Ultimate Fantasy

Ultimate Fantasy
Part I
Enter The Wolf

"Are you sure you wanna do this?" Zell asked as he cracked his knuckles. "I mean, three-on-one isn't very fair, especially since it's us."
"I've got to agree with Zell on this one," Irvine put in as he was loading his shotgun. "You've got hardly any chance."
"This is unwise, Scott," Squall said, drawing his Gunblade. "There are other, easier ways..."
"No," I said, cutting him off. "This is how I want to do it." Squall Leonhart, Zell Dincht, and Irvine Kinneas were right. This wasn't fair, I didn't have much chance of winning, and there were easier ways of taking the pre-test. But taking another route once I'm on the one I chose, no matter how easy, just wasn't my style. Like when I won Quistis' heart, I was set on my path, and nothing could change it no matter how ugly it got. Obstacles were sure to come, but I would face them. As the Marines in my world say, "Improvise, Overcome, Adapt."
Quistis Trepe was overseeing the test, reluctantly. When I told her how I was going to take my test, she begged me not to. She didn't want me to get hurt. Somehow I managed to talk her into it and score me. I also asked her not to give me a higher score just because of our relationship. I wanted to earn the right to take the final exam.
Next to Quistis stood Selphie Timitt and Rinoa Heartilly, girlfriends of Irvine and Squall respectively. They wore the same concerned faces as Quistis. Though I hadn't been with the group for as long as everyone else, we were a family. We cared for each other, we backed each other, we helped each other with problems.
But for the next few minutes, I was just another recruit trying to get into an elite mercenary unit.
"If I don't do it this way, then I can't do it at all," I continued. "I have to prove it to myself."
"Very well," Squall said with a sigh. "Prepare yourself. I warn you that we won't go easily on you. Quistis, begin the test." And with that, he attacked, Gunblade forward.
One thing about Squall, I thought as I jumped back and away. He doesn't waste time.
He came at me again, but I was ready for him. I jumped and stepped on his shoulder, and launched myself over him, pushing off the back of his head with my other foot as I went by. I lost track of him temporarily, because Zell had stepped up and blind-sided me. When I got my bearings, (which was fairly fast compared to what I was when I first got here) I turned to him. But he was already on top of me, swinging those powerful fists in my direction. I tried to block, but only partially succeeded. I took some hits in the face, chest, and stomach. Thinking quickly, I jumped backwards, and when he was in range, I jumped again, executing a round house kick to his face, then another, and a third, till finally I did a simple jump kick and shoved him to the floor. I landed on my left knee, my right leg stretched out to the right. In my opinion, that was the best move I had made; Irvine had taken position and fired a round in my direction. It whizzed above my head and made me duck. Whether he meant to miss or not, I didn't have time to think on it.
Squall had recovered and was on the attack again. This time, I decided to play it safe. I drew my Gunblade, very similar to Squalls, and, still crouching, I blocked his blow. He bore down on me with all his weight. I didn't know how long I could hold this position, so I brought my left arm away from the Gunblade, put it to the ground, and brought my right leg back and into his gut. With all the leg strength I could muster, I shoved him off me. I heard a click and knew Irvine was going to fire again. Quickly I did a handstand on the arm that was touching the ground, and threw myself backward in an attempt to evade the attack. Irvine tracked my move and fired.
I didn't feel the bullet enter my right shoulder, but I saw a splash of red hit the ground. Time seemed to slow. I heard a scream, knew it was Quistis. I was dazed and confused for a moment. I couldn't remember what was happening. It was quiet suddenly. I could see Squall, his lips moving, but there weren't any words or sounds coming out. I felt a tingle in my shoulder, and then I realized what had happened. I had been shot. I looked at Irvine, and he was just as surprised as I was. I think he was betting on me to keep moving. I heard running, and knew Quistis was running to my side. Now that I knew what was happening, I could act. I raised my uninjured arm and waved her back. I heard myself saying, or rather shouting, "The battle won't stop just because I get hurt." I shouted it a little more loudly then I meant to. I was starting to feel the pain.
