*One afternoon, the gang are gathered in a chamber playing Jenga.*
Kuja: *Is not playing, he is sat on the sofa, fiddling with his hair, trying to tie it back.* Board games... We have a TV, you know?
Li: It's busted.
Laurenza: Why don't you fix it, Tifanel?
Tifanel: Geez, I may be a swordsman, mechanic, cook, cleaner, gardener and carpenter, but I ain't an electrician.
Thorn: I've been meaning to ask... did you fix that wall I... well, Thornada went through?
Tifanel: Yeah, I did. But next time, you're doing it.
Thorn: Okay.
Li: I called a guy to fix the TV this morning. He should be here soon.
Kitzie: *Safely removes a block from the tower.* Lahrne, your turn.
Lahrne: *Pulls another out with no damage to the tower.* Yes! Go on Li.
Li: *Pulls a block out. The tower remains solid.* Phew.
*The tower suddenly collapses.*
Li: Huh? No way!
Kuja: Hee hee hee...
Tifanel: Kuja, I saw you point at the tower. No Magick! That's not fair and you're not even playin'!
Kuja: Pfft, I don't care. *Finishes doing his hair. He has it tied back with a black ribbon.*
Li: Pick them up again, Kuja.
Kuja: Make me.
Li: Okay, I will. *Goes to Kuja and makes to punch him.*
Lierlo: Hey guys, come on, we don't want this to end like the Pictionary incident.
Thorn: Do I have to separate… *The invisible wall appears between them.* …you two?
Li: *Knocks on the wall.* He's lucky it's there, now I can't beat him up.
Laurenza: Oh for heaven's sake, Li, it's just board game. Just pick the blocks up yourself!
Lahrne: *Touches the invisible wall.* Cool... I should learn how to do that!
Thorn: Yeah. The way things are at the moment, it can really come in useful...
Kuja: Do I have to sit behind this all day?
Thorn: Only until you've learn your lesson, both of you.
Kuja: *Pouts.* What did I do?
Thorn: Oh, okay, as long as you promise to lay off each other. *The wall dissipates.*
*Li and Kuja give each other the look of death, but say and do nothing.*
Tifanel: I miss the TV...
Kitzie: Me too, it isn't as warm when it's broken...
*There is a knock on the castle door.*
Lierlo: Oh well, you won't be without it much longer. That'll be the electrician.
Laurenza: So, anyone going to get that?
Tifanel: Meh.
Thorn: Oh, I will. *Goes to get the door.*
Julian: Oh, hello there, Thorn. I hear there's a TV that needs fixing.
Thorn: You...
Julian: Yes, me. Now, are you going to stand there pointing out who I am all day, or let me in?
Thorn: Stay out of here. I must warn you, I can use my Magick now and I will if I have to.
Julian: *Yawns loudly.*
Laurenza: *Comes up to them.* Oh, is that the electrician? Please, come in.
Julian: Why, thank you. *Moves around Thorn and goes inside.* At least some people have manners.
Thorn: Okay Laurenza, I guess you're very eager to meet the person who trapped me in a parallel dimension and wouldn't let me out a few days ago.
Laurenza: What? He did? Why didn't you tell us?
Thorn: I assumed he wasn't coming back. That's why I told you now.
Julian: I don't know what you're talking about.
Thorn: Really.
Julian: Are you sure you didn't dream the whole thing? Now where's this TV?
Laurenza: Um, it's through there... *Points Julian to the TV room and he goes through.* Thorn, is he lying?
Thorn: Yes. I also don't think it was very wise letting him go where he pleases around the castle. But, you're the Queen.
Laurenza: And I want the TV fixed. He's leaving as soon as it is, okay?
Thorn: Fine. Maybe I did dream the whole thing. So answer me this, if he's just an ordinary repairman, how did he know my name? *Storms off to his room.*

*In Thorn's room, he slumps on his bed.*
Thorn: I can't have dreamt all that... it's just not... *He goes over to his closet to see whether the cow is still there or not. He opens the closet to find the stuffed cow with a large hole in its side, stuffing leaking out. Thorn slams the wardrobe shut and teleports to the TV room.*
* Everyone is watching Julian, who has the TV open and is tweaking with the wires.*
Julian: I'll have this done faster than you can say Julian Seth Artemus Wildfire.
