Disclaimer : I don't own anything.
Note : You're going to notice that I switch POVs a lot in this chapter. For those of you that don't know FF8, this part switches between three groups, back and forth, so I'm trying to keep up with that. Also, you'll definitely notice a difference in the way the sorceress acts now and how she did in that other chapter. There's a reason for that, which you'll find out later.
And yes, you'll notice that she's 'familiar' to many of the characters. There's a reason for that too.
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(Tori's POV)
Wow. Ok, so I was surprised. I guess I never expected Shane to put me in charge, and Dustin didn't seem to happy about it, but he brushed it off. As they left, I silently bid them a good luck before focusing on waiting for our chance to take off and head to the Gateway.
Marah began staring at the painting of a woman hoding a glass, and Dustin seemed to thoughtfully stare at a statue with an empty, outstretched hand in the corner of the room.
I couldn't blame him. I'd seen it too and it looked like it was supposed to hold something in it's hand, but it was empty.
"We're on your team, Instructor! Let's kick some ass!" Dustin cried excitedly.
I shook my head and sighed. When was he going go realize that I was no longer an instructor?
"Whoo-Hoo!" Marah called giddily.
Rolling my eyes, I headed to the door, only to have it swing open and Kapri to rush in, running right into me. She looked up and excited about something as she gave me an apologetic smile and bounced around a bit. "Hi!" she chirped.
Great. Just what I needed. I thought in irritation. We had to leave now, but if we stayed and chatted with Kapri, we'd be late.
"Finally got out of there! Did that man say anything?" she asked curiously.
"No, not really." Dustin answered in confusion.
She nodded before looking around and frowning. "Where's Shane?"
"I'm sorry, Kapri, but we really have to get going." I said as kindly as I could.
She shook her head and held up a hand. "Hold on a sec." Digging through her pockets, she pulled out a gold bangle with onyx all along it. "Take a look at this! This is called an Odine Bangle. I found it in that man's room!"
I frowned a little at how casually she called her own father 'that man'. She really must've hated him, or something. Then I questioned not only what she was doing in his room, but why he had an Odine Bangle.
"Odine?!" Dustin cried in surprise.
"What'cha gonna do with it?" Marah asked uneasily.
Kapri smirked. "It's supposed to suppress the sorceress' powers. But it's effects are still unknown. So I don't think they're going to use it for this mission."
"If it's Odine brand, it should be pretty effective!" Dustin insisted with wide eyes. "They're number one when it comes to magical goods!"
"Right! Right!" she agreed.
I couldn't take it anymore. The longer we sat here, chatting happily about some bangle, the more time passed. We were going to be late! "So exactly what do you want to do with it? Are you planning to have the sorceress put it on?" I demanded harshly.
Frowning deeply, I recalled when Merrick mentioned Sorceress Miko's name and wondered why it was so familiar. I noticed the same look on Shane's face as well. Shaking my head, I pointed in her face and stalked up to her, questioning her every step of the way. "Who? When? How?"
"That's what we're going to dicuss!" she said happily.
"We don't have time for this!" I yelled angrily. "Shane and Hunter are already standing by. We have an operation to carry out, too! You understand, don't you?" I pleaded, not wanting to hurt her feelings. "This isn't a father-daughter quarrel. This isn't a game!"
Hesitating for a moment, I turned and stalked out of the room, hearing Marah and Dustin apologizing to her before they followed me, and I sighed. I knew that I hurt her feelings, even though I didn't mean to.
(Kapri's POV)
"Who said this was a game? I understand what's going on... It's not like I don't have a plan..." I muttered, falling to the floor to sit there with my knees drawn to my chest. Why? Why did they keep treating me like a helpless child? I could take care of myself. I could fight too.
(Shane's POV)
"I'll make the first charge when we make the full-on attack. I'll try to buy some time." I called over my shoulder to Hunter as we ran down the path through the park to the main street and our waiting point.
Waving his hand, Hunter shook his head and scoffed. "That won't be necessary. I'll get the job done." he said firmly, though I could see fear in his eyes.
We finally reached our spot and waited silently for everything to begin.
"So, like... Is it true that SeeDs aren't supposed to question their missions?" he asked curiously.
There are times I'd like to know for myself. Like...now for example. But... "Why do you care?" I asked in a bored tone.
He looked uncertain and gazed up at the building with a slightly knowing and guilty look. "So like...if you knew your enemies were pure evil, you'd get more fired up to fight them, right?"
An enemy that is pure evil? Right and wrong are not what separate us from our enemies. It's our different standpoints, our perspectives that separate us. Both sides blame one another. There's no good and bad, just two different sides with different standpoints. I thought quietly, shrugging a little in answer.
General Baliton gave a brief appearance to make sure we were in place and nodded firmly when he saw us next to him. "You two will wait here."
"General, why has the sorceress decided to have such an extravagant parade?" I questioned in pure confusion.
"She wants to establish her place in Galbadia Garden, since she's chosen it as her base." he explained.
