"So, it vork or no?" the old, Asian man asked eagerly in a thick German accent from the screen, his frame shifting from side to side as he rocked with impatience.
"Not quite," Squall replied as he stood with his arms crossed his chest, "I was barely able to deflect the Apocalypse, let alone apprehend Rinoa. Your invention needs fine tuning, Odine."
"Bah! Complain too much," the little man replied as he jumped in the air, "Ze Guardian Grid vorks perfectly! You mizhandle it!"
"Whatever," Squall said as he turned his back on the screen, "We don't need inventions that are going to crap out on us every time we try to use them."
"Vat!" Odine grumbled, "I have right mind to come zere and hit you hard acroz ze head! Stupid child, you know nozing!"
Selphie ran toward the screen and knelt to it, smiling at the doctor in the screen. "Hi, Dr. Odine!" she exclaimed cheerily as she waved to the man.
"Ah, Zelphie," Odine said with more calm in his voice, "Pleaze tell zat boy zat he should rezpect his elderz. It iz not polite to..."
"Your invention kind of blows, doc," Selphie said suddenly, cutting Odine off completely.
"You vretched girl!" Odine cried.
"But it's true!" Selphie exclaimed, "It left Squall totally tired after he used it. Junctioning GF's may have erased our memory but it never made us want to take a five hour nap!"
"Hmph," Odine replied as he folded his arms over his small torso, "Exhaustion, eh?" The little man paced on and off the screen until finally stopped off-screen and grunted. "I have decided! Come to Esthar and bring me ze invention! I vill fix it," remarked, accentuating the word fix by holding his fingers up as quotes.
"Thanks, doc!" Selphie said and winked at the man.
Odine grumbled and the visual feed was rendered to white static.
Selphie stood erect from the screen and turned to see Squall making his way out of the bridge. "Squall, we're going to Esthar! Is that okay?"
"Sure..." Squall called as he walked toward the entrance to the bridge, the door sliding open, "Maybe Odine will finally get it right," and with that, Squall left the bridge, the door sliding close behind him.
Selphie sighed and placed her arms behind her head, walking toward the pilot's seat where Zell sat, as he flew the airship through the white, billowing clouds. "Guess where we're going?" Selphie asked as she jumped into a seat beside Zell.
"I know already," Zell replied as he looked out at the clouds, "I could hear the argument." The young man flipped a switch, causing a beep to sound and the ship seemed to shift its propulsion in some way.
"But do you know why," Selphie asked coyly.
"Yeah, because..." but Zell looked at Selphie a bit more carefully, his blond locks falling across his eyes. "...Selphie."
"Maybe I can get Sir Laguna and Squall to talk!" Selphie exclaimed, "They've been at each other's throats for a long time. I figure if you and I can take care of the Guardian Grid, Squall can just happen to meet Laguna while we're away!"
"Selphie, that is...the most half-baked plan I have ever heard of," Zell sighed as he shook his head, "Besides, even if Laguna had time to meet with Squall, do you think Squall would really give him the time of day?"
"Zell, it's been two years," Selphie protested, "They've gotta talk eventually! They're family!"
"Family or no," Zell replied as he turned his gaze back toward the billowing clouds, "I can understand where Squall is coming from. I like Laguna a lot, but what he put Squall through was pretty shitty, you know?"
"But still..." Selphie said, "Don't you think he should do it anyway? He's his father..."
"It's up to Squall, Selph," Zell stated with a sort of finality, "Whether or not he wants to do it is not up to you or to me."
Selphie pouted, her arms crossing over her yellow shirt. "Well, I'm Squall's friend, practically family," Selphie said with a sudden sunshine in her voice, "And since that's the case..."
"You're not gonna listen to a word I said, right?" Zell groaned.
"Right!" Selphie said with a fist pumped straight in the air, her left leg kicked upward, and her face beaming with delight.
Zell sighed and could only listen as Selphie ran out of the bridge, humming a happy little tune.
* * *
Squall looked up from the floor of the elevator as the dual doors opened in front of him. Sighing, he walked out of the elevator and down the long corridor until he reached a room where a couple of Moomba ran behind a bar, purring contently as they juggled shot glasses with care in their massive paws. They noticed the brooding man walking near them and chanted the name that Squall probably despised the most.
"Laguna! Laguna!" they shrieked excitedly.
Squall shook his head, sitting down at the bar and placing his arms on the counter. "Hildo Rum, now," Squall said to one of the Moomba who immediately nodded and ran toward a gathering of bottles and began mixing liquids. The other Moomba continued to chant the name "Laguna" as it used a rag and wiped down the far end of the counter.
"Shut up, already," Squall grumbled as he watched the Moomba slide the shot glass down in front of him.
"You shut up, Squall," a voice answered, startling Squall.
Squall looked up from the glass to find Trader, an unusually tall shumi, walking down the stairs that led to three beds.
"Hey, Trader," Squall replied quietly, "What're you doing?"
"The usual, kiddo," Trader said, "Makin' gil the best way I can." Trader looked over at the Moomba duo that had grown silent after Squall's words, "I see your knack for hurting Moomba feelings is as sharp as ever," Trader observed sarcastically.
"...Sorry," Squall said, "It's just they keep calling me Laguna."
"And you know full well why," Trader replied as he walked behind the bar, his crimson red robes scraping softly with the metallic floor of the area, "That man's blood is also your own."
Squall sighed as he took a quick swig of his rum. "Don't remind me," Squall replied grimly.
Trader looked at Squall with concern as he grabbed a bottle filled with clear liquid. "Something else is bothering you?" the shumi asked as he poured himself a drink.
"Oh, no," Squall answered sarcastically as he took another swig of his drink, "It's just that I've been pursuing my ex around the world for Hyne only knows how long and she keeps escaping. Other than that, my life's fine."
