Disclaimer: Blah, blah, blah. . . You know all of this by now. I own the original stuff in the story, I don't own Final Fantasy. Thus ends this disclaimer.
Started: July 10, 2000
Finished: July 17, 2000 (It's twelve in the morning!! Ahhhh!!!)
Chapter 15:
In The Sorceress Memorial
". . . Is there a way to heal wind-burn?" Seifer Almasy moaned as he slumped in his seat, rubbing at his face in an attempt to lessen the pain.
"UNKNOWN," Fujin murmured, grinning a little at Seifer's peeved look.
The older teenager gave a cross look. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
"AFFIRMATIVE."
Shaking his head, Seifer returned his attention to his burnt face. His eyes wandered to the window, staring at the outside world and the Sorceress Memorial. "Dammit, why are they taking so long? Laguna shouldn't have so much trouble. . ."
"LEONHART, STUBBORN," declared the silver-haired girl. She frowned. "MORE DIFFICULT?"
"Probably," grumbled the blonde. "But if Laguna can't get Algus out, who can?"
Fujin didn't answer, her one-eyed gaze traveling to beyond the window. Kiros Seagill was walking towards them, his white robe billowing as he approached. He opened the door of the limousine, gesturing silently for the two teenagers to get out. "Laguna's having trouble convincing Squall," he murmured, shaking his head. "Laguna told me that if he couldn't get your friend out without a confrontation, you'll need to break in and get him out."
Both of the ex-Disciplinary Committee members looked shocked. "Laguna actually said that?" Seifer couldn't help but ask.
"Well . . . yes." Kiros seemed a bit surprised himself. "Come on. There's only one entrance, so you'll have to storm the place."
Glancing at each other, the two followed the older man.
* * * * *
"No, Laguna! He's a menace to the whole world! Do you have any idea what he and the other two did?! There is no way I'm letting you free him!" Squall Leonhart was barely held back by Zell Dincht and Quistis Trepe. Selphie Tilmitt hung back, watching silently.
"I'm the President of this country!" Laguna retorted, Ward Zabac's hands on his shoulders keeping him from approaching Squall. "Whatever I say, goes!"
". . . Not if I have anything to say about that!" Squall jerked himself out of his friends' grasps, brandishing Lionheart for all to see.
Ward released Laguna, a little startled by Squall's brash action. Laguna sighed and frowned at his son. "You would raise your sword against me -- the President and your father?"
"I'd take down my own father if it meant keeping the world safe," Squall stated firmly, although he couldn't help but quiver inside. Don't make me have to hurt you, Laguna. I really don't want to do this. . .
Laguna smiled grimly. "Somehow I knew this was going to happen. . . That's why I brought this along." From out of nowhere, Laguna pulled out a machine gun. He removed the safety and aimed the automatic weapon at the four SeeDs. "Don't make me use this, Squall. Kiros, bring them out here!"
Kiros nodded to the two with him. "That's our cue, I guess." He led them out into the open, gasps audible as they appeared.
"Seifer!" Squall was seething visibly. "Damn, Laguna, did you listen to him? He's a liar! He fell in with the sorceress, remember?!"
"I may be an airhead, but that doesn't mean you can always insult my intelligence!" snapped back Laguna. "After seeing Seifer in action against that weirdo Immortal guy, I've decided to believe him."
"He killed SeeDs!!" Quistis shouted. "There's a demon -- or something -- inside of him!"
"BLAME DEMON! NOT SEIFER!" retorted Fujin.
Before long, there was a screaming contest among the two parties. Seifer shook his head, making a break for the next room in the middle of the scuffle. "Stop!" Squall ran forward in an attempt to get past Laguna and get to Seifer. Laguna winced, ready to pull back on the trigger of his weapon.
"No!"
There was a sudden movement that stopped Laguna, his finger moving away from the trigger. Zell dashed at his friend and leader, his fist connecting with Squall's jaw. Squall went sprawling, knocked out by the unseen attack.
"Zell!?" Quistis shrieked, both her and Selphie gaping at the boy.
The blonde looked extremely weary, aiming his sad gaze at Squall's crumpled form on the ground. "I just couldn't. . .," he murmured. "Al's my friend. Squall's my friend. But . . . Squall's hurting Al. Al can't do anything. . . Dammit, I had to do something!"
Everyone stared at the short blonde for a moment -- including Seifer, who had stopped in surprise upon seeing Zell's action. He gave a sharp nod of respect. "Thanks, Dincht." For once discarding the usual nickname for the younger boy, Seifer made his way to the other room of the memorial.
". . . LIKEWISE." Fujin stood there awkwardly for a second, then hurried after her friend . . . and possible lover.
* * * * *
Gods, Algus. . . What'd they do to you? Seifer shook his head and approached the prone form of the younger boy, gazing down at the placid face.
"ALIVE?" queried Fujin, stepping up to Seifer's side and peering at the teenager.
"He better be, or Squall's gonna get it," was Seifer's mumbled reply as he junctioned his GF. "Dispel!" A hiss filled the air as the spell worked. ". . . Algus? Hey, you okay?"
