The Raven's Wing
Sweet Sixteen
"Ultimecia!!! Hey, Ultie!!!"
Aadeane called for her daughter. Hyne, that girl could be difficult. "Hey, come on already! We're going to
be late!
Ultimecia could hear her mother call her from downstairs. "Coming!!!" she called out in a jaded tone, knowing
that she wouldn't go down for… well, at least another 15 minutes. Her mother was great and all, but by
Hyne, she could be a nag sometimes.
Hair. Check. Make-up… could do with a little more. Dress. Perfect. That was one area her mother never
lacked in. The dress was long and blue and sheer; it fitted perfectly too.
"Ultimecia! Get down here!!!"
She hated his voice. "Okaaaaay, dad!!!" His voice was so gravely and harsh, especially towards her. What
had she ever done to him?
"Gimme a break, will ya! It's my sweet sixteenth, I shouldn't be rushed!
Aadeane smiled at Seifer. "Do you think I spoil her?"
Seifer laughed and drew his youthful wife towards him. "yeah, but she's your daughter, so you're allowed.
Besides, maybe you're compensating for not having a sweet sixteenth yourself!"
She laughed and kissed him softly. "I got the best thing in my life when I turned sixteen."
"What? You actually still love me now I'm an old man?"
"Fifty five is not old, Seifer Almasy! Besides, I'm only eight years behind that!"
"yeah, but you're ageless, Aidy. I can look over at you at think I'm with a twenty year-old!!!!"
"That all you love me for? Am I a trophy girlfriend?"
"Damn straight!!!" he laughed and brought her closer. His tone changed. "Elle isn't gonna be wrong about
Ultie, is she?"
Aadeane sunk away. "No… no, Elle knows theses things. It's going to be fine. As long as she doesn't
receive Rinn's powers…"
"Ma!!! Dad!!! TA-DA!!!!"
They turned to see Ultimecia stand at the top of the stairs. Her hair fluttered down over her shoulders to
her waist. Her dress cascaded over her lithe form, and her blue eyes sparkled with glee.
"Ready!!! Now, where's this secret destination?"
"Well, if we told you, it wouldn't be a secret now would it?" her father mocked, hugging his daughter and
exclaiming, "You look wonderful, hun. Like your mother at your age, cept you've got confidence!"
Ultimecia sneered at her father. "Get off, dad! Besides, I didn't know you knew ma then?"
"yeah, sure I knew him. He came to lecture at my school. We fell in love soon after."
"But we had out fair share of obstacles to get through first. But enough about us-" Seifer added, opening
the door of their Deling home. "M'lady, your carriage awaits!"
"Ultimeeeeeeecia!!!! Hey, Mecia…! You ready yet?"
"Not yet, Yuna!!! I'll be down now."
She'd had that dream again. Probably nothing, Mecia thought… but that voice… it called out to her, there
was something familiar about it…
"Mecia… my love… my spawn… my inheritor… you can hear me, I am sure of it…"
No… not again…
"Meeecia, my daughter…"
No….
"Rinoa's my mother… who are you?"
"Hey, who you talkin' to, little sister?"
She smiled at the figure at the doorway. "Nothin', Yuna. Help me do my hair?"
"Sure"
Ultimecia looked at herself and her sister in the mirror as Yuna brushed her hair. Where was the sisterly
resemblance… she could see none….
Must be because Yuna's fifteen years older. That has to be it.
"What you thinking of, bithday girl?"
She smiled softly. "Nothing… well…" she looked away slightly embarrassed. "You ever notice how different
we are, Yuna? I mean, I feel so different to the rest of you…"
She laughed. "yeah, I notice the difference. But you're a rare albino, Mecia. That's why you look different.
You can't let that make you feel isolated. Cos you're my little sister." Yuna wrapped her arms around her
and smiled into their reflection. "Nothing's gonna change that. Nah-ah!!!"
Ultimecia laughed and hugged her sister. Nothing. Especially not a dumb figment of her imagination. And
now she looked closer, they had the same nose…
"Girls! When are you gonna come down here?" Me and the 'rents are freezing our asses off in the car!!!!"
