A New Beginning - Part VI Intro Here it is, the moment you've been waiting for, the stunning finale! *thunderous applause* Yeah, ok, anyway, if you have stuck with me for this long, then this story is dedicated to YOU! You are my new best friend. Happy reading. Chapter 6 Squall sighed heavily as he stared out the bus window. The lights of Deling City rushed through the windows, shining across his solemn face. He tried to keep his mind on their mission, but thoughts of Rinoa kept drifting back through his head. 'She's gone,' he told himself firmly, but it wasn't as simple as that. The more he had been around Rinoa, the more he didn't like the way he used to be - the serious loner. But that had been back when he was sure she would be by his side forever; now that she had turned his world upside down again, he didn't know what else to turn to. He hated the feelings of loneliness that ran through his heart. They had become signs of weakness again. The others had tried to be supportive, but he didn't want to listen to them. Taking their advice had gotten him in this whole mess to start with. Now they sat unusually silent behind him, quietly taking in the same city streets as he did. Selphie peeked her head around his seat. "Are you ok?" "Fine," he responded curtly, still staring out the window. "Are you sure?" she persisted. "Because I thought maybe..." "I'm fine," he repeated, cutting her off. "She's just trying to help," Quistis remarked from the seat beside her. "We know you're going through a hard time, but if you would just talk to us..." "Whatever," Squall replied sullenly. When had their help ever done him any good? Their advice had made him feel all those things he had forgotten for a reason, led him to Rinoa, and ultimately left him alone and betrayed all over again. "Hey guys," Irvine commented beside Selphie. "Not to break up your meaningful conversation or anything, but I don't recognize these streets." "Yeah," Zell added. "I thought we were getting off at the Shopping Arcade." "We were," Squall said, looking out at the street, more carefully this time. Sure enough, the area was completely unfamiliar to him. In fact, they seemed to be moving away from the main part of town. "I'll see what's going on," he told them, standing up and moving to the front. The bus driver glanced up at Squall as he approached. "Can I help you?" he asked. "I thought this route went past the Shopping Arcade," Squall said. The bus driver shook his head. "Not anymore." Squall tapped the gunblade at his side. "We're SeeDs. What do you say we just turn around?" "What if you just have a seat instead?" the driver replied casually, drawing a gun from his waist and pointing it straight at Squall's chest. Squall narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Um...Squall?" Selphie's voice squeaked from behind. He whirled around to see that all the other passengers now bore weapons as well, aiming them at the SeeDs. "Just sit down," the driver repeated, motioning with his gun to the seat across from him. Slamming his hand down on the back of the seat, Squall obeyed, mentally cursing himself for everything he was worth. 'Another strike for love,' Squall thought contemptuously. His carelessness because of Rinoa had probably just gotten them all killed. The driver smiled back mockingly, and Squall resisted the urge to lunge at him. "Don't worry," the man said. "We're almost there." Outside the window, a large building with barred windows loomed menacingly ahead. Several armed guards hurried forward to meet the bus as it passed slowly through the iron gates. Squall looked out his window to see at least twenty soldiers surround the bus as it stopped, their weapons at the ready. The bus driver opened the door. "Welcome to Deling Prison," he said brightly as the soldiers poured on the bus, roughly hauling the SeeDs off. Squall went silently, though he could hear the others protesting behind him. "Oh, get off!" Selphie complained as they dragged her small frame away. "Hey, hey! Watch the hair!" Zell warned. One of the soldiers laughed and messed it up again. With a growl, Zell threw the two soldiers holding him off and stood ready to fight. The click of automatic weapons resounded through the stillness as a dozen guns trained on his chest. "That's enough, Zell," Squall said quietly. Stomping his foot on the ground angrily, Zell allowed them to lead him into the prison. A large man in a red uniform met them just inside. "You must be the famous SeeDs we were supposed to watch out for," he said with a menacing grin. "I'm looking for a kid named Leonheart." Squall stepped forward. "I'm him." The officer nodded. "Good. You'll come with me. Take the rest to cell 3B." As the others