The Eyes of the Lion

Disclaimer: I don't any characters from FFVIII and neither the story line it belongs to Square Soft.

Author's Note: Anything in bold is a sound, italics are flashbacks or Laguna's thoughts. Also if you haven't all ready, please visit my web site, Dark Angel's Videogame Fanfiction.

The Eyes of the Lion

By Raven the Dark Angel

Disc two

I flashed open my eyelids with my heart still in a panic of the icicle that had pierced it. I jumped up out of the tiny bed that I had slept in and took in my surroundings. It was a very old-fashioned room with various wood furniture: a white armoire, a scraped up rocking chair form old age, a humble tiny desk, and two beds on either side of the nightstand. Children's toys littered the floor here and there. Where was I?

I slipped my hand up my shirt so sure that I would feel the coarse scabbing of my wound or the soft cotton of a bandage. But all I touched was the smooth skin on my chest. I held my head in thought and tried to figure out where I was and how could I have healed so fast.

Tip tap. Tip tap. I heard the footsteps of a small child climb up the staircase that was just outside the doorway. She came into the room with a broad smile clamping her eyes shut. Her jaw-cut brown hair framed her adorable face. She wore a plain blue dress that appeared hand-made. The girl reminded me a lot of my own sister.

"Uncle Laguna!" she shouted which cleared up any confusion, "There's someone here to see you."

"Huh?" I asked, "Me? What's this person look like?"

The toddler rocked back and forth on her heals. "He's was wearin' funny clothes. He's tawking to Raine right now."

I folded my arms in thought of whom it could be. "Is she at the pub?"

"Yup. That's why I came over to get you, Uncle Laguna! Am I a good girl?" she asked and cocked her head the way Rinoa would.

A mass of concern tugged at my heart. "No, you're not Ellone!" I told her sternly, "It's dangerous to be out there by yourself. What if a monster comes and attacks you?"

Elle looked down with shame and began to fidget with her dress. "It's only next door," she slightly pouted, "It's okay."

"It's still dangerous!" I scolded and knelt down and placed my hand on the back of my head. "And since you're such a cute little girl, the monsters will especially be after you! They'll catch you and then suck all your blood out!"

Ellone's eyes grew huge with fear and shock. Why would you tell a little kid something like that…?

I continued, "If anything like that should happen, Uncle Laguna's gonna cry."

"I'll be okay. I'll just call you." She began to smile again. "You'll come and rescue me right?"

Before I could say anymore she sprinted out of my room and clunked down the stairs.

"H-hey Ellone! Wait!" I called after her and fumbled down the staircase.

The next room welcomed me with a sense of coziness. Striped blue curtains floated with the breeze from the open window to the right. In the middle lay a stained blue wooden kitchen table with two chairs on the sides. To the right of that stood a bureau with two picture frames upon it. A crooked picture of fruit hung just above. To the left a brick stove covered the corner of the stairs. Around the room plants camouflaged stains or cracks on the wooden floor.

"I waited," the little one told me before the door, "am I a good girl?"

"Yes a good girl," I replied with a smile and patted her head like she was some sort of adorable puppy.

Abruptly, I walked over to the bureau and glanced down at the pictures. "Dear Ellone's parents," I began a prayer, "Ellone's been a good girl today," I turned to look at her, "right?"

"Yup!" She jumped up with her hand high in the air. It reminded me of something Selphie might do…

She then flashed me a smile and quickly sprinted out the door. I followed her out and was struck by the scenery. My heart filled with the feeling of "home"…Have I been here before? I examined the country-like buildings that formed a circular pattern and the bridge that extended to a field of grain. The soft sound of water splashing against the rocks below calmed me. I didn't recognize the place, but I still felt…that I belonged here… I must be feeling what Laguna is…

I ran across the square to the door of the pub and shouted back to the little girl, "Ellone! Now's your chance!"

"Cha-nce!" she repeated and dashed into the pub.

I entered the place only to find Elle being scolded by a young woman who wore a pair of jeans and a white sweater. Her light brown hair exactly the color of mine was pulled back by a hair-band. Her narrowed deep blue eyes an exact mirror image of my own stared down at the toddler.

With her hands on her hips the woman asked sternly, "You understand, Ellone? Now go to your room and play."

She then trotted off behind the pub's bar counter. Elle gazed her huge brown eyes in my direction.

"I got in twouble," she told me with shame tweaking her voice.

"That's 'cause you broke your promise. Too baaaaad," I replied in a childish tone.

"Laguna!" the woman scolded as she scrubbed the counter, "Use proper English when speaking with Ellone!"

I glanced down at the toddler with a giddy smile. "I got in twouble."

"Too baaaaad!" she expressed mimicking me and we began to laugh.

Suddenly, Kiros walked in wearing his casual attire.

"It's been a while, Laguna," he told me in an almost grave tone.

I opened my arms in happiness. "Kiros!!!"

I bent down and whispered to Elle, "He's Uncle Laguna's friend. He dresses funny, but he's not a bad guy."

Kiros and I then took a seat at the stools in front of the bar.

"You seem well," he told me with a grin.

"Yeah…you too," I replied and held my chin and elbow in thought, "Hey, how long has it been? You know, our grand escape from Centra?"

He then assumed the same thought position. "That was… One would usually call being chased out…"

The woman behind the counter nodded, "I thought so…"

He continued, "Well, I would say about a year or so."

"I was bed-ridden for over six months. It seemed like every bone in my body was in pieces… thankfully, Raine here, nursed me back to health," I gestured toward her and she abruptly stopped cleaning the glass she held.

"Thank you for taking good care of Laguna," Kiros expressed, "I was able to recover in about a month or so. Ever since then…I've been searching for you."

I was taken a back with shock. "Why?" I asked.

"After leaving the army…We'll just killing time I guess. Life's pretty boring without you as entertainment, my man."

I held my chin and elbow in thought with a nod, "That's a harsh thing to say. I've been living a productive life here."

"I think I understand what you mean though," Raine joined the conversation.

"How's Ward doing?" I changed the topic.

"Ward quit the army, too. Luckily, he found a job, and he's working pretty hard."

"What's he doing?"

Kiros again mimicked my thought position, "He's a janitor down at the D-District Prison."

"Wow," I exclaimed, "Can't picture him moppin' floors but I'm glad he's doing well."

"Oh and he never got his voice back. You can basically tell what he wants from his facial expressions."

"How's Julia doing?"

He shook his head. "I don't know…"

"You mean Julia the singer?" Raine asked.

"That's right," Kiros affirmed, "Laguna really admired her and always frequented the nightclub."

My cheeks burned red with embarrassment. "Shut up!" I shouted, "So what if I did!"

"Julia used to sing at a night club?" Raine wondered.

"No," Kiros corrected, "she didn't sing. She just played the piano."

"Then the first song she released was 'Eyes On Me'?" she asked aloud.

"H-how does the song go?" I asked… Julia told me she had written the lyrics because of me…I never had time to hear the song.

"You don't know?" she asked.

"Well, you never let me hear it!" I told her.

She tapped her head, "I didn't think you listened to music. The song's about being in love…I really like it."

Being in love…with me?

"Heard she recently got married," Kiros put in.

"Oh yeah!" it dawned on her, "To some army general, right? General Caraway or something?"

"I'm not sure," he said.

Raine went on, "I read in a magazine that her true love went off to war and never came back. General Caraway comforted her while she was feeling down. That's how they got to know each other."

Me? I was her true love? If I wasn't bed-ridden I would have returned to her… but then I wouldn't have been with Raine. Well, at least she's happy…yeah…but she might have been happier with me.

"She didn't wait for the soldier to come back?" Kiros asked knowing exactly who the "solider" was.

"So what?!" I exclaimed eager to end this conversation, "Who cares? As long as she's happy, right? That's all that matters!"

I bent down to look at Ellone who sat at the foot of my stool. "Ain't that right, Elle?" I asked.

"Right!" she expressed, "Uncle Laguna and Raine are-"

"Ahhhh!" I screamed covering the last word. "Okay," I said nervously, "enough talk about this!" What was the toddler about to say that Laguna didn't want Kiros to hear?

Where was I anyway? Did I die in the real world? Am I stuck in this dream world forever? What happened to Rinoa and the others? Are they okay? Were they killed? I hope they're safe…Stop it! My mind began to scream. I can't attach myself to them…not after Sis…I won't feel that devastation again. Even if it means loosing companionship. Even if I do become cold. It's better than depending on someone only to have them taken away.

"I think the faeries are here," I told Kiros.

"Faeries? Yeah I guess so…"

"Then our work should be a cinch."

"I'm looking forward to the battles."

"Time to do some work!"

"…Okay," he agreed unsure of what he was getting into.

"So, what's your plan? You're gonna stick around here for a bit, right?"

"Would that be okay?" he asked Raine.

She nodded, "You work for what you eat. If that's fine with you, you're more than welcome."

"Come back soon, okay?" Elle asked tugging at my pants' leg.

I winked at her and we exited the pub.

Outside, I noticed three guards standing in front of the biggest building. One of them kept fighting off sleep by jolting his eyes open everytime they fell shut. The other two already had fallen asleep, with one sprawled out on the floor.

I walked up to them with Kiros following behind.

"I've been here for two years and boy, is it boring!" the conscious guard told us.

"It's a heckuva lot better than what Esthar soldiers do," I reminded, "They kidnap little girls, you know?"

"I think they're looking for a successor to Sorcerer Adel, the ruler of Esthar. I they come back again, I'm sure it'll be for Ellone this time."

"Hah!" I laughed at him, "But they gotta go through me!"

The guard on the floor began to stir awake, while the other sleeping one began to snore.

"C'mon guys, you could kill some monsters, too!" I suggested.

The one on the floor looked up at me and stated flatly, "We're only on watch for Esthar soldiers. Screw the monsters."

"Give me a break guys…" I told them in a whining tone.

"You think the Esthar soldiers are really coming?" the first guard asked.

"That was two years ago, right? They would've been here by now," I assured.

"But," the first guard thought aloud, "You never know what a country ruled by a sorcerer could be up to."

I waved goodbye to them and headed for the bridge along with Kiros.

"Laguna," he stated and I turned around to face him, "What exactly do you do here?"

I held my chin with my hand and replied, "It's like this. All the working men in this town were sent off to war. The only ones left in town are old people, children, chocobos, dogs, and cats. And I'm sure you've noticed, but the monsters have made their way into town. This here town took real good care of me. So basically, I want to return the kindness."

I paused for a moment and took on a superhero-like pose with my hands on my hips, "You're looking at the monster hunter of Winhill!" I relaxed again and continued, "So as of today, you'll be my assistant. We're to patrol the town up to the entrance! If we see anyone in need along the way we help them. That's our duty!"

Kiros rolled his eyes and shook his head. I ignored the gesture and marched along the bridge like some kind of top ranking army general. Upon reaching the other side a vast field of flowers and wheat welcomed my senses. The smell of dandelions filled my head with a hazy nostalgia. Petals of white flowed and danced in the light breeze. The grain growing on the field radiated a feel of glowing gold. It was truly peaceful here. I wanted to just stay here forever.

But my serenity wouldn't last, because of the threatening Caterchipiller that stood before us.

Kiros quickly gripped his Katals ready to strike any second. I on the other hand just pulled the trigger to my machinegun and blindly sprayed the bullets everywhere.

The Chaterchipiller convulsed at each impact of the metallic pellets that emancipated form my weapon.

I jumped with joy as Kiros just stared at me. "I guess you really don't need an assistant," he mumbled.

"What?" I exclaimed and stopped with my victory, "Of course I do! Those are just supper easy! Oh c'mon!"

We continued along the dirt path until we reached the subdivision of the town.

"Alright!" I expressed, "Our first patrol complete! We're to report to the commander and the assistant commander."

Kiros glanced at me confused. He shook his head, "Commander…you mean that woman at the pub?"

Suddenly I got angry. She's the one who lighted up my life…gave it meaning. How dare he call her "that woman"?!

"Her name's Raine," I told him sternly, "Raine OKAY?! She saved my life. And the assistant commander is Ellone."

Kiros smiled finally understanding who she was. "She seems like a really nice person, but easily taken in by a hotshot."

A hotshot? I shook my head totally confused. "Okay, let's step up our patrol a notch. Assistant Kiros, let's come up with a plan after we get back to the base."

We left the sub-division and came across a person in distress. An old lady was being attacked by a Caterchipiller and two Bite Bugs.

Kiros took action immediately and swung the sharp blades into the light green flesh of the Caterchipiller, slicing it completely in half. Green mucus covered the old lady and she ran screaming in the other direction.

I aimed at the flying Bite Bugs and pulled the trigger. Click. Click. What the hell?! I then sprinted at the floating monsters and slammed the cold steel of my gun onto the Bite Bug.

After being stung by the monster's firey bite, Kiros swung his Katals at the bug ripping it apart.

Wham. Wham. Wham. I feverishly smashed the Bite Bug with my gun and stomped it with my feet. "Die!" I screamed and continued to pummel it into the ground.

Kiros put a hand on my shoulder, "Uh…Laguna, I think it's dead."

I abruptly stopped in mid stomp. I nervously laughed with my hand on the back of my head. "So it is!" I stated now noticing that it was as flat as a pancake.

We began to return to the pub again.

"Hey Laguna…Are you doing this patrol thing everyday?"

"Thing?! What are you callin' THING?!" I screamed at him. This is my job!!!

"Weren't you aiming to become a world-traveling journalist? You've heard of Timber Maniacs', right?" I nodded and he went on, "I had a talk with the chief editor. He said he's interested in any article related to world travel."

I open my arms in gesture. "That's great!"

"We should talk to him sometime…"

"Y-yeah…" I replied with a touch of sadness in my voice. What about Raine and Ellone…? "Um," I began a little shaky and placed my hand on my head, "It'd be okay if we stayed here a bit longer, right?"

"You need to gather more material?" he asked, "This seems like a really nice town. You're gonna write about this place first, aren't you?"

"No way!" I exclaimed, "Can't make this place famous. Too much publicity and you get all those tourists and stuff."

"You're afraid someone might come and take Raine away? Laguna, you've changed, man."

"Uhh…Hey! I see a monster!!!" I lied and sprinted down the road.

We finally reached the pub again and entered only to find it deserted.

I shrugged and trotted up the stairs to the side and opened the green door with the Celtic design imprinted on it.

We made our way up to the living quarters. The place was huge. Enormous Celtic designed windows covered the ceiling, letting rays of sunshine pour in. At one corner was the bedroom with two beds side by side separated by a nightstand with a green plant placed promptly on it. To the right of that was the wooden bookcase in which Raine stood in front of. In another corner living room furniture had been set up. A faded green couch sat in the middle of two white-stripped chairs. In the center of it lay a coffee table with a fishbowl upon it.

"What?" Kiros whispered to me when I stopped dead in my tracks.

"Girl talk," I told him in a hush tone, "Let's come back later."

He should his head with his arms folded.

"Come on!" I urged.

"Something inside me tells me to listen."

I sighed and we squatted behind the stairway's bars and eavesdropped.

"Raine," Ellone piped, "Aren't you gonna marry Laguna?"

She turned around with a book in her hand. "A guy like that? He was carried in here crying like a baby, and I was the one who had to take care of him-" she began to speak too fast for me to comprehend, "His crude way of speaking - I don't know if his aspirations as a journ - Every time I try to have a serious conversation, he avoids it - I can't stand his snoring and he talks in his sleep-"

"But he's really nice! I really really like him!"

I was stunned. Ellone really likes me? What about Raine?

"Raine, Uncle Laguna, and Ellone should all be together!" Elle exclaimed as she rocked back and forth on her heels.

"But you know…" Raine contradicted and walked to the window, "I think what he really wants to do is travel all over the world. I don't think he has it in him to live in a quiet country town like this one. Some people are like that… Ouuuu! It makes me so mad!" She clenched her fist like Zell when angered.

"You like him?"

"I feel the same as you, Ellone."

So Raine really does care for me…I wish things could be different. I want to become a journalist, but...

Ellone then took a seat on the couch and swung her feet playfully.

I decided now was a good time to make my entrance. I tumbled up the stairs and tapped on my leg beckoning Ellone as if she were a dog or animal.

"Yea! You're back!!!" she beamed and smashed into my arms.

"Huff puff," I panted, "I came back in a hurry!"

I then stood at attention. "Here's my report on today's patrol and monster extermination!" I held my hands behind my back, "Including Bunchubchus and bunbuns that assistant commander Ellone oh-so-hates…I've exterminated four monsters!"

"Alright!" Raine congratulated, "Thank you. Shall we eat before you get started with the next patrol? I'll call you when it's ready, so just wait in your room. You seem pretty tired. You should take a quick nap."

Elle began to leap with enthusiasm. "Let's eat, Let's eat! Let's all eat together! You're joining us too, right Mr. Kiros?!"

He nodded with a tiny smile painted on his face.

"We have me and Raine and Uncle Laguna and Mr. Kiros!"

I smiled and patted the little girl on the head, messing up her silky soft strands of hair.

Once back in the abandoned house and in my room I plopped myself on my bed. I stretched, taking in a deep breath. "Shall we rest?" I asked while looking up at Kiros.

My comrade squinted in curiosity. "What's the matter?"

I folded my arms not really wanting to tell. "I get scared sometimes. Scared of waking up somewhere else…Scared of not seeing Ellone."

"Scared of not seeing Raine?" he added.

I leaned on my on my arms causing the bed to squeak. "What happened to me? I feel…" My head began to spin for the right words, but none came. "What is this I'm feeling? Oh please let it be this room when I wake up! Please, let me be in this puny bed when I wake up!"

Kiros took a seat across from me on the other mattress. "Laguna, you've changed."

I lay back and rested my head on my crossed arms. "I just don't know why I'm scared of losing this…" I closed my eyes and felt the tender sweet rush of sleep close me in.

When I awoke I wasn't in that puny bed, or that puny room. Bitter cold steel walls of a prison welcomed me. I sat up and immediately was overwhelmed by a migraine. My back ached for I had slept on a hard steel bed. I raked my hand through my hair; I felt relieved for it was my own. But where was I?

I squinted my eyes in remembrance of what happened. I challenged Edea…My wound…

I looked down and felt my chest. No scar, scabbing, cut, nothing. How? The Galbadian solders had us surrounded… He was there…Seifer, leering down at me.

"Damn you, Seifer!" I screamed, but was shoved to my knees from the quick sudden jolt. I felt the velocity of moving up. It suddenly stopped and I fell to my knees again from the imbalance.

The rusted steel doors opened in front of me to reveal that blonde devil.

"Squall, you're so pitiful," he chastised with an evil smirk.

I pushed myself up feeling the room spin. Seifer suddenly grabbed me by the collar and brought my face close to his. He stared into my eyes for a moment and I examined the deep rippling pools of his icy own. They were cold and barren, but were hiding something…despite the hatred in them, they were scarred and childlike and hazy as if he were under a spell.

He then violently smashed me against the steel wall. I cried out as my breath escaped me.

"Take him away!" he ordered and pointed to me with his gunblade.

A pair of moobas took a hold of me. Their bright fiery spiked fur gave the prison a whole new feel. The two slaves were extremely cautious not to cut me with their sharp clawed paws. It was a shame they had to be ordered around.

Seifer looked down at me with a smirk and drew up his gunblade. I closed my eyes, preparing for death, but instead he slammed the leathered handle into my skull. I hollered, clamping my eyes shut even tighter.

"Not hard enough, huh?" Seifer asked with venom in his voice.

He pummeled me with the handle once more. This time unconsciousness filled me instead of pain.

I opened my eyes with a sudden jolt and struggled against the metal cuffs that held me high against the cold steel wall. They cut my wrists, flaking away layers of my skin. I looked down to see my torturer standing in front of some kind of electrical system.

"I'm sure you can imagine what happens now," Seifer told me with a smirk.

I narrowed my eyes and thrashed against my restraints to no avail.

"What do you want?" I asked realizing there was no hope of me getting free.

"Tell me what SeeD is. Edea demands to know," he barked with his gunblade pointing up at me.

I squinted in confusion. "SeeD…" A code name for Balamb Garden's elite mercenary force…SeeD…combat specialists… I don't get it. What does he want?

"Don't you already know?" I asked.

"I'm not a SeeD," he replied, "There must be some kind of secret you're given when you become a SeeD!"

I remembered Headmaster Cid's brief speech. The members of the faculty had been rushing him. Was there a secret he forgot to mention in his subordinates' haste? "There's nothing," I assured, "Even if there were, you think I'd tell you?"

He smiled as if he were enjoying my defiance. "You're on my 'tough-nut-to-crack' list. Didn't think you'd talk that easily."

"Jeez, I'm honored."

"So here's a little somethin' for ya."

He snapped his fingers and the man at the control panel pulled a switch.

I cried out in pain as I felt the volt of electricity cause my body to convulse. The man pulled the switch again and the energy left my body with a dull stabbing ache. I took in long deep breaths as I glared down at Seifer.

"Even if you don't talk, others will."

Others…? Zell, Selphie, Quistis…what about Irvine and Rinoa? They aren't SeeDs…Perhaps there in the hands of the sorceress, or worse…

"The instructor, the messenger girl, or that chicken wuss…he wouldn't last three seconds!" Seifer began to hysterically laugh.

"They're…all here?" I managed to say.

"Oh you bet!" he flashed me a childish smile and pointed at me with his gunblade again. "But since I like you so much I thought you should go first. I was hoping you'd be there, Squall. So…how do I look in my moment of triumph? My childhood dream fulfilled. I've become the sorceress's knight."

Sorceress's knight…his dream…? But Seifer now you're nothing but "A torturer," I mumbled the last two words of my thought out loud.

"What did you say?"

I ignored him and closed my eyes.

"Passed out cold, eh? This is the scene where you swear your undying hatred for me!" I heard him slash the air with his blade in anger. "The tale of the evil mercenary vs. the sorceress's knight…The funs just started, Squall! Don't disappoint me now!"

I heard him snap his fingers and my stomach tightened for I knew what was to come. The electricity swam through my body like a school of food-deprived piranha. Each jolt sliced at my very soul, enjoying the agony of my shouts.

The switch was pulled once more and a rush of relief washed over me. My muscles ached fiercely like I had just run a mile. I had hardly any energy left in me and I let my limbs go limp. It was as if the very life of me had been taken away along with the electricity.

"It'll be fun Squall. Don't die on me, yet!" Seifer stared into my groggy, tired eyes. He snapped his fingers again. I had to bite my tongue from begging to not pull the switch again. But no pain came. "Continue with the interrogation, " he ordered and left me with the warden.

"Ready to talk?" he asked, studying me as if I were some lab rat.

"I-I don't understand the question," I stuttered honestly.

"Don't mess with me! Edea says you know something! Now spit it out!" he ran to the switch and ordered, "Talk! What is SeeD all about?!" Before I could manage a reply he pulled it.

I cried out like a wolf caught in a bear-trap. I threw my head back at the pain and pulled at the restraints with all the strength I had left. Blood began to trickle down to the rusted metallic floor from my wrist that tore against the cuff.

The warden cut the torture and stood in front of me for further interrogation. I gasped violently, drawing in short intakes of breath. I couldn't breath…it was as if my lungs had been crushed.

"Hmm? Yeah, so?!"

I don't know anything! I screamed in my mind. W-why do you keep asking me…? Aren't we mercenaries from Balamb Garden Special Forces? What is there to know?!

"What's that?" the warden asked.

"Flower…" I mumbled remembering one of Selphie's ramblings.

"What did you say?"

"The true…goal of SeeD is to spread…seeds all over the world…Fill the world w-with flowers."

"Yeah right!"

"It's the truth. See…seeing flowers…takes away people's will to fight."

"What then? SeeD wants to bring love and peace to the world?" he asked with amusement, "Don't make me laugh! You can't fool me!"

"We steal the will to fight…then we in…invade."

Suddenly the intercom from above announced, "Warning! Escape Alert! Monsters will be set loose on each floor! If escapee refuses to surrender you have permission to kill. The anti-magic field will be lifted."

"What? Hey!!! Watch him!" he ordered one of the moobas.

So it looks like they escaped. At least they'll make it…

Ten minutes later, a mooba bounced in, but I kept my eyes shut. I didn't want to see Seifer leering up at me. I had enough of him.

"Hey!!! Squall!!!" a familiar male voice shouted. It wasn't Seifer's for it was too excited and squeaky.

"Hey wake up!" another voice yelled with a hyper snap to it.

"Come on, Squall!" This time the voice was mature with authority.

I felt two pairs of feminine hands unlock the handcuffs that held me up. I prepared myself to fall flat on my face, but two strong muscular arms slowly lowered me.

I opened my eyes to see Zell, Selphie, and Quistis surrounding me. I leaned against the wall with a smug frown.

"You okay!?" Zell asked with concern.

"Squall, are you alright?" Selphie chirped.

They must have noticed how I painfully stood.

I nodded trying to regain my strength. "It was hell…" I told them.

"Let's just get the hell outta here!" Zell suggested and tossed me my gunblade, "Catch!"

I grabbed the sword and swung it around happy to be able to defend myself again.

"Thank goodness you're alright," Quistis expressed while adjusting her glasses, "Let's go."

We raced out the door and I took in the way the prison was built. It was completely metal and in the shape of a spiral winding around a hollow entryway for a crane.

"Didn't you come here as Laguna in the 'dream world'?" Zell asked me.

"…not here," I replied.

"So Squall, doesn't know how to get out, either," Quistis sighed.

"Well…either way, we kept going up and up. I think we better head back down," Zell suggested.

Instructor Trepe held her head as if to reach inside it and pull out an idea. "It'd be a pain to go down every floor. The alarm alerted monsters and security guards everywhere."

"By the way, how'd the hell did they carry you up here, Squall?" Zell inquired.

I simply pointed to the huge metallic structure hanging just below this floor in the hollow opening.

Zell stepped back stunned. "Whoa!!! What's this?!" he expressed.

"It's like a crane that can carry a detachable cell from downstairs," I replied.

Selphie ran to the edge and leaned against the safety wall. "Oh, so this big hold goes all the way to the bottom," she assumed, "So if we jump ALL the way down, we're outta here."

"Go ahead if you want to get squashed like a pancake," Quistis suggested sarcastically.

I glanced at Zell whom held his head in deep thought. "Oh yeah!!! I remember now!" he exclaimed and punched his fist into his palm, "We can move this arm by using the panel above and the control room." He shifted with his legs crossed now. "I remember Ward doing this. But we need to operate them both at the same time. Someone needs to stay upstairs and control the panel..."

Selphie and Quistis put a hand on either one of his shoulders. Zell glanced at the two girls quickly and asked, "Me?"

Quistis nodded.

"F-fine," he stuttered and slouched over in disappointment, "I'll give you instructions from upstairs. Everyone get inside."

He sprinted to the control panel while we boarded the crane.

Inside the place was cramped and should have only fit two people tops, but we managed three. Above a panel of buttons hung various surveillance camera screens in front of the dusty window.

"So this is the control panel," Quistis stated with arms folded.

"Yo can you hear me guys?" Zell questioned over the intercom.

Selphie jumped with excitement. "Hiya Zell, loud and clear!"

I put my hand on my hip. "So what do we do?" I asked him looking at all of the buttons.

"Press the red button on the main panel. I'll take care of the rest…"

Selphie gave me a huge hyper smile and pressed the red button before I could. It was a good thing Zell knew what he was doing or I'm sure Selphie would have recklessly pressed every button on here.

The machine began to move and we were slowly lowered down the flights of prisons. The crane came to a sudden stop like it had with my cell and we almost fell on one another.

We stepped out to find the area barren and the halls were thinner than the one's up top.

"Heeey, so what are we going to do now?" Selphie asked giddily rocking on her heels.

"Well, there's a door over there," I pointed out.

"And?" Quistis asked with her arms folded as if she were annoyed.

"…Let's check it out."

We walked over to the hatch. I yanked it open, only to have a pile of sand bury my boots.

"Sand?" I pondered out loud. I placed my hand on my hip. "Buried? You mean we're underground? In any case, we can't get out from here…"

Suddenly we heard a noise that sounded like metal clashing against metal with a touch of booming.

"What was that?" Selphie asked?

