Chapter 49: Brotherly Love

After forty five minutes. We arrived at Lindblum. We immediately took Michael to the guest room, and Doctor Tot examined him. I was extremely worried about him. Everyone was waiting for what the doctor had to say.

Finally, Doctor Tot turned to us. Zidane spoke "well?"

Tot spoke "He appears to be fine. He just seems exhausted. What happened out there?" We told him about our encounter with Angel.

Tot seemed worried. "You say that Angel is a part of Michael." We all nodded. He seemed to consider this. "Well, no wonder Michael is so exhausted. I've heard of ways that a person can use to separate from a part of them. It's very difficult, and very exhausting. However, I've never heard of an occasion were the part you expelled took on a physical form. That's news to me."

I spoke. "Will Michael be alright?"

Tot nodded. "Oh, yes, he should be fine." I sighed in relief, and turned to Zidane.

My eyes darkened. "What do we do about Angel?"

Zidane thought for a moment. "Well…safe to say, he's not our ally. I'm not sure what we should do about him. Man, first Kuja, now this Angel guy. We just go from one bad guy to another."

I looked back at Michael, and didn't bother listening to what the others were saying. I looked at Michael as he laid there on the bed. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully. 'This is my fault…I couldn't protect him. Michael…I'm sorry. I swear if Angel comes near you again, I'll kill him!' I thought.

"Vivi, hello?" I was shaken out of my thoughts, and spun around to see Zidane.

"Huh, what?"

Zidane sighed. "I said, that Doctor Tot said that there's an island near the Forgotten Continent. There's a place there called Daguerreo that's some kind of ancient library. We're gonna go there and get some supplies. You wanna come along?"

I shook my head. "No, I'm gonna stay with Michael. I'm not gonna leave his side again."

Zidane smiled. "I knew you'd say that. Okay, you can stay here." He turned to the others. "Come on guys." They all left the guest room.

I turned back to Michael. I noticed the chair by the bed. I walked over to the chair, and sat down. I looked at Michael again. I sighed. 'I failed you once. I'm not gonna fail again' I thought. That's when I realized that I was extremely tired. I closed my eyes, and quickly fell asleep. Little did I know that a familiar enemy had just entered Lindblum.

I was in the Business District, and had finally found a nice, quiet room to meditate in. 'Yes, this will be adequate enough. Time to turn Michael's dream into a nightmare' I thought. I sat on the ground, and began to meditate. I reached out to Michael's mind.

I was lost in my mind. It was dark. There was no light. I was lost in the darkness. I felt different. I felt lost and weak. I was alone. I began to sing.

"Looooost in the daaaaarkneeeeeeeess. Silence surrounds me. Once there was morning, now endleeeeeeess niiiiiiiiight. I wiiiiiill fiiiiiiind the answer. I'll neveeeeeer give uuuuuuuuuuuup. I will coooontiiiinuuuue on. Till the daaaaay thaaaaat IIIIIIIII-"

A mirror suddenly emerged from the darkness. I looked at the mirror, and saw the figure of Angel appear in the mirror. He smiled, and began to sing.

"Do you really think that I would ever let you go? Do you think I'd ever set you freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. If you do I'm sad to say; it simply isn't so. You will never get away from meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee."

I grew angry."All that you are is a face in the mirror. I close my eyes and you disappear. I'm what you face when you face in the mirror. As long as you live I will still be here. All that you are is the end of a nightmare. All that you are is a dieing scream. After tonight I shall end this demon dreeeeeeeeam."

"This is not a dream my friend, and it will never end! This one is the nightmare that goes ooooooooooooooon! Angel's here to stay no matter what you may pretend and I'll flourish long after you're gooooooooooooooooone!"

"Soon you will die, and my silence will hide you. You cannot choose but to lose control. You can't control me. I live deep inside you. Each day you'll feel me devour your soul. I don't need you to survive like you need me. I'll become whole as you dance with death, and I'll rejoice as you breathe your final breaaaaaaaaaaath."

"I'll live inside you forever! No! With Saaaaaaatan himself by my side! No! And yooooooou'll know that now and forever you'll neveeeeer be able to separate us agaaaaaaaaaain!"

"Can't you see it's…over now? It's time to die. No, not I, only you. If I die, you'll die too. You'll die in me, I'll be you. Damn you Angel. Set me free. Can't you see, you are me? No, deep inside…I am you, you are Angel."

