The Protector
Harry Potter and Final Fantasy VIII Crossover.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything! Not HP or Final Fantasy VIII. If I did Ginny (scary-obssession) and Rinoa (Whinny-perky-princess) would have died a death before they existed.
Summary: Squall meets a strange boy while out training, forming a connection with him. It's a friendship that will turn the tide of war and a love that changes the world. HPxSL. Lion Pair!
Note: Harry is the GF Fallen Mage. A non-elemental based offensive attack and provides protection for the caster(s). Known to KO enemies, he also grants the use of 3rd level magics to his user with the said user not having to have the magic in stock. Eg. Use Firaga even if user doesn't have it in their magic stock.
Warnings: Rinoa bashing, slightQuistisbashing, Boys on boys, kissing, making out. Maybe even (gasp!) sex. Swearing. Power plays. My crazy ideas...
Pairings: HarryxSquall, SelphiexIrvine, ZellxLibrary Girl, slight Irvine-being-a-manwhore-and-flirting-with-Harry...
AN: Yes, for the gamers who are reading this, I am aware that I you can use GFs when you fight Ultimecia. But for the sake of my storyline (and a huge plot hole), Squall and team cannot. O a lighter note, I replayed the game and just clocked it for the twentieth time. This chapter is in honor of that!
So... there is yet another group hell bound on 'monitoring' the stories on so that everyone obeys the 't&c' of the site... killjoys who are removing stories for anal reasons... darlings, if you are so worried about the MA material... get some adult supervision. Don't take it out on the writers! What I love about thois site is teh way its set up. The easy to use and multiple links it offers. I mean on one page I can record and have valid links to all the authors and stories I like. Forums, communities ect... It's convenient... you know?
So a heads up in the case I get head hunted and taken down by the -what are they calling themselves?-Critics United; I shall upload all my stories on to my LiveJournal Account and add me on Facebook! Same name! :)
Chapter 10:
"I'll be waiting for you. If you come there, you'll find me. I promise."
~0~0~0~
"So," Laguna said somewhat nervously as he stared at the expressionless SeeD commander, "the upgrades to Ragnarok will take 32 hours. That's the quickest my engineers can get it done."
Squall kept his face blank as he nodded, "That gives us time to check in with the Garden's and organize a plan of action. We need SeeD over here."
Laguna clapped his hands, a goofy grin on his lips. He looked like a five year old that got his way after his mother told him 'no'. "I'll arrange a secure line and the Esthar Forces. In the meanwhile, you can rest at the Palace. It's always no empty. It will be nice to have some company."
~0~0~0~
The Palace was far more luxurious than any of the SeeD were used to. Squall and company were taken to the presidential office. It had taken some time but everything had been taken care of. Cid had offered his thanks profusely when Harry had told him that Edea would not be part of the plan. Arrangements had been made and a train bearing the SeeDs would leave Fisherman's Horizon in 12 hours. Between the two active Garden's, they were sending six teams. It was the most they could send without compromising any of the Garden's security. They were already locked in a legal and political battle with Galbadia over Galbadia Garden. No one wanted to take the chance that the Galbadian Army would try and take the Garden by force.
The meeting was finally called to an end, and Laguna declared it was time for dinner. Sitting at the elaborate dining room, Squall wondered who actually ran the country. He had yet to actually see Laguna working. Dinner itself was an awkward affair. No one actually talked, as the atmosphere was a mixture of stifled and tense. Thankfully it ended fairly quickly and they were led to their rooms, each SeeD getting their own.
The team had promptly dispersed, hoping to get some rest before the shit really hit the fan. And knowing their mission, it would be sooner rather than later. It would be wise to rest while they could. The ominous cloud of what could happen hovered above them as they tried to ignore it.
No one commented when Irvine slipped off towards Selphie's room or batted an eye when Squall followed Harry.
Squall closed the door behind him as he entered the luxurious suite Harry had been given. The mage had been quiet since the meeting. And Squall was going to find out why.
The raven was sitting on the edge of the huge bed in the bedroom. His mind was elsewhere, whirling around the events that had led to the situation they now faced. It was… He couldn't even find the words to begin to describe the maelstrom of emotions he was feeling.
"Harry?" Squall asked quietly as he sat down next to him. Harry jerked his head to face his friend, "Hmm?"
Squall rolled his eyes but said nothing. Harry held the grey gaze for a few moments before he sighed and looked away. The seconds ticked away on silence. Sighing again, Harry fell backwards on to the bed, lying down with an arm thrown over his eyes.
Squall shifted, turning to look at the trouble sorcerer. Still he said nothing. He knew that Harry needed to compose himself before he was in any shape to actually answer the unasked question.
"I'm…" Harry paused, eyes still covered but Squall could see his lips moving. "I hate what they did to Rinoa and Edea. I thought Odine had developed a new technique, something other than the sealing…"
Squall sighed and moved to lie down, on his side, next to Harry. His eyes were fixed on Harry's partially covered face, his head resting on his hand.
"It's only temporary," Squall murmured, "they haven't done anything; they are not a case like Adel." Squall swallowed, "Ellone won't let anything happen to them. Laguna wouldn't let anything happen to them." His voice quivered a little, betraying his own worry over the situation.
Harry moved his arm upon hearing Squall's tone. In one move, he was pressed against the elder man's chest, forcing Squall on to his back. Harry's fingers clenched at Squall's thin white t-shirt, his heating seeping through it. Almost automatically, Squall's arms moved to wrap around the younger man. And somehow, it made all the difference in the world. The fear that had been building in the shadow of their hearts and minds, eased.
"I'm scared," Harry whispered to the silent room, his ear filled with the sound of Squall's heartbeat. Is voice was broken, vulnerable. "I'm scared you won't come back. I can't go with you and I can't help you…"
Harry choked and Squall tightened his hold, "I can't lose you…"
Squall froze. Harry tried to bury his head into Squall's chest, pressing his body against Squall's larger one.
