Fantasy Thunder Chapter Nine: Iota
By Blue Dragon
Iota is very beautiful. She can easily win because everyone will be busy staring at her.
"Squall" Oren put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you think that you can take me to the bridge? I would like to see you or whoever does the work fly this thing"
"I can, but I have to bring Seifer and Quistis. Something tells me Seifer won't really be all too safe down here, and Quistis is second in command."
"Okay, go ahead"
Seifer was still trying to sneak down the hallway, ignoring the suspicious glances from every present student.
"Hey, Seifer" Squall walked close.
"Follow me to the bridge. You should be semi-safe up there."
"I really don't mind that. Lead the way, puberty boy"
Squall groaned in annoyance.
"Don't call me that!"
"Yeah. I suppose you deserve a more dignified term, like Captain Puberty, or Commander Puberty"
"Cut it out or I'll throw you out."
He received no response as he led Seifer behind him to the elevator that was free of traffic due to the business down below. Quistis and Oren followed him, so he then voice-commanded the elevator to take them to the third floor. Which was the bridge.
The four stepped in, and the elevator made a smooth whirring sound as it swiftly took them to the top level.
"Follow me" Squall said, directed mostly at Seifer and Oren who had never seen the place. Squall walked up to the smaller elevator with no railing that was really just a steel platform. Squall pushed the button and the four went up to the bridge where Nida and Xu were waiting.
"Commander Leonhart!" the two said at the same time. They almost stopped in mid-sentence when their eyes fell on Seifer.
"Not again!" he said, putting his gloved hand to his head.
"Listen, you guys can kill him later, I swear. But right now we really need him alive!" Squall elaborated. Quistis gave a disapproving shake of her head.
"Commander--" Nida started.
"Just pilot for now" he cut him off.
"Fine. Where do we go"?
The commander opened his mouth halfway and then looked to Oren.
"Where do we go exactly?"
"Just tell him to move forward, that I'll create a passageway I like to call 'the blue light'"
Something clicked in his head.
"What happened to Rinoa when she was acting strange?"
"What do you mean?"
"She was in a coma-like state talking about a blue light!"
"Oh! That. I apologize, that's my fault. I was attempting to seize temporary control of some living thing close to you in terms of distance while I was still in orbit. I was aiming for Nida or Irvine, but it hit Rinoa instead. And that usually has a negative effect on females, which is why she seemed strange. I apologize for that."
"That's okay. Nida, just head forward along the open"
Nida complied and the ship began to move forward along the side of the cliff that sported three waterfalls near Alexandria. As he moved forward, a portal of blue much bigger than the garden began to open and enlarge in the empty space. Soon the grass held a blue glow and blew as if by a strong breeze as the garden unwillingly began moving faster and faster.
"We're going too fast!" Squall noted as he began grabbing the railing to maintain footing.
"No kidding!" Seifer added.
"It isn't Nida. The portal has a gravitational pull so that the object going inside can achieve maximum velocity for the jump!" Oren began to yell over the humming noise of crackling electricity that was rapidly getting louder.
"I WILL MAKE A FORMAL EXPLANATION TO GARDEN ONCE AN FOR ALL, SQUALL!" those were the last words said on Gaia.
WHOOOSH!
The garden slammed into the portal causing a spark of blue electricity, causing whomever resided in the whole city of Alexandria just a few miles west to momentarily shake.
***
Kiros, Laguna, Ward, and half of the army of Esthar stood a few hundred yards west of the Esthar Garden, a newly built one that Laguna requested due to claims of strange voices in his head telling him to.
Ward turned to Laguna, his speech visible through his eyes. Kiros and Laguna, due to years with their friend could easily interpret what he was trying to say, and would imagine his voice in their heads.
Laguna, could you tell me again why you had this built?
"I told you!" he started.
"A voice in my head, female, said 'Is that him?' Then a male voice said 'That's him all right. Mr. Loire, can you hear us?'. After that, they explained to me with eerie detail how they would arrive in a few months and need the garden built."
Half of Esthar thinks you're crazy because of this.
"That's why I called the half of the Esthar soldiers that didn't"
There was a silence between the three men.
"That makes an eerie kind of sense," Kiros said.
"Well, the voice said they were coming soon, so just sit tight"
Laguna, when no one comes and everyone sees how loony you've really become, will that make you want to forget this whole thing? Maybe we can use the empty garden to consolidate Balamb, Galbadia, and Trabia? The large man continued.
"You guys won't be disappointed, just you wait!"
Laguna's friends grew inpatient, and then from nowhere Balamb Garden streaked across the grass for about five hundred yards, leaving a trail of fire and stopping just a few meters from colliding with Esthar garden.
Sounds of awe echoed through the fields, and Laguna cockily looked at Kiros and Ward. Of course, there were too busy staring with gaping mouths and wide eyes.
***
At first, the students of Balamb Garden had been worried that they had been dragged to some other corner of the universe. But, when they saw that they were back on their own turf, cheers and shouts echoed among the students and around the garden. Squall was only happy that the shaky landing hadn't only led to more chaos.
"Where's the PA system?" Oren asked regaining his footing.
Squall pointed to a speaker attached to a coil in front of Nida. Oren picked it up and began an announcement.
"People of Balamb Garden, and friends. I believe I owe you all an explanation"
The cheers and shouts turned into groans as the students expected bad news.
"We are here and gathered with people from other corners of the universe. You have seen this travel in action, and it has been used to gather them. We are going to join forces with these others so that we can rid the universe of a force that is convinced that it is theirs. They came from a planet far away, and are called Zatach. There are only twenty-four of them, with six wounded. But, we are no match if primary members of this team to do not undergo rigorous training that will start tomorrow. In the meantime, we will all be moved to a much bigger garden."
Murmurs of doubt were heard below deck.
"Squall, do you mind?"
Squall took the intercom.
