Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Final Fantasy characters.


(Epilogue (a rather long one))

AH... Yes there was peace on Earth now and like most people say, 'Life goes on'.

As soon as the disaster had passed, the team had gone their separate ways (sort of). Cloud and Aerith had moved to the Forgotten City. Jacques/Speed and I moved with them. Naz and Yuffie stayed in Wutai where Yuffie had to take over the 5 level Pagoda.

Barret and Marlene became caretakers at Cloud's villa at Costa del Sol and Elmyra moved in with them and served as a babysitter to Marlene. Red of course went back to Cosmo Canyon with Bugenhagen.

He was to be the Guardian Cosmo Canyon to replace his father Seto. Vincent and Tifa moved into the old Shinra Mansion in Nibelheim but before they did, everyone pitched in to 'cleansing' it.

We had to drive all the monsters away and we found out the source was the old reactor in the mountain. We weren't quite sure how the two were connected, but might as well nip the bud before it blooms.

No rock was left unturned in the mansion and made sure no monster was left to roam in it. The mansion transformed dramatically, from freaky old dark and gloomy, to good ol' bright and happy.

Cait Sith/Reeve stayed on the Highwind with Cid whom decided to live on it with Shera, but stayed in the area around Rocket Town. Sam and the girls stayed in Kalm for the mean time and took part time jobs in the shops.

Rufus, he stayed with us in the Forgotten City, though Speed and Cloud disapproved it but gave in to me and Aerith. Maybe it was because Auntie Aisyah decided to stay with us, too.

He needed a place to stay before Midgar was fully rebuilt. But there was a time where all of us got together. It was for another date event at the Gold Saucer and this time Naz and Yuffie were the main characters in the play at the Event square.

Both were tumbling over their lines and the play became a comedy. All laughed and the producer was thrilled as it gave him new ideas on future plays.

The two main love birds went on the gondola again and after that, invited me and Speed onto the shooting coaster. It was fun going on the shooting coaster and once again we beat the highest score.

The others were either relaxing at the haunted inn or gambling at the chocobo square. When Jacques and I arrived back at the inn, Cloud and Aerith hadn't returned yet. We wondered where they, but I had a feeling I knew where they were.

They were at the gondola again and by the time we reached them they were asleep in each others arms.

Jacques and Naz wanted to wake them but I told them not to disturb as they looked so sweet together like that smile. This last night was a night to remember for all of us, before it was time for us to go home.

"Sigh...I would really miss this world." I sighed.

Some times while we lived at the Forgotten City, Cloud and Aerith would disappear to the sleeping forest or the underwater dome and won't come back till morning, I wonder why?

A few weeks later, in Aerith's church in Midgar, there was a triple wedding. The blushing brides were Aerith, Tifa and Shera and the handsome grooms were Cloud, Vincent and Cid. All looked beautiful and handsome during that day.

The bride's maids were Yuffie and Serena and Marlene was the most adorable flower girl everyone had ever seen.

Naz and Reeve were the best men, Barret and Red XIII gave the brides away, Rude was the ring bearer, Reno, Jacques and Tseng were the ushers Elena was the photographer, and Siew Mei and I were the wedding planners.

Rufus was really helpful as he handled the funds. That was certainly sweet of him.

I was also the wedding singer, though I had to bring out a CD player and my own songs for that day as they didn't know the songs I knew. Auntie Aisyah was in charge of the dresses, tuxedoes and bouquets.

She even helped Siew Mei pick the decorations. Bugenhagen was the priest, being the wisest of all the people we knew.

When all the guests have been seated, Bugenhagen started the ceremony. When Barret and Red brought the brides down the aisle, I couldn't help but laugh softly as I though Red looked a little funny but good wearing the top of a tuxedo.

The girls wore white silk gowns and roses in white, red and pink in their hair. The bouquets were of a variation of flowers from roses to tulips.

The flower girl wore a soft pink frilly dress and the brides' maids wore glittering gentle blue dresses and each held a small bouquet of daisies and primroses.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of these three lovely couples." Elmyra, Siew Mei and I smiled in delight.

Sam was clapping continuously with a few other guests. Shera blushed as she had never seen so many people before.

Vincent nearly became a tomato again and Cid was getting agitated as he wasn't fond of being stared at. Cloud smiled softly at Aerith and she smiled back. Tifa giggled quietly at Vincent and caught hold of his hand.

Bugen continued, "Do you, Cloud Strife, Vincent Valentine and Cid Highwind take these women for your lovely wedded wives, to have and hold in fitness and in health till death do you part?"

They turned to their brides and said, "I do."

Bugen then turned to the lovely brides and asked, "Do you, Aerith Gainsborough, Tifa Lockhart and Shera Sanza (don't really know her full name (it wasn't stated)) take these men as your husbands, to have and hold in fitness and in health till death do you part?"

