*Later, the gang are all gathered for dinner.*
Laurenza: I'm starving. Tifanel, what's for dinner?
Tifanel: I don't know, Mihako offered to make it for us.
Mihako: *Brings in the dinner.* Cookies!
Lierlo: How... wonderful.
Li: Mmm... My favourite.
Kitzie: Cookies? We never have cookies for dinner! Yay!
Thorn: Well, I guess it makes a change.
Lahrne: I'm not complaining! *Eats some.*
*After a few minutes of eating and talking, Mihako contributes to the conversation.*
Mihako: It has been a week since I ate a tuna sandwich. Happy one-week anniversary, tuna sandwich! We should celebrate!
Laurenza: Yes...
Lierlo: Sorry, I was telling Mihako about festivals such as Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries earlier. I guess she's taken it a bit too seriously...
Mihako: It will soon be the anniversary of the creation of the first Angel of Death. Perhaps we should celebrate that also?
Kuja: Pfft. *Drinks some tea.*
Tifanel: Angel of what now?
Kuja: Oh, flowery nickname of mine from back home.
Thorn: You mean it's your birthday soon?
Laurenza: Now that I think about it, you never told us when your birthday is, Kuja.
Kuja: I don't want people to make a big deal out of it.
Thorn: Not even me?
Kuja: Not even you, Thorn. I don't want anyone to make a big deal out of it! Just treat it like any other day!
Lahrne: You don't even want to get presents?
Kitzie: Or play party games and eat cake and ice cream?
Kuja: No! Just forget about it, okay?
Thorn: Is it your age? Nothing to be ashamed about. I'm 1726 next August.
Tifanel: Dude... thanks Thorn, you make me feel like I'm in the prime of youth.
Thorn: Don't mention it.
Kuja: I'm not ashamed of my age.
Li: How old are you?
Kuja: I'll be 23.
Laurenza: *Laughs.* After all this time I've known you, I never once asked you when your birthday is, and I didn't even ask how old you are.
Kuja: Look, can we get off the subject now?
Laurenza: Okay.
Kitzie: So, what kind of parties do you like? I like fancy dress!
Kuja: *Shakes his head.*
Kitzie: And games, games are good! Pin the tail on the donkey, pass the parcel...
Lahrne: Those are lame games. What about spin the bottle and truth or dare?
Li: Truth or dare? Hahah, I'll tell about one time when I was dared to... uh... no maybe I shouldn't in front of the kids...
Tifanel: My favourite party game has to be musical chairs. I always win.
Li: Yeah, that's 'cos you're 20 years older than the other players.
Thorn: This all sounds fun. I... only ever had one birthday party in my entire life. If you can call getting drunk and throwing Ares in a well a party... Well, I guess you could.
*By this time, Kuja has quietly slipped out of the room.*
Tifanel: Best place for her, I reckon, bottom of a well.
Thorn: Well we only realised she was down there on the following morning. The intoxication of alcohol plus Ares nattering on about stinky holes in the ground... biggest headache of all time. *Looks around.* Hey... where did Kuja go?
Li: Bottom of a well?
Thorn: I don't think so.
Lierlo: Maybe he didn't want to listen to all this talk of birthday parties...
Thorn: I wonder why he wants us to ignore it.
Lahrne: 'Cos he's weird?
Thorn: I think there might be a more serious reason.
Tifanel: So it's not his age... Thorn, you're older than him, I am, Li is too...
Li: Am not.
Tifanel: Don't lie.
Laurenza: I don't know... I'd like people to celebrate my birthday.
Thorn: Yeah, me too. I haven't done it for... a long time.
Lierlo: I guess... 1726 is a big number. You should do something special.
Thorn: I wasn't really expecting anything... I won't really mind if we don't... It's on August the 27th.
Tifanel: We'll have the biggest rave this town has ever seen.
Li: Beer, loud music, loose women...
Laurenza: Li!
