Illuminating Revelation

Illuminating Revelation

Disc 1

Chapter 1

Rinoa sat up and yawned, "Am I still here? I wish that my dream really did come true." She then sat down and began screaming Squall's name Ouch! My stomach's killing me. I need to reenergize myself. She sat back down and healed herself.

Back in real time, Zell, Selphie, Quistis and Irvine walked towards the familiar dilapidated house they had known so well. They entered and saw Edea sitting at the shore. They ran towards her screaming, "MATRON!!!" Edea stood up and welcomed the sight of her "children". After the hugs and kisses, Edea noticed something, "Where's Squall?" Zell uneasily replied, "We don't really know. That's why we want to-" Selphie continued, " –stay here till Squall shows up with Rinoa, if you don't mind, of course." " Of course I don't mind. Besides, I could use the company while Cid is away taking care of Garden. He told me not to come to Garden until everything has settled down.", said Edea compassionately. Quistis asked, "Matron, can you tell us what happened her during the 2 days we were missing in?" "Sure," replied Edea, " First of all, Lunatic Pandora had disappeared completely. Esthar built a communications satellite in 38 hours, just goes to show you how advanced Esthar is. Galbadia has elected a new President and VP. They are the so-called 'Heroes of Lunatic Pandora' since they were the only people who escaped from it. The new President of Galbadia is Biggs and his VP is Wedge." The four's jaws instantly dropped. "You mean those idiots who tried to kill us twice are the highest ranking officials in all of Galbadia?" shrieked Zell. "That's right." said Edea. Quistis began thinking. How are those two morons planning to fix the worldwide mess they've created of everything? "A GALBADIAN CHOPPER?" screamed Irvine as the chopper with four Elite Soldiers and someone else lands. The five Galbadians ran in and surrounded them before any of them could react. The unidentified person in the helicopter, VP Wedge, asked them "Which one of you is Edea Kramer?" "What the hell do you want with-" Zell was rudely interrupted. "I am Edea Kramer. Why do you wish to know?" Wedge in his most "sympathetic" look said, "Edea Kramer, you are to be executed for the murder of former President of Galbadia, Vinzer Deling."

Chapter 2

 "Where the hell am I?" mumbled Seifer wearily. Damn! My whole body's been bruised. Seifer turned around and saw Lunatic Pandora, which had landed beside him. How the hell did I end up in this…this wasteland. The last thing I remember was jumping off Lunatic Pandora, and now I'm…here! Seifer ran towards the door and "attacked" it with his gunblade. The door opened releasing some dust into the already dusty air. He entered Lunatic Pandora. Damn! Where's the guard? He then walked into the room and saw the guard, slumped on the floor near the elevator. "You asshole! Wake up!" screamed Seifer, "DID YOU HEAR ME YOU SON-OF-A-B****! WAKE UP!" The guard lay on the floor, unmoving. In his annoyance, Seifer attacked him with his gunblade, which streaked the guard's right cheek. The cold blood splattered on Seifer's gunblade. He then touched the blood. Damn! It's cold. It's a good thing I learned how to take someone's pulse in Garden. He knelt down and checked for the guards pulse. There was no pulse.

Rinoa was on her last leg, she had been drained of most of her energy. Am I gonna…die? I haven't had any food or water in two days. I can't see clearly anymore. My eyes are blurry and teary. My whole body is screaming in pain. And I still can't find Squall. She then sat down and stared westward, waiting for death to consume her body and soul. Then she noticed something in the horizon. She then stood up and rubbed her eyes. She then squinted and was filled with hope once more. Could that be…Lunatic Pandora? Gathering all her remaining energy, she sprinted towards what she saw as fast as her legs would carry her.

Man! Do those guys give me the creeps or what, thought Seifer as he walked away from Lunatic Pandora; two chocolate bars were in his pocket. He had checked all of Lunatic Pandora and everyone aboard was dead. There is no way I am gonna stay in that morgue. I'd better go back to civilization now. I could really use one of 'em chocolate bars right now. He then saw something in the distance; it appeared to be a body slumped on the ground. Izzat...Squall? I'm gonna go finish him off. Hahaha.

"Ugh! Dammit!" muttered a Galbadian guard, "Why the hell is my cheek bleeding!"

