*We last left our heroes facing off against a legion of Ethaw bats in the Void.*
Rin: That's rather a lot of them...
Thorn: I kind of wish you were joking.
Kuja: Mirror Wall! *Casts another barrier spell around them, which a bat flies towards. It collides hard with it, absorbs it and splits into two bats.* Oh brilliant!
Ares: Oh no!
Tifanel: Let's just try fightin' them. *Draws his sword and slices a bat in half, but the two halves then mould into two fully-formed bats.* Okay, that sucked.
Red: I'd try shooting at one, but I'm starting to see a pattern.
Rin: It is all becoming a bit futile... Just let me try this. *Takes out a bottle of beer and stuffs a rag into it.* Lierlo, may I have a light?
Lierlo: I see what you're doing, Rin. Be careful you don't blow us all up... *Lights the rag with his fire Magick.*
Rin: Don't worry. My explosions are quite controlled. *He throws the Molotov Cocktail at crowd of bats.*
Red: I hope you know what you're doing, Rin.
*The bottle explodes quite spectacularly, but somehow doesn't cause any damage to the surrounding area. The bats are blown into tiny pieces, but predictably, each individual piece of bat sucks in the lingering smoke and reforms into an intact bat, perhaps tripling the number that were blown up.*
Chiara: Aw, poop!
Ares: That's kind of...
Red: …A lot more bats.
Kuja: For crying out loud! Just how are we supposed to kill them? They aren't afraid of anything we can throw at them because they can just use it against us!
Lierlo: *Looks like he's had a brilliant idea.* That's it! That's how we can beat them...!
Red: Really? What is it?
Lierlo: They're not afraid of anything... but they are afraid of nothing...
Thorn: So...
Apathy: You're not seeing what he's trying to say. The Ethaw bat's only desire is to exist. They dislike the empty Void of nothingness they live in and scour it for any matter to make them more real. They are afraid of being nothing!
Kuja: I see... An interesting revelation, but how does this help us?
Lierlo: Are you familiar with a spell called a 'Fear Shadow?'
Laurenza: I'm not, no.
Apathy: It is a spell that shows the victim the thing they are most afraid of.
Chiara: I don't like the sound of that!
Ares: Actually, me neither.
Cain: Familiar with it? I am the Shadow King! I am the origin of that spell's power!
Rin: Fabulous! Cain can show them their worst fears and that will frighten them away!
Red: I hope that would work.
Laurenza: Can you do it, Cain?
Cain: There's very little shadow power here, but I can try.
Ares: I hope this works.
Tifanel: Is there anythin' we can do to help?
Cain: Try and remain calm during the spell.
Ares: Sounds easy enough.
Chiara: Um, why though?
Cain: Because you'll probably be affected by the spell too.
Rin: That's not very amiable of you...
Cain: *Sounds indignant.* I have to cast this complex spell on hundreds of little bats that are currently eating my roots with little to no shadow power, so excuse me if I don't have the time or energy to pick and choose my casting targets carefully!
Red: And we're grateful that you're going to try for us. *She elbows Rin in the ribs.*
Rin: *Remains quiet.*
Laurenza: We should be okay, though. What we're going to see... it's not going to be real, right?
Chiara: Sure. Daddy and me are Airgris Spirits, so we can see through illusions easily.
Alexander: And I'm immune to the spell, but I must warn you, these are some powerful illusions. I'm not sure that you will be able to ignore them.
Red: I think we'll be okay.
Thorn: I hope.
*They sit back inside Cain and he begins the spell. Alexander wraps his tendrils protectively around Kuja. The whole area is plunged into complete darkness, so much so they cannot even see their hands in front of their faces. Gradually, they begin to see Chiara singled out in front of them.*
Tifanel: Chi...? *His voice sounds distant and quiet, like he's stood very far away.*
*Suddenly, out of the darkness, something appears. Hundreds of spiders come scurrying towards Chiara, crawling over her face and body and tangling in her hair. She screams.*
Ares: *Calls out.* Chi!
Rin: *Goes very white, as he's terrified of spiders too.*
Laurenza: It's not real, Chiara, it's not real!