"Gunfire?" Quistis figured.

"Sounds pretty bad…" I put in.

Instantly and simultaneously Quistis and Selphie shouted, "Zell!!!"

Quistis faced me. "Let's get back, quick!"

I nodded and leaped on top of the crane. I grabbed a hold of one of the ropes that connected it to the mechanism above and unholstered my gunblade. I quickly cut the rope and clung to it as it carried me up the floors. I looked up as I felt the wind stir my hair and fur around my collar.

As I ascended I could hear voices. "There he is!" one of them shouted.

"You bastard…Die!" a warden yelled as I reached the floor he was on. He raised his hand that held a club reading to pummel my comrade, Zell.

I let go of the rope and took hold of the edge of the wall. As I lifted myself over the wall I lashed out at him with my gunblade. The man slumped over and lay limp.

I shook my head with a gesture and stated, "I didn't think he'd go down that easy."

Zell smiled at me as if I was an angel from heaven. "Squall!!!" he shouted totally ecstatic and grateful. He clung to my waist in a tight hug in which I could barely breath. "Thanks man!!!"

"W-what?! Let go!" I ordered while grabbing his shoulders and shaking him. "I said let go!" I yelled at him and began to clobber him on the head. He still wouldn't loosen his grip, so I lightly clunked him on the skull with the handle of my gunblade. He finally got off me and stood up still with that crazy grin.

"Squall! Zell!" Quistis shouted as she ran up the staircase to meet us, "I'm glad you're alright!"

"Squall why did you go on your own?" Selphie inquired while slamming her hands down, "Is Zell that important to you?"

"Whatever," I mumbled as Zell rubbed his head in embarrassment and confidence.

Suddenly gunfire began to spray at us from across the drop. We all slammed to the ground behind the safety wall and covered our heads for protection.

"There's no way we can get outta here!" Zell shouted over the clashes of metal.

Bam. Bam. This time the fire was more powerful…like that of a shotgun… Irvine! We stood up and found Irvine posing over confidently with his shotgun slung over his shoulder.

He was about to say something, but someone from behind him shouted, "Come on!" She shoved him and he went tumbling down the stairs. It was Rinoa. She had her hands on her hips in annoyance and her cheeks were puffed out like an angry blowfish's. "Stop trying to act so cool!" she chastised, "Gee, if only you had agreed with me earlier, we wouldn't be in this mess!"

I approached her and her eyes totally lit up. "Squall! Yay!" she gushed and gracefully hurried down the steps.

"Rinoa, you're alright!" Quistis cried equally excited.

"Uh huh," Irvine mumbled holding his head as he rose to his feet. "Of course," he told us and flung his hands out to the side with a cocky attitude, "Courtesy of my escort."

"What's that supposed to mean?" Zell asked roughly.

"Ah-" Irvine began but was interrupted by Rinoa.

"My father pulled some strings with the military," she informed us, "He told them to get me, and only me out."

Rinoa slapped her forehead as Irvine began, "And then-"

"So this guy here," she cut him off, "He came and got me, just me! Knowing you were all captured!"

Irvine tried again, "Ahh…that's-"

"Isn't that horrible?" she asked with her hands on her knees and her head cocked up at me.

"Alright, alright!" Irvine shouted in an apologetic tone, "I said I was sorry. That's why I'm here to help."

Rinoa turned to face him with her hand at her hips. "After I scratched you to death!" she retorted.

"Uh…" he stuttered with fear in his voice and took a couple of steps back from her, "A-a-anyhow, now's our chance."

"The basement door is buried in sand," I informed them.

He rubbed his neck. "Of course it is. This place is buried under ground."

"Buried?"

"That's right. This prison is-" Irvine was cut off by bullets sailing our way. We all crashed to the ground for cover.

A man from across the hall shouted, "There they are! It's the escapees!"

Gunfire ranked out in the halls. Irvine quickly leaned over the safety wall and shot back with his Valiant.

I proceeded to load my Revolver preparing to fire back even though it's extremely difficult to aim with a weapon such as mine.

"Squall!" Irvine shouted over the noise, "You and the others go up on ahead. I'll hold 'em here."

"Up?" I asked.

He shot back at the guards again and turned toward me. "Don't have time to explain now! The exit's up there, trust me!"

I nodded. "Okay."

"I think I know the way," Rinoa told me as she yanked at my jacket to get my attention.

"Let's go!" I ordered and began to crawl to the exit.

"I'm not going anywhere!" Selphie shouted.

Oh no…don't do this. I sighed and looked back at her. Concern filled her eyes and her lips were shaped in an unusual pout.

"Selphie c'mon!" I urged her.

She shook her head defiantly. "I'm staying here with Irvine!"

He turned toward her and smiled at her with his free hand on her shoulder. He handed her a spare handgun and waved for me to leave. "I don't think she's gonna change her mind any time soon, Squall," he told me as she began to hyperly fire at the enemy, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her." With that he turned back to the fight and the two of them fired at the group of guards now heading in.

"Our turn to boogie now!" he shouted as the rest of us sprinted up the stairs.

After heading up what seemed like a million flights of stairs and battling off various monstrous robots and guards, we finally made it back to the control room. At the far end of the room I noticed a cracked open door; glorious rays of light rushed through like water gushing from a cracked open dam. I swung open the door and quickly shed the light from my eyes with my forearm. The sun blinded me as I squinted trying to get everything into focus. We stood in front of a long narrow bridge that led to anther tower identical to the one we stood upon. I gazed down and felt my stomach grow queasy - we were at least thirty stories above the desert sands. Buried huh?

"Oh yeah!!! We're out, baby!!!" Zell shouted while bouncing around.

As soon as he jumped onto the bridge an alarm sounded, "Prisoners may not go beyond this point or you will be terminated!"

"Terminated?" Zell gulped and backed up behind me. Why was I the one who always had to protect everyone? I let my shoulders slump like Zell would for a moment and with a sigh retrieved my gunblade from my belt not sure of what to expect.

Suddenly a Galbadian commander dashed down the bridge toward us with two purple jet-like robots or as Selphie would specify, two GIM52A's.

"You're not going anywhere!" he shouted at us as the others unleashed their weapons.

"Angelo strike!" Rinoa commanded and pointed to the Galbadian.

From out behind her, her waging tailed collie sprinted at him. As soon as the dog was a few feet from him, it leaped into the air and pounced upon the commander. It then lifted him into the air in a 360-degree flip and smashed him against the rock-hard cement flooring.

"Good boy!" Rinoa praised and tossed Angelo a treat.

The commander stood again with rage in his eyes. "Aura!" he cast upon one of the robots. A splash of golden light surrounded it in the shape of a pear and then suddenly disappeared leaving behind the yellow tint.

"Micro missiles!" the robot spoke with static and an odd vibrating noise clouding its speech.

Instantly, a huge mass of missiles sailed our way, but they were too fast for us to take any cover. They crashed down upon Rinoa with a mass of fire exploding around her. Her feet buckled under her as she came slammed down to the ground. I glanced in her direction as a ball of fear built up inside my chest.

Quistis, seeing Rinoa's distress, aided her with a cast of the spell curaga. With that, I focused my attention to our enemies. I analyzed that if we took out the commander first there would be no more time for him to cast aura upon the other robot.

"Pick off the commander first!" I ordered the rest of the party.

Zell and Selphie saluted as, Rinoa and Quistis gave an acknowledging nod.

"Dolphin Blow!" Zell shouted as he gathered his strength into his clenched hand. He then sprinted toward the target at full haste, narrowing his eyes as he went along. Magically, a reflection of a pool of water formed underneath the commander's feet. With the sound of the ocean's splashing waves, Zell uppercuted the enemy sending him flying into the air as my comrade sprung upwards, causing the blow to become more devastating. In mid air, two dolphins splashed out of the water reflection and smashed their tails onto the commander's head finishing the move.

As Zell retreated back to my side, the Galbadian fell into the arms of loving death. Now we had to deal with the robots…

I craftily swung my blade in a 360 at my side and slammed my weapon in the shoulder of the aura-cast robot. I gritted my teeth as I forced my revolver with both hands across the robot's metallic chest. Fragments of steel and data-chips flew out of the cut while dazzling white sparks nearly blinding my vision. Upon completing the slice, the top part of the once robot slopped off, smashing to the ground with a loud clunk.

Quistis snapped her whip against the ground readying her self for the attack. Rinoa closed one almond eye, as she took aim with her blaster's edge. My instructor lashed out at the purple robot, causing her whip to wrap around its legs. With both hands she yanked it's feet out from under it. Clash!

"Now!" Quistis yelled to Rinoa.

Rinoa fired the projectile weapon. The blade flew at the enemy so fast that all you could see was a trail of white blur. The razor edge perfectly decapitated the machine rendering it to malfunction. Volts of electricity ran through out it, but it remained unmoving. We had won.

As my friends cheered for victory, I caught a noise coming from the crane room. I swiftly to check it out as the others abruptly stop their joy of victory. I felt their eyes gaze upon my back with curiosity as I silently walked off.

"What's wrong Squall?" Quistis asked me.

I shook my head and motioned for them to follow.

When we returned to the room I heard a familiar voice over the intercom shout, "Hey, Squall can you hear me?"

I walked over to the panel to listen better.

"Hey! Hey, you guys!" Irvine called.

"Irvy, is this what you were talking about?" Selphie asked him as Zell snickered at the pet name, "What if Squall and the others have already gone ahead?"

I pushed the speech button and replied, "I can hear you."

"See?" Irvine proved, "I told you we'd be alright. Squall go ahead and operate the arm."

"How?"

Zell held up his fist and told me, "Yo, leave that one to me."

He then operated the crane.

"Alrighty! We'll be there in like a second. Wait right there," Irvine confirmed.

"Irvy! It's taking too long!" Selphie complained.

"So what? What's the rush?"

"It looks like they'll be just fine," Quistis assured and lead the way to the bridge.

"W-w-what the hell is this?!" Zell cried as he took sight of our height, which I noticed earlier.

"No way!" Rinoa gasped shocked, "When I came earlier it wasn't like this…"

"Let's just head for that structure over there," I pointed out.

I waited as the others were already mid way across. Suddenly both buildings began to shake.

"The hell?!" Zell shouted.

The two buildings then began to force their way into the ground like a couple of drills. I gasped as the ground fell from behind folded under.

"RUN!" I shouted with panic as I attempted to out sprint the folding.

When the others reached the other side all they could do was watch with dismay.

I cried out with fear as the ground fell under me. I quickly grabbed the edge as my heart pounded with relief. But the danger was not over yet. If I couldn't reach the other side in time, I would be buried alive.

"Squall!" Rinoa called cupping her hands around her mouth, "Hold on! Over here! Hurry!"

I did as I was told and sidestepped to the structure with my arms. My legs swung as I hastily made my way. I slammed my eyes shut as a sandstorm rose up from the drills into the ground, which covered me completely…

After narrowly escaping and meeting up with Irvine and Selphie, we happened upon a deserted garage, which held two vehicles: a civilian car, and a Galbadian soldier army transporter.

"That was way too dangerous, wasn't it?" Rinoa asked me with her head tilted to the side.

"Yeah," I replied with a nod.

"I thought the arms were movin' kinda slow. They had the submerge system on," Irvine put in.

"Let's get going," I suggested.

Selphie suddenly filled with an overwhelming energy. "I wanna ride the yellow one!" she shouted while pointing and hoping as if she were some overgrown child.

"I'll take that one too," Quistis told us while following her.

"Okay me, too," Rinoa agreed.

As the women boarded the car Irvine looked in their direction helplessly calling after them, "Hey, hey, hey! Ladies!" He had an almost hurt look on his face, as if he had been rejected. I would have felt sorry for him if I hadn't known him better. It was just another one of his acts…

"Let's go Irvine!" Zell beckoned sternly.

With a pout he hopped into the car with us.

At first the car drive was complete silence with Zell driving 80mph to catch up with the ladies that lead us. I could just picture Selphie in the driver's seat jumping up and down flooring the pedal while Quistis yelling for her to slow and Rinoa giggling at the sight.

Irvine rested each arm on both of Zell's and my seats. A smirk curved his face in a devious manor. "So…" he began casually, "Like when did you two guys loose your virginity?"

Wham. I slammed into the car door from the sudden swerve. A screech could be heard as Zell shifted the car back onto the road. A puff of dust clouded the view from behind us.

"What in the hell?!" Zell exclaimed while quickly flashing a dirty look at the questioner.

"What?!" Irvine asked innocently.

I held my forehead and shook my head.

"Let me change the question," Irvine suggested, "How many girlfriends have you ever had?"

"Ya know what?" Zell asked angrily, "Why don't you keep that big mouth of yours shut, cowboy freak!"

Irvine narrowed his eyes. "Awwww, what's the matter? Never had a girl?" he teased, "Maybe it's because your such an ugly chicken wuss!"

Oh no… of all the names he had to call him. Besides, where did he ever hear the word? Seifer had made it up especially for him…

Zell turned around. "How about I wallop you one!" he warned while pounding his fist into his hand.

I quickly grabbed the wheel as the car drove off the road again.

"Oh no I'm scared!" Irvine exclaimed sarcastically at him.

"Why you!" Zell reached for Irvine's neck in attempts to strangle him.

The car began to swerve left and right as I tried to keep the wheel straight, but I kept getting slammed into as the two struggled.

I quickly noticed the girl's vehicle had stopped. Oh no! We were going to slam into them if we didn't stop.

"Hey stop the car!" I shouted as Zell let go of Irvine and turned around.

He stomped on the brake, screeching us to a halt. I grabbed Irvine as he flew forward from the sudden stop. A mass of dust clouded the windows; I couldn't see if we had hit them or not.

I yanked open the car door and marched out.

"What's with him?" my cowboy friend asked.

Zell just shrugged and shook his head.

I glanced around the area and took in my surroundings. We had stopped in the middle of a fork in the road. The terran was desert with the cactuses covering the area and the sand for miles. Selphie stood atop a broken down army car half buried in the sand. Rinoa and Quistis stood side by side with questioning glances.

"What?" I asked them.

"You were swerving," Instructor Trepe told me, "so we thought we should stop." She paused. "Also, the Sorceress is about to launch missiles at Garden!"

Selphie hopped up and down. "That's what Rinoa heard from Irvine!" she explained.

I looked down. "The only thing we can do now," I told them, "is go back to Garden ASAP and warn the students." I glanced around at their worried faces. "Alright, let's get in the car and go."

Selphie began to point and hop again. I finally noticed what she was trying to show me. Far off into the distance stood the Galbadian Missile base. "They're targeting both Balamb and Trabia Gardens!" she informed me, "We have to interfere with the launch! We have to stop the missiles!"

I lifted myself on top the car with Selphie. An unusual frown formed on her face along with concerned pleading eyes, like that of a begging puppy. "I just transferred from Trabia Garden!" she explained with a jump, "I can't just sit around knowing that Trabia is in danger! So Squall, please! Decide who's gonna go to the missile base, before it's too late!"

It's easier said than done… What if something happens to the people I choose…?

"Let's take a vote!" Rinoa suggested, "Squall will decide the party and return to Balamb because he's the leader. Anyone against this plan please raise your hand!"

No one objected. I sighed with frustration. Leader? I never asked to be leader!

A few seconds later, a faint whistling noise could be heard. We all looked up into the sky to see a volley of missiles streak across the sky heading east. My stomach tightened. Balamb was east…I closed my eyes at the thought of loosing my home.

"I…" Irvine stuttered in a grave tone, "I heard they were hitting Trabia first and then Balamb."

Selphie squatted. I almost thought I saw a tear… "Trabia…I'm sorry," she apologized, "I'm sorry I couldn't stop it. Please let everybody be all right. Please…" She looked up at me. "That was a miss right?" She then jumped down leaving me to be the spotlight. "Squall, we have to report to Balamb! Who are you taking?"

"C'mon Squall!" Zell urged.

"You have to decide!" Quistis put in.

"Think carefully now!" Rinoa added.

Arg! They were making it so difficult. I've had it up to here with this leader thing. Fine! I'll choose…

"I'm on the missile base infiltration team!" Selphie insisted, "I have to be! They launched missiles at MY Trabia!"

"Uh Squall," Irvine caught my attention, "Can I go with Selphie?"

I nodded. Good that helped me out a little bit more. Rinoa has to come with me since it's my duty to protect her, so that narrows it down more. Now about Quistis and Zell…I then remembered how much Zell and Irvine dislike each other. If they should get into a fight, it could jeopardize the whole infiltration.

"Selphie," I called, "You, Irvine and Quistis will make up the infiltration team. Everyone else will come with me to warn Balamb."

"This mission is unlike any other," I continued, "It's not an order or a request from anyone. Selphie, do you have some kind of plan?"

"I think if we take the Galbadian army vehicle, we should be able to make it inside the base," she replied, "but that's about it. I'll have to think about the rest once we're inside. Do ya think that'd be okay? I'm sorry… I mean thanks. There isn't much time! You better hurry to Balamb Garden!"

I took one last look at my friends and told them, "See you at Balamb Garden. Good luck you guys…"

Selphie nodded with a smile as she shoved an unsuspecting Irvine into the car. He snagged his hat before it hit the ground and shut the door. I watched them take off until they were nothing but a speck in the scenery.

Rinoa, Zell and I set off into the other direction - this time I drove.

After about five minutes we came across a train station. It seemed rundown and deserted. A lone train sat on the tracks with two Galbadian soldiers packing the last boxcar. We could just hop on that train and head for Garden faster.

We sneaked past the soldiers and loaded ourselves on. I looked down at the locomotive's control panel. We couldn't "borrow" the train if we couldn't get it started…

"Hey, Squall," Rinoa caught my attention, "Leave it to me. Trains are my specialty."

Angelo barked in agreement.

She started it up in no time and tooted the horn for fun. The train then began to chug along its way.

"Hey Squall, come take a look at this!" Zell exclaimed, motioning me to come.

Rinoa and I stepped out to see a Galbadian soldier sprinting as fast as he could.

"Hey! Stop!" he shouted.

It was amazing. He could actually keep up with the train!

"Err ahhhh!" the soldier cried out.

"Not too bad…" Zell commented.

"Ahhh!" he cried out as he smashed right into a cactus. That had to hurt…

"Later sport!" Zell shouted at him with a salute, as Rinoa began to giggle.

After a long ride in the train, we finally made it back to Garden. It was exactly the way I remembered it with absolutely no sign of any damage. It looks like they did it. Still, the missiles could be on their way.

"Alright the Garden is safe!" Zell cheered.

"We have to report to the headmaster," I told them, "Come on."

I opened up the front gates as bars creaked from rust. Upon entrance to the inner gates I noticed how students and teachers ran about the area in a mad rush. What's going on? Are they evacuating?

I quickly took Rinoa's hand to make sure she wouldn't get lost in the crowd. She blushed slightly, for a reason I couldn't quite figure out. But my thoughts were interrupted by one of the Garden Faculty bumping into me.

"You three, which side are you on?" he asked

Both Zell and I gave him a very confused look.

"Answer the question!" he demanded, "Are you with the Garden Master or are you with Cid?!"

"I don't understand what you're talking about," I told him truthfully.

"Do you swear you allegiance to the Garden Master NORG?"

I glanced at Zell whom questioned under his breath, "Who the hell…?"

"Can you tell me what's going on?" I asked politely.

The faculty member grew extremely angry. "I'm the one asking the questions!!!" he yelled, "Hey! What kind of attitude is that?! You're with Cid, aren't you?!"

He then whistled which stopped some of the students dead in their tracks. They turned to us with menacing glances and took on a fight pose. What's going on?! I screamed in my mind. I can't fight my fellow classmates.

I then felt that a group of people were behind us. I turned around to see Nida with a pack of SeeDs.

"Where's the headmaster?" I asked him, "I have very urgent news."

He nodded for me to go ahead, "Squall, find Xu. She knows where he is. Let us handle this."

I tugged Rinoa's hand into the Garden and followed Zell to the directory. There in-front of it stood Rajin and Fujin. They seemed like they had been waiting for someone.

"Hey you're back!" Rajin shouted with a pure smile on his face. Fujin on the other hand remained with a smug look and kept her arms folded.

"What the hell is going on?" Zell asked them.

He held his hand in-front of his mouth as if to tell something very important, "I dunno."

Fujin's eyes narrowed as she swiftly kicked him in the shin. He cried out while holding his leg and jumping to keep balance. Once he gained composer he informed, "At first, they were sayin' somethin' 'bought roundn' up the SeeDs, ya know!? Now, everyone's either sidin' with the Garden Master or the Headmaster and fightin' everywhere, ya know?"

"DISTURBING," Fujin put in.

"Disappointin' for the Disciplinary committee," he added, "All that hard work for nothin', ya know?!"

"Why are SeeDs targeted?" I inquired, "And where's the headmaster? Is he safe?"

He put his hand on his hip, "We got no clue."

I mimicked his position and told them, "We need to see him right away. It's important!" I swung my arm out for emphasis, "Galbadian missiles may be heading this way!"

"What?!" Rajin exclaimed, "We gotta get outta here!"

Fujin again kicked him in the same sore shin.

"Ooooouch! Jeez, alright!" he complied, "We'll warn everyone about the missiles. Anyway, this is no time to be fightin', ya know?!"

"We'll go look for the headmaster," I told them.

"CAUTION!" Fujin warned.

"Yeah," Rajin agreed, "the fighting is intense everywhere and watch out for those Garden Master goons, ya know?!"

"Yo guys who are you with?" Zell asked with his fist up.

"The headmaster?" Rinoa figured.

"Hey jus' like Fujin said, ya know?" Rajin stated matter-of-factly, "We're with Seifer. Always have, always will."

With that said the two of them left together to warn of the on coming missiles. As I watched them something out of the corner of my eye grasped my attention. I glanced at the staircase to the elevator to see Xu running up it.

"Hey Xu!" I called for her but she had already gone into the elevator.

The three of us sprinted after her and boarded the elevator to the second floor.

"Xu!" Zell called for her with his hands cupped around his mouth like a megaphone.

With haste we trampled down the hall, swinging our heads in every direction in hopes to find a clue as to where she went. I stopped abruptly and hung a right to find Xu before the emergency exit.

She raised her arms threateningly and asked, "Whose side are you on?!"

"Neither," I replied honestly. I had no idea what was going on. All I could think of was that the missiles could destroy the very place that I was brought up in. I could never let that happen…"We have important news," I informed, "We need to see the headmaster, now. Where is he?"

Xu lowered her arms and took a more at ease composer. "I'm listening…"

I swung my arm out and shouted, "Galbadian missiles may be heading this way!"

"Here?!" she asked with the shock dilating her pupils.

I nodded.

"Alright. I'll inform him right away."

"Where is he?" Zell asked.

"In his office. We made it look like he's hiding, but he's been in there all along." She ran in the direction of the elevator and beckoned for us to follow.

We boarded the transporter to the third floor.

Once the doors opened, I was still amazed by the wonderful decorations in the room. I had only been in here twice. Once when I first joined Garden and the other time when I became a SeeD. The red carpet led to the double wooden door, which in turn led to the headmaster's main office. The desk off to the left remained tidy despite the stacks of paper that piled the corners. On the other side a beautiful pair of pastel pink curtains flowed with the wind that gracefully glided into the area.

"He's waiting for you," Xu informed extending an arm to the double doors, "I'll go tell everyone to evacuate."

I pushed open the door with Rinoa and Zell on either side of me. My eyes squinted at the immense light that poured in. There at the chair that faced the door sat headmaster Cid. He seemed to be in perfect health. It looks like the plan worked.

"Sir!" Zell and I stated according to code and saluted.

The headmaster saluted back allowing us to remain at ease.

"Xu has told me about the missiles," he told us while straitening his glasses, "The intercom is down so we can't announce the order to evacuate."

"Xu, Rajin, and Fujin are taking care of that," Zell reminded him.

Cid folded his arms with a hint of a secret in his eyes. "I want you to assist them and then evacuate."

I slightly squinted. What's on your mind?

"But I have a lot to report," I urged to tell him.

"You can tell me later."

You might be dead later… The sorceress…she's the cause of all this. Why is she doing it? What's her plan? Why destroy Garden? And what's the headmaster hiding?

Cid shifted his glasses back up his nose. "Do you have a problem with that?"

"Sir, what are you going to do?"

"I'm going to stay here and see this to the end. After all this place is like my home."

"You're planin' on dying here?!" Zell questioned with shock and seemed to jump back.

"No…!" Rinoa argued, "You can't! Just come with us, please! You can always rebuild this place!"

Her features ruffled in a panic. Why did she care so much? Oh… it must be about her little rebellion. If Garden were to be destroyed there would be no SeeDs to help her out. Like I said, everyone always has a reason to only act for themselves. But why is she so insistent to make Timber independent? What kind of benefit will it be for her? Unless she wants to take it over for herself…

"You can rest assured," the headmaster explained, "I am just going to try something. There still may be a way to save Garden."

He then tripped on his own feet, while Zell covered his mouth to keep from laughing. How could he stop missiles? What is he up to? There's no way! I guess he can't just face the fact that he might loose everything. Would it feel the same way as loosing Sis…?

"Hehe… I'm too old for this," the headmaster mumbled as picked himself up.

I helped him up and offered, "Sir, I'd like to handle whatever it is you're planning."

"And why is that?" he questioned me.

I don't know… Because you might screw up. Because I want to do more than announce the evacuation. Because this place is important to me, too. Because I want to find out your plan. Because this is my home. I don't know why… who cares?

"My feelings have nothing to do with it, sir," I lied.

The headmaster began to chuckle. "Quistis was right. You do have a hard time expressing your feelings."

Why bother…What is this? Why am I being judged? What does he care? I can get the job done more efficiently than he could ever accomplish. What's his problem? Does he want to protect Garden too? What is he up to?!

I swung my arm out in a demanding manner. "Sir! Please tell me your plan!"

He looked me over and then a smile crossed his face. I didn't get it.

"This building used to be a shelter long before it was remolded into the Garden as we know it," he told us and tossed me a shiny object. The key glistened in my hand as if it were the answer to all questions ever asked.

He continued, "Use that key to open the lock on the elevator. Opening the lock will give you access to the MD level. Rumor has it that further below the MD level, there is some kind of a control system. It was still a shelter, so I've never seen it. And have no idea what it does. All I know is that it was used for the shelter, so it might prove effective against the missiles. That's what I'm betting on."

Pretty out of odds betting. But I guess it's better than doing nothing. But to risk my life…Rinoa's and Zell's… I don't know. I glanced at the two to see if they were willing. Zell flashed me a thumbs up and a toothy grin, while Rinoa nodded and waved her arm to tell the headmaster that we'd take the responsibility.

Zell and I saluted along with Rinoa this time. "I understand," I told Cid, "We'll find the control panel system and check it out."

He nodded and called to us on our way out, "Good luck to all of you!"

Once in the elevator I inserted the key into the panel and turned it with a click. The elevator started to go below when it suddenly halted causing us to jolt and hold out our arms to keep balance. The lights suddenly flickered cutting off any power.

"There's gotta be a way outta here!" Zell exclaimed holding up his fist.

I glanced at the ground and noticed a crack in the carpeting. I bent down and dug my nails under it. With one swift pull, the hatch popped open.

"Alright!" Zell cheered.

I looked down the ladder that was drenched in spider webs. "Nobody's been down here for a while, so be careful," I told them.

I took hold of the ladder with Zell following behind.

"Stay here," I heard Rinoa command Angelo as she hurried to catch up.

Suddenly with out warning, the lights flashed back on and the elevator activated again as it tumbled down toward us. As fast as I could, I searched the area for a way out. If I couldn't find anything we'd be three flat pancakes! My heart began to beat wildly for my bones filled with panic. Ah ha! There just below the ladder was a small passageway to the air ducts.

With haste I threw myself in and turned around to see if the others had followed. Zell came in a few seconds later, but where was Rinoa? More panic filled my heart. She had to hurry! I saw a flash of blue fall past the opening and two tiny hands grip the edge of it.

"Squall!!!" she cried out for me to save her.

I hurried and grabbed her delicate hands pulling them up as fast as I could.

