Griever

[Seraphor]

I didn't know about the Japanese script. I understand there is no need. But about the plot point, almost no story deals with time shenanigans that well, and it could still work with them being the same person by making Ultimecia being Rinoa from an alternate future where Squall never came back to save her from the SeeD. It doesn't have to be, of course.

I just think it would be better because ultimately, Ultimecia is not that interesting and I think that would add a layer of depth to her. And it would fit with the theme of the game if she was a Rinoa that was consumed by solitute and went mad, and also the fight against time, since they would basically be defeating the bad future by making sure the present follows a different path (and Griever as a representation of the fight of Squall against himself would still fit, even if it was summoned by evil Rinoa).

Not that I think any of this is in the game, I just think it would be a cool idea.

The story is based around a static time loop, where what happens will always happen, and what happened was alwats going to happen. Its the crux of the whole theme of 'fate' in the game, and is what makes Ultimecia a tragic villain who brought about her own demise by attempting to defy her own fate.
There are no 'alternate futures'.

It's actually one of the few types of time travel plot that's entirely internally consistent with the only paradox being the 'grandfather paradox'.