Thorn: Son of Levanté. The man I killed. It's why he's set out to make my life hell. He's the one that trapped me in that dimension the other day, Kuja.
Kuja: Bastard…! *Jumps to his feet.*
Julian: Not that again, you loon. I'm just here to fix your TV.
Thorn: Then how, when I opened the door for you, did you know my name?
Julian: Because... my great uncle told me. Luchianno Wildfire, I know you know him.
Thorn: Hmph.
Julian: *Bangs the TV back together.* That should do it. *Switches it on, just in time for the Jim Terano Show.* There, all done.
Laurenza: What do we owe you?
Julian: Oh, no charge… if you lovely lady will make me a cup of tea, that is?
Laurenza: Hmmm, okay, fine. *The two of them go to the kitchen.*
Lierlo: Thorn, what was all that about? Trapped you in another dimension... Could you explain?
Thorn: Look, I would have told you, but you know me... I don't like causing a panic. Well, yeah, that was about it. He and his brothers… they trapped me in an alternate world, for what I did to their father, Levanté.
Lahrne: They did what? You should go open a can of whoop tooshie on that guy right now!
Thorn: But... he doesn't seem to remember what happened... Maybe I'm just going crazy, maybe that guy is innocent.
Kuja: Or maybe he's lying. I remember, it was that day with the cow, and you fainted for several hours...
Li: 'Fainted for several hours?' Sure you didn't just dream it, Thorn?
Thorn: I don't know. It's possible. It seemed pretty dream-like.
Tifanel: Maybe you should go and talk to him and set things straight.
Thorn: Maybe. I don't really wanna embarrass myself any more, though.
Kuja: But Thorn, I'm sure you wouldn't imagine something like that.
Thorn: Maybe I would I mean, I'm not really the sanest of people am I?
Lahrne: You're not a loony bird!
Thorn: Maybe I should talk him, then... *Gets up and goes out the room, with Kuja following.*

*In the kitchen, Laurenza and Julian are in conversation over cups of tea.*
Laurenza: ...And I'd do anything to get him back. *She notices Thorn and Kuja.* Oh! Hi guys...
Thorn: I'm sorry. Did we interrupt something?
Julian: Oh, no, not at all. Actually, you arrived just in time...
Thorn: For what?
Julian: *Taps the side of his nose and then turns to Kuja.* Hey Kuja.
Kuja: What? *Turns to Julian.*
Julian: *Flicks back his fringe. For the moment that his hair is not covering his forehead, something flashes, and then his hair covers it once more. The tiny flicker of light is reflected in Kuja's eyes. Julian folds his arms and smiles.*
Kuja: *Turns to Laurenza, a strange look on his face.* Laurenza, I haven't noticed how beautiful you're looking lately.
Thorn: What...?
Laurenza: Kuja? What are you saying?
Kuja: Laurenza, I know this is kind of sudden, but if I asked you, would you take me back?
Laurenza: Umm... *Looks at Thorn, and then back to Kuja.*
Kuja: I love you Laurenza, I don't think I ever stopped loving you... *He goes to her and throws his arms around her.*
Thorn: Kuja... *Tears streak down his face.*
*The pendant Thorn gave Kuja falls to the floor with a soft tinkle.*
Thorn: *Turns to Julian.* You...
Julian: Who, me?
Thorn: You've done something... this is your doing.
Julian: What makes you say that? Maybe you just don't want to blame yourself for Kuja leaving you.
Thorn: I won't accept that. I saw it... you did something, something shined on your forehead. You father had an eye on his forehead... Maybe you have one too... maybe you can control people with it...
Julian: Maybe I do. Maybe I don't...
Thorn: *Rushes forward and grabs Julian round the neck.* Reverse it!
Julian: *Choking slightly.* Hey... if you kill me I won't be able to reverse it and he'll be like that forever!
Thorn: *Lets him go.* So do it now.
Julian: Why should I? I want you to suffer, remember? *Watches as Kuja kisses Laurenza.*
Thorn: Please...
Julian: Maybe if you got down on your knees and begged...
Thorn: I'm not doing that... just stop this.
Julian: Why should I when I'm having so much fun?
Laurenza: Kuja... this isn't right...
Kuja: You know it is...
Julian: They're made for each other. *Sticks out his tongue.*
Thorn: I don't believe that... I've gotta find a way to stop this...
