Disclaimer: I do not own FF8 in any way and all the characters from the
game are not mine.
AN: Here it is, Chapter 19. Sorry for the cliffhanger in Chapter 18 =P But it's for the suspense so you guys will keep coming back! You guys are the best and at the end of this chapter I'm gonna give shout outs so stay tuned!
Chapter 19: Fire and Wind Rinoa's POV
I stood rooted to the spot. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. I hoped it wasn't true. I willed myself to believe that Squall was just faking it.
I wasn't stupid. The moment Squall whipped out Lionheart I knew what was going on. I put two and two together and saw the answer clearly. Too clearly.
I knew Squall wasn't faking it. The two metasites guarding the door were laughing. Their plan had worked. It was too well planned out to have gone wrong. Impossible for us to see it coming. The only thing that would have given it away was...Squall.
Squall was the thing that could have ruined it all. But after that fight with Raijin he convinced all of us that he was on our side. After all, he saved all of our lives...Only to slaughter us plus the rest of Balamb. How could we have let our guard down so easily?
Another question was how Raijin survived that fight with Squall. I remember the scene and I remember seeing Raijin with his control orb cut and blood spilling everywhere. In fact, he bled so much that the whole battle scene was covered in a yellow mist. So how the hell did he survive? That was bothering me.
It was also bothering me how Raijin took down three metasites at once. First of all it sickened me...I wanted to throw up. Those were people I knew and the way he butchered them made me feel like there were snakes slithering up my throat. Some people in my class were actually hunched over throwing up already but I willed myself not to die looking weak so I prepped myself for battle. But barfing was the least of my worries. If Raijin did that to metasites, then he would turn all of us into hamburger meat in a matter of seconds.
And what about that other metasite? She didn't look as deadly as Raijin, that's for sure. But the cool way in which she handled herself sent shivers up my spine. It gave the impression that she didn't even have to step in to take us down. Almost like she was a backup.
Well, one thing I didn't have to worry about was Selphie. She ran off to the bathroom just before the attack. I can only hope she's not in trouble.
Anyways, Squall was still holding his sword's tip up to the Headmaster's neck. Why didn't he attack yet? He didn't LOOK like he was hesitating. His arm was steady and he had his eyes focused on Headmaster Cid's throat. The Headmaster had a weird expression on his face, a mixture of awe and anger I'd say.
"Come on Squall. Let's finish it, ya know?" Raijin said.
"QUICKLY"
The unknown metasite spoke that one word loudly and clearly. Her voice seemed dark and dangerous contrasting greatly with her lightly colored armor.
Squall's eyes darted towards them and fixed them with a penetrating stare.
"Get it over with, ya know?"
What is up with that guy and his "ya know's"?
"NOW"
Raijin's partner seemed to speak very little but very loud. They were an odd pair. But also a dangerous pair...
Squall still had his gaze fixed on them. Then I could have sworn he glanced at me at that moment but it was too fast to see.
In one swift movement, Squall turned and faced the two metasites and whipped out an open palm towards them. Trails of blue vapor followed Squall's hand and then an impossibly bright flash erupted from the tip of Squall's fingers.
BANG!
The sound was deafening and I covered my ears as well as my eyes. But only for a second. When I opened them I was just in time to see Raijin's partner dash along the wall towards Squall while Raijin himself was on one knee balancing himself with his giant sword and shaking off fragments of what looked like ice.
FWAPP! CLANG!
Squall's blade flashed impossibly fast in front of my eyes and he pushed Raijin's partner back by striking at her sword. She must've unsheathed it when Squall unleashed that beam. Her sword was not very thick at the base but grew thicker at the tip. It had a curved blade and looked wickedly damaging. She held it at her side and waited for Raijin.
"TRAITOR" she bellowed.
"What the hell, ya know?" Raijin said while gasping. Squall just kept his eyes shifting from one of them to the other with his sword held loosely at his side pointed towards the ground. He looked relaxed and was standing straight up, a terrible posture for fighting. He didn't even look like he wanted to fight.
