The Lights of Deling

by Tera

Rinoa has been kidnapped, Squall is a mess and an election in Deling could determine the fate of the wold.

1. The Lights of Deling

The Lights of Deling

Introduction

It is a story

Of a girl dealing with powers beyond imagination,

Of a boy discovering the depths of love,

Of the Orphan who never felt good enough,

Of a leader who thought to conquer the world,

Of the boy whom the world could never please;

Of the broken knight and how they all saw

The lights of Deling…

Prologue-

It was a bitterly cold night. He felt as if the frigid air would drain him of all the warm blood that coursed through his veins as the chilly winter winds blew threw his long black trench coat. As the soaking wet rain came down it drenched his peppered mustache and his already damp clothes. It seeped in leaving his shivering body feeling desperate for warmth. He craved the comfort of a soft familiar hand that would gently caress his cheek or a burning fire that once restored the feeling in his chilled bones. He nuzzled his head deeper into his chest shielding it from the raging storm. Although he knew the reason why he was walking in the dead of night, he still cursed himself for the midnight walk. The city's aging streetlights cast a brilliant glow, showing him the way home. He hoped anyway. And he desperately needed to believe that they were not following him anymore. His escaped had reminded him of a hot-blooded dictator on the brink of war.

The sparse city trees still rocked in the wind, showing the on-looker that the storm was anything but over. He saw an old wooden bench by the roadside. It was hiding the shadowed figure of a man. He quickly looked away and then on his other side he saw another shadow. Again, he looked away. Then he gazed forward into the distance to his home and wondered, could he make it? The shadows of the night got up from their positions, revealing something in their distorted hands. He thought, "The general of a mighty army to be brought down in the middle of the night only a few yards away from his mansion?" He starred intensely at the mansion and the shadows grew closer. He began to feel the anxiety that was already present turn into the fuel for the full out adrenaline he could use. His hands grew clammy; his mind was made up. The legs that were beneath him felt numb, and slowed him down as he bolted for the door. The old man ran as fast as his tired legs could take him, sprinting with all their might, but futile as something did caress his broken body. He began to fall to the wintry ground, saying his good byes to the world. All his hopes and dreams; his daughter flashed through his mind as he closed his eyes and laid flat against the pavement. The figures from before ran up after the fallen General, standing victoriously above their victim. One bent over to turn the body over, confirming the unmistakable face of General Caraway. They nodded at each other in agreement. One man was a treacherous SeeD, the other the leader of the rebels that sought out to ruin the upcoming election in Galbadia, both together for one purpose. The girl. The General was only a piece of the big picture; a picture that Chase hoped would claim what should belong to a long lost country, his country. And with the girl Chase thought, he would have the world…

"Call her, Charm, call Heartilly up," Chase ordered. In the night his expressions were blurred along with the SeeDs, their fears hidden from each other's faces. Charm sighed in exhaustion, as he knew he would be the one to with- strain the General. But this was all part of the life he would live now, one of thrills and adventure that could live up to his expectations like nothing else could so far. His life had been so easy. He had the perfect parents that always encouraged him, always loved him, but set limits too and friends. But everything had felt trite, boring, that world was without what he wanted and there had seemed like there was nothing he could do about it. He praised himself for escaping SeeD and braced himself for his new life…

* * * *

Part One- Search for a Sorceress

Rinoa sighed at the unhappy sight before her eyes. Angelo, her dog had broken into the box of dark truffles she had planned on to giving Squall. The golden box's seal was broken and chewed up sections of it laid at opposite ends of the small room. Her room, she thought. The pieces of the black wrappers that once held the exotic chocolates were now scattered about the floor. She mindlessly picked them up while shouting at Angelo. The dog barked back showing her its displeasure, but then bowed its head down in submission. Rinoa stopped herself and going over to Angelo she wrapped her arms around him, pressing her head against his.

"It's okay, I'm sure Squall won't mind too much, but if he wasn't going to eat them then I certainly was," she said sympathetically toward the animal. A frown formed on her face as she felt the pain of time pass over, remembering moments of ago. Not pain, but a sense of the ordinary. How things had felt like a tyrant wind that swept her through the current of thrills and adventures only found in most people's fantasies, but now this storm had cooled to a whimsy breeze that only blew a strand of her raven hair out of place. This was reality and not every moment of her life could be filled with change or something new, however much she would prefer that. The world had settled like this wind, lying dormant and without peril. Galbadia was even on the forefront of an election, having two entirely different parties, the whole works. And Esthar was still as prominent, with the amazing leadership of the one and only Laguna Lorie. This world was not the same in which she had grown up to, but peace was good. And maybe it was better that childhood was over. Childhood was about learning and experimentation. She had found a nice comfortable place that was stable and by far she had no complaints. She had this man that stole away her breath just by the look in his sapphire eyes that she was still trying to figure out. She lost her grasp of the dog as it broke away snapping at the inanimate door. She heard a gentle taping on the wood that echoed and hurried up, straightening out her neglected appearance.

