Shimmering Island

The Shimmering Island (輝く島, Kagayaku-shima) is an island located by Esto Gaza on the Outer Continent in Final Fantasy IX. Located to the south of the Lost Continent, the Shimmering Island appears only at first to be a collection of glaciers. However, towards the end of Disc 3, the party obtains four elemental mirrors from Ipsen's Castle. Traveling all across Gaia, the Hilda Garde III drops off two party members at each elemental shrine, where the Chaos Guardians make their abode. All four are effectively living seals to the entrance to Terra, and after all are destroyed, the Shimmering Island reveals a glowing, multicolored portal to Terra, a twin planet to Gaia. The player may access the portal via the Hilda Garde III.

After Terra is destroyed by Kuja, the gateway nested on the Shimmering Island closes, and it regains its former unassuming, icy appearance.

Zidane can get his Ultima Weapon by throwing a Dead Pepper at the place where the island used to be while on a Chocobo.