Yuna stuck her tongue out at that remark. She whispered in Mecia's ear. "Brothers eh? Who'd have 'em?!"
She walked over to the door and shouted out. "Be down in a minute, Cid!"
She turned back to her little sis. "You gonna be alright from here, Mecia-san?"
She smiled weakly. "Sure. I'll be down soon."
As Yuna left, Mecia faced the mirror once more. Sixteen. What a way to celebrate, listening to a freaky
female talk crap in her ear!
"Mecia…"
Hyne, not again. "What do you want now?" she asked mockingly.
"…Wear blue."
Ultimecia looked at her surroundings. A crowded room; the ballroom of the presidential palace of Deling.
"Who… who let us hold the party here?!?" She gasped, her blue eyes sparkling with delight as she surveyed
her surroundings.
Her father smiled and answered her question. "Lets just say we have connections." he smirked, leading his
daughter over to a young raven-haired beauty.
"Rinoa? This is our daughter, Ultimecia…"
The woman spun round and looked in awe at Ultie. Ultimecia couldn't work out… what was it about her….
Seifer continued. "She's the president of Galbadia, you know!"
Of course! The Angel Wing…
"I'm delighted to meet you, Mrs Leonheart. I'm a huge fan, I mean you've done do much for Deling and all of
Galbadia really, and it's great to meet another…. Well, you know."
Rinoa was still transfixed. Ellone was right. This girl was harmless and sweet as hell.
"Erm, yes, thank you." she flustered, still not quite being able to contemplate this. "Miss Almasy, I'd like you
to meet my husband…"
Rinoa led Ultimecia over to Squall, half-dreading it. Maybe it would have been better if Ellone had not
found a way to keep their memories from being destroyed from G.F's. At least then this wouldn't be so
difficult.
"Ultmecia, this is my husband Squall Leonheart-Loire, president of Esthar, vice-president of Galbadia
and commander-in-chief of Garden"
Squall braced himself and looked at the girl. She had pale features and blue eyes. A combination of her
parents, nothing more.
"It's an honour to meet you, sir," she said sincerely, curtseying in front of Squall. Seifer laughed at her
politeness. "Its just Squall, Ultie!!! He isn't that special!!!"
Ultimecia turned back to her father. "DAD!" she hissed, "This is Squall Leonheart! He's like the most
powerful man in the world!!!"
Seifer smiled at her. "Yeeeh, but my Gunblade's better."
Squall laughed and hugged his old adversary. "yeah, missed you too, Seifer"
Ultimecia couldn't believe it. "You mean you know each other?!?!?!?"
Seifer turned back to her. "Of course we do! We grew up together, we went to the same Garden, we gave
each other theses scars-," he said as both men pointed to their faces "- during battle training, he nicked my
first girlfriend-" he gestured to Rinoa "-and, of course, he saved the world yada-yada-yada…"
Ultie's eyes widened. "WOW, really? Who from?"
Seifer paled… he would have to tell her.
"Well, your grandma and your granddaughter, Adel and Ultimecia II. Surprised you haven't learnt about it
in class, to be honest!"
Squall glared at him… why wasn't he telling the girl the truth?
Rinoa broke the silence. "Maybe you'd like to meet my children?" She took Ultimecia by the hand and led
her towards the punch table in the corner of the room.
There stood perhaps the most beautiful man Ultie had ever seen.
His hair was long and pitch black. His grey eyes were so expressive…
And the older girl with him was beautiful too. Typical.
"Ultimecia, I'd like to introduce my children, Yuna and Cid"
Brother and sister!
She beamed at them "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Yuna smiled back "Great to meet you too, birthday girl!" she looked at her brother for a response. He just
looked at Ultie and said. "yeah… whatever"
Yuna scowled at him and turned towards Ultimecia. "Don't worry bout Cid, he's just like that. Ma always
says that he gets it from dad."
She smiled at Rinoa and hugged her. "You don't have to baby sit Ultimecia, ma. Go and talk to Miss Olab,
I know you haven't seen her since you sold her granddad's old house."