I saw her step back and I began to hurt that much more. Now, I began to focus on the magic spell Thundara. I felt the power surge through me, building up to red line. I pushed the power to my fist, and released it, shoving my fist toward Irvine. It hit him dead on and knocked him down.
As I reset myself for another attack, Zell came at me again. I was able to hold him back this time. He swung, I ducked, dodged, and did whatever I could to evade his fists and feet. I was slowing down now, the pain in my shoulder was so great. In the corner of my eye, I saw Squall charge at me, perhaps to finish the battle while I was tangled up with Zell. Out of desperation, I swung my Gunblade down and forward, catching Zell right across the thigh. He fell back, yelling in pain. I had cut deep enough to remove him as a threat. As he fell away, I brought my Gunblade around to block Squall just in time. Our blades met once again, and it became a sword fight. A duel. The sound of metal on metal, the smell of my blood, my sweat, his sweat, it all made for the perfect fight. I attacked, he parried. He swung, I blocked. I slashed, he dodged. On and on it went. I was feeling very weak. The blood loss was getting to my mind. Come on... focus...
I swung at Squall again, but he ducked away and stepped back. I set myself for what was most likely to be the final blow. I was starting to see black around the edges of my vision. My sword was lower than I wanted it to be. I tried to re-position it, but found it to be heavier than lead. I had lost, but I didn't want to admit it. I was prepared to fight until I was knocked out or killed. I was ready for whatever Squall sent at me. I was ready for anything. Anything but what he did.
Seeing my state, he flipped his Gunblade over, slammed it into the ground, and backed off with his arms out to the sides. I must have had a confused look on my face, because, for a moment, no one spoke. Finally, Squall broke the mood.
"If we continue this battle, you'll die. And I can't let that happen. I surrender, for your sake, and Quistis'. You are victorious."
Dropping to my knees, I weakly replied, "I... accept.. your.. surrender."I felt myself fall to the side, but I don't remember landing.
The next thing I remember, I was lying in the Infirmary, bandages on my shoulder. I began to sit up, but was immediately halted by a sharp pain in my shoulder, then another in my head. I moaned a bit, and Quistis came rushing around the corner.
"Scott!! You're awake!" She was almost hysterical. I lay back and closed my eyes for a minute.
"Feels like I got hit by a semi going 90 miles an hour," I said, not really knowing what I was saying. She sat down next to me and held my hand.
"The doctor says you'll be fine in a few days," she said. "As for the test, you survived, so you passed. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, Quistis. Couldn't have done it without you," I said with a smile.
"You're welcome."

I don't know how I got here. Well, I have an idea, but it's a little far fetched. Hell, for all I know this could be a very elaborate dream. Possibly one of my friends hired some actors, made some special effects and tried to cheer me up some. Whatever the reason, I'm here. I'm not even gonna try to explain. Probably come off like a blithering idiot. All's I know is that the first moment I arrived, I was attacked by a monster called a Buel. I had woken up in a field full of dandelions. A old, wrecked house wasn't far.
The Buel came at me, flying low to the ground. I evaded it's attack, and ran for the house. I didn't get too far; the Buel knocked me down from behind. I decided to fight the thing. Who knows? Maybe I'd win. Wishful thinking, huh? I landed one kick, but it was a luck shot. It had come in low again. I had jumped up above it's wings and swung my leg out. Caught it right between the eyes. As I began to pat myself on the back (figuratively), it flew back up and knocked me down again.
Suddenly, a blast of cold overcame me. I rolled to the right, just before a blast of ice blew the Buel away. I turned on my back and looked over to where the blast had come from. I could see three figures. One was holding a kind of sword. The person to his right was holding a chain with a point on the end of it. The third person had no weapons. The last thing that ran through my mind before passing out was the fact that my ultimate fantasy had come true: I was in the Final Fantasy VIII world.

I woke up some time later in a hospital room of some kind. There was a window above my bed, and an observation room off to the right. A curtain was pulled across the entryway to the bed area.
After a successful test of my limbs, I stood with a groan. After a short stretch, I looked out the window above the bed. What I saw was somewhat familiar. It was a sort of grounds, Like a college campus, with trees and benches. Everyone was wearing a uniform, also familiar... could those be..
