Final Fantasy VIII [2nd Instalment]

Grace Barton

Part Seven: Battle of the Gardens

Chapter Twenty-Eight

It took the Garden the best part of a day to reach the Centra continent. After leaving Trabia they headed north, as the southern route between Esthar and Galbadia was blocked by the Horizon Bridge. When it became too dark for them to navigate, Nida brought the Garden to a halt, letting it bob on the ocean waves. Once light began to dawn they set off again, continuing northwards.

They reached Centra early that afternoon, when the sun was just beginning its downward descent. Once, Centra was a large, single landmass, which was as great in size as Galbadia. However, a terrible catastrophe eighty years ago had devastated the continent, wiping much of it from the world map. Almost fifty percent of the continent's vast land was now underwater, leaving two large landmasses and numerable islands of varying size.

According to a map Zell had found in the library, the Cape of Good Hope was located on the western side of the southern subcontinent. When asked where he had found the map Zell became evasive, refusing to explain any further. Later Quistis secretly let on to Squall that he got the book from a girl in the library who, rumour had it, had taken a liking to Zell.

Using the map as a guide, Nida led the Garden westward, following the coastline. Squall and Quistis stood side-by-side as the Cape finally came into view. The coastline was just as they remembered, with tall, rising cliffs that loomed over the sandy beach, and water as blue as sapphires striking the shore.

The Cape rounded off at a narrow point, and it was on this point that the lighthouse stood. The whitewash walls were now grey, and Squall saw glimpses of large cracks that had formed in the stone. The windows at the top were smashed by some violent storm, and birds now nested in the ruins.

Squall turned his gaze northward and saw the building he had hoped to see—Edea's orphanage. The great stone building loomed in the distance, just visible over the top of the cliffs. Squall sighed in relief—it was still standing.

Unfortunately, because of those same cliffs, Nida was unable to take them straight up to the orphanage. Turning the Garden away from the cliffs, he began to look for a place where they could get on land again. He soon found a suitable shoreline just over a mile to the east. Nida guided the Garden on land, careful to ensure that the giant wheel was completely out of the water before trying to cross the sand.

He had just turned the Garden west again when a startling sight made him stop. Bringing the Garden to an immediate halt, he called Squall back to the bridge.

Squall returned at once. Nida turned to him, looking anxious.

"Squall, take a look," he said, holding out a pair of binoculars.

Squall took the binoculars and looked out.

Just to the north was a densely-packed forest. Squall remembered it from his childhood (another memory that had now resurfaced); Matron had once taken him and the other children on a walk through the forest, teaching them about wildlife. (Zell, he recalled, had gotten lost after Seifer had chased him. They had found him an hour later huddled next to a tree, bawling his eyes out and crying for Matron.) Yet it was not to admire the forest that Nida had called him to see.

Hovering above the forest was Galbadia Garden. Like Balamb Garden it too was flying, with its power ring now spinning beneath it. The Garden was standing stationary over the forest, facing them, but not moving.

Squall was not surprised to see Galbadia Garden. Galbadia Garden, like its siblings, was built on top of an abandoned shelter. It was no stretch of the imagination to guess that the Gardens would share the same abilities. Once the Galbadians learnt that Balamb Garden had the capability of flight, they would try the same with their own Garden.

He twisted the dials, bringing the Garden into sharper focus. He had expected Galbadia Garden to fly, but what he had not expected was for the Garden to be here, on Centra. Had the Galbadians known that Balamb Garden was going to be here? How could they have known, unless someone in Galbadia Garden had told them to come here? The sorceress perhaps, or maybe it was Seifer. Perhaps Seifer had remembered his lost past as well.

Squall lowered the binoculars and passed them back to Nida. "What do you think?" Nida asked him. He raised the binoculars and peered out at the Garden.

They probably know we're here, too, Squall guessed, folding his arms. If not, we'll make the first move. "The battle is inevitable," he said to Nida.

Nida nodded in agreement. "The sorceress is with them, huh?" he said. "So this is going to be the final battle?"

"I hope so," said Squall.

Nida turned back to his controls. Balamb Garden hovered at the edge of the forest, making the trees rustle.