Rinoa smiled back at her and started to walk away. Maybe this would be okay. Ellone looked at her from the
other side of the room and nodded.
Yes. It would be fine.
Ultimecia looked at her surroundings, her heart beating fast with anticipation. They were in… Centra?
She threw a confused look at her mother. "You'll see."
"She wants to show you something special…"
"Shut up" she whispered back harshly, catching up with her mother.
They walked towards a derelict building on the seafront. "Mother?" she asked, still confused. "Where are
we?"
Rinoa took her hand and led her through the doors of the stone building. "Mecia, your father spent his
childhood here. It was an orphanage run by the woman I received my most influential gift from…"
Ultimecia sat of the tattered bed in the middle of the room, still unsure of everything. "But what has this got
to do with me?"
Rinoa sat down beside her. "I've been meaning to tell you for a while, my love…"
"Shes going to tell you she's a sorceress, like me…"
Shut up Mecia repeated in her head, blocking the voice in her mind…
"I am the Angel wing sorceress"
By Hyne… the voice was right….
"Are you alright, Mecia? You look pale…?"
Mecia looked back at her mother "yeah… I'm fine… just a bit… well, it does make sense; that's why you've
hardly aged…"
"The reason I've told you know is that… well, I… I want you to inherit my power if and when I pass away."
"What? Me? Why not Yuna?"
Rinoa smiled fondly at her. "Yuna doesn't have the same level of maturity and understanding as you, Mecia.
You were destined to become a sorceress."
"…Destined to be feared and respected…"
"You have a kind and giving nature…"
"You will kill thousands upon thousands…"
"You will always bring a smile to those who need your help…"
"You shall destroy Esthar in my stead…"
"And you'll be the greatest sorceress who ever lived, I can tell"
"For they are the one's who imprisoned me in this bubble, destined to drift in space forever… lonely…lonely…"
Mecia couldn't cope with the never-ending babble in her ears. She cried out "Mother… Mother I have to get
out of here…"
Rinoa's smile vanished. "Mecia? Okay, We'll go now, just one last thing to show you on the way out…"
She grabbed Ulimecia's hand and took her outside. She turned a corner, and in front of her was a vast
piece of grassland, covered completely in pink and red flowers.
"What is this place?" Mecia asked her mother, in awe of the beauty in front of her.
"This is the Forever Field," responded Rinoa, looking at her daughter's eyes. "When I am lost, I call for
Squall to come here. Wherever we are, we can find each other here. I want you to come here too. If you're
ever lost or confused, come here and I'll be 'waiting' for you. I promise."
"…If you come here, you'll find me…"
Block it. "Thanks Ma." she said softly, holding Rinoa close. "Now, don't we have a party to get to in
Balamb Garden?"
Rinoa laughed and took her daughter's hand. "Yeah, the rest of them will be wondering where we got to.
Come on, I'll race ya!!!"
Mecia ran after her. She loved her mother-
"I am your mother…."
-No!!!!
She loved her mother so, even if she was a little childish at times. Hey, that was her most endearing quality.
She was forever young… now she knew why…
"Your time shall come, Ultimecia…"
"No…" Mecia spoke out confidently… "No. Everything will be fine…"
"So, Ultie, how does it feel to be 'sweet sixteen'?"
Ultimecia laughed. "It feels like every other day, Yuna! All that's different is that I've found out my dad
knows the two most powerful people in the world and didn't tell me!!!" she laughed. "Just like him to do that!"
Cid spoke for the first time that night. "They're not that special, Ultimecia. They're just two kids that got in
over their heads and ended up with power, that's all."
Yuna laughed and prodded her brother. Ha! So it speaks! Finally decided to stop being a rude bastard
then!"
Cid shrugged. "Didn't have anything to say that was relevant before, that's all. And, before I forget" he
added looking straight at Ultimecia with his grey eyes. "Happy Birthday, Ultie." She could feel her face
blush as he looked at her, so she turned back and drank more of her spiked punch.
"Well!" piped up Yuna "Feel privileged, Ultie! My little bro never usually says more than five words to a
stranger!"
