Chapter 8- The Impending Storm
Squall was uncertain of when his arms went up around Laguna's waist to hold onto him. He wasn't entirely sure of how long he clung to his father like a lost child. He wasn't sure how long he allowed his tears to flow. It could have been minutes, maybe hours, but he didn't care. His face was pressed comfortably against Laguna's chest, but was silently relieved as he felt the tears slowing and soon coming to a stop. The only thing left over was the dampness on his face and sniffling back what was left. His hitching breath was relaxing, returning to normal and steady.
What the hell just happened with me...? Why did I do that? I don't do that... I swore I'd never do that again... But was it really so bad? I really think this is what Rinoa meant. This was... actually comforting. I don't know. Maybe I needed this? Nobody is here to judge me if I just stay like this for a little longer...
As silly as it was, for a while there, Squall didn't want to let go. He felt like he was 10 years old again. At some point, Laguna had lowered himself to his knees, while Squall had collapsed against him, arms wrapped tightly around the older man in front of him. He had enjoyed the feeling of comfort Laguna was providing him. The warmth of strong arms around him, unlike Rinoa's dainty and gentle ones, made him feel secure.
The rubbing of a circular pattern in the middle of his back or the stroking of his hair made him feel safe. The weight of Laguna's head against his own; the quiet soothing tone of his father's voice made him feel what it might be like to really have a parent. It wasn't quite like what Matron had shown him as a child. Sure, she had done her best to soothe and care for all the children in the orphanage when Squall was young, but this was different than anything he'd ever felt and while he did enjoy it, it also somewhat alarmed him. He wasn't used to it. Now that he was gathering his composure, his thoughts were forming much more coherently.
Squall found himself releasing his grip and putting a hand up against Laguna's shoulder to push himself back, his head lowered in embarrassment after he came to the realization of what he'd just done in front of the President of Esthar.
Good grief, if Laguna opens his big mouth and tells everyone, I'll never hear the end of it. Especially from Quistis and Zell... and Seifer were to find out... oh man...
Squall took a large, shaky breath, regathered himself and felt his father reluctantly let go of him. Squall caught a glimpse of the President's face and he was almost certain that he saw a twinge of disappointment in his green, red-rimmed eyes. Squall inwardly groaned because this had been the last thing he expected to happen before he heard Laguna clear his throat awkwardly.
"Uh, well, heh, I'm sure it goes without saying, but uh, you alright? I mean considering what just happened here, it's been a long time since you just kinda let anything out like that, eh? I mean really... how long has it been?" Laguna chuckled nervously, rubbing the back of his dark hair tinged with silver streaks.
Squall felt his face flush red and warm, and he averted his face so as not to look at Laguna. He felt embarrassed enough as is that he just let himself go like that in front of Laguna. A man he felt like he really knew but hardly knew at the same time, a man who's supposed to be his father. It left Squall feeling conflicted about his feelings.
"A long time...," the SeeD Commander finally mumbled out. He picked at the blades of grass on the ground in front of him. "When I was a kid, after I swore to myself I was not weak, I also swore I'd never cry again."
He felt himself become even more ashamed for expressing such a heavy emotion in front of a man like Laguna, but at the same time it felt like some of the weight had been lifted off of his chest. Not all of it, but some. Maybe finally letting himself feel something, letting himself cry it out a bit was what he needed. He wasn't sure, but it was still kind of humiliating.
A moment of silence hung between the two. Squall could feel his father's eyes on him, but he refused to look at the President. He wasn't sure he could deal with anymore cheesy, sympathetic looks or words. He had let his guard down for the moment, and he definitely didn't want to do that again anytime soon. However, a burning question had lingered on the back of Squall's tongue. He gathered up his courage before he finally could bring himself to ask what he'd been wanting to ask since he learned the truth.
"Laguna... can I ask you something?"
Laguna's dark head tinged with streaks of silvery grey snapped up to look over in his son's direction, and Squall chanced a look at him, catching the curiosity in his green gaze.
