In the Eye of the Squall:
Chapter I: To Become Squall Leonhart. . .
By S_4000.
It was depressingly sunny. Squall groaned, and buried his head under his small regulation pillow as he spied his girlfriend, the infamous Sorceress, Rinoa Heartilly, taking another hour to get to his dorm. All because she refused to run like any other human being. No, she had to take dainty, lady-like, tiny steps, and waste sooo much of his time.
Not that he was doing anything.
And it wasn't as if he really blamed her. But still. . .You would think if she thought he was dead, she would have run up to him at least. No, instead, she strolled through the mist, singing her damn mother's song, which was about his father. She couldn't even come up with a new song, and instead sang one which was about a generation too old. Pathetic. And she was too damn skinny.
"My life is pathetic!" he shouted to his gunblade, propped up next to his case. 'Pathetic! I do nothing but sit in here all day long. . .no exercise, since everything dies as soon as Quistis or Selphie butts in with Counter! And I'm Lv. 100! All my EXP is going to waste! And you. . .My poor Lion Heart. . .Rinoa got her hands on you. Pathetic. . ."
He rolled over. He was getting fat. Probably because of all those deliciously fatty foods such as hot dogs. . .M&M's. . .and Crispy Bug Treats. . .He licked his lips in longing.
"Squally! What are you doing in bed at a time like this!?" his girlfriend demanded playfully. She yanked him up, and he groaned dejectedly.
"Rinoaaa. . ."
"Squuuaaaall. . ." she mimicked. "Come on! You're coming to Esthar with me. I need to buy some stuff."
Squall allowed himself to be dragged out the door. However, as he was being rather limp, he collided into the doorframe. . . . .
"Squall!" Rinoa spun. "Stop mucking around!!!"
Squall pushed himself up unhappily. "Yes Rinoa. . ."
Esthar was hot. The sun beat mercilessly on his head through layers of dazzling blue glass. An eeriely familiar voice made him slowly turn, laden as he was to see the ultimate horror. Yes, THE Ultimate Horror.
Rinoa enthusiastically greeting his most hated nemesis.
Cid Kramer of course.
"Squall," the fat, balding, man beamed. "So good to see you! Edea's pleased as. . .as. . .Edea!?" he spun, and looked around frantically. Squall started to sneak away, being ever the oppurtunist. . .Only to bump into Matron.
"Squall!"
"Uh. . .Hi, Matron."
She smiled. "Good to see you. Have you seen your father yet?"
He jumped, and nearly dropped the gazillion packages Rinoa had loaded him up with. He hoped he was due for another SeeD payment soon. Last time he checked, he was Level A or Z or whatever. Whatever.
"Squall? Can you hear me?"
"Uh. . .Hi Matron."
Frowning, Edea shook her head, long locks of black hair flying, and hitting her husband in the face. Cid let out a yelp, and received a mouth full of hair for his troubles.
Edea turned hurridly, and Squall being slightly slow on the uptake once again, also got a face full of now-tangled hair. It smelt like really bad shampoo. Almost as bad as the shampoo Rinoa used. Rinoa. Where was she?
"Squall!" the girl in question said brightly behind him. Of course.
With a sunny smile, she deposited yet another package into his arms. "Well," she said briskly. "It's time we went to Deling City, or maybe Timber. Esthar fashion is truly. . .interesting."
Squall nobly refrained from sighing.
Deling City. The city of eternal night. The city where it had all began. The city where-
"Squall!"
He really wished people would stop wearing out his name. He only had two after all, and people rarely used his second name. It was Squall, Squall, Squall. Either, "SQUALL!" when Rinoa needed help, or the infamous, "Squall. Squall from Squad D." or even more infrequently, they used his student no. No. 139. No, wait a minute, that was the number on the sword in the Tomb of the Unknown King. What was his student number again? Maybe he could ask Norg. . .
Rinoa sighed, seeing a familiar vague look in her boyfriend's face. Never mind. She tossed her newest purchase; a pair of black strappy high heeled shoes for the upcoming SeeD Ball on top of the rest. Squall was rapidly disappearing behind a mountain of items. Rinoa shrugged. That's what happened when you gave her unlimited credit on Squall's money! Her mother had always told her to marry rich. . .
