"I bet Selphie would love this," Quistis said as the train went through the
tunnel. "Yeah, but that damn train song would have killed me. I love my
Selphie and all but come on. Train, Train take us away, take us away so far
away would have been much," Irvine said, wincing at the thought. "Seifer,
he's ok. Everything will be fine," Quistis said, trying to reassure him.
"Yeah Seifer, we'll bust him out of there, no problem," Irvine said.
"Thanks, but no thanks. It's not that simple is it? There's more to it.
There has to be. Who's Victoria?" Seifer asked. "Victoria's...um...we have
information from Esthar that she may be a...um...problem in Garden's
future. But you should get some rest. Ok?" Quistis said helping him off the
floor. "Yeah, I'll do that Instructor," Seifer said going to the bedroom.
"Why didn't you tell him she was the new sorceress? He would have found out
eventually!" Irvine said after Seifer left. "Well, I um... I just couldn't
ok? I can't do it. He's already in a bad mood," Quistis said.
When they got to Deling City, they went straight to the hotel. "Mister
James, the SeeD's are here," the receptionist said. "Ah, the SeeD's.
Welcome, I'm James. This was please. It seems that Madame Victoria has come
to see you after all," James said, and he walked them into what looked to
be vacant room. It was pitch black when they walked in. "Madame, the..." "I
know you idiot. No leave us in peace!" A voice said, cutting James off.
"Yes, you're highness," James said closing the door behind him. "Now, to
the matter at hand. Your fellow SeeD member is locked away in D-District
for insolence and you have come to get him out? I hope you have brought me
what I asked for," the voice said, finally showing her face. "Well, um, we
didn't exactly know what you wanted so we came to negotiate," Quistis said.
"Unless Squall knew the whole time. But why didn't he..." Irvine asked as
he saw the woman get closer. "Precisely Mr. Kinneas, your headmaster knew
exactly what I wanted. And Miss Trepe, you should have researched your
assignment more, no wonder you failed as an Instructor," she said laughing.
"What! Why you little..." Quistis started before Irvine held her back.
"Quisty, calm down. Well, if you give us Zell, we'll give you what you
want." Irvine said. "Very well, Mr. Kinneas," the woman said.
"Irvy no!!!!!!" someone screamed busting into the room. "Selphie? What are
you doing here darlin'?" Irvine asked. "I found out what Squall knows!
She's Victoria Laine, the new Sorceress. And she wants Seifer in exchange
for Zell!" Selphie screamed, all out of breath. "What! He knew she wanted
Seifer and," "That's why he's on our team," Quistis and Irvine said.
"Silence!!! Now that you know what I want, hand him over!" Victoria said.
Victoria Laine was a light shade of brown, had sky blue eyes and long black
hair. She was beautiful, so beautiful she was deadly. "Fine, you can have
the boy," Victoria said and out of nowhere, Zell appeared. "Zell? Zell
you're ok!" Seifer said as Zell ran to him. "Yeah Seifer, I'm alright. I
knew you'd come for me when you heard. But she's too dangerous. You can't
go with her. Don't do it Seifer," Zell said. "Zell, if it means you'll be
safe, I have to," Seifer said walking towards Victoria. "Seifer Almasy, I
won't let you. Please...I love you Seifer," Zell said for the first time.
"I love you too chicken. Irvine, Quistis, Selphie, tell that no good leader
of yours that if I come back, I'm gonna kick his ass. And Zell, Just make
sure if we have to fight again, you kill me this time, please?" Seifer
said, a single tear rolling down his face. "Seifer please. there has to be
another way. Victoria, what do you want?" Zell asked. "Nothing else but
what I have. Come now Almasy. I'm losing my patience," Victoria said as she
and Seifer disappeared into the darkness. Zell fell to his knees. Irvine
held Selphie and Quistis tried to comfort Zell. "Why? Why'd it have to
happen again?" Zell asked himself.
When they got back to garden, instead of a welcome back, Zell had a bone to
pick with the headmaster. "Squall Leonheart! What the hell is your problem?
You knew he'd do it if it was for me didn't you? Why did you make him go?
What the hell was going on in that shadow of a mind you got in there," Zell
screamed, throwing all the paperwork all over the place. " Zell, calm down.
If you really want, we can go get Seifer back. Although I think she'll come
get him again so it'd be petty pointless. Besides, If we didn't send him,
the Garden would be history and you'd probably be dead. so why don't we
just leave him there?" Squall said. "WHAT! I should kill you right now!"
Zell screamed lunging at his throat. "Zell stop this nonsense right now!"
Quistis said grabbing a hold of Zell. "Quistis, please escort Zell home. He
needs a vacation. You are non-active for the next week, as of now. Any more
outbursts like that and you'll be saying goodbye to being a SeeD faster
than it takes you to breathe understood?" Squall said. "But hold on one
second Squall that's not very fair is it?" Selphie said bursting into the
office with Irvine close behind. "Selphie, wait a minute!" Irvine said.
"Then again that really is wrong of you Squall," Quistis said. "As wrong as
Squall is you can't just bust into the headmaster's office like that
Sefie," Irvine said. "Headmaster my behind! Squall isn't headmaster, he's
our friend and the fact that he'd do this to Zell is wrong!" Selphie said.
'That's enough! All of you leave now. My decision stands and as for the
rest of you, you can do the same. I guess I'll see you all next week.
Dismissed,"But Squall!" Quistis exclaimed, not believing what she just
heard. "Whatever. You stupid jerk. You seriously need a reality check. And
'friend'? Please, I think you all need better ones." Zell said walking
away. "That's not fair. What the hell is wrong with you lately Squall?"
Rinoa asked. "Nothing, it's SeeD business so just stay out of it," Squall
said heading to his room. "SeeD buisness? Where did that come from?"
Selphie asked. "I don't believe it. Irvine, Quistis, get Zell. Selphie,
start up the Raganork. We're going to Esthar," Rinoa said. "Esthar?"
Quistis asked. 'No questions about it, we're going to save Seifer," Rinoa
said, heading for the elevator.
