Rinoa Heartilly had been through worse situations than a simple trap.
She had felt absolutely nothing in the building- which meant that there was something wrong. No intent, no thought, no nothing. There was no one inside at all. The other two wanted to check, so she let them. Of course, Irvine fired off two shells- one through each window.
Nothing, just like she had sensed. The confirmation that the building that was empty only served to heighten her anxieties… However, nothing seemed wrong. Even when they opened the doors, there was nothing suspicious… and then, she felt it. As soon as they stepped through, the motion sensors went off, and she felt the intent to kill- no feeling, no remorse, just death.
A trap had been sprung…
Her reaction was instant- as if she were born with it. She needed to move faster- much faster. And the fact of the matter was that if she was going to defend them, a simple protect spell wouldn't do- the blast would simply destroy the damned thing.
So she focused her mind- forcing her body to react twice as fast as a normal human being. As soon as she did so, she moved inside and unfurled her pearl wings, feathers shining in the sunlight that filtered through the room. She covered them both with her massive wings as they had no choice but to crouch down, putting their own defensive spells into place.
And then… boom.
Kanto The Slayer presents a Final Fantasy VIII fan fiction…
Final Fantasy VIII: LionHearts
Warning: I do have to say this again, don't I? Very well… lemony goodness and explicit language plus fight scenes that aren't very… well, nice to look at, if you know what I mean. All kiddies out of the pool… this one's not for you.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Go away before I call the fashion police to beat you over the head with a stick for those ugly tweed suits, lawyer people.
Dammit! Those guys are gonna pay for this…
Rin… Rinoa… please don't be dead…
The thoughts of Selphie and Zell ran wild and rampant- one with sorrow, the other one with vengeance. A still hopeful Selphie was looking up at the building occasionally- just before burying her head in her hands again, mind you- while Zell was pestering Squall about leaving for the next section, saying that they needed to strike back. However, Squall stayed his usual self- either cold or confident.
Right now, he was simply confident. He would know if Rinoa was dead… he would just know. Something inside of him would be empty- ripped out of him as if it were his own beating heart. Right now, he was perfectly fine.
"Calm down, both of you… she's not dead yet. It's not that easy to kill her. Look- something's moving over there."
The two of them looked at the building suddenly, wondering what was moving. They only saw shifting piles of rubble at first, nothing special. Then… all at once… two shining wings burst forth from the now destroyed building, blasting the debris that surrounded them away and leaving a clear circle of a four food radius.
Sitting there in the midst of the destruction was Rinoa, Irvine and Quistis… all safe and unharmed. And Rinoa looked pissed.
Squall felt her anger, and knew exactly what she was going through. She didn't like her friends getting hurt, and was naturally getting tired of playing hide and seek. He agreed with her completely- it was time to end this. As Selphie and Zell looked on in amazement- they knew she was a sorceress, but they just didn't know how strong she was- Squall took the initiative.
"No time for tearful reunions… we've got a job to finish. Let's move out."
But he did manage to direct his thoughts to Rinoa…
You're reckless…I like that. Let's get those bastards, shall we?
Rinoa had to smile,
despite her anger at the enemy's cowardly tactics. Well put...
nice to see you too.
"J, sir… they're through! They got past our surprise at second line!"
He grinned. This was very, very interesting. They wouldn't stop until this was over, would they? He liked that. Finally they faced an opponent worthy enough to actually come this far. Well, this was where they would stop their advance.
"No matter… let them come. We'll be ready for them. Have all the men stand by. Regardless of what they do now, this ends here."
He couldn't help but congratulate them on their efforts, just before they died. He decided to wait outside for them this time, just to see the looks on their faces when they realized that they were duped. But first, they had to be duped… and he figured that it wouldn't be that easy.
But regardless of how easy it was, they would have to be quick about closing the net. This wouldn't be pretty if they missed their timing… but he had a feeling that it would be all right. After all, they weren't just going to give up so easily…
"Wait… something's not right. It's far too quiet."
Irvine was the one who said this. Yes, his instincts may not seem that keen most of the time, but he wasn't chosen as the leader of the sniper team for nothing. And his instincts screamed that something was definitely not right about this whole situation.
Both Quistis and Squall had to agree. They should have been facing much heavier resistance up until this point. They expected at least an ambush at the chocobo crossing, but had met no resistance. Zell and Selphie on the other hand, were all too anxious, despite what lay in wait, and Rinoa was far too angry to care.
Squall liked that- they could harness their emotions into a team effort for this one. In any case, he stopped short at the houses that were just before the bridge when he heard Rinoa's thoughts.
Here. They're waiting for us here, and in the square.
