Mideel Town

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Amnesty, stunned by Aztar's attack, had been unable to regain her feet in time... she heard Lutz's last message... "Lutz! What are you saying?!"

She leapt to her feet... just in time for the explosion to knock her back to the ground. She threw up her arms around her head and screamed, shielding herself from the force of the blow... and when she lifted her head again, Lutz was gone.

She got to all fours and scrambled to the edge of the cliff. "Lutz!"

There was no reply. Amnesty stared down into the Lifestream in disbelief...

She looked across to Cloud and Vincent, watching them numbly. "He's gone..." She stood, her motions mechanical. "He gave himself for us..."

A tear began to well in her eye, blurring their images. What heritage is this that I have found myself cursed with? Sacrifice, sacrifice... and nothing in return... She began to weep, and a scream of anguish erupted from her as it had from her brother in the church, not so long ago... He was our truest friend...

****

Reno and Rude, too, had been bowled over by the explosion's force. Reno saw the sky empty before it blurred over completely, his vison going... He had now passed seventy, and his hair had washed out completely... his eyes were dim, and he could not find the strength to stand again...

Rude was blown away when he saw his partner's face, creased by premature age... "Reno, can you still hear me?"

Rude's voice was not easy to make out... his hearing was going, too. He looked over at his partner and grabbed his shoulder feebly. "Rude..." His cracked voice came out only with effort. "Take care of Nikky, please..."

"Reno, just hang on..." Rude didn't understand. "Aztar's dead, you should be safe..."

"No, he's not..." Reno's voice faded. He couldn't summon the strength to tell Rude more.

Rude's eyes narrowed. "He's NOT?"

He took Reno's EMR and stood up, looking for any sign of the creature...

[lutz]

The air had faded and there was no sign of the being Aztar, but then everthing frozen time itself besides the group within it. everything went black and nothing could be seen. tiny lights formed through out the area like stars it was as if the group was floating in outerspace. then Aztar had showen himself. the outline of his body glew in a holy aura.

Aztar: "What your friend had done this night had showen me how wrong I was to test your hope in the planet, so for your friends sacrific I am sorry, he made the ultimate choice proving to me there are still people out there willing to give their lives for something great...and that is love."

Aztar bowed his head to the group in honor of them. Renos age slowly ragained back to his young self.

Aztar: "Now I leave the fate of the planet in your hands young ones, I will keep an watchful eye on you all but know that the evil forces are still among you all and they need to be taken care of for this planet to be truely safe, I grant you all secret power straight from the lifestream to become gaurdians of the planet....you all are the chosen ones....please bring peace and happyness on this world once again...."

Aztar vanished and the whole group was teleported out of the odd domention and right infront of Squalls airship.
a whisper could be heard
Lutz Airoth.....Lutz Airoth....

Cloud walked over to Amnesty, Reno and Rude,

Cloud: "thank you for all your help, it was nice to know there is other people out there other then me and Vincent here willing to save the world....this world we care so much about...."

Cloud took and slight look at Amnesty, as if he knew her from some where, he took a step closer to her

Cloud: "Do I...."
He shrugged it off and walked to his own airship that was close by and waved good bye to the group. Vincent nodded at the group.

Vincent: "Me and Cloud will be relaxing at Seventh Heaven if you need help with anything find us there."
Vincent dashed off and joined Cloud and they took off to Midgar.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Amnesty smiled as Cloud and Vincent flew away, fiddling with her ponytail... a bundle of midnight black that had once borne a silver sheen. She had seen vague recognition in Cloud's eyes when he looked at her. "Cloud Strife... you have NO idea." Not so long ago, I promised myself I'd tear his guts out barehanded if I ever saw him... but now I know what it means to be a hero... and meeting him has ceased to become an opportunity for revenge... it was an honor. She watched the sun set over Mideel, feeling satisfied with a job well done... but still saddened by Lutz's loss...

She looked to the others. "Lutz's sacrifice saved us... but it will all be wasted unless we beat Xima." She glanced back at the Lifestream. I'll honor your Sacrifice, Lutz. Even if it takes me the rest of my life.

****

Reno looked himself over, still in slight disbelief... His youth had returned, and the planet was safe again, at least for now...