Squall drummed his fingers on his arms. Throughout the journey from Trabia to Centra, he had been trying to come up with some plan of attack. He had a few plans in mind, and some of those did include the possibility of Galbadia Garden also being capable of flight. Yet now that the moment had finally arrived, he was not sure if his plans would work.

What should I do first, he wondered. I have to give orders to everybody. It's my responsibility. I have to try to keep it simple. If I give out too many orders, it could lead to chaos. What should I say! Come on, think! There's no time!

As though sensing his unease, Nida turned and gave him an easy smile. "Give out your orders when you're ready," he said.

The drumming of Squall's fingers grew faster. When he was ready…? He wished it was that simple. No doubt Galbadia Garden was already mobilising for an attack. They needed to respond quickly.

A dozen thoughts raced through his mind. Should they focus on their attack or their defence? There was always a chance the enemy could penetrate the Garden; if he placed skilled forces at each of the likely entry points, then they could switch between attack and defence as needed. Most of all, they needed to minimise the damage sustained to the Garden and their own forces. The engines had had a working over by the technicians in Fisherman's Horizon, but they were still old. They could not afford for them to fail in the midst of battle.

Making up his mind on what orders to give, Squall nodded to Nida, who turned on the intercom. Squall cleared his throat and began to speak, loud and clear, so his orders could not be misunderstood.

"This is Squall speaking," he said. "This is an emergency so listen carefully. We're going into battle against Galbadia Garden. The Garden will proceed straight ahead. 1st and 2nd Class Sabres, assemble in the parking lot. Those with MG Rank 3 or above, head for the 2nd floor deck and await instructions. Be sure to warm up.

"The enemy will probably come aboard. We must concentrate our forces at the front gate and the quad. If your Student ID number is even, report to the quad. If it's odd, report to the front gate. Those who have Student ID numbers ending with an eight, take care of the junior classmen."

He then paused, wondering if that was enough. There were other instructions he wanted to give, like what to do if the enemy did manage to penetrate their defences, but there was no time. He would just have to hope that their defences would be strong enough and they would be able to keep the enemy out of the Garden, at least long enough for himself and the others to sneak on board and take out the sorceress.

He was just about to order Nida to begin their advance when Irvine's voice called up to him from below. "C'mon, Squall…!"

Squall ran onto the lift. He told Nida to call him if Galbadia Garden made any moves to attack them, and then headed down to the office. Irvine was here, along with Quistis and Selphie. Zell and Rinoa were nowhere to be seen.

As Squall stepped off the lift, Irvine folded his arms across his chest and tapped his foot. "I thought I was part of the gang," he said to Squall, looking hurt.

"Sorry about that," Squall apologised.

"What do you want us to do?" Quistis asked him.

Squall looked around at the three. "I want you guys to help me lead the others," he answered. "When Zell gets here, we'll divide into two teams."

"Zell…?" asked Selphie. She scratched her cheek. "Umm, I think he's taking a nap. Yeah, he said he hasn't slept at all lately." She looked over at Quistis.

Catching her eye, Quistis frowned. "What…?" she asked. Selphie gave her a look, and Quistis quickly nodded. "Oh yeah," she said, and Irvine did the same.

Squall looked at them, confused. "What are you guys talking about?" he asked.

"Nothing," said Quistis, replying a little too quickly. "It's our little secret."

The swordsman shook his head. …What's he doing, he thought with a frown. We don't have any time! He shook his head again. There was no time to worry about what Zell was up to. They would just have to go into battle without him. "I'm going to the quad," he said. "Who's coming with me?"

Selphie and Quistis stepped forward. Squall nodded at them and then turned to the gunman. "Irvine, find Zell," he ordered. "You guys work together and lead the team at the front gate."

Irvine tipped his hat back. "Alrighty!" he said.

The swordsman frowned and folded his arms. "We still have some time," he said after a moment, "so don't bother equipping your GF yet."

Selphie, Quistis and Irvine nodded. Ever since their return from Trabia Garden, the companions had put a temporary stop on their bonds with the Guardian Forces. The startling revelation that they could lose more of their memories had a profound effect upon them, and they wanted to limit that loss as much as possible. The GF were still there, ready to be called upon at a moment's notice, but now the others would only call upon them in times of real need.

"Alright," said Squall, recapturing their attention, "let's go to the quad."

