A Single Thread

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Not too long after checking in on Lilith, Abigail found herself at a makeshift altar in the torpedo bay. She sighed softly, preparing herself for a service she didn't want to give. Surprisingly, the soldiers that had fallen were already loaded, and the casings were all modified for their use. All fourteen were open for the final viewing.

Soldiers were filing in (those that could be in attendance, anyway), and Abigail was flipping through her Book of Cosmos. She was looking for an appropriate passage or two while she still had time. Glancing up every once in a while, she would note the people who were there. Some of them she remembered like Maara and Julie and Sue, a great many of them she still didn't know the names of. Mentally, she made a note to learn everyone's nmes after this.

When all the seats were filled, Abigail cleared her throat and looked to them all. "Thank you all for coming. We are all gathered here to say our goodbyes to our friends and comrades who have made the journey into the light. But let us not think of this as a final farewell, but as a fond and loving sendoff to heroes whom we will see again someday. I would like now to recite a passage from the Book of Cosmos..."

She paused a moment, opening the book and looking down. "Into the light, do we commend the hearts of our comrades. Into the hands of Cosmos do we entrust our dearest friends, where they will be held safe and happy for ever and ever. And because they are with our sovereign, we shall not weep, but rejoice in that their journey has reached the end of the long and winding road, and that they may now enjoy their well-earned reward..."

She trailed off, closing her book and smiling softly. As she looked up, she smiled to the people there softly. "I would like now to open the floor... to anyone who wishes to say a word on behalf of our dear friends..."

She waited... hoping someone would come up to speak...

[General Beatrix]

Shortly after the Alexandrian Soldiers filed into the bay, knights of higher rank quietfully and dutifully set them up in neat long rows, and soon took their own places closest to the makeshift service altar and burial line.

Beatrix came in at about the same time as they'd all settled into a steady silence and moved over to where Ellin and Abby stood; she nodded to them both and folded her hands together, turning towards the line and bowing her head.

After a moment of silence she took a long glance at the crowd; each of them were aware that they were witnessing an improvised funeral arranged for the occasion and the general clicked her tongue quietly, admiring the quickness in how it was made looking decent.

"Alexandria," she intoned to no one in particular, her head bowed once more. "Alexandria has lost its share to the darkness that circled our proud world for far too long...each woman, girl...they served us in every time of need with excellence, and due to the generosity of our kind White Mage and..." she hesitated, clearing her throat uncomfortably. "Black Knight. We appreciate the work of our Sisters...and commend them for being so considerate. If someone would like to say anything for our fallen comrades..."

Sure Beatrix had given speaches to families of soldiers she'd lost in battle in the past, but she was never one to give valiant, heart-warming speeches at grand funerals. Why, even at the service of Queen Brahne she stayed in the shadows of the rose trellises for as long as she could so the people would not see her cry, bemoan her own stupidity.

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Another long pause and finally a soldier broke rank--Phyllia--and strode to the line of launchers that carried the decorated deceased. Touching a gloved hand to one of the woman's cold foreheads she burst out crying. The others in the crowd looked upon her with a frown. When she collected her bearings once more she turned to address them.

"Elizabeth was a wonderful soldier," she began, glancing back and forth from crowd to the singled-out dead soldier. "She fought bravely in battle, served with absolute loyalty, and made us all laugh in times of doubt. Uh...even though I was proud of serving with her, I was even more proud being her sister..."

She stopped there, bursting into tears once more, unable to continue. Another soldier stepped up and took her back into line, allowing another knight to take her place.

"Sisters of Alexandria, rejoice...we have kept our lives while our friends, relatives," she paused, glancing back to Phylia. "our closest loved ones...have not. We must not mourn their deaths as the end, for as Alexandrians we redeem those who could not do so themselves. The Fallen will live up to his namesake once we get our hands on him, and our friends will not have died in vain."

The general nodded, which made this one soldier blush, and she stepped back.

"I remember," called one, pushing through the soldiers now on her way to the line. "this one day when Alessia and Ferne were arguing about who would live to see the general marry...I'm sorry, sisters, that you were unable to do that...I'm sure that one day, when I make it to you...I'll tell you about it, so long as I live to see that day. I collect your goal and plan to see it to the end."

