Trials and Tribulations
Chapter 7
The Betrayal part Trois
A/I: This is an attempt to try and continue this story, so if this chapter doesn't get great reviews, I'll trash this. I apologize in advance to those that have enjoyed reading this so far and I will start another story after this. Thank you. Also, Irvine and the others have just thought that Seifer possibly brainwashed Rinoa into believing that Squall is her enemy. Of course...You already know this since you read chapter 6...
"Squall, what ever you are planning on doing, I'd probably do it now!" Zell stared at the brainwashed Rinoa as she prepared to fire another shot at Squall. "And I mean-" He stopped as he got a look from Quistis and became silent.
Quistis nodded as Zell quieted down. "Squall, you can do this, believe me." She watched as Squall stared at her, then at Rinoa. "Squall, you have to be the one to do this. You're the only one that can get through to her in time. You know that. We know that."
"Yeah!" Selphie jumped up and nodded. "That's so true!"
Squall stared at the others, then at Irvine, who also nodded in agreement. "Fine. Whatever." Keeping his gunblade out for safety measures, he walked over to the controls and glanced down at the buttons. This is just great. Nothing can be simple here in Esthar, can it? He glanced up and nodded towards Quistis, who had already started walking towards Rinoa. If she can get Rinoa back into that cell, maybe, just maybe, I can save her.
Quistis lightly took Rinoa's right arm and waited for some counter-attack from the Sorceress, but as she felt nothing happen, she tightened her grip a bit and turned the young, raven haired beauty around to face her. "Listen to me, and listen good, Rinoa. I am only going to say this once. What Seifer said was a lie. He only told you those things because he wanted you to kill Squall, who I know you love. If you don't believe me, that's your loss. But you have to trust me when I say this, because we all know that you know what I'm saying is true." As Rinoa started to protest, Quistis took her free hand and slapped her. "And now, we're trying to help you. So you'd better be quiet." She then glanced over her shoulder and motioned towards Zell, who hurried over. "Put her back in that cell, so Squall can continue on."
"Yes, ma'am." Zell picked up Rinoa and carried her over to the cell. "Listen, Rinoa. Quisty didn't mean to sound to mean, but she had to, so that you can understand why we're doing this." After he entered the cell, he set her inside, and stepped back out, closing it behind him. "I hope that you understand." He then glanced over at Squall, who nodded.
Now what do I do? There's so many of these things! Squall searched the controls and sighed. I guess that I've got to start randomly pushing these buttons... As he pressed the buttons, he glanced up to see if anything changed. When he didn't see anything, he pressed another button and continued this process before hitting one green colored button. As this showed no promise, he slammed his fist on the controls and walked out. "I'll be in the Ragnarok if anyone needs me."
The others watched as Squall left and then glanced over at the cell as smoke started pouring out and saw a faint outline of someone.
"Rin...?" Selphie slowly stepped foward, her nunchakus raised just in case. "Are you alright?"
"Yeah," Rinoa stepped out as the smoke started clearing. "Why wouldn't I be?" She then noticed the looks on their faces. "What's wrong? Is there something on me?"
Quistis slowly shook her head. "No, nothing's wrong, but to be sure...Who offered you as a sacrifice to Adel?"
Rinoa stared at Quistis as though she was losing it. "Seifer of course. Who else would do that to me?"
"She's back!" Selphie jumped up and ran over to Rinoa, nearly kncoking her down as Selphie latched herself onto the poor girl. "Rin's back! Rin's back!"
"Ummm...Yeah..." She stared at Selphie then at the others. "Where's Squall?"
Squall sighed as he took his seat in the cockpit. Why couldn't I save her? Something went wrong...
"He's in the ship." Selphie detached herself from Rinoa and smiled. "That's where he is!"
Smiling, Rinoa hurried out to the ship. Why isn't he inside though? Something must be wrong. "Squall?"
Squall glanced up as he faintly heard his name. Rin? No. Can't be. Must be my mind playing tricks on me. To rid me of my guilt. He started glanced back down towards the ground when he heard his name again, this time echoing through the ship. Ignore it, Squall. That's not Rin. That's not her.
"Squall?" Rinoa stopped as she entered the cockpit and stared at him. "You alright?"
Squall sat up and turned around. Just my mind...But it can't be that. She looks real. But... "How? How are you standing here before me? I failed at reversing the effects. How?"
Rinoa walked over to him, staring with her brown eyes, confused. "What do you mean?"
She doesn't remember? How does she not remember? "It's nothing." Squall looked away and sighed. "Just...Seifer did something to you, and I thought that I failed to bring you back to me. That's all."
"Oh," was all the raven-haired beauty could say.
"OK!" Selphie hurried into the driver's seat and started the ship. "Where to now?"
Both Rinoa and Squall glanced at each other and nodded. "Matron's."
A/N: I hope you enjoy this...One more chapter if this one goes well. Enjoy!-LfS
