Hope jumped down the last step appearing more energetic than he felt, his landing echoed loudly around the hanger they had docked in and Hope walked backwards getting another good look at the craft that had brought them so far in such a short space of time. He thought Garden was impressive, this beat it hands down. He was no stranger to technology such as this, after all he had rode in his fair share of craft, but these were so, cool!

He jumped as he accidentally bumped into Zell who looked down at Hope with a disapproving gaze and the young L'Cie quickly muttered an apology before jogging to catch up with Squall who was now stood talking to another man, much older with long hair wearing casual loose fitting clothes and Hope absently tugged at the collar of his own rather formal uniform, missing his own casual wear about now.

"Squall!"

"Laguna."

"For the sake of all that's breathing, will you call me dad?"

Hope looked from one to the other.

"He your dad?" He asked but Squall just remained silent while Laguna just smiled.

"Come on then, like I said we made the preparations." They started walking briskly towards a large hanger door out into a court yard, Hope jogging now and again to keep up.

The two men talked at length about the current state of the patients while Hope took in his surroundings, but he wasn't given time to appreciate the beauty of the marvellous city and was quickly ushered inside, flanked by Zell and Irvine.

He had completely lost all sense of direction as they were led through confusing corridors with artificial lights turning on as the sun had long since set.

"Are you absolutely sure about this?" Laguna asked, and Hope got the feeling that this wasn't the first time the older man had shown his uncertainty.

"I am." Squall simply said and he took Hope by the shoulders and ushered him forward into a light airy room segmented into smaller rooms, separated by a transparent wall. At first there didn't seem to be much privacy because of the window-like walls looking out into the rooms either side, but Hope saw that by the mere touch of a button those transparent walls could be tinted to match the rest of the room, appearing like an ordinary wall.

In each segment was a bed and a few items of furniture. In each bed a victim of the mask slept in their never ending dreams. Some had friends or family visiting and he saw one woman arranging flowers in a vase chatting seemingly to herself. Small items littered each room, private items that either belonged to the patient or were gifts from concerned loved ones.

Hope felt on display as he was ushered to the centre of the large ward and while he hadn't a clue what he was supposed to do, he felt as though everyone here was placing far too much faith in an ability he didn't even know he had.

"I don't know about this." He muttered but Squall just urged him on.

Finally stopping at their destination, Hope watched as Squall now stepped past him to sit beside the pale young woman, paler still because of her raven hair.

"This is Rinoa." Squall said softly touching her hand. "I didn't tell her enough when I could. But then, that was okay because she understood me. I didn't need to say anything because, she already knew." Hope stood silent, letting Squall speak. If he had learnt anything from his time spent with Light he knew that people like her and Squall didn't open up like this to just anyone.

Squall kissed the pale hand before standing up and leaving the small confines of the room to stand by Hope once more.

"I only want you, to try."

Despite the reassuring words, Hope felt enormous pressure. All eyes were suddenly on him and he felt like he was about to let the whole world down. What was he supposed to do? How was he supposed to activate this, power?

He looked down at his left hand and slowly unfurled the yellow bandana covering the brand. He wasn't sure if that would help, but he didn't have any idea how to begin.

"I don't know-"

"Just, stand beside her." Squall stated almost desperately. "Try and remove the mask."

Hope turned back to look at the girl and swallowing down the doubt he went to her side.

She was pretty, her long black hair framed a pale face. She was terribly thin, like she was wasting away. As Hope got closer, the image of the mask became clear. It was black, darker than those worn by the Soldiers of the Legion. Her own mask had an intricate design, the dark-star symbol upon her brow. The eyes, like Snow's had been drawn in, depicted as closed while Rinoa's actual closed eyes were visible behind the partially-materialised mask.

He glanced back at the others seeing hopeful looks in each of their eyes, waiting, expecting so much from one boy. He quickly looked away and raised his hand close to Rinoa's face, but nothing happened.

"It's not working." He said softly not able to speak it out loud, not able to be the one to crush their hopes.

