BLACK RAIN
As you know, I, like yourselves, don't own any of these characters…etc except the imagination we have to give them stories of their own.
"Its supposed to be said that if you dream the same dream twice, it will come true" – Unknown Source
Chapter 11 – The Black Rain Falls
(Lunatic Pandora – Squall/Quistis/Zell)
Squall and the others come to a stop outside the doors leading into Adel's chamber. They stand there for a moment, then as one open the door. They run inside. Quistis eyes open in shock at the sight.
There are bodies all over the place, dressed in white coats that suggest they were scientists. At the far end of the room, another body lies on the ground; the ridiculous round red and white neckpiece makes it easy for them to recognise it as Dr Odine. Just behind him, sits an extraordinary machine, about three-foot tall, with an attachment designed to sit on the head.
"Dr Odine!" Quistis shouts, and begins to run over to the prone figure. She is stopped in her tracks by a blast from above, as a woman descends on the party. Squall immediately draws his gunblade, and observes the woman. She is fairly tall, and has reddish-black hair, that comes down to just below her shoulders. She is wearing a dark red dress that goes all the way down to her ankles. The woman lands softly on the ground, then looks around, first at Odine, then at Quistis.
"So, you still don't know, good" she says quietly, then she looks up. "Ah, the boy with the scar and...." she looks at Zell, her facial expression falters
What is this? She thinks to herself. Why is he here? Where is Rinoa? Oh, she smiles slightly, she's coming
"What happened top the doctor?" Squall asks the woman, hatred in his voice.
She looks at him. "What does it look like you idiot?" she says sarcastically.
Quistis back up, moving backwards until she stands beside Squall. She seems familiar she thinks, as if I know her from somewhere, as if I've seen her before.
The woman looks at Quistis, and smiles at her.
"Why did you kill him?" Asks Squall, the anger in his voice.
"He has fulfilled his purpose. He is no longer any use to me."
"Is that so?" Squall replies, his eyes narrowing. The woman smiles more broadly.
"Who are you?" he asks her.
"As if I'm going to tell you that" she says, looking at Quistis again. "She knows, at least, she thinks she knows."
"I know!" says a voice from behind them.
They all turn in time to see Rinoa standing at the doors.
"Ah, we have a guest, it's about time." Says the woman. "Yes, I know you know me, then why don't you fill in your stupid little friends, as I'm not interested in them. Its just you." she says the last word differently. An echo coming from her voice. "I want what's mine."
Rinoa also echoes as she speaks. "You're not getting your power back, Ultimecia. Ill see to that."
The others stare at Rinoa, their mouths open. Rinoa walks forward, and stands in front of Squall.
"Get out of here, Squall, and radio in Esthar. Do it" she says.
"They're not going anywhere" Ultimecia spits, her power rising more. "As a matter of fact, you can't go anywhere, as the wheel of destiny is still turning. Ill start with you, Squall Leonhart."
She raises her hand, and a door appears behind her. A boy, wearing a white trenchcoat walks forward and positions himself just in front of her. Squall's eyes widen slightly, as he stares at Seifer. Seifer, his eyes a blazing green, stare right back, not blinking once.
"Seifer! No!" she shouts.
Ultimecia smirks "I've seen to it that he obeys his sorceress, like the knight he always wanted to be." Her smile fades away. "Like I said Squall, you're first. You, Rinoa, have your knight, as I have mine. Oh, I do apologise if he is responsible for your death" she smiles, and her hand flies outward. Squall is suddenly dragged along the ground toward Seifer. Ultimecia raises her other hand, and a white arch engulfs the two of them. She snaps her fingers, and they both vanish.
"What have you done?" yells Rinoa, her voice higher than ever. "Bring him back!" Quistis and Zell back off slightly, as Rinoas power begins to crackle around her. White wings extend from her back.
"One down" she says quietly, turning her attention to Rinoa. "Now, Rinoa Heartilly, time to give me back what is mine."
Rinoa can't help herself. "NEVER!" she screams, her energy begins to crackle more loudly, a wind surrounds her.
"That's it" says Ultimecia softly, "let it out."
(Squall Vs the nightmare)
Squall flies out of the arc, landing on his feet. Seifer follows suit, and stands with his back to him. Black clouds form over their heads, and a soft rain begins to fall, but slowly but surely begins to get harder.
Its happening… thinks Squall. It's finally happening. Just as I saw it. He watches Seifer intently. Seifer looks over his shoulder at him. His eyes psychotic looking. But all I saw was parts of the fight, I don't know who wins. Guess I'll find out.