"Who is it?" She called.

"You wanted to talk to me?" He asked through the closed door. She reluctantly got up and opened the door, her mouth curved into a warm, open smile for him.

"That's better," she said letting him in and he stood awkwardly as Angelo checked him over, examining the new smell of the familiar man. "These were for you," she said handing him the gnarled golden box. He starred at the box questionably. "Angelo kind of got into them," she turned away and looked back at Angelo pointing her finger and said, "Bad dog." He put the box down on the counter. He smiled and looked back at her contently, and almost laughed at the gesture. She shrugged her shoulders, but before they could utter another word another knock came upon the door.

"Hello, Commander? Are you in there?" Zell asked banging against the wood. Squall opened the door up for Zell who practically fell over expecting the door to be in the place of thin air. He tried quickly to regain his balance and dignity, scrambling back up. Squall, choosing to ignore what had happened continued on.

"Yes Zell?" He asked.

"Hey Rinoa," he ignored Squall, his eyes lit up in a phony and cheery way, covering up his insecurities inside.

"Hi Zell," she responded her face with the same friendly smile from before.

"Oh, yeah! Umm, Rinoa can I speak to you alone?" He tried to gather his composure, find the right words that would ease the strife and make everything better. Bring hope.

"I'm sure whatever you have to say is okay for the Commander to hear." She turned back to Squall who sighed as usual when he was referred to as Commander; a title he had never quite grown accustomed to.

"Sure, well how can I say this?" Zell continued to blunder for words. He knew if Ma Dincht were ever to come up missing he would want somebody there for him who could offer support, comfort.

"Well leaving me in suspense won't help anything either," she pursued. She starred at him, trying to coax him gently and encourage his words to come out.

"Your father is missing," Zell finally blurted out.

"What?" She asked him. The man of so many squabbles and problems that in her mind there was no hope for. A man she chose to have nothing to do with. He was someone she would never see again and never be able to reconcile with, because it was too late.

"He's been missing for twenty-four hours or so." He deserved this, she thought. All those horrible things he had done to so many people, and in the end they always get what they deserve. Her eyes rolled to the ground with frustration, what would they expect her to do? "They say he never returned after his usual walk in the evening…" Zell continued. He had all those guards why weren't they following him watching his corrupt back no one just disappears like that, she thought. "The maid says that he had mentioned something about being followed." He was a general of Galbadia, and who in the world goes out walking at night? "Maybe we should go and check it out? Are you listing to me? Hello, Rinoa, Zell to Rinoa come in!" Zell waved his hand wildly in front of her face.

"What?" Rinoa looked back up.

"Did you hear a word I said?" Zell asked.

"Yeah, you said that General Caraway was missing, so what are we going to do about it. Truthfully I don't see what the big deal is, maybe he just didn't want to go home that night, I wouldn't blame him…"

"And not let anyone know about it?" Zell questioned.

"I don't know. It's not like I know the guy and everybody needs some time to them selves every once in a while. Like you haven't ever thought about just disappearing, not having to deal with your life for a few days. And believe me he's done lots of things. If I was him I would probably just disappear forever." She cringed; she felt like she was that little girl again complaining so childishly about that man. She couldn't even call him her father.

"Squall, help me out here?" Zell complained. He still didn't understand how someone could possibly hold a grudge against their father of all people for so long, years… He doubted she even remembered what the fight was really about. Squall shook his head no. "I bet you don't even remember what the fight was about, do ya?" Zell smiled hopefully.

"No, Zell. We aren't getting into this now, I don't wanna talk about it." Why did he care anyway? It's not like she was missing out on anything, she thought. She had everything she needed right here, all without his help.

"Tch…fine, but there's a meeting so we might as well walk down there," Zell opened the door ajar waiting for his friends to follow.

* * * * * *

The girl's long, wavy hair slumped over to one side. Onna tried again tousling the dull, ash brown locks that seemed to fly out everywhere. She stopped herself and reluctantly brushed her hair back into a tight ponytail, with one or two usual strands that framed her face. She pulled the sky blue shirt down so it rested properly and well against her body straitening out the three-quarter sleeves and the black vest that fit snugly over it. Then finally, the plain black skirt she wore followed by two black boots that came to just about her knees. She wiped the dust from her large, tired and gray eyes that seemed far too big for anyone to like. She hated those intense eyes along with her plain hair. She thought everything about herself seemed dull and without life. How could anyone stand to look or be around her? She was nineteen years old but looked nine, and she had nothing: no parents, no talent, she was weak without any backbone to her at all, she thought. Just a pitiful, lost orphan brought in by kind strangers. The same strangers who were also part of a rebellion group that had taught her everything she had known. But following orders, that's where she soared, that's what she could do like no other. After all how could she question anyone when everyone around her was so much smarter, or when they were all better than she was? She was loyal like no other, fighting for a cause she would give her life for in a heartbeat. Something much more important than herself, or any other one person, this was the fight for the future, for good. She pictured herself as the good going against the evil that was Galbadia.

