Author's note: This is it! The Final Battle has arrived! Hold onto your seat belts and get ready for the last chapter before the Epilogue and Secret Ending!
I don't own Kingdom Hearts, Final Fantasy VII, Final Fantasy Type-0, Sailor Moon or Pokemon. I do own Arien, though.
Chapter 14: Final battle of Zirconiade.
Continuing from the Previous Chapter...
"...Zirconiade."
Rosalind paused in her steps as she realized she had forgotten just how enormous this thing was while checking her ammo as she eyed it with growing fear. Without the summon materia and a sacrifice to complete it, this thing shouldn't be totally active yet. Though given as she, to her dismay, vaguely remembered how she fought this thing the last time, it will not be easy.
(~Those who Accept the Protection of the Stars-CRISIS CORE FINAL FANTASY VII~)
Her eyes widened as she quickly did remember one thing. The former Turk looked down at the ground and saw the growing signs of a light circle beginning to form. She quickly jumped out of the way just as a beam of light shot down from above, hitting the place where they'd just been standing moments before. As she did, however, Rosalind was almost hit by another and she narrowly avoided it just as it hit the ground, the flagstone shattering as it went.
'It knows that I'm here, and I think it remembers me too. But I have to take it down! I can't fail here!' Rosalind thought to herself, readying her gun as she went up close while trying to dodge the attacks of Zirconiade who was relentless. She screamed as a beam of light caught her unawares and she slumped, but forced herself to fire with her Gun at the dangerous monster only for her attacks to become absorbed into it's body which she realized is what happened the last time.
So she tried using Firaga at it only for the flames to disappear as a blue beam of light began to approach her. Rosalind had to run for cover and barely made it behind some rocks poking out of the mist before the summon tried to fire the beam at her again. Quickly reclipping her gun, Rosalind peaked and used Comet at it, aiming it's core and managing to put a dent it it. But Zirconiade made a terrible sound that seemed like a shriek or a roar or something when it focused it's engery to attack the young woman again. She had to jump out of the way as the beam smashed upward and destroying the rock she'd been hiding behind just moments ago. Rosalind cartwheeled to avoid another blue beam, missing just inches from her.
Just as Rosalind was about to become unexpectedly hit again and she knew she couldn't move out of the way in time, a sudden flare of a Firaga zoomed past her and hit Zirconiade in the chest which stopped it's attack. Surprised, she spun around to see, to her relief, Freya, St. Andrew and even Rafe who had just arrived, standing beside their comrade.
"Freya! St. Andrew! Rafe! Thank goodness you're alright." Rosalind cried out excitedly.
"Hey, we weren't gonna go down that easily." Freya grinned, cocking her Shotgun.
"Had trouble with the monsters, and like the last time we haven't seen the others, but at least the energy crystals are history. Took care of them!" St. Andrew added, twirling his EMR in his hand with ease.
"We can do this, just like we did before!" Rafe added, his two Guns in both hands, gazing at Rosalind while adding softly, "And if this is like the last time, the rest is up to you, Rosalind."
Rosalind nodded, "I know. But we can do this, Turks or not!"
"Now you're speaking my language! Let's remind this monster what we're made of!" St. Andrew declared.
The other former Turks nodded in agreement and glared up at Zirconiade who made a movement to attack again. It fired another beam at the four of them. They leaped out of the way just in time to avoid in getting hit before both Rosalind and Freya fired several shots at it's arms and sides, successfully doing some damage to it at least. The two young women leaped away to avoid more beams from underneath them before Rosalind charged again, casting Wateraga at the Core, following up with Lightning. Freya ducked when another beam managed flare up at her. She shot fired at it's side before racing forward and kicking at it, flaring up Blizzaraga which did miminal damage. When Zirconiade reared back to unleash another powerful beam, she and Rosalind jumped back to avoid it even though it was becoming faster and more difficult now.
Rafe in the meantime shot out a Fire spell at it's chest to cause more damage while St. Andrew fired a Lightning Spell to hopefully paraylze Zirconiade. With the monster seemingly distracted Turks quickly attacked it with their mastered skills, the four of them punching and kicking at it while careful with their mana and strenghs. However, they were caught off-guard when it's arms unexpectly swished and smacked the Turks away, knocking them to the ground after they screamed. Pushing themselves up slowly, Zirconiade hissed before it drew back and fired a laser beam at them. Rosalind and Rafe both summoned a Barrier Spell to block the attack, but it fired another which began to shatter the protection orb around them, Freya and St. Andrew.
When it stopped and the Turks quickly used Curaga on themselves and each other, Zirconiade crackled with electricity for a little before they noticed it seemed to be warming up for another of those giant blue energy beams. Fortunately no one was in the line of fire, but then everyone was forced to scatter as a series of the gold energy beams from before connected with the ground where they stood. St. Andrew tried using Reno's technique skill in slashing Lighting from the EMR but that proved useless as Zirconiade continued to fire at more beams at the four of them. Rafe then tried a smaller version of Meteor and multiple fiery rocks rained down on the monster, but only to scrape it a little while Rosalind used Lightning and Freya using Comet, all three spells combined and attacking Zirconiade in a single hit.