"This is your commander speaking. He's right. Prepare for the move to Esthar Garden. Pack all necessary items and move. I know that this is a sudden request, but it is also a necessary one. Everyone prepare for departure."
In a few seconds the murmurs of doubt turned to the patter of feet struggling to get ready for the move.
After a few seconds, Squall, Xu, Nida, and Quistis remembered that they also had their belongings waiting to be packed. They moved down the elevator quickly, leaving Seifer and Oren alone on the bridge.
Seifer leaned on the bridge and looked at the only person left with them.
"So, uh, what will you be teaching us?"
Oren looked like he hadn't expected the question and leaned back, the blue glow in his eyes seeming to flicker.
"Nothing special. Increased strength, speed, energy harnesses, maybe to fly"
"Fly!"
"Yeah. It's actually pretty great. But I'm worried that humans aren't capable of it. I needed particularly strong ones, so I needed you all alive. I even helped Cloud and Tifa back at a dock by moving their boat a little so they would save time. Alpha was coming in fast and I didn't know if they would have survived if they weren't so close to Cosmo Canyon at the time. Had I left the boat floating, Alpha would have caught them in the middle of the sea and undoubtedly killed them."
"That's another thing. Why are they named after the Greek alphabet?" Seifer asked.
"Don't ask me. They're probably code names or something. They must find it attractive."
"Oh. I don't mean to pry or bug, but could you tell me a bit about Jessica?"
". . . o you want to know?"
"Uh, anything. I kinda. . .
"Oh! Say no more. I get you. She was pretty young, about eleven or twelve when I found her. She was unconscious in an abandoned space pod after our planet exploded. Many more Zatach probably still roam the galaxy somewhere, but I only know of Jessica, myself, and those baboons we still have to fight. Anyway, she was happy because she thought that I was her brother when I took her to my clunky ship. I told her I wasn't, but she didn't believe me. She thought I was playing a mean joke. She said that he had become a warrior a long time ago, practically at childhood, and had been codenamed Omega. However, I soon felt his power well up inside me and was found by Pyros and his team. They said I had his power because I killed him. I told them I didn't know how he died but they really weren't interested in listening to me. They went in search of a new planet, hoping to repopulate it as a new Zatach home world, clearing out any and all other species. They stumbled on a universe with four planets, yours. It took them five years to actually reach there in their ship, so they did that and pursued me at the same time. I fought them off with Omega's power, but it's been dwindling faster and faster over those five years, and will soon be gone. Jessica realized the truth soon. It really impacted her. She tries to hide it but she's still sad that she doesn't know where he is, or even how he died. Other than that she's okay to get along with and doesn't give up easily. I'm pretty sure that that wound she had is healed by now. The Zatach heal pretty fast."
Seifer nodded his head.
"Well I'm glad."
He peeked over the railing at the ground and noticed that people were starting to move.
"Whoa! They're packed already! I have to hurry!"
Seifer was about run down the elevator, but Oren stopped him.
"I have a better idea," He said. He grabbed Seifer, and jumped down towards the ground, stopping and hovering just a few feet over the grass of Esthar. He then put him down.
"Thanks." He jogged over to Zidane and fell in step where he thought he wouldn't be given funny looks.
***
Headmaster Cid paced around the fountain in the middle of the Esthar Garden that had to be at least four times larger than Galbadia. He gave one more admirable look around the currently empty garden.
There were twelve amazing floors, each with a hall in the middle circular around with clear blue floors and light purple railing like the essence of Esthar itself. In various places the garden logo that resembled a yin-yang could be seen. Tiny streams that strayed away from the large fountain of clear blue trailed along the bottom floor held in place by the various top- of-the-line gravity stabilizers. One of Esthar's many accomplishments was a hidden device used to move liquids through pipes at odd angles.
On each floor there were four doors leading to the many facilities located at the north, south, east, and west. In the middle of the first floor was an astounding cluster of eight clear blue elevators clumped together in transparent vertically placed tubes. Floor one held the stairs for manual movement.
Floors two and three held a new feature, air deployment. Ever since the sorceress war, it was considered that students also be trained as pilots. The floors held bays for the deployment of Kasatka helicopters, KA-50s through 60s; planes like AV models, F-2s through 22s, a few of the ACTIVE F- 15s, A-10s, TU-37 and 95 bombers, C-17 and 130 transport planes, SU-37s and SU-35's, about five MIGs, MIRs, F/A models, and finally three impressive X models. This made up most of the second floor.
The third floor consisted of anti personnel weapons including the Stinger SAMs, Galbadian weapons such as the SAM08Gs, GIM52As, the GIM47Ns, some BGH251F2's, three X-ATM092's, and other standard weapons such as AA guns, howitzers, and flak guns.
Floors four and five consisted of the dormitories. Boys were always on the left, and girls on the right. It would be enough for every resident to have their own nice room.
Floors six and seven consisted of the dining facilities. An excellent supply of hot dogs and see-through blue floor for floor eight for easy monitoring of the whole cafeteria.
Floor eight was a training area. There was of course the area where monsters were set loose, except now you could choose from a desert area, a snowy area, a jungle area, or a field area with air conditioning to control the weather.
Floor nine was the infirmary, close to the training area. It was now a much bigger hospital ready to hold many.
Floor ten was the large library, plenty of seats and enough books to make a librarian faint, not to mention the new instant messaging system as well as the internet.
Floor eleven held the quad, and also parking vehicles that were shuttled to the bottom floor. In the south were the giant classrooms for all of the learning.
Finally, on floor twelve was the grand and amazing bridge, and of course AWACS in the event that any aircraft were deployed.
In all it could easily have held the populations from all three gardens and any large group of people that wanted to visit.
Cid sat on a bench next to his wife.
"I don't know why the president did this. It must have cost millions of gil. And because of a voice in his head! I think it's a wonder that Esthar completed this in only a few months, Edea."
