Finally. My apologies for leaving it this long. I really got distracted by games and also by real life (not to mention I've had a KH fic idea that will NOT go away). So finally..I believe this is the second to last chapter of this story as it is.
Oh and the letter in this. It's the letter from the ending of FF9, so if you haven't beaten FF9, RUN. I had to find a script so I could recreate it without the cut-scenes. I'll be using that script once again in the next chapter tho it'll be from a totally different point of view. ^^
Anyway here we go.
Chapter 7
...I was surprised to see Kuja again, I thought he was dead. He had a few things to clear up too; seems all the Genomes have souls now thanks to him and Nora. I'm guessing it must be a relief for her, since those soul crystals must have been driving her nuts. He only lasted long enough for us to get back to the Mist Continent, but I know now that what happened gave him a conscience. I forgave him, and I hope everyone else will too.
….Alanna also gave me a letter from Vivi, who died a bit ago. I'm still a bit upset and sad about the fact he's..not here anymore…
...I've rejoined Tantalus for the moment, but everyone knows and is helping plan a huge surprise next week for Queen Garnet and crew..It won't be long now..
~~From Zidane's journal
Zidane stared at Kuja for a moment. He was surprised that Kuja had survived..
“Kuja..”
“Say no more, brother.” Kuja hung his head. “It's only thanks to that Guardian that I'm here at all.”
“She..saved you?”
“She considered me a victim as well; I think she was right.”
Not going to argue with her on that, Zidane thought. Kuja then said, “I did help her out though, I don't know if it is enough atonement but all the Genomes have souls, now.”
“How?!”
“Did she tell you about the crystals she had to keep?”
“Yeah she did..Wait, did she?”
“If you mean she released them, she did. Me and her made a journey to Black Mage Village with all those crystals in a basket; I felt that I could at least watch her back. She dropped them at the entrance; they all rose in the air and broke, and every genome got their soul. I helped them cope after, then I left..I don't really deserve to have a home..”
That's wrong! Zidane thought. “Even if you never meet the others..you should at least have somewhere to stay.”
Kuja thought a second. “Maybe you're right, but I do want to be by myself in the end; rather not cause any more trouble.”
Zidane couldn't argue with that. Alanna then turned to Zidane.
“Ah have ah letter fer ya, as well as some bad news, sorry about this..”
“Hm?”
Alanna took the letter out of her pack that she'd been carrying. “Vivi died; this is from him...”
“Oh no...” Zidane wanted to cry. He knew most Black Mages didn't last very long, but that was terrible. He took the letter and opened it. There was a lot of stuff apologizing that he knew he wouldn't be able to say this in person, but it went..
“I always talked about you, Zidane. How you were a very special person to us, because you taught us how important life is. You taught me life doesn't last forever. That's why we have to help each other and live life to the fullest. Even if you say goodbye, you'll always be in our hearts. So, I know we're not alone anymore. Why I was born...How I wanted to live...Thanks for giving me time to think. To keep doing what you set your heart on...It's a very hard thing to do. We were all so courageous...What do to when I felt lonely...that was the only thing you couldn't teach me. But we need to figure out the answer ourselves...I'm so happy I met everyone...I wish we could of gone on more adventures. But I guess we all have to say goodbye someday. Tell everyone..Thank you. Farewell. My memories will be part of the sky...
--Vivi”
Zidane then did cry for a bit. Both Cloud and Tifa touched his free hand, saying without words that they were there and they'd be there for him.
Soon as Zidane calmed down and put the letter in his jacket, they all headed for the airship. They made a quick stop by Conde Petie so Alanna could send a letter (“A've been tellin' Freya 'bout what's going on; she'll be glad ta hear yer okay, Zidane!”, she said as she went to find the moogle), then flew off. It took them a few hours to get to the Mist Continent, which was misty no more. The Mist was gone. By the time they were halfway to Lindbulm, it was getting dark, so they landed, then settled down for the night. Before they went to bed, Kuja turned to Zidane once more.
“I know, mere words can't convey this but..I'm sorry about what happened and I wish I hadn't now. Will you forgive me for what happened?”
Zidane thought about it, then said, “Yes, I forgive ya. Just..don't try anything stupid again, okay?”
Kuja nodded gladly, then they all went to bed.
They woke up the next morning to find Kuja dead. He'd died in his sleep. Zidane was a little shocked, but realized that Kuja must of known this was coming.
They piled up some dead branches, carefully placed Kuja's body on it, then Cloud, Tifa and Yuffie solemnly cast the Fire spell on the wood. Zidane bowed his head sadly.
Kuja...I hope everyone else can forgive you for the horrible things you did. Maybe..maybe if things were different, we could have been friends and not enemies. Maybe..maybe someday people will understand. As the fire finished cremating what was left of Kuja, and then went out, they all boarded the airship and headed to Lindbulm.
It didn't take long for Zidane to find Baku and explain things. Baku had a grand idea; The theater ship had been retrofitted with a steam engine, so they were going to head to Alexandria next week for a play. Zidane thought that'd be a great way to finally rejoin with Garnet, so he agreed. Tifa, Yuffie and Cloud agreed to be guards for that one. Zidane could hardly wait, though he admitted he was still sad over what happened.
At least out of that, we all can find a little happiness..I hope..
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Next chapter: Basically the end and Zidane and Garnet are finally reunited and the FF7 crew head home. Should be a nice one. ^^
And yes, I'll get right on that KH fic after I finish this (I'm going to be introing some charas from a FF most people go "BLEECH! DANG MMO!" at) so look forward to that!