She walked down the street, Squall obediently following, his eyes vacant. She started to sing softly. There was no one to here it anyway. "On the stage on my owwwn. . ." she crooned, or rather warbled. "Never said my wwoooorrrds. . .wishing they would beee heard. . ." As she passed the Galbadian Hotel, singing loudly now, a man sprang out of the shadows at her.
"That's it! You're the one I've been trying to find!" he cried excitedly.
Dubiously, Rinoa took a good long look at the man. He looked like a stupid Galbadian guy, with a knee length trench coat, slightly spiked dark hair gleaming with gel, and a pair of ultra-fashionable sunglasses that seemed to be glued to his face.
"Do I know you?" she said with polite distaste.
He grinned. "No, but you do now! I'm your agent. Agent Doggin."
She blinked. "Excuse me. . .?"
"I'm an agent for CCIM. Inc. Which stands for Crappy Commercial Immitation Music Incorporated. We look for fresh young talent in the music industry! And I think your look; the boots, the streaks, the costume, the jewellery, the anorexia, is exactly what we need for our newest popstar!"
Rinoa blinked once again, not certain she was hearing him right. Anorexia. . ?
Her? No! She was perfectly shaped, and healthy, never mind she threw up most of the canteen food! It was all disgustingly canteenish after all.
". . . Film clips, Special Effects. . ." he was saying enthusiastically. Oh darn. She seemed to have missed most of what he said. She snapped her fingers, and pinched herself irritably, trying to bring on a Limit Break through sheer annoyance. No such luck. She knew she ought to have bought more Aura Stones!
"Squall!" she barked authoratively. 'Sir Squall, your Sorceress needs you now! And don't you dare drop my packages!"
Squall came alert with a start, almost starting disaster, but managed to steady himself. He peered around the stack of items to look at her questioningly. "Yeah, whatever. . ." He jumped into Battle Mode, and whipped out Lino Heart, his new and improved gunblade which could also mop floors. Rinoa had bought it for him, remodelling Lion Heart for a surprise. He had certainly been surprised!
Easily balancing the packages on one hand now, the Commander of SeeD blew the stupid Galbadian guy; and most of the Galbadian Hotel away with a single blast of Ultima. When all returned to semi-normality, Rinoa gazed at the shattered remains of the hotel where her mother had once played. Squall sheathed his gunblade, an expression of stoic satisfaction on his face.
Rinoa shook her head in despair. This was the third building today, and he had only woken up about seven hours ago. She promptly decided it was time to return to Garden, where the walls were made of stronger stuff. Besides, she was almost all shopped out already!
Hours later, she made her way down to the library, listening with pleasure at the sound of her dainty feminine footsteps echoeing softly down the corridoor. She would never clomp along like Squall did! Though of course, it did take a while to get anywhere. . .
A popstar, huh? She idly wondered if there was anything left of Agent Doggin. . .It might be interesting to see what this popstar business was about. . .
Far below, in a dark forgotten basement, the shell in an impossibly sophisticated technological piece of machinary, the lights flared on. A flickering sphere of energy above thinned tangibly, letting off wild sparks.The Shumi had left long ago, after monitering his progress for a few measly months. Fools. He was complete now! He was. . .perfect Cell. (Just kidding.) He had made the final transformation, and now the Elders were to him as the Moombas were to them. Mwahahahaha!!!!!!!
The flickering sphere of energy abruptly was split apart by a single blow from a fist. A young man who looked eerily like Squall (except he had blonde hair) leaped out athletically, then stretched easily. He was now no longer NORG, that pathetic cowardly creature. He was. . .uh. . .He was the. . .uh. . .
Just what was he, anyway?
A light feminine laugh rang out behind him, and bounced off the walls and back in horror. "Don't worry," she said with a malevolent smile, as she brushed back a strand of her shiny hair. "I know exactly who you are."
Squall sighed and rolled onto his back. He licked his lips contentedly, and brushed crumbs off his feathers. Those Crispy Bug Treats were insidiously addictive.
A light persistent tap on the door. Go away. Leave me alone with my food.
"Squall!" It was Quistis. "Squall, I know your in there!"
Go away. Go talk to a wall.
"Fine! You can just rot then! And I'll take my M&M's with me!"
M&M's? Squall had the door open faster then he could down the coveted chocolate.
"Peanut or Crispy?"
"Crispy."
"Squall!" It was Rinoa, advancing down the coridoor, with quick purposeful steps. At this rate she would only take a half hour for her to get anywhere. Squall absently popped a few M&M's into his mouth. Ahhh. Chocolately goodness.