Chapter 3

"Take that!" screamed Selphie as she finished off the last of the elite soldiers with an attack. "You're next!" shouted Quistis at Wedge. Irvine then casted Ultima on Wedge. DMG 2573;HP 2427. Edea then said angrily," Enough! I don't want any more fighting!"

she then casted Curaga on Wedge, healing him fully. Zell followed with Meteor. DMG 350 x 16=5600;KO. Edea said, "Please, no more fighting." She then casted Full-Life on Wedge. "This is going nowhere", said Selphie who casted Stop on Edea. "Much better.", said Irvine who followed with his Limit, Quick Shot, instantly dropping Wedge's remaining HP to 4. "Pathetic" said Irvine in disgust. He turned around and saw Zell freaking out. "Yo, Zell, what's wrong man?". Nobody tries to kill my Matron and gets away with it. NOBODY!!! He's gonna pay, BIG TIME!!! Zell then performed My Final Heaven on Wedge, except this time he missed Wedge and kept going around the world, faster and faster. Then, he hit Wedge, doing much more than KOing Wedge. As Zell collapsed from loss of energy, Irvine and Quistis walk to Wedge's body, slumped on the shore. "What happened you guys?" asked Selphie who stood behind them. Quistis immediately took Wedge's pulse. "He's…dead." said Quistis gravely. The Galbadian helicopter hovered over them. The shocked pilot spoke into the radio "Yo, dude, guess what happened. Vice President Wedge came to this shack down south and got killed by a bunch of assholes. Yeah, that's right, KILLED. Tell my wife I'll be late for dinner. Weather ain't lookin' too good down here neither. So, what's up. Geez, don't tell me yer obsessin on that Wedge is dead thingy…

"Great job Zell," said Irvine sarcastically when Zell woke up, "Next time you decide to kill someone, make sure that there are no damn witnesses!"

Chapter 4

"NO! It was just a mirage!", shrieked Rinoa, who was exasperated to find out that what she saw was just a mirage. She sat down to focus her thoughts. Then, it hit her. I read that book about mirages. Mirages are refractions of light through clouds. The point is, Lunatic Pandora is not too far away. Rinoa tried to triangulate the position of Lunatic Pandora mentally, when suddenly the mirage of Lunatic Pandora began to float higher.

"Damn! It was just a frickin mirage!" Since Seifer had not known better, he decided to head back to Lunatic Pandora. Then, the bitter reality of it all smacked right across his head, "I'm…lost?" An ear-piercing sound began to echo through Seifer's head, lulling him to sleep…

"Give me the newspaper", said the pilot, as he stepped off the helipad. "Yes, sir" replied the subordinate, who handed an issue of Timber Maniacs, the first edition released since time compression, to the pilot. FRONT PAGE: SIX YOUNG SEEDS DEFEAT SORCERESS, HALT TIME COMPRESSION. Picture taken in Balamb Garden. As seen from left, Quistis Trepe, Irvine Kinneas, Squall Leonheart, Rinoa Heartilly, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmitt.

The pilot stared at the picture in shock. "That…that asshole who killed Wedge, his picture is here! Wait til President Biggs hears that Zell Dincht killed our VP. I'm gonna be in for a lot of cash!"

"Now we're on the run because of you." said Quistis angrily to Zell as they walked across Centra. "Now Quistis, you know Zell only did that to protect me. He just went overboard" said Edea softly, "Zell, I want you to promise me that you will never do anything like that again!". Zell, who was trailing behind everyone else, said softly, "Yes Matron, I promise." "There, that's better." said Edea as she turned on the transistor radio. As soon as it was adjusted, Selphie said, "Sssh! I recognize that voice. It's Biggs' voice." Everyone listened as Irvine increased the volume.

"…Fortunately, we have a witness who knows who this homicidal maniac is. The killer is none other than Zell Dincht, one of the heroes who defeated Sorceress Ultimecia. I am offering a 20 million gil reward for capturing Zell Dincht or any of the other SeeDs who defeated Ultimecia, dead or alive…"

"Great!" said Irvine, "This idiot made all of us fugitives from the law!"