Li: Okay, scratch the loud music.
Lierlo: I see Li and Tifanel are into more subtle forms of entertainment...
Thorn: *Laughs.* Well, I'd better go and see where Kuja is, anyway. *Leaves the table.*

*In Kuja's room, Kuja is sat on his bed.*
Thorn: *Looks round the door.* Hey.
Kuja: Hi Thorn.
Thorn: Sorry about back there. I guess the whole birthday subject upsets you.
Kuja: Yeah, it does.
Thorn: *Sits on the bed next to him.* You wanna talk about it?
Kuja: Do I have a choice in the matter?
Thorn: Of course you do...
Kuja: I don't really want to talk about it.
Thorn: Is it about... the 'Angel of Death' thing?
Kuja: Maybe.
Thorn: Kuja... I was created. Whatever the hell I am now... ensouled Dark Angel or something, I was created a killer. Something that was born to smite humanity from anywhere I saw it. And look at me now, smite free.
Kuja: But look at you, you're thousands of years old... probably going to live for thousands more... Whenever I grow a year older, the time I have left decreases. When I was created... Alexander, my 'father,' only gave me a very limited time of life. I don't know how long I'm going to last…
Thorn: Oh my god... But… how can you be thinking about death? Celebrate your life while you're living. I won't have you moping around like this just because you're a year older.
Kuja: But... what if this year's my last? I... I was thinking... what if... losing my Magick is a sign that... that I've not got much time left? *He starts to cry.*
Thorn: *Holds Kuja.* I... won't lose you.
Kuja: *Cries loudly.*
Thorn: *Starts to cry too.* I won't.
Kuja: *Clings to Thorn tightly.*
Thorn: I can't. I can't lose you.
Kuja: But what can you do? It was... the way I was made... Alexander told me I have enough time to... fulfil my purpose, and that was all.
Thorn: I'll do anything I can.
Kuja: If only I'd let him live longer... long enough to tell me how long I will last.
Thorn: You... killed him?
Kuja: Yes... That was the only time I remember ever using my AoD potential. When he told me the truth about my origins, I kind of lost it. It was terrifying. I destroyed the whole planet. I never wanted to use those powers again.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Kuja: *Sighs.*
Thorn: It's okay.
Kuja: I wonder if Mihako... knows how long we live?
Thorn: I don't know.
Kuja: But if I knew, I would just be living in fear.
Thorn: I think you should know, though, so we can make the most of what time we have. Do you want me to go and ask her?
Kuja: *Nods.*

*Thorn finds Mihako in Lierlo's room.*
Thorn: Hey, err... could I talk to Mihako for a second?
Lierlo: Um... sure.
Thorn: Mihako, come with me a second.
Mihako: Why should I trust you?
Thorn: I only need to ask you a simple question.
Mihako: Okay. *Goes with Thorn.*
Thorn: Mihako, do you know how long Angels of Death live for?
Mihako: I do. Which model do you wish to know about?
Thorn: Umm... the one Kuja is.
Mihako: Prototype A... Alexander said since there is only one of them, and his job is not too difficult, he will only live for a maximum of 25 years. This is only if he is kept in good condition.
Thorn: Kuja...
Mihako: If excessive damage is made to the prototype, or their Mana is overused, he may live for less.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Mihako: I am Model C, so I may live for up to quadruple that of Prototype A.
Thorn: Right...
Mihako: Was my information useful to you?
Thorn: Umm... yes.
Mihako: Helping is good. *Bows.* May I return to Lierlo now?
Thorn: Yeah...
Mihako: *Goes back in the room and closes the door.*

*Thorn goes back to Kuja's room to find he has fallen asleep. Thorn sits by Kuja's bed and puts his face in his hands. He notices the silver-purple colouration of Kuja's hair has drained out and it is now a chestnut brown colour. After hearing Kuja make small whimpering noises in his sleep, he sighs and leaves the room. He closes the door and then goes into his room, shutting the door.*

*The rest of the gang, unaware of these past events are going around, gathering things for a surprise birthday party for Kuja. We rejoin the action at dinnertime, on the day before Kuja's birthday. Thorn and Kuja haven't been sighted outside of their rooms for a while. There is a knock on Thorn's door.*
Thorn: Come in.
