The Omega

by Raidenshred

This is the epic unoffical third part of Kate Lorraine's "Orphan" series. Set five years later, this is an epic story of Love, Hate, Family, and a war spanning the centuries. It is the story of a time-lost orphan, and a couple who's love would defy the wo

26. Chapter XXIV A Final Fantasy

Chapter 24 – "A Final Fantasy"

Irvine blinked and stepped into the sun. He poised precariously on a rock for a few seconds, then stepped off it and looked around. Behind him, Selphie gazed around cautiously, until he turned back to her and helped her across the ditch. They stood there for a few seconds, close to each other, and looked at the golden sun rising in a perfect blue sky. There was the sound of seagulls coming from somewhere, and the ocean waves lapping at the new addition to the Esthar coastline – the ruined shell of an ancient castle.
"What just happened?" Irvine wondered aloud. The sky looked beautiful. In fact, the whole landscape looked stunning. They had spent so long in the dead world they'd almost forgotten how beautiful the world they left behind was. And it did look like the world they had left behind… Then a horrible thought hit him.

"Are we dead?" he wondered. It certainly looked like Heaven…

"I don't know…" replied Selphie. "I can still breathe and touch and all… and I can feel the sea air on my face. Man, haven't felt that since Balamb Town. Feels like a lifetime ago…"

They looked at the sea for a little while, Irvine's arm on her shoulders. After a few moments, they heard Rinoa's voice calling them. They turned back and saw her and Squall climbing out of the ruins. Rinoa waved to them. They waved back and Squall and Rinoa made their way over.

"What just happened?" Irvine asked again, puzzled. Rinoa was smiling like she would never stop.

"It's all gone!" Rinoa sighed happily. "Everything! Hyne, Garden, Sorceresses, everything!"

"She's right…" said Selphie softly, and smiled just like Rinoa. "I'm not a Sorceress anymore! The power, it's gone… and I don't need it to live. I'm mortal again."

"Me too!" Rinoa cried, practically dancing. She twirled on the spot and came to a halt, leaning on Squall's shoulders. "I can't hear any of your thoughts! I can't even feel Hyne anymore! I'm human again! Gods, it's been so long, I'd almost forgotten what it feels like! This is unbelievable!"

"How did this happen?" Squall asked, noticing the perfect day. The weather made the world look like paradise, and not the poisoned hell they had spent so long in. "Where did everything go?"

"…It was Hyne." said Rinoa. "She's gone. She went back… I don't know, wherever she comes from. She said she was sorry, and wanted to make it up to us. She created the world for us, and let it slip into chaos and cruelty, because she didn't believe in love. She wanted to make up for that… Wanted to change things. We parted in the blast, but we left some sort of understanding in each other. In the end, she discovered what love is… she changed the world to save it. She blended the two worlds together, present and future, into one. Magic, Sorceresses, all of it. It's all gone."

"I can't feel the GFs anymore." said Squall.

"Me neither." said Selphie. "The part of my mind they used… it's clear."

"The Guardian Forces went away." said Rinoa. "I think… I think that there's other worlds that need them like we did."

"What do you guys remember?" Irvine asked.

"I remember everything…" Selphie replied, a slow smile on her face, and looked up at Irvine. "Everything I've forgotten."

"Me too." said Squall. "I can remember it all… almost as far back as Winhill."

That reminded Irvine. "Galen!" he panicked. "Where's Galen?! What happened to him? Did he die in the blast?!"

"I'm not sure." said Rinoa. "Don't know if he's dead or not, but he's no longer here. Hyne took him with her, wherever she went. She purged his soul of  Ultimecia's evil, and said she had to atone for him especially."

"Wonder where they went…" said Squall.

"I've got a fair idea." said Rinoa. "If I'm right, I think it's somewhere I've been. And if I'm right, then it's a place where Hyne can give him something he never could have had here."

Squall scratched his forehead. "He was a brother I never knew I had." he said.

Rinoa looked at him. "Are you sorry he's gone?" she asked.

Squall said nothing for a little while, then closed his eyes and said; "I never knew him, so I haven't lost him. He hated me so much, he wanted to kill me and everyone related to me. But it could have just as easily been me instead of him. Galen never had a choice, a life of evil or no life at all. for that, I blame Ultimecia."

"Yeah, you can't help but wonder how things would have been if they were different." Irvine pointed out. Then he stared at Squall. "Whoa!"

"What's the matter?" Squall asked, opening his eyes.

"Your scar, man." said Irvine. "It's gone."

Squall saw Rinoa and Selphie looking at him, confirming it. He looked around, and picked up a shard of broken glass. He stared at his reflection, and sure enough, there was his face, sans the scar that Seifer had slashed into his face years before.

"What does it mean?" Selphie asked.

Squall ran his fingers over the bridge of his nose. "Our story's over…" was all he said.

"Oh, I don't think so." Selphie giggled. "Just wait til we all get back home. You two are gonna be famous! I mean, like, more so! You just saved the world. There's gonna be like, a parade and everything!"

This didn't have the reaction Selphie had been hoping for. Instead of looking enthusiastic, Squall and Rinoa just looked at each other sadly and held hands.

"What's wrong?" Selphie asked. "…You guys?"

"Selphie…" Irvine began, sitting down on a rock.

"We'll never get peace, will we?" Rinoa asked, looking into the wind. "It just keeps going round and round, the same cycle. Even in this perfect world, a legend still attracts attention."

They all fell silent. There was only the sound of seagulls and the wind. After a while, Irvine's radio began to beep. It seemed radio contact was finally back up.

"Hello?" came a female voice. "I don't know what the hell just happened. Is anyone still alive in there? Squall? Rinoa? Selphie? Irvine?"

"You going to answer that?" Squall asked. Irvine held the radio, staring at it, then made a decision.

"Kinneas here." Irvine replied into the radio, finally answering the hail.

"Irvine?" came the voice from the other end. Irvine was sure it sounded like Quistis.

"Yeah, it's me." he replied, unenthusiastically.

"Where's Squall and Rinoa?" the voice asked, with tones bordering on urgency. It was a small while before Irvine answered. He looked at the pair near where he sat. They were still holding hands, even now. Irvine then knew that it had to be said. It had to be told. After all that, they had to be allowed to rest in peace.