"So, we are finally awake?" I spun to see a little, plump Japanese woman standing at the foot of the bed. She was dressed in a doctor's uniform, which didn't surprise me as much as her sudden appearance.
"Um... yeah, I guess so."
"Good. My name is Doctor Kadowaki. Now, lay back down, and let me take a look at you," She said, and I obeyed.
Feeling my chest with very delicate fingers, she gently poked and prodded me, working her way down my stomach, then back up to my shoulders. As she examined my right arm, she started to ask me questions.
"So, how'd you end up out there by yourself?"
"Got me," I replied. "I barely know where I am, much less how I got here."
"Maybe you'll be able to put it together after a while, yes?"
"Possibly."
"Squall, Zell, Quistis and Rinoa said you appeared out of a flash of white light," she said as she moved down to my right leg.
"Who?!" I exclaimed. I nearly jumped up, but she held me fast. She was stronger than she looked.
"Easy, now. The CeeD's who saved you. They were visiting Edea and Cid Krammer when there was a bright flash and you fell from the sky. Squall, Zell, and Quistis rushed out to see what had happened, when they found you struggling with a monster. It beat you fairly badly. You passed out shortly after."
"I can't believe it," I was muttering. "Did it actually happen? How did it happen? Why?"
"Dear doctor, is the patient awake?"
I knew that voice, even though I had never heard it. It was soft and light, yet strong and demanding. It also had a slight touch of age, so it wasn't real hard to figure who it was.
"Yes, Cid," the doctor replied as Cid entered the room. "He is awake, and in good condition. The bump on his head will only be temporary."
"Ahh, good," Cid said as he stood over me. "I am Cid Krammer, former headmaster of this garden. Welcome to Balamb Garden."
So it did happen, I thought as I lay there listening. But why? Why to me? And how?
"We found you fighting a monster near my wife's house. Well, actually, my students found you," Cid was saying. "Dear doctor, would you please summon them?"
"Of course, Cid," the doctor replied. "I'll just be a minute."
As she hurried off to make the call, Cid sat down on the bed next to me. I sat up so I could be on the same level as him. "They brought your unconscious form up to my wife's house, along with the backpack that was found near you. We haven't disturbed anything in it. You'll find all your possessions still within."
"Well," I said, "that's good to hear."
"I knew you'd be pleased to hear it. Strange belongings though. A pen that makes a dot of light on a wall, a knife, a broken CD player and quite a few CD's that none of us have ever heard off. It had Selphie in a fit trying to remember if she had heard of any of them."
He's mentioning characters from Final Fantasy VIII. It must have happened. "Um.. Exactly how did I get here?" I asked, wanting to get some answers.
"Well," he began, "Squall, Rinoa, Quistis, and Zell had flown our airship, the Ragnarok, to Edea's house for some quiet time. They were out having lunch when there was a bright flash and a bang. When they went to investigate, they found you on the ground. They destroyed the monster, and brought you and your stuff, passed out and all, up to the house. Edea, my wife, could do nothing, so Squall decided to bring you here. That pretty much sums everything up. You've been here for about eight hours now."
"That long?" I said. "Must've got hit too hard." The door opened, and in stepped Squall, Rinoa, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, and Quistis. I gapped at her. She looked much prettier in person.
"So this is the guy we saved out there, eh?" Zell said, his voice sounded much like mine in accent. It was a sort of Californian surfer/rocker, with a hint of ghetto.
"Easy Zell," Rinoa said. "He's been asleep for a while."
"Hey!" Selphie practically yelled at me, coming up right to my face. "Who made those songs? I've never heard of any of them!"
"Now, Selphie," Irvine said, grabbing her shoulders and pulling her back. "We need to keep cool, here. We don't want to offend our guest"
Squall spoke next. "What were you doing out there? Why were you all alone?"
The next voice I latched on to. "Ok, everyone just calm down. We've got a lot of questions for him, and I'm sure he has a few for us. Let's take this somewhere where we have more room."
Quistis. Her voice was commanding, but underneath was understanding and compassion. I instantly loved her. At the time, I figured I had no chance at getting any girl to like me. I had always had that kind of trouble when I was in my world. Couldn't talk to a girl I liked if my life depended on it. Something about Quistis made me want to try.
