-Squall's POV-

"Seifer!"

He doesn't move. I kneel next to him. He's bleeding. Quite badly. Oh Hyne.

"Seifer, can you hear me?"

He blinks. Thank Hyne. I find one Cure and cast it on him. He opens his eyes, looks around, then at me.

"What happened?"

"You fell," I say. "We have to get you outta here, fast."

"Where are we?" He raises his head and looks around. "The gateway?"

"Yes, the float is approaching, we have to move out now!"

"I can't walk."

"I know!" I look around, desperately seeking for... Zell! And Laxell and Selphie!

I stand up. "ZELL!"

He spins my way. "Squall!" He runs to us. "What happened?"

"Seifer fell from the gateway," I explain impatiently. Why can't we discuss these things when no one's in danger? "We have to get him to the hotel."

"Where's Langh?"

"At the parade float. Take Seifer to the hotel, I will go after her."

"You can't do that alone," Zell says.

"Alright, you can come with me."

"Selphie and I aren't strong enough to carry him," Laxell says. "No offense," he adds and looks down to Seifer. "Nor to you," he says and looks at Selphie.

"Alright, I will come with you," Zell says. "Laxell, you go with Squall."

"Let's go, and we'll meet you back at the hotel after..."

We all look at each other in a pressuring silence. The parade is roaring all around, but the air around us seems to have died.

"Um.. I hate to break this moment but could somebody help me up?"

Zell and I help Seifer to stand up.

"How d'you feel?" I ask him.

"Dizzy."

"Anyone got cure?"

All shake their heads.

"Potions?"

All shake their heads.

"Damn you people, you should prepare for something like this!"

All look at me a little scared.

"Sorry, it's just.." I shake my head. "Alright, we have to move now. Langh might be in trouble."

I grab Laxell's arm and start running to the float.

"Squall!"

I turn around. Selphie's running towards us.

"Squall! Don't kill the Sorceress!"

"What?! That's what we're here for!"

"She's Matron!"

"What?"

"Matron! From the orphanage!"

"What?"

She looks impatient. "Nevermind! Just don't kill her!"

We reach the float. Roos is lying on the floor of it, the Sorceress is looking mad and somebody's yelling at me.

"What?"

"I said we're here!" It's Quistis.

"Why didn't he shoot her?"

Irvine's standing behind her, looking embarrassed.

"He chickened out?"

Quistis glances at him. "Ugh.. kinda..."

"Quistis..?"

"I'll explain later. Where're the others?"

"Zell and Selphie are taking Seifer to the hotel---"

"The hotel? Why? What were they doing here? Why is Laxell here? What happened to Seifer?"

"I'll explain later! Let's go help Langh!"