"Listen up, Fujin. You too Raijin, 'cause I'm only saying this once. Get the hell out of here or you're both dead. Oh and Raijin, in case you're so stupid you haven't figured it out yet....This is not a mock fight. I WILL kill you this time." Squall said.
He said it with an unwavering voice. What the hell was he doing? Was he on our side again? I couldn't tell. After what he did to all of us, I wasn't sure if I should ever trust him again.
"Up yours Squall. You're not gonna win, you know? Not against BOTH of us, ya know?" Raijin said.
"FOOLISH" the other metasite, Fujin, said.
Then Fujin used the boosters on her back to quickly get around to the other side of Squall while Raijin charged him head on. I didn't expect it at all. How could they be so ruthless to their own teammate? I didn't know which side I was on. It sure looked like this was going to be a real fight but how could I be sure? That last fight Squall had with Raijin looked like a real fight too.
They were going to sandwich Squall. Fujin had the back and Raijin was already attacking. He swung his huge sword right at Squall's head. It was a blow that would have decapitated any living thing. But Squall ducked and it missed him by inches.
FWAPPP! FWAPP!
My eyes couldn't track the movement. All I saw was Raijin suddenly stumble back as if he was hit in the chest by a semi going 200 mph. Fujin also hit the ground hard but quickly gather herself back up and hold a hand to her face like she had been slapped.
"First one's a warning." Squall said. "Next time you won't be hit with the blunt side of the sword. You're just lucky I still follow the code."
What's he talking about? What code? Unfortunately, I didn't have time to debate these questions because my mind was occupied with a lot more junk at the moment. What junk you ask? Well, there was the fact that I STILL didn't know who to trust. And me wondering if I should take the opportunity to get the hell out of there like some people were trying to do even though Raijin had sealed the door shut by melting the frame with some sort of heat wave. And the most recent thing that racked my brains. What Squall just did.
Squall didn't even have his stance ready or his blade up. I didn't see him attack. All I saw was a bright flash on blue and then Raijin's stumble and Fujin getting knocked down. Squall now held his blade at shoulder's length but the attack was so fast that my eyes seemed to miss the part where the blade was supposed to move from one point to the other.
I knew Squall was good. But this was just ridiculous!
Fujin was getting ready to attack again and Raijin had already started moving forward when they both suddenly stopped in their tracks and put a hand up to the side of their heads. It was like they were listening to something. Probably a walkie talkie sort of device imbedded in their ears. They were both still and glaring at Squall and nodding a little bit.
"LEAVE" said Fujin.
"This isn't over, ya know? You're going to regret siding with Balamb, ya know?" said Raijin.
Then Fujin held a hand to the ceiling of the Quad and blasted a clean hole in the solid steel of the Quad. The duo then retreated amidst falling debris and quickly vanished from sight.
I didn't know whether to slap Squall or give him a big hug...So I decided to do both.
Squall was slowly removing his metasite armor and his face became visible again. He was pale and his eyes were staring blankly ahead. I still didn't know whether or not I should even approach him but something inside of me assured me that it would be okay. So I cautiously walked towards Squall and was overcome by a sudden and overwhelming anger which I have never before felt.
I ran towards him and he looked at me. I could see sadness in his eyes but I didn't care. He had betrayed us. He had betrayed me. I ran at him and slapped him cleanly across the face (damn that felt good!). And he just stood there.
"Why did you let me do that?" I asked. I knew that I was way too slow to actually hit him had he not wanted to be hit.
"I deserved it." he said.
Then it was as if everything that happened before melted away into nothingness. Because I looked into his eyes and I saw the warmth and caring that was in those pale blue orbs. And I felt both sad and happy. A very weird feeling if you have never felt it before.
I was just about to give him a hug when he stopped me. He stopped me before I could hug him and feel him close to me. He just looked down and in the softest of whispers said.
"I can't."
And he walked away with all the eyes of the people in the Quad fixed on him. About two seconds after he walked out of the exit, Selphie burst in supporting a battered looking Irvine with a bad leg.
