Squall and Zell slid to a stop as they reached the base of the cliff. At the top was the facility that Seifer wanted to check out. There were Dollet soldiers littering either side of the road; the Galbadians had cut them up pretty bad. Zell went from soldier to soldier, checking to see if there was anything he could do for any of them. Seifer waited impatiently on the staircase. While Squall leaned against the rocky outcropping, making up the walls of the stairwell, staring off into space.
(I wonder what he thinks about…) Seifer thought blankly, staring at Squall. Zell ran up to them, pulling both out of their thoughts.
"They said that the place up there is a communication tower, and that its crawling with monsters…" Seifer grinned and waved his gunblade.
"All the more fun for us…" They all jumped suddenly at the sound of someone screaming. Seifer ran a little ways up the staircase and shouted for the others. Squall and Zell ran after him and slid to a stop. It was a Dollet soldier; an Anacondaur was attacking him.
"Let's go help him!" Zell shouted running in. Seifer rolled his eyes and chased after him. Squall followed closely behind. Zell stood just outside the Anacondaur's striking rang and bounced helplessly from one foot to the other. Seifer looked from Zell to Squall and back again. "What are we gonna do?!?" Zell asked frantically.
"Do you have a GF?" Zell nodded. Seifer hit him upside the head. "Then use it dolt!" Zell clenched his fist and thought about slugging Seifer, but he decided against it and turned back to the monster. Squall and Seifer just nodded to one another and went in quickly, slicing at the giant snake with their gunblades. Seifer jumped back, watching as Squall got two hits in.
(You gotta admit… He's a fast bastard…) Seifer jumped in again as the monster flailed in pain from Squall's hits. He grabbed the soldier and drug him back to safety just as Zell thrust his hands forward, calling his GF. Seifer felt himself go light and watched Squall, Zell and the soldier all disappear as well. Then the sky became very dark and the clouds started to swirl hazardously. A bolt of lightening hit the ground in front of the Anacondaur and formed into a giant bird… Quezacotl. Quezacotl opened its great wings and raised its head above the snake, creating a large ball of static around the monster. Suddenly a giant explosion of light emanated from where the GF and the Anacondaur had been at, and all was calm again. Seifer, Squall, Zell and the soldier all reappeared slowly and found the great snake lying dead in front of them. Zell ran over to Seifer and the soldier and knelt down.
"Are you alright, man?" The soldier nodded. Seifer snorted as Zell stood up again. "What is your friggin' problem?" Zell asked, annoyed.
"You know… If I remember correctly… That GF is Squallie-boy's, ain't it?" Zell turned red.
"So what if it is?" Seifer just smiled and continued toward the communication tower, dragging Squall and Zell behind him.
***
Selphie Tilmett had been following Team B for quite some time now.
(Why do I always get stuck delivering messages to the team that never follows orders?) she thought exasperatedly. Team B hadn't been in the Central Square, and Selphie only had three other choices as to where they'd gone… Back the way she'd come, through the large pile of cars, or to the Communication Tower. The latter was the most likely, so she went that way. Sure enough, she had picked up their trail. She climb precariously over the rocks in her SeeD candidate uniform, scraping her knees many times along the way. Finally she came to the top of a great pile of stones and saw two boys in SeeD candidate uniforms. She stood up and waved her arms at them.
"Hey!! Wh-whoa!!!" She shouted as she fell down the rock pile toward the boys. She stood up and straightened her uniform, brushing herself off. "Hey! …Wait! Aren't you that guy that showed me around this morning?" she asked Squall excitedly. Squall looked at her kinda funny. "Don't you remember? I ran into you outside of Instructor Trepe's class and you looked at me like I was going to *poof*! Disappear!?" Squall's eyes widened in recognition.
"Hi, well, my name's Selphie Tilmett… From Team A… Thanks for showing me around, I don't get lost so much anymore… Hey! Where's your team captain? His name's Seifer right?" Squall nodded and turned toward the communication tower and pointed as Seifer came into view.
"Someday Leonhart! I'm gonna tell you about my ROMANTIC dream!!" With that, Seifer turned around and ran into the communication tower. Selphie shook her head.