were led away, he motioned to the six soldiers surrounding Squall. "Let's go. She's waiting." Squall wondered WHO was waiting as they led him through the dank halls of the prison. A few hands reached through the tiny holes in the top of their cell doors as they passed, though they were beaten back by the butts of the soldiers' rifles. Sounds of electricity resounded down the hallway, followed closely by agonized screams. Squall wondered if he was to be tortured as well. They stopped in front of a large cell door, seemingly no different than any other. "Ready?" the officer asked, quickly unlocking the door as the soldiers nodded. They shoved Squall in roughly, slamming the door shut as they hastily locked it behind him. Squall stood up from where they had thrown him, glancing around the large, dark cell. There was no light in the room, but he could hear someone breathing nearby. Slowly drawing his gunblade, Squall warily backed up to the door. "Who's there?" he called into the shadows. He was answered by thick laughter. "I have been waiting for you to kome," a voice said smugly. Squall's grip tightened at the familiar dark tones. Surely it couldn't be...! A ball of light suddenly erupted from the other side of the cell, illuminating Ultimecia's face. She narrowed her eyes at him. "YOU are the one destined to defeat me? I do not believe it..." With a defiant yell, Squall threw himself forward, charging at her with his gunblade. He knew his only chance was to get to her first... "Insolent fool!" she cried, waving her hand. Squall suddenly flew up in the air, dangling by his neck. He slashed out with his weapon, but he was just out of range. He could feel his face turning blue as the invisible grip on his neck tightened. He couldn't make it much longer... Drawing on his last bit of strength, Squall slung his gunblade towards Ultimecia's chest. Dropping him to the floor, she threw up her hand just in time to shield herself. The blade slowed as it hit the magic wall, though the sharp edge ran through just enough to slice her palm. She stared at the stream of dark blood as it slowly ran down her hand. Squall forced himself to stand as he took in ragged breaths. Ultimecia closed up her wound, glaring menacingly at Squall. "For that, my young SeeD, you will DIE!" In a burst of light, Squall found himself thrown backwards as a hot flame engulfed him, pressing him back against the wall of the cell. He struggled violently, though he could feel his energy streaming out of him with each passing second as he helplessly hung in the air. The pressure was suddenly released, and he fell to the ground, dropping to one knee. 'That wasn't so bad,' he thought weakly, trying to stand. Ultimecia laughed mockingly. "Not so bad?" she asked him. "Let us try again." An invisible hand reached out and grabbed Squall by the neck again, sending him flying through the air. He tried to brace himself as he was thrown headfirst into the wall, though it did little good. Squall groaned as stars filled his vision. He had the sinking feeling this was going to be the end... 'Goodbye, Rinoa,' he thought weakly as he was slung bodily into the wall again. The stars began to be replaced by inky darkness. 'Goodbye.' With a moan, Rinoa slowly opened her eyes. She rolled over on her side as a sharp pain drilled its way through her head. "Finally awake?" her father's voice called. Memories of Ultimecia slowly came pouring back through her head. With a gasp, Rinoa sat up, instantly regretting it as another wave of agony swept through her mind. Instinctively, she cured herself, noticing that it didn't come as naturally as usual. Searching through the depths of her mind, Rinoa suddenly realized that the sorceress' dark taint had been washed free. She swallowed hard as tears began to form. "I'm not...I'm not..." "A sorceress?" her father asked, and she whirled around to face him. She nodded uncertainly. He smiled grimly, an ice pack held to the bandage around his head. Dr. Odine sat on the couch beside him, shaking his head. "Are you happy now?" Odine asked General Caraway. "Thanks to you ze sorceress iz now on ze rampage." "I have to get back to Garden to tell Squall!" Rinoa said quickly, standing up and moving towards the door. "I know they can stop her." Caraway stood and grabbed her arm to keep her from leaving. "Your friends are already here," he said quietly. Rinoa tried to pull away from him. "Then I have to go help them! I have to see Squall! If I'm not a sorceress anymore then we can..." "Forget about him," Caraway told her sternly, cutting her off. "The situation has been taken care of." He released her suddenly, turning his head away. "You may never understand this Rinoa, but one day you'll