Disclaimer: All Final Fantasy elements belong to Squaresoft.
Final Fantasy Dimensions
Chapter 7: Goodbyes Aren't Forever
by ArchFaith (formerly known the ArchPrincess of Saturn)
"So...it's time to go back," Red XIII said.
"This day had to come. But I wish it could've been later," Quistis replied.
"All good things must come to an end," Sephiroth quoted sadly.
After AVALeeD had arrived safely back in Esthar with news of the sorceress's death, they had been greeted with celebration. Ellone threw a giant party in their honor. Everyone came: Headmaster Cid, Edea, Fujin, Raijin, Nida, Xu, the Cafeteria Lady, the Trepies. It was a spectacular event which had lasted five days. Every day there were speeches on what great heroes AVALeeD was, how they had saved the dimensions, how all children should grow up to be like them, etc.
No one had mentioned Hyneria. The team thought it would be better if they didn't.
But after five days of the AVALeeD Hero Festival, it was time to leave. They had all agreed that it was time they got back to their lives. But it was a sad goodbye.
AVALeeD sat inside the Palace, in the meeting room. They were torn up over leaving. Everyone was such good friends with each other.
"One thing I'm always gonna remember about AVALeeD," Cloud said suddenly, "is the way Squall handles his gunblade. His Lionheart is amazing! It can cause as much damage as my sword."
"No Cloud, I think your Omnislash works better," Squall replied sincerely. "I'm always gonna remember the way you slash your enemies like that."
They were on a roll.
"Rinoa, remember when we trained together in Wutai, just before the dawn?" Tifa asked.
"Yeah! And when we peeked in on the boys to see if they were sleeping!" Rinoa answered happily.
"Hey Sephiroth, ya should've known better than to challenge me at the Balamb Training Center!" Seifer cried.
"I really did beat you, Seifer. You're just too proud to admit it," Sephiroth returned, but not without a smile on his face.
"Oh, remember when you and I talked about our troubles in Fort Condor, Aeris? Just before going to sleep?" Quistis remembered.
"Yeah. I guess we actually managed to solve some of them," Aeris grinned cheerfully.
"Vincent, on the way to Junon, I definitely shot more monsters than you! We had a bet, ya know?" Irvine demanded.
Vincent rolled his eyes and handed Irvine several pieces of Vampire Ammo. "You had better out these to good use," he said. "They're very hard to obtain."
"Yuffie, Cait Sith, thank you so much for teaching me your skills!" Selphie squealed.
"Aw, it was nothing!" Cait Sith blushed.
"Anytime. Oh yeah...can I interest you in some Invisible Materia?" Yuffie asked slyly. "Only 5,000 gil..."
"Barret, Cid, thanks for helping me on the way to Esthar," Laguna told them.
"You were really worried man," Barret replied.
"Guys like us gotta stick together," Cid added.
Everyone was smiling and laughing. "I'm so glad we got to know each other," Rinoa said.
"Yeah. Maybe one good thing came outta our adventure," Tifa agreed.
"Let's promise to always remember each other," Cloud suggested.
"Promise," everyone said, putting their hands of top of each others' hands.
"I hate to interrupt...but it's time to go," Aeris whispered.
Sephiroth nodded. "Let's get going."
AVALeeD slowly and painfully walked out of the Palace. They sat down on the transporter and zipped out of the palace. They walked to the center of the city, which had been restored to its clean, busy personality. The police had once again roped off the area. An even larger crowd had gathered to cheer the team.
"AVALeeD!" one voice called out. Soon the whole crowd started chanting.
"AVALeeD! AVALeeD!"
The team smiled. Everyone had been so supportive of them. Well, almost everyone.
They took their places on the podium. Laguna stepped up. He looked around at the crowd. "Citizens of the world," he began. "For five days, we have celebrated the defeat of Jenovecia. But now, it is time for the visitors to go. We will always remember the bravery of these people, and forever hold in our hearts the freedom from evil that they have granted us."
Laguna went on to say a few more words. Before AVALeeD knew it, it was time to leave.
"Well, it's been great knowing you," Squall said sadly.
"Yeah, been great working together," Cloud replied.
Everyone is AVALeeD hugged each other. Everyone. They had all learned so much from their new friends. No one wanted to part.
"Isn't there a way we can still stay together?" Rinoa asked tearfully, embracing both Aeris and Sephiroth.
"I don't think so," Sephiroth replied soothingly.
"But don't worry about it," Aeris added. "At least we got to know each other. We'll keep our memories alive forever."
Rinoa, and the rest of AVALeeD, smiled.
Aeris then raised her arms. The portal formed before her. Cloud, Tifa, Barret, Yuffie, Vincent, Red XIII, Cait Sith, Cid, and Sephiroth took their places behind her.
Rinoa, Squall, Quistis, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Laguna, and Seifer took a step back.
AVALeeD was now officially split.
"Goodbye," a chorus of voices filled the air. Most sounded very sad. In a moment,
the portal, and the people, were gone.
The Epilogue...
