Chapter Two: Truths
Jasmine crouched down and smiled at Peter, "C'mon Pete! You can do it!"
The child stared blankly at his mother, a bit of drool on his chin. Miles stood behind Jasmine, video camera on and recording every moment for prestige. Jasmine continued to motion and encourage the child. Slowly, unsteadily, the boy pushed himself up, and stood on his legs, a cute grin on his face. Jasmine choked with pride, but continue to encourage him. Peter slowly moved his right leg up, then pushed it forward, and landed it back on the ground. He repeated the process with his left, then with his right again.
His first steps.
***
Miles jolted upright in the infirmary bed, startling the man sitting next to him. Miles panted for a moment, struggling to figure out where he was, then he looked to his right, where his son, Peter, was sitting, a far cry from the child in the dream.
Miles raised an eyebrow, "Where am I?"
Peter struggled to speak, but managed, "You're in the infirmary dad."
Miles reached for his head, then winced in pain from his chest, "What happened?"
"There was an accident. You were in the garage with mom. A car exploded."
Miles started, "Jasmine! Where's your mother?"
Peter reached out and held his father's hand. He stared at the man, "Dad, slow down. I… dad… mom was in the car when it blew up. She didn't make it."
Miles shook his head, "No!"
He leaped out of bed and ran out of the room, "Jasmine!" The medical personnel jumped up at his sudden arrival, he continued, undaunted, "Jas!"
Peter dashed into the room, "Dad!"
Miles ignored his son and ran to the doorway, which flew open to reveal a very surprised Lee. He backed up, "Whoa, Miles!"
Miles pushed onward, "Outta my way! I have to find Jasmine!"
Lee grabbed his friend by the arms, "Miles…"
Miles looked into the eyes of his best friend, then bit his lip, nodding, his eyes filling with tears. Miles shook himself loose and turned around, collapsing into the arms of his son.
Peter held his father in his arms, "I know, dad. I know."
***
Miles had heard all of this before. The new, young doctor working in Garden was not Dr. Kadowaki, but she was reciting a very similar speech. The only difference this time was the cast. Miles sat in one of the chairs, while Veronica sat to his right, her hand on his arm for consolation and comfort. Lee sat to her right, listening intently. Peter stood up in a corner, watching intently. Quistis looked over the charts personally.
Miles didn't pay much attention: he had been in this situation before. The last time he had heard this, Jasmine had died just recently, of course, that wasn't permanent.
"So… it would take a great amount of energy to actually DO this. Much more capability than you have, I'm afraid. With a large enough boost of energy, you might be able to. However, the biggest problem would come from the time-space continuum. Now this part is skeptical, but we can be very sure about it. Miles, you COULD change the past, however, by doing so, in order to correct the new problems, you would be removed, more or less, from the essence of time. You would most likely die."
Miles nodded, "I know."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I also think you all know what I'd do."
Lee nodded, "You'd save her."
Miles concurred, "Yes, I would. However, I'm not going to even try."
Peter glared at his father, "Why not?"
Miles gave a deep sigh, "I guess I should let you all in on a bit of a secret. This isn't the first time I've been told all of this. I'm sure most of you can recall the bombing twenty-seven years ago."
Lee grimaced, "At the SeeD ball, that jackass Seifer."
"Right. Well… You know that Jasmine was almost killed."
"Yeah, pure luck you and Zell managed to pull her up."
Miles nodded, "Yep. Well, it didn't happen like that the first time."
Silence reigned supreme.
"There is an alternate past. It happened, one way. Jasmine fell. I failed to save her." He paused, "I… heard about this after the bombing, after my medical exam. I tried my hardest to go on, when I discovered that I couldn't use the ability. However, not everything proceeded the same way. We all got to Esthar safely. Seifer went nuts there and then. He kidnapped Rinoa, hijacked the Ragnarok, and planted a bomb in Esthar." Miles looked at Lee, "You… you sacrificed yourself to save the citizens of Esthar. Your last words were a confession of love to Veronica. Squall and I, we got onto the Ragnarok II, and chased after Seifer. We boarded the other ship, and duked it out. Seifer killed Squall in the battle. I managed to kill Seifer, then I rescued Rinoa. Way too late. Seifer's people slaughtered the rest of you. Selphie, Irvine, Zell, Quistis, Veronica… all gone. Rinoa and I became the only survivors. So… she used her abilities to boost mine, and I went back. I changed things and managed to save Jasmine. That's when history changed as we know it."
