Chapter 57: Redemption

It had been two days since our battle with Kuja and Necron. When we got back to Lindblum, we all decided to go our separate ways. Dagger and Steiner decided to return to Alexandria. Quina decided to accompany them as well. She believed that when Zidane did return, that he would go to Alexandria first. They joined Beatrix on the Red Rose, and returned to Alexandria.

Freya decided to return to Burmecia. She gathered the refugees in Lindblum, and took them all back to Burmecia. She plans on restoring Burmecia to its former glory.

Amarant decided to leave Lindblum. He never told us where he was going. My guess was that he would likely travel the world. He never was one to stay in one place for too long.

Eiko decided to stay in Lindblum with Cid and Hilda. She seemed to like the idea of hanging around Lindblum Grand Castle. I had to admit, it seemed like a pretty good atmosphere for her.

Vivi decided to return to the Black Mage Village. I decided to go with him. I promised him that I would stay with him, and I intended to keep that promise. Cid decided to drop us off at the village a day ago.

When Vivi and I returned to the village, we saw that the mages, and a few of the Genomes, were constructing new huts. I assumed that the new huts were for the Genomes.

Vivi and I decided to go see Mr. 288. We told him about our plans of staying here. He seemed happy that we decided to stay in the village. He gave Vivi and me our own hut to stay in. Vivi and I didn't have any real personal possessions, so it was easy for us to move right in.

That was a day ago. Now Vivi and I were enjoying our new life. No longer did we have to hunt down some mad man bent on destroying all of creation. Finally, for the first time since arriving here, I could truly relax. Currently, I was lying under a tree in the Black Mage Village. I closed my eyes, and drifted off into sleep.

"Miiiiiiiichaaaaaaeeeeeeeeel." I knew that voice. I turned around, and saw a figure dressed in a white suit and a white cape.

I smiled "my Angel, it's great to see you again."

He smiled. "Hello, Michael. I have something for you."

I looked surprised. "You have something for me. What is it?" He reached into his pocket, and pulled something out. He held out his hand, and opened it. In his hand, was a small crystal fragment.

I looked at the fragment. "What is it?"

He spoke. "This, Michael, is a fragment of the Crystal."

I looked up at him. "You're kidding."

He shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm giving it to you." I took the Crystal fragment form his hand.

I looked at him. "Does this mean the Crystal was-" He shook his head.

"No, the Crystal is too powerful to destroy, even for one such as Kuja. He only managed to break off this tiny piece."

I was relieved, but this brought up another question. "Why are you giving me this?"

He smiled. "That fragment contains unimaginable power. It can make the impossible possible. It has the power of creation in it. With the power of creation, anything is possible."

I spoke. "that still doesn't answer why you're giving it to me."

He spoke. "You'll need it to fulfill a promise you made to yourself, but you don't have the magical knowledge to use the Crystal shard to its full potential."

I was puzzled. "So, why are you giving it to me if I can't even use its full power?"

He smiled. "The answer will come to you soon. Just give it more thought." There was a flash of light, and Angel was gone.

I stood there alone, and started to think. 'So, I don't know how to use the Crystal shards full power. Then who-' suddenly, I realized what I had to do. That was when all went black.

I woke up with a start. I felt that I still had the Crystal fragment in my hand. I opened my hand, and looked at the Crystal fragment. It sparkled in the sunlight.

"Michael, are you alright?" I turned and saw Vivi walk up to me. I quickly closed my hand before he could see what I was holding.

I spoke. "I'm fine, Vivi. I just realized something."

Vivi looked curious. "What did you realize?"

I stood up, and looked at him. "I need to go somewhere for a few minutes."

Vivi spoke. "I'll go with you."

I shook my head. "No, Vivi. Not this time. I need to do this myself, but don't worry, I'll probably be back before dinner."

Vivi looked worried. "I don't know."

I placed my hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, Vivi. I'll be back. Oh, and when I do get back, I don't want you to overreact."

He looked puzzled. "Overreact at what?"

I smiled. "You'll see." I stepped away from him, looked at my ring, and thought of the place I wanted to go. 'Outside the Iifa Tree' I thought. There was a flash of light, and I felt a familiar falling sensation.

Eventually, my feet touched the ground. I finally learned how to land on my feet when I used the ring's power; much to my backsides relief. I looked out, and saw that I had arrived outside the Iifa Tree. The tree seemed to have lost quite a bit of its leaves. I could feel that the tree was slowly dying. With Necron and Soulcage gone, the tree couldn't live on anymore.

I knew that my target was inside the Iifa Tree. I hopped down to one of the roots, and ran down the root towards the trunk of the tree. Eventually, I found an entry way into the tree. It led to the lower levels of the Iifa Tree. I descended further down the tree.