*Chiara doesn't seem like she can hear them.*
Red: I don't think us yelling to her is working.
Chiara: *Starts to cry silently.*
Tifanel: Damn it, I've gotta do something! *Runs over to her.* Chi! *He puts his arms around her.*
Chiara: Tif...
Tifanel: Don't worry. I'll protect you.
*The illusion of spiders vanish.*
Thorn: Hey, that did it. I'm glad.
Lierlo: Are you all right, Chiara?
Chiara: That was horrible! *Looks sad.*
Rin: I'll say, and I wasn't even the target of the spell!
Ares: It's okay. They're gone now. *Tries to sound reassuring.*
Chiara: *Nods a little.* I wonder who's gonna be next...
*Suddenly, a loud scream resounds in the area, as Alexander's tendrils seem to constrict tightly around Kuja's frail frame.*
Thorn: *Rushes to Kuja and tries to pull the tendrils off.* What are you doing to him?
*Alexander doesn't seem to react to Thorn.*
Thorn: Kuja... Kuja! *He manages to pull Kuja from Alexander's grasp, but it's too late. Thorn cradles Kuja's broken body in his arms.* No... You can't be...
*Kuja remains unresponsive, as blood trickles from his mouth.*
Thorn: *Sobs as he clutches Kuja.*
*The real Kuja looks really annoyed.*
Kuja: I can't take this. Tifanel had the right idea how to snap people out of this spell. I'm going to him. *Lifts Alexander's tendrils off him.*
Alexander: No, stay with me, I'm keeping you safe from the spell. If you move away, you'll succumb to it too.
Kuja: I don't care. I can't stand watching Thorn be tormented like this... and I'm also not too comfortable with seeing my own dead body. *He rushes to Thorn and holds him close.* Thorn, it's okay...
*The illusions vanish.*
Thorn: Kuja! *Puts his arms around him and holds him close, as if he's afraid he'll melt away if he doesn't.*
Kuja: Don't worry... I'm not about to kick the bucket any time soon.
Thorn: I... I hope not.
Kuja: *Smiles.* I'm too stubborn to die. *Thorn suddenly vanishes from his side into the darkness.* Oh brilliant. Well, father did warn me...
*A scene begins to appear before him, but it is one of total destruction. Houses are ruined, trees are burning and people are slaughtered.*
Kuja: What the...?
Rin: Dear me, that doesn't look too good...
Red: That's erring on understatement, Rin.
Kuja: *Looks at himself to see he is in AoD-form and that his hands are covered in blood.* No...
Thorn: Kuja!
Kuja: No... this isn't me... I won't let it take me over! No...!
Thorn: Kuja! *He rushes over to him and takes his hand.* It won't, because it's not real.
Kuja: Y-you're right...
*The scene vanishes and Kuja returns to normal.*
Thorn: *Holds him close.* Are you okay?
Kuja: Yes, I'm fine. I thought I wouldn't be too badly affected by this spell, especially since my AoD side has been more under control ever since you entered my mind, but that…. that was frighteningly real...
Thorn: I know what you mean, that's what it was like for me.
Laurenza: So this sort of thing is going to happen to all of us?
Red: Looks that way.
*Red look down and closes her eyes, fearing what may be coming for her. Suddenly, a warm hand brushes against her cheek, making her open her eyes. Staring her in the face is a young woman with long hair, named Roseanne.*
Red: You're not real.
Roseanne: Of course not. I died a long time ago. Do you remember?
Red: I can't forget.
Roseanne: That's good to know. It's good to know that you remember me, and yet you've moved on to another girl so fast.
Red: But... you were gone for years! I... I never thought I could love someone else.
Roseanne: You're a long time dead, Red. It hasn't been long for me at all. In fact, if it wasn't for you, maybe I'd still be alive.
Red: Don't say this, please! Please...!
Laurenza: Red, are you okay?
Red: *Gasps as Roseanne's face becomes Laurenza's.* I... I'm fine.
Laurenza: I'm glad. It must've been hard to have to see that...
Red: *Nods a little.*
Laurenza: You must believe that what happened… it wasn't your fault.
Red: I know…
Chiara: I don't like this at all.
