A Knight's Promise

Chapter 32: Collision of Time

Author's Note: Yep I'm back for another chapter! (Sorry to keep you all waiting for ages) Thanks to Noelle (there...I didn't call you Rikku) for your heartfelt reviews. Hope you'll not be angry at me.... now that I've written this chapter for you. (SeeD Salutes)

Further notes: ("dialogue") means the character's thoughts.

Formerly....

Quistis: Um excuse me Mr. and Mrs. Loire. Um... I'm sorry for getting into your chitchat but ...

Laguna and Raine: Huh?

Quistis: Um, I-I'm just intrigue with this "black guy" you're talking about.

Seifer: He he he. I didn't know that our "instructor" got an eye for black guys. (Teasing Quistis) Bwahhahahha!

Quistis: (giving Seifer a killer stare) Ohhh shut up!

Laguna: Oopss I said, no fighting. (looks at Quistis) Tell me, what do you know of this black guy?

Quistis: Well..... (everyone starts to listen to her attentively)

Let's continue...

Quistis: Well...

Laguna: Please continue Quistis, we're listening.

Seifer: This got to be good.

Quistis: Seifer... I'm really surprised that you cannot recall that man in the cave?

Seifer: Man in the ......... ? (thinking)

Quistis: And also you....Irvine.

Irvine: Me?

Seifer: Ohh! (Snaps his fingers) Now I remember, you mean that injured guy we've met on day one here in Winhill?

Quistis: Bingo!

Irvine: Don't tell me, that guy and the one who rescued our commander ...

Quistis: Not to mention he also rescued me from that savage beast.

Raine: Please tell us more about this guy.

Seifer: Hmm...

Quistis: (nods)

Winhill Hotel

Rinoa: Ohh my poor hubby. (rubbing Leon's hair with a blue towel)

Leon: (turns red) I... I can do that myself. (taking the towel from Rinoa)

Rinoa: Oh my! You're still soaking wet.... Hmm. (snapping her fingers) Ok...um you just stay here and relax while I buy you some new clothes downstairs.

Leon: (shaking his head) No need for that Rinoa, I'll just go to my room. Remember, I've taken a room here in this hotel.

Rinoa: Ohh I see. Then.... want me to accompany you to your room? (her eyes twinkling)

Leon: It's an easy task, don't worry about me. I'll be back after a quick shower.

Rinoa: Ok I'll be waiting for you. (winks)

Winhill Train Station

Galbadian Guard: (holding some hi-tech communication equipment) Sir

From the other line: Bring on the good news.

Galbadian Guard: Your presumption was right Sir! She's staying at the Hotel as we speak.

From the other line: MY DAUGHTER! hmm ... what are you waiting for, bring her here at once!

Galbadian Guard: Uhh... Sir.... There's a slight problem.

From the other line: I told you that if you need to drag her out for her to follow you .....

Galbadian Guard: (cutting his master's dialogue) We're planning to do that sir, but... s-someone meddles with us. (nervous)

From the other line: And who dares to interfere with my orders?

Galbadian Guard: Uh.....

From the other line: (getting impatient) SPEAK!

Galbadian Guard: (startled) ..h-her hus...husband, s-sir.

From the other line: WHAT?!!! ("I'll find that out to myself")

Loire's residence

Raine: Hmm... so that's what happened.

Seifer: So...Mr. Loire, what's your plan of action? (looking at Laguna)

Laguna: .......

Ellone: Dad?

Zell and Irvine: Mr. Loire? (waiting for Laguna's reaction)

Seifer: ("Man he's serious")

Laguna: (closes his eyes, then stands pointing his forefinger to the cave's direction) ....TO THE CAVES OF WINHILL!!!!! HAR HAR HAR!!! (in his winning pose)

Everyone falls to the ground.

Winhill Hotel (Bathroom)

Leon: (looking at his reflection) ("Who really is this man. Could he be someone else .....a lost soul from the past?) (shaking his head)

He opens the faucet as to wash all his drained spirit but something starts to flow out of the faucet....

Leon: Blood!!!!

Out from nowhere....

An old man's voice: Booooo!!!

Leon: (eyes widened, he immediately looks at the mirror) What the....? (pauses for a while) Wait...you're that man ......

His image was replaced by a strange figure ....a face of an old man.

Man in the mirror: Ting! Bingo! Wow you're so bright my boy! He he he. Yep as you've guessed, I'm the one who saved you and your girls ....life from those goons!

Leon: (slapping his head with his right hand) Not another ghost. (to the man) I've had enough of you guys! Please.....Stop following me around!!!

The man that seems to be a priest appears from one of the corners of the bathroom.

Ghost#2: (materializes out of the blue) Is that the way you express thanks to your rescuers?

Leon: I don't need any help from some poltergeist!

Man in the mirror: Ha ha ha! Nice joke there kid!

Ghost#2: (sighs) How can we let you see.... that we are here to help you carry your burden.

Leon: But YOU are my burden. (pointing at the ghost)

Man in the mirror: (pleading at Leon's attention) If only you have ears to lend us then things will start to clear up.

Ghost#2: We're helping not only you but our fellow "poltergeist" --if that's what you want us to be called. (gives out a faint smile)

Leon: The only way you can help me is.......to GET OUT OF MY LIFE!!!

Man in the mirror: I see you're not in the right mood for our little talk today. We'll come back when the kid recognizes his true self.