And it gripped his heart. Squall froze as he felt the fear near suffocate him. In everything they had faced so far, this would be their greatest challenged. Their greatest threat and they had no ace up their sleeves. There was no back-up plan.
Squall flipped their position, shifting so his weight didn't crush the smaller young man. His one leg slipping between Harry's legs while his arms framing the mage's head. Harry's fingers loosened their grip but did not let go. Green eyes stared into grey ones, fear reflected in both.
Squall bowed his head, eyes shifting away from the piercing green gaze. "I have to, Squall swallowed, "I have to watch you be taken from me. I have to watch you be possessed by- There's no guarantee that you will come back to me. I swore to protect you! I chose to be your Knight; I was chosen to be your Knight. And now, I have to watch as you put yourself in a danger were I can't protect you!"
Squall's voice was full of frustration, under-toned with fear. Harry froze, letting the word sink in. His heart broke a little as he realized just how hard his actions had been on his love.
"And then, I have to do the impossible while leaving you behind. I have to let someone else watch over you. I have to trust someone else to keep you safe. Keeping the time bridge open will make it near impossible for you to defend yourself, and I can't help but imagine… imagine that if-when I return, you're gone."
"Squall-"
"And the worst thing," Squall continued, head bowed and voice bitter. "Is that I've wasted so much time. I've hurt you so much Harry. I know I have, no matter how much you try to hide it. And it is my fault. But damn it all to Hyne, I love you. And I want to spend the rest of my life proving that to you!"
Grey eyes snapped upwards, locking onto green ones.
"And now, the rest of our lives could be right now. It could be these next 24 hours and it's not enough," Squall ended with a whisper. "If I… I'll regret not loving you more. If anything happens to you. If you… I won't live through it. I'll regret not loving you enough."
Harry's hand shook as he reached up to cup Squall's face. He licked his lips but no sound came out of his mouth when he tried to talk. He couldn't. There was nothing he could say to make everything just go away.
"I love you," Harry finally caved at the broken undertone in Squall's voice. Something in Harry's eyes steeled over.
"Squall?" Harry asked, his voice low, "No regrets. Not now."
Squall swallowed and nodded, not quite sure what he had just agreed to exactly, He knew he didn't regret them. He could never regret failing I love with Harry.
Harry pulled the brunette down into a kiss. A kiss that was anything but tender. It was pure desperation, bordering hysteria. Harry's hand tangled in his hair, Harry's tongue was plundering his mouth and his teeth biting his lips. Harry's body was flush against Squall's, trying to imprint every muscle into his memory.
And it was with a groan, Squall just let go. His hands grappled with Harry's clothing, searching, holding. He fought. He fought against Harry for dominance, not pausing when the younger man gave up control almost immediately.
Eventually, they pulled away from each other when breathing became necessary, but stayed plastered to one another. Because, both of them, could not help but think in, the back of their minds, 'If this is our last night together…'
Harry pushed Squall backwards, the older SeeD reluctant and slightly confused. Harry grinned as he sat up and reached for the hem of his shirt. Squall's eyes locked onto the skin that was being revealed, the muscles that tense and stretched as he pulled the shirt up and over his head. Squall felt his mouth go dry at the smile Harry sent him. It was coy, seductive, mischievous and downright illegal. But his eyes aid something else. 'Let's make this last. This one night will be ours alone. Knight and Sorcerer. Best friends. Lovers. I promise you everything.'
Squall stilled then sat up. He dislodged Harry slightly as the younger man stumbled as his body shifted as Squall moved. Keeping his eyes locked on Harry, Squall reached for his own white shirt and pulled it off, his Griever pendant hitting his chest. He too dropped his shirt on the floor, uncaring.
Slowly, he reached for Harry and pulled him into a gentle kiss.
~0~0~0~
Ragnarok flew towards Pandora, armed to the teeth in the latest Estharian weaponry. On the final approach, the red space ship fired its machine guns. The rattling gunshots were drowned out by the ship's engines as the rocket accelerated. Pandora was protected by shields that not even Odine understood fully.
The bullets rained against the invisible shield, causing ripples to spread across its entirety. Ragnarok kept going as it pushed against the shield, trying to break through as an unknown force repelled it.
Harry swallowed; his right hand tightening in Squall's left.
"We need to disrupt the shield to weaken it enough to get through.
Squall tightened his grip in response as he growled out his orders.
"Selphie, engines to max speed. Irvine, fire everything we have."
Selphie let out a terrifying grin, her hair bouncing as she nodded. If anyone noticed the purple bruise behind her ear, no one said anything.
Ragnarok hummed as the main cannons powered up. And in that moment, where the world stopped and took a breath, when heart thundered in suspense, everything was quiet. The lull, the peace, descended upon everything, and everyone. It was… soul inspiring.
Green eyes darted towards grey ones. No words really needed.
A hand slipped over a smaller one, squeezing as the feminine hand pushed the controls to max.
A soft exhale of breathe from someone who sometimes felt that she carried the weight of the world. Sometimes it was good to just live in the moment. You didn't have to have al the answers all the time.
Tense muscles relaxed for an instance, giving temporary relief against the hidden fears of not being good enough. A moment of quiet confidence.
And then all hell broke loose. Ragnarok let loose its entire machine gun power and main cannon in one instant and the engines rumbled in protest as all limits were being pushed. And, as the seconds slowly passed, ever so slowly, the ship inched through the barrier.
The gunfire damaged the building, creating a huge, convenient hole for them to enter. As soon as the first half of the ship passes through the barrier, the Ragnarok released its land gears: large crane like arms. The Ragnarok was designed after a Dragon. Selphie maneuvered the arms to grip the building below, locking the ship in place.
The group went silent as Selphie let out a sigh as she lent back in her seat.
"Let's go," Squall said quietly, the words echoing.
