minutes begin. Depending on how you play, there can be a variety of possible winners, Freya, Vivi, or Zidane, to unknowns like Lani, Belna, or Zenero. Usually, it's either Freya, Vivi, or Zidane usually win, though. In either case, the script is virtually exactly the same, except the winner's prize varies. In this example, Freya is the winner]
Regent Cid
"That was marvelous! All of you!"
Minister Artania
"139 points! Congratulations!"
[Freya steps forward]
Regent Cid
"We grant you the 'Master Hunter' and your reward."
[Received Coral Ring!]
[Received Master Hunter!]
Zidane
"My hat's off to you, Freya. I don't know how you racked up so many points."
Freya
"The fruits of my training, I suppose."
"Regent..."
[A Burmecia soldier, a rat like Freya, limps into Cid's throneroom]
Burmecian Soldier
"Please forgive my intrusion..."
"I bring urgent news... from our king."
Regent Cid
"The king of Burmecia?"
Minister Artania
"(Sire, you must not let him see you like this!)"
Regent Cid
"(Take a good look at him. An injury has blinded him.)"
"Continue."
Burmecian Soldier
"Our kingdom is being attacked by some unknown force! We are severely outmatched! Please send reinforcements immediately!"
Regent Cid
"!!!"
Burmecian Soldier
"The enemy looks like an army of mages wearing...steeple-crowned hats."
Regent Cid
"The king and I are old friends. We will send reinforcements to Burmecia immediately."
Burmecian Soldier
"Thank you, Regent! The king...and all of Burmecia will be most grateful!"
"I must...return now..."
"...Ugh."
[He collapses on the ground]
Regent Cid
"Take him to the infirmary!"
Freya
"It's too late. He's gone..."
"It's a miracle he even made it this far."
"I can't believe this is happening..."
[The scene changes. Cid is sitting on his throne with Minister Artania on his right side. The five characters are standing in front of him]
Minister Artania
"This is a problem..."
"Because of the festival, there are hardly any men left in the castle. It will take time to mobilize."
Regent Cid
"We have no choice... Call back the 4th aerial division patrolling the border."
Minister Artania
"But if we recall the 4th, we will lose our eyes over Alexandira."
Regent Cid
"<Gwok-gwok> Burmecia is our ally. We must help them."
Freya
"Steeple-crowned hats... They might be black mages, like Vivi."
Vivi
"It can't be..."
Dagger
"Could it be Mother...!?"
Freya
"I must go now. I cannot sit and wait for the reinforcements."
Zidane
"I'm coming with you."
Freya
"No. This doesn't concern you."
Zidane
"What's this, I'm a stranger all of a sudden!?"
"I'm not gonna sit back and watch your home get destroyed, alright?"
Freya
"...Thank you, Zidane."
Vivi
"Um, c-can I come, too? I wanna find out who they really are."
Zidane
"Sure."
Dagger
"Alright then. Let's go to Burmecia."
Steiner
"Princess! This is a foreign matter! It has nothing to do with us!"
Regent Cid
"Steiner is right. We don't know if Alexandria is involved."
Dagger
"But if black mages are involved... Zidane, you know what I'm talking about."
Zidane
"......"
Dagger
"If Mother is behind this, I'll make her stop! I promise!"
Zidane
"...I think you should stay here."
Dagger
"What!?"
Zidane
"We don't know what to expect there."
Dagger
"I've already faced great danger coming here! What's the difference!?"
Zidane
"Dagger, this is war. A lot of people are gonna die."
Dagger
"I know that!"
Zidane
"...How did you feel when you saw that Burmecian soldier die, just now?"
Dagger
"...I felt sad, of course."
Zidane
"Just sad? Weren't you scared, too?"
"Obviously, you haven't realized how dangerous it's gonna be... You could get killed."
"This is no time to be talking about convincing your mother of anything."
Dagger
"But..."
Regent Cid
"Now's not the time to argue."
Freya
"He's right. We must head to Burmecia at once."
"Will you open the Dragon's Gate?"
Regent Cid
"Of course. If you're going by foot, leaving from that gate is the best way."
"Let us eat while we <gwok> wait for the gate to open."
[The scene changes to an incredible table full of food. Steiner and Dagger are standing on one side, Vivi and Freya on the other, and Zidane and Regent Cid are standing at opposite ends of the table]
Vivi
"Yay! I'm so hungry!"
Regent Cid
"The Festival of the Hunt feast is one of our oldest traditions. It began well over five centuries ago."
"It is customary to eat everything with your hands, so go on, before it gets cold."
Dagger
"Thank you, Uncle."
[Steiner, Cid, and Vivi dig in]
Vivi
"Mmmm! It's so good!"
Freya
"......"
Zidane
"Let's just eat. We can't do anything until the gate opens."
Freya
"...You're right."
[Zidane and Freya start eating]
Zidane
"Hey, not bad!"
Steiner
"This is wonderful! Princess, how is everything?"
"Why aren't you eating?"
Dagger
"Oh... I'm sorry."
"You're right. Everything is so delicious."
[She starts eating]
Steiner
"Indeed, it is. Especially this beef. It is superb!"
[Everyone eats for a few seconds]
Vivi
"Oh, I'm so full. I'm getting sleepy now..."
[Vivi, Freya, and Cid fall asleep]
Steiner
"What the - THE FOOD IS POISONED!"
Zidane
"Dagger...?"
[Zidane falls asleep]
Steiner
"How could I be so careless!!!? Ugh... I'm starting to feel sick..."
"F-Forgive me, Princess. I should have tastied it for poison..."
Dagger
"That's impossible. There shouldn't be any in your dish."
Steiner
"What...? Now that you mention it, I feel just fine."
"!!! How did you know!?"
"Princess! You didn't!"
Dagger
"It's not poison. It's just a medicinal herb Zidane gave me. Believe me, this was not what I had planned."
"Steiner, I have to make my own decisions..."
"I had no choice. Uncle Cid would never let me leave the castle."
Steiner
"That is because he is concerned about you!"
Dagger
"I understand, but - "
Steiner
"No, you don't understand...! War is a terrible thing! You must never experience it as I have."
"I'm sorry, Princess. I cannot follow any orders that might put your life in danger."
Dagger
"...What is Alexandria is behind this attack on Burmecia?"
"It could lead to war between the three great nations."
"Many innocent people will die..."
"As the princess of Alexandria, there must be something I can do."
"I have to help Mother... I don't want to see anything happen to her..."
Steiner
"......"
"...Very well."
"Princess, I will follow you where you choose."
Dagger
"Thank you."
"Let's go before everyone wakes up."
[Dagger walks over to Zidane]
"I'm sorry, Zidane."
"Come on."
[Steiner and Dagger leave]
Zidane
"Dagger... Where are you going...?"
[Everyone wakes up except Vivi]
Freya
"It must've been some sort of sleeping medicine."
Zidane
"It was sleeping weed."
Regent Cid
"We've been had..."
Zidane
"I gave her some because she said she was having problems sleeping."
Freya
"I'm impressed. There's more to her than meets the eye."
Zidane
"Damn, what the heck is she thinking!? Maybe she's heading to Burmecia."
Regent Cid
"Then you might still be able to catch up with her."
Zidane
"Vivi, wake up! We're going to Burmecia!"
Freya
"Let's head for the Gizamaluke's Grotto. Once we pass through the grotto, we will be in Burmecia."
Regent Cid
"You can leave from the Dragon's Gate, located on the Base Level <gwok>."
[Zidane and company use the lift to descend to the Base Level, then travel to the Dragon's Gate, exiting it, leaving Lindblum, and returning to the World Map]