Rinoa stood behind Squall watching him struggle to keep Remy away. She started to panic and curse herself for bringing him into it. To her glee Cait Sith had jumped onto the maiden's face causing her to drop her guard and back away. She gripped her nails in the cat's stomach and pulled him off her. Then Selphie appeared behind her and used her Nunchaku to hold her by the neck. But Remy was clever and pushed both her elbows back into Selphie's stomach. The SeeD coughed and lost her breath as she was flung onto the wall. As now just as soon as Squall was about to attack Remy, Rinoa pulled him back.

"Squall, this is my fight, not yours,"

"But-"

"No, please, let me do this,"

Squall looked at her for a while and back at Remy who was waiting patiently for the next attack. He nodded and took a few steps back lowering his gunblade.

Rinoa glared at Remy and didn't stop to wait for anything as she held onto her rings and grew her wings. Then as she landed on the floor once again she stood in her battle stance. Remy smirked evilly and then swinging her katana, flew toward Rinoa. The sorceress lifted both hands up and cast a Protect spell, just like Edea had done to avoid Irvine's sniper attempt. But this one was stronger causing Remy to be flung backward.

"How did you do that?!"

Rinoa tapped her noise in secrecy. It was in that small moment when she noticed Squall was no longer by her side. But she had no chance to look for him and felt a punch in her right shoulder. She turned hastily and gripped Remy's fist and then flung her over her shoulder; lucky for her the lessons she received from Zell were finally paying off.

Now Rinoa floated into the air and started to gather her strength, she knew it was dangerous to try a Hell's judgment or anything as powerful so she went for the next one down.

"Ultima Triple!"

Focusing her powers on Remy she blasted her three times with Ultima causes the cave to shake slightly. But the dark haired woman wasn't going to be defeated so easily. Lifting her katana high she made the shape of a triangle and then with no hesitation released a great blast knocking Rinoa off her feet. Then using her special teleportation magic she landed, standing on top of Rinoa the katana to her throat. The sorceress started to breath heavily. She squinted her eyes shut.

You can do this. Prove to them you're strong! Fight back, fight back…FIGHT BACK!!!

Rinoa's eyes pinged open and with all she could muster grabbed the end of the katana. It cut deep into her skin but she couldn't have cared less. Then with strength she didn't know existed inside her she bent the katana into the shape of a hook, so it was no longer useable. Remy backed away in fear. In a ghostly aura Rinoa floated upward so she was standing straight but her feet never touched the floor. She felt herself changing slightly but nothing stopped her. She kept hearing voices in her head telling her to strike. And soon she obeyed. Lifting up her hands she gathered all the energy around her and then in one single word she sealed Remy's fate.

"APOCOLYPSE!"

X X X

As Squall watched Rinoa start to fight Remy his heart beat ferociously in his chest. He wanted to stand beside her; he wanted to fight with her and for her. But he owed this to her, to let her prove what she felt she needed. He kept his hands wrapped around his gunblade as he didn't know what could happen. Then the sound of swords clashing together made him turn away. Behind him he saw Cloud and Lucas battling ferociously. Lucas has a long pole-axe and handled it with ease. Unfortunately for Cloud as he was struck down. Squall knew Cloud wouldn't need his help but somehow his feet started to lead him to the battle ground. He bent down and helped Cloud up.

"Thanks," Cloud said taking his hand

Squall shrugged.

Then together they turned to face Lucas who stood leaning on his pole. When he saw the mercenaries gaze he moved into a battle stance. Squall and Cloud looked at each other and nodded. Then together they ran around either side Lucas and raised their blades high in the air. But as they went to strike he produced a large force-field knocking them aside. Both men shook it off and then it was a clash of the greatest as SeeD and SOILDER fought together as one to defeat a powerful enemy. But to everyone's surprise Cloud was defeated. He was left unconscious and luckily pulled to safety by Tifa and Barrett. Now it was left to Squall and he knew exactly how to do it. Gathering his strength he collected everything he could muster. Then slicing the air he performed a Renzokuken. Slicing Lucas multiple times he then somersaulted backwards and rising his blade into the air he performed a Lionheart Blasting Zone attack. Lucas didn't even stand a chance.

But just when everyone thought it was over, a loud explosion came from the area where Rinoa and Remy were fighting. Everybody ducked. When Squall opened his eyes he couldn't see anything. Smoke had covered the area. The others were coughing and heaving as the dust clotted their throats and nasal passages.

