Fantasy Thunder Chapter Twenty-Four: Omega
[Part III]
By Blue Dragon
"You fools wish to know so badly who or what I am. I am the planet Zata. I see the surprised look on your face, Oren, but it is true. I am the core, center, and energy of the planet itself."
Oren laughed skeptically.
"Didn't you explode into nothing?"
"I'm not the entire planet, you fool. A large living chunk, taking the name of Allen. With Fantasy Thunder, my large ambitions will be fulfilled. Now tremble! It is at fifty percent power"
Tidus raised an eyebrow.
"You killed your partner, now you have to take on the six of us. Do you really think you'll make it?"
"I'm the planet itself! My powers go beyond that of any Zatach. It doesn't matter how many people you've got! I could not survive, so neither will you or anyone else! If innocent ol' me met his untimely end for no just reason, that is the fate of all of you!!!"
Allen held out his hand and a rumble shook the ship.
Fantasy Thunder melted back into view and a cannon aimed up.
"Do you know what is up there? Esthar Garden is docked.
"But Esthar Garden was at the side of the ship!" Oren countered.
"You fool, we have artificial gravity. We are standing sideways!"
They all looked around as if expecting something.
"You won't notice it, of course. Now, you have thirty minutes until Esthar Garden goes kablooey!"
"They'll just drive it out after I give them the message! It will never work!"
"Stupid Oren, Omega probably killed Nida. If he's still alive he won't be getting up for at least seven hours. Only he knows the code to take the ship out of park! You're all doomed! Furthermore, my ship doors are closed. If they try to exit, they'll be sucked into the blackness of space!"
" . . . They'll use the escape pods."
" . . . only three of them are operational due to the immense energy to stay parked, and the bay that they exit from is forced closed because it is in direct contact with my ship!"
It slowly dawned on the six that all they cared about was back on the ship, and they began to look horrible.
"I feel twisted sympathy, so I'll tell you what to do!"
"Allen, don't be foolish!" Omega sputtered as he looked up.
"You're still alive!?" Allen blasted him and Omega lay still.
"Punk. Now listen up, because I'll probably only repeat this once. As you know, Oren brought quite a few people from the beyond."
"That was nice of him" Cloud whispered, but was somehow heard by Omega.
"He didn't do it to be nice. There's a damn good reason. The reason is because there are a number of them that work Fantasy Thunder with life energy. But, if they were using death energy . . . "
"They wouldn't work at all" Oren finished.
"How did you know?"
"Having Omega inside me gave me certain knowledge. I even feigned Galbadian Army rank insignias and predicted your attacks with it."
Squall stared at Oren.
"Did you only bring them from death because it would help us here?"
"Maybe."
"You . . . "
"This is no time to be ripping my throat out, Leonhart! We have to hear what Allen is saying."
"For them to summon death energy, someone they love or have strong affection for will have to be with them at that instant. There are just enough people to match the pods, strangely enough"
"Why are you telling us this?" Oren asked, getting restless.
"Because I honestly don't believe you can do it in enough time. You actually have eight minutes!"
"What if it's a trap?" Cloud immediately questioned.
Zidane turned to him.
"Don't seem like we have much of a choice right now . . . "
Oren touched his head with both hands, and started communicating with Esthar Garden. But first, he explained briefly.
"I will be able to teleport the ones I brought from death, and the one person they hold as long as they have enough feelings for them, I suppose. From there, I'll give them directions through my mind."
The blue glow somehow rekindled in his eyes.
" Sephiroth!" he said aloud. No one else could hear the reply.
"I don't have time for your smart-mouthing, Sephiroth. Now listen, I want you to grab someone you love. I know there aren't a lot but . . . what, you've done it? Good. Hold on."
There was a short flash.
"Good, hold on while I contact some others."
" . . . "
"Braska, are you there? Grab Yuna, please. That's right. . . . what are you talking about? Fine, I'll wait! Think out to me when you find her!"
" . . . Why's he talking to himself?" Tidus asked.
Cloud's theory was only speculation . . .
