Crimson Mask
By
Squall Morpheus Leonhart
~O~O~O~O~O~
Prologue
~O~O~O~O~O~
Squall watched the moon of the next cycle appear as he remembered. He remembered the times of SeeD before his disappearance, his most joyous days as of yet. Yet it was also the most grievous ones as well. He had stayed with SeeD for about three years as the commander before his great disappearance from the unknown world. During those three years, much had happened.
Squall had become a little more open as the bonds of the Orphanage Gang became tighter. New loves were discovered, as were new friendships. Though Rinoa and Squall never dated because of certain circumstances, they had become great friends. The love bonds, as Selphie called it, consisted of Selphie and Rinoa, Zell and Quistis, and finally Seifer and Irvine.
Seifer had returned months later after the Time Compression to become a SeeD. He of coursed was cursed and hated for the first year of training but soon the insults diminished and all became well. He, Rinoa and Irvine all graduated as SeeD of Level 10 on the following exam. Selphie had given the trio a large party to celebrate the accomplishment as Squall merely just congratulated them before visiting his father the next day, which he could not avoid.
It was then that all became unexpected and certainly not thought of. Apparently his mother Raine and his lost brother were not truly dead but in a coma strike by the one who supposedly killed them. When Squall heard of this, he quickly told Laguna the truth behind his mother and brother's death. Apparently a warrior of evil intent wanted the power of the Ancients or Sorcerers/Sorceresses also known as the descendent of Hyne. The warrior wanted the most powerful Ancient, which happened to be Squall.
To get Squall's power, he supposedly killed Raine and Squall's brother but in the end Raine sealed him away and the warrior named Ares was held captive until now. Now he wants Squall's power again but this time Squall knows more of his abilities as an Ancient and certain abilities have been proven useful now that Squall knows more of his mother and brother's condition.
To prepare Squall disappeared from the spotlight as a new masked singing star; Storm Chaser was making his debut. Though SeeD was in great disarray, they have recovered with Xu in command. Now the new hit sensation is bringing new ties to the music world. Yet another masked person, this time a killer is also making his debut and all of his kills have been know to have a mask, a crimson mask, on their face. One question still haunts the minds of people was is the connection between these masked men and the disappearance of the SeeD Commander?
~O~O~O~O~O~
Chapter 1: Forms of the Ancients
~O~O~O~O~O~
He hesitated before going to the awaiting spotlight. Something he would always do before a show. He hated it, yet he loved the feel of attention, the audience. Though no one knew who he truly was, they loved him none the less. Making sure the domino black mask was secured properly he walked on stage.
Guitar in hand, he tossed his long charcoal hair back and proceeded to the stage. Hearing the host yell his stage name, he position himself behind the microphone as the light turned on him. He turned to his supporting band and nodded, his long pale fingers played the first chord and the crowd went wild.
Though they could not see it, he closed his silver eyes and released his power of projection. A talent of projecting emotions, only a few could do that but he was special because of his mother. He also had other powers as well. When the power was released equally among the crowd, he began to sing,
"I see you there
The wail of the guitar singled everyone to stand and dance to the upbeat song, as the singer began to move in tune with a beat heard only in his ears. The song of Enlightenment, a song only Ancients could hear.
"I felt this way for a long time
"I've been called the Ice Prince
Soon the audience began to sing to the song. A Medley of life seem to sprang forth from the crowd and a cloud of black slowly formed from the ceiling and steeped into the singer's veins giving him strength. It was not life force but it was an energy of the hearts of people. This energy when used wisely could be used to bring back the dead but if used wrongly then the world could be destroyed, the Ragnarok could be summoned.
"Stop playing around and look at me
Soon the cloud dissipated and the lyrics and song began to slow down and single the end.
"We have to be
When the last cord faded, the audience when wild, standing ovation and everything, and the singer left the stage as the lights dimmed the host went back to hosting the Annual Esthar Music awards. As the singer left, he heard the host say, "Thank you, Storm Chaser for that beautiful song called 'Meant to Be.'"
