Part Forty

Never Too Late

Ultimecia's Castle

Throne Room

The silence was deafening after both Sorcery users fell to the ground after the Rune Blade passed through them both. The dagger had entered Seifer's body via his shoulder then exited and entered Ultimecia's torso. The blade had stabbed right through her heart. Ienzo didn't have time to grab hold of the blade once Seifer used his power to take it from him.

He had watched helplessly as the Sorcerer ended the life of the woman but not before the blade pierced his own body. The blond was lying on the ground, blood already pooling around his torso. Ultimecia was lying on her back with the Rune Blade sticking out of her body.

"Seifer!" Squall's harsh gasp snapped everyone out of their dazes.

"No...no, no." The brunet fell beside the blond. Blood trickled from Seifer's mouth and his skin was already beginning to cool.

"Oh Seifer..." Leon said mournfully. This was all too familiar.

"Cure him now!" Roxas cried.

"It's no use. Once you've been stabbed by the dagger you can't be cured." Ienzo felt like he was going to be sick.

"I don't believe that!" Squall cried desperately. "Come on Seifer. Open your eyes."

"This isn't happening...not again." Sora gasped in pain.

"He could've stepped aside...he could've moved..." Riku choked out.

"Stop talking about him in past tense!" Squall barked angrily.

"Ultimecia's dead for sure." Cloud came back to the others after checking the Sorceress. He was holding the Rune Blade in one hand.

"I've tried curing him." Baralai whispered in defeat.

"I haven't yet." Axel barked when Roxas summoned him up. "I'm not gonna let that stubborn bastard die on me now."

They watched as Axel pulled Seifer to his body then firmly pressed his mouth against the blond man's open one. He poured all his power into the Phoenix Kiss and desperately wished for Seifer to awaken again. He couldn't let the man die, not after all this, not after being his Guardian Force for a while.

When Axel pulled away Seifer had not awoken. His skin was cold to the touch and it made Axel shiver. He but back a strangled cry as he pressed his mouth against Seifer's cold lips again. He wasn't going to let Seifer die. He didn't care how long it took but he wasn't going to let the blond go until he woke up. He forced more of his magic into Seifer's body but he still got no response.

"You're not gonna die on me yet you bastard." Axel hissed as tears fell from his bright eyes.

"I don't think it is working this time." Baralai said quietly.

"It worked before with Zell and Riku." Sora sobbed. "It has to work this time. It has to." Riku took his crying boyfriend into his arms to comfort him.

"Don't you dare give up Axel." Squall hissed. "Don't give up on him."

"Come on Seifer." Roxas murmured. Ienzo had summoned Demyx and the Siren was singing a mournful song. Tears fell from his beautiful eyes as he sang out his pain.

"Wake up you asshole." Axel breathed against Seifer's lips. "I'm not gonna let you die now."

Axel tried again and he was aware of Squall gripping Seifer's limp hand in a desperate grip. He could hear Squall begging Seifer to wake up. The red head refused to give up even when he heard Roxas telling him that it wouldn't work. Demyx couldn't look at the terrible scene before him.

Ienzo had wrapped his arms around his GF in an effort to comfort him as best he could. Axel felt his teeth clacking against Seifer's as he pressed his mouth more firmly against the blond man's. He felt his tears slipping onto his lips as he silently pleaded for his first host to wake up again. Finally after an eternity of breathing and wishing Seifer's eyes snapped open.

"Thank Hyne..." Squall breathed out.

"Are you ok?" Baralai helped Seifer to his feet. The blond looked disorientated for a few moments.

"That took a lot outta me." Axel breathed out. He had used up all of his magic for the moment.

"I can't believe it worked." Demyx breathed out.

"Where's the Rune Blade?" Ienzo asked after a few moments of thought. Cloud held it up.

"We should destroy that thing." Leon muttered. "Ultimecia is dead as well as Adel."

"Do what you want with it." Squall remarked as he took hold of Seifer's hand.

"Axel..." Seifer stared at the red head. "You taste like ashes."

"Well thanks..." Axel muttered but the joy at seeing Seifer alive was evident in his green eyes.

"Dying was weird..." Seifer touched his head. "I felt warm and then that ashy taste was in my mouth."

"You're safe now." Squall murmured and he smiled. Seifer felt his heart bursting with joy at that smile.

"What are we gonna do about the Gateway?" Sora asked.

"Remember what Luxord said about Saix thinking of going back to the time he wanted?" Riku looked thoughtful. "Maybe we can do the same thing."

"But how are we gonna get through Time Compression?" Roxas spoke up.

"Luxord said as long as Ultimecia was alive Time Compression could happen. Now that she's dead her magic might be released." Ienzo said.

"I'm just glad that bitch is dead." Seifer snarled.

"Yes and if you ever decide to play the noble hero again I'll kill you myself." Squall warned.

"Touching as ever Leonhart." Seifer smirked as his eyes glowed.

"Guys, something is happening." Baralai spoke up.

The room was beginning to spin and dark energies were blasting out of Ultimecia's body. Some of the bolts hit the walls, ceiling and floor just as a small wind began to pick up across the chamber. The group found themselves trapped within the small whirlwind that had been formed.

Sora and Riku grabbed onto each other while Roxas and Ienzo gripped each other's hands. Cloud had his face buried in Leon's neck while the brunet held onto his blond. Baralai had his hands clasped together as he cast protective spells as best he could around the group.

