Author's Note and Disclaimer: The characters in this fanfic belong to Square(Soft)-Enix and the makers of Final Fantasy VIII. The ideas are entirely my own but I'm sure others have thought of the same plots and written similar fics, but it was NOT my intention to plagiarize anyone in any way, shape, or form.

Please keep in mind that this is a fanfic. Feedback and constructive criticism is encouraged about my writing, however, not about my ideas. If you don't like what I put in here, don't ask me to change anything. You have the power to write about it yourself. And that doesn't mean by plagiarizing.

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"I wanted to believe as I watched your world crumble in your hands...

I wanted to believe as you raised your glass to your last stand...

And I wanted to believe you would win the war in your head

That I did not understand..."

From the song "Suicide Note" by Johnette Napolitano

Prologue

He propped himself up on his elbows and watched, horrified, as the gigantic spear of ice sliced right through Squall's upper torso. He wanted to yell, but no sound came out. He wanted to run Hyperion straight through Edea's backside, but he couldn't. Instead, he watched in dismayed silence as Squall let out a choked breath and blinked, stumbling backwards in shock. Rinoa screamed. And screamed again. And screamed again, as Squall slowly fell backwards. Blood had started to pool at his feet. Zell, Quistis, Irvine, and Selphie cried out to help him, but Galbadian soldiers had caught up to the fight and led them away in shackles. Edea grinned down at Seifer in triumph.

"Take them," she had said.

He simply masked his dread behind a blank stare, all emotions buried under the surface, even though they were boiling to the point of exploding out of him. Never had he forced himself to maintain such control, and although the situation presented him with more than one chance to burst forth and prove his worth by destroying Edea himself, he made Cid a promise. He'd bring Matron back – alive. What a fucked up situation. He'd been nothing but trouble in school and had failed the SeeD field exam countless times because of his disruptive behavior and lack of discipline. What he wouldn't fucking give to be disruptive and undisciplined towards the bitch now.

But no.

For once in his life, he'd see this through.

Because five highly trained SeeDs - Squall, Zell, Quistis, Irvine, and Selphie - had failed to bring the sorceress down, Seifer had to continue with his undercover mission. Nobody was strong enough to take her, and if Seifer turned to help, it wouldn't have made a difference. Best to stay with the possessed Matron until she revealed more of her plans. Something would reveal itself. Somehow, he'd free his other comrades, even if they thought he was a traitor.

He made Cid a promise.