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Now a little red in the cheeks herself, Beatrix raised a hand once that soldier backed up into the crowd once more. She turned to the White Mage and Black Knight.

"Would you like to say anything? I'm sure your history with these women must have impacted you, as well?" She gave them a warm smile before looking upon the dead.

She saw the faces of these soldiers...knew each and every one of them by name, knew their life stories and had shared many experiences with them. A leader, yes, but definitely not restrained to simply that position. Each Alexandrian Soldier lost to the army was like the loss of a close family member, and the general, once more, wanted to cry.

[Ellin Destroix]

Ellin stood quietly, watching as the soldiers cried for the fallen ones, and spoke of their memories and bonds with them. The dark knight was new to this experience, and this being her first funeral, she didn't exactly know that only certain things were appropriate for this kind of service.

When the General turned, and asked her and Abigail to speak of anything pertaining to the soldiers, Ellin smiled brightly and spoke, "Oh, uh, right!" she cleared her throat and walked to the one named Elizabeth first, taking a good look before speaking, "Uuhm.. I remember her from Alexandria-- her name was Elizabeth, she had a powerful left arm, and was very good at throwing rocks. Like this one time, when I was trying to audition to become a soldier, she found me out and picked up this pebble and threw it with gusto at my skull. I bled for hours and lost consciousness for a week!" she still smiled as she spoke, moving to the next one.

"Oh! This one I met in the hallway!" She started, mentioning Phyllia, " More recent, but I can never forget those piercing green eyes when she looked at me as if she wanted to rip my head right off my spiked pauldron. A true gaze of a warrior ready to draw blood from enemies, but I was not an enemy-- she was clearly confused, but I forgave her." she moved to the next one.

"This one... this one was talented at fire spells." She spoke of Maara, " Like... when she set my cape on fire by accident, and it was fire-proof too! I still don't know how she did it." she looked at this particular soldier a moment before speaking again, "...she... she had a real good way of disemboweling, too. Like the time when you captured that traitor, General, and this one went to execute him in your name? She took one big swipe at his lower regions and missed the stomach completely but she was able to cut off the--" she was about to continue but she was interrupted.

[General Beatrix]

At first when Ellin spoke Beatrix had been pleased; a Black Knight took the lead before a White Mage in speaking out for the dead, which pleased the general to no end. She was thankful that even those with dark mana could provide happy stories in lieu of the unfortunate circumstances.

But she was wrong.

Soon all hopes of a peaceful, happy ceremony washed away as it took a dark turn; Ellin began speaking out against the general's soldiers, albeit in a fashion stating that she did not truly mean harm with such words.

Pale-faced as Ellin continued, Beatrix shifted uneasily in her place while her wide eyes followed the knight, the soldiers' eyes glued onto her as well, shifting from Ellin, to Beatrix, to the deceased, and back to Ellin in a pattern of shock, horror, bemusement and amusement.

Finally, Ellin got to a point in her lofty speech somewhere down the line that made Beatrix somewhat flash back; when she came back to her senses as Ellin was about to reveal something...well, terrible, she blurted out "...OKAY, thank you!".

The soldiers all stared at the general, and Ellin, and then the general again. Beatrix blushed, gave the Blackest Knight a smile, and turned, her face still pale with horror.

"Ahem...um...thank you, Miss Ellin, for that, uh...thank you. Miss Abigail, please...if you will...uh..."

She'd have to speak with the knight later on...not only did she need to learn how to properly adhere to any sort of love life, but now the general would have to teach her funeral ettiquette.

How did she know about practices pertaining to traitorous prisoners, anyway?

...

[Abigail Crescentlight]

Beatrix's speach, though short, was harrowing. The White Mage felt a strange sense of strength from hearing her speak, courage brewing with the General's words. It was clear from the expressions of the soldiers that she wasn't the only one either. They were united at once by a compassion for those who had given their all, and a combined knowledge that the Fallen needed to be stopped once and for all.

