*Some time later, Kuja and Thorn are sat in a chamber, when Ana walks in looking a little down.*
Kuja: Ana, what's up?
Ana: Nothing.
Kuja: Is... you know what... bothering you? *Gestures to Thorn.*
Ana: Maybe...
Thorn: Ana, Kuja and Laurenza are still your parents, you shouldn't act like you've lost them or anything. They still love you no matter what's going on in their lives.
Kuja: Yeah, what he said.
Ana: I know, but... it's something else... *She suddenly bursts out crying.*
Kuja: Ana...
Ana: *Climbs on to Kuja's lap and cuddles him.* I... don't want to go!
Kuja: Go... where?
Ana: Back to my time, 'cos I'm gonna be born here real soon, I know it... But I... don't wanna go! Everyone's... everyone's... *Cries loudly.*
Kuja: *Puts his arm around her.* I don't know what to say to her to make her feel better...
Thorn: I've been thinking about this for a while, Ana. We're going to find a time zone where you can live with us happily. We changed the future remember? Siun won't be around, and... your mother and father will...
Ana: I never thought of that...
Thorn: You won't be alone. We'll keep searching time zones until you can find a place you're happy in.
Ana: Thanks, uncle Thorn. *Grins.*
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Kuja: That sounds like a brand name... 'Uncle Thorn's Authentic Texan Chilli.'
Thorn: *Laughs.*
Ana: *Laughs too. She then says nothing for a moment and then looks up at Kuja.* Why don't you love mum anymore?
Kuja: I don't really know. I still like her, just not as much as I used too. I love Thorn.
Ana: She still loves you, you know. A whole lot! She'll probably be upset forever...
Kuja: Not forever.
Ana: You should try and cheer her up.
Kuja: I don't think she wants to talk to either of us right now.
Ana: Pleeeease!
Kuja: We already tried!
Ana: *Suddenly stops dead still, looking nervous.*
Thorn: Ana, what is it?
Ana: I've got to go...
Kuja: Now?
Ana: Now!
Thorn: How do we get Lu here?
Ana: Like this: LU, GET YOUR FURRY ASS HERE RIGHT NOW!
Lu: *Appears.* What?
Ana: It's time for me to go home...
Lu: Ohh, so it is. *Looks to Kuja and Thorn.* Do you guys want to miss the blessed event? Shouldn't you be rushing to Laurenza's bedside?
Thorn: But... *Looks to Ana.*
Kuja: Thorn, you take Ana, I'll go to Laurenza.
Thorn: Okay...
Kuja: *Hugs Ana.* I guess I'll see you soon.
Ana: Bye daddy...
Kuja: *Kisses her on the cheek.* Be good now. *Grins.*
Ana: You know I will... *Grins the same grin back.* Say goodbye to everyone else for me. We gotta move, guys.
Lu: *Nods and opens a portal.* Ladies first.
Ana: Smell ya later. *Steps in.*
Thorn: *Follows them.*

*The portal closes behind them as they arrive in the mysterious Time Tunnels. Lu is once again in his human form, tall and dark-haired.*
Lu: Right, let's find Ana's time then.
Thorn: We're finding one she's best suited for.
Lu: You know of the infinite possibilities of futures, then?
Thorn: I'm familiar with the phenomena. I've never actually witnessed it fully, though.
Lu: Look around you at the Magick of Time... *He gestures to a never-ending amount of tunnels surrounding them.* All of these belong to Ana, all of which lead to a different future. Every person has an infinite number of possible futures, but they are whittled down one by one as they become impossible.
Thorn: You mean in one of these... futures... she could be alive?
Lu: Alive and well with a little boy.
Thorn: My... son?
Lu: *Nods.* But can we get back on task with Ana's tunnels?
Thorn: Err... yes, of course.
Ana: I want one with my parents alive... and I'm Queen of the Universe.
Lu: Mmm... no.
Ana: Nuts.
Lu: I can give you one with your parents alive, though.
Ana: I guess that'll have to do...
Thorn: Is there anything else you can give her? Will her parents be...?
Lu: *Shakes his head.* The way in which time is heading now, Laurenza and Kuja will never be married.
Ana: Nuts...
Thorn: I'm sorry...
Ana: *Sighs.* It's okay, just be good to my dad, ok?
Thorn: I will.
Lu: *Points at a tunnel and it lights up.* There's your stop, Ana.
Ana: I guess this is goodbye then...
Thorn: Never goodbye. *He leans down and kisses her.*
Ana: Hee hee hee.
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Ana: Okay then... toodle-oo.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Ana: See you, Lu… Take care, Thorn. *She goes into the tunnel.*
Lu: All done. Home time, is it?
Thorn: Luchianno, umm... I wanted to see my…
Lu: *Sighs.* Thought you might. Follow me. *Walks off, whilst mumbling.* ... Risking my job, this is, if it were anyone else... no they'd never agree... I don't know...

