Unpredictable Endings
Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8. All I can claim is the plotline so don't
bother to sue me 'cause I ain't got no money.
Last chapter: The truth about Griffion/ Griever is finally out in the open revealed
by a woman named Tigeria who has the hots for Zell. Squall announces
that he is going to attack Griffion/Griever and is recieving assistance
from everywhere. Even in unexpected places. Read this chapter to
see what I mean.
Chapter 8: Prisoners of War
" I don't believe you talked me into this Rinoa," I said as we walked down the empty
halls of the Esthar Presidential Palace. The spacelike place looked just like it did when I came
here eight years ago. The weird glass transportation tubes to the strange clothes they wore. " I
talked you into it because we need all the help we can get and you haven't seen your father in
a long time. Talk to him while he's still here," she said.
I felt a twinge of guilt when she mentioned fathers. Her's died only a couple weeks ago
and she was still recovering it from it. " Do you think we should have left Garden? Ever since we
announced the revolt Griever dissapeared. He could come back any time while we're away," I said
trying to change the subject. She turned her gaze away from mine focusing in front of her. " Garden
will be fine Squall. Even if Griever does attack the place won't fall as long as Quistis and the other's
are there. Stop worrying because you are not getting out of seeing Laguna," she said. Groaning in
annoyance, I allowed her to pull me along.
When we stopped in front of Laguna's huge double doors I became hesitant. Laguna was the
only one who could intimidate me even though he was a blabbing, incoherent ass. Rinoa pushed the
huge doors open to reveal three men in the office. Kiros and Ward were playing chess while Laguna
was pacing by the window. They heard the door open so they directed their attention to us. Laguna's
lips formed a huge smile as we approached him.
" Rinoa! Squall! It's good to see ya!," he said hugging Rinoa. She hugged him back while I
stood silent like I usually do. He looked over at me shaking his head. " He still doesn't talk unless
spoken to?," he asked Rinoa. I frowned. " No. I talk when people make dumb ass comments," I
snapped. Laguna smiled again. " It's good to see you son," he said softly. I smirked at him. " It's
good to see you too Dad," I said. We shook hands smiling at each other. Ward, Kiros, and Rinoa looked
at us wide eyed. " Did I miss something?," Rinoa asked. "..........," Ward said. " Ward wants to know
the same thing," Kiros translated.
Laguna and I looked at each other then back at them. " I don't know. I guess the hostility's
gone. Years made me less bitter. Besides Rinoa, you said enjoy him while he's still here so I plan to
do just that," I said. She smiled sadly at me. Laguna went over to Rinoa placing an arm around her
shoulders. " I heard about your father Rin. Do me a favor, consider me your dad too for as long as
you want," he said. She smiled genuinely now. " Okay," she said.
They were talking for a few minutes until Kiros interrupted. " Laguna, I know you are
glad to see them but I don't think they came over for a social call," he said. Laguna's face grew
stern at his friends words. " I suppose you're right. Now, Squall what has brought you to seek my
help? Need some money? I have trillions," he said bitterly. I winced at his words. " I'll admit
Laguna. I didn't want to come here at all and yes I did just want to use you for your resources. My
reason for coming here hasn't changed but my motivation for coming here has," I said.
Laguna became silent at my revelation but brushed it off. He sat at his desk motioning
for me to continue. " The GF Griever has been resurrected. He plans to take over the world and
make everyone his slaves. Without meaning to, the SeeDs around the world have been helping to
make his dream a reality. With the help of a woman named Tigeria we may be able to send him
back for good. I came here to ask for the help of the SeeDs in the Estharian Garden. I can only
use them with you permission. Many of them will surley die but their sacrifices won't be in vain.
Will you help me Laguna?," I asked.
He sat silent at his mahogany desk letting his knuckles rest on his forehead. After a
moment he looked back at me. " You have my permission Commander Leonhart. May my
soldiers help you save the world. Again," he said. I smiled at my father bowing slightly.
" Thanks....Dad," I said. I turned towards Rinoa telling her without words that the meeting was
over. She nodded stepping out into the hallway before me. I looked back at my father saying
a silent good-bye. He smiled sadly before motioning for me to leave.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
We arrived back at Garden tired and weary, but instead of Squall having an annoyed look
on his face like he usually does when we visit Laguna he seemed content in what had happened. For
that I was grateful. Ever since my father died I have been upset but me being the person I am, I hid
it. Squall is the only one who really knows how I feel through my happy exterior. I sigh deeply and by
doing so, I alerted Squall's attention.