He was about to step back when the mask seemed to ripple, like the mere presence of his hand was enough to rattle the masks hold on her. He briefly recalled the same happening to Snow and suddenly Hope had more confidence in his ability although he still didn't understand it.

He gently reached for the top of the mask surprised when he was able to touch it. He paused, before prying it away from her face. It had no weight at all and as it slowly lost its host, it became a solid thing in his hand. He watched it materialise completely in their reality as he pulled it from the sleeping form, who now stirred though Hope was too transfixed by the mask.

He didn't know why but he felt like he should put it on. Without thinking about the possible consequences he did exactly that, driven by instinct alone.

"No, Hope!" He heard Squall call out but the mask was already in place and he closed his eyes, doing as the voice inside his mind asked.

***

Squall reached for Hope, pulling him around to try and quickly remove the mask he had taken onto himself but already it had latched onto its new host and escaped Squall's touch by using the same dirty trick it had on Rinoa.

"Damn-it!" He snarled as Hope became limp in his arms, just as Rinoa awakened. He'd gotten what he wanted, but at what cost? Rather selfishly, he was pleased with the out-come and he hated himself for that feeling, wishing he could have been the one to suffer rather than anyone else.

Hope was no weight at all, hanging limply from Squall's arms. The SeeD commander stood, gazing down at Rinoa as her dark brown eyes smiled up at him once again and all he wanted to do was scream. How would she feel if she ever learned just what price had to be paid to ensure her life? He debated never letting her know when something changed to the boy in his arms.

"Hey! Look!" Zell stated and Squall looked into Hopes face again, seeing the dark star mask loose its oppressive dark colour. The light from before crept in at the edges of the mask, replacing the blackness and the evil design to the most pure white Squall had ever seen. As more and more of the mask became blessed by the Holy Light, so did the light become brighter, stronger. Squall shielded his eyes as he laid Hope down, watching Hope's mask grow grander as it consumed the taint that had struck his Rinoa weeks ago.

Brighter and brighter it got and as the light filled the room the sounds of shattering could be heard from all directions. Each man and woman in the ward who was touched by Hopes light became free of their own curse as the masks shattered like glass, fragments floating off to dissolve harmlessly.

"Open them up!" Laguna called. Shielding his eyes and the doctors turned all of the walls transparent. The sounds of shattering increased until not one remained and as if knowing his work was done, the light retreated back into Hope, his mask sitting regally before fading away once again.

Squall, Laguna, Zell and Irvine stood dumbfounded, looking down at the prone form of the boy, amazed and confused while all around them the men and women who had been prisoners of their own dreams started to wake. Cheers filled the room as the loved ones who had for weeks watched their dearest begin to fade, prayers finally answered, including Squall's.

He turned from Hope to Rinoa who was trying to sit up and he went to her side, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. She smiled weakly as he lifted her from the bed, tears barely held back, he pulled her in close, just holding her and to feel her hold him back almost sent those barely contained tears tumbling.

"I thought you'd left me." He whispered to her quietly and she shook her head, her lips finding the warm skin of his neck, she kissed it seeing him shudder. "I love you." He said it. He'd finally said it. Those actual words and while he felt it, unconditionally, he had never said, finding it 'lame'. Now to be able to say it, it was like a weight had been lifted from his shoulders and he squeezed her gently.

"I missed you." She whispered back, her voice broken. "I kept searching for a way back."

"I know." they finally parted and he smiled.

"A boy came, he said he knew the way back." Squall looked at her curiously. "He said you were sad." Squall tried to hide the concern from his eyes and he forced a smile and placed her back down on the bed.

"Rest up, you've been out for weeks, you're weak."

"Where are you going?"

"I won't be far." He kissed her softly. He wanted more but for the time being at least there were more important matters to attend to.

***

He woke from the strangest dream just as Rinoa left the field of flowers; Hope looked up into the sun and smiled. His smile vanished as that light changed from a gentle soft glow to a searing spear of hurt and he raised his hands to try and shield himself, knocking the pen light from the hands of the doctor currently examining him.

