FFIX - Script - 3.3 - Alexandria Under Attack
"Peace is but a shadow of death, Deliberate to forget its painful past..."
"Though we hope for promising years After shedding a thousand tears, Yesterday's sorrow constantly nears."
"And while the moon still shines blue, By dawn, it will turn to scarlet hue."
[Kuja steps out from behind the statue]
Kuja
"What an auspicious day for Alexandria. Garnet's ascension to the throne has brought hope and peace to this kingdom."
"The people are overjoyed; they believe a wonderful future is ahead of them."
"...But the celebration isn't over yet."
"It's time to really light things up!"
"Your former master is here, Bahamut. Play a requiem for her and all of Alexandria!"
[FMV. Bahamut desecends from the sky and fires three fire blasts, hitting the town and destroying buildings. Dagger looks on in horror. Bahamut flies in all his glory, spreading his wings and howling.]
[Screen changes to people running through Alexandria; the roofs of buildings are on fire]
"This way! Hurry!"
"I don't wanna die!"
[In the castle, Beatrix runs up to Dagger]
Beatrix
"Your Highness!"
Dagger
"That's Bahamut, isn't it...?"
"Beatrix, please gather our soldiers."
Beatrix
"Yes, Your Highness!"
"Our soldiers have already assembled and await your orders."
[Screen changes to Steiner, near the entrance of the castle, where the Pluto Knights are gathered]
Steiner
"HURRY UP, YOU FOOLS!"
"This is an emergency!"
"Get your act together before the princess arrives!"
"Line up!!!"
[The Pluto Knights all line up. Steiner stands in the middle. Beatrix and Dagger approach them from the floor above]
Beatrix
"Your Highness, as you can see, we are ready to act at any time."
"Please give your orders."
[Choose between the duties required - Gather information, Protect the townspeople, Contact Lindblum to request reinforcements, and Begin preparations to fire the cannons - and the Pluto Knights to handle each one - Weimar & Haagen, Breireicht & Laudo, Blutzen & Kohel, and Dojebon & Mullenkedheim. They all depart: Dagger is at the base of the stairs, with Steiner and Beatrix]
Beatrix
"It's okay, Your Highness. You'll do better next time."
[Received Ether!]
Steiner
"Beatrix, let's go!"
[They salute her and run off]
Dagger
"...Everyone's gone."
"I don't know what to do..."
[She looks up at a portrait of her mother]
"Mother...I need your help."
[Blue light is charged to her; she falls unconscious]
[Screen changes to inside Alexandria; a Mistodon chases children. Steiner and Beatrix run on screen]
Steiner
"This is it, Beatrix."
Beatrix
"I will give my all for Alexandria!"
Steiner
"Well said! Let us march on to victory!"
[Battle vs. Mistodon. After defeating it, they head for the next screen]
Steiner
"Beware, Beatrix! The enemy is close!"
[Mistodon jumps from the top of the house to the two of them. Battle vs. Mistodon. They defeat it and head for the next screen. A Mistodon walks on]
Steiner
"You wish to fight us!? You despicable beast!"
[Another one walks on from the other side. Beatrix faces it]
Beatrix
"For Her Highness!"
Steiner
"For the princess!"
[Battle vs. Two mistodons. They get defeated. The duo goes to the next screen; a Mistodon is there]
Steiner
"Prepare to die!"
[Battle vs. Mistodon. It dies]
Steiner
"Beatrix, are you alright?"
Beatrix
"I'm fine. What about you?"
"You're wounded!"
Steiner
"It's just a scratch."
[A mistodon walks on]
Steiner
"Persistent bastards!"
[Battle vs. Mistodon]
Beatrix
"This is futile! Let us return to the castle!"
Steiner
"No! I cannot face the princess until we destroy all these beasts. On my honor, I vow to protect the princess, the citizens of Alexandria, and..."
"Beatrix! I...I shall protect you!"
Beatrix
"Steiner..."
[A mistodon walks on screen]
Steiner
"Watch out!"
[Battle vs. Mistodon]
Steiner
"...This might be it for us!"
Beatrix
"I have no regrets!"
[Two mistodons come on screen]
Steiner
"Beatrix... There is something I must tell you!"
Beatrix
"What is it?"
Steiner
"I..."
Beatrix
"Save your valediction, Steiner. We'll live to see another day."
[Battle vs. Two Mistodons]
[Screen changes to Dagger, who awakens in the castle]
Dagger
"...?"