But we're not strangers, are we? She thought to herself… we were destined to be together, like my parents…
like your parents…
She looked at his perfect features.
Destiny…
"So, Mecia, How does it feel to be sweet sixteen?"
"Can't you remember, Yuna? I know it was aaaaages ago…"
"Wow, I'm actually twice your age. How depressing!!!!!"
"Yeah, just think how in love the 'rents must be"
Both girls made gagging noises and laughed.
"What you two laughing at?"
Cid walked in, his light blue-grey eyes sparkling with glee. Yuna grabbed a glass of champagne from him.
"None of your business, Beautiful Bro!!!"
He gritted his teeth. "Don't call me that, Yuna."
Mecia hugged him. "Awwww, lighten up, Cid. It's just a nickname."
"yeah, but it makes me sound like a fag."
"yeah, but admittedly Cid, you're twenty four you've never had a girl… and with a face as gorgeous as yours
it is a bit suspect!!" laughed Yuna pinching her brother's cheeks and cooing at him like an old lady. "Such a
nice boy!!!"
"Leave it, Yuna!!" Cid laughed as he wrestled with his sister.
Mecia watched them as they fought. She loved them both; her sparkling sister and beautiful brother…
"You desire him, don't you..?"
No! Her own brother.. That was sick… that was wrong…
"Look at him, Ultimecia… he's beautiful…"
Maybe so… his eyes were perfect, his hair like raven feathers…
"Raven Feathers… one day you shall possess the true power of the Raven feather…"
What do you mean?
"It is not important my child… only love is important…look into Cid Leonheart's eyes and then tell me you
don't love him…"
Fine.
She looked up into his eyes as he finished his fight with Yuna. They were bright with laughing joy. His
flawless face was broken into a large smile.
I…..
"…Destiny…"
Ultie sat alone on the front balcony of the presidential palace. It had been such a wonderful night… full of
excitement, prestige, nobility, revelations…
Romance!
She thought again about Cid Leonheart. He made her feel… hell, she couldn't describe it! He was so
beautiful, so reserved, almost shy…
"Can I join you?"
She turned to see him standing over her. "Oh… o-of course, yeah!"
He sat next to her and waited for her to say something. When she didn't he smiled. "You know you really are
odd, Ultie."
She threw him a confused look. "Odd? Why?"
"Well, you spend the whole night trying to strike up a conversation with me, and now I'm here you're hardly
saying anything!"
She laughed. "Well, maybe it's taken so long that I've forgotten any of the things I wanted to say!"
They laughed… then Cid went more serious. "It's kind of a coincidence; it's taken me this long to work out
what I wanted to say to you… I thought, better keep it short and simple…"
She looked at him, slightly puzzled.
"Ultie… I think you're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen."
Mecia sat alone on the 2f balcony. Oh, how she wished that voice wouldn't bother her… especially tonight.
She thought of Cid again… it was wrong for her to think of him like that… he was her brother, it was sick… she
should not love him like she…
Wait.
What had she said…
Love!
"… you love him… destiny"
"No!" she cried out to herself as tears started to run down her face. It's not destiny, it can't be. Her destiny
was to become a sorceress; it said nothing of her falling for her brother. "no…no…"
"What's wrong, Mecia?"
She looked up into agate eyes.
"Nothing, Cid I just-"
"Don't fob me off with some story. I'm your brother, I know when you're lying to me"
He placed his arm round her, only to be shocked when she flinched from him. "Mecia? What's wrong?"
I love my brother, that's what's wrong. I look nothing like the rest of my family, that's what's wrong. I have a
psycho-bitch tormenting me 24/7...
"Nothing" she lied through her teeth as the tears and desperation became more unbearable. "Oh Cid" she
cried out in noisy sobs, burying herself in his shoulders. He held her close. "Oh Mecia! What's wrong!"?
"I'm… I'm a bad, bad person Cid!"
"No! Mecia, you are anything but! You're good, kind, loving, generous, caring, gentle and-" He paused,
knowing perhaps he should not say it…
"You're so beautiful, Mecia"