Disclaimer: Alright I don't own any of the characters that were on FF8. They belong to Square so shoo! However… I do own the original characters and story line. Bwah hah hah!
Summary: Squall Leonhart, an ever powerful figure in the eyes of fate but what happens when Rinoa leaves him for Seifer and later gives birth to their child and never tells him. What will happen to the two Leonhart's and how will Squall cope with being alone once again? The answer is still unclear but now that events from the past are brought to fruit who knows what role they will play as the future unfolds in all its uncertainties.
Guardian of the Lion
Chapter 2: Last Gift to Man
Lexa pulled Nakita from the world of the ring as she disappeared and stood looking at the two children curiously. Although it was impossible to age within the world she'd created for herself and Nakita that did not mean that Nakita's mind stayed that of a five month old babe. Right now, she was as intelligent as any five year old and that was only because of the spells that Lexa and her mother had put on her to keep her mind from becoming too advanced before her body. But like all of her kind she would remember these long years one day for what they were and all of the memories, knowledge, and gifts that she would inherit from her mother.
But for so long she'd been afraid to leave the safety of the ring. Nakita needed a Champion as surely as she needed Lexa as her guardian. But now that had all changed. Lexa, over the years, had become devoted to the Leonhart family and had been waiting until a child was born that could become Nakita's companion and later her Champion. It was in this manner that she'd become the Leonhart guardian and although she would have preferred Storm to be a little bit older, there was no way she was going to allow him to suffer anymore.
And as for Storm. He was a beautiful baby with eyes the color a stormy sea and just as easily capable of changing colors as said sea. She'd been worried about how Nakita would welcome their newcomer but she should've known that the babe's would take to one another instantly. Now it was up to her to see that they grew up healthy, fit, and most importantly, loved.
And perhaps one of the best ways to do this was to go to President Loire… although Lexa could acquire gil easily she'd rather not be seen too openly just yet. Or rather, she wanted to take care of the children and a "job" would interfere.
"Shall we go then?" She asked and both babies looked at her curiously as she gathered them into her arms and they were gone.
"Hey Squall!" Zell shouted and ran up to him. Squall had just finished a rather exhausting run in the Training Center and was ready to shower and relax before going through some more paperwork.
"What is it Zell?" He asked tiredly.
"The Headmaster said that he wants to see you A.S.A.P."
"Can it wait for me to get showered?"
"Oh yeah," Zell answered sheepishly. "Sorry man."
"It's fine." He answered wryly. "Tell the Headmaster I'll be there in fifteen minutes."
And so it went. While he was in the shower Squall thought over the events of the previous night. His dreams were back and this time they had vastly changed. Now he was dreaming of a strange looking woman who was taking care of two young children. It was strange though, the one thing he never caught a glimpse of in those dreams were the children's faces.
He put that out of his mind for now and focused on what the Headmaster wanted with him. Cid was just as lively as ever but most thought that he seemed to be looking forward to retiring. Yeah right. Squall thought wryly. Then who will he boss around?
"You asked for me sir?" Squall asked after he saluted.
"Yes I did." Cid answered wearily. "I'm afraid I have to ask you to do something that you aren't going to like to do."
Squall nodded and kept his face impassive. He had a feeling of what it would be but he was hoping that it was wrong.
"I want you to go to Galbadia and attend the memorial service that they're having along with your comrades."
"No." Squall answered and thus the long debate began…
2 Months Later…
"I really hate this." Squall muttered as he looked around at the mingling officials and other people of important. He didn't even bother trying to hide his frown behind the forgotten glass of wine in his hand.
"Smile Squall," Quistis scolded and poked him lightly in the arm. "You'll scare off the nice people here."
"Like Rinoa?" He asked sarcastically and cut his gaze to Quistis who flinched in return.
"Maybe she won't be here."
"It's a party isn't it?" He asked with a snort. "Trust me, she'll be here and Seifer along with her."
"Squall…" She began but trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"It's okay," he said apologetically and offered a small smile. "I'm being a huge pain. I just don't like parties."
"They're not all bad you know?" She pointed out.
"Oh really?" He asked and set his glass down. "Well then Instructor, how about you teach a younger SeeD what dancing is all about?" He added and offered her his arm.
"Delighted," she returned and placed her hand lightly on his arm and allowed him to escort her to the dance floor.
"Those two look like they're having fun." Selphie said to Irvine and gestured at Squall and Quistis out on the dance floor.
"Yeah," he agreed and watched the two intently and was disappointed to realize that there wasn't even a hint of romantic feelings involved between the two of them. Irvine knew that Quistis had once had feelings for Squall but it seemed that both of them were content to be friends and nothing more.
"I take it that you two are part of the group that saved our world?" Questioned a soft female voice from behind them. Irvine and Selphie both turned to look at the woman with dutiful smiles on their faces. Time to play heroes again it seemed.