But none of them had the time or chance to get out of the way as just a mere second after their attacks hit, Zirconiade blasted three more beams and this time the former Turks were hit almost single handedly. A huge blast scattered everyone who all screamed as it was a bright red beam that knocked them over. Rosalind tried dodging it and firing shots at it once again, but it did so little and even when she used her own Comet once more, Zirconiade attacked with no mercy. She dodge-rolled to escape again and firing two more blasts at their enemy. It wasn't until beams of light rained down and another huge blast appeared so fast that Rosalind had no time in escaping.
Horrified and shocked, Rosalind screamed as she was engulfed by the huge and deadly beam that covered the area and then she was sent flying before hitting the ground hard. She was bleeding with cuts on her arms and legs, and even on her waist, her clothes tattered slightly, and she, to her dismay, was at her limit. Zirconiade on the other hand, no matter how many times she hit it, was still standing and thus far too strong.
(~End Those who Accept the Protection of the Stars~)
'Thi-this is thing...is overwhelmingly strong...' Rosalind thought to herself, and as she weakly pushed herself up, her heart stopped for a moment or two, her blood chilled, and her eyes widened as her stomach dropped at the sight before her;
Freya, St. Andrew and Rafe, all lying on the ground with similar wounds to her own. They were down to count...and as she crawled to them weakly, they didn't seem to be moving.
"Freya! St. Andrew! Rafe!" Rosalind cried out, shaking Freya's shoulder to get a response...there was none. She tried again and again, pleading as her heart ached in the agonized loss, tears forming as a sob began to form. "No! No, this can't be! Please, answer me, everyone! Wake up! Please, wake up!"
Still, none of her comrades answered. Worse part is, as the cold truth began to form onto her, Rosalind knew that while she wasn't alone, there was no way she can do this.
"...I'm not alone...but, even though you're with me...I'm not strong enough. Not like before." Rosalind sobbed, only to notice that Zirconiade was firing another beam at her again and she screamed while engulfed once more. When it stopped, the young woman, her energy spent, collapsed onto the ground.
'...It's no use...I can't...I can't do this...I'm sorry...Everyone, I'm sorry I failed you...failing the world...the Universe...' Rosalind thought weakly, struggling to hold onto her consciousness.
"Don't give up, Rosalind."
'W-what?' Blinking, she thought she could hear a familiar voice calling out to her. It sounded warm and soothing...and comforting. In her semi-consciousness and her world black for a moment, Rosalind looked up only to see...a familiar teenager, and many others; a young Wutaiian teenage girl, a man with blonde hair and goggles, an unusual looking blue-green lizard, a young woman with brown hair, green eyes and a pink hair ribbon and to her surprise, Rem, Tifa, and Mickey. Almost instantly, she knew who they were.
"...Sailor...Moon? Yuffie?...Cid Highwind?...Loran?...Rem? Tifa...Mickey..." Rosalind whispered, weakly.
These were just illusions and images in her mind, but...somehow it was comforting.
"I know that you haven't got your memories fully back, and my past-self only just started. I was like you once, Rosalind. I couldn't fight without my friends, but then I learned not to give up, because of the support, and world needed me. I know you can do it; Because we're all with you!" The image of Sailor Moon was telling her.
'So Sailor Moon had only just began her journey...she hasn't time-traveled yet. I have to make sure that she has a future in order to stay alive.' Rosalind thought to herself, which in a strange way made sense.
"Not everyone remembers yet, and I'm just a memory from my rebirth-self. But that hasn't stopped me, the great Ninja Yuffie, from fighting and hoping to restore my home! You're a Turk, right? So fight like one!" The image of Yuffie was telling her.
'You used to have a grudge against ShinRa. Even though I haven't seen you yet, your determination to restore your home hasn't changed. I admire it so much.' Rosalind sighed.
"Might not be the same as the rest of ya's are, but I still build goddamn ships. I ain't givin' up on what I think and ya better damn well keep fightin'! Ya hear me?" The image of Cid Highwind told her.
'...I still want to hear about your adventures in the Sea of Stars, Cid.' Rosalind smiled at the thought.
"Just so you know, while I lost my memories...I am alright, Rosalind. I'm sorry I can't be there to help you know, but always remember, the strength comes from your heart, and we are your strength as well." The image of Loran said.
'Loran...that's right. You helped us before you departed to help Sailor Moon, Mickey and the others. But...which means you're out there somewhere, alive but having time-traveled again after everyone thought you died.'
"Hang in there, Rosalind. One day when we do remember completely, we should meet again and maybe become friends. I know that not everyone in ShinRa are cruel. The Turks...you all have good hearts." The image Aerith told her gently.
