Final Fantasy X-2 (Plus Sequel FFX-3)

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - *giggles* Yeah the (la la la) would have been a good idea, too bad I didn't think about it I'm glad you liked the last chapter with the girls figuring some things out. As for the ending of the chapter, well, that was just a set up for this chapter. And, here's what you're waiting on, the update



Kytzya - I know I'm bad for leaving the chapter off where I did, but I needed to do that seeing as how it has the final test for Willow and Buffy. As for if they can die...well, I have killed off Willow once before, but I did bring her back...but, no, they can't die in this story. And here ya go, the update.



Final Fantasy X-3

Pairing: W/T B/F

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later



Note: I know I said this chapter should have been out yesterday, but I got busy, and didn't get it finished till now. Anyway, I do hope the extra days wait is worth it, and that the ending of this chapter is better than what I've been leaving. Anyway, I'll shut up now. Enjoy



Chapter Fifty-One: The Final Test



The reunion between the twins fell short of being happy when they'd seen Willow and Buffy fall through the portal. Willow's twin had grabbed her lover, and held tight, she couldn't help but think, and know, it was her fault that their twins were now gone. Buffy's twin was also holding her lover, and thinking the same as Willow's twin. If they hadn't of fell into the darkness, their twins would be safe, and with their lovers.



But the one thing they didn't know was the fact that it was suppose to happen, they were suppose to fall into darkness, and Willow and Buffy were suppose to save them and their lovers -only to fall into a portal of darkness where they both would undergo another test. A test that could be the end of all the worlds, or perhaps save them.



"No, it can't be!" Tara shouted, hitting the floor with her fist, and could feel Faith's strong arms wrap around her.



"Tara, don't, Willow wouldn't want you hurting yourself, don't worry, we'll get them back."



"I'm sorry," Willow's twin whispered quitely, "It's my fault." she buried her face into Tara's twin's neck.



Buffy's twin nodded as a teardrop fell to the floor, "If we hadn't of turned to the darkness..."



"Don't." Faith said standing, and bringing Tara with her, "Now is not the time to place blame, and for some reason, I don't think it was your fault."



"I feel the same, somehow I know they needed to do what they did."



"What's that?" Goofy stepped in front of the girls with Donald by his side, when they both saw a shimmer, and a form appearing.



The hooded man that had given the twin's their power appeared, pulled the hood back, and gave the group an evil smile, "So, you have awakened at last, I see." D'Hoffryn spoke taking a step forward, "The Keyhold is now complete, you have served your purpose. But now it's over."



"Don't move another step!" Donald shouted raising his glowing staff.



"Do you think we can stop this guy all by ourselves?" Goofy asked readying his shield for a fight.



"I don't know." Donald shrugged, and watched as D'Hoffryn froze in place.



"Impossible!"



"No! You will not harm anyone here!" Willow's twin shouted, using a magic based in light to stop the man from moving, and felt Buffy's twin's own light based magic join hers.



"We will not allow it!" Buffy's twin shouted, sending a powerful spell D'Hoffryn's way, and backed up when it exploded, causing the man to be thrown back, "We gotta leave!"



"The Heartless are coming!" Willow's twin shouted grabbing her lover, and started toward the stairs with the others behind her. None of them looked back, if they had, they would have seen the small area become crowded with Heartless Shadows in a matter of seconds.



There was no light, only the pitch-black all around, and Willow had to wonder just how could she see Buffy when there was nothing else but black surrounding them. The redhead felt as if something was holding her arms to her sides, seeing as she couldn't move them, and it also seemed as if she couldn't get her voice to work. She figured if Buffy were awake she was in the same condition as Willow, herself, and that frightened her. If neither she, nor Buffy could move, then they were open for any kind of an attack, and would most likely be killed.



"Ah, there you are." A deep voice sliced through the darkness, startling Willow, and Buffy who had been thinking that maybe the choice they'd made was the wrong one, "Do not be afraid, I will not bring harm to either of you."



"Who are you?" Willow tried to speak, but couldn't open her mouth to form the words, and felt like screaming, but she couldn't even do that.



"Who I am need no concern you," The voice said causing Willow's eyes to widen slightly, whoever it was had read her mind, and she didn't like it.



"No, child, I did not read your thoughts, you projected them, and I heard. There is no need for speach in this realm, just think of what you want to say, and I will hear."



"Why won't you tell us your name?"



"Will? I can hear you! Cool!" Buffy giggled inside Willow's head, "But, yeah, what Will said.''



"My name is of no concern, I am only here to offer you great power. A power that will allow you to do as you wish."



"We don't want it!" Willow growled, and heard a deep chuckle, "What? What's so damn funny?"



"You, child, do you really think you can just shrug my offer away as if I never made it?" The voice, Willow could tell, was amused.



We can, and we will." Buffy thought, and tried to move her arms, but found they were still held to her sides, "Look, whoever you are, let us go, and we won't hurt you."



"You do not understand, if you refuse this great power, your lovers will die."



"Bastard! You'd better not touch them!" Willow, once more tried to struggle free of the invisibe bonds holding her down.



"I swear, I'll kill you if you harm either of them!" Buffy growled, struggling just as much as Willow was.



"Not by my hand, children, by the Heartless." The voice spoke calmly as an image of the group appeared, "As you can see, your lovers, your lovers twins, your own twins, and the king's servants are in a heated battle as we speak."



Willow could feel a dark force pushing her body to a standing postion, and could see the same happening to Buffy from the corner of her eye. The redhead let her eyes settle on the image of the battle, and wanted to scream.



The group was fighting just outside the chapel on the balcony; Tara had blood running down the side of her face, and a wound on the left side of her chest. The white mage was getting paler by the second as she lost more blood, and continued to cast Holy, and healing spells. Even Tara's twin looked just as bad, holding her right side, and helping in the battle with her own magic. Willow cut her eyes to her twin, and could see the long, deep wound in her twins back starting from her left shoulder, and ending just above her pants on her left side.



Buffy's worried eyes landed on Faith, and just by watching the girl fight; Buffy knew she was weakening from the wounds on her back, and chest. The Al Bhed felt a tear roll down her cheek when she saw a shadow leap up, and bring its claws across Faith's cheek, leaving three deep wounds behind. Faith's twin was helping with the healing spells, but couldn't keep up with so many enemies causing wounds every few seconds. Glancing at her twin; Buffy could see she was fighting with all she had, and wasn't going to let up until either she or the Heartless were dead, the blonde looked away from the scene when a magic spell sent her twin flying back into a wall.



Both girls watched as Beast stormed headfirst into another group of Heartless, and began swiping at the small shadows, and now at the soldiers that had just joined the battle. Donald and Goofy were no better off than the others, both had wounds on their faces, chests, and arms, and both were becoming weak from all the fighting.



"Take what I am offering, and you can help them."



"No!" Buffy shouted in her mind, she would not give into the darkness, she couldn't, she didn't want to end up like her twin, and be a slave to it, "You have nothing we want!"



"As you wish, but remember, I tried to help." The voice spoke, and laughed as both Willow, and Buffy broke the hold on their bodies, and screamed.



"No!" The two screams drown out the laughing, as first their twins fell, and then the princesses, followed by Beast, Donald, and Goofy, and finally, both Tara and Faith.



The group did not have the chance to defend against the new Heartless enemy that had appeared. The six foot tall, five foot wide, silver beast with a wolf's head, and a tiger's body, and holding a large golden shield with a black dog's head in the center, had appeared out of nowhere, and threw the shield. The three guys had been knocked off the balcony, where they fell to their deaths. As the large shield turned in mid-air, it hit Willow and Buffy's twins, cutting into their chests, and causing both girls to fall to the stone walkway.



Neither of the four girls left had had time to heal them, as the Heartless monster jumped forward, swinging the shield around, and knocking the four girls into the wall. Tara, Faith, and the princesses hit the wall, cracking it on impact, slid down the wall, and didn't move.



"You could have saved them, it is your fault they are now dead." The voice spoke once more when the screams died down, "But, you could still save them, all you have to do is take the power I am offering you. Come now, children, what do you chose? Do you chose to let them stay dead, or will you chose to save them all?"



Willow stood, tears falling and disappearing into the darkness as she raised her head, with a dead look on her face. Buffy, too, had the same dead look on her face as she also raised her head, both girls stared at the image before them, their broken lovers lying next to their twins, and their lovers. The redhead turned and stared into Buffy's seemingly dead gaze before she looked up, "We chose..." They both spoke in unison, trailing off as they once again stared at the image, "We chose..."



In the machina room with the caged platforms the group stood, or leaned against the wall, catching their breath after running through the last few rooms. The steam rising off the giant metal machina in the center of the room was slowly heating the room, causing the entire group to begin sweating more than they already were. Faith cut her eyes toward her twin, and couldn't figure out just how the princess was wearing a long sleeve dress that nearly touched the floor. She was baking in her leather pants, and shirt, so she just knew the princess, both of them, had to be feeling it more than she was.



"What about the Keyhole?" Goofy suddenly asked lowering his head, and thinking about Willow and Buffy, "What about the girls?"



"Look, Goofy, let's just get outta here first." Donald said causing the six girls to narrow their eyes at him, "Hey! Don't look at me like that! I'm sure Willow and Buffy are just fine, they've been fighting more than any of us." The duck said firmly, but he couldn't help but be worried about them, what if they were trapped with the Heartless? How would they get them back?



"Donnie's right," Buffy's twin said, causing Goofy to chuckle at the name, and Donald to quack, "Our twins can fight, we should know," she motioned towards Willow's twin, who nodded.



"Yeah, I don't think we have to worry about them, I'm sure they can handle anything that's thrown at them." Willow's twin spoke, and narrowed her eyes, "Us, on the other hand, I think we should worry about," she pointed behind the guys at two small shadows that had just appeared, "C'mon, let's go before their friends show up." She grabbed her lover's hand and took off, leading the way through the castle, back to the front hall.



The two small shadows cocked their heads to the right, as their small yellow eyes watched the group run through the door. The right shadow glanced at its partner and nodded, before it took off, running after the group, and hoping to catch them before they could leave. As the two shadows reached the door with the three heart pieces, it closed, causing the shadow on the left to hop up and down, all the while cursing its luck, and making the other shadow giggle and shake its head. The right shadow waited a moment before tapping the other on its shoulder, and pointed up to a small lever beside the door.



The left shadow nodded, and stood straighter, allowing the other to hop on its shoulders, and pull the lever down, opening the door. The shadows bounced up and down, hugging each other, before slapping the others hand in a 'high five', before they hurried through the door, and after the group.



Goofy had heard the door sliding open again, and sped up, "Girls, hurry!" he called over his shoulder.



"We can't leave them behind!" Faith shouted, just as Tara stopped dead still, she wasn't going any further. They had to get Willow and Buffy before they left the castle, and she didn't care what the others said.



"Well, we can't stay here!" Donald shouted, as he turned toward the girls.



"Watch out!" Goofy pointed behind the six young women, where the two small shadows were slowly approaching.



"I'll take care of them!" Donald raised his staff, and cast a Thundaga spell, "Confounded Heartless! Get lost, will ya?" he shouted when the two shadows dodged the spell.



Tara stared at the shadow on the right, and watched as it cocked its head to the right, and saw the one on the left follow, "Wait! Don't hurt them!" Tara stepped between Donald and the two shadows.



"What are you doing?" Donald nearly screamed, "Those are Heartless, and we kill them."



"You will not touch them!" Faith spoke stepping beside Tara, with her back turned toward the duck, "B? That you?" she stared into the yellow eyes of the shadow on the left, and watched it nod.



"Will? Sweetie? Come here." Tara kneeled down, and smiled as the shadow on the right slowly stepped toward her, and into her arms.



"What the hell?" Buffy's twin's jaw hit the floor, "But, how?"



"What happened to them?" Willow's twin asked stepping forward.



Donald's eyes were the size of plates, how had Willow and Buffy been turned into Heartless shadows? And for what reason? "Look, I'd like to know, too, but now it not the time!" the duck said as more shadows began to appear around the group.



"This time," Tara spoke, holding the shadow-Willow in her arms.



"We'll protect you." Faith finished pulling the shadow-Buffy into an embrace, as the others took their battle positions.



As the two girls held their lovers tightly a bright light surrounded them, and an energy wave shot out from their bodies, eliminating the Heartless. When the light disappeared the twins smiled, Tara was holding Willow in her arms, as Faith held Buffy, "Thank you, love." Willow whispered before her eyes closed.



"Yes, thank you, lover." Buffy also whispered before she, too, closed her eyes.



"Buffy! Willow!" Goofy and Donald shouted worriedly, and closed the gap between them and the girls.



"Don't worry, they're just sleeping." Tara's twin smiled, then looked back as more shadows appeared.



A loud roar filled the room, and Beast appeared jumping in the middle of the Heartless, and slicing them with his claws, knocking a few back, and killing others, "Go! Now!" he shouted, swinging his clawed hand again, and catching two more shadows.



"Come with us!" Faith said tightening her grip on Buffy.



Beast shook his head, and relaxed seeing that there were no more Heartless in the room, "As I told you before, I'm not leaving without Belle." he said and turned away from the group, "Now, go! More Heartless are coming!"



"All right," Willow's twin sighed, taking her lovers hand, and sprinting toward the door, "Come on, we can come back after we've healed!"



"I agree, let's go!" Donald said pushing Faith, and Tara in front of him. The duck was not going to let anything happen to these girls again, even though he wasn't going to show it, he'd come to love the girls like family -featherless, and human-but family nonetheless. And he could see the same kind of love in Goofy's eyes, and he knew when all this was over they would miss them.



Making sure the girls were out of the room, he turned and nodded to Beast, tossed him a couple vials of Potions, and followed Goofy out the door. The girls were waiting inside the large caged platform, and sighed when the two guys hurried over, they were finally going to get some rest -rest they all knew they needed. The platform slowly moved toward the bottom, and stopped, Donald nodded to the girls, and took point, as Goofy followed last, and waited as the girls teleported up to the ship. With one last look around, Donald and Goofy followed, knowing the only place they could go was Traverse Town, and talk with Clay.



********



There's 51, and I'm working on 52. I do hope this chapter had a better ending, well, anyway, hope ya enjoyed

To be forgotten is worse than death.

[Egnalos]

Willow and Buffy as shadows uh? didn't see that coming... thankfully Tara and Faith knew who they were, though I'm still wondering who the voice was...



Anyway... they are going back to see Clay in Traverse Town, hopefully they'll get some rest and will have time to reconnect with each other; I mean they've been fighting a lot lately without having any time to just be with each other so, me thinks they need a break even if it is a little one.



So, I get to the final of the chapter expecting the now so familiar cliffhanger ( ) and guess what? there was none. And I hope that it's gonna stay that way, right? no future la la la at the end of a note right?



Great chapter. More please!!

[Stormforce]

Just wanted to say I'm sorry, but the update will take a while longer. Sorta ran into some bad luck, which ended in me catching a bad cold, and I'm not feeling too good at the moment.



Anyway, I'm halfway through with the update, and I'm working on it. I'm hoping to have it out in a few more days.



Again, I'm sorry for the delay.

[Egnalos]

Ok no worries; the update can wait, the important thing is that you get better.



Take care sweetie.

[robotguru]

That's ok, you just get better and we'll still be here.

------------------



There can be no rainbow without rain, you cannot know true happiness until you know sadness first.

[Stormforce]

I am sorry to be using Amanda’s account like this, but I am only doing this out love for my best friend. I ask that anyone who reads this message to please keep her in your thoughts. One of the 18 wheeler trucks where she works backed into her, and drug her several feet before he was stopped. Amanda has been lying in a hospital bed since yesterday afternoon from the accident, and as of now all I can say is she only drifts in and out of consciousness.



Please, keep her in your thoughts, and wish her well being.



Amanda’s family and friends will be grateful.



Thank you.



~Rei~

[robotguru]

Man, i'm so sorry to hear this. Pass along all of our best wishes, i hope she gets better soon.

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There can be no rainbow without rain, you cannot know true happiness until you know sadness first.

[Egnalos]

My God! I have no words... I ... Jesus! ...



So sorry to hear about this. My best wishes and prayers are for Amanda. I hope she gets better soon. Please send her my love.



Thanks for letting us know.

Edited by: Egnalos at: 2/14/05 9:16 am

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - I wanted to keep the idea that the character turned into a shoadow, so I went ahead and made Willow and Buffy shadows, sort of a twist Who the voice is will be answered in this chapter, hopefully it'll be a surprise. Yeah, I'm gonna let the girls have a break after talking with Clay. As for the cliffhangers, I'm gonna try and keep those away for awhile, that way if I can't get the chapters out, then it really won't be too much of a deal. And thank you, Rei printed out your message, and brought it to me



Robotguru - Thank you for your message, Rei also printed out yours and brought it to me



Note: Well, here it is, the next chapter, finally! I do hope you enjoy it.



Final Fantasy X-3

Pairing: W/T B/F

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later



Chapter Fifty-Two: Heading for Traverse Town





A figure stood on a section of night covered high ground, overlooking a large waterfall with many different colored flowers growing beside the small stream at the bottom. The large samurai sword strapped across his back shined as a small ball of light floated by, causing its greenish reflection to light up the man’s back. The man’s face lit up showing a scar running down the side of his face, as another small ball of light floated by, this time red in color.



A set of light footsteps caused the man to turn, and nod to the approaching female figure. The woman stepped beside the man, and glanced out over the landscape to the waterfall, before cutting her eyes to the side, “I must thank you for what you have done.” She said and received a nod in reply.



“There is no need, my lady, but if I must, may I ask a question?”



“Yes, what is it you wish to know?”



“Why did you ask me to test the girls?” The man asked turning toward the woman, “I mean, you could have asked any of the others to do it, so, why me?”



“Because, you yourself had at one time been touched by evil, and I knew you could withstand that realm. Plus I knew you would not let any harm come to the girls.” The woman smiled, “But tell me this, did they recognize you?”



“No,” he shook his head, “The realm we were in had no use for speech of any kind, and as I spoke, my voice echoed throughout the realm. That did not allow them to even guess as to whom I was, and I do believe they were more worried about the others more then themselves.”



The woman nodded, “That would be just like them, don’t you think?”



“Yes, but I must say I did not enjoy showing them what I did, and then laughing over it.” The man shuddered as he spoke, causing the woman to blink in surprise. This man had never allowed his emotions to get the best of him, always calm, always cool, so when he showed even the slightest disgusted, or even saddened feelings, it always surprised everyone around him.



“I saw, and I agree, what you had to show them was very disturbing.”



The man nodded, and kneeled down, picking a small blue flower with yellow specks on the petals, he smiled, “For my lady,” he said handing the woman the flower.



“Why, thank you, kind sir.” The woman giggled as she took the flower and placed it behind her ear, as she looked toward the sky, “I see night is turning to day, and once more, the darkness falls to the light.” She said watching everything grow brighter, “It’s going to be a beautiful day, don’t you think so too, Giles?”



Giles nodded, and held out his hand, “Yes, Lady Mythe, I do believe so.” He said taking the ex-summoner’s hand, and leading her back down into the Farplane.



On the ship…



Donald was staring out the windshield of the ship, all the while thinking he was invading Buffy’s territory –which in fact, anyone could say he was. The duck wasn’t comfortable in the pilot’s seat, and felt as if he shouldn’t be there, No, I shouldn’t be here, Buffy should, Donald thought as the ship passed by another world –a world that could very well be destroyed if they didn’t get their butts in gear, and defeat the Heartless. Maybe Clay will know something. But how could she? I mean she wasn’t there, so how could she know where we should go next. Especially if we don’t even know where to go, but that could also be cause we’re so worried about Willow and Buffy.



The duck sighed, shook his head, and caught site of Willow and Buffy’s twins standing in front of the window, and watching the worlds pass by. He also saw Goofy getting ready to speak, and shook his head, and saw Goofy nod before he went back to concentrating on flying the ship. Wouldn’t be all that good if the Heartless caught them off guard, and besides, he figured the twins could figure out what they wanted. Donald could only hope that the two unconscious girls in the back would wake up soon, a worrying duck didn’t make for a happy duck.



Goofy sat across from the princesses with his eyes nearly closed, yes he was tired, and yes, he wanted to sleep, but something wasn’t right. At least not to him, Willow and Buffy should be in the bridge with them, but no, they were in one of their rooms –hopefully getting the rest they needed. And he knew his worry would not be put to rest until he saw both girls standing in front of him, or at least in the doorway. Goofy still couldn’t understand how the girls had been turned into shadows, or why they had been.



Was that supposed to of happened? And why had it been just Willow and Buffy? Why couldn’t it have been him, or Donald? Shaking his head, Goofy opened his eyes, and saw the princesses staring at their lovers, who were standing in front of the window, and not turning around. That was another thing, why were those two acting so distant? Goofy was just about to ask what was wrong when he saw Donald shake his head, and knew not to say anything –let them work it out on their own. He gave the duck a nod, and leaned his head back once more to stare at the ceiling.



Willow’s twin was standing beside Buffy’s twin, and staring out the window; she couldn’t turn around and face her lover. Not after what had happened, not after what she’s done. She could feel Tara’s twin’s gaze on her, but kept her eyes forward, and watched another world pass by –a world she knew that could have very well been destroyed by her and Buffy, if they hadn’t been stopped, It’s all my fault, we helped destroy so many worlds, and for what? Lies, all of it! Maleficent had lied to us the whole time, and we we’re too stupid to see it. Damn it! We could have actually killed everyone, if it hadn’t been for our doubles…or are we their doubles? Whatever, doesn’t matter, what matters now is gaining back Tara’s trust, and hopefully her love. Willow’s twin caught site of Buffy’s twin flinching, causing the redhead to sigh, looks like she was having the same problem.



Buffy’s twin felt Faith’s twin’s eyes on her, and flinched, Hell! I hope she didn’t see that! The young woman thought, there was no way she could meet her lover’s eyes, not after giving herself over to the darkness. The ship passed by another world, and the blonde knew that it could have been a world she and Willow could have more then likely destroyed, Yeah, we just had to let that bitch get her grubby paws on us, didn’t we? If it hadn’t been for her lies, we would’ve been able to wake them, and not had our twins to do it. But, no, we had had to join up with the Heartless, all because that witch promised to get our girls’ hearts back. And now look, I know they have to hate us for what we did, who wouldn’t? They’re so pure, and us, we’re tainted right down to our bones…why would they want us? Buffy’s twin kept staring out the window, never turning around, but if she or Willow’s twin would have turned at that moment, they both would have seen the princesses worried, and confused gaze.



Why isn’t Willow over here holding me as I sit in her lap? Princess Tara asked herself as she stared at her lover, and couldn’t help but wonder what was wrong, Is it us? Have we done something since we awoke in Hollow Bastion? What did we do? No, I don’t think it is me, nor Faith, I think what they are worried about is themselves. But really, do they really think it is their fault for turning to the darkness? They cannot think that, it wasn’t their fault at all, both of them believed in Maleficent, and thought she was telling them the truth. I do believe Faith and I need to set things right, and make them see we still love them. I really want to be sitting in Willow’s lap. The princess pouted for a moment and caught princess Faith’s eyes, yes, it was time they set things right, and Traverse Town would be the perfect place to do it.



