Disclaimer: As the same with all the other chapters, I don't own anything I didn't come
up with. That belongs to Square. I do this for no profit. Blah, blah, blah.
Chapter 5: Evil Intentions?
By mid-day the Ragnarok had reached the outskirts of Esthar and parked just outside the
Lunatic Pandora. For Vira, it had been her first time on the remarkable ship and for a moment it
overwhelmed her in its sheer presence. She quickly recovered, taking her seat up in the front
with the rest of the group. The expansive blue sky spanned across the entire planet, fencing
all in. However, the closer they got to Esthar, the more the sky began to take on a orange,
yellow, purple hue. Since there were no clouds, it was hard to tell if they were even moving or
not. Only the slowly approaching city was the sign of movement for her. The group all stepped
off the Ragnarok to be greeted by Kiros and the now ever silent Ward. The two wore serious faces,
which was the first sign that it was as bad as Headmaster Cid had said it was. Squall took the
lead, the rest of the group following him until they reached the two men. When they had, Squall
nodded his head in greeting.
"What is it that we can do for you?" He then asked.
Kiros cleared his throat and began to tell his story. "Well, about a week ago President
Laguna started actin' really weird. He kept inviting this strange woman over everyday until just
a few days ago. He signed a contract that would give her joint power over Esthar. We don't know
why he'd do that. It isn't like him at all. After that day he disappeared. This woman has been
ruling Esthar ever since. We were barely able to sneak out of here to meet you."
"What's this woman's name?" Squall then asked.
"Xana. We don't know where she came from or how old she really is either. Ever since the
parade he's been acting this way, which leads us to believe that Xana is a sorceress." Kiros
added.
Squall squinted slightly. "What parade?"
"It was a presidential parade for Laguna to get to know all the people in the city. He
went around and shook their hands. That's where he met her." replied Kiros.
"So, you think that she put him under a spell?"
"Yes. That's the only explaination for his behavior. And she is planning something big"
Kiros looked at his friend Ward, who only just sighed in response.
Squall scratched his head lightly and then asked, "Why do you think that?"
Kiros again glanced over to Ward, getting only silence as a reply from him. "We saw her
giving out orders to ready some weapon she developed."
"What country is she aiming at?" demanded Squall.
"Galbadia first, then she's going to move onto other countries. We think she's starting
to plan a world war." Kiros solemnly answered.
"Doesn't anyone know where Laguna is?" Zell asked Kiros.
"No." He shrugged. "No one has seen him in a few days. We believe he's still alive, but
we don't know where. Actually, Xana looks like her." Kiros extended a finger that pointed at
Vira.
"Me?" she asked, perplexed.
"Not really, but I mean, just the hair color. Dark brown. Xana's hair reaches down to her
knees, though." Kiros mentioned.
Squall shook his head. "We're not here to talk about what she looks like. We'll know her
when we see her. What I want to know is, what do you want us to do? Find President Laguna?"
"Yes. We'd like you to sneak into the Presidential Palace and try to find him. We think
he's in there somewhere. Once you find him, bring him here." Kiros ordered.
"What about this 'sorceress' Xana? Isn't there something we should do about her if she's
planning to wage war on the world?" asked Rinoa.
"We could try to seal her at the Sorceress' Memorial." suggested Quistis.
Squall looked at both Rinoa and Quistis. They were right. They had to do something about
Xana if she really was an evil sorceress. Especially one with the intention to start a world war.
"Yes, that's a good idea. After we bring President Laguna here, we'll lure Xana into the
Sorceress Memorial and seal her."
Kiros nodded in approval. "That's fine. You'll have complete access to the facility there
and the workers will be ready when you need them."
Squall looked at all his friends, including Vira. This was a dangerous mission, he hoped
they all knew that. There was always the possibility of death, but he knew that they were SeeDs,
or in Rinoa's case, an honorary SeeD and they knew the consequences of their actions. It would
be difficult, but at least it would not be like what had happened with Edea. No one knew this
woman, there was no problem having to fight her. Even though it was dangerous, at least it was
not something that would break someone's heart. "Okay, everyone. We have to get inside the
Presidential Palace."
Dark. That's what the Presidential Palace looked like from the inside, dark. Xana had
appearantly turned out all the lights while she was hiding Laguna away somewhere in the place.
Quickly after their discussion with Kiros and Ward, Squall had gone into giving each
person an specific job and breaking the team up into groups. He put himself, Rinoa, Vira and
Zell into one group, leaving Quistis, Selphie and Irvine in the other. Once they had snuck into
the building, Squall ordered Quistis' group to the upper levels while his group would cover the
lower levels. As soon as they had found Laguna, they were to bring him back to where they had
snuck in. They set a resonable time for them to search and meet back there. Quistis and Squall
silently exchanged glances, and both teams parted ways.
It was extremely dark in the palace. Nothing like the first time Squall had come to
visit. Every light was off in the halls, making the rooms that had lights in them, shine ominous
light into the hall. Quietly, he lead his team down the stairs, trying to make sure they did not
alert any of the guards that could be patrolling inside. Luckily, the floor was carpeted in some
places, making their walking muffled considerably. Soft music was heard from below them. The
father the team decended into the palace's lower levels, the louder the music became. Soon it
was able to be distinguished as some sort of opera song sung in a foreign language. The more they
heard of this music, the more foreboding the trip down had become. This palace had definitely
been turned upsidedown by whatever Xana was doing to it, and Esthar. At last Squall, Rinoa, Vira
and Zell had reached the the bottom of the long staircase, facing another dark hallway. Squall
stood in thought for a moment, contemplating their next move. Silently, he motioned for Vira and
Rinoa to go into the room on the right, while he and Zell took the room on the left. With great
speed, the four went to their task.
When Rinoa and Vira had entered the room, it was clear that this was where the foreboding
music had originated. A recording of it was playing over and over, repeating the strange song
in a continous loop. Laguna did not seem to be in this room. However, in the corner on the room
sat a woman brushing her hair in front of a mirror. The low lighting in the room provided only a
little reflection in the mirror, the woman not seeming to care. She hummed along with the song as
she brushed, her long dark hair flowing to the carpetted floor. Long...dark brown hair, the
largest sea of rich dark cocoa imaginable. Without warning, the woman turned around to face the
two young women. Vira stood in front of Rinoa, kamagunblades ready. Quietly the woman rose from
her seat, a shimmering black gown conforming to the curves of her body. Her ebony colored lips
drew to form a smile. One that reeked of sinister intention. She took one look at Vira, and
suddenly disappeared, leaving no trace she had even been there. The two baffled women stared
at where the woman had been, and then at each other.
"What the hell was that?" Vira asked, considerably angry at her confusion.
Rinoa shook her head slowly. "I don't know, but I think we'd better get over to Squall
and Zell."
"Right." Vira answered.
Squall and Zell saw something. It was hard to tell what 'it' was. The room was very dark
compared to the others which did not help matters much for them. All they could tell was that
there was something alive in the room with them and they hoped that it was Laguna. Silently,
the two crept up to this figure in the shadows. Step by step, inch by inch. Being especially
cautious to make no noise as they did this. The dark figure was sprawled out on a large bed,
with a canopy hanging over it. Squall looked towards Zell in the darkness and silently motioned
for the two of them to approach the dark figure. Gingerly, Squall placed his hand on the figure's
shoulder, squeezing gently. A low groan eminated from the figure, making Squall and Zell step
back from the bed briefly. The dark figure slowly rose from their sleeping position to sit up
and stare at the two young men.
"Squall? Zell? What are you two doing here?" It was Laguna's voice. They had found him.
Squall squinted. "Kiros sent us here...to get you out and to stop Xana."
Laguna looked puzzled, even in the lack of light. "Stop her? From what?"
"World war." Zell announced.
"She wouldn't do something like that. She's been helping me develop better technology
for the city." Laguna explained, still sounding confused.
"Kiros told us that she had put a spell on you and has been readying a weapon to fire at
Galbadia. And no had seen you in days." said Squall, a bit confused himself.
Laguna shrugged. "I don't know why he'd overreact like that. She has just been helping
me. People haven't seen me in days because I've been trying to get some sleep. I've had some bad
insomnia. Xana helped me out with that. She's not trying to fire a weapon at anyone. At least...
I don't think she is."
"We should still get you out of here and settle everything." Zell suggested.
Laguna put a hand on his head. "For the life of me, I can't remember how long I've been
asleep...this is really confusing."
As Squall and Zell began to help Laguna out of his bed, Rinoa and Vira ran into the room.
Both of their faces a mixture of shock and confusion. Squall cocked his head to one side and
asked, "What is it?"
Rinoa was quick to respond. "There was a woman who fit the discription of Xana in the
other room, but she disappeared. Not regular magic disappearing, just gone. No traces of magic
at all."
"I suggest we meet the others upstairs and evacuate to the Sorceress' Memorial."
suggested Vira.
"Right. Okay, sir, we're going to take you to the Sorceress' Memorial. Kiros and Ward
should be there. I think you all have some talking to do." said Squall.
Laguna still had an expression of confusion on his face. "I don't think Xana would do
anything wrong...but...I don't know...what? Oh, yes. Let's go."
The five ran back up to where they had parted ways with the other group, not trying to be
as quiet this time. Squall was more worried with getting out than anything else. Up the stairs
the five ran, getting closer and closer to the meeting place by the moment. Squall breathed a
sigh of relief when he saw the other three waiting for them. Selphie was the first one to spot
them, waving her hands excitedly and jumping up and down. Typical Selphie behavior. When Selphie
saw that Laguna was with them, she became more excited, tapping Qustis and Irvine on the
shoulders repeatedly to show them. The two saw what Selphie was getting at and smiled a bit as
Squall and the others reached his friends.
"We're getting out of here. Now." Squall ordered.
"Right. We going to the Sorceress' Memorial?" asked Irvine.
"Yeah. Let's go." replied Squall, the rest of the group following him out.
* * * *
"What do you mean she's no threat?!" demanded Kiros of Laguna when the two had begun
their conversation.
"Well...I...uhh...er...leg cramp!" replied Laguna, gripping his leg in pain.
His friend shook his head. "I know you're kinda nervous, but you ain't gonna get outta
an explaination this time. What's up with that woman?"
Still clutching his cramping leg, Laguna replied, "Honestly, I don't know. The more I
try to think about it, the more I forget what has actually happened in the last week. It's all
starting to meld together and disappear from my head. I dunno what's going on anymore."
Kiros leaned closer to his friend. Only a few moments ago, Squall and his friends had
raced in the memorial, Laguna with them. Kiros was so relieved to see his friend alive and well,
but was still angry and perplexed at what was going on. Laguna had not been acting like himself
in the least bit, and now he was there acting like he always had. Kiros just did not understand
it. The only logical explaination was that Xana had put a spell on him, since now Laguna was
beginning to forget everything that had happened in the last week. Still, there was no true
proof. What Kiros and Ward had heard about Xana's plan to attack Galbadia was a rumor from some
of the guards. They could have just had a grudge against the woman. Everything was muddled and
out of focus. Nothing made sense. The only thing Kiros could understand that was whoever this
woman was, it would be best if they sealed her up until everything could be figured out. That
was probably the best course of action. He let Laguna know this opinion. "I still think that
we should seal Xana here. Y'know, until everything has been figured out. I feel it's unsafe still
letting her run loose in Esthar. Since you're here, you're going to have to be the one to give
the order to do it. You are the president, after all."
There was a pause as Laguna thought over the decision. His face reflected the conflicted
and confusion going on inside of him. Finally, he replied to his friend. "Yeah...until everything
becomes clear with what has happened...we should seal her. I'll...let her know that I'm here.
I'll ask if she can come see me."
