Chapter Nine

Squall bent over again, still panting hard from rushing to Quistis’s office from the Ragnarok with Selphie. Squall looked up at Quistis then to Irvine who was standing next to her, both of them looking appalled.

“What? Squall what are you talking about!” exclaimed Quistis. Squall, still panting stumbled over to a chair, Selphie following close behind and sat down and tried to catch his breath so that he could tell Quistis the whole story.

He slouched over and watched as Irvine and Quistis walked slowly over to them and sat down across from them, Zell and Nida stood up, Nida leaning against the wall, and Zell pacing back and forth.

Squall sat upright and leaned back against the chair. “I… we…” he said looking at Selphie. Squall began telling them about what they had seen, everyone staying silent. The only sounds were Selphie’s and Squall’s quick breaths.

He began explaining how when they arrived there they seen panic in the small country village. They landed the Ragnarok outside the village and ran in to find children crying and adults running around, many of them panicking.

Squall paused, unsure what they had seen. Squall decided to tell them how it was, exactly. He explained how they ran towards the end of the village where their house was, and saw it completely destroyed and burned down.

All over the street was scattered contents of the house, broken glass, clothes, food. Everything in the house was ruined, and the house was burnt to the ground. They walked around the house to the back shed which was also burnt and its contents everywhere, luckily the weapons were hidden in an underground secret storage area.

All the trees around the house and some of their neighbor’s houses were ruined and burned also. Squall stopped and waited for a reaction, he didn’t want to continue. He looked Selphie who was leaning back in her chair, her eyes closed and her mouth twisted into a frown.

He peered over to Nida, who had slipped down the wall into a crouching position, looking out the window, his eyebrows raised in a shocked manner. Squall looked down again then to Zell who had still been pacing with a concerned and worried expression, Irvine who had also began pacing looked much like Zell did.

Squall turned to Quistis who had a horrified look on her face, she was staring at Squall. After what seemed a long silence Zell spoke, “Do…. Do you think that this is…? Adel?” he stuttered.

Squall looked up at him, so did everyone else, many of them nodding in agreement. “When we were leaving…. One of the people in the village told us that there were soldiers there in green uniforms. She said that they walked like zombies, or robots.” Squall whispered.

Squall put his head back into his hands and waited for someone to say something, which was right away. “Adel’s Soldiers…. You know what they’re after… they’re after Aurora…!” Quistis said in a harsh voice staring at the wall.

Squall looked up at her then bolted out of his chair and towards the elevator. He planned to go… just go and warn his family. Squall pressed the button repeatedly waiting for the elevator and Quistis grabbed his arm. “They’re safe here, and its no good to get them too worried! Laguna is on his way, at least he is safe too now, don’t you worry, just sit down.”

Squall looked back at her then followed her back to the couch and sat down beside Selphie and picked up his Lionheart and twiddled with it then put it back down. Squall listened, there was a long silence and then he heard an aircraft off in the distance. Laguna was nearly there.

Squall was tired of the silence, and everyone staring at him in pity so he got up and walked onto the deck. He slumped across the railing and looked down as the seagulls played in the air near the rapidly rotating rings. He looked back into the horizon and noticed that they were approaching Galbadia Continent near Dollet.

He looked off the side again to see the airship moving rapidly closer and closer then landed on the landing platform next to the Ragnarok. It was only a matter of time before Laguna, Ellone, Kiros, Ward and Dr. Odine arrived in the office.

Squall knew that he would have to go over the story again for them all… about losing his home… his home in Winhill, the only place that he felt close to his family and his mother, Raine.

Squall was right, minutes after he stepped back into the office and saw the elevator door opening. Laguna, Kiros, Ward and Ellone stepped out. Squall stopped and looked at Laguna.

Small lines were visable on his face, his long black hair cut short. He wore a black button up shirt with beige pants. Squall glanced at Kiros and Ward who still wore the white Estharian robes the to Ellone who had on a white shirt with a blue skirt and her green shawl.

Laguna looked into his son, Squall’s eyes and knew his sadness all at once. That feeling of not being able to protect the person that you love came flowing back to him and he forced his eyes away to stop himself from crying.

Laguna looked back at Squall after controlling his emotions and said quietly, “Hello, Squall.” Laguna looked at him a moment and actually saw him swallow tears and greet him back politely.