Squall watches as a bolt of lightning cracks overhead. Squall looks at his hand, where raindrops are hitting it.
The rain turns black.
(Quistis VS the nightmare)
Quistis steps back further with Zell, staring in horror at Rinoa powers up further. Her wings glow a brilliant white colour as she gets stronger. Ultimecia too powers up, her wings an evil looking grey colour. Quistis suddenly remembers her vision.
"Rinoa! Don't! Don't get angry!" she yells. Rinoa screams again.
"Can you hear me?" she yells louder, as Ultimecia laughs. Lightning, a strange colour of red begins to swirl around her. Rinoas hair is almost standing on end. Quistis eyes widen as Rinoas wings begin to change colour.. no longer white, they are a steel-coloured grey, not as dark as Ultimecias, but not too far off either.
Help her says a voice. You can stop her
Quistis stares blankly in no particular direction.
Who said that? She thinks, how can I help her?
Power up yourself, you're a sorceress too.
Quistis stares at the floor in disbelief… only recently she was thinking that… but now…
Who is this? She thinks frantically, but thinks no more as a bolt slams into her, knocking her unconscious. The last thing she notices is the look of concern on Rinoas face, and the look of horror on Ultimecias face.
(Rinoa)
Rinoa watches Quistis fall to the floor. She drops her power immediately, a look of concern on her face.. She yells one last time, before launching herself at Ultimecia. She registers a look of horror on her face, but she quickly comes to and takes off to the air, barely dodging Rinoa. Rinoa, with only the speed a sorceress has, takes off also, Ultimecia is not as quick, but still manages to dive away. Rinoa stops, and looks at Zell.
Zell, she thinks to him. Take Quistis and get out of here, ill make a gate for you, you have to think of the place though, because Ill be busy keeping Ultimecia at bay. Radio Esthar. Tell them what happened.
"What about you? and Squall?" he shouts. Ultimecia stares at him.
Don't worry about me! She yells forcefully into his head. GO!
Zell obeys, slinging Quistis over his shoulder.
"Where the hell do you think your going?" asks Ultimecia in a mocking voice. She is quickly shut up as Rinoas Shooting Star slams into her, knocking her for six. A blue flash surrounds her, thanks to protect.
Rinoa uses this distraction to hastily make a gate for him. GO! She yells again. Zell flies through the gate and it vanishes. A split second later a flare spell smashes into the ground. She is sent flying again as Rinoa uses a flare spell of her own to smash into Ultimecia.
NO! Ultimecia thinks to herself, as she picks herself up. How? How is this happening? This is different from what I saw, and who told Quistis she was a sorceress? NO! this cant be happening!.
Rinoa lands and watches as Ultimecia screams herself.
(Zell/Quistis)
Zell flies through the gate, and lands with a heavy thud outside. He sprawls into the dirt, Quistis falling limply to the ground also. He gets up and quickly sees to Quistis. He then turns and looks at his surroundings. He is standing on a hill, a good distance away from the Lunatic Pandora. A huge black circular cloud rings the roof, lightning flashing from it, a strange coloured rain coming from it.
He quickly grabs the radio from his back pocket.
"Hello? Hello? Is that Esthar? This is Zell of SeeD!.. repeat"
"Go ahead SeeD," says a voice from the other side.
Zell breathes a huge sigh of relief, then quickly explains what has happened.
"So the doctor is dead, and the sorceress is inside?" the voice asks.
"Yes, but.."
"Is the other sorceress still there also?" the voice asks calmly.
"Yes! Along with…"
"The missiles will be deployed now. The Pandora along with everything in it will be destroyed." The radio falls silent, as if it was switched off at the other end.
"Hello? Hello?" Zell yells. He looks at the dead radio, then lets it fall to the floor.
The Esthar general shuts off the radio.
"Its time, gentlemen. Deploy the missiles" he says.
(Squall)
Squall dodges as Seifer charges him, his sword scraping along the roof of the Pandora. He swings it up then back down with astonishing speed, the sword clanging heavily on the surface as it misses its target. With the same speed and accuracy, Seifer flies at Squall. Squall reacts just in time as his own blade blocks Seifers. Squall then attacks, sending Seifer back, he takes this opportunity to jump back a bit himself, to give himself a gap between himself and his opponent.
"You don't have to do this Seifer" Says Squall. "I don't know what Ultimecias done to you, but you can fight it. This doesn't have to happen."
