Ok heres my one and only author's rant. I would like to explain what has happend in each chapter thus far, as I have decided to rewrite the whole damned thing and make it much better and much more believable. In other words... I now have a plot to go with my story. I honestly think you'll like it much better this way. Well anyone who happens to have read my story at all.

___Also the original chapter's Prologue through 2 are beneath this rant___

On to the explanations.....

Prologue: Dark Voices....

First off i named the chapter because each chapter will have a theme and Voices was the theme for the prologue.

This 'chapter' is highly confusing to even those who DO read lots of fiction of any variety. Hell it even confuses me and i wrote it.

Ok well here goes... It starts out with the thoughts of the person told in a slighlty detached way. Actually that's pretty much the whole thing but still... The 'figure' is a little girl who has known absolutely nothing in her life outside of total solitude and being poked by doctors with needles everyonce in a while.

The lights are always on and any 'food' she gets is usually poisoned with somesort of chemical in it that they test for reactions.

Ok so what i'm trying to say is "She's a Lab Rat that's never known anything else, not even physical contact, not really".

Now the voices... well that's actually a secret for later. But basically she learns to communicate herself through the walls to them and vice versa.

Now the whole theme of the chapter is based around the little girls' disjointed thought processes, as if she conveying them to someone else like a story. The reason things seem both more mature and more naive than most would think, is because her 'thoughts' do not take shape in human forms and words. Sights, smells, sounds, tastes are how she really thinks. Words do not exist nor do actual concepts such as time or life and death. Pain and pleasure are dimly there cause, hey experiment! So i tried to write it as best i could so that 'WE' could understand more of what was happening.

Chapter One: As the Dust Settles...

Ok this is pretty self explanitory... they defeated ultimecia and now they party. From Quistis' and Cid's point of view. Its kinda funny but i didn't give enough detail... i'm sorry. hopefully it helps to bring you into the story a bit...

Chapter 2: Lonely Dreaming...

Crossover time! While writing the chapter i decided to make this story an FF8/(surprise) x-over. With my all time most unique pairing ever seen. Quistis and... well now that would be telling, though I had a VERY hard time deciding between... well you understand.

Basically someone is trapped in Time Compression, and eventually gets out. This is probably a very painful experience, as being ripped from your own time causes great strain on both body and mind, maybe even soul.

Quistis, mad about something goes to work off some steam by the beach side. She's stopped using her GF's unless absolutely necessarry. IE 'just in case' and she never junctions any other than Shiva. (gotta love the ice babe) therefore she has become extremely strong since Ultimecia. She is probably able to fight squall full out and to a draw. (cause in the game he usually winds up the STRONGEST character you can play) that and she's got a whip (kinky...) while he has the Lionheart gunblade.... yeah.

Anyways she walks, she fights, she remebers some of her experience in time compression, and hears a scream. she investigates and.... ooooh cliffhanger! Gotta love it!

All in all I'm gonna write the story a lot differently so reading these is nothing to big anyways. See ya next time....

____ Origin's: An FF8 Fic by Kiwi. ____ Prologue: Dark Voices... ____

For as long as she could remember, she had been locked up in the tiny room by herself. Sure sometimes 'others' would appear through the darkness and poke her with many things, some of which hurt great amounts, so she knew she was not the only living thing there. But that of course did not help her any, especially when it came to understanding what it was that the 'others' wanted her to do when they made those funny noises at her. And so she lived in ignorance... or so 'they' thought.

However the little girl, for that is most definately what she was, did know things, a great many things in her opinion. She knew that the 'others' that were the same color as her room, would always poke her and cause pain. And any 'food' that was brought to her would taste good and be filling, until she grew sick and hurt even more than when she was poked. She knew that she was nothing to the 'others' and would always remain thus.

And then... she knew the voices.

She had first heard the voices as they screamed in pain... the snarls, harsh grunts and roars assailing her sensitive ears through the thick walls of her lifelong prison. She ignored them, believing the noises to be in her mind as she slept in the throes of a fevered dream.

But they were not.

Again and again the voices echoed, and after an indetermanable amount of time-- as she had no concept of 'time' yet-- she finally answered. A weak mewling-- like that of a baby tiger-- issued forth from her small and rarely used throat as she called to the voices...

and she was answered.

Time passed slowly as the voices pleaded with her, begged her, taught her, and in a way loved her as no 'other' could. And she grew, and she learned, and all the while the 'others' secretly watched... and waited. And as the 'others' observed, the voices plotted...

and with much time and patience they were finally freed.

But they could not-- would not-- leave without taking her with them. Her. Their only daughter...

____ Origins: An FF8 Fic by Kiwi__ Chapter One: As the Dust Settles...____

~~POV~~

It had been almost a year since they had been dubbed 'Heroes of the World'. A group of three SeeDs, an ex-instructor, a Galbadian SeeD cadet, and a fledgling sorcerress, the saviors of time. Hah! What a joke.

