The Lights of Deling
Part Three- Cower before the Control
Squall was returning to Garden. Returning to
the place that seemed so strangely to love and adore him their, 'unwilling
Commander.' He was the same man who had led them so bravely and shrewdly
against Galbadia Garden. The one that had literally saved the world from the
'evil' clutches of the future Sorceress Ultimecia and her plans for
time-compression. He was perfect, brave and honorable, noble. Maybe a little
cold, but he had gotten the job done which Cid had seemed incapable of doing.
The young man sighed. One of the reasons he had been their,
'unwilling Commander' was for moments like this. Moments when he had failed
them for once incapable of living up to all their unreal expectations. He would
wait again for the moment when the room stood still and the air grew colder. He
was on the Ragnarok, on his way back following just a whim. One idea, one clue
to where she was from someone he never could trust.
Rinoa…
Would he ever see her face again? Would he ever here her voice?
Would he ever embrace her again?
Do you really need her?
Why?
Because I can't live without her.
But you're alive right now…
He shook his head of the thoughts. Wanting desperately to return
to days when emotions were a weak thing to be sneered at. It was his entire
fault that she wasn't sitting next to him that she wasn't smiling back at him
and it would be his entire fault if he never saw her again. How was he their,
'Commander', yet someone from SeeD could have possibly had a part in all of
this? Then there was Seifer. How had he just wandered in happening to know the
mad mans name? But whenever his mind tried to contemplate it all it was
tormented with thoughts of her.
The Ragnarok began to land.
* * * *
Charm had been ordered to the place that he hated most. Garden. A
corrupt military academy dedicated to training young children to fight and
kill. A place he had escaped to long ago from the tedious boredom of Winhill. A
small, insignificant town, that was far south on the Galbadian continent.
Nothing, but quiet boredom filled the town of old people and farmers, as he
liked to put it. He had wanted to see something more, the world. He had wanted
adventure and thrill, a never-ending fantasy. And nothing he had seen so far
had even began to compare with this dream or lust for excitement. He couldn't
stand it.
For now he had ducked into the almost empty library, sitting at
the polished desk and his faced concealed by a copy of Weapons Monthly. He felt
ridiculous hiding out in a place he was so familiar with and yet it was for
that same reason he couldn't be recognized. Even if he no longer worked for
Garden and instead for NORG. That huge, obese, money crazed Shumi that was only
out for his personal gain. That's why Charm was here. Oddly Charm only missed
one thing as he sat in the Garden. One girl. She seemed to have built a place
in his thoughts and they often wandered back to her sleeping form. Back to the
petite, angelic like girl that he was strangely drawn to. He wanted to hear her
voice again, the angry voice of a caged bird begging for its freedom. He
worried for it as one would for one's cherished beloved. Fearing for her?
Wanting to protect her?
Two students were sitting next to him chattering endlessly and
unfortunately he knew them. For now he would be stopped. He leaned back
uncomfortably into the chair, waiting patiently for the voices to cease. His
eyes scanned the page mindlessly in a vain effort of amusement. He gritted his
teeth in frustration and moved to get up from the chair. He had to get out
before Commander figured it out. His head perked up as the announcer boomed a
voice that was all too familiar.
"Would student 45406, Charm Simmons please report to the
Commander's office immediately, I repeat student 45406 please report to the
Commander's office immediately." Squall's voice commanded. He bolted to
the door of the barren library thinking that he had a chance. But as he looked
back to the students he suddenly ended up running into a stranger on accident.
The stranger's eyes widened as he recognized the culprit and began to open his
mouth to speak, but was covered by Charm's shaking hand.
* * * *
Quistis smiled as Squall made the announcement, cheerfully and
full-heatedly playing into whatever illusion it was this time. She smiled at
Squall when he spoke of rescuing Rinoa-yet again. She smiled at Squall when
Seifer was going to help them and she smiled now. She told herself that it
didn't matter what she felt for now. Just that Squall was capable, continuing
to lead the Garden. She could think about herself later, and it's not like what
she felt affected the entire world. It was better if she just supported him for
now, let him be strong and protect him from Seifer like she used to. But she
stopped her self and for one moment the smile was lost with a frown as she
looked back onto him to see the same wrinkles on his face.