"Sure, son! Anything! Go right ahead!" The usual enthusiasm that was Laguna returned back to his voice, which made Squall feel guilty for wanting to ask such a deep and serious question, but if he didn't take the chance and do it now, he wasn't sure he'd be able to bring himself to ask later on.
It's now or never...
"Why did you never come back to Winhill for Ellone? I mean... if you had, you could've found her and me both. Maybe... maybe me, you, Sis and Raine could've all been..." Squall couldn't finish his words and immediately felt bad as he watched the expression in Laguna's eyes fall and flash something that appeared to be regret.
Ugh, what the hell am I doing? I can't stand it when he makes that expression... I hope he doesn't start crying again... What did I get myself into? Why did I ask him that? Crap...
The young SeeD had to suppress the urge to bury his face in his palm at his own stupidity, so instead, he opted to incline his head and stare to the side, eyes fixated on the flowers laying against his mother's tombstone.
Laguna sniffed, sighing wearily and rose to his feet, dusting off his pants, folding his arms across his chest with a solemn expression, and much to Squall's relief, no trace of new tears.
"I'm not going to pretend for one minute that the choices I made were the right ones. Believe me, Squall, I regret the choices I made every day of my life. Being thrust into the position as President of an entire nation like Esthar. All of the damage from the Sorceress War, the politics and everything. It was overwhelming and I was overconfident! If I had even tried to sneak out of there, I feel like I would've been tracked down and dragged back."
Squall observed as his father reached down to rub at his leg.
Don't tell me he's going to get a leg cramp now...
"Hoo boy, what I wouldn't have given to go back to Winhill. After all, the hustle and bustle of Esthar and all its craziness, somewhere quiet like Winhill would've been great! If I had known I had a son waiting for me there with Elle, or that Raine was sick, I would've rushed back in a heartbeat, but those villagers. Heh. They hated me. I mean look at where we are now! The proof is in the custard!" he explained throwing his hands out in an exaggerated manner. Squall had to repress an amused snort.
I think he meant the proof is in the pudding...
The moment of humor, however, quickly passed. Laguna continued on. "They would never have told me if anything happened to Raine or if she was pregnant and gave birth to my baby. And they didn't. They really didn't. They wanted to keep me as far away from her as they could. You would've thought they could've at least treated her son better than they did me." Laguna hung his head a bit as he tucked his hands into his pants pockets.
"Couldn't you have brought Ellone back to Esthar with you?" Squall blurted out without really thinking, glancing up at his father's back through light brown strands of hair that hung in his eyes. He wasn't sure why all these questions kept popping up seemingly with no control of what was coming out of his mouth, and while it was sort of frustrating, Squall was glad. He wanted answers. No matter how he may have felt though, he found he couldn't hate Laguna. In fact, he found himself feeling even more guilty by asking all that he was.
"I s'pose I could've, but with the current state of what Esthar was after Adel's reign, it would've been too dangerous for Elle to be there, particularly with Dr. Odine around. He was dangerous to her. Elle was his big, bright, shiny new toy and he would've done anything to get his hands back on her again. No way in hell was I gonna let that happen! Elle is a human being and a proper lady. Not a subject for a science experiment! And even though Adel was gone and the war ended, there was still just too much danger for a cute little girl like her, especially with her abilities she's got." He paused for a moment and then turned around to face Squall, eyes closed and his face turned heavenward.
"When I heard the news of Raine's death, the villagers made sure I knew about it too and not in the nicest way, I was so filled with my own grief that I couldn't stand the thought of returning to Winhill. Too many painful memories were just too ripe, you know? I knew that Elle was safe, so long as she wasn't here and to hide all of my mourning and suffering, I buried myself into everything Esthar. Sure, I was overwhelmed by this new duty of being President, even though it sort of just fell in my lap, but still I just threw myself into it as best I could. Esthar was a dangerous country that had people on opposite sides and needed to be fixed and renewed, and so I did just that. I'm not saying what I did was right, but I did it and I can't take it back now."