They faced their grooms, smiled and said, "I do." Shera blushed, and Cid could feel steam rushing out from his white tuxedo.

Cloud and Aerith continued to admire each other; Tifa and Vincent just smiled with happiness brightening their eyes. None could believe that Tifa and Vincent would be together, but they did and everyone accepted them.

"You may now exchange the rings which represents the bond between you. May your love forever last," he grinned at them.

He seemed to enjoy happy endings. Rude was a little bashful when he presented the rings to them as he tripped on a loose floorboard. But overall he was lucky that none of the rings left their places on the cushion.

In fact, the six of them were nervous themselves when the rings were exchanged. Vincent glowed bright red, steam could be seen rising up from Cid's tuxedo, Cloud's bow tie kept getting out of place, Shera kept blushing, Tifa kept looking at her bouquet and Aerith held her breathe.

"Now, if anyone objects the unions of these loving couples please speak now or forever hold their peace." Some may have given it a thought but decided not to.

Rude had always liked Tifa and Tseng had always liked Aerith but they themselves would want them to be happy. Tseng had found out what feelings Elena had for him and accepted her.

Noticing no one had any objections to the marriages, Bugen announced, "Without further delay, I declare you men and wives, you may now kiss the brides."

He didn't have to tell them twice as they have been waiting for him to announce it.

The grooms removed the veils and passionately kissed their brides. All and I mean all stood up and applauded. I could see the happiness from Elmyra's face as she cried tears of joy for Aerith had finally found a soul mate.

Marlene joined in the happiness by throwing left over flower petals up in the air and at the newly weds, who were running hand in hand out the church.

The whole area was decorated accordingly and there was a special stage put up for the infamous bouquet toss and for the wedding singers to sing.

All the girls gathered around the stage as Shera, Tifa and Aerith turned to toss their bouquets.

"Better get ready girls as you'll never get another chance." Tifa laughed.

For the fun of it, Lynn and I joined in even though it was against my religion. "There they go...!" the three brides yelled together.

All were rushing for the bouquets. Tifa's arm was strong as her bouquet flew right into my arms at the very far end of the crowd.

Aerith's bouquet had hit Barret on the head and dropped gently into Elmyra's arms not far away from the stage.

This was unexpected thing for her as she had already been married and didn't think she was young enough to marry again.

So far one didn't think so, Barret thought she was perfect. Marlene needed a mother and Elmyra needed a husband.

Marlene agreed with the idea of her dad marrying Elmyra and she cared a lot about her, too. Elmyra herself couldn't get enough of Marlene.

They looked sweet togethergiggle. The last bouquet landed on Elena's lap as she sat on a chair opposite from where I was standing.

She was just taking a rest and the bouquet just fell there. She jumped up like a spring and stared at it in awe. Tseng went up to her, wrapped his hand around her waist and rested his head on her shoulder.

She faced him, and hung close to his chest. Unlike everyone else, I was shocked to have caught the bouquet and started getting all panicky.

I gave it to Lynn but she refused the offer and gave me a hug for catching it. She was older than me and I insisted that she took it but she still declined the offer.

From the buffet table, my brother and Jacques saw that I caught the bouquet and Naz urged Jacques to 'fetch' me. Auntie Aisyah laughed in delight when she saw the bouquet in my hands.

She thought of warning me when she saw Jacques coming but decided to watch the 'show' instead. I was parting from Lynn's hug when someone lifted my up.

"Hey... what the...?" I turned my head and saw Jacques.

My faced glowed pink and asked to be let down but instead he kissed me in front of the whole crowd.

The newly weds just laughed with glee from the stage, Naz and Yuffie tried their best to hide their embarrassment, Elmyra clasped her hand around her mouth while she laughed softly, Barret smiled, Marlene jumped up and down, the other girls blushed red at the scene and Auntie Aisyah scrambled for a camera as she wanted to capture the moment (hopefully she won't show the photo to my parents).

Even though we weren't married he carried me like we were. There was a dance and the newly weds danced together and occasionally some lucky ones managed to exchange partners with the brides and grooms.

"Lucky, the person I exchanged my dance partner with was, Aerith." I thought sarcastically, that meant I had to dance with Cloud.

While dancing with him I whispered, "Well, she's all yours, now. Better take care of her as I may not be there next time to take a sword for her." He glanced behind us and smiled.

"You bet I will. Thank you so much. If it weren't for you, the only angel I had would be lost." I smiled childishly at him as a 'no problem' sign.

After the dance I stepped onto the stage and sang songs dedicated to the newly weds and the bride and grooms to be.

During some numbers Lynn and Serena joined in. Then, Naz and Barret stepped up and sang a few songs.

"Wow... I didn't think Barret would have such a good singing voice." Tifa exclaimed.

After the duo stepped down, Jacques said he'd only go up to sing a duet.

Yuffie pushed me to him and said, "Here's your girl, now get up there and put on a show."

And we did, the sound of our voices overwhelmed the crowd. Aerith gave me a hug and thanked us for the show. Not long after, we were shocked to have some unexpected guests.

Sephiroth and what seemed to look like Lucrecia had appeared from nowhere and asked to loin in the celebration. Thinking he was going to bring trouble, Cloud, Cid, Vincent and Reeve got ready their weapons.

"Wait, I have a better idea," I yelled from the stage.

I went up to them and looked in his eyes and saw no evil. I looked at his chest and in my mind I saw a bright red heart beating in his body. He's clean and pure. I looked at Lucrecia and saw that she was still young and vibrant.

"How could this be?" I wondered and welcomed them warmly.

"Well my dear, this is my mother and I'm pleased to meet you." He took my hand and shook it.

She walked up to Vincent and apologized for not listening to him before.

"Thank you all so much. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have been able to touch my baby again." She said at last glancing at Sephiroth.

"It was a pleasure. We'd do anything to please a friend." Tifa smiled at her.

Vincent glanced at her and turned to his new wife. He was happy, after years of punishment and grief, he had found HIS happiness.

It wasn't in Lucrecia, but in Tifa. I was glad that everyone gleamed with happiness on this joyous occasion.

His grief and longing over Lucretsia seemed to have vanished like a midsummer night's dream and her being right in front of him had no effect at all.

Anyway, he was happy for her as she had been reunited with her most loved one, her baby, all grown up though, Sephiroth.

Cid and Shera were having the time of their lives and never thought they'd end up married. From afar, I could still see left over steam coming out of his tux.

"He resembles an old steam engine, if you ask me." I heard Naz say, as he guffawed at Cid.

Before the day was done, there were more dances. All found partners, even clumsy Rude. Serena pitied him and stayed with him the whole night. Finally, I was wondering when he'd have a smile on his face.

Naz and I were even surprised to know that Sam had eyes for my childhood friend, Siew Mei. She was the first friend I made when I started school.

We were speechless, but all that we could do was wish them 'all the best'. I didn't want to hog Jacques all to myself so I let a few other girls have a go with him.

He didn't seem to mind a bit. Should've known, he had an eye for women.

I shook my head in dismay. Naz and Yuffie walked towards me from the dance floor thinking that I was rejected.

"Maybe mom and dad were right, you deserve better than him." Naz proclaimed.

"Oh please...Don't start that issue again, will you? Anyway I let him go with the girls, besides there were many without partners anyway....I'm fine lil' bro. . . . Don't worry about me. You two have fun, I'll stay right here. I needed a break anyway." I smiled at them.

Actually, maybe they were right to worry, as my old habit of jealousy and sadness took over and tried my best to conceal it. From the far end of the dance floor, Rufus finally saw me alone and seized the chance to be with me while it was still open.

Lost in thought, I watched blindly at the dancers and didn't realize his hand till he spoke.

"Shall we dance?" he offered like the gentleman he was.

My face flushed in red at his gesture. Made sure I didn't fidget or tumble, I accepted. He was s great dancer indeed. We attracted quite a crowd, even the newly weds stopped to watch.

Barret and Jacques didn't really approve of me dancing with Rufus, but Naz, Auntie Aisyah, Cloud and surprisingly Sephiroth told them to let us be.

Quote from Disney's Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella musical play, "For a few precious, we're the only two people on the entire world." It seemed to be that way with us, though I could feel Jacques's jealousy slowly blowing a fuse, again.

What made conditions worse was Rufus kissed me. Didn't think it would hurt and went through with it. Rufus felt his heart do somersaults as he relished the moment. I parted the kiss and let go of his grasp.

Cloud and Sephiroth at that moment were trying to 'help' Jacques keep his cool before I returned.

Barret went up to me and asked why I danced with Rufus. I told him, "he asked and I just went along."

The answer was simple and easy to understand but Barret couldn't seem to stomach it. "It's alright, dad. I'm here now and not with him," I patted him on the back and he cooled down.

Sephiroth and Cloud urged me to come over to take care of Jacques. "Well I didn't think that you'd be jealous if I danced with someone other than yourself." I said to him as I sat beside him.

He moved away and asked why I kissed Rufus.

Sigh... is that all?

"It was for fun. It wasn't anything serious. Besides I don't love him like I do you." My words struck him like an electric shock.

He then realized that he loved me, too and pulled me into hug. Finally, he's at peace, that's a relief. Everyone stared and smiled.

