A/N: Happy Easter everyone! Having a good rest so far? I sure am…
It's time for another update to this story… Kinda left you hangin' with Seifer and Caraway the last time, huh? ^_^
Oh, btw, I decided to change the dialogue format, as a test, to see if it appears better on the site, thus helping you read it more easily… Let me know if it works out better…
Last chapter summary: Seifer and Quistis make it down to Timber and join the others. During their attempt to stop the TV broadcast, Sorceress Edea appears and knocks Quistis out cold. They all escape Timber and make it to G-Garden, where they're given instructions on a new mission; assassinate the Sorceress…
~*A second chance*~
By: Sickness in Salvation
Chapter 14: The assassination plan
"YOU'VE GOT SOME NERVE COMING BACK HERE, ALMASY!!!" yelled the General, losing his composure, while reaching over to his sword, suspending from his belt.
Seifer's eyes widened and the tall blond broke into a run around the room, as the General waved his sword threateningly in the air. Seifer rushed to Irvine over at the desk, hiding behind him. The General ran over to him, engaging into a chase around the desk.
"I'm going to kill you this time!" said the General, his eyes glistening dangerously.
"Now, now sir… I'm only here to…" said Seifer frantically, trying to explain himself, but the General leaped onto the desk.
Seifer let out a yelp and got out of the sword's way, as it came rushing down to him. The General ended up leaving a deep cut onto the desk and swiftly turned his head around to the other side of the room, where Seifer had just run to. Caraway unstuck his sword from the desk and hopped back down to the floor, advancing on Seifer with a murderous expression on his face. The two went on with their wild chase around the room, as the other's watched the exchange wide-eyed. Zell seemed to be the only one enjoying the sight, as a wide grin had spread across his face. After what seemed like an eternity Squall finally decided to intervene.
"General, please calm down and explain-" Squall began.
"This does not concern you, boy!" yelled Caraway, aiming to slash Seifer's throat who ducked just in time "Me and Almasy go way back!"
"I didn't mean to!" said Seifer almost pleadingly, dodging another slash of the sword.
"Oh yes… I'm sure you didn't mean to DEFILE MY DAUGHTER!" roared Caraway.
Everyone gasped as they finally got a hint of what exactly had happened between Seifer and the General… Caraway once again tried to behead Seifer, who got his Hyperion out just in time. The two swords collided, but Caraway, with a tactful move, got rid of Seifer's gunblade, which found its way on the floor. Seifer was now cornered and the General was pointing the tip of his sword right on Seifer's throat. Seifer was breathing heavily, looking at the sword with a terrified expression on his face, while a trickle of sweat ran down his forehead. By now, everyone, even Zell, was worried that the General was really going to kill Seifer. They couldn't say they even remotely liked the blond, but didn't want to see him get brutally murdered either… Caraway was breathing heavily as well, his arm not even twitching as he still held his sword on Seifer's throat.
"Sir, I believe that's enough." interrupted Squall "Whatever it is that's between you and Seifer, surely isn't worth killing him…"
Silence overtook the room, as everyone held their breaths. The only sound breaking the muteness of the study, were Seifer and Caraway's panting breaths. After a few more moments of silence, the General spoke.
"You're right." he said, his eyes always fixed onto Seifer's "However," he added "If I ever… ever, catch you anywhere within the vicinity of a mile around my daughter again," he said, trailing the tip of his sword down Seifer's chest and onto his crotch "I'll have your head. Both of them…" said the General, smirking. Seifer's eyes widened and he swallowed hard "Understood?"
"Y-y-yes sir…" stuttered Seifer, in a voice barely audible.
"Good." said Caraway, drawing away his sword and suspending it back on the side of his belt.
Seifer let out the breath he'd been holding for Hyne knew how long. He sighed in relief and ran a hand over his sweaty forehead. Everyone else was relieved the incident was over as well, although Zell was trying hard not to burst out laughing… Seifer sank down in a chair but a mere glare from the General made him jump back up.
"So… where's Rinoa?" asked Selphie again, trying to break the tension.