Princess Faith watched her lover with sadness in her eyes, what was wrong with her, and for that matter, Willow? She knew the both of them should be hovering over she and Tara, getting anything they wanted, just like when they’d both been gone a week –visiting another castle. And it had been longer than a week since either of them had seen her or Tara awake, a lot more, so, why weren’t they doing their hovering thing? This is not right. They should be over here, making us sit in one place while they run around, trying to get us everything. And we should be disobeying them, and causing them both to get angry, just so we can make it up to them. So what is wrong? Are they angry with us? Or do they think we are angry with them…?



Princess Faith sighed, thinking of what was wrong with her lover and Tara’s was giving her a headache. The dark haired princess glanced at the other, and saw her pouting, it looked as if she was thinking the same thing, before the princess saw the blonde turn her blue eyes toward her. As if she knew what Princess Tara was thinking, Princess Faith nodded, before she leaned her head back in an un-ladylike fashion. As soon as they made it to Traverse Town, they were going to speak with their lovers in private.





After having teleported onto the ship, both Tara and Faith had carried Willow and Buffy into one room, and had laid them side-by-side so they could watch over both girls together. Tara had –after laying Willow down- healed the redhead and Al Bhed of any poison in their bodies, and then cast a healing spell to heal their wounds, and then sat down next to Willow. Neither had woken since they’d feel unconscious back at Hollow Bastion, but seemed to be fine –even if both girls would twitch every few seconds from their dreams. Tara wished she could keep the dreams from Willow, but knew she couldn’t and resigned herself to just holding her lover’s hand, only to find that that helped.



Faith pushed the hair from Buffy’s eyes, and took her hand to calm the girl down, before she glanced at Tara, “What do you think they’re dreamin’ ‘bout?” she asked in a whisper so as not to disturb the others.



“I don’t know, but I hope it isn’t anything bad, or life threatening for them.” The white mage sighed, and leaned in, leaving a feather-light kiss on Willow’s forehead, “And I do hope it isn’t anything they have to keep from us.”



Faith nodded, she really did not want to see either of the girls doing what they had, not again, this last time could have killed them, or placed everyone in a greater danger than they had faced. “Yeah, I know… But one thing though, why and how did they get turned into shadows?”



“That I don’t know, but it’s something I intend to find out.” Tara said firmly, “And I’m not gonna let Will keep it from me.”



“Yes, and I’m adding Buffy to that too, she isn’t keeping this from me.” Faith agreed before she sat on the floor, and laid her head next to Buffy’s hand. Tara bent over in her chair, laying her head next to Willow’s hand, and like Faith, drifted off into a fitful sleep.



Willow opened her eyes, and glanced around before smiling at the site of her lover sleeping, and began stroking the blonde hair from Tara’s face. “Oh, isn’t this sooo cute!” Buffy whispered and let out a quite giggle when she saw how Faith was sleeping.



“Yeah, it is, I bet they’re tired after what happened back there.”



Buffy nodded and stretched just before she joined Willow in nearly jumping off the bed in fright at the sound of Faith’s voice, “You didn’t help either!”



“Huh?” Willow’s wide eyes stared up at Tara, “Whatcha mean, Faith?” she asked all the while keeping her eyes on her lover.



“Just what I said, you caused us to worry over the two of you a great deal.”



“What? We were told not to tell you.” Buffy pouted lowering her head.



“Don’t think that face is gonna get you out of this… I think you both need to be punished.” Faith grinned as Tara walked over to stand beside her, “Don’t you think so too, Tara?”



“Yes,” Tara nodded, and handed a whip to the dark haired girl, “They very much need to be punished.”



Willow blinked. Buffy blinked. Both girls shot out of the bed, and nearly ripped the door from its frame in their haste to get away from the others. Just when had they turned into the Wonderland twins? Hell, any of them besides the princesses, and Clay and her group?



“Hurry, Buffy they’re right behind us!” Willow shouted as she ran for the stairs leading to the bridge.



“Huh?” Buffy glanced over her shoulder, and screamed when she saw that their lovers were only a few feet away, and ready to use those whips, “Damn, Will! Don’t you know any disappearing spells?” she asked taking three steps at a time.



“No, but I wish I did, one would come in handy right about now!” Willow said hurrying through the bridge door, and found it empty, “Great! Now they leave us alone!”



“Forget that! Hide!” Buffy said just as the bridge door opened once more, allowing their lovers to step through.



“Shit!”



“It’s too late to hide.” Tara smirked as she jumped down from the top of the stairs.



Faith’s own smirk covered her face, scaring Buffy; she just knew what she was in for, “Yes, now is punishment time.”



Both girls screamed as the whips cracked.



Willow and Buffy shot up in bed, breathing hard, sweat running down their face, and searching the room with wild eyes. Willow was looking for a whip-carrying-Tara, and figured Buffy was looking for a whip-carrying-Faith. After a moment they both calmed down to see two worried faces staring back at them. When the girls had bolted upright in the bed, it had both, awoke and scared Tara and Faith, who stood and watched their lovers searching the room for something. But couldn’t know what it was.



“Is…is there any whips around here?” Willow asked looking up at Tara.



“Umm… No.” Tara shook her head, causing Willow to fall back on the bed, with Buffy following a second later.



“Good, that’s real good.” The Al Bhed girl said in relief.



Tara and Faith glanced at one another, and couldn’t help but wonder just what their lovers were talking about. But both girls’ questions would have to be put on hold for a bit longer, the ship was slowing, and they knew it was time to visit Traverse Town.



********

There's 52 and I'm tweeking 53, I'll have it out tomorrow hope ya enjoyed.

To be forgotten is worse than death.

[Egnalos]

Wow... First and more important... Glad to see you back sweetie; I hope you're doing better.



And the update well... great piece of work as usual. Giles being the one behind the test; I didn't figure that out, and well there's the little detail that we don't know exactly how the girls became shadows.



Willow and Buffy's dream... it's good to know that for now their only concern is Tara and Faith with whips.



I guess that more answers are coming in the next chapter so you'll see me here as usual waiting patiently for the next update.



And just to not break the habit:



More soon please!!



Take Care.

[robotguru]

Again, first and foremost, i'm glad that you're better, now don't worry us like that again



heh, i loved the update, and heh, yeah, it's good to see that Buffy and Willow are only concerned about the whips.



It would seem that there is a lot of rebuilding to do, Buffy and Willow have kept secrets from their lovers, whether told to or not, some talking needs to be done.



Also, the twins, they need to talk.Faith and Tara can understand why they did it it would seem, but Buffy and Willow can't see past the fact that they turned evil, however noble their intentions were.



anyways, i second the 'more please'

------------------



There can be no rainbow without rain, you cannot know true happiness until you know sadness first.

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Its good to be back, and I feel a lot better than what I did, although my ribs still hurt. I had wanted to put in a twist, and Giles being the one behind the test was what I had thought of The answer as to how the girls became shadows will be in this chapter, I just hope I explained it good enough, if not, I'll try to do better when the girls talk with Tara and Faith. Glad you liked the dream Here's the update.



Robotguru - Ok, I'll try not to worry you like that again ^_^ but it feels good to be back Yeah, there's gonna be some work to do with the girls to rebuild, and explain a lot of things. The twins will be talking with their Tara and Faith in the next chapter, and the chapter after will have our girls explaining everything to Tara and Faith. So, we're gonna be in Traverse Town for a few more chapters Here's the update.



Final Fantasy X-3

Pairing: W/T B/F

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later



Note: I'm sorry this wasn't out sooner, but I was with a friend in the hospital. If I didn't explain how Willow and Buffy became shadows good enough, let me know, and I'll try it again in the next chapter.



Chapter Fifty-Two: Returning to Traverse Town



As the light gave away, allowing Donald and Goofy to appear in the town square in front of Giles’ Shop, the two guys glanced around, and hurriedly moved as the ground lit up once more. This time it was the princesses that appeared, and then Willow and Buffy’s twins. The princesses stepped forward, looking around the square, and giggled when a small pink thing with a pom-pom on the top of its head walked by. Their lovers blinked as it looked them over, and walked on by without saying a word to them.



“That’s a moogle.” Buffy said as she and Willow appeared next to Tara and Faith.



“What the hell is that?” Buffy’s twin asked staring at the moogle, she’d never seen one before, and it was interesting…even if a little disturbing to actually see something like that.



“Don’t worry, you can ask them to heal your wounds, they’re also used for delivering mail.” Tara spoke, and grinned as she watched Willow and Buffy’s twins approach the pick moogle.



“Hey! Don’t touch the pom-pom!” the moogle shouted when the two girls had poked at it, “If you want one the grow one!” he/she/it snapped and walked off, leaving behind to very confused girls.



“I don’t want that thing healing me!” Willow’s twin growled and glared at the moogle, “What is it anyway, a boy or girl?”



Faith chuckled, “That moogle is a male, you can tell cause he doesn’t like his pom-pom being touched. The girls don’t mind a person touching their pom-poms.”



“How nice.” Buffy’s twin deadpanned.



“You’re back!” Another Buffy shouted glomping on to the twin, and causing the other girl to scream.



“Get off me you freak!” The twin shouted, and jumped back causing the other Buffy to pout.



“What the hell’s your problem?” The new Buffy asked, right before hearing a giggle, and turning to see Buffy, “There you are!” she screamed happily, making a mad dash toward the giggling girl, and glomping on her. “Damn! You brought a grouchy one back, didn’t you?” she asked and slapped Buffy’s ass, “But I’m sure we can get her in a good mood.” She smirked, causing Buffy’s eyes to widen.



Holy Shiva! This one has turned into one of those twins! The look on the Al Bhed girl’s face caused Willow to join the other Buffy in laughing, and Buffy number three to growl, and cut her eyes to Willow’s twin, all the while shaking her head.



“Come on, guys, we need to go see Clay.” Donald quickly put in before the girls could even speak of sex.



“Ah, good ole Clay, she’s in her room with a very naked Willow screaming her name.” Buffy number two smirked, and giggled when a blush showed through Donald’s feathers.



“Huh, sounds like these two, doesn’t it?” Faith let a smirk cross her face as she watched Tara and Willow blush; her smirk grew when she saw Princess Tara and Willow’s twin blushing.



“Hey! You two are just as loud!” Willow shot back; causing Faith and Buffy number three to shrug. The redhead was surprised when Princess Faith blushed, that was one difference between them.



“I can’t listen to this anymore!” Donald shouted and made a mad dash toward the doors that would lead him into the Second District, and on to the Third –with Goofy following closely behind.



“Guess that’s our cue to follow.” Buffy said as she and Willow took the lead, along side Buffy number two, with Willow and Buffy number three following closely behind them. Neither girl could look at their lover; much less walk beside them, so they’d decided to protect them by walking in front. Besides, they had their magic, and could cast quick enough to stop an enemy attack from behind.



As the girls entered the Second District, they saw the two guys waiting on them near the stairs, before they headed for the Third District. Now that the Heartless were no longer on the world, Traverse Town felt more peaceful than before.



One time Buffy had felt that the shadows had been hiding the enemy, but now she felt as if nothing was wrong, or had ever been wrong. Her mother had taught her to never go against her feelings, and even now, when she felt as if nothing was wrong, she was still watching everything like a fiend looking for its next meal.



Faith watched the rooftops, keeping her hand on her blade as they rounded the corner leading into the Third District, even though she couldn’t feel any darkness, she was still keeping her guard up. It would not do if the Heartless caught her in a surprise attack, especially since she was of the Dragon Clan.



Willow didn’t feel the need to keep her guard up as the group walked through the district, but kept it up nonetheless, she was not going to take any chances. Her being a gray mage meant that she was in tune with any white, or black magic and she could feel either one being cast, or even just the presents of them. And all she felt at that moment was Merlin’s magic coming from his house at the back of the Third District.



Tara, being a white mage, could feel no more darkness about the town, and breathed a sigh of relief at not having to go through the sickness that was the Heartless. But the white mage knew to never let her guard down, even when everything felt all right, it didn’t mean that an enemy attack wouldn’t come. So, she stayed on guard, and prayed to the Fayth that it stayed quite.



The once dark twins felt at ease, there was no darkness to be felt at all anywhere near them, and just let the light night breeze caress their face as they followed the others. Neither girl was worried, since they knew the Heartless had given up on the world since the Keyhole was sealed.



The two princesses were taking in everything as they walked by it, and paying no mind as to if they were being watched or not. But that still didn’t mean their guard was down, because it wasn’t. Both girls had stayed on guard ever since they had appeared in the First District, and had not let it down even a fraction.



“Okay, just through this door and we’re there.” Buffy number two said pushing the double doors open, and leading the group through into the Third District. “Over here.” She opened the door of the small house, and waited for the others to step inside before she follow, shutting the door behind her.



“Whoa, where’d ya pick up more twins?” Faith number two asked when she saw the princesses and the other two twins stop just inside the doorway.



“They had been captured by the Heartless.” Willow said not wanting to tell of her and Buffy’s twin being used.



“We have to bring them, it was safer.” Faith told her twin, before sitting down next to her lover.



“Tell me, what happened.” Clay spoke as she and her lover came out of a side room.



Willow was the first to begin telling what had happened with Buffy helping out every chance she got. Tara and Faith also broke in a few times, speaking of what they’d felt when in Hollow Bastion and then go quite as they listened to their lovers.



The once dark Willow glanced around the room trying not to look at the princess, and took a deep breath, “Hey, you don’t need me, so I’m gonna go check this place out, okay?”



“Yeah, I’m going to.” The once dark Buffy said stepping beside her best friend.



Willow stared at her twin, and then Buffy’s before turning to Clay, “Is it safe out there? I didn’t feel any darkness, but I want to make sure they won’t be in any danger.”



Clay nodded, “Yeah, don’t worry. After you sealed the Keyhole the Heartless gave up, there haven’t been any attacks since.”



“Okay,” Willow gave the young woman a smile before turning to the other twins, “Go ahead, but if anything happens, let us know.”



“Sure.” The two nodded and left.



Outside the house…



Willow looked around spotting a set of stairs, “I’m gonna check out what’s down there.”



“Okay, I’m going back to the Second District, and check that out.” Buffy said approaching the door with her head lowered.



Willow watched the blonde disappear through the door before heading down the stairs, and finding nothing of interest, but could just make out a door. Shrugging her shoulders, and having nothing better to do, the redhead decided to find out what was on the other side. She approached the opening and saw a hall leading around to the other side, and coming out at the east side of the Third District. Willow stared down the small hall for a moment before moving closer to the door with a small engraving of a flame.



Being careful she opened the door slowly, and felt a calm come over her when she heard the slight trickling of water, and saw the small pond with Merlin’s house sitting in the center. Knowing it wouldn’t be good manners to just hop across the moving rocks and disturb the owner of the house; Willow sat down on the bank, and stared into the water. Thoughts raced through her mind faster than the speed of light causing her to sigh with regret of what she’d done. One thought that would not leave her was, had Buffy followed her willingly, or had she herself forced Buffy to follow? She didn’t know, but could only hope Buffy had willingly gone along with her.



That was only one thing she had to worry about, another was how she was going to win back Tara’s love. And for that matter, could she? Would Tara still want to be with her? Or would the princess tell her to take a hike, and never come back? The redhead couldn’t know what the princess thought, but she was willing to try and win back the love she once had…only after she came to terms with what she’d done. That was the third thing she worried about, how could she make amends after allowing all those worlds to be destroyed, and even helping kidnap the princesses of heart?



To Willow, there was no way she could, not after giving herself over to the darkness, and helping destroy so many worlds. Why couldn’t she have seen Maleficent was just using her? If she had seen it, the redhead knew she would not have allowed it to happen to either she, or Buffy. But that was the point, wasn’t it? The Heartless did not want to her see anything but her grief over knowing she’d lose Tara if she didn’t help. She knew if anything happened to the princess, she would follow soon after, and join her in the afterlife. If it would have her, and she was not too sure it would after all the things she’d done.



The Second District was just as quite as when the group first passed through, and Buffy was at least thankful for that. At that moment she was not up for a fight of any kind, and was glad she didn’t have to unsheathe her sword just to kill a few Heartless. She had walked over to the small fountain and could feel the presents of the Keyhole. A small smile formed on her lips, Traverse Town was one place those damn Heartless did not have a chance at destroying.



Turning to her right, Buffy saw a small door, and wondered where it led to. Since she was there, and couldn’t go back to the house where her lover was, the blonde let her curiosity get the better of her. The door slowly swung open, allowing the once dark Buffy to study the small hallway that ended in a T. A few moments passed, and when nothing jumped out and attacked her, Buffy stepped inside closing the door behind her. There were three large crates to her left and nothing but brick to her right. Following the hall to the end, she saw another six or seven crates and a dead end to her left, and a small stream of water in front of her, and the second story balcony of the inn up and to her right.



The sound of running water filled her ears soothing her nerves, and calming her down a small bit. The waterway led to a small steel gate at the far end, and another hallway to the right. Buffy looked back to the crates in the dead end section, and thought it would be the best place to sit down and think. The blonde approached the only single crate in between the two stacks of three, hopped up, crossing her legs, and allowing her mind to wander. How could the princess love her after what she had done? Yes, she had followed Willow into working for the Heartless, and then allowing the darkness into her body, but she was only doing it to get her lover back. But would Faith see it as that, or would she see it as Buffy not caring for anything other than herself?



Buffy did not know, but she knew it wasn’t like that. She had only allowed the darkness inside her body on the promise that she would get her lover back, and then what had happened? She and Willow had nearly killed their twins, and their twin’s lovers, all because they wouldn’t help get the princesses back. But now, Buffy knew that at the time they were fighting with their twins, they really did not know how to get the girls back, and they didn’t believe them. No, it wasn’t them; it was the darkness not allowing them to believe it. She knew that much, but still, why couldn’t they have fought off the urge to destroy those worlds? The blonde also knew that, the darkness loved death and destruction, and killing those worlds was the maximum for both.



The blonde snorted, she was making an excuse for what she and Willow had both done under the influence of the darkness, and she was above making an excuse for anything –especially when she knew it was her own damn fault- and she knew Willow was the same. The redhead did not make an excuse, she faced everything head on, and so did she, but this time neither of them could face their lovers. And that was one thing she knew as to why, neither she nor Willow wanted to see the disappointment in the princesses’ eyes. If anything, that hurt worse than a sword through the heart. Would Faith and Tara have she and Willow executed when the worlds were restored? She really hoped not, but if it came to that, then she would face it, and take her punishment for what it was.



Back at the house Tara, Faith, the princesses, Donald and Goofy all leaned forward when Willow began to speak of what had happened when the portal opened under their feet. “We were floating in a dark space, and there was nothing around, only the complete darkness. When I tried to move I found that my body had been frozen.”



“Same as me.” Buffy interrupted, nodding.



“Then this voice spoke to us, and could hear our thoughts…he, the voice, spoke of granting us a great power…a power to save everyone in the castle. He laughed when we told him to get lost, and said that we couldn’t refuse his offer as if he hadn’t made it.” Willow lowered her eyes to the floor and took a deep breath as she remembered the image she and Buffy had been shown.



Buffy could tell Willow was having trouble, and if she spoke the truth, she too, really didn’t want to talk about it, “He showed us an image of a slaughter… your deaths.” She said glancing at the others, “I felt a power growing inside of me, as I’m sure Will did.”



“Yeah.” Willow nodded rubbing her left hand over her face with a sigh, “I felt a huge power growing inside my body, and broke whatever it was holding me. The voice had then said we could save everyone if we just accepted his offer.”



“As you can see, we didn’t.” Buffy leaned back, “And since we didn’t we ended up getting thrown into another pitch-black area…” The Al Bhed shivered and closed her eyes, “I could feel it, the darkness, it was trying to invade my body…I screamed and felt the power once more flare up, and push it away.”



“It was the same with me,” Willow stood, “But even though the darkness was pushed back, it kept coming back, trying once more to find a way inside my body. And then…and then I heard the man’s voice again, telling me everything would be fine, then a power surrounding my body, and that’s it.”



“I heard the voice too, and felt a power, afterwards I fell unconscious.” Buffy sighed and glanced around, “When we woke up we were standing in the Chapel where we fought Maleficent, and we were both shadows.”



“Almost as if it were our thoughts, we ended up vanishing and reappearing where you guys were.” Willow said staring out the window.



Clay sat back shaking her head, “That’s a hellva story, but how did you become those shadows in the first place?”



Buffy shrugged, “Shiva only knows.”



“I think it was the power we felt surrounding us before falling unconscious.” Willow turned letting her gaze set on Buffy, “You felt it, right? The power as it entered your body, it somehow felt safe, right? Like it was protecting us… I think it… No. I know it changed us into shadows so we could get to the others safely.”



The princesses nodded, that made sense, but it seemed to the others it didn’t, “Look at it this way,” All eyes turned to Princess Tara, “If they had just been sent back as they are now, they would have been most possibly attacked and killed.”



“Yes.” Princess Faith said rising from her seat, “Even though they are excellent fighters, you all saw how many of the Heartless, or should I say felt, appeared when we were leaving. If they had appeared in the center of that, then they wouldn’t be standing here.”



Willow’s twin glanced around the room, her eyes stopping on each and everyone in the group, “I think you all need to rest, but first and foremost you need to eat.”



“That’s right, I bet y’all are starvin’.” Buffy’s twin said bouncing out of her lover’s lap, “C’mon Will!” she grabbed the redhead and pulled her into the small kitchen, causing everyone but Clay, and Faith’s twin to blink.



“Umm…they cook?” Faith asked staring at her twin and received a nod.



“And that isn’t dangerous?” Princess Tara asked blinking again when Clay shook her head.



Tara looked from Faith, to the princesses, and then to Clay, as Faith did the same, “Just don’t let our Willow and Buffy anywhere near a kitchen, okay?”



“Same goes for our Willow and Buffy.” Princess Faith quickly agreed.



“Hey!” Both Willow and Buffy shouted, crossing their arms, and huffing, “We can cook just fine!” Willow agreed with a nod as the Al Bhed spoke.



“Yeah, as long as you like everything burnt, or half raw.” Faith smirked, causing the others to giggle, and Willow and Buffy to, once more, huff.



********

There's 52 and I'm tweeking 53 I should have it out tomorrow. Hope y'all enjoyed

[Egnalos]

Good to know that you're feeling better now, but you better take care of those ribs ok? no more achies; achies are bad.



Now, about the update, I have to say that at first I got a little confused with so many Taras, Willows, Buffys and Faiths in one scene; but that's because I'm a slow reader what with trying to get my english right (not being my first language and all), but I'm getting better, I think; at least you understand what I say when I write because you are answering me so I must be doing something right.



Anyway, now I get the picture of why the girls were turned into shadows, and about Willow and Buffy's ex dark twins I don't know, it would be easy to say that what they did wasn't their fault because they were possessed by darkness but it was in the end their decision and they let themselves be ruled by it so... I guess I'll wait for their explanation to their lovers to get a better idea of how things happened but I still think they shouldn't be left off the hook so easily.



Now this whole exchange was really funny...

Quote:

---

“You’re back!” Another Buffy shouted glomping on to the twin, and causing the other girl to scream.



“Get off me you freak!” The twin shouted, and jumped back causing the other Buffy to pout.



