Divergence
WARNINGS
1) I don't own the Final Fantasy characters, series, or plotline.
2) Rated T for language and violence.
3) Let's place the story about a year after Ultimicia.
A/N: I wrote this a very long time ago and just stumbled upon it. It was a bit cringe-worthy at points, but I think I'm going to edit and try to finish. I feel there's a good plot line I can work with. Not sure if anyone reads FFVIII fiction anymore, hahaha.
One for Sorrow
"As you well know," Quistis Trepe sighed, brushing her hair out of her eyes. "The SeeD exam will take place tomorrow morning." She paused as a paper airplane drifted from the back of the class and landed softly on an empty desk in the second row. The three students in the back of her class were asleep and she counted four people playing computer games. It was the end of the year and she could hardly blame them. Quistis still planned to teach summer semester, but little to few students stayed the summer. Only those who were failing or lacking much of a home life stayed. Garden was originally founded as an orphanage, and many still took advantage of it for those accomodations.
"We'll be departing Garden at approximately 0700," she continued after readjusting her glasses and clearing her throat. Thankfully, the bell sounded, signalling the end of her second to last class of the semester. "This is the last chance for some of you," she called as her students filed past her. "Be prepared."
(0000000000)
"I failed the last four kids." Zell grumbled, looking down at his clipboard. "Just to let you know – it's not going to be easy" The cool ocean breeze was more and more refreshing each time he returned to Garden from the Fire Cavern. Covered in ash and sporting several small burns, the blonde brought his glance to the next student. "Gouldren, Ethan?"
"Yeah."
"Junctioned?"
"Yup."
"Right. Let's roll." Zell nodded his head towards the Fire Cavern. The blonde was underwhelmed with this next cadet, but he'd seen a lot worse today. He had short brown hair and was about 5'7. Zell was a bit shorter, but Ethan's toned, tan arms were nothing compared to Zell's physique. He guessed Ethan was maybe 15 or 16. Unlike Zell, his hair was kept shaved and short brown. "You sure you're up for this? You brought Phoenix Downs? Potions?"
"I'm ready, Sir" Ethan retorted, keeping his head on the path. Zell was a bit intimidating. Of course, he heard the stories of Garden defeating Ultimicia, and Zell was legend. He tried not to shrug it off and not let the pressure get to him. Ethan was nervous enough as it is.
"Not a whole lot of good glove fighters this year," Zell noted, more to himself than Ethan. He noticed the gloves on Ethan's hands. They were not even in the same league as Zell's Ehrgeiz. Ethan's gloves gave a smell of leather and studs protruded from the knuckles. In contract, the Ehrgeiz were art – bright red and wrapped with dragon skin, reinforced with adamantine, and shaprened with a fury fragment. Zell tried not to be too judgy, but Ethan's gloves were cheap, even for a kid of his age.
Ethan didn't know how to respond, so a brief silence stood over the two. This wasn't Ethan's first rodeo at the Fire Cavern. Two years ago, he got sick on the walk to the Fire Cavern and was told to go home. His sickness was a consistent problem throughout his life. Last year was better, but two red bats and a buel were enough to take him out. He still had yet to make it to Ifrit's Cavern. This year was going to be different though. Ethan knew he was going to get to the SeeD test. He needed too. Like hell he was going home this summer.
"…if you knew this or not, but you can draw ice from glacial eyes around here," Zell continued, as they marched up a sloping hill. The wind brushed through Zell's singed hair when they reached the top. "They're rare, but if you can corner one, it really helps you for the little fire monkey up here." Zell flashed a smile, laughing to himself.
It took Ethan a moment to realize that Zell was talking to him. He had so many thoughts running through his head. When was it appropriate to use magic? How much time should he give himself? Would Zell protect him from getting too hurt? He didn't even think about glacial eyes and ice, so he stumbled in his response and looked at the ground. Ethan started feeling sick again…
"Hey, you'll be fine, dude…" Zell smirked, sympathetically. He could see the nervouseness in the kid's eyes and the color drain out of his face. "Nobody ever died doing this. Worst case scenario, you can try again next year."