"WHOO HOO!!! We kicked their ASSES!" she said with this huge grin which was totally unfitting for the time since everyone was either helping the wounded, concerned/worried/scared of Squall's condition, or doing both.
It was then that I realized what I felt on my hand when I slapped Squall...cold sweat.
AN: Okay! Finally finished this chapter! For those of you wondering when this story is gonna end...it's not gonna end for a very long time =P Good thing right? So you guys have more to read? Anyways, shout out time! Haven't done this in a while.
Lugia-mew: Rinoa's here now! Glad you like the fic. I'll try to update at least once a week.
remote mine: *insert evil laugh* I was hoping the plot twist was big enough that people would not see it coming lol
huh: sorry about the turn of events =( But don't worry, it IS a Squinoa after all! Just wait and see!
zornoid1: well, if you read the previous chapters carefully, you'll notice a lot of subtle hints I dropped here and there about Squall being a spy (like his little talk with Martine in the morning, think about why Martine would ask him to his office for no reason ~_^)
Ari-Morrigan: thank you! That's quite a bit of praise there! I know cliffhangers are evil so I'm trying to cut down on them. I just couldn't resist though...
CTHKSI- Oh this story is far from the climax! In fact, I'd say this is just starting the rising action! I know there's quite a bit of lying in the story *sweatdrop* but I wanted to give it a realistic feel. People lie a lot in real life lol And this story won't be resolving in a LOOONG time (hopefully). *eats cookie* Thanks!
Okay that's about it! I appreciate all your reviews and I'll try to put in shout outs more often! Oh and might as well tell you guys in advance...I'm going to be writing a prequel on this story very soon which will explain A LOT of things (Squall's life in Galbadia, how he trained as a metasite, etc. etc. etc.) and even if it doesn't sound very appetizing, give it a chance! I'm very excited about writing it and I think it'll be even better than this fic. Plus, this fic really can't continue without the prequel so I guess you have to read the prequel if you want the rest of the story to make sense. The prequel is actually just an add on to this story so it's like reading more chapters of this story (hard to explain). But I'll let all of you know where to find the prequel when the time comes and you can read from there! Take care!
AN: Here it is, Chapter 19. Sorry for the cliffhanger in Chapter 18 =P But it's for the suspense so you guys will keep coming back! You guys are the best and at the end of this chapter I'm gonna give shout outs so stay tuned!
Chapter 19: Fire and Wind Rinoa's POV
I stood rooted to the spot. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. I hoped it wasn't true. I willed myself to believe that Squall was just faking it.
I wasn't stupid. The moment Squall whipped out Lionheart I knew what was going on. I put two and two together and saw the answer clearly. Too clearly.
I knew Squall wasn't faking it. The two metasites guarding the door were laughing. Their plan had worked. It was too well planned out to have gone wrong. Impossible for us to see it coming. The only thing that would have given it away was...Squall.
Squall was the thing that could have ruined it all. But after that fight with Raijin he convinced all of us that he was on our side. After all, he saved all of our lives...Only to slaughter us plus the rest of Balamb. How could we have let our guard down so easily?
Another question was how Raijin survived that fight with Squall. I remember the scene and I remember seeing Raijin with his control orb cut and blood spilling everywhere. In fact, he bled so much that the whole battle scene was covered in a yellow mist. So how the hell did he survive? That was bothering me.
It was also bothering me how Raijin took down three metasites at once. First of all it sickened me...I wanted to throw up. Those were people I knew and the way he butchered them made me feel like there were snakes slithering up my throat. Some people in my class were actually hunched over throwing up already but I willed myself not to die looking weak so I prepped myself for battle. But barfing was the least of my worries. If Raijin did that to metasites, then he would turn all of us into hamburger meat in a matter of seconds.
And what about that other metasite? She didn't look as deadly as Raijin, that's for sure. But the cool way in which she handled herself sent shivers up my spine. It gave the impression that she didn't even have to step in to take us down. Almost like she was a backup.
Well, one thing I didn't have to worry about was Selphie. She ran off to the bathroom just before the attack. I can only hope she's not in trouble.
