The Palace and the Academy
Rinoa stared into the screen of the electronic device in her hands. "Squall...how could Odine do this? Doesn't your father know what kind of experiments he is running in this lab?"
Squall couldn't believe the results either. They never thought Dr. Odine would go as far as actually manufacturing chemicals like these. "I don't know Rinoa. I didn't even think it was possible to produce something like this."
Rinoa felt as if she was being turned into stone by the Medusa head that was the results screen. Her feet were beginning to feel like they had grown roots and unearthed the ground, and her mind was starting to play tricks on her. "Zell, are you sure these results are a hundred percent accurate?"
Zell nodded sadly. "Positive Rin. I don't think these machines will lie to us about the results. But one thing's been bugging me all this time. How did Esthar's database register something like this? It would be plain bogus for potions like these to exist in a machine that's been around since the time of Adel."
Squall took the machine from Rinoa and checked its mechanism. "Maybe Odine updated these things with chips. It still looks brand new. It sure is a hell of a lot better than what Galbadia or even Garden could produce with our current technology."
Rinoa held on to Squall's arm and leaned onto his shoulder. "But Squall, what could Dr. Odine possibly do with a chemical that contains the genes of past sorceresses? What does he plan to do with it? You can't just pass the powers of a sorceress to normal humans like that."
Squall shrugged and answered, "Maybe he wants to create a legion of sorceresses? Like I said, I don't know. The guy is just demented."
Zell was deep in thought when an idea popped into his head. "Remember the guy who was killed in the Deling alley?"
Rinoa and Squall nodded before Zell continued, "Well, what if the guy has something to do with these chemicals? What if the burnt case he was carrying contained vials of this stuff? Man, I'm sure the alley attack and the Odine lab thing are somehow closely connected."
Squall took the time to absorb Zell's words and replied, "You may have a point Zell, but that briefcase of whatever it was inside was burnt to a crisp. We can't connect two and two together just like that. Besides, what other evidence do we have?"
Zell scratched his head and began thinking. "Well, the way the criminal attacked them is quite similar. And both of them were working with chemicals. They were killed or almost killed in a secluded place, and no evidence was left whatsoever on who might have been the murderer. And although we have a tape of the attacks in Odine's lab, the person in the video was just a blur. I can't even make out his face. And if you observed the video well enough, he attacks Odine with claws, just like the alley attack in Deling City."
Squall scratched his chin, rubbing his hand over some stubby facial hair. 'I'm definitely shaving when I get to EU Garden.' "Zell, if you are right, then we have to start an investigation."
Rinoa then asked Squall, "But how are you going to do it Squall? What chances do we have of the Estharian officials thinking that these attacks might be closely related?"
"If Laguna or Ouragan know what kind of experiments our little Dr. Odine has been working on, they surely will try to look on this. Besides, even if they don't think that the attacks are related, the Sorceress Power serum is a good enough reason to begin working on this case. Somehow, I think Dr. Odine has sold this stuff to some illegal buyers outside Esthar," Squall answered.
"So are we going to report this to Laguna?" Zell questioned his friend.
"I'm not reporting this stuff to him. Either you and Quistis are marching into my fa...his office and telling him about this or we're not working on it at all," Squall rapidly told his spiky haired friend.
"Squall?!? You can't just do that! We're talking about a murder case here. You can't let your relationship with your dad..." Zell attempted to say.
"I DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT MAN!" Squall shouted at him. Zell cowered back immediately at Squall's outburst of rage. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK! AS LONG AS YOU OR QUISTIS OR SOMEONE ELSE CAN TALK TO THAT ABANDONING SON OF A BITCH ABOUT THIS CASE, ODINE AND THE GUY MURDERED IN DELING CAN GO TO HELL FOR ALL I CARE!"
Squall darted for the elevator and fiercely pushed the up button. "BULLSHIT!" When the machine didn't respond, he shouted, cursed again, and banged both his fists on the button. To the machine's luck, it finally began its ascent towards the ground level. Zell and Rinoa were left in the basement speechless.
"I...I'm sorry Zell. I'll go talk to Squall and tell him to apologize," Rinoa told him softly and guiltily as she began walking towards the lift.
Zell looked apologetically at Rinoa and said, "No. I think I should be the one apologizing to him. It wasn't very...uh...tact of me to talk about Laguna." He slumped to the ground in shame and hung his head between his legs. "So...I guess Squall hates me huh?"
Rinoa decided to stay a bit longer and sat down beside Zell. She tried to comfort him by placing her hand on his shoulder. "Squall doesn't hate you Zell. He's just pissed off at his dad."
"Yeah, but did never felt his wrath have you?" Rinoa shook her head and Zell chuckled and said, "Well, the only person whom he used to lash out like that was Seifer."
Rinoa moved closer to Zell and said, "But that doesn't mean that he hates you the way he hates Seifer's guts. He'll forgive you in time, but just don't talk to him about Laguna again okay?"
Zell nodded sadly and said, "You know, I always wanted to be his friend. I mean, he's such a great person. Even before he became hero and found out that he was the heir to the Estharian president, he really was a down to earth kind of guy. He was cold alright, but he was a cool guy. He's a loyal friend to those who know him. He may not show his concern for others on the outside, but Squall's a really nice guy if you get to break through his barrier. You're really lucky to have him as your fiancé, did you know that?"
