Here's the final chapter to Final Fantasy 8: Heritage, now there's not a lot of finality to this chapter but that is because I'm planning to end this story with a sequel. So let me know what you think of this chapter by sending any reviews, thoughts, questions, suggestions, etc. you have. Enjoy the story.
Chapter 10: Full Circle
22 years earlier………….
Mr. and Mrs. Locke sat in front of the fireplace in the Master's room. There was an uneasy look upon the couple's faces as the Master smiled at them.
"Master Valns I know it's for the order, but……..We just don't want to give up our son." Replied Mr. Locke solemnly
"The boy has potential, and this potential is key to the order achieving its ultimate goal. I know how it is to give one's child to the order. I have a son myself and I gave him to the order. And one day my son will give up his son to the order." Replied the Master
"We know, but we want a different life for Daniel…..away from the order." Answered Mrs. Locke
"I understand, you may go." Smiled the Master
"Thank you Master Valns." Smiled Mr. Locke as he shook the Master's hand
One of the Master's Bishop's escorted the couple out the door. When they we gone the Bishop returned and sat across from the Master.
"Have them killed and bring the boy to the order." Stated the Master
"Are you sure?" asked the Bishop
"Anyone who goes against the order will be eliminated. Even if my own children were to disobey I would treat them the same." Replied the Master
"As you wish." Answered the Bishop as he got up and left
Outside Mr. and Mrs. Locke found their son playing in the forest. When the boy saw his parents he ran over to them and gave them a big hug. Mr. Locke patted his son on his head as he smiled at him.
"Do I have to stay here?" asked the young Daniel
"No son……No you don't. Hey I have something for you." Smiled Mr. Locke as he pulled out a leather pouch and handed it to his son
The boy looked into the pouch to see what was in there.
"New Triple Triad cards?" asked the boy wide eyed
"Yeah they're all for you?" smiled Mrs. Locke
The boy hugged his parent's one last time, before they took him by the hand and headed for their car off to their new life. A couple of feet away some white robbed soldiers stood in the shadows watching the happy family. The bishop walked up to the troops as they awaited his orders.
"They all die, except for the boy. Make it look like a accident." Stated the Bishop
"As you say Bishop." Replied the soldier
The Bishop watched as the soldiers left one by one chasing after the happy family. When he was alone, he turned his back and headed back underground, back into the temple.
-Present Day-
Helen, Sabin, Nathan and Jillian were standing just out side of the ruins of the temple. Helen jumped into the pile of ruble and immediately started to claw her way through trying to find Brandon. Nathan rushed over to her and pulled her back, trying to calm her. Helen struggled against Nathan grip, but he held on tight.
"Helen, Helen, calm down." Shouted Nathan
"He needs us, he trapped!" she shot back
"I know, I know, but acting crazy isn't going to help. You need to calm down and think things through." Replied Nathan
Helen eased up, Nathan let her go. She fell to her knees in defeat. She fought back the tears trying to escape her eyes. She had to remain strong, for her team, or what was left of it. Just then Ami bolted out of the ship down toward the rest.
"Guys I picked up a life sign of the ship's scanner. There's someone down there and they're moving through the ruble." Exclaimed Ami
Everyone looked out at the ruins. The ground began to shake, something seemed to be pushing up from under ground. Trying to break free from the remains of the temple. A hand popped out of the ground and pushed the ruble around it away to reveal a dust cover Brandon. He coughed up some dirt then pulled himself out of the ground. Everyone cheered, then began to run over to him. Brandon caught sight of them and signaled them to stop.
"No, no, no, Other way, other way, run the other way…..Now!" shouted Brandon as he got up and started running
They stared at Brandon oddly as he ran past them toward the ship. The ground began to rumble as they followed behind. The ground erupted as piece of building and dirt were sent in every direction. A giant shadow version of Ultima Weapon appeared carrying Locke. The weapon landed on the ground lowering Locke.
"I'm the Master here. I always win, I didn't sacrifice everything to lose!" growled Locke
The Seeds all turned to face Locke. He began to surround himself in his own shadow powers, wrapping the darkness around his body. He reached into the Shadow weapon and pulled out its triple triad card. Locke laughed at the Seeds as he began to shove into to his own body, right into his heart.
Locke was caught in an explosion of power as he began to merge with the creature. The shadows tore away Locke's human flesh and bone merging him with the shadows. Locke became a hideous creature of torn flesh, mangled bone. Wrapped in darkness. The creature roared loudly as it approached the Seeds. They looked up at him in horror.
"Wow, that's actually kinda scary." Gulped Sabin
The creature began charging up a giant ball of energy in its claws.
"To the ship, like now!" yelled Ami
Everyone ran for the ship as Locke tossed the energy ball at them. The ball hit the ground causing a massive explosion that scattered the Seed across the field. Ami found herself a couple of feet away from the ship and scrambled into it. She fired up the systems as fast as she could and began opening fire on Locke.
Locke roared in pain as the bullets tore into his body. He created another ball of energy and shot it at the ship. Ami raised the ship high into the air narrowly avoiding the blast and continuing to fire the Ragnarok's weapons at Locke.
On the ground The Seed made their way to their feet and regrouped to watch Locke fight off the massive Locke.