"They're dead." he said, not taking his eyes off their faces. "Squall and Rinoa are dead."

"What?!? How!?!"

"Just come and get me." Irvine said, and switched the radio off. He didn't take his eyes off their combined stares.

"Why did you do that?" Rinoa asked, eventually.

"A legend works better when the heroes die." said Irvine, shrugging. "Personally, I hate 'em. But it seems to satisfy the teenage girl market. The Sorceress and her Knight die together, saving the world. I know it's soppy, but people'll believe it. A myth's got more appeal to people than reality, and if they believe it, you guys can get on with your lives. Sure, people will claim to have seen you guys alive someday, probably. Maybe one day, hundreds of years from now, they'll prove the legend wrong." He stopped and looked up at them and grinned. "Of course, I doubt any of us will be around for the movie."

"I don't know what to say." said Squall. "Thank you, Irvine."

"Hey, what did I just say about soppiness?" Irvine chuckled. "I was just doing two old friends one last favour."

"Thank you." said Rinoa, smiling.

"So… what are you guys going to do now?" Selphie asked.

Squall and Rinoa looked at each other, thinking. "The boat we came in on should still be here. Over behind those rocks." said Squall, pointing at the other end of what had once been the island. "The wind will take us to Centra if we go now."

Rinoa nodded. "Well…" she said. "I'm guessing this is where we all part ways, huh?"

"Hey, don't you be thinking that." said Selphie, grinning. "We're the only ones who know where you're going, remember? You can trust us to keep a secret, but you damn well better not think we're never coming to visit."

Rinoa laughed and hugged her friend. "Of course."

"Because you know." said Selphie, hugging back. "We've gotta come see you guys after you have the baby."

Irvine blinked. "Baby? You mean she's...?" He stared at Squall. Squall uncharacteristically allowed himself a smile. Irvine smiled back. "Way to go, you guys."

"Thanks a lot, Irvine." said Squall. "For everything. …You're a good man, my friend."

Irvine laughed. "Ha, Stop. You're embarrassing me. Let's just call it quits on a handshake, huh?"

Squall nodded. He smiled and held out a gloveless hand. Irvine smiled and took it, shaking it strongly. "Aw, hell. That's not gonna do it." said Irvine, grabbing Squall and giving him a war-buddy hug, slapping his shoulders. "Take good care of her, man."

"Uh, okay…" said Squall, eventually breaking free, still surprised yet amused. He stood there for a moment, as if deciding something, and then took the Griever chain from around his neck. "Irvine." he said. "I want you to take this–"

"Oh, Squall, your chain, man, I could never take–"

"Give it to my father." Squall finished. "Give it to Laguna. And tell Ellone… Will you tell Ellone I love her? And tell them I'll come visit them when I can."

Irvine nodded, taking the Griever chain. "Consider it done, man." he said.

"And tell my father that I'll still keep my promise, will you?" said Rinoa. "He'll know what I mean."

"We both will." said Selphie, taking Irvine's hand.

"Thank you." said Rinoa.

"You guys better get going now." said Irvine. "Won't be long before the whole world gets here."

Squall and Rinoa nodded, took each other's hand, and started to walk off towards the rocks where the boat remained tethered to the island. When they hit the path leading down towards it, they turned and looked at Irvine and Selphie one last time, and waved goodbye.

And then they were gone.

Selphie and Irvine put their arms around each other and started to walk back, going to meet the others.

Selphie, Irvine, Laguna, Edea & Ellone – "End Of The Innocence"

It had been an incredible furore, when the world had suddenly changed like that. A few days afterward, the remaining leaders of both worlds called a meeting to figure out what had happened, and what to do about it.

It was concluded that Hyne had indeed changed the world, melding the worlds of both the present and future together into one, eliminating evil as she did so. This was confirmed by the testimony of Selphie and Irvine, the only survivors who were present at ground zero. They stuck to their story of Squall and Rinoa being killed, although their fellow SeeDs refused to believe them. Probably because they smiled whenever they told the story.

Squall and Rinoa were officially declared dead. SeeD's last official act was to be their funeral, and then it was to be disbanded. The peace that President Caraway had forged with the other nations to stand against Galen remained solidified. They had united against a common threat, and with the threat defeated, they remained united.

Squall and Rinoa's funeral was held at Edea's house in Centra. Everyone turned out in full dress uniform. Several world leaders also turned up, thankful for their sacrifice. It was at the gathering after the funeral, however, that everyone eventually began to go their separate ways, and lots of changes were made.

"I'm exercising my prerogative." announced Caraway. "My term is almost up, and I don't want to run again. I think you've got the right idea, Loire. Retirement suits me fine."

"Go to Obel Lake." Laguna suggested. "I go there every year. The bass grow this big."

Caraway smiled. "Maybe I will. Maybe I'll even see you there."

"Maybe." said Laguna. "So, what's the prerogative you're planning on exercising?"

"I'm going to rename Deling City." said Caraway. "It's a wonderful city, after all. To continue being named after a former dictator, it's just not right."

Laguna nodded. "What are you going to call it, then?"

"It's a new world. It needs a new name. A symbol of hope, of rebirth, something beautiful." said Caraway sadly. "We're going to call it Rinoa City."

Laguna ran it over in his head and sipped his drink. "I could get used to it."

"It's all I can really do to honour her." said Caraway. "I wish I could see her again, to make up for all the wasted years…"

"You'll see her again." said Laguna, with a smile. "Trust me, you will."

"You sound awfully sure." sighed Caraway.

Laguna reached into his pocket and pulled out Squall's chain. "When they told me my son had died, my world crumbled to pieces. Elle, and me we were inconsolable. Then that Irvine kid shows up, he gives me this, and gives me a message from Squall. And then I started laughing. Ellone couldn't understand, and so I explained it."

"I don't understand…" said Caraway.

"They tell us Squall and Rinoa died instantly." explained Laguna. "Instantly must be a hell of lot slower than it was when I was a kid. Squall dies in a second and still has time to take off his chain, give to it Irvine with a message and then be vaporized?"

"You mean…"

"Did Rinoa tell you anything before she left on the mission?"