Rinoa smiled and ruffled Zell's gelled hair. "Aw, that's sweet of you Zell. But I didn't realize that you also thought of Squall the way I did."
Zell laughed and said, "That's how everyone thinks about Squall. They're just wondering what you did to melt him that way. Oh well, no use thinking about it. Unless we have a million gil and know some really good plastic surgeon who can make us look like you, there is no way we can get Squall to talk to us the way you do. But he hates me now so I'll pass the surgery thing. Besides, I think changing my features to look like you is a bad idea don't you think?"
Rinoa giggled and told Zell, "No, I think it's a horrible idea. But don't talk to him right now. You'll just give him a better reason to Lionheart you to nothing."
Zell cracked the muscles of his head by turning it from left to right and said, "Thanks Rin, but I don't think I have the courage to talk to him either. I have a feeling that I will end up in more pieces than one if I do that right now."
"Zell."
"Yeah?"
"Let's go up. I think the others are waiting. I don't want them to get any naughty ideas about us going at it." She got up and dusted her protective suit. "I don't want to give Squall another reason to mush you into a pulp with his gunblade."
"Oh," Zell suddenly realized.
"So, come on. Get up from that...er...is that a cabinet?" Rinoa pointed to the thing Zell was sitting on.
Zell turned around and looked at the now cooled down molten mass on the floor. "Yup, it's a cabinet alright."
-------------------------
Zell and Rinoa emerged from the basement, covered in dust outside and with sweat on the inside. They removed the protective suits that surrounded every contour of their bodies and laid it on the rack beside the elevator.
"Zell, I'll go look for Squall and you find the others. We'll meet each other in the lobby in about fifteen minutes. Is that alright?" she questioned him.
Zell punched the air with his free hand and said, "Sure! But...um...tell Squall I'm sorry anyways. I don't want to come here only to be greeted by his Lionheart."
Rinoa smiled and said, "Okay Zell. I'll tell him that." They both waved each other goodbye and Rinoa began looking for Squall. After exploring every corner of the ground floor without any luck of finding him, she slumped on the transport device located in the center of the lobby in defeat. "Squall, where are you?"
She saw something in the shadows of the entrance. It looked like the silhouette of a man leaning against the wall. "Squall? Is that you?"
The man came out of the shadows and revealed himself to Rinoa. He was extremely tall, much much taller than Ouragan, and was dressed completely in black robes. His head was covered by a large hood which didn't allow anyone to see his facial features.
Rinoa gasped and ran to the other side of the room, backing up against the wall. She readied her fingers to cast a powerful spell in case this man was dangerous. "Y-you're not Squall!"
The man slowly advanced towards her and softly said, "Please, do not be afraid. I have not come here to hurt you."
Rinoa still held her fingertips close to her side while preparing an Ultima spell when the man stopped in the middle of the hall. "The Ultima spell would be useless against me. Please, relax Rinoa."
She stopped drawing magic and decided to listen. "How did you know my name?"
The man sat on the transport device and crossed one leg over the other. "I know things that you do not know my child. For one, I can tell whether you're about to cast a spell or not."
Rinoa didn't get any of that so she just asked, "Who are you?"
The man conjured a backrest for the device and laid his back against it. "My name is none of your concern child. I have just come here to warn you."
Rinoa finally decided to relax her muscles and approached the man slowly. "Warn me about what?" she questioned the fully robed stranger.
"To warn you about the things that are to come. Rinoa, there are some things about this silent country that lay hidden in the dark—secrets that only a few can sense, and answers that only the chosen ones can see. Be vigilant while you are in this city, for there are few things worse than past demons resurrecting lusting for young blood. Heed my warning child, and be watchful at all times. Use your powers well, and nothing shall happen to you," he whispered to her. The man stood up and a cloud of smoke enrobed his feet.
"Wait! Are you going? But I don't understand!" Rinoa frantically told him.
"All shall be revealed in time," was all that the man said before the cloud of smoke whisked him away to another dimension.
"What do you mean by that? Please tell me!" Rinoa begged the disappearing figure.
"Tell you what?" Rinoa turned around and saw Squall bending right behind her. He had his hands on her shoulders, his face only inches away from hers.
"Squall!" Rinoa hugged him and tightened her grasp around Squall's shoulders. "Don't ever leave me like that!"
Squall was puzzled by Rinoa's actions, but since she seemed to be unstable at the moment, he decided to hug and comfort her back. "Hush Rinoa! Everything will be okay. Now tell me, what happened?"
Rinoa backed off from Squall and looked down on the spot where the man had disappeared. "There was a man right here a while ago. Didn't you see him?"
Squall shook his head. "No. Rinoa, what man are you talking about?"
Rinoa gave Squall a mocking look. "Squall, you didn't see anyone?"
Squall looked around and shook his head. "No, I didn't. Rinoa, are you sure you're alright?" He placed the back of his palm against Rinoa's forehead.
Rinoa irritably removed his hand from her forehead. "Squall! I'm not joking! Some huge guy in a black robe just gave me some mumbo jumbo about the future! Oh come on! You wouldn't miss it! He's a bit taller than Ward and you can't even see him a mile away?"
