Melodies Of Life || Change those flowing tears into shining courage, life goes on

[melodiesmods]

Characters: Anyone who's been in the game
Where: Aqures Ixen
When: August 3rd
Summary: A story is over, many others are about to begin. Friends may reunite and rejoice together, friends may part and say farewell to each over forever. But even if you should leave your friends behind, your voice shall never forget their melodies.


Following the battle against Kalki, the sacrifice of old friends and the second destruction of Aqures Tosf, Palitutu cast all Heroes of Light into the Rift, each of them finding themselves in an all too familiar void. And yet... Soon the void vanished, as it had once before. This time it was all too clear none of this had been a dream. Upon coming to their senses, the Heroes of Light will find themselves on the outskirts of Aqures Ixen. Music and laughter can be heard coming from the city.

Is there a celebration in the city? Shouldn't it be filled with corrupted Heroes of Light and on the brink of destruction? Before they can do anything about these questions, the Heroes of Light are submerged by a wave of fluffy white balls of fur and fluff- the Moogles who helped them for all these years and are now overjoyed to see they are safe and sound. As they once did before, the Moogles will answer all of their questions, but also drag them into the city. A celebration is indeed taking place and why, it appears they are the reason the celebration is happening. The music is joyous, the people are happy and all appears to be for the best.

Upon reaching the third district, they will see familiar faces. Cid, Wedge, Biggs, Parajapati, Mograma, O'aka and many other friends they made along the way. They will all clap for them before congratulating them and taking part in the festivities. There are more familiar faces, however. Where once stood the Crystal of Fire is now a statue depicting four Heroes of Light: Sephiroth, Minato, Tears and Sayaka, all four of them brandishing their crystal and weapons in a heroic posture.

Whilst many might be sad and mourn them, perhaps this is also an occasion to celebrate what they were in life and carry the memory of their deeds into your own life. Melodies of life, come circle round and grow deep in our hearts, as long as we remember.

THE END

Comments

[red_planet_blues]

[He slides the ice cream over his way, but he only picks at it for now. He's got a lot on his mind.]

Well, you know, all in a day's work. [At least the false modesty is still the same.] Someone had to get these folks up 'n runnin', and I already knew what I was doing here. And I mean, we had a whole month before we have to go, so...

[He's surprised by the omamori, and blinks as he looks it over, never having seen one before. He also felt a little badly that he didn't have anything to give people as a going-away gift.]

Really? Um, thanks, I appreciate it. I guess this means yer takin' off for home soon, huh. I figured as much.

[charming_jerk]

[He gladly takes that with a tired smile.]

Sure man, thanks.

[Johnny holds it up for a toast.]

To savin' the world.

[line_piece]

[Chiaki nods, smiling as she wipes away her own tears.]

I'm sure he didn't have any regrets.

[forcegalactic]

There's a different between goin' out with your buddies to a bar and goin' under a tent meant to taste all different sorts of brews from all over. Ones informal and the other's formal.

[His face is serious. Don't call this event "just drinking" to a professional bartender.]

That's a mighty poetic way of puttin' it. Letter of the law versus the spirit of it. I have a preference for the former, but I see what you're gettin' at. Spirit's the thing.

[zodiac_brave]

What was that?

[Ramza would focus more on Sparks' muttered aside, but he's overtaken by guilt at the marshal's next words. They both know the reason the city and the world are in such a sorry state.]

The station will not be abandoned. I can never fully make amends for what happened, but I will see this city, this world, rebuilt. You needn't fear.

[zodiac_brave]

[Ramza's eyes go wide. He had not thought...]

Mordecai...you would welcome me into your home, knowing how Kalki used me for evil?

[There are arms around him, and Ramza leans into them for a moment, touched by Barkeep's paternal pride. He does not often embrace, and even more rarely cries, but his vision swims with sudden moisture.

...he had not thought he would lose a father twice in his life.]

...I wish I could go with you...

[zodiac_brave]

Her victory has Ramza nodding as well.

"Well done." She had taught him a sea shanty long ago on a trip to Aerilon. It is only right he teach her something in return.

"Crystallis taught us we all carry melodies within us. You have been entrusted with a note from Ivalice's melody. I hope it can become a part of your song that you regard with fondness."

He and Mary have not always seen eye to eye on the right path to take, but he still thinks of them as friends. She had been the one to free him from Kalki, a debt he can never fully repay.

