Authors Note: Well here's the second chapter, this one again has been edited. I don't like this one as much because I don't think it's long enough. Maybe I'll come back and edit it again later. Oh well, I hope you still enjoy it. Here's Chapter Two…
Chapter 2 – The Fire Cavern
Squall and Quistis left Balamb Forest, heading towards the Fire Cavern. The Cavern had built up a reputation in the past, it was a place where fighters would journey to to prove their worth. Now that Garden had brought possession of it, all enemies that would require two hits to be killed had been removed. It had even been suggested that the lava was actually papier mache, due to new politically correct regulations applied by Balamb Government.
The only real danger in there now was Ifrit, but due to the contract he had signed even he couldn't kill anyone. All because of the rich family from Deling City that had sued.
Squall and Quistis walked the thin path towards the entrance, where two Garden Faculties stood guard. As they approached the guards stepped closer together, attempting to appear more threatening.
"Instructor No. 14 Quistis Trepe," they greeted her.
Quistis stepped forward. "This is Squall Leonhart. I'm his support."
"Very well," the guard nodded. "What time limit would you like to select? Before you choose remember that if you lose the world will end in a puff of pink smoke."
Squall narrowed his eyes. "But what about the guy last week that failed?" he questioned.
The Garden Faculties looked at each other. "Fine, we've had a few technical problems lately…"
"Okay…" Squall frowned.
The Garden Faculties suddenly appeared to be angry. "How dare you suggest that alongside the all mighty NORG we are trying to rule the world."
Squall looked at Quistis who shrugged. "I didn't. I don't even know what a norg is…"
"NORG is the all mighty leader of the Shumi. And how dare you suggest that he is a lapdog to the Sorceress Ultimecia."
Squall was starting to worry now. "But…" he stuttered. "I don't know who she is either."
"Lies!" the faculty shouted. "She is not trying to destroy the world!"
Quistis interrupted now. "I'm sorry if Squall has offended you, but we need to do the test."
"But I haven't said anything," Squall whined.
The Faculties glared at Squall. "Very well, but only because of you Quistis."
"What time limit do you want?" one of the guards asked, looking at the stunned Squall.
"10 minutes," said Squall confidently.
"Ok. You can go in and Quistis will be there to help. Be back in 10 minutes"
As they stepped in the Faculties whispered to Quistis. "Make sure you lose him. Push him in the lava."
"We can't," the other faculty reminded him. "We replaced it with papier mache."
"Damn!"
They stepped into the Fire Cavern. It was much hotter than Squall expected and the heat overwhelmed him, unknown to him this was the heaters that had been placed in the ceiling of the cavern. He stood at the entrance, taking some time to adjust to the heat. They walked briskly through the cavern and Squall calmly waved his gunblade to fend off the attacking bombs and bats.
"All you have to do is beat Ifrit and that's it," said Quistis.
Squall said nothing to reply because he knew he could do it. He had come up with the best plan ever to beat Ifrit. He would use his secret weapon, Shiva.
They came to the end of the cavern and waited for Ifrit to arrive.
"Ready Squall?"
"..."
"I'll take that as a yes then." Quistis secretly reached over and pushed the button that would start the special effects.
The ground shook violently, lava spat up and Ifrit shot out of the ground to appear before them. Before Ifrit had the chance to even growl Squall summoned Shiva. What GF could resist the charms of the Ice Beauty wearing just thong and bra. Ifrits' eyes bulged as he saw Shiva's body break from her icy prison.
"Damn you!" Ifrit growled, as he lost concentration by the sight of Shiva. "You win as long as I can get it on with Shiva"
Shiva smiled and winked at him.
"…Whatever."
With that Ifrit and Shiva vanished to the GF world, which was Squall's head due to the junctioning. He suddenly developed as a headache as he felt bodies smashing around his head. He shuddered at what they might be doing. Squall began to walk back towards the entrance, stopping every so often to shake the pain from his head.
As they reached the entrance they could hear the Faculties. "10, 9, 8, 7…"
"Squall I've never seen anyone do that to Ifrit before" Quistis said admiringly. "Oh well however you did it, it still counts as a pass."
"6, 5, 4…"
Squall shrugged.
"3, 2…"
"We're back!" Quistis announced.
The Faculties spun round and their faces fell as they saw the two had returned. "Well done," they said grudgingly. "But remember, hotdogs are forever and you are not."
"Okay," Squall nodded. He had no idea what they were on about but there was no use arguing.
Quistis spoke. "Come on Squall, we better get back to Garden. You have your SeeD exam in a few hours."
The two headed back, tempted again as they reached the forest but when they saw a search party in the woods they decided against it. Once they reached the entrance they continued to walk silently through Garden.
"Good luck in your exam later," Quistis said reaching the Directory.
"Whatever…" Squall said, which triggered giggling from Quistis. He raised an eyebrow.
"Sorry," she said. "It just sounds such a bad catchline."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Authors Note: Well there was Chapter 2. I hope you liked it. Please review.
