Welcome Home
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 8 or its characters. They are the property of Square Enix. I do this for fun not profit so don't sue me but please make any criticisms if you want!
Authors note: This is an extended epilogue to a previous fanfic of mine called Fistful of Notes. Since it contains characters and plot points from that fic it may help to read that first before this one to help you understand what the hell is going on. Anyway read and enjoy... either way tell me what you think of it!
Seifer Almasy gazed at the young girl sat beside him in the passenger room of the Ragnarok II. She seemed so calm and composed, so unlike her father. It had been six years now and she had grown up from a young child to a pretty young teenager which Seifer had been dreading for he knew himself how teens could be.
Her hair was black like her mother's but her skin bronzed by the sun like her father's. Seifer sighed deeply as Amelia Dinct continued to sleep. He regretted so much that Zell couldn't be here for his own daughter, which had showed how much had changed between them from when they were young and SeeD cadets.
The six years between then and Amelia's birth had seen a strong friendship grow between them, so much so that both Zell and Jade had made Seifer Amelia's godfather and guardian in the event something happened, which it unfortunately did when Amelia was six years old and both Zell and Jade were killed during a mission. Since then Seifer had raised Amelia at Garden with Zell's Ma's help.
Once again he was going to Esthar to talk to Laguna Loire, the aging president of Esthar. It surprised him that Laguna was still in charge after 35 years or so and at the age of 62 but then he was only more of a figurehead. But then it was Laguna he would have to try and convince if he wanted it destroyed and maybe this time he'll be lucky. Amelia awoke as the Ragnarok II landed which like its predecessor was dragon-like but blue which was why the SeeDs in Balamb called it by its unofficial name, Bahamut.
'Are we in Esthar Uncle?' she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
'Yes we are.' Seifer replied and watched as she jumped out of her seat. 'Now you're like Zell.' He thought to himself.
'Hey what's that?' he asked noticing the twin bulges on her hips under her SeeD cadet uniform.
'Nothing.' Amelia said sweetly meeting his gaze.
'Don't try that voice on me. Did you bring "them" with you?' he said trying to be strict.
'Um yeah...' Amelia admitted.
Seifer sighed 'Amelia do you want us to get kicked out of Esthar?' he said softly.
'No, but I can't leave them behind. Besides I bet they couldn't kick you out!' Amelia replied.
Seifer grinned 'You've been listening to Auntie Quistis too much. I'm not as young as I used to be.' He told her.
'You look it to me.' Amelia said smiling.
'Smooth talker! Hope it works on the security guards.' He said laughing and gently gripped her shoulder and led her out of the ship.
Contrary to what Seifer had said the Esthar guards didn't seem too bothered about Amelia's weapons and let them pass through to the network of transport tubes. Seifer and Amelia got on the platform to the Presidential Residence and Amelia gasped as they sped across the city.
'So what's President Loire like?' Amelia asked as they entered the residence.
'Well he's getting old now but he's still okay. I don't know him too well but he's Squall's dad.' Seifer whispered.
'Really?' Amelia said in awe. She knew Squall as the Headmaster of Garden, A quiet, severe man with an intense stare, who was a friend of her father's. She wondered what kind of man Laguna Loire was to be Squall's father.
She found out as they entered the office and met a relaxed and amiable old man with crows-feet around his eyes and laughter lines wrinkled his face. He had a full head of long grey hair which wasn't kept tied up.
'Seifer.' He said in a friendly way and then noticed Amelia.
'So who's the little cutie?' he asked smiling.
'Laguna, this is Amelia Dinct. Amelia, Laguna Loire.' Seifer replied gesturing with his hands whilst Amelia gave a curt nod.
'Zell's daughter?! Hasn't she grown!' Laguna said excitedly.
'Can we get to business Laguna, you know why I'm here right?' Seifer said briskly.
Laguna looked downcast. 'Yes, yes, the Junction Machine Ellone.' He sighed. 'You already know the answer too.' He added.
'Again? Odine has been dead for years now! Why hasn't it been destroyed?' Seifer replied trying to keep cool.
'It's not just about Odine, if we destroy the machine Ultimecia can't find out about Ellone and the past will be erased.' Laguna replied calmly.