“What the hell’s your problem?” The new Buffy asked, right before hearing a giggle, and turning to see Buffy, “There you are!” she screamed happily, making a mad dash toward the giggling girl, and glomping on her. “Damn! You brought a grouchy one back, didn’t you?” she asked and slapped Buffy’s ass, “But I’m sure we can get her in a good mood.” She smirked, causing Buffy’s eyes to widen.



Holy Shiva! This one has turned into one of those twins! The look on the Al Bhed girl’s face caused Willow to join the other Buffy in laughing, and Buffy number three to growl, and cut her eyes to Willow’s twin, all the while shaking her head.



“Come on, guys, we need to go see Clay.” Donald quickly put in before the girls could even speak of sex.



“Ah, good ole Clay, she’s in her room with a very naked Willow screaming her name.” Buffy number two smirked, and giggled when a blush showed through Donald’s feathers.



“Huh, sounds like these two, doesn’t it?” Faith let a smirk cross her face as she watched Tara and Willow blush; her smirk grew when she saw Princess Tara and Willow’s twin blushing.



“Hey! You two are just as loud!” Willow shot back; causing Faith and Buffy number three to shrug. The redhead was surprised when Princess Faith blushed, that was one difference between them.



“I can’t listen to this anymore!” Donald shouted and made a mad dash toward the doors that would lead him into the Second District, and on to the Third –with Goofy following closely behind.

---

as was the part in the end about Willow and Buffy's cooking skills.



Great update with lots of goodies in it, so...



More goodies soon please?



God! I just realised how long this post was... sorry.

Edited by: Egnalos at: 3/1/05 9:39 am

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Hey,my ribs are finally better...no more ouchies ^_^ I'm sorry I confused you with so many twins running around, needless to say it confused me >_< so thats why I came up with numbering them And I think your english is fine, so no need to worry about it. The ex-dark twins won't be let off that easy, although in this chapter it may seem like it, but they won't be. I'm glad you liked the part when the group returned and then the cooking skills... *shrugs* I just had to put that in ^_^





Final Fantasy X-3

Pairing: W/T B/F

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later



Note: I'm sorry about how late this chapter is getting out, but real life has been catching up to me. Especially what with all the packing and moving, and now my aunt has come down to visit...so it really been close to a panic around here. So here's the very late update, again I apologize, and I'm working on the next chapter as much as I can.





Chapter Fifty-Three: The Twins



Princess Tara and Princess Faith watched the small clock tick, and wondered just where their lovers were. It had been nearly an hour, and they still hadn’t come back. The blonde princess was beginning to worry, and could see that same worry on Princess Faith’s face. “I’m going to go look for Willow.” She said standing, followed by the dark haired princess.



“Yes, I’m worried about Buffy, and I cannot feel any darkness in this town, so I assume it is safe.”



Clay studied her counterpart closely before setting her eyes on Faith’s twin, “There may not be any darkness left on this world, but the Heartless could still show up and cause trouble.”



“Do not worry,” Princess Tara smiled at her worrying twin, “We can take care of ourselves.” She spoke walking toward the door with the other princess behind her.



“Okay, but if anything happens, hurry back here and we’ll take care of it.” Buffy said watching her twin nod her head with an evil smirk on her face. I really think she needs to get out more, Buffy thought shaking her head.



The group watched the two princesses disappear through the door, and resumed speaking about what had happened since they last left Traverse Town.



Both princesses glowed white for a moment, before glancing at the other, “I wonder why they aren’t together?” Faith asked having felt her lovers aura in the Second District and Willow’s in the Third.



“I think they needed time to themselves so they could work out what has happened, and I figure Willow is blaming herself for everything.”



Princess Faith nodded with a sad sigh; it never failed when something bad happened their lovers would blame themselves, even if it wasn’t their fault. “You’re right; Buffy is likely doing the same thing.”



“Will you be fine on your own, or would you like me to walk with you?”



“Don’t worry yourself over me, I will be fine.”



“Okay, then I will meet you later.” Princess Tara smiled as she started down the stairs, and toward the door leading to the pond surrounding Merlin’s house.



The princess pressed on the flame door, and stepped through quietly so as not to allow Willow to hear her. Tara couldn’t see her lover anywhere, and was just beginning to think she had jumped across the rocks to the house when she heard a light splash. Turning to the right the princess could just barely make out Willow. The redhead was sitting on the bank with her legs crossed, and a small pile of rocks next to her; Tara watched her pick up one of the larger stones, and give it a hard throw, sending it nearly to the other side of the pond. Willow sighed, she’d been hoping that the darkness was gone, and that the others had rid her and Buffy of it, but it seemed like it was still there –running through her veins, and keeping her almost as strong as before.



Tara could tell her lover was worried, and with good reason, even she could still feel the darkness on her, but the princess knew how to get rid of that for good. All she had to do was keep Willow from making up an excuse to walk of in a hurry. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” she quietly asked sitting next to the redhead, and taking her hand to keep Willow from running off.



Willow tensed up and tried to rise, but the princess held fast causing the redhead to sigh. She wasn't going to get away this time, "Yeah...it is." She whispered staring into the water. She wanted so much to squeeze her lover's hand, but couldn't, in her mind she had no right.



"Why did you do it?" The princess asked, she wanted to hear in Willow's own words why she had allowed the darkness in her body.



"Don't you know?" Was the only reply, a reply that angered the princess to no end.



"Damn it, Will! That is not an answer!" The princess shouted, she couldn't take any more of the way her lover was acting. Willow for her part stared at the princess with her jaw on the ground, and knew Tara was pissed.



"I know it isn't an answer! But what the hell am I suppose to say?" Willow growled, "I saw the damned Heartless take you, and I couldn't do anything to stop it!" The redhead pulled her hand away from the princess and stood, "Damn it, Tara! If only I had been stronger I could have stopped it!"



"But being stronger does not answer my question."



Willow turned, staring at the princess, the darkness clouding her eyes, "It answers it to a T, Tara." she spoke and tried to calm down, so as not to allow what was left of the darkness to take over her body once more, "I could have kept you with me, and not only stood by and watched as you were taken...watched as everyone, our world was destroyed."



Tara opened her mouth to speak, but watched as her lover fell to her knees, "Maleficent said your heart was gone, and that I would have to be stronger to get it back...so I allowed her to give me the strength to get your heart back. Even though that strength came from darkness, it was the only choice, I love you, and I would have walked straight into hell just to get you back." Tears fell to the ground as Willow spoke, "I had thought it was the only way..."



"But it wasn't." The princess whispered, "I was always with you until the darkness entered your body."



"I know that now, and I hate what I did, what I've become."



The princess stood, slowly approached the redhead, and kneeled in front of her, "Will, look at me." Raising her head allowed Tara to see what was left of the darkness swirling in her eyes, "I love you, Will, nothing will ever change that, but you have to understand I cannot just say everything is alright, because it isn't."



Willow lowered her head, but nodded, "I know...and I'll do whatever I can to regain your trust."



"There are two things you can do for now, one is to let us purge the darkness from your body. The second, I want you to fight along side the others, and destroy the Heartless." Tara smiled, "And then we'll see."



"How will we get the darkness out of my body?"



The princess shrugged, "I don't know, but I'm sure the others and I can come up with something."



"Then let's go." Willow stood holding her hand out, and helping the princess to stand.



In the Second District…



Princess Faith walked through the Second District, all the while keeping her senses on her lover. The princess could feel the deep regret and sadness coming off Buffy in strong waves, and pushed the alley door open. What the princess had felt before opening the door was nearly pushed her back, leaning against the wall to steady herself the princess took a deep breath. Hating to do it, but knowing she had to, Faith raised her shields against her lover’s feelings before walking forward. The princess stopped where the hall ended, and closed her eyes for a moment before turning toward the left where she could feel her lover. Faith knew if she called out to Buffy she’d most likely run, so instead the slowly approached and found her lover sitting on top a crate with her eyes closed.



Seeing her lover look so lost hurt the princess, and she had to wonder just why had the Heartless felt the need to attack. When they had attacked they had taken she and Tara against their will and in doing so caused their lovers to become lost. She and Tara had been placed in a deep sleep but during that time they had felt something trying to gain access to their hearts. When that had happened, both princesses had allowed their hearts to leave their bodies, and seek out their lovers. Everything had been fine up until Maleficent had given the girls the dark power, and they had to leave their lover’s bodies to a much safer place, the doubles. Now that everything was said and done, she just wished Buffy would at least speak with her.



Buffy had felt her lover approaching closer, and had thought to leave as quickly as she could, but just didn’t have the strength for it. Whatever Faith needed to say she knew she had to hear it, but she just knew she wasn’t going to like it. Her lover grew closer and stopped, not saying a word, but the blonde could feel her lover’s eyes on her, and knew Faith was thinking. Buffy got the urge to bolt past the princess and not look back, but pushed it back, and waited.



“Why are you out here alone?” Princess Faith asked watching her lover and hoped to see her eyes open, but gave a quite sigh when she didn’t. Faith stepped closer and leaned against the crate her lover was currently sitting on, and touched the other girl’s arm.



“Don’t touch me!” Buffy whispered harshly jerking her arm away, and scooting further away from the princess. The blonde lowered her head once more when she saw the hurt in her lover’s eyes, hurt that she’d just caused by moving away, “Please…just don’t.”



Faith barely nodded, "Why? Why did you side with the Heartless?" she asked staring at her lover.



"I wanted you back but there was no way for me to do it alone." Buffy leaned against the stone wall, “And I wasn't strong enough... When we confronted Maleficent and she told us your hearts were gone, it was then I knew neither of us had the strength to get either of you back. So when she offered us the power I was ready to accept it without a fuss, and so was Will."



"But we were always with you, inside your own hearts."



"I know, but how was I to know then? You sure as hell didn't give me any clues as to where you were hiding!"



"And what then Buffy? If I had let you know what would you have done? Led the Heartless straight to me and Tara, that's what!" The princess snapped, causing Buffy to flinch, "I do not want to come across as bitchy, but you have to agree your knowing would have led the Heartless to our hearts, and that was one thing that could not have had happened."



The blonde nodded, "Yes, you are right, but I ask again, how were we to know your hearts were within ours?"



"I love you, Buffy, can you not know that if something ever happens to me I'll always be with you, in your heart?"



"I'm sorry, all I could see was getting you back, and I didn't think about anything else...I'm sorry for what I've become. A princess kidnapping, world destroying, Heartless underling. And I know I have a lot of work to do before you can ever trust me again."



Princess Faith closed her eyes, opening the link between she and Tara, a small smile crossed her face as she opened her eyes, "You can start by allowing us to cleanse you of what darkness is left in your body. And another you can work side-by-side with your twins to destroy the Heartless."



"That's all?" Buffy glanced up, staring into Faith's eyes.



Faith stared back, watching the darkness swirl about in her lover's eyes, "We'll see, but be sure of this, your work is far from over." The princess smirked, "You may have to be my servant for a few weeks."



Buffy quirked her eyebrows, being Faith's servant didn't sound like a bad job, so what was the catch? Shrugging she nodded, "Okay, then let's get the darkness out of me." Buffy grinned, hopped off the crate, grabbed Faith's hand, and headed back toward the Third District.



********

There's chapter 53 and I'm working on 54 as fast as I can. Hope ya enjoyed

To be forgotten is worse than death.

[Egnalos]

Oh! You're back! Yay!



So no more ouchies then? That's great. It's always good to know that you're doing better; I was starting to worry with the whole you not showing up thingy you know? and not for the update mind you...



And talking about the updat-y goodness...



Well what can I say? The talk between the ex dark twins and their lovers explains a little more about what happened with them, and in some ways the talk between Tara and Willow kinda makes me think on how it would have been if in the show Willow and Tara would have had the chance to actually talk after the whole thing with DM-Willow (of course that would have mean having Tara around ) and well I figure that it would have been a little like the way you wrote it, but I don't know, the whole deal with Willow and her addiction to magic to me was never really that well done in the show since her addiction was used as an excuse to have the big bad of the season and wasn't treated as the real serious problem that an addiction represents so I guess that it never was really clear to me how they deal with everything that comes after Willow stopped using magic since they jump from the end of season 6 to the Willow in season 7 almost as good as new (almost being the key word). And by now you'll be wondering what all this rambling is about, and well it was just so say that since in you're fic Willow and Buffy's twins are going through the same I'm really looking forward to see how are you going to make work things out (the phrase "And I usually don’t use so many words to say stuff that little... " suddenly comes to mind... ).



Well then I've rambled enough, so off I go now...



Love the update. More soon? please!!

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Nope, no more ouchies ^_^ I agree with you, Willow's addiction to magic wasn't done all that well in the show, and when season 7 came along she was almost back to normal. What they should have done was kept Tara alive, and had her to help Willow with the addiction through season 7 as they fought with 7's big bad. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter, its Willow and Tara, Buffy and Faith talking about what happened. ^_^



Note: Sorry about the delay, but we were moving, and with all the packing, moving, and unpacking, it took its toll out on me. But I found the time to work on the update, and here it is. I do hope its good. I am working on the next update, which should be the cleansing of the (ex) Dark Twins, that is if I can figure out how to get it done without making it look sloppy. >_<



Final Fantasy X-3

Pairing: W/T B/F

Rating: R

Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later



Chapter Fifty-Four: Two Separate Conversations



After the group finished the rather good meal prepared by their twins, Willow and BUffy stood and stretched. Both girls could feel their lovers’ eyes on them, and felt like crawling into a hole to hide, both knew they were in for it and really didn't feel up to having that conversation at the moment. The urge to get away grew just a little more as Tara and Faith's gaze hardened a bit more. Willow knew they needed the rest, but there was no way they could rest if they started talking about what had happened. The redhead caught site of Buffy's widened eyes, and somehow just knew that the other girls were just a little pissed, and was most likely growing more angry as they thought about what had happened.



"Well, I'm gonna go for a walk, okay?" Willow spoke as she slowly made her way to the door like a person backing away from a mother grizzly bear, and trying to shake off the feeling Tara's gaze was giving her, "I'll... uh, be back later."



“Wait up!” Buffy bounced over trying not to flinch under Faith’s gaze, “I think I’ll join ya.”



Clay nodded, she too had seen her twin staring at the redhead, and couldn’t help but think that Willow should get out for a while. The blonde cut her eyes to Faith, yes, and Buffy should go too, “Sure, just keep your guard up.”



“Don’t worry, we will.” Buffy spoke as Willow nodded and hurried through the door.



Outside the girls looked around and sighed, they could feel where the twins were, and had no intension of disturbing them. Remembering the rooftop that gave a good view of the Second District Willow decided she should go there, and grabbed Buffy as she headed for the double doors, “Come on.”



“Where we goin’?” Buffy asked being pulled into the Second District.



Willow let the Al Bhed’s hand go, “Well, since there isn’t that much in the Third District we should just stay outta there. And besides, the rooftop where the bell is has a great view.”



“Okay, but I think I’ll head into the First District.” Buffy watched the redhead jump on to the walkway.



“Have fun.” Willow grinned and headed for the ladder leading to the rooftop as Buffy made her way toward the First District.



From atop of the roof Willow watched as Buffy bypassed the stairs, hopped up onto the balcony, and slipped through the door back into the First District. Willow swung her legs back and forth as she studied the Second District, the two doors leading into either end of the inn needed a new coat of paint seeing as there were claw marks starting from the top and ending at the very bottom. The windows of a few shops were in need of a good cleaning, it was as if they hadn’t been cleaned in a month, but then again with all the fighting she and the others had been doing the windows were bound to get dirty. And the streets really needed to be swept up from the broken crates, and where the street had been broken apart from her spell. The redhead knew everything that needed cleaning was due to the Heartless having been there, but now that they were no longer hanging around, the people of Traverse Town really needed to get in gear. Hearing a door shut, Willow looked toward the waterway and spotted Princess Faith and Buffy’s twin, and kept her eyes on the two young women as they passed by.



Willow let a soft smile cross her face as Buffy’s twin held the Third District door open, and bowed as the princess stepped through, lightly smacking the blonde on her shoulder. At least Buffy’s twin wasn’t trying to avoid the princess any more, and was even looking happier, Yeah, Will, you moron, I would have been just like her… but then again, I am in a way…by avoiding Tara. But I need to just think and having both Tara and Faith watching both me and Buffy all the time doesn’t help the thought process.



With a sigh, Willow leaned back and stared into the sky watching the stars twinkle. It seemed like a thousand years ago the last time she and Tara had just laid on the beach doing the same thing. The redhead let her thoughts wander and never saw the door leading to the First District open and close, nor did she feel a pair of eyes watching her from the shadows.



As soon as the door shut Buffy’s shoulders had slumped forward as the Al Bhed let out a relieved sigh. Even though she hated running away from Faith, she knew it was for the best at the moment. She needed to get her thoughts in order, and there was no way she could when she could feel her lover’s eyes burning a hole through her back. Glancing around she saw a Moogle outside of the upper section of Giles’ shop and blinked, why was he standing there? Shrugging the blonde smiled, “Hey, what’s up?”



The Moogle hopped up and down, “Mr. Giles is letting us use the attic of the shop to make better weapons, and items. Would the great warrior-lady be interested in anything of the sorts?”



Buffy giggled, no one had ever called her a “great warrior-lady” before, and she figured no one ever would, but it was nice to hear it even if the little guy was trying to make a sale. “Tell ya what, I’ll talk with the others, and we’ll see, okay?”



“Sure!” The Moogle chirped happily, once again bouncing up and down, “We’re cheaper than the other stores, just look at these prices!” he handed the blonde an item/weapon list, “We can upgrade any and all weaponry, and even make your Potions as strong as Hi-Potions.”



“Thanks,” Buffy grinned and nodded, “I’ll show this to the others… some of our weapons need to be upgraded.” She winked causing the Moogle to blush and nod with wide eyes. Giving the Moogle one last smile, Buffy hopped down from the upper level into an alleyway where she leaned against a couple of crates, and began to think. With her thoughts bouncing around the Al Bhed never heard the door open, nor did she feel the energy as a figure stepped into the First District.



When Willow and Buffy had almost bolted through the door in their haste to get away from them, Tara had stood, only to feel a hand on her shoulder. Glancing behind her the blonde saw Clay shake her head, “Give them a few minutes before running after them, okay?”



“What in hellfire do you mean by that?” Faith stood up with a glare, and started toward the door.



“What I mean by that is give them a few minutes. They both need to think, and with the two of you staring at them they can’t.” Clay lowered her hand and took her seat once more, “Look, you’re worried about them, I know how you feel, but you also have to give them space and let them think. If not, it will only cause trouble.”



Tara stared at her twin for a moment before sighing, Clay was right, Willow needed to think right now, and trying to force anything out of her wouldn’t be a good idea. “Faith let’s give them a few minutes.” The dark haired girl nodded, and sat back down, if Tara saw no reason to hurry after Willow and Buffy then she could wait, and besides, she knew Clay was right about giving the girls time to think, she just didn’t want to let her know that she knew.



Five minutes later the door opened allowing Princess Tara and Willow’s twin to enter, and sit down next to Clay as Willow and Buffy number two brought out a meal for the girls. It wasn’t long after that Princess Faith and Buffy’s twin entered and sat next to the others to eat. Tara stood, nodded to Faith, and left the small house in search of her lover and Buffy.



As soon as the two girls entered the Second District they both opened their senses, allowing them to feel out their lovers, and moved forward. Tara nodded to Faith once she saw Willow’s legs dangling over the edge of the rooftop, and hopped on to the walkway, before moving to the ladder as Faith headed toward the First District. The ex-summoner quietly stepped onto the roof, and just for a moment watched Willow staring up at the sky, she saw Faith slip through the door, and silently approached her lover.



Willow was so deep in thought that she never felt Tara sit next to her; she only became aware of her presents when the blonde intertwined their fingers. Blinking, Willow sat up and lowered her head, she knew that if Tara had come out here she wanted to talk, and the redhead figured it was as good a time as any. At least it’d be over and done with, and she wouldn’t have to worry about it any more, “Hey.” She whispered softly.



“Hey,” Tara whispered back and looked into the sky, “Nice night.”



“Yeah.” Willow nodded and then shook her head, “Tara, I’m sorry.” She spoke, wanting to get it out of the way.



“For what?” Tara kept her eyes on the stars; bound and determined to let Willow speak first, and in doing so, hoped that she would tell her everything.



Willow for her part knew what Tara was doing, and was grateful; at least she could talk without Tara jumping to any conclusions, “About everything that has happened. You know, worrying you and not telling about what was gonna happen. I’m sorry, but I was told not to tell you, I wanted to tell you and so did Buffy, but we also knew that if we had told you and Faith what was going to happen you’d both try and stop it. And that could not have happened, if either of you had tried to stop us, or step between us and the twins, then the darkness would have won.” Willow sighed, and looked over at her wife.



Tara had stopped staring at the sky and had been watching her lover as she spoke, “Tell me, when did this happen? And who was the one that told you not to tell us?”



“Remember Monstro? When he swallowed the ship, and we crashed? Well, that was when both Buffy and I had the dream. My mother was the one in my dream, and Buffy said that Giles had been in hers. We both were told of a test we’d have to pass, and that if we told you and Faith that you’d try and stop it, and that couldn’t happen, otherwise the darkness would have won.” Willow stopped for a moment and took a deep breath, before continuing, “That was why we were acting weird, we were torn between protecting you, fighting our twins, and this test. When we reached Hollow Bastion we knew it was time, but we didn’t know what was going to happen, only that we were told to let Donald and Goofy do as they wished…we didn’t know our twins were going to gain control of the Keyblades, and we sure as hellfire didn’t know what was going to happen in the chapel.”



“I didn’t need protecting, what I needed was to know what was wrong with my wife and cousin, why you both were acting the way you were, why you wouldn’t tell me anything, why you weren’t trusting me. That’s what I needed at the time…and now that I know…”

“Tara, I trusted you I just didn’t want you getting hurt because of something that was up to me and Buffy, and I know that’s how she felt too.”



“Do you know how I felt when I saw you fall though that portal? How I felt when I saw that blade in your chest? It was horrible!” Tara lowered her head as tears splashed on the top of her hands, “At that moment, I’d almost gave up…I thought I’d never get you back, but something told me I would, and I believed it.” The ex-summoner felt her wife’s gentle arms wrap around her, and pull her into a firm hug, “Willow, tell me, what happened in that realm? You told us what happened, but you didn’t tell us what stopped you from taking the offer. I know you Will, and I know Buffy, so when you watched us get killed what stopped you from taking the darkness in your bodies?”



Willow grinned she knew Tara would ask, “That was the easy part. When the voice said that we could still save everyone, we took a closer look at the scene. There was something off to begin with, but we didn’t notice it due to watching the fight…but when we’d calmed down and actually looked, we saw that you were wearing your summoner outfit, the one you were wearing when we first met. That’s what had told us the scene we had been watching wasn’t real.”



“And then you confronted the voice, right?”



“Actually we said, “I choose No you sorry bastard, so leave us alone!” and then that’s when we had been tossed into the other place.” Willow shrugged and looked as innocent as she could, which in turn caused Tara to giggle.



“I love you, Willow, the guardian of my heart.”



“And I love you too, Tara, the summoner of my heart.” The redhead lay back, taking Tara with her, and stared up at the night sky as Tara began drawing small circles on her belly.