He glanced at Rude and caught his reflection in his parter's sunglasses... "Rude, I... I'm..." I'm going to be OK!

Rude nodded to him with a very slight smile. He glanced over at Nikky, who stood slackjawed at his transformation...

Reno turned to Nikky and embraced her, unable to contain his joy and relief. He drew her into a kiss that wiped away all the terror of the past few hours... his mouth moved away from her lips and towards her ear as his head went on her shoulder... "I love you, Nikky... please, marry me..." He couldn't believe what he was saying... it surprised him to hear it as much as it must have surprised her... but he was saying it, and he refused to take it back. "Marry me, Nikky." He kissed her again, thanking G** this moment was not their last...

Rude watched, profoundly amazed. Good G**... did he just PROPOSE to her?!

He thought back to Aztar's words... Chosen ones... special powers? What exactly does THAT mean?

****

Amnesty looked up, her face displaying resolve. "One man was able to kill my brothers... he will be able to kill my sister." She marched back into the ship. "I'm following Cloud back to Midgar. If I'm gonna track down Xima, I'll need his help."

She looked back outside the hatch one last time, grief tinging her features... Good-bye, Lutz... I'll miss you. I promise... I'll never forget you... find my brothers out there. They'll take care of you. She smiled. They never disappointed me.

She went inside and began locking in the coordinates for the Seventh Heaven in the autopilot, waiting for the others to follow.

Suddenly, what she'd heard Reno saying on here way inside hit her like a ton of bricks. He just asked Nikky to... MARRY him!

She raced back outside. "Oh, my G**!" Did she say "yes" yet? She better say "yes"! She made a beeline for Rude. "Did Reno just--"

Rude nodded.

Ami's jaw dropped. "Oh, my G*D!!!" she squealed girlishly. I am not the squeal-y type, but sometimes you gotta squeal.

[*~Nikkole~*]

nikky kissed him back but then backed up and stared. her eyes huge with what looked to be horror and shock. she couldn't form words for a few, what seemed to be long, minutes. she swallowed and grinned before choking slightly. ''reno i-'' she stopped and blinked before grinning and blushing. she then got more of a malicious look and kissed his cheak. ''you embarrass me again and i'll steal all your money and get a divorce.'' she whispered in his ear before stepping back and taking his hands. she swung them slightly and nodded. ''yes.... i'll marry you reno.''

kamen made a slight face before smiling and shaking his head.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

He looked into her eyes, absolutely lighting up. "Are you SERIOUS?!" Reno threw his arms around Nikky as Ami started jumping up and down and screaming like a fangirl at an Elvis concert.

"She said YES!" Ami screamed at ear-shattering decibels.

Rude cringed and had to restrain Amnesty before she deafened the entire planet.

Reno felt like he was on top of the world... She said yes... she's going to marry me... the most beautiful, wonderful woman I ever met, and she's going to be my wife... He picked her up and swung her around in celebration. "Did you hear that, everybody?!"

"How could we not have?" Rude asked dryly, twisting a finger in his ear, still recovering from Ami's enthusiasm.

Reno set her down, laughing for joy. He kissed her, deeply and passionately, hoping she could see how happy she'd made him.

She's going to marry me...

Ami was positively gushing. "We're going to have a wedding!" She was going berserk.

Rude sighed. "Nothing like a proposal to get the estrogen flowing around a place."

He started to escort her inside. "Come on, Ami, let's set the course for Midgar..."

She was still wigging out as Rude pushed her inside the ship.

Reno held Nikky tight, his lips still on hers as the sunlight faded away. She wants to marry me. He pulled back slightly. "I love you..."

[*~Nikkole~*]

nikky laughed softly and listened to the spazz outs of eeryone. she nodded and gasped slightly as she was swung around.

she kissed him back and blushed slightly. this is so embarrassing.... she continued kissing him until he broke it off. she smiled and rested her forehead on his. she cupped his face gently. ''i love you too reno....''

kamen had a small laugh and followed ami and rude inside.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Reno might have stood there till Kingdom Come, just staring into her eyes, had not Rude chosen to finally intervene at this point. "Ahem!"