He offers her his hand to clasp. "Thank you, for not wavering when it came time to strike."

[boomchucka]

[Leaping up, Selphie moves to give Squall a punch in the arm before her hands settle on her hips. She looks at him sharply, daring him to press that topic.]

My home is Garden. My home is where my family is.

I'll miss the friends I made here and never want to forget them but it wouldn't be the same without you and Zell and Quisty and Irvy and Rinoa and that dumbass Seifer too. That's not something that I can just throw away.

Besides, who else is going to annoy you and try to make you smile without making you relatively uncomfortable? You need a sunny disposition in your life and I'm not about to vacate the seat.

[Selphie points to the sky.]

We can find a way to travel amongst the worlds and go on all sorts of adventures, but only after we finish things with Ultimecia. I'm not taking no for an answer and you're not getting rid of me, Squall.

I might not be the same person that I was back then but I'm still me. I'm not giving up on our home, just like I said all those years ago.

[boomchucka]

[Selphie accepts the Dust canister, staring at it as she curled her fingers around it. She wasn't sure what it could be used for in her world but if there was some purpose behind it, the perky brunette would find a way to use it.]

Thank you, Pyrrha. I'll try to figure out a way to use it if I can.

[Selphie grins at the laughter before joining in.]

Well, it'll be a good time to learn!

[zodiac_brave]

Ramza nodded. "Yes, just so." He motioned for her to give the grass whistle a try. It gave him a moment to think over what to say.

"I am myself, have no fear of that. I...am worried that I will not be able to undo Kalki's wrongs. The path is clear before me, but the journey will be a long one. It may prove to be beyond me."

[unyieldingspirit]

Yeah. It's a good feeling, isn't it?

[she grins- it's sweet.]

Wherever you two shall roam, that's where you call home? [she reaches out, to squeeze his hand.] I hope- no, I'm sure it won't. Hold hands, if you need to!

[unyieldingspirit]

Her first effort didn't produce much sound, and K'pandolu frowned while she took a moment to reconsider the blade and try again.

"I was always sure you'd be yourself," she said, and reached out to try and ruffle his hair. "It'd be a hard task alone. But you won't be, right? It's the world of everyone living here."

[red_planet_blues]

[He waves a hand; no no no, chill out dude.]

I know yer good for it, Ramza. Been workin' with ya long enough. Still. You ain't gonna be able to do all that paperwork on yer own, right?

[pole_position]

If nothing else, you can use it as a grenade in a pinch.

[That much should appeal to Selphie, at least.]

He'll get there. Jaune's strong point is that he never gives up, even if he complains about it.

[ninjainviolet]

Yeah. It's not where that makes a place home, but the people.

[ For a moment, she looks in the direction of the statues, a sad smile forming as she realizes she had never told Sephiroth that she had considered him more a brother than friend. Perhaps one day they'll meet again and she'll be able to tell him. ]

Really? [ Her brows shoot up. ] I had never heard of that before. How young is too young? And have you had to throw some of them out of here physically?

[ Yes, she had noticed him leaning on his chair and rolling his shoulders--classic signs that a body is pretty sore and tired. ]

Reunion

[ninjainviolet]

Even though Sheena knew this would be the last time she'd see most of these people, she had need a quiet moment to herself. So, she had literally crept away from the festivities to seek out a relatively quiet, shaded area. Closing her eyes, she sighed and leaned back on her hands, letting the breeze wash over her.

She had made an important decision during all of this and really just wanted to let it sink in before she told the other person involved.

Hearing a soft footfall, she opens her eyes and smiles when she sees who it is. She hadn't really known Ramza before everything happened, but she's honestly happy to see him.

Reaching up, she takes the blade with a nod. "Yeah! I remember doing that with other kids in the village! But you know," she chuckles sheepishly. "I don't think I remember how.

"Would you show me?"

Quiet (?) Celebration...

[ninjainviolet]

Sheena sighed. She had been looking for her friends throughout the festival to speak with them. If this was going to be the last time they were going to see each other...

No. No tears. Okay. Maybe a few.

Right now, though, she needed a drink and some time out of the sun. Seeing the bar up ahead, she entered, groaning slightly at the shouting that greeted her. had she walked into another bar fight? Nope. Just some happy natives, it turned out, shouting about "another Hero!" before shaking her hands and thanking her and the others for what they had done. Feeling a cold drink pressed into her hand, she looked around, curious, and smiled when she saw who the other hero was.

