Making Changes
"My friends..." Tyro announced, "I have something to say."
A crowd had formed around the boy on his soapbox (well, his pedestal was actually a crate). Tyro didn't have any intention of telling everyone right then and there. How would he possibly gather everyone around in such a way that they could all hear? It would have to be the responsibility of the records to spread his words.
"I've learned that we've fallen into a pattern of strife similar to the likes of 'The War of the Gods'," Tyro began,
"And I don't want to follow that same never-ending cycle, putting you all into battle in my name without any resolution."
"I learned of a greater threat, but it's something that we can all avoid!" he said. Murmurs could be heard amongst the crowd. Hushed deliberation sprang up in various corners of the gathered members of Tyro's pantheon.
"To do this... we're no longer gonna follow the script of your pasts," Tyro continued, "I will be the hand that guides our destiny!"
There were gasps of wonder, there were laughs, and even whispers of those that actually preferred their current Purgatory.
"I know it's frightening, and maybe I'm out of my depth," Tyro admitted, "But I haven't led you wrong yet! I'll keep researching, and make sure I don't fail you. So don't lose faith in me! Follow me to a new dawn!"
A smattering of heroes cheered, mostly by the records that had no idea what Tyro was talking about, but whose loyalty was cemented in the boy. There were also a few light clappers, these were the records that were polite, but still pondering the implications of Tyro's words. Many of the Grays left to converge and discuss this in the Hall of Rites. As well, the Villains dispersed to their own devices, without word, but seemingly unperturbed by this. Maybe everything would change, because of this moment. Or maybe... nothing would.
Zone VI
Relm and Celes sat together in Terra's tent, waiting for their squad leader to return. Though, Celes was more like the actual leader (especially in battle), the excuse of waiting for Terra gave the woman more time to think about Tyro's announcement. From what she understood (which was admittedly not enough), Tyro was planning on sending in records into their own realms to literally change history. Perhaps to save someone who had died, or to allow a boss to pass without destroying it, or maybe to thwart a villain's plans early. She had no idea what the implications were of this.
She thought this was possibly fine in and of itself, at least initially. But very quickly afterward, some of the Sixes had begun deliberating among themselves. The group was composed of Mog, Edgar, Cyan, Strago, and Relm. And though they were saying things Celes wasn't completely privy too, she held her tongue and waited for them to fill her in. After a short conversation, Cyan left the group to consult Celes.
'Good,' she had thought, 'Now I won't have to demand they tell me what they were talking about.'
But Cyan wasn't very clear (even though, by now Celes could clearly hear through his accent). He asked whether they could talk to Terra about giving Tyro some suggestions as to what he can and can't change in the chronology. And apparently, the Sixes had quickly assumed that they would be unusually more relevant in making changes for Tyro. With this assumption in mind, they wondered if at the apex of altered timelines, the Sixes would have to get stronger to compensate for any possible new threats.
Anyway, fast-forward to now, Celes had her face pressed into her palms. She was stressed out. Relm stared off to the outside of the tent, perhaps appreciating the colors, or perhaps her mind was that of an empty child; Celes couldn't be sure.
"This... this is stupid," Celes griped, "I don't see why we have any responsibility here."
Relm turned to the woman, with childlike innocence shining from her eyes.
"We're just asking you to think about it a little..." Relm entreated, "We could really have a much larger undertaking than the other records."
"We... we responsible for sealing away all magic, remember?" Relm spoke softly, "So we're probably... the last Story, right? It wouldn't make sense for any of the other worlds to take place after us."
"No! No! Someone probably undoes the seal," Celes responded. Celes didn't know who, or how. She didn't care. She used to treat the child differently. But after seeing Relm develop as a powerful little lady over their travels, Celes couldn't help but think of Relm as an equal (mostly).
Relm was mature, and looked to the future. Many heard the tale. The world where Marche had been born... no magic, no monsters... Was that always eventually going to be the final fate for fairy tales? Celes didn't want to believe that their actions practically ended the possibility for legendary heroes and fantastical adventures to arise.
"Look, Relm, honey, think of the Fifteens. Aren't they probably... from our future? Maybe they're last," Celes hypothesized.
That was something to consider; that the last scraps of magic may have been destroyed in Noctis' timeline. Relm hadn't the opportunity to learn much of the Zone 15 lore. Celes, however, (who had spent a good deal learning about Lucis) was merely throwing a curveball to throw off Relm. The Ex-General didn't really have any notions as to when Noctis' world happens. Really, Celes simply wanted Relm to shut up about it before the two of them met with Tyro. Because Tyro too, enjoyed this crap immensely. And Celes didn't like being rude or annoyed to Tyro. She was quite partial to the boy (platonically). Many forget that Celes, no matter how serious and skilled, was still only a young woman of 18. That is, assuming she didn't have to count the years she wasn't aging here in the Hall of Records.