"He's fine." The doctor stated sarcastically holding his jaw as apparently Hope had also just decked him. "Fighting fit in fact." He added leaving Hope rubbing his eyes trying to work out where he was. Apparently he was on the floor surrounded by, well everyone.

"You little amazing guy, you!" Zell exclaimed and swallowed a confused Hope in a massive hug. He yelped, really surprised by the act; he didn't have Zell down as a hugger. Irvine pulled Zell off the boy before subjecting to Hope more of the same treatment and in the same breath he hoisted the L'Cie boy high onto his shoulders to show a cheering crowd.

Hope grabbed hold of Irvine's head, scared to be so far off the ground but as he looked about the room, it was a far different sight from when they had entered. Everyone was awake, and sitting up. Visitors were laughing and hugging their loved ones and a party was well underway.

Hope yelped as Irvine bucked and then laughed.

"Hey, put me down!" He objected and the cowboy obliged ruffling Hope's hair as he set him back on solid ground.

"Alright, everyone, step back." Laguna called. "Give the lad some air, I'm sure he's exhausted after all that."

Hope blinked.

"All what?" He asked quite seriously as he was led from the ward.

"You did it," Zell began. "It was the most insane thing I've ever seen!"

"What?"

"What you did! You woke everyone! All at once, bam! Cursed masks busting all over the place."

Now Hope really was confused, but he just shrugged and continued walking.

"So, it worked?" He asked just making sure they were all on the same page as he felt like he was a few chapters behind right now.

"It worked alright." Hope turned hearing Squall. "I don't know how you did it."

"Neither do I." He chuckled softly. "But I'm glad."

"Hope," they all turned as one of the doctors, a tall thin man with unruly, raven-coloured hair approached. "I would very much like it if you allowed us to study you; you're clearly in possession of quite some power. The study would be beneficial in understanding that power."

"Dr Caplin, is this really the time?" Laguna stepped between Hope and Caplin.

"I believe it's the perfect time, Mr President. If we are able to replicate this light, he seems to emit, we maybe able to treat a great many more people who are currently afflicted with this condition."

"There're more people sick like this?" Hope asked and Squall nodded.

"Everyday we get more reports of people behaving strangely and when confronted about their actions. . ."

"It's time for the big sleep!" Zell added.

"This is why this study is vital, Hope." Caplin waited for an answer and while Hope wanted to do all he could to help, the thought of being confined to a room while he was poked and prodded just didn't appeal.

"I…I don't know. I need to find my friends." He explained his worries and Squall was the first to stand by him.

"Hope's gifts can better serve everyone on the field." Everyone seemed inclined to agree, everyone that was, except for Caplin.

"Of course, Commander Squall. Now that your own loved one is safe, everyone else can just fade away." The doctor seemed unperturbed by the four sets of angry eyes boring into him while Hope just took a step back, trying to avoid confrontation. The last thing he wanted was to be the cause of problems.

"How dare you!" Laguna stated, defending his son, but Hope quickly spoke up.

"Wait, please." He stepped in the midst of the group and turned to the doctor. "I will do what I can to aid your study, Doctor, but I can't stay here indefinitely."

"Two days is all I will need for the moment."

"Alright." He bowed his head politely, the only one to do so as the doctor turned and headed back to his office.

"I will need time to make the necessary preparations."

"Hope will be along, when he is ready." Laguna stated, still clearly upset and Caplin nodded.

"Of course."

The Esthar president went to lead Hope away, but Squall stopped them.

"Can I have a minute?" It wasn't a question, rather a request and Hope remained with Squall while the others walked ahead. Soon as they were gone, Squall got down to one knee so he was level with Hope. "You have no idea what you've done for me." He put a hand on Hopes shoulder and the lad smiled.

"I'm just glad to help."

"Even so, I'm not going to forget this and I'm not about to squander the second chance you've given me. You have my word, that from this day forward I will not rest until I have repaid this kindness. We will find your friend again and you have my word that he will come to no harm. We'll help you free him." Hope tried to smile but he was too touched by Squalls words, so all he managed was a small bow of the head and Squall stood, hand still resting on Hopes shoulder. "Soon as Caplin has what he wants, we're gone."

