Naruto: Dual Worlds : Overdrive
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Disclaimer: I don't own FF8 or Naruto.
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"Naruto…slow down, won't you? You'll develop an ulcer if you keep eating like that." Quistis stared at the blond ninja eating. The sight of the boy scarfing down bowl after bowl of ramen made her slightly noxious. Looking down at the half-finished sandwich on her tray, she realized how insignificant her appetite was compared to his.
"Thenks for treeting me nee-san. Yur fa best!" Naruto chewed out between mouthfuls of mouth-watering noodles.
Quistis sighed, and rested her weary head in her hands.
Yesterday, they had successfully completed the fire cavern exam in the allotted time. However, the aftermath led to more questions that there were before. She remembered that Ifrit, an ancient magical entity called a Guardian Force, had singled him out for some inexplicit reason. The fight had almost killed them all, but by some lucky dice throw of fate they had managed to scrape a victory from an Ifrit that was fighting at one-hundred percent of its natural battle capabilities. It would have been a close call for even a team of top-rated SeeD's.
Afterwards, she had wanted to ask Naruto whether he knew anything about Ifrit's outburst, but the boy had fallen unconscious from the fight. That brought an even stranger mystery. As she and Squall hefted the heavy boy all the way out of the cavern, his wounds had begun to close by themselves. A burn mark that had stretched across his forehead had sealed itself in half-a-minute. The closest hypothesis that Quistis could come to was that it was somehow a passive – and permanent – regeneration magic.
But that was impossible.
A person's magical energy core could only generate and channel so much magic. It completely defied all theories of paramagical abilities she had heard of. Unless, she knew, there was a powerful internal power source that provided Naruto with that power. She had guessed that it might have been temporary, but along the few hour hike back to Balamb Garden, the smaller wounds also healed, and after a night in bed, Naruto seemed more hyperactive than yesterday.
Broth sloshed onto the steel cafeteria table as Naruto slammed the bowl down with a flourish. He leaned back and enjoyed the pleasant food coma that was clouding his mind with pleasant thoughts of ramen and rainbows.
"So, Nee-san, you wanted me too see someone?" Naruto looked up and saw that Quistis was staring at him with those intense blue eyes of hers. It reminded him of old lady Tsunade when she got her hands on some new medical journal or undiscovered specimen. He winced. "Nee…san?"
Quistis snapped back to reality and out of her thoughts. "Oh. Yes. That's right Naruto. Didn't I already brief you this morning? Don't tell me you already forgot."
Naruto panned, and his eyebrows squished together. There was something that nee-san had said when she came to his room this morning...what was it? It had something to do with a mission, and he couldn't recall the exact details. He smiled shyly and shrugged his shoulders apologetically.
Quistis rolled her eyes in exasperation. "I guess you're still tired from yesterday."
"I am?" Naruto asked, before mentally slapping himself. "I am!"
Quistis shot him a look of mock disbelief. "I will assume you are then. Do you remember anyone else in your room today? For instance, your room mate?"
That was right, Naruto thought. He had woken up in a new room today. They must have finally found someone who had spare space. There had been pictures of martial artists plastered on the walls, and it had been disturbingly clean and fresh. It had practically reeked of overwhelming youth and peppiness.
"Ahh. When I woke up someone was just leaving. I think he didn't want to wake me up…" Naruto recalled. When he woke up that morning, his injuries recovered, someone had quietly snuck outside, probably not wanting to wake him from his sleep. The door had swished shut just as Naruto's eyes opened.
"That would be Zell. He's the Cadet that lent me the clothes you're wearing right now. I'm sure you two will get along fine. After all, you two have many similarities." Quistis remarked.
"Like what?" Naruto leaned forward and inch and eyed her suspiciously. He didn't like her tone...it was too…too smug, like how Sakura would sometimes play a joke on him without him knowing and others would laugh, to his chagrin.
"You'll find out. Tomorrow you're going to be going on the last part of your mission, and I've assigned Squall, Zell, and Seifer to be in your squad. Of course, I will be looking out for you for and them. Even though it is also the exam, it's still considered a SeeD mission and the Dollet government already paid in advance. An accident would be both unacceptable to me and Balamb Garden"
"Wait." Did he hear that correctly "There's another test? Wasn't the fire cavern exam the only one? It was sure tough enough to be one."
"That." Quistis replied. "Was the preliminary exam. You needed to pass that to qualify for the real exam, which is an actual graded field assignment. SeeD rank will be dispensed according to how well you do."
"Ahhh." It reminded him of the Ninja academy back at Konoha. "So it's like Konoha too. Even if we graduate from the Academy, we still have to be qualified by a jounin sensei before we can become ninja."