"No, never. Yes, forever. Oh, damn you Angel. Take all your evil deeds and rot in hell. I'll see you there, Michael. NEVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!"

I ran at the mirror, and punched it as hard as I could. The mirror shattered, and disappeared. That's when I heard him. "Even if we're apart, I can still invade your mind. You cannot escape me, Michael. You will be mine."

I shook my head. "No, I'll find a way to free myself from you."

He laughed. "Believe what you want, but I'm here to stay. You have no power over me. You barely managed to get me out of your mind, but you can't fight against me anymore."

I spoke. "I will fight you, Angel. As long as you endanger my friends I will fight you."

He laughed. "You can't fight me, and I'll prove it to you." That's when I felt someone grab me from behind.

I couldn't turn around, and see who it was. I knew who it was though, without even looking; it was Angel. He began coursing my shoulders, and moved his hands down my arms as well. I was wrapped up by a dark power that I knew was useless to resist. I couldn't maintain my focus anymore. I closed my eyes, but it was useless. I couldn't resist anymore. I opened my eyes, and began to sing.

"I feeeeeeeeeel your fingeeeeeeeeers cold on my shouuuuuldeeeeeeeers. Your chilling touch…as it ruuuuuns dooooown my spiiiiiiiine. Watching your eeeeeeeeeeeyes-" I turned my head to see his red eyes "-as they invaaaaaaade my sooooooul. Forbidden pleasures…I'm afraid to make miiiiiiiiiiiiiine."

"At the touch of your hand, at the sound of your voice, at the moment your eyes meet miiiiiiiine. I am out of my mind. I am out of control. Full of feelings I can't define." I realized that I was under his control. I was terrified. I had to resist him. I tried to pull away from him, but he tightened his grip on my arms, and pulled me back. He began to sing.

"It's a sin with no name. Like a hand in a flame. And our senses proclaim (it's a dangerous gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaame.)"

He spun me around so I would face him. He looked at me, and began to cores my hair. He sang.

"A darker dream…that has no endiiiing. That's so unreal; you believe that it's truuuuuuue. A dance of death. Out of a mystery tale-" he bent his head towards my ear "- the frightened prince…doesn't know what to doooooooo." He pulled his head back. I tried to get away again, but he held me tighter, and spun me around so I was facing away from him.

"Will the ghosts go away? No! Will he will them to stay? No! Either way, there's no way you can win. No!"

"All I know is I'm lost. No! And I'm counting the cost. No! My emotions are in a spin. No!"

He began to move his left hand around my chest. I didn't like the way he was touching me, but I was powerless to stop him. He was telling the truth. I couldn't fight him. All I could do was try and resist. "I don't know who's to blame. It's a crime and a shame. But it's true all the same. (It's a daaaaangeeeerous gaaaaaaaaaaaaame.)"

"(No one speeeeeeeeeeaks. Not one wooooooooord, but ones words are in our eeeeeeeeeeeeyes.) Silence/Silence speaks speeeeeeeaks, loud and/loud and clear cleeeeeeeear. (All the words we don't want to heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeear.)"

I tried to break away again, but he tightened his grip, and spun me around again. He began moving his hands against my arms again. "(At the touch of your hand, at the sound of your voice, at the moment your eyes meet miiiiiiine. I am losing my mind. I am losing control. Fighting feelings I can't defiiiiiiine.)"

"It's a sin with no name. No remorse and no shame. Fire, fury, and flame. Oh, the devil's to blame. (And the angels proclaaaaaaaaaaim…it's a dangerous gaaaaaaaaaaame.)"

That's when I pulled away from him, and finally broke free of Angel's grip. I started to run from him. I could feel he was following me. "You can't escape me, Michael. No matter where you go, no matter where you hide, I'll be there."

I ran faster. 'Someone…anyone, HELP ME!' I thought. Suddenly, there was a flash of light, and I hit the ground.

I was shocked out of my meditation. "What? Where did that light come from? Dammit, I was so close!" I stood up, and looked at the castle. "You will be mine, Michael, one way or another."

"Michael…Michael, wake up." I woke up, and found myself lying on the floor. I stood up, and looked around.

I was alone in the room, but I still felt a presence. "Who's there?" Suddenly, a figure appeared before me.

It was a woman. I looked in shock at the woman, and smiled "Mary."

She smiled. "Hello, Michael. It's great to see ya again."

I smiled. "Mary…it's been so long."

She nodded. "I know, but it seems you have big problems."