She looked around at her new home. The room was well lit and well hidden far away in a basement that was within the city limits of Deling. The dust had pilled up over time, and billowed off as she withdrew breath from the stale air. There was a simple steel chair in the middle with a stand for drinks, then the room branched out into two other smaller compartments for her and Chase. Chase was her partner in all of this but he often seemed too cryptic. He was often courteous and doing whatever was needed, and he did get the job done as he shouted out orders. He was precise and always to the point, determined like her. Otherwise it seemed that all he did was lounge about in that small room where she swore she heard voices. They had spent three months together and she still was without a clue to what kind of person that he really was. All she saw was the same stern demeanor, the furrowed brow, his curly red hair and hazel eyes. She hated the mystery. She didn't even know the people around her, the ones to whom she fought side by side. It added in an unpredictable factor of how dedicated and how much were they willing to give. This was very important for her to know. She felt something brush against her back and readied her crossbow. When she turned around, starring right back at her was Chase; an innocent smile crept across his face.

"Sorry, did I frighten you?" He asked in his usual well-mannered way.

"I'm fine just a little nervous I guess. Is he here yet?" He being the upcoming visitor that they were about to receive. And she being stressed because he, was not exactly a visitor. This certain visitor had been kidnapped, and was none other than General Caraway.

She heard a loud noise of something being dragged along and a muffled human voice. A strange figure came into the room dragging a large white bag after him. He had dark hair; dark eyes and skin the color of a light bronze. He was tall and had a medium frame. Her eye's widened; who was he? He wore a simple long sleeve shirt that was tan and had a red collar with his straight-leg pants that fell over his boots she smiled.

"Do you think that was quite necessary?" Chase inquired.

"It seemed like a good idea at the time," the stranger replied.

"Just get him out of there and have some respect for Hyne's sake. How would you feel if you had lived that long and had gained respect to be treated like this huh?" Chase said. Onna never could be sure if he was that nice, or that sarcastic. She looked back at Charm, who sighed and loosened the bag letting the General breath.

"Oh, this is my associate Onna. Onna meet Charm our new ally, a SeeD none the less." The smile was quickly wiped off her face at the mentioning of SeeD. It's not as if she loathed SeeD, or love it for that matter. It's just how could one trust them when their hearts were not in it, only their pocket books. She wondered why Chase had hired him. Did he think she was incompetent? She sighed again at her paranoid thoughts. Normally it would have helped her in these matters. But if Chase didn't want her help she knew that she wouldn't be here. She turned away from the appealing SeeD so that her long gaze would not seem as noticeable.

"A SeeD?" She questioned him. She felt that she needed to trust him, and his piercing dark eyes.

"Don't worry that's far behind me for the right price which you have people have kindly offered. Nice to meet you Onna," he added. Charm helped the struggling Caraway into the steel chair. Caraway, having all his limbs tied behind him with his feet wrapped together was gagged, blinded and had ear plugs deafening his ears. He was helpless. "Ugh, how much does that guy weigh?" Charm wiped off his forehead

"I see," Onna said in contempt, she sighed. "Well?"

"Well what?" Charm asked.

"Is she coming?"

"Hopefully. This is her father. Don't worry, Heartilly will come and Charm will assist us by returning to 'Garden'," Chase responded while he fixed himself and the others a drink from the small mahogany side table, preparing for a toast. Onna accepted the drink that was handed to her and Charm did the same. Chase lifted his high in the air. "Let us toast to the future of Galbadia and hope that we may be a part of it!" Chase commanded. Onna starred at him questionably, but eventually took the cup to her mouth as Charm enveloped the liquid hastily and without so much as a pause. But while the figures toasted a familiar beeping could be heard in the background.

"What is that?" Onna asked, her body tense and her heart racing from fear.

"What? I was really thirsty, you would be to if you had to lug the respectful General's ass all the way up here," Charm complained. *

"No, that noise I heard." She said ignoring him.

"Don't worry Onna, it's just the response sound on the communicator," he explained.

* * * * *

The old man straitened up in the in the stiff chair, next to him sat his bitter rival. Artemis had started out from humble beginnings unlike Landon. He was one of the "people" unlike Landon. Landon had had money fed to him from birth and his father's most gallant career to live up to. No, Artemis was a simple man who wanted simple things for his country whose name had become a joke though out the world. Something to laugh at when one discussed politics, but he wouldn't stand for it to stay that way. Galbadia deserved to rule the world, not be shunned away or treated like trash. This had once been a great and powerful country that conquered vast lands with its might, and ruling with an iron fist. He knew that not everything could be solved with bombs and war toys. He saw reason as much as the next man did, but not everything could be decided peacefully. This wasn't a fairy tale; war was a needed thing. Landon thought differently, Landon dreamed of something more like space and exploration. He made wild promises with showy entertainment that may have dazzled the voters, but had no substance at all. His gazed shifted back to Landon, his boyish looks with a charming smile. His small, squinting eyes that lighted up with presence his light hair in waves.

