Ezio, Tifa, Aerith & Yuna

[Tifa Lockhart]

"So what brings you guys here?" Zack asked, catching Aerith's glance, "And i don't 'spose you know what's with those freaky crystal guys?"

[Elario Luminus]

Squall decided he'd take this one, stepped forward, and began telling the story of the distress signal he'd received after getting Zack's call about Aerith being missing, the war he and Rinoa had literally flown right into from the moment they returned back to Balamb and the friends they had lost, to the last few years of constantly searching for a voice in Squall's head, and finally finding it in the form of Cosmos.
'She's powerful beyond measure.' Rinoa said with awe in her voice. 'Definitely stronger than the Hyne Dynasty, and even the Cetra.' she stated, looking at Aerith. Squall cleared his throat and folded his arms.
'Cosmos has sent us here for you four. The God of Discord, Chaos, Cosmos' arch enemy for millenia, has amassed an elite group of enemies against us. Even if you refuse, more of these Imitations will appear over time, and eventually swallow where you live as they did with our home.'
Rinoa had a pleading look on her face, whereas Squall just read the expressions on his friends faces. The only friends he had left. The Sorceress put a hand to her heart.
'Please...even if you took this as a personal mission, it would help the greater good. We're not asking you to help us; we're asking you to help your loved ones.'

[Yuna Braska]

Yuna looked to Tidus, not really wanting him to investigate, it could be something way off of what they were expecting. "Lulu, can you just fix me up a bit?" She asked remembering her wound on her shoulder, she turned to show the lady her burnt skin. Lulu frowned but nodded. "Did they catch you by surprise?" She asked placing her hand on Yuna's back.

Cloud rested Ashlynn on his side when Squall began to explain what had been happening. "So are we to just get up and leave?" Cloud asked not really liking the idea to go help this Cosmos, plus he was not in the mood for another battle, he didn't want any more people getting hurt, especially Tifa. He gave a sigh knowing that yes, thats what they're suppose to do.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith did her best to distract Ynyr as she listened to Squall. She bit her lip, looking up to Zack, clutching her son all the more tighter. If whatever was going on could destroy their futures, that meant it could do the same to their children. As horrible as the thought was already, that added fact made it a million times worse. They had always worked together to give Ashlynn and Ynyr the very best, but now they were faced with something difficult: leave them behind to protect their futures. This could take years... the idea scared her.

Tidus winced a little for Yuna as she turned to show Lulu her wounds. He wished he could have been there to protect her.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack listened to Squall's story passively, hating where it was going before it was even done. How was he supposed to deny them help? Even if it were just based off of their friendship he would still have done it... the fact that his children's futures were at risk too just made him all the more certain.
He caught Aerith's gaze a sighed, nodding his head, "I'm in, but i want Aerith to stay here." His voice wasn't firm like it would usually be, it was insecure. He'd long put most of his fighting days behind him, spending each day close to Aerith and his children, the thought of endangering them sent him into panic mode.

Tifa was dead silent as she stared at Rinoa and Squall, hearing of their plight made her heart ache. The woman stepped forward and pulled her sister into a firm hug. How could she say no?

[Elario Luminus]

Squall saw the looks on his friends faces, and he looked down, causing his fringe to fall over his eyes. Rinoa hugged her sister back with a silent heartfelt thanks. Squall meanwhile, looked back up and set his silver-eyed gaze on Cloud.
'As much as I hate to just come here and almost immediately tear you away from your families and friends, I have to. I've seen a glimpse of what Chaos has amassed...and Cloud? You won't like it.'

[Yuna Braska]

Cloud lowered his head to look at the ground for a while, but then nodded still not fully up for the battle. "Alright then" He reposed to Squall. Looking to Ashlynn, he covered his frown with a small smile, letting her play with his hair.