Rufus understood immediately and realized that I was literally out of his reach. He went up to us and congratulated Jacques.

"What you have there is a real and true angel, so take care of her well." He held out his hand and Jacques took it.

They shook on it and parted separately. Jacques looked at him and a 'good riddance' look in his face.

"Don't think that way, if you look at him, you'll understand that he's lonely. You know what I mean." I glanced at him and then to Rufus.

He hadn't known that and felt a little guilty, but didn't show it.

The night wore on and little by little the area became less crowded. By midnight, the only guests left were Sephiroth, his mother and the Turks.

They were kind enough to lend a hand with the cleaning up. On the Highwind, the newly weds got ready for their honeymoons. Their honeymoons were at the Gold Saucer.

It was the only place they would have privacy and they could have fun at the same time. But the sad thing was it was time for us to leave. Cloud and the others allowed us to follow to drop them off.

On the Highwind, the call to send us home finally came.

"Girl... your mission was a success, congratulations. Now it's time I keep our part of the bargain... man. We'll send you home, but maybe you'll remember this happened and maybe you won't. Thank you so much for saving them. You won't be forgotten." Wakka congratulated us.

"No, Wakka, thank you. If it weren't for you or the others, I wouldn't have been able to meet them." I told him with tears filling my eyes.

"No problem, girl. If we ever come in a bind, we'll know who to call." He replied.

"You promise?" "I promise, besides, you're our biggest fan." He assured.

"Go get ready; we'll be waiting for your signal." Then he hung up.

I started to cry, but dried them before facing the others. "Sam, Jacques, Naz, Serena, Siew Mei, Auntie Aisyah, Wakka called and said it's time to go home." I announced to them.

The newly weds, Rufus, Red, Barret, Marlene, Sephiroth and Reeve/Cait Sith were shocked to hear that it was time to say 'good bye'.

Everyone knows that good bye is such sweet sorrow. Forgetting how old I was, I ran to the shelter of Aerith and Tifa's arms and cried. I didn't think that parting with them would be so hard.

"It seemed just like yesterday; you fell through the roof of my church and guided us as we saved the Planet. I'll miss you to kid." Aerith had tears streaming down her face as she stroked my hair.

"Thank you so much, dear, if it weren't for you, I would've drowned that day and wouldn't have 'found' Vincent." Tifa too, cried her eyes out with me still in her arms.

Barret shook Jacques hands and asked him to take care of his 'daughter' (he thought of me as his own daughter). Lynn and Serena hugged Yuffie and the Turks who followed us too.

Serena even gave Rude a souvenir to remember her by, "If we're fated to be together, that super enemy-all materia will glow brightly and I'll be waiting for you." She smiled at him and hugged him tightly

. Red howled once more and his crown became a frown. "I'll miss you, the most," I said as I hugged him tightly.

I was really going to miss the fuzzy red ball of fur. Cloud and the other grooms took turns shaking everyone's hands but gave me hugs.

Auntie Aisyah got a special hand shake from Barret for being the best weapon's expert he had ever seen. Marlene was crying like a baby as she didn't want me to go.

"Don't cry sweetie, I'm sure we'll see each other again, if fate is with us," I kissed her forehead as I carried her in my arms.

I'll miss her, too. Before we left, I made sure we took a few photos together for remembrance. Rufus came over to me and gave me a hug and for the first time in many years, he cried. All were surprised to see him do so. I wiped his tears and pulled him close.

His lips met mine for the last time. He didn't want to let go, but I had gently pushed him away.

"I won't forget you, but I'm sure you'll find another to replace me in your heart." I told him while I passed him the photo I carried with me ever since I arrived at that world.

He took it and held it close to his heart. I stroked his now gentle face with my right hand; he then took it and kissed it lightly before I went over to Jacques. Since Naz couldn't stand to part with Yuffie, he conjured up a special materia that enables just them to communicate even though they're from different dimensions.

We gathered at the deck and it was there we said our last goodbyes and I gave Wakka the signal. We waved to them as we floated upwards and finally vanished into thin air.

Even then I could still hear them saying goodbye and thank you. Wakka, Lulu, Sora, Kairi, Tidus, Yuna, Squall, Paine and Rikku lined us up before them to congratulate us and thanked us.

"Good job, guys. You were better than we thought. We want to thank you for helping them." Squall bowed before us.

"Please don't bow, we... I don't deserve it. It was a pleasure for me to be with them. We were more than pleased to help." I stopped him.

"We hope that when any problems turn up, you'll call." Naz added.

"Like Wakka said, we know who to call. Farewell, heroes, you won't be forgotten." Lulu waved her hand. In an instant, we were lost in darkness once more.