actually the fewest number of characters is 3, Celes, Edgar, and Setzer... they're the only characters you have to get in the WoR. And yes, the endings are different. Like when Celes falls trying to save the bandana, setzer saves her cause Locke isn't there. Terra will come at the end no matter what. Or when the junk falls down on Edgar, Sabin isn't there to catch it so the three of them move it together and say, "where's Sabin when you need him?"

The ending is different because it changes the skits, and there are a number of different endings. Just play with every character, and pay attention to the endings, then go back and don't get one of the characters in a particular ending and see how it changes. Like get Relm, but not Strago, I've yet to do that cause I'm lazy, but the ending would have to be different for Relm's skit. Also if you notice, Setzer, Celes, and Edgar appear most often in the ending skits, because that way they wouldn't have to reprogram every ending depending on who is there!

THE JACKEL