The Ninth Fantasy - Gaia

by MrAlterad

35. Immoral Rhythm

Spike saw the runic spell-circles appear beneath his three friends, and felt something familiar radiate from them as he stared wide-eyed. Teleportation magic!? As the spell formed a cone around each of them, he ran towards Pinkie, as did Zidane. Spike jumped and teleported, trying to knock Pinkie from the spell, but as he felt his claws touch her, she vanished, as did the others. No!! He crashed into the ground, rolling to a stop as he looked where Eiko, Amarant, and Pinkie once were, his heart racing as he looked to Kuja.

“Kuja! Where are they!?”
“Give 'em back!”
“Kuja!!”

Zidane, Applejack, and Spike cried out, their anger in sync with their words. Kuja gave them his sly smile as she shook his head.

“It would be rude of us to interrupt-”

“Give us back our friends!” Spike cried out, interrupting Kuja, who looked at him with a hint of genuine annoyance. Oh, sorry, didn't mean to interrupt you, jerk! Spike thought sarcastically as he glared back at Kuja, who simply scoffed at him.

“Shouldn't you be more concerned about yourself?” Kuja asked as he pointed to the sea, adopting his smug smile. Everyone but Zidane turned from Kuja, eyeing the ocean. There, beyond the beach several miles away, was a fleet of low and long wooden ships bearing red sails. Each ship had a double barrel cannon turret on the forward bow, and from here, Spike could make out black mages standing on the deck. No, he thought as his heart sank. Not black mages! I don't want to fight them! From what he saw, there were at least twenty ships.

“W-What the hay!?” Applejack stammered out, more surprised by the unexpected fleet than Spike.

“That's the Alexandrian fleet!” Dagger proclaimed in alarm, prompting Zidane to look away from their foe to take in the fleet.

Brahne's come here? Spike wondered as he looked to the princess, fear written on her features. He then glared back at Kuja. What's he got planned? And what did he do with my friends!? Kuja's arms were folded, seeming to bask in the situation he was in.

“So,” Kuja began, drawing the eyes of the others. “The curtain rises!” He proclaimed as he raised his arms dramatically. My friends came here to take this man down, and end his weapon selling. Now he's taken them! We'll make him pay! Spike pulled out his staff as Kuja talked, preparing a spell for when Applejack made the call. Kuja motioned to Dagger with a smile.

“This is just perfect, my little canary.” Kuja then motioned towards the fleet. “Behold! The truth of your mother! She isn't satisfied with just one continent!” He put his had over his head as he shook it in disappointment. “You mother's stupidity is only matched by her ugliness. Which is actually quite impressive.” Come on Applejack, what are you waiting for? Spike wondered as he looked to his friend, who seemed reluctant to start the battle.

Kuja looked down upon them, the air tense with the desire for battle, making his smile grown wider. “This is just wonderful, everything is proceeding as I have foreseen.”

“What are you talking about!?” Zidane asked, his knuckles white on his doublesword. Wait, this man's been planning for us? Why? And why Pinkie and the others? The princess, I can understand, but Pinkie? Spike wondered as Kuja continued.

“All the actors have taken up their posts, now the story will play out, with me standing on top.” He made a sweeping motion, indicating the tree and the fleet. “And you four, are a part of the audience.” He finished with a light bow. “So we begin with Act 1: 'Gifts' of the World.” He finished as he gave them a sly smile.

“As if, you're going down!” Zidane declared.

“We're not lettin' ya get away!” Applejack said before readying her blade, taking up a battle stance. Spike teleported above Kuja's roost, getting a casual glance from the man in white as he looked over the others.

“Mist is a wonderful thing,” Kuja began as he pulled out a black stone the size of an apple. “It can take any shape witnessed from the memories of the worlds, even in its pure form, it can be condensed, and made use of by those with the power.” He divvied out as he played with the stone in his hands.

“Huh?” Zidane asked as Spike wondered what the villain was up to.

“I can make monsters with magic, you fools!” Kuja then tossed the stone at Spike's friends, Zidane attempted to knock it away from them, but it exploded into mist before his blade connected. “Come forth, my mistlings!” Kuja declared with a light chuckle as the mist that obscured the area came to life and took form. Not good!

As the mist dispersed, the party found themselves face to face with four insectoid creatures of black chitin and a humanoid form. They had small, green and emerald wings, and green bug eyes. They were over seven feet tall, and bulky. What!? They almost look like-

“Changelings!?” Applejack finished, as the mistlings leapt forward to attack. As Spike prepared his spell, he saw Kuja get on the silver dragon and fly towards the sea. Spike's eyes darted from the mistlings to Kuja, and shouted out in frustration as he prepared a spell for the monsters.

