EverShadow: I'm very sorry for being so late in the entire updating thing. I've been lazy and busy when I'm not lazy.

Tiger of Blackness: (whispered) Liar…

EverShadow: SShhh!!! I have been busy, haven't I, Tiger? Holds up Tiger's wok

Tiger of Blackness: Wh-where did you get that? I could've sworn I had it in my paws…

EverShadow: Never underestimate me.

Tiger of Blackness: Slices EverShadow in half…again. What? I didn't quite hear you.

EverShadow: On with the show…medic…help…

The Red Horizon

"What's he moping about?" Zell hissed. All six of them were on a train headed for Esthar, where Seifer had been dropped off by Synk…or whoever he was since he was obviously not so normal. Seifer was sitting near the window, his back straight so that he looked attentive but his eyes betrayed that position. They were distant with sadness and the faint gleam of hope that now with a fully assembled and veteran team, he could finally rescue Quistis. Everyone but Squall glared at Zell for making such a stupid comment. He backed off quickly and sat on the bed, folding his arms. The others were scattered about the room, some propped up against the wall, some sitting on the couch. They were being silent for the most part because the situation did not call for anything but silence.

"Next stop, Esthar!" The automated voice broke through their thoughts. Seifer sighed and stood up, grabbing his gunblade in the process. He was the first one out of the room, not so much as even glancing at his team members. Squall gave him a look of disgust, hating how dead Seifer had become. He hated it only because it reminded him of himself when Rinoa had been taken away. They stepped off the platform and stared in awe at the gigantic technologically superior Esthar. Squall narrowed his eyes. This was where Laguna lived…his father.

It had come as a shock to him to know that he was not an orphan. Ellone had told him the news at their last gathering when Laguna made an appearance at the party right after Ultimecia was defeated. He had seemed so awkward when he approached Squall, laughing nervously before Ellone broke in and said, "Squall, Laguna is your father." She told him the entire story of Laguna and Raine, the part they didn't see in the flashbacks. And since then, they had not met at all. Maybe it was because he felt as though Laguna abandoned the two of them, left them in a world where all they knew was battle. At the same time, if he had not abandoned them, the Squall might not have meet Rinoa at all.

"Hey, pubes," Seifer snapped half-heartedly. "Let's go already." Squall felt Rinoa's hand slip into his, giving him a little comforting squeeze. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. When he opened them, he realized that no one was watching him anymore, now they were judging Seifer Almasy. He knew one thing, there was something about Seifer that couldn't be uncovered even if one took a lifetime of trying.

.

.

Esthar. The largest city in the world, the most technologically advanced, the most cultured, the largest army. Possibly the greatest city that could only be brought down if all of the other regions united and it was led by a buffoon with a big heart. The idea was almost absurd that Laguna had taken his time to personally answer to everyone's problems. He would come home tired out of his mind, sometimes almost dead on his feet from running back and forth or making too many phone calls. Kiros and Ward were there to help him but Laguna did do most of the work. Now he had a bigger problem and for the first time since the Lunar Cry, the president of Esthar was no longer focusing on small little problems.

"Sir," Kiros entered his office. "We've got Rank 12 SeeD Squall at the entrance. He wishes to speak with you. With him are Irvine Kinneas, Selphie Tilmett, Rinoa Heartilly, Zell Dincht and Seifer Almasy."

"Yes, let them in immediately." Laguna was shocked that his son had come. He thought that he would never speak to him again. In a matter of minutes, the entire team walked through the doors. Laguna was on his feet and staring slightly.

"Squall…" He whispered.

"President Loire." The formality of his voice wounded Laguna because instantly he knew that Squall wasn't there to chat with his old man. He sighed and cleared his throat. "We've come here under the impression that the Omega Weapon had passed through." His hurt was replaced by confusion.

"Yes, how did you know?"

"Me." Seifer stepped up. "I've been following the Omega Weapon for some time now. Recently, I've lost track of it around here. If you've got any information as to where it went…please…tell me." Squall cleared his throat.