Slam. The elevator covered the passageway just as I fully retrieved her. Her breathing was short intakes of panicked breaths that I felt tickle against my neck. We remained knelt facing one another, as I still held her smooth soft palms. How beautiful she was, as I stared into chocolate eyes. A warm smile curved her face now as she mouthed the word thanks.

I abruptly drew away from her realizing that I was starting to feel for her. I couldn't do that again. So why am I getting close to these people…? Rinoa, Zell and the others. What's wrong with me?! I made myself promise never to care for anyone else again! I don't want to feel that pain, that torturous sorrow…

My thoughts were interrupted to my relief by Zell opening another hatch. He climbed down them with Rinoa and me following. Once fully down the ladder, I noticed that we were in an oil sternum. Black ooze adhered to the yellow metallic round tunnel. I tried to force my eyes to focus on the path ahead, but the lighting was too poor.

Rinoa reached out for my hand, but I shunned it away. I couldn't let her get near me. It was for our own good. I closed my hand and my eyes tight and a rush of cold shivered up my spine. I rubbed my fingers with my thumb almost feeling Rinoa's warm hand in mine. I opened my eyes to see her looking up at me curiously. Why was she doing this? Couldn't she get the hint that I don't want to get close?

I quickly looked away from her feeling ashamed for a reason I couldn't quite understand. With out warning to the others I speedily walked down the tunnel. Rinoa and Zell, totally unaware at first, dashed after me, calling for me to wait.

In total silence, we climbed down ladder after ladder. Just as I thought it would never end, we came across a high ceiling room with a massive circular structure that ended at the ceiling. Various kinds of mildew and rust covered the walls. The metal barred floors creaked under our weight.

Crack. Zell fell to the ground tripping for one of the bars gave out. He tugged his foot out by yanking at his knee. He then sat on the floor with his arms resting on his legs as he watched me circle the area. It was a dead end.

All three of us plopped on the ground searching the room with our eyes, in hopes to find some solution. Finally I caught the site of a narrow rusty ladder camouflaging against the circular structure.

"Man, another ladder…" Zell complained while looking down with his hands at his hips.

"I wonder where this thing goes?" Rinoa pondered out loud.

We looked up and noticed a control panel way above. I sighed. I wasn't in the mood to climb, after so much already.

"I'll go take a look," I instructed, "You two wait here."

With that, I made my way half way up, when I heard the ladder creak. I glanced at the popped off hinges. The ladder was too old to carry such weight! I clung on tight as I fell backwards.

Smash. Glass shattered everywhere as I tumbled into the control room. I brushed any broken bits off, not cutting myself at all because of the gloves I wore. A broken sheet of glass still hung on the window's frame but smashed to the ground by the force of gravity. I shuffled through the shards to examine the rather large panel. Surprisingly it only contained one button. I push the red shiny object and heard a rumbling noise come from below. I look out the window to see the ground change shape - there was now an exit.

Next, I balanced myself onto the shaky ladder to return to Rinoa and Zell.

"Squall, that was close! You all right?" my blonde friend asked with concern.

"Yeah," I replied dryly.

"Gosh," Rinoa exclaimed, "you scared me! That must've been terrifying!"

"Nothing new," I answered turning Zell's expression smug as Rinoa shook her head, "Come on let's go. We got work to do."

We entered the newly found exit to be welcomed by a metallic bridge. Flowing underneath it was a huge sea of oil. It bubbled and churned like a witch's cauldron. A flash of white grabbed my attention but when I turned to look it was gone. I stared into the thick black ooze as if I were hypnotized by it. What was Garden doing with this much oil? There's enough here to supply at least a thousand cars. Cid told me this used to be a shelter, but what's with the oil? Had they used it in case of power outage to run on this? But Garden has it's own generator…

Plop. Plop. On either side of us, two white blobs covered in black goo that resembled overstuffed squid blocked our way to the other side of the bridge. Before any of us could react the one on the right cried out in a gurgled voiced as if it had water stuck in its lungs, "Oil Blast!"

Then next thing I knew, a mass of black liquid erupted from its tiny circular mouth and stung Zell. His back hunched over in pain as he rested on his knee for support absolutely covered in black slime.

Rinoa aimed her Blaster's Edge, but again the squids were too fast for us. "Sonic Wave!" this time the left one shouted.

From out of no where a physic pink wave shook the ground under us. I held my head with eyes clenched trying to fight the confusion attack. But when I opened my eyes the scenery span causing everything to become a complete blur. I couldn't tell who were my enemies or allies. I held my gunblade tight trying to figure things out. I couldn't just strike out at anything or attack anyone who fought me for the others could have been under the spell as well.

Suddenly something cold pressed against my lips. I tensed wondering if it was a Remedy bottle or a tentacle from my enemy. When I felt liquid ooze down my throat my body completely stiffened. Was it oil or the Remedy? There was nothing I could do for fear of hurting the wrong person.

To my relief the images around me stopped spinning and slowly everything came into focus. Zell tossed the empty bottle aside as Rinoa and I readied an attack.

She extended her forearm, aiming at her target. With a snap her blade boomerang was released and sailed for the left monster's mouth. The blade seared it completely causing black oil to calmly fizzles out.

Catching it off guard, I struck my gunblade at it, taking off a few pieces of blubber. I attempted to slice it in half but the monster held my blade with its tentacles. My arms shook and ached from forcing my strength against it. The squid wasn't about to give in - its life was at stake. I pulled back, but lost grip of my weapon. I inched slowly backward, glancing right for help, but Rinoa and Zell were too busy fending the other off.

My mind raced with ideas. I held my head with my hand in concentration uttering the word, "Flare!" Next I swung out my hand causing a mass circle of orange-red formed at the center of the monster. Singes of fire and electricity pulsated throughout the squid's body. After the spell had taken its course the monster was nothing but a black charcoaled blob of fat. I retrieved my unharmed gunblade and raced over to the other monster to help my comrades.

Zell, still covered in oil, slammed his fist into his palm with a battle cry. Rinoa stepped back realizing he was at his limit. "Meteor Strike!" he shouted as he sprinted towards the enemy. With a great feat of strength Zell picked up the large monster, jumped up in the air, and slammed it back down, denting the bridge's pavement. The squid's remaining body oozed off the bridge and back into the oil.

"Disgusting," Rinoa commented.

"Uhg, tell me about it," Zell groaned lifting up his oil drenched arms. It would be impossible to wash it all off. "How the hell am I gonna get this stuff off?"

"Water!" Rinoa cast. From above Zell's head a mass of water splashed down on him. The oil washed off and onto the ground. Zell slicked his hair back, causing his spikes to lay flat.

"Gee thanks," he stated with sarcastic gratitude, "Now I'm wet."

Rinoa smiled and cast another spell, "Tornado!" Zell's eyes grew huge as a funnel appeared before him and picked him up. It spun him around while he screamed for dear life. Rinoa giggled and the cyclone died down.

"What the hell are you crazy?!" he screamed as I tired not to laugh. His hair was not only spiked but also extra puffy.

Rinoa could only just stifle her laughter as she pointed at him.

"Why am I always getting made fun of?" he mumbled to himself.

"We have to hurry," I changed the subject, "The missiles might be coming any minute now."

Both of their faces drastically changed serious at the topic. We sprinted in the next room realizing how important our duty was. Like all the other sections of the MD level, this place was rusty. I looked up to see a huge structure with a huge amount of gears each one a different size and shape. Below stood a control panel covered in spider webs that we walked over to.

"Looks like we're here…" I trailed off having no clue what to do.

"Oh man!" Zell complained at one look of all the buttons, "What the hell do we do now?"

How am I supposed to know? The headmaster doesn't even know. I searched the area for an instruction guide and amazingly found one.

"Hey what's that?" Rinoa asked looking over my shoulder.

I flipped through the pages and groaned realizing it wasn't in our language. I tossed the useless papers aside. We can't just stand around…

Recklessly I pressed a few buttons here and there and pulled on a hatch. Suddenly the ground began to shake and the geared structure began to spin to life as electricity shock through it.

All of us grabbed hold of the panel as the platform we stood on shot up into the air and crashed into the ceiling above. Derby flew everywhere as we smashed into the headmaster's office. Cid had been standing directly where we had ripped through and now sat on the platform.

All four of us in absolute shock looked around taking in everything that had happened. We had barricaded through the roof of Garden and stood out side. I looked up into the sky with dread and panic filling my stomach. A streak of smoke scared the blue sky as a volley of missiles clearly headed our way.

"NO!" Rinoa shouted.

"Missiles are coming!" I gasped.

Was this it? The end? I can't die now…I gulped as I closed my eyes and felt the ground shake. The wind blew in my hair as if we were moving. Moving? I opened my eyes to see the explosion of were Garden used to be. A huge cloud of smoke and fire erupted in a spectacle. If the missiles had hit, did that mean Selphie and the others…?

"I see," the headmaster stated as he stood up, "So this is the secret."

"Wow!" Rinoa exclaimed bending over the bars to look out.

"Oh man this is awesome!" Zell put in while bending over so much his feet rose off the ground.

"I wonder what's going on outside?" the headmaster asked.

"Squall, let's go check it out!" Zell bounced in excitement and used the elevator platform to get down back to Cid's office.

"Come on Rinoa, let's go," I beckoned to her.

We hurried to the elevator to catch up with him. At the second floor, we found Zell waiting for us. The other students and SeeDs ran around in a panic as to what was going on. The three of us scrambled through the crowd and went out the balcony door.

Seagulls from the beach happily chirped as they flew around Garden. The wind blasted our hair back with the sent of sea. The view below looked as though we were high on a mountaintop.

Rinoa's mouth formed a perfect circle as she peered out into the distance of the scenery. I watched her silk raven hair dance with the wind as she pushed a few unwanted strands out of her eyes behind her ear. She turned toward me her pink subtle lips enticed me as they curved into the most gorgeous smile I ever seen. She cocked her head still with that beautiful expression and locked eyes with me. The feeling I had when I first met her stung my heart. This time I didn't fight it - I endured it. Rinoa boldly closed the gap between us, watching my eyes. Had she figured it out? Did she know that the only way to understand what I was feeling was through my eyes?

"Hey you guys?!" Zell shouted as I ripped my gaze from Rinoa to him.

I raised an eyebrow in question.

He pointed toward Balamb with desperation. We were heading strait for it! With all the speed the three of us could muster, we sprinted back to the headmaster's office.

The headmaster quickly turned realizing our presence. "Squall! The controls aren't responding!" he informed, "I don't know what to do! We're going to crash into the town of Balamb if we don't do something!"

"No way! Can't we do something?" Rinoa asked.

"Man this can't be happening!" Zell shouted for the umpteenth time.

"Squall can you think of anything?" the headmaster questioned.

NO! I shouted in my mind.

Zell punched a fist into his palm. "Squall, C'MON!!!"

How should I know?! Why does everyone always look at me for answers? I'm no different than any of them. I don't know!

I growled in frustration pressing any button and pulled the lever left. The Garden suddenly jolted left nearly knocking us off our feet.

"WHOA!" Zell shouted, "What was that?!"

"Yes, we're turning!" the headmaster happily exclaimed and clapped his hand once.

"Alright, Squall!" Rinoa cheered, "You did it!"

"Whatever," I mumbled under my breath.

"AHH!" Zell screamed, "We're gonna crash into the sea!"

With a huge splash we tumbled into the ocean, but amazingly didn't sink. We floated southward with the wind. A sigh of relief erupted from all of us. To much excitement for one day!

"Phew. Squall, everyone. A job well done," the headmaster congratulated us, "I think the worst is behind us for now."

"Where are we heading?" Rinoa asked with curiosity.

"We'll drift along for the time being," the headmaster told us, "until we figure out how to maneuver the Garden. So it looks like we can finally relax for a while. And spend time considering what to do next. So much for my room. Where am I going to change now?"

Zell and Rinoa giggled at his joke. I couldn't see what was so funny. Whatever.

"Alright you three go and rest up," the headmaster instructed, "If something like this should happen again. You'll need it."

"Uh Cid…" Rinoa began, "I don't have a dorm to stay in."

He adjusted his glasses on his face. "Well, you can't stay with Zell or Squall." With my name mentioned Rinoa's cheeks burned red as she smiled embarrassed. I don't get it. "I'm sure Selphie wouldn't mind if you borrowed her room," Cid chatted on, "An extra pair of keys is-"

Yeah yeah. I didn't need to hear this. Zell and I left to head back to the dorms. I yawned on the way. The headmaster was right; I really needed some well-deserved rest.

I woke up in the middle of the night plagued by my constant thoughts. I stared blankly up at the ceiling barely seeing the chipping white paint. The only light that shined in from my room was that of the moon. I held my arm over my forehead as I sighed deeply.

How long has it been since we started moving? There's not much to do now. We've taken care of all the chaos with the fighting amongst the students. I still have to report to the headmaster but he's been really busy with restoring complete order among Garden. There are a lot of things I want to ask him about…but I guess I'll have to put it on hold.

I tossed the white sheet off me casually as I lifted myself up and gazed out the window. All I could see was the black waters of the vast sea. The stars in the sky twinkled and danced like diamonds on black velvet.

We're in the middle of no where. Man I'm bored… I hate having nothing to do. It gets me thinking too much. Hopefully in the morning the headmaster will have a new assignment for us… unless he wants us to go back to Timber.

I sat back down on my stiff-as-a-board excuse for a bed with my arms draped over my thighs. I hope Selphie and the others are all right. They didn't stop the missiles so does that mean they've been caught? Are they dead? Was it wrong for me to let them go? I wonder how Quistis and Irvine felt about it.

I lay back down throwing the covers back over my body. That sorceress… who is she? Why fire missiles at the Garden? Could she be that angry as to do something drastic like that? Or does she have some other motive? Is Seifer ever coming back? And why is he so into pleasing her? What did she do to him? There's something way off about him, he'd never turn against us like that. He may tease us and even go as far and beat us up. But never to the death. To him it's always been fun and games. What's he up to? He's…changed. I'll get even with him next time…

That morning I was awoken by the sound of Rinoa's soft tender voice. "Hey," she called under her giggles as I opened one groggy eye at her, "You looked so adorable, sleeping like a baby. Come on, get up. Let's go."

She then playfully flung the covers off me. I, now fully awake, with panic grabbed the blanket and covered myself. I had only a pair of boxers on.

Rinoa's face turned completely red as she laughed even harder. "Whoops," she apologized.

Whatever. She shouldn't have sneaked into the boy's dormitory wing anyway, never mind come barging in MY dorm.

"Go where?" I asked her as I pointed for her to turn around so I could get dressed.

"Give me a tour of Garden," she answered while I slipped on my leather pants.

"It's okay to look now," I told her and grabbed my white shirt.

"So?" she asked with her head cocked and her cheeks still highlighted with a rose color.

I tugged my T-shirt on and shoved in any of the loose ends into my pants. "…Is this another one of your orders?" I asked now buckling my belt and glancing around for my boots.

"No," she replied as she held out my shoes, which I quickly snatched, from her, "I just want you to show me around. You know to get acquainted with the place. Please?"

She began to fidget with her coat pulling off loose pieces of fuzz.

"Fine," I complied once I finished buckling my boots.

She began to clap and jump with joy as a tiny smile curved her face into a happy feature.

Before I could retrieve my jacket, she snatched my hand and dragged me out of the dorm and into the main hall of Garden.

"This place is huge! Do you think it's bigger than Galbadia Garden?" she asked as she leaned over the railing to peer into the circular stream around Garden's elevator.

"Who knows," I replied as I headed over to the cafeteria.

"What's over here?" she questioned eager to know where we were headed.

"The cafeteria."

She glanced in the other direction and I stopped to wait for her. "What about over there?" she pointed out to the right of the dorm entrance.

"The parking lot."

She turned to me with her hands clasped behind her back with a coy grin. "Squall, I really appreciate you showing me around. But can you make it a little more fun? You know, like a normal tour?"

What does she want from me? And what does she mean by a normal tour? Whatever. All I knew was that I wanted breakfast.

We entered the cafeteria to find the usual long line. I noticed Zell stood at the end. I didn't feel like being bothered by him too so I gave Rinoa "a more fun" tour.

I held my hand at my hip and explained, "This is the cafeteria."

Rinoa held her arm with her other limb across her stomach waiting for me to elaborate.

I waved my hand as if shoeing off a fly. "Obviously, this is where we take our meals," I continued as the line shortened, "but keep in mind, there's always competition for the good stuff. Especially the hotdogs." I gestured to the tables. "Some of the hotdogs are so popular, you'll be lucky just to see some one eat it."

I returned my hand at my hip and continued, "That's why you see this long line, everyday." I shook my head, "If you get there too late…"

"We've sold out for today!" the cafeteria lady behind the counter informed Zell, "Sorry."

Zell slumped over in disappointment.

"That's what happens." He then began to shake his fists in total anger trying to pass the tantrum.

"I see…" Rinoa stated then began to laugh so hard she had to hold her stomach as it began to ache.

"What's so funny?" I asked her.

She pointed to me and replied, "You're so serious when you're explaining. It just seems…kinda odd."

I swung my arm out. "You're the one who asked me to show you around."

"Oh I'm sorry!" she apologized and cocked her head, "You don't have to get mad like that…" She began to giggle again as she covered her smiling mouth.

Whatever. I folded my arms and looked away from her and walked up to Zell as he began to talk to himself, "Dammit! Not again!"

He wiped his mouth and held his fist in the air happily. "Hey, if it isn't Squall," he greeted, "How long were you here?" he asked knowing that I tend to stay in the shadows.

Rinoa held her palm up and answered, "We saw the whole thing."

Zell jumped back from shock. "Huh?! Rinoa's here, too?! Oh man, I'm not always like that, okay?" he tried to tell her.

"So you couldn't buy any…?" she asked with her hands on her hips.

Zell held his head as he looked down. "A-ah…It's okay to miss one meal a day. I…I've gained some weight lately, too." He then quickly looked up and slightly saluted, "W-well, see ya!" With that he ran off.

After eating a good hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon unlike Zell who wanted hotdogs, we made our way to the parking lot. Inside only a few cars had remained due to the fact that they were used during the evacuation. The dank dark room had only been lit with the dim yellow lights along the edges.

"Just a parking lot," I told Rinoa, "nothing special."

She held her arm like before, "That's it?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

She suddenly slapped her forehead and shook her head with a sigh. "Never mind. Let's go."

I took her into the next hall way that lead into the Training center. I slid my ID card into the cardkey reader to the right of the metallic doors and they opened revealing the inner gates of the monster's lair. Fog poured in as I felt the moist humid air. We walked over to the fork of the center, as I felt glad I left my jacket behind.

"This is the training center or, as we call it, the monster's lair," I told Rinoa while she wiped a bead of sweat from her brow, "The monsters are left to run loose so the students can get a feel for actual combat." I lifted my palm up questionably, "Wanna try?"

Rinoa shook her head with a child-like smile and replied, "You know I can image you doing this on a first date." She clasped her hands. "You're so romantic…"

I lifted an eyebrow. Was she trying to suggest something? I slyly smiled at her to her surprise as I took her hand and pulled her into the main path of the monster's lair.

After taking out those few annoy grats we made it to the "secret area". I remembered how much she enjoyed the scenery of Garden before, and now you could have a clear view of the sea and the animal life below.

I opened the door to the balcony. At first the intense light blinded us but our eyes slowly adjusted. The sea's salty wind blew our hair back as tiny speckles of water slightly damped our clothing. She ran up to the railing and looked out at Garden. It wasn't as beautiful as it was the night of the ball, but it was still something to see. I slowly walked up to the balcony's edge and leaned against it with my arms folded and watched the sea's waves crash against Garden. After a moment a school of dolphins splashed out of the water playing with one another as they squeaked with delight.

"Wow…Squall," she told me in awe, "This is so beautiful." She turned to me a tiny smile across her face.

"It's even more gorgeous at night," I informed still looking out at the scenery.

With out warning she encircled her arms around my right one and leaned her head against it, snuggling me. She sighed as she closed her eyes. A serene expression floated along her face. What did she think she was doing? I suddenly felt uncomfortable and yanked my arm away from her and hastily walked out the door. She followed me behind in total silence as I killed the grats that blocked our way.

The next place I took her was the library. Upon entrance an ecstatic grin plastered her face as she began to jump in excitement.

"Wow! This is so cool!" she expressed looking around at all the books, "Can I look around?"

I nodded as she bounced with her hands on her chest, and then she quickly walked over to examine the shelves.

I almost smiled at how she seemed to enjoy books. There wasn't much on these shelves anyway. Just a bunch of non-fiction: how to cast magic spells, learning the art of any weapon, physical combat, how to control your Guardian Force, history, and so on. I decided to wait for her in the other end of the library wear the studying desks were.

As I walked past the shelves to my destination, I saw the same woman from the infirmary and at the monster's lair. She sat in one of the desk chairs all alone, resting her chin on her palm. I walked up to her, extremely curious as to whom she was. She was so familiar, yet I couldn't quite tell who she was.

"Hi," she greeted once she caught sight of me. Her deep brown eyes seemed so familiar it was uncanny.

"I saw you in the infirmary," I told her.

"You saved me from the monster," she reminded me and turned her chair around so she could face me better.

I placed my hand on my hip and asked blankly getting to the point, "Who are you?"

"Try to remember," she simply stated.

"Remember?" I repeated in question.

Her features furrowed in hurt. "It'd be heartbreaking for me to know I was forgotten." With that she turned the chair back around refusing to look at me.

I held my forehead in thought as I narrowed my eyebrows in concentration. Remember? So I know this girl? But she doesn't ring a bell at all, not even her voice. I must have been close to her by the way she seems so sad that I forgot her but…

Rinoa gracefully waltzed up to me and took my hand. "Show me around so more, Squall," she begged.

I nodded and she yanked me out of the library. I turned to see the woman smile and wave me goodbye. Who was she?!

On the way out, back into the crowded halls, we bumped into Dr. Kadowaki. She wore her usual white doctor's coat and held a clipboard and a file full of papers. A mischievous smile curved and wrinkled the old woman's face as her eyes brightened with surprise.

"Hi there, Squall," she greeted, "Oh my…It's not everyday, I see you walk around with a girl! Is she your girlfriend?"

Girlfriend? Why would she think that? I glanced down to see Rinoa's cheeks turning bright red and her hand gripped in mine. Okay yeah, we did look like a couple. So what was the big deal if she was my girlfriend.

"No," I corrected, "I'm just showing her around."

Rinoa turned to me with her hands on her hips as if she were angry. "Squall…Gosh, can't you just say 'yes' for fun?"

"Alright then 'yes'," I replied pretending to be dumb.

She slapped her forehead in annoyance and shook her head. "Say it like you mean it!"

I smirked at her and took her hand again, which shocked Dr. Kadowaki. So what, I was flirting. Wouldn't you? Besides, what was such a shock that I did it? All the other students do that all the time in front of the doctor. So what was the difference with me?

The doctor began to chuckle as she covered her mouth. "You guys are cute," she told us to my annoyance, "Oh do you know here headmaster Cid is? That guy works too hard. Tell him to come see me when you see him."

Dr. Kadowaki left with playful smile and a wink. Oh God, having Rinoa around is so embarrassing. But it does have its ups and downs, I thought as I looked down at Rinoa's beautiful grinning face.

Just then a member of the Garden Faculty walked up to us and asked, "Student ID no. 41269, Squall Leonhart?"

"Yes," I stated wondering what he wanted.

"The Garden Master wishes to see you. Report to the Master's room right away," he ordered.

"Take the elevator to B1. You have permission."

Rinoa and I glanced at each other in question, but when we turned our gaze back to the member he was gone.

I shrugged, "Looks like we've got no choice."

Ding. The elevator doors opened up to an extremely cold room. Both Rinoa and I shook at the temperature as we saw the fog of our breath. The room was dark and lit with a blue glowing light coming from the floor below the small staircase. The designs on the flooring matched the floating circle around Garden. The place gave off an ominous mysterious aura that gave me a bad feeling.

In the distance I heard a familiar voice beg, "Please! Listen to me!"

The elevator doors opened again to reveal Zell. "What are you guys doing down here?" he asked as he trotted down the stairs to meet us, "What? Oh me? I came cuz I saw you guys."

I turned to my left to see anther of the Garden faculty gripping Headmaster Cid by the arm forcefully dragging him.

"Let go of me! I'm not finished!" the headmaster yelled and was thrown to the ground, "Greedy son-of-a-bitch! Why did I even bother talking to you!"

Cid rose to his feet and got into the faculty's face yelling like a drill Sargent, "SeeDs were brought up for the future! And that future is now! Why can't you understand?!"

The member simply picks Cid up by the collar and throws him to the ground with an oof.

The headmaster held his head with his palm and his eyes narrowed in defeat and anger. "Dammit!" he cussed, "I should have never trusted you! I wish I could go back ten or so years," he yelled and rose to his feet, "So I could tell myself that you're nothing buy a money grubbing son-of-a-bitch! Then I would've never built this place." He leaned on his knees arching his back and glanced over in our direction.

"Squall?!" he stated shocked, "You heard everything?"

I nodded.

"I'm embarrassed," he told us looking down, "but sometimes even old men like me lose their temper," he lifted his arms our wide in gesture, "Let's get out of here."

"Sir," I grabbed his attention before the steps, "I still have to give you my report."

"Please come by my office later."

"Oh and that doctor," Rinoa began, "She wants you to go to the infirmary. She sounded very serious."

"Hehe," he chuckled, "Looks like I finally made her mad."

With that he left and the faculty member walked up to us and asked, "You're the SeeDs who returned from Galbadia, correct?"

"Yes," I answered.

"It's about time. Master NORG has been waiting for you. Come."

We followed him around the corner to see a huge structure similar to that of a spaceship. It was circular and jutted out barley leaving any space in the gigantic basement.

The three of us suddenly jumped with panic as we heard a frightening inhuman growl come from behind the metallic doors.

"Whenever, Master NORG calls you, be sure to be there within three seconds," the faculty told us and backed off.

"Three seconds are up!" an inhumanly low voice chastised with rage.

The spaceship or whatever that thing was opened it's doors letting a mass of fog and vapor to burst out. The cloud cleared to reveal a village elder from the shumi village. But unlike anything you'd expect he was bright yellow and had a potbelly. His chubby cheeks hung to the side covering most of his face. Just above were his stout nose and his beady eyes. He held his meter long bonny hands across his stomach, which took most of the space inside the cockpit.

The three of us gasped at the sight with our mouths completely a gape. This is the Grandmaster? The proprietor of Garden? He's not human? Come to think of it, we didn't know anything about him…what a shock!

"Give your report of the Sorceress," he ordered.

"Answer him quickly," the faculty advised, "be concise."

Now where do I start? It's going to be a sad report.

All three of us stood at attention. "We failed to assassinate Sorceress Edea," I informed sullenly, "Confirmation of Headmaster Cid's order was made at Galbadia Garden. After Irvine Kinneas of Galbadia Garden joined our party…we set off to carry out the 'sorceress assassination' order from Balamb and Galbadia Gardens-"

"Balamb and Galbadia Gardens' orders?!" Master NORG screamed causing us to jolt with fear. He swung his arms with anger, "You were fooled!"

Fooled? What's he talking about. Headmaster Martine told us about the signed order in which Quistis showed us. Why would they lie?

"I… don't understand," I told NORG.

"Explain to them," he ordered the faculty member totally annoyed as if we were small children.

"Master NORG has known about the alliance between president Galbadia and the sorceress," the member explained, "He heard it from the Galbadia Garden master himself."

"The Galbadia Garden Master?" I questioned narrowing my eyes in concentration and confusion.

"Yes," he continued, "In fact, the sorceress and Garden are closely connected. That is why the sorceress will definitely try to gain hold of all Gardens. So master NORG sent an official order to Galbadia Garden. It was thought to be the best means but-"

"That sly weasel Martine," NORG put in with even more anger filling his beady eyes, "used you as a last resort for the assassination. He gave that order to place the blame on me! That bastard!"

"Are you saying Balamb Garden had nothing to do with that order?" I asked trying to clear things up.

"You just happened to show just before the mission was to be carried out," the member continued, "They used you. But the operation failed. The sorceress is still alive and…she retaliated just as we suspected. No doubt, it was the sorceress who ordered the missile attacks. Something must be done to calm the sorceress's anger."

