*We last left our heroes discovering Kuja's late father, Alexander, to be alive.*
Thorn: *Looks surprised and gasps.* That's... not who I think it is, is it?
Kuja: Father...?
*Alexander just looks at them.*
Kuja: But no... It can't be. You're dead! I saw you die... *In more hushed tones.* I killed you...
Thorn: Is it a ghost? A mirage?
Kuja: I don't know...
Alexander: Who are you?
Kuja: *Looks taken aback by this sudden question.* What?
Thorn: You don't know?
Alexander: *Shakes his head.* I don't know. I can't even remember who I am... I can't remember anything at all.
Thorn: Oh... I see...
Kuja: Just what is going on here?
Thorn: I'm not entirely sure...
Kuja: *Touches Alexander.* He feels solid enough, so he's not a ghost or a mirage. He might be an illusion, though, or another Demon pretender...
Thorn: It's true. Be careful.
Kuja: *Glares at Alexander.* Is that what you are, a Demon trying to trick us by knowing our secrets and innermost feelings?
Alexander: Well, I don't know about that, boy. Right now I don't know anything.
Thorn: How strange...
Kuja: *Continues giving Alexander a fierce look for a moment, but his expression soon softens.* It can't be him... He died... Daichi was completely destroyed. There's no way he could be alive.
Alexander: I wish I could help you figure out this mystery, but I'm afraid my mind is totally blank. *Stares at Kuja for several minutes straight.* No... Wait. You look... familiar to me somehow...
Thorn: *Quietly, to Kuja.* Do you trust him...?
Kuja: *Has an unfathomable expression on his face. He speaks to Thorn.* We've seen things so many times in our lives that we would normally think impossible. Unborn children visiting from the future... The dead returning from the grave...
Thorn: *Looks at Alexander, then at Kuja. He looks as though he doesn't know quite what to think.*
Alexander: *Pats Kuja on the back and smiles, a smile just like Kuja's.* Kujata... you're still very overdue for a haircut.
Kuja: *Lets out a cry of joy and throws his arms around Alexander, also appearing to throw away his suspicions at the same time.* It must be you... I can sense you're a human. You feel like he did, you smell like he did... I know I'm usually so cynical and a terrible sceptic, but just this once... I want a miracle!
Thorn: *Looks like he's let most of his suspicions go too.* Well, if you trust him, Kuja, I will too. I trust your judgement.
Kuja: Maybe you did escape at the last minute... Maybe you ended up just like I did, lost and missing all your memories...
Alexander: It's possible, I suppose.
Thorn: I'm glad he is alive, Kuja.
Kuja: So am I. We've got a lot of catching up to do. Come on, father, let's get you back to the Estate. I'm sure that will jog your memory.
Alexander: The Estate... I think it's coming back to me. A big house... horrible, fussy furniture...
Kuja: *Laughs some.* Yes, that's the one!
Thorn: *Smiles a little, glad to see Kuja happy.*
Kuja: This way, father. *Starts to lead him out.*
Thorn: Oh, wait a second. Aren't you forgetting something?
Alexander: Rather a lot, actually, ha ha.
Kuja: What, Thorn?
Thorn: What we came here for... The crystals for The Destiny?
Kuja: *Waves a hand vaguely.* Oh, they'll still be here tomorrow. We've got to help my father.
Thorn: Well, okay then. If you're sure.

*They start heading back through the passage.*
Kuja: So father, do you remember how you escaped Daichi? Or the faceless Etheraal, do you know anything about that?
Alexander: *Shakes his head.* I'm sorry, most things are still very fuzzy.
Thorn: I'm sure it'll come to you in time.
Kuja: Yes, but what can you remember, other than your dislike for my long hair?
Alexander: Things are coming back to me slowly in dregs... *Looks like he's recalling something difficult.* The laboratory... I'm looking for someone... They've escaped... Kuja, you're calling me... Anger... Fire... *He is now very agitated.* Everything's burning up around me!
Kuja: Father!
Thorn: It's okay; it's just a memory!
