Chapter 51: Vivi's Guardian Angel

I was at Michael's side. Tears were blurring my vision. I couldn't believe my friend, my teacher, my…brother…was dying before my eyes, and it was because of me. I couldn't let this happen. "Michael you can't die! I don't want you to die!" He reached his hand up to my face.

He smiled at me. "Vivi…you have to…stay…alive." After he said that, he closed his eyes, and his hand fell away from my face. Then he stopped breathing. That was when the rain started to fall.

My eyes widened, and I shook his body. "Michael…" he didn't respond "Michael." He still didn't respond. I shook him harder, "Michael!" he still didn't respond. I shook him harder, "MICHAEL!" he still just laid there. I stopped shaking him, and put my head on his back. I tried to listen to his heart…but I couldn't hear anything.

Tears were falling down my face. "No…Michael, don't leave me… Don't leave me…I don't wanna be alone…Don't leave me alone…open your eyes…please…please?" He didn't respond. I placed my face on his back, and started to cry. Realization finally hit me. He was gone. The man who was my friend, my teacher, and my brother was dead, and it was all my fault.

We rounded the corner, and finally reached our destination. The sight that greeted us was not a pleasant one. Michael was lying on the ground, Vivi had his head lying on Michael's back, and there was a dark winged figure standing over the both of them. That's when I noticed that the dark winged figure was holding a bloody sword. I also noticed that Vivi's shoulders were shaking, and I could hear him sobbing. Lastly, I noticed that Michael wasn't getting up. Realization hit me when I put all the clues together. 'No…oh, God no' I thought.

I looked at the mage as he cried over Michael's body. I looked down at my own bloody sword. 'You fool; you sacrificed your life so this wretch of a mage could live. Now, because of that mage I will fade away. You ruined everything' I thought. Fury overtook me, "YOU WRETCHED MAGE! THIS IS YOUR FAULT! NOW MY PLANS ARE RUINED!" There was a loud crash of thunder; the storm had arrived.

I turned to the other fools that had arrived. All of them had shocked expressions on their faces. "ALL OF YOU ARE FOOLS! I MAY FADE AWAY, BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE ALL OF YOU WITH ME!"

"You killed him…" The voice came from behind me.

I turned to face the voice; it was that mage. He spoke again "You killed him."

I grew angry. "It's because of you that he's dead."

He spoke. "You killed him!"

I was infuriated by his words. "YOU BASTARD MAGE! IT'S YOUR FAULT THAT HE'S DEAD!"

The mage yelled, and his voice was flooding with anger. "YOU KILLED HIM!"

He looked up at me, and I was surprised at what I saw. His amber eyes were glowing with intense rage and hatred. "YOU KILLED MY BROTHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!" That was when a bright light surrounded him. When the light diminished, I could see that he had Tranced.

I could feel my anger well inside me as I looked at Angel. I thought it would be impossible for me to hate anyone more than Kuja, but now Angel took my brother from me. I looked upon this wretched monster, and hated everything about him. I wanted revenge. I was going to make him PAY!

I could see that he was surprised by my Trance. I took advantage of his surprise and cast a Flare spell at him. The spell blasted him away from me, but I wasn't finished yet. I cast a Thundaga spell at him while he was still in the air. The spell blasted him to the ground. He hit the ground hard, and didn't get up.

I wasn't finished with him yet. I cast a Firaga spell at him while he was on the ground. He was blasted back into the air again, his body aflame. I cast another Thundaga spell at him, while he was still in the air. He was blasted to the ground again.

I still wasn't finished with him. I cast another Flare spell at him while he was on the ground. He was sent flying through the air again. This time, I cast a Blizzaga spell at him, while he was still in the air. The spell froze his body, and he hit the ground. His body shattered.

I had exhausted my Trance. I changed back to my normal form. I looked back at Michael's body. He was still lying there in the mud. I walked over to him, and flipped him over onto his back. I cradled his head in my lap. I started to wipe the mud off his face. I felt my tears return to my eyes.

