Schizo: I blame this on a lot of things. Namely my love of FFIX. It holds such a special place in my heart. This is not a self-insertion fic. The main character Ayame is based on me a bit personality wise, but that's is. I'll now leave you to read. Onwards!

Disclaimer: I own nothing but Ayame and what Vivi looks like under his hat.

EDIT 9/13/07: Rewrote parts of the chapter, fixed some spelling mistakes, and added scene breakers. I also sincerely apologize for the very, very long delay in posting. I'm going to edit the rest of the chapters that are up then work on getting a new one done.

Chapter One: Prologue and Alexandria

We zoom to see a mother and her daughter yelling at one another. Zoom in closer…not that close! But yeah, that's me, arguing with my mom, like always.

"Mom, it wasn't my fault!" I yell. "Jason was trying to cope a feel!"

"That's no reason to have punched him," my mother reprimands. "Now go up to your room. You're grounded from everything for the next month."

"But I have an archery competition next week! I have to train!"

My mother just glares at me. "Well, you should have thought about that before you punched that boy. I want all electronic stuff to stay off and tomorrow your PlayStation is going out in the car," she says. "I won't have you arguing with me, Ayame."

With a huff I grab my book bag and go up the stairs to my room. The day had been just fine until Jason tried grabbing my ass at lunch. I retaliated with a punch, which didn't hurt him much, as I have no want of being prosecuted for something of that nature. I just gave him a light bop. But anyway, he complained to a teacher who then called my mom who then picked me up from school. And then I got my ass chewed out just because I was defending myself.

In the sanctuary of my room I close the door and throw my bag on the ground, flopping onto my bed. Unable to keep still I get up and move to my dresser, looking at myself in the mirror. Vivid emerald eyes, the only thing I inherited looks-wise from my mom, stare back at me from behind a pair of frameless glasses. Long black hair falls past my shoulders, loosely tied back with a ribbon.

I glare at my reflection, then with a sigh I turn away from the mirror and my gaze falls upon my PlayStation 2. I remember my mom's warning regarding it and other electronic equipment in regards to my grounding, but I ignore that thought. Whenever my PS is involved in any sort of restrictions I normally ignore my mom and play it anyway, which usually leads to me getting into more trouble but I don't care.

I rummage through my fair sized collection of games before coming across one I hadn't played in awhile: Final Fantasy IX. I smile as I pick the case up, examining it. It had been the first Final Fantasy game I'd ever played, and consequently the first one I beat. Such fond memories… Seeing it as a good pick-me-up I pop the first disc into the tray, but as I push the power button, a spark arcs through the PS and into me. It travels up my arm and sends me into a state of unconsciousness.

oOoOoOo

Such a rare creature. She'll blossom soon enough. But will her powers be strong enough to change anything?

oOoOoOo

I awake to see a beautifully hued late afternoon sky above me, colored with pinks and purples. I blink once, still staring up. It had been just after noon when I was grounded and I sure as hell wasn't outside. With a muttered curse I stand and look around.

I seem to be in an oddly familiar town square, picturesque and rather old fashioned. I watch people mill about, most heading further into the city, when a loud noise made me look upward again. My gaze falls upon a large airship, heading towards the center of town. "Prima Vista…!" I whisper, eyes wide. "I must be dreaming!"

My amazement is interrupted when someone trips nearby. I look over to see a young boy sprawled on the ground, flat on his face, while a piece of paper drifts over to me. I immediately recognize him as Vivi. Bending down I pick up the paper, the mage's ticket, and wait for the boy to rise.

"Are you alright?" I ask after he does so.

Vivi looks at me with his bright, glowing gold eyes. "Y-yes," he stammers.

"Here," I say, holding the ticket out to him. The little black mage takes it and stows it in a pocket. "My name's Ayame. What's yours?"

"V-vivi." Aww. Just seeing him makes me want to squeeze the poor boy tightly, but I refrain from doing so, not wanting to scare him, even if it is just a dream.

"Are you going to see the play?" I ask, kneeling so I'm almost eye-level with him. He nods and I smile brightly. "Well then, you have to go give your ticket to the ticket master, don't you?" Again Vivi nods. "What are you waiting for? Go get it checked. I might even find away to see it myself, even though I don't have a ticket."