Kuja: *Hugs Alexander.* Thorn's right, calm down. Don't think about that, father, those memories are... terrible. Try and remember other things... nicer things.
Alexander: Yes, I'm getting something... There's my beautiful wife and her world-famous chocolate cake... And prawn crackers. I love prawn crackers.
Thorn: *Smiles.* Who doesn't?
Kuja: That's my father all right. We'll be home soon and we'll be able to eat mother's fantastic cake. It's so good it must be a sin. Even I won't be able to resist her gooey, chocolatey beauty.
Alexander: *Licks his lips.* I'm starting to remember it in more detail now and I can almost taste it.
Thorn: Stop it, you two. You're making me hungry.
Kuja: Sorry, Thorn. *Grins.*
*They walk in silence for a few moments.*
Kuja: Father, do you remember mother's fantastic cake? It's so good it must be a sin. *Says this as if he honestly doesn't remember he's already said it.*
Thorn: Kuja, you already asked him that...
Alexander: It's true. We've had the cake discussion already.
Kuja: Really? *Scratches his head.* When?
Thorn: A moment ago.
Kuja: That's really odd because I honestly don't remember... *Suddenly tumbles and falls down.*
Thorn: Kuja!
Alexander: Is he all right?
Kuja: I'm just feeling a bit woozy... I bet it's the volcanic fumes.
Thorn: We'd better get out of here quickly then.

*They reach the cave entrance and collect Tabitha. After leaving the cave, they stand and look down at the sheer cliffs.*
Kuja: Thorn, my father can't fly...
Thorn: I'll carry him down. It's okay.
Kuja: Thank you. *Starts levitating himself down.*
Alexander: *Gives Thorn a slightly dubious look.* You're going to carry me?
Thorn: *Nods.* Well, it's either that or you stay up here. It's up to you.
Alexander: Oh no, that's okay. I just don't want your hands touching me in awkward places, boy.
Thorn: Don't worry, they won't.
Alexander: Right, shall we get going?
Thorn: *Nods and picks Alexander up. He opens up his wings and flies down to the base of the mountain with him.*
Kuja: *Meets them at the bottom.* There we are, all in one piece.
Alexander: *Looks a bit shaken.* I don't think I liked that very much...
Thorn: Sorry.
Kuja: Don't worry, father, you can stick to flying by airship. *Gestures The Fate.*
Alexander: That's... It looks like something I knew... The Destiny?
Kuja: Oh, that's right. Mihako built The Fate after you... *Trails off.* No, father, this is The Fate. Consider it to be The Destiny's little sister.
Thorn: That's a sweet way of putting it.
Kuja: *Smiles some.* Let's get on board.

*They board The Fate and Kuja starts flying them back to the Estate, whilst Alexander buzzes around the controls with a curious excitement. They soon arrive back at the Greyfare residence and find the room where Heather and Violet are.*
Heather: *Sees Alexander and her eyes widen.* Alex...! *Faints.*
Kuja: Mother! *Goes to her.*
Thorn: *Goes over to Heather too.* Is she okay?
Violet: Well, I don't know! She has just seen a ghost! *Hugs her arms around herself.* Oh my, I'm getting chills!
Alexander: I don't think I'm a ghost.
Thorn: He's pretty solid for a ghost.
Violet: You mean... Oh! He's alive?
Alexander: I should hope so, considering I'm walking around. I don't fancy being a zombie.
Thorn: Or a Vampire. You're not a Vampire, right?
Kuja: If he was, you two would get along well... *Smirks at Thorn.*
Thorn: Eh heh...
Kuja: Aunt Violet, help me rouse mother and I'll try and explain what happened...
*The two of them help Heather into another room, to fetch her a glass of water and recount the story of finding Alexander. This leaves Alexander alone with Thorn.*
Alexander: *Looks around the room.* This is definitely my house... It's all coming back to me.
Thorn: That's good.
Alexander: *Sits on the sofa and touches a dark patch on the material.* This sofa is still stained, I see. Young Kujata spilt blackcurrant juice on it and we never got it clean. Heather had kittens about it, but it didn't bother me. It was a hideous sofa to begin with.
