Timber TV Live

"What? You're walking to the TV Station?" said the rugged looking woman. She had dark braided hair to her shoulder blades, and wore a blue bandana with some kind of fox insignia on it. As she began rambling she began swinging around a knife in one hand and a slightly diced onion in the other.

…you heard Rinoa… and I wish you'd stop swinging that thing right in front of me… Squall sighed. "We have no choice. The trains aren't running."

"Let's see... There used to be a way through the back alley of this house... The Pub was built around the time they stopped broadcasting. We haven't used the back alley too much since then. Why don't you look through the second floor window room? You should be able to see the back alley."

So how exactly do we get to this back alley? Squall looked over to Zell and Rinoa who just shrugged. Selphie was by the wall looking at some pictures.

"If you want to go through the back alley, why don't you talk to the owner of the Pub? He's scary lookin', but.......................................... Well, I guess he ain't so nice, either. Just go talk to him anyway."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Zell asked. Scary looking and not nice either… Why do I have a feeling we're not getting to that back alley so easily?

"Oh, I'll be right back, I need to go run and get some more carrots… oh that father of yours! He was supposed to send someone to get them!" The woman then slammed the knife onto the wooden chopping block and walked out the front door.

Her daughter, she too in the kitchen stirring the contents of a steaming pot on the stove, then turned to the group and smiled. "They fight a lot, but my parents totally get along. I can't wait to meet a great guy and exchange blows with him!" She said throwing a few jabs into the air.

"That sounds really, really weird." Zell looked over to Squall and Selphie who just shrugged.

Let's just go check out that back alley already… Squall then nodded to the girl and headed up the stairs. Up the stairs, the second floor was set up like a large bedroom. The back end had two large windows, one on the wall to the left and another to the far end. A bed was just to the left and upon it rested a brown cat. There were two boys in the room, one in the far right corner doing a handstand against the wall, and another on the ground counting coins upon a large circular green rug.

"It's not even r kitty, but it's always shleeping on r bed... Can u believe him! He eats up a wot of r food 2... That's y we're charging a look-see fee...We can't help it. It's the kitty's fault..." said the boy on the floor as he swung his legs in the air.

"Wanna take a look-see? Go to that...Ughh...window there..." said the other boy, he looking slightly older, doing a handstand.

Squall looked over to the window of the far wall, pushed it open, and peered down to the alley. The alley was a mess, full of old boxes, barrels, crates, and a few broken bottles. Squall could see the back door of the Pub just to his right. Along a fire escape ladder, a man holding a bottle sat down. Nothing much… at least we know for sure where the alley is…Squall then closed the window and looked back to see the boy against the wall roll over and hold his hand out.

"That's 10 Gil please..."

"HEY! You at it again!?" From behind them, the scream of the woman they spoke to earlier boomed. She had just gotten home. The boy spun around and then put his head down. "How many times have I told you not to take money from strangers!!!" Taking the boy, she bent him over and gave him a quick spank.

"Awwwaah...(sob) I...I reduced the pwice from 1,000 Gil, though...(sob)"

"It's not about the money! I didn't raise you this way!" She just sighed and looked to the four shaking her head as she walked back downstairs.

"U don't hav'ta...pay me..." said the punished boy as he walked over and stared at the wall. He then cart wheeled himself forward and returned himself to his handstand position.

Selphie giggled. "Awe, poor kid…"

"C'mon, let's go see that Pub owner." Squall said as he started down the stairs. The SeeDs went ahead out the door as Rinoa quickly thanked the woman and followed.

***

Just off to the right of the woman's house was a walkway leading to timber station, as well as a stair case leading down to the local pub. On the way, Rinoa stopped to talk to a couple relaxing on a bench. "Are we on a date, you ask? Does it look like we are? We're on patrol to keep peace in this town." Said the man as he held his hand to his chin.

"You guys watch yourselves. Some seedy lookin' guys were heading toward the Pub. The Pub is downstairs. I think I smell blood...I hope it's just my imagination."

Squall nodded as he peered to the scene down the steps. Below, he saw a few Galbadian soldiers walk into the Pub. Huh…? What does she want?... he asked himself as he saw a young girl looking their way.

"Mountain…?" she said blankly as she looked to the four.

