"The Return of the White Knight"
Two men stood alone on the battlefield. Hundreds of fallen men and women surrounded the two foes as they eyed each other. Squall could not comprehend what had taken place. All his fellow SeeDs, all his friends, all dead. Squall was even more dumbfounded by the person who had done the heinous act.
"Come on Squall, did you really think that I admired you? I'm twice as skilled as you could ever dream of being," Clark taunted. "I challenge you Squall Leonhart. I challenge you to a duel to the death."
Squall looked around at all the dead bodies around him. They were all sprawled out precarious positions. The faces all looked at him blankly, their eyes asking him, "Why didn't you save me?" All of them who had been killed by that monster who stood before him.
"How could you do this to them?" Squall shouted. "These people trusted you. These people were your friends."
Clark sneered at Squall. "Friends? These people were never my friends, only pawns who I used to get to you. You see, I have been waiting for this day when I could finally exact my revenge on you. I have spent years training endlessly for this very moment. Now Squall, it is your time to suffer, your time to feel the pain, and your time to DIE!"
Squall jolted awake. His eyes were wide and his breathing was coming in fast and shallow. As he began to regain his composure he wiped the sweat off his brow and tried to take slow, deep breaths. 'What the Hell just happened? It was nightmare, but it seemed way too real,' Squall thought. 'It couldn't have been Ellone she can only send someone into the past. I need to figure out what the Hell is going on.'
With that Squall started to get out of bed. As he got up he felt something rub up against him.
"Mmmmm… Squall, its way too early. Come back to bed," Rinoa mumbled.
Squall gave her a puzzled frown. Then it dawned on him. 'Oh yeah my party. How could I forget that?' he thought as he shook his head. " Sorry, but I have a lot of things to take care of."
"Fine… just make sure you keep the noise down," she replied sleepily.
Squall chuckled as he stepped into the shower. He tried to outline his day as he let the refreshingly cool water wake him up. 'First I need to give the Headmaster a report about how the Exam is shaping up. Then I'll have to head into Balamb to stock up on some supplies. After that I should probably get in a quick training session.'
Squall stepped out of the shower and put his clothes on. He left his dorm, closing the door as quietly as he could. As he turned around he bumped right into Zell.
"Damn, sorry Squall. I'm kinda in a hurry. I'll talk to ya later," Zell said hurriedly as he dashed down the hall.
Squall watched him go and shook his head slightly. He wondered about Zell sometimes. He never questioned Zell's ability or his loyalty, it was just that Zell didn't always think things though. He was often rushing into situations with reckless abandon, which was a very bad trait for a SeeD to have. SeeDs were taught have discipline and to always think out each situation carefully. Zell always meant well, but sometimes his emotions would get the better of him. Squall sighed. He was beginning to think if it was such a good idea to make Zell a squad leader. 'I'm probably just worrying too much as usual. Zell has proven that he can handle himself on the battle field and I just need to trust him.'
*****
"So Squall have you had any problems with setting up the Exam?" Cid asked.
"No sir, everything has been fine," Squall answered. "If I may ask, why have you not given any input pertaining to the exam? Surely you must have something to add."
The Headmaster smiled. "You'll find the answer to that for yourself soon enough. Now if you will excuse me, I have some important business that requires my attention."
Squall saluted and took his leave. As soon as he left the room he began to wonder about the headmaster. 'What did he mean by that? There is definitely something wrong with him and I need to figure out what it is.'
As Squall stepped off of the elevator, he saw Quistis running towards him.
"Hey Squall, I was hoping I would run into you. Can we have lunch together today? I need to talk to you about something," she said.
"Yeah sure as long as you don't mind having it in Balamb, because I am going to be there stocking up on supplies for tomorrow," he replied.
"It's a date," she said. "I'll meet you there in about two hours."
Squall nodded and wondered what exactly Quistis wanted to tell him.
*****
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Irvine removed his earmuffs and admired his handiwork. Three perfect headshots. He grinned. 'Sometimes it is hard to be this damn good,' he thought. He changed the target paper and began to reload. As Irvine began to fire some more rounds his thoughts began to drift a bit. 'I wonder what in Hyne's name is wrong with the Headmaster. He's been a father figure to all of us, and now he acts like we are just any other members of SeeD. Something must have happened because he would never be so cryptic with us.' He sighed as he hit five more headshots. 'I need to talk to someone I can trust, and someone who will take me seriously.' He inwardly groaned at that last thought. With all the joking around that he did, it would be hard for him to find anyone who would take him seriously. Sometimes it just didn't pay to be a wise-ass all the time.
