Author's note: One super-long chapter, coming up! Oh, I'm willing to write a short fanfic according to the wishes of the person that tells me if the title of this chapter means anything.
XV: Lux Aeterna
The universe was deep and dark and cold and lonely. It consisted of great, deep, dark gashes of emptiness, a void filled with nothing but empty matter and desolate darkness. It was large and great, this universe, though for the most part, it was completely void of anything at all. Only in the tiniest of all spaces was there really anything worthy to look at.
Plumbing deeper into the universe reveals the emptiness to be false. Millions upon billions of spots of light blind the senses as celestial travelers race across the infinite void. There are quasars, clusters, and the great galaxies that hold the brightest light of them all. Some spiral around like tops, others pulsate like random waves of electricity, still others defy all reason and simply exist for the sake of existing.
Deeper still into these galaxies are systems of planets that revolve around hot spheres of gaseous fire and scorching-hot plasma. Trillions of these planets could exist in the universe itself; indeed, the numbers of worlds and systems in this certain galaxy cannot be calculated. The sheer size and magnitude of everything is overwhelming; at best, to contemplate it all would mean mental meltdown.
Further still, as if driven by madness, there can be discovered small worlds being hurtled around the sun like a sling. These planets come in unlimited sizes, and unlimited colors, some defying definitions held for countless seconds. Only a select few of them might be placed so fortunately in the grand scheme of things that they may bear life; one in particular catches the eye.
Further still, into this habitable planet, there are continents, home to dozens of individual countries that form alliances and stab backs and wage wars and give peace without ever realizing that they are but dust in the universe. Further still, one country out of many is examined, and even here there are divisions; buildings and territorial boundaries stand out as if nothing else is more important, while the universe lives on coldly.
Diving in further, one building stands out more than others. Even here, there are distinctions--it is as if there is some ghastly pattern that is being followed, and from universe to common rooms of a building, that pattern has persisted since. In the darkness of chaos and the light of simple electrical bulbs, buildings are divided into rooms and one room out of so many trillions of rooms from so many trillions of worlds is sorted out.
From universe to quasar to cluster to galaxy to system to planet to continent to country to district to building to room, a journey has subtly been made, and now that the journey to the individual room has been completed, it is now time to learn why this particular room out of so many others is different. There is a reason, but in a very small way, it is not different at all. Perhaps in another universe, this very same scenario is happening, possibly even at the same time, though the two are separated forever.
The cold of the universe was the same cold that hung in the room that hour, and although the building had been conditioned against the freezing temperatures of winter, there was an unmistakable chill in the room as the silence hung on. Zell Dincht was the only one standing in that room, which left everyone resting, sitting, or else reclining. The mood was hardly relaxed, though. A dark and terrible secret had been revealed, and whether or not this revelation was intentional or not was unimportant.
For what might have been a quarter of an hour, the room remained very cold and silent and figuratively empty (it was populated by no less than six individuals). Zell could do nothing except stand there helplessly, his face cringed forever into a sickly façade of regret and remorse. The others were either giving away confused or betrayed looks, and one of them was looking a million times sicker than the worst invalid or leper.
Amy Mizuno felt like vomiting as three pairs of eyes and one single red eye stared at her, slowly taking off the shell she had produced over the days. Revealing Amy's true-self was like peeling an onion: there always seemed to be some new secret underneath the last skin, and yet always one more secret to learn about her still. The bulb, the heart of the onion and Amy's soul, would definitely merit examination.
"………I…" Amy's helpless voice tried slashing through the silence, but it was like cutting through wood with a plastic knife. Her lip quivered, and the stares of people she considered friends wracked her body and soul. Feeling sick enough to die on the spot, Amy slowly covered her face in ultimate shame, trying desperately to hide away from the deadly looks her friends were giving her. Her secret had been found out.
"…I… I…" Zell too tried to release the tension, but failed just as miserably as Amy. He grunted, and it was obvious that he too felt the pain and utter embarrassment of having revealed so intimate a secret. It was plainly obvious that for the next few moments, nobody would be speaking much, if at all.
Amy began to weep gently, and despite the deadly thickness and silence in the air, she defied the atmosphere and began talking.
"…I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice no steadier than an elephant balancing atop a rubber ball. "I'm… so sorry… …I…… don't know… what to say…" Her voice died right in her throat, and she slowly slid to the floor as if to cover up her shame even more. She finally reached her destination, and laid prostrate on the ground in defeat and sadness and pain.