No one said anything, only stared.
"I've kept that a secret for twenty-seven years."
"Wait, how are you still alive?"
Miles shook his head, "I wanted to live. I wasn't about to go and die at seventeen, especially not when I had someone I loved to go back to."
"So, you'd live again?"
"That I can't say for sure. There was a degree of luck involved too. That's not what I'm concerned about though."
"Then what?"
"Don't you see? There are way too many variables involved. If Jasmine lives… who knows what else might happen? We could all be killed! The next people in that van might be a bunch of little kids… I just… I'm sorry, Peter. I'm sorry, everyone. Mainly, I'm apologizing to myself here, but… I can't do it."
***
"Jasmine was… one of the great breaths of fresh air here at Garden. Her very presence inspired all of us to reach up for new heights. Her students respected her. Her peers were eager to befriend her. I… I loved her."
Miles looked out at the crowd that had gathered for the event. Everyone in Garden was there, as well as others who had known here, childhood friends, relatives, Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Irvine, and Selphie. The funeral was being done in Balamb, in the Alcauld plains. Miles stood over the ceremony, his position as Garden Master allowing him to conduct the funeral.
He caught himself from breaking down, and continued, "We will miss her. We will miss her sparkling sense of humor, her fantastic combat abilities, her amazing abilities to teach us, and train us, but most of all, we will miss her very presence. The world is a sadder place today. We have lost a great person. We have lost a hero. She stood up and saved even Squall Leonheart from certain death. She alone discovered the plot of Seifer Almasy to destroy Garden, and most of the world. She was a great person. She will be missed."
One by one, people stood and said a few words, least of all these being Peter, who struck a moving chord, despite breaking down into tears and excusing himself. Even Squall spoke, reflecting back on the person who had saved his life.
And off in the distance, a lone figure stood, concealed within the crowd, watched with a detached interest.
***
Miles stood alone on the plains. The wind blew through his hair, whipping around his clothing. He didn't notice, nor would he have cared. The gravestone was solitary, they had intentionally found a spot with no others near it. He felt a hand fall on his shoulder, and he turned to see Squall and Rinoa Leonheart. Squall looked very aged. Years of battle and hardship had not done well for his appearance.
He nodded, "Are you alright?"
"I'm better. But…"
Rinoa reached out and grabbed Miles by the hand, "You'll see her again, someday."
Miles nodded, "Oh, I've no doubt. Still…"
Squall nodded, "I know, its rough."
Miles turned and stared at the grave.
***
Lee stared at Miles, "Look, what I'm about to tell you. It's the conclusion of a week-long investigation."
Miles nodded, I can't believe it's been a week.
Lee sighed, "Okay. The teams investigated the wreckage, the car, whatever we could find. After a whole lot of very intense work, we've found out the cause of the explosion." He paused, "Miles, that car was rigged with a bomb."
Miles stared forward blankly, still failing to comprehend the words he had just heard. Lee raised an eyebrow, "M? You alright?"
Miles shook his head, "Are they sure about this?"
"One-hundred percent."
Miles raised his hand up, "I need a minute."
Lee nodded, as Miles walked out of the small room used for private meetings. Another one of the additions to Garden in the past 20 years. He closed his eyes and shook his head, his thoughts racing a mile a minute. He heard the door open behind him, and Lee stepped up next to him.
"Look, I know this is hard to take in man. Hell, I can't even imagine…"
Miles nodded, "Who could have done this?"
"I've got all of our available people working on it."
Miles nodded, "I'll be in my room."
Miles walked off.