Uh… I don't get it. Zell scratched his head and looked to Selphie who too was thinking.

"Umm… Sky!" Selphie screamed.

"Secret Info #2...Laser beams are everywhere outside the TV Station. I lose sleep when I think of what those beams could do to me." She then slowly leaned forward and started whispering to the group. "Where is the TV Station? That's a...secret! (My mentor Watts will kill me id I admit my ignorance!)"

…I guess she wasn't kidding when she said 'everybody belongs to a resistance faction around here.' Squall nodded and looked to Rinoa.

"She's one of Watt's trainees. Tracy, River and Forest please."

"Sure Rinoa! Secret Info #1......You should go to the [Aphorora Pub] for a drink. I guess 'Aphorora' means 'Aurora'. Drink until you see an aurora! "Oh, you're all underage? Then I guess the Pub info was meaningless. It sounds like I'm advertising for the pub! She then continued. ""Secret Info #3...Timber was named for its rich vegetation. Used to be that we were surrounded by this beautiful forest... Then came Galbadia...They burned down the forest, along with our freedom. I'm sorry, I...It's probably irrelevant to all of you."

"Oh no Tracy, that was wonderful… alright, Watts confirmed it, and we head to the Pub."

Squall rolled his eyes. Really now? I thought we were heading down there anyway…Somebody should try to put a little more thought into this 'mission.' "Hold on a sec." Rinoa and Selphie stopped in their tracks as they heard Squall speak. "We might as well check out the train station really fast to see what remaining trains might still be active. That way, we'll have a plan to get out of here should we have trouble..."

Rinoa smiled and started walking towards the train station alley way. "That's a great idea Squall! Let's go!"

***

That girl really wasn't kidding… Squall looked over the one of the main alley ways, actually a train railing, leading towards the train station. … those three laser beams look like they can…nah, I don't even want to think about it.

Overhead on a bridge way over the tracks, they could see and hear a boy and a girl staring down the train tunnel. "I wish the train would come." said the girl.

The boy was jumping around and waving his hands enthusiastically. "This bridge splits apart when the train comes! You gotta make it across just as it splits!"

"Once the train comes, we're gonna cross on 3, okay?" The girl nodded and then mumbled something quietly. "(Every time though… my heart jumps and my legs begin to shake… I've never won! Makes me so mad!)"

The four then walked passed the bridge and down over to a woman who was holding a train schedule. "There are 4 different trains running through this town… Gets kinda packed at times. Want me to tell you where the trains are?"

That's exactly what we need. "Please tell me," said Squall.

Rinoa, along with Zell and Selphie, blinked to hear Squall say 'Please.' Wow… so there might be a gentleman in him after all! Rinoa smiled and listened to Squall speak with the woman.

"The one leaving from there is for 'Dollet'. You can catch one for the 'desert' in front of the pub. And the one near the pet shop goes to 'Balamb', and the one in front of Timber Maniacs goes to 'Deling City'. Those are the 4 trains out of Timber. You gotta walk around town to change trains, though..."

"I see… thank you." said Squall.

"You're welcome." She then nearly jumped as Selphie ran past her playing with Angelo. The woman sighed with relief and laughed. "Goodness… Just don't scare me from behind. Once, I almost got hit by a train when someone tried to surprise me. But a very handsome young man quickly grabbed my hand and saved me… If I remember correctly...his name was......Loire...I think..."

That dream… Laguna Loire… could it be? Squall glanced over to Zell who had been whistling the whole time. "What?" he said. Squall just shook his head. Didn't we all have the same dream? I guess it's just like Zell to miss details like that… but this Laguna… who is he? Squall thought back to the dream. In the dream, as he looked into a mirror in Julia's bedroom, it was not himself, but the face of a young man with long dark hair. Was that the face of Laguna? … Never mind… this is just too weird to think about right now…

"(sigh...) To tell you the truth, he was my ideal man. But he was wearing a Galbadian uniform..." said the woman as she continued. To me, Galbadians are my sworn enemies. They killed my father...Kinda sounds like Romeo and Juliet, huh...(sigh)"

… Maybe I should ask her about this Laguna Loire… no… now's not the time. "Thank you again ma'am. Let's get going to that pub already…"

***

"That was too easy, man. Heh heh...for a country bumpkin he sure had some

good stuff" said one of two Galbadian Soldiers walk out of the Pub. Squall noticed they were the soldiers he had seen earlier.

