DEFYING DESTINY
By: Stiltzkin
Author's Note: Sorry for getting this up late...I've been swamped with work at school. Those pesky Independent Projects and tests could get in the way of writing...Anyway, hope you enjoy this segment of my story.
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CHAPTER FIVE: THE GREAT ESCAPE
The enchanting song of the lark woke Vesper up. Unlike his father, he was always a light sleeper, but he didn't mind. He liked the dawn; it was his quiet time, a time where no one could bother him with trivial command decisions and the hustle and bustle of life. He sat up on his bed and looked over to the men in his party.
Squall, his father slept silently with his gunblade at the ready. Blaze held onto his sword in its sheath protecting it like a baby. Then in the furthest bed was Thor, his axe was safely leaning against the nightstand. He quietly got up from his bed and put on his black leather jeans on and walked barefoot to the terrace to get a breath of fresh air.
The cold wind embraced his naked torso as he took in the skyline. It reminded him of home. Vesper preferred times of sunsets than sunrise, but when he's tired he'll take either. 'I need some coffee.' He thought to himself taking a deep breath. He was about to go back in when he saw Aurora sitting by the docks, just outside of the entrance to the inn. 'What is she doing up?' Vesper thought to himself. It wasn't unusual for Aurora to be watching the sunrise, but to do it alone usually means one thing - she's depressed.
Vesper was compelled to console her. He went back inside grabbed his black shirt and put it on. He fastened his belt and put on his boots quickly. He fixed his hair and grabbed his black leather trench coat and exited the room. Vesper grabbed his double-sided sword and hid it really well in his trench coat. He went downstairs telling the porter that he would be outside.
The night air was cool and crisp as he approached Aurora. She was wearing her sleeveless black leather shirt with matching black leather paints with a black leather belt around her waist. Her knee high black boots rested next to her allowing her feet to get wet in the water.
"Good morning, Ves." Aurora said, her eyes still fixated on the horizon. The sun was just about to peep over the skyline.
"How do you do that?"
"You don't really want to know. Do you?" Aurora smiled.
"Yeah I do." Vesper said joining his best friend on the dock.
"Still not telling."
"Please?"
"Don't you say good morning anymore?"
"All right." Vesper sighed. "Good Morning."
"Thank you."
"Now tell me." Vesper sighed.
"You're so incorrigible."
"I know that's why you love me so." Vesper bantered back.
"You wish Leonhart."
Vesper smiled at the remark sighing. "So what's on your mind?" Vesper asked, his voice of solemn seriousness.
"Nothing." Aurora sighed, rubbing her arms trying to keep warm.
"Didn't your mother tell you to dress warmly?" Vesper sighed, taking off his trench coat. He took out his double-sided sword from his trench coat and draped the coat across her shoulders.
"Constantly." Aurora sighed. "I just wish that my mother WAS really here." Aurora sighed. "I need to talk to her."
"Ah, men trouble." Vesper smiled. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Ves, no offense but there are some things that even we can't talk about, especially on this subject matter."
"Try me." Vesper smiled. "Aurora, you're my best friend, and I hate seeing you so depressed." Vesper sighed.
"All right." Aurora sighed. "There's this guy..."
"Ohh." Vesper said playfully.
"See this isn't going to work." Aurora objected.
"I'm sorry, please try again." Vesper smiled. Aurora gazed into his eyes searching if she could truly trust him. "Please." Vesper said using his baby blue eyes very sympathetically and flashed his boyish good smile.
"All right." Aurora gave in. "Just stop looking at me like that."
"Okay." Vesper smiled. "So there's this guy..."
"Yeah, I'm very infatuated with him." Aurora sighed. "Of course being a man he doesn't even notice my feelings for him." Aurora sighed. "Is this too uncomfortable for you?"
"No." His voice cracked. "Now stop stalling." Vesper said, regaining control of his voice.
"All right, I've been having these feelings for this boy for a long time, but I wasn't sure if he feels the same way towards me."
"Why not?"
"He sees me just as a friend."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I could tell by the way he looks at me." Aurora sighed.
"You know him that well?"
"Yeah." Aurora sighed. "Typical man really, blind and dense to things that really matters, especially those concerning the heart." Aurora sighed.
"Well if you ask me this guy is a moron if he doesn't see how much you love him." Vesper sighed.
"You wouldn't be calling him a moron, if you knew who he was."
"Why is it a close friend of mine?" Vesper asked. "Please don't say its Blaze." Vesper sighed.
"What if it is?"
"Is it?"
"Hypothetically speaking, let's say yes."
"Hypothetically speaking, it will be difficult for me to see both of my best friends in a romantic context, but that's my problem and not yours. I'll be happy if you are." Vesper smiled. "Now please take the hypothetical out of this situation, are you in love with Blaze?"
"No." Aurora sighed. "But he's just as moronic as Blaze." Aurora mocked playfully.
"Well I guess he's in good company." Vesper smiled.
"There they are!" A voice came from behind them. Both of them turned and saw one of Zell's friends speaking to three Estharian Guards. "That's the girl and her friend that were using Guardian Forces." He said pointing to them. "The rest of them are probably in the inn."
"I think we will have to finish this discussion a little later." Vesper said grabbing his two-sided sword.