thank me. Sometimes sacrifices have to be made. But you're free now, you have the chance at a normal life, at finding real love. You didn't have those things before." Rinoa closed her eyes, remembering Squall's smile. He had loved her anyway... "I had love, Daddy," she said quietly. Caraway grabbed her shoulders firmly. "I said to forget about him! You deserve better than that. What kind of life would you all have anyway, with him running off and fighting all the time?" "That's what you did, and Mommy still loved you," Rinoa told him. Caraway sighed. "Julia deserved more than I could give her too. That's why I want things to be different for you. I don't want you to end up with a man like...with a man like me." "I don't care," Rinoa said quietly. "I love Squall. That's all that matters." "He's gone, Rinoa." She narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean?" "I had to give him to Ultimecia in exchange for taking your powers. It was the only way..." "What...?" Rinoa said, backing away in disbelief. "Where is he?" "I sent them all to Deling Prison. Leonheart is probably gone by now, but the others will be set free in the morning." Rinoa's breath came faster as the information sunk in. Surely her beloved Squall was not dead, surely her father had not been the one to do it. Her mind wildly searched for hope. If there was the slightest chance, she had to take it. Whirling around, Rinoa sprinted from the room, calling Angelo as she went. She ignored her father's shouts behind her. 'I'm coming, Squall,' she thought. 'Hold on...' The lights of the prison gleamed in the distance as Rinoa ran towards them. Her heart did flips in her chest as her breath came hard. She fervently prayed she was not too late. She didn't know what she would do if Squall were already gone... Three soldiers with weapons moved towards her as she neared the entrance. One put up his hand to stop her. "It's getting a little late for you to be out, young lady. I would suggest you head home now." "I demand you let me in," Rinoa said firmly, stomping her foot down on the ground. "By order of the President's daughter." The soldier laughed. "Sorry, sweetheart, but we're not to let anyone through these doors. Including you." Rinoa tried to push past him anyway, but he grabbed her arm. In a flash, Angelo was on top of the man, growling as he bit into his leg. The soldier yelled, kicking out his feet at Angelo. The other two soldiers saw what was happening and quickly ducked back inside the gate, hastily shutting it. "Wait!" Rinoa called, running up to the door just as it slammed in front of her. She banged her fist on it angrily. "Let me in!" she cried. "You don't understand, you have to let me in! My father..." Her voice trailed off as she realized there was no response from inside the prison. Angelo barked behind her as the soldier escaped from him and ran around the side of the building. "It can't end this way," Rinoa said softly as Angelo rubbed his nose against her leg. "Looks like you could use a little help," someone called from behind her. Rinoa whirled around at the sound of the familiar voice. "Seifer?!?" she whispered, unbelieving. "What are you doing here?" "I knew all this was gonna happen," he told her. "I should have warned you earlier, but...hey, I made it now, didn't I?" Rinoa grabbed Seifer in a hug. He jumped, startled, then hesitantly patted her head. "Thank you," she whispered. "Maybe it's not too late..." "Hey, hey, you can thank me later," Seifer said, pushing her away and drawing his gunblade. "Now it's time for some action." Swinging his weapon around his body, Seifer slashed at the solid metal gate, cleanly slicing through the handle. He kicked the door open. "Let's go." A group of soldiers jumped up from their card game as the two entered, weapons drawn. Still in shock, the soldiers reached for the guns, but Seifer pointed his gunblade menacingly towards them. "Wouldn't try anything if I were you." He smirked. "Or I'll introduce you to my gunbalade. Now, who has the keys?" The officer of the group hesitantly slid them across the floor. Picking them up with the edge of his weapon, Seifer tossed them to Rinoa. "I'll take care of things here. You get going!" With a short nod, Rinoa ran out of the room. Two staircases suddenly loomed before her, and she realized she had no idea where to look for her friends. "Can you find them, Angelo?" she asked, throwing him a dog biscuit. With a bark, Angelo leaped up the steps, Rinoa following quickly at his heels. Not far down the next hallway, Angelo stopped, barking loudly in front of a cell door. Rinoa glanced up at the tag, quickly scanning through the ring of keys to find the right one. 3B... She could only