Seifer appears not to hear. He charges again. This time Squall is ready for him. The blades clash, a sound like thunder booms from them as they collide. Seifers eyes don't move, neither do they blink, or show anything as they fix onto Squalls.
He's not himself Squall thinks quickly, dodging backwards again from him. What's up with him. He's not his usual cocky self. He's like… a robot.
Squall decides offence is the best defence, and charges Seifer himself. Seifer simply moves his blade in time to Squalls, so block his attack. Squall then levels a kick at Seifer, which slams into his stomach. Seifer is sent falling to the ground, landing on his back.
Out of nowhere, Seifer flips back up and attacks Squall with such ferocity that Squall is barely able to stand each time a blow is dealt. Suddenly Seifer swipes Squalls sword out of the way and punches him in the face. Squall falls to the ground, but not before using his legs to send Seifer down with him. He grabs his sword and jumps up. Seifer follows suit. His bright green eyes never leaving Squalls grey ones.
I have to try to end this, as it doesn't look like I'm getting through to him, He thinks to himself. At this, he runs at Seifer, who also charges. Both blades clash again and again, with various degrees of noise and ferocity. Squall, although the one with better experience, is just able to keep up with the blows of the stronger–bodied Seifer. He grips his gunblade with both hands tightly as Seifer rains blows on him. He uses all of his techniques coupled with his speed to try to wear Seifer down, but it seems to have no effect. Seifer continues his assault, and Squall finds himself being pushed to the edge of the roof. The black rain is coming down in sheets now, making the surface like a swimming pool.
Seifer attempts to kick him, but Squall dives to the side, spiralling round with his sword outstretched. He cuts open Seifers left side. A steady stream of blood travels down his ripped coat, turning the coat a horrible red colour. Seifer staggers and looks down at the wound.
Seifer turns slightly and removes the coat. He tosses it over the side, and picks his gunblade back up. Just like in Squalls vision, he hold the gunblade with both hands now, leaning forward slightly and to the left, to try to stop the flow. His eyes, still glowing, never leave Squall.
(Rinoa)
Rinoa dodges Ultimecias assault, any that hit her are immediately bounced off her thanks to reflect. Ultimecia has to dodge also as her own spells fly back at her. She curses and casts dispel. Rinoa feels her shield breaking and flies at her. With her speed, which is faster than Ultimecia, she rounds her and thuds into her back. Ultimecia crashes to the floor.
(Esthar – Laguna)
From their housing at the edge of the city, 6 missiles are deployed, and scream off over the city. The residents look up as 6 white vapour trails fly overhead, with uncanny speed towards the Lunatic Pandora.
Laguna, in a car heading towards the Sorceress Memorial, looks out his window as the missiles fly past.
"What the hell?" he yells "what's going on?"
"One of the SeeDs must have radioed in " says Kiros. "Obviously they are finished with their mission."
"No! I mean the missiles! I'm the only one who has the codes!" he yells louder. "Get me to the Lunatic Pandora now!".
Kiros stamps down on the accelerator as the car heads for Tears Point.
(Irvine/Selphie VS the nightmare)
The Ragnarok flies towards the Lunatic Pandora. The black ring-cloud clearly as visible as the structure itself. The ship shakes violently as the rain bears down on it.
"Man, look at this!" Says Irvine.
A beeping noise catches Selphies attention.
"there's something behind us, moving fast… " she cuts herself off.
"What is it?"
"I think it's the missiles, there's six of them" she says quickly. She gasps "it is!"
"How far?" asks Irvine, looking ahead at the black clouds.
"Still a fair distance, but they're faster than we are."
Irvine looks down at her.
"Floor it Selphie, fast as you can, and head for the roof."
"The roof?" Why?"
"Squalls up there" he says to her.
Selphie glances up at him. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah" Irvine says, nodding his head. "Very sure."
"There they are!" Selphie yells, and begins to make the ship go round the roof in a circle.
"I'm on it!" yells Irvine.
(Squall)
Squall has to block with all of his strength. The injury sustained to Seifer was supposed to slow him down, but now he came at Squall even harder, thanks to his two handed grip that he was now employing. Squall dives out of the way, but not before Seifer scythes his sword down his shoulder. He holds back the pain and swings up at Seifer. Seifer wheels round and blocks it in time, his cut is clearly visible in his waist, blood pours from it. Seifer wheels round further, gets behind Squall, and kicks him hard in the back, Squall falls to the floor, LoinHeart skidding out of the way. Abandoning all attempts at a strategy, he lunges at Seifer, bashing into his waist. Seifer drops Hyperion as the two of them crash onto the ground again. They roll about, getting soaked in the process, blood form both their injuries spatter the ground along with the rain. He looks up as a huge ship begins to circle them.