'Exactly! If we destroy it then she can't use it to come back. Look how many lives we'd save!' Seifer retorted.
'And you wouldn't have the guilt.' Laguna said softly.
'That's not the point! If we keep on this path we'll just end up going around in circles! That's why Ultimecia wins! Even after you sent the others to kill her she still lives in this endless cycle!' Seifer argued.
'How do you know that the world will be better if we change that?' Laguna retorted.
'Anything would be better than the death of all those SeeDs! How many generations have to die?' Seifer snapped.
'We don't know. Could be many, could be few. No-one knows when Ultimecia arises.' Laguna said softly.
Through the argument Amelia stood listening, thinking of how she'd love to be able to use the machine to go back and see her father again, to see what he was like when he was young rather than just listen to the stories.
'Amelia?' Seifer said nervously as she stood still and silent.
'Hmm? Can I go see the machine?' she asked excitedly.
Seifer looked worriedly at Lguna, hoping that he would say no. Seifer knew of Amelia's secret, one unknown to Amelia herself. There was a reason why she'd been kept at Garden under Seifer's watchful eye. A reason why she was never allowed to junction a Guardian Force and hence had a perfect memory.
This dark reason was that she was a natural born Sorceress. So far her powers hadn't emerged but Garden didn't want her to access any external magic, for fear it would turn her against them. Seifer knew she had reason to, Garden had taken away her parents and even if she never showed or thought it, that resentment was down there waiting to build up.
This was why Zell had fought against the Garden Committee and Esthar to keep his daughter, why he entrusted Seifer to look after her, so she'd grow up happy, preventing bitterness to consume her.
Unfortunately Laguna couldn't resist the sweet smile and innocent eyes. 'Sure, let's go now.' He said smiling. 'Seifer this discussion is over okay?' he added sternly.
Laguna led the two of them through the passageways to the lower regions of the building and came to Odine's abandoned lab.
'No-one comes here much.' Laguna said explaining the unvoiced question as to the dust and untidy state of the room.
'This is Junction Machine Ellone.' Laguna said pointing to a tall electronic cabinet with cables extending to the outreaches of the room, a monitor in the centre of it all showing a faint blue zig-zag trace.
'How does it work?' Amelia asked staring at the dull machine with rapt attention.
'Well the monitor shows the algorithm of the pattern that enables Ellone's ability. The algorithm itself is stored in one of its storage components. There's no interface so you can't use it to go back in time.' Laguna explained.
Seifer was paying no attention to Laguna, he had Ellone's schematic memorised. Instead he was watching Amelia and followed her as she approached the machine and traced the dusty cabinet with her fingers.
Seifer was aware of a feeling or sensation that was familiar to him. A feeling from his past that was emanating from Amelia. It all clicked into place, like a dream or inspiration as Seifer made the final connection when Amelia smiled into the monitor. He realised who he was looking at and what he had to do.
Slowly so that Laguna or Amelia was unaware, he slid his hand to Amelia's hip and drew the Gun-dagger holstered there. The Gun-dagger had Zell engraved on the blade and Seifer knew the other had Jade. 'Glad to see you're with me on this buddy.' He thought to himself and then wrapping his left arm around Amelia and pulling her back he slammed the blade through the glass cover of the cabinet and cut out the Algorithm Storage drive.
'Seifer! What the hell!?' Laguna yelled as the glass sprayed across the room.
Seifer tucked the drive into his jacket pocket and spun round to face Laguna, clutching Amelia tightly with a manic grin on his face.
'The time has come! It all starts here!' Seifer told him.
'What are you talking about Seifer? Have you gone insane?' Laguna yelled.
'No it's all clear to me now!' Seifer replied. 'Junction Machine Ellone will be rebuilt ready for her.' He added.
'For who?' Laguna asked confused whilst Amelia stood close to Seifer calmly.
'Her.' Seifer said softly glancing down.
'You mean...' Laguna said softly.
'Yes so you can't stop me Laguna, not if you want to preserve your sacred causality.' Seifer replied and started edging out the room holding Amelia close.
'She doesn't know! She isn't ready!' Laguna snapped keeping his distance, wary of the blade.
'I know but we have time.' Seifer retorted and scooped Amelia up, running.
