Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy VIII...
Unexpected Destiny
Chapter 52: Tides of fate
By CelestialRage
The humming sound the cargo lift made as it ascended, earned the stares of Dante and Xu, both SeeDs turning around and standing at atention as the Commander reached their position.
Cid smiled and nodded his greetings to the brunette when he saluted him. Even though both shared a comparatively equal rank, Squall kept the protocolary formalities he was used to, confirming once more his habits died hard.
"We´ll be arriving at Trabia Garden within the hour." said the Headmaster glancing at the young Commander. "Still, we have some issues to discuss before landing..."
ooo ooo
Rosie sighed as she closed her dorm´s door, flinching slightly at the temperature´s change. While the Training Center´s atmosphere was warm and humid, her room resembled more a fridge.
Setting her item pouch, Reaper and its holster on the desk near the closed window, Rosie´s eyes were drawn to the fading stars. Their beautiful, silver glinting would soon be replaced by the sun´s golden brightness as the new day finally chased the night away. The intense cold, grey-blue of the northern sky reminded her of Squall´s eyes and she couldn´t help but smile at the memory of the past events. Squall apologizing was definitely a sight to see. He looked just so cute with his slightly flushed cheeks and hesitant demeanor...
... though the raven-haired hightly doubted the Commander would like to be referred as 'cute' anytime soon.
She´d never expected that turn on events and to tell the truth, she was a little sad when he said he was sorry for kissing her... well, not exactly his words, but still that was their meaning, right?
A bitter-sweet sensation invaded her heart, knowing that even if the stoic brunet had apologized for his earlier stunt, he still had done it: Squall Leonhart, the anti-social, cold-hearted, close-minded Commander of Balamb Garden had kissed her and that was a fact no one would ever be able to deny.
He´d acted on impulse and she knew it was a very good sign. And now that things were back to normal between them, Rosie decided she´d do everything in her hands to take whatever their relationship was right now, to the next level. However, as much as she loved him, the raven-haired knew better than to start imposing herself on the Commander´s time. Instead, she planned on giving him space, keep things 'normal' between them, staying close but not to the point of making him feel uncomfortable.
Rosie couldn´t help but giggle as she wondered what would have been Squall´s reaction had she gathered her wits sooner and kissed him back...
Surely he´d have snapped...
Still laughing, the raven-haired walked inside the bathroom ready to face whatever was waiting for them in Trabia.
ooo ooo
The entire Garden shuddered as Nida landed the huge facility swiftly despite the rough snowy terrain.
Rosie snuggled her thick, hooded, white jacket closer as the first chilly breeze met her face and, despite her warm clothes (a pair of black, wool pants, white turtle-neck cashmere sweater, black middle-calf lenght eskimo-like boots and white woolly mittens), the raven-haired couldn´t help the shivers the cold Trabian atmosphere forced out of her body.
Sparing a glance at her comrades, Rosie saw she wasn´t the only one who seemed uncomfortable with the icy temperatures, as Rinoa and Irvine mimiqued her shudders whenever a chilly breeze graced their faces. The other raven-haired was dressed in a short, baby blue winter coat, black pants and water-proof, zip-up black boots. Her thick mittens and wool scarf were a beautiful combination of white and blue rhombs. The cowboy wore his usual attire, the only difference was he had added a very thick, hood-less, brown pullover, black mittens, equally black scarf.and his normally opened trenchcoat was now buttoned, helping him keep his body from the extreme cold.
Meanwhile, Zell (who had changed his short blue pants for a couple of dark blue cargo pants and added a thick, hoody red sweatshirt), Quistis (attired in a red, thigh-long cashmere coat with a thick black belt around her waist, black wool pants and her trademark black knee-high boots), Squall (in his normal leather attire plus a thick-looking grey turtle-neck pullover) and Selphie (who just added a lemon green and white striped sweater and white leggings to her normal attire) seemed to not notice the gelid northern climate.
Finding odd that the Balambese SeeDs were as comfortable as the native Trabian brunette, Rosie approached the martial artist and whispered her querry. Zell smiled widely and replied "That´s ´cause I´ve got Ifrit junctioned. Believe it or not, the GFs work like thermostats on us, that´s why I don´t feel as cold as you surely are." he finished with a grin.
The raven haired folded her arms and pouted "Now I wish I had chosed to keep Ifrit..." she muttered, remembering she´d the chance to do so back in the Fire Cavern. "Well... at least if I´m changing a lightbulb and get shocked, I won´t be fried." added Rosie sarcastically, gaining a chuckle from the blond brawler.