" Are you okay Rin? Do you need to rest?," he asked with a concerned expression on his
features. I smile sweetly at him. " No I'm fine. Just thinking about a few things I guess," I reply. He
grins slightly. " You know, you're starting to remind me of myself a couple of years ago. Keeping
everything that really bothered me in my thoughts and not letting anyone else in. I'd think I was looking
in the past or something," he said chuckling. I laugh at him as well. " I suppose you're right. I starting
doing that as soon as you left. I figured no one would understand me so I keep it to myself," I said. He
stopped walking and took my hand in his own. A blush formed on my pale cheeks as I felt the warmth
of his hand surround mine.
" I'm back now Rinoa. You don't have to hide from me or the others any longer. You forget
we're all orphans. Well, not me so much anymore, but I grew up without parents and so did they. At least
you had the opportunity to know who your real parents were. Unlike us. We grew up feeling worthless
and forgotten. Like we weren't good enough for our parents so they threw us away. You had it good Rin.
I'm just sorry it had to end that way," he said. By now tears were streaming down my cheeks. This was one
of the reasons why I didn't want to join SeeD. It made it seem like I was a spoiled child rebeling which was
true to an extent. I burried my head into his chest.
" I'm sorry that I'm acting like this. I'm a SeeD and I'm suppose to act that way all the time," I
said. I felt his arms slip around me edging me closer to him. " That's okay. None of understand the lost of
a loved one so I suppose we are just as sorry as you," he said. He lifted my chin so I could stare into his
stormy blue eyes that were filled with love and compassion for me. Never did I think I would find a man like
him and when I almost lost him, I can't even begin to comtemplate that. " Remember that we love you Rin. I
love you," he said gently kissing me on the lips. More tears fell down my face as I kissed him back. Happiness.
That's what I feel and someone is threatening to take that away.
" Whoo, that's a way to work a man," a female voice said. We broke apart to see Tigeria walking
down the hallway. We seperated a bit fixing our clothes from their rumbled condition. A big smile was adoned
on her features. " Hey, don't stop on my account. I was enjoying the show," she said. I frowned a bit at her
attitude. It was something about her I didn't like. Maybe it was that she flirted with Squall and Zell shamelessly.
I could see why they would accept it. Even I had to admit she was beautiful. Almost exotic looking with her
lustrous orange hair and shimmering green eyes. I was jealous. Extremely jealous.
She pranced over to Squall placing an arm around his waist. He made no motion to move her. " What
do you want Tiger?," I said calmly trying to get my voice not to sound so venomous. She smiled brightly at me.
" Nothing really. Everybody was waitin' for the Commander in the meeting room. I got bored 'cause Zell fell
asleep so I took a walk and ended up running into you guys. Lucky me," she said flashing Squall a seductive
smile. He smiled back at her the same way. I forget that this Squall is a bit different from the one I met at the
SeeD Graduation Ball. For starters he would've brushed Tiger off as soon as she touched him.
I crossed my arms over my chest. " Does that explain why you're draped all over Squall like that?," I
spat finally sick of her attitude. She removed her arm from around Squall. " I'm sorry Rinoa. I forgot he wasn't
up for grabs. Don't mess up again, you might not get him back," she retorted. I clenched my fist tightly at her
remark. I knew my eyes were turning a blazing yellow. They always do when I get mad. " If I do mess up again
Tiger, I'll make sure you're not around to get my scraps," I said. Squall noticed my eye color changing so he came
over to me placing his hand on my shoulders. I calmed down at immediate contact. " Don't worry Rin, I'm not
going anywhere," he said. I relaxed a bit momentarily disregarding Tiger. I nodded in consent.
Looking back at her, I noticed she had a smug grin on her face. " Now that that's out the way, I do
believe a group of annoyed people are waiting for you. Don't be too long you two," she said walking away from
us. I growled a bit. " I don't like her," I said after she vanished from sight. Squall lookd down at me smiling. " I
can tell. Don't let her bother you. She likes Zell she's just using me to pester you," he said. " And she's succeeding.
