By Ramsey Anderson
All characters in this fic are property of Squaresoft and were not created by me.
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Chapter 14
"Squall! Good timing, I was about to call you on the intercom. Thank goodness you're here, we've landed on Fisherman's Horizon. I want you to go into town, find the local mayor and apologize for this accident. Tell them that we come in peace. Take a look around the city while you're there, too." Cid ordered me.
"Okay, but may I use the intercom for a moment?" I asked the headmaster.
"Oh sure, we just got it fixed."
I instructed that Quistis, Zell, Selphie, Rinoa, and Irvine meet me at the second floor deck. I figured that the town could benefit from as many warriors to fight back the Galbadian forces that would arrive soon after we entered town. I walked towards the elevator when Cid stopped me.
"Squall, where were you the day after you became a SeeD? Quistis said that you ran off with some girl and a couple of White SeeDs. Where did you go after that? I only ask because you were assigned an important mission that day."
I had hoped that Cid wouldn't have asked me where I had been that day. I couldn't possibly tell him the truth, he may not have understood my reason to go. I had prepared an excuse, however, that I thought was quite plausible, "I felt that I needed some more training, and the White SeeDs saw me fight the Granaldo, so they took me somewhere to help my fighting skills. They were excellent fighters, and I think that I made the best choice in going with them."
Cid paused then said, "…I suppose you made the correct choice, and after all, you didn't know that you had a mission the next day. Okay, that's all…oh, and thank you for helping me out in the basement yesterday. I see good things in your future, Squall."
I saluted then descended the elevator to the second floor. When I arrived at the deck, all of my friends were waiting for me, having general conversations until I approached them. "Okay everyone, we've hit Fisherman's Horizon, or just FH for short. Let's check out the town first, then I'll find the mayor and apologize for Balamb Garden. Sound good?"
Everyone agreed, then Zell asked, "Great idea, I'd love to get out of Garden for awhile, but why did you bring us all up here?"
"We don't all hang out as much as we should, and I figured this would be a good opportunity, you know?" I lied to the group, not telling them that I mainly brought them for their muscle.
"It's cool, it's cool. Just asking." Zell responded.
As we walked along the struts leading into FH, I talked to Selphie. I was curious as to what she had been doing since we arrived at Garden, seeing as she hadn't been around previously. "So what've you been up to lately?"
"Just wandering around Garden, ya know. Oh, by the way, I don't need a tour anymore, I showed myself around."
I figured that Selphie would mention that, "Umm…well you see, I was going to, but I kinda…"
Selphie cut me off, "Don't worry about it!" She lowered her voice so that Rinoa couldn't hear us. "I heard that you and Rinoa had some sort of…date last night? I hear that it was your idea…what's going on there?"
I blushed, "Ah, well, I dunno…okay, so maybe I have a thing for Rinoa. I'm sure you've already figured that out, though. So what if we did have a date last night?…Did Rinoa talk to you about it or what?"
"She said that she-"
A FH representative approached us and interrupted, "We've come to warn you before you go ashore. Do not engage in any type of armed conflict in the city. We do not tolerate belligerence here. Do you understand?"
"Yes sir, we are representatives from Balamb Garden and we come in peace. I believe the mayor is in the center of town. We will talk to him immediately." I responded in a professional manner.
Selphie let everyone else move forward so that her and I could continue our conversation out of Rinoa's earshot. "Rinoa said…she had a really good time with you last night. I couldn't get much else out of her, she seemed deliriously happy."
That was exactly what I had wanted to hear, so I couldn't help but let out a small chuckle and a huge grin. Rinoa and I were off to a great start; finally something was going my way. So far, so good.
When the six of us reached the path to the mayor's house, I informed them, "Hey, why don't we check out the town first? I need to stock up on some supplies."