"What are we going to do? I don't know about you guys but I'm tapped for energy." Said Brandon nearly breathless
"Me too." Added Helen
"I got some, but I don't think I can take him down myself." Replied Nathan
"I got nuthin." Sated Sabin
"Well this is the greatest news ever." Stated Brandon sarcastically
"Wait my Limit break." Exclaimed Jillian eagerly
"What about it?" asked Nathan confused
"I can charge other people's limits instantly and give them a boost." Replied Jillian
Locke created a massive sword out of dark energy and struck the ship causing it to crash. Nathan took off his hat placing it on Jillian's head then through off his coat as he checked his guns.
"I'll get his attention with my limit. As soon as he comes over you guys join in, Jillian I'm countin on you." Said Nathan as he smirked at Jillian
She nodded her head as Nathan ran out of hiding opening fire on Locke. After he made sure he was in the right position he charged his limit break and unleashed it. In rapid succession Nathan junctioned a different magic spell to each individual bullet super charging the spells with his own limit energy.
"MAGIC BULLETS!!!!" shouted Nathan
The bullets slammed into Locke. He turned away from the downed Ragnarok to face Nathan. He began batting away at the bullets trying to block them, many more bullets came flying at him causing him to scream in pain. Nathan kept pulling the triggers until every last bullet was gone. Nathan quickly reloaded as Locke began to angrily approach him.
The rest of the guys came out of hiding to take their place by Nathan. Jillian charged up her limit and shot out a wave of red energy that floated over the Seed giving them renewed strength. Brandon leaped into the air first as he summoned his wings charging at Locke. Helen followed closely behind on the ground with Sabin at her side. Nathan moved in closer and began opening fire once again.\
"Angel Heart!"
"Hammer of the Gods!"
"Crimson Heart!"
"Magic Bullets!"
Each of the heroes unleashed the full power of their limit breaks on Locke causing a huge explosion of power. Jillian hid behind a tree as the blast occurred. When the dust settled Jillian saw something walk toward. As they stepped out of the massive dust cloud they revealed themselves to be Nathan and Helen lugging an unconscious Brandon and Sabin, who were snoring loudly.
"What's wrong with them?" asked Jillian
"He's out of energy." Stated Helen point at Brandon
"And he jumped into the air to celebrate, fell over and hit his head on a rock." Laughed Nathan as he pointed at Sabin
Helen, Nathan and Jillian shared a laugh as they lugged the two sleeping seeds back to the ship.
The next day after spending the whole night in this infirmary Helen and her team were released. Helen sat in the cafeteria with Ami having some coffee.
"Where is everybody?" asked Ami
"Nathan and Jillian are out on a date." Smiled Helen
"Oh yeah, I hear she enrolled in the academy?" replied Ami
'She did."
"So how's she doing?"
"Great actually everything she learned from the order will really help her. She just as to learn the finer points of being a Seed. What about you where's Sabin?"
"I sent him out to get some things. I want everything to be perfect for the Garden festival in a few weeks."
"I still don't see why you agreed to go out with him?"
"I find him funny."
"That he is."
"What about you?"
"I'm fine."
"What about Brandon?"
"He's……some where."
"Did you tell him how you feel yet?"
"What do you mean?"
Ami laughed as Helen gave her a light shove.
"Brandon's my friend, sorta like a little brother. I've always had to watch over him, but ever since he came back from the temple….he seems different."
The two women continued to sit there and talk as they sipped their coffee.
Up in the High commander's office Brandon stood in front of his father. On Squall's desk was a report detailing the entirety of the events of the past couple of days.
"So is this everything?" asked Squall
"That's everything. I even highlighted the parts where I kicked ass." Joked Brandon
"How's everyone doing?"
"They're all fine."
"How are you feeling?"
"Better."
"You did well….son. You were in a tough situation and you came through."
"It was my team who came through me. It was their inspiration and help."
"I'm glad to hear you say that. The greatest thing a man can learn in life is the value of not being alone. When you have some good friends and family on your side, there's nothing like it."
"How long did it take you to learn it?"
"Some time, but they all helped me. Especially your mother. I got one last thing for you."
Brandon looked at his father confused as he handed him a certificate.
"What's this?"
"It's your promotion, for courage under duress. You're going to be a captain and your going to have command over your own squad."
"Really?"
"Yes….if you want it…..and if you think you're ready."
"Oh I'm ready. But, I don't want it. I want to be the best Seed I can and I think I can do that right where I am."
"You're turning down a promotion?"
"Yeah, there are….other things right now, reasons."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"It's your decision.. I'm proud of you."
"Thanks Dad."
Brandon turned around and left the office. Squall watched him as a slight smile spread across his face
Down in the main entrance area Sabin, Nathan and Helen were standing there waiting for him. Brandon stepped out of the elevator and smiled at his friends.
"You ready Leonhart?" smirked Helen
"Yeah, let's go." Smiled Brandon
Brandon and the others head down the stairs toward the vehicle bay on the way to their next mission.
Up in his office Squall watched the newly repaired Ragnarok fly off into the distance. Rinoa walked up behind him and wrapped her arms around her husband's neck pulling him close.
"He's going to be just fine isn't he?' smiled Rinoa sweetly
"Yes." Smiled Squall
Squall turned around to take Rinoa into his arms and kissed her passionately.
The End……………
I hope you all like my story. Now remeber things are not done yet, the situation between Helen and Brandon hasn't been resolved, Nathan and Jillian have a stormy road ahead of them and as for Sabin, something from his past is going to come back. The sequel to this story will focus more on the relationships and personal lives of the characters from this story. There will also be a cameo from the as yet unseen Zell. So send me any suggestions, questions, thoughts, etc. Any way the sequel to this story will be up soon so everyone keep an eye out for Final Fantasy 8: Heritage II: In the Garden.