Zidane dodged the one that swiped at him, and Spike witnessed the failed attack easily claw through the bark where Zidane had stood. As Zidane bound around behind his attacker, Applejack took a hit for Dagger, and to Spike's relief, the mare didn't seem bothered by the impact. She then parried the attacks of the other two mistlings, and with their attacks momentarily avoided, the party began their counterattack.

Applejack used her Round-Up! ability, seeming to suddenly be in four places at once as she bucked each mistling into a cluster between them all. Though it wasn't the first time he'd seen her use this ability, he was still impressed by it. So cool!

With the mistlings clustered together tightly, Spike pepper bombed them with a Thundara, and with the combined damage of Zidane's bladed assault and Dagger's eidolon, the mistlings were destroyed.

“Cht- That was simply annoying-” Zidane began as he looked back to Kuja, then looked dismayed as he saw that the villain had fled. “That coward!”

“He's over there!” Spike claimed as he pointed off towards the sea, where they spotted Kuja. As he got close to the fleet, it seemed as though the ocean suddenly exploded with mist, lightly obscuring the ships as the fleet fell under siege by newly spawned mistlings. The flash and thunder of cannon fire could be witnessed by the party, as the battle between Kuja and Brahne began. As the others looked on, Spike teleported to their side, wondering worriedly what had become of Pinkie, Eiko, and the tall stranger, Amarant.

“Hah,” Kuja scoffed as his dragon weaved to avoid cannon fire. Foolish Brahne, your cannons are useless against the monsters of the mist! He let out a light chuckle as he saw two of the ships explode from the harm his mistlings inflicted. Using the mist from the mistlings that perished in the blast, he created more. His army was limitless as long as he had mist, which he had planted more then enough for this task. Kuja looked to Brahne's ship, his laughter dying.

But even a fool like you knows that there is only one path you can take, right? He looked to her, his brow furrowing in impatience. “Stupid elephant-lady! Why do you hesitate!?” He waited for his moment, but it wasn't readily available.

“Very well,” He said as he let out a sigh. “I'll make the first move! I'll give you a clean target. You can't miss!" He then looked over the terrain, and found a suitable spot for her. "Silver Dragon, descend!” Following his command, Kuja descended to the beach, frustrated with anticipation, as he gave the fleet a cold look.

“Dammit!” Zidane proclaimed as he kicked the tree. “How are we suppose to find the others!?” Applejack nodded in annoyance as she glared at the man that separated her friends from her. Just what is he up to!? She wondered as Spike spoke up.

“A moogle! We need a moogle!” He exclaimed, looking back towards the mountains where the path to Madain Sari was. Applejack and Zidane shared a surprised look before Applejack turned to the young dragon.

“Yer right sugarcube! We can find Pinkie and Eiko with the help of any of the moogles at the village!”

“What about Amarant?” Spike asked, surprising Applejack as she took on an almost ashamed expression. Oh, yea, I guess he's with us too. She thought before shaking her head, looking to Spike.

“Uh, he's more than likely with them.” She said as she rubbed her head, “If not, Mog can help, maybe?” Spike nodded as he looked back towards the fleet. So, Kuja and Brahne are gonna fight? Less work fer us if ya ask me! She thought as Zidane spoke up.

“I don't think Brahne has a chance against Kuja,” he coldly proclaimed, as already a small number of the ships were lost to the mistlings.

“Well, let's get a move on, they're probably in big trouble-” Applejack began, but saw Dagger shake her head, looking to her pendant, before looking back to the battle. Princess?

“I, I can't go with you.” Dagger explained as she held her hand over her heart. “I'm worried about the others, but...”

“What's wrong?” Spike asked of her, she looked to him, then to Zidane.

“What is it Princess?” Applejack asked, failing to hide her impatience. Wait, is she worried about her mother? Ah tarnations!

“I, I can't let anything happen to her.” Dagger admitted, worry etched into her face. “But, I want to help save our friends too. Madain Sari is so far away, and she's right there.” she finished as she cast her eyes towards the fleet. “And the soldiers, they're just following orders. They have families back home, we have to help them!”

“Dagger?” Zidane asked, his brow furrowed. “She stole your eidolons from you. She started a war! And those soldiers took part in it!”

“I still don't want her to die!” She proclaimed, making Zidane's frown deepen. Spike and Applejack shared a somber look, then nodded. Dagger's right, Applejack thought, about the soldiers. They need help, though I don't know what we should do about the queen.

“Dagger!” Zidane shouted, approaching her, his annoyance now full blown anger. “She didn't care one bit whether you lived or died! You don't have to call her mother anymore! She isn't even your real mother in the first place.”