Laguna opened his eyes and Squall rose to his feet. He met his son's gaze with an honest look in his expression, his voice almost sounding earnest.
"Squall, I swear. The villagers never told me I had a son there waiting for me. I had no idea Raine was even pregnant or had given birth, or was even sick til the villagers contacted me to let me know that Raine had died from an illness, and they sent Elle to live at Edea Kramer's orphanage. I knew that she'd be safer there and not in Esthar with me. That's why I never went back for her, but... had I known I had a son waiting, her son...,"
Laguna's voice broke slightly, breath catching in his throat. He shook his head, running a hand over his forehead. He swallowed thickly before continuing. "When Elle and I were safely reunited and we could actually talk, that's when she told me. I've wanted nothing more than to talk to you about this since. It's been making me crazy!"
Squall stood, watching Laguna for a moment before closing his eyes and folding his arms over his chest, turning his head and glancing down at the side.
"I know. I guess I can understand why you made the choices you did. We're kind of in the same position. A lot of responsibility laid on your shoulders without your say so. You had a duty to the affairs of Esthar as it's president, and you felt that Raine and Ellone were safer in Winhill than they would be in Esthar considering the country would still be at its odds and not entirely safe. People on your side or people on Adel's side could've turned out to be something dangerous for the both of them, so I get it," he stated, still unable to look his father in the eyes. "I guess, some part of me wishes things could've been different. Now that this is happening, well... This is just... this is all new to me," the young SeeD Commander admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not really sure how to make this all work."
Laguna took a few steps toward Squall, reached his hands out and placed them on his shoulders, willing the young man to look at him.
"Squall, I understand. I know it's going to take time for you to fully open your heart to me as your dad, but I'm still your dad. I just want you to know that I'm here for you anytime you need me. I won't push you or make this go faster than you want it. I won't even force you to call me 'Dad' yet! We'll go at your race!" Laguna smiled and winked at him, while Squall held back a slight urge to chuckle. We'll go at my race, huh? Think he means at my pace...
Squall nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"I appreciate that, but while this has been, okay and all, we've been out here for awhile and should probably head back to Garden. People are going to start wondering where we are and possibly come looking for us. I'd... rather they not."
Squall pointed toward the sky that was now beginning to fade into hues of various oranges and pinks, indicating sunset. Laguna nodded his head in acknowledgment and walked alongside his son with Squall feeling a bit of relief that he and his father might have actually started to come to an understanding on some things.
Squall listened quietly as Laguna chatted animatedly while the two reboarded Garden, walking down the long corridor of the entrance, only to find his friends waiting in the main hall of Balamb Garden near the fountains for him. His eye caught Rinoa's and she smiled warmly.
"Squall," she said his name loud enough for the tinkling sound of her voice to drift to his ears which put his heart at ease. She walked quickly to approach him. He had eyes for only her and soon Rinoa was in front of him, but her smile had changed to an expression of concern. She seemed to be studying his face, particularly his eyes very closely and then glanced toward Laguna doing the same before looking back at him.
Oh man... I hope I don't look awful or something. Squall felt his heart stop for a moment. Oh jeez, Laguna... please please please don't say anything about what happened out there.
His thoughts were interrupted as a massive squeal resounded across the colossal main hall, echoing around them, and a yellow blur flew by.
"SIR LAGUNAAAAAAAAA!" Selphie was diving onto the President of Esthar, jumping up and throwing her small arms around his shoulders clinging tightly.
Laguna, who started chuckling and blushing, patted the small, dangling figure on her back. Everyone in Garden knew that Selphie harbored a massive crush on the President of Esthar. Squall could recall the first time Ellone had sent them back to the past, how Selphie gushed over how 'cute' Laguna was. Laguna put the tiny girl back on her feet still chuckling, while a scowling and obviously jealous Irvine stood at her side. Quistis, Zell, Selphie, and Irvine had gathered around and were now talking with the older man, exchanging greetings and thanks, and who revealed nothing of what had transpired out by Raine's grave, much to Squall's relief.
