Chapter 16 Lost and Found

Author's Note: Enjoy!

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Rinoa couldn't see, but she could feel. All the sudden she felt something slam into her, causing her to fall backwards. Pain racked her body, but she couldn't scream. Something was fighting inside her - Shiva! Shiva was trying to push out the intruder!

But Shiva couldn't hold on - Eden was too strong for her. With a scream, Rinoa felt Shiva losing her grip, and a bright blue light catapulted out of her body and entered Quistis.

"Rinoa!" Squall tried to get up, but was suddenly stopped when a large crystal formation enclosed Rinoa and lifted her several feet from the ground.

"Excellent...I must commend you on such an excellent job," A sickening voice came from the door.

Quistis dropped her whip, not because of fear, but because she felt an aura so strong it made her tremble. "No..."

Empress Ultimecia smiled evilly, Krysta by her side. "Looks like the wedding need not be, Prince Leonhart. Frankly you were not in my favor."

"Release her!" Irvine fired at the Empress but Krysta intervened. Ultimecia looked rather bored. "You're too weak to fight anymore," She said maliciously. "How easy it is to bury you here...but no. I want you to witness my power," She walked up to Rinoa, who was frozen in the crystal. "What a pity Eden chose to reside in her... but no matter. I have him now," Her eyes glittered strangely. "Krysta, bring the girl out."

Quistis tried to run after Rinoa but Ultimecia froze her to the spot. "You've become a hindrance, Trepe. But you did help me... I will let you live for now," She finished with a laugh that chilled the spine. "Your friends are mortally wounded for foolishly blocking my way... don't stretch my patience, Trepe."

Quistis grit her teeth. "Empress..."

Ultimecia raised her arms and the cavern began to shake. "Goodbye, little ones."

The last thing Quistis heard was the sound of the sky falling down on them.

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Seifer!!!!

The acrid smell of burning stung her eyes as she ran through the streets, not caring about the shards of glass littering the road. Seifer!!!!

Swords clashing, shouts and screams filled the air, but she didn't care. Seifer, where are you?!

A child's yell, and she saw him - Seifer!

His eyes were filled with fear, and he wasn't alone. A brown-haired boy was standing with him, too finely dressed to be a commoner. Leave, she screamed. This place is dangerous!

I can't leave him, he's scared, Seifer protested. True, the boy looked so afraid that she too couldn't leave him. We have to leave, this place is not safe for us anymore!

Sis, I can't -

A loud creak made her look up and her blood froze. A large beam was coming at them - no! She lunged forward and pushed the boy away. A split second later she felt the beam knock her down, causing her to pass out. But she could still hear the screams...Seifer's screams... and another voice. And she felt someone hold her hand. She held on, not willing to let go. Something was pulling her into the darkness, but the hand was there. She can't let go...

The screams slowly faded, but she could still feel someone holding her hand. And nothing was pinning her to the ground, but she was lying on a soft bed. She quickly sat up with a gasp and pain shot through her body.

"Hold on, you can't move yet."

She blinked for a few seconds, trying to assimilate her surroundings. "...Squall?"

"Glad you still remember," He said a little dryly. "You've been out for three days. We were beginning to think..."

She put a hand to her forehead, trying to remember. "How did we escape...?" She asked at last, the memory coming back.

Squall stared at her for a moment before staring off into space. "We don't know either...but ice pillars suddenly came from nowhere and protected us. It must have been you," he added. "You began to jerk and wounds split open all over your body. Perhaps the Guardian tried to help, but since you can't summon, it must have been hard on you..."

"What about the rest?" She asked, eyes wide with worry. Squall nodded. "They're hurt, but they're alive. Dagger managed to put a degree of protection when Ultimecia hit them, so they weren't as badly hurt as Ultimecia made them to be."

It was like a large weight have been taken from her heart. Now all that remains is...

"Ultimecia has declared war on us," Squall said suddenly, this time his voice was heavy. "And she has used Rinoa. All of Galbadia is now under her control. It won't be long before she come here."