"And now for your pleasure, our man for the disclosure party, the one and the only, Artemis Lewis!" The man said in an exaggerated voice. The crowd cheered waving flyers and screaming his name, all an illusion. This battle was going to have nothing to do with the crowds, but the way you kissed ass to the world, he thought. And he was sure he there was bound to be someone out their planning Landon and his assignation. All he was in this was for a last chance to restore his beloved, but considerably screwed over country, he had grown-up in this town and he wouldn't let it fall to pieces so easily. After all with the right hands Galbadia could once again be high and a great power of the world, with him leading it. In a sense he had 'the Galbadian dream.' He smiled as he approached the stand for the announcer, the mindless people below him idolizing him from below. He was once like them, and he would treat them right like how they should be, make them proud to live in Deling.

"Friends, delegates, voters… I stand before you with a humble dream, a dream that only you can make true, because after all ladies and gentlemen you are Galbadia," he paused as he heard the cheering increase and felt a certain satisfaction seeing them smile too. "Because you are the blood that course's through the body that is Galbadia, you and only you can sustain it. And only you can bring it to the glorious future that you deserve!" He took in another deep breath. "My dream is Galbadia, to restore it to raise it to this future, we deserve respect, we deserve peace, and we deserve power! This is what I dream, and I think that you, Galbadia agrees. Am I right?" The crowd continued shouting, he enjoyed every minute of it. "I take that as a yes, but sadly there is only one problem with this dream." The crowd could be heard asking why and the smiles disappeared. "Support, because I as one man cannot do this alone," he raised his hands up encouraging them and the crowd reached its crescendo. "Thank you for your precise time and I hope you make the right for Galbadia's future." He stepped down with a bow and returned to the stiff chair.

* * * * *

The once quiet meeting room of Gardens best had turned to raging battle with words and anyone was fair game. The room was the center of planning, strategy equipped with various computers and comfy sofas. Zell was busy with Quistis trying to convince Rinoa to seek out her father while Squall stood idly not adding onto a word, and Selphie sat up on the peach couch trying to calm everyone down.

"Rinoa, he's your father you have to go find him he would do the same for you!" Zell argued. There were very few things that Zell felt so strongly about and one of them was family. He just couldn't understand how Rinoa could stand there and not do a thing perfectly knowing her father was in danger, or could be in danger.

"I swore a long time ago that I would have nothing more to do with that man, besides Zell how does this concern you?" she said. She wanted nothing more than to completely drop the subject, after all Caraway was a grown man completely capable of taking care of himself, not to mention Galbadia wouldn't just let one of their top ranking generals just disappear into oblivion.

"Come on guys! Let's get over this and talk about the mission already!" Selphie exclaimed amidst the argument.

"We know Rinoa, but this is SeeD business. We are technically contracted under Galbadia to assist them in preventing or stopping any terrorist activities leading up to the election," Quistis reasoned.

"But how do we know that we are dealing with terrorist?" Rinoa asked smugly.

"Obviously only assuming this was an act of terrorism should we go and I agree that we should check it out for the possibility. What about you Squall, you haven't said a word yet." Quistis didn't think that just because Rinoa happened to be personally involved in the matter that it wasn't best to check for sure. She hadn't even disclosed the problem she had with her father and that in Quistis opinion wasn't enough to keep her from doing her job.

Squall had been standing and listening objectively to every word and every idea exchanged like a good leader, thinking of all the possibilities, the best course of action that wouldn't anger his girlfriend at the same time. He knew how much Rinoa despised her father and how dedicated Quistis was to every mission, from that he had to decide what was the best way of pleasing everyone and getting done whatever the mission was this time. Over the years it had developed into a second nature as his mind compiled all the various information. That still did not mean he enjoyed using his friends or Rinoa and putting them in peril where they might inadvertently get killed for some meaningless and or hopeless cause. Especially Rinoa who often preferred to accompany him to any and every SeeD mission. He hated that knot in his stomach that would build whenever he thought she was possibly in danger. But his told him instincts that there was something more to the General's disappearance and that didn't make him feel any better either. He knew that they had to go, and that they were all going to go.

"If this is terrorist adding on to the propaganda of the election we have to go. Like it or not we are under contract to make sure nothing threatens the upcoming election." He said. He knew it wasn't what Rinoa wanted to hear and probably any of the rest of his friends. If there was one place they tired to avoid, as much as possible it was Galbadia. But it wasn't like they were visiting the same crude and violent country of the past; this was guaranteed to be the 'nice' version of the warring country. This was the face that it put on to the world of a smiling child on the brink of getting that toy that it had had wanted forever. The toy of freedom that is, freedom from oppression from a bitter tyrant of a dictator. But who was going to replace the monster, a kind god or an evil king that ruled with the same nature as before. There were two candidates, Landon Johnston and Artemis Lewis. Both shrouded in a veil of mystery, and both former Generals of Galbadia's own. It seemed at present, that the world was split on whom they wanted to win and everyone had their fingers into it, most likely even SeeD. He sighed at his own thoughts and everyone stood silent after his words, what did they want from him?

