This will probably contain less original content than most stories. The only changes made will be the adaptation of the dialogue, setting, plot, and personalities to those of the FFVIII world. All of whatever amount of the original film's content remains belongs to Warner Brothers' Studios. Elements from Final Fantasy VIII belong to the former Square Electronic Arts. Any adaptation or original content, along with the idea itself, belongs to me. I'm surprised I've not seen this done before.
The setting will be better explained as the tale progresses, but for now all you need to know is that due to Garden secrecy and the Sorceress' influence the 'orphanage gang' is hardly ever recognized by the world as a whole. That should be the only element of what some may consider 'AUishness.'
Prolouge: Dollet
The sudden emergence and defeat of the Sorceress Ultimecia left the world in a blurred state of elation, however temporarily. Only those directly involved in the final stages of the conflict knew who were involved, who were to be thanked for staving time compression, who were the villains and the heroes. After such a mysterious rapture from an enveloping fate the world soon returns disregard of danger that was and returns to life as it used to be.
With the end of conflict, the apparition that was the continent of Esthar awoke, and joined with the rest of the world in celebration. Soon it discarded its former xenophobic ways and began to merge with other countries and peoples. It shared its art, architecture, politics, people, medicine, and many other things with the newly unified body of the earth. Foremost being introduced to the rest of the people was the tremendous and often terrible advances in technology that the sleeping nation continued to excel in producing. The overwhelming naïveté of Esthar and its leaders inundated the planet with foreign technologies that were studied, incorporated, and advanced upon by each nation, often for good.
However, the sovereignty of Galbadia in its torrent of politics and upheavals both economic and social, could only find stability it seemed, with the development of their military and weapons. They found unity by pursuing their old imperialist ways of conquering and subjugation, and soon, with the most advanced integration of powerful para-magic and machinery, began a crusade to recollect their former glory by destroying other populi on the Galbadian mega-continent.
By this time only Dollet, with the help of Balamb, Trabian, and Shumi special forces was the only major city on the continent unoccupied by the juggernaut. Even for their aide, had the enemy forces attacked any sooner, it would not likely be a free state, but the inveterate Dukedom held onto it's autonomy until Trabia officially declared it the property of itself to save the withering economy. Thus, the blitzkrieg took itself elsewhere, finally prompting the abdication of neutrality from Esthar.
As the Galbadians concentrated their resources on maintaining authority on its own continent and ensuring control over its every inch, it simultaneously prepared for fighting on the Trabian front. The fearful and oppressed people of the continent sought, in either hope or desperation the passage to the relative safety of the expanded Balamb territories.
Not all could easily reach the haven of Balamb, safe even between the growing tensions of two vehement giants, so a haphazard trail of refugees formed. From Deling to Timber, and by train, foot, or car to the Dukedom of Dollet, where release papers of transit could be acquired, for a price. There those fortunate enough to have the money, influence or luck could flee away to Cape Horn where the Galbadian Navy would not block their passage to the free Balamb. For those others however, time would not stop for them in Dollet; they were forced to wait for it… and wait… and wait… and wait…
First true chapter to come very soon. My other works have been going fairly unnoticed of late, so I ask that you please read and review them as well. I would much appreciate it. Thank you.