Thorn: I don't think anyone does. It's a cruel spell.
Rin: It must be giving those bats what-for, though.
Ares: I hope so, at least.
*The darkness this time selects Lierlo. Apathy disappears, leaving him on his own.*
Lierlo: Oh no... Apathy, where have you gone?
Chiara: Uh oh, it's Lolo's turn!
Ares: Oh, I hope its nothing too bad for him.
*Out of the darkness steps Mihako.*
Lierlo: Mihako...?
Mihako: Lierlo… Why did you stop liking me? Why did you spend more time with Allen than me?
Lierlo: Please... don't do this...
Mihako: Why did you hate me? Why did you seal me away? I am practically dead and yet you still do not care!
Lierlo: I'm sorry...
Kuja: The truth can be so harsh.
Red: Still, it isn't fun having everyone being able to see your fears like this.
Chiara: Yeah, it's not!
Mihako: You have done nothing to find a way to bring me back. Nothing!
Lierlo: I'm so sorry...! *Breaks down crying.*
Ares: Poor Lierlo.
Thorn: Lierlo! Don't forget! None of this is real! It's an illusion!
Lierlo: Yes... it's not real! *Shakes his head a few times.* It's not real...
*Mihako disappears and Apathy rejoins Lierlo at his side. They hug each other tightly.*
Thorn: Are you okay, Lierlo?
Lierlo: I think so, yes.
Tifanel: Man, that was rough on ya.
Red: I agree.
Rin: There's now not many of us left...
*Ares suddenly rises from the floor, her hair being thrown wildly by an unseen force, and her eyes black as coal.*
Ares: What's happening to me? I... I... *She suddenly bursts into evil laughter.* Fools!
Thorn: Ares! Remember, you're not like that anymore!
Ares: Old habits die hard though, don't they? *Lets loose some dark energy.*
Red: Snap out of it!
Ares: *Abruptly stops laughing, before falling to the ground again.* Yes… yes. I'm sorry… *She looks as though it has taken a lot of energy for her to calm down.*
Chiara: Yikes, Ares! You were scary being all evil!
Ares: I know, don't remind me. You guys will make sure I don't really do that, won't you?
Laurenza: Of course we will.
Kuja: I had enough of the evil flavour you the first time.
Ares: Uh, thanks. I think.
Chiara: *Hugs her.* Best friends don't let best friends be super villains.
Ares: *Hugs her back.* Aw, thank you.
Tifanel: I really need a beer... *He is taken by the darkness.* Hey, I wanted a beer, not this damn spell thing to work on me...
*Out of the darkness, a large snake comes slithering towards him.*
Tifanel: ...I knew it.
Kuja: I think we all gathered that's what Tif would see.
Red: I reckon so. Even so, that's a damn big snake.
Alexander: No prizes for me guessing his fear, then?
Kuja: I'm afraid not.
*The snake starts coiling itself around Tifanel.*
Tifanel: *Looks freaked out.* It's not real... it's not real... it's not real...
Thorn: *Yells to him.* That's right!
*The snake starts to constrict him and he loses it. He starts screaming and shouting.*
Rin: Oh good grief! *He goes to Tifanel and hits him over the head with his cane, making him snap out of it. The illusion vanishes.*
Tifanel: Yeouch!
Ares: Wow, Rin's smacky-cane wrath has a real use this time.
Chiara: Yeah, at least it snapped him out of it...
Tifanel: But I'm definitely gonna get a bump here... *Rubs his head.*
Kuja: Oh well, nothing of importance in that thick skull of yours.
Thorn: Kuja...
Laurenza: *Shakes her head.* Now's not the time.
Thorn: I agree.
*Laurenza is suddenly surrounded by the darkness.*
Laurenza: I knew it would have to get round to me eventually...
*A flash of lightning is seen, followed by a tremendous boom of thunder.*
Laurenza: Eeeek!
Red: Laurenza!
Chiara: *Looks curious.* Is Renza scared of storms?
Red: I don't know. Looks that way...
Lierlo: Poor Laurenza, I never knew that.
Tifanel: Well, she probably put on a brave face before. It probably scares her when she's alone.