"Well, things could be worse," Trader remarked, "You could still be dating her." With a laugh he brought his glass to his lips.
"I know," Squall answered as he stood up from the seat, "Don't remind me."
* * *
It had been three years since the Ultimecia Conflict, widely referred to as the Second Sorceress War, ended with the defeat of the sorceress from beyond time. Many people had testified to the fact that, at some point that day, time seemed to slow down as events and motions seemed to blend together until it stopped altogether. Many worried civilians believed it was the coming of the Lunar Cry that would blanket the world in a wave of monsters. Others believed that it was an Esthar weapon intended to dominate all nations. Still others believed that the world was coming to an end and that the these happenings were the fabled "life flashing before your eyes" that so many people claimed had occurred when they were about to die or something to that effect.
Of course, many were relieved when President Laguna Loire of Esthar, a man that no one outside of Esthar even knew existed save for those that knew him personally, announced over a worldwide, radio broadcast, the second of its kind in 17 years, that the events that had taken place and how Garden and SeeD were responsible for the world's safety.
That was three years ago.
Since then, many aspects of what once was normal had changed drastically. With not so much as a notice, Rinoa Heartilly, the world's most powerful sorceress who aided in the defeat of the Sorceress Ultimecia of the future, disappeared one day three months ago after an incident that caused much uproar and had many people calling for her arrest. Shortly thereafter, Squall Leonhart, former leader of Balamb Garden, along with his colleagues Zell Dincht and Selphie Tilmitt whom also aided in the battle against Ultimecia, left on a journey to find and apprehend the fleeing woman.
Word across much of Garden implied that Leonhart and Heartilly had a spat that strained their relationship and with her recent crimes, their relationship was deemed all but totally destroyed. Dincht and Tilmitt, worried about their friend, decided to join not only to apprehend Heartilly, but to also support Leonhart in whatever way possible.
Rumor has it that this trio is considered a vigilante group and thus has no connection to Balamb Garden in any way.
* * *
"...Anyway, I just wanted to let you know," Selphie said excitedly as she talked into an earpiece, "We're gonna be moseying right into Esthar and I thought you should be there waiting."
"Well, I don't know, Selphie," a man's voice said on the other end, "Does he really want to talk to me?"
"Of course!" Selphie exclaimed as she jumped in the air with excitement, her pigtails jumping with her, "He may not act like it, Sir Laguna, but he really needs your support, especially now."
"Well, I thought that that airship was all that I should have done," Laguna replied more as an afterthought, "I figured if he needed my help he would ask."
"Wow, you really don't know your own son," Selphie said as she leaned against a red metallic wall, "Squall doesn't ask for help even if he really needs it, which is why I'm doing it for him. So will you?"
Laguna was silent for a long time. "Well, since you were able to hack into my private line I guess I have no choice but to say..."
"Yes!!" Selphie exclaimed as she pushed away from the wall and began rocking excitedly in her place, "We'll see you soon!" With a smile, Selphie took the earpiece off of her head and began to run upstairs toward the bridge elevator. "Ooh!" Selphie giggled, "I can't wait to see the look on their faces!"
"What are you so happy about?" Squall asked as he watched Selphie ascend the final few stairs. His tattooed arms were folded across his chest.
Selphie gasped and smiled, placing her gloved hands over her face to keep her bright grin from showing. Her emerald green eyes flashed mischievously as she stared at her friend quietly.
Squall scoffed an annoyed, "Whatever," rolling his eyes. "Come on, Zell said he's found something 'awesome'."
"What?" Selphie asked.
"I don't know," Squall said with a shrug as he lead the way to the elevator, "That's what I want to find out."
Selphie nodded and followed Squall into the elevator, secretly looking up at the young man and smiling with glee.
* * *
As the elevator door to the bridge opened, Zell turned to face Squall and then Selphie as they emerged from behind the doors. "You're not gonna believe this," Zell exclaimed, "I've just found something really awesome!"
"What is it?" Squall asked as he stopped behind Zell, leaning against the seat.
"Yeah, what?" Selphie asked as she jumped beside Zell into a chair next to him.
"It's a draw point," Zell said, "An actual draw point down in Centra where the Crystal Pillar excavation ruins lay."
"Ooh!" Selphie exclaimed excitedly, "For real? This isn't some kind of fluke, is it?"
"Not likely," Zell replied, "This baby is pretty accurate and it says it's down there...a real, live draw point."
"Draw points are a rarity these days..." Squall mused to himself, his dark brown hair falling over his eyes, "Do you know what type of magic it is?"
"Can't say," Zell said as he typed in a series of keystrokes and a transparent visual feed appeared in front of him, "But whatever it is it's pretty powerful. It might be worth something."
"Field trip?" Selphie asked Squall, her smile even wider than before as she placed her thumbs under either of her brown overall straps.
Squall looked out at the billowing clouds as they parted to reveal the craterous continent of Centra far below. "Sure, why not?" Squall asked as he turned and made his way toward the elevator, "I'm in no hurry to get to Esthar anyway."
"Finally, some action!" Selphie said as she stretched her skinny arms, "I need something to take my mind off of all this boredom!"
"Next stop, Centra!" Zell called as he turned his head toward the clouds and began steering the ship toward the earth.
* * *
The ship they had been traveling in for the last three months was a sleeker, more versatile model of the original Ragnarok, outfitted with special features that far surpassed the original model tenfold. Granted, it was not yet space worthy, but it was more than capable of outperforming its predecessor while in the skies of the planet. It was known as RK-1476-002, affectionately known as Ragnarok Redux by it creators.