Second District…



Faith stepped through the door and saw the same small Moogle that Buffy had spoken to, and approached him. The little pink guy hopped up and down as another “hottie” approached him, “Would the beautiful warrior lady like a weapon upgrade?” he asked stopping Faith in her tracks, “We’re cheaper than all the other shops, and we can do just about anything you’d want.” He stopped and looked Faith over, “Oh, are you with the other warrior lady?”



“By warrior lady you mean a small blonde woman with green eyes that has swirls, right?”



The little Moogle nodded happily, “Yeah! That’s her! She said that she would talk to her companions about coming here and getting upgrades.”



“Sounds like Buffy.” Faith grinned, “You wouldn’t happen to know where she went, would you?”



“Over there.”



“Thank you.” Faith winked at him, causing a small bright blush to creep up on his neck and face, and hopped down into the small alleyway that Buffy had gone just a few minutes before.



Buffy –for her part- was still sitting on the same crate and was still lost in thought, never noticing that her lover was watching from a few feet away. She still didn’t know how to approach the subject on what had happened in Hallow Bastion, but she was damn sure trying to come up with something, anything that would help her through the talk she knew was heading her way. Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt a soft kiss on her cheek, glancing up in surprise Buffy quickly lowered her eyes when she saw Faith. “I didn’t know you were here.”



“I don’t think you’d noticed Sin falling from the sky and landing in front of you.” Faith smirked hopping up to sit beside the Al Bhed, “You were pretty deep in thought.”



“Yeah…you know, everything that much easier back on Spira, I mean after we defeated Sin life was good…the there was Omega, and now were jumping from world to world trying to save them from the Heartless.” Buffy shook her head and looked into the sky, “It was in Monstro when I had the dream, it was Giles that had come to me and spoke of Willow and mine’s test, and also told me not to tell you or the others. I wanted too, but…”



“But why didn’t you if you had wanted to?”



The blonde kept her eyes on a bright star and could see Spira, even though she didn’t know which star was Spira, she still knew that the one she was looking at could be her home, “Because he said that telling you could cause problems, and in all fairness, it would have.”



“What do you mean?” Faith asked, she knew what Buffy was getting at, and she knew it to be true, yes, she would have stopped it if she could have, and she would have tried with everything she had to do just that.



Buffy shook her head with a small smile before setting her eyes on her dark haired lover, :”Look Faith, don’t play games with me, I know you, and I know that you wouldn’t have allowed that to happen if you had known about it.”



“Fair enough,” Faith grinned, “But I wanna know about that realm you and Will were in, what in hellfire happened in there? And what stopped you from taking the power of darkness when you saw our deaths?” Faith had to know, it had been bothering her ever since she’d heard what had happened, and she knew that if it’d been her; she would have allowed the darkness in without a second thought if it meant she could get her lover back.



“That was easy, whoever was showing us that scene didn’t know how to manipulate a person, he showed us a battle scene of your deaths, but one thing was off. And after me and Will calmed down we saw that Tara was wearing her summoner outfit, you know the one she wore when we fought Sin?”



“So you told the voice about it?”



“Nope, we more or less said no you bastard and to get away from us.” A smile crossed Buffy’s face when Faith threw her head back and laughed.



“That’s my girl, tell ‘em where to get off at.”



“Got that right.” Buffy giggled, and pulled her lover into a tight hug, “Which one do you think is Spira?”



The dark haired woman shrugged, “Don’t know, but it really doesn’t matter, we know it’s out there, and it’s safe.”



“Yeah, that it is, but for how long?”



Faith placed a kiss on the top of the Al Bhed’s head, “Don’t worry about it, when and if the Heartless attack it, we’ll stop them. No one will get out home without a fight.”



“I love you my dragon.” Buffy snuggled against her lover as she stared into the nighttime sky.



“I love you too my little desert thief.”



********

There's 54 and I'm working on 55, I do hope this chapter was a good enough. Hope ya enjoyed ^_^

[Egnalos]

Ha! so everything was just as simple as a change in Tara's outfit. Who would have thought uh?



And about those "eyes" wandering around ^_^ ...



Ok then... just popped in to let you know that I'm still following this story; how could I not? but right now I'm in a bit of a hurry so gotta go.



More soon, please?

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - This chapter you'll find out who's eyes were wandering around. As for it being just a change in Tara's outfut, I had wanted it to be easy to see once the girls really looked at what was going on. And here's the update...finally ^_^


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later

Chapter Fifty-Five: Cleansing

The form of a young boy appeared next to a large waterfall, his deep brown eyes scanning the flower fields below, "Well, how did they look? And did anyone know you were there watching?" Shiva asked as she appeared next to Bahamut, and just as he, scanned the fields with her icy blue eyes.

"No,” the boy shook his head, “No one knew I was there, and everyone looked fine, even their twins were doing better."

"That is good." A deep voice spoke, announcing the arrival of Ifrit, "Let's just hope they stay in good condition for the coming battles."

The three ex-Aeons stood together as two other forms began to take shape to the right, and two to the left. "Faith will make damn sure she and the others come out of it alive." Harmony said as she and Hallie appeared.

"Yes, and the Lady Tara and Guardian Willow will do their best to protect everyone in the group and each other." Lenne spoke as she and her lover appeared.

Tsuki firmly nodded, "Yeah, they are all excellent fighters, so we have no need to worry about them fighting the Heartless."

"But what of Spira?" A new voice asked as the form of Valefore took shape next to the one time summoner, "We all know they're after our home, and not to mention us!"

"For now," Bahamut spoke as he turned and looked at each of the others one by one, "We can handle the Heartless, and we will not disturb the Lady Tara."

"Yes," Another female voice spoke, causing the others to turn in the direction of the appearing Anima, "If, and only if the Heartless become too much for us that is when we will warn Lady Tara."

Carbuncle appeared next to Shiva and glanced around, “You know they will be calling on us when they are ready, don’t you?”

“Yes, we know, and when the Lady Tara calls on us, we will answer her call for they will need our help.” Bahamut spoke, and saw the young girl nod, “Now, let us watch over Spira until we are called upon.” The Aeons, Tsuki, and Lenne nodded before disappearing back to their posts to keep guard over Spira.

Traverse Town...

Tara had raised her head and looked into the shadows when she felt what she thought was Bahamut's energy. As she stared into the darkness the ex-summoner shrugged, what would the Aeon be doing here? Was something happening on Spira that she and the others should know about? If so, wouldn't someone warn them in their dreams that Spira was in danger? Yes, she had no doubt about that, but why did she just now feel the Aeon's energy? Tara lightly shook her head, she was probably just tired, that's all. "What's wrong, baby?" Willow's softly spoken words pulled Tara out of her train of thought.

"Nothing, just thought I'd felt something." The blonde gave her lover a crooked grin, and left a soft kiss on her lips, "We should get back before the others start to worry."

Willow agreed and rose, holding her hand out to help her lover up, as the two young women jumped to the ground, Faith and Buffy jumped down from the balcony and grinned, “Well, looks like its time to see what’s up with the twins?” Faith spoke as she took Buffy’s hand and began walking toward the Third District door.

“Yeah,” Willow nodded and cocked her head to the left, “for some reason I get the feeling that the princesses want us to help them with something.”

Tara cut her eyes toward her wife and couldn’t help but wonder how Willow knew that, “I can feel it too.” Buffy said scratching her head, “I wonder what’s up?” The ex-summoner blinked and stared at her cousin, now she was starting to get just a little pissed, not to mention Faith was too. Why could their lovers feel what their twins wanted? Why wasn’t it them? Tara and Faith should be the ones feeling what the princesses wanted, not their lovers, and they couldn’t help but think that the princesses was sending the feelings to Willow and Buffy, and not them. The only thing both girls could think at that moment was that those two princesses better not be making a move on their lovers, cause if they were, then there would be hell to pay.

“You know,” Willow stopped just a foot away from the door, “I’m also getting a worried feeling from my twin.” Glancing at the others she saw Buffy nod, and blinked at the angry look Tara and Faith had in their eyes.

“Why are the two of you picking up on our twins’ feelings?” Faith asked in a very low, and what they all knew was a dangerous voice, “Shouldn’t me and Tara be getting our twins’ feelings?”

Buffy squeezed her lover’s hand, and smiled, “I dunno, but maybe it’s because you’re not connected with them like us.”

“What’s that mean?” Tara asked angrily, causing Willow and Buffy to step back, “We’re the same persons, so it should be Faith and myself, not the two of you.”

The redhead cut her eyes to Buffy and shrugged, she didn’t know why Tara was angry, but she had a pretty good idea that her wife was a little on the jealous side, “Baby, it’s most likely cause they were hiding inside us that we can feel them.” She said hoping that she was at least half right, and hoping that it would help calm both Tara and Faith down before going back into the Third District.

After a moment Willow and Buffy could see their lovers relax and knew what Willow had said helped, “Hey, we need to talk with you.” Clay said as she opened the Third District door and poked her head around, “The princesses are going to need our help to get the darkness out of their lovers.” The four young women followed Clay back to the house, and entered to find both ex-dark twins sitting on the floor with the princesses sitting to their right.

“Please, Willow, Buffy, sit in front of them, and everyone else sit in a circle around them.” Princess Tara spoke and watched as the others did as she asked, “Willow, you’re a master gray mage, correct?” Willow nodded, “Buffy, you’re intermediate, correct?” she received a nod, “I need you to take the hands of your double, and don’t let go no matter what, okay?”

The Al Bhed and redhead glanced at one another, “What’s going to happen?” Willow finally asked worry lacing her voice.

Princess Tara lowered her head, “This will be painful for the both of them, you see, the darkness has a very strong hold on them, even if the most of it’s gone.”

Tara glanced from Willow and Buffy’s twins to her own, “How are we going to help?” she asked not entirely sure of what was going to happen, “We’ve never had to do something like this before.”

“That is where you come in…” Princess Faith spoke catching everyone’s attention, “You have what are called Aeons, correct?” when she received a nod her eyes turned to Clay and her group, “And they have what are called Guardian Forces, beings just like the Aeons, but can be called by anyone they are with at the time. What we need from you, Tara, and from Clay and the others is to call upon the Aeons as they will be calling upon their Guardian Forces.”

“Just what are the Aeons going to be doing?” Faith asked, it wasn’t that she didn’t trust her twin, or even Tara’s twin, it was the strain Tara would be in when she called on the Aeons, that she didn’t exactly like, “Isn’t this dangerous?”

Princess Tara shook her head, “Not at all, the only thing the Aeons and Guardian Forces will be doing is appearing, and using their energy to cleanse the darkness from Willow and Buffy’s bodies. There will be no danger for any of us.”

“What will happen, exactly?” Buffy asked still not completely satisfied with the earlier answer.

“We will ask the Aeons and Guardian Forces to come to our aid and help with removing the darkness from Willow and Buffy’s bodies. They will appear in a circle, standing behind each one of us, and filter their power into us, and in turn surround Willow and Buffy with it. At this point the energy should move forward and into their bodies, and begin the purging process. Their pure energy will, as you would call it, do battle with the darkness, and since there will be more of their energy the darkness will be forced out.” Princess Tara explained watching the others before nodding to Princess Faith.

“Yes, it will be painful for both of them, but it’s the only way we know of to destroy the darkness, and make sure none of it is left. And before you say anything,” she smiled sadly at Willow when she opened her mouth to speak, “they have agreed to do this of their own free will.”

“Have you?” Buffy looked at her twin, she knew if Faith asked her to do something painful, or even life threatening she’d do it in less than a heartbeat, so why would her twin be any different? Especially since said twin had sided with the Heartless to get her lover back.

The twin nodded, “Yes, I have… I want the darkness gone, I can feel it moving through my body…it wants to grow powerful again and I don’t want that.”

“Buffy’s right,” Willow’s twin spoke up, “I don’t want that either, it’s a danger to everyone around us… No, we’d be the danger to everyone not just the darkness.” she lowered her head as she thought about she’d and Buffy had done while the Heartless’ power was in their bodies.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Tara said causing the twin to look at her with wide eyes. How could she of all people say it wasn’t her fault? It was a surprise to her, and she could see that it was a surprise to Buffy’s twin too. The blonde was sitting beside her, staring at the ex-summoner with wide eyes, and neither one of could figure out just why she’d said that, hell they had tried to kill them.

Buffy’s twin tightly squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them only to see Buffy smiling at her, “How…how can you say that?” she had to ask, there was just no way she could believe it, “I mean we worked for Maleficent, we’ve destroyed worlds, we even tried to kill you, so how can you say it’s not our fault?”

“Easy,” Faith said getting the two ex-dark twins’ attention, “You saw your lovers being taken, and could do nothing to stop it. You love the princess’ so much that you didn’t care what you had to do to get them back, and the Heartless saw that, came to you with an offer to work for them in exchange for your lovers back. You took it without a second thought because you wanted the girls back in your arms.” The dark haired girl shrugged, “Hell, at one time there was only one girl I’d gave my life for, and almost did.”

The twins stared at her for a moment not knowing what to say, this girl put on a tough front, she was tough there was no doubt about that, but underneath she was a softie, “What do you mean?”

Faith looked over at Willow’s twin and grinned, “Tara, when she was a summoner, we all thought she’d die defeating Sin. But that didn’t happen as you can see. Will here came along and showed us another way of getting rid of that monster for good…but she’s the one who had to die. If it wasn’t for the Aeons helping, she wouldn’t be here today. And now, there are three I’d give my life to protect, Tara, Willow, and my own lover Buffy.” Faith felt the Al Bhed squeeze her hand and grinned, “So as you can see, at that time, and any other time, I was and am still ready to protect them. That’s all the two of you wanted to do, protect your lovers, and get them back.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Willow grinned, “But if you still want to take blame for what you did, then think about how stupid you was for actually siding with the Heartless and not finding your own way to get the princesses back. You know…I would have done the same thing…but it still would have been stupid.” she shrugged and saw the twins hide a smile.

Clay also saw the twin hiding their smiles and glanced around, “Are we ready?” Receiving nods all around she too nodded, “Just remember, this will be painful for them, but don’t move from your positions, if you do it won’t work.” More nods greeted what she’d said, “Okay, from what the princesses have told me, I need Summoner Tara to call on her Aeons, my group to call on our Guardian Forces, and the three of you,” she said turning to Buffy, Willow, and Faith, “to call on your magics to aid the Aeons and GF’s, okay?”

“Yeah, we can do that.” Buffy closed her eyes as did the others.

No words were needed as the girls concentrated on asking for help from the powerful beings. Just a few short seconds later a bright light filled the room causing all present to flinch, it was as if they were facing the sun with their eyes closed, a second later the room dimmed, and standing in a circle were Tara’s Aeons -who nodded to their counterparts the Guardian Forces. Even though the Aeons had known of the Guardian Forces and knew that some of them looked just like their own twins, there were also several that were different. Bahamut, Shiva, Ifrit, and Carbuncle all had their doubles. However the rest did not have a single one that could even be a double; the closest one to Anima would have to be Diablos seeing as he was a GF of dark powers. Dark Dragon’s closer power double is Odin, since both could defeat an enemy instantly, and Ixion’s power double could only be Quezacotl the thunder GF that more or less looked something like a giant bird.

There was no way to explain the Alexander GF, only that he looked like a giant castle with angle wings his power is light magics only, when called he wraps his wings around the group, and shots a white energy blast at the enemy, he was the closest to Valefor. Cerberus like the legends told was a three headed dog with the power to double and triple spells for the users. The Brothers GF were two blue minotaur brothers, the oldest stood around 3 foot tall while the youngest stood at least 6 foot their power is of the Earth. Both will rip the ground up and throw it into the air with the enemies on it, right before the youngest brother throws the oldest into the air, where he crashes into the rock and killing most enemies. Eden is the largest GF by far, when called she appears in the sky as lines of light circle and cross in the ground to form a star incased in the circle before her power crushes the enemy. Leviathan is a large water dragon that when called rests atop a large mountain and watches as his Tsunami wave washes the enemies away.

Another that is hard to explain is Pandemona the Wind GF, her power lifts the enemies high into the air, spins them around in a tornado before dropping them on their heads. Siren a beautiful winged blonde woman appears when called and casts Silence on the enemy so they cannot cast spells. The last two Guardian Forces were odd, one called Jumbo Cactuar, as his name says, he is a thirty foot tall cactuar. When called he kneels over and shoots out ten thousand needles that either destroy the enemies, or wound them enough they run or get killed by another attack. The last is Toneberry King, a large green Toneberry that uses his Chef’s Knife attack to instantly kill the enemy.

“We shall begin.” Both Bahamuts spoke in unison as they joined hands with the other Aeons and Guardian Forces. As soon as the circle was complete another flash of light lit up the room causing Donald and Goofy to flinch, but stay seated, if anyone would have opened their eyes they would have seen the powerful creatures glowing, Give us your power, Willow, Buffy, Faith, Donald and Goofy heard whispered in their minds and allowed the Aeons and Guardian Forces access. The multicolored energy shot forward wrapping around the two ex-dark twins, and entered their bodies.

The princesses couldn’t help the tears that fell when they heard the first whimpers of their lovers, and forced themselves to stay seated when they began screaming in pain. Willow wanted so much to stop her twin from the pain, but knew if she moved even a fraction of an inch the cleansing wouldn’t work, and they’d be back at square one. The redhead felt Tara squeeze her hand and gave a gentle squeeze back to let her know she was there, and did the same for Buffy when she felt the Al Bhed tighten her grip.

Tears leaked from Tara’s closed eyes, the screams reminded her of when Willow was brought back from the Farplane, and there had been nothing she could do then to stop the pain -just as now she couldn’t stop the pain for her lover’s twin. Another scream, this time louder filled the room causing Tara’s heart to clench and her to grit her teeth. She forced the images out of her head from the times she’d seen Willow hurt, that was something she didn’t need to think about, not now, and certainly not later.

Buffy was seeing flashes from Valefor’s temple and tried to force them out, but the screams brought them back full force. The painful look on Willow’s face, her tense body, her screams of pain before she crumpled to the floor unconscious. The Al Bhed girl swallowed back a sob, but let the tears fall for her and Willow’s twin. Faith -just as Buffy- saw flashes of Willow being brought back and was forcing them away, only to have them return when more screams filled the room. Between the flashes of Willow, she was also thinking about Buffy, and how she’d do anything to stop her lover from going through that much pain. Faith, with her mind in a different place, never felt the warm wetness of her tears as they rolled down her cheeks.

Clay and her group was the same as the others, all were forcing back mental images of how the two girls must have looked. To them it had to be the same look as when their Willow had been merged with that evil sorceress in their world. That was the image Willow was forcing from her mind, having been merged with that evil woman, the pain from the merger, and then the unmerging when she’d been defeated. Clay for her part was holding up fine, only if anyone could have seen her they would have seen her grinding her teeth and a pain filled look on her face. Buffy and Faith looked the same as their friend, and leader, and knew what she and Willow must be going through. Both girl tightened their grips on their girls’ hands and gritted their teeth.

Donald and Goofy wanted to help the two girls, to stop their pain, but knew that was not an option if they did, then the darkness would never leave their bodies. The duck forced himself to stay still and tried to ignore the screams, but knew nothing would stop him from hearing. Goofy, even though most of the time was thought of as not exactly smart, knew the girls had to have the cleansing done, but didn’t have to like it one bit, and he didn’t. To him, he would have thought there would have had to been another, easier, and less painful way. He also knew for as long as he lived he’d never forget the screams he heard in that small room, and for some reason thought that no one else would either.

As for the ex-dark twins their bodies felt like they were on fire one minute, and frozen the next. They also felt the electric, wind, water, death, life, silence, pure energy, protective, and defensive powers enter and fight against the darkness. Pure white hot pain shot through both girl’s bodies as the energies merged and exploded in different colored lights. With a final blood curdling scream the two girls fell to the floor unconscious, but free of the darkness.

“They need rest.” Cerberus’ deep voice filled the room as the group opened their eyes, “Please make sure they get it.”

“We will, and thank you for all that you’ve done.” Princess Tara stood and bowed to the Guardian Forces and Aeons, just as the others did.

“There is no need to thank us, your highness.” Leviathan said as the group stood straighter.

“Yes, but thank you anyway.” Princess Faith smiled as she caressed her lover’s face, and watched as the powerful creatures disappeared.

Clay looked around the group, no one there could stand without wobbling, “We all need rest. Let’s get them into bed, and then get some rest ourselves.” Willow and Buffy picked their twins up, and carried them to their rooms before going to their own rooms to rest.

********
There's 55 and I'm working on 56 ^_^

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - This chapter you'll find out who's eyes were wandering around. As for it being just a change in Tara's outfut, I had wanted it to be easy to see once the girls really looked at what was going on. And here's the update...finally ^_^


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later

Chapter Fifty-Five: Cleansing

The form of a young boy appeared next to a large waterfall, his deep brown eyes scanning the flower fields below, "Well, how did they look? And did anyone know you were there watching?" Shiva asked as she appeared next to Bahamut, and just as he, scanned the fields with her icy blue eyes.

"No,” the boy shook his head, “No one knew I was there, and everyone looked fine, even their twins were doing better."

"That is good." A deep voice spoke, announcing the arrival of Ifrit, "Let's just hope they stay in good condition for the coming battles."

The three ex-Aeons stood together as two other forms began to take shape to the right, and two to the left. "Faith will make damn sure she and the others come out of it alive." Harmony said as she and Hallie appeared.

"Yes, and the Lady Tara and Guardian Willow will do their best to protect everyone in the group and each other." Lenne spoke as she and her lover appeared.

Tsuki firmly nodded, "Yeah, they are all excellent fighters, so we have no need to worry about them fighting the Heartless."

"But what of Spira?" A new voice asked as the form of Valefore took shape next to the one time summoner, "We all know they're after our home, and not to mention us!"

"For now," Bahamut spoke as he turned and looked at each of the others one by one, "We can handle the Heartless, and we will not disturb the Lady Tara."

"Yes," Another female voice spoke, causing the others to turn in the direction of the appearing Anima, "If, and only if the Heartless become too much for us that is when we will warn Lady Tara."

Carbuncle appeared next to Shiva and glanced around, “You know they will be calling on us when they are ready, don’t you?”

“Yes, we know, and when the Lady Tara calls on us, we will answer her call for they will need our help.” Bahamut spoke, and saw the young girl nod, “Now, let us watch over Spira until we are called upon.” The Aeons, Tsuki, and Lenne nodded before disappearing back to their posts to keep guard over Spira.

Traverse Town...

Tara had raised her head and looked into the shadows when she felt what she thought was Bahamut's energy. As she stared into the darkness the ex-summoner shrugged, what would the Aeon be doing here? Was something happening on Spira that she and the others should know about? If so, wouldn't someone warn them in their dreams that Spira was in danger? Yes, she had no doubt about that, but why did she just now feel the Aeon's energy? Tara lightly shook her head, she was probably just tired, that's all. "What's wrong, baby?" Willow's softly spoken words pulled Tara out of her train of thought.

"Nothing, just thought I'd felt something." The blonde gave her lover a crooked grin, and left a soft kiss on her lips, "We should get back before the others start to worry."

Willow agreed and rose, holding her hand out to help her lover up, as the two young women jumped to the ground, Faith and Buffy jumped down from the balcony and grinned, “Well, looks like its time to see what’s up with the twins?” Faith spoke as she took Buffy’s hand and began walking toward the Third District door.

“Yeah,” Willow nodded and cocked her head to the left, “for some reason I get the feeling that the princesses want us to help them with something.”