Kiros put a hand on his friend's shoulder. Next to him, Ward spoke with his eyes.
Displaying his opinion that this was the best thing to do. "Thank you, Laguna. I know you're
confused, we all are. This will make things simpler. We'll be able to figure out what's going
on here."
"Yeah, you're right." Laguna said. He then turned to Squall and the others. "Okay, here's
the plan: I'm going to call Xana here and tell her I'll be waiting. From what I know, she's
unaware of this sealing thing. I'll stand here so she can see me. When she comes right here..."
Laguna walked over to this large metal circle, with what looked like plastic wrapping around it.
"Kiros and Ward will switch on the device, sealing her in. Then, we'll settle everything. Squall,
can you and your team be on back-up, just to make sure everything goes all right?"
"Yes." replied Squall.
"Okay. Get ready, everyone. She should be here soon." Laguna turned and left to call this
mysterious Xana. The rest of the group stood looking at the sealing device for a moment, all
wondering what was really going on.
Laguna stood alone at the front of the sealing device. Kiros and Ward were in the back,
looking at him through the glass that separated the sealing room from the control room. Nearby,
Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Vira, Irvine, Quistis and Selphie all crouched in ready position. Rinoa
herself looked a little nervous being there. Who could blame her? She herself was almost sealed
not too long ago. Everyone had said it was for the best, but in the end Squall had come and
conviced her not to do it. Now, what the best thing had truly been disappeared. What everyone
had thought was the right thing changed, leaving confusion to run rampant. What really was the
right thing? Laguna didn't know. He was just glad that Ellone had decided to spend some time in
Winhill, letting her escape from this confusion. Laguna had never been so confused in his entire
life. At last he came to the question; who was Xana? Some woman he met at the parade? Where did
she come from? What confused, and even scared, Laguna the most was how easy it was for this
woman to come into his life, nearly take it over, and now he had barely a memory of how she did
it. Until everything was settled, she had to be kept sealed. It was for the greater good.
The doors parted suddenly, giving way for the mysterious woman to pass through. Her black
dress flowed down the floor, her bodice colored bright crimson. Black feathers adorned her
collar, reminding them of Edea. The sleeves of her dress were ebony, and flowed freely down her
arms to her hands. Her rich sea of cocoa hair was braided in parts, giving her hair a crown of
braids. Behind her she wore a ornament similar to what Edea had had, except that the color of it
was a luminous silver, with the trailing fabric colored black. Her lips were pinched together
tightly, colored obsidian. The woman's whole aura was that of mystery. That nothing of her was
known to anyone, but herself. She wore confusion as a dress, with a cape made of mystery. She
seem to cling to it with her life. Slowly she seemed to glide towards Laguna, her expression
never changing.
"What is it President Laguna? You seem troubled?" Her voice sounded like deep rich
velvet. Yet at the same time, there was a cold edge to it. Like the icy cold breath of winter
breathing down someone's neck.
"Xana, please come over here and we can talk about something I've been meaning to talk
to you about." Laguna said.
Xana glided closer to him, now slowly coming up the stairs that led to him. "I hope
you're sleeping better."
"I am..." He started.
Finally, Xana had come to stand in front of him. Slowly, Laguna inched around her, trying
to not seem conspicuous. It seemed to work, Xana adjusting herself accordingly. In a matter of
seconds, Laguna was where Xana had been.
"What is it, President Laguna?" She implored. Laguna stood back, Xana finally noticing
the SeeDs crouching nearby. "What is this-?" She started.
"It's for the best." Laguna answered, quietly. "All right, guys. Hit it!" He then
demanded loudly.
"What?!" Xana's loud demand was muffled by the sound of the sealing device starting. It
had begun. The plastic wrapping melted and was beginning to engluf the woman as she screamed.
More and more transparent wrapping came around her, her screams become more muffled as it went
on. Laguna still stood in front of the device, his face covered in solemn confusion. White sparks
flew.
