Disclaimer:For the… fourth time. No, I don't own Final Fantasy VIII!

Chapter 4 – Getting Ready


The two teenagers relaxed a bit, relieved that they wouldn't have to keep battling the powerful flame demon. Quentin looked at her as Schala approached the still kneeling beast, bowing respectfully. Ifrit smiled and bowed his head as he turned into an orange and red light and entered her mind.

Watch were you going, Dog-breath, just stay in a corner till we get rid of you. Shiva's cold voice sounded inside her head. Schala sighed inwardly. I feel a headache coming… Was she right!

I'll stand wherever I please, woman! You're not the one I serve. Ifrit's deep voice replied in anger. You will NOT serve this one! Both of us cannot, will not stay in the same mind! As soon as we find someone able, you're leaving! Her sharp cold tone almost yelled.

Hey, you two…Schala tried to say but she was cut off by Ifrit's loud growl. It's somewhat fine to me! You have already placed yourself at home here, haven't ya? This place is colder than ice!

She was looking forward as Quentin got into her field of vision. He was smiling and saying something relatively important, she could tell but she didn't register a word. The petty battle of wills that was going in her mind was preventing her of focusing on anything.

Could you… She tried again, but Shiva interrupted again. Still your stench is starting to spread even if you're not here for even a minute! Will…Humph, since when are you so delicate, wench! … you two…How dare you! You foul, sorry excuse for a demon! … ever…Look who's talking! Your pathetic attacks couldn't even freeze Trabia! … BE QUIET!! Her own voice echoed in her mind immediately silencing the two surprised Guardians. She sighed, relieved. Her mind stilled in a temporary calm.

"Schala? Are you listening?" Quentin asked in response to her actions and glazed look.

But… The two entities started at the same time. SILENCE! Any other word from any of you in the next half an hour and I'll cast silence on myself! Now… BEHAVE! The two GFs fell silent once more and her mind was finally at peace.

"Schala? Hello?" He said waving a hand in front of her face. She shook it off and looked at him.

"What?!" She said, her tone more abrupt than usual. He raised both his eyebrows.

"We only have about four minutes left, we should hurry back." He calmly explained.

Of course… See what you were doing! She sent into her mind, both her two new neighbors grunting an apology.

"Ok, let's get back." She said finally, her tone returning to normal, her normal at least. Quentin nodded and both jogged to the exit.

They reached the entrance still with a couple of minutes to spare. The two robed men stood aside allowing them to exit the cavern.

"Well done, you have managed to acquire the GF then?" One of them asked, again Schala couldn't exactly tell which one. She stood in attention, more outta formality than respect.

"Yes, I have." She answered.

"I confirm it." Said Quentin, also standing in attention.

"Good. Since you're the last participant, you may keep the GF, Ifrit." He continued gaining a light frown from the girl. "Good luck to the field test, make our Garden proud! Dismissed."

Both stood in attention again and then turned to leave. When they were out of earshot, Schala turned to the instructor.

"What did they mean by me being allowed to keep it?" She asked, she'd found his choice of words awkward.

Quentin turned to her with a smile, the one he always had when he was teaching or explaining something.

"Low level GFs aren't very abundant, even high level ones are quite rare. Since we evaluate the aptitudes of our cadets by making them battle GFs if everyone that fought one would keep it there wouldn't be enough for everyone to be graded." He explained looking ahead. "So, all those who take this preliminary test and defeat, in this case Ifrit, have to release it in the end so that others can do it too. Since you're the last one before today's exam you get to keep it." He finished looking back at her to see if she had understood.

Her frown lessened. Actually it might have been better if I had to release him… She thought. It wasn't like she had a friend she could give him to. And she couldn't keep him either. If those two stayed together in her mind much longer they wouldn't kill each other, no. They'd drive her mad.

She nodded her understanding and they started heading back to Garden.

OOOOOOOOOO

They arrived at Garden without any major setback. Surprisingly, not even Schala's two guests made much of a fuss. It seemed each was giving the other the silent treatment, which was fine by her.

"We're back." Quentin noted. Looking down at his wristwatch he added. "And we still have a few hours before the field test." He raised his eyes to meet hers. "I suggest you use this time to rest up. The Fire Cavern trial was quite demanding." He finished with a light smile.