Red: *Looks like she feels sorry for Laurenza.* I... I didn't know that.
Chiara: Sis, it's okay! We're here for you!
Red: *Yells.* Laurenza!
Laurenza: *Is able to hear her, it seems.* Red?
Red: It's not real!
Laurenza: It's not real... it can't hurt me...
*The storm ends.*
Red: *Nods.* That's right.
Laurenza: *Goes and hugs her.* I've never liked storms... They make me jump. *Looks a little embarrassed.*
Red: *Holds her close.* That's okay, it doesn't matter what you're afraid of.
Ares: Anyway, now we know what we're afraid of, we can help each other through it better, right?
Lierlo: Yes, that's a good point.
Rin: Do you know what bothers me, though?
Thorn: What?
Rin: I believe I'm the only one left that the spell hasn't yet affected.
Alexander: It'll be over soon.
Red: After Rin gets his, I'd assume.
Rin: *Sighs and glances towards the hole in Cain, but before he gets to see outside, he is plunged into darkness.* Dear me, here it comes...
*Nothing seems to happen for a moment, but Rin quickly realises something is not quite right.*
Rin: *Feels his face with a hand to find his glasses are missing.* My glasses... where are my glasses?
Kuja: Pfft... A fear of losing his glasses? That's incredibly tame compared to what we've had to see.
Ares: Oh no, this is a bad thing for Rin. We'll explain later.
*Out of the darkness steps the tan-coloured Demon Rin often sees in his dreams. It snarls at him in a menacing way.*
Rin: *Stumbles backwards. He tries to scream, but his breath is caught in his throat, so no sound comes out.*
Chiara: Oh my gosh! That's scary!
Red: Now there's a face only a mother could love.
Rin: *Tries to run away from it, but his cane has vanished too, so he's stuck limping away from the Demon.*
Tifanel: That thing is pretty damn fugly-lookin'. No wonder he's scared of stuff like that.
Ares: I agree.
Chiara: Daddy, it's just an illusion!
*Rin doesn't seem to hear her. He's fallen to his knees and is silently staring in horror at the beast.*
Chiara: Oh no, come on! *Runs to him and cuddles him.* Calm down!
Rin: Please... *Pushes Chiara away.* Just leave me alone...! I don't want to see... I don't want to know!
*Rin hides his face with his hands. For some reason, he is seeing the rest of the gang as twisted, hideous and gross exaggerations of what they really look like. Dark shapes surround them like leering ghouls.*
Tifanel: Rin...?
Thorn: Rin! It's not real, remember?
Chiara: Yeah, we've all got through this, you silly man! *Gives him a light slap.*
*Rin is knocked out of his illusions. The Demon vanishes and he regains his glasses and cane.*
Ares: Rin, are you okay?
Rin: I'm very flattered by such concern from you, my lady. I'll be okay, but perhaps I will recover faster from my ordeal after receiving a tender kiss from you.
Ares: Um, maybe you'll be okay without it.
Chiara: Oh daddy...
Lierlo: Well, congratulations everyone. We made it through the spell mostly unscathed.
Kuja: It wasn't easy, but I think we'll live to fight another day, eh?
Thorn: I'm glad. I hope Cain is doing okay.
Alexander: Let's ask him. King Cain, how is it going out there?
Cain: *Sounding weak and tired, but pleased with himself.* Come and see for yourself.
*They all gather at the hole and peer out of it. All the bats have gone.*
Ares: Oh, that's great!
Laurenza: Well done, Cain. You frightened them all away!
Red: I'm glad.
*Just then, the engine of The Destiny makes an unpleasant stuttering sound.*
Tifanel: Damn, what now?
Thorn: Oh no, that didn't sound healthy.
Lierlo: What's going on?
Kuja: It sounds like the engine is failing. Those cursed bats must've damaged The Destiny in their fight with Cain.
Red: Oh, that's just wonderful.
Tifanel: But if the engine cuts out, where exactly can we fall to? There ain't nothin' here!
Chiara: Will we be falling forever?
Ares: I don't like the sound of that.
