The Next Generation
(Author's Note: So, this is the follow up chapter. It's set twelve years after Quistis's death. I am sure that you are all really sad about Quistis and Seifer's deaths, aren't you? Well, Aliasha has been brought up by Squall and Rinoa, with their child, Phoenix. Both Aliasha and Phoenix are in rivalry with three other students, Lisa and Debra Dincht and Zack Kinneas. Basically, all are SeeD Candidates and all are against each other. I only own Aliashaa, Phoenix, Lisa, Debra and Zack, the rest are property of Squaresoft.)
Chapter One: SeeD Candidate Exam
Liberi Fatali, were their parents. Does Fate rule their lives also?
Aliasha surveyed her group coldly. Why was it always this way? It seemed no matter how names were drawn, she'd always end up with one of the brainless numbskulls. Everyone knew that names were drawn completely at random on SeeD exams, unless it required specific talents. As usual, Aliasha was with the happy-go-lucky bunch. Well, at least she was in charge. That would get up Phoenix's backside, he always wanted to be captain in his exam, but he was a nobody, as his fist fighting wasn't a skill of value on the mission they were assigned.
A group of terrorists had hacked into the Galbadia Missile System, although they had been kicked out of the system before any damage had been done, they were to be killed by SeeD Candidates. Aliasha's team was to use stealth to get near them, then lead the attack. Aliasha already knew who she'd be using in her first party, there would be herself, her gunblade would be useful in the closed space. There would be Lisa, as she used a gun, in point blanc range it was a little risky, but Lisa was better trained than most sharpshooters. Then there would be Zack, he'd break through the terrorists with his new weapon, called Scatter. It was a simple device, it scattered tiny bombs onto the ground, then acted like a normal Pinwheel. Whenever a bomb was touched however, it would blow up, and that had caused problems when he trained.
In the second team would be Phoenix and Debra. If someone was injured, they'd take their place. Also they would call a GF if things got too out of hand. Phoenix would lead that party, as Debra would rush into the battle like the air head she was. A nunchaku wouldn't be very good in the enclosed space they had. Aliasha hadn't told them of these arrangements, they were all still asking to change their group.
"Squad B?" Someone shouted through the din. Aliasha immediately sprang to attention, as did the others. Instructor Kent Leyton stepped aside, glad of a reason not to have to explain to the SeeD candidates again. Commander Leonhart walked forwards and saluted them. They all let their arms drop, completely in time.
"At ease cadets," Squall said. Everyone relaxed, though Phoenix didn't that much. Aliasha and Phoenix were always treated more harshly by the commander, it was as though he wanted to prove that they didn't get any privileges even if they were his children. Aliasha didn't quite stand to attention, but she kept her back straight and her eyes intent on her uncle.
"I suppose you've already been told the mission. I will be overseeing this mission personally. I am watching this group with a cold glare. If any of you think that it is a wise move to try and take control, you will fail. You must follow your captain's orders, fulfil what she asks of you to your best ability. Remember, you are SeeD candidates, you follow orders. Petty squabbles between you will deduct points.
"As usual, there are four squads. You're squad is to lead the attack. We estimate that there are roughly twenty of the terrorists, spread through out a network of caves in the cliffs of Dollet. You're mission is to destroy them all without any prisoners. Squads A and C are intelligence, they're in charge of giving you computer back-up and if they think you should get out, you leave. Their order to withdraw takes priority over everything. Squad D will mop up all those trying to escape. Good luck and Hyne's love, everyone," Squall said, saluting. Aliasha saluted back and then turned silently on her heel. The others were ahead of her. She was at the door when she over-heard Leyton talking to another instructor.
"She's the best fighter in Garden, like her father was."
"Yes, but only because of the commander. If he hadn't looked after her she'd be a no one."
"She made it off her own steam. I can at least say that. She could've probably beat Squall and Seifer hands down, if they were seveteen still."
"Are you sweet on her?"
"What?! No no no. She's just- Aliasha!" Instructor Leyton coughed nervously and gestured to the Garden car. She was almost certain that he was blushing. Her dearest instructor, for some reason she'd always called him that, was like her mother, an Instructor at seventeen. It was his first year, and so far he'd done an excellent job. Aliasha had always been picked on, in both good and bad ways, by other Instructors, but Leyton treated her and the others like any other student. In fact, he only picked them when they volunteered. He was too politically correct.
