A/N All of the quotes that you will see throughout this fic are books written by fictional authors in the framework of the world of Final Fantasy 7, 8 and 10 about the heroes of Spira and Gaia, which by the way is owned by Square-Enix and not by me :grumble:. Think of it this way, if you had gone through time compression or the pilgrimage of Yuna wouldn’t you get a book deal? All thoughts are in italics as well. Enjoy and relax. Review if you like. Seeing as how as this is my first fic I’m expecting flames so I don’t mind.

The formatting problems were kind of a blessing in disguise as I fixed a lot of things in this story. The grammar is still far from perfect, but it’s better now. I even added a few things here and there. Some examples are a new Laguna-Raine scene in chapter 54, and I completely changed the Rinoa/Laguna conversation in chapter 14.

The chapter 14 stuff works towards a nice, new OC who will be introduced soon in Genesis. Nothing terribly important has been changed, but I hope it’s an easier and more enjoyable read now. I also removed many of the silly author notes, and how can you not like that?

Enough talk, on with the show!

Even with all of my accomplishments, there was always an emptiness. President of a nation, defeat of a sorceress, it was never enough. I had no one to call my own blood and share it with. My wife had died long before, and no one from Winhill would even tell me how or why? That all changed when Ellone came back to me. I learned of him and life and light returned into all things. I saw him for the first time in space, before the station was destroyed in the Lunar Cry. It was nothing more than a glimpse marred by my space suit and his. The second time was a much clearer look. My first thoughts were here is the flower of my love with Raine. This is my son! I have a son!

From Laguna: Memories of an Estharian President

My name is Bahamut. You think you know me? I have to laugh at that. I am as old as time itself. So much I have seen and done. The clashing of Meteor and Holy, Time Compression, Sin. All these I have seen and participated in one way or another. Often in ways you could only guess at.

How can I have seen all this? The answer is simple. Time has no meaning for myself and my brethren. We are the eternal guardians of this world. Sworn to protect it from an ancient and powerful being who seeks dominance and destruction over all. We work very hard to make sure you don’t even know he exists. Sometimes we fail, and our conflict spills over into your world.

It is at these times we call upon our champions in the mortal realm. One such as I see before me. You would instantly recognize him, if you could see what I see. His hair has grown longer, in unconscious imitation of his father. and he is five years older since he survived Time Compression.

Physical changes are after all, unimportant. He is far more different in other ways. More open, friendlier, far more at ease with himself and others. He believes he has left his burdens behind him, that he is free to live as he wishes. He could not be more wrong.

Squall shall go on a journey soon, one he can’t even begin to imagine at the moment.

Enjoy your last moments of peace my friend. You shall be called upon soon. I, this world, and the future need you, far more than you could ever know. Your story has not ended, it has only now truly begun.

Breathing in the cool night air, Squall swept his gaze across the city of Esthar. No matter how many times he saw it, there was always a sense of child-like wonder. The mishmash of lights and buildings combined for an explosion of color that was unmatched. His thoughts drifted to times past as he remembered the first time he arrived. He didn’t appreciate it as much as he should have, but to be fair he had a lot on his mind. Carrying the girl in a coma who meant everything to you tended to limit your perceptions.

There was no doubt that that was a turning point in his life. It was the first time he had ever cared enough about something to not care what people thought. Squall sighed as he wondered what Rinoa and his friends were doing at that very moment. His thoughts were drifting towards them more and more lately. It had been three years since had left as an active SeeD and entered the reserve program he had instituted as Commander.

He always thought it a shame that older members of SeeD were forced out after a certain age. His directive had been a stroke of brilliance as many former members of SeeD who missed the life and camaraderie had entered their applications. His office was swarmed by paperwork for almost a year afterward. The task and administrative details were a lot harder than even fighting Ultimecia. In the end though, the program was successful and he was as proud of it as anything he had been in his life.

As a reserve all he needed to do was participate in missions when he was selected. SeeD reserve members were selected for two missions every year. None was to take longer than a week. If it went longer another reserve or active SeeD were to take over. In return the reserve members received unlimited access to any Garden and their facilities, and could even live there if it was demonstrated that they had a need. Not that any mission was particularly strenuous these days, mostly consisting of guard duty.

The world had broken out in a serious case of peace after the Second Sorceress War. Galbadia and Esthar had signed a truce and the rest of the world had followed their example. All in all it was a boring world, and Squall found that he liked that. Though he doubted Zell did.

He stifled a chuckle as he thought of the most excitable member of his team. He had become an instructor of all things, and in a big surprise, by all accounts he was excellent, though he imagined Commander Trepe had to rein him in every now and then.

Quistis the commander, and Zell, Irvine, and Selphie the instructors; qnd RinoaSquall couldn’t help but dwell on the mistakes that had led to their end. Rinoa had taken and passed the SeeD exam and they were happy for a short time after the war, but after all they were both only seventeen years old. Both had begun to chafe as they realized how much of life they had to see and experience yet.

A mutual decision was made that neither of them were ready to shackle themselves to someone for the rest of their lives. The breakup was somewhat amicable, and he still counted her as a friend, though he sometimes hoped for more.

It had been two years since he had seen her though, not since her last checkup with Odine. The scientist seemed convinced that Rinoa still had some vestige of her powers left. Squall thought that ridiculous. She had manifested no sign of it as far as he could tell. They had gone through Time Compression after all, they were damned lucky Rinoa’s powers were the only thing that had been lost.

She was still a reserve member last time he had heard. He sought to stop the train of thought, as he all he wanted anymore was to lead the life that he had chosen for himself. Not the one that was forced on him. He tugged at the bow tie of his tuxedo and sighed.

“Whatever, ” he said out loud to himself and chuckled.

