Disclaimer: I do not own FF8 or any of the characters from FF8.
AN: Oh dear...my reviewers are dying! I'm losing you guys! Lol please review. Even if the chapter's bad, just let me know, I don't mind constructive criticism (I DO mind flames). Well, the last chapter had practically no fighting in it. So if that's not what you like, then this chapter might be more your taste.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9: Facing Down the Enemy
The first time I defeated Seifer was both a blessing and a curse for me. I suppose it was more of a blessing but sometimes I think to myself if things would've ended up differently if I never beat him. But these thoughts are always swept away because I know that I was destined to win sooner or later.
Now, I'd love to tell you some great story about the day I finally accomplished my first goal...but I can't.
Why? Because it wouldn't be true. I don't want to lie.
It was a clear day, no rain, very little sun. You know, the average sort of day. I did my usual routine, the morning training with Ward and then the private with Kiros. Nothing special at all. I met up with Emi and Zone and we ate lunch together, talked, laughed, had a good time. Then I returned to the training center for my sparring match with Seifer.
I had gotten better since the first time I fought him. I knew his moves and likewise, he knew mine. Every day I would get closer and closer to beating him. Metasite fights don't last long because of the speed. One wrong move and it's game over.
This was a year after I passed the field test with the highest score ever. I knew that day that Seifer wasn't happy because I bested his score but he still treated me like before and I began to think that everything was cool between us again. Boy was I wrong.
"Hey Squall" he greeted when I arrived at the training center.
"Hey" I replied.
"Ward's going to be supervising us today. He should be here any minute now." he told me.
I nodded and sat down on a log waiting for Ward. I didn't have to wait long, the big man strode casually into the clearing where we usually fought and waved at both of us. It was either Kiros or Ward who supervised these fights just in case something goes wrong and a blade slips and injures someone. Not that it would happen, but it was Garden's policy.
"Okay, let's get this over with. I want to go eat." said Ward.
It wasn't surprising. Ward ALWAYS wants to go eat.
We saluted each other and summoned our metasites. I held my typical semi- offensive stance with my blade at my side and casually pointing towards the ground. Seifer did his famous taunting form, holding his sword arm straight out with his blade cocked down at a slight angle while his other arm lay relaxed at his side. He was quite cocky and loved using that stance because it gave him a calm, almost arrogant look.
I cleared out the thoughts of my mind and focused only on beating Seifer. The day before, I had come close but was knocked back at the last minute. I wasn't going to let that happen again.
Wasting no time, I quickly charged at him and whipped my blade forward at the last second. This is where my trademark strike came from, eventually I developed this move into the nearly unstoppable flash that I use now.
Seifer cleanly blocked the blow and tried to land a kick to my gut but I anticipated it and dodged out of the way before he could do it. Immediately, I swiped my blade sideways but he blocked it again and brought his sword around swinging it at my head. Ducking under the blow I thrust my blade at his unprotected torso. I thought for sure I would have landed a hit but Seifer always had some tricks up his sleeve and he twisted out of the way.
I didn't dwell on that move for it would have meant my defeat. Instead, I focused on his next move, a straight cleave down the center, and dodged nimbly to the side. I swept my blade across in a split second and shocked even myself. I had my blade pressed against Seifer's temple.
I had won.
I guess he was just as surprised as I was. His eyes were wide with shock and he just kept staring at me incredulously. Ward started clapping and laughed a little. Maybe that's what sent Seifer over the edge 'cause he glared at me one more time and knocked my blade out of the way. Sheathing his own sword he waved a careless little "goodbye" and walked away.
Ward came over and gave me a pat on the back.
"Good job, I was wondering when you'd beat him." he said.
I removed the metasite armor and looked up uncertainly at him. The look on Seifer's face was the same as when he found out I beat his score on the field test. I could tell that Ward sensed it because he just gave me another reassuring little pat and smiled.
"Don't worry about him. He's always like that. Doesn't like it when people beat him you see?" he explained.