But of course the only ones laughing were none other than Fate herself and one very depressed 'Hero of the World'. How ironic that one of those who helped to save time and thus the world, was currently wishing that they'd never even lay'd eyes on Garden.

Of course, then again, it could just be the depression mixed with a shattered sense of hope and almost three bottles of wine talking at the moment. Yes, that does seem to be about right. Maybe a cold shower and a walk through the training center later would--

"Quistis! There you are!"

Crap! Rinoa and Selphie. Way too much happiness and energy for tonight. Act casual, maybe they won't realize how drunk-- and Squall will smile before that happens...

"Hello girls..." Qustis Trepe, ex-instructor of Balamb Garden and one of the 'Heroes of the World' sighed in defeat as she realized that despite being totally sloshed, she still felt... NORMAL. How utterly depressing.

"Heya Quisty! We've been looking for you all night. What are you doing out here by yourself?" Selphie Tilmitt, master of the Nunchuku, 'Hero of the World' and one of the most obliviously happy and terrifyingly violent people you will ever meet. She is a Rank 30 SeeD, one of Quistis' best friends, and was currently trying to see exactly how much caffiene she had to consume before she could litteraly bounce off the walls like a superball. It looked to be quite a bit from where Quistis was standing.

"Just thinking about the past year or so, nothing much Sefie."

"Really? 'cause according to Squall you've been out here for almost three hours." Rinoa Heartilly, also a 'Hero of the World' and a still fledgling sorcerress. She also just so happens to be Squall Leonheart's girlfriend and the only person besides Quistis at Garden with a fanclub of over thirty people. Hyne I hate those stupid Trep-- wait a minute? Did she say...?

"Three Hours?"

"Yep! And according to several other people you've probably had well over a bottle wine." Selphie trying to be serious... Hyne I'm Doomed!

"Actually I've had at least three... but I don't--"

"THREE BOTTLES!?" The little yellow SeeD shrieked loud enough to draw some attention from those close enough to hear. Namely anyone within twenty or thirty yards. IE most of the room. Did I mention that we were in the middle of a celebratory ball to commemorate Ultimecia's defeat? Because if not...

"Selphie... please... I'm not in the mood right now for whatever it is you have planned, and yes I've had about three bottles in the course of the last three hours. But on the plus side I still feel stone sober..." Quistis' face scrunched up a bit at that and then she shook her head to 'ammend' the statement she had just made. "Actually, I just realized something... I have never been drunk and that just plain sucks!"

Oh the look on their faces... if only I hadn't nearly fallen off the balcony as the Garden swerved sharply to the right, I might have laughed. Instead...

"AHHHHH!!!"

"Quistis!"

"Whoa!"

"Are you ok Quisty?" Selphie sounded kind of sheepish in that moment, but I didn't care.

"What does it LOOK like? PULL ME UP!" There I hung upside down over the edge of a Garden balcony, and my dress trying it's best to follow gravity while Selphie and Rinoa held onto my ankles. Of course nearly every Trepie-- Hyne I hate them!-- in Garden just had to be waiting in the doorway to check if everything was alright. Needless to say almost everyone knew that I wore black lace undies that night...

I know, I just KNOW that Fate is sitting up there and dieing of laughter at my expense. 'Heroes' my ass...

~~end POV~~

Later into the evening...

~~POV~~

Tonight has been rather amusing thus far. Although I do believe little Quistis would say otherwise. Poor dear, falling over the edge of the balcony like that... but if looks could kill. I would hate to be any of those young men that admire her so, especially after that.

Actually that face she made reminds me of when she first came to Garden... ah now THOSE were some interesting times. We couldn't drag her out of the Training Center unless we knocked her out, and even then she'd beat up on unsuspecting people more than monsters. *chuckle*.

"Do you find something amusing dear?" Ah, Edea, my lovely wife. You haven't really changed in years... though I suppose being possesed by an evil sorceress from the future will do that to you. Oh your getting that look again...

"Nothing really dear. I was just thinking of the first time I met Quistis here at Garden. *chuckle* Ah those were some of the more 'adventurous' days this garden had..."

"Do tell." Curious my love? But of course...

"Let me just say that... 'wild' didn't quite cover it. Although multiple explosions and attacking random people in the Training Center can come awfully close." Oh dear if you could see the expresion on your face...

"Explosions!?" Ah yes, just in time.

[*FLASH*]"Here you go headmaster. A picture of you and Mrs. Kramer to help comemerate this evening."

"Thank you Jeffery. Have a good evening..."

Uh-oh! I think it would be best if I run screaming at this moment. I know that look... I think every man knows and instinctivly fears THAT look. Maybe I can hide near Zell...

"OoH CiiD..."

From that moment on Headmaster Cid Kramer of Balamb Garden could be seen running from a highly angered Edea. Needless to say many men sympathised with their leader on this day...

