BREAKING THE MIRROR
Disclaimer – I don't own any of the FF8 characters etc, but I do however own some original characters that are going to be included in this story, and the imagination I have to give them life. Hope you like it…
Also huge thanks to Michael Kenny for letting me use a technique he invented (will use it in due time! Oh, and read his fics. Top notch!)
(A/N – This chapter has a fairly large amount of fighting, violence and carnage in it. Apologies if you find that kinda thing disturbing. Craig)
Chapter 9 – Devils Night
'You don't fuck around with the infinite'
(Balamb Garden)
He looks up at it, in all its majestic glory. His coat closed around him, flaps gently from the rotor blades of the Garden above him. Tilting his head slightly, he looks at it further. It was so beautiful in his eyes, the golden ring whirling round slowly as it keeps the said Garden hovering. Why it was sitting here just outside Timber is beyond him, but he doesn't really care about it. All he cares about is getting inside, which wont be difficult, as there is a huge auto-ramp leading up to it. It looks like a long walk, but he will get up there eventually.
He almost reaches the bottom of the ramp. 2 SeeDs stand guard there. Ignoring them, he walks up to the start of it. The SeeD on the left puts up a hand.
"Who are-" he is cut off as the man in the coat grabs his arm, rips it out of its socket, and in one fluid movement, smashes his other fist into the bottom of his nose. The mans nose snaps audibly into the back of his head. His eyes roll back and he drops dead. The other SeeD goes for his weapon, but he simply crouches and suddenly raises one leg, booting him in the temple. His head jerks back and snaps audibly. Before he too flops to the ground. Looking at them with a small sense of pity, Mirror sets off, his head filled with one thought.
Such a beautiful place, too bad I have to destroy it. I don't care what they think, or Vince. Squall is dead. And I don't care what they say.
A bit further away, at the entrance to Timber, a guard witnesses the whole thing. He leaves his post and runs off, to find the SeeD's who came into town.
(Squall – Timber – 'Forest Fox' House)
Rinoa looks at the woman, her mouth hanging open as they sit in the woman's house. The same house thy used to hide in when the TV station incident happened. They are here for Rinoas purpose. Seifer also used this to be dropped off at FH, to go to Esthar where he was going to tell Laguna and company there about what is happening.
"He really did liberate Timber? I- It really is independent?" she asks.
"Yes," Mrs. Oldham, owner of the house says to her. "The troops withdrew this morning. And haven't been seen since. Only 'guards' of any sort have been our own."
Rinoa turns to Squall, Quistis and Irvine, all three collectively raise their eyebrows. Rinoa cannot help but smile.
"That's amazing! Wow, he really did do it, I mean I thought he was having us on."
"It's a damn fine vote winner, that's for sure," says Irvine gruffly. Squall agrees.
"Too right. Makes him look good. I think this is the only nice gesture we might see from him though. Apart from changing the prison that is."
"This is wonderful!" says Mrs. Oldham. "At last I can walk down the street without getting hassled." She sniggers. "One time, they thought I had a couple of grenades hiding in my bra. They just didn't accept I was a big girl."
The others laugh lightly. Rinoa hugs the old woman, and turns to leave. She is almost bowled off her feet when a guard rushes in. In almost a heartbeat, Irvine, Quistis and Squall have their weapons leveled at him. The guard shouts, panting.
"SeeD's, come quickly…an…intruder…entered your Garden."
Squall drops his weapon. "What? Take your time and explain." The guard regains his breath, and starts again.
"I saw a guy go to the ramp leading up to Garden, he just went and killed the 2 SeeD's guarding it, then proceeded to go up the ramp. I decided to come warn you!"
Quistis suddenly grabs the guard. Irvine and Rinoa look at him with horror on their faces.
"What did he look like?" She snaps at him.
"He was wearing a big black coat, and he had… long…red-blonde hair."
Squall has already tore out of the room. Rinoa chases and Irvine follows close behind. Quistis look at the man one last time, then runs out the door.
(Balamb Garden)
Mirror reaches the top of the ramp. Looking back down, it is some walk. But he isn't even tired.
He wonders what he will go up against once he is inside. He knows Squall and company will be there. Just a matter of time to see how much damage he can do to the place before they arrive…
He bashes open the door. Walking in, he realizes the ramp is actually an emergency exit of sorts. A huge door leads off to his left. Judging by the breeze coming from it, it must be a balcony of sorts. Looking to his right, he sees a corridor bending away from him. He looks around again. There is no one here. Funny, no one? Could it be they knew he was coming?
