AN: short chapter is short, lots of action to come.
The alarm suddenly went off as Squall sat there and he shot to his feet. Celeste had just left them and now they were in a state of emergency… It wasn't long after the first set of alarms that the intercom sounded with Zell's voice on the other end.
"Squall to the bridge...we got a problem…"
A worried look covered Squall's face as he packed all thoughts of Rinoa and Celeste to the back of his mind. What mattered now was the protection of the Garden, and he would stop at nothing to achieve that goal.
It took a good five minutes for Squall to make his way up to the bridge where he was welcomed by both Irvine and Zell.
"You need to see this…" Zell said as he shoved a pair of binoculars into Squall's hands.
As he stared through them he couldn't believe his eyes, "That bitch lied to me…" *Should've expected that...heh must run in the family.* Squall immediately shoved the binoculars back to Zell, "You know the drill, get everyone prepared, I've got someone I want to speak with…" He took the lift back down to the third floor and drew his gunblade. *Its time to settle the score…*
Zell and Irvine did as commanded and sent out a plethora of commands over the intercom, giving the entire garden permission to prepare for war, this time they were prepared, and this time they were not going to back down from the Galbadian assault.
He eventually found himself exiting out onto the quad and he threw his jacket aside, knowing it would get in the way in the coming fight. The gem on his wrist began to glow as he stood there, looking like a deranged psychopath on a mission.
As Squall exited to the quad, Yoruhana let her guise slip and grabbed Squall by the throat. "Hello, Sweet. I wasn't done talking to you when you left. . ." She brought her face dangerously close to Squall's. "And don't even think of using that spell of yours. . . It won't end well for you."
He smirked as he got picked up by the throat, "Why that makes two of us then. Oh and are you a mind reader or something because seriously theres no other way you would know that. Oh and would you mind letting me down I don't quite like being held up by the neck." he hung there for a moment his grip tight on her wrist, glaring down at her.
Yoruhana sat him down, a smirk on her face. "I know magic when I feel it. I may not be as adept at telepathy as Celeste, but I'm not stupid" She looked down at him her lips pulled back in a toothy grin "Now, are you going to be civil or will I have to carve what I want to say into your flesh?"
A scoff fell from Squall's lips, "Alright then, I'm not stupid. Rushing to an untimely death is quite irrational." Hearing what she had to say sent a chill down his spine, but none-the-less he kept his composure. "I'll be civil just don't give me a reason not to be.
Rinoa went to one of the people she could trust about the entire situation, Selphie. She needed to get away for a while, otherwise she just might end up doing something that she'll end up regretting. After all she had already regretted slapping Squall as much as she did… She knocked on the door and waited for an answer.
Selphie opened the door a confused, when she saw Rinoa she quickly ushered her in quickly. "What's wrong? You look like you've got it rough" She closed the door "You want me to get you something to drink or something?"
Rinoa didn't say a word as Selphie let her inside the room, all she did was embrace her and baul her eyes out. She dug her head into Selphie's shoulder and didn't let go. then after a while she said in a muffled voice, "Damnit Squall…" before she backed away from Selphie, staring her down with her bloodshot eyes, all while trying to keep her tears at bay.
Selphie grabbed Rinoa into another hug rocking her back and forth. "I'm sure he'll get some sense knocked into him soon" She hummed softly trying to comfort Rinoa.
Riona sighed and sat back in her chair, "I sure hope so...because hes just not being himself lately...something's got him acting weirdly, and I'm not sure what…" She shook her head and wiped the last of the tears from her face.
Yoruhana smirked "Good Boy. Now. . .Let me set a few things straight." She straightened her stance, watching Squall carefully. "I am Yoruhana, Goddess of Space. Proctor to Celeste, Tester of her Champions. . ." She chuckled "My job is to test the will and resolve of those my Sister chooses to be heros. . . But I don't see what she saw in you. . .You're stubborn, selfish, and moody. Not to mention the lack of foresight, and the inability to cope with problems you create for yourself. . ." She looked at him an amused glint to her eyes "Yet she still choose you. . .Why do you think she did? What could she have possibly seen in you?" She smiled mockingly at him "Tell me, Squall, What do you think?"