The smoke started to clear but as our heroes looked up their hearts sank and their heads filled with confusion. Looking over to where Rinoa was, they saw Remy disappearing from the floor and Rinoa floating ghostly in the air.

Her eyes started to glow a strange golden colour and strange markings appeared on her face.

"Yes…that's it…let it all out," she heard the voice in her head say "Give in to the anger and hatred in your heart…"

Rinoa had lost all restrained. She couldn't control herself. Each second reminded her of when Ultimecia was inside her. But this time it was different. It wasn't the hatred of the future sorceress she was feeling…it was her own. She dropped her arms and stood in a world of her own. A ghostly aura surrounded her as her hair began to grow and the patterns on her face became vibrant.

"Rinoa…what's wrong…? Rinoa!" Squall ignored Lucas who was now fading away to the life stream and turned all of his attention to his Sorceress.

Despite the difference in her appearance he knew she was still in there. He'd seen this aura before; up on the lunar base. But this time things were different. He was her Knight and he would go to heaven and hell to protect her. Running over to her he didn't give a second thought about his own safety as he grabbed her by the shoulders. In relief this time when he touched her he wasn't flung to the other side of the room. In her eyes he expected to see anger but all he saw was sadness. Tears had gathered and were rolling down her cheeks. He wiped her cheeks and held onto her tightly. But still she was stuck in her spell. Then inside his own head he heard her voice,

Squall, help me!

Their friends stood and watched in awe.

"What's happening to her?!" Selphie screamed

"She's not used to using so much magic as a sorceress. It's possible that it took over and is causing her heart to turn," Quistis displayed a theory

"What can we do?"

They continued watching Squall he was clueless, he had no clue what to do and so without even thinking he did the only thing he knew how to.

Moving his face towards her he pulled her close and gently rested his lips upon hers.

In that perfect moment Rinoa let herself free from her trance. As her eyes closed she felt all the evil in her heart melt away. Moving her hands onto Squall's arms she sunk deeper into his kiss. Soon everything disappeared and there she stood; once again as the Rinoa she was before and the Rinoa she'd always be.

One Week Later

"Do you have to go so soon?" Rinoa asked as she watched her friend aboard the Shera.

"Yeah…who knows what trouble Midgar's got itself into without us there," Yuffie explained also sad of the departure

"Actually I would've thought without you there they would have got some peace and quiet," Red walked past casually

"Hey!" Yuffie nudged him up the rear with her foot.

Vincent, Cloud, Tifa, Barrett, Cid, Cait Sith and Red stood behind her. Cid walked forward.

"Well, I better start 'er up," He leaned forward and hugged Rinoa "Keep outta trouble," He turned to the others and shook their hands in turn, then went into the Shera.

One by one they each said goodbye until there was only Cloud, Vincent and Yuffie left.

Cloud strode over and turned to Squall.

"Well…sorry for everything,"

Squall shook his head to dismiss his apology "No, I'm sorry, I guess I should learn to let things go," he rubbed the back of his neck.

Rinoa looped her arm through his and smiled up at him.

"We're both sorry," Cloud agreed "But thanks for helping me up there, I think I would have been a gonna if you hadn't…"

"Forget about it. I guess I should be thanking you, all of you…you helped us all so much," Now it was his turn to smile at Rinoa.

"Cloud, Hurry up! We're losing daylight!" they heard Cid yell from the airship

Cloud looked to Rinoa and then back at Squall,

"Look after her," he then shuffled Rinoa's hair and rubbed her head viciously "Take care, Rin,"

Rinoa wasn't letting him get away that easily. She threw her fist forward and punched him in the arm.

"You've definitely got stronger over the years, I think that one might just bruise," Cloud laughed as he walked into the vehicle. Rinoa leaned forward and blew a raspberry.

Then she turned to see Yuffie walking toward her almost in tears. They stood silently for a while until in unison they ran forward and with a large collision hugged each other tightly.

"Come back soon," Rinoa said gripping tighter.

"You can count on it," Yuffie returned the tight grip

"I wove you, Yuffie-Chan,"

"I wove you too, Rinny-Nee,"

To their dismay they released their grip. Both had silent tears streaking down their faces. They giggled softly at the sight of each other.

Vincent walked behind Yuffie.