He might be a bumbling idiot sometimes and say stuff that makes no sense, but who knows? Maybe having him as a dad might not be too bad. My friends seem to really like him. I'll just let them fawn over him for awhile.
Taking the moment to themselves, Squall took Rinoa by the hands and led her over to one of the benches to sit down. Rinoa gently placed her hand on Squall's face, fingers tracing what must have been left over tear tracks on his cheek.
"Are you alright, Squall? Is everything okay?" Squall couldn't help but flush warmly at Rinoa's words. She knew. She could see his eyes. They still felt somewhat puffy from his crying spell, and he probably looked in a bit of a state. If anyone else had noticed, they didn't say anything, but Rinoa never missed a beat.
He closed his eyes and leaned into Rinoa's warm touch, raising his own hand and placing it over top of hers, giving it a squeeze against his cheek. "You miss nothing do you?" Rinoa giggled and shook her head. "Honestly, Rinoa? I'm not sure. I'm doing as you said though. I'm going to try and see how it all goes."
"Now see? Is that really so bad? And was it so bad to just spend some time with your dad?" Rinoa questioned him gently. She studied him for a moment, before the corner of her mouth upturned in a mischievous grin. "Though, I'm dying to know. What all happened out there? Where did you two go? What did you talk about? What exactly happened?"
Squall clammed up, unsure of what to say. As much as he loved Rinoa, he wasn't sure if he would ever be ready to tell her about anything that had just gone on. Sometimes some things were better left unsaid.
"Oh, c'mon Squall! You can't leave me hanging! You know I'm gonna bug the crap out of you till you tell me!" Rinoa quirked a brow and tapped him on the nose with her fingertip. "Because it couldn't have been absolutely nothing when you come walking back in here looking and sounding like you have a serious head cold."
Squall grimaced, fairly certain his entire face was as red as Galbadia Garden at this point with how hot it felt. Was she trying to embarrass him? Because it was certainly working.
"Hey, Squall!" came the warm, cheery and normal voice of Laguna, and for once in his life, Squall had to breathe a sigh of relief, grateful that cartoon-like character of a President interrupted the sorceress from her curiosity. "So, I have kind of a huge favor to ask you. I was sorta wondering if maybe you'd take me on a tour of Balamb Garden!? Please! I've never been in a Garden before til now, and I just want to take in as much as I can while I still can!"
Squall stared at his over-enthusiastic father for a moment, eyebrows raised.
A tour? Now...? Man, he really is just like a giant child sometimes... with very childlike ways. It's crazy how he can go from being really serious one moment to a total goofball the next...
In truth, all Squall wanted to do at this very moment was go up to his dorm room, crawl into his warm and inviting bed with Rinoa in his arms and sleep. He was exhausted. Exhausted from the stress of everything, exhausted from the pressure of his duties as Commander of SeeD and Director of Garden Operations, and he suspected that his emotional episode from earlier had proven to completely drain him of any residual energy he had left.
Squall sighed and reluctantly agreed, running a gloved hand down his face. "Alright fine, but we're going to make it a quick one. If you want to see things more in depth, have one of these guys go with you." He waved a hand absentmindedly toward his group of friends. "I need sleep." He ignored the jeers from his friends who were having fun teasing that the normally stoic and 'I'm fine' Squall finally admitted he was tired and needed rest. The SeeD Commander just rolled his eyes in annoyance.
The tour was over quickly, as the SeeD had stated it would be. He walked Laguna around and pointed to each area telling him exactly what was what, but refusing to go in each of the rooms. He didn't think his tired legs could take much more. He had ordered Zell to inform Nida that they would be heading back to Esthar in the morning and to set a course for FH at the break of dawn. "Roger!" the blond martial artist stated in salute as he hurried off to the bridge. Squall and Rinoa broke from the group turning to head back to the dorms. Zell disappeared around the corner heading toward the Library, and as they stood in front of the hall entryway to Balamb Garden's dormitory, he did not miss Selphie loudly questioning Laguna.