Others spoke, and Abigail held a hand to her heart. Though she didn't know a great deal of them personally, hearing stories of little wagers and the bond between sisters... Odd how now she felt closer to them all. She'd have to offer her services to anyone who wished a kind word from Cosmos while they attended to a second task...

Then, she smiled somewhat when Ellin first approached the "caskets". Something in her stirred to see someone who had participated in the war from both sides now standing to speak a kind word or two for those who had fallen. She had expected something solemn, but to hear the woman's innocent compliments made her giggle despite herself. She understood that her heart was in the right place, though her time in the dark world may have dulled her to what was appropriate and what was not.

Standing, she collected Ellin along with Beatrix and guided her back to her seat. Now called to speak, Abigail nodded and went to the podium. With a sigh, she placed her hands on her book and looked to the caskets. "I wish... I had known you all better..." she said softly, a sadness in her eyes. "I wish there was more time... but often Chaos' hold is unkind. So we must all hold our heads high, that Cosmos might comfort us in your absence, sisters..." she paused, then looked to the crowd. "For that's what we all are, here... Sisters."

Clearing her throat to prevent from getting choked up, Abby bowed her head once more. "It is time... to send our much deserving loved ones to the light. All stand, please..." Here she stepped from behind the podium to better watch the viewing platform. She nodded to those who were asked previously to hold this honor (the sister that spoke before being one of them). It was time to give them their glorious sendoff.

As each torpedo casing made casket was launched, aimed to a nearby star, one of the more considerate soldiers would play an impromptu "Amazing Grace" on her bagpipes. Seven sets of two were launched, fourteen in all.

Lifting her hands, Abigail made a private prayer that they find their peace... And when all was done, she nodded to Beatrix. "Thank you... But we can't sit on our hands any more. Agrias needs to be found, and the Fallen needs to be stopped. It would be an insult to our friends in the light to not get moving immediately."

She looked to the soldiers and bowed gracefully. "If anyone is in need of consultation, you can find me in my room preparing for our assault," she said calmly, then started walking to the door, keeping her head high and her walk proud. She was a Sister of Light. It was time to cast some on the darkness that was Atticus.

[Ellin Destroix]

Ellin was disturbed by Beatrix's sudden interruption but only saw it as one thing: 'Oh right! Others need their chance to speak as well!' , and then it was the White Mage's turn to talk, and the dark knight listened contently at her sweet words. She leaned forward on her chair, and rested her chin over her claw-like gauntlets, sighing happily. It took her a while when Abigail asked for all to stand, in honor of the fallen soldiers, for her to stand up in action. At one point, she began to imitate what she saw around her; if they would salute, she would salute... if they would sit, she would sit.

There were times that they would hug each other for support, but she would simply stand there, confused to what was being shared. Ellin would look over to Abigail, walk over, and stand next to her with her hands together, forming a small prayer to the ones departing. When it was all over, she would smile, feeling that everyone was ready to move on.

"Oh, Miss Agrias... I almost forgot.." she blinked a moment, resting her hands on her hips in question, "but how are we going to find her? I thought she disappeared from sight?"

[Twilight Path]

Sarah sat near what looked to be a giant chicken. She had heard it was called a Chocobo, at least when Beatrix introduced it to her. It was named Boco, and stood at an impressive height. It had been at the celebration when she was sent to help Beatrix. She sat down near the creature, noting that the strange creature known as 'Wall-E' had approached at some point. She had seen the creature back at the Opera House. Part of her was happy to be surrounded by something she knew and not so much undiluted 'light.'

Hearing the music, she pulled out the piccolo and held it close to her. Acteur's safety was important...but where was he? She leaned her head against the wall, slowly putting the Piccolo away. She wanted to see Acteur badly, but part of her was aware that if he could have seen a better solution, he would have come with her. She removed her hat and gloves, placing them down. "Acteur...it hurts." She spoke softly, "Please don't die..."

[General Beatrix]

The sendoff forced several in the audience to burst out in silent tears, giving their fallen comrades the salute of Alexandria as each torpedo was launched into their very own nexuses of light. Well thought out for a funeral set up within the last hour. The soldiers taken by Lilith in her hour under the black sun had been taken to seat themselves at the bright feet of whatever sovereign truly reigned over the light, and the general was happy they found peace.

