Stepping from Junction Machine Ellone, Ultimecia looked to Catoblepas and motioned for it to follow her. Walking briskly, she stepped into a large laboratory on the same floor as the Machine. Dr. Cyas and Professor Eldrin turned and bowed to her, dropping what they were doing at sight of the Sorceress. The lab, littered with various electronic paraphernalia, was awash in a low-level light that annoyed Ultimecia, who found it distracting with all of the other pieces of equipment that the messy scientists kept.

"My Sorceress!" Professor Eldrin exclaimed, "How wonderful to see you again!"

"Spare me, Professor," Ultimecia snapped, watching in silent delight as their expressions sank into visages of terror with the arrival of her guardian. "I have a new assignment for you, so you may cease all aktivities for the time being."

They bowed and turned off their machines instantly, turning to the Sorceress to bow down before her.

"What is your command?" they chorused. Shivering, they hoped to alleviate whatever anger had prompted her to bring Catoblepas with her.

"Oh, my dear, dear scientists..." she hummed almost lovingly, "there was once a projekt of Odine's that I wish for you to check on for me... something that we once had... but now do not..."

"And what would that be, Gracious One?"

"A simple objekt... but one of great size and importance..." She paused to emphasize the point. When she found that the once-proud scientists would interrupt her no more, she continued. "I want you to find what Odine did with a thing kalled the Lunatik Pandora."

They raised their heads, curiosity over-riding the need for self-preservation.

"Lunatic Pandora?" Dr. Cyas beamed, "Oh! We would be more than happy to!"

"We have been waiting for a green light on this project for years and years and years!" Eldrin added with a boyish grin. "When will we begin to look for it?"

They had guessed her intentions, but only in the most three-dimensional of ways. With a patronizing sigh, she motioned for them to stand. Once on their feet, she said, "You will begin immediately. I also expekt a full summary of all of Odine's rekords from his own experiments with this "Pandora" device. I want the dokuments in my hands within the hour."

They bowed again and scrambled to get to work, opening up their databases and retrieving the information that their ruler sought. Ultimecia, however, had other plans that did not involve standing around and waiting for the small-minded men to complete their task.

Instead, she walked slowly to her throne room, taking the elevator back to the top floor of the palace. Seating herself on her throne, she yawned, wracked by fatigue. Outside of the massive windows around her, she could see the clouds float about her gently, being blown across the very globe in an aimless, peaceful existence, free of care and emotion. Looking herself over, she knew that she was a mess, but she didn't care. Her last trip into the Machine must have taken her many days in her own time, as her dress was soaked in sweat, her skin sticky and her breath tainted by the passage of many hours. Even through all of her attempts to bring out her beauty and enhance her natural charms, her goals brought out the filth even on the outside. Sighing, she looked quickly away from herself. She reminded herself that it was necessary; it was the only way for her to ever find rest from the torment that plagued her.

That, however, did not prevent her from holding her head in her hands as she began to cry, unable to tell why, or from what. All that she knew was that she had to end her pointless existence. She could not bear to face life much longer. Her mind flashed back to the one who had been called "Rinoa" in the past. They had shared something, a feeling... so similar, yet at the same time, so distant and indistinct. It was love, Ultimecia knew, but a love that she could scarcely remember ever feeling before. Even her thoughts of Callie and her own Mother were beginning to fade, and if she lost those completely, she knew that she would not last long enough to complete her task. It was so close, she continued to tell herself... all she had to do was hold on for but a short while longer.

Sniffling, she lifted her head and saw that Catoblepas had made its way into her throne room, along with her other guardians. All kneeling before her, she looked to them with a sudden flash of anger piercing her already shaken emotions. Standing to reclaim the dignity that she believed that she had lost, she shrieked at them, her voice reverberating horribly off of the walls.

"Who gave you idiots permission to kome into my throne room?! Why are you fools here?!"

The beast known as Tiamat spoke up first. Flexing its great wings, the dragon growled its answer with an almost child-like sense of devotion to the young woman who stood before it.

"We have all sensed something disturbing, Great Sorceress. We have felt a surge through the fabric of time that you bring with you. There is danger in going to the past. We are here to implore you to not go back... for your own sake."

Ultimecia's answer came immediately. Stretching forth her hand, she blasted Tiamat into the wall behind him, the other guardians now backing away uneasily. Anger flaring at her nostrils, the Sorceress walked up to Tiamat and grabbed him by a protruding fang and slammed his head into the floor, cracking the marble and bringing a trickle of blood from the dragon's mouth.

"And who are you to EVER make such a request?!" she fumed, spit flying from her mouth as she spoke. The dragon could but offer a pathetic whimper in response.

"All of you!" she shouted, whirling on the rest of her protectors, "All of you have your orders! I am so klose that I kan taste it, and not one among you will ever deter me! If you so dare as to speak of this again, I will destroy all of you!"

They all bowed once more, and Tiamat rose slowly, its head bobbing about dizzily as it stood.

