Disclaimer: I don't own ff8 Squaresoft or any of the characters!
Summary
What if Zell was the main character of FF8? What if Zell and Sqaull
switched places? What if Zell and Sqaull switched personalities? What if
Zell and Seifer were rivals? What if Zell and Rinoa were soul mates? You
would have to read the story to find out.
Note: Zell starts out with diamond knuckles. Italics mean what Zell is thinking. The whole story is written in Zell's POV. Some of the dialog and ideas belong to the fanfiction author team-senshi I would just like to say thanks to her for letting me use some of her stuff.
I got up from my sitting position and followed Squall further into the boat. When I entered the main part of the boat they were just sitting down silently. Seifer was slouching in his chair with his feet on the table while Xu was yelling at him. "You do not ditch your squad to save yourself Seifer!" yelled Xu. He just closed his eyes shaking his head slightly. Quistis was marking things down on her clipboard and Selphie was being unbelievably quiet with her head hanging low. I wonder what's wrong with her. I thought while leaning against the wall. Squall was sitting down and sipping on his soda. Seifer opened his eyes and looked at me grinning evilly. "Hey looks like Zell made it back." Everybody dropped what they were doing and jumped up to greet me besides Seifer. Quistis was the first one to come to me. "Glad to see you made it back." She said patting me on the back. I hope nobody else pats me on the back. Xu then came up to me. "Good job I can't wait to see the results of the field exam." I nodded she sat down. Squall came up to me next and stared at me. "I see you finally decided to come out here with the rest of us." He smiled took a chug of his cola and went back to his seat.
Selphie walked up to me slowly her head hanging down. What's with this? "I'm sorry." She mumbled taking a glance at me. "For what?" I asked puzzled. "For not coming back to help you and Squall." She said her head still hanging low. "Don't worry about it." "So your not mad?" She asked surprised with a twinkle in her eye. I shook my head no and she jumped up. "Woohoo I'm so glad your not mad!" she said and trotted back to her seat. She's weird. I rolled my eyes and went to sit down one seat away from Squall. Then Seifer eyed me up and down. "I never knew a Chicken-wuss could save your life Zell." Seifer said as he chuckled. Squall started to shake with anger turning red. Not this again. "Are you kidding me I could kick your sorry ass so hard." "Enough!" Quistis yelled shutting Squall up and Seifer looked at her annoyed. I put my elbow on the armchair and put my head on my fist letting it rest there. I hope it isn't like this the whole ride back. I thought slowly falling asleep.
"Zell! Time to wake up!" Man she's annoying. I opened my eyes only to find Selphie standing in front of me jumping up and down and Squall behind her. "Come on it's time to go." Squall said I got up out of my seat and we walked out of the boat only to be greeted by Raijin and Fujin. What are they doing here? "How'd it go?" Raijin asked as Seifer stepped off the boat with us behind him. "Man. all they did was get in my way. Being a leader ain't easy." Fujin stepped forward to Seifer. "SAFE?" "Of course." Seifer smiled. She nodded and Fujin, Raijin, and Seifer started walking towards the parked Garden car. Quistis stepped out taking a deep breath of the sea breeze. "Good job!" She looked at Squall and I, then looked around. "Where's Seifer?" I pointed out to the Garden Car where we all saw Seifer, Raijin, and Fujin getting in the car. "Just be back at Garden by sun down. You're free 'till then. OK, dismissed!" With that command, Squall, Selphie, and I started walking towards the parking lot only to find the Garden Car speeding off. Damn him oh well no use complaining about it. I thought while scratching my head. "H-Hey!!! Not Again, man!" Squall yelled stopping his foot on the ground. "Might as well walk it." I said and walking forward Squall sighed and started following. Selphie skipping on every individual brick following close behind Squall.
We passed the Balmb hotel and we came to the intersection the one to the left leading to the train station and the one in front of us going to the city gates. Then a guy notices us. Why is that guy looking at us like that? I studied him until he walked up to us. "Hi Squall how are you doing?" "Hey.! How's it going! You know me, I'm always good." Squall said talking to his old buddy. "Good. Make sure you stop by and say 'hi' to your mom." Squall nodded and directed us to a house across the street. I guess it won't hurt. I shrugged and Squall led the way as we followed.
"Ma, I'm home!" "Squall, what a surprise! Are these your friends?" She said looking at Selphie and I. "This is my house, but don't make yourselves too comfortable!" He said looking to us. I don't plan on doing so. I pondered looking at an odd looking vase on the countertop. "Oh, Zell are you off for today?" "Nah outdoor class." "Drop by whenever you can. Even to say hi." Mrs. Lionheart then smiled to us. "It's a pleasure to meet you. The food won't be done for a while, will you all be staying?" "Nah ma, we gotta get going. But thanks anyway. Maybe I'll come home a SeeD today ma!" "Oh good for you Squall! But you know your father and I will be proud no matter what. And I'm sure your grandfather would be proud too! But you know, everyone has their doubts about you not passing. don't worry, I'm sure you've done your best!" "Thanks ma, bye!" We ran out the front door and headed back to Balmb Garden.
* * *
We walked to the front gate of Balmb Garden exhausted. I'm exhausted, I thought while my eyes. "Huuuwahaah! Finally made it back." Squall said stretching his arms in the air. "Seriously." Selphie said wiping off dust from her boots. "Well, I guess we just wait for the test results. Till then, see ya Zell!" Squall then walked off. Selphie gave me a little wave and trotted off as well. "See ya." It's been a long day. I made a short yawn and headed to the lobby. I saw Xu and Quistis talking to Headmaster Cid. I started to walk behind other students trying not to get seen. They are just going to get in my way. I'll try to walk around them. I thought determined. "Mission complete!" Said Xu to Cid. "I think we did a pretty good job. The candidates are back safely, right? Although we didn't realize the Galbadian Army was after the abandoned communication tower." Cid cleared his throat. "We've just received word from the Dollet Dukedom. The Galbadian Army has agreed to withdraw as long as the communication tower is repaired and the up-link remains operational." "Well, in any case, Galbadia is out of there. We could've made more money if they'd stayed and caused more ruckus."
When I started to get closer to them Xu then spotted me. "Hey, you did pretty well!" Damn. I stopped and turned to the group slightly bowing my head in thanks. "Of course!" Quistis remarked. "He's my best student. He's not very social though." .Whatever. Cid then stepped up and looked to me smiling. "How did it feel out there on the battlefield?" What's it to you old man? "Felt good. To actually fight. It was a good feeling." I said quickly trying to get through. "That's the spirit! But don't let it get to your head." I then walked off as the three continued talking of the exam. I wonder if that answer back there will affect my score?
As I was walking back to my dorms I ran into a mad looking Seifer right in front of the hall leading to the library? "D'you hear about the communication tower in Dollet? We could've been heroes if it weren't for that withdrawal order." Seifer then stopped talking as he looked in the other direction so did I and Quistis and Xu were walking towards us. "You were only looking for a fight." Said Quistis who had heard Seifer clearly. "My dear instructor. I'm hurt. Those are rather cruel words for an aspiring student. A mediocre instructor like you will never understand." .What's this he's going on about? Xu then spoke up. "Seifer, don't be so stuck on yourself. You'll take all responsibility for leaving the designated area." Seifer raised his arms in defense. "Isn't it the Captain's duty to take the best possible action?" "Seifer, you'll never be a SeeD. Calling yourself a Captain is a joke." Xu then waved her hand in the air and walked off leaving Seifer trembling with anger.
He stopped as he saw Headmaster Cid walking in. Cid gestured Quistis to leave us. Cid then looked to Seifer for any sign of an expression. "Seifer. You will be disciplined for your irresponsible behavior. You must follow orders exactly during combat. But I'm not entirely without sympathy for you. I don't want you all to become machines. I want you all to be able to think and act for yourselves." Behind us, a Faculty aid walked up. "I am." "Headmaster Cid, you have some business in your office." The faculty member said. "There are so many issues at hand here." Cid then sighed, firmly patted Seifer on the shoulder, and walked off.
I decided to let Seifer cool off and leave him alone. I started to walk towards the dorms. I stopped as a Garden member talking to me. "SeeD shall not act beyond the exact wording of a contract. We are a non-profit organization. This incident will be a hard-learned lesson for the Dollet Dukedom. They'll now know to be more generous when hiring SeeD." .Whatever I nodded and started to run only to be stopped again by a message on the loudspeaker. "(All students who participated in today's field exam, report to the second floor hallway. I repeat, all students who took the field exam, report to the 2nd floor hallway.)" I turned and ran for the elevator, I went up it to the 2nd floor, and I ran to the hallway.
I saw a few SeeD candidates and Squall was one of them. Raijin and Fujin were there as well; making sure things were in order. Fujin approached me and gave me a cold stare with her revealed eye. "RAGE." What's her problem? I stared back challengingly and then looked to Raijin who was frowning. "Fujin was sayin' that it'd be all your fault if Seifer doesn't become a SeeD. She can be pretty scary, ya know?" .Who cares? I just shrugged in reply and turned around to see a Faculty member exiting the elevator. "Leonhart. Squall Leonhart." "OHHH YEAH!!!" Screamed Squall jumping in the air. He then walked off with his hands shoved in his pockets dancing towards the elevator. "Zell. Zell from Squad B, please step forward." I gave a nod and followed Squall into the elevator. "That's all. Dismissed."
* * *
In Cid's office, two other Seed candidates stood at attention before the headmaster and a Faculty member. Among them were Selphie and a young man by the name of Nida as we walked in. The Faculty member stepped up to Cid and raised his hands towards us. "These are the four students that passed today's SeeD exam." Cid nodded and carefully examined each of us. "First of all, congratulations. However. From now on as a member of SeeD, you will be dispatched all over the world. We are proud to introduce SeeD. Balamb Garden's mercenary soldiers. SeeD soldiers are combat specialists. BUT. That is only one aspect of SeeD. When the time comes." "Headmaster." The Garden Faculty once again interrupted. "It's almost time for the meeting. Please make this short. SeeD is a valuable asset to Garden. Its reputation is solely dependent on each of you. Handle your mission with care. Is that what you wanted to say sir?" The Faculty member then turned back to Cid who nodded in agreement and then back to the students. "Here is your SeeD rank report!"
The faculty member then handed the papers to Cid. Cid took the papers in hand and first walked over to Selphie. He handed her test papers over and shook her hand also whispering something to her. "Psst. Psst. (I'm looking forward to the Garden Festival.)" He then turned and walked over to Nida doing the same. "Psst.Psst. (Do your best, even if you don't stand out.)" Once again he turned and walked to the next student, Squall. "Psst.Psst. (Try to control your emotions a little.)" He shook Squall's hand firmly as Squall shot out a big grin. He was trembling with excitement. Then he turned to me, gave me my report and shook my hand firmly. "Psst. Psst. (Finally. A martial arts specialist. We'll talk privately one day.)" Why does he want to talk to me? He then walked back to his seat and again examined us. "This ends the SeeD inauguration. Dismissed!" We the new Seeds then stood at attention and gave the Seed salute. We then turned and trotted off, Squall doing a little victory dance with Selphie while Nida and I trailed behind.
* * *
As we got out of the elevator we walked along the bridge. Selphie constantly pranced around yelling "SeeD! SeeeD! SeeeeeeeD!" while Squall too did a little victory gallop. "Yo! Zell! Let's get back to class!" I just shrugged giving a "why?" expression. "What do you mean, 'Why?' Don't you remember what new SeeD members do? They give a speech in front of the entire class! And after that, the inauguration party!" I just sighed and walked on towards the class hallway. Squall jumped in the air and yanked Selphie and Nida to follow.As we walked forward into the hall, we were surprised to find a large group of people huddled there. Among the group was Seifer along with Fujin and Raijin. We all looked around confused. All was quiet for around 30 seconds until Seifer stepped up and began clapping. The rest of the group followed in suit leaving us the new Seeds to grin in rejoices and embarrassment, of course except for I who simply waved my hand and looked to the side. I don't get this guy. beginning of the day he tries to kill me. now he's giving congrats. I thought while looking over at Seifer.