"Such dutiful faces!" Laughed the woman and shook her head at them. She was beautiful, Irvine had to give her that. She had strange dark hair mixed with silver that was piled artfully on her head and her golden eyes laughed at them just as much as her voice did. But although there was silver in her hair she couldn't have been much older than they were.
"And you are?" Irvine purred and grinned when the woman raised an eyebrow at his flirting.
"Officially? Lady Lexa of Esthar. I'm here as President Loire's representative."
"What about unofficially?" Selphie asked.
"Lexa," she answered with a grin.
"So why didn't Sir Laguna come?" Selphie asked, a little disappointedly.
"He volunteered to baby-sit for me if I came," she answered with a laugh. "How could I refuse? He's like an overgrown child himself so I know they won't be bored."
"You're a mother? You look so young." Irvine stated.
"I'm older than you think." Lexa countered with a wink but then her eyes slid past the two of them and narrowed slightly. "Do you two know who that couple is?" She asked and nodded gracefully over Selphie's shoulder. "They've been watching your SeeD Commander for a while now."
"Oh no!" Selphie yelped and whirled around. As expected, Seifer and Rinoa were standing together watching the couples on the dance floor. "Will you excuse us… Huh? Where'd she go?" Lexa had somehow slipped away while they were looking away.
"Worry about it later sweet. We gots some business to take care of." He said.
"Roger!"
Lexa smiled in satisfaction as she watched Selphie and Irvine steer Rinoa and Seifer away from the party to have a little 'talk.' Now that she was no longer bound within the ring there were certain rules that she had to abide by. Unless I can talk Nakita out of it when she's older but then she wouldn't have to abide by the rules applying to her either… On second thought. I'd rather things remain as they are. Speaking of which, she missed her babies. It was strange to be away from them for even a short time and it made her long for home.
"I wish you happiness Squall Leonhart." She whispered. Along with the courage to one day let those walls around your heart down. She wished there was something more that she could do for him but he wasn't ready. And in truth, she knew that if she was honest then she would have to reveal his on to him and she couldn't give the boy up yet. He was her child now, along with Nakita and she would let Squall into his son's life when he was ready and not before.
Squall stood silently on a high cliff and looked around him in surprise. Behind him was clean green grass and in the distance he could see the mountains. Before him was the ocean, clear and blue but dark in the soft light of the stars and the moon. As the wind caressed his face he was surprised by just how real this dream felt. He knew this was a dream but as for its purpose he didn't have a clue.
As if conjured by his thoughts the sky began to change and darken. The sea also began to churn as though it were angry and the waves reached frightening heights. Then a hole opened up in the sky and from it poured out creatures he had never seen before. And although he knew it was a dream he could not help but recoil from the cold darkness these creatures seemed to be made of.
They're bodies were strange… dark grey in color with a slightly humanoid body that was a little too serpent like with a tail. Their bodies were completely devoid of hair but their faces looked slightly human, if you ignored the sunken in look and razor sharp teeth that matched the claws on their hands. Dark grey wings held them in the air as they flew around madly. Utter despair and sorrow settled on Squall like a heavy mantle and he fell to his knees with the weight of it.
"Rise Squall Leonhart," said a voice he knew from his early dreams and he felt a delicate hand touch his shoulder. "Rise and bear witness to what no mortal has ever seen." From the moment she'd appeared beside him the coldness that had frozen his heart had fled but when she touched him he was instantly given all of his strength back.
"You are Airlia." He said as he rose to his feet.
She nodded her head regally and graced him with a soft smile before her gaze returned to world around them. "Watch Leonhart. This was the first time we turned them back."
And then a bright light from the east cut through the darkness and the creatures screamed in agony as the brightness of it. From the sea, land, and air came the pounding of hooves along with the feelings of hope and determination and then he saw them. They were unicorns! But unlike in the texts at Garden they all had wings along with the spiral horn that glittered with their own light. With them came other creatures and Squall was shocked to see Griever there with them.
"Her name is actually Lexa," Airlia said as suddenly and watched the battle with a bittersweet smile on her face. "We won that day but we gave much to do so."
It was amazing to see creatures made of what seemed to be pure light battle such dark creatures. However, there was a sadness to it. Both sides were suffering losses and that was when Squall noticed two of the unicorn who looked differently than the others. One was as golden as the sun and charged fearlessly at the creatures as though they were all his inferiors. The other was silver and built more delicately but like the golden one she fought fearlessly.
And then the dark creatures broke off from the fighting and gathered together, planning what to do next. The unicorns also gathered together but unlike the dark ones they already seemed to have something in mind because they suddenly formed a circle around the creatures and then they all began to glow with such bright intensity that Squall had to look away. He heard the dark creatures scream in agony and pain and he could feel them dying and wasting away to nothing. Somehow he knew a retreat had been called as they fled back into the hole from which they'd come.
Slowly the light dimmed and once it dimmed they began to fall.
Help them! He heard someone shout in his mind as the creatures that had fought with the unicorns struggled to save the falling creatures. But as they fell some of them changed into human forms but some kept their original forms.