“She's my only mother!” Dagger replied, her worry replaced with anger, directed to Zidane. “I don't care if you don't understand!” She looked from him to the roots of the tree, looking for something. “Eiko told us earlier that there was an eidolon sealed near the tree. Maybe I can use it to save mother!”

“Wait, she did?” Applejack asked in confusion. Did I miss somethin'?

“You were talking to Pinkie back then.” Spike explained, still worried for his friends as he brought Applejack up to speed. “Eiko said that Carbuncle, the eidolon that made the barrier around the tree, had made that barrier to seal the failed summon.” Spike looked contemplative before looking back to the mare. “She said it was close to the sea, in a shrine.”

Huh, why didn't Eiko say there were two eidolons here sooner? She wondered as Zidane turned to face Dagger, a determined look on his face. Oh Zidane, ya gotta let it go, the princesses has that look on her face, there's no changin' her mind.

“Dagger-” Zidane began, his anger abandoned during that small reprieve.

“Zidane,” Applejack interrupted, “I'm with her on this one.”

“Same here.” Spike agreed, “Yea, her mom's done a lot of bad things, but, they're family, and we can't let those soldiers...” Spike shook his head as he looked to Zidane. “We have to make sure they make it back home!” Spike's looked ready to cry, almost prompting her to move to his side, but Spike kept his tears down. Zidane scratched the back of his head as he looked to the three of them.

“What about the others?”

“I don't know.” Applejack admitted, looking to her hooves, “I'd say split up, two of us to the eidolon, two fer the village, but somethin' tells me that's a poor plan.” Zidane nodded in agreement.

“The shrine is closer.” Zidane affirmed as he cast his gaze over the root system. “Let's move.” After searching for a few moments, he pointed to a patch of roots near the sea. “Over there!” Seeing it, Applejack let Spike on her back as they all moved down the roots towards it. “Let's hope our friends can hold out for us.” Zidane added, and Spike looked to the thief, giving him a smile.

“It's Pinkie, Eiko, and Amarant! If they're together, they should be fine!” He proclaimed, putting on some bravado as they moved closer to the sea, the sound of cannon fire breaking over their hurried footsteps.

“Yer right sugarcube.” Applejack said as she gave him a small smile. “Let's not do somethin' that'll lead to us needin' to be rescued by them!” Her bravado reinforced Spike's, and together, they managed to dispel a small amount of worry from the party.

Several minutes passed as they moved through the roots towards the shrine, when suddenly the world around them flashed pink. Applejack looked behind to see Zidane and Dagger flash red and light purple respectively. The colorful glow didn't last long, but something about it made her feel nostalgic, and for a second, it reminded her Twilight, back in the realm between worlds. Looking back towards their destination, she saw a wave of pink light moving away from them, stretching out to the horizon in all directions.

W-What was that!? She thought as she glared back up to the tree, seeing the globe in its center go blank.

“Just what was that?” Zidane asked in confusion as he also looked behind him to the tree. Applejack's eyes widened as she saw the blank globe change to the place where most everything precious to her was.

“It's Equestria!” Spike proclaimed, a little happy, then his mirth turned to confusion. “Why?”

“Did Kuja do that?” Dagger asked as she looked towards the battle, Applejack matching her actions. She spotted the silver dragon, and it's rider perched near the beach, overlooking the battle a distance away.

“I don't know, maybe-”

Then the tree started to glow as light pored from the Equestrian globe to the other eight globes above, cascading into a rainbow towards the heavens. They looked in confused awe as the rainbow revealed another world hidden high above, becoming a ceiling that covered most of the sky above them.

“W-What's happening!?” Spike asked as he held onto Applejack, as the roots were starting to shake. Zidane moved to Dagger's side to help her as they all looked at the tree as it shimmered.

“It's gotta be Unified Fantasy!” Applejack proclaimed, her ears low as she saw her home imposed on the sky above, centered over the Iifa Tree.

Kuja had his mistlings cease attacking to let Brahne bathe in the majesty of the tree. He smiled as the cannon fire died down, all eyes to the heavens. He looked to the tree as it glowed brighter, taking in the new Equestrian globe centered at it's core.

So, my star actress complete her big finish, before Brahne even! Marvelous! Kuja thought with a wide grin, applauding the pink mare as he looked to Equestria in the sky. Now, become mist, and show that man what his schemes are worth! He cast his arms towards the sky as the tree's glow hummed and brightened, his eyes open wide, ready to witness a world's end.

Wait, the tree is humming? He looked to the glowing tree, a little confused it was making noise, then he suddenly heard the booming sound of someone snapping their fingers. It was, naturally, hard to avoid hearing, as it reverberated off of everything, making the water shiver, the ground tremble, and the clouds scatter.