(I don't wanna know…)
"Man, this is so tough…" Selphie took a look at the cliff they were standing on, walked back a few steps and jumped off, landing on the pathway below. Squall stared after her and checked out the drop. He thought for a few seconds and took a few steps back.
"Hey! Squall! You're not actually gonna do that are you?!?" Zell exclaimed.
"Come on guys!!" Squall looked back at Selphie and then at Zell.
"…You gonna let a girl show you up?" Zell thought for a second and walked back with Squall. Squall sprinted forward and jumped, landing perfectly, next to Selphie. Zell took a deep breath and ran forward, and slid to a halt.
(There is no way… I'll break my neck…) Zell ran around the long way, making Selphie and Squall wait for him.
"Why didn't you just jump?" Selphie asked impatiently. "It would've been quicker…"
"Do you think I have a death wish? Unlike Mr. Leonhart here, I'm not immortal…" Squall raised an eyebrow.
(…Immortal…?)
"Squall made the jump! Anyone would've made it!"
"...I don't know about that. Perhaps anyone but the Chicken-wuss would've make it." Zell stepped back and clenched his fists, Zell's classic sign of anger Squall had figured out.
"WHAT DID YOU CALL MEEEEE!!!?" Selphie looked at Zell thoughtfully.
"...Hm? Since you're so mad, you must be the Chicken-wuss."
"What the...!!! WHY DOES EVERYONE KEEP CALLING...? I AM NOT A CHICKEN!!!"
"Well...If you don't like CHICKEN, how 'bout...a PIG? Or a HAMSTER? Oh, but you do look more like a CHICKEN with that hair anyway."
"Nah… Pig-wuss and Hamster-wuss just don't have the same ring to them," Squall said, his mouth curling a little at the edge. Zell dropped his hands in exasperation.
"Chicken… Pig… Hamster… Whatever... Call me whatever you want!!! I don't give a damn anymore!!!" Squall stared thoughtfully at Zell.
"Don't take it personally, Zell," he said. Zell rolled his eyes.
"Tch... Whatever…"
***
They entered the building quietly after Seifer. They had seen him a few seconds ago, chasing some Galbadians, seemingly enjoying himself immensely. They walked further into the darkness, and found a lift.
"Is that an elevator?" Selphie asked suspiciously. Squall shrugged and stepped cautiously onto the grated object. He found a small switch at the other end of the metal lift.
"I think it'll take us up…" Squall said, unsure. Zell and Selphie followed him onto the small lift and Squall reluctantly flipped the switch, causing them to go up quickly.
"Wee!! This is fun!" Selphie grinned widely, looking over the edge.
"Don't fall off!!" Zell barked at her. Selphie turned around and stuck her tongue out at Zell.
"I won't!"
"Knock it off you two…" Squall looked up and saw the sky a little ways above them. Suddenly, they broke out of the darkness. Squall, Selphie and Zell looked at their surroundings incredulously. The tower began to shake violently. A panel opened due to the shaking and a spanner fell out. Selphie watched the spanner fall through the grating. The distance to the ground was pretty far down. Selphie looked at Zell and swallowed hard. A large, metal cylinder above their heads suddenly began to rise. It bolted up past Squall, taking him by surprise. Squall looked up and watched as the cylinder leaned to the left, opened, and split into three. The three parts spread, and curved, creating a satellite dish. The dish began to glow and a large beam shot out of it into the sky. Squall and Zell turn their attention back to the Galbadian soldier in the red uniform of an officer, who was standing in front of an open panel.
"Yes! Fixed!" He turned around and saw Squall.
"What do you think you're doing?" Squall asked, crossing his arms.
"Same Mister! Whaddaya think you're doing!?" the officer said, pointing at Squall. "Wedge! Take care of these brats!" The officer turns to his left to face Selphie, who pulled out her nunchaku. "Uh…" He turns right and Zell makes a few swats at him. "Um…" The officer turns back to Squall, who pulls his gunblade out of its sheath. "Heh… Uh… I'm all done here, so I'll just be on my way…" Seifer appeared in front of the man, swiping his gunblade at the soldier's hand, knocking his gun out. "Hey!! Are you INSANE?" Seifer just stared at the man.