Finally Irvine put down his Exeter and started to leave when he saw Selphie running towards him. He smiled just like he always did when he saw her, No matter how he was feeling, she always made him smile.
"Hey Irvy, I have been trying to find you all day," she said. "I want to ask you something."
"Well what is it Darlin'?" he asked.
"I was wondering, um, if maybe, you would like to go to the SeeD Ball with me?" she asked shyly as she looked down at the floor.
Irvine broke out into a smile bigger than Zell's appetite for hot dogs. "Of course I would. I would love to go to the Ball with you."
Selphie's face brightened. "You mean you'll really go with me? That's great," she replied cheerily. "Oh Irvy, its going to be so much fun! Well I gotta go. I'll see ya later."
Irvine waved as she walked away. 'I was beginning to think that she was never gonna ask me.' He smiled at the thought of getting to dance with Selphie all night long. He strolled along whistling a happy tune.
*****
'Hmmm… this selection has gotten much better since the last time I was here,' Squall thought as browsed though the Balamb Supply Shop. Squall decided to stock up on some Elixers and Phoenix Downs, as well as a sharpening blade and some Pulse Ammo he had promised to buy for Irvine. 'He better pay me back this time or I am going to take it out of his salary.'
As he left the shop he saw Quistis sitting on the bench waiting for him. He walked over to her and said, "So shall we go to the Balamb Restaurant?"
Quistis smiled. "That sounds fine to me."
After they were seated and ordered their food Squall inquired Quistis about what she had wanted to talk about.
Quistis started to play with her napkin and looked down. "Oh I don't know how to say this."
"Quistis, we have known each other since we were little. We know just about everything about each other. Just tell me." Squall said impatiently.
Quistis sighed. "Okay. It's about how I feel about you. Squall I…"
Squall interrupted, "It's okay Quistis. You don't have to say it. I already know how you feel."
"No Squall, I have to say this for myself. I have to get this off of my chest. If I don't tell you I'll regret it for the rest of my life." She paused. "Squall I…I love you. I don't love like a brother, I truly love you. I know you can't return my love, but I had to tell you this."
Squall was silent as he looked down at the table.
"Well aren't you going to say anything?" she asked.
Squall finally looked up. "What I am supposed to say? I mean, Quistis we have become really close over the past year. I consider you my best friend out of everyone, and I know how you feel about me, however, I love Rinoa.
"I know Squall, I just-…"
"But as a friend, Quistis, as a friend I love you," Squall finished.
Quistis's pale blue eyes began to water as she took in what the man of her dreams had just said to her. "Oh Squall you do not know how long I have waited for you to say that even if you mean it only as a friend." She wiped her eyes. "Even if I can never have you the way that I want, I wait for you until the end of time."
"You really shouldn't," Squall began. "Maybe under different circumstances, then maybe we could be together, but I have Rinoa, and we have such a strong bond between us. I wouldn't wait for me. You deserve to have someone who will love back just as much as you love him."
Quistis shook her head. "There is no one else for me. I cannot feel this way about anyone else. I know you can't be with me, but I can't be with anyone else."
Squall nodded. "I think I understand."
When their food arrived they began to talk about random things like the upcoming Triple Triad tournament, and Quistis's misfortune of walking into Zell's room without knocking first. They both just took the time they had to enjoy each other's company like best friends often do.
*****
Clark swiped at his opponent who barely dodged the attack. 'Hyne,' Clark thought. 'That move was only intended to give me some room. I wasn't even trying to strike him, and he barely dodged it. I really need to get some better sparring partners or I'm gonna lose some of my edge.' His opponent came at him with his Katana held over his right shoulder. Clark waited for him to attack, and then quickly ducked under his foe's slash and slide behind him. Clark struck him on the back of the head with the handle of his Gunblade. His partner fell face forward into the ground. Quickly two students rushed forward to check on the fallen student. Clark merely shook his head and sheathed his Gunblade.
"Very good Clark," Xu commented. "Your timing was perfect."