"Be gone!" she cried, and the guardians vanished, each of them transporting themselves back to their assigned posts. Angered yet somewhat unnerved by their request, Ultimecia sat in her throne and looked herself over once more. She needed to take a bath, for her scent had begun to bother even her... and when she was done...

Much as she had in the past, she gestured with her hand and a map appeared. In accordance with her instructions, Professor Eldrin had indeed relayed his findings to her. A giant, red X lay over the Western Estharian coastline. Lunatic Pandora was there. Adel was in spatial containment. Ellone was still nowhere to be found. The three pieces to the puzzle were not yet together, but ever so close. She would have to consult with her thoughts regarding the proper method for using the three elements, but somehow, she knew what must happen. She had to raise Lunatic Pandora and free Adel without letting her have her own way... but how?

Tired, Ultimecia could do little else than call for her handmaid. When she arrived, Ultimecia let her lead her toward the bath, silently placing the puzzle together... not quite sure it would even work.

Chapter 49

It was almost noon when she awoke, the night before an unbearable conglomeration of dreams. The images, all of her past, though distorted beyond any possible recognition, haunted her as she tried to sleep. It was a collage of evils, the evil demons who chased her grandmother from the Centran village, the beasts that ravaged her mother while she could do nothing but hide her eyes, the broken, battered corpse of Squall, awash in an ocean of blood. When she finally did wake up, it was with a headache on the left-hand side of her head that felt like a fire had been ignited within her skull. Already, her Sorceress powers were beginning to conflict with the emotional torment that she faced... her body would not be able to suffer the strain much longer.

Rising from bed, she threw on her robes and walked to the window. She knew that she had to get back into Junction Machine Ellone, but it would do her little good if she were a complete wreck in doing so. She needed something to take her mind off of the goal... if just for a short while. The clouds which floated past her window seemed so inviting... so soft. She wished that she could sit among them forever and just forget her troubles...

"Sand kastles..." she murmured to herself, pulling her robe tightly around her to ward off a slight chill. She knew what she had to do now...

Waving her hand, a screen appeared in mid-air before her. Looking back was the face of Dr. Cyas. He seemed as tired as she was, their extensive research efforts having drained them, as well. Staring back with blood-shot eyes, the scientist bowed slightly and muttered, "Yes, my Sorceress? How may I serve you today?"

"Please kome to my chambers, doctor," Ultimecia replied with a slight smile. "I have a new task for your department."

He bowed and turned off the monitor. As it faded from view, Ultimecia went to her desk and pulled out a piece of paper. She began to write, ideas flowing from her hand as detail after detail came to her mind, her exhausted psyche glad for the relief. She was so into her task that she didn't notice Dr. Cyas entering the room.

"You summoned me, my Sorceress?" he asked, and Ultimecia jumped at the surprise. She was too excited to be angry, however, and bade him to approach.

"I want something built..." she mused, glancing over her list. "These are just some of the things that I want." She handed him the list and folded her hands. "I will attend to the rest."

Dr. Cyas glanced over the paper and pondered it for a moment. "The construction should prove exceedingly simple. We have the replicators on stand-by for just such projects... though perhaps not of such gothic nature, we can still reset the calibrators and..."

"I want it built by hand, doktor," she interrupted. Stopping short, Cyas peered over the paper.

"That could take years, your majesty!"

"By hand, doktor... and you have two months."

"But...!"

"Just see to it that you attend to the details that I highlighted... I will take kare of the rest myself."

He did not seem reassured by the promise, but bowed anyway, taking the list with him as he walked out.

"It shall be done," he called back, dragging his feet as he left the room. "I will have my staff begin immediately."

"You may kontract outside help," she offered, and the professor merely nodded, not even looking back.

Ignoring his weariness, Ultimecia hugged herself for the first time since she could remember. She had always needed something like this, and when time was compressed, she could take care of the last detail.

"I shall have to kall it Ultimecia Kastle..." she said with a slight giggle. Standing from her desk, she walked toward the elevator, ready once again to resume her role as Edea Kramer. As she entered the laboratory, Catoblepas was standing guard, as it always was. It bowed, she nodded, and for what seemed like the millionth time, she entered Junction Machine Ellone, ready to find out how badly Seifer's search was coming.

So used to the transfer was she now that she never even noticed the trip that her thoughts had to make. Instead, she merely rose immediately from her chair and called for Seifer. When he did not come, she shouted for a servant. Instantly, one came running into the room.

"Yes, your Grace?" the maid asked.

"Where is Master Almasy?" she inquired, her eyes wide in expectant fury.

"He is currently at the front, m'lady."

"The front?! Are we at war?"

The maid reached back into her apron and pulled out a sealed envelope. "I was instructed to give this to you when you awoke, your Grace." She handed Ultimecia the envelope and bowed. Dismissing her, Ultimecia opened the envelope and began to read the letter.