"Yeah, I think you're right." Aurora said quickly putting on her boots and claws. "Here." Aurora said giving Vesper back his trench coat. "I fight better without this." She explained.
Vesper got up and ceremoniously draped the jacket over his shoulders. The two Estharian Soldiers rang for backup and then rush towards them. "Stop. You're under arrest." A robotic voice came from the cyborg guard. Two human Esthar Soldier usually accompanies a cyborg.
"Care for a fight?"
"Love too." Aurora smiled.
They ready their weapons as the fight begun. The middle soldier, the cyborg, rushed towards Vesper and used its plasma gunblade and slashed him with inhuman strength. Vesper quickly counterattacked. His right blade slashed strongly feeling the metallic structure resisting. The left blade followed suit as Vesper heard the sound of metal on his blade. Aurora follow his lead and used both of her hands ambidextrously inflicting a fatal blow to the Estharian Cyborg Soldier.
The human guard on the right cast Blizzaga on Aurora. She felt her immediate surrounding environment got colder as a huge, clear blue iceberg fell on her. She flinched with pain from the powerful spell. Vesper filled with rage ran towards the guard, which cast the spell and hit him critically with both his blades, killing the guard in the process. The remaining soldier aimed his plasma gunblade and shoot Vesper. He could feel the energy pulse coarse through his body.
Aurora dashed towards the remaining soldier and slashed the remaining soldier with her right claw damaging him seriously. She could see him limping with pain as he used a potion on himself. Vesper in a heartbeat ran towards him and slashed him once with each blade killing him in the process. The battle has won.
"You okay?" Vesper said out of breath.
"Yeah, just a little weak."
"Let me cast Curaga on you." Vesper said.
"No, she protested we can't use magic."
"It's too late they all ready know, and I'm not asking you for permission." Vesper said as he cast the spell on her. "Come let's go warn the rest of the group." Vesper said grabbing her hand and rushed upstairs to their respective rooms.
Vesper went into the men's room and woke everyone up and tried quickly to warn them to what was happening and asked them to get dressed, but his warnings were dwarfed when three Estharian Soldiers burst into their room. The rest of the men jumped at the ready.
The cyborg quickly attacked with his plasma gunblade and slashed Squall with machinelike powers. Squall quickly counterattacked triggering his gunblade upon connection. The gunpowder was a familiar and comforting smell for him. Blaze followed suit quickly and finished off the cyborg with a great slash from his sword.
The soldier on the right shot plasma energy from its gunblade at Blaze. The energy coursed through his body, which he rather enjoyed. Thor lifted his axe and swung it around his head as he slammed it on top of the Estharian Soldier on the right. He was quickly followed by Vesper as he felt flesh to blade and killed the solider before the left blade completed it's arc.
The final guard cast Blizzaga on Vesper and felt his surrounding air turned icy cold. A huge, clear blue iceberg fell on him with great force. He flinched with pain and got on one knee. Vesper was critically injured. Squall seeing his son in pain rushed towards the soldier and hit him hard triggering his gunblade killing him instantly.
"Are you okay?" Squall asked breathlessly.
"I'm fine." Vesper said weakly. "Go! Get ready to get out of here." Vesper said, casting Curaga on himself.
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The women from the room across the hall were experiencing the same problems as the men simultaneously. Three Estharian soldiers burst into their rooms, but the women were prepared for them.
Without a second thought Aurora rushed towards the metallic cyborg soldier and with both hands slashed the metallic soldier. Her claws vibrated with the overpowered hit. Zephyr ran quickly towards the center soldier and twirled her morning star many time and smashed it on the head of the cyborg leaving a slight dent in it's armour. The cyborg rushed towards Hope and slashed his plasma gunblade at her. She wenched in pain and twirled her rod in her hand and slapped the cyborg on the same side Zephyr hit him. The cybernetic soldier fell down in defeat.
The soldier on the right gave a slash to Zephyr while the other one slashed Aurora. They flinched with pain as Aurora quickly ran towards the soldier on the right and slashed it with her claws. The feeling of flesh on blade was more preferable than metal. Hope quickly followed suit as she twirled her morning star in the air bashing the soldier on the head. It fell down slumpishly.
The human guard on the left cast Blizzaga on Aurora. She felt her immediate surrounding environment got colder as a huge, clear blue iceberg fell on her. 'Why me?' She sighed. 'I'm beginning to hate the cold.' She sighed to herself. Zephyr ran towards the last soldier and knocked it hard using her rod. There was a momentarily pause in the battle, Aurora thought that the Estharian soldier was about to attack, but oddly didn't. She dismissed the thought and gave the fatal slash as it fell to the ground with silent ease.
"Are you girls okay?" Vesper asked coming into their room.
"Yeah, just fine. You boys ready?" Aurora smiled.
"Yeah, let's get out of here." Vesper said.
The seven ran down the stairs and were greeted by another three Estharian Soldiers that just came through the main hotel door. Being outnumbered by two to one, they quickly fell down. Vesper and his crew in tandem with Squall rushed to their right and up the ramp where they appeared in the Town's Square. The party of seven met another four Estharian Soldiers all cyborg.
