Chapter 24
Oh hey guys, sorry this chapter is a little late. Well maybe a lot late…anyhow I got my reasons
After cleaning up the garden and repairing whatever damage the Weapons did, Squall had Zell spread the word that a tournament was going to be held in the garden square. Crowds of people started rushing in to see the fight. Sephiroth walked out of the crowd and over to Squall.
"Squall, Edea set up the matches. Looks like I'll be facing you, try to last a while so we can put on a good show." Sephiroth said as he patted Squall on the shoulder.
"Fine, I guess I'll just fool around the first five minutes then I'll mutilate your ass." Replied Squall as he walked over to where Rinoa was setting. As he sat down he all the sudden felt dizzy for a second and started coughing.
"You alright?" Rinoa asked. Squall shook his head. "Well you sound sick to me, maybe you shouldn't compete." Suggested Rinoa. Squall glared at her.
"Uh no, I have too. Sephiroth will think I chickened out or something, plus I feel fine now anyways." Squall said as he tried to muffle another cough. Rinoa laughed.
"Alright I guess him thinking you're a chicken isn't worse than him beating you because you can't going to beat him in the condition you are." She gestured.
"Heh that's what you think, I haven't lost a fight yet and I don't plan to lose now. Besides my match won't be for an hour at least anyways. Rueben and Seifer will fight then Tidus and Auron. All I need to do is sit down and relax." Implied Squall as he put his arm around her.
"Well I won't argue with you," sighed Rinoa. Then everybody stepped back as Zell and Selphie stepped up to the mic.
"Alright people are you ready to see some action!?" Zell yelled, and the crowd of students cheered. He handed the mic to Selphie.
"First up is the famous Seifer and he will be fighting one of our finest students, Rueben! Now's the time to place your bets, I will hold the money till the match is over. After waiting about 10 minutes to collect gil Seifer and Rueben stepped out to the open space and started taunting.
"Step back kids, unless you want part of the action." Yelled Seifer, He swung his razor sharp gunblade and the crowd moved back. Quistis walked over to talk to him.
"Seifer I'm glad you're doing this for me. Don't go easy on him, get him down as fast as you can, I want him to know that he is still a novice." Said Quistis.
"Anything you say, I'd turn him into cold cuts if you asked me too." Replied Seifer. Quistis smiled.
"I have been curious, how come you all the sudden like me?" Quistis asked. Seifer scratched his head.
"Well uh, uhm... well, all of the guys around here always talk about how they want to go out with you and all. So I thought if so many people like you ya can't be that bad." Stuttered Seifer.
"Ok, I guess I'll give you a chance." Joked Quistis.
"Wow, so you mean if I lose you'll still go out with me?" Seifer inquired. Quistis started laughing.
"Yeah, but I'd rather you win." Said Quistis. Rueben was getting impatient.
"Hey Seifer! Stop blabbin to your girlfriend and get your wussy ass over here!" Rueben demanded. Seifer glared at him.
"I'll be watching." Said Quistis as she walked back into the crowd. Seifer pointed his gunblade at Rueben and Rueben responded by charging him. Seifer dodged to the left and Rueben almost hit somebody in the crowd.
"You scared or something?" Rueben asked. Seifer just laughed and walked over to him. Rueben swung furiously, Seifer blocked all his attempts with ease.
"Kid, you're wearing yourself out." Seifer said still blocking attacks. Rueben then attacked harder and got a piece of Seifer's leg. Seifer pretended to be weak and fall on one knee. Rueben dropped his guard for a second and Seifer gave him a swift fist to the balls. Rueben quickly fell on both knees and Seifer stood up kicking the gunblade out of his hand putting his gunblade to Rueben's throat. The crowd went silent for a minute then Selphie picked up the mic.
"Congratulations Seifer! You have advanced to the second round." All those who bet on Seifer cheered and those that bet on Rueben clapped a little. Seifer turned to walk out of the circle.
"You cheater!" Rueben yelled. "You can't act like you're hurt then attack me like that!"
"Why not, Rueben you gotta look at it this way, winning is winning and losing is losing. Especially in combat, that is the most important rule. If this wasn't a tournament you would be dead and that would be that." Seifer explained giving Squall a glance. Quistis came out of the crowd and over to Seifer and Rueben.
"Not bad Rueben... but this proves that you are far from your limits, and know this if you can't beat Seifer that's pretty bad." Joked Quistis as she made a face at Seifer.
"HEY! I'm one of the greatest gunbladesman in Balamb." Boasted Seifer.
Rueben lifted one eyebrow, "Uh dude maybe that's cause they're only three of us." Quistis laughed and handed Seifer her phone number and went back to her seat.
Just then some odd looking fellow from the crowd started yelling. "Hey Seifer, my name is Jordan Hale and I think your sexy!!!"
Seifer yelled back at him. "What the fuck is wrong with you that ain't right." The odd looking guy started flashing his titties. Before long Seifer was getting annoyed, and threw his gunblade decapiting... whatever that was.
"Ok that was fucked up, can we get back to the tournament now?" Zell complained. Tidus looked over at Auron who was drawing his sword. Selphie took the mic from Zell.