"He's apparently talking to someone, but we can't hear them"
"Aeris, there's a reason you're still here. You being alive is important. As a matter of fact, a Cetra was ingenious."
Allen laughed.
"So that's why it's taking so long to crush Esthar Garden! There's a Cetra on board. You mean to tell me her life was here for this purpose? How amazing! How ingenious."
Cloud looked despairingly at Oren.
"You mean to tell me this was for planning purposes?"
"Maybe. No, not you Aeris, find someone you love, or of great importance. They're what you need. What? Fine."
Oren turned to Cloud.
"Cloud, Aeris wants you. Go to the entrance point and wait for me to take her to you."
Everyone stared at him as Cloud's cheeks turned bright red.
" . . . Jecht, are you there. No, I don't have any . . . we don't have much time! Get someone of great importance! I don't care who!"
Oren turned to Tidus.
"You're wanted at the entrance, Tidus."
He shrugged, and blasted off after Cloud who had just left.
"Seymour? Dammit. He's sleeping. Wake up you ass! . . . Still sleeping . . . he's awake! Seymour . . . don't call me that, I'll wake you up when I want! Find someone important to you! Do I care? The answer is no! Just tell me when you have, or your ass and everyone else's will be blown to damn oblivion!"
He was breathing heavily at this point.
"Okay, Ult-Thuka if you insist. Grab Kiros. Yes Kiros, and hurry. Wait, you already have him . . . Stop! I don't want to know! Too much information! Stop talking!"
There was a click as he teleported Jecht, Braska and Yuna, Kiros and Thuka, and Seymour, who must have found someone. He teleported Rikku the rest of the way through, and panted.
"I'm tired . . ."
"Five minutes and eighteen seconds left, the clock is ticking!" Allen said, filing his nails.
"Auron! What, you're there what? Hold on."
He turned to Allen.
"Do people they really hate qualify?"
Allen nodded.
"Okay Auron, Seymour is fine, and vice versa. Now hold on. Everyone, you will arrive in an area full of pods. We don't have much time, so be ready! No questions! Okay, what you have to do is have some physical contact with they person you love . . . or hate. Anyhow, be in contact and touch the pod at the same time, you dead ones. The emotion will activate an effect that might stop Fantasy Thunder!"
Allen laughed.
"You have actually done it in the time limit! I can't believe it!"
Oren twitched.
"Thuka, a kiss does count as contact. I don't care how passionate. Stop describing!"
He clutched his hands over his ears.
"For the love of whatever god you worship! Stop describing! Too much damn information!"
Allen looked amused.
"Anyhow, I doubt that those bastards you called up have the power to stop Fantasy Thunder anyway."
There was a loud click and a computerized female voice said:
"SYSTEM SHUTDOWN. SELF DESTRUCT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES. HAVE A NICE DAY"
Everyone's eyes got large. It wasn't determinable who started running first, but not even Allen could survive an explosion that huge.
"Get the hell out of there and get to the port! I'll teleport you back in a second!" Oren screamed in his head.
Allen was the first to start running, and he blew a trail of wind so powerful that the one's present flew back. Seifer shot off after him.
"This is no time to chase!" Oren screamed after him.
"I'm not chasing, I'm getting the didley-shit out of here!" He yelled.
The rest took his advice and ran as well.
It wasn't long before Oren was way behind, and found himself in a corridor, the body of Omega and Allen waiting there.
"I wish I had realized it before . . . " Allen punched the wall into nothing.
"I thought lives were meaningless, but even I have one. Now, the thought of me dying . . . and this thought on everyone else? Dying is horrible! And I'm a murderer!"
Oren laughed.
"That's how I feel. Too bad the change of heart is so late. Come, there is hope."
"No, my time is up."
"What?"
"A planet can only live for so long, my time is up. I am only happy I never accomplished my-"
Allen started to fall, and Oren ran forward and grabbed him.
"Allen! Come on, not now! We have to get out of here!"
"Omega will tell you."
"I thought you killed him."
"Do you see him materialized?"
"Good point."
"Damn Fantasy Thunder. Damn myself for creating it. Why!?"