The girl turned her head to the side. Sure, it wasn't easy. But nothing I couldn't handle. She thought. I'm more concerned about the SeeD exam.

Quentin's smile widened. "That's why you should rest till it's time." He said seeing her solemn expression.

Her eyes darted back at his face. How did he... Am I that predictable? She asked herself looking down. She didn't consider herself predictable, she was complex! How…

"Everyone is concerned about the upcoming exam." He spared her inner turmoil. "Even the instructors. So, don't worry and rest so that you are at your best when the time comes." He said with a reassuring smile. "Remember to be in uniform at the main lobby at 1600." He added as he started to walk away. "I'll see you then."

Schala watched as the instructor left her line of sight. Her eyes wandered to the peaceful green plains. Breathing in the soft air she turned and looked at her watch. Indeed there were still a few hours till the exam. She decided to go to her dorm and sleep in till it was time.

OOOOOOOOOO

She woke up to a pretty vicious argument, but she couldn't understand what was being said. She opened her eyes slowly taking in her surroundings. She felt neither danger lurking nor any people around for that matter. She sat on the bed and looked around. The voices were still echoing in her head, like a bad memory. Memory?She sighed. Not again… She thought shaking her head.

She walked over her small bathroom and splashed water on her face. The cold sensation awoke her fully. She walked back into her room and picked up her items pouch, checking it contents. Apparently satisfied, she raised her head, closing her eyes and trying to focus her mind despite the loudness in it.

Don't say I didn't warn you two. She thought calmly. She never knew if the two entities sharing her mind registered her words at that moment since seconds later her mind was filled by a strange mist and went mute. She opened her eyes gazing at the mirror in front of her and almost smiled to the calmness she felt. She looked at the clock on her wall and noticed she still had about thirty minutes before the gathering at the lobby. She sighed and went back to take a shower and get ready.

After a few minutes, she exited the bathroom wearing only a towel around her, her damped hair slightly dripping onto the carpet. She went to her dresser and withdrew a pile of blue clothes, placing them on her bed. She frowned as she looked down at the cadet's uniform and changed into it. While arranging the yellow neck scarf she looked down, her frown never leaving her features.

Sure the cadet uniform was comfortable and practical, allowing her to move freely, but she never did like it much, mainly the skirt. Not that it was shorter or longer than the one she usually wore, but it was wider on the bottom and rose easily. She wasn't too bothered by that, she just felt more at ease in her own clothes.

Looking at her dresser she noticed her ring and picked it up. It had the graving of a lion's head. Griever, someone told her its name was. She couldn't remember who. That ring was all she had left from her family. She remembered that someone telling her it had belonged to her father, some kind of heirloom or family crest. It never left her side ever since she arrived at Garden, a little over ten years ago, usually on a chain around her neck. Only recently had she been able to wear it in one of her fingers. She placed it back on her right thumb, caressing it gently.

Looking at her dresser again she picked her pouch and removed a vial from it. Drinking the cold liquid she felt sound and awareness returning to her mind. Are you more calm now? She spoke to her companions. They only grunted back. She grinned, picked up Revolver and left her room.

OOOOOOOOOO

Arriving at the main lobby, she saw many groups of people, mostly cadets, spread all around. Examining the room, she noticed an arm outstretched and approached it.

"Schala! Over here!" She heard Instructor Trepe yell out once she got closer. He was standing a bit to the left of the directory in full SeeD uniform. As she got nearer, he continued. "I'm the instructor responsible for your squad's debriefing. Now let's see…" He looked down at his papers for a second. "… You'll be teaming up with… Zanya Dincht." He raised his eyes slightly to see the frown forming in her face and suppressed a smile. "Quite the lively gall." He said raising his head fully.

Schala's frown deepened.

"Lively?"Not exactly the word I'd use… "Can't I switch members?" She said in bored tone.

"I'm afraid not." He answered, his smile starting to show. "Ah, there she is. Over here, Zanya!" He pointed out.