Cid led us up to his office, where we sat down on a table set behind the Bridge pillar. Nida, the Garden's pilot (it is a flying Garden, after all. It needs someone to fly it!) was told to land near the Shumi village and go see to the replacing of perishables to the Garden. This meant we had to be way north on the planet. Mentally, I brought up a map of the world (the FFVIII world) and tracked our position. After Selphie and Rinoa passed out cups of coffee, (I had water, coffee wasn't my kind of drink) the Q&A period began.
"First off, let's get a little more acquainted," Cid started. "I'll introduce my students..."
"I know them already," I said, cutting him off, but in such a way as not to insult him. "The guy in the black leather jacket is Squall Leonhart. The girl next to him, wearing the blue sleeveless, knee-length jacket with the angel wings sewn onto the back is Rinoa Heartilly, his girlfriend." They both stiffened, especially Rinoa when I mentioned the angel wings. She hadn't shown me her back yet.
"Next up, we have Selphie Timitt, and her boyfriend, Irvine Kinneas, the sharpshooter. You didn't miss Edea, Irvine. She shielded herself." Irvine looked aghast at that. "How did you know that?!"
"Moving right along," I continued "we have the tattoo-faced, cool handed, ass-kicker of the first degree, Zell Dincht." Zell went slack-jawed.
"And finally, the beautiful chain whip toting Quistis Trepe, formerly an instructor of this school, and my favorite out of the whole lot here." Quistis blushed and turned her head away, her mouth covered by her hand. "I believe that's everyone."
"Impressive," Squall commented.
"How'd he know all that?" Zell asked.
"Wow! Are you psychic?" Selphie said.
"His favorite..." I heard from Quistis. I'm not sure, but I think that is what compelled her to love me.
"All right, everyone, calm down," Cid said, restoring order. "Young man, I think it's time you explained some things. Please start with how you know everyone here."
"That part is simple to answer," I replied. "Explaining the answer will be harder. Figuring out how I got here will be toughest of all. I'll do my best to recall the events. Let's see... I guess I should start with my name, Scott Wolf. Final Fantasy is a video game where I come from. It's played on a console that attaches to your television. A disk is inserted into the console, called Playstation, and depending on the type of disk, a game is played. I was obsessed with the game. I played it for hours on end. Even when I was a kid, I liked to pretend I was the main character. Probably why I don't have many friends. After I moved out to the garage, I spent every waking hour playing it. I had everything I needed to live out there. A bed, TV., my stereo, and even a little refrigerator so I could keep food out there. It was cool.
"Well, I had just gotten home from a yard sale at my friends house. I had picked up a ton of his audio disks, and had been listening to them on the way home. I entered my garage/room, and noticed that the lights hadn't come on when I hit the switch. Perturbed, I flicked the switch several times. Seeing it as pointless, I turned on the TV. and powered the Playstation. The familiar dialogue came up. Then something slightly odd happened: The system started to shake and move about. I grabbed it, and, at my touch, I was engulfed in a bright white light. Next thing I know, I'm in that field of flowers. The rest you know."
"An interesting story," Cid said. "What proof have we that it's true?"
"I don't have any, actually," I replied, looking away for a moment. As I looked back I said, "But I have no reason to lie to you, or anyone else here."
"True enough," Cid said, thoughtfully.
"Headmaster," Squall said. "I'd like to talk to you in private, if you don't mind."
"Speak your mind, Squall," Cid said. "I'm sure our guest won't be offended." Something tells me that that was a bad idea, I thought to myself. Squall's not the most open person, and it could get ugly. To my surprise, he said exactly what I hoped he would say.
"I believe him."
"You do?" everyone but Cid and I said in unison.
"Yes," he continued. "He has no reason to lie, and the events are logical, though a bit far-fetched. And, as events here lately have been real far-fetched, it seems to fit in."
"Have you guys beaten Ulticema yet?" I asked, trying to figure out where I had jumped into the timeline.
"Yeah," Zell said. "Whipped her ass but good."