Your Most Serene Sorceress,

As of now, my troops are engaged with an unknown regiment of SeeDs that do not hail from any particular Garden. It is rumored, through my network of spies, that Ellone Loire is with them. I have commandeered Galbadia Garden as transport to the scene. Upon your command, I shall return to you and inform you of our progress. We were successful in destroying Trabia Garden, but Balamb Garden seems to have eluded us. We are in pursuit of them, also, and will intercept within a few hours. I await your word.

Your Devoted Knight,

Seifer

She smiled, glancing over the note. Ellone had been found! Waving her hand in midair, Seifer's face appeared before her. She could barely contain her excitement, but somehow managed to stare back at Seifer without emotion.

"You have found her?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. Seifer bowed his head quickly and smiled. "Yes, your Grace. We have ships in pursuit even now going after the renegade SeeDs. We are also happy to report that our spies have determined the path that Balamb Garden is traveling. We will intercept within the hour.

Ultimecia thought about this. If she was to find Ellone and Adel, she could not have the Balamb SeeDs interfering. They had to be destroyed, and she knew that Seifer would be unable to accomplish that task on his own.

"Seifer, you are to make a detour on your path to intercept. You will come to Deling City and allow me passage on whatever vessel you currently travel."

Nodding, she could see the pride torn from his eyes. He knew why she was accompanying him, and the knowledge shook him to the core. Undoubtedly, he would try even harder in her presence to be the perfect Knight, but his ego would have to be placed aside for more important matters. How she wished she could reward him in her own way... show him how much she meant to her, even despite his less desirable traits. That would have to wait until the compression... when she could step through the barrier of time herself. Now, all she could do was wait for him...

Chapter 50

"Well, things are finally starting to go your way. How nice for you."

"You say it is if it were a bad thing."

"What do you call the eradication of time itself?"

"Release."

"Oh yes, release... from your oh-so horrid-existence of being waited on hand and foot, of having the very world in the palm of your hand..."

"I find no pleasure in my excesses..."

"Then why do them? Don't they make you feel powerful? Don't they make you feel superior to all other life?"

"My, you are sarcastic today, Edea, but no. I do not feel powerful... they make me feel dirty."

"Then why do them? Why follow after darkness..."

"It is all I know... it is all I feel."

"I wonder about you, sometimes, Ultimecia... I wonder about your true motivations."

"You may look for something that isn't there if you wish, Edea. I don't care anymore."

"Then maybe I will look deeper within you. I want to see what could possibly have scarred your Sorceress' soul so badly that you would become so evil to yourself..."

"Have fun... I have a ride to catch."

The Galbadian soldiers formed a row in front of the entrance to the floating Garden, Seifer awaiting Ultimecia as she slowly walked down the aisle of troops. Gunblade raised in salute, he knelt before her and waited for her hand to touch his shoulder before he rose again. Brushing his hair back, he looked at his Sorceress and smiled.

"Galbadia Garden is your chariot, m'lady."

She looked over the giant red edifice, silently assessing it with approval. Seifer had done well indeed. It was a graceful thing, but it had a military quality to it that rendered it almost Spartan in appearance. Slightly above their heads was a whirling blade that kept it in the air.

"It is armed?" she asked of Seifer.

"To the teeth, Sorceress Edea. I have secured an entire legion of our finest soldiers to man the garrison. We also have several attack suits and motor bikes ready for an internal invasion of the enemy Garden."

She walked past Seifer, stepping on board the Garden. "Show me to my room then." Seifer nodded and followed her, several armed escorts leading the way. As the soldiers filed on board, the Garden began to shudder, but only slightly as it lifted up into the air. Ultimecia walked without incident, but the other soldiers stumbled slightly as the thing took off. Walking down a long corridor, she paused and stared at a skylight that illuminated the SeeD crest on the ground.

"Hideous thing," she spat, and she walked over to it, Seifer accompanying her. Stopping just before stepping on the actual symbol, she began to chant, reaching back through time to summon one of her many Guardian Forces that she had commandeered from the SeeDs of her own time. With a simple word, a pillar of flame erupted into the air from the seal, causing her soldiers to jump back in alarm. When the fire died down, a hulking, three-headed beast stood before her.

"WHAT IS THINE COMMAND, OH SORCERESS MOST POWERFUL?" it asked in a roar that only she could interpret. Petting it softly on one of its heads, she smiled and replied.

"None shall pass through this alcove, Cerebus...deal with all who oppose you..."

"IT SHALL BE DONE AS YOU COMMAND..." it growled. Satisfied, Ultimecia walked on, allowing herself an amused smirk at the expense of her frightened soldiers. Throwing back her billowing silken train, she continued down the hall, Seifer leading her to a place where she could sit and rest.

"Continue on course," she called to the soldiers, and they saluted hastily, running to their positions. Within moments, the whole complex began to shudder on its way, until finally it picked up speed and soared gracefully through the air. After a short walk and uncountable salutes from her soldiers, she took an elevator with Seifer up to the third floor where her throne was waiting for her. As they rode up, Seifer sighed somewhat, his chest heaving as he did so.

