Disclaimer~I don't own FF8. Just the plot
Takes place a year or two after the game ends.
No, not like this. This is all wrong. It was supposed to be an easy mission. They weren't supposed to have reinforcements. NO!
That was all that was going through Quistis's mind as she cracked her whip over and over. The smell of blood combined with sweat was making her sick. Ifrit being summoned didn't help; she didn't like the smell of burning flesh or the sounds of bones crackling as they melted.
"Get to the Ragnarok! Long-range people fall back and cover the retreat!" Squall shouted.
Rinoa and Irvine ran to the ramp and, taking cover, shot into the mob. Selphie ran up to the cockpit to get it prepped for take-off.
As they ran, a huge figure barreled into her. He whipped out a knife. He keeled over as Fujin shot his knife out of his hands and threw him off her with aero. She helped Quistis up. "RUN!"
All the gang met at the ramp. Quistis looked around. Seifer had a huge gash on his arm. Raijin was holding his ribcage. Squall had numerous cuts on his arms. Zell's forehead was bleeding badly. "Let's go!" Squall started up.
"No." Selphie's voice's came over the intercom. "The ship has a broken vent. We need something to distract them while we get the ship fixed."
The people looked at each other. No one wanted to do that. To go into the mob and lead them away.
"I'll do it." Everyone looked in surprise to Zell. He handed his GFs back. "Just in case."
"Zell…"Quistis said. No! Not Zell!
"But…"Rinoa was at a loss of what to say.
But Seifer did. "Come back alive, Chickenwuss."
Zell extended his hand to Squall. Squall made no move to shake it. Zell dropped his hand. "Guess not much has changed after all." He turned to leave.
"Zell." He turned, to see Squall's extended hand. "Yes they have." Zell grinned and shook his hand. Then he leapt and began running. He ran out of site and the majority of the enemies followed him.
*~*~*~*~*~
Several moments later, they took off.
"Where's Zell?" Selphie asked.
Through near tears, Rinoa told her.
"Hey, look! Isn't that Zell?" Irvine had been looking out a window.
"Yeah! Swing down and pick him up. Quistis, be on the ramp and use your whip! Fujin, Rinoa, cover them."
The girls ran and as Selphie lowered the ramp, Quistis stabilized herself as best she could.
"ZELL!" He took a running leap and grabbed her whip. At the last moment, however, a monster/man grabbed his leg. Then they created a ladder down to the ground. They began to climb up the living rope.
No, if they make it up here we're through. All dead. Quistis looked at Zell, her face a mask of fear. Zell gazed back at her, his face a mask of pain. Then, as the voices clashed and the weapons being fired, it changed to resolve. Quistis got a knot in her stomach. She knew, not thought knew, what her best friend was going to do. No dammit. Don't you dare. I mean it. Don't even think it. No way Jose'. But he did.
Zell Dincht let go. His face was a face of contentment and peace.
"ZELL!" Everyone aboard the Ragnarok echoed the cry: Quistis, Rinoa, Seifer, Fujin, Raijin, Squall, Selphie, Irvine.
Inside the cockpit sometime later, Selphie was crying so hard she could barely fly straight. Quistis had her face buried in her hands. Seifer held Fujin close while Raijin leaned on his staff. Irvine leaned against the window, numb. Rinoa was buried in Squall's shoulder.
Squall looked at his hand. Somehow, he knew. Somehow he knew that it would be his last handshake.
I kinda think that this story speaks for itself. I nearly cried while writing this.