"Then the game's already over. I got sucked in after the time-compressed world. I hadn't gotten that far in the game yet."
"Well, that convinces me," Quistis said. "No one else knew about the compressed world but the six of us and Edea. How could he know?"
"That's a good question," Selphie said. "If you haven't gotten that far, how do you know?"
"I have a help book," I said. "It guided me through most of the hairy spots in the game."
"Makes sense," Irvine said.
"Um..." Rinoa said, speaking for the first time since we got into the room.
"What is it, Rinoa?" Squall asked.
"Well, I was wondering if you knew what we have all been thinking during the past few weeks. I mean, it was a game to you, so it probably told you how we were feeling, right?"
"Mostly, it told what Squall was thinking," I replied. "I only got thoughts from others occasionally."
"Oh. I see," she said, settling back down into her seat. I was gonna have to talk to her later about why she had asked.
"Squall," Cid said. "May I have a word with you?"
"Yes sir," Squall replied.
He and Cid stood and took the elevator/lift up to the bridge of the flying garden. Taking the moment of distraction, everyone began to talk to each other, ignoring me for the moment. I was cool with that, I needed to check my stuff anyway. Opening my green backpack, I found everything that had been in it to be there. The CD player was indeed broken into several parts, irreparable by myself. I probably could if I had the right tools. I had always been good at fixing electronic gadgets.
My notebook was also there. All my papers from school, pictures, poems and song lyrics, even the music note sheet for one of the songs was there. Guess when they went through my stuff, it was a look-but-don't-keep job. My laser pen and survival knife were there as well. I felt a little more relieved now that I had all that I owned with me.
Cursing the CD player, I zipped my bag up and dropped it to the floor next to me. Hours passed, and they still hadn't returned. Zell and Irvine had played several rounds of Triple Triad, the popular card game in this world. Selphie and Rinoa had been discussing possibilities for the upcoming dance. Bored, I lay my head on my arms and just looked ahead. A commotion from Zell about a rule brought my head up. As I looked up, I found myself starring into the blue eyes of Quistis. I froze for a moment, unsure of what to do. She broke the moment by looking up. I did too, following her gaze to Squall and Cid, now descending from the bridge. The mini-meeting was apparently over.
"Scott," Cid said as Squall returned to his seat, "I have made a decision, and Squall has agreed with it. We would like to offer you a chance to live your fantasy. We'd like you to become a CeeD."
"Really?" I exclaimed, jumping out of my seat. "You serious?"
"Yes," Squall said. "We thing that it would be best for you, since you A. Have nowhere to go, B. don't know anyone who knows you, and C. we're short handed on competent SeeD members as things are." He sat back and folded his arms. I looked over at Quistis. She had a bright smile on her face. Squall continued. "However, you'll have to take an accelerated course. We have a graduation coming up soon. We'd like you to be in that graduation. It won't be easy. You'll have very little time to yourself, as you'll be training most of the time. You look like you could handle it though. What do you say?"
"Of course I accept!" I said, clenching my fist. "I'd say yes if the conditions were to fight another Buel by myself and win!"
"You'll not have to do that anymore, if you don't want to," Cid said with a laugh. "Just be yourself, train hard, and you'll be just fine."
"Thank you Headmaster, you'll not regret this!" I said.
"My dear boy, if I thought I would, I'd not have offered."
I saluted him as I would a general in the American army. Frowning, Cid walked around the table, and brought my arm down parallel to my body, and positioned my hand so it was just outside my vision. He then returned the salute.
"Squall, he'll need someplace to bunk," Irvine said. "Where we gonna put him? The dorms are all full, and none of us guys got room to spare. We all got people livin' with us."
I figured, correctly, that they all had their significant others living in the same room as them. Irvine had Selphie, Squall Rinoa, and Zell had that girl from the library. That left Quistis.
"Um..." she said, raising her hand. "I've got room, if he doesn't mind sleeping with a woman. I MEAN, in the same room."
For a moment, I couldn't say anything. Here was the woman of my dreams offering to let me sleep in her room. Cid's voice broke my trance, asking if it was ok with me.
"Uh... yeah, if you've got room," I said to Quistis.