"Alexandrians," said the general once Abigail finished up, standing before the flock of her soldiers. "Please give yourselves some time to rest between working for the rest of the day. We're on a tight schedule, but I doubt we'll have strength enough to blast through an entire work day like this. Take breaks...thank you."

No sooner had she dismissed the soldiers when a fast-speaking Sylvia appeared over the intercom, her voice indicating this was of the utmost importance, else she would not disturb the funeral.

"General Beatrix, General Beatrix! This is Sylvia, Head of Navigations up at the bridge! We have located Lady Agrias Oaks in the looking glass you provided; with the combined use of your mechanism and our technology, we are pin-pointing and setting course to meet her, however..."

There was a brief pause, and the general gave an exasperated "Well? Go on." and Sylvia gave the usual "oh, uh, yes, of course!"

"General, Lady Agrias is in trouble! We do not have much time! Please come to the bridge as soon as p--"

Connection ceased almost immediately and Beatrix was booking it out of the torpedo room, only giving the soldiers remaining one last, quick salute as she unsheathed Save the Queen and made her way up to the bridge.

[Secondary Characters]

In the hold below, robot, bird, and girl would be gathered. Wall-E had taken an interest in Boco since they first ran into each other before liftoff and had been here the whole time. When the girl arrived, the robot would look to her and whistle happily, glad for this little reunion. He looked around quickly and constructed for her a small seat next to the large, comfily warm chocobo.

"Tadahh!" Wall-E would whistle once he finished, gesturing for her to sit. When she did, he took note of her instrument and bobbled lightly and excitedly. He lifted a hand and hit the play button on his radio, playing back the music she had played back at the opera house. Funny how that seemed so long ago now... even if it was a matter of maybe a few hours.

The world was a different place back then. Brighter, less dangerous and terrifying. When the music came to a slow hault, Wall-E would sigh, drive himself next to her, and plop down. Looking up at nothing, he seemed to be searching for something out a nearby porthole window.

"...Eeevahh..." he whispered softly, then looked down a moment before looking to Sarah. "Aak-tourrr?" he asked, hearing her mention the name.

[Oeilvert]

The Prince of Oz sat near several crates across from Boco the Chocobo, watching with interest--not that you could see it, with the war-torn look of apathy playing on his face--as the automaton mingled with the oversized chicken. And then Sarah appeared, and both she and Wall-E shared a momentary back-and-forth, to which Masheck could take no part in. There was no loved one for him; Dorothy had rejected him, mostly because he worked for her in the shadows...she was completely unaware of his existence until the defeat of the Wicked Witch and reunion at Oz.

He kept quiet, even as empathically Locke was pestering him to not dive too deep into one's self for fear of becoming like the shadows. He didn't believe that would happen, since he was with the union of Light, and should he ever...they would kno what to do, right?

Finally, he stood up and brushed off his tattered robes, pulling loose a stray feather from his collar and walked off.

[The Alexandrian Army]

Everyone stood in silence at the bridge, watching a horrifying picture of a particular knight, now a novice, used her last breath in a watery grave. Some of the soldiers rested their hands upon their lips, starring in shock, while others yelled to Agrias, wanting to be heard, but of course their words would fall silent. Sylvia was among them, rushing everyone to speed up!

"Stop gawking! Let's MOVE ladies! MOVE!" As soon as the General stepped through the doors, the Head Navigator rushed over, pointing frantically at the screen before speaking, "General! Grave news! Agrias has-- ...She-- She's running out of time, Ma'am! Her last breath-- We..." she frowned, gripping tightly at her firsts, "...We... won't be able to make it in time...!"

Sylvia spoke quickly of the events that were taking place at Sherwood forest. Pointing out that there were heartless there, among strange people-creatures like the Moogles, only with more variety. Ellis, the Captain, was doing her best to rush everyone, but even they had their limits-- they were all certain that the ship would not make it in time for the rescue... not in this battered state.

"Wh-what...can we do, General...?" Sylvia would ask over her shoulder, giving directions and orders to a few of the members there. Many could not stop watching Agrias simply descent again, seeming to float there with the water currents. Her hair flowing solemly, along with her clothes. Her arm seemed broken, but perhaps it was too late to matter...

