Author's note: as fate would have it this is the unlucky chapter 13. I think that's funny and you'll probably understand at the end of the chapter. I hope you enjoy and please don't hurt me it's not my fault.
SEIFER'S POVDri hasn't left Leonhart's side since we got back and actually been funny when Leonhart needed to take a piss and Dri was not willing to let him go alone until Leonhart gently pushed him out the door.
"It's time we got going, Tyke." Dri's horrified but he quickly recovers crossing his arms across his chest in a stance that clearly but adorably says, "I'm not going so don't mess with me."
"I'm not going." He says sternly, he believes that I'm being stupid. Kids gotta love the little demons. I'm about to take every parent's right and say 'You'll do what I say.'
When Dri changes tack large sorrowful green eyes turn on me pleading and hands come up in pray with a whisper I barely hear "Please." I look to Leonhart for support but instead get the same large pleading eyes. Throwing my up in defeat. I'm a sucker.
"It's amazing we're not the fattest, laziest people in the world from getting what we want all the time." Leonhart comments with Dri perched on his hip and both waving their hands around in victory. How the hell did I get saddled with these two?
LAGUNA'S POVShe always looks like she's hunting and taking great pleasure in her prey's weaknesses. 'Her' it's still her or Sorceress or bitch she hasn't granted me with a name. She smiles her wicked little smile not even allowing me to escape into random nonsense thoughts.
"Mr President, shall we see what's on the agenda today?" She clasps her hands and as she pulls them a part a sheet of paper appears. She looks at the page with great interest.
"Oh my Mr President you do have a busy schedule ahead of you. I believe you will particularly enjoy the two O'clock session, I won't tell you too much we want it to be an surprise but here's a clue 'hot pokers' but first on the agenda." She drops the paper and it fades away as it floats to the floor.
Hunger makes the smallest things a distraction. She slaps my face bring tears to my eyes all in the name of regaining my wondering attention. Her image blurs than settle of the image of a slightly shorter woman with storm blue eyes, I almost cry out at how closely she looks like my Raine.
SEIFER'S POV
It's great fun to see what Leonhart is going to do in his sleep in the mornings. Like this morning he's humming in content as his face is pressed to my chest and fingers swirling through my chest hair. Gotta say Leonhart is an interesting person to wake-up to.
"Come on Leonhart. Time to get up." He shakes his head snuggling deeper.
"I like this." His attention now back to running his fingers up and down and in circles on my chest.
"What? Chest hair? Your gonna regret this when you wake up."
"I am awake and yes chest hair." I jump out the embrace suddenly less jolly about the situation.
"Oh good your up, I'd like some of your pancakes for breakfast and a hot chocolate." Leonhart move to the heat spot I just vacated which leaves me wondering if he just exhort the situation to his liking.
"Squall! Squall!" Dri screams as he rushes into the bedroom. Leonhart bolts up into a sitting position. "You left me!" He thumps Leonhart's chest repeatedly. Leonhart takes the abuse not saying a word then Dri stills his head flops so it's leaning against Leonhart chest.
"All better?" Dri's head nudges up and down in affirmation. "Well you're in luck your Dad is about to make us breakfast in bed." Lifting up the blanket and letting Dri settle under into the warmth.
SQUALL'S POV
"You who, Squally. The door wasn't open so I let myself in." As the overly sunny voice reaches my ears I bolt up startling Adrian as I make a break for the bathroom locking the door behind me.
"I don't think he likes you very much." The innocent child observes.
"Has he locked himself into the bathroom?" the sad voice floats through the door but I'm not moved by it.
"I take it he's done this before. Not many can scare the Lion like that, I guess I should bow to you or something." Seifer's obviously amused by what he's found. I hear footsteps coming toward the door before the rapt on the door.
"You coming out? Brekkie is ready." There's a pause before another tap. "I'll protect you from the little bad." I almost growl. I don't need his kind of protection.
"Seeker." I unlock the door walk past Seifer taking the plate of pancake take Adrian's hand leading him to the kitchen while Seeker growls menacingly at the other two.
"Maple syrup?" I wouldn't myself but kids have a higher tolerance for sugar.
SEIFER'S POV
Every time I take a step there's that damned cat growling and hissing at me.