"A-alrighty. Bye Miss Ayame," Vivi says, running off.

I stand, a huge grin on my face. He really is cute, if a bit shy. I just have to remember to tell him not to call me 'Miss' next time I see him. Now the question is why the hell my brain has decided to have me dream of Alexandria at the beginning of the game. Shrugging I decide not to worry about it and to instead search for useful items instead to whittle the time away till I wake up.

After searching the town square, street, and tavern I have three potions, six cards, and 60 gil. Not bad really. Happy with my findings I make my way to the center of town and see Vivi standing at the Ticket Master's booth, head hanging. I watch as the wolf-like creature gives him some cards and he turns away, walking slowly.

"Vivi!" I call, waving to him with one arm as I kept a hold on my new items with the other. He looks up at me, eyes wide and I run over to him. "What's wrong?" I ask, knowing full well what it is.

"My t-ticket was fake, M-miss Ayame," he says.

"Aww, poor you," I say, truly feeling bad. "But don't fret. I know how we can watch the play without paying for tickets."

"R-really? How?"

"Trade secret. Just follow me."

"Okay, Miss A-ayame," Vivi says. I take his hand with my free one and pull him toward the alleyway. "T-thank you."

"No problem," I say. "Just do me one favor." Vivi looks at me curiously. "Don't call me 'Miss Ayame.' Makes me feel old and I'm only 17."

The black mage nods and it almost seemed like he's smiling, but with that hat and the seemingly never-ending shadow that only shows his eyes it's hard to tell. That reminds me: what is under his hat? I refrain from asking as we enter the alleyway.

The sign maker had gone but the ladder is still there, which means that Puck is bound to show up sooner or later. And speak of the devil, there he comes with his smug attitude. "Hey you! Shrimp!" he says pointing at Vivi. "You're the one with the phony ticket, ain'tcha? I saw the guy tell you it was a fake!"

I step protectively in front of the little mage as he nods. "Y-Yeah, it's fake," he mutters.

Rat-boy looks at us with a triumphant expression. "I'll let you guys see the show if you become my slaves! Well, whaddya two say?"

Vivi looks up at me and I sigh. Guess I have to be the voice of reason. "As much as I dislike being a slave, not having to do anything to see the show sounds appealing," I say. "Why not?"

"Awesome! Now for your first assignment! You go stand over there and see if anyone's comin'!" Puck says, pointing Vivi in one direction. "You, over there!" I go to where he points. "All clear?"

"Yeah," I say in monotone, knowing it was the only way to get this moving. Not too far away Vivi nods.

"Yeah, I think it's clear," the little mage says.

"Awesome!" rat-boy cheers, pumping a fist in the air. "Engage according to mission parameters!" He grabs the ladder and hoists it over his head, running off in the direction he had come from. I wonder how the stuck-up Burmecian Prince manages to heft such a large thing.

I go to follow him but stop, causing Vivi to run into me and fall backwards. "Sorry," I mutter as he stands, straightening his hat. "Could you hold on to these please?" I ask, holding out my findings. "I don't really have any pockets." Vivi nods and takes my things, stowing them in his jacket. "Now let's hurry up before mister prissy pants yells at us.'

The two of us make our way to the church and Puck glares at us. "You're slow," he mutters.

"Well sorry Mister High and Mighty Prissy Pants!" I growl, sticking my tongue out at him.

"Whatever. You," Puck says, somehow managing to point at Vivi while keeping a hold on the ladder. "Climb the tower."

Vivi nods and makes his way to the ladder leading up, but just as he puts his hand on one of the rungs something falls from above, landing on his head. It's a moogle, Kupo (the only one who's name I always remember) and he jumps off of Vivi, flying into the main part of the church.

"Sorry 'bout that, kupo," the moogle says.

"That's Kupo. He's a moogle," rat-boy explains.

"It's cute," I say before I realize the words have left my mouth. When I do I clap a hand over it, blushing. The others just stare at me. "What?! I'm a girl! Can't I like cute things?"

"Okay…Anyway, these are slaves one and two," Puck says, pointing first at Vivi then me. "Try to get along, okay?"

"Hey! I wanna be slave number one!" I whine. "I'm older!" Once again I get weird looks.

