Disclaimer: You know I don't own any of it…
Note: I am still sick…
Chapter 19: Whew
Rinoa looked up at Squall confused. Last time she remembered, she was telling him off. Now he looked at her from the lobby floor in the Garden.
Rinoa: How did I get here? What the hell is going on?! Why is he looking at me like that? Why is my arm numb?
Squall: Rinoa?
Rinoa: Who else would it be?! Yes?
Squall: Do you remember anything?
Rinoa: I…was yelling at you…and now I'm here…
Squall: So since this morning. That's why she dropped her attitude suddenly. Gawd, I must have sounded like an idiot to her, and Oceania. F___.
Rinoa: How did I get here?
Squall: You were possessed again.
Rinoa: By who?
Squall: It doesn't matter. Are you okay?
Rinoa: ……Yeah. My head hurts a little, and my arm was numb, but it's okay now.
Squall: Good. Don't tell anyone, okay?
Rinoa: Okay…
Squall helped her up, and looked at her pitifully. She had no clue what was going on, and he felt miserable. He wanted to tell her, but he'd have to explain why she was passed out in the dormitory hall. He'd have to explain why they were in his room, and what he almost did. He was kind of glad the he didn't get what he wanted because he'd have to explain to Rinoa what had happened. It was her body after all.
She stood next to him, and stared at the ground. Her eyes traced the paint, and she finally looked up at him, and smiled.
Rinoa: So, who was it?
Squall: …
Rinoa: Oh, was it that girl? …(got no answer)…Well, she's a sorceress then. I'd like to meet her.
Squall: …I don't know if you can. Why?
Rinoa: She's a sorceress too, right? I want someone I could talk to… Someone who understands…
Squall (realizes she's hurting too): Are you okay?
Rinoa (smiles): Yeah. You can never have too many friends, right?
Squall: How's your arm? Is it really okay? (takes a look at one)
Rinoa: Wrong one, and it's fine. So, how about you walk me to Dr. Kadowaki's office. I need some aspirin.
Squall: Okay.
they walk
Rinoa: So, how long have I been out?
Squall: Since this morning I guess.
Rinoa: Oh… What time is it?
Squall: A little past 12.
Rinoa: A few hours then?
Squall: Yeah.
Rinoa: So, what did I miss?
Squall: …Nothing really.
Rinoa: Okay. (bumps into Odine) Sorry.
Odine: Svall! Itz you! I have vinished my vork. Everyving is ready to go.
Squall: Tell everyone to take their positions. Rinoa, let's get your aspirin, and come with me.
Odine: Oveh. (runs to Xu)
Squall: Let's go.
___________________________
Everyone was assembled, and the team was on the Ragnarok. Squall gave them their orders again, to make sure there wasn't any screw ups.
Squall: Wait until we reach Dollet, and then start your magic calling cards, Rinoa. Okay?
Rinoa (nods): …
Squall: Selphie, you'll stay at the controls the whole time. Irvine, Zell, and Quistis, we'll all stay on guard, and make sure Rinoa is kept safe. We'll place her in the elevator. Then the sorceress should go in to get her, and then we seal them both. We'll take them to Esthar, where they'll be unsealed, and dealt with. Any questions?
Selphie: When did you want to take off?
Squall: After we get radio contact that the Garden is in position from Xu.
Irvine: Maybe we should get closer to the Garden first.
Squall: No. We need her to know that we have Rinoa in the elevator. She won't fall for the hologram trick. Odine already tried that on a failed mission. She apparently knew about Adel.
Zell: I dunno, man. This seems risky.
Quistis: Wasn't Ultimecia risky?
Irvine: More like risqué…
Squall: We have no choice.
Xu (on radio): Come in….Come in?…
Quistis: Ragnarok here. Do you copy?
Xu: Yes. We are in the dragon's nest. I repeat we are in the dragon's nest.
Quistis: Okay Baby Flame, we copy. Over, and out.
Zell: Baby Flame?
Quistis: Selphie named the Garden, not me.
Squall: Maybe we are doomed… Let's go.
The Ragnarok lifted off in a blaze of glory as the villagers in Fisherman's Point looked on in fear, disgust, and wonder. They had modified the Garden for war, and helped Odine with the elevator. Had they done the right thing? Helping send kids off to their deaths?
+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*
{My version of Liberi Fatali plays in the background}
In the pitch-blackness of nothingness, a faint cry could heard. She cried out in agony, and pain. She cried out in frustration.
Oceania: NO! Don't kill them! Please!
Woman: He hurt you. What more reason do I need?
Oceania: It all must stop! Stop hurting people!
Woman: Why? We know we need it. I wouldn't be doing this otherwise. We need it to survive.
Oceania: I'd rather die than to kill Squall!
Woman: He hurt you. He doesn't give a f___ about you. He loves her.
Oceania: No…
Woman: I'm right, aren't I?
Oceania: It's still wrong…
Woman: I frankly don't give a f___. (leaves)
Oceania: Noooooooooooo!