Thorn: *Laughs a little.*
Alexander: *Stares at the stain.* My son... He has changed much, though how much I'm still not sure. When my memory fully returns, I'll be able to say. You're a friend of his, aren't you? What do you think of him?
Thorn: In what sort of way? He's a very good friend and he's very funny. I like him a lot.
Alexander: I'm glad he's got good friends. I want to be a part of his life again, so hopefully we can be friends too.
Thorn: I'm sure you'll be able to.
*At that moment, Kuja, Violet and Heather renter. Heather looks a little shocked, but is doing her best to take this strange turn of events in her stride. She embraces Alexander, as Kuja takes Thorn on to one side. He speaks to him quietly.*
Kuja: *Looks a little concerned for some reason.* Thorn, did you and father talk whilst we were sorting out mother?
Thorn: Yes, why?
Kuja: I hope you didn't tell him you and me are an item.
Thorn: *Shakes his head.* No, not at all. I said you were a good friend of mine, because he asked what I thought of you, but nothing more. Why?
Kuja: I'm not ashamed about it or anything; I just feel we should break the news to him gently. I'm not sure how he'll take me being gay. Right now, I think we should let him fully recover before we unload any important information.
Thorn: Oh, I see. That's a good idea.
Heather: *Comes over to them.* What are you two doing over here, acting all secretive? I was just saying to Alex that we should all go to Harrow Park for a picnic. The cake's made and it won't take long to get a few other bits and pieces to eat. I think it'll be a lovely way to welcome Alex back into the family, as we all loved going to that park when you were a child, Kuja.
Kuja: Just as long as we don't have to go near the lake.
Thorn: Don't worry; I'm sure there'll be lots of other places away from the lake to sit.
Violet: *Butts in.* Of course there is, darling. We'll climb the hill and watch the sun set. It's a simply glorious view from up there.
Alexander: *Joins them.* That sounds good to me. Just like old times, eh? Though I wish I could remember these old times more clearly...
Thorn: I'm sure it will come back to you.
Heather: Just have patience, sweetheart.
Thorn: *Nods.* Besides, it'll be nice to have a picnic anyway.

*After preparing a picnic, they all leave the Estate and head to Harrow Park. It is a picturesque place, with many trees in full bloom and sweet-smelling flowers. Heather veers them away from the eastern path, giving the explanation 'that way leads to the lake.' They instead head north and begin climbing a small hill.*
Kuja: It's been so long since I last came here.
Thorn: It's nice here. Are you glad we got chance to come?
Kuja: I am, actually. I'll tell you about the last time I came with my parents, as it's actually quite a funny story. What happened was... *He suddenly trails off.*
Thorn: ...So what happened?
Kuja: I... can't remember! It's gone...
Thorn: Oh... That's a shame. *Looks at Kuja.* Are you feeling all right?
Kuja: I'm feeling a bit dizzy again... *Drops to the ground.*
Heather: Kuja!
Thorn: *Looks worried and kneels beside him.* Kuja!
Alexander: This is like back in the volcano... I hope going in there didn't harm him.
Violet: So he's fallen over already today?
Thorn: *Nods.* It's very strange. I'm quite worried. I hope he's okay.
Heather: *Looks slightly panicky and turns to Thorn, speaking in perhaps too harsh a tone.* Why didn't you tell me he fell over?
Thorn: Well, you'd fainted at the time and then Kuja was explaining about Alexander coming back, so I didn't get chance to. Besides, if Kuja thought it was important enough, he could've told you himself.
Kuja: *Stands up, rubbing his head.* Yes, and I didn't think it was that important. Father is the first priority today.
Heather: Kuja, I don't think you're taking this seriously enough. I've seen you acting like this before... What if your illness is coming back?
Kuja: *Looks like he never even thought of that.* Oh… No, it can't be. I felt a lot worse when I had that.
Heather: Well, if you start feeling worse, you'd better tell us right away!
Thorn: *Nods.* Yeah, you had me worried.