One of those she had been looking for.

Excusing herself, she made her way over to his table and smiling, said, "Care for some company?" A beat and an impish gleam in her eyes. "Old man?"

[ninjainviolet]

[ Sheena's in Cuppa Kupo, just setting her empty tea cup on its saucer when she spots Selphie. Her solemn expression quickly becomes less so as she stands and heads over to the girl, her arms wrapping about her in a sisterly hug. ]

Join me for something to drink?

Sheena Fujibayashi - OTA

[ninjainviolet]

The Library:

How ironic is it that the first place Sheena heads is the Library upon entering the city? It was a slow process as she made her way through well-wishers and those offering congratulations.

Not to mention those she had never thought she'd see moving around ever again as all the Heroes of Light were honored.

Eventually, she made it to the building, and for a few moments, stood outside, just taking it in. This had been her first stop after waking here, then her place of employment, and along the way, it and those she worked with had become important to her. Smiling sadly, she wiped away a tear and chuckled.

"Oh, if Raine could see me now."

The Statues:

It was time.

Sheena had put off visiting the statues until close to the end of day when things had quieted down. She approached reverently and quietly, the flowers in her hands barely moving with each step she took. Once she was there, she stood for a long moment looking up at the faces of those she knew and didn't know and the sacrifice they had made. Tears sprung to her eyes as she began laying flowers at the statues' feet.

Bluebell for Gratitude, Daffodil for Respect, and Sweet Pea for Goodbye.

After she placed them, she stepped back and bowed deeply to the group. "Until we meet again," she murmured.

Decision:

A decision had to be made, they said. It was important, they said. Little did they know Sheena had made a certain decision five years ago. Not minutes. Not days. But years.

From almost the moment she had entered Albel's world and saw what he and those in that universe were going through. To be controlled by another? To be told that you aren't real? That you and your lives don't matter? Yeah, that just sounded too familiar to her, and she wasn't about to go back home knowing another world and its people were suffering.

And, this wouldn't be the first time she went against her "duty" to follow what she believed in, either. She just hoped they'd be just as understanding when she got home.

However, although she had made that decision, she had neglected to do one thing: inform the two who would be affected by it the most. So after wrangling Corrine and telling him, she began searching for Albel, hitting every place she could think of--from home to his blacksmith shop and every place in between--until she found him.

[shear_trigger]

...

[Squall is of course quiet in response to her tangent, letting her go on and on. He might not look like he's even listening to every word... But he is. There is a spot in his heart for Selphie that can't be replaced by anything or anyone else and without her around it would be... too different. She's an integral part of their team. And Squall does call her a friend (to himself not outloud).

So he's quietly pleased with her fiery response and he turns away to hide the small smile pulling his lips.]

... Right. Let's go then. Show me around, I can't remember much of this place.

[mindofathief]

To saving our homes.

[clink]

...Man, has it really been almost six years since I got here? Almost two if we're counting the time I was awake?

[forcegalactic]

We got raspberry.

[He pulls out a bottle of beer flavored with the namesake of his voice actor.]

[arcward]

Your machines... can talk. [Or near enough. Well, that's new. Then again, just about everything here has been, so he's not really all that surprised. He gives a small wave to the reaper.]

I was just going to see if there was anything that I could do to help you. Has... she? Maggie. Has Maggie been here the whole time? [How did he miss that??]

City /waves~

[fushigichan]

Kupandoru-san~!

[Of course, there was only one boy who probably ever called her that.

Spotting the cat-lady poking around some huge machine, Manami calls out and raises a hand in greeting.]

Wow~ Did you make that? I thought you just made tiny things.

[He then tilts his head for a moment. The last thing he remembers was trying to find a way to the Crystal Tree with her. But he's pretty blank on what happened after that. Well~ he'll just see how it goes!]

[fushigichan]

Hi, Barkeep-san!

[Suddenly this cheerful blue-haired child appears before Mordecai, already in possession of a mug of cream soda. (Priorities.)]

It's great weather! Seems like lots of stuff has happened, ne? Was it like your story? Did you finish it? Did the black mage win? Was the bad guy actually a good guy?

[That's one of his last memories, so might as well take it from there! (Wasn't the whole writing thing a secret? Don't mind~)]