Yuna: This kind of started out because of the fact that our original run with the crossover included a high school portion at the beginning. Things didn't work out that way, and voila! Here we have two separate stories! Enjoy!

Aerith: Yuna's putting it lightly. We screwed up our first crossover so much it could be considered an alternate universe by itself. Seriously, we had literal plot holes. This is better, though - it's hilarious and it's actually labelled an AU. Hope you guys like it :)

Disclaimer: We do not own Final Fantasy 6, 7, 8, or 10. We only wish to use this for the fun of writing.

Chapter 1: No Problem…Right?

Ari's POV

"Ariana Kidman and Nila Resnin are to be sent to the office, please." The secretary's voice sounded over the PA in our study hall. It wasn't a surprise; Nila and I had been waiting for our transcripts to be processed for a couple days. At the end of the school day, we would no longer be enrolled in Timber Prep, but rather students at Deling Academy, the most prestigious prep school on the continent.

The petite girl sitting at our table sighed sadly. "...We're gonna miss you, Terra." I said, hugging the green-haired girl lightly. "Keep in touch, okay?"

"Of course I will," she said warmly, smiling slightly. "Although...you two will make so many friends, so I should be asking you to keep in touch..."

"Are you kidding? We're so nervous! I wish you were coming, you're so good at making friends..." Nila said sadly, hugging Terra tightly. "Oh Gaia, Terra, I miss you already..."

I slid my computer into my backpack, wrapping up my charger along with it. "...We need to get going." I said quietly, slinging my bag onto my shoulder.

Nila and Terra looked curiously close to tears as they hugged each other one last time. Then, with a heavy sigh, Nila picked up her bag and followed me out the door. "Well, it's goodbye to this life..." she said sadly as we walked down the deserted hallways to the office. Our footsteps echoed, making the silence feel louder than it really was.

"I'm sure gonna miss it." I said, running my hand along the dark polished wood of the wall. "...I have no idea what our new school's gonna look like."

"I hope the people are nice..." Nila said nervously, hugging herself as if she was protecting herself from school bullies. "Because we're not gonna be in the same classes..."

"We'll still see each other during lunch and after school!" I said optimistically, then sighed. "...You're right...the situation sucks."

"I can't even see a bright side to this!" she said exasperatedly, then shook her head. "We're just trying to convince ourselves this is gonna suck, aren't we?"

"I once again marvel at our keen grasp of the obvious." I muttered as we reached the front office. "...I just hope that things will turn out okay."

The dark-haired secretary smiled at us as we entered and ushered us down the dark hallway to the principal's office. She knocked softly on the door. "Come in," the prompt response came.

Feeling fleetingly like I had done something wrong, I opened the door and we stepped into the room.

Headmaster Martine was sitting at his desk, typing something into his laptop. He looked up as we entered and smiled. "Miss Resnin, Miss Kidman. Your transcripts await." He motioned to two manila folders on the edge of his desk. "It is sad to see you two go, but I personally feel that you both will thrive at Deling Academy."

"Thank you, Headmaster," Nila said softly. I could tell from her tone that she personally didn't think so. "We appreciate all you've done for us these past few years."

"You are most welcome."

"Headmaster...if I may ask..." I said timidly, "...What is this school like?"

He turned towards me, his glasses flashing in the dim light. "The coursework is extremely advanced. One needs to be well above average to be accepted and to do well. While I'm not sure about the social situation, I can tell you that you will find many people of your own intelligence level there."

"...Okay." I said uncertainly, then turned to the door as we heard incoming footsteps. It was my mother's chauffeur. He bowed stiffly to the headmaster. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I am here to pick Miss Nila and Miss Ariana, Headmaster."

Headmaster Martine nodded, smiling at us. "You may go, girls. I wish you the best."

Our first sight of the school did nothing to improve our opinions of it.

The sky was grey with clouds, and the spires of the castle rose up to meet it. It was constructed out of black stone, giving the whole place a thoroughly gloomy look that was not improved by the foreboding trees surrounding it on every side. It didn't appear to have many windows, either, so I could imagine how dark it was on the inside. The car was already going slow on the dangerously winding road, but I wished it would go slower.

"That is not where I want to spend the next nine months of my life," Nila said flatly as she leaned over to look out of my window. Sighing, she flopped back into her seat and hugged her knees to her. "I shouldn't be complaining...at least you're coming too."