"I'm just Aliasha? It'd be frightening to find out I was someone else wouldn't it?" Aliasha said amused. Leyton coughed again and got into the car. The other Instructor was even more amused than Aliasha, but decided against saying anything and got into the other car. Aliasha sighed and got into the Garden car, starting to feel a little nervous.
She sat there, looking out the window. Her father had been the best fighter in Garden? She had never been told her father's name, she'd only ever met him once. The image was still fresh in her mind. She thought about the fact that he'd promised to come back, and never had. Hadn't he loved her? Hadn't he cared? Squall and Rinoa had told her never to talk about her father, though never explained why. Aliasha Trepe, who was the best fighter in Garden, didn't even remember her parents.
"Miss Trepe?" She heard her instructor say. She jolted out of her thoughts. Lisa and Debra were giggling to themselves, sending looks at Phoenix and Zack. Aliasha was glad that she had something in her head rather than air. It must be so embarrassing to be read like they were. Everything about them screamed slut.
"Yes, oh dearest instructor?" She joked. Lisa and Debra both burst into loud, hysterical giggles. Aliasha found it annoying. Lisa and Debra Dincht had not inherited their mother's personality, being hyper, like Instructor Dincht. They both were as pretty as their mother though, inheriting her face shape and brown hair. They weren't exactly tall, but 5'4" wasn't really to be sniffed at. They were identical to the last dainty freckle upon their nose, so they were forced to take up different weapons and wear different clothes.
"Will you two button it? I'm trying to think!" Phoenix said, angrilly. They both bit their lips and flashed him a I'm-really-sorry-let-me-make-it-up-to-you smile. Phoenix raised his eyebrows then closed his eyes. Aliasha watched as he started to fall asleep. He was average, yes, about 5'9", and looked almost exactly like his father. The only thing that was different, apart from the absence of a scar, was that Phoenix had inherited his mother's slightly ruthless determination. Aliasha had always admired Phoenix, he was a friend as well as a brother.
"Sleep more like. You should've known the test was today," Zack said. Aliasha saw points being deducted before the test had begun. Zack Kinneas, though not as flirty as his father, was an extremely attractive young man. He was about 5'11" and had the caramel coloured hair of his father. He had his mother's nice green eyes. He was sensitive and took everything to heart, but quite fun to be around. If they weren't at war with each other, Aliasha would have quite liked him.
"Oh shut up!" Phoenix half-shouted. Aliasha placed her hand on his arm, he calmed down alittle and then removed her hand. Aliasha smiled, her eyes crinkling up. Phoenix wouldn't show weakness, such as affection, in front of people. She found herself beginnning to go into hysterics. She was no better than the Dincht Twins.
"For Hyne's sake Miss Trepe! Have you thought about the teams yet?" Leyton asked, sounding more commanding than he usually did. Aliasha waited for the giggles to die down before turning her mind to the netwrok of caves they'd be entering. She had been shown a map already, and memorized the basic layout of the caves. She also had a little surprise for her group.
"Yes sir. Myself, Lisa and Zack will make up the main attacking team. We'll charge into the battle at the beginning. Debra and Phoenix will be back-up and we can always switch them in if one of us get injured. Also we need scouts, so they'll double up. In a confined space, Zack's scatter weapon would be useful, as the controlled explosions would get the job done. I was hoping that Debra would use a different skill, but she'd using her nunchaku, which in caves won't be that useful. I haven't forgotten anything have I?" Aliasha asked. She looked around, everyone was nodding. Phoenix looked a little put out that she'd neglected him like that. She smiled at him, there wasn't going to be much room for fist fights.
"One thing. Which team am I in?" The instructor asked. Aliasha gaped at him. He was not supposed to help in the exam. He was an instructor and he wasn't meant to interfere. Why would he be on any teams? Aliasha watched the instructor for a tell tale sign that he was joking. She waited. Nothing. Aliasha decided that she should seriously consider the Instructor's question now. He used a whip, Save The Queen. It was a lovely whip, easy to use and so flexible. Save The Queen, her mother's whip... She hadn't wanted to give it to Leyton, but Squall had made her, saying that now he was an Instructor a simple Stinger wasn't good enough. Still, a whip wasn't going to be all that good either, with no room to swing.