"Leonhart, damn it. I'm hungry and I'd like a some of the pancakes that I cooked." Leonhart smirks throwing a pancake at me. Asshole.
"So that's your son?" Dark brown eyes question and I not sure if I should be talk to her if this is Leonhart's reaction to her walking through the door.
"Yep. The little traitor." I reply loud enough to attempt the guilt trip.
"After all this time you're not even going to say hello?" I'm sure that if Leonhart thought he could get away with ignoring her than I'm sure he would've continued with the silent treatment.
"Would that make your leave, Rinoa?" Rinoa pouts, stomps and places her hands on her hips.
"You're such a meanie." Walks past Seeker and seats herself at the table seeing Leonhart speaking to her as her queue that he isn't going to do anything here. She picks up a pancake and motions it between Leonhart and myself.
"So are you two…" She leaves the question hanging but than there's no real reason to finish it as the meaning is clear.
"Why Rinny afraid you turn the men you date gay?" I smirk.
"The thought did cross my mind." I walk past the trio to get that hot chocolate that Leonhart ordered earlier. Returning with two cup placing one in front of Leonhart and other in front of Dri before taking the last remaining seat.
Rinoa is fixated on Leonhart while Leonhart is voiding it and looks squarely at his plate stuffing the pancakes in his mouth when he's usually a very slow eater.
"I'm leaving." He pushes his chair picking up Dri's plate with eaten pancakes and taking the outstretched hand. He looks briefly at his plate still on the table before noticeably making the decision to leave it. Did hell just freeze over?
"He really can't stand me." She states, as she looks sadly at the plate left on the table.
SEIFER'S POV
Leonhart and his newly acquired shadow are leaning against a wall casually listening intently to something that Leonhart finds amusing. He sights me putting a finger to his lips before motioning to join him. As I move closer I hear voices.
"Boyfriend and girlfriend and another girl." Leonhart informs me.
"No way, they've been out of action for yonks. Why are they going on the mission?" The boy asks in disbelief.
"Because they helped beat the sorceress, Idiot." One of the girls replies, I sure hope for his sake that it's the one that is not his girlfriend.
"Okay, but why does Commander Leonhart have to go? I know that him and President Loire have a close relationship but still, I don't get it." I can hear the distinct sound of someone getting hit over the head.
"They do not have that kind of relationship. Commander Leonhart and Sir Almasy are bonking each other." Both girls sigh loudly then burst into giggles. Leonhart pluckers his lips and winks, looks like the good mood he woke up in is continuing despite the Rinoa segment.
"Oh, what I wouldn't give to be a fly on that wall when they get down and dirty. They're gorgeous."
"I'm not hearing this." The horrified guy says and walking away going 'Nah, nah, nah."
"John, hold on. Wait." There are the hurried steps of the girlfriend running after her boyfriend and the more leisurely steps of the last girl. I turn to Leonhart raising a questioning eyebrow.
"The cover story is spreading." He pushes himself off the wall and Dri does the same. The cover story is quite ingenious and was a bugger to create. The announcement by President Loire 'himself' disclosed that there had been an attack on the President and his staff. Chief Advisers Kiros Seagal had been hospitalised as well as three of the body guards. No mention of Ellone or Ward being in the same boat but they have been admitted with minor injuries.
Now what wasn't said in the broadcast but is common knowledge is that the Gardens will be handling the retaliation but in particularly Balamb Garden. But the rumour spread around Balamb Garden is that Commander Leonhart is putting is combat boots and leading the retaliation. A lot of work that was fabricated in a mere hour after Leonhart put aside his emotional turmoil and put his thinking cap back on. Also the reason why a certain brunette bimbo from the past is back, she made the illusion of Laguna.
"Squall! Squall!" Quistis yells down the hallway. He turns in one swift movement and Dri, his little shadow, tries to replicate the move leaving him a little wobbly as I scoop him up and hurry after Leonhart.
"Squall, Zell just called. Kiros has woken up they're on their way back in the Ragnorok to pick you up." I heft Dri up high on my hips he is really getting a little to big to keep doing this.
"Looks like your angel is going to take you flying." Dri smiles brightly letting out a little 'yippee.'