Tara cut her eyes toward her wife and couldn’t help but wonder how Willow knew that, “I can feel it too.” Buffy said scratching her head, “I wonder what’s up?” The ex-summoner blinked and stared at her cousin, now she was starting to get just a little pissed, not to mention Faith was too. Why could their lovers feel what their twins wanted? Why wasn’t it them? Tara and Faith should be the ones feeling what the princesses wanted, not their lovers, and they couldn’t help but think that the princesses was sending the feelings to Willow and Buffy, and not them. The only thing both girls could think at that moment was that those two princesses better not be making a move on their lovers, cause if they were, then there would be hell to pay.

“You know,” Willow stopped just a foot away from the door, “I’m also getting a worried feeling from my twin.” Glancing at the others she saw Buffy nod, and blinked at the angry look Tara and Faith had in their eyes.

“Why are the two of you picking up on our twins’ feelings?” Faith asked in a very low, and what they all knew was a dangerous voice, “Shouldn’t me and Tara be getting our twins’ feelings?”

Buffy squeezed her lover’s hand, and smiled, “I dunno, but maybe it’s because you’re not connected with them like us.”

“What’s that mean?” Tara asked angrily, causing Willow and Buffy to step back, “We’re the same persons, so it should be Faith and myself, not the two of you.”

The redhead cut her eyes to Buffy and shrugged, she didn’t know why Tara was angry, but she had a pretty good idea that her wife was a little on the jealous side, “Baby, it’s most likely cause they were hiding inside us that we can feel them.” She said hoping that she was at least half right, and hoping that it would help calm both Tara and Faith down before going back into the Third District.

After a moment Willow and Buffy could see their lovers relax and knew what Willow had said helped, “Hey, we need to talk with you.” Clay said as she opened the Third District door and poked her head around, “The princesses are going to need our help to get the darkness out of their lovers.” The four young women followed Clay back to the house, and entered to find both ex-dark twins sitting on the floor with the princesses sitting to their right.

“Please, Willow, Buffy, sit in front of them, and everyone else sit in a circle around them.” Princess Tara spoke and watched as the others did as she asked, “Willow, you’re a master gray mage, correct?” Willow nodded, “Buffy, you’re intermediate, correct?” she received a nod, “I need you to take the hands of your double, and don’t let go no matter what, okay?”

The Al Bhed and redhead glanced at one another, “What’s going to happen?” Willow finally asked worry lacing her voice.

Princess Tara lowered her head, “This will be painful for the both of them, you see, the darkness has a very strong hold on them, even if the most of it’s gone.”

Tara glanced from Willow and Buffy’s twins to her own, “How are we going to help?” she asked not entirely sure of what was going to happen, “We’ve never had to do something like this before.”

“That is where you come in…” Princess Faith spoke catching everyone’s attention, “You have what are called Aeons, correct?” when she received a nod her eyes turned to Clay and her group, “And they have what are called Guardian Forces, beings just like the Aeons, but can be called by anyone they are with at the time. What we need from you, Tara, and from Clay and the others is to call upon the Aeons as they will be calling upon their Guardian Forces.”

“Just what are the Aeons going to be doing?” Faith asked, it wasn’t that she didn’t trust her twin, or even Tara’s twin, it was the strain Tara would be in when she called on the Aeons, that she didn’t exactly like, “Isn’t this dangerous?”

Princess Tara shook her head, “Not at all, the only thing the Aeons and Guardian Forces will be doing is appearing, and using their energy to cleanse the darkness from Willow and Buffy’s bodies. There will be no danger for any of us.”

“What will happen, exactly?” Buffy asked still not completely satisfied with the earlier answer.

“We will ask the Aeons and Guardian Forces to come to our aid and help with removing the darkness from Willow and Buffy’s bodies. They will appear in a circle, standing behind each one of us, and filter their power into us, and in turn surround Willow and Buffy with it. At this point the energy should move forward and into their bodies, and begin the purging process. Their pure energy will, as you would call it, do battle with the darkness, and since there will be more of their energy the darkness will be forced out.” Princess Tara explained watching the others before nodding to Princess Faith.

“Yes, it will be painful for both of them, but it’s the only way we know of to destroy the darkness, and make sure none of it is left. And before you say anything,” she smiled sadly at Willow when she opened her mouth to speak, “they have agreed to do this of their own free will.”

“Have you?” Buffy looked at her twin, she knew if Faith asked her to do something painful, or even life threatening she’d do it in less than a heartbeat, so why would her twin be any different? Especially since said twin had sided with the Heartless to get her lover back.

The twin nodded, “Yes, I have… I want the darkness gone, I can feel it moving through my body…it wants to grow powerful again and I don’t want that.”

“Buffy’s right,” Willow’s twin spoke up, “I don’t want that either, it’s a danger to everyone around us… No, we’d be the danger to everyone not just the darkness.” she lowered her head as she thought about she’d and Buffy had done while the Heartless’ power was in their bodies.

“It wasn’t your fault.” Tara said causing the twin to look at her with wide eyes. How could she of all people say it wasn’t her fault? It was a surprise to her, and she could see that it was a surprise to Buffy’s twin too. The blonde was sitting beside her, staring at the ex-summoner with wide eyes, and neither one of could figure out just why she’d said that, hell they had tried to kill them.

Buffy’s twin tightly squeezed her eyes shut and reopened them only to see Buffy smiling at her, “How…how can you say that?” she had to ask, there was just no way she could believe it, “I mean we worked for Maleficent, we’ve destroyed worlds, we even tried to kill you, so how can you say it’s not our fault?”

“Easy,” Faith said getting the two ex-dark twins’ attention, “You saw your lovers being taken, and could do nothing to stop it. You love the princess’ so much that you didn’t care what you had to do to get them back, and the Heartless saw that, came to you with an offer to work for them in exchange for your lovers back. You took it without a second thought because you wanted the girls back in your arms.” The dark haired girl shrugged, “Hell, at one time there was only one girl I’d gave my life for, and almost did.”

The twins stared at her for a moment not knowing what to say, this girl put on a tough front, she was tough there was no doubt about that, but underneath she was a softie, “What do you mean?”

Faith looked over at Willow’s twin and grinned, “Tara, when she was a summoner, we all thought she’d die defeating Sin. But that didn’t happen as you can see. Will here came along and showed us another way of getting rid of that monster for good…but she’s the one who had to die. If it wasn’t for the Aeons helping, she wouldn’t be here today. And now, there are three I’d give my life to protect, Tara, Willow, and my own lover Buffy.” Faith felt the Al Bhed squeeze her hand and grinned, “So as you can see, at that time, and any other time, I was and am still ready to protect them. That’s all the two of you wanted to do, protect your lovers, and get them back.”

“Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Willow grinned, “But if you still want to take blame for what you did, then think about how stupid you was for actually siding with the Heartless and not finding your own way to get the princesses back. You know…I would have done the same thing…but it still would have been stupid.” she shrugged and saw the twins hide a smile.

Clay also saw the twin hiding their smiles and glanced around, “Are we ready?” Receiving nods all around she too nodded, “Just remember, this will be painful for them, but don’t move from your positions, if you do it won’t work.” More nods greeted what she’d said, “Okay, from what the princesses have told me, I need Summoner Tara to call on her Aeons, my group to call on our Guardian Forces, and the three of you,” she said turning to Buffy, Willow, and Faith, “to call on your magics to aid the Aeons and GF’s, okay?”

“Yeah, we can do that.” Buffy closed her eyes as did the others.

No words were needed as the girls concentrated on asking for help from the powerful beings. Just a few short seconds later a bright light filled the room causing all present to flinch, it was as if they were facing the sun with their eyes closed, a second later the room dimmed, and standing in a circle were Tara’s Aeons -who nodded to their counterparts the Guardian Forces. Even though the Aeons had known of the Guardian Forces and knew that some of them looked just like their own twins, there were also several that were different. Bahamut, Shiva, Ifrit, and Carbuncle all had their doubles. However the rest did not have a single one that could even be a double; the closest one to Anima would have to be Diablos seeing as he was a GF of dark powers. Dark Dragon’s closer power double is Odin, since both could defeat an enemy instantly, and Ixion’s power double could only be Quezacotl the thunder GF that more or less looked something like a giant bird.

There was no way to explain the Alexander GF, only that he looked like a giant castle with angle wings his power is light magics only, when called he wraps his wings around the group, and shots a white energy blast at the enemy, he was the closest to Valefor. Cerberus like the legends told was a three headed dog with the power to double and triple spells for the users. The Brothers GF were two blue minotaur brothers, the oldest stood around 3 foot tall while the youngest stood at least 6 foot their power is of the Earth. Both will rip the ground up and throw it into the air with the enemies on it, right before the youngest brother throws the oldest into the air, where he crashes into the rock and killing most enemies. Eden is the largest GF by far, when called she appears in the sky as lines of light circle and cross in the ground to form a star incased in the circle before her power crushes the enemy. Leviathan is a large water dragon that when called rests atop a large mountain and watches as his Tsunami wave washes the enemies away.

Another that is hard to explain is Pandemona the Wind GF, her power lifts the enemies high into the air, spins them around in a tornado before dropping them on their heads. Siren a beautiful winged blonde woman appears when called and casts Silence on the enemy so they cannot cast spells. The last two Guardian Forces were odd, one called Jumbo Cactuar, as his name says, he is a thirty foot tall cactuar. When called he kneels over and shoots out ten thousand needles that either destroy the enemies, or wound them enough they run or get killed by another attack. The last is Toneberry King, a large green Toneberry that uses his Chef’s Knife attack to instantly kill the enemy.

“We shall begin.” Both Bahamuts spoke in unison as they joined hands with the other Aeons and Guardian Forces. As soon as the circle was complete another flash of light lit up the room causing Donald and Goofy to flinch, but stay seated, if anyone would have opened their eyes they would have seen the powerful creatures glowing, Give us your power, Willow, Buffy, Faith, Donald and Goofy heard whispered in their minds and allowed the Aeons and Guardian Forces access. The multicolored energy shot forward wrapping around the two ex-dark twins, and entered their bodies.

The princesses couldn’t help the tears that fell when they heard the first whimpers of their lovers, and forced themselves to stay seated when they began screaming in pain. Willow wanted so much to stop her twin from the pain, but knew if she moved even a fraction of an inch the cleansing wouldn’t work, and they’d be back at square one. The redhead felt Tara squeeze her hand and gave a gentle squeeze back to let her know she was there, and did the same for Buffy when she felt the Al Bhed tighten her grip.

Tears leaked from Tara’s closed eyes, the screams reminded her of when Willow was brought back from the Farplane, and there had been nothing she could do then to stop the pain -just as now she couldn’t stop the pain for her lover’s twin. Another scream, this time louder filled the room causing Tara’s heart to clench and her to grit her teeth. She forced the images out of her head from the times she’d seen Willow hurt, that was something she didn’t need to think about, not now, and certainly not later.

Buffy was seeing flashes from Valefor’s temple and tried to force them out, but the screams brought them back full force. The painful look on Willow’s face, her tense body, her screams of pain before she crumpled to the floor unconscious. The Al Bhed girl swallowed back a sob, but let the tears fall for her and Willow’s twin. Faith -just as Buffy- saw flashes of Willow being brought back and was forcing them away, only to have them return when more screams filled the room. Between the flashes of Willow, she was also thinking about Buffy, and how she’d do anything to stop her lover from going through that much pain. Faith, with her mind in a different place, never felt the warm wetness of her tears as they rolled down her cheeks.

Clay and her group was the same as the others, all were forcing back mental images of how the two girls must have looked. To them it had to be the same look as when their Willow had been merged with that evil sorceress in their world. That was the image Willow was forcing from her mind, having been merged with that evil woman, the pain from the merger, and then the unmerging when she’d been defeated. Clay for her part was holding up fine, only if anyone could have seen her they would have seen her grinding her teeth and a pain filled look on her face. Buffy and Faith looked the same as their friend, and leader, and knew what she and Willow must be going through. Both girl tightened their grips on their girls’ hands and gritted their teeth.

Donald and Goofy wanted to help the two girls, to stop their pain, but knew that was not an option if they did, then the darkness would never leave their bodies. The duck forced himself to stay still and tried to ignore the screams, but knew nothing would stop him from hearing. Goofy, even though most of the time was thought of as not exactly smart, knew the girls had to have the cleansing done, but didn’t have to like it one bit, and he didn’t. To him, he would have thought there would have had to been another, easier, and less painful way. He also knew for as long as he lived he’d never forget the screams he heard in that small room, and for some reason thought that no one else would either.

As for the ex-dark twins their bodies felt like they were on fire one minute, and frozen the next. They also felt the electric, wind, water, death, life, silence, pure energy, protective, and defensive powers enter and fight against the darkness. Pure white hot pain shot through both girl’s bodies as the energies merged and exploded in different colored lights. With a final blood curdling scream the two girls fell to the floor unconscious, but free of the darkness.

“They need rest.” Cerberus’ deep voice filled the room as the group opened their eyes, “Please make sure they get it.”

“We will, and thank you for all that you’ve done.” Princess Tara stood and bowed to the Guardian Forces and Aeons, just as the others did.

“There is no need to thank us, your highness.” Leviathan said as the group stood straighter.

“Yes, but thank you anyway.” Princess Faith smiled as she caressed her lover’s face, and watched as the powerful creatures disappeared.

Clay looked around the group, no one there could stand without wobbling, “We all need rest. Let’s get them into bed, and then get some rest ourselves.” Willow and Buffy picked their twins up, and carried them to their rooms before going to their own rooms to rest.

********
There's 55 and I'm working on 56 ^_^

[Egnalos]

Wow update at last! Yay!!

Well the twins are finally free of the darkness, and seeing how they will soon have to fight the heartless too that's a really good thing.

I'd like to see the GF in action too, since I used to like when Tara used the Aeons. I think that having the other twins helping them in the fight against the heartless using the GF should make a hell of a battle and of course having the ex dark twins fighting with the good guys this time.

Well I hope to get more of this story soon, because believe me that every time I get to the end of the chapter I start to get all impatient wondering when the next update will come soo...

More soon please!

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Here's ya another update ^_^ Yup, the twins have finally gotten rid of the darkness, and its about time Anyway, there's a suprise, well, really not a suprise, but you're gonna get to see the GF in action in this fic. If ya want to see them in a little bit more than just this one, I'm actually working on a fic from Clay's world, the Final Fantasy 8 World. But I haven't decided on posting it yet...but I might ^_^ Well, here's the update.


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later


Chapter Fifty-Six: Resting and Reading.

The bright morning sun peeked through the cracks in the curtain, hitting Willow in the face, and waking her from a very peaceful sleep. For a few minutes the redhead lay still with her eyes still closed and savored the feeling of her arms wrapped around Tara, like every morning before. The blonde’s chest was rising and falling evenly telling Willow that she was still asleep, and seeing no reason to wake her wife she slowly slid out of bed. Quietly stretching Willow grabbed her clothes and made her way to the bathroom for her morning shower. Thirty minutes later Willow stepped out of the bathroom fully dressed, hair still wet, and smiled when she saw Tara snuggled up to her pillow. A soft knock at the door caused her to hurry over before it woke her lover, Willow knew she needed the rest with all the worrying she’d been doing. “Hey.” she whispered as she stepped into the hallway with Clay, “What’s up?”

“Well, I wanted to give you these.” Clay held out several pieces of paper, “The other twins gave these to us yesterday before you came back. They’re reports from D’Hoffryn’s diary.”

Willow stared at the pages for a moment before taking them, “Thanks, but why did they have them?” she asked wondering just how her twin got them, and actually kept them without D’Hoffryn destroying them while he was using her and Buffy’s twin bodies.

Clay shrugged, “They told us that there was a part in them they kept locked from his prying mind, so he never knew they’d stole them from Maleficent.”

“Okay, thanks.” Willow smiled and saw Buffy come out of her and Faith’s room, “Morning.”

“Mornin’” the Al Bhed grumbled scratching her head and yawned, “What’s those?”

“The other reports.” that woke the blonde up.

“Really?”

“Yeah,” Willow nodded, “Wanna read them?”

Buffy nodded, “Yeah, let’s go in the living room.” she grabbed Willow’s hand and pulled her down the hallway under Clay’s amused gaze. The blonde shook her head thinking how much alike they all were and quietly slipped back into her room before her Willow woke up.

“Want some coffee?” Buffy asked knowing it was the only thing she could make without burning down the house, just as she knew the same about Willow.

“Sure.” Willow waited until Buffy brought the coffee before she began reading.

Report 3

The shadows that crawl beneath the castle... Are they the people who
lost their hearts, or incarnations of darkness? Or something entirely
beyond my imagination?

All my knowledge has provided no answer. One thing I am sure of is
that they are entirely devoid of emotion. Perhaps further study will
unlock the mysteries of the heart. Fortunately, there is no shortage of
test samples.

They are multiplying underground even as I write this report. They
still need a name.

Those who lack hearts... I will call them the Heartless.

D’Hoffryn


“Okay, so he’s the one that named them…and he also studied them, but for how long?” Buffy asked when Willow lay the first paper on the small side table.

“Dunno, but what I really wanna know is how long before the Heartless took his heart?” Willow glanced at the Al Bhed as she began reading the next report.


Report 4

The Heartless appear in groups, and are multiplying rapidly. I've
provided them both living and nonliving samples. They've responded only
to the living. They seem to multiply after absorbing something from the
living creatures. Their prey vanishes without a trace.

I believe the Heartless are taking hearts. They are born from those
who've lost their hearts, and thrive on hearts seized from others. The
hearts taken by the heartless become Heartless themselves.

Though I lack proof, I am confident in this hypothesis. I must also
study their behavioral principles. Though they lack emotions, they do seem to have some intelligence. How to communicate with them?

It's just occurred to me: Could they be the darkness in people's hearts?

D’Hoffryn


Buffy stared at the redhead with wide eyes, cup half way to her lips, she was frozen in place, just as Willow was. The redhead stared at the paper as if it had just appeared in front of her, “He gave those damn things living samples?” Willow’s voice could barely be heard, but Buffy heard it and didn’t know what to say, “What kind of bastard gives things like the Heartless something living to kill?”

“A psycho.” Buffy said finally coming out of her frozen, and shocked state of mind, “That’s what he had to be…I can actually see studying them, and perhaps testing them, but giving them something to kill? And he wanted to communicate with the Heartless? Why?”

“That, Buffy, is what I’d like to know. Communicate with something that would kill you without a second thought? The Heartless are no better than the fiends we killed on Spira. And what’s this about them being the darkness in people’s hearts?”

The Al Bhed shrugged, “Do you think that’s why we felt the darkness at Hollow Bastion like we did?”

“No.” Willow shook her head, “It can’t be that. I mean, yes, you, Faith and myself know black magic, but Tara only knows white. If that was it, then Tara shouldn’t have been as sick and pale as she was, Buffy, we both know that only someone with a pure heart can be a summoner and know white magic….not including Glory, cause it was her mother that gave her the first and only Aeon she had. And in knowing that, like I said, Tara shouldn’t have felt a thing, but she did, and it was killing her.”

“I know…but right now I don’t know what in the hellfire is going on about those things. Damn it, give me that freak Omega any day over these things!” Buffy sighed, “I really hate to know what’s on the other pages…but we need to know what we’re dealing with.”

“Yeah.” Willow agreed and began reading the next page.

Report 6

A massive core of energy lay beyond the door sought by the Heartless.
It may be the ultimate goal of the Heartless. But what is that energy?
I have devised a hypothesis, based upon my observations of the Heartless.

The Heartless feed on other's hearts, and they yearn for that energy
core. That thing beyond the door must be a heart, too--the heart of
this world. There is no proof, but, having felt that immense energy, I
am certain. That was the heart of the world.

The Heartless are trying to take hearts not only from all living creatures, but from the planet itself. But what do they mean to do with the heart of the world?

D’Hoffryn


“Well that we knew.” Buffy said watching Willow lay the paper down, “I mean we’ve had to fight them and seal the door to the heart of the worlds we were in…except for Hollow Bastion, and I know we’re gonna have to go back there. I mean we need to stop them from destroying that world, and help the princesses get back to their own worlds.”

“Yeah, let’s just hope we’ll be ready to face what’s on the other side of that Heartless door.”


Report 8

There is no doubt that the Heartless are deeply connected to the
people's hearts. Further study may unravel both their motivations and
the mysteries shrouding the heart. As a start, I have built a device
that artificially creates Heartless.

By recreating the conditions that spawn the Heartless naturally, I
should be able to produce them artificially. This device is the
culmination of all my research thus far. The machine's test run
successfully created a Heartless. This may be a step toward creating a
heart from nothing.

The artificially and naturally created Heartless showed nearly
identical traits. But the two types remain distinct for the purpose of
the experiment. So, I will mark the ones that are created artificially.

D’Hoffryn


“Damn! This guy was really nuts!” Willow growled setting the paper aside, “Who in hellfire would want to create a Heartless, even if it was for the purpose of studying them?”

“Will, I just thought of something…”

“What is it?”

“He was using our twins, right? So just how did he turn into one of the Heartless, or become that powerful?” Willow quirked her eyebrows, she’d never thought of that, and now that Buffy had brought it up, she was curious about it too, “I know we’ll have to fight him, but really, what kind of power does he really have if he can control the Heartless, and give power like he gave the twins?”

Willow held up the final report, “Let’s hope there’s something in this, or we’ll be going into that battle blind.”


Report 10

Just as people have hearts, so do worlds. The same can be said of
stars in the night sky. And deep within each world lies a door to its
heart. The Heartless desire those hearts. Born out of darkness in
people's hearts, they seek to return to a greater heart. Yes that's it.
The Heartless come from people's hearts, as does the darkness.

Is the core of the world's heart the world of the Heartless? I will
pursue the answer there and become all knowing. My path is set. I shall
seek out the wielder of the Keyblade, and the princesses.

My body is too frail for such a journey, but I must do this.

I will cast it off and plunge into the depths of darkness.

D’Hoffryn


Buffy blinked, “That’s it?”

“Yeah…okay, so he found the door to the worlds heart, and jumped in…apparently without any regrets, but that still doesn’t explain how and why he became a Heartless. Do you think while studying the Heartless he became obsessed with their power, and wanted it for himself?”

“That could be it, but we haven’t figured out why he would do such a thing.” Clay said from the foot of the stairs, startling the two girls, “Even though we hardly spoke of him, he was a great ruler over our world, and for that reason we don’t know why he’d set the Heartless loose to destroy the world we fought so hard to protect.”

“And we lost so many friends.” Willow’s twin wrapped her arms around Clay from behind, and buried her face in her lover’s neck, “The Heartless killed them all before our world was destroyed.”

“Anya would still be here if it wasn’t for me.” Buffy’s twin slowly walked down the stairs with watery eyes, “I was ready for a fight and jumped in without thinking…I wasn’t watching my back and felt the Heartless dig their claws into my legs and bring me to the ground. Anya saw what happened and jumped in to help me, but paid the price when one of those soldier Heartless jumped up and stabbed her through the heart with its claws.”

“Xander was shooting the Heartless left and right with his rifle as I fought beside him.” Faith’s twin stepped beside her lover, “Then the fighting grew intense, forcing me to move back and away from him. It wasn’t but a few minutes later he screamed for help, but I was too far away to get to him in time. I could only watch as a group of Heartless jumped him, by the time I reached his position the Heartless had bit into his throat, killing him.”