I felt the others gather around me. Eiko spoke "Is he really…" she paused. I nodded, I couldn't speak. Eiko sank to her knees, and cast a Cura spell on Michael. His wound healed, but he still didn't wake up. She tried again, but there was no response. She tried again, still no response. Realization finally hit her, it was too late, he was gone, and nothing was going to bring him back.

For the first time since I met her, Eiko began to cry. I looked at her as she cried over Michael's body. I looked up, and saw that Dagger was being held by Zidane. She was crying on his shoulder. I could see tears running down Zidane's face as well.

Quina was crying, and Freya was trying to comfort her. I could also see that Freya had tears running down her face, too. Steiner was crying as well, though he tried to keep his composure. I turned to look at Amarant. He tried his best to look like he didn't care, but I saw a lone tear slide down his face, or it could've just been the rain.

That was when the storm grew in intensity. Lightning flashed and thunder roared. That was when I felt a dark presence. I turned to face the presence, and saw Angel standing twenty feet behind us. He was alive, and whole.

I was shocked. "It can't be. You're dead. Your body was shattered." The others turned to see who I was talking to, and saw Angel. All of them were just as shocked as I was.

Angel spoke. "All you did was merely shatter my body. The Angel of Music is immortal. Now, I believe it's time for you all to DIE!" He charged at us, and we all prepared to fight him.

'There has to be a way to kill this guy. I have to kill him, for my brother' I thought. I charged up a Flare spell, and prepared to use it.

I was floating in darkness. I didn't know where to go. That's when I saw a light. I moved towards the light. It was warm, and inviting. I knew that if I reached that light, there would be no more pain for me.

As I approached the light, a figure approached me. The figure was portly and was half bald. He had graying hair, and wore glasses. I smiled when I saw this figure "Father."

He smiled at me. "Hello, Michael." I ran to the figure, and embraced him. He returned the hug.

"Father, it's been four years…" I paused.

He smiled. "I know, son, but now we are reunited."

I looked at him. "Does that mean, I'm really…" he nodded his head. I spoke. "What happened to the others? Are they alright?"

He gave me a sad smile. "They are fighting Angel, and they're losing."

This worried me. "I have to help them. It's my fault that Angel even exists."

My father shook his head. "What does it matter, son? If you come with me, you'll forget all about Angel, and the pain he has caused you and your friends. Besides, I have a feeling that your friends will be joining us shortly."

I was shocked. "How can you say that? I have to help them. I can't just abandon them."

He spoke. "Michael, you are dead. There is nothing you can do for them."

I shook my head. "There has to be a way. I can't go on if I don't even try to help them. My blood brother is down there. I can't abandon him. I promised him."

My father sighed. "They are holding you back, Michael. Do you really want to go back to them? I assure you, there will be more pain in your life if you return."

I thought for a moment. 'If I go with my father, we'll be reunited again, and I'll be able to see Mary again. We can live together forever.' I thought.

That's when my right hand started to hurt. I looked down at it and saw my scar. 'Vivi…' I thought. Finally, I looked at my father, and shook my head.

"I want to go back. As long as my friends are there, I can handle any pain."

My father smiled. "I knew you'd say that. I was testing you, and if you want to go back, you can."

This surprised me. "How?"

He smiled. "Well, thanks to one of your friends, your body has been healed. You can travel back to it, but I'll help you."

I spoke. "How?"

He smiled. "I'm going to give you a gift. This gift will aid you in your fight."

He reached out his hand, and an aura of light surrounded me. I felt new power flood me. I felt the words to several new spells flood my mind.

I looked up at my father and smiled. "Thank you."

He smiled. "Now, go, my son. Go back to your friends." That's when I felt the pain in my right hand intensify.

I spoke. "Farewell, father. My brother needs me." I turned from my father and began to journey back to my body.

