Chapter 3 of `Fate of The Stars'.

CHAPTER 3

Loss of Comrades

When the party reappeared in Balamb Garden, they were unconscious. The first-aid team was brought to where they were and first-aid was applied. When Squall awoke, he was in the infirmary. He glanced up at the ceiling and sighed.

Dr. Kadowaki looked in. "Squall, give your stomach some rest. You've severely injured it. What will happen after this is written in the constellations. It's fate..." With that, she walked out to check on the other SeeDs.

Squall sighed. He had given his best shot but still failed. "I need a stronger power..." he thought. He glanced at his Lionheart which was standing beside the wall. "Yes...that blade had helped me in many ways..." He remembered the aura of the lion emitting from the blade when he defeated Ultimecia. When he fought Gary in the center and in Ultimecia's throne room.

Zell interrupted his thoughts as he walked into the room. "Yo, Squall! We're tightening the defense in Balamb Garden." Squall looked at Zell and said, "Aren't you supposed to be unconscious?" "He just knocked me out with a blow, nothing much," Zell replied. All this was said with sadness in Zell's tone. Squall knew Zell, the martial arts master, was upset because he was defeated by his own technique.

Night time, at Balamb Garden...

A horde of monsters began to charge into Garden. The alarm was rung and SeeDs were brought out to fight them. As Squall and the party of SeeDs rushed to the front gate, they saw Gary, the arch-angel waiting for them with two iron giants.

"Damn those idiots!" yelled Seifer. He unleashed Demon Twist on an iron giant and it died. "WHAT?! Iron giant brought down so fast?!" cried Selphie. Gary laughed. "Mere holographs." He said.

Squall glared at Gary. "For the final time, give Rinoa back to me!" he yelled. Irvine pumped AP Ammo into the second giant. It died as well. Other SeeDs were doing well fighting holographs.

Suddenly, blood spluttered out from Gary's head. He looked back and saw Xu carrying her whip. "Insolent bitch!" Gary slashed at Xu with his wing but Xu evaded it and gave another whack on his chest. As Gary's back was turned, Zell ran towards him and unleashed Final Heaven. Each fist Zell gave was embodied with anger, hatred, revenge and malice. The arch-angel fell to the ground for a split second and then rose again.

"Damn you..." Gary took hold of Xu and combusted her. "XUUUUUU!!!!!!!" yelled Quistis. The charred remains of Xu fell to the ground. "DAMN YOU! You'll never get away with this!!" yelled Quistis. Gary could feel a powerful aura emitting from her body. "PULSAR WAVE!!!!" "RENZOKUKEN!" Both Quistis and Squall activated their limit at the same time. Selphie cast Aura on all the SeeDs.

Gary was bleeding profusely. "Arch-angel limit break! Galaxy Cross!" Gary's wing, blazed with flames, slashed at Quistis two times then he summoned the dark magic to remove her holy spirit.

Quistis fell to the ground. "Damn..." Irvine muttered. He riddled Gary full of Fast Ammo. Gary appeared unhurt. "Is that all you can give?!" Gary cast Ultima on the whole party. "GAHHHH!!!!" Suddenly, Ultima stopped.

Nida was behind Gary and had plunged his gunblade into Gary's groin. "Urgh..."Gary stumbled forward. In a split second, He garbbed Nida by the neck and decapitated his head. Nida's head flew through the air. Squall gasped unbelievably. So did Selphie, Seifer, Irvine and Zell.

Gary panted. "Damn you SeeDs, I'll get you back..." With that Gary disappeared with the other monsters. Zell stared at Quistis, Nida's headless body and Xu's burnt body. Tears came to his eyes. "Nida...Xu...QUISTIS!!!!!!" he cried. Irvine patted Zell's back. "There's nothing you can do..." he whispered.

The next morning, the dead people were buried. As Selphie watched Quistis' coffin being laid beneath the Earth, she whispered, "Gary...I'll get you. Watch out. I'll...get...you..."

Not very long, this chapter. I think there's too much fighting. Please review please! Fourth chapter coming soon!