Tanis's eyes shot open as he quickly looked around...finding himself in an expensive room of some sort. He quickly sat up, continuing to look around.

"Well...I'm glad to see that you're finally awake," a pleasant sounding voice announced. He gasped softly as he faced the source of the voice, only to find a female knight sitting on the right side of his bed, holding a wet cloth...was that what woke him up? She stared at him for a moment then stood up, placing the cloth in a nearby basin. "I'll go inform General Beatrix and Captain Steiner that you are now awake...they have been wishing to speak to you for some time," She said then turned and left the room. He watched after her then slowly climbed out of the bed, walking towards the window. How had he come here? What had happened to him before he came here? So many questions spun around in his head, giving him a headache. He sighed as he leaned against the window, looking out over the city. So, he was in Alexandria? He frowned slightly as he closed his eyes, attempting to remember what had happened before he came here...nothing, not even a faint glimmer of a memory. He sighed again then faced the door as it opened then two people walked in.

"So you're finally awake," the male said as he faced him...it was a safe assumption that this was Captain Steiner, and that the female standing beside him was General Beatrix.

"Tell me...how long have I been here?" he asked as he began to walk towards them, stretching out his tail...since when did he have a tail? Why couldn't he remember anything? He frowned as he closed his eyes...now that he thought about it, he remembered always having a tail. He opened his eyes once more staring at the two knights.

"Close to a year. Stiener, a group of knights, and myself found you in the woods not far from Alexandria. You were near death when we found you, so we brought you here where you have remained, unconscious," Beatrix replied walking up to him. He stared at her for a moment then looked away.

"...A...a year?"

"Just what were you doing in that area anyway?" Steiner demanded as he too walked up to him. He looked at him then shrugged.

"I...I don't know..."

"Do you remember your name?"

"Tanis."

"Do you remember anything else Tanis? Anything else at all?" Beatrix asked as she rested her hand on his shoulder. He looked at her for a moment then turned away, looking out the window once more.

"Answer the question!" Steiner demanded as he began to jump up and down. Beatrix faced him, shaking her head.

"Steiner...he is not a common criminal that is under interrogation. If he doesn't wish to answer the question then he doesn't have to."

"But..."

"Enough Stiener," she replied then faced Tanis once more. "You are a welcome guest here by request of her highness, princess Garnet. You can come and go as you see fit," she said as she bowed. He faced her once more, smiling slightly then bowed as well.

Steiner stared at Tanis...he felt sorry for the boy. He frowned slightly as he looked away then looked at him once more. "Tanis...if you do not have a place to...call home, then you are welcome to stay here...you could become a Pluto knight..."

Tanis faced Steiner, smiling once more...he didn't know whether to accept the offer or not. "I thank you Stiener, but please allow me some time to think it over?"

"Of course...the offer shall remain open," he replied as he turned away then walked out of the room. Beatrix remained behind, staring at him for a moment then followed after Stiener. Tanis sighed softly as he faced the window then closed his eyes. If only he could remember something, anything from his past...then this choice wouldn't be so difficult. Again he sighed then turned and walked out of the room. He needed to take a walk...a long walk around Alexandria.

Garnet faced her door as it opened then smiled as Beatrix walked in, closing the door behind her. "And how is our guest doing?"

"Well, your highness...but he doesn't seem to remember what happened to him in the woods. I believe that he may have a case of amnesia, if anything," she replied as she bowed. Garnet stared at her then faced her window frowning slightly.

"Are you sure of this Beatrix?"

"Yes, he could only remember his name."

"I see. Well then, we'll just have to wait and see if he remembers who he is," she said as she faced her once more. Beatrix nodded then sat down staring at her.

"Captain Stiener has offered him a position as a Pluto Knight..."

"Has he? Did he accept?"

"He said he had to think about it...I believe he is going to try and figure out who he is before he takes up Steiner's offer..."

"Perhaps that is for the best," she replied as she turned away from her. Again Beatrix nodded then stood up.

"I shall take my leave of you, your highness," she said then turned and walked out of the room. Garnet sighed softly as she continued to stare out her window. She hadn't expected the boy to have amnesia...hopefully soon he would recover, and accept Steiner's offer. Again she sighed then closed her eyes...maybe this was what she had been waiting for...ever since that man arrived here, her mother had been acting strangely. She wanted nothing more than to get to Lindblum and talk to her uncle Cid...he'd be able to help her...maybe this boy would help get her there...

Tanis walked into the bar and briefly looked around then made his way over to an empty table, and sat down.

"What can I get for ya?" a waitress asked as she walked over to him. He looked at her for a moment then looked away, shaking his head. "Shoot yourself," she replied as she turned and walked away. He watched after her then folded his arms across the table and rested his head on them, closing his eyes as he did. Why couldn't he remember anything about his past? Everything was a blur...he just wanted things as they were.

Blank slowly walked into the bar and waited for Marcus to join him. As he entered the bar, Blank hit him over the head.

"What was that for?" he growled as he faced him once more.

"For being as slow as you are!" he replied as he looked around the bar for an empty seat.