Officially, it was a gift from the Esthar government to Balamb Garden for "Exemplary conduct during a crisis situation," i.e. the Lunar Cry incident that literally terrorized the sheltered Esthar citizens when it occurred. SeeD was there to "pick up the pieces and help Esthar recover from the devastating invasion of monsters." Of course, everyone on the inside knew the real truth: that the ship was more or less an "I'm sorry" attempt from President Loire to his son for all of the...misfortunes that had plagued him. Obviously, this gesture served to only further the gap between father and son, Squall refusing to even set foot on the ship and Laguna virtually MIA after the fact.
However, that was five months before Rinoa became a fugitive. Now, Squall found himself inside the ship that he never thought he would ride. He had always thought that he wouldn't give Laguna the peace of mind in using what was basically a bribe to pacify him. But times change and people change. And as Squall emerged from the platform that had lowered from the bowels of the black airship, resting snugly into the soft soil of the Centra terrain, the young man realized that his view of the world was gradually changing as well.
* * *
"So, where to?" Selphie asked as she walked beside Zell.
Zell stood clad in a crimson hooded jacket that matched his equally red boots, hanging just past the rear of his black, numerously pocketed jeans. Under this jacket was a dark blue muscle T-shirt that showed off his impressive build and was tucked under a belt adorned with various zippered pouches that carried numerous supplies. As he turned to acknowledge the approaching woman, his long blond hair whipped in the cold wind as his short ponytail, tied with a crimson band, remained tucked securely under his jacket.
"Just up ahead," Zell replied as looked at the young woman, "I'm kinda excited myself!"
"You betcha!" Selphie said as she charged ahead then stopped in front of Zell, "This is just the thing we need after that whole mess back in Dollet. Draw magic here we come!"
Squall walked along the grassy knoll that the Redux had landed upon, following the path on which Zell and Selphie stood. "Let's get going," Squall said, his gunblade softly clinking against the belt buckles that held it.
Selphie and Zell smiled at each other and followed suit as the young man lead the way toward the ruins that lay inside a forested valley. Esthar had neglected to clear out much of their excavation equipment after the Crystal Pillar was discovered and what remained of the site after seventeen years lay in derelict, a far cry from the efficient facility that Squall and the others had remembered from Ellone's visions of the past.
"Jeez, what a dump," Zell remarked as the trio began to walk deeper in the valley, the scenery changing from natural flora and fauna to rusted metal and rickety catwalks, "Esthar sure has no qualms about leaving their trash behind."
"Must've been too much hassle to dismantle it all," Squall mused as they walked under an overpass catwalk, wires once brimming with electrical currents now hung lifelessly in their faded plastic hues of red and green, "They got the big prize so nothing else mattered."
"Say that again?" Zell said as the trio stopped at the edge of a catwalk, a ladder leading down into the depths of the ground. The group looked on at the familiar multicolored crystals, jagged in shape, jutting from the dark bedrock. The crystals looked new as if they had only recently grown from the ground like crops from tilled soil.
"What the...?" Selphie said, "These aren't just remains, are they?"
"No," Squall replied and began to walk toward the ladder and mounted it carefully, "Let's go."
Descending slowly, the trio made their way into what once was a cavern inside the Crystal Pillar. Now, it was a simple cave where light from the afternoon sun streamed into its otherwise darkened surroundings. Fragments of the Crystal Pillar lay strewn across the ground as the main crystals formed a vein that only went deeper into the ground.
"Let's see here..." Zell commented as he whipped out a silver device and began making slow button presses on its luminescent surface. The device beeped and Zell began scanning his eyes over the visual feed that was being processed for him. "The draw point should be due east," Zell replied finally as he looked up from the device.
"Yeah, umm, one problem," Selphie replied as she pointed to a wall, "How're we gonna get there?"
Zell sighed and, placing a hand on Selphie's shoulder, turned her around to face a path that led southwest. "We take an alternate route and make our way to it," Zell explained, "We'll be there in no time."
"Good," Selphie replied, "Cause this place is already creeping me out."
Squall turned away from the wall and began to walk toward the dark corridor, his two companions following behind. For a long time, the trio walked in silence, taking note of the cavernous area in which they were walking, the clinking of their shoes on the rusted catwalk echoing strangely in the almost claustrophobic space.
Selphie yawned and placed her arms behind her head. But something caught her ear and she turned, her head. "Is that...water?" Selphie asked.
"Seems like it," Squall said as they began descending a deteriorated set of stairs, "I ccan hear a waterfall."
"And that's exactly where we should be," Zell said as he looked at the silver device once again, "The scanner senses a large body near the draw point."
As Zell finished his statement, the three people had entered into a room that was seemingly untouched by the ravages of time. The metal conduits that lined the rocky cavern walls were intact and gleaming brilliantly with the reflection of the spring below. The catwalk, lined with various wires, was stable almost as if it was recently built over the shallow pool of clear water.
"There," Squall pointed down into the water which was frothing with the crashing waves of the fall. Bubbles of various colors lifted from the bottom of the spring, suggesting that the draw point was where he spotted it.
"Great!" Selphie exclaimed, "I got this!"
Zell sighed as he tucked away the silver device. "Ten minutes and no monster encounters at all. What a drag," the young man said as he leaned against the guardrail of the catwalk. He watched as Selphie jumped over the railing and onto a bottom rock, leaping from each rock that led closer to the draw point that shared space with the falls.
"We should only be so lucky," Squall replied as he watched Selphie, "I'm really on edge about this place."
"Why? These are just ruins," Zell said, "Nothing but your normal, run-of-the-mill monsters lurking around the corners."
"Well, if these are supposed to be ruins," Squall said as he waved his hand casually around to indicate his reference to the room they were in, "Then there's something going on."
