CHAPTER X (A): SUPPORTERS OF THE LEADER
Everyone was surprised when Amber revealed to them that Zack and her came from another world. They did not believe her at first, but after the two explained to them what they went through, they began to believe them.
"So, you two are from another world?" Zell, still surprised.
"Yes, but Zack isn't from my world. He's from another world," Amber explained.
Zack then continued, "Yeah, I'm from another world and somehow appeared in her world before we came here through the vortex that we've just told you about."
Squall had been listening to their story with deep interest.
Looking at him, Rinoa asked Squall, "Squall, do you think that the sorceress that appeared here, might be.?"
Squall thought for a moment before he answered, "I don't know."
He then turned to look out the window, "But it seems to be so."
He paused as he continued looking out the window.
"Who is it that you suspect the sorceress to be?" Cindy suddenly asks, breaking the silence in the room.
"We think that the sorceress may be someone that we've defeated just some time ago," Quistis answered her.
"The one and, I hope, the only, Sorceress Ultimecia," Irvine continued after Quistis.
Amber, Roger, Jacky and Cindy were surprised when they heard that. Zack, however, was not as surprised as they are. He had already suspected that after overhearing the conversation between Headmaster Cid and Squall's party back at the garden.
"But. how can that be? Didn't you guys defeat her?" Roger, disbelieving what he has just heard.
"We did, Roger. Don't be alarmed. We're just suspecting that it is her," Rinoa, assuring Roger.
Hearing that, Roger slowly calmed himself as he sat down on the couch next to Jacky and Cindy.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Jacky asked, looking at everyone for an answer.
Rinoa then turns to Squall, who was still looking out the window. Though she couldn't see his face, she knew that he was thinking seriously, like he always did.
"Well, Squall?" she asked, her voice calm and soft but it also gave out a little sense of worry.
Squall thought for a while, thinking hard what was best that can be done at that point. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not think of any plan that would not endanger his party.
"I can't think of anything, except going after them," he answered, feeling disappointed with himself.
Rinoa noticed that and walked up to Squall.
"It's all right, Squall," she said. Putting her arms around his waist and leaning herself against him, she continued, "We all know how hard it is to decide something like this and still try to lookout for the safety of others. But we just can't do that every time."
As she said that, Angelo slowly walked up to the two. Standing beside the two, Angelo looked up and barked at them, as if it was also worried about Squall. Still hugging him tightly, she continues with her soft and gentle voice.
"Sometimes. we just got to take the risk."
After hearing her, Squall thought to himself again. Standing still, Zack had been watching them quietly like the others.
"Squall." he whispered softly to himself. Looking at Squall, he thought to himself, "Squall is. Squall is actually worried about us. I never thought that he would change so much after the game. But I don't blame him. After his adventure, he had started to grow fond with his friends and the people around him. I guess that's what he's worried about."
"The one he loves the most," he thought, looking at Rinoa. He then looks at Selphie, Zell, Irvine and Quistis, "The safety of his closest friends."
"The lives of his younger team members," he continued, looking at Roger, Jacky and Cindy. He then looks at Amber, who stood beside him, looking at the couple, "And there's also me and Amber."
He then looks back at Squall and Rinoa, "Although I didn't see it, Rinoa knew. Together with Angelo, they knew that Squall was trying hard to think of something that would secure our safety. So. what happens now?"
The pause in the air was finally broken when Selphie asked, "So, are we going after the two or not?"
Squall started thinking again, trying hard to think of another plan. Rinoa noticed that and hugged him tighter. Doing so surprised Squall a little, thus, breaking his thought.
"Everything will be all right, Squall," she says with her soft voice, "We'll be alright. Don't worry too much."
Even after hearing that, Squall was still unsure, but then, Zell surprised Squall, along with everyone else, when he suddenly jumped up.
"That's right, Squall. We'll be alright."
Even so, Squall was still not sure. Just then Irvine joined Zell.
"Rinoa's right, Squall. We'll all be alright."
Squall looked at him and then Selphie, who suddenly stood up to join Zell and Irvine.
"We'll be fine, Squall. You know that."
Just as Selphie was done, Quistis stood up, too, smiling at him that smile of confidence of hers.
"Don't worry about us, Squall. We'll be fine, even though we're not as good as you are," Roger shouted, standing up, as Jacky and Cindy stood up beside him.
Squall looked at them, a little in disbelief.
Wanting to support him, Amber shouted out, "Zack and I will be fine, too, Squall."