I nodded and went off to my dorm. I was going over to Emi's place for dinner that night and I needed a quick shower before leaving. Emi had later classes than me so I had an hour to spare before we were going to her apartment. Julia always invited me over about three to four times a week and this would always be the routine.
I was extremely happy I beat Seifer but I was thinking a lot while I was in the shower. Would Seifer hate me for defeating him in battle? He certainly seemed like he hated me. But why should he hate me? He beat me every time before that day! Maybe he was just surprised and left quickly...but that wasn't right. Seifer wouldn't do that. I still couldn't believe how Seifer acted. I thought Seifer would have congratulated me and said something about how next time he'd get me and laugh or something. I was very curious as to how our next training session would play out.
In the meantime, I had to get dressed before Emi got to my dorm. I quickly pulled on a white t-shirt, black jeans, and a fur collared jacket and started sharpening my secondary blade while waiting for Emi.
I didn't have to wait long. It only took three minuted of blade- sharpening to burn time before I heard a soft knock on the door. I got up and was met by Emi's now familiar face.
"Hey" she said. She gave me one of her trademark pretty smiles and then started walking down the hall.
I slid the key into my dorm room and locked it up then caught up to her.
"Hey" I greeted back.
We didn't really talk much until we reached the gates. Julia went home early to prepare dinner so she didn't drive us. Not that we minded, it was a beautiful day outside, just reaching the sunset. The gatekeeper, a metasite by the name of Dirk, asked for our ID's even though he had seen us an infinite number of times. We just quickly flashed it and walked past the gates of Galbadia Garden.
Julia told me that she felt safer if I was there to walk Emi home so she could go home early instead of waiting for Emi. Personally, I thought that Emi was fully capable of taking care of herself. She was a metasite after all. But I didn't mind, I enjoyed spending time with Emi even if I didn't really show it.
"Squall, when's your next mission?" Emi asked.
I had completely forgotten about it since my training with Seifer. I cursed myself for being so careless and cursed my metasite too since it was supposed to remember these things. I guess it was focused on that battle with Seifer too.
"It's next week" I answered.
"Oh okay. Mine's two weeks from now. I'm with Zone again." she said. "Oh..."
Like I said, I wasn't too great with conversation.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
It seems like she always does most of the talking.
"Err..I'm going to Shumi Village up North. They say Balamb's taken over the village and we want to take it back. It's one of the few draw points of Ultima there are in the world." I said, pleased that I had something else to say.
"Oh I see...you're fighting Balamb already?" she asked quite shocked.
"Yeah, Kiros recommended me so they let me on one of the Rank B strike teams just to see how I handle a more dangerous situation." I told her.
She stopped walking and her eyes went wide as she stared at me.
"What?" I asked. Her sudden bizarre behavior was sort of creeping me out.
"Are you crazy?!" she suddenly bursted out.
"No I think I'm alright." I said. Just as confused as before.
"You're going to die Squall!" she said. I focused my vision and saw that she had tears in her eyes.
"Well...sure, everybody dies eventually."
She shook her head clearly annoyed.
"No, I mean you're going to get killed in that mission. Don't go. You can't." she said slightly calmer though her voice was still shaking.
"Listen Emi, I'm not going to die. I'll be fine." I told her even though I had no way of guaranteeing it. I felt it was the right thing to say.
Shr started walking again and then placed a hand on my shoulder. A bit startled by her movement I just stood rooted to the spot.
"You don't understand...enemies from Balamb aren't some stupid drug dealers or petty criminals like you're used to fighting. Those guys are trained soldiers..." she told me and then she headed towards her house.
I just shrugged and walked after her. Boy do I feel like a dumb ass now. If I were a little smarter back then I would have asked myself how a nine year old girl from Galbadia would know just how much training Balamb soldiers get and how dangerous they really were...
But Emi also had not seen me fight since our first mission together. In one year's time I had improved greatly, which is why Kiros suggested I try a tougher mission. Emi had also underestimated me.
By the time we arrived at Emi's place, it was as if that entire scene had never happened. I thought it was just 'cause we were kids and little arguments are easily forgotten. But looking back, I know that wasn't the case at all.