"Indeed it was," said a voice. "In fact it was almost half as good as I would have done myself."
Both Xu and Clark turned to see who it was.
"Hey aren't you-…" Clark started.
"Seifer Almasy." Xu finished. "What are you doing here?"
Seifer smirked at her. "Well if you must know, I would advise to inquire the Headmaster about my reasons for being here since he was the one who summoned me."
Xu glared at him. "Oh believe me, I intend to."
Seifer laughed. "Go right ahead I'm rather curious myself. Anyways, who is this boy scout trying to copy my moves?" he asked turning his attention to Clark.
"My name is Clark, and I wouldn't be dead trying to steal any of your moves. They are elementary compared to some of the ones that I have mastered."
Seifer laughed again. "Sorry kid, but you aren't even close to being in my league. No one, except maybe for Squall, is close to being my equal. He alone is my rival, you would not be able to last a minute with either of us." Seifer replied. "So Xu, where is the beloved Commander? I need to have a word with him. You know catch up on all the good times we used to have."
"Sorry I don't know where he is. Even if I did there is no way in Hell that I would ever tell you. I have not forgotten what you have done to everyone. You tried to annihilate the only place that you have ever called home. You tried to have all the people who you have grown up with killed. You even tried to have Cid, the man who is like a father to you, a man who has cared for you your entire miserable life, killed."
"Xu… I…" Seifer stammered obviously taken aback by Xu's words.
"I'M NOT FINISHED YET GODDAMNIT!" Xu yelled as she lost all sense of control. "How many innocents have died because of you? How many young children were deprived of their futures because of you? And for what? I mean really, for what? For some bullshit dream that you thought you were fulfilling. I despise you Seifer, and it is only out of my respect for the Headmaster that I am not ordering for you to be killed on the spot. But believe me," Xu said as she got right up in his face. "If you EVER try to cross us again… I will kill you myself."
Everyone in the Training Center was stunned in silence. Nobody had ever seen Xu lose her composure like this before. Even Seifer was at a loss for words at Xu's tirade.
"What the Hell's going on in here?" Squall asked as he stepped into the Training Center.
"Nothing," Xu replied. "Seifer and I were just getting re-acquainted."
Squall's attention quickly turned to Seifer. "What are you doing here?"
Seifer smirked as he finally saw a reaction that he was accustomed to. "Hey buddy, I was just looking for you."
"Well now you've found me. So what do you want?"
Seifer looked at all of the students who were watching and said, "Well if it isn't too much trouble for the almighty Commander, I would like to have a word with you in private."
"Fine, let's go," Squall said quickly as he started to walk out of the Training Center.
Seifer began to follow, but he turned to face Clark. "Keep practicing kid. You really need it."
Before Clark could respond Xu stepped in and said, "Don't forget what I said."
Seifer merely nodded and left.
"Okay everyone the show's over resume sparring," Xu ordered the students. She began to think back on everything that had happened that fateful day when Seifer had ordered the Galbadian troops into Balamb Garden.
*****
"Xu, we are under attack!" Selphie shouted. "Squall wants you to go to the second floor and try to protect the Junior Classman."
"Ok Selphie, I'm on it. Good luck," Xu said.
"You too. Take care of yourself." Selphie replied.
Xu hopped on the elevator up to the second floor. She quickly found a dozen Junior Classmen and took them to a classroom on the left wing with two other SeeDs, Katrina Riza and Hirami Carr, to help her.
They waited there hoping that no one would come, but their hopes went unfulfilled. Galbadian troops filled the room as they smashed through the windows. Xu grabbed her staff and quickly attacked they one closest to her. She and the other two SeeDs fought valiantly, but they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of Galbadians.
Katrina was busy fighting off two Galbadians when one snuck up behind her and stabbed her in her back. She felt true remorse that she had failed herself and those who depended on her.
Hirami was having a little better luck. He had managed to kill off three Galbadians, when a bullet pierced his heart. His only regret was that he never got to tell his girlfriend that he loved her.
Xu was the last one standing as she had already taken down five Galbadians. She was attacking three others, but she was knocked down by Meltdown spell from the Galbadian Captain.
As she tried to regain her senses she saw the Captain ordering his troops to line up. She saw that they were pointing their rifles at the Junior Classmen.
"Ready. Aim." The Captain said.