"Besides, I still don't see why it matters. If anything, it's the earliest story that should be relied on the heaviest for rewriting the canon," Celes continued.
"But if we're at the end, or even near it; I think... we're going to see heavy changes in our realm," Relm said, "And that means... we're going to have to be responsible for adapting to a world that will change the most."
Zone VIII
From the back of the tent, Laguna, the President of Esthar, stared across the room at his son. Squall's features would remind the whimsical widower of Raine, Squall's mother. Laguna thought about her a lot, actually. For the short time they were together, his young wife had been the source of much of the joy in his life. Laguna's aged heart was refreshed when he remembered of her. But... he would never see her again. And Laguna missed her so. But here, he had a new opportunity to watch over and support Squall. This was, of course, to Squall's annoyance most of the time.
Commander Squall was highly respected among his comrades. Though, this wasn't always the case. When he began his journey, he would have never believed himself fit to lead others. Squall had been insecure. ... And resentful. His friends worried about his episodic switches between angst and disinterest. But after becoming Chairman of Balamb Garden, he had no choice but to step up and meet everyone's expectations.
Laguna thought about time travel. He thought about Sorceresses and Goddesses moving heroes across time to change fate. This had happened to Squall. The Warrior of Light. Maybe even here; maybe this was the same.
'With time travel... can Raine even be saved?" Laguna wondered. He was older; more jaded than he was when he was younger. And yet, even after decades, he had kept his childlike sense of wonder and hope freer than that of most others his age.
'But how?' the man thought. He had had theories that Raine was the direct descendant of the Dark Knight, Sir Leonhart. Could he pass some note down the family line? No, that was silly. Even to the light-hearted veteran, lauded by the faries, that plan was too silly. And what kind of information could even have saved his wife?
In his deepest heart of hearts, Laguna knew he had to accept what had happened. He was mature. He had learned to live with losses his entire life. But a note... A note? A... note... ...Laguna was fairly certain that by his era, technology was advanced enough that the note idea could be sent forward. That seemed more plausible than sending a note down the Leonhart line. The effect would do nothing to save his wife but... couldn't he save Zanarkand before it's destroyed? He wasn't positive, but he had a theory that the Tens come from a decimated future of his own world.
Despite all of this, rather than bring up his thoughts aloud, Laguna wanted to just make small-talk instead. This was because Laguna felt responsible for the boy; he didn't want to trouble him with issues that were existential in nature.
"So, your little friend is a member of the Grays now, right?" Laguna started. Squall couldn't pretend he didn't hear the man speak. It would only end up becoming more troublesome. But it was difficult to answer the question. Obviously, Laguna was referring to Seifer, and Squall's knee-jerk reaction was to say 'He's not my friend.' But at the same time, Squall didn't want to say anything of that sort; he didn't feel it was a passive enough response. Just bratty.
"Whatever," Squall said. This wasn't much of an improvement from what he almost said. But, he hadn't reached the level of self-awareness to realize how trite and worn his usual answers were.
"Laguna," Squall spoke up, "You're thinking about something pointless again, aren't you?" The boy had changed the subject. But it was true. On the one hand, Laguna didn't know how Squall was so perceptive, but on the other hand, it still sounded weird hearing the boy call Laguna by his name. It's not like the man expected to be called 'Father' or 'President' or something like that; but after all those times that Squall was just a voice in Laguna's head, it felt so unfamiliar to be addressed this way.
"Yeah, you caught me," Laguna answered, "But you know, it's out of character of you to care."
"I don't care," Squall responded more defiantly than he intended, "I just... think you should stop."
Laguna's aged and tired eyes looked sadly back at Squall. The boy wasn't wrong.
"Yeah, sorry," Laguna mumbled, "I... can't help it. I want to help people." Laguna thought he sounded a little noble, a little cool. So, he corrected himself.
"No, actually... I want to help myself," he forced a chuckle, "I really just want to change things for me too, you know?" For all Laguna had done to save citizens, for all smiles and words of encouragement, underneath it all he was actually a tragic character. Squall saw this firsthand, and didn't know what to tell this oddly-honest Laguna. Neither were acting like themselves, and this was beginning to feel like some sort of sappy moment was coming on.
"Keep wanting that, then," Squall said, after a pause, "Just don't try not to live too much in the past."
Rather than continue the discussion, Squall got up and left. Laguna looked on, a little shocked, but mostly proud.
I was originally going to avoid anything AU-like. But, I've decided to take some liberties with their actions so I finally have the framing device to expand on each of the realms' lore. And as usual, any comments/reviews/favorites will let me know I need to update sooner.
Have a good summer!
