Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII and all characters are creations of Squaresoft.
Summary: Slightly A/U. Raijin and Fujin search for Seifer after the Timber incident in Disc 1, only to find him brainwashed by the Sorceress Edea. He cannot recognize them any longer because of Edea's messing with his mind. How far will the posse go just to get Seifer's memories and the old him back?
"Blurring and stirring the truth and the lies
So I don't know what's real and what's not
Always confusing the thoughts in my head
So I can't trust myself anymore
I'm dying again
---"Going Under", Evanescence
(just a weed whom he has to step on in order to reach his dream)
Three days had passed since Edea's hostile confrontation with Fujin, but the memory was still fresh in Fujin's mind. Thinking about it only made her more uncomfortable. Was Fujin really that worthless to Seifer? Was he oh, so obsessed with his dream that what valued most to him were now merely nothing? She knew certainly that it wasn't true. But now, Seifer wasn't the same person she'd known for so long; instead, he was merely a shadow of his former self; a hollow shell whom the Sorceress would use to fulfill her deepest fantasies.
And so far, no matter how she tried, Seifer couldn't bring himself to remember his posse and the times they had together. Edea was always there to lure him away.
You're better off without her. She'll only fill your head with untruths. Don't listen to her.
Untruths! Fujin snorted. Who was the liar, the manipulator here? Was it her, or that wretched Sorceress, enchanting him with her vast array of spells and incantations?
She sighed and looked out the window. Noticing some people tying balloons to lampposts, she wondered what could have been the possible reason for their celebration. A national holiday...?
Oh, that's right. The parade.
Deling, back from his trip, was to introduce Edea as the new ambassador of world peace. He was supposed to introduce her a week ago, but because of the incident in Timber, led by none other than Seifer Almasy himself, it was cancelled and postponed. Edea was also expected to make a speech, and after that, an extravagant parade. Seifer would be there, too. By his mistress's side. As always.
Fujin left her dull room and decided to take a walk around the city for a while. She called for one of the servants nearby. "Tell the Sorceress I'll take a stroll around the city. I'll be back soon."
Deling City was, in contrast to Balamb's rustic and simple atmosphere, rowdy and alive. Typical for a city. Clubs, bars and shopping malls were aplenty. No wonder Seifer liked it here, Fujin thought. She shook her head to no one in particular. There I go again, babbling about Seifer. Why, why, why can't I get him out of my head, no matter how hard I try?
"Fuu! What'cha doin' here?"
Raijin again. He seemed to be on a roll lately. This was the oh, say, second or third time he'd interrupted her train of thoughts and brought her back to Earth. Not that she actually cared, anyway. He was a nice guy anyway. Sure, he was a bit slow (though not really a moron, as most people had perceived him to be), but he had a heart of gold deep inside. He'd never hurt a female---so much for the saying that chivalry was dead.
"WALKING."
"Can I walk with you?"
"SURE."
Raijin would stop to stare in awe at the towering buildings and the other sights of the colorful city. When they got to the Arch of Triumph, Raijin looked at her seriously. "You haven't got much sleep lately, ya know. I'm really worried about you, seriously. Something bothering you? Come on, I won't tell a soul, ya know. You know me. Swear." He held his palm up towards her as if to gain her trust.
"It's," Fujin began, then continued softly, as if whispering, "Seifer."
He looked pensive. "Is it true? He's been the cause of your troubles?" She nodded in reply. Raijin clenched his large fist. "I knew it! That Seifer sure has changed, ya know. So unlike the Seifer we know! He'd never double-cross his posse, right? Remember our little promise before? 'Posse forever'? That no-good!"
The petite woman elbowed him. "CALM DOWN. You talk too much. It's not what you think. It's not Seifer himself who's been troubling me. Edea and I just talked about Seifer, that's all. And she said...things. Some undesirable things. I don't want to talk about it, okay? Perhaps I'll tell you next time, but for now, my lips are sealed."