Schala turned slightly to look at who Quentin had called out. She saw a girl, a bit shorter than her if one didn't count the hair that spiked up and backwards, the rest falling over reaching her lower back as a few strands fell over her shoulders. She was currently fighting invisible opponents as she practiced her free hand fighting style. What called Schala's attention was what she was wearing. Instead of the usual female uniform she used the female's upper part and the typical male uniform's pants. She supposed she had requested for that change since her fighting style demanded she moved around a lot and it wouldn't be very practical to do so in a short skirt.

The girl finally looked back at them and flashed a smile. She also wore several piercings in her ears and a small ring one over her left eyebrow. She took a few steps forward and did a series of back flips finishing up with a backwards mortal, landing steadily a couple of meters away from them. She jogged the remaining distance, stopping in front of both of them.

She saluted the instructor, who responded accordingly, then turned to face the other girl. Her eyes widened as recognition hit.

"Whoa! I'm with you!?" She asked with a big smile, sticking her hand out for a shake. Schala looked down at the stretched hand then back at her with a stoic expression. Zanya's smile faltered as she lowered her arm, shaking her head like she was half expecting that reaction.

She looked up again and smirked.

"I heard you had quite a morning, huh? Getting beaten up by Seifer again, in another Lover's quarrel." She said quite pleased with herself, ignoring or unaware of the deadly glare the brunette girl gave her upon hearing those words.

Quentin had to lower his head to hide the wide smirk he gained when he heard that, already imagining her reaction. As far as rumors went, Balamb Garden resembled any ordinary high school. And, by far, the most popularly debated one was that of Seifer and Schala's "relationship". He was constantly hitting on her and she was always blowing him off, which usually ended up in a fight. They said it was a Love-Hate thing and that they should just make-out and get it over with. Of course they would never say that when either of them was around.

"We were training." The temperature in that area considerably lowered as she said that, and it had not been Shiva's doing. Zanya looked back at her and had to suppress a shiver as her ice cold glare was throwing icicles at her.

"Yeah, sure." She said, regaining her courage. "I bet that's what he's saying. Maybe you should just…" She stopped herself in time. "… ignore him." She finished carefully.

Schala's eyes narrowed, but her glare lessened. She crossed her arms under her chest, tilting her head to the side.

"Mind your own business." She raised her head as a male voice echoed her words. Both girls turned to the instructor as he cleared his throat, eliminating every trace of previous amusement.

"Well… hmm… I think you should know that, that Seifer you're talking about…" He paused, preparing himself. "… He's your squad leader."

The silence stretched for the full ten seconds it took for the two girls to register that information. Then, Schala hung her head shaking it slightly as Zanya stepped back with a rather loud outburst.

"SAY WHAT!?" All heads in the lobby turned to see what all the commotion was about. The cadets started laughing and whispering among them as the remaining instructors shook their heads.

Schala raised her head looking at the instructor. Expecting her question, he raised his hand and shook his head. The girl rolled her eyes at both the situation and Zanya's reaction.

"Ah, Seifer! There you are. Care to join us?" He added noticing the approaching teen.

Seifer was coming towards them, sneering and in a calm pace. Behind him, like they always were, were Raijin and Fujin.

"Congratulations, you're the squad leader. Good luck to you." He said smiling.

"… Instructor." Seifer said, annoyance evident in his voice. "I hate it when people wish me luck. Save those words for a bad student that needs them, eh?"

"Ok, then." Quentin replied with a thoughtful expression. "Good luck, Seifer." With that attitude of yours, you might actually need it. He finished in thought.

Seifer's sneer turned into an angry stare. He turned to his pose whispering loud enough that Schala could hear.

"Add Instructor Trepe to the list!" Both nodded immediately.

List? What's that all about? She sighed.Seifer and his nonsense.

Hearing her sigh, Seifer turned to look at her. She raised her eyes onto his. He smirked wide as he looked her over, probing her up and down with his eyes. She frowned. It didn't exactly embarrass her, it annoyed her that he'd look at her like that. His examination done, he looked up apparently satisfied.

Zanya tried, unsuccessfully, to suppress a chuckle making the blonde youth tear his gaze from one girl to the other. He looked this girl up and down and when he looked at her face it had a mocking grin. The girl tensed resisting the urge to slam her fist in his face.

Quentin cleared his throat gaining the attention off all of the teenagers.