"You'll be on the second team. Phoenix is still in charge though. You aren't to question his judgement. During this exam you obey Phoenix over anyone else. Even me if he says so. Understood?" Alaisha briefed her Instructor. He saluted and flashed her a very nice smile. Aliasha smiled back, suddenly the driver hit the breaks and Aliasha fell forward, straight into Leyton's lap. She winced and rubbed her knees, she'd banged them as she'd fallen. Everyone got out, except the two of them. Aliasha was about to get up when he pulled her back down onto his knee again.
"I suppose you know about the Instructor's Interference Code? I know, I'm not meant to help you, but I have a bad feeling about this. Usually they're right. I hope you're happy with your additional member. I know that you'l fail, but I'm sure we both agree, better failed than dead," The Instructor said, gently letting her get up. Aliasha nodded and got out of the car. The few SeeDs, including Squall, that were waiting for them, raised their eyebrows. Aliasha hid her smile and linked arms with her instructor. He straightened up.
"What the hell are you doing?" He whispered quickly. She smiled and gestured to the SeeDs all lined up. Leyton rolled his eyes. Aliasha wouldn't take this seriously until she had to, she was going to fail any way, but like Leyton had said, better failed than dead.
"C'mon! You two are the last in your group! We wanna shift you out so the next vessel can get in!" Squall barked. Aliasha dropped her instructor's arm and jogged onto the vessel. She heard Squall say something as Leyton passed, in a low menacing voice. She heard Leyton reply in the same tones. She wondered what was being said, but she knew that Leyton wouldn't tell her. She made do with sending him a quizical glance as he got on board. He shook his head and they set out.
"T-Territory," Zack said, their code name for the caves. T-Territory was going to be used, so if the radio signals from the head sets were intercepted, then the terrorists wouldn't know where they were. Each area had it's own code, which each member of the team had memorized. Now they were at the entrance, attaching ear-recievers and microphones to their uniforms. Aliasha handed Phoenix the map and sent him in.
She waited, he had been instructed only to check the first corridor, as it were, for any signs of life. The thermal reader, from the make-shift intelligence vans, was going crazy. It was like the fire cavern within the caves, and it was clear that it would be useless. Also the place was teaming with monsters, which meant that lifeform scanners were out of the question. It was simply a case of searching by sight alone. They were going to be practically blind in there technology wise.
"Where's Leyton?" Commander Leonhart asked. Aliasha jumped and gestured to the caves solemnly. The others stood to attention, but she didn't bother. She'd take full responsibility for her and her instructor's actions. She heard a slightly crackling message come through on the ear piece.
"There are ruby dragons everywhere. We can't get in this way. Phoenix watch out! Aargh! Debra! Dammit! We need back up!" Leyton's frantic message came through. Squall was waiting for her to say something. Aliasha dashed into the intelligence van.
"What makes you different from the other groups? You cannot use instructors or SeeDs as part of your exams. It's against the rules," Squall was scolding her. She began to jog towards the cave. Squall jogged after her. She signalled to the other two, they leapt to their feet and followed her. "Come back here and answer me!" Squall bellowed.
"I'm going to save your son's ass! They're getting pelted in there! The place is over-run with ruby dragons!" With that she disappeared into the cave. She crept along, careful not to disturb anything. Behind her she heard Zack and Debra doing the same, preparing themselves. She heard the ear-splitting roar and turned the corner. The ruby dragon was magnificent, tall and graceful. An expert killing machine. She saw Phoenix, Debra and Leyton all fighting to stay alive, not being able to attack because they had to concentrate on healing themselves.
Aliasha didn't think twice. She leapt into battle. After casting Mega-Elixir on the entire party she summoned a GF. She had more experience with them than most, because she'd had one junctioned to her ever since the day her father had gone away. It was called Angel, and it attacked with a power called Fire Cross.