"You should be flattered, they asked you to be the headmaster" Edea said with a smile o her face.
"Hah. You're only happy because they wanted you to be headmistress."
"Well, I'm sure that with a garden as big as this there will be plenty of available jobs for command."
Cid took another look at the large garden.
"You bet."
***
"I can't believe this!" Regent Cid stumbled through the crowd going to Esthar Garden.
"I thought we would go home, but I find myself on some far planet!?"
Not paying attention, Cid bumped into a student.
"Hey, watch it!"
"Terribly sorry"
The man looked around, hoping to find his daughter amidst the large crowd.
***
The Esthar soldiers looked about ready to race into position and to keep the newcomers from entering, but President Loire immediately told them to stand down.
Kiros looked at his friend.
"Hey, if Commander Leonhart is among them then you can tell him about you're 'secret'"
Laguna's face became pale at the thought of what he would soon have to do.
"That can wait, right?"
Kiros and Ward shook their heads.
***
Squall led the crowd towards the new garden that they had heard so much about. As they came closer, there were gasps at the sheer size. Everyone was reminded of Galbadia garden, except this one was shades of dark and light purple, and many times bigger.
Everyone stopped at the large double doors. Squall went up too it, they seemed automatic. There were symbols that signified it was airtight when closed and only operational when the ship was grounded. Oren landed next to him from the sky.
"Laguna told me this would be voice activated . . .
"You talked to Laguna?" Squall looked to him expecting an explanation.
"I'll tell you about it later. Touch the pad."
There was a glowing blue pad about half the size of a mouse pad that Squall touched.
"Verify name." The emotionless female computer voice said.
"Squall Leonhart, commander"
"Voice and name recognized. Squall Leonhart, registered commander; twelve registrations pending."
Squall looked at Oren.
"I think it wants you to assign positions"
"That guy is right. Assign pilot"
The two stared at the computer. Who had taught it to say that?
"Nida Remington, pilot."
"Assign second in command"
"Quistis Trepe, second in command"
"Assign captain"
"Uh, Xu Volcina, captain"
"Assign food distributor"
"This is getting ridiculous.how about Zell Dincht?"
"Assign event producer"
"Ooh!" There was a squeal and Selphie pushed her way to the front.
"Selphie Tilmitt! Selphie Tilmitt!" she yelled.
"Denied. The only recognized voice is of Squall. Try again, cowgirl" the computer once again shocked everyone.
She gave Squall a pleading look.
"Selphie Tilmitt" he said.
"Assign head librarian"
"I don't know! How about Valerie Smith?"
"Assign weapons instructor"
"Dreda Thomson"
"Assign computer maintenance director.heh heh"
Oren looked at Squall.
"Did the computer just laugh?"
"Oren Murasaki"
"Whoa! I don't know anything about computers!"
"Assign janitorial director. Make this someone you hate"
Seifer came up to Squall by the door.
"Everyone wants to know what the holdup is puberty boy"
"Seifer Almasy"
"Hey! What did you just do?"
"He made you janitorial director, bub"
"Did that computer just call me bub? And WHAT!? What did I do!"
"Assign battle director"
"Uobuo Nematsu"
"Assign head medical doctor"
"Virginia Kadowaki"
"Assign disciplinary committee director"
"Seifer Almasy" Seifer said in a voice that sounded like Squalls.
"It will never accept that. It isn't that dumb. Besides, you can't have two jobs" Squall said smartly.
"Just for that, I will register Seifer Almasy as the head of discipline, and you can be both commander and head janitor," the computer said finally, opening the doors.
"AHHH! Not fair!"
"You had it coming for making me janitor"
The crowd pushed in, and all murmuring came to a hush as they saw the beautiful twelve-foot garden complete with everything. First there was silence, and then chaos as everyone rushed to the elevators and up the stairs to get first pick on dorms.
"I guess we have a lot of work to do. . . muttered Squall looking on as everyone rushed to explore the brand-new garden. There was an impressed look on his face, though, when he saw Cid and Edea Kramer sitting at the center bench.
***
Kiros Ward and Laguna stood at the front of the garden as the last people rushed in. He heard a rumble, as the pilots were already ready to take off.
"Whoa! They're F-15 ACTIVEs in here! I can't wait to fly one of these!"
They smiled to each other as they heard the impressed students and others make comments.
Laguna had dismissed the soldiers to regain positions in the city and that he would be gone for a while.
"Lets check it out!" Laguna pushed his friends in.
"Laguna! We shouldn't be in here! They're taking off any minute!"
Ward's expressions mirrored Kiros' words.
"Don't worry guys!"
The doors automatically slammed shut.
"Heh heh, suckers!"
Laguna, Kiros, and Ward exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"Did that computer just laugh at us, or are the years getting to me?" Laguna asked his friends. In a blast, the ship lifted off and was soon at fifteen thousand feet.
Kiros and Ward narrowed their eyes and stared at the guy to whom they wondered why they hadn't thrown out of the presidential palace years ago.
"Laguna, Laguna, despite your middle-age, your duties as a president, both helped by your talent for chaos, you have trapped us in another wonderful mess for the three hundred and fifty-seventh time. Why oh why do you torment us so?"
"You've been keeping coun--"
"ANSWER ME!!"
"Uh, we can have fun!"
Ward started choking Laguna.
"Help! Kiros help!"
"Ward violence is not the answer. Our ancestors built Esthar on grounds of kindness, and love, and--oh hell, die Laguna!"
Kiros aided Ward in ridding the world of the black-haired menace.
***
Nida's eyes were wide as he enjoyed his new pilots seat in the middle of a large dome shaped room where he could clearly see where he was flying.
