Wolf: Hi ya peoples! I don't own SeeD, instructors, or the regular FF
characters. Also, I made this chapter long to celebrate X-2!
Tobias: Now that that's over lets continue.
Wolf: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Tobias: Well since my parole doctors at the nut house released me they told me to help you host this.
Wolf: * mutters curses. * I really got to check which nuthouse I leave you in.
Tobias: * shrugs* Oh well. Let's move on.
October 17th to December 28th of the third year at Garden.
Part one: News of Galbadia.
Alloran toke a drink of water feeling dizzy from cure. * Well you cast eighteen cures I'm surprised you didn't pass out. After all you are a beginner.* ~ I knew she'd do it. ~ * Hah! Knowing you Fenerir you'd think she'd give up! * ~ I've been watching over her for years you've just came a while ago so butt out! ~ ( Shut up you two! I'm getting tired of you arguing!)
The door opened and a blue blur ran to the examining table to the man. " Father!" It was Rinoa. " What happened!? Why are you here!?" She hugged him tightly. Squall swiftly entered after her.
" He's your father?" Dr. Kadowaki asked looking surprised. " He looks a lot older than he was last time we saw him." She noted.
" You would too working for those government bastards," he hissed with indignity. In a gentler tone he said, " Rinoa, could you please let go before you kill your father. Unless that's what you plan on doing."
" To cut to the chase Caraway, what did you want to tell me?" Squall said coldly. Rinoa shot her husband a glare while Caraway tried pushing his way up to be greeted with pain. He sighed and lay back down.
" Do I have a choice? But not in front of that child," he said child like a drop. Alloran snorted. She felt like a toddler when she was called child. Squall nodded.
" Understood. Alloran, leave." Squall ordered. Alloran left the room but that didn't stop her from listening. He pressed her ear against the door and listened.
" Now that, that child is gone I'll explain," Caraway said in a formal tone. " The Galbadians are up to something. The president has us employing and training more and more soldiers each day. They keep putting off peace talks with other nations like Esthar and Trabia for classified reasons. Lately they've been telling the people about sorceress Cal's reasons for taking over like she doesn't have a knight to help her stay sane or she was given to an injustice. Bunch of crap if you ask me."
" But why are you all beat up?" Rinoa asked.
" I'm getting there!" Caraway snapped. " At the last counsel they said were trying to compromise with the sorceress and they needed all the generals permission. I declined and I was attacked in my home. I've struggled to get here for months and they've been following me just barely missing me. When I made it to the land near here they caught up and what you call getting the stuffing kicked out of me. They left me there, I'm not sure where I got the strength but I'm here." There was a moment's silence; it was as though no one was there.
" It looks like the Galbadians are trying to bring back the sorceress war again," Squall noted.
" Squall, can we ask my father more things later?" Rinoa paused. " I want to talk to him alone for awhile."
" Understood," Squall said. Alloran quickly backed away from the door. Squall passed her and muttered something to her. " You shouldn't listen to matters that don't concern you." Hyne, how did he know she heard! ~ Some GFs posses the ability to detect things so he might have done that. (Great, just perfect.)
" Alloran," Kadowaki said leaving Rinoa with her dad. " We'll have to cancel magic for today. It's the last block of the day so I suggest you put time to good use. And one more thing, DON'T tell anyone about General Caraway, many at Garden hate the Galbadians from the last war. Many have grudges against anyone related to Galbadia. Till then you are dismissed."
Alloran heard about the sorceress war last term. They said it had to do with sorceress Adel and Esthar. They also mentioned about how the president of Esthar, President Laguna Loire, tricked Adel and became the president. As for a sorceress knight, Alloran read about them in the book Tal gave her. It said a knight's job was to protect a sorceress and maybe love her. Also a knight keeps a sorceress from going insane with power. They're a sorceress's helper and as repayment a sorceress would give her knight a token of her trust.
I wonder if Squall has one, Alloran mused. After all, Squall is Rinoa's like the former headmaster was to former sorceress Edea.
As the evening came rumors spread around about a Galbadian general at Garden. By the looks of things not everyone likes the Galbadians.
" Why can't they go back to Galbadia!?" Tal grumbled throwing a napkin in a close by trashcan.
" Why should it be a problem for you?" Casseil asked hoping Tal wouldn't go on a rampage. A plate of macaroni just barely missed his head by an inch and hit a senior in the face. All attention turned to the senior. With rage he took another plate and threw it at Tal.
" Oh Hyne," Tal whispered ducking letting it nail Flare.
" FOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD FIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHH!" Sef yelled grabbing a plate of tofu and tossed it at the cafeteria lady. Plates of food sailed threw the air smacking anyone in sight. Alloran gripped onto Casseil's arm and pulled him under the table. Tal threw another plate and ducked under the table.
" No problem for me? I'm from FH remember!?" Tal snarled at Casseil. " About twenty years ago they attacked FH. If the SeeD hadn't come FH would be burned to the ground. Of course I have the right to feel this way!"
" That's not what I-"
" Just shut up Casseil!" Tal snapped. Things were tense, you could almost hear lightning crackle above.
~*~
Part 2: Loss of FH.
Three weeks later...
Poor Alloran, stuck between two friends. Since Tal and Casseil fought they either insulted each other or tried to get Alloran to pick who was right or wrong. In time Alloran had to avoid them too so she wouldn't get dragged into their mess. Whenever Alloran was with Tal in their room Tal would start sniping away. Enough to drive someone over the edge. The three couldn't hang out like last year anymore, things were out of order.
" Alloran, if you see what's his name tell him I'm not giving in," Tal said loudly to Alloran even though Casseil was on the other side of the table.
" Tell the gust of wind over there I'm not wrong and I didn't do anything wrong," Casseil mimicked Tal. Tal got up and started yelling.
" I'm a gust of wind huh, well at least I'm not an orphan boy!" Tal hit Casseil hard emotionally. Casseil was very emotional about his parents.
" Leave my dead parents out of this Tal Carter!" Casseil was furious. * She keeps this up and he'll cry. * ( You guys aren't even this bad.) ~ We are not like them! ~ Alloran looked at Casseil, he was hiding it well but she could see he was close to tears.
" Then apologize!" Tal demanded.
" I don't need to! I'm gone!" Casseil almost ran out.
" Fine!" Tal took off in the opposite direction.
" Casseil, Tal!" Alloran called to them but they were gone just like hopes off their friendship restoring. Alloran stood there looking almost like a lost puppy. What happened!?
~*~
Days later...
Things were looking their darkest. Tal and Casseil stopped talking to each other altogether. At meal times when one was there the other left. The same went for anything else but classes. They avoided much contact with Alloran too. She often wondered if they felt the same as her. Lonely? Confused? Afraid? The cold came as well but what was happening felt colder and bleaker. Alloran was left to re-read books and listen to her GFs. Be patient was their usual suggestion but it seemed impossible to be patient and see if they patch up. What if they never made up and were enemies forever? It felt as though the Hyne left them standing alone.
One day Alloran was heading back into the room to get bowled over by Tal. Tal was crying and she clutched a paper in her hand saying things like " Why?" or " How could they?" Alloran wanted to follow Tal but Tal didn't leave a trace of where she went. Alloran got up and went as fast as she could without getting detention. Many others were crying to for some reason. Alloran asked what was wrong but they just turned away and sobbed more.
" Alloran!" It was Casseil. " Do you know what's wrong? I think I saw Tal crying too. Its not like they failed a mark or something."
" Do you know where she went?" Alloran asked.
" No but why would I want to know, she's been on me for the last few weeks!"
" Hell Casseil you're as bad as her! None of you two or right! Can't you two get it threw your stubborn heads!? Hyne you sound like a three year old!" Alloran exploded. She turned and streaked away.
" Alloran I'm sorry!" Alloran pretended she didn't hear him.
~*~
Alloran wasn't sure how long she wondered around the hallways but it seemed like eternity. Some people looked sad others were asking what's wrong? And such. Alloran heard sobbing as she got off the elevator to the second floor.
" Sniff, Alloran?" Alloran found herself looking at the corner near the elevator seeing Drake. " Alloran, it's terribly. FH, sniff." Tears streamed off his pale face.
" What about FH?" Alloran asked patting his back.
" I'm from FH and well," he blurted the rest out. " Sorceress followers destroyed almost everything!" Now it made sense why Tal was sad, her home was destroyed.
" Drake," Alloran said softly. " Have you seen Tal? Remember her?" Drake sniffed a few times before he got the words out.
" She, she passed by here crying her eyes out, I th, think she's on the balcony. I heard music coming from th, there." He hid his face in his arms and kept sobbing. That's as much as Alloran expected out of him.
" Thanks Drake," Alloran called leaving him to his sorrow. ( Was that too cold?) ~ No, you've done worst. ~ * You're the same as always Fenerir, inconsiderate.* ~ Compared to you I'm the nicest GF in this world. ~ * You wish! * Alloran ignored the arguing GFs and went to the place she saw Tal on the balcony. Faint flute music was heard but it sounded like it was gasping for air.
" Tal?" Alloran called as she stepped onto the deck and saw a sight she hadn't expected. It was Tal and Casseil talking. Tal's face was flushed and she was attempting to play her flute. Casseil had a concerned look on his face.
" Alloran," Tal wiped her eyes with her sleeve. " We were talking about you."
" Yeah if you felt that way why didn't you tell us?" Casseil asked looking out at the mountains near Esthar where Garden parked that day.
" Would you have done it?" Alloran asked rolling her sapphire eyes. Casseil looked like he was going to say yes but changed his mind.
" Come to think of it no," Casseil admitted. " But me and Tal both said we were sorry to each other and now-"
" We're sorry Alloran," Tal cut in. She turned her face from Alloran and Casseil " I guess I got to emotional. But now, I don't have much to get angry about. FH is gone and there aren't many survivors. Garden, must have sent a notice to everyone from FH. My, my family, almost all are gone. There's only my mom, older brother and kid sis. My great granddad said he wanted to see the day someone in our family made SeeD. " Her voice broke. " Damnmit! Because of those sorceress slime balls he'll never get that chance! Why does everything happen to the innocents!? "
" All the more reason to become SeeD," was all Alloran could say without making it sound unnatural. " If you become SeeD you should be facing the sorceress right?"
" And you can get her back for destroying FH," Casseil finished.
" In that case I'll make sure she burns in Hell!" Tal grinned. " Hey guys, lets make a promise before we decide to hate each other again. If we all make SeeD well do or best to get revenge on her and tear her to pieces."
(A/N: Yeah, yeah I know it sounds dumb but their teenagers remember?)
" I can live with that," Alloran nodded. She really could live with an oath like that.
" Ditto," Casseil nodded. ( A/N: I don't mean Pokemon!!!!! * stabs a Pokemon doll)
" Okay its decided, sorceress Cal is going to get her butt kicked!" Tal announced.
~*~
Part three: Holidays
December 23rd, the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
" Think we should get a gift for our teachers?" Casseil asked on the bus to Balamb for the day trip. Alloran checked her gil she had from her monthly pay of fifty gil.
" Like the Trepies?" Alloran rolled her eyes. " Like the teachers pets? No way!"
" Yeah and we have limited gil too doofus," Tal reminded him looking at her Christmas list- which was shorter than last years. " Anyway how do you two feel about having your birthday parties on the same day?" Alloran and Casseil exchanged glances. " Come on guys it won't be that bad."
" Yeah we can invite Visser and his block headed dummies. Then call the teachers for cake and cookies," Alloran said sarcastically. " Birthdays parties aren't exactly what you get living with Miss. Fallow."
" Then it could be your first. Come on, what's the worse that can happen?" Tal asked. Alloran and Casseil started counting up to seventy thousand problems. " We can keep it among ourselves okay?"
" Fine," Alloran and Casseil both said.
" We might as well do what we did last year," Alloran shrugged. That idea worked out with everyone, no problems for the holiday right? Fate had something else in mind.
Balamb looked mostly like it did before, Garden funds helped with that. As the bus emptied students got off to talk to relatives or window shop.
" Meet you later," Tal called as they took off in opposite directions. After Alloran finished her shopping she took off to the weapon shop to browse since she didn't have much gil for any good weapon. As she looked a rack of gunblades caught her eye. They had a huge selection of gunblades all top quality. There was a Hyperion and the same type of gunblade that her limit break teacher had. Come to think of it she didn't know his name.
" Interested in this model," the shopkeeper pointed to Hyperions look alike. " It's a remodeling of the Hyperion called Hyperdragoon. As powerful as the Lionheart."
" Is there a remodeling of the Windtrecker?" Alloran asked curiously hoping maybe she could remodel it.
" Yeah it's pretty strong, called Windhowler, made from the strongest metals known to man. It's practically unbreakable. And its price, if I sold five or so I could retire in no time." He explained.
" So I take it not many get Windhowler," Alloran said disappointed.
The shopkeeper laughed. " No one has bought one. I don't even sell many Windtreckers and its costs as much as Revolver or Hyperion. If you want one I suggest you save for about ten or so years. There's one on the top shelf if you want to look it over."
Windhowler was a beautiful gunblade. The weapon was a meter odd long. ( A/N: think of Sephiroth's sword length.) the blade was cool silver. The shadow colored handle top spread across the top to half way. The trigger was freshly oiled so it could be pulled fast. Alloran took a piece of paper and lightly pushed on the blade and it ripped through fast. Imagine what it could do if someone tried to cut something fast. Alloran thought to herself.
" Monsters!" A voice shrieked.
" Wha?" Alloran whispered. A force slammed her back and slammed her against the wall. A growl made her attention turn to what hit her. A Geezard was hissing behind her. Alloran pulled out Windtrecker. This wasn't going to be an easy battle. The Geezard was tired of waiting, it leapt for Alloran's throat. " Not today," Alloran muttered. She stepped back and took a swipe. The Geezard was knocked back but not stopped. As it jumped again it seemed to be hit by an invisible force. The shopkeeper was holding an Exeter.
" You're with Garden right? Well what are you waiting for," he breathed. It didn't take a scientist to see the recoil on Exeter hurt him. " Well, are you?"
Alloran nodded and took off. On the streets the Garden students and those who could fight were taking on monsters. ( I thought they stayed out of cities and towns! ) ~ Obviously they don't know. ~ * I can feel a power drawing them here. * ( What would do that? ) * A sorceress. * ( She's here!? ) ~ No, I don't feel her presence. It must be a spell. ~
Another loud cry screeched, another Geezard wanted to fight. Give me a break! She thought. She gripped onto Windtrecker and slashed down and pulled the trigger. The stupid Geezard was still standing. It let out a cry and let out a thunder spell. Alloran cursed herself for letting it cast thunder. A sharp jolt ran through her body pushing her into a world of pain. What's that expression? Fight fire with fire. She searched her mind for a fire spell. Her body heated up and blasted at the Geezard. Unfortunately it was still there. Hyne how much longer before it gets the message to stay down! Two objects flew past Alloran's ears and took down the Geezard. It let out one final cry and hit the ground dead.
" Need a hand?" Asked Tal.
" Or a bullet?" Casseil added loading another packet of bullets into his gun.
" What's going on?" Alloran asked Casseil.
" Well monsters are attacking."
" Aside from that!"
" Well a lot more are still coming and that's all we know," Tal said bitterly.
If this keeps up Balamb might end up like FH, a memory. Alloran thought. A flash occurred in her mind. She saw a cliff over looking Balamb and a horde of incoming monsters. A silky female voice said " call Leviathan." The vision ended. As if pulled by an invisible force Alloran ran away to the cliffs.
" Alloran?!" Tal called chasing after her.
" Not again," muttered Casseil. Shaking his head he followed them muttering why did he become friends with girls.
~*~
Alloran was there, at the place of her vision. The masses of monsters were growing but they weren't going into Balamb, they were waiting. It occurred to Alloran that they were going to attack all at once when Balamb was weak. Who knew monsters strategize. * They don't, something or someone is controlling them. * ( Who?) * The sorceress. * ( She's here?! ) ~ No, I can't feel her presence it must be a spell. ~ Who or whatever sent the vision wanted her to call Leviathan. * If you plan on calling me do. * ~ I agree with that sneaky serpent I share a space with. You have two choices, A you wait and see if Garden sends reinforcements or B you call Leviathan. ~ * And I agree with that dumb wolf, I haven't been called in years and it would be wonderful to surface again. * Alloran wasn't sure, Dr. Kadowaki said they'd get to summoning next term but what would happen if she didn't call on Leviathan now? ( Okay Leviathan, lets do it. )
Alloran closed her eyes and felt for that contact with Leviathan. She felt her thoughts melding with Leviathan. It felt like she was in a cool rain shower.
" Alloran!" Tal and Casseil both called as they saw Alloran standing there. They could almost see a serpent above her. Tsunami, Leviathan and Alloran both thought. A portal flew across the sky and a creature covered in light came out. The light broke off and revealed a giant blue sea serpent just like in the book. It rose into the sky and the ground rose to create a mountain. Leviathan burst into water and flooded down the mountain and washed over all the masses. The mountain went back to normal and all the monsters were gone. ( They're, gone. ) * No, their bodies were washed into the ocean. * ~ I think Balamb will be fine. ~
Both Tal and Casseil sprinted to Alloran and started bombarding her with questions. Alloran couldn't hear them though. Her body felt tired from the summon and then everything went black.
~*~
Three days later...
" She moved!" Alloran heard a voice say. Her body felt like it got hit by a ton of bricks. She felt someone shake her. " Alloran, Alloran wake up!" Alloran pushed herself up. The ones present were Quistis, Kadowaki, Casseil, and Tal.
" Welcome back to the world of the living," Kadowaki shook her head. " You suffered from exhaustion, that's what happens when you summon when your body isn't ready for the power."
" It's still impressive," Quistis noted. " She was able to fully summon Leviathan even though she's only had Leviathan for a few months. So how do you feel Alloran ?"
" Just a bit tired," Alloran admitted. " What happened when I was out?"
" Garden would have been there but they were delayed," Tal explained. " Dear sorceress Cal sent an army to Garden and they couldn't send anyone to Balamb."
" It's December the 26th so you missed Christmas by a day," Casseil told her. " We kinda got our gifts when they fell outta your pockets when we were carrying you to Garden." Someone is going to be dead if he starts bragging, Alloran thought to herself.
" So that's it?" Alloran asked getting her focus back in her eyesight. They all nodded. Looks like things are okay here but time to go see another person.
~*~
At a Castle in Galbadia...
" How!?" Hissed Cal as she threw her wineglass at the wall. " How could the future lie!? I spelled that orb to tell the future! This is the second time it's failed, no it wasn't the orb, it has to do with Fenerir!" She raved. When she became a sorceress she acquired a GF called Karu (A/N: K- rue), brother GF of Fenerir. Cal had been following Karu's advice the whole way. Karu warned her of a future women named Ellone and a GF called Fenerir. ~ Right milady, it wasn't the orbs fault, it had to be that Ellone from the future. ~ Karu's powerful voice echoed through Cal's mind. ~ We know her powers, and we know that she can only send the minds of others to the past now but if we wait she'll be more of a threat in the future. ~
" You! Deling!" Cal pointed to a slender man called Dian Deling, president of Galbadia. " How goes the plan of assassinating that brat Ellone!?"
" With all due respect sorceress Cal," his voice had the same lofty tone as Visser. " It's hard to sneak our men into Esthar, after all she is the adopted daughter of president Loire."
" I want progress not excuses! Get out!" Cal snarled at Dian.
" Yes sorceress Cal," Dian bowed and left.
" Get me a new glass of red wine!" She ordered a servant. If you saw her you would think she was talking to herself but in truth she was talking to Karu. " The first time was Fenerir's doing! In the orb it showed me taking Greiver from Squall and starting my reign as Ultemicia, but then that child stopped me. That child possessing Fenerir. " ~ I'm sure the orb will be right this time. ~ " If you say so Karu." Cal raised the orb to the light and chanted words unknown to mortals and the orb flickered to life. Cal smiled coldly as the image ended. " We shall try again next year. Till then we shall assembly an army Garden can't beat!"
~*~
Part four: Limit break Demon Slice.
(A/N: Yeah, yeah I know Demon slice is another of Seifer's attacks. Give me a break if I didn't get Demon slice completely like in the game. I was up late writing this and I can only remember so much.
March 13th ...
" Okay, time to learn limit break again," Squall told Visser and Alloran. The blond haired instructor was there looking as cocky as he had been the year before. " Visser with me Alloran with him." He said him like poison. The blondie just snorted and took off to a group of dummies muttering curses under his breathe.
" I'm only going to show this to you once so pay attention!" He growled. He's in a cheerful mood, Alloran thought. He cast Aura on himself like before and stepped away from the dummy. He took a running start and brought his Hyperdragoon down to up and flipped the dummy up into the air. He jumped up and spun in the air and repeatedly slashed the dummy across the chest and toke a final blow knocking it down into the ground. I'd hate to be the person on the receiving end, Alloran thought wide eyed. " Well do you think you can do Demon slice?" Alloran nodded. She wouldn't dare say no. " Good. Aura!" The warm feeling over came Alloran again. He was waiting for her to try. Before she attempted memories swarmed over her like last year. ( Fenerir, I promise to get you back when I can make you come out of my mind! )
Alloran gripped onto the hilt and thought if she could learn Fire Cross in one class she could learn this to. Alloran took the running start and struggled pushing the dummy into the air. With all her might she pushed up the dummy into the air. She leapt up and spun after one spin and hit she hit the ground. She could already feel Aura's effect slip away.
" Weren't you paying attention!?" Growled Alloran's dear instructor.
" Have you ever thought how hard it is when you don't exactly tell me what to do!?" Alloran shot back. They shot daggers into each others eyes.
" If you paid attention you could probably wouldn't need someone to explain," he said while his green eyes were full of anger. " Try it again!"
~*~
Damn! Alloran thought punching the wall after the day's lesson was over. How was she supposed to know exactly what to do. She had messed up in the last twelve classes and he would be there again for next class in two days. She was stick with him for next year too when she was supposed to learn her final limit step. If she qualified for the next year.
After the classes were over Alloran didn't feel like going for supper. Instead she went to the training center and tore apart Gnats. What the Hell was she doing wrong!?
" You might want to focus," Quistis said calmly. " Your cuts are inaccurate and if you don't focus a Gnat can get you if you don't pay attention." Pay attention? That's what he said. " Are you listening?" Alloran just nodded and went back to her work. Quistis sighed and put her hand on Alloran's shoulder. " Its your limit break teacher isn't it?"
Alloran didn't respond. If she said he was a bad teacher he might not get to come back. For some reason she didn't want him to vanish on her yet and have someone else teach her. As crazy as it sounded he was pretty good. He made her want to push ahead. It took Visser seven classes to get Renzokuken while it took her one to learn Fire Cross. Maybe she was just trying to hard to live up to his expectations. Even though he had a way of making you try harder he was still kinda hard. She would only have him again next year so she might as well get over it.
" He's harsh," Alloran smirked. " But I don't think that'll stop me." Quistis smiled and looked off dreamily.
" Yes, he's actually a nice person inside," she said. Then she caught herself and nodded. " Yes checking on how it was going." Quistis blushed and left. ~ I think she likes him. ~ (Those two!? I cant see it. ) * Well you never know. *
~*~
" Well are you ready to murder Demon Slice again?" The blond haired instructor taunted. Alloran nodded. " Aura!"
Alloran felt the light flood over her. ( Fenerir.) ~ On it. ~ Her bad memories came back. She didn't know why but she felt used to seeing them. Alloran kept all her focus on the dummy. She could barely here the voices of her memories. She ran fast up to dummy and grunted as she pushed it into the air. In a second she was in the air spinning fast slashing apart the dummy like it was paper. Then she did the finishing move and slammed the dummy into the ground. She panted as sweat dribbled down her face. It was almost unbelievable to herself that she pulled it off.
The dummy was slashed to bits making Alloran wonder whether she was the one that did that. She heard clapping coming from the slave driver of a teacher.
" Not bad," her instructor smirked. " But it'll still be awhile before you'll be as good as me. Next class we'll work on working with the trigger." Alloran felt a swell of pride. She did Demon Slice finally. Hopefully she would learn her next limit as easily as the first.
~*~
Part five: End of another year
June 23rd ...
Alloran and Tal traded attacks. Alloran grabbed onto Tal's fist and turned it. Tal yelped and kicked Alloran in the stomach. Stepping in Alloran punched, Tal grabbed onto it and flipped Alloran onto the ground of the mate.
" Test over. Move onto the next test," said a staff member. Tal grinned triumphantly as she attached Pinwheel to her arm.
" To pass the limit break satisfactory first cast Fire Cross then Demon Slice on those targets," said a garden staff member. Alloran gripped onto Windtrecker. This should be one of the easiest tests. She felt Aura slip over her and started. She glared at the target and focused hard. That training with her instructor really paid off. She felt the energy build up and then she released it onto the dummy. A giant flare shot from her hand and barbaqued the target. The staff member nodded and started writing something down on her evaluation sheet. ~ You've improved. ~ ( Yeah working with that slave driver helped I guess. )
" Next limit," the staff member said dryly. Alloran ran to the dummy and threw it into the air. Weeks of weight lifting helped her out on that. She jumped into the air and started spinning cutting the dummy into shreds. Next she pulled the trigger to Windtrecker as she slammed the blade down. The staff member widened their eyes and wrote down her mark furiously. * I'll assume you passed. * " You're next job is to spare with cadet Visser Deling." Alloran frowned. She knew she had to do this to pass but she still had bad outcomes when she dueled Visser.
Another staff member lead Visser over to her. She wouldn't put it past him to try and think of something to cause trouble. Most people started to gasp or whisper. A slender man with greasy black hair sat down with Squall and Rinoa, who were looking the cadets over. Squall looked a bit annoyed but kept his mouth shut.
" So Squall you teach your students to stare and whisper when a guest comes," he sneered with a lofty voice similar to Visser. Squall whispered something to the man and everyone went back to their own thing.
" Face off," a staff member said. Alloran and Visser were five feet apart and kept their eyes on each other. Visser held Revolver in guard position and Alloran held Windtrecker loosely in front of her with two hands. The slender man kept his cold blue eyes on Visser. " Go!"
Alloran and Visser ran face to face. Alloran cocked Windtrecker and slashed downward and Visser brought Revolver in an upward block. They jumped away on the recoil and Visser jumped up and sliced downward and Alloran braced herself and brought Windtrecker in a high block. This is getting annoying! Alloran and Visser thought. Visser pushed his weight down on the blade forcing Alloran lower. She could risk doing what she did in the first year but she didn't think Visser would pull the same trick twice. This time she leapt to the side and went on the assault. Visser stumbled but recovered and moved Revolver to the side blocking it. They both pushed blades together and the gunblades moved upward together. They both took the risk and moved to the side and struck. Alloran froze, she felt cold steel up against the back of her neck. But she didn't need to look around to know her blade was against his neck too. They were holding their gunblades to their backs to each other's neck. None of them would dare strike again for fear of getting their throats slit.
" Enough," Squall said sitting up. " No sense in killing each other." Visser and Alloran reluctantly pulled away. The slender man looked furious. After the exam Visser went straight to the slender man. The slender man started scolding Visser at a low voice.
~*~
" Did you see that guy?" Casseil asked Alloran at lunch.
" Yeah, who wouldn't?" Alloran muttered.
" He's a major person from wherever, I'll give you that by the uniform," Casseil said munching on an apple.
" Word has it its Visser's old man," Tal growled in slight fury. " Dian Deling, president of Galbadia."
" Then why would a big shot like him be here?" Casseil asked quickly looking away.
" Its not like we know what he'd be thinking," Alloran muttered. Tal had a look of rage in her eye.
" So Tal, are you going back to where FH is being rebuilt?" Casseil asked changing the subject. Tal's rage vanished.
" Yeah, they need some help rebuilding FH and I want to see how my mom's doing," Tal explained. " But I'm a bit worried."
" Why?" Alloran asked. Why should Tal be worried about going back home?
" You see," she stopped and shook her head. " Its nothing much okay? I'm heading back home after we get our results back. " Tal picked up her tray and left the table.
" You think something's wrong?" Casseil asked.
" Nah, lets just give it time," Alloran told Casseil. Being truthful she did believe something was wrong but why make Casseil worry too?
~*~
" Do you have the disk I wanted?" Dain Deling asked his son.
" Of course father," Visser gave a highly incoded disk to Dian.
" And it has everything I need?"
" Of course, I wouldn't leave anything out."
" Perfect, Cal will be pleased."
Part six: Doubts in Garden
August 27th...
Alloran polished Windtrecker's blade. Tal would be back for the afternoon for the end of the break. Alloran had been desperate enough to spare with Drake because of the boredom. Surprisingly Drake was getting pretty good. Tal went to the rebuilding of FH to help and see her family, what was left of it at least. Lately at Garden, men in suites came to check things out lately. One tried to get Alloran open up her room for inspection. Those guys were quite annoying trying to inspect student rooms, Squall almost had to threaten them with the Lionheart to leave. According to Drake the uniforms were the type special inspectors used for hard cases. But why would they come here? It all seemed to be a weird summer with all that was going on.
Click. The door opened. If it was an inspector she would have met him with Windtrecker in hand to hint them to go away. Luckily it wasn't a pesky inspector.
" Back already Tal?" Alloran grinned putting Windtrecker away.
" Don't tell me you were hoping I was going to stay away," Tal grinned as Casseil followed her like a puppy. " Casseil met me at the gate. So what's new?"
Alloran sighed. What was there to say? Not much except for those suits. Alloran explained to Tal about the weirdos in black. Alloran expected Tal too look bored but instead her eyes were wide open.
" Hell do you know what that means?!" Tal asked Alloran wide eyed. " I heard about guys like that. They check places they think is unsafe, get support, and get rid of the service." It sunk in, those guys had been looking around to run Balamb Garden out of business.
" No way!" Casseil yelled punching the wall. " This is the home for a lot of kids! Besides, who would support those freaks!?" Tal quickly looked away, Alloran understood.
" Your mom's with them, right?" Alloran asked. She hadn't meet Mrs. Carter but Tal said that sometimes her mom was a bit over protective or serious. A single tear hit the ground.
" She's worried," Tal said keeping a steady voice. " She think that if I stay here I'll get killed and join my dad and the rest of my dead family. I, I almost couldn't come back here this year because of my mom. I had to runaway and leave them with only a note. I tried to explain to her that Garden needs to stay open but she's pig headed! She got some parents to agree with her that have kids here at Garden. Some kids weren't able to get back here. From what I heard there's supposed to be a debate between those nutsoes and Garden here and even a rally for those opposed to keeping Garden open here." Tal sat down on a chair keeping her head in her hands. " I know my mom is going to be there, she's going to go ballistic!"
" Then what can we do?" Alloran asked sitting opposite of Tal. Garden couldn't be closed down. Alloran and Casseil, and others wouldn't have a place anymore. It would be like losing a second home.
" Well," Tal sniffed. Casseil handed her a tissue. " Pass around the word not to get interviewed, I hear people can edit it so it looks like you want Balamb Garden to be closed down. And Casseil, DON'T attack any of them. I know you would. They can say Garden is making us snarling wolves."
" That's all?" Casseil asked rubbing his red fists- which he got from punching the wall.
" Give me a break, I had to think about it on the bus here," Tal muttered. ~ Looks like things are going to get tough. ~ * They can't close down Garden. I've been put in the Galbadian Garden archives and students and it's the pits. * (They won't, no one would allow it.)
~*~
September 13th ...
" Classes will be cancelled for the meeting between S.U.P and Garden, please remain in your dorms until the meeting is over." The intercom rang over the school."
" What the heck Sup?" Casseil asked.
" Stop Unsafe Places," Tal said stoically. Alloran understood well. Tal's dear mom would be coming today. If Garden was closed Alloran and Casseil might never see Tal again." Well we might as well go to the dorms," Tal said picking up her textbooks. Alloran knew that Tal didn't want to see her mom at the moment. And who would blame her. She almost stopped Tal from coming back, and now wanting to close down Garden. They walked down the hallways hearing chants. " Close Garden!" "Its wrong sending kids to war!"
A crowd of people holding signs up were walking up and down the hallways and a news team was recording this.
" And here you have it, S.U.P supporters are here today for the meeting between Balamb Garden and S.U.P. Mrs. Carter, what do you have to say?" Asked a news reporter. Alloran, Tal, and Casseil all glanced over at the crowd.
Mrs. Carter was a elderly women with blond hair like Tal but had gray streaks. Her hazel eyes were filled with discontent and sadness and her skin was as pale as the snow in Trabia.
" My daughter disobeyed me and came here," Mrs. Carter's voice echoed. " I wanted to stop her because of those attacks last year. I've lost my husband and three children to the battles already. Tal was already a student at Garden for two years and they're teaching teenagers to fight and kill. She and my children six year old daughter Kayla and seventeen year old son Amery. I don't want to lose another person dear to me." Mrs. Carter's jaw was quivering. Alloran kinda felt sorry for Mrs. Carter. She only wanted to make sure Tal was okay but she hasn't thought how Tal would feel about not going back.
Alloran heard a quick pace of footsteps retreating back to the dorms.
" Tal?" She heard Casseil.
" Casseil, why don't you head back to your dorm?" Alloran told Casseil. She had a feeling Tal was feeling down.
" Okay, if you say so Alloran." Casseil muttered shooting the group of rioters a glare. " I just hope Bruno ain't there."
~*~
" Squall Leonhart, do you not admit that Garden has been attacked in the past?" The head of S.U.P, Reginald asked. Quistis frowned, they were going too pore on the subject Garden gets attacked and isn't safe. Anything in front of the council and the news to make Garden look bad.
" Trabia Garden and Galbadia Garden have also gotten attacked in the past and I notice you don't fight with them," Quistis said resisting the urge to do anything rash. Balamb Garden had been her home since she was a young teen and was the home to many.
" I did not direct the question to you Quistis Trepe," Reginald sneered. Quistis just clutched her nails in her hand and nodded apolitically. " So Squall?"
" Yes we have gotten attacked but we also help other towns and cities that get attacked," Squall said coldly keeping his emotionless face on.
" Yes we know that," Reginald growled. If you do why ask the question? Quistis thought angrily. " Last year Balamb got attacked correct? I notice Garden didn't send their 'legendary' SeeD to help." We were a little bit busy with us being attacked. Quistis thought. Zell hated it the most, his mother and Bella were there and Balamb was his home besides Garden.
" We were being attacked as well and Garden students stopped the attack on Balamb last year as well," Squall told Reginald. Reginald smiled.
" So you were to busy to send help to the town that needed it, and I hear the person that did stop the main force used a GF. A powerful one called Leviathan, the great sea serpent that destroys its enemies with Tsunami. The person who did call Leviathan was only a girl, who haven't used Leviathan before. Suppose you arranged the attack on Balamb with those monsters to train your SeeD." Reginald said coldly.
" Why in Hyne's name would we do that!?" Zell yelled furiously standing up. Don't Zell! Quistis thought wide eyed. " I happen to be from Balamb, do think we'd do that!? How could we get mindless creatures to attack Balamb!?"
Reginald thought for a second before replying. " What about your wife Squall? Sorceress Rinoa, has the power doesn't she?"
Quistis saw Rinoa tighten. She knew Rinoa hated it when people called her a sorceress. Quistis patted Rinoa's arm. " Its okay Rinoa, almost no one cares about you being a sorceress anymore." Quistis whispered as Squall kept debating with Reginald.
" Easy for you to say, you weren't given these powers without a choice," Rinoa whispered back. Quistis remembered when Rinoa when she first got her powers got angry or really emotional they would flare up. Rinoa's powers didn't flare up anymore but you could