The GF appeared. A magnificent angel. It was not human, but had a human figure. It's wings were large, white and feathered. It's hair was long and blonde. For some reason it looked male, even though it's face was made of pure light. It glowed with a supernatural light. Then it raised it's hands and cast Fire Cross. It disappeared in a flash of purple and the ruby dragon collapsed on the floor. Aliasha breathed out slowly, glad that she and her friends were still alive.
"They're alerted to you presence," a voice came down the ear piece, Squall's. "I want you to get out of there. Aliasha I don't care what you do to get out, you're leaving that cave. The mission is a failure. You haven't passed, no matter what you do, you haven't passed. You forfeited everything when you put that idiot Leyton on your team. I'm going to send SeeD in and then you'll recieve punishment for your actions." Aliasha hung her head. She signalled to the rest and they head started back to the entrance. Only when they got there did they realise that they were trapped.
Encircling them was about thirty or forty of the terrorists. A horrible screeching sound filled the entire place. Aliasha felt a weird sensation course through her. What was happening to her? She fell to her knees, she saw the others, except Leyton, do the same. Leyton tried to fight his way out, oblivious to the fact that she'd gone down.
Only when Leyton had got into the sunlight did he look back. The terrorists were disbanding. Where was Aliasha and the rest of them though? He thought he saw Aliasha's blonde hair being carried off. Where ever she was now, she wasn't outside the cave. She was still in there. Leyton was about to rush back in when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You're judgement was mislead. You are relieved of your duties as instructor," Squall said. Leyton wasn't really listening. He stared at the cave, waiting for Aliasha and the rest to get out. He watched but no one came out. Squall followed his gaze.
"Where the hell is she?" He asked suddenly. Leyton looked at Squall.
"Seemed that what I thought was right. Something bad was going to happen. We beat the ruby dragon, but we were ambushed by those bastards. I fought my way through, I assumed they were doing the same. I assumed too much, they're still in there," Leyton told Squall. Squall looked towards the cave.
"Send in the SeeDs. You, get out of my sight. You are to stay in the van," Squall ordered. Leyton wasn't listening however. He just headed straight back into the caves, without waiting for SeeD back up. Squall sighed.
"Get in there after him," he called to the SeeDs. "Make sure he doesn't do any thing stupid! I'd hate for him to end up decapitated as well as humiliated!"
(Author's Note: So, this is the follow up chapter. It's set twelve years after Quistis's death. I am sure that you are all really sad about Quistis and Seifer's deaths, aren't you? Well, Aliasha has been brought up by Squall and Rinoa, with their child, Phoenix. Both Aliasha and Phoenix are in rivalry with three other students, Lisa and Debra Dincht and Zack Kinneas. Basically, all are SeeD Candidates and all are against each other. I only own Aliashaa, Phoenix, Lisa, Debra and Zack, the rest are property of Squaresoft.)
Liberi Fatali, were their parents. Does Fate rule their lives also?
Aliasha surveyed her group coldly. Why was it always this way? It seemed no matter how names were drawn, she'd always end up with one of the brainless numbskulls. Everyone knew that names were drawn completely at random on SeeD exams, unless it required specific talents. As usual, Aliasha was with the happy-go-lucky bunch. Well, at least she was in charge. That would get up Phoenix's backside, he always wanted to be captain in his exam, but he was a nobody, as his fist fighting wasn't a skill of value on the mission they were assigned.
A group of terrorists had hacked into the Galbadia Missile System, although they had been kicked out of the system before any damage had been done, they were to be killed by SeeD Candidates. Aliasha's team was to use stealth to get near them, then lead the attack. Aliasha already knew who she'd be using in her first party, there would be herself, her gunblade would be useful in the closed space. There would be Lisa, as she used a gun, in point blanc range it was a little risky, but Lisa was better trained than most sharpshooters. Then there would be Zack, he'd break through the terrorists with his new weapon, called Scatter. It was a simple device, it scattered tiny bombs onto the ground, then acted like a normal Pinwheel. Whenever a bomb was touched however, it would blow up, and that had caused problems when he trained.
In the second team would be Phoenix and Debra. If someone was injured, they'd take their place. Also they would call a GF if things got too out of hand. Phoenix would lead that party, as Debra would rush into the battle like the air head she was. A nunchaku wouldn't be very good in the enclosed space they had. Aliasha hadn't told them of these arrangements, they were all still asking to change their group.
