Tiger of Blackness: Since I have murdered EverShadow, I will now take over this fanfic.
EverShadow: I'm baaaack!
Tiger of Blackness: WHAT?? HOW…WHEN…WHAT??
EverShadow: Oh, I'm not actually EverShadow. I'm EverShadow's clone. She told me that if something were to happen to her, Tiger related, I should come out.
Tiger of Blackness: *Looks back at massive tank filled with EverShadow clones* She's been watching waaay too much Eva.
EverShadow: So I'm here to take over!
Tiger of Blackness: NOOOOOO!!! WHEN WILL THE TERROR END?? Where's the switch Ritsuko had? I need it!!
EverShadow: Now…how does she say it? On with the show?
Bleeding Tears
Balamb Garden held a special funeral at the orphanage in the flower field. Hundreds attended it; Squall could hardly bring himself to show up. He had undergone severe emotional trauma. Rinoa was in severe condition but she wanted to be at the funeral. She wanted to see. Squall had wheeled her all the way to the flower field and she thought it ironic that such a beautiful place, a place where she and Squall had promised to meet at if they were ever separated, should become a graveyard. Selphie wept in Irvine's arms, thinking that somehow she was responsible for all of this. If she had left earlier, maybe she could've helped them. Irvine was torn up, unable to speak for days. He thought that after beating Ultimecia and saving the world, the six of them were invincible. But he had been proved wrong. Zell refused to believe anything. He ran out of the Garden, screaming, "QUISTIS! YOU BETTER COME BACK! QUISTIS!!" Not even Ayane could calm him down. He ran as far as the ocean and would've jumped and swam across if Squall and Irvine hadn't grabbed him by the arms and knocked him out cold. He was angry with himself for not being there.
"We are gathered here today…" Cid began, his eyes red from crying. He was an emotional man. The death of a dear friend like Quistis was more than he could take. "We…we are gathered here today to commemorate the honorable SeeD and even better Instructor, Quistis Trepe." All around him, students and friends were sobbing. "She…she was an excellent student; one of the best that the Garden ever produced. But what really made her surpass all others was her kind heart and strong will. We…we will never forget her." He stepped down from the podium. Edea took the empty space he had occupied. She was saddened, but her tears had long run dry.
"As a child, she showed wisdom beyond her ages. Sadly, I was not there to experience every moment of joy she had to offer. I think she would've liked it if we all remembered her for her accomplishments. I've done much wrong in my life but the bitterest thing I've done was abandon her and the other children. Forgive me." Squall made his way up to the podium. His expression was sullen and sour.
"I blame myself for what happened even though Quistis wouldn't have liked that I have done so. I was there when it happened. The Omega Weapon, something we thought we had defeated, had returned. We still have no idea where it is and we caution you. But…this is not about cautioning. Quistis was in every aspect the model instructor, friend and savior. She stuck to the rules when everyone else didn't. She was bright and caring. And…" Suddenly Squall felt sick. He couldn't talk about her like that. He just couldn't, not in the past tense…not like before. He walked away.
"Squall…" Rinoa whispered as he disappeared into the ruined building of the orphanage. Selphie couldn't even get Quistis's name out before collapsing in tears.
"Why?!" She sobbed. "Why does it have to be like this? She was too good! That bastard! That freaking bastard!" Irvine comforted him and led her away. Zell couldn't walk up there. He had too much to say but couldn't find the courage or the words to speak. He was in shock and denial. It seemed fitting that her adoptive parents should've been there but they didn't care nor did they bother to take the time. Other people walked up, some of them Trepies. All the while a shadowed man, one who had suffered more than enough during his time, one who's heart had been broken two times by the same woman, the man whom happiness had forgotten stood watching. His expression was lifeless. These words were meaningless to him. They didn't come from someone who loved her like he did.
"Seifer." The word was a threat. He didn't bother turning around so Squall grabbed him by the back of his trench coat and whirled him around, punching him. He accepted the pain. "You son of a bitch. You…it's because of you that Quistis is dead!" Squall knocked him to the ground.
"She gave her life to save me. Are you going to go against her wishes? If so, by all means send me into death with her, puberty-boy." Seifer said bitterly, picking himself up. Squall raised his hand to send him sprawling again but could not, for the expression on Seifer's face was not anger, it was sorrow.
"You're not worth it," Squall snapped. "If you really did love her like you claim, then her death is more than enough torture for you." He walked towards the ocean, hands in pockets and eyes to the sky. He kicked pieces of rubble and vented his anger on the sand as he collapsed on his knees and punched the ground. Squall was a torn man but at least he could function. Seifer had lost all he had to live for. Seifer sighed and went downstairs into the ruined basement. Years of the sea wind had rotted most of the structure and he could see the beach through cracks. But no one could see him as he curled up against a cold wall, the air hitting the back of his nose. All the while, he cried like a small child.
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Death isn't a gift you give someone you love.
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THE END!
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HAHA!! JOKING!!
Tiger of Blackness: You've done it again, Ever. You've broken me. You've killed off every single character I like. And you did it with a smile on your face.
EverShadow: Sorry, I'm just building up to the climax.
Tiger of Blackness: If this ends here, I'm going to kill you.
EverShadow: Maybe? Haha. Don't worry, there's going to be more. A whole lot more and you can count on it.
Tiger of Blackness: Explain to me…HOW CAN THIS BE A QUIFER WITHOUT QUISTIS???!!!
EverShadow: Who says she's dead?
Tiger of Blackness: She lives??!!
EverShadow: Maybe…maybe not. You know how I am. EverShadow signing off.