"You heard the Commander, let's going," Quistis said breaking the silence. Squall looked relived as the group began to shuffle out through the doorway and he was left alone with Rinoa.

"What if something did happen to him?" She asked to no one.

He looked at her, but she started to walk out and join the others, he reluctantly followed. It felt for him awkward to order people around, and it was funny how they welcomed his orders so easily, didn't they have their own input or opinion? How could anyone go about mindlessly following orders? Would he some day lead them all blindly to one too many lost causes and have them perish from his own stupid orders right before his eyes? Would he loose Rinoa that way too, he thought. He found his hand to his forehead and he drew his dark hair back in an expression of doubt and frustration. He took a deep breath wondering at sometimes why he put up with it all and stepped out of the doorway. The hall before him stretched out and connected to the expanding Garden, the smell of the new paint still permeated off the walls. And he walked slowly passing the various students, some familiar and some new, but all giving him a faithful solute that pledged their undying allegiance. All the kids he was sentencing to an early death, he thought. He relaxed though as the soothing feel of the Garden set in, lowering his guard and making feel a false sense of protection. The truth was Garden was just as susceptible to attack as much as any other craft nothing was forever. Rinoa would hate him for saying that, he thought. He stepped out into the brilliant sun that blinded his unfocused blue eyes, bringing his hand out to the level of his eyes to block the gaudy sun. The Ragnarok awaited in the distance and the wind whipped past him blowing at him in its laughable way. The ship that had aided them so many times, it really was invaluable despite its monster-like appearance. He boarded it seeing his friends had already taken their usual places; Selphie in the pilot seat, Irvine by her side, Quistis seated along with Zell and Rinoa standing by the door. They gazed back to see him.

"Are we ready!" Selphie exclaimed cheerfully, it had been a while since she had piloted the all-mighty ship.

"Let's go kick some terrorist ass!" Zell agreed. And everything still felt the same as if it was only yesterday that they had fought the sorceress from the future, Ultimecia. This was different, he thought, usually he would be stuck behind a lofty desk hidden away for most the day. Now if this was a good change was a different thing, and he couldn't forget about the invitation he had received from Laguna to visit Ellone and him in Esthar. It would be good to see Ellone, but Laguna… He tried to not think about that man and instead turned his attention back onto Rinoa who had her head down and her arm cuffed around her other arm, he knew this was bothering her. She glanced up and then back again to the steel ground, deep in thought.

"Are you okay?" He asked her.

"No, I guess I'm not. But thanks for asking it surprises me sometimes how much you have opened up," She said lifting her head back up. The ship began to gently shake as it prepared to land.

The city limits of Deling had been heavily guarded and the only reason Irvine could conclude was for the election. The election, he thought what about it was such a big deal. He answered the question right after he asked it. Of course it was a big deal, Galbadia was this unstable, big and pushy country that if it decided to turn nasty all of sudden could do some damage. But he sighed because he really did hate being there. He had wished he had been paying more attention to the meeting so he could actually know why they were there. He did remember something about General Caraway missing, but why did that concern them? They were only contracted to oversee everything, making sure nothing went wrong or foreseeing any possible assignations of the delegates. Selphie walked close to him, putting her small head against his chest and pulling his arm around her. He looked past her and saw Rinoa and Squall in the lead, Rinoa trying to hold Squall's hand and Squall trying to pretend not to notice. And Quistis following them closely with Zell a few steps behind. They theme selves were lagging quite a bit as Selphie was taking her time. He starred back up at the moon, the stars and at the streetlights, the only light in the somber city of Galbadia. He pasted the various taverns, the shops that lined the shopping arcade each one ducked in and was almost hidden from night. And each one had a simple, but practical look. He loved this city he decided, as he remembered all the times he had sneaked out of Galbadia Garden for a few kicks and even got drunk once. All the women he had met, all the silly pick up lines that seemed so childish now and even then. He looked back at Selphie with a smile saying she was the only one for him now. They were first on their way to the mansion to snoop around and trying to compile any useful information they could to the General's untimely disappearance. He could already see the massive mansion in the distance and a wooden bench where he wish he could sit comfortably for a moment after all the walking they had done it was only right for him to take a load off. But never the less he trudged on with his friends he could wait a few minutes to sit down on a warm comfy spot, with a warm raging fire and Selphie besides him…

Rinoa refused to look up at the house, the place where she had grown up, the place where her mother had lived playing that haunting song… The door opened to the mansion and was held open by Lora, the women that had taken care of the little Rinoa.

