Well, this is the final chapter of my Final Fantasy IV: The After Years novelization. Can't say I believe it took me over four years to finish this. I hope you enjoy. There's quite a bit of jumping between perspectives, here, by the way. Most of the dialogue is from the game, but there will be some additions and minor differences.
Disclaimer: Final Fantasy IV: The After Years and all of its characters, locations, etc. were created by Square.
Epilogue: The Calm After the Storm
The group spent the night either in Baron Castle or at the Inn within the castle town before parting ways. Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Cid and Ceodore remained in Braon to look after their country, while the others left to go back to their homes and to return the crystals. Another day passed while they all went about their lives and were repairing the damages caused by the moon's meteors.
At Troia Castle, Leonora had returned the Earth Crystal to its altar in the Crystal Chamber, accompanied by a disguised Izayoi and the seven other Epopts. The Water Ninja was asked to check on things quick by Edge.
One of the Epopts glanced at the crystal with a satisfied look"The crystal has been returned... And in one piece, no less. With this in order, our people can finally concentrate on rebuilding our proud nation."
Turning to Leonora, the same Epopt smiled proudly"Leonora. As if this day, you are to officially stand among our ranks."
Leonora sheepishly flushed"I... I... Thank you so much! Um... If I may, however..."
Izayoi giggled from where she stood next to another Epopt Trainee.
The Epopt frowned"What?"
"I... I cannot accept this. I-I feel I can be of better use to people by becoming a Sage instead. Forgive me" replied the blond Epopt.
The senior Epopt hesitantly nodded"Very well, if this is the path prefer. You are still a citizen of Troia, so you may visit. There are other potential Epopts amongst your former fellow trainees."
Leonora bowed"Thank you."
Over in Mysidia, Palom stood in front of the newly returned Water Crystal, staring at it. Porom, his sister, walked in an hour later"There you are!"
"Mm-hm" Palom grunted.
"The elder wants to see you" informed the White Mage.
"He's woken up?" Palom asked, turning to face his sister. He heard that the Elder collapsed while trying to help Porom defend the crystal.
Porom nodded, and led her brother to the Elder's bed. The elderly Mysidian leader glanced at Palom with a small smile"Palom. You've returned."
Palom was relieved, but also astonished"Elder, what were you thinking? You know, you're not so young, anymore."
"Palom!" Porom was flabbergasted.
The elder just chuckled"Its all right, Porom, he merely states the truth. I was wondering, Palom. Have you made a decision about your sage training, yet?"
"That can come later" replied the brunette Black Mage.
Porom was surprised"Huh?"
Palom glanced at his sister"Come on, you know how helpless Mysidia would be without me!"
The Elder smiled"Ah! Long have I awaited these words! From this day forward, I leave Mysidia in the hands of you both."
Palom's eyes widened"What!?"
"Elder, you couldn't! We're not ready for such a responsibility, we are still unprepared for the job" said Porom, equally surprised.
The Elder smiled encouragingly"Oh, you'll be fine... as long as the two of you are together. Black and white. Darkness and light. Male and female. Your differences are exactly why I am sure you will lead us along the right path."
"... Those aren't your last words or anything, right?" Palom asked.
"Palom!" Porom glared at her brother.
The Elder rolled his eyes"Urgh! You cheeky fool! Back to training with you!"
"Sure thing, just don't keel us over too soon" Palom grinned.
"Palom!" Porom was tempted to give her brother a whack on the head like when they were kids.
"Sir" one of the other Black Mages approached them"A visitor from Troia is here."
"Really?" Palom headed out of the Prayer Hall, followed by his sister. When they got outside, they were surprised to find Leonora standing a short distance away. The former Epopt trainee had gone to Baron via Black Chocobo and asked Cid to give her a lift to Mysidia.
"Leonora, what are you doing here?" asked Palom"If you're looking for me to teach you something, you're out of luck, you've got everything you need."
"I... I understand" said Leonora, shyly.
"Well, what about the Epopts any everything?" said Palom.
The blond replied"I gave it all up."
"Whaat!?" Palom said, astonished.
"Why, Leonora?" asked Porom.
The former trainee replied"I... I thought I would start off toward becoming a Sage."
"You serious?" said Palom, a bit shocked.