He was too powerful. We were all battered and beaten. Amazingly, all of us were still alive. Angel approached me. I looked up at him. I could feel my hatred for him boiling.

I was lying, face-down, on the ground. He knelt down, and looked at me. He started to laugh. I spoke. "Why are you playing with us?"

He smiled. "Because I want to make all of you suffer. I intend to enjoy myself by torturing all of you, before killing all of you. You will be the last one to die." He pointed his sword at me. "Before you even ask why, I'll tell you. Your interference has cost me everything. My plans are ruined, and I want you to suffer the most. I will force you to watch all of your friends die, then I'll kill you, slowly."

My anger rose. "I won't let you! I won't let you kill anymore of my friends!"

He laughed at me. "You think you can stop me? You couldn't even save your own brother. Michael clearly raised you to be a fool."

My Anger rose ten fold. "DON'T EVER TALK ABOUT MICHAEL LIKE THAT!"

He seemed amused. "Oh, and why not? I don't understand why he would waste his time training one such as you. He was weaker than I thought."

My anger rose, and I slowly got up to one knee. "Michael's stronger than you'll ever be!"

Suddenly, the storm started to clear, and the light of the sun started to fill the graveyard. The wind also changed. It was now calm yet fierce; strong yet gentle.

Angel spoke. "I'm not surprised to hear words like that from a fool like you." He stood back up. That's when his glowing red eyes widened in shock.

I turned my head to see what he was looking at. My eyes widened in surprise. Michael was standing up. The wind was blowing around him, and I felt a power inside him that was ready to burst. The others noticed him as well. All of them were just as shocked as me.

Michael turned his head towards Angel, and I could see the intense anger in his eyes. That's when I felt something refreshing flow through my body. It was a Cura spell, but I saw that neither Dagger nor Eiko had cast it. 'Was it…Michael' I thought, surprised.

That's when Michael started to yell. As he yelled, the wind began to pick up around him and a light started to surround his body. The light was so blinding that I had to shield my eyes. When the light disappeared, I opened my eyes and looked at him. I was shocked.

He was glowing. His white cape had turned from white to gold. His 'Black Robe' had changed from black to sapphire blue. His shirt had changed from blue to silver white. His pants also changed from brown to bronze. I noticed that he now had glowing white eyes. I couldn't believe it. Michael had Tranced.

I turned my eyes towards Angel. I spoke. "Step away from them." Angel didn't move. I raised my hand up. "I said step away!" I cast a Flare spell at him. He couldn't dodge, and was blasted away from the others. He flew through the air, and landed several feet away from them. I spoke. "I won't let you harm them anymore."

Angel started to get back up to his feet. I ran at him, jumped into the air, and executed a "Ryu Tsui Sho Sen." Both attacks hit him, and he stumbled back. I wasn't finished with him yet, though. I executed a "Ryu Kan Sen Kogarashi" and hit his neck. I then executed a "Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji" and targeted the other side of his neck. Finally, I executed a "Ryu Kan Sen Arashi" and struck him in the chest. I decided to call this combo the 'Hiten Mitsurugi Rampage.'

He was sent backwards, but managed to land on his feet. He looked surprised. "What? How can you fight me? You couldn't even strike me last time."

I spoke. "I no longer need you. The gap that I have had since I separated from you has been filled with something more powerful. Your spell over me is broken. Now, you're gonna pay for all the pain you've caused."

That's when I executed a "Kuzu Ryu Sen." I struck him in the nine vital areas, and he was sent flying through the air. He hit his back against a large statue of a hooded figure. The statue broke in two, and Angel fell to the ground.

I looked at his body. I heard someone speak behind me. "Michael…" I knew who it was.

I spoke "not now, Zidane. This fight isn't over yet." That's when a dark aura surrounded Angel, and he got back up.

The wind picked up around him, and I knew that he was summoning more dark power. He turned his glowing red eyes towards me. He spoke "This will be the last round of our battle! Let's settle this once, and for all!" He readied his sword. I nodded, and placed my sword back in its sheath, and assumed a 'Battou Jutsu' stance.