~0~0~0~
The team entered the Lunatic Pandora through the hole they made. And people were waiting for them.
"I'm guessing you're not the welcome committee," Harry quipped as Raijin and Fujin stared at them, jaws slack.
"Ha! Told you Fujin! It is them!" Raijin said with badly hidden glee. Fuijin just stared at them with her dead eyes.
"SHOCK." Fuijin replied but frowned. "SORCERESS?"
Squall glared at her, "We're taking Ellone! And I won't let you resurrect Adel, either!"
"Then we are going to have to do this the hard way," Raijin growled, getting into his fighting stance.
Squall sighed as he turned away from then slightly, "Quistis, Zell, take care of them. Selphie, Irvine, secure the rope so we can get back to the ship after all this."
Raijin bristled at the dismissal and launched himself towards Squall. He never made it. Zell, who was standing next to Squall stepped forward and flipped Raijin over his shoulder, using his own momentum against him. A chop to a pressure point had the guy out for the count.
Fuijin stepped backwards as Raijin went down. Her eyes darted to her friend knocked out and then she was out the door in a flash.
"Bitch," Selphie swore, causing the group to stare at her in shock and slight horror. "What? She just abandoned her friend and ally! No wonder she didn't make into SeeD!"
Irvine chucked as he slipped next to her, his arm coming to casually rest around her waist as he soothed her. Her loyalty was something he admired about her. Well, one of the things he admired about her.
"We best get going. If they are here, then Seifer can't be far away," Zell grumbled, the other blond would always rubbed him the wrong way.
~0~0~0~
At the very center at the Lunatic Pandora is where they found Fuijin and Seifer. They were guarding a doorway that Harry could only guess led to Adel. The bile rose in the back of his throat as he thought of his task. He had to lower his mental defenses to let someone possess his mind and body. He suppressed a shuddered. For this plan to work, he had to let Ultimecia violate him.
Ellone was in Fuijin's grasp, and Squall moved forward, not picking up Harry's morbid thoughts. Their focus was on her. Harry remained in the background as the fear shook his foundations. He tried to steel himself but the old, deep seated fear of not controlling himself was rearing its head. He shook his head as he tried to calm down. 'It's too late. This is the best option we have. I just need to bear it. It will only be for a few minutes.'
He turned his attention back to the group in front of him, only to raise an eyebrow as Fuijin released Ellone to Squall. Ellone spared a glance at her captor before making a beeline for Squall. He pushed her behind him, towards Harry.
Harry gave Ellone a weak smile. "Go wait outside. Laguna will be here with SeeD soon."
Ellone nodded jerkily, and Harry could read the fear and relief in her body language. She spared a worried yet proud look at Squall before leaving, only murmuring to Harry, "Please, keep him safe."
Harry swallowed, 'As much as I can, I'll protect him and keep him safe.'
"Hey, hey...Come on people!" Seifer protested as he stared at his friend, betrayal lurking in his eyes.
Fujin's eyes turned sad as she shook her head. "FRIENDS…We are. We always will be. Because we're a posse, we want to help you. Whatever it takes to fulfill your dream, we're willing to do. But...You're being manipulated, Seifer. You've lost yourself and your dream. You're just eating out of someone's
hand. We want the old you back! The one who cared about his friends. Raijin is hurt and you didn't even ask. Since we can't get through to you, all we have now to rely on is Squall! It's sad...Sad that we only have Squall to rely on...
Seifer paused before shrugging, "It's been fun!"
Fujin gave him an indescribable look before turning and walking away. She headed for the door, her eyes only looking ahead.
That left Seifer and Adel.
"Are you going to continue with this knight thing?" Squall asked as he gripped his gunblade tightly.
"The knight has retired," Seifer said with a smirk, but his eyes shone with jealousy as he took in Squall's form that was protecting Harry, "I guess you could call me a young revolutionary."
Squall shook his head, "What do you think you're doing?"
"I've always gotta be doing somethin' BIG! I don't wanna stop. I'm gonna keep running! I've come this far...I'm gonna make it to the end, to the goal! There's no way I'm sharing it with you!"
"Then you leave us no choice," Squall said with a sigh, body ready for battle in an instant.
Seifer sneered, "We could have been great together. But you wasted your chance… Your battle ends here Squall!"
Harry's eyes narrowed at that, his gaze snapping between the two rivals. 'Did Seifer just…? Just what happened between you two?'
Squall gave no mind to Seifer's words as he launched himself at the blond, gunblade slicing through the air. Seifer parried with ease and so it began again. The same battle they always had: who was better? But now the stakes were higher than they ever have been.
It was fast. It was furious and somehow, everyone knew that this was their battle. They weren't to intrude. The pair was going all out. Magic, sparks from steel kissing steel and various curses. Strike, strike, parry, dodge, cast magic, strike, parry, duck…
It was fierce and fast, the two figures locked in a blurred dance. And it ended as quickly as it had begun. In an instant, Squall had gotten behind Seifer's guard and struck. His gunblade sliced his opponent, cutting the flesh and disarming in one well-practiced movement. Seifer gritted his teeth and grunted as he stepped backwards, unarmed and bloodied. His eyes glared, full of hate and pain. The wound was deep and bleeding profusely.
"Is this...the end...?" Seifer fell to his knees. He refused to raise his gaze as he waited for the final strike. And, when the darkness finally crossed his vision, he mutely wondered, 'I thought death would have been more painful?...'
Squall relaxed as Seifer dropped to the ground. He turned to the source of the red light that had struck the blond. Harry shrugged.
"He needs to trialed. We don't know just how much was of his actions were of his free will. He's been more of a pawn in this game than any of us," Harry murmured. "Don't worry; he's out for the count and healing. SeeD can take him when they arrive."
Squall nodded, unsure whether to be mad that Harry stopped him or thankful. Seifer had been a constant in his whole life. Be it a friend, rival or enemy. He was always there.