I scowled at the building. "Why does it feel like we're going to school in a building that was built back when Hyne was still on Earth?"

"And here I was thinking that old, creepy castles only existed in stories..." she muttered, glaring at the building like it had done her some personal wrong.

My anxiety grew as the car rolled up to the front doors, which were two stories in height. Stepping out of the car, I immediately shivered at the biting cold of the wind. Grabbing my schoolbag, I waited for Nila before we walked up the stone steps to the doors. Our luggage had already been delivered to our rooms, and the main goal at the moment was getting to the front office.

As if on cue, the large doors swung open, greeting us with some slightly warmer air. I glanced back as the car drove off, and then turned back to face the dark interior.

We stood in the middle of the marble hallway, glancing down the arched hallways. I felt slightly intimidated by the sheer size of the place. Glancing up, I saw a large clock hanging from the ceiling, the only modernity in what could have otherwise been a castle from the Middle Ages. "...Hey, isn't it time for-"

As if on cue again, a bell rang, and the doors lining the hallways on all floors burst open simultaneously. "...Class to end." I finished dejectedly, groaning. "Not a good omen if we can't even get through the door."

"Think we should try navigating that mess?" Nila said, glancing at the flood of chattering students spreading in all directions. "Where is the main office, anyway?"

I grabbed her hand and we plunged into the middle of the mob. Weaving through the crowds of people, I saw a large sign that said "Front Office". Thank Hyne for obnoxiously large letters.

The only problem was getting through the people. We got jostled around for about five minutes against backpacks, books, pencils, and numerous other items that were going to leave bruises. Finally, I grasped the doorknob of the door and we tumbled inside. I sighed in relief as the secretary stared at us like we each had two heads. "...May I help you?" she said with a slight frown.

"Um, yes," Nila said in a small voice, "We just got transferred here and we were told to see the headmaster..."

"That would be me." A male voice said from the hallway to our left. We turned around to see the headmaster, a slightly stout middle aged man, smiling at us. Finally, somebody who looked friendly in this place...

"My two transfers from Timber Prep, yes?" he said kindly, extending his hand for us to shake. "Yes, come right this way...you both have your transcripts with you?"

"Yes, sir," we said together, and followed him down the hallway into a large office. He gestured for us to sit in the small wooden chairs facing his desk.

"Your transcripts, please," he said, rummaging around on his desk for a pair of reading glasses. We handed the folders to him, and he quickly scanned them.

"Yes, these are all in order...excellent students, the both of you. I've placed you in our most advanced classes, which I think you will find to your liking."

"Headmaster, we're still confused about some things...could you give us sort of a background?" I questioned.

"Yes. As you probably already saw, the students must wear a uniform. These are hanging in your closets in your dorms currently. You are girls, and therefore you will be wearing skirts, possibly slacks if need be. Please use discretion when wearing your uniform...although you two don't seem like the type to break the dress code. You have two sets of regular wear, and one set of formal wear. Casual clothing is permitted on holiday only, and during your extracurriculars, although I doubt you will be using them then. They will most likely provide you with clothing suited to that subject. For balls and such, you will be allowed to wear any formal wear you like. Again, use discretion."

"Next, your schedules..." Headmaster Cid rummaged around in a drawer and pulled out two sheets of paper. Handing them to us and chuckling at the slightly puzzled expressions on our faces, he continued, "They are confusing to read, I know. But you'll find that the students in your classes will be much the same, since the advanced students are all placed in the same classes. They can help you find your way around, but if you need assistance, there is a map on the back of your schedule. Elective choices are coming up soon; you two arrived at a fairly convenient time."

"Also, your keycards and rooming assignments..." He drew out two lanyards with various keys hanging from them. "These contain your meal cards, student IDs, and dorm keys...don't lose them. And as for rooming assignments...Miss Resnin, you are going to be with a young girl by the name of Tifa Lockhart, room 109. As for you, Miss Kidman, you will be with a girl named Yuna Braska, room 105."

"I believe that is all...if you have any further questions, feel free to ask any of your classmates." The headmaster gave us both kind smiles. "Are you ready?"

"We think so." I said, smiling slightly.

"Oh, and the dorms are located in the back of the quad." Headmaster Cid added.

"Thank you, sir," Nila said softly. "I think we should be able to find our way with no problem...right, Ari?" I nodded, and Cid dismissed us.