The SeeDs turned to look as a couple of footsteps joined them at Balamb Garden´s entrance. The Headmaster and Xu – both attired in heavy winter clothing – joined them finally after delivering the resident instructors strict orders to keep the students indoors for the time being.
"We´ll wait until a Trabian SeeD party comes to greet us." said Cid adjusting his glasses over his already reddened nose. Hardly had the Headmaster finished this words when the huge gate protecting the northern Garden from the external dangers, opened slightly and a small group made their way towards the expecting youths.
The new comers were dressing a white knee-length coat, sporting Garden´s emblem on the right sleeve´s side, grey pants (or skirts in womens´ case), white water-proof boots, fluffy hats and mittens. All except their leader: a beautiful woman in her mid-twenties. Her brunette hair flowed gently to her shoulers, forming shiny copper waves. She was attired in what seemed a long blue sleeve-less coat, buttoned just to her waist and leaving the lower part opened to reveal a pair of black pants and dark boots. Underneath her odd-looking coat, the long sleeves of a white woollen shirt could be clearly seen and the thick, diagonal black belt dancing around her slim waist was very similar to Squall´s red ones.
"Headmaster Cid." greeted the woman, smiling warmly "I haven´t had the pleasure to see you in such a long time."
"It´s my pleasure to see you, Ana." replied Cid bowing slightly at the young woman. "Or shall I say, Headmistress Ana?" He finished with a smile.
Rosie´s eyes widened.
Headmistress?
Wow! She´s so young... I never knew Trabia Garden had a Headmistress...
Frowning slightly, the raven-haired suddenly remembered the reason she didn´t know much of the northern facility... well, at least she´d managed to change that. Her attention returned to the exchange both SeeD leaders held as Ana´s soft voice reached her ears again.
"I couldn´t believe when Ryu told me a huge building was approaching our position." said the brunette Headmistress scanning the Balamb facility´s beautiful movile frame. "How did you manage to propel your Garden?"
"It´s a long story..." replied Cid shaking his head slightly.
"Then let´s go inside and make yourselves comfortable. I´m sure it´s not a topic to be discussed in the middle of the snowfield." said Ana smiling before motioning the SeeDs to go inside.
When Selphie reached the other brunette woman´s position and saluted her, the Headmistress´s smile widened and to Rosie´s surprise, the proper SeeD leader suddenly reached out, pulling the smaller girl into a tight hug.
The raven-haired smiled at the scene, silently thanking the chance she was given to change what otherwise would have been Trabia´s cruel destiny. Selphie´s voice caught her attention, ending her brief reverie. The tiny SeeD broke the embrace and, still smiling, turned to face her friends.
"Guys, I want you to meet my sister."
ooo ooo
From his vantage point in Balamb Garden´s third floor, Nida watched at the pristine building just behind the thick, high iron wall surrounding the perimeter. Being in a truly desolated part of the world, as the nearest village was several miles away, Trabia Garden´s powerful fence protected the facility´s inhabitants from the extremely cold breezes and the monsters lurking around the place.
His eyes feasted on the northern Garden´s beauty. Although it was smaller than Balamb or Galbadia, this was definitely the most beautiful of the three. Its walls resembled the purity of icebergs and blended beautifully with the snowy horizon surrounding it. And while the other facilities resembled the forms of a fish and snake respectively, Trabia´s animalistic resemblance was that of a swan, graceful and beautiful as the building itself.
How he wished Cid returned and allowed them to go explore the marvelous Garden!
ooo ooo
Holding a hot, steamy cocoa cup between her hands, Rosie´s eyes glanced between Selphie and Ana, who was now intently hearing to Cid´s recounting of the previous month´s events.
The tiny SeeD had told them she had been adopted by Ana´s family a few months after she arrived to Trabia Garden. Her mother was Selphie´s first instructor and grew really close to the hyperactive girl, thus she ended as part of the Tilmitt family. Their father had been the Headmaster since the facility was inaugurated until a couple of years ago when he passed away – along with his wife – during an avalanche. Trying to protect Garden students, both Tilmitt elders, along with other 4 instructors and a couple of SeeDs perished as they formed a canal with the aid of Fire spells in order to deviate the snow that menaced to destroy Trabia Garden.
Ever since then, Ana had taken over her father´s position and despite being so young, she had done a very good job.
"So the rumors we heard from the Shumi are true..." muttered the Headmistress once Cid had finished his narration. "Galbadia is on a world-conquer campaign."
"You could say so." replied Squall in his usual cold voice.
Ana stood from her chair and glanced around at the other SeeDs, now comfortably sitting on the white, fluffy cushions inside her office. "I guess we ought to thank you for stopping the missiles... Hyne only knows how extensive the damage would have been had they hit us."