“Don’t forget Angel, Darla, Drusilla, Spike, and the others.” Clay said lowering her head, “But also don’t forget it wasn’t our fault that they died, there were just too many Heartless to deal with, and besides, they died protecting our world…and we will see them again.”

Willow nodded, “Clay is right, you will see your friends again once we destroy the Heartless.”

“Yeah, so don’t worry about it…hey, do you know how the other twins are?” Buffy asked watching for any signs of lies, but she knew these girls wouldn’t lie to them about something like that.

“I talked with Princess Tara just a few minutes ago, and she said our twin is resting just fine.” the second redhead smiled just before sniffing the air, “Hey! Coffee!” she nearly shouted before racing off to grab a cup.

“Mmm coffee…” Buffy’s twin grinned following Willow’s twin, “Who wants breakfast?”

“Me!” Everyone in the room raised their hands, “What’re we havin’?” Buffy asked her twin, and watched her shrug.

“What ever we have.” the twin chuckled as she entered the kitchen, leaving behind a pouting Al Bhed who really wanted to know what was for breakfast.

“C’mon, lets go see if our girls are up.” Willow finished her lukewarm coffee before pulling the blonde up the stairs, they only made it half way before stopping and smiling at Tara and Faith, “We were just on our way to see if you were up.”

“Up and showered.” Tara smirked but did much like Buffy did a minute before, and pouted, “I also see I missed my chance to shower with you.”

“Same here, and you know I love showering with you.” Faith crossed her arms and half turned with her head lowered.

“I’m sorry!” Buffy half shouted jumping up the three steps, and wrapping her arms around the Dragon Warrior, “I promise I’ll make it up to you.” she winked turning Faith around to face her, and pulling the slightly taller girl into a kiss.

“You gonna make it up to me?” Tara continued to pout, but couldn’t help the smile that forced its way out when Willow caressed her fingertips up her arm, and around to the back of her neck before nodding and pulling the ex-summoner down into a long, slow kiss.

The two couples never noticed they had an audience until a whistle broke the silence, breaking the kiss Willow looked over Tara’s shoulder and saw her other twin smirking, “Oh, please continue.”

“Don’t mind us.” Buffy’s other twin smirked and winked, “We, of course, know how they can be without their morning kisses.” she said causing the two princesses to blush.

“I hear that!” the Buffy downstairs shouted with an agreeing “Yeah!” from the other Willow.

Faith shrugged, “Yeah well, we’ve been deprived for a while.” she winked at her twin.

“Deprived?” Donald shouted as he and Goofy came out of their room, “Whatcha mean by that? That’s all you do between worlds!” he shook his head and quacked at Goofy who was grinning.

“Aww shucks, Donald, let the girls alone.” He chuckled winking at the group of young women, “You’re just as bad as they are with Daisy, ya know.”

“Hey! They don’t need to know that!”

“No, no, don’t mind us, please, continue.” Willow smirked causing Buffy to giggle, now they had something to use against the duck.

“C’mon, let’s eat.” Clay said from the foot of the stairs, “By the way, its not just us that gets grouchy without our kisses.” she smirked.

“Got that right.” Faith’s twin also smirked before heading into the dining room.

The others followed the twins and sat down at the rather large table, “Today we all should rest, for tomorrow we go into battle.” Clay had said as she picked her fork up, and then smirked at the looks everyone but her group were giving her.

“What are you talking about?” Tara asked glancing around the table, “Is Traverse Town going to be attack again?”

“No,” Clay shook her head, “We’re going with you.”

“Huh?” Donald blinked, “Why? What for?”

Willow’s twin gave him a sad smile, “The Heartless destroyed our world…”

“They killed our friends…” Faith’s twin clenched her fist.

Buffy’s twin stared at Buffy for a moment, before lowering her head, “Not just our friends, they were our family.”

“So, do you really think we’re gonna let y’all go fight the Heartless without us?” Clay asked, “I don’t think so, you’re gonna need some more help than just you six and these two girls here.” she nodded to the other Willow and Buffy.

“We’re going also.” Princess Tara spoke up causing her lover and the third Buffy to shake their heads.

“No! You two are not going.”

“I know you are worried about us, but we can take care of ourselves, and we can also help.” Princess Faith spoke, “We can heal the group of their wounds, and cast defensive spells on everyone.”

“We are not staying behind to worry over everyone, I for one could not stand not knowing if one or all of you are hurt and dying.” Princess Tara looked everyone in the eyes one by one before finally setting her eyes on her lover, “I will not stay here, I love you, Willow, and I’m not going to let you go into a battle without me by your side.”

“You both know we can fight and defend ourselves, you both helped teach us!” Princess Faith smiled, “And besides, we owe the Heartless for keeping us asleep, and away from the two of you.” she gave the whole group her best don’t-screw-with-me-or-you’ll-regret-it-look, just as princess Tara was.

Willow cut her eyes to Tara and smirked, they were so much alike it was almost scary, “Well, that’s settled, now can we eat?”

“Yeah! I’m starvin’!” Buffy agreed, shrugged her shoulders, and began eating the scrambled eggs, “This is good!”

Willow’s twin laughed, “I agree with the princesses, we’re gonna need all the help we can get, so, my double, don’t worry, we’ll watch each others backs.”

“Got that right!” Faith and her twin nodded.

“Now eat and then rest to get your strength back, you’re gonna need it.” Clay said with a smirk as she ate, causing the princesses lovers to sigh but shrug their shoulders, they knew nothing was going to stop them from going, so best just to agree instead arguing about it.


********
There's 56 and I'm working on 57 ^_^ hope ya enjoyed.

[Egnalos]

Ok, this was a nice chapter; except for the reports of D’Hoffryn. I mean what was he thinking? but then again that's a bad guy for you.

You know that every time I read a chapter where everything is nice that means that in the next one we're in for a lot of trouble, so I guess that with the girls "back on the road" we'll be seeing trouble soon. The good thing is that now they have back up (a lot of back up) with all their twins coming with them; but then again that means (to me anyway) that the fights are about to turn more difficult from now on.

I'm waiting to see the GFs in action and all the girls and guys (not forgetting about Donald and Goofy) working together to save the world(s).

Oh! and first you say this...

I'm actually working on a fic from Clay's world, the Final Fantasy 8 World.

and I'm all with the woo and hoo


And then you go all...

But I haven't decided on posting it yet...

And I go all

And finally you put this...

but I might ^_^

And I go all TEASE!!!!! But then again that might is worrying me so I guess I'll start begging (just in case) so please, please, please say you'll post your story please??

Well umm back to the response to this chapter I just have one more thing to say...

Please more soon!!!

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Glad you liked the last chapter. You're right, every time there's a calm chapter the following ones are gonna have trouble. This chapter will have a couple of the GFs in it, so I hope you like it. You know, I've been told I was a tease, but I am working at the FF8 fic, and I will post it, so no worries ^_^ Here's the update.

Note: Sorry about the lateness, but I've been double working. Getting up anywhere from 4:30am to 5:30am to go to work, only to come home and work some more...pulling up carpet, laying tile and carpet, fixing the floor and windows...so I really haven't had that much time for anything else...but at least I have found some to work on the update, and here it is ^_^


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later

Chapter Fifty-Seven: Back to Work

NOTE: Things hopefully won’t be confusing with all the twins in a single place, so to make it -I hope- easier, I’m gonna number them *shrugs*…anyway, the original group will be like always, but Clay’s group will be the number 2 twins, and the princesses and the ex-dark twins will be number 3 twins… Umm…when they battle I’m gonna try and keep them separate where it won’t be as confusing…or at least I hope it won’t ^_^


Early the next morning once everyone had showered, dressed, and ate, the group entered the First District and teleported to the ship. No one had really said a word as the ship sped through space toward its destination, and the only sound on the bridge was the sound of weapons being sharpened. Buffy and her two twins were up front near the pilots seat, the Al Bhed had taken her daggers and was currently sharpening them on her whet rock as the auto-pilot took them toward Hollow Bastion. Buffy number two had taken her nunchaku and was currently practicing with them, and the third Buffy had been given a set of Buffy’s daggers, and had gladly taken the sword Willow had offered.

After handing Buffy number three a sword, Willow had taken down another and handed it to her twin, and nodded when the newly darkness free twin cocked her head, “Go on, you’re gonna need it.” she had said and grinned when the twin had taken it and began swinging it around like a pro. The other Willow had strapped her Shooting Star Blaster Edge weapon to her left wrist, and began sharpening the pinwheel-like blade. Willow eyed the weapon and quirked her eyebrows in surprise when her twin sliced a piece of steel pipe in two, “Wow…that’s sharp.”

“Yeah!” The twin agreed with a grin.

“Umm…do me a favor, please don’t aim that anywhere near me…unless you really have to, okay?”

The twin shrugged, “Sure, no problem…and why is it you’re sayin’ the same thing as Buffy did when we had our first battle together?”

“Because she doesn’t want her head cut off, that’s why!” Buffy number two smirked, and bolted before the redhead could reach her.

Willow watched her twin chase Buffy’s around the bridge and chuckled, “Anyone else need a weapon?” she asked taking her own sword from the storage closet and glanced over her shoulder to see the negative responses of the others. “Well, I guess…” Willow whispered picking up one of Xander’s Blitzballs, “Damn, how could he forget this?” she shook her head and sat the ball on the top shelf before closing the door.

Clay watched Willow shut the door before going back to sharpening her Gunblade, and loading the revolver with the strongest ammo she had- armor piercing rounds Xander had given her the day before their world was attacked. The two princesses sat beside Tara and Faith, making a four person circle, and meditated to gather their energy. Donald and Goofy sat across from the meditating girls and watched as their bodies glowed white and glanced at one another. With the power those four girls were gathering they had no need to worry about healing, and knew if Faith used her power the Heartless would be nothing more than a black oily stain on the ground. Goofy watched Tara glow the brightest for a moment before the light dimmed down to match the other’s, turning his head toward Donald he saw the duck stare wide eyed at the ex-summoner. Donald glanced around the bridge and shook his head when no one else had noticed the surge of power, only he and Goofy, and it was then they began to wonder exactly what Tara’s power would be like when she finally used it. Would it be just as strong as Willow, Buffy and Faith’s, or would it be stronger? If Donald was a betting duck, he’d bet that Tara’s power would make the other’s power look like nothing more than a weak Ultima spell.

Just like Donald, Willow had began thinking about their powers, which had lead her to thinking about Tara’s. The redhead knew that Tara was much more powerful than she and their group, simply because she had once been a summoner, and if their most powerful spell demolished the Heartless then what would Tara’s do? Willow didn’t show it, but she was worried.

“Heads up!” Buffy called from the pilots seat, “We’re getting a distress signal from the Olympus Coliseum.”

“Can you tell what’s going on?” Clay stepped behind the Al Bhed to view the world.

Buffy shook her head, “No, only that something big is going down, and it seems Hercules needs some help.”

“Then lets go.” Faith smirked, ready to get in a good warm up before getting to Hollow Bastion.

The entire group teleported into the Coliseum only to see hundreds of Heartless of all kinds chasing men, women and children -trying to kill them. The door leading into the fighting ring burst open allowing Phil to run out, and toward them, “Hey! Herc needs help he can’t hold them all off!” he shouted dodging a soldier.

“We’ll take care of these out here, you go inside and see what you can do!” Clay unsheathed her Gunblade.

“I will stay here and help.” Princess Faith spoke and backed away from the fighting, not because she was afraid, but because she knew her healing spells would be needed.

Entering the ring the group stopped dead still and stared, there were just as many if not more Heartless inside, and Hercules was having trouble destroying them all. With a battle cry Willow and Buffy’s twins jumped forward, quickly slicing two soldiers in half, and was moving forward once the Heartless had disappeared. The two twins fought their way to Hercules where they helped the young half-god with group after group of advancing Heartless.

Willow nodded to Buffy, and just like their twins, shot forward just as a Thunder spell, and Flare spell exploded in the center of at least fifteen Heartless. Willow back flipped avoiding the poison claws of a soldier, and watched as Buffy beheaded the creature before she herself cut another in half. A sharp burning pain shot through the redhead’s leg and up to her stomach, turning she saw a Heartless Shadow standing behind her, his claws dripping blood from digging into her leg. With a growl Willow swung her blade down, cutting the creature in half, before sliding away from two more Shadows, and backing away toward the left side of the ring as more and more Heartless grouped up on her.

Buffy ducked, causing a soldier to fly over her head, and into a group of shadows, rising quickly, she turned, raising her leg up, and bringing it down in a Axe kick. Jumping into the air the Al Bhed spun around double kicking one of the larger Heartless before landing, and side flipping away. Her pain filled whimper couldn’t be heard over the fighting but the long, deep claw marks could clearly be seen oozing blood as Buffy stumbled toward the right side of the ring -with the Heartless following closely.

Donald had kept casting Thundaga, Blizzaga, and Aeroga spells on either the Heartless or the group, and the duck was beginning to tire out, but grabbed an Either and kept going. While the Either replenished his MP, Goofy had begun to spin, and shot forward, extending his shield outward, and hitting the Shadows, and Soldiers. Once his attack was finished, Goofy jumped into the air, and landed next to Tara -who at that point was fighting off two Soldiers, and a Shadow. The ex-summoner jumped back to avoid an attack, and thanked Goofy when he destroyed the three enemies for her. Concentrating, Tara summoned Dumbo, and hopped onto his back when the baby elephant appeared. Dumbo began spraying the Heartless as he flew overhead, while Tara began casting Ultima spells on the flying Heartless.

Princess Tara began to cast healing spells as soon as she saw any blood on the girls, she caught site of Willow limping away from the Heartless and cast Cura. The princess then turned and saw the blood oozing out of the claw marks, and cast another Cura. Hearing her lover scream princess Tara spun around, and saw her Willow holding her stomach, the princess hurriedly cast a Curaga spell, with another following when the second Buffy fell to her knees from a large gash in her chest.

Faith side flipped bringing her blade down in the center of seven Shadows, and smirked when the creatures either disappeared, or were thrown back. Spinning around, she caught two Soldiers, and one of those Dark Ball enemies from Hollow Bastion, knocking them back, and into the arena seats. Faith never saw the flying Heartless nose-diving toward her, until it hit, sending her flying back and into a group of Pot Spiders. With an enraged scream she stood, spun around extending her blade, and destroyed each one of the spiders with a single hit.

The area went silent, the Heartless frozen in place, staring at two floating young women on either side of the arena. Willow and Buffy had seen no other way, and had called upon their strongest powers, and were now about to deal the Heartless some pain. Faith spun around, raced toward Tara, and tackled her to the ground as her lover and Willow shouted out the name of their strongest powers, “Ultima!” echoed across the arena and was soon joined by, “Vortex!”

Outside Clay's group was having just as much trouble with the Heartless as the others inside, so much in fact that she'd lost count of the groups she had taken out with her Gunblade. Not to mention the magic she'd cast in-between slashes of her sharp-as-a-razor-Gunblade. At least the SeeD didn't have to worry about healing spells, seeing as how the princess was currently taking care of that. The start of the battle had been easy enough, but as time passed more and more groups of at least fifteen Heartless kept appearing, and Clay didn't know how long she or the others could keep the fighting up.

Willow had let her Shooting Star fly through the air, severing the heads of three Shadows, and cutting four Soldiers in half, before jumping back to avoid two Dark Ball’s. The redhead ducked as the two enemies flew over her head, and the rose as she cast a Holy spell. The spell exploded, killing one of the Dark Balls and wounding the other, Willow side stepped as the ball just barely missed knocking her to the ground, and met Buffy’s nunchaku. Willow grinned, spun around, and jumped into the air as two soldiers tried to tackle her, and let her disk fly once more.

A soldier flew back and into a group of five shadows when a pair of nunchaku connected with its head, Buffy smirked and roundhouse kicked another. Crouching down the blonde kicked out her right leg and swept two shadows to the ground before quickly bringing her weapon down on their heads. Buffy stood and turned in time to allow her nunchaku to meet a Dark Ball from behind, and smirked at Willow before back flipping away from a Pot Spider.

Two screams of pain filled the area causing princess Faith to turn and see Clay holding a stomach wound, and Faith bent over with deep claw marks in her chest. The princess glowed white for a moment before she cast two Curaga spells, healing both girls. Princess Faith raised her dress enough to allow room to bring her leg up, and kicked a soldier away from her.

“That’s it!” Clay shouted as she began glowing blue, “Shiva!” she once more shouted as the air around her began to cool at a rapid pace, and froze a shadow. The beautiful Guardian Force with blue hair and skin spun in the air encased in a block of ice, once the ice touched the ground it exploded and Shiva glanced around, “Freeze them.” Clay spoke and received a nod. Shiva raised her hands as they began glowing light blue and gathered the coldness around her. The Guardian Force twirled once and quickly brought her hands down as a stream of ice shot forward -freezing the Heartless.

Shiva stood for a moment regarding her handy work and smiled, “Might I suggest you use the Brothers to finish them off quickly.”

“Thank you, Shiva, and I was thinking the same thing.” Clay grinned and watched the GF disappear in a swirl of ice, “Faith, if you would, please.”

“My pleasure.” The dark haired girl smirked, and nodded just as she began glowing a dark blue. The ground in front of her exploded as the two minotaur brothers appeared, “Destroy them.” Faith grinned as the two brothers nodded, and watched as they both sunk their hands into the ground and lifted up. The chunk of Earth flew into the air as the brothers began playing a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors. The oldest brother’s jaw hit the ground when he lost, and was tossed into the air by his much larger younger brother. As the minotaur hit the falling earth it exploded, shattering the frozen Heartless with it. Once the oldest was back on the ground it appeared as if the earth had never been ripped up, “Thanks guys.”

“No problem.” The youngest said, and disappeared back into the earth with his older brother following.

For just a few moments the group stood and waited, when no more Heartless appeared everyone heaved a sigh of relief -that is until they heard Willow and Buffy shouts drift outside, “C’mon, lets go!” Clay ordered as she ran forward, entered the arena doors and ran into the arena where she stopped dead still at seeing the two girls floating in the air.

“Whoa!” Buffy stared wide eyed at the other and then looked over to the floating Willow, “What the hell is going on?”

“Get down!” Faith shouted having dragged Tara and the princess up into the top section of the bleachers, right along with Donald, Goofy, Hercules, and the other Buffy and Willow. At her shout Clay’s group hurried to the top section just in time to turn around and watch the show. Just as in Traverse Town everything went dead silent, just before the wind picked up and began blowing, and the area exploded. On Buffy’s side a swirling vortex of wind had picked up the Heartless and at the moment was spinning them around and started shrinking. The Heartless began disappearing with a loud ‘pop’ just as the vortex exploded.

“Well…damn!” Willow number three whistled and blinked before glancing at Clay, “That was powerful.”

“But is it powerful enough?” A deep male voice asked from behind the group, turning they saw a six-foot tall young man with white-silver hair nearly touching the ground standing on the arena wall.

Faith narrowed her eyes not liking the feeling she was getting from the man, “Who in hellfire are you?”

“I am Sephiroth.” He said and smirked, “Those girls are powerful, but it seems to me they can barely control it.” Sephiroth looked down into the arena where both Willow and Buffy were having trouble standing.

Tara had no need to stand and listen to the man talk, she needed to go help her wife, and saw Faith following to help Buffy, “What’s it to you?” Willow number three asked gripping her sword.

Sephiroth grinned, looking the girls over just as a scream drifted into the arena, “Herc! The Heartless are attacking the city!” Phil ran into the arena and motioned the half-god toward the door, “C’mon, they need their hero!”

“Go.” Clay nodded, “We can take care of anything else here.” she said and watched Hercules follow Phil, “Now, what is it that you want?”

“Well, I was wondering if your little group could defeat my friend.” Sephiroth smirked raising his hand. A stream of energy shot out of his palm toward the center of the arena where a large portal began opening. Tara and Faith had helped Willow and Buffy into the stands just as a large foot hit the ground causing an earthquake-like shaking throughout the area. Turning, the group watched as more, and more of a large creature appeared until all forty-seven feet towered over them. The creature was clear blue in color, and chiseled to look as if it’d been cut out and fused together, glowing reddish-green eyes glared at the group as the monster stepped forward -once more shaking the ground, and causing everyone to fall to their knees, “Meet my friend the Ice Titan.”

[Egnalos]

Whoa! an update... Yay!!

Gotta say that I love the GF's; specially the two minotaur brothers .

About the magic thingy, I've been wondering about Tara too for a while now. Not that I have the girls in some competition, but Willow, who didn't know anything about magic when she first appeared (not saying that she didn't had the power), it's the one that does most of the magic now, (very powerful spells) even the others do more magic than Tara does and I can't help myself and wonder why?

I mean I know that every one thinks of Tara as the one that doesn't like to use magic unless it's strictly necessary and stuff; but in this fic she fights a lot and they get in very difficult situations most of the time and still it's very rarely when she uses her magic (she mostly uses healing spells on the others or some minor spells) and me thinks that somehow being an ex-summoner she must be really powerful in the magic department and she'd merged with a lot of D' worlds characters and... well I think you got my point So I was thinking about what would trigger Tara to show just about how powerful she really is (not that that it's necessary, just a thought) and suddenly the idea of the ex-D twins comes to mind, that and their reasons for turning to magic, and seeing that in this fic most of the action's been centered around Willow and Buffy's characters (even with their twins) I wonder if something like that it's going to happen too (of course that I don't expect Tara or Faith going all dark and stuff though it'd be interesting, and for Tara a first too) specially if Willow, wondering about Tara's power, gets worried; but I guess I'll have to wait as usual to see what happens...

I have question... apart from all the ones from before hehe... and that will be if the girls are going to fight with all the Titans that appeared in Hercules, because if they are it's gonna be a hell of a job there and they have just started this new journey for the final battle, so I can't help and get all exited thinking about what's going to happen next...

Anyway...

Great update, great action... give me more soon please!!! (even though it won't be soon, I know, because you're all busy, but still, a girl can hope and you know I'm always waiting for this fic so...)

Oh! and last but not least... you said you're going to post your new fic FF8, so you've made this humble fan of yours a really happy girl ... thank you.

Ok then, now I'm done (I think) so I'll go to wait quietly on that corner over there for the next update.

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Well, here's another update...sorry its late...again >_< Glad you liked the two minotaur brothers, actually they're one of my favorites. Let's see here...about Tara, well I wanted her to fight just a little more than always using her magic, besides the healing spells, and Holy spells.

Tara is powerful, which you'll be seeing in this chapter, I triggered her most powerful spell, and I do hope you like it. Although her going dark, like you said would be a first...and lets say that it's very possible at this time for her to go dark. I'm not saying I will make her go all "Dark and Powerful" along with Faith, but it's something that has been running around in my mind for a while now.

Yep, she has merged with a lot of the Disney world's characters and they in turn have given her even more power. But their power is of the light, so that's also a factor, the more light power and magic a person like Tara has the more fight it'll put up against the dark magic.