'Aerith...I'm really glad that you're safe...and...I want to be friends with you, to tell you that ShinRa isn't what it used to be.'
"You saved me and helped me recover, Rosalind. When I thought Machina was gone, I was scared. But you taught me to be strong, even when he was found again. Don't give up!" The image of Rem told her with determination.
'Rem...I did tell you that everything would be alright, didn't I?'
"I don't remember anything about this, and I haven't even met up with Sailor Moon yet. But don't let Zirconiade win! Everyone is with you, just as we always have been. You'll find the Light, even in the deepest Darkness. Your Heart is your guiding Key, and the most powerful source ever. Don't forget what's the most important to you!" The image of Mickey encouraged.
(~Blue of the End-The 3rd Birthday~)
'Mickey...I still have to see if you're alright, that you made it out safely.' Rosalind began to realize what everyone in her mind-no, her heart were telling her.
"ROSALIND!"
Snapping her eyes opened at the voices encouraging her, Rosalind narrowed them before standing up shakily, as her strength suddenly came back to her despite her condition. She glared up angrily at the monster brought upon this world once again, and she wasn't going to surrender to it.
"NO!" She shouted, using the last of her potion to heal herself, her gun ready as she slotted her Materia and a special ammo she noticed before, placing it into the slot at the bottom of her gun. "I won't let it end like this! I'm not giving up!"
She glared up and screamed, "Zirconiade! It's now officially over! I swear it on the pride of the Turks! For everyone who has been with me! In spirit and in my heart! I'm putting everything I've got into this one last attack!"
Rosalind flared up Firaga spell at Zirconiade who fired another set of beams at her in which she rolled out of the way before getting hit and killed herself and flipped backwards to continue dodging. Then she carefully aimed and fired a single shot at it twice in before casting Wateraga at it's chest which for once sent it's next attack out of control and it rained down everywhere. Rosalind rushed forward and dodged every attack with the strengh she now remember came from those whom she met, those who were important to her and that she made promises to. The mists around her had brightened as though lit by sunlight, as another one of those beams tried to hit her again, but this time Rosalind was ready.
She fired another shot at it's core since she knew it was it's weak spot. It began to crack but Rosalind knew she had to use her final attack when she felt it was time to use it. For now, she would keep fighting until she was certain to use it for real. When Zirconiade tried a new attack and thrust one of it's arms down to crush her, the former Turk leaped up and somersaulted into the air before landing on it and ran up along the arm, firing more shots at it as she reclipped quickly and dodging more attacks from it's other arm. Once it was done, she then saved it and instead used Comet as it rained down onto Zirconiade which roared a scream of pain while she jumped and kicked at the Core before clambering down to safety, using it's body to reach the ground safely.
The former Turk dodge-rolled out of the way when Zirconiade then summoned two tentacle like thorn vines from it's stomach and made to grab her. But she counter-attacked by using Fiaga which burnt them as the waves of flames washed over to Zirconiade's body as they went. Using exilir to restore her magic, Rosalind cartwheeled out of the way when Zirconiade flared up another huge red beam that she successfully dodged this time and used Lightning to electrocute it before shooting at it's chest again as more and more cracks began to form at it's core and she began to notice that it was finally starting to slow down due to her attacks and determination. When Zirconiade made to attack with it's beam rain again, she responded by using a spell she hardly used in case of emergancy and now was a good time to give it a try.
She chanted her own Meteor Spell, though weak due to her not using it as much, it was still enough to catch the monster off-guard as both attacks collided and creating a huge explosion that rocked the entire area and cracked the flagstone even further. Rosalind nearly lost her balance, but she most certainly did not lose her determination to defeat this thing. She focused on her energy again and sent out another Lightning which somehow upgraded to three bolts of Lighting Bolts that surrounded Zirconiade and trapping it in a vortex of Electricity.
Maybe it was because of her determination to destroy it, she couldn't tell and at the moment she didn't care. But as the attack stopped, Rosalind saw too late as Zirconiade lunged and grabbed her with it's devil-like grip though she was able to have her arms free and stopped herself from dropping her gun, the grip was tight and it was squeezing her. But even as it began to lift her up to it's core, despite that this could be the end of her, Rosalind refused to surrender and actually had another idea.
She took aim and fired three shots at it's Core which caused it to rear back in pain once more and she then used Firaga at it's upper arm which forced it to loosen it's grip on her, allowing her to squirm free before jumping and landing in the crouch on the ground. She had to back-flip when Zirconiade, while slowing down even more, fired more beams all over the place and around her but she found herself going fast and faster and it was really paying off for once. Because everyone was counting on her, and she was going to avenge those she lost in this ultimate battle. She leaped, ran and dodged the attacks even as the mists began to thicken and then she realized what it was about to perform it's huge attack that made her go down earlier.