We stood there eyeing each other. A few minutes passed. Angel spoke "and now-" I finished the sentence for him.

"-let us begin." We charged at each other. The last few seconds would determine the outcome of this battle.

I charged at Michael. I knew I had to make my decision fast. I knew that I had to see whether he would step with his right or left foot.

We were now in striking range, and that's when I saw it. He stepped with his left foot. He was going to use the 'Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki.' I quickly brought my sword up, and blocked his attack. Our swords connected, and I parried his attack. His ultimate technique had been broken. I raised my sword up, and prepared to strike him. That was when something unexpected happened.

I was being pulled towards Michael. I was shocked 'what's going on here? I'm being drawn towards him…no it's not me, it's the air around me that's being drawn towards him. The force of his attack was so great that it blew the air away from me. I only delayed the effect because I parried it, but now the air is being pulled back in and is pulling in everything else with it' I thought. My eyes widened in shock.

I smiled as I saw that my plan had worked. I knew Angel would try and block my attack. After all, he already knew that I could perform the 'Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki,' but he didn't know about this. I remembered something my Master once told me. "Even if you avoid the fangs of the flying dragon, the fierce winds restrict all movement, and the claws would rip you apart." Angel avoided the fangs, but he can't escape the claws.

Angels eyes opened wide as I performed the second strike of the 'Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki.' The attack connected with his side, and he was flung up thirty feet into the air. He screamed out in pain as he began his ascent. After a few seconds of being airborne, he hit the ground, hard.

I sheathed my sword, and turned to look at Angel. A light surrounded him, and he changed back to his normal form. I, too, changed back to my normal form. I walked up to his body, and looked down at him. I saw a huge dent on his right side, right where my reverse blade sword struck his flesh. From what I could see, the second strike hurt him, badly, and I mean badly.

I smiled "like I said, I need you no longer. Now go pack to the pit that spawned you." With that said, Angel's body began to glow.

A bright light surrounded Angel, and I saw a dark figure emerge from the light. It turned its glowing red eyes towards me, and let out an ear piercing screech. After that, it dissipated into the air.

I looked back down at the ground, and saw that the light was still there. That's when the light broke into many orbs of light. They all flew around me. After a few seconds, they flew in front of my face, and merged into one huge mass of light again.

That's when the light began to take form. I saw the familiar face and clothes, but they were white now instead of black. His eyes were also glowing white instead of glowing red. I knew who it was. "My Angel."

He smiled at me. "Hello, Michael, we finally meet at last."

I smiled. "My Angel. I've waited so long to see you…the real you, but I must ask you something. Angel said you gave yourself to him, why?"

The Angel of Music nodded. "Yes, I did, but I did it to help you. You see I knew that you couldn't defeat your darkness unless it was given a physical form. I decided to let it take my body. Sure enough he took the bait. By taking me he gained a great weapon to use against you and your friends, but he also gave himself a greater weakness."

I spoke. "But, why did you decide to do that then? Why didn't you do it sooner?"

He spoke. "Because your darkness was too strong. If I had allowed it to take me back then, you wouldn't have stood a chance. He would have taken your body easily, because you had very little reason to keep living on anyway."

I spoke. "So, you waited until I had a greater reason to live."

He nodded. "Yes, ever since you came here you've been growing stronger. Not just physically and mentally, but spiritually. After a while, I decided to make my presence known to you. As the light within you grew stronger, the darkness in you grew weaker. Then when you got even stronger, the darkness decided to try an all-or-nothing strategy. He invaded your mind, and tried to take you before I showed up. When I showed up, I got you out of your mind to protect you from your darkness. After you were gone, I gave myself to the darkness within you so that you could defeat it, once and for all. It was a risky move, but I knew that it had to be done."

I spoke. "You've protected me from my own darkness for so long. I can't thank you enough."