Lierlo: *Comes in.* Thorn, is there something wrong? I haven't seen you in a while.
Thorn: I'm sorry. I... haven't really been thinking straight.
Lierlo: Is something bothering you?
Thorn: It's... Kuja.
Lierlo: What about him?
Thorn: *Stands up and throws a glass object against a wall, smashing it.* He's dying!
Lierlo: He's... dying?
Thorn: The loss of his Magick signifies that... he doesn't have much time left.
Lierlo: Oh... do you know how much?
Thorn: He should live up to 25... but it'll be sooner. He's been through too much.
Lierlo: I'm so sorry...
Thorn: I just don't know what to do. Kuja doesn't know... I didn't have the heart to tell him.
Lierlo: It would only upset him if he knew.
Thorn: I know.
Lierlo: Am I right in thinking this is the reason he is not looking forward to his birthday?
Thorn: *Nods.*
Lierlo: I'm sorry... You must feel awful.
Thorn: I don't know how I feel... Sick and angry, I suppose.
Lierlo: There's nothing I can say to make you feel better. Do you want me to leave you alone?
Thorn: I want Kuja to know, that's all.
Lierlo: So you are going to tell him?
Thorn: *Nods.*
Lierlo: I think he's in his room, asleep, right now.
Thorn: He's been sleeping a lot lately...
Lierlo: He has…
Thorn: *Stands.* I'll tell him.
Lierlo: Okay then.
Thorn: Could you tell everyone else?
Lierlo: Yes, I will.
Thorn: Thank you.
Lierlo: It's the least I can do.
Thorn: *Nods.*

*Thorn leaves the room and walks into Kuja's. He's asleep again, snoring quietly.*
Thorn: *Sits next to Kuja's bed.* Kuja?
Kuja: Mmmn...
Thorn: Kuja, please wake up.
Kuja: Mmmmn...
Thorn: Please...
Kuja: Mmm... *Opens his eyes.* What?
Thorn: Kuja, sit up. I have to tell you something.
Kuja: Go away. Sleepy.
Thorn: Kuja, I spoke to Mihako.
Kuja: *Sits up.* And...
Thorn: She said that you would probably live until you were 25.
Kuja: *Says nothing.*
Thorn: I'm sorry...
Kuja: *Tears fill his eyes.*
Thorn: *Hugs Kuja.*
Kuja: *Hugs him back tightly.* I don't want to die...
Thorn: I don't know how I can stop it...
Kuja: Maybe you can't...
Thorn: There must be something...
Kuja: Maybe you can't solve every problem.
Thorn: Can't I at least try?
Kuja: Yes, try. Do you think I want to die?
Thorn: But I don't know what I can do...
Kuja: Use your Magick to make everything all better...
Thorn: It's not that simple.
Kuja: Wish it were.
Thorn: I know, so do I.
Kuja: *Cuddles Thorn some more.* You'll remember me, won't you?
Thorn: *Starts crying.* How could I forget you?
Kuja: I love you so much.
Thorn: I love you too...
Kuja: *Cries again.*
Thorn: I can't believe this...
Kuja: I can. I knew it was gonna happen, but I prayed the time would never come...
*Thorn and Kuja stay in each other's arms, crying, until Kuja eventually falls asleep again, resting on Thorn's chest.*

*The day of Kuja's 23rd has arrived. Although Lierlo notified the gang of Kuja's condition, they still wished to throw him the surprise party, in an attempt to cheer him up.*
Laurenza: *Peers around Kuja's bedroom door.* It's time for breakfast.
Thorn: Okay.