A battle ensued before the team could react the lead soldier punch a command on his armband to summon a mechanical hovering torso sans any limbs, no head, no arms, and no legs. It was just a huge torso and big shoulders and a thin body. Squall swore to himself with fear.
"What is that?" One of the future children asked.
"Estharian concoction, in our world they call it: Mobile Type 8." Squall said quickly. "Everyone forget about the soldiers and hit that machine." Squall said as he drew out a card.
Vesper smiled to himself. 'To hell with the rules.' He ran towards the Mobile Type 8 and slashed it with his right blade then his left. The Mobile Type 8 quickly counterattacked with Twin Homing Laser, which cause minimal damage to everyone in the party.
The lead Estharian Cyborg Soldier slashed Squall; he didn't flinch as his Guardian Force took the hit. Squall could hear a faint birdlike scream in his head. Blaze rushed towards the machine and hit with his sword. The Mobile Type 8 quickly counterattacked with it's Twin Homing Laser again, causing minimal damage.
Squall stepped forward and disappeared in a shimmering of green light. The sky suddenly darkens with dark gray, melancholy clouds swirling in the sky. Suddenly a big thunderbolt hit the ground and a giant green and yellow bird spin into the air spreading its giant wings. The wings folded towards the beak where it gathers electrical power and hits all the enemies with a thunder bubble. Soon Quezacotl disappear in the same fashion as it appeared in a spiral and then a flash.
Quezacotl electrocuted all four Estharian Cyborg Soldiers and done significantly damaged to Mobile Type 8. In response it lashed its two metal whips where arms where suppose to be and attacked twice. The first arm hit Thor with tremendous force that it throw him out of the battle and smashed him to the nearest house wall, where he fainted. The second whipped Zephyr out of battle, than Hope in similar fashion as Thor. The fourth whipped headed towards Vesper, which he dodged somewhat successfully. He was stung on the cheek with the fourth whip that pained him greatly.
Vesper whipped the blood of his left cheek and saw Aurora ran towards the Mobile Type 8 and made the final blow. The machine exploded scattering bits of metal all over the place. Vesper turned around to look for the rest of his crew.
"Where are they?" Vesper asked frantically. They were gone.
"The Estharian Guard must have taken them." Squall rationalized.
"We have to get them." Vesper yelled.
Suddenly a mass of Estharian soldiers came from the road where the inn was located and another mass from where the city entrance was. "It's too late, we're surrounded." Squall said.
"But my people."
"They would have to fend for themselves." Squall said dragging his son away from the arm conflict.
"I have to save them." Vesper struggled against Squall.
"It won't do them any good if you're dead." Squall said forcing his son away from conflict of certain doom. They ran the only option available and headed for the train station. The plethora of Estharian Soldiers followed them.
"It's a trap!" Blaze said.
"I know!" Squall yelled back. "Head to the train and infiltrate it! That's how we are going to escape from Balamb Island." Squall said as the passed the item shop.
"What about the rest of the crew?" Vesper asked.
"Have faith we will help them later." Squall said. "Now go and infiltrate the train." Squall demanded.
"There is one question." Aurora asked.
"What is it?"
"Who's going to operate the train?"
"You are." Squall said. "You have an affinity towards machines much like your father." Squall said.
"But I..."
"I have faith in you." Squall said as he got up to the top steps of the train platform. "You three head for the train and wait for me, while I deal with our pursuers." Squall said.
"Are you sure?" Vesper asked.
"Yeah." Squall smiled pulling out a card. "Trust me." Squall stood in front of the Estharian Army blocking the only entrance to the train station. He was shoot at by many plasma pluses, but his Guardian Force was protecting him. Squall disappeared in shimmering green light. "Eden." Squall said to himself as he watch a plethora of helpless Estharian Soldiers being devoured by Eden.
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Vesper, Blaze and Aurora headed straight for the train. Vesper was worried about his father, but he had a gut feeling that he could take care of it by himself. Aurora quickly went to the door and started to pick the lock. Blaze had a bitter taste in his mouth and knew what it was - adrenaline. His heart was racing and he loved it. His icy blue eyes burned with excitement.
"Stop." A familiar feminine voice demanded. The three students look around the not so empty station to hear where the voice was coming from. Blaze knew that voice very well. 'This is a different reality.' He reminded himself.
"You're under arrest." Blaze recognized that masculine voice, less than the feminine one, but recognized it nevertheless. He looked to the roof of the train and saw a dark, tall, muscular man dressed in a blue sleeveless jean jacket and long black paints. In his right hand he held a rod about his height.
"Like hell we will." Blaze fired back.
"Fight." The white haired, pale skin woman said. She was dressed in blue jacket and black paints as she clutched a powerful Sai in her right hand.
"Bring it on." Blaze said as he held his sword tighter. He saw the duo jumped off the train's roof. He now knew who it was Fujin and Raijin.
"You won't get away." Raijin said brutally.
"That is yet to be seen." Blaze said as he pulled out a card.
Raijin twirled his rod and poked Vesper with one of the rod's end. Being several damaged from the previous battle he was critically damaged and got on one knee filled with pain. Suddenly Vesper felt his energies being returned to him. He turned and saw Aurora smiled, she had just cast a Curaga spell on him. With newfound strength he rushed towards Raijin and slashed him first with his left blade then the right. Fujin in response cast Tornado. The surrounding area of the heroes suddenly got windy as they were swept up among other small objects high in the air and fell down hard.