Rosie couldn´t help the images flashing in her mind. The mere thought of the beautiful Garden reduced to the ruins she´d seen during the game made her heart clench in a tight fist... and the lives that would have been lost... surely the young Headmistress was among them...
"It would have been terrible, I´m sure." muttered the raven-haired focusing her gaze on the hot cup between her hands, thus avoiding the meaningful gazes on her friends´ eyes.
Sensing the saddened atmosphere in the chamber, Xu smiled and said "But it didn´t happen... and now we have the chance to work together and stop Galbadia´s mad assault once and for all."
At this, Ana´s demeanor changed. "I know what you mean, Xu... but it´s not an issue that can easily be resolved."
The dark haired SeeD´s eyes narrowed "What do you mean?"
The Headmistress shook her head slightly "I must analize carefully Trabia´s next step. I´m responsible for the life of every cadet and SeeD inside this facility... and I can´t afford to take reckless decisions."
"We understand your position, Ana." replied Cid softly "And we´ll respect your decision, whatever it might be."
The brunette woman nodded "Thank you. I´ll need time to go over this issue... so please, feel yourselves at home." Her gaze turned to her foster sister and a little smile grazed her features "I´m sure Selphie will be more than glad to show you our facilities."
"Sure." replied the tiny SeeD standing up without returning Ana´s gesture. "C´mon, guys." she muttered before disappearing behind the door, not even sparing a second glance at her sister.
ooo ooo
"Hey, doll!" Irvine´s voice grew louder as he approached her. The brunette had just stopped near the fountain just in the middle of the Garden´s main courtyard. The sound of the running water mixed with his footsteps as he made his way towards her. Selphie´s shoulders were suddenly surrounded by his thickly clothed arm as the cowboy turned her around to face him "You ok?"
Bitting her lower lip and fighting to supress the tears burning the corner of her emerald eyes, the brunette just managed to shake her head, knowing her voice would have failed her at that moment. She felt so betrayed! Her sister had always been a model to her... and now, she was completely dissapointed of her actions.
Where was the corageous and resolute Annie she´d grown up with?
The sound of several booted footsteps making their way towards the pair, made the tiny SeeD to try and hide her face on the cowboy´s chest, much to Irvine´s delight.
"Selphie... you ok?" asked Rosie softly, placing her right hand on the brunette´s upper back.
"Yeah, you kind of bolted outta the room." added Zell.
"It´s just... I´m sorry about my sister..." muttered Selphie, her voice a little muffled due to the sharpshooter´s leather coat.
"Why?" asked Rinoa, raising an elegant eyebrow in surprise.
"She should have supported us without hesitation, that´s why!" snapped the tiny SeeD suddenly, making the other teens´ eyes widen in surprise at her rage. None of them had seen Selphie angry before and her sudden change really had taken them aback.
"But Sephie.." Irvine´s calm voice made the brunette girl to face him. He smiled warmly, caressing the smooth, milky flesh of her cheek ".. she´s right. She´s responsible for the lives of many. I´m sure if it was only her life standing on the line, she´d act without a doubt."
"As a leader, there´s much you have to consider, right Squall?" said Rosie smiling and turning to look at the man standing at her left.
To everyone´s surprise, the Commander nodded "It´s not easy."
"See? Just give her time, Selph." added the raven-haired SeeD shrugging slightly "I´m sure everything will turn out well in the end."
At least that´s how everything´s been happening up until now... there´s no reason for it to change.
The tiny SeeD smiled and glanced at the youthful faces in front of her. "Thanks, guys."
Irvine´s smile widened and taking her hand, he squeezed it slightly to catch her attention. When her emerald eyes return to his face, the cowboy said "Well, doll. I´m dying to see what this Garden has to offer... though, to tell the truth, I have the best just right beside me." he finished with a wink.
Selphie rolled her eyes, but nontheless, smiled at his antics.
Maybe he´ll never grow up...
... but then, maybe neither will she.
ooo ooo
As the tour continued, Rosie couldn´t help but admire each room. It was really a pitty to miss the sight of the beautiful Garden. As Balamb´s, Trabia´s facilities were richly decorated and the craftmanship of its walls were definitely gorgeous. Although the different areas of the northern Garden were similar to the ones the building "parked" outside its grounds presented, this were much more smaller.
The Training Center resembled the northern snowy fields and forests as much as Balamb´s portraited the warm tropical environment reigning in the island. The monsters, Selphie explained, went from Mesmerizes to Blue Dragons, though these ones were just released at night, given their extremely agressive behaviour, thus reducing the chances of younger cadets having a very dangerous – and certainly, not pleasant – encounter with these grouchy creatures.