"Is that really so strange?" frowned Leonora.
Porom shook her head"Not at all, I'll help you as much as I can, Leonora."
Not far from them, hiding near a building, Tsukinowa silently glanced at the three while in frog form, he had asked one of the Mysidian magic students to turn him into a frog'Good for you, Porom.'
Back over to the three, Palom shrugged"Well, whatever. I guess I'll be babysitting you a while longer."
"Yes, sir" said Leonora, grateful to the twins.
In the Darven Castle within the underworld, Luca had just explaining events to her father, King Giott. The princess had returned their Dark Crystal while she was at it. The king bowed his head, thoughtfully"I see. So that's what the crystals were created for. Well, I'll be. Its still over my head, though."
Luca jumped back in surprise"What? Well, I can try to explain again, if you want."
King Giott shook his head"If you ask me, we dwarves aren't meant to sit around all day, pondering the mysteries of the world. We should keep it simple, you see? And
I don't see why we shouldn't protect our Crystals the way we always have."
"Maybe you're right" said Luca.
A young kid ran into the throne room"Luca!"
Luca turned her attention to the kid"Mid!"
Cid walked into the room"Ah, there you are! My grandson wouldn't stop whining about how he wanted to see you."
Luca beamed"Perfect! Let's go to the Falcon."
"Already?" said Cid.
The group went outside, where Luca and Cid went to work on the Falcon. A disguised Zangetsu watched along with King Goitt and two of his guards.
"Oh! Say, that makes good sense, there!" said Cid, as he helped tune up the Falcon.
Luca shrugged"This was just a little something I picked up while examining the Lunar Whale's engine. We need to do something about this part here, though..."
Mid, who was watching, inspected the engine and tinkered for a bit"How 'bout this?" He made a brief adjustment.
Luca jumped in amazement"Wow!"
"Hah hah! That's my boy!" chuckled Cid.
King Giott and his escort approached the three as Calca and Brina danced near them"If you need anything, Cid, let me know" said the king.
Luca had a thoughtful look on her face"Hm. Come to think of it, we could use some crewmembers."
"Lali-ho! His majesty's free right now" remarked one of the dwarf guards.
King Giott jumped and sighed"Gah! All right, I'll be happy to assist!"
Luca shook her head"Oh, father, you wouldn't understand anything on this ship. I was talking about your bodyguards!"
"Nari-ho!" cried Zangetsu, jumping.
The other two 'guards' turned towards the purple-clad 'dwarf'"How many times do we have to tell you!? Its Lali-Ho!"
At Fabul Castle, the Duke Consort spoke with the Chancellor in the Crystal Chamber"The moon is gone... And our Wind Crystal is safe once more."
The Chancellor nodded"I wonder though... Now that we know the crystals' true nature, will everything be the same?"
"Does it matter?" Yang's wife, Sheila entered the room. The Chancellor and Duke turned their attention to her.
"People pray to the crystals because they are always there for them. They are a unifying force... everyone wants to help protect and care for them" said Sheila.
"Hmmm. Makes sense" nodded the Chancellor.
"I could not have stated it better" chimed the Duke.
"No need to compliment me. That's just how my husband put it" smiled Sheila.
"Speaking of Master Yang, where is he right now?" asked the Chancellor.
"Training, of course. With Ursula" said the queen.
The Duke Consort smiled as he thought back"It is strange to think back to when Yang treated Ursula like a rare, fragile jewel..."
Sheila smiled, turning"I think Yang said it best himself: "How can I believe in my people's future if I cannot even believe in my own daughter?"
Out in the Courtyard if Fabul Castle, Yang and his daughter were sparring. When it was apparently over, Ursula took a breather.
"I told you I was not going to go easy" said Yang, referring to their excursion on Adament Island, where Yang finally agreed to take Ursula as one of his apprentices after she had learned the importance of heart.
"Yes, master" nodded Ursula.
"Is that all you got?" asked the Fabul king.
"No, sir" Ursula got back up and charged at Yang, the two of them resumed sparring.
Gekkou watched from a secluded spot in the courtyard'I suppose Fabul has its own honor to uphold.'
At Damcyan Castle's crystal chamber, Edward was gazing at the Fire Crystal with his Secretary.