To her shock as she used Barrier combined with Wateraga to protect herself, Zirconiade had thrust out both it's arms to grab her. Rosalind leaped and jumped to avoid it's claws before shooting at them, spilling green liquid-like blood and smoke onto the flagstone as she went and then use Comet again, cracking the core to the point that it's almost open enough for her to use her final attack. Even so, and Zirconiade being really slow, it flared up more beams underneath her, but she noticed that they weren't as powerful as they had been since this ultimate fight had began. This allowed her enough time to avoid all of the attacks and then use Blizzard at it's arms, freezing them in their place.
She kicked and punch high and low which caused the arms to shatter and break off into pieces of frozen monster parts which, if the situation had been different, she would've felt sick. Instead, Rosalind reclipped and saw that she was down to just twenty ammo left and knew that she had to make them count and she needed her magic to use this special final attack that she used 8,000 years ago and she had to use it again to end this battle once and for all. The former Turk used at least five shots at it's chest and then used Firaga to add it all up to make up for it and just as she did, Zirconiade began to slump and the Core cracked even further, this time opening a small hole that was large enough for a young five year old child to fit through if it hadn't been such a dangerous beast to fight in the first place.
Just a little more and then Zirconiade is finished. Even in it's state though, it continued to attack by firing another blue beam, but Rosalind dodged it quickly and even as it nearly hit her, she found that it wasn't as painful or intensed as it had been before, meaning that it was almost time. Just in case, though, she fired another five rounds at it's Core and shattering it's protective shell, making the hole even large enough to fit herself and as she restored her magic with one more exilar, she ultimately decided that now was the perfect time to use her ultimate final attack and she was going to make it up for it.
"This final attack is my-! No, our, answer! Be gone, Zirconiade!" Rosalind shouted. She aimed her weapon at the summon and focusing on her energy, a huge blast of a gunshot in a rainbow like sequence whooshed out from her gun and right into the Core of Zirconiade.
She wasn't done yet as she ran up and jumped just high enough to yell out a battle scream and finished by unleashing another with a combination of what seemed like her most powerful Comet Spell but far much more different as rocks of Light materialized and flared up right into the Core of the monster, blasting it and causing a huge explosion on it's chest as she attacked in rapid succession.
By the time Rosalind was finished as a huge flash of light covered the area, she landed on the ground in a crouch, her energy spend as she panted, nearly falling over but managed to catch herself, gently dropping her weapon onto the ground. She had done it.
She defeated Zirconiade once again.
(~End Blue of the End~)
"I think...I've done it..." Rosalind panted. She felt dizzy, disorientated, exhausted. But none the less sastified. It took a lot of effort and seeing that Zirconiade wasn't attacking, it made her relieved.
"Ugh...did we miss all the fun?"
Gasping slightly at the familiar and welcoming voice behind her, Rosalind looked behind her to see, much to her utter relief and happiness, St. Andrew slowly pushing himself up, as were both Rafe and Freya, the other female former Turk shakily standing up.
"St. Andrew! Freya! Rafe! You're alright!" Rosalind cried out, tears of relief forming and leaking, slowly standing up herself without falling over, hoisting her gun. She hurried over to them as her allies, her friends, who saw that she too was alright, smiled in relief.
"Like that would kill us that easily." Freya smirked. "Sorry we had to let you do that again."
The blonde haired woman shook her head with a relieved smile. "It's alright."
Or not. The ground began to shake violently, nearly causing all of them to lose their balance before they turned to see that Zirconiade began to disintigrate, and falling apart. The flagstones lurched underneath them as the shock wave fanned out from its body which began to disappear.
"Or maybe not." Rafe muttered worriedly.
January 28th [5:55 PM]-Year-1996.
Midgar Ruins.
Reno and Rude couldn't enter the dimensional portal due to being held off by monsters which forced them to fight and it took forever. By the time they finished and were exhausted but determined to catch up to their comrades, the ground began to shake violently that almost made them lose their balance. They looked up and saw that things weren't looking good at all.
The ball of magic that held up the sphere of Zirconiade which surrounded the key of the world began to break apart and crack.
"What's happening!?" Reno exclaimed, horrified.
"Zirconiade is...!?" Rude gapped.
Mickey had finally defeated the Behemoths when the shockwave nearly made him fall over. As he reached outside from where he came from, he saw the same thing as, unknowingly to him, Reno and Rude who were unaware of his presence.
"Huh!? Wha-what's goin' on!?" The King exclaimed. Somehow he sensed, that Zirconiade was being destroyed and he couldn't see any evidence of Kingdom Hearts. Though he wasn't certain on that, but then worry and fear began to form.
Was Rosalind alright?
Back with Rosalind's group...
As Rosalind, Freya, St. Andrew and Rafe were struggling to hold their balance, Cissnei, Balto, Arien, Jake, Alana, and Patrick had finally arrived, battered but still alive, but it was the only they could get in as where else began to crumble and all of them suddenly realized, they were trapped.