Squall took out his tactical scope and looked through it, zooming in. It was then that he saw him- simply sitting there on the steps of the noble's mansion, casually enjoying the air and the sun, and watching as the sentries and door guards were on full alert for them.
If someone were that casual in the midst of all this… then that meant that he was the leader.
"Guys, I've confirmed the target. If we take him out, then it's over for everyone here."
Selphie had her doubts. "But… this whole thing… is waaaay too easy, don't you think? I mean, we should've been fighting our way down here, not walking. I can see Irvine's point."
Zell was getting impatient, however. "Whatever- let's just finish this and get our asses home! I don't like this at all… the way they fight is just plain stupid, that's all. Sure, they're good… but it's just dirty tactics."
Squall shrugged. "Guess we'll have to fight dirty as well… Irvine, can you pick those sentries off from that hill we were at earlier?" The cowboy looked at him for a moment, weighing his options. He could, sure thing… but what was it going to accomplish? They would just be alerted even more by people being picked off from range, anyway.
But the look that Squall gave him told him to just trust him. He nodded and took off the silenced long rifle that was slung onto his back, heading for said location and lying on the ground, getting himself set up. Rinoa nodded and went with him.
The others looked at her for a bit, wondering what she was planning, but Squall only continued giving his orders. "Selphie, Zell and Quistis… we're heading for the bridge. This isn't going to work unless we play by their rules for a while. Be cool about it, and just walk into their trap. Make sure to make it look like we were caught by surprise."
They all nodded, a bit confused. Squall could understand, but sometimes even one's own team had to be confused for a plan to work properly. He was simply playing it by ear now, and if anything happened, he would take responsibility. For now, they advanced toward the bridge.
All at once, they sprang forth.
As if those reaching the middle of the bridge were a sign, the remaining renegades came from in front of them and behind them, completely outflanking them. Selphie and Zell looked the most surprised- they didn't expect this many. Neither did Squall or Quistis, but they remained as calm as ever.
Just how many of these guys are there? No matter…get ready, Rin...
"Well, look at this. Our guests have arrived to the party room. And just in time, too."
The soldiers parted for a man in his thirties who looked awful smug and satisfied, as if he knew this were going to happen sooner or later. He approached Squall and smiled warmly at him, as if they had known each other forever. Of course, there were certain people who had heard of Squall's impeccable battle record, and he was one of them.
"Leonhart, is it? That is your name, correct? I must say, it's an honor to be hunted by you of all people. And you made it past the second line, too? Good work… shame that it has to end so soon."
Squall smirked at him, letting the point of his weapon pierce the ground and raising his hands in surrender. "Yeah, I suppose. Your troops had some nice tactics back there. I saw a few holes, but overall, not bad. Who are you guys, anyway?"
"Who are we? We're the ones who have been under Galbadia's thumb for the past few decades… Surely you remember the occupation of Timber and the utter defeat of Dollet, correct? We're here to collect on the debt that they owe us."
Squall quirked an eyebrow… So it was revenge, was it? That was fine with him. He would teach them the meaning of getting what was coming to them soon enough. "So it's a debt that they owe, huh? Well then, I understand your position. However, Galbadia is under new management these days. I don't know if you've heard, but times have changed."
The man smirked and waved off his opponent's comment as if swatting a noisy fly. "That's of no concern to us. This is the perfect opportunity to allow the world to stand on its own two feet, instead of relying on the actions of one sole nation. Besides, it's a military leader in charge… he's bound to mess up, sooner or later."
Squall lifted his gunblade once more, and hefted it onto his shoulder. The guards behind him lifted their guns and pointed them at him. "Try it, pretty boy. Just try it."
Idiots… they have no clue.
"Relax… we're just getting ready to leave. Isn't that what you guys want anyway- to hold this town as an outpost- defense only? It's close enough to Galbadia to be an active striking point- all you have to do is hold it for a while, and people will stay away." Jones was impressed. He had read them all like books.
"Well done. You are a rare one- a mind as sharp as your blade. Tell you what… I will give you the chance to die fighting. Granted, it's not going to be a fair fight… but then again, no fight is a completely fair one, now is it?
If you reach my position inside the mansion, I'll go toe to toe with you myself. By that time, either you will be dead, or everyone else will die in your path. Either way, good luck… Squall Leonhart. I expect a good fight."
As he walked away, they all leveled their weapons at them. Squall smirked at them as he hefted the gunblade from his shoulder, rolling the grip around his left hand twice before throwing it up into the air. Like the dupes they were, the expected an attack… and got this.
Some of them looked up. Many were confused as Squall put on his mirrored shades, smiling and bowing deeply to them in a mock respect before it happened… a bright flash of light above them, shining in a pure white aura from the blade that he had tossed upwards, effectively blinding them all. As the gunblade fell right back into his hands, he grinned wildly.