"I hear music..."
"Where is it coming from...?"
"Is it coming from upstairs...?"
[Dagger follows the music upstairs]
[FMV. A part of the castle lifts up to cover a portion of the castle, revealing a stairway]
[Dagger goes up the stairs, eventually arriving...somewhere...]
Dagger
"What is this place...?"
"I can still hear the music. Where is it coming from...?"
"...What am I doing here...?"
"Mother..."
"Zidane..."
"No... I can't depend on them anymore!"
"As the queen of Alexandria, I must protect my kingdom."
[Screen changes to Zidane and company on the Hilda Garde 2]
Freya
"This ship is rocking pretty bad."
Regent Cid
"It can't be helped."
"I designed this ship as an oglop, after all. So, I have no <gwok> idea what could happen."
Zidane
"Sounds like it might crash any minute."
Regent Cid
"Perhaps..."
"But I think we can at least make it to Alexandria."
Zidane
"Oh, man... I guess we'd better cross our fingers."
Vivi
"Zidane..."
"...I'm starting to feel sick..."
Amarant
"It's probably from the flight."
"Go inside and get some rest."
"Try to stay in the middle of the ship. You'll feel less movement."
Regent Cid
"Go on, Vivi."
Vivi
"Okay... Thanks..."
"Eiko?"
Eiko
"What?"
Vivi
"I saw something sparkle."
Eiko
"Huh?"
[Her jewels sparkle. The ship shakes]
"Dagger...?"
Zidane
"Dagger!? Eiko, what's going on?"
Eiko
"I thought I just heard Dagger's voice."
[The ship shakes again]
Zidane
"What? Geez, something's wrong with this ship..."
Eiko
"This light..."
"Maybe it's the holy judgement!"
Zidane
"Holy judgement?"
[Eiko runs to the edge of the ship]
Zidane
"Hey, what are you doing!?"
Eiko
"The summoner is being called..."
"Alexander's judgement has come!"
[Eiko falls off]
[FMV: the ship flies overhead, as Eiko falls to the castle, arriving at Dagger. Both their jewels shine bright light, as they see each other, Eiko still floating in the air. A bright light radiates from Alexandria Castle]
[Screen changes to Eiko with Dagger]
Dagger
"Eiko! How-why are you here!?"
Eiko
"I heard your voice on the airship."
Dagger
"No wonder..."
"I felt your presence, too, and all of a sudden, I was covered in light."
[The jewels sparkle]
"It's happening again!"
Eiko
"Dagger, this is the light of destiny."
Dagger
"The light of destiny?"
Eiko
"A summoner's light of destiny, brought on by the hidden powers of the 4 jewels."
"This light appears when a holy eidolon calls for its summoner."
"Come on, Dagger! As summoners, we have to fulfill our destiny!"
Dagger
"But... I don't know what to do."
Eiko
"It's okay. I'll show you."
"First, we have to put our hands together."
[Dagger kneels, and they each put a hand together]
Dagger
"Like this?"
Eiko
"Uh-huh. Now, pray in your heart."
"O holy guardian, hear our prayers."
"Darkness overshadows us once again."
"O holy guardian, hear our prayers."
"Deliver us out of darkness into light."
[Energy is charged to their hand]
[FMV. A large blue light radiates from Alexandria Castle. Behind it, two immense wings appear. Bahamut soars overhead, blasting at the wings, which does no damage. The wings part to reveal Alexander, who towers over the castle. The wings blast dozens of blue beams. Bahamut tries to dodge them all, but can't, and gets hit by them repeatedly, exploding in a tremendous, well, explosion]
[Screen changes to Kuja in the town square]
Kuja
"It's so beautiful... Alexander...the legendary eidolon..."
"So, you wish to defend the castle with your brilliant wings...? How admirable..."
"Your powers even transcend Bahamut's... Alexander, I've been waiting for you."
"I've called a magic carriage for you. I'm sure you'll like it."
"Invincible, come forth! You're mine, Alexander!"
[FMV. A blue light appears above Alexander: the giant eyeball appears. Alexander uses his wings to cover himself and the castle. The eyeball simply hovers above him]
[Screen changes to inside the ship: An old man in a black suit is there]
"You have gone too far, Kuja."
"I granted you the freedom to do as you wish in Gaia for one purpose alone."
"Now that you have lost sight of your mission, I will no longer tolerate your actions."