Harry met his gaze and smiled lightly. It said it all: I know.
"We need to take care of Adel," Quistis cut in, "she should still be 'sleeping' under the affects of the sealing."
"She's probably through there," Selphie added as she pointed at the only other door, apart from the one they had entered through, in the room.
"Right," Zell said, adjusting his gloves.
Irvine shouldered his gun, "This is it." His eyes slid over the group, lingering on Harry. "Are we ready to do this?"
Harry shuddered before he took a deep breath. He reached in to his pocket and pulled out a familiar bangle.
"Odine fixed it. It was a prototype but this should work now," Harry admitted. "I'm going to activate it, just in case. We can't have Ultimecia taking over all my power."
Harry handed it to Squall, eyes firmly locked on the others. "The person who puts it on is the only one who can take it off."
Squall took the white bangle slowly and Harry offered his right wrist. Squall swallowed as he clipped it onto the thin wrist and watched as it glowed and shrunk to fit.
Harry grunted as it glowed, wincing as he felt it suffocate him, cutting his magic, forcing it back. His body felt heavy and he could not help but gasp as his knees gave out.
Squall moved before he realized it himself. He caught Harry as he gasped, the sorcerer collapsed into his arms.
"Harry?" Zell shouted, stepping forward. Selphie and Quistis were hot on his heels in following his action. Irvine was already at his side.
"I'm fine," Harry wheezed, "it's… uncomfortable."
Squall exchanged worried looks with the rest of the team.
"We need this until I've kicked Ultimecia out of my head," Harry admitted. This was one part of the plan he had not told anyone. It was a necessary precaution.
Squall sighed but said nothing. Harry took a few moments to center his body and magic, and gently pushed himself out of Squall's hold.
"Now, let's take care of Adel."
~0~0~0~
Adel was still asleep when they burst through the doorway. But the crazed look of Ultimecia was evident in her open eyes. Harry shook his head. He wondered just how much of the Sorceress War had been Ultimecia. He never voiced this concern to the others but when Magic had said it was time conundrum… Well, Harry had been suspicious.
Taking a deep breath, Harry turned to Squall. 'If this is the end, then I want one last memory, but he'll never know. I won't hurt him like that.' Harry pulled the older man into a deep, yet gentle kiss. "This is not goodbye."
Immediately, Harry turned around and released the small portion of his powers that had not been locked away, and torn down the barriers around his mind. Almost at once, he could hear the insane ramblings in the seductive voice of Ultimecia. The press of her magic to just conform to her will.
Using all the power he could muster, Harry threw it at Adel and watched in satisfaction as horror entered 'her' eyes. Her body broke apart, disintegrating before their eyes. It had been held together by her power and the sealing. Without either, there was nothing left.
And that's when it hit Harry. He pushed down his reflex as Ultimecia ripped through his natural mental shields and attack his very core. The pain echoed through him, lighting up what felt like every pain nerve in his body. But the pain was also mental, and spiritual. He felt someone trap him within himself and take over his body. His power. His very essence was being tainted by someone else. And he could feel her madness, her pain, her desperation….
Harry screamed. He didn't know it but the team heard it loud and clear. Squall shuddered and forced himself to take a step back. Harry fell to his knees, gasping as the magic visibly shifted around him. And they watched in horror as his green eyes turned golden, with a crazed gleam in their depths.
He wasn't Harry anymore. And that terrified Squall.
"Ellone!" Laguna's voice cut through the room, "Now's your chance!"
Squall ripped his gaze from Harry to see Laguna, Ellone and the four SeeD teams standing behind him. Ellone nodded and raised her hand towards Harry. Harry grinned and collapsed as Ellone used her powers.
The SeeD were already moving, surrounding Harry. The other teams were being used around the Lunatic Pandora and Esthar. The Lunar Cry had increased the number of monsters and monster attacks. Only the best were used to protect Harry.
Laguna nodded and swallowed, "Ok, Ellone. Just get Harry back."
Ellone focused, the beads of sweat forming on her brow as she winced. She sighed as Harry gave a groan.
"I'm not doing that again," he moaned as he tried to sit up. His body ached with a dull throb and he could feel the drain on his powers as he checked his mental shields. He had cornered and boxed in Ultimecia's influence. They needed the connection for the Time Bridge to be held once she initiated Time Compression. But Harry still didn't like the idea of someone getting free reign in his own mind.
Squall was at Harry's side in an instant, tilting his head back. The Balamb Commander gave a sigh of relief when he saw familiar green eyes. He smiled lightly as stroked Harry's head. "You okay?"
Harry nodded, "She's inside Adel… the young Adel…I've still got a connection to her but I'm fine. She's out of my head. She strong, mentally; but I've faced stronger."
Squall nodded and discretely slipped off the bangle. He smiled when Harry gave a sigh of relief.
"Ultimecia's inside Adel. Exactly as she wanted." Laguna said in a serious tone, "Ok, this is the showdown folks! Time compression is about to begin. 'Love, friendship, and courage'! Show'em what you got!"
Harry shifted so he was sitting more comfortably on the ground. "He's right," Harry said bluntly, "to get through the time compression; you have to focus on a memory. You need to get to the correct place and the correct when. I'm going to your anchor. Concentrate on me and I'll try and pull you back."
Harry winced as Squall reached for him on instinct, wanting to protect the green eyed boy from the invisible threat. Harry met his gaze, scared. "It's starting," he whispered.
The room around them seemed to melt and blur. Harry reached out and seemed to create a rip in the room. He seemed to glow a soft gold colour. "There's an entrance. Go straight through. I'm holding the bridge that connects directly through to Ultimecia's time. I don't know where she is in that world, so you're going to have to find her."
The team nodded solemnly.
"You're coming back," Harry continued, meeting each of their gazes, "all of you."
Zell chuckled slightly before saluting, "Yes sir!"