Laguna turned to the rest of the group and greeted them all politely then turned to Quistis and gave her a look of gratefulness. Laguna was glad that Quistis told him to come, that she warned him and he thanked her for that.

Laguna looked at Quistis some more who told him that it mostly Squall’s idea so he turned to Squall and took him by the arm and led him onto the deck and closed the doors and glanced in to see Kiros, Ward and Ellone begin to talk to everyone.

Laguna turned to Squall who was looking at him confusedly. “Squall, look… I know how you feel right now and I do thank you for the idea of the fake president… but you don’t have to explain anything.” Laguna said pointedly. Laguna looked at Squall who still looked confused.

“How? How do you know what I feel, how I feel… you never had children to protect, that were teenagers.” Squall said bitterly. Laguna walked to the railing and looked down at the ocean.

“Squall… I know your still bitter about me leaving your mother as and you as a baby but believe or not I was going to protect Ellone! Now is not the time to start on this, but I do know how it feels, to not think that you can protect the people you love.” Laguna said quietly.

Laguna turned back around to look at Squall. “I’m sorry…. I just, it’s hard and I don’t really want to go through all of this again!” said Squall softly, his bitterness gone. Laguna sighed and said, “I understand that Squall, I’m not asking you too… why don’t you take a walk or something, I know this is hard for you.”

Laguna looked right into Squall’s eyes which stared back him and then in a gracious tone of voice Squall spoke, “Ok… ok, I’ll talk a walk. Thank you…” Laguna looked at him blankly. “For what?” Laguna said still looking at him. “Being my father, Laguna.” He said back then turned on his heel and walked back into the office.

Laguna watched from the deck as Ellone ran after him and stopped dead at the elevator and waved him good bye and turned to come out onto the deck, instead Laguna walked back into the office. Laguna stopped once inside as Quistis walked over to him and asked where Squall went so Laguna told her that he needed a break and she understood right away.

Laguna leaned against the wall next to the slouched Nida who barely noticed he was there, not the kind of attention he was used to. Laguna kicked his feet back and forth a bit then looked back up when Quistis asked him where Dr. Odine was.

“Dr. Odine? I don’t really know…. I tried to contact him like you asked me too but he wasn’t there. I found that odd considering he’s always at his office or in a place to be contacted!” Laguna said.

Laguna looked across the room at Selphie and Irvine, the last time he had seen them they were teenagers going to defeat the evil sorceress Ultimecia. “Do you think maybe he’s gone to Adel, you know she could have sent some of those soldier’s of hers to get him as she sent them to destroy Squall’s house.” Quistis said and Laguna turned his head to her once again.

“I suppose…. What happened to Squall’s house anyway?” Laguna said looking at Quistis who had gone to her desk and sat down. “Didn’t he tell you? I thought he did when you were out on the deck.” She said. “No… he didn’t want to talk about it.” Laguna said in a low tone.

Laguna looked down after seeing Quistis nod and she began to tell him the entire story. About Aurora being a sorceress to them arriving to Squall’s house burning and being destroyed. Laguna looked up at Quistis who sighed long and deep after explaining that to Laguna.

“Whoa… that’s a lot to take in…” Laguna said raising his eyebrows. “Aurora… little Aurora is a sorceress?” he added.

Laguna looked around the room. Kiros and Ward sat slumped over. Ellone stood in the corner with a tear rolling down her cheek. Laguna looked back at Quistis. “Maybe its time we all took a break, especially you!” he said while standing up and walking over to Ellone and putting his arm around her shoulder.

Laguna looked back at Quistis who agreed and watched everyone leave. Selphie, Irvine, Zell, and Nida all went down to the Cafeteria to get some lunch. Kiros and Ward had decided to stay, as did Quistis who walked out onto the deck. Laguna looked at Ellone. “C’mon, lets go see my granddaughter and daughter in-law” Laguna said and looked at Ellone who nodded and then they got onto the elevator and set off to see Rinoa and Aurora.

Rinoa looked across the room at Aurora. They had never made it to the cafeteria because Squall came and got Selphie and they left so Aurora and Rinoa went back to their dormitory room to talk.