Squall thought of her descriptions of the man for a moment. 'Storm? Is she talking about Storm? But he can't be the one. I mean, he only visits me during my dreams. But still...' After coming up with some good questions, he asked her, "Don't you think that it is possible that he only appears to you? I mean you're a sorceress right?"
Rinoa nodded and said, "Well, it's possible. But then again, he was clearly visible to the naked eye. I don't think sorceresses hallucinate about other magical figures don't you think? I mean, you guys see guardian forces all the time and they're mystical creatures of the nether dimension. How could a human be so different from them?"
Squall thought, 'Good. She doesn't seem to know that I do realize what she's talking about. I can't risk telling her about Storm now. Maybe next time.' Squall circled her for a little while and looked at the ceiling for an explanation. "Most sorcerers and sorceresses have powers greater than guardian forces. While guardian forces do have their magic and all, mystical humans have magic that exceeds that of the regular GF. Remember Quistis' greatest limit Shockwave Pulsar? Well, Griever was able to cast that one once on us remember? Quistis, however, has the ability to cast it several times. I guess that just proves my point that humans can exceed the power of the guardian forces. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Rinoa nodded in response and Squall continued, "What if these magical humans have the power to cloak themselves. Like, let's say Diablos. He has the ability to cloak us from our enemies in the field and in most towns right? So what if this person you're facing has the ability to cloak himself from normal, non-magic humans? It's very possible if you ask me."
"You may be right Squall, but it felt too real to be a mystical hidden force." She sighed and sat down on the transport device. "Squall, do you think I should try passing my powers to someone else? I don't think I can live like this forever. The pressure's too much for me." She buried her face in her hands and let out another long sigh.
Squall sat down beside her and placed his arms around her shoulder. "Rin, you can't run away from your problems just like that. I know it's hard on you. Hyne, to be honest, it's hard on me too, having to monitor your powers every time to make sure that they don't corrupt you. But we have to face this together okay? Don't give up Rin. It's not the end of the world just because you saw some omen-like vision of some man who looks loads taller than Ward. I don't think it is." He placed his chin over her head and kissed her hair.
"But Squall, he was warning me about something. What if, what if we don't heed this guy's warning? What if something bad happens because we didn't listen to him? I don't want to be responsible for anything that I ignored Squall. I think we should listen to this guy's advice, whoever or whatever he may be." She leaned against Squall and buried her face in the leather of his jacket.
"All right. Whatever this prophecy is, we'll deal with it later. For now, we just concentrate on this case," he necked her and began touching her hair, playing with her lustrous black locks. "Uh, Rinoa. Sorry about that outburst earlier. I shouldn't have shouted like that down there."
Rinoa basked in the moment they shared together, loving every minute of it. "Squall, it's alright. I know that the Laguna thing bugs you so I guess that gave you a reason to get mad. Just don't take it out on Zell or anyone for that matter again okay?"
Squall smelled her lavender scented hair and said, "Okay, but you have to remind me to keep my temper down before I bite someone's head off."
Rinoa giggled into the musky black leather and said, "Okay, I will."
"Yo! Lovers!" a voice came behind them. It was Seifer with the rest of the gang walking towards them. "Hey Squall, have you ever heard of the word protocol? The both of you look like you're spending a day at a park."
Squall looked up from Rinoa's shoulder and told Seifer, "Shut up Seifer. Don't tell me you don't do this when you're with a girl in class. I saw you doing this once with that..."
Seifer immediately darted towards Squall and placed his hand over his mouth. "You...don't say anything about that." When Squall finally stopped struggling, Seifer removed his hand and placed it on his hips.
"Gah! What did you do that for Almasy?" Squall demanded of Seifer when his friend's palm was off his mouth.
"Nothing! Just didn't want you to tell anyone about the time you were groping my neck in the training center," he grinned at Squall. "Why Squall, didn't you like the feel of big muscular me carrying you like some kind of Ice Princess?"
Squall replied, "Tcch! You knocked me out cold you idiot! You gave me this ugly scar here when that happened remember?" He pointed to his forehead and continued, "Besides, I think you were the one who put my arms around you! Stop acting so gay Seifer! I'll have you kicked out of Garden if you molest me one more time."
Seifer mischievously put his arm around Squall and said, "But tell me, you liked it didn't you?"
Squall shrugged Seifer's arms off his and said, "How should I know if I liked it or not you fool! I was unconscious!"
-------Alternate Pun Scenario---------
Ouragan finally got fed up with their fighting and interrupted them with a clap. "Now the both of you shut up or I'll dismiss you both from Garden—Esthar and Balamb alike! Oh for crying out loud cut out with your yaoi attitude! You guys aren't even pairs in this chapter. You weren't even meant to be a pair! Maybe in some other person's masterpiece you are, but for the sake of all straight and Squinoa (and I don't even know where I got that word), please stop acting like a bunch of queer folk! Geez! I don't even want to think about what your shonen ai personalities do in the...nevermind!"
Seifer and Squall just winked at each other and advanced towards the hot commander Ouragan, pinning him against the floor and doing who knows what, thereby causing a really big scene that sent everyone into one huge org...never mind. Back to the story.
-------What Ouragan Really Said and What Really Happened-----------
Ouragan finally got fed up with their fighting and interrupted them with a clap. "Now the both of you shut up or I'll dismiss you both from Garden—Esthar and Balamb alike! We're in a mission if you remember clearly, and I don't want this gay talk whatsoever disturbing the mission. You're not gay! It should never happen between the both of you! It may happen in some other person's wild imaginations, but not in this context alright? Geez!"
