Disclaimer: Final Fantasy VIII and all its components are property of
Squaresoft Inc. and do not belong to me. Any other characters that appear
in this story and not in the game are copyright of the author (Me). If you
wish to reproduce any part of this fanfic please contact the author first.
The Song of the Phoenix
Thunder roared outside as the rain beat upon the ruined home. Water dripped from cracks in the ceiling onto a rotting wooden floor. Dust covered toys lounged around left behind by the previous inhabitants, adding to the forlorn look of the room. The paint that was once a light colored pink was now turning yellow and peeling off the walls. The torn curtains puffed in accordance as the shattered window allowed a cool breeze to sweep through the area. In a corner a levitating, glowing orb created eerie shadows on the deteriorating enamel. The boards creaked as a being came into the room.
"The accursed one is getting closer. We must capture it!" commanded a dominant voice from behind the incandescent globe. A dazzling flash from this crystal ball revealed a girl with flame colored hair staring out at the sea from the Balamb city hotel balcony. As she was turning around a black mist materialized making the gorgeous scenery disappeared.
Squall sat up in bed covered in sweat, and his damp white T-shirt clung to his skin. Getting up he ran his fingers through his knotted hair trying to get the brown bangs out of his azure eyes, but to no avail. Opening the blinds, he squinted as the daylight flooded into his dorm. The sun, just above the mountains in Balamb Alcauld plains reflected off the aquamarine ocean making it a silverish blue. As he stared out, he tried to remember his recurring nightmare. He was starting to put pieces of it back in place when a headache suddenly struck him. The excruciating pain was worse then when he had almost gotten his forehead split in half by Seifer. He sat down in his swivel chair leaning face down against his deck, and the throbbing gradually faded. He looked up and noticed that it was only six am, and remembered that he had to help Quistis organize the candidate parties for the SeeD exams at seven. After much deliberation he decided that during the spare hour he'd go fight Grats in the Training Center. He quickly got dressed, grabbed his Lionheart, and ran out the door.
************
Zell had always hated waiting in line, even for his preferences, but if he hadn't lost playing Triple Triad to Irvine, he wouldn't be standing here in the first place. To make matters worst he had lost Diablos his favorite. If Kinneas doesn't give it back I'll give him one proper woppin he won't forget. He smiled wildly at the thought then glanced back to where they were sitting. Selphie waved then yelled:
"Don't forget NO MILK!"
"Excuse me are you going to order?" He turned his attention back to the row just to notice that he was the only one standing there. Feeling stupid, which happened often, he apologized and ordered. When he received their order, he brought their grub to the table.
"Here's for Espressos with lots o sugar for Miss sunshine dress, two eggs over- easy , bacon, and beans for the little buckaroo, and two hot- dogs for - "
"The chicken wuss" interrupted Irvine. The furious fighter was about to throw a punch, when their cheerful comrade reminded them of their mission.
"C'mon guys we have to check out the place where the SeeD exams are gonna take place. Stop arguing for at least an hour!" Zell let go of the "ladies man" shirt cursing at him. Dusting off his coat Kinneas handed the combatant a card.
"Here this is yours though I don't know why I'm giving it back to you." Zell stared sheepishly at the card. 'This is going to be a bad day' he thought.
***********
Sunlight seeped through the closed blinds into the dark room of Balamb Garden. As the great ball of fire slowly climbed higher up into the sky, the beams gradually moved to the corner of the dorm where the bed was situated.
Rinoa frowned as the rays hit her eyes and lazily opened them. She lethargically lifted herself up to look at the time, and with a sign dropped back down.
"Six o'clock" she cried "well so much for sleeping in." Caught in her blanket the sorceress stumbled out of bed and leisurely stretched. Yawning she smoothed out the wrinkles in her light pink pajama's. She decided to take a shower, and went to her closet and to grab her typical outfit. When she was clean and dressed, she thought of Squall.
"He can't be up at this time" she thought out loud. Then a slightly evil idea came to her mind, and her already present smile broadened. "I'll go wake him up! Oh and I'll bet he'll be happy to see me!" Daydreaming she skipped out of her room leaving her Shooting Star and dog biscuits behind.