Kuja: I'm sorry, but I don't think a few dizzy spells are anything to lose any sleep over.
Alexander: Let's just get to the top of this hill, shall we? I can't wait to tuck into this food.
Thorn: Right.

*They reach the summit. Heather spreads a blanket and sets out the picnic. After finishing the savoury food, Alexander cuts everyone a slice of the famous cake. It lives up to, and perhaps succeeds, expectations. When each person is full and happy, they watch the sun slowly sinking beneath the hill. Heather and Alexander snuggle together a small distance away from the others. With Thorn and Kuja sat together as well, Violet looks a bit of a spare part. She sits near Kuja.*
Violet: Maybe you boys can sneak a kiss whilst your father's not looking.
Thorn: Eh heh, yeah.
Kuja: Aunt Violet, go bother mother and father.
Violet: Ooh, private time, is it? *Goes to talk to Alexander.*
Heather: *Comes over to Thorn and Kuja.* Was Vi being nosy as usual?
Kuja: I know she's my family, but I find that woman quite insufferable.
Thorn: No comment.
Heather: It's okay, you two, most people would agree with you. I do owe her for being there when I needed someone, though. Now, if you don't mind, I'm going to be a little nosy myself. My excuse is that I'm your mother, Kuja, and I've missed out on a large proportion of your life. So tell me why you love Thorn.
Kuja: I thought you might ask me that one day. I can imagine it's a question that bothered our friends for a long time after we first announced our relationship. The truth is I was attracted to Thorn almost as soon as I met him. This was my first knowledge of me being attracted to men, as at that moment, I was desperately trying to get back with Laurenza. When I first met Thorn, I was in a particularly foul mood, so my opening gambits were a little less than friendly. But saying that, his weren't the pinnacle of politeness either. This banter between us continued when he came to live with at the castle. The fact that Laurenza fell for him like a ton of bricks also didn't score him any points with me. He was mean to me and he stole my girlfriend. Why wouldn't I hate him?
Heather: But you didn't hate him, did you?
Kuja: No, and that made it all the more worse. The fact that I was so attracted to him was simply infuriating. How could I possibly like someone I should hate so much? I tried to repress my feelings towards him and redoubled my efforts of hatred. Then things between Laurenza and me started to fall apart and my relationship with Thorn was less of a war zone, so I found I just couldn't resist him any longer. He was handsome, funny and kind. I'm sure you'd love him too, if you weren't married to my father. *Grins.*
Heather: Aww, that's so sweet. There's no stopping true love, is there?
Thorn: Sure isn't. *Smiles.*
Heather: So what do you see in Kuja, Thorn?
Thorn: Well... he's beautiful, witty and very talented in uh... certain fields...
Heather: *Giggles.* I get you. You know, Kuja, what you said about your friends wondering why you liked Thorn reminded me of your father. People wondered why I married him too. Yes, so the cynics would say it was because he was rich, but Alex never boasted about being the son of a wealthy, famous doctor. Alex could be bitter and unfriendly, and he was always unpopular at school, but for all his idiosyncrasies, he was also very handsome and caring. I wouldn't trade him for the world.
Kuja: *Smiles a lot.*
Thorn: That's really sweet. I wouldn't trade Kuja for anything, either.
*Heather smiles and goes back to Alexander, holding him close. Kuja grabs Thorn and snuggles against him, apparently not caring if his father notices or not. The two couples embrace as the sky above them floods more and more orange.*

*The next day, Alexander, Kuja, Thorn and Tabitha head back to the Wrae Cliffs to start their search for Trinstilon once more. They pacify the Etheraals by leaving Tabitha with them again and head into the volcano passage.*
Kuja: *Uses Soleil to light their way again.* I wouldn't want to live here.
Thorn: Well, living in a cave isn't so bad, but one as hot as this wouldn't be very nice.
Kuja: Heh...
*Just then, what looks like a bat swoops in and hangs from the ceiling.*
Thorn: Oh! A bat?
Kuja: That's not a bat. It's called a Screech Wing...
*The bat-like creature lets out the most horrible, piercing cry.*
Kuja: *Covers his ears and shouts over the noise.* Can you guess why?