"Sorry Ouragan," Squall and Seifer both said in unison as they stood up to huddle with the group.
"So Squall, what do you have in mind after this?" Ouragan asked his gunblade pupil.
"We report the results of our investigation to the President of Esthar," he informed them all.
"But aren't you supposed to do that job Squall?" Quistis queried him. "You are after all the leader of this group."
Squall shook his head and said, "I can't face him right now. I'll appoint you, Quistis Trepe, to give him the briefings of this mission."
"But Squall..."
"No buts please Quistis. I can't...you don't understand. The man isn't only the President of Esthar. He's also my...well you know what I'm trying to say," he explained to her.
Quistis nodded her head and silently said, "Alright Squall, but you do realize that you will eventually have to face him. You can't run away from family forever."
Squall sighed and said, "I know. But please just do this for me this once."
"I understand Squall."
Ouragan shifted his weight on one leg. "Squall, you might realize that I do not have any power over your decisions as of the moment, but I do think that you shouldn't be doing this. Being the leader of the operation, it is only necessary that you undertake this responsibility. I thought you were the kind of person who didn't let your feelings get in the way of your work. What happened to that Squall I knew?"
Squall put his palm on his forehead and tried to shake off the migraine building up upon the mention of Laguna's name. "I know Ouragan. I know. But this isn't any ordinary mission, and the person I'm reporting to isn't just any client. He's the President of Esthar, and he is my da...relative."
Ouragan nodded and added, "Well, like I said, I'm not your commander yet so I won't be telling you what to do. However, since the order has already been carried out, I suggest that you come with me to Esthar Garden now. The express shuttle is already waiting outside." He turned to Quistis and asked, "By the way Quistis, who is your escort to the Presidential Palace? You're not going there alone are you?"
Seifer immediately marched forward and possessively placed an arm over Quistis' shoulder. "Um, her escort would be me."
Ouragan smiled and said, "Well, glad to know that you have someone to take you to the Palace. I will ask a transport shuttle to come fetch you there later okay?"
Quistis and Seifer nodded and when Ouragan waved them goodbye and got into the shuttle, Quistis slapped Seifer's hand and abruptly faced him. "What was that for Seifer?" she demanded of the smirking blonde.
Seifer cockily shrugged and said, "Nothing. I just wanted to accompany you to the palace. Besides, I've never been there before so I want to see it with you."
Quistis fiercely poked his chest and spat, "Seifer, admit it! You only want to come because you want to hit on me! Well forget it! It won't work with me!"
Seifer merely whistled and added, "Whatever you say Quisty, I will always be your freelance bodyguard, whether you protest like a baby or not." Seifer turned around and darted for the transport hub to the Presidential Palace. "You coming or not?"
Quistis irritably shook her head and ran to the machine, sitting with her back against Seifer's. "You now, I still can't understand why after all that has happened, you still are an ass Seifer."
"Who said I was an ass? I'm not an ass! I'm a totally irresistible ass, to correct you Miss Trepe," he mocked her as he pushed the module's controls to head for the Presidential Palace.
"Ugh! You are impossible!" she screamed at him while flailing her arms. 'Guess I'm stuck with him for the next few hours. Well, maybe it isn't so bad...'
---------------------------
The extremely speedy traveling time of the special shuttle had taken its toll on the passengers in the vehicle, causing them to nauseate when they arrived at Esthar Garden's underground transport terminal.
Zell exited the shuttle wobbling from one side to another. "Whoa! That was one...puff...extremely fast...ride!"
Ouragan came out looking as fresh as ever, oblivious to their complaints as he straightened out his collar. "Nonsense! You'll get used to this five minutes of travel when you frequent these high speed trains more often."
Rinoa was hanging to the door along with a dizzy Squall when both of them carried their luggage out of the train. "Three minutes? But where are we? Why did the train stop here?" she asked between breaths.
Ouragan spread his arms out and made a single turn. "You are underneath the Lunar Gate."
Zell held on to his knees and exclaimed, "Lunar Gate?!? We only took three minutes to get here? But how is that possible? And there's no Garden beside the Lunar Gate!"
Ouragan chuckled and answered, "Zell, the Garden is underground. Most of our ground level facilities are located in forests and other places in the world. The main complex, however, is an underground hub interconnected to these other bases."
"Oh! Well that 's way Booya cool!" Zell commented.
"Yeah...booya, whatever that means."
Squall and Rinoa finally unloaded their bags, sitting down on the benches in the waiting area to catch some precious breath. "So Squall, what are we going to do now?"
Squall panted and held her hand in his. "Since we're in EU Garden, we get orders from Ouragan now."
Squall heard his mentor say, "Yes, and since you get all of your orders from me, I order all of you to grab your bags and place them in your rooms."
Selphie then raised a hand and asked, "And after that?"
Ouragan grinned at them and coolly said, "And then...we train really hard."
=================
So this is my 27th chapter. The Secrets in the Dark might be extended to a minimum of thirty-five chapters for your reading pleasure, so if you want more chapters, please tell me that in your reviews. So how did you like this one? Please read and review. Next Chapter: The Chamber of Dreams
Rinoa stared into the screen of the electronic device in her hands. "Squall...how could Odine do this? Doesn't your father know what kind of experiments he is running in this lab?"