She was tempted to grab his arm, hold onto him before he slipped
away completely, but knew he would just shrug it off like usual.
"I can't believe how stupid this is, you don't ask a guy like
that to 'report to the bridge immediately!' I can't believe I'm even here with you
of all people!" Seifer said disrupting her thoughts.
"Garden is secured, as you ordered," Xu confirmed
running in.
"Where's he going to go?" Squall asked confidently
turning towards Seifer.
"Why the hell am I here again?" Seifer shook his head
doubtfully.
"Do you really want me to answer that, Seifer?" Irvine
asked smiling.
"Shut up cow boy if I want your opinion I'll beat it out of
you. Speaking of beating, where in the hell is twiddle-dee and
twiddle-dumb?"
"Selphie and Zell are taking a nap. And Seifer come up with
something more original next time," Quistis responded giggling softly.
"Yes, ma'am," he saluted. Seifer decided to leave,
knowing his work was almost done and that his life would probably be done. He
would return to Deling happily, doing odd jobs and so fourth. Once again
letting the world pass him by. All you need is a place, food, and friends.
Friends that he didn't want or need. It was simple and pleasing life, something
anyone would be content with…except for him. He could laugh at himself, as a
part of him didn't want to leave this place. As a part of him wanted to hold
onto friends and as a part of him didn't want to be alone. The weak part of
course. But he pulled himself away and walked out of the office. On his way out
he saw a familiar boy who ignored him when he said hello.
* * * *
Quistis sighed when she saw the young man coming in. The one that
would be accused for everything and if Seifer was correct the one that had done
everything. He looked frightened, scared of his own fate and almost trembling
when he stared back at them. His dark eyes were wide, watery and face clenched.
And strangely she sympathized, almost tempted to say something to brake the
foreboding quiet. But instead stood their silent like the obedient servant, soldier
she was.
"Are you Charm Simmons?" Squall asked desperately trying
to hold back his emotions. He gazed at the simple boy, the weak boy that looked
as if he was incapable of hurting a fly let alone the cold character he was
supposedly looking for. But then who else? This was he, this was the evil that
had stolen her away and this was the evil that would pay…this simple boy.
"…Yes sir," the boy muttered under his breath.
"You don't sound like you're so sure about it yourself,"
Irvine commented.
The boy kept his head down and arms to their sides.
"I am he, sir. Who else would I be, sir? Please, I already
said it. I'm…Charm Simmons. Sir."
"Are you sure?" Quistis watched the boy as his eyes
rolled to the ground.
"Who's he?" A voice asked.
Quistis searched the back of the small room to find Seifer glaring
back at her.
"Whom does he look like? Charm, Charm Simmons," Quistis
explained.
"Hahah this weakling not on your life!" Seifer said
giving to boy a push. He fell back and attempted to bolt to the door, but was
blocked by Seifer.
"Wha? Aw now I'm really confused!" Irvine sighed in an
exasperated motion.
"Who are you then?" Squall asked frustrated.
"Char-"
"Cut the bull-shit! Charm set you up for this, how much did
he promise you? Well you won't get a single gill I can tell you that for
sure!" Seifer said pinning the shorter man to the wall.
"Hundred, but I don't know anything else I just wanted to buy
a present for my girlfriend, honest its our three month anniversary, please
just don't hurt me!" The man named Darren pleaded.
* * * *
Selphie and Zell crept along silently. Following blindly the
rumors that NORG was alive, having morphed into another form like any other
Shumi. And Zell having taking it upon himself that he was Garden's last hope
along with Selphie because the others were too busy. Yet he worried still about
Rinoa's abduction and Seifer wondering into things so conveniently. Though he
knew he was not the brightest or bravest he knew he could help in some way,
that is if anybody wanted his help.