"Hi Squall! Dinner's almost ready, you and Emi can just wait at the table!" cried Julia the moment I stepped into the apartment.
I walked into the living room and sat at the table. I had always been aware of a picture of a strong, square-jawed man located just above the fireplace. Seeing that Emi seemed perfectly happy again and Julia was not there yet I decided to ask who he was.
"Emi...who is that?" I asked. I thought I had a pretty good idea of the answer.
"He's m-my father." she answered.
Julia walked in at that moment and I guess she must have overheard or something because she told me all about her "husband" and how he died in a car crash. I'm pretty sure I know now that the picture was a doctored picture or just a random photograph of some guy because now I know that Emi's father was none other than a certain Mr. Caraway and the man in the photograph was not him.
But that's beside the point. Our dinner went pleasantly enough and I told them about how I finally bested Seifer. Both mother and daughter seemed quite happy and speaking of the father's death didn't seem to phase them at all. As always, Julia offered me a ride back to the Garden but I refused and told her I could manage. She always seemed to make a fuss about how I shouldn't be walking out when it was so late. It was only nine...She always wanted me to sleep over at her place but I couldn't because the Garden didn't allow it.
I walked back to the Garden with a full stomach and in quite a happy mood. The dinner had really helped to make me forget about the qualms with Seifer I was having that day.
I can honestly tell you that the passing week before my mission was nothing special. Didn't do anything, just the normal routine of training and eating and sleeping. Kiros kept going over everything he taught me. He seemed much more worried about this mission than all the ones I went on before.
It HAS been a year since my first mission and I was sent on way more missions all of which I passed with nothing less than perfect marks. This particular mission would be another major turning point in my life which is why I'm mentioning it.
I'm skipping all the boring stuff and just getting to what's important.
The day of the mission I did everything I should have done. My normal routine, then I went to talk to Kiros. He gave me quite a talk, kept telling me to stay constantly alert against any opponent. He seemed very anxious and I could see he was sweating a bit nervously.
I proceeded to meet the team at the transport docking bay. I met Jordan and Harry, two other metasites who would be working with me. They kind of seemed like they looked down on me, like they were so much better than everyone else. Rank B was quite a high rank, only two ranks below the top.
Jordan and Harry were both seventeen years old and had completed the 11 year training program two years ago. Jordan was long and lanky, blonde with a hooked nose and slight freckles. Harry was shorter and stockier than his comrade and had black hair streaked with brown. Our commander was a man by the name of Litz. He looked like somebody had carved his face out of stone, I swear to this day, nobody I've ever met had an ass as hard as that guy.
"Listen up" said Litz as we entered the transport "I want you all to follow the rules perfectly. No goofing off!"
We all stood up straight and listened attentively.
"Okay...Harry....Jordan...and...Squall" he said as he ticked off our names.
When he reached my name he looked up and gave me a piercing stare straight in the eye. I returned his gaze, determined not to show any emotion whatsoever. After about a second, he looked back at his sheet and read out or mission objectives.
"This is almost a full scale war mission. You will be required to bring down all of your enemies, by any means necessary. None of that 'try not to kill' crap. We're not looking to take prisoners, just go in and slaughter them. They're well trained Balamb soldiers and they're not clueless about how to deal with metasites so they all have swords. Another thing is that they're expecting you so you lose the element of surprise. But remember this...as good as they are, they're still men. Don't let your guard down and you'll be fine. No careless mistakes! Meet us back here in three hours, that gives you more than enough time. Our transport's gonna go in and out because it's enemy territory. We should be arriving in less than a minute so when the transport stops, get out there and start your mission." he informed us.
After about 30 seconds, the transport stopped moving and the door was thrown open. Immediately I heard loud gunshots blaring at the heavily armored transport. The thing couldn't stay out in the open for long so I dashed outside and was followed by Jordan and Harry. All of us were fully armored and had our weapons drawn. I quickly scanned all of the blue uniformed soldiers in the houses all around us and on the rooftops shooting down at us. The transport started moving backwards and we were left just outside the gates of the Shumi Village.