About fighting all the Titans that were in Hercules, well I had thought about it, but figured it would be too much to do...so i just went ahead and finished the Titan fight with a surprise, and the had the girls head off to the ship. There will be more fights before they get to the final one, but I've gotta go back and look around for the fights before I write about them ^_^

Yep, I'm still working on the FF8 fic, and it'll be posted. I'm glad you're happy, and when I post the new fic I hope you like it. Anyway I've still got some work to do on it, and get it a ways ahead that way I won't have to worry about too much in the writing department ^_^ Anyway, I'll shut up now and let you read. ^_^


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later


Chapter Fifty-Eight: Out of One Battle and Into Another


Sephiroth stood above the group with a smirk on his handsome face, “Have fun.” he said disappearing from site as the Titan advanced forward.

“Damn,” Willow groaned trying to stand, “I don’t think I’ve got enough energy to replicate what I just did.”

“Me either.” Buffy shook her head, leaning against the stands.

Clay glanced around, “Don’t worry, you both just rest… I’m sure we can handle that thing.”

Not waiting for anyone else to speak, Donald cast a Thundaga spell and stood stunned when the Titan seemed to brush it off. As soon as the spell had exploded there was a flurry of motion from the group, everyone had split up, and surrounded the creature -leaving the princesses in the stands so they could safely cast healing spell and watch over the two weakened girls.

“Go.” Willow nodded to Tara with a weak smile and watched as she hurried into the battle with Faith right behind her -but only after have been told by Buffy, “You one of those Al Bhed thingy’s that help restore your energy?”

Buffy glanced over and shook her head, “No, but give me a couple of minutes and I’ll make some.” she reached into her pouch and pulled out several vials of different colored medicine and began mixing them together.

“Ifrit! We need your help!” Willow’s double called out as she glowed red for two seconds, right before a swirling portal of flames appeared on the ground in front of her. The Guardian Force broke through the ground with a mighty roar, sending chunks of dirt and rock into the air, “Burn him!” the double shouted as she shot her weapon, allowing the sharp blade to sail through the air and hit the Titan’s chest before rebounding back toward her.

Ifrit nodded thrusting both of his large clawed paws out in front of him and with a loud snarl let lose a ten-foot round ball of flames that shot forward. The Guardian Force stood straight and pushed more power into his attack as the ball of flames hit the Titan dead center, knocking it back five foot. The flames surrounded the giant and began swirling around his large body, growing smaller and smaller before it exploded, sending small balls of flames in every direction and knocking the Titan to the ground. The ground stood back with Ifrit growled and pounced on the fallen Heartless, and with two swipes of his large paws Ifrit disappeared -leaving behind a very stunned Titan with claw marks down his chest.

“Now! Go for his head!” Faith shouted with her twin by her side, both girl jumped forward, one kicking and punching the Titan’s head, and the other slashing with her Keyblade.

“Holy!” Tara shouted holding her right hand out and then she felt something break inside of her. She didn’t know what it was, but it felt as if a power was growing and just a small ounce had slipped passed the barrier, “Infuse!” she shouted once more raising her left hand, and firing four Firaga infused rounds into the Titan. The feeling of black magic shot through the blonde’s body making her was to fall to her knees from the painful headache beginning to force it’s way to the surface. Tara found off the feeling and let her white magic dull the pain as she fired three more rounds of Flare infused bullets at the giant Titan, What’s going on? Why can I cast black magic? Tara thought confused but pushed it away, knowing there’d be time to think about it when the fight was over.

Both Faith and her twin jumped back as the spell and rounds exploded, the twin thought nothing of it as she watched the Titan begin to stand, but Faith stared at Tara in confusion. How has she called on black magic? Tara only could call white magic…a non-elemental magic spell she could see, but black magic? Was this the beginning of Tara’s most powerful spell coming to the surface?

Willow and Buffy had blinked, they had seen what Tara had down, and just had to wonder just what the hell had happened. Like Faith they were thinking the same things; there was no way for Tara to know black magic. It wasn’t just that either, Willow had felt something being pulled from her bode and hadn’t known what it was until she saw the Firaga infused rounds slam into the Titan’s head. Somehow her Firaga spell had been taken from her body and then had merged with Tara just long enough for her to infuse it with her bullets.

“Simba! Please come to our aid!” Tara shouted firing three more rounds, and letting a Holy spell go, Mushu! I need your help!” she shouted once more when a group of Heartless appeared.

The Lion King Simba appeared jumping through a portal and roared as his large paw swiped at, and knocked back two shadows. “Alright! The Great Dragon Mushe will destroy the enemy!” The small red dragon appeared sitting on Tara’s shoulder, and began shooting balls of small flames from his mouth.

The Titan roared as he swiped his large hands up, hitting and knocking Faith and her double back, and into the stands as he stood. Clay had readied and was calling for Doomtrain when she stopped, eyes going wide when a large block of ice fell from the sky, hitting the third Willow -knocking her unconscious. “Watch out!” Clay cried out just as another block of ice just missed hitting Princess Tara. The group managed to dodge away from another twenty or so ice blocks when fog began to rise and cover the area, “Dammit to hell!” Clay growled, “Tara where are you? Can you get this fog outta he- Oomph!” her voice cut off quickly right before there was a loud thud.

“Faith!” Both Buffy and her twin screamed, one searching franticly in the arena and the other bounding down from the stands.

“Wait, Buffy!” Willow shouted to her friend’s back and stood on shaky legs, “You could have at least made that energy thingy, you know.” she shook her head, “Princess you around?”

“We’re here.” the princesses voices came from her right, “We are trying to come up with something to clear the air but-” a dull thud and two weak scream filled the air.

“Girls?” Willow asked worriedly, “Well damn!” she cursed as a two foot round chunk of ice slid in front of her, “Tare! Hang on baby!” she cried out moving down the stairs quickly as she could.

“Clay? Baby?” Willow number two called out and felt the ground shake, “Huh?” she narrowed her eyes trying to find where the rumble had come from, and screamed when she saw a large hand racing toward her, “Shit!” her voice was high pitched as she ducked and rolled under, only to stand up in the path of the second hand and get knocked back with a loud smack as the Titan’s hand came into contact with her body.

“Tara!”

“Faith!”

Both shouts came from the ex-dark twins when they heard their lovers weak screams, and both girls began slowly moving forward in the direction -they thought- was toward they princesses. “Buffy watch out!” the blonde turned just in time to see the floating chunk of ice, and had no time to move as it slammed into her body, and knock her into the stands. Willow number three cringed as the dull thud of the blonde’s body hitting a stone pillar reached her ears, “Ouch!” taking another few steps her eyes widened as the form of the Titan began to take shape just two feet in front of her, jumping to the side she sighed in relief when he didn’t notice her -or so she thought. A giant hand slapped her in the side knocking her to the ground where her head smacked against the arena floor, knocking her unconscious.

A Flare spell exploded, hitting the Titan and knocking him back as Donald ran forward readying another and let it fly right after the first. The Titan roared in pain as the second spell exploded, ripping a hole in his chest, eyes flashing red, the Titan took a step forward, and swung his right arm out hitting the duck. With a loud and seemingly angry quack, Donald hit a stone pillar at the back of the arena. “Waaahooweeee!” Goofy’s shout filled the area just after Donald’s and a smack echoed when his body hit the wall.

With no way to see the Heartless, Tara had dismissed Simba and Mushu, and stood silently, listening for any sounds of approaching ice, and the Titan. One pain filled scream reached her from behind, “Buffy, what’s wrong?” she called out and received no answer, Tara had no was of knowing that Buffy had just been hit by a block of ice, and knocked into another before hitting the ground. A grunt and then an “Oh shit!” came from her right, “Willow, sweetie? Where are you?” she asked frightened, as she felt the pain from her wife roll over her body, “Willow?!” she shouted getting no answer, she didn’t know that Willow had -by accident- ran into the Titan and was kicked into the stands where she fell unconscious just as the fog began to clear.

Form slowly took shape, and all were lying either on the ground in the arena, in the stands, or in front of the stand, and all were the group. Tara began to shake, she could see the blood spatter around the area everywhere she looked, and spotted the small pools of blood around everyone, no one had been spared. A chunk of ice ten foot round fell from the sky above her as the Titan stepped toward her, “No!” the blonde shouted as the ice hit her and shattered into thousands of pieces before hitting the ground and leaving Tara untouched. The Titan stopped and stared at the blonde, the ice should have killed her, but it had never even touched her head, it had come within an inch of her and then exploded. The Titan was not stupid and stepped back, if the ex-summoner could do that without raising a hand then what could she do to him? He really didn’t want to find out.

A deep chuckle filled the arena as Sephiroth appeared and looked at the fallen ground before him, “Good work Titan, now finish the girl!” he ordered and was shocked when the Titan stayed where he was, “That is an order, Titan!” the man growled clenching his fists.

“You bastard!” Sephiroth turned at the sound of Tara’s enraged voice and his eyes widened as he stumbled back a step in shock. Tara had a gray glow covering her body, her eyes and hair had turned a dark gray and looked to be as if they were turning a darker shade by the second. He didn’t know what the think, how could this girl, an ex-summoner and white mage only, glow gray? Not only that, it looked to be as if she were about to call on some serious dark magic that only a gray and black mage could call.

“What the hell? What the fuck are you?”

His voice never reached Tara’s ears the white hot burning pain, the blood pounding in her veins, and the magic racing through her body drown it out. Tara was surprised, and frightened, she’d never felt this before, how was she calling on magic only the others could use? She could feel the black magic merging with her own white magic and didn’t know what was going on, only that it was making her hurt all over, but at the same time making her feel stronger than she’d ever been. How was that possible? She didn’t have the talent to call on black magic, only those who were born with it could, and she was born to be a white mage and summoner. The pain grew as her pain and terror filled scream echoed around the arena, cracking the stone pillars, and stands. A strong wind began blowing and got stronger as the seconds ticked by, and within a full minute the arena was filled with a swirling wind that picked up everything but the fallen group. Tara slowly rose into the air, her hair whipping her face under her glowing black eyes and leaving red marks that vanished as soon as they were made.

All over the arena the group began waking to the sound of Tara’s scream and could barely stand against the strong wind. Willow fought to stand upright and saw her lover floating in the air, “Tara!” she shouted pushing against the force and falling into Buffy, “What in the hellfire is going on?!” she shouted over the wind and saw Buffy shrug with a worried look on her face.

“Don’t know!” Buffy shouted back, “But I don’t like it!”

“Neither do I!” Willow shouted as she pulled Buffy behind her toward the others and stopped when Tara’s scream faded, “Huh?” she looked around, the sound of the howling wind had stopped but the wind still pushed against their bodies as they stood watching the scene unfold in surprise.

Sephiroth backed up against the Titan’s left leg and gripped his sword, little did he know the sword would do no good for what was about to come. Tara raised her hands in the air as a black swirling mist formed overhead, “Annihilation!” she shouted thrusting her hands forward, and sending the mist toward the Titan and Sephiroth. The mist surrounded the two enemies within seconds and spun around picking the two up into the air as the mist began to shrink. Sephiroth screamed in pain as his body pressed against the Titan tighter and tighter, he took a breath as the pressure was released when the mist expanded outward. He could see the blackness turning even darker and began to worry more as a laughing filled the small enclosure, turning in all directions he saw nothing but the darkness and screamed when Tara appeared in front of him, “You should have never come here!” she growled and disappeared as whistling bounced off the misty wall and grew louder as a white light appeared in the center of the enclosure.

The light grew brighter contrasting with the blackness of the mist and grew stronger, if anyone would have looked, they would have seen Willow fall to her knees from a power drain and clutch her head, “Tara! Stop!” she shouted hoping to get her wife to listen, but Tara couldn’t hear her voice, “Dammit Tara! My magic will kill you!” she screamed just as the whistling burst forth from the mist and filled the arena just before an explosion knocked everyone back twenty foot and on their knees. The explosion was so loud that everyone in the arena besides Tara felt as if their eardrums had burst from the sound wave, and felt as if their bodies had been put through a grinder from the shockwave. When the light died down nothing was left of either the Titan or Sephiroth.

Willow stood on shaky legs and looked up in time to see Tara floating slowly to the ground, “Holy Shiva!” Buffy shouted to be heard knowing that if her ears felt the way they did then the others had to feel the same.

“You can say that again!” Faith shouted approaching the two and hurried forward right behind Willow and her lover as they caught Tara from falling to the ground. The blonde’s eyes were closed as if she were sleeping, and Willow shook her head.

“Is she gonna be alright?” Clay asked as she and the rest limped over, and saw Willow nod.

“Yeah, she’s just drained…and so am I. She was using my black magic…somehow it merged with her white magic…” she trailed off not wanting to shout, and decided to wait until everyone’s hearing was back to normal.

Hercules rushed inside rubbing his ears and hurried over, “Are you okay?” he asked in a shout, and saw the nods, “Good, if you guys want to go we can take care of the rest!”

“Thanks!” Faith number two shouted as she and the group slowly made their way outside the arena and teleported back to the ship. All knew when Tara awoke there was going to be a lot of explaining to do, and hopefully she knew the answers to the questions on their minds.

********
Okay there's 58 and I'm working on 59...hope ya enjoyed ^_^

[Egnalos]

I can't believe I missed this update!!

Anyway... it's been a loooong time; so how you been?

Ok now, gotta say that I really liked this update... weird uh?
You triggered Tara's most powerful spell (and note here that powerful is an understatement) and she got to beat the crap outta
Sephiroth and the titan; both with just one spell, ok it was the spell but still, very impressive. Now what got me was that she was taking from Willow's dark magic to trigger and use said spell but... why? I suppose that's because Tara's magic is from the light (as everyone in this chapter noted, even the bad guys) but then that brings the question that if she has all of her power from the light including her merges with the D-characters and she is a powerful mage and ex summoner then why does it have to be dark magic that she uses with all that power from the light? I know that everyone says that it's more powerful because it's dark, but is it really? or is it that it's more powerful because it's her and Willow combined power in one spell?

Now don't get me wrong I don't have anything against Tara going dark, not that is an idea that I love either just, as I said before, it'll be interesting seeing her being the one that does so for a change (not that she has gone dark in this chapter, she only did a spell based on dark magic including the black hair and eyes... that or I missed something ) and I guess that the reason that it was Willow she was taking magic from it's because of their connection hence the whole being her most powerful spell (I think) and well I wonder if, in order to use this spell, is she always gonna have to take magic from Willow? or well maybe she's gonna be a gray mage from now on?

But I guess that as you said here...

All knew when Tara awoke there was going to be a lot of explaining to do, and hopefully she knew the answers to the questions on their minds.

So count me in for the explaining

I have to say that as you were telling the story it was really easy for me to see every picture in my head, Tara changing, the attacks, everything I guess that that's why I enjoyed this chapter so much...

Great chapter, and well you know I'm always waiting for more so...
More, more, more.



And well have to say again that I'll be waiting for your new fic too.

[Stormforce]

Egnalos - Hey, I've been good, you? Glad you liked the update. The answer to why was Tara drawing Willow's black magic is in this chapter ^_^ Also the question about why it was black magic is answered in this chapter too As for the black/white magic power struggle...actually I've heard black magic is more powerful than white, but that really isn't the truth. When I was in school, I loved to learn about all magics, and in what I read, neither one is more powerful than the other. There is only White, Gray, and Black magics. All three have powerful spells, none have more power -unless invoked, or cast by several witches, and warlocks at the same time- there is only the lines.

Umm...white magic is used for helping a person, like healing. Gray magic is more of doing something that causes a person to think something different...like a love spell. And then there's black magic. Black magic is not bad, it only depends on the user, but it is only used for personal gain, and forcing something to your will. Now that the spell Tara did was only more powerful due to it being a cross between her and Willow's magic...and something else, which is explained in this chapter.

Hmm...actually I think I've written in all the answers to your questions...but I can answer the question about her now being a gray mage...nope, she won't...but for a couple of chapters there will be the use of the gray magic...or in other words, her powerful spell.

I hope I explained everything in this chapter, if not, just point out a question, or problem, and I'll try to answer it for you

As for the new fic...I'm still working on it, and trying to figure out how to do a few things my way instead of how it was in the game. ^_^


Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later


Chapter Fifty-Nine: Explanations

The gummi ship hovered over Hercules’ world as the group appeared inside the bridge, Willow holding Tara in her arms, and the others helping to hold each other up. The redhead staggered toward the stairs, “We all need to get cleaned up and healed.” she spoke without turned and limped out the door and down the hall toward her and Tara’s bedroom, “C’mon guys, get in here.” she lay Tara on the bed and brushed a stray hair from the blonde’s face, “What in hellfire happened, Tara?” she whispered as she sat on the bed and grimaced from the pain all over her body.

“Ouch! Shit!” Faith number two groaned as she touched the gash on her forehead and slumped to the floor, “What the fuck was that?!” she asked staring at Tara then to Willow, they’d found that teleporting had helped their hearing some, and didn’t have to shout, “Will, you know what she did?”

Willow shook her head as Clay handed her two wet cloths, “Here, clean the blood off your face and hers.” she said handing out more cloths to the group before sliding down the wall and resting on the floor, “Look, what ever it was that she did, did the trick in getting rid of that Titan…and that Sephiroth guy…but I want to know how she did it!”

“You and me both!” Donald said as he began casting low level healing spells, and hoping that someone who felt better would cast a stronger one. He didn’t have to wait long cause as soon as his spell worked on the princesses they cast Curaga spells on the group, healing everyone including the sleeping Tara. “Willow, she’s your wife, what happened?”

Willow shrugged and turned her attention to the group but kept a hold of Tara’s hand, “I really don’t know… but what I can tell you is that I could feel my magic being drained and somehow merging with Tara’s white magic.” she sighed rolling her neck from the right to the left, “I was worried, Tara can’t handle black magic…and her drawing it from me and using it could have killed her.”

“But it didn’t.” The group looked at the blonde as she sat up.

“Tara!” Willow pulled her wife into a hug, “I don’t want you doing that again!”

The blonde narrowed her eyes, Don’t tell me what to do Willow!” she growled causing Willow to pull back and blink. That wasn’t like Tara, snapping like that at anyone, especially her? What was going on?

“I was just worried is all.”

Tara shook her head to clear it, “I’m sorry Will, I guess I’m just a little tired…”

Willow nodded, but it just didn’t seem right, Tara had been tired before and had never snapped like that, “Umm…okay, so uh…what happened back there?”

“Yeah, Tara you need to tell us all you know.” Clay spoke as she finished wiping the blood from her face, “I need a shower.” she grumbled feeling the drying blood in her hair.

Faith chuckled, “We all need one…preferably with our lovers in the shower with us.” she smirked at Buffy who blushed but nodded quickly, and groaned from the pain in her head.

“Not that I’m complaining…but those curing spells need work! My head still hurts!”

“My double is right!” Buffy number two said massaging her pounding head with her eyes tightly shut, “I feel like I’ve been run over by a herd of Chocobos!”

Willow number two giggled, just before a full blown laugh escaped her lips as she leaned on Clay, “Ouch! That friggin’ hurts! Don’t make me laugh!” she giggled out holding her hurting head.

“What the hell are you laughing for?!” Buffy number two growled and then groaned as a sharp pain shot though her head, “I really meant that’s how I feel!”

“Will?” Clay asked her lover as she calmed down, “Why are you laughing?”

The second redhead straightened up still lightly giggling and shrugged, “Its just when she said a herd of Chocobos ran over her…I got this picture of them actually running over her and leaving behind small little foot prints on her face.”

“That is not funny!” Buffy two said grinning, “Those damn feet hurt if they step on you!”

Faith number two nodded, “Yeah, and she should know.”

“I know, I’m sorry Buff, I didn’t mean to make fun at your pain.” The redhead stifled another giggle.

Buffy two shrugged with a smile, “S’ok don’t worry about, and besides, it was actually pretty funny once you get that picture in your head.”

The others had watched the going’s on and shrugged, what ever, right now they need information, and that information could only come from one of them. “Tara, would you please tell us what happened?” the princess Faith asked as she sat down on the floor un-princess like, and waited for the blonde to begin speaking.

Tara for her part had been thinking about it while the others were talking about Chocobos and still didn’t really have a clue as to what really happened. Maybe if she told the others what she had felt happen, maybe, just maybe they could help her figure it out. For one thing it was starting to scare her, what if she done that again, and she killed someone close to her? The princess’ voice shook her from her thoughts, “I really don’t know what to tell you, but I can try.” she said and sat up with Willow’s help as the redhead slid in behind her, “Well, I’ll start at the beginning…The fog had began to clear, and I saw everyone on the ground, or in the stands with pools of blood all around them, and the blood spatter on the ground everywhere I looked.” Tara paused for a moment, shaking the images from her mind before starting once more.

“Then I heard that guy Sephiroth laughing and something broke inside of me…I shouldn’t say broke, it was more like something slipped through a barrier. Anyone, at first would have thought something broke to cause me to be that strong, but I can tell you it was only a slip. I could feel the power making me stronger but it was also painful…I could feel black magic from somewhere, but I don’t know where it was coming from, and it was merging with my white magic. Then I don’t remember anything…I guess I blacked out, and what ever it was took over.”

Willow stared at her wife a moment, wondering if she should tell her, and then sighed, “Tara, love, the black magic you felt was mine.”

“What do you mean? I mean I heard you saying something about your magic and me, but were you sending your magic though our link?” Tara asked confused, if that is what it was then didn’t Willow know it could have killed her? “Will, that could have killed me.”

“No!” Willow said in surprise and with a shake of her head, “I wasn’t doing anything but trying to stop you…you were the one draining me of my magic.”

“What?! But how?” Tara pulled away from her wife and lowered her head, “By the Faith! I could have killed you!”

“You didn’t! And besides you didn’t know…or wasn’t totally conscious of it…I mean you couldn’t have been, right? If you had been you would have stopped it, and not continued to pull the magic from me.”

“She’s right, Tara, don’t blame yourself.” Princess Tara spoke and rose from the floor, “What happened was not your fault.” she lay her hand on Tara’s head and closed her eyes, “I can feel a strong power within you just waiting to get out. However I can also feel darkness within that power, you need to be very careful and controlling of your power and not let it control you.”

“That is what happened before,” Princess Faith said and rose from her spot on the floor, her eyes looking straight at the wall, “This power is for the use of good, but it has been tainted by the darkness, you need to be careful when and where you use it.” she said her eyes never leaving the wall.

“Question?” Willow number three raised her hand looking from her lover to princess Faith, “How do you two know that?”

Princess Tara turned toward her lover with the same look in here eyes as princess Faith, “The ones Tara has merged with has the taint on them even though they are of the light. The darkness touched them as their worlds were destroyed, and when their power merge with that of Tara’s the darkness on them also did.” she and princess Faith spoke as one and fell to the floor unconscious.

“Tara!”

“Faith!”

Both shouts came from the two ex-dark twins as the girls fell to the floor, “What the hell was that?” Faith number two asked watching the princesses lovers gently raise their heads, and put them in their laps.

Willow stared at the two princesses and felt something stir within her, “They are correct, Tara must control her power and not let it control her.” She said still staring at the princesses, “If she does not then all is lost.”

“What do you mean?” Clay asked getting the feeling it wasn’t Willow who was speaking, but someone else though her.

The redhead turned her head toward Clay, “If she cannot control the power and force the darkness out then she will turn dark, just like they did.” she nodded to her and Buffy’s twin, “But this time the darkness will have someone who already holds a Keyblade, and will destroy all worlds including Spira.”