"Yo, better ease off a little. These Timber hicks hate us enough as it is. ......!" The guard stopped cold as he saw the small group of teenagers and a dog walk down the steps.

Uh oh… "Uh Squall… they don't seem too happy to see us…" said Zell as he tightened his gloves.

"Seriously…" replied Selphie as she whipped out her nunchaku.

"!!! Let's get 'em!" screamed the first soldier as he quickly drew his sword.

"Rinoa! You and Angelo get back!" yelled Squall as he took on the first guard forward. Instantly, their blades clashed, sparks flying as both tried to break from their lock. Selphie and Zell teamed up against the second one, he a bit more agile than the first. He rolled over and knocked Selphie back into a pile of cardboard boxes, she cursing as she got up.

Zell was almost overcome by the soldier's bomb fragment. "Dammit, fire magic…" Zell then grinned. "Hehe, but with a GF junctioned… I can use it's even more powerful magic… FIRE!" Zell screamed as the soldier was instantly torched. The soldier quickly dove to the ground and began rolling around. As soon as he had put himself out, he tried to get up only to get knocked out by a kick to the head.

"Serves you right!" Selphie then gave the soldier one more kick.

Squall was having some trouble with the other soldier. The soldier had been slashed several times by Squall's gunblade, however, kept on pushing forward. What's with this guy? No matter how I hit him, he keeps coming. Squall tried for another slash but decided to turn the handle over and hit the Soldier in the gut with the butt of the gunblade. The soldier didn't even flinch.

The soldier grinned and gave a large belch right in Squall's surprised face. "Hehe, you know, the drinks in there are pretty awesome." He then punched Squall in the face forcing him to tumble back a bit.

Dammit that felt like a brick… this guy's drunk, too strong this way. He's surprisingly good with his sword for a drunk guy… how can I knock him out this way!? From out of nowhere, a disc like blade tore through the air and slammed upon the Galbadian Soldier's helmet and stuck. The guard started to laugh and then suddenly collapsed, a card dropping from his pocket. "Where did that…" Squall looked over to see Rinoa run next to his side. Selphie and Zell too walked over and looked at the guard with the blade in his head. … I told her to stay out of it… but she really did help me out there… now what are we gonna do with these bodies?

"Is… Is he… dead?" said Rinoa as her voice trembled.

Selphie examined the soldier and smiled. "Tee hee… look here… no blood. So… ugh, Zell, could you help me with the helmet?" Carefully, the two took off the helmet of the soldier. Zell yanked the blade from the steel helmet and handed it to Rinoa. "It just go stuck."

"What a relief… I didn't want to kill him…"

Squall sighed and picked up the card he dropped. It was a Triple Triad card of a Buel monster. Wanting to kill him wouldn't really be the problem. You're a resistance faction, there will be casualties. But I suppose it would cause complications and more problems for the people here… Squall looked over to a small stand with a man standing behind it.

The man sighed. "Don't worry about them young man, I'll take care of them… just drag them over to that wall right there and place a few of these empty beer bottles next to them… yes, like that… alright. I'll just say that these two came out stark drunk and started fighting each other for some reason. I know where you're headed Rinoa, good luck!"

***

The Pub was pretty large, the counter and bar over to the left while some tables were set up to the right. Looking up, the group could see a monitor displaying the image of a face morphing to a lion and back. Behind the counter was the bartender, who was also the owner, and his female assistant. By the tables sat a man quietly drinking. Then to the rear… "I've had enough of this city! I came from Dollet to have me a good time. And now... Trains are no longer running... Can't even stay in a hotel because of some stupid official...!" He appeared to be a passerby, a drifter, dressed in heavy hiking gear and had a large duffle bag just to the left of him next to a table. He himself lay against the rear exit. "Harassed by Galbadian soldiers... Had my precious card stolen...This hasn't been my day... Those jerks... They think they can use brute force to get anything they want. Hell...This town's a good example... Yeah... Everything's messed up because the resistance tried to kidnap the president. Thanks to them, the trains have stopped...There's Galbadian soldiers all over the place.........All because of them!!! Don't they understand I'm the one suffering from their reckless actions!? Stupid, boneheaded, good-for-nothing, resistance! You can just kiss my..."