____ Origins: An FF8 fic by Kiwi ____ Chapter 2: Lonely Dreaming... ____

It lay... a figure trapped in a dream once reality. Images shifted and poured like sand through fingers, running and bleeding together. A sound like millions of people screaming in horror wailed in the background, yet the figure could barely hear the noise, could barely see where it was as feet wandered, lost and alone.

Always alone...

(You are never alone.) A voice soft and sweet and yet harsh and grating at the same time.

Where am I?

(Where you are meant to be.) The voice spoke again, and this time it sounded wise and tired as well.

Why? Why am I meant to be here?

(You are here to protect the one you have sworn yourself to.)A whisper...

Who?

(You will know her once more.)A sigh...

Her?

(Yes.) An image... One of blue and gold.

Who... am I?

(You are her Knight.)And with that the figure screamed as it finally was sent to where it belonged...

****

Quistis sighed as she walked slowly along Balamb's small beach. It was well after curfew and she knew that no matter her rank she would still get in trouble for having left the Garden without permission.

She had had to get away from the party that was being held, even if it was to commemorate their group's success at defeating Ultimecia. She nearly growled remembering how nearly everyone had managed to see her dress over her head as she had nearly fallen off the balcony.

She had left shortly after and gotten changed into a pair of jeans and a red top similar to her peach one. Her usual gloves, boots and belts had completed the outfit. She had put her hair into a ponytail as well.

'Damn that Nida. Couldn't he give a warning next time before he starts to land?' She continued to walk slowly up and down the coast, muttering small and half meant death threats about the young pilot.

The moon was full and she had both her Save the Queen whip and Shiva ready to be junctioned just in case, and was thus highly unafraid as she spotted the monsters heading her way. A small group of Fastifalcon's, easily taken care of with a few well timed strikes of her whip.

Fighting here along the beach brought back some memories of how they had fought nearly every creature the world had to offer while in the pursuit of Ultimecia's defeat. Back then she had been edgy and determined, and had worn that tacky peach outfit...

Now she was slightly depressed and sometimes angry, though she could never quite figure out why. She had stayed as a SeeD and had decided to stop trying to reapply for her instructor's license. If they still thought she had lack of leadership skills after having trained several Heroes of the world, then they could keep it.

Sighing she wandered over to a piece of drift wood and sat down to stare at the waves. Thinking about Ultimecia always lead her to thinking about Time Compression, and what had happened to her there.

~~~~ There was nothing but white all around... as far as the eye could see. There seemed to be no floor or walls or... anything other than herself. In the distance she thought she heard a voice... Zell maybe?

"Don't fall into a time hole!" She had shouted hoping the others could hear her. Waiting for a response she found none, and set off to find her way home.

She had walked for hours, maybe longer as she couldn't tell how much time had passed in the white void. Still nothing. She was lost... and without anyone to guide her home.

She gave up hope then. Something she had never done before in her entire life. Weeping slightly she slid to her knees and closed her eyes in despair. It was then that things had changed...

"Why are you crying?" It was a voice soft and curious. With a gasp Quistis had opened her eyes and looked up to the face before her.

A girl, probably around sixteen or seventeen years old stood before her. She had dirty blond hair held up in a high pony tail, and wore a leather vest like shirt with short green shorts. Her eyes were green and if Quistis hadn't known better she would have thought them to have swirls where the pupil resides.

"Who are you?" She was curious now. How had she gotten here? Where was here? WHEN was here?

"I'm Rikku! Nice to meet ya'!" She seemed friendly enough. "What are you doin all the way out here?"

"I'm Quistis... and I'm lost."

From there things had rapidly progressed. They had talked a little about helping her to get home. She had been there for a week by the time they had found a way to send her home. In that time both girls had become good friends. They had fought fiends and talked and helped each other when they had gotten seriously hurt. ~~~~

After that Quistis had re-entered Time Compression, and had found her way to the beach at Matron's house. She was the first one back, and the last to awaken. According to the others she had been in a coma for a week before she had woken up.

'Though no one knows WHY I was in a coma for a week. Even Squall wasn't in a coma and he nearly died out there. I wonder, why me?' Quistis was thinking hard about all of the possibilities as to why, but soon gave that up in favor of finding out who the hell was screaming. Taking off she soon arrived at the source and gasped in surprise.

****

'Where am I? Why does it hurt so bad? What happened to me?'She groaned lightly and tried gently to move. All that had caused was a surge of intense pain to course through her body and a scream to escape her lips.

Shaky and breathing harshly she attempted to open her eyes and failed as even that hurt to much. Slowly she tried again and nearly screamed in both pain and fright as something gently brushed her arm. A voice was there... calling her gently.

Calling upon every reserve of strength she owned, she slowly let her eyes open and fall on the figure before her. Long blond hair, Blue eyes, and the most deadly whip ever made. With a gasp she whispered a single phrase and passed out as the memories over came her.

"...E canja..."