Anyways, Squall was still holding his sword's tip up to the Headmaster's neck. Why didn't he attack yet? He didn't LOOK like he was hesitating. His arm was steady and he had his eyes focused on Headmaster Cid's throat. The Headmaster had a weird expression on his face, a mixture of awe and anger I'd say.
"Come on Squall. Let's finish it, ya know?" Raijin said.
"QUICKLY"
The unknown metasite spoke that one word loudly and clearly. Her voice seemed dark and dangerous contrasting greatly with her lightly colored armor.
Squall's eyes darted towards them and fixed them with a penetrating stare.
"Get it over with, ya know?"
What is up with that guy and his "ya know's"?
"NOW"
Raijin's partner seemed to speak very little but very loud. They were an odd pair. But also a dangerous pair...
Squall still had his gaze fixed on them. Then I could have sworn he glanced at me at that moment but it was too fast to see.
In one swift movement, Squall turned and faced the two metasites and whipped out an open palm towards them. Trails of blue vapor followed Squall's hand and then an impossibly bright flash erupted from the tip of Squall's fingers.
BANG!
The sound was deafening and I covered my ears as well as my eyes. But only for a second. When I opened them I was just in time to see Raijin's partner dash along the wall towards Squall while Raijin himself was on one knee balancing himself with his giant sword and shaking off fragments of what looked like ice.
FWAPP! CLANG!
Squall's blade flashed impossibly fast in front of my eyes and he pushed Raijin's partner back by striking at her sword. She must've unsheathed it when Squall unleashed that beam. Her sword was not very thick at the base but grew thicker at the tip. It had a curved blade and looked wickedly damaging. She held it at her side and waited for Raijin.
"TRAITOR" she bellowed.
"What the hell, ya know?" Raijin said while gasping. Squall just kept his eyes shifting from one of them to the other with his sword held loosely at his side pointed towards the ground. He looked relaxed and was standing straight up, a terrible posture for fighting. He didn't even look like he wanted to fight.
"Listen up, Fujin. You too Raijin, 'cause I'm only saying this once. Get the hell out of here or you're both dead. Oh and Raijin, in case you're so stupid you haven't figured it out yet....This is not a mock fight. I WILL kill you this time." Squall said.
He said it with an unwavering voice. What the hell was he doing? Was he on our side again? I couldn't tell. After what he did to all of us, I wasn't sure if I should ever trust him again.
"Up yours Squall. You're not gonna win, you know? Not against BOTH of us, ya know?" Raijin said.
"FOOLISH" the other metasite, Fujin, said.
Then Fujin used the boosters on her back to quickly get around to the other side of Squall while Raijin charged him head on. I didn't expect it at all. How could they be so ruthless to their own teammate? I didn't know which side I was on. It sure looked like this was going to be a real fight but how could I be sure? That last fight Squall had with Raijin looked like a real fight too.
They were going to sandwich Squall. Fujin had the back and Raijin was already attacking. He swung his huge sword right at Squall's head. It was a blow that would have decapitated any living thing. But Squall ducked and it missed him by inches.
FWAPPP! FWAPP!
My eyes couldn't track the movement. All I saw was Raijin suddenly stumble back as if he was hit in the chest by a semi going 200 mph. Fujin also hit the ground hard but quickly gather herself back up and hold a hand to her face like she had been slapped.
"First one's a warning." Squall said. "Next time you won't be hit with the blunt side of the sword. You're just lucky I still follow the code."
What's he talking about? What code? Unfortunately, I didn't have time to debate these questions because my mind was occupied with a lot more junk at the moment. What junk you ask? Well, there was the fact that I STILL didn't know who to trust. And me wondering if I should take the opportunity to get the hell out of there like some people were trying to do even though Raijin had sealed the door shut by melting the frame with some sort of heat wave. And the most recent thing that racked my brains. What Squall just did.
Squall didn't even have his stance ready or his blade up. I didn't see him attack. All I saw was a bright flash on blue and then Raijin's stumble and Fujin getting knocked down. Squall now held his blade at shoulder's length but the attack was so fast that my eyes seemed to miss the part where the blade was supposed to move from one point to the other.