"Academy." Quistis looked Naruto straight in the eyes.
He nodded with a smile plaster on his face.
"Ninja."
He nodded.
"Jounin."
He predictably nodded again.
Quistis sighed and shook her head, tussled blond strands falling from her neatly combed hair, and she felt the beginnings of a migraine develop. "It's just that…I still find that so hard to believe. Alternate dimensions and what not. After having been taught your entire life that there is only one physical world, it's hard to accept the possibility that another might exist, much less a certainty of a world full of ninjas."
"It's hard for me too. But I guess there are some things that are universal. Like ramen!"
"Like ramen. I guess." Quistis repeated. She pushed back a stray lock of platinum blonde hair that had fallen across her temple.
"Ninjas aside, you seem to know some form of magic. That's what you've learnt back in you're world?"
"Yup!" Naruto vigorously nodded. "There are different types too. Genjustu, Ninjutsu, and Taijutsu. Though I'm not that good at genjutsu." He conceded.
"Regardless of whatever jutsu you used, I hope it won't shock you to learn that we do things differently here. And for tomorrow's mission, you'll learn for yourself how dangerous magic in this world can be if used against you. I saw you fight yesterday, and you can hold yourself in combat, but if you face an opponent tomorrow that can use magic, it would help you if you knew the basics and won't be surprised if a lightning bolt comes roaring at you."
"You're going to teach me?" Naruto asked with hope in his voice.
Quistis pointed her index finger at his forehead. "Bingo! You're smarter than I thought."
Naruto's face soured. "And how smart did you think I was?"
Quistis laughed, and it was like chimes on a spring wind.
"Smart enough. You saved my life yesterday, and don't think I forgot that. In return, I will personally teach you the basics of magic. And believe me; I have a list dozens of pages long of people waiting for an tutor spot from me, so count yourself lucky. Also, Zell will be joining us. I felt it would be a good idea if you two were to meet beforehand to acquaint yourselves, since you will be going on a mission together."
"So when are going to start?" Naruto asked, eagerness creeping into his voice. The prospect of learning new jutsu excited him. If he returned to Konoha with new abilities, he was sure to impress Sakura-chan, not to mention it would help him in his ultimate goal.
"After you're done eating. I've been waiting for the last - " Quistis glanced at upwards at a large digital clock that hung center in the cafeteria, then looked down at the bowls that scoured the table. "- half hour. And for that matter, I have to watch my promises of treating you to lunch next time. My meager paycheck can't handle this too many times."
Naruto grinned an apology.
OOO
Wind rolled through the emerald hills, creating a mesmerizing dance as the blades of glass moved in unison, a symphony of nature. Just beyond Balamb Garden was a high bluff that overlooked the mercenary academy. With it's spectacular view of the horizon, it had once been a popular meeting place for cadets and SeeD's to meet together for trysts, complete with fern trees that still bore the names that students had carved together in pairs. But when the conservative Instructors had found out about the secret area, they had forbidden SeeD students from meeting there, even going so far as to issue harsh point deductions. Now it was an lonely spot, with nothing but the relics of funner times to amuse the occasional passer-by from Balamb.
However, one man stepped at the peak of the bluff, and looked downwards. A dread mist seemed to surround him, fogging the air in a five-foot radius around him.
His gaze lingered on Balamb Garden, until the noon sun mercilessly shone down.
He finally looked away and stepped back, his hand brushing his chin thoughtfully. He snapped his fingers, and another person, this one a younger boy, flashed into view behind him. When he spoke, his voice was as frosty as winter air.
"Haku." The word that came out wasn't a question, but a statement.
"Yes, Zabuza-san." Haku murmured back. He kept his eyes respectfully down, knowing that Zabuza would know if his eyes lingered too long on his narrow back.
"Are the preparations ready? The witch. Has she delivered the promised forces."
Haku looked up and found that Zabuza's eyes were locked directly on him.
"Yes." He answered. "I met with her contacts from Galbadia. The ruby dragons will arrive by nighttime. She's placed them under a binding genjutsu. They will answer to us until the plan is executed."
"For now." Zabuza remarked. He knew full well that the traitoress woman was as fickle as a storm, and wouldn't bat an eyelash to break their contract and betray them.
He laughed. Of course, that was if he didn't betray her first.
Reaching into his pocket he withdrew a folded piece of cloth and set himself down cross-legged on the dry grass. Unfolding the cloth, it turned out to be a replica of the area, including in the corner a detailed map of the inside of Balamb Garden. He looked over the intricate lines that marked the hallways and passages.