Julian: Try all you like.
Thorn: Maybe I could kill you... your brother might be able to fix this...
Julian: Leon? The little traitor won't help you this time.
Thorn: Then somebody else... Jo, maybe? Maybe she'd know...
Julian: Good luck; I seal my spells pretty tight.
Thorn: And maybe... *Turns into Levanté.* Maybe there are other ways.
Julian: Father? No... This is a trick! An illusion!
Thorn: How could you? You're avenging my death by pulling little jokes on the man that killed me? I'm ashamed.
Julian: I don't believe it's you, I don't believe it's you...
Thorn: I really thought you were my son, until now. You can't make me proud...
Julian: *Looks distant.* No, I'm better than Dayne and Leon... I was the one who took interest in science... I can make you proud! Father... please forgive me...
Thorn: Sorry, son. You're gonna have to try much harder than making a couple of kids fall in love, my my, even Cupid can do that.
Julian: What can I do, father...?
Thorn: I don't like thinking Laurenza will ever get over me. And then secondly, go after Thorn with all you've got. But don't hurt him mentally, tear him apart... physically.
Julian: I will.
Thorn: Good.
Julian: I miss you so much, father... *Hugs Thorn.*
Thorn: Never mind.
Julian: *Lets go of Thorn and goes over to Kuja. He pulls him away from Laurenza and slaps him hard around the face.* Wake up!
Kuja: *Blinks.* What's going on.. ?
Thorn: *Changes back to normal.* Kuja... are you okay?
Julian: *Looks pissed off.* Damn!
Kuja: I don't know... What just happened? I can't remember...
Thorn: It's okay.
Laurenza: Thorn... I'm so sorry...
Thorn: No matter, it's his fault. *Glares at Julian.*
Kuja: What's his fault? Will somebody please tell me what happened?
Thorn: He... did some kind of mind control on you… made you fall in love with Laurenza, just to get at me.
Kuja: He... did what?
Julian: Some kind of mind control on you, made you fall in love with Laurenza, just to get at Thorn. Don't you listen?
Kuja: Mind... control... *He looks like he is remembering something painful.* ... Some kind of tool... a pawn in a scheme... a means to an end... *He shudders.*
Thorn: Kuja... what's wrong?
Kuja: ...Like Alexander... He used me too... *He winces and suddenly clasps his hand to his forehead, as a small trickle of blood flows from behind his fingers.*
Laurenza: Kuja... are you okay?
Thorn: Your head is bleeding... *He goes closer to Kuja.*
Kuja: *Moves his hand away from his head, to show a three-point symbol that looks like it has been burned into his skin by a red-hot skewer.* ...Just a puppet! *His eyes turn red-orange, the colour of fire. His body is covered with a layer of thick red fur. On his arms and legs it stops just below his shoulders and just above his knees. On his back are tiny, red and skeletal wings. His fingers end in long claws. More markings, similar to the one on his forehead appear all over his body where there is no fur. A shockwave of power emits from him outwards and upwards, knocking the others back and smashing the crockery on the table.*
Thorn: *Gets up.* Kuja!
Kuja: *Moves towards Julian, his face almost expressionless. His voice is cold and harsh.* DIE...
Julian: Uh yeaaah, I think I'll be... GOING HOME NOW! *Runs out of the castle.*
Kuja: *Flies up and crashes through the ceiling, chasing after Julian.*
Thorn: We'd better get after them... let's get the others.
Laurenza: *Nods.*

*They go to the rest of the gang, who are none the wiser, watching TV.*
Thorn: We gotta move, everyone into The Destiny. We'll explain on the way.
Kitzie: Are we going on a vacation?
Thorn: No, come on!
*They all board The Destiny.*
Tifanel: So what was so important that you had to interrupt my show?
Thorn: I was right about that TV repairman. He did some kind of spell on Kuja, to make him fall in love with Laurenza just to make me feel bad. Kuja was brought out of it and now he's gone a little... crazy. He... changed.
Li: Underwear?
Thorn: Like someone added 'Ada' to the back of his name.
Lahrne: Whoa...
Lierlo: Where is Kuja now?
Thorn: The last time I saw him he had blasted through the castle roof.
Tifanel: Oh great, something else I gotta fix...
