Part Forty One

Somewhere Over The Rainbow

Balamb Garden

For once in his life Squall Leonhart was happy. No one could understand why he was so happy though. Seifer Almasy had completely lost his memory of everything except basic functions. He knew how to talk, read, eat, and sleep and everything else but he couldn't recall anything of his life. According to Edea the amount of magic that Seifer used started a chain reaction in his brain that basically short circuited his mind. The cost of closing the Gateway had been his memories.

When Squall brought him back to the Garden for examination Cid had asked his wife to try and learn what was wrong with the blond. Seifer was still a powerful Sorcerer and he could use any manner of spells when asked. As a precaution Seifer had to be held in Balamb Garden and the blond was happy to stay there. Confused, scared and overwhelmed he needed to feel safe. Sora and his friends had offered to perform a Memory Retrieval Spell but given Seifer's state of mind the risk was just too great at the moment.

Squall had spent every waking moment at Seifer's side. He gave the blond personal objects from his room along with his beloved Gunblade Hyperion. Nothing jogged his memory but for some reason he felt safe around Squall. Edea wanted Seifer's condition to be kept a secret from Odine and the others in Esthar.

Now that Seifer was the carrier of three generations of Sorcery he was a most delicate and powerful prize. But not even the Gods could take Seifer from Squall's side. The brunet became highly protective of the man and he sometimes tried to help Seifer remember things. After two weeks the young Sorcerer was sitting on the second floor balcony of the Garden deep in thought when Squall joined him.

"I hate this Squall." Seifer breathed out. "I hate not being able to remember my life here with you and Zell and the others."

"You'll remember one day Seifer." Squall promised.

"Why do you stay by my side?" jade green eyes fell on the brunet.

"What do you mean?" Squall asked.

"I know the others help me but you stay with me all the time and for some reason I only feel safe with you." The blond stared into beautiful stormy eyes. "Why is that Squall Leonhart?"

"The answer is simple Seifer Almasy..." Squall turned and the most breathtaking smile spread across his face. "I'm your Knight."

And when he saw Seifer smiling back, his eyes so full of trust and hope, Squall was no longer afraid of what the future would bring. He was actually looking forward to it.

When the time came for Sora and the others to return home many tears were shed from both parties. Squall was upset to see the young boy go along with his friends but it was for the best. The Keyblade Master had helped to save Gaia from Ultimecia and the Heartless.

It was time for them to go home. The mirror was now activated and everyone was gathered in the basement on the Garden to wish them goodbye and good luck. Baralai had given Leviathan to Selphie. He thought the Guardian Force should remain in its own world.

"I'm gonna miss you guys." Selphie sobbed as she clung onto Sora.

"We all will." Quistis sniffed.

"Man, I hate teary goodbyes." Roxas wiped away his tears.

"Are you gonna be ok?" Leon asked his counterpart. Squall actually looked happy and he nodded.

"It'll take me a while to accept Laguna but I think I'm gonna be ok." The brunet replied.

"It won't be the same without you guys." Rinoa cried.

"You'll be fine." Riku smiled gently.

"I won't forget you." Seifer promised. "And thanks for everything you've done."

"I wish you guys could stay a little longer." Zell mourned.

"Remember to destroy the mirror once we're on the other side." Cloud stared at the shimmering glass.

"You have our word." Irvine said.

"Good luck and have a good life." Sora hugged Squall who reluctantly hugged back.

"You too Sora." The brunet murmured.

Eventually the group stepped through the liquid glass and they all stepped back onto the beach of Destiny Island. The smell of the water and the sound of the sea gulls were so welcoming to the group. They all felt as if they had truly come home. Ienzo summoned up Demyx and the blond haired Siren laughed as he swam into the warm water. Axel laughed as he watched his friend play while Roxas smiled at his friends. They were finally home again.

"So you have done it." A regal voice asked.

"Shiva, is that you?" Ienzo turned to the spruce of the voice. The Ice Goddess appeared out of thin air amide snow and ice.

"It is good to see you all again." She smiled at them. "And I believe it is time for your rewards."

"What are you talking about?" Roxas asked.

"Demyx has proven that he is a good soul as well as Axel. They can have what they want." Shiva turned to them.

