Ana: You came back!
Thorn: Yes, and thanks to some time Magick; I've been gone 3 months.
Ana: Neato!
Kuja: I think I've discovered my flaw in battling. That's the second time someone has teleported away from me.
Thorn: We traded battle tips in Homeworld.
Kuja: How nice for you.
Thorn: How was Lenny?
Kuja: Mediocre. The real brain behind the battle was that Jo girl.
Thorn: Jo? Blue dog? Mage?
Kuja: Black ears, big heart symbol. Yes, that's the one.
Thorn: So, she came here. We thought she was teleporting somewhere, but Bo recognised the Magick as a summoning spell, so we knew that Jo was being taken somewhere. Bo was beside himself. Who brought her here anyway? And what battle? Were you and Lenny fighting?
Kuja: Lenny. Lenny and me. Yes.
Thorn: *Sighs.*
Kuja: What?
Thorn: I thought Bo made Lenny stay here to take care of you, not burn you to death.
Kuja: Not a chance. I obviously had the advantage.
Thorn: Well, no matter.
Ana: Uh, actually, no one touched anyone. Hee hee, you both avoided each other's spells.
Kuja: Well, mine looked more impressive.
Thorn: Jo in battle, now that's a sight worth seeing. When she gets her Magick up and running... *Trails off.* She lent me a book. I think the original title was How To Not Destroy the World. It's a kind of Bible and it will keep me on the path of good.
Kuja: *Laughs some, then turns to Ana.* Now didn't you say that you were going to scurry on home once Thorn returned? If you haven't noticed, he's back.
Ana: Ha, I only said that to get Mr. Worry Wart off my back. I'm not going home until I've completed my mission.
Thorn: Then why not get on with it? Is it my imagination, or have you just been wasting our time for a few days?
Ana: What's the hurry? *Grins.*
Thorn: Mission postponed? Hmm… Well, this is not something I want to be involved in any more. I want to speak to Laurenza, anyway... *Thorn heads off.*
Ana: *Jumps Kuja into a hug.* Daddy!
Kuja: *Looks uncomfortable.* Oh... err… I'm not very good with children. I used to like feeding them to things.

*Inside the castle, Laurenza is in the kitchen with Kitzie, eating ice cream.*
Kitzie: Mmm, yummy yummy!
Thorn: Ermm, Laurenza?
Laurenza: Yes?
Thorn: I just wanted to... talk to you.
Laurenza: Alone?
Thorn: Yeah, that would be better.
Laurenza: Kitzie, do you mind?
Kitzie: Hmph! I see when I'm not wanted. *Grumbles some and leaves the room.*
Thorn: *To Kitzie.* Sorry... *Turns to Laurenza.* I know... I've been a trouble to you and your friends recently, and I know that I haven't really been acting the way of a husband...
Laurenza: It wasn't really your fault, though, was it?
Thorn: This thing with Ares... I could have stopped it. I was just too cowardly. I can't understand anything she did, and I can't begin to apologise for everything she's put you through.
Laurenza: You don't have to apologise on her account. She was just pure evil.
Thorn: I guess... But she came from the same place I did. She was using my power. Everything she did, I can do.
Laurenza: But you're not her, you don't have to do what she did.
Thorn: I know. But... I want to make it... better.
Laurenza: Make it... better?
Thorn: She tore us apart. I don't like to be around you, Kuja, anyone... and I want to fix what she did. I want to be a better person, a better friend. A better... husband.
Laurenza: Um, about that 'husband' part...
Thorn: I know you don't love me. But there are other things a husband provides, protection, comfort, friendship...
Laurenza: So you want me to be in a loveless marriage?
Thorn: I think… I think so.
Laurenza: I don't.
Thorn: Oh...
Laurenza: I'm so sorry. I don't know what else to say, other than sorry.
Thorn: It's all you need to say. Even though you don't need to say it. I don't deserve your apology... my Queen. *Thorn has taken his ring off and notices Laurenza's ring is missing from her finger.* Your ring...