"Sir Laguna? Sorry if this is too forward, but why do you and Squall look like and sound like you got bad colds?"
If Squall could have melted into a puddle of embarrassment and humiliation right there, he would've. Laguna just chuckled and patted Selphie on the back.
"Oh you know, Squall takes after me. He's got pretty bad allergies when we get around lots of flowers and stuff. All that pollen! Winhill's full of 'em!" Squall also pretended to ignore Rinoa as she poked him in the side muttering with her elbow.
"I told you so," she murmured smugly. He rolled his eyes again and was grateful that within moments she was opening the door to his room.
He walked right toward his bed, not bothering to remove his jacket or his gloves, and was faceplanting into his pillow on his bed. He could fall asleep and put this entire day behind him, and within moments, Squall was out. He never even noticed Rinoa slipping off his gloves, his boots, and his jacket. He just mumbled and continue to sleep, tranquil and peacefully while Rinoa laid on her side stroking his hair, his features normally creased with stress or worry, finally relaxed.
The next day, Squall and his group of SeeDs stood quietly in Laguna's office at the Presidential Palace. They were back in Esthar, and listening to the President receive a very firm, long lecture about disappearing like that without telling anyone. Kiros, in particular, stood grilling him loudly in front of everyone, with Ward silent and furiously agreeing to every word Kiros said.
"Laguna, man, what were you thinking? Didn't you consider that taking off without telling anyone might interfere with the affairs and state of the country? What am I supposed to say when people start questioning why the President went missing? As soon as rumor breaks out that the President of Esthar disappeared without a trace, you realize what that could end up doing? Didn't you think about your responsibilities here before you went running off to Balamb Garden without telling anyone."
Laguna just rolled his eyes and sighed. "Are you done? Jeez, what are you, my father?" Kiros remained silent but firm, his slender arms crossed over his chest as the two former war buddies turned Esthar government stared each other down. Squall and the others remained silent, letting the two hash it out. "Listen, I know Kiros. I know all about how important Esthar is blah blah blah," the older man began. He raised a hand to run it through his silver-streaked, dark hair and glanced over at Squall.
"But sometimes there are other duties that are more important than these ones, you know? It's not like I left Esthar in shambles or anything! And it certainly didn't fall to pieces for being gone for just a couple of days! I have a son now. Father duties sometimes have to come first." Laguna added, raising a finger in the air emphasize his point. Squall just felt himself slowly turning red, his face flushing warm and remained tight-lipped. He still wasn't so sure he was ready to embrace this whole father/son thing like Laguna was.
Kiros just shook his head, dark braids swinging. "Man, Laguna, one minute you change too much and then the next minute it's like you never changed. It's like back when we fought in the Galbadian Army. You took us back home to Deling City instead of going back to Timber like we were ordered to and got us in more trouble than most soldiers. Other 'duties' came first back then too. I seem to remember a certain piano lady."
"Ahhhh that's enough!" Laguna began wildly waving his hands. "That was a long time ago anyway, so let's just not bring that up, okay? Okay!"
Across the room, Squall had had enough of their bickering and he walked forward clearing his throat.
"This is all good and fine and all, but we need to attend to the matters at hand. You hired SeeD to help with the monster extermination surrounding Esthar, didn't you? Well?" he narrowed his light blue eyes toward Kiros and Ward, while Laguna stood to the side mouthing a silent 'thank you!' to Squall, to which he acknowledged.
Squall's friends' eyes were all widened in surprise. They never thought they'd see the day where Squall would discreetly defend his Dad like that.
"At least your son isn't like you and has his priorities in the right order," muttered Kiros, leaning into Ward, to which Ward nodded his head and waved his hands, indicating he agreed. "Ward says he's glad that we at least have one level-headed person in here."