"Have you studied the plans that I gave to you?"
"Yes." Haku began to say something else, but the words caught in his throat. He understood Zabuza, and knew that when he set his mind to something, there was no dissuading him from his path. But…there was always that chance. Always that chance that they could go back to how things were, before Zabuza was tempted with the promise of life.
His hands balled into fists when he thought back of days long gone, though his expression didn't betray the raging emotions he felt. Before she had beckoned to him.
His voice was meek when he called out. "Zabuza-san."
"Hm, Haku? What is it?"
"I…I believe that there is another path that we may follow. Though the sorceress agreed to restore your essence, her words rang false. There might be another way."
Haku waited for a response, but the only answer was silence.
"Won't you reconsider? I…I am your weapon, and I will continue to serve until the flame of my life extinguishes. If you wish, I will give what is left of my soul to you. Then you wouldn't need to - !"
Zabuza raised his palm up, silencing him.
"Haku. I made up my mind long ago. We will follow with the plan." Zabuza looked at the young boy. He knew that Haku was in pain right now, knew that conflicting feelings raged in him. But it was too late to change what had already happened.
Neither he nor him had much time left.
Haku averted his eyes from under Zabuza's soft gaze.
"Do not worry. You've been by my side long enough that I know what you are thinking." Zabuza said. "Of the two that came here, we only need one. The other may live and find his path out of this world. But we will capture the other one and he will be used as the energy source. Fate is strange. Perhaps he will live through that too?"
And before Zabuza repeated the name of their target that had been etched into their minds three years ago, Haku had already closed his mind to the inevitable.
"…Uzumaki Naruto."
OOOooOO
Naruto felt apprehensive when Quistis led him back to the training center. He had good reason to. Just a few days ago he had been attacked by a pair of vicious T-Rexaurs, the giant dinosaurs that ruled the artificial jungle. The jungle itself was mind-boggling. Even Konoha wouldn't use monsters as training tools.
"Are you sure this is safe, nee-san?" Naruto stuttered. He walked as silently as possible, making sure he stepped over every branch and twig. His ears twitched as tried to listen to the rumbling earth shakes that indicated when a T-Rexaur approached. Quistis cast him an exasperated look before assuring him that she would know and would inform him if any T-Rexaurs approached.
She led him through a different path that branched off several times. The path twisted for several minutes until Quistis finally pulled back a heavy branch and they came into a cleared area. The cleared area itself was an anomaly. Trees inched roots into the dirt, but nothing grew, not even grass, in a giant circle the size of a stadium. It was approximately the same size as the Konoha stadium where the chuunin exam had taken place so many years ago. The ground was flat, and oddly out of place for a jungle.
Perfect for training, Naruto thought.
"Ah! There's Zell! He's early. Can't say I'm shocked, because I am. He's always late."
"That's him?" Naruto asked.
As they neared, he gave Zell a closer examination. He was bright blond, his hair shaped up into a faux-mohawk that framed a pair of sky blue eyes. He wore a baggy pair of short blue jeans with two giant pockets that came down to his knees, along with a red bomber jacket. As he danced around making strange punching motions in the air, Naruto deducted he was a martial artists. Lee had also done the same thing several times before when he was training by himself.
"Hey!" Zell greeted them with a cheery smile as they walked over. He held out his hand to Naruto who shook his hand.
"So you're the kid I've been hearing about and my new roommate also. I didn't get a good look at you when I was getting ready this morning. Didn't want to disturb you, ya know? You're bigger than I thought you'd be." Naruto took that as a compliment and smiled back with a "Thanks."
Quistis shot him a glance. "And what exactly have you been hearing Zell. Do tell. I'm all ears."
"Ah nothing' nothin', don't get all instructory on me Quistis, alright. You know you're ten times cooler when you're fun. And it was just the normal cafeteria rumors ya know."
Quistis's voice turned frigid. "It's my duty to know what's going on. Headmaster Cid wants to make sure that Naruto here stays under the radar. So before we start, Zell. The rumors. Make it quick."
"Rumors?" Naruto echoed. The idea that people he didn't know were talking about him interested him.
Zell chuckled. "Alright alright! It's nothing! It's just who wouldn't be suspicious to see a kid like him wondering the halls. And in those clothes!"
Zell looked to Naruto, "No offense to you, Naruto, was it?" He winked. "And that's an awesome selection by the way. That style never goes out. Kudos to Quistis here for asking me for clothes."
Naruto thanked him again. The clothes had proven themselves to be remarkably comfortable.
"So you see Quistis, not my fault k'?"