"Screw it Allen, there's still a life for you."
"Live, and stop Fantasy Thunder . . . " Allen dissipated into nothing fast, and the lights in the ship got brighter.
Omega raised up, clutching his hearts.
"Stupid bastard . . . I'm not dead yet!"
"Will you stop calling me names!?"
"I was talking about Allen . . . Now you die! Die, Murasaki!"
Omega used every ounce of his strength to stab at Oren, who dodged.
"Omega, why are you so full of hate? Nothing will come of it, your soul is empty-"
Two daggers went into Oren. One into his main heart, and his secondary heart was grazed badly.
"Omega-" he sputtered as they both fell to the ground, dying.
"Why are you such a fool. So many pointless deaths!"
" . . . Death? I thought . . . death!?"
"It's not good, now that you're dying."
"NO! I thought I was erasing them from . . . Oren. " He put his hand on his shoulder as he stood up with the last of his strength.
"I'm not sorry for much of what I did. I have personal beefs with you, I'm a bit glad you are gone" He walked off, tripping over his own feet."
"Tell my sister, Nida, everyone else, I'm so very sorry. You have a sister, you know what it's like. Death? Wiping out of existence?"
"I had a sister, Omega. But I will tell everyone you're sorry."
"Here's a little secret, she's still alive"
"Don't bother cheering me up."
"I'm serious. Death . . . how horrible."
"It is a fate worse than death. They won't even exist."
"Fantasy Thunder, accursed machine!" he yelled up.
Oren's primary heart was probably a goner, but his secondary heart was holding out. At the rate it was going, he might live, or die.
He found the strength to stand up.
"Allen said he wanted you to tell me something. What is it?"
" . . . Nothing comes of hate. There are two gates. Auxiliary power, Oren. I will seal up one."
"How?"
"Only a Zatach body! If not, then there is a chance Fantasy Thunder will still be activated."
"What will happen to all of the bodies of your comrades?"
"They are strong. They will be blown, but not killed. Seeing as they are Zatach, their spirits will attract them to planets like Gaia . . . they can start new lives. But I must seal that gate!"
"What will happen to you?"
"I will die."
"What?"
"One gate might be all it needs, but Fantasy Thunder may act on its own. It's risky, but if you sacrifice yourself, then you can seal that last gate, Oren. It may not be necessary, but if you're dying you might as well."
"Omega . . . rest well in the beyond."
"I will see you there someday. I hope my empty heart is spared . . . "
Omega looked up, and yelled a mighty yell. A chasm appeared above him, and he was sucked in at the speed of sound.
"Where is the other gate!?"
"It will find you. Goodbye, and remember my words-" Omega's voice died and fragments of red energy came floating. The great warrior was gone for good.
Everyone had been evacuated. Cloud, Zidane, Squall, and Tidus all remained for worry of Oren, who they had grown close to. Seifer stood with them, even though only a few minutes remained until self-destruction.
Seifer felt a feminine hand on his shoulder.
"What?" he turned around.
"Jessica!"
He cut off her oxygen supply and she struggled.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! I've been fine! Please let go! Zatach recover quickly!"
Seifer looked her in the eyes.
"If I had lost you . . . "
"You didn't, and we can go on with our lives. Soon, Fantasy Thunder will be gone for good and this pointless escapade will be concluded! Where's Oren?"
"Something you should know . . . "
"That was my brother . . . I saw him at least once."
"I'm sorry about what he did."
She shook her head.
"I felt his soul, it was so full of anger and hatred. But something- someone, healed that. And in his last moments, I felt Omega extend apologies . . . "
"I still think he's bad to the bone, but I'm glad. Did Oren kill him?"
She explained to everyone.
"There are two gates, Omega sealed one with his body. Oren could use his own to seal the last, but it may not be necessary. I say we just leave and let the one gate remain."
Oren limped up, clutching his hearts.
"Yo"
"Oren! Great heavens!" She ran to him and held him as he doubled over.
"Who the hell did this?"
"You don't want to know."
"Please . . . not Omega."