Squall looked at her and then Zack, who nodded at him, smiling happily. However, Squall was still skeptical about it. Just then, Rinoa, who was still hugging him tightly, said with her soft voice again.
"It'll be all right, Squall. While you were always looking out for us, we were always looking out for you."
Hearing this, Squall thought to himself for a moment. Rinoa watched him patiently as he did, together with Angelo, who whimpered softly beside them. There was a long pause while everyone waited for Squall's reaction. Just then, Squall turned around to face Rinoa, smiling happily.
"Thank you, Rinoa." Hearing that, Rinoa smiled in relief. He then turned to look at everyone, "Thank you all for your support."
"Hey, it's nothing new at all," Zell answered him.
Squall smiled happily when he heard him.
"Then, let's get going!" Selphie cheered, jumping up and down excitedly.
Squall nodded his head in agreement and shouted to everyone, "Let's go and find Sephiroth and that sorceress."
Everyone cheered before leaving the room, Angelo as well. However, Angelo stopped at the door and looked back at the couple. The couple stood still. Rinoa was still hugging him tightly. Then, they looked at each other, lovingly.
"Thanks, Rinoa."
Rinoa smiled happily when he did. Squall smiled back before kissing her on her lips. After that, they followed everyone else and left the room, followed from behind Angelo.
*********
It took them a while, but they finally heard from a teenager who told them that he saw a man in a black cape and a sorceress with black wings on her back appearing around at the entrance of the city, near the car park. They headed for the car park, but when they got there, they were shocked to see what was before them.
"My goodness, what happened?" Quistis gasped as Angelo whimpered away and hid behind Squall.
There were a few blood-covered bodies laying around at the car park. The sight of it was horrible, like as if it was out of a horror movie with a mad murderer in it. The faces of each body were what scared Zack the most. Each of them showed terrible agony and was staring blankly at him, as if wanting him to help them stop their pain. There were other people in the area, but they were even more scared than they were, cowering away from the bodies. After staring at the bodies for a while more, Zack just couldn't take and was the first in the party to look away. Amber looked away just as he did. Everyone else was too shocked to look away. Squall knew what had happened and started to look around. Suddenly, they were all frightened by a loud, blood-curling scream.
"What was that!?" Selphie asked nervously.
"Let's find out!" Irvine answered before they all ran towards where the scream had come from.
The scream came not from the car park but from a small fenced park near it. Everyone reached the gate of the park. Then, another scream frightened them. This time, it was louder.
"We're getting closer to it," Zell shouted, "Come on!"
They ran some more towards where the last scream came from and came to a small open field where they were frightened once more by what they saw.
"Not again!" Selphie screamed.
In the open field were more bleeding, lifeless bodies. These ones had the same expressions as the ones at the car park.
"This cannot be." murmured Rinoa as she stared at the bodies, shocked.
Squall was busy looking around. Just then, everyone heard Angelo barking loudly.
"Over there!" Zell, shouted, seeing what Angelo was barking at.
There, a short distance from where they stood was a man in a black cape.
"Sephiroth!" Zack gasped when he saw the man.
The man in the black cape, Sephiroth, seemed to have heard him and turned to face them. Zack could see a smirk appear on his face when he looked at him.
"So, you have actually come after me," Sephiroth said to Zack, "I thought that you were too slow to do that."
Zack felt a little angry when he heard Sephiroth's remark. Sephiroth laughed when he saw that.
Rinoa then demanded, "Who are you and what do you want with these innocent people?"
Sephiroth looked at her. Somehow, his stare broke her bravery.
"Zack," Sephiroth, turning to look at him, "Haven't you tell them about me yet?"
Sephiroth looked into Zack's eyes. His stare also frightened Zack a little.
"Of course I did!" Zack shouted at Sephiroth, while, at the same time, trying to stay brave.
Sephiroth laughed when he noticed that.
"That's enough, Sephiroth!" Squall suddenly snapped, "What do you want with these people?"
"Silence, SeeD!" suddenly, a sharp voice pierced through the air.
"That voice!" Selphie exclaimed, shocked, as she looked around frantically.
As she did, Angelo barked noisily before growling fiercely, while looking at the sky.
"It can't be!" Irvine gasped.
Suddenly, a woman, who had a pair of black wings on her back and wearing a very bizarre robe, appeared above them all. Glaring down at the group, she slowly descended to the ground. As the woman came closer to the ground, everyone was able to see the sorceress's face clearly.
"Ultimecia!" Quistis gasped.
"The ultimate boss of Final Fantasy VIII," thought Zack as fear started to engulf to him.