Squall couldn't believe the results either. They never thought Dr. Odine would go as far as actually manufacturing chemicals like these. "I don't know Rinoa. I didn't even think it was possible to produce something like this."
Rinoa felt as if she was being turned into stone by the Medusa head that was the results screen. Her feet were beginning to feel like they had grown roots and unearthed the ground, and her mind was starting to play tricks on her. "Zell, are you sure these results are a hundred percent accurate?"
Zell nodded sadly. "Positive Rin. I don't think these machines will lie to us about the results. But one thing's been bugging me all this time. How did Esthar's database register something like this? It would be plain bogus for potions like these to exist in a machine that's been around since the time of Adel."
Squall took the machine from Rinoa and checked its mechanism. "Maybe Odine updated these things with chips. It still looks brand new. It sure is a hell of a lot better than what Galbadia or even Garden could produce with our current technology."
Rinoa held on to Squall's arm and leaned onto his shoulder. "But Squall, what could Dr. Odine possibly do with a chemical that contains the genes of past sorceresses? What does he plan to do with it? You can't just pass the powers of a sorceress to normal humans like that."
Squall shrugged and answered, "Maybe he wants to create a legion of sorceresses? Like I said, I don't know. The guy is just demented."
Zell was deep in thought when an idea popped into his head. "Remember the guy who was killed in the Deling alley?"
Rinoa and Squall nodded before Zell continued, "Well, what if the guy has something to do with these chemicals? What if the burnt case he was carrying contained vials of this stuff? Man, I'm sure the alley attack and the Odine lab thing are somehow closely connected."
Squall took the time to absorb Zell's words and replied, "You may have a point Zell, but that briefcase of whatever it was inside was burnt to a crisp. We can't connect two and two together just like that. Besides, what other evidence do we have?"
Zell scratched his head and began thinking. "Well, the way the criminal attacked them is quite similar. And both of them were working with chemicals. They were killed or almost killed in a secluded place, and no evidence was left whatsoever on who might have been the murderer. And although we have a tape of the attacks in Odine's lab, the person in the video was just a blur. I can't even make out his face. And if you observed the video well enough, he attacks Odine with claws, just like the alley attack in Deling City."
Squall scratched his chin, rubbing his hand over some stubby facial hair. 'I'm definitely shaving when I get to EU Garden.' "Zell, if you are right, then we have to start an investigation."
Rinoa then asked Squall, "But how are you going to do it Squall? What chances do we have of the Estharian officials thinking that these attacks might be closely related?"
"If Laguna or Ouragan know what kind of experiments our little Dr. Odine has been working on, they surely will try to look on this. Besides, even if they don't think that the attacks are related, the Sorceress Power serum is a good enough reason to begin working on this case. Somehow, I think Dr. Odine has sold this stuff to some illegal buyers outside Esthar," Squall answered.
"So are we going to report this to Laguna?" Zell questioned his friend.
"I'm not reporting this stuff to him. Either you and Quistis are marching into my fa...his office and telling him about this or we're not working on it at all," Squall rapidly told his spiky haired friend.
"Squall?!? You can't just do that! We're talking about a murder case here. You can't let your relationship with your dad..." Zell attempted to say.
"I DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THAT MAN!" Squall shouted at him. Zell cowered back immediately at Squall's outburst of rage. "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU GUYS THINK! AS LONG AS YOU OR QUISTIS OR SOMEONE ELSE CAN TALK TO THAT ABANDONING SON OF A BITCH ABOUT THIS CASE, ODINE AND THE GUY MURDERED IN DELING CAN GO TO HELL FOR ALL I CARE!"
Squall darted for the elevator and fiercely pushed the up button. "BULLSHIT!" When the machine didn't respond, he shouted, cursed again, and banged both his fists on the button. To the machine's luck, it finally began its ascent towards the ground level. Zell and Rinoa were left in the basement speechless.
"I...I'm sorry Zell. I'll go talk to Squall and tell him to apologize," Rinoa told him softly and guiltily as she began walking towards the lift.
Zell looked apologetically at Rinoa and said, "No. I think I should be the one apologizing to him. It wasn't very...uh...tact of me to talk about Laguna." He slumped to the ground in shame and hung his head between his legs. "So...I guess Squall hates me huh?"
Rinoa decided to stay a bit longer and sat down beside Zell. She tried to comfort him by placing her hand on his shoulder. "Squall doesn't hate you Zell. He's just pissed off at his dad."
"Yeah, but did never felt his wrath have you?" Rinoa shook her head and Zell chuckled and said, "Well, the only person whom he used to lash out like that was Seifer."
Rinoa moved closer to Zell and said, "But that doesn't mean that he hates you the way he hates Seifer's guts. He'll forgive you in time, but just don't talk to him about Laguna again okay?"
Zell nodded sadly and said, "You know, I always wanted to be his friend. I mean, he's such a great person. Even before he became hero and found out that he was the heir to the Estharian president, he really was a down to earth kind of guy. He was cold alright, but he was a cool guy. He's a loyal friend to those who know him. He may not show his concern for others on the outside, but Squall's a really nice guy if you get to break through his barrier. You're really lucky to have him as your fiancé, did you know that?"