No, even they don't know. They sent the letter after all. He wonders vaguely what they will say when they see him. They will not be happy, as Vince said, but he had had it up to here with the pair of them.
He wanted Squall and his friends. Especially Squall. He was not one to pussyfoot about waiting.
Whoever said 'good things come to those who wait' must have been a right boring bastard, he thinks amusingly.
Tapping both sides of his coat, he loads the two Exeters, then sets off.
Time to destroy.
(Squall)
He stops and looks at the bodies. Anger crossed with horror is on his face. Quistis stands next to him, with the same expression. She mutters something.
"But… the letter must have got to him… why?"
"Who gives a shit!" shouts Irvine, running up the ramp already, we have to stop this!"
(Mirror - The Carnage Starts)
The lift pings jauntily as the doors open. 4 students stand waiting for it. They back off slightly as they observe the boy with the long coat and hair. He smiles slightly, flings open his coat he had unbuttoned, and grabs the Exeters. With one pull of both triggers, the Pulse ammo that flies from them obliterates the students. The bullets boom into the walls opposite, leaving holes there.
Other students suddenly drop everything and look as a man somersaults down the entire flight of stairs from where the two white beams flew. He holds his arms aloft, allowing the guns to open and empty their contents. He them swings them down, a clip from inside both sleeves of his coat slide smoothly into the open guns. Jerking them closed, and with the same fluid movement, he crosses his arms, one under the other, and opens fire.
The Fast ammo rapidly guns down anything moving. Some of the students are fast though and dive away. For others though, their fate is sealed as hundreds of bullets slam into them in various areas. No one caught in the gunfire survives.
Twirling his guns, they open and the empty clips fall out. He looks and sees student and now SeeDs alike burst out of various areas wondering what the noise is. Several have weapons.
Good, destroying the helpless gets boring very quickly.
He jerks his arms and two glowing yellow clips fill the guns. Not caring where he is aiming, he proceeds to blast anything and everything in his path. The Fire ammo fries anything in its path. As he does this, SeeD's and students fly for cover. He flicks his left leg out and something falls out his coat. He does the same again, and a SeeD recognizes the unmistakable shape of dynamite-bombs, small devices capable of blowing a building in half if enough were deployed. He screams at the others but is cut off when Fire ammo reduces him to nothing but a charred corpse. But he had already screamed enough. Walking forward more, the two devices emanate a huge boom each, blowing holes in the floor and walls. The water in the ring pool splashes up the way and them falls back down. Some SeeDs who were attempting to attack from behind are blown to bits, as they did not see what he dropped.
He wheels round and looks as a siren goes off in the Garden. A huge high-pitched sound. He sees the source and blasts it to smithereens with one well-aimed round. He drops one of the guns as a Flare spell smashes into the ground just in front of him. His Shell flashing slightly.
Looking up, he sees several SeeD's approach him. Around him, he sees others running. Using his free hand, he quickly jerks his hand into his right pocket, and pulls out another dynamite-bomb. Twirling it over his head and throwing it behind him, it booms a massive boom. He doesn't even need to look behind him as the screams and carnage ensues. He knows what it just done.
He comes to suddenly as the first SeeD attacks him. This one has a fairly large sword. About 5 foot. Swinging it, Mirror catapults over him to avoid it. With one well-placed kick, he breaks the SeeDs back with ease. The SeeD falls to the floor. Mirror steps back and crushes his neck with his boot.
The next SeeD has no weapon. Mirror immediately assumes this must be a member of Zell's fighting style. Holstering the Exeter, he readies his fists, flicking his eyes to an object on the ground. The other SeeD does the same. Stamping his foot to his right, the SeeD drops dead. Clearly too busy looking at him, he didn't see Mirrors other gun lying on the ground. Kicking it up, he grabs it and blasts the next 4 SeeD's into nowhere, as they were standing in a group.
Reaching into his left pocket, he pulls out another bomb. He tosses it in the direction of the Quad. It flies through the air and smashes just off target at the edge of the entrance to the Quad. But the destruction is the same as before. The bang blasts several students and SeeD's into nothing. Some limbs go flying and the floor is painted red as he watches it. His other hand still blasting anything that comes near him.
Then he stops.
Something tells him to turn around. He does so.
Standing there, just in front of some fire, is Zell. His fists are clenched, his eyes blaze hatred and anger, but his whole stance is one of calm. But ready to strike. Poised to kill.