"So the Crystal is the same as always?" said Harley.
Edward nodded"Indeed. I cannot help but think that our Crystal is different... different from all the other Crystals the Creator has made." He had heard the story from Cecil about the crystals.
Harley turned to address Edward"How so, my lord?"
"Our nation believes in this Crystal, yes...but it would have taken more than that for it to recover its light" said the Damcyan king.
Harley was puzzled"Are you suggesting that the Crystal itself is evolving, too?"
Edward nodded"Perhaps. Perhaps it has responded to the evolution we ourselves carry in our hearts... I would like to believe that, anyway."
"Your Majesty!" The Damcyan Chancellor rushed into the room"There you are! Ah, and Harley, too!"
"What is it, Chancellor?" asked Edward.
"Have you obtained the material we were discussing earlier?" spoke the elder man.
"Harley, is everything ready?" the king addressed his secretary.
Harley nodded"Yes, my lord. I have made all the necessary arrangements."
"Well done" Edward praised her.
"Thank you, my lord" said the Chancellor.
Harley and the Chancellor left the chamber. Edward began to follow and turned back towards the crystal in silent prayer for a moment'Anna, Tellah, thank you from the bottom of my heart.'
At Eblan Castle, Edge's Seneschal entered the throne room"Your young highness!" The man looked around.
"He left a moment ago" said one of the guards.
"Where?" asked the Seneschal.
"I'm afraid he didn't say, merely said he was going on patrol" shrugged the guard.
The Seneschal groaned"Just as we finished renovating the castle, I fear that his highness slipped back into his habit of leaving unannounced."
Outside, in the courtyard, Edge was headed out when Gekkou jumped down from the tower to address him"Master. Everything's in order at Fabul."
Zangetsu joined them and reported"Nothing seems out of order in the Underworld, either."
"Troia's Crystal is the same as always" Izayoi piped as she and Tsukinowa met up with them.
"Nothing repot from Mysidia, either!" piped the wind ninja.
Edge turned to his apprentices and nodded"Good work, everyone. You are free to go... Go on, and live the life you've wished for."
Gekkou nodded"Then we will continue to serve as your shadow, Master."
"Until you next orders come!" said Zangetsu.
"Whenever you are imperiled, just call for us. We will be there" smiled the Water Kunoichi.
"We are Eblan's ninja guard, and we will be that way forevermore!" smiled Tsukinowa.
Edge shrugged"Pfft. Whatever, people."
"Yes, Master!" acknowledged the Fire Ninja.
"Thank you for your kind words!" said Izayoi.
Zangetsu nodded"I bid you farewell..."
Tsukinowa smiled"Until the next mission!"
Edge headed out of Eblan and went to Mist.
In Mist Village, the small Maenad had been adopted by Rydia and was standing outside of the summoner's house. Three of the kids from Mist approached her"Hey! Cuore!"
The Maenad, who Rydia named Cuore, replied curtly"What?"
"Don't say 'What', say yes" said the little girl in the group of three.
"Yes?" Cuore said.
"There, doesn't that sound better?" smiled the other girl.
Just then, a blue-robed old man and regally dressed woman appeared. The children speaking with Cuore were surprised"Ah."
The teal-haired girl walked to the house and called"Rydia!"
"What is it, Cuore?" Rydia exited the house and started when she saw her foster parents"Ah."
"Its been a while, Rydia" smiled the Eidolon King.
"What are you doing here?" Rydia smiled, happy to see them.
Asura addressed her foster daughter"We thought that since you could not visit us, we'd pay you a visit instead."
"Who are they?" Cuore asked Rydia.
"My parents, say hi" replied the green-haired Summoner.
Cuore turned her attention to Asura and Leviathan"Good afternoon."
"Why, hello" smiled Asura.
Leviathan smiled and turned his attention back to Rydia"She looks just like you when you were little."
Not far from them, Edge walked towards them. Cuore spotted him"You're late!"
Edge grinned sheepishly"Heh. Sorry, kind of hard to break away when you've got a kingdom to run."
"Let's play!" insisted Cuore,
Edge nodded"Sure, just no magic, okay?"
"Okay" said Cuore.