"The Omega Weapon…is that what it's called…I'm sorry, I don't know where it went. I've been busy trying to get the city repaired after it destroyed most of it. We've got casualties everywhere so please understand that I did not…"

"Wanting to know where the Weapon went, yes?" Odine barged in, making Kiros and Ward take a step back to avoid the door from hitting them. Zell groaned and slapped his forehead. He didn't like the crazy scientist very much. The last time they had met was under extreme circumstances and Odine definitely did not get to the point. They had been left with almost no time at all. Not that it mattered…the Mobile Suit 8 kicked them out anyway but Zell and Irvine had been left with a bad impression.

"Do you know where it went?" Seifer demanded.

"Impatient child, yes I know where it went and why it went." Odine snapped.

"Tell me!" Seifer made a grab at his shirt but Odine side stepped.

"We shall have a talk, yes? The Omega Weapon is back but it is very weak." Weak my ass, Seifer thought. If it destroyed so much. "I believe you have fought it in the Time Compression. The future. But that is in the future. The Omega Weapon is just being born now, and it is wandering, destroying."

"You're saying that this Omega Weapon is the same one we fought in the Time Compression, only it has just been born?!" Irvine repeated, trying to make sense of it.

"Exactly." Odine replied.

"Mega-bummer!" Selphie sighed. "We have to defeat it again?!"

"It didn't seem weak to me." Seifer interjected. Odine stared at him.

"You have encountered this Omega Weapon?" Seifer nodded. "Well, I have a theory. The Omega Weapon is very weak right now but it will take humans and monsters with incredible strength in magic and physical power. In time, it will consume enough so that it becomes as powerful as what you encountered."

"Like what Adel did to Rinoa?" Zell asked. Rinoa, Squall and Seifer winced at the memory. For Seifer, it felt like it only reopened the wound that he thought had healed. After all, it was he who sacrificed Rinoa to Adel.

"Yes. Let me finish!" Odine yelled. "Now, I believe that it has consumed at least one person to have caused such damage. It should be very easy to defeat if you find it. It was last headed in the direction of the Isle of Hell, where the monsters are very strong."

"Suppose that a human is consumed, is there a way that she can be returned?" Seifer asked tentatively. Once again the scientist stared at him and he smiled.

"You have lost someone?" There was a pregnant silence to answer the question and Odine nodded. "The Omega Weapon is a product of Time Compression. Perhaps if you beat it, a rip in time and space will open near it. If you enter, perhaps you will find who it is you are looking for." Rinoa and Squall bowed their heads. It reminded them of when Squall was lost in time and Rinoa went looking for him. Seifer nodded.

"That's good enough for me." He walked out of the room.

"Wait!" Selphie and Irvine chased after her. Squall stared coldly at Laguna while the president looked at the ground uncomfortably.

"Squall, I know you don't think very highly of me. I'm willing to bet that you don't like me very much for leaving you and Ellone alone. But after Raine died, I thought I would be ill suited to raise you, especially since Esthar made me their president. I made a mistake."

"It's fine." Squall replied with a shrug. "We got by ok."

"I'm sorry." Rinoa bit her lip and Laguna looked up at her, smiling. "You look very much like your mother."

"Thank you." She said softly. Squall and Rinoa began to leave when Laguna stopped them once again.

"Squall, if you ever have time, I mean, once you're done with the mission…maybe we could talk over a cup of tea or something?" Squall nodded, accepting his father's pitiful but well meaning invitation. The two exited the room while Kiros chuckled.

"Tea, Laguna? The boy's old enough to drink." Laguna laughed, feeling slightly relieved that everything seemed ok between he and his son.

.

.

Seifer stared into the red horizon, half expecting to see a shadow of a giant Omega Weapon in the distance. Instead, the view was not obscured by anything like it. He felt both thankful and sad that it wasn't. So long as he had something to chase for, he could always hope. But he wanted more than to hope. He wanted Quistis back. And if he couldn't get her back…

The red horizon shone on his tears.

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Tiger of Blackness: So…there is so much here that could be made fun of.

EverShadow: Shut up. Anyway, I told you that the next few chapyters would be sadder.

Tiger of Blackness: I noticed that you didn't include Hyne and Quistis.

EverShadow: Well yeah, they're too funny for something like this.

Tiger of Blackness: Look, if that's what you consider funny, stick to your drama. At least it's melodramatic.

EverShadow: Stop teasing me…

Tiger of Blackness: Nope. EverShadow's a baby! EverShadow's a baby!

EverShadow: WAAAAAAHHH!!! STOP CALLING ME NAMES!! EverShadow signing off.