"Squall! Get here right now!" she declared, with a toss of her hair. "We're going back to Galbadia. Right this instant!"
Squall shuffled his feet, and looked longingly at the bag of M&M's that Quistis Trepe still held. The Instructor smiled, and took a few steps away from him and Rinoa. Her message was clear; the M&M's or Rinoa.
Which one? How could he choose? The M&M's were soo delicious. . .so sweet. . .so chocolatey. . .But if he didn't go with Rinoa, she would literally make his life a living hell, and hunt him down to the end of the earth. She could do that; she was a Sorceress. Then again, she night get her father to close down the Crispy Bug Treat factory! He did own 85% of it after all! But if he. . .Wait a minute! If he. . .You're brilliant Squall! Absolutely brilliant!
In a blaze of inspiration, he clutched his head, and groaned theatrically, before falling to his knees, then to the floor. Ouch! He hadn't done this in a while, and it had ususally happened while he was back in the past. The floor was reamrkably hard when you thought about it. He lay perfectly still, slowing his breathing.
"Squall!" came from both female throats. Rinoa speeded up to a power walk, and got there before Quistis, who was too astonished to move.
"Speak to me Squall," Rinoa said tearfully, almost making him feel guilty. . .
Quistis began to wring her hands, sending candy coated chocolate flying everywhere, landing all around him. The temptation! The unbearable temptation of it all! He couldn't stand it . . .It was too much! He opened his eyes, and lunged around, scrabbling about for the candy. I want candy! He sang to himself, in triumph.
Quistis and Rinoa looked at him, in dazed and hurt disbelief. No sound emerged from their mouths, though they gaped open. Then. . .
Zell smiled charmingly. "C'mon baby! Let's go! You know we'll have a hella good time. . ." His reflection said nothing, and frustrated he banged the mirror. How could he ever get to know. . .well you know. . .if he couldn't even speak properly?
And was immediately very, very afraid, as a shriek tore through all of Balamb Garden and the surrounding areas. "YOU IDDIIIIIIOTT!!!!!!!!!"
"I'm sorry!" he cried in reflex, hunching his shoulders. Then he realised that no one was screaming at him, it actually more sounded as if was coming from Squall's dorm. . . And that the shriekers sounded suspiciously like Instructor Trepe and Rinoa. "Oh no!" He muttered to his ever helpful charming self. "I gotta help him! He saved my life in D-District, and splurged me for hot-dogs all the time. . .and he. . .I gotta help him!" Zell ran for his buddy's dorm. There was no wrath like that of a female, and he had to get there at once. He knew what to say already.
"Stop!!!" he bellowed, seeing the two encroaching females. "Stop it!! He can't help himself. . .Squall isn't bad. . .He just has a problem. A really serious problem."
"Yeah!" Rinoa said. "He's a jerk!"
"Nooooo!!! Let me explain. Squall has a serious problem. He is a chocoholic. I know. . .for I am one too. . ." He looked down. His most secret shame had been revealed; yes, Zell Dincht like chocolate better then hot dogs. Of course chocolate flavoured hot dogs were always good. And pain de chocolat. . .. . .No. Don't go down that path. Think of what Dr. Kadowaki said. Take deep refreshing breaths. In, out. In, out. . .
"Hel-lo!? Zell Dincht! Calling for Zell Dincht!?"
He looked up to face a seriously annoyed Instructor Trepe, while Rinoa was tearfully cuddling Squall, wailing something about how it was going to be alright, and that she would take care of everything now! Squall had a decidedly sick look on his face.
"Why'd you go spill it?" Quistis demanded.
"Y-you knew!?" he stuttered in surprise.
"Of course I knew!" she hissed. "I was trying to get a raise before I alerted the general faculty about it!"
"Oh. . .Isn't that wrong?"
"Of course not! Now let me explain. . ." she steered him down the hallway with a practised hand.
Rinoa held him as if she would never let him go. No, she wouldn't! He was HERS.
"It'll be okay, now, Squall. I'll be here, I promise."
"Why me?" he muttered. Partially muffled, because of the fact she was holding him so tightly against her. So of course she only heard the "Why. . .?"
"I'll be waiting for you to get rid of your addiction of course! So if you come with me. . .I'll make sure you never eat chocolate again."
No!