Jasmine crouched down and smiled at Peter, "C'mon Pete! You can do it!"
The child stared blankly at his mother, a bit of drool on his chin. Miles stood behind Jasmine, video camera on and recording every moment for prestige. Jasmine continued to motion and encourage the child. Slowly, unsteadily, the boy pushed himself up, and stood on his legs, a cute grin on his face. Jasmine choked with pride, but continue to encourage him. Peter slowly moved his right leg up, then pushed it forward, and landed it back on the ground. He repeated the process with his left, then with his right again.
His first steps.
***
Miles jolted upright in the infirmary bed, startling the man sitting next to him. Miles panted for a moment, struggling to figure out where he was, then he looked to his right, where his son, Peter, was sitting, a far cry from the child in the dream.
Miles raised an eyebrow, "Where am I?"
Peter struggled to speak, but managed, "You're in the infirmary dad."
Miles reached for his head, then winced in pain from his chest, "What happened?"
"There was an accident. You were in the garage with mom. A car exploded."
Miles started, "Jasmine! Where's your mother?"
Peter reached out and held his father's hand. He stared at the man, "Dad, slow down. I… dad… mom was in the car when it blew up. She didn't make it."
Miles shook his head, "No!"
He leaped out of bed and ran out of the room, "Jasmine!" The medical personnel jumped up at his sudden arrival, he continued, undaunted, "Jas!"
Peter dashed into the room, "Dad!"
Miles ignored his son and ran to the doorway, which flew open to reveal a very surprised Lee. He backed up, "Whoa, Miles!"
Miles pushed onward, "Outta my way! I have to find Jasmine!"
Lee grabbed his friend by the arms, "Miles…"
Miles looked into the eyes of his best friend, then bit his lip, nodding, his eyes filling with tears. Miles shook himself loose and turned around, collapsing into the arms of his son.
Peter held his father in his arms, "I know, dad. I know."
***
Miles had heard all of this before. The new, young doctor working in Garden was not Dr. Kadowaki, but she was reciting a very similar speech. The only difference this time was the cast. Miles sat in one of the chairs, while Veronica sat to his right, her hand on his arm for consolation and comfort. Lee sat to her right, listening intently. Peter stood up in a corner, watching intently. Quistis looked over the charts personally.
Miles didn't pay much attention: he had been in this situation before. The last time he had heard this, Jasmine had died just recently, of course, that wasn't permanent.
"So… it would take a great amount of energy to actually DO this. Much more capability than you have, I'm afraid. With a large enough boost of energy, you might be able to. However, the biggest problem would come from the time-space continuum. Now this part is skeptical, but we can be very sure about it. Miles, you COULD change the past, however, by doing so, in order to correct the new problems, you would be removed, more or less, from the essence of time. You would most likely die."
Miles nodded, "I know."
"You do?"
"Yeah. I also think you all know what I'd do."
Lee nodded, "You'd save her."
Miles concurred, "Yes, I would. However, I'm not going to even try."
Peter glared at his father, "Why not?"
Miles gave a deep sigh, "I guess I should let you all in on a bit of a secret. This isn't the first time I've been told all of this. I'm sure most of you can recall the bombing twenty-seven years ago."
Lee grimaced, "At the SeeD ball, that jackass Seifer."
"Right. Well… You know that Jasmine was almost killed."
"Yeah, pure luck you and Zell managed to pull her up."
Miles nodded, "Yep. Well, it didn't happen like that the first time."
Silence reigned supreme.
"There is an alternate past. It happened, one way. Jasmine fell. I failed to save her." He paused, "I… heard about this after the bombing, after my medical exam. I tried my hardest to go on, when I discovered that I couldn't use the ability. However, not everything proceeded the same way. We all got to Esthar safely. Seifer went nuts there and then. He kidnapped Rinoa, hijacked the Ragnarok, and planted a bomb in Esthar." Miles looked at Lee, "You… you sacrificed yourself to save the citizens of Esthar. Your last words were a confession of love to Veronica. Squall and I, we got onto the Ragnarok II, and chased after Seifer. We boarded the other ship, and duked it out. Seifer killed Squall in the battle. I managed to kill Seifer, then I rescued Rinoa. Way too late. Seifer's people slaughtered the rest of you. Selphie, Irvine, Zell, Quistis, Veronica… all gone. Rinoa and I became the only survivors. So… she used her abilities to boost mine, and I went back. I changed things and managed to save Jasmine. That's when history changed as we know it."