*The Destiny starts to fall as the engine chokes to a halt. They scream and cling to one another as it descends, but their fall is suddenly and unexpectedly broken by something. Everyone is thrown about, slamming into Cain's side, promoting an unpleasant screech from him.*
Thorn: Uh, sorry Cain.
Cain: ...It's okay. What happened there?
Kuja: Judging by the bruise I'll soon have on my leg, it seems we crash-landed.
Red: Into what?
Chiara: I didn't think there was anything here...
Laurenza: I guess the only way to find out is to go and have a look.
Thorn: Be careful.

*Laurenza jumps out of Cain, opens The Destiny's doors and has a look out. She then calls the others over to see for themselves. Above and around them is an ominous, swirling vortex of nothingness. Below them is just a black, empty void. The ship seems to have caught on a big chunk of random matter that has not yet succumbed to the void or been eaten by the bats.*
Red: Oh, how strange. Lucky for us that's here.
Tifanel: Yeah... But what is that stuff? *Looks around.* And where are we?
Lierlo: In the middle of the Void, of course. This matter beneath us must've broken our descent.
Apathy: It's probably formed from leftovers of things that have passed through the rift and been destroyed by the bats, compressed together by the pressure of the vortex below. Perhaps they are remains of a ship like ours...
Ares: If it is, I kind of don't want to think about it. All the poor people that might've been on it...
Red: Don't feel too bad. Those people have probably been dead for a while.
Chiara: *Stands on the edge of the mass and gazes down.* Wowee, that's a looong drop!
Kuja: Be careful of the edge, you daft girl. I'm not diving down after you if you fall.
Thorn: We should all be careful we don't fall down it.
Ares: I wouldn't like to fall off there. You'd just be falling forever.
Red: Don't worry, you'd probably hit terminal velocity soon enough and pass out. Either that, or dehydrate first.
Ares: You sure are cheerful today, aren't you?
Red: *Flatly.* Positively.
Laurenza: She's probably just a little tired of this journey. I think we all are...
Lierlo: Can The Destiny be repaired?
Alexander: We can give it our best shot. Everyone, go back inside King Cain or else we'll all be dragged into the Void.
*Alexander, Kuja and Tifanel go to examine The Destiny's engines whilst the others go back inside.*
Chiara: *Goes to Cain.* Hey Mr. Treeman, are you okay? You don't look so good.
Cain: *Has lost a lot of leaves and is wounded in many places because of the bats. He is also breathing very heavily.* I'm hurt and I'm tired... I'm desperate for food and water...
Ares: What do you eat?
Cain: Mostly meat.
Ares: Oh, I see.
Laurenza: We can't really help you out there, but we can give your little water things a drink with our Magick.
*A bunch of them gather round as if they were listening.*
Thorn: We'll just have to get you food when we get back.
Chiara: That's if we do at all. What if we're stuck here forever?
Thorn: I'd rather not think about that.
*One of the water creatures licks Thorn.*
Thorn: *Looks like he feels sorry for it and he holds out his hands, spreading water away from them towards the creature.* I hope this helps.
*It squeaks happily and slurps it up.*
Lierlo: *Smiles.* That made it happy.
Thorn: I'm glad.
*They hear a low, rumbling growl.*
Rin: Goodness, what was that?
Ares: Sounded like thunder...
Laurenza: I don't think it was, otherwise I'd be really scared...
*Rin is suddenly grabbed by some of Cain's tendrils.*
Rin: Urk!
Red: Rin!
Chiara: Daddy! What are you doing, Mr. Treeman?
Cain: Hungry...
Ares: You can't eat Rin!
*Cain doesn't seem to be listening. Some more strange creatures appear. These ones slightly resemble maggots, with large mouths and many sets of teeth. They start pulling and tearing at Rin's clothes.*
Laurenza: Now what are those?
Lierlo: Judging by the fact Cain is trying to eat Rin...
Apathy: ...I'd say they're his enzymes...
Chiara: Eeep!
Red: Cain! Make them stop!
Cain: *Just hisses at her.*
Laurenza: He's not listening. We'll have to force him to stop!
Red: You're right.
Thorn: *Stands and draws his ManusBlade.* Ignis! *The blade becomes a pillar of fire.* Cain! Friends don't let friends eat people! Let Rin go!