"Thank you for coming, Ms. Heartilly please come right in with your friends," the women smiled back at her hopefully with her caramel brown eyes. She was homely looking and welcomed them in openly, showing the way inside the mansion. They stepped in greeted by the aroma of freshly baked chocolate cookies from the hidden kitchen. The room was the grand opening to the stairwell that lead up to the front foyer and was incomprehensibly spacious. It boosted fine hand woven rugs with intricate designs following generations of skill. The fine vases sat polished in the corners, fine and white with blue flower prints. There was green shrubbery's that resembled loose blankets draping down to the speckled marble floor. There were porcelain white arcs hanging off leading to other doors, and the friendly women lead them further back and through one of the wooden doors to sit on the antiquated furnishings. She left them without a further word returning with a covered fine silver set carried on a mahogany serving set and placed it on top of the glass coffee table. Irvine rocked back in the lounge chair, Selphie sat on his lap. "It's so great to see you Ms. Heartilly, might I start out by saying you have grown up into a fine young lady, your father would be proud. And add you've got yourself a cute one. If you have any questions about the Generals disappearance, please feel free to ask, " She winked at Rinoa and Rinoa smiled uncomfortably. Sometimes it was hard to forget all the wonderful time she had at the mansion, she thought. Rinoa looked back at Squall who blushed modestly.

"Yes, we need to know all the details," Squall stated. The older women still stood hugging the doorway and she seemed to slump upon hearing this.

She straitened up and began to answer, "Well; there really isn't much to tell. Like I said before he, General Caraway was going out on one of his usual walks at night. He's just always so fussy about having no guards, no one watching him, just him alone walking under the stars, if only I had been more persistent about him being guarded. I curse myself now because of it. Anyway, sometimes the master likes to stop by the tavern and he comes in a little later then so that's why I didn't call the authorities right away. I feel so stupid, if only I would have…" She let it hang and it added on to the drama. The women turned away overwhelmed by tears; Rinoa went over to comfort her, putting her arm over her former caretaker's hunched back. Quistis and Squall met each other's gaze from across the room.

"I'm sure he's fine, Lora. Don't worry." Rinoa coaxed. Selphie got up out of Irvine's lap and felt confused to the woman's story, Irvine sat up. Zell stood up wondering what he should do, he still didn't think it was his place to comfort her, but it didn't feel anymore right to just stand there either. In the background Zell could here a loud ringing, the phone. Lora brushed Rinoa's hand away and wiped her face off on the apron. Rinoa sighed; she was beginning to feel guilty about everything. She was behaving so childishly her father might be in danger, dead and she refused to care. She saw how much it had effected Lora, how could she be so cold?

"Oh my, the phone is ringing I best pick it up," the women sighed.

"Oh no your not in this condition, it's nothing. Please, let me do it," Rinoa offered.

"No, I won't allow a Princess like you to answer the phone, believe me it's no problem," She argued.

"Oh come on, it would be my pleasure," Rinoa insisted.

"Only if you want to," Lora stepped out of the way for the girl; the phone rested on the smooth counter. Squall looked at Rinoa curiously. Something just didn't seem right and he defiantly did not like this woman. Rinoa ignored him and steeped out of the room to answer the phone. He stood there with his friend's listening in to every word she said.

"What? They have him? But how, never mind just let me get a piece of paper and a pen," she motioned for someone to get her a pen.

"Who is it?" Zell asked in a whisper as he handed her a pen and paper.

"Garden," she whispered. "Uh-huh, okay do you want to talk to him? Sure here he is," she handed the phone to Squall who starred at her. "It's Cid, he wants to talk to you," she explained. He reluctantly took it with a sigh.

"Yes sir." He paused for a while. "No Sir, sure bye sir," he hung up the phone with relief.

"What did he want?" Quistis spoke up.

"He said to take care of Rinoa, and then he hung up," Squall said still with disbelief.

"That's funny, he said that my father is being held by terrorist here, see I wrote down all the information," she held up the General's stationary. She turned back to Lora who was no longer there.

"Is it just me or does all of this seem really set up?" Irvine asked. Everyone looked at him with surprise. "What I was actually paying attention is that okay with you Commander?"

"My father's disappeared and now that we actually have a lead you are calling this all staged?" Rinoa sighed as she began to analyze the past events.

"Yeah really, that lady was weird!" Selphie agreed. Rinoa looked back at Squall, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Who have to admit everything is falling so perfectly in to place almost as if it was all staged," Quistis reasoned. Squall nodded. "Not that I don't think your father isn't kidnapped, but there is definitely something going on," she suggested.

"I still…hate him, but I just don't know anymore," Rinoa gave up.

"Don't worry there's still hope, we just have to figure something out," Quistis tried.

"Come on Rinoa, we'll get him back, really soon I promise!" Zell said.

"Zell, you shouldn't make promises you can't keep," Rinoa replied sadly. Squall walked over and examined the piece of stationary.

"Is says right here that you have to meet them?" Squall asked he didn't like any of this, he was at someone else's mercy none of this was up to him they could try anything they wanted and he would be powerless to stop them.

"They want me to meet them, and discuss the situation," Rinoa sounded far away when she thought, Squall sighed.