Laurenza: Oh! *Looks guilty.* It... it came off...
Thorn: Oh…
Laurenza: Hmm.
Thorn: Do you want me here, Laurenza?
Laurenza: Yes, I still would like to be friends.
Thorn: I… wasn't expecting that.
Laurenza: What did you expect me to say?
Thorn: You haven't really needed me around, and I can't blame you if you'd be glad to see the back of me...
Laurenza: I do need you. If you leave I'd lose a good friend. *Slightly jokingly.* You'll always be my first husband.
Thorn: I guess. And I'll always love you, Laurenza, even though it hurts me to think about it. It's a feeling I'll never be able to get rid of.
Laurenza: *Sighs.*
Thorn: I'm sorry. I'm just making both of us feel bad. *Thorn goes back outside.*

*Outside, something strange must have happened. Kuja is laying on the ground, apparently unconscious and Ana is looking over him tearfully.*
Thorn: Kuja... *Runs to Kuja's side.* Ana? What happened?
Ana: *Sniffs.* I didn't mean to do it!
Thorn: What did you do?
Ana: *Sobs.* We were hugging, and then he started tickling me, and I hate to be tickled! So I tickled him back and he tickled me harder, and... and before I knew what I was doing... I couldn't stop myself... *Cries again.*
Thorn: You tickled him to death?
Ana: No, you big goon! This is serious; he's hurt pretty bad! It was my stupid Magick. I can't control it!
Thorn: Well, I can fix it. *He places his hands over Kuja and a white light emits from them and covers Kuja. The light then vanishes.*
Ana: What are you doing?
Thorn: Healing him.
Kuja: *His eyes flicker open.* Eesh, remind me to never go Ana into a tickle fight. She'll win.
Ana: *Throws her arms around him.* I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm super-sorry!
Thorn: Magick is dangerous, Ana. You can't toy with it.
Ana: Believe me, you're preaching to the choir. D'ya think I wanted to do that to dad? I can't help it sometimes.
Thorn: I'm sorry, I shouldn't be telling someone else's child what to do.
Kuja: What's wrong with you, Ana? Why can't you control your powers?
Ana: Because I'm the stupid moron Malaphaescite Oracle thingy.
Kuja: But Laurenza's the Oracle of this time period and she controls her Magick just fine.
Ana: Yeah, but it's complicated with me.
Thorn: Why?
Ana: It's a long story.
Thorn: Tell it. We have plenty of time.
Ana: *Thinks for a moment.* How much do you know about the Malaphaescite?
Kuja: I was told it's small, black and shiny. Wasn't it created a long time ago by the Spirits? In the right hands it has the power to heal the Universe, but in the wrong hands, it can destroy it. Am I right?
Ana: Not quite. Maybe you should talk to Lierlo. He should know more about it.
Thorn: We just want to know why you can't control your Magick sometimes. Out-of- hand Magick is very dangerous.
Ana: Hey, I can't tell you the epilogue until you've read the final chapter. You've gotta understand what the Malaphaescite really is first.
Kuja: Why can't you just tell us?
Ana: Because I thought I would be 'messing up the future' if I keep telling you things. Just hang on a sec. *Runs into the castle.*
Kuja: *Shakes his head.* She's the strangest girl...
Thorn: You have to remember, Kuja. She isn't your daughter, really. Your daughter is in Laurenza.
*Ana comes running out the castle, dragging a reluctant Lierlo.*
Lierlo: Is this really necessary?
Ana: I need you to help me, uncle Lierlo. *Takes him up to Kuja and Thorn.* There. Now, Lierlo, can you tell them everything you now about the Malaphaescite?
Lierlo: Well, it is small, black and shiny. It was created a long time ago by the Spirits. In the right hands it has the power to heal the Universe, or in the wrong hands, the power to destroy it.
Kuja: What an invaluable source of information he is…
Ana: Anything else?
Lierlo: I don't know much more. Ancient Dalimoorian history is very poorly documented.
