A/N - All Disclaimers apply. I do own the rights to Pia, Antony and any other characters I create.

Chapter 22

Squall was in his office going over the plan that Quistis brought to him, just after Laguna and Rinoa left. As he started to look at the layout of the orphanage, the phone rang and automatically picked it up.

"Commander Leonhart here, who is this?" Squall asked, he already had an idea who it was but he asked to be on the safe side.

"Commander, this is Antony. Ultimecia has given me tomorrow as the date that she will do the ritual. We'll be leaving at dawn for the orphanage." He said, as Squall wrote it down,

"Thanks Antony for the information and don't worry about Pia, I'll give the group the order that she is not to be killed under any circumstance." Squall replied to him.

"Thank you Commander. I was just wondering would we be able to still become a SeeD after this?" Antony asked nervously.

"Antony I'll be honest with you, I'm not sure but I'll think about it. We'll see you tomorrow then." Squall replied and he heard Antony reply with an affirmative.

"Selphie, wait up. What's wrong with you" Quistis shouted as she noticed Selphie turn around and give her a weak smile.

"I'm sorry Quistis, I've been a bit preoccupied since earlier today." Selphie said as Quistis gave her an inquisitive look.

"Listen if I tell you what is bugging me then it'll shut Zell up." Selphie carried on and Quistis nodded her head not knowing what she was agreeing to.

"Okay Selphie spill it, what has Zell got on you?" Quistis asked, knowing that it was something important to Selphie.

"Well it all started in Timber, when Squall sent me and Irvine to find the other Cadets." She started to explain and instantly Quistis had an idea where this was heading.

"Anyway we had an encounter their and then earlier today I wanted to talk to Irvine about what happened in Timber." She continued explaining to Quistis

"We agreed that this was the best idea and when we were in his room, we just jumped on each other and as I was leaving I bumped into Zell and he knew instantly what happened between us." Selphie finished explaining and Quistis let out a little giggle.

Selphie looked at her a little confused but more annoyed at her for giggling at the situation.

"Selphie I'm sorry" Quistis said and then continued "I was wondering way you and Irvine were arguing more than usual and now I know why."

Selphie just nodded in defeat as she realised that Quistis was right, after Timber they were arguing more than usual.

"Are you going to accompany me to the Cafeteria so we can talk more about this?" Quistis asked hoping that Selphie agreed.

"Yeah ok, I need to talk to someone about how I'm going to explain to Squall about what happened in Timber anyhow." Selphie replied and Quistis nodded her head in agreement.

Irvine was towards the Library when Zell called to him to wait up. 'Oh Hyne why does he have to show up now for.' He thought to himself.

"Hey up Irvine, how are ya doing?" Zell asked failing to notice Irvine's lack of patience.

"Zell if it isn't anything important then why don't you get out of my face." Irvine snapped back at Zell as Zell jumped back in amazement at what he had just said.

"Whoa there Irvine, what's your problem?" Zell asked, still trying to understand why Irvine had bite his head off for.

'Is he that dense that he forgot about what he did in the Dorms earlier on.' Irvine thought to himself as Zell was still trying to work out what was going on.

"Zell if you got your mind off those damn hotdogs far a least a minute then you'll remember that you tried to blackmail me and Selphie into telling Squall and them about our personal business." Irvine replied as Zell now understood why he was so angry for.

"Irvine you can't blame me for what happens between you two but you do have a point and I'm sorry for being such a pain." Zell said as he put his head down in shame at what had done to his friends.

"Zell don't think that you're getting off that lightly, if you're think I was angry wait till Selphie catches up with you." Irvine let out a grin as he said this and Zell gulped because he knew that Selphie would kill him if didn't beg to her for forgiveness.

As Zell was thinking about what he would say to Selphie, an announcement was made that made him and Irvine nod.

"Will the following please report to the headmaster's office. Quistis Trepe, Rinoa Heartilly, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt, Irvine Kinneas and Seifer Almasy. I repeat will those 6 report to the Headmaster's room A.S.A.P." The announcer said and as they heard they went towards the elevator.

As Squall was already in the room, he waited for everyone to come in, first was Seifer and then Irvine and Zell. Then it was Selphie and Quistis and then lastly Rinoa.

As soon as Selphie entered and locked her eyes onto Zell, she blew her top. She was shouting abusive language at him and all Zell was doing was trying to apologize to her. Squall made a mental note to pull them aside after the meeting and find out what was going on.

"Now that everyone is here" Squall started to say, "and that everyone is calm. I have a time for when Ultimecia will be doing the ritual." Everyone looked at him in a confused look.

"Uh Squall, I don't mean to offend you in anyway but have you been conversing with Ultimecia or something?" Quistis asked, making sure not to get him worked up in anyway.

"No Quistis I haven't been talking with Ultimecia. I've been doing the next best thing." Squall said, and everyone was still confused so he continued. "I've had a little chat with her knight." Now all the group went "Ah" after he said it.

"So since Antony attack you and Rinoa. You've been waiting for him to contact you when he knew when the ritual was about to happen." Seifer replied, now beginning to grasp properly why Squall had given Antony his ring.

"That is right Seifer, anyhow the ritual is taking place tomorrow morning. Antony and Ultimecia will be leaving at dawn for the orphanage, so we'll leave around the same time in Ragnorak." Squall said, scanning the room and everyone nodded in agreement.

"Okay so come here before dawn and we will discuss the plan then" Squall just said before saying "Dismissed" to them all.

A/N - Sorry about the wait. I've just started doing a Smallville story.

Anyhow I hope you enjoyed this chapter, please review.