"Rinoa has not received the type of training you all have, and may become a burden. Besides, she will probably end up getting into more trouble like she did in Timber…" Caraway replied "It's for the best that she stays out of this operation."
"Once our mission is accomplished here, we're working for Rinoa, as per our contract." Squall spoke "I don't know what your situation is, but please don't interfere when the time comes."
"And if I do?" the General asked in a daring manner.
"Well, we-" Seifer began, but as soon as he met Caraway's cold gaze, shut his mouth.
"We're all SeeDs here. We'll act accordingly." Squall replied firmly.
"Hey, hey, fellas…" Irvine butted in "We're here to knock off the Sorceress, right? So let's get down to business."
"OK…" Caraway nodded, although somewhat frowning "Let me explain the plan…" he added, walking outside.
The six young soldiers followed him out of the room and down into the streets, so that he'd be able to explain the operation more effectively.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Ha, ha, ha! I wondered if I'd ever see a scene between Seifer and Caraway again!
Quisty, you're much meaner than I thought!
Oh, I'm so gonna tease him for this once we're through…
Will continuing with the story make you be quiet?
Sure, *chuckle* go on…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"…So." Caraway spoke, once they were back in the mansion "Who's going to lead the operation?"
"I will." Seifer and Squall both replied in unison. Squall glared at Seifer.
"I outrank you. And I'm a SeeD for a whole six months longer." Seifer retorted "Do the math, Leonhart…"
"Nice try, but 'Leonhart', as you called him, will lead the operation." the General said, indicating that the conversation on that subject was over.
"Fine." Seifer growled, sulking. Squall grinned the slightest bit.
"So all the rest is up to you." Caraway said, addressing Squall. Squall nodded.
"Irvine and I will make up the sniper team, then." Squall said "So that leaves the rest for the Gateway team."
"Whoo-hoo!" Selphie cheered.
"Let's DO it!" Zell shouted excitedly. Seifer merely rolled his eyes.
"So who's gonna be the leader of the gateway team?" asked Selphie.
Zell began throwing punches in the air, pretending to be casual. Squall looked over at him and sighed 'Sorry, Zell…' he thought. He wasn't all that fond of Seifer, but he had to admit that he was a good mercenary and he was the only logical choice for the leader for that team. Besides, he had a feeling that if Seifer had to endure more rejection from Caraway or anyone else, he'd go ballistic…
"Seifer, you're in charge." Squall said.
Across him, Zell was obviously disappointed. Both for not having been chosen, but also because he'd have to be under Seifer's lead… Seifer cocked an eyebrow.
"Oh, yippee…" he said sarcastically.
'Ungrateful bastard…' Squall thought. The General gave the 'OK' to get started with the operation, so Squall and Irvine left the room, heading for their position in front of the Gates of the Presidential Palace. Seifer motioned his team to follow him with a nod, looking bored out of his mind. The three made their way out of Caraway's mansion walking out to the streets, where crowds had already began to assemble, heading for the main Boulevard for the parade.
"So Seifer… What's the deal with you and Rinoa's dad?" asked Selphie, grinning.
Seifer stopped on his tracks and turned around to face her, giving her the most venom-dripping expression she'd ever seen in her life.
"Sorry, sorry! Just askin'! No need to take my head off!" she protested, walking next to a chuckling Zell.
"Just shut up… BOTH of you and follow me. Don't open you fuckin' peephole for the rest of the mission and we'll be OK, savvy?" he growled at the two.