"Hey...is that who I think it is?" Marcus asked as he pointed to an occupied table. Blank followed his gaze then gasped staring at the person sitting at the table.

"...I don't believe it..." he began then headed over to the table. Marcus watched after him then followed, staring at Tanis. "...Hey Tanis!" Blank called as he walked up to his friend.

Tanis opened his eyes as he looked at the person who had called his name. "...Do I know you?"

"Of course you do! It's me, Blank!"

"Blank? Blank who?"

"Knock it off Tanis..."

"Knock what off?" he asked as he sat up, staring at the one called Blank. Blank stared at him oddly then sat down in one of the empty seats.

"So...you're not...joking around? You really don't remember who I am?"

"Should I remember who you are?"

"What about him? Do you remember Marcus?" he asked pointing to the other man.

Tanis stared at Blank for a moment longer then looked at the one called Marcus, who was also staring at him oddly. He didn't understand how these two knew him, but deep within his soul, he somehow knew that he knew who these two were, but how? When had he met them? "No..." he began looking back to Blank.

"Excuse us for a minute," Blank said as he stood up and lead Marcus away from the table. Tanis watched them, frowning slightly then closed his eyes, trying to figure out how he knew these people.

"What did Zidane say happened to them that day in the woods?" Blank asked as he turned away from Tanis. Marcus stared at Tanis for a moment longer then looked at him.

"He said that they were attacked by a Dragon zombie in the woods..."

"Then didn't Zidane say that Tanis had been hit off of the cliff they were fighting beside?"

"Yeah...he said that the Dragon zombie hit Tanis over the edge with its tail...just what are you getting at Blank? Are you suggesting that the fall caused Tanis to forget his past?"

"That's exactly what I'm suggesting," he replied as he looked at Tanis, who was now walking up to them.

"Could you guys please tell me how you know who I am?" h asked as he crossed his arms across his chest, curling his tail as he did...something that he always used to do whenever he was beginning to get upset or impatient. Blank spared a quick glance at Marcus, thankful that Tanis still did things that he use to...at least he hasn't forgotten who he is...

"Yeah sure...we're from a group of actors...and thieves, known as Tantalus...you are a part of this group..." Marcus replied, also crossing his arms across his chest.

"Tantalus...?" Tanis replied as he uncrossed his arms...this all sounded so familiar to him. He quickly turned away, tightly closing his eyes. "Why can't I remember?" he thought as he balled up his fists.

Blank and Marcus looked at one another then looked back to Tanis. It was obvious that he didn't exactly believe them. Blank frowned slightly as he picked up an empty bottle...this was something that he didn't want to do, but if it made Tanis remember who they were then it was the only choice he had. Again he looked at Marcus, who nodded once in understanding. He nodded back then walked up behind Tanis and hit him over the head with the bottle. Tanis cried out in pain then fell to the ground, unconscious.

"What in the hell are you doing!?" the bartender demanded glaring at them.

"Sorry about that...he was about to start getting violent...my friend here decided to put a stop to it," Marcus replied as Blank lifted Tanis off of the floor. "We'll just be on our way, no harm done," he added. The bartender stared at them for a moment longer then went back to serving drinks.

"Nice cover-up," Blank whispered as he walked past. Marcus laughed softly then followed him out of the bar.

Tanis moaned softly as he rolled onto his side, attempting to get the sun out of his eyes. He slowly sat up, resting his hand on his head. He frowned slightly as he felt a bandage under his fingers. It was then that he remembered the bar...how long ago had that night been? He gasped as he quickly got out of the bed, realizing that he now remembered all that he had forgotten...the day the Dragon zombie attacked...how he had been knocked off the cliff...meeting Marcus and Blank at the bar...how one of them hit him over the head with a bottle, causing his head injury. He growled softly as he walked up to the door and threw it open then made his way down the stairs. As he stepped out of the inn, one of the Pluto Knights ran up to him.

"A-Are you Tanis?"

"Yes..."

"Captain Steiner has been looking all over for you...he was beginning to worry that something happened to you...shall we go back to the castle?"

"Just a moment...I have something personal I need to take care of...wait for me here," he replied. The knight nodded then watched as he walked away towards the bar.

Blank looked up to the door of the bar as it opened then Tanis walked in glaring at him and Marcus..."Heads up...he's awake," he whispered as Tanis walked over to them.

Tanis stared down at Blank and Marcus for a moment then sat down in an empty seat. "...You know...the two of you have got a lot of nerve showing up here, after I just had recovered from a near death injury, then injure me again," he said as he looked down to the table.

"You're...you again, right?" Marcus asked. He looked at him then shrugged.

"Maybe..."

"Okay, then who am I?" Blank asked leaning forward. Tanis looked at him, frowning slightly.

"Hmm...you are...a...competitive son of a..."

"All right...he's back to normal," Blank interrupted leaning back in his seat.

"Damn straight," Tanis growled also leaning back. "So what brought you to Alexandria?"

"Not you, that's for sure."

"I feel so loved..."

"Actually, we came here to see if there is anyway to get into Alexandria castle," Marcus replied. Tanis frowned looking at him.