"Wait a minute. That's just-" I started but was interrupted by the member.

"In order to do so, we needed to hand over those involved in the assassination to the Sorceress. We had to show Balamb Garden's sincerity."

NORG added, "Offer the SeeD's head on a silver platter and pretend to obey the sorceress!"

"Wha…" I stuttered as I heard Zell gulp and Rinoa cover her mouth as she gasped.

He can't kill us. How dare he go against his own! I swung my arm out in utter anger. "Why aren't we fighting the sorceress?!" I demanded as Zell clenched his fists in anger. I pointed to the exit, "What about all the training we endure everyday?! What good is it?!"

"What did you say?!" NORG asked shocked that someone would retaliate against him, "You lost to the sorceress quit your wining!"

Zell stomped on the ground in a tantrum as I held my hand near the handle of my gunblade.

"Headmaster Cid was saying the same thing," mumbled the member but her ran away once NORG shot him a menacing glance.

"Cid?!" the Garden Master yelled, "That idiot dispatched SeeD to kill the sorceress. And if you fail? The Garden will be done for! My Garden! It will all be over! That idiot. Has he forgotten that it was I who put up the money to establish Garden?! I wanted to offer the sorceress Cid's head along with the SeeD's. I ordered the students to find Cid and kill him, but they sided with him! This is my Garden!"

"NO!" I shouted to his annoyance and surprise as I swung my arm out, "It's not just yours!"

"Then what is it?! Is it Cid's and Edea's?! That pathetic married couple's!?"

"What…?" I asked shocked. I folded my arms. The headmaster and Edea are married?! I don't get it. If Cid built Garden to destroy the sorceress why would he want to hurt his wife?

"Now I understand," NORG came to a conclusion, "Cid and Edea are trying to take Garden away from me. You're one of Cid's followers, aren't you? Prepare to die!"

"Squall…" Rinoa uttered as she touched my left arm for she feared the Garden Master. I retrieved my gunblade from my belt, while Zell punched the air preparing for battle.

"Blizzara!" NORG cast as he lifted up his hands.

Suddenly from under Zell's feet an icicle jutted up and shattered freezing him to the bone even more than before. He counterattacked by smashing the yellow blob of a creature with a mach kick and heel drop.

"Draw Leviathan!" Rinoa cried out acquiring the new GF.

"Tornado!" the Garden Master shouted another spell.

From out of nowhere a mass of wind whipped the three of us into the air. We span around in circles causing me to become extremely dizzy. Abruptly the wind died down and we were slammed to the ground by gravity.

I wobbly rose to my feet still effected by the magic to see Rinoa aiming her blaster's edge at the enemy and released it. With one quick swipe, her boomerang-like weapon smashed through NORG and quickly returned to her in a flash of green. I didn't realize it at first, but she had junction poison to her blade rendering the Garden Master to carefully choose his attacks for they would also cause damage against him.

"You intolerable SeeDs!" NORG shouted clenching his fists. He held his arms high into the air. A ball of blue and pink light formed between his long eerie fingers. He suddenly swung his hands down sending the ball of energy flying at me.

Just before the mass of energy could hit me I heard Zell and Rinoa shout at the same time, "Triple Protect!"

I shielded myself as best I could from the attack holding my gunblade in front of me. The ball of light smashed me against the wall just as a blue light encircled the front of all three of us. My throbbing body slummed limply to the ground as I clenched my eyes shut in pain. I felt as though I had just been trampled over by a crowd of people. I grazed the back of my head and examined my hand to see it completely covered in blood - I had split open the scab on the back of my skull from my battle with Seifer.

"Water!" Rinoa preformed another spell. A tiny droplet of vapor soon turned into a huge bubble of liquid just above NORG's head. It exploded and splashed against him and his machinery causing it to malfunction.

The Garden Master growled in anger as a pool of water formed under him. It was as though a piece of the sea had been conjured up. At the same time two dolphins splashed out of the puddle while Zell upercutted NORG. The dolphins sailed back into the water slapping their tails against the enemy's head.

"Renzokuken!" I spat with fury as I sprinted toward the cockpit of the ship. I leaped into the air with both hands gripped around my gunblade tight. Slice after slice I ripped my gunblade though the Garden Master's body. I returned to my position and shouted my other half of my limit, "Blasting Zone!" I held my gunblade high into the air forming a mass of white light to glow straight through the ceiling. The light was so intensely bright it blinded mine and the others vision. I then, swung my blade level with NORG causing the light to follow with it. The intense beam vaporized the growling Garden Master to nothing but dust.

I placed my gunblade back into my belt and faced the others as I took in long deep breaths caused by my limit.

"What the hell was that?" Zell asked still shocked by all that we had seen.

"Forget about it for a now," I told him logically.

"I can't believe you said that," Rinoa commented hugging herself, "I think what just happened is really serious."

"What's the point of talking about it now?!" I snapped turning my anger of all the lies on her, "You don't know what's going on, either!" I saw the look of hurt display across her face and my eyes softened not wanting her to cry. "This is crazy. I don't know what's going on anymore," I told them in much calmer tone, "I feel like a helpless puppet being manipulated in some major scheme."

Rinoa slowly walked up to me and whispered her hot breath tickling my ear, "Squall, take it easy. You should go get that cut checked up in the infirmary. Please? I worry about you."

I turned my head to the left to face her. Her coffee bean eyes filled with hurt as they arched up holding back unshed tears. She did care… but why? She was falling into the same trap as I did with sis. Relying on someone too much and then having them ripped from you. The pain of realizing how much they protected you and how you could never return the favor. It was all too familiar. But I had a burning desire to protect, this angel Rinoa. I couldn't understand exactly what I was feeling and the lies and secrets about Garden just added on to my desperate thoughts.

"Yeah…" I finally replied after searching Rinoa's eyes for the answer to everything, "I'm going to see doctor Kadowaki and the Headmaster."

Zell punched his palm with gumption as we walked back to the elevator.

We entered the infirmary to see Dr. Kadowaki walking out from the bedded area for the sick. Her wrinkles curved up as she began to smile at our arrival, but with a slight panic in her eyes. What was wrong?

"Do you need to see the headmaster?" she asked us.

"Yes, now," I told her urging to see him as soon as possible. I wanted to figure out what was behind everything. What were the secrets of SeeD that Seifer demanded to know back in the prison? And who exactly was this NORG? And if the headmaster really is married to the sorceress.

"Well the headmaster is kind of-" she began to say but was cut off by him.

"I'm okay now doctor," he assured her.

She lifted her hand up with her palm facing the ceiling in question. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," he answered, "I believe I'm done crying."

Crying? Was he worried about his job? His wife? Were they divorced? What?

Dr. Kadowaki shook her. "Just take it easy okay?" She turned towards us and explained, "He's got a lot on his mind."

She stepped aside and we entered the same room I had laid in before when Seifer had scarred me. The headmaster sat on the bed with his legs off to the side. Once he noticed the three of us he stood with a smile. Zell and Rinoa spread throughout the room so we all could have a clear view of him.

Headmaster Cid laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his head like Laguna would do in a tight spot. "You all see me in such an embarrassing state," he commented and clasped his hands behind his back, "So what shall we talk about?"

"I want to make my report," I told him realizing that had been delayed for quite some time.

He scratched his head and responded, "No, no. It's not necessary. I can guess what must've happened."

I placed my hand on my hip and asked, "Then can you please tell me the real meaning of SeeD?"

"SeeD is SeeD," he stated not understanding what I meant, "The elite mercenary force of Balamb Garden. Hmm, do you know something about SeeD?"

I never know anything… I realized. I was sick and tired of being in the dark about everything. I feel like I'm loosing control of my life. I don't know whom to trust anymore. Headmaster Martine lied about who ordered the mission, but there was no way that I could have known.

Cid folded his arms and gestured, "SeeD will defeat the sorceress. The Garden will train SeeD members. The many missions around the world are only training for the final battle against the sorceress. But now that sorceress had become a major threat, our true mission has begun."

That cleared some things up but now added more questions. Why would he have developed Garden that would only result in him fighting against his wife? And was it necessary for that to be our true mission? Why would all sorceresses be bad? They're human like everyone else. It didn't make any sense.

"Yo, what about Sorceress Edea," Zell asked, "Ain't she your wife?"

Cid nodded. "You're quite right…" he sighed and seemed to have a look of shear despair and melancholy in his bloodshot eyes. "She had been a sorceress since childhood. I married her, knowing that. We were happy. We worked together the two of us. We were very happy." He folded his arms and seemed to pause remembering the sweet past he so missed. "One day, Edea began talking about building the Garden and training SeeD. I became obsessed with that plan. But I was very concerned with SeeD's goal, that one day SeeD might fight Edea… She laughed and told me that would never happen." He dropped his head in depression, "However…"

Now I was really confused. Why would the sorceress want to build an organization that would later destroy her? But didn't Seifer want to know the meaning of SeeD for her? Shouldn't she have known? I don't get it!

"Please tell me about Master NORG," I pleaded hoping to get at least that straight.

"He is from the Shumi tribe. A black sheep of the tribe, one might say," he began, "We met while I was running around trying to find funds to build the Garden. He became interested in building the Garden, and we hit it off. Thanks to his funding, it was completed. However, we needed an enormous amount of funds to run the Garden. So we began dispatching SeeDs around the world as a means of supporting Garden. NORG's idea was right on the money. An enormous amount of capital began flowing into the Garden. And the Garden began to change. Lost sight of our high ideals. The truth was covered up…" He scratched his head trying to think of what else. "That's probably enough. In the end, it was my fault for giving up control."

"What do we do now?" Rinoa asked brushing up against me from behind.

"We must stop drifting around soon… I only hope that we can get things back to the way they were."

With nothing more to ask that wouldn't be prying into his business, the three of us left and headed off to take a visit to the library. Rinoa for the books, Zell for his crush, and me? Well I was dragged along by Rinoa, the devil in angel's clothing.

But before we could get there, Xu started dashing down the steps in utter panic and called desperately, "Squall! Squall! Have you seen the headmaster around?"

I held my hand at my hip and replied calmly, "He's at the infirmary."

Rinoa held her arm across her chest and commented, "Sounds like trouble. What's wrong?"

She pointed to the elevator swiftly, "Go to the second floor deck and see for yourself. There's a ship approaching. It could be Galbadians or worse; the sorceress might be abroad, coming to attack us! I have to tell the headmaster right away!"

Instantly she left in a mad rush as we made haste up the steps and through the elevator.

I busted open the doors to the outside to see a huge white ship. The deck of the beautiful dove-like vessel was planked with wood. The mass at the back of the massive ship flailed out like a peacock's feathers in majesty of white.

On deck three suited soldiers looked up at us wearing white uniforms. They looked exactly like those that took that familiar girl away back in the monster's lair.

"Is headmaster Cid here?" the leader of the three asked me shouting over the roar of the crashing waves.

I swung my arm out and answered to protect him just in case, "No, he's not here. Are you from Galbadia?"

"We are SeeDs!" he explained to my shock, "This is Edea's ship. We are sorceress Edea's SeeD!"

Now wait just a second… didn't Cid just say that SeeD was supposed to oppose the sorceress? It must be some trick…

"We're coming aboard! We're unarmed!" he reasoned.

They jumped up on the balcony in a fancy synchronized flip. I didn't trust them at all and I unleashed my gunblade, which caused Zell and Rinoa to bare their fangs with their weapons.

"Please. We come in peace," he told us and I noticed he really didn't have any artillery.

I slowing with caution placed my blade back in its holster followed by Rinoa and Zell calming.

"We must speak to Headmaster Cid. Where is he?" they asked again.

"I'm right here," Cid spoke causing us to shift over to the side.

Xu and him spoke of many things that board me to death.

"We've come for Ellone. It's too dangerous here now," the leader of the white SeeD explained.

Ellone? But wasn't she that girl from Winhill in the "dream world"? So she's real? But why didn't I see her? Did I hear right? Maybe they meant Edea…

The headmaster turned toward me and ordered, "Squall, you know who she is. She's around her in Garden somewhere in Garden."

Who are these guys? How are they connected? Laguna was a Galbadian solider. What did that have to do with SeeD? Or Ellone? She's just a little girl…

"Squall?" Cid stated my name to kick me out of my daze.

I saluted and replied, "Yes, sir."

Once back inside where the air-conditioner felt just like heaven against the intense heat of outdoors, Zell abruptly stopped to talk of Ellone.

He held his palm up in question, "Squall, Ellone's that girl huh?" he asked and then held up his fist, "Y'know, that little girl Laguna was taking care of."

"Probably," I said and held leaned my hand on my hip.

"So she's in the Garden? Where is she?"

I shook my head.

Zell pointed toward the hall and suggested, "Let's split up and find her."

I nodded in agreement.

"Hey, Squall, who's Ellone?" Rinoa asked curious.

"She's a person in the 'dream world'," I told her.

"Oh," she simply stated confused.

"Hey c'mon Rinoa," Zell called, "Come with me since you don't know what she looks like."

She gladly sprinted along with him to search the second floor. I on the other hand rambled through the first. I finally happened upon the library with no such luck as to where she could be. I headed to the back and spotted that mysterious girl. I examined her and realized that she looked like Ellone but fifteen years older. The same black coffee hair and big light brown eyes. It must be her…

"Yes, Squall?" she asked looking up at me from the chair she sat in.

"Are you… Ellone?" I questioned unsure.

"Yes…" she told me as I looked away at my shoes.

"You're Ellone? The Ellone?" I asked in disbelief.

She nodded.

What's going on? How can this be? How can that dream world be linked to now? And why was she so much older…?

"You know…Laguna don't you?" I asked just to make sure.

She bobbed her head and answered, "I do. I really love Uncle Laguna."

I swung my arms out in anger and amazement. "The tell me!" I demanded, "What is it that we experience?!"

"I'm sorry, Squall" she apologized ashamed and hurt by the sudden change in her features, "It's hard to explain."

I walked away from her a few feet to angry to even be near her. I didn't need this.

"but…" she shuddered to find the words, "one thing… It's about the past."

The past? Well, that would explain her age but why?

I saw her get up out of the corner of my eye and her turn her back to me. "People say you can't change the past," she turned to me, "But even still, if there's a possibility, it's worth a try right?"

I held my head in frustration and raked it through my hair. Change the past? Is she serious? Give me a break…

"Are you the one responsible?!" I inquired angrily, "Are you the one taking us to that 'dream world'?!"

She looked away with her eyelids arched to hold back tears. "I'm sorry," she apologized again.

I sighed. So much I don't understand… I held my head and tried to think. So does that mean Laguna's real? That all of it happened around fifteen to twenty years ago?

I swung my arms out feeling anger build up in me. "Why me?!" I shouted, "I have enough problems as it is! Don't get me involved in this!"

"I'm sorry."

I took a seat while telling her, "Don't count on me."

I slumped forward leaning my elbows on my thighs and my hand half through my hair.

"Squall, did you find Ellone?" I recognized Xu's voice but didn't bother to respond or look up.

"Uhmm…I'm Ellone," she answered.

"Are you alright?" Xu asked.

Suddenly I felt Ellone's hand on my shoulder. She leaned forward to look at the side of my face.

"You're my only hope," she whispered causing me to flinch.

Once she left I trooped up to my dorm to sleep all of this off. It was way too much information. I couldn't take it all. Nor did I believe any of it. What was happening in my life? I couldn't get Ellone's words out of my head. "You're my only hope." But why me?

I shifted in my bed with a sigh. Why do people depend on each other? In the end you're all alone. I've made it this far by myself. Sure, I couldn't do a thing when I was a kid. I've depended on others but… I'll be the first one to admit that I'm here because of other people. I'm fine by myself now. I have the skills to survive. I'm not a child anymore. I don't need anyone…

That's a lie. I' don't know anything. I'm confused. I don't want to depend on anyone. How can I do that? Someone tell me… Someone? So I'll end up depending on others after all…

I remember that day quite clear when Sis left… It had been down pouring, as I stood outside in the freezing cold soaked still hopeful about how everything would be okay. My yellow striped shirt and blue jeans clung to my body like a second skin due to the rain. My black sneakers squeaked with water and dampened my socks. I stood in front of the orphanage, depressed about her leaving.

"Sis…" I called her name sadly and looked up at the falling sky, "I'm all alone. But I'm doing my best…" I stomped on the ground with anger causing spurts of water droplets to spill out of my shoe. "I'll be okay without you, Sis. I'll be able to take care of myself."

But I really couldn't… now I wasn't okay…

In the morning I awoke to open my eyes to peer into Rinoa's bold browns. They were big and full with excitement, which added to her tiny smile as she saw me open one eye and turn over to cover my head with my pillow.

"Hey again," she greeted and ripped the pillow from my grasp. I moaned in displeasure as I yanked the covers over my head.

"I think I heard you talking in your sleep," she told me as I sat up flipping the sheet off my head and gave her a demanding look.

"I'm not telling!" she teased like a two-year-old. A laugh emitted from her throat as she noticed my horrified frown. What could she have heard?! I hope nothing embarrassing… Oh god… I did have a dream about her, which could be extremely embarrassing. Stupid dreams!

She placed her hand on her hip and changed the subject to my relief, "Hey, let's go for a walk."

"Again?" I asked slumping back down in my bed and leaned against the white chipping wall.

She held her arm bashfully and explained, "That was a guided tour! This time it's a walk."

"Just go by yourself," I suggested wanting more than anything to sleep, "It's safe here."

She held her chin as if to think it over and quickly answered, "It's not that I want a guard with me," she slapped her forehead and continued, "You know… you're always too deep in thought. Why don't you lighten up a little? It's not good to think too much. What I'm trying to say is," she bowed playfully with a silly smirk crowning her face and adjusted her voice to that of old England, "It would be my honor… to have your company, your highness, in hope that I may get your mind off things."

She HAD to be kidding! Is she trying to make fun of me? I almost laughed when she looked up at me and asked, "How about it, your highness?"

"This is stupid," I told her and looked away with my arms folded.

"Ah, your highness is in a foul mood," she commented.

Rinoa didn't leave but just kept that pleading bow. Okay! Whatever. Jeez. Man is she persistent!

"Fine," I gave in.

"Thank you, your highness," she stated in gratitude and adjusted her voice back to normal, "Okay let's get goin'!"

She yanked my wrist causing me to tumble out of bed.

With an embarrassed laugh and a rose color in her cheeks she commented, "Nice boxers, Leonhart!"

My eyes grew huge with shock as she continued to laugh. "Get out!" I screeched and pushed her out the door slamming it behind her. I could still hear her howling with laughter. This was the second time Rinoa saw me in my underwear! What is she trying to do? And it didn't help that I was wearing the one's Selphie had given me for graduation that were covered in hearts and baby cartoon lions…

After getting dressed I opened the door to see Rinoa waiting patiently for me while petting a wagging Angelo on the head. He panted with utter delight at his owner's touch.

"Such cutesy boxers," Rinoa teased again.

I sighed frustrated, which caused her to laugh harder.

"Hey wait a sec how do you know what Squall's boxers look like?" Zell asked shouting down the hall causing people to stare.

I covered my bright red face and walked down the hall pretending not to know them.

"They have little lions on them!" Rinoa continued as I hunched and pulled my jacket collar up to cover my face.

The male dormitory hall erupted in a fit of laugher as my lips formed a straight-frustrated line.

I pinned Rinoa against the wall and told her menacingly, "I swear Rinoa, you tell anyone else, and you will face the ultimate torture!"

"And what's that?" she challenged.

"This!" I stated and playfully began to tickle Rinoa in the stomach. She doubled over in uncontrollable giggles and thrashed her arms around while screaming between laughter and in takes of breath, "Stop! Stop!"

"Hello everyone," the headmaster's voice echoed against the walls over the intercom. I abruptly stopped to listen to the news in mid tickle. I could feel Rinoa's deep breaths blow against my hair as her chest heaved.

"This is the headmaster speaking," he informed, "The lines have been fixed, and I'm glad to be back on the air. Hurrah! Um!? WHOAAA!!!"

Without warning the whole Garden began to shake knocking the two of us off our feet along with many others. It was like an earthquake… did we smash into something? Someone cast a spell? Did the Garden run out of power…?

"Squall!" the headmaster shouted, "Please come to my office! Repeat. Please come to my office right away!"

With as much haste, I sprinted up to the headmaster's office and boarded the miniature elevator to the control panel to see him still giving the speech.

"Everybody, please remain calm," he instructed, "Also, please do not leave the Garden under any circumstance until you are permitted. We will try to get things back in order. ASAP. Thank you for your cooperation."

With that Cid turned off the speaker and whirled around to face me. "Ah Squall," he greeted, "Thank you for coming. Here are your orders."

I stood at attention awaiting his command with anticipation.

"We've landed on Fisherman's Horizon," he informed, "Please go ashore with Zell and Rinoa. Find the local mayor and apologize for this accident. Tell them that we came in peace. Take a look around the city while you're there, too."

"Yes, sir," I acknowledged while thinking why I had to go and not Xu.

"Do you have something you want to tell me?" he asked suspiciously by the way I starred into nothing.

I held my hip and trailed off my reply, "No…"

"SeeD is not just a special force for combat," Cid explained, "I want you to see the world.. To broaden your horizons. I have high expectations of you, Squall. Now go. Squall our fate lies in you hands."

What does he mean by that?! My stomach sank in a flutter of butterflies.

He bellowed in laughter at my panicked expression. "Scared you there, huh?" he asked between chuckles, "I was just trying to say be careful. Don't offend anybody in Fisherman's Horizon."

With that, I boarded the elevator to meet Zell and Rinoa waiting at the foot of it.

"What's up?" Zell asked, "Are we going to Fisherman's?"

"We're here!" Rinoa added with an excited smile.

I placed my hand on my hip causing my belt to slump. "We'll make an official apology," I told them, "then observe the town."

"Yo, go to the second floor deck to get to the exit. The front gate's closed," Zell informed with a look screaming I'm-so-smart.

I opened the doors to be pounded by a rush of salt misty air. In the distance seagulls could be heard chirping along with the soothing roar of the sea. It reminded me for some reason of…home. But my only home that I could remember was Garden.

I looked straight ahead to notice a huge red crane attacked to the deck's railing of Garden. A group of workers stopped their busy work to repair their dock to look up at us.

The leader of the group was a tall brown haired man, a twin of one of the others. He looked at us with a hint of unfriendliness in his eyes, as he placed the hammer he held into a toolbox.

"We've come to warn you," he told us with a touch of coldness, "before you go ashore, do not engage in any type of armed combat in the city. We do NOT tolerate belligerence here. Do you understand?"

"Yes," I replied to him in a monotone, "We are representatives of the Garden and we come in peace."

"Welcome to Fisherman's Horizon," the leader's twin greeted, "We just call it FH. You should go visit the mayor. His house is in the middle of the city. He's the head of FH."

"We'll do just that," I answered wanting to get this ridiculous mission over with.

"Good," the first twin responded, "Looks like we understand each other. Man this is a hell of a mess."

"I'm terribly sorry. It was inevitable," I explained not one for social affairs, "We lost control of the Garden."

"Nah, don't worry about it," another man replied waving his hand, "What's important is that nobody got hurt. We love fixing stuff anyway. Kick back and enjoy your stay."

Once finished, we walked across the crane to see our first glimpse of the town. In the center of FH was a huge stadium. Instead of seats along the edge sat many rows of brilliant mirrors that reflected the sun's rays. In the center sat a lone beat up old home made of various materials. It seemed that nothing would be or could be wasted in this town. Old tires and tin cans served as decorations to the outside of homes. Cardboard and wooden boxes were used as seats.

After shortly pausing we continued our way and passed a tin circular tank full of oil that rusted in the rich salt air. We boarded the elevator on the final end of the crane and made it to the ground of FH. Upon the rather sandy walk ways a never-ending railroad track skidded across our way to the steps of the stadium.

We jumped over them and hurried down the long stairwell so we could take our time and enjoy the town with no obligations. The mayor's house like all the others was built of wood, tires, and wooden boxes. I lead the others and let myself in figuring he'd expect us.

On the inside wires and machines of sorts decorated and cluttered the first floor. It appeared as though the mayor must have been working on something electronical.

We trooped up the winding steps to the second floor to be overwhelmed by the wonderful view of the sky. All around windows replaced walls and ceilings. Above various hand made airplanes hung from the ceiling by fishing wire. In the middle of the circular room sat a causally clothed Mayor Dobe and a blond woman on pink carpeting.

"Have a seat," the mayor offered and gestured for us to do so.

The three of us sat down, Zell with his legs crossed, Rinoa with her legs drawn up as she hugged them, and me with one leg folded while I rested my arm on my knee.

"Allow me to get to the point," he told us as if he were in a rush, "When are you leaving?"

Gee… How rude. He's not wasting anytime. Well I suppose it was pretty terrible of us to wreck part of his town and then ask for his help. Even though it was an accident…

"We'll leave as soon as the Garden's capable of moving," I informed.

"Any idea when?" he asked with urgency.

"I'm afraid not. We only discovered that our Garden is mobile a short while ago. Therefor, we don't even know how to move it. We're still in the process of understanding everything."

He nodded and offered, "Our technicians will assist you. They should be able to repair and service everything. How does that sound?"

That means we'll have to let outsiders into the Garden. I can't make this decision alone.

"Go consult with your leader," he told me noticing my pause, "if you don't have the authority."

I stood up to go do just that but Rinoa gestured and asked curiously, "S'cuse me. Why do you want us to leave so bad?"

I held my head in frustration. Please just keep your mouth shut! They have their reasons. Who cares?

"We don't want military organizations in FH," Mayor Dobe answered, "You rely on force to solve problems. That is in direct defiance of our principles."

"We believe that any problem can be settled by discussion," the blonde woman, Flo added, "If you reach a mutual understanding there is no need to fight."

No argument there. Trite and dull as hell, though.

The mayor continued, "Violence only leads to more violence. We believe your presence here will attract violence. That's why we want you to leave as soon as possible."

"Let's go back to Garden," I told Rinoa and Zell.

Once outside, Zell let out his steam and slammed a fist into the ground rattling the floor.

"Man! That geezer pissed me off! Squall, why didn't you tell him off?!" Zell expressed.

I shook my head. "Forget it you can't expect everyone to welcome us." I motioned with my hand for him to follow Rinoa and me back up stairs. With a dash of speed he hurried to catch up with us.

At the top of the stairs, a man yelled in fear, "G-G-G-G-Galbadian soldiers!"

The three of us drew out our weapons of hearing such news.

"Wait!" Flo called to us while rushing up the stairs, "The Galbadians are here because of you, right? They're after you."

Maybe. Perhaps they want something else. Besides what's her point? What is she getting at?

"You'd better take full responsibility! It's your fault!" she yelled aggressively.

Fine, we'll take care of them. We were going to anyway. She should be nicer to us if we do this. How could she take that tone with us? Maybe we should just let this town get destroyed. How utterly rude these people are!

"We mustn't rely on them," the mayor disagreed coming up the steps from behind her, "They won't be able to do anything without fighting."

I held my head in frustration. Don't tell me he's going to try to reason with them.

"I'll go talk to them," he informed us and followed the train-tracks to the right of us.

He's as good as dead now. We'd better go after them or the town might get the wrong message about us.

We sprinted after him but couldn't find any sign as to where he went. Our only chance was to follow the tracks…

Finally after passing various stores and hotels the track came to an end and broke off into the rest of the ledge in the water. I looked to my left and quickly crouched down as the others mimicked me. There he was, talking with a head Galbadian officer in front of a freshly burned down building.

"It kills me to help that old fart," Zell whispered clenching his fist.

Why are they wasting their time with the old man if they're after us and Garden? We'd better listen in…

I quieted a complaining Zell and strained my ears to listen in on their conversation.

"I already told you. I've never heard of this girl Ellone," the mayor reasoned, "There is nobody here by that name!"

Ellone? She's on that white SeeD ship. What could Galbadia want with her?

"Fine," the Galbadian agreed as the mayor's eyes lit up with triumph, "We'll just have to torch the place!"

"Wait a minute!" Dobe begged now on his knees tugging the man's uniform, "I'm telling the truth! I've never seen this girl!"