Selphie and Zell shook their heads in disbelief and followed Seifer. They were now making their way through the colorful streets of Deling, all decorated for the illustrious parade. People were cheering, holding banners or throwing confetti, while children chased around huge fluorescent balloons in all kinds of shapes. Within a few minutes, the trio was already at the bottom of the gateway tower and was ascending up the stairs to their designated spot. Zell sat down on the floor, resting his back against the wall behind him. Selphie was examining the weird contraption connected to the lever they were later on supposed to pull down. Seifer was leaning against the wall next to the window, looking outside in boredom. He yawned and stared at his watch. Twenty minutes to eight. Great… He was supposed to stay inside this fucking hole, for twenty minutes, waiting to do what? Pull down a Hyne damned lever. He couldn't understand why there had to be three of them in that stupidly easy mission. They could just as well have sent the Chicken-Wuss and the Messenger girl to get the job cone and he could be with the sniper team, doing some real work, in case that idiotic cowboy missed. But he had a pretty darn good idea why all this was happening. Caraway hated his guts for that incident back in the summer when he'd caught him and Rinoa during an… uncomfortable moment. And now was his perfect revenge… That bastard…
Seifer sighed and looked outside the window. Suddenly, something caught his eye. A blur of blue went passing by through the crowds. An all too familiar blur of blue…
"RINOA?!" Seifer yelled, jumping up startled.
"What, where?!" said Zell.
"I just saw Rinoa running through the crowds, heading for… aw SHIT!" Seifer cursed.
"Wasn't she supposed to stay inside for the mission?" Selphie asked.
"Damn her stubbornness!" Seifer growled, heading for the staircase next to them.
"Where are you going?!" asked Zell.
"I'm gonna go stop her before she does anything stupid. You two stay here and follow the orders if I don't get back in time." Seifer said firmly, now descending the rusty stairway.
"B-b-but-" stuttered Selphie.
"No 'buts'! If I don't go, she's gonna try and take on the sorceress by herself!" Seifer insisted.
"But the General said-" Zell began.
"The General will thank me when his daughter doesn't end up a fucking mangled corpse!" Seifer hissed and disappeared from sight to the room downstairs.
He skipped the last few stairs by jumping down and rushed outside. He ran down the streets, pushing anyone who came before his way aside. He stopped at the main Boulevard, looking around for any hint of Rinoa. His eyes caught a tip of her baby blue duster just before she turned around a corner. He broke into a run once again, struggling to catch up with her. Once he took the turn Rinoa had just a moment ago, he stopped on his tracks. Suddenly, the crowd erupted into cheers and he gates of the Presidential Palace, which he had now reached, flung open. The parade had begun.
Seifer got pushed back from the people around him, as a large group of dancers, dressed in exotic attire rushed out, bursting into a dance in a frenzy of colors and motion. The Sorceress' vehicle followed right after them. Seifer's gaze fell mechanically upon the woman riding that cart. It was her. The woman they'd all seen back at the TV station in Timber.
As if possessing a sixth sense, she felt the blond's eyes piercing her and turned around, facing him. Seifer's eyes widened as a feral grin appeared on the woman's face.
So… we meet again boy…
Seifer gasped; she was speaking to him again.
Just take a look around you… Look at all this glory… It can all be yours, too… If you join me… The crowds will
worship not only the Sorceress, but the Sorceress' Knight as well…
Seifer swallowed with difficulty, how did she know about his dream? How could she? He'd almost never shared it with anyone… But either way, her offer was too tempting for him to decline… The vehicle was almost out of sight now. If he wanted to seize that chance he'd have to run after her… Taking a deep breath, he took a step forward, ready to break into a run after the parade vehicle. As soon as he took the first step ahead though, he felt a pair of hands pulling him aside from the waist. His mind snapped out of the 'trance' and he was brought face to face with a frowned Squall and a bewildered Irvine, who had both pulled him aside from the street.
"What the hell are you doing here, Almasy?!" Squall hissed at him "Why aren't you at the gateway?!"
"I… I was…" he replied, rubbing his forehead, still somewhat dizzy "B-b-but I saw Rinoa… She escaped from the house. I had a feeling she'd try to take on the Sorceress by herself…"
"Yeah, we know, we saw her." said Irvine "She already got there and she's in some big trouble…We're going over to help her."
"Well come on! Let's go!" Seifer urged them.
"Wait, what about the gateway team?" asked Squall.
"I've left the Chicken-Wuss and that Messenger girl there; they'll do just fine. Even Dincht ain't that stupid to mess it up…" Seifer replied.