Kuja: Zzz...
Laurenza: Wake Kuja up, he won't want to miss this breakfast. It's very... yummy.
Thorn: All right. Kuja, come on, wake up.
Kuja: Nnn... Too comfy.
Thorn: Come on, everyone wants to see you at breakfast today.
Kuja: Okay, I'm awake.

*The three of them go down to the dining hall. The doors are closed. Kuja walks in first. The hall is decorated with streamers, and a banner that says: 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY KUJA.' There is food and gifts laid out on a table. The gang jump out from behind chairs, shouting: 'Surprise! Happy birthday!' Kuja steps forward, and then falls to the ground.*
Thorn: Kuja! *Runs up to Kuja and kneels next to him.*
Laurenza: Kuja!
Mihako: Big brother...!
*The gang all crowd around him. Kuja lays motionless on the ground.*
Thorn: *Turns Kuja so he is laying on his back and places his head on his chest.* You can't be...
*The signs of life in Kuja are gone.*
Thorn: ...
Lierlo: Thorn, I'm so sorry...
Thorn: I... I... need to be alone...
Tifanel: You want us all to leave?
Thorn: No... I'm going to my room.
Tifanel: *Nods.*

*Thorn runs to his room and slams the door behind him. He collapses on his bed and bursts out crying. The gang let him be alone in his room. Thorn is sitting on the edge of his bed. He has stopped crying but his eyes are still red and puffy. All of a sudden, Scorn appears before him.*
Scorn: I saw what happened downstairs.
Thorn: What of it?
Scorn: He was... a friend?
Thorn: ...Much more.
Scorn: *Sits on the bed next to him and puts her arm around him.* I'm truly sorry.
Thorn: *Shakes his head.*
Scorn: Look, the reason I came here today was to tell you something we've been keeping from you a long time. Very long, in fact.
Thorn: And what's that?
Scorn: I felt your sorrow, Thorn... When that man died... your heart was screaming out so much... I knew I had to come.
Thorn: And why are you here? What is it you want to tell me?
Scorn: You have the power to raise the dead, Thorn.
Thorn: *Is dumbstruck.*
Scorn: I thought you'd be surprised.
Thorn: But... can I do it now? Can I... get Kuja back?
*Scorn slips her hand into her pocket and draws out a small, black covered book.*
Thorn: What's that?
Scorn: Instruction manual.
Thorn: I...
Scorn: It'll tell you everything you need to know. *Stands up and passes the book to him.* Have fun. *She then disappears.*
Thorn: *Looks down at the book. On the cover is a Satanic Pentagram with long, spiky shapes circling it. It also has one word on it. He reads the word out loud.* Intus... *He opens the book and flips through it. Its pages are empty. He sighs and then closes it. He puts the book in his pocket and goes to leave the room when the book catches fire.* Aaargh! *He takes the book out of his pocket and throws it onto the ground.* Great. Just great. *Uses water Magick to put the book out, and it suddenly starts to glow.* It must react to Magick... *Picks up the book and channels some dark power into it, making it glow brighter and brighter, before it opens, revealing page after page of text. He reads the book out loud.* Thornada... child of demon and Dark Angel, separator of dead and living. 'This book contains the ritual required for his awakening in you, Thorn.' How does it know my name? *Continues.* Power of life and death come on swift wings to you. Thornada will take life, start life and end life. It begins. Thornada is intus ego. Within me...
*Thorn turns the page and begins the ritual. He kneels down and holds the book in his hands.*
Thorn: Thornada. As you stand at the gate, living death within your hands, hear me in this hour of need. Know my voice and prayer. I beg of you... grant me your power of eternal life. Grant me your primordial strength and power. Become... *Thorn starts to breathe heavily.* Intus... ego. *Thorn snaps his eyes shut, and opens them again, they are different, black with yellow slits.* Within... me. *Thorn screams, he collapses on the ground and starts to spasm. His skin becomes white, his hair longer, and red tipped. His hands become claws, and long, spiky tentacles grow where his legs once were. He rears up and draws a long, black trident. He then spreads massive, red and black wings.*
Thornada: Intus ego. *Breaks through the wall of Thorn's room, and down the corridor. He bursts through the doors of the dining hall and approaches the gang.*
*The gang all turn to Thornada and look stunned.*
Tifanel: The hell is it?