Selphie nodded and hugged Irvine's arm. The cowboy tipped his hat in acknowledgement.
Quistis smiled slightly as she nodded, "And you better take care. We are counting on you to get us out of there." She paused, "I'm glad it's you."
Harry smiled at that. It was strange to think in the short time since the SeeD exam so much had changed. And speaking of change…
Harry turned to Squall, only to be caught in a kiss. Harry surrendered into it, letting the other's lips dominate his. It was deep and passionate and a near desperate kiss. Harry moaned as let his hand sink into familiar and oh-so-soft hair. Squall tongue was everywhere and yet not enough.
Slowly, ever so slowly, Squall pulled away, and let his lips drift towards Harry's ear. Hot breath washed over him and Harry shivered and swallowed. 'Hyne this brings back memories!'
"This," came the hot, low, whisper, "is not goodbye."
And to prove his point, Squall's lip descended onto the tempting pale skin. He nipped and sucked and left behind a lovely bruise.
Harry bit back a moan. "Got it," he gasped out.
Squall pulled away and smirked at the near debauched look Harry sported, lips bruised and red. Eyes dilated. Standing, the commander offered a hand to his vice.
Harry took the hand and allowed himself to be pulled into a hug. He sighed at the pure comfort and warmth and security Squall radiated.
"I'll be waiting for you. If you come here, you'll find me. I promise."
Squall nodded. He motioned for the team to follow and gave the last commands to the SeeD to protect Harry from everyone and everything. And with one last look, he stepped through time and space.
Harry closed his eyes in pain, 'Please stay safe. Please come back. I love you…'
~0~0~0~
True to his word, the followed the bridge made of light to Ultimecia's time. As they had run, they could see scenes from the past, present and future mix together. They watched wars and people and the SeeD of all times fighting. And sorceresses.
At the end of the bridge, the found themselves in a dark future, where over the hill, in the distance, was a castle. And in the moonlight that shone from behind the clouds, they knew, that was Ultimecia's castle. It was on top of a floating island that was chained to the ground.
And with grim determination, they made their way towards it. The battles they encounter were fierce; it seemed that the monsters in the area were more dangerous than anything they had faced before. And then there were the sorceresses that cut through time to battle them.
As the lightening crashed above them, the SeeD battled on. There was no time for chat as they pressed forward. Time was of the essence. No one really knew what effect the time compression would have on the world as they knew it.
And, as the hours passed, they finally found themselves in front of the castle that oozed an ominous presence,
"Good. We all made it," Squall intoned as he checked his team. They were a little rough for the wear but alive and in once piece.
Zell whistled, "...Whoa...! So this is her castle?"
"Finally." Selphie gasped as she sat down on the floor. Irvine joined her as he eyed the castle wearily, "Creepy…"
"So this is the future...This is where Ultimecia reigns..." Quistis said quietly as she looked around, "Everything seems dead. Is the fate of our world?"
Squall shook his head, "I don't know but I like to think we have the power to change the future; that our decisions matter. And right now, we have to stop her."
Zell grinned as he bounced on his feet lightly, "What's the plan, leader?"
Squall rolled her eyes but turned grave as he eyed the castle. He paused and everyone waited for his response.
"We stick together. We can't afford to lose anyone," Squall said softly, eyes locked onto the castle. "We get in, find her and kill her. Then we get back in one piece."
"Simple," Selphie chirped brightly, "I like it!"
Quistis nodded as she checked her weapon. "If I do not make it-"
"This is not goodbye," Squall cut in, repeating his words from earlier. He turned around to face the group. "You heard Harry, we are all going back."
Squall swallowed. "If all we have is hope, then we are going to hold onto it with everything we got. There are people waiting for us to come home."
Quistis sighed and smiled slightly, "Never would have picked you to give an inspirational speech, but that was good."
The group laughed as Squall turned away again.
He let them enjoy a moment without worry or fear,
~0~0~0~
They had spent hours battling through the monster infested castle, searching room by room for Ultimecia. They had finally found her. The Master Room was located on one of the top floors in the back of the castle.
She was seated on a throne that looked like it was made of bones. The moon shone through the clouds and the windows, giving the room an eerie feeling. And she sat there, grinning at them with an evil smile and a mad light in her golden eyes.
"...SeeD..." She spat. "SeeD...SeeD...SeeD, SeeD, SeeD! Kurse all SeeDs. Swarming like lokusts akross generations. You disgust me. The world was on the brink of that ever-elusive 'time-compression'. Insolent fools! "Your vain krusade ends here, SeeDs. The price for your meddling is death beyond death. I shall send you to a dimension beyond your imagining. There, I will reign, and you will be my slaves for eternity."
She burst into maniacal laughter and Squall found he was furious. This…woman had hurt matron. She had almost started a war! And, and perhaps the most unforgiving act to Squall, she had hurt Harry. She had made Harry cry out in pain.
She stood up from the thrown and black wings stretch and spread out behind her. Stepping forward, she smirked, "Whom shall I exterminate first!"
Squall stepped forward, gunblade drawn.
Her eyes brightened with recognition. "Ah! The sorcerer's precious knight steps forward first. How noble you are!"
Squall gritted his teeth as he tensed. No one moved; they waited on the sorceress to make the first move. And move she did.
"Move!" Quistis shouted a second before the magic chain had been released. She flung her body sideways as Firaga spells detonated where she had been standing. The others had followed her command on instinct. They had felt the build up around them but didn't have the experience to know what it was.
Squall, had thrown his body forward, eyes locked on the sorceress. His gunblade shifted as the anger coursed through him. The feeling was familiar and Squall smirked.
"Lionheart."
And there was light; golden light that made Squall smile as he recalled Harry's light. And he moved, his body acted without conscious thought as his blade struck at the Sorceress. His first four strikes banged against the shield she erected. The fifth damaged it. The sixth destroyed it.