"Squad B?" Someone shouted through the din. Aliasha immediately sprang to attention, as did the others. Instructor Kent Leyton stepped aside, glad of a reason not to have to explain to the SeeD candidates again. Commander Leonhart walked forwards and saluted them. They all let their arms drop, completely in time.
"At ease cadets," Squall said. Everyone relaxed, though Phoenix didn't that much. Aliasha and Phoenix were always treated more harshly by the commander, it was as though he wanted to prove that they didn't get any privileges even if they were his children. Aliasha didn't quite stand to attention, but she kept her back straight and her eyes intent on her uncle.
"I suppose you've already been told the mission. I will be overseeing this mission personally. I am watching this group with a cold glare. If any of you think that it is a wise move to try and take control, you will fail. You must follow your captain's orders, fulfil what she asks of you to your best ability. Remember, you are SeeD candidates, you follow orders. Petty squabbles between you will deduct points.
"As usual, there are four squads. You're squad is to lead the attack. We estimate that there are roughly twenty of the terrorists, spread through out a network of caves in the cliffs of Dollet. You're mission is to destroy them all without any prisoners. Squads A and C are intelligence, they're in charge of giving you computer back-up and if they think you should get out, you leave. Their order to withdraw takes priority over everything. Squad D will mop up all those trying to escape. Good luck and Hyne's love, everyone," Squall said, saluting. Aliasha saluted back and then turned silently on her heel. The others were ahead of her. She was at the door when she over-heard Leyton talking to another instructor.
"She's the best fighter in Garden, like her father was."
"Yes, but only because of the commander. If he hadn't looked after her she'd be a no one."
"She made it off her own steam. I can at least say that. She could've probably beat Squall and Seifer hands down, if they were seveteen still."
"Are you sweet on her?"
"What?! No no no. She's just- Aliasha!" Instructor Leyton coughed nervously and gestured to the Garden car. She was almost certain that he was blushing. Her dearest instructor, for some reason she'd always called him that, was like her mother, an Instructor at seventeen. It was his first year, and so far he'd done an excellent job. Aliasha had always been picked on, in both good and bad ways, by other Instructors, but Leyton treated her and the others like any other student. In fact, he only picked them when they volunteered. He was too politically correct.
"I'm just Aliasha? It'd be frightening to find out I was someone else wouldn't it?" Aliasha said amused. Leyton coughed again and got into the car. The other Instructor was even more amused than Aliasha, but decided against saying anything and got into the other car. Aliasha sighed and got into the Garden car, starting to feel a little nervous.
She sat there, looking out the window. Her father had been the best fighter in Garden? She had never been told her father's name, she'd only ever met him once. The image was still fresh in her mind. She thought about the fact that he'd promised to come back, and never had. Hadn't he loved her? Hadn't he cared? Squall and Rinoa had told her never to talk about her father, though never explained why. Aliasha Trepe, who was the best fighter in Garden, didn't even remember her parents.
"Miss Trepe?" She heard her instructor say. She jolted out of her thoughts. Lisa and Debra were giggling to themselves, sending looks at Phoenix and Zack. Aliasha was glad that she had something in her head rather than air. It must be so embarrassing to be read like they were. Everything about them screamed slut.
"Yes, oh dearest instructor?" She joked. Lisa and Debra both burst into loud, hysterical giggles. Aliasha found it annoying. Lisa and Debra Dincht had not inherited their mother's personality, being hyper, like Instructor Dincht. They both were as pretty as their mother though, inheriting her face shape and brown hair. They weren't exactly tall, but 5'4" wasn't really to be sniffed at. They were identical to the last dainty freckle upon their nose, so they were forced to take up different weapons and wear different clothes.
"Will you two button it? I'm trying to think!" Phoenix said, angrilly. They both bit their lips and flashed him a I'm-really-sorry-let-me-make-it-up-to-you smile. Phoenix raised his eyebrows then closed his eyes. Aliasha watched as he started to fall asleep. He was average, yes, about 5'9", and looked almost exactly like his father. The only thing that was different, apart from the absence of a scar, was that Phoenix had inherited his mother's slightly ruthless determination. Aliasha had always admired Phoenix, he was a friend as well as a brother.