SQUALL'S POV
Kiros looks near death, he woke up about 2 hours ago and his eyes are having a hard time focusing on me. When they do he smiles.
"You look like hell, pretty boy." I return the smile sharing in the sad little joke. Kiros and I have never been chummy, as he has made it clear that he doesn't agree with the decisions I've made concerning my relationship with Laguna. I sit down in the chair beside the bed and Adrian immediately crawls into my lap while Seifer settles into the chair next to me.
"You may not want to talk about this but I need to know what happened." Kiros takes a deep breath and looks away.
"We were running late. Laguna was frustrated and excited, so excited couldn't wait to pick you up. Actually everyone was charged even me, can't be around 'Guna long without his cheery outlook rubbing off a little, even on me." He looks at me, smiles sadly and I know that this isn't about helping to find Laguna but the reminiscing of the good times because in his mind he's never going to see Laguna again.
"He's not dead, Hyne damn it. Stop talking like he's gone. Tell me the facts, the details I need to know to beat this bitch." I take a deep breath and consider apologising but frankly I still pissed, self-pity is not helping. It's Adrian that stops that angry response that is on the tip of Kiros' tongue looking into his eyes in earnest.
"You'll see him again but at the price of his happiness. Are you willing to sacrifice that?" Kiros looks to me briefly knowing some meaning in the words that I'm unwilling to hear then without a second thought.
"Yes."
SEIFER'S POV"So he sleeps?" I ask the overly tired Leonhart who nods vaguely and plonks in to the couch.
"I don't like this position we're in, Seifer. The sorceress has all the advantage. How can we win this?"
"Extreme luck." I offer off handedly which receives a death glare. "We're prepared, we have the fire power, I'm hoping that evens up the odds."
He considers it for a while. "It will have to do." He whispers before yawning loudly. There's silence for a while grows each of us in our own little world of thoughts or at least me Leonhart is dozing.
"Come on princess, time for bed." He tries to focus on me but really he's half asleep.
"No, it's after midnight, now I'm just bitch in rags." I offer my hand to help him up. He accepts it and I yank him up.
"Well, you're still beautiful to me, darling." I drawl and wink. He takes a step back and looks at he inquiringly.
"Are you flirting with me?" Suddenly he stiffens then turns to the door glaring.
"Rinoa." I hear faintly as he slams the opening button. Right, how did he know that?
"Squall, can I please talk to you?" She pleads Leonhart with large brown eyes, I remember having a hard time saying no to that but it's not impossible.
"Make it quick." Rinoa motions for him to step outside and I'm shut out of the conversation but doesn't mean I can't spy even if I can't hear.
She obviously nervous and fidgeting as she speaks. I'm about to proclaim this the least interesting conversation with an ex when she kisses him and he kisses her back. I draw back not wanting to see any more but it not jealousy. It's 15 minutes before I hear the door open.
"You didn't have to wait you could have gone to bed." I don't say anything just stay lounged in the couch with my eyes closed.
"Come on. Up. I can't carry you you're too heavy." He takes both my hands tugging gently on them probably thinking I'm almost asleep. I pull my hands out of his clasp and get up on my own power.
"What's wrong?" I sigh I'm just being stupid there's really no reason I have to be angry at him.
"Nothing. I'm just tired." I offer a smile and he takes it wearily.
IRVINE'S POVGotta say I didn't sleep well last night, something just doesn't feel right and here we stand outside the B-Garden.
"Hey, man." Zell greets me. "Are you ready?" I nod vaguely but even if I wasn't I'm going anyway. Squall needs us and well, you know those bug that follow the light to certain death. Well, Squall's the light and we are the little critters that can't help but follow that light, I'm just hoping that he isn't a zapper.
Seifer's little bit which has become Squall's constant shadow is clinging to Squall shaking his head violently.
"I'm coming back." Squall smooths his hair and I'm surprised at the how good our commander is with children. "Now say goodbye to your father and be good for Fujin and Raijin."
He nods sadly "Yes Sir!" He salutes smartly to Squall's command hugging him tightly one last time before pouncing on Seifer. Selphie comes up beside me and joins me in spying on Squall and Seifer.
"I want that." I don't have to ask. She so want a baby, it's a burning need when we get back I think I'll give into pleas to go to Esthar to get more help.
