Squall smiled as he watched the Galbadians fall to the floor in defeat.
"We'd better get inside," Rinoa said, "Seifer's probably in there."
"You don't have to go, Rinoa. You can stay here if you'd like." Squall offered.
Rinoa looked at him seriously, "Squall, don't you DARE try to stop me from hurting Seifer, not now. Not after what he's done," she began to smile, "Anyway, it's not like I haven't been practicing my powers in the last year. I'm a sorceress, Squall, or have you forgotten?"
"Have you been practicing?" Squall asked.
"Of course I have. What do you take me for?" Rinoa replied, "Seifer won't know what he's in for."
"Has everyone but me forgotten our meeting with Seifer?" Zell asked, "Or that he's a sorcerer? He can still beat us, guys, but I ain't gonna let that happen! Now let's just get in there before we lose our chance!"
"Impressive words, Zell," Squall said, "I never thought it would be you saying them."
"Let's go then." Zell said, leading the way into the hotel, leaving the Galbadians behind.
"I bet you never thought you'd see me again," Seifer laughed, "I bet you wanted to know why I waited until now?" he asked, rising to his feet.
"Just calm down, Seifer," Quistis said, with a tinge of fear in her voice, "Now why did you wait?"
"You'd have been less prepared if I just popped up out of nowhere, but it seems like you knew it was me all along. Oh well, there's no point wallowing in it. Let's talk. It's what you came here for."
"Irvine," Quistis began, "Go and find Squall and the others. Bring them back here. We'll handle Seifer."
"Where is he?" Squall shouted. They had searched the whole hotel, and they still couldn't find Seifer.
"He'd better show up." Zell said.
"Squall!" someone shouted, running towards the three. It was Irvine.
"What?" Squall asked, spinning around.
"We've found Seifer." Irvine panted, trying to get his breath back.
"Where?" Rinoa asked, jumping forward.
"Just come with me." Irvine said, turning to leave the hotel.
"Why now, Seifer?" Selphie asked, "Why not just leave it? Haven't you hurt enough people already?"
"I've been doing some thinking since we last met," Seifer began, "I've been stupid before…"
"You got that right!" Zell shouted, as he, Rinoa, Squall and Irvine appeared.
"Do you mind!" Quistis said, irritated, "I think we're getting somewhere."
"Squall," Seifer said, "Do you remember when we battled in Lunatic Pandora?"
"Get to the point, Seifer, we haven't got all day." Zell said.
"Zell, stop being so impatient," Squall ordered, "Go on, Seifer."
"I realise my mistakes, and I'm sorry. I remembered what Fujin said, about me forgetting my dream.
"I arrived in Centra all geared up to defeat you, but then I remembered what my dream was. I only ever wanted to be like all of you. I only wanted to be a SeeD."
"Cut the crap!" Zell laughed, sarcastically.
"Zell, please." Squall said.
"The only reason I behaved the way I did was because I was jealous."
"Of?" Zell asked, growing more impatient by the second.
"You, mostly. I know what your thinking, Zell. You're thinking, 'Why would he be jealous of me?', but even I don't know the answer to that.
"Do any of you remember the orphanage?" Seifer asked, as he sat back down on the floor with the others.
"You never stopped picking on me…" Zell remembered.
"I always felt like I was being excluded," Seifer explained, "You never let me join in. That was all I wanted. To join in.
"I remember the fireworks. I was watching from my window when Zell came and said he was telling. That made me laugh."
"You really have changed…" Rinoa whispered. She noticed that Seifer was laughing. A kind, soft laugh.
"Remember that summer, Rinoa? I know you've been thinking about it. I miss the way we used to get on…I'm sorry I hurt you.
"I know I can never be forgiven for what I have done – I wish I could take it back, but I can't.
"I want to ask you to take me back to Balamb Garden. As Headmaster Cid may have said, arrangements have been made and we need to talk.
"What you may not know is that I have also taken part in the SeeD exam, but with a different task – to make an apology to you, and assist you in the final destruction of the Galbadian soldiers," Seifer turned to face Zell, "I ask of you, Zell, to forgive me and decide whether or not I should be allowed back into Garden."
Zell looked at the faces surrounding him. They all seemed to believe that Seifer was being genuine. Zell, oddly enough, also felt the same way. A smile crept across his face as he turned to Seifer and said, "Let's kick some Galbadian ass!"