Selphie kept quiet and remained calm sticking close to him to his
surprise. It was a relief though. The last thing he needed was to worry about
himself and Selphie. But, he was sure they could handle it, the same pair had
helped kill the mighty Ultimecia. So they could surely handle simple NORG and
put to rest any rumors surrounding his sudden reappearance. From where they
were standing in the basement they began to here two voices and stopped,
hugging the wall.
"I'm telling you I don't have control over them!" The
voice shouted.
"DO IT ANYWAY!" An angry NORG demanded. He sat
comfortably in a similar craft to the one that had been destroyed. He appeared
different, a twisted form from before. Mangled and gnarled, scarred everywhere.
His flesh looked putrid a distorted blackish-green color, rotting away and
smelling awful. A nightmare. The smell made Charm feel queasy, desiring to rid
everything inside of him. It was unbearable. He wanted desperately to escape,
run far away from the inane pool of death. It made him feel dirty, as if
standing in the presence of a monster makes you a monster. He cringed, shaking
the thought and instead trying to concentrate as hard as he could to not lose
his composure.
"They'll suspect something, can't you think of something less
obvious?!" He gave up and pulled out the handkerchief from his pocket
welcoming it to his face.
"HAHAHAHAH STUPID BOY! JUST BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GET THE JOB
DONE DOESN'T MEAN YOU MUST BLAME IT ONTO ME!" A strange twisted tentacle
whipped out and pulled the white handkerchief out from his grasp.
"Hey I'm only here as long as I want to be here as
soon as I'm tired of this I can leave. I don't need your dirty money!"
If only that had been the truth.
"HAHAH I DIN'T INVEST SO MUCH INTO YOU JUST TO LOOSE YOU SO
EASILLY!"
"Yes, I'm afraid of a pool of rotting flesh! Yeah, you got me
there, NORG!" he retorted sarcastically.
"SIMPLE, SIMPLE BOY. NAÏVE LITTLE BOY, DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING?
HAHAH, I COULD ALWAYS TELL LEONHART ABOUT YOU KIDNAPPING HIS SORCERESS!!!!
STUPID BOY!"
This stopped Charm who could have already fell over from the
stench and now this news.
"You couldn't. You're involved too, you son of a bitch!"
Charm screamed.
"AND HE WILL BELIVE YOU? THE WHOM HAS THE SORCERESS!!"
He laughed his horrible cackling laugh that reminded Charm of a dying witch.
Selphie turned around to Zell. She could believe it. NORG could do
anything, stooping to new lows seemed to be nothing new for him. Zell warned
her to be quiet with an unsteady finger over his mouth.
"What do we do now, Zell?" Selphie asked.
She hadn't whispered.
"WHAT WAS THAT!!!!?" NORG demanded.
"How should I know?" He knew he hadn't been followed.
The boy, he had hired the boy…
"YOU WERE FOLLOWED?! NO YOU'RE LEADING THEM?!"
"No Master NORG, I hired a boy to claim he was me. They
couldn't!" Charm explained.
The mass began to move.
"FIND OUT, NOW!"
Zell shook his head, an understatement. He had always wanted to be
the leader. Wanting to be in trusted with so much. Have the feeling that others
believed in him and just for once to make his grandfather proud. But now, now
look at what he had done. Dragging Selphie along on this ridiculous mission,
telling no one and having no clue about what could happen. He should have
thought about it, had a plan at least. Squall would have had a plan and that's
why Squall was the leader. What could he do, what would he do? Selphie waited
patiently staring back at him with her large green eyes, hopeful and trusting
his judgment.
"Zell." She whispered.
"Uhh, let's go!" He suggested. The two ran quickly into
the elevator.
* * * *
The two SeeD's busted through the door of the small office
ignoring all procedures and any manners. Both were scared and were without a
clue. Zell fell back as he witnessed an unfamiliar man being pinned to a wall
by Seifer. Squall looked sideways, just noticing Selphie and Zell's appearance.
Seifer, noticing the silence reluctantly released the man and he attempted to
escape. The former leader of Garden's disciplinary committee was tempted to
pursue the man, but was stopped by Garden's unwilling commander.