That's when I remembered. "My gosh, my friends! What happened? Was I too late? Are they alright?"

She walked up to me and took my hand in hers. She looked at me, and smiled. "You don't have to worry, Michael. Your friends are fine. You stopped Angel just in time."

I spoke. "Angel…what am I going to do about him?"

She shrugged. "that's for you to decide. You're at a crossroad now, Michael. The decision you make at this crossroad will determine your fate, and the fate of those around you."

I spoke. "What is this decision?"

She smiled. "Hiko already told you what you hafta do. The only question now is; will you do it?"

I realized what she was talking about. "I don't think I'm re-" she cut me off.

Her voice had a tone of annoyance. "That's your excuse for everything, isn't it? 'I'm not ready yet.' Well, if you can't make your decision faster, you'll endanger all of your friends. You don't want that, do you?"

I shook my head. "No, but…I'm not sure."

She put her hand on my left cheek. "This decision has to be made sooner or later, Michael. You can't run from it forever. It must be done."

I spoke. "It will be done when I'm ready."

She sighed. "And when will that be?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."

She sighed again. "Well, it better be soon. You're running out of time." She turned from me.

I stopped her. "Mary, wait." She turned back to me

I spoke. "Before you go, there's something I have to tell you." She looked interested. I spoke "I…I was glad to have the opportunity to teach you, Mary. You were a great student."

She smiled. "Thanks, and you're still a great teacher." I smiled. She turned from me again.

I stopped her, again. "Wait, Mary. I wanted to say one more thing."

She turned to me. I took a deep breath. 'Well, its now or never' I thought. I spoke "Mary…I love you. I always wanted to tell you that, but I never had the chance to tell you in person." She smiled, and walked towards me.

She looked up at me. "I love you, too. If there was ever a man who I would have wanted to spend the rest of my days with, it would've been you."

Tears started to form in my eyes. "I would have loved to have spent my life with you, Mary. Can I ask one more thing?" She nodded; I smiled. "Can we have one more kiss?" She smiled, but instead of answering, she pressed her lips against mine.

Suddenly, I could feel myself falling back to the time when she first kissed me. I returned her kiss with equal passion. I knew that this was probably the last time that I'd ever get this chance. I never wanted it to end.

I don't know how long we kissed, but when we parted, we both looked satisfied. She looked at me, and I could see a tear running down her face. "Good bye, Michael." I reached out, and whipped away her tear.

I spoke. "Don't worry, Mary. We will see each other again, someday."

She smiled. "You're right, but for your sake I hope that it isn't anytime soon." She started to laugh.

I laughed, too. "Don't worry; I don't intend to make that journey just yet."

She smiled. "Now go, your brother is waiting for you."

I looked at her. "So, you know about Vivi?"

She smiled. "Yes, and I know how you feel about him. You love him, and before you say anything I know you don't love him in the same way you love me. You just want to stay close to him. You want to protect him, and you want to teach him."

I nodded. "Yes, he's my blood brother after all. How could I not love him?"

She gave me a serious look. "Then you know that the decision you will make will affect him as well. If you don't resolve things in your past, they will haunt you. Remember that?" I nodded.

She turned from me. A single tear rolled down my face. "Good bye, Mary."

She turned back to me. "Good bye, Michael." With that said, she disappeared. After she left, all went black.

I woke up, and found myself lying in a bed, in the guest room at Lindblum Grand Castle. I sat up in bed, and turned my head to the right. I saw that Vivi was asleep in a chair that was placed next to my bed. I smiled as I looked at him, but my smile quickly vanished.

I remembered what happened. I remembered how Angel had almost killed them, and he used my body to do it. It was all my fault. I should never have given Angel access to my mind like that. If I had known what he was going to do. Tears started to form in my eyes. I looked away from him. 'All my fault…this is all my fault' I thought. I tried to hold them back, but my tears slowly ran down my face.

I stirred in my sleep, and slowly woke up. I looked at Michael's bed, and saw, to my relief, that he was awake. "Michael, you're awake. Are you alright?" I got out of my chair, and got up on the bed. Something was bothering him. His shoulders were shaking, and I could here him sobbing. 'Is he…crying?' I thought. I got onto the bed, and tapped his shoulder. 'Michael…are you alright?" He shook his head. I sat down on the bed, and looked at his back "what's wrong?"

He spoke "you…know what's wrong. I just…tried to kill you, and the others."