"Hey!" You can't say all those things! You don't understand! We're…

The quiet man at the table slammed his fist down and stood. "You don't understand anything! The resistance is fighting for Timber's future! They're all doing the best they can. It's the Galbadian soldiers and their leader who are at fault!"

"Pshhh..." The drifter then snorted and waved his hand in the air.

Squall and the others walked up to the bar and stared at the drunken drifter as he sratched his belly. "That drunk thinks that 'Bitter' ones are good and 'Sweet' ones are bad. Our drinks are all good quality. He should try them all, really" said the woman behind the counter.

The owner looked to the group and smiled. "Look uh, I can't let you all drink, you're all too young, or at least you look that way. I've got some other beverages here that you can though…" Rinoa then quickly explained their situation. "You wanna go through the back alley? Might be a little difficult right now. He's being pretty stubborn. The guy throws a fit when you try to move him from that spot."

Rinoa nodded then looked to Squall "(What should we do?)" she whispered. She looked at the drifter then back to Squall. In the background, the drifter yelled "Ugh, this stuff stinks!" Despite that however, he took a chugged more down and smiled as he licked his lips. "He's drinking from a bottle with a red label. He looks quite drunk."

What else is there to do? Tell him to move. Squall sighed and walked over to the drifter. "We need to get through."

"Geez, and now I'm getting dissed by some punk...!? Owner, gimme another drink!"

What a pain… "......" Squall gave a sigh and looked back to the bar. Maybe buy him a drink? "Sir, we'll pay for this guy's next drink."

The owner nodded and replied. "Which drink do you want? 100 Gil per drink."

Dammit, I don't know…Squall then crossed his arms and looked to the side thinking.

Zell looked over to Squall and chuckled. "I've got it man. Gramps taught me a bit about this stuff. Let's see… the lady said he likes bitter stuff… that'd be 'Krakka,' 'Reagan,' or 'Sylkis'."

"Let's just re-order what he ordered" said Squall to the Owner.

"Are you sure?" Selphie asked as she tapped Squall on the shoulder. "He just said that stuff stinks."

Whatever, I just want to get through that door. "…Well, he seems to be enjoying it."

"That'll be a Mimmet then… here you go." The Owner then handed it over to Squall who then handed it to the drifter.

The drifter popped the cap off and started chugging. "Hey, punk, you got good manners! I ain't the rude type either. Here, take some o' this! Ha ha ha...(hic)" He then handed Squall another Triple Triad card, this one of the monster, Forbidden, a skeleton like monster said to only have been a myth.

He's into cards…I wonder if… Squall then reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out the Buel card he had found. "Is this your card?"

"Huh? ...It is! Why do you have it!?" He yelled surprisingly as he looked over the card in his hands.

"......Found it outside."

"Are you serious?......Okay. Thanks. You know what? I'm feelin' generous! So you can keep that card. And also...this one! I'll move out of the way now." He handed Squall the Buel card along with a Tonberry Card. "Hey, owner. I can't stand up. Can ya help me?" Rolling his eyes, the Owner smiled and slowly pulled the man away from the doorway.

"Whoa...(hic) I'm totally wasted..."

The Owner looked to Squall who was still staring at the drunkard. "You can get to the back alley through that door. We were kind of lost on what to do about him. Thanks."

Squall nodded then looked back to find the others talking to the woman at the bar and getting a few glasses of water, and a light smoothie for Selphie. Selphie chugged it down in a flash.

"The scary looking...mean owner of the pub?" The woman asked Zell and Rinoa. Zell nodded. "Did you hear that from his wife? The owner's actually a mellow guy. But not when he's with his wife. They fight like wild animals. Well, you know what they say: the more they fight, the closer they are."

"I dunno… it still sounds weird to me" said Zell.

That's a funny saying. 'The more they fight, the closer they are.' If Timber and Galbadia were like that… Squall shook his head and looked to the three. It's not really my problem anyway. "Let's move guys."

***

The group of four walked through the door and down the back alley, they disregarding the drunkard by the fire escape. They continued down the alley way which led over to a steel walkway leading to the TV Station. "Whoa, an outdoor TV!" yelled Zell along with Selphie screaming, "Heeey, an outdoor TV!" It was true. On the wall of the building was an array of monitors to create a larger image.