"I can make room."
"Then it's settled," Cid said. "Tomorrow, you'll choose a weapon that you feel is best for you. For now, I think it's time we adjourned. It's late, and I'm sure you're all tired. Dismissed."
As I entered the elevator to the bottom floor, Quistis took hold of my hand. Surprised, I looked down at her hand holding mine. I looked at her, but she didn't look at me till we reached the bottom. When she did, she smiled. She led me to her room in that way, and, for a moment, I though I heard Selphie comment to Zell, "Looks like there'll be another top couple here soon, eh Zell?"
"Yeah, maybe."

Quistis' room was a mess. Magazines were here and there, books covered her desk, papers were everywhere. She apologized for the mess and tried to clean up a bit. I picked up one of the papers and looked at it. It had information about Galbadia Garden's latest position.
"I've been pretty busy lately, trying to find Galbadia Garden," she was saying as she attempted to organize her things. I held out the paper, and she gently took it. " Um..." She looked around for a second, then went to her closet. Reaching in, she took hold of several blankets. "Here, you can sleep on the floor." She handed me the blankets, and turned back to her closet. "I'm sure I have a pillow in here somewhere..."
"Thanks, Quistis," I said. "You've been real nice to me. And we haven't known each other that long."
"Oh, it's nothing," she said, turning to me and handing me a pillow. "Here."
"Thanks." I dropped the pillow and my backpack on the floor underneath her window. I then turned back to her. She was turned away from me, undressing. She turned her head and looked at me. I quickly turned my back. "So, uh... been here long?" Stupid question.
"Yeah," she replied. I could hear her moving around. "Been here since I was fourteen. I made SeeD in a year, and became instructor a few years later."
"I know."
"Then why did you ask?"
"Just trying to make conversation."
"Oh.. Ok, you can turn around." She had changed into sweatpants and a loose tank-top. She looked great. "What about you? Gonna sleep like that," she asked, indicating my clothes.
"Gonna have to. I don't have anything else."
"We'll have to get you some new clothes tomorrow then," she said, smiling. At that moment (actually I was hoping something like this would happen), there was a knock on the door. Quistis opened it and I heard Irvine's voice.
"I thought he might need somethin to sleep in, so he can have my old sweats and this shirt. They should fit, we're about the same size." Actually, we were. He's six foot one, and so am I.
"Thanks Irvine," Quistis replied, taking the clothes. "We were just talking about that."
"Well, g'night then," Irvine said, and Quistis closed the door.
"Here ya go," she said, tossing them playfully to me. I caught them and, after removing my shoes and throwing a glance at Quistis, to which she turned around as I had for her (we weren't intimate yet, remember?), I undressed and donned my new sleepwear. I told Quistis it was ok now, and set to making my bed on her floor as she lay down in her own bed. She turned off the lights after I was ready.
We said goodnight to each other, and attempted to sleep. A fairly difficult task, I found it. I was too excited to sleep. The thought of training to be a SeeD. After about an hour, I sat back up and starred out the window to the outside world. We were in motion, passing parallel with a mountain range. I just sat and thought to myself rapid thoughts too numerous to even try to mention. Memories of home came up, as did images of my few friends. I looked over a Quistis, who appeared to be asleep. I could tell she wasn't. She was just laying there, eyes closed. I could tell she was excited at having me sleep in her room. I reflected on what I figured to be her emotional state. She had tried to be with Squall, but he flat out ignored her. He didn't reject her, as she was, at the time, his instructor, but he didn't accept her motions toward him at all. Back then he was a lone wolf, much like me. He and Seifer Almasy were always fighting, and it was usually Quistis who broke it up, kind of like an older sister protecting her brother. She had thought of it as love. But after graduation, Squall had made it very clear he wasn't interested. When Rinoa came into the picture, she gave up all together. She didn't want to be with Zell, and Irvine had repulsed her during the assassination mission. She had given up on trying to love completely. Then, after their victory over Ulticema, I came into the picture. Something about me had relit the candle of love she thought had gone out completely. And now, here was her chance to be happy. I was more than willing to make her happy. On that thought, I lay back down and finally fell asleep.