"Alright." Hope managed a smile now and as Squall indicated he should go, he quickly turned and ran to catch up to the others, discreetly wiping his eyes.

***

It was cause for celebration and Laguna was really good at throwing parties. He made a public announcement regarding the recovery of Rinoa, apparently the worlds one surviving Sorceress and of course the rest of the victims although he omitted Hope's involvement and for that he was grateful. Only a handful of people knew of his strange ability and already he was being questioned and studied, but Laguna waved away those advances and led Hope to a small room with a table set for four and the smells coming in from the kitchen got Hope's stomach growling.

"I don't care what Caplin says, you my boy are going to relax after a job well done!" Laguna patted Hope's shoulder and urged him to take a seat. Zell had already jumped into a place at the table and was rubbing his hands together in expectation.

"Man I love coming here, Laguna always puts on a good spread!"

"Its better than the cafeteria food on Balamb, that's for darn sure." Irvine added, sitting down calmly, hooking his hat on the high backed chair. It was kind of strange to see him without it and Hope realised for the first time Irvine's hair was quite a length, reaching down his back in a loose tail. "Yeah yeah, I know. Hat hair." He winked at Hope who just laughed softly.

"Isn't Squall coming?" Hope asked as Laguna sat down.

"I think he has other things on his mind besides food at the moment." Zell grinned, his brows rising up and down insinuating something that Hope didn't completely understand. His grin faded however when Irvine slapped him around the back of the head. "Hey what the heck was that for!?" Irvine just looked at Hope and Zell seemed to realise. "Oh yeah, right. Forget I said anything!"

Hope covered his mouth trying to hide the smirk but soon became more interested in the plate covered in piping hot food. His eyes widened as he gazed at the tender slices of meat, hot steaming vege all covered in a thick shimmering sauce and it was all he could do not to drool all over it. He couldn't remember the last time he'd sat down to a meal like this, surviving as a L'Cie on Pulse meant they had to take what they could get and it usually meant something cold or completely disgusting.

Hope didn't wait to be invited to start, he filled the folk with a large helping of mash potato and shoved it into his mouth, followed quickly by some meat then the vege oblivious to the rather amused looks he was getting from Irvine and Laguna, Zell however was eating in the same fashion and just grinned up at his friends, cheeks bulging.

His plate was cleared in record time, Zell apparently impressed that Hope had beaten him to the punch and now it was a burping contest as he and Zell let everyone know just how much they enjoyed the food.

"I think we finally found a play-mate for Zell." Irvine stated sarcastically.

"That was amazing." Hope sighed holding his satisfied stomach.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. There's plenty more." Laguna offered.

"No thanks, I couldn't eat another bite."

"I can!" Zell announced and filled his plate to an incredible level leaving Hope wondering if it was actually possible for anyone to eat that much.

"Oh he can." Irvine said reading Hope's mind again.

Hope laughed as Zell gave a thumbs up from behind a mountain of potato, but the moment of joy slipped away as one by one memories of his friends crept into his mind and his eyes cast over sad. Where they eating? What was it? Was it enough?

"Come on, partner." Irvine stood, leaving his meal for the time being. "Let's find you some where to get some sleep." Hope considered refusing but he just couldn't muster the strength to argue.

"The sofa in the room next door is very comfortable, at least until I can arrange a more permanent residence for you." Hope nodded his thanks to Laguna and followed Irvine into the smaller room. The décor was warm, with large sloping windows looking out at the coast and a starry sky. To the back of the room as a desk with books and paper stacked haphazardly to the left of an expensive computer console. Behind the desk was a painting of Laguna standing nobly. It was almost the size of the man himself, set in a luxurious frame.

"Yeah, I hate it too." Hope turned seeing Laguna stood in the doorway and Irvine left, ruffling Hopes hair as he went.

"It looks good." Hope said honestly.