* * *
I walked back to my dorm and was surprised to see Selphie there waiting for me. What's she doing in my dorm? "HAH! Found you! Well? Well? What do you think!? My SeeD uniform!" She pranced around in place showing off the very detailed SeeD uniform. "You should get changed, too. We have that party to get to." I nodded and walked into my room and closed the door, on my bed was my Seed uniform on my bed. "I guess I finally made it better get changed." I put on my uniform and went into my bathroom. Might as well try to look nice tonight. I thought as I put hair gel in my blonde hair and spiked it up. "It will do." I said to myself and I walked back out of my room. Selphie stood by the door leaning against the wall humming a little tune until the door to her left opened. I heard that song somewhere before. "Heeey! Lookin' good! Like what you done with your hair!" She looked to me then gave a jump shooting a fist into the air. Alright! Let's hit that PAAH- TAY!"
The blissful tune "Dance with the Balamb Fish" played in the background as Selphie and I walked into the Garden's Ball Room. Selphie ran a separate way to go talk to people as I decided to simply walk around. There were many cheery faces, some of Seeds, some of high aristocrats from Dollet and Timber. I also saw Headmaster Cid mingling and reuniting with past graduated Seeds. Getting bored, I found myself a pillar to lean against and started staring into space. After a while, a waitress holding a tray of drinks walked towards me asked me if I wanted a drink. She handed one to me and went on her way. I knew it would be like this. why'd I even bother coming? Maybe I should just leave and go to the training center for a while. I took a sip and continued staring into space until I noticed Squall running up towards me. "Yo!" Squall stopped in front of me and gave me salute-like wave. I simply looked at him and nodded. "S'up, Zell? Heh-heh, I guess we're both Seeds now, huh?" He then extended his hand for a shake. "Put it there, man." In reaction, I just took another sip of my wine and looked once again to the sky to watch the stars.
Squall gave a sigh and started chuckling. "Hah, even as a Seed, you're still the same. Well, that's typical of you. See ya." Squall began walking off when he bumped into Selphie who had been running around for the past half an hour. "Oh...hey, Squall. Wanna join the Garden Festival committee and..." "Sorry, I...ah...Just remembered something! G-Gotta go. See ya!" With that, Squall was able to slip past and head to the salad bar. "Hmmmm." Selphie glared as Squall quickly trotted off, she being a bit irritated. She had only been able to recruit 3 others to help with the Garden Festival committee.
Her frown had turned into a smile as she saw me. "Zell! Hi!" She slowly walked up and stopped in front of me, I once again only giving a slight nod. "Wanna join the Garden Festival committee? You can help out whenever you have the time. Please?" She then started staring at me and gave a little sad face. . Whatever. well, if it'll get you to leave me alone for now. "Yeah, I guess so." "Really!?" "Sure. You seem to be putting a lot of effort into this. At least you're serious about it." "Whoo-hoo! I know we'll be busy with a lot of Seed stuff, but let's work hard on the Garden Festival, too. Bye!" She again ran off chasing down any person she hadn't asked. "'Scuse me! You right there!" I once again drew my attention to the glass roof above. It was one of my few relaxing past-times, to look up at the stars at night, I didn't know why.
I was pleased as I saw a shooting star streak the sky. My eyes followed the star to the dance floor where my attention was brought to a young woman standing alone on the floor. It seemed she too had seen the shooting star. She was very beautiful, with dark hair to her shoulders and delicate skin of a cream like complexion, wearing a white dress that suited her well. She turned and at once saw me and smiled. She raised her index finger leaving me a bit confused, and then began walking towards me. "You're the best looking guy here. Dance with me?" I just stared at her, taking in another sip of wine. The girl then placed her hands on her hips, her face showing a sad expression. "Let me guess...You'll only dance with someone you like. Ok then... Look into my eyes." She then began to swirl a finger in front of my eyes. "You're-going-to-like me...You're-going-to-like-me... Did it work? " ..?" What am I supposed to do? I then tried to figure out some kind of excuse. ".I can't dance. Huh? Hey!" She grabbed my hand and yanked me towards the dance floor, I putting the glass on the floor where I was standing.
"You'll be fine. Come on. I'm looking for someone. I can't be on the dance floor alone." The music had changed from a renaissance like tune to a waltz, "Waltz for the Moon," inspired from a popular tune. The girl took my hands and placed them in the proper positioning. She then began to dance, trying to lead me with the steps, however, I was simply being tossed around, my feet tripping over one another, causing me to bump into her. With a giggle, she once again took my hands and tried to lead me again. She tried going for a spin but ended up pulling me with her causing us both to bump into another pair of dancing couples. The two gave an angry stare only to my surprise the girl sticking her tongue out at them. She then smiled and once again reached for my hands. I positioned myself for the correct steps for the dance, I extending my right arm forward, body straightened. She took my hand and we began to dance. The mystery girl and I were in the center of the dance floor. As the dance ended, both of us stopped in our final position, bodies close together, to look up at the explosions just shinning in the moonlight. Through the glass window, we saw a beautiful display of fireworks streaking the night sky with colors. A slight grin had appeared on my face but turned to confusion as the girl I danced with looked to some people and then to me only giving a wink and a smile as she walked off. I remained there, on the dance floor.
I decided to be alone and walked off to the balcony right outside the ballroom and started to look up at the stars again. Why'd that girl leave me on the dance floor? "You really are an excellent student. Even that dance was perfect." Quistis said walking up behind me. "Thank you." I answered as I continued staring into the stars. A few minutes later, I sigh and sense Quistis still behind me. "Yes?" Quistis gave a sigh and leaned against the railing next to me. "So you'll dance with someone you don't even know, but you can't stand being around me?" "You're an instructor and I'm your student its kind of awkward when you don't say anything." "That's true. I was like that myself. ...Oh, I completely forgot. I wonder what's to become of me? I've come to give you an order. You and I are to go to the 'secret area'. It's where the students secretly meet up and talk after curfew." "What do you want to do there? Are we going there to tell everyone they're violating curfew? If that's the case, forget it. Leave that for the disciplinary committee." She giggled and shook her head. "Go get changed and meet me in front of the training center. This will be my last order." I finally turned towards Quistis. "What do you mean, 'Last order?'" "Well, I have a lot on my mind." I nodded and went to my dorm.
* * *
I already got changed and was walking to the training center. When I got to the hall that entered the training center. Quistis was already there leaning against the wall fiddling with her whip. When she noticed me she walked up to me. "Zell, I was just wondering...Have you fought T-Rexaur in the training center?" I nodded and kept walking. "Okay." The training center was a small jungle with water, metal pieces, and broken ripped up fences. We ran through the door to the right. We crossed the bridge and walked through huge hauled out walls of rock. When we made it to the door that had a pale blue light shinning out of it. What happened to all the monsters? I thought as Quistis and I walked into the 'secret area'.
I entered the 'secret area' and I walked to the railing leaning against it. Quistis came up right next to me doing the same thing. "I haven't been here for a while." Quistis said looking at me I just looked to the stars. We stood there silently for a few moments. "What time is it?" Quistis said looking at the bight lit up Garden and I looked at my watch. "Its after midnight." I wonder what this mission was abo. "Oh well. I, Quistis Trepe, am no longer an instructor as of now! I'm a member of SeeD now, just like you. Who knows, maybe we'll end up working together." ". Oh really?" I said looking the other direction. "Is that all your going to say?" "If that's how it was decided, you have to abide by it." "They told me that I failed as an instructor. Basically, that I lacked leadership qualities. I was a SeeD by the age of 15, got my instructor license at 17.
It's only been a year since I got it... I wonder where I went wrong... I did my best... Are you listening?" She asked and I turned around. "Are you done yet...? I don't want to talk about it. What am I supposed to say about other people's problems?" "I'm not asking you to say anything. I just want you to listen." "Then go talk to a wall." I remarked coldly as I got off the rail. "Aren't there times when you want to share your feelings with someone?" Said Quistis, her eyes almost in tears. "Everyone has to take care of themselves. I don't want to carry anyone's burden." Then I walked off. Quistis nodded in silence, watching as I walked off. ".No leadership qualities.Failed instructor.Perhaps they're right."
We walked through the training center silently. Quistis not trying to start a conversation wich was amazing. "Somebody help!" We heard a person scream. "Come on Zell its coming from the entrance." We ran out the 2nd door to find a huge bee like monster attacking a lady. It's her, the girl from the infirmary. "Zell!" the lady screamed as we ran up to her. "Zell! Quisty?" I picked up a nearby rock and threw it. The bee turned around pissed and made a high pitched sound. I held my ears "What the hell is it doing?!?" I looked over at Quistis "It's calling for help!" I looked up to see tree huge rocks fall from the sky. They were all just lying on the ground until one moved. What the hell. they all started to shake. The rocks shot up hands and feet out. Their teeth were grinding together viscously. I glanced at Quistis and back to the monsters. "Shiva!" The ice queen appeared with a blink of an eye. She shot the shards of ice at the monsters, she disappeared and the ice broke in hundreds of pieces.
Two of the rock mutants fell backwards. Two down two to go I shook my head focussing back on the battle. The bee picked up the rock creature and flew towards us. When the bee got to us it dropped the over-sized rock on Quistis and she fell down hard. I ran up to the rock, attempted to kick it but it bit my leg and wouldn't let go. I fell to the ground trying to fight it off me but the harder I fought the harder it sunk it's vampire like teeth into my leg. Damn you stupid rock get the hell off of me. I looked around only to see the giant bee just hovering there watching. All of a sudden a bright yellowish beam (Quistis's Laser eye) just shot through the air breaking right into the rock and collapsed on the ground. I looked up to see Quistis there grinning and she winked at me. I jumped up and looked to the huge bee with anger in my eyes. I ran up to it, and punched it in the gut. The monster got blew back onto the ground, flew back up shaking its wings viscously. It flew forward diving on me biting and scratching me. Blood started to stream down my face when Quistis snapped her whip hitting the bee off me. I touched my face with my gloved hand and looked at it blood was all over it. I glared up at the monster with sore eyes. You stupid ass over-sized bee. I ran up to it and pounded it down with my fists each punch harder then the last. I paused and focused all my energy into my right fist and punched the giant bee. The monster fell to the ground and died with blood all over its body.
I kept starring at the fallen bee and kicked it to make sure it was dead, it was. I looked up and Quistis and I were about to check on the girl when two other men, both dressed in white battle uniforms, had jumped in from no where next to the girl. "It's not safe here. Please, let's go." Said one as the other helped her up. ".Alright." The girl answered. With that the three left, leaving Quistis and I. "Who was that.?" Quistis wondered as she watched the two men escort her out of the area. That's what I'd like to know. I limped out of the training center with Quistis walking right next to me. In the hallway Quistis was in front of me and then she stopped, as did I. She turned around to me. "Zell. Its not like everyone can get by on their own, you know?" I just blinked at her as she walked away. ".Says who?" I've made it this far.
* * *
I was limped down the hallway to the dormitories only to hear the sound of crickets singing in the night. The ball is most likely over by now it's past midnight. I thought as I walked down the hallway. When I looked up I saw Squall. What does he want? I walked up to him looking at him he still had his Seed uniform on. "Finally! There you are! Where the hell were you?" Squall scanned me and noticed I had been in my regular clothes. He also noticed the newly drawn blood that coated my face and my thawed up leg. "Training? Hehe, guess you'll never change." Shaking his head, he went on. "I was lookin' all over the place. We're both now members of Seed right? Well, guess what!? We got our own rooms, baby! Your new room's right across the hall from your old one. That's what I was asked to tell you. Man, it took me forever!" I just nodded and continued walking past Squall. Shrugging, Squall then began humming to himself and he too went towards the dorms.