"What is wrong?" Ultimecia asked, aware of his sudden change of mood. Normally, he was more than happy simply serving her. Now, it seemed like other matters pressed him. The doors to the elevator opened to the empty chambers, but neither of them stepped off of the elevator. Seifer merely looked back at her, his eyes downcast, his mouth tightly drawn.

"It is nothing," he said quietly.

"It is something," she corrected, her eyes suddenly soft with concern, her own feelings passing even through the temporal barrier that kept her so close to him, but so far apart.

"It is just that... Rinoa..." He looked away completely, ashamed of his words. Placing her hand on her Knight's shoulder, she could sense his conflict... the girl in blue. His obvious, child-like love for her was so sad that it was almost enraging. Within herself, she could feel her longing to feel the skin of his face on her own hand, to hold him close and know of that power physically the same way she could feel it through his emotions and thoughts. He had become loyal to Ultimecia, yes, but to Rinoa, he could still place his heart. The very thought sent a chill up her spine that almost forced her to break contact with the Machine. Holding tight, she softly turned Seifer's head toward her and smiled sweetly.

"My Knight... I told you that you would no longer be a boy. It is time to put aside all childish things and become a man."

Seifer nodded slowly and looked at her with tear-rimmed eyes. "I want to... but I would be alone then."

"No," Ultimecia promised him, "you would not be." Smiling once more, she lightly pressed Edea's lips against his, drawing him close to the Sorceress's body. How she wished that she could feel him pressing up against her! How she wished that she could feel his wet lips as she brought her tongue deep within his mouth... but no. She could not even feel the slightest sensation. This, she knew, was for Seifer's benefit. Her own time would have to wait.

They broke apart slowly, Seifer's eyes still wet, but now a smile also crept across his face, a smile so unlike the smug grins he usually afforded those he met. This time, it was a smile of happiness.

"Matron, am I allowed to love so great a woman?" he asked, looking deep within her eyes. The fire that burned within them thrilled her so that she forced Edea's body back upon him in a tight embrace, tears flowing from her eyes as she stood in the Machine.

"Yes!" she rasped, choking back a sob as she clutched him, the desperation to hold him reaching an unbearable degree. Before she lost all face before him, she had to pull herself together. Pushing apart slowly once more, she walked to her throne and sat. It was a levitating piece of fabric that gently bobbed up and down as she sat within it. Seifer, kneeling before her now, looked on with complete adoration.

"Find Balamb Garden and destroy it, Seifer. Bring the SeeDs to me alive so that I may personally end their lives."

Seifer nodded and rose, turning to go. Once at the elevator, however, he turned and looked back at Ultimecia. With a boyish grin, he blew her a kiss and stepped inside of the lift, the doors whooshing closed quickly as it took him below.

"Soon, my treasure, soon," she called after him, smiling to herself as a shiver was sent through her. After all, if he admired Edea's frame, she could only guess what Seifer's reaction would be to her true glorious body. Then, before she could forget comfortably, she sat up and tested a word upon her lips that sounded old and awkward.

"Matron? What?"

(You delude yourself. You are just using him.)

(Hmm... that very well could be.)

(What about Squall?)

(What?!)

(I have been within you for a long time, Ultimecia...I can see even what you have forgotten...)

(Shut up! Squall is dead!)

(Well, if you keep this up, he most certainly will be.)

(What could you EVER know, Edea? You are a weak Sorceress... you know nothing of emotion or love!)

(I know that you once had it, but when you thought it was gone, you tried to fill your heart with vanity and pain. I know that you are still very sad inside. I know that no matter how deeply that you feel you have buried yourself in misery, it is never too late to redeem yourself.)

(Fine words, but in practice... they mean nothing. I have tried all that you say. What have I found? Nothing!)

(You never tried. You gave up. Now you are just trying to hide from even that!)

(Well, I will succeed...)

(Again, there you go... I corner you, and you simply babble on about your "great goal." Ultimecia, you could still become pure again!)

(...Okay, Edea. Let me assume that you are correct. How would I become pure?)

(Give up this silly game, for one thing.)

(No... you don't know what it feels like to be tormented by every second, knowing that you will be forever consumed with anger... knowing that you gave up your soul in one rash moment in exchange for the powers of revenge! No! I need to rest, and so do my Mother and my Grammy! I will never let them down, and I will not let their tortured souls dwell in nothing for all time!)

(And how do you know that they are tortured?)

(I saw them weeping... crying just as the darkness took them!)

(And you know that they were crying for themselves?)

(Of course! What else would cause them so much misery?)

(Perhaps they were crying for you.)

(For... me?)

(Left alone without anyone to help you... I am also sure that Callie regretted her choice to go to New Balamb and leave you with no guardian to speak of. And I know that your mother must have been heartbroken by the choice that you made, not so much because you made it, but because you felt you had to do it...)

(My Mommy loves me!)