Zell says nothing. Mirror holsters the other Exeter, and smiles. There is no one around them in the blazing fire. They have either died or escaped. But it didn't matter.
Here was one. He was the first.
"Hello Zell Dincht. Nice to finally meet you, without your brains getting scrambled."
"You are dead, Mirror," spits Zell.
"Let's find out" he says sharply, and bunches his hands into fists, his Ergheiz gloves creaking. Identical to Zells.
Zell levels his gaze and takes his stance, also fisting his hands.
(Squall)
Squall hears the carnage outside and runs as fast as he can. He was ready to use Haste, but he is already too close. An explosion rocks them. Irvine has his Exeter ready. He bashes open the door. SeeD's and students either scream or arm themselves. Selphie, leading several hundred of them, runs up to them. Squall immediately takes lead.
"Selphie! What-"
"Mirror! That Mirror guy! It must be! He looks exactly like you said!"
"Where?" snaps Quistis. Selphie looks at her as a junior student clutches her dress.
"Down in the first floor, Zell went after him…"
"Shit! He's dead!" shouts Squall, and takes off, the others follow.
"Irvine! Stay here and help!" roars Squall. Irvine stops running without question, and turns back to the others.
Squall looks over the bridge leading to the lift. He simply stares, as he looks at the fire and bodies below him. Several small explosions still go off, damaging the place further.
"Squall! There!" shouts Rinoa. Squall dashes to the other side as the lift opens.
Zell and Mirror are fighting, Zell is backing off, towards the Training Center.
"Where's he going?
Squall smiles slightly. "He's taking him to the Training Center. There's no-one there plus it keeps them out the way."
No more is said as Quistis hammers the button to take them down to the first floor.
(Zell)
To Zell, everything looks still around him. All he sees is the guy in front of him. His long black coat covering him, but it is clear from his stance that this is going to be a pure martial arts fight. Zell knows from what Seifer and Squall have said that he is basically going up against himself.
Zell smiles ever so slightly. This is going to be interesting.
He knows he may die, there is a very good chance of it. The best he can do is hurt him badly, or at the least, hold him till the others get here. If he is as good as Squall says, I will need help.
Suddenly he is alert as Mirror goes for him. Right fist first it goes for Zells heart. Zell using his forearm, blocks it and he snakes a swift left at his face. Mirror uses his free hand to catch Zells punch. Bringing a knee up, he collides with Zells knee, who seen it coming. Zell quickly digs Mirror a punch in the gut. It connects, but Mirror too gets a small kick into Zells leg. Zell jumps backward as Mirror, in full flight, attempts to behead him. The fire is all around them now, like a huge ring. Indeed, just to spook Zell out, it is a ring, a huge circle of fire.
Zell goes first this time. His punches and kicks are a blur. Three leg-kicks, one for the head, one for the waist, and one for the knees, are stopped in perfect unison by a leg of Mirrors. Zell merely flinches slightly, then adopts his 'fist' pose. Backside sticking out out, crouched very much forward, right leg straight out, left knee bent.
Mirror copies him. Zell doesn't even react to this, then goes for him. Booms emanate from their hands as they equal each other, punch for punch. Both men's fists colliding into each other. Neither seem to feel anything from it.
The fire encroaches into their 'ring'. Zell takes advantage of this. Stepping back further as still, blow-for-blow, their fists meet each other at various degrees of angle and velocity. But Zell is starting to hurt a little, Mirror shows no reaction. He steps back, shuffling his feet to confuse Mirror. It works for a brief moment as Mirror is caught in the fire. He backs up slightly, but this is all Zell needs, he races forward and plants a knee into Mirrors gut. He hears him wince as the wind is knocked out of him, but he doesn't see the fist racing up and with astonishing speed and power, smash into his cheek and sending him flying into the fire itself. Luckily, Zell uses his momentum to flip and splash into the water-ring. He looks around behind him as he gets up, dripping wet.
The Training Center.
Zell backs off, running backwards as Mirror goes for him. Mirror indeed still has a 'game-face' on, but there is frustration growing. Zell uses this and takes off for the Center. Out of the top of his eye, he sees 3 people look down ion him, and catches the familiar black and white of Squalls jacket.