“Don’t tell me your relapsing.”

Squall turned and saw his father, Laguna. “Only if you insist on being a moron.”

Laguna faked a leg cramp, and Squall smiled inwardly. His father said, “I just came out to see what you’re doing. Sorry for dragging you into this. I know how much you hate these political functions.”

“Shouldn’t you be keeping the Timber delegation happy?”

“Aw, come on. Even I can take only so much cocktail party talk. Besides as a soldier, the word party always involved lots of beer and property damage.”

Squall found it hard to keep from smiling, as he found it hard to imagine how close he and his father had become these past few years. Laguna had revealed himself as his father shortly after the defeat of Ultimecia. He had been angry at first, but soon came to realize that being bitter and angry would help no one. The bumbling exterior was just that, an exterior, and Squall came to realize that there was much about his father that was admirable, great even. He came to see him first as a friend, and then later as a father.

Squall replied dryly, “You won’t make the presidential hall of fame that way.”

“Probably not.” Laguna shrugged good naturedly, “Presidents are human, too.”

“At least you don’t have to put up with it much longer. Kiros is taking over in a month right?”

“Yep. I’m looking forward to retirement. Besides, sometimes I think he was the president anyway. Plus I can finally stop hiding the fact that the legend is my son.”

Squall smiled slightly, realizing his father was just needling him a bit. They had talked about this many times. Squall really didn’t want a security force trailing after him. It was bad enough that he was considered a celebrity, and recognized almost everywhere he went. He neither needed nor wanted the extra attention.

“Whatever.”

“Oh, I almost forgot. The commandant of the Esthar military academy is going to be starting a gun blade training program. He was wondering if you’d be interested in teaching?”

“Sure. Mind if I bring in another to help?”

“Him you mean?” Squall nodded and Laguna continued, “Why not?” He grinned. “Oh, there’s some guests inside who are interested in seeing you. I told them I’d bring you along shortly.” He opened the balcony door and motioned for Squall to follow.

Squall rubbed between his eyes absently, afraid his dad was asking him to meet with a member of the media. “No reporters. What more can I say that hasn’t been said? And I‘m very tired of being asked when me and Rinoa are getting back together.”

Laguna smiled mysteriously. His father was of the mind that they would one day get back together. “Don’t jump the gun, son.. I’ve never set you up like that, and never will. It’s something else.”

“What then?”

He heard a squeal and suddenly found it hard to breathe as arms wrapped around him. “Squall!”

He looked down and saw a petite person with enormously strong arms who went by the name of Selphie Tilmitt. He was glad to see her, but was still of the opinion that breathing every few seconds was an actual necessity. He inserted his arms between hers and broke the hold. He was gathering in a breath when he saw that she wasn’t alone. Quistis, Zell, and Irvine were there as well.

Squall was amazed how glad he was to see that Rinoa had come as well. They all gathered around him and Squall found himself surrounded on all sides by his comrades in arms. The lack of space, normally an annoyance, didn’t bother him at all. Squall was far from demonstrative, but his tiny smile spoke volumes to these people of how pleased Squall actually was.

Selphie broke from the group upon acquiring her next target. “Sir Laguna!” she yelled and encased him in a bone crunching hug. Laguna struggled to draw breath and mouthed the word ‘help’ to Irvine.

Irvine being on the receiving end of quite a few of these, understood immediately and gently disengaged Selphie from the president. “Friends don’t let friends suffocate Selphie.”

“Oh, sorry Sir Laguna.” She continued to bounce happily in place.

Laguna was relieved and began to breathe again. He cleared his throat to speak. “Well kids, enjoy. I have to go and be the good host to the rest of our guests.” He waved and departed, leaving the gang to enjoy their reunion.

They were all still happy and trying to talk at once, when Quistis said, “Maybe we should find a table in a corner or something.” She indicated the media who had begun to gather around and the guests who were disturbed at seeing such shocking behavior in high society. They all nodded agreement and found a secluded table in the back.

“Why are you all here?” Squall asked.

Zell laughed. “We’re having our five year reunion, baby!”

Squall mentally counted and found that Zell was correct. It was surprising how quickly the time had passed. He accepted it and concentrated on the conversation of his friends.

The night wore on and they all caught up with what each was doing. All except Rinoa, who was being uncharacteristically silent.

She merely glanced at him every now and then, and her lips would move as if she was on the verge of saying something. Squall made a mental note to ask her why later. Suddenly the initial notes of ‘Waltz on the Moon’ began. Rinoa smirked and leaped up and grabbed Squall’s hand. “Come on Squall it’s one of our songs!” Squall struggled to free himself but Rinoa’s hand gripped tighter. “Resistance is futile!”

Squall knew when he was defeated and followed Rinoa onto the dance floor. He faked some clumsiness and Rinoa smacked him on the arm. Squall looked at her innocently, but Rinoa knew better, “Meany! I know you know how!”

Squall half smiled and they both began to dance flawlessly. The other dancers stopped when they saw who they were. Squall suddenly felt the whole world was staring at the two of them.

He never understood the world’s former need to bunch the two of them together in a box. They had been apart for four years now. It was all long gone. He stared into Rinoa’s eyes and felt an old sense of longing begin to return. Ok, maybe not so over after all.

Polite clapping followed the end of the song, and Squall glanced over to see his father speaking to the bandmaster. He was apparently making a song request. The opening bars of ’Eyes on Me’ settled over the room.

He didn’t, Squall thought. He did. He’s dead.

“Shall We?” Rinoa asked, turning to him smiling.

Squall looked at all the expectant faces around him. He got the feeling he’d be lynched if he didn’t. Despite it all, he found himself staring into her eyes with a soft expression. “How can we not?”’

Laguna, however, was a dead man.