He hurried over to the lift, with Selphie and Quistis running behind him. Irvine watched them and then, remembering something, ran over to catch up. "Hey, what about Rinoa?" he asked Squall.

The swordsman folded his arms. He had almost forgotten about her. Rinoa… He closed his eyes, thinking. Knowing her, she would not want to be left out of the battle. "You guys take care of her," he told Irvine.

The gunman flicked his hat, acknowledging. Squall then pushed the button and the lift doors closed, taking them down.


At that moment, in the forests of Centra, a lone antelope grazed on the tall grass that grew at the edge of the forest. A strong breeze began to blow, followed by a loud, unnatural hum. The antelope raised its head as Galbadia Garden powered up and began to make its way over the forest. The ring beneath the Garden turned slowly, causing the treetops to tremble. A few stray branches were blown off and landed by the antelope, which took flight and dashed back into the forest.

The antelope was not the only thing that chose to run. Much of the fauna living in the forest were fleeing, sensing the impending battle. They ran deep into the forest, away from where, at any moment, the sounds of battle would rage.


The lift doors pinged as they slid open, and Squall's team came running out.

The lobby was full of activity. Following Squall's instructions, all the students whose ID numbers were odd-numbered had gathered here, and were forming into ranks around the front gate. A few SeeDs had taken charge and were directing the squads, lining them up in terms of their ranks and skills. Squall glanced around and then, once he was satisfied that things were organised here, he led his team towards the quad.

To his surprise he saw Zell in the courtyard outside of the quad. The fighter stood at the head of a squad of nervous-looking students, barking orders at them.

"You guys are over here!" they heard him shout to two students, both of whom had swords. "Back up the advance guards!"

The students nodded and saluted him, before they went running through the lines of students to the squads that were still forming at the front of the quad. Zell looked around at the squad he had just assembled, all of them a combination of MG Ranks 1 and 2. He nodded and then left them, running into the quad.

"Zell!" shouted Squall, but over the clamour of the organising squads, Zell could not hear him. "Come on!" Squall said to Quistis and Selphie, and they went running into the quad after him.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Squall felt the floor beneath him start to hum. A loud rumble came from below. Nida had powered up the engines, beginning their first advance. Galbadia Garden was probably on the move as well, Squall realised. He quickened his pace.

In the quad, the stage and everything left over from the Garden Festival had been cleared away, leaving the area empty. More SeeDs and students had gathered here, all of them a combination of close and mid-range fighters. Every man and woman was armed—swords, whips, chains, nunchakus, throwing knives, rope knives, weapons of every kind.

Zell stood at the head of the squads. "Alright, listen up!" he shouted to them. "This is the big one, guys! We gotta win, no matter what!" The students cheered. They then saluted as Squall walked over. Seeing him, Zell grinned and gave him a thumbs-up. "S'up, Squall!" he said. "I got this place covered."

Squall looked at him, suspicious. "I thought you were sleeping?" he said.

Zell looked confused. Then, seeing Selphie and Quistis gesturing behind him, he grinned and scratched his head. "Oh…! Yeah, your announcement woke me up!" He laughed, but Squall felt that it was forced. Zell carried on, oblivious. "My student ID is even, so I'm supposed to be here, right?"

Squall laid his hand on his hip. He had wanted Zell in charge of the front gate teams where the enemy was likely to try and enter, but he may as well stay now that he was here.

He looked at Zell, who was still laughing. He also glanced back at Selphie and Quistis, both of whom seemed to be avoiding looking him in the eye. Squall raised an eyebrow. Everyone was acting so strange. What had Zell been up to?

Before he could ask, Zell stopped laughing and gestured to Squall. "Yo, Squall," he said, "come here for a sec."

Without waiting for a reply, Zell ran to one side. Squall, who could not help but feel curious, followed him. The fighter glanced around. Then, once he was satisfied that no one was listening in, he turned back to Squall.

"It's about your ring," Zell said, dropping his voice to a whisper. "This might not be the time, but…"

Squall frowned. …What is it?

Zell grunted. He looked around him again, though for what he was looking for, Squall could not guess. Then, deciding to just come out and say it, Zell stamped his foot and blurted out: "Give me your ring, will ya? I just wanna borrow it for a while. I won't lose it or anything. C'mon, what do you say?"