"Fine. Come on." Squall grumbled, resuming his way.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The three men made their way through the rooftops of the Presidential Palace, moving as fast as they could, trying to get to Rinoa before it was too late… They finally reached the foyer leading to Sorceress Edea's chamber. They found Rinoa inside, cowering into a corner. Two humongous beasts stood before her. Seifer recognized them as Iguions, creatures that were half lions from the waist down and half iguanas from the waist up. One of them stood on its hind legs, preparing to attack he young girl, while the other stood ominously behind them, ready to lunge forward next.
Without losing a single second, Irvine pointed his shotgun towards the monster in front of Rinoa, pulling the trigger. A pair of bullets shot right upon the monsters head, piercing right through flesh and skull. A surge of green blood splashed all over the wall behind Rinoa and on her as well, soaking her clothes and staining her face. The girl screamed in terror as the beast fell on its side in front of her and looked at her out of the corner of one eye, before the iris rolled back into the socket. Squall rushed over to Rinoa and jumped down upon her, grabbing her waist and rolling into the floor, away from danger. The other Iguion growled and turned over to face Seifer and Irvine. Rinoa squirmed beneath Squall on the ground. She winced and opened her eyes, facing him.
"Squall!" she gasped "How did you-"
"Stay here." Squall interrupted her and got back up on his feet, running over to the other two men.
The last remaining Iguion lowered its torso down and, springing forward from its back legs, jumped up to Seifer cat-like. The blond lost no time and slashed the monster's open mouth with his Hyperion, sending it a few steps back, hissing. Retaliating, the beast stood up on its hind legs and emitted a surge of what was unmistakably magma, heading right on to Seifer. Within the blink of an eye, it turned its attention over to Irvine and did the same. The first trail of lava slithered serpent-like over to Seifer, who jumped to the side, rolled on the ground and got back up on his feet, a spell apparent, dancing between his fingers. He extended his arm towards the Iguion and released a Blizzara. A tall iceberg began to create from the beast's legs, building up around the Iguion's body. Meanwhile, Irvine had dodged the magma heading towards him and quickly raised his shotgun up, shooting the head of the –now- iced creature. The bullet cracked the ice 'helmet', sending chips of ice shooting across the room. Right on cue, Squall had reached the battle and was ready to attack the monster.
"Get it, now!" yelled Seifer at Squall.
Squall jumped up on the Iguion's back and plunged his gunblade down at the top of its spine, at the point where it connected with the base of the skull. The sharp tip of the weapon penetrated the beast's hard, dragon-like skin. The Iguion emitted a high-pitched screech, making all of them cover their ears. Seifer rushed over to Squall's aid, helping him crack away the ice covering the creature's body with slashes of their gunblades. When no more ice was lingering onto the monster's skin, it fell with a thud to the ground, desperately holding on to dear life by a thin thread. Seifer gave the last blow, bringing his Hyperion down, chopping the beast's head with one strike. Green blood raced out and stained Seifer's face. The fatal wound left on the Iguion's body was still gushing out green blood, as it twitched a few last times, then lay down lifeless.
Seifer let out a sigh of relief and ran his hand through his fair hair, grimacing in disgust as he noticed a stain of thick blood mixing with his short locks. Irvine got back up on his feet, twirling his shotgun on one hand before resting it upon his shoulder. Rinoa had also gotten up and was now staggering her way over to the three guys. She fell back down on her knees next to Squall, grabbing his arm.
"I was scared…" she whispered faintly "Really scared…"
"It's over now." Squall said, looking down at her.
"I was scared…" Rinoa repeated, pulling herself back up from Squall's arm "I was really, really scared…"
"You're used to battles, aren't you?" Squall asked, frowning.
"I couldn't… I just couldn't… I couldn't fight alone…" she whispered faintly 'You're not ready for all this…' Squall thought.
"Come on, we have to go. We have less than ten minutes to eight." said Seifer, walking over to Rinoa's side.
"Let go…" Rinoa whined, as Seifer put his hand on her shoulder.
She walked over to Squall's side.
"I haven't forgotten your order. Just… stay close to me." Squall said without looking at her, walking towards the exit.