And seventh was followed by an inhuman scream: terror, rage, fear.
Selphie gasped as Ultimecia fell to her knees, but her eyes were locked on Squall. He had never been so… brutal before.
Ultimecia clutched at the wound and laughed. Squall stepped backwards at the sound, it bounced off the walls and echoed in the large empty room.
"The most powerful GF...You shall...SUFFER...!"
And then the air burst with cackles of energy. Blue lightening struck down from the ceiling, forming a large blue GF. Its winged body was humanoid, bulking with power and grace. Its face slowly formed, a humanoid lion stared back at him. And Squall knew who it was.
"Griever…" Squall murmured as he stared at his namesake.
The GF jerked as it looked at the group.
"The GF's true power…Griever! Make them bleed!" Ultimecia screeched.
Griever just stood there, shaking his head. And when he spoke, his voice was old and tired, "I cannot. I cannot fight the Knight of a Sorcerer."
Ultimecia went berserk, rage taking over her senses, "You WILL obey!"
Griever smiled a toothy grin as he shook his head, his body already fading.
Ultimecia stared on shock. And that is when Quistis attacked. With a vicious snap of her whip, she created the opening Selphie and Irvine were waiting for. Selphie fired off one of the few Ultimas in her stock and Irvine took aim with a Silence Shot.
Their combination hid that fact that Zell had already rushed forward, ready with a follow through for their assault. The fist fighter threw two jabs and an uppercut only to end off with a flip-kick, avoiding the claws Ultimecia had for nails.
"You," she uttered, a terrifying calm befalling the sorceress face, "DARE!"
"Oh shit," Zell muttered as he quickly back tracked. He had seen that look before, the I'm-completely-pissed-off-at-you-cold-rage.
And Ultimecia changed before their eyes. She became inhuman. Squall winced as she lost herself in a cold rage and transformed; her body twisting as she grew taller, bulkier and monstrous. And a part of Squall wished that Harry fell into the madness that claimed the females of his race.
"I am Ultimecia. Time shall compress..." her voice was eerie, like she spoke through the wisdom of time itself, "...All existence denied."
And she let loose full powers as the wounds they had inflicted upon her healed before their very eyes.
"Oh come on!" Selphie moaned as she dodged the magic thrown at her. Zell was doing some fancy footwork of his own as he too yelled, "How many times do we have to take her down before she stays down!"
Irvine grunted as he took a lightning bolt to his side. The sorceress was sending out wave after wave of magical attacks. "As many as it takes!"
"What's the plan now?" Quistis asks tense as she tried to retaliate, only for her attacks to be absorbed by the (annoying) invisible shield.
Squall didn't answer as he pulled at his arsenal of spells Harry had transferred to him in the quiet of the night before. Instead, he called everything he had: Holy, Ultima, Meteor, Flare.
"Woohoo!" Selphie yelled as she followed Squall's lead and unleashed her own magical arsenal. Quistis too joined in the magical barraged that forced the Sorceress to go on the defense as her shields wavered and fell.
Bang!
Her face froze with the look of manic glee as her forehead burst open around a small hole. She didn't see it coming. None of them did. Her body fell, as if in slow motion, as a black energy cackled around her, forcing her to stay alive.
"No," Ultimecia whispered, her eyes glazing over. The grip she had on time compression loosened and time raced to set itself right. The room wavered and blurred."Reflect on your...Childhood.."Your emotions...Time...It will not wait...No matte...how hard you hold on. It escapes you..."
And she faded, her words echoing in the darkness that descended, "I must pass on my power…"
And then they were falling, through the darkness that was sprinkled with stars in the far distance. It was like falling through space, somewhere far away and totally alone. And yet, there were scenes from past, present and future whirling around them. Fading in and fading out as time reshuffled itself.
"It's over!" Irvine yelled, his hair flipping around his face as they fell. His voice reaching through time, to his teammates."Let's go! Let's go back to our time!" And he disappeared, like a shooting star as he raced through the time compression.
Zell laughed his voice full of relief as he yelled, "Think where we have to go". And he too shot off into the dark.
"See at home!" Selphie laughed as she whizzed off. You could almost hear her yells of 'WAAAHOOO!'
Quistis merely closed her eyes and smile, as she too went home.
'Harry,' Squall thought with s soft smile. 'I'm coming home.' He closed his eyes and concentrated on his present. And then, he was flying as his heart led the way home. 'She's gone. We stopped Ultimecia!'
And then, something grabbed hold of him and pulled him in the opposite direction. Squall's pulse quickened as he panicked. He was falling deeper into the failing time compression, into a time warp. If it continued, he would be lost in time. And there was nothing he could do against the force that was pulling him.
'No! This can't be happening. After all the fighting, after Ultimecia!' he thought desperately.
He faded into a time space. It looked familiar. 'Where am I?"
"Squall! Where are you going!" a voice yelled, worried. Squall turned around, searching for the achingly familiar voice. 'Maybe I'm home!'
Then he lost that hope as he stared in shock as a young him raced around the corner. 'I'm in the past,' he thought dumbly as he watched himself. 'I'm five years old, so this must be the orphanage. Then that voice is…'
"I'm gonna find Sis!" the child Squall said adamantly before leaving towards the flower fields.
A young Edea joins them in the garden behind the building, "Squall!" She looks around and sighs. "Excuse me. Have you seen a little boy?"
Squall shook himself and smiled slightly, "You don't have to worry. The boy won't go anywhere."
Edea nodded as she smiled sadly, "I think so, too. Poor thing..."
Before squall could respond, a cloud of purple smoke formed and Ultimecia appears. Squall stepped in front of Edea, drawing his gunblade. "We defeated you!" he hissed.
"...The sorceress?" Edea half asks in shock.
Grey eyes locked on Ultimecia, Squall answers her on reflex, "Yes, Matron. We had defeated her...Matron, stand back."