She had been deceiving people now for about four months. For four months, she had told people she came from that world, and had lost her memory, and was another individual who had just ran into a series of unfortunate events along the way. For four months, she had played an unwilling deceiver, feigning her own self to justify her stay at the building in the middle of a black universe. She had made friends and promises, and had heard many things intended for another ear. For four months she had deceived, and the secret had crashed and shattered in four seconds.
Like four invincible judges, Seifer, Nida, Fujin, and Raijin stood over her weeping frame, and mentally conveyed what they should do with her. Slowly, Amy's closest friend of them all knelt down, and placed a pale hand on the girl's head. Amy shed another tear as the cold palm touched her scalp, and swore that Death was nipping at her own exposed toes.
Fujin sighed sadly, and did the last thing Amy expected by running her white fingers through the blue hair tenderly. Amy's quivering slowly ceased as she felt hands of warm ice delicately pet her short locks, and her worries were somehow abated by the mere touch of a good friend's hand. A second palm went for her chin, and Death never came as the combined hands lifted her tear-scarred face up. Amy's twisted, saddened face was heart-wrenching at best when she gazed into Fujin's own mask of stoicism.
"DON'T CRY," said the pale woman. Amy merely blinked her eyes, unsure how to best respond. Fujin's unreadable face turned warm despite the frost of her fingers, and the ghostly woman let out a smile that could have warmed the polar icecaps. It was a strange phenomenon, to see one so rough and curt and cold acting so warm and compassionate, and soon even Amy's fears were calmed.
"IT'S OKAY," assured Fujin, her kind face beaming with what might have been holy light (from the color of her face, that is). Fujin smiled, and held Amy's face in her tough, calloused, gentle hands. "I KNEW."
"……What… do you mean?" whimpered Amy. Fujin smiled a little broader.
"…KNEW YOU WERE FAKE," she replied gently. Amy's nervous face turned depressed again, and she swallowed weakly.
"…How'd you know?" she asked. "I thought…"
"I knew," replied Fujin in her "other" voice. "Best friends can tell this sort of thing. I knew almost from the very start, Amy, almost from the very start. I could tell you weren't the 'real' Amy Mizuno."
"…How?"
"Your ears," smiled Fujin, tapping Amy's earlobes gently. "They're pierced. The 'other' Amy never pierced her ears in her life. She was unable to, because of her fear of bodily punctures. She hated going to the doctor's too, because of the syringes, and even the dentist's. Amy was always a big baby when it came to sharp objects."
"So… when you saw my earrings… and when you saw me befriend Dr. Kadowaki…"
"…Well," smiled Fujin gently, "those were tell-tale signs, but… a best friend notices more than that. There were little things I saw in you, things I knew Amy would never do even if she was an amnesiac."
"…But, I don't understand!" exclaimed Amy. "If… if you knew who I was all this time, then why did you continue to treat me as a friend? Why did you tell me your secrets?"
"Not sure," replied Raijin. He smiled and gave her a little wave. "Maybe we just wanted the real Amy back so badly that we thought you'd make a good substitute."
"NO," replied Fujin. She smiled at Amy, and gave the blue-haired genius a gentle kiss on the forehead. "ALWAYS BE AMY. ALWAYS BE MY FRIEND."
"Hey, yeah!!" exclaimed Raijin. "Fuj's right! We don't care who ya are! You'll always be our great friend, Amy or not!"
"And besides," noted Nida, "how can we detest someone who's brightened the lives of every single student in this Garden, right from the day you've came? Have you noticed how happy the Headmaster and Matron are? I don't think I've ever seen them in a better mood, not even when they were reunited after the Galbadia incident. And look at Selphie! She's lost so many friends in the attacks on Trabia, but now she's got a new friend to be with. Even Irvine and Quistis are happier now!" Nida smiled, and pointed his fingers at Amy in support.
"Come on, kid! Whether you're really the real Amy Mizuno or not is unimportant! You'll always be our great friend! Even if you're an impostor, your presence has made everyone here so happy. Could anything that's so good have any villainy in it at all? No!"
"THAT'S WHY I LOVE HIM," said Fujin warmly. She winked with her single eye, and Nida waved at her happily. Amy, on the other hand, was positively paralyzed with joy and ecstasy. A few minutes ago, she had feared that her closest friends would die of heartbreak upon hearing her terrible secrets, or else hate her and despise her and curse her forever. But this? This was… too much… Far, far too much… And so, burdened down by so much warmth and support, Amy shuddered and began to cry again.