*The enzymes look startled and frightened by the fire. They scurry away hurriedly. Cain makes a displeased sound and releases Rin.*
Cain: Put that fire out now!
Thorn: *Does as he's told.*
Cain: You could have really done me some damage with that.
Rin: I don't mean to be rude, but I believe I wouldn't have come off too well having been eaten!
Ares: Let's not argue, that's kind of the last thing we need.
Cain: Yes, you're right. I'm sorry... Eating a guest, especially one that is doing so much to help me, is not terribly good etiquette.
Chiara: Sure isn't!
Red: Let's try not to think about eating, shall we?
*Just then, they hear the sound of an engine in the distance.*
Thorn: Oh! Have they fixed The Destiny?
Lierlo: I'll go and ask. *He goes to Cain's knothole and leans out.* Is it up and running again?
Tifanel: *Calls back to him.* Not yet...
Lierlo: Oh, that's odd... *Turns back to the others.* They haven't managed to repair it yet...
Thorn: Do you think they need a hand?
Kuja: *Comes to the hole.* Don't worry, Thorn. We've... Wait. Can you hear that?
Thorn: Yes, that's why we thought you'd got it sorted.
Rin: Do you think... it's another ship?
Chiara: There's someone else here?
Red: They must be crazy.
Laurenza: Um... what does that say about us? *Smiles nervously.*
Red: Pfft, everyone knows we're crazy.
Laurenza: Heheh... Shall we take a look outside, then?

*They all gather round the hole and look out the window to see a clanking, jumbled mess of a ship lumbering towards them. It slightly resembles a flying house, with chimneys belching smoke, and what appears to be a washing line on the top, complete with waving underwear. The vessel seems to be haphazardly constructed out of many different parts taken from various sources.*
Red: If someone gave Kitzie some tools and told her to build a ship, it'd look like that.
Kuja: Oh yes, what a piece of junk. I'm surprised that thing flies at all.
Alexander: Zero craftsmanship.
Ares: Is that underwear real?
Thorn: I wouldn't like to find out.
Chiara: Fake... underwear?
Ares: It might be just for show. You know, as if it was made out of flag material or something...
Kuja: I see, like their figurehead or something. The 'S.S. Pantythief,' perhaps?
Red: *Smiles.* Possibly.
*The ship latches onto the other side of the debris with claw-like pincers. A hatch opens and a small group of people looks out. Each are dressed wildly differently, with clothes from varying times and cultures, but are unified by the same gas mask-like device they are all wearing.*
Tifanel: Whoa, check out the weird crew.
Laurenza: I wonder who they are.
Red: I'd hazard we're about to find out.
*The strangers look over at The Destiny excitedly. It doesn't look like they can see the gang inside it.*
Stranger #1: Wow, look. This one is almost completely intact! *Claps and laughs.* Heh-hey, what luck. Imagine the parts we could scrounge from this!
Stranger #2: Let's get it before the bats do, eh?
*They jump down from their ship, walk across to The Destiny and start pulling and poking at it.*
Thorn: We really had better stop them, huh?
Alexander: I think so.
Kuja: *Steps outside.* Excuse me, are you by any chance trying to cannibalise my ship?
Stranger #3: Bloody hell! There's people on this ship!
Stranger #1: And they're not wearing masks!
Thorn: *Follows Kuja outside.* There sure are people on the ship. We'd really appreciate you not taking it apart.
Stranger #2: Sorry, we didn't know. You don't see many folks down here, especially walking around with no masks on.
*The third stranger lowers their mask to show that they are a woman with dirty blonde hair. She takes in a deep breath.*
Woman: I don't believe it. There's air here!
*The other two cautiously take off their masks too, revealing a brown-haired young man and a grey-haired older man.*
Woman: *Looks into The Destiny.* You won't believe this. They've got a tree on board. A tree!
Older Man: I haven't seen a tree for years.
Thorn: By any chance, are you stuck here?
Young Man: At one point we might have said that, yeah, but a better description would be that we live here.
Tifanel: What the...? You live here?
Chiara: Why would you want to live here? How can you live here?