"Yes… She said she'd come visit me when it was over, but…"

Laguna patted him on the shoulder. "You'll see her again."

"And what are you going to do?" Caraway asked. "Back to Winhill, I suppose?"

Laguna slowly shook his head, looked into his chest and sighed. "I've spent too much of my life in Winhill. Even when I was in Esthar, I could never leave it behind. I think it's finally time to move on."

"What are you going to do?"

"We're staying here." said Ellone, sidling up to Laguna and hugging him. "This war created a lot of orphans. I want to stay and help Edea take care of them and raise them."

"And I'm staying too." said Laguna. "I wasn't there for Squall, growing up. I couldn't be there for either of my sons. Maybe I can make up for that, by being there for these kids."

* * *

"I dunno what to do, Fu." he said, staring at her tombstone. "I've never been so unsure in my life. I need a sign."

She found him by Fujin's tombstone, and smiled. "I knew I'd find you here." said Selphie. Seifer turned and looked at her, then back to Fujin's grave. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Just paying my respects." said Selphie. "And delivering my last official message."

"We're already disbanded, Selphie." Seifer sighed.

"Maybe, but I still got one more message to give." said Selphie. "It's from Reality, and it reads; Wake Up, Seifer."

Seifer glared at her. Selphie glared right back. He towered over her, but her eyes bored into his all the same "Did I ever tell you about the mouse?" she asked.

"What are you talking about?"

"I remembered something from my childhood, here at the orphanage." she began. "Mister Mouse. He was my best friend. I found him one day, and I kept him and fed him and looked after him. He was my best friend in the whole world and none of you knew about him, not even Irvine. And then one day, I lost him. I don't know what happened to him. Maybe a cat got him or something, I'll never know. I loved that mouse more than anything, but I kept it my own little secret. So there was nobody I could share that love with, or nobody to share the pain when I lost him. After that, I was never afraid to share my feelings with anyone again."

Seifer looked back down at the grave. Then at Selphie.

"Don't let Quistis be your mouse." Selphie urged him, then turned back and walked away.

* * *

"You better strike while the iron's hot." said Selphie when she went back into the house. "I gave him something to think about."

Quistis looked uneasy. "I feel like I'm five years late for the prom."

"We're not SeeDs anymore, Quisty." said Selphie. "You don't have to worry about protocols or fraternising or anything like that. You'll never get an opportunity like this again. Go for it."

"Okay." said Quistis, breathing deep. "I'll go tell him."

"Good luck." Selphie wished with a smile, and turned away to look for Irvine. Quistis left by the back door, heading for the cemetery, going over in her head what she was going to say to Seifer. But, when she got there, he was gone, nowhere to be seen.

* * *

"No, I would definitely not be interested in returning to office." Laguna dismissed. "But I'll tell you someone who'd make a great President. That Seifer kid."

"Seifer?" balked an Estharian official. "He used to be Esthar's public enemy number one!"

Serene, a former member of the Estharian Liberation Front, laughed. "He was brainwashed at the time. Trust me, you don't know the man. He's tough, resourceful, and next to Squall he's the best friend this world had during the crisis. He saved the council during the revolution, led SeeD when they were stranded in the future and together with Squall, fought Galen's army to defeat. He's a good leader, and the council practically worships him. At this point, all he'd have to do is say yes."

"Hey, here's the man now." chuckled Laguna, spotting Seifer. He was walking around the orphanage, as if searching for something. "Seifer?" Laguna called. "Seifer? Almasy!"

Seifer stopped his search and wandered over to where Laguna and the others were talking. Laguna promptly slapped a hand down on Seifer's shoulder and chuckled. "Let me tell you something, kid." he said. "I've been talking to these guys and you know what we've been talking about? You. You're really gonna go places, kid."

"That's great…" said Seifer, distracted. He continued to look around. "Hey, have you seen Quistis?"

"She was here a moment ago…" said Serene, also looking around. "I didn't see her leave."

"Like I was saying, you're gonna go places, kid." Laguna continued. "How does the very top suit ya?"

"I… what?" Seifer stopped, startled.

"Galbadia offered to help restore the Estharian government in return for military support." Caraway explained. "We've restored the ruling council, and the Presidential Palace is already being rebuilt. You should see it, the progress is amazing. The only thing that's missing is a President."

"That's great." sighed Seifer. "Got anyone in mind?"

"Well, yes." said Serene. "They want some young blood. No mistakes like Veneres. A good leader, somebody capable and strong enough to do it."

"With the council behind you, and the endorsement of a former President, that would be me, by the way." chuckled Laguna. "All you have to do is say yes."

Seifer was speechless. "…Me?"

Serene laughed. "Well don't leave us all hanging. Give us an answer already!"

Seifer was stunned, and soon began to smile. "It sounds like a dream come true." he said. "Where do I sign?"

Laguna laughed, spilling his drink and slapping Seifer on the back again. "I love this kid! Reminds me of a young me!"

* * *

Quistis couldn't find him anywhere, and scratched her head, puzzled. Selphie told her he was in the garden, but now he was gone. She hoped he hadn't left the gathering already. She was about to go ask Selphie when she spotted her out in the flower field, with Irvine, and decided not to bother the couple.

She went back inside, and pushing open the door she saw Seifer. She was about to call out for him, then noticed that all the other eyes in the room were on him.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Laguna called out. "I'd like you all to meet the soon-to-be new President of Esthar! Seifer Almasy!"

There was a cheer and applause all around. Quistis slowly began to feel hollow inside. She forced a smile when Zell and Xarsk looked at her, but then slowly began to drift out of the room. Seifer had made his choice based on Selphie's words, and he'd chosen the dream.

Turning her back and walking outside, she didn't see him spot her, and call her name. She left the orphanage, quietly, discreetly and sadly.

* * *

"And I guess the big question is, what happens now?" Irvine sighed.

He was out in the flower field, lying down in the flowers with Selphie next to him. They were both laying back and watching the few wisps of white clouds in the perfect blue sky.

"Well, we gotta go see Squall and Rinoa." said Selphie, idly toying with a flower with her finger.

"I mean about us." said Irvine, turning his head and looking at her, smiling.

"Oh no, don't you dare propose in the heat of the moment." she laughed. "No movie love, got that?"