"IT'S OKAY," repeated Fujin, holding the joyful girl close. "LOVE YOU."
"We all do, ya know?" smiled Raijin, and he too came forward to give his "little sister" a hug. Nida joined them, and even Seifer's hands were found wrapped around Amy's body.
"…Ever since I came here, people have slowly but surely accepted me for what I am," he said to her. "…I don't know what kind of horrible things I have done in the past, nor do I ever want to. If I can, I want to start out on a clean slate. Amy… you too have been given the chance to start out anew. And, and…… well… I can say that, up to this point, you've made the most of your chance. Do you… really… have any idea how much you're loved?"
"…Yes," she replied shakily, her tears soaking everyone around her. "Yes, I do…"
Slowly, her three closest friends in that world released her, each one expressing their undying love and loyalty to Amy. There was not one dry eye in the whole room, with the exception of Zell, who was still standing awkwardly. With her friends no longer smothering her with their love, Amy was free to gaze up at the silent blonde man, and slowly she stood to look him in the eye.
"…Zell." He flinched, and mumbled out in embarrassment.
"…Oh, man," he muttered. "I've made such an idiot of myself, as always. That's me, big-mouth Zell, always ruining one thing or another. I nearly blew up Balamb Garden with my mouth, and if it weren't for these people… then, well, I might have done much worse damage. I… know I can't ask for your forgiveness, but…" Amy smiled, ignoring his lack of eloquence, and placed a supportive hand on his cheek.
"It's all right, Zell," she assured him. "It's all right. I… I suppose that my secret would have gotten out anyway, no matter what happened or how many precautions I took. You helped me speed up what might have been a very painful experience. Thanks." She leaned forward and gave him a kiss on his cheek, and smiled so warmly that his face turned red from it.
"…Aw… jeez… Y-y'mean… you're not mad at me?"
"No, not really," she replied. "Although I do suppose I should be. You really shouldn't blurt things out like that, Zell!"
"…Sorry."
"Don't be," she smiled. "You are immature, yes, but you're also very open and honest about yourself. You don't beat around the bush, and that's a quality I like about you." She smiled at him, and he smiled back, and Seifer had to cough pretty loud to separate them before something really happened.
"AHEM! Anyway, I guess all this is behind us now, sort of. So, Amy, now that we know you're not the girl we thought you were, would you mind telling us who you are exactly, and where you come from?"
"I guess there's no point in hiding it anymore," she shrugged. Taking a deep breath, and a swig of cold water, Amy began her tale of truth. She told her friends everything she had said to Zell, everything, word for revealing word.
"…Oh, man… That is one wild story, ya know…?"
"YES," muttered Fujin eerily. "STRANGE…"
"No, more like completely bizarre," noted Nida. Amy snorted and made a face.
"So you don't believe me??"
"Oh, we do, we do!" exclaimed Nida. "But, then again, you must admit that it's a very strange story. I'm not saying that it's false, it's just unlikely. Or, to be a little more precise, it's… well, fantastic, for lack of a better word."
"…………So you don't believe me."
"Aw, he's just digging himself in deeper," muttered Raijin. Fujin glared at him, but he continued speaking unaffected. "Nida just thinks too much, ya know? Heh, I guess I can believe every word you say, since you're our good friend."
"AMY NOT LIAR," noted Fujin.
"Exactly! So, like, if you told us the moon was made outta cheese, we'd believe you, ya know?" Amy made a half-smile, and tried to remain civil as she processed Raijin's silly declaration.
"RAIJIN BELIEVE REGARDLESS," noted Fujin with a sly smirk. Raijin made an angry face and swiped at the mass of air that separated him from his sister.
"Anyway!" he coughed. "I suppose Zell's right. We gotta find you a way to get home, ya know?"
"Hold on, now," interrupted Seifer. All eyes turned to him and he grew an evil smile without knowing it. "Have any of you considered the notion that… oh, I dunno, maybe Amy doesn't wanna return home?"
"Well, that's--"
"UNCERTAIN," said Fujin. The one-eyed woman turned to Amy, mentally questioning her friend's thoughts. "AMY, STAY OR GO?"
"…I… I…"
"Hey, let's not force her to make such a tough decision so quickly!" blurted Nida. "I mean, in case nobody else has noticed, Amy's become very well-loved in the Garden! If we ask her to leave, it'd be like tearing a plant away from the ground! Imagine how many people would be hurt if she just up and left!"
