Author's Note:

Reno: Woo hoo!

Reeve: What now?

Reno: Check it out.

Reeve: Check what out?

Reno: We're here, together again!

Reeve: I noticed. So, are we disclaiming for another chapter of Fallen Knight?

Reno: You bet! Tyramir's finally updating!

Reeve: My god!

Reno: I know. I'm so excited, I think I'll say the disclaimer today! Tyramir doesn't own the rights to Final Fantasy or any of its characters!

Reeve: You hate Tyramir. You hate doing the disclaimers. So when he comes out of hiding, you decide to say the disclaimer to celebrate?

Reno: ... Shut up.

Chapter Five

Shadows In the School

Selphie wandered the halls of Garden aimlessly, a smile on her face. Her eyes were half-closed, day dreaming of the night she and Irvine would spend together tonight. Memories of his abashed attitude as he had finally come out and said he loved her floated in her mind, like a butterfly on a soft breeze. She hummed to herself, and almost danced as she walked.

Tonight would be special. It would be their night.

So she hummed and skipped her way down the hall, oblivious to everyone and everything around her. She was happy. But then, to say that Selphie was happy, was to say that grass was green.

She absently wondered what tonight would be like. She'd always thought it would be special, or magical, or something. But something told her that was naive, even for her. Her innocence and inexperience were probably going to get the better of her tonight. She absently wondered if Irvine had ever...?

Catching herself, Selphie realized she didn't want to go down that line of thought. The way Irvine bragged about all the 'ladies he'd been with' was the talk of Balamb Garden. Being the new student in Garden, and having participated in the defeat of Ultemicia had given the Galbadian sharpshooter a certain celebrity. Coupled with his penchant for spreading stories about how much the 'Galbadian ladies couldn't get enough' of him, he was the hero of most of the boys at Balamb, and desired by a fair percentage of the girls.

And he was all hers.

But part of her couldn't help be jealous. She had him, but who knew how many other girls had a hold or a tie onto him as well? She'd caught him flirting constantly, and even making overt advances a time or two. But a part of her just kept reminding herself, 'That's just Irvine for you.'

She came out of her thoughts just in time to avoid a head on collision with a wall. Frowning, she looked around, wondering where she was. She looked back the way she had come, and saw Quistis' old classroom. Her smile returned. She was on the second floor, right by...

She turned slightly, and saw the door that led outside to the balcony. It was a really great view, and a little fresh air would clear her head, might even be good for her. She opened it, and stepped outside. Sunlight shone down on her, and she waved her hands up in the air, welcoming it. The door almost shut behind her, and for a second, she panicked, afraid she might get locked out. She held it open for a minute, and fiddled with the door mechanism.

"Darn!" she yelled, not being able to figure it out. The girl shrugged, then unhooked her nanchuku from the small loop in the back of her dress and placed them on the ground between the door and the wall, effectively turning them into a doorstop.

A grin lit her face, and she turned to the balcony rail, where she leaned over and took in the view. Beneath were the endless depths of the sea, all blue and shifting. In the Garden's wake, a pod of dolphins leaped from the waters, then splashed down.

"WOO HOO!" Selphie yelled, excited at seeing them. She wished Irvine were there to see it with her. Anyone to share this with would be preferable. But for now, she was by herself, so she decided to make the best of it.

She basked in the sun, gloried in the sea air, and marveled at the upcoming coast line. She recognized it instantly, the blue-white peeks of Esthar in the distance. And the Garden was headed towards them. She gave a small start, and was brought out of her reverie. They were going back to Esthar? Why? Were they invited? Were they expected? Were they going to get blown out of the sky because they were intruding, making a very large KABOOM before they went out?

It was then that she heard the sound of raised voices. Turning towards the door, she heard two men arguing, the voices familiar.

"Rinoa was really upset with you," the first one said.

"So?"

"You really hurt her feelings. She was crying, Squall!"

Squall's voice had a mocking tone to it. "And I suppose you enjoyed that. Her running away from me, and directly into your arms. Tell me, did you enjoy it? You're normally such a voyeur, always there for the events, but never participating."

"What? I... no. What are you talking about?"

"Don't play with me, Nida. You know what I'm telling you. You made SeeD. And you expected to be someone. Now, you have to settle to be something. The something that crusades the cause of a weeping girl, and confronts the lion. Tell me, Nida, do you really think you're ready to face the lion?"

Selphie moved closer to the door, and peered through the small crack. She caught a glimpse of Nida pushing the commander into a wall, a look of frustration on his face.

"So," Squall said, "you think you are. And over a few tears that mean nothing? How foolish of you."

The sounds of a scuffle ensued, and the two figures were pushed from Selphie's line of sight. She knew she should grab her nanchucks and try to break it up, but something in the tone of Squall's voice made her desperately afraid. She had only felt so afraid before once, and that was when she had fought Ultemicia. She stood there, frozen, unable to move as she heard the sound of punches being exchanged. Finally, there was a grunt, and Squall staggered back into view, holding his lip.

"Not bad," he admitted. "I didn't expect you to put up a fight."

There was an animalistic, feral gleam in his eyes. Squall's hand dropped from his face to the gunblade at his side.

"What are you--?" Nida asked, his voice filled with panic.

The weapon came out, and lunged forward. Selphie took a step back, terrified. What was happening? Why was Squall...?

There was a gurgling sound, and in that instant, Selphie knew that Nida was dead. And that Squall had murdered him in cold blood.