As the sorceress slowly landed her feet on the ground near Sephiroth, she glared at the group sharply with her piercing eyes.
"How can this be?" Rinoa said softly as fear seemed to engulf her.
"So, it was her," Zell muttered softly.
"Silence, SeeD!" Sorceress Ultimecia shrieked at the group again, frightening them, especially the less-experienced ones.
As the group stayed silenced, Sephiroth suddenly laughed.
"What a disappointment, Zack!" he said as he looked at the scared boy, "I thought you were a lot braver than that!"
Zack couldn't say anything as Sephiroth laughed at him again. What Sephiroth said about him was right.
"What is it that you want with the people of this city?" Cindy demanded.
Immediately, Sephiroth glared at her. Like before, his stare broke her bravery.
"Nothing really," he answered with his evil look.
"Then why are you killing all the people here?" Jacky shouted.
"Humph, if we had wanted to kill the people here, there wouldn't be any alive now!" Sephiroth answered, looking at him piercingly with his eyes, shattering his bravery as well.
"Then, why are you here?" Roger asked.
Roger's question was only answered with Sephiroth's evil grin. Before anyone could do anything, Sephiroth and the sorceress suddenly took off to the sky, with lightning speed, without saying a word.
"Wait a minute!" Zack exclaimed before they disappeared in a flash of light.
==========
CHAPTER X (B): BACK AT GARDEN
Zack is now in his small room, Room 13 in Section C inside Balamb Garden. Squall had called for Garden to pick them up; using the FMC that Xu gave him. Garden arrived near Deling City that night. Nothing else happened before that. The rest of the time that they were still in Deling City, they just waited for Garden. At that time, Squall and his friends were still shocked that Sorceress Ultimecia was alive once more and had appeared in their time. Roger, Jacky and Cindy did not have anything to say. So did Zack and Amber.
Now, back in Garden, Squall went to give a report to Headmaster Cid, together with Rinoa and Quistis. Angelo was laying patiently on the floor near the elevator, waiting for Rinoa as she had told it to wait for her there. Irvine and Selphie went to the quad to spend a little time together. Zell went to the canteen for some more hot dogs. Zack was not sure where did Roger, Jacky and Cindy went though. Amber was just only in the next room. While looking out the window, Zack could not stop thinking about Sephiroth and Sorceress Ultimecia.
"How were they brought back and why?" was the question that kept playing in his mind.
"Was it Thora who brought them back?" was what he constantly wondered.
Zack just could not stop thinking about these questions and what the answers might be. Just then, his thoughts were broken by the knocking on the door of his room.
"Zack," a voice from behind the door, "Are you still up?"
Turning away from the window to the door, Zack answered, "Yeah, Amber. I'm still up. What is it?"
The door opened and Amber entered.
"I couldn't sleep. So, I wondered if you wanted to have a little walk with me."
"Sure, Amber. I wasn't able to sleep either," Zack answered her, walking towards her as she exited the room.
*********
Zack and Amber were walking along the pathway in the center of the garden. They have been quiet since they left the dormitory.
"So, what's going to happen?" Amber suddenly asked.
"I don't know, Amber. First there was Sephiroth. Now, he is joined by Sorceress Ultimecia. Two powerful people from two different worlds and not to mention, Thora."
Another silence fell upon them for a moment before he continued again, "I wonder how are they all linked."
Just then, they met up with Roger, who was accompanied by Jacky and Cindy.
"Hey there, Zack, Amber," Roger greeted the two.
"Hi, Roger," Amber greeted back.
"You guys still up?" Zack asked the three.
"We were just heading to the dormitory," Cindy answered Zack, "What about you two?"
"We couldn't sleep, so I asked Zack to have a walk with me for a while," Sophia explained.
"I see," Jacky said, "A lot in your mind?"
"Yeah, sure is," Zack answered.
"I can tell. But don't worry too much, okay, Zack? Don't let it stop you from your daily doings," Jacky advised him.
Zack smiled, "Yeah, I know, Jacky. I will. You don't have to worry about that."
Jacky smiled back.
"Where did you three go when we came back to Garden?" Amber asked the three.
"We just went to the training center," Roger answered, "Trying to stay fit, y'know?"
Excited, Roger took out a long stick, which was hanging on his back. He ran a few feet away from the group.
"Check out my skills with my Stalag Onyx Stick!"
Roger then starts to swing the stick around, showing his skills off to the group. When he was done, the group clapped in applause of Roger's short display.
"Thank you. Thank you," Roger, bowing down at the group like as if he was on stage.