"Isn't that dangerous?" He confirmed.

"I suppose so, but do you really think I have that much of a choice?" She shrugged.

"You always have a choice and I wouldn't blame you for not going," Irvine offered.

"No, I'll do it. I can take care of myself, maybe not as well as you, but I am a Sorceress," she replied.

* * * * *

The plan was set and everything felt so good to Onna. She paced around in the lobby swigged her legs back in forth in anticipation. Charm stood in the corner and seemed to be starring into the nothingness, while Chase worked out the final details. The scene was set, they would make the transaction and escape, just in and out. Unfortunately she had to be the contact, she had to speak to them and she had to tell them. Chase still busily on the phone put it down on the bar room counter.

"Onna, please stop that pacing it's rattling my nerves," he ordered. She stopped dead in her tracks and decided it would best if she were to sit down. The lounge was empty with silence, the stage where so many namely performances were held was empty and its overhead light's dead. The tables were bare; most of the chairs still lied overturned on top and the booths still. There were however staff around to keep up the place and in preparation for the evening's crowd of soldiers and various locals. That was also when they were expecting the girl. And when Onna would have to be the contact. She didn't know if they were allowed to be down here, but no one seemed to notice or care. Maybe Chase had taken care of it, she thought. There was only ten minutes left in till the place was to open and she felt the sick, nauseating feeling building deep in her stomach, a feeling of dread. This mission seemed to be completely out of her control, almost anything could happen and there certainly was no guarantee for things to run smoothly. She walked over to Charm in the corner, he appeared to be quite confident, what was wrong with her she had been through similar missions like this before so why couldn't she remain stable or calm?

"You do know there is only ten more minutes to go?" She asked him. He remained in the booth, his hands folded and feet to the ground.

"Yeah, your point being?" she asked. Look at him none of this bothers him? He just sits there confidently at rest, like she never could. She couldn't help but stare at him.

"I guess your right, never mind," she walked away feeling worse off than before. She heard her name being called from Chase and walked back to the counter.

"Onna, are you ready, do you understand?" He was just checking on her, she thought. She understood it wasn't like she was the brightest or bravest person around or anything close to that.

"I think so, basically I just have to converse with them telling them the "deal" and I have to make sure she is alone and without back up, then I suggest, well more like coax her to the back so Charm and you can complete the plan, right?" She remembered.

"Yes that's everything, your so smart Onna I shouldn't even have to bother and check on you. Just remember if she does have anyone with her get rid of them at all cost, we're leaving now so get in place. And relax, you look way too tense." He reminded. She knew it wasn't true, what he said he was just building her up make her feel better, he really just pitied her like everyone else. She hated their pity.

"I will try my best," she pledged with a salute.

He starred at her, "Don't try do it." He walked away and Charm got up to follow. Great, she thought I'm all alone to screw up. She took a deep breath, trying to release the anxiety and replace it with complete confidence, which felt utterly impossible.

The room began to light up for the evening, the stage's lights flashed on and shot strait down to the classical, ebony-colored piano that sat alone. Soon the hostess came out from the back, seating the incoming soldiers and some of the crowd. The girl sat patiently, her elbow weighing down the table and hand propping her head up to the side. She gazed toward the slanting stairs that curled around before her. Any moment now, just wait and calm down. She sat up and crossed her legs trying to put on the mask of confidence, that smug expression of control that she didn't have. The lights seemed to dim; the darkness surrounded it making the talkative bar go quiet so the struggling flame was the only thing to illuminate her militant face. She sighed, watching the flame's personal battle, how it never gave up however much that the battle seemed pointless, ridiculous to the onlooker. And how it started out a deep blue that reminded her of the ocean and then to the bright yellow of the sun, how they contradicted each other making no sense at all and then the blood red that flickered like the struggling candle its self. The candle was like her filled with so many contradictions, struggling to make it, struggling to survive and it too wasn't sure if it could make it, but it still tried against all odds. She saw this, as the performer so happened to waltz onto the once lifeless stage and sat next to the piano. The light of the candle finally dwindled, smoking as it gave up and the waitress came promptly rekindling the broken flame, replacing it so easily, could she be replaced that easily too? The keys of the piano rang with the vibrations dispelling a sweet melody that flowed up and down and she looked up to see one figure walk down the stairs. The girl sang in a high, angelic voice and all in the club gazed up at her, wide eyes as the tender cords struck their own hearts, the song they had heard so many times before, but welcomed graciously.

The figure came down and Onna realized whom it was. The Sorceress the one this whole plan was based on, her target. From the stairs the girl whipped her head back, trying to discover the unknown fear. The plan, was the girl to walk down ever so warrant of fear and suspicion, follow to the seat bellow, be entranced by threats of being and then move to the back where she would be caught in their cage. This was it and the same hostess guided the naïve girl to the circular table and the girl sat while the song was played. Rinoa open her mouth for the words to follow, but the stranger pointed her finger in warning, silencing the girl.