I entered my new room closing the door behind me examining what was new. I had a bigger bed to the left, a desk to the right, a window in between, a bathroom near the entrance to my dorm, and all my stuff was already there. I walked over to my bed and sat down examining my gloves. My metal gloves were stained slightly red. I took off my gloves and wiped them against my black mussel shirt cleaning them off. I then got up, put my gloves on my desk and limped back over to my bed. I opened the drawl and took out the clean white bandages. I started to bandage up my leg. When I was finished I laid down on my bed exhaling as I lifted my damaged lag onto the bed. Better get to sleep. Long day ahead of me tomorrow. I fell asleep thinking of the mystery girl at the ball.
The next morning I work up to loud banging. "Zell, it's our first Seed mission! Looks like we're going to Timber. Meet by the front gate. Hurry!" Selphie said banging on my door. I rubbed my eyes opening them and sat up in my bed. First mission already? I thought as my head was in my hands. I started scratching my head and got up. I walked over to my desk and slipped on my gloves. Better get going. and I walked out of my dorm to the front gate.
* * *
I walked up to the front gate and saw Selphie, headmaster Cid, and a Garden faculty member further down. "Over here Zell!" Selphie yelled jumping up and down as I walked towards them. "Now I guess all we are waiting for Squall Leonhart." Headmaster Cid said while looking down at his clipboard. From the gates, Squall shot off into the air on his T-board and zoomed his way to us. I rolled my eyes as he swerved around and stopped just in front of us. "Made it!" He wasn't wearing his working uniform this time. Instead, he had his normal street clothes, leather pants, back shoes, and a black shirt and a black jacket. "T-Boards are prohibited within Garden. Have you forgotten?" Said the Faculty member. "Oops, Sorry! But this is really cool. It may come in handy on a Seed mission, someday." "We'll be the judges of that. Confiscate it." Another Garden Faculty member waiting just at the back walked up and took it away.
"All of you are members of Seed, but. Nevertheless, you're still students at this Garden. Furthermore, because you are Seeds, you must set an example to all others and abide by the Garden's rules. Understood!?" Squall just nodded surging with anger. The Faculty member then stood behind Headmaster Cid. "Well, about your first mission." Cid started looking at us and went on. "You are to go to Timber. There, you will be supporting a resistance faction. That is your mission. A member of the faction will contact you at Timber Station. This person will talk to you and say 'The forests of Timber sure have changed'. At this time, you must reply, 'But the owls are still around'. That is the password. Just follow the faction's orders." Cid finished Squall looked at all of us. "Uh. Just us 3?" He said pointing to Selphie, himself, and I.
The Garden Faculty then spoke. "Correct. We have agreed to do this mission for very little money. Normally, we would never accept such requests, but." Cid then cut him short. "Enough talk about that. Well then, Zell, you are the squad leader. Use your best judgement based on the situation. Squall and Selphie, you are to support Zell and give your all to carry out the faction's plans. Oh, and Zell, I forgot to give you this. It's a cursed item, but if one with enough power uses it, it should be of great help." Cid said as he handed me a Magical Lamp. The lamp looked like one of those lamps that genies come out of. "Best of luck on your first mission." Squall, Selphie, and I, then gave the Garden Salute and walked back into the Garden.
"Where are we going Balmb is completely in the other direction." Squall said as we walked past the training center. I turned around to Squall and Selphie. "Were going to rent a car that way we don't have to walk." I said and kept walking. We walked into the parking lot and right up to the ordering desk. There was a guy around Headmaster Cids age behind the desk. "Hi how may I help you fine young people?" "We would like to rent a Garden car." I said closing my eyes. "Okay I'll need to see your Seed identification cards." The old man said wiping dust off the desk and we handed him our cards. "Okay lets see what we got here Squall Leonhart, Selphie Tilmitt, and Zell Dincht." He nodded and handed us back our cards; I took mine and shoved it back in my wallet as did Squall and Selphie.
"Your lucky we only have one Garden car left. Here are the keys the car is to the left of the exit. I nodded and we started to walk to the car I was about to open the door to the driver's seat when Selphie came running. "I wanna drive! I wanna drive! I proceeded getting into the driver's seat and Squall got in the back. "Meannie!" Selphie screamed and got into the passenger seat. "Our next destination Balmb!" Selphie said as I started the ignition and we drove right out of Garden. We entered the town of Balmb I drove through the city and into the parking lot. We piled out of the car and started walking in the direction of the train station.
* * *
"The train to Timber is here. Please purchase a train ticket." Said one of the station's staff members. "Three please! SeeD." Screamed Selphie excitedly. "That will be 3,000 Gil." Selphie smiled and handed him a few bills. In return she received a cardkey like ticket. "Don't worry guys, this one's on me! Just remember, I get to drive the car on the way home!" I just nodded and looked back to the ticket seller while Squall choked for a while then began laughing. We entered the train and the doors closed right behind us. The train then headed for the underground tunnel. I walked over to the far side of the train and leaned against a wall. Selphie went to the door and Squall came up to me. "A transcontinental railroad, baby! It even runs through an underwater tunnel to get to Timber. Pretty cool, huh?" I stared out the train's window. "Sure is." I said as I noticed a scrolling marquee above the door Selphie was jumping in front of saying "Next stop.Timber." "Guess you're not interested. By the way, Zell...You have to use the ticket to get inside."
I took out the cardkey from my pocket and studied it. The card was platinum with little ridges on the sides and indentation marks with four numbers. .2947 must be the password. "Open up! Open!" Selphie yelled as she jumped around in front of the door. I walked up to the control panel of the door and slid it through the card slot. I entered the code on the panel and the door slid open. "Access granted." "Okay, we can go inside now." I said turning around and leaning on the wall facing my comrades. "I'm going to go check out the front!" Selphie looked to me "Tee-hee! Thanks!" Selphie said as she skipped into the new hallway. "Let's go check it out, Zell." Squall then entered the trains hallway down to the rooms with me following. Selphie was ahead, just a little across a door in the far back, leaning on a railing looking through the glass windows. She smiled as she watched the scenery go by. Squall stopped in front of another door, one a little before where Selphie had been standing, and pointed towards it with his thumb. "Yo, check it out! So this is SeeD's private cabin...!" He slowly walked through the automatic door and popped his head in. "WHOA!" His excitement didn't really compare to Selphie, who had been singing and daydreaming in her own little world. Squall continued into the cabin. "OHHH YEAHHH! AWESOME!"
I sighed and walked over to Selphie she was still looking out the glass windows. She looked to me "Hey Zell. I love trains. "Train Train Take Us Away, Take Us Away Far Away, To the Future We Will Go, Where It Leads No One Knows. Such a nice breeze..." She kept on humming until she noticed I was still there. "Oh. I'll meet you inside. I'm going to hang out here for a bit." I nodded and walked into the SeeD cabin. There were two bunk beds, two windows on the far wall, and in front a large sofa that curved form one side of the room to the other. I looked to Squall who was bouncing on the sofa. He's so childish I thought as I shook my head. "Heh-heh. This is sooo cool!" ".I'm glad you're so excited." "They even have magazines here." Squall lifted a magazine up and tossed it to me.
"It's Pet Pals volume I. Not my thing but hey, it's something to do as the time goes by." Nodding, I sat down near the left wall and flipped through the magazine skimming the articles. "This is pretty damn amazing. It pays to be a member of SeeD! Zell, y'know anything about Timber?" "Not too much." "Thought so. Well, let me fill you in. Timber used to be a country surrounded by deep forests. But 18 years ago, Galbadia invaded. Timber fell quite easily to Galbadia, so, now Timber is under Galbadian occupation. It's said there's a whole bunch of resistance factions big and small." ".And?" I said looking up from the magazine. "Nope, that's it." "........." For a while, I looked at Squall, wondering how he knew so much and so little at the same time. "...Thank you, Mr. Know-It-All-Squall." "Hey, no prob!"
The automatic door shot open and Selphie walked in. "I'm not.feeling well." She said as she slumped over to the couch and laid down curled up in a ball. I got up and looked over to Selphie on the couch. "You should get some rest if you're tired." "I'm really sleepy." Selphie scoffed and I looked over to Squall looking at her weird. "Hey...? Huh? What the...!? Somethin's wrong with me, too...I...feel...sleepy..." Squall let out a huge yawn and his head fell backwards with his eyes closed. I looked at the two for a couple more seconds. "What's going on? Ugh!? ...What is this?" I yelled as a loud ringing noise went through my head and I fell on my knees. I held my hands up to my ears unable to take it anymore I fell down on the ground falling asleep.
* * *
(Hmm...?) All around was a dense forest along with a solitary pathway. Three soldiers dressed, Galbadian, walked up to a corner of the path and looked to their maps. "Uhh, Laguna, are you sure this is the right way?" Said one of them, a dark young man carrying two special knives, to the other with long hair carrying a machine gun. They ran quickly down the pathways of tall grass, some fire craters about from previously fallen bomb drops. (...What the...!?) "ooH-boy, not again..." Said the third one, the largest of them, that carried a large spear-like anchor. (Where am I?) (Dream?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) They finally stopped at a bend at a small stream. "Hey, aren't we here to fight a war? You know, against the almighty Timber army?" Roared the big one once again as he tightened his blue bandana. His name tag read Ward. Kiros, the knife wielding soldier, then stepped up and shrugged. "Yeah, so why are we wasting our time messin' with these animals?" The one with dark long hair, Laguna, scratched his head and looked around. "Well, you see...It's just that, uhh..." "Don't tell me we're lost again." Muttered Kiros as he placed his hands on his hips. Shrugging, Laguna then jumped up and started running towards a nearby army truck. "Anyway, we're going home. Deling City, here we come!" The other two just sighed, running after him, Ward obviously a bit left behind due to his size. "W-Wait! Laguna!" Laguna jumped into the drivers seat and waited as Kiros and Ward hopped in. "Alright, let's go!" Turning the truck around, Laguna then slammed on the gas forcing the truck to charge off, and in turn, giving his passengers a bumpy ride. "LAGUNA!"
The truck drove through the gates of Deling City and stopped in one of the town's square. Laguna was the first to jump out and stretched his arms. "H- Hey! You can't park in the middle of the street!" Ward said as he poked his head through the side door. "Chill man, it's cool." Laguna said looking at the surroundings. "Alright, then! How's about a drink!?" Kiros crossed his arms coming out of the truck. "Whatever! Like you drink... We already know you're not in it for the drinking. Just admit it already!" Then Ward came behind Kiros and backed him up. "Yeah, just drink some juice like a weenie. And then gawk at the piano lady." "DON'T CALL HER THE 'PIANO LADY'! That's it, forget it! I'm not going!" Laguna said as he waved his hands about. "We know you will. " Kiros said smiling very wide while ward chuckled. Laguna nodded and started dashing ahead with his friends close behind. As they ran a traffic jam was in progress with yelling, swearing, honking horns, and someone's truck in the center of the road.
The three of them stood outside the doors of the Deling City Hotel. Laguna stood in front of the two looking up and down. "This is it!" Laguna said rubbing his hands together. Ward came up behind Laguna's left ear and put his hands around his mouth. "Your big moment. You ready?" Kiros came on the other side and whispered in his other ear. "Yeah you wouldn't want to screw this up. Like you do every single time!" Ward gave Kiros a high-five while they laughed. "Guys your messing up my concentration! Lets just get inside already." Laguna said as he blushed and they all walked through the doors.
They walked right through the lobby to the stairs that led down to the bar room/dinning room. The room was very decorative with mirrors, a stage with a piano, tables, and sofas. They walked up to a soldier and saluted him. "I...aah...as of today...am assigned to the Engineer Corps. N-Nice to meet you all. What a joyous day for me! Please, everyone, don't try to stop me...I would like to propose a toast...to myself!" Then a high ranking officer walked up to them. "Listen up, soldiers. I'm Julia's private bodyguard. Better not make a pass at her." The officer looked Laguna right in the eye and walked away and he threw his arms up in the air. They walked up to the waitress washing a table. "Welcome! You're usual table is ready. What is this? "Huh?" Laguna had suddenly stopped in his tracks. The waitress just smiled and waited. "What's wrong?" Said Kiros. "Ahh...I'm not quite sure." "Wait a second..." Ward thundered putting a finger up pointing to his head. "Is your head buzzing...?" "W-What...You, too?" Laguna shrugged and looked to Ward. "Yeah, ever since we were in Timber." "Me, too..." Kiros said as he shook his head. "Hey, we're just tired, that's all. We'll be fine after a drink or two, or three..." Ward then turned to the waitress and nodded to her. "Yes, we'll take our usual table please ma'am." She nodded and escorted them to one of the circular tables in a corner area near the stage.