Suddenly, Xu interrupted them when she appeared, "Hey, guys. I'm sorry, but you would all have to turn in for the night. It is best for all to sleep early, especially after a field mission like yours."
"Yeah, we know, Xu," Cindy said before the group left for the dormitory.
"Well, that's all for our walk, huh, Amber?" Zack said to Amber.
Amber just nodded in agreement.
*********
Zack is walking along an empty street. However, he doesn't seem to have any place in mind to go to. He thought to himself for a moment as he walked on, where was it he was heading for. Just then, he realized that it has been a lot more quiet than usual. He looked at both side of the street, but there was not a single person or moving vehicle in sight, not even a bird.
"What's going on?"
He continued walking for a moment, looking around for any signs of life, but there wasn't any. He looked into the houses along the street. Not a soul in any of them.
"Where's everyone?"
He walked to a nearby shopping mall, but still no life.
"Why isn't there anyone?" Zack wondered again, feeling a little panicked when suddenly, he felt as if he was swallowed by some of darkness. Zack opened his eyes and sat up quickly off his back, breathing quickly in and out. He looked around, still breathing quickly. Realizing he was still in his little room in the dormitory, he laid back onto the bed, feeling a little relieved, "It was only a dream. But why did it feel so real?"
Suddenly, a knocking on his door surprised him.
"Zack! Get up and get some breakfast!" he heard Roger's voice from behind the door, "Amber and the others are already waiting for ya at the canteen!"
"All right, Roger!"
As he pulled his feet off the bed onto the floor, Roger entered through the door.
"Well, ya'd better hurry, if you don't wanna keep the others waiting."
"Yeah, I know, Roger."
Nothing else happened that morning. Zack did not tell the others about his dream, not seeing any point to it. He, Amber, Roger, Jacky and Cindy had their breakfast together in the canteen. As they ate, they talked more about one another. Roger was born in Balamb Town and came to Balamb Garden when he was ten years old. Jacky was from City of Esthar and came to the garden when he was only 8. Cindy, on the other hand, came from Winhill and was transferred to Balamb Garden from Trabia Garden just three years ago.
While they were still eating, Jacky left for an early training lecturing. He was called to take over an instructor who could not attend the lecturing that morning. Half an hour later, everyone went to the training center. They wanted to watch Jacky as he lectures the SeeD candidates. Arriving at the training center, they could clearly hear Jacky's lecture.
"Always be sure that you are not in a disadvantage during a battle against a monster, monsters or human opponents. If you find yourself in one, it is best that you rethink your plan of attack. In some cases, it is best to just run away."
As the group got deeper into the training center, they could see a group of five SeeD candidates. Three of the candidates were young girls while the other two were boys. In front of the group, they saw Jacky.
"Take for example, Jeremy," Jacky looks at one of the boys, "When you were attack by three Grats, you should not only attack them one by one, although that can be done if you were stronger, but the best way to defeat them, by yourself, is by using some magic. Since you were facing Grats, the best choice would be ice or fire type magic."
Understanding Jacky's advice, the boy, Jeremy, nodded his head.
"Okay, that would be all for this morning's lecturing," Jacky announced, "Your training lecturing will continue at one o'clock this afternoon. At that time, Instructor Gallon will be your lecturer. You are all dismissed until then."
The young group then broke up and walked pass Zack and the others, leaving the center.
"Smooth lecturing, Jacky." Roger praised Jacky, as they walked towards where Jacky stood, ".As always."
"What? This wasn't his first?" Amber asked, a little surprised along with Zack.
"No way!" Roger answered, laughing as he went on, "Every instructor in the garden, who aren't able to make it to a lecturing, would surely go looking for Jacky to help take their place. Most of us are confident that he will become an instructor sooner or later."
"Wow, no wonder Headmaster Cid considered you a capable SeeD," Zack said.
"And so what if I am?" Jacky asked jokingly.
Everyone laughed at that.
"Hey, I'm feeling the need to fight some monsters. Let's get inside the center, shall we?" Roger, feeling a little excited.
"Sorry, Roger. But I'm feeling kinda tired. Training lecturing isn't just all talk, you know?" Jacky explained.
"Ah, come on. You can take a rest in that little place Quistis told us before," Roger urged Jacky, "Besides, Cindy will be there to accompany you."
Before Jacky could say anything, Roger ran passed him, heading towards the entrances into the center. He stopped before turning back towards the others.
"Come on already!"
Looking back at him, Jacky sighs before answering, tiresomely, "Fine, let's go."
"Now that's more like it!" Roger shouted before running through one of the entrances, followed by the others.