The dormitories were small and, as in Balamb, only SeeDs had the priviledge of a single room. Selphie showed them what - ´till a month ago – had been her dorm and the SeeDs (well, except Squall) couldn´t help but smile at the obvious hand of the brunette in the decoration. The bedsheets and covers were all a bright shade of yellow, a drawing of a cute Cactuar adorning them. Several plushies sat on her bed and Rosie couldn´t help but take the small, cute-looking, chubby Moogle resting near her position.
The door suddenly opened and the SeeDs turned to look at a stunned redhead.
"Lilka!!" exclaimed Selphie bolting towards the girl and enveloping her in what could have been easily catalogued like a judo key.
"Ah... Selphie, I think the girl needs to breathe." said Quisits as the redhead´s face turned paler by the second.
"Oops! Sorry!" said the brunette girl untangling herself from her sofocated friend. "I´m just SO happy to see you!"
"Me too..." replied Lilka smiling slightly as she tried to recover her breath. "Though I´m still mad at you for not writing me back like ya were supposed to."
"I know, but it wasn´t my fault! Really! It´s been so crazy lately!" said Selphie before she engaged in a long and detailed explanation of their oddisey.
The other SeeDs (except for Irvine, who sat contently beside the brunette while his gaze wandered through the room) excused themselves, not really interested in hearing the recounting of their adventure for the second time that day.
ooo ooo
Ana´s olive-green eyes settled on the silver-framed picture resting on her desk. Her smiling parents and foster sister mirthfully returned her gaze and she couldn´t help the tight knot in her stomach.
How she wished things were different!
The truth was, the Headmistress had never wanted to be in charge. She hated the responsability that came with her new position and despite her negative, most of the Trabian students and SeeDs looked up to her, thus making her the most viable candidate for succeeding her late father.
She´d lost everything on that fateful day: her parents, her freedom, her tranquility and even her little sister.. Ana had been so preocupied with the safety of the other students, she barely had time for Selphie and even if the tiny brunette had never complained, the Headmistress felt terrible.
And now, she´d dissapointed her again... the look on her sister´s normally cheerful eyes shattered her heart. But what else could she do? She was in charge of this Garden and whether she liked it or not, the students´ lives depended on her decision.
She wanted to help them, but to risk other people´s lives... that she couldn´t afford. Especially since her parents had died protecting those very lives.
Ana sighed and turned in her chair to gaze outside the huge window behind her desk. Her eyes settled on a lone figure standing in the middle of the courtyard, recognizing her as one of Selphie´s friends.
The Headmistress ran a slender hand through her copper strands and closed her eyes. If she helped her sister´s friends, she´ll betray their parents´ memory... and if she didn´t... there was no way Balamb could win alone the fight against Galbadia...
ooo ooo
Rosie´s eyes wandered through the courtyard, marveling at the thick, sweet smelling pines colouring the otherwise huge snowy space. Her fingers danced over one of the tree´s coarse leaves, inhaling their characteristic aroma. Her arm fell to her side as the image of the improvised cementery she´d seen in the game flashed in her mind.
So many graves...
How many had died? She remembered the yard was full of tombstones as far as the eye could see. Selphie´s sobbing frame appeared to her and the raven-haired couldn´t help her heart tightening.
At least, she had been able to prevent that outcome, but the battle against Galbadia Garden was nearer with every passing day... she didn´t know much details of what happened during the battle, but being so massive, the raven-haired supposed there had been calamities on SeeD´s side too.
In the game, Balamb had been surprised and Squall didn´t have much time to organize the troops in order to defend themselves. Nevertheless, SeeD had prevailed... and now she´d the chance to help the Commander and prevent whatever cassualities they could suffer...
... but she was scared ...
How can I be so weak?
People can die and all I think of is him... his reaction.
That´s so...
"Beautiful, isn´t it?" a male voice made her jump. Turning around, she spotted a young cadet sitting underneath a nearby tall pine. "You seem to be quite amazed by the horizon, lady. You´re from Balamb, right?" he said as he got up and dusted the snow from his grey pants.
Rosie nodded, watching the boy as he approached her. He couldn´t be above 16 or so it seemed, as his constitution was very thin and his features still held that boyish look. His pale skin contrasted incredibly with his grey uniform, messy, shoulder-length dark-purple dyed hair and crimson eyes, which reminded her of Fujin´s.
"The name´s Ryu." said the boy holding out his hand for her to shake. The female SeeD hesitated briefly before taking it.