"If I may?" He asked pointedly. All of them turned to face him. He smiled. "Well then. You three are assigned to Squad B. As the instructor in charge I must warn you that teamwork is of the utmost importance." Seifer snorted. Quentin ignored it. "Let's all get through this exam."

All went silent as they noticed the Headmaster approaching. Quentin and all of the other teams turned to face him. Seifer turned to the others with a smug expression.

"Listen up! Teamwork means staying out of my way. It's a Squad B rule. Don't you forget it!" He said, sparing a glance to the two girls before turning to the Headmaster.

The Headmaster walked till he was in front of the directory. He was a bulky middle-aged man with short brown hair. He wasn't very tall and wore a dark red vest over a white shirt, brown trousers and shoes. His clever eyes shone from behind his glasses.

"Everyone here?" He asked, peering into the faces of each instructor for their confirmation. Satisfied he nodded and continued. "It's been a while, everyone. How's everyone doing?" His gaze ran the crowd. There he saw confidence, hesitation, doubt and courage. He smiled.Quite the bundle of cadets we have this time.

He breathed deep and continued. "This exam will involve 12 members from Squads A through D... You will be proceeding to a real battlefield." He noted as some fidgeted and suppressed a caring smile. "Obviously, the battles are for real. Life and death, victory and defeat, honor and disgrace... Each of these go hand in hand. There's only one way or the other." He paused for a moment so that his audience could absorb his words. "How 'bout it? Are you still up for it?"

He stopped, once more observing the expressions of the young cadets. Some showed a tinge of fear however even in those there was a glow behind it. He smiled as none of them backed out. "You will be accompanied by 9 SeeD members. Should you fail, these members shall get the job done. They always do. Well, that's one less worry on your mind. The pride of Balamb Garden! The elite mercenary force, SeeD! Learn from them, obey their commands and accomplish the mission. Prove yourselves worthy of becoming a member of SeeD. Best of luck to you all."

He smiled again, nodding something to the SeeDs near him as he waved at all present, taking his leave.

Quentin turned back at his team. The three teens showed an understanding expression. "We'll be taking a Garden vehicle into town where we will board the transportation that will lead us to the field test's location. Follow up." He finished turning and motioning them to follow. Seifer brushed through them, waving at his two friends and followed the instructor. Schala and Zanya followed right behind them.

When they were nearing the parking lot, Zanya pulled the other girl to the side.

"Hey Schala! You got Ifrit from the Fire Cavern, right? Did you get to keep it?" The girl looked slightly surprised at the martial artist's question, but nodded her yes. "Do you think… I could have him?" She asked hesitantly. "We really hit it off during that trial, it was a real tear breaking moment when I had to let him go." She said looking down.

Schala eyed the girl.

"Tear breaking moment"? Well now, Dog-breath, I didn't know YOU could cry. Shiva's cold voice sounded in her mind, highly amused. There were no tears from my part! That girl is crazy, delusional! A loud screeching laughter was the Ice Goddess' reply. Schala rolled her eyes, which the other girl sensed as a no and hung her head.

Do you want to go? She asked. In a way she accepted him as a powerful ally, on the other hand she couldn't handle those two constant bickering. I would like too, yes. No offense, but your head isn't big enough. Very well.

"Fine." She said as the other girl started to walk away.

"Really? Thanks!" She said, smiling and an orange and red light passed from one mind to the other.

It was about bloody time. Shiva's voice echoed in her, though Schala believed for a second that the Ice Guardian was going to miss those arguments.

We meet again. Ifrit's voice filled the blond girl's mind. Welcome back. She responded.

Both girls ran to the parking lot area as the others were no longer in sight. They reached the transport in time to enter just behind Seifer, so their little conversation remained unknown to others.

The car jumped in to life and they started their drive to the town of Balamb. Feeling a new wave of confidence due to the moment shared earlier, Zanya turned in her seat to the other girl. There was something she was awfully curious about.

"Hey, Schala. Show me your gunblade, will ya?" The girl turned her head to look into her sky blue eyes. After keeping her gaze for several seconds she closed her eyes and turned her head away.