Irvine blinked, but continued to smile. "…movie love?" he asked.

"You know." Selphie clarified. "Like in the movies. Proposals in the heat of the moment. Relationships born out of survival situations. You serenading me under the balcony. Big grand gestures and dialogue people would never use in real life."

"Ah." was all Irvine could manage. Selphie grinned, then rolled over and lay on top of him. "I'm kidding, you big doofus." she chuckled. "I want all that. But first, I just want a boyfriend. Just a normal, proper relationship. We can do all that stuff later."

"Sounds good to me." said Irvine with a smile.

"So, no more SeeD." she said, crossing her arms on his chest. "What are we going to do?"

"I can play." offered Irvine. "And you can sing."

Selphie smiled. "I can do more than sing."

Irvine hugged her, then, and she laughed.

Galen – "The First Time"

They walked down the narrow dirt path towards the village.

Here was Hyne, again in the form of Julia Heartilly. But this was a figure that the boy beside her didn't recognise.

In this form, Galen was no more than about four or five years of age. There wasn't much he could remember before he came here, to this strange unearthly plane of existence. If he squeezed his eyes shut tight and tried hard, he could remember what felt like a bad dream. An evil witch using him to do her sins for her. But that was over, just a dream now. And now… where was now?

"Where are we?" he asked, looking up at the woman who held his hand.

Hyne looked down at him, and continued walking. "This is my realm. The place where dreams come from, a border between life and death. I've made some… adaptations." she said.

"I've never seen this place before…" said Galen.

"I made it to look like the place you were born in." Hyne explained. "A place you should have lived in. It won't be the same as the life you should have had, but at least you'll know what happiness is, here. Knowing what happiness is… everyone should. It is their god-given right."

"Happiness? …H-how?" Galen asked.

"You'll see. You will be judged for your sins, one day. But for now, this is your chance try to achieve balance between your sins and virtues." said Hyne, smiling. At this, she stopped and knelt down in front of him. She started to check his clothes and hair, making sure he was presentable. "I must go now." she said. "I'll leave you two alone. There's somebody who has been waiting a very long time for you, and I shouldn't keep her child from her a minute longer."

Galen turned and looked. Over there, on the Winhill Bluffs was a figure in white, with light brown hair. She looked like an angel, and even from here he could see her smile. "Who's that?" Galen asked.

Hyne looked over towards Raine. "That's your mother." she said. Galen stared at her wide-eyed, then at Raine again.

"Go on." Hyne encouraged. "Go to her." Galen didn't need telling twice. He took off, running across the grassy field towards his mother. Hyne watched him go, then slowly faded into golden light. Galen ran on and on like he'd never stop, like only a child can. He ran to her and she scooped him up in her arms, laughing crying and hugging. Raine cried tears of joy as finally, for the first time in what had been an eternity, since his birth such a long time ago, she could finally hold her child in her arms.

Draven – "Sympathy For The Devil"

The man people called Grease Monkey took one last drag on his cigar before finally tossing it over his shoulder, out of the car and onto the desert road. He put his foot down on the accelerator and checked his rear-view mirror.

No doubt about it, Fisherman's Horizon was long behind him now. The instant he'd seen that temporal rift, he'd known it was going to be trouble. He'd packed his bags, all of his stuff, finished restoring the car he'd been working on and burned rubber to Galbadia.

Then there had been a whole mess with his car being impounded by the Galbadian Authorities. After so many weeks, it had been a mess to get it back, but now here he was, cutting a line of speed through the desert in the world's last gasoline-powered car.

He wasn't sure what his plan was. Maybe take a look at how the rebuilding of Deling City was going on. Hey, hadn't they renamed that city now? Oh well. Then maybe he'd head for Dollet, who knows?

As he was driving, he glanced to the right and saw what looked like a large black sack by the side of the road. When he got closer, he saw it actually the figure of a man, just lying there. Grease hit the breaks and skidded the car to a halt. He got out and went to investigate.

Draven blinked and spat a mouthful of sand out between his lips. He dizzily got to his feet, confused and disorientated. What had happened to him? Gains… he'd been stupid enough to give Gains the lighter and Gains had blown him to Kingdom Come.

Wiping sand from his eyes, Draven saw he was in the Galbadian desert. Compared to the inferno he'd just been in, the desert could have been a polar ice cap.

This was wrong… a blast like that, it should have taken his body years to pull itself back together. But Draven could sense it had only been a matter of weeks. And what was Hyne laughing about? Between this and the inferno, in the abyss of discorporeation, he could remember only Hyne laughing at something. Muttering to himself, he clicked his fingers for a cigarette.

Which didn't appear.

Draven blinked, and tried again. No magical appearance of cigarette. And try as he could, he couldn't shift himself through time anymore. Was that how Hyne was punishing him? To let him keep eternal life, only without his magical powers?

Unless…

"Hey, buddy, you alright?" asked Grease Monkey.

Draven turned his head and gawked at the man who stood there, and noticed the car behind him. "Uh…" he began. "I… dunno. Say, could I trouble you for a light? I'm all out."

Grease stared at him, and eventually produced a cigarette. Draven took it, thankful. "What are you…?" Grease began, but Draven shushed him. "Hang on." he said. "I'm trying something."

He lit the cigarette and inhaled deeply. Almost immediately, he fell to his knees, coughing and wheezing and gasping for air as God knows how many years of lung cancer took it's toll on his breath in one instant.

Grease Monkey tried to help the struggling former immortal back his feet. After a while, Draven was finally back on balance. "Man, you don't look so good." he said. "Maybe you should see a doctor."

Draven grinned. "I'm fine, buddy." he said. "I'm better than fine! I'm DYING!"

Grease stared wide-eyed as this weird man he'd just met whooped and hollered and practically danced a jig, celebrating the fact that he barely had a few days to live. Immediately he stopped, then stared at Grease. "I've just realised something." said Draven. "Now that I'm finally able to die, I really wanna do some damn serious living."

"…What?" Grease asked. He was starting to regret being the Good Samaritan.

"You're going to Deling, ain't ya!?" Draven yelled, pointing a finger at Grease and grinning deliriously. "They got a casino in Deling. You know I've been around for centuries and I've never been in a casino! Well what are you waiting for, fatboy? Let's go!"