The group agreed and we headed to the right towards the shops and stores of FH. My intention was to visit the local weapons shop to upgrade my current weapon. I had located the correct items and had saved up enough money to advance my Revolver to the more powerful Cutting Trigger. I strayed from the group and walked into the upgrade shop. The weaponsmith there was one of the more skilled smiths that I would encounter on my journey, so my gunblade was upgraded within minutes after my arrival. The blade felt heavier in my hands, but the firing mechanism had been boosted with more strength and the edge was much finer than the Revolver's had been.
I located everyone and told them my plan of action. "I'm going to the mayor's house to give an apology and ask for repair assistance to the Garden. Keep your eyes out for any Galbadian soldiers. If you see any, subdue them and try to keep the town safe."
Everybody paused, then nodded in agreement. It surprised me at how everyone trusted my warnings without question, how strange it must have seemed to be looking out for Galbadian soldiers in a peaceful town like FH. Yet, nobody ever questioned my suggestions.
I walked down the long downward sloping isle into the center of town. The mayor's house was two stories high and was as plainly constructed as the rest of the town; most likely a monument to the equality treated to the people of FH. I walked inside and up the stairs to meet Mayor Dobe.
Before he could speak, I approached him and said, "Hello, I am here on behalf of Balamb Garden. We come in peace and I must apologize for crashing into your town; it was a complete accident and would have been prevented if it had been possible. We learned only recently that the Garden was mobile and we have not learned how to maneuver it or work the machinery. If your technicians could lend us a hand with fixing the Garden, we will leave your town as soon as possible."
I had said everything that needed to be said, so Dobe didn't have much to say. "Okay, I will have some technicians help you out shortly. After repairs are complete, I would like you to leave."
"Understood sir, and once again, I apologize on behalf of Balamb Garden."
I walked down the steps and out of the mayor's house intending to get back to town to help the others fight the Galbadians. As I sprinted up the long path into town, I thought about FH's way of life. They opposed all forms of violence, they used words to solve their problems, not weapons. Humans were born with the ability to think and have opinions, which meant that other humans would have different opinions, which meant that humans must defend their beliefs, which therefore led to violence. FH believed that a problem could be worked out with discussion while everyone else in the world destroyed each other to get things done. I wasn't any different, however. I couldn't simply walk up to a soldier and ask them to put down their weapons. I would have to fight, and possibly kill other human beings for the greater cause.
I reached the top of the isle to find a SAM08G robot spying me from about twenty feet to my right. SAM08G robots carried 155mm micro-missile cannons on their shoulders, a vulcan cannon built into their mouths, and sharpened claws on their cold steel hands, more than enough to kill anything that moved. When their target was spotted, the merciless killing machines would attack relentlessly until their opponent fell. Unfortunately, I was the one targeted for termination. Damn, if I had been here a minute later, it probably wouldn't be there… I was left with no choice but to fight.
I drew my newly-forged Cutting Trigger and got into my fighting stance. The machine began the fight with a barrage of micro-missiles launched from its shoulders. I immediately reacted and ran to my left as the bombs slammed into the metal ground behind me. The missiles stopped and were quickly followed by the SAM08G opening its jaws wide, the vulcan cannon in its mouth readied to fire. Bullets flew inches above my head as I rolled on my side towards my machine opponent. When I got too close to the SAM08G for the cannon to aim downwards at me, the deafening shots ceased and I stabbed the beast in the torso. The Cutting Trigger had no problem penetrating the steel armor, its razor-tip made to do such damage. I slid the blade out and the next few moments came quite fast. The machine attempted to claw at me while I rolled around on the ground rapidly left and right, slashing at it whenever I found an opening. The robot could not catch up with my evasive maneuvers and could only scratch the ground around me. It finally became impatient and stepped back to reveal its vulcan cannon. I reacted in a flash and slashed right through the barrel of the cannon. Sparks flew from the enemy's mouth and I casted a Thundara spell to finish the battle off.