It was so much better! He had a seat, places for food and drink, and space! Oh the space! He even had a cool hat and badge; it was all he could ever want. And, get this, an autopilot! That's right! AUTOPILOT! Everything he had imagined in the greatness of one cockpit was here. Nothing could ruin his day.
Squall sat down in the commander's chair in the large purple and blue dome shaped bridge. A massive improvement. He grabbed his own personalized intercom system speaker.
"Hello, garden. Well, you are all probably acquainted. I have received word that our first trip is to Trabia Garden to consolidate students. Meal times are posted, and the cafeteria officials have taken positions. There is a large supply of hot dogs and everyone can eat as many as they can"
"WHHOOOEEEE!"
"YAAAAHOOOO!"
"OHHH YEAH!"
"BOOOYA BABY!"
"HOT DOGGLES!"
"HYNE HAS BLESSED US ALL!"
Even on the bridge the shouts of students could be heard.
"The training facility has new things to offer. There is now a pool in the dorm area. Classes are as documented. Keep in mind; however, this is still a military academy and NOT a playground, so remember your duties. You are free to do whatever you wish for today, no curfew until twelve a.m. today. Keep in mind you will resume your normal schedule tomorrow. You may also have seen visitors in garden, treat them with respect, for they and others will undergo necessary training. Lastly, we have discovered a local radio network that is NOT to be used as means of entertainment but indeed an educational network hosted by Quistis Trepe every six 'o clock a.m. Monday through Saturday. That is all"
It was a general announcement in the new gigantic garden. But in fact there were many more complications that would have to be solved if this place was going to be livable and orderly. Squalls only worry was that people would be too busy having fun. Not that that was bad, it was just that this was a military academy that needed soldiers, not fun loving teenagers. Those could be found anywhere.
Nida picked up the intercom.
"Students of garden we are now at thirty-one thousand feet and climbing. I am your pilot, Nida! Everyone knows me, so we'll skip the boring stuff. Please keep your heads and appendages in the vehicle at all times. Our estimated arrival time is three thirty-four p.m. in the afternoon tomorrow. Consolidation with Trabia and Galbadia will begin shortly. And save some hot dogs for me!"
Everyone on the bridge gave Nida a look. The announcements weren't supposed to be unofficial, but he had a talent for informal ones.
***
Tidus walked with Yuna by his side along the perimeter of the gigantic lower floor of garden. He had never seen one, but being in one like this had been quite an experience. He sat on the bench with her and took in the scenery of just that one area.
"This place is gigantic! Maybe I should become a student here!"
Irvine took a seat next to him.
"Sorry, but enrollment is only open to those guys five to thirteen"
"Shucks"
"We already know each other, but for more formal terms, my name is Irvine Kinneas" he extended a hand that Tidus took with a smile.
"Tidus" he said.
"And who's the lovely lady?"
"Yuna" she recited her name through blushing cheeks.
"No last names?"
Tidus gave him a sideways look.
"Last names? Why would you want two names?"
"Uh, never mind. I guess where you're from must be a little different. What exactly did you do that was so great?"
Tidus ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, its actually kind of a long story. . . did you do?"
"Its probably a long story too" Irvine shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I hear this guy wants to bring back Ultimecia. I still don't understand why. He's asking for trouble"
"I don't know who that is, but Seymour I know is bad news" Yuna said from next to Tidus.
"He brought chaos to Spira. We had to kill him four times" Tidus added in.
Irvine gave a long whistle.
"We only had to kill Ultimecia once, but what sucks is she was from the future. Our purpose is never really served, because she is only born again later on"
"You have it tough too, huh? Why are you talking to us?" Tidus suddenly wondered aloud.
"Oh! That Murasaki guy said that we should 'intermingle' and 'integrate' and communicate and stuff like that. Don't ask me. But its actually been nice talking to you" he stood up and tipped his hat.
"I'll see you all again sometime I hope, I have a place to be"
Both Yuna and Tidus stood and waved goodbye.
"Perhaps we should 'intermingle', too. If we have to work with people we're not comfortable around, then the task may be difficult"
Tidus nodded his head, slightly understanding.
***
Headmaster Cid had heard about the other three Cids, and wanted to talk to them. He noticed that they were all examining the planes on floor two.
He walked to them and tried a formal introduction.
"Hello, I am the headmaster of this garden, Cid. I thought it would be nice to talk to all of you, seeing as you were fellow Cids."
The Regent gave a chuckle.
"To get into the 'club' you have to be an aviator of some sort. I build ships that can run on mist"
"I used to make ships for Shinra, then kept them for myself"
"And I'm the technical captain of one of machina"
"Well, I didn't do anything like that, but I am quite knowledgeable of them, and commandeered the mobile Balamb Garden for a while. I come to you because Nida requested some co-pilots. I think that we would fit the job perfectly"
Cid Highwind spoke up.
"Don't you find it strange that all four of us have two things in common from across space? This must be a calling or something."
The headmaster nodded.
"Yes, I think so too. But since I have found you, would it be alright if we went to the bridge and made our formal requests as pilots?"
Various characters from around garden noticed various members from the groups of Cids as they made their way to the bridge.
***
Oren lay back in the bed of his room. Of course a Zatach didn't need to sleep, but rest was still good.
This situation may not be hopeless. We just consolidate, train a bit, revive a few allies be the transition into the farplane seems simple, but I don't know how we could be interfered with. And my power is dwindling. Right now this whole garden wouldn't be enough for the power of Eta. Half the world couldn't fight Theta. I don't even know if Iota is unbeatable or not.
Oren stood bolt upright in bed.
"I will begin to train them as we make to trip to Trabia!"
________________________________________________________________________
AN: It's about time, eh? They've made it into Esthar garden, and now the real stuff will begin. Bringing back allies and even enemies, harnessing new strengths, not even knowing when enemies will attack them. After nine chapters, this storing begins to heat up. A burning that I will try not to halt until the end.