"This is creepy...What is it?" asked Rinoa as she listened to the scratch-like noises all around. She knelt down next to Angelo and rubbed his fur seeing him a bit nervous as well.

Squall stepped up next to her. "This noise is broadcast over most of the frequencies. Something has to be done about this before they can broadcast it over the air."

"Oh, really? Actually, I was wondering myself."

"Right on!" yelled Selphie as she saw watts coming their way. "Look guys, Watts made it out okay."

Slightly out of breath, Watts looked to Squall and pointed to a doorway up a stair well leading into the station. "The president's in the studio now, sir. Too many guards now, so we won't be able to storm the place, sir!"

Rinoa put a hand on her chin. "So we can't just rush in... We've gotta come up with a new plan now! If the president leaves, maybe the guards will be gone, too? That's when we do OUR broadcast. It might not be as influential but it's better than nothing, right? We don't stand a chance if we take 'em head on, right?"

Squall crossed his arms and turned away from her looking back down the alley. … "Don't worry about us. We'll fight your enemies based on your decision. That's our duty." You're the boss here. Stop asking us what we should do, start telling us. This is why that Gerogero called you all amateurs, don't you see? You're second guessing yourselves and that's no way to run a resistance of any sort. You've got to be firm on decisions and be sure for yourself.

Zell stepped forward and put a fist up. "You tell us to go, we go. Even if it is losing a battle." I've become a SeeD, and heck I'll put up the fight of my life if I have to!

"Heeey, I'm a SeeD, too. Just want you to know, I'm ready for anything" screamed Selphie jumping up in the air. A little bit of nunchaku skills here and there… hi---ya!

"How sad..." Rinoa looked to the ground. "Act on my decision? That's your duty? Oh, what an easy life it must be, just to follow orders..."

Don't start telling me how easy or how hard my life is. If anything it's hard to give orders as well… everything is hard at first… Squall shrugged. "Call it what you want. All we want is for you to achieve your goal using our help." …and I think this is your first big decision… can you really make a decision to put us into battle? "I find it hard to believe that you can do it, though..."

Rinoa quickly shot a glare at Squall. What makes you think that!? We work so hard and for a cause that is just! You're just like those others aren't you? You think this resistance is just one big joke don't you!? "W-What did you say!? If you have something to say, just say it!"

Why did I have to say that? "Forget it."

"You started it. The least you can do is finish it. Come on, what's on your mind?"

What a pain… "...Just forget it."

"...Tell me. This is an order. An order from your client!"

You asked for it… Squall sighed and looked to her. "How serious are you...? Really...? The 3 of you plop down on the floor to discuss strategy? On top of that, you can't make a decision without our input, right? How do you think we feel, working for such an organization?"

Zell walked over to Squall and shook him on the shoulder whispering something to him. "(You're being too hard, man.)"

Selphie too walked forward and added her comments."(You're being a little too hard.)"

Yeah, they're right… it's not my place to tell them what they were doing was good or not… I should have kept it to myself… kept to my duty. We'll leave it at that. Now what am I going to say…? "...Sorry. Guess I got a little carried away."

Rinoa stood staring at the ground, her body slightly trembling. "You know... Maybe this was all a big mistake. I thought everything would work out fine once SeeD came to help us. But, I guess it's not that easy." She started to tear, but quickly rubbed her eyes. So it's the amateur thing… you should know our background, we're not trained like you, SeeD, an elite military force. We're just people working for what we believe in… "You were all hired. It's not like you were one of us." But that won't stop us… "Um, let's see...We'll cancel the plan, and we'll disperse for now. We don't stand a chance if we take 'em head on, right?"