Leon: Expect that not to happen. (he stresses out to the ghouls)

Man in the mirror: We'll see. (vanishes)

Ghost#2: See you soon (vanishes too)

Leon: ARRRGHH!!! (punches the wall)

Then the radio starts to operate by itself and played a very familiar song (Heaven Knows)

Leon: This song....... (he closes his eyes and listens to the music)

Winhill Caves

Laguna: (Gazing at the faint light coming out of the cave) I'll take it from here.

Raine: (worried) Are you sure Laggy-dear?

Laguna: (nods)

Quistis: I bet he's there.

Ellone: Be careful dad.

Zell and Irvine: Good luck Mr. Laguna.

Seifer: I hope you're right about your theory, instructor.

Quistis: (annoyed at Seifer's comment) ............

Fujin: TRUST QUISTIS

Laguna: (sighs) Here goes nothing!

Inside the cave.....

Laguna: Fate may separate strong bonds apart ...... (he scans the area for any traces of his old pal)

Deep into the shadows lies his old friend

Kiros: (Startled) ("Oh no...it can't be him.)

Laguna: ......but nevertheless the same fate will tie those broken cords together.

Kiros: (still hiding from the shadows, he spotted his comrade) Yes it is true that it may end up that way.......

Laguna: (he frantically search his surroundings) Pal?

Kiros: ...but admit it, scars have been made to that tie. And no matter how fate tries to seal it; the single thread that once binds that together w- was ...... (his voice was shaking)

Laguna: ("my s-son....") ............

Silence fills the air. Both parties were unable to utter even a single word.

Kiros: (gathered all his strength to voice out his thoughts) I suggest that you head back home. Your family waits for you.

Laguna: I came here for my old friend.

Kiros: HE'S DEAD! He died a long time ago. NOW GO!!!

Laguna: Yes.... I think you're right. He's dead.

Kiros: Huh?

Laguna: Coz..... I don't think he is as COWARD as YOU!

Kiros: ("What in the world is he saying?") Who are you calling.... (he didn't notice that he was out now of the shadows)

Laguna: (surprised to see his long lost friend) ("What happened to him?") Thanks for revealing yourself.

Kiros: What?!

Laguna: There's no need to hide in the past.

Kiros: Lagu... No.... I can't ...

Laguna: I treated you as a real brother, a family. And now.....?

Kiros: Can't you see Laguna? Look at what has become of me?! (pointing to himself) I'm....I'm a horrendous monster who killed your son!

Laguna: Don't be a fool Kiros! Don't compare yourself to that idiotic scientist and his heartless pet!

Kiros: But I'm responsible for his death. I... I've broken that promise that I gave to you....Laguna. I .....failed.......I cant do a thing to help your son. He....was so scared.... (closes his eyes)

Flashback

Squall: Uncle Kiros (reaching out his hands) H-helpppp!!!!

Kiros: (was about to run to get Squall but...) Squall!

Stewardess: LOOK BEHIND THE BOY! Ekkkkk!!!!

Squall: UNCLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!! (falling from the edge)

End of flashback

Kiros: (weeps) Laguna...I don't deserve to be your "brother". Don't you feel even a bit of resentment on me (shaking Laguna's shoulders) huh Laguna?

Laguna: (closes his eyes) ...........

Kiros: Laguna! Kill me if you have to! (tears continuously descend upon his face)

Laguna: .....THEN HERE'S FOR YOUR CARELESSNESS! (With all his might, he punches Kiros on his face)

Kiros: (falls down to the ground) .............

Laguna: (lending his hand to his friend) Let's go home, brother.

Kiros: L-Laguna?

Laguna: (smiling at him) Forgiven

Winhill Hotel Rinoa's room (Balcony)

Leon: .........

Rinoa: Do you like our dinner huh Leon?

Leon: (nods)

Rinoa: Hmm....You're awfully quite. What's bothering you Leon?

Leon: (gazing to the sky) ..............

Rinoa: You know, you're a bit late to our date and you didn't bother to say even a single word.

Leon: .........

Rinoa: ("Men are really stubborn sometimes") Hello? Anybody home? (waving her hands at Leon)

Leon: Rin...

Rinoa: Whoo hoo at last! Yep? Oh hey I've got a question to ask.

Leon: (looking at her) ....

Rinoa: Do you happen to know that priest and that old man that we've met downstairs?

Leon: (shrugs his shoulders) People that don't know how to spend their lives?

Rinoa: (giggles) Meany!

Leon: (gives out a faint smile) .....

Rinoa: (gazing at Leon's blue eyes) ("His eyes....as cool as the sea, as blue and beautiful as.....")

Leon: ("Why is she staring at me like that?") Um Rinoa...

Rinoa: ....Yes?

Leon: Um.... What if ....

Rinoa: What if.....?

Leon: What if ......Squall is here with us today; will you still talk and care for me like this?

Rinoa: (Blushes) .............

Leon: ("What in the world am I saying?") Oh no...you don't have to answer that stupid question. (turning his back on her)

Rinoa: Well....... (looks at the sea) NOOO!!!!

Leon: (he felt as if his oxygen supply has been cut off) ("As I've thought")

Author's note: Sorry if this fic is kinda like a "film script". I intentionally did this as to be unique. But if you don't like this kind of format, just tell me so and I'll try to change it next chapter. So what it will be... stay with this format or change with the usual paragraph-form story?

Any comments, suggestions or violent reactions are welcome.

SeeD Salutes