⚠️Spoiler alert ⚠️
This story has slight spoilers and references to FFIX and Dissidia NT. Other sort of references are minimal. If you wish to avoid them, please avoid reading.
If you're fine with this, then please proceed. To understand what's going on, please read the note at the end.
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In a world referred by many as World B, a world extended by illusions of places from other worlds, a lady explores a little plaza. In the middle stands a ticket shop, in the background a majestic castle, and all around the place different boxes and little stands. Only the girl is there, watching in awe the place she had stumble upon in her travels when she was looking for summons to help defeat the planesgorgers and posteriorly Shinryu to save this world.
This damsel goes by the name of Terra; some closer people call her Tina if they wish. Her blonde sweet hair emitting a golden shine in the breathtaking view, her vivid red coloured clothes standing out in the middle of what seemed like an old oil painting. A friend of almost every person that stepped on this world and loved by many as well, her current location had been stuck in her mind ever since she put her feet in it for the first time.
- It's beautiful, isn't it? - a voice said, startling the young lady.
- Uh? - Terra turned around to look at who had just come in the eyes, even though their voice had already give it way. - Oh, Kuja! - a smile was drawn on her lips after her eyes crossed the ones of the man who had saved her more than once and to whom she had become great friends with, despite him being a supposed enemy. - It is. It's so charming. - she turned back to admiring the little location.
- Do you remember what happened here when we first came? - asked the tall figure besides her, his medium silver hair slightly flowing with the little breeze.
- Alexander attacked us and... - started the young lass, remembering the event all over again, the pain it brought her as well. - You seemed guilty of that. Why? - she had to know. She might not have another time to ever ask why it happened. Why did Kuja say it must have been a mistake for him to be there. But right now, it seemed both would have time enough for a proper conversation. And she is not backing down without answers.
- You want to know, uh? - Kuja was more than aware that he owed her an explanation. He was merely pushing her to ask the question. - I suppose I should tell you. You deserve to know. - and so he started telling tales of his world of origin. - As you might know, this is a place back at my world. It's called Alexandria and is one of the big nations of the Mist Continent. - His hands were pointing to everywhere while he started presenting the kingdom; a little break in his speech was made as he too watched the place, despite knowing it quite well.
- Alexandria? That sounds like Alexander. - Terra couldn't let this little detail pass unaware. Could it be the reason why Alexander was found here?
- Aye. Alexandria's castle is Alexander. - the white villain stated, fully aware the question would come and ready to answer it.
Terra was now more than ever staring at the castle in the background, imagining it as Alexander. Her eyes didn't look anywhere else. Kuja couldn't help but smile a gentle smile as he watched one of the few with whom he had manage to build a strong bond with listen to him with such happiness, thing he only had watched from his sister.
- Wow! You mean, that castle is secretly Alexander back at your world? - the young lady was so excited, she wanted to visit his world and see for herself. - How do you summon it? - she had to know. She was so happy, she wanted to know more! But then....
- Was. - was all Kuja said, with a voice and face as neutral as the color white presented all over him.
- What? - Was? What does that mean? What could he mean with that? What is going on?! Terra's expression showed her confusion as much as her thoughts.
- Was secretly Alexander. - he said, his face not changing at all. - At least after what I... - he stopped on his tracks. He had to answer the confused and curious lady besides him. But... It wasn't truly his fault, was it? Then why is he blaming himself? - no, after what Garland did, - that's right. Garland was the one who destroyed Alexandria, it's his fault. - Alexander should no longer exist. Unless rebuilding the castle to its original state allows Alexander to keep on living and eventually be summoned again. - the possibility exists, that can't be denied. But still, it's so absurd. Why did he even said such a thing?
- You destroyed Alexandria?! - the lass was so confused and startled. That caught her off guard. One could even sense a bit of anger in her. But the destruction of Alexandria was the only possible event for the death of Alexander, right? And considering the male was a villain, she was fully aware he could have very well done it. She hadn't listened to Kuja mentioning Garland, the male let it out in such a whisper only he heard.
- I didn't intend to destroy it all. - Kuja remarked. He had upset Terra and he didn't like that. Now he'll have to tell her an even longer tale. - Blame Garland for that. - he quickly spoke out. Terra showed a little confusion in her eyes. Garland? There was only one she knew with that name and he wasn't from Kuja's world, though both shared quite the father-son relationship. Her attention went back to the silver-haired man as he kept going. - All I did was call forth Bahamut to cause some destruction to encourage Alexander's summoning. I never intended to destroy all of Alexandria. - he tried to sound as true as he could as the truth came out of his mouth. Being already dead had made it harder to lie, something he did a lot throughout his life, yet some would still doubt his words. He couldn't blame them. Why wouldn't they question him? They have the reason to.
