VI
Balamb Garden
Skywalker looked around the main arching corridor
of Garden. Squall wondered what he was looking for. He was still guiding Rinoa
who was still a bit wobbly on her legs. Then, it became too much. She sunk to
her knees and looked up at Squall. « Sorry about that. »
« I think I can remedy that. » Squall said and took her into his arms.
« Better ? »
« Much better. »
Cloud and his friends followed them out of the Infirmary, discussing on how
they might get back into their own reality.
Squall walked to the corridor's side and placed Rinoa on a bench where
she could rest for a while.
Duncan still scanned the surrounding area.
« Big isn't it ? » Squall asked.
« Sure is. » Skywalker replied. « Where on earth is he ? »
« Who ? »
« Shirrah ! » Duncan yelled at the top of his lungs. Out of the
corner of her eye, Rinoa could see something coming closer. A bird. It soared
overhead and landed on Skywalker's arm.
« Where the hell have you been ? » he asked. It was as if the
bird pulled in its head in shame. « Never mind. The main thing is that
you're all right. »
« A falcon. » Rinoa said.
« Hey. » Zell said. « Did you really mean it when you said that
you could control nature ? »
« Yeah. »
« Well, I'm not buying it. »
Duncan turned to face him. « Check your computer records for anything related
to Great Natural Reformation'. Then come tell me if you still don't
believe it. »
« You betcha. » Zell said and ran to the elevator to get to the second
floor.
After Zell was gone, Quistis joined them ans took Squall aside for a moment.
« Squall, we don't really know him. Maybe we should let a SeeD member
accompany him wherever he goes. »
« Might be a good idea. Who'd you have in mind ? »
« Moira Luna. »
« Yeah, she'll do. Have someone tell her to meet us here. »
« Right. » Quistis said and ran off.
In the classroom on the second floor, Zell accessed
the computer records. He typed in what Duncan had told him to look for :
anything related to Great Natural Reformation'.
« Great Natural Reformation... Searching » the computer
responded. After a few seconds the screen showed information. It was quite a
load as Zell could see.
It mainly involved the fact that a dead patch of land suddenly was transformed
into a prospering green meadow again.
Now this is interesting Zell said to himself and kept reading.
When he got to the part as to who had initiated this miracle of nature'
his eyes widened.
« Fuck a duck. » he stammered as he read the name of the one
man who had single-handedly done it. Duncan Skywalker.
He made a print-out and shut off the terminal. Then he got up and ran out of
the classroom to inform his friends.
One of Balamb Garden's corridors
Moira Luna was a female SeeD member who had made her way into Garden
at the age of 12. Though she had trouble with the theoretical aspect of SeeD,
the practical side always was her favorite aspect. She was a wiz with electronics
and could almost fix any electrical thing. Just recently, she had fixed headmaster
Cid's wake-up alarm.
Although having trouble with the theoretical part, she had barely made it into
SeeD.
But even being a SeeD didn't please her. Sure, she was exhilarated when
she had passed the field exam. And she was good with electronics.
But she wanted a more quiter life. The battle against the Sorceress had been
bad enough and she wouldn't want to go through it again.
Moira looked up and rubbed her painful neck. She was busy repairing the optical
computer links in one of the hallways. Those links had been severed in one of
the many ramming sessions Galbadia Garden had given Balamb Garden when both
Gardens had become mobile.
She sighed and went back to work. The damage wasn't that bad. A Garden
was made to last. And this Garden had proven it. It had survived the battle
with Galbadia Garden through Nida's skillful piloting.
Moira finished her work and kept her fingers crossed as she re-initialized the
computer linking system. The lights flickered as the system hummed to life.
The readout on her palm-sized computer read : Computer system
nominal. Optical links operational.'
« Yes ! » she cheered, disconnected her small computer and closed
the panel. She wanted to go to the next node of busted systems when a SeeD stepped
up to her. « Hey Moira, Squall wants to see you in the main corridor. »
« Right. » she replied, packed her stuff and went on her way.
In Garden's main corridor, Squall knelt beside
Rinoa. « Why'd you do it ? »
« Do what ? »
« Going into the forest alone, without backup. »
« I this may sound silly » she said hesitating.
« Try me. » Squall said.
« I wanted to make you proud of me. I wanted to show I could handle
things by myself, without the help from others. »
« It's a good thing you were trying to impress me. » Squall said.
« But going off into the woods alone borders to foolishness. »
« I wanted to do more than just sit around here all day and do nothing. »
« I know. By the way, can I have my ring back ? »
Rinoa thought Squall had had a hit from a sledgehammer and thought he wasn't
thinking straight. As she gave him his ring back, she wondered if he didn't
like her anymore. Maybe because of what had happened in the woods.
Squall put his ring back on his ring finger, then looked up at her with a glint
in his eyes.
What is he up to ? Rinoa wondered as she saw him reach into his
pocket and take out a small box.