"You worry too much, Squall," Zell said, "This place was probably used to temper metals back in the day. Hyne only knows what type of alloys Esthar uses for construction and what it may have done to this area."
"Hmm..." Squall replied quietly.
* * *
Selphie grunted as she landed on the final stone, her arms flailing in the air so she would not fall into the water. Sighing, she looked around the falls and almost instantly sensed the draw point, the magic humming quietly in her mind. Unraveling her nunchaku, she held them out in front of her and smiled.
"Come to mama!" Selphie said with glee and with a bit of concentration, she focused long enough for the magic to bond with her subconscious mind. But she stood there...and waited...and waited...and waited.
Finally, opening her eyes, she looked around, not noticing the brief flash of color that always occurred after she drew magic from a prime source. She did not even her the "whoosh" noise that always accompanied a draw. Furthermore, she didn't feel different in the slightest bit.
"Guys!" Selphie called loudly over the falls, "We've got a problem!"
"What is it?" Squall called back, his face already holding an expression of impatience.
"I can't draw it!" Selphie pouted, "I can't draw the magic."
"Dammit..." Squall grumbled, "Odine and his damn inventions. We were much better off junctioning GFs." Sighing, he looked over at Selphie and replied, "Well, get back here. We'll come back later."
Selphie nodded and began to turn her back on the point until she saw a distinct glimmer under the waves of the water where she was concentrating. Turning back around, she cocked her head and looked at the glimmer that disappeared and reappeared with the constant rippling of the waves.
"Selphie!" Squall called, "What are you doing?"
"Hold on a sec!" Selphie called as she crouched down toward the water, placing her nunchaku beside her feet. Yes, there was definitely something down there! She smiled and, determined to get whatever the heck it was, began to reach her arm into the cold spring water.
"Selphie!" Squall called again.
"Hold. On!" Selphie cried as she fished her hand in the water, her tongue protruding from her mouth slightly as she tried reach the object that was underwater.
"Selphie, move it now!" Zell cried.
Selphie groaned and took her arm out of the water. "Guys..." she said impatiently as she turned around, but instead of seeing her two friends on the distant catwalk, she was greeted to the bulky visage of an emerging blue dragon as it trudged through the spring.
"Yeowch!" Selphie said as her eyes widened with fear. Even though the dragon was of only medium size it was still very capable of mauling the young woman to death without much effort. Of course, Selphie knew this, even as she reached carefully for her nunchaku, watching as the dragon watched her pick them up, a thick rope of saliva drooling from its jagged mouth. It almost seemed to lick its scaly lips at the prospect of eating this young woman alive, grunting with heavy breaths as it stood only yards away from her.
"Selphie!" Squall cried as he was unsheathing his shield, "Try to get away! I'm gonna use Thunder Spawn!"
Selphie studied the dragon, watching its stationary form, and realized that there was no escape. As much as she wanted to move she knew she had to remain still unless the dragon would become irritated with her scurrying about. "Uh, Squall? How about I stay her for a little bit?" Selphie asked, "I don't think this dragon's gonna let me go!"
The dragon seemed to agree with a sharp roar that echoed above the crashing falls of the spring. Selphie chuckled lightly, finding the dragon's response to be oddly coincidental.
"Squall, change now!" Zell said, "Do it before..."
"No!" Squall said as he lifted the sword to his head, "I'm not gonna let it end like this, Zell! I can't!"
Selphie looked at Squall, watching as the young man began his ritualistic movements to summon the Thunder Spawn form of Quezacotl onto his person. But she knew that it would be too little, too late. He just took too damn long. She was doomed. She was screwed. She was...
"Wait!" Selphie exclaimed to herself. She could still feel the ethereal emanations of whatever the hell was underwater. Turning her head slowly away from the dragon, she realized that it was only a few feet away from her: a simple drop into water to claim it. She knew it was a long shot, but if she use anything to buy Squall time, maybe there was a chance. Turning her head back toward the dragon, she smiled and blew the grotesque monstrosity a loving kiss, winking as she did. Then taking a big step back, she dropped back first into the spring, her body becoming completely submerged in the water.
Zell and Squall looked over at the commotion, noticing that Selphie was no longer visible. Squall had lost his concentration for a moment until Zell barked at him to get it together and the young man did, his form beginning to glow very slowly. Yet he was still unable to focus, his fear for Selphie's safety overriding his need to summon the powers of Qezacotl.
"Squall, what the hell are you doing?" Zell cried, "Do it, already!"
"I...can't!" Squall yelled angrily.
Suddenly, another deafening roar echoed across the cavern walls, only this roar sounded different, almost a sickly gurgling tinge to it. As they looked over at the dragon they were horrified to find a massive shard of ice lodged in the dragon's torso, dark blood trickling from around the foreign object as the dragon attempted to make its way toward the falls, only to fall face first into the springs, a massive splash of water.
As the mist from the water subsided, Squall could clearly see a visage behind the mist. When it cleared, he gasped.
It was a short woman, scantily clad in white, silken garments that partially covered her breasts and crotch. Her arms, glowing with a remarkably blue hue, were bare save for numerous charms and bracelets that adorned her tiny wrists. Her hair was a mix of dark brown, blond, and blue strand all flowing freely across her face and leading down past her backside. And her face...her face.
"Hey, guys!" Selphie's voice called from the woman's mouth, a hand raised and waving excitedly.
Zell looked at the woman, his eyes widened with confusion. "S-Shiva?" Zell asked.
"Kinda," the woman said as she placed her arms behind her head, much in the manner of Selphie, "Just call me Ice Queen!"
Zell and Squall looked at each other, Squall mouthing the words "Ice Queen?" to his friend that looked back at him with a blank stare.