"Shut up, will ya?" The four SeeD candidates stepped back, ready to attack the Galbadian officer. When out of the blue, another soldier appeared next to the officer.
"Hello Major Biggs! What is the enemy doing here!?"
"Wedge! You idiot! Where the hell you been?? No pay for you this month!" Wedge swore under his breath.
"I know I shoulda stayed home this week!" The two Galbadians ran at the teenagers. Squall and Seifer stepped back, ready to do some cleaving with their gunblades when Biggs and Wedge flew over their heads and landed not so softly behind them. Zell pointed up at what had blown the soldiers off their course.
"What the fuck is that!?" Seifer looked up at the giant, winged beast. He looked around at the other three and turned around, running toward the soldiers.
"You hold it off, I'm gonna interrogate these guys!" Squall turned around.
"You chicken-shit! What do you-"
"Squall!!!!!" He turned around and saw the monster fly forward and claw at Selphie, who screamed. Squall ran back and lodged his gunblade in the arm of the thing. The monster roared in anger and pain. The sound reverberated throughout everyone's ears. It was a terrifying noise. Squall pulled his gunblade back and yelled at Zell.
"Quezacotl!!! Call Quezacotl!!" Zell nodded frantically and closed his eyes. Squall could see his knees were shaking. Squall turned to Selphie. "Are you alright?" Selphie nodded, she was scared, but the monster had missed her tiny frame.
"Good… Check the monster out… does it have anything you can draw? Okay, I'm gonna go over there…" Squall stared into Selphie's eyes. She nodded, numbly and raised her eyes to the horrible monster in front of her. Squall ran to the other side of the beast and waved his arms. "Hey!!! Hey!! You!! Yeah! You! The ugly flying thing!! Over here!" The monster turned, looking at Squall. Squall raised his gunblade where the monster could see it. It roared in recognition of the object that had caused it pain. Squall ducked as its giant claws flew quickly at him. He glanced at Zell, who was deep in concentration.
"I found something!! I think it's a GF!!" Selphie shouted excitedly. Squall rolled out of the way as the monster tried to impale him upon its giant stinger.
"Then draw it dammit!!!!" Squall yelled back at her. Squall raised his gunblade above his head and jumped at the creature, pulling the eight-pound trigger as he made contact with it's flesh. Selphie nodded nervously.
(Duh! Why didn't I think of that!) She held her nunchaku out in front of her body and closed her eyes.
"DRAW! SIREN!" Pale blue light flew out of the flying beast and into Selphie. She fell to her knees and stared in horror as the creature picked up Squall and threw him into the satellite. He slid down the side, looking a little dazed. She cleared her mind and took a deep breath. Squall had let her junction his GF, Ifrit before they had entered the communication tower.
Squall sat up slowly and shook his head. He remembered what the creature was called now… An Elvoret. They were a bitch to beat. Squall rolled, trying to get out of the way of the Elvoret's claws. Pain shot through his leg, and suddenly he felt himself become light. He turned over and watched as his feet, knees and waist all disappeared. Squall looked over at Zell and saw Selphie disappear as well. (It's about damn time…) Zell threw his hand toward the Elvoret, and disappeared. Quezacotl struck down from the sky, shooting ten thousand volts of electricity through the body of the winged animal. The three slowly started to reappear as Quezacotl disappeared. Then they disappeared again. (Huh?) Squall looked around, who could be summoning another GF? A giant spout of fire suddenly appeared and a giant beast with flaming hair landed in front of the Elvoret. It was Ifrit. He roared savagely and a huge ball of fire shot out of the ground underneath the elemental. Ifrit rode the giant fireball into the air and jumped off of it, hitting it ferociously with all his strength. The fireball fell on the Elvoret, exploding. Squall shielded his eyes as they reappeared. When he brought his arm back down, the Elvoret was dead.
Selphie ran over to Squall and knelt beside him worriedly, looking at his leg.
"Are you alright?" Squall hissed through clenched teeth as Zell helped him to his feet.
"Yeah, it's just a little painful…" Squall tenderly put his full weight on his leg, gritting his teeth, but took the pain. Selphie stood up and looked doubtfully at the bloody tear in Squall's pant leg. She turned and saw Seifer smacking Wedge around. She jumped over a hole in the grating and saluted Seifer as he dropped the Galbadian disgustedly.