hope her friends were still in there. As the door quickly swung open, Rinoa leaped backwards as Zell jumped towards her yelling, "You can't take us without a..." His fist stopped in midair as he recognized her. "Rinoa?" he asked, surprised. She nodded, urging the others out of the cell. "We have to hurry. Ultimecia has Squall and..." "Ultimecia?" Quistis asked. "I'll explain everything later. Do you still have your weapons?" Selphie nodded. "Yep. Thought it was kinda funny they didn't take them." "Father was going to let you free in the morning anyway. He only wanted Squall... Do you know where they took him?" "Down that hallway," Irvine said, pointing to the left. Angelo barked and ran down it. "Looks like he's got the trail. Let's go!" The five quickly sprinted after him. As they neared the cell, violent noises could be heard echoing down the hallway. "Squall...," Rinoa moaned, fumbling with the keys. She pulled out the right one as they reached the door, quickly unlocking it and swinging it open wide. Ultimecia paused as she saw them, Squall's limp form hanging frozen in mid air. "What do we have here?" she sneered. "More viktims?" With a laugh, she dropped Squall's body to the ground. He didn't move. "Squall!" Rinoa cried, running over to him. "Rinoa, wait!" Irvine called, but he was too late, the sorceress had already seen the girl and slung her heavily back against the wall. "Come on guys!" Irvine said, clicking the safety off his gun. "She can't take us all!" With a furious yell, the four charged the Sorceress, wildly slinging their weapons. Shrieking angrily, Ultimecia tried to throw up a Wall, but they were attacking her from too many directions and she couldn't stop them all. Rinoa sat up, running over to Squall and dragging his unconscious body into a corner. She bit her lip as she noticed his blood-matted hair. "I'll be back," she whispered, leaving his side to join the fight. Throwing a Firaga spell towards Ultimecia, Rinoa smiled in grim satisfaction as the blaze lit up the room. This time Ultimecia was going down for good. The five fought hard as the Sorceress did her best to stop them, slinging them bodily away from her as they approached. But they kept coming, ignoring the cuts and bruises as they furiously attacked. Slowly, Ultimecia's strength seemed to be diminishing. "This should take care of her!" Quistis called, throwing an Ultima spell at the sorceress. "Nooooooo!" Ultimecia cried, sinking to one knee. "I kan't...be defeated..." "One more!" Selphie yelled, casting a spell of her own. As the brilliant explosion consumed the Sorceress, Ultimecia shrieked loudly, falling to the ground with a heavy thud. Her black wings twitched a final time...and then were still... Breathing a heavy sigh of relief, Zell sank to the ground. "Everyone ok?" "Squall!" Rinoa suddenly remembered, rushing to his side. She pulled his head in her lap, pushing back his blood-matted hair. A deep gash ran across his forehead, spilling dark blood on her hands. "Squall?" she whispered, silently begging him to open his eyes. He didn't move, didn't breathe. Seifer suddenly burst in, his gunblade at the ready. He noticed Squall and Rinoa on the floor and shook his head, sadly putting his weapon away. "Too late..." "No...," Rinoa moaned, wildly turning to the others. "Quick, someone give me a phoenix down, a potion...ANYTHING!" Selphie turned away, burying her face in Irvine's coat. He gently hugged her. Quistis moved over to Rinoa and laid a soft hand on her shoulder. "Rinoa," she said quietly. "I think he's gone..." "He can't be gone!" she sobbed, holding him tightly. Memories of finding him after the last battle with Ultimecia filled her mind, how he had come back to her, but she had been a sorceress then, and now... Rinoa looked up wildly at the still form of Ultimecia. If she were only a sorceress again... Jumping up from Squall, she ran towards Ultimecia. The evil sorceress glanced up at her weakly. "Give me your powers!" Rinoa cried, kneeling down beside her. A slow, evil grin spread across Ultimecia's face. "It will never be over for you," she whispered darkly. With a hiss, she sent her powers to Rinoa, the bright flames jumping between their bodies. As the transfer was complete, Ultimecia's body slowly disintegrated into nothingness. Rinoa gasped as her old powers flooded back through her body. She reveled in the power and despised it all at the same time as it sapped her strength and left her crouching breathless on the floor. She tried to clear her spinning mind, knowing she had to save Squall. Struggling to get to her feet, she collapsed to the ground as she reached her love, holding his head in her hands. She sent her power through him, desperately trying to save him. He lay still, though, unmoving as tears of helplessness began to form in her eyes. "Rinoa...," a voice called from behind her, but she ignored them. 