He smiled. "I must go now, but before I leave I give you my blessing." He extended his hand and a white aura surrounded me. After a few seconds, the aura vanished, and I felt the words of a new spell enter my mind.

He spoke "This is a technique known as the 'Heavenly Hymn' it can only be used once a year, so use it wisely."

I nodded. "I will; thank you."

He smiled. "Goodbye." He vanished in a flash of light.

I turned to look at the others. They were all staring at me. I smiled at them. "Hey, guys." They all ran towards me.

Zidane spoke. "Michael, you're alive. How?"

Eiko spoke. "Michael, you're back. I can't believe it. You're really alive."

Dagger hugged me, and eventually let go. "Michael, I'm so glad you're back." I smiled, and cast a glance at Zidane. He looked slightly jealous.

Quina walked up to me, and gave me a bear hug. "Michael, you alive. I…so happy! I make big feast for everyone." She was practically crushing me.

I was starting to have difficulty breathing. "Quina…can't breath." She quickly let go of me. I started to breath hard to get air back into my oxygen-deprived lungs.

Steiner looked at me. He had a big smile on his face. "Master Michael, I don't know how you did it, but it pleases me to see you alive again."

Freya nodded in agreement. "You are one amazing person." I looked over at Amarant.

He gave me a half smile. "You're like an Oglop. Right when you think you got it, it gets right back up again." I smiled, and nodded.

"Michael…"

Everyone turned to the voice. They all parted, and I saw that it was Vivi. He was still standing in the exact same spot I saw him in when I first came back. I smiled at him.

He began to slowly approach me. Then he started to pick up speed. Then he was running at me. His eyes were brimming with tears, and I could see the joy in his eyes.

"MICHAEL!" After he said that, he jumped into the air, aiming for me. I caught him in my arms, and embraced him. He embraced me as well, and started to cry on my chest, and I let him. I just stood there and held him.

After a few seconds, he looked up at me. "Michael…I thought I lost you."

I smiled at him, and tucked a stray piece of his hair back into his hat. "You almost did, but I had to keep my promise, Vivi. I said I'd always be there for you, and I meant it."

He put his head near my chest again. "I'm so glad you're back." I nodded, and a tear of joy ran down my face, and fell onto his hat.

I looked at the others. "I don't know about you guys, but I'm ready to leave this place." They all nodded in agreement. I tried to put Vivi down, but he refused to let go of me. I decided to just let him cling to me. Before we left though, I retrieved my normal sword from the ground. I wiped the blood off it, and placed it back in its sheath.

After that, everyone gathered around me, and I held up my ring. I turned to Zidane. "Where should we go?" He thought for a moment.

Finally, he spoke. "Let's go to the Hilda Garde 3. We gotta get to the four shrines."

I nodded and said the name of our destination. The light made its appearance, and I felt a familiar falling sensation. After a few seconds, we hit the ground.

I got up, Vivi still clutching onto me, and looked around. We were in the bridge of the Hilda Garde 3. The others got up as well, and looked around.

Zidane turned to me "alright, good work, Michael." I nodded.

"How did you guys get here?"

I turned around, and saw Erin, our pilot. She had a shocked expression on her face.

Zidane spoke to her. "We just dropped in. Is the ship ready for take off?"

Erin nodded. "Yes, we're all ready to go." She was still a bit stunned.

Zidane nodded. "Good, then we better get going."

Erin saluted, awkwardly. "Roger." After a few minutes, the ship left the airship dock.

I decided to stay on the bridge. Everyone else went off to the different parts of the ship, except Steiner, Dagger, and Eiko. I looked down at Vivi. He was still clinging to my chest.

I smiled. "Are you planning on letting go of me anytime soon?" He shook his head. I sighed. "Well, will you let go of me if I sing you a song?" Vivi looked up at me, and nodded.

I smiled, and turned to Erin. "Hey Erin, can you open all the communication channels on this ship, I want everyone on the ship to hear this song." She nodded and opened the channels. I began to sing.

