Chapter Ten: Through The End Of Time

"Ow! Ow! Careful Tifa…please!" Riz said, almost wanted to cry for Tifa was treating Riz's hand. Tifa sighed.

"For why you have to touch Masamune's dagger, I don't understand", Tifa began, looking at Masamune. Masamune held up his hands.

"Hey I didn't know she'll do that!" Masamune explained. Tifa shook her head.

"It's not his fault Tifa. I was afraid he'll be thinking that I'm Alice, disguising", Riz explained. Her light blue eyes turned to Ixa. "What are your plans?"

"Plans?" Ixa asked, dumbfounded. The lass nodded. Ixa's dark blue eyes turned to Sir Leon. "Depends on Sir Leon…"

"We're planning to go back", Sir Leon replied. "Right now". Riz, Chris, and Sir Hayato were alarmed.

"As in…right now? At this moment…at this time?" Chris asked. Sir Leon nodded. "So soon…"

"I'm really sorry Chris…it's just that…there's no time to waste", Sir Leon replied. His eyes turned to Riz. "If you're ready my dear…please open a portal". Riz's eyes looked down, her bangs covering her eyes.

"Sir…is it okay if Riz and Chris can go with us?" Eiser began, breaking the tension. Riz and Chris looked at each other then to Sir Leon. "S-Sir?"

"I-I'm sorry Eiser…there will be no Dark Angel Messengers here if they'll go with us", Sir Leon said, softly. Too softly that Riz wanted to cry. She stood up slowly.

"R-Riz your wound", Tifa began. She looked at her and smiled.

"I'm okay Tifa…thank you…"she said with a wry smile. She looked at Sir Leon. "Okay I'll make a portal…"Sir Leon sighed.

"I'm really sorry Riz…we're just in a hurry". The lass shook her head.

"I understand. Stand back everyone", she said. Riz's hand in a prayer as she recalled everything what happened today. "I've bought them here and I guess I have to bring them back too", she thought. Light enveloped beneath her feet as she concentrated on her power. A black portal opened as she opened her eyes and gave a wry smile. "So this is good goodbye…"she said as she turned her back on them. "Hurry before it closes…"

"Riz are you all right?" Masamune began. She nodded her head without looking at them. "Riz-"

"Time is running out…you better act quickly…"Riz interrupted. Chris sighed.

"Don't worry Riz is fine. She just hate to see sad endings", Chris began. They we're quiet. "You four better go before it closes".

"Take care everybody", Cloud began. The three nodded as they made their salute.

"Thanks for the help…Cloud and Tifa", Ixa began. The two nodded.

"Nice to meet you Dark Angel Messengers", Tifa replied. Another nod from them.

"It's time to go", Sir Leon interrupted. Ixa looked at Riz.

"Til' next time Riz…"

"Thank you for everything Riz", Eiser said.

"So long…Riz and Chris…also to Sir Hayato", Masamune began. Sir Hayato nodded with a wry smile.

"Take care", was all Sir Hayato could say. But what they didn't know…

"Come on you three…let's go…"Sir Leon said then added. "Thanks for everything". He went into the portal as the other three followed. And what they didn't know is that Riz was crying.

"Riz…they're gone…"Chris began. It took her some time to speak up.

"T-They are?" Riz began. Chris went to her and was about to tap her shoulder when Riz suddenly hugged her. "I-I really don't want them to go…"Chris gave a wry smile.

"Still the eight year old Riz, I can say". She patted her head lightly. "Don't cry Riz…"

"Hey Riz everything's gonna be fine all right?" Tifa began as she, Cloud, and Sir Hayato went near them.

"Come on Riz they won't be happy to see you crying", said Cloud, stroking her hair.

"I-I'll miss them…"Riz sobbed. Sir Hayato tapped her shoulder. "You'll see them someday dear…"but Riz only cried harder.

FF7

The next day, Tifa was cooking lunch, humming a tune. She got a plate and put the food on it then paused. Cloud, who was behind her put his hands on her shoulder. "Something wrong Tifa?" Cloud asked. Tifa put the food in the corner, turned to Cloud and buried her head on his chest. "S-Something wrong?" Tifa sighed. "What is it?"

"Riz is right…I really miss them…"Cloud sighed as she rubbed her back.

"Me too…the house is really quiet…"Tifa clutched on his shirt a little tighter. "T-Tifa…"

"Promise me Cloud…we'll be together…through the end of time…"Cloud hugged her a little tighter.

"I promise Tifa…through the end of time…"and planted a kiss on her forehead.