The younger Insane stirred slightly, bright blue eyes flickering open. ". . . . . I thought you were dead," Algus murmured, staring up at the two from where he lay. "I wasn't sure if I was hallucinating or not when I heard your voices. . ."
"NEGATIVE. VERY SANE." Fujin had to smile faintly.
Seifer took hold of Algus' arm and pulled him into a sitting position. "A lot's happened, Al. We need to get outta here before Squall and his little army get in here."
"No one's getting out of here."
Letting out an exasperated sigh, Seifer spun around. "Another Immortal, huh?" he said, unsheathing Hyperion and getting into a battle stance. "This is getting old."
The green-haired Immortal shrugged fluidly, raising his own blade. "It could be worse. . . Remember me, Almasy?"
". . . 'Can't say that I do," Seifer replied. "Damn GFs."
Algus looked warily at the man across the room. "Andres. I'd recognize that green hair anywhere."
"Ah, thank you, Sadalfas." Andres Restrad smiled at the younger Insane. "I find it amazing that you managed to beat even Lord Keion, Almasy."
"He was actually pretty good," Seifer said coolly. "Of course, this means I can beat any of you."
Andres laughed, long and loud. "Fairly, you mean," he chuckled. "You defeating Lord Keion simply means we have to be more devious."
. . . Okay, that doesn't sound good. . . Seifer tensed, abruptly spinning around. The familiar face of Faril Rillian leered down at him, the floating Immortal releasing a Skyfire spell that slammed into Seifer's chest, sending him flying back. The fire then spread out, forcing Fujin and Algus into a corner.
Before Seifer could regain his wits, a sharp pain ran through his back. He screamed out as Andres' sword bit into his back, a bloody path in the blade's wake. Seifer threw all his strength into flipping out of the sword's arc, bending over in agony.
Algus pushed his way past Fujin, raising hands that emanated a soft blue aura. "Waterache!" A swirl of magical water rushed forth at his command, dowsing the fire and dragging Andres away from Seifer.
"You're mine!" Faril challenged, striking at Algus' outstretched hands.
"NEGATIVE!" The silver-haired teenager threw her shuriken, breaking the contact between Faril and Algus quickly.
Seifer rose to his full height as soon as his Curaga spell kicked in, snapping out an attack at Andres. The familiar sound of clashing blades echoed through the air as the two began their furious battle.
* * * * *
"What the hell is that?" demanded Zell, looking up from the awakening Squall to address the President of Esthar.
"'Sounds like a battle," Laguna gasped in realization. "The Immortals must be back!"
"Come on!" Selphie was already running, her Strange Vision held in both hands. "We've gotta help!"
Quistis hesitated, then pulled free her Save the Queen. "If they destroy this place, there's no telling what trouble we'll be in. . ." She raced after Selphie.
Shrugging, Zell went after the two other SeeDs. Laguna scratched the back of his head awkwardly, then turned to his two best friends. "Ward, look after Squall. If he loses it again, go ahead and knock him out. Kiros, let's go help them!"
Before the two presidential aides could stop him, Laguna was already rushing to the next room. Kiros let out a long sigh. "He still acts like he did back in the army," he said to Ward. ". . . . . I'm jealous."
Ward replied with a soundless chuckle as Kiros dashed after the group.
* * * * *
". . . 'Never thought I'd be happy to see SeeDs . . . especially you, chicken-wuss!" Seifer declared, backing off as Zell flew in and slugged Andres.
"Yeah? 'Never thought I'd be helping you, Seifer!" Zell crouched as energy blazed around him, rushing the green-haired Immortal and pulling off his Duel Limit Break. Punch Rush. . . He barraged his enemy with punches, pausing to think of his next attack. Booya, Mach Kick. . . Sneering, Zell head-butted Andres, following up with a kick aimed for the head.
"Annoying mortal. . ." Turning briefly from his battle with Algus and Fujin, Faril shot down Zell with a Skybolt spell. Zell staggered, gritting his teeth against the blue lightning that pounded him from above. Andres was quick to get on top of him.
"Get outta there, Zell!" Selphie came to Zell's rescue, firing off a Blizzaga spell that knocked the Immortal away momentarily. Zell stepped back, Quistis taking a guard position in front of the younger SeeD.
"Give me a clear shot at him," Laguna murmured to his companions, "then I'll take 'em out!"
Kiros was quick to respond, his katar blades a whirlwind as he attacked Andres. Seifer joined in, their combined attack overpowering the man and pushing him backwards. "Go for it, Sir Laguna!" cheered Selphie.
Now, how did it go again. . .? Uh. . . ". . . Hmm. . . I know this -- really, I do. . ." The President snapped his fingers in sudden realization, a burst of energy erupting at his feet. "Desperado!" Reaching into his pocket, Laguna pulled out a grenade, which he pulled the pin out of and threw at Andres. Then, slinging a wire to the ceiling of the room, he leapt into the air and shot at the hapless Immortal from above. After several dozen rounds, Laguna whipped the silver wire from the beam it had been wound around and landed. It was only then that the grenade detonated, red flames lapping around the Immortal.