"NO! STOP!" Xu screamed.
"FIRE!" he shouted.
With that, all the rifles fired mowing down all the Junior Classman. They did not understand what was happening, they just gave blank stares as they feel to their deaths.
"Y-Y-YOU BASTARDS!" Xu yelled. She had reached her limit. "TORRENTIAL WINDS!" she shouted.
A bunch of winds surrounded the soldiers. The winds began to lift the soldiers off the ground and started to drain the lives out of them. They screamed as they felt their lives slipping away little by little, but their fates were already sealed. The winds finally ceased and the lifeless bodies fell to the ground.
Xu saw a little girl stirring. She quickly ran over to her. Her breath was coming in fast and shallow. Her face was as white as a sheet of paper.
"Hey hold on Raize, you're going to be okay," Xu assured her.
"I'm dying aren't I?" the little girl asked.
Xu shook her head fiercely. "No you're not. You're gonna make it though this. You just have to hold on a little bit longer." Tears began to well up in Xu's eyes.
The little girl began to cry too. "I'm scared. I want to go home. I want to see my parents and tell them that I love them. I want them to hold me and for everything to be alright."
"You will. You'll be able to tell them that you love them soon enough," Xu said.
"Please tell my parents that I love them very much for me," Raize said. With that the light began to fade from her eyes and her body grew cold.
Xu squeezed the little girl tightly against her body as tears streamed down her face. Then she noticed the Galbadian Captain beginning to move.
She quickly stood over him and held the tip of her staff against his throat. "How could you do this to children? They've done nothing wrong. They are just fucking kids for Hyne's sake. They had their whole lives in front of them and you just ripped it away from them. WHY?"
"It was orders. From Seifer," he said. "I was just doing my job."
"Well so am I," she said as she rammed the end of her staff through his throat.
On that day she made a promise that she would make Seifer pay for what done.
*****
"I will not let those young children's deaths go unpunished Seifer. I promise," Xu promised silently.
Author's Notes: I just wanted to explain that this is not going to become a Squall x Quistis fic. Like Squall said he can't be with her. I just think that he and Quistis share a special bond of friendship. That is all.
Two men stood alone on the battlefield. Hundreds of fallen men and women surrounded the two foes as they eyed each other. Squall could not comprehend what had taken place. All his fellow SeeDs, all his friends, all dead. Squall was even more dumbfounded by the person who had done the heinous act.
"Come on Squall, did you really think that I admired you? I'm twice as skilled as you could ever dream of being," Clark taunted. "I challenge you Squall Leonhart. I challenge you to a duel to the death."
Squall looked around at all the dead bodies around him. They were all sprawled out precarious positions. The faces all looked at him blankly, their eyes asking him, "Why didn't you save me?" All of them who had been killed by that monster who stood before him.
"How could you do this to them?" Squall shouted. "These people trusted you. These people were your friends."
Clark sneered at Squall. "Friends? These people were never my friends, only pawns who I used to get to you. You see, I have been waiting for this day when I could finally exact my revenge on you. I have spent years training endlessly for this very moment. Now Squall, it is your time to suffer, your time to feel the pain, and your time to DIE!"
Squall jolted awake. His eyes were wide and his breathing was coming in fast and shallow. As he began to regain his composure he wiped the sweat off his brow and tried to take slow, deep breaths. 'What the Hell just happened? It was nightmare, but it seemed way too real,' Squall thought. 'It couldn't have been Ellone she can only send someone into the past. I need to figure out what the Hell is going on.'
With that Squall started to get out of bed. As he got up he felt something rub up against him.
"Mmmmm… Squall, its way too early. Come back to bed," Rinoa mumbled.
Squall gave her a puzzled frown. Then it dawned on him. 'Oh yeah my party. How could I forget that?' he thought as he shook his head. " Sorry, but I have a lot of things to take care of."
"Fine… just make sure you keep the noise down," she replied sleepily.
Squall chuckled as he stepped into the shower. He tried to outline his day as he let the refreshingly cool water wake him up. 'First I need to give the Headmaster a report about how the Exam is shaping up. Then I'll have to head into Balamb to stock up on some supplies. After that I should probably get in a quick training session.'
Squall stepped out of the shower and put his clothes on. He left his dorm, closing the door as quietly as he could. As he turned around he bumped right into Zell.