The commander laughed. "It doesn't matter, old man, we're gonna burn this place anyway. Edea's orders."

"No please!" he begged further, "I beg of you! Don't!"

"I'll start with you," the commander hissed and gripped the mayor by his throat and lifted him off his feet.

Why is Edea looking for Ellone…? There's no time we have better help him.

The three of us jumped down from the tracks with our weapons in hand. Upon our arrival the commander threw the mayor onto the ground and asked outraged, "Who the hell are you?"

"We're SeeDs!" I yelled at him tightening my grip on my blade.

"SeeDs?!" the commander gasped, "Get the Iron Clad over here!"

"I'm sorry but we have no choice," I told the mayor that lay worried on the floor.

"Yo Squall! Behind us!" Zell pointed out.

I turned around to see a group of Galbadian soldiers known as the IronClad.

Opening our attack Zell cartwheeled over to one of the soldiers and smashed his metallic armored feet into the man's stomach. The solider held his abdomen and swung his sword at Zell's legs. He jumped evading the attack and landed his fist into the soldier's jaw.

I flipped my sword craftily and clashed blades with the commander. We drew near the sharp metal growing face to face as I sneered with anger. I shoved my gunblade forcefully at him and the commander stumbled backwards from imbalance.

Rinoa aimed her Blaster's edge at the solider but he blocked it with his sword and sprinted for her. With one swift sweep he tripped her legs out from under her. Rinoa backed up on the ground, as the solider grew nearer.

Damn, I couldn't do a thing. I realized with panic as I rammed my revolver into the commander's sword to block an attack.

He was just over her and about to slash her with his sword when Rinoa shouted, "Angelo Rush!"

In a flying heap Angelo sprinted to the scene and collided his paws onto the guard's chest. He gasped for air but quickly fell unconscious to the blow.

Clang. Our swords met yet again. This guy was more difficult to beat than I expected. I held my gunblade against his with my left hand as bits of sparks flew. I unexpectedly grabbed his shoulder and drew him into my knee. As he clenched his eyes shut I stabbed my blade into him.

I quickly withdrew my blood-covered sword and watched as Zell eluded the soldier's attacks. From behind the Galbadian, Rinoa sprinted up to him and rammed her foot into his ribcage. The man cried out and turned to face her, but Zell spun the man around and spinkicked him in the face. I then sliced the cold steel of my blade across his stomach finishing the last of them off.

I glanced around the battle scene for any sign of Mayor Dobe but he was no where to be found.

"SQUALL!!!!" A familiar female voice called from up the tracks. I turned to see Selphie's bright smiling face. She jumped down along with the others and ran toward us with excitement.

I was overwhelmed with joy that they were all right. I was afraid that they had been captured or killed because the missiles did head our way.

"Hey, Selphie, Quistis, and Irvine! It's great to see you guys," I greeted them equaling Selphie's excited tone.

Irvine held his palm up and asked, "Say what happed to Garden?"

A lot has happened, I realized. The mobility of Garden, Cid and Edea being married, Garden Master NORG…

"The Garden is safe," I informed them.

Instantly Selphie jumped up clapping her hands as she lifted her legs totally off the ground. Irvine held a fist and pulled his elbow back with a smile, while Quistis sighed a relief.

"Whoo-hoo!" Selphie shouted still jumping and leaped into Irvine's arms with joy.

"Yo, what happened with you guys?" Zell asked eager to know.

"Let's talk about that later," I reasoned, "Zell, why don't you take them back to the Garden? I'll see you guys."

They all left except Rinoa. She held her arm with a tiny smile.

"You know," she began, "You just surprised me. You looked and sounded so happy to see them. It was the first time I've seen you so honest. It was…" her cheeks burned a slight pink, "really sweet."

"They're my responsibility," I informed her, "I was worried about them. That's all."

She covered her mouth and giggled. "Is that all?"

What more does she want?

"Okay," she nodded as we began to walk back to Garden, "Well, it's great that everyone is all right. It must be a big relief for you Squall."

I starred straight ahead as I felt her eyes look up at me. I was worried about them. As much as I hate to admit, but I'm starting to care again. I have to fight it! What if Selphie, Irvine, and Quistis got killed when I sent them out? It would have been my fault and I would never be able to see them again. I wouldn't be able to rely on them…

"Squall" Rinoa sang my name and chastised, "You shouldn't think too much. Why don't you tell me what's on your mind? Get it off your chest."

I looked down at her as she gave me a curious glance.

I paused for a long time deciding whether or not to tell her anything. Finally I answered, "I guess I worry too much…about the future."

She nodded and pleaded for me to go on.

"I'm afraid… that one day you guys just won't be there. Well actually it will happen one day. And I want to… Hey look it's Irvine," I changed the subject.

She frowned as the cowboy walked up to us across the narrow edge of the crane. He took off his hat and greeted, "Why hello there beautiful, lady."

She looked in the other direction with a snobby look on her face. "Uhg, It's you!" she replied a bit ticked and playful at the same time.

"Hey wait!" Irvine pleaded as she shoved him out of her way and sprinted back to Garden's entrance.

"What's with her?" he asked me as I starred blankly at him. "Anyways," he changed the topic, "The headmaster gave the okay to let the technicians in the Garden. They're in there right now."

"Okay…" I replied and walked past him to catch up with Rinoa.

"Say," Irvine called out to me as he walked next to me.

"Yeah?" I asked.

"Uhh… I was wondering. Those technicians seem very handy," he told me and lifted a palm up, "So like…would it be all right if I asked them to fix some other stuff?"

Why was he asking me? "As long as it doesn't slow down the work on Garden, go ahead," I figured, "Try not to ask for too much."

"Yeah of course."

"What?" I asked as he still followed me.

"Selphie's feeling down right now," he informed me with worry in his eyes, "I thought I should let you know, since you're… kind of like everybody's leader. I think you should go talk to her." He slapped his head like Rinoa would and added, "I know you're a klutz when it come to these things, so I'll back you."

"Where is she?"

"She's hanging out at the stage by the quad."

We walked passed the various cranes and construction equipment and Irvine expressed in awe, "Wow. I didn't expect all this heavy machinery."

"How else are they going to repair it?" I asked sarcastically, "with hammers and nails?"

"Hey, hey, hey, this isn't my department," he defended himself shaking his hands.

"Then what is?"

A sly smirk crawled across his face. "Guns and women of course."

I shook my head and proceeded to the quad.

I trotted down the Quad's steps along with Irvine to see Selphie picking up the stage that had been totaled by the clash against FH. The stage's structure it's self had been toppled over and bent down crushing stage props. Various schemes of music lay sprawled all over the floor as she picked them up with a depressed frown. She really was down. Selphie is usually so optimistic…

"Whew…" Selphie expressed, "this is so bad. Yeah, it's been crazy with the crash and all."

"A lot's happened," I told her remembering the NORG incident and the chaos among the students.

She began to twirl her hair with her finger as she rocked on the heel of her boots. "Y'know I really wanted to see a band perform on this stage," she thought out loud, "I even had my eyes set on a few people, too." She crouched down on her heels and sighed, "oh well…"

"Come on," I tired my best to cheer her up, "I'm sure you can still do something."

She rose to her feet and looked up at me with shocked wide eyes filled with amazement. "Squall…being sensitive?"

Irvine roared in laughter as my eyes and mouth formed annoyed straight lines. He's the one who wanted me to do this.

"That's weird," she commented ignoring the laughing hyena, "You're the last person I expected to cheer me up. I must really look depressed."

What's so weird? I care just like everybody else. It's just that there are too many things that can't be helped, so why bother? I'm not a robot. I feel just like everyone else. I just don't want to get hurt-

"Uh-oh!" Selphie expressed and threw down her arms, "There you go again into your own little world. And you're not gonna share anything, huh?"

"Yeah whatever," I told her with my arms folded and looked away.

Why are they teasing me? I was just trying to help.

"Well I think I'm feeling better," Selphie told me with a smile, "Thanks Squall."

Suddenly the intercom melody played and the Headmaster announced, "This is the Headmaster. Squall Leonhart please come to my office."

What now? I waved to the two and left as I heard part of their conversation.

"I guess there's no point feeling blue," Selphie realized.

"That's right!" Irvine encouraged, "Let's get the fun started!"

"Fun? What fun?"

"So like first…"

Their voices faded into nothing as I approached the quad's entrance, but before I left I heard Selphie shout excitedly, "Whoo-hoo!" Looks like Irvine cheered her up. I hate to see Selphie sad, since she's always happy-go-lucky.

"That about covers my report, sir," I told him what happened with the sorceress and saluted formally.

"I see," the headmaster replied, "I also heard a report from Selphie just a moment ago."

I held my hip and remembered something else, "Oh and one more thing. It appeared that Galbadia were searching for Ellone. That seemed to be their main objective in FH. I believe Sorceress Edea is behind all this."

Ellone has the ability to allow people to experience the past. But what would Edea want with that power? She has to be after her for that reason, why else?

"Squall," the headmaster snapped me out of my pondering, "So now the Galbadians are working for the sorceress and searching for Ellone in FH…"

"And regardless of whether they found her or not, They had orders to burn the city down," I added.

"That would reduce the number of potential places where she could hide."

That's right… but since Ellone's on the white SeeD ship would the burn down the whole continents in attempt to find her?

"Most likely the sorceress will not stop this onslaught until Ellone is found," Cid read my thoughts, "She will continue to hunt her, and burn everything in her path. We can't wait any longer."

So he's finally going official. It's about time.

He picked up the intercom and spoke, "This is the headmaster. I have an announcement to make. I have important news that I must share with all of you. The Garden is being repaired right now. We'll leave FH immediately after it's finished. We're going on a journey. This is a journey to defeat the sorceress. Garden will now be used as a mobile base. The administration of Garden will by run by the staff as usual. This journey will involve many battles. A well-qualified leader is needed for this. Therefor, I am appointing Squall Leonhart, as your new leader. From now on, Squall will be the leader. He will decide our destination and battle plan."

I stood their shocked with my mouth agape. Is he serious?! I can't believe this!

"Everyone, please follow his orders," he went on, "If there are any objections please come see me in person."

I have an objection! I don't even have a choice? I can't do this! Is he really serious?! He's insane!

The headmaster turned toward me and shut off the intercom. "Squall, we're now under your command from now on," he told me with a smile.

I held my head unbelieving. Such a huge responsibility! I had to keep all of Garden safe. Any plan of action that fails will be my fault. I not only have to look out for my five friends and my self, but the whole Garden!

"This is your fate," he reasoned, "It's your destiny to lead the way in defeating the sorceress."

I swung my arm out in anger and slammed my hand into my fist. "Don't talk about this like it's been decided since my birth!" I protested.

The headmaster looked away from me.

I ran down the elevator and strait to my dorm.

I don't mind fighting the sorceress. It's unavoidable as long as I'm a SeeD member. What? As long as I'm a SeeD member? What if I quit… then what? What do I have left? Don't even want to think about it. Just stop thinking… I told myself as I held the sides of my head.

I have to do as I was told… command the Garden and kill the sorceress. How does Headmaster Cid expect me to take care of everyone? It'd be best to go fight the sorceress soon. And end this nonsense.

But isn't she the headmaster's wife? He wants to kill his wife? What does it feel like to give an order like that? He probably can't lead this on knowing it's her, so he has me doing it instead. It must be. But why me? Why not Xu? She's second in command and much more experienced than me.

Hell I didn't even complete my first mission as a SeeD yet and he expects me to take control of the whole Garden? Why does he want ME to do it?! I can't even take care of myself never mind the responsibility of everyone else on my hands!

I lay on my bed with the sun poring in. Maybe if I sleep on it this won't be so bad in the morning. Yeah. A long sleep. Even if it is only 18:00 hours…

I awoke in the middle of the night hearing talking outside my door. I quickly threw whatever was on the floor on and headed out the door. I looked down the hall to see Quistis, Zell, and Rinoa talking.

Rinoa took my breath away. She had on the same dress the night of the ball and her raven hair fell around her shoulders framing her beautiful face. Even from the distance I could see her lovely brown eyes sparkle with a mischievous joy.

"Shh here he comes," I heard Quistis whisper.

Zell held a fist up and told her, "Okay, he's all yours." He then turned to catch up with a sprinting Quistis.

I walked up to Rinoa wondering what they were up to. As soon as I was six feet from her, she turned her gaze toward me and closed the gap between us. Her frosted luscious lips formed a dangerous smirk.

She held her fist up for a moment like Zell would do and asked, "What's up?"

I lifted an eyebrow. I was about to ask her the same thing.

She leaned her hands on her hips and replied, "You look so down," she pointed at my chest, "Come on Squall, how old are you? You're still a teenager. Why don't you act like one for a change?"

I stared at her not sure of what she wanted from me… I don't get it.

She bent down and looked up at me even more, "Okay, come on. Let's go to the concert."

Concert? Looks like she really wants me to go… But I'm so tired and I have a lot of things to think about tomorrow. I have to think up a battle plan to defeat the sorceress as soon as I can to end this pathetic irrationality.

"I'm not in the mood," I told her already regretting it as the words spilled out of my mouth.

She held her chin thoughtfully. "How come?"

"I'd rather not talk about it," I told her with my mind racing with all my new responsibilities.

She suddenly began to giggle and cover her mouth trying not to show her amusement. "Quistis was right" she managed in between fits of laughter, "Oh you're so predictable! …Okay," she calmed herself and remained composed again, "I'm sorry. I can understand why you wouldn't be in the mood. You're probably still thinking about what the headmaster said today. He put a lot on your shoulders. It all happened so fast," she slightly bent down, "So we thought it'd be good for you to come and unwind a little. Plus I have something important that I want to talk to you about."

"Who's we?" I asked oblivious.

"Who else?" she questioned, "Quistis, Selphie, Zell, Irvine, and of course, me."

She clapped her hands with an idea and grew a sly troublesome smirk. "Come on… Please, for me? There's no point if you don't show up."

I don't know… Her pleading puppy-dog eyes looked up at me with an irresistible urge.

"I guess I'll go," I told her.

Instantly she jumped up with her fist high in the air. "YES!" she cried and probably woke up the whole dorm. Her dress flew up and she quickly thrashed her hands down to smooth the material.

She laughed nervously with burning red in her cheeks. "Okay, let's go!" she changed my thoughts and grabbed me by the hand and dragged me to the concert.

We stood atop the walkway before the steps to FH's stadium. I looked down to see a stage blurred by many different shades of lights. The rays reached up to the starry night sky highlighting the pitch-blackness. Just before the stadium's steps stood Irvine and a blushing fidgeting Selphie.

Irvine walked up to us and with his arm around me he scooted me off to the side.

"So she convinced you, eh?" he whispered. A smile of pure slyness signaled something embarrassing he was about to tell me. "Looking good together. So like… I found this place. It's perfect for you guys."

Oh no give me a break!

"It's by the stage," he went on like I owed him my life, "You can't miss it. I left an old magazine there. You can thank me later. Have fun. Just let it all out tonight."

I held my forehead with my hand and closed my eyes. Oh man. This guy is sick.

"Are you finished?" I asked with a palm up.

"I might be there later with a special someone, too," he winked and returned to Selphie.

Whatever let's just get this over with, I thought and grabbed Rinoa by the hand causing her to blush beet-red.

"C'mon man!" Irvine whispered in complaint when we stood at the stairwell waiting to get down, "I'm about to make my move!"

"What's up?" Selphie asked unsure, then smiled with joy that I had arrived and scurried down the steps.

"Oh well…" I whispered back.

Irvine let out a frustrated growl and with arms out sarcastically remarked, "Jeez…thanks a lot!"

Rinoa laughed covering her mouth and then doubling over. Her sweet giggles rang through my ears like chimes in the wind.

She snapped me out of me daze by hauling me down the steps. I tripped but caught my balance and hurried after her.

When we finally arrived at the stage, I was utterly shocked at how well it had been put together. Four platforms with a Garden like pattern rose at different levels each carrying either Zell, Irvine, Selphie, or Quistis. Behind them the stage's background had been made with swirls of marble like paint. At the foot of everything various different bright light illuminated the area with a traditional concert feel.

Each of them held instruments: Zell with a guitar, Irvine a violin, Quistis a flute, and Selphie with a microphone.

"Squall!" Selphie called out my name as it echoed into the mic, "You big stud! This is all for you! Congratulations! Enjoy the show! Rinoa, don't let him get away!"

Whatever.

"A-one, a-two," Selphie started," A-one, two, three…"

Sequentially, Selphie began to tap to a beat, followed by Zell strumming his guitar, Irvine playing violin like a fiddle, and Quistis adding the final beat with her flute. After a few moments of interlude, Selphie began to sing along to the pop-like beat.

Rinoa and I, walked along the rows of benches finally I noticed a magazine near the stage. My eyes grew huge and didn't help that Rinoa stated matter-of-factly, "Oh a naughty magazine."

I held my head closing my eyes with a frown. I thought he was just kidding.

She sat beside the mag and I plopped down on the other side of it letting my feet dangle. I looked down at the mag and quickly shoved it to the floor causing Rinoa to laugh.

I leaned my elbows on my knees and started the conversation, "You wanted to talk about something?"

She held her legs tight and stuttered, "Uhmmm… Well it's about you're promotion. Things are gonna get real tough for, you huh?"

I glanced at the mirrors below not wanting to talk about it.

"Squall," she caught my attention with her soft voice, "I'm sure there'll be a lot of difficult things that you'll have to deal with from now on. We were talking about that, and saying how you'll probably try to handle everything on your own."

I blew out my breath in amusement. I probably will.

"They know you too well," she told me and let her feet dangle as she leaned on her elbows, "I do, too, although I haven't been around you that long."

"You know," she stated, "When you start thinking you tend to frown like this."

At the same time Rinoa and I slowly held our forehead with our palm. We both looked over at one another her straight face began to crack in laughter as mine furrowed in anger. I quickly swatted at her but she tumbled back out of the way.

She giggled hysterically as I folded my arms completely unamused.

"I'm out of here," I told her about to stand and return to my dorm.

"Oh c'mon!" she begged, "I'm sorry!"

I looked back at the mirrors below me that seemed to taunt me with my reflection. My crystal blue eyes stared blankly at me with a cold harshness in them with a touch of melancholy. I traced my scar with my hand slightly wincing with the pressure. Was this a sign for me to let my feelings out? No matter what I'm feeling?

"But really," Rinoa turned my focus on her, "we were saying that…well… You can't handle everything on your own."

She suddenly pushed me off the ledge onto the mirrors below.

I panicked as I caught myself just before my face slammed into the hard surface. Clunk. She jumped down with a playful flirtatious grin.

I swung my arm in anger before I could say anything she exclaimed, "That's it! Just let out anything!" she held her hand to her chest, "Anything…We want you to talk to us a little more. That's all. Y'know, if there's anything you want to tell us, or anything we can do, don't hesitate to let us know. I know it's not easy but I wish you would trust us and rely on us a little more."

I held my head in concentration. Am I that untrusting…? Maybe I'm this way because I'm scared. Nothing lasts in this world. It feels great to have friends who believe in you, and adults you can rely on. That's why it's so dangerous, especially, if you become used to it.

I turned my back to Rinoa so I wouldn't have to see those beautiful pleading eyes of hers. Someday you're bound to lose everything. Everybody around you will be gone. Then what are you left with? Nothing. Nobody…It's so miserable. And it's inevitable. It's so hard to recover from something like that. I never ever want to deal with that again. I can't. Even if it means being alone…for the rest of my life…

I looked back at Rinoa my heart longed to just let down all my guards and be with her. To hold her and never let go so she could never leave my side. I wanted and needed companionship. But if anyone I let into my heart were to leave… I would die. I can't bare the pain of having another person I love be ripped away from me.

Why did you leave Sis?! What did I ever do to you to have you be so mad that you just leave me? I'm sorry! I sorry I ever let anyone touch my heart! Especially Rinoa! I can't leave her now… I'm…I'm in…in too deep…

I watched Rinoa slowly walk in a big circle with her hands behind her back. "What a night," she commented, "Great music…good-looking guy… a great listener. Right now, he's seriously thinking about what I said. He's shy and doesn't say anything, but I know," she suddenly stopped and cocked her head. "So, what do you think? None of our business?"

My heart pounded the urge to just cry in her arms and tell her of what happened to me so long ago. I can barely remember… but it still hurts… "I appreciate your concern…but-" she suddenly cut me off by hold up her palm to magically stop me.

"No 'buts'!" she ordered and cocked her head again, "Just think about this. This might be the only time we'll all be together, we might as well enjoy each other's company and… just talk, right?"

I bent down and slightly teased her by asking, "Just for now, huh? Forget it I don't want friends who won't be around tomorrow."

She laughed hard, causing her eyes to clamp shut as she covered her mouth. "Gosh, you're such a pessimist," she remarked, "There are no guarantees in the future." She swung her hands down in protest and continued, "That's why TODAY, the time we have now, is so important. Squall, we wanna help you, as much as we can, for as long as we can."

She reached out and touched my shoulder sending a shiver of pleasure up my spine. I stepped back out of her grasp with a ripping feeling like I hadn't eaten in days and someone took the food from my mouth.

"We all love you," she told me while blushing, "There, I said it. Please don't freak out. We just wanna live, y'know, live through this time with you together."

"Together…?" I breathed with hope.

"Keep it in the back of your mind. Call on us whenever you need to. We'll be waiting." She giggled thinking of what was to come of us. "Like I said, who knows what's gonna happen in the future… but I have a feeling we'll be together for a while."

She began to walk around in a circle with her hands behind her back like before and asked, "So, what's on your mind? Do you have…any dreams, Squall? Anything you want to do with your life?"

I want to be with you, shot through my mind, as I was appalled at the thought. What was I thinking? What's wrong with me?! I never thought about the future except to keep myself away from being hurt again.

I held my hand up and replied, "That's something I'd rather not talk about. What about you?"

"…I don't know. I guess I'd rather not talk about the future, either," she told me as I smiled and shook my head.

Rinoa swiftly closed the gap between us and with utter seriousness told me, "But right now… I wanna stay right here…like this."

The song Selphie and the others had played ended, but we didn't even notice.

Rinoa looked up at me with her coffee eyes penetrating the ice I had surrounded my heart with to protect anyone from shattering it again. It never had been fully recovered completely; the bits and pieces glued together with my solitude toward others. But perhaps this fiery angel could melt the shards together smoothing out any rough edges that still sliced.

"Hey Squall!" Selphie shouted from the ledge with the others looking down at us.

Irvine whistled a wolf call and they busted out in laughter. Rinoa glanced up at them blushing redder than the lipstick she wore.

I shook my head holding with it with my fingertips with a slight smile. I shifted my attention from the ground to the rest of my…friends. This is something I truly and seriously had to think about. It would effect me for the rest of my life. If I let my guard down and they died or left, I would regret it forever. But then again, I would live my life alone and regret the time I could have spent with them…

"Squall! Squall!" the intercom sounded at 05:00 hours, "Please report to the bridge immediately."

I groggily grabbed my favorite outfit and slowly slipped it on. On the way out I dragged my gunblade with me, and proceeded to the bridge with my eyes barely open. I hadn't gone to sleep until 01:00 hours and had woken up repeatedly with the same memory haunting me.

I had dreamt of when Sis first left me and I stared out in the rainy night sky wishing for her to come back. I vowed that I'd be all right with out her. What a joke. I'm scarred for life because of it. She couldn't have left me on her own… She probably was adopted…

The elevator to the bridge lifted me up to see Quistis on my left, Nida in the middle, and Xu on the right all wearing their uniforms. Oh yeah, I should have put mine on too…

"Greetings Commander!" Quistis boasted. Her cheery voice so early in the morning caused me to cringe.

"Don't call me that," I sleepily snapped, clamping my gunblade to my hostler.

Xu pointed out, "We thought you should have a title. So Quistis and I decided on commander."

"Sorry to carry things out on our own," Quistis apologized with her arm across her chest and the other one held palm up, "but Xu and I assigned duties."

"I'll take care of all the supplies needed in the Garden," Xu offered.

"And I'll take care of the students with Dr. Kadowaki," Quistis told me, "You can just focus on our destination and battle plans. And ah… Will you let Selphie rest a while? I think she's exhausted from the missile base mission. She could use some rest. How does that sound?"

I could use some rest…"Fine," I replied with a nod not caring.

"Alright, I have some reports for you already," Xu mentioned and gestured toward Nida.

"Hey Squall," he greeted, "By the way, you know the FH technicians were fixing the Garden, right? They just finished. Meaning… The Garden's ready to go anytime." He held his chin thinking of anything else. "Oh yeah. I'll be piloting the Garden. FH technicians taught me everything. Let me know when you want to go."

"Any suggestions on where we should go?" Quistis asked.

"Hey, why don't we go back to Balamb?" Xu suggested, "We don't know what's happened since we left. Besides, Balamb may be their next target. It's a harbor town, just like FH."

"You're right," Quistis agreed, "Squall what do you think?"

That was easy. I nodded an okay to the trio.

Instantly Nida grabbed the intercom and informed, "May I have your attention please. This is the bridge. The Garden will be leaving shortly for Balamb. Now, I'll hand the mic over to Commander Leonhart."

He shoved the mic in my face as I held my hands in defiance. "A speech…?" I asked a bit shocked, "Forget it. Cut the mic!"

As we sailed across the seas in the near distance I could see the city of Balamb and its beaches that Seifer, Zell and I used to fight on as children. Balamb appeared okay, but behind it in the forest a splash of red caught my eyes.

"What's that?" I asked Nida pointing to the shiny red object.

He shrugged, not thinking much of it but then suddenly looked up again. "Hey!" he exclaimed, "Doesn't that look almost exactly like the top of Galbadia Garden?"

I narrowed my eyes and then realized it also. I thought Balamb Garden was the only one that was mobile.

"Hurry up Nida," I commanded and then pushed the intercom button. "This is Leonhart speaking," I announced in a monotone, "Will the SeeD Zell Dincht and cadet Irvine Kinneas please report to the bridge immediately."

In a matter of seconds Zell came tumbling up the elevator dragging a protesting Irvine with him.

Irvine shoved Zell's hands off him and exclaimed, "Get your hands off me chicken wuss!"

My eyes widened as to what was about to happen. I still couldn't understand how Irvine somehow knew to call Zell by that name when he first came here. And he acted like he knew us ever since we were kids…

"What did you call me?!" Zell growled clenching his fist and shaking in anger.

"Hey you guys!" I caught their attention and they looked at me as if they never even fought, "Take a look at Galbadia Garden."

"The hell!" Zell expressed shoving Irvine out of the way so he could see better.

Irvine forced Zell's head lower by leaning his hands on his head.

"So like why'd you call us up here?" he asked me struggling with Zell.

"We have to check on Balamb," I told them, "And we should take a look first before we let anyone else. There may be another situation like at FH."

"Not at my home town!" Zell exclaimed and knocked Irvine to the ground.

We entered Balamb to see a Galbadian vehicle blocking the main entrance street. A Galbadian Soldier guarded the remaining gap left behind by the car. The streets beyond him were disserted of people except for an occasional solider patrolling.

Zell burst in between Irvine and me and shouted with his fists clenched, "What the hell?! What's goin' on here?!"

He then trooped up to the solider and demanded so loud the soldier's hair blew back, "What's goin' on in there?!"

"This town is under the control of Sorceress Edea!" he informed, "The town is off-limits while we conduct our investigation! It will last for several days. Once we're through with our investigation here, you're next. So just stay out and stay put!" he paused for a moment looking us over, "You guys look suspicious. What are you doing here?"

"What's Galbadian Garden doing in a town like this?" I asked.

"What d you want?" the guard asked, "Are you residents here?"

"YEAH!" Zell screamed in the guy's ear, "That's right! At least residents should be allowed in!"

The guard frowned in annoyance and replied, "It's OFF-LIMITS! You cannot enter or leave. Do you understand?!"

Zell held his fists in the way he does his limit break. He wouldn't… no he would. He shook with totally anger as Irvine shook his hands signaling 'no' frantically.

"Hah! Who do you think you're talkin' to?!" he asked the man.

I stepped in between Zell and the guard and lied, "You said the town was off-limits… Does that mean we can't deliver a message, either? That's too bad. We have some info on Ellone."