I leapt to the side to avoid gunfire and watched as my two companions did the same. The scenery was beautiful but the battle was not. The guards were still shooting at us even though they couldn't get us.
I decided I had had enough so I moved from the boulder that was covering me and ran up a tree then I jumped from the tree onto one of the tall guard towers installed on the wall and in one quick movement decapitated the soldier at the tower.
The battle had begun.
AN: As I stated earlier, I've got exams this week so I probably won't update. This chapter was a bit longer than usual to make up for it =) Remember to review! It means a lot to me! Every review counts! Shout outs as usual =D
Ari-Morrigan: I hope your day got better =( Thanks for the review though! The compliments were very good. More about the motherly figure in this chapter and it kinda starts off the rivalry between Squall and Seifer though I didn't want to drag it on too much, I'm gonna take my time with it otherwise it'll sound really cheezy lol. Keep reviewing!
angel-brokensorrow: Hahaha! Yes Squall is quite sad when he's a kid isn't he? =P Sorry 'bout the uneventful chapter, hopefully this chapter and the next one will make up for it. Character development is basically using different events and conversations to help change the way the reader feels about the character and to give more information about the character. I like to integrate it into my stories because it adds an extra element which makes it a nicer read =) Hope that sums it up more or less...
Etherealist: Well, in my experience, girls are bigger than boys when they're kids. It's not until later on that boys get that growth spurt and are bigger than girls lol oh well hahaha! Yes, Squall's exam score is very impressive and I also stated specifically in the last few chapters of the original "Metasite" story that Emi is Rinoa's sister o_0 can't remember which chapter it is right off the top of my head, but that's an important chapter you should re-read! =P
Selphie Tilmitt-Kinneas: Yeah, I rush through these chapters quite quickly lol Don't really have time to proofread too much so some punctuation errors here and there might be quite common =P Thanks for reviewing and keep your eye out for more errors, sometimes a small typo makes the whole story sound really retarded
Thanks to the four reviewers of that chapter. Only four, but they were all great =D Keep it up you guys!
AN: Oh dear...my reviewers are dying! I'm losing you guys! Lol please review. Even if the chapter's bad, just let me know, I don't mind constructive criticism (I DO mind flames). Well, the last chapter had practically no fighting in it. So if that's not what you like, then this chapter might be more your taste.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter 9: Facing Down the Enemy
The first time I defeated Seifer was both a blessing and a curse for me. I suppose it was more of a blessing but sometimes I think to myself if things would've ended up differently if I never beat him. But these thoughts are always swept away because I know that I was destined to win sooner or later.
Now, I'd love to tell you some great story about the day I finally accomplished my first goal...but I can't.
Why? Because it wouldn't be true. I don't want to lie.
It was a clear day, no rain, very little sun. You know, the average sort of day. I did my usual routine, the morning training with Ward and then the private with Kiros. Nothing special at all. I met up with Emi and Zone and we ate lunch together, talked, laughed, had a good time. Then I returned to the training center for my sparring match with Seifer.
I had gotten better since the first time I fought him. I knew his moves and likewise, he knew mine. Every day I would get closer and closer to beating him. Metasite fights don't last long because of the speed. One wrong move and it's game over.
This was a year after I passed the field test with the highest score ever. I knew that day that Seifer wasn't happy because I bested his score but he still treated me like before and I began to think that everything was cool between us again. Boy was I wrong.
"Hey Squall" he greeted when I arrived at the training center.
"Hey" I replied.
"Ward's going to be supervising us today. He should be here any minute now." he told me.
I nodded and sat down on a log waiting for Ward. I didn't have to wait long, the big man strode casually into the clearing where we usually fought and waved at both of us. It was either Kiros or Ward who supervised these fights just in case something goes wrong and a blade slips and injures someone. Not that it would happen, but it was Garden's policy.
"Okay, let's get this over with. I want to go eat." said Ward.
It wasn't surprising. Ward ALWAYS wants to go eat.