The stage was set up with a single grand piano in the center. They circled around the table to where they wanted to sit. "At ease, men." They all sat however, Laguna then stood up to address his squad. "We're goin' all out tonight, right boys!?" The waitress then approached holding a small notepad- like device. "May I take your order?" "The usual!" Yelled Laguna. Kiros gave a nod. "Me, too." Ward was really excited; it could be seen in his eyes. "Keep 'em coming!" The waitress then scribbled on the notepad and walked off. "So, Laguna...Julia should be making her appearance soon." Said Ward giving a slight grin. He looked over to the stage only to see a performer entering. Another woman, with short dark hair and a cream complexion, wearing a red evening gown, walked onto the stage. She was very beautiful and nearly every soldier in the room had been gawking towards her. This was especially for Laguna. She sat down at the piano and began playing the tune that made her famous. "What's she call it again?" "Don't care. I just call it Julia because it reminds me of her." "As if you don't think about her all the time anyway. So, Laguna...Julia should be making her appearance soon. You goin' for it tonight?" Kiros glared at Laguna encouragingly. "You, go for it!" "What-ever, man! Can't you see she's working?" "Don't go back on your word. C'mon, go wave to her." Said Kiros trying to push Laguna.
"Hey. Give me a break..." "So you say, but we all know you'll do it." Said Ward grinning. Kiros lit up a smile as Laguna stood up. Laguna took in a deep breath and slowly made his way towards the stage. He walked up the short three small steps and approached the piano smiling. Ah...to be this close to Julia... (Is this guy serious...?) ...Uh-oh... My leg's cramping up...! Argh... Laguna grabbed at his leg in slight pain and began limping away from the piano. He stopped and turned around, suddenly realizing how embarrassing he must have looked to Julia, to see if she had seen him. By the look of it she hadn't noticed; She simply continued to play her song. As quick as he could, Laguna once again turned around and limped as fast as he could back to his seat. (Sad.)
As Laguna reached his seat, Ward gave him a thumbs up and Kiros grinned at him. "Good work, Laguna." Kiros said chugging down his drink. "Mission successful!" Ward said as he too drunk his drink. "Here, have a seat." "I didn't think you'd actually do it. Our popularity rating's gone up a point." Ward nudged at Laguna who was still a bit pale looking. "Yeah, but you cut a pretty pitiful figure up there. I'd say you're about a -3 on the manliness scale." Kiros shot out with a chuckle. "Say what you want!" Trying to defend himself, Laguna shot forward. Giving up, he then just shook his head and sighed. "Julia sure is pretty..." He said as he stared down at his reflection in dark shiny table. "Aaa." Kiros gasped as something caught the corner of his eye. "Hunhhh." Ward said as he looked to what Kiros was looking at. "Laguna, we're takin' off." Kiros said as he and Ward got up from their seats.
"H-Hey! What's the rush?" Laguna said as he looked at the two oddly. "It's on us tonight. Relax and stay awhile, Laguna." Ward nudged his head in a certain direction and walked off with a big grin on his face. He met up with Kiros at the bar counter at the other end of the room. Laguna kept looking at his friends on the other side of the room thinking why did they leave me. "May I?" He turned around only to see her. He got up and limped over to the other side of the sofa to give her room. "Did I interrupt anything?" She asked staring into his eyes. "N-N-N-Not at all. P-Please, s- sit down." Oh man, oh man, it's really HER! What do I do!? Kiros? Ward? HELP! What do I say!? But man, she is pretty... (What's this guy thinking...?) "You ok know?" She asked as she looked at his beat red face. "Kind of." He said glancing up at her the looking back down. "How's your leg?" "L-Leg? Oh, this!? Y-Yeah, it's fine. Happens all the time when I get nervous." Ah man, she did see me!
He coughed then looked back down trying to hold back his emotions. "Were you nervous?" "Oh, yeah. I'm still kinda..." He looked to her and she gave a smile. "You can relax. You don't have to get nervous around me." "Oh, sorry." "Say...(Would you like to talk somewhere private? I have a room here...)" She said leaning forward with a whisper. Laguna nearly had a heart attack. "I-In your room!?" Julia then looked around and then turned back to Laguna. "Well... (It's pretty hard to talk freely here. Everyone's listening in.) If you'd like to, please come by. I've been wanting to talk to you. You don't want to?" "Of course I do!" "Then I'll go ahead and wait for you. Ask for my room at the front desk, ok?" Am I dreaming? (...This is a dream...This is a dream...) No, this can't be a dream! (This is too weird to be a dream...) Julia...? Wants to talk to me...? (...He talks to himself too much...) And just the two of us! Get it together Laguna (...Whatever) I always screw up by talking about myself too much. It' always been like that. But not tonight! I'm all ears for Julia! Ahh, time to use my manly charm, and help Julia with her problem. Laguna quickly stood and started to run for his friends.
On his way to getting to Kiros and Ward he was stopped by a hysterical soldier. "Today's my special day. But...Julia chose YOU! Why!? Why must it always be like this!? (hic) And why...must it be on this day of all days...!?" Laguna shrugged and turned only to bump into the Major. "Pretty bold for just a grunt...Julia this...Julia that...Yeah, I'll fix you...Send you off to war a million miles away..." Laguna just glared at the officer and continued on his way. "Can you really carry on a conversation with Julia? Make sure the conversation's sophisticated." Said Ward. "No worries, man! That's like, my specialty." Wait, don't tell me all you guys really were listening in!? "One wouldn't say you converse, though...All you do is yap-yap-yap and never listen." Grinned Kiros. He and Ward then pushed Laguna towards the stairs and started chuckling. "Get going, man!"
Laguna entered Julia's room looking down shyly. "Thanks for coming." "No...Not at all, uh...Thank you for inviting me." "Have a seat." Laguna looked around Julia's hotel room. It was pretty big, with huge window covering the back wall, small coffee table with two chairs in the back. There were two small beds each with a nightstand to the left of them against the far right wall, with two paintings of cities above them, a desk over by the door, and with the restroom area to the left. A glass chandelier from above as well as the two lamps on the nightstand nicely lighted the room itself radiating the room's over all renaissance feel. Not thinking, Laguna sat on one of her beds. He then shook his head. Awe damn, I'm being rude! He then got up and walked over to one of the chairs in the back and sat down. He found himself standing up again. Julia just watched him from the front of the room giggling at his nervousness. Argh! I can't sit still. I'll just stand. He then walked slowly up to Julia. "Going so soon? We haven't even talked yet." Shaking his head, he walked a few feet away and turned back to face her. "No, it's not that. It's just that I'm a big fan of yours, so I'm really kinda nervous, y'know?" "So that's why you come to hear me play so often." Laguna jumped to that. "You. You saw me?" He said, surprised. Getting nervous, he retreated to the back of the room and started pacing.
"You were always smiling while listening, right?" She said as Julia walked toward him. Laguna backed away a little as she got closer. "You have beautiful eyes. Though, they look a bit scared now." She then grinned "Don't worry, I'm not going to pluck'em and eat'em. I just want to talk, gazing into those eyes. Would you like a drink? Wine perhaps?" She asked pulling out a bottle of wine. "I must be dreamin'."
Time went by as Laguna told Julia about his adventures and life in the army. Julia watched, listened, and laughed as Laguna told her about how he got Ward, Kiros, and himself in loads of binds. "Yeah, I don't like fightin' too much, but you get to travel, y'know? Seeing new places n' stuff. And it's fun, 'cause Kiros and Ward are always with me. Hey, we should all go out drinkin' sometime! Whaddya say? And, uh. What was I talkin' about? Oh yeah, so I want to quit the army and become a journalist! So I can tell people 'bout all the things I've seen on my travels." (He's already loosened up.) "So, like, the other day, one of my articles made the reader's column. Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, that was way cool." Julia nodded and smiled, her eyes gazing at him. "I'm happy for you." "Oh yeah, and then." Around 15 minutes later, Laguna got a bit drowsy. Julia let him relax on one of the beds as she sat and watched him from the other. He had fallen asleep for nearly ten minutes. "I'm sorry. I didn't know wine made you sleepy. You look adorable when you're asleep." Laguna rubbed his eyes and looked to Julia. "Argh. How'd I fall asleep?" He then walked up to her feeling embarrassed. "Julia." "Yes?"
"I.I must have fallen asleep, talking on like that.Tell me about yourself. Like. your dreams for the future." She looked up into Laguna's eyes. "I.I want to sing. Not just play the piano, but sing, too." "Oh, I'd really love to hear it." Laguna said over-excitedly. "But I can't. I'm no good at writing lyrics." Laguna stood there trying to figure out something to say but wasn't able to. "Hmm. That must be tough." "But, thanks to you, I think I can come up with something." "Thanks to me.?" Laguna asked surprised as he looked down and blushed. "Yes. The many faces you've shown me, times when you were hurt, worried. Or felt pain deep inside you. Your smile, your face, your eyes." Julie then walked closer to him and taking a hold of Laguna's hand. "You've shown me something. I think I can come up with a song." "Wow. I must be dreamin'." "It's not a dream, is it?" He asked as he looked into her beautiful eyes. They stood there smiling at each other until there was a knock on the door. "Laguna! New orders! Meet by the Presidential Residence, on the double!" It was the voice of Kiros Laguna thought. "Can we meet again?" Julia asked. "Of course! I have to come hear you sing!" He said as he opened up the door and left.
* * *
"Next stop, Timber. Timber. Next stop, Timber. Timber." Selphie and Squall waited quietly looking at the ground to me. They hadn't moved me for they thought I had just fallen asleep as they did. I shook my head and pushed myself up, I seeing the two already up. "Were we. all asleep?" Squall looked upward and thought "Maybe someone released some sleeping gas? There's lots of people who resent SeeD." Squall said looking back down at me. .Maybe. Better be careful. Selphie looked at us and then to her things. "Am I missing anything? Anyone hurt?" I started looking around as did Squall. I looked back to Selphie and shrugged my shoulders. ".I don't think so." "What a relief! Everything's cool with me!" Selphie then walked over to the other side of the couch and sat down. "Hee! I had such a nice dream!" I looked up at the ceiling and thought I had a dream, too. It wasn't nice though.I then slowly walked over by the bunks and leaned against the bunk bed's ladder. I dreamt I was a moron. "We will be arriving in Timber shortly. For those getting off, please be sure you have all your belongings." The loudspeaker in the room announced and I rubbed my eyes. "But seriously, Sir Laguna was sooo cool!" Selphie said as she beamed with happiness. "Hey!" Squall leaned over and looked to Selphie. "There was a Laguna in my dream, too! He's a Galbadian soldier, right!?" Selphie nodded she suddenly giving an expression of wonder.
I raised my eyebrow and wondered what the hell was going on. "Laguna, Kiros, and Ward." I let slip from my mouth still thinking. Squall then looked at me surprised. "That's it!" "That's what." Selphie came in-between us and screamed. "There's no way we can understand this. Let's just concentrate on our first mission!" I stood there and crossed my arms and looked about then back to my comrades. .I guess you're right. We'll put this incident on hold. I'll report it to the headmaster once we get back to Garden." "We should be there soon eh?" Squall asked as he picked up his gunblade. "Here we go. Psyche yourself up, baby!" Throwing a few swings with his gunblade, he then walked out the door. Selphie then got up and dragged herself out the door. "Whew. Still sleepy." I stood there still leaning against the bunks. I was still trying to function what just happened. "." I sighed and shrugged and walked out the door following my crew.