"What, HEY WAIT!" Grease shouted as Draven vaulted into the driver's seat of his car. Draven cackled like the devil as he turned the key and the engine roared into life. "That's my car!" Grease shouted and jumped into the passenger seat. As the car rocketed down the road, Grease struggled, trying to get his foot onto the brake. Draven simply pressed his own foot down onto Grease's, which in turn went down hard onto the accelerator.

Draven was laughing with feverish ecstasy as the car swerved side to side at top speed. At one point, the car finally straightened up, speeding right towards an oncoming Galbadian military truck. Draven took that moment to lift his hands off the steering. "Look Ma, no hands!" he laughed. Grease screamed, grabbed the wheel and steered them clear at the last second.

Draven took the wheel again and finally pushed Grease away. He straightened out and began to drive normally, although a little on the fast side. "What the hell are you doing, you psycho?!?" Grease yelled.

Draven continued to grin that same grin. It was the manic grin of the demon who knows he's holding a royal flush. "Relax, buddy." he said the word again. "I was just testing to see if I like ya."

Grease stared, flushed with disbelief. "…"

"Don't worry." said Draven. "I've concluded I do. Though you're a little on the screamish side. We gotta get some alcohol into you, you'll be fine. So here's my plan, hey, what's your name?"

"…Grease Monkey…" said the devil's passenger.

"Hi Greasy. Pleased to meet you, hope you guessed my name." Draven laughed. "So here's my plan, Cheesy. I'm not gonna live past this weekend, I'm more than happy to say. So what do you say, we speed into Deling, wrap this little red wagon around a tree, stagger into the casino, blow millions of Gil in as big amounts as possible, get so drunk I can't tell a nun from a hooker, smoke like a chimney, run up a room service bill so big they'll be talking about it for decades, trash the hotel room and go through more girls in one weekend than humanly possible."

Grease couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Let me get this right… You're dying… and you're going on a bender?!?"

"The bender to end all benders!" Draven cackled. "The mother of all benders! I'm going out with a bang so big Hell's gonna see me coming a mile away. Boy, I can't wait to see the look on Astrophale's face when he sees this bastard staggering through the gates."

Grease continued to stare, saying nothing.

"Hey, don't worry, Greek." Draven chuckled, shooting him a glance. "In all my centuries, I don't think I've ever had a best buddy. We're gonna have fun."

"I'm… honoured…" Grease said, completely freaked out. He stared at the road zooming by, and really hoped that this nut job wouldn't survive the weekend like he claimed. …But hey, if there was booze, and girls and gambling, and this stranger was paying…

Grease attempted a grin, though his eyes still showed bewilderment. "You're buying…?" he hazarded.

That did for Draven. He couldn't stop laughing. He found the radio, switched it on and played it loud, but it still didn't drown out his laughter.

You could hear his laughter throughout the desert as Draven sped towards Deling, and his long delayed yet eerily anticipated appointment with death.

Seifer & Quistis, Zell & Xarsk – "Secret Garden"

It may have been only a few short months later, but to President Seifer Almasy, they felt like eons gone by. It was hard to believe he'd actually made it here. President of Esthar, when so many years ago he'd been it's worst enemy. It really was a testament to how much a man could change, how far a second chance could go.

And so here he was. The young leader of the most powerful nation in the world.

And yet all he seemed to do these days was mope around the Presidential Office, staring westwards towards where she was. Wherever she was. All he knew was west, because she certainly wasn't in Esthar. If she was, he would have found her.

Okay, so using military intelligence to look for her was an abuse of power, but he didn't care. He sighed and pressed an ungloved hand against the window. His dream had come true and he couldn't care less. He was the most powerful man in the world, and the most helpless. He sighed.

"…What?" he asked. "Sorry, I missed it."

"I said, Caraway has outlined plans for the Galbadia Garden memorial." said Xarsk. "Seeing as you're a former SeeD, he wanted to get your opinion on which design would be preferred."

"Put it to a vote." said Seifer, not turning away from the window. "No, wait… send the designs to the families of those killed and ask them which they'd like. Pick the most popular."

"Sure." said Xarsk. "Also, Balamb wants to know our position on the trials of the men responsible. They'd like to know why the trails aren't taking place in a neutral country."

"Because." said Seifer, still not looking back. "It was a crime against Galbadia, Galbadia should be allowed bring them to justice. Besides, they've got the death penalty. Firing squad. Poetic justice. Get it?"

"Got it." said Xarsk, taking notes.

"Anything else?"

"Uh, yeah." said Zell, stepping forward and placing a sealed folder on Seifer's desk. "Intelligence sent you this package. For your eyes only, they said. Whatever it is, I'm hoping it's not bad news."

"You mean like another Sorceress?" Xarsk asked him.

"Let's hope not."

"There are no more Sorceresses." Seifer stated. "There's no more magic, and there's no more SeeD. And so long as we continue being nice to each other, there's not going to be any more war, either." At this he turned around and opened the folder. It was from the Estharian secret service. It contained surveillance photographs, reports of movements, location and all sorts of other data he hadn't asked for. But what he had asked for was there…

"What is it, Seifer?" Zell asked.

Seifer snapped back to reality. "Nothing." he said. "Let me be alone for a while, there's something I need to think about."

"Seifer…?" Xarsk trailed off. But he didn't reply. Just continued to stare out the window like he was in a trance. They left the Presidential office and closed the door behind him. Then heard Seifer engage the automatic lock.

About an hour later, the door hissed open, which Zell and Xarsk didn't hear at all. Seifer stepped out into what looked like a deserted hallway, only there was Zell and Xarsk in the corner, completely engaged in each other. He stepped up to them and crossed his arms. He had changed his clothes. Gone was the trademark trench coat, replaced with a hooded jacket, black t-shirt and jeans. He coughed.

"Let me guess. One stick of chewing gum left between the two of you, so you decided to share?" Seifer asked.

Zell and Xarsk immediately broke away from each other. "Seifer!" Zell stuttered, trying to wipe Xarsk's lipstick from his mouth. Xarsk was hastily adjusting her clothing.

"Relax, Zell, I'm not her dad." said Seifer, checking a clipboard he held in his hand. Zell blinked, noticing this was the first time he'd ever been referred to by name. "Here, do me a favour, sign this."

