Note: The last chapter was off track…again…
Chapter 38: TruthAfter everyone had their fun, they boarded the Phoenix. Selphie was the pilot, and Irvine sat in the copilot seat. Quistis sat w/ Zell, and everyone with their respective pairs. They were heading for Esthar, and Squall was rather hesitant. What if Laguna made them seal Oceania immediately? He didn't reveal his fear to her, but she knew he was worried about something due to his awkward silence. His hand held hers tightly, and she was half tempted to enter his mind, but decided not to. He considered it an invasion of privacy, and she honestly didn't blame him.
Dewn sat on Ellone's lap, quiet with sensing the feelings of others. She knew that her mother could change at any given time, and almost wanted to beckon Latisha, but she also knew Latisha blamed Squall for her present condition, and wanted him dead. To summon her meant instant death for her father. She quietly pondered these things, while playing with her cats cradle.
Zell, and Quistis sat making out in the cargo bay. Well, I won't go into detail…
Esthar came up on the horizon, Oceania's sins' scent becoming ever present to her. She stared off into space, and Squall noticed the change in her behavior. He shook her hand gently, but to not avail. He shook her shoulders, and she returned to her normal self. She calmed him by saying she was just in deep thought, but in reality she was talking to Latisha. The evil side had wanted a meal, and knew of a sorceress nearby. However, realizing she needed to curb her appetite, refused to relinquish the body to her. Latisha accepted, but reminded her that eventually they would need to eat again, and that eventually her hands would wipe out almost all sorceresses.
Squall looked hesitantly at his mistress, knowing better than to believe her white lies. Soon they were there however, and Esthar troops, being forewarned by Quistis of their landing, greeted them. Squall drew his gunblade in defense, but Oceania mad him sheath it. She had brought this upon herself, and must face the consequences. She surrendered to them, and they placed her into custody. Dewn watched her mother, and for the first time, realized that Oceania wasn't such a monster after all. Squall stood silent, watching her keep her dignity as the crow of people hurled insults, and objects at her. She looked at the crowd, and the fell silent. Just because she was under "arrest" didn't mean she could kill all of them in a single blow.
Oceania entered the police vehicle with grace, and dignity. Facing her fate was something she had longed for, to be sealed. She knew it was possible, and likely. Squall could only protect her so much, and his father was bent on her destruction after he got information. Kiros met the others as the exited the Phoenix, and was in awe. They had captured her willingly, and without much of a fight, save for when Rinoa perished.
They were transported to the President's Office, and Squall barged in, looking for Oceania. She sat, in a small sealing device, on the chair in front of Laguna's desk. Laguna himself stood by a window, staring out at the city below. Squall began to run to Oceania, but Ward stopped him. Laguna turned towards his son, and let him see him in a moment of weakness. Laguna's eyes were bloodshot, and wet from tears.
Laguna: She… killed… Julia.
Zell: Didn't she die ina car accident?
Laguna: No one saw the markings of murder, cold-blooded murder, when she crashed. She was killed while she was driving, and they thought her mutilations were due to the accident… How could you?
Oceania: …
Laguna: How could you?!
Oceania: Do you really want to hear the truth? The cold, heart wrenching truth?
Laguna: Tell me!
Oceania (coldly, and uncaring): I knew she was Rinoa's mother. I knew then that Rinoa would fall for Squall, and the thought hurt my deeply. I also knew that she was a sorceress, and that a possible food source. Also, she was the one you loved before Raine… Things simply fell into place. So I killed her, and absorbed her powers. That was when I realized that this could be a possible way for my revenge… on everyone.
Squall: Latisha?
Latisha: Yes, to a degree. You see, Oceania killed Julia herself, but felt guilt afterwards. So that's why I kill instead if her. I am rather uncaring, and (to Laguna) unsympathetic. Now, let me go, or else.
Laguna: You can't free yourself from that. Odine made it himself.
Latisha: Oh, wow, there's a surprise. Didn't you ever get inside one? There's a small break in the barrier that is weak enough to penetrate with magic. Also, there is an emergency exit bar too. Brilliant work, don't you say?
Laguna: Don't. Where's Raine?!
Latisha: Again you utter her name! Why?! I told you not to!
Laguna: She was my wife! What give you the right to say it yourself?
Latisha: She was my friend! When no one else in Winhill gave a damn about me, she did. When you were away chasing Ellone, and taking care of Esthar, I was the one that stayed with her. I was there when she found out she was pregnant, and she was there when I was taken away.
Laguna: Taken away?
Latisha: Yes, a signed decree by the president of Esthar: That all sorceresses be exterminated. And you wonder why I don't ask to obtain the powers I seek. They'd be put to death if they were found. I kill them before you get a chance to.
Laguna: I don't' remember that law.
Latisha: "Article 9, Section 14 of the Esthar Rules of Conduct: Should the presence of a sorceress become known, all personnel are to take action to ensure the demise of the sorceress, and any or all that may accompany her as accomplices. Should the plan possibly fail, take ant means necessary for the sorceress's demise." And that is how Raine really died, Squall. Protecting me from a special ops team of sorceress assassins. You were only a baby then, and I was barely able to hide your identity from my sisters. I went to great lengths to spare you, and this son of a b____ ruined it. That's also why Ellone knew me. She remembered me.
Laguna: I am the reason Raine died…?
Latisha: Face it buddy. You f___ed up. Also, due to you, I had to stay under the radar for a very long time. Raine was going to help me look for my daughter, but I couldn't because of you! My daughter hates me, and …sobs
Squall (pushes past Ward): Oceania?
Oceania: Yeah, whenever she gets to a certain point of our emotions, she lets me back. She considers crying a weakness.
Squall: Funny, Laguna thinks the same way…
Laguna: What? There's more than one person in there?
Squall: You're beyond stupid…
Laguna: …That settles it. After much debate…
Squall: Yeah, two seconds.
Laguna: …I will have her sealed for the protection of the people, and for herself.
Squall: No!
Laguna: I could have her face capital punishment, but because she is cared by you, and knew Raine, I will let her live.
Squall: What difference does it make?! Either way she's not with me!
Irvine: Squall sharing his emotions, that's rare.
Squall darts an evil look: I promised her my help, and I refuse to let her down. She agreed to be sealed afterwards, and to revive Rinoa.
Oceania: Rinoa…
Squall: Let her be under my protection.
Laguna: I have an idea, but you may not like it. Then again, you may love it…