Storm watched the crowd slowly roused back to normal from the adrenaline rush he had given them when weaving his song spell. Sensing someone behind him, he spun toward the stranger, his black trench coat billowing from the force. Behind him was a man shorter by one inch with long black hair and merrily blue eyes. He was dressed in a tropical blue shirt and khakis. "Dad- I mean Mr. President, what are you doing here?"
"Nice to see you too, Storm, no need to be formal, I made sure no one will bother us or eavesdrop. Let's go to your dressing room to talk," replied Laguna as Storm nodded.
As they walked to the singer's dressing room, Laguna studied the singer. He word leather pants clutching all right spots, a black vest red embroider, black combat boots, and a black trench coat. On one finger-less gloved had, he had a ring crafted with a winged lion engraved. Around his neck, a cross and star burned in a ball of fire. Little did anyone know that in the place of the star on top of the cross was a lion head, concealed by Storm's talents. Storm's long black hair reached his thighs and shimmered in the dim hall. A black electric guitar was strapped across his chest.
The mask on Storm's face was trademark. Though it changed Storm always had one on no matter where he was, regardless whom he was with. One thing for sure it always covered the upper part of his face from just below the eyes to the top of his forehead as if hiding something. He once said, "We all wear masks to hide behind, mine is just more visible than others." Laguna knew the reason, the true reason behind the mask but kept that a secret though what Storm said about the mask was partly true.
Storm and Laguna finally reached their destination and Storm slid the key card through the slot and stepped inside. "Storm, why don't you take it off, no one's here," said Laguna motioning the mask.
Storm ignored him and looked around and them went to a corner and fund a secret camera cleverly hidden. He deactivated it. Then he repeat, until twenty cameras were deactivated. "Dad, you know I can't risk that, I hate my face," Laguna whined, "oh fine."
Storm reached back and unclasped the clip and the mask fell to the ground. Then slowly the rocker looked up, black long bangs hiding his eyes. Storm was beautiful because of his face. Porcelain skin, straight nose, acute eyebrows but it was the eyes that caught everyone's attention. Unusual and delicately crafted to be gemstones of little and all emotion, no matter how cold they could be, only a skilled person could see the warmth of wisdom and loyalty. Between the eyes was a scar diagonal from top of the left eyebrow to the bottom of the right eye.
Suddenly, Storm began to shake and collapsed unto the ground. Reaching for the mask, he moaned as the energy he gathered from earlier began to run wild. Inside it felt like he was slowly dying, in fact he was. He couldn't control the energy, he wasn't trained but he fought. Soon he felt hands helping him put the mask back on his face and the pain vanished. "Dad, you know I can't take it off yet at least not until I give the energy to them," said Storm.
"I know but I couldn't help it, I wanted to see your eyes, your mother's eyes…" Laguna looked to the ground ashamed.
"I know Dad but don't worry when we have enough then, we could bring her and my brother back," said Storm.
"Just a few more concerts, right?"
"And a few more life energy from missions and were set," said Storm firmly.
"What about Ares?"
"I'll handle him just fine, don't worry he won't get my powers."
"I can't believe that your mother and brother are only in a coma from Ares attacks in the past, if I only knew then…"
"You didn't know about the attacks like you didn't know of my brother, Dad. All you knew or you thought you knew was that mother died giving birth to me."
"But Squall," said Laguna finally using Storm's real name.
"It's not your fault but it was mine after all Ares was after me at the time…"
"Don't blame yourself, if you do then the world will darken, you are the only Ancient of the Leonhart line. Though Edea and Rinoa are also Ancients they cannot control things as much as you…"
"But I still think that I am guilty…"
~O~O~O~O~O~
In the darkness, a figure silently pulled out a katana from the corpse's body. It was a black blade called Wolfheart with the carving of ancients, when merged with the gunblade Lionheart, sister blade of Wolfheart, it will be the most deadly blade ever. The figure wore a crimson mask; it had the same décor of the mask Squall worn earlier but it fed on the life energy from those that Squall killed.