So that's why they want her taken out. I thought with a nod.
"It's starting. I'm returning to my residence. Good luck." he stated before walking off.
Ok. This is it. I thought, narrowing my eyes as I waited patiently for our mission to proceed.
(Gateway, Normal POV)
I shouldn't have yelled at her. She was just trying to help.
With a sigh, Tori exited the gateway, ignoring for the moment, Dustin and Marah who followedh er out with looks of confusion and worry.
"Instructor, what's up?" Dustin asked as he scratched his head.
"I think I was too hard on her." she answered absently. She was just trying to help.
Those words kept repeating in her head, making Tori feel more and more guilty.
Dustin frowned in confusion. "Too hard?" he repeated.
"I'm going to go apologize." she decided.
"You mean...Kapri?" he asked, waving his hand a little to get her attention.
With a nod, Tori turned back to the others with a serious look on her face. "We still have time until 20:00. I'll go alone to apologize. You two stay here." she instructed. Running off, she became aware of footsteps following her and sighed in irritation, knowing it was Marah and Dustin.
"We can't just-HEY! Wait up!" he called, chasing after the girls.
(Merrick's Mansion)
Kapri was sitting on the floor of the office, her face buried on her legs, and the bangle hidden back in her pocket. They just left me. I asked Shane not to, and they just left me behind. she thought in confusion.
Sure, she knew about the importance of their mission, but she was still their client and asked them not to leave her behind. Plus, she could fight! Come on! She made it this far! Sure, ok, Shane had to revive her a few times, but more often than not, she held her own!
So...Why'd they leave her here? Why did they treat her like a helpless child?
Footsteps sounded and she recognized Meericks walking. Hearing them enter the room behind her, she refused to look up and waved her hand in a dismissal gesture, knowing it would irritate him.
"It'll be chaos out there soon." he stated softly. "You'll be safe here."
Again she waved her hand, dismissing him. After a moment of silence, he turned and left the room.
Raising her face from her legs, she sighed. Why can't he just leave me alone? she thought darkly.
There was a sudden sound of whirring and she jumped into a standing position. "Oh, no! He's gonna lock me in!" Before the door could shut, she ran out of the room and made her way out of the mansion. "I...I can do it!" she panted, holding the ring she wore around her neck
(Tori's POV)
Running through the mansion, I headed to the room we left Kapri in and burst in, panting as I looked for her. "Kapri, I'm sorry, I..." Trailing off, I looked around, noting the room was empty and frowned, wondering where Kapri was.
Then the door slammed shut behind us and a metallic lock clicked into place.
Spinning around, I ran to the door and struggled to open it, sighing when it wouldn't budge. "Did we get locked in?"
"That Baliton guy?" Marah asked with a sour face.
Dustin groaned and slapped his face with his hand. "We're smack dab in the middle of a family quarrel here!"
"This is bad. I'm worried about Kapri, too." I admitted.
Dustin turned to me in confusion. "What do you mean?"
"Kapri's probably on her way to see the sorceress as we speak. She wanted to help us..." And I dismissed her in an instant. not even giving her a chance. I thought guiltily. If anything happened to her, it'd be my fault.
(Kapri's POV)
Looking around, I realized I was in a back alley. I saw I was directly behind the Presidential Palace, and now just needed to find a way up. It was so dark, but a single lamp lit the area well enough for me to see a lose man-hole cover on the ground, and a truck parked with a huge pile of obviously heavy crates in the back of it.
Taking a step closer, I inspected the boxes better and realized they led up to a ledge that wound it's way around to a door. With a shaky nod, I stepped forward, mentally preparing myself for my own personal mission.
"I'm not a SeeD. but... I can do this. This isn't some kind of game..." I repeated to myself as I climbed the boxes, stopping occassionally when one shook under my weight. I didn't dare chance them falling over. Not only could I be badly hurt, but the noise would bring every soldier in the town, and it would scrap my only way into the Palace.
Once they settled, I finished making my way to the top and stood on the highest box, bracing myself and jumping across to land safely on the ledge and run to a doorway. Going inside, I found myself in a small hallway and walked through, soon finding a door and entering it to find myself in a large, mostly empty room with lots of white gauzy curtains fluttering around.
Feeling one brush up against my arm, I jumped a little and spun to watch as it fluttered away before turning back and taking a few steps forward. Seeing a figure sitting in a chair, I swallowed nervously, knowing it was Sorceress Miko.
I..I can do this... They're counting on me... I have to prove myself to them... I thought nervously, hiding the bnagle behind my back and gripping the ring I wore nervously as I took a single step forward.
"Um... Excuse me..." I began shakily, placing my other arm behind my back and plastering a fake, nervous smile on my face. "I'm...the daughter of, um Galbadian Army's, um...General Baliton. I...thought I'd...come pay my respects... You know...'cause of my father and all..."
She didn't move and her back was to me, so I couldn't see her face. I did know, though, that her magical mask had a visor that she'd brought down over her face. It hid everything but her mouth and the bottom third of her face.