"Team B captain? Seifer Almasy?" Seifer waved a bored gesture for her to continue. "I have new orders for you, sir… All SeeD candidates are to withdraw by 19:30 hours!"
"An order to withdraw comes before everything else…" Zell said.
"I know chicken-wuss! What time did you say?" Seifer said, glancing at his watch. Selphie sighed.
"Like I said, 19:30 hours…"
"Shit! That's in a half an hour! I'm outta here! You guys better run if ya wanna make it!" Seifer ran to the lift and went down, not waiting for anyone.
"Who the hell does he think he is!?" Zell said angrily.
"You should ask him someday…" Squall answered shrugging.
"Will you be able to run?" Selphie asked Squall, glancing at his leg.
"Sure…" His leg had stopped hurting while they had been talking to Seifer. Selphie eyed him curiously but said nothing. "Let's get outta here…" The three teens stepped onto the lift that had just come back from depositing Seifer on the ground floor, and descended into the darkness of the communication tower.
***
Quistis Trepe stood on the deck of the SeeD vessel and glanced at her watch, 19:28.
(Where the hell are they? Seifer arrived here ten minutes ago, which will get him quite a few deducted points for leaving his team…) Quistis sighed and tapped her foot impatiently, and turned around. The boat was going to take off at 19:30 whether everyone was aboard or not. Quistis turned her head abruptly toward the beach. She had heard something very loud, and very large coming this way. She looked and saw Zell and a girl that was from Team A run down the staircase leading out of Dollet. They were halfway down the beach already when she saw Squall. He had barely passed the archway when a Galbadian X-ATM092 crashed through after him. Squall fell over the edge of the roadway and landed on his back in the sand. The girl turned and looked at Squall as Zell ran aboard the vessel. Squall stood back up and ran down the beach toward the boat. The girl had made it aboard. Quistis readied the on-board machine gun quickly. She could see the fear in Squall's eyes, and that threw her for just a second. The boat was starting to pull away from shore and Squall jumped toward the still open hatch. Quistis opened fire. The X-ATM092 shook violently with each bullet that Quistis shot at it. Finally, the hatch closed, Squall was on-board. X-ATM092 fell in the sand, and exploded as the small boat sped away. Quistis took a step back and sighed. She suddenly felt exhausted.
(I think this calls for a nap before the dance this evening…) She opened the hatch and climbed down the stairs. When she got to the bottom she could hear a loud argument happening in the next room. Quistis slowly opened the door to the lounge and saw everyone, except Squall, yelling at Seifer.
"You ass! First you leave us to the Elvoret, then you run off to the boat! You left your team and you're the bloody team captain!!!" Zell shouted at Seifer, becoming red-faced. Seifer took a step toward Zell.
"Oh yeah, chicken-wuss?!? Well-"
"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Quistis barked. Seifer and Zell backed away from one another, but they kept staring at each other menacingly. Quistis knew that it was definitely not over for them. She turned to the girl from Team A. "Who are you??" The girl took a step forward and saluted.
"Selphie Tilmett, messenger from Team A!" Quistis nodded.
"Alright. Welcome aboard. Sit down all of you…" Seifer and Zell sat down opposite of one another and crossed their arms. Zell stared at the floor and Seifer stared at the couch. Selphie sat next to Zell, and Squall sat next to Seifer. Quistis took a deep breath and glanced around the room. Her gaze stopped on Squall's torn and bloody uniform. "What happened Squall? Are you hurt?" Squall glanced at his pant leg.
"…I'm fine…" Quistis glanced around the room at the doubtful looks coming from Zell and Selphie.
"Squall, if you're hurt, you should get it looked at…" Squall raised his stormy eyes to Quistis's.
"…I'm…fine…" he said again, enunciating the words a little more clearly. Quistis raised an eyebrow, appearing doubtful, but kept quiet.
***
Squall walked into the main hall of Balamb Garden, after having walked all the way back from the town of Balamb with Zell and Selphie.