As the snap died down, it's echo bouncing off the terrain, the tree made a sputtering sound, its brilliance flicking in time with the sputtering, before the tree gave out a pathetic popping noise, its radiance dying out, reverting to its normal state, its magic gone.

“What!?” Kuja asked out loud, glaring at the tree, then Equestria. “That's not part of the act! How!?” He stood there thinking a moment, considering the explanations, before coming to a conclusion, re-adopting his smile.

“I see, it must have been one of Equestria's eidolons. Well done Equestria, well done!” He said as he looked to the world in the sky. Why rule one, when I can have both? If the eidolons are mighty enough to affect the Iifa Tree, then my choice wasn't wrong! He looked back to the smoking fleet, and almost without warning, his mistlings continued their attack.

Well, Brahne, you're up! Though, I doubt you can top that performance- He was interrupted as he felt a presence moving towards him, a powerful, malicious presence.

Several of Kuja's mistlings started to turn on the others, making Kuja let out a sigh as he focus his attention on the presence. How foolish. With his power over mist, it was a simple affair to convert the essence of the one that possessed the crystal into a mist stone. Levitating it towards him, Kuja appraised the stone as he regained control over his mistlings.

The stone resembled a gem more than a rock, it fit the palm of his hand, and was mostly black, with streaks of red and violet laced within. Despite being contained, Kuja could feel the emotions of the one trapped within, seething with hatred for the man in white.

“How silly, as if an old memory sealed in crystal could harm me.” He addressed the stone, then glanced up to Equestria. “Despite that, I think I'll do you the service of returning you home.” Kuja imagined the havoc that would bring to Equestria, and chuckled a little. “Once I'm done here, I'll return you to my dear little sister, I'm sure she'll be overjoyed to see you.” Kuja then looked back to Brahne, having his mistlings go easy on her ship.

Well, Brahne, I'm waiting! He thought as he pocketed the hateful gem, looking forward to what was coming next.

“What was the snap?” Spike asked as he looked to the tree, relieved that it stopped doing whatever it was going to do. “It kinda reminded me of Discord.” And mentioning Discord reminded him of their missing party members.

“I can only guess.” Zidane admitted as they continued to the eidolon shrine. “There's so much going on! It's frustrating not knowing! If Kuja gets close to us, we're gonna beat some answers out of him!” Zidane proclaimed, getting no argument from his company.

Almost at the shrine, Spike cast his gaze back up to the tree, hoping his friends were doing okay.

He looked on, confused, as one moment, the pink mare was looking around in confusion, and the next, she was in a small ball on the floor, crying. He heard a loud sound, someone snapping their fingers, that made him take up a defensive stance, looking around for the source. As he looked, the glow of the bark hummed, flickered, and died, and in the silence that followed, the mare's tears seemed to redouble.

“Pinkie?” The child asked in concern, walking towards the mare. He saw her aura start to share the same hue as the crying pony, but it paled to compare to the pony's intensity.

What's going on? Why is she sad? Her aura always flared with an impressive amount of intensity, and this was no exception.

“Pinkie? What's wrong?” The child repeated. He understood the mare's color, but not the cause of it. He had seen this color before, and he found it, bothersome, to look upon. Still, he stared upon it, feeling as though it would have been wrong to look away.

“She's lost something important.” He explained, “Something that can't be replaced.” The child's aura became confused as she looked to him.

“D-Discord.” One word, it was all the mare could manage, making the child's breath catch. She held her fist to her heart, then leaned close to the mare, giving her a hug. He watched as her aura took in some of the mare's, thinning it out, helping the mare with her sorrow.

“Pinkie. You said grown-ups cry too.” She said as she petted the pony's mane. “I'm sorry.” She whispered as the mare weakly returned the embrace. “I'm so sorry.”

He stood on, seeing the exchange between the two. They were both weak in his eyes, and now, their auras were a bothersome color. He didn't know what this 'Discord' was, and he didn't care, her aura was a bothersome color, and he had no intention of looking upon it any further.

He moved to them, his movements unnoticed by the pair, as he turned his back to them, and sat down, his back touching the mare's. Whether she noticed or not, he didn't care.

He sat there, and expanded his aura, embracing theirs, and taking in their color. He sat there as the pink one sobbed, and the child comforted her. He sat there, and let his very presence assure them, help them, strengthen them.

They were weak. But he found that admirable. He saw it, as potential. And his aura wavered as he realized, he wanted them to become stronger. So, he sat there, and let his aura give them strength, and before long, the sobs died down, the comforting words trailing off, as in silence, they all took solace, in each others presence.

Zidane appraised the shrine as they approached it. It was built upon a large stone platform twenty feet across, with a large serpentine statue standing from the middle, it's long tail extending from the body and wrapping around the edge of the circle. Its body had lines trailing down its sides and spine, and its head resembled a spear. The head was positioned as if looking down, towards the ground, low enough for Dagger to rest her own head against.