Zell took the clipboard and examined the paper attached to it. "Uh, it's in Estharian…"

"I didn't tell you to read it, just sign the damn thing!" Seifer muttered, throwing him a pen. When Zell had scribbled the signature, Seifer handed it to Xarsk. "Seifer, what's this about?" she asked as she signed her name. "Are we in trouble or something?"

"Come on, man!" Zell moaned. "We were just making out, is all! Man, it's not like we were selling missile technology to terrorists. Man, you are unbelievable! Of all the ungrateful, anal-retentive–"

"Shut up, Zell." Seifer sighed.

"No I won't!" Zell growled. "It's perfectly okay for you to make out with Quistis in the middle of a freakin' battlefield, but just because it's me making out with your ancestor, you're ready to throw me out on my ass! Well, I don't care. Throw me out, if it makes you happy! Just because you messed things up with Quistis, don't hold it against everyone else who's found someone. And besides, we weren't just fooling around. …I love her!"

Xarsk stared at him. "You do?"

"Damn right I–" Zell froze and caught himself, then almost instantly calmed down. "…Yeah." he said, realizing it. "I do."

Seifer tapped his foot and checked his watch, then sighed again. "Finished?" he asked. Zell and Xarsk stared at him. "You're not in trouble, Zell. Though you are a moron. Man, just be glad the Presidential office has a lock on the door."

"We-…what?" asked Xarsk.

"That little piece of paper you both signed?" Seifer reminded them. "Was a contract. You officially recognise my resignation as President, and both agree to share joint Presidency for a twenty-year term, with the possibility of re-election at that time. Congratulations."

"WHAT?" they chimed together.

"Ah, don't pretend you don't want it." Seifer chuckled. "This world's a blend of present and future. It makes sense that the Presidents of the leading nation be one from one era and one from the other. I discussed it with the council, they like the idea."

"But…" Xarsk began. "What about your dream, Seifer?"

"I'm trading it in." he said, grabbing a sports bag by his feet. "I've already recorded a farewell message to the people of Esthar. You can broadcast your inauguration speech whenever you want. I don't think there's anyone who'd object to you two, so don't worry."

"Seifer, I dunno what to say." said Zell.

"Just let me slip out quietly through the back door." said Seifer. "Man, handing over the whole country to the Chicken-Wuss and my ancestor, his squeeze. I'm nuts."

"Hey!" Zell feigned anger. "That's President Chicken-Wuss!"

"And President Squeeze." Xarsk chuckled.

"Yeah, that's the spirit." said Seifer, slinging his bag over his shoulder. "Have fun. Don't blow anything up. And take care of her, Zell. Don't make me have come all the way back here to kick your ass." And with that, Seifer began to walk away. "Because you know I would."

"Hey man, how will we find you if we need you?" Zell called.

"You won't!" said Seifer, twisting around and walking backwards, then twisting back again.

"Hey wait!" Zell shouted. "You mean this is goodbye?"

Seifer stopped, and chuckled. "Check out the brain on Zell."

"Sooo…" Zell said, ignoring it. "You've got nothing to say to me? No nice fond words? No words of support? Not even the 'I've never served with a finer SeeD' cliché? Nothing?"

"Nothing." Seifer confirmed.

"Nothing." Zell echoed.

"Nothing." said Seifer again.

"…Nothing." Zell repeated. "Just like that. All the years you used to beat me up and make fun of me. Are you telling me there wasn't a single shred of hidden underlying respect?"

Seifer grinned. "Not a shred."

"You're a bad liar." said Zell.

"And you're a Chicken-Wuss" said Seifer, already out the door and gone before anyone could get another word in.

"Whoa." sighed Xarsk. "…I guess you were right, he really is a jerk. I can't believe he doesn't respect you at all." Zell laughed at this. "Hey, what's so funny?" Xarsk asked.

"He's handed me joint Presidency, and he's letting me date the closest thing he's got in the whole world to a sister. That he calls me Chicken-Wuss all the time and insults me, that's just Seifer. That guy loves me."

Xarsk just stood there, still in disbelief. Then she laughed. "Wow." she said. "I can't believe it. Joint Presidency."

"Wait til my mom hears about this!" Zell exclaimed.

"After you tell her about us. And hey." said Xarsk, wrapping an arm around him. "What's a Chicken-Wuss?"

"It–" Zell began, then stopped and grinned. "It's a nickname. He calls me Chicken-Wuss. I call him big fatheaded jerk. It's this thing we have."

"You big Chicken-Wuss." she laughed, pulling him into the Presidential office.

"Hey, now don't you start!" sniggered Zell, locking the door behind him.

* * *

Seifer had the hood pulled up over his head, disguising his face as he walked through Esthar. All around him, people stared at every TV set and monitor in the city, every single one broadcasting his resignation speech to the people.

"…for personal reasons." the speech continued. "In my wake, I leave the Presidency of joint hands of Zell Dincht, a fellow SeeD I served with for many years, and Xarsk Almasy, representing the people of the former future world. She's very brave and capable, and I believe they have what it takes to lead the world into a new future, a peaceful one. A couple, coming together over a distance of centuries, is no better symbol for our world. If they can, we all can."

Seifer didn't bother to listen. He'd already heard it, of course. He rented a car and drove to the Horizon Bridge. When he made it to Fisherman's Horizon, he ditched the car and bought a train ticket. He was going to go to Timber, and from there, on towards Dollet. He didn't even know if she'd take him, but at least they'd get a chance to finally clear the air. If she kicked him in the nuts and then out on the street, it couldn't be said that he didn't at least do his best.

And if that happened, then what? …Maybe fake his own death. Kill off Seifer Almasy entirely, and start again as someone else. Someone without a past. Joining an army was out of the question. In another ten years or so, there probably wouldn't be any armies anymore. Not in the conventional sense, anyway. There would be forces to protect and preserve the peace, but Seifer was no policeman.

A few hours later, he was on the Timber-bound train. He had tried to sleep numerous times, but couldn't drift off. He couldn't get comfortable. Or forget about Dollet. So he just sat there, his head tilted and looking out the window.