Rinoa smiled and ruffled Zell's gelled hair. "Aw, that's sweet of you Zell. But I didn't realize that you also thought of Squall the way I did."
Zell laughed and said, "That's how everyone thinks about Squall. They're just wondering what you did to melt him that way. Oh well, no use thinking about it. Unless we have a million gil and know some really good plastic surgeon who can make us look like you, there is no way we can get Squall to talk to us the way you do. But he hates me now so I'll pass the surgery thing. Besides, I think changing my features to look like you is a bad idea don't you think?"
Rinoa giggled and told Zell, "No, I think it's a horrible idea. But don't talk to him right now. You'll just give him a better reason to Lionheart you to nothing."
Zell cracked the muscles of his head by turning it from left to right and said, "Thanks Rin, but I don't think I have the courage to talk to him either. I have a feeling that I will end up in more pieces than one if I do that right now."
"Zell."
"Yeah?"
"Let's go up. I think the others are waiting. I don't want them to get any naughty ideas about us going at it." She got up and dusted her protective suit. "I don't want to give Squall another reason to mush you into a pulp with his gunblade."
"Oh," Zell suddenly realized.
"So, come on. Get up from that...er...is that a cabinet?" Rinoa pointed to the thing Zell was sitting on.
Zell turned around and looked at the now cooled down molten mass on the floor. "Yup, it's a cabinet alright."
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Zell and Rinoa emerged from the basement, covered in dust outside and with sweat on the inside. They removed the protective suits that surrounded every contour of their bodies and laid it on the rack beside the elevator.
"Zell, I'll go look for Squall and you find the others. We'll meet each other in the lobby in about fifteen minutes. Is that alright?" she questioned him.
Zell punched the air with his free hand and said, "Sure! But...um...tell Squall I'm sorry anyways. I don't want to come here only to be greeted by his Lionheart."
Rinoa smiled and said, "Okay Zell. I'll tell him that." They both waved each other goodbye and Rinoa began looking for Squall. After exploring every corner of the ground floor without any luck of finding him, she slumped on the transport device located in the center of the lobby in defeat. "Squall, where are you?"
She saw something in the shadows of the entrance. It looked like the silhouette of a man leaning against the wall. "Squall? Is that you?"
The man came out of the shadows and revealed himself to Rinoa. He was extremely tall, much much taller than Ouragan, and was dressed completely in black robes. His head was covered by a large hood which didn't allow anyone to see his facial features.
Rinoa gasped and ran to the other side of the room, backing up against the wall. She readied her fingers to cast a powerful spell in case this man was dangerous. "Y-you're not Squall!"
The man slowly advanced towards her and softly said, "Please, do not be afraid. I have not come here to hurt you."
Rinoa still held her fingertips close to her side while preparing an Ultima spell when the man stopped in the middle of the hall. "The Ultima spell would be useless against me. Please, relax Rinoa."
She stopped drawing magic and decided to listen. "How did you know my name?"
The man sat on the transport device and crossed one leg over the other. "I know things that you do not know my child. For one, I can tell whether you're about to cast a spell or not."
Rinoa didn't get any of that so she just asked, "Who are you?"
The man conjured a backrest for the device and laid his back against it. "My name is none of your concern child. I have just come here to warn you."
Rinoa finally decided to relax her muscles and approached the man slowly. "Warn me about what?" she questioned the fully robed stranger.
"To warn you about the things that are to come. Rinoa, there are some things about this silent country that lay hidden in the dark—secrets that only a few can sense, and answers that only the chosen ones can see. Be vigilant while you are in this city, for there are few things worse than past demons resurrecting lusting for young blood. Heed my warning child, and be watchful at all times. Use your powers well, and nothing shall happen to you," he whispered to her. The man stood up and a cloud of smoke enrobed his feet.
"Wait! Are you going? But I don't understand!" Rinoa frantically told him.
"All shall be revealed in time," was all that the man said before the cloud of smoke whisked him away to another dimension.
"What do you mean by that? Please tell me!" Rinoa begged the disappearing figure.
"Tell you what?" Rinoa turned around and saw Squall bending right behind her. He had his hands on her shoulders, his face only inches away from hers.
"Squall!" Rinoa hugged him and tightened her grasp around Squall's shoulders. "Don't ever leave me like that!"
Squall was puzzled by Rinoa's actions, but since she seemed to be unstable at the moment, he decided to hug and comfort her back. "Hush Rinoa! Everything will be okay. Now tell me, what happened?"
Rinoa backed off from Squall and looked down on the spot where the man had disappeared. "There was a man right here a while ago. Didn't you see him?"
Squall shook his head. "No. Rinoa, what man are you talking about?"
Rinoa gave Squall a mocking look. "Squall, you didn't see anyone?"
Squall looked around and shook his head. "No, I didn't. Rinoa, are you sure you're alright?" He placed the back of his palm against Rinoa's forehead.
Rinoa irritably removed his hand from her forehead. "Squall! I'm not joking! Some huge guy in a black robe just gave me some mumbo jumbo about the future! Oh come on! You wouldn't miss it! He's a bit taller than Ward and you can't even see him a mile away?"