"Damn, sorry Squall. I'm kinda in a hurry. I'll talk to ya later," Zell said hurriedly as he dashed down the hall.
Squall watched him go and shook his head slightly. He wondered about Zell sometimes. He never questioned Zell's ability or his loyalty, it was just that Zell didn't always think things though. He was often rushing into situations with reckless abandon, which was a very bad trait for a SeeD to have. SeeDs were taught have discipline and to always think out each situation carefully. Zell always meant well, but sometimes his emotions would get the better of him. Squall sighed. He was beginning to think if it was such a good idea to make Zell a squad leader. 'I'm probably just worrying too much as usual. Zell has proven that he can handle himself on the battle field and I just need to trust him.'
*****
"So Squall have you had any problems with setting up the Exam?" Cid asked.
"No sir, everything has been fine," Squall answered. "If I may ask, why have you not given any input pertaining to the exam? Surely you must have something to add."
The Headmaster smiled. "You'll find the answer to that for yourself soon enough. Now if you will excuse me, I have some important business that requires my attention."
Squall saluted and took his leave. As soon as he left the room he began to wonder about the headmaster. 'What did he mean by that? There is definitely something wrong with him and I need to figure out what it is.'
As Squall stepped off of the elevator, he saw Quistis running towards him.
"Hey Squall, I was hoping I would run into you. Can we have lunch together today? I need to talk to you about something," she said.
"Yeah sure as long as you don't mind having it in Balamb, because I am going to be there stocking up on supplies for tomorrow," he replied.
"It's a date," she said. "I'll meet you there in about two hours."
Squall nodded and wondered what exactly Quistis wanted to tell him.
*****
BAM! BAM! BAM!
Irvine removed his earmuffs and admired his handiwork. Three perfect headshots. He grinned. 'Sometimes it is hard to be this damn good,' he thought. He changed the target paper and began to reload. As Irvine began to fire some more rounds his thoughts began to drift a bit. 'I wonder what in Hyne's name is wrong with the Headmaster. He's been a father figure to all of us, and now he acts like we are just any other members of SeeD. Something must have happened because he would never be so cryptic with us.' He sighed as he hit five more headshots. 'I need to talk to someone I can trust, and someone who will take me seriously.' He inwardly groaned at that last thought. With all the joking around that he did, it would be hard for him to find anyone who would take him seriously. Sometimes it just didn't pay to be a wise-ass all the time.
Finally Irvine put down his Exeter and started to leave when he saw Selphie running towards him. He smiled just like he always did when he saw her, No matter how he was feeling, she always made him smile.
"Hey Irvy, I have been trying to find you all day," she said. "I want to ask you something."
"Well what is it Darlin'?" he asked.
"I was wondering, um, if maybe, you would like to go to the SeeD Ball with me?" she asked shyly as she looked down at the floor.
Irvine broke out into a smile bigger than Zell's appetite for hot dogs. "Of course I would. I would love to go to the Ball with you."
Selphie's face brightened. "You mean you'll really go with me? That's great," she replied cheerily. "Oh Irvy, its going to be so much fun! Well I gotta go. I'll see ya later."
Irvine waved as she walked away. 'I was beginning to think that she was never gonna ask me.' He smiled at the thought of getting to dance with Selphie all night long. He strolled along whistling a happy tune.
*****
'Hmmm… this selection has gotten much better since the last time I was here,' Squall thought as browsed though the Balamb Supply Shop. Squall decided to stock up on some Elixers and Phoenix Downs, as well as a sharpening blade and some Pulse Ammo he had promised to buy for Irvine. 'He better pay me back this time or I am going to take it out of his salary.'
As he left the shop he saw Quistis sitting on the bench waiting for him. He walked over to her and said, "So shall we go to the Balamb Restaurant?"
Quistis smiled. "That sounds fine to me."
After they were seated and ordered their food Squall inquired Quistis about what she had wanted to talk about.
Quistis started to play with her napkin and looked down. "Oh I don't know how to say this."
"Quistis, we have known each other since we were little. We know just about everything about each other. Just tell me." Squall said impatiently.
Quistis sighed. "Okay. It's about how I feel about you. Squall I…"
Squall interrupted, "It's okay Quistis. You don't have to say it. I already know how you feel."