« You know, I heard you complained about my ring being too big so I got
you your own. » he said and opened the box. Inside was the same ring with
the lion's head but in white gold, gleaming in the light. Rinoa's
eyes brightened.
« It's beautiful. » she said as he put it on her finger. « And
a perfect fit. »
« Now you're a lion as well. » he said with a smile.
Cloud and Tifa watched from a small distance.
Squall just wanted to kiss Rinoa when Moira Luna joined them. Skywalker recoiled
when he saw her.
« Duncan, this is you okay. » Squall asked.
Duncan kept stepping back until he bumped into the railing. « Impossible. »
The woman standing before him in her SeeD uniform, looked almost exactly like
his wife.
At late noon, Zone and Watts arrived on Balamb
Island with the schematics of the Timber Mako Reactor.
« Some ride. » Watts said. « My butt still hurts from the bumps
in the road. »
« Quit griping. » Zone snapped. « We've got to get to Garden
as soon as possible. And we're not going to get there by sitting here and
complain. »
They hitch-hiked their way to Garden and arrived in the early evening.
Zone explained to the SeeD at the gate he and Squall knew each other and that
he wanted to talk to him as soon as possible. He also stressed the fact that
it involved the Galbadians.
The SeeD told them they could go in. The two ran in and found Zell in the main
corridor. Zone tapped Zell on the shoulder.
« Hey Zell. »
« Zone ! Watts ! What are you guys doing here ? »
« We need to talk to Squall. It's important. » Zone explained.
« About what ? How important ? »
« Timber. » Zone replied. « And the Galbadians. And very
important. »
« We got info, sir. » Watts added.
« What ? Man, not again. Come on. » Zell led them through
the main corridor to his friends.
Duncan's amazement made place for curiosity.
He walked forward and around Luna who looked at him as if he'd never seen
a woman in all his life.
« This is absolutely amazing. »
« What is ? » Red XIII asked.
He showed them Charlene's picture he always kept with him. It was passed
on and ended back in his hands.
« It sure is. » Rinoa said. « They look alike. »
Aside from some freckles on her nose, the woman standing before Skywalker looked
almost exactly like Charlene. When he was in the Western Regions, he heard an
Indian shaman say that if you travelled long and far enough, you'd run
across your own double. Now, he'd run into Charlene's.
« What ? Did I do something wrong ? » Moira asked.
« No, not at all. » Duncan said. « It's just that
well, here, have a look. » he gave her Charlene's picture.
« Hey, that's me. Wait a minute, where did you get this picture ? »
« That was my wife. » Duncan explained.
« So ? »
« She died seven years ago. »
« Whatever. » Squall interjected. « Find out the details in your
spare time. Meanwhile, you keep an eye on him. » he ordered Luna.
« Yes sir. »
« Squall ! » Zell yelled. « We got trouble ! »
Zell came to a stop beside Squall. Zone and Watts came a few seconds later.
« Hey Zone, Watts. » Rinoa greeted.
« Hi Rinoa. » both of them said at the same time.
« What's all the fuss about ? » Squall inquired.
« Here. » Zone said and showed him the blueprints he had taken from
the shack. Cloud looked over Zone's shoulder. « Well I'll be
damned. »
Skywalker also took a look.
« What is that ? » Irvine asked.
« Blueprints of a Mako Reactor. » Cloud explained.
« Designed to suck up Lifestream energy and process it to produce power. »
Duncan added.
Cloud looked up. « You know about this ? »
« Yeah. » Duncan told the story of his adventure in Dyenso Village
and of Jennai.
Zell whistled.
« If we're going to face these Galbadians, I'll need my weapons. »
Duncan said.
Squall told Luna to get him his weapons. The latter ran off and came back a
few minutes thereafter with his Daïkatana and the two daggers. Duncan took them
and put them away.
« Where is this reactor located ? » Duncan asked.
« Timber. » Watts replied.
« What ? » Rinoa asked. « The Galbadians in Timber again ? »
« Yeah. And they're watching everything. And when I say everything,
I mean everything. » Zone explained. « Every movement, every discussion,
every sound, the whole nine yards. »
« This'll have to wait till tomorrow. » Skywalker said.
« What ? » Squall asked.
« You want to get in there and fight without getting some sleep ? »
Duncan asked. « If you want to get killed, be my guest. But I'm going
to sleep. »
He then walked away to his room.
« He got you there. » Cloud told Squall.
« Yeah. C'mon everyone, let's rest. » Squall took Rinoa
in his arms and wanted to go to her room when Zone stopped him.
« Can't she walk ? »
« It's a long story. » Squall said and went to the Dormitory.
« This is fishy. » Zone told Watts.