Blaze stepped forward and disappeared in a shimmering of green light. A bluish dragon with a black torso and orange-red lines defining its torso appeared. It's leather like wings had black spots as it majestically hovered in the air.
This was Blaze's favourite Guardian Force, because it was his first, Tiamat. The dragon roared and flew into their presence and hover over the enemy. It roared again as it as it gained attitude to perform it special attack: Dark Flare. Tiamat seeing that it was at optimal height fired several volleys of dark fireballs leaving a dark mushroom cloud as it flew away. Blaze reappears to see the status effect of curse being put on them.
Raijin rushed towards Blaze and hit him hard with the end of his rod. Blaze had underestimated how strong Raijin could be. Aurora then rushed towards Raijin and slashed him with her right claw. Vesper quickly followed suit and attacked him with both his blades.
"Sorry Sis, I've gotta go." Raijin said running away.
Fujin rolled her sai on the ground and aimed it at Blaze. The sai hit Blaze with significant damage. Blaze rushed towards Fujin and slashed him with his sword. The battle stood at a standstill as all of them took breathers. Aurora took a deep breath and rushed towards Fujin and slashed her with her ambidextrous arms.
"Enough." She said running from the battle.
"Was that Fujin and Raijin?" Squall asked running towards his party.
"Yeah." Blaze replied ominously.
"Are you okay?"
"We're fine." Vesper said breathless.
"All right, all aboard." Aurora smiled as the doors to the trains opened. "One way trip to Timber." Aurora announced.
"Just in time." Squall said seeing more Estharian soldiers still chasing after them. "Let's head to the engine." Squall said. The four of them ran towards the front of the train to reach the engine room. The Estharian soldiers still in pursuit.
"Do you know how to work this thing?" Vesper asked.
"No, but how hard can it be?" Aurora smiled pressing several buttons. The train slowly left the station.
"They're right behind us." Blaze warned seeing soldiers running up the connecting carts of the train. Squall had and idea and went outside in between carts and started pressing an access panel to disconnect the train carts. "What are you doing?" Blaze asked.
"You'll see." Squall sighed. He clearly remembered the first time he did this. It was his first mission as a SeeD candidate. This time however was different Rinoa wasn't there to tell him the codes.
"Hurry up Squall they're catching up to us." Blaze said.
Squall tried another combination and it failed. He swore to himself. They were only four buttons, but over two hundred and fifty different combinations he could do.
"It's now or never." Blaze said.
"Rinoa please be with me." Squall said to himself as he closed his eyes and punched a random series of numbers. Squall heard a click and the train engine were separated from the carts. The engine got farther as the passenger cars slowed to a stop. They made it! They've escaped!
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Potholes in the road awaken Thor. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was in chains. His axe and Guardian Force cards were missing. He realized that he was in a moving vehicle.
"Good Morning, Thor." Zephyr smiled.
"Where are we?"
"Not sure." Hope sighed. "But I have a feeling we're heading to Balamb Prison." Hope said showing her restraints. Thor noticed that they were all under arrest. Thor swore to himself and sighed.
"What about the rest?" Thor asked. "Did anyone see what happened to the rest of the crew?" Thor asked. The girls responded in the negative. Thor was worried, but didn't show it.
The car suddenly shook and stopped. "What's going on?" Thor asked hearing screams and voices outside.
"It's sounds like our rescue party." Hope smiled.
"Vesper and the gang must have saved us." Thor smiled.
"In here!" Zephyr yelled.
The door started to open. "We know." Zell smiled.
"Zell?"
"I like you to meet Xu, she's the leader of the resistant group here in Balamb." Zell acquainted.
"Zell, let's take care of introductions later." Xu said. "Just help me get these irons off." Xu scoffed. Zell quickly joined her as they started to tinker with the locks.
"Why did you run away?" Thor asked, being confused with his present situation.
"I wasn't sure if you were for the Estharians or against them." Zell said.
"When I saw your group attacking the Estharians guards we knew that you were against them." Zell explained.
"The rest of our party."
"We think they escaped via train. We're not sure, because all available exits were surrounded by Estharian Guards." Xu reported. "They planned to trapped them and ambush them at the train station."
"Then they may have escaped." Hope smiled.
"We can't say. We'll know more later on in the day." Xu said as the chains fell off. "All right you're free let's go. Here are your weapons and cards." Xu said passing out their respective weapons.
"We would like to thank you..."
"You can do that later. We must make haste before the backup come." Xu said. "You're not safe on the island anymore, but we have a base here if you followed us." Xu explained.
"Let's go." Thor said making an executive discussion. They got out of the prison car and followed Zell and Xu east of Balamb Prison. They headed towards the sunrise. 'What are we going to do now?' Thor said to himself.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Disclaimer: [1] The names of persons, places, and events pertaining to the Final Fantasy Genre (specifically Final Fantasy VIII (video game)) is not my invention and is the property of Square - no profit was made from the writing of this fan fiction. [2] This is a fan fiction and as such names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination that is, those not mentioned in the previous clause, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
By: Stiltzkin
Author's Note: Sorry for getting this up late...I've been swamped with work at school. Those pesky Independent Projects and tests could get in the way of writing...Anyway, hope you enjoy this segment of my story.