She looked to the SeeDs who had grown silent however were listening intently. She looked to Selphie whose eyes had grown with concern. Zell, too, he the one she already knew to be open in his opinions, seemed to show some sort of pity through his face. I hope you two understand…no, I know you understand. You just don't see what conditions we have to deal with… This is serious. What we believe in is serious. She then looked to Squall who had his arms crossed and his eyes closed. But you… I can't read you…I thought I could, at the dance…I thought you were just a shy face… a lonely face…maybe that's it, you're lonely… but now I see you can be quite cold…amateur… why don't you just say it to me already? I know it's in your mind. I want to see how you really are… are you cold enough to say it!? "So...you guys probably think this is all a game to us." Rubbing her eyes dry from tears again, she looked up. Squall was now looking towards her, he face changed from his straightened ice state to a now surprised and even somewhat remorseful. "...Well, it's not! We're serious. So serious...it hurts." Unable to contain herself any further, she rushed from the group of SeeDs and headed back down the alley, Watts following. They just don't understand… Squall, you don't understand…

Selphie waved her arms in the air and watched as Rinoa dashed off. "...Heeey?" Lookie what you did Squall! You hurt her feelings! She stared at Squall who had not changed his expression.

He too watched as he she fled back down the steel ramp and towards the Pub's rear entrance. I… was pretty mean…but I was right too, someone had to tell her. She's got to learn somehow… Seifer would have said the same thing, I'm sure of it. No… he'd just take over the whole operation and storm the place…What the?

"...Huh?" Zell started looking left and right as the sounds of static go louder. "They starting?"

Selphie pointed up at the monitor as it began to display an image. "Are they starting?"

The giant screen displayed a man in a suit behind a podium. He was tapping at the microphone. "T-Testing...1...2...Testing...Testing... Ohhhh! P-People of the world! Can you see me!? Can you hear me!? Oh, this is incredible! Ladies and gentlemen, this is not a recording! This is an actual broadcast over the air! Yes, it's been 17 years since a live broadcast has been possible!" He coughed and then went on. "Oh, please excuse me...I seem to have lost my composure. We would like to present to you today a message from the lifelong President of Galbadia, Vinzer Deling. Ladies and gentlemen, President Deling." The announcer then stood down allowing President Deling to stand up to the podium.

"Greetings. I am Vinzer Deling, lifelong president of Galbadia. Today, I stand before you to make the following proposition. We the people of the world have the power to end all wars."

"See, see! It's a peace proposal to the world. I knew it!" Selphie screamed. Love and Peace everyone!!!

"Unfortunately, there are some trifling problems standing between Galbadia and other nations, and they must be resolved." In the background, a sound of a loud noise is heard however the president ignored it and carried on. "I plan to convene with other nations' leaders immediately to resolve these problems. At this time, allow me to introduce the ambassador who will be my representative for the conference."

What the hell? "Man! All this just to introduce an ambassador." Zell leaned up against the steel railings and watched. Man, everything's just confusing today…

"The ambassador is the Sorceress..."

"...The Sorceress?" Squall scratched his head. What does he mean by the Sorceress? Could it be Sorceress Adel from the Sorceress war 17 years ago? Squall continued to ponder and watch the screen until the sight of Seifer caught his eye. He was on the screen rushing towards the president. An elite Galbadian Soldier tried to cut him off but only found a slash to the gut by Seifer's sleek gunblade.

"Heeey!" Selphie looked over to Squall. "We've gotta help them!"

"Seifer!" Dammit you idiot! Why do you always have to make such a mess of things!?

They watched as Seifer was grabbed by two soldiers from behind. A third came charging for him from the front but found a kick placed to his groin. The soldier stumbled back knocking the main camera over and forcing a display of a side wards view. With a single movement, he then threw the two soldiers off from behind him and whirled around grabbing Deling and holding his gunblade to his throat. Quistis then suddenly ran into the picture, she seeming to try to calm Seifer down.

"What's he doin'!?" Selphie was gripping at Squall's arm tightly and holding her nunchaku in the other.

"Instructor Trepe!?" What is this? Were they sent from Garden as reinforcements? "Squall…?"

"Stay back!" they could hear Quistis yell from the screen. She was holding her arm out trying to coax Galbadian Soldiers away.

C'mon man! "Squall, what are we gonna do!?"

"For the last time, stay back! You're only going to provoke him." Quistis was looking back and forth making sure neither Seifer nor the soldiers advanced.

We do nothing. "...Nothing. Our job is to assist the Owls. It's none of our business." Squall was then surprised to see Quistis looking at them through the screen.

"Timber Team, are you watching? Get over here right now! You HAVE permission! I need your help!"

"Squall!?" Dude!? Now do we go!?