"It was part of his plan. He thought I might have nothing to lose by sealing the last gate . . . but I might live you know."
"Shut up, you will live. You're probably the most important person to me still alive. Come on, we're out of here."
Seifer and the others were hesitant to leave, and Jessica slowly dragged Oren as he struggled to walk.
"Don't try to walk!"
"Can't you pull a bit faster?"
"We have a whole five minutes! And your remaining heart is weak, I won't kill you."
"You don't have to worry about that."
"What are you-shut up. Be quiet right now!"
"You can silence me-" he broke into a fit of coughs and blood drops came out. Everyone cringed.
"But I won't make it. Oren Murasaki is leaving this cruel universe"
"I swear on everything holy I will kill you myself if you say that again."
"Either way I'll-"
"Be quiet!"
Oren shook his head.
"Oren . . . "
Tears trailed down, and then floated into the air before they could hit the ground. Artificial gravity was shutting down.
"You can't die! Everyone's depending on you! If you die-many others will be erased!"
"Not immediately, they can . . . say goodbye. Warn them for me."
A circular gate of light appeared about twelve feet over Oren, and he laughed. "Some grim reaper-" He broke into a fit of coughs.
Jessica tried to stop herself from slapping him.
"Oren Murasaki, I'll say this one more time, shut the hell up."
Seifer put a hand on her shoulder and she shook it off uncomfortably as she continued to kneel and cry.
Gravity became lighter and her hair floated up and around, the light making her seem like some sort of bizarre angel.
"And my angel."
"Oren, please"
The gate started glowing and whirring.
"Oren, you were a great guy. I'll never forget you." Said Cloud, waving at him.
Oren waved back.
Squall laughed.
"I really think you're something. You left a mark on this world, and in our hearts, man."
"Later, gunblade master."
"After all you've done, you should be the last one to die."
"But here I am, life's screwy, ain't it?" he responded to Zidane.
Tidus looked down, and then up.
"Hard to believe. After all this, you'll be gone. Hey, it could've been worse!"
"Damn straight."
"In the afterlife, buddy." Tidus said, giving a thumbs-up.
Oren struggled to give one back, and succeeded.
He looked up to Seifer.
"I don't care what anyone says, Almassy, you're a hell of a guy. Take care of her."
He nodded.
Cloud turned blue, and then stopped. The same thing happened to Zidane, Tidus, Seifer, and Squall.
"I'm not super strong or fast anymore . . . " Cloud mentioned.
"Eta, Theta, and Mu's pods have shut down." Jessica explained though tears, but it was hard to believe how she could explain such things considering the circumstances.
Cloud looked around.
"Not much time. Later Oren, you da' man!"
Everyone left, and Seifer looked at Jessica.
"Alright, make sure you escape on time, we won't leave without you." He said, leaving as well.
Jessica looked at the exit.
"Jess, you have a minute and eight seconds."
"Don't call me that again."
"Like I'll get the chance."
The two shared a last laugh.
He whispered into her ear.
"You were like a second sister to me. I love you."
"And I will never forget-" her voice cracked and she cried a bit more.
"I won't forget you."
"Live, start a family, anything. All of this . . . it was worth it. Remember, if you ever see the sky and it's really blue . . . "
"I'll always see you. I couldn't forget you if I tried, Murasaki."
"Farewell-"
He floated towards the gate, his body about to give out.
"And live!"
He disappeared, the gate sealed, and Jessica left with fifteen seconds remaining. Almost all the gas of Esthar Garden was depleted when Nida, up and running, fired the engines to maximum burn and sent them out of there at thousands of miles per hour.
Oren Murasaki's body disappeared into nothing but blue energy. He was launched into space, and his body's energy returned to the place of the broken planet.
That day, his body was finally gone and gone for good from the universe, never to return.
Not the end of the fic
AN: This ain't the end, the last chapter sums it all up. I hope you enjoyed, I'm going to finish it up in the final part.
[Message from Oren]
Hate brings nothing but destruction, but Love can accomplish anything. No matter the circumstance, it is important to use your heart to fight battles, not the blade.