He is distracted for a split-second too late, as Mirror smashes a fist into his stomach. He coughs loudly and a knee is smashed into his head. He feels blood on his face, as he is shoved backwards into the Center. They are in the corridor connecting it now. Zell wipes his hand quickly and uses an open palm to stop Mirrors next move. He drops down and kicks him just behind the left knee. Mirror grimaces and smashes his fist straight down into Zells arm, but Zell moves it in time and slaps Mirror in the face. Mirror actually falls and hits the ground from the blow, and rolls over. Getting up just as fast though, faster than what Zell though possible, who just got up, he attempts to push Zells face in. Zell grabs his fist with his hand. Then he grabs the other. They stand apart, their hands clasped in a 'test of strength' pose. Mirrors face is one of pure hatred and anger now, but Zell can tell he is still concentrating.
Zell screams as he bears his strength down on Mirror. Mirror yells back and pushes back. They are locked in an instant of power. The heat makes them both sweat. Blood pours down Zells face, none of it going into his eyes though. They both scream louder. Then suddenly, Mirror twists their arms downwards and forward-flips into Zell, his back smashing into him.
Zells legs buckle at this unknown maneuver. Mirror lands on top of him. Bending a way Zell never though possible, he flips up, freeing one of his hands and smashing it into Zells face. Zell yelps slightly, and attempts to roll away, but Mirror then kicks him savagely in the top of the head, a bit further down he would have killed him. Zell quickly comes to and catapults himself into a handstand, catching Mirror on the chin. Mirror again goes sprawling. Both stand apart, looking at each other. Zells head lolls about on his shoulders, but he quickly comes to. Mirror smiles at him.
"Amazing Zell, absolutely amazing. Too bad your small resistance ends here." His face suddenly falters as he looks over Zells shoulder.
Zell says nothing. But he turns around and looks at the 3 people standing at the entrance. Squall, Rinoa and Quistis. Zell turns back, and looks at Mirrors face quizzically: It is one of not anger, not hatred, nor even laughter.
It is one of fear and doubt.
"Squall, get –" Zell is about to say, but all he hears is "Zell!" from Squall as everything goes black on him…
(Squall/Rinoa/Quistis)
Squall watches as Mirror smashes a fist into Zells head the instant he turned back around.
"Zell! Look out!" he screams but it is too late. Mirror grabs him by the hair, spins him around and smashes a knee into his back. A loud sickening crack is heard. Zells eyes roll into the back of his head and close. Mirror throws him onto the ground. He looks up at Squall, not smiling.
"That was your fault, Squall."
Squall doesn't think. He draws out his sword and goes for him.
"Squall!" screams Rinoa, but Quistis grabs her.
"No, Rinoa, Zell is still alive, we need to get him out of here now. Squall will be ok, he's drawing Mirror away."
Rinoa looks around as Mirror jumps back, burling his coat and drawing his Lionheart. She watches in awe as the silver blade flashes in the fire, which is beginning to spread into the corridor.
"Aqua Breath!" yells Quistis, and water flies out of her whole being, dousing the fire. Rinoa runs up and casts float on Zell. She grabs him and tosses him over her shoulder. She turns to Quistis, then hands Zell to her.
"Rinoa, what are you doing?" she shouts at her, as Rinoa suddenly turns around and chases after Mirror and Squall, both of whom have spilled into the Center proper.
"Get him out of here Quistis! I'm not leaving!"
Quistis simply looks at her one last time, then leaves with the comatose Zell.
As she does so, she feels the Garden rumble slightly, as if it had began to move…
(Squall Vs Mirror)
Squall doesn't think straight. Anger rushes through him as he goes for Mirror. He doesn't care that he may be killed by him, he just wanted to hurt him. He charges after him as Mirror jumps backward a fair distance, spinning his coat and drawing Lionheart. Mirror is taken aback as Squall smashes his blade into his at an astonishing force. Mirror stumbles slightly as Squall still goes for him. Taking two big leaps backwards, he quickly casts Cura on himself. Zell did a fair bit of damage, but now he was better. His wounds healing quickly.
And quickly he needed, as Squall was bearing down on him. They smash though the gate side-by-side, clashing blades into a jungle-type area. Trees and fences surround them. Squall takes no notice. Neither does Mirror.
Mirror spins and bashes into Squall, but is momentarily shocked as Squalls blade batters his out of the way, almost causing him to lose his grip. He employs Squalls own two-handed grip and goes for him. Squall's strength seems to have multiplied and bears down on Mirror. Mirror keeps up though. The two of them seem to stand still, bashing each other's swords in a high-low-high-low movement.
Mirror dives up onto some rocks, and flips over Squall, but he is ready and nearly gets Mirror in the back. Squalls sword goes through his coat, but clangs into something metal. A flash of gold is visible from Mirrors back. Mirror grimaces slightly and swings, intending to take of Squalls head, but Squall ducks and swings upwards. Mirror blocks this blow and backs off, breathing heavily.