"No Squall, I have to say this for myself. I have to get this off of my chest. If I don't tell you I'll regret it for the rest of my life." She paused. "Squall I…I love you. I don't love like a brother, I truly love you. I know you can't return my love, but I had to tell you this."
Squall was silent as he looked down at the table.
"Well aren't you going to say anything?" she asked.
Squall finally looked up. "What I am supposed to say? I mean, Quistis we have become really close over the past year. I consider you my best friend out of everyone, and I know how you feel about me, however, I love Rinoa.
"I know Squall, I just-…"
"But as a friend, Quistis, as a friend I love you," Squall finished.
Quistis's pale blue eyes began to water as she took in what the man of her dreams had just said to her. "Oh Squall you do not know how long I have waited for you to say that even if you mean it only as a friend." She wiped her eyes. "Even if I can never have you the way that I want, I wait for you until the end of time."
"You really shouldn't," Squall began. "Maybe under different circumstances, then maybe we could be together, but I have Rinoa, and we have such a strong bond between us. I wouldn't wait for me. You deserve to have someone who will love back just as much as you love him."
Quistis shook her head. "There is no one else for me. I cannot feel this way about anyone else. I know you can't be with me, but I can't be with anyone else."
Squall nodded. "I think I understand."
When their food arrived they began to talk about random things like the upcoming Triple Triad tournament, and Quistis's misfortune of walking into Zell's room without knocking first. They both just took the time they had to enjoy each other's company like best friends often do.
*****
Clark swiped at his opponent who barely dodged the attack. 'Hyne,' Clark thought. 'That move was only intended to give me some room. I wasn't even trying to strike him, and he barely dodged it. I really need to get some better sparring partners or I'm gonna lose some of my edge.' His opponent came at him with his Katana held over his right shoulder. Clark waited for him to attack, and then quickly ducked under his foe's slash and slide behind him. Clark struck him on the back of the head with the handle of his Gunblade. His partner fell face forward into the ground. Quickly two students rushed forward to check on the fallen student. Clark merely shook his head and sheathed his Gunblade.
"Very good Clark," Xu commented. "Your timing was perfect."
"Indeed it was," said a voice. "In fact it was almost half as good as I would have done myself."
Both Xu and Clark turned to see who it was.
"Hey aren't you-…" Clark started.
"Seifer Almasy." Xu finished. "What are you doing here?"
Seifer smirked at her. "Well if you must know, I would advise to inquire the Headmaster about my reasons for being here since he was the one who summoned me."
Xu glared at him. "Oh believe me, I intend to."
Seifer laughed. "Go right ahead I'm rather curious myself. Anyways, who is this boy scout trying to copy my moves?" he asked turning his attention to Clark.
"My name is Clark, and I wouldn't be dead trying to steal any of your moves. They are elementary compared to some of the ones that I have mastered."
Seifer laughed again. "Sorry kid, but you aren't even close to being in my league. No one, except maybe for Squall, is close to being my equal. He alone is my rival, you would not be able to last a minute with either of us." Seifer replied. "So Xu, where is the beloved Commander? I need to have a word with him. You know catch up on all the good times we used to have."
"Sorry I don't know where he is. Even if I did there is no way in Hell that I would ever tell you. I have not forgotten what you have done to everyone. You tried to annihilate the only place that you have ever called home. You tried to have all the people who you have grown up with killed. You even tried to have Cid, the man who is like a father to you, a man who has cared for you your entire miserable life, killed."
"Xu… I…" Seifer stammered obviously taken aback by Xu's words.
"I'M NOT FINISHED YET GODDAMNIT!" Xu yelled as she lost all sense of control. "How many innocents have died because of you? How many young children were deprived of their futures because of you? And for what? I mean really, for what? For some bullshit dream that you thought you were fulfilling. I despise you Seifer, and it is only out of my respect for the Headmaster that I am not ordering for you to be killed on the spot. But believe me," Xu said as she got right up in his face. "If you EVER try to cross us again… I will kill you myself."
Everyone in the Training Center was stunned in silence. Nobody had ever seen Xu lose her composure like this before. Even Seifer was at a loss for words at Xu's tirade.
"What the Hell's going on in here?" Squall asked as he stepped into the Training Center.
"Nothing," Xu replied. "Seifer and I were just getting re-acquainted."