Everyone was surprised when Amber revealed to them that Zack and her came from another world. They did not believe her at first, but after the two explained to them what they went through, they began to believe them.
"So, you two are from another world?" Zell, still surprised.
"Yes, but Zack isn't from my world. He's from another world," Amber explained.
Zack then continued, "Yeah, I'm from another world and somehow appeared in her world before we came here through the vortex that we've just told you about."
Squall had been listening to their story with deep interest.
Looking at him, Rinoa asked Squall, "Squall, do you think that the sorceress that appeared here, might be.?"
Squall thought for a moment before he answered, "I don't know."
He then turned to look out the window, "But it seems to be so."
He paused as he continued looking out the window.
"Who is it that you suspect the sorceress to be?" Cindy suddenly asks, breaking the silence in the room.
"We think that the sorceress may be someone that we've defeated just some time ago," Quistis answered her.
"The one and, I hope, the only, Sorceress Ultimecia," Irvine continued after Quistis.
Amber, Roger, Jacky and Cindy were surprised when they heard that. Zack, however, was not as surprised as they are. He had already suspected that after overhearing the conversation between Headmaster Cid and Squall's party back at the garden.
"But. how can that be? Didn't you guys defeat her?" Roger, disbelieving what he has just heard.
"We did, Roger. Don't be alarmed. We're just suspecting that it is her," Rinoa, assuring Roger.
Hearing that, Roger slowly calmed himself as he sat down on the couch next to Jacky and Cindy.
"So, what are we going to do now?" Jacky asked, looking at everyone for an answer.
Rinoa then turns to Squall, who was still looking out the window. Though she couldn't see his face, she knew that he was thinking seriously, like he always did.
"Well, Squall?" she asked, her voice calm and soft but it also gave out a little sense of worry.
Squall thought for a while, thinking hard what was best that can be done at that point. But no matter how hard he tried, he could not think of any plan that would not endanger his party.
"I can't think of anything, except going after them," he answered, feeling disappointed with himself.
Rinoa noticed that and walked up to Squall.
"It's all right, Squall," she said. Putting her arms around his waist and leaning herself against him, she continued, "We all know how hard it is to decide something like this and still try to lookout for the safety of others. But we just can't do that every time."
As she said that, Angelo slowly walked up to the two. Standing beside the two, Angelo looked up and barked at them, as if it was also worried about Squall. Still hugging him tightly, she continues with her soft and gentle voice.
"Sometimes. we just got to take the risk."
After hearing her, Squall thought to himself again. Standing still, Zack had been watching them quietly like the others.
"Squall." he whispered softly to himself. Looking at Squall, he thought to himself, "Squall is. Squall is actually worried about us. I never thought that he would change so much after the game. But I don't blame him. After his adventure, he had started to grow fond with his friends and the people around him. I guess that's what he's worried about."
"The one he loves the most," he thought, looking at Rinoa. He then looks at Selphie, Zell, Irvine and Quistis, "The safety of his closest friends."
"The lives of his younger team members," he continued, looking at Roger, Jacky and Cindy. He then looks at Amber, who stood beside him, looking at the couple, "And there's also me and Amber."
He then looks back at Squall and Rinoa, "Although I didn't see it, Rinoa knew. Together with Angelo, they knew that Squall was trying hard to think of something that would secure our safety. So. what happens now?"
The pause in the air was finally broken when Selphie asked, "So, are we going after the two or not?"
Squall started thinking again, trying hard to think of another plan. Rinoa noticed that and hugged him tighter. Doing so surprised Squall a little, thus, breaking his thought.
"Everything will be all right, Squall," she says with her soft voice, "We'll be alright. Don't worry too much."
Even after hearing that, Squall was still unsure, but then, Zell surprised Squall, along with everyone else, when he suddenly jumped up.
"That's right, Squall. We'll be alright."
Even so, Squall was still not sure. Just then Irvine joined Zell.
"Rinoa's right, Squall. We'll all be alright."
Squall looked at him and then Selphie, who suddenly stood up to join Zell and Irvine.
"We'll be fine, Squall. You know that."
Just as Selphie was done, Quistis stood up, too, smiling at him that smile of confidence of hers.
"Don't worry about us, Squall. We'll be fine, even though we're not as good as you are," Roger shouted, standing up, as Jacky and Cindy stood up beside him.
Squall looked at them, a little in disbelief.
Wanting to support him, Amber shouted out, "Zack and I will be fine, too, Squall."