We saluted each other and summoned our metasites. I held my typical semi- offensive stance with my blade at my side and casually pointing towards the ground. Seifer did his famous taunting form, holding his sword arm straight out with his blade cocked down at a slight angle while his other arm lay relaxed at his side. He was quite cocky and loved using that stance because it gave him a calm, almost arrogant look.
I cleared out the thoughts of my mind and focused only on beating Seifer. The day before, I had come close but was knocked back at the last minute. I wasn't going to let that happen again.
Wasting no time, I quickly charged at him and whipped my blade forward at the last second. This is where my trademark strike came from, eventually I developed this move into the nearly unstoppable flash that I use now.
Seifer cleanly blocked the blow and tried to land a kick to my gut but I anticipated it and dodged out of the way before he could do it. Immediately, I swiped my blade sideways but he blocked it again and brought his sword around swinging it at my head. Ducking under the blow I thrust my blade at his unprotected torso. I thought for sure I would have landed a hit but Seifer always had some tricks up his sleeve and he twisted out of the way.
I didn't dwell on that move for it would have meant my defeat. Instead, I focused on his next move, a straight cleave down the center, and dodged nimbly to the side. I swept my blade across in a split second and shocked even myself. I had my blade pressed against Seifer's temple.
I had won.
I guess he was just as surprised as I was. His eyes were wide with shock and he just kept staring at me incredulously. Ward started clapping and laughed a little. Maybe that's what sent Seifer over the edge 'cause he glared at me one more time and knocked my blade out of the way. Sheathing his own sword he waved a careless little "goodbye" and walked away.
Ward came over and gave me a pat on the back.
"Good job, I was wondering when you'd beat him." he said.
I removed the metasite armor and looked up uncertainly at him. The look on Seifer's face was the same as when he found out I beat his score on the field test. I could tell that Ward sensed it because he just gave me another reassuring little pat and smiled.
"Don't worry about him. He's always like that. Doesn't like it when people beat him you see?" he explained.
I nodded and went off to my dorm. I was going over to Emi's place for dinner that night and I needed a quick shower before leaving. Emi had later classes than me so I had an hour to spare before we were going to her apartment. Julia always invited me over about three to four times a week and this would always be the routine.
I was extremely happy I beat Seifer but I was thinking a lot while I was in the shower. Would Seifer hate me for defeating him in battle? He certainly seemed like he hated me. But why should he hate me? He beat me every time before that day! Maybe he was just surprised and left quickly...but that wasn't right. Seifer wouldn't do that. I still couldn't believe how Seifer acted. I thought Seifer would have congratulated me and said something about how next time he'd get me and laugh or something. I was very curious as to how our next training session would play out.
In the meantime, I had to get dressed before Emi got to my dorm. I quickly pulled on a white t-shirt, black jeans, and a fur collared jacket and started sharpening my secondary blade while waiting for Emi.
I didn't have to wait long. It only took three minuted of blade- sharpening to burn time before I heard a soft knock on the door. I got up and was met by Emi's now familiar face.
"Hey" she said. She gave me one of her trademark pretty smiles and then started walking down the hall.
I slid the key into my dorm room and locked it up then caught up to her.
"Hey" I greeted back.
We didn't really talk much until we reached the gates. Julia went home early to prepare dinner so she didn't drive us. Not that we minded, it was a beautiful day outside, just reaching the sunset. The gatekeeper, a metasite by the name of Dirk, asked for our ID's even though he had seen us an infinite number of times. We just quickly flashed it and walked past the gates of Galbadia Garden.
Julia told me that she felt safer if I was there to walk Emi home so she could go home early instead of waiting for Emi. Personally, I thought that Emi was fully capable of taking care of herself. She was a metasite after all. But I didn't mind, I enjoyed spending time with Emi even if I didn't really show it.
"Squall, when's your next mission?" Emi asked.
I had completely forgotten about it since my training with Seifer. I cursed myself for being so careless and cursed my metasite too since it was supposed to remember these things. I guess it was focused on that battle with Seifer too.
"It's next week" I answered.
"Oh okay. Mine's two weeks from now. I'm with Zone again." she said. "Oh..."