By Blue Dragon
Iota is very beautiful. She can easily win because everyone will be busy staring at her.
"Squall" Oren put a hand on his shoulder. "Do you think that you can take me to the bridge? I would like to see you or whoever does the work fly this thing"
"I can, but I have to bring Seifer and Quistis. Something tells me Seifer won't really be all too safe down here, and Quistis is second in command."
"Okay, go ahead"
Seifer was still trying to sneak down the hallway, ignoring the suspicious glances from every present student.
"Hey, Seifer" Squall walked close.
"Follow me to the bridge. You should be semi-safe up there."
"I really don't mind that. Lead the way, puberty boy"
Squall groaned in annoyance.
"Don't call me that!"
"Yeah. I suppose you deserve a more dignified term, like Captain Puberty, or Commander Puberty"
"Cut it out or I'll throw you out."
He received no response as he led Seifer behind him to the elevator that was free of traffic due to the business down below. Quistis and Oren followed him, so he then voice-commanded the elevator to take them to the third floor. Which was the bridge.
The four stepped in, and the elevator made a smooth whirring sound as it swiftly took them to the top level.
"Follow me" Squall said, directed mostly at Seifer and Oren who had never seen the place. Squall walked up to the smaller elevator with no railing that was really just a steel platform. Squall pushed the button and the four went up to the bridge where Nida and Xu were waiting.
"Commander Leonhart!" the two said at the same time. They almost stopped in mid-sentence when their eyes fell on Seifer.
"Not again!" he said, putting his gloved hand to his head.
"Listen, you guys can kill him later, I swear. But right now we really need him alive!" Squall elaborated. Quistis gave a disapproving shake of her head.
"Commander--" Nida started.
"Just pilot for now" he cut him off.
"Fine. Where do we go"?
The commander opened his mouth halfway and then looked to Oren.
"Where do we go exactly?"
"Just tell him to move forward, that I'll create a passageway I like to call 'the blue light'"
Something clicked in his head.
"What happened to Rinoa when she was acting strange?"
"What do you mean?"
"She was in a coma-like state talking about a blue light!"
"Oh! That. I apologize, that's my fault. I was attempting to seize temporary control of some living thing close to you in terms of distance while I was still in orbit. I was aiming for Nida or Irvine, but it hit Rinoa instead. And that usually has a negative effect on females, which is why she seemed strange. I apologize for that."
"That's okay. Nida, just head forward along the open"
Nida complied and the ship began to move forward along the side of the cliff that sported three waterfalls near Alexandria. As he moved forward, a portal of blue much bigger than the garden began to open and enlarge in the empty space. Soon the grass held a blue glow and blew as if by a strong breeze as the garden unwillingly began moving faster and faster.
"We're going too fast!" Squall noted as he began grabbing the railing to maintain footing.
"No kidding!" Seifer added.
"It isn't Nida. The portal has a gravitational pull so that the object going inside can achieve maximum velocity for the jump!" Oren began to yell over the humming noise of crackling electricity that was rapidly getting louder.
"I WILL MAKE A FORMAL EXPLANATION TO GARDEN ONCE AN FOR ALL, SQUALL!" those were the last words said on Gaia.
WHOOOSH!
The garden slammed into the portal causing a spark of blue electricity, causing whomever resided in the whole city of Alexandria just a few miles west to momentarily shake.
***
Kiros, Laguna, Ward, and half of the army of Esthar stood a few hundred yards west of the Esthar Garden, a newly built one that Laguna requested due to claims of strange voices in his head telling him to.
Ward turned to Laguna, his speech visible through his eyes. Kiros and Laguna, due to years with their friend could easily interpret what he was trying to say, and would imagine his voice in their heads.
Laguna, could you tell me again why you had this built?
"I told you!" he started.
"A voice in my head, female, said 'Is that him?' Then a male voice said 'That's him all right. Mr. Loire, can you hear us?'. After that, they explained to me with eerie detail how they would arrive in a few months and need the garden built."
Half of Esthar thinks you're crazy because of this.
"That's why I called the half of the Esthar soldiers that didn't"
There was a silence between the three men.
"That makes an eerie kind of sense," Kiros said.
"Well, the voice said they were coming soon, so just sit tight"
Laguna, when no one comes and everyone sees how loony you've really become, will that make you want to forget this whole thing? Maybe we can use the empty garden to consolidate Balamb, Galbadia, and Trabia? The large man continued.
"You guys won't be disappointed, just you wait!"
Laguna's friends grew inpatient, and then from nowhere Balamb Garden streaked across the grass for about five hundred yards, leaving a trail of fire and stopping just a few meters from colliding with Esthar garden.
Sounds of awe echoed through the fields, and Laguna cockily looked at Kiros and Ward. Of course, there were too busy staring with gaping mouths and wide eyes.
***
At first, the students of Balamb Garden had been worried that they had been dragged to some other corner of the universe. But, when they saw that they were back on their own turf, cheers and shouts echoed among the students and around the garden. Squall was only happy that the shaky landing hadn't only led to more chaos.
"Where's the PA system?" Oren asked regaining his footing.
Squall pointed to a speaker attached to a coil in front of Nida. Oren picked it up and began an announcement.
"People of Balamb Garden, and friends. I believe I owe you all an explanation"
The cheers and shouts turned into groans as the students expected bad news.
"We are here and gathered with people from other corners of the universe. You have seen this travel in action, and it has been used to gather them. We are going to join forces with these others so that we can rid the universe of a force that is convinced that it is theirs. They came from a planet far away, and are called Zatach. There are only twenty-four of them, with six wounded. But, we are no match if primary members of this team to do not undergo rigorous training that will start tomorrow. In the meantime, we will all be moved to a much bigger garden."
Murmurs of doubt were heard below deck.
"Squall, do you mind?"
Squall took the intercom.