I was worried. "No, it wasn't you. It was Angel. He was the one who tried to kill us, not you." I put my hand on his shoulder. "It wasn't your fault, Michael, and even if it was, I would forgive you."

That's when he turned around. He had tears streaming down his face. I felt so sorry for him. I held out my arms, and beckoned him to come closer. As soon as he was close enough, I embraced him. He embraced me as well and started crying on my shoulder. I decided to just let him cry.

He spoke. "I'm sorry…Vivi…I'm sorry for everything."

I put my hand on his back. "its okay, Michael. Everything will be alright. If there's anyone who should be sorry; it's Angel. That guys gonna pay for what he did."

I had no idea how long I cried for, but I was glad that Vivi was there. He comforted me, just as I knew he would. After a while, I calmed down enough to talk. "Vivi…I'm sorry about what happened. If you hadn't-" I stopped when I remembered. "You sang; I never knew you could sing, Vivi."

He adjusted his hat, and looked at me. "Well, I never used to, but I had to reach you some how. So, I sang that song. I was hoping you'd hear it."

I smiled. "I heard it, Vivi. You made a great choice in singing that song. By the way, you have a great singing voice." I was pretty sure that he was blushing.

I spoke. "So, where are the others?"

He spoke. "They left to some place called Daguerreo. They said they'd be back. They've been gone for half of the day."

I spoke. "How long have I been out for?"

He spoke. "About six hours."

I nodded. "I see. Vivi, can you walk with me to the telescope. I can probably think better there."

He nodded. "Sure."

We left the guest room, went to the elevator, rode to the top floor, got off the elevator, walked up the stairs, and stopped when we reached the telescope area.

Vivi spoke. "Why did you want to come here?" I didn't answer immediately. Instead, I looked at the scenery instead.

After looking at it, I turned to him. "I don't know. I just wanted to come out here."

Vivi spoke. "Michael, something is bothering you. What is it?"

I sighed. "I'm not sure what I should do about Angel."

Vivi spoke. "Well, we're gonna have to stop him. We can't let him endanger us anymore."

I nodded. "I know, but…I'm not sure I can stop him."

Vivi looked puzzled. "Why not?"

I turned to him. "Angel…is my Angel of Music."

Vivi's eyes widened. "You mean he's the guy you were talking about. The one you've seen in your dreams."

I nodded. "Yes, I don't know if I can fight him."

Vivi spoke. "You may have to. He's evil, and he's trying to kill us."

I nodded. "I know, but can I betray the man who once inspired my voice."

Vivi spoke. "It's your choice."

I put my hands on the ledge, and looked down at the city of Lindblum. I don't know why, but I felt weaker, as if I had just lost a part of myself. I knew that I had to stop Angel, but the question was; can I stop him? I couldn't even fight against him in my dream. How can I possibly hope to beat him in reality? I was only able to get him out of my mind because I was so furious with him.

I sighed. 'Well, if I don't stop him, he'll kill my friends and take over my body, again' I thought. Then I remembered what Mary said.

"You're at a crossroad now, Michael. The decision you make at this crossroad will determine your fate, and the fate of those around you." I knew she was right. I had to decide and fast.

I turned back to Vivi. It wasn't just my life on the line. His life and everyone else's lives were on the line now. I smiled when I looked at Vivi. "Would you like me to sing, Vivi?" He looked at me, and nodded. I smiled, and began to sing.

"I peeeeeer through the windooooooows, watching life go byyyyyyy. Dream of tomorroooooow, aaaaaaand wonder why. The past is holding meee, keeping life at baaaay. I wonder lost in yeeeeesterdaaaaay. Wantiiiiing to fly, but scaaaaared to tryyyyy."

"Buuuuut theeeeen someoooooone like you, foooooound someoooooone like me. Then suuuuuuddeeeeeenly nothing has eveeeeeeer been the saaaaaame. My heart has taken wing, and I feeeeeeel so alive 'cause someoooooone like you fooooound meeeeeeeeeee."

"So many secrets I've loooooonged to shaaaaare. All I have needed iiiiiis someone there. To help me see a woooorld I've never seen befooooore. A love to open every door. Tooooo set me free, so IIIIIIII can soooooooooooooooar."

"'Cause someooooooone like you foooooound someoooone like me. And suuuddeeeenly nothing has eveeeeer been the same. I have a new waaaaaay to live, a new liiiiiife to love. 'Cause someooooooone like you fooooound meeeeeee."