"You have not the slightest idea whom you are defying. I will show you soon enough."
"You too, Zidane..."
[Screen returns to Kuja]
Kuja
"!!!? What happened to the Invincible!?"
"Enslave Alexander, as you have enslaved Bahamut!"
"!!!"
"Could it be...Garland!?"
"Impossible! Why would he come to Gaia!?"
"If it is indeed Garland, he must know my plan! But why has he assumed control of the Invincible...?"
"!!!? No! He can't be..."
[Screen changes to Regent Cid entering the castle]
Regent Cid
"Phew... That was quite a trip..."
Amarant
"You little bug. We could've been killed."
Freya
"Amarant's right. It was a mistake to come here on that airship."
Regent Cid
"Well, we had to get here somehow."
Zidane
"Come on, guys. We made it here in one piece. That's all that matters."
Regent Cid
"<Gwok-gwok!> That's right!"
Vivi
"I'm never gonna ride on an airship again... Never ever..."
Regent Cid
"Sorry, Vivi."
[A pluto knight runs in]
"Captain!!!"
Haagen, Pluto Knight VIII
"Where is Her Highness!?"
Zidane
"I don't know. We're looking for her, too."
Haagen, Pluto Knight VIII
"Shoot! I must find the captain!"
Zidane
"Alright, let's go find Dagger."
Vivi
"We have to find Eiko, too."
Zidane
"They're probably together."
[Zidane and company make their way up to the top of the castle, where Dagger and Eiko are. They make their way to the stairs]
Vivi
"Gee... What is this?"
Regent Cid
"<Gwok!> So, this is the secret of Alexandria Castle..."
Freya
"Are Dagger and Eiko up there?"
Regent Cid
"Maybe. Let's go see."
[Zidane gets in the way]
"<GWOK!> What are you doing!?"
Zidane
"There's no point in all of us going. I'll take it from here."
Vivi
"W-Why? I wanna go with you. I wanna help Dagger and Eiko, too."
Zidane
"Kuja might destroy this castle at any minute. Get out of here while you can."
"Go on, Vivi. Don't worry about me."
"Someday, you'll probably do the same thing for someone who's really important to you."
"Dagger is more important to me than anything else."
Amarant
"Man, you make me sick. I'm outta here."
"Next time you wanna play hero, don't even bother calling me."
"Later..."
[Amarant walks out]
Freya
"I guess there's no way to stop you."
"But remember, this is not just your war, so don't even think about fighting Kuja now. As soon as you find Dagger, leave."
Zidane
"Alright."
Freya
"Come on, Vivi. Let's go."
[Freya runs out]
Vivi
"Freya. Wait."
Regent Cid
"Let him go, Vivi. He'll be alright."
[Cid walks out]
Zidane
"Sorry I can't take you with me."
"But I have to go with my instincts on this one."
"I don't know what else to say..."
Vivi
"Okay, Zidane... Good luck."
[Vivi walks out. Zidane makes his way to the top. On his way there, the whole building shakes]
Zidane
"Whoooooa!"
"What the heck was that!?"
[It shakes again]
"GEEZ!"
[FMV. The Invincible fires a tremendous blast which envelops Alexander. Eiko looks up and sees it. Dagger looks up as well. Blasts of electricity charge everywhere around them. The castle begins to explode, as Dagger and Eiko are falling to the ground. Zidane jumps down and lands on a chunk of the castle which Dagger is falling down on. Together, along with Eiko, they hang onto a cord, just like when they first met back at the start of the game]
[Screen changes to the base of the stairs, where Dagger, Zidane, and Eiko are]
Zidane
"Dagger... I'm sorry..."
"I don't know why I wasn't honest with you..."
Eiko
"Zidane... We really made a big mess, didn't we?"
[Castle shakes]
Zidane
"We'll talk later! Let's get out of here!"
[FMV: The Invincible charges up and unleashes a full blast on Alexander. An ENORMOUS explosion erupts, destroying virtually all of Alexandria, which we see from above]
[Screen changes to Garland in the ship]
Garland
"More souls have returned..."
"In microscopic proportions, the process still continues after thousands of years."
"Eventually, these circulating souls will no longer belong to Gaia."
"They must never be circulated back..."
"Kuja did well. If only he had lasted longer..."
"I never imagined he would choose to end his remaining days on Gaia..."
"Perhaps, this was his fate, set in ages past."
"I, too, cannot escape my fate; someday, I must face your counterpart..."