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CHAPTER FIVE: THE GREAT ESCAPE
The enchanting song of the lark woke Vesper up. Unlike his father, he was always a light sleeper, but he didn't mind. He liked the dawn; it was his quiet time, a time where no one could bother him with trivial command decisions and the hustle and bustle of life. He sat up on his bed and looked over to the men in his party.
Squall, his father slept silently with his gunblade at the ready. Blaze held onto his sword in its sheath protecting it like a baby. Then in the furthest bed was Thor, his axe was safely leaning against the nightstand. He quietly got up from his bed and put on his black leather jeans on and walked barefoot to the terrace to get a breath of fresh air.
The cold wind embraced his naked torso as he took in the skyline. It reminded him of home. Vesper preferred times of sunsets than sunrise, but when he's tired he'll take either. 'I need some coffee.' He thought to himself taking a deep breath. He was about to go back in when he saw Aurora sitting by the docks, just outside of the entrance to the inn. 'What is she doing up?' Vesper thought to himself. It wasn't unusual for Aurora to be watching the sunrise, but to do it alone usually means one thing - she's depressed.
Vesper was compelled to console her. He went back inside grabbed his black shirt and put it on. He fastened his belt and put on his boots quickly. He fixed his hair and grabbed his black leather trench coat and exited the room. Vesper grabbed his double-sided sword and hid it really well in his trench coat. He went downstairs telling the porter that he would be outside.
The night air was cool and crisp as he approached Aurora. She was wearing her sleeveless black leather shirt with matching black leather paints with a black leather belt around her waist. Her knee high black boots rested next to her allowing her feet to get wet in the water.
"Good morning, Ves." Aurora said, her eyes still fixated on the horizon. The sun was just about to peep over the skyline.
"How do you do that?"
"You don't really want to know. Do you?" Aurora smiled.
"Yeah I do." Vesper said joining his best friend on the dock.
"Still not telling."
"Please?"
"Don't you say good morning anymore?"
"All right." Vesper sighed. "Good Morning."
"Thank you."
"Now tell me." Vesper sighed.
"You're so incorrigible."
"I know that's why you love me so." Vesper bantered back.
"You wish Leonhart."
Vesper smiled at the remark sighing. "So what's on your mind?" Vesper asked, his voice of solemn seriousness.
"Nothing." Aurora sighed, rubbing her arms trying to keep warm.
"Didn't your mother tell you to dress warmly?" Vesper sighed, taking off his trench coat. He took out his double-sided sword from his trench coat and draped the coat across her shoulders.
"Constantly." Aurora sighed. "I just wish that my mother WAS really here." Aurora sighed. "I need to talk to her."
"Ah, men trouble." Vesper smiled. "Do you want to talk about it?"
"Ves, no offense but there are some things that even we can't talk about, especially on this subject matter."
"Try me." Vesper smiled. "Aurora, you're my best friend, and I hate seeing you so depressed." Vesper sighed.
"All right." Aurora sighed. "There's this guy..."
"Ohh." Vesper said playfully.
"See this isn't going to work." Aurora objected.
"I'm sorry, please try again." Vesper smiled. Aurora gazed into his eyes searching if she could truly trust him. "Please." Vesper said using his baby blue eyes very sympathetically and flashed his boyish good smile.
"All right." Aurora gave in. "Just stop looking at me like that."
"Okay." Vesper smiled. "So there's this guy..."
"Yeah, I'm very infatuated with him." Aurora sighed. "Of course being a man he doesn't even notice my feelings for him." Aurora sighed. "Is this too uncomfortable for you?"
"No." His voice cracked. "Now stop stalling." Vesper said, regaining control of his voice.
"All right, I've been having these feelings for this boy for a long time, but I wasn't sure if he feels the same way towards me."
"Why not?"
"He sees me just as a friend."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I could tell by the way he looks at me." Aurora sighed.
"You know him that well?"
"Yeah." Aurora sighed. "Typical man really, blind and dense to things that really matters, especially those concerning the heart." Aurora sighed.
"Well if you ask me this guy is a moron if he doesn't see how much you love him." Vesper sighed.
"You wouldn't be calling him a moron, if you knew who he was."
"Why is it a close friend of mine?" Vesper asked. "Please don't say its Blaze." Vesper sighed.
"What if it is?"
"Is it?"
"Hypothetically speaking, let's say yes."
"Hypothetically speaking, it will be difficult for me to see both of my best friends in a romantic context, but that's my problem and not yours. I'll be happy if you are." Vesper smiled. "Now please take the hypothetical out of this situation, are you in love with Blaze?"
"No." Aurora sighed. "But he's just as moronic as Blaze." Aurora mocked playfully.
"Well I guess he's in good company." Vesper smiled.
"There they are!" A voice came from behind them. Both of them turned and saw one of Zell's friends speaking to three Estharian Guards. "That's the girl and her friend that were using Guardian Forces." He said pointing to them. "The rest of them are probably in the inn."
"I think we will have to finish this discussion a little later." Vesper said grabbing his two-sided sword.