"I look like some stuffy government official."

"That's because you are!" Came a muffled response from Zell who Hope could imagine grinning. Laguna just rolled his eyes and came further into the room, turning down the small red sofa and revealed a hidden compartment under one of the seats. Inside he pulled a pillow and a blanket and started to make up a sleeping spot for the L'Cie boy. "Tell no one of this, I've managed to convince people that when I'm in here I'm working." He winked and Hope smiled.

"You work." Hope said seeing through Laguna's attempt to hide his serious side. "The desk it's full of-"

"Comics." Laguna grinned as Hope inspected. Sure enough there were some comics, but for the most part there were also serious documents and designs scribbled roughly by hand of new ways to improve defences or life in general. "Okay, kiddo. You're all set." Laguna stood revealing a rather cosy little place for Hope to sleep.

"Thanks." He said and Laguna headed for the door.

"I'm in the next room if you need anything, for the moment get some rest."

"Okay." Hope sat on the sofa as Laguna closed the door dimming the lights as he went. Now he was alone and in the dark Hope couldn't keep up the show anymore. He looked up out of the large windows at the stars beyond and wondered if his friends were looking at the same ones.

With a sigh he kicked off his boots and laid down, back to the room. He forced his emotions in check and refused to think about them, but as hard as he tried, in they crept and down the tears fell.

***

Laguna checked on Hope about an hour later, the light from the room behind him doing enough for him to be able to see the young man star-fished, pillow on the floor and blanket tangled in his feet.

Being a master of stealth, Laguna crept inside and freed the blanket. The slight disturbance saw Hope turn onto his side, nestled close to the back of the sofa and Laguna draped the blanket back over the boy. He crept back out, his every step silent and precise. Till he tripped on the pillow.

He shot up, holding his breath and tip-toed out in a jog, looking back from his place hiding behind the door, but luckily Hope was still very much asleep. He released the breath he had held, his face returning to its normal colour.

"Smooth." Came the dry comment and he spun round seeing Squall.

"Wasn't I!" Laguna chuckled running a hand through his hair but as usual Squall was immune to his humour. He tugged at his collar. "So, how's Rinoa?"

"Sleeping, she's eaten a little, but the doctors say it'll be months before she's strong enough again."

"Don't worry, son. I'll make sure she gets the very best care." Squall tried to hide the cringe as Laguna addressed him as his 'son' but Laguna saw it and his pride took a knock. "We saved you some dinner."

"I'm not really hungry, I had a little with Rinoa."

"Ah, well. . ." He was dying here. "So did she, remember anything?" Squall just shot him a look he couldn't read. "I mean, that's even if, you know had time to talk. . ."

"Where are the others?"

"In the lounge." Laguna followed Squall, while he never confirmed he knew anything, Laguna knew Squall didn't like to repeat himself. "Can you open a channel to Quistis and Selphie?"

"Quistis I can do," He ignored how seedy that sounded. "Selphie is still off on her expedition and out of communications range." They entered the lounge and Laguna made for the computer console on the coffee table while Irvine and Zell quizzed their leader about Rinoa's condition but Squall waited until Quistis was live on the large screen mounted on the far wall before he confirmed she was fine.

"I'm guessing we have Hope to thank?" Quistis asked and Squall nodded.

"We owe him more than our thanks, he deserves our help. I can't deny that the presence of Hope and his friend are some how connected to this epidemic and it deserves our full attention. I've promised Hope every resource I have to help free his friend, Snow."

"The giant from Fisherman's Horizon?" Zell looked pumped. "I was hoping for another pop at that guy."

"He's not to be hurt."

"Then we're going to have to put our thinking caps on," Irvine said sitting down casually on one of the comfortable sofas. "We threw everything we had at that guy as he was still standing."

"Well this time, Hope will be on side. They'll be no repeat of last time."

"Assuming there is a next time, unless we're lucky enough to get to the next town they attack before they retreat, we really have no idea where to look." Quistis said objectively.

"Don't worry about that," Laguna finally had something to provide. "I have all my top men monitoring world communications. Soon as someone makes that call, you'll know."