“So…. Did you have fun last night, Aurora. Don’t worry, you can tell me, I’m not mad anymore.” Rinoa said softly looking at Aurora who looked up surprised but somewhat happy. “Oh it was wonderful… umm, I borrowed your dress too… dad gave it to me.” Aurora replied.

Rinoa stared at Aurora then smiled, thinking how beautiful she must have looked. Just as Rinoa was about to pursue the conversation there was a knock on the door. Rinoa got up and answered it.

Rinoa looked out into the hallway… Laguna Loire and Ellone stood in the doorway, half-smiling but had that worried look in their eyes. “Hello!” Laguna said looking into the room at Aurora, and his smile turned to a scared and worried frown.

Chapter 10

Laguna stared into the dorm room to Aurora. For a fraction of a second he thought that he saw her eyes turn black, her fingers shot out flames of fire and her hair turned jet black. He quickly erased this thought and figured that it was nothing, just his imagination.

He walked over to and sat down on the bed next to Rinoa, then greeted Aurora; Ellone sat on the other side of Rinoa. “How are you doing? Are you okay?” Laguna said quietly staring at Rinoa as she sat straight up and looked at him.

“I’m fine…. Why wouldn’t I be ok?” Rinoa said frightfully. Laguna stared at her, shocked that she didn’t know. “You… you don’t know…. About your house?” he said with his eyes bulging.

Laguna looked over to Aurora who had taken her attention from the window and stared at him. “What…. What’s wrong with our house?” she said in a rattling voice. Laguna stared at her, unsure of how tell them. “Yeah, what’s wrong Laguna?” Rinoa said fretfully.

Laguna looked down at the floor, thinking about how he should have waited for Squall to come back so that he could tell them but figured that he wouldn’t be back all day… at that he heard an aircraft take off… the Ragnarok was flying away.

Laguna’s eyes darted around the room, to everyone, they were all looking out the window at the Ragnarok. Laguna figured Squall wanted to get out of the Garden, no matter how bad of a flyer he was.

Everyone looked back to Laguna, Rinoa and Aurora asking where he was going so Laguna reluctantly decided it would be better to just tell them then keep anything from the two people most important in Squall’s life.

He told Rinoa and Aurora about arriving at the Garden after a warning from Quistis and seeing Squall upset, he had just arrived from Winhill because he went to get their weapons. The family’s house had been completely destroyed, burned down, contents from the house all over the street.

After telling Rinoa and Aurora the story they both looked at each other and tears came out. Laguna watched sadly as Rinoa stood up and walked over to Aurora and hugged her, both of them weeping over their lost house, their lives would never be the same. They lost everything.

Laguna still sat on the bed and waited for the Rinoa and Aurora to calm down and decided to change the subject. It would be better for them to talk about other things then their lost house and the Adel situation.

They sat all afternoon in the dormitory, Aurora left briefly to fetch some food, and they all talked. Ellone deep in conversation with Aurora about boys and Laguna talking with Rinoa about her flower shop, but there were many pauses as she thought about how it was all gone.

Laguna heard Aurora say something about a SeeD ball that she went to the night prior to his arriving and how much fun it was; she even had a date. Laguna began to become not so sad when the conversations began to become happier.

Around 6’o’clock Laguna watched as Aurora stood up. She asked if it would be ok if she went for a walk around the garden and was back later. Laguna saw Rinoa’s face flicker to a small frown then she agreed that it would be fine so long as she was no later then 9 coming back.

Laguna watched as Aurora ran to her room then she took off out the dorm door. Laguna sat with Rinoa and Ellone still deep into conversation.

Dawn was standing near the front gate with Jem when she saw Aurora walking around alone and decided to go see her so she told Jem she’d be back later and went…. Dawn had found a little secret of hers that she wanted to talk to Aurora about, her parents.

Dawn approached Aurora from the back and tapped her on the shoulder that scared Aurora half to death. “Ah! Oh… Dawn… its you!” she squeaked still fidgety from Dawn scaring her.

“Yeah… it’s me, Aurora. Look I didn’t mean to scare you like that but I need to talk to you.” Dawn said. “I know that you lied to me, why? I know your secret now.” Dawn looked at Aurora who was then staring at the ground.