"What are you gonna do now?" Axel raised an eyebrow.

"I'm going to give you your next life." Shiva smiled.

Axel and Demyx stared at each other before they were surrounded by bright light. Warmth flooded into their bodies and Axel could feel his wings vanishing while Demyx felt his tail splitting in two. They both gasped for air when it became difficult to breathe.

When the light and warmth left them they fell onto warm sand and the sound of people gasping and yelling could be heard. Axel opened his eyes and stared up at the blue woman. She was smiling down at him then she motioned for him to stand up along with Demyx. The blond boy was wearing plain jeans and a t-shirt.

"What did you do to them?" Ienzo demanded.

"I gave them back their hearts." Shiva replied. "You can have them as you wanted."

"Axel..." Roxas whispered before he threw his arms around the stunned red head.

"I have a heart!" Demyx giggled as he hugged Ienzo. "Feel that Zexy?" he pressed Ienzo's hand on his chest. "It beats for you."

"Demyx..." Ienzo was choking up.

"Thank you so much for this Shiva." Roxas turned to the Ice Goddess.

"It truly means a lot." Baralai smiled warmly.

"Baralai, there is something I must discuss with you." Shiva turned to the man.

"What is it?" Baralai asked her but she raised her hand and for a moment darkness clouded his vision.

"Where am I?" he cried when the darkness cleared and he was standing in a vast chamber.

"The door has been opened to Spira." Shiva emerged from the darkness of the stone hall. "You can return home."

"I can go back?" Baralai gasped. He could see Gippal again. His heart could finally be healed.

"Something has happened Baralai. Your world is no longer as you remember." Shiva sounded mournful.

"What do you mean?" Baralai suddenly felt cold.

"Civil war has engulfed your world. The Yevonites and the Al Bhed have been at war for ten years." Shiva explained.

"Ten years?" Baralai collapsed to the ground. "I've been gone for ten years?"

"Sokar possessed your body for ten years Baralai. When you vanished civil war occurred." The Ice Goddess replied.

"I can't believe this." Baralai sobbed. It couldn't be true.

"The Al Bhed were blamed for your disappearance. It gave the Yevonites an excuse to start the war they wanted for years." Shiva said with sadness.

"But there is something more. All magic in Spira has vanished. No one can use even the most basic spells anymore." Shiva glanced away from the shocked man.

"There's no more magic?" Baralai felt sick.

"Something has awoken in Spira but there is one who still can use all magic. You must find this boy." Shiva sounded adamant.

"What's so special about him and why can he use magic?" Baralai asked.

"He possesses an ancient power that many in your world wish to have." Shiva explained. "If you find this boy he can stop the Devil Golems."

"Devil Golems...but they're a myth." Baralai cried.

"No they are not. But the boy, Atsuma, has a connection to the Golems." Shiva said. "He is the Last Sorcerer and you must find him. As Aeons we will give you the power of the Summoner and you may call on us for aid."

"But what about Sora and everyone else?" Baralai asked.

"You may ask Sora to go with you but he and the others have been through so much." Shiva looked away.

"I can't do this by myself. I'm not that strong." Baralai shook his head. "Maybe Vincent and Reno will come with me."

"This will be unlike any other world you've been to." Shiva warned. "You will only have the power to summon as long as you have this..." she reached out and gave him a small crystal necklace. "The Aeon Stone will grant you your power to summon but not to use basic magic."

"Only this Atsuma boy can do that?" Baralai said.

"Yes but listen closely Baralai. There is one Devil Golem that was created long ago but it has now awakened. This Golem was created to awaken once its master returned to it." Shiva's eyes fell on Baralai.

"But who built it?" the silver haired man stares at her.

"Sokar..." she glanced at the shocked man. "Sokar has returned."

Note-Ok for the third and final story I'm going to be using Baralai, Seifer, Vincent, Reno, Zell and Tidus. I felt Reno and the others didn't get a proper ending and I'm bringing Tidus along because FFX was the first Final Fantasy game I've ever played and Tidus has a special place in my heart. Also I am going to write a bonus chapter for this story for KandyHouse. The chapter will be Saix and his final moments in this story that you didn't get to see. Also I shall leave a proper summary with the next chapter. Till next time everyone.