A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, and Squall tilted her head slightly to see Edea's small smile. "It's ok. There's no more need to fight. That sorceress is just looking for someone to pass her powers on to. In order to die in peace, a sorceress must be free of all her powers. I know...for I am one, too. The powers don't let us die until we have passed them on. I shall take over that sorceress' powers. I do not want one of the children to become one."
Squall steps out of the way as he watches the events that, perhaps, started everything.
Edea approached Ultimecia, hands held out. Ultimecia reached out and grasped them in her own, allowing the crack of purple energy to transfer over. And then, the time sorceress fell and faded. Edea collapsed to her knees, gasping and hold her chest.
"Is this...the end?" she murmured, not realizing she was not alone.
"...Most likely."
Edea jumped slightly at Squall's voice and looked up at the young man that had moved to her side, "You called me Matron. Who...are you?"
"A SeeD. A SeeD from Balamb Garden."
"SeeD? Garden?" Edea asked, confused.
"Both Garden and SeeD were your ideas. Garden trains SeeDs. SeeDs are trained to defeat the sorceress," Squall explained slowly, unsure how to deal with the situation.
Edea stilled before standing up and staring Squall dead in the eyes. He really looked at him and gasped. "What are you saying? You're...that boy from the future?"
Squall said nothing as he smiled slightly.
Edea shook her head, "Please return. You do not belong here."
They were interrupted by the young Squall. He had tears running down his face as he looked around sadly. "I can't find Sis...Am I...all alone?" The boy sat down on the ground, drawing his knees in and hugging them.
Squall flinched he remembered doing that when he felt he needed to block out the world, the pain, the loneliness. Acting on instinct, he walked over to the boy and knelt down next to him.
"You're not alone,"' Squall said in all honesty. "You have friends. And when you do feel alone, it won't be for long. You're going to find someone who sacrifices everything to stay by your side."
Shining grey eyes stared in wonder at his older version. The tears had stopped and there was the beginning of a new hope. Curiously, he turned to Edea, who was standing shocked, and asked, "Who's he?"
"Nobody. You don't need to know." Edea said immediately, glaring slightly at the older version."The only Squall permitted here is you."
"Do you know where to go back to? Do you know how?" she asked the SeeD, "Will you be all right by yourself?"
Squall stood up and saluted her. "I have someone waiting for me. I promised him I would return. I'm... not alone."
And he too faded.
~0~0~0~
One by one, the team reappeared in the Lunatic Pandora. Harry rolled his eyes as the SeeDs jumped and almost attacked due to anxiety.
Irvine was first. He re-orientated himself before smiling at Harry and pulling him into a hug. "We did it!" She's gone!"
Harry laughed, "I know!"
Irvine paused, "Huh?"
"I felt her grip on the Time Compression disappear and her connection with me snapped," Harry explained but hugged the man back anyway. "I'm glad you made it back! I was worried that without the bridge you all would be lost."
Before Irvine could answer, Zell faded into the room, the grin on his face present.
After Zell, Selphie returned and then Quistis. The group laughed happily as Laguna, Ward, Kiros and Ellone joined them. Laguna was simply beaming, already planning a celebration.
Harry stood away as he watched them, biting his lip in worry. The delay between their individual returns had been short. Less than five minutes. It had been more than twenty since Quistis returned and there was still no sign of Squall.
Harry was officially worried. Time was quickly realigning and the Squall would be forever lost in time if he did not return soon. Irvine drifted away from the celebrating group and over to Harry. The sorcerer was chewing his lower lip as he frowned.
"Frowning is going to give you wrinkles, Beauty," Irvine said jokingly. His grin faded when Harry just gave him a desponded look.
"He's not back yet," Harry said quietly as he stared at the space where the Time Bridge had been. "He should have been back by now. Time's unraveling and reforming. He's going to be lost in time if he doesn't get back now!"
Harry was voice was taking a hysterical tone to it, grabbing the attention of the rest of the people in the room. The SeeDs shifted uncomfortably, murmuring.
"Is there nothing we can do?" they asked and Harry shook his head in frustration. "He needs to come back here. I can't reach in and simply pull him out!"
Zell's grin fell immediately and Selphie run over to Harry, pulling him into a hug. It was Quistis that asked the question that was on everyone's minds, "how long does he have to get back? Can one of us go back in?"
Harry shook his head, refusing to let the tears building in his eyes fall. He would not breakdown while there was still hope. "Ten minutes max," Harry said worriedly, "and we can't go back in."
"No one can fetch him?" Selphie said frustrated, "Damnit Squall!"
Laguna merely sighed. "He knew the risks. There is no point in endangering anyone else for his sake."
Before Kiros could say anything, Harry was on him, gripping Laguna by the front of his shirt. "The man you speak of his the Balamb Commander! Forget the political implications of losing me, you're willing to lose him? You don't even know who he is!" Harry spat in his face, emerald eyes flashing with carefully hidden power.
"Who he is?" Laguna choked out, struggling against the form hold.
Kiros laid a hand on Harry's shoulder, "Forgive him. He is an idiot. How Raine ever fell for him is a mystery."
Laguna's face close doff at the mere mention of the woman he loved and failed. Harry growled and stepped away, his mind going to the last resort plans.
"Commander Squall would also be Sorcerer Harry's only knight, and let's not forget who his mother is…" Kiros trailed off as he locked gazes with Harry. "Am I right?"
Harry groaned and nodded. "But," he continued, "he wants nothing to do with his father."
Kiros looked miffed but said nothing to the barrage of questions Laguna was throwing at them. Harry's mind was already on his last ditch plan.
"Laguna!" Kiros shouted, stopping the Esthar president from his pestering. "If you want to know, you will have to ask him yourself! I had a hunch but I will not give out his secrets."
"It's not like he's coming back!" Laguna persisted. And something in Harry just snapped at the thought.
"Like hell he's getting lost in Time!" Harry growled, moving towards the space where the time bridge had been.