Squall thought of her descriptions of the man for a moment. 'Storm? Is she talking about Storm? But he can't be the one. I mean, he only visits me during my dreams. But still...' After coming up with some good questions, he asked her, "Don't you think that it is possible that he only appears to you? I mean you're a sorceress right?"
Rinoa nodded and said, "Well, it's possible. But then again, he was clearly visible to the naked eye. I don't think sorceresses hallucinate about other magical figures don't you think? I mean, you guys see guardian forces all the time and they're mystical creatures of the nether dimension. How could a human be so different from them?"
Squall thought, 'Good. She doesn't seem to know that I do realize what she's talking about. I can't risk telling her about Storm now. Maybe next time.' Squall circled her for a little while and looked at the ceiling for an explanation. "Most sorcerers and sorceresses have powers greater than guardian forces. While guardian forces do have their magic and all, mystical humans have magic that exceeds that of the regular GF. Remember Quistis' greatest limit Shockwave Pulsar? Well, Griever was able to cast that one once on us remember? Quistis, however, has the ability to cast it several times. I guess that just proves my point that humans can exceed the power of the guardian forces. Do you get what I'm saying?"
Rinoa nodded in response and Squall continued, "What if these magical humans have the power to cloak themselves. Like, let's say Diablos. He has the ability to cloak us from our enemies in the field and in most towns right? So what if this person you're facing has the ability to cloak himself from normal, non-magic humans? It's very possible if you ask me."
"You may be right Squall, but it felt too real to be a mystical hidden force." She sighed and sat down on the transport device. "Squall, do you think I should try passing my powers to someone else? I don't think I can live like this forever. The pressure's too much for me." She buried her face in her hands and let out another long sigh.
Squall sat down beside her and placed his arms around her shoulder. "Rin, you can't run away from your problems just like that. I know it's hard on you. Hyne, to be honest, it's hard on me too, having to monitor your powers every time to make sure that they don't corrupt you. But we have to face this together okay? Don't give up Rin. It's not the end of the world just because you saw some omen-like vision of some man who looks loads taller than Ward. I don't think it is." He placed his chin over her head and kissed her hair.
"But Squall, he was warning me about something. What if, what if we don't heed this guy's warning? What if something bad happens because we didn't listen to him? I don't want to be responsible for anything that I ignored Squall. I think we should listen to this guy's advice, whoever or whatever he may be." She leaned against Squall and buried her face in the leather of his jacket.
"All right. Whatever this prophecy is, we'll deal with it later. For now, we just concentrate on this case," he necked her and began touching her hair, playing with her lustrous black locks. "Uh, Rinoa. Sorry about that outburst earlier. I shouldn't have shouted like that down there."
Rinoa basked in the moment they shared together, loving every minute of it. "Squall, it's alright. I know that the Laguna thing bugs you so I guess that gave you a reason to get mad. Just don't take it out on Zell or anyone for that matter again okay?"
Squall smelled her lavender scented hair and said, "Okay, but you have to remind me to keep my temper down before I bite someone's head off."
Rinoa giggled into the musky black leather and said, "Okay, I will."
"Yo! Lovers!" a voice came behind them. It was Seifer with the rest of the gang walking towards them. "Hey Squall, have you ever heard of the word protocol? The both of you look like you're spending a day at a park."
Squall looked up from Rinoa's shoulder and told Seifer, "Shut up Seifer. Don't tell me you don't do this when you're with a girl in class. I saw you doing this once with that..."
Seifer immediately darted towards Squall and placed his hand over his mouth. "You...don't say anything about that." When Squall finally stopped struggling, Seifer removed his hand and placed it on his hips.
"Gah! What did you do that for Almasy?" Squall demanded of Seifer when his friend's palm was off his mouth.
"Nothing! Just didn't want you to tell anyone about the time you were groping my neck in the training center," he grinned at Squall. "Why Squall, didn't you like the feel of big muscular me carrying you like some kind of Ice Princess?"
Squall replied, "Tcch! You knocked me out cold you idiot! You gave me this ugly scar here when that happened remember?" He pointed to his forehead and continued, "Besides, I think you were the one who put my arms around you! Stop acting so gay Seifer! I'll have you kicked out of Garden if you molest me one more time."
Seifer mischievously put his arm around Squall and said, "But tell me, you liked it didn't you?"
Squall shrugged Seifer's arms off his and said, "How should I know if I liked it or not you fool! I was unconscious!"
-------Alternate Pun Scenario---------
Ouragan finally got fed up with their fighting and interrupted them with a clap. "Now the both of you shut up or I'll dismiss you both from Garden—Esthar and Balamb alike! Oh for crying out loud cut out with your yaoi attitude! You guys aren't even pairs in this chapter. You weren't even meant to be a pair! Maybe in some other person's masterpiece you are, but for the sake of all straight and Squinoa (and I don't even know where I got that word), please stop acting like a bunch of queer folk! Geez! I don't even want to think about what your shonen ai personalities do in the...nevermind!"
Seifer and Squall just winked at each other and advanced towards the hot commander Ouragan, pinning him against the floor and doing who knows what, thereby causing a really big scene that sent everyone into one huge org...never mind. Back to the story.
-------What Ouragan Really Said and What Really Happened-----------
Ouragan finally got fed up with their fighting and interrupted them with a clap. "Now the both of you shut up or I'll dismiss you both from Garden—Esthar and Balamb alike! We're in a mission if you remember clearly, and I don't want this gay talk whatsoever disturbing the mission. You're not gay! It should never happen between the both of you! It may happen in some other person's wild imaginations, but not in this context alright? Geez!"