[Part III]
By Blue Dragon
"You fools wish to know so badly who or what I am. I am the planet Zata. I see the surprised look on your face, Oren, but it is true. I am the core, center, and energy of the planet itself."
Oren laughed skeptically.
"Didn't you explode into nothing?"
"I'm not the entire planet, you fool. A large living chunk, taking the name of Allen. With Fantasy Thunder, my large ambitions will be fulfilled. Now tremble! It is at fifty percent power"
Tidus raised an eyebrow.
"You killed your partner, now you have to take on the six of us. Do you really think you'll make it?"
"I'm the planet itself! My powers go beyond that of any Zatach. It doesn't matter how many people you've got! I could not survive, so neither will you or anyone else! If innocent ol' me met his untimely end for no just reason, that is the fate of all of you!!!"
Allen held out his hand and a rumble shook the ship.
Fantasy Thunder melted back into view and a cannon aimed up.
"Do you know what is up there? Esthar Garden is docked.
"But Esthar Garden was at the side of the ship!" Oren countered.
"You fool, we have artificial gravity. We are standing sideways!"
They all looked around as if expecting something.
"You won't notice it, of course. Now, you have thirty minutes until Esthar Garden goes kablooey!"
"They'll just drive it out after I give them the message! It will never work!"
"Stupid Oren, Omega probably killed Nida. If he's still alive he won't be getting up for at least seven hours. Only he knows the code to take the ship out of park! You're all doomed! Furthermore, my ship doors are closed. If they try to exit, they'll be sucked into the blackness of space!"
" . . . They'll use the escape pods."
" . . . only three of them are operational due to the immense energy to stay parked, and the bay that they exit from is forced closed because it is in direct contact with my ship!"
It slowly dawned on the six that all they cared about was back on the ship, and they began to look horrible.
"I feel twisted sympathy, so I'll tell you what to do!"
"Allen, don't be foolish!" Omega sputtered as he looked up.
"You're still alive!?" Allen blasted him and Omega lay still.
"Punk. Now listen up, because I'll probably only repeat this once. As you know, Oren brought quite a few people from the beyond."
"That was nice of him" Cloud whispered, but was somehow heard by Omega.
"He didn't do it to be nice. There's a damn good reason. The reason is because there are a number of them that work Fantasy Thunder with life energy. But, if they were using death energy . . . "
"They wouldn't work at all" Oren finished.
"How did you know?"
"Having Omega inside me gave me certain knowledge. I even feigned Galbadian Army rank insignias and predicted your attacks with it."
Squall stared at Oren.
"Did you only bring them from death because it would help us here?"
"Maybe."
"You . . . "
"This is no time to be ripping my throat out, Leonhart! We have to hear what Allen is saying."
"For them to summon death energy, someone they love or have strong affection for will have to be with them at that instant. There are just enough people to match the pods, strangely enough"
"Why are you telling us this?" Oren asked, getting restless.
"Because I honestly don't believe you can do it in enough time. You actually have eight minutes!"
"What if it's a trap?" Cloud immediately questioned.
Zidane turned to him.
"Don't seem like we have much of a choice right now . . . "
Oren touched his head with both hands, and started communicating with Esthar Garden. But first, he explained briefly.
"I will be able to teleport the ones I brought from death, and the one person they hold as long as they have enough feelings for them, I suppose. From there, I'll give them directions through my mind."
The blue glow somehow rekindled in his eyes.
" Sephiroth!" he said aloud. No one else could hear the reply.
"I don't have time for your smart-mouthing, Sephiroth. Now listen, I want you to grab someone you love. I know there aren't a lot but . . . what, you've done it? Good. Hold on."
There was a short flash.
"Good, hold on while I contact some others."
" . . . "
"Braska, are you there? Grab Yuna, please. That's right. . . . what are you talking about? Fine, I'll wait! Think out to me when you find her!"
" . . . Why's he talking to himself?" Tidus asked.
Cloud's theory was only speculation . . .
