It was quite a sight to see, as Galbadia Garden underwent a reverse transformation in Monterosa this morning. Hundreds watched as the facility ceased to be an airborne transport vehicle and settled back into its familiar role as a paramilitary training academy. The change for many came to symbolize a return to normalcy after nearly two months of unabated chaos.

However, worldwide tensions have far from settled down. Although reconstruction of Timber was announced by the Galbadian government last week, it is unclear what will become of these plans in the aftermath of the death of Lord Marshall Caraway, the country's provisional leader as well as head of the Galbadian Army. The government is still in turmoil, and it is uncertain who will emerge in power.

And even as Galbadian policy seemed to relax in Timber, occupying forces marched into Dollet, as the government announced the annexation of the entire country as part of the Galbadian empire. This is apparently in retaliation to Dollet's attack on Deling City, which was repelled only at significant cost. It is uncertain how long the occupation, coming nearly twenty years to the day after Galbadia's declaration independence from the Dollet empire, will last, or even who it was who ordered the troops in.

Finally, the unprecedented end of seventeen years of silence from the East came when an envoy from Esthar arrived in Balamb, announcing a willingness to resume normal relations with what is now the most stable nation in the West. This is without question a time of great uncertainty all over the world, and what happens next is anyone's guess. This was the World in Brief, for the Dollet Times online.


Squall had run out to meet her. Jumping out of the Garden before it had even reached the ground, he broke off in a run towards the four forms who stood by the old, rusty Dollet car and the new Galbadian motorcycle. He recognized Rinoa's blue cape instantly as she, for her part, sprinted across the distance towards him. As he ran, the whole world seemed to dissolve, right down to the ground he was running on. He seemed to be in some sort of trance where his entire universe was that single, solitary form before him.

He didn't even remember to slow down as he got close to her. Their two bodies rammed into each other with so much force that for an instant Squall feared his neck might be broken from whiplash. Without saying a word, Rinoa wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in the fur of his jacket. As Squall held her, a glint of metal ahead caught his eye. Looking up, he saw a solitary form standing perhaps twenty meters away, halfway between them and his two companions. His trenchcoat fluttered slightly in the wind.

Even across the distance, Squall could see that that arrogant smirk that he so often associated with Seifer's face was gone, replaced by a cold, emotionless mask. Squall couldn't shake the odd feeling that this was what people had often expected to see on his face. Still looking straight at him, Seifer raised his gunblade in salute, before turning his back on them and walking away.

Frowning, Squall took a step back, extracting himself from the embrace. Rinoa, come on, he said. Let's get back to the Garden. Everybody's waiting.


Seifer turned around just in time to see Squall and Rinoa boarding the Garden. A moment later, the entire facility took to the air, floating majestically off into the sky.

You win again, Mr. Leader, he said tonelessly, as the building that had been his home for over a decade disappeared behind the plateaus of Monterosa. Sheathing his gunblade, he turned back toward his two companions and began walking once more.

- - = = = = - -


The ballroom was empty, save for a lone janitor who was mopping the floor. Having only been in the room a few times during his time at Garden, and then only as part of a throng of other people, Squall was a little put off by the emptiness of the room. His footsteps echoed off the walls as he walked towards the balcony that looked out over the landscape beyond. He wasn't sure if Rinoa would actually be there, but it seemed like he had already checked every other place in the Garden. Plus, Selphie had seemed sure enough of her location when he had finally conceded to asking her. And he had learned that the girl did seem to have an odd knack for knowing everything about everyone.

Sure enough, Rinoa was there, leaning on the stone rail and looking out at the sunset waters. The Garden was now well on its way to Garden, and had just left the Galbadian shore behind. The moon was rising above them, and the scene was similar enough to remind Squall of the night of their celebration after the defeat of Ultimecia. That was nearly a month ago now, he mused. And yet it seemed like it could have only happened yesterday.

No matter how hard you hold on, he thought, it escapes you. Time passes so fast, we don't even notice until it's gone.

I'm glad you're all right, he said, walking up behind Rinoa. She had disappeared not long after they had returned to Garden, and he wasn't sure what had happened to her since Seifer had freed her from Galbadian prison. He knew, however, that something had changed. She seemed quieter, more subdued, nothing at all like the Rinoa he had come to know.

She didn't respond at first, or even acknowledge his presence. Instead, she continued to look out at the sea as it passed beneath them.

Should I say something else? Squall wondered. But he didn't. Instead, he merely stood there beside her, much as he had on that night a month ago. Even though the sun was still up, setting behind them and casting long shadows across the waves, the sense of déjà vu was almost dizzying. Especially when added to this odd, sinking feeling Squall seemed to have gained in the pit of his stomach, brought on by this odd metamorphosis in the insufferably high-spirited Rinoa.

It was me.

Squall looked at her, not understanding what she meant.

I was so sure of everything I was doing, she continued, that I couldn't see anything around me. I couldn't see how much pain I was causing everyone, until it was too late. She shook her head sadly. I was so sure that what he was doing was wrong, that I never noticed that he thought so, too. And I just kept fighting him, pushing him, until.... She sniffed. Squall thought she was close to bursting into tears. He had a feeling he should be comforting her, but was still unsure what it was she was talking about.

...Your father? he asked.

All I cared about was showing him I wasn't a little girl anymore, she continued. I couldn't see anything that was going on around me, and I ended up causing everyone so much pain. She lapsed into silence again.

Squall began, but he trailed off. He'd never tried to comfort anyone before, and his mind was a complete blank.

Turning, she looked deep into his eyes, as she took his gloved hand in hers. I have to go back to Timber. What Galbadia is doing is wrong, and I have to stop them. I have to make up for all the pain I've caused.

SeeD's contract with the Forest Owls was terminated, Squall thought. And if I leave Garden, Galbadia will arrest me and throw me back in prison.

I won't be able to go with you, he said.

She nodded. I know. She took off the necklace that held Squall's Griever ring, removing its smaller companion and placing it in Squall's hand. This ring was my mother's. Please, keep it. Until this is all over.

Squall nodded, uncertain what to say.

I'm sorry for all this, Squall, Rinoa continued. But I have to do this. I can't run away now; I have to see this through to the end.

Even though it may bring tragedy to others. Squall remembered those words Edea had said to him before he had journeyed to fight Ultimecia. That battle had ended happily, with all his friends together and unharmed. But it seemed the story wasn't over yet.

...I understand, Rinoa, he said at length. And I'll be here, waiting. I promise.