Rinoa's room, Dormitory
Squall put Rinoa on the side of the bed. He then turned and wanted to
leave but she stopped him. « Squall ? »
« Yeah ? »
« I know you're a bit upset because of what Duncan said, but he's
confused. He just saw his wife's double in Moira. »
« Maybe you're right. We're all tired. It's been a long
day. G'night. »
« Squall ? »
Now what ? « Yeah ? »
« Stay with me tonight. I'm a bit scared. »
He sat down on the bed beside her. « No need to be scared. You're
safe here. This is Garden. »
« I know. But I feel a lot safer when you're around. »
Squall sighed and laid down, staring up at the ceiling. Rinoa settled beside
him and laid her head on his chest. There was barely enough room for the two
of them, but Rinoa assured Squall she didn't use that much room. That made
them both laugh. Squall gazed into Rinoa's eyes, put an arm around her
and kissed her on the forehead. « Don't you worry. I'll won't
let you get hurt again. »
« I know. » She said and fell asleep.
Yeah, don't you worry. I'll protect you no matter what. Even if
it kills me.
After a few moments, Squall also fell asleep.
VII
Balamb Garden
Duncan Skywalker stepped into his room and closed
the door behind him. He flicked on the lights and found Angelo, lying on the
ground.
« What are you doing here ? »
The dog looked up with sad eyes. Shirrah flew to the chair in the corner. The
bird tucked his head into his plumes and went to sleep.
« What are you so sad about ? » he asked Angelo. « Rinoa's
alive. »
Angelo gave him a Yeah right' sort of look.
« Angelo, listen to me. » Duncan said in a measured voice. « Rinoa
is alive. Alive and well. »
Angelo saw that he was serious. He got up and began to run in circles with joy.
« But she's sleeping now. Let's go see her tomorrow. »
The dog barked and went back to sleep.
Skywalker laid down on the bed, wondering about the person he'd run into
today.
The likeness is striking. Her hair, eyes, height, everything. Well, aside
from the freckles Moira Luna looked almost exactly like Charlene,
his wife who he'd lost seven years ago. Charlene's hair fell down
to her waist and he'd have a hunch that Moira's hair was of the same
length. She had it tied together so it wouldn't bother her during her work.
It's as if there's been a rupture in the space-time continuum and
an echo of Charlie has been transported here.
He fell asleep with both Charlene and Moira's image in his mind's
eye.
Rinoa's room, Dormitory
She saw herself spinning through space. Through that cold, lifeless
void between the stars, silent and eternal.
Fithos.
After deactivating the last seal on Adel's stasis chamber, she'd
been propelled away when the stream of monsters swallowed the machine when the
Lunar Cry had begun. From that point on, she'd been free of Ultimecia's
control. But what she saw now was different. In reality, Squall had gone out
into space to find her. They found each other and boarded the Ragnarok, a spaceship
from Esthar, drifting nearby.
Lusec.
But now, she called out for Squall so he'd find her more easily. But
he didn't show. All the while, she drifted farther and farther away from
the planet, the moon, the drifting Ragnarok, the dispersing debris of the destroyed
Lunar Base, Squall and her friends.
Wecos.
Oxygen was running out, and so was time. She was lost. No turning back.
This was the end, she realized. No more Rinoa Heartilly.
In her mind's eye she saw Edea, Adel, Ultimecia and herself standing in
a single file next to each other. Sorceresses.
Vinosec.
Oxygen ran out, life support shut down and the visor of her helmet shattered,
exposing her to the bitter cold of interstellar space.
In the middle of the night, Squall, who'd been awakened by Rinoa's
screaming, woke her up. « Wake up. »
She opened her eyes and saw Squall, her beloved Squall. She reached up and hugged
him tightly.
« Whoa, easy. It was just a bad dream. »
« It was so real. » she said, still holding on to him.
Skywalker stormed in, Daïkatana drawn and alerted by her screaming. « Everything
all right here ? »
Squall waved him away. « Yeah fine. I've go it all covered. »
Get lost.
« Okay. » Duncan said and closed the door.
Rinoa's sobbing tore at Squall's heart. « It's okay. I'm
here. »
« So real. » she muttered.
« Tell me about it. »
She told Squall everything she'd seen in her dream. Floating through space,
farther and farther away, out of his reach. The line of Sorceresses and her
helmet's visor shattering.
« Just a nightmare. » Squall reassured her. « Nothing to worry
about. »
« Maybe. »
« Let's go back to sleep. »
She fell asleep again with Squall's reassuring words in the back of her
mind. « I'm right here. I'll protect you. »
Cafeteria
The next day, Cloud and his friends were already up. They were in the
Cafeteria, eating breakfast.
« Okay, maybe I've been too quick with judgments. » Cloud admitted
after his first hot dog. « But if you were in my place, wouldn't you've
taken this Skywalker for Sephiroth ? »
« I might. » Red XIII said.
« I'd investigate from a distance. » Cid growled. « That
keeps me from getting into nasty situations. »
« Guys, let's just drop it. » Tifa said, maybe the wisest decision.
They all nodded now they knew that there wasn't any Sephiroth to worry
about.
Squall and Rinoa came into the Cafeteria and sat down at Cloud's table.
« Good to see you up and about again. » Tifa said.
« Thanks. » Rinoa replied, then turned towards Squall. « Who
are these people ? »
« Oh that's right. You didn't know. » Squall quickly explained
the situation of how Cloud and the others had arrived here.