"Rosie."
"Nice to meet ya." He added smiling before turning his eyes to their surroundings "Say, would you like a tour?"
"I´ve already had one, but thanks anyway." replied the raven-haired shaking her head slightly.
"Rosie!" both teens turned and the raven-haired smiled as Zell made his way towards them "Cid wants us to return to Garden."
"Kay!" chirped the female SeeD before turning back to the cadet and saying "See ya later." With that, the raven-haired turned around and reached the blond brawler.
"What were ya doing there?" asked Zell as they slowly made their way towards the main gate.
Rosie shrugged "Just thinking, I guess..." when the martial artist raised an eyebrow in suspicion, she frowned "What?"
"Nothing, I´m just happy to have been the one to find you." said Zell smirking "If Squall had seen the look on that guy´s face.. let´s just say his gunblade would have found a very comfortable sheath."
The raven-haired rolled her eyes "Why all guys think that only because one of you talks to a girl he´s trying to hit on her?"
"Because most of the time, it´s the truth." replied the martial-artist matter-o-factly "Ask Irvine!"
"The cowboy doesn´t count." said Rosie folding her arms "He hits on anything that wears a skirt." Her remark gained a loud chuckle from Zell who was just able to nod back.
ooo ooo
Morning came again, the third day of their stay in the northern continent announced by the golden light bathing the pristine snowy fields with a soft hue. The normally calm atmosphere of the deserted plains had been replaced for a couple of days by the incesant flow of people, as students and SeeDs alike moved back and forth between both Gardens.
While Selphie, Zell, Rinoa, Irvine and Rosie hanged out in the Trabian facility (much to the tiny brunette´s delight as she had already make both groups of her friends – the ones in Balamb and the Trabian – to meet), Quistis and Xu, along with a small SeeD squad had established a camp in the southern continent´s shore. Cid had been allowed to use the Trabian Garden Network to send the codified message and now all they have to do was wait for the dispatched Balamb SeeDs to arrive.
They didn´t have to wait long.
Many of the SeeDs were refuging on either Dollet or Timber, which made their trip to the northern facility even shorter.
Meanwhile, the Headmaster and Squall spared most of the time planning their next move, considering that the Trabian Headmistress still hadn´t decided whether the northern SeeDs would be involved in the battles to come or not.
Selphie and Rosie had gone to Cid´s office earlier that morning to 'borrow' the Commander and after a long and tiring discussion on Squall´s workaholic attitude and how he should let the Headmaster have a rest too, the brunet man finally agreed to accompany them... just to stop their babbling.
"How can girls around here wear those little skirts without getting cold?" asked Rinoa in horror, hugging herself as a cold breeze made her shiver, while glancing at a group of Trabian female cadets attired only in their reglamentary uniform.
"I dunno... but I surely am glad they do." replied Zell grinning.
The raven-haired rolled her eyes "You´ve been way too many time around Irvine."
"Hey, a guy can appreciate female beauty, right pal?" said the martial artist glancing to his further right where the tall cowboy walked along Selphie. His globed hands held a bright orange ball and he seemed to be deep in thought, so much he only nodded a little in the blond brawler´s direction.
Rosie glanced in his direction curiously. Normally the Galbadian SeeD would give an entire speech on why he felt compelled to look at a beautiful girl, much to Selphie´s annoyance and Zell´s amusement. Though at first the two male SeeDs didn´t get along, time and the battles they had endured had made them bond, as much as the rest of the group... or "gang" as Selphie charmingly refer to them.
The raven-haired noticed where their footsteps were carrying them and her stomach tied in a tight knot.
The basketball court...
"So, wanna play 21?" asked Zell placing one hand on his hip.
Quistis – who had just arrived a couple of hours ago from her "special delivery" mission – shrugged and replied "I´m not really in the mood to play."
"Aww! C´mon, Quisty!" exclaimed Selphie nearing the blonde woman "You could use some distraction."
"All of us could, in fact." added Rinoa sighing and folding her arms. Looking around at the Trabian and Balamb students playing basketball in the other courts, the raven-haired couldn´t help but feel nostalgic at the life she´d led before being involved with the SeeDs. Sure, danger was always present as a member of a resistance faction, however, the people in Timber had always supported them, and whether she accepted it or not, the Forest Owls had always counted with the protection of the town´s citizens.
And now, she´d only the other 5 youngsters to rely on. They were probably going head-first into a seemingly hopeless battle but the SeeDs didn´t even seem to be bothered by the fact it could very probably be their last one...