Mihako: Big brother Kuja is very, very angry! I can feel his anger! *She starts to punch Lierlo in the stomach repeatedly.*
Lierlo: Oh, oh, ouch... Do you have to channel his anger into to me?
Mihako: Sorry!
Laurenza: Right, Kuja's chasing after Julian, so we better set off for Orca pretty sharpish.
Tifanel: All righty. *He goes to the controls.* Oh brill, someone's labelled them all, look.
Thorn: Well, yeah. I had a bit of time on my hands.
Lahrne: *Looks at the buttons.* Ooh, 'water slide!'
Thorn: Yes, we can all play with the airship after we've got Kuja...
Tifanel: *Sets the course for Orca.*
Li: Hey cool, a radar. *Watches it.*
Lierlo: Anything on it?
Li: A green dot and... another green dot...
Thorn: Could it be them?
Kitzie: Creepy Guy turned into a green dot?
Lahrne: *Laughs at Kitzie.* Silly...
Tifanel: They're going pretty fast... Now where's that uber-speed button?
Lierlo: *Holds on to the side.*
Li: Oh look, here it is... *Smirks and pushes a button. The piece of wall Lierlo is holding on to springs out, knocking him flying.*
Laurenza: Hilarious, Li... We have more important things to be doing!
Thorn: Here... *Presses the super-speed button.*
*The ship accelerates.*
Lierlo: I hate this ship...

*After a while, the ship arrives in the Orcan atmosphere. As it descends, the radar becomes a camera, giving them a birds-eye view of the planet below. They are still pretty high up, but they can see something bright in the distance below.*
Thorn: What is that?
Laurenza: I don't know... Tif, can you get us closer?
Tifanel: Yeah, I am, hang on...
*They get in closer and they can see that the light is being caused by Magick power, and a lot of it. It seems to be circling around a central point, more powerful towards the centre, less powerful towards the outside. In the centre there is fire, the next layer has explosions and the last has high winds and lightning bolts. Right in the midst of the Magick, they can just make out the shape of Kuja.*
Lahrne: Wow...
Li: Ooh, pyrotechnical...
Thorn: What is he doing...?
Tifanel: I dunno, I don't want to get too close and get the ship caught up in that stuff. Hang on... *Pushes a button and the camera zooms, to show that Kuja is stood on the ruins of a building.*
Laurenza: *Stares for a moment.* Orca Palace?
Thorn: He destroyed it? Just to get at Julian?
Lierlo: Now that's not very nice...
Mihako: A lot of people lived in there... and big brother Kuja killed them all. He wants to wipe out all those with Wildfire blood...
Thorn: But why? Why not just go for Julian?
Mihako: Because he wants revenge and then some. Julian did him wrong so he is getting him back a gazillion times worse.
Thorn: ...Kuja.
Mihako: One got away...
Thorn: What? One what?
Mihako: That is what he is thinking.
Kitzie: He's gone fishing?
Thorn: Err... no.
Lahrne: Kitzie, you sound a lot more smart when you stay quiet.
*On the screen, they can see the Magick has started to intensify. Bolts of power are shooting out of Kuja, striking the ground and breaking it up.*
Thorn: He's destroying this world...
Mihako: No, no, not again!
Tifanel: Uh, guys... We better get out of here...
*A rock collides with the side of the ship, making it shake violently.*
Tifanel: …See what I mean?
Thorn: We're just gonna leave him?
Laurenza: What else can we do? If there's enough power out there to destroy an entire planet, imagine what it could do to us...
Thorn: You're right... take her up.
*They fly up into space, and watch from a distance as Orca crumbles.*
Li: Always knew Kuja was a total nut job.
Thorn: I don't think that was Kuja... Believe me, I know what it's like to have something inside of you that you can't control.
*Suddenly, out of the debris of Orca, a bright light comes rocketing past them and off into the distance.*
Lierlo: Do you think that was him?
Thorn: Maybe, we should go after it.

*They follow the bright light back to Dalimoor. The ship lands and they all get out, to find a crater.*
Tifanel: Well, that wasn't there this morning...
*They look into it and find Kuja laying at the bottom of it. He has reverted back to his normal appearance, but he still has the markings and the wings.*
Li: Interesting place for a nap.
Thorn: *Jumps down into the crater and kneels down at Kuja's side.* Kuja...
Kuja: *Sits up and starts coughing.*
Thorn: Hey, are you okay...?
