Author's Note: Okay, this is basically a collection of the thoughts that go through each character's head at the end of the game. Don't worry if you don't understand some parts; thoughts can be confusing sometimes, right? I'm not really seeing this as much of a creative accomplishment, and hardly even a real fic, so go ahead and flame or say whatever you like. Oh, and the reason Tidus isn't in this list is because I'm stuck in his head all day writing my novelisation, and after a while that gets tiring, wouldn't you say? So, enjoy...or not, whichever you'd rather XP

Auron

He's gone. Jecht's gone. Braska is gone. A flurry of pyreflies, and…is it now my turn? Ah, how long I've wandered this world, much too long, worn out my welcome, overspent my stay, far longer than anyone else in history. The call of the Farplane…it calls, it calls…. A beautiful song, a dreamy sound. Sickening yet lovely, like perfume or flowers. I've never liked flowers, but the Farplane is rife with them, and I don't think I really mind all that much. I can hear it, the song of pyreflies, like a chorus of butterflies only the deaf ears of the dead can hear.

The dance. The beautiful dance. I hate it, I love it. Yuna has always looked so beautiful when she dances, staff forward, sleeves swooping back, her hair rippling and the flower clasp on the yellow ribbon clinking like a tiny bell. Like a flower fairy. Each time is more beautiful, more painful, than before. Her smooth movements so calm, so assuring; it's all I can do to keep my pyreflies in. But do I have to anymore? It's the end, isn't it? My time to go to the home that's calling to me? Ooops. There goes a pyrefly; they'll know I'm dead now, but I don't want to meet their gazes. Only Kimahri and Tidus knew before now.

Sure enough, Yuna falters, confusion filling her strange eyes. They're like a cat's, one blue and one green. "Don't stop." It's my time, can't you see? I realize the living think death is horrible, hateful; they want to forestall it as much as possible. But when it truly is your time, death seems sweet, does it not? Ah, but they will not understand until death is upon them.

"But I…" See?

Sigh. They'll never be able to let an old, weary man die in peace. But that's the way they are. That's how I was to Braska and Jecht. But still… "It's all right. I have lingered here long enough."

Sniffles, dismayed looks crowding in though they stand rooted to the spot. Oh. Do they all care for me that much? Just look at their stricken faces…. Hmm. I never realized. They care for me. They'd gladly save my life, sacrifice their own if necessary, like that one time in the Calm Lands…. Never mind no fiend can hurt me; the motive is the same. I remember the look on Tidus's face, and how Yuna spent all her strength attempting to heal me. They laugh at me sometimes, especially Rikku and Tidus, but wasn't it those two who said, 'That's what friends are for!'?

Hmm. Friends. I have friends among the living once more. If they truly are my friends, feel the way I feel for Braska and Jecht, then…I am in possession of a treasure no Lord Maester could ever boast of.

When did my feet start to move? No matter. I must take one last look on these my friends, for most of them will most likely stay in this world for at least seven more decades.

Wakka, that stubborn blockhead, mind so far buried under Yevon's teachings he nearly suffocated when he discovered it was all poison. And maybe…now that we have rid our hearts of this false god Yu Yevon…. Maybe we will eventually find the true God. Wakka's devotion is not bad; anyone can see he is staunch. Put him on the right track and he will never swerve. He makes a good guardian, though his choice of weapon and hairstyle are perhaps not the best in my book. He's the kind that might make a good leader someday. Humble, encouraging, and as I said before, devoted.

But my time is slowly ticking away; I must move on. There's Kimahri, good old Kimahri, the best keeper of secrets in all of Spira. He, truly, is the one who made all of this possible, taking Yuna under his protection while I went instead to Zanarkand, to keep my promise. Kimahri is strong, but still has a soft heart and sympathy for the small of heart. He will console Yuna, quite effectively, when we leave. A wise man…er, Ronso…indeed. I esteem him nearly as highly as Lord Braska himself.

Oh, and there's Lulu, that strange mix of cool indifference and ire, mixed as easily as she mixes her ice and fire spells. I sometimes wonder what goes on behind those dark eyes, to make certain phrases pop out from her purple-colored lips. A contrast in every way, that is for sure. Still she understands Yuna better than any of us, and as a surrogate sister, can comfort her at times when all our words and actions are futile.

And of course…Rikku. A more cheerfully obnoxious teenager I have never met, with the obvious exclusion of Tidus. Yet their…obnoxiousness…differs greatly in kind. While Tidus uses it mainly as a means to gain attention and showcase his idiocy, I believe that Rikku does it simply because…that's Rikku. Heh. Even I must admit that, in a way, that is what makes her so loveable. I agree with what I heard Tidus mumble once: a puppy. I guess now I…

Gulp. Tidus. A jumble of emotions, both happy and sad, and filled with memories of all kinds. Every time I look at him, I am instantly reminded of Jecht. If there ever was a father's son, it'd be Tidus. And that look…well, if it wasn't that I'm leaving, he'd surely kill me. And no wonder, either. I hardly ever act…well…nice to him. I can't. It's like a wall between my face and my heart.

I feel as though I should say something to console him, or at least say goodbye…for a short time. Let him know that I…but what's this? He's a step ahead of me; his mouth is already open. Guess I'd better brace myself for the telling-off of a lifetime.

"Auron…" What! He's…he's hugging me! Why? What? What do I do? Okay, keep calm. Just…hug him back. It's not that bad. No…it's good. It's great! I've almost wanted to do this anyway for some time. Wait a minute. What's he mumbling? "Thank you, thank you…"

Why's he thanking me? I should be falling at his feet and begging forgiveness for being so heartless, tormenting him at every turn! He's crying, of course. Like Jecht always…Uh-oh. Now I'm crying. I…haven't cried since Braska died in my arms. It feels almost nice to be doing so again, to feel warm wetness pouring down my cheeks and dropping off my chin onto Tidus's golden mass of hair.

Sniff. Tidus looks up in surprise; he's never seen me cry. He is still so much like a child, with those innocent-looking, wide blue eyes, red and swollen from his tears. I can't even keep back a little smile. "Watching your story play out has been the greatest honor and joy of all." Even more than being Lord Braska's guardian.
"You always were such a stiff, but that's what I liked about you, Auron." Start. Jecht said exactly the same thing to me, right before he disappeared through that door in Zanarkand.
"I am very proud of you, Tidus."

Oh, my. Did I finally say the right thing? It's only seldom I've seen him beam so widely.

"Tell my old man I'm coming."

Tidus, Tidus, if you had asked me to chain up Bahamut and bring him back to you, I'd even do that. I think I'd do just about anything for you right now. But…I guess I'll be seeing him again soon enough. This moment together is crucial, though. I'm doing the best I can to be outwardly compassionate. He…he almost feels like a son. No wonder Jecht couldn't stop talking about him. Maybe in the Farplane, I'll tell him my discovery.

Goodbye, Tidus. Turn to the others, nod in farewell, pull out my katana to rest it on my shoulder. Face Yuna (the perfect image of her father) and my ticket home. Please don't cry, Yuna. You'll see me every time you visit the Farplane. So she starts dancing again, and once more I hear that infatuating song of the pyreflies. I don't need to try to hold them in anymore, but…but I…just have…one thing left…

"This is your world now."

Don't…coming…home…want…let go…cry…song…beautiful…so beautiful…I…I…BRASKA!