His uniform was almost the same as the one he worn onstage but this time he wore a black turtle neck shirt and a dark red trench coat. This victim was the black market supporter, either way he would have been done away with sooner or later. Squall sheathed the blade and walked away from the alley where he had chased down the scum. Sighing he looked up to the sky and saw the full moon.
He may have been a killer, he may have been a singer but the memories of SeeD still lingered and there was nothing that he could do about it. Not that he would anyway. SeeD had too many memories both good and bad. It was in SeeD that he fell in love with not one but two people. They were always the focus of his songs as were all of his friends. He often wondered what they were doing now.
Squall turned away from the sight of the moon and his loose hair swirled before slowly changing into black fur. Squall kneeled and slowly turned into a wolf.
Black fur glimmered in the moonlight and quicksilver eyes looked at the moon once more as if in prayer. Squall was big but to normal person's eye he would have looked like a large black husky if not for his fangs. On his face a scar, identical to the one of his true face, stood out amongst the fur. Squall howled at the moon once before heading out toward the Presidential Palace
~O~O~O~O~O~
Crimson Mask: Chapter 2: So Close, Yet So Far Away
~O~O~O~O~O~
Somewhere outside Esthar, inside the Sorceress Memorial, two coffins like tubes held two immobile figures. One had black hair while the other had lighter shade, a chestnut, color hair. One was clearly female and also older, possibly in her early forties. She was the one with black hair. The other was male and was in his early twenties, most likely 24. Tough they seemed to be in sleep, they were clearly no, just in a trance of some sort.
Doctors were rushing around them taking status checks. Behind the coffins was chair with a male with a red mask sitting on top of it. Multiple needles were in his arms. Those needles were connected to the two still forms. Off to one side a man with long dark brown hair watched intently at the scene before him.
Laguna tried not to think of the consequences of the experiment if things gone wrong. The loss would be too much for him. For him to lose not just his wife and lost son again but the son who had helped him learn to love once more. Laguna sighed, thinking of a time when he was happy with Ellone and Raine. Soon an alarm jolted him away from blissful memories. He looked to his son, only to find him sprawled on the floor.
"What happened," ordered Laguna of Kiros who just shrugged.
"Storm tapped into his own energy after finishing the transfer of energy he had taken yesterday," said an assistant of Odine named Catarrh, "He, therefore, collapsed either from exhaustion or loss of energy we do not know. He was ill before he even started transferring."
"You don't think I didn't know that already," exclaimed Laguna angrily.
"Prezident Loire, zere is nothing wrong, he juz collapse. So calm down so I can work in peace," yelled Odine.
"Fine but one more thing, Odine, if you touch my family, I'll make sure you will never find any work on this planet again," threatened Laguna going through the door of the side room were Squall now laid.
Squall turned on the cot as the door opened. Squall looked surprised and smiled, "Hey Dad."
"Hey, yourself," murmured Laguna still pissed, "What were you thinking?"
"Didn't think at all I guess. So I went overboard, so what," said Squall looking at ceiling.
"'So what,' you could have died and then where would be. I won't lose you and I will sure as hell won't lose your mother and brother!"
"You don't think I know that, Dad, I've tried everything to make sure that they are alive, pulse and all, and I will go to any limits to bring them back, no matter the cost," said Squall firmly, sitting up on the pallet.
"I know, Squall but…" He trailed off and both turned to the looking glass and at the two figures in the center.
"We better get ready for celebration tonight, Dad. You have a speech and I have a concert to perform," said Squall standing up.
"Right, I almost forgot, 7th anniversary of the end of Ultimecia, right," said Laguna turning his gaze from his comatose wife to his moving son.
Squall nodded and the two walked out, unbeknownst of a shadowy figure eavesdropping on them in the shadows of the room.
~O~O~O~O~O~
"Seif, Irvy, Quisty, Zell, Rin, it's time to GO," yelled Selphie merrily as she jumped down the stairs of their quarters.
"You better come down soon or I'll eat SEVEN PIXIE STICKS," screamed Selphie as she ran to the kitchenette in search of the dreaded sugar sticks.