« I see. » Rinoa said when Squall was done.
« We'll wait till the others are here. Then we'll work out a
strategy. » Squall suggested.
« Good enough for me, Commander. » Cloud said.
« Don't call me that. I'm Squall, remember. »
« Okay, Squall. »
Duncan came in with Shirrah on his arm and Angelo just behind him. When the
dog saw his mistress, the dog barked and ran towards her.
« Angelo ! » Rinoa hugged her pet who began to lick her cheek.
« Okay, yeah, I'm happy to see you too. Cut that out. »
« Angelo was worried sick, you know. » Duncan said.
« How do you know ? » she asked.
He wanted to reply but Zell came storming in. « Squall ! Sorry, I
forgot to give you this yesterday. » He handed him the print-out.
« What is it ? »
« Some info on our new friend here. » Zell said, pointing to Duncan.
Squall and Rinoa both read the print-out. « God almighty. »
« Do you believe it now ? » Duncan asked.
The print-out was passed on. Everyone nodded they believed it.
Zone, Watts, Quistis, Selphie and Irvine arrived a few minutes after Zell. They
too got to read Zell's print-out and they too now believed it.
« Okay. » Squall said. « Now that everyone's here we can
start. » He turned to Cloud. « Cloud, explain this to me again :
what is that thing and what does it do ? »
« These are the plans of a Mako Reactor. It is designed to process Lifestream
energy to produce power. » Cloud explained.
« And causing the surrounding vegetation and natural resources to wither
and die. » Duncan added.
« That too. In our reality, these reactors were built by an organization
named Shinra. But we beat those bastards. »
« Shinra ? » Zone asked. « That was the name that fat guy
used. He said that Timber was under Shinra control. »
« What did he look like ? » Cloud asked.
« I don't know. I didn't get a look at his face. »
« Too bad. » Cloud muttered.
It remained silent for a few minutes.
« Why don't we send a team over there and investigate, then return
to Garden. » Selphie suggested after three minutes had gone by.
Squall thought it over. « Okay. Irvine, Selphie and Zell go with Cloud
to Timber to investigate. Only investigate from a distance. » Squall
warned. « Don't get caught. Take a few electrobinoculars with
you. We'll try to figure out what this is all about here in Garden. »
« Right. » Irvine said and ran off with the others in tow.
Good luck Squall added in his mind.
Timber
Zone and Watts decided to join them on their journey to Timber. The
train traffic was dead again due to the Galbadians. So the team took a small
railroad car, set it on the tracks and followed the tracks through the undersea
tunnel. Once through, the car left the tracks, switched to tires and continued
to Timber.
They left the car way out of sight and continued on foot towards Timber. Once
arrived there, they inched their way in, wary of their surroundings. They mustn't
get caught. Squall had stressed that enough.
« Where is that reactor ? » Irvine, who Squall had put in charge,
asked silently.
« Over there. » Zone replied in an even low voice. « You can
see the top of that thing over there. »
« Okay. I see it. »
They kept going, crouching low where needed to avoid detection. Irvine wanted
to run across an intersection of roads but Watts stopped him.
« What ? » Irvine hissed.
Watts pointed to a series of two tiny red lights at each corner. « Laser
detection system. We have to go around. »
Irvine cursed and led the detour.
After five minutes, they found themselves at the rim of the construction site
of the Timber Mako Reactor.
The fat Shinra man came out of the shack. « Biggs ! »
« Sir ? » Biggs saluted.
« How are we doing ? »
« Ready with assembly, sir. We're ready to throw the switches whenever
you give the word, sir. »
« Good. Excellent. Let's go see. »
The two turned and went to the reactor.
« Bring the Mako Reactor on line ! » the Shinra man ordered.
« Sir, yes sir. » the men replied and brought the reactor on line.
« Initiating reactor core. »
The reports that followed pleased the Shinra man.
« Reactor core stable. »
« Opening Mako energy valves. Core temperature rising. »
« Core still stable. »
« Core is processing. Repeat : core is processing. »
« Good work. » the fat Shinra executive complimented. « All of
you. »
« C'mon, turn around. » Cloud mumbled.
He and the others lay flat under some bushes so they wouldn't get spotted.
He, Irvine and Zell had the electrobinoculars and kept surveying the site. Cloud
still kept mumbling for the fat Shinra man to turn around so he could see his
face.
After a while, he did. The Shinra man turned around, eyeing the site with contentment
but didn't see the team from Garden spying on him. When Cloud saw his face,
he felt ice coarse through him. The fat Shinra man was someone he, Tifa, Cid
and Red XIII knew very well. Cloud clenched his teeth and squeezes his
hands into fists around the binoculars.
« Heidegger ! »
Balamb Garden
The intercom beeped. « Squall, could you come to my office please ? »
Squall got up. « Got to go. Headmaster Cid needs me. »
When Cid Highwind heard that, he didn't know what to say. « Well I'll
be »
« Two Cids ? » Tifa asked.