Kupo shakes his head and speaks. "Kupo! Pleased to meet you! I sorry. I enter you in Moogle Diary! And if you want to use tents, just ask us, kupo!"

"That reminds me," I say suddenly, and the others expect another odd comment. I smile sheepishly and scratch the back of my head. "I don't know how to use tents."

"Kupo! That's basic traveler knowledge!" Kupo exclaims. I just laugh nervously and the moogle sighs.

"Using a tent is very simple, kupo. Just give a moogle a special slab of crystal and we'll set one up for you. Simple as that, kupo."

"Oh, okay." It's then that I realize Puck has already climbed up the ladder. Vivi too. I go to follow them but see another, older moogle enter, dressed in travelers clothes carrying a pack. I stop and watch with interest. Odd as he is I still think Stiltzkin is cool, and the items he sells later are really useful!

"Kupo...? You here?" the older moogle asks, waddling up. Yes, moogles when not flying waddle. Cute really.

Kupo seems surprised and not surprised at the same time. "Kupo! Stiltzkin! Why that getup? You leaving, kupo?" he asks.

Stiltzkin nods, adjusting his pack. "Yeah, and this time I might be away for a long time."

"I'll miss you, kupo." Aww, how sweet!

"Now, don't you worry. I'll write."

This makes Kupo brighten. Seems they have great faith in Mognet. The poor deluded souls. "Okay, kupo!" Stiltzkin waves and waddles off as Puck's voice filters down from above.

"Hey, slave 2!" he yells. "I thought I ordered you up here!"

"Shove it!" I shout, climbing the ladder. When I reach the top I see Prissy Pants and Vivi.

"'Bout time," mutters Puck. "The play's gonna start if we don't hurry."

We move along the rooftops until we come to a gap with a plank set over it. Vivi freezes and I'm reminded of his fear of heights. "Just pretend you're on the ground!" Puck yells from the other side. I give Vivi an encouraging push and he starts forward. About halfway across he almost stops again, but makes it to the other side without any trouble. I cross as well, not having any trouble myself but still feeling nervous. It is pretty high up…

Happy that we are following Puck runs across the next plank. Vivi just stands there and rat-boy growls. "It ain't gonna fall!" he yells.

Vivi nods and takes a few tentative steps forward. I frown, thinking something's amiss. Then it hits me. This is the plank that falls! And if it falls when Vivi's crossing, then how do I get across!? Vivi's now halfway across and the plank is shaking a little, so I do the first thing that comes to mind. I run behind the little mage and scoop him up in my arms, jumping to the other side just as the plank falls into the street below.

Landing hard against my shoulder I hear it pop and I let out a small yelp. I shift so I'm lying on my back as someone leans over me, a worried expression on his face. "Are you a-alright, Ayame?" he asks.

I blink once, trying to register the person. He's young, eight or nine, with chin length black hair streaked with small amounts of lavender-silver and dishwater blonde and big gold eyes that seem to be glowing faintly. Wait. Gold eyes? "Vivi?" I ask. He nods. "You're not wearing you hat."

He lets out a small squeak as he looks frantically for his hat and finds it, pulling it on. After he does so he moves away from me, afraid. "I k-know I look w-weird," he stammers. "So you don't have to be my f-friend any more if you don't w-want to."

Sitting up I crawl over to him and give him a big hug, my arm protesting at being moved. I think it might be dislocated. "Why would I not want to be friends with you? I think you look absolutely kawaii."

"What?" Vivi asks, looking at me with his big gold eyes.

"It means cute," I explain. Must remember, Japanese is an unknown language to these people.

"Oh. Alrightly."

"Hey, hurry up slaves!" rat-boy yells. He likes to yell, doesn't he? "What are your guys' names anyway?"

"Ayame," I answer. "He's Vivi."

"Those are kinda odd names… My name's Puck! Pleased to meetcha!"

"And Puck isn't an odd name," I voice.

"Shut up!" He runs off to the castle walls and Vivi follows. So do I, but I take my sweet time doing so,

looking for the gil I know is somewhere around here. When I finally meet back up with them I have 92 gil stuffed in my bra (what? I have nowhere else to put it!), bringing my grand total up to 152 gil.

oOoOoOo

Schizo: Well, what do you think of it? Love it? Hate it? Please let me know. And give me advice on how to better my writing if you'd like.