"Yes," Rinoa said comfortingly. "You'll never eat it again, Squall. I promise."
Squall groaned in horror, already half delirious from withdrawl symptoms, and passed out for real.
The days passed by in a blur, with Squall not really aware of anything but the driving NEED to eat some chocolate. Sweet, sweet, chocolately chocolate. . .
Several times they were forced to restrain him.
Rinoa sighed as she pushed the trolley forward. Poor, addicted Squall. She was shopping to relieve some stress, and since they were low on hot dogs anyway. . .She paused at the health section. Carob! Perhaps that would help her beloved.
The loudspeakers blared on with the newest pop smash hit, "Melodies of Life." Rinoa hissed, her train of thought interrupted. She dumped three mega sized packs of carob into the trolley, and stalked off to the counter. "Eyes On ME walks all over that pathetic song," she glowered to herself. "I have to somehow return it to glory!"
What had the name been of that company Agent Doggin had worked for? CCIM? Yes that was it. Perhaps she would pay them a visit. . .after she saw Squall of course.
The young blonde man stalked the area of the basement. She watched him with some amusement. NORG was no more thanks to the little adjustments she had made to the pod while he transformed. He was now a super version of Squall Leonhart. The only possible thing that could bring the Leader of SeeD down. Her lip curled in contempt. He should of picked HER! Instead, he had gone to that pathetic little whinging Sorceress, Rinoa. Disgusting.
The blonde young man spun around angrily. "When are you going to let me OUT!!!!!!!!!!"
The woman curled her lip. Maybe in some areas he was Squall's superior, but in the calm, cool and collected attitude, he was definitely Squall's inferior. Something about that cold expressionless expression. . . .she smiled dreamily.
"Hello???? Some answers would be pleasant."
"I can't let you go yet. If someone saw Squall's blond double around, there might be trouble."
He laughed, and the very walls shook in terror. Now THAT was a trick she hadn't seen Commander Leonhart do. "Once I'm out of here, no Cloud, no Squall, no damn Seymour will hinder us."
The woman blanched. "Your plagirism is making me sick."
"Whatever." He grinned savagely at her groan.
"Miss Heartilly?" the secretary called. "Agent Doggin will see you know."
Rinoa stood, nervously smoothing the folds of her yellow chiffon dress. Normally she only wore it for special occassions to trap certain Squalls. . .but you know. . .
"Miss Heartilly," Agent Doggin gulped nervously, his eyes darting around furtively. "I don't suppose your. . .uh. . .boyfriend is anywhere near?"
"You mean Squall?" she asked oh so innocently. "He's waiting in the car."
And indeed he was. . .a little bit more chocolate wouldn't hurt him right?
Agent Doggin's eyes bulged behind his slighty charred, but ultra fashionable sunglasses. Small whimpers emerged from his vincinity.
"Why," Rinoa said with mock solicitiousness. "whatever is wrong Agent Doggin? Do you have indigestation?"
"No," he managed to croak out, with a somewhat sickly smile. "Why don't we get down to business?"
"Certainly," she beamed.
Squall bounced up and down impatiently on his seat. Or he would have, if he hadn't been so dedicated to keeping his cool, calm, and impassive reputation. One couldn't have the Commander of SeeD acting like he was kindegarten. . .not that he had ever been to kindergarten.
Rinoa was taking so damn long. It was lucky she hadn't left just Angelo in the car, the poor dog would have probably suffocated to death waiting. He patted Angelos' head, then resumed his mentel fidgetting.
Then something happened, something that was so catastrophic that it made his forget his boredom.
The blonde young man chuckled. Five new GF's and they were all his!!!! Abilities learnt and everything!!!!! His! His!!! All his!!!! He could summon Aeons now, and best Yuna at her own game!
He restrained himself, though the impulse to dance around in glee was still almost irresistable. He had to be his most careful. One slip, and she would be on him. She had some Goddess like powers, because it was rumored that SHE was the almighty Water Goddess. As if. It couldn't be true. But enough people believed it, and as she often said, publicity was everything. . .
As for him, there weren't enough rumors about him. No one knew anything about him. Just that he was the "cheerful one." Everyone knew the GIRLS were always the cheerful ones. And that he looked like Squall Leonhart, who had the gall to be the angst ridden one. No one accused him of being "cheerful." So, that was his plan.
To become Squall Leonhart.