Squall turned to Highwind. « Your name is Cid too ? »
« Yeah. » Cid replied.
« Must be coincidence. » Rinoa suggested.
« Maybe. » Cid growled.
« Well, those are just details. » Squall said, then turned to Rinoa. « I'll
get back as soon as I can. »
« Don't worry. We'll look after her. » Nanaki said.
Squall nodded and ran to the entrance into the main corridor towards the elevator
which took him to the third floor where the headmaster's office was.
VIII
Cid's office, third floor
of Balamb Garden
Squall stepped out of the elevator and approached
the twin wooden doors of the headmaster's office. He knocked and went inside.
« I heard we have some problems. » Cid said.
« That's right. » Squall said. « Four persons claim to have
come here through a gap in the reality barrier. A man named Duncan Skywalker,
who got into this mess by mistake, explained this phenomenon. Now, Timber is
under Galbadian occupation again. The Galbadians seem to be building something
called a Mako Reactor there. »
« Timber invaded again by the Galbadians ? »
« That's right, sir. I've sent Irvine, Zell and Selphie over
there to investigate. One of the four, Cloud, accompanied them. As did Zone
and Watts. »
« What's the strategy ? »
« We'll begin with that when the others get back. »
« Good. But what's this Mako Reactor'-thing ? »
« From what I heard from Duncan and Cloud, this reactor sucks up Lifestream
energy and processes it to produce power. »
Cid's face became grim. « They could launch an attack against Garden. »
« Possibly. If they hold a grudge. » Personally, I hope not.
« Well, keep me informed. »
« Yes sir. »
« By the way, how's Rinoa ? »
« She's fine. Back on her feet. »
« Good to hear. You guys should stick together. »
Squall nodded. I'll do more than just stick together. She changed me.
She changed my life. She changed everything. And I'm not gonna let her
go all because of what had happened or will happen.
Squall turned and went back to the elevator.
Timber
« Who's this Heidegger ? » Selphie asked.
« He was one of the Shinra executives. » Cloud explained. « He
and Scarlet, another Shinra executive, piloted a giant robot machine designed
to crush us. »
« But they failed. » Zell added.
« Yeah, otherwise I wouldn't be here. » Cloud replied.
« Ssssshhhh, quiet. » Zone hissed. A group of Galbadian soldiers passed
their hideout by mere meters. But the team from Garden was well hidden. The
patrol moved on.
« So what do we do now ? » Watts asked.
« Maybe I could steal some more plans. » Zone suggested.
« No, you'd get caught. » Selphie protested. « Bad idea. »
A bit further, they saw Heidegger talking to Biggs. Most of the words were faint,
because of the distance. But Cloud picked up some words as starting',
project' and Neo Midgar'.
« As if it wasn't bad enough. » he muttered.
« What ? » Irvine asked.
« They're gonna initiate the Neo Midgar-Project. »
« What's that ? » Zell wanted to know.
« It means they're gonna turn this little town into a big city, complete
with Mako Reactors. This whole area will wither and die. »
« Dammit. » Irvine cursed. « Let's go back to Garden. »
The team left their hideout and sneaked away. But they didn't get far.
The patrol they saw a few minutes ago spotted them. « Hey you ! Stop ! »
« Busted. » Zell noticed.
« Run ! » Irvine ordered. The team picked up the pace and ran
as if Satan himself was after them.
Cloud stopped when he saw a support beam. He traced it with his eyes and saw
it supported another wooden beam on which big stones rested. The whole assembly
formed an arch of some sort. Cloud took his Buster Sword and slashed the support
beam and ran on. The Galbadian patrol stopped as the support beam collapsed
and the entire arch came down, blocking the way.
« Good thinking. » Irvine commented.
« Thanks. » Cloud replied.
The team ran around a corner and found themselves in a dead end.
« It's a dead end. » Selphie pointed out.
« There's got to be a way out. » Zell said and looked around.
« Psst. » came a voice. The all looked around and saw the head of
a girl sticking out a basement window. « This way. »
Irvine ordered the team to crawl through the small window. He followed last
and closed it.
« Close call. Thanks. » Irvine said to the girl.
« No problem. We help people who are being chased by the Galbadians. »
She spat out the last word.
« I'm Irvine. » Irvine introduced himself and the others. « We're
from Garden. »
« Cool. I'm Jina from the Timber Wolves faction. »
« Is there a way out of here ? » Cloud asked.
« Sure. We'll go as soon as the Galbadians stop searching. »
« Good enough for me. » Zell commented.
But they knew the Galbadians would keep on searching till the evening.
Balamb Garden
Duncan walked out into the open fields to practice his martial arts
skills and his skills with the Daïkatana. He put off his coat and began. First
unarmed combat and then armed. And all the while he was practicing, his thoughts
were revolving about Charlene and Moira.
The sun was setting. The brightest stars managed to shine their light through
the twilight.