"Sorry Ouragan," Squall and Seifer both said in unison as they stood up to huddle with the group.
"So Squall, what do you have in mind after this?" Ouragan asked his gunblade pupil.
"We report the results of our investigation to the President of Esthar," he informed them all.
"But aren't you supposed to do that job Squall?" Quistis queried him. "You are after all the leader of this group."
Squall shook his head and said, "I can't face him right now. I'll appoint you, Quistis Trepe, to give him the briefings of this mission."
"But Squall..."
"No buts please Quistis. I can't...you don't understand. The man isn't only the President of Esthar. He's also my...well you know what I'm trying to say," he explained to her.
Quistis nodded her head and silently said, "Alright Squall, but you do realize that you will eventually have to face him. You can't run away from family forever."
Squall sighed and said, "I know. But please just do this for me this once."
"I understand Squall."
Ouragan shifted his weight on one leg. "Squall, you might realize that I do not have any power over your decisions as of the moment, but I do think that you shouldn't be doing this. Being the leader of the operation, it is only necessary that you undertake this responsibility. I thought you were the kind of person who didn't let your feelings get in the way of your work. What happened to that Squall I knew?"
Squall put his palm on his forehead and tried to shake off the migraine building up upon the mention of Laguna's name. "I know Ouragan. I know. But this isn't any ordinary mission, and the person I'm reporting to isn't just any client. He's the President of Esthar, and he is my da...relative."
Ouragan nodded and added, "Well, like I said, I'm not your commander yet so I won't be telling you what to do. However, since the order has already been carried out, I suggest that you come with me to Esthar Garden now. The express shuttle is already waiting outside." He turned to Quistis and asked, "By the way Quistis, who is your escort to the Presidential Palace? You're not going there alone are you?"
Seifer immediately marched forward and possessively placed an arm over Quistis' shoulder. "Um, her escort would be me."
Ouragan smiled and said, "Well, glad to know that you have someone to take you to the Palace. I will ask a transport shuttle to come fetch you there later okay?"
Quistis and Seifer nodded and when Ouragan waved them goodbye and got into the shuttle, Quistis slapped Seifer's hand and abruptly faced him. "What was that for Seifer?" she demanded of the smirking blonde.
Seifer cockily shrugged and said, "Nothing. I just wanted to accompany you to the palace. Besides, I've never been there before so I want to see it with you."
Quistis fiercely poked his chest and spat, "Seifer, admit it! You only want to come because you want to hit on me! Well forget it! It won't work with me!"
Seifer merely whistled and added, "Whatever you say Quisty, I will always be your freelance bodyguard, whether you protest like a baby or not." Seifer turned around and darted for the transport hub to the Presidential Palace. "You coming or not?"
Quistis irritably shook her head and ran to the machine, sitting with her back against Seifer's. "You now, I still can't understand why after all that has happened, you still are an ass Seifer."
"Who said I was an ass? I'm not an ass! I'm a totally irresistible ass, to correct you Miss Trepe," he mocked her as he pushed the module's controls to head for the Presidential Palace.
"Ugh! You are impossible!" she screamed at him while flailing her arms. 'Guess I'm stuck with him for the next few hours. Well, maybe it isn't so bad...'
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The extremely speedy traveling time of the special shuttle had taken its toll on the passengers in the vehicle, causing them to nauseate when they arrived at Esthar Garden's underground transport terminal.
Zell exited the shuttle wobbling from one side to another. "Whoa! That was one...puff...extremely fast...ride!"
Ouragan came out looking as fresh as ever, oblivious to their complaints as he straightened out his collar. "Nonsense! You'll get used to this five minutes of travel when you frequent these high speed trains more often."
Rinoa was hanging to the door along with a dizzy Squall when both of them carried their luggage out of the train. "Three minutes? But where are we? Why did the train stop here?" she asked between breaths.
Ouragan spread his arms out and made a single turn. "You are underneath the Lunar Gate."
Zell held on to his knees and exclaimed, "Lunar Gate?!? We only took three minutes to get here? But how is that possible? And there's no Garden beside the Lunar Gate!"
Ouragan chuckled and answered, "Zell, the Garden is underground. Most of our ground level facilities are located in forests and other places in the world. The main complex, however, is an underground hub interconnected to these other bases."
"Oh! Well that 's way Booya cool!" Zell commented.
"Yeah...booya, whatever that means."
Squall and Rinoa finally unloaded their bags, sitting down on the benches in the waiting area to catch some precious breath. "So Squall, what are we going to do now?"
Squall panted and held her hand in his. "Since we're in EU Garden, we get orders from Ouragan now."
Squall heard his mentor say, "Yes, and since you get all of your orders from me, I order all of you to grab your bags and place them in your rooms."
Selphie then raised a hand and asked, "And after that?"
Ouragan grinned at them and coolly said, "And then...we train really hard."
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So this is my 27th chapter. The Secrets in the Dark might be extended to a minimum of thirty-five chapters for your reading pleasure, so if you want more chapters, please tell me that in your reviews. So how did you like this one? Please read and review. Next Chapter: The Chamber of Dreams