The quartet walked out of the foyer and found the small hatch the General had talked to them about. Irvine pried it open and walked down to the carousel cart first, slowly followed by the others.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Inside the carousel, Squall and Irvine walked over to the designated area, from which Irvine was supposed to shoot the Sorceress. Rinoa sat down on a stool, remaining silent. Seifer noticed that she looked quite pale and walked over to her.
"You OK?" he asked, bending down to look at her.
"Leave me alone…" Rinoa mumbled, looking away from his face.
"Why are you being so Hyne damn hostile with me? What the fuck did I ever do?!" Seifer asked exasperated.
"What do you want, Seifer? Really?" Rinoa asked sarcastically "You blow me off at the Ball and now all of a sudden you act all 'concerned' about me? What's your game?"
"*Scoff* You can really be a child sometimes, Rinoa…" Seifer said, shaking his head in disbelief "Just because we broke up doesn't mean I don't care about you. I don't know if I was only a 'boyfriend' to you, but to me you were also a friend. A good one." he went on, frowning. Rinoa bowed down her head "And I may not fuckin' show it, but I care about friends. Because I value them. And if that's too much for you to handle, then fine by me."
Seifer turned around and saw Irvine and Squall looking at them.
"And what the fuck are you looking at?" he asked indignantly.
"I wanted to see if you two are quite over with your issues, because we have a damn serious mission ahead of us." Squall replied, crossing his arms.
"You have a serious mission ahead of you." retorted Seifer "In case you have forgotten, you are the leader of this frickin' circus and I was assigned to pull a lever."
"Then you shouldn't have left your post to play hero, Seifer. 'Cause now that you're on my team, you'll play with my rules." Squall spat back.
"Why did you leave your post?" Rinoa piped in.
"Forget about it…" Seifer growled and sat down on a corner, sulking.
Rinoa approached Seifer and sat down next to him.
"Why did you abandon your post Seifer?" she asked again.
"I said: Forget about it." Seifer repeated firmly.
"Did you try to come find me?" she asked. Seifer didn't reply "Why?"
"I saw you from the window, running away from the mansion and I figured you'd try to take on the Sorceress alone." he said, grinning. Rinoa chuckled.
"And you were right. I did." she replied.
"Rinoa, you didn't need to prove a point to anyone by doing that…" he said, turning to look at her.
"You know me too well… Gets on my nerves…" she said, grinning.
"Are you OK now?" he asked.
"Yeah, better… That woman is no fool, Seifer. She got to me immediately. We're up against a tough enemy." Rinoa said, hugging her knees.
"I figured as much… What did you try to do to her?" he asked.
"I found an Odine Bangle inside the house. They're supposed to suppress a Sorceress' powers." narrated Rinoa "I tried to present it to her as a gift, me being the General's daughter and all, but she got to me and put me under her spell. And… you know the rest…" she finished, looking down at her feet.
Seifer wrapped his arm around her shoulder and Rinoa rested her head on his shoulder.
"*Sigh* If it weren't for you guys, now I'd…" she trailed off.
"Don't think about that anymore; it's over." Seifer said "'Sides," he added, looking over at Squall "Now you got your own personal hero. So look on the bright side of things." Rinoa chuckled. "What's goin' on over there?" he asked, looking over at Squall and Irvine.
"I dunno… Come on, let's go see…"
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Squall checked his watch, only to see that they were less than five minutes away from eight, and turned his attention to Irvine, who was sitting down quietly, not saying a word. Squall looked at Irvine, frowning 'Huh…? Is he freaking out?!' he thought. He walked over to him and kneeled by his side.
"Don't tell me you're getting the jitters…" he said.
"I…I can't do it…" Irvine mumbled, looking up at Squall.
Suddenly, the carousel cart began ascending and everyone looked around them bewildered. The clock had hit 2000 hours. Edea's vehicle was just passing by the gateway. Squall looked over at the gate eagerly, and within seconds, the gates trembled only to finally fall down and trap Edea's vehicle. The sorceress immediately got up and looked around her, her face visibly agitated.
"Irvine Kinneas!" Squall yelled.