"…AGREED," noted Fujin after a pause. The pale woman gazed at her friend, and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder. "TAKE TIME, DECIDE. WE'LL BE HERE WHEN READY."
"Thanks, Fujin," smiled Amy. "And thank all of you. This… really is… too much…"
"Aw, don't start blubberin' now, ya know?" smiled Raijin. "It doesn't suit ya! You may not be the Amy we thought you were, but you're still stronger than that, ya know?!"
"Yes, I do," smiled Amy. "And thank you too, Raijin. You all are the greatest friends I have ever had."
"FLATTERY," smiled Fujin. Amy chuckled briefly, and excused herself from the room. She had some thinking to do.
Amy took a pretty big chunk of time to ponder over her choices. No matter which path she took in life, she would break hearts and ignore so many duties. She desperately wanted to stay behind in the Garden with her friends, and she did have duties as a SeeD, but if she remained behind, that meant she would be ignoring her duties as a Sailor Scout and as a friend to everyone in her own world.
Returning to her own place thus seemed logical--after all, it was where she belonged. But going back home meant leaving behind so many good friends, and thus breaking even more hearts and earning more betrayed looks as she revealed her secret to everyone. But now she was going in circles.
No matter which path Amy took in life, she would hurt somebody and ignore her duties. Staying at Garden meant keeping her new friends and losing old ones, not to mention placing the Earth in danger; going back home meant keeping her duties and her friends, while at the same time leaving behind so many she touched, not to mention having to reveal her secrets to the rest of the Garden. Amy was a smart young woman, but not even she could find the best solution for the problem.
Of course, she knew that she really had to go back to her own world. No matter how much she loved this current one, there was no way she could be allowed to stay. It was not her world, these duties were not her duties. Amy took in a very deep breath and calmed herself before returning to the room where her friends were waiting. It was going to be very painful breaking the news to them, and to everyone else, but it had to be done.
Slowly, as if she didn't want to face her fate, Amy returned to the small room in the middle of the empty universe, and found her friends chatting quietly. Seifer noticed her first, and gave a friendly wave.
"DECIDE?" asked Fujin. Amy quietly nodded her head.
"Yes. It's… not easy for me to say this, but… I can't stay here. As much as I love this place, and I love all of you, this is not my real home. It pains me to decide between the two, but in the end, I suppose my home will win out every time." Fujin nodded her head quietly, and stood to embrace Amy.
"UNDERSTAND," she said gently. "HARD DECISION."
"Yeah…" whispered her brother. "But… well, it's Amy's to make, ya know? Hey, Ames, we're gonna be behind you all the way, ya know?"
"Thank you, Raijin," she smiled. "All of you. You have made my stay so wonderful and happy that I hate to leave. But, I suppose I have to go sometime…"
"…Amy?" said Seifer slowly. The petite woman of blue gazed up at the young man she considered a friend. "I… well, I know I've never been good at this, but… well, I'm gonna miss you."
"I'm not gone yet!" she smiled. "And besides, I'll have to tell Cid and Edea and everyone else about my secret. I don't know how I'm going to break it to them."
"Hey, just let your heart do the talking," said Zell supportively. "Just let it be your guide and I'm sure everything will go out okay. But……… well, jeez, I never thought I'd say this, but Seifer's right. We're gonna miss you, Amy." She looked over at him and smiled warmly. The warrior of ice approached him, and folded her arms over his well-built body. Zell sighed, and allowed his nose to dig into her hair for an invigorating sniff of her scent. It reminded him of the smell of a forest after the rain.
"……Hey, I have an idea!" said Nida suddenly. All eyes turned towards him, and he rubbed his hands vigorously. "Zell, what exactly do you have planned for Amy? How do you plan on getting her home?"
"Well," he sighed, "I was hoping that Rinoa would help me with that, y'know? I figure that if anybody knows how to send her home, it's her."
"I see," replied Nida thoughtfully. "And she's living in Trabia now, correct?"
"Yeah, but what're you getting at?" Nida smiled and nodded his head in thought.
"…Here's an idea," he suggested. "If we're all so close to Amy, why don't we accompany her and Zell up to Trabia, at least as far as Rinoa and Squall's house? That way, we can spend some more time with her, and see her off when she leaves!" Zell grinned, and slapped Nida's back proudly.
"Nida my man, that's just plain brilliant!!"
"AGREED," said Fujin seductively. Nida's entire body turned red, and he tried to keep his cool as the icy Fujin walked over and gave him a kiss. "TOO SMART. JEALOUS."