I don't know what to do about you anymore. You're like a hormonal teenager," I said. He chuckled. " I missed
the opportunity when I was younger. I guess it's coming back. Let's go, they don't need to wait too long," he said.
I glared at him for a moment before I brushed past him to head to his office.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rinoa entered the office ahead of me sitting between Quistis and Fujin. The look on her face said that
I better leave her alone for a while. Upon my entering Zell rushed over to me. " It's about time! What did Laguna
say? Will he help us?," he asked. I pushed Zell out of the way a bit annoyed by his exuberance. " I was about
to get to that Zell. Calm down," I said. The others moved from their lounging positions and sat up straight in
their chairs. I suppose being with Griffon showed them some discipline. I happen to remember that they never
were this proffesional with me.
" Laguna said that he would allow his SeeDs to assist us," I said. " He is aware that they'll die
right?," Seifer asked. " Yes. I did warn him of that. But it's better to have a couple hundred deaths than a
couple million," I said. As I continued on informing them of what happened in Esthar, Fujin was staring out
the window. I was a bit annoyed with her. " Is there something out there more important Ms. Athen?," I
asked. She didn't move an inch. Her head still stayed poised in that position. " Lay off Squall. How would you
feel if you just found out you've been getting raped by a rouge GF?," Seifer said coming to his friend's
defense.
She still continued to ignore the conversation as her gaze stayed at the window. Finally getting
sick of it, I went to the window. I stepped back at what I saw. The whole sky had turned black and demons
were coming out of the shadows. Fujin finally turned to me. " Is that more interesting Commander?," she
retorted. Everyone was now gazing out the window at the spectacle. Tiger came over as well. " I didn't know
he could do this," she whispered to herself. " What is he doing?," I asked. " He's calling forth dead GF's.
Who knows how powerful they are now. They want revenge and since they were called from the gates of
Hell who knows how distorted they are," she said.
As we continued to watch the T.V cut on. There was a special on what the GF's were doing. The
death toll was 1,000 and climbing. " He wants to kill us all," I said. Griever then appeared in front of our
window. Everyone fell back due to fear. " I want you to experience my power. I warned you Leonhart, but
you just had to stick your gunblade where it didn't belong. Now you will experience the true extent of my
power," he said. He looked over to Fujin who was shaking with fear. " Sweet Fujin. Come to me," he said.
He broke through the glass and took Fujin into his clutches. She fainted due to this turn of events. " I
give you until 20:00. Then all hell will break loose," he said. He dissapeared taking an unconscious Fujin with
him.
Seifer ran to the window. " Bring her back you bastard!! I'll rip you apart with my bear hands!!," he
screamed. We looked sadly at Seifer whose screams were now turning into cries. " Bring her back," he said
weakly. He fell to his knees crying bitterly. His fist punched the ground repeatedly. Quistis walked over to him
placing a hand on his back. He rose slightly hugging her waist. I had never seen Seifer break down like this. It
scared me a bit. Quistis comforted him like a mother would a child, soothing his agonizing cries. Rinoa and
Selphie were crying as well. Finally getting the nerve, I walked over to Seifer placing a friendly hand on his
shoulder. " We'll get her back even if I have to trade my life for her," I said. Seifer looked up sniffling a bit.
" Alright, but don't do anything stupid," he joked horsely. " Same for you," I said. We smiled at each other
clasping hands on the pact we had just made.
The group smiled as we made the deal. Quistis and I helped him stand up. " With Leonhart and
Almasy on the job we'll kick some GF ass!!," he said. " YEAH BABY!!," Zell added. The group laughed at his
familiar outburst. " We have a job to do and not a lot of time to do it so lets roll," I said. They saluted. " Yes
Sir!!," they said in unison. I smiled nodding in approval. The battle for the world is upon us. I just hope we come
out on top.
End chapter 8. Sorry to make the end sound like some DBZ shit. Anyway, the final battles are upon us and so
are the final chapters. My thanks to those who read and reviewed. And to those who stayed patient with me
throughout the whole thing. I also apologize for this chapter taking so long. I'm rotating between 3 stories now
and the ideas don't come to me as fast as they should. Anyway, keep reviewing and keep checking for the new
chapters. ~LS~