Selphie was getting restless shaking Squall's shoulder. "Squad leader!"

Let's go. Without a word, Squall dashed ahead, the two following.

***

"We need to restrain him!" Quistis screamed to the 3 SeeDs rushing in past the confused guards.

"What do you think you're doing?" Squall asked Seifer, he holding his gunblade to his side.

"It's obvious, ain't it!? What are you planning to do with this guy?" Seifer said staring at Squall's drawn gunblade.

"...Planning to do?" That's right...He knows Rinoa. Is that why he's here?

Zell, holding back one of the guards, looked over to Seifer. "I get it! You're Rinoa's..."

"Shut your damn mouth! You chicken!"

Quistis cast a sleep spell acquired from Shiva onto the guards. "He broke out of the disciplinary room, injuring many in the process."

"YOU STUPID IDIOT!"

Zell, please. "Be quiet." You've gotta calm down and keep your mouth shut.

"Instructor, I know! You're gonna take this stupid idiot back to Garden, right!?"

"Shut up! NO!" Dammit Zell! He looked to Zell who had realized his mistake and slammed a hand over his mouth.

President Deling started laughing. "I see...So you're all from Garden. Should anything happen to me, the entire Galbadian military will undoubtedly crush Garden. You can let go of me now."

"Nice going, you dumb chicken! You and your stupid big mouth! Take care of this mess! Instructor and Mr. Leader!" Seifer spat to the side and then choked the President even more, dragging him down to a back room. Quistis quickly dashed after him. What the hell is that? "!?" Seifer was shocked to see a dark shroud against the far wall and from that shroud emerging a strange looking woman.

"...Poor, poor boy..."

"Stay away from me!" He held his gunblade even closer to the President's throat. Deling could already feel the cold steel of the flat end of the blade against most of his chin.

"Such a confused little boy. Are you going to step forward? Retreat? You have to decide."

"Stay back!"

The mysterious woman looked to see Quistis running down the hall and held her hands out. Quistis was suddenly frozen in place, stopped in time. "The boy in you is telling you to come. The adult in you is telling you to back off. You can't make up your mind. You don't know the right answer. You want help, don't you? You want to be saved from this predicament."

"Shut up!"

"Don't be ashamed to ask for help. Besides, you're only a little boy."

"I'm not...Stop calling me a boy."

"You don't want to be a boy anymore?"

"I am not a BOY!"

"Come with me to a place of no return. Bid farewell to your childhood." Wha… what's this feeling over me…Is she the Sorceress!? Seifer then suddenly lets go of hold of Deling, Deling immediately running away. He looked down the hall to see Squall, Zell, and Selphie entering and waved at them, his face changed. The mysterious woman once again held her hand out and suddenly froze them as well. Without another word, she returned to the wall, Seifer following her through.

Squall seemed to be the first to snap out of the trance. What just happened here… I could of sworn I saw Seifer right there along with some strange woman… waving to us… he looked at the others who had too awakened, they also seemingly confused. He looked to his right as he saw a side door open up.

Bursting in was Rinoa. "Hey guys! Where's Seifer?"

That's what I'd like to know… "We don't know."

"...He'll be ok, right?" Rinoa nodded then smiled and dashed out the door. Zell and Selphie followed leaving Squall to tail them.

Well… she seems to be in a better mood I guess. But what to do now? Will Galbadia retaliate against Garden? He looked over to see a local Guard walking into the doorway. He nodded to Squall and looked around.

"I'll keep an eye out for ya...Go on, you should get back to town." Squall nodded and dashed ahead.

***

The group met back up at the front of the TV station on the steel walkway. Rinoa revealed where she had run off to; she had been checking up on the Forest Owls' condition. "They found our base. It's completely destroyed."

Selphie scratched her head and looked around. "And everyone else?"

Rinoa then smiled. "They're fine. They're good at escaping." Especially Zone and Watts… those two are actually geniuses at it! Rinoa then walked forward, she talking with Quistis while the others followed towards the back alley. "We have to stay away from Timber for a while. Is there a safe place you can take me?" She looked over to Squall who had been lost in thought. "This is an order, an order from your client, remember?"

"...Alright." First of all we need to hide out… or get out of here. Either way, we're not safe if we stay for too long…