"Later punk!" Seifer yelled standing in the doorway.
"NORG is alive!" Selphie exclaimed with her usual cheer
that was strangely serious.
The group faced her ignoring what had just happened to listen to
the energetic girl.
"What, Selph?" Irvine asked skeptically.
"Zell and I weren't taking a nap!" She explained what
happened and Seifer leaned against the wall in tired indifference.
* * * *
Artemis prepared for another show. Watching the screen closely,
watching the local celebrity and very young women broadcast the news of the
upcoming parade, the big Debate. She had dark, dark hair. Some would claim
black. A small chin. The cutest dimples when she smiled. Larger azure eyes,
with a wonderful nose that seemed oddly to be permanently stuck up. Beautiful
Rachel. In fact there was a scandal going around that this same girl was also
having a torrid affair with his rival, Landon. He had seen Landon's wife. It
wasn't though she wasn't something to gape at herself. But, no longer this day
would he dwell on Landon or his affairs he promised. Already was too much of
his time spent worrying over one man that he hated. Instead he smiled as his
own wife Lydia came in and wore a sophisticated, but simple black suit. Her
short blonde hair was pinned back and her brown eyes looked tired, probably
from all the campaigning.
"Don't tell me you are watching this nonsense, Artemis?"
She said coming up from behind. He could only see her through the full-length
mirror. She casually turned off the screen, twisting a simple knob. He laughed
and hugged her tightly relieved to see her.
"Glad you are so happy to see me again. I missed you
too," she said smiling and embracing him just as close.
"You know I was watching that." He said turning away
towards the now lifeless screen.
"That trash, who cares what the Media thinks about you, it is
the voters that matter most." She assured.
"But the Media controls the voters and Landon controls the
media. I am nothing. They do not even know that I exist. Let alone finance my
campaign. We need that money, Lydia. You know that and I know that as
well." He sat down in the recliner and cradled his head in doubt. But, she
bent over and carefully lifted his head with her delicate, manicured fingers.
"You know you will always be a winner in my book." She
kissed his forehead. "Please don't frown dear, it causes wrinkles and we
do have that debate soon. You will get your chance soon, I know it."
The smile reappeared on his face and he gently stroked her
lovingly cheek.
"What would I do without you?"
"Probably watch this garbage," she said turning the
screen back on. They laughed together and looked on as Landon's face covered
the screen.
* * * *
Seifer stood in the office. Barely paying any attention to the
upset girl whom continued on frantically telling her story. She spoke of
Charm's interaction with the supposedly deceased NORG and how terribly
frightened she had been when she thought her and Zell were discovered. What he
heard didn't surprise him, bored him half to death, but not in anyway surprise
him. And more so it seemed they did not notice his apathy, or else care because
he continued to roll his eyes.
He ignored the voice as he always did remembering that he had
already attempted to leave and failed. Sighing, he stood up on his own without
the support of the wall.
"Seifer?" Quistis asked the man suddenly.
"Huh? What?"
"Any thoughts about Charm? You know like why he would do
somethin' like this? Jeez were you listening at all?"
Irvine questioned. He knew Seifer hadn't been listening and it was
just more of a reason for Irvine to hate him. Here Selphie had gone through all
the trouble of explaining what had happened and he didn't care in the
slightest. What was the point of him being there? Was he was ever going to help
them?
"He'd do a lot worse if ya wanna know the truth." It was
true. Charm was wild, having no ties, no real friends, and not a single care
for others. Only one wild dream to keep him going, in a sense an exaggerated version
of himself, a lot more desperate too.
"What'd ya mean?" Zell wondered aloud.
"Look I don't know what he's after. All I know is this guy is
willing to do anything and has no real loyalties to go with that."
"That doesn't help us any!" Selphie complained.
"Yeah well I guess that I can't help you any either."
But he noticed something odd. Actually it was probably more expected then odd,
but it still caught his attention. Squall had been silent this whole time and
had not spoken a word aloud. He knew he was thinking and for one rare occasion
he was interested into exactly what about. "Hello, space cadet?"
