Crisis


The Deling mansion hadn't changed a bit since the last time Rinoa was here with the SeeDs. All the rooms were so warm and welcoming but to the resident walking down the hall, it was nothing like a home to her...not anymore.

Rinoa stopped in front of her father's meeting room. Not even bothering to knock, she quickly entered. Memories of the Sorceress assassination were immediately refreshed in her mind. She remembered all the SeeDs were assembled in this room. She even remembered when Quistis snapped at her for being a reckless person who was only causing trouble instead of completing the mission.

She's right...Squall had to come save me. If it wasn't or him...then I...probably would have been dead by now.

Rinoa...I've been expecting you. The leather seat in front of the desk spun around. General Caraway folded his hands together and expected his daughter to say something.

Not this time...I'm not going to be reckless anymore and have to rely on the others. This is my business and I have to take care of it myself. Its time I started to.

she replied bitterly. She stood a few feet away from the desk and made no attempt to move forward. Seeing the man who was suppose to be her own father in hunger for power disgust her.

Long time no see. So how's everything with Squall...and the wedding?

That's none of your business. And I think YOU would know what happened to my wedding after you sent all those Galbadians after us!! Do you know how many innocent people were hurt just to get to me!?

I'm sorry Rinoa but I had no choice, General Caraway said sharply. I wanted you to come back to Deling. After all, you are my daughter and even though I haven't been acting like a father all these years, I still care for you. That's why I wanted you to be safe from harm.

What are you talking about!? Rinoa cried. You're trying to protect me from harm!? You are the HARM! I was safe...with Squall until you started all this chaos! You don't care about me one bit! The only thing you care about is holding on to your position as a General and want to dominate the other towns!

After taking a deep breath, she continued. Tell me. Why are you doing this? Did you want us to get rid of the Sorceress so YOU can be the one to take over? What's your greedy selfish reason!?

I...I cant tell you the reason but know this, don't try to do anything to stop me. Especially sending those SeeDs' after me. It's futile to even try to use your weak forces to fight against all the Galbadians.

We're not alone. Lagune is helping us too! He'll gather all the Esthar troops!

I see. Caraway stood up and walked over to the window, gazing outside. He tried stopping us last time and we defeated all the Esthar squads. The Galbadian army is truly building up...ever since all of you were trying to defeat Ultimecia. I have been slowly reinforcing the squad up until this day.

Was this man totally insane!?

No....he doesn't even deserve to be called a man'...monster is more like it.

Rinoa angrily clenched her fist. He had to have a reason for doing all this. They had all work so hard to eliminate Ultimecia so there could finally be peace once more and now...a new war was going to rise again. A war with her own hometown...her own family

Just look at the soldiers Rinoa. SeeDs and the Balamb cadets are nothing against them. Galbadian Garden is still training soldiers as we speak. The General watched the line of soldiers dressed in blue uniform outside his mansion. A satisfied smile spread across his lips. It's finally happening... he whispered.

Why!? What's your motive!? You have to have a reason for doing all this! Cant you see how much you are hurting Timber and all the residents there!? All the people have just lost their home!

Like I said...I will not reveal my motive. I wish the Timber event hadn't turn out the way it did but they refused to cooperate so I had no choice but to take action. This will show the other towns what will happen if they refuse to cooperate.

Other towns? What are you saying? she yelled horrified.

Timber is not the only town I have my eyes set on. As soon as I'm through with Timber. I will show them that Deling is where the true supreme power lays. I-...I wont stop until I have the whole world in my hands.

Caraway extended one hand towards her daughter and looked expectingly into her eyes. Forget them Rinoa. You are my daughter...you should be on MY side.

Rinoa furiously slapped his hand away. Are you crazy!? Join you!? I will NEVER join you. You are NOTHING to me! Do you hear me!? NOTHING BUT A MONSTER!! I didn't come here to join' you. I came here to stop you and your mad ambitions!

And just what do you plan on doing? Listen to me Rinoa, I'm going to become the new president of Deling in a matter of days. Forget about saving Timber and all those other worthless towns and come join me!

NO!! Stop calling me your daughter!! I don't have a father!! Your craze for power is going to start a war and I'm not going to let that happen! You are not going to hurt anymore people.

I have to stop him...this is what I came here for.

Slowly, the Sorceress's hands moved behind her back and pulled out her weapon. She clasped the Shooting Star onto her hand and aimed it carefully at the man in front of her. The General immediately tense and his eyes widened in alert for a second. He quickly composed himself and pointed his finger at the weapon.

What do you think you're doing with that?