Like I said, I wasn't too great with conversation.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
It seems like she always does most of the talking.
"Err..I'm going to Shumi Village up North. They say Balamb's taken over the village and we want to take it back. It's one of the few draw points of Ultima there are in the world." I said, pleased that I had something else to say.
"Oh I see...you're fighting Balamb already?" she asked quite shocked.
"Yeah, Kiros recommended me so they let me on one of the Rank B strike teams just to see how I handle a more dangerous situation." I told her.
She stopped walking and her eyes went wide as she stared at me.
"What?" I asked. Her sudden bizarre behavior was sort of creeping me out.
"Are you crazy?!" she suddenly bursted out.
"No I think I'm alright." I said. Just as confused as before.
"You're going to die Squall!" she said. I focused my vision and saw that she had tears in her eyes.
"Well...sure, everybody dies eventually."
She shook her head clearly annoyed.
"No, I mean you're going to get killed in that mission. Don't go. You can't." she said slightly calmer though her voice was still shaking.
"Listen Emi, I'm not going to die. I'll be fine." I told her even though I had no way of guaranteeing it. I felt it was the right thing to say.
Shr started walking again and then placed a hand on my shoulder. A bit startled by her movement I just stood rooted to the spot.
"You don't understand...enemies from Balamb aren't some stupid drug dealers or petty criminals like you're used to fighting. Those guys are trained soldiers..." she told me and then she headed towards her house.
I just shrugged and walked after her. Boy do I feel like a dumb ass now. If I were a little smarter back then I would have asked myself how a nine year old girl from Galbadia would know just how much training Balamb soldiers get and how dangerous they really were...
But Emi also had not seen me fight since our first mission together. In one year's time I had improved greatly, which is why Kiros suggested I try a tougher mission. Emi had also underestimated me.
By the time we arrived at Emi's place, it was as if that entire scene had never happened. I thought it was just 'cause we were kids and little arguments are easily forgotten. But looking back, I know that wasn't the case at all.
"Hi Squall! Dinner's almost ready, you and Emi can just wait at the table!" cried Julia the moment I stepped into the apartment.
I walked into the living room and sat at the table. I had always been aware of a picture of a strong, square-jawed man located just above the fireplace. Seeing that Emi seemed perfectly happy again and Julia was not there yet I decided to ask who he was.
"Emi...who is that?" I asked. I thought I had a pretty good idea of the answer.
"He's m-my father." she answered.
Julia walked in at that moment and I guess she must have overheard or something because she told me all about her "husband" and how he died in a car crash. I'm pretty sure I know now that the picture was a doctored picture or just a random photograph of some guy because now I know that Emi's father was none other than a certain Mr. Caraway and the man in the photograph was not him.
But that's beside the point. Our dinner went pleasantly enough and I told them about how I finally bested Seifer. Both mother and daughter seemed quite happy and speaking of the father's death didn't seem to phase them at all. As always, Julia offered me a ride back to the Garden but I refused and told her I could manage. She always seemed to make a fuss about how I shouldn't be walking out when it was so late. It was only nine...She always wanted me to sleep over at her place but I couldn't because the Garden didn't allow it.
I walked back to the Garden with a full stomach and in quite a happy mood. The dinner had really helped to make me forget about the qualms with Seifer I was having that day.
I can honestly tell you that the passing week before my mission was nothing special. Didn't do anything, just the normal routine of training and eating and sleeping. Kiros kept going over everything he taught me. He seemed much more worried about this mission than all the ones I went on before.
It HAS been a year since my first mission and I was sent on way more missions all of which I passed with nothing less than perfect marks. This particular mission would be another major turning point in my life which is why I'm mentioning it.
I'm skipping all the boring stuff and just getting to what's important.
The day of the mission I did everything I should have done. My normal routine, then I went to talk to Kiros. He gave me quite a talk, kept telling me to stay constantly alert against any opponent. He seemed very anxious and I could see he was sweating a bit nervously.