It was far from quiet in the train car. Many of the people on board were future-world refugees, and for many it was their first time ever seeing a train, let alone ride on one. Most of them were going to Galbadia in pursuit of happiness and a better life. Many of them couldn't stay in their seats, they were far too busy marvelling at the blue sky and clear azure ocean. Among the many voices, Seifer thought he heard one in particular that was familiar.

"And I'm telling ya, that is him!" said the voice. Seifer turned his head. "I'd recognise mah main man anywhere, ya know?"

"Son of a bitch." said Seifer, with a grin. There was Raijin, on the opposite side of the train car. Sitting next to him was Nida. Raijin was smiling from ear to ear. Raijin and Nida stood up, walked over to Seifer and sat down beside him. Seifer couldn't help noticing one of Raijin's legs had now become completely metallic.

"Seifer, you old dog!" chuckled Raijin, shaking his hand. "I knew it was you! Heard you kicked some mean Sorcerer butt!"

"You heard right." said Seifer, with a smile. "I'm glad to see you made, it Raij."

"Almost didn't, man." said Raijin. "Spent months in some Galbadian Army hospital feeling sorry for myself. I lost my leg entirely. Then boom! Big bright light, and suddenly the whole world changes. Next thing I know, I'm on my way to Esthar. Those future-world boys have medical technology like we never saw, man."

"I've seen it." said Seifer. "They saved Quistis with it."

"Saved me too, man." Raijin chuckled, tapping his leg. "Check it out. A fully artificial cybernetic replacement. Lifetime guarantee, ya know."

"Cool." said Seifer. "So where are you going now?"

"Towards Galbadia, and on into Rinoa City." said Nida. "Galbadia has completely opened it's borders. Anyone who's willing to come work on rebuilding the city gets a citizenship. That what you're gonna do too, sir?"

"…No, not for me." said Seifer. "I'm headed for Dollet."

Raijin blinked. "…What's in Dollet?"

Seifer turned his head and looked out the window at the landscape speeding past. "Something I was very stupid to let slip away…"

* * *

He got off the train and walked the rest of the way into town. His short journey was free of monster attacks. As he walked, Seifer realised he hadn't even seen any monsters since the world changed, nor heard about any attacks. Maybe Hyne had also stopped the Lunar Cry from being part of the planet's cycle, let the monsters die out to allow humans and animals to thrive…

Although the town was his destination, Seifer's first stop was the hill where the old communication tower still rested. He strode up the path, up towards the cliffs that the tower hung upon. He paused for a moment, looking around. "Here's where it all started to go wrong." he sighed. "I broke the rules, failed the SeeD test. Being stupid, never knowing what I had til I lost it."

He stopped, slipped the sports bag off his shoulder and began to unzip it. "Never again." he whispered to himself. He reached into the and pulled out his gunblade. He drew Hyperion for the very last time, giving it a few swings and then stopped just as quickly, smiling at it like an old friend.

Gripping it tightly by the handle, Seifer drew it back, tensed his body, flung the gunblade and let go with a cry. Hyperion sailed from his grasp, flying out over the cliffs, flipping end over end. It twisted and flipped in the air, before finally splashing down into the rocky shores. It sank beneath the waves, and vanished forever.

* * *

Quistis wiped down the bar, yet again, and reflected on what had brought her here.

Dollet had always been one of her favourite places in the world. There was even the possibility that she was originally from here, Edea had sometimes hinted. It was also peaceful. Esthar, Galbadia, Timber, Balamb, Fisherman's Horizon and even Trabia were growing and prospering. But Dollet's isolation worked in it's favour. Small isolated communities like Dollet and Winhill would almost never likely feel the change in the world outside.

And so, Quistis had been a smart girl. When she'd seen that there was no more need for Garden in the world and SeeD was officially disbanded, she had taken all the money she had made over the years, by now a small fortune, cashed her chips, moved to Dollet and made the owner of the Shining Bomber Pub on the Main Street an offer he couldn't refuse. She'd bought the Pub for nearly twice what it was worth, but it was worth enough to her. It was small, quaint and suited her nicely. It was a nice, quiet idyllic life in a wonderful romantic small town. It was everything she had ever wanted.

Almost everything.

"We're starting to run dry on Trabian Port." she said aloud, intentionally disrupting her thoughts. "I'm going down to the cellar to change the barrel." With that, she bent down and tugged at the trap door in the floor. She heard the front door open and another customer walk in. Well, Xu could easily take care of that.

Quistis had been impressed with Xu when she came to her, wanting to work with her. She didn't have many friends, she liked Dollet too, and besides, they had become good friends. "Um, Quistis?" she heard Xu say. "There's some guy here to see you."

Quistis almost chuckled. "What's he look like?"

"A fool." he said.

She stood up in an instant at the sound of Seifer's voice. They found themselves staring at each other across the bar. A few of the customers stopped drinking and looked at the scene unfolding before them. There were more than a few local young men who found Quistis and Xu attractive, and were now wondering who the stranger was.

Seifer let the sports bag slip to the floor. Quistis stared at him. Neither of them said anything. They both seemed to have changed a lot in the recent months. Physically and emotionally. To Quistis, Seifer was different than last time she saw him. Gone was the gunblade and trench coat. He now wore simple humble casual clothes. His hair had started to go a little wild too. Quistis on the other hand was much tidier. She looked beautiful in the clothes she wore, similar to how Rinoa would dress. Seifer was sure this was the first time he had ever seen her with her hair down. Her glasses were gone, replaced with a piece of technology from the future known as a "contact lens".

"I'll go… change the barrel." said Xu, breaking the silence.

Quistis and Seifer continued to look at each other. Quistis had never seen this look on Seifer's face. He seemed so honest, so vulnerable, and so open.

"I…" he began, and stopped, wondering if he'd made a horrible mistake. "I had a dream." he said eventually. "Not that dream, the one that messed everything up. No, I mean, a proper dream, one you have when you were sleeping."

Quistis cocked her head to the side, listening, her expression matching his. Honest, vulnerable and open. "I dreamed I was in a room full of people. Everyone I ever knew was there, and they were all talking to each other, it was a pretty big crowd. And I tried talking to them all, but nobody could hear me, or they all ignored me."