That's the second chapter hope you like it. It'll take me a while to post the third chapter. Review and tell me what you think.
Note: Zell starts out with diamond knuckles. Italics mean what Zell is thinking. The whole story is written in Zell's POV. Some of the dialog and ideas belong to the fanfiction author team-senshi I would just like to say thanks to her for letting me use some of her stuff.
I got up from my sitting position and followed Squall further into the boat. When I entered the main part of the boat they were just sitting down silently. Seifer was slouching in his chair with his feet on the table while Xu was yelling at him. "You do not ditch your squad to save yourself Seifer!" yelled Xu. He just closed his eyes shaking his head slightly. Quistis was marking things down on her clipboard and Selphie was being unbelievably quiet with her head hanging low. I wonder what's wrong with her. I thought while leaning against the wall. Squall was sitting down and sipping on his soda. Seifer opened his eyes and looked at me grinning evilly. "Hey looks like Zell made it back." Everybody dropped what they were doing and jumped up to greet me besides Seifer. Quistis was the first one to come to me. "Glad to see you made it back." She said patting me on the back. I hope nobody else pats me on the back. Xu then came up to me. "Good job I can't wait to see the results of the field exam." I nodded she sat down. Squall came up to me next and stared at me. "I see you finally decided to come out here with the rest of us." He smiled took a chug of his cola and went back to his seat.
Selphie walked up to me slowly her head hanging down. What's with this? "I'm sorry." She mumbled taking a glance at me. "For what?" I asked puzzled. "For not coming back to help you and Squall." She said her head still hanging low. "Don't worry about it." "So your not mad?" She asked surprised with a twinkle in her eye. I shook my head no and she jumped up. "Woohoo I'm so glad your not mad!" she said and trotted back to her seat. She's weird. I rolled my eyes and went to sit down one seat away from Squall. Then Seifer eyed me up and down. "I never knew a Chicken-wuss could save your life Zell." Seifer said as he chuckled. Squall started to shake with anger turning red. Not this again. "Are you kidding me I could kick your sorry ass so hard." "Enough!" Quistis yelled shutting Squall up and Seifer looked at her annoyed. I put my elbow on the armchair and put my head on my fist letting it rest there. I hope it isn't like this the whole ride back. I thought slowly falling asleep.
"Zell! Time to wake up!" Man she's annoying. I opened my eyes only to find Selphie standing in front of me jumping up and down and Squall behind her. "Come on it's time to go." Squall said I got up out of my seat and we walked out of the boat only to be greeted by Raijin and Fujin. What are they doing here? "How'd it go?" Raijin asked as Seifer stepped off the boat with us behind him. "Man. all they did was get in my way. Being a leader ain't easy." Fujin stepped forward to Seifer. "SAFE?" "Of course." Seifer smiled. She nodded and Fujin, Raijin, and Seifer started walking towards the parked Garden car. Quistis stepped out taking a deep breath of the sea breeze. "Good job!" She looked at Squall and I, then looked around. "Where's Seifer?" I pointed out to the Garden Car where we all saw Seifer, Raijin, and Fujin getting in the car. "Just be back at Garden by sun down. You're free 'till then. OK, dismissed!" With that command, Squall, Selphie, and I started walking towards the parking lot only to find the Garden Car speeding off. Damn him oh well no use complaining about it. I thought while scratching my head. "H-Hey!!! Not Again, man!" Squall yelled stopping his foot on the ground. "Might as well walk it." I said and walking forward Squall sighed and started following. Selphie skipping on every individual brick following close behind Squall.
We passed the Balmb hotel and we came to the intersection the one to the left leading to the train station and the one in front of us going to the city gates. Then a guy notices us. Why is that guy looking at us like that? I studied him until he walked up to us. "Hi Squall how are you doing?" "Hey.! How's it going! You know me, I'm always good." Squall said talking to his old buddy. "Good. Make sure you stop by and say 'hi' to your mom." Squall nodded and directed us to a house across the street. I guess it won't hurt. I shrugged and Squall led the way as we followed.
"Ma, I'm home!" "Squall, what a surprise! Are these your friends?" She said looking at Selphie and I. "This is my house, but don't make yourselves too comfortable!" He said looking to us. I don't plan on doing so. I pondered looking at an odd looking vase on the countertop. "Oh, Zell are you off for today?" "Nah outdoor class." "Drop by whenever you can. Even to say hi." Mrs. Lionheart then smiled to us. "It's a pleasure to meet you. The food won't be done for a while, will you all be staying?" "Nah ma, we gotta get going. But thanks anyway. Maybe I'll come home a SeeD today ma!" "Oh good for you Squall! But you know your father and I will be proud no matter what. And I'm sure your grandfather would be proud too! But you know, everyone has their doubts about you not passing. don't worry, I'm sure you've done your best!" "Thanks ma, bye!" We ran out the front door and headed back to Balmb Garden.
* * *
We walked to the front gate of Balmb Garden exhausted. I'm exhausted, I thought while my eyes. "Huuuwahaah! Finally made it back." Squall said stretching his arms in the air. "Seriously." Selphie said wiping off dust from her boots. "Well, I guess we just wait for the test results. Till then, see ya Zell!" Squall then walked off. Selphie gave me a little wave and trotted off as well. "See ya." It's been a long day. I made a short yawn and headed to the lobby. I saw Xu and Quistis talking to Headmaster Cid. I started to walk behind other students trying not to get seen. They are just going to get in my way. I'll try to walk around them. I thought determined. "Mission complete!" Said Xu to Cid. "I think we did a pretty good job. The candidates are back safely, right? Although we didn't realize the Galbadian Army was after the abandoned communication tower." Cid cleared his throat. "We've just received word from the Dollet Dukedom. The Galbadian Army has agreed to withdraw as long as the communication tower is repaired and the up-link remains operational." "Well, in any case, Galbadia is out of there. We could've made more money if they'd stayed and caused more ruckus."
When I started to get closer to them Xu then spotted me. "Hey, you did pretty well!" Damn. I stopped and turned to the group slightly bowing my head in thanks. "Of course!" Quistis remarked. "He's my best student. He's not very social though." .Whatever. Cid then stepped up and looked to me smiling. "How did it feel out there on the battlefield?" What's it to you old man? "Felt good. To actually fight. It was a good feeling." I said quickly trying to get through. "That's the spirit! But don't let it get to your head." I then walked off as the three continued talking of the exam. I wonder if that answer back there will affect my score?
As I was walking back to my dorms I ran into a mad looking Seifer right in front of the hall leading to the library? "D'you hear about the communication tower in Dollet? We could've been heroes if it weren't for that withdrawal order." Seifer then stopped talking as he looked in the other direction so did I and Quistis and Xu were walking towards us. "You were only looking for a fight." Said Quistis who had heard Seifer clearly. "My dear instructor. I'm hurt. Those are rather cruel words for an aspiring student. A mediocre instructor like you will never understand." .What's this he's going on about? Xu then spoke up. "Seifer, don't be so stuck on yourself. You'll take all responsibility for leaving the designated area." Seifer raised his arms in defense. "Isn't it the Captain's duty to take the best possible action?" "Seifer, you'll never be a SeeD. Calling yourself a Captain is a joke." Xu then waved her hand in the air and walked off leaving Seifer trembling with anger.
He stopped as he saw Headmaster Cid walking in. Cid gestured Quistis to leave us. Cid then looked to Seifer for any sign of an expression. "Seifer. You will be disciplined for your irresponsible behavior. You must follow orders exactly during combat. But I'm not entirely without sympathy for you. I don't want you all to become machines. I want you all to be able to think and act for yourselves." Behind us, a Faculty aid walked up. "I am." "Headmaster Cid, you have some business in your office." The faculty member said. "There are so many issues at hand here." Cid then sighed, firmly patted Seifer on the shoulder, and walked off.
I decided to let Seifer cool off and leave him alone. I started to walk towards the dorms. I stopped as a Garden member talking to me. "SeeD shall not act beyond the exact wording of a contract. We are a non-profit organization. This incident will be a hard-learned lesson for the Dollet Dukedom. They'll now know to be more generous when hiring SeeD." .Whatever I nodded and started to run only to be stopped again by a message on the loudspeaker. "(All students who participated in today's field exam, report to the second floor hallway. I repeat, all students who took the field exam, report to the 2nd floor hallway.)" I turned and ran for the elevator, I went up it to the 2nd floor, and I ran to the hallway.
I saw a few SeeD candidates and Squall was one of them. Raijin and Fujin were there as well; making sure things were in order. Fujin approached me and gave me a cold stare with her revealed eye. "RAGE." What's her problem? I stared back challengingly and then looked to Raijin who was frowning. "Fujin was sayin' that it'd be all your fault if Seifer doesn't become a SeeD. She can be pretty scary, ya know?" .Who cares? I just shrugged in reply and turned around to see a Faculty member exiting the elevator. "Leonhart. Squall Leonhart." "OHHH YEAH!!!" Screamed Squall jumping in the air. He then walked off with his hands shoved in his pockets dancing towards the elevator. "Zell. Zell from Squad B, please step forward." I gave a nod and followed Squall into the elevator. "That's all. Dismissed."
* * *
In Cid's office, two other Seed candidates stood at attention before the headmaster and a Faculty member. Among them were Selphie and a young man by the name of Nida as we walked in. The Faculty member stepped up to Cid and raised his hands towards us. "These are the four students that passed today's SeeD exam." Cid nodded and carefully examined each of us. "First of all, congratulations. However. From now on as a member of SeeD, you will be dispatched all over the world. We are proud to introduce SeeD. Balamb Garden's mercenary soldiers. SeeD soldiers are combat specialists. BUT. That is only one aspect of SeeD. When the time comes." "Headmaster." The Garden Faculty once again interrupted. "It's almost time for the meeting. Please make this short. SeeD is a valuable asset to Garden. Its reputation is solely dependent on each of you. Handle your mission with care. Is that what you wanted to say sir?" The Faculty member then turned back to Cid who nodded in agreement and then back to the students. "Here is your SeeD rank report!"
The faculty member then handed the papers to Cid. Cid took the papers in hand and first walked over to Selphie. He handed her test papers over and shook her hand also whispering something to her. "Psst. Psst. (I'm looking forward to the Garden Festival.)" He then turned and walked over to Nida doing the same. "Psst.Psst. (Do your best, even if you don't stand out.)" Once again he turned and walked to the next student, Squall. "Psst.Psst. (Try to control your emotions a little.)" He shook Squall's hand firmly as Squall shot out a big grin. He was trembling with excitement. Then he turned to me, gave me my report and shook my hand firmly. "Psst. Psst. (Finally. A martial arts specialist. We'll talk privately one day.)" Why does he want to talk to me? He then walked back to his seat and again examined us. "This ends the SeeD inauguration. Dismissed!" We the new Seeds then stood at attention and gave the Seed salute. We then turned and trotted off, Squall doing a little victory dance with Selphie while Nida and I trailed behind.
* * *
As we got out of the elevator we walked along the bridge. Selphie constantly pranced around yelling "SeeD! SeeeD! SeeeeeeeD!" while Squall too did a little victory gallop. "Yo! Zell! Let's get back to class!" I just shrugged giving a "why?" expression. "What do you mean, 'Why?' Don't you remember what new SeeD members do? They give a speech in front of the entire class! And after that, the inauguration party!" I just sighed and walked on towards the class hallway. Squall jumped in the air and yanked Selphie and Nida to follow.As we walked forward into the hall, we were surprised to find a large group of people huddled there. Among the group was Seifer along with Fujin and Raijin. We all looked around confused. All was quiet for around 30 seconds until Seifer stepped up and began clapping. The rest of the group followed in suit leaving us the new Seeds to grin in rejoices and embarrassment, of course except for I who simply waved my hand and looked to the side. I don't get this guy. beginning of the day he tries to kill me. now he's giving congrats. I thought while looking over at Seifer.