"See ya soon, Rin," he said with a small smile

"Awww, don't think your getting away with it Vinnie!"

"huh?"

And then in one swift movement Rinoa jumped forward and gave Vincent a hug. She then turned to Yuffie and silently gestured to Squall. Yuffie understood completely and strode casually over to the five SeeDs. She gave Quistis and Selphie a hug and shook Zell and Irvine's hands. Then when she appeared in front of Squall she smiled at him sweetly not saying a single word. Then she stood straight and gave him a SeeD salute. He raised an eyebrow and returned the gesture but then got shocked out of his skin as Yuffie jumped on him giving him a tight hug. He gave her a small pat on the back and set her down on the floor. Then as Yuffie turned around she was bombarded by another death grip from Rinoa.

"Keep in touch," they said together

"JINX!! You owe me a drink!" Yuffie yelled

"Well then remind me for next time," Rinoa smiled

Then with another bunch of teary eyes they separated and Rinoa watched as Yuffie and Vincent walked up the platform. Yuffie turned around and waved frantically,

"IF YOU EVER NEED ANYTHING COUNT ON ME!"

"YOU TOO, WE OWE YOU BIG TIME!" Rinoa yelled back

Yuffie nodded and then dramatically blew a kiss toward Rinoa who returned one just as radically.

Then she watched solemnly as the platform rose and the Shera took flight.

Rinoa, Squall, Zell, Selphie, Irvine and Quistis stood watching as the air ship flew over the mountains and started to get smaller.

"Well, that's the end of our second adventure," Zell commented

"But it wasn't just our adventure now was it," Selphie giggled

"Hmm, two enemies in two years, lets hope it won't turn into a habit," Everyone laughed at Quistis's remark except for Rinoa.

"You okay, Rin?" Irvine asked

"Yeah I guess, just having a Squall moment," she smiled

"Hey!" he said nudging her gently

"What's on your mind?" Quistis gave her a sisterly look

"Karin…she couldn't stand to be in this world without Desmond by her side. So in the end she decided to take her own life. Stuff like that gets to me I guess, starts making you think of what would happen if any of us-"

"Ok, I see where this is going," Squall stood in front of her "let's not think about stuff like that. If anything let's use this experience as a lesson, live the end and regret nothing,"

Everyone stood staring blankly at Squall, there mouths agape.

"What…I can be optimistic sometimes,"

Everybody started laughing. Selphie jumped on the spot and starting running to the entrance of Garden.

"This is gonna be great to put on the BBS!"

"You've made the mistake of putting my secret on there before Selph, if we hadn't of told you to take it off I think I would have a lot more enemies,"

"So I can't put it on?" she said sadly "Super-duper-mega-bummer!"

"You can put it on Selph, but spare the details," Rinoa winked

She jumped up and started to run inside. Irvine laughed and followed her.

"Well, looks like tea time to me," Zell said walking inside "I wonder if there are any hotdogs left,"

Quistis rolled her eyes and started to follow him,

"Well who knows what adventure's we have to come," Squall said as he started to follow, when Rinoa didn't move the others stopped and turned to face her.

"Yeah," She said watching the Shera disappear behind the mountains "But I think we're gonna have a lot of fun finding out,"

The End

A/N: TAADAA! finished!! Didn't take as long as i thought it would've! but i'm glad i've finished it. I most certainly have to thank JeanneAndHerAlters and Iris the Goddess Of Rainbow for being the first two to fave and review my story. They gave me the motivation to finish. And they also gave me muffins and cookies! now i'm fat :P but it was worth it!

I've got two stories in the making but i won't post them until they're finished. These ones i'll do on my own motivation. I have a one shot which is called "Summer with Seifer" although i don't really like the thought of Rinoa and Seifer together i thought it would be good to come up with something that not many people have done before.
The second one is a Kingdom Hearts fanfic...although it hasn't got a name yet :D

So keep your eyes peeled and let me know what you think of this story!
Luvs ya
BabemRoze
-x-

p.s. Btw did anyone notice the cruel irony between chpts 5 and 7...let me know...there's a bag full of cookies and cakes for the first person who tells me what is it :) ooo i'm good:P
oh yeah if you want to know how i picture Rinoa in her evil sorceress mode go to onto my DeviantArt (I'm still under the same user name) its called "Evil Sorceress Rinoa Heartilly"...despite what she's wearing. I just randomly put anything on her...