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy 8 or its characters. They are the property of Square Enix. I do this for fun not profit so don't sue me but please make any criticisms if you want!
Authors note: This is an extended epilogue to a previous fanfic of mine called Fistful of Notes. Since it contains characters and plot points from that fic it may help to read that first before this one to help you understand what the hell is going on. Anyway read and enjoy... either way tell me what you think of it!
Seifer Almasy gazed at the young girl sat beside him in the passenger room of the Ragnarok II. She seemed so calm and composed, so unlike her father. It had been six years now and she had grown up from a young child to a pretty young teenager which Seifer had been dreading for he knew himself how teens could be.
Her hair was black like her mother's but her skin bronzed by the sun like her father's. Seifer sighed deeply as Amelia Dinct continued to sleep. He regretted so much that Zell couldn't be here for his own daughter, which had showed how much had changed between them from when they were young and SeeD cadets.
The six years between then and Amelia's birth had seen a strong friendship grow between them, so much so that both Zell and Jade had made Seifer Amelia's godfather and guardian in the event something happened, which it unfortunately did when Amelia was six years old and both Zell and Jade were killed during a mission. Since then Seifer had raised Amelia at Garden with Zell's Ma's help.
Once again he was going to Esthar to talk to Laguna Loire, the aging president of Esthar. It surprised him that Laguna was still in charge after 35 years or so and at the age of 62 but then he was only more of a figurehead. But then it was Laguna he would have to try and convince if he wanted it destroyed and maybe this time he'll be lucky. Amelia awoke as the Ragnarok II landed which like its predecessor was dragon-like but blue which was why the SeeDs in Balamb called it by its unofficial name, Bahamut.
'Are we in Esthar Uncle?' she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
'Yes we are.' Seifer replied and watched as she jumped out of her seat. 'Now you're like Zell.' He thought to himself.
'Hey what's that?' he asked noticing the twin bulges on her hips under her SeeD cadet uniform.
'Nothing.' Amelia said sweetly meeting his gaze.
'Don't try that voice on me. Did you bring "them" with you?' he said trying to be strict.
'Um yeah...' Amelia admitted.
Seifer sighed 'Amelia do you want us to get kicked out of Esthar?' he said softly.
'No, but I can't leave them behind. Besides I bet they couldn't kick you out!' Amelia replied.
Seifer grinned 'You've been listening to Auntie Quistis too much. I'm not as young as I used to be.' He told her.
'You look it to me.' Amelia said smiling.
'Smooth talker! Hope it works on the security guards.' He said laughing and gently gripped her shoulder and led her out of the ship.
Contrary to what Seifer had said the Esthar guards didn't seem too bothered about Amelia's weapons and let them pass through to the network of transport tubes. Seifer and Amelia got on the platform to the Presidential Residence and Amelia gasped as they sped across the city.
'So what's President Loire like?' Amelia asked as they entered the residence.
'Well he's getting old now but he's still okay. I don't know him too well but he's Squall's dad.' Seifer whispered.
'Really?' Amelia said in awe. She knew Squall as the Headmaster of Garden, A quiet, severe man with an intense stare, who was a friend of her father's. She wondered what kind of man Laguna Loire was to be Squall's father.
She found out as they entered the office and met a relaxed and amiable old man with crows-feet around his eyes and laughter lines wrinkled his face. He had a full head of long grey hair which wasn't kept tied up.
'Seifer.' He said in a friendly way and then noticed Amelia.
'So who's the little cutie?' he asked smiling.
'Laguna, this is Amelia Dinct. Amelia, Laguna Loire.' Seifer replied gesturing with his hands whilst Amelia gave a curt nod.
'Zell's daughter?! Hasn't she grown!' Laguna said excitedly.
'Can we get to business Laguna, you know why I'm here right?' Seifer said briskly.
Laguna looked downcast. 'Yes, yes, the Junction Machine Ellone.' He sighed. 'You already know the answer too.' He added.
'Again? Odine has been dead for years now! Why hasn't it been destroyed?' Seifer replied trying to keep cool.
'It's not just about Odine, if we destroy the machine Ultimecia can't find out about Ellone and the past will be erased.' Laguna replied calmly.