* * *
I walked back to my dorm and was surprised to see Selphie there waiting for me. What's she doing in my dorm? "HAH! Found you! Well? Well? What do you think!? My SeeD uniform!" She pranced around in place showing off the very detailed SeeD uniform. "You should get changed, too. We have that party to get to." I nodded and walked into my room and closed the door, on my bed was my Seed uniform on my bed. "I guess I finally made it better get changed." I put on my uniform and went into my bathroom. Might as well try to look nice tonight. I thought as I put hair gel in my blonde hair and spiked it up. "It will do." I said to myself and I walked back out of my room. Selphie stood by the door leaning against the wall humming a little tune until the door to her left opened. I heard that song somewhere before. "Heeey! Lookin' good! Like what you done with your hair!" She looked to me then gave a jump shooting a fist into the air. Alright! Let's hit that PAAH- TAY!"
The blissful tune "Dance with the Balamb Fish" played in the background as Selphie and I walked into the Garden's Ball Room. Selphie ran a separate way to go talk to people as I decided to simply walk around. There were many cheery faces, some of Seeds, some of high aristocrats from Dollet and Timber. I also saw Headmaster Cid mingling and reuniting with past graduated Seeds. Getting bored, I found myself a pillar to lean against and started staring into space. After a while, a waitress holding a tray of drinks walked towards me asked me if I wanted a drink. She handed one to me and went on her way. I knew it would be like this. why'd I even bother coming? Maybe I should just leave and go to the training center for a while. I took a sip and continued staring into space until I noticed Squall running up towards me. "Yo!" Squall stopped in front of me and gave me salute-like wave. I simply looked at him and nodded. "S'up, Zell? Heh-heh, I guess we're both Seeds now, huh?" He then extended his hand for a shake. "Put it there, man." In reaction, I just took another sip of my wine and looked once again to the sky to watch the stars.
Squall gave a sigh and started chuckling. "Hah, even as a Seed, you're still the same. Well, that's typical of you. See ya." Squall began walking off when he bumped into Selphie who had been running around for the past half an hour. "Oh...hey, Squall. Wanna join the Garden Festival committee and..." "Sorry, I...ah...Just remembered something! G-Gotta go. See ya!" With that, Squall was able to slip past and head to the salad bar. "Hmmmm." Selphie glared as Squall quickly trotted off, she being a bit irritated. She had only been able to recruit 3 others to help with the Garden Festival committee.
Her frown had turned into a smile as she saw me. "Zell! Hi!" She slowly walked up and stopped in front of me, I once again only giving a slight nod. "Wanna join the Garden Festival committee? You can help out whenever you have the time. Please?" She then started staring at me and gave a little sad face. . Whatever. well, if it'll get you to leave me alone for now. "Yeah, I guess so." "Really!?" "Sure. You seem to be putting a lot of effort into this. At least you're serious about it." "Whoo-hoo! I know we'll be busy with a lot of Seed stuff, but let's work hard on the Garden Festival, too. Bye!" She again ran off chasing down any person she hadn't asked. "'Scuse me! You right there!" I once again drew my attention to the glass roof above. It was one of my few relaxing past-times, to look up at the stars at night, I didn't know why.
I was pleased as I saw a shooting star streak the sky. My eyes followed the star to the dance floor where my attention was brought to a young woman standing alone on the floor. It seemed she too had seen the shooting star. She was very beautiful, with dark hair to her shoulders and delicate skin of a cream like complexion, wearing a white dress that suited her well. She turned and at once saw me and smiled. She raised her index finger leaving me a bit confused, and then began walking towards me. "You're the best looking guy here. Dance with me?" I just stared at her, taking in another sip of wine. The girl then placed her hands on her hips, her face showing a sad expression. "Let me guess...You'll only dance with someone you like. Ok then... Look into my eyes." She then began to swirl a finger in front of my eyes. "You're-going-to-like me...You're-going-to-like-me... Did it work? " ..?" What am I supposed to do? I then tried to figure out some kind of excuse. ".I can't dance. Huh? Hey!" She grabbed my hand and yanked me towards the dance floor, I putting the glass on the floor where I was standing.
"You'll be fine. Come on. I'm looking for someone. I can't be on the dance floor alone." The music had changed from a renaissance like tune to a waltz, "Waltz for the Moon," inspired from a popular tune. The girl took my hands and placed them in the proper positioning. She then began to dance, trying to lead me with the steps, however, I was simply being tossed around, my feet tripping over one another, causing me to bump into her. With a giggle, she once again took my hands and tried to lead me again. She tried going for a spin but ended up pulling me with her causing us both to bump into another pair of dancing couples. The two gave an angry stare only to my surprise the girl sticking her tongue out at them. She then smiled and once again reached for my hands. I positioned myself for the correct steps for the dance, I extending my right arm forward, body straightened. She took my hand and we began to dance. The mystery girl and I were in the center of the dance floor. As the dance ended, both of us stopped in our final position, bodies close together, to look up at the explosions just shinning in the moonlight. Through the glass window, we saw a beautiful display of fireworks streaking the night sky with colors. A slight grin had appeared on my face but turned to confusion as the girl I danced with looked to some people and then to me only giving a wink and a smile as she walked off. I remained there, on the dance floor.
I decided to be alone and walked off to the balcony right outside the ballroom and started to look up at the stars again. Why'd that girl leave me on the dance floor? "You really are an excellent student. Even that dance was perfect." Quistis said walking up behind me. "Thank you." I answered as I continued staring into the stars. A few minutes later, I sigh and sense Quistis still behind me. "Yes?" Quistis gave a sigh and leaned against the railing next to me. "So you'll dance with someone you don't even know, but you can't stand being around me?" "You're an instructor and I'm your student its kind of awkward when you don't say anything." "That's true. I was like that myself. ...Oh, I completely forgot. I wonder what's to become of me? I've come to give you an order. You and I are to go to the 'secret area'. It's where the students secretly meet up and talk after curfew." "What do you want to do there? Are we going there to tell everyone they're violating curfew? If that's the case, forget it. Leave that for the disciplinary committee." She giggled and shook her head. "Go get changed and meet me in front of the training center. This will be my last order." I finally turned towards Quistis. "What do you mean, 'Last order?'" "Well, I have a lot on my mind." I nodded and went to my dorm.
* * *
I already got changed and was walking to the training center. When I got to the hall that entered the training center. Quistis was already there leaning against the wall fiddling with her whip. When she noticed me she walked up to me. "Zell, I was just wondering...Have you fought T-Rexaur in the training center?" I nodded and kept walking. "Okay." The training center was a small jungle with water, metal pieces, and broken ripped up fences. We ran through the door to the right. We crossed the bridge and walked through huge hauled out walls of rock. When we made it to the door that had a pale blue light shinning out of it. What happened to all the monsters? I thought as Quistis and I walked into the 'secret area'.
I entered the 'secret area' and I walked to the railing leaning against it. Quistis came up right next to me doing the same thing. "I haven't been here for a while." Quistis said looking at me I just looked to the stars. We stood there silently for a few moments. "What time is it?" Quistis said looking at the bight lit up Garden and I looked at my watch. "Its after midnight." I wonder what this mission was abo. "Oh well. I, Quistis Trepe, am no longer an instructor as of now! I'm a member of SeeD now, just like you. Who knows, maybe we'll end up working together." ". Oh really?" I said looking the other direction. "Is that all your going to say?" "If that's how it was decided, you have to abide by it." "They told me that I failed as an instructor. Basically, that I lacked leadership qualities. I was a SeeD by the age of 15, got my instructor license at 17.
It's only been a year since I got it... I wonder where I went wrong... I did my best... Are you listening?" She asked and I turned around. "Are you done yet...? I don't want to talk about it. What am I supposed to say about other people's problems?" "I'm not asking you to say anything. I just want you to listen." "Then go talk to a wall." I remarked coldly as I got off the rail. "Aren't there times when you want to share your feelings with someone?" Said Quistis, her eyes almost in tears. "Everyone has to take care of themselves. I don't want to carry anyone's burden." Then I walked off. Quistis nodded in silence, watching as I walked off. ".No leadership qualities.Failed instructor.Perhaps they're right."
We walked through the training center silently. Quistis not trying to start a conversation wich was amazing. "Somebody help!" We heard a person scream. "Come on Zell its coming from the entrance." We ran out the 2nd door to find a huge bee like monster attacking a lady. It's her, the girl from the infirmary. "Zell!" the lady screamed as we ran up to her. "Zell! Quisty?" I picked up a nearby rock and threw it. The bee turned around pissed and made a high pitched sound. I held my ears "What the hell is it doing?!?" I looked over at Quistis "It's calling for help!" I looked up to see tree huge rocks fall from the sky. They were all just lying on the ground until one moved. What the hell. they all started to shake. The rocks shot up hands and feet out. Their teeth were grinding together viscously. I glanced at Quistis and back to the monsters. "Shiva!" The ice queen appeared with a blink of an eye. She shot the shards of ice at the monsters, she disappeared and the ice broke in hundreds of pieces.
Two of the rock mutants fell backwards. Two down two to go I shook my head focussing back on the battle. The bee picked up the rock creature and flew towards us. When the bee got to us it dropped the over-sized rock on Quistis and she fell down hard. I ran up to the rock, attempted to kick it but it bit my leg and wouldn't let go. I fell to the ground trying to fight it off me but the harder I fought the harder it sunk it's vampire like teeth into my leg. Damn you stupid rock get the hell off of me. I looked around only to see the giant bee just hovering there watching. All of a sudden a bright yellowish beam (Quistis's Laser eye) just shot through the air breaking right into the rock and collapsed on the ground. I looked up to see Quistis there grinning and she winked at me. I jumped up and looked to the huge bee with anger in my eyes. I ran up to it, and punched it in the gut. The monster got blew back onto the ground, flew back up shaking its wings viscously. It flew forward diving on me biting and scratching me. Blood started to stream down my face when Quistis snapped her whip hitting the bee off me. I touched my face with my gloved hand and looked at it blood was all over it. I glared up at the monster with sore eyes. You stupid ass over-sized bee. I ran up to it and pounded it down with my fists each punch harder then the last. I paused and focused all my energy into my right fist and punched the giant bee. The monster fell to the ground and died with blood all over its body.
I kept starring at the fallen bee and kicked it to make sure it was dead, it was. I looked up and Quistis and I were about to check on the girl when two other men, both dressed in white battle uniforms, had jumped in from no where next to the girl. "It's not safe here. Please, let's go." Said one as the other helped her up. ".Alright." The girl answered. With that the three left, leaving Quistis and I. "Who was that.?" Quistis wondered as she watched the two men escort her out of the area. That's what I'd like to know. I limped out of the training center with Quistis walking right next to me. In the hallway Quistis was in front of me and then she stopped, as did I. She turned around to me. "Zell. Its not like everyone can get by on their own, you know?" I just blinked at her as she walked away. ".Says who?" I've made it this far.
* * *
I was limped down the hallway to the dormitories only to hear the sound of crickets singing in the night. The ball is most likely over by now it's past midnight. I thought as I walked down the hallway. When I looked up I saw Squall. What does he want? I walked up to him looking at him he still had his Seed uniform on. "Finally! There you are! Where the hell were you?" Squall scanned me and noticed I had been in my regular clothes. He also noticed the newly drawn blood that coated my face and my thawed up leg. "Training? Hehe, guess you'll never change." Shaking his head, he went on. "I was lookin' all over the place. We're both now members of Seed right? Well, guess what!? We got our own rooms, baby! Your new room's right across the hall from your old one. That's what I was asked to tell you. Man, it took me forever!" I just nodded and continued walking past Squall. Shrugging, Squall then began humming to himself and he too went towards the dorms.
I entered my new room closing the door behind me examining what was new. I had a bigger bed to the left, a desk to the right, a window in between, a bathroom near the entrance to my dorm, and all my stuff was already there. I walked over to my bed and sat down examining my gloves. My metal gloves were stained slightly red. I took off my gloves and wiped them against my black mussel shirt cleaning them off. I then got up, put my gloves on my desk and limped back over to my bed. I opened the drawl and took out the clean white bandages. I started to bandage up my leg. When I was finished I laid down on my bed exhaling as I lifted my damaged lag onto the bed. Better get to sleep. Long day ahead of me tomorrow. I fell asleep thinking of the mystery girl at the ball.