Quistis closed her eyes. "Is it our fault, Squall? We did it... we defeated Ultima..."

"... Ultima would have lost to her, anyway."

Would she, Quistis screamed silently. We fought so hard... risked our lives and in the end... what did we do? The injustice was so hard she couldn't hold it anymore. Tears of rage and regret spilled down her cheeks as she tried to hold it back, but failed miserably. And she let her tears flow freely when she felt comforting arms encircle her, and a shoulder was offered for her to cry. She cried for Princess, who always seemed to get into trouble because of her. She cried for everyone who was hurt because of her... and perhaps she cried for herself, for being such an idiot.

Squall gently stroked her hair, keeping silent. He understood how hard the past few days have been... and he understood she thought it was all her fault. Anyone in her shoes would have felt the same, and perhaps react even worse. But they've come this far... there must be a way to stop Ultimecia's terror.

Selphie watched miserably from the opposite tower. Irvine leaned against the wall, watching the same scene. "Did we do the right thing, Irvy?"

Irvine thought for a while. "...Maybe Fate did this. Maybe this is the way we're supposed to go through. But we'll find some way to win, Seffie."

Selphie nodded miserably. The Empress has conquered the Galbadian continent... it won't be long before other continents will suffer the same fate. She couldn't stand the thought of Trabia being forced to bow before this...monster.

Irvine quietly left and made his way to the throne room. As expected, King Loire was there, deep in thought. He looked up when Irvine entered. "Ultimecia is heading to Trabia," He said heavily. "I thin she's trying to conquer the world single-handedly. Her army has been stationed in the Galbadian continent... and news has it that her Ortagon Knights are heading this way."

"We can't let her take over Esthar," Irvine said angrily. "Not after what we've been through!"

"Calm down, Irvine," King Loire said sharply. "Don't you think I'm trying my best?"

Irvine bit his lip. "Apologies, Lord."

King Loire resumed his thoughts. "I've called back the army in Balamb, and all available SeeD Knights have been called back as well. We cannot spare a single man when Ultimecia launches her attack."

"What about Trabia? The Regent and Queen?"

A half-smile played across his lips. "No one would abandon their country, Irvine. I'm certain your lady feels it, but she would not leave... unless you direct her to."

Irvine blinked. At first he didn't get it, but soon it dawned on him. 'Whoa, hold on! You're telling me..."

"You're too obvious..." King Loire was smiling now. "If you'd be more discreet... like Squall, then I might not have touched this subject."

Now he was feeling ridiculed. "Squall?! With who? Princess Heartily?"

King Loire was laughing now. "Enough, Irvine. Leave me."

Irvine clamped his mouth shut furiously and turned to walk out. In truth, he was embarrassed the King had seen something... true, he kind of liked the unruly Trabian, but didn't he try to hide it? Didn't he argue with the girl at every opportunity?

"Looks like we have a heart problem now,"

Irvine stopped and saw Seifer, leaning against a pillar. He was smiling mockingly, but he looked haggard... like he had grown older overnight. Irvine could tell...

"I have to join the club, hmm?"

Seifer looked away. "She's using her," he said painfully. "And I'm powerless."

Irvine touched the brim of his hat. "You know... what happens if we fail to stop Ultimecia?"

Seifer was silent for a while. "Isn't there any other alternative?"

"The King wants no bloodshed," Irvine said quietly. "But we also know Ultimecia relies on Eden to achieve her goals. If we destroy Eden, then Ultimecia will have to surrender."

"But you're killing Rinoa then!" Seifer burst out in anger. "And even if you kill Rinoa, Eden will simply transfer to another host!"

"We have sent word to Ellone," Irvine said sharply. "She'll receive Eden, and then..."

"And then what? You'll kill her too?"

Irvine closed his eyes. "There is no option. We can't defeat Eden. Our main concern is stopping Ultimecia."

"You're heartless," Seifer snapped.

A/N: Reviews Please?