"I'm not going to let you go through with your plans! You can put an end to all this madness right now or...OR I WILL PUT AN END TO YOUR LIFE!! Her fingers were now itching to pull the trigger. Her hands shook vigorously but still managed to maintain control. "I'm not afraid to release this...

Put that thing down. You wont actually fire that so stop this nonsense. There was doubt in his voice and Rinoa could clearly hear the slight fear.

No...not until you agree to stop what you're doing!! She advanced a little closer to the man and looked straight into his eyes. "What's it going to be?

There is no way I am going to stop! I have sacrificed too much to put an end to all this-

A painful gasp was released.

Time seemed to have stopped for Rinoa. She couldn't feel the presence of the room around her anymore. The only thing she had her eyes fixed on was the Shooting Star in her arm. All that was left was the black base of her weapon. The winged pinwheel had been fired and it struck it's target perfectly. She fell down to her knees and stared blankly at her arm and then to her father.

Caraway moaned in pain and limply reached for the pinwheel that was pierced into his stomach. He laid in a pool of blood while crying out in agony.

he hoarsely whispered. How...could...you do this?

What have I done?

Rinoa shook her head and fought back the tears at the corner of her eyes.

Did I just murder my own father?

he repeated again while trying to sit up. I-I never thought...you would...do such a...thing.

What else could I have done? You left me no choice...I couldn't let you get away with your plans...but still...

Another scream erupted as she witness her father pulling out the pinwheel. He rolled on to the ground and weakly tossed the Shooting Star back to her. The pale white wings were now crimson.

The color of his blood.

Take it...go...get out...of here... he ordered.

Rinoa remained on the ground, unable to move. Her whole body was numb.

"Didn't you...hear me? I said...go...before...they come...

They? Who's they?

he screamed.

Before she even had time to think, the door behind her was kicked open and a whole group of Galbadian Soldiers barged in. Two of them gripped her shoulders tightly and forced her up to her feet while the others surrounded Caraway.

They questioned their general and immediately called for help. One of the Galbadians picked up the blood stained pinwheel and looked back and forth between Rinoa and Caraway. You sure have alot of guts for pulling something like this. Did you know that he was going to become the President of Deling!?

Another one added, Rinoa Heartilly, you are arrested for the assassination of President Caraway. I hope you know the punishment is tremendous and you are most likely going to be executed for your actions.

The leader of the squad stepped in after helping the General. I called for medical attention and they should be on their way.

Sir, this is the person who tried to assassinate the President. One of the Soldiers held Rinoa tightly in front of the leader. She squirmed under his grasp and edged forward until she was right in front of the leader's face.

I did not try to ASSASSINATE him!! I came here to try and talk to him, to tell him to stop what he's doing!! Do you know how many people are suffering right now!? She suddenly felt her shock of hurting her own father fading but now her anger was rising. Someone had to do something about this!! I am not going to let another WAR start between the other cities and Deling!!

The General's plans are none of your concern. However, you SHOULD be concerned that you are most definitely going to be executed for this. Take her away! With a swift sway of his hand, the other guards pushed Rinoa out the door.

Let go of me!! she screamed. I swear you're not going to get away with this!! She tried to bring her feet up and kick the guard holding her but the others were too fast. They grabbed her leg and twisted it painfully. Let me go!!!

Tears poured down her face from the pain the Soldiers had inflicted on her leg. She tried to jab one of them in the jaw with the base of her Shooting Star but he quickly pulled it off her arm before she got a chance to.

The head Galbadian stepped out of the way just in time to avoid Rinoa's fist. He pointed his finger at her and screamed,. What the hell is wrong with you!? Hurry hurry!! Get this crazy girl out of here before she causes any more trouble. HURRY!!

Yes sir!!

This cant be happening, she cried.

She couldn't believe she was stuck in this crisis and expected the others to come to her rescue. There was no way they could save me now...not even Squall...she thought bitterly.



~*~*~*~*~*~

Squall!! Squall! Pick up!!

There was no answer on the other line.

Still not picking up? Selphie asked.

Zell shook his head and closed his communicator. No. I wonder why he isn't answering.

Maybe he and Rinoa are spending some quality time' together, Irvine joked. But seriously, we shouldn't be worry right? After all, he could take care of himself. WE have to focus here.

There were still injured people back at Garden who needed to recover and even though the repairing of Timber seem to be running smoothly, they still had to keep an eye out for things. With everyone busy and occupied, it could be the perfect time for the enemy to attack and they would all be unprepared. People were weaving up and down the streets, perfectly distracted by their work.