"He's apparently talking to someone, but we can't hear them"
"Aeris, there's a reason you're still here. You being alive is important. As a matter of fact, a Cetra was ingenious."
Allen laughed.
"So that's why it's taking so long to crush Esthar Garden! There's a Cetra on board. You mean to tell me her life was here for this purpose? How amazing! How ingenious."
Cloud looked despairingly at Oren.
"You mean to tell me this was for planning purposes?"
"Maybe. No, not you Aeris, find someone you love, or of great importance. They're what you need. What? Fine."
Oren turned to Cloud.
"Cloud, Aeris wants you. Go to the entrance point and wait for me to take her to you."
Everyone stared at him as Cloud's cheeks turned bright red.
" . . . Jecht, are you there. No, I don't have any . . . we don't have much time! Get someone of great importance! I don't care who!"
Oren turned to Tidus.
"You're wanted at the entrance, Tidus."
He shrugged, and blasted off after Cloud who had just left.
"Seymour? Dammit. He's sleeping. Wake up you ass! . . . Still sleeping . . . he's awake! Seymour . . . don't call me that, I'll wake you up when I want! Find someone important to you! Do I care? The answer is no! Just tell me when you have, or your ass and everyone else's will be blown to damn oblivion!"
He was breathing heavily at this point.
"Okay, Ult-Thuka if you insist. Grab Kiros. Yes Kiros, and hurry. Wait, you already have him . . . Stop! I don't want to know! Too much information! Stop talking!"
There was a click as he teleported Jecht, Braska and Yuna, Kiros and Thuka, and Seymour, who must have found someone. He teleported Rikku the rest of the way through, and panted.
"I'm tired . . ."
"Five minutes and eighteen seconds left, the clock is ticking!" Allen said, filing his nails.
"Auron! What, you're there what? Hold on."
He turned to Allen.
"Do people they really hate qualify?"
Allen nodded.
"Okay Auron, Seymour is fine, and vice versa. Now hold on. Everyone, you will arrive in an area full of pods. We don't have much time, so be ready! No questions! Okay, what you have to do is have some physical contact with they person you love . . . or hate. Anyhow, be in contact and touch the pod at the same time, you dead ones. The emotion will activate an effect that might stop Fantasy Thunder!"
Allen laughed.
"You have actually done it in the time limit! I can't believe it!"
Oren twitched.
"Thuka, a kiss does count as contact. I don't care how passionate. Stop describing!"
He clutched his hands over his ears.
"For the love of whatever god you worship! Stop describing! Too much damn information!"
Allen looked amused.
"Anyhow, I doubt that those bastards you called up have the power to stop Fantasy Thunder anyway."
There was a loud click and a computerized female voice said:
"SYSTEM SHUTDOWN. SELF DESTRUCT IN FIFTEEN MINUTES. HAVE A NICE DAY"
Everyone's eyes got large. It wasn't determinable who started running first, but not even Allen could survive an explosion that huge.
"Get the hell out of there and get to the port! I'll teleport you back in a second!" Oren screamed in his head.
Allen was the first to start running, and he blew a trail of wind so powerful that the one's present flew back. Seifer shot off after him.
"This is no time to chase!" Oren screamed after him.
"I'm not chasing, I'm getting the didley-shit out of here!" He yelled.
The rest took his advice and ran as well.
It wasn't long before Oren was way behind, and found himself in a corridor, the body of Omega and Allen waiting there.
"I wish I had realized it before . . . " Allen punched the wall into nothing.
"I thought lives were meaningless, but even I have one. Now, the thought of me dying . . . and this thought on everyone else? Dying is horrible! And I'm a murderer!"
Oren laughed.
"That's how I feel. Too bad the change of heart is so late. Come, there is hope."
"No, my time is up."
"What?"
"A planet can only live for so long, my time is up. I am only happy I never accomplished my-"
Allen started to fall, and Oren ran forward and grabbed him.
"Allen! Come on, not now! We have to get out of here!"
"Omega will tell you."
"I thought you killed him."
"Do you see him materialized?"
"Good point."
"Damn Fantasy Thunder. Damn myself for creating it. Why!?"