"W-what?" the guard stuttered, "Elle… Wait a minute! Tell me everything you know about her! Do you actually know who she is?"

"Kind of…" I replied, "But we need to get inside to confirm something."

The solider paused in thought and finally complied, "If you find out any information at all, go talk to the commander. She's staying at the hotel. You'll be rewarded."

The guard let us pass with Zell sprinting straight to his home. We quickly followed him behind and into his home. The kitchen was completely disserted. They couldn't have… My stomach tightened of the thought.

"MA, I'm home!" Zell shouted but no answer came.

He proceeded into the living room with Irvine and me following close behind. Upon entrance I noticed three people. Two of which were Zell's neighbors and the other who was Mrs. Dincht.

"Ma, you're safe!" he exclaimed and they collided in a tight bare hug.

"Zell how on earth did you get into town?!" she asked in awe.

He punched his palm and replied, "It's all in the brains, ma. We just said we had some info on Ellone. Piece o' cake!"

"What a relief…" she sighed, "I was worried you might have beaten up one of the guards. The soldiers have threatened that the sorceress will burn the town to the should there be any disturbance."

"Sorceress Edea? Is she here?" I asked wanting more than anything to fight her and end my commanding duty.

"I noticed a woman with the Galbadian Army," she thought a loud, "Silver hair, patch over one eye…"

"Must be Fujin," I confirmed, "So they're here…"

Zell slammed his fist into his palm with confidence. "Leave it to me! I'll get rid of those jokers!"

Could Seifer be here too? If Fujin is here then defiantly Rajin too.

"Yo Zell!" the kid of his neighbor caught his attention, "I've been practicin' my special move for a day like this!" He then jumped up with a kick and shouted, "HYEE-YA! SuuuPER-MIRACLE-KiiiCK!!!"

The kid's mother slapped him upside the head and scolded, "Cut that out! We have to be totally cooperative in a time like this. Do you want them to burn everything?" She looked back up at us and offered some advice, "Be very careful… But maybe just one SOCK in the nose might be good."

Zell backed up a little frightened and shocked at her tone.

Suddenly the little boy sprinted out of the house screaming that he's gonna kick some Galbadian butt. I held my forehead and shook my head. Everyone in this town acts exactly like Zell it's almost scary.

The mother held her hands at her hips and growled, "That rascal! I told him to stay inside. Zell, if you see my son, just drag him back in here by the hair, please."

The Balamb hotel faced the majestic open sea waves splashing up against the rocky ledge. The building itself took on a very nautical look with the front sign made of a lifesaver and the pier wood structure. At the foot of the sailboat-blue doorway two soldiers stood at guard.

We walked up to the duo and the right solider bellowed, "What do you want?! If it's the commander you're looking for, I have strict orders not to let anyone through."

"But we have a message about Ellone," I argued.

"What? Information about Ellone?" he asked and turned toward the other solider.

"Hmmm more rumors?" he questioned his buddy.

"You know that we'll get a salary cut if we let 'em through without confirmation," the left solider reminded.

"Yeah, I know," he sighed, "In this army your salary gets cut based on just how the boss is feeling…"

"I guess it goes with the territory when you can't choose your own boss."

Zell stomped on the ground totally infuriated and shouted, "Yo listen! We have top secret info! Bring the commander out here!"

The right Galbadian examined us over with his hand holding his chin and mumbled, "These guys are kind of…suspicious, huh?"

"Yeah totally!" the other agreed.

As if a light turned on in the man's head he stood at attention followed by his buddy on the left. "Have some respect for the captain!" he told us, "The captain is currently on patrol!"

I sighed rather loudly and slightly walked off to the side with Irvine and Zell.

"So like we have to find the captain to talk to the commander?" Irvine asked removing his hat and wiping his sweated brow.

Zell slumped over in disappointment. "Why can't they just come out and FIGHT!" he enunciated the last word toward the building in hopes Fujin would come out.

"Calm down Zell," I soothed and placed a hand on my hip, "I think I have a pretty good idea as to who this captain is."

Irvine narrowed his eyebrows in thought while Zell rose his.

"Don't you think it would be Rajin?" I continued, "If Fujin is the head here, second in command must be him. I highly doubt Seifer would let Fujin tell him what to do. Also knowing Rajin he's probably off somewhere sleeping or eating."

"Uhg," Irvine sighed frustrated, "This sun is killing me!"

I nodded in agreement and swung my jacket over my shoulder holding it with two fingers.

"Hey let's go back to my place and think up some whoop-ass strategy!" Zell exclaimed and sprinted back down the street.

We entered his home again but this time a lemony salty almost fish like smell fogged the air with the vapor coming from the kitchen.

Mrs. Dincht flashed us a warm smile and cleared up our confused looks, "Just now a man came in and asked if he could use the kitchen. I think he cooked some fish… Zell why don't you take your friends upstairs to your room while I clean?"

"But ma! My room is sacred!" he protested blocking the way.

She gave him a death stare and he hurriedly shoved us up stairs and remarked, "It's not like I'm inviting you guys okay?! It's 'cause we have no choice!"

When I stepped into his room it was not at all what I had expected. The place was actually spotless probably because of his mother's obsession with cleanliness. Off to the left his bed sat neatly made with not a lump or ripple in the white cover. To the right, various punching bags hung from the ceiling and I playfully slammed my fist into one. At the middle wall his gray bureau sat below a plaque of old antique rifles and shotguns. Above that a portrait of a relative hung with various medals stuffed into the frame.

"So this is your room?" I asked the obvious.

Irvine rubbed the back of his neck and commented, "Well, it's not very interesting hangin' out in a guy's room anywa-" he cut himself off and exclaimed with utter ecstatic, "Whoa! What is that?!" he swung his hands pointing to the antique guns. He trooped over and giddily stared. "These are some o' them old-school rifles!"

Zell held up a fist and warned, "Those are my grandpa's! Don't even think about it!"

"Oh man! Oh man!" Irvine expressed disappointed with his gaze still on the weaponry, "These are so COOL!"

Zell rubbed the back of his head tentatively and babbled, "Heh-heh… Well… alright… Go ahead, check 'em out."

Big mistake, I thought as Irvine reached up for one of the guns with huge excited eyes. Zell hadn't noticed that he was loading in some of his bullets as he checked the parts.

BAM! Irvine pulled the trigger causing the gun to kick and Zell's punching bag to explode. The burst of the cloth resulted in a mass of sand to fly every which way.

I roared into a fit of hysterics as Zell screamed at Irvine, "YOOOO! The HELL you doin'!!!!!?"

"You said I could check it out," Irvine replied with his innocent act but he couldn't help but to let that wry smile shine through.

Mrs. Dincht shuffled up stairs and pulled on Zell's ear while chastising, "How many times do I have to tell you?! No rough housing in the house!"
"But ma!" he protested only to get smacked on top his head. She shoved a battle stick into Zell's hand and explained, "I found this down at the kitchen, I think it belongs to that man, please be a dear and go give this too him, so I can clean up the mess your little friends have made."

"But ma! I told you my room was sacred, but noooooo!"

She walloped him with her broom and we scurried out the door to evade another attack from Mrs. Dincht.

We returned back to the Balamb Hotel in hopes the guards at the front would know of his whereabouts.

"You still haven't found the captain?!" the right guard asked shocked.

"Where the heck is he?" Zell demanded becoming even more frustrated.

"This is pretty bad," the other soldier commented, "The commander's gonna realize the captain's no where to be found and-"

"She'd throw a tantrum," the first Galbadian finished, "finding out that the captain's actually taking a nap instead of being on patrol like he said…"

"The commander's freaky way of talking. Whaaa… Gives me the chills just thinkin' about it."

"I wonder where the captain sleeps?"

"There's no way he'd sleep behind the car again."

With that, they kept silent refusing to help us for fear of Fujin's rage. We trooped around the hotel to find a long line of Galbadian and rental cars. We searched behind each one without any sign of Rajin.

The guard next to the cars sighed heavily plastered to the ground in search for something. Beside him walked a tan golden retriever wagging and sniffing happily.

"How am I supposed to use this dog if I don't even have a clue or scent for his to go by?" the soldier asked no one in particular.

That's it! I realized and let the dog sniff the battle stick Rajin left behind.

It barked happily then snatched the rod from my hand and suddenly sprinted down the street.

The three of us chased it across the city smashing our way through the Galbadian guards and to the train station. The dog rushed right in-between the station staff's legs, knocking him over.

After a few minutes of barking and sounds of thrashing Rajin dashed out of the train with the retriever barking and chasing after. The massive man caught sight of us and began to sprint away from us as fast as he could.

Zell and I called after his name to no avail. Finally he pummeled his way through the hotel's guards and into the building.

"Hey you!" the guard warned as we stopped just short in-front of them gasping for air, "Stand back. This could be dangerous! The commander is about to-"

"YEOW! OUCH!" Rajin bellowed as Fujin kicked him out onto the street. "Fujin, c-control your temper, ya know?" he tried to reason still flat on his butt, "I was patrollin', just like ya told me. I even woke up that search dog sleepin' on the job, ya know?" he got up and turned toward the guards for assistance, "You guys help me out here! We've gotta calm Fujin down, ya know?!"

Zell clenched his fists in furry and called out, "RAJIN!!!"

He turned around again to recognize the three of us. He swung his arms in gesture and exclaimed, "Whooooe! What are you guys doin' here?!"

Zell smashed his fist into his palm just aching to fight, "We're here to liberate Balamb, ya know?! …I mean uhh we're here to liberate Balamb!"

He nodded and replied reading himself by tightening his grip on his staff, "Seifer told us to give you a whoopin' if we saw you, ya know! You soldiers help me out, too!"

I quickly withdrew my gunblade as Irvine loaded his shotgun. Zell bounced and shadowboxed on his feet waiting with feverish anticipation.

The guards on either side of Rajin held up their swords ready to cast a double spell. I held my gunblade at a slant to block off any upcoming advances.

Rajin sprinted toward me while spinning his staff above his head then smashing it back down. I blocked the attack slamming my blade against his weapon and kicked him back with one foot leaving a dent in his rod.

Rajin dissatisfied sweaped his weapon below my feet but I jumped just in time while slicing him across the chest. He then forcefully flung the stick into my stomach causing me to double over. I gasped for air out of breath with eyes clamped shut. I didn't even see the punch he slammed into my face as I fell to the ground.

"Fire!" the two guards shouted as Zell and Irvine dove to the ground to dodge the flames. The heated energy stung Rajin in the back as he cried out. He turned around with menace in his eyes. The two guards frightened, ran away in shear terror.

Zell laughed at the scene but quickly quieted as Rajin charged toward him.

The blonde backed up steadily and clenched his fists reading his limit break.

"Duel!" Zell shouted suddenly closing the gap between the two rivals, "Mach Kick, Heal Drop, Booya!"

In a mixture of spin kicks and punches Zell struck the much taller adversary to the ground out cold.

"OHHH YEAHHHH!" Zell shouted in victory.

He then sprinted into the hotel as Irvine and I followed close behind. At the front desk of the hotel, Fujin stood in her battle position with her weapon (a model similar to Rinoa's) held up in warning.

"So I guess you're the commander!" Zell shouted as he bounced with a sugar rush and adrenaline coursing through his veins, "Pack your bags and get the hell outta Balamb! You're gonna get a whoopin' just like Rajin!"

Fujin held a hand to her chest with concern in her eye. "RAJIN DEFEATED?" she asked with shock.

"That's right, BABY!" Zell affirmed rocking on his feat with a quick shadow box, "Now, where's Seifer and the sorceress?!" He punched the air in a fury and exclaimed, "Yo're all goin' DOWN!!!"

"Calm down Zell," I soothed unsure if the three of us against Fujin would be a fair fight. "Fujin, looks like you're on your own. Are you still willing to fight?" I asked wanting more than anything to stop this battle amongst my childhood comrades.

She swung her hand out and shouted with eye narrowed, "RAGE!"

"Bwwhahaha!" a voice laughed from behind us, "She's not alone!"

"W-who's there?!" Zell asked turning in a complete circle.

Rajin bounced in by Fujin's side and explained, "Major come-back, ya know?! Actually, I feel a lot betta ya know! I feel invincible, ya know!"

Zell swung his arms high into the air with a confused a ticked expression. "How the…?" he began to ask, "I thought we defeated you!"

Rajin spun his staff above his head and commented, "Time to get serious, ya know?!"

"ZAN!" Fujin shouted as she swung her rising moon causing it to circle in place. Suddenly with a blast of energy, it ripped into Irvine full force.

He stumbled to the ground but quickly rose to his feet. "I hate to fight a woman but-" he commented as he fired his shotgun.

With a fluid motion Fujin held up her weapon causing the bullets to bounce off the steal.

"Rajin Special!" the tanned one shouted spinning his staff above his head and clobbering it back down against my blonde partner. Just before the rod could make contact, Zell grabbed it with his own hands. They struggled over the weapon as one another gritted teeth from the other's incredible strength.

I held my gunblade for my limit break but before I could cast anything Fujin called, "Tornado!"

In a huge hurricane Irvine and I flew up into the air. The off-white dusty wind spun us around violently then suddenly disappeared. With a crash the two of us were smashed to the ground.

"Quick shot!" Irvine shouted his limit break briskly shoving bullets into the gauge.

Bam. Bam. In a matter of two seconds two shots were fired as Irvine reloaded immediately and blasted another two at Rajin and Fujin. After ten more dispersed he ceased breathing hard at the speed he had to under go.

"Draw Pandamona!" Zell drew the GF from Fujin as she cursed under her breath.

"SAI!" she shouted and dashed toward Zell with double slash of her rising moon. The critical blow rendered Zell leaning against his knees taking in short jagged breaths.

"Rajin Special!" Rajin shouted again this time directing his attack toward me realizing Zell was no longer a threat.

I flung my sword up in a complete rage and noticed Irvine helping out Zell in the corner of my eye. The blow of my gunblade doubled in strength as I pulled the trigger. Crack! Rajin's staff shattered in half. Instantaneously, I shoved my gunblade back into my holster and took hold of the two pieces.

As a child I learned how to handle the art of the staff and planned to give him a non-fatal whoopin', as Zell would put it.

Wham. Wham. I struck Rajin in the side then across the face, as his eyes grew huge with shock and fear. I jumped up mimicking the beginning of Zell's Different Beat by double kicking him in the stomach and then rising to his jaw. With a spin kick he fell back onto the hotel's front desk crushing it under his weight. I threw the two pieces of his weapon at him and drew out my gunblade.

"ELLONE, WHERE?" Fujin demanded readying anther of her deadly limits.

"Not too bad, ya know?" Rajin remarked standing weakly.

"That's nothing, BABY!" Zell shouted bending over as he surged his power into his fists and legs.

"Different Beat!" he shouted his second most deadly limit.

Suddenly with out warning, Zell rushed toward Rajin and kicked him into the air like a person would pedal a bicycle. Once high enough, he smashed his head with a heal drop forcing him back to the ground and indenting the tile.

Fujin threw down her weapon in submission realizing she couldn't beat us by herself.

Rajin shook his head groggily while he weakly stood up.

"Are the two of you taking orders from the sorceress?" I asked clamping my blade back to my belt.

"NEGATIVE!" Fujin disagreed forcefully.

"The sorceress has nothin' to do with us, ya know," Rajin explained what Fujin was trying to tell us, "We're actin' on our own!"

I held my hip narrowing my eyes in confusion. "Own plan?" I asked wondering about all the Galbadians helping the out.

"We're on Seifer's side, ya know!" he told us.

"…That's up to you, but…" I shook my head and reasoned, "Enough is enough. This isn't an internal Garden conflict."

"We can't back out, ya know?" Rajin elaborated with the help of Fujin's gestures, "Seifer has a lot of followers, but we're his only friends… We're a posse, ya know…? The Galbadian soldiers are only listenin' to Seifer because they fear the sorceress. Without us, Seifer wouldn't have a posse, ya know…?"

"If you guys stand behind him that much," Zell began and held a tight fist up in gesture, "Tell frickin' Seifer to stop this nonsense!"

"AFFIRMATIVE!" Fujin nodded in agreement.

"We ain't no sell-outs!" Rajin added, "We're behind Seifer all the way, ya know?"

I looked down at what was about to happen. We were going to become enemies. Rinoa was right. You don't know what the future holds for you. "Okay…" I finally agreed, "understood. So you want nothing to do with Garden now?"

There was a pause as I saw Fujin's eye well up with water. It was tough on them, but they weren't about to let Seifer down, ever. They were friends to the end, no matter what. Now I realized how much I wanted the same thing. I guess maybe, I might let my guards down just for a while. Just to spend these precious moments now with them before it's too late…

"From now on," I began gravely, "we're not gonna hold back."

They nodded as I began to walk out.

I guess that's how it goes. I have to kill the sorceress and Seifer along with his pose. It all lies in my hands. Mine alone. Why did the Headmaster have to leave me with such a huge task? It was all too much. I can't take it.

"Hold on a sec!" Irvine tried to get everyone's attention as he waved his arms.

"Don't wanna…talk anymore," Rajin expressed depressed, "Kinda painful… ya know?"

Fujin suddenly kicked Rajin in the shins as he howled and jumped around in pain. I took in the sight realizing it would be my last.

"WIMP!" she criticized the swung her arm and ordered, "RUN!"

They left in a hurry along with the Galbadian guards in the rest of the building.

Irvine held my shoulder and asked unsure how to act, "You cool with that?"

I shook his grip from me and left. Why was he acting like he knew them and Seifer? They never left Balamb Garden… What's he hiding?

I sighed and shifted my thoughts. Friend or foe… It all comes down to circumstance. That's how we were raised. It's nothing special. Just another mission. Nothing special… Is that true? Then… what is this I'm feeling? Regret? Remorse? Or just Rinoa finally getting me to think about whether I want to have friends like that. Or do I already…?

I returned to the bridge and realized it was still early in the morning. I had a long day ahead for me. I held my head in thought of our next destination. We couldn't go after Galbadia Garden just yet. Not until we pick up some more recruits. But where? After the evacuation before the missiles most of the SeeDs left Garden. All that was left was way under half the amount of SeeDs and twenty percent of the cadets and all of the junior classmen that would only be a burden to us.

"Where are we going next?" Quistis asked me beside Xu as Nida looked over toward me.

Suddenly the elevator I stood upon lowered and Selphie boarded it with a bright smile.

"Hello," she greeted, "S'cuse me!"

"What is it?" I asked and stepped back once we were at the bridge again.

She lifted her boots checking for any rocks and replied, "Have you decided on a destination?"

"Still thinking," I answered with my hand on my hip.

"Um… Can we maybe go to Trabia Garden?" she wondered with her hands clasped behind her back in an unsure manor, "It's like.. in the mountains so maybe the sorceress will leave it alone… But maybe…"

But I thought it was destroyed by the missiles. Oh I see… that's why. Of course she'd want to go. It also could be beneficial. If we combine the survivors of Trabia with Balamb Garden we may have a chance against the Galbadian Army and Garden. Even though Trabia was more a refuge for junior classmen. Still a chance…

"Sure Selphie," I agreed, "That'd be perfect for what I have in mind."

She jumped up with utter joy and obliged, "Thanks, Squall!"

Nida announced our destination as Selphie pointed out the way.

Selphie, Rinoa, and I stood in front of Trabia Garden. The place lay in a wreck of rubble and ruin. The rusted melted front walls of the surrounding gate cracked with sharp jagged edges. Off to the side green mesh lay limply in a tangle with a few edges fringed off from the explosion. The snow-covered ground took on a grayish coloration due to the smoke.

"A direct…hit?" Selphie asked remorsefully hunching over while clutching her knees with inner pain.

"Terrible," Rinoa commented as she shook her head and held a hand close to her ring tied to her chain.

Selphie ran back shielded her eyes while looking at the roof of Trabia that no longer was in place. "I'm going in," she informed gravely and climbed the mesh.

Rinoa and I quickly followed her up the wall and landed on a completely uneven pavement. The ground had been lifted in many places, causing the tarmac to crack heavily. On the side of the path rubble of cement from roofs or other building structures lay about.

I watched Selphie run ahead to the decimated building. How could there be any survivors…?

"Squall!" Quistis called running up with Irvine and Zell.

Zell held his hip while crossing his leg and asked, "Aren't we missing someone?"

"Selphie," I answered holding my hand at my hip, "I let her go on ahead."

Quistis held her chin with sympathy and commented, "To think that Balamb Garden might have ended up like this… Thank goodness we were able to avoid the missiles."

"I bet you Selphie's in shock," Irvine reasoned, "C'mon," he pointed down the street, "Let's go after her!"

I nodded. "Okay then. We'll split up. Rinoa, come with me."

With that, the three dashed off in different directions. I glanced down at Rinoa who let her gaze fall to the ground. I tentatively took her hand - instantaneously she looked up at me with a coy warm smile. She gripped my palm tight as my heat warmed her cold delicate fingers. I studied her eyes with wonderment; they seemed saddened and distant yet content.

I didn't realize how long we stood staring at one another, but it had been quite some time. I tugged at her leading the way down the torn up road helping her step along.

We finally came to Trabia Garden's center square, much like Balamb's fountain decor, a dried up stone spring lay off kilter. Behind it fallen pieces of roofing and wall scattered about dangerously. Before the fountain stood Selphie conversing cheerfully with another young teen.

"So you've been looking after Selphie?" she asked me with a chipperness much like my comrade.

"Selphie's a great help," I told her truthfully which caused Selphie to grow puzzled.

"What's wrong?" her friend asked as Rinoa and Selphie giggled at a private joke.

Selphie shook her hand slowly and explained, "That's not like Squall, at all!"

I held my head in annoyance as Rinoa giggled louder.

"Whatever," I mumbled.

"There should be a basketball court in the back," Selphie changed the subject, "Wait for me there, okay? I want to go catch up with some of my friends."

I waved it off not caring what she did. There had been plenty of survivors, so if I could consult the Garden Headmaster or whoever is left in charge I could maybe get them to align themselves with us.

Rinoa and I took a left at the fountain coming to an area of rest. Below a pair of green shutters, two people on mats lay asleep. I then lead Rinoa to the right where a group of light-blue uniformed cadets worked on the computer system. Another by a stacked pile of boxes calculated some huge amount of numbers with a piece of chalk. The one that seemed to direct everyone wore a royal blue SeeD uniform.

I walked up to him as he asked quickly, "Hey…who are you guys? This is here is Trabia Garden's tech squad. We all divided up into squads to utilize each of our specialties."

"I'm Squall Leonhart," I answered holding my hip, "commander of Balamb Garden. Could you direct me to the Headmaster here?"

"The Headmaster has been parted from us," he replied with pain in his dark eyes, "But as of now, I'm in charge. Speak your business."

"We've come here to offer our assistance in having you join our Garden for the time being, or until Trabia is rebuilt. We have plenty of food to go around and shelter though the space may be tight."

He held his chin in thought thinking my proposition over. "Alright then," he agreed, "Should we board Balamb now?"

I nodded. "Whenever you're ready. You are welcome to take along any of your things. Think of Balamb as you would Trabia."

"Thank you very much, Commander Leonhart," he obliged.

I took Rinoa's hand again and headed back to the matted area. There, Selphie stood with a group of children surrounding her. Some with gleeful faces while others with sorrow and some with a mixture of both. They hadn't been wearing their proper junior class uniforms and had on casual clothing.

"Selphie!" a boy to the right of her shouted, "I'm sorry, Selphie! Can you forgive me?"

"What?" she asked a little shocked and shrugged, "Why? Why are you apologizing?"

"That teddy bear you gave me… I couldn't save it!" he explained with tears in his eyes.

"I can hear him crying," the girl left of Selphie added, "He's lonely!"

Selphie smiled and rocked side to side on her heel with her arms out wide. "My teddy bear's a lot stronger than you think!" she assured them, "As long as you're all safe, Mr. Bear's very happy. Heeeey! I can hear him! Mr. Bear's watching over you secretly."

The children turned their heads every which way in hopes to spot the teddy she had just seen and spoke to.

"So don't be naughty or sad," Selphie began her rhyme, "Mr. Bear's is watching you; be glad!"

"Okay. I-I promise to be good!" a little girl piped up, "Tell Mr. Bear I won't be sad or cry all the time, okay?"

"Thanks, Selphie!" the whole group sounded and scurried off in any which direction filled with laughter and smiles.

She looked up to notice Rinoa and I eavesdropping. "Sorry," she apologized, "I'll be there in a sec. Wait by the basketball court, okay?"

I nodded and walked off with Rinoa hand in hand. I wasn't sure if I took hers or she took mine first. Or perhaps we both grabbed for each other. Her hand in mine felt so warm compared to my much clammy one as I relished her touch. I was only torturing myself. I knew after this trip that I should stay away from her. I can't let that loneliness happen to me again. Never. Even if it does mean being alone. I have to do it. It's my only choice. But to be with Rinoa…

I sighed lightly in frustration, which caused her to look up. She could tell that I was being distant again by just glancing at me. She knew me WAY too well. I pulled away my hand abruptly, realizing the more I felt her the more I would want her. I folded my arms across my chest and with haste shuffled my way through the rubble to the court.

The basketball court's tarmac had been ripped and pulled in every which direction except for the edges near the green fence surrounding it. The basketball pole itself stood at a 50-degree slant with the net missing. Two benches in the back still lay intact with the green paint slightly chipping.

Irvine, Quistis and Zell, who had been waiting walked toward us as we all met in the middle of the court.

"We're leaving as soon as Selphie comes back and Trabia has boarded Garden. We're on stand by 'til then."

Everyone nodded with agreement and took a seat at one of the two benches. Rinoa sat on the ground realizing there wasn't enough room and I relaxed down beside her.

It doesn't seem the enemy has invaded this Garden yet…Are they on their way? Where's the sorceress? We have to fight her and-

"Y'know…ever since I met all of you," Rinoa began holding up a hand in gesture, "I've been doing some thinking. I can't stop thinking about it… I can't come up with an answer either…"

I looked toward her thoughtful expression. She rested her chin on her palm and her elbow on her leg while still staring at me in that serious manor. Was she thinking about…me?

Suddenly she began to laugh causing her eyes to clam shut in joy. Blush highlighted her cheeks accenting her innocent smile and giggles. Either my expression was funny or she just read my mind…

"Oh Squall," she chuckled, "sometimes you can be so cute! That look was just to die laughing for!"

I turned away from her to glance at a pained Quistis, thoughtful Zell, and a worried Irvine.

"Why the search for Ellone…?" Quistis asked concentrating, "Ellone inviting us back to the past, whereas the sorceress searches for it… Could it be the sorceress is trying to make that journey into the past too?"

"Why did the sorceress come back into the picture all of a sudden?" Zell added with his arms folded, "Was she actually waiting for this opportunity? Hmm…wonder if she was living a normal life before all this?"

Irvine waved his hand in gesture and remarked totally not listening to our conversation, "I've gotta do somethin' to show that Selphie can depend on me!"

Just then, a basketball bounced into the court with Selphie close behind it.

"Sorry to keep you waiting!" she apologized, "Thanks so much for coming all the way out here, everyone."

Irvine stood up straight with hope in his eyes and urged, "Cheer up, eh?"

Everyone nodded in agreement with an occasional yeah.

"Thanks," Selphie smiled and piped up with a jump of enthusiasm, "Take me with you when you fight the sorceress, okay? I wanna get even. I want my revenge!"

Rinoa walked up hesitantly to Selphie and cautiously inquired, "Um… Do we… have to fight? Isn't there another way?" she held her arm growing more uncertain, "Y'know, to avoid any blood shed?"

Zell bounced up toward Rinoa and asked shocked, "Yo?! What the…?! What are you sayin' all of a sudden!?"

"Maybe someone really smart can come up with a way," she replied, "so we wouldn't have to fight anymore…"

I narrowed my eyes in thought with my arms across my chest and faced the opposite direction of everyone. What are you getting at? If someone can come up with something that'd be great…

I could just feel their eyes staring at me and ignored it.

But no one's doing anything … They're all scared, uneasy. All they do is complain. They just pretend to be thinking. They criticize others, but in the end, they can't do anything either.