"All across this threatening sky. Full of tales of danger and waaaaaaar. I heard the thunder, a distant thunder, and the wind began to take foooorm. Rushing throooough, it breaks through the clooooouds. Calling out to times open dooooooor. The scars of history will be a mystery. Spread your wings, it's time to sooooooooooooooooar."

"And with the guiding hand will fly back through the corridors of time to find the key to unlock our deeestiny. Spread your wiiiiiings. Together tattered wings unfurl through freedom, changing our world. With the beeeeell of the oooowl to follow secuuuuuuuuuuure."

"In the dark, unable to see. I stood tall and dared to dreeeeeeeeam. To find the answer, just one answer, and the truth will lead us as oooone. We will ride through the eye of the storm holding on to hearts beating strooooooooong. Keeping our eyes on, a new horizon. The tides of war will turn with our soooooooooul."

"I recall the days of value. All around with saaaafety and peeeeeeeace. How could I know then, there'd be a time when all would fall at the foot of a beast. On the day we took to the skies. Full of hope so anxious to flyyyyyyyyyy. We soared higher, and never tired with the fire deep in our heeeeeeearts."

"And with the guiding hand will fly back through the corridors of time, and find the key to unlock our deeeestiny. Spread your wiiiiiings. Together tattered wings unfurl through freedom changing our world. When the smooooooke fills the air, I will be theeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeere."

"IIIIIn the face of disaster we stand. Racing far, we'll fight and defeeeeeeend. The growls of thunder, an angry thunder testing those who built on the laaaaand. They can try to tear off my wiiiiiiings, but they can't erase all my dreeeeeeeeeeeeams. We'll fight for freedom, and beat the system. This is our turn, this is our tiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiime."

I stopped singing, and heard people applauding all around the ship. I knelt down, and Vivi let go of me. He looked up at me. "That was a good song, Michael."

I smiled. "Thanks, Vivi. I don't know what the future holds for me, but I know I won't be facing it alone anymore."

Vivi nodded. "Yep, because you got me and the others now."

I nodded. "I know, Vivi, and that's all I really need."

I walked over to the window at the bridge, and looked down at the sea. I smiled. 'Yes, facing the future won't be so bad, now that I have friends and a brother by my side that will help me. This is my new life, and I couldn't be happier' I thought.

The song I sang in this chapter is called "Wings" from the game Wild Arms 3.

Here are my new abilities

White Magic

A gift from my father. I can now use White Magic.

Cure

Restores a small amount of HP to an ally/allies.

Cura

Restores a moderate amount of HP to an ally/allies.

Shell

When cast, it reduces the damage that is done to you by magic.

Protect

When cast, it reduces the damage that is done to you by physical attacks.

Reflect

When cast, it reflects almost all magic attacks that are cast on you.

Silence

When cast, it inflicts Silence on the enemy.

Blind

When cast, it inflicts blindness on the enemy.

Regen

Restores health slowly overtime. This can be cast on you or one of your allies.

Float

When cast, enables you or an ally to float.

Esuna

When cast, cures most statues aliments.

Note: These are all the white magic spells I will EVER learn.

Hiten Mitsurugi Rampage

A combination of the "Ryu Tsui Sho Sen," the "Ryu Kan Sen Kogarashi," the "Ryu Kan Sen Tsumuji," and the "Ryu Kan Sen Arashi." This can be followed-up by a "Kuzu Ryu Sen." Can only be used in Trance.

True Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki

This can only be done if the opponent is successful in parrying, blocking or dodging the Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki. The force of the first strike is so great that it blows all the air in front of the wielder away creating a temporary vacuum that will pull in anyone and anything in the surrounding area. When this happens the opponent is incapable of moving and thus falls prey to the second, more powerful, strike which is the true Ama Kakeru Ryuu no Hirameki.

Heavenly Hymn

A technique given to me by the Angel of Music. Its effects are as of yet unknown to me, but I promised the Angel of Music that I would use it wisely.