Yeah, Irvy's right! I'm sure Squall is fine wherever he is. It's Rinoa who we should be worry about. Who knows where she could be, Selphie said anxiously.

Raising an eye brow, Quistis sighed and shook her head. I cant believe she would take off and not inform any of us on where she was heading. It is possible that she could have left because she was too emotional about...everything but still!! This isn't the time to get all emotional!! If she gets in trouble again, we'll just have to waste more time bailing her out!!

Everybody except Selphie stared at the blonde in shock. She understood what Quistis's feelings towards her and Squall so she remained quiet.

Zell blinked. Whoa, where did all that come from?

Quistis looked rather annoyed at his question. Yeah I'm fine. I didn't really mean it that way. Just stressed, that's all, she said simply.

Irvine nodded. We're all are. Come on, lets head back. There's no use waiting here.

You guys go on. I'll go and report to the Headmaster right now, Quistis said suddenly.

Yeah, I guess so. We haven't filled him on what's happening in awhile. All right, see you later Quisty. Selphie waved and disappeared into the with Zell and Irvine.

Quistis sighed softly and walked through the front gates of Balamb Garden. It brought back old memories of the first time she and Squall went to the Fire Cavern together. Back then, she was his instructor so it might have been kind of awkward for him when they were together but when she became a SeeD, nothing changed. He still kept his feelings from her no matter how much she tried to make him open up. Not only him but to everyone else as well...that was until she came along.

The instructor dipped her hands into the fountain as she passed it. She brought her wet hands up to her face and massaged it gently, letting the cold water sink into her skin. She sat on the stone surface of the fountain and gazed into the pool. Her perfect features rippled as the water swayed gently. What she not pretty enough for Squall? What did Rinoa have that she lacked? What was so special about her?

All these questions and not a single answer.

She couldn't help but wonder how Rinoa managed to have TWO guys love her when she cant even get one. Quistis scold herself for sounding like a jealous teen when her emotions have much more intense feelings and substance. Now she was an instructor again. Although she was overjoyed about getting her license back, she wondered if things will be the same as before when...she had Squall in her class.

Probably not...I wont be having my favorite student' in my class no more...

She grinned at the words favorite student'. He truly was the best, in every single area.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted when she spotted a young cadent running frantically towards her. He stopped in front of her and fell to his knees sucking in deep gasps.

"What's going on? Is there a problem? Quistis asked with concern as she helped him up to his feet.

I was told to find the SeeDs. Nida said that he spotted Galbadia Garden heading right this way!! We have to inform the Commander! Where is he?

Quistis exclaimed. Galbadia Garden is heading here right now!?

Yes! Where's Commander Leonheart?

Quistis shook her head. I don't know. Zell couldn't get in touch with him.

What should we do then!? Who's going to give the commands!?

Putting a hand on his shoulder, the instructor replied calmly, I will. I will go and tell the other SeeDs and try to have everyone seek refuge in Garden. You go back and assemble all the recovered cadets with even ID's on offensive stance and have all the odd numbered IDs on defensive stance. If they take action, retaliate immediately. We'll stay on the battlefield here since they're most likely be coming through the front gate or if they're after Timber. Listen, if their forces are too overwhelming, I want you to tell Nida to pilot the Garden far away from here as possible OK?

What about you guys?

"Don't worry about us. This is your order. Do you understand? Quistis asked sternly.

Yes. I'm on my way.

Wait!! Hold on, on more thing. Have you seen Seifer Almasy? Since Squall wasn't here, another gunblade specialist could prove to be a valuable asset.

The cadet shook his head. No. Everyone was looking for him before but it seems he isn't anywhere in Garden.

I see... she replied suspiciously. "All right, go on and be careful!

You too Instructor Trepe!!

The wind around Quistis started to pick up. She brushed her locks back and when she looked up, she spotted the corner of the floating red vehicle advancing forward. It would only be a matter of minutes before the Garden lands. She hoped she gave the right commands before. She was sure that's what Squall would have wanted done but still, she was extremely worried. If anything happened, it would be all her fault. Just as she rushed out onto the plains, she could see the red Garden in full view pulling up towards the shore. She picked up her speed and ran as quickly as she could to warn the others.

Squall...where ARE you?





Authors Notes- I'm sorry for another late update but I'm really busy this summer especially with my volunteer job which takes up most of my time. I will most likely make another update within a week. I hope I didn't make General Caraway seem out of character since Rinoa is his daughter. Don't worry, his motive will be revealed later on. Thank you all so much again for reading and reviewing. I hope everyone is having a great summer!!