"Sleep more like. You should've known the test was today," Zack said. Aliasha saw points being deducted before the test had begun. Zack Kinneas, though not as flirty as his father, was an extremely attractive young man. He was about 5'11" and had the caramel coloured hair of his father. He had his mother's nice green eyes. He was sensitive and took everything to heart, but quite fun to be around. If they weren't at war with each other, Aliasha would have quite liked him.
"Oh shut up!" Phoenix half-shouted. Aliasha placed her hand on his arm, he calmed down alittle and then removed her hand. Aliasha smiled, her eyes crinkling up. Phoenix wouldn't show weakness, such as affection, in front of people. She found herself beginnning to go into hysterics. She was no better than the Dincht Twins.
"For Hyne's sake Miss Trepe! Have you thought about the teams yet?" Leyton asked, sounding more commanding than he usually did. Aliasha waited for the giggles to die down before turning her mind to the netwrok of caves they'd be entering. She had been shown a map already, and memorized the basic layout of the caves. She also had a little surprise for her group.
"Yes sir. Myself, Lisa and Zack will make up the main attacking team. We'll charge into the battle at the beginning. Debra and Phoenix will be back-up and we can always switch them in if one of us get injured. Also we need scouts, so they'll double up. In a confined space, Zack's scatter weapon would be useful, as the controlled explosions would get the job done. I was hoping that Debra would use a different skill, but she'd using her nunchaku, which in caves won't be that useful. I haven't forgotten anything have I?" Aliasha asked. She looked around, everyone was nodding. Phoenix looked a little put out that she'd neglected him like that. She smiled at him, there wasn't going to be much room for fist fights.
"One thing. Which team am I in?" The instructor asked. Aliasha gaped at him. He was not supposed to help in the exam. He was an instructor and he wasn't meant to interfere. Why would he be on any teams? Aliasha watched the instructor for a tell tale sign that he was joking. She waited. Nothing. Aliasha decided that she should seriously consider the Instructor's question now. He used a whip, Save The Queen. It was a lovely whip, easy to use and so flexible. Save The Queen, her mother's whip... She hadn't wanted to give it to Leyton, but Squall had made her, saying that now he was an Instructor a simple Stinger wasn't good enough. Still, a whip wasn't going to be all that good either, with no room to swing.
"You'll be on the second team. Phoenix is still in charge though. You aren't to question his judgement. During this exam you obey Phoenix over anyone else. Even me if he says so. Understood?" Alaisha briefed her Instructor. He saluted and flashed her a very nice smile. Aliasha smiled back, suddenly the driver hit the breaks and Aliasha fell forward, straight into Leyton's lap. She winced and rubbed her knees, she'd banged them as she'd fallen. Everyone got out, except the two of them. Aliasha was about to get up when he pulled her back down onto his knee again.
"I suppose you know about the Instructor's Interference Code? I know, I'm not meant to help you, but I have a bad feeling about this. Usually they're right. I hope you're happy with your additional member. I know that you'l fail, but I'm sure we both agree, better failed than dead," The Instructor said, gently letting her get up. Aliasha nodded and got out of the car. The few SeeDs, including Squall, that were waiting for them, raised their eyebrows. Aliasha hid her smile and linked arms with her instructor. He straightened up.
"What the hell are you doing?" He whispered quickly. She smiled and gestured to the SeeDs all lined up. Leyton rolled his eyes. Aliasha wouldn't take this seriously until she had to, she was going to fail any way, but like Leyton had said, better failed than dead.
"C'mon! You two are the last in your group! We wanna shift you out so the next vessel can get in!" Squall barked. Aliasha dropped her instructor's arm and jogged onto the vessel. She heard Squall say something as Leyton passed, in a low menacing voice. She heard Leyton reply in the same tones. She wondered what was being said, but she knew that Leyton wouldn't tell her. She made do with sending him a quizical glance as he got on board. He shook his head and they set out.
"T-Territory," Zack said, their code name for the caves. T-Territory was going to be used, so if the radio signals from the head sets were intercepted, then the terrorists wouldn't know where they were. Each area had it's own code, which each member of the team had memorized. Now they were at the entrance, attaching ear-recievers and microphones to their uniforms. Aliasha handed Phoenix the map and sent him in.