Once again, the SeeD Commander ignored Kiros' criticism of Laguna, and continued on. "Didn't I overhear that General Caraway with some of his Galbadian Army is here to help assist Esthar's monster extermination and cleanup?"
Kiros nodded his head and turned toward Squall. "Yeah, you heard right. And after all the crap Galbadia has put this world through in terms of the sorceress and all the casualties, it's the least they could do."
Squall waved a gloved hand dismissively. "That's beside the point." He turned toward Rinoa. "Your father is here helping to assist in the restoration of Esthar. I think that maybe you might want to go visit him. It's the perfect opportunity to settle things and move on."
Rinoa glared at him, her arms folded across her chest. "We'll discuss this after the meeting." Squall just shook his head and turned back toward the rest.
"If I may," Quistis piped up. "There are other matters that still need attending to. Such as Ragnarok and Lunatic Pandora. It's still stuck hovering over Tears' Point and Ragnarok is still buried in the side of it. Perhaps we should figure out exactly what to do about that? Ragnarok can come in handy for SeeD travels," she pointed out and Squall nodded, thoughtfully in agreement.
Irvine tipped his hat. "Good point, Quistis. Lunar Gate is also still destroyed and in need of repairing and the Esthar Airstation is still offline. All of the traveling lifts still aren't entirely operational yet. What do you propose we do about that?"
Squall and Laguna exchanged glances before the SeeD Commander nodded his head.
"These are Esthar matters, and SeeD was only hired for the monster extermination." He ignored the gasps and his friends about to open their mouths in protest but continued. "However, since we're already here, I guess I see no reason why we couldn't split up and handle each task individually as best we can." Squall rubbed his chin for a moment. "Kiros and Ward, do you think it would be too much trouble if you could accompany and assist Quistis and Zell to the Lunar Gate? There, you can make plans to work on repairing the Lunar Gate."
"Man, taking orders from the President's son now, huh?" Kiros eyed the young SeeD in front of him. Squall just shook his head and rolled his eyes.
Who said I was giving orders to anyone asides from my own team? I merely asked if they could assist. This is why I sometimes hate being a leader...
"Whatever..." Squall mumbled, staring at his shoes.
Laguna, seemingly catching on to his son's silent distress, gave Kiros a look. "Kiros, please. I get you're pissy with me, but don't take it out on Squall. He's not giving you orders. He just simply asking for your help and that's what we do. We help people, especially when something like this directly involves the state of our country, right?" The President looked toward Squall with a wink.
Kiros sighed and waved his hands. "Fine, fine. Yeah. We'll go with them. No problem. Just make sure Laguna doesn't get himself into any trouble. If we're not there making sure he stays out of trouble, he usually manages to find it."
Squall just ignored the man and turned toward Selphie and Irvine. "And you guys, why don't you head to Tears' Point and see about the removal or Ragnarok from Lunatic Pandora, and maybe also see if Lunatic Pandora can be relocated from Tears' Point as well?"
Selphie thrust an excited fist into the air. "Woohoo! We can blow it to smithereens!" Squall just shook his head and Irvine chuckled.
"What can we say? This girl loves blowing stuff up."
Laguna laughed at the two. "Well, if you decide to blow up the Lunatic Pandora, just make sure Ragnarok is out, and Pandora is relocated and somewhere like the middle of the ocena or something where nobody can get hurt, eh? Blowing it up might be a good idea, considering how dangerous Pandora is. You might be onto something, Selphie!" He shook his head, chuckling over Selphie's antics, his eyes crinkled at the corners from his smiling. "I'll send a couple of my other advisors along with you so you don't have to go alone. How 'bout that?" Selphie and Irvine both nodded in agreement as the group turned and began walking out of the office.
"So then, in a day or so we'll just plan to meet back here and discuss plans?" Squall questioned his group and they all agreed with each other before saying their goodbyes for now. As they parted ways with words of staying safe and that they would see each other soon, and Laguna off with Kiros and Ward, Squall pulled Rinoa off to the side.