Chapter 5

He began pacing back and forth slowly, then his speed picked up. How could this be happening? First Squall disappears from the face of the planet, then Ellone fell into a state of comatose, and now the other SeeDs who helped get rid of Ultimecia create a scandal that rocks the very face of this planet. In addition, the worst part is I can't help them because of that stupid petition. The "stupid petition" was a petition created by the president of the council for Esthar Citizens. It stated that for the next three months, President Laguna Loire was forbidden to leave Esthar because of the amount of time he spent away from Esthar. Almost the entire population of Esthar signed it. Serves me right for spending too much time on Adel's tomb. Now I have no choice but to remain here, completely helpless. At least the effects of the Lunar Cry have subsided and all of Esthar is almost back to normal. Maybe what I need is for someone else to find them and bring them here. I'll have to hide them here. He then spoke into the intercom, "Ward, send a message to Balamb Garden. Tell Headmaster Cid Kramer that I need an audience with him immediately." 

It began to rain over Esthar as Dr. Odine sat in his new lab at Lunatic Pandora Research. He was reading an issue of the Galbadian operated Timber Maniacs, "Zer is nothing is zis stupid magazine worth reading!" said Dr. Odine angrily. "Hold on, zees two articles are not bad." Muttered Dr. Odine, who opened his desk drawer to get a pair of scissors. As he cut the two articles from the magazine, his assistant entered his room." Zon't you knock?" said Dr. Odine to his secretary.

"Doctor, the appeals you made to President Loire were rejected."

"Gragh! How am I ever supposed to leave this place if that accursed Laguna won't let me?!"

"Umm, sir, we, uhh, don't have enough gil for your next project."

"Not to worry, I have found a way to fund a new and better project."

Dr. Odine shooed away his secretary and began to read the articles he cut.

The articles' titles were: President Biggs accuses SeeD Zell Dincht of murdering VP Wedge; 20 million gil reward to be given for capturing the SeeDs involved.

Two SeeDs involved in halting of time compression missing.

Headmaster Cid Kramer was perspiring like crazy. Edea, Zell, Quistis, Irvine, Selphie, I'm…sorry. I wish I could help. Dr. Kadowaki then said into the microphone to the junior classmen and SeeDs gathered in the Quad, "SeeDs and classmen of Balamb Garden, our headmaster Cid has an announcement to make." She stepped off the stage and gave way for Cid to go up. "I have an urgent announcement to make. As most of you have heard, my wife Edea and several SeeDs have been involved in a homicide. There have been many reporters hounding us. Thus, after much deliberation, we have decided to move to Cactuar Island after recalling all SeeDs. Because the integrity of Balamb Garden is at stake, we will not offer them any assistance for the time being. I hope that what I have just said shall not leave this room…"

Martine was seated at his desk, making last minute preparations, when his assistant entered his office.

"Sir, they are ready to hear your speech now.

"Thank you", said Martine as he stepped out of his office and walked to the podium.

"Greetings, I am here to welcome you to our new Garden, a fusion of two old gardens. Galbadia-Trabia Garden, which you students may refer to as GTG, shall create a system similar to that of Balamb Garden's SeeD. In SeeD, missions are done in groups. Our missions shall involve our entire garden. Our first mission will be to capture the fugitives who murdered Galbadian President Vinzer Deling, and VP Wedge. We will head to Fisherman's Horizon tomorrow morning…"

"Ow! I feel like a truck ran over me!" grumbled a weary man. "I'm gonna execute those bastards if it's the last thing I do!"

Chapter 6

You are no longer the sorceress' knight. Be free. These words echoed through Seifer's skull. He then woke up feeling refreshed and liberated. I'm not angry anymore. In fact, I had no reason to be angry. I can't believe I tried to kill them, I'm gonna get that Ultimecia! Damn! I have this gut feeling Squall's in trouble. If I don't help him, I'll be stuck with the guilt for the rest of my life! "What in hell…?!" exclaimed Seifer as Lunatic Pandora whizzed past him.

