Disclosure! Although I would love to, I don't own any Final Fantasy characters although characters such as Syke and Malacia are mine. All FF8 rights are Square's. Big thanks for the advice from Seventhe (CHECK OUT HER STORIES! THEY TOTALLY ROCK!) and for my harshest critic ever, my best friend Mel. Hope u like the story, please contact me with any questions and please Read and Review. Thanks, Miss Kinneas.

Visions Of The Darkness

Chapter 1, Wishing For Love

He sighed.

He undone the first button of his satin shirt, put on his duster, frowned and looked in the mirror.

'I can't continue on like this anymore, this image is too much trouble….damn duster. '

He looked in the mirror and saw what he usually did everyday, long tan duster over slick, loose tan pants, long auburn hair tied up in a familiar pony tail, almost smiling shimmering turquoise eyes under the trademark cowboy hat and the one special thing he was wearing that evening ; a black satin shirt. He readjusted the duster again before getting frustrated with it and finally dumping it on a chair.

'I wonder if she will think this is too much.'

He looked in the mirror again and readjusted the hat.

"My first date with Selphie…wow who would have believed it …that she would ask me to go to the Congratulation Dance as her escort…..I wonder why she asked me…."

He looked at his slim watch and cringed. It was only ten minutes till the dance. Forgetting his perfectionististic adjustments to his outfit, he turned off the lights, walked outside his permanent SeeD apartment (Unit 69) and locked the door.

Ten minutes later at the Balamb Garden Ballroom in the centre of Balamb Garden's SeeD level

Irvine waked in and met Selphie at the door. Irvine looked at her, his Selphie. Done up beautifully in dark blue slippers and a tight, knee length, midnight blue strapless dress with her radiant smile shining and wavy brown hair above it. This was the first time since they were reunited a year ago that he had a chance to be with Selphie alone. This was a celebration of the end of the second Sorceress War and Squall, Quistis, Zell, Rinoa, Selphie and Irvine were the guests of honour. However, for Irvine tonight was just for him and Selphie. They walked slowly hand in hand into the Ballroom.

'Could this be real?'

Then Selphie suddenly let go of Irvine's hand and waltzed ahead with Irvine running after her till he lost sight of her in the masses of people. He slumped. Suddenly a hand reached up and stole his precious hat. He turned around and came face to face with the hat thief.

'Selphie'

"Selphie give it back!" he moaned.

"No! This one is going to cost you Irvine!" she giggled.

"What will it cost me Selphie?" he questioned.

"A dance Irvine" she replied simply.

'I can't believe it ……she is asking for a dance….'

"Selphie your wish is my command." Irvine said as he bowed and took Selphie's hand as he whisked her onto the dance floor. They started dancing immediately, Irvine's hand around Selphie's waist as he confidently glided her across the floor. While Selphie twirled and giggled happily the whole time till Zell asked if he could cut in and as Irvine is the perfect gentleman, he let Zell take over. Selphie looked slightly saddened as Irvine left the floor alone.

Irvine walked over to the balcony, where a clear night sky and cool breeze resided. He leaned on the balcony railing and looked into the sky. He started to look over star patterns when a shooting star flew overhead. Being a person who believed in wishes, Irvine made a wish on the star.

'Please make Selphie mine'

Then the star exploded leaving a trail of glittering dust behind it.

'I wonder if it will come true….'

Behind Irvine a slender girl slinks up without a sound. Irvine still starring at the night sky didn't notice the girl but did notice a whisper surrounding him…though he wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality after what had just happened.

'Who believes in wishes now, when living in the realm of magic?'

Irvine on an impulse turned seeing the owner of the mysteriously dreamy voice. There she stood, shoulder length black hair framing her face making it seem even darker that it already was with purple streaks and silver-blue tips running through her smooth straight hair, her violet eyes stared out at Irvine awaiting a reaction but finding none, she was covered in jewellery from silver thumb rings to an unmistakable necklace featuring a rustic looking pewter Griever on a darkened silver chain and she was wearing a sleek black strapless dress ending just before her knees. She tapped a black knee high booted foot as she waited impatiently for Irvine to answer.

'She is so familiar but I know I have never met her…who is she? '

Irvine regaining his composure while answering "We may have magic in this world but it cannot make wishes and dreams come true can it?" She sighed tiredly and laughed quietly as if her voice was just a passing breeze. "Only one of the past would say that…or one of low power" she replied mockingly. "What do you mean the past?" he questioned. "I think you know." she said as she walked towards him and the balcony. He then noticed her Sorceress Edea like makeup. "Wait, who are you!" he called as she slide over the balcony. "I am destiny, I am eternity and I am hope" she whispered as she disappeared into the refreshing night air.

"Who or what in Great Hyne was that?"

Irvine shook his head trying to believe what had just happened till Selphie bounced out of the Ballroom looking for him. "Irvine why did you leave!" she pouted. "Selphie I hate to ruin a great night so early but something really strange has just happened and I need to go. I'm really sorry and I'll have to make it up to you but I really need to go" he said calmly as he gave her a quick peck on the cheek. "Have a great night Selphie, go and enjoy it. You deserve it" he said as he walked off silently. "But Irvine!" she called into the night without the cowboy hearing her.

'I'm soo sorry Fee…I wish I could stay…I really do.'

As Irvine walked to his room he thought about the final words the dark beauty had said.

"I am destiny, I am eternity and I am hope".