Thorn: *Covers his ears too.* Possibly.
Alexander: *Sticks his fingers in his ears.* What a racket!
*The Screech Wing dives towards Alexander and starts ramming into his head.*
Alexander: *Tries to swat it away.* Not very friendly, are they?
*The Screech Wing bites his ear.*
Thorn: *Tries to swat the Screech Wing away.* Go away, you!
Kuja: Oh, just Magick it. These things are just pests and unfortunately not endangered. *Points at the Screech Wing.* Cold Sparkle! *A ball of ice strikes the Screech Wing, freezing it solid. It falls to the ground with a soft chink.*
Alexander: Thank you, Kujata. Though I think it bit me... *Rubs his ear.*
Kuja: Don't worry, they're not poisonous. *He looks at Alexander's ear.* It didn't even break the skin, but if it's hurting you, I could heal it. *Starts casting another spell.* Rejuvenating aura, bathe my ally with your... um... *Stops casting.*
Thorn: What's up? You didn't finish the spell...
Alexander: Have you forgotten the incantation?
Kuja: *Shakes his head.* The incantation's not important. What matters is the process to invoke the power from inside you... To manifest your inner Mana into a form of your choice and I... I can't believe I've forgotten how to do it! This isn't like me...
Thorn: You're right, it's not. Are you feeling okay?
Kuja: Not really... I keep getting these dizzy spells and memory lapses, don't I? Maybe I just need some rest.
Thorn: I hope that's all you need. It's kind of worrying that it keeps happening.
Alexander: Let's just finish up here quickly and get Kuja back to the Estate.
Kuja: *Nods, then picks up the frozen Screech Wing.* Anyone got a stick? I could make a wing lolly out of this. *Grins and licks one of its frozen wings.*
Thorn: Not on me, but I could get you one.
Alexander: I don't think he's being serious. *Doesn't look so sure about this.* Right...?
Kuja: Maybe I am... *Laughs and throws the frozen creature away.* No, if I wanted wings, I'd get much nicer tasting ones. Come on, let's go. *Continues walking forward.*
Thorn: *Follows him, hoping he's okay now.*
Alexander: *Follows too.*

*After several minutes of walking, they reach the centre of the volcano. There is a large crater filled with bubbling lava, but the whole room seems to be in shadow for some reason, and it is cooler than you'd expect. In the midst of the lava, there is a small piece of rock, standing on which are some glowing crystals.*
Kuja: *Peers down into the crater.* There's some of the crystals.
Thorn: *Looks into the crater.* I see them. They don't look easy to get. You must've been either very skilled or very lucky to get them before.
Kuja: Both.
Alexander: *Looks reluctant to go anywhere near the lava.* I think I'll stay here if you don't mind. I don't fancy becoming crispy fried Alexander.
Thorn: Well, I'm not so sure I want to be a crispy Thorn, either.
Kuja: Oh, we can just fly across to the crystals. There's a bit of rock we can stand on there.
Thorn: I know. I was just saying.
Kuja: Just wait here, father. We won't be a moment. Levitation! *Flies across to the crystals and lands by them.*
Thorn: *Opens his wings widely and flies after Kuja, landing near him.*
Kuja: Right, now we need to chip off some of these crystals. *Turns to Thorn and stares at him blankly for a good few moments, saying nothing.*
Thorn: *Looks at him back, as if expecting him to say something and raises an eyebrow.*
Kuja: Where am I...?
Thorn: ...What?
Kuja: Who are you?
Thorn: Kuja...?
Kuja: *Faints.*
Thorn: Kuja!
Kuja: *Doesn't respond.*
Thorn: *Picks Kuja up and flies him back up out of the crater.* Alexander! Kuja's fainted!
*Alexander is facing away from them.*
Alexander: It's about time that happened.
Thorn: What?
Alexander: That means that transfer of memories is almost complete. *Turns to Thorn. He now has several long, shadowy tendrils sprouting from his shoulders. He also has a long tail with a flickering purple shadow on the end of it.* All I need now is his face! *He hisses, showing a mouth full of sharp teeth, including two large fangs sticking from each side of his mouth.*
Thorn: Oh my god!