Quistis sighed and shook her head wearily. "Sorry about that Zell. It's just the faculty kept asking me questions about Naruto today. You know how they can be a bother sometimes. It took me a better part of an hour before I could pull away. They'll probably be back again later too."
Zell and Naruto nodded in grave understanding. Zell knew how troublesome the faculty staff could be, especially since he was a first class-prankster himself.
"What are you nodding at!?" Zell blurted out when he saw Naruto mimicking him.
"I don't know! You nodded like it was important so I did too!" He blurted back.
"…"
"…"
Quistis politely muffled her laugh with her hand. The pair were more alike than she had thought. "Let's get to business Zell. I requested your help in training Naruto today since tomorrow you two are going to be participating in a SeeD mission together that will also serve as your final exam."
Zell's eyes brightened like flashbulb, and wheels began to turn in his mind. Quistis had said something like that earlier, but he had been busy haranguing the lunch lady for an extra tray of delicious kosher half-pound hot dogs. "Ah! I remember! But wait…he's going on a SeeD mission? Did he pass the field exam yet?
"Yes he did. I was the SeeD accompanying him."
Zell jumped back surprised. The field exam was no small joke. SeeD cadets failed regularly and had to wait another year before they could retake the exam. And this young boy here had finished it on his first try? He looked back at Naruto, who seemed to gotten lost in all the the talk. This time when he looked over Naruto though, there was a considerably higher degree of respect in his sky blue eyes. "Wow! He's the youngest cadet I've heard of to pass the field exam! Pur-retty amazing."
"He is the youngest. And if he makes SeeD, he'll be the youngest cadet to graduate."
"Younger than you." Zell asked with awe.
"Yes, younger than me." Quistis grit out. When she was a cadet she had been considered a prodigy, and was given the honor of being the youngest cadet to pass the fire cavern exam and the SeeD mission to become a fully fledged SeeD. It did hurt her pride a smidgeon to give up that title to Naruto, though she took consolation in the fact that she had done taken the exam alone and had passed with ease, whereas Naruto had gone with an instructor and a high-ranked cadet yet almost died.
"Hehe. I'm pretty amazing then aren't I." Naruto smiled smugly, crossing his arms.
"Don't get to cocky, boy." Quistis pointed her finger down his nose. "I can still give you a whipping." She fingered the coiled whip on her belt to emphasize the statement, and Naruto blanched.
"Anyways, let's stop with the chit-chat and get to work."
"Alrighty then!" Zell cracked his knuckles then bent down to stretch his muscles. "So Naruto, how advanced of a magic level are you? Level 2? I think I was finishing my rank 1 magic classes when I was your age, though magic was never really my thing."
"Uhhh…" Naruto blanked out. Quistis hadn't told him anything about levels yet… "Well that's…"
Quistis filled in for him. "Rank zero. He's never had any training before."
Zell laughed. "No, really. Rank 1?" When there was no response he looked at Naruto, who was looking embarrassed, then back to Quistis, who was patiently tapping her feet on the ground. Ooh boy, he thought. Quistis tapping her heels meant she was talking business. Serious business. He had picked that up during the years when she had tutored him. "You're not kidding me, are you?"
"No."
"Then how did he pass the field exam without magic!?" Zell exploded at once.
"Ah! I used ninjutsu. And nee-san helped a lot!" Naruto blurt out before shutting his mouth one step too late. Quistis face-palmed.
"Ninjutsu?" Zell asked.
Quistis sighed. She hadn't expected Naruto to keep shut with that loud attitude of his, but she had secretly hoped that just maybe, just maybe a miracle would occur so she wouldn't have to go through the trouble of explaining to him. "Since you're going to be on his team, I guess it would better if you knew more exact details on Naruto. Though, this is classified information from headmaster Cid, so don't say any of this to anyone, got that? Under normal circumstances I wouldn't tell anyone, but since I've known you since first enrolled, I know you well enough to trust you to keep this a secret. Top secret."
Zell crossed his hand over his heart solemnly. "SeeD's honor."
"Naruto, you explain to him. It's probably best if he first hears it from you instead of me."
Naruto bit his lip and his cheeks puffed out. How to start an explanation of something that was entirely ridiculous and unbelievable at the same time?
"Well, uh…I'm a ninja."
Zell stared back at Naruto with an perplexed expression. He leaned forward a little and his golden eyebrows arched together. "…Ninja…?"
"Yah, I'm a genin from Konoha." Naruto reiterated.
Zell pulled towards him even more until he was a step away. "Nin…ja…?"
Naruto looked Zell in the face, which wasn't very far away. The blond had pulled close enough that their noses almost touched. "Yes! Jeesh!"