Soon a large rumble and then looked up from the cabinet she was looking in. Everyone was glaring at her as she pulled out a blue Pixie stick. "Good, you're all here, let's go," said Selphie putting the stick back in to the cabinet but unknown to the group, Selphie had a bag of Pixie sticks in her coat's pocket.
Grabbing her girlfriend's had and Quistis's too, she dragged them to the Garden's new built hanger. She took this time to study everyone. Rinoa wore a long sleeveless white gown and a long black sweater that complimented her hair as her dress did the same with her skin. Quistis wore a black dress that reached her calves, the sleeve's trim was large with a flower décor, and around her waist was an obi. She herself choose a dark hunter green miniskirt dress that was also sleeveless, her coat was black and it reached her knees. The coat and dress were plain but simmered a light green in the right light and angle.
As they approached the Ragnarok, Selphie took a peek back at the males of the group. Irvine wore a light brown suit with a violet silk shirt, the first two buttons loose and his black cowboy had was still on his head, though his hair was loose not tied. Seifer wore a black suit with a black silk shirt, no tie though his first couple of buttons weren't buttoned. Zell wore a gray suit with a blue silk shirt and a black tie. His once gravity-defying spikes were gone and his hair was kept short and wavy though Seifer still called him a Chicken Wuss regardless of the new hairstyle.
Soon they were off to Esthar with Selphie piloting and Irvine co-piloting. Cid and Edea would meet them with the rest of Garden later the day but Selphie and the others wanted to go early so they left with the Ragnarok.
~O~O~O~O~O~
They had arrived with an hour to spare, so they decided to walk to the Presidential Palace, something that they didn't do lately with all the missions and work. As soon as they arrived, Laguna, Kiros and Ward greeted them with honors. Even though Seifer was the Ex-Sorceress Knight, he had been always welcomed to the Palace without punishment or insult. After the trio of old, Cid and Edea greeted them. As hugs and kisses were exchanged, all had been somewhat disappointed that Squall didn't so up or so they thought.
Though Squall had been missing for the last 5 years, he was still thought of. Especially when the Orphanage Gang plus One were together. Basically because Squall was the one to lead and reunite them all, not to mention allow the relationships to be, not to mention encourage them. He was missed and mostly likely thought of more during the anniversaries of the Defeat. Not only that but the gang refused to believe that he was dead or even MIA.
Soon everyone was herded to the backyard of the Palace where a stage had been set. Almost like the one Selphie had in FH during the war. Only this time the colors were black, red, gray and blue. In front of the stage was a man-made dance floor, then were tables scattered out on the field. The largest table was where Laguna, Kiros, Ward, Edea, Cid and the gang sat. The table was in the center of the field and right in front of the dance floor. Then Laguna stepped on the lowest platform and spoke into the microphone.
"I know that, this setting is quite unusual than last years festivities where we had just ballroom dancing but this year a friend of mine decided to perform and trust me it's everything that isn't ballroom dancing. I better get this speech down before I bore you all to death and here goes.
"I would like to thank everyone who made it here to celebrate the 7th anniversary of the Defeat of Ultimecia! I would especially like to thank those who had defeated the Sorceress that threatened to the world that we have molded throughout time. I am of course speaking of Selphie Tilmitt, Zell Dincht, Irvine Kinneas, Quistis Trepe, and Rinoa Heartilly." As he spoke each of their names, the corresponding people stood up.
"I know that, you may still fear him or hate him, and I know that I do this every year but a special thank you to Seifer Almasy for being a good 2nd commander in redemption of Balamb Garden," spoke Laguna as he led a round of applause when Seifer stood.
"I would also like to thank Headmaster Cid Kramer and Edea Kramer for their efforts during the war. That and a specials to SeeD and Garden for their efforts as well.
"Lastly, another thing I do every year. I would like to thank Squall Leonhart, my lost so who is still missing, for his heroics and leadership both during and after the war. Though you are gone, who have not been forgotten.
