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Disclaimer: I don’t own the characters. Square Enix does.
Warnings: Blood. Violence. Cursing. Horror (?). Shonenai.
The idea's been lurking for eons but it never gets uploaded until now. Hope you like it!! The pairing isn't very apparent at the moment but Kitty promises it'll get better!! Meow!!
Thanks Sway for being the beta. If it so happens you spot some cockroaches running around then it's definitely because kitty's been naughty!!
On with the fic!!
Rewind, if only I could… but…
by konekomh
Prologue
"Please, send in the ambulance!! NOW!!"
"I don't know! (sob) He's been burning with high fever for (sob) I don't (sob) know (sob) and he's (sob) he's now glowing and growing as if he's going to explode any minute. (sob) I'm scared… I'm really, really scared… (sob) please!! Hurry! We're running out of time! He's…"
"GYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!"
A sickening crunch screamed through the line as if the phone was being chewed up in monstrous jaws.
And the line went dead. Completely.
I can't believe it!
How could they…Cold fire was blazing in lazer-blue eyes as Squall stormed across the crystal-encased corridors with his hand busy wiping away the moisture from his cheeks. This is crazy. What happened to me?
Flashback
"There he is!!"
"Dr Odine!!"
"Doctor!!"
The scientist raised a hand above his head and squinted as a myriad of flashes exploded with his first step out of his laboratory. A bunch of photographers and reporters had surrounded his laboratory like locusts swarming over a corn field. Straightening his collar nervously the man visibly gulped before he began to follow his bodyguards.
It was then that Esthar's most famous reporter burst into view and showered words on the scientist like a machine gun. "…Dr Odine, recently there seem to be a new disease to plague Esthar. A number of individuals have been reported to sort of 'transform' after suffering from an incurable high fever for a few days. What do you make of this new development? Could it be caused by the Lunar Cry? Shouldn't the government have done something to protect its innocent civilians?"
Dr Odine didn't hide his grimace as he recalled the reporter's attractive face that was partially hidden beneath soft golden curls. True to her penname Alvera's most recent article had successfully created mass panic in the entire population. Together with the unfortunate incident of having the Lunar Cry landing on their heads the Estharian streets were now almost desolate. Were it not for the fact that the country was surrounded by monster-infested areas, one could be fairly certain that a mass exodus was imminent.
Feeling the strong compulsion to entertain the reporter Dr Odine replied, albeit evasively. "You're making a lot of assumptions here my lady. I've also heard from ze news zat some people claimed zat zey had vwitnessed others changing into zings like werewolves, vampires, mermaids and even Godzilla for Hyne's sake. We are certainly looking into ze cause of ze situation. Your inference to ze Lunar Cry seems quite interesting, my lady." The man didn't even turn towards the reporter as he swam through the mass with his bodyguards clearing the way towards the car.
"I'm afraid you're not answering my question, Doctor. What of the Godzilla captured by the army last week?"
"PLEASE, Doctor! Please help bring my son back!!" Someone in the crowd wailed desperately as she tried to push through the crowd.
"Please tell us what really happened!" The reporter insisted as a bulky man blocked from advancing and forcibly held her back. "People deserve the truth!"
"Excuze me." And the doctor entered his vehicle which quickly departed.
The TV was then clicked off. Laguna Loire, the President of Esthar, dropped the remote onto the table and turned to the SeeDs scattered round the room. "That," the dark haired man gestured towards the now blank screen which was slowly turning transparent to let in the light, "was a forced interview with Dr Odine on the recent incidents. To be honest that reporter was quite close to the truth. We have already despatched a team to monitor her activities-- lest her enthusiasm get her into trouble. Basically what has happened ever since the Lunar Cry a number of civilians have morphed into something out of each of their fantasies and have started to lurk in the city creating havoc. We have been able to contain the giant lizard and a few more but the rest have gone missing. We would like to seek your assistance in locating these individuals and hopefully by that time Dr Odine would be able to cook up something to bring them back to their normal selves."
"So-- that was real?? I mean, people changing into monsters from fairy tales!" Zell Dincht exclaimed and jumped from his perch on the couch. The blond even started to do his renowned shadow-boxing moves to ease off the tension.