She waited, he had been instructed only to check the first corridor, as it were, for any signs of life. The thermal reader, from the make-shift intelligence vans, was going crazy. It was like the fire cavern within the caves, and it was clear that it would be useless. Also the place was teaming with monsters, which meant that lifeform scanners were out of the question. It was simply a case of searching by sight alone. They were going to be practically blind in there technology wise.
"Where's Leyton?" Commander Leonhart asked. Aliasha jumped and gestured to the caves solemnly. The others stood to attention, but she didn't bother. She'd take full responsibility for her and her instructor's actions. She heard a slightly crackling message come through on the ear piece.
"There are ruby dragons everywhere. We can't get in this way. Phoenix watch out! Aargh! Debra! Dammit! We need back up!" Leyton's frantic message came through. Squall was waiting for her to say something. Aliasha dashed into the intelligence van.
"What makes you different from the other groups? You cannot use instructors or SeeDs as part of your exams. It's against the rules," Squall was scolding her. She began to jog towards the cave. Squall jogged after her. She signalled to the other two, they leapt to their feet and followed her. "Come back here and answer me!" Squall bellowed.
"I'm going to save your son's ass! They're getting pelted in there! The place is over-run with ruby dragons!" With that she disappeared into the cave. She crept along, careful not to disturb anything. Behind her she heard Zack and Debra doing the same, preparing themselves. She heard the ear-splitting roar and turned the corner. The ruby dragon was magnificent, tall and graceful. An expert killing machine. She saw Phoenix, Debra and Leyton all fighting to stay alive, not being able to attack because they had to concentrate on healing themselves.
Aliasha didn't think twice. She leapt into battle. After casting Mega-Elixir on the entire party she summoned a GF. She had more experience with them than most, because she'd had one junctioned to her ever since the day her father had gone away. It was called Angel, and it attacked with a power called Fire Cross.
The GF appeared. A magnificent angel. It was not human, but had a human figure. It's wings were large, white and feathered. It's hair was long and blonde. For some reason it looked male, even though it's face was made of pure light. It glowed with a supernatural light. Then it raised it's hands and cast Fire Cross. It disappeared in a flash of purple and the ruby dragon collapsed on the floor. Aliasha breathed out slowly, glad that she and her friends were still alive.
"They're alerted to you presence," a voice came down the ear piece, Squall's. "I want you to get out of there. Aliasha I don't care what you do to get out, you're leaving that cave. The mission is a failure. You haven't passed, no matter what you do, you haven't passed. You forfeited everything when you put that idiot Leyton on your team. I'm going to send SeeD in and then you'll recieve punishment for your actions." Aliasha hung her head. She signalled to the rest and they head started back to the entrance. Only when they got there did they realise that they were trapped.
Encircling them was about thirty or forty of the terrorists. A horrible screeching sound filled the entire place. Aliasha felt a weird sensation course through her. What was happening to her? She fell to her knees, she saw the others, except Leyton, do the same. Leyton tried to fight his way out, oblivious to the fact that she'd gone down.
Only when Leyton had got into the sunlight did he look back. The terrorists were disbanding. Where was Aliasha and the rest of them though? He thought he saw Aliasha's blonde hair being carried off. Where ever she was now, she wasn't outside the cave. She was still in there. Leyton was about to rush back in when he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"You're judgement was mislead. You are relieved of your duties as instructor," Squall said. Leyton wasn't really listening. He stared at the cave, waiting for Aliasha and the rest to get out. He watched but no one came out. Squall followed his gaze.
"Where the hell is she?" He asked suddenly. Leyton looked at Squall.
"Seemed that what I thought was right. Something bad was going to happen. We beat the ruby dragon, but we were ambushed by those bastards. I fought my way through, I assumed they were doing the same. I assumed too much, they're still in there," Leyton told Squall. Squall looked towards the cave.
"Send in the SeeDs. You, get out of my sight. You are to stay in the van," Squall ordered. Leyton wasn't listening however. He just headed straight back into the caves, without waiting for SeeD back up. Squall sighed.
"Get in there after him," he called to the SeeDs. "Make sure he doesn't do any thing stupid! I'd hate for him to end up decapitated as well as humiliated!"