The next morning I work up to loud banging. "Zell, it's our first Seed mission! Looks like we're going to Timber. Meet by the front gate. Hurry!" Selphie said banging on my door. I rubbed my eyes opening them and sat up in my bed. First mission already? I thought as my head was in my hands. I started scratching my head and got up. I walked over to my desk and slipped on my gloves. Better get going. and I walked out of my dorm to the front gate.
* * *
I walked up to the front gate and saw Selphie, headmaster Cid, and a Garden faculty member further down. "Over here Zell!" Selphie yelled jumping up and down as I walked towards them. "Now I guess all we are waiting for Squall Leonhart." Headmaster Cid said while looking down at his clipboard. From the gates, Squall shot off into the air on his T-board and zoomed his way to us. I rolled my eyes as he swerved around and stopped just in front of us. "Made it!" He wasn't wearing his working uniform this time. Instead, he had his normal street clothes, leather pants, back shoes, and a black shirt and a black jacket. "T-Boards are prohibited within Garden. Have you forgotten?" Said the Faculty member. "Oops, Sorry! But this is really cool. It may come in handy on a Seed mission, someday." "We'll be the judges of that. Confiscate it." Another Garden Faculty member waiting just at the back walked up and took it away.
"All of you are members of Seed, but. Nevertheless, you're still students at this Garden. Furthermore, because you are Seeds, you must set an example to all others and abide by the Garden's rules. Understood!?" Squall just nodded surging with anger. The Faculty member then stood behind Headmaster Cid. "Well, about your first mission." Cid started looking at us and went on. "You are to go to Timber. There, you will be supporting a resistance faction. That is your mission. A member of the faction will contact you at Timber Station. This person will talk to you and say 'The forests of Timber sure have changed'. At this time, you must reply, 'But the owls are still around'. That is the password. Just follow the faction's orders." Cid finished Squall looked at all of us. "Uh. Just us 3?" He said pointing to Selphie, himself, and I.
The Garden Faculty then spoke. "Correct. We have agreed to do this mission for very little money. Normally, we would never accept such requests, but." Cid then cut him short. "Enough talk about that. Well then, Zell, you are the squad leader. Use your best judgement based on the situation. Squall and Selphie, you are to support Zell and give your all to carry out the faction's plans. Oh, and Zell, I forgot to give you this. It's a cursed item, but if one with enough power uses it, it should be of great help." Cid said as he handed me a Magical Lamp. The lamp looked like one of those lamps that genies come out of. "Best of luck on your first mission." Squall, Selphie, and I, then gave the Garden Salute and walked back into the Garden.
"Where are we going Balmb is completely in the other direction." Squall said as we walked past the training center. I turned around to Squall and Selphie. "Were going to rent a car that way we don't have to walk." I said and kept walking. We walked into the parking lot and right up to the ordering desk. There was a guy around Headmaster Cids age behind the desk. "Hi how may I help you fine young people?" "We would like to rent a Garden car." I said closing my eyes. "Okay I'll need to see your Seed identification cards." The old man said wiping dust off the desk and we handed him our cards. "Okay lets see what we got here Squall Leonhart, Selphie Tilmitt, and Zell Dincht." He nodded and handed us back our cards; I took mine and shoved it back in my wallet as did Squall and Selphie.
"Your lucky we only have one Garden car left. Here are the keys the car is to the left of the exit. I nodded and we started to walk to the car I was about to open the door to the driver's seat when Selphie came running. "I wanna drive! I wanna drive! I proceeded getting into the driver's seat and Squall got in the back. "Meannie!" Selphie screamed and got into the passenger seat. "Our next destination Balmb!" Selphie said as I started the ignition and we drove right out of Garden. We entered the town of Balmb I drove through the city and into the parking lot. We piled out of the car and started walking in the direction of the train station.
* * *
"The train to Timber is here. Please purchase a train ticket." Said one of the station's staff members. "Three please! SeeD." Screamed Selphie excitedly. "That will be 3,000 Gil." Selphie smiled and handed him a few bills. In return she received a cardkey like ticket. "Don't worry guys, this one's on me! Just remember, I get to drive the car on the way home!" I just nodded and looked back to the ticket seller while Squall choked for a while then began laughing. We entered the train and the doors closed right behind us. The train then headed for the underground tunnel. I walked over to the far side of the train and leaned against a wall. Selphie went to the door and Squall came up to me. "A transcontinental railroad, baby! It even runs through an underwater tunnel to get to Timber. Pretty cool, huh?" I stared out the train's window. "Sure is." I said as I noticed a scrolling marquee above the door Selphie was jumping in front of saying "Next stop.Timber." "Guess you're not interested. By the way, Zell...You have to use the ticket to get inside."
I took out the cardkey from my pocket and studied it. The card was platinum with little ridges on the sides and indentation marks with four numbers. .2947 must be the password. "Open up! Open!" Selphie yelled as she jumped around in front of the door. I walked up to the control panel of the door and slid it through the card slot. I entered the code on the panel and the door slid open. "Access granted." "Okay, we can go inside now." I said turning around and leaning on the wall facing my comrades. "I'm going to go check out the front!" Selphie looked to me "Tee-hee! Thanks!" Selphie said as she skipped into the new hallway. "Let's go check it out, Zell." Squall then entered the trains hallway down to the rooms with me following. Selphie was ahead, just a little across a door in the far back, leaning on a railing looking through the glass windows. She smiled as she watched the scenery go by. Squall stopped in front of another door, one a little before where Selphie had been standing, and pointed towards it with his thumb. "Yo, check it out! So this is SeeD's private cabin...!" He slowly walked through the automatic door and popped his head in. "WHOA!" His excitement didn't really compare to Selphie, who had been singing and daydreaming in her own little world. Squall continued into the cabin. "OHHH YEAHHH! AWESOME!"
I sighed and walked over to Selphie she was still looking out the glass windows. She looked to me "Hey Zell. I love trains. "Train Train Take Us Away, Take Us Away Far Away, To the Future We Will Go, Where It Leads No One Knows. Such a nice breeze..." She kept on humming until she noticed I was still there. "Oh. I'll meet you inside. I'm going to hang out here for a bit." I nodded and walked into the SeeD cabin. There were two bunk beds, two windows on the far wall, and in front a large sofa that curved form one side of the room to the other. I looked to Squall who was bouncing on the sofa. He's so childish I thought as I shook my head. "Heh-heh. This is sooo cool!" ".I'm glad you're so excited." "They even have magazines here." Squall lifted a magazine up and tossed it to me.
"It's Pet Pals volume I. Not my thing but hey, it's something to do as the time goes by." Nodding, I sat down near the left wall and flipped through the magazine skimming the articles. "This is pretty damn amazing. It pays to be a member of SeeD! Zell, y'know anything about Timber?" "Not too much." "Thought so. Well, let me fill you in. Timber used to be a country surrounded by deep forests. But 18 years ago, Galbadia invaded. Timber fell quite easily to Galbadia, so, now Timber is under Galbadian occupation. It's said there's a whole bunch of resistance factions big and small." ".And?" I said looking up from the magazine. "Nope, that's it." "........." For a while, I looked at Squall, wondering how he knew so much and so little at the same time. "...Thank you, Mr. Know-It-All-Squall." "Hey, no prob!"
The automatic door shot open and Selphie walked in. "I'm not.feeling well." She said as she slumped over to the couch and laid down curled up in a ball. I got up and looked over to Selphie on the couch. "You should get some rest if you're tired." "I'm really sleepy." Selphie scoffed and I looked over to Squall looking at her weird. "Hey...? Huh? What the...!? Somethin's wrong with me, too...I...feel...sleepy..." Squall let out a huge yawn and his head fell backwards with his eyes closed. I looked at the two for a couple more seconds. "What's going on? Ugh!? ...What is this?" I yelled as a loud ringing noise went through my head and I fell on my knees. I held my hands up to my ears unable to take it anymore I fell down on the ground falling asleep.
* * *
(Hmm...?) All around was a dense forest along with a solitary pathway. Three soldiers dressed, Galbadian, walked up to a corner of the path and looked to their maps. "Uhh, Laguna, are you sure this is the right way?" Said one of them, a dark young man carrying two special knives, to the other with long hair carrying a machine gun. They ran quickly down the pathways of tall grass, some fire craters about from previously fallen bomb drops. (...What the...!?) "ooH-boy, not again..." Said the third one, the largest of them, that carried a large spear-like anchor. (Where am I?) (Dream?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) (?) They finally stopped at a bend at a small stream. "Hey, aren't we here to fight a war? You know, against the almighty Timber army?" Roared the big one once again as he tightened his blue bandana. His name tag read Ward. Kiros, the knife wielding soldier, then stepped up and shrugged. "Yeah, so why are we wasting our time messin' with these animals?" The one with dark long hair, Laguna, scratched his head and looked around. "Well, you see...It's just that, uhh..." "Don't tell me we're lost again." Muttered Kiros as he placed his hands on his hips. Shrugging, Laguna then jumped up and started running towards a nearby army truck. "Anyway, we're going home. Deling City, here we come!" The other two just sighed, running after him, Ward obviously a bit left behind due to his size. "W-Wait! Laguna!" Laguna jumped into the drivers seat and waited as Kiros and Ward hopped in. "Alright, let's go!" Turning the truck around, Laguna then slammed on the gas forcing the truck to charge off, and in turn, giving his passengers a bumpy ride. "LAGUNA!"
The truck drove through the gates of Deling City and stopped in one of the town's square. Laguna was the first to jump out and stretched his arms. "H- Hey! You can't park in the middle of the street!" Ward said as he poked his head through the side door. "Chill man, it's cool." Laguna said looking at the surroundings. "Alright, then! How's about a drink!?" Kiros crossed his arms coming out of the truck. "Whatever! Like you drink... We already know you're not in it for the drinking. Just admit it already!" Then Ward came behind Kiros and backed him up. "Yeah, just drink some juice like a weenie. And then gawk at the piano lady." "DON'T CALL HER THE 'PIANO LADY'! That's it, forget it! I'm not going!" Laguna said as he waved his hands about. "We know you will. " Kiros said smiling very wide while ward chuckled. Laguna nodded and started dashing ahead with his friends close behind. As they ran a traffic jam was in progress with yelling, swearing, honking horns, and someone's truck in the center of the road.
The three of them stood outside the doors of the Deling City Hotel. Laguna stood in front of the two looking up and down. "This is it!" Laguna said rubbing his hands together. Ward came up behind Laguna's left ear and put his hands around his mouth. "Your big moment. You ready?" Kiros came on the other side and whispered in his other ear. "Yeah you wouldn't want to screw this up. Like you do every single time!" Ward gave Kiros a high-five while they laughed. "Guys your messing up my concentration! Lets just get inside already." Laguna said as he blushed and they all walked through the doors.
They walked right through the lobby to the stairs that led down to the bar room/dinning room. The room was very decorative with mirrors, a stage with a piano, tables, and sofas. They walked up to a soldier and saluted him. "I...aah...as of today...am assigned to the Engineer Corps. N-Nice to meet you all. What a joyous day for me! Please, everyone, don't try to stop me...I would like to propose a toast...to myself!" Then a high ranking officer walked up to them. "Listen up, soldiers. I'm Julia's private bodyguard. Better not make a pass at her." The officer looked Laguna right in the eye and walked away and he threw his arms up in the air. They walked up to the waitress washing a table. "Welcome! You're usual table is ready. What is this? "Huh?" Laguna had suddenly stopped in his tracks. The waitress just smiled and waited. "What's wrong?" Said Kiros. "Ahh...I'm not quite sure." "Wait a second..." Ward thundered putting a finger up pointing to his head. "Is your head buzzing...?" "W-What...You, too?" Laguna shrugged and looked to Ward. "Yeah, ever since we were in Timber." "Me, too..." Kiros said as he shook his head. "Hey, we're just tired, that's all. We'll be fine after a drink or two, or three..." Ward then turned to the waitress and nodded to her. "Yes, we'll take our usual table please ma'am." She nodded and escorted them to one of the circular tables in a corner area near the stage.