Seeing that his comrade was not in the mood to elaborate, Raijin decided not to talk about it any further. He decided to change the topic.
"You'll be watching the parade tonight, won't you?"
"AFFIRMATIVE. IF NO DUTY."
"Me too. Is Seifer gonna be there?"
"Of course. What would a Knight be without his Lady?" She shrugged. "I'll be heading back to the Presidential Residence now. Edea might get upset."
"See ya."
* * *
So much time had passed and before Fujin knew it, it was already night. The ceremonies were about to begin. Nearly everyone in town was busy, from the people in the Presidential Residence who were making sure Edea looked presentable and elegant, to the residents who were busy shoving and finding a good place to watch Edea speak. Fortunately, the Sorceress decided not to give her and Raijin any duties for the time being. Unnoticed by Edea, as she was obviously concerned with her debut to the public, she and Raijin managed to slip away and find a spot that offered a good view. Besides, Edea probably wouldn't have given a damn anyway if they left without her permission. She wasn't their mother, for Hyne's sake.
* * *
"Seifer." Edea's voice was like poisoned honey, so sweet but with such evil lurking within. She ran her fingers through her Knight's neatly combed blond hair. "Tonight is our night. Tonight, we start our plan. You are ready, are you not?"
"Yes, I am. But, my Lady, I have heard of rumors."
She pursed her lips and raised one eyebrow. "Eh? Hearsay? About what?"
"That some military officials are planning to stage a coup d'etat. And an assassination attempt."
A smile played on her lips. She stroked his cheek wistfully. "A coup d'etat. Well, there is nothing to worry about. Everything is in my control. Let's just see if their coup will still succeed. As for the assassination, I knew this would happen. It is but inevitable, as some people just refuse to accept that I, as of now, shall reign over Galbadia, and then the whole world. If I am right, SeeD will be facing me."
Seifer's eyes fixed on the floor. "SeeD..." Memories of his former home came flooding back to him.
The elegant beauty nodded. "Yes, SeeD. You might have to face your former rival. Squall. You remember, right?"
At once Seifer stood up with confidence. "Squall. How could I forget? He was always in my way. But they always favored him. That stoic, introverted prick Squall. He will breathe his last tonight."
"That's the spirit. Show the SeeDs that you are far more superior than them. Tell it to their faces that despite the times they told you that you were a failure, they look at you now and cower before you. Before me. Our reign is just beginning, Seifer. And to start with, we must eliminate SeeD. Forget about the foolishness of your youth. Turn back on your childhood days, Seifer. We WILL reign supreme."
* * *
"How many more minutes til it starts, Fuu?"
"Be still, Raijin. It's starting."
The crowd simmered down for a moment when President Deling stepped onto the podium and started introducing Sorceress Edea. They started cheering and applauding when the Sorceress herself approached the podium. Such a dignified and sophisticated beauty, shrouded in mystery. She was no fragile beauty, no damsel in distress.
Edea adjusted the mike. She smiled graciously, but Raijin and Fujin could see clearly that there was no sincerity in her smile. When she smiled, it often meant something was brewing.
"Lowlifes. Shameless filthy wretches."
From where they were staying, Raijin nudged his friend. "Didja just hear what she said? She insulted the crowd! And no one seems to mind, ya know!"
Fujin smirked and shrugged. "Either they're stupid, or they're under her spell." She looked at the person sitting next to her. His eyes were blank; a dazed, washed-out expression on his face. Sort of like---Seifer, except Seifer had a lot more common sense even under her spell.
"How you celebrate my ascension with such joy.
"Hailing the very one whom you have condemned for generations.
"Have you no shame?"
Raijin pointed above. Behind Edea was a raven-haired girl of about seventeen. She was swaying back and forth, obviously in a deep trance. "Hey! Isn't that...Rinoa?"
Rinoa. Rinoa.