I don't see why we need to do this. Zidane thought as he looked to Dagger, seeing the hope etched on her face. But I hope this will make her happy. Zidane then looked to the Alexandrian fleet. Brahne will answer for what she's done, I hope Dagger understands that.

“I can sense the eidolon's power.” Dagger said as she pulled away from the statue, a smile born of relief on her face. “Now, Now I can save my mother!” She placed her head back upon the statue, whispering to it, begging for its aid.

As she begged, prayed, she gave off a light purple glow, and the statue took it in. The lines glowed with power, tracing down its body, all the way down to the tip of its tail. As its tail was lit by magic, a pair of ethereal wings became illuminated, attached behind the eidolon's head, giving it a majestic appearance.

Zidane took note of the purple glow, as it was the same color as the magic that had washed over her when the pink wave passed them. As the eidolon's power radiated out, Zidane felt a chill run up his spine, and looking to the others he saw they felt something similar as well. So, what is this eidolon capable of? He wondered as Dagger stepped back from the eidolon, looking dismayed, a gem in her hands. What's wrong!? He moved closer to Dagger's side as she cried out.

“No!” Disappointment ringing out as she shook her head. “I can't save my mother with this eidolon!”

“Dagger! What's wrong?” He asked with concern as he moved to her side.

“It didn't work!?” Spike asked, alarmed. Dagger shook her head as she looked back towards the sea, there were only seven ships left, one being the flagship. She then looked to her friends.

“No,” She affirmed, “I have it. But, but... It's Leviathan, an eidolon that washes foes away with a terrible tidal wave.”

“Leviathan!?” Spike exclaimed, casting his glance back up to the new world in the sky before appraising the statue, looking impressed.

“I, I don't know what to do now.” Dagger admitted as she looked back towards the sea. Despite the mist being dispelled by the pink wave, there were still a small number of mistlings attacking the remain ships, and Kuja seemed no worse off for it regardless.

Brahne looked over her fleet in dismay. She didn't think one man was capable of this much. Just a little longer! Then I can- A soldier quickly moved to her side, addressing her.

“Your Majesty! The black mages have completed their preparations! We've also prepared the re-purposed cargo ship! It's ready for departure at a moment's notice!”

“Hmph! Now that our mages are ready, we won't need the lifeboat!” The queen boasted as she glared at Kuja.

“Finally, that insolent whelp will taste my power! Black mages! Grant me your magic!” She ordered, and felt their power channel towards her, and with an eager glee, she brought that magic upon a Garnet in her hand, the very one extracted from her daughter.

“Come!” She beckoned, holding the gem out before her.

“Draconic Seedling! Bahamut, King of Dragons! Slay the fool before me!”

The Garnet flared as the sea before her ship formed into a large ring of fire. And after a moment, a large form burst forth from the ring, out into the sky, flying low to the sea at great speed, making the water wake beneath its wings. The King of Dragons, brown, majestic, muscular yet slender, with a pair of large horns, flew high, it's attention falling upon Kuja and his silver dragon, who stood on the beach. Kuja looked up to Bahamut as if it was the second best thing to happen all day.

Bahamut took in a deep breath, his mouth lighting with a terrible glow, as his power fired forth, raining down upon Kuja several flares of fire that washed the area in destruction, Kuja disappearing in a wash of fire and devastation.

“Wow.” Spike said, looking at Bahamut wide eyes, smitten by his majesty and power. “None of the dragons in Equestria are as slim as him! And he's so fast!” Spike's worry for Dagger didn't stand a chance against the spectacle of an eidolon, especially when that eidolon was the King of Dragons.

“Amazing!” Dagger proclaimed, almost as impressed as the baby dragon. “Now we can win! And mother won't die!” Spike heard the crackle of thunder, and was driven to the source in confusion, as there wasn't a cloud in the sky since that loud snapping-

Above the Iifa Tree, a dark cloud grew, almost as if summoned by some unseen force. The clouds rolling above the tree were black, casting a dark shadow over the whole of Iifa, and in short order, the rest of his friends noticed it as well. The cloud grew out, spreading over a good portion of Iifa's root system, but despite its size, Equestria could still be seen around the cloud's edges.

“What's that darn tree up to now!?” Applejack asked, fed up with everything happening today.

“Kuja! He's still alive!” Zidane declared, getting the others to look to the sea, spotting Kuja flying out of the fiery mess caused by Bahamut, on the back of the silver dragon.

Kuja looked back at the mess Bahamut had caused, the fires still burning strong. He felt something slide down his face, and wiping it away, he saw blood on his hand. His surprise turned into his typical smile as he looked to the King of Dragons.