The SAM08G, at a loss of energy to continue fighting any longer, fell to the ground and stopped moving. I caught my breath and stood up. I observed that the floor I had been laying on had been carved up beyond comprehension. I felt my body for any damage, and could not find any wounds at all. Not one scratch, hah! Not bad, Squall, not bad at all. I observed Mayor Dobe walking off into the distance most likely negotiate with one of the Galbadian military officers. I had been too busy fighting to stop the mayor from going, so I ran after him as fast I could.
I managed to avoid any battles with G-troops or mechanized killing machines, noting that there were several demolished robots and a few motionless soldiers strewn about the streets. Selphie, Zell, Quistis, Irvine, and Rinoa had most likely been the ones responsible for the absence of enemies. I hadn't realized that they were such strong soldiers until I noticed their handiwork. I passed by Irvine, Rinoa, and Quistis who were busying themselves with a SAM08G robot. I would've stopped to help them, but I had to catch the mayor; besides, they could obviously take care of themselves.
I arrived at a fairly large open space that joined the street where I encountered Zell and Selphie fighting Galbadian soldiers. Mayor Dobe stood a safe distance away from the battleground as he gazed on in silent shame. A blue soldier lay unmoving on the cement near the fighters; either Zell or Selphie had defeated the him. I ran to try and help the two, but Selphie quickly swung her nunchaku into the side of the other blue soldier's head, knocking him out cold. Zell did an amazing backflip kick on the red Galbadian commander, slamming his foot into the man's jaw as he soared to the ground unconscious.
I ran to them and asked, "Are you two alright?"
Zell responded, "Us, we'll pull through. Them, not so much."
I approached Mayor Dobe and asked him the same question. He responded, "Physically, I am unhurt."
The Mayor walked away from us, not saying another word. Selphie had to ask, "What do you suppose he meant by that?"
"He means that he's upset about you fighting other people. I know there was no other choice but to fight, but he's sure that all problems can be solved through words. I just wish it were true…" I replied.
Since their commander was taken out, all the Galbadian soldiers had no choice but to retreat from FH. I reported back to Headmaster Cid our situation and that technicians would be allowed inside to fix the Garden.
"Most likely, the sorceress will not stop this onslaught until Ellone is found. She will continue to hunt her, and burn everything in her path. We can't wait any longer." Cid stated.
Cid picked up the microphone to the intercom for the Garden and told everyone that I had been appointed their leader. Before, I had been quite upset that Cid didn't give me any choice in the matter, but this time, I was rather happy to be in control. When, or if, the war against Galbadia Garden occurred, I would make all the right choices and save many more lives. Scorn not being present, I felt a sense of pride and accomplishment in becoming the leader of Balamb Garden.
Irvine, Selphie, Quistis, Zell, and Rinoa had later informed me that they had some things to do on their own that did not involve me. I didn't mind; I decided to observe the technicians as they worked on and figured out the controls to Garden. I was determined not to let ignorance fall upon me in times of need ever again.
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When I heard the announcement that Squall was our new leader, I was struck with inspiration! Quistis, Zell, Irvine, and I would put on a concert just for Squall and Rinoa! The purpose was two-fold; to congratulate Squall on his promotion, and to give him and Rinoa a little push to get together. Brilliant, Selphie! If I do say so myself!
It wasn't an easy task, getting everyone to learn how to play instruments in a few hours, but I knew that we could do it. While we rehearsed and figured out how who should play what instrument, I noticed that Quistis seemed down about the whole idea. I knew what she had been thinking, she still had feelings for Squall, and there she was being forced into a scheme to get him together with someone else. I felt bad for her, but I really just saw Squall and Rinoa as more of a couple than Quistis and Squall. They seemed to be a better match for each other in general. Not only that, but they had already been on a date.
I later talked to Quistis about the whole thing. "Quistis, I know that you still have some feelings for Squall, but I think it's time to let go. Squall likes Rinoa, I've heard from both of them that they like each other. They sorta already went on a date already, too. I'm sorry."