- What happened? -Terra had to know. She wouldn't stop bothering him until she gets her answer. But then she remembered something, stopping Kuja from continuing - Wait, I remember you saying to Zidane Alexander was your goal. Why is that? - since she was asking questions, might as well ask all of them.
There was nothing Kuja could do but answer her. The last thing he wanted was to upset her more than he already did. He stared at his feet for a while, memories he wished would be gone already flowing in his mind. Taking a deep breath, he then went:
- Well, Garland, not the one we see here in World B, the one back at my world, is my creator. - he had took notice of the lass's confused expression upon hearing Garland's name before. He knew he had to start by explaining who was he talking about. - My father, if you can even call him one... - he pretty much whispered, a sad and angered tone in this last sentence that left his mouth. Terra was close enough to hear and her face showed a concerned expression, wondering why mentioning his father hurted him so much.
- Is he that bad? - she had to know. She just hopped she didn't step on a mine, ready to explode.
- Long story short, two years after I abandoned Zidane in Gaia, my "father" banished me from Terra, my birthplace. - that he had abandoned Zidane was a well known fact among everyone, thus he didn't need to say anything that happened before that, to avoid remembering those memories that haunt him every night and unable him to sleep. Obviously, he gestured the quotation marks with his hands as he said "father". He just can't stand hearing himself call him that. No. Not that Garland. His expression softened, however, upon saying his birthplace's name, which coincidentally is the same as the blonde beauty besides him. Ironic, considering he didn't have too many happy memories in that hell of a planet.
- Oh, so that's why... - others might have known about Kuja's banishment, but for Terra it was the first time she ever acknowledged that. She couldn't help but feel sorry for him. - And what did you intend to do from there?
- Overcome him. Get back at him. Prove him I'm superior and not just some useless tool! - Kuja immediately answered, rage all over his voice as it took a crescendo, the sentence finishing with basically a shout. Terra had whimpered at the sudden burst, but she didn't blame him for anything. She knew he needed to take it all out, and she was up for the task of hearing him out.
- Being a tool... I know the feeling... - her quiet voice sweetly spoke, as some of her past memories of torture came back. This didn't go unnoticed by the man.
- Sorry. I didn't mean to trigger any of your memories. - he immediately apologized. Kuja didn't like to see a lady sad, and the fact that it was someone as sweet as Terra was breaking his monochrome heart even more. He hated himself for making her upset. Both knew Kuja is quite the insensitive person, but he was trying hard to change that and actually learn and get used to feelings. It seems he still has a long way to go.
- It's fine. - Terra could sense the little despair in Kuja, she had to assure him everything was alright. It did calmed the young villain a bit, and that's enough for her. - So, where does Alexander come in all of this? - to distance the conversation from its current point, she went back to the start. Why was Alexander Kuja's goal was what she really needed and truly wished to know.
- I was gonna use it to surpass Garland. - he knew he needed to explain more; Terra's face was still as confused as it was when she first heard him mentioning Garland. - You see, back at my world, Alexander is so powerful that its gem got divided into four pieces. By bringing the four parts together, you could summon it.
Terra has been speaking with the others like her and has been discovering more and more about the way their worlds work. That in Kuja's world the Espers, there called Eidolons, were obtainable through gems was one of the things Zidane had already inform her about. Hearing Alexander's was divided due to how powerful the summon was left her flabbergasted. It must really be powerful. Then it occurred her:
- So you did get Alexander! - the way Kuja phrased that, he must have manage to get Alexander. She was certain. - How did -
- I didn't. - Kuja interrupted, his face completely neutral, like the other time he had corrected her.
- Uh?! - what? But how? She was certain he got it. Hearing that he didn't caught her off guard yet again.