Seifer swallowed, the first time he had ever known nervousness. "And I tried shouting, but nobody listened to me. Nobody cared. I screamed my lungs out, and nobody even noticed I was alive. But then you came along, talked to me, and took me out of the crowd."

"…Esthar…" Quistis managed. "Your other dream, your romantic dream…?"

Tears ringed Seifer's eyes. "I tried to live it." he said. "I got exactly what I wanted my whole life, and I didn't want it. But it was so empty. So goddamed hollow, I couldn't bear it. It was nothing, vacant and unfilled. And I couldn't live it. Because you weren't there."

Quistis heart thumped rapidly, and her eyes started to cloud up. "I done something horrible." said Seifer. "I took you for granted. I just assumed you'd want to be there, like you have been with me all this time. But I didn't pay attention to what you wanted. And I didn't realise until it was too damn late that I—"

He stopped, noticing people were staring at him and Quistis. And he decided not to care. "I love you." he said. A long horrible pause filled the air. Quistis looked away from Seifer for the moment, she seemed to be thinking. Not the reaction women usually give in the movies, Seifer noticed, and felt the world fall apart.

"I just wanted you to know that." he said, and picked up the sports bag. He turned around to face the door, slinging the bag over his shoulder. To everyone else, it just looked like Seifer trying to be macho. In truth, it was so that they wouldn't see he was fighting tears. "You're right not to want me around." he said, and left.

Quistis didn't know what to say or do. She was completely lost, unsure of what to do, completely lost. Beside her, her friend Xu emerged from the cellar. "I heard." she said. "And if you let him go, you'll regret worse then you'd regret dying young."

* * *

Seifer wandered down the main street, completely lost, wondering what to do now. For the first time in his life, he looked at his future and saw an utter blank. And then he heard her calling his name. Seifer turned back, and Quistis stood in the middle of the road.

They walked slowly back to each other, unsure of what to do, until they stood right before one another. "Do you mean it?" she asked, honestly. Seifer nodded. "I mean it too." she said. "I've got life here, Seifer. It's almost perfect, but it's missing something."

Seifer looked around the town. "I never noticed how nice this place is til now…" he said.

"Like I said, it's almost perfect, but something's missing." Quistis continued. "You can stay, you know, here… if you want. I've got enough room."

"I'd like that" Seifer admitted, a little shell-shocked.

"You can come in and live with me." said Quistis with a smile. "But wipe your feet."

They both gave a small chuckle of laughter, and Seifer hugged her. Taking his bag, they slowly began to walk back towards the Pub. "One thing I'm wondering…" Quistis said, an arm wrapped the man she'd soon be calling her boyfriend, and eventually more. "You come back into my life like that, make a scene, and you don't even bother to kiss me? What's up with that?"

"I…" Seifer began and stopped, and realized she was kidding. "I was… going to wait for the right moment."

"Oh?" she said with a smile. "When's the right moment?"

"Just about…." he said. "…Now."

* * *

Squall & Rinoa – "Secret World"

Squall pulled the boat onto the Centra shore and helped Rinoa out of it. She tripped, but he caught her gently. He helped her back up, but she didn't let go, just stood there smiling at him.

"What?" he asked. "What is it—?"

She kissed him then, fully and deeply. When it was over, she said "Just a thanks."

Squall smiled, and she let go. Together, they began to walk along the beach, heading slowly inland. "Squall…" Rinoa began. "I think you should know something, about our baby."

"It's Alexandra, isn't it?" he said, surprising her. She stared at him. "How did you know?"

"I got the hints." said Squall. "She always wanted us to be her parents. Seems like she got her wish."

"Reincarnation…" Rinoa whispered. "I never really believed such a thing was possible until this happened."

"I'm glad it's possible." Squall admitted. "I guess it means when this life is over, we have a chance to find each other again, do it all over again."

Rinoa smiled. "One life at a time, Squall Leonhart."

I stood in this unsheltered place
'Til I could see the face behind the face
All that had gone before had left no trace
Down by the railway siding
In our secret world we were colliding
All the places we were hiding love
What was it we were thinking of?

They walked for most of the day, before they came to a bare field of grass, just an empty plain. Far beyond them lay mountains, forming a hidden valley. Beside them fell a waterfall , plunging eternally into a freshwater spring.

"This could be a good place to live." Rinoa announced, taking in the view. Squall looked around. "There's a waterfall, there." he said, pointing. "We could use that for water, and for power. I know how to make a generator from waterpower. Not much energy, but enough for us."

"For a house for three?" Rinoa asked.

"Yeah." said Squall. He then looked at his hands, then. "For most of my life, I've been using these hands to kill and hurt. You saved me from forgetting that a soldier can do so much more than that. I can build a house, I can deliver a baby, and I can teach her. All about life, all about this world…"

So I watch you wash your hair
Underwater, unaware
And a plane flies through the air
Did you think you didn't have to choose?
That I alone could win or lose?
In all the places we were hiding love
What was it we were thinking of?

"We'll do all of those things." said Rinoa. "We'll do them together."

They hugged each other then, and both stood there, picturing their future home and life. "I don't tell you I love you nearly often enough, you know." said Rinoa.

"Just the once is enough for me." Squall replied.

Rinoa looked at the plain fields. "If I were still a Sorceress." she said. "I'd turn this into a huge flower field, just like the one in front of Edea's house."

Squall remembered something, and fished into his pockets for it. He pulled out a pouch, the small bag of seeds that Edea had given him. He opened the pouch and looked at them, and smiled. She knew. Somehow, his surrogate mother had just known.

"We can still have our flower field." he said, showing the seeds to Rinoa, who smiled.

In this house of make-believe
Divided in two like Adam and Eve
You put out and I receive
Down by the railway siding
In our secret world we were colliding
All the places we were hiding love
What was it we were thinking of?

"Do you remember when we first met?" Rinoa asked.

"How could I forget?" said Squall. "You dragged me onto that dance floor, and I couldn't even dance."

"Hey, I was good teacher. You were a great dancer, after just a little while."

"We never got to finish that dance, I remember. You ran off."

Rinoa smiled. "So?" she laughed. "Let's finish it now."

Squall smiled back, and then took her hand.

Ssh, listen...
* * *


"Secret World" - Lyrics and music by Peter Gabriel.