I turned around to look Rinoa straight in the eyes. Why this all of a sudden? I asker her silently. What do you expect from me? I grew up in Garden. I'm a SeeD. Do you understand?

"Squall?" she began, "You have to voice your feelings or else I won't understand."

"You were part of a resistance movement in Timber right?" I asked her as soon as she finished her statement, "Unlike others who were all talk, you took to your weapons and fought… And now you're saying all this? What happened to you?"

She shifted her gaze down cast, held her ring around her neck nervously, and scraped the ground with her foot as she replied nearly above a whisper, "I guess… I'm getting scared. Sometimes… when I'm with all of you… I feel like we're on the same wavelength… you know? But when the battles start happening, it's different. Everyone's tempo seems to pick up and… I get left behind. I try to catch up, but it's no use… How far is everyone going? I can't hear anyone… Once I catch up, I wonder… is everyone safe? Will they welcome me with open arms?" she clasped her ring tighter with pain in her eyes, "Is everyone okay? Will we all make it back together? When I start thinking like that…"

She is just like me. I think about it all the time. Instead of keeping everyone closer like her, I push them away. I try to keep everyone at a distance that way if anyone gets hurt, it won't matter or hurt as much. But battles aren't always what keeps us from the people we love. Anything can happen in life to strip us of our friends and family. My one living relative that I knew of disappeared from me at the orphanage we lived in. Did she get adopted? If so, why wouldn't they take along her little brother as well? Maybe I wasn't wanted… Maybe no one cares about that silent stubborn kid or the cold solitude man that he is now…

"Rinoa, I understand," Irvine replied joining the hurdle of us and adjusting his hat, "Someone you love may disappear before your very eyes," he held his neck almost as if he were embarrassed, "It's tough when you live your life thinking that way. But that's why I fight…"

Irvine picked up the basketball and continued, "When I was a little kid… I was about four or so…" he threw the ball and amazingly made the basket, "I was in an orphanage. Plenty of kids… All with no parents…" he looked down in remembrance with a smile, "It was around the end of the Sorceress War, so I guess it couldn't be helped. Anyway, that's where I was. And out of all the kids there, one was very special to me. I really liked this girl, and it made me so happy just talking to her."

Selphie narrowed her eyes and seriously asked with her hand on his arm, "Was that orphanage… a stone house?"

"You guessed it," he replied gazing down at her lovingly.

"An old house made of stone…By the ocean?" Quistis asked concentrating in remembrance.

"You guessed it…" he repeated himself.

Selphie and Quistis stared at him in shock.

He held his hands almost in a shrug and replied excited that they remembered, "I knew right away when we first met at Galbadia!"

"Hey! Why didn't you tell us!" Quistis and Selphie chastised while Selphie slapped him on the arm.

He swung his arm out in defense and explained, "Cause you two seemed to have forgotten! It just kinda sucked that I was the only one who remembered… Spunky little Sefie and bossy little Quisty."

"That is just sooo weird…" Selphie commented.

"Hey," Zell caught their attention, "Do you guys remember setting off fireworks?"

~Flash Back~

I looked out over the ocean. The waves crashed along the rocky beaches as I stood just before the step entrance of the stone orphanage. The granite steps in front of me curled down to the shore where the children played making sandcastles, playing tag, or splashing one another with the salty sea.

I on the other hand waited near the building in hopes Sis would come back.

"Matwyn!" I called unable to pronounce it right, "Sis isn't here! Where's Sis?! Sis… where'd yoo go? Yoo don't like me anymore?"

~End Flash Back~

What a shameful sight. I thought holding my head while closing my eyes.

"The ocean! The lighthouse!" Zell shouted remembering.

"We did set off fireworks!" Quistis confirmed.

~Flash Back~

The cold night air chilled the five of us to the bone. The bon fire before us felt heavenly warm as we hurdled around it. The waves crashed knocking down sandcastles we had made just before. Little crabs crawled out of their holes but we were too tried to chase them around again.

"Yoooooo!" Zell shouted from the top of the steps and sprinted down toward us tripping on his stubby legs. "Kids aren't suppose'ta play with fireworks! I'm gonna tell on yoooooo!"
"Cry-Baby-Zell!" we sang teasingly, "Go back to bed!"

~End Flash Back~

"If I remember this, does that mean I was there, too?" Zell asked with solemn in his words.

"We all got in big trouble," Quistis smiled.

"Then… what about my parents in Balamb?" he asked the obvious.

"The Dinchts in Balamb must have adopted you," Quistis reasoned.

"Yep, that's probably it," Irvine agreed.

"I was there…" Zell mumbled now with his mouth curving up in a memory.

~Flash Back~

"Yoooo! C'mon! Stop it! Matwyn, help!!!" Zell screamed.

"Cry-Baby-Ze-ell!" Seifer teased him from across the bed, "Nah-na-na-na-na-nah!!!"
Zell pounded the ground with his foot and yelled, "Stop teasing me, Seifer!"

"Oh my goodness!" Quistis screeched watching them chase each other around the bed.

"Seifer my Archenemy!" Zell screamed as the two began to roll around the floor in a fight.

~End Flash Back~

"WOW!" Selphie exclaimed, "Seifer was there too!"

Seifer was always Seifer. Zell…always crying and screaming. Irvine…even chasing after Selphie then. Selphie…always full of energy. Quistis…difficult to deal with.

"Seifer was there, too," Irvine confirmed and leaned against the basketball pole, "Except for Rinoa, we were all there."

"Heeey that means-" Selphie chirped and everyone glanced toward me.

"Yeah…" I replied, "I was there too. I…I was always waiting for Sis to come back. Sis…Elle…Ellone. So Ellone was Sis. She was a bit older than us, and we all used to call Sis. Quistis, Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Seifer, Ellone, and myself…" I nodded, "Yeah I'm not sure what the meaning behind all this is, but we were definitely together."

"You mean, Sis is Ellone?" Zell asked still hung up on it.

Selphie bounced and added, "She's the one that takes us back to Laguna's period."

"She said she wanted to change the past," I continued the interrogation of her, "I don't know why…"

"There can only be one reason for that," Quistis concluded with her arms folded.

"She must not be happy with the present," Selphie finished.

Zell held an enthusiastic fist up and exclaimed, "If that's the case, I'm definitely up for helpin' her! She's part of our orphanage gang!"

Selphie pointed at Zell while hopping on her heels and teased, "You didn't even remember who she was!"
"Hey Selphie," Irvine reminded messing up her hair, "That goes for you, too!"

Selphie giggled finally gaining back her good cheer.

"Everyone was fond of Sis…" Irvine remembered, "but you Squall, you kept hoggin' her for yourself."

"That's because she really was my sister!" I told him and changed the subject, "This is really strange. I don't think I was adopted because of the way I am. Probably the same with Seifer, too. We must have been at Garden by the age of five… Even so, he's never mentioned anything about growing up in an orphanage. And nothing crossed my mind when I see him, either. Don't you find that odd?"

"That IS strange!" Selphie agreed, "In my case, I had loads of fun after going to Trabia. That's probably why I forgot all about my childhood. But I don't know what's up with you guys! It's so odd that you would forget!"

"I remember. Yes I remember now," Quistis realized, "Things didn't work out too well at my new home. So I came to Garden at the age of ten. That was when I first noticed Seifer and Squall. They were always fighting."

"Yeah," I affirmed with memories flooding my mind, "Quistis used to break us up."

"Yes!" Quistis rang, "That's right! Seifer was a kid who always needed to be center of attention. But Squall always used to ignore him… But eventually they would end up fighting. Squall, could have easily walked away from it, but always took up the challenge. He should've just ignored him, but Squall almost in tears, would say, 'I gotta do my best by myself. Or else I won't be able to see Sis.' I guess I was always trying to take Sis…I mean Ellone's place. I tried, but to no avail…Even after becoming an instructor, I couldn't stop thinking about Squall. I thought it was…love. I had to hide my feelings because I was an instructor, but I've come to realize it wasn't. It was my childhood feelings as a big sister that lingered."

"A misunderstood love?" Quistis whispered to me, "Actually, I had completely give up when Rinoa came into the picture."

What did she mean by that? Was it obvious for what I felt for Rinoa?

"Hey! It must be the same for Seifer!" Quistis concluded, "I'm sure he has forgotten his childhood, too. But whenever he sees Squall, his inner feelings start to boil, and…"

Zell crossed his legs, placed a hand on his hip and questioned, "Is that why he's always pickin' fights with Squall and me?"

"Why is it that we forgot?" I put forth the most plaguing question, "We grew up together as kids… How's that possible…?"

"How about this?" Irvine proposed, "The price to pay for using the GF. The GF provides us its power, but the GF makes its own place inside our brain…"

"So you're saying that the area is where our memories are stored?" Quistis assumed, "No…! That's just a rumor the GF critics are spreading."

"So if we keep relying on the GF, we won't be able to remember a lot of things?" Zell asked a bit shaken up at the thought of forgetting his own life.

"There's no way Headmaster Cid would allow such a dangerous thing!" Quistis argued.

"Then how is it that I remember, while everyone else has forgotten?" Irvine put to question, "In my case I hadn't junctioned a GF until recently. That's why I remember a lot more than you guys."

Quistis held her chin in thought and asked, "How about you, Selphie? Your first experience with the GF was when you came to Balamb Garden, right?"

"…Yeah," she answered then swung her arms in contradiction, "I have a confession to make! When I was 12, I went on an outdoor training session. I found a GF inside one of the monsters I defeated… I junctioned that GF for a while. So I have experience with GF, too. But…but, it's really weird! I can't remember the name of the GF!"

"It must be the GF's fault," Quistis panicked, "What should we do?"

"What should we do?" I repeated, "Nothing."

Zell stomped on the ground angered by my remark. "What do you mean nothing?!" he yelled.

"So what do you want to do?" I asked, "You wanna stop using GF now? As long as we continue fighting, we're indebted to the powers of the GF. If there's a price to pay for that, I'll gladly pay it."

Selphie rocked side to side on her heels while holding her arms outstretched suggested, "Heeeey, I know! Let's all keep a diary! That way we'll always have something to remind us!"

"Are you sure that's what you want?! Maybe… that's for the best," Zell wondered while slumping over, "Yeah… I don't care if I forget about my childhood, when Seifer used to pick on me. What's important to me now, is having the power to protect my parents in Balamb. They adopted me. There's no way I'm lettin' go of that power!"

Quistis's face grew pale all of a sudden. "Hey do you all remember Matron?" she asked as flashes of memories came haunting back.

"She was always wearin' black…" Zell trailed off.

"Let's see…" Selphie thought aloud.

"I see a resemblance. Matron… they look alike," Zell mumbled.

I held my head in remembrance of the only mother I knew. I closed my eyes and remembered that long silk dress she always wore and her long raven hair that flowed almost down to her knees.

"Wait… I just pictured her face," Selphie thought aloud with panic in her throat.

I too now pictured her face. Matron… she looked stunningly like the sorceress. My stomach tightened with nerves. No…

"Look alike?" Irvine repeated Zell, "Nah, that's not it. Matron's name is Edea Kramer. Matron IS Sorceress Edea."

All coloration in the four of our faces vanished. My stomach tightened from shock and the realization of everything. Why hadn't I seen it before? I felt as though I were about to faint. No wonder Irvine was so hesitant to snipe her. His job was to kill his only mother. Our only mother. To think that we all went up against her. Fought her. We all wanted to kill her. But why? She mustn't remember either or else she wouldn't have wanted to kill us… Why?
"Why?" Irvine stated the word that echoed in my mind, "You're wondering why Matron would take over a country, or fire missiles and what not? At this point, we probably wouldn't comprehend it even if we talked about it."

"Hear me out," Irvine continued, "SeeD and Garden were all Matron's idea, right? I'm not a SeeD, but I share the same feeling with all of you. SeeDs are supposed to fight the sorceress, right?"

I held my head in concentration trying to make sense of this huge puzzle. Just when I cleared the confusion this comes into play. This is so strange. It was when I was being tortured by Seifer. He wanted to know what SeeD was. Matron should know…Matron is Sorceress Edea. There's no denying that. What does this all mean?

"Squall are you listening?" Irvine snapped me out of my daze, "So like… this is what I wanted to say," he held his chin in thought while look up at the sky, "Let's see… oh yeah. I understand what Rinoa's saying. I understand, but still I'm gonna fight. I want to stay true to everything I stood for. I'm sure it's the same for everyone. That's why I thought it'd be best if everyone knew we would have to face Matron."

"You've all heard this before. How life has infinite possibilities," he held his palm up, "I don't believe that one bit. There weren't many paths for me to choose. Sometimes, there would only be one. For the limited possibilities I faced, the choices I made have brought me this far," he tipped his hat, "That's why I value the path I have chosen. I want to hold true the path that HAD to be taken."

"I know our opponent is Matron, whom we all love very much. We might lose something very important on account of the GF but I don't mind. It's not like I drifted here on the tides of fate. I'm here because I chose to be here. And most importantly… we all grew up together. But due to various circumstances, we were all separated."

"As a kid, you couldn't really go out on your own… There were no paths to take… All I did was just cry," Irvine slightly saluted and continued, "But… somehow, we're together again. Just like old times, though a lot has changed," he swung his arm out emphasizing his words, "We're not kids anymore… We're strong enough to take care of ourselves. Make our own decisions. We're confronting a big one right now."

He slammed a fist into his hand like Zell would, "Do we fight Matron or not? I say we fight… Shoot for a common goal…Hey, at least it'll keep us together a little longer."

Now Zell slammed his fist into his palm and exclaimed, "Yeah. Let's do it! We can't run from her for the rest of our lives."

Selphie bowed her head and expressed, "It's just such a bummer… I can't believe we have to fight Matron."

"I know," Quistis agreed softly, "But Zell's right. We can't run from her forever."

"Rinoa," I called out to her as she looked up from the ring she stared at tied around her neck, "It's up to you. We're gonna fight… I think it's the only way we can move on with our lives," I held my hand at my chest and the other I laid at her shoulder, "If that makes any sense at all, come with us." The bunch of them gestured in their own way encouraging Rinoa to come with us.

"Look look!" Selphie pointed to the sky jumping high into the air.

We all looked up into the sky to see flakes of snowfall from the heavens down to earth. The little white icicles floated down like feather from an angel. They landed on our clothing and the ground freezing us more but we did mind. I felt like a kid again my heart almost filling the void that rotted me away.

"A gift from the faeries!" Selphie expressed and chucked a snowball at Irvine.

He chased after her with giggles sounding through out the area. Just like old times…

"Yo, you wanna go check out Edea's orphanage?" Zell asked.

"We might find a clue as to why Matron turned out like this," Quistis reasoned.

It probably has to do with something that happened in the past. But the past is the past. It's over, done with.

"Despite what truth we find," I told them, "It's not going to change the present. But… I wanna see, too. I don't know what we'll find, but let's head for Edea's house."

Selphie screamed as Irvine picked her up and hauled her toward Garden with Quistis and Zell following close behind.

Rinoa and I remained in the court. She looked distant and scared. I wanted to comfort her more than anything. There was nothing I could do now. I was going to let myself go.

"I guess that's it," I told her placing my hands on her shoulders, "We're fighting."

"You guys are fearless," she commented with a small smile.

Fearless? I don't think that's quite right. If you think to hard, you become lost… I think that's what everyone's afraid of…

"I wish we didn't have to fight either," I told her, "I'm scared of what might happen to all of you. Scared that I'll lose you."

She looked up into my eyes. Her chocolate orbs stared into my blue crystalline ones with wonderment.

"I'm so distant because I'm afraid. Afraid that I'll lose you and the others. I'm afraid to be alone. I want to have friends, but I'm scared if I grow to attached and you guys disappear that I won't be able to handle the pain."

"Oh Squall," Rinoa soothed and hugged me tight in her grip, "I'll be here for you as long as possible."

I embraced her back wanting to never let go. My heart beat wildly as I closed my eyes at her soft touch. I was so relieved to finally let go. My heart soared with the void that was in me finally filled. Filled with Rinoa. I felt like a bird with broken wings finally healed. I just hoped that my wings, my heart wouldn't break again, wouldn't have to part from Rinoa… but the future holds many possibilities whether for the good or for the bad…

I stood aboard the bridge adjusting the black SeeD uniform I wore. I had let Quistis and Xu off duty to take a break from all the pressure. Nida and I remained working, as I directed him toward the old stone orphanage that we all used to live in. I didn't know exactly where to go but I had a general idea.

Nida controlled the navigation and squinted with a touch of shock in his brown eyes. He picked up the pair of binoculars and looked out in the distance. I shielded my eyes with my hand to focus on what he had seen.

"Squall, take a look," he told me and offered the binoculars.

I peered into them and quickly adjusted the focus to see the red Galbadian Garden. My stomach flipped at the site.

"What do you think?" Nida asked curious.

They probably know we're here, too. If not, we'll make the first move.

I held my palm up and answered, "The battle is inevitable."

He nodded and replied, "The sorceress is with them, huh? So this is going to be the final battle?"

"I hope so."

Nida nodded and continued navigating forward.

What should I do first? 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.

I held my head in concentration and frustration. What should I say?! Come on, think! There's no time!

"Give out your orders when your ready," Nida encouraged noticing my distress.

"This is Commander Leonhart speaking," I announced over the intercom, "This is an emergency so listen carefully. We're going into battle against Galbadia Garden. As you may all know, Seifer is with them. I plan to settle everything, once and for all, with this battle. The Garden will proceed straight ahead. Set speed at 50% in case we need to take evasive maneuvers."

"First and second class Sabers assemble in the parking lot. Those with MG rank three or above, head for the second floor deck and await instructions. Be sure to warm up. We must concentrate our forces at the front gate and quad. If your student ID number is even, report to the quad. If it's odd report to the front gate."

"Will SeeDs Trepe, Tilmitt, and Dincht, come up to the bridge right away! Those who have student ID numbers ending with an eight, take care of the junior classmen. Cafeteria team, collect all the hot dogs and store everything in the secret shelter. Don't leave any for the enemy."

Nida turned toward me and commented, "I think that was a bit unnecessary."

I held my head. What am I thinking?

"Hey, hey, hey, what's up?" Irvine asked from below the bridge, "I'm not invited?"

I took the elevator down to see Quistis, Selphie, and Irvine all gathered around wearing the Balamb SeeD uniforms.

He slightly shrugged in gesture and exclaimed, "I thought I was apart of the gang. Why am I always the odd man out?"

"Sorry about that," I quickly apologized. I had too much to think about to call everyone.

Selphie jumped in a jumping jack but lifted up her legs high in the air. "Whoo-hoo!" she shouted, "Garden vs. the sorceress. The Final Battle. This is so exciting!"

"What do you want us to do?" Quistis asked getting to the point.

"I want you guys to help me lead the others," I replied placing my hand at my hip, "When Zell gets here, we'll divide into two teams."

"Zell…?" Selphie asked fidgeting, "Uh… I think he's taking a nap. Yeah, that's right. He said he hasn't slept at all lately."

"What?" Quistis asked confused, "…Oh yeah."

I turned around to see Irvine shake his head in their stupidity.

"What are you guys talking about?" I questioned now utterly suspicious.

"Nothing," Quistis replied innocently, "It's our little secret."

I held my head in concentration. What's he doing? We don't have any time!

I swung my arm out and boasted, "I'm going to the quad, who's coming with me?"

"I am! I am!" Selphie cheered while jumping.

"Me too," Irvine agreed.

"Quistis, find Zell," I ordered, "You guys work together and lead the team at the front gate."

She saluted and agreed, "Alright!"

Irvine, Selphie and I boarded the elevator and I was about to push the button when Quistis burst open the door.

"Squall, what about Rinoa?" she asked.

I folded my arms. Rinoa…."You guys take care of her," I told her knowing I could trust Quistis with any task.

I pressed the second floor button as Quistis smiled a farewell.

On the second floor I noticed people just standing around, which angered me. Didn't they hear my orders?!

"What about you guys?" I asked the three standing people.

The guy to the right answered, "Fire Platoon level three trainee, sir!"

The other boy replied, "Fire Platoon, level one trainee, sir!"

And the girl in the middle stated, "Rescue Team A, medic, sir!"

"You two head for the deck," I ordered, "Medic, report to defense team."

"Yes, sir!!!" they saluted and did as they were told.

The three of us boarded the elevator again now to the first floor.

Various SeeDs, Cadets, Sabers, MG's, and many other classes scattered about he main halls in a frenzy to prepare their duty. Soldiers lined the main entrances of the wings of Garden. A long line of people stood at attention at the main entrance of the Quad.

We entered it to see various soldiers already lined up with orders. Who could have already ordered them? I trotted down the steps to see Zell in uniform giving out tasks to the line of soldiers.

"Alright, listen up!" he announced, "This is the big one, guys! We gotta win, no matter what!"

I stood next to him and he suddenly turned.

"S'up, Squall!" he greeted raising a fist, "I got this place covered."

"I thought you were sleeping?" I asked unsure.

"Oh…?" he inquired then somehow knew what I was talking about, "Yeah, y-your announcement woke me up! My student ID is even, so I'm supposed to be here, right?"

I nodded.

"Yo, Squall come here for a sec," he beckoned and walked off to the side.

He held his head low nervously, began to scratch it and explained, "It's about your ring. This might not be the time, but…"

What is it?
He held his fist up and boasted, "Give me your ring, will ya? I just wanna borrow it for a while. I wont' lose it or anything. C'mon, what do you say?"

I shook my head. "Why do you need it?"

He held his hip and stuttered, "Uh… I can't tell you that," He held up his fist in urgency, "C'mon just give it to me. You can trust me."

What the hell… I like this ring…I…guess it's all right if he just wants to borrow it…

I looked down at my hand with the silver lion ring. I had it with me since I can last remember… I took a hold of it and began to pull. Hell it was stuck on there! I yanked it hard, causing my finger to grow raw.

I held it out to him in my palm slowly and warned, "Don't lose it."

Zell cleaned his hand quickly by rubbing it on his pants and cautiously took it. He suddenly threw his fist up and jumped high into the air and shouted, "YEAH! THANKS MAN! I didn't think you were gonna give it to me. Rinoa is gonna be so happy!"

"Rinoa?" I asked.

Zell pounded his chest with his fist and exclaimed, "Alright, Squall! Leave this place to me!"

We walked back over where Selphie and Irvine stood to see Quistis and Rinoa sprinting down the steps.

"Zell you're here," Quistis realized.

"Guys, I'm gonna fight, too," Rinoa told us, "I don't wanna just hide. 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 commented.

"The enemy will most likely try to come through here. So we'll definitely have to hold them off here," Quistis reasoned.

I walked up to Rinoa who stood at the foot of the steps.

"I have to fight," she expressed, "To prove to myself that I can do it… That I belong with you guys."

I paused at her words. I just hoped she would survive. I'm sure Zell and Quistis would never let anything happen to her, and if she tagged along with me I'd be too worried about her to give any orders.

"Take care of yourself," I told her softly.

She nodded about to say something but the intercom cut her off, "Commander, get back to the bridge right now!"

Selphie, Irvine, and I sprinted toward the bridge as fast as we could. We dodged the mass crowds of soldiers gathering at the front gate and dashed into the elevator, finally making it to the bridge.

"Look!" Nida pointed out and tossed me the binoculars.

I stared into them to see Seifer standing atop the red Garden with a mass of Galbadian Soldiers on either side of him on motorcycles. His gray overcoat swayed in the wind as his hair tossed around while he smirked deviously.

"Seifer is in charge over there," Nida informed, "They're heading right for us!"

I swung my arm out and ordered, "Just keep going!"

I peered back into the binoculars to see Seifer swing his hand down and the motorcycles roar to life. The soldiers gunned the gas flying over the gap between the two Gardens. Their soldiers made contact front on.

"We're gonna crash!!!" Nida warned.

I swung my arm out to the side and shouted, "Go right!!!"

The two Gardens smashed together as all four of us tumbled off balance and onto the ground. Nida quickly grabbed the helm and tilted Garden straight again. Like a sea of waves the Galbadian Army and SeeDs made their way onto Balamb.

"The enemy Garden is right by us! Quad and Gate team watch out!" I shouted over the intercom.

"Let's go help them out at the front gate!" I barked toward Selphie and Irvine.

We sprinted as fast as we could to the elevator a waiting the attack. Ding. The doors opened and we made our way straight into the battle down the stairs.

"Squall!" Xu shouted coming around the corner and meeting us, "They're coming in from the front gate!"

"Alright," I acknowledged, "I'm here to lead the attack."

At the main gate I gathered everyone's attention and commanded, "Okay, all SeeDs lead the attack at front line! FL's back them up! MG's wait here for any advanced Galbadians. Don't let them come through no matter what!!!"

"Squall!" Zell caught my attention as I drew out my gunblade, "Rinoa's in trouble!!!"

"She's in danger!" Quistis added.

Damn!!!

"Commander!" Nida called over the intercom, "The enemy is attacking the classroom. The junior classmen are there. We have to do something."

"Squall," Xu shouted, "the enemy is headed this way!"

"SQUALL DID YOU HEAR ME?!!!" Zell shouted angered.

"YEAH!!!" I yelled back frustrated with all of the tasks I had to take on, "But she's not the only one in danger!"

"Didn't think you were so heartless, Squall. Rinoa is gonna die!" Irvine put forth, "Don't you realize that?!"

I held my head in utter frustration. This was too much for me to handle. I had to lead the gate attack, assist the quad defense, protect the junior classmen, direct Nida's coordinates, and save Rinoa. I HAD to save her. But I couldn't; there isn't any time. Damn! Just when I open up to her this happens!

We have to divide into three groups then.

"Quistis, you go with Xu and lead the gate attack," I ordered knowing she could be trusted with such a huge responsibility.

"Alright!" she saluted and sprinted off into the battle.

I swung my arm out in anger and commanded, "Irvine, Selphie, come with me. We'll head for the classroom. Zell, you help Rinoa."

I narrowed my eyes toward him almost scaring him. "Do whatever in takes, alright?!"

He pounded his chest with enthusiasm and exclaimed, "Leave it to me!"

The Gardens clashed once more, vibrating the floor, which slipped us as we dashed back to the elevator.

"Squall! Go to the second floor classroom," Nida directed over the intercom, "The enemy is coming in from the sky!"

We crammed into the elevator as I scrambled to press two.

We busted through into the classroom as the Galbadians smashed through the glass window. Glass flew everywhere as the students hurdled to protect the screaming children. I winced as the glass sliced my knuckles, but I stood at a fight stance angrier than ever.

"Dispose of Garden as planned!" one of the eight shouted.

"Dispose?" Irvine repeated in question as he loaded bullets into his shotgun.

"You little SeeD twerps!" another commented.

I had enough of all this! I held my gunblade close to my heart surging all my energy into the steel sword.

Selphie swung her fail over her head and down upon the green suited Galbadian soldier. "Take that you scum!" she retorted and belted him on the side of his head knocking him unconscious.

Irvine retaliated with a spray of bullets toward the remaining soldiers. Two clutched their stomachs and fell to the ground with death.

"Blasting Zone!!!" I shouted my limit with fury.

I held up the handle of my gunblade close to my chin as a beam of light formed strait up from the blade. I swung my blade down crashing the beam with it onto the soldiers. The light vaporized the five left into nothing but dust.

If we were back at the gate, we could have stopped the whole army with the three of us.

"Good work," I told the students guarding the children, "Take them somewhere safe."

"Yes, sir!" the blonde SeeD saluted, "C'mon guys let's go," she ordered.

"Squall! Commander Leonhart!" Nida shouted over the intercom again, "Come to the bridge. Dr. Kadowaki is here."

What does she want? I don't have time for this!

The trio of us broke out into the hall as we heard another loud crash. I fell off my balance and smashed into a nearby wall pounding my shoulder. I cried out and held it dropping my gunblade as I knelt down. I looked up to see various other students on the floor as well. Irvine helped Selphie up and she picked up my gunblade. With concern in his eyes, Irvine offered a hand of assistance.

I took it as I moaned more. Damn! This is all I need.

We boarded the elevator to the bridge and the doors opened to reveal Dr. Kadowaki.

"What's the situation?" she asked me as I looked up at her a pained from the fact we were losing, the throbbing in my shoulder, and the thought of Rinoa hurt.