FF7

Riz was lying on her bed when she heard a knock on the door. She rolled to the other side and said "Come in". Chris went in with a smile on her face.

"I have good news for us!" Riz looked at her, brows frowned.

"Us?" she repeated again. Chris nodded as Riz stood up. "Let me guess…another mission?" Chris shook her head.

"If you really want to know come with me", Chris said, dragging her to who-knows-where.

FF7

Ixa was done changing her clothes and was busy tying her hair with a chopstick. She groaned as she twirl her hair and insert the chopstick in the middle of her hair. She grinned to herself in the mirror as she decided to visit how her comrades were doing. Ever since they went to the future something has changed. "I wonder how they are doing", Ixa thought, remembering her friends in the future. "I hope they're fine". She opened the door and was shocked to see Eiser. "E-Eiser? What are you doing here?" she asked. It took sometime for Eiser to say something and blurted.

"It really took me some time to knock on your door! I don't know how to say this! Ixa they're here!"

"They? Who are they?" but Eiser was dragging her already. "E-Eiser slow down!"

"Explanations will be later!" all Ixa can do was to sigh.

FF7

When they arrived at the meeting room, Ixa was startled to see two men wearing hoods, talking to their master. "S-Sir something wrong?" Sir Leon looked up with a smile as he stood up. The other two stood up.

"I believe we have company", Sir Leon began. "You may introduce yourselves". The two lower their hoods and Eiser could feel Ixa's jaw almost dropped. She giggled.

"I-It can't be! Chris and Riz!" Ixa exclaimed. Riz immediately went to Ixa and hugged her.

"It's nice to see you again Ixa and Eiser!" Riz began. She broke the hug and hug Eiser.

"How are you Riz? I was really shock that you two are here", Eiser began. Chris went to them and smiled.

"Sir Hayato decided that we really belong here. And besides", Chris was looking at the smiling Riz. "Riz was a little bit lonely back there". Riz nodded happily then turned to Ixa and Eiser.

"Where is Masamune?" Ixa looked at Eiser.

"Where is Masamune, by the way Eiser?" Eiser thought for a while and said with a determined expression.

"Guys follow me!" she said. The three looked at each other then nodded.

FF7

Masamune was lying in the grass, looking up at the sky. He sighed, closing his eyes, remembering his other friends in the future. "Hope they're fine". When he opened his eyes he was shocked to see Riz.

"Hello Masamune!" Masamune immediately stood up.

"Whoa! What the-Riz and Chris? Is that really you?" Masamune asked. Riz nodded happily as Chris shook her head.

"Were you expecting somebody else?" Chris asked back with a grin.

"I…ah…I don't understand".

"Sir Hayato told them they can stay here! Isn't that great?" Eiser explained. Chris gave a slight laugh.

"Really? That's great! We're five messengers already!" Masamune exclaimed. They all gave a slight laugh.

"So I guess…"Ixa began as they looked at her. "This calls for a celebration!"

"Whoa! Is that you Ixa? I don't believe this!" Eiser said. Ixa looked at her, confused.

"Eiser, I demand that you elaborate-"

"I'll elaborate what I said later. Right now we should celebrate! Hurray!" Eiser said, dragging Ixa again. The three gave slight laugh.

"It's good to see you two again", Masamune began. Riz and Chris looked at him then nodded.

"We really belong here", Chris replied. Then Riz added "Can we have a picture taking? I want to give our picture to someone". Masamune and Chris looked at her, confused.

"To who?" but the lass just smiled.

FF7

"I'll get it", Tifa began as she heard the door bell. She opened it and a man handed her a package. "For us?"

"Yes ma'am. It wrote Strife Delivery".

"Thank you", Tifa replied as she took the package and closed the door.

"What is it?" Cloud said as he entered the living room. Tifa was amazed on what she saw. "Tifa?"

"Look". Cloud looked at the picture. It was a picture of their friends. Eiser was holding Ixa's arm as Ixa's smile was not that "perfect" as what they can see. Her facial expression was so funny that Tifa and Cloud chuckled. Masamune and Chris were standing at the sides and Riz was at the front of them making a peace sign. Tifa flipped the picture and saw a brief message.

To: Cloud and Tifa

Friends forever…through the end of time…

From: The Dark Angel Messengers

"What does this mean?" Cloud asked scratching his cheek. Tifa turned to him and smiled.

"I think that Riz and Chris will be living with the other three messengers".

"That's great they'll be together". Tifa nod on what he said.

"Remind me to buy a new picture frame", Tifa reminded. The two laugh, holding the picture of their friends near to their hearts…through the end of time…

The End