"Well it's time for round two! Hopefully it will be a little longer than the first...well place your bets and take your seats!" Selphie announced as the crowd cheered. Tidus took out his blue sword and started flipping it in the air. Auron walked out into the arena.
"You want some of this old man!?" Yelled Tidus as he made a pathetic charge at Auron who dodged it with lighting speed. "Hold still!" Demanded Tidus as he recovered his footing. Auron was about to wrap things up. He took his jug and popped the cork.
"This is for the fallen!" Yelled Auron as he took a drink of his special liquor. Tidus fled off to the side and curled up into a little ball. Auron was bursting with adrenalin.
"No wait NOOOO!!!" Yelled Tidus as tears ran down his eyes. Yuna quickly went out and got in front of him. Auron stopped just in time.
"What the hell you doing?" Asked Auron. Yuna gave him the mean look.
"Auron our deal was you was going to make it look like he had a chance, not send him to the Farplane!!!" Yuna scorned. Tidus stood up and looked around.
"Is it over?" Shrieked Tidus. Yuna shook her head.
"You did good my little warrior." She complimented as she walked him off the stage...and was hit with a few badly aimed rotten vegetables meant for Tidus. Auron just stood there waiting to be announced winner.
"Uh yeah that match was pretty pathetic Selphie..." Zell uttered over the mic. Selphie quickly took the mic and started to announce the next match.
"Ok sorry about that...well this next match I'm sure will make up for it. Cause this time...Squall our greatest, I mean like the greatest, will be competing." She paused and the crowd applauded louder than ever. "His opponent is also very skilled...I cannot predict who will win. Let's hear it for Sephiroth." As Sephiroth walked out nobody clapped, just stared and mumbled but then some guy started yelling.
"Hey faggot, get a hair cut, and besides the nursing home is 3 blocks down." Yelled some dude from the crowd. Everybody laughed until they saw the guy flying twenty feet in the air and landing on the concrete.
"Yeah and the hospital is right over there asshole!" Sephiroth responded as he stopped in the middle of the arena.
"Squall I really think you shouldn't go out there...did you just see that?" Rinoa asked.
"cough I have too. I'm fine don't worry about me." Squall replied as he went out to meet with Sephiroth in the arena. The crowd cheered, and Squall gave Sephiroth the look that signaled attack. Sephiroth charged, Squall dodged and swung at Sephiroth's back. Sephiroth spiraled around blocking him. Sephiroth leaped over Squall and slashed Squall's shoulder before landing. Squall stood still and started coughing again, Sephiroth stopped attacking and wondered what was wrong.
"We should have a rematch some other time. I want to fight you at your full strength." Sephiroth suggested. Squall nodded positively but slowly collapsed to the ground. Everybody in the whole garden was in shock.
"Noooooo!!!" Screamed Rinoa as she dashed to him checking his pulse. Her face looked a little relieved. "He's still alive...but his heart rate is over 200..." Dr. Kadowaki rushed over with two guys and a stretcher.
"I think he is going to be fine, let's just get him to the clinic. You come too sweetie if you want too." She said as they lugged him off the arena and Rinoa followed.
"Well...I guess that mean's the tournaments over." Zell uttered over the mic.
"Not so fast we still got two more rounds left!" Yelled Selphie. "Squall will be fine he may have the flu or something. He wouldn't want us to stop. Well I guess Sephiroth has won this round..." Selphie was cut off.
"Not so fast...I want to face him!" Yelled Link. The crowd parted and a man in a green tunic walked straight to the arena.
"Link?! But how, did you not leave?" Zell asked over the mic.
"Yeah I left, but the portal is still open for some reason. And I owe this man a rematch. When we fought a while back I was using a magic amulet that made me almost invulnerable." Link stated as he took off the weird looking amulet he was wearing.
"That is an honorable act Link. But be prepared to lose." Boasted Sephiroth. The two of them shook hands and drew their swords. The crowd seemed confused but they were ready for some action. Sephiroth signaled Link to attack. Link darted offensively the two of them moved at what seemed to be light speed. Everybody glanced left and right trying to find them. Every time they clashed swords you could catch a glimpse. Sephiroth then flipped through the air and Link somersaulted underneath kneeing him in the gut just before Sephiroth kicked him in the head. As they landed they stared each other down.
"This ends now!" Sephiroth yelled. Next thing they saw was him standing behind Link. Link collapsed to the ground. Everybody stared in confusion. Link slowly stood up rubbing his chin.
"Man I didn't even see that. You weren't even trying?" Link asked. Sephiroth grinned.
"Actually no, I wanted to see how well you fight. I have to say I am impressed that a kid your age has such skill." Sephiroth responded.
"Well I surrender this match to you, for I see you are in a different league." Stated Link as he walked out into the crowd.
"Well time for Sephiroth and Seifer to face off." Selphie announced. Seifer walked out into the arena.
"Wait, I'm going to forfeit. I've seen this man fight, and I know I stand no chance." Seifer surrendered the round to Sephiroth. Selphie sighed as she picked up the mic again.