"Woooooo!! Booyaka!" Selphie was doing a victory dance, grabbing Zell's hands and leaping up and down.
"I don't know why the hell you're celebrating," Seifer began, frowning at the two, "'cuz he's not dead yet!!"
Everyone that had been fighting the Immortal tensed, staring in disbelief as Andres stepped from the fire -- burnt and blasted, but alive. He sneered openly at Laguna. "You've got bad aim, mortal," he spat, holding up a bullet from the President's machine gun. Taking a deep breath, Seifer raised his weapon. The others behind him were quick to follow.
Faril had managed to take out Fujin's shuriken, the ring embedded deeply in the far wall. Algus, already weakened from his forced slumber, was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed tiredly. "Say goodbye," the Immortal hissed, preparing the most powerful Stratas spell known: Skydragon.
"Hey!!" a familiar, male voice cut through the air and caused heads to turn. "Look out, 'cuz the cavalry's arrived!"
. . . And Faril screamed in agony as a shotgun shell plunged into his shoulder, followed by a winged-ring that sent the flying Immortal reeling backwards. Rinoa Heartilly raised her arm, the projectile hooking back to her Shooting Star Blaster Edge.
"Rinoa!?" Zell gaped at the girl, who smiled prettily and waved.
"Irvine!!!" Selphie screamed in joy, smiling widely at the tall figure behind the blue-dressed sorceress.
"How's my sweetheart Sefie?" Tipping his cowboy hat slightly, Irvine Kinneas aimed his Exeter at Andres. "President Laguna may have missed you, pal, but I won't."
"Blasted mortals!" Faril had healed himself and was floating above Andres. "Why do you stand next to the Insane?! They threaten everything that you stand for! They could destroy your world if they wanted to!"
Rinoa shook her head. "Seifer's learned his lesson. I know he has. There's nothing that would make him turn to destroying the world."
"'Seifer' may not destroy the world, but he is an Insane," the blue-haired Immortal hissed. "He harbors a devil inside of him. . . A devil that is prone to doing anything if it is released!" His green eyes shifted to Algus, who struggled to stand without support from Fujin. "Sadalfas carries one as well."
Everyone stared at the floating Immortal, his words slowly sinking in. "We stand next to them . . . 'cuz they're our friends." Zell glared as he spoke.
"Friends?" Faril couldn't muffle a laugh. "You would be friends with hellraisers?"
"Better to be friends with 'em than with you, you----"
Seifer stopped Zell before he could finish his sentence, stepping forward and frowning at the Immortal he had fought more than any other. "You make it sound like we're the bad guys, Faril," he spat. "Are you trying to mess with our minds?"
"You Insane are the bane of the entire universe," Faril replied. "Our leaders, the Masters, are bent on destroying you and freeing the universe of your horrid presence."
Algus frowned at the mentioning of the Masters. "That's a lie!"
Irvine had his shotgun set on the floating Immortal. "Someone shut that liar up!"
"Tempest Divination!"
In the confusion, the summon was almost lost . . . but its effects wouldn't go unnoticed. The ceiling was swallowed by a sea of black clouds, lightning battering the room and searing the ground black. Rinoa yelped and dove out of the way as lightning struck close to her, falling into Quistis and sending them both to the ground. Selphie took cover behind Irvine and Laguna, peeking out from behind the two men. The clouds slowly parted to reveal an ethereal being -- a familiar Guardian Force. From his raised hand came a huge thunderbolt of glowing gold, which struck down right between Faril and Andres.
"Damn mortals. . .!!" Andres screeched, right before a bright explosion blinded everyone.
The light lasted a full five seconds, which was all the two Immortals needed to disappear without a trace. Rubbing his eyes, Irvine let out a low whistle. "That was a nice GF, whoever used that. . . Was that you, Zell?"
". . . Nope." Zell scratched his head. "That wasn't Quezacotl."
Irvine blinked. "Rinoa? Quistis?"
The two young women shook their heads and brushed themselves off.
". . . Sefie?"
"Nuh-uh," Selphie responded. ". . . And Sir Laguna and Kiros don't have GFs!"
Seifer was shaking his head in shock, watching Fujin leave Algus and dash for the doorway. "It couldn't be. . .," the ex-Knight murmured, turning to follow Fujin.
Heads turned to the doorway, finally noticing the form that stood there. Fujin stopped in front of the figure, teeth gritting as she took in the familiar person. Irvine took off his hat and scratched his head. "I thought I left you in the car, man!" he sighed.
Only then did Fujin finally speak, her pale face flooded with white anger. Only then did she do the one thing she had been aching to do for such a long time. . .
"RAGE!!"
Kick!
"Oooooooooooowww!! Fuj, what was that for, ya know!?!!"
The reunion could have brought a tear to anyone's eye.
It certainly did with Fujin.
*sob* I've wanted to write that last scene for such a long time. . .! Ever since Chapter 11's ending, ya know? ^_^ Please, people, review!
Onto Chapter 16
Back to Chapter 14
Back to The Insane