Ethan nodded and looked down. The grass turned to sand as they approached the fire cavern. Heat radiated from the fire cavern, mixing with the cool ocean air and causing the air to feel heavy and humid. Ethan wiped his forehead with the bottom of his t-shirt – half from nevousness and half from the new heat. He wiped his hand on his gym shorts and steadied himself.
"How many minutes do you want?"
(0000000000)
"What time is it Irvy?" Selphie asked between sips of coffee. The Cafeteria was slowly thinning out and the night lights were coming on.
"'Bout 2000," the cowboy responded, looking down at his watch. His cowboy hat tipped clumsily over his eyes. "Fancy we should go up?"
"I fancy we should," Selphie smiled, grabbing Irvine by the hand. The two made their way through the deserted corridors to the elevator. The low hum of the Garden soothed the air as the elevator sounded; signifying it's arrival. "Any good cadets today?" Selphie asked, skipping into the lift.
"A few," Irvine shrugged as the elevator lurched up. "How about you?"
"I have FOUR cadets," Selphie whined. "Nobody wants to learn the Nunchaku anymore."
"Are any of them any good?"
"They're all brilllllllliant!" the brunette beamed, doing a skip.
"Wow, I wish I could say the same," the cowboy laughed.
"I'm sure they are!" Selphie encouraged. "You just need to get to know them better!"
"Not true," Irvine said smoothly. He wrapped his arm around Selphie's waist and smiled. "It's just that everyone who's too scared to fight with a sword wants a gun." The elevator dinged again and they stepped out in front of Squall's office.
"It'll be ok! I'm sure you'll find at least a few diamonds!"
Irvine laughed. Selfie was always the optimist and knew just want to say to make him feel better. In fact, Irvine had seen some promising students today. Russell Wilson looked promising. Akira Rennodone tore apart Ifrit with 10 shots and hardly a scratch. With a Bismark gun though, it was pretty easy. Although with that accuracy…
"Maybe you're right… The cowboy laughed, opening the door for Selphie to Squall's office. Inside, they joined Squall, Rinoa, Quistis, and Xu.
"Everyone here?" Xu questioned, looking around the room.
"Zell…" Squall muttered, not looking up from the floor.
As if called for, the blonde burst through the doors. Still covered in ash and smelling profusely of sweat, Zell took a seat adjacent to Rinoa. "Sorry. A cadet beat Ifrit, but barely. Didn't bring anything ice related…"
Rinoa and Irvine giggled, but Squall kept his head down.
A brief silence flooded the room as the lion gathered his thoughts. "The SeeD mission has been decided for tomorrow," Squall muttered, getting straight to the point. "At 0700 tomorrow, we will be departing to Balamb. From there, we will receive a ship transport to Centra."
"Centra?" Zell interrupted.
Squall just glared at him.
(0000000000)
Ethan collapsed on his bed. He didn't throw up. He beat Ifrit. He did it.
"How did it go?" Jostin asked, not looking up from his computer.
The brunette threw his shirt and gym shorts on the floor and lied in his own sweat, pushing the covers off the bed. He was usually more modest, but he was exhausted, and his roommate, Jostin, usually didn't wear much clothes either. Ethan closed his eyes, rolled over on his side, and exhaled slowly.
"You there, bud?" Jostin interjected. He also was shirtless, althought this was normal when he played videogames. Ethan was just glad he didn't catch him masturbating this time. That occurred on at least four occasions this semester and was not helping his stomach issues.
"Yeah, but that was after 27 minutes. I only asked for 20. Thing damn near killed me too. I didn't bring any ice."
"Well if you killed it, it couldn't have gone that bad."
"Just let me sleep…"
"Too much sleep…makes me weak!" Jostin chortled to himself. "You get it? It's Diablo! Remember from history?" He continued laughing as he scratched himself below his chest.
Ethan didn't respond. He was already asleep.
(0000000000)