"Why?"

"We've been asked to kidnap princess Garnet, but we don't know how to do it. Baku has this whole ‘Let's put on a play!' attitude, but we can't figure out how we're going to kidnap the princess," Blank explained.

"And when are you doing the play?"

"On the princess's 16^th birthday."

Tanis frowned slightly as he leaned forward resting his arms on the table. "I might be able to help you...the captain of the Pluto Knights offered me a position as a knight while I had my...small case of amnesia..."

"And how is that going to help us?" Blank demanded leaning forward.

"Take a minute to think about this Blank...if I accept the position, then one of us will already be on the inside the night of the play...with this in mind, it would be easier to get two more people in to do whatever needs to be done to kidnap the princess..."

"I'm starting to see your point, but how will you get two people inside with you?"

"I'm not sure...I need more time to think this through...go back to Lindblum and tell Baku what I've told you. In a month or so..."

"Which is the princess's birthday," Marcus interrupted.

"Exactly...in a month or so, have all of Tantalus meet me here, and we'll finish the final preparations for kidnapping the princess," he replied looking from Blank to Marcus and back again.

"A month or so?" Blank asked. Tanis nodded as he stared at him. "Are you sure you'll be ready by then?" he asked. Again Tanis nodded as he looked towards the door.

"Steiner is already thinking of me as one of his knights...all I need is the armor," he replied watching as a Pluto Knight walked past. Blank also watched this then looked at Tanis.

"...All right. It will probably be longer than a month, seeing how the princess's birthday is still three months away, but you've got yourself a deal," he said as he and Marcus stood up. They prepared to leave, but Blank froze looking over his shoulder at him. "...It's good to have you back, Tanis," he replied then followed Marcus out of the bar. Tanis smiled then stood up and walked out as well. Again the Pluto Knight ran up to him.

"Let's go back to the castle...I have something I wish to inform Captain Steiner about," he said before the knight had a chance to say anything. He stared at him for a moment then ran towards the castle entrance. Tanis smiled then followed him, looking over his shoulder at the retreating forms of Blank and Marcus.

Baku turned away from Blank and Marcus, rubbing his chin. "...So let me get this straight...instead of finding a way into Alexandria castle, you find Tanis? How is this going to help us kidnap the princess?"

"Let us finish telling you what happened," Blank replied as he leaned against a wall, crossing his arms across his chest. Baku faced them once more, nodding once. "All right then...anyway, when we found Tanis, he didn't remember who we were, so I hit him over the head with an empty bottle...it took him about a week to wake up, but when he did, he remembered everything. He met us at the bar and told us that the captain of the Knights of Pluto offered him a position as a knight...Tanis had yet to accept, and then told us this little plan..." he explained as he looked at Marcus.

"He said that he would accept the position, then, on the night of the princess's birthday when we put on the play, he would help two of us get in...he didn't really know how, or how we would kidnap the princess, but at least he provided us with a way to get in," he finished as he looked at Blank.

"Well I'll be damned..." Baku replied as he turned away once more. "So Tanis will already be on the inside? Incredible...I knew there was a reason I loved that little monkey...don't tell him I called him that," he said as he faced Blank and Marcus.

"We won't," they both replied then Blank pushed away from the wall.

"He also said to bring all of Tantalus to Alexandria in a month or so to finalize the plans," he added. Baku frowned slightly.

"Hmm...Zidane isn't gonna like this very much. He's still upset about the whole Dragon zombie thing..."

"He has no reason to be upset. He told us what happened...it wasn't Tanis's fault for being knocked over the edge..." Marcus replied.

"Where is that little fool anyway?" Blank interrupted as he looked around.

"He's around somewhere, I think," Baku replied scratching his chin.

"I'm right here," Zidane growled as he leapt out of the bed. He glared at each of them then climbed down the ladder.

"So you were eavesdropping, huh?" Baku asked watching him.

"No, I was trying to take a nap," he bitterly replied. Blank walked up to him, glaring at him

"You know what we say is the truth...you have no reason to be mad at your brother..."

"Shut up, Blank. This only concerns my brother and I. Mind your own business," he replied as he pushed Blank away from him.

"If you bring this up the night we meet with him, I'm gonna knock you senseless, Zidane," Baku replied as he watched him

"And I'll help," Blank added as he regained his balance.

"I'm not scared of your threats any more Baku, and you know it," he replied then turned and walked away. Baku sighed softly as he watched him then faced Blank and Marcus.

"There's a clear sign that he's gonna bring it up..."

"We can still always beat the crap out of him if he does," Blank replied.

"I guess we have no choice, but it's not gonna make a difference."

"Still, it will be fun to do it," Blank replied as he walked up to Baku. He laughed softly, shaking his head. Blank also smiled then began to laugh as well, as did Marcus.

"Well then, let's start planning. I want to have everything ready when we meet Tanis," Baku announced. Marcus and Blank saluted then ran out of the room to find the other members. Baku smiled as he faced the window. "It's gonna be good having Tanis back," he thought closing his eyes.