"This is your commander speaking. He's right. Prepare for the move to Esthar Garden. Pack all necessary items and move. I know that this is a sudden request, but it is also a necessary one. Everyone prepare for departure."
In a few seconds the murmurs of doubt turned to the patter of feet struggling to get ready for the move.
After a few seconds, Squall, Xu, Nida, and Quistis remembered that they also had their belongings waiting to be packed. They moved down the elevator quickly, leaving Seifer and Oren alone on the bridge.
Seifer leaned on the bridge and looked at the only person left with them.
"So, uh, what will you be teaching us?"
Oren looked like he hadn't expected the question and leaned back, the blue glow in his eyes seeming to flicker.
"Nothing special. Increased strength, speed, energy harnesses, maybe to fly"
"Fly!"
"Yeah. It's actually pretty great. But I'm worried that humans aren't capable of it. I needed particularly strong ones, so I needed you all alive. I even helped Cloud and Tifa back at a dock by moving their boat a little so they would save time. Alpha was coming in fast and I didn't know if they would have survived if they weren't so close to Cosmo Canyon at the time. Had I left the boat floating, Alpha would have caught them in the middle of the sea and undoubtedly killed them."
"That's another thing. Why are they named after the Greek alphabet?" Seifer asked.
"Don't ask me. They're probably code names or something. They must find it attractive."
"Oh. I don't mean to pry or bug, but could you tell me a bit about Jessica?"
". . . o you want to know?"
"Uh, anything. I kinda. . .
"Oh! Say no more. I get you. She was pretty young, about eleven or twelve when I found her. She was unconscious in an abandoned space pod after our planet exploded. Many more Zatach probably still roam the galaxy somewhere, but I only know of Jessica, myself, and those baboons we still have to fight. Anyway, she was happy because she thought that I was her brother when I took her to my clunky ship. I told her I wasn't, but she didn't believe me. She thought I was playing a mean joke. She said that he had become a warrior a long time ago, practically at childhood, and had been codenamed Omega. However, I soon felt his power well up inside me and was found by Pyros and his team. They said I had his power because I killed him. I told them I didn't know how he died but they really weren't interested in listening to me. They went in search of a new planet, hoping to repopulate it as a new Zatach home world, clearing out any and all other species. They stumbled on a universe with four planets, yours. It took them five years to actually reach there in their ship, so they did that and pursued me at the same time. I fought them off with Omega's power, but it's been dwindling faster and faster over those five years, and will soon be gone. Jessica realized the truth soon. It really impacted her. She tries to hide it but she's still sad that she doesn't know where he is, or even how he died. Other than that she's okay to get along with and doesn't give up easily. I'm pretty sure that that wound she had is healed by now. The Zatach heal pretty fast."
Seifer nodded his head.
"Well I'm glad."
He peeked over the railing at the ground and noticed that people were starting to move.
"Whoa! They're packed already! I have to hurry!"
Seifer was about run down the elevator, but Oren stopped him.
"I have a better idea," He said. He grabbed Seifer, and jumped down towards the ground, stopping and hovering just a few feet over the grass of Esthar. He then put him down.
"Thanks." He jogged over to Zidane and fell in step where he thought he wouldn't be given funny looks.
***
Headmaster Cid paced around the fountain in the middle of the Esthar Garden that had to be at least four times larger than Galbadia. He gave one more admirable look around the currently empty garden.
There were twelve amazing floors, each with a hall in the middle circular around with clear blue floors and light purple railing like the essence of Esthar itself. In various places the garden logo that resembled a yin-yang could be seen. Tiny streams that strayed away from the large fountain of clear blue trailed along the bottom floor held in place by the various top- of-the-line gravity stabilizers. One of Esthar's many accomplishments was a hidden device used to move liquids through pipes at odd angles.
On each floor there were four doors leading to the many facilities located at the north, south, east, and west. In the middle of the first floor was an astounding cluster of eight clear blue elevators clumped together in transparent vertically placed tubes. Floor one held the stairs for manual movement.
Floors two and three held a new feature, air deployment. Ever since the sorceress war, it was considered that students also be trained as pilots. The floors held bays for the deployment of Kasatka helicopters, KA-50s through 60s; planes like AV models, F-2s through 22s, a few of the ACTIVE F- 15s, A-10s, TU-37 and 95 bombers, C-17 and 130 transport planes, SU-37s and SU-35's, about five MIGs, MIRs, F/A models, and finally three impressive X models. This made up most of the second floor.
The third floor consisted of anti personnel weapons including the Stinger SAMs, Galbadian weapons such as the SAM08Gs, GIM52As, the GIM47Ns, some BGH251F2's, three X-ATM092's, and other standard weapons such as AA guns, howitzers, and flak guns.
Floors four and five consisted of the dormitories. Boys were always on the left, and girls on the right. It would be enough for every resident to have their own nice room.
Floors six and seven consisted of the dining facilities. An excellent supply of hot dogs and see-through blue floor for floor eight for easy monitoring of the whole cafeteria.
Floor eight was a training area. There was of course the area where monsters were set loose, except now you could choose from a desert area, a snowy area, a jungle area, or a field area with air conditioning to control the weather.
Floor nine was the infirmary, close to the training area. It was now a much bigger hospital ready to hold many.
Floor ten was the large library, plenty of seats and enough books to make a librarian faint, not to mention the new instant messaging system as well as the internet.
Floor eleven held the quad, and also parking vehicles that were shuttled to the bottom floor. In the south were the giant classrooms for all of the learning.
Finally, on floor twelve was the grand and amazing bridge, and of course AWACS in the event that any aircraft were deployed.
In all it could easily have held the populations from all three gardens and any large group of people that wanted to visit.
Cid sat on a bench next to his wife.
"I don't know why the president did this. It must have cost millions of gil. And because of a voice in his head! I think it's a wonder that Esthar completed this in only a few months, Edea."