Squall looked at her and then Zack, who nodded at him, smiling happily. However, Squall was still skeptical about it. Just then, Rinoa, who was still hugging him tightly, said with her soft voice again.
"It'll be all right, Squall. While you were always looking out for us, we were always looking out for you."
Hearing this, Squall thought to himself for a moment. Rinoa watched him patiently as he did, together with Angelo, who whimpered softly beside them. There was a long pause while everyone waited for Squall's reaction. Just then, Squall turned around to face Rinoa, smiling happily.
"Thank you, Rinoa." Hearing that, Rinoa smiled in relief. He then turned to look at everyone, "Thank you all for your support."
"Hey, it's nothing new at all," Zell answered him.
Squall smiled happily when he heard him.
"Then, let's get going!" Selphie cheered, jumping up and down excitedly.
Squall nodded his head in agreement and shouted to everyone, "Let's go and find Sephiroth and that sorceress."
Everyone cheered before leaving the room, Angelo as well. However, Angelo stopped at the door and looked back at the couple. The couple stood still. Rinoa was still hugging him tightly. Then, they looked at each other, lovingly.
"Thanks, Rinoa."
Rinoa smiled happily when he did. Squall smiled back before kissing her on her lips. After that, they followed everyone else and left the room, followed from behind Angelo.
*********
It took them a while, but they finally heard from a teenager who told them that he saw a man in a black cape and a sorceress with black wings on her back appearing around at the entrance of the city, near the car park. They headed for the car park, but when they got there, they were shocked to see what was before them.
"My goodness, what happened?" Quistis gasped as Angelo whimpered away and hid behind Squall.
There were a few blood-covered bodies laying around at the car park. The sight of it was horrible, like as if it was out of a horror movie with a mad murderer in it. The faces of each body were what scared Zack the most. Each of them showed terrible agony and was staring blankly at him, as if wanting him to help them stop their pain. There were other people in the area, but they were even more scared than they were, cowering away from the bodies. After staring at the bodies for a while more, Zack just couldn't take and was the first in the party to look away. Amber looked away just as he did. Everyone else was too shocked to look away. Squall knew what had happened and started to look around. Suddenly, they were all frightened by a loud, blood-curling scream.
"What was that!?" Selphie asked nervously.
"Let's find out!" Irvine answered before they all ran towards where the scream had come from.
The scream came not from the car park but from a small fenced park near it. Everyone reached the gate of the park. Then, another scream frightened them. This time, it was louder.
"We're getting closer to it," Zell shouted, "Come on!"
They ran some more towards where the last scream came from and came to a small open field where they were frightened once more by what they saw.
"Not again!" Selphie screamed.
In the open field were more bleeding, lifeless bodies. These ones had the same expressions as the ones at the car park.
"This cannot be." murmured Rinoa as she stared at the bodies, shocked.
Squall was busy looking around. Just then, everyone heard Angelo barking loudly.
"Over there!" Zell, shouted, seeing what Angelo was barking at.
There, a short distance from where they stood was a man in a black cape.
"Sephiroth!" Zack gasped when he saw the man.
The man in the black cape, Sephiroth, seemed to have heard him and turned to face them. Zack could see a smirk appear on his face when he looked at him.
"So, you have actually come after me," Sephiroth said to Zack, "I thought that you were too slow to do that."
Zack felt a little angry when he heard Sephiroth's remark. Sephiroth laughed when he saw that.
Rinoa then demanded, "Who are you and what do you want with these innocent people?"
Sephiroth looked at her. Somehow, his stare broke her bravery.
"Zack," Sephiroth, turning to look at him, "Haven't you tell them about me yet?"
Sephiroth looked into Zack's eyes. His stare also frightened Zack a little.
"Of course I did!" Zack shouted at Sephiroth, while, at the same time, trying to stay brave.
Sephiroth laughed when he noticed that.
"That's enough, Sephiroth!" Squall suddenly snapped, "What do you want with these people?"
"Silence, SeeD!" suddenly, a sharp voice pierced through the air.
"That voice!" Selphie exclaimed, shocked, as she looked around frantically.
As she did, Angelo barked noisily before growling fiercely, while looking at the sky.
"It can't be!" Irvine gasped.
Suddenly, a woman, who had a pair of black wings on her back and wearing a very bizarre robe, appeared above them all. Glaring down at the group, she slowly descended to the ground. As the woman came closer to the ground, everyone was able to see the sorceress's face clearly.
"Ultimecia!" Quistis gasped.
"The ultimate boss of Final Fantasy VIII," thought Zack as fear started to engulf to him.