"We were holy creatures once. And the light that burned within our bodies was enough to turn them back." Airlia said in a voice filled with both joy and sorrow. "But we gave up our true forms to do this. Many were not strong enough to survive the change from immortal to mortal."
And it was true. All the unicorns had lost their wings and horns and born no mark of ever having them. All save two. The two unicorns that had looked differently from the others still had wings and on their brow was a star shape that marked where their horns had once been. But like the others they were completely naked but it was different seeing these creatures like this than normal humans. It was… heartbreaking. Something that was that never should have been.
"The woman is you." Squall said in surprise.
"It is," she agreed. "Lucius and I were leaders of our two clans and as the strongest we somehow managed to keep a bit of our old selves." And then the image of the battle scene slowly faded and Squall could dimly see the other creatures frantically trying to awaken their fallen saviors.
"This wasn't the last time then?" He asked.
"Alas no," she answered. "We fought them a second time but there were too few of us by then. Some chose to become Guardians, what you call GF's, and remain behind to help the human race. By doing so they regained their immortality but lost everything of what they once were. Save for the memories."
"Why were there so few of you when you still had so many there with you?" He asked.
"You have only been human and cannot understand how it feels to go from being immortal in a body that changes with age but does not die to one that is always dieing. Many could not handle it. I almost could not handle it."
"Why weren't there any humans with you?" He asked.
"It was still not the time of man then. The second time we had a few stand with us along with the Guardians and other immortals but to drive them back a second time took the life energy from all of us. And now we have been forgotten, as have the battles we fought. And now none remain."
"Except for your daughter?"
"Yes," she answered with a smile. "Had our kind survived she would have been the daughter of both Clans and probably would have united them into one. As it is, she will grow into the powers that her father and I left her and will probably cease to age when she is grown."
"Do you mean immortality?"
"Yes and no. Like her father and I she will live for hundreds, possibly thousands of years. However, her body will always remain as it is when she ceased to age as humans do."
"Why are you telling me all this?" Squall asked.
"Because you've dreamed of it and if it is within your lifetime when the Shadow Ones return then you must know everything you can to fight them. Our time has passed and it is the time of man now. My last gift to mankind was to ensure that my daughter would be here to help you."
"You mean those things will come back!?" Squall growled.
"Three chances. They have three chances to try and take over this world. They've been defeated twice and have only one left. I do not know when they will attack, it could be in ten to a thousand years but you must be prepared as must your descendents."
"Won't they come even after the third time?"
"No," she answered and her eyes flashed dangerously. "To do so would utterly destroy all laws and then they would be at the mercy of those they have fought against." She tilted her head to the side as though listening for something and sighed. "My time is up here. Remember what you have seen this night and know that the immortals will only come to help you fight if my daughter calls them."
"Wait!" Squall shouted as she began to fade. "Why have you placed all this on me?!"
"Because you live up to your name… Lion heart…" Came the faint reply and then the world itself went black.
Squall jerked away and threw the covers off of him and stood up all in one smooth motion. He hated it. He absolutely hated it when people acted like things were predetermined, as though they had no control over what decisions they made in life.
"I'm not a child anymore. I decide my own fate!" He growled harshly in the darkness. But for once he wasn't so sure. One thing that comforted him was that he had no child. Perhaps he would be able to get out of this is he remained childless for the rest of his life.
Squall wasn't sure but for a moment he could have sworn that he heard laughter at his last thought. Distant and silvery as though pulled across time itself. With a weary sigh he grabbed his gunblad and headed for the Training Center for another late night of hacking and slashing.
Well this went differently than what I planned. But in a good way! Alright, time to give credit. The 'Shadow Ones' idea came from the Legend of Earthsea (or is it Urthsea?) from the sci-fi channel. The "unicorn" idea came partially from a need of something seen as universally sacred slash pure slash good and the last unicorn (you remember how she freaked out when she discovered she was human?) And for those who haven't seen the movie… watch it! Or read the book (I have both!). Let's see… next chapter, who to focus on? Squall or Storm…? I dunno, I'll just write I guess.
And for those who reviewed…
Chris – Long review! I like! However, much as I love reviews the option to write one is entirely up to you. Though for the record I'd like one every now and then grins
Kira – I'm glad that you enjoyed the first chapter! I hope you enjoyed this one as well!
Rusty Knight Productions – Very interesting name (and an interesting back story that goes with it!) Please let me know how you feel about this chapter.
Lovely Princess Peach - laughs I'm so glad that you're enjoying this so far! And as for Seifer being the bad guy… grins I couldn't help it. He just fit the part oh so perfectly!
dzezzzzz- I'm glad that you like the whole 'guardian' thing. And as for the Rinoa bashing… umm, would you believe me if I said that hadn't intended on it? Oh well, I'll just let the story write itself and see where it goes.
Well that wraps it up! Hope everyone likes it! Ja ne!