Ana: *Slaps her forehead.* Duh, from the future. He obviously doesn't know yet.
Thorn: Doesn't know what?
Ana: Isn't it funny? It's a kind of paradox, I think. Lierlo told me this in the future, but in the past I'm telling him, so in future he'll know because I told him the past.
Thorn: It's really not that complicated.
Ana: Lierlo, you know about the Luneblanche and the Cielnoir?
Lierlo: Oh yes, of course I do. In ancient times, the Spirit World was split into many groups, the main two being the Luneblanche and the Cielnoir. They both worked on the Malaphaescite and this is the reason why it is split into white and black Magick. The white Magick came from the Luneblanche and the black Magick came from the Cielnoir.
Ana: Wrong, but thanks for playing. You're right about the two different Spirit groups, but today, most of Cielnoir have died out or intermixed with the Luneblanche.
Lierlo: *Looks slightly bitter for some reason.* Heh, of course they have…
Ana: But they both didn't create the Malaphaescite.
Lierlo: Then who did create the Malaphaescite?
Kuja: And now for a history lesson...
Ana: The Cielnoir did. Long ago, the two tribes were battling each other in what seemed like an endless war. To try and defeat each other, both sides brought fourth two mighty warriors to fight in a final duel. The Cielnoir's warrior, Malaphaera, was defeated and so ended the war. However, some of the Cielnoir gathered together and sealed away their warrior's power in a relic that would be passed down through the generations until one worthy enough would receive it. She would then rise up and fulfil Malaphaera's destiny of destroying the Luneblanche. There's no good power in the Malaphaescite. It is the pure, raw evil power and hatred of a dark warrior of long ago. You got your facts a little mixed up.
Thorn: It does make sense. Good power creates. Evil power destroys.
*Lierlo is pretty dumbfounded by this revelation.*
Kuja: So, is that why you can't control your power, Ana, because it isn't really yours?
Ana: I guess so.
Kuja: Why couldn't you have said that in the first place, instead of going all storyteller on us?
Ana: Awww, you're no fun. I like telling stories.
Thorn: Especially one as interesting.
Lierlo: *Quietly, to himself.* I wonder if father knows?
Ana: Yeah, he does know, uncle Lierlo. Well, in my time he does. If he didn't, he wouldn't be trying to kill us.
Thorn: Kill us?
Ana: Oh, dad, mum and me, to wipe out all traces of the Malaphaescite.
Thorn: He has never tried to harm any of them!
Ana: Not in this time zone, maybe. Things are different in my world
Thorn: Siun will try to harm you and your parents, but why?
Ana: Well, Siun's the kinda guy who puts duty before friends, family and well, everything really. His duty is to protect the world of Dalimoor and get rid of anything that may be of a threat to it. So he's got all his Luneblanche cronies after my blood 'cos my uncontrollable power is a 'threat to this world.' And if that's not enough, he wants mum and dad dead cos they hold shards of the Malaphaescite too. He seems to have developed meanie syndrome!
Thorn: It makes sense, but I just don't understand his motives. Couldn't he just prevent any evil from getting hold of the Malaphaescite? I know it sounds strange coming from my mouth, but it does seem to be a little stupid, killing people to protect people...
Lierlo: Yes, it's not like him. He wouldn't do a thing like that
Ana: Um, I don't understand him either, but that's what he's trying to do. Honestly. Haha, speaking of evil things trying to get a hold of the Malaphaescite, the Cielnoir are also in my little story. There are a few die-hard Cielnoir Malaphaera loyalists left in the Spirit World who reckon I'm her reincarnation or something, so they keep turning up trying to kidnap me so they can 're- awaken' her soul or something. Now do you guys believe that the future sucks?
Thorn: I just don't see what you're trying to fix, Ana, I don't see what's so bad in your world. Sure, you've got Siun trying to kill you, but I discovered that he isn't that much of a fighter.
Ana: You haven't met his friends.
Thorn: Hmm. Ana, can I ask you one thing?