(Seifer is such an ass…) Seifer, Fujin, and Raijin, having run off with the last car had forced Squall and company to walk back, but not before they visited Mrs. Dincht. Squall shook his head.
(…If Zell was my kid… I'd put him up for adoption…) he thought, walking toward the directory. Standing there was Xu, Quistis and Headmaster Cid.
"Mission complete! I think everyone did a pretty good job," Xu commented. Squall stood off to the side, waiting.
"All of the candidates are back safely, correct Quistis?" Cid asked worriedly. Quistis nodded, smiling. Cid was such a wonderful headmaster. He really cared about all the students. "I can't believe that the Galbadian army did all of that, just to get to the abandoned communication tower… Anyway, we've received word from the Dollet Dukedom Parliament… The Galbadian Army has agreed to withdraw as long as the uplink at the communication tower remains operational." Xu sighed.
"Well, in any case, Galbadia is out of Dollet. We could've made more money if they'd stayed and caused more damage though..." Quistis remarked. She looked up and saw Squall standing silently to the side. "Hey Squall! Good work!" Squall shrugged.
"Yeah, you did pretty well," Xu added. Cid watched the young sorcerer carefully. He noticed the tear in Squall's pant leg and the blood on his uniform.
"I hope you weren't hurt…" Cid started, gesturing to the blood. Squall glanced at his leg and looked at Cid.
"…No more than a bruised pride sir…" Squall answered quietly. Cid nodded.
"So… How did it feel?" The headmaster was rather interested to hear Squall's answer to this question. Squall stared through him passively and shrugged.
"…Whatever…" Cid shuddered a little at the power of Squall's eyes. His stare alone could make a person go insane. Cid thought silently about Squall's answer for a second.
"…Whatever… I like that! …Whatever… I'm gonna have to remember that!" Cid grinned. Squall just rolled his eyes.
"Oh, sir! Don't encourage him please!" Quistis groaned. Squall turned to leave. "Hey! Squall… The results of the exam will be announced pretty soon, so don't go too far!" Squall nodded and headed toward the training centre. He walked slowly, thinking.
(Why did Cid ask that? Is he trying to tell me something? …Whatever…) Squall looked up and saw Seifer standing alone, outside of the library.
"Where are your two little lap dogs?" Seifer said venomously. Squall just looked at him passively.
"What do you want Seifer?"
"Did you hear about the communication tower? We would've been heroes if it weren't for that frickin' withdraw order..."
"You were only looking for a fight," said a voice behind Squall. He turned to see Instructor Trepe and Xu. Seifer glared at her.
"My dear, lovely instructor... I'm hurt," Seifer said feigning distress. "Those are cruel words for an aspiring SeeD... Bah! An average instructor like you would never understand..."
"Seifer, don't be so mightier-than-thou. You have to take all responsibility for leaving the central square… You were ordered to stay there and you didn't." Xu said angrily.
"It's the captain's duty to take the best possible action, isn't it? You would have done the same…" He said smirking.
"Seifer… You will never be a SeeD! Calling yourself a captain is just a joke!" Xu snapped at him. Headmaster Cid approached Xu from behind and tapped her upon the shoulder. She turned and quickly saluted. Quistis also saluted.
"Xu… I think that is enough…" Xu nodded and left. Quistis bowed to the Headmaster and followed her. Cid turned to Seifer and Squall. "Seifer, I'm afraid you will be have to be disciplined for your irresponsible behaviour. You must follow orders exactly during combat of this sort. You are not a SeeD yet, and those under you were not SeeD, what if one of them had gotten hurt, or worse- killed… because of your recklessness?" Cid sighed. "I'm not entirely without sympathy for you, however... I don't wish for you all to become machines, doing only what you are told, when you are told. I want you all to be able to think and act for yourselves…" A Garden Faculty member approached Cid. "Yes?" Cid said, irritated by the interruption.
"Headmaster Cid, there is some business in your office..."Cid shook his head.
"There is so much to do here…" Cid turned and walked away. Squall looked at Seifer sympathetically. He had egged Seifer into going to the communication tower, Seifer would never admit that to anyone though. He'd take all the blame, like a good commander and serve out his sentence. Squall respected Seifer for that. His sense of responsibility was almost… chivalrous.