Reno glanced at him. "Yeah?"

"We got the ship ready to go. Coming?"

Reno looked back at his recent fiancee and smiled. "Yeah, we're coming."

"Good." Rude waited to make sure Reno would actually remember to follow up on that... he seemed rather incapable of holding more than one idea in his head at a time right now.

Reno put an arm around Nikky's shoulders, leaning his head on hers, as he led her inside to the passenger area, where he sat down and waited for her to join him, holding both her hands. He did not appear to be able to look at anything besides her eyes.

What can I say, partner... she's the one. Deep down, I think I always knew she would be.

Rude nodded to the telepathic message. I know. But... you can't blame a man for wishing he had it as good as another guy.

And Reno realized this was the first time Rude had directly or indirectly referred to the woman who left him.

There's someone out there for you, partner... there has to be. Reno grinned. If I could get a woman this wonderful... anyone can. Let's just face the facts, Rude... I'm a doofus.

Rude shook his head, vaguely amused. She's having a good influence on you already... I've been telling you that for years.

****

Ami locked in the autopilot coordinates, but she couldn't stop herself from giggling. Reno, of all people... the first one of us to actually get married. I do not believe this. She was in absolute giggling fits. Her mood immediately sombered as she considered Squall... But as things are beginning for him and Nikky... I can't help but wonder if they're ending for Squall and me.

[*~Nikkole~*]

nikky followed him in and snuggled up against him. she closed her eyes ad grinned at him. i'm getting married.... never in a million years would i have thought those words..... in a good way. she snuggled more and took a deep breath, closing her eyes. this is great....

kamen was sitting near the back. he fumbled with his sleeve and stared at the mark on the inside of his wrist. it burned a deep red and seemed to glow and become alive when he touched it. he winced and sighed.

[Amnesty Lazuli]

Amnesty hit the autopilot and the ship took off. She sat in the passenger seat, staring out into the darkening sky... her head turned to look at Squall's empty captain's chair. She sighed. I told him I'd never leave him... but if he wants to leave me when he learns the truth... I can't stop him.

And Lutz... dear G**, what will he do when he finds out about Lutz... Lutz was his best friend.

Rude joined Ami and sat down in the vacant seat. "Hi."

She kept her eyes on the viewports. "'Sup."

He watched the digital display as the ship charted its course back to the Seventh Heaven. "I figured I'd better give my partner and his fiancee a little space."

Ami smiled. "Something of a shock to the system, eh, Rude?"

"Not so much as your reaction. I think I'll need a hearing aid now."

Ami shook her head and giggled. "Well, come on. I AM a sixteen year old girl... I get to be obscenely feminine now and again, don't I?"

Rude nodded. "If you say so, Fraulein Kommandant." He sighed. "There will be no keeping those two apart for the rest of their betrothal, you know that?"

Ami shook her head. "Sorry, Rude. You've lost your backup in that department."

Rude rolled his eyes. "He caught you making out with Squall, didn't he?"

Ami laughed. "Yeah. And how."

Rude paused. "And speaking of... you two haven't been speaking so much, and I saw him come out here after talking to you... did you have a falling out or--"

"No," Ami interrupted. "I wish it was that simple."

Rude looked at Ami askance. "Tell me."

She looked at him... and suddenly the whole story came spilling out.

****

Reno pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arms around her. Fifteen minutes ago, I thought I wouldn't live long enough to say goodbye... and now, here we are... He kissed her cheek and looked out the viewport, the glow of the Lifestream fading into the distance... Lutz, wherever you are... thank you. He rested his head on hers, suddenly feeling like he'd found his place in the world... a world where nothing could ever go wrong again.

"I'll fight for every minute with you..."

He smiled. "I think... I'm the happiest guy in the world today. Everybody says that... but I think it's true this time."

He kissed her again, meeting her lips with his, knowing this time he was kissing his future wife... this kiss belonged to him, and nobody else.

((To Seventh Heaven))

[*~Nikkole~*]

she snuggled and smiled softly up at him. ''not as happy as i am reno.....'' she kissed him back passionately but softly.

kamen sulked in the back. he was not sad or jealous. he was afraid....