(I know, child, I know!)

(CALLIE LOVES ME!)

(Of course she does, but...)

(WHY CAN'T I FEEL IT ANYMORE?! WHY AM I ALONE!? WHY DO I FEEL SO LOST?!)

(Oh Ultimecia...)

(Never mind, Edea... this is the only way... I can see no other... I know this is all chaotic, and that it seems to make no sense, but it will! All creation will finally be free from the grip of time and pain will be a distant memory! No one will ever be burdened with the horrible sensations of guilt or loss or anything! They will always be free... for they will no longer be anything at all.)

(And what if you could find that love that would make all of your plans for naught, a feeling of love so powerful that it would drive away the pain for a few blessed moments and make you see yourself as a lovely, radiant soul again?)

(Impossible, no such love exists!)

(What if you could find it though?)

(I... how can I answer that?)

(You may have to soon, Ultimecia... you may find that your efforts have all been in vain, and by then it will have been too late. You may regret this course of action until the moment you become the nothing you hope for. It may be a brief pain that you feel, but it will be so tremendous that I guarantee it will make you feel the loss a hundred times over.)

(But what could ever be so...)

(You miss Squall?)

(...I cannot even see his face anymore... I have no idea what he even looked like!)

(Well... the realization will soon hit you, and when it does, I hope that you make the right choice.)

(You won't have to worry about that, Edea... I plan on you and Adel spending some quality time together before the end is brought. I will then have all that I need with your combined strengths to focus time, and Ellone... dear, sweet Ellone, will be the conduit I need to focus that power… she will send me to every time in history... the only being ever to exist in every moment of time that ever was or ever will be. Then, I will slam them all together into one neat little package and obliterate it... but not before I savor my time as the only living being alive... time enough to savor my triumph.)

(...Dear God... it might just be possible...)

(Yes... and can you believe I have been guided to do this? I know that destiny is on my side... all of my "excesses" will no longer matter... the SeeDs will be gone, and we will never have even had this conversation. My mother will never have been degraded in the streets for my welfare, and Callie will never have been betrayed by the one she supported. It will be glorious!)

(A weak way out of a path all others have walked.)

(Well, I am sure that this path would have been taken if another had thought of it first. No matter... I can see that we are closing in on our target. Your SeeDs, Edea, were not too hard to find at all.)

Chapter 51

The two Gardens stayed about a mile apart from each other as they hovered in place, as if two great, monstrous titans were sizing each other up before a great battle. Below, the trees looked like matchsticks, a forest of toothpicks that were laid to waste as the mighty goliaths moved across the rocky Centran coastline. All wildlife had fled in fear before the paths of the machines, and now the air lay silent save for the sound of the waves crashing majestically far below against the craggy rocks. A slight breeze whistled between the two Gardens for a moment, as if to shatter the fragile calm for its own detached amusement.

Ultimecia looked out over the scene from Galbadia Garden with only a slight anticipation. From all reports, the Balamb students were poorly armed and garrisoned with but a few officers. Most of their ranks were composed of junior classmen who would not be allowed to fight in a crisis situation. More manpower would be used to defend them, which reduced the offensive efforts. Seifer had certainly done his homework. Their success seemed secured, especially when her Garden was teeming with Galbadian soldiers and creatures that were the result of her own special incantations. The first wave was already in place. All Seifer waited for was her word.

Taking one last look out to Balamb Garden, she waved her hand and the image faded. Closing her eyes and smiling at her assured success, she nodded to a soldier, her signal to proceed. Snapping into salute, he took the elevator to inform Seifer of her orders. It would begin shortly.

After a few minutes of contemplative silence, the Garden roared into action, careening across the earth as it headed for the opposing Garden. With any luck, the sounds of battle would be short and distant. Yet, her one true hope remained that she would be able to see the SeeDs that had defied her one last time. She made the mistake of granting them mercy before. This time, she would see to it that they would fall before her in a heap.

Sitting back in her throne, she could hear the battle begin. Laughing to herself, she thought about how futile it all was. They would all fall in the end.

(Will they? I am not so sure.)

(You again? What do you want?)

(You were curious about the name of Matron.)

(And you know what it means?)

(I do. I am Matron. It means that at least Seifer is beginning to awaken...)

(What?)

(Seifer, Squall, Quistis, Selphie, Irvine, Zell... they are all my children, orphaned by the war with Adel.)

(Squall and Seifer?)

(Yes. I raised them all here at this lighthouse by which you have ordered so much chaos... the same one I have seen in your thoughts.)

(The lighthouse was yours? Then... the woman I saw...)

(Me... but I never saw you... not this me, anyway.)

(You said Selphie, Zell, Quistis, Irvine... who are these children? How do they know my Squall?)

(They are children of fate; I have known this for a long time now... I knew they were destined for a great purpose. I could feel it in their hearts and souls, and how they lived side by side... even Seifer and Squall, who always fought.)