'This has to work!' her mind screamed. 'It has to!' She willed him to live, willed him to breathe, begged him to only say her name once more. There were so many things she wanted to tell him... 'No!' she thought wildly as a tear slid down her cheek and landed on Squall's face. "You can't leave me!" she yelled. She threw herself onto Squall's chest as the last of her strength left her. "I can't do it," she sobbed heavily. "I just can't do it..." Suddenly, a ragged breath shook through Squall's body. A small moan escaped his lips as his eyelids fluttered open. He stared down at Rinoa in wonder, slowly bringing his hand up to gently touch her head. "My...angel...," he murmured. Rinoa looked up with wide eyes, unbelieving. "Squall?" she whispered. He smiled weakly. "Rinoa..." With a cry of happiness, she threw her arms tightly around him. Squall groaned loudly and she jumped back. "Sorry," she mumbled, wiping a tear from her eye. Squall nodded, grimacing in pain. "It's ok," he gasped. "Though a potion would be nice." "One X-potion coming right up," Zell said, tossing the powder to him. Squall took it eagerly as Rinoa helped him to his feet. "I thought I'd lost you," Rinoa whispered, throwing her arms around him and burying her head in his chest. He hugged her back, though slightly uncertainly. "Why did you leave?" he asked quietly. "I just thought..." Rinoa sighed. "I was wrong. I swear I'll never leave your side again." Squall wrapped his arms more tightly around her, breathing a sigh of relief. "I'm still a sorceress," Rinoa said quietly, "but as long as you love me I don't care anymore." "Then you don't have to worry," Squall replied, kissing her gently on the forehead. "I love you, Rinoa, and that's never gonna change." She looked up at him with a smile, her eyes shining brightly. "I love you too," she whispered, wrapping her arms around his neck as he bent down to kiss her. Irvine looked over at Selphie as Rinoa and Squall became absorbed in each other. "Well," he said with a shrug, "as long as everyone else is doing it..." Taking off his hat, he picked Selphie up and spun her around, kissing her as he held her high in the air. Selphie broke off breathlessly with a grin. "Woo-hoo!" she cried. "We need to do that more often!" Quistis glanced at Seifer from the corner of her eye. She absolutely refused to be left out of everything again. And it was either Seifer or Zell... "Oh why not?" she said, flinging her hands in the air as she pulled Seifer down to kiss her. His eyes widened in shock as he stood stiffly. "I...I...Instructor?" Seifer gasped, not exactly sure what to do. Zell grinned as everyone else enjoyed themselves. 'My turn!' he thought, looking around the room. He suddenly realized that he was the only one without a partner. "Wh...what about me?" he asked pitifully. With a laugh, Selphie ran over and kissed him on the cheek, ruffling up his hair. "Hey!" Zell shouted, bouncing into fighting position. "NOBODY touches the hair!" Unable to resist, Selphie messed it up again, giggling loudly as Zell chased her through the room. "You think it's funny?!?" Zell shouted. "I'll show YOU funny!" "Hey, hey!" Irvine yelled, joining in the chase. "You better not hurt her or I'll..." Rinoa laughed as the three ran around them. She smiled up at Squall. "Well," she said, "It's good to know things are back to normal." With a grin, Squall reached down to kiss her again, just thankful he could hold Rinoa in his arms once again. 'Yes it is,' he thought. 'Yes it is.' ------------------------------------------------------------------------- And that is THE END - of Part I. I was planning on this being the last chapter, but I have decided to continue it on a bit, if that will not be too painful for all you faithful readers! :) I'm planning on introducing some new characters, new villains anyway. Hopefully the next chapter will be out before too long. Thanks for sticking with me! I would really love to know what you think, whether you thought it was the greatest thing you've ever read, really couldn't believe you wasted all that time getting through it, or thought it could have been improved just a little bit if... well, you get the picture. let me know! squalls_angel@lycos.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thank you for not having distributed, sold, copied, or in any other way tried to rip me off on any of the other sections. i know you won't for this one either. so don't! this is my fanfic, MINE! mwahahaha! err...um...just look over the evil laughter thing. thank you. heehee...