*They reach another crossroads of tunnels. Lu lights one up in the centre.*
Lu: Okay junior, before you go in, you've got know some ground rules.
Thorn: What?
Lu: First rule: ABSOLUTELY DO NOT LET YOUR FUTURE COUNTERPART SEE YOU!
Thorn: Oh, okay.
Lu: Second rule: Try not to be seen by anyone else, but if they do see you, it's not as serious as rule number one.
Thorn: Right.
Lu: Last thing you should know: This strand of future is now impossible; therefore it will soon cease to exist. That means you don't have much time in there, so try and get out as soon as possible.
Thorn: Okay. Wish me luck. *Steps into the portal.*

*Through the portal, Thorn finds himself on the far end of the castle grounds. Up ahead, he can see Ana playing with a boy around the same age as her, with a late teens Kitzie watching over them. In the distance, Laurenza, Kuja, Adrienne and himself are talking. The boy with Ana is dressed in a long, denim jacket decorated with chains. He has shoulder length, wavy blue-black hair, red eyes and tiny white wings. Thorn watches them and tears appear in his eyes.*
Ana: You can't catch me, Lahrne! You're too slow!
Lahrne: That's what you think! *Chases her, catches her and pins her down.*
Kitzie: Hey Lahrne, no rough stuff. Ana's parents won't be happy if you break any of her bones.
Lahrne: I wasn't gonna hurt her...
*Suddenly, without warning, the sky above them begins to splinter away like shattering glass, into empty black nothingness.*
Thorn: *Looks up.* It's started. This is it. *He turns to face the portal.*
*The destruction spreads like wildfire. The castle is swallowed up and the grounds slowly follow, including the people stood on it.*
Lahrne: *Screams.*
Thorn: *Looks round.*
*The process has now taken Kitzie and Ana. The ground before Lahrne is now rapidly crumbling away.*
Thorn: Lahrne! *Spreads his wings and flies towards his son, grabbing him just as he is about to fall. He flies his through the nothingness back to the portal, which he goes through.*

*Back on the other side, Lu is there waiting for Thorn. As he comes through, the portal disappears.*
Lahrne: *Is whimpering and shaking in Thorn's arms.*
Thorn: You're okay...
Lu: Whoa whoa whoa!
Thorn: What?
Lu: You can't do that!
Thorn: Well I... nothing stopped you from bringing Ana back and forth through dimensions. Lu, he's my son...
Lu: I know, but he's not supposed to exist! *Grabs Lahrne off him.* If I were to follow orders, I should take him to the Department of Anachronisms right now to have him destroyed!
Lahrne: *Whimpers some more.*
Lu: ...But we all know I don't often follow orders. *Smiles and hands him back to Thorn.*
Thorn: *Smiles.* You're okay... Lahrne.
Lahrne: *Clings tightly to Thorn's jacket.*
Lu: Thorn, you'd better get out of here. If you were caught with him, the consequences would be dire. *Opens a portal back to the castle.* Get going.
Thorn: Thank you.
Lu: You owe me.
*Thorn and Lahrne run through the portal.*

*Back at the castle, no one is around, most likely because they are upstairs with Laurenza.*
Lahrne: *Blinks and has a gander around, looking confused.* Daddy, what's going on?
Thorn: *Kneels down in front of Lahrne.* Right... you've gone back in time.
Lahrne: What?
Thorn: This is... eight years in the past.
Lahrne: You're kidding, right? I bet Ana made you say that. Tell her it's a lame joke!
Thorn: Lahrne, this is not a joke. The place you were in a few seconds ago, it was crumbling. You saw it. It has been destroyed and this is the only place I can bring you now where you will be safe.
Lahrne: *His eyes widen.* That was real? But I saw... Ana... Kitzie... and mummy! Where's mummy?
Thorn: She's dead.
Lahrne: No... She's not! This is all a dream... I'm gonna wake up soon... This is all a dream!
Thorn: I... I'm... sorry.
Lahrne: I'm not dreaming...?
Thorn: This is real.
Lahrne: No, I don't wanna believe it! She can't be, she just can't be! *He starts to cry.*
Thorn: Oh Lahrne... *He puts his arms around him.*
Lahrne: *Doesn't say any more, he just cries.*
Thorn: It'll get better, I promise, I'll look after you.
Lahrne: *Nods and wipes his eyes.* Okay, then I won't cry anymore. You're not crying so I won't.
Thorn: It's okay to cry, I do sometimes.
Lahrne: But you're still strong. I'll be strong too. *Looks around again.* Eight years...?
Thorn: Not much is different. Kitzie is still here and Ana... Laurenza is having her now.
Lahrne: Ana's a little baby? Whoa!
Thorn: Yes. Do you want to come and see what's going on with me?
Lahrne: Okay.