"Ice Queen" only giggled happily, the nunchaku that was strapped to her hip clinging softly amidst the crashing falls of the spring.
"Not quite," Squall replied as he stood with his arms crossed his chest, "I was barely able to deflect the Apocalypse, let alone apprehend Rinoa. Your invention needs fine tuning, Odine."
"Bah! Complain too much," the little man replied as he jumped in the air, "Ze Guardian Grid vorks perfectly! You mizhandle it!"
"Whatever," Squall said as he turned his back on the screen, "We don't need inventions that are going to crap out on us every time we try to use them."
"Vat!" Odine grumbled, "I have right mind to come zere and hit you hard acroz ze head! Stupid child, you know nozing!"
Selphie ran toward the screen and knelt to it, smiling at the doctor in the screen. "Hi, Dr. Odine!" she exclaimed cheerily as she waved to the man.
"Ah, Zelphie," Odine said with more calm in his voice, "Pleaze tell zat boy zat he should rezpect his elderz. It iz not polite to..."
"Your invention kind of blows, doc," Selphie said suddenly, cutting Odine off completely.
"You vretched girl!" Odine cried.
"But it's true!" Selphie exclaimed, "It left Squall totally tired after he used it. Junctioning GF's may have erased our memory but it never made us want to take a five hour nap!"
"Hmph," Odine replied as he folded his arms over his small torso, "Exhaustion, eh?" The little man paced on and off the screen until finally stopped off-screen and grunted. "I have decided! Come to Esthar and bring me ze invention! I vill fix it," remarked, accentuating the word fix by holding his fingers up as quotes.
"Thanks, doc!" Selphie said and winked at the man.
Odine grumbled and the visual feed was rendered to white static.
Selphie stood erect from the screen and turned to see Squall making his way out of the bridge. "Squall, we're going to Esthar! Is that okay?"
"Sure..." Squall called as he walked toward the entrance to the bridge, the door sliding open, "Maybe Odine will finally get it right," and with that, Squall left the bridge, the door sliding close behind him.
Selphie sighed and placed her arms behind her head, walking toward the pilot's seat where Zell sat, as he flew the airship through the white, billowing clouds. "Guess where we're going?" Selphie asked as she jumped into a seat beside Zell.
"I know already," Zell replied as he looked out at the clouds, "I could hear the argument." The young man flipped a switch, causing a beep to sound and the ship seemed to shift its propulsion in some way.
"But do you know why," Selphie asked coyly.
"Yeah, because..." but Zell looked at Selphie a bit more carefully, his blond locks falling across his eyes. "...Selphie."
"Maybe I can get Sir Laguna and Squall to talk!" Selphie exclaimed, "They've been at each other's throats for a long time. I figure if you and I can take care of the Guardian Grid, Squall can just happen to meet Laguna while we're away!"
"Selphie, that is...the most half-baked plan I have ever heard of," Zell sighed as he shook his head, "Besides, even if Laguna had time to meet with Squall, do you think Squall would really give him the time of day?"
"Zell, it's been two years," Selphie protested, "They've gotta talk eventually! They're family!"
"Family or no," Zell replied as he turned his gaze back toward the billowing clouds, "I can understand where Squall is coming from. I like Laguna a lot, but what he put Squall through was pretty shitty, you know?"
"But still..." Selphie said, "Don't you think he should do it anyway? He's his father..."
"It's up to Squall, Selph," Zell stated with a sort of finality, "Whether or not he wants to do it is not up to you or to me."
Selphie pouted, her arms crossing over her yellow shirt. "Well, I'm Squall's friend, practically family," Selphie said with a sudden sunshine in her voice, "And since that's the case..."
"You're not gonna listen to a word I said, right?" Zell groaned.
"Right!" Selphie said with a fist pumped straight in the air, her left leg kicked upward, and her face beaming with delight.
Zell sighed and could only listen as Selphie ran out of the bridge, humming a happy little tune.
* * *
Squall looked up from the floor of the elevator as the dual doors opened in front of him. Sighing, he walked out of the elevator and down the long corridor until he reached a room where a couple of Moomba ran behind a bar, purring contently as they juggled shot glasses with care in their massive paws. They noticed the brooding man walking near them and chanted the name that Squall probably despised the most.
"Laguna! Laguna!" they shrieked excitedly.
Squall shook his head, sitting down at the bar and placing his arms on the counter. "Hildo Rum, now," Squall said to one of the Moomba who immediately nodded and ran toward a gathering of bottles and began mixing liquids. The other Moomba continued to chant the name "Laguna" as it used a rag and wiped down the far end of the counter.
"Shut up, already," Squall grumbled as he watched the Moomba slide the shot glass down in front of him.
"You shut up, Squall," a voice answered, startling Squall.
Squall looked up from the glass to find Trader, an unusually tall shumi, walking down the stairs that led to three beds.
"Hey, Trader," Squall replied quietly, "What're you doing?"
"The usual, kiddo," Trader said, "Makin' gil the best way I can." Trader looked over at the Moomba duo that had grown silent after Squall's words, "I see your knack for hurting Moomba feelings is as sharp as ever," Trader observed sarcastically.
"...Sorry," Squall said, "It's just they keep calling me Laguna."
"And you know full well why," Trader replied as he walked behind the bar, his crimson red robes scraping softly with the metallic floor of the area, "That man's blood is also your own."
Squall sighed as he took a quick swig of his rum. "Don't remind me," Squall replied grimly.
Trader looked at Squall with concern as he grabbed a bottle filled with clear liquid. "Something else is bothering you?" the shumi asked as he poured himself a drink.
"Oh, no," Squall answered sarcastically as he took another swig of his drink, "It's just that I've been pursuing my ex around the world for Hyne only knows how long and she keeps escaping. Other than that, my life's fine."