"Harry?" Quistis called worriedly.
"I didn't want to do this," Harry sighed as he stopped, turning sideways to face the Balamb team. "Tell him I'm sorry but I couldn't let him die. He's got so much to live for… I can't let his life end here!"
"Don't!" cut an icy voice. SeeD, Estharians and the Balamb team turned around, weapons drawn. She ignored them as she made her way to Harry. "You can't go into the time stream, Harry. It will rip you apart. He's lost in time from ensuring that Ultimecia truly died. He followed her until she passed on her powers and faded."
"So," Harry spat angrily, "I'm just supposed to stay here and let the man I love die? I'm supposed to live forever with the regret of not saving him! It's my life Shiva! I'm not afraid of death."
Harry smiled sadly, "I'm not afraid of death, even if I wish we had more time. This would be one way to finally escape the curse. Ironic isn't it?"
One hand reached out and pulled at the weak point in the time compression. The time-space ripped apart like tissue, creating a fracture that Harry calmly walked through. He did not look back as the fracture closed behind him or the calls of the people in the room.
~0~0~0~
"Squall!" Harry called out as he fell through time. The blackness was almost soul consuming as the shooting stars fled to their right time. "Squall!"
Harry grunted as he felt the pain zap through his body. He knew he had a limited time and he had to find Squall.
~0~0~0~
Squall was trapped on a desert island, on the edge of time compression. The green sky mocked him as he already walked the whole island. What felt like miles, was now looking like meters. And he just couldn't walk anymore.
He knew what had happened.
He was lost in time.
Eventually he collapsed to his knees. He could not time the strength to keep walking or the strength of heart to keep hoping.
"I'm sorry Harry," Squall whispered, his voice carrying over the void. "I'm breaking our promise but at least you're safe…"
No one was witness to the silent tears that fell.
~0~0~0~
Harry froze as he thought he heard his name being whispered. Acting on instinct, Harry reached for anything that would bring him to Squall.
"Squall!" he screamed as he felt the pull of their Sorcerer-Knight bond. "Wait for me! I'm coming!"
And he flew. Harry torn down the barriers without a second thought as he rushed towards Squall. The insistent pulling was his only guide, and at that moment, he didn't care as long as it led him to Squall.
'If I die, at least it will be his side.'
~0~0~0~
When the space in front of him ripped open, Squall was ready for anything. Anything that is, but Harry barreling towards him. He had been ready for any monster, any sorceress coming to attack him. But what appeared were his greatest wish and his worst nightmare.
"Squall!" Harry cried as he threw himself towards the gunblade wielder. Squall moved on instinct as he moved his weapon out of the way and pulled Harry to his chest with the other arm. "I've found you at last," came the soft voice. "Thank Hyne."
"Harry," Squall's voice sounded desperate even to himself. "What are you doing here?"
Harry pulled away and smiled sadly. "I couldn't let you die."
Squall choked as he shook his head rapidly, "But! What about you?"
Harry swallowed and the damn sad smile still on his face. "I couldn't let you die," he said again as if it explained everything. And, maybe it did. "We don't have a lot of time…"
"Harry…" the colour drained from Squall's face, "Hyne no!" Squall dropped his gunblade and drew Harry into a hug, holding him like he would never let go.
Harry held him back just as tightly. "It's worth it. I don't regret this. I love you!" came Harry's frantic words. "I want you to live! You've barely lived life and I've seen centuries. I'm not afraid, Squall. I love you!"
Squall ignored it as he pulled Harry into a desperate, bruising kiss. His lips assaulted Harry's, trying in vain to convince him to stay, to memorize everything about them. Because, Hyne, if this was the last time he would ever kiss him…
And that thought froze Squall to the bone. He couldn't imagine life without the younger man. He couldn't imagine falling in love again. He had found it in his life, there wasn't going to be another Harry. He didn't want another Harry.
And Harry clung onto him just as desperately, kissed him back as much as he gave. Squall could taste the tears in their kiss. Both of them were crying.
Pulling away, gasping for breath, Harry panted, "We need to go. There isn't much time left."
~0~0~0~
"Harry?" Squall asked in a small voice, ignoring everyone and everything around them. They were back at the Lunatic Pandora.
Harry said nothing as he stayed in Squall's arms, relishing the closeness for the last time. The pain was rippling through his body now, slowly tearing him apart from the inside out. The magic holding his body together was falling apart. The magic binding his soul to the magical body was fraying and unraveling. And Harry wanted his last moments to be right there, in Squall's arms.
Harry smiled up at Squall, reaching out to gently wipe the tears that were falling from grey eyes.
"You will be fine," Harry said in a strong voice. "Just… I love you Squall. I regret nothing."
But the look in Squall's eyes was that of a broken man. "I love you, Harry. Please…" his voice was broken. He looked lost.
Fat tears rolled down pale cheeks. "I don't know what lies beyond. But visit me at the Flower Field. If you come there, you'll find me. I promise."
Squall swallowed and nodded jerkily, his hands on Harry's cheeks. The mage spared a glance for his friends. "Take care of yourselves and please keep an eye on him for me?"
"Harry," Squall breathed, scared, cutting him off. Harry looked down, to where Squall was staring. His chest was fading, turning transparent. It really didn't hurt as much as he thought it would.
Throwing dignity into the wind, Harry launched himself towards Squall, pulling him into a kiss. The last kiss before he literally disappeared before his eyes.
Their lips met and clashed and nipped. It was fierce yet gentle and it screamed of 'goodbye'.
And then Harry fell through Squall, his whole body turning transparent. Whipping around, translucent green eyes met tragic grey ones before they disappeared completely.
No one said a word as Squall felt his world come apart.
~0~0~0~
The End.
Yes, I am that evil…
Okay, fine.
Review or Harry stays dead. (and some of you thought the last cliffie was evil…hehe)
~Amira Devant