"What?" Squall asked annoyed. Always they had to
interrupt his thoughts, no wonder they were in this predicament…
"Excuse me everyone, but if we are still contracted under
Galbadia you might want to hurry before the debates start." Xu informed
courteously.
"Whatever. Selphie, Zell, Seifer will you stay here and
investigate NORG? Quistis, Irvine you'll come with me."
"Just a minute. Why should I listen to you?" Seifer
asked.
"Because you want to be hero and only I can make you
one."
"That's-"
"Hey if you don't like it you can get the hell out of
here!" Zell supported.
* * * *
The lights of Deling once again illuminated the city from the
black. High in the air, supported, stable and would linger on forever. Across
the ages the city might change and the lights theme selves might change, but
they would always be the lights of Deling. Though in reality the city had
already changed its face far more than on one occasion. Maybe, in that distant
past it was part of the neighboring Dollet who at one time occupied most of
what was the former Dollet continent. And in that past the large city was once
a quiet town filled with nothing, but old people and farmers. With a beautiful,
clear blue sky and barely any need for the lights.
The golden rays from streetlight ignored this and continued to do
the job that had been set up for them. Witnessing again to more of the changes
as the crowds crowded into the same area in front of the presidential residence
where a witch had rose to greatness and their former leader had fallen.
Strangely how most seemed to forget this and even the cold of the night as they
stood waiting for the clock to strike.
And as hard as Chase tried he knew it would be hard to forget the
city. The city he was about to cause so much chaos in. But, it was just
one step forward into the world he planed for the future. A future lead by the
right people, elected or not it didn't matter his vision was better than this.
Better than the childhood he had lived in the remnants of the ancient Centra.
Unfortunately not all had fled to Dollet and the others countries after the
Lunar Cry. It was pathetic as some tried to continue on with their lives in
their 'homeland.' For once not a one had thought of the children ranting on
that 'Centra would rise again.' So even as a young, innocent child he had
dreamed about reclaiming what he had never known and for once in his life it
felt so close, just a breath away. His red curls blew in the gentle breeze, but
he continued to stare out taking a moment to draw in a deep breath. Relish, in
a moment that would never come again.
"Chase!" He turned around, angered as Onna came running
up from the direction of the train station. Moment ruined. Poor mislead Onna.
He felt sorry for her innocence and she really knew nothing. Not for the SeeD
that could never be trusted, but for Onna he did. Even more because he saw the
way she looked at the SeeD… "He's here!" She informed stopping to
take a breath from running all the way there and back.
"Shhhh. Enjoy the moment. Look at it all, it's beautiful… All
of it just laid out before of us, ripe for the taking."
The girl stared querulously at the man she barely knew not
understanding a word he had said. Enjoy the moment? There was work to be done,
and the work came before everything. There was no moment. There was only the
feeling of victory when all that exhausting planing came together for one
success out of the countless failures. She loved that feeling… As for now one
must concentrate on the mission. Nothing else and she wouldn't risk that
feeling for anything. Especially another faceless city of all things… And Charm
was here, let her think of that.
"What?"
"Never mind. But yes, you said something about Charm being
here?" Once again Chase returned to the reality of having to deal with
Charm and stared past Onna's shoulder eyeing the shadowed figure that slowly
made his way towards him. "You're back." He sighed to the SeeD.
"C'mon! I know you missed me, I can see it in the way you
sighed. It was full of cheer and relief!" His sarcasm didn't amuse Chase
neither the fake smile on his face and only made him want to sigh some more.
Onna remained silent and looked to Chase for what to do.
"Hurry let us go over the plan. There isn't time to
waist."
* * * *
Two men with two equally militant faces waited patiently for their
fate. A soft, almost tranquil music played in the background and could be
barely heard. Only if you were paying attention. They sat comfortably in their
designer chairs with drinks and food surrounding them, besides family and
friends. In the same room the Sorceress had sat comfortably on her throne. But
these men were far from comfortable, sweating, nausea and all the usual
ailments were affecting them, then lastly the fear that just one moment would
affect the course of the rest of how their lives turned out. Only one would go
on and the other, what would become of the other? Yes, that question too went
through both their minds as their hearts beat faster.
