Long Live the King

A/N: Chapter 11! Yes! After this one, there will only be four more chapters to write/read. :O Can you believe it? We're getting to the end of this! It makes me happy. :3 I'm already planning out my next fanfiction. Unfortunately, I'm taking a break from FFVIII for a while. Anyhow. This chapter is going to center on Rinoa and Sleipner. :O Read!

Chapter 11: Jealousy Will Drive You Mad

The gentle swaying of Sleipner's steps came to a halt, thus awakening the sorceress lying across his back. Rinoa sat up carefully and rubbed at her eyes. "Did you find Squall and the others?"

Sleipner strained its neck to turn and look at her.

No, not yet, but we have come across an obstacle.

Rinoa frowned slightly and let her gaze travel around the desolate area. "Where? I don't see anything..." she murmured, quite sure Sleipner could still hear her. He bowed down just enough to allow her to slide off and onto her feet, then he stood up straight and took a protective step closer to her side.

He has not arrived yet, but he is coming.

"Squall?" She couldn't hide the excitement from her tone, hands clasping together in front of herself. The large horse shook his head, ears pointing in every direction so there were no surprise attacks.

Not your friends. It is something dangerous. It would be wise of you to remain close.

Rinoa nodded, a shiver running down her spine at the sudden chill that the air around had taken. "Who is it?" she asked hesitantly, right hand pressing lightly to Sleipner's left shoulder. If it was at all possible, the dark sky above became even darker.

Diablos. What do you think you're doing here?

The angelic sorceress felt her heart skip a beat at the cuts that decorated the demon's body as he lowered himself from the black clouds, arms crossed stubbornly over his chest. She recognized them immediately. Squall...!

"What are you doing with this human? She is weak. Not worthy of our presence."

Rinoa could have sworn she heard Sleipner growl. But a horse could not growl, so she dismissed it. "Sleipner? What does he want?"

You are only angered that you weren't even considered to take the power.

Did Rinoa detect a hint of smugness coming from the horse? Already, she could feel the tension between the two Guardian Force's.

Diablos snarled at the two and let his claws hand by his sides. "You are a fool, Sleipner. Your choices were always weak ones. Proof lies in the death of Odin..."

This comment seemed to set something off inside of Sleipner. Rinoa could feel the muscles beneath his shoulder tense and she immediately took a step away from the two, fearing for her own life. Sleipner cast a glance in her direction before glaring back to Diablos.

"Look how she trembles. You're better off sending them all back to their own realm," Diablos sneered, talon feet scraping at the ground beneath them. Sleipner stamped a hoof in response and lowered his head, misted eyes of black staring into the soul of Diablos.

You are in no place to speak of them in such a way. Your squabble with the humans is your own problem, but do not take it out on an innocent.

Diablos began to laugh, but it was a horrible sound that reverberated throughout Rinoa's mind. "Innocent? They have killed thousands without thinking twice. What makes them innocent?" Sleipner snorted and took a threatening step forward.

Your jealousy overpowers you, Diablos. You couldn't defeat me, and Odin had you on a leash. My choice in the new King will have the power to defeat you as well; much like Alexander had you not too long ago.

The demon flapped his leathery wings angrily and his muscles became tense. "Just because Alexander could trap me in that lamp does not make him more powerful!" And that is where the battle of words ended. Dust flew from beneath Diablos' now vacant spot as he charged towards the six-legged horse.

Rinoa let out a startled cry as the claws dug into Sleipner's shoulders. The horse let out what could be perceived as the screams of a thousand lost souls, but he did not fall.

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Selphie's head perked up from her leaning position on Irvine and she frowned slightly. "Did you guys hear that?"

Quistis blinked in confusion and glanced around their area. "I heard nothing... Are you alright, Selphie?"

The younger girl let out a sigh and shook her head slowly. "I don't know. I guess this place is just getting to me. I could have sworn I heard someone screaming though..."

Squall suddenly stood up, startling both ladies greatly. Quistis held her hand over her heart as she tried to calm down. "What's wrong with you, Squall?"

He glared down at the two of them. "I heard it, too... It might be Rinoa. She could be in trouble."

Zell poked Irvine's side thoughtlessly, awakening the cowboy from his muttering state of sleep. "Get up. Looks like we're headin' off to look for Rinoa."

Irvine grumbled something incoherent as a response and staggered to his feet. Quistis and Selphie stood, dusting themselves off before following after Squall, whom had not taken the time to wait for them.

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"Sleipner!" Rinoa cried out again as the claws retracted from his body. The six-legged horse stumbled back then snorted, shaking his head as if to rid himself of a headache.