"I know, Sugar." Rinoa who had been waiting patiently to the side finally gains Squall's attention and he makes his way to her. I don't think that Seifer notices but he's scowling while his eyes are riveted to Squall and Rinoa. The pilot taps Leonhart on the shoulder.
"Time to go." I nudge Selphie and follow my commander, to hell and back again, I hope.
SQUALL'S POVThe huge castle that bears a striking resemblance Ultimecia's appeared out of thin air hovering above the ground. It makes me wonder if this is the reason Ultimecia's castle was, will be, whatever chain to the orphanage this could explain that. But there are no chains now but 'welcome' rainbow stairs shimmer and glows and stops at my feet.
I take the first step start up the stairs not bothering to see if anyone follows.
"The bitch could have at least made this an escalator?" Only three steps before Seifer made his first bitch and I deem he has a point but telling him that would lead to me to welcoming Death with wide arms.
"Squall are you sure that it's a good idea to…?" Zell asks me bouncing on a stair testing it but Seifer opens his mouth before me.
"Cast float Chickenwuss. Leonhart, I think you're in a lot of trouble." Seifer states, then ignores Zell's fists of fury continuing on grumbling about the stairs.
"Stupid fuckin' Sorceress is this anyway to treat a guest? She this is another things she's going to pay for." For a moment I have the image of us standing before the Sorceress heroically saying 'you'll pay for taking Laguna' then Seifer interjecting 'and making us walk up the bloody stairs.'
I hear the hurried step of someone catching up but remains behind me.
"What are you so happy about, Cowboy?" Seifer grumbles.
"Just enjoying the view." I get the distinct feeling that his eyes a glued to a place on my persons that I don't want them to be.
"Leonhart, he's drooling over your ass. Damn it Cowboy now I can't help looking." Seifer just about set to whine about something other then his steps.
"Why not? I'd follow that choice meat any where." Irvine drawls. I turn briefly and glare at Irvine but I can see Seifer's knowing smirk at the glare.
"Wanna what he's thinking besides 'Oh sweet Hyne Seifer's looking at my ass.'" Seifer pauses at to clear his throat after his attempt at a girlie pining voice. "He's thinking 'I'll wait until halfway up before I push them off the bloody stairs. Oh Hyne it's gonna take at least half the day to climb these stupid…."
SEIFER'S POVI take the last step to the top of those Hyne-damned steps. I not exaggerating either there's millions of the tiny buggers.
"Oh sweet Hyne I thought they'd never end." This has got to be close to the feeling that those crazies get when they climb the highest mountain in the world. Leonhart, whom instead of basking in his accomplishment, is scolding while he examines the doors.
"Team C set up a perimeter all others Rest. Eat. Drink. Make sure your equipped. You have 20 minutes." I know he's being generous with the time given, I can tell his holding himself back from charging ahead right now.
"Here you go Squall." Selphie throws a bottle of water to each of us then plonks down on her butt. Everybody goes through the motions of preparing for battle and every now and then shotting their Commander a concerned glance.
"Are you ready?" Leonhart in full commander roll in front of his band of troops.
"YES, SIR!" he scans them quickly as if to judge if what they're saying is truth. Seeming satisfied he turns to the doors pushing the doors open in a dramatic entrance as they collide loudly with the wall.
He takes a step forward, the first into the castle. Then a clap like thunder and pieces of wood are flying everywhere. SHIT.
"Leonhart! Leonhart!" A mother fucking large metal door is now in the place blocking the entrance to the castle. "Leonhart!"
SQUALL'S POVIt's pure darkness in here. There's the sound of two quick hand claps and the lights flicker on one at a time and also the demanding voice of Seifer.
"Leonhart! Get back here. Your not allowed to have all the fun."
"Seifer!" While my voice echoes in here I'm in no doubt that he can't hear me and the only reason I can hear him is by a sorceress who is playing a sick joke.
"Get explosives, a crowbar, I don't care I want this door open."
"Stand back and cast 'Shell'."
"I'm not that stupid Seifer!" Zell yells, obviously even in times of crisis Seifer still has time to take a dig at Zell. Silence then 'BANG!'