Moira Luna came out of the front gate and saw him, busy practicing. She saw
him perform a forward roll and pick up his sword, switching from unarmed to
armed combat. She kept watching with interst as the katana swooshed through
the air, killing unseen opponents. The technique seemed complicated, but it
seemed like he hadn't much trouble with it.
Moira waited till he was done and approached him.
Skywalker sat down in the grass, cross-legged as she joined him. « Some
moves. Zell should see this. He'd be jealous. »
« He knows martial arts too ? »
« Yeah. They're unsurpassed around here. »
She settled on the grass beside him.
« Why do you keep following me like a lost puppy ? »
« Squall's orders. I have to keep an eye on you. »
« Is that so ? You guys sure have some naive commmander. »
Angelo came storming out of Garden, chasing a Bite Bug. Angelo was in turn being
followed by Rinoa who tried to get her dog back into Garden. When she saw the
two sitting in the grass, Rinoa forgot about Angelo and called Squall.
« Look at those two. » she said as Squall joined her at the front
gate.
« Reminds me of two certain people you and I know very well. » Squall
said.
« And who might that be ? » she asked while gazing into his eyes.
« You and me. » he just flapped out.
Rinoa laughed. « That's right. »
Moira laid her head on Duncan's shoulder. « This is one of the most
beautiful nights I've ever seen. »
« There have been others. »
« I know. » she replied. « Too bad those clouds are messing it
up. »
« What clouds ? » he asked with a smirk as Moira witnessed the
distant look in his eyes and the clouds disappear. She had heard about his mysterious
ability wth nature and now she'd seen it with her own eyes.
As did Squall and Rinoa who were spying on them from a bit further.
« We'd better get some sleep. » Squall suggested.
« Yeah. But I still want to be with you during the night. »
« Still scared ? »
« Yeah. »
Squall began to think.
« Uh-oh. There's that frown again. »
« Whatever. I got an idea. » Squall said, then turned in Skywalker's
direction. « Hey Duncan ! »
« Yeah !? »
« Can you give me a hand ? »
« Sure. With what ? » he asked as he and Moira joined them.
« You'll see. »
Squall's room, Dormitory
Squall explained what he had in mind. Meanwhile, Rinoa had moved from
her room to the one next to Squall's. Moira waited in the hallway.
« That's easy. » Duncan said after Squall finished explaining
his idea. « Piece of cake. »
Squall stood back as Duncan unsheathed his Daïkatana and started to slash the
wall in what seemed a random pattern. After fifteen minutes, he stopped. « I
think that'll do. »
As Duncan put his sword away, Squall walked forward and banged on the wall.
« Rinoa, you'd better get out of there ! This could get
messy ! »
Skywalker went out and saw Rinoa come out of the room next to Squall's.
« What is he up to ? » she asked Skywalker.
« You'll see. »
Meanwhile, Squall had taken his gunblade. « Here goes nothing. »
He rammed the point of the blade into the wall so hard, it stuck out the other
end by some three centimeters. Then he braced himself and pulled the trigger.
A loud bang echoed through Garden while the ground in a ten meter radius shook.
Dust flew everywhere as the wall collapsed, the rest remained intact.
Squall came out of his room, covered with dust.
« Did it work ? » Duncan asked.
« Yep. » Squall coughed. Rinoa still didn't have a single idea
what these two had done. She walked into Squall's room, ignored the dust
and saw the wall separating the rooms was gone. They just had combined her new
room and Squall's room into one big room. Now she wouldn't have to
sleep alone again. She'd be with him all the time.
Quistis stormed into the Dormitory. « What the bloody hell was that ? I
was busy cleaning up after class when the lights in the friggin' classroom
ceiling came down. »
« Just a little reconstruction, miss Trepe. » Duncan said.
« A little reconstruction ? » Quistis echoed. « It felt
like the whole Garden was gonna collapse. » Then she saw Squall and made
a face. « You look like a dust ball. »
Rinoa rolled over the ground, laughing.
« I know. » Squall merely said and shot a look of irritation at Rinoa
who stood up, still giggling.
« Heehee, dust ball. Good one. » she giggled.
« Whatever. I'm gonna take a bath. »
« Is there room for two ? » Rinoa asked.
« Naughty girl. » Duncan said.
« Hey, he's my boyfriend, you know. » she said.
« Okay okay, not my business. » Duncan kept his proverbial distance.
Squall took his bath and after that he and Rinoa rearranged the interior.
Timber
The Timber Wolves were nothing if not efficient. Jina helped Irvine's
team sneak out of Timber while the Galbadians were rounding off their search.
Zone and Watts remained behind to help the Timber Wolves.
When a patrol passed, they took cover where Jina told them to and only came
out when she said it was safe. Along the way, Jina told them what the latest
news in Timber was.
The Shinra man Cloud had identified as being Heidegger, had ordered his men
to initiate something called the Neo Midgar-Project' now that the
Mako Reactor as complete.