"Right, Squall, if it's hard you want…" he says as he grabs his other gunblade. Squall looks at him evilly and goes for him, not giving him time. Mirror is indeed flustered. He has drawn Gold Hyperion, but has barely had time to use it. He gets his rhythm though, but Squall will not let up…
(Quistis - 3rd Floor)
Quistis gets the lift up to the 3rd floor. She couldn't get off at the 2nd, as the fire had destroyed the bridge. Getting off the lift, she places Zell down and stands over him. She realizes that she cannot use magic for his back injury. Then something else suddenly hits her.
In the carnage that had ensued, the pilot must had started the engines and let the Garden move. There was no one piloting it, and she had no idea how to either.
She looks behind her and sees the town of Timber slowly drawing away. That was the good part. Another good part is she sees a large crowd of people. That must be the SeeD's and staff, she thinks. Looks like they got out OK.
But as she turns around, she realizes the bad part.
She looks on as the mountains loom into view.
(Squall)
Squall still goes for Mirror, whose face is one of twisted anger. Both his blades aim for him this time, but Squall bashes both out of the way. Then he hears something. Rinoas voice.
Stop Squall, I have an idea. Squall does so. And listens.
Something is up; he couldn't do this the last time, thinks Mirror. His eyes widen as Squall stands still, his eyes closed. His eyes then glow purple and suddenly his whole body does. Mirror readies his blades as he hears a word.
"Haste."
Mirror suddenly realizes that it wasn't Squall that said it. He spots a girl in blue, but has barely time to register as Squall appears in front of him. The three blades clash in an almighty assortment of bangs and clashes. The sound of metal upon metal. Monsters that were close by actually turn and flee from the carnage the two men are causing. Even a T-Rexaur, who was watching them from afar, turns and starts to run.
Power erupts from Squall, and Mirrors eyes widen. Both his gunblades are actually beginning to get dented from the barrage. This time, he takes over, going for Squall. He uses a pincer type attack, but Squall and Haste are just too fast. Squall vanishes and suddenly, Mirror finds himself booted in the side and tumbling into the rocks. He gets up as Squall disappears. Only his gut reaction stops him from being skewered like a piece of meat, crossing his blades over his head to stop him from being stabbed.
Mirror flies up and as if he cast stop on Squall, sees him. He levels both his gunblades and lets rip. Pulse ammo flies out from it. Aiming for the purple blur that is Squall. All his bullets cut a swath through the vegetation, bringing down trees and at one point, bringing down a part of the roof. Monsters are blown to smithereens as the beams cut right across their paths. The said T-rexaur that was watching earlier has its head blown off.
Rinoa watches them, then feels a rumble. She senses Quistis and what she saw, then feels her casting Mighty Guard on herself and Zell. Her eyes widen as she realizes what she did that for. Looking frantically for Squall, she sends him a telepathic message.
Squall, you need to get out of here, and fast. The Garden is going to crash into mountains! Quistis and Zell are still inside!
Squall, ducking and dodging from Mirrors blasts as they came out fast from his blades, hears Rinoas warning. Hiding behind a tree, Mirrors ammo is spent. Haste wears off him. He pants heavily. He stands out from behind the tree to look at Mirror, who also pants heavily. Squall begins to walk toward him, readying his sword. Mirror makes Lionheart point out furthest, Hyperion just behind it. Squalls blue blade glows and cut an arc through the air. Then both of them jump and practically fly at each other at the same time.
But an almighty bang causes the entire Garden to shake. Both men are thrown off their momentum as the whole place rumbles. All of a sudden the wall furthest away caves in and implodes bits of shrapnel fly everywhere. A particularly huge piece bounces off of Rinoa's shield. She hears a message from Squall. It screams at her of determination.
Get Quistis and Zell! Now! Don't argue or anything! Get them!
Rinoa hesitates, then spreads her wings, and tears from the Center. Squall stands and suddenly ducks as, even as the Garden begins to tilt at a ridiculous angle, Mirror continues the fight. Squall dodges and goes for him.
So be it, to the end, you bastard. Is all he thinks.
The same though is in Mirrors mind too.