"I'm afraid that's the case, Zell. And the irony of this is their families said that the victims had always fantasised about those creatures that they've changed into."
"So it might actually be dreams coming true to them." Irvine Kinneas calmly shared his insights as he sauntered across the room, grabbed a chair and sat on it backwards.
"If you'd like to say so, young man, I'm afraid the answer is yes, most probably. Or maybe it's a nightmare that turns real, who knows."
A chuckle suddenly broke in. It was Seifer Almasy, now working as a direct assistant to the President who had personally recruited the blond from his hiding place in Balamb. No one had ever uttered a word, or rather, no one dared to. Even Galbadia, hungrily looking for a scapegoat, dared not bark in front of the icy glare from the President of the long disappeared superpower.
Apparently the blond was back to his good old self when being surrounded by his old childhood friends, "I wouldn't be surprised if Chicken Wuss one day shows up as a chocobo or even a walking hotdog."
"What did you say??"
"Zell, that's enough! Mr Almasy. I'd suggest you not provoking any of my team mates while we're assigned to work with you." Squall decided he should interfere and moved to stand between the two blonds with his arms crossed over his chest.
"Always the good boy, huh, Commander Leonhart? Fine, I'll accept your suggestion only if you'll agree with mine."
"Squall! Don't take his bait!"
With his face totally blank Squall slightly cocked his head to the side. That was a signal clear enough for Seifer to continue. "I got a say on who's going to work with me."
"Wait! Squall! That's…"
Seifer smirked when he watched Zell's head turning from side to side like a broken surveillance camera. Squall was definitely on his side when the brunet raised a hand to silence the martial artist.
"Deal. As long as we can get this over with efficiently." The golden hair gunblade wielder smiled and nodded.
Before Zell even had a chance to protest Laguna immediately jumped to the rescue. "Wonderful! How about let's say we take a break right now and come back here tonight at 21:00 after you've gone through the data that Kiros gathered?"
The SeeDs saluted and turned towards the door.
"Commander Leonhart."
Squall stopped in his tracks and shared a quick look with Rinoa Heartilly, who now for numerous reasons had to stay with the SeeDs on a long term basis given her status as a sorceress. Despite the seriousness of the situation, the smiling raven-hair girl winked a brown doe eye and motioned that she'd be waiting outside.
Squall then turned and acknowledged the President without a word. Fine brows drew together when he noticed the President's limp as he moved towards him with an awkward smile. Based on his dream world experience that Ellone had forced him through, the Commander was pretty sure that the dark haired man was going through one of his "nervous moments".
"Squall…" Laguna finally stopped in front of the impassive boy.
His gentle face still plastered with that smile which made Squall feel uneasy, the dark hair man raised a shaking hand and moved slowly with caution towards the Commander's face as if fearing for the lion's bite.
'What the…'
Fighting the urge to slap the hand away the brunet stood his ground as he watched the older man's antics. Only the emerald eyes that spoke of gentleness held back the fierce fighter from hitting the man straight in his face.The President's smile broadened slightly as he gently brushed back some loose bangs from the bluish grey that were eyeing him with weariness. It felt as if the man was treating him like a child, a loved child.
'What's he doing?'
Laguna then whispered, "Kiros and Ward are so right."
The chocolate brown mop tilted slightly as he recalled the minimal exchange between himself and the duo during the war….
Ward had said, "It's a good thing you don't look like your father."
To which Kiros added, "You look like your mother, actually."
"You… surely look a lot like your mother… even some of those little gestures…" As if breaking through the last of his mental barriers, the President took a deep breath before he continued with a sad expression, "I never had a chance to tell you… Have you… have you ever wondered about your parents?"
'I can't really remember… it's been so long. Perhaps I've already given up? Wait, what's he trying to say'
Suddenly, Squall felt as if a bucket of ice-cold water poured all over him, and Laguna could actually see his face completely drained of blood. Fearing that he was going to faint, the older man immediately reached out to steady the boy as Squall stumbled backwards. But the Commander pushed the man aside harshly as he tried to gather his wits.