“Blood.” He chuckled a little as he glanced back to his hand, impressed. “Excellent! Bahamut! Power, mobility, you truly are the best! You even hurt me, a little.” He then cast his gaze to Brahne, adopting a smug look.

And you, Brahne. Your tragic role in this drama now comes to an end! I'm sure you'll enjoy the second act from your soul's hellish prison, since the stage will be your former home! He then cast his gaze to the sky, seeing beyond the dark cloud above the Iifa Tree, his eyes seeing something invisible to all others.

And the final act will take us away from Gaia, and I will kill my nemesis, with my own hand! He pictured it in his mind's eye, the look on that man's face as he ended him. The picture made him chuckle, imagining what it would feel like, to finally be free of that man's shadow.

Everything, is going according to plan. He then looked back up, this time, his eyes falling upon Equestria, then to the black, red, and violet malicious gem in his possession. One way, or another.

He summoned his magic, raising his arms to the dark cloud, calling forth the entity within. From the center of the cloud, above the tree, a large, red eye appeared. Hidden in the clouds, it had the appearance of the eye of a monster, and at Kuja's call, it let forth a wave of purple and pink energy, casting its magic down, directly onto Brahne's fleet, and Bahamut, who was moving to pursue Kuja. Kuja was washed in it as well, but was unaffected, as he saw it make the enemy soldiers on Brahne's ships cradle their heads in pain.

Washing over the targets, the cannon fire immediately stopped, and no longer seeing a need for them, Kuja dispersed the mistlings. He brought them together into a large mist stone, drawing it to him as he watched the black mages he had graciously given the queen the recipe for fall down, lifeless.

The power of the eye influenced the King of Dragons, altering its perspective, and after a brief, fruitless struggle, it answered the call of a new master. It, like all eidolons, was a puppet to its master, and now, the master it answered to, was currently flying on the back of a silver dragon.

Kuja smiled.

“Annihilate Queen Brahne, and her adorable fleet.” He commanded, as he directed the silver dragon to remove them from this place, not even gracing the queen with witnessing her demise.

And so, the curtain falls.

Applejack watched in awe, and worry, as the light that washed over the battlefield ended, the dark cloud it originated from dispersing. She thought she saw something red within the cloud, but with the tree still towering over them, she couldn't make it out. Argh! Just what the hay is goin' on!? Applejack spotted Kuja flying away from the fleet, giving her a focus for her frustration. That damn coward! He should come back here and fight us-

There was a loud explosion from the shore, and they all saw one of the remaining ships become swallowed by fire. Bahamut had turned on its summoner, and with another blast, another ship was swallowed up. They all watched in horror, as one by one, the rest of the fleet was destroyed, the last ship being Brahne's, suffering the same fate of all others.

Dagger fell to her knees, looking at the destroyed fleet in dismay, horror, fear, and underneath it all, a small glimmer of hope. As Zidane moved to her side, Bahamut, its task done, flew towards the sky, dispersing into streams of blue light, as the summoning ended.

“Dagger, I, I.” Zidane's brow furrowed, Applejack knew how he felt, she wanted to assure the princess, but didn't know what to say to help. Applejack shook her head. We just can't stand here! 'He who hesitates'! The mare thought as she turned to her friends, moving to Dagger and Spike's side.

“Spike! Dagger! Get on!” Applejack declared, getting surprised looks from them. “Move it! Let's get to the shore! There's bound to be survivors!” Dagger looked to Applejack, gratitude written in her eyes, as they moved to get to the shore as swiftly as they could. As they moved, Applejack caught something separate itself from the wreck of Brahne's ship. A smaller vessel, a ship unto itself, unharmed by Bahamut's assault, was heading to the shore.

“We can't linger here.” The man declared, “Let's move.” He got up, surprising Eiko with how close he had been to her. Why was he sitting so close- Wait!

“Pinkie isn't in the condition for that, stupid!” Eiko declared as she glared at the loner.

“She needs to move. Start now, or start later.” He then pointed at Eiko, “But I'm going now.” He then put his claws on as he moved over to the elevator shaft.

“Fine! Go! We don't need-” Eiko began, but Pinkie got up, surprising her, and turned to the brute.

“Please... Don't go.” She weakly asked, making him stand rigid as he looked to her. He then scratched the back of his head as he turned his back to them.

“Follow, and I won't. Get on your hooves, and move.” Eiko felt something from the man, an unspoken promise. 'Move, or you'll be left behind.' Eiko frowned at him, not understanding how he was able to radiate sensations like that.

Pinkie nodded, and moved over to his side. Her steps were heavy, and Eiko was afraid she'd fall over, so she stood by her side, and helped her reach the rude warrior. He looked back to Pinkie, and nodded.