Older Man: Well, like the young man suggested, we started out being stuck here. We each fell out of time one way or another and ended up here. We banded together to try and find a means of escape, but in the end we just decided to stay here.
Ares: Do you like it here?
Woman: We have each other, so it's not as bad as it looks.
Older Man: The challenges help keep me feeling young.
Lierlo: But if you don't mind me asking, what do you do about food and things?
Young Man: Every so often, things slip between dimensions, or fall out of time, and end up here. We scavenge these things and make good use of them.
Woman: We have an effective way of making what little we get last. We'll show you, if you like.
Red: Okay, why not?
Woman: Can I borrow this? *Goes and plucks a leaf from Cain.*
Cain: Ouch!
Woman: *Looks disturbed.* The tree talks...?
Kuja: It's a long story...
Ares: A very long story.
Woman: Well, never mind. Just look at this. *She holds up the leaf.* Now I could just eat this leaf and be satisfied for a few minutes, or I could do this... *Takes out an Ethaw bat in a odd-looking cage.*
Chiara: Agh! Not one of those things!
Ares: You have it as a pet?
Red: I hardly think so.
Tifanel: But she has one anyway. How can you keep it? Those things are dangerous!
Woman: They are, but we know how to handle them, so calm down. Watch... *She pokes the leaf through the bars and the bat absorbs it. It then grows a second set of wings that seem to be made of large leaves.* Now from that one little leaf, those bat's wings could probably provide a meal for two of us.
Thorn: Oooh, I see.
Laurenza: That's quite clever, using the bat's powers of assimilation to help you.
Young Man: So what about you lot? What are you doing here? This place isn't exactly a major tourist spot.
Rin: We were simply passing through, but we had a little trouble with the bats and our ship got damaged.
Red: That's right.
Tifanel: We're transportin' this tree, so we kinda need to get out as fast as possible.
Woman: I understand. How about we get in our ship and give you a push? Hopefully that'll break you through to your dimension.
Ares: That would be really useful.
Young Man: Can't you just leave the tree with us, though? It'd be so useful...
Older Man: Stop it.
Thorn: And we promised we'd take him, too, so we can't. Sorry.
Young Man: Oh well, it was worth a try. *Winks.* Go inside your ship and we'll soon send you on your way.
*The gang goes back inside The Destiny and the three travelers head back to their ship. One of them starts driving their ship backwards as the other two fight off a swarm of bats that have just arrived. They throw random bits of matter into the vortex, making the bats eagerly fly after them to their doom. The ship is brought sharply forward, bashing The Destiny hard, but sending it rocketing through the rift back into the mortal realm.*
Laurenza: *Looks to the window.* Did we make it?
Red: It looks that way.
Chiara: Wow, that was a trip and a half!
Tifanel: One I don't wanna repeat any time soon...
Cain: I must thank you all again. That was quite an ordeal for everyone…
Thorn: It's okay.
Lierlo: Well, it's not over yet. Cain needs to be planted again as soon as possible. I will waste no time in asking the Spirits for help.
Alexander: I'll come with you.
Chiara: Me too!
Lierlo: But…
Laurenza: Yes, we know what they're like, Lierlo. But if we all go and argue the case together, it'll seem stronger.
Red: It's true.
Apathy: Okay, fine. Let's go. *He opens a portal.*
*Apathy makes himself invisible, then they all step through the portal.*

*They arrive in the Spirit World, in front of an important and extravagant-looking building, which they enter. Barging past reception, they burst into the main room. This must be the meeting place for the leaders of the Lower Council, as there they find Roreille and Jadarthfeyr, along with an old but handsome Spirit. He has long red hair (though slightly faded with age) that reaches his waist, tied in an elaborate knot. He is wearing a crescent hair band and a lot of jewellery, and fine robes of purple and blue. Jadarthfeyr has several jam stains down his robes and is actually eating a jam sandwich over the official-looking documents in front of them.*
Roreille: *Looks surprised to see them.* Oh, Lierlo… and friends… This is unexpected. I'm afraid even you need an appointment to get in here. Do you have one?