"You know..." her words made the teenagers´ attention to focus entirely on her "... ever since I met all of you, I´ve been doing some thinking... "
Well, here it comes... thought Rosie sighing inaudibly as the inevitable conversation finally started.
"Care to share, doll?" asked Irvine smiling slightly.
The raven-haired´s eyes were drawn to the floor "I just... well..." her voice quivered slightly as she turned to look at the SeeDs faces "... do we have to fight? Is it really that necessary? Can´t we find another way?"
"Uh?" Zell exclaimed frowning "What´s with you all of the sudden?"
"Well, I want to avoid any bloodshed." replied Rinoa casting her eyes downwards again.
"You were part of a resistance faction." Squall´s deep voice caught the teenagers´ attention "Unlike others who were all talk, you took your weapons and fought... so, why are you saying this now?"
"I guess I´m getting scared." replied the raven-haired truthfully "I try to keep up with your pace whenever we´re in battle, but despite my efforts I´m always left behind... and I´m scared... that next time we´ll not be so lucky."
"I think..." the SeeDs turned to look at the other raven-haired girl "... we´re all scared to a certain degree." she shook her head slightly and continued "Not only 'cause the battle against the Sorceress is nearing, but also because of the bond we have developed." her dark eyes stole a quick glance at the Commander before Irvine nodded and his deep voice replaced hers.
"I know what both of you are saying. Someone you love can be lost in front of your very eyes." the cowboy sighed and threw the ball, flawlessly scoring a couple of points. Grabbing the bouncing object, he continued "But that's why I fight..." turning to face the other teenagers, his eyes stopped on Selphie "... to protect the ones I love."
Her emerald eyes brought a whirlpool of memories and feelings to the cowboy. She hadn´t changed a bit since the last time he saw her playing among the multicolored flowers on the shiny summer days. Her smile was as bright and beautiful as the one he treasured in his memories and was still able to make his entire being to melt within its warmth. Selphie remained faithful to his mind´s image, the only difference was they were no longer kids and now their most serious problems have nothing to do with finding their lost toys or getting back before a certain blonde gave them a well-earned lecture.
His eyes drifted to Quistis and he couldn´t help but think how much the blonde had changed, from the little skinny girl he´d known back then to the full-blossomed beautiful and intelligent woman she was today. Though her personality was still the same, always the mature the one, the wise, the confident... but also the loner.
She always lectured Squall on his cold behaviour when the ex-instructor was certainly not straw house herself. Even with tons of admirers inside Garden´s walls (and Irvine was more than sure that she´d even more outside the military institution), the blonde was alone most of the time... but then, it had always been her way. She used to be a little wormbook and oftenly chose to bury her nose in one of the gigantic volumes she so liked rather than enjoy a summer afternoon running around trying to catch butterflies...
... like Selphie and himself used to do.
How he wished she shared his memories!
Well, there was a way...
Time to spill the beans. Thought the cowboy smiling slightly as he turned his attention to the ball between his hands again "You know, when I was little I was in an orphanage." His arms shot upwards, perfectly aiming for the basket and sinking directly inside it again. "Plenty of kids, all with no parents... It was at the end of the Sorceress War and many people had been either killed or separated from their children, so I guess it couldn´t be helped."
ooo ooo
Selphie watched Irvine as he retrieved the ball again and turned to look at them "Anyway, there I was. And..." the long-haired man´s cheeks tinted a slight shade of pink as the next words left his lips "...there was a girl I really liked there. Of all the other children, she was the one who managed to always bright up my day... and I felt so happy just talking to her"
The brunette girl frowned suddenly as an image of a huge stone room flashed inside her mind. The memory was brief but so lively! She was stunned at the clarity of the image and the sensations it evoked... the cold but at the same time, cozy room, the salty breeze, the roaring of the ocean against the rocks and the voice of the small auburn-haired boy standing just a couple of feet from her.
Sephie, what´cha playin´?
Blinking, the image of the child was replaced by Irvine´s tall frame and the brunette girl couldn´t help but notice the look in his eyes... it was exactly the same as the boy of her memory...
They were one and the same.
But how could it be?
"Was that orphanage a... stone house?" asked Selphie nervously, her stomach clenching slightly as the sharpshooter´s smile widened.
"You guessed it..."
"An old house made of stone... near a lighthouse" muttered Quistis frowning, her gaze seemed lost within her own thoughts and the blonde only got out of her reverie when Irvine´s deep voice replaced hers.
"That´s right. I knew right away when we first met!" said the cowboy mirthfully "Spunky little Sephie and Bossy little Quisty!"
"Why didn´t you tell us?" asked the blonde SeeD
"Because you seemed to have forgotten... I thought you guys recognized me when we met at Galbadia Garden, but you didn´t."