- My brother and his friends were the ones with the four parts. - the silver figure quickly answered, knowing leaving a lady waiting wouldn't be good. - You could almost say it was thanks to me they even got them all, but I suppose that is debatable. - everything was debatable when it was this guy saying it. Although, he should receive a little credit, for it was thanks to him Zidane even met all of those friends to start with. - Anyway, Alexander was summoned and I was about to abduct it so I could use it; however, Garland took control over the Invincible and destroyed Alexandria instead. I guess he found out about my plan, thus he intervened. - as he went to tell what truly mattered to answer the lady's question, Kuja couldn't help but think of how bad he looked after the incident, his figure truly in a deplorable state. He hated remembering that day. For someone who always looks so graceful and dresses perfectly, not a single stain in any of his white clothes, remembering his figure after the destruction of the city pained him much.
- So that's what happened... And Alexander was mad at you for that... - Terra had already guessed it couldn't be something good, considering Kuja was involved. That it was bad, tragic even, had already crossed her mind, though the destruction of an entire city hadn't fully passed yet. Still, what shocked her more was the fact Kuja stated Alexandria's destruction wasn't his fault, not fully at least. Could Alexander not care about that and simply attacked them for Kuja being there as he was one of the culprits for the land's destruction? Or could something else be involved too?
- I apologize for making the mission more difficult. That wasn't my intention. - Kuja suddenly blurted out, which caught the girl lost in thought off guard.
- No need to apologize. - she knew he didn't mean to make it harder for her and his brother. Even though she knows the rivalry both share, she also knows Kuja wouldn't dare put Zidane in much danger. The young villain had told her many times how protective he is of his sibling behind the villainous mask he wears. - We managed to overcome that difficulty, didn't we? - she said with a smile as she looked at the tall man. He couldn't help but chuckle a little while giving a nod. You could see both were enjoying each other's company.
- Having someone oblivious to the situation might actually be an advantage sometimes. Had Squall not been fighting alongside me when we encountered Snow and Odin... I don't think I would manage to pull that one by myself. - a female voice suddenly said, and to its sound the two friends turned to cross eyes with a strawberry ice cream haired girl, fighter written all over her stance.
- Oh, Lightning! - the blonde girl ran to the other, happy to see one of the people that accompanied her in their quest for summons. Kuja slowly walked up to both ladies. - You had a hard time here too?
- Emotionally difficult. - the lady by the alias of Lightning stated. - I never thought I would find Snow here, let alone seeing him as a warrior of Spiritus... - she didn't like her sister's boyfriend a lot, but for that exact reason, for the fact that it was her sister's lover, she didn't want to fight him. Until this very day she was still glad she was not alone at the time.
- Having someone on the other side that is very important to you can be hard to deal with. I know that all too well... - a soft male voice spoke, earning him the stares of the three previously mentioned characters. This time, Kuja was the first one to walk up to the new placed figure.
- Tch. You're not the only one, twin brother! - the dragon onwer stated, smirking as he referred to the other male as if he was someone of his family, which wasn't true. Or was it...?
- I know. - the paladin said, fully aware he wasn't the only one with family on the opposite side of the battlefield. - Also, we don't even have the same age for you to consider me your twin, let alone be brothers. - the man by the name of Cecil Harvey said. He knew Kuja was just messing around and didn't truly mean it when he called him his "twin brother", but both can play that game.
- Hey! Let me have my fake family fantasy in peace! - the young villain remarked. He truly cherished this fake family of his, they are for him the family he never had. Hearing someone dismantling it, even more one of its members, hurt him, in a very metaphorical way. He knew very well Cecil was just playing around.
- Fake family? Is that what you call your friends? - Lightning asked, a slight worry in her voice. She definitely didn't want to belong to this fake family fantasy of Kuja. Depending on the answer received, she was ready to punch him in the face and start a battle with him right there and then, no matter how pointless it would be.
- Nope. - the mage said in a relaxing and almost playful way, knowing very well why the question. And knowing very well Lightning wouldn't want a yes for an answer. Still, it was the truth. - That's what I call those who I find many and cool similarities. - at this point, some would even question if this man truly was Kuja or not. He looked so joyful, in a way anormal to his character, perhaps even childish. Lightning certainly belonged to this group. Terra and Cecil, however, were more aware of this side of the white stained figure, thus this was more than normal for them. Lightning received the answer she wanted, Kuja could see it in her expression. He could see her questioning his behaviour, but she didn't bring up to conversation.
- And I'm one of them... - Cecil remembered, stating it in a bored way just to tease Kuja a little. He did know where their similarities were, why was he referred to as twin brother. Kuja had told him multiple times.
- Why stay at fake? Why not make it real? - Terra asked. It's the first time she ever heard of this fake family thing. In their various conversations, Kuja had never spoke of such a thing. She was very oblivious to the whole extension of it, but she definitely was curious to hear more.