"Aw, c'mon snow. I'm not that smart!" Fujin grinned and poked the ordinary man in the ribs, and the two teased each other playfully whilst everyone else gagged.
"………Well, it is a good idea!" stated Raijin after a pause. "I mean, I know we all need more quality time with Amy! Besides, it wouldn't feel right to just let her leave without seeing if she's gonna be safe or not, ya know? As her big brother, I gotta watch out for her, ya know? Make sure she's safe'n all!"
"AGREED," replied Fujin. "AMY, YOU MIND?"
"Oh, I would like nothing better!" exclaimed the girl. "But, you'd better get permission from Cid before doing anything. I'd hate it if half the Garden worried about you all…"
"They won't worry about us," snorted Seifer. "Fuj, Raij and I are just a buncha rejects, from what I heard, and I don't think anybody'll miss ol' Nida. Zell, erm, well, that's debatable." Zell sneered at his former foe but kept his tongue; Amy merely smiled, and tried to think of how she would break the news to all of Balamb without breaking any hearts or making any new enemies. It wouldn't be easy.
"…so, that's why I have to go," concluded Amy. "I hope everyone understands, and I pray that each and every one of you can forgive me for deceiving you so much. I really had no intention of hurting anyone's feelings, but one thing led to another and soon I was unable to stop things. If you wish to shun me or exile me, I will allow you with a glad heart. I know I deserve it.
"But hear me out," she continued. "This may not be my home, but I love it here, and I love each and every one of you. I may not be the Ice Warrior, but it is apparent that I have still touched the lives of everyone here. This entire Garden has become a better place since my arrival, so it pains me deeply to have to leave. My heart is just as torn as yours are, so bear in mind that I do not do this happily.
"Thank you for your time," she concluded, "…and for your friendship. I do not deserve any of it. Thank you." Amy took a bow, and silently walked away from the podium. Suddenly, one of the students stood up in his chair, and shouted out something that brought Amy to a halt.
"Long live Amy Mizuno! Long live the Ice Warrior! Long live Sailor Mercury!" Amy smiled, and before she could turn her head, another student was on his chair and shouting the exact same thing. More and more students followed the example, breaking a rule of protocol but saluting Amy all the same. The SeeDs all stood in their chairs as well, snapping fine salutes. Irvine stood up to whistle and clap loudly, and Quistis did the same. Selphie practically screamed as she leaped up on her own chair, and soon the entire assembly was cheering Amy.
"Long live Amy! Long live Amy! Long live Amy! Long live Amy!" Amy, the apparent woman of the hour, broke down in tears as the entire population of Balamb Garden cheered her on, pouring out unconditional love and support for her. Two gentle, icy-hot hands touched her shoulders, and her heart was at ease.
"Do you see, warrior of ice?" said Edea gently. "Do you see how much you are loved here? Whether or not you are the real Amy means nothing to these people. They still look up to you and admire you very much, and so do I." Amy smiled, and turned around to give "Matron" a tight hug. The dark-haired enigmatic woman returned it, and soon another warm hand found her shoulder.
"Miss Mizuno," came the proud voice of Cid, "you will always have a home here in Garden, always. We all love you very much."
"Thank you, Headmaster," sniffled Amy. She ran over to him and hugged him like he was her own father, and one by one Amy's close friends scurried up to embrace the woman they had grown to love. It was a beautiful sight to see, and even the posse grew misty as they saw their "little sister" being loved so much.
Zell was practically beside himself with happiness.
From the emptiness of the universe, down to the stuffed duffel bag that held several significant souvenirs, there was peace. Amy Mizuno's heart was no heavier than a blade of grass, and her smile no darker than the sun. Behind her stood Balamb Garden, and the entire assembly of students, faculty, and miscellaneous employees. Dr. Kadowaki and Instructor Grate each waved farewell, the latter giving off a salute reserved only for the most commendable persons.
Both Irvine and Quistis also had their hands in the air, the former firing off shots from his gun occasionally. Lawrence, Jerome, and Morris were all trying to look classy and sophisticated, but each one failed; they still got smiles, though. Along with Zell, Fujin, Nida, and Seifer, Amy waved back at the large gathering of friends she had made, and sadly left the Garden with their bags packed for the long trip up north.
"Oh! Where's Raijin and Selphie?" asked Amy. "I didn't see them in the crowd anywhere."
"BROTHER ANNOYANCE," sighed Fujin in defeat. "WILL PUNISH LATER."