"We must leave, now!" Balto exclaimed.
"How!?" Arien exclaimed in fear.
"This is not good!" St. Andrew cried out worriedly.
Freya looked around as she cried out, "We can't get away!"
It was hopeless, and they were all trapped. Rosalind felt her heart sink at the realization that this was it. They were all going to die, and...she would never see her family again. None of them would. Or so they thought.
"Follow me!"
Blinking in confusion, Rosalind and her team spun around to see a familiar tall man in red robes, his face covered and to their shock, horror and surprise, a Corridor of Darkness opened up for them to enter.
It was DiZ, but none of them knew that.
"You're...!" Rosalind began, recognizing the man as the same one as who helped Highground to rescue them and the others from the Junon Prison Cells six years ago. Why was he here? And how was he able to use those dark hole things the people in the Black Coats could use?
"Trust me. As long as you stick close, the darkness won't harm you. Now come! There's no time!" DiZ ordered firmly.
The former Turks shared a look, before hesitatedly nodded before they all joined hands in five groups and then raced into the portal two by two until only DiZ remained as he followed them while the Corridor of Darkness vanished as the Zirconide continued to violently disintegrate.
Reno and Rude were both forced back into a safe distance despite wanting to see if their friends were okay, but ultimately had no choice. But another, and much stronger shockwave hit as the stopped and turned back, only to lose their balance completely.
"WHOA!" Reno screamed as he fell flat onto his stomach, but he pushed himself up while Rude fell to his knees. Both looked up again and gasped in horror as things were getting worse.
"It's falling apart!" Rude cried out.
Reno's blood ran cold as ice. The others still had to be in there because he couldn't see anyone running out. A flash-back hit him and he knew that this was what happened before...so why did he feel like he was still missing memories and that his heart was telling him that they were okay but he couldn't see it for real? Rosalind, Cissnei, Balto, Arien, St. Andrew, Freya, Jake, Rafe, Patrick and Alana...
The redhead stumble to stand up and was about to run towards the destruction that was happening, but Rude, seeing his partner about to do something that would be suicidal, hurriedly pushed him up and managed to grab Reno by the arms and pulled him back to stop him. The redhead struggled to pull himself as he quickly knew what was going on, but since Rude was the stronger of the two and Reno was the faster, he was no match for his best friend's strength.
"GUYS!" The redhead screamed out in agonized sorrow and horror, though he knew, in heart-break that began to form, none of the former Turks could hear him.
(~Beyond the Door-KH:BBS~)
Through out and over the Midgar Ruins, Zirconiade's Dimensional Shell faded away, and it's body had beams shooting out from the inside and the earth trembled, shaking the entire area. It then became engulfed in light which grew bigger and bigger until the entire Ruin was covered in overwhelmingly light.
Then, after what felt like eternity, it faded and Zirconiade's remains faded away in glitters of green light that spread and disappeared along with the monster who was ultimately defeated for good. The tremors and quakes stopped and the entire of Midgar Ruins and the fields outside it finally calmed, leaving the place as it had been before Fuhito summoned it.
By the time it did, those who had watched it disappear could only gaze up in shocked awe.
Mickey, who had shield his eyes from the explosion, lowered his arms and looked up to see the results of it. Even with the shell gone, he still couldn't see Kingdom Hearts disappear. Maybe Zirconiade didn't have a chance to summon it. But small glimmer of light began to gently fall down like snow flakes and, confused and surprised, gently caught one in his palm which disappeared before he could even feel it's light.
(~End Beyond the Door~)
"...Rosalind?" Mickey asked, worriedly. While he was scared to think that the young woman had...been caught in the blast, his Heart was ensuring him that she was still alive. In fact, somewhere in this world, even in a distance, he could sense her heart.
The question is, where is she?
January 28th [6:33 PM]-Year-1996.
Edge General Hospital.
Unable to find their allies, Reno and Rude concluded with heavy hearts that none of them made it out. So they sullenly decided to head over to the Hospitla where they knew Tseng, Elena, Rufus, Veld and Felicia would be waiting along with Class Zero who were in the patient wards recovering themselves. The two Turks decided to give out their reports to their superior's first
The two were greeted by their remaining friends and superiors who, seeing their expressions, felt and began to dread for the worst. Veld was awake, and Felicia was in another recovery room, sleeping in peace but thankfully will recover and awaken in time.
"Where are the others?" Veld queried.
Reno sighed shakily, unable to find his voice to speak the bad news. The fact that everyone was gone was too much for him to bear, and if he was feeling this now, Elena is going to break into pieces. He had to look away and tried not to cry when Elena, who seemed to take his as the answer, began to break down into tears, and he knew why; she just lost her older sister who, against all odds, had stopped Zirconiade with the help of the others.