"You should be flattered, they asked you to be the headmaster" Edea said with a smile o her face.
"Hah. You're only happy because they wanted you to be headmistress."
"Well, I'm sure that with a garden as big as this there will be plenty of available jobs for command."
Cid took another look at the large garden.
"You bet."
***
"I can't believe this!" Regent Cid stumbled through the crowd going to Esthar Garden.
"I thought we would go home, but I find myself on some far planet!?"
Not paying attention, Cid bumped into a student.
"Hey, watch it!"
"Terribly sorry"
The man looked around, hoping to find his daughter amidst the large crowd.
***
The Esthar soldiers looked about ready to race into position and to keep the newcomers from entering, but President Loire immediately told them to stand down.
Kiros looked at his friend.
"Hey, if Commander Leonhart is among them then you can tell him about you're 'secret'"
Laguna's face became pale at the thought of what he would soon have to do.
"That can wait, right?"
Kiros and Ward shook their heads.
***
Squall led the crowd towards the new garden that they had heard so much about. As they came closer, there were gasps at the sheer size. Everyone was reminded of Galbadia garden, except this one was shades of dark and light purple, and many times bigger.
Everyone stopped at the large double doors. Squall went up too it, they seemed automatic. There were symbols that signified it was airtight when closed and only operational when the ship was grounded. Oren landed next to him from the sky.
"Laguna told me this would be voice activated . . .
"You talked to Laguna?" Squall looked to him expecting an explanation.
"I'll tell you about it later. Touch the pad."
There was a glowing blue pad about half the size of a mouse pad that Squall touched.
"Verify name." The emotionless female computer voice said.
"Squall Leonhart, commander"
"Voice and name recognized. Squall Leonhart, registered commander; twelve registrations pending."
Squall looked at Oren.
"I think it wants you to assign positions"
"That guy is right. Assign pilot"
The two stared at the computer. Who had taught it to say that?
"Nida Remington, pilot."
"Assign second in command"
"Quistis Trepe, second in command"
"Assign captain"
"Uh, Xu Volcina, captain"
"Assign food distributor"
"This is getting ridiculous.how about Zell Dincht?"
"Assign event producer"
"Ooh!" There was a squeal and Selphie pushed her way to the front.
"Selphie Tilmitt! Selphie Tilmitt!" she yelled.
"Denied. The only recognized voice is of Squall. Try again, cowgirl" the computer once again shocked everyone.
She gave Squall a pleading look.
"Selphie Tilmitt" he said.
"Assign head librarian"
"I don't know! How about Valerie Smith?"
"Assign weapons instructor"
"Dreda Thomson"
"Assign computer maintenance director.heh heh"
Oren looked at Squall.
"Did the computer just laugh?"
"Oren Murasaki"
"Whoa! I don't know anything about computers!"
"Assign janitorial director. Make this someone you hate"
Seifer came up to Squall by the door.
"Everyone wants to know what the holdup is puberty boy"
"Seifer Almasy"
"Hey! What did you just do?"
"He made you janitorial director, bub"
"Did that computer just call me bub? And WHAT!? What did I do!"
"Assign battle director"
"Uobuo Nematsu"
"Assign head medical doctor"
"Virginia Kadowaki"
"Assign disciplinary committee director"
"Seifer Almasy" Seifer said in a voice that sounded like Squalls.
"It will never accept that. It isn't that dumb. Besides, you can't have two jobs" Squall said smartly.
"Just for that, I will register Seifer Almasy as the head of discipline, and you can be both commander and head janitor," the computer said finally, opening the doors.
"AHHH! Not fair!"
"You had it coming for making me janitor"
The crowd pushed in, and all murmuring came to a hush as they saw the beautiful twelve-foot garden complete with everything. First there was silence, and then chaos as everyone rushed to the elevators and up the stairs to get first pick on dorms.
"I guess we have a lot of work to do. . . muttered Squall looking on as everyone rushed to explore the brand-new garden. There was an impressed look on his face, though, when he saw Cid and Edea Kramer sitting at the center bench.
***
Kiros Ward and Laguna stood at the front of the garden as the last people rushed in. He heard a rumble, as the pilots were already ready to take off.
"Whoa! They're F-15 ACTIVEs in here! I can't wait to fly one of these!"
They smiled to each other as they heard the impressed students and others make comments.
Laguna had dismissed the soldiers to regain positions in the city and that he would be gone for a while.
"Lets check it out!" Laguna pushed his friends in.
"Laguna! We shouldn't be in here! They're taking off any minute!"
Ward's expressions mirrored Kiros' words.
"Don't worry guys!"
The doors automatically slammed shut.
"Heh heh, suckers!"
Laguna, Kiros, and Ward exchanged wide-eyed looks.
"Did that computer just laugh at us, or are the years getting to me?" Laguna asked his friends. In a blast, the ship lifted off and was soon at fifteen thousand feet.
Kiros and Ward narrowed their eyes and stared at the guy to whom they wondered why they hadn't thrown out of the presidential palace years ago.
"Laguna, Laguna, despite your middle-age, your duties as a president, both helped by your talent for chaos, you have trapped us in another wonderful mess for the three hundred and fifty-seventh time. Why oh why do you torment us so?"
"You've been keeping coun--"
"ANSWER ME!!"
"Uh, we can have fun!"
Ward started choking Laguna.
"Help! Kiros help!"
"Ward violence is not the answer. Our ancestors built Esthar on grounds of kindness, and love, and--oh hell, die Laguna!"
Kiros aided Ward in ridding the world of the black-haired menace.
***
Nida's eyes were wide as he enjoyed his new pilots seat in the middle of a large dome shaped room where he could clearly see where he was flying.
It was so much better! He had a seat, places for food and drink, and space! Oh the space! He even had a cool hat and badge; it was all he could ever want. And, get this, an autopilot! That's right! AUTOPILOT! Everything he had imagined in the greatness of one cockpit was here. Nothing could ruin his day.