"What the fuck happened? There's not even a damn scratch on it! Shit!" My heart sinks as I realise what's coming next.
SEIFER'S POV"Seifer, there's a barrier protecting it from both physical and magic attacks." Quistis rests her hand on my forearm in comfort.
"What about the rest of the building. There has to be a weak point somewhere." Quistis shakes her head sadly.
"B team. Spread out. Find a point of weakness." B team salutes smartly before their leader start yelling orders to the separate people in the group and they disperse in teams of two.
I turn back to the door and see Seeker sitting calmly in front of it. He gets up on all four with one last sad look he disappears through the door. No way!
"Leonhart! You can't do this."
SQUALL'S POV"You are not allowed to go ahead by yourself! Leonhart!" I knew that Seifer would know what calling Seeker means but I can't just sit here and wait for help that is unable to reach me.
I turn and for the first time really look at my surroundings. Dear Hyne. This really is what becomes Ultimecia's castle. Things are a little off some of the decor is different but essentially this is the same. Now I'm just hoping the omega weapon is development that comes later.
"Right or left?" We turn left and run into our first monster.
LAGUNA'S POVI've been moved from my tiny cell and now chained painfully to the wall as a feature piece in a grand room.
"Your son is quite resilient." I personally decide that he's resilience is actually well hidden stubbornness, once he gets a bone he will not give it up.
"He's like his mother." It was just a thought I hadn't meant to say it out loud. She smiles cruelly at me.
"You have no idea. Oh if it isn't our honoured guest and his kitty. I have to say I'd thought you'd sooner."
"And in this weather I thought you'd be wearing more." Squall walks calmly forward like he's been taking a pleasant walk and is interrupted by the most annoying person in the world.
"I've been giving your father a make over. What do you think of his hair?" My son takes his first good look at me and what he sees he clearly does not like as my hair is probably the only thing the same as he last saw me. He reflexively raises Lionheart as his eye blaze silver, hot with anger.
"It makes a pretty picture doesn't it?" She laughs sending my son over the edge of reason he makes the first move. It's spectacular, sort of like a planned dance with fire works on ground level. Squall weaves and blocks the magic attack thrown at him as he batters repeatedly at her shield occasionally getting in a good strike but the same can be said about her. I've lost count of the amount of times they've circled around the giant room but now they stop in their original positions as the sorceress cast Ultima.
"This has been lovely. Thanks for the exercise but I tire of this shall we get to business?" Stepping back and casting a shell around both her and me, holding a dagger at ready at my throat.
"We all know that you can't get past my shield. So here's the offer. You can save him but in exchange for you." Squall weights his options; I can see him ticking things over.
"It was easy enough to get this one who should I take next? Edea? Seifer? Adrian?" He stands straight, head held high as he holsters Lionheart. He's made his decision.
"I need more than this to make it worth it. First, by you, your order and/or suggestion are not allowed to damage, wound or imprison any of my friends or family. Secondly, you have to return Laguna to Kiros once the deal is done and sworn on your magic." She'd lose all her magic if she breaks her promise but I still don't see this as a good deal.
"Squall, You can't…" The knife digs deeper at my throat cutting off my words.
"Sounds fine. Except I think I should be able to defend myself if one of your friends or family decide they want revenge."
"Fine. Now swear on your magic and remember I can see if you're doing it properly." Then smirks. She starts to repeat the arrangement and my son give one nod before looking at me.
"I'm sorry." Which is the last thing before fire consumes him. Fire that I can feel a good ten meters away. A scream sounds but it's not from him, it's from me.
"No! Squall!" this can't be happening, I'm supposed to die before him. Tears streams down my face, so she sticks her face in front of me all I can see is a big blur.
"It done."
"Laguna?" I vaguely recognise the deep voice. "Oh thank Hyne." He says happily.
"Thank Hyne for what? Hyne can go fuck himself and bring back my son!" I yell my chest constricts and it's painful to breathe.
I know that Kiros has no idea of what I'm raving on about and he gathers me into his arms holding me tightly. "What happen?"
"Squall traded his life for mine. He's dead. Did he expect me to be proud? Well, I'm not I'm fucking angry, Kiros. Why it's not like he didn't live fine without me for 17 years. It should have been me." I break down and just sob of Kiros' shirt.