“Was that so hard?” He asked of her, and she looked up at him, she was emotionally drained, but his words still somehow got a small smile out of her. What? How did he do that!? Eiko wondered as she appraised the man, starting to look at him in a new light.

“Stay still,” He said as he picked up Pinkie, like a rag doll, and tucked her under his arm. She didn't seem bothered by it. Eiko looked to him, alarmed at his strength, as he knelt down. “Neck.” He commanded, and Eiko understood, and grabbed him around the neck, holding on tightly.

“Why are you helping?” Eiko asked. He glanced over his shoulder to her, then jumped down into the elevator shaft, making Eiko's heart almost jump out of her chest. Sparks rained down upon them as he used his free arm to drag his claw through the shaft walls, slowing their fall, but not by much. Oh no no no nonononono! Eiko panicked as she picture them hitting the bottom, and cast her floating spell on the three of them, greatly reducing their falling speed.

“Hey, Pinkie?” Eiko began, after composing herself. The idea of this man making Pinkie smile before her was bothering Eiko. She wanted to help her friend, and she could now see, that this man was doing just that, in his own, strange, rude way. Not hearing her friend reply, she continued anyway, as they slowly slid down the shaft.

“That place, where you saved me. That, was...” She frowned, she didn't want to bring this up, but she felt it would help Pinkie, so, she took a deep breath, and shared her most personal memory with her. “That, was the memory of my grandpa dying.”

“He, he was old. His body was weak.” She felt her chest tighten as she took a deep breath. “It, was bound to happen sooner or later. Still, I tried to save him, with my magic. It didn't work. And I felt so bad, so ashamed. I, I hated that I couldn't save him.” She felt herself become teary eyed, but didn't force it down. Not this time.

“He told me, that he was proud of me. Glad, that I could use that kind of magic, since I was so young.” She hoped the man carrying them didn't mind the tears on the back of his neck as she continued.

“I wanted to save him, but he saved me instead. So you know what I did, after he was gone?” She asked, hoping Pinkie would respond.

“What?” She asked quietly, her voice laced with genuine curiosity, and empathy.

“I practiced. I wanted to be better. At everything. Healing, summoning, I read every book the village still had, and I tried very hard.” Eiko paused for a moment, reflecting on that time, it was rough, and she always felt a little lonely, but, she was never truly alone. “I don't think I would have managed, without Mog helping me.” Her comment getting a quiet affirmation of approval from the moogle in her pocket.

“Pinkie, you said I'm not alone. You're not alone either. You lost someone important to you, it hurts, I know. We know. We're here for you, to help you through, so please, try to smile. You're not the same without a smile.” As her words hung in the air, the shaft suddenly widened, and they fell into free-fall as they reached the chamber where the elevator dais was. The base of the tree. After landing softly from Eiko's magic, the man put Pinkie down, and Eiko let go of him.

Eiko looked to her pink friend, who turned around, giving her a light smile. And Eiko gave her one back.

“It hurts, you're right.” Pinkie admitted as she looked to the golden necklace she had. “But when both of you are at my side, it hurts less.” She then walked up to Eiko, giving her a kiss on the forehead, to Eiko's surprise. “Thank you.” She then walked up to the man, who looked at her, his aura radiating caution.

“Amarant.” Pinkie said, and though Eiko couldn't see it, she felt Pinkie giving him a small smile. “Thank you, for being my friend.” And she nuzzled his arm, which only worked to confuse the warrior.

“I do not understand what you mean. Seeing your aura that color was simply bothersome.” He then looked to her, then nodded to the exit. “Can you move on?” Pinkie held her hoof over her heart as she looked up to him.

“I don't know. I, don't want to. But my friends want to see me smile, and I want to see them smile. So, I'll try, but, I can't do it alone.” She admitted as she looked to Eiko, then back to Amarant, and her smile grew.

“Nonsense." He sternly replied, "You were strong enough to get down here, you're strong enough to move on.” He then started towards the exit. “Let's go.” Pinkie followed behind, her body still weak, but her spirits raised. Eiko looked to the warrior's back, and had to wonder who this man was. Amarant. I don't get it, how is he helping her like that?

He had almost killed the both of them when he was possessed, and yet, somehow, they ended up being better off with him at their side. Well, if Pinkie thinks he's worth her friendship, then me too! With that thought, Eiko moved up to his side, a small spring in her step as she gave him a smile.

He looked at her, a little confused, before shaking his head.

“How did I end up with these weirdos.” He asked, getting a small chuckle from Eiko, which was mirrored by Pinkie.

Eiko's eyes then widened as she spotted something completely new and mysterious. A moogle was riding a large blue bipedal bird towards them, crying out for Pinkie Pie, and Pinkie waved to the moogle. Seeing a small fire in the mare's eyes, Eiko felt that Pinkie would be just fine, with time, and the comfort of her friends.