"Screw it Allen, there's still a life for you."
"Live, and stop Fantasy Thunder . . . " Allen dissipated into nothing fast, and the lights in the ship got brighter.
Omega raised up, clutching his hearts.
"Stupid bastard . . . I'm not dead yet!"
"Will you stop calling me names!?"
"I was talking about Allen . . . Now you die! Die, Murasaki!"
Omega used every ounce of his strength to stab at Oren, who dodged.
"Omega, why are you so full of hate? Nothing will come of it, your soul is empty-"
Two daggers went into Oren. One into his main heart, and his secondary heart was grazed badly.
"Omega-" he sputtered as they both fell to the ground, dying.
"Why are you such a fool. So many pointless deaths!"
" . . . Death? I thought . . . death!?"
"It's not good, now that you're dying."
"NO! I thought I was erasing them from . . . Oren. " He put his hand on his shoulder as he stood up with the last of his strength.
"I'm not sorry for much of what I did. I have personal beefs with you, I'm a bit glad you are gone" He walked off, tripping over his own feet."
"Tell my sister, Nida, everyone else, I'm so very sorry. You have a sister, you know what it's like. Death? Wiping out of existence?"
"I had a sister, Omega. But I will tell everyone you're sorry."
"Here's a little secret, she's still alive"
"Don't bother cheering me up."
"I'm serious. Death . . . how horrible."
"It is a fate worse than death. They won't even exist."
"Fantasy Thunder, accursed machine!" he yelled up.
Oren's primary heart was probably a goner, but his secondary heart was holding out. At the rate it was going, he might live, or die.
He found the strength to stand up.
"Allen said he wanted you to tell me something. What is it?"
" . . . Nothing comes of hate. There are two gates. Auxiliary power, Oren. I will seal up one."
"How?"
"Only a Zatach body! If not, then there is a chance Fantasy Thunder will still be activated."
"What will happen to all of the bodies of your comrades?"
"They are strong. They will be blown, but not killed. Seeing as they are Zatach, their spirits will attract them to planets like Gaia . . . they can start new lives. But I must seal that gate!"
"What will happen to you?"
"I will die."
"What?"
"One gate might be all it needs, but Fantasy Thunder may act on its own. It's risky, but if you sacrifice yourself, then you can seal that last gate, Oren. It may not be necessary, but if you're dying you might as well."
"Omega . . . rest well in the beyond."
"I will see you there someday. I hope my empty heart is spared . . . "
Omega looked up, and yelled a mighty yell. A chasm appeared above him, and he was sucked in at the speed of sound.
"Where is the other gate!?"
"It will find you. Goodbye, and remember my words-" Omega's voice died and fragments of red energy came floating. The great warrior was gone for good.
Everyone had been evacuated. Cloud, Zidane, Squall, and Tidus all remained for worry of Oren, who they had grown close to. Seifer stood with them, even though only a few minutes remained until self-destruction.
Seifer felt a feminine hand on his shoulder.
"What?" he turned around.
"Jessica!"
He cut off her oxygen supply and she struggled.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! I've been fine! Please let go! Zatach recover quickly!"
Seifer looked her in the eyes.
"If I had lost you . . . "
"You didn't, and we can go on with our lives. Soon, Fantasy Thunder will be gone for good and this pointless escapade will be concluded! Where's Oren?"
"Something you should know . . . "
"That was my brother . . . I saw him at least once."
"I'm sorry about what he did."
She shook her head.
"I felt his soul, it was so full of anger and hatred. But something- someone, healed that. And in his last moments, I felt Omega extend apologies . . . "
"I still think he's bad to the bone, but I'm glad. Did Oren kill him?"
She explained to everyone.
"There are two gates, Omega sealed one with his body. Oren could use his own to seal the last, but it may not be necessary. I say we just leave and let the one gate remain."
Oren limped up, clutching his hearts.
"Yo"
"Oren! Great heavens!" She ran to him and held him as he doubled over.
"Who the hell did this?"
"You don't want to know."
"Please . . . not Omega."