Alexander: *Grabs Kuja in his tendrils and takes him from Thorn. He bites him and starts sucking at his face.*
Thorn: Oh no you don't. Hael! *Casts an intensely cold blast of Ice Magick at Alexander.*
Alexander: *Hisses angrily and drops Kuja.* His memories are mine! I want his face and an identity of my own! I'm not going to let you take that away from me! *Slips into the shadows, out of sight. He reappears behind Thorn and slaps him several times with his tendrils.*
Thorn: Argh!
Alexander: If you don't let me take what I want, I'll have to kill you! *Forms fistfuls of shadowy energy and throws them at Thorn.*
Thorn: *Gets hit a couple of times.* Bastard...! *Holds out his hand.* Vinchente!
Alexander: *Dodges the streaking blue energy of the spell by slipping into the shadows.*
Thorn: *Looks around.* Hey! Don't hide, coward!
Alexander: Sorry, did you want to see me? *Comes out the shadows by the crystals. He rips one from the rock and swallows a chunk of it. He appears to assimilate the crystal into his body, as his tendrils start to be formed from sharp crystal. He shadows-steps back to the top of the crater and lunges at Thorn, tendrils poised like daggers.*
Thorn: No way! *Draws his ManusBlade and defends himself with it.*
*Alexander and Thorn slash at each other continuously. Alexander tries to strike Thorn, but he manages to deflect his blows with his sword. On one particular strike, Thorn's blade shatters a crystal tendril of Alexander's. He lets out a piercing screech.*
Alexander: *His tendrils return to normal.* That hurt... *Grabs Thorn round the throat with a tendril and begins to squeeze.*
Thorn: Good… it was… supposed to! *Stabs at him with the ManusBlade.*
Alexander: *Fades into a shadowy form, so the blade goes right through him. This does makes his tendril release, though.*
Thorn: Ah, that's better. Hmm... *Notices that he appears to be some kind of shadow creature. He holds out his hand.* Tasol! *He casts a Light Magick spell at Alexander.*
Alexander: *Is struck by the spell and screeches horribly. He crumples beneath Thorn, twitching and whimpering. It seemed to really hurt him.*
Thorn: *Holds out the ManusBlade.* Ignis! *The blade of it becomes a blazing pillar of fire. Thorn stabs it towards Alexander to finish him off.*
*Just before the blade strikes Alexander, Kuja suddenly for some reason jumps in its path, making him take the brunt of the blow instead.*
Thorn: *Looks shocked.* Kuja!
Kuja: Ugh... Thorn...
Thorn: Oh god, are you okay?
Kuja: I will be after some healing...
Thorn: Coming right up. *He starts to heal Kuja, his hair flickering blonde as he does so.* If you don't mind my asking, why on earth did you do that?
Kuja: You'll think me crazy, but I had to protect him. I don't care that he's not really my father. He's taken my memories of the things that made my father my father, and in that way, he's become him. He's not the real thing, but he looks right, acts right, feels right... I can't let you kill him.
Thorn: I do see your point, but does that make it right for him to try and kill us?
Alexander: I'm sorry... I've been very bad and I thank you for your kindness, Kuja. I beg for your forgiveness and your pity, both of you. I am of the Shadowkin, a proud race of Demons, but we are losing our ancestral home to the ancient of enemy of all...
Kuja: What enemy? Who?
Alexander: I will not speak their name. They have been dormant for a while, but they're now making their move. All must beware.
Thorn: Can you give us some kind of clue? Then we could keep an eye out for them.
Alexander: *Hisses at him.*
Kuja: I think that's all we're going to get from him on that point. So, what about your home?
Alexander: We no longer have a place to call our own. All we want is a chance to make a new home in this world. But in this world, we are nothing... mere shadows. We barely exist. We need our own identity, so we have to feed off the memories and faces of people like you. When you first came to this cave, I forged a link between us, and slowly leeched memories of your father from you.