"…But I can't just let my feelings go without telling him how I feel about him. Yes, I know I probably should've told him already before things with him and Rinoa really happened…Oh, I'm such a fool…I could've told him on the way from the prison, then maybe things would be different now..."
Quistis cried in my arms for awhile as I comforted her with my presence. When she finished sobbing, I offered her a choice. "Listen, I'm not going to force you to play tonight. Honestly, I could really use a fourth person in the set, but if you don't feel up to it, you don't have to, okay? I'm going to leave the choice up to you. Just keep in mind that this isn't just a chance for Squall and Rinoa to date, but it's also a congratulations on his promotion. I'm sure he'd really appreciate it if you helped out."
With that, I left her room and prepared for the concert.
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I had learned everything about controlling Balamb Garden from the FH technicians and had returned to my room. Quickly, I became bored of lying in bed. I wondered what everyone else was doing, so I left my dorm in search of my friends.
When I walked down the corridor, I noticed Rinoa and Zell at the far end. When they noticed me, Zell ran off and Rinoa waited for me to come to her. Rinoa was wearing her gorgeous white dress that she wore on special occasions. It then occurred to me that the concert was happening that night. I had thought, with my recent streak of bad luck, that there would be no concert and no date with Rinoa.
"Hey, what's up?" Rinoa asked.
I played along. "Just bored. Looking for something to do."
"Great! Let's go to the concert."
Rinoa and I walked all the way to the center of FH where the gigantic stage had been set up. All my friends were there: Selphie, Irvine, Zell, and Quistis were on stage with their instruments, preparing to entice me and Rinoa to get together, I assumed. They began playing, and as before, it was not great music. After listening for a few minutes, Rinoa and I walked away to have some privacy.
We sat next to each other on the edge of the platform overlooking the perfect reflection of the clear night sky in the countless mirrors encompassing Fisherman's Horizon. The weather was nothing short of perfection, with a small, steady wind to circulate the flawless air. The music behind us was audible, but not to the point that it was loud; we were able to talk without yelling.
I was nervous about mine and Rinoa's first real date. I didn't expect myself to be nervous with someone I loved so dearly, but I felt that I had to watch my words, careful not to break the perfect evening. When I was nervous, I had a tendency to become silent.
Rinoa spoke first, "So now that you're the leader of Garden, you're gonna be pretty busy, huh? Are we still going to have enough time to go on any more…tours?"
"Of course. I won't let the job get in the way of us spending time together."
"Hee hee, I'm glad…I really enjoyed last night, you know."
Rinoa slipped her hand into mine, which immediately eliminated all nervousness from my body. I hadn't felt her hand in mine for so long, but had thought about it for every moment that we weren't together. It was strange how something so simple as holding hands could bring so much warmth and generate such powerful emotions. I returned her light grip and we sat there in silence, drinking in the moment, savoring it.
Rinoa spoke, "Tell me what you're thinking."
"I'm thinking…about the future."
"The future? What about the future?"
"About things that will happen, where I'll be at this point next week, what I'll be doing, who I'll be talking to, what my life will be like. It's amazing how things can change so quickly, how the people you meet can have such a profound impact on your life…and you won't even realize it."
"…I think I know what you mean." We turned and our eyes met, a mutual understanding of the subtext in our words. It took a lot out of me not to kiss her at that moment, how wonderful it would have been, our first kiss at the perfect moment, but we turned away, a small, nervous giggle escaping our lips.
"…I think about where you and I will be in the future. I see us…holding hands, just like we are now. I see us walking together, being…truly happy. I see us without a care in the world, just living in the moment…"
"…I see that too…" Her grip tightened and when I returned her grip, we turned to face each other. As I stared at her lovely face under the shining moon, we closed our eyes and kissed. Suddenly, everything had been worth it. My whole hellish adventure, having to endure hardships again and again, failing in every attempt to prevent certain catastrophes; none of it mattered when my lips met Rinoa's. At that point, I knew that I had to tell Rinoa the truth. If I truly loved her, I would have to tell her eventually.