Ana: *Strokes her hair.* Yes, it is natural.
Thorn: Why are you still here? If things are as bad as you say, you should fix what you need to here and hurry back to your own time zone. You are already affecting things.
Ana: I am trying to fix things here. It's harder than it looks, y'know.
Thorn: You're not going to change the future by messing around with the past. You don't know what you're doing. If you fix things in the future, why don't you let me help you? You're not the only person who wants to make the future a better place, you know.
Ana: Okay, fine. I'll take you there.
Thorn: It's not like I've got anything better to do...
Kuja: Ooh, a day trip to the future? Can I come?
Ana: No. Nothing personal, dad, but its pretty dangerous to meet yourself in a different time zone. I can travel to the past 'cos I don't really exist yet here, and Thorn can come to the future… 'cos uh… there's not much chance of him meeting himself.
Kuja: Darn.
Ana: So, when d'ya wanna go, uncle Thorn?
Thorn: Whenever you're ready.
Ana: Okay, we gotta go find Lu first. *Goes into the castle.*
Thorn: *Turns to the other two.* Do you think I'm doing the right thing?
Lierlo: I suppose it depends on what you consider to be right.
Thorn: I think I might be able to help her, once I see what's so bad about her future...
Kuja: Whatever floats your boat. Bring me back a souvenir, eh?
Thorn: *Laughs.* I'll try.
Kuja: Bon voyage.
Lierlo: Be careful.
*Ana comes out of the castle with a grumpy looking Luchianno in her arms.*
Lu: I'm not going to do it. Why should I help him? *Glares at Thorn.*
Ana: What's up, Lu? What have you got against Thorn?
Lu: Oh, nothing much. Except for the fact that he killed my nephew.
Thorn: Yes, sorry about that. But if you let me go, there's a saucer of milk in it for you.
Lu: There's a nice comfy bed in the castle. Why don't I just go back there now? *Jumps out of Ana's arms.*
Ana: Come on, Lu, please don't hold a grudge.
Lu: I have every reason to hold a… Oh, never mind. *Summons a portal.* There. Happy?
Ana: Come on, let's go. *They step into the portal.*

*The portal leads into a tunnel through time. Around them float fragments of memories, and even bits of things that are yet to happen. Ana is now standing with a tall, dark haired male next to her.*
Lu: It's so good to lose the whiskers and the tail.
Ana: Yeah, I think you're much cuter when you're not a cat, heheh.
Thorn: Can we get to the point? What is so bad about the future, Ana?
Ana: You'll see when we get there. Follow Lu and me. *They run forward, with Thorn following.
*They reach an opening, and they step out into the real world again. Lu is a cat once more. They appear to be in one of the bedrooms in the castle.*
Ana: *Flops on the bed and squeezes a cuddly toy.* So good to be home!
Thorn: If it's good to be here then why invade my time zone?
*A loud noise comes from downstairs.*
Ana: That would be why. Oh, Thorn, one thing. I know this may sound really hypocritical, but please don't interfere with anything.
Thorn: That is quite hypocritical.
Ana: I know, I know. But remember, there is another Thorn somewhere in this world doing some stuff, and it'd be weird if you do something that he's not.
Thorn: I understand.
Ana: We better go check out that noise.
Lu: And I'll stay here and guard the bed.
Ana: Oh no, you wont. *Grabs him and puts him on her shoulder.* Come on. *Goes downstairs.*
*The castle is in pretty bad shape, with large holes in the walls. They reach the source of the noise. It appears a battle had happened just a few minutes ago. Laurenza is half-keeled over, panting, next to a dead monster. She is wounded badly. In the corner of the chamber is the mangled remains of what used to be Lierlo.*
Ana: *Screams.*
Thorn: Oh my god...
Ana: *Tears form in her eyes.* Mum, what happened?
Laurenza: They... they sent... Chimeras... two of them... Lierlo... fought well but... didn't make it...
Ana: What about you, mum? You look hurt pretty bad.