"Well, things could be worse," Trader remarked, "You could still be dating her." With a laugh he brought his glass to his lips.
"I know," Squall answered as he stood up from the seat, "Don't remind me."
* * *
It had been three years since the Ultimecia Conflict, widely referred to as the Second Sorceress War, ended with the defeat of the sorceress from beyond time. Many people had testified to the fact that, at some point that day, time seemed to slow down as events and motions seemed to blend together until it stopped altogether. Many worried civilians believed it was the coming of the Lunar Cry that would blanket the world in a wave of monsters. Others believed that it was an Esthar weapon intended to dominate all nations. Still others believed that the world was coming to an end and that the these happenings were the fabled "life flashing before your eyes" that so many people claimed had occurred when they were about to die or something to that effect.
Of course, many were relieved when President Laguna Loire of Esthar, a man that no one outside of Esthar even knew existed save for those that knew him personally, announced over a worldwide, radio broadcast, the second of its kind in 17 years, that the events that had taken place and how Garden and SeeD were responsible for the world's safety.
That was three years ago.
Since then, many aspects of what once was normal had changed drastically. With not so much as a notice, Rinoa Heartilly, the world's most powerful sorceress who aided in the defeat of the Sorceress Ultimecia of the future, disappeared one day three months ago after an incident that caused much uproar and had many people calling for her arrest. Shortly thereafter, Squall Leonhart, former leader of Balamb Garden, along with his colleagues Zell Dincht and Selphie Tilmitt whom also aided in the battle against Ultimecia, left on a journey to find and apprehend the fleeing woman.
Word across much of Garden implied that Leonhart and Heartilly had a spat that strained their relationship and with her recent crimes, their relationship was deemed all but totally destroyed. Dincht and Tilmitt, worried about their friend, decided to join not only to apprehend Heartilly, but to also support Leonhart in whatever way possible.
Rumor has it that this trio is considered a vigilante group and thus has no connection to Balamb Garden in any way.
* * *
"...Anyway, I just wanted to let you know," Selphie said excitedly as she talked into an earpiece, "We're gonna be moseying right into Esthar and I thought you should be there waiting."
"Well, I don't know, Selphie," a man's voice said on the other end, "Does he really want to talk to me?"
"Of course!" Selphie exclaimed as she jumped in the air with excitement, her pigtails jumping with her, "He may not act like it, Sir Laguna, but he really needs your support, especially now."
"Well, I thought that that airship was all that I should have done," Laguna replied more as an afterthought, "I figured if he needed my help he would ask."
"Wow, you really don't know your own son," Selphie said as she leaned against a red metallic wall, "Squall doesn't ask for help even if he really needs it, which is why I'm doing it for him. So will you?"
Laguna was silent for a long time. "Well, since you were able to hack into my private line I guess I have no choice but to say..."
"Yes!!" Selphie exclaimed as she pushed away from the wall and began rocking excitedly in her place, "We'll see you soon!" With a smile, Selphie took the earpiece off of her head and began to run upstairs toward the bridge elevator. "Ooh!" Selphie giggled, "I can't wait to see the look on their faces!"
"What are you so happy about?" Squall asked as he watched Selphie ascend the final few stairs. His tattooed arms were folded across his chest.
Selphie gasped and smiled, placing her gloved hands over her face to keep her bright grin from showing. Her emerald green eyes flashed mischievously as she stared at her friend quietly.
Squall scoffed an annoyed, "Whatever," rolling his eyes. "Come on, Zell said he's found something 'awesome'."
"What?" Selphie asked.
"I don't know," Squall said with a shrug as he lead the way to the elevator, "That's what I want to find out."
Selphie nodded and followed Squall into the elevator, secretly looking up at the young man and smiling with glee.
* * *
As the elevator door to the bridge opened, Zell turned to face Squall and then Selphie as they emerged from behind the doors. "You're not gonna believe this," Zell exclaimed, "I've just found something really awesome!"
"What is it?" Squall asked as he stopped behind Zell, leaning against the seat.
"Yeah, what?" Selphie asked as she jumped beside Zell into a chair next to him.
"It's a draw point," Zell said, "An actual draw point down in Centra where the Crystal Pillar excavation ruins lay."
"Ooh!" Selphie exclaimed excitedly, "For real? This isn't some kind of fluke, is it?"
"Not likely," Zell replied, "This baby is pretty accurate and it says it's down there...a real, live draw point."
"Draw points are a rarity these days..." Squall mused to himself, his dark brown hair falling over his eyes, "Do you know what type of magic it is?"
"Can't say," Zell said as he typed in a series of keystrokes and a transparent visual feed appeared in front of him, "But whatever it is it's pretty powerful. It might be worth something."
"Field trip?" Selphie asked Squall, her smile even wider than before as she placed her thumbs under either of her brown overall straps.
Squall looked out at the billowing clouds as they parted to reveal the craterous continent of Centra far below. "Sure, why not?" Squall asked as he turned and made his way toward the elevator, "I'm in no hurry to get to Esthar anyway."
"Finally, some action!" Selphie said as she stretched her skinny arms, "I need something to take my mind off of all this boredom!"
"Next stop, Centra!" Zell called as he turned his head toward the clouds and began steering the ship toward the earth.
* * *
The ship they had been traveling in for the last three months was a sleeker, more versatile model of the original Ragnarok, outfitted with special features that far surpassed the original model tenfold. Granted, it was not yet space worthy, but it was more than capable of outperforming its predecessor while in the skies of the planet. It was known as RK-1476-002, affectionately known as Ragnarok Redux by it creators.