"That's it. Rinoa, I have to tell you something…"
I told her everything, about what had happened before, what I believed was happening to me, everything.
"…I was different, so cold and unfriendly. You changed all that…"
She listened carefully, never saying a word. I couldn't imagine what she was thinking. She could have been thinking that I was joking, or that I was crazy, but I continued anyways.
"…That's why I went to the missile base. But I couldn't stop the strike, just like I couldn't save the Dollet soldier…"
I didn't consider that I could have been ruining any chance with Rinoa by telling her my situation. I tried not to think that she wasn't ready for such intense amount of information.
"…At the end, I loved you. And right now…I love you…"
I didn't know how long it took me to finish the entire story, but it must have been awhile since the concert had stopped. After I had finished, Rinoa took a minute to digest all the information I had given her. I watched the stars while I waited patiently for her to say something.
"…You love me…"
The tone she spoke the three words in implied confusion and wonder. I was sort of hoping it would have been excitement and joy. I replied, "Ever since you first met me."
I didn't think it would take so long to process the information. The silence was terrible, I couldn't stand it. "You don't believe me, do you?"
"…I believe everything you told me…I just need some time to think…"
Thinking was good, as long as she thought about what I said, I would be happy. "Take all the time you need."
I walked her to her room and we said goodnight.
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I tried not to look at them, tried to concentrate on playing the piano, taking everything I had not to look down at them from the stage. I couldn't help it, however; my eyes would glance up on their own and see them off in the distance. Luckily, their backs were turned to me and I couldn't tell what they were doing. At least I could've imagined Squall getting angry at Rinoa or something. It was terrible to think such a thing, but I couldn't help it, she was on a date with the man I thought I loved.
After awhile, I noticed them holding hands, which pretty much eliminated the possibility that they weren't getting along. Just when I thought it couldn't have gotten worse, they kissed. I had been too late, I couldn't have possibly asked Squall out after seeing them kiss, after all. I know that I must have messed up on the piano, because everyone else stopped playing soon after I began to lose it, but I didn't care. I started crying on that stage, and didn't stop until I went to sleep that night.
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Space again, inside the space station with Selphie, Piet, and Ellone. I watched the immense amount of monsters on the moon begin forming a path to the planet, the Lunar Cry. Flash. I was in front of the room that the unconscious Rinoa was being kept. A soldier came flying out of the door, followed by a Rinoa possessed by Ultimecia. I knew that I couldn't stop her, but I ran to her anyways, only to be pushed back by some unseen force. Flash. I chased after Rinoa in my spacesuit, floating as fast as I could towards her, but she was too far away. The hangar door closed after her and I was unable to follow her. Flash. I watched from the control station, watching Rinoa deactivate the seal to Sorceress Adel's tomb. The Lunar Cry sucked in Adel's pod, Rinoa was launched away from it, out of my sights and control. Flash. I was back on Earth, the escape pod behind me; Selphie, Ellone, and Piet standing next to me…no Rinoa. She was gone, her body floating in space for eternity.
I woke with my body stiff as a board, my heart beating too fast for my body to keep up. I let out a long, shaky breath and came to my senses. It had been a nightmare, just like the other ones had been. I knew what it represented; since I had changed things with Rinoa by kissing her, somehow that meant that other things could change too, like her not being saved from space. I took this dream as a warning, a chance to set things correctly. I couldn't let things happen like last time. I realized that I had tried, and failed, to stop catastrophic events, but this was different, this involved the woman I loved. Love would never forgive me if I gave up.
I dressed and walked to Rinoa's dorm room down the hall from mine. I knocked on her door. She opened the door and I said, "We can't stay here. If this course continues, your life will be in danger. I can't let that happen again."
After a brief hesitation, Rinoa responded, "Where will we go?"