"They sacrificed themselves to destroy Zinconiade and were caught in an explosion. They haven't returned." Rude eventually answered, his expression the same but even his voice began to crack. Tseng, Rufus, and Veld lowered their heads at this answer, as it became clear to them.
The former Turks were dead.
"They have saved the world, and lost their lives." Rufus muttered. He admired their bravery and courage, and had died saving them all and the world, and even the entire Realm of Light.
"...I should've been there...right when they needed me!" Reno sobbed, unable to hold it back any longer. All of them were gone...it was bad enough that Legend died last year. Now everyone else was dead too and he couldn't help but blame himself for not being there for them.
'Rosalind...!' Elena thought to herself as she cried. She would never see her sister again, and while she had a feeling it was going to happen...it was still heart-breaking and she had desperately hoped that she'd been wrong.
"Hey, we're still alive. Thanks to this guy here." A familiar young woman's voice broke the heart-breaking moment.
Veld, Tseng, Reno, Rude, Elena and Rufus, hearing this voice, snapped their heads up in shock and disbelief, wondering for a moment if they dared to hope. When they six of them looked at the doorway of Veld's recovery room, their eyes widened with growing hope and forming relief.
(~Ash's Theme*Sora's Theme-KH:DDD*~)
Because standing there was Arien who had spoken and she looked a bit miffed that the others thought she and the rest of the former Turks had died. With her were Freya, St. Andrew, Balto, Rafe, Freya, Alana, Patrick, Jake, Cissnei and of course Rosalind. They looked battered with bandages on them, but alive and allowed to visit Veld and everyone else. Standing near them was DiZ who stood in a good distance across the room to let the two groups have their reunion.
"Guys!" Reno exclaimed happily. He couldn't believe it. They were okay! He almost thought this was just a dream for a moment.
"Big Sis!" Elena cried out happily, racing over to her sister who caught her in her arms, the two siblings laughing and crying happily and not wanting to let go. Rosalind held her sister tightly and gently kissed her on the top of her head to calm her down and that she was here. More than anything, Rosalind wanted to continue crying herself, but older siblings always did comfort their younger siblings.
Reno in the meantime pulled a dismayed and quickly terrified St. Andrew into a squeezing embrace himself, happily laughing and playfully ruffling the younger redhead's hair and ignoring his protests.
"Gah! R-Reno!" St. Andrew grunted, feeling as though he was being crushed to death.
"You guys made it! I knew you were all still alive!" Reno happily exclaimed, grinning like a lunatic.
Balto smirked, teasingly asking. "This is a surprise. Were you worried?"
He was quickly caught off-guard when Reno, in not even a blink of an eye, let go of St. Andrew(who sighed in relief and felt his face warm up in embarrassment) and pulled the spectecled Swordsman into a tightening squeeze, catching Balto off-guard.
"Hey, Glasses!" Reno greeted happily.
"Ah, Nevermind." The older man sighed. He waited until Reno turned his attention to Arien who happily hugged him in return while Tseng, Rude, Rufus and Veld smiled warmly and gratefully greeted the rest of the Turks whom Freya was jumping up and down happily to see them again and in the far corner of the room even DiZ was smiling at the scene.
"Heya, squirt!" Reno greeted as he held Arien in his arms. "You had me really worried."
"Sorry." Arien shrugged.
The Turk Lieutenant shook his head, saying apologetically. "No, I'm the one who's sorry. You're my first rookie, and that won't change, and I should've been there."
"All's forgiven." The white-haired woman grinned happily, hugging him again as he returned the embrace.
(~End Ash's Theme*Sora's Theme*~)
While the Turks and former Turks embraced and greeted, Rufus then realized that DiZ, the same man who had helped briefly six years ago in Junon, had brought the former Turks here who by some miracle or luck, managed to escape that explosion and survive.
"You had something to do with their survival, haven't you?" The young President inquried, which had everyone else hear this and then turn their attention back to the man in red who simply nodded. The Turks and former Turks frowned in suspicion. Just who was this guy and why did he help out?
"I have been keeping a close watch on you all for six years and ultimately decided to aid you when the time was right. During which for the last couple of years, I have also been keeping the ones in the black coats at bay and out of this world." DiZ told them.
"So you're not with those whackos who can do what you did to save us, right?" Freya asked, blinking.
"...I forgot about those creeps in the black coats. Good thing they aren't as much trouble as Militas Ultra...are they?" St. Andrew asked, wirly.
DiZ shook his head. "Not at the moment, but they are dangerous. However, I can tell you that they no longer have any interest either either of you or anyone else here. For now they are far out of reach."
"That doesn't exactly sound comforting, given what Machina told us a year back." Reno admitted, and Cissnei, remembering that day, nodded in agreement.
"Why did you use that portal the men in the black coats use if you're not one of them?" Rosalind questioned.
"I had to use the power of darkness to prevent you and your allies from dying, when you sticked close to defeat Zirconiade." The man in red explained.