-That's not right...sparks never flew when I sealed Adel in here...what's going on?-
More bright, blindingly white sparks began coming from the device, making Laguna cover
his eyes with his hands. Soon a bright powder blue ball of light started to form from the stomach
of Xana's body. As more sparks flew, the bigger the ball became. Squall looked at his friends,
not sure what to do next. This had never happened before. He didn't even know what it was that
was happening. From inside the control room, Kiros was yelling that he could not shut the device
off and he had no idea what was going on. Vira was stunned by what was going on. Laguna seemed
to be frozen in place, watching as this bright blue ball of light became larger and larger and
as more white sparks jumped from the device.
-This can't be happening. Whatever is going on, it's not normal. President Laguna will
be caught in the light! That can't happen! It looks like it's going to explode! Gotta save him!-
Vira ran and dove for Laguna, pushing them both out of the way of the bright ball of
light. The next second the sealing device sounded out a high pitched squeal and exploded, bright
shards of blue and white light flying in every direction. Everyone covered their eyes from the
explosion, only barely hearing a scream as it happened. Or maybe it was a laugh? No one could
tell.
Light mist covered the room, blocking everything from sight for a few moments. It swirled
around the room, enshrouding everyone. Almost as if it was trying to block their vision from some
horrible sight, but would ultimately fail at it. Soon the mist gave up, evaporating and
disappearing slowly. Vira groaned and got off of Laguna, feeling bad that she had landed on him.
He himself groaned as she offered him her hand to get up.
"Here, sir." She said.
Laguna took her hand, repling, "Thanks. Don't worry about fallin' on me. Happens all the
time."
Vira chuckled slightly, and then looked to survey the damage. The sealing device was
destroyed. Mangled, broken pieces of metal hung from other pieces, white smoke emitting from
them. Xana herself was gone, appearantly blown up by the entire event. There was nothing left of
her. No body parts, no particles of clothing, nothing. It was as if she had just...ceased to
exist. Vira glanced over to where Squall and the others were. "Is everyone all right?" She
asked.
"Fine." answered Squall.
The rest of them grumbled out replies of being all right. Thank Hyne, no one had been
hurt. Except for Xana, that is. Everyone looked around, checking out the damage. From the control
room, Kiros and Ward emerged; both wearing confused expressions.
"I don't know what happened. It wasn't supposed to do that." Kiros muttered.
Laguna scratched his head. "I know. That didn't happen when we sealed Adel. It shouldn't
have happened with Xana. Even if she isn't a sorceress."
"Well, whatever happened doesn't matter now. Xana's dead and that means that this mission
is over." Squall announced.
"Quite right, quite right." Laguna said, "Well, thank you so much for your help. We'll
give you your pay, and let you know if we're able to find out anything more about her. Just so
everything is throughough and all."
"Right." replied Squall. "We'll head back to Garden now, then. We'll tell Headmaster Cid
what happened and see if there's anything more we'll need to do. Goodbye, President Laguna."
"Yes. Goodbye." Laguna waved his hand at the SeeDs as they departed from the building.
Kiros and Ward walked up to their friend, looking at him with great concern. "What was
that all about?" asked Kiros.
"I don't really know. Whoever Xana was...she's gone. All we have to do is figure out what
she was doing here and what she wanted." Ward looked at Laguna, speaking with his deep eyes.
"Yeah, we have our work cut out for us, Ward. At least there won't be anymore fighting for a
while."
In response, Ward nodded his head. Then the three looked back at the destroyed sealing
device, all wondering what could have happened to make such a thing happen and who Xana really
was.
Author's comments: What did you guys think? Not too much interaction with Xana there, eh?
Don't worry, there's lots more to come. I wouldn't want you guys to think that that was the
anti-climatic ending. Chapter 6 will involve the infamous Communications Tower in Dollet, another
SeeD exam (with Seifer trying yet again to become a SeeD for his own redemption), and the mystery
as to why Galbadia wants to use the tower yet again. Please let me know how you liked this
chapter by R&R. :) Any suggestions are also welcomed. Until next time, keep watching the skis...
I mean skies. :D
