Chapter 9: Intro to Pain 101 ---------------------------- Natasha was stunned. Stunned wasn't even the word for it. Her father was one of the most vile men to walk the face of the planet. If not for his power hungry ways, the world would have never fallen to Kefka. If any of this got out, it would hard for anyone to trust her. Who would trust the daughter of a villain? "So, figured it out, did you?" a familar voice said. "Rooks? Is that you?" Natasha asked. "Yeah, it's me. I thought that Enigma would try something like this, so I decided to come to Jidoor and wait for you," Rooks replied. "Emperor Gestahl is my father, Rooks," Natasha sighed painfully. "Yes, I know. That is why I didn't tell you," Rooks replied. "And there is more to your past than you realize. Soon, when you free the Goddesses, you will find it out. Your mother..." "What about my mother?" Natasha looked up, with tears in her eyes. "Never mind, you'll find out soon enough." Rooks hugged her. "You've been through too much already." "How did I end up in Jidoor if I was a member of the Imperial family?" Natasha asked. "You'll see. Everything will be explained to you soon enough." Rooks smiled. "And when you find that out, you will realize the importance of your life." "But with Gestahl being my father..." Natasha began. "There are advantages to being the daughter to an Emperor, PRINCESS." "That means I'm an heir to the Imperial throne," Natasha realized. "Exactly," Rooks said. "However, I wouldn't go around bragging yet. The Imperial troops would probablly slaughter you." "I see," Natasha answered, "Then..." "Your time will come, Princess," Rooks interrupted. "The best thing for you now is to concentrate on freeing the Goddesses before Enigma..." "You called?" an annoying voice rang in. It was Enigma. "I see that you've managed to help her a little, old one." Enigma laughed. "But she will wish she was never even born when she finds out about her mother!" "LIAR!" Rooks yelled. "You will not disrupt her mind!" "Too late," Enigma chuckled. "But I'll tell you what, Princess. I'll do you a favor. After I severely beat you for meddling in my plans, I'll tell you the sad story about your mommy before I kill you." Fire rose in Natasha's eyes. "You have a death wish, don't you?" "Whatever are you talking about?" Enigma laughed. "You never thought how my mind would react in time to this little bombshell you dropped on me." Natasha drew her black sword, "Well, you have made a major mistake in messing with my mind. I was ruthless before I knew of my heritage. Now that I know that my father was one of the biggest tyrants in history, don't you think that would make me more ruthless?" "Uh." Enigma looked stunned. "Well..." "Enigma, you're gonna love this." Natasha chuckled evilly. "This sword sucks magic power up. Well, with my first blow, I won't be able to hurt you because of your magic, but it will absorb your power and make you vulnerable to me." "No! It won't!" Enigma screamed. "You don't know what you are doing!" Natasha swung her sword like a true swordsman. The cut was clean, and quick. After the hit, Natasha looked over her shoulder at Enigma. He was unharmed, but he looked frightened. "Natasha," Enigma said with a smile, "Let's make a deal. You leave me alone, and I'll free the Goddesses." "Free them now..." Natasha gave him a cold stare. "... and I will leave you with some appendages." A cold sweat ran down Enigma's cheek. "Uh, okay, here!" Enigma tossed two small rocks to her. Each was glowing white, brightly. "What are these?" Natasha asked. "Magicite," Enigma answered. "The only think that can be used to trap a Goddess." "Interesting," Rooks mumbled. Natasha grabbed Enigma and lifted him into the air, "Now you will return to the rat-hole you came from!" "Yes, of course." Enigma looked worried. "I will never bother the Goddesses again." "If I was as cruel as my father, I would have already have killed you," Natasha said. "Now leave." Enigma ran out the door. "Thank you, Princess. You will regret this, I know it!" "Excellent work." Rooks smiled. "Thank you." Natasha sighed. "I'm still not over this, though." Rooks comforted her as, for the first time in several years, Natasha cried.