Laurenza: Oh… *Looks at Thorn and smiles.* You came back... You came back... You came back... *Slumps onto the ground.* Ilyana, go... go find your father... he's at the temple.
Ana: No, I'm gonna stay here with you, mum.
Laurenza: It's too late for me.
Thorn: No, it isn't...
Laurenza: Thorn, it... was nice to... see you again... *Her eyes slide shut.*
Ana: *Holds her mother's hand tightly, her eyes shining with tears.* Mummy, don't go...
Thorn: She's gone, Ana.
Ana: *Fiercely wipes away her tears and tries to put on a brave face.* We've gotta go find daddy. He might be in trouble too.
Thorn: Okay. *Gets up.* Is there a way we can fix this without me interfering with the future?
Ana: Yeah, there's a way. Believing me and doing as I say in your present. Come on! *Starts to run out of the castle.*
Thorn: *Runs after her.*

*Outside, they meet a knight in armour with a helmet shaped like a fox's head.*
Knight: Princess Ana?
Ana: Kitzie!
Kitzie: *Lifts her visor, she is now a woman of 18.* Have you seen the cap'n?
Ana: No, sorry, Kitz.
Kitzie: *Stares at Thorn in disbelief.* Is that you?
Thorn: Well, I'm Thorn, if that's what you mean.
Kitzie: *Walks towards him and kicks him hard.*
Thorn: Ouch! What was that for?
Kitzie: How could you just up and leave us like that? Especially when we needed you the most!
Ana: Enough, Kitzie.
Kitzie: Sorry, ma'am.
Thorn: Who do you mean by the 'cap'n'?
Kitzie: Cap'n Tifanel! Who else?
Thorn: Yes, who else..?
Kitzie: I better go find him. If you'll excuse me... *Runs off.* Cap'n! Cap'n!
Ana: Uh, sorry, Thorn. I didn't know she was gonna kick you.
Thorn: Luckily, her kicking isn't as strong as her glomping.
Ana: Glomping...?
Thorn: Doesn't matter.
Ana: The temple is this way. Follow me. *Runs off down the hill.*

*They reach a clearing in the forest near the foot of the hill. Here stands a pretty little temple crafted from the same shining material as the castle.*
Ana: Oooh, this place always gives me the creeps, but right now, it scares me even more.
Thorn: Well, you're safe with me.
*They go in. The place is apparently deserted and it is dimly lit by small torches burning on the walls.*
Ana: *Calls out.* Daddy! *It echoes and a distant sound echoes back.* Come on, it came from over here! *Runs down a corridor.*
Thorn: Are you sure?
Ana: *Stops.* What do you mean?
Thorn: I just think we should be more careful; I don't want you running off into danger.
Ana: Fine then. *Takes hold of Thorn's hand.* You can be my bodyguard.
Thorn: Eh heh…
Ana: *Runs again, pulling Thorn along*
*They reach a chamber with a wall missing. Where the wall should be is a pile of bricks and peering into the rubble is Kuja, wearing Mage's robes.*
Ana: Daddy!
Kuja: *Turns around.* Ilyana, what are you doing here? I told you not to leave your room. *Spots Thorn and looks at him as if he was an old friend.* I don't believe it... Thorn. Oh, it's been a while...
Thorn: Oh, it hasn't been long for me.
Kuja: The past 5 years feel like a lifetime for me.
Thorn: 5 years...
Kuja: I'm sure there will be time for pleasantries later, if we survive. *Puts his hand on Ana's shoulder.* Ana, go find your mother. You need to get out of here; I'm not sure how long the wall will hold it down.
Ana: But daddy... mummy's dead...
*Kuja's eyes widen. At that moment, a giant paw bursts out of the rubble and a thick black claw shoots through Kuja's back and out his front. He smiles weakly and then drops over lifelessly.*
Thorn: My god…
Ana: Daddy!
*The rest of the monster makes itself known. A huge Chimera, one-third lion, one-third dragon and one-third goat, shakes the rubble off itself and flings the dead Kuja off its paw. It then grabs Ana in its paw.*
Ana: Thorn! Take Lu! Get out of here!