"And Ragnarok?"

"Of course."

"Ragnarok. . ." They all turned to the door which had been ajar now floated open and there stood a very sleepy looking Hope, eyes barely open as he padded softly into the room, hand falling from where it had held the door. "Come Day of Wrath, O Pulse L'Cie. Embrace thy fate, thine home to burn. . ." Laguna looked to Squall who just shrugged, the others equally confused. "That fallen souls might bare our plea... To hasten the Divine's return. O piteous Wanderer, Ragnarok make of this day a brave epoch. Deliver the divine. . . R…Ragnarok."

Just as Squall was about to question the youth, Laguna quickly held him back and pushed past gently. There was something about Hopes eyes that led him to believe he wasn't actually awake at all and his suspicion was only confirmed when he gently waved a hand before the boys face and he didn't even blink.

"Sleep walking." He explained in a hushed voice not wanting to wake him. "Hope, it's time for bed now." Laguna kept his voice on the quiet side, but assertive.

"Okay, dad." Hopes sleepy reply had the old president sighing sadly, he had missed out on so much of Squalls life and being there now for Hope just made that fact hit home and hit hard. He cleared his throat and walked quietly behind Hope as he returned from where he came, quite capable. He got back on the sofa and curled up, a minute later and no one would have guessed that he'd even gotten up. He dropped the blanket over Hope for the second time that night and made his way back, as expected he hadn't been missed.

"So, Rinoa does remember something?" Zell asked and Squall nodded.

"She wants to tell everyone herself when she's strong enough and make apologies for the way she behaved."

"She doesn't needs to." Quistis insisted. "It was hardly her fault."

"I know, but if it makes her feel better about it having happened, I'm willing to listen. We'll be here for the next two days till everyone recovers."

"Well the damage to Fisherman's Horizon was minimal, so we're heading back to Balamb to assist in rebuilding the town."

"Understood Quistis, keep me posted."

"Will do, Squall." All at once Quistis' image disappeared from the screen and the three young men stood.

"Well!" Laguna clapped his hands. "I've had your usual rooms made up, one extra for Hope."

"Awesome! A real bed!" Zell enthused and Irvine shot him a quizzical look.

"Okay, I can accept that the food here is 'real' but what's the difference between the beds?"

"These ones are. . .HUGE!" Laguna could see the cogs working in Irvine's seedy mind and he shook his head at the would be Casanova.

"Oh you're no fun at all, Laguna."

"No, I just don't want to clean up your blood if Selphie ever found out."

Irvine laughed. "You mean YOUR blood, since you'd be spoiling her fun too."

"Get out of here!" Laguna playfully pulled Irvines hat down over his eyes as he winked. "Are you going back to Rinoa?" He asked and Squall nodded.

"Hope. . ."

"I'll see that he's okay. You go, and enjoy."

"Thanks." Squall went to pass right by him, but stopped suddenly, his lips struggling to say something else and before he forced it out, Laguna stopped him.

"You don't have to call me dad. I've not really done a whole lot to earn it, have I?" He smiled sadly as a silence fell over them.

"You had, responsibilities."

"And you were one of them. I wish I-"

"Don't. Everything worked out and, I'm happy with that."

"Are you really?"

"Yes. The way I see it, if you had made different choices, we wouldn't be here now, Esthar wouldn't be here now. I'm proud of what you did and I'm proud of who you are and-" he stopped shy of saying it but that was fine with Laguna.

"Okay you need to go, because if you go all soft on me, who's going to save the world?" Squall actually smiled and with a nod he left.

Laguna smiled to himself, maybe things weren't perfect between them, maybe they never would be but right now it was all good as far as he was concerned and he prayed it always would be.

The End

I really hoped you all enjoyed this ride and I hope you want more!

I am currently working on more fiction featuring Hope in the lands of FFVIII and his struggle to free his friends!

Will he free them and can they ever return home?

Find out in…

The Nightmare Legion - Episode 1 - Double the Pleasure