Squall sat down in the commander's chair in the large purple and blue dome shaped bridge. A massive improvement. He grabbed his own personalized intercom system speaker.
"Hello, garden. Well, you are all probably acquainted. I have received word that our first trip is to Trabia Garden to consolidate students. Meal times are posted, and the cafeteria officials have taken positions. There is a large supply of hot dogs and everyone can eat as many as they can"
"WHHOOOEEEE!"
"YAAAAHOOOO!"
"OHHH YEAH!"
"BOOOYA BABY!"
"HOT DOGGLES!"
"HYNE HAS BLESSED US ALL!"
Even on the bridge the shouts of students could be heard.
"The training facility has new things to offer. There is now a pool in the dorm area. Classes are as documented. Keep in mind; however, this is still a military academy and NOT a playground, so remember your duties. You are free to do whatever you wish for today, no curfew until twelve a.m. today. Keep in mind you will resume your normal schedule tomorrow. You may also have seen visitors in garden, treat them with respect, for they and others will undergo necessary training. Lastly, we have discovered a local radio network that is NOT to be used as means of entertainment but indeed an educational network hosted by Quistis Trepe every six 'o clock a.m. Monday through Saturday. That is all"
It was a general announcement in the new gigantic garden. But in fact there were many more complications that would have to be solved if this place was going to be livable and orderly. Squalls only worry was that people would be too busy having fun. Not that that was bad, it was just that this was a military academy that needed soldiers, not fun loving teenagers. Those could be found anywhere.
Nida picked up the intercom.
"Students of garden we are now at thirty-one thousand feet and climbing. I am your pilot, Nida! Everyone knows me, so we'll skip the boring stuff. Please keep your heads and appendages in the vehicle at all times. Our estimated arrival time is three thirty-four p.m. in the afternoon tomorrow. Consolidation with Trabia and Galbadia will begin shortly. And save some hot dogs for me!"
Everyone on the bridge gave Nida a look. The announcements weren't supposed to be unofficial, but he had a talent for informal ones.
***
Tidus walked with Yuna by his side along the perimeter of the gigantic lower floor of garden. He had never seen one, but being in one like this had been quite an experience. He sat on the bench with her and took in the scenery of just that one area.
"This place is gigantic! Maybe I should become a student here!"
Irvine took a seat next to him.
"Sorry, but enrollment is only open to those guys five to thirteen"
"Shucks"
"We already know each other, but for more formal terms, my name is Irvine Kinneas" he extended a hand that Tidus took with a smile.
"Tidus" he said.
"And who's the lovely lady?"
"Yuna" she recited her name through blushing cheeks.
"No last names?"
Tidus gave him a sideways look.
"Last names? Why would you want two names?"
"Uh, never mind. I guess where you're from must be a little different. What exactly did you do that was so great?"
Tidus ran a hand through his hair.
"Well, its actually kind of a long story. . . did you do?"
"Its probably a long story too" Irvine shifted uncomfortably in his seat.
"I hear this guy wants to bring back Ultimecia. I still don't understand why. He's asking for trouble"
"I don't know who that is, but Seymour I know is bad news" Yuna said from next to Tidus.
"He brought chaos to Spira. We had to kill him four times" Tidus added in.
Irvine gave a long whistle.
"We only had to kill Ultimecia once, but what sucks is she was from the future. Our purpose is never really served, because she is only born again later on"
"You have it tough too, huh? Why are you talking to us?" Tidus suddenly wondered aloud.
"Oh! That Murasaki guy said that we should 'intermingle' and 'integrate' and communicate and stuff like that. Don't ask me. But its actually been nice talking to you" he stood up and tipped his hat.
"I'll see you all again sometime I hope, I have a place to be"
Both Yuna and Tidus stood and waved goodbye.
"Perhaps we should 'intermingle', too. If we have to work with people we're not comfortable around, then the task may be difficult"
Tidus nodded his head, slightly understanding.
***
Headmaster Cid had heard about the other three Cids, and wanted to talk to them. He noticed that they were all examining the planes on floor two.
He walked to them and tried a formal introduction.
"Hello, I am the headmaster of this garden, Cid. I thought it would be nice to talk to all of you, seeing as you were fellow Cids."
The Regent gave a chuckle.
"To get into the 'club' you have to be an aviator of some sort. I build ships that can run on mist"
"I used to make ships for Shinra, then kept them for myself"
"And I'm the technical captain of one of machina"
"Well, I didn't do anything like that, but I am quite knowledgeable of them, and commandeered the mobile Balamb Garden for a while. I come to you because Nida requested some co-pilots. I think that we would fit the job perfectly"
Cid Highwind spoke up.
"Don't you find it strange that all four of us have two things in common from across space? This must be a calling or something."
The headmaster nodded.
"Yes, I think so too. But since I have found you, would it be alright if we went to the bridge and made our formal requests as pilots?"
Various characters from around garden noticed various members from the groups of Cids as they made their way to the bridge.
***
Oren lay back in the bed of his room. Of course a Zatach didn't need to sleep, but rest was still good.
This situation may not be hopeless. We just consolidate, train a bit, revive a few allies be the transition into the farplane seems simple, but I don't know how we could be interfered with. And my power is dwindling. Right now this whole garden wouldn't be enough for the power of Eta. Half the world couldn't fight Theta. I don't even know if Iota is unbeatable or not.
Oren stood bolt upright in bed.
"I will begin to train them as we make to trip to Trabia!"
________________________________________________________________________
AN: It's about time, eh? They've made it into Esthar garden, and now the real stuff will begin. Bringing back allies and even enemies, harnessing new strengths, not even knowing when enemies will attack them. After nine chapters, this storing begins to heat up. A burning that I will try not to halt until the end.