- Haha. The fake part is just because they aren't by biological family. - Kuja chuckled, explaining the reason of why the "fake" in what for him was so real. - For me, they're as real as they can get. - a sweet smile slowly appeared on his face as he said those words out loud, remembering all the conversations and nicknames he had given to every single member of his family.
- That's so sweet! - The blonde clapped her hands together, smiling from ear to ear after hearing Kuja's true words, showing how much he had come from his isolation. She was very happy for him, she could sense him getting more and more used to feelings and emotions and she was certain this fake fanily would be the best place for him to start. She was obviously going to do her part and help too.
- Our friends and family are what gives us strength. What you consider your family and friends is up to you. - Cecil philosophically said, his purple eyes shining a galactic shine. His mind now spacing off to when he had to fight his brother on a previous cycle, when he said something similar to his first quote of just now.
- In the end, we're all part of a giant family. You just need to find what role do you take. - Kuja added, hinting to a family that not even Lightning could escape from, no matter what.
- Y'all talking about family and don't invite me? - despite being a question, and one anyone could assume would be spoken out with anger or disappointment, this time it came from a cheerful male voice who immediately ran towards the little group upon overhearing their last bits of dialogue, focusing a lot on the world family.
- Tidus! - the Lunarian boy called out his friend who had accompanied him for a short time in a previous cycle, before Cecil went his own way. - I thought you'd be with Firion right now. - it's no wonder the young adult would think of such. Ever since Tidus and Firion met, they have become quite the inseparable duo. Even this time they fought alongside each other, as they had done in previous ones. Seeing one way from the other was basically unthinkable.
- We all thought he'd be with Firion. The two are more inseparable than Gilgamesh and Enkidu, and those are rarely seen apart. - Kuja said, with that teasing tone in his voice characteristic of him.
- Haha. - Tidus couldn't help but chuckle. What they were saying was true, he couldn't deny it. His friendship with Firion is one of the most famous ones all around. - Well, Firion is helping Ace alongside Zidane and Vaan. So, I went to explore the different places and here I am now. - the dream boy stated, knowing they needed an explanation about his friend's whereabouts and why wasn't he with him.
- Travelling, uh? - Lightning was a bit surprised Tidus decided to travel around instead of accompany his friend, but the boy was free to do whatever he wanted. It wasn't her business.
- Have you seen more people around? - Terra asked, curiosity and excitement to hear about Tidus's travels all over her voice.
- Not really. I've caught a glimpse of some people, but didn't talk to them. - the newcomer to the group answered while scratching his head. - But you were talking about family? - he really wanted to take part of this conversation. One could easily understand why: if he ever gets the chance, you bet he's gonna use it to speak poorly about his father. Oh, how much he hates the man...
- Indeed. - Cecil spoke. Then he rememebered - You have family on Spiritus's side too. Jecht, right? - Cecil knew he was right, even if his phrasing didn't make it look so. You would need to live under a rock to not know of Tidus's and Jecht's father and son relationship, that no one can understand if it's crumbling or building up.
- I heard you are in better terms with him. - the only Spiritus's warrior of the group remarked, which earned him a look from the blonde boy.
- Who told you that? - Tidus knew Kuja and Jecht were good friends, but he didn't think his father would bring that up in a conversation with the silver male.
- Jecht himself. - Kuja smugly said, aware that Tidus didn't think his father would ever speak of it. Well, it wasn't a total lie, but it wasn't the total truth eitheir. Kuja had caught glimpses of both father and son together, surprisingly not fighting or shouting at each other. He also managed to hear bits of their conversations, and they hinted for a non violent bond. While he experienced some moments himself, he did asked Jecht about it, to which the older male had answered him, rather reluctantly, not wanting to really bring it up.
- I should have seen that one coming. - Tidus still didn't believe his father would ever speak of it, but he knew that Kuja would have only heard of it from his old man. - But yeah, we're on better term. For now.
- For now? - the way Tidus had pronounce it was bothering Lightning. What could the male mean by "for now"? Why would he have the need to even specify that?
- He still made my life hell! - everyone knew of Tidus's hate for his father, even Jecht himself. Despite being on better terms with his old man, the teenage dream wouldn't forgive him that easily. He actually thought everyone would have guessed that. Seems like he was wrong.