"It was part of his plan. He thought I might have nothing to lose by sealing the last gate . . . but I might live you know."
"Shut up, you will live. You're probably the most important person to me still alive. Come on, we're out of here."
Seifer and the others were hesitant to leave, and Jessica slowly dragged Oren as he struggled to walk.
"Don't try to walk!"
"Can't you pull a bit faster?"
"We have a whole five minutes! And your remaining heart is weak, I won't kill you."
"You don't have to worry about that."
"What are you-shut up. Be quiet right now!"
"You can silence me-" he broke into a fit of coughs and blood drops came out. Everyone cringed.
"But I won't make it. Oren Murasaki is leaving this cruel universe"
"I swear on everything holy I will kill you myself if you say that again."
"Either way I'll-"
"Be quiet!"
Oren shook his head.
"Oren . . . "
Tears trailed down, and then floated into the air before they could hit the ground. Artificial gravity was shutting down.
"You can't die! Everyone's depending on you! If you die-many others will be erased!"
"Not immediately, they can . . . say goodbye. Warn them for me."
A circular gate of light appeared about twelve feet over Oren, and he laughed. "Some grim reaper-" He broke into a fit of coughs.
Jessica tried to stop herself from slapping him.
"Oren Murasaki, I'll say this one more time, shut the hell up."
Seifer put a hand on her shoulder and she shook it off uncomfortably as she continued to kneel and cry.
Gravity became lighter and her hair floated up and around, the light making her seem like some sort of bizarre angel.
"And my angel."
"Oren, please"
The gate started glowing and whirring.
"Oren, you were a great guy. I'll never forget you." Said Cloud, waving at him.
Oren waved back.
Squall laughed.
"I really think you're something. You left a mark on this world, and in our hearts, man."
"Later, gunblade master."
"After all you've done, you should be the last one to die."
"But here I am, life's screwy, ain't it?" he responded to Zidane.
Tidus looked down, and then up.
"Hard to believe. After all this, you'll be gone. Hey, it could've been worse!"
"Damn straight."
"In the afterlife, buddy." Tidus said, giving a thumbs-up.
Oren struggled to give one back, and succeeded.
He looked up to Seifer.
"I don't care what anyone says, Almassy, you're a hell of a guy. Take care of her."
He nodded.
Cloud turned blue, and then stopped. The same thing happened to Zidane, Tidus, Seifer, and Squall.
"I'm not super strong or fast anymore . . . " Cloud mentioned.
"Eta, Theta, and Mu's pods have shut down." Jessica explained though tears, but it was hard to believe how she could explain such things considering the circumstances.
Cloud looked around.
"Not much time. Later Oren, you da' man!"
Everyone left, and Seifer looked at Jessica.
"Alright, make sure you escape on time, we won't leave without you." He said, leaving as well.
Jessica looked at the exit.
"Jess, you have a minute and eight seconds."
"Don't call me that again."
"Like I'll get the chance."
The two shared a last laugh.
He whispered into her ear.
"You were like a second sister to me. I love you."
"And I will never forget-" her voice cracked and she cried a bit more.
"I won't forget you."
"Live, start a family, anything. All of this . . . it was worth it. Remember, if you ever see the sky and it's really blue . . . "
"I'll always see you. I couldn't forget you if I tried, Murasaki."
"Farewell-"
He floated towards the gate, his body about to give out.
"And live!"
He disappeared, the gate sealed, and Jessica left with fifteen seconds remaining. Almost all the gas of Esthar Garden was depleted when Nida, up and running, fired the engines to maximum burn and sent them out of there at thousands of miles per hour.
Oren Murasaki's body disappeared into nothing but blue energy. He was launched into space, and his body's energy returned to the place of the broken planet.
That day, his body was finally gone and gone for good from the universe, never to return.
Not the end of the fic
AN: This ain't the end, the last chapter sums it all up. I hope you enjoyed, I'm going to finish it up in the final part.
[Message from Oren]
Hate brings nothing but destruction, but Love can accomplish anything. No matter the circumstance, it is important to use your heart to fight battles, not the blade.