Squall finally awoke. Fuck! Why the hell am I not in heaven yet?! Damn, all these memories of Rinoa are flooding back to me. I'm sorry we couldn't meet where we promised, Rinoa. Forgive me…thought Squall as he painfully drifted back into unconsciousness, his nightmares awaiting his return…

The pain's too much! thought Rinoa as she ran after the drifting mirage of Lunatic Pandora. She finally stopped running and sat down. Ow! The pain in my stomach is getting worse. Only the excruciating pain in her extremities and her throbbing skull kept her awake. The pain is the only thing keeping me alive. Omigod! Is that what I hope it is? Rinoa gathered what remained of her energy and crawled towards the blue wrapper. Chocolate! She gobbled down the remaining chocolate in the wrapper with gusto.

"Now where do we go?" complained Selphie. She had every right to complain. She was tired because she had not had a good night's sleep since she was in FH. She had drunk no water for 8 hours. Her head and feet were throbbing from all the walking. Fortunately, Selphie found a package with 24 jars of Peach Jelly in it before they left Edea's house. On the way, she had finished four jars of the jelly and was ready to throw up anytime. Moreover, of course, Zell turned her into a fugitive. Her frustration with Zell was at its threshold. On the other hand, Irvine and Quistis' frustration was gleaming to every monster nearby, scaring them away. Edea seemed calm, cool, and collected, yet her insides were chaotic. How could this have happened? It wasn't my fault I killed Deling! I was under Ultimecia's control. Now, I've dragged my "children" down with me. I deserve to die for doing these things, not to mention all that jelly. Zell was trailing behind the group thinking. Why are they so mad at me? I helped build the raft didn't I? Well, I guess if not for me we wouldn't need a raft in the first place. And that jelly! You've gotta loves Peach Jelly but 5 jars is more than what someone oughtta finish in a year.

"I don't know" replied Edea.

"I don't care where we go as long as Zell isn't there," said Irvine as Selphie and Quistis snickered, to Zell's disgust.

"That's it! I AM SICK AND TIRED OF THIS. SO CUT IT OUT AND GET IN LINE!" screamed Edea angrily. This shocked them completely.

"Yes, matron."

"Better"

"So how about Esthar?" asked Irvine.

"Laguna won't like the negative publicity" replied Quistis

"Trabia Garden!" said Selphie excitedly

"Umm, Trabia Garden is not there anymore" said Edea softly

"WHAT!" shrieked Selphie

"Don't worry its still there. It's just not in Trabia anymore. I'll explain it to you aboard the raft."

"Balamb?"

"They would love to get their hands on 20 million gil."

"Centra Ruins?"

"They'd likely check there too"

"FH?"

"Mayor Dobe isn't especially fond of SeeDs."

"Deling City?" wondered Irvine

"Are you crazy?!" asked Quistis, "That's where they're going to execute us."

"We'll be right under their noses. Galbadia is too ignorant to check there. Why not?"

"So its settled, we're going to Deling City" said Edea.

"I'm not coming with you" said Zell, "We'll be safer if we split up. I'll go to Shumi Village. We can go to FH, buy our disguises and split."

"F-Fine." Said Edea

Before they entered the raft, they fought a Jelleye and killed it. They used its fins as the rudder for the raft.

Zell, you know I can't stop you. Just be careful. Please.

The pukefest began 10 feet from shore. They would never eat Peach Jelly again.

Chapter 7

Panting and wheezing ran Seifer across the dusty ground, trying his best to catch up with Lunatic Pandora. There goes my last chocolate bar. Seifer bit the wrapping open and gobbled up the last chocolate bar, leaving it to drop on the ground. If I don't get aboard Lunatic Pandora and find Squall, I would never be able to live with myself.

"Come in." said Dr. Odine, rereading the two cut articles which were pasted on a small piece of corrugated cardboard. His secretary entered, "Doctor, we were able to arrange the flight to Deling City via the Dollet Dukedom. It leaves in 8 hours." Dr. Odine put down the board and nodded to the secretary. She left leaving the doctor alone to contemplate his next actions.

"Please come in." said Laguna as a confused Cid Kramer walked into President Loire's chambers. "Please, have a seat" said Laguna as he motioned the headmaster to a leather couch.

"Is there a problem, President Loire?"

"Please, call me Laguna. I'm sure you remember Ellone don't you. She is my, err, niece."

"Oh really, Ellone's powers are truly remarkable. Were you able to meet her aboard the White SeeD ship?"

"No, she came here via an Esthar warship. Unfortunately, she has fallen under a state of comatose."