- Living to someone's expectations... - Kuja suddenly blurted out, quietly. - I really need to get some adoption papers. - not even the speaker understood why did he said that, but something inside him made him do so. That earned him confused stares from everyone. He too was staring confused at some thing random, still trying to understand from where did this wish come from.
- Adoption papers? - Terra asked. Kuja was the last person she ever believed would adopt someone. Well, not really the last, there were people below him, but he said it so suddently she was taken aback. - You're going to adopt someone? - she knew the answer was most probably yes, considering he said he needed them, but now she was curious about who was going to be adopted and why.
- I might as well take Squall and Tidus away from their asshole fathers. - it's not the first time Kuja actually thinks of this. The thought had occurred to him multiple times, he knew the two teenagers didn't like their fathers, and that being with them could've actually bring more suffering to the kids, each in their way. No one cared that Kuja just called Laguna and Jecht assholes, everyone knew his thinking about them. Jecht himself was constantly bombarded by the term, having become the way Kuja calls him casually. If Kuja doesn't call him with that name, that usually means something is wrong.
- You'd really do something like that? - Tidus was burning with excitement. You could see it all over him. It's as if he had just won the blitzball cup. He was still shocked, he never thought Kuja would be someone willing to adopt others, let alone adopt him, but he was actually liking the thought.
- Not like it would cut your ties to them, they are still your biological fathers, but perhaps help you forget a bit those ties. - knowing he could manage to keep Tidus's smile present was enough for Kuja to want to do this. Tidus's smile and laugh is one of the most cherished things around, it's his mark. And so are Terra's innocence, Squall's isolation, Zidane's flirting, and all the other aspects that characterizes each of them. Knowing he could preserve them was enough reason for him to proceed.
- I'm totally down for that! - Tidus affirmed, doing his signature gesture of confirmation with his hand.
- I wouldn't really take care of you though. You're on your own. - Kuja quickly remarked, killing whatever expectations the blonde male could have of him doing so, if there were any to start with. He knew that adopting someone meant taking care of them, but Kuja was quite the busy person, not to forget he wasn't fond of children. And there was still the detail of them not being from the same world.
- Doesn't matter. Works for me. - Tidus was satisfied by simply having his ties with his old man ever so slightly weaker. It didn't matter how it would then be, whatever will do just fine for him.
- But would Squall agree with this? - Lightning thought out loud, she wasn't entirely sure if the brunette would really accept this.
- Considering his view on Laguna, I would be more surprised if he refused. - Kuja wasn't completely sure if it was true, but it had truth in it. Squall never understood or was a big fan of his father. It's not like he could even see a father in him. Refusing the opportunity to cut their ties would be rather shocking.
- It's so sweet what your doing. - Terra said as she clapped her hands together. Seeing her friend create such strong bonds was warming her heart. - It doesn't even feel like you are a "bad guy". - she completed, as she gestured the quotation marks, a little smirk on her face.
- Redemption can reach everyone. - considering his story and the one of his relatives, it's no surprise Cecil would say something like this. Kuja had even told him this was one their similarities, in a way.
Realizing how dumb part of their conversation had turned to, the group started to laugh, except Lightning who just let out a sigh. As they kept laughing, Kuja suddenly stopped, sensing something calling him. Realizing it was the other Spiritus's warriors, he let out a bored sigh, he really didn't like to deal with them. Well, most of them; some like Golbez were his only reason for even visiting, all the rest gave him reason to just be anywhere except that tower.
- I'd love to stay and talk more, but I must go. - The silver beauty informed, as he started walking to a portal that had recently appeared. - We shall catch on some other time. - he waved them goodbye and the others mimicked, except Lightning, each in their way.
- Kuja, don't be a stranger. - Terra took the opportunity to mimic her goodbye words from the other time, from when they had finished defeating Alexander and the planesgorgers were starting to show.
Kujs took noticed of what she was doing and played along, mimicking the acknowledging nod, like he had done the other time. This made a smile appear on Terra's face, happy that his amnesia hasn't taken that memory away from him.
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Story: Family is where the heart is
Written by: @CorujinhaGamer26
Featuring:
Word count: no idea, but they're a lot.
Purpose of the story: Zappy's birthday gift, like promised. Hope ya like, bro.
Well, this looks a lot like some random Wattpad one shot lol. It was supposed to be a comic, but I can't draw and school is already taking too much of my time, so you get just the story.
There are few of my headcanons present, so if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I'll answer them the best way I can.