"Holy Hyne!" Zell said at last before jumping backwards. He caught himself and then words came out in a rush. "Oh wow that's cool! You mean like a ninja that uses daggers and wears black and can turn invisible and stuff!?"
Naruto wasn't sure how to respond to Zell. He didn't think that the blond would just accept that he was a ninja so easily, especially since Quistis nee-san didn't seem to believe him when they had first met. For good reasons of course. "Well, um…some ninja's can turn invisible I guess, but that's not really what I'm good at…"
Zell began jumping up and down excitedly like a bouncy ball as he did whenever something of extreme interest came to him. "Oh wow, I've never seen a ninja before! Where do you come from? What can you do? Do you have weapons? What do you eat? Hot dogs? No. Ninja's don't eat hot dogs, do they? They probably eat something like ninja hot dogs. Hot dogs that can go invisible! Whoa! Gimme some of that!"
Zell continued to ask questions at a harried Naruto who had difficulty answering the torrent of questions that were pouring from him. At their side, Quistis rolled her eyes. She should have expected someone like Zell to believe that Naruto was a ninja. The boy was just too deliciously gullible. But this was cutting into their training time, and she didn't have all day to muck around. She unhooked the coiled whip from her side and let the leather snake unroll. She had packed her leather whip today for training, instead of the much deadlier steel one she used for missions. With an expert snap of her wrist, the whip flashed out and smacked Zell's back just hard enough to sting him, but not hard enough to cut.
Zell jumped up as if someone had lit a fire under him. "Ow! Quistis whaddya do that for!?" He reached back and felt for any ripped clothing. To his relief, his clothes were perfectly fine, though his butt still stung. "These are new pants you know!"
"Well you shouldn't wear new pants when you're training." She remarked dryly.
Naruto looked to Quistis and silently thanked her. He wasn't sure how much longer he could have gone before he had lost patience and socked Zell a new one.
Stepping forward, Quistis waved her hand a little for him to step back and Zell obediently followed.
"That's all you need to know for now, Zell. Needless to say, all other information is classified. As such, if I feel that more information is necessary for the good of the mission, I'll explain more. Now, let's get down to training."
Zell pouted his lips and crossed his arms. "Ugh. Alright. And I wanted to know more about ninja's too…"
Quistis turned to Naruto. "I'm going to tell you the basics of magic Naruto, if you have any questions, just ask."
"Okay." Naruto said. He was used to this from that old pervert Jiraiya. The old man loved giving lectures on techniques and how he had perfected them through experience and his own genious. Sometimes, Naruto though he just liked hearing his own voice.
"Magic, in a sense, is the basis of life. It's a form of energy that runs through all objects; humans, animals, trees, and even rocks. It's the necessary component for any life to function. There are several different types of energy, such as water, fire, or wind. With the proper training, us humans can channel and mold these energies to do specific things. For instance, by channeling the fire energy, I can create a fireball. That's about as simple as it gets. The nature of magics such as healing or resurrection is much more complicated so I won't explain that to you."
Naruto bit his lip. It sounded like chakra alright. The latent energy within all beings that shinobi used to command jutsu.
"Nee-san!" He called out.
"Yes?"
"Then what about things such as uh…um…" Naruto tried to recall the name of the fire being they had fought yesterday, but it slipped his mind.
"Ifrit." Quistis finished for him.
"Yeah! That's it." Doh, Naruto thought with a mental wince. Quistis nee-san probably though he was an idiot.
"I was just about to explain that. Zell, do you remember what a guardian force is?" Quistis said with a sly look on her face.
Zell blanched. He had been busy moping and hadn't been listening to what Quistis had been saying. But he knew the sneaky instructor was using this as a chance to test him too. And if he didn't know, she would dock his SeeD points. Looking at the whip that was still in her hand, she might smack him a few times just for kicks he didn't get it right.
"A guardian force is…a guardian force is…uh…a high density concentration of magical energies that has…uh…taken…con…sciousness…?" Zell winced and waited for Quistis to correct him. To his utmost surprise Quistis nodded proudly.
"Correct, Zell. I must admit I am pleasantly surprised that you've been keeping up on your studies. A guardian force such as Ifrit is a being of self-regenerating magical energies that can take physical form. There isn't much known about how guardian forces come to being. Some are the memories of humans that were so strong in their mortal lives that similar energy collected unto them, turning them into guardian forces, like Ifrit. Some used to be plants or monsters. And some have no plausible explanation at all."
Like the kyuubi, Naruto thought. He looked within himself, but the kyuubi was disturbingly silent. The nine-tailed fox spirit had not responded to his calls in days, as if it were waiting for something. Ever since they had arrived, the fox had seemed to be plotting something. Perhaps a guardian force was something like the kyuubi?