Ultimecia clutched her ring about her neck back in the Machine, unaware that she moved Edea's hand up to her neck as she did so. Squall was alive!

(My Squall is alive?! Where is he? Where can I find him?)

She could hear Edea sighing in the recesses of her mind, as if she was loathe to reveal any more to her.

(Well? Where is my Squall?)

(I am sure that you will see him again soon... though you might not even know it.)

"He gave me this ring... I brought it back with me through our thoughts...)

(Your love was very strong in that reality. It allowed you to transcend all others. And now you look to do the same thing with evil. That is where you err. Even the beast you allow to grow that lives within your ring feels that pain... and it grows more perverse every day... surely you can feel it?)

(I feel him getting stronger... until the time when I shall release him to serve his Sorceress before the end.)

(...)

(...What is it? Are you hiding something from me?)

(...No... I am not...)

(You are a pathetic liar, Edea. I know you are holding something back from me.)

(Well, if I am, it will be something that you shall never get from me...)

(...How DARE you say...)

Ultimecia was snapped from her thoughts by the sounds of the elevator doors opening. Seifer stepped into the room quickly, out of breath and holding his gunblade at his side. Quizzically, she looked her knight over and bade him to speak, wondering what could so have flustered him into a panic.

"The SeeDs have entered the Garden, oh Sorceress... They would dare to betray their Matron..."

"Don't call me that," she said, still sitting back comfortably. "Just calm down and wait for them. You will have your chance in a moment."

Seifer kneeled and rose, waiting with weapon in hand for the intruders. They did not have to wait for very long. Within a few minutes, they could hear the elevator once again whir into life, and when the doors opened, out stepped the SeeDs from Deling City... her would-be assassins. A huge smile crept across his face as they stood before the throne, their weapons drawn, faces grim with intent.

"Oh, you guys shouldn't have..." Seifer mused. "I was gonna come visit you at my old home."

The SeeD in the black coat stood forward, brandishing his own gunblade. "Shut up." He glared at Seifer, seeming oblivious to the powerful being sitting just beyond the Knight, yet in all truth he was anything but.

"Did you guys come to fight Matron? After all she's done for us?" Closing her eyes, Ultimecia ignored the rest of Seifer's banter and concentrated, searching the SeeDs with her thoughts... finding a wall of such strength with their leader that she could not hope to penetrate it. The girl Rinoa, however, was quite easy to read. The love that she held for the leader was strong indeed. Every conscious thought dwelt on him, holding him close to her in spirit. Suddenly jealous, Ultimecia searched Rinoa's thoughts further, pushing to find this link between them that she only felt to be there. Seifer began fighting at some point, but she ignored them all, searching desperately for this bond. It was shattered, however, when Seifer let out a yelp of pain, his own thoughts shattered in a flurry of anguish.

(No! I lost...)

"This can't be!" He shouted, "Why!?"

Breaking her concentration, Edea stood and looked down at Seifer, more upset at his intrusion than his loss.

"Worthless child..." she sneered, her anger flowing through her, the dark powers of her Sorceress' heart leaping to the forefront to shield her pride. For a time, her love for Seifer was replaced with a sort of sickening regret. Glaring once at the SeeDs, she descended below the floor. It would take her time to refocus her energy... she could not fight with a severed link with another still floating between them. Time was all she needed...

Another thought, this one less agreeable, crept into her mind as she hid among the shadows of the vacant auditorium in which she found herself. Was this SeeD so strong an influence upon her thoughts because he was the one who would kill her? Hyne had met her end at the hands of a legendary warrior, and was not she greater than Hyne? It made sense, but she would not allow it to happen. She would slay him first, and Rinoa with him.

(That has to be it... he is just a murderer. He is just a SeeD...)

(He is more than that, and you know it... you know who he is...)

(Not now, Edea... this is not the time.)

(You will regret killing him!)

(...)

They were there, she knew. Breaking contact with Edea, she looked below her, the SeeDs already gathered. It was time to end their meddling. Dropping down from on high, she landed gently on the auditorium stage, barely aware that she had shattered a glass scoreboard on her descent. The glass fell about her like rain, catching the dim light of the room and illuminating her green eyes. It would end here.

"So the time has come," Ultimecia said with grandeur. "You're the legendary SeeD destined to face me? I must say that I am impressed... an impressive nuisance..." The SeeD looked back at her with a mixture of confusion and anger, as unreadable as he had always been to her. Frustrated with his insolent mind, she shouted, "Your life ends here!"

Seifer ran into the room and stood before her, hunched over in obvious pain. Still her anger toward him remained, and she looked upon him with disgust.

"Worthless fool," she hissed. Then, turning her attentions back to the SeeDs, she focused her dark powers. Seifer, of course, jumped forward, barely able to even walk, and muttering something challenging to his opponents. Within mere moments, he was dispatched by the gunblade of his better, once again lying before Ultimecia's feet.

"Defeated..." she mused. "Useless fool... enough play! SeeDs must die!"