"...Isn't that dangerous? I don't even get half of it." Reno pointed out, and who can blame them? Up until now, they thought they knew what Light and Darkness was. Organization XIII, Militas Ultra and Fuhito made everyone in ShinRa change their minds on that.
"Darkness is dangerous if you allow it to control you or for instance want to use it to accomplish your own ends. One should be careful with it. However, your allies survived it because of the light within their Hearts. I myself merely use it as transport." DiZ answered.
Reno felt very uneasy and so did everyone else, making them quickly decide they didn't want that kind of power. Especially the redhead, because he would rather stick to his EMR and Materia as close enough magic and use his martial arts skills, thanks.
"You needn't be worried." DiZ continued, sensing the unease. "The universe is safe now. And should it be in danger again, young chosens along with one who fights the darkness will continue to protect all the worlds and you as long as you continue to do the right thing."
Everyone shared an uncertain and even more bewildered glances before turning back to the man across the room, not sure what to make of his words. But given Fuhito and Militas Ultra, maybe they should take this advice in order to avoid this happening again. Though there was still one more thing that filled their minds.
"Just who are you?" Rufus questioned.
"...No one you need to worry about." DiZ replied.
"Why are you here?" Tseng questioned.
"As I said, I had been watching you to aid you. It is your choice whether you wish to believe me or not. We may meet again or not. Only time will tell." DiZ replied in a way of a farewell, because darkness began to evlop around him and in the blink of the eye as everyone else gasped in shock, awe and slight fear, he vanished while teleporting himself away.
Everyone was in silence for a little while.
January 29th [9:20 PM]-Year-1996.
Edge General Hospital Entrance.
The next morning, all of the former Turks even given a clean fit of bill and allowed to leave. Felicia was to remain for another week before she could be released, though she had questioned where she would go. Veld decided to stay by her side and officially retire from his days as a Turk. As for the rest of the Former Turks, they ultimately decided to return to their lives when they resigned. Cissnei, hearing about Zack's disappearance once again, decided to return to Gongaga to honor both his and Legend's memory.
Rufus and the four remaining Turks were disappointed, but knew it was their allies' decision. Reno was paticurally upset, but he grudingly accepted that he had to live with it. He done it before in their previous lives, he could do it again. Maybe they will come back to rejoin the team someday.
He decided to hold onto that small hope until then. They had all already said goodbye to Class Zero who, also relieved that the battle was finally over, parted ways to continue their own lives. Rem and Machina would be waiting for Rosalind to rejoin them in New Banora while Cater returned to the Farm near Kalm.
"Do you really have to leave?" Elena asked, sadness noticable in her voice. No one could blame her. She nearly lost her sister, and she was sad that Rosalind decided to leave again, but at least this time it wasn't going into battle. The younger Turk made a promise to visit New Banora when she had the time.
"Well, I did sort of leave on my job in Junon for time leave. I have a lot to catch up on." St. Andrew shrugged sheepishly.
"And I've got a hunting job to do in Bone Village area. Plus I gotta visit my parents in Mideel. They're probably worried sick by now." Freya added.
"Guess this is goodbye again, huh?" Arien smiled, even though it was more sadness than anything else.
Reno shrugged in sadnessed but hid it with a smile. "We'll see each other again. I don't know when or where, but I have a feeling that this ain't the last time we'll be seeing each other."
"I have a feeling that you are right." Balto agreed, adding with a smirk. "On the other hand, it was peaceful without you around."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, glasses." Reno rolled his eyes with a grin of his own. That made Alana and Rafe smirk and Patrick shake his head with a knowing smile.
"If you want to, you can come back to work as Turks anytime." Rufus offered.
The former Turks smiled at the young President. They were all glad that this wasn't like the last time they fought and defeated Zirconiade when they being hunted down and forced into hiding and exile 8,000 years ago. This time it was a peaceful parting with an offer to return to ShinRa if they wanted to.
"Thank you, sir." Rosalind nodded, and the others nodded in agreement.
"So, what're you gonna do, sir?" Jake asked Veld who had joined them to say goodbye to the Turks.
The former Turk Leader answered simply, "Continue my retirement and look after my daughter. I owe her this much."
"Sir..." Tseng began, before trailing off as he was uncertain how to say goodbye to his mentor for the second time in years.
"Tseng," Veld began, turning to the younger man with a proud smile. His former rookie had grown into a much better Turk than Veld himself had ever done, and had ultimately ended the lives of Qator and Aulstyne with the aid of Reno, Rude and Elena. "Continue to lead the Turks."
The Wutaiian nodded, "Of course."
Rosalind shared a final glance and hug with Elena, saying as tears began to form once more. "I'll come by to visit."
"Same here." Elena replied, her own tears already falling.