They'd been blown away from the castle, then it vanished at I'm guessing it was probably at the time Squall… They were all really happy to see me breaking my heart with every congratulation.
I stand before them and tell them the facts they need to hear no details this is not a story, I detach reminding myself of him. I don't let my mind focus on the dead words I'm saying or I know I would be unable to finish and not be able to tell them what they have to hear.
Seifer's nostrils flare, tears form at his eyes, the proud man broken by the thought of never seeing him again and his knees give way.
"No. It's not true." The words repeated until they have no meaning just something to fill the void unable to stop or the opposite will be true. We all feel it; it's impossible how can he be gone.
"I don't feel it." Selphie whispers. "I mean I always thought if one of us." She stops her hands shaking unable to speak it. "I should be able to feel it." Her large green eye tearing up pleading that somehow its wrong; it doesn't make any sense to her. Irvine takes the sobbing girl in his arms smoothing her hair.
"It's.." He ceases and clears his throat to try again. "It's.." They both collapse in both trying to comfort the other and the best either can do is letting the other cry on their shoulder. Zell and Quistis join them on the floor wrapping their arms around them and Irvine and Selphie give the same comfort back.
"This is bullshit!" Seifer yells in disgust then storms out the door slamming it loudly behind him.
SEIFER'S POVCommander Squall Leonhart's funeral is today. The most beautiful sunny day we've had in a while. The response from the people alone is astounding. Countless people have come from all over the world to place flowers at the gardens, which is spreading almost to the city of Balamb and it's only noon.
Dri didn't take the news to well; in fact he didn't take it at all. He looked up at me when I told him and told me quite seriously. "He'll come back, Daddy. Squall said he would. He's just getting his wings." I've tried to talk about it a couple of times since but each time I'm given a look that says quite clearly 'I don't know how many times I have to tell you. How stupid can you be?'
Irvine and Selphie approach us hand in hand both dressed in black, and Irvine has a black hat to top it off. Quistis and Zell walk behind them, Zell's arm wrapped around her waist while Quistis leans on him. Rinoa leads Laguna, who is the most changed and it's not just the torture he's been through.
"How are you?" I don't say anything just shrug my shoulder. Laguna bends so he's level with Dri.
"Grandpop? You're a pirate?" Only the young would get away with asking that and get a memory of a smile in response.
"I'm thinking of getting a parrot. What do you think?" Dri's face scrunches while he considers it.
"Yes, a blue and red one." We all take our front row seat to the funeral of the century as the ceremony begins. I don't really listen and there's people weeping beside and behind me but strangely this doesn't touch me. I stand and make take the step to the podium briefly remember how Leonhart hate standing here.
"Well all know what kind of a guy Leonhart was, I don't think I need to repeat it. But here's the poem that Leonhart gave me to read.
Do not stand at my grave and weep,
I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on the snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you awaken in the morning's hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush.
Of quiet birds in circled flight,
I am the soft stars, that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry,
I am not there, I did not die."
I finish take the letter that had Leonhart's wishes and leave the ceremony. I can't be here any more.
The CD falls to silence, a present of Leonhart's paino music that he gave to Dri to help him sleep. I'm just about to push the 'eject' button and the crackling of static starts.
"So here's the special ending." I freeze at Leonhart's unexpected voice. "I always thought there should be a secret ending." He laughs nervously.
"Well, Seifer, Adrian I love you any thing more anything more would be babbling and it's sums up everything I wanted to say. Goodbye." The static starts again and my finger more on their own accord.
"So here's the special…."
UNKNOWN'S POV
The sorceress circles the pile of ashes carefully but I'm sure it more for concern of her shoes than any kind of respect for the fallen hero. The ashes stir a little even though wind does not normally play here. She takes a hasty step back. She stares at the ashes for a while before knowing smile spreads slowly across her face.
"From the ashes he shall arise." She turns on her heel leaving closing and locking the door firmly behind her.
Author's notes: I'm sorry it took so long but it was a surprisingly hard to write. Oh the poem, can't tell you who wrote it, it isn't mine and I can't find who did but it's beautiful and I had to use it. Please review and I tried so hard with this chapter.