Raising her hand into the air, she created a vortex, much as she had before, and began to draw away their strength. As all of her opponents fell back from the force, she once again created another vortex, following that with spell after spell. Her magic, however, was having little effect.

(I will not let you kill my children...)

(This is not your fight! Get out of my way!)

(NO!)

The diversion was all the SeeDs needed. Distracted, Ultimecia could do nothing as the gunblade of her enemy tore across her chest, sending a rending pain through Edea's body that made the host cry out in pain. Dropping to the ground, Ultimecia could feel Edea push her out, an unconscious move aided by the force of the blow. For a moment, she sat in empty space, looking over the room as if a ghost, watching as Edea tried to stand weakly before her "children." Most had fallen unconscious from the force of Ultimecia's departure, but the future Sorceress herself did not yet comprehend what had happened.

"What has happened?" Ultimecia asked herself, silent now to all but herself. "Why am I still here?"

A happy thought occurred to her as she floated in limbo. She was still there because there was a link she had opened but never fully closed. Looking to Rinoa, she let out a cackle so loud that it resounded through eternity, yet remained nothing more than a chilling, subconscious afterthought to those before her.

"Oh, Rinoa... I must borrow you for a moment." Without warning, she grabbed hold of the link and took over Rinoa's mind. Before the girl knew what had happened, she was in control. While the others were busy, she crept over to Seifer who lay quietly on the ground. Putting Rinoa's hands upon his chest, she quickly healed him and spoke quietly in his ear.

"Oh my loyal Knight, Seifer. The Sorceress is alive... the Sorceress demands."

(Who... Edea? Is that you, Matron?)

(No, Seifer, your Sorceress is not the Matron... your Sorceress is me... look into my thoughts and my heart... look for the answers you seek. I am here with you, but I am not... I am lost in time to you... but soon, we will be together.)

(I see you... my Sorceress... you are so radiant...)

(And you, my Knight, must stand now...)

She smiled, still not used to Rinoa's body, but able to move about well enough to speak to him once again.

"Find the legendary Lunatic Pandora, said to be hidden beneath the ocean. Only then shall the Sorceress provide you with dreams again."

Seifer stood and nodded to his Sorceress. "As you wish, Ultimecia." Walking from the room, he disappeared through the doorway, and Ultimecia was able to watch him leave before she heard a weak voice call out from somewhere in Rinoa's mind.

(...Squall... I'm scared!)

"Who is there!?" Ultimecia blurted, "Get out!"

(SQUALL!)

(What did you say?!)

(Squall, help me please!)

(Shut UP!)

The force of Rinoa's will was stronger than Ultimecia had anticipated. The girl was abnormally strong in terms of spirit, and in then end, she had to force her body unconscious to subdue her. As if grabbing Rinoa's soul, Ultimecia gagged her with her own will.

(You will shut up when I order you to.)

(What is going on? Who are you?)

(I am Ultimecia... I am you, now.)

(But why?!)

(We have a great deal of time to get to know one another, Rinoa. For now, I want to know why you uttered the name 'Squall.' How do you know of him?)

(...)

(Very well, we have all the time in the universe. You will tell me, however. I can make this body of yours do some painful things...)

(Squall! Help me please!)

(Shut up!)

(No! Squall will save me! I have his ring, he has to save me!)

(You... have his...)

(...)

(...his... ring? No... you lie...)

(..No! I do! I...)

(...You do have the ring... but how... was Edea telling the truth?)

(I don't know! Please just let me go now!)

(...Another... Squall? But who did I... then where is...)

(Please... you're hurting me... please leave me alone!)

(...How can there be two? What does this mean? He... loves you? No... that cannot be... but...)

(Squall! Please! Help me!)

(Bring her to me, Ultimecia... bring her to me in Esthar...)

(Yes... bring her to Adel...)

(Adel? What are you talking about!? Let me GO!!)

(No, Rinoa... you are to serve a great purpose. How would you like to be the one who relieves the suffering of billions? How would you like to end all wars forever, and let there never again be another act of violence or brutality? How would you like to save us all from ourselves... from the endless, thoughtlessly cruel procession of time? You have that opportunity now, Rinoa. We can end it all if you will cooperate with me.)

(What do you plan to do?)

(I am going to accomplish the final goal of the Great Hyne. I am going to free all living things from the horrid cycle of reality that has for so long been the source of misery and despair.)

(Squall will save me...)

(...Squall...)

(...he will not let you harm another living thing!)

(Have you not listened to a word I have just said?!)

(I can see what you are thinking, so I do not need to listen... you are so angry, and the images just flash inside of my mind... they hurt...)

(Try living with them for an indefinite period of time. You will come to appreciate my views all the more.)

(...you love Squall, too... but he looks so young in your mind... I can see that it is him that you remember, but...)

(What?)

(...what happened to that love? I can feel it inside of you, but it is like it is gone, replaced with something else.)

(You had best watch your mouth, you stupid little mortal tramp. I don't know what you did to gain his love, but I will get it back...)