I proceeded to meet the team at the transport docking bay. I met Jordan and Harry, two other metasites who would be working with me. They kind of seemed like they looked down on me, like they were so much better than everyone else. Rank B was quite a high rank, only two ranks below the top.
Jordan and Harry were both seventeen years old and had completed the 11 year training program two years ago. Jordan was long and lanky, blonde with a hooked nose and slight freckles. Harry was shorter and stockier than his comrade and had black hair streaked with brown. Our commander was a man by the name of Litz. He looked like somebody had carved his face out of stone, I swear to this day, nobody I've ever met had an ass as hard as that guy.
"Listen up" said Litz as we entered the transport "I want you all to follow the rules perfectly. No goofing off!"
We all stood up straight and listened attentively.
"Okay...Harry....Jordan...and...Squall" he said as he ticked off our names.
When he reached my name he looked up and gave me a piercing stare straight in the eye. I returned his gaze, determined not to show any emotion whatsoever. After about a second, he looked back at his sheet and read out or mission objectives.
"This is almost a full scale war mission. You will be required to bring down all of your enemies, by any means necessary. None of that 'try not to kill' crap. We're not looking to take prisoners, just go in and slaughter them. They're well trained Balamb soldiers and they're not clueless about how to deal with metasites so they all have swords. Another thing is that they're expecting you so you lose the element of surprise. But remember this...as good as they are, they're still men. Don't let your guard down and you'll be fine. No careless mistakes! Meet us back here in three hours, that gives you more than enough time. Our transport's gonna go in and out because it's enemy territory. We should be arriving in less than a minute so when the transport stops, get out there and start your mission." he informed us.
After about 30 seconds, the transport stopped moving and the door was thrown open. Immediately I heard loud gunshots blaring at the heavily armored transport. The thing couldn't stay out in the open for long so I dashed outside and was followed by Jordan and Harry. All of us were fully armored and had our weapons drawn. I quickly scanned all of the blue uniformed soldiers in the houses all around us and on the rooftops shooting down at us. The transport started moving backwards and we were left just outside the gates of the Shumi Village.
I leapt to the side to avoid gunfire and watched as my two companions did the same. The scenery was beautiful but the battle was not. The guards were still shooting at us even though they couldn't get us.
I decided I had had enough so I moved from the boulder that was covering me and ran up a tree then I jumped from the tree onto one of the tall guard towers installed on the wall and in one quick movement decapitated the soldier at the tower.
The battle had begun.
AN: As I stated earlier, I've got exams this week so I probably won't update. This chapter was a bit longer than usual to make up for it =) Remember to review! It means a lot to me! Every review counts! Shout outs as usual =D
Ari-Morrigan: I hope your day got better =( Thanks for the review though! The compliments were very good. More about the motherly figure in this chapter and it kinda starts off the rivalry between Squall and Seifer though I didn't want to drag it on too much, I'm gonna take my time with it otherwise it'll sound really cheezy lol. Keep reviewing!
angel-brokensorrow: Hahaha! Yes Squall is quite sad when he's a kid isn't he? =P Sorry 'bout the uneventful chapter, hopefully this chapter and the next one will make up for it. Character development is basically using different events and conversations to help change the way the reader feels about the character and to give more information about the character. I like to integrate it into my stories because it adds an extra element which makes it a nicer read =) Hope that sums it up more or less...
Etherealist: Well, in my experience, girls are bigger than boys when they're kids. It's not until later on that boys get that growth spurt and are bigger than girls lol oh well hahaha! Yes, Squall's exam score is very impressive and I also stated specifically in the last few chapters of the original "Metasite" story that Emi is Rinoa's sister o_0 can't remember which chapter it is right off the top of my head, but that's an important chapter you should re-read! =P
Selphie Tilmitt-Kinneas: Yeah, I rush through these chapters quite quickly lol Don't really have time to proofread too much so some punctuation errors here and there might be quite common =P Thanks for reviewing and keep your eye out for more errors, sometimes a small typo makes the whole story sound really retarded
Thanks to the four reviewers of that chapter. Only four, but they were all great =D Keep it up you guys!