Dreamers.

Author: Naurwen

Chapter 2: SeeD Exam and Cynicism! Part 2!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters except those aforementioned in the 1st chapter and Sorceress Seraph. Ok? Ok! ^_^ (I would also like to thank Captain Pink Bunny for approving my story! Thankies!)

Tempest guessed they had all been expecting Destiny like she had been. After all, Destiny Kinneas was the best in their class, next to Tempest's best friend, Griffin Almasy. Tempest stayed silent, not uttering a single word for a long while.

"Fine. What's the mission?" Tempest asked.

Might as well do it. I don't have any real say in the matter, now do I?

"You mission is to help Esthar, Dollet, and Timber fight against the Galbadian Army, who have been acting hostile again for a reason which is currently unknown. I know that the Galbadians are outnumbered, but they have more experienced fighters. You will be stationing around Esthar, protecting the President form danger." Caine paused, "I can only assume that is why you were chosen to be leader. My associates and I believe that you will do your best for Grandfather."

"Always." Tempest said quietly. Out of all her relatives, and there weren't many, she was closest to Grandpa Laguna, despite the fact that they were polar opposites.

"Good. You will all be taking the Ragnarok, since there really is no other way to get to the city, and report straight to the [Presidential Palace]. Hyne be with you all." Although Tempest's personal dislike for Li Caine, she had to admit he was a good speaker. So, she, Pepper, and Destiny all walked outside the Garden and boarded the Ragnarok. The flight only took a few minutes, since the Ragnarok was so fast, so, when they landed, Tempest led the other two girls straight to the [Presidential Palace], where she had been many a time.

"Wow! Three girls doing something that in the old days would've been a man's job! This is totally awesome!" Destiny gushed.

"I know! Booyah for girl power!" Pepper said.

Help me! I'm surrounded! I wish Griff were here, too. Then I might be able to actually have an intelligent conversation.

"Can we please just focus on the mission? That's the important thing at hand here." Tempest said.

"Tch, fine." Pepper crossed her arms, offended. Destiny didn't give up so easily.

"Look, I know this is an Exam and all, but, c'mon, Tempest! Loosen up!" Destiny said cheerily.

"'Loosen up'? Look around! There's a war going on! We have an important task! So, you should be tightening up and focusing!" Tempest replied once they got outside the [Presidential Palace].

"Sorry. I guess you have a point." Destiny said, nudging Pepper with her elbow.

"Ow! Oh! Yeah, we're sorry!" Pepper added, rubbing her arm and glaring at Destiny.

"Ok." The three 15-year-old girls sat on the 'mobile-chair-thing' (in the words of Pepper), and let in take them to the correct corridor.

"We're the SeeDs dispatched from Balamb Garden." Tempest said to the two Estharian soldiers in front of the doors. All three girls showed them their badges and salutes before they were allowed to pass.

"You're the SeeDs they sent?" Laguna asked, happily smiling.

"Yes. I'm the Captain and my fellow group members are Destiny Kinneas and Pepper Dincht." Tempest said to her Grandfather.

"Well, this is nice!" He replied.

"Where are Kiros and Ward?" Tempest asked, looking around.

"Lunch break."

"Ah."

A loud noise came from outside the room and Tempest drew her Dog Tag Model Gunblade. Destiny drew her Pierce Rifle and Pepper put up her fists. The door got pounded down and there stood two Galbadian soldiers, fully armed.

"SeeD? You'll pay!" One on them said. Tempest ran over and brought her Dog Tag down hard, slashing him. Destiny took a shot at the other one, while Pepper took down the first with a killer punch. Tempest terminated the last one and all three girls stayed absolutely alert.

"I wonder what's making the Galbadians act up all of a sudden . . ." Pepper thought aloud.

"Yeah. The last time they started to act up was when . . ." Destiny trailed off. All three girls shouted in unison:

"A SORCERESS WAS LEADING THEM!"

~*~ Meanwhile . . . ~*~

"Ah! Yes! I feel more powerful than before!" A young girl about the age of 6 said to herself. She was lying in a room with tons of pale white curtains and fabric everywhere. She had stringy black hair and brilliant emerald eyes. She was dressed in snow white and she looked ill. There was a small pedestal in the center of the white room and there was a crystal ball sitting on it. The girl looked into it. There was an image of Tempest, Destiny, and Pepper slaying the two soldiers. "This girl . . . she has power coursing through her veins. I must be the only one with such powers!" She declared, snapping her frail fingers. 8 soldiers entered her room.

"You beckoned, my lady?" They all said together in a spooky, unnatural unison.

"Yes. You must bring me Tempest Leonhart. She has powers that I need to be strong and healthy again. Only then shall I be able to give you your dreams back." The youth said, pouting.

"Yes, Lady Seraph, as you wish." The 8 soldiers left and Sorceress Seraph went back to gazing into her crystal ball. "Soon, I will be strong and have your powers, Sorceress. Just wait. . ."

Author's Notes: I hope you liked it! ^_^ Seraph was kind of a spur of the moment character that made up to explain why the Galbadians are acting up again. Please continue reading and reviewing! Hi Kamela!