Li: Looks like something out of one of them horror movies... 'Cept this ain't a guy in a cheesy rubber costume...
Kitzie: I'm scared...
Li: Don't you worry, the Limaster's fought bigger and uglier things than this. *Draws sword and approaches Thornada.* You don't scare me.
Thornada: Existo ego Thornada. Famulor illi obscurum...
Lahrne: Speak English!
Lierlo: Did I hear 'Thorn' amongst that, or was it just me?
Laurenza: I don't know, it just sounded foreign to me.
Li: You know, Mr. Monster, now's not a good time. Why don't you come back and eat us all later? *Pokes him with the tip of his sword.*
Thornada: *Looks down at him and smiles.* Papriata mori... *Laughs.*
Li: Uh, yeah, the same to you but more of it!
Thornada: *Swings his trident in his hands.* Fio, fieri, factus...
Li: Eeny meeny miney mo?
Thornada: Mo... mori. *Stabs the trident through Li's chest.*
Laurenza: Li!
Tifanel: Oh god, Li!
Thornada: *Draws the trident from Li, letting him fall to the ground.*
Tifanel: *Goes to Li.* Talk to me buddy, please...
*Li is bleeding badly, and well... not going to answer Tifanel.*
Laurenza: *Starts crying.* Will everyone just stop dying today?
Thornada: *Looks down at the blood-covered trident and plunges it into himself. He roars and collapses down on the ground.*
Lierlo: Well, that was unexpected...
*Thornada's body glows bright white and from behind him, Thorn steps. He looks like he is sleepwalking. He is also glowing slightly and his hair is blonde, instead of black.*
Lierlo: So, maybe I did hear Thorn?
*Thorn steps forward a little, then stops and holds out his hands. The room is engulfed in a bright light, and when all is back to normal, Thornada's body is gone, and Kuja and Li have regained consciousness. Kuja's hair is once again silver-purple.*
Li: Whoa... what a trip.
Tifanel: Argh! Zombie!
Kuja: Ugn… What in the name of the Almighty Kujata is going on?
Tifanel: Attack of the undead! Let's get out of here!
Thorn: *Kneels down next to Kuja.* You die way too much...
Kuja: I know, I really ought to kick that habit.
Thorn: *Hugs Kuja.*
Kuja: *Clings to Thorn.*
Lierlo: Um, Thorn, can you explain what on Dalimoor just happened?
Thorn: That was Thornada, an ancient creature with the power of life and death. I... kinda... summoned him when Kuja... I'm sorry.
Li: So you should be.
Laurenza: Hey now, at least everyone's alive again.
Thorn: He took a life... to bring Kuja back, that was what I asked him to do. But I took over him and made him kill himself so he could bring Li back. *Looks around.* I assume it worked.
Li: Yeah, I'm alive, I think. Unless I'm a... *Puts on a scary voice and waves his arms at Tifanel.* ...Zooombie! Wooooo...
Tifanel: Aw, shaddup.
Lahrne: *Goes to Thorn.* Hey, dad. Will you teach me how to do that?
Thorn: *Runs out of the hall and returns minutes later with that book in his hands. Tears pages out of it.* Never... never... never.
Lahrne: Yeah... I was kinda kidding anyway...
Thorn: No one should go through that.
Kitzie: Who'd want to be an Even Creepier Guy?
Kuja: Darn, I've been upstaged. Well, at least I know I'm the original Creepy Guy. Everything else is just a cheap imitation.
Thorn: You said it.