“I’m so sorry… I’m sorry I lied, I just didn’t want you to start on who my parent’s were… and…” Aurora said quietly. Dawn stared at her, “And what?”

“Well, that I’m a… a……… sorceress, everyone knew but me!” Aurora said even more quiet. Dawn stared at her in shock. “You’re a what! I never knew that, I just knew about your mom and dad… your, you’re a sorceress?” she said.

Dawn watched as Aurora lifted her head quickly with frightened eyes and whispered, “You didn’t know….. You didn’t……..” Dawn ran after Aurora who began to run away and Dawn caught up easily and stepped in front of her.

“Why are running?” Dawn said slightly panting as Aurora looked at her surprised. “Aren’t you gonna leave me, aren’t you afraid of me? I’m a sorceress!” she exclaimed in a whisper. Dawn stared at her confused.

“You think I’d just stop being friends with you because of that? I don’t care and of course I’m not afraid of you! Listen, why don’t you forget about it, I don’t care that you lied, I understand.” Dawn said. “C’mon… Dean told me to bring you to the secret area in the training center, he wants to talk to you.”

Dawn looked at Aurora who looked slightly happier, and relieved. Dawn smiled at Aurora and Aurora smiled back, arm in arm they walked to the Training Center together, to see who Aurora was falling in love with, Dean.

Aurora followed closely behind Dawn who lead the way through the training center, defeating and small monsters that arrived and running from the bigger ones like the T-Rexuars.

Aurora, still following Dawn closely, stepped into a beautiful place, where there was a giant window that covered the wall. Leaning on the railing near the window was Dean, smiling. Aurora smiled back and walked towards him and looked back to see Dawn giving thumbs up and then leaving.

Aurora walked towards the railing, to Dean still smiling. They were the only ones in the “secret area” at that point. Aurora stared into Dean’s eyes and he bent down his head to kiss her then greeted her nicely.

Aurora looked away from Dean and out the window. The sun was setting, the Garden moving rapidly along with land into the Dollet mountain ranges while the sun set nicely behind them There was a orangish haze in the air and seagulls were playing in the sky while floating along side the Garden.

The stars began to come out in the top on the sky and the orange haze was fading leaving a beautiful starry night as they headed towards Timber. Aurora looked at Dean again. “Isn’t it lovely out! I just love the stars, don’t you!”

Aurora looked at Dean, a smile cracked across his handsome face and he looked out into the stars. “I just couldn’t wait to see you again, after last night I missed you so much… I think that I’m falling in love with you…” Dean said softly into Aurora’s ear.

At that Dean became to nuzzle her neck with cheek, he kissed her softly and they sank down to the ground. Dean began to get a little touchier. After a while of kissing Dean went too far.

The next thing she knew he was on top on her and she told him to get off but he wouldn’t. He tried to undress her but Aurora began to get angry and all of the sudden Aurora’s eyes turned black, as did her hair and beams of energy shot out of hands at his chest and he flew several yards backwards into the wall and slumped there.

Aurora stood up and backed away, shocked, her eyes turned normal again so did her hair. Aurora stared at her hands, shocked at what she’d done then looked at Dean who was completely horrified. Aurora watched as he stood up and moved inch by inch across the room.

“Its… its true… you’re a ………. A sorceress!” Dean stuttered still moving slowly away towards the door, a horrified look on his face. “St…..stay away from……from me.” He stuttered again.

Aurora stared at him; tears began rolling down her cheeks. “Dean, I……” she began but was interrupted by Dean. “NO! Don’t…. I can’t believe I thought that I was…… in love…. With you? I was crazy!”

Aurora stared at him, shocked, and hurt, more tears sprouted down her face and she fell to her knees on the floor and wept. “I… I…. Don’t’ leave me here……!” Aurora said weeping as Dean backed out the doorway.

Aurora looked at him one last time, at the look on her face that would haunt her forever, the first boy that she ever liked, and began to love, was leaving just because she was a…..sorceress.

Aurora watched as he did a complete turn and ran as fast as he could, away from there, from her. She was left, alone, in the “secret area” crying. Aurora stood up and tried to calm down, she managed to get her tears to a minimum and she walked over to the railing and leaned against it.