Squall's attention quickly turned to Seifer. "What are you doing here?"
Seifer smirked as he finally saw a reaction that he was accustomed to. "Hey buddy, I was just looking for you."
"Well now you've found me. So what do you want?"
Seifer looked at all of the students who were watching and said, "Well if it isn't too much trouble for the almighty Commander, I would like to have a word with you in private."
"Fine, let's go," Squall said quickly as he started to walk out of the Training Center.
Seifer began to follow, but he turned to face Clark. "Keep practicing kid. You really need it."
Before Clark could respond Xu stepped in and said, "Don't forget what I said."
Seifer merely nodded and left.
"Okay everyone the show's over resume sparring," Xu ordered the students. She began to think back on everything that had happened that fateful day when Seifer had ordered the Galbadian troops into Balamb Garden.
*****
"Xu, we are under attack!" Selphie shouted. "Squall wants you to go to the second floor and try to protect the Junior Classman."
"Ok Selphie, I'm on it. Good luck," Xu said.
"You too. Take care of yourself." Selphie replied.
Xu hopped on the elevator up to the second floor. She quickly found a dozen Junior Classmen and took them to a classroom on the left wing with two other SeeDs, Katrina Riza and Hirami Carr, to help her.
They waited there hoping that no one would come, but their hopes went unfulfilled. Galbadian troops filled the room as they smashed through the windows. Xu grabbed her staff and quickly attacked they one closest to her. She and the other two SeeDs fought valiantly, but they were overwhelmed by the sheer number of Galbadians.
Katrina was busy fighting off two Galbadians when one snuck up behind her and stabbed her in her back. She felt true remorse that she had failed herself and those who depended on her.
Hirami was having a little better luck. He had managed to kill off three Galbadians, when a bullet pierced his heart. His only regret was that he never got to tell his girlfriend that he loved her.
Xu was the last one standing as she had already taken down five Galbadians. She was attacking three others, but she was knocked down by Meltdown spell from the Galbadian Captain.
As she tried to regain her senses she saw the Captain ordering his troops to line up. She saw that they were pointing their rifles at the Junior Classmen.
"Ready. Aim." The Captain said.
"NO! STOP!" Xu screamed.
"FIRE!" he shouted.
With that, all the rifles fired mowing down all the Junior Classman. They did not understand what was happening, they just gave blank stares as they feel to their deaths.
"Y-Y-YOU BASTARDS!" Xu yelled. She had reached her limit. "TORRENTIAL WINDS!" she shouted.
A bunch of winds surrounded the soldiers. The winds began to lift the soldiers off the ground and started to drain the lives out of them. They screamed as they felt their lives slipping away little by little, but their fates were already sealed. The winds finally ceased and the lifeless bodies fell to the ground.
Xu saw a little girl stirring. She quickly ran over to her. Her breath was coming in fast and shallow. Her face was as white as a sheet of paper.
"Hey hold on Raize, you're going to be okay," Xu assured her.
"I'm dying aren't I?" the little girl asked.
Xu shook her head fiercely. "No you're not. You're gonna make it though this. You just have to hold on a little bit longer." Tears began to well up in Xu's eyes.
The little girl began to cry too. "I'm scared. I want to go home. I want to see my parents and tell them that I love them. I want them to hold me and for everything to be alright."
"You will. You'll be able to tell them that you love them soon enough," Xu said.
"Please tell my parents that I love them very much for me," Raize said. With that the light began to fade from her eyes and her body grew cold.
Xu squeezed the little girl tightly against her body as tears streamed down her face. Then she noticed the Galbadian Captain beginning to move.
She quickly stood over him and held the tip of her staff against his throat. "How could you do this to children? They've done nothing wrong. They are just fucking kids for Hyne's sake. They had their whole lives in front of them and you just ripped it away from them. WHY?"
"It was orders. From Seifer," he said. "I was just doing my job."
"Well so am I," she said as she rammed the end of her staff through his throat.
On that day she made a promise that she would make Seifer pay for what done.
*****
"I will not let those young children's deaths go unpunished Seifer. I promise," Xu promised silently.
Author's Notes: I just wanted to explain that this is not going to become a Squall x Quistis fic. Like Squall said he can't be with her. I just think that he and Quistis share a special bond of friendship. That is all.