Squall looked down at his hand. His silver ring, with its carved lion motif, stood out against the dark leather of his gloves. The swordsman ran his fingers over it, feeling the shape of the carving. "Why do you need it?" he asked, looking at Zell.

"Uh… I can't tell you that," the fighter replied, sounding evasive. "C'mon, just give it to me. You can trust me."

Squall hesitated. It wasn't that he did not trust Zell with his ring. It was just that the ring was very important to him. It was like another part of his body, and he hated to risk losing it. And why couldn't Zell tell Squall why he needed it. It just didn't make sense.

He looked down at his ring again. What the hell… I like this ring… He took a breath and sighed. …I… guess it's all right if he just wants to borrow it…

Reluctant, Squall slipped the ring off his finger. His hand felt odd without it. Squall looked down at the carving of the lion's head, a symbol that was very important to Squall. With a sigh, the swordsman held out his hand to Zell.

"Don't lose it," he warned the fighter.

Zell nodded eagerly. He reached out to take the ring, but then he paused and wiped his hand on his trousers. He checked it to make sure it was clean before taking the ring from Squall. The fighter turned it over in his hands. Then a wide smile spread on his face as he closed his fist around the ring and thrust his hand into the air, triumphant.

"YEAH! THANKS MAN!" he cheered. He lowered his hand. "I didn't think you were gonna give it to me. Rinoa is gonna be so happy!"

Squall tilted his head. "Rinoa?" he asked.

But Zell did not seem to hear him. "Alright, Squall!" he said, slipping the ring into his pocket. "Leave this place up to me!"

He ran back to the squads. The SeeDs and students were watching the exchange with interest, wondering what was going on. Squall, meanwhile, folded his arms and frowned in thought. This was getting stranger by the minute. Now Rinoa had something to do with it? What were they all up to?

As Zell took his place at the head of the squads, Irvine entered the quad and stopped on the stairs.

"Zell," the gunman said, sounding irritated. "So like… where were you?"

There was a flash of blue behind him as Rinoa also came running into the quad. She had Angelo at her heels, as always, and her Pinwheel strapped to her arm.

"Guys," she called, running down the steps, "I'm gonna fight, too." When she reached the bottom she jumped, skidding on the floor. She flailed her arms and then, once she had regained her balance, she ran over to Squall. "I don't wanna just hide," she told him, "I know I can fight. I want to fight alongside everyone."

"I hope this is the last time we have to fight in our home," Zell said, and the others nodded in agreement.

Squall went over to Rinoa. "I have to fight," she told him before he could speak. "To prove to myself that I can do it… That I belong with you guys."

Squall looked down at her. He remembered her words in Trabia Garden; her fear that was always so far behind everyone, unable to catch up. He wanted to tell her that her fears were unfounded. She was not a SeeD, but she was already one of them. Rinoa had proven that already, and he could not think of going into this battle without her at their side.

"…Take care of yourself," he told her.

Rinoa nodded and then ran over to the squads. The students shifted their ranks, allowing her to stand beside them. The students even made way for Angelo, who also joined the ranks as though he too were a member of SeeD. The dog glanced around him, and then, seeing how still everyone was standing, he stiffened and drew back his head. He even stopped wagging his tail. A few students giggled.

Squall was just about to address the new squads when the PA system overhead crackled and Nida's panicked voice shouted out to him.

"Squall! Get back to the bridge right now!"

Squall narrowed his eyes. So it was finally time. "Zell," he said, turning to the fighter. "I'm counting on you. Good luck, everyone!" he said to the rest of the students.

The students, including Rinoa, all nodded and saluted. Squall motioned for Quistis and Selphie to come with him before he dashed for the stairs, heading back towards the bridge. Squall gave a nod to Irvine as he passed, wishing him luck. The gunman tipped his hat and ran in the opposite direction, standing beside Zell.

Once Squall and the others were gone, Zell turned to his squad and raised his fists, his eyes elated.

"Time to get it ON!"


A NOTE FROM THE AUTHORESS

Well, it's almost the end of another year. I think I've achieve much this year, being so close to the end of this fic. In case I don't manage to get the next chapter up before Christmas, I hope you all have a merry one!