If Yuna would let him.
Chapter I: To Become Squall Leonhart. . .
By S_4000.
It was depressingly sunny. Squall groaned, and buried his head under his small regulation pillow as he spied his girlfriend, the infamous Sorceress, Rinoa Heartilly, taking another hour to get to his dorm. All because she refused to run like any other human being. No, she had to take dainty, lady-like, tiny steps, and waste sooo much of his time.
Not that he was doing anything.
And it wasn't as if he really blamed her. But still. . .You would think if she thought he was dead, she would have run up to him at least. No, instead, she strolled through the mist, singing her damn mother's song, which was about his father. She couldn't even come up with a new song, and instead sang one which was about a generation too old. Pathetic. And she was too damn skinny.
"My life is pathetic!" he shouted to his gunblade, propped up next to his case. 'Pathetic! I do nothing but sit in here all day long. . .no exercise, since everything dies as soon as Quistis or Selphie butts in with Counter! And I'm Lv. 100! All my EXP is going to waste! And you. . .My poor Lion Heart. . .Rinoa got her hands on you. Pathetic. . ."
He rolled over. He was getting fat. Probably because of all those deliciously fatty foods such as hot dogs. . .M&M's. . .and Crispy Bug Treats. . .He licked his lips in longing.
"Squally! What are you doing in bed at a time like this!?" his girlfriend demanded playfully. She yanked him up, and he groaned dejectedly.
"Rinoaaa. . ."
"Squuuaaaall. . ." she mimicked. "Come on! You're coming to Esthar with me. I need to buy some stuff."
Squall allowed himself to be dragged out the door. However, as he was being rather limp, he collided into the doorframe. . . . .
"Squall!" Rinoa spun. "Stop mucking around!!!"
Squall pushed himself up unhappily. "Yes Rinoa. . ."
Esthar was hot. The sun beat mercilessly on his head through layers of dazzling blue glass. An eeriely familiar voice made him slowly turn, laden as he was to see the ultimate horror. Yes, THE Ultimate Horror.
Rinoa enthusiastically greeting his most hated nemesis.
Cid Kramer of course.
"Squall," the fat, balding, man beamed. "So good to see you! Edea's pleased as. . .as. . .Edea!?" he spun, and looked around frantically. Squall started to sneak away, being ever the oppurtunist. . .Only to bump into Matron.
"Squall!"
"Uh. . .Hi, Matron."
She smiled. "Good to see you. Have you seen your father yet?"
He jumped, and nearly dropped the gazillion packages Rinoa had loaded him up with. He hoped he was due for another SeeD payment soon. Last time he checked, he was Level A or Z or whatever. Whatever.
"Squall? Can you hear me?"
"Uh. . .Hi Matron."
Frowning, Edea shook her head, long locks of black hair flying, and hitting her husband in the face. Cid let out a yelp, and received a mouth full of hair for his troubles.
Edea turned hurridly, and Squall being slightly slow on the uptake once again, also got a face full of now-tangled hair. It smelt like really bad shampoo. Almost as bad as the shampoo Rinoa used. Rinoa. Where was she?
"Squall!" the girl in question said brightly behind him. Of course.
With a sunny smile, she deposited yet another package into his arms. "Well," she said briskly. "It's time we went to Deling City, or maybe Timber. Esthar fashion is truly. . .interesting."
Squall nobly refrained from sighing.
Deling City. The city of eternal night. The city where it had all began. The city where-
"Squall!"
He really wished people would stop wearing out his name. He only had two after all, and people rarely used his second name. It was Squall, Squall, Squall. Either, "SQUALL!" when Rinoa needed help, or the infamous, "Squall. Squall from Squad D." or even more infrequently, they used his student no. No. 139. No, wait a minute, that was the number on the sword in the Tomb of the Unknown King. What was his student number again? Maybe he could ask Norg. . .
Rinoa sighed, seeing a familiar vague look in her boyfriend's face. Never mind. She tossed her newest purchase; a pair of black strappy high heeled shoes for the upcoming SeeD Ball on top of the rest. Squall was rapidly disappearing behind a mountain of items. Rinoa shrugged. That's what happened when you gave her unlimited credit on Squall's money! Her mother had always told her to marry rich. . .
