Denouement

The Undying Vayne/Venat combo starts falling apart. He growls like the Yeti in Disneyland’s Matterhorn and then explodes. The clouds part and the clan is standing on the top of the Bahamut. Fran and Basch do an NBA style fist bump – LAME! Larsa is sitting alone. Then, everyone looks up at the clear blue sky. Something goes flying by and the music get ominous to make you think there is another boss fight...... but there is not.

The air battle continues as the clan gets back into the Strah. The Bahamut starts shutting down. Vaan is trusted with flying as Balthier and Fran go to fix the engines.

Gabranth is still alive – damn I think he has almost died three times in this game. He tells Basch to look after Larsa to prevent a civil war. Van flies the Strahl away from the Bahamut. The Marquis sees them escape. Larsa Solidor and Ashe call for a cease fire. Ashe then confirms this and then says “A new day has dawned. We are free.” She seems pleased that they are free from the Occurians.

The Bahumut starts falling into Rabanastre. The remaining Judge Zargabaath devises a plan to divert the Bahamut by ramming into it. However, Balthier is still on the Bahamut frantically trying to bring it back online. He leans on the fourth wall a third time describing himself as the leading man and how he will not die. As he brings the Bahamut online some general ship machinery falls on Fran. As he caries her away, sh says that he is more of a supporting role. As he walks away, Balthier gives Vaan full command of the ship. The Bahamut starts crashing outside of Rabanastre.

Cut Scene: Blue Sky. Cue the J-sentimental-music. If there is anyone else in the room or in the room next-door, turn down the sound. This music will emasculate you faster than just about anything else in this game. You know what? I think the song Heartbeats by Jose Gonzales would fit better. Go download it from iTunes now and play it over the ending with the sound muted.

Now here is the nerd challenge for you out there: Use your video editing skills to do a mashup like “Mad World/Gears of War” but with “Heartbeats/FFXII ending.” Now get to work, post it to You Tube and email me when you get it done. I promise I will post it on GameIntestine and give you credit...

So it is hammer time for Penelo as she goes out shopping for crystals and curly baguettes. She looks a lot more mature and so a lot more like a Gelfling. She starts narrating the Denouement and I will give you the quick bulletpoints:

- It is a year later and things in Rabanastre are coming back together.

- The Bahamut is still on cinder blocks in Dalmasca but it looks like it is being converted into a sweet water park.

- Ashe is queen and like in high school she becomes too cool for her old friends. I guess those “friends” wont be getting any of those cushy promotions.

- Basche is the new judge protecting Larsa. He has finally decided to shower and cut his hair. He should consult a dermatologist about that scar though. He fulfilled his promise to his brother and is the new Judge. Notice that he took his helmet design too.

- Larsa is Emperor and spends his day sitting next to elaborate water features and reading fan letters. Note: Penelo’s narration is the letter that Larsa is reading.

- Penelo enters the set of Ico. Vaan and Penelo were tending to the Strahl when it was stolen. According to piecemealcranky’s Game Script FAQ, the letter is from Balthier and reads “Something more valuable: the Cache of Glabados. I await in Bervenia.” Look for this letter to be the springboard into the Nintendo DS sequel.

- That ring that was in the letter was the one Balthier took from Ashe as payment for taking her to see the Garif People. Balthier is returning it just as he said “when I find something better.”

- Vaan gets his own airship - it looks like a phallus with wings. Penelo will join him on his plundering.

That was the ending. I thought it was a bit weak because it just let everything fall in the way you were already expeting. I want an ending where Vaan gets up the courage to ask out Fran and then she totally goes for it just to further piss off her Vierra Sisterhood. Ashe comes in and starts a jpop team with Balthier. The two of them tour around like Ivalice’s version of Captain and Tennille only to have Balthier get hooked on pain killers and he is caught at airport security with a roll of Gil strapped to his inner thigh.

-------CREDITS---------
Concept art during the credits – I like that.

Notice that Al-Cid was going to have 4 girls in his harem. It was pared down to just one in the final game.

Venat was voiced by a woman – Anita Carey. I looked her up on IMDB and she stars in a bunch of British TV shows. Wow.

Is that a picture of Balthier with a baby? Wait, the baby does’nt have Fran’s bunny ears. Oh wait, maybe that is Cid with a baby Balthier. Now that is concept art that is going way back.

Three Vierra look thorugh a window. It has an Alice in Wonderland feel but ironically, instead of chasing the white rabbit Alice was the white rabbit.

Ah translation and localization – here are all the Aglo names now. Neal Black – Legal. Can’t get a much more European than that.

THX sound, Dolby – makes it feel cinematic.

----- FIN -----