Taking two more steps forward, I felt a lump in my throat but refused to back down. "So, I...um...brought you a small gift... Please..." I moved forward to present it to her when I felt a sharp pain through my body and I was flung back five feet, landing painfully on my side and unable to get up as I struggled to breathe.
What...? I thought in a daze as I slowly sat up, wincing in pain. I felt a strong vibration in my arm and looked to find myself still holding the Odine Bangle. But as I tried to release my hold on it, my hand refused to cooperate, and I found myself being lifted into the air, dangling helplessly.
Another sharp pain and I felt my world turn black, falling limply to the gound a I lost consciousness.
Shane... I'm sorry. I failed...
(Normal POV)
The long black hair that pooled from the back of the mask bagan to glow golen and shorten as it disappeared. The visor of her mask pulled back and Miko opened her eyes to show the hint of yellow in them. Flashing black a moment, her eyes returned to normal and she stood, igoring the presence of the dazed and currently hypnotized girl behind her, as she stood as well.
She may come in handy. the sorceress thought as she walked forward silently, only the faint sound of tinkling bells ringing in the air. Holding out her hand, the wall rippled with pruple energy and she stepped through it like it wsn't there, followed by Kapri.
Walking aling the path, she exited to the stairs that left off at a podium and walked up to it, ignoring the praising glance of the President. Ignorant fool. she thought darkly as she took her place, glaring coldly down at the thousands of people on the streets below her. It's time...
(With Shane and Hunter)
"Here she comes..." Hunter stated quietly as they watched the sorceress walk to the podium. He looked pained at seeing her, like he knew her from somewhere, but not as Sorceress Miko.
Watching her carefully, Shane tensed up as he sensed something was wrong.
Once she made her way to the podium, he noticed another feminine figure behind her and felt his eyes widen when he recognized who it was. Swaying in an obvious daze, Kapri stood not five feet away from the sorceress.
"H...Hey! That..That girl!" Hunter cried in shock as he saw Kapri.
"...Kapri?" He questioned quietly.
"...Lowlifes." The sorceress spat coldly. "...Shameless, filthy wretches. How you celebrate my ascention with such joy. Hailing the very one whom you have condemned for generations. Have you no shame? What happened to the evil, ruthless sorceress from your fantasies? The cold-blooded tyrant that slaughtered countless men and destroyed many nations?" She smirked evilly. "Where is she now? She stands before you, ready to become your new ruler."
The sorceress began to laugh evilly, and Shane and Hunter exchanged confused glances.
The President frowned in confusion before walking up to the sorceress. "M-Miko...are you alright...?" he asked nervously.
Without even looking, her hand shot out to the side and pressed firmly against his chest. Lifting him off the ground, his struggled for a moment before his body fell limp and it began to burn with a purple smoke. Tossing the limp body away, she sneered out over everyone who remained cheering, as if they didn't hear a word of her speech.
"This is reality. No one can help you. Sit back and enjoy the show."
The people began to cheer even louder and some even waved flags with the symbol of Galbadia on them. It was as if they were blind and deaf to her threats and actions. They showed no sign of fear or confusion. Just joy.
"Rest assured, you fools. Your time will come. This is only the beginning. Let us start a new reign of terror. I will let you live a fantasy beyond your wildest imagination." Turning, she stalked away from the podium and headed back inside, leaving the dazed girl outside. Stopping in the doorway, her gaze travelled to the blonde and she smirked. "Let us end this ceremony with a sacrifice." she stated coldly, placing her hands at her chest before raising them to the sky and summoning to creatures.
With a final laugh, she walked off and made her way to the float that awaited her, along with her bodyguard.
Back out by the podium, Kapri shook her head in a daze and gazed out around her. Spotting the body of the President, her eyes widened, and hearing something behind her, she spun to find two large lizards come rushing at her. They were green and scaled around the upper body, but the lower body was orange and furred.
Stopping for a moment, they set their eyes on Kapri as she took a step back, and leapt forward, only giving her time for a blood curdling scream before she had to fight for her life.
Meanwhile, down in the crown, with Shane and hunter, they both jumped at the scream and Shane took a step forward before pausing. As much as he wanted to help he, there was no way into the building at the moment.
"Hey, hey, hey! She's in trouble, big time!" Hunter called, shaking Shane's arm roughly.
Pushing him off, just as roughly, Shane frowned and narrowed his eyes in concern. "The parade hasn't started yet." he said calmly, though his heart was racing a mile a minute. "The gate's not open." In other words, they were stuck and had to wait.
"You've got to be kidding me!" Hunter yelled in frustration.
Shaking his head, he took a deep breath. Damn it! Just hang on, Kapri!
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Yes, Hunter knows her. Again...it'll all be explained later.
Hope you like it.
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"I...I can't...I'm sorry. I can't do it. I always freeze like this... I try to act cool, joke around, but I just can't handle the pressure..."
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R+R please.
Thank you.
Tenshi