I knew Squall was good. But this was just ridiculous!
Fujin was getting ready to attack again and Raijin had already started moving forward when they both suddenly stopped in their tracks and put a hand up to the side of their heads. It was like they were listening to something. Probably a walkie talkie sort of device imbedded in their ears. They were both still and glaring at Squall and nodding a little bit.
"LEAVE" said Fujin.
"This isn't over, ya know? You're going to regret siding with Balamb, ya know?" said Raijin.
Then Fujin held a hand to the ceiling of the Quad and blasted a clean hole in the solid steel of the Quad. The duo then retreated amidst falling debris and quickly vanished from sight.
I didn't know whether to slap Squall or give him a big hug...So I decided to do both.
Squall was slowly removing his metasite armor and his face became visible again. He was pale and his eyes were staring blankly ahead. I still didn't know whether or not I should even approach him but something inside of me assured me that it would be okay. So I cautiously walked towards Squall and was overcome by a sudden and overwhelming anger which I have never before felt.
I ran towards him and he looked at me. I could see sadness in his eyes but I didn't care. He had betrayed us. He had betrayed me. I ran at him and slapped him cleanly across the face (damn that felt good!). And he just stood there.
"Why did you let me do that?" I asked. I knew that I was way too slow to actually hit him had he not wanted to be hit.
"I deserved it." he said.
Then it was as if everything that happened before melted away into nothingness. Because I looked into his eyes and I saw the warmth and caring that was in those pale blue orbs. And I felt both sad and happy. A very weird feeling if you have never felt it before.
I was just about to give him a hug when he stopped me. He stopped me before I could hug him and feel him close to me. He just looked down and in the softest of whispers said.
"I can't."
And he walked away with all the eyes of the people in the Quad fixed on him. About two seconds after he walked out of the exit, Selphie burst in supporting a battered looking Irvine with a bad leg.
"WHOO HOO!!! We kicked their ASSES!" she said with this huge grin which was totally unfitting for the time since everyone was either helping the wounded, concerned/worried/scared of Squall's condition, or doing both.
It was then that I realized what I felt on my hand when I slapped Squall...cold sweat.
AN: Okay! Finally finished this chapter! For those of you wondering when this story is gonna end...it's not gonna end for a very long time =P Good thing right? So you guys have more to read? Anyways, shout out time! Haven't done this in a while.
Lugia-mew: Rinoa's here now! Glad you like the fic. I'll try to update at least once a week.
remote mine: *insert evil laugh* I was hoping the plot twist was big enough that people would not see it coming lol
huh: sorry about the turn of events =( But don't worry, it IS a Squinoa after all! Just wait and see!
zornoid1: well, if you read the previous chapters carefully, you'll notice a lot of subtle hints I dropped here and there about Squall being a spy (like his little talk with Martine in the morning, think about why Martine would ask him to his office for no reason ~_^)
Ari-Morrigan: thank you! That's quite a bit of praise there! I know cliffhangers are evil so I'm trying to cut down on them. I just couldn't resist though...
CTHKSI- Oh this story is far from the climax! In fact, I'd say this is just starting the rising action! I know there's quite a bit of lying in the story *sweatdrop* but I wanted to give it a realistic feel. People lie a lot in real life lol And this story won't be resolving in a LOOONG time (hopefully). *eats cookie* Thanks!
Okay that's about it! I appreciate all your reviews and I'll try to put in shout outs more often! Oh and might as well tell you guys in advance...I'm going to be writing a prequel on this story very soon which will explain A LOT of things (Squall's life in Galbadia, how he trained as a metasite, etc. etc. etc.) and even if it doesn't sound very appetizing, give it a chance! I'm very excited about writing it and I think it'll be even better than this fic. Plus, this fic really can't continue without the prequel so I guess you have to read the prequel if you want the rest of the story to make sense. The prequel is actually just an add on to this story so it's like reading more chapters of this story (hard to explain). But I'll let all of you know where to find the prequel when the time comes and you can read from there! Take care!