Fujin had known Rinoa from last summer, when the posse was on vacation in Timber. She didn't really know whether Seifer and Rinoa were going out or not, but it was clear to see that Rinoa was infatuated with Seifer, and that they were really close, though not as close as the bond the posse shared. For some reason, Fujin felt like she really loathed Rinoa, even though it was hard to hate a cheery, friendly and optimistic girl like Rinoa. She felt that Rinoa was too much of a flirt and an impulsive ditz. Aside from that, she had this strong feeling that Rinoa was only using Seifer to fulfill her mission of liberating Timber. How Rinoa ever got to be the leader of the Forest Owls was a mystery to her.
"Screw her. She can just stay there for all I care." She was listening half-heartedly to the Sorceress now, growing less and less interested in what she was saying.
"What happened to the evil, ruthless sorceress from your fantasies? The cold-blooded tyrant that slaughtered countless men and destroyed many nations? Where is she now?
"She stands before your very eyes to become your new ruler. HAHAHAHAHA.
"A new era has just begun."
Deling looked at Edea, perplexed. What in the name of Hyne was she saying? He grabbed her roughly by the shoulder, as if demanding her to stop. But when the Sorceress glared at him with icy eyes, he could only muster meekly, "E-edea, are you alright?"
A look of pure malice shining in Edea's amber, catlike eyes, she grasped the President roughly. For a petite-framed woman like her, she posessed such strength. Almost inhuman strength. The President gasped for air, but his efforts were useless as his body soon grew limp. Edea tossed the body aside like a toy.
What's with her?!, Raijin thought to himself. Fujin shook her head. "She just killed Deling. I can't believe that. Somehow, I have a hard time believing she's even human."
"She might kill Rinoa next! Why doesn't she just run?" Raijin looked up again at Rinoa, a worried expression on his face.
Unmindful of the fact that the Sorceress had just murdered someone right before their eyes, the crowd continued waving flags and showing their support. Amused by this, the Sorceress continued. "This is reality. No one can help you. So sit back and enjoy the show."
"Rest assured, you fools. Your time will come. This is only the beginning. Let us start a new reign of terror. I will let you live a fantasy beyond your imagination."
As she turned to leave, she added, "But first, let us end this ceremony with a sacrifice." Her eyes focused sharply on Rinoa. The girl snapped out of her trance. This time she was gripped with terror. Edea gave life to two stone lizards, which instantly leapt and pounced on Rinoa. Scared, Rinoa tried to fend them off, seemingly forgetting the weapon held in her hand. Panicking, she ran inside a chamber, hoping that they would leave her alone, but they continued pouncing on her. Rinoa fainted from sheer terror.
"Poor Rinoa. She might die," Raijin sighed sadly.
"She's pathetic."
"What? Don't start that again." Raijin wondered why Fujin hated Rinoa so much. Was she jealous? Was she seriously in love with Seifer?
"I said she's pathetic. If she can't fight off those two Iguions, she surely can't go against a Sorceress. So much for being a resistance leader."
The dark-skinned man rolled his eyes. Sometimes, Fujin's opinions could be biased. But then, what she was saying did have some truth in them. "Oh, come on, Fuu. Rinoa's a nice girl and you know it."
"Then go save her, if you think she's soooo sweet."
Shifting the topic to avoid a small situation from getting bigger, Raijin pointed. "Look! The parade's starting."
There was a colorful display of fireworks and music---strangely eerie, for a parade, as the lavish float carrying Edea and Seifer began circling the city. Dancers, dressed in ridiculously garish costumes, were doing some sort of dance, which looked more like a ritual to Fujin.
Fithos.
Seifer stood, looking as dignified and superior as ever. He slicked back his hair, assuming a regal pose. The Sorceress, ever the ethereal woman, smiled as she watched her Knight engaging in his own game.
Lusec.