"Well that sucks. Ok, now we got one round left. And I promise this to be a good one. In a fare match both these men are undefeated...that's all about to change. C'mon Auron get your ass out here and show us how good you really are!" Selphie yelled. The crowd of people stood still as the two men stood in the ring together. They all took a few steps back just to be safe.
"I've been waiting for this." Said Sephiroth. They both drew their swords.
"I guess I may have to try this time." Responded Auron. Sephiroth stood still making his eyes glow, and Auron took a drink of his special liquor. The two of them started clashing swords with such extreme force the ground started shaking. Nervous and excited the crowd refused to run, they just couldn't miss this. Auron's feet started breaking through the concrete as he held his own against Sephiroth. The two of them leaped back and charged each other with all they had. An explosive blast of energy appeared when they met.
"ULTIMA!!!" Yelled Sehiroth.
"HOLY!!!" Yelled Auron. The two spells pushed against each other the ground cracked between them almost cutting the entire garden in half.
"Take cover!!!" Zell yelled over the mic, as a huge piece of stone just missed his head. The crowd of spectators scattered away from the square and over to the Top of the main building to watch from a distance. Hours passed and the two of them fought just as hard. Sephiroth finally got an open shot at Auron, lunged his sword into Auron's chest. Auron fell to his knees.
Sephiroth moved back and waited to be crowned winner. But to his surprise Auron stood up, Sephiroth grabbed the handle of his sword, but Auron took it by the blade still in his chest and flung Sephiroth out of the arena into a statue of Squall, shattering it.
How can he be alive? Pondered Sephiroth as he rushed back to the arena.
"I entered this tournament knowing I can't lose. You see I am already dead, no matter what you do I will come back, except decapitation, but I never let anybody get near my head." Auron explained.
"Shouldn't tell your secrets, now killing you will be no problem." Said Sephiroth as he took a lightning fast swing at Auron.
"Also I haven't been trying my fullest either." Implied Auron who was holding the edge of Sephiroth's blade.
"No...you are bluffing, nobody can beat me...I am the top of the limits!" Raged Sephiroth furiously swinging as Auron blocked with his index finger. The silver haired man finally stopped.
"There is no limit, especially in the afterlife." Responded Auron. Sephiroth swung his blade again but Auron retaliated by clashing his blade so hard against the Masamune that it cut into. Sephiroth gasped.
"Immmpossible!!! This is a legendary sword...it's unbreakable." Implied Sephiroth.
"Everything is unbreakable until somebody breaks it." Gestured Auron who started laughing. Sephiroth stood there and realized he might be outmatched for the first time in his life.
"Ok, I will give the bout to you. I still do not admit defeat. But I can't beat you with no weapon." Said Sephiroth.
"Hey down there...Is it safe to come down!?" Selphie yelled from afar. Everybody came back down to see the shambles of Balamb.
"Well I guess you won't be leaving after all?" Auron asked.
"Nope, I still have a rematch with Squall and you. And I definitely am not leaving till somebody fixes the Masamune!" Exclaimed Sephiroth. The two of them shook hands on it.
"Well, the tournament is over. Auron, you are the winner. And that means you get a free chance to score with me!" Selphie exclaimed.
"Huh?" Uttered Zell who was confused.
"Just kiddin hun, but we don't have anything for him." Selphie retorted. Auron walked over to Selphie and Zell.
"Hey you can help me get a date with that Edea chick." Auron whispered. Zell took the mic.
"Well the man said he did it just for fun, hope you guys had fun watchin though." He announced to the crowd, then turned to Auron. "Alright I'm on it, but I'm going to go check on Squall before I do anything." Said Zell as he went off to the clinic.
"I think, I'm going to go too." Selphie followed him. Auron looked over and saw Sephiroth staring out at the ocean. He started to walk over to him but Aeris beat him to it.
"Honey you fought great!" Aeris cheered him
"..." Sephiroth was silent. Aeris started to cuddle him.
"Look I don't care if you win or not." She said trying to cheer him up. Sephiroth pushed her off of him and stood up.
"I didn't beat him!" Exclaimed Sephiroth. "And I do care if I win, losing is not an option for me. I could go in combat knowing I have a zero percent chance of dying... and today that was all taken away from me." Aeris shook her head and laughed.
"So...it's still like one in a billion, just don't go against Auron and your chances will remain zero. Please don't let it bother you so much, you're too tense." Aeris stood up and wrapped her arms around him.
"Why do I bother, women don't understand such things anyways." Sephiroth complained.
"I still know how to make you feel better." Aeris whispered. Sephiroth grinned.
"And how you going to do tha..." Sephiroth stopped as Aeris undone the top two buttons on her dress.
"I'll be waiting in the dorm for you when you're done sulking." Said Aeris as she turned flinging her hair in his face and walked off.
"That always works." Sephiroth muttered to himself as he followed her.
Meanwhile Squall was in for some bad news. "Doctor are you done running tests?" Rinoa asked getting impatient. Dr. Kadowaki had a grim look on her face.
"Yes...it's worse than we thought, he has an advanced leukemia."
Sorry about this chapter being so late, and Wyatt, I'm sorry but I just had to put that in there lol...no offense. Oh well I guess I will start on the next one.