"Listen, your dad is here, and I think now would be the best time as any to go visit him, make amends with your own father. If I'm going to be forced into a parent/child relationship with a doofus like Laguna, then it won't kill you to try and do the same with Caraway, would it?"
Rinoa sighed. "Alright, alright. You win. It'd make me a hypocrite if I didn't go and at least see him after trying to help bring you and your father together. But, after we help Laguna with some of the monster exterminations. I can tell you're itching to get on the battlefield, and no way am I letting you go alone."
Squall just sighed and put his arm around Rinoa, pulling her to his side and giving her a kiss on her temple. "You really do know me, don't you?" Rinoa closed her eyes with a smile as Squall's lips met her head and she chuckled.
"Better than anyone." Squall dropped his arm and shook his head with a smirk.
"Fine. You can come. Just stay close to me."
Laguna began walking toward Squall and Rinoa as Kiros, Ward, Quistis, and Zell all piled into a car that would take them to Lunar Gate and clapped his hands together at the both of them, rubbing them together excitedly.
"Well? Shall we get out there and do some monster huntin'!?" Squall's eyes widened at the President.
He can't be serious... how many years has it been since he even fought a battle? He's gotta be rusty as hell... so not only am I going to have to try and protect Rinoa while fighting but him too?
"I know, I know. I can see what you're thinking. You're probably wondering how an old man like me could be out there on the frontlines fighting monsters, right? I may be a bit out of practice, but I didn't forget how to fire my weapon! They didn't call me The Man With the Machine Gun for no reason, ya know!"
Squall groaned as Laguna disappeared to go gather his weapon and looked at Rinoa, brows creasing his forehead. I have a bad feeling about this... He wasn't too far off either.
A few hours later, Squall, Laguna, and Rinoa were all out in the field, fighting monsters alongside a mix of both the Galbadian and Estharian armies. It was odd to him, seeing both nations allied and fighting a massive invasion of moon monsters, the aftermath of the Lunar Cry, but if it weren't for them, these monsters would be back to invading the city, and they were fighting and keeping them at bay. Squall never realized just how many had landed to earth from the moon like that.
He had to admit though, it felt good being out there, blowing off some steam, the gunblade specialist slicing through foes one by one, Rinoa fighting at his side with her new sorceress powers, his father on his other side. He almost forgot entirely about his newfound family issues. He was so engrossed with fighting a rather large alien, that Squall never realized that Rinoa was being bombarded until he heard her screaming.
"SQUALL!" her voice cried out as she crouched down, attempting to cast a Protect spell, but the monster was just too quick. Rinoa, no! "NOT ME! IT'S LAGUNA!" He whirled around, his eyes widened at the scene before him.
Squall never felt nor heard the scream of terror and fury rip out of his throat, as a large, deformed monster had launched itself onto Laguna, twelve inch long claws, tearing into the president's upper torso, too near his chest, his heart. Squall finished off the beast he had been fighting in flash of white-hot rage as he summoned a GF.
"GRIEVER! HURRY!" he cried out, and the familiar Guardian Force, the most power GF he'd once fought in Ultimecia's castle appeared before him. Squall pointed toward Rinoa who's body had been flung in the air. "GET RINOA! KEEP HER SAFE!" The GF obliged, it's lion-like form took a massive leap, and caught the blue-clad sorceress with one giant paw, while using the other to finish off the alien that had almost gotten her.
Squall raced toward his father, Laguna's anguished screams and firing of his gun resounding and pounding through Squall's ears. He took a massive leap from behind the monster and slashed his gunblade through the alien's back, but it wasn't enough to stay the beast. It raised it's head, screeching furiously and flung Laguna who skidded across the ground, hitting a boulder, and lay still. Squall took another running jump, landing hard on top of the writhing enemy, it's claws covered with his father's blood. It grasped onto Squall's leg howling with rage and pain.