"Yeah, I think you're right." Aurora said quickly putting on her boots and claws. "Here." Aurora said giving Vesper back his trench coat. "I fight better without this." She explained.
Vesper got up and ceremoniously draped the jacket over his shoulders. The two Estharian Soldiers rang for backup and then rush towards them. "Stop. You're under arrest." A robotic voice came from the cyborg guard. Two human Esthar Soldier usually accompanies a cyborg.
"Care for a fight?"
"Love too." Aurora smiled.
They ready their weapons as the fight begun. The middle soldier, the cyborg, rushed towards Vesper and used its plasma gunblade and slashed him with inhuman strength. Vesper quickly counterattacked. His right blade slashed strongly feeling the metallic structure resisting. The left blade followed suit as Vesper heard the sound of metal on his blade. Aurora follow his lead and used both of her hands ambidextrously inflicting a fatal blow to the Estharian Cyborg Soldier.
The human guard on the right cast Blizzaga on Aurora. She felt her immediate surrounding environment got colder as a huge, clear blue iceberg fell on her. She flinched with pain from the powerful spell. Vesper filled with rage ran towards the guard, which cast the spell and hit him critically with both his blades, killing the guard in the process. The remaining soldier aimed his plasma gunblade and shoot Vesper. He could feel the energy pulse coarse through his body.
Aurora dashed towards the remaining soldier and slashed the remaining soldier with her right claw damaging him seriously. She could see him limping with pain as he used a potion on himself. Vesper in a heartbeat ran towards him and slashed him once with each blade killing him in the process. The battle has won.
"You okay?" Vesper said out of breath.
"Yeah, just a little weak."
"Let me cast Curaga on you." Vesper said.
"No, she protested we can't use magic."
"It's too late they all ready know, and I'm not asking you for permission." Vesper said as he cast the spell on her. "Come let's go warn the rest of the group." Vesper said grabbing her hand and rushed upstairs to their respective rooms.
Vesper went into the men's room and woke everyone up and tried quickly to warn them to what was happening and asked them to get dressed, but his warnings were dwarfed when three Estharian Soldiers burst into their room. The rest of the men jumped at the ready.
The cyborg quickly attacked with his plasma gunblade and slashed Squall with machinelike powers. Squall quickly counterattacked triggering his gunblade upon connection. The gunpowder was a familiar and comforting smell for him. Blaze followed suit quickly and finished off the cyborg with a great slash from his sword.
The soldier on the right shot plasma energy from its gunblade at Blaze. The energy coursed through his body, which he rather enjoyed. Thor lifted his axe and swung it around his head as he slammed it on top of the Estharian Soldier on the right. He was quickly followed by Vesper as he felt flesh to blade and killed the solider before the left blade completed it's arc.
The final guard cast Blizzaga on Vesper and felt his surrounding air turned icy cold. A huge, clear blue iceberg fell on him with great force. He flinched with pain and got on one knee. Vesper was critically injured. Squall seeing his son in pain rushed towards the soldier and hit him hard triggering his gunblade killing him instantly.
"Are you okay?" Squall asked breathlessly.
"I'm fine." Vesper said weakly. "Go! Get ready to get out of here." Vesper said, casting Curaga on himself.
* * * * * * * * * *
The women from the room across the hall were experiencing the same problems as the men simultaneously. Three Estharian soldiers burst into their rooms, but the women were prepared for them.
Without a second thought Aurora rushed towards the metallic cyborg soldier and with both hands slashed the metallic soldier. Her claws vibrated with the overpowered hit. Zephyr ran quickly towards the center soldier and twirled her morning star many time and smashed it on the head of the cyborg leaving a slight dent in it's armour. The cyborg rushed towards Hope and slashed his plasma gunblade at her. She wenched in pain and twirled her rod in her hand and slapped the cyborg on the same side Zephyr hit him. The cybernetic soldier fell down in defeat.
The soldier on the right gave a slash to Zephyr while the other one slashed Aurora. They flinched with pain as Aurora quickly ran towards the soldier on the right and slashed it with her claws. The feeling of flesh on blade was more preferable than metal. Hope quickly followed suit as she twirled her morning star in the air bashing the soldier on the head. It fell down slumpishly.
The human guard on the left cast Blizzaga on Aurora. She felt her immediate surrounding environment got colder as a huge, clear blue iceberg fell on her. 'Why me?' She sighed. 'I'm beginning to hate the cold.' She sighed to herself. Zephyr ran towards the last soldier and knocked it hard using her rod. There was a momentarily pause in the battle, Aurora thought that the Estharian soldier was about to attack, but oddly didn't. She dismissed the thought and gave the fatal slash as it fell to the ground with silent ease.
"Are you girls okay?" Vesper asked coming into their room.
"Yeah, just fine. You boys ready?" Aurora smiled.
"Yeah, let's get out of here." Vesper said.
The seven ran down the stairs and were greeted by another three Estharian Soldiers that just came through the main hotel door. Being outnumbered by two to one, they quickly fell down. Vesper and his crew in tandem with Squall rushed to their right and up the ramp where they appeared in the Town's Square. The party of seven met another four Estharian Soldiers all cyborg.