"You'll get your chance, but listen first." The clapping dulled out her voice and Rinoa strained to hear. "You don't expect me to divulge my information so freely, when I don't even now if you're clean." She knew the young girls gaze would pierce through, she felt it as it watched her those eyes filled with hope that hardened over trying to hold back emotions that could help the other.

"Who would I bring?" If that wasn't a senseless lie, she thought. If this didn't feel contrived. This wasn't her she was open and honest telling all to what she felt, not hiding.

A snide laugh came from Onna, "A Sorceress without her knight, I think not."

"Then, where is he?" She probed.

"Oh if he is here we'll find him…" Onna turned around instinctively and was taken aback at the sight of Landon Johnston in a booth around friendly company, laughing and drinking. She starred to the back hopelessly trying to find Chase, or even Charm. "Fine, come with me for now."

"But wait, you haven't-" She was cut off by Onna.

"You want to get him back don't you?" She always had that card and she waved in front of her foe's face openly.

"Yes," she replied. Onna got up from the table and traced her steps to the back, and the girl followed closely to the open doorway.

Squall felt the knot in is stomach twist as Rinoa left his view, following the stranger to the back. He wanted to abandon his position behind the bar and watch over properly like he should. Instead he was sitting here, trying to peak over the counter to see if she was all right. Irvine and Selphie were the couple in the middle booth; Quistis over to the side and Zell was eating. He needed to reach her; he needed their help without being seen and without risking the life of General Caraway. He saw Rinoa wink at him before she stepped into the doorway, before she slipped out of his eye completely. He waited for minutes, contemplating what was the time limit he could allow risking her safety. There was no time. How could he use her like this? How could he send her all alone, untrained to deal with this kind of a situation? He was her knight. He stood up immediately as he heard the sound that reached inside his beating chest and wrenched his insides. He knew the voice and he knew the scream. And the boy went after the girl.

Rinoa tried to fight tried to call out Squall's name tried to find that strength inside of her. She saw the other girls face look on with pity, her brow wrinkled. There was no sign of her troublesome father just two men who had her locked tightly in an iron grip trying to hold something to her arm.

"Hold still, you little bitch!" Charm struggled to complete the task as Chase prepared for the escape. The look on his face sank down in desperation as he saw the knight through the kitchen's window.

"Don't just stand there, Onna help him!" Chase dictated. She reluctantly grabbed onto the girl's arm so Charm could administer the shot. The long, ghastly needle shook in his hands, making the shot unsteady and painful. The pale girl fell into a lifeless position; eyes shut like a sleeping princess, limbs hanging flaccid, and hair falling from place. Her chest barely lifted up and her pulse dropped. Charm gazed at the unconscious girl curiously she seemed so strong like she could take on the world, but now she lied still in his arms, helpless. She looked like a painted doll, with ivory skin, large almond eyes that were a dark chocolate with hair that reminded him of the darkest hour of night.

"Go now, before its too late out the back, I'll hold them off and meet back with you, good luck," Chase wished them off and Onna's dull blue eyes widened. She didn't want to abandon Chase, and her instincts told her not to trust Charm. "Please, Onna, it's the only way, don't worry I'll be back soon enough," he assured. She nodded in compliance and decided to ketch up with Charm. Chase was prepared this wasn't going to be suicide, he knew what would stop the SeeDs, and he took out a small handgun and pointed it firmly to General Caraway's head. The old man stood completely still, afraid to move his life once again in jeopardy. The boy came in as foreseen, but his friends behind in addition. They stood in the small arc way, surrounded in the heat of the near by kitchen and its various oddities. The head SeeD held an unusual weapon, one Chase hadn't seen in a while, a gunblade. The others stood firmly beside. He was definitely out numbered and his only weapon a pistol.

"Stand back SeeDs, or the old man dies," he yelled.

"How do you know we're SeeDs?" Zell asked.

"Oh there's a lot of things I know about you, including you won't just let him die," Chase explained. He didn't know how long to hold off, or if he could even escape.

"Where is she," Squall demanded. Chase smiled smugly back at him.

"Don't worry, you never have to see her again," Chase smiled smugly. "But the real thing we should be discussing is how am I going to get out of here."

"No, not without Rinoa," he refused.

"Fine, believe me I don't want him to die, but desperate times call for desperate measures," Chase held the general with one arm and with the other the loaded gun.

"I'm sure this isn't quite necessary. If we could only talk peacefully-" Quistis was cut off.

"No, there is no time for that, sorry but I must be going," Chase said. He suddenly pushed the General aside, knocking the old man onto his knees and turned his back. He begin to sprint away in furry desperate for an escape that he might make it out alive. He tried not to think about death, mortality even though he was in danger, instead he just ran. Quistis and Selphie bent down to helping the aged man to his feet. Quistis looked back at Squall encouraging him to go, but he stood there dumbfounded like he couldn't decide on something. He then fleeted suddenly after the other stranger with Zell by his side and Irvine behind.