"It´s so weird!" replied Selphie frowning a little.
Zell´s voice was heard, catching the other teenagers´ attention. "Do you guys remember setting off fireworks?"
"Yep. But if I remember correctly, all you did was cry and threaten to tell on us." Replied Irvine smirking at the frown he gained from the martial artist.
"We got in BIG trouble for that." added Quistis giggling slightly at the memory.
"Hey! But if I remember this... then what about my parents in Balamb?" asked Zell frowning.
"The Dinchts must have adopted you." replied Rosie smiling at the familiar scene, though she had to admit her friends´ reactions were far more amusing live than through the screen.
"Yep, that´s probably it." added Irvine. "Though I don´t remember exactly when that was, I do recall you were always being picked on by a little mean brat..."
Zell´s eyes widened as the image of a tall blond kid flashed through his mind. There was no doubt in his mind: the golden hair, jade eyes and that cocky smirk he´d grown to hate through the years... "Seifer."
"Seifer? Our Seifer?" asked Quistis incredulously.
"Yes." the deep voice that now replaced the blonde woman´s hadn´t been heard during the whole conversation. Squall untangled himself from the small fence he´d been leaning on and nodded "Seifer was there too. Except for Rosie and Rinoa, we were all there."
His comrades exchange had slowly started to open doors to a past he´d long since forgotten. Though to tell the truth, Squall couldn´t have cared less. Being an orphan, he didn´t have many happy memories of which to mourn the loss of... but as his friends recalled the once familiar environment, the Commander couldn´t stop the flow of images that slowly, but surely returned to his brain.
Sis...
I´m all alone ...
... but I´m doing my best.
The memory of the dream he had a couple of days before arriving FH, returned to him in full force. It was the same day he´d met Ellone in the Library...
Sis Elle...
Squall´s frown depened slightly at his own words of years past. "Sis... I was always waiting for her to come back." His eyes closed for a moment before opening again when realization finally hit him like a two-ton Behemoth "Elle... Ellone. So Ellone is Sis... that´s why her face seemed so familiar." His voice faltered slightly as he remembered the torrent of feelings and brief childhood memories she´d evoked in him when he met her in the Library.
Now everything made sense.
Why he´d felt comfortable around Ellone that day and his dream about the orphanage days afterwards... it was their long lost bond that still lingered deep within him.
"She was older than us, and we used to call her Sis." added Squall after a brief silence.
"Everyone was fond of her, but you, Squall kept hoggin´ her for yourself" said Irvine grining.
"Now I´m envious of her." whispered Rosie to Rinoa, who just casted her a glance and smiled widely.
"You sure have a good memory." conceided the Commander nodding slightly. "Though this is strange. I don´t think I was adopted... in fact my first memories – before this whole conversation started – were from my junior years at Garden."
"Probably the same with Seifer too. You both have been in Garden since you were 5 or so... I remember you left around that age." replied the cowboy frowning slightly.
"But he´s never mentioned anything about the orphanage either." replied Squall folding his arms over his chest and closing his eyes in concentration "Don´t you find that odd?"
"It IS odd." said Selphie "Though I have to admit when I arrived here at Trabia, I had lots of fun... so it´s not strange that I forgot about my childhood, right? But what about you guys, what made you forget?"
"The GFs." replied Rosie matter-o-factly.
"What?" asked Zell wide-eyed.
"Well, the Guardians are like parasites inside our bodies, right? They take their own space inside our brains to settle..." said the raven-haired shrugging.
"She´s right." added Irvine nodding "That´s why I was able to remember while you guys have forgotten... We don´t use GFs in Galbadia Garden, but you guys in Balamb junction them at an early age." The teenagers turned their attention towards the Trabian SeeD.
Selphie shrugged and smiling, said "Well, I junctioned a GF once when I was like 12 years old... does that count?"
"I´m afraid it does, dear." replied Rosie giggling slightly.
"So, what you´re saying is that if we keep using Guardians, we´ll lose our memories?" asked the martial artist frowning.
"No. I don´t think that´s the case." replied Squall "We´ve been using them for some years now and our childhood memories didn´t vanish... we were just unable to recall them on our own. But when Irvine prompted us to do it, they surfaced again."
Quistis shook her head slightly "Cid wouldn´t allow such a dangerous thing."
"No, but NORG would." added Squall, his eyes narrowing at the memory of the fat, greedy Garden Master. He was certain it had been the shumi´s idea to implement the GFs usage even knowing the risks it involved. All for the money, of course.