Eventually, I found a platform in the middle of a large room. I also saw that many roots had gathered there. I recognized the room from the ending movie were Zidane went back to save Kuja. I knew that I was in the right place.

I jumped at the platform, and moved towards the roots. I inspected the roots, drew my normal sword, and cut them away. After a few seconds, the roots were cleared away, and I found my quarry. I found Kuja. Oddly enough, I couldn't find Zidane. 'He must've already made his escape' I thought. I turned my attention back to Kuja.

He was a mess. His body was badly broken and mutilated by the roots vicious assault. He was definitely dead. I held up the Crystal shard. 'I hope this works, and I hope he was the one Angel was talking about' I thought. I concentrated, and focused my power on the Crystal shard. A beam of light shined from the shard. The light struck Kuja, and his body began to heal. Bones mended, muscle and flesh healed. After a few seconds, his body was restored. I concentrated harder.

I knew that this was going to be the hard part. After a minute, I heard Kuja gasp. I stopped the spell, and looked at him. He was breathing, again. Kuja was alive. His eyes slowly opened, and he looked at me. His eyes widened. "Michael…why are yo-" suddenly, realization crossed his face.

He sat up, and looked at himself. He placed his hand on his chest and felt his heartbeat. "I'm…I'm alive…but how?"

I smiled. "I saved you with this." I held up the Crystal shard.

His eyes widened. "Is that-" I cut him off.

"A shard from the Crystal that is imbued with the power of creation. Yes."

He looked surprised. "How did you-" I cut him off again.

"It's a long story. How are you feeling?"

He stood up "I'm feeling fine. My body is whole, and I'm alive again." Realization crossed his face. "Where's Zidane?" He looked around and couldn't find Zidane.

I spoke. "He's not here. I think he managed to escape, and if he did, I have no idea where he is."

Kuja spoke. "I see…I can't believe he came back for me, especially after everything I'd done."

I spoke. "He believed that you had changed. You helped us escape Necron after all."

He turned to me. "You knew that I was the one who did that?"

I smiled. "Yeah, I could feel your power. I knew that it was you who cast that teleportation spell."

He nodded. "I see…why did you resurrect me?"

I spoke. "Because, like Zidane, I believe that you've changed as well. I resurrected you because I believe you deserve a second chance."

Kuja spoke. "What must I do?"

I spoke. "I suggest you repent for all the evil acts you'd committed in your first life, and I know how you can start out."

Kuja looked interested. "What is it?"

I spoke. "I need your help. I'm going to extend the Black Mage's life spans."

Kuja shook his head. "It can't be done. They were created for war and only war." I spoke "and the Genomes were created to be vessels for souls, but they seem to be doing fine."

Kuja spoke. "What makes you think that their life spans can be extended?"

I held up the Crystal shard. "This makes me think that I've got a chance, but I need your help Kuja. I don't know enough about magic to use its full power. You on the other hand…" I paused.

Kuja spoke. "I see…so you intend to use me."

I spoke. "I know it sounds like I'm using you, but I'm not. Consider this your first step towards redemption. Besides, the Black Mages are your creations. They're your responsibility." Kuja thought about this for a moment.

Finally, he nodded. "Very well. I will help you."

I smiled. "Excellent. That's the best news I've heard all day. Let's get out of here." I held up my ring. I looked at Kuja. "You may want to stand a little closer to me." he nodded and moved closer. Once he was close enough, I spoke. "Outskirts of the Black Mage Village." After that, a light surrounded Kuja and me. I felt a familiar falling sensation as I was teleported.

When the light diminished, I landed on my feet. Kuja, on the other hand, landed on his butt. I turned to him. "Well, that wasn't exactly a graceful entrance…" I paused.

He looked up at me. "Shut up. You could've told me you were going to do that." I laughed, slightly.

He got up off the ground. I spoke. "Okay, you wait here. I need to get Vivi."

Kuja looked puzzled. "Why?"

I spoke. "Because he's the only one I know who can help me convince the mages to go along with my plan. He's probably not going to like finding out that you're alive, and he'll likely hate hearing that I brought you back to life, but I gotta tell him."

Kuja nodded. "fine, I'll wait here." I nodded, and ran off towards the village.

I walked into our hut, and saw Vivi sitting in a chair, he looked up at me. "Michael, you're back."

I nodded. "Yeah. Vivi, I need you to come with me."

Vivi looked puzzled. "Why?"

I spoke. "I have something I want to show you."

He looked interested. "Is this the thing that I shouldn't overreact about?" I nodded. He got off the chair. "Alright, show me." I nodded, and we walked out of the hut.

On our way to the outskirts, we ran into Mikoto. She looked at us. "Michael, Vivi, where are you going?"

I spoke. "None of you're-" suddenly, I thought what the heck. "We're going to the outskirts. You wanna come along?"