"Regardless of where they come from, guardian forces can be junctioned to humans by forming a pact or by drawing the guardian force directly. By doing so, the guardian force lends its power and increases the strength and speed of its junctioned user, and magic can be channeled through the guardian forces being."
Naruto scrunched his eyebrows. "But nee-san, didn't you say that humans can use magic too, so how come you need a guardian force to do it?"
"That is correct. But with a guardian force it becomes infinitely easier. Humans must train for years to adapt themselves to the stress of using magic. Not only that, but a certain amount of aptitude is required. Not everyone is capable of using magic. Since guardian forces are magical entities of pure energy, they can channel magic that would normally be beyond the channelers current ability. Balamb Garden specializes in the use of guardian forces."
"Ooooh. I see…"
"Yesterday you did something similar didn't you? Those techniques you used, what were they called again?"
Zell looked between Quistis and Naruto. "Oooo techniques?! Ninja techniques?"
"Kagebunshin. It's a ninjutsu where chakra is molded into a similar copy. Though, it disappears when it's hit." Naruto knew that all too well.
"Chakra?"
"It's the energy within the body that is used to activate ninjutsu, genjutsu, or taijutsu. And you have to do the hand seals too, to shape the energy. I don't know much else about the whole theory stuff, that's more of Sakura's field."
"Sakura?"
"My friend."
"Ah." Quistis filed away that tidbit of information. "Well, it seems that chakra is similar to the basic energies that I was talking about. However, the method in which you channel it is different. Magic isn't often shaped on the spot, as it requires intense concentration. The energy must be gradually altered over time, where it is then stored as spells. Or, finding a draw point and drawing the latent magic spells there. Since you are from a different world, the chemistry of your body is probably different."
Another world!…was what Zell wanted to say, but he saw the evil glint on Quistis's face. She was in teacher-of-hell mode or mad scientist mode, and he knew better than to disrupt her, especially when there was some knew magic theory or whatever it was that so fascinated her.
She continued. "So the question is, whether you can channel magic. Those techniques you use can be used against beings of this world, and can even counter magical spells, so the basic principle of energy must be the same. However, I doubt Zell or I could create several simulacra of ourselves unless I had the necessary blue magic ability. Since we can't use ninjutsu, we have to find out whether or not the reverse is true for you also.
"And how do I do that?"
"You aren't trained in magical channeling as I am, so the best way for you would be to use a guardian force." She concluded.
"I'm going to junction a guardian force!?" Naruto's eyes goggled in excitement.
"This will be a test run, to measure the capabilities. I don't know what will happen, so it might be a little dangerous. Do you still want to test it, Naruto?"
He didn't even need to think of the answer. "Hell yes!"
She snapped her fingers. "Zell."
Zell shot to attention. "Yes!"
"You're still junctioned to Quetzalcoatl right?" She asked, referring to the lone guardian force that Zell usually kept junctioned to him. She knew that he had probably brought along Quetzalcoatl, but she wanted to make sure.
"Yup! Fully charged and ready to go!"
"Good. Then secure the perimeter and activate the third layer energy shield around this area." Quistis said. What she referred to was the special dome that had been built here. It was able to encompass the entire dirt field, keeping monsters out, and volatile energies in.
Well, it had been her original intention all along to bring Naruto to the one area in Balamb Garden specifically designed for Guardian force training.
Zell nodded and scuttled off. Looking towards his direction, Naruto could that Zell had run towards the edge of the circular field. Peering closer, he could see the blond pushing some buttons from a panel he hadn't seen before. A humming sound shivered through the air for a brief moment before disappearing. Naruto looked up, and could barely make out the outline of something that seemed to be a nearly invisible bubble that rounded up and around the field.
"This will be a very quick test Naruto, but I want to take precautions anyways, since there are some unknown factors. Zell is activating an energy shield designed to resist high levels of magic energies. Since this is where people train with their guardian forces, the shield has been installed so in case anything happened, it would be limited to this area of Garden."
"Sooo what's going to happen? What am I going to junction?" Naruto asked eagerly.
Reaching to the side of her blouse, she popped up a little buttom and reached in for something. Fishing out the item, she showed it to Naruto. It was a tiny red ruby that blazed with an inner light.
It was the binding stone of the Guardian Force Ifrit.
"Ifrit. You defeated him yesterday, so his affinity to you should be much higher than if I randomly juntioned one to you." She handed him the stone and he accepted. It was warm in his palm, generating a soft red glow that pulsed with heat.
"Do I…eat it?" He asked, confused as to how to use this stone.