A round of applause as cheers and toasts were made and then Laguna raised his right hand to signal silence. "As I have said before, an old friend of mine has agreed to perform and without further ado I present to you, Storm Chaser!"
"Ohmygod, Ohmygod, Ohmygod, he's here, he's here, he's HERE! My favorite singer! BOOYA," screamed Selphie jumping up and down.
"Selphie, calm down," but even Quistis had to smile she loved Squall's songs.
"Oh let her have her fun, Quisty, the guy ain't that bad," growled Seifer but his eyes were merry.
"Ah, Seif, you like the guy too, come on," persisted Irvine.
"I don't see how you like the guy. I mean, he's a mystery for all we know he could be a cyborg," complained Zell.
"Don't you dare say that about him, Chicken Wuss," threatened Rinoa.
"Don't call me THAT!"
"Be quiet, he going on stage now," hushed Quistis.
She was right; Squall was walking to the top platform. This time he wore a crimson mask with black flames. He was dressed in a black silk shirt unbuttoned for the first two. On top of that was a red vest, then a black trench coat. He also wore black leather pants and black fingerless gloves. His ever-present guitar was at his side. He approached the microphone.
"As you all know, I'm Storm Chaser and sadly I have no type of schedule of what I'm singing, so if you have a request just yell it out," said Squall.
Then someone yelled out, "How about 'Love Spell'!" Squall knew it was Rinoa but all he did was smile and nodded and played the first note.
~O~O~O~O~O~
Crimson Mask: Chapter 3: Concert of Minds
~O~O~O~O~O~
Squall smiled and underneath his mask his eyes closed. He began to weave his own spell before the lyrics. The introduction might be long but the strong beat allowed those to get up and dance. Silently he strengthened his mind shields and began to sing.
"I weave a spell over you
'Who is he,' thought Edea, 'He's so familiar, so much like sister Raine. Maybe I can pry into his mind and find out.' Soon the Ancient began to use her mind telepathy to reach inside.
"You try to fight the darkness
Squall felt a small pressure at the back of his mind something cool, calm and smooth. Without breaking the song, Squall scanned the crowd for the culprit. He thought, 'If it's a fight you want, then it's a fight you get.' He smirked and sang the chorus.
"I weave a spell over you
Edea felt it, a protest, so she pushed harder trying to break the shield in her way but she wasn't strong enough. She contacted Rinoa with her mind, *Rinoa, I need your help. I want to pry into the singer's mind.*
"Temptation is in your veins
*But Edea, why,* complained Rinoa, *It's my favorite song.*
*He seems familiar and I'm curious to who he is.*
*Fine,* Rinoa pouted, *But after the song.*
*Alright.*
"I weave a spell over you
"Seifer, I want to dance," whined Irvine.
"There is no way, I'm dancing with you cowboy. I may be your boyfriend but I don't dance," protested Seifer, green eyes flashing.
"But Seif…" Irvine pouted and glared, something that actually worked on Seifer.
"Fine, but only for one song," said Seifer defeated.
"Thank you," and Irvine kissed his cheek.
Squall noticed the mist that no one noticed, the cloud of energy he made. Unlike before it was not white but now white. White meant he had enough for his comatose family. White meant they would awake soon. All he needed was life energy. Squall smiled he was closer than what he thought before.
Suddenly a black mist covered the white, 'Danger is near,' realized Squall. 'Ares is here, he's here,' Squall chanted in his head. His eyes for the first time showed fear but no one for the first time showed fear but no one saw Squall shook it of and sang the last chorus.
As soon as the last note rang though, Edea and Rinoa attacked during the applause. Squall felt the force at the back of his mind grow but he fought to push them out. *GET OUT OF MY MIND,* yelled Squall at the intruders through mind speech. Squall then said, "This is my new song and I hope you like it, its called 'Weak.'"
Instead of the high-strung beat, this song was more like soft rock, a ballad more likely.
