CHAPTER EIGHT

SHOCKWAVE PULSAR.

Omega Weapon flew around Battleship Island one final time before dropping down onto the ridge next to the entrance to the Deep Sea Research Center. Once landed he moved past it and over to a large section of raised metal near the center of the island. Rising up he sucked in his breath and fired a large beam of energy into the center of the structure. Once the smoke cleared he made his way into the gaping hole that used to be a freight elevator and began the long descent downward to the bottom of the pit.

Upon reaching the bottom he slammed his way through the rusted out doors and out into a large room. The room had strange blue glowing walls and in the center a strange looking structure. It looked much like the ones used to contain the Sorceress Adel in Esther. This one was much larger and had a huge machine hooked to it. It looked like some sort of power source. Omega recognized it as a healing pod of some kind and knew that he had found who he was looking for.

The machine hummed as Omega moved closer to it. Inside of the structure something began to move about. It did it very slowly as if it were just awaking from a long nap. Stretching, it yawned tiredly before looking outwards to inspect the giant creature that had found its resting place. With a start he realized exactly who it was standing over him.

"What are you doing here?"

Omega looked over the machine next to him for a moment before raising a giant claw and smashing the controls to pieces. The humming immediately stopped only to be replaced by fierce growling inside the container. Omega turned back to the creature and began speaking.

'Is that any way to treat an old friend?' Not a single word was spoken aloud. It was heard inside of the others head. 'Your Sorceress demands your assistance once again. Before she died she sent me back to find you and then together we are to destroy SeeD. Thus ensuring that they don't exist when she comes into power in the future.'

"I don't serve her anymore! Once she died, her control over my body was destroyed. I am free to make my own choices this time."

'You pathetic excuse for a G.F.! Do you really think you can make a difference by helping SeeD? They will still be destroyed. And you will return to me with your tail between your legs.'

The creature inside the machine could take no more of this. Summoning all his strength he smashed through the wall and charged at Omega. He stood the same height as Omega but instead of armor he had a thick coat of black fur and a large mane of red fur around his neck. His tail ended in a serrated edge that could easily cut through most anything on the planet. Overall he looked much like a lion on steroids.

He slammed into Omega and bit into his shoulder attempting to sever the nerves. Omega simply flicked him off of his shoulder like he was a fly. Regaining his balance he turned back and prepared to charge again. Omega saw this coming and simply slammed one of his giant clawed hands into the GF's head knocking him to the ground.

"I will not help you this time. I serve the Sorceress and her Knight who wear my ring. They are my masters. I betrayed them once unwittingly and I don't plan on making that mistake again." With this he stood to his full heights and called upon his power to help him.

"Shockwave Pulsar!" A bright sphere of light appeared around Omega and lifted him high into the heavens before slamming him into an overheated supernova. Then when the star exploded it sent him careening back down to Earth and slammed him into the ground.

Omega lay on the ground looking beaten and broken. But only for a moment before his body quickly began piecing itself back together. The lion-like G.F. knew that it would only take a few minutes for Omega to heal itself. He also knew that if he was going to have any chance of beating it then he was going to need help. Rearing up on his hind legs he let out a fearsome roar that could be heard for miles.

"I am Greiver!"

He then turned and began his climb out of the room he had been using as a den since he escaped Time Compression. He had no more need for the Stasis Machine now that he was fully healed. Without even a backward glance at Omega Weapon he began his search for the ones whom he had once betrayed. This time though, he told himself, it would be different.

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"Squall wake up!"

"Huh, wha…. I'm awake, Selphie, I'm awake!"

"Good, because we just landed at Balamb Garden and I thought you might want to know."

"Did you know that you talk in your sleep Squall?"

"Whatever" I replied as I sat up and looked around. Selphie and Irvine were both standing by the elevator and waiting for me. I grabbed Lionheart and we promptly made our way out of the Ragnarok and into the Garage. "OK, you guys are free to do whatever you want while I check in with Headmaster Cid. Don't go too far though. He will probably want to debrief you both about the situation in Esther. If you can, find Rinoa and Zell and fill them in too. Maybe one of them or even General Caraway might have an idea as to where they would take Quistis and the other hostages." Meet in the cafeteria in one hour."

Both of them gave a SeeD salute and then ran off to find the others while I headed for the third floor to see the Headmaster. I stopped in my room briefly and changed into clean clothes. I then threw my jacket back on and continued towards my destination.

In a few short minutes I found myself standing outside the door to Cid's office. I was just about to knock when I heard talking coming from inside so I decided to wait and not interrupt the meeting or whatever it was. Leaning against the wall I waited and began thinking about all that had happened in the last day. First we get sent to investigate Deling City. We crash land the Ragnarok. I almost get ran over by a frenzied herd of Grats and to top it all off Omega Weapon is running around and someone tried to kill Rinoa's father. Plus everything that happened in Esther is making matters worse because now we need to find out who is controlling the monsters and leading the remains of Galbadias army in an attempt to take out Esther and SeeD. Somehow I have the feeling that this is all tied together.

I was so deep in thought that I didn't even realize that Headmaster Cid's door had opened and several people had walked out until they addressed me.

"Hey Puberty Boy! How ya been?"

I couldn't believe my eyes! Seifer and his posse were standing right in front of me. And right behind them stood Cid and Edea. Grabbing the handle to my gunblade I prepared for whatever was about to happen. Edea apparently saw the look in my eyes and moved in front of Seifer and approached me.

"Matron, what are they doing here?"

"They are no longer the enemy Squall. I read their minds and removed the last of Ultimecia's brainwashing from them. They wish to return to Garden and become SeeD's."

"I still don't trust him. Even before all of that happened he used to cause more trouble than he was worth!"

Headmaster Cid had been quiet so far but now he stepped forward and calmly spoke his mind,

"They are not the threat anymore. I have already been informed of most of what has happened to your team. General Caraway, Rinoa and Zell filled me in on what has happened in Deling and they told me why you went to Esther. I still need your report for the rest but from what I have already heard I think we are going to need all the help we can get."

"Hey, listen to him. I don't plan on attacking Garden any time soon so you can relax. Of course, I might try stealing Rinoa back from you." Smirked Seifer causing Raijin to start laughing until Fujin turned and kicked him in the shin.

"SILENCE!"

"Seifer, that will be quite enough from you. You are a guest here and whether or not you stay depends heavily on your behavior!" snapped Edea before motioning to him and his friends to follow her back down stairs.

"I still don't trust them but I have urgent news for you sir and I cant wait any longer." I said this to Cid and began following him into his office to give my report. But not before turning to the still smirking Seifer and giving him my advice.

"You cause even the slightest amount of trouble and we are going to have a very long talk!"

Authors Notes:

Sorry anyone who is still reading. It took me longer than I thought it would to get this posted due to computer malfunction. I am well on my way with the next several chapters and you should see them posted over the next week. Please read and review. I love to know what people think of this story. And if you have any ideas for later chapters let me know and I will see what I can do. And once again thanks to all of those who have reviewed so far. It has been a great help.