After a few long moments of sharing a goodbye hug, Rosalind and Elena let go before the former approached Reno who blinked, wondering what she had in mind. Which was why he was surprised when, even with an audience around, she leaned up and gave him a long, gentle kiss on the cheek that made his eyes widen. The reaction from everyone else was different. Tseng and Rufus both smiled a little, Rude smirked as did Veld and Balto, Elena blinked in surprise at first before she joined Cissnei, Arien and Freya into the soft giggling fest, Alana and Balto both shared a glance, Rafe and Patrick were speechless and St. Andrew looked in a mixture of shock and slight disgust.
'I think I'm gonna be sick.' The younger redhead thought to himself and he did feel rather quesy in the stomach. Seriously, since when did Rosalind have a crush on Reno of all people?
When Rosalind finally ceased her kissing, she leaned back and tried not to show off her blush. Reno stared at her for a moment before smiling.
"You take care and stay out trouble, 'kay?" Reno told her softly.
"I will." Rosalind nodded.
As everyone parted ways after sharing a final goodbye to the Turks and Rufus, Rosalind began to make her way to the airport to meet with Rem and Machina when a familiar figure caught her attention.
"Rosalind!" Mickey cried out as he, having been searching for her since yesterday, raced over in relief as Rosalind, also relieved he was okay, met him in the middle. "Gosh, I was really worried about ya'! Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. All things considered." Rosalind replied. "Mickey...thank you for everything."
The Keyblade Wielder blushed, "Aw, I didn't do much. It was you who managed to stop Zirconiade and you sure saved the world."
"Right." Rosalind nodded, before adding, "But really, you helped me in spirit and..."
She trailed off, wondering if she should tell him what she knew, before mentally shaking her head and ultimately decided it was best he found out on his own in his own pace in a more peaceful way. "I think we'll see each other again, along with someone special. Someone who, shall we say, just started an adventure of their own."
"Whaddya mean?" Mickey asked, confused. Yet at the same time he felt that he knew what the former Turk was talking about, but had no idea why.
"I'm sure you'll find out." Rosalind replied. "I'm sorry, but I have to get going. I have a plane to catch to head back to New Banora."
"Better not make ya' miss that flight then. Next time we see each other, I promise that there won't be any crisis happenin'." Mickey agreed.
Rosalind nodded again, and then shared a final goodbye to Mickey who walked away to return home himself. As she went into the opposite direction, she gazed up at the sky and had thoughts of the special person she knew would be time-traveling soon.
'Sailor Moon...thank you too, and be careful on your journey.' Rosalind thought.
After the former Turks left and Veld returned to Felicia's recovery room, Rufus, Tseng, Reno, Rude and Elena continued to stand outside on the nice, clear sunny day. Despite that their numbers were down, Militas Ultra was finally gone after six years of struggles, and even though they lost Legend and Felicia lost Highground and Shears, life, in a certain way, returned to normal.
"Ahh...I miss them already." Reno commented with a sigh.
"At least they're still alive." Rude pointed out.
"Yeah." Reno nodded, knowing that his best friend was right. While he was sad that everyone had to leave again, it was like his partner said. They were alive, they would see each other again, and Reno still had Rude, Tseng and Elena at least. So it wasn't a complete loss.
Rufus stood in silence for a moment as did Tseng, their expressions returning to how they were, but more compassionate and determined to set things right from now on. To learn from the mistakes they made 8,000 years ago.
"We will continue to help the world if we can. Perhaps Sailor Moon is preparing her own journey now or maybe will begin soon." He spoke up, which had his four remaining Turks to gaze at him with questioning and surprised expressions.
"Sir?" Tseng queried.
"Your tasks are to help other people, and not let anything like this or something similiar happen again. The Turks are now a new organization." The young President informed them.
Realizing what Rufus meant, Tseng nodded in agreement. As Reno and the other two Turks gazed at their Turk Leader, the Wutaiian up and untied his hair so it fell to his shoulders, the same way he had when Zirconiade had been defeated 8,000 years ago. They knew what this meant; this was a fresh start for all of them.
"Yes sir." Tseng replied.
"One thing won't change, though." Reno began.
"We take pride in our work." Tseng concluded.
Elena nodded, "For the better of the world." and Rude nodded in agreement.
Rufus nodded in approval, knowing that they had more work to do. Tseng turned to his team, ready to take command once more, and ready for their next assignment; to continue their search for Cloud and Tifa to ensure their safety, and to make sure things continue to stay in peace.
"Let's go." The Wutaiian Turk informed them.
The war against Militas Ultra was over and the Turks would continue to see fit of their pride, but the real fight to protect the Realm of Light had only really just began.
Because Sailor Moon on Earth in the Solar Universe would soon regain her own memories of her Previous life, and soon the Sailor Team would form.
Thus the battle against the darkness of Chaos had just began.
To be Continued.
A/N: Epilogue is up next and then the Secret Ending which will end "Kingdom Hearts: Before Crisis" once and for all!
See you then!