"I… I can't… I'm sorry. I can't do it. I always freeze like this…" Irvine apologized "I try to act cool, joke around, but I just can't handle the pressure…"
"Forget it. Just shoot." insisted Squall.
"My bullet… The sorceress… I'll go down in history. I'd change the history of Galbadia… Of the world! It's all too much…" mumbled Irvine.
"Enough! Just shoot!"
"I can't, dammit!" snapped Irvine.
"Irvine, calm down. Everyone's waiting on you." Squall began, calmly "I don't care if you miss. Whatever happens, just leave the rest to us. Just think of it as a signal. A sign for us to make out move."
"Just a signal…" Irvine muttered 'That's it…' thought Squall.
"Please."
Irvine sat up and headed for the edge of the carousel clock. Seifer and Rinoa were about to ask Squall what was going on, when Squall raised a hand up, silencing them. He was afraid they might freak Irvine out again.
"…Just a sign." Irvine mumbled.
He raised the riffle and aimed. Squall noticed that beads of seat were beginning to form and glisten on his forehead. Irvine hesitated for a moment, then took a deep breath and fired. A loud banging sound was heard and a bullet flew out of the gun's nozzle and towards the gate. It passed right through the gate's grating, but the Sorceress didn't get wounded. She immediately extended her arm, casting a barrier around her, which deflected the bullet. Back on the carousel, Irvine cursed under his breath and fell back.
"…I'm sorry." he whispered.
"It's OK. Your aim was perfect." said Squall, getting up. He turned to look at Seifer "You wanted your chance? Well you got it. I'm goin' in for the Sorceress. Are you coming?" he asked. Seifer smirked the slightest bit and nodded "Good. Irvine, Rinoa, just be ready to back us up."
Squall walked over to the edge of the carousel clock, closely followed by Seifer. The brown-haired SeeD turned and looked at the tall blond for reassurance. Seifer gave him a firm nod, and both men drew out their gunblades. Seifer made a feral grin and jumped off the clock first. His long trench coat flowed in the air as he descended. Right on cue, Squall leaped forward, rolling in mid-air. Seifer landed down on the ground, aiding himself spring up by his palm, which touched the terrain beneath him. He jumped up again, landing right upon the abandoned car before him. Squall knocked out a soldier that came on his way and followed Seifer's lead, landing onto the passenger's seat, next to him. Seifer turned the engine on and drove off, speeding among the crowds, heading right for the Gates, where the Sorceress was trapped. Taking a swift turn to the right, he stopped the car parallel to the Gates. Squall exited first, sliding through the large opening of the railing, beginning to climb up the vehicle. Seifer followed right behind him, hauling his bodyweight up on the floor of the parade vehicle. The two men stood beside each other, facing the woman before them. Edea narrowed her eyes at them and slowly got up…
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"So… the time has come SeeDs…" she spoke, her voice rich and rasp.
Hey amber eyes traveled from one mercenary to the other, studying them both carefully. She stopped her gaze upon Seifer, her full lips upturning into a feral smile.
And once again you come before me, boy…
"I told you…" Seifer hissed furiously, preparing a spell in his fingers "DON'T CALL ME A BOY!!!" he yelled. On his side, Squall looked at him wide-eyed.
He extended his arm towards her, a yellowish-white aura escaping his fingers. Holy. Sorceress Edea merely winced the tiniest bit as the spell hit her and stood back up straight. She opened her eyes and smirked at him.
Surely you can do better than that…
Seifer gritted his teeth and hardened his grip on Hyperion. He lunged forward, letting out a cry, preparing to slash the woman in half with the sharp edge of his blade. He was less than three feet close to her, when Edea simply raised her hand. Seifer felt a strong barrier-like force rise before him and push him back fiercely.
You have still much to learn boy…But I can help you, you know… All you have to do… is join me.
Seifer narrowed his eyes at her, while sprawled down on the floor of the vehicle.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Squall hissed at him "Don't attack her alone. We'll do it together."
See how he's holding you back? He's always been doing that, hasn't he? Always stealing your thunder…
Seifer's facial expression became milder.