*They go up to Laurenza's room. Most of the gang are gathered outside Laurenza's room, though missing from their numbers is Laurenza, (obviously) Kuja and Tifanel. The sounds of Laurenza heaving and Tifanel shouting 'Push!' can be heard coming from inside.*
Li: Hey Thorn. Tif says we're not allowed in till it's over. *He spots Lahrne.* Who's the kid?
Thorn: Meet my son.
*Everyone gapes at them in surprise.*
Lierlo: When...?
Thorn: Just now. We went to take Ana back and... I saved him.
Kitzie: *Goes to Lahrne.* Hi! I'm Kitzie, who're you? Wanna be friends? What do you like? I like socks!
Lahrne: Kitzie?! You're smaller! And you... don't know who I am... *Looks sad again.*
Thorn: Kitzie... treat my son like a friend. You won't be able to play with Ana any more, as she's a baby now, so you should play with him. His name is Lahrne.
Kitzie: Hi Lahrney. I'm Kitzie! Wanna be friends? What do you like? I like socks!
Lahrne: Sure, Kitzie...
Cassandra: Socks do have quite a nice texture...
Lierlo: *Raises an eyebrow at Cassandra.*
Tifanel: *Opens the door.* Mission accomplished. *Smiles.*
Thorn: How is she?
Tifanel: A healthy little girl, breathing fine.
Thorn: ...Laurenza.
Tifanel: Oh, right! She's okay, just a tad tired, I guess.
Thorn: She would be. Ermm, this is Lahrne. *Gestures to Lahrne.* My son, from the future.
Tifanel: Getting kids from the future's the new thing, eh?
Thorn: Heh...
Tifanel: You guys wanna see Ana?
Thorn: Okay, come on, Lahrne.
*The gang all pile into the room to take a look at baby Ana. Laurenza, looking exhausted, is holding her. Little Ana has a tiny amount of black hair and big, dark eyes. Kuja is stood next to the bed, nursing his hand.*
Laurenza: Hey, don't all crowd round. I need to breathe, you know?
Li: *Puts on a mock baby voice.* Isn't she so cute?
Laurenza: Cuter than you'll ever be.
Cassandra: Aww... *Looks to Lierlo.* Let's have one too.
Lierlo: NO.
Kitzie: Ana's younger than me now! Wooo!
Kuja: Yes, that's very nice. Okay, this isn't a sideshow. You've seen the baby, and Laurenza needs her rest. Out out out out! *Shoos the gang out of the room. He then stops Thorn and Lahrne from leaving.* Who's the miniature?
Thorn: My son, Lahrne. I saved him from the future.
Lahrne: Um, yeah. Hi. *Waves.*
Kuja: Your son?!
Thorn: Yes.
Laurenza: He looks like you, Thorn.
Thorn: I know.
Lahrne: *Goes over to the bed and has a good look at Ana.* I'll definitely beat you at tiggy now...
Kuja: *Goes close to Thorn and whispers.* Does he know?
Thorn: Not yet. I'm waiting for a bit.
Laurenza: Kuja, could I have a word with you alone?
Kuja: Okay, if the guys don't mind.
Thorn: Come on, Lahrne.
Lahrne: Okay.
*They leave.*