Squall notices LionHeart not far away. Seifer is on top of him. He uses his legs to knock Seifer to the floor. He dives for the gunblade as he hears Seifer run at him. He grabs it and spins round, expecting Seifer to stop.
He doesn't.
Seifer, not knowing, runs straight into the sword. Hid weight only makes matters worse at it drives into his stomach. He stops, his eyes still on Squall, whose left arm has now went dead. Squall looks at him, and notices that Seifers eyes are no longer bright.
Seifer blinks. He looks down at the sword, 1 third of which is embedded into his stomach. He looks up at Squall, whose shoulder is bleeding profusely, several bruises mark his face, along with blood from his mouth. Seifer himself coughs up blood. And with one last look at Squall, utters two words. The rain seems to go quiet as he says them.
"I'm sorry."
(Rinoa – the end)
Rinoa, her anger beginning to take back over, uses her Shooting Star again to distract Ultimecia. Ultimecia falls for it, swiping the weapon out of the way, but is sent to the floor again by another spell.
"Stupid girl! You're going to…"
She breaks off, remaining still. A look of uncertainty coupled with fear shows on her face.
What's up with her thinks Rinoa, then she too feels it. Something coming in fast. She turns away slightly. It's the missiles.
She is suddenly sent sprawling to the floor by a blast from Ultimecia. Her last sight she makes out is Ultimecia limping over to the machine, somehow unscathed form the fight. A huge white arc surrounds both her and the machine.
Rinoa too raises her hand, and a gate forms in front of her. Still groggy, she makes her way towards it.
A huge deafening roar and a flash of white light engulfs the room…
(Irvine – the end)
Irvine Pelts from the cockpit towards the rampway, grabbing a piece of long rope form one of the holdings, he ties it round the pole, then around his waist. He thumps the ramp release button, and is knocked to his feet by the blast of wind. Slowly he begins to crawl down the ramp.
"Squall!!!" he screams at him.
(Squall – the end)
Squall stands over the body of Seifer, who is lying on his back. He is still alive. Seifer simply stares back up at him. A horrible feeling seeps into his stomach.
"Squall!!!" screams a voice from above. Squall looks up and spots Irvine lying on the rampway, his arms outstretched.
"Come on!" he yells at him. Squall looks down at Seifer. Seifer blinks, and moves his head towards the ship. Squall follows, and spots six white streaks flying towards him. Wasting no time, he tries to pick up Seifer, but Seifer hits him hard, and he falls down again. Squall looks at him. Seifer shakes his head.
Squall looks at him one last time, then runs towards the ship. His arm is hurting badly now, he yells out in pain as he flings both hands forward, outstretched, towards Irvine.
He barely recognises grabbing something as a blinding white light engulfs him and Irvine…
Then silence
(Selphie – the end)
Selphie screams at Irvine. And watches as he tears from the room. She then tries to position the ship in a way that will allow her to reverse towards the roof of the Pandora. She spots six white streaks coming straight at her, but they pass under her. A huge bang surrounds the ship, followed by a white light.
The last thing she remembers is the ship spiralling out of control…
(Zell – the end)
Zell looks down at Quistis.
But, when I saw my vision, there was someone else here too.
He turns around as a car pulls up. Laguna gets out.
"What's happened?" he shouts, his face white "What's going on?"
Zell turns back to the Pandora, and watches as the Ragnarok circles the roof. It stops then attempts to go backwards towards the structure.
"NO!" he screams as six white streaks appear and thud into the side of the structure. Zell still screams as a massive bang emanates form the middle of the Pandora. A huge white light engulfs everything around it. He watches with horror as the Ragnarok is sent spiralling away form the explosion, also on fire. The huge structure tilts to one side, then crashes downward into Tears Point, which also explodes.
Zell falls to the ground, tears racing down his cheeks. He looks up to see the horrified face of Laguna.
"W – What happened? Why?" he asks him.
"Our dreams came true."
This is by far the BIGGEST chapter of the lot. Also I'm hoping that it ties up nicely with their visions that they experienced. I took a lot of time with the fight between Squall and Seifer. Hope you like it