Quistis chuckled. "No, Naruto, you don't eat it. I'll tell you how in one second after I explain some things and when Zell gets back."
Naruto waited impatiently for her to continue.
"While I doubt anything will go wrong, If something does go wrong, I'll simply draw Ifrit out of your body. I don't have a guardian force junctioned to me right now, but I'm more than capable of handling anything if something should occur, and Zell is here too, so you don't need to worry."
"I wasn't worrying in the first place." He mumbled.
Quistis looked at Naruto as saw that there was no sign of anxiousness or nervousness. "Most cadets are a little scared the first time. But you're braver than I thought."
He thumbed his chest. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto after all."
"That you are." Quistis looked back and saw Zell jogging up to her side.
"It's activated Quistis." Zell said, then looked to Naruto with a reminiscent look clouding his baby blue eyes. "Boy, I remember I was scared shitless the first time I junctioned Quetzalcoatl. But its fun! And you can even talk to your guardian force sometimes if they're in a good mood!"
Talk to them? Naruto could talk to the Kyuu-bi when he arrived at this world too…
"Ready, Naruto?" Quistis asked at last. She and Zell both stepped back a good thirty yards from Naruto, giving him space to junction comfortably.
"Uh, yah!" He said, forgetting all about the nine-tailed fox for now. He would deal with that later.
"Just place the stone against your forehead, and think of it being absorbed into your body." She called out once she was far away enough.
"That's it?"
"It's that simple. What did you think; we would drill a hole into your brain and shove it in?"
Naruto sweat-dropped. It did come across his mind once, or twice, or a few dozen times. Not wanting to appear nervous, he placed the stone against his forehead. It felt silly, and he probably looked silly too, but he knew that nee-san wouldn't lie to him. She had probably done this before too, so it wouldn't be ridiculous to her. He concentrated, and thought of the stone imagining his mind.
And the stone melted, and sank through his skin.
For a brief moment, Naruto could feel something hot, Ifrit no doubt, enter his body. A surcharge of energy beamed through him, heat racing up and down his chest as Ifrit accustomed himself to Naruto's body.
Then, within his mind to him only, Naruto could hear a roaring challenge issuing from the depths of his body. He recognized it instantly, for only one being in the world could create such a sound. It was the Kyuu-bi, and the demon was laughing in joyous horror.
First a hot flood of pain erupted in his arms, then control left him. Soon after that another pain swelled in his legs, and he fell down unable to control himself.
DELICIOUS!
His vision swam, and the world became black.
Everything was going according to plan. The energy field had been set up, and when she saw the red ruby enter through his forehead,, she confirmed that Naruto had successfully junctioned Ifrit. Now she only had to wait for Naruto to grow used to the feeling of a guardian force in his body before testing to see whether or not he could use magic.
Then to her surprise, Naruto's arms went limp, and he fell down to the floor, his legs unable to support him. He had apparently fallen unconscious.
"Quistis, that's not supposed to happen, is it…" Zell asked. There was worry in his voice.
"No…not at all…" Quistis began stepping towards Naruto slowly, and when the boy didn't move, her pace quickened to a run. Zell ran behind her, and they both leaned down, turning Naruto around so they could examine him.
Zell placed his hand on Naruto's forehead. "Ouch!" His hand snapped back. "Quistis, he's burning. I mean it!"
Quistis could feel the intense heat coming from his body. Her eyebrows creased. Had something happened to Ifrit? What had gone wrong? Perhaps Naruto's body was unable to deal with a guardian force after all?
She folded up his shirt, making sure not to touch his burning skin. When his bare stomach and chest came into view, her eyes widened.
A tattoo on Naruto's stomach was pulsating. It was a black circle that centered around his belly button. Five spiral shapes extended from the wavy circle, and right now each was moving in sync with each other. The ink faded in and out, disappearing and reappearing as if unsure of its fate.
"What's that?!" Zell gasped, noticing the strange runes of Naruto's stomache. "Holy Hyne! He didn't tell us about this!"
"It doesn't matter. We'll worry about that later. I'm drawing Ifrit out. Now." She bit her lip, and then placed her hands on his chest. The skin-to-skin contact would allow her to facilitate a strong instantaneous drawing. Her hands sizzled but she grit through the pain. What pain, she thought, is Naruto be experiencing now?
She pulled with her being as she had done countless times before.
To her and Zell's bewilderment, nothing happened. The skin still scalded her, and Ifrit didn't respond to her call.