"We were able to stop the first two waves of attack," I notified, "But our forces aren't looking too good. Many are injured. If they send anther wave, I don't think we can hold them."

Quistis entered with a pale expression as she breathed hard from battle.

"How's your team?" the doctor asked.

"Not good," she replied, "The force at the front gate is still holding its ground but barely…"

"So…looks like this is it," Dr. Kadowaki commented with her head down cast.

My stomach tightened. I felt as though I were about to faint or get sick.

Quistis folded her arms and reasoned, "Their Garden has more experienced fighters. On the other hand, most of our troops are students who are still in training. Like Squall said, one more wave and we might be finished."

I held my head trying to think of a plan. Maybe I should've focussed on our defense in the beginning instead of concentrating on attack. I remembered Rinoa… Hopefully Zell saved her. Yeah, he probably already did and is heading up here now.

"Seifer is with them right?" the doctor asked as she tended to my shoulder, "You said it yourself. There's no way you can run from him…It's kind of like your destiny to face him. Looks like it's now or never! You've come this far already. What is there to think about? You're not gonna run away are you?"

Never!

I swung my arm out as soon as she finished tying the bandage. "There's no way I'm gonna run from him! Besides attacking them might be our only chance. The only problem is how are we going to board their Garden?"

Irvine threw his arms down and suggested, "Say, how about if we crash into their Garden? I know it sounds crazy but at least we'll be able to get in. Their pilot's been ramming us all along. I'm sure Nida can do it, too!"

I nodded. "We have no choice. Let's do it."

Zell busted through the doors shook up and panicked.

"Where's Rinoa?!" I demanded.

He breathed hard from running and explained with his arms in a shrug, "Sorry, man. There's nothing I can do! There's no way to get to the quad! Those bastards have the area barricaded." He slumped over as the color from my face drained, "Man! The only way we can get to her is by going over the roof or flying there."

I held my head with my eyes welling up. Rinoa… Just when I finally reached out to you, when I opened my heart, when you made me realize the joy I was missing because of the fear of losing you, you die on me. My heart ached with a new pain. It was completely different from the time I lost my sister, Ellone. It was as if someone tore my heart from my very body and tossed it in a blender. There was nothing I could do. I couldn't save her…

"Whoa wait a minute," Irvine halted as he saw me cover my expression, "You just gave up on her, didn't you?"

I turned to look up at him with my eyebrows tilted up and eyes watery.

"Listen," he soothed in a soft voice and pointed to me, "Do me a favor. YOU go help Rinoa. It may be too late, but don't give up until you're CERTAIN that there's nothing more you can do!"

But I had so much to do. So much that was my responsibility. I replied with my voice cracking, "I-I have to lead the attack."

"I don't care what you have to do!" Irvine expressed, "Just do it…please! For Rinoa!"

"Listen to Irvine," Quistis told me swinging her arms down, "Squall, she's one of us."

"What are you waiting for?!" Selphie exclaimed throwing her arms down, "I can't believe you!"

"C'mon, Squall!" Zell added, "Please! It's gotta be you! You're the only one that CAN save her!!!"

"I'll take everyone inside Galbadia Garden," Irvine offered before I could reply, "Don't worry. I know the place like the back of my hand."

"We'll clear a path," Quistis went on, "Once Squall arrives, we'll move in."

I held my head again in thought. If I go to Rinoa and find her dead, I'll die myself. To see it would be way worse than it is already. Why hope more? She's gone. I coughed to cover my sob of agony. I refused to let anyone know me more than the cold-hearted commander. I won't open up to anyone else! Not after this!

"Squall you're forgetting something very important," Dr. Kadowaki mentioned as she pulled my over to the bridge elevator.

She handed me the intercom and urged, "Talk to your men, Squall. Encourage them. As their leader, it's your duty. You probably don't know, but everybody looks up to you. They like you."

"Yeah, Squall," Nida agreed, "Everyone thinks of you as their leader in the class before you became commander. We all wanted to be the perfect soldier like you."

I nodded slowly and pressed the button.

"......Everybody, this is Squall Leonhart," I announced, "How's everyone doing? You're all probably too tired to even stand up after all the fighting. But I want everyone to listen to me...We still have a chance to win, and I need your help."

"This is going to be our final battle. We're going to attack them before they come in again. To do that, we're going to head straight into their Garden. So I want everyone to prepare for a major collision. Take care of all the junior classmen."

"Irvine, Quistis, Zell and Selphie will lead the attack into their Garden. As for everyone else, please support them if you can."

"SeeD was formed to fight the sorceress; at least, that's what I heard. And Garden was created to train SeeDs. So this battle is Garden's destiny and also our destiny. It's a grueling battle, and I'm sure you guys are all exhausted. But I don't want to have any regrets. I don't want anyone to look back and regret this day. So just this once, I want you guys to give everything you've got! For yourselves and for me!"

Dr. Kadowaki smiled as I clamped the intercom back onto the control panel with a sigh. "You did great," she commented, "That was wonderful. Okay! Let's bash into them!"

As I boarded the elevator Garden began to shake furiously. I held out my arms to keep my balance and pressed button two by mistake.

Ding. The doors opened for me to see a female student in a worried mess.

"Please help me!" she begged, "Mark is gone! Please help me find him!"

Damn it! I didn't have time for this. If there's a chance she's still alive I had to take the opportunity now!

I flew around the corner and skidded to a halt to find a blonde kid cadet on the floor in a fit. He reminded me of Seifer or Zell as a child.

"Hey kid are you all right?" I asked kneeling beside him.

"Yeah," he replied wiping tears from his face.

"There's a person waiting for you down the hall. I want you to go over to her okay?"

"Yeah."

Suddenly the door to the balcony smashed down from the force of the Galbadian Soldier. The green suited man floated above ground on one of those flying contraptions their Garden used to board ours.

The kid ran in a terror down the hall as the soldier shoved me on the ground. I stood up and backed into the emergency exit.

The soldier rammed me into the wall causing me to holler out in pain. What am I going to do? I can't do anything in the corner…

That's it! I slowly and cautiously pressed the emergency exit button just before the soldier rammed me.

The exit's ramp folded open as we tumbled out the door and into the sky. I clung onto the rope that hung just below the soldier's seat.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins as to how high up we were. If one of us should fall…

The soldier skidded down onto the rope and swung an unexpected punch to my face. I cried out at the hit and evaded another attack. Next, I kicked him in the stomach nearly knocking him off balance.

The flying machine floated above Garden's great battle. Various magic skidded across the field as SeeDs clashed swords with one another. Battle cries could be heard as I glanced down to see Irvine and the others leading the attack. Selphie shouted my name as I turned my gaze back to the soldier.

I pulled my fist back and slammed my cut knuckles into his cheek as he throttled me with his sword.

We sailed over Balamb Garden again this time excruciatingly close to Garden's circular 'wings'. With one swift kick I knocked him off the rope as he screamed for dear life.

I climbed to the top directing the machine's controls to go up. I flew across Balamb and Galbadia Garden's roofs to the area of the quad. My heart pounded tenfold to see Rinoa hanging on to her life at the edge of the Quad.

"RINOA!!!" I shouted her name over the wind that whipped through my hair and clothing.

"Squall!!!" she yelled back with excitement.

I lowered the machine so she could grip the cord. She clung on to the line with utter joy that she would be alive.

The wind blew her hair back as her sleeveless coat cascaded in the wind.

I lowered the machine to the battlefield with Rinoa jumping off first. I slammed my feet to the ground and sent the contraption high into the air.

The battle was intense and too dangerous to stick around. I held out my gunblade and snatched Rinoa's hand.

"Squall! Over there's the entrance!" She pointed to the left.

I began to sprint toward the door dragging her along making my way through the violent crowd.

A water spell flew our way as I pulled Rinoa and myself out of its path. Screams and shouts could be heard along with gunfire and missiles. Clashed of swords and weapons sent florescent spikes everywhere. I could barely make out who was who by the crowds of people.

We crossed the intersection of the two Gardens. A roar of a Galbadian motorcycle could be heard as he gunned toward us. I stood my ground to Rinoa's nerves. With a swift swipe of my gunblade I knocked the soldier off the bike and proceeded ahead.

The battle over here lay with many more experienced fighters and much more Galbadians.

I slammed my sword into an on coming Galbadian SeeDs blade. I shoved my gunblade up smashing the sword out of his hand and quickly slitting his stomach.

With another ten paced dashed we remained surrounded with three Galbadians on either side of us.

"Double Blizaga!" Rinoa shouted the spell.

Ice froze the two soldiers that remained in font of us as and Iceberg shot up and quickly shattered along with the soldier.

I turned my gaze to the one behind us but Xu blocked him from attacking us with a Fire spell.

Rinoa and I proceeded along our way obliterating anyone in our path. Finally in a heap of gasped breath we arrived at the front door.

I leaned against the wall feeling safe with the battle at least a half a mile away from here.

"Squall, thank you!" Rinoa obliged standing rather close.

I held my palm up and replied, "It was, ahh…don't worry about it. It was my job. We're still under contract. And it was everybody else's idea, too. And I just happened to find you."

She covered her mouth as she began to laugh. Why was I making an excuse? I really did want to save her and there was no denying that I didn't have feelings for her.

"So like I said don't worry about it," I realized how much I was covering for my true feelings. Was it obvious?

She nodded. "You know something. I couldn't afford to fall off that cliff and die. I have something very important that belongs to you. I can't die until I give it back to you, right?"

Yeah, I thought, my heart. Give it back, so I won't have to worry about you. Feel anything like that again.

She clasped her necklace with now two rings around it. She held it out still around her neck and explained, "Zell gave it to me, see? I've been holding on to it."

I clenched a fist and sighed with anger. I'm gonna kill him…

I held a hand on my chest and elaborated, "That's my favorite ring. You'd better give it back."

"I'm sure it is. It's a cool looking ring. What's this monster on it anyway?"

"It's not a monster. It's a lion. Lions are known for their great strength and pride."

Rinoa rubbed the ground with her foot and commented, "Hmm… great strength… pride… kinda like you, Squall."

"I wish…"

She looked up at me staring directly into my eyes with her head cocked. "You know did anyone ever tell you that you have the eye's of the lion?"

I stared back at her wondering what she meant.

"So does this lion of yours have a name?" she asked.

I held my hand up in gesture. "Of course. It's Griever."

"So that's what you call it. You know Zell said he'll make me one exactly like it. Who knows, maybe I can become like a lion, too." She clapped her hands together and swung them around in excitement, "That'd be crazy huh?! I mean, everyone might, y'know get the wrong idea about us."

If its' so crazy, why do you sound so delighted? I smiled warmly with the thought of us together. Everyone's trying to make us a couple. It's so obvious even I can tell.

"You sound like you want them to get the wrong idea," I teased wondering her reaction.

She jolted her head back with a nervous laugh. She shook her hand close to her chest and replied, "No-no-no-no-no!"

"Well…everyone's waiting. Rinoa, let's go."

She nodded and sprinted closer, directly before the door. "Okay!" she saluted, "let's go."

I took her hand and opened the gate with my gunblade held in the other.

I peered down the hall to see Irvine and the others waiting. Zell paced the floor, Selphie and Irvine leaned against the wall with arms folded, while Quistis tapped her foot.

"Rinoa!!!" Selphie shouted her name as she sprinted toward us her voice echoing against the desolate walls.

"You're here!" Zell exclaimed throwing a fist up.

"Are you all right?" Quistis asked.

Rinoa tossed her hair to the side with a bright smiling nod.

"The sorceress should be here somewhere," Irvine informed gloomy looking down the hall to the right.

I swung my arm out to the side and projected, "Forget about the past! She's our enemy now! Don't think twice for a second. There's no way we can fight her like that. I, for one, can't."

They nodded in approval.

"She chose to fight and become our enemy," I continued, "We chose to fight back. We have no choice. At least I'd like to think so."

I held my head puzzled. Seems like I'm the only one who's confused… I guess there's no need to say anything.

"We're still listening," Rinoa told me grazing my arm with her hand, "Squall, we want to know how you feel."

I looked down at her and then at everyone else. "I'll tell you later…After we all get out of this. Let's go," I replied.

Irvine led us around to the right corner then up a flight of stairs. There on guard stood Rajin and Fujin. We all readied our weapons.

"Let's just go… Let's get it over with, ya know," Rajin urged but stopped when Fujin held out a hand.

"REQUEST," she stated melancholy flashing in her eyes.

"We're leavin' Seifer up to you now, ya know?" he told us waving his arms around, "We don't know what's going on anymore, ya know? We just want the old Seifer back, ya know?"

I folded my arms looking down in thought. Seifer…he probably thinks he can't go back now. But the last time I saw him, he didn't seem right either.

I nodded. "Alright," I assured them.

"FATIGUED," Fujin complained holding her stomach.

"Here you go!" Selphie chirped handing them her super-loaded caffeine candy.

Fujin smiled as she took the tiny gift. "THANKS," she obliged and gave Selphie a key card, "SORCERESS."

"That key leads to the sorceress up at the top floor, ya know," Rajin elaborated, "Get the old Seifer back for us, ya know?!"

I nodded as Irvine showed us the way to the elevator. We climbed a third set of stairs to a door. Irvine slid the card through the reader opening the electronic lock. The door lifted up as a mass of light nearly blinded us.

We sprinted down the steps it led to and halted at the balcony.

"Why's everyone just standing around?" Selphie asked looking down at the basketball court below, "We can jump that!"

She suddenly flung herself off the cliff. Irvine hurried to grab her but ended up falling off. The two landed on the tarmac with a clunk; Selphie on her boots and Irvine painfully on his butt.

Rinoa followed them behind with a huge playful smile landing next to Selphie. The two girls helped a complaining Irvine up while Quistis leaped off herself.

"After you," Zell smiled nervously.

Heh yeah right. He would never jump. I took a hold of him and tossed him over the edge. He screamed like a girl and landed atop of Irvine.

I landed on my feet with a smile as Irvine shoved a crying Zell off him. The girls laughed hysterically but abruptly remained composed remembering the mission.

We entered through the glass doors to a new hall. White crystal chandeliers sparkled the reflected light onto the gray painted walls. The curtainless windows sprung in a vast amount of light even though the hall remained rather dark. I realized that it was the brink of the evening with the sun setting. Playing cards lay scattered across the floor along with a bottle of spilt water.

Irvine motioned for us to follow around another corner to a set of black metallic stairs. We passed the waiting room where we were falsely informed of Seifer's death.

We stood in front of the elevator to the sorceress's quarters. This was it. Irvine slid the card through the readier as we crammed the six of us into an elevator that held three.

The doors opened as I took in a deep breath. There, just before us stood Seifer leaning on his gunblade as though it were a cane. The sorceress smiled malevolently as she sat in what seemed like a mass of tied floating silk curtains. I couldn't tell for the area had been poorly lit and oddly fogged.

We advanced toward them with weapons ready.

Seifer with open arms still holding his gunblade expressed, "Oh, you guys shouldn't have… I was gonna come visit you at my old home."

I swung my arm out in anger. "Shut up!" I yelled.

He held his palm up. "Did you guys come to fight Matron? After all she's done for us?"

His words stung like alcohol on a deep wound. I gritted my teeth but held my ground.

He gestured toward Selphie with his gunblade and a smirk, "Selphie, right? I wish we had time to get to know each other."

"Nahhh. You're not my type," Selphie remarked.

He fell his gaze onto Irvine and swung his arms. "Hey, you're a Galbadian student. Get over here!"

Irvine adjusted his hat and replied, "I'm happy right here, thank you."

"Hey chicken-wuss," Seifer commented with venom in his voice, "Lot's happened between us, eh?"

"Yeah," Zell agreed angered while slamming his fist into his hand, "I'm dyin' to get even!"

"Instructor Trepe," Seifer called with open arms innocently, "I'm still one of your dearest students, aren't I?"

"Not any more," Quistis retorted folding her arms.

"Rinoa, what are you doing here? You're gonna fight me, too? Come on, remember a year ago we-"

"Stop it!" Rinoa shouted narrowing her eyes in anger.

"It's too late, Seifer," I told him, "You can't mess with our minds." I held out my sword threateningly. "To us, you're just another enemy, like one of those monsters."

Seifer swung his arms in anger, "You're comparing ME to one of them?" his shrill laughter echoed against the room booming louder. "I'm the sorceress's knight." He pointed to the window for us to see what was happening in the battlefield. "And look at you. Attacking like a swarm," he pointed his blade accusingly at us, "You guys are the monsters."

He held out his hand toward me in beckoning like we had the time we scarred one another. "Show me what you got. I'll show you who's the better man!"

My blood bubbled with ultimate fury. I clutched my gunblade tight and with a shout sprinted toward Seifer.

We clashed swords narrowing the gap between us. Sparks flew as we shoved one another against our blades. We gritted our teeth face to face. I quickly pulled away, knowing I wasn't getting anywhere.

"Is that all you got?" Seifer asked laughing, "I can't be beaten."

I blew out my breath narrowing my eyes. I swung my blade with another attack that he quickly dodged.

Seifer briskly thrusted his blade forward which I evaded by jumping back with my arms out to the sides.

With haste I slammed his blade to the floor and shouted, "Blizaga!!!"

"Fiagra!" Seifer cast.

The two magic spells of opposite descents mixed into one another leaving behind nothing but vapor.

Suddenly without warning, I scooped his blade slamming it close to his face. Seifer caught himself just before I could carve him with another scar.

"Demon Slice!" Seifer called out burning me with the fire attack as he swung his gunblade leaving behind a streak of green. He spun the blade in a circle along with himself. He appeared like a violent purple tornado. Before I could do anything he rammed into me slicing my stomach up into shreds. I fell to the ground as he laughed bitterly.

Blood slipped in between my fingers as I clutched my stomach. Everything began to grow black and I held my eyes shut. The slices stung me in an agony that I never imagined as I coughed up blood feeling death overtake me.

"Squall! NO! Don't die!" Rinoa's voice echoed in my mind.

I felt her hands grip my shoulders as she cried. Seifer laughed hysterically. "I always knew you would die by my hand, Leonhart," he retorted.

"Squall!" she shouted holding my face. I opened my eyes to look directly into hers. All I could see was her coffee eyes focusing on my deep blue ones.

Tears welled up in them and fell freely as she whispered once again, "Don't die!"

I gripped her wrists staining her blue wool straps. "I won't do that to you," I told her.

"Recover!" she cast the spell. A blue light surrounded me as I felt my wounds heal. I stood up as Rinoa remained on the floor. "I would never do that to you," I whispered again.

I turned my gaze toward Seifer who suddenly stopped laughing. "No way!" he shouted, "That's impossible to recover from!!!"

"I guess you're not as strong as you thought Seifer," I remarked.

"You ain't seen nothing yet!"

We sprinted toward one another as I quickly stepped aside causing him to stagger to turn around. Before he could face me, I sliced the back of him tearing part of his overcoat.

I realized that his confidence was his down fall. With a smirk I clashed blades with him again.

I made it seem like he was winning by letting him back me up. Suddenly I gathered my strength smashing his blade out of his grip. He was starting to get sloppy.

"What the?!" Seifer screamed scrabbling for his gunblade.

"Renzokuken!!!" I shouted before he could do anything. With haste I dashed in his direction. I practically ripped him apart by slicing and swinging my gunblade faster than I had ever done in my life.

With a hard shove I slammed Seifer to the ground as he clutched his wounds.

"This can't be!" he moaned, "Why?"

He lay face flat now motionless. Had I just killed him? I gulped at the thought.

"Worthless child," Sorceress Edea remarked with disgust. She stood up and held her arm into the air. With a cackle the ground beneath her changed into a black void. She slowly emerged into it as her laughter faded.

The auditorium is right below. I thought as I extended a hand to Rinoa and picked her up off the ground.

"There's no way you can beat her!" Seifer remarked, choked.

We ignored him as we boarded the elevator once again to catch up with Matron.

When we finally arrived in the auditorium, I didn't see any sign of the sorceress. A bad feeling lingered inside of me as I gripped Rinoa's hand tighter. I scanned the metallic seats above trying to spot her. With out a clue, I glanced at the stage with the podium in front of the red information screens reading off students' scores and grades.

I almost jumped out of my skin as I heard the shatter of glass. Looking up, I caught sight of the sorceress smashed through the glass scoreboard and landing right before the podium.

"So the time has come," Edea commented into the microphone, "You're the legendary SeeD destined to face me?"

What's she talking about?

"I must say that I am impressed," she continued in her highly majestic voice, "An impressive nuisance. Your life ends here, SeeD."

Seifer walked through the red curtains and stood beside her with a smirk.

The sorceress glanced at him and mumbled, "Worthless fool."

You're not our 'Matron'. I realized. She was a completely different person all together.

She held her hands up and shouted angrily, "All SeeDs must perish!!!"

Edea floated down just before us as Seifer stood in front of her leaning on his knees. Edea flailed out her cape causing a chime to echo against the walls of the auditorium.

"I'm the sorceress knight!" Seifer exclaimed barely holding ground, "you'll never get passed me!"

Zell sprinted toward him slamming a fist into his stomach. With a spin kick to the face Seifer couldn't evade any attack.

"I can't afford to lose!" Seifer panicked.

I sliced at Rinoa who dodged him quickly. She closed one eye in aim letting her blaster's edge slice the arm he shielded himself with.

He fell to the ground mumbling, "Damn! I'm disgraced!"

"Defeated already?" the sorceress spat, "Useless fool. Enough play. SeeDs must die!!"

"Maelstrom!" she cast with arms raised.

The area above us seemed to bend and fold as the lights dimmed. A black fog hazed over the area smothering us. With a quick snap the world broke back into place.

We all shouted as all of us felt the sting of the attack. Each one of us knelt to the ground in pain. Our bodies illuminated black from the heavy curse. I realized that I couldn't tap into my limit power. There was no chance!

Rinoa seemed to remain unharmed, as she narrowed her eyes. How could this be?!

"Quadruple treatment!" She shouted in direct defiance toward the sorceress.

A tan light emitted from the ground around us individually letting us grip our power again.

The sorceress and Rinoa stared at one another as Rinoa clenched her fists menacingly. What power could she possibly posses that could surpass Edea's spell? Was it her intention?! I stood up in total question.

Selphie swung her flail over her head as Irvine loaded his gun.

"Quick shot!!!" Irvine shouted his limit. Bam. Bam. Bam. He quickly pierced the sorceress with his bullets. Irvine swung the gun behind his back craftily and fired. Once between his legs, another with his arm extended one near his face, and so on. Finally he ran out of bullets.

"Tornado!" the sorceress cast almost unaffected by the attack.

The whirlwind scooped us up flinging us in a circle. The wind suddenly died down letting us fall straight down to the ground flat on our backs.

I let out a moan, but quickly stood up once again.

Selphie circled her flail in a hypnotic motion. "Slot!" she shouted, "Cast triple Fira, triple Flair, and wall!"

Three tornadoes of flames spun in Edea's direction burning her. Next a volley of electricity and fire bent the area before the sorceress. Suddenly, a concrete wall emitted from the ground scattering rubble around. The wall grew to the ceiling and with a flash turned invisible.

"Foolish SeeDs!" The sorceress remarked while raising both of her hands again. "Maelstrom!"

The dimension above us bent and ripped again as I prepared to defend myself. With a spring of dark light, we were smashed to the ground at our knees. I looked to my side to see Rinoa unharmed. What the hell?!

Not only did the curse rip my body, but the pain from the dimension bending rendered me and the others near death.

Rinoa closed her eyes in focus. She raised her hand lining her chin while bending back her neck with a quick swing she shouted, "Quadruple Recover!"

Like before a blue tinted light surrounded each of us healing our wounds and removing the curse.

The sorceress angered more than ever held up her arms forming a mass of ice above her head. Finally, a massive blade of ice floated in her power. No not like before I realized as she swung her arms in my direction.

Rinoa flashed in front of me and shouted with an arm extended, "Protect!"

The blow of the ice knocked her back into me. I caught her as we fell backward. I ached from the blow as I held her. "Rinoa?" I whispered.

"I'm fine," she quickly replied and weakly stood.

I forced myself up realizing we couldn't go on like this.

"Laser eyes!!" Quistis cast her limit. She removed her gaze from the sorceress and took off her glasses. Two beams of green sliced into Edea from her eyes cutting a pair of hole into her cape.

"Insolent fools!" she shouted, "Meteor!"

The scenery quickly changed to a black night with various stars lighting the area. I looked up in a panic to see a volley of rocks fall full force for us. In flashes of orange and white light, I fell back to the ground. Selphie screamed as Irvine tried to shield her. Zell covered his head to protect himself to no avail.

After the attack I realized Quistis and Irvine lay face first motionless. No! Not that! Panic raced through me. I downed a potion regaining strength as Zell and Selphie did the same. Rinoa healed herself with a cast of Curagra.

"Irvy?" Selphie whispered shaking him but he didn't move. I gasped in realization. No…

"Resurrection!" Rinoa cast as I glanced into her eyes. They looked glazed over with almost a hypnotic look. What was going on?

Irvine and Quistis jolted back to life at the same time of Zell smashing a fist into the sorceress. Selphie practically choked Irvine as she wrapped her arms around him.

"We need to gather our strength," Quistis suggested.

I nodded as a pool of water formed under Edea. As Zell uppercuted her, the two dolphins that splashed up rammed their tails on her head.

"We'll each cast the most powerful spell we know!" I told them.

"Blizaga!" Selphie shouted.

"Fiagra!" Irvine yelled.

"Thundaga!" Quistis cast.

"Quake!" Zell exclaimed.

"Flare!!" I screamed.

The ground shook under the sorceress as she began to focus on balance more than defense. Suddenly, her body was coated in a layer of ice freezing her to the bone. An icicle shot up with an instantaneous shatter. A burst of flames burned Edea as she cried out with disorientation. With a strike of thunder that lit up the room she jolted from the electric shock. Smoke rose up from her beaten up body. The dimension above her head folded as flames surrounded her. With a sudden shock of fire and lightning she fell to her knees almost finished.

I could hardly believe it! We almost have her!

"Ultima!" Rinoa cast barely above a whisper. She drew up her hand tracing her neck and chin with eyes serenely shut. Once her hand swung out the room turned almost completely black.

An eruption of white and green sea-like smoke burst up from under Edea. The light spread through out the area blasting us all back.

Everything turned white and I couldn't see a thing. Panic shot through me as I took in quick breaths. Things began to come into focus again but a thick white fog clogged the area.

I caught sight of Rinoa floating...?! No that can't be right… But she was. Her body remained utterly limp as she floated slowly toward Seifer. Her head bobbed from right to left. Was something controlling her?!

I tried to stand or move but I remained frozen. It was as if someone had stopped all time except for Rinoa's. I panicked more as my heart leaped from my chest. What was happening?!?!

Rinoa floated at her knees just before Seifer. She raised his back and whispered something in his ear. What was going on?! She lifted her hand up as Seifer rose to his feet and left with a gleam of hypnotic trace in his eyes.

Suddenly Rinoa collapsed to the floor like a broken rag doll. Her limps lay in a heap of tangles. Instantly, the white fog lifted and I could move again. I dashed to Rinoa's side but looked up to see the sorceress still standing alive.

"Squall, Quistis, Selphie, Irvine, Zell," she called our names with out a trace of callous, "You've all grown so much… and become so strong… I have waited for this day to come. And also feared this day would come. Is today a joyous day? Or and odious day?" She held her palm up in question, "Where is Ellone?! Have I protected Ellone?!

I don't understand. I narrowed my eyes in thought but quickly gazed down at Rinoa as Edea spoke to them more.

I shook her limp body and gasped as I felt her shoulders were as cold as ice. My heart pounded. What had happened to her?! I gathered Rinoa in my arms and searched for her pulse. I felt only slightly relieved as I sensed it's tiny beat under her skin.

"Rinoa! Please wake up!" I cried out causing the others to gather around with concern.

"Rinoa!" I sobbed and held her close to me as I prayed for her life. Please live! Make it out okay for me…

To be continued…

Author's Note: Wow! Finally done! That took so long because I by mistake erased it more than once. _! I would love to hear comments from you all. As for the next part I think I should have it out by December.