A battle ensued before the team could react the lead soldier punch a command on his armband to summon a mechanical hovering torso sans any limbs, no head, no arms, and no legs. It was just a huge torso and big shoulders and a thin body. Squall swore to himself with fear.
"What is that?" One of the future children asked.
"Estharian concoction, in our world they call it: Mobile Type 8." Squall said quickly. "Everyone forget about the soldiers and hit that machine." Squall said as he drew out a card.
Vesper smiled to himself. 'To hell with the rules.' He ran towards the Mobile Type 8 and slashed it with his right blade then his left. The Mobile Type 8 quickly counterattacked with Twin Homing Laser, which cause minimal damage to everyone in the party.
The lead Estharian Cyborg Soldier slashed Squall; he didn't flinch as his Guardian Force took the hit. Squall could hear a faint birdlike scream in his head. Blaze rushed towards the machine and hit with his sword. The Mobile Type 8 quickly counterattacked with it's Twin Homing Laser again, causing minimal damage.
Squall stepped forward and disappeared in a shimmering of green light. The sky suddenly darkens with dark gray, melancholy clouds swirling in the sky. Suddenly a big thunderbolt hit the ground and a giant green and yellow bird spin into the air spreading its giant wings. The wings folded towards the beak where it gathers electrical power and hits all the enemies with a thunder bubble. Soon Quezacotl disappear in the same fashion as it appeared in a spiral and then a flash.
Quezacotl electrocuted all four Estharian Cyborg Soldiers and done significantly damaged to Mobile Type 8. In response it lashed its two metal whips where arms where suppose to be and attacked twice. The first arm hit Thor with tremendous force that it throw him out of the battle and smashed him to the nearest house wall, where he fainted. The second whipped Zephyr out of battle, than Hope in similar fashion as Thor. The fourth whipped headed towards Vesper, which he dodged somewhat successfully. He was stung on the cheek with the fourth whip that pained him greatly.
Vesper whipped the blood of his left cheek and saw Aurora ran towards the Mobile Type 8 and made the final blow. The machine exploded scattering bits of metal all over the place. Vesper turned around to look for the rest of his crew.
"Where are they?" Vesper asked frantically. They were gone.
"The Estharian Guard must have taken them." Squall rationalized.
"We have to get them." Vesper yelled.
Suddenly a mass of Estharian soldiers came from the road where the inn was located and another mass from where the city entrance was. "It's too late, we're surrounded." Squall said.
"But my people."
"They would have to fend for themselves." Squall said dragging his son away from the arm conflict.
"I have to save them." Vesper struggled against Squall.
"It won't do them any good if you're dead." Squall said forcing his son away from conflict of certain doom. They ran the only option available and headed for the train station. The plethora of Estharian Soldiers followed them.
"It's a trap!" Blaze said.
"I know!" Squall yelled back. "Head to the train and infiltrate it! That's how we are going to escape from Balamb Island." Squall said as the passed the item shop.
"What about the rest of the crew?" Vesper asked.
"Have faith we will help them later." Squall said. "Now go and infiltrate the train." Squall demanded.
"There is one question." Aurora asked.
"What is it?"
"Who's going to operate the train?"
"You are." Squall said. "You have an affinity towards machines much like your father." Squall said.
"But I..."
"I have faith in you." Squall said as he got up to the top steps of the train platform. "You three head for the train and wait for me, while I deal with our pursuers." Squall said.
"Are you sure?" Vesper asked.
"Yeah." Squall smiled pulling out a card. "Trust me." Squall stood in front of the Estharian Army blocking the only entrance to the train station. He was shoot at by many plasma pluses, but his Guardian Force was protecting him. Squall disappeared in shimmering green light. "Eden." Squall said to himself as he watch a plethora of helpless Estharian Soldiers being devoured by Eden.
* * * * * * * * * *
Vesper, Blaze and Aurora headed straight for the train. Vesper was worried about his father, but he had a gut feeling that he could take care of it by himself. Aurora quickly went to the door and started to pick the lock. Blaze had a bitter taste in his mouth and knew what it was - adrenaline. His heart was racing and he loved it. His icy blue eyes burned with excitement.
"Stop." A familiar feminine voice demanded. The three students look around the not so empty station to hear where the voice was coming from. Blaze knew that voice very well. 'This is a different reality.' He reminded himself.
"You're under arrest." Blaze recognized that masculine voice, less than the feminine one, but recognized it nevertheless. He looked to the roof of the train and saw a dark, tall, muscular man dressed in a blue sleeveless jean jacket and long black paints. In his right hand he held a rod about his height.
"Like hell we will." Blaze fired back.
"Fight." The white haired, pale skin woman said. She was dressed in blue jacket and black paints as she clutched a powerful Sai in her right hand.
"Bring it on." Blaze said as he held his sword tighter. He saw the duo jumped off the train's roof. He now knew who it was Fujin and Raijin.
"You won't get away." Raijin said brutally.
"That is yet to be seen." Blaze said as he pulled out a card.
Raijin twirled his rod and poked Vesper with one of the rod's end. Being several damaged from the previous battle he was critically damaged and got on one knee filled with pain. Suddenly Vesper felt his energies being returned to him. He turned and saw Aurora smiled, she had just cast a Curaga spell on him. With newfound strength he rushed towards Raijin and slashed him first with his left blade then the right. Fujin in response cast Tornado. The surrounding area of the heroes suddenly got windy as they were swept up among other small objects high in the air and fell down hard.