Thorn: *Looks up, in full Magick splendour, his eyes glowing furiously and his hair blowing around.* I think not.
Ana: *Screams as the Chimera crushes her in its paw.*
Thorn: Let go of her!
*The Chimera turns its three heads to Thorn and from each one comes a blast of Magick, fire ice and lightning. Thorn's wings burst through his coat, and he flies into the air, at a high speed, narrowly avoiding the Magick.*
Ana: Thorn... go! This is my life... my world... I belong here... you don't... save yourself! Go… go!
Thorn: I've just seen three of my friends die. I'm not letting the same thing happen to you. I don't care how I meddle in the laws of time. I don't care what other people think. I'm killing that thing, and you're coming out of this place with me after I do.
Ana: Stop playing the goddamn hero! I can save myself!
Thorn: I'm not being a hero. I'm being me. *He flies towards the Chimera and draws his claw-like nails across the beast's eyes.*
*The Chimera roars with pain and drops Ana to cover its face with its paws.*
Ana: *Coughs some.* Thanks Thorn… Way to go!
Thorn: Ana, I think you should get out of here.
Ana: But what about you?
Thorn: I can tackle this thing on my own.
Ana: I can too, but you wouldn't let me do it on my own!
Thorn: I don't want you to get hurt.
Ana: *Clenches her fist, her voice distant and hollow.* Don't think I'm a helpless little girl.
Thorn: I don't, but I also don't think you're in a state to fight.
Ana: Wanna bet? *Huge black wings, about twice the size of her appear on her back and she lets loose some incredible dark power, like nothing felt before, in random directions.*
Thorn: Okay, I'm gonna stop the protective father figure act. Let's kill this thing. *He flies down and lands in front of the Chimera.
*The Chimera, although blind, can still sense Ana's Magick power and is dodging it the best it can. One bolt of power strikes one of the remaining walls and it crumbles.*
Thorn: Ana!
Ana: *Doesn't seem to hear him and the beams of power remain just as random.*
Thorn: *Gets hit with one of the bolts of power and flies across the room, breaking yet another wall.*
Ana: *Snaps out of it.* Thorn! *Runs to him.* Thorn? Are you okay?
Thorn: *Slowly gets up. His head is bleeding.* Yeah, I'm fine.
Ana: I'm super-sorry!
Thorn: It's okay, really.
Ana: Okay, you have fun with the Chimera and I'll go wait outside like a good little girl.
Thorn: *Nods, as Ana runs out.*
*The Chimera is stumbling around, blindly shooting Magick. Thorn turns to the it.*
Thorn: Never thought I'd be asking for something from you, Ares. *He holds his hand up towards the sky and a rod of golden light starts to form in it. Slowly, the ManusBlade, a sword shaped like a hand with a thick handle, materialises in his hand. Thorn rushes toward the Chimera, fighting away its heads, trying desperately to get to the monster's body.*
*The Chimera slashes with its giant claws back at Thorn.*
Thorn: *Blocks the claws with the sword, but struggles to keep them at bay.
*It breathes fire at Thorn.*
Thorn: *Jumps up high to avoid the flames. Whilst he is in the air, he performs a large flip and comes down, with the sword sticking down, headed right towards the Chimera's body. The sword sticks straight into its heart and it dies. Thorn, out of breath, walks up to the Chimera and pulls the sword out of its chest. He looks down at the sword.* I might keep this.
*Ana is waiting outside, crying her little eyes out. Thorn steps outside, his new toy over his shoulder.*
Ana: *Wails.* They're gone!
Thorn: *Bends down next to her.* I thought you said there was a way we could change it...
Ana: I did... *Sniffles.* But I still had to see them die here.
Thorn: *Puts the sword down on the ground and hesitantly puts his hand on her shoulder.*
*Ana pulls him into a tight hug, leans her head on his front and cries bitterly into his coat. Thorn puts his arms around her.*