Squall stuffed his hands into his pockets and sighed, "Alright Yoruhana, let me tell you something. I think she's wrong. I'm no champion. I just do what I have to to keep me, my friends and more recently, my family alive. I'm not someone who needs this champion shit. Since you two showed up on this world, everythings been out of whack. All I want is for it to go back to the way things used to be...before all of this. Now is that too much to ask for? Apparently so. Besides your sister is quite persistent when it comes to wanting to help. However I don't need it nor do I want it...all I want is for you two to leave this world alone and let us live in peace." He turned his back to her and sighed.
Yoruhana smiled and put a hand on his shoulder "She wasn't wrong in choosing you. . .You're rough, but with a bit of polish you'll shine. . .Now do you know why she wants to help so much? Aren't you curious at all?" She stepped around so that she faced Squall, her emerald eyes soft "It's in her nature, She's been like that since she was young, it's also because she failed. . .You see we are all that's left of our world. . .She tried to lone wolf it, just like you are, and she failed. . . She doesn't want to see her failure repeated." Yoruhana sighed "I can't even pretend to understand her hurt, or even yours. . ."
Squall's eyes immediately shot to the hand as if to say 'I can't believe you just touched me.' Then he looked back into the shining eyes of Yoruhana. "Alright now you're starting to sound a lot like her. As for all of this, I'm flattered but I'm afraid I'm going to have to decline your offer." He sighed started to pace around, letting his eyes lay on the Galbadian Garden. "Alright one more thing before we continue, call off your boyfriend. I don't want unnecessary bloodshed if it can be avoided. So you call off your dog I'll call off mine, we stop the fighting and come to terms here? Then afterwards you and your sister both can leave, or stay on this planet. I just would rather you leave us be." He looked back to the emerald eyed figure and waited for a response.
Yoruhana smirked "I'm not offering anything, other than my service to find Alexander" She nodded and turned her attention towards the maroon Garden "I told him not to do anything rash. . ." She closed her eyes sighing. "Sometimes it's hard when you know that you inadvertently killed everyone and everything you ever loved. She's hunting the man who she couldn't defeat, the one that destroyed our world." She looked at him "It's the same man who threatens your world, Squall."
"So if you're not offering anything other than that, I'm guessing that is the entire reason you are here, no? If thats the case then I'd rather fight that boy of yours, just saying." He crossed his arms and sighed, this didn't seem to be getting anywhere. Finally some interesting pieces of information were dropped. Celeste did have a connection with Gilgamesh...and not the fun kind either. A smirk crossed Squall's face as Yoruhana finished her sentence, "Heh I knew it, there was something keeping her here rather than the fact that we needed saved. There's a grudge that she feels only revenge will fill? Am I right?" The smirk remained present on his face as he stared down Yoruhana, "If that's the case then she may join this fight, there is reason for it therefore it may be. However as it stands I wouldn't hold it against her if she just bolted away from the entirety of the Garden after what happened earlier, but then again thats what you get when you piss me off."
Yoruhana frowned "I wouldn't say a grudge, nor does she seek revenge. More like closure. . .But what did you do to her exactly? Celeste isn't one to get infuriated and bolt. . .She's quite patient" The redhead looked at Squall with a very annoyed look on her face "If you have hurt her, I won't hesitate to kill you. Champion or not. . .She means everything to me. . .especially since I feel like I failed to protect her when we were young. . .And the fact that her pain is also mine" She stared at Squall waiting for him to say something.
Squall found himself a nearby tree and leaned against it. "Alright you've got my attention Yoruhana. Your sister is one of interesting beliefs, and frankly I didn't agree with them." He sighed, "She pledged her loyalty to me and I instantly refused her and told her to take a hike, that I didn't want her around…" He grinded his teeth together, "...only now I can see how wrong I really was…" His eyes shot off the side of the garden and fell right on the Galbadian Garden again, not wanting to leave it out of his sight for a long period of time.