(How? You don't even know what he looks like!)

(..........My, my, my, aren't we brazen now? What makes you think that I cannot just cause this body to jump off of a cliff?)

(Because, you said it yourself, you need me...)

(Fine, for now, you are spared. However, when I am through with you, you shall die.)

(Squall!)

(...)

Chapter 52

Climbing slowly from Junction Machine Ellone, Ultimecia looked at the digital time readout on the back wall. Her eyes, physically unaccustomed to the light, were assaulted by even the dim numbers on the clock. Narrowing them to see how long she had been in the past, she nearly gasped. According to the clock, four weeks had passed since she entered. Now, drained from all of her expenses of power, she collapsed on the laboratory floor, Catoblepas instantly at her side.

"...being thrown from Edea... I must have skipped time... I was but gone for a few hours..."

"Please be still, my Sorceress," the beast growled, and with careful movements, he lifted her with its forepaws and lifted her over its head, gently placing her on its back. "You need your rest now."

The urge to jump from her guardian's back and crawl back into the Machine was intense, but no match for the physical stress her body felt. Every muscle seemed useless, her eyelids heavy. The conversation she had had with Rinoa was overwhelming to her... another Squall? Well, it certainly couldn't be HER Squall, the one who so long ago had promised himself to her. And Adel... she had told her to bring Rinoa to Esthar. How could she manage that? As of the moment, she was far too weak to get back into the Machine. All she had the strength to do was maintain that link that she had with Rinoa. All other things must wait. Certainly, Rinoa would be as drained as Ultimecia herself, and would offer no resistance when she went back to her. No, she had to rest, but the Sorceress knew that she could certainly use that connection to check in with Rinoa on occasion.

"...take me... to my bed..." Ultimecia commanded. Heading to the large elevator, Catoblepas did just that, moving quickly but softly to his master's bed. When he arrived in her room, Ultimecia's handmaiden was already inside.

"See to it that she is not disturbed." Catoblepas told the maid as she lifted the Sorceress from its back. The maid could only nod, the routine procedure doing nothing to ease her mind around the giant monster. When it saw that its master was secure in her bed, it crawled into a corner of the large room and turned into mist, the cloud of purple energy swirling in place.

Although in bed, Ultimecia was not asleep. Her eyes were closed tightly with fatigue, but her mind raced, placing each of the elements that she had discovered into position. She needed Lunatic Pandora first. With Rinoa secure, she had a vessel to get to Adel, but what would she do then? Normally, the information about time compression seemed to come naturally to her, but now it was as great a mystery as it had ever been. Perhaps once she knew where or how to get Ellone involved it would become clearer. What she needed was something to take her mind off of the chaos for just a moment... something that had been in the back of her mind.

"...sand kastles..." she muttered, her mind returning to the present. Weakly, she called out for her maid. When the young girl was at her bedside, she spoke softly but clearly. "Bring Dr. Cyas to me. Now."

The maid bowed and skitted out of the room quickly. In a moment, she would return, but until then, it would be best to put herself at ease and check in with her newest self.

(Rinoa...)

(Ultimecia! Please! Let me go! I am so scared!)

(And you think that I am not? I am on the verge of my greatest dream! I am about to fulfill the wishes of Hyne herself! Now, I only need you.)

(But how will you get me to Esthar?! What do you plan to do?)

(Nothing. If I know correctly, Edea will be seeking help from the only person in her era who can help her to fight against me... she is a moral woman, but rather dim. If Squall loves you as much as you think he does, then he will bring you along. I cannot count on this, but it is the most likely scenario I can come up with. In the end, you will get there one way or another, so do not worry. If nothing else, I have someone who will bring you to Adel if the others fail to do so.)

(You mean Seifer...)

(Hmm... you feel something for him, too, don't you?)

(I don't know what else besides revulsion.)

(Again, you are suddenly so brave. In the end, you might make a wonderful Sorceress.)

(...)

(...Well, we will see in time.)

Dr. Cyas walked into the room and knelt before the bed, his head bowed low. Opening her eyes, Ultimecia smiled at him weakly and breathed, "Oh, doktor... it is so wonderful to see you again. Have you kompleted konstruktion?"

The doctor nodded slowly, his face worn, eyes blood-shot and teary from lack of sleep. "We have, your Excellency... in fact, I have just now newly arrived from the site. All is waiting for you."

"Then you were ahead of schedule," Ultimecia said with a slight air of surprise. "I am very pleased. What about Lunatik Pandora?"

"It has been risen and awaits your command, Sorceress of Great Life."

Then... I may rest for a moment... you have done extremely well, doktor... you shall also rest now."

Dr. Cyan bowed again and stumbled away, too tired to remain in place to finish his obeisance. "Your words please me, your Grace, I am honored." He trailed off as he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

"Our home is ready, Squall..." she whispered to herself, feeling her mind finally catch up with her body. "Now the final preparations may be made."