"Now then… die!"
Rinoa was standing around, watching Irvine set up his long rifle quietly. Yes, it would make a damned loud noise, and with the length of the barrel, these shots could destroy entire car engines and ignite fuel lines… but at this distance, it was necessary. Besides, he liked his long rifle- better firepower and range, and much more destructive capability, plus the fact that it could tear through enemy lines with the most efficiency.
Rinoa didn't care how he got things done- but the long rifle for this situation was a bit much. "You sure you're not going to hit our own people with those shots? I'd hate to see the look on Squall's face when he gets shot by a bullet from that rifle."
Irvine, with a grim tone, simply replied 'I don't miss… and I don't hit people on my team. You watch and see."
She shrugged and sat on the ground, crossing her legs and cupping her hands in her lap. Her breathing was even and calm and deep… and her mind emptied itself. She casually waited for a certain thought to pop into her head… one that wasn't one of her own. Suddenly, it came, loud, clear, and commanding.
Now, Rinoa! Go!
Her eyes snapped open and looked into the sky, the telltale glint of Squall's gunblade winking at her as it was tossed high into the air. She smiled at this- this was the part where they came in. "Okay Irvine… as soon as a flash in the sky comes up, start shooting anyone who comes into your line of sight. Don't hit the others, okay?"
Irvine nodded and lay down, closing one eye tightly and tapping his finger lightly on the trigger. This was it.
Rinoa quickly called her wings forth, the six foot feathery spans stretching out into the sky. With one leap and a downbeat of her wings, she launched into the air, spiraling artfully as she did so. Each spin of her graceful form seemed to build the energy within her, and her body felt itself tightening, winding like a spring. Once she was high enough, she stopped in midair and snapped her wings open, channeling her energy through her wings.
As the sun hit her wings dead on and filtered through them, she curved the massive wings forward, the tips pointing toward the gunblade and focusing the light to hit the mirrored surface of the blade on the way down, effectively blinding all within range… save for Squall and the others, provided that they had their shades on.
Those glasses weren't just for show after all…
Irvine saw the flash, and with a beastly grin, he pulled the trigger, the monstrous report of the rifle sounding off and the bullet tearing through enemy lines like a hot knife through butter. Meanwhile, Rinoa was high above him, heading for the nearest roof before her mental focus wore off, and her wings were no more.
She landed daintily on a rooftop, allowed her mind to rest, and watched the proceedings from above. The plan, though impromptu- had gone off as smoothly and impassively as if they had fixed it that way from the start. All they had to do now was head through the now disorganized ranks toward the mansion, where she had seen the designated target head last.
This mission was almost over.
They were all slain, one after another. Gun fire was spraying everywhere as the four of them took hold of the opportunity that Rinoa had given them to chew through the enemy lines, advancing steadily toward the manor with little effort. Squall, Zell and Selphie covered opponents from the front, while Quistis brought up the rear, cutting any enemies who were sneaking in from behind with her whip.
Selphie moved in between enemies like a fish through water, dodging their strikes effortlessly and making the battle look more like a dance. One motion flowed into another, her nunchaku and the sheer power of her legs coming into play. One of her kicks sent someone flying into a pack of opponents, breaking two of the man's ribs in the process. As she whipped and flailed her nunchaku with enough force to break jaws and crack skulls, a wide grin was on her face.
Mean the while, Zell was busy mowing through opponents with blinding speed, his furious style tearing through foes left and right, striking like the lightning that his call sign so embodied. A sharp head butt sent one of the opponents bouncing into the air, almost bashing into one of the houses.
…Almost. Quistis used her whip, Save the Queen, to pierce through his chest from behind as he was airborne, both blades tearing through him before she flung him through the air, straight towards another group of foes. As they toppled like dominoes, most of them falling unconscious, the three of them casually waited for Squall to finish.
Speaking of the leader, he was on a roll. The fine edge of the broad adamantine blade sliced through opponents cleanly, as if they were a field of wheat- nothing more or less. He casually turned himself twice with his blade extended, turning on his right heel for the first spin and hopping slightly into the air on the second. As he did so, a shockwave of sheer force radiated from his blade in a six foot radius.
The surrounding opponents were knocked to the floor with such force that they were out cold, and would be for a while. Those that were the closest were sliced clean open, as well as knocked to the cobblestone floor with crushing force. They wouldn't be out… they would be dead.
Squall stood up, looked around him while still in stance, and casually re-sheathed his sword once he was satisfied. While he was walking towards the manor, he looked up at Rinoa in thanks, and proceeded to the awaiting challenge. If things went well, this would be it. If not… well, at least he had one hell of a time.