No one said anything, only stared.
"I've kept that a secret for twenty-seven years."
"Wait, how are you still alive?"
Miles shook his head, "I wanted to live. I wasn't about to go and die at seventeen, especially not when I had someone I loved to go back to."
"So, you'd live again?"
"That I can't say for sure. There was a degree of luck involved too. That's not what I'm concerned about though."
"Then what?"
"Don't you see? There are way too many variables involved. If Jasmine lives… who knows what else might happen? We could all be killed! The next people in that van might be a bunch of little kids… I just… I'm sorry, Peter. I'm sorry, everyone. Mainly, I'm apologizing to myself here, but… I can't do it."
***
"Jasmine was… one of the great breaths of fresh air here at Garden. Her very presence inspired all of us to reach up for new heights. Her students respected her. Her peers were eager to befriend her. I… I loved her."
Miles looked out at the crowd that had gathered for the event. Everyone in Garden was there, as well as others who had known here, childhood friends, relatives, Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Irvine, and Selphie. The funeral was being done in Balamb, in the Alcauld plains. Miles stood over the ceremony, his position as Garden Master allowing him to conduct the funeral.
He caught himself from breaking down, and continued, "We will miss her. We will miss her sparkling sense of humor, her fantastic combat abilities, her amazing abilities to teach us, and train us, but most of all, we will miss her very presence. The world is a sadder place today. We have lost a great person. We have lost a hero. She stood up and saved even Squall Leonheart from certain death. She alone discovered the plot of Seifer Almasy to destroy Garden, and most of the world. She was a great person. She will be missed."
One by one, people stood and said a few words, least of all these being Peter, who struck a moving chord, despite breaking down into tears and excusing himself. Even Squall spoke, reflecting back on the person who had saved his life.
And off in the distance, a lone figure stood, concealed within the crowd, watched with a detached interest.
***
Miles stood alone on the plains. The wind blew through his hair, whipping around his clothing. He didn't notice, nor would he have cared. The gravestone was solitary, they had intentionally found a spot with no others near it. He felt a hand fall on his shoulder, and he turned to see Squall and Rinoa Leonheart. Squall looked very aged. Years of battle and hardship had not done well for his appearance.
He nodded, "Are you alright?"
"I'm better. But…"
Rinoa reached out and grabbed Miles by the hand, "You'll see her again, someday."
Miles nodded, "Oh, I've no doubt. Still…"
Squall nodded, "I know, its rough."
Miles turned and stared at the grave.
***
Lee stared at Miles, "Look, what I'm about to tell you. It's the conclusion of a week-long investigation."
Miles nodded, I can't believe it's been a week.
Lee sighed, "Okay. The teams investigated the wreckage, the car, whatever we could find. After a whole lot of very intense work, we've found out the cause of the explosion." He paused, "Miles, that car was rigged with a bomb."
Miles stared forward blankly, still failing to comprehend the words he had just heard. Lee raised an eyebrow, "M? You alright?"
Miles shook his head, "Are they sure about this?"
"One-hundred percent."
Miles raised his hand up, "I need a minute."
Lee nodded, as Miles walked out of the small room used for private meetings. Another one of the additions to Garden in the past 20 years. He closed his eyes and shook his head, his thoughts racing a mile a minute. He heard the door open behind him, and Lee stepped up next to him.
"Look, I know this is hard to take in man. Hell, I can't even imagine…"
Miles nodded, "Who could have done this?"
"I've got all of our available people working on it."
Miles nodded, "I'll be in my room."
Miles walked off.