"What in the world - ?" Raising her finger, she quickly cast a scan on Naruto and an aura of divining magic settled of him. Through the haze of the scan spell and to her only, she could see the bright ruby red that was Ifrit's energy. But it was fading. Something…something the color of dark blood was surrounding Ifrit's. She hadn't seen it before! Where had it come from!? The darker energy was suppressing Ifrit's…no, she thought.
As impossible as it was, Ifrit was being subsumed by the alien energy. The ruby red energy signal of Ifrit's was waning. The dark red chakra the color of congealed blood was coming through. It would come out at - !
Quistis grabbed hold of a surprised Zell's arms with one hand and with her free hand cast the strongest magic resisting spell that came to mind. "BARRIER!" A glowing translucent green shield that would halt magical attacks flashed into existence around her and Zell.
She cast the spell just in time.
A roaring wave of dark crimson energy, of chakra, burst from Naruto's body as the boy quaked and thrashed from the pressure. It crashed into Quistis and Zell, sending them flying upwards as the barrier protected them against the torrent.
Quistis and Zell landed on the ground with a harsh thud, coughing dirt.
"You're okay, Zell?" Quistis asked. The barrier had barely held. Looking at what was left of the green shield, she could see that the red chakra had eaten the magic spell like concentrated acid. If she hadn't cast that spell in time, she doubted even her formidable magic resistance could have saved her from being seriously damaged, much less Zell.
"Just great. Just –damn- great." Zell coughed dust, regretting volunteering to help Quistis. He felt his chest, poking his body to see if anything had broken. Two ribs broken from the sudden explosion and the following fall. He reached back and flipped open one of the large pockets of his jeans, extracting a tiny blue bottle. Uncorking the bottle, he lifted it to his lips and downed the potion in one fluid gulp. He winced as he felt his bones begin to mend by themselves, the potion doing the work of a cure spell. He fished out another one and held it to Quistis. When she declined, he placed it back in his pocket.
"What happened?" Zell asked as he stood up. He reached down and helped Quistis who was wiping off dirt from her blouse.
"I don't know. I didn't anticipate this." Quistis murmured back. "What is happening…?"
Both of their eyes fixed on Naruto. The red chakra that had poured out from his body had pooled around him. It seemed to have a life of its own, covering the boy in the semblance of its true, horrible form.
"It's…it's a fox." Quistis concluded. "The energy is taking the form of a fox!"
"Is it Ifrit?"
Quistis reply was swift. "No. This energy is stronger than Ifrit's. Much stronger. I've never seen anything like it. It's not Ifrit, it's something else. And it's killing Ifrit."
"Killing a guardian force? That's not possible! I mean, guardian forces are much too powerful to be destroyed, not to mention they are supposed to be magical entities!"
"It's not destroying it. It's eating it, and it's taking over Naruto too."
Zell frantic eyes surveyed the scene. The red chakra was whipping up a storm, still forming around Naruto. He could see the beginning of what looked like a tail begin to sprout from the chakra where Naruto's back was. "Wha…what do we now?"
"I asked you to set the shield on its maximum level earlier. This energy shouldn't be able to escape. I'm going to attempt another draw this time."
"But you already tried! It was a contact draw too!" Zell knew a contact draw, when two were touching, was the strongest possible. Quistis had tried that earlier. If that didn't work, what would?
Quistis explained her plan. "I'm going to use a blue draw. It's a blue magic that forcibly removes all guardian forces in the vicinity, even yours. I think it'll work, but it's going to take a la while for me to gather and configure the energy. I need you to occupy him for a few minutes. He might still be conscious of himself if we're lucky."
Zell swallowed, then nodded slowly. He knew how strong that red chakra was, and knew that even though his magical resistance was higher than average, it would most likely burn his skin. He was a martial artist; could he fight against something that he couldn't touch? He touched his gauntlets, custom Metal Knuckles he had purchased just recently, and hoped to Hyne he'd come out of this intact, or at least alive.
"We're going to stop Naruto."
…
…
Squall: I wonder what Quistis is doing right now….
…
…
Zell Dincht Level 18. Martial Artist
Hp: 320
Mp: 150
Strength: 46
Speed: 47
Vitality: 55
Luck: 36
Magic: 31
Spirit: 28
Weapons: Glove – Metal Knuckle
Junctioned GF: Quetzalcoatl
Monster Stat:
Kyuu-Bi – one tail mode Lvl. 42 SSS-level Classified being
Hp: 2300
Mp: 800
Strength: 75
Speed: 72
Vitality: 90
Luck: 15
Magic: 92
Spirit: 50
Weakness : Ice, Water, Wind, Gravity
Resistance : Fire, Earth
Special Skill: Chakra immolation – Contact with its chakra causes 30 magic damage every second.