"All SeeD candidates who participated in the Field Exam today, please report to the second floor hallway." Squall heard echo through the hallway. Squall looked at Seifer again, who had not moved since Headmaster Cid had left. Squall sighed and turned back toward the elevator.
***
The second floor hallway was crowded with students. Everyone wanted to see who the new SeeDs were going to be. Squall made his way through the small crowd to the wall. He leaned against it and noticed Zell pacing nearby. Zell looked up and nodded at Squall.
(Now, he's nervous… I guess I'm kinda nervous too…) Squall looked up and was surprised to see Fujin and Raijin coming toward him.
"RAGE!" Fujin declared in her usual tone.
"Yeah man, Fujin's just sayin' how it's gonna be all your fault if Seifer doesn't make the cut for SeeD, ya know?" Squall shrugged. Just then, a member of the Garden Faculty walked into the hallway. Silence descended quickly as he pulled a short list out of his pocket. The whole hall seemed to hold their breath as he spoke.
"Dincht… Zell Dincht!" Zell stopped pacing and stared in disbelief at the Garden Faculty member.
"…YEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!" Zell jumped into the air. "See ya suckers!" Zell said, saluting to Fujin and Raijin, and running out of the hall.
(He's gonna be sorry for that if Fujin or Raijin make the cut… Hell… He'll be sorry for it anyway…) Squall thought, glancing at Fujin.
"Geeson… Nida Geeson!" A guy Squall didn't know smiled with relief and walked forward.
"Leonhart, Squall…" Squall pushed himself off of the wall and walked past the Garden Faculty member. He saw Zell and Nida ahead of him smiling and talking excitedly to one another. Behind him, he heard another name called.
"Tilmett! Selphie Tilmett!"
"WHOO HOO!!" Selphie skipped ecstatically past Squall. "WE MADE IT!!!!" She squealed gleefully and ran to the elevator. The four students waited by the elevator for the Garden Faculty member. He walked calmly to the elevator and then allowed them to enter. The elevator ride up took forever. Selphie, Zell and Nida would not stop chattering. Squall just leaned against the back of the crowded lift, and crossed his arms. The door opened and everyone filed out. They walked, single-file, into Cid's office. The Garden Faculty member walked to Cid's desk and turned. Headmaster Cid was standing in front of his desk, smiling broadly. The four students lined up quietly, Selphie on the far left, then Nida, Zell and finally Squall.
"These are the students who passed the exam today, Headmaster…" Cid nodded and opened his mouth for a speech.
"Congratulations! …Now, as a members of SeeD, you will be routed to places all over the world. We are proud to add you to SeeD, Balamb Garden's mercenary force. SeeDs are combat specialists. ...That, however, is only a small piece of the giant picture of SeeD. When the time arrives..." Cid stopped, he was staring at Squall.
"Headmaster...It's almost time for that 'meeting'… SeeD is a valuable asset to Garden. Its reputation is dependent on each one of you. Handle your missions with extreme care. Is that what you wanted to say, Headmaster?" Cid tore his gaze away from Squall. He couldn't bear to say it in front of the boy. He brought his eyes back to the group and forced a smile.
"Here are your SeeD rank reports…" Cid walked to Selphie and handed her a piece of paper and whispered something in her ear, causing her to giggle. Cid smiled at her and continued on to Nida. He handed Nida another piece of paper and whispered in his ear. Nida nodded, and smiled to himself. Zell was next. As he handed Zell his piece of paper, Squall heard him whisper, "Try to control your emotions a little better…" in Zell's ear. Zell nodded solemnly as he accepted the paper. Cid finally stopped in front of Squall. He just stared at Squall for a moment, and then handed him the last piece of paper. As Squall's gloved hand accepted it, Cid leaned up and whispered, "…Good luck, m'boy…" Squall glanced into Cid's soft, fatherly eyes and felt his heart jump. He was a SeeD.
***
Author's Note: Updating is fun. ^_^ Lalalala… Okay, disclaimer, I don't own any of these characters…Except Squall! *points to a piece of paper on her dorm room wall* SEE? I HAVE HIS DEED DAMMIT! HE'S MINE! ^_~
-Rhyein