As the sorceress slowly landed her feet on the ground near Sephiroth, she glared at the group sharply with her piercing eyes.
"How can this be?" Rinoa said softly as fear seemed to engulf her.
"So, it was her," Zell muttered softly.
"Silence, SeeD!" Sorceress Ultimecia shrieked at the group again, frightening them, especially the less-experienced ones.
As the group stayed silenced, Sephiroth suddenly laughed.
"What a disappointment, Zack!" he said as he looked at the scared boy, "I thought you were a lot braver than that!"
Zack couldn't say anything as Sephiroth laughed at him again. What Sephiroth said about him was right.
"What is it that you want with the people of this city?" Cindy demanded.
Immediately, Sephiroth glared at her. Like before, his stare broke her bravery.
"Nothing really," he answered with his evil look.
"Then why are you killing all the people here?" Jacky shouted.
"Humph, if we had wanted to kill the people here, there wouldn't be any alive now!" Sephiroth answered, looking at him piercingly with his eyes, shattering his bravery as well.
"Then, why are you here?" Roger asked.
Roger's question was only answered with Sephiroth's evil grin. Before anyone could do anything, Sephiroth and the sorceress suddenly took off to the sky, with lightning speed, without saying a word.
"Wait a minute!" Zack exclaimed before they disappeared in a flash of light.
==========
CHAPTER X (B): BACK AT GARDEN
Zack is now in his small room, Room 13 in Section C inside Balamb Garden. Squall had called for Garden to pick them up; using the FMC that Xu gave him. Garden arrived near Deling City that night. Nothing else happened before that. The rest of the time that they were still in Deling City, they just waited for Garden. At that time, Squall and his friends were still shocked that Sorceress Ultimecia was alive once more and had appeared in their time. Roger, Jacky and Cindy did not have anything to say. So did Zack and Amber.
Now, back in Garden, Squall went to give a report to Headmaster Cid, together with Rinoa and Quistis. Angelo was laying patiently on the floor near the elevator, waiting for Rinoa as she had told it to wait for her there. Irvine and Selphie went to the quad to spend a little time together. Zell went to the canteen for some more hot dogs. Zack was not sure where did Roger, Jacky and Cindy went though. Amber was just only in the next room. While looking out the window, Zack could not stop thinking about Sephiroth and Sorceress Ultimecia.
"How were they brought back and why?" was the question that kept playing in his mind.
"Was it Thora who brought them back?" was what he constantly wondered.
Zack just could not stop thinking about these questions and what the answers might be. Just then, his thoughts were broken by the knocking on the door of his room.
"Zack," a voice from behind the door, "Are you still up?"
Turning away from the window to the door, Zack answered, "Yeah, Amber. I'm still up. What is it?"
The door opened and Amber entered.
"I couldn't sleep. So, I wondered if you wanted to have a little walk with me."
"Sure, Amber. I wasn't able to sleep either," Zack answered her, walking towards her as she exited the room.
*********
Zack and Amber were walking along the pathway in the center of the garden. They have been quiet since they left the dormitory.
"So, what's going to happen?" Amber suddenly asked.
"I don't know, Amber. First there was Sephiroth. Now, he is joined by Sorceress Ultimecia. Two powerful people from two different worlds and not to mention, Thora."
Another silence fell upon them for a moment before he continued again, "I wonder how are they all linked."
Just then, they met up with Roger, who was accompanied by Jacky and Cindy.
"Hey there, Zack, Amber," Roger greeted the two.
"Hi, Roger," Amber greeted back.
"You guys still up?" Zack asked the three.
"We were just heading to the dormitory," Cindy answered Zack, "What about you two?"
"We couldn't sleep, so I asked Zack to have a walk with me for a while," Sophia explained.
"I see," Jacky said, "A lot in your mind?"
"Yeah, sure is," Zack answered.
"I can tell. But don't worry too much, okay, Zack? Don't let it stop you from your daily doings," Jacky advised him.
Zack smiled, "Yeah, I know, Jacky. I will. You don't have to worry about that."
Jacky smiled back.
"Where did you three go when we came back to Garden?" Amber asked the three.
"We just went to the training center," Roger answered, "Trying to stay fit, y'know?"
Excited, Roger took out a long stick, which was hanging on his back. He ran a few feet away from the group.
"Check out my skills with my Stalag Onyx Stick!"
Roger then starts to swing the stick around, showing his skills off to the group. When he was done, the group clapped in applause of Roger's short display.
"Thank you. Thank you," Roger, bowing down at the group like as if he was on stage.