« We already knew that. » Cloud replied. « We have to stop him. »
« I know that. » Jina replied. « But we don't stand
a chance against the Galbadians. There are just too many of them. »
« Leave it to SeeD. » Irvine said. « To quote Zell : We'll
take care of those jokers'. »
« Hey, that's my line. » Zell protested.
« Yeah yeah. We know. » Selphie snapped back. « Now can it. »
The team had reached the edge of Timber.
« Thanks, Jina. » Selphie said. « For everything. »
« Yeah. » Irvine added. « If you ever »
« Irvine. » Selphie snapped. « Don't you dare go down that
road, Mr Irvine Kinneas ! »
Irvine shivered every time whe she used that tone of voice.
« See you around. » Zell said and ran with the others back to the
railroad car they hid way out of sight.
IX
Timber
« Biggs ! » Heidegger yelled. Biggs
came storming in the Mako Reactor control room.
« Sir ? »
« Have these saboteurs been found already ? » Heidegger had been
informed of Irvine's team snooping around the Mako Reactor site.
« I'm still waiting for the patrols to report back, sir. I believe
they might do that sometime soon. »
« For your sake, I hope so. »
The patrol leaders came in five minutes thereafter.
« Well ? » Biggs asked.
« Nothing. » the first of the patrol leaders reported.
« Squat. » the second said.
« Nada. » the third stated.
« Well goddammit ! » Biggs cursed.
« Easy. » Heidegger said. « Could these people be of SeeD ? »
« It might, sir. » the first patrol leader said. « I think I
recognized one of them when we were fighting them in the Sorceress Edea incident. »
« Well well. » Heidegger said and narrowed his eyes with predatory
anticipation.
« Sir ? » Biggs asked.
« Get some rest, men. » Heidegger ordered. Which had a « Sir,
yes sir. » as a reply from the four Galbadian soldiers.
« Before you go to your quarters, what's the status of the fleet and
the squadrons ? »
« Nearly fully operational. We need to repair some ships and fighter jets,
but overall it's not much work. » Biggs reported.
« Good. » Heidegger replied. « Consider yourself promoted to
Sergeant, Biggs. »
« Thank you sir. » Biggs replied, saluted and headed out the door
to get some rest and inform his buddy Wedge of his promotion.
Squall and Rinoa's room, Balamb Garden
All was quiet within Balamb Garden. Everyone was fast asleep, except
those who had guard duty. With the recent developments involving the Galbadian
army and this Shinra, Squall had ordered some experienced SeeDs to stand guard
at various key points in and around Garden. One never knew what the Galbadians
might do in the middle of the night. And one couldn't be careful enough.
In their room, Rinoa lay tossing and turning in her bed. It woke Squall up so
he decided to check on her.
« You okay ? »
« I saw it again. » she said after waking up and realizing she wasn't
drifting through space, away from those she loved.
« Saw what again ? » Squall asked. « The dream again ? »
« Yes. » Rinoa said. « Everything The dark void
drifting seeing the Ragnarok and the world fade away into tiny
specks as I drifted farther away. »
He held her close and comforted her. « It's just a dream. »
« I don't think it's a dream anymore. »
« Huh ? What do you mean ? » Has she gone crazy ?
« I think it's trying to tell me something. »
« Like what ? »
« I don't know. »
« Hmm. Let's ask Skywalker in the morning. He might know. »
« Good idea. And I hope the others are safe. »
« They're fine. They'll make it back. »
Rinoa settled in Squall's arms and went to sleep again. After switching
off the lights, Squall went to sleep as well.
The next day, Squall went to Duncan's room.
« Duncan, I need your help on something. » he said in a loud voice
after banging on the door.
The door opened and Skywalker stuck his head out. « With what ? »
« Rinoa's dreams. »
« What about them ? »
« It's only one dream which keeps resurfacing. I don't know what
to do. She said it wasn't a dream anymore and it was trying to make a point. »
« One moment, I'll be right out. » Duncan said and closed the
door. Two minutes thereafter, he came out again. « She still in her room ? »
« Yeah. »
« Come on then. » Duncan said and made his way to Squall's room.
Rinoa was still sleeping when they got there. Squall woke her up and explained
they were going to try to unravel the mystery.
« Now Rinoa. I want you to look at me. » Skywalker ordered.
She did as she was told.
« No, right here. » Duncan said and pointed straight at his eyes.
Rinoa stared deep into them and noticed those eyes had some sort of an hypnotic
effect. « I want you to remember everything. »
She close dher eyes and tensed up as she felt herself spinning through space
again.
« Relax. » Duncan said in a soft voice. « I'm right here
with you. Squall's here too. Don't worry. »
She seemed to relax a bit.
« Now tell us what you see or feel. »
« Drifting farther away from the Ragnarok, from the planet
oxygen is running out and life support is about to shut down. I hear these words
»
« What words ? »
« Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec. Then I see Edea,
Adel, Ultimecia and myself standing next to each other. Then the visor
shatters and »
Rinoa's eyes flew open.
« It's okay. » Squall reassured her, then looked at Duncan who
stood in the corner, thinking.