(Quistis/Zell)
Quistis braces herself and clutches Zells comatose body as the Garden hits the mountains. The first thing she hears is an ear-splitting squeal as the golden ring hits the rock, then a massive boom as the Garden itself crashes into it. A huge cloud of fire erupts and the Garden seems to stop in mid air, before it begins to fall. It is not far off the ground, but begins to tilt at a ridiculous angle. Quistis puts her body over Zells, praying that her Mighty Guard is enough as they mountain looms into view. The floor suddenly collapses and she screams. She thinks she is falling but she feels a hand grab her and lift her off. Looking up he sees Rinoa's determined face and beautiful white wings. Rinoa flies from the Garden quickly, and touches down to the ground, a safe distance away.
"Rinoa. Thank you-" but she is cut off as Rinoa takes off again, heading straight back to the Garden. Only one though crosses her mind as she watches Rinoas white wings go back towards the Garden, which hits the ground with a huge boom, causing the Earth itself to seemingly shake.
Squall…
(Squall)
Squall falls backwards as the Garden makes another huge boom. A huge ball of fire flies out from the floor just a few feet away and races upwards, before exploding in a shower of yellow and red. Squall realizes he is in a tricky spot but doesn't have time to think. He aims his gunblade at Mirror who is advancing. He pulls the trigger and Mirror flies out of the way, bashing into the wall. Squall gets up and goes for him. The two of them are pressed against the wall, still fighting, oblivious to what is going on.
This is their last act, as the wall to their right is ripped open. Daylight streams in and both men fall to their right towards the hole. They cannot stop themselves as the Gardens tilt causes both of them to fall out. In a small mercy, the ground is only about 8 feet away, but they still both of them crash to the ground with loud thuds. Squall hears a crack and realizes he has just broken his left arm. Mirror crashes onto his back, one of his blades whacking into his face, but he flips up quickly.
Squall, astonished as to how Mirror somehow never felt that, also gets up, they both look at each other, Mirrors face a bloody red, then run as the Garden continues to come down. Had they stood there 2 minutes later, they would have been crushed.
Squall doesn't care where Mirror is, but instead he wheels round and sees a pair of angel wings, as pure as virgin snow, fly towards him. He smiles, then feels something tear into his side.
Looking to his left, he sees Mirrors Hyperion embedded into his waist, then he watches as Mirrors Lionheart is thrust into his right shoulder. He feels the cold metal puncture a lung. He looks into the bloody face of Mirror, whose face is crimson red. Then he collapses.
"NO!" screams a voice. Mirror withdraws the blades and backs off slightly, as Rinoa runs at them, her wings gone. Mirror mutters 'Haste', and takes off at high speed. Running towards Galbadia.
Rinoa drops down on her knees over Squalls rapidly panting body. Blood pours out of his wounds, he also coughs up various red droplets. Some of them thin some of them thick.
Rinoa, reaction taking over, closes her eyes, and places her hands on his chest. She summons the strongest Curaga she knows, and prays to Hyne that it will work. The energy flows through her, soft green and blue. Tears well in her eyes, as she looks at Squall, his eyes are closed now, but flickering. He coughs again, but no blood. A huge halo of warmth overcomes them both, and she watches as the wounds begin to heal. Slowly at first, then better and better. She smiles as he opens his eyes.
"Rinoa. Thank you…"
She kisses him once, then a sensation hits her. Her eyes glow blankly. Her mind is empty, then a voice talks to her, and only she hears it. Squall slowly sits up.
"Rinoa?"
She looks down at him, her eyes are glowing not their usual soft yellow, but an evil looking orange. Her white wings materialize from her back and open gently, fully extending. She floats off the ground a few feet. She closes her eyes and concentrates…
"Rinoa?" asks Squall, still breathing heavily. Rinoa looks at him, opening her eyes, and she speaks. Her voice is warped.
"Squall, even though you know this, I will never get tired of saying it to you."
Squall attempts to stand, but finds he can't.
"Say…what?" he splutters. Rinoa smiles. There is something about her smile that he does not like. There is sadness etched all over it. He watches as her wings begin to glow more rapidly now.
"I love you Squall. Forever and always."
"What? What are you going to do?"
She says nothing. Tears come to her eyes as they momentarily blink back to their own normal brown colour. Then they are gone, to be replaced by those evil-looking orange ones.
Then without warning, she takes off, at such a velocity she leaves a trail of fire and dust behind her.
Squall simply looks at the trail, and then the Garden as it burns down in front of him, the fire glowing an evil shade of yellow in the dusky sky…
(Phew! Quite a long chapter I know, but I feel it was worth it. More carnage/action to come in the next chapter. R/R please, all reviews welcome, thanks.)