Lierlo: No… but this is rather impor--
*The red-haired Spirit cuts him off.*
Spirit: I do not care if you are bringing us news of war on the Gods. You cannot come and see us without an appointment. We are far too busy. Good day. *Goes back to the documents in front of him.*
Thorn: Please, hear us out.
Jadarthfeyr: *Looks like he's only just noticed they're there.* Oh hello. It is nice to see fresh faces around here. The same ones get rather boring day in day out. I thought maybe we could liven things up by wearing a new fancy hat each day, but my suggestions do rather fall on deaf ears. *Offers them a jar.* So, jam?
Red: No thanks. We've got something more important to talk about.
Alexander: Jam…?
Jadarthfeyr: Yes, jam, the greatest of all goods. *Takes a basket from under the desk* I have strawberry, raspberry, blackcurrant, cherry... some marmalade if that is your preference…
Spirit: I would prefer you to not bring it to work at all, Sayemond.
Jadarthfeyr: Well, you are not always here to make your opinions known. I do know how you Airgris like your privacy, so I expect you to duck out of most meetings, Nigel.
Spirit: *Through gritted teeth.* Nathaniel...
Roreille: *Calmly.* Jadarthfeyr, Nathaniel… Let us just listen to what Lierlo and his friends want to say, shall we? It cannot do much harm.
Rin: You are as kind as you are beautiful, my darling.
Roreille: …So, Lierlo?
Lierlo: We've come to ask if the Spirits could make a habitat in the Spirit World for the Shadowkin.
Ares: Their own world has been destroyed by something they won't tell us the name of.
Roreille: The Shadowkin? But they are Demons, are they not?
Thorn: That's right.
Laurenza: They've really got nowhere else to live.
Nathaniel: Not a chance.
Chiara: What? Why?
Nathaniel: This is the Spirit World. We cannot have Demons living here!
Kuja: Why not? You get all sorts in the mortal realm, not just mortals.
Red: A little diversity won't hurt you.
Jadarthfeyr: People come in many flavours, just like jam.
Roreille: I am sorry. I do not make the rules, only enforce them. While I can understand you not wanting your friends rendered homeless, you must understand that if we made an allowance for one Demon race, what would stop many others wanting to live here? I can imagine the Spirit World would make a very attractive place for many Demons to live, it being a huge source of Magick and full of appealing prey.
Tifanel: Damn, that's true…
Alexander: But you must help us! If we don't find somewhere to live, our entire race is in danger of dying out! Have you no hearts?
Lierlo: Please… Aren't we supposed to show goodwill towards all species?
Roreille: Lierlo, you truly are a good person.
Kuja: We should all get samaritan points today. You wouldn't believe the hell we've been through to help these Shadowkin. You should pull your weight too.
*Roreille, Jadarthfeyr and Nathaniel talk amongst themselves for a moment.*
Roreille: Very well. We will put in a request with the Elders.
Thorn: Thank you.
Laurenza: We really appreciate this.

*They receive word from the Spirits that the Elders have granted their request. The Spirits use their Magick to fashion new habitat in the Spirit World for the Shadowkin. Cain is taken there by the Spirits and a portal to the new world is opened up outside the castle, allowing the Shadowkin there to enter. Heather and the gang are stood at the portal with Alexander, watching his brethren all go through.*
Alexander: My King gives his undying thanks from the bottom of his heart. You have helped us all beyond belief.
Thorn: Don't worry about it.
Kuja: All in a day's work, eh?
Alexander: We now have a place we can call ours once more.
Heather: *Holds his hands.* Are you going there too…?
Alexander: It's been hard fitting in to human life… *Looks to the portal.* But through there is a recreation of my natural habitat. That's where I belong.
Heather: *Looks sad.*
Alexander: Come with me, Heather, we can live together in my home.
Heather: *Sighs.* I'm sorry Alex, but this is where I belong. I can't leave the human world…
Alexander: Then I suppose this is goodbye…
*The two of them stand in gloomy silence for a moment.*
Alexander: No, I can't. If I can't live with you there, I don't want to be there at all. I'll stay here.
Heather: Alex…
Alexander: These may not be my own feelings of love for you, but I own them now. I love you and I can't bear to be separated from you.
*The two of them hug as the gang watch them happily.*