But, suddenly everyone stopped in the room. The pointless chitchat
went silent and in its place a loud horn of some kind was heard ushering in the
start of it all. A blonde man, familiar as he appeared to be the same announcer
for the fated Deling broadcast walked by the two men casually, only stopping
for a brief nod in respect for the quiet delegates.
"Oh my look at the crowds! All gathered here to see your two
wonderful candidates?" The man smiled, but looked to his side observing
three teenagers he could've sworn he remembered from somewhere. He disregarded
this idea, wanting to embrace the crowds instead of worrying. Maybe, he thought
they were just SeeDs for our protection.
* * * *
The three stood in the mob below getting pushed and shoved about.
Charm shoved anyone back that shoved him, but Onna was getting thrown about and
almost lost. Chase was able to stay his ground, holding onto the concealed
weapon. But the masses continued to cheer it was horrible. The noise was
deafening and in all the confusion it was hard to figure anything out or see
the targets themselves. All Chase knew was the blonde man standing what seemed
miles above them wasn't it, he was neither Artemis nor Landon. He reached for
the SeeD in the anarchy, grabbing his shoulder and for a moment the SeeD
thought to shrug it off as if Chase was just another part of the unruly crowd.
Plan A had failed, that hadn't been able to get through security in time so now
more desperate acts needed to be committed by the SeeD. From the trench coat
Chase wore he pulled something out and handed it to Charm without Onna's
notice.
"Wait for one, then do it." He instructed in a whisper.
Charm barely nodded and a smile formed his lips.
"So without further ado I give you Artemis Lewis, everybody!
Give him a cheer!" The man stepped down bowing to the balding man that
came to take his place. He quickly waltzed back to the shelter from the crowds
and watched satisfied as everything went as planned.
"You all know me well, don't you? You know me as the brave
General that led you without a fault in conquering Timber. You know me as one
of the people…"
Squall perceived something strange about the old man. How he
suddenly grabbed at his chest and his words stopped. The crowd became silent as
he toppled over to the cold cement and the blonde women from before came
quickly to his rescue. He cued for Quistis and Irvine to help her and him self
ran over to help them.
The music stopped.
Chase had been foolish. Arguing at the last minute to not end the
corrupt politician's life. Why? He almost questioned aloud. So in the struggle
the bullet had ended going higher, closer to the man's shoulder, which meant he
had an unfortunate chance to live. If it didn't puncture a major artery that
is. Charm knew his loyalties, he had none and he had never intended on having
any one. Though NORG was whom he was working for now and if Chase was going to
be a continued nuisance, like all nuisances he had to be neutralized. He
grabbed the weapon from the ground and once again the cold smile appeared on
his face. The plan was so clear.
One, two, three bullets went bang literally and strait into his
former colleague's chest. Point Blank. The man stumbled backwards with blood
coming through the white shirt and his open mouth. His hand gripped to cover
the blood that ran from his mouth, ineffective, but still hoping in some
desperate way to stop it as he fell like Artemis to the street of the city he
would never forget. The city he had caused so much chaos in and the city he had
tried too late to save. He contained his look of shock or fear because he felt
neither. In away it was a beautiful relief that finally the blood would be rid
of his hands as he closed his eyes forever, it was all just a breath away.
Onna rushed over as quickly as she had turned her head when she
had heard the shots, but the people were erupting into a disorderedly mob and
were frantically trying to flee from the area that they had heard the shots.
They obviously no longer cared about the fallen Artemis, only their own lives.
Grabbing onto their children's hands and screaming, an awful cacophony and
madness. Charm dropped the arsenal, kicking it close the pool of blood and
Chase.
"What happened?" Onna asked shocked and confused.
"Come with me if you wanna live." He responded spitting
on Chase's lifeless face. He moved to follow the unruly crowds and Onna
overwhelmed followed him reluctantly.