Suddenly, Xu interrupted them when she appeared, "Hey, guys. I'm sorry, but you would all have to turn in for the night. It is best for all to sleep early, especially after a field mission like yours."
"Yeah, we know, Xu," Cindy said before the group left for the dormitory.
"Well, that's all for our walk, huh, Amber?" Zack said to Amber.
Amber just nodded in agreement.
*********
Zack is walking along an empty street. However, he doesn't seem to have any place in mind to go to. He thought to himself for a moment as he walked on, where was it he was heading for. Just then, he realized that it has been a lot more quiet than usual. He looked at both side of the street, but there was not a single person or moving vehicle in sight, not even a bird.
"What's going on?"
He continued walking for a moment, looking around for any signs of life, but there wasn't any. He looked into the houses along the street. Not a soul in any of them.
"Where's everyone?"
He walked to a nearby shopping mall, but still no life.
"Why isn't there anyone?" Zack wondered again, feeling a little panicked when suddenly, he felt as if he was swallowed by some of darkness. Zack opened his eyes and sat up quickly off his back, breathing quickly in and out. He looked around, still breathing quickly. Realizing he was still in his little room in the dormitory, he laid back onto the bed, feeling a little relieved, "It was only a dream. But why did it feel so real?"
Suddenly, a knocking on his door surprised him.
"Zack! Get up and get some breakfast!" he heard Roger's voice from behind the door, "Amber and the others are already waiting for ya at the canteen!"
"All right, Roger!"
As he pulled his feet off the bed onto the floor, Roger entered through the door.
"Well, ya'd better hurry, if you don't wanna keep the others waiting."
"Yeah, I know, Roger."
Nothing else happened that morning. Zack did not tell the others about his dream, not seeing any point to it. He, Amber, Roger, Jacky and Cindy had their breakfast together in the canteen. As they ate, they talked more about one another. Roger was born in Balamb Town and came to Balamb Garden when he was ten years old. Jacky was from City of Esthar and came to the garden when he was only 8. Cindy, on the other hand, came from Winhill and was transferred to Balamb Garden from Trabia Garden just three years ago.
While they were still eating, Jacky left for an early training lecturing. He was called to take over an instructor who could not attend the lecturing that morning. Half an hour later, everyone went to the training center. They wanted to watch Jacky as he lectures the SeeD candidates. Arriving at the training center, they could clearly hear Jacky's lecture.
"Always be sure that you are not in a disadvantage during a battle against a monster, monsters or human opponents. If you find yourself in one, it is best that you rethink your plan of attack. In some cases, it is best to just run away."
As the group got deeper into the training center, they could see a group of five SeeD candidates. Three of the candidates were young girls while the other two were boys. In front of the group, they saw Jacky.
"Take for example, Jeremy," Jacky looks at one of the boys, "When you were attack by three Grats, you should not only attack them one by one, although that can be done if you were stronger, but the best way to defeat them, by yourself, is by using some magic. Since you were facing Grats, the best choice would be ice or fire type magic."
Understanding Jacky's advice, the boy, Jeremy, nodded his head.
"Okay, that would be all for this morning's lecturing," Jacky announced, "Your training lecturing will continue at one o'clock this afternoon. At that time, Instructor Gallon will be your lecturer. You are all dismissed until then."
The young group then broke up and walked pass Zack and the others, leaving the center.
"Smooth lecturing, Jacky." Roger praised Jacky, as they walked towards where Jacky stood, ".As always."
"What? This wasn't his first?" Amber asked, a little surprised along with Zack.
"No way!" Roger answered, laughing as he went on, "Every instructor in the garden, who aren't able to make it to a lecturing, would surely go looking for Jacky to help take their place. Most of us are confident that he will become an instructor sooner or later."
"Wow, no wonder Headmaster Cid considered you a capable SeeD," Zack said.
"And so what if I am?" Jacky asked jokingly.
Everyone laughed at that.
"Hey, I'm feeling the need to fight some monsters. Let's get inside the center, shall we?" Roger, feeling a little excited.
"Sorry, Roger. But I'm feeling kinda tired. Training lecturing isn't just all talk, you know?" Jacky explained.
"Ah, come on. You can take a rest in that little place Quistis told us before," Roger urged Jacky, "Besides, Cindy will be there to accompany you."
Before Jacky could say anything, Roger ran passed him, heading towards the entrances into the center. He stopped before turning back towards the others.
"Come on already!"
Looking back at him, Jacky sighs before answering, tiresomely, "Fine, let's go."
"Now that's more like it!" Roger shouted before running through one of the entrances, followed by the others.