A New Hope
You guys have to get out of here now! Rinoa cried sharply. They'll be here within seconds and they'll imprison all of you if you don't leave now!!
Rinoa, we're not letting them kill you and we are definitely not leaving! cried Selphie.
The shattering crescendos of the sirens increased and the sound of footsteps seemed to be drawing closer.
Rinoa walked up to Seifer and locked her gaze on him. You have to get all of them out of here now!! I cant risk have you all killed because of me!! Seifer PLEASE!! Rinoa screamed over the loud ringing. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she begged the Ex-Knight to get the others away from harm.
Seifer stood there petrified. Everything around him was frozen. Time stopped and the only source of life was the woman in front of him. He stared into her worried eyes and found himself gazing at a pool of tears. He slowly brought his hands up to her pale cheeks and brushed her pain away. She was asking him to leave. Leave her to die. How could he oblige to something like that? He had failed her in the past when he had promised to protect her.
There was no way he was going to let history repeat itself.
A rough shove from the Sorceress brought him back to reality. He gritted his teeth and firmly gripped both of her shoulders, shocking her for a second. Rinoa! You listen to me! There is no way I am going to let you die! I have failed you in the past and that will never happen again!
"Don't you get it Seifer!? she yelled in hysteria. I KNOW you have failed me in the past and you don't ever want that to happen again but cant you see this isn't about US!? What about the THEM!? She looked at the four SeeDs next to her who became her family for the past year. How can you be so selfish!? THEY are innocent! It is not fair for them to be dragged into this mess because of ME...because of US...because of what WE have done wrong!
Listen to me Seifer! I cannot and will not go with you so you might as well leave now. She tried to sound harsh but failed miserably. I will not put their lives at risk just because of our issues so you have to leave NOW! She broke away from his grasp and slowly backed away.
Rinoa NO!
I have to go back...I have to...they're coming for me and for ME only! I...I just don't want to see unnecessary bloodshed anymore. All those people at Timber...the lives lost...all the pain...it was caused all because of me!
If she hadn't been so immature and focused on liberating Timber, her beloved town wouldn't have been in this messed. She was too blind to see it coming and too weak to stop her father.
Seifer...if you claim you love me...then you will let me go and leave right this INSTANT!!
The Ex-Knight tried to grab her arm but he Sorceress turned around and without another glance back, she fled up the stairs and into the waiting arms of the Galbadian Soldiers.
The loud sirens slowly ceased and the footsteps seemed to be fading away. Seifer slumped to the ground and angrily thrust his fist into the hard earth. "I'm going after her!
You cant Seifer! They got her now...it would be useless fighting a whole swarm of army out there. There is no way we could win even though we're SeeDs.
So what the hell are you saying!? That we let them just take her!? Seifer barked.
I...I think we should head back to Garden... whispered Quistis who had been silently witnessing this whole ordeal.
Yeah Instructor. You would really love that wouldn't you!? Go back to your puberty boy and let your supposedly called friend' to die RIGHT!?
You heard her Seifer! She wants us to get out of here! I don't know about you but it is futile to go back to like what Irvine had said. Now before they all get here and finds us, I suggest we leave or Rinoa's capture would have been for nothing. I'm not doing this because of my own personal feelings but I'm doing this because it is the only LOGICAL thing to do.
We should head back to Garden before they find us...at least we can still possibly have the chance of coming up with something new before its too late. If we're all captured here, it would serve no purpose, added Irvine and placed his headgear back on.
Without another word, the Commander and the others concealed himself and then head for the stairs.
It'll all be OK... Selphie encouraged. Zell squeezed her shoulders as a sign of reassurance. It will Selphie...it will...
The halls were empty save for the few at the entrance.
What are you all doing? One of them questioned.
We have been asked to guard the entrance seeing the majority of the Soldiers are with the Sorceress, answered Zell.
There were no such orders given!! Identify yourselves!! The guard instantly moved into his offensive stance and pulled out his weapon.
Seifer pulled out his own weapon as well. We don't need to identify anything! With a single swift movement, his powerful blade delivered a devastating of damage towards the Galbadians. They instantly collapsed beneath his feet. With a look of disgust, he kicked the bodies aside. He made his way back out to the desert. The others having no other choice followed him.
He stopped at the far outskirts of the prison and removed his disguise once he realized it was safe to do so.
I can't believe it...we were so close...so damn close.
In an effort to calm the blonde down, Selphie lightly placed her hand on his shoulder. It'll be alright...we'll figure something out once we get back to Garden.
"That's what you guys keep saying and that's what I have been telling myself but...what if we cant...?
A gentle wind of sand breezed passed by and when it cleared, the mobile Garden was clearly visible not far up ahead. The SeeDs with no other choice and having no where else to go, slowly made their way back to their Home. The short walk back was rather unpleasant. Occasionally, Seifer would silently curse to himself in anger. They couldn't blame him. They were walking back to a devastated Garden in shame and disappointment.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Everything was quiet except for the soft humming of the engines. The anxious pilot scanned the surroundings for a suspicious figures but more importantly, for his allies. A loud ruckus behind him alerted him and he instantly turned around. He was surprised however to find the Commander limping towards him.
Commander Leonheart! he exclaimed and rushed to his aid. What are you doing here!?
I have to find Rinoa and I'm going to need your help... he said. He leaned against the side walls for support and then continued. I know the others are in there and trying to save her but what if they don't make it in time? I have to do something and I need you to tell me everything you know Nida!
I really don't think this is such a good idea...
Please Nida...I need to do this for Rinoa, Squall stated sharply.
Sighing, the pilot hesitantly agreed. Alright...they plan to execute her just within a few hours so this is our only chance. I haven't heard from Seifer and the others in almost two hours so I don't know what they are up to. All I was told was to stay guard here and be ready when they return.
The Commander felt a pang of fear. His comrades have been gone for two hours and not a single report was sent back to Garden. He prayed Seifer didn't screw up but knowing his cocky and arrogant rival, it was a huge possibility. He never planned anything carefully, only rushing in and then getting himself and the others around him in even deeper trouble. Squall felt his body tense with rage. He was not only angry at the situation but also himself. If only he had been stronger to withstand Seifer, none of this would have happened.
Do you have a plan Squall? Nida asked after a while.
That depends, Squall simply said. Do you know how they plan on executing Rinoa?
Nida nodded. It was said that she was to be executed by lethal injection.
Squall paused for a moment. He knit his eyes brow and seemed to be deep in thought. He knew how dangerous lethal injections could be and it can kill someone within seconds. One mistake in his plan could be the end for Rinoa and there was no way he was going to let that happen.
He stood up from his sitting position and turned towards the exit. Nida, prepare me a Galbadian Uniform. I think we have some extra. I have to speak to Dr. Kadowaki...I think I have an idea.
Author's Notes: Sorry for the rather short chapter but it was a long time since I had updated so I just had to post it. Expect the next chapter by Thanksgiving! Thank you again for reading everyone!