Dagger ran over to her mother's side. Her heart pounding as she saw the woman who had taken care of her for as long as she could remember, lay dying on the beach. The queen was spared annihilation of Bahamut's rampage by taking shelter on her vessel's large lifeboat, but she was still maimed by the heat of the dragon's flames, and Dagger's magic, and the healing items they possessed, could not undo the damage caused by the King of Dragons.

“Mother!” Dagger cried out, her heart becoming heavy with accepting there was nothing they could do for her. And there, at her mother's side, she started to cry.

“I can hear... my daughter's.... voice.” Brahne got out, her voice sounding separated, as if she wasn't completely aware of her fate. She weakly looked to her daughter, clarity washing over her as she saw her tears.

“Yes, mother!” Dagger got out, “I'm here! Right here...” Brahne looked to her, taking a ragged breath as she smiled.

“I am... empty now. Free... of that... terrible greed.”

“Mother...” Even with everything Brahne had done, Dagger still loved her, she didn't want to lose her. Brahne reached out, cupping her daughter's face in her hand, and Dagger held her hand close.

“I haven't... felt this way... since I saw that play.... with you... and your father.” Brahne reached over with her other hand, letting go of a great weight, as she dropped two crystals before her daughter that resembled the royal pendant. She started to chuckle lightly, then coughed violently before falling silent. After a minute, she looked back to her daughter, her eyes filled with sorrow, for what she had done to her child.

“I led... Alexandria... down... the path... of ruin.”

“Mother-” Dagger whispered desperately, seeing her breaths growing weaker by the second.

“The people... will be... happier... with you... on... the throne...” She finished, with a smile, as Dagger felt the strength within the arm cupped to her cheek give way, and the queens breathing stilled. And in the glow of the sunset, the princess wept for her mother, now an orphan twice, losing the parents that she was born to, and the parents she was raised and cared by.

The three of them watched Dagger cry over the death of the queen, Spike and Applejack sitting side by side, the young dragon crying, but taking comfort in the mare's presence.

There was no love for the queen by any of the others, but the Equestrians were sad for their friend, and even Zidane was down as well. He had no encouraging words for Dagger, and he looked frustrated for it.

As the sun set, the light reflecting from Equestria became more and more obvious, it would be a bright night under its light, and they couldn't help but wonder, in the glow of the fading light, how all of this had happened.

The three of them looked to the sound of approaching footsteps, and let out a collective sigh of relief as they saw the others approaching, following a particular moogle and blue chocobo.

They shared a small, grateful reunion, and brought each other up on the events that occurred, and they found their moods no better off at seeing their most enthusiastic member grief stricken. They had all been played by Kuja. He had led Brahne to her death, and tricked Pinkie into losing a dear friend, and now Equestria lay in the sky, and they didn't know why, but they all agreed, it wasn't for any good reason.

Consoling Dagger, and Pinkie, they all boarded Brahne's large lifeboat, and set sail, their destination, Alexandria. The man they came to take down got away, so they left, defeated. As they departed, they also took Dagger's mother, so she could be buried with her husband.

Pinkie, Dagger, Eiko, Spike, and Applejack all rested together, keeping each other company, as Amarant looked on, saying nothing, but respecting the silence their emotions brought on. Zidane stood separate from them all, piloting the vessel, as he glanced to Equestria, certain, that there was more ahead of them, and fearful, of what could be lost in the process.

'I miss him. Even after everything we've been through, I still miss him.'

'It was hard, being a happy pony without him. There were times where I'd stumble, and expect him to help me up, but when I looked, he was nowhere to be found, reminding me of what I lost.'

'But I did move on, holding him close to my memories. He helped me, saved me, made me laugh, made me cry. We were once enemies, and it ended with us being the best of buds, and I will never forget that.'

'He was selfish, rude, compulsive, and always forgot the whipped cream. He was also my hero. And now, he's more than that. He saved Equestria, he was everyponies' hero, it's because of that, I can forgive his lie.'

'I loved Discord, I just wished we could have spent more time together, I wished the old magical ritual of another world hadn't torn us apart.'

'No, that's not quite right. We were brought together because of that ritual, so I guess it was only natural that it tore us apart.'

'I, don't even know what I'm trying to say at this point. I guess, I just miss him, and I regret not having more time with him, but that I'm fine now.'

'Heh.'

'On some nights, when I look up to the stars, I can feel him, smiling down on me. I never failed to return that smile, no matter how gloomy I was. Feeling the stars smile upon me, always cheered me up. I moved on, because I know he's watching, and I want to make sure that when he sees me, I'm smiling too.'