"Oh, c'mon!" Nothing. "Just a peek!" Again, no reaction. "Tch, fine…" The rest was whispered to herself and none understood a word of it as the girl crossed her arms and pouted. She opened one eye and noted that Schala hadn't moved, not falling for her act. "Are you deaf, mute and blind? What're you thinking?"

"… Nothing." Again a male voice echoed her own. She opened her eyes, directing a scowl at the now laughing instructor. She rolled her eyes looking forward and almost groaned as sitting right in front of her was a very amused Seifer. She frowned, crossing her arms and legs and leaning back on her seat.

Seifer raised an eyebrow as his gaze fell down to her crossed legs. His smirk widened as a very suggestive look passed through his features. Scowling at him now, which he must've found really amusing as he smiled at her, Schala's temper began to rise.

Meanwhile, unaware of the events right beside her and bored to death, Zanya had stood up and was now, once again, attacking invisible opponents, simply punching the air around her. When one of those air kicks broke the other two's eye contact, Seifer scoffed and turned to her.

"Stop that, it's annoying… Scaredy-cat."

After registering what he called her, Zanya turned abruptly looking angrily at him.

"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?" She yelled loudly almost rocking the car. Seifer only laughed right at her face. She started to tremble, her anger rising.

Quentin sat there, eyes closed but a frown on his face. "Knock it off!" His commanding tone didn't go unnoticed. Zanya sat back down, though still barely controlling herself and Seifer stopped laughing, returning his gaze to the one in front of him.

Schala was barely aware of the events around her as she was lost in her thoughts. Those took her to that morning in the infirmary, to the young woman that had appeared there and that had sounded so familiar. She raised her head looking at the instructor. Maybe he knows who she was.

Feeling her gaze, Quentin raised his eyes to meet hers. "Yes? Is there a problem?"

The girl kept her gaze for a while. Nah, why should I care? It really doesn't matter anyway. She said to herself, lowering her eyes. "No… not really…"

Zanya was looking from one to the other, missing the instructor's disappointed sigh. Seifer kept looking at her, curious but he'd never ask.

After a few minutes of silence, the car slowed down considerably indicating they'd reached the town. It took them only a couple of minutes more till it reached a full stop. From the front a voice was heard. "We're here."

"Let's go." Quentin said as he moved out of the car, followed by the cadets.

They were at the docks of Balamb and there were several attack-class vessels leaving it and only one still docked.

Schala's eyes locked onto that one as she breathed in. "So that's the vessel…" She whispered low.

She almost jumped as she felt an arm on her shoulders, not expecting to have been heard. Surprise quickly turning to annoyance as she realized whom it belonged to.

"Ain't no turning back now. Huh?" He said. She started to tremble slightly, disliking his closeness. He was about five seconds away of being hit in the head. "You scared, too?" He asked, perfectly aware that her shivering had nothing to do with fear or cold.

He moved away from her just as her count had reached zero. A man standing by the pier waved at them, yelling: "Hey! You there are the last! Hurry up and get in!" Quentin and Zanya rushed to the vessel.

Seifer turned back at her using his right hand to raise her chin so that their eyes met for a second. He saw her surprised look and leaned forward taking advantage of her being temporarily stunned. "Don't disappoint me now." He whispered in her ear and jogged to the pier before she could react. Her eyes narrowed in pure anger. But her mental rant was interrupted as Quentin called out at her.

"Hurry, Schala!" Shaking her thoughts away she ran to the vessel.

OOOOOOOOOO

AN.: Here it is, one more chapter! Hope you enjoyed it.

Not many stuff happening in this one, I know… next one will have some action!

About Ifrit, I know I changed the mechanics somewhat, but stay with me. The GFs, when junctioned, inhabit the mind of their masters, right? So it didn't make sense to me that one entity could be used by more than one person at one given time. Hence that little explanation. And also due to that, I'll be adding more summons, one for male Selphie and Seifer, for example. Also, other SeeDs, like Xu and Nida, will also have their own GFs, so I'll be using summons from other Final Fantasy games, like FF9, 7, 10 and 6 (None of the big ones, KotR or Magus).

I'm open to suggestions, if there's a summon you'd really like to see here, I might take it into consideration ;).

Read ya later

Revir