This was actually the initial ending I had in mind for my entry in gh0st-of-Ronin's DiDressphere Contest, which you can read here. However, it felt even more out of character, especially on Paine's part. And Rikku's. And I'm not entirely sure about Leblanc. Either way, this is just an alternate, perhaps more satisfying "bad end," even if it's also a bit more out there, and not to be taken seriously in the contest.

Cover art once again provided by the always wonderful, always deviant kachima