Cid's expression changed from glee to shock, and then to fear.

"When? How? Why?"

"She fell unconscious when she heard the news of Squall's disappearance. I, myself, am quite worried about Squall. Not to mention your wife, Edea, and the SeeDs involved in the assassination of the Galbadian Vice President. Those SeeDs were close to both Ellone and I."

"What is the intention of your calling me here?" said Cid, who was frustrated as it is, he didn't need to be reminded about his troubles.

"I want you to find them."

"What!?"

"I want you to find them, your wife and those SeeDs"

"Why me?"

"Cid, may I call you that?"

"Go ahead."

"Thanks, I can't leave Esthar for certain reasons. I'll be here, trying to locate Squall through radar, while you find them bring them here for me to hide them until things cool down. And you are the best person to do that"

"What do I do?"

"I want you to go to Dollet. There you shall present this letter to the Card Queen's father, since he owes me a favor, he would be glad to lend you a ship to use in your journey. I can't give you one right now because Esthar's oversight committee may not allow it. They may even get suspicious. Use the ship to find and rescue them. Sail into Fisherman's Horizon where I have a submarine docked. This submarine will get you past the groundwater gate of Esthar to our sewers; you can then exit to the palace basement and drop them off here."

"I'll be glad to help. But how do I know you won't turn them in?" said Cid, eyeing Laguna suspiciously.

"You will be flying to Dollet with the great Doctor Odine."

"Answer my question." Retorted Cid angrily

"I love Ellone too much to do that. I have a confession to make. I had a son with my wife Raine, who past away years ago. My son was sent to your orphanage with Ellone. Before I left to save Ellone, who was kidnapped to be the successor to Sorceress Adel, Raine and I already agreed to what his name would be…Squall."

Chapter 8

"Your Excellency, I believe this is the location of the source of the signals." said a Galbadian technician to Biggs. Biggs opened the screen between the cockpit and the quarters to tell the pilot to land his presidential VTOL aircraft. "Yes sir" replied the pilot, who could barely hear his president's voice from the drone of the engine. Biggs stepped off the aircraft the moment it landed. "Wedge!" screamed Biggs ecstatic with seeing his comrade alive. There was an eerie green glow in his eyes as he sat down with Biggs.

"Our plan is in full motion." Said Biggs, "We're gonna execute those assholes to show the world that Galbadia means business! I'm not gonna give those dopes a single gil for capturing those idiots who tried to kill you. Then after the execution, we're gonna reveal that you're alive and shock the world right outta its axis! I couldn't have thought of it better myself. Great job, Wedge! Uhh, Wedge? WEDGE? "

"Whadda we do now?" asked Raijin. "QUIET" said Fujin sternly.

"I'm sick and tired of staying in Balamb and all, ya know. I mean all you do is fish with our only rod, when's it gonna be my turn, Fujin?"

"SHUT UP!!!" said Fujin, completely focused on her fishing.

"I wanna get outta here. All these Galbadian soldiers are checkin' in all the houses for Zell and those other dweebs. Mebbe we oughtta go back ta Garden."

"GARDEN?"

"Yeah! Then we'll become the greatest SeeDs of all time, ya know. An' we'll do for-"

"-SEIFER!" interrupted Fujin. They then bought a train ticket to Dollet via Timber.

As usual, Raijin rode coach while Fujin rode First Class.

"Hello, Dr. Odine, this is Ward, President Loire's secretary."

"Didn't Laguna mention that you couldn't talk?"

"He bought me an artificial throat. That Laguna won't stop giving."

Dr. Odine replied to the throaty voice on the line,

"Good for you. Now, was there something you wanted to tell me?"

"Oh yeah, you will be flying to Galbadia via Dollet with Balamb Garden's Headmaster Cid Kramer."

"I would be delighted to meet his acquaintance."

"Good day, doctor" said Ward as he hung up. Dr. Odine began thinking. Perhaps I can coax Mr. Kramer into telling me where those damn SeeDs are.

Posted on Balamb Garden's online Bulletin Board was the official announcement of the temporary Headmastership of Dr. Kadowaki.

Chapter 9

Blip, Blip went the radar screen at Lunar Gate. The green dot at the lower right of the screen caught Laguna's attention. "Can you tell me the precise location of that green dot south of Esthar?"

