First of all, who here has successully done it?

And second:

Is it okay to recruit other characters, as long as you don't use them? For example, you need Locke to get Ultima, Life 2 and a few other spells and a lot of items. You need to get Relm to get Starlet. You need a few others to get a few other things that apply to Celes, Edgar and Setzer. Or are you supposed to head for Kefka's tower as soon as Setzer reveals the Falcon? Because I'd like to try it, but I want Genji Armor and Red Jacket and all of that noise.