She nodded. "Fine with me, I have nothing else to do." Mikoto followed us to the outskirts.

Before we went further, I turned to Vivi. "Remember, Vivi, you said you wouldn't overreact."

He nodded. "Yeah, I know, but why?"

I spoke. "You'll see." We walked on. As soon as we rounded the next tree, we saw Kuja.

I looked down at Vivi, and saw his eyes widen. "KUJA!" he put his hands out and prepared to cast a spell.

Thinking quickly, I cast a Silence spell on Vivi. He turned to me; his eyes were wide in shock. I spoke. "Vivi, don't worry. He's not here to kill us. I told you not to overreact."

Mikoto spoke. "How are you still alive, Kuja? I sensed that you were dead."

Kuja spoke. "I was dead, but Michael resurrected me."

Vivi's eyes widened further. He turned to me. He looked shocked and angry. I spoke. "Listen, Vivi, yes it's true I did resurrect Kuja, but I had my reasons. I knew that he's changed. He saved us from Necron. Didn't you feel his power as we were teleported away from Necron?" Vivi nodded his head, but he still looked mad.

Mikoto spoke. "How did you resurrect him? You don't have that kind of power."

I held out the shard. "I used this."

Mikoto looked surprised. "A shard from the Crystal?" I nodded. She spoke. "Why did you resurrect him, Michael?"

I spoke. "I resurrected him, because I believed he deserves a second chance at life. Also, he has agreed to help me extend the Black Mage's life spans."

Vivi's eyes opened wider. Mikoto spoke. "How?"

I held out the Crystal shard. "By using this, with the power of creation, anything is possible. I don't know enough about magic to use its full power, but Kuja does. He's here to help."

Vivi looked up at me. He still seemed mad, but I could feel that he was calmer. I decided that he was calm enough. I cast an Esuna spell on him, and he could talk again.

He spoke. "I don't trust him."

I looked at him. "I trust him, and if you don't trust him…you don't trust me, either."

Vivi thought for a moment, and sighed. "Fine, I'll trust him, but only for your sake. I'm gonna be keeping an eye on him."

I sighed. 'I guess it's better than nothing' I thought.

I turned to Kuja. He had been silent for some time. I spoke. "Kuja, when can we start the spell?" Kuja thought for a moment.

Finally, he spoke. "For a spell like this, I'm going to need another powerful mage."

I was puzzled. "Why?"

He spoke. "My power alone won't be enough. I'll need at least one more powerful mage that can combine his or her power with my own."

I spoke. "What'll happen to the mage?"

Kuja spoke. "He or she will most likely faint from giving up so much of their energy, but the person shouldn't die."

I thought about this for a moment. Finally, I spoke. "I'll be your power source." Vivi was shocked.

Kuja thought about this. "Yes, I do believe you're powerful enough to serve as an excellent power source. When you're ready we can begin the spell."

I spoke. "I'm ready right now. Let's do it."

He nodded. "Very well." He turned to Vivi and Mikoto. "You two better gather the mages; we'll be starting very soon." Mikoto nodded and walked back to the village. Vivi stayed behind.

He looked at me. "Michael, I don't like this plan. What if you-" I cut him off.

"I'll be fine, Vivi. I trust what Kuja says. If what he says is true then I'll most likely be unconscious for some time."

He shook his head. "I still don't want you to do it."

I spoke. "I have no choice. I promised myself, Vivi, that I would do whatever it takes to increase the Black Mage's life spans. I intend to keep that promise. Now, you better go get the other mages." He nodded, and turned to leave.

Before he left, however, he turned around, and hugged my midriff. I smiled, and hugged him back. "I'll be fine, Vivi. Soon, you and the others will be able to live a normal life." We let go of each other and Vivi walked off towards the village.

I turned to Kuja. He seemed surprised. "You really care about that mage, don't you?"

I frowned. "That mage has a name, and his name is Vivi Ornitier."

He nodded. "Yes, I'll remember that…are you ready?" I nodded, and we walked off towards the village.

Night had fallen, all the mages had gathered at the entrance to the village. Vivi stood in front of all the mages. Next to him was Mr. 288. All the mages looked nervous, but I knew that this would all be over soon. The Genomes stood off to the side, and decided to watch the spectacle.

Kuja took the shard from me, and looked at the mages. He cast a Sleep spell. I gave him a questioning look. He spoke. "They need to be asleep; otherwise they are going to feel intense pain." I nodded. He levitated the shard, and focused his power on the shard. That was when a beam of light emerged from the shard, and struck Vivi. Vivi's body began to glow. Then a second beam emerged from the shard. This one struck Mr. 288. Then another beam emerged, and another, and another, until all the mages were glowing.

I could see that Kuja was getting exhausted. I quickly channeled my power and energy, and immediately sent it to him. He seemed to relax, but it wasn't long before he looked tired again. I gave him more of my energy.