"Think of a place you can reach. Just think of meeting your loved ones there." Ienzo called.

"How do you know this'll work?" Sora cried out.

"Saix wanted to be taken back to before Xemnas died but if we can go back to before the Gateway was closed then Saix won't be able to go back." Ienzo explained.

"But how the hell can we close it?" Roxas barked as the wind became more violent.

"I can close it." Seifer nodded while Squall stared at him.

"Are you crazy? You opened it while you were in space." Squall pointed out.

"I can close it again. We don't have any other option Squall." Seifer said firmly.

"Just think of each other and we'll meet up again. Think of Balamb Garden." Baralai said.

"I'll be waiting for you Seifer. I'll meet you at the orphanage. You remember don't you?" Squall whispered to the blond.

"Yeah...I remember. I'll find you Squall." Seifer promised. As the wind became more violent and darkness descended on them Seifer leaned down and pressed his lips against Squall's.

Darkness clouded his vision and Seifer let out a cry of pain as his body was torn away from Squall's. He was being pulled farther into the darkness but he had enough strength to cast a protective bubble around his body. He dug into his memories for the spell that would close the Gateway again.

He could remember what Ultimecia made him do when she had control of his body. He closed his eyes and wished to be taken to the moment after the Gateway had been opened. He felt his body being violently pulled again and then a hard rush and he was still. When he opened his eyes again he saw the Gateway before him. It was small and just a small whirlpool on the surface of the moon.

Seifer closed his eyes as he gathered up his power. He spread out his arms as fire and dark energy consumed his body then travelled to his arms. He kept his golden eyes fixed on the Gateway as the energy consumed his body within the protective bubble he was encased in.

He built up all the magic he could, every last drop of Sorcery he could muster was brought to the surface and he screamed as he let it all go. He poured everything he could into the magical attack on the open Gateway and he could feel all the power draining from his body.

He watched as the dark magic started to knit across the red and black wound above the moon. The Sorcery worked fast and Seifer continued to pour all of his power into closing the gate to hell and beyond. The wound created by Ultimecia began to flux and become unstable with the overdose of even more magic.

Seifer continued to pour his power into closing the Gateway and he screamed out as a horrific wave of pain coursed through his head. He didn't stop though. Too many people were counting on him to close this thing up. He was going to end this once and for all.

"Squall..." Seifer breathed out and for that one moment he was so happy in the knowledge that Squall cared.

Edea's Orphanage

Three weeks after Time Compression

It's hard to believe that three weeks have passed since the final battle against Ultimecia. Sora, Riku, Roxas, Baralai, Ienzo, Leon and Cloud had all made it safely back to Balamb Garden while Squall ended up at the place he once called home.

He had gotten back into contact with the other SeeD members upon coming back to his own time but Seifer had not shown up. In the past three weeks Squall had been threw a whirlwind of emotions and events. Squall had learned that the President of Esthar was in fact Laguna Loire and when the man walked into a room Leon whispered 'Dad' for all to hear.

Squall had needed time away to think about things and to sort out his feelings. Balamb Garden was back where it belonged on Balamb Island and the Galbadian Army was no longer a threat. Zell had also uncovered a room full of strange and exotic treasures on board the Lunatic Pandora.

One of the treasures had been a bizarre stone mirror with a carved image of a Keyblade above the glass. After using the Keyblade on it the glass shone and revealed Destiny Island in all its glory. Squall had thought that Sora and the others would go back home but they refused. They wanted to be here for Seifer's return.

"Where are you?" Squall whispered. He was sitting on the beach wearing only a simple t-shirt and jeans.

"How are you doing Squall?" Edea asked from behind him. The former Sorceress had rebuilt her old home and was now taking in children orphaned by the war.

"He promised to meet me here." The brunet murmured brokenly.

"And he will. Seifer's always been so stubborn when it comes to you." Edea smiled warmly.

"He has to come back Matron." Squall said softly. He turned and looked at her. "How is everyone back at Garden?"

"They're worried about you." Edea nodded. "But they understand."

"And Sora?" Squall inquired. Somehow the boy had grown on him. "What about his friends?"

"They won't leave until Seifer gets back." Edea replied with a smile. "Do you want to know about Laguna?"

"Not right now. It's too much to take in." Squall confessed.

"I'll fix you up some dinner." Edea said then she turned and walked back to the house.

"Please come back Seifer." Squall whispered when he was alone again. "I don't know what I'm gonna do without you there to piss me off."

As these words passed his lips Squall felt a fierce wind build up across the beach and then black bolts of energy slammed into the ground near his feet. Jumping out of the way Squall stood back and watched as the bolts lessened and the wind died down.

There, lying on the sand was a blond haired figure in a white coat. For a moment Squall thought he had fallen asleep again but his feet were taking him forward and he dropped to the side of the blond he had been craving for the past three weeks.

"Seifer?" Squall turned him over and bit back a sob of joy. "Wake up Seifer."

"Hmmm..." the blond man moaned painfully.

"You're back!" Squall couldn't contain his happiness. "You kept your promise. Just open your eyes now."

Finally those beautiful jade eyes were open and staring up at Squall in confusion. The brunet laughed before throwing his arms around Seifer and squeezing. When he drew back Squall frowned when he saw that Seifer was still confused. When the blond finally spoke he said three words that shattered Squalls' heart.

"Who are you?"

Note-I know I'm evil for doing that but up next is the final chapter. Happy Christmas everyone and I'll be updating the final part tomarrow.