Kuja: *Stands up and yells, flickering into red again for a moment, and then back.*
Thorn: What the...?
Kuja: *Leaps out of the crater using a Magickally enhanced jump. He runs around, wildly shouting things and flickering between forms.*
Li: Nut job...
Thorn: What's wrong with him?
Laurenza: I don't know...
Thorn: We should get him back in the castle. *Flies out of the crater and grabs Kuja.*
Kuja: *Struggles in Thorn's arms and bites him.*
Thorn: Ow! Kuja, stop this...
Kuja: *Kicks at Thorn.*
Thorn: Take a nap.
*Kuja falls asleep.*
Lierlo: What's going on with him?
Thorn: *Lifts him up into his arms.* Maybe it's a side effect... of what he became.
Mihako: He is mixed up inside his head. He is trying to be himself, but his other self will not let him.
Thorn: Will he be all right?
Mihako: He was like this for a while the first time.
Thorn: Right...
Mihako: Right now, big brother Kuja is fighting between the basic Angel of Death instincts... to hunt, to kill… and how he normally acts.
Thorn: How long will it be before he's normal again?
Mihako: I am not sure.
Thorn: Okay.
Li: Yeah, well I think we should lock him up in the dungeons.
Thorn: I know it sounds cruel, but I agree. If we leave him out, he's only a danger to himself and other people...
Tifanel: Heh, Li wanted him locked up before he was dangerous.
Li: Shush.
Thorn: Well, let's get inside...

*They go inside, Thorn carrying the unconscious Kuja.*
Laurenza: This is all my fault...
Thorn: Don't blame yourself. It was Julian's fault anyway...
Laurenza: But... I gave him the idea...
Thorn: It doesn't matter, what's done is done.
*Thorn takes Kuja down to the dungeons. He closes a cell door with Kuja behind it.*
Thorn: I'm so sorry Kuja... I'll visit you all the time, and bring your breakfast and stuff... just try and get some sleep, okay? *Thorn kisses him briefly and heads off upstairs.*

*Back upstairs, Tifanel and Li are watching TV again, with Lierlo, Mihako, Lahrne and Kitzie nearby. Laurenza is sat still looking like she's blaming herself. Thorn sits down with them.*
Laurenza: I hope he'll be okay...
Thorn: He'll be fine. I know he will.
*From down in the dungeons, they can hear a lot of shouting and screaming.*
Li: Geez, he hasn't woken up already?
*Thorn gets up and goes out of the room. Outside the room, instead of going to the dungeons, Thorn walks outside. He takes a few breaths of air and mutters some words under his breath. Jo, Bo's wife, appears next to him.*
Jo: You called?
Thorn: Yeah, I've got problems...
Jo: Well, you've got tons of friends you can talk to... or is it a Hell Demon problem?
*Thorn explains what has happened with Kuja, all about his Angel of Death side, and about Orca.*
Jo: So you put him in the dungeon?
Thorn: *Nods.*
Jo: Well, I'm not going in. I've had too many bad experiences down there...
Thorn: No matter. So, is there anything you'd recommend?
Jo: I don't know, wait and see what tomorrow brings? I'm sorry I can't help you more...
Thorn: That's okay.
Jo: Well, I'll see you, Thorn. Call on me again, as I'd really like to spend a lot of time with you.
Thorn: I'll try and arrange something. Bye.
*Jo disappears.*
Thorn: Can't blame me for trying...

*Down in the dungeons, Kuja is still yelling. Thorn walks down into the dungeons and stands in front of Kuja, on the other side of the bars.*
Kuja: *Has moved on from yelling, to screaming. He screams and screams until he is hoarse. After which, he slumps against the wall, suddenly bursting into tears.*
Thorn: Oh, Kuja...
Kuja: *Sobs loudly for a while and then his tears turn into hysterical laughter.*
Thorn: *Is humming a tune to himself, which becomes soft singing.* "And where will we be, when the days are taken from us...? What will our dreams become, when dreams are turned to nightmares, will you be by my side, forever with me..."
Kuja: *Stops laughing and looks Thorn dead in the eyes.*
Thorn: Heh... not that bad am I?
Kuja: *Continues looking at Thorn for a moment and then drops his head. He begins to rock back and forth.*
Thorn: I'll be back later...*He goes up and out of the dungeons again.*