"Don't think of me as weak
Irvine dragged Seifer to the dance floor as Quistis did the same with Zell. Selphie was too busy trying to get Laguna to let her talk to Squall about a concert at Garden. Edea and Rinoa still tried to break the mind shields.
"You saw my strength
Yet, somewhere along the way I died…"
Squall began to scan the room for his mind intruders. He knew Edea was one but the new one was awkward. It felt like smooth and relaxing but at the same time deadly. A faint melody was heard in the background. Soon his eyes, fell on Rinoa, whose eyes were no longer brown but yellow like when she used her magic. She was the other.
"Don't think of me as weak
Rinoa stiffen as she felt Squall's eyes on her. 'So he found out…' Quickly, she told Edea and then began to pry harder.
"My pride is always there
Edea knew that she must push harder if she didn't, she didn't want to know the consequences of the failure. Telepathy used for prying was only used when in need of danger but what danger could this man possess? Edea needed to know the man who has the power of his sister, the power of the Leonhart clan, Squall never shown the power he was to wield.
"Don't think of me as weak
Squall fought harder to keep them out of his mind. If they were to know what lurks in the corners of the mind, all would be lost. Ares would surely gain his information from them if they knew.
"How could I fall for you?
*Let us through,* said the two Ancients, *Let us through.*
*No, you must not know," protested Squall, *it is for your own safety…*
"Don't think of me as weak
No sooner than he thought that they pushed harder but Squall was stronger still.
"If you ever care for me
When the last note was heard an explosion went off. Soon all were covered in dust, Squall quickly teleported to his room inside the Palace to receive his sword but no sooner did he touch it, the chaos of Ares began.
Playing with their hearts
I stand here watching you
Trying to make you see
That no matter how cold I may be
I'm waiting for you to come to me…"
God knows how long I tried to deny
Yet no lie can ever be of you
You play my heart as you did with theirs
I want to make you see
You're the only one for me…
Heartless long the way
Yet a few words from you and I'm alive
Hatred and Tease
That's all from you
While love and care
Is what I want to give you
Just look at me and you'll see
That we're meant to be…"
See me, don't ignore me
You're the only one for me
Don't you see?
I want you and maybe just maybe
You want me…"
We are meant to be…"
Trying to make you mine
A love spell of wonder
A spell grown over time
Try to fight it
Try to deny
In the end all you see
Will be me and my lovely lies…"
A darkness I gave to you
But my spell is stronger still
In the end there is nothing left to fool
Just give up
Don't fight the feeling
There's nothing you could do
You can't help but sense this feeling…"
Trying to make you mine
A love spell of wonder
A spell grown over time
Try to fight it
Try to deny
In the end all you see
Will be me and my lovely lies…"
The blood sings within
There's nothing you could do
One day it'll all cave in
Don't you dare fight me
Not until you see
Nothing is not real
Everything is my reality…"
Trying to make you mine
A love spell of wonder
A spell grown over time
Try to fight it
Try to deny
In the end all you see
Will be me and my lovely lies…"
"Don't try to deny me
Don't try to lie about me
I know when you do
Why don't you just accept me?
Don't try to hide
Don't try to run
The beginning is now
It's time for me to have my fun…"
"I weave a spell over you
Trying to make you mine
A love spell of wonder
A spell grown over time
Try to fight it
Try to deny
In the end all you see
Will be me and my lovely lies…"
I could always hold my own
Vulnerable I may be
Fragile I may seem
I'm not so weak…"
Somewhere in the night
Somewhere in our tragic fight
Though it was tied
I fought you off
I won inside
I could always hold my own
Vulnerable I may be
Fragile I may seem
I'm not so weak…"
Trying to keep control
Yet, there is no control
When it is you
You haunt my dreams
Haunt my thoughts
How could I fall for you?"
I could always hold my own
Vulnerable I may be
Fragile I may seem
I'm not so weak…"
We were the worst of rivals
The worst of friends
Yet, I fell
Does that make me weak?
Am I now weak to you?"
I could always hold my own
Vulnerable I may be
Fragile I may seem
I'm not so weak…"
Don't, just don't think of me as weak…"