Officially, it was a gift from the Esthar government to Balamb Garden for "Exemplary conduct during a crisis situation," i.e. the Lunar Cry incident that literally terrorized the sheltered Esthar citizens when it occurred. SeeD was there to "pick up the pieces and help Esthar recover from the devastating invasion of monsters." Of course, everyone on the inside knew the real truth: that the ship was more or less an "I'm sorry" attempt from President Loire to his son for all of the...misfortunes that had plagued him. Obviously, this gesture served to only further the gap between father and son, Squall refusing to even set foot on the ship and Laguna virtually MIA after the fact.
However, that was five months before Rinoa became a fugitive. Now, Squall found himself inside the ship that he never thought he would ride. He had always thought that he wouldn't give Laguna the peace of mind in using what was basically a bribe to pacify him. But times change and people change. And as Squall emerged from the platform that had lowered from the bowels of the black airship, resting snugly into the soft soil of the Centra terrain, the young man realized that his view of the world was gradually changing as well.
* * *
"So, where to?" Selphie asked as she walked beside Zell.
Zell stood clad in a crimson hooded jacket that matched his equally red boots, hanging just past the rear of his black, numerously pocketed jeans. Under this jacket was a dark blue muscle T-shirt that showed off his impressive build and was tucked under a belt adorned with various zippered pouches that carried numerous supplies. As he turned to acknowledge the approaching woman, his long blond hair whipped in the cold wind as his short ponytail, tied with a crimson band, remained tucked securely under his jacket.
"Just up ahead," Zell replied as looked at the young woman, "I'm kinda excited myself!"
"You betcha!" Selphie said as she charged ahead then stopped in front of Zell, "This is just the thing we need after that whole mess back in Dollet. Draw magic here we come!"
Squall walked along the grassy knoll that the Redux had landed upon, following the path on which Zell and Selphie stood. "Let's get going," Squall said, his gunblade softly clinking against the belt buckles that held it.
Selphie and Zell smiled at each other and followed suit as the young man lead the way toward the ruins that lay inside a forested valley. Esthar had neglected to clear out much of their excavation equipment after the Crystal Pillar was discovered and what remained of the site after seventeen years lay in derelict, a far cry from the efficient facility that Squall and the others had remembered from Ellone's visions of the past.
"Jeez, what a dump," Zell remarked as the trio began to walk deeper in the valley, the scenery changing from natural flora and fauna to rusted metal and rickety catwalks, "Esthar sure has no qualms about leaving their trash behind."
"Must've been too much hassle to dismantle it all," Squall mused as they walked under an overpass catwalk, wires once brimming with electrical currents now hung lifelessly in their faded plastic hues of red and green, "They got the big prize so nothing else mattered."
"Say that again?" Zell said as the trio stopped at the edge of a catwalk, a ladder leading down into the depths of the ground. The group looked on at the familiar multicolored crystals, jagged in shape, jutting from the dark bedrock. The crystals looked new as if they had only recently grown from the ground like crops from tilled soil.
"What the...?" Selphie said, "These aren't just remains, are they?"
"No," Squall replied and began to walk toward the ladder and mounted it carefully, "Let's go."
Descending slowly, the trio made their way into what once was a cavern inside the Crystal Pillar. Now, it was a simple cave where light from the afternoon sun streamed into its otherwise darkened surroundings. Fragments of the Crystal Pillar lay strewn across the ground as the main crystals formed a vein that only went deeper into the ground.
"Let's see here..." Zell commented as he whipped out a silver device and began making slow button presses on its luminescent surface. The device beeped and Zell began scanning his eyes over the visual feed that was being processed for him. "The draw point should be due east," Zell replied finally as he looked up from the device.
"Yeah, umm, one problem," Selphie replied as she pointed to a wall, "How're we gonna get there?"
Zell sighed and, placing a hand on Selphie's shoulder, turned her around to face a path that led southwest. "We take an alternate route and make our way to it," Zell explained, "We'll be there in no time."
"Good," Selphie replied, "Cause this place is already creeping me out."
Squall turned away from the wall and began to walk toward the dark corridor, his two companions following behind. For a long time, the trio walked in silence, taking note of the cavernous area in which they were walking, the clinking of their shoes on the rusted catwalk echoing strangely in the almost claustrophobic space.
Selphie yawned and placed her arms behind her head. But something caught her ear and she turned, her head. "Is that...water?" Selphie asked.
"Seems like it," Squall said as they began descending a deteriorated set of stairs, "I ccan hear a waterfall."
"And that's exactly where we should be," Zell said as he looked at the silver device once again, "The scanner senses a large body near the draw point."
As Zell finished his statement, the three people had entered into a room that was seemingly untouched by the ravages of time. The metal conduits that lined the rocky cavern walls were intact and gleaming brilliantly with the reflection of the spring below. The catwalk, lined with various wires, was stable almost as if it was recently built over the shallow pool of clear water.
"There," Squall pointed down into the water which was frothing with the crashing waves of the fall. Bubbles of various colors lifted from the bottom of the spring, suggesting that the draw point was where he spotted it.
"Great!" Selphie exclaimed, "I got this!"
Zell sighed as he tucked away the silver device. "Ten minutes and no monster encounters at all. What a drag," the young man said as he leaned against the guardrail of the catwalk. He watched as Selphie jumped over the railing and onto a bottom rock, leaping from each rock that led closer to the draw point that shared space with the falls.
"We should only be so lucky," Squall replied as he watched Selphie, "I'm really on edge about this place."
"Why? These are just ruins," Zell said, "Nothing but your normal, run-of-the-mill monsters lurking around the corners."
"Well, if these are supposed to be ruins," Squall said as he waved his hand casually around to indicate his reference to the room they were in, "Then there's something going on."
"You worry too much, Squall," Zell said, "This place was probably used to temper metals back in the day. Hyne only knows what type of alloys Esthar uses for construction and what it may have done to this area."