"…To Esthar. It's all the way at the end of the tracks, to the East. It's our only chance."
I figured that Rinoa still needed time to think about all the things I had told her the night before, but I couldn't wait any longer. The longer we waited, the more we dug ourselves into the ill-destined hole. After a look of uncertainty and confusion passed, she replied, "I don't know if I should…"
"…I understand. I'm going in an hour. I don't know what I can achieve without you there…but I'll find something. It's your decision…but I'd really like to have you with me…"
With that said, I walked away. So many things were running through my head; What do I expect to find in Esthar? Will Rinoa decide to come with me? What will I do if she doesn't? What are the others going to think of my decision?
Rinoa said to me before I could leave, "Squall, last time…did you and I go to Esthar like this?"
"No, I've just got to try and save you…"
I felt bad for leaving Rinoa in her doorway with such a monumentous decision in her hands, but there was no other way. I walked towards Quistis' classroom intending to ask her to take my place as leader of Garden. I was a responsible person, so I couldn't simply leave Garden without a leader.
When I walked into the nearly empty classroom, Quistis was writing something in a book at her desk. I must have surprised her when I said, "Quistis?"
She gasped and her head jolted around to look at me, her eyes wide open. She immediately closed the book she was writing in and responded, "Oh, hi Squall. What is it?"
"Listen, there's something very important that I need you to do for me. I need you to take my place as leader of Balamb Garden."
She was clearly taken aback by my request. "What? Why? Are you nervous about doing this? Don't be, I'm positive that you'll make a great leader."
"It's not that. See, I'm going away for some time and I don't know when I'll be back. I can't tell you where because you might try to find me."
I seemed to have a habit of making people pause after I said something. "But Squall, why not somebody else? Like Cid. Why me?"
"Cid lacks confidence. I've seen your leadership skills and I know that you'll do just as fine a job as I would have. You must accept, there's no other choice." It was ironic how Quistis was given no say in the matter. "Listen, before I go, I need to tell you some things. You may not understand it, but just listen. If Galbadia Garden attacks Balamb Garden, there are a few measures I need you to take."
I told her to command a certain number of soldiers to stand guard at specific areas of the Garden, while she should heavily defend other specified parts of the structure. I knew that she was confused at why I was telling her those things but knowing Quistis, I figured that she was mentally noting all the information I was giving her.
"Please remember all these things and obey them. Many lives depend on it. Goodbye."
It had been a bit cold to leave on such a note, but I was upset. The nightmare had frightened me beyond comprehension and I was dreading Rinoa's decision. I had to continue, however. I needed to make one more stop, then I would head to Esthar.
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"You're going to Esthar? Why? When? You can't poss-"
Squall interrupted, "-Listen headmaster, I'm going. I'm only here to tell you that I've left Quistis in charge of Balamb Garden. You will probably object, but I am confident that she will be a great leader."
I couldn't believe my ears! Squall, our master and commander, was leaving all of us to follow some kind of personal mission. And why he chose Esthar was beyond my knowledge as well. I would've stopped him, I would've done something about it, but he was the leader, after all. There was really nothing I could do but obey his orders.
"…Alright, Quistis will be in charge from now on. But let it be known that I don't like this one bit."
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After gathering some supplies, I left Balamb Garden and headed towards the train tracks. I was still unsure about what Rinoa was planning to do, but it looked like she decided not to go with me. What am I doing? What am I going to do in Esthar? What if there's another way? Although, I don't really see any other way. Edea must be stopped or else she will gain control of all the nations in the world. She is quite capable of doing so, there's no doubting that. If we stop her, then Ultimecia will lose control over Edea and transfer her consciousness to Rinoa. My only chance is to go to Esthar; maybe Laguna can help in some way.
I reached the train tracks and found Rinoa waiting for me there. She had a pack full of what looked like supplies, her Valkyrie weapon hoisted to her arm, and a warm smile on her face. "I've decided to go with you, Squall."