The stage was set up with a single grand piano in the center. They circled around the table to where they wanted to sit. "At ease, men." They all sat however, Laguna then stood up to address his squad. "We're goin' all out tonight, right boys!?" The waitress then approached holding a small notepad- like device. "May I take your order?" "The usual!" Yelled Laguna. Kiros gave a nod. "Me, too." Ward was really excited; it could be seen in his eyes. "Keep 'em coming!" The waitress then scribbled on the notepad and walked off. "So, Laguna...Julia should be making her appearance soon." Said Ward giving a slight grin. He looked over to the stage only to see a performer entering. Another woman, with short dark hair and a cream complexion, wearing a red evening gown, walked onto the stage. She was very beautiful and nearly every soldier in the room had been gawking towards her. This was especially for Laguna. She sat down at the piano and began playing the tune that made her famous. "What's she call it again?" "Don't care. I just call it Julia because it reminds me of her." "As if you don't think about her all the time anyway. So, Laguna...Julia should be making her appearance soon. You goin' for it tonight?" Kiros glared at Laguna encouragingly. "You, go for it!" "What-ever, man! Can't you see she's working?" "Don't go back on your word. C'mon, go wave to her." Said Kiros trying to push Laguna.
"Hey. Give me a break..." "So you say, but we all know you'll do it." Said Ward grinning. Kiros lit up a smile as Laguna stood up. Laguna took in a deep breath and slowly made his way towards the stage. He walked up the short three small steps and approached the piano smiling. Ah...to be this close to Julia... (Is this guy serious...?) ...Uh-oh... My leg's cramping up...! Argh... Laguna grabbed at his leg in slight pain and began limping away from the piano. He stopped and turned around, suddenly realizing how embarrassing he must have looked to Julia, to see if she had seen him. By the look of it she hadn't noticed; She simply continued to play her song. As quick as he could, Laguna once again turned around and limped as fast as he could back to his seat. (Sad.)
As Laguna reached his seat, Ward gave him a thumbs up and Kiros grinned at him. "Good work, Laguna." Kiros said chugging down his drink. "Mission successful!" Ward said as he too drunk his drink. "Here, have a seat." "I didn't think you'd actually do it. Our popularity rating's gone up a point." Ward nudged at Laguna who was still a bit pale looking. "Yeah, but you cut a pretty pitiful figure up there. I'd say you're about a -3 on the manliness scale." Kiros shot out with a chuckle. "Say what you want!" Trying to defend himself, Laguna shot forward. Giving up, he then just shook his head and sighed. "Julia sure is pretty..." He said as he stared down at his reflection in dark shiny table. "Aaa." Kiros gasped as something caught the corner of his eye. "Hunhhh." Ward said as he looked to what Kiros was looking at. "Laguna, we're takin' off." Kiros said as he and Ward got up from their seats.
"H-Hey! What's the rush?" Laguna said as he looked at the two oddly. "It's on us tonight. Relax and stay awhile, Laguna." Ward nudged his head in a certain direction and walked off with a big grin on his face. He met up with Kiros at the bar counter at the other end of the room. Laguna kept looking at his friends on the other side of the room thinking why did they leave me. "May I?" He turned around only to see her. He got up and limped over to the other side of the sofa to give her room. "Did I interrupt anything?" She asked staring into his eyes. "N-N-N-Not at all. P-Please, s- sit down." Oh man, oh man, it's really HER! What do I do!? Kiros? Ward? HELP! What do I say!? But man, she is pretty... (What's this guy thinking...?) "You ok know?" She asked as she looked at his beat red face. "Kind of." He said glancing up at her the looking back down. "How's your leg?" "L-Leg? Oh, this!? Y-Yeah, it's fine. Happens all the time when I get nervous." Ah man, she did see me!
He coughed then looked back down trying to hold back his emotions. "Were you nervous?" "Oh, yeah. I'm still kinda..." He looked to her and she gave a smile. "You can relax. You don't have to get nervous around me." "Oh, sorry." "Say...(Would you like to talk somewhere private? I have a room here...)" She said leaning forward with a whisper. Laguna nearly had a heart attack. "I-In your room!?" Julia then looked around and then turned back to Laguna. "Well... (It's pretty hard to talk freely here. Everyone's listening in.) If you'd like to, please come by. I've been wanting to talk to you. You don't want to?" "Of course I do!" "Then I'll go ahead and wait for you. Ask for my room at the front desk, ok?" Am I dreaming? (...This is a dream...This is a dream...) No, this can't be a dream! (This is too weird to be a dream...) Julia...? Wants to talk to me...? (...He talks to himself too much...) And just the two of us! Get it together Laguna (...Whatever) I always screw up by talking about myself too much. It' always been like that. But not tonight! I'm all ears for Julia! Ahh, time to use my manly charm, and help Julia with her problem. Laguna quickly stood and started to run for his friends.
On his way to getting to Kiros and Ward he was stopped by a hysterical soldier. "Today's my special day. But...Julia chose YOU! Why!? Why must it always be like this!? (hic) And why...must it be on this day of all days...!?" Laguna shrugged and turned only to bump into the Major. "Pretty bold for just a grunt...Julia this...Julia that...Yeah, I'll fix you...Send you off to war a million miles away..." Laguna just glared at the officer and continued on his way. "Can you really carry on a conversation with Julia? Make sure the conversation's sophisticated." Said Ward. "No worries, man! That's like, my specialty." Wait, don't tell me all you guys really were listening in!? "One wouldn't say you converse, though...All you do is yap-yap-yap and never listen." Grinned Kiros. He and Ward then pushed Laguna towards the stairs and started chuckling. "Get going, man!"
Laguna entered Julia's room looking down shyly. "Thanks for coming." "No...Not at all, uh...Thank you for inviting me." "Have a seat." Laguna looked around Julia's hotel room. It was pretty big, with huge window covering the back wall, small coffee table with two chairs in the back. There were two small beds each with a nightstand to the left of them against the far right wall, with two paintings of cities above them, a desk over by the door, and with the restroom area to the left. A glass chandelier from above as well as the two lamps on the nightstand nicely lighted the room itself radiating the room's over all renaissance feel. Not thinking, Laguna sat on one of her beds. He then shook his head. Awe damn, I'm being rude! He then got up and walked over to one of the chairs in the back and sat down. He found himself standing up again. Julia just watched him from the front of the room giggling at his nervousness. Argh! I can't sit still. I'll just stand. He then walked slowly up to Julia. "Going so soon? We haven't even talked yet." Shaking his head, he walked a few feet away and turned back to face her. "No, it's not that. It's just that I'm a big fan of yours, so I'm really kinda nervous, y'know?" "So that's why you come to hear me play so often." Laguna jumped to that. "You. You saw me?" He said, surprised. Getting nervous, he retreated to the back of the room and started pacing.
"You were always smiling while listening, right?" She said as Julia walked toward him. Laguna backed away a little as she got closer. "You have beautiful eyes. Though, they look a bit scared now." She then grinned "Don't worry, I'm not going to pluck'em and eat'em. I just want to talk, gazing into those eyes. Would you like a drink? Wine perhaps?" She asked pulling out a bottle of wine. "I must be dreamin'."
Time went by as Laguna told Julia about his adventures and life in the army. Julia watched, listened, and laughed as Laguna told her about how he got Ward, Kiros, and himself in loads of binds. "Yeah, I don't like fightin' too much, but you get to travel, y'know? Seeing new places n' stuff. And it's fun, 'cause Kiros and Ward are always with me. Hey, we should all go out drinkin' sometime! Whaddya say? And, uh. What was I talkin' about? Oh yeah, so I want to quit the army and become a journalist! So I can tell people 'bout all the things I've seen on my travels." (He's already loosened up.) "So, like, the other day, one of my articles made the reader's column. Pretty cool, huh? Yeah, that was way cool." Julia nodded and smiled, her eyes gazing at him. "I'm happy for you." "Oh yeah, and then." Around 15 minutes later, Laguna got a bit drowsy. Julia let him relax on one of the beds as she sat and watched him from the other. He had fallen asleep for nearly ten minutes. "I'm sorry. I didn't know wine made you sleepy. You look adorable when you're asleep." Laguna rubbed his eyes and looked to Julia. "Argh. How'd I fall asleep?" He then walked up to her feeling embarrassed. "Julia." "Yes?"
"I.I must have fallen asleep, talking on like that.Tell me about yourself. Like. your dreams for the future." She looked up into Laguna's eyes. "I.I want to sing. Not just play the piano, but sing, too." "Oh, I'd really love to hear it." Laguna said over-excitedly. "But I can't. I'm no good at writing lyrics." Laguna stood there trying to figure out something to say but wasn't able to. "Hmm. That must be tough." "But, thanks to you, I think I can come up with something." "Thanks to me.?" Laguna asked surprised as he looked down and blushed. "Yes. The many faces you've shown me, times when you were hurt, worried. Or felt pain deep inside you. Your smile, your face, your eyes." Julie then walked closer to him and taking a hold of Laguna's hand. "You've shown me something. I think I can come up with a song." "Wow. I must be dreamin'." "It's not a dream, is it?" He asked as he looked into her beautiful eyes. They stood there smiling at each other until there was a knock on the door. "Laguna! New orders! Meet by the Presidential Residence, on the double!" It was the voice of Kiros Laguna thought. "Can we meet again?" Julia asked. "Of course! I have to come hear you sing!" He said as he opened up the door and left.
* * *
"Next stop, Timber. Timber. Next stop, Timber. Timber." Selphie and Squall waited quietly looking at the ground to me. They hadn't moved me for they thought I had just fallen asleep as they did. I shook my head and pushed myself up, I seeing the two already up. "Were we. all asleep?" Squall looked upward and thought "Maybe someone released some sleeping gas? There's lots of people who resent SeeD." Squall said looking back down at me. .Maybe. Better be careful. Selphie looked at us and then to her things. "Am I missing anything? Anyone hurt?" I started looking around as did Squall. I looked back to Selphie and shrugged my shoulders. ".I don't think so." "What a relief! Everything's cool with me!" Selphie then walked over to the other side of the couch and sat down. "Hee! I had such a nice dream!" I looked up at the ceiling and thought I had a dream, too. It wasn't nice though.I then slowly walked over by the bunks and leaned against the bunk bed's ladder. I dreamt I was a moron. "We will be arriving in Timber shortly. For those getting off, please be sure you have all your belongings." The loudspeaker in the room announced and I rubbed my eyes. "But seriously, Sir Laguna was sooo cool!" Selphie said as she beamed with happiness. "Hey!" Squall leaned over and looked to Selphie. "There was a Laguna in my dream, too! He's a Galbadian soldier, right!?" Selphie nodded she suddenly giving an expression of wonder.
I raised my eyebrow and wondered what the hell was going on. "Laguna, Kiros, and Ward." I let slip from my mouth still thinking. Squall then looked at me surprised. "That's it!" "That's what." Selphie came in-between us and screamed. "There's no way we can understand this. Let's just concentrate on our first mission!" I stood there and crossed my arms and looked about then back to my comrades. .I guess you're right. We'll put this incident on hold. I'll report it to the headmaster once we get back to Garden." "We should be there soon eh?" Squall asked as he picked up his gunblade. "Here we go. Psyche yourself up, baby!" Throwing a few swings with his gunblade, he then walked out the door. Selphie then got up and dragged herself out the door. "Whew. Still sleepy." I stood there still leaning against the bunks. I was still trying to function what just happened. "." I sighed and shrugged and walked out the door following my crew.
That's the second chapter hope you like it. It'll take me a while to post the third chapter. Review and tell me what you think.