She looked down at the floor, a few teardrops landed on her shoes and she looked back up, blinded by a purplish blue light. For nearly 30 seconds the purplish blue light was so powerful, wide and bright, she couldn’t see anything else. All of the sudden it stopped and the sky was normal again.

Aurora got worried…. She knew what it was, she heard what Quistis said but she just didn’t want to face them right then. Aurora stood, leaning on the railing looking up at the stars, for nearly an hour then she saw a shooting star. (Last time it didn’t come true, why would it this time) she thought.

Aurora looked at her watch, it read 8’o’clock, and she had been there for nearly two hours. Aurora wiped around and began to run out the door but bumped into a guy. He had dark brown hair, tied into a ponytail with brilliant green eyes. He wore a green t-shirt and a silver chair necklace and black pants. In his belt was a modern gunblade.

Aurora looked up at him after falling to the ground, he gave her his hand and helped her up and apologized. Aurora stared at him, there was just something about him. Aurora nodded and continued running out into the training center determined to get through without running into any monsters.

Aurora stopped dead, she saw the door right across the bridge standing ajar. She began to walk towards it but saw two men dressed in green uniforms walk out from behind a bush, she ducked so they wouldn’t see her and listened.

They were saying something about finding the sorceress… Aurora got scared, for her and her mother. Aurora kept listening intently when they said they got the black-haired one… and the woman with the green shawl. Aurora swallowed hard.

Rinoa and Ellone were taken away, her Mother and Aunt, gone. Aurora crawled away, she went around the bend and saw the other door and began running towards it once out of view of the soldiers.

Aurora stopped dead, nearly ten monsters attacked her. They were small dragon type creatures with blade tails. Aurora ran, as fast she could back towards the “secret area” but tripped and all the monsters surrounded her.

Many of them looked ready to pounce as Aurora stood up and stumbled a bit. The circle got tighter and Aurora realized there was no way out. One of the creatures pounced but missed another landed on top of her and knocked Aurora to the ground. Aurora struggled but just couldn’t fight it off.

Aurora kept struggling and then, once again, her eyes and hair turned black, and beams of energy shot out of her hands. Once back to normal Aurora stood up, the creature lay, unconscious on the ground, but not dead. There was just too many and she didn’t know how she did that.

Another creature pounced on Aurora as she began to run and took her off her feet. Aurora landed hard and lay there, to hurt to move. The next thing she knew the creatures were squeaking and squawking. A man with a gunblade was attacking one of the creatures.

Aurora closed her eyes and then opened them again, two of the creatures were dead but the man was being overrun. “HEY YOU!” he yelled. Aurora stared up at him, still surrounded by creatures. “STAND UP. CONCENTRATE HARD. SAY ULTIMA IN YOUR HEAD” he shouted.

Aurora looked at him confused but decided that she had nothing to lose so she stood up and stumbled, blood ran down her face from being hit on the head but she concentrated. (Ultima… Ultima…………..U-L-T-I-M-A…) she concentrated. Her head hurt so much she nearly fainted but kept going.

The next thing she knew her surroundings were beginning to turn dark, our of her hand came a bright light and what seemed to be a large explosion happened within seconds. Aurora looked around. Everything was back to normal and all of the creatures lay dead. Blood was everywhere and the guy with the gunblade stood there, holding his side panting.

Aurora collapsed. (I… I did that?) She thought. The guy walked over and slumped down beside her and looked at her. “Are you okay” he said panting. Aurora stared off into space, not knowing what to think… “I’m… I’m… I did that?” she said in disbelief.

Aurora looked over at the guy who was looking at her, a smile creased across his face, “Yes… you did. You saved out lives.” He said. Aurora looked away again, even more surprised but then she remembered something, two soldiers, looking for her.

“We have to go…..We have to…” Aurora said but was cut off by the guy grabbing her hand and running. He had seen the two soldiers and they took off running before they were seen.

The two of them ran straight up to Quistis’s office panting and looking around. Quistis, Irvine, Zell, Selphie and some other guys were sitting in the circle of sofa’s they were all startled.

“Mom….. Aunt Elle….. Gone….. Taken by green soldiers….” Aurora panted looking at Quistis who didn’t look at all surprised. “We know, Aurora….. Esthar’s been taken over, Adel is definetely back.” Quistis said sadly looking at the guy with the gunblade strangely.