"Don't…" Pale lips mumbled as hallow grey filled with deep anger and confusion and stared at the broken man with sorrowful eyes. 'Is he saying…what I'm thinking? No, I don't want to know…'
"Squall…"
'I don't want to hear this.'
And the SeeD turned abruptly towards the door seeking refuge. "I have no parents." The brunet said. The iciness in his tone pierced straight through the President's heart, causing the older man to drop onto his knees like a marionette being cut off from its strings. "I might have fantasised of them when I was a child… but then…""Squall, please don't do this to Uncle Laguna!!" It was Ellone. She had burst into the room from some hidden doorway with her dark eyes glistening with unshed tears.
Bluish grey eyes narrowed as the Commander stared hard at the intruder who was his Sis. The Sis that had abandoned him... The Sis that he'd desperately cried for during those days in the orphanage… The Sis that never returned when he needed her most…
And now she's back as if everything was alright…
"That's none of your business." Squall snarled when anger laced with unknown fear threatened to shatter him. His hands were clenched so tight that his knuckles had already turned white.
"Squall, please don't walk away. Hear us out. Please. At least give us a chance."
"Ellone, no." Laguna said worriedly when he spotted the dark-haired girl moving towards the seemingly agitated mercenary. "Elle, forget it! He can't…"
But it seemed the girl didn't hear her uncle as she pleaded with determination. "Squall, listen carefully. Raine's your mother."
Pale hands raised to cover his ears as Squall shook his head, fear and confusion plain in his wide eyes as he stepped backwards away from Ellone.
"And Laguna's your father."
And then everything just snapped.
'Why??'
Squall didn't notice he'd yelled it out loud. "WHY NOW?!"The room went completely silent.
"Squall…"
Gingerly stepping closer to the lion Ellone slowly reached out. But her hand stopped in mid-air when Squall peered through his chocolate brown bangs with bluish grey eyes narrowed dangerously. "I won't have it!"
"This wouldn't be fair. You haven't even given him a chance…"
"Fair? What do you mean by fair?! Have you ever, ever, even for a split second, considered how I feel?" Squall angrily wiped his eyes with the back of his hand and continued, "A child left in an orphanage on his own dreaming that some day, even for a brief moment, being able to meet with his parents... Guess what, I'm an orphan! Last I know was my mother died giving birth to me crying out for a man who never cared to return!"
"I'm sorry, Squall. I know this is no excuse but back then everything happened so quickly and I was at a total loss…"
The room suddenly went cold when a lopsided sneer formed on the ethereal face as the Commander spat, "Did it ever occur to the Great-O-President that he should at least say hi to his child while he was at the orphanage looking for little Elle?! What makes you think that you can waltz in to my life like you walked out on us seventeen years ago?"
"Squall, calm down…"
"Fucking Hyne, you didn't even have me on your mind! Even Sis left without a word!"
Ellone fought off the urge to shiver when glistening laser blue filled with sadness pierced her, "Don't you think a little message would have been nice? At least I wouldn't have bothered to stand in the chilly rain for Hyne fucking knows how many days?!"
"I thought…"
A bitter laugh sounded, even Squall himself couldn't recognise his own voice. "You thought… you believed…" Swiping his arm in a wide arc as he turned back to face the duo. "ENOUGH! Stop acting as if you know what I really want! I'm sick of excuses! I'm not your high priest that hears you out as you wallow in your own guilt! What is done is done and there's nothing you can do to change it. The boy has now grown up and he's already given up on his dream. I'm sorry you're mistaken, Mr. President. I don't have a father… even if I had one it wouldn't be you."
See that both pair of eyes avoided his fiery gaze Squall decided to take a deep breath and school his expression before he saluted. "Have a nice day, Mr and Miss Loire. Squall Leonhart will be reporting at 21:00 as requested." At that the Commander immediately stormed off. End flashback
"Squall! Wait up!"
'No… not now...'