« Well ? What do you think ? »
« She's right. » he replied while staring out the window at the
world coming to life all around them as the sun began its ascent. « This
isn't just a dream. It's trying to tell her something. »
« But what is it ? »
« That I don't know. » Skywalker said. « Yet. But I
have to know, did something out of the ordinary happen in the past ? »
« No not that I know of » Squall said thinking. « Oh
wait, there was that event where she became a Sorceress. »
« But that was over when Time Compression was lifted, right ? »
Rinoa asked.
« That's what I thought too. » Squall added.
« What about this : » Duncan said while he turned away from the
window to face the two beloved. « What if it was over when Time Compression
was lifted, but some of this Sorceress power has remained behind in a dormant
phase and became active because of the dream. »
« Like a sleeping virus ? » Squall said.
« In a matter of speech, yes. » Duncan admitted, then turned to Rinoa.
« How do you feel ? »
« A bit woozy, but I'll manage. » she replied.
« Come on, let's try something. » Duncan said and moved to the
door. The two followed him to the circular body of water along Garden's
main arching corridor. « Okay. Now, look at the water below and think of
ice or the North Pole or something. »
Rinoa looked down at her reflection and thought of a snow storm. The water instantly
froze up so fast it took the two by complete surprise as it did with every other
SeeD who saw it happen.
« Bingo. » Duncan said. « Some of it remained behind. She's
still a Sorceress. »
The small railroad car carrying Irvine, Selphie,
Zell and Cloud raced out of the tunnel and into Balamb Station. They set the
car off the tracks and ran out of town straight to Balamb Garden.
« Now that they know we were there, they might come after us with tanks
or something. » Cloud pointed out.
« Maybe. » Irvine replied while running. « But we're
prepared. We know what they're up to. »
« Would you just keep running. » Selphie complained. « We'll
explain everything to Cid and Squall when we get back. »
« Okay okay. » Irvine kept running. After a full hour they reached
Balamb Garden.
They ran in and found Squall, Rinoa and Duncan near the entrance to the Dormitory.
« Squall, bad news. » Zell said.
« We'd better go see the headmaster. » Selphie suggested.
Squall nodded. « Good idea. »
Moira joined them. « Hey, what's up ? »
« Trouble. » Duncan said.
Duncan stayed with Rinoa while Squall, Irvine, Selphie, Zell and Cloud went
to the third floor to inform Cid.
« What kind of trouble ? » Moira asked as the others disappeared
from view behind a corner.
« From what I've heard, big trouble. »
« Duncan ? » Rinoa began.
« What is it ? »
« What does Fithos Lusec Wecos Vinosec mean ? »
« Literally it means Succession of Witches. Guess that's true,
huh ? »
« Guess so. » Rinoa admitted. « But what if Ultimecia possesses
me again ? »
« Ultimecia ? » Moira asked. « She's gone. I mean,
you guys beat the crap out of her. She's history. »
« Yes, but »
« Look, Rinoa. » Duncan said firmly. « I've been studying
your databases for any reference about this Ultimecia and she only could exist
in a time compressed world. Due to your and SeeD's actions Ultimecia's
time compressed world was destroyed. She can't come back. Not ever. »
« I guess you're right. » she admitted.
« Hey, don't be so down. » Duncan said reassuringly. « Concentrate
on the here and now. » He looked over the still frozen body of water. « No
one can predict the future. »
Rinoa looked up and gaped at him. « That's what I told Squall in Timber.
No one can predict the future'. »
« Keep that in mind. »
« I will. »
« So what's next ? » Moira asked.
« I'm going to the Library. » Rinoa said and moved off.
« We wait for any updates on what we're gonna do. The others'll
let us know. » Duncan said.
« Okay. » she said and also leaned on the railing with her elbows.
Duncan gave her a sideways glance. God, they look so alike.
« Something wrong ? »
« No, just that you and Charlene look alike. Almost like twins. »
« You really loved her, didn't you ? »
« With all my heart. You couldn't imagine how happy we were. »
« You're right. I can't. »
Duncan took his wife's ring in his hand.
« That's her ring ? »
« Yeah. She gave it to me just before she died. She told me never to forget
her. And I haven't. »
He turned and gazed in her eyes. Saw the glint there. « I don't think
you're following me around just to keep an eye on me. »
« Okay. » Moira admitted. « Guilty as charged. I mean :
you're a good looking guy and I »
« Was looking for someone to spend your life with ? »
« Yeah. Exactly. »
« Can't blame you. You're a good looking girl. In fact, I could
call you Charlene by mistake. It sometimes almost happened. »
Moira laughed. « Really ? »
« Yeah, really. »
She looked into his eyes. « Maybe this could work out. »
« Who knows. You want to get out of SeeD, am I right ? »
« Yeah. But don't get me wrong, I like it here. But I want a more
quiter life, without fights. If you know what you mean. »
« I know exactly what you mean. »
Both Moira and Duncan knew they had a deeper insight into each other.