"Yes sir, that would be the Kashkabald Desert." Replied the radar technician.

"What is it?"

"Our satellite photos have been scanned and it seems to be an Esthar spacecraft. Its blueprints are stored in our database and it was apparently created during the reign of Sorceress Adel. I believe it was used to launch Adel into space." Said the technician who put down the printed file he was reading from. Laguna then wondered aloud, "Ragnarok?"

Maybe the chocolate bar wasn't such a good idea. Rinoa's sorceress abilities began to kick in and made her float high above everything. What's happening to me? That's Lunatic Pandora! I have to land on it. She hovered towards the speeding craft and landed on top of it. Her lack of energy caused her to fade into unconsciousness. Not too far away was Seifer. Oh my God! Is that Rinoa? I have to get to her now! Then Seifer began to run as fast as his feet would carry him.

"Argh, Why the f*** am I still alive?" thought Squall angrily when he woke up.  Damn, I want to die. I deserve to die for losing the only person I truly loved. No. NO. NO! NOOOOO! Squall's insides' screaming for mercy failed to keep him awake, away from his nightmares.

By afternoon, at about 3:00, Edea, Irvine, Quistis, Selphie, and Zell arrived at FH Harbor. "We don't have much time left," said Edea, "so it would be best if we say our goodbyes now." "Hold on," said Irvine, "That thingy docked nearby looks familiar." "Yeah, it does look familiar." said Selphie. "That would be GTG, the new garden I told you guys about," said Edea," and there's no way I would allow any of you to visit, its too risky"

"Right" muttered Irvine and Selphie. "Its about time we get those disguises."

Fortunately, noone saw Edea, Selphie, Irvine, and Quistis head east through Horizon Bridge. Zell was able to make an easy escape west as well.

Martine sat in his desk as his team made their report. "Isn't there anything unusual?"

"No sir, except that we found a parts of a jelleye on a raft beached up in the harbor."

"A jelleye can only be found in Centra, so it must be them! They would most likely hide in Esthar. We'll make good use of that 20 million gil!"

Chapter 10

"Good evening." said Cid to his co-passenger. "Yes, it is one isn't it." replied Dr. Odine, "I'm Dr. Odine, I believe ve met ven discussing the agreement on Garden's para-magic and Guardian Force principles. Cid Kramer, right?"

"Yes, it is nice to have met once more."

"Indeed. Now if you don't mind my asking, vat is your business in Dollet."

Having caught Cid off guard with his question, he smiled, waiting for the headmaster's reply. Damn, what do I tell him? It would be too jeopardous to reveal my objectives. This may be a problem. "Pres. Loire has some work in Dollet that he would like me to personally check on. He promised me that Balamb Garden would benefit from the results." Ha! I can see right through him. Now how do I benefit from his stupidity? "Does it by any chance involve the SeeDs who killed-". "were accused of killing the Galbadian Vice President? No, it does not." corrected Cid bluntly. "Oh." So much for extracting information! The rest of the flight was uneventful.

"Owwwwww!" shrieked Raijin when Fujin kicked his shin, "How was I supposed to know Garden isn't here?!" "SHUT UP!" screamed Fujin for all of Timber to hear. "Fine, we'll spend the night here, then go to Dollet at the crack of dawn. Izzat fine with ya?" asked Raijin. But Fujin had already left, she had booked a hotel room for the night.

I must never again appoint Xu as the one woman Disciplinary Committee. Thought Dr, Kadowaki as she scanned the piles of names of people who were not being "disciplined". As she looked at one of the lists, she said to Xu, sitting in her desk nearby, "Nida? Why is his name here?"

"He was goofing off instead off piloting Garden."

"BUT GARDEN IS DOCKED! HE HAS NO REASON TO PILOT IT IN THE FIRST PLACE!!!!" screamed Dr. Kadowaki as she marched out of the infirmary, her head throbbing with all the stress. Now I know how poor Cid feels, I wonder what he's up to.

Dr. Kadowaki entered the Quad hoping to find some solace in the peace and quiet.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"

The doctor's ear-peircing scream woke all of Garden. She stood, under the stars, beside the waves, staring at the corpse of the president of Galbadia.