She walked down the street, Squall obediently following, his eyes vacant. She started to sing softly. There was no one to here it anyway. "On the stage on my owwwn. . ." she crooned, or rather warbled. "Never said my wwoooorrrds. . .wishing they would beee heard. . ." As she passed the Galbadian Hotel, singing loudly now, a man sprang out of the shadows at her.
"That's it! You're the one I've been trying to find!" he cried excitedly.
Dubiously, Rinoa took a good long look at the man. He looked like a stupid Galbadian guy, with a knee length trench coat, slightly spiked dark hair gleaming with gel, and a pair of ultra-fashionable sunglasses that seemed to be glued to his face.
"Do I know you?" she said with polite distaste.
He grinned. "No, but you do now! I'm your agent. Agent Doggin."
She blinked. "Excuse me. . .?"
"I'm an agent for CCIM. Inc. Which stands for Crappy Commercial Immitation Music Incorporated. We look for fresh young talent in the music industry! And I think your look; the boots, the streaks, the costume, the jewellery, the anorexia, is exactly what we need for our newest popstar!"
Rinoa blinked once again, not certain she was hearing him right. Anorexia. . ?
Her? No! She was perfectly shaped, and healthy, never mind she threw up most of the canteen food! It was all disgustingly canteenish after all.
". . . Film clips, Special Effects. . ." he was saying enthusiastically. Oh darn. She seemed to have missed most of what he said. She snapped her fingers, and pinched herself irritably, trying to bring on a Limit Break through sheer annoyance. No such luck. She knew she ought to have bought more Aura Stones!
"Squall!" she barked authoratively. 'Sir Squall, your Sorceress needs you now! And don't you dare drop my packages!"
Squall came alert with a start, almost starting disaster, but managed to steady himself. He peered around the stack of items to look at her questioningly. "Yeah, whatever. . ." He jumped into Battle Mode, and whipped out Lino Heart, his new and improved gunblade which could also mop floors. Rinoa had bought it for him, remodelling Lion Heart for a surprise. He had certainly been surprised!
Easily balancing the packages on one hand now, the Commander of SeeD blew the stupid Galbadian guy; and most of the Galbadian Hotel away with a single blast of Ultima. When all returned to semi-normality, Rinoa gazed at the shattered remains of the hotel where her mother had once played. Squall sheathed his gunblade, an expression of stoic satisfaction on his face.
Rinoa shook her head in despair. This was the third building today, and he had only woken up about seven hours ago. She promptly decided it was time to return to Garden, where the walls were made of stronger stuff. Besides, she was almost all shopped out already!
Hours later, she made her way down to the library, listening with pleasure at the sound of her dainty feminine footsteps echoeing softly down the corridoor. She would never clomp along like Squall did! Though of course, it did take a while to get anywhere. . .
A popstar, huh? She idly wondered if there was anything left of Agent Doggin. . .It might be interesting to see what this popstar business was about. . .
Far below, in a dark forgotten basement, the shell in an impossibly sophisticated technological piece of machinary, the lights flared on. A flickering sphere of energy above thinned tangibly, letting off wild sparks.The Shumi had left long ago, after monitering his progress for a few measly months. Fools. He was complete now! He was. . .perfect Cell. (Just kidding.) He had made the final transformation, and now the Elders were to him as the Moombas were to them. Mwahahahaha!!!!!!!
The flickering sphere of energy abruptly was split apart by a single blow from a fist. A young man who looked eerily like Squall (except he had blonde hair) leaped out athletically, then stretched easily. He was now no longer NORG, that pathetic cowardly creature. He was. . .uh. . .He was the. . .uh. . .
Just what was he, anyway?
A light feminine laugh rang out behind him, and bounced off the walls and back in horror. "Don't worry," she said with a malevolent smile, as she brushed back a strand of her shiny hair. "I know exactly who you are."
Squall sighed and rolled onto his back. He licked his lips contentedly, and brushed crumbs off his feathers. Those Crispy Bug Treats were insidiously addictive.
A light persistent tap on the door. Go away. Leave me alone with my food.
"Squall!" It was Quistis. "Squall, I know your in there!"
Go away. Go talk to a wall.
"Fine! You can just rot then! And I'll take my M&M's with me!"
M&M's? Squall had the door open faster then he could down the coveted chocolate.
"Peanut or Crispy?"
"Crispy."
"Squall!" It was Rinoa, advancing down the coridoor, with quick purposeful steps. At this rate she would only take a half hour for her to get anywhere. Squall absently popped a few M&M's into his mouth. Ahhh. Chocolately goodness.