"Well then…"
Jones stood at the top of the stairs, a 24" long broadsword with a wickedly curved single edge strapped to his back, along with another that was tied to his waist. He smiled warmly, as if Squall were his honored guest instead of an enemy. However, his eyes shone with fierce determination.
"I suppose they're all dead or out cold, huh? Guess it's just you and me, now… best not to say anything, then."
Squall drew his Lion Heart and hefted it to his shoulder, casually walking forward and up the stairs to meet him head on. He didn't bother to run- simply took his time. He would enjoy this one, just like anything else. This one was far too calm and arrogant for him.
As Squall approached, the leader of these rogues drew both of his blades and, after twirling them quite expertly, pointed one of them at Squall, the other one hefted on his shoulder. "Well, come on then… don't want to keep this fight going for too long by just staring at each other." Squall took it as a cue and rushed without much of a word or a yell, one hand slamming forward to launch a ball of flame at him.
Jones deflected the spell with the blade that was on his shoulder, turning on his heel as he did so. The massive broadswords flashed in a deadly circle as the leader of the insurrection spun twice, the blades whirling through the air and forcing Squall to duck. He was set up perfectly for the stab afterwards… but then with an amazing speed, he brought his gunblade to bear at the same time, rising up with the blade as he stood.
As Squall's sword knocked Jones's upwards, the tip of the weapon cut into his chest- superficial wound, really, but it was a hit. Squall followed through by cutting to his left quickly, making an attempt to scar him again. However his opponent got wise and blocked the oncoming attack with his left dao, turning it to the side before cutting back to the left with both blades.
However, Squall was just as quick on the attack, and countered with a right slash, knocking blades harmlessly out of the way and cutting to the left again, intent on burying the weapon in the man's chest. The strike was blocked with both weapons, just as the attack was about to land, and as the mercenary applied pressure to push him back, the renegade only leaned back, letting Squall's gunblade slide across the edges of his swords.
At that point, the others, including Rinoa, who had gotten off of her roof, had walked in to watch the fight. They had to admit, this man was good. But Rinoa saw the way Squall was fighting and thought it to be more graceful than she expected. She watched him, intrigued on what would happen next.
Once Squall was finished, he kept going with another right stroke, just as he was recovering from the dip backwards. However, he was rejected again, with a block from Jones's right sword, the two blades knocked back by the sheer force of the impact. Immediately after, he swung at him with his left sword, moving to the right and aiming for the coup de grace by cutting off his head.
Squall, now quite frustrated, smoothly leaned back, slipping under the attack, and sliced at his midsection to the right, cutting him cleanly and making stumble on impact. Unfortunately, that made way for another turn on both heels, the momentum of the blade adding another swing across his chest… a deep one.
As he staggered backwards, Squall took no chances. He stood and waited for his next attack, the blade positioned neatly at his head, the edge of the sword facing upwards. "You got anything else to say… your name, for instance?"
The man, now bleeding heavily, finally answered. "I'm Lieutenant First Class Jones, Dollet Volunteer Forces… no first name. You've earned my respect, boy. Maybe I can have a fitting end after all." He got into stance again, one blade above his head while the other was slightly forward, pointed towards him. "Last one?"
Squall nodded. "Last one."
Jones ran forward, feinting a forward stab three times, one with each step, just as Squall cut low, trying to tear his shin in half. The former Lieutenant hopped over the attack, artfully slicing his blade over the mercenary's head before cutting in with his left dao, intent on ending the fight as he rose up.
He didn't expect the sudden pressure in his gut when Squall hopped slightly into the air, his legs splitting underneath him as he stabbed forward sharply, piercing him with the adamantine blade. As the sword passed over the mercenary's head neatly, the man coughed up blood on the pale blue, almost translucent metal.
"…G… good. Excellent form… Tell me… why do you fight?"
Squall twisted his blade, gutting the man clean before smoothly pulling it out. This one was finished. As he cleaned his blade off, pulling out the flask of alcohol that he had just for this occasion- adamantine was damned strong, after all- he answered him.
"…To live. To find a reason to keep going… that's the only way I can put it."
Chapter 8: The Siege of Winhill, Part 2
Fighting styles used in this battle, just for your viewing pleasure.
Selphie Tilmitt: Jeet Kune Do (Yeah, I said it. It just fits her so well.)
Zell Dincht: Street fighting/Shotokan Karate
Rinoa Heartilly: Yang style Tai Chi/Personal Style
Squall Leonhart: Wushu Dao Shu/Tai Chi Broadsword Play
Quistis Trepe: Personal Style
Yup, yup… gotta love that research.
No reviewer's corner this time… this one just goes out to everyone who voted for Rinoa coming out of this one alive. Thanks, you guys. You know the deal… review if you please, and do not flame me.
Ja ne.