20:00. A carousel clock rose out from the roof of the Presidential Residence. Fujin and Raijin looked up. There was someone on the carousel, though no one seemed to notice. Layered brown hair, leather, lots of belts, a gunblade---Squall Leonhart. He was with someone, dressed in outlandish cowboy garb, a gun in his quivering hand, ready to aim. Was he going to kill the Sorceress?
Wecos.
"We should do something!" Raijin said, getting up.
"NO," Fujin said solemnly. "Don't interfere with fate."
"What!? You aren't making sense here, Fuu."
She turned her gaze away from him. "Just listen to me. If we interfere, more complications might arise." She grabbed Raijin's arm tightly and looked him in the eye. "Please?"
"Fine. If that's what you want."
Deep inside her, Fujin whispered to herself, Good luck, Squall. Whatever happens next is in your hands. If the Sorceress' demise is the only way to release Seifer from her binding, then so be it.
Vinosec.
Ignorant of the danger about to befall them, Edea smiled. Victory. The people continued waving at her, as if she was their savior. Shallow fools, she thought to herself. She looked around, contented at the sight around her. As the float approached the arch, the gates closed in the blink of an eye. Edea stood up in fury, demanding that the gates immediately be opened.
BANG.
A single bullet. As if by reflex, Edea conjured a "Shell", causing it to drop to the ground. (i won't go down that easily) She looked up, searching for the culprit behind the dastardly deed. Nevertheless, she waited. She knew her attacker would come. And she would be ready to face him. Together with Seifer, she would kill him. Slowly but surely.
And he did show up. Squall Leonhart, in all his SeeD glory. Seifer, seeing him, smirked smugly.
"Ready to die, Squall? How sad, to die at the mercy of the one you all mocked and called a failure," he remarked sarcastically. "but don't worry. Consider it an honor."
"So you're the Sorceress' lapdog now? What a sorry sight you are."
"I prefer to be called her Knight. This has always been my dream." Drawing his gunblade, he challenged him to a battle. "You're mine!"
Edea watched in amusement as the two men fought. Her Knight was intelligent, she knew, but he was much too overconfident for his own good. The SeeD was sure to win. All the better, she thought, so that she could be the one to kill him and chastise her Knight soon after. Oh, how she delighted in her Knight and his childish pleasures!
Seifer knelt down, yet still refusing to admit defeat. "I...lost?"
My turn. She slowly got up.
"A SeeD. Planted in a run-down Garden. It all ends here, SeeD!" The Sorceress smiled at Squall's efforts to take her down. Did he seriously think he could take her down?
"I can fight if I'm with you! That's why I'm here." A girl, dressed in blue. So she survived the Iguions.
"I have to redeem myself." A cowboy, gun in hand. Her would-be murderer. The more, the merrier. It would be more entertaining to take down three people at the same time.
When she felt like she was about to be defeated, something she hadn't expected to encounter, she began to shine with an unreal aura of light. She formed a sharp blade of ice from her palm and aimed at Squall. Caught off-guard, Squall did not dodge the ice blade and was hit. The girl named Rinoa screamed and tried to reach for him as he fell, but she wasn't able to save him.
The moment the gate was fixed, Edea called her bodyguards. "I want you to find the rest of the SeeDs responsible for this. I am sure they are still here. Make sure all routes leading outside the city are blocked. Bring them to me unharmed, and throw them in the D-District Prison. Seifer and I shall deal with the interrogations. Hurry, before they get a chance to escape." They nodded and hurried away.
SeeDs, you thought you could get in the way. Another weed in the path of our victory. We will surely trample upon your pitiful existence.
TO BE CONTINUED
Author's Notes: Ooh, a long chapter! But not as much Seifuu goodness as in the previous chapters. o_O Gomen ne! I'm also working on another FF8 fic, no romance, just of the supernatural kind. It'll most likely be A/U. I'm planning on calling it "The Grudge". I'm not sure if I'll push through with it, but if I do, I hope you read it! R/R, as always. You know the drill, no flames, constructive criticism accepted.