Yuna winced slightly when the wound healed quickly and it was all clear. "WE might have to go back to make sure no one wonders near it. There are too many children on Besaid" Yuna suggested to Tidus, concerned about her friends.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith was less than comforted by Zack's decision. She hated the idea of him being away from her, but there was another thought that occurred to her...
"Zack... they came after me too... What if that means I have to go too?"

Tidus sighed, rubbing the back of his neck, shoulders a little slumped.
"Maybe we can fence it off or something?" he suggested.

[Tifa Lockhart]

Zack shook his head instantly.
"I don't care, you're staying here." He wasn't usually forceful with Aerith, preferring to simply CONVINCE her to stay, but his voice left no room for negotiation, "Someone has to stay and take care of Ashlynn and Ynyr. That, and it would be senseless for both of us to be in danger." He met Aerith's worried green eyes with his firm blue ones. "I'll fight your battle too if i have to."

Tifa didn't much like the tone of voice Squall had used when he mentioned this Chaos amassing an army, she looked at Cloud as he agreed and moved in closer to him, deeply worried.

[Elario Luminus]

Squall and Rinoa glanced at each other during Zack and Aerith's exchange. They'd seen this happen before, with Irvine and Selphie. It didn't end well. Squall decided to speak up.
'You could leave the kids under the protection of all your friends. Or SOLDIER and the WRO. Either way, Aerith has to be away from innocents, otherwise they'll get hurt.'
He focused on Zack this time. 'Or killed.'

[Yuna Braska]

Cloud noticed Tifa's expression when she moved closer to him and held her hand with the arm that was not holding the child on his side.

Yuna wasn't completely sure, but they did have to make sure that no one when near it even if the both of them had to stay there, then she would. "Are you sure they are ok here?" Yuna asked lulu hearing the sounds of her children play down the hall of the house. Lulu nodded and wiped her fringe from her eyes.

[The Painted Lady]

Aerith pressed her forehead lightly to Ynyr's, kissing him gently. There was no way she wanted to lose him or Ashlynn. She bit down hard on her cheek to stop herself from crying.
"I can't let anything happen to them..." she whispered to Zack.

Aerith's expression didn't escape Ashlynn, despite the fact she tried to keep it hidden. It seemed the little girl had inherited her mother's perceptive traits.
"Why is Mama sad?" she said quietly.

"Should we block it off now?" Tidus asked Yuna.

[Tifa Lockhart]

A look of agony crossed Zack's face when Squall spoke, essentially telling him that he could not leave Aerith near his children because she might endanger them, and that meant she was in danger whether he convinced her to stay or otherwise... either way he would run the risk of losing someone.
"Why us?" He demanded, "There's any number of other warriors out there that this cosmos could call on. I think i've done enough fighting in my time, is it too much to ask to just want to settle down and actually LIVE some sort of a life with the people i care most about?" His eyes were burning, "I don't want any part of this blasted war. Not if it means risking anyone's life but my own."

[Elario Luminus]

Squall was stone-faced when Zack burst. He did this a lot when his friends yelled at him.
'I don't have all the answers. I imagine she chose us because she could have chosen anyone else. It's our past actions that have set us above everyone else. She could have chosen anyone else from my world, but...'
He cast his silver gaze down at the ground, remembering his friends deaths. Rinoa placed a hand on her Knight's arm and looked at Zack.
'Do you think it's fair to get angry at us, when all we're doing is sending a message? It's not as if we wanted part of it, but we willingly did it or the sake of our futures, and the futures of those we can protect.'

[Yuna Braska]

Cloud was silent, but things he wanted to say were screaming at him in his thoughts. He didn't like this at all, even though he agreed, he didn't want to see that Zack and Aerith having to leave their children behind. He looked to Ashlynn who asked about her mother and he couldn't really say a lie to the girl, but he didn't know what to say to such a child so all he could do was frown."And theres no other way to do this?" Cloud asked breaking from his short silence

"The sooner we do, the less danger it is" Yuna said as she began to make her way out of her good friends house. She grabbed hold of Tidus's hand and walked out back towards the beach.