Tara, Faith, and Buffy gaped at her in stunned silence, none of them knew what to say, what could they say? Faith and Buffy knew they couldn’t order Tara not to fight, that would just cause the ex-summoner to rebel against their orders, even if they asked nicely, and fight anyway. Tara on the other hand knew she wouldn’t quit fighting, and would learn to control her powers herself, and not allow anything within her to drain her wife’s black magic. What else could she do? She had to control it, and in doing so force the darkness out and let the white magic take over, “Will, sweetie, is that you or someone else?”

The redhead smiled, “No one could pull anything over on you for very long could they?” she asked and stood, making sure that Tara could sit up on her own, “As for your question, it’s someone else, my darling daughter.”

“Mother?” Tara blinked.

“Yes,” Willow nodded, “I’m using Willow to speak for me, you must be very careful daughter, for if the darkness wins all is lost.” she said sadly, “I wanted to give you some advise, when you use your power, clear everything out and do not allow your concentration to be broken. In doing this you will force the darkness out, and your true strength will show through.”

Tara nodded with a deep breath, “Will this work?”

“Yes, if and only if you do not become so angry that you cannot think correctly.”

“Okay, I will stay calm and concentrate to keep the darkness at bay.”

“My lady?” Buffy stood, “How long will the darkness stay with Tara? Is there any other way to get rid of it?”

Willow turned, and shook her head, “No my niece, Tara has to over come the darkness on her own, and I know she will, don’t you have faith in her?”

Buffy smirked, “I’ve always had faith in my cousin, I knew she would be the one to defeat Sin…even though I didn’t want her to, and I know now that she can do anything she damn well pleases.”

“Good, just remember to have faith in my daughter, and things will be fine.”

“I have a question,” Clay spoke, “Why was Tara drawing magic from Willow? Was it because of their link, or was it something else?”

“That is a good question… You see, there is darkness in Tara, but from merging with the summons, but, there was not enough darkness to overpower her white magic. The darkness found her link with Willow, and used it to pull her black magic into Tara, hoping to overrun the white magic, and turn Tara toward the path of darkness. As you can see it did not work, but if done long enough it eventually will. That is where my earlier advise comes in, don’t lose concentration, and do not become overly angry.” she turned and set her eyes on the ex-summoner, “Please remember my advise, daughter.”

“I will.”

“ Good.” she nodded, “Now I must go, and don’t worry about Willow, she has heard everything we’ve said. Goodbye, and do take care.” Willow stumbled forward, catching herself on the bed and shook her head, “Wow, now that’s a rush!”

“That was interesting.” Willow number two said blinking, “So, question, your true strength? What’d she mean by that?”

“What she meant was that what Tara did down on Hercules world will be stronger, or at the very least not so dangerous to everyone, including Willow and herself.” Donald spoke and stood up along with Goofy, “That was not her true power, the spell she invoked down there was a mix of Willow’s black magic and her own white magic…you could say for just a moment she became a gray mage. However, once she rids herself of the darkness, her true spell will come forth, and only her white magic will be powering the spell.”

The entire group blinked, “Just how friggin’ powerful are you?” Buffy number three asked staring at Tara from the floor, “I mean damn, if you have more power than what we just saw, then I can say me and Will were lucky.”

“How so?” Faith asked glancing at the third Buffy and Willow.

“How so, she asks.” Willow number three shook her head, “Just think of it this way, if something would have triggered that spell while fighting with you guys, then neither me nor Buf would be here.”

“She’s right, you know.” Tara sighed rubbing her temples, “If that would have happened before they were cleansed of the darkness, then the same thing would have happened to them that happened to Sephiroth.”

No one spoke, they all knew it was true, and all knew that if the ex-dark twins would have triggered the spell and Tara did the same thing…then what would have Tara thought about herself then? Would she had automatically turned dark when she realized what she’d done, or would it have taken longer? Actually at that moment, no one really wanted to dwell on it.

“I do believe we all need some rest.” Donald said glancing around the room and effectively ending the silence, “We have no idea what’s ahead of us, so we need the rest.” he exited the room with Goofy following behind him.

“G’night girls.” Goofy said as he closed the door.

“Well, they have the right idea.” Faith number two stood up pulling her lover with her, “And I have to agree.”

Clay nodded, “Do you need any help with them?” she asked motioning to the princesses.

“Nah, we can get them to our rooms.” Willow number three shook her head, “All I really wanna know is who was speaking through them.”

“Minnie and Daisy.” Willow said turning toward her twin, “They were trying to help and since they know the girls, it was easy for them to contact the princesses and ask to speak through them.”

“Umm…okay.” Buffy number three sighed, she’d never get used to that if it were done too much, “Good night.” she said and followed the third redhead out the door with Clay and her group right behind.

“Night all.” Willow number two waved, and pulled Clay toward their room.

“See ya in the morning.” Faith spoke kissing Tara’s forehead, “Hope you feel better.”

Buffy rushed over and kissed her cousin’s cheek, “Yeah for sure, cuz!” she giggled as she hugged Tara, “Love ya Tare.”

“Love you too, Buffy, you too Faith.”

Faith nodded with a smile, “I love you too Tara. Night.”

“Night guys.” Willow closed the door after Buffy and Faith, and turned, “Well, wanna shower with me?” she waggled her eyebrows getting a giggle and a nod, “Let’s go!”

“Lead the way oh great warrior woman.” Tara laughed as Willow gently pulled her toward the bathroom.

********
There's 59, and I'm working on 60...if I didn't explain something let me know and I'll explain it

[robotguru]

Ooh, update, yummy.

I've been playing Final Fantasy X-2 recently, just found the Lady Luck (probably my fave, but man what a downside on the slots) and the Trainer dress spheres, both quite good. Now if i could just get past that damn Zalamander...(no, there was no typo there and yes, it is basically a Salamander, immune to magic and all)

Quick couple of questions, did you prefer FFX or FFX-2 for the battle system and which did you prefer for gaining new abilities? I kinda like X-2, but that's just me

I once read an essay about Christian WIccan views of magic, they think that magic can be good and it can be bad, but it is the user that defines their use of magic, not magic in general. Didn't really explain that well here but it's somewhere in one of my old burried fics, As the Piper Plays. The way you describe the difference between black and white magics sounds pretty good to me though.

One thing i do miss in the story is a Paine-esque character, Paine was a pretty interesting addition to FFX-2, but saying that, the Buffyverse character i would have used (Faith) is already in this lol.

Seems that there may be a rough road ahead for Tara, could get very interesting. Thanks for posting.



EDIT: Taken from my fic, removed anything in between what i borrowed from the essay.

Many people new to Earth based religions and mystery religions are often quite confused by the terms white magic and black magic. The bottom line is that all forms of magick is natural and neutral. Despite what some people may think, natural phenomena used in magick like psychic powers (energy manipulation), pre-cognition (divination), and post-cognition (understanding the past to help you determine a positive present and future), have no moral gradient; they are neither good nor bad - they simply are facts of the natural world. More importantly, they are the building blocks of the magickal world.

Magick can be good, and magick can be evil, how the wielder uses it defines his magicks, not magicks in general.

Hmm, that fic, i gotta get back to it, i know how it ends...it's just getting there that's proving to be difficult

[Egnalos]

Mmmmhhh... I'm late again... damn test and papers...

Anyway...

I'm glad you're doing good. I'm extra busy with my "exámenes de fin de semestre" <--- I don't know exactly how those are called in english so... I better don't try to put them in it

Now the update...

“I have a question,” Clay spoke, “Why was Tara drawing magic from Willow? Was it because of their link, or was it something else?”

See? for a second there I felt Clay hehehe

Now; you answered my questions and I guess that the "little" detail that was missing was the dark in the D-characters that Tara merged with; I mean before we were talking about Tara merging with said characters and saying that that was why it'll be difficult for her to turn to the darkness because their magic was from the light, but now turns out that actually the "little" darkness that is in Tara comes from them...

Anyway... I know that you can't go around saying the whys and what's going to happen next before it happens in the fic so shutting up now...

And about the whole black magic, white magic and gray magic... well I always thought that magic was just well magic you know? that the whole white or light, black or dark and gray terms came from people's intentions and the way it was used, like every kind of force or power it depends on how it's used, for what it's used, hence the whole if people use magic to do bad things they called it black magic or dark magic and well I guess you know what I mean... and the way you explained things like white magic is used for helping a person... well if you think about it that's what people considers a "good thing to do" and that's why it's called white and the same with black magic; you said:

Black magic is not bad, it only depends on the user, but it is only used for personal gain, and forcing something to your will.

Well if you really look at it the whole personal gain and forcing something to your will it'll be considered as something selfish and for some people selfish=bad hence calling it black magic since black for some reasons it's always related to bad don't know why though... and I just realised that I went on a tangent here and probably missed my point somewhere in the middle so I guess that my point was that magic shouldn't be called white, black or gray since to me what should be called or classified as white, black or gray it's users intentions not the magic to me magic just is... and... mmmhhhh again with the shutting up...

So now Tara will be fighting two battles, one against the heartless and the other against the dark that wants to control her but the hard thing will be that the first one it's the one that's going to be pushing her to lose the second one and convincing Tara not to fight in the first battle (against the heartless) it's just not gonna happen so...

Ok I'll really shut up now...

Great update. More soon please.

Mmmmhhh... Ok one last thing, I just read what I wrote and I think my brain it's fried from all the studying because I didn't even understand myself so I hope that it's just me and that you, in the middle of all those words, can find the meaning of what I was trying to say, if not ignore me and I'll try again in the feedback for the next update.

[Stormforce]

Robotguru - Hey there, *Nods* I loved the Lady Luck and Trainer dress spheres, but I thought the slots could have been better, or had something else there. And I know what you mean about that Zalamander >_< took me forever to get past him...and there's one more in the Thunder Plains that was bad for me...umm...I don't know if you're past that, but if not you'll know what I mean when you do the Lightning Towers with the fiends...the one you had to do backwards.

As for the Battle System, I actually liked X-2. The Sphere Grid was ok, but it was a pain, especially if you went the wrong way and learned something a certain character didn't need. FFX-2 was different as you know, and to me, it was the better of the two. ^_^ Before I started this story, I had actually thought about bringing in Paine, I liked her story in X-2 and thought she was interesting, but it would have taken the story in a different direction than what I'd wanted...so I left her out.

I'm glad that you like my explanation of white and black magics, it was the only way I could think of describing magic without a lot of confusion. Especially the way I know of it. I have played a lot of games where magic is used in both ways, and the FF series is just one of those that have the characters using both white and black...and in FFVIII there is the forbidden magic...which is cool

As for Tara, yep, her road is going to be rough for a few chapters until she gets everything under control, and when that happens...well, her powerful spell will be different, not like it is now.

Also your edit, I like the way that is explained, and it's what I had read, and it's what I believe. Magic is neither good nor evil, it all depends on the user. And I can understand the "Knowing how it ends, just getting there is the difficult part" Thats the same problem I'm still having. ^_^

Thanks for the reply, and here's the update, finally


Egnalos - Hey there. Hopefully you're exams and papers aren't loading you down too much. I'm sorry about never saying anything about there being darkness in the D-world characters, but it was something I wasn't sure I was going to go with...and then I did ^_^

Ah, well, in the magic, there are/can be, people who use white magic and still only use it for bad things. Just as there are ones that use only black magic/voodoo that use it for good. However there are more of the bad kind using black magics than good. I guess thats where the "Only depends on the user" comes in. Anyway, I think I'll just stick with what I explained first, it's easier that way ^_^

You are right about Tara not fighting, she just won't do that since it isn't in her nature to allow others to fight and her to stand aside. She will have a rough time with it, but as I have learned, nothing is ever easy...especially when you have something as strong as the magics pushing you, trying to take over. Oh, and don't worry, I understood everything you wrote And here's the update.

Note: I have a question for everyone reading, if you would like to answer for me... There will be a Kingdom Hearts 2, and as usual, I will play it. Now my question is this: Does anyone want me to write that as a sequel to this? Or should I end it here?

Final Fantasy X-3
Pairing: W/T B/F
Rating: R
Disclaimer: I'll put 'em back later

There isn't much going on in this chapter, only Proofing weapons...but there will be a fight next chapter.


Chapter Sixty: Proofed Weapons

The ship’s alarm beeped as the sun rose over the planet below signaling the start of a new day for the world. A low sleepy quack could be heard in the other rooms as Donald walked down the hallway toward the ship’s control room. The door whooshed open allowing the duck to enter and approach one of the panels, with a yawn he pressed a glowing purple button and sat down. A small blue and green screen flickered to life with a blinking red dot over Neverland. “What’s this?” Donald asked himself and touched the blinking dot, bringing up another screen.

There are reports of a tall Heartless Phantom residing in the area, anyone who comes into contact with this creature dies within a few minutes. If you see the Phantom take caution, do not approach, or attack. Get away as quickly as possible, and report it. We are currently trying to find a way to dispel this creature, and are working as quickly as possible.

“Great.” Donald sighed and stood, it looked like Neverland needed help, and they were the only ones that could help get rid of the Heartless. The duck hit another button, causing an alarm to blare inside the rooms, and wake the others. Donald sat down and waited, knowing the girls would be along any moment to either yell, or find out what all the fuss was about. The door opened and in stepped Clay’s group, followed by the princesses and their lovers, then Willow and Tara. Only a few seconds passed until Buffy and Faith walked in with Goofy following behind, yawning.

“What’s up Donnie?” Buffy number two asked through a yawn as she plopped down on the seat next to the duck.

“Neverland needs help. There have been reports of a Heartless Phantom running around, and it’s been killing people.”

“Great, do you know how’s it’s been doing that?” Clay asked as she too sat down, “Has it been casting a spell, or just murdering by hand?”

Donald shrugged, “All the report said was that anyone who come into contact with it died, so I’m going to say it’s a spell the Phantom is using…unless if touching it transfers some kind of poison.”

“No, we have a spell that will kill the enemies within a few minutes, whether they are person or monster…that is unless they are immune to it.” Faith number two said glancing around.

“Doom.” Clay nodded and frowned, “That is one dangerous spell, not very hard to get rid of once you know it’s been cast, but sometimes you don’t know until the last second, and then it’s too late.”

“Well, at least we have those revive spells.” Buffy number two said mentally naming what spells she had.”

“Won’t need them.” Buffy spoke with a grin causing the others besides the Spira group to quirk their eyebrows.

Willow number two cocked her head to the left, “Why not? If that thing casts Doom on someone they will die, and the Revive spells will bring them back.” The twin didn’t understand it, why would Buffy say something like that?

“She’s right,” Faith smirked, and winked at Willow’s twin, “We have armor that is Doom-proof.”

“Huh?” Faith number two blinked, “When and how did you do that?”

“Armor? How’d you make armor proofed against Doom?” Clay asked also wanting to know how they did it, “I mean all we can do is junction a hundred spells to our Guardian Forces to become immune to it, but proofing armor?”

Buffy scratched her head, “Junction? Spells? A hundred? What in hellfire are you talking about?”

“Okay, you’ve seen the GF’s, what we do is something like Tara did with the Aeon’s. We merge with the Guardians -but they can be switched between other people- anyway, what we do is draw magic from certain areas, and all monsters and people carry spells too, so we can draw magic from them. Then take those spells and junction them to a section of our GF, doing that makes us immune to what ever spell we want. Junction any spell to a section in defense and we’re immune. It’s the same with offence, you can junction, say, a Firaga spell and it will automatically make your attacks flame out. Know what I mean?”

“Umm…I think so.” Willow blinked and then nodded at Clay, “Yeah, I get it. So what your saying is that you can be immune to any spell you junction in defense, and can make your attacks come with what ever spell you junction to offence.”

“Right.” Faith number two smiled, “But there’s also a down side to it. You’ve got to be very careful when you junction offensive spells to your attacks. There are some monsters that can be healed by certain attacks.”

Faith nodded at her twin, “Yeah, there are some fiends like that in Spira. So we know what you’re talking about.”

“Okay, now that you know about our junction, tell us how you proof armor, please.” Willow number two spoke and began thinking they would make a lot of Gil when this was over by selling proofed armor.

Being that Buffy was the one who knew the most about proofing armor the others nodded to her, and with a smile the Al Bhed rubbed her hands together. “Okay, first off you need a certain item, usually the fiends would drop the item you need. Anyway, what you do is take said item, and forge it into the armor…or in your case, just forge magic into the armor.”

“And how would we do that?” Clay asked, wondering just how you would forge a spell into armor without breaking said armor.

“Easy.” Buffy smirked, “All you have to do is concentrate on the spell you want to proof against, and send it into the armor, no forging necessary. Here I’ll show you how.” She held out her hand, “Let me see your arm guard.” she said to her twin and took the small green and red armor. “Okay, what spell you want proofed against?”

“Well, I would like to be Doom-proof…but can you add more than just that?”

Buffy nodded, “You sure can, actually this armor can be proofed against five different spells…I’ll start with the Doom-proofing.” The Al Bhed pulled out three vials of liquid causing the others to stare, “This is called Farplane Wind and it will proof this armor against Doom, and Death.” she said as she began pouring the liquid on the armor, everyone besides her group stared as the liquid was absorbed into the metal. After the three vials were gone Buffy smiled, “There ya go. Doom and Death-proofed. Now what else?”

“Well, since there are only three left that I can choose from…”

Buffy shook her head at her twin, “Nope, you still have four to choose. When you proof against Doom it will knock the spell out, and it’s the same with Death, the Farplane Wind also knocks that one out as well, so it’s two spells for one.”

“Okay, cool, how about Poison?”

“Sure.” Buffy nodded and pulled out 4 small fangs, “These can come from any fiend or monster that causes poison from biting.” she said and placed the fangs on the armor, as her hand began to glow red and a strong Fire spell erupted, melting the fangs into the armor. “Okay now what other three do you want?”

Buffy number two looked at the ceiling as she began thinking, “Well, how about proofing against being petrified, zombie, and silence?”

“Okay, that’s easy.” Buffy smirked, “Petrify.” she whispered calling up a Stone spell over the armor, and turning it into stone, “Fire.” she whispered once more as the fire spell rolled over the armor, and merged the stone spell into the armor. She then took out five Echo Screen and 7 Holy Water vials and poured them over the armor. “There ya go, oh, wait a minute.” she pulled the armor back with a grin, and poured another two vials of something else on the armor, “Now it’s all that you wanted plus Confuse-proof.” she handed the armor back to her twin. “Anyone else?”

For the next two hours Buffy, with the help of Faith and Willow, proofed everyone’s armor against any status effect they wanted, and redid their own and Tara’s. After finishing the armor, Willow got an idea and pulled Buffy to the side for a couple of minutes. The redhead outlined her idea causing Buffy to nod and grin before she grabbed one of her daggers, knowing if something happened, she could always replace it. “Go for it.” she said placing the dagger on the floor as the others watched. Willow gave a nod, and cast four Blizzaga spells before casting the Fire spell to merge them into the weapon. “Okay, lets see if your idea works.” Buffy said picking the dagger up and getting into a defensive stance.

“Blizzard!” Willow shouted, causing the others to stare wide eyed as her spell flew toward the Al Bhed. Buffy quickly brought up her dagger and yelped in satisfied glee. The spell had been absorbed into the blade, and had healed the Al Bhed.

“Sweet, Will! I thought we could only do that with the armor!”

“Try attacking me, we don’t want it to backfire and become a weapon with the ability to heal the enemy with ice.”

Buffy nodded and lunged forward, her small blade meeting Willow’s sword, and clanging together with sparks flying. Both girls jumped back with a smile, “Seems it didn’t turn into an Icestrike weapon.”

“Nope, you have to cast fifteen regular Blizzard spells for that.” Willow smirked, and turned around, “Who wants their armor to absorb the four main spells, and in turn heal you?” All hands raised at that question, “Alright, bring them over here and set them on the floor.”

As Willow cast the spells on the weapons Willow number three walked over to Faith, “Hey, what did she mean by an Icestrike weapon and what exactly is that called?” the ex-dark twin asked nodding toward Willow as the others surrounded the Dragon Warrior and waited.

“What Will is doing is making an eater weapon. There are Ice-eater, Fire-eater, Water-eater, and Lightning-eater. As the names say, they absorb a certain spell and then heals you. As for the strike weapons, we found that when a weapon is attacked by a certain spell so many times, it absorbs it and turns the weapon into one with the ability of the spell…but also, we can charge our weapons with magic too, and it really helps on enemies.”

“How so?” Buffy number three asked leaning against the wall, “And can we do that too?”

Tara nodded, “Yeah, you can, actually anyone with the ability to cast magic, can charge a weapon for a single attack. What they’re doing, and what Faith said a moment ago, is turning the weapon into something with a little more attack. The four main spells are Fire, Blizzard, Water, and Thunder. So when a weapon is hit with one of those spells a certain number of times it will automatically become a Strike weapon. Icestrike, has the Blizzard ability, Firestrike has Fire, Lightningstrike has Thunder, and Waterstrike has Water.”

Clay watched Willow for a moment before turning back to her twin, “Won’t that, you know, also cause trouble?” she asked raising her left eyebrow, “I mean what if the enemy you’re fighting is either immune to it or it can be healed by that certain spell?”

“That’s where you need to be careful, but if they’re immune to it then you’re still hurting them with your regular attack.” Faith spoke, “Actually on the Heartless they would be useful, but on those giant friggin’ enemies they send after us, well, some of them can be healed by magic…but it has to be the right spell. However, even if we meet one that can be healed by one of the strike weapons, we’ve all got a second one ready, or we can just cast spells and not attack.”

The princesses glanced at one another and nodded, “We’ve something that might be useful in those fights.” Princess Tara said causing the others to give her their attention, “It is called Immune Break, and Reflect Healing.”

“What’re those?” Buffy blinked, “And can we learn them? They sound like something we could use.”

Princess Faith nodded, “Yes, you can learn them, we were going to give them to you as a gift. As for what they do, Immune Break breaks the barrier around the enemy, and then they can be hurt by the spell. Reflect Healing is very useful, when cast, any and all healing on the enemy will bounce back and heal one of us.”

“Even if you are using one of those strike weapons, and find that it will heal the enemy, the healing will still bounce back and heal one of us.” Princess Tara smiled.

Willow had finished turning the weapons into spell eaters, and handed them back to their owners, “How long does it take to learn those spells you were talking about?” she asked handing Clay her Gunblade.

“That depends on the one learning. Those who are just beginners will learn it in two to three days, an intermediate caster will learn in a day and a half, and an adept will learn in a day. I know it sounds like a long time to learn a spell, but those two spells are very useful to have.”

Willow nodded glancing around, there were no beginners among them, and the only intermediate casters were Buffy and Faith, everyone else were adept in casting magic. “Well, once we leave Neverland we can start learning, that is only if you want to begin then, if not, then I’m sure we can wait.”

“Then is fine.” Princess Tara smiled, “The sooner you learn those spells the better, we do not know what is waiting for us down the road.”

The group nodded at the princess as the ship came to a stop, checking their weapons, armor and pouches the group headed toward the glowing yellow teleport light, and was gone in the blink of an eye. Once the light died down the group glanced around and found themselves on the empty deck of Captain Hook’s ship, “Anyone here?” Faith called out only to have her voice bounce back at her in an echo, “That answers that.” she said and saw Peter Pan flying toward them.

“You’re back.” He landed in front of the group, “That’s good there’s something strange going on.”