Stay calm.

Rinoa wanted to help, she wanted to fight Diablos and protect Sleipner, but something was holding her in her place, keeping her feet planted firmly in their spot. She could only scream out for the horse as Diablos ripped at the horse's neck. He's going to die! I can't let him die like that! She was beginning to panic.

"Without your Odin, how will you manage?" Diablos grinned as he continued swiping at the horse, the joy inside of him growing each time he felt the impact of claws on flesh.

You are still young.

It was all Diablos heard before the large horse reared back, four sets of hooves slamming into the demon's chest and sending him back into the ground, forming a ditch from the sudden impact.

Diablos struggled to get back into the air, but he was too late. The ground began to shake and his eyes widened at the sight of the six-legged horse rushing at him, cracks forming in the ground at the power of the hooves breaking through.

The screams of millions of bats deafened Rinoa and she crouched down, arms flying up over her head to protect herself from the barrage of bats. A sudden wind blew against her and she felt something slide beneath her. It didn't take long for her to realize that Sleipner had put her on his back and left Diablos to recover.

The demon glared as the bats swarmed back to him, helping him back up into the air. One clawed hand was placed at his chest to care for the broken bones inside from the impact of four hooves. "Maybe another time, Sleipner. It would be wise of you to reconsider your decision, though." And with that, he faded into the darkness.

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"Squall, we've been walking for... Well, it feels like forever!" Zell complained when he tripped over a rock for the fifth time. "And we still haven't found Rinoa."

The man leading them frowned and brought a hand to his left rib. Selphie trotted up to him and gently put a hand to his shoulder, bringing him to a halt. She smiled as innocently as she could. "Just a little more time to rest? Please? Irvine and I haven't fully healed yet and Zell's pretty wiped out from his fight with Ifrit. And I'm sure you're tired too, after your battle with Diablos and all..."

Squall looked to the remainder of his comrades behind her. The only one that seemed to be in perfect condition was Quistis. And he had to admit, the walking was sending wave after wave of pain and agonizing protests from his limbs.

But if that was Rinoa's scream, he couldn't just sit by and wait. "Quistis, you stay with them while they heal. I'm going to find Rinoa and bring her back."

He could already see Quistis' mouth open in protest. His glare was enough to silence her, but the words had to be said. "It's an order, Quistis. An order from your Commander. Stay here. If I'm not back in an hour, don't wait and find a way out of here."

Slowly Quistis nodded. The others knew an order was an order and didn't even try to fight it.

"Squall really is hard-headed, isn't he?" Irvine questioned in good humor as they watched him limp off.

Selphie shook her head and let out a sigh. "No, he's just in love."

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The two stared silently at the vacant area for a while before Rinoa remembered the damage Sleipner had taken from Diablos. "Sleipner, your hurt!" she cried out as she immediately jumped off his back.

It is nothing that won't heal on its own.

Rinoa shook her head and checked through her magic supply. Although it had been sneaky, she was glad she had swapped her Fires with Irvine's Cures. Her hands gently hovered over the cuts on the left shoulder at first as she muttered the Cure spell.

She finished on the other side, and when the glittering light faded, all that was left were mirroring scars. Sleipner nuzzled at her side gently and she patted the top of his head. "There you go."

I thank you, young sorceress. Your power is strong. But the King's power is stronger.

Rinoa smiled to him and nodded. "Yes, that would make sense. By the way, what did Diablos mean when he told you to reconsider your decision?"

Sleipner seemed to take a few seconds to think this one through.

He is upset that I did not decide that he would make the best King. I have already chosen another, and it angers him even more that it is not one of our own kind.

"You mean you chose someone that isn't a Guardian Force to be your new King?" Rinoa was surprised at this, and the emotion was apparent in her features. "How is that possible though? Doesn't your King have to be of your own kind?"

Sleipner shook his head in response and lowered himself, allowing her to climb onto his back.

No. The new King has to be strong-willed and must have a high spirit.

Rinoa allowed this to sink in as she took a firm grip of his mane while he began walking forward, still in the search for her friends. Finally, she came up with a response that would bring the rest of the trip to silence.

"Well, no wonder it'd be Squall."

A/N: :O!!! Oooh!! Yes, it is true. You don't have to be a Guardian Force to become King of them. 3 At least, that's what I say, and since I'm the author of this fanfic, I'm the one that writes the rules. Alright, four more chapters. Things are finally gonna start getting good after this. :D And then, my wonderful ending! YES!

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