"Squall! Get here right now!" she declared, with a toss of her hair. "We're going back to Galbadia. Right this instant!"
Squall shuffled his feet, and looked longingly at the bag of M&M's that Quistis Trepe still held. The Instructor smiled, and took a few steps away from him and Rinoa. Her message was clear; the M&M's or Rinoa.
Which one? How could he choose? The M&M's were soo delicious. . .so sweet. . .so chocolatey. . .But if he didn't go with Rinoa, she would literally make his life a living hell, and hunt him down to the end of the earth. She could do that; she was a Sorceress. Then again, she night get her father to close down the Crispy Bug Treat factory! He did own 85% of it after all! But if he. . .Wait a minute! If he. . .You're brilliant Squall! Absolutely brilliant!
In a blaze of inspiration, he clutched his head, and groaned theatrically, before falling to his knees, then to the floor. Ouch! He hadn't done this in a while, and it had ususally happened while he was back in the past. The floor was reamrkably hard when you thought about it. He lay perfectly still, slowing his breathing.
"Squall!" came from both female throats. Rinoa speeded up to a power walk, and got there before Quistis, who was too astonished to move.
"Speak to me Squall," Rinoa said tearfully, almost making him feel guilty. . .
Quistis began to wring her hands, sending candy coated chocolate flying everywhere, landing all around him. The temptation! The unbearable temptation of it all! He couldn't stand it . . .It was too much! He opened his eyes, and lunged around, scrabbling about for the candy. I want candy! He sang to himself, in triumph.
Quistis and Rinoa looked at him, in dazed and hurt disbelief. No sound emerged from their mouths, though they gaped open. Then. . .
Zell smiled charmingly. "C'mon baby! Let's go! You know we'll have a hella good time. . ." His reflection said nothing, and frustrated he banged the mirror. How could he ever get to know. . .well you know. . .if he couldn't even speak properly?
And was immediately very, very afraid, as a shriek tore through all of Balamb Garden and the surrounding areas. "YOU IDDIIIIIIOTT!!!!!!!!!"
"I'm sorry!" he cried in reflex, hunching his shoulders. Then he realised that no one was screaming at him, it actually more sounded as if was coming from Squall's dorm. . . And that the shriekers sounded suspiciously like Instructor Trepe and Rinoa. "Oh no!" He muttered to his ever helpful charming self. "I gotta help him! He saved my life in D-District, and splurged me for hot-dogs all the time. . .and he. . .I gotta help him!" Zell ran for his buddy's dorm. There was no wrath like that of a female, and he had to get there at once. He knew what to say already.
"Stop!!!" he bellowed, seeing the two encroaching females. "Stop it!! He can't help himself. . .Squall isn't bad. . .He just has a problem. A really serious problem."
"Yeah!" Rinoa said. "He's a jerk!"
"Nooooo!!! Let me explain. Squall has a serious problem. He is a chocoholic. I know. . .for I am one too. . ." He looked down. His most secret shame had been revealed; yes, Zell Dincht like chocolate better then hot dogs. Of course chocolate flavoured hot dogs were always good. And pain de chocolat. . .. . .No. Don't go down that path. Think of what Dr. Kadowaki said. Take deep refreshing breaths. In, out. In, out. . .
"Hel-lo!? Zell Dincht! Calling for Zell Dincht!?"
He looked up to face a seriously annoyed Instructor Trepe, while Rinoa was tearfully cuddling Squall, wailing something about how it was going to be alright, and that she would take care of everything now! Squall had a decidedly sick look on his face.
"Why'd you go spill it?" Quistis demanded.
"Y-you knew!?" he stuttered in surprise.
"Of course I knew!" she hissed. "I was trying to get a raise before I alerted the general faculty about it!"
"Oh. . .Isn't that wrong?"
"Of course not! Now let me explain. . ." she steered him down the hallway with a practised hand.
Rinoa held him as if she would never let him go. No, she wouldn't! He was HERS.
"It'll be okay, now, Squall. I'll be here, I promise."
"Why me?" he muttered. Partially muffled, because of the fact she was holding him so tightly against her. So of course she only heard the "Why. . .?"
"I'll be waiting for you to get rid of your addiction of course! So if you come with me. . .I'll make sure you never eat chocolate again."
No!
