Hmm... have you ever noticed that in each ff, the main character get closer to dying at the end? Cecil didn't die, Butz's ending was optional depending on if he was alive in battle, it's optional whether you get Terra back, Cloud almost died, Squall nearly died, Zidane was thought to have died and Tidus did die. Now it's going in reverse order where Tidus can be brought back. Anyway else notice this?

About Terra - it's optional whether or not to have her rejoin your team in the WoR, but even if you go on without her; after the final fight she'll still turn up at the game's ending to lead you out of Kefka's Tower, regardless of whether or not she rejoined your party. She'll still come to your aid, and you'll still get to see her ending (it's rather difficult to envision FFVI's ending without her, really). But there is a lot of tension in FFVI's ending as to whether or not she'll survive after the final fight and the loss of magic (in fact, she very nearly did die). I find that example a little more fitting to your ideas than the option of leaving her in Mobliz. ^_^

But anyway, some interesting observations! When FFXII finally gets here, I'll keep my eyes open for how its ending fits the pattern... :rolleyes: