Legacies: Chapter 17

by: Gemini83

Disclaimer: You know it, I don't own FF8. But I do own this story.

Irvine and Zell waited in front of a large brick building with neon lights.

Zell waved as he was the first, again, to see the others approach.

"So," he asked, "did you have a good time shopping?"

The three women tried in vain to reply with straight faces.

"We had a wonderful time," Leona finally managed.

Irvine smirked, "Zell and I had a great time too. But you wouldn't believe the prices for some of that stuff, especially the clothes. I can't understand why they would charge so much for something with so little fabric. Although, I must say they were quite astonishing designs."

Rinoa bared her teeth, "really? That's so interesting..."

Irvine stared innocently back, but decided to drop the line of conversation. Both Rinoa and Selphie were looking at him as if they'd like to do something painful to him. However, he couldn't resist the urge to leer at Selphie, who blushed ever so slightly.

"Okay guys," said Zell, "shall we go? They're waiting for us inside."

"Oh that's right," exclaimed Irvine, "you girls are playing tonight!"

Zell let the girls enter first, but held Irvine back.

He tapped his foot, "okay, I've had it. Are you telling me or not?"

Irvine shook his head, "Zell, Zell, so much to learn, so naive..."

He drew closer to Zell and whispered in his ear.

Slowly it dawned on him.

"Oh..." said Zell, "right, I knew that..."

Irvine raised an eyebrow, "whatever."

Zell narrowed his eyes, "oh shut up. I get enough of that at home."

"Hey guys!" shouted Selphie, "we don't have all night!"

Irvine nodded, and gestured to Zell, "after you..."

Zell grinned back, "thank you."

The two entered the club, eagerly looking forward to the night's performance. No one noticed the figures on the rooftops, looking down on them.

Irvine took one look around the room, and immediately felt at home. The music was loud and upbeat, the lights were shining all varieties of different colors, and there were plenty of people on the dance floor. Although there were no windows to let sunlight in, he could see everything perfectly. In the center of the floor, suspended from the ceiling in his own cabin, the deejay bopped his head to the music. The stage at the front was empty. Irvine felt like going down to the floor and joining the party.

For the moment, however, he contented himself with sitting on the balcony overlooking the dance floor, having drinks with his friends at one of the many tables.

"So," he started," when's Squall getting here?"

Selphie laughed, "Squall, in a club? This really isn't his kind of place."

"Are you kidding?" scoffed Irvine, "when has he ever skipped out on a chance to hang out with Rinoa? The sorceress has him under her spell!"

He waved his hands mystically in the air as the others laughed.

"Alright guys," pleaded Rinoa, "stop it, you're embarrassing me."

Irvine glanced at Rinoa's shopping bag, then back to her, and grinned, "I'm sure."

Zell decided to change the conversation, as Rinoa's narrowed her eyes at Irvine murderously.

"So, Leona, when are you guys up?"

Leona looked around the club, "anytime now. I see most of the band. It'll be really great with Rinoa playing, we've never had a good piano player before."

"Looks like you're short one guitar today as well," came a voice from behind.

They all turned to see the owner of the voice.

"Gabe!" shouted Leona, "good to see you!"

Zell blinked, "you know him?"

Leona nodded, "sure, Gabe comes here all the time."

Irvine turned to him, "really?"

Gabe coughed, "uhm...place to work as well as relax."

The SeeD nodded, remembering Gabe's occupation, "ah."

"So," asked Leona, "what's this about no guitars?"

Gabe shrugged, "Matt called in sick."

"Aw Hyne," cursed Leona, "who we gonna get now?"

"Well..." started Zell.

"I talked to Christina," said Gabe, "the sax player, she volunteered me."

Leona snickered, "yeah, that sounds like her."

Gabe turned to Zell, "I interrupted you."

He waved his hand in dismissal, "no problem, it's just that I played some music back on Fisherman's Horizon with the gang here one time, if you were short a player."

"Thanks Zell," started Leona, "but Gabe-"

"Will have no problems," he replied, "I'll have to meet with some other people later anyway."

Irvine nodded, "care to introduce us to any new faces?"

Gabe returned a pointed look. Any people he might be meeting with would obviously want their anonymity preserved.

Selphie smiled slightly, "maybe next time."

Rinoa cautiously looked Gabe over, noticing conspicuous bulges here and there in his trench coat.

"So," she started, "I heard you caused quite a stir the other day."

Gabe shrugged.

Irvine laughed, "yeah, him and Zell mixed it up before a T-Rexaur spoiled the party."

Zell groaned, "look man, it was a mistake, alright?"

Gabe smiled, "forget it. Besides, I wasn't exactly the most comforting image at the time."

Zell shuddered, "tell me about it. I thought you were fighting Quistis, all I saw was the blood-"

"It was a bit of a mess," said Irvine, cutting Zell off before he said too much, "I just can't believe the way those T-Rexaurs acted."

Rinoa remembered the field tapes. It wasn't the first time the creatures had gone on a rampage. First on the training field, near the forest, during the light of day. Then in their own Training Center. Rinoa blinked as the flashing lights of the dance room woke her from her reverie.

"They sure have been acting strange lately," she said, "but from what I hear, you boys solved the situation handily."

Irvine thumped himself on the chest, "all thanks to the expert marksman, they would have been lunch without me."

Selphie grinned, "gee Irvy, modest as ever I see."

He smirked, "they'd be helpless without me, it's true."

Zell rolled his eyes, "in your dreams. Though I must admit, your warning did help us out."

"Speaking of which," said Leona to Gabe, "I heard you were pretty good at handling that monster. You never told me you were a trained fighter Gabe, with a gunblade too."

He shrugged again, it seemed to be a natural response for him, "you pick up things here and there."

Zell and Irvine shared a look, then the lights in the room began to flicker, changing colors.

"Oh," said Leona, "we're almost up. Ready to get started Rinoa?"

The two stood up from the table, and Rinoa nodded.

"See you later," said Zell.

Leona smiled and left.

Rinoa glanced around the room, "Squall better make it tonight, or I swear I'll make him pay."

Selphie laughed, looking back at Rinoa's shopping bag, "I can imagine."

She blushed slightly, then peered back into Selphie's eyes, "speak for yourself."

The two smiled at each other again.

Rinoa turned to Gabe, "coming?"

"You go on ahead," he answered, "I'll be right behind you."

When she left, he turned to Irvine, "can I speak with you?"

The SeeD narrowed his eyes, "sure. Zell, Selphie? I'll be right back."

Irvine stood up, and allowed Gabe to lead them to another table, "what is it?"

Gabe glanced sideways, as if making sure no one else heard, "when you leave tonight, be on your toes."

Irvine raised an eyebrow, "why? Is something happening?"

Gabe shook his head, "not entirely sure, but I heard through the grapevine that something weird happened in another part of town about an hour ago."

Irvine blinked, "those are some quick sources you have."

Gabe's smiled grimly, "I try. It's probably nothing, but still, be on the lookout. If you drive back home and see anything suspicious, it may be more than it seems."

He reached into a pocket, pulling out a leather pouch, and threw it across the table at Irvine.

Irvine opened the bag, peering inside. It contained several strange capsules.

"What's this?" he asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"You use a shotgun right? I assume you brought it with you."

Irvine nodded, "go on."

Gabe gestured with his chin, "some special shot cartridges I made up myself, not just your average Pulse ammo. Nothing to worry the others about yet, but just in case. Okay?"

Irvine nodded, "thanks."

"Don't mention it...literally. This could be nothing more than smoke and hot air."

But Gabe said it as if he really didn't believe that.

"Anyway, I must go, can't keep the fans waiting can I?"

Irvine smirked. He liked Gabe's character...easy going, but serious when he had to be. Reminded him of himself.

They rose from the table, heading their separate ways.

Irvine reached the table and sat down with the others.

"Well," asked Selphie, "what was that about?"

Irvine shook his head, "maybe nothing, I hope. He just wanted us to be careful tonight."

Zell furrowed his eyebrows, "Why? What's been going on?"

Irvine shrugged, "doesn't seem like anything serious, but he wanted to give us fair warning."

Selphie nodded, "what's in the bag he gave you?"

Irvine brought out the pouch, taking out the cartridge shells, examining them.

He let out a whistle, "great workmanship. If he made these himself...maybe he should be using my Exeter instead of gunblades."

Zell raised an eyebrow, "you mean those are for your shotgun?"

"Seems like it," he answered, "even engraved with elemental composition."

Selphie peered closer, looking at the flaming meteor etched into one of the shells, and the tornado stamped on another, "looks like he takes his work seriously."

Irvine snickered, "just like you, isn't that right, my little demolitionist?"

Selphie covered her face with her hands, "oh stop it."

Zell shook his head and smiled, "he has a point though. Who would have thought that you'd be so good at blowing things up?"

Then he did a double take, "oh, I forgot it was you...never mind. Just don't plan the fireworks for my next party. Remember when we were kids?"

Irvine nodded enthusiastically, following with several anecdotes involving Selphie and her childhood escapades.

"I said I was sorry," groaned Selphie.

"Yeah," acknowledged Zell, "but I still have nightmares. Selphie, with her evil laughter, chasing me with..."

Zell shuddered, "if it weren't for Matron, you'd have been the death of me. I swear I can still feel the burns."

Irvine laughed, "yeah, isn't it great? That's what makes her so fun."

Zell shuddered again, "I remember now why I don't visit you people at Trabia anymore."

The three shared a few more stories, laughing and mulling over their drinks, while the lights around them played games with colors and shapes. Then the music started, as the lights dimmed.

A cool blue light shone on Rinoa, setting a preamble to the song. Her fingers played across the piano keys, weaving a story with her music, painting images of things lost and things found, of lives come and lives gone.

Brighter lights spun around her, finally focusing on too other players, Leona on the bass guitar, her friend on the sax. Now they began to court the audience, weaving more intricate tales, trying to bring warmth to the winter that was Rinoa's solo.

And now the lights surrounded the entire stage, crating a halo around all the musicians. Gabe and a drummer began to join in. Rinoa began to hum, slowly beginning to form words. Soon, Leona walked up to the mic, and began to join her, as the two began their song.

When you are near me,

The ghosts, they disappear,

And now you're here beside me,

My heart, it sheds this tear.

Won't you stay...stay,

With me for all time,

You lift my soul...up,

Higher than the skies.

I find you, your eyes are looking,

Right in mine, and what we see,

Is the love that is ours for taking,

What our lives we want to be.

Won't you stay...stay,

With me for all time,

You lift my soul...up,

Higher than the skies.

So take this love, now,

Take it in your arms,

Never let it go...no,

The storms within will calm.

So now you will...stay,

With me for all time,

You lift my soul...up,

Higher than the skies.

And we won't let go...no,

As we pass through the stars,

To you I'll hold...hold,

No tears, we take what's ours.

As they finished, Rinoa concluded with the piano, teasing the audience with her final notes, ending with a flourish. When she finished, the audience was on its feet, cheering and craving more.

Rinoa blushed slightly, smiling and waving back.

"That was great!" said the sax player.

"Thanks," answered Rinoa.

Gabe nodded, "you play well."

Leona looked back and forth, "uh Christina, we have a problem."

"What is it?" asked the sax player.

"Matt was singing tonight," she replied.

The drummer groaned, "oh great. I swear I'm gonna kill him. Didn't even bother to drop off the sheets so we could play 'em."

"If you don't mind," Gabe volunteered, "I could try some songs I used to play back when I was a kid."

Leona stared back doubtfully, "uh...these aren't lullabies I hope?"

Gabe sniffed, "ha ha. Oh, you smite me with laughter. No don't worry, I don't think they're too bad. Throw me off stage otherwise."

"Don't worry, we will," smiled Christina, "oh, and Gabe? Thanks."

He smiled and nodded, calmly taking the mic from Leona. He gave them some notes, then he began to strum a few strands on his guitar. The band soon followed his lead.

I've been here before,

In this waste before...

At the edge, looking back,

Trying to find where you were at,

All the miles between us,

They never meant a thing,

But now it hurts without you,

My mind is caving in.

And as I fall and fade away,

Thoughts of you like precious strands,

Promises of times to stay,

Like grains of sand, fell through my hands.

Fast forward to futures lived,

Go back to the past and give,

Thought to what has been lost,

And at what simple cost.

May be a simple, yet I'm torn,

It makes no sense...that's true,

But by my fate I'm sworn,

To lose what I found in you.

I still...love...you,

I still...think...of you.

Feel...you...beside me.

Cool...despite fires, inside me.

No more fighter's toil,

No more bloodied fields,

I want to end it all,

Feel all my wounds heal.

I reach out to you,

Wish you were coming back again,

All I can do is pray, one day,

That our love will fill me again.

As the final notes faded away, the cheers doubled. Gabe waved to the audience, the neon lights gleaming in his eyes. He caught sight of Zell in the crowd, and stared meaningfully at him. Zell nodded his head in understanding, saying something to the others at the table before making his way towards the platform. Gabe then bowed slightly and backed away from the front of the stage.

He turned to the others, "I've stayed a bit late, got to attend something else."

The sax player nodded, "sure. But one thing first...where did you get that song?"

Gabe frowned, "didn't like it?"

Rinoa laughed, "are you kidding? Listen to the crowd...it still cheering!"

He shrugged, "a friend of mine wrote the lyrics. He sang it a long time ago."