Yoruhana sighed and looked to the side. "You know, since she has pledged her service to you, all you have to do is speak her name and command her to return." She looked at him "She is bound to you whether you like it or not." after a pause she looked back at the approaching Garden "I am not as free with information as Celeste is. So how about you tell me some things? I'm not particular, and I might consider telling you more about us."
Squall's brow raised and he looked at Yoruhana, "Your serious? Its that easy?" He shook his head and pushed off of the tree, "Besides I'd like to apologize now that I know a bit more about the situation." He took in a deep breath and then released a heavy sigh, *By the gods this better work…* "Celeste return to me, I have new orders for you." He looked around the sky wondering if Celeste would come into sight at all.
Yoruhana laughed and looked at him "You don't know her true name do you?" She doubled over laughing "You dismissed her before she told you her true name?" After a minute she took a deep breath and stood to her full height. "listen closely I will not repeat it twice. Celeste's turn name, the name that holds her to the person who knows it, is Auora Fatrone. Remember it well and don't tell a soul." She tapped her foot waiting.
After realizing that he had not used the correct name when trying to call his new knight to his presence, Squall immediately facepalmed, *Of course she wouldn't use her real name...she IS a goddess…* In an irritated voice he repeated the sentence this time with the correct name. "Auora Fatrone, to my side. I have new orders for you." He crossed his arms and glared down Yoruhana, hoping to hell and back that this was going to work.
"You called me?" The golden eyed angel stated as she seemingly stepped out of a nearby shadow. She paused in front of Squall and bowed, still in her full armor.
Yoruhana smiled and allowed the moment to continue before she did or said anything.
Squall immediately jumped back and snapped at Celeste, "Damn woman warn me when you pop out of nowhere like that!" He shook his head and sighed, "Look, Celeste, I do apologize for my barbaric behavior earlier. I had no reason to treat you as such." He laid his eyes on her, "I don't need someone bound to me by loyalty, there's no need for it. But if you insist, then I won't stop you, however if you remain under my loyalty I have but one simple command…" he laid a hand on her shoulder, "...Protect this garden no matter what...keep its people safe, long after my time has come." he looked to the ground, a solemn look covering his face.
Celeste bowed deeply "And I will fulfill your order" She stood and looked at him "One thing that bothers me, though, is the condition that your Fiance left in." She blinked and turned to Yoruhana, her eyes quickly scanning her body. "You're pregnant. . ." The red headed twin blushed slightly before turning away. Celeste laughed at her "You're in love. You actually fell in love!" Yoruhana growled softly at her shorter twin and tried to pay her no mind.
"Oh well, she'll tell in time" Celeste redirected her attention to Squall "Promise me that you'll make things right with Rin? Please?"
Squall rolled his eyes at her bowing, "Seriously you don't have to do that…" *There is no way in hell I'm getting used to this…* He turned away from the angelic figure, listening to her sudden outburst at her sister, finding the will to suppress his laughter. However he did facepalm, at the utter stupidity of the situation. *I knew it...I'm surrounded by nuts…and the two biggest ones are right here...* He sighed again and then he pushed away when Celeste started talking to him. "Damnit, I'll try but you know as well as I do that I've fucked up...she'll likely avoid me for a while...knowing her…" He punched the tree out of anger, "Just damnit all…"
Celeste blinked and sighed as well "Would you like me to help? I can be quite the charmer" She held out her hand "Just tell me what you'd like to send her, or what you would like me to say for you in your stead" Yoruhana looked at them out of the corner of her eye. After a moment she sighed and turned.
"I don't care about the Lovebird's quarrel, I want to get back to my mate" Yoruhana opened her wings "Oh, we'll talk more. As Celeste has probably told you you'll need both Gardens to defeat Gilgamesh" With that she took off.
Squall started walking off towards the garden, "No let me think for a bit, check back on me in a few hours...I just need to get things straight in my mind." He left the quad and slowly made his way back to the bridge to spread the news that the Galbadian Garden was their ally. Irvine and Zell were not happy campers with the news but they abided by the command anyway. Zell stormed off mumbling something about killing a T-Rexaur to blow off some steam, and that he was sick of this shit. Squall eventually found himself crashing in his room staring up at the ceiling as his thoughts overtook him.