"So what should we do?" asked the ex-instuctor glancing at the Commander.
"Nothing." replied Squall coldly
"What do you mean nothing?" asked Zell
The brunet´s icy stare settled on the martial artist "What do you want to do? Stop using them? With the battles we´ve to fight, we need the GFs´ aid more than ever... If that´s the price to pay, then I´ll gladly do it."
The brawler took a moment to consider their leader´s words and sighed. "Guess you´re right. It´s the only chance we have to stand against the Sorceress, right?"
"Hey, I know!" Selphie chirped happily "Why don´t we keep a diary? That way we won´t forget!" Irvine nodded, smiling warmly at the girl who always managed to lift his spirit no matter how hard the situation was.
"Do you guys remember Matron?" asked suddenly Quistis, who seemed to be deep in thought.
Her seemingly out-of-the-blue question made the other teens attention drift towards the memory of the woman who´d taken care of them during their earlier years. Irvine closed his eyes, sighing slightly and then opened them to focus on his friends´ frowning faces as they tried to make up Matron´s once familiar features.
"She had long, black hair..." muttered Quistis "... and always dressed in black."
"She was really kind..." added Zell
"Wait, I just pictured her face and... she looks just like-" Selphie´s voice faded and her eyes widened when realization finally hit.
"Look like?" snorted Irvine in some kind of dry humor "No, darlin', they´re one and the same." When Squall, Quistis and Zell turned to look at them with an obviously confused note to their faces, the cowboy gulped slightly before finally saying "Matron´s name is Edea Kramer... she´s Sorceress Edea."
ooo ooo
Her amber eyes closed in concentration, her body trembling slightly as the battle inside her spirit continued. Her control was starting to fade and if she didn´t find Ellone soon, all their efforts would be for naught.
Seifer glanced at the regal-looking figure, knowing the inner struggle his Sorceress was facing. And even though he wanted nothing more than to reach out and help her, his own doubts, memories and fears as well as the knowledge he held about the woman´s condition, held him in place.
He knew it was a battle she´d to face alone.
ooo ooo
"But why is Matron...?" Quistis started before Irvine interrupted her.
"You mean why is she killing innocent people and launching missiles to the very facilities she and her husband built?" the cowboy shrugged and said "I dunno... and we´d probably wouldn´t understand at this point, but there´s something I do know..." Irvine remained silent for a moment "I´m not a SeeD as you, but I want to stay true to everything I´ve stood for. I´m here thanks to the decisions I´ve made through my life, sometimes they were limited while others I only had one available." His blue eyes shinned with determination as he continued "I value the path I´ve chosen... the path that had to be chosen and even if our opponent is Matron... I won´t back down."
A silent minute passed, each SeeD lost within their thoughts.
"We can´t run away from her forever, right?" said Zell finally breaking the silence with a faint, sad smile on his lips.
"I really don´t want to fight her." added Selphie, deviating her gaze to the floor.
"But Zell´s right. We can´t run from her." replied Quistis "As SeeDs, it´s our duty... we can´t choose our enemies."
"Don´t think about it like that." said suddenly Rosie, catching the other teenagers´ attention "Edea is still the same kind woman you used to love while you were children..." her dark eyes turned to look at her friends "... she´s not your enemy."
Squall´s frown deepened "What are you saying?"
Rosie trembled slighty as the weight of her decision settled on her. She knew this time would come and with the battle against Edea coming closer and the planning her knowledge could aid the Commander to formulate, the raven-haired couldn´t help but finally give in...
... she´d to face it, right here and now.
For everyone´s sake, including her own. She can´t keep the secret any longer, not without blaming herself for every single death her knowledge would be able to prevent. And knowing the galbadians and Ultimecia´s blood thirst, there would be plenty of them.
No turning back now...
Sighing, the raven haired´s eyes locked with the Commander´s icy blue-grey ones as she bit her lower lip briefly before saying "Squall... there´s something I have to tell you."
ooo ooo ooo ooo O ooo ooo ooo ooo
Author´s whinning corner:
Another cliffy!! I just love this things... though I guess you have already noticed. :D
Anyway, I hope you liked this chappie. I tried to make the (to quote a very good friend of mine) "trip down memory lane" part very brief, so I skipped some details I´ll try to add in bits on later chapters. And, in case you´re wondering, Ryu is a character I included as a request from one of my readers. Hey! I attended to ADarkKnight´s requests once too.
Well, I hope you review... because I´m actually 4 reviews shy from 300 and I´m going to offer a prize for the fortunate soul who submits the 300th comment. What it will be? I´m not telling :D
Lots of hugs and kisses,
Celestial Rage