Leona nodded, "you'll have to get some more of his stuff."

Christina pointed to him with her sax, "between you and Rinoa, we could sell this place out."

Gabe smiled, "some other time, hopefully. I'll see you all later."

The rest of the player said their goodbyes as he walked off stage.

Gabe thought he heard the drummer say something as he left, "screw Matt...get that guy!"

He grinned as Zell came up to him.

Gabe handed over the guitar, "enjoy."

Zell flashed a smile, "you were really good."

He looked over Gabe's shoulder, catching the look the others were giving them.

"You know," said Zell, "you made an impression on them. I swear, Christina looks like she wants to marry you."

Gabe laughed, "oh come on, I'm not THAT good."

Zell shook his head, "suit yourself...still I'll have a job holding up to that. This'll be fun."

He nodded back as he walked past Zell, "take care."

Zell narrowed his eyes, "and how easy will that be...exactly?"

Gabe turned around, "Irvine told you?"

Zell nodded, "what's up?"

He sighed, "I wish I knew, just be on your toes. I'm actually going to..."

Gabe checked his watch, "Hyne...gotta go...remember, stay alert."

"You got it," replied Zell, as Gabe walked out a side exit.

The others were calling out to him.

"Come on Zell," urged Leona, "we don't have all day!"

Zell happily obliged, as the band began to entrance its audience again.

Squall cursed as he screeched the car into a parking space. Daylight was almost completely gone. And he needed to warn the others before it was too late.

Quistis winced as the car shuddered to a halt, "nice driving."

"Thanks," grunted Squall, getting out of the car.

Quistis opened the trunk, throwing several stones and a gun to Squall.

"Need the blade?" she asked.

He shook his head, "not yet. Let's go."

She nodded, coiling her whip around her belt, and followed Squall to the club. There wasn't anyone outside the door, not even a bouncer, which was rather odd. Squall closed his eyes before opening the door and entering, preparing them for adjusting to the darkness that would be inside.

Quistis shaded her eyes as the neon strobe lights gleamed at her. She saw the others as quickly as Squall.

He called out to their friends at the table, "Irvine, Selphie!"

The two turned in their seats, smiling and waving at Squall. But a look at his face immediately told them something was wrong.

"What's up?" asked Selphie.

"We've got problems," answered Squall, "where are Rinoa and the others?"

Irvine grinned, "you have to ask?"

He pointed at the stage, and for a moment, Squall looked, transfixed, as Rinoa played the notes on her piano. Then he shook his head...she wouldn't be happy about this.

Squall was right, as he began to explain what had happened to the others, Rinoa let out a curse.

"Hyne damn it," she swore, "what is going on?"

"So, you met Greymalkin," said Zell, "what was he like?"

Squall shrugged, "we didn't have time for pleasantries. He warned us and left."

Irvine furrowed his eyebrows, "where?"

Leonhart shrugged again, "didn't ask. Just hurried over here."

"We've got to leave," urged Quistis, "now."

The others nodded assent, and soon all the SeeD members were bidding goodbye to their friends in the club.

"Listen Christina," pleaded Leona, "don't go anywhere tonight, okay?"

The sax player cocked her head to the side, "why? What's going on?"

Leona sighed, "don't know. Just listen to me...no matter what...just spend the night here or something. Okay?"

She nodded.

"That goes for the rest of you as well," said Leona to the other band members, who acquiesced.

Irvine opened the exit door, as the SeeDs filed out into the alleyway.

Squall covered his eyes, adjusting to the new light. The sunlight was almost completely gone now, only the dim orange-red of dusk remained to light the cityscape.

He lead them toward the street, where their car was parked. Rinoa tensely grabbed his hand.

Squall looked back, and nodded reassuringly.

"Hold it," came a voice from behind, "stop right there."

The seven of them froze.

"Turn around," continued the voice.

They did so. As the SeeDs turned, several of them gaped, wide eyed.

Squall narrowed his eyes at the man in black. Hazel eyes stared into hazel, both pairs of them cold and tense. Squall's finger's itched to draw the pistol on his belt, but the man's gaze held him still.

Irvine didn't move a muscle, staring rigidly at their assailant. The darkness of the alley could not conceal the man stepping out of the shadows, as the SeeD wondered what the hell was going on.

Gabe stared back, the shotgun in his hands pointed at them, "don't move."

Author's Note: Finally! I finally got to the point I should have gotten to a month and a half ago. As one of my high school teachers would have said, I 'waffled around' a bit getting here (don't ask me for an explanation), but I got here! Great, the sniper scene I've been planning is next.