Blaze stepped forward and disappeared in a shimmering of green light. A bluish dragon with a black torso and orange-red lines defining its torso appeared. It's leather like wings had black spots as it majestically hovered in the air.
This was Blaze's favourite Guardian Force, because it was his first, Tiamat. The dragon roared and flew into their presence and hover over the enemy. It roared again as it as it gained attitude to perform it special attack: Dark Flare. Tiamat seeing that it was at optimal height fired several volleys of dark fireballs leaving a dark mushroom cloud as it flew away. Blaze reappears to see the status effect of curse being put on them.
Raijin rushed towards Blaze and hit him hard with the end of his rod. Blaze had underestimated how strong Raijin could be. Aurora then rushed towards Raijin and slashed him with her right claw. Vesper quickly followed suit and attacked him with both his blades.
"Sorry Sis, I've gotta go." Raijin said running away.
Fujin rolled her sai on the ground and aimed it at Blaze. The sai hit Blaze with significant damage. Blaze rushed towards Fujin and slashed him with his sword. The battle stood at a standstill as all of them took breathers. Aurora took a deep breath and rushed towards Fujin and slashed her with her ambidextrous arms.
"Enough." She said running from the battle.
"Was that Fujin and Raijin?" Squall asked running towards his party.
"Yeah." Blaze replied ominously.
"Are you okay?"
"We're fine." Vesper said breathless.
"All right, all aboard." Aurora smiled as the doors to the trains opened. "One way trip to Timber." Aurora announced.
"Just in time." Squall said seeing more Estharian soldiers still chasing after them. "Let's head to the engine." Squall said. The four of them ran towards the front of the train to reach the engine room. The Estharian soldiers still in pursuit.
"Do you know how to work this thing?" Vesper asked.
"No, but how hard can it be?" Aurora smiled pressing several buttons. The train slowly left the station.
"They're right behind us." Blaze warned seeing soldiers running up the connecting carts of the train. Squall had and idea and went outside in between carts and started pressing an access panel to disconnect the train carts. "What are you doing?" Blaze asked.
"You'll see." Squall sighed. He clearly remembered the first time he did this. It was his first mission as a SeeD candidate. This time however was different Rinoa wasn't there to tell him the codes.
"Hurry up Squall they're catching up to us." Blaze said.
Squall tried another combination and it failed. He swore to himself. They were only four buttons, but over two hundred and fifty different combinations he could do.
"It's now or never." Blaze said.
"Rinoa please be with me." Squall said to himself as he closed his eyes and punched a random series of numbers. Squall heard a click and the train engine were separated from the carts. The engine got farther as the passenger cars slowed to a stop. They made it! They've escaped!
* * * * * * * * * *
Potholes in the road awaken Thor. He slowly opened his eyes and saw that he was in chains. His axe and Guardian Force cards were missing. He realized that he was in a moving vehicle.
"Good Morning, Thor." Zephyr smiled.
"Where are we?"
"Not sure." Hope sighed. "But I have a feeling we're heading to Balamb Prison." Hope said showing her restraints. Thor noticed that they were all under arrest. Thor swore to himself and sighed.
"What about the rest?" Thor asked. "Did anyone see what happened to the rest of the crew?" Thor asked. The girls responded in the negative. Thor was worried, but didn't show it.
The car suddenly shook and stopped. "What's going on?" Thor asked hearing screams and voices outside.
"It's sounds like our rescue party." Hope smiled.
"Vesper and the gang must have saved us." Thor smiled.
"In here!" Zephyr yelled.
The door started to open. "We know." Zell smiled.
"Zell?"
"I like you to meet Xu, she's the leader of the resistant group here in Balamb." Zell acquainted.
"Zell, let's take care of introductions later." Xu said. "Just help me get these irons off." Xu scoffed. Zell quickly joined her as they started to tinker with the locks.
"Why did you run away?" Thor asked, being confused with his present situation.
"I wasn't sure if you were for the Estharians or against them." Zell said.
"When I saw your group attacking the Estharians guards we knew that you were against them." Zell explained.
"The rest of our party."
"We think they escaped via train. We're not sure, because all available exits were surrounded by Estharian Guards." Xu reported. "They planned to trapped them and ambush them at the train station."
"Then they may have escaped." Hope smiled.
"We can't say. We'll know more later on in the day." Xu said as the chains fell off. "All right you're free let's go. Here are your weapons and cards." Xu said passing out their respective weapons.
"We would like to thank you..."
"You can do that later. We must make haste before the backup come." Xu said. "You're not safe on the island anymore, but we have a base here if you followed us." Xu explained.
"Let's go." Thor said making an executive discussion. They got out of the prison car and followed Zell and Xu east of Balamb Prison. They headed towards the sunrise. 'What are we going to do now?' Thor said to himself.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Disclaimer: [1] The names of persons, places, and events pertaining to the Final Fantasy Genre (specifically Final Fantasy VIII (video game)) is not my invention and is the property of Square - no profit was made from the writing of this fan fiction. [2] This is a fan fiction and as such names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination that is, those not mentioned in the previous clause, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.