*Outside the room, Lahrne sighs.*
Thorn: I know it's a lot to deal with. But you're not alone… Never forget that. I'll be here for you.
Lahrne: *Hugs him.*
*Thorn's jacket is dampened by tears.*
Thorn: Hey... It's okay.
Lahrne: I wanna go home...
Thorn: I know you do, Lahrne, but it's not possible.
Lahrne: It's not fair!
Thorn: I know it isn't.
Lahrne: Why did you bring me here?
Thorn: I just... felt I had too. If I had left you there, you would have just disappeared.
Lahrne: How do you know? My friends and family might all be in a special place now waiting for me!
Thorn: I don't know...
Lahrne: Maybe mummy isn't dead… maybe she's just gone away...
Thorn: I know how you feel, I know it's hard to accept, but she's gone.
Lahrne: It happened too fast... One minute she's here and then... poof... she's gone...
Thorn: I know. But... she's with you and me, she's watching over us...
Kuja: *Comes back out of Laurenza's room.* Hi Thorn, mini-Thorn.
Thorn: Um... what did you talk about? Was it something about… you know...?
Kuja: Yeah, she wants me to... you know... with her again and I said no, and she said but what about Ana and I said I don't care, I'll still look after her because she's my daughter but I won't... you know... with you, Laurenza. *Breathes.*
Lahrne: *Looks confused.*
Thorn: *Notices this.* Um... adult things.
Lahrne: Don't treat me like a little baby! I'm practically a man.
Kuja: Sure you are, in about ten years or so.
Thorn: Look guys, just... don't argue.
Lahrne: But I wanna know what you were talking about!
Thorn: Nothing...
Lahrne: Fine, don't tell me then.
Kuja: Don't worry, we won't.
Lahrne: *Wanders off down the corridor.*
Thorn: Oh, god. I just... don't know what to do, everything's in such a mess and the only thing I want to do is go to sleep and wake up after all this has blown over...
Kuja: Things could be worse.
Thorn: Oh yeah, and I have a feeling they will be.
Kuja: What do you mean?
Thorn: I don't know. Things always get worse, don't they? There's so much in this world that causes so many problems that, as soon as one thing is done with, you could hold your breath until the next thing comes along.
Kuja: But we always get through it, don't we? *Strokes his arm.*
Thorn: Yeah, I suppose. One thing at a time.
Kuja: Now where did that little one go off to?
Thorn: I don't know.
Kuja: Maybe you should find him.
Thorn: *Nods and walks in the direction Lahrne went.*
Lahrne: *Is sat outside one of the unoccupied chambers.*
Thorn: What is it?
Lahrne: It's my room…
Thorn: It is. *Takes his hand.* Come in.
Lahrne: *Holds Thorn's hand and follows him in.*

*The room is like most of the spare rooms, bare and basic with a bed, wardrobe and that's about it.*
Thorn: *Waves his hand and lots of items from Thorn's childhood appear with them. Story and information books, old clothes and knickknacks of Thorn's stack themselves neatly into areas around the room.*
Lahrne: Oooh.. *He starts looking through all the stuff.*
Thorn: It's all yours.
Lahrne: Thank you, daddy.
Thorn: That's ok.
Lahrne: *Stacks some books on top of each other and stands on them so he reaches the same height as Thorn.* I'm gonna be just like you when I grow up!
Thorn: *Laughs.* Maybe...
Lahrne: Oh, watch me! I know you and mummy told me to wait till my wings are bigger, but look! I've been getting better! *He flaps his tiny wings and jumps off the books, only to hit the floor seconds later.*
Thorn: *Spreads his wings to the uppermost, the wingspan nearly touching opposite walls.* They'll be like mine, one day.
Lahrne: It'll take forever for mine to get that big...
Thorn: Not forever. Ermm... Lahrne, I probably should know this, but… what powers do you have?
Lahrne: *His eyes shine with excitement.* I like Magick! I've got lots of powers.
Thorn: Like what?
Lahrne: Am I allowed to use them?
Thorn: Err... as long as you don't break anything... or hurt anyone.
Lahrne: I'll be extra careful. *He spreads his wings, giving a span not quite as impressive as Thorn's, a wave of power surging through him. He then cups his hands and a bolt of purple lightning crashes through the roof and into his hands. He looks at the hole in the roof he just caused.* Ooops.
Thorn: *Laughs and smiles.* That's my boy.
Lahrne: This is one of my favourites, but it's hard. *He slowly, and not particularly smoothly, transforms into a blue dog-like creature.* Bark!
Thorn: Your Spirit Beast...
Lahrne: Isn't it cool? *Tugs on Thorn's jacket with his teeth.*
Thorn: *Pulls coat away from him.* Err... yeah.
Lahrne: *Growls at him, and then starts chewing the jacket once more.*
Thorn: Okay, you can stop now...
Lahrne: *He lets go of the jacket, barks and chases his tail.*
Thorn: *Smiles and shakes his head.*
Lahrne: I got doggy drool on your coat! *Giggles.*
Thorn: Thanks... *Wipes the coat a little.*
Lahrne: Hug?
Thorn: Okay. *Kneels down and hugs Lahrne.*
Lahrne: *Hugs Thorn tightly.* I love you, dad.
Thorn: Aww, I love you too.
Lahrne: *Yawns.*
Thorn: Hmm, you seem tired. Maybe you should rest for a while.
Lahrne: I'm not tired.
Thorn: *Raises and eyebrow.*
Lahrne: I'm not a little kid! I don't need naps.
Thorn: You've been through a lot today, trust me, a sleep will be good for you.
Lahrne: But you don't have naps!
Thorn: *Laughs.* Stick around. I 'nap' for weeks on end.
Lahrne: *Clambers on to his bed.* Maybe I'll lie down for a sec, but I won't go to sleep. I'm not tired. *He curls up on his bed and falls asleep almost instantly.*
Thorn: *Smiles and leaves.*