"Hmm..." Squall replied quietly.
* * *
Selphie grunted as she landed on the final stone, her arms flailing in the air so she would not fall into the water. Sighing, she looked around the falls and almost instantly sensed the draw point, the magic humming quietly in her mind. Unraveling her nunchaku, she held them out in front of her and smiled.
"Come to mama!" Selphie said with glee and with a bit of concentration, she focused long enough for the magic to bond with her subconscious mind. But she stood there...and waited...and waited...and waited.
Finally, opening her eyes, she looked around, not noticing the brief flash of color that always occurred after she drew magic from a prime source. She did not even her the "whoosh" noise that always accompanied a draw. Furthermore, she didn't feel different in the slightest bit.
"Guys!" Selphie called loudly over the falls, "We've got a problem!"
"What is it?" Squall called back, his face already holding an expression of impatience.
"I can't draw it!" Selphie pouted, "I can't draw the magic."
"Dammit..." Squall grumbled, "Odine and his damn inventions. We were much better off junctioning GFs." Sighing, he looked over at Selphie and replied, "Well, get back here. We'll come back later."
Selphie nodded and began to turn her back on the point until she saw a distinct glimmer under the waves of the water where she was concentrating. Turning back around, she cocked her head and looked at the glimmer that disappeared and reappeared with the constant rippling of the waves.
"Selphie!" Squall called, "What are you doing?"
"Hold on a sec!" Selphie called as she crouched down toward the water, placing her nunchaku beside her feet. Yes, there was definitely something down there! She smiled and, determined to get whatever the heck it was, began to reach her arm into the cold spring water.
"Selphie!" Squall called again.
"Hold. On!" Selphie cried as she fished her hand in the water, her tongue protruding from her mouth slightly as she tried reach the object that was underwater.
"Selphie, move it now!" Zell cried.
Selphie groaned and took her arm out of the water. "Guys..." she said impatiently as she turned around, but instead of seeing her two friends on the distant catwalk, she was greeted to the bulky visage of an emerging blue dragon as it trudged through the spring.
"Yeowch!" Selphie said as her eyes widened with fear. Even though the dragon was of only medium size it was still very capable of mauling the young woman to death without much effort. Of course, Selphie knew this, even as she reached carefully for her nunchaku, watching as the dragon watched her pick them up, a thick rope of saliva drooling from its jagged mouth. It almost seemed to lick its scaly lips at the prospect of eating this young woman alive, grunting with heavy breaths as it stood only yards away from her.
"Selphie!" Squall cried as he was unsheathing his shield, "Try to get away! I'm gonna use Thunder Spawn!"
Selphie studied the dragon, watching its stationary form, and realized that there was no escape. As much as she wanted to move she knew she had to remain still unless the dragon would become irritated with her scurrying about. "Uh, Squall? How about I stay her for a little bit?" Selphie asked, "I don't think this dragon's gonna let me go!"
The dragon seemed to agree with a sharp roar that echoed above the crashing falls of the spring. Selphie chuckled lightly, finding the dragon's response to be oddly coincidental.
"Squall, change now!" Zell said, "Do it before..."
"No!" Squall said as he lifted the sword to his head, "I'm not gonna let it end like this, Zell! I can't!"
Selphie looked at Squall, watching as the young man began his ritualistic movements to summon the Thunder Spawn form of Quezacotl onto his person. But she knew that it would be too little, too late. He just took too damn long. She was doomed. She was screwed. She was...
"Wait!" Selphie exclaimed to herself. She could still feel the ethereal emanations of whatever the hell was underwater. Turning her head slowly away from the dragon, she realized that it was only a few feet away from her: a simple drop into water to claim it. She knew it was a long shot, but if she use anything to buy Squall time, maybe there was a chance. Turning her head back toward the dragon, she smiled and blew the grotesque monstrosity a loving kiss, winking as she did. Then taking a big step back, she dropped back first into the spring, her body becoming completely submerged in the water.
Zell and Squall looked over at the commotion, noticing that Selphie was no longer visible. Squall had lost his concentration for a moment until Zell barked at him to get it together and the young man did, his form beginning to glow very slowly. Yet he was still unable to focus, his fear for Selphie's safety overriding his need to summon the powers of Qezacotl.
"Squall, what the hell are you doing?" Zell cried, "Do it, already!"
"I...can't!" Squall yelled angrily.
Suddenly, another deafening roar echoed across the cavern walls, only this roar sounded different, almost a sickly gurgling tinge to it. As they looked over at the dragon they were horrified to find a massive shard of ice lodged in the dragon's torso, dark blood trickling from around the foreign object as the dragon attempted to make its way toward the falls, only to fall face first into the springs, a massive splash of water.
As the mist from the water subsided, Squall could clearly see a visage behind the mist. When it cleared, he gasped.
It was a short woman, scantily clad in white, silken garments that partially covered her breasts and crotch. Her arms, glowing with a remarkably blue hue, were bare save for numerous charms and bracelets that adorned her tiny wrists. Her hair was a mix of dark brown, blond, and blue strand all flowing freely across her face and leading down past her backside. And her face...her face.
"Hey, guys!" Selphie's voice called from the woman's mouth, a hand raised and waving excitedly.
Zell looked at the woman, his eyes widened with confusion. "S-Shiva?" Zell asked.
"Kinda," the woman said as she placed her arms behind her head, much in the manner of Selphie, "Just call me Ice Queen!"
Zell and Squall looked at each other, Squall mouthing the words "Ice Queen?" to his friend that looked back at him with a blank stare.
"Ice Queen" only giggled happily, the nunchaku that was strapped to her hip clinging softly amidst the crashing falls of the spring.