Enter the world of an alternate Final Fantasy 8. In this fanfic things are not as they would seem. Instead, the time period is the same yet the reality is different. In this world, our characters are knights, wizards and whatnot. The story is also full of ancient magic enhanced technology instead of plain old mechanics. In short, this fic could be viewed as medieval in nature.
Disclaimer: all Final Fantasy 8 characters, Places and things belong to Squaresoft and other involved companies. I own no rights to them, this fanfic is purely out of fun and enjoyment for myself and others.
FINAL FANTASY/ ALTERED TALE
Squall Lionheart Shut his eyes tightly against the glaring light of the lanterns above. His leather gloves rubbed his temples meticulously as his vision adjusted to the new environment.
"Ah, your awake I see." Came the voice of the cleric Kadowaki.
Squall ignored her statement and proceeded to push himself off the medical bed.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you Sir Lionheart. You've suffered quite a wound. It would be a pity for you to reopen it now."
Squall said nothing but sat back on his bed closing his eyes once more. He fingered the fresh wound he had received not too long ago. His eyes snapped open when he realized the traces of the wound were still there.
"Cleric, what is the meaning of this? My wound! It still exists!"
Kadowaki regarded him with thoughtful eyes before responding to his question. "It's an interesting case, that wound of yours. When applying healing herbs and spells, the wound still would not seal completely, leaving a scar behind. That is a rare oddity. There is legend that, if one is injured yet the injury does not heal fully then that person is destined with an important future."
Squall simply scoffed at the revelation and closed his eyes again, signaling that he would hear no more of her story.
"It is just a myth, mind you. But some say it has never failed to become true. Cheer up Sir Lionheart. Perhaps it means that you will find happiness with a wife." The cleric chuckled at her joke but Squall made no move, showing that he had either ignored her, or simply didn't care.
"Always the cold one aren't you? Well your Battalion Leader is on her way to greet you so you might as well be ready when she gets here." That said, Kadowaki left the medical room to attend to duties elsewhere.
"Important future…" Squall mumbled to himself, now alone in the room to ponder his thoughts in peace.
Just then, the door creaked open and in walked Battalion Commander Quistis Trepe.
"Greetings Sir Lionheart. I trust that you are well, given the circumstances?"
Squall sat up and gave a salute to his commanding officer but made no response to her question.
"Well then, may I ask what you were thinking when you and Sir Almasy took it upon yourselves to face off in a blood match? The two of you nearly killed one another."
Squall glared at her for a minute. He didn't like when others accused him of something so heinous as the act of trying to kill one's own teammate. "Leave that up to Seifer." He replied simply, then got off the bed.
Quistis nodded knowingly at this. "That Seifer is a wild one is he not. I wonder how he ever made it amongst us as a knight anyway."
Squall said nothing but motioned his hand out towards the door, signaling that they should be leaving now.
Quistis took the hint and stepped out of the door. "Look Squall, I realize you and Seifer hold the same position as knights of Garden however I can assure you that you will never have to deal with him and his vile antics after our next sortie. The Supreme Commander of Garden has assured me that he is short of men in his officer programs and he is looking forward to this next battle with all alacrity. He tells me that he is looking for men who will prove themselves on the battlefield. They are to be rewarded with a ranking."
Squall shot her an annoyed glance. "What does that have to do with me?"
"Do not take me for a fool, Sir Lionheart. You and I both know that, you and Sir Almasy are amongst the 12 eligible nights for the rank of Liutenant. That is why the 12 of you were specifically assigned to this next mission. And I'm sure we both know that Seifer will never gain rank in the knighthood."
Squall gave no answer but continued to walk until they got to the bridge connecting the medical wing to the rest of the Balamb Garden Castle.
You were always the odd one were you not, Sir Lionheart. You should open up a little. Show people your emotions once and a while. Otherwise, you will only be pushing them away."
"Whatever…" Came Squall's curt reply only to be mimicked by Quistis at the same time.
She chuckled to herself softly. "It seems I am beginning to understand my subordinate, better."
Squall scoffed and began to walk down the bridge. "I'm a lot more complex then what you think, Commander."
"Do you really think so? I would beg to differ Sir Knight. However, how you think and what you think are your own business right? I will leave it up to you to decide how you wish to deal with what others may think of you. I will say one thing however; others opinions of you may turn for the better if you ever decide to open up once in a while."
Squall grimaced in a gesture of annoyance. "Whatever."
Quistis beamed. "Yes Squall, whatever. Whatever you wish to make of it." And with that, His Commanding Officer finished her trek down the bridge and made a sharp right turn leaving her subordinate alone to ponder his thoughts once again.
Squall continued down the bridge, still lost in deep contemplation of his destiny. '…Implications of an important future? … A mission deciding the fate of my position in Garden? Why must I become so important? I wish only to be left alone.'
Squall continued his silent musings until he reached the quarters to the debriefing room. Whatever his destiny would be, he could do nothing about it. What mattered to him now was the present. And in the present, Squall had nothing to worry about but an impending battle that could ensure the loss of his very life.
Well, there ya have it! The first chapter of my alternate Final Fantasy fanfic. How do you like it? Interesting? Dumb? Let me know. Anyway, I don't know if anyone else had this idea too it just came to me though. I was playing my new playstation game The legends of Dragoon and It occurred to me that it would be cool if final fantasy 8 had all that knight stuff going on so I just wrote it. Well thanks for reading! Hope you all enjoyed it!
-Cordis