"No, that's okay, I just want to know where they are," said Amy. "I mean, I don't want to leave without saying goodbye to them." Fujin shrugged, and like a gentleman would, Nida offered to go look for them. He ran off, and came back two minutes later with Selphie and Raijin in tow. Amy wryly noted that the smaller one was clinging onto the bigger guy.
"Oh, hi sweet Amy!" called Selphie. "Or should I call you Sailor Mercury? Ahh, who cares, you're still the coolest ever--erm, no pun intended!"
"You're too much!" laughed Amy. Selphie smiled that ever-present warm smile, and rushed over to give her friend one final hug.
"Darnit, I wish I could go with you," she sighed, "but the Garden Winter festival needs me. It's not like it's more important than you are, but if I didn't run it, nobody else would and the whole thing would just die away! I hope you can forgive me, Amy… I'd go with you if I could…"
"It's all right," replied Amy warmly. "I'm sure the Winter Festival will be incredible. I only wish I could have stayed behind to see it."
"For real! But don't worry!" winked Selphie. "I'll dedicate it to you, sweet Amy! It'll be the biggest bash ever!!!" Selphie's squealing voice would have deafened anyone else, but Amy loved that side of her. The two friends hugged one final time, and gave kisses on the cheek, and reluctantly released each other to their destinies. Slowly, Raijin approached Amy and scratched his head.
"…Well… ah…"
"Raijin! What're you doing?!" called Selphie. "You promised me that you'd help with the Festival!!"
"Yeah, but… Amy…"
"She'll be fine, hon!" called Selphie. "She's got Zell and Nida with her, and oh yeah those other two. She'll be fine!!" Raijin paused, and mumbled incoherently as he scratched his head.
"………Yeah, but… she's like my sister, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know, I feel the same," sighed Selphie. The petite lady strolled over to Raijin, tilting her head from side to side and giving him a very cute look. "But, but, but, she'll be fine. I'm gonna miss her too, but hey, hey-hey, that's the way things work sometimes. So, c'mon, and stop worrying, kay?" Raijin made a face, and sneered slightly as he accepted his fate.
"……All right. Hey, sorry Amy, but… Selphie…"
"I understand," chuckled Amy. "Just don't get into too much trouble without us. You take care, Raijin. I'll always think of you as the brother I never had. I love you…"
"Aw, jeez…" mumbled Raijin. "I… I'm no good at these things, ya know?" Selphie smiled impishly and ran over to hug him.
"Isn't he the sweetest?" she sang.
"I couldn't agree more!!!" shouted a voice from afar. All eyes turned towards who had called out, and civil masks were put on as Xu marched forward to grab Raijin's other arm.
"Aha!" she exclaimed. "I found you at last! Raijin, please, can you ever please come back to me? I miss you so much, and I never should have broken up with you!"
"Well, I, uh…"
"Forget it, Xu!" shouted Selphie. "Raijin's mine! You had your chance!"
"Huh, Selphie? Hey, don't you have a Winter Festival to attend to?"
"Yeah, and Raijin's helpin' me! So, like, go help Cid with some important documents or something."
"Hey! You can't talk to a superior officer like that! Give me him!"
"He's mine, he's mine!" shouted Selphie. Both women soon started to pull on Raijin's arms, and while a normal man would be in pain, Raijin was grinning broadly.
"…Oh, man!" he sang. "I'm the luckiest guy in the world!!!!" Amy and her companions all burst out laughing, and Raijin winked as they left the Garden.
"CAN TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF," said Fujin wryly. Amy returned her friend's smile, and the gang set out for Balamb town. The frosty air of a December afternoon smelled delicious and crisp, and a new-fallen snow lit up the entire island with patches of pure white. Fujin and Nida held hands in the cold air, and it was understood why his pet name for her was Snow.
The gang had to head towards Balamb Town for a reason: the Garden itself was not scheduled to visit Trabia anytime soon, so a boat had to be taken up there. Since it was already winter, and the group would be going someplace even colder (if it were possible), everyone had to bundle up accordingly. Everyone looked absolutely adorable in their winter wear, even Seifer, and Zell looked cute enough to eat in his heavy blue coat.
It was going to be a long journey, but compared to the spaces that separated celestial bodies in the universe, it was nothing. All along the way, Amy would cherish the time spent with her friends, for it very well may have been her last few days with them. She didn't know what would happen when they reached Trabia, so the future would just have to come one day at a time for the group. Amy wouldn't have it any other way.