"Yes," Rinoa said comfortingly. "You'll never eat it again, Squall. I promise."
Squall groaned in horror, already half delirious from withdrawl symptoms, and passed out for real.
The days passed by in a blur, with Squall not really aware of anything but the driving NEED to eat some chocolate. Sweet, sweet, chocolately chocolate. . .
Several times they were forced to restrain him.
Rinoa sighed as she pushed the trolley forward. Poor, addicted Squall. She was shopping to relieve some stress, and since they were low on hot dogs anyway. . .She paused at the health section. Carob! Perhaps that would help her beloved.
The loudspeakers blared on with the newest pop smash hit, "Melodies of Life." Rinoa hissed, her train of thought interrupted. She dumped three mega sized packs of carob into the trolley, and stalked off to the counter. "Eyes On ME walks all over that pathetic song," she glowered to herself. "I have to somehow return it to glory!"
What had the name been of that company Agent Doggin had worked for? CCIM? Yes that was it. Perhaps she would pay them a visit. . .after she saw Squall of course.
The young blonde man stalked the area of the basement. She watched him with some amusement. NORG was no more thanks to the little adjustments she had made to the pod while he transformed. He was now a super version of Squall Leonhart. The only possible thing that could bring the Leader of SeeD down. Her lip curled in contempt. He should of picked HER! Instead, he had gone to that pathetic little whinging Sorceress, Rinoa. Disgusting.
The blonde young man spun around angrily. "When are you going to let me OUT!!!!!!!!!!"
The woman curled her lip. Maybe in some areas he was Squall's superior, but in the calm, cool and collected attitude, he was definitely Squall's inferior. Something about that cold expressionless expression. . . .she smiled dreamily.
"Hello???? Some answers would be pleasant."
"I can't let you go yet. If someone saw Squall's blond double around, there might be trouble."
He laughed, and the very walls shook in terror. Now THAT was a trick she hadn't seen Commander Leonhart do. "Once I'm out of here, no Cloud, no Squall, no damn Seymour will hinder us."
The woman blanched. "Your plagirism is making me sick."
"Whatever." He grinned savagely at her groan.
"Miss Heartilly?" the secretary called. "Agent Doggin will see you know."
Rinoa stood, nervously smoothing the folds of her yellow chiffon dress. Normally she only wore it for special occassions to trap certain Squalls. . .but you know. . .
"Miss Heartilly," Agent Doggin gulped nervously, his eyes darting around furtively. "I don't suppose your. . .uh. . .boyfriend is anywhere near?"
"You mean Squall?" she asked oh so innocently. "He's waiting in the car."
And indeed he was. . .a little bit more chocolate wouldn't hurt him right?
Agent Doggin's eyes bulged behind his slighty charred, but ultra fashionable sunglasses. Small whimpers emerged from his vincinity.
"Why," Rinoa said with mock solicitiousness. "whatever is wrong Agent Doggin? Do you have indigestation?"
"No," he managed to croak out, with a somewhat sickly smile. "Why don't we get down to business?"
"Certainly," she beamed.
Squall bounced up and down impatiently on his seat. Or he would have, if he hadn't been so dedicated to keeping his cool, calm, and impassive reputation. One couldn't have the Commander of SeeD acting like he was kindegarten. . .not that he had ever been to kindergarten.
Rinoa was taking so damn long. It was lucky she hadn't left just Angelo in the car, the poor dog would have probably suffocated to death waiting. He patted Angelos' head, then resumed his mentel fidgetting.
Then something happened, something that was so catastrophic that it made his forget his boredom.
The blonde young man chuckled. Five new GF's and they were all his!!!! Abilities learnt and everything!!!!! His! His!!! All his!!!! He could summon Aeons now, and best Yuna at her own game!
He restrained himself, though the impulse to dance around in glee was still almost irresistable. He had to be his most careful. One slip, and she would be on him. She had some Goddess like powers, because it was rumored that SHE was the almighty Water Goddess. As if. It couldn't be true. But enough people believed it, and as she often said, publicity was everything. . .
As for him, there weren't enough rumors about him. No one knew anything about him. Just that he was the "cheerful one." Everyone knew the GIRLS were always the cheerful ones. And that he looked like Squall Leonhart, who had the gall to be the angst ridden one. No one accused him of being "cheerful." So, that was his plan.
To become Squall Leonhart.
If Yuna would let him.