The knight, from the lack of air, had grown unconscious.

...

...

...

Wait! A fox creature suddenly appeared, and began to surface with the knocked out novice!

"Ma'am!" Sylvia gasped to Beatrix, unsure if this creature was good or evil.

[Ellin Destroix]

Ellin heard as news were being mentioned about at the Bridge. She had followed Beatrix there, and stood in horror at the sight-- She turned to the General, and nodded quickly, "I will get Abigail, and a couple of dark cloaks and we'll corridor there if we must to save her, Miss Beatrix!"

Without another thought, she rushed out of the bridge, past the hallways, and knocked hastily at Abigail's door. Once she had answered, she would tell her everything that has happened, and could happen, if they were not quick. The dark knight took the mage's hand and began to run with her to the bridge, with her free hand reaching to find a single cloak at her disposal. When they arrived back at the bridge, she looked to the two and held the cloak up, "You girls will have to share it. Just place it over your heads mostly, and your hearts-- uh... wait here..!" Ellin took off her own cloak, and wrapped it around Abigail, giving her a grin, " I'm used to it, so don't worry about me."

The dark knight finally nodded to the two, "Are we ready to go??"

[General Beatrix]

After being brought up to speed by her hard-working, 'loyal to the end' soldiers, Beatrix pushed through several women whose eyes were plastered in horror upon the screen and took a closer look herself. Like the others she, too, was taken aback by by what she witnessed, and her fists shook at her sides; what on Gaia had Agrias gotten herself into with this whole "trip" Abigail had mentioned? What sort of world was she trapped in, and its inhabitants?

So much sadness, pain, rage and terror that she had pushed back in the past was slowly rising back to the surface, the general's eyes locked onto the woman she may have killed once before...

Slamming a fist down she turned, lightning-fast, to Ellis. "I don't care how much pressure it's going to take..." she began, darting back momentarily and catching a glimpse of the fox-like creature pulling the Holy Knight free of the waters. "I want us in full hyper drive, this instant! We will make the appropriate repairs needed once we have Agrias--" regarding her openly by simply a first name? "safely aboard! Is that understood? I will take all responsibility for damages done, as it is my burden, as well as work myself until my hands are raw fixing this up. Hyper drive. Now!"

It was then that Ellin spoke up and informed her that her wish was to aid in the rescue; the general felt a sudden pang in her heart, and she gave a brief smile and tap on the Black Knight's shoulder as she retreated to find the White Mage. When she'd return with Abigail and a cloak, Beatrix accepted hers and threw it on fast.

She vaulted over the terminal and captain's chair, moving forward to the railing that overlooked the front deck and expanse of Hyperspace that lay ahead.

"We are coming, Agrias!" she hollered, her fist raised high. "Miss Ellin, Lady Abigail. Over here, if you please...more of an open space."

[Agrias Oaks]

Boco... could tell if anyone was worried, and he could see it in this strangely looking person's eye. He had been busy with the soldiers, trying to take care of Lilith in her state, and the chocobo was there to see everything simply crumble into darkness.

"Wark..." it would sound, bending its neck until its head was lowered enough to peck a little at Sarah's hair, wanting her to cheer up, "Wark kwhee..."

His yellow feathers would ruffle slightly, and he would plop down sitting on the floor, his yellow coating making him seem fatter than he was, hence adorable with those blue hues starring into Sarah's eyes. He would bob its head to the music the small construct was playing, trying to cheer her up in Wall-E's example.

[Abigail Crescentlight]

As Abigail sat alone in her room, her well-worn Book of Cosmos laid in her lap, she fully expected her first visitors, if any, to be soldiers seeking a kind word from a being greater than themselves. What she didn't expect was for Ellin to come bursting in and literally drag her by the arm to the bridge, panicking that Agrias was in trouble!

Gasping once on bridge, Abigail was about to ask more questions when she felt a familiar cloak fall around her shoulders. She wanted to say something, but before she could, Beatrix was already calling for them. She was again swept up, pulled in so many directions in her mind.

"Wha?" was all she could muster before the next action took place.