It doesn't have to be like this anymore… You can prove to everyone how much stronger you are… All you have to do, is get up and come to me…
Seifer swallowed with difficulty. His heavy breathing had now calmed down. Squall looked from him to the Sorceress, noticing that she never broke eye contact with Seifer.
So what do you say, boy? Will you… be my Knight?
"Yes… Yes I will…" Seifer whispered, slowly getting up 'What the HELL?!' Squall's mind screamed.
Seifer got back up on his feet, clearing his trench coat from the dust, and took the first step forward to her. Squall's eyes widened and he grabbed Seifer's collar.
"Seifer, what are you doing?! Don't let her manipulate you like that!" he hissed at him.
"QUIET YOU!" boomed Edea, casting a Fire spell onto Squall.
The brown-haired SeeD let out a yelp of pain and stepped back, falling down to the floor. Meanwhile, Seifer was walking towards Edea, as if in a trance. Squall was overcome with panic; if Seifer joined her, then things would get a lot tougher… And he couldn't just let him be seduced by Edea like that. Even though he hated that guy's damned guts… He had to think of something… Something that would make him snap out of it… There had to be a way… His eyebrows arched.
"SEIFER, DON'T!" yelled Squall "Think of what she did to Quistis!"
The blond froze on his tracks. He turned his head abruptly and looked at Squall, who looked back at him eagerly, shaking his head, mouthing 'Don't do it'. Squall smiled inwardly; it seemed like Seifer did have a weak spot after all… The blond SeeD seemed to be in utter confusion… 'Now would be a REALLY good time for the others to show up, dammit! What are they doing?!' thought Squall.
Are you going to listen to him now?! He's only trying to hold you back again!
Seifer had never felt more torn in his life. Half of him told him to take another step forward, while the other half told him to back out. Edea narrowed her eyes furiously and looked at him intently. The blond was about to speak, when something distracted him. A gunshot was heard out of nowhere. Edea snapped her head to the side immediately and barely made her move in time. She raised her palm, stopping the bullet that had raced towards her, stopping it only inches before it pierced through her head. Seifer looked behind him, only to find Rinoa and Irvine already onto the vehicle as well. Rinoa was helping Squall up, while Irvine was still aiming his shotgun at her. Something seemed to click in Seifer's mind then, and he seized that opportunity to take a step backwards. Edea turned back to look at him, continuing to step backwards.
You're betraying me for them and that slut of yours then? Fine then boy. Have it your way…
Seifer's jade eyes widened and he fell down on his knees. Edea had spread her palm towards him, and as she twisted her fingers, Seifer felt more and more pressure around his neck. He moved his hands to his neck, trying to find what was causing him to choke, but realized he could do nothing about it; Edea was controlling it fully. Her amber eyes had narrowed to slits and the pressure around his gullet was becoming unbearable. Behind him, Rinoa was casting a quick Cure spell on Squall, while Irvine cast a Thundara spell on Edea, trying to weaken her down. Seifer fell down on his back, eyes rolling back into their sockets.
"Quick… Leonhart… finish her off…" Seifer croaked between chokes and gasps for air.
His vision was getting more and more blurry. He barely heard Rinoa's cry for him and could only make out a black blur attacking the Sorceress. He made one last gasp for air, before feeling a pair of hands on his shoulders and hearing Edea's enraged voice as three icicles hovering in mid-air raced over him towards the others in the back. He closed his eyes, hearing another scream escape Rinoa's lips; only this time, it wasn't addressed to him.
And then… darkness…
A/N: So Seifer ain't that strong against Edea… She has a great influence on him. You see, I always believed that the bad 'seeds' were planted within Seifer all the time, and the situations he came to face just helped them grow. Different situations here, different results as well. But still, it's always been his dream… A fact which I'll be stressing in future chapters and be working upon…
ON THE NEXT CHAPTER OF 'A SECOND CHANCE':
As you might have guessed, the D-District prison comes next…
So the sequence should pretty much evolve like it did in the game, right?
Not really…
You see, our heroes come to face three different situations that need to be handled immediately, instead of just two. I'll let you guess what the third one will be ^_~
And I promise! Last Quistis-less chapter!