'Exactly! If we destroy it then she can't use it to come back. Look how many lives we'd save!' Seifer retorted.
'And you wouldn't have the guilt.' Laguna said softly.
'That's not the point! If we keep on this path we'll just end up going around in circles! That's why Ultimecia wins! Even after you sent the others to kill her she still lives in this endless cycle!' Seifer argued.
'How do you know that the world will be better if we change that?' Laguna retorted.
'Anything would be better than the death of all those SeeDs! How many generations have to die?' Seifer snapped.
'We don't know. Could be many, could be few. No-one knows when Ultimecia arises.' Laguna said softly.
Through the argument Amelia stood listening, thinking of how she'd love to be able to use the machine to go back and see her father again, to see what he was like when he was young rather than just listen to the stories.
'Amelia?' Seifer said nervously as she stood still and silent.
'Hmm? Can I go see the machine?' she asked excitedly.
Seifer looked worriedly at Lguna, hoping that he would say no. Seifer knew of Amelia's secret, one unknown to Amelia herself. There was a reason why she'd been kept at Garden under Seifer's watchful eye. A reason why she was never allowed to junction a Guardian Force and hence had a perfect memory.
This dark reason was that she was a natural born Sorceress. So far her powers hadn't emerged but Garden didn't want her to access any external magic, for fear it would turn her against them. Seifer knew she had reason to, Garden had taken away her parents and even if she never showed or thought it, that resentment was down there waiting to build up.
This was why Zell had fought against the Garden Committee and Esthar to keep his daughter, why he entrusted Seifer to look after her, so she'd grow up happy, preventing bitterness to consume her.
Unfortunately Laguna couldn't resist the sweet smile and innocent eyes. 'Sure, let's go now.' He said smiling. 'Seifer this discussion is over okay?' he added sternly.
Laguna led the two of them through the passageways to the lower regions of the building and came to Odine's abandoned lab.
'No-one comes here much.' Laguna said explaining the unvoiced question as to the dust and untidy state of the room.
'This is Junction Machine Ellone.' Laguna said pointing to a tall electronic cabinet with cables extending to the outreaches of the room, a monitor in the centre of it all showing a faint blue zig-zag trace.
'How does it work?' Amelia asked staring at the dull machine with rapt attention.
'Well the monitor shows the algorithm of the pattern that enables Ellone's ability. The algorithm itself is stored in one of its storage components. There's no interface so you can't use it to go back in time.' Laguna explained.
Seifer was paying no attention to Laguna, he had Ellone's schematic memorised. Instead he was watching Amelia and followed her as she approached the machine and traced the dusty cabinet with her fingers.
Seifer was aware of a feeling or sensation that was familiar to him. A feeling from his past that was emanating from Amelia. It all clicked into place, like a dream or inspiration as Seifer made the final connection when Amelia smiled into the monitor. He realised who he was looking at and what he had to do.
Slowly so that Laguna or Amelia was unaware, he slid his hand to Amelia's hip and drew the Gun-dagger holstered there. The Gun-dagger had Zell engraved on the blade and Seifer knew the other had Jade. 'Glad to see you're with me on this buddy.' He thought to himself and then wrapping his left arm around Amelia and pulling her back he slammed the blade through the glass cover of the cabinet and cut out the Algorithm Storage drive.
'Seifer! What the hell!?' Laguna yelled as the glass sprayed across the room.
Seifer tucked the drive into his jacket pocket and spun round to face Laguna, clutching Amelia tightly with a manic grin on his face.
'The time has come! It all starts here!' Seifer told him.
'What are you talking about Seifer? Have you gone insane?' Laguna yelled.
'No it's all clear to me now!' Seifer replied. 'Junction Machine Ellone will be rebuilt ready for her.' He added.
'For who?' Laguna asked confused whilst Amelia stood close to Seifer calmly.
'Her.' Seifer said softly glancing down.
'You mean...' Laguna said softly.
'Yes so you can't stop me Laguna, not if you want to preserve your sacred causality.' Seifer replied and started edging out the room holding Amelia close.
'She doesn't know! She isn't ready!' Laguna snapped keeping his distance, wary of the blade.
'I know but we have time.' Seifer retorted and scooped Amelia up, running.