Thorn: Oh, I see.
Kuja: Did you steal the face from the Etheraal too?
Alexander: Yes... I didn't mean to hurt anyone. I only wanted a chance to fit in... a chance to live. When I looked into your mind, I saw a family missing a member... A hole I could fill... I just needed to mould myself into the form of Alexander convincingly, so you wouldn't reject me. I used your memories of him to do this. There's a lot of him in you, so I suppose I got a little carried away. I wanted to become him completely, so I wanted all of your memories...
Kuja: So that's what happened...
Thorn: *Nods.* I see.
Alexander: I'm sorry, I really am. *Looks sad.* And I'll have to hurt someone again... Your mother won't be happy when she finds out I'm a fake.
Kuja: *Thinks for a moment.* Well... she doesn't have to know you are...
Thorn: Are you suggesting that you let him stay as Alexander?
Kuja: Yes I am. Mother misses father terribly, so I don't see the harm in it. If he promises to live in peace with humans and never harm them again, I won't tell her.
Thorn: Well, in that case, I should apologise for hurting you.
Alexander: And I too. I'm sorry for all the damage I caused. Let me return something that belongs to you, Kuja. *Leans close to Kuja and breathes into his ear. A cloud of white smoke flies into it.* I've given you back your own memories. The only problem is I won't be as whole without them. If I'm to be Alexander, I've now got a few things missing.
Kuja: That's okay. As far as mother knows, you're still suffering from amnesia.
Thorn: That's right.
Alexander: Good. Now, only one order of business left here... *Stretches a tendril across to the crystals and yanks a large one out of the ground. He hands it to Kuja.* I think you'll be needing this.
Kuja: Thank you... father. *Smiles some.* Let's get Tabitha and go back to the Estate.

*They fetch Tabitha and leave the mountains on The Fate. They enter the Greyfare Estate and meet with Heather. Alexander's Shadowkin features are hidden once more.*
Heather: Welcome back. Did you get what you needed?
Thorn: Certainly did, thanks. *He looks over at Alexander and smiles a little.*
Alexander: *Smiles back and goes to stand near Heather.*
Heather: That's good. I guess you'll be going soon then, boys.
Kuja: Sadly, that's true. The Destiny needs feeding, after all.
Thorn: But thank you for letting us stay here. It was nice to see you again.
Heather: You're very welcome. *Goes to Thorn and Kuja and takes them on one side.* Before you go, I need to ask you something.
Kuja: What is it, mother?
Heather: Alex... he's not real, is he?
Thorn: *Gives Kuja a questioning look.'*
Kuja: *Nods at him.* Yes... but how did you know?
Heather: *Has a sad smile.* I didn't think it was him because it was too good to be true. I was just enjoying the moments of deception. You see, when you're married to someone, you notice silly things that make your husband who they are. Even if he'd lost his memory, I'm sure the first thing he'd remember is that he hated me calling him 'Alex.' He'd always say 'you sound like your ghastly sister. Alexander is the name on my birth certificate and that's the name you will call me by!' I was calling him Alex all day yesterday and he didn't even bat an eyelid.
Kuja: Oh... that makes sense. Whenever I was around, you'd call him 'your father.' I didn't know that you called him 'Alex', so he couldn't have taken that memory...
Thorn: He said he wanted to remain as Alexander so he didn't have to hurt anyone else... Do you mind?
Alexander: *Comes over to them. He was obviously eavesdropping, as he looks upset and worried.* I'm afraid now that you know the truth, you won't love me. All I wanted was to be accepted and loved...
Heather: Oh Alexander... I know you're not real, but you're the closest thing to my husband I can get. I want Alex back and you're almost a perfect replica, so I don't care that you're fake. *Puts her arms around him.* I just don't want to be without you any more.
Alexander: *Holds her close.*
Kuja: *Smiles a lot.*
Thorn: *Looks glad that it all worked out.*
*Alexander's shadowy tail slips out and curls around Heather.*
Heather: Um... now that might take some getting used to... *Laughs a little.*
*The others laugh along with her.*