The spell had been going on for a few minutes, and I was still giving energy to Kuja. After a few seconds, my nose began to bleed from the strain, and I was starting to feel tired. I shook of the weariness. 'I have to hold on. Vivi and the other mages are counting on this spell, and I'll be damned before I fail them' I thought. That's when a bright light surrounded me. I had Tranced.

I started giving Kuja more energy. He seemed much more energized now. After a while, I exhausted my Trance. I changed back to my normal form. I was very low on energy, but the spell was almost finished. That was when I gave Kuja all the energy that I had left.

After a few seconds, the Crystal shard shattered. I was shocked. 'No! Was it enough? Please, Lord, it had to be enough' I thought. That was my last conscious thought as I fell to the ground, and darkness took me once again.

"Miiiiiiiichaaaaaaeeeeeeeeel." I turned to see a familiar white figure.

I smiled. "Hello, Angel."

He smiled. "Hello, Michael. You did very well." That was when I remembered.

"Oh my gosh, the Crystal shard. It shattered. Was it enough? Please, Angel was it-" He held up his right hand.

"Calm down, Michael. You have nothing to worry about. The spell worked."

My eyes widened. "It…it worked…it worked! YES!" I embraced Angel.

After a few seconds, I let go of Angel. He spoke. "Yes and Kuja also added in a few things."

I looked curious. "What did he do?"

Angel spoke. "Well, he changed the gender of a few of the mages."

I was surprised. "So…you're saying that some of the mages are female." He nodded. I was surprised. "Who?"

Angel spoke. "Mr. 111, Mr. 56, Mr. 239, Mr. 189, Mr. 44, Mr. 163, and Mr. 234."

I spoke. "So all of them are women?"

He nodded. "Yep, and Kuja also made it possible for them to breed with other races."

I spoke. "So a human and a mage can have a child?"

He nodded. "Yes, indeed."

I couldn't believe it. "So, the Black Mages are here to stay?" Angel nodded. I smiled. "Angel…this is by far the happiest news I have ever heard in my life."

He smiled. "Well then, I guess you'll be waking up now." There was a flash of light, and Angel was gone again. That was when all went black.

I woke up and looked around the area. I was back in the hut I shared with Vivi. I looked to my right, and saw that Vivi was sitting in a chair that was placed near my bed. He was asleep.

That was when the door opened. I looked up, and saw Kuja walk into the hut. He smiled. "Ah, Michael, you're finally awake." That was when Vivi woke up.

He looked at me, and his eyes widened. "Michael, you're alright. Thank goodness. I was so worried about you."

Kuja spoke. "Hey."

Realization shone in Vivi's eyes. "Oh, right. Mr. 288 and the other mages were worried about you, too."

Kuja looked downcast. "What about me!"

He looked at him. "You don't count." Kuja glared daggers at Vivi.

I decided to cut in. "I think that's enough. How long have I been out for?"

Vivi and Kuja spoke at the same time. "Three days."

I sighed. 'That seems to be happening to me quite a bit' I thought. I sat up in bed.

Kuja spoke. "I think the spell worked."

I turned to him. "Yeah, I know it worked. Angel told me."

Kuja looked puzzled. "Who's Angel?"

Vivi spoke. "He means the Angel of Music."

Kuja still looked confused. "Who's the Angel of Music?"

Vivi sighed. "Never mind." He turned to me. "So, he visited you in your dreams again?"

I nodded. "Yeah, and he told me what happened." I turned back to Kuja. "So, you changed some of the mages genders, and made it so that they can breed with other races." Kuja nodded. I smiled. "Thanks, Kuja. I think we all owe you."

He smiled. "It's just my first step towards redemption." I nodded, and got out of bed.

I turned to Vivi. I smiled "well, Vivi. Do you think I was right about Kuja changing?"

He looked unsure. "I guess so, but I still feel uneasy."

I nodded. "Give it time, Vivi. I'm sure that eventual-" I suddenly realized something. "Oh, no!" Kuja and Vivi both looked at me.

They both had alarmed expressions on their faces. "What?" they said at the same time.

I put my hand on my forehead. "I just realized how much I'm going to have to teach those mages. There is so much they need to know about their new gifts." I sat down on my bed. "This isn't going to be easy."

Kuja spoke. "I'll help you teach them." I looked up at him.

Vivi spoke. "I'll help, too. You're my brother after all."

Kuja looked surprised. "What? What does he mean you're his brother?"

I smiled, and shook my head. "We have sooooooooooooo much to do."

I'm not going to write about Vivi's multiple sons. That scene came out of nowhere in my opinion with no explanation as to how that happened. I found that scene very weird. In my fic. It never happened. Besides, by extending the mages life spans, I believe it stopped this from happening.