Squall ignored the claws now digging into the flesh of his own leg, and with a furious warcry, he ran the creature through with his gunblade, impaling it from front to back, unleashing a fire spell through the weapon's blade. With a wild roar of pain, the monster let go and keeled over to the side, a guttural breath rolling out of its throat as Squall pulled the gunblade out of the dead creature's body. Sweat was pouring down his brow. He could feel the blood from his own injuries soaking through his pant leg.
The SeeD Commander whirled his head around in search of Laguna and Rinoa, the sweat dripping down the sides of his face, into his eyes, burning them, but he ignored it. He scanned the aftermath of the battle, blue eyes widened, and his lips parted slightly as he stood panting taking in the gory scenery that lay before him. There Laguna lay at the base of the boulder, his button down, blue shirt ripped to shreds from the gashes of the monster's claws, blood splattered on the dog tag necklace hanging around his neck, and right below his chest, down into his stomach, four long, deep gashes gushing with obvious, deep tissue damage exposed and blood roiling out of the wounds could clearly be seen. He also spied Griever still on the field, still protecting Rinoa, who was now stirring awake in the GF's arms.
Satisfied that Griever would keep her safe, Squall ignored the throbbing pain in his own leg and hurried to his father's side. His gunblade clattered to the ground as Squall dropped to his knees next to his father.
"S-Squall?" Laguna choked out looking up at his son.
Laguna placed his hands on both sides of the ground to push himself up. Squall could see he was trying hard to get up and refocus himself, but the wounds were too dire and the blood loss was becoming heavier. The President attempted to smile before he let out a sputtering cough spraying blood, and blood began trickling down the sides of his mouth. With a groan, Laguna began to collapse. Squall's arms instantly went outward, thinking of nothing but Laguna's current state, catching him before his wounded father could hit the ground again.
The young SeeD Commander's whole entire body began to shake and tremble with anxiety and rage.
"You idiot," Squall gnashed his teeth, clenching his jaw as he maneuvered his father's body to a more comfortable position. He glanced back at Griever who was now making his way toward Squall and the President, a dazed Rinoa still waking up in his hold. "You complete and utter idiot. The hell were you thinking? Coming out into the field like this? You knew you weren't even close to ready to fight something like this."
Squall's bottom lip trembled and he clenched his jaw as he watched more blood gushed out of Laguna's open wounds each time Laguna coughed or took a breath.
"Squall. 'm sorry... Just... wanted to help you...," his eyes were becoming unfocused and Squall positioned Laguna more comfortably against his hold. He pressed a hand against Laguna's wounds, trying to stem the flow of blood. He began tapping the side of his father's face in hopes it'd keep him awake and alert.
"What the hell were you thinking!? You really are some kind of moron, aren't you?" Squall found himself snapping, but his heart dropped to his stomach when Laguna's eyes fluttered shut. "Laguna? NO! You gotta stay with me. Stay awake, c'mon now. We gotta stop the bleeding. We gotta do something, we...," a hard lump was caught in the back of Squall's throat as he slipped off his jacket and wrapped it around his father's body, tying the sleeves tight to try and apply as much pressure to the wounds as he could get.
He swallowed hard as his vision became increasingly unfocused and distorted while he worked. Squall tried to ignore the tingling and burning in his nose as he sniffled. The Commander could feel the massive presence of Griever at his side and could see soldiers on the battlefield still fighting.
"Someone! Anyone! I need help! Please! Laguna needs help! PLEASE! ANYONE! HELP US!" he cried out, not even caring at this point how desperate he sounded. He just knew they had to get Laguna back to Esthar and to the hospital as soon as possible.
Squall froze as he felt fingers touch the side of his face, and his eyes went round. He noticed that Laguna's bloody hand on was his face, a strange look in the older man's glassy eyes.
"Just... like her... you have... her eyes... and... just so sorry, Squall. Sorry I couldn't be there for you, for Raine... So sorry..."
The man's hand dropped to his side, the smile disappearing, blood sliding down the sides of his mouth, eyes rolling back as his entire body went limp in Squall's arms. The only thing left from Laguna's touch was three streaks of blood smeared across Squall's face.