The Song of the Phoenix
Thunder roared outside as the rain beat upon the ruined home. Water dripped from cracks in the ceiling onto a rotting wooden floor. Dust covered toys lounged around left behind by the previous inhabitants, adding to the forlorn look of the room. The paint that was once a light colored pink was now turning yellow and peeling off the walls. The torn curtains puffed in accordance as the shattered window allowed a cool breeze to sweep through the area. In a corner a levitating, glowing orb created eerie shadows on the deteriorating enamel. The boards creaked as a being came into the room.
"The accursed one is getting closer. We must capture it!" commanded a dominant voice from behind the incandescent globe. A dazzling flash from this crystal ball revealed a girl with flame colored hair staring out at the sea from the Balamb city hotel balcony. As she was turning around a black mist materialized making the gorgeous scenery disappeared.
Squall sat up in bed covered in sweat, and his damp white T-shirt clung to his skin. Getting up he ran his fingers through his knotted hair trying to get the brown bangs out of his azure eyes, but to no avail. Opening the blinds, he squinted as the daylight flooded into his dorm. The sun, just above the mountains in Balamb Alcauld plains reflected off the aquamarine ocean making it a silverish blue. As he stared out, he tried to remember his recurring nightmare. He was starting to put pieces of it back in place when a headache suddenly struck him. The excruciating pain was worse then when he had almost gotten his forehead split in half by Seifer. He sat down in his swivel chair leaning face down against his deck, and the throbbing gradually faded. He looked up and noticed that it was only six am, and remembered that he had to help Quistis organize the candidate parties for the SeeD exams at seven. After much deliberation he decided that during the spare hour he'd go fight Grats in the Training Center. He quickly got dressed, grabbed his Lionheart, and ran out the door.
************
Zell had always hated waiting in line, even for his preferences, but if he hadn't lost playing Triple Triad to Irvine, he wouldn't be standing here in the first place. To make matters worst he had lost Diablos his favorite. If Kinneas doesn't give it back I'll give him one proper woppin he won't forget. He smiled wildly at the thought then glanced back to where they were sitting. Selphie waved then yelled:
"Don't forget NO MILK!"
"Excuse me are you going to order?" He turned his attention back to the row just to notice that he was the only one standing there. Feeling stupid, which happened often, he apologized and ordered. When he received their order, he brought their grub to the table.
"Here's for Espressos with lots o sugar for Miss sunshine dress, two eggs over- easy , bacon, and beans for the little buckaroo, and two hot- dogs for - "
"The chicken wuss" interrupted Irvine. The furious fighter was about to throw a punch, when their cheerful comrade reminded them of their mission.
"C'mon guys we have to check out the place where the SeeD exams are gonna take place. Stop arguing for at least an hour!" Zell let go of the "ladies man" shirt cursing at him. Dusting off his coat Kinneas handed the combatant a card.
"Here this is yours though I don't know why I'm giving it back to you." Zell stared sheepishly at the card. 'This is going to be a bad day' he thought.
***********
Sunlight seeped through the closed blinds into the dark room of Balamb Garden. As the great ball of fire slowly climbed higher up into the sky, the beams gradually moved to the corner of the dorm where the bed was situated.
Rinoa frowned as the rays hit her eyes and lazily opened them. She lethargically lifted herself up to look at the time, and with a sign dropped back down.
"Six o'clock" she cried "well so much for sleeping in." Caught in her blanket the sorceress stumbled out of bed and leisurely stretched. Yawning she smoothed out the wrinkles in her light pink pajama's. She decided to take a shower, and went to her closet and to grab her typical outfit. When she was clean and dressed, she thought of Squall.
"He can't be up at this time" she thought out loud. Then a slightly evil idea came to her mind, and her already present smile broadened. "I'll go wake him up! Oh and I'll bet he'll be happy to see me!" Daydreaming she skipped out of her room leaving her Shooting Star and dog biscuits behind.