The brunet ran his hand through his tussled hair in frustration and continued his long strides in a mad dash."Squall, I can't catch up with you. I said wait!" With an added boost from a small amount of magic the dark haired sorceress finally managed to catch up with her knight and caught him by his wrist. "Squall…"
"What do you want?" The brunet couldn't help but snap as he suddenly halted and spun to face the intruder. "Why can't you just leave me alone?? Everyone just comes and goes as they like!" Rinoa flinched unconsciously. She was completely taken aback when she stared into the glistening gems that were burning in cold fury and hurt.
Squall mentally winced. Lashing out on the dark hair girl was the last thing that he'd ever thought of doing ever since he pledged himself to the sorceress. Noticing what he'd done, bluish grey quickly darted aside.
"What's up?" Rinoa whispered as she raised her hand to cup his face tenderly. Welcoming the gentle warmth that was slightly touched up by some calming magic Squall briefly closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation like a contented kitten. But the stubborn youth still refused to say anything. "Squall, you know you could…"
"Rinoa." Squall gently grabbed the girl's hand and planted a light kiss on her palm as he eyed his sorceress under his bangs apologetically, "Sorry, but not now." And he turned to leave without a word, not noticing a shadow standing around the corner witnessing the entire exchange.
But it never bothered Squall, because he was never sane…
A lopsided smirk formed on thin lips as the brunet pondered about his situation.
'What happened to me?'
A pale hand ran through the chocolate brown mess in frustration. Squall sighed when his hair refused to co-operate and followed the rule of gravity.
'I completely lost it… '
'… What was I thinking?'
'I seemed to have gone completely out of control...'
The tight clench in his heart returned as the brunet recalled the explosive exchange with the President, making greyish blue squeeze shut as if to block out the unwanted emotions.
'Why?'
Squall tensed when a shadow suddenly loomed over him. A booted foot then heavily smashed on the bench, narrowly missing the Commander's thigh. Just as the brunet was about to lash out at the intruder he was greeted by a tall cone of chocolate ice-cream being nearly shoved into his nose.
'What the…'
"Hey." It was Seifer. The blond was licking his cone leisurely as he casually plopped down beside the quiet boy. Not seeing any response the taller gunblader voiced his offer.
"Here. Take it. It's not poisoned."
Squall blinked in confusion.
Seeing the lack of response Seifer sighed and shoved it into Squall's hand. "You must have got your head hit really hard or something. Come on! Chomp off before it melts into a puddle."
Noticing Seifer's intense gaze without even turning; Squall bit into his lower lip as he stared at the chocolate flavoured treat in his hand. Hyne, how long had it been since he last had a taste of…
Seifer fought hard to hold back a chuckle. The way the brunet had his glimmering eyes on the snack made it look as if he was admiring a piece of exotic art. The older gunblader bet the only thing that held the boy back from devouring it whole immediately would be the blond's mere presence. With a devilish smirk in place the blond decided to dive in and steal a taste from the drip that landed on the brunet's finger.
"What are you doing?" Squall exclaimed and immediately snatched his treat away from the blond's reach.
"It's melting." Seifer shrug and answered noncommittally. "If you're not going to eat it at least don't leave it to waste."
That caused Squall to turn and spare another look at the melting ice-cream. With a small pout the brunet shot the offender with a glare of warning before quickly walking away while licking his ice-cream like a starved kitten.
'And we don't even know what causes the outbreak!'
Zell thought bitterly.With virtually no leads it was now really like a wild chocobo chase. Rubbing his gravity defying hair in frustration Zell decided to type something into the search engine. How the blond had wished he could go out with Quistis and Irvine but that reincarnate of a devil…
"Zell, take a look at this."
The seriousness of the tone made the martial artist straighten up and turned towards Selphie, who was pointing at one of the computer screens with a dozen dots blinking close together on the map of Esthar.
Zell beamed. His canine tooth showing in triumph as the martial artist immediately jumped to his feet. "What's Quistis' location now?"
TBC…
konekomh's rambling (as usual): Like it? Yes? No? Please press the button below!! Kitty’s been starving… yeah… I know there’re still a couple of unfinished fics but I just resist posting this first!
Please please please can kitty have some cookies?
See ya next time!
Love,
konekomh
July 2007