"Oh, someoooooone like you found someoooooone like me. And suddenly nothing has ever been the saaaaaaame. My heart has taken wing, and I feeeeeeeeeel sooooooo aliiiiiiiiiiiiiiive. 'Caaaaause someoooooone like yoooooooooooooooooou found meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Fooooooound meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. Fooooooooooooound meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee." I stopped singing.

I sat down and looked at Vivi. He spoke. "That was beautiful, Michael."

I smiled. "Thanks." I lowered my head in thought. 'Well, I may as well get this over with. I just hope he doesn't take it the wrong way' I thought. I looked up at him. "Vivi, if anything happens to me, I want you to know something."

He looked curious. "What is it?"

I spoke. "You're a great student, Vivi. You've progressed well in your training, and I must say, I am very impressed with what you've done."

He adjusted his hat, and tried to hide his pleased look. "Thanks, Michael. You're a great teacher."

I smiled. "That's one thing I wanted to tell you, but I also want to tell you something else."

He looked even more curious. "What is it, brother?"

I smiled at him "Vivi…I love you."

His eyes opened wide at these words. "You do?"

I nodded. "Yes, you're my blood brother. How could I not love you? Ever since I met you I've always wanted to protect you, and comfort you. After we got to Pinnacle Rocks, I realized that I also wanted to guide you, and teach you. Then, there is the bond we share. I'd do anything for you Vivi."

Vivi looked at the ground, then he looked up at me. "Michael, I have something to tell you, too?"

I was curious. "What is it, Vivi?"

He paused for a moment. "Michael…I love you, too."

I looked at him, my eyebrows rose. "You do?"

He nodded. "Yes, ever since we met, you've always looked after me. I knew that if I was ever in trouble or felt sad I knew you'd be there for me. No one has ever understood me the way you do. That's why I love you, Michael, and I'm glad we're brothers."

I tried to say something, but chocked on it. His words really touched me. Finally, after regaining my composure, I spoke. "Come here, Vivi."

He walked towards me, and as soon as he was close enough, I embraced him. He returned the hug with equal strength. I couldn't help, but cry a little. "You're the only family I have left, Vivi. I don't wanna lose you."

He spoke. "You'll never lose me, Michael. I don't wanna lose you either."

I smiled. "don't worry, Vivi. I'm not going anywhere."

We just stayed there holding each other. Our feelings for each other finally admitted. We knew how we felt about each other, but we each wanted to hear the other one say it. After a while, we heard an airship approach the castle. We let go of each other, and looked over the edge. We saw the Hilda Garde 3.

Vivi spoke. "Looks like the others are back."

I nodded, and turned to him. "Vivi, go and get them. Tell them that I want them to go to the conference room. I have something to tell them."

He looked at me. "Okay, what are you gonna tell them?"

I smiled. "Let's just say that I've made a very important decision."

He didn't seem to understand what I meant, but he nodded, and left to tell the others. I watched him run down the stairs, and decided to make my way to the conference room. Little did I know that we were being watched.

I emerged from my hiding spot, and saw him leave. 'How could he do this to me?' I thought I walked over to the center of the platform. I began to sing.

"IIIIIIII gaaaaave you my muuuuuuusiiiiic. Maaaaaade your soooong take wiiiiiiing, and noooow how you've repaaaaaaaaid meeeeeee. Deniiiiiiiied me, aaaaaand betraaaaaaayed meeeeeee. Heeeee was boooooound to love yooooou wheeeen heeeee heeeeeard you siiiiiiiiiiiiing."

My thought's turned back to what he said. "Vivi…I love you." My anger burned at those words. That mage was a threat to my very existence. If I don't stop him soon I'll fade away, and Michael…I'll make him pay for his betrayal.

I ran over to the telescope, and in my rage I knocked the telescope off the roof, sending it falling to the streets bellow. I grabbed the edge of the roof. I began to sing.

"YOOOOOOOU WILL CUUUUUUURSE THE DAY YOOOOU DID NOT DOOOOOO AAAAALL THAAAAT THE AAAAAANGEEEEEEL AAAAASKED OOOOOF YOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOU!"

There were quite a few songs in this chapter. The first song is "Confrontation" from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. The next song is "Dangerous Game" also from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. The next song is "Someone like you" Again from the musical Jekyll & Hyde. The last song is "All I Ask of You (Reprise)" from the musical The Phantom of the Opera. I changed the lyrics in some of the songs, but they still hold pretty true.