Asura addressed Rydia, who was pleasantly surprised to see Edge"He's the one who suggested we pay a visit."
"What? Really?" flushed Rydia.
Edge and Cuore invited Rydia to join the fun and began to play together with Asura, Leviathan and the village kids.
"Edge, thank you" said Rydia with a smile. The ninja king winked.
At Baron Castle's courtyard, Cecil and Ceodore were readying their blades for a sparring session. Rosa stood near the gate to watch.
"Ready, Ceodore?" the Paladin asked.
Ceodore nodded"No training wheels this time?"
"Of course not" smiled Cecil for a moment. Father and Son charged and locked blades, lightly swinging their swords as they blocked and weaved around each other, trying to avoid injury from each other while going their movements.
The sparring session lasted for a couple of minutes before a voice said"That's enough!"
Cecil and Ceodore put away their blades and turned to see Kain walk up to them.
"Kain!" Ceodore smiled, happy to see his and his parents' friend.
"I'm your squad captain, starting today" Kain informed Ceodore. The Holy Dragoon had volunteered to become the new Captain of the Red Wings at Cecil's consent.
"Oh, y-yes captain!" said Ceodore with a smile. He hadn't fully expected that he would once more venture out with the Red Wings.
"I'll be counting on you, Kain" said Cecil.
"Try not to go too rough on him" chimed Rosa.
Kain shrugged"That depends on what Ceodore wants."
"I'll be just fine, captain" said Ceodore, accompanying Kain out of the castle.
As Ceodore and Kain left, Rosa stood next to Cecil"I wonder how he's doing, these days?"
"Golbez?" Cecil asked.
Rosa nodded. Cecil wondered the same thing, his brother had left to go check on the other Lunarians.
Flashback
Cecil, Golbez, Rosa, Kain and Ceodore were at Mount Ordeals, standing in front of Kluya's grave. Cecil had addressed his brother"Are you sure you want to go?"
"Yes" nodded the older Lunarian.
"Do you think Fusoya's alive?" Rosa asked.
"Would anyone be still alive on that moon?" Kain inquired, they had heard of the incident between Fosoya and Zeromus' Malice from Golbez.
The older half-Lunarian shook his head"I don't know, that's why I must go there at once."
"Brother..." Cecil trailed off.
"Farewell" said Golbez, starting to head back to the Lunar Whale.
Ceodore called out to his uncle"May we meet again, Golbez. Someday, somewhere!"
Golbez smiled slightly"Ceodore... thank you!"
End of Flashback
On the new flagship of the Red Wings, Luca was talking with Cid"Are you sure this is in the Red Wings' best interest? Not upgrading the Red Wings one bit?" Mid, Calca, Brina and a couple of other crewmen were aboard.
The older engineer nodded"We have a royal decree, Luca. We are to disarm the airships and never rearm them again."
"It seems like such a waste, but that does sound like a rule Cecil would come up with" shrugged the dwarf princess.
As Kain and Ceodore approached the airship, Cid addressed the blond Dragoon"We're ready for takeoff at any time, captain."
"Good" said Kain, heading to the front of the airship.
"Our destination, captain?" Ceodore addressed him as he went to stand not far behind him.
"Around the world. We're on a reconstruction support mission around the land" said Kain.
"Really, captain!?" asked the prince.
Kain turned sharply to him, an incredulous look on his face"Does this look like a pleasure cruise to you, Ceodore!? Did Biggs and Wedge teach you nothing!?"
Ceodore flushed as he thought about what Biggs would say if he were still alive"Sorry, captain."
"Where are we going, first?" piped Luca.
"To Damcyan, Edward has procured building materials for us" replied Kain.
"Roger" said Luca, taking her place at the helm.
Kain glanced at Ceodore"Off we go, Ceodore."
The prince nodded"Yes, captain" and stood near Kain as the airship began to take off. All was well as they set off to assist in the world's restoration.
The End
Well, that's it for the epilogue. I thank everyone who has ever read/reviewed this story. Anyone else think Palom/Leonora make a cute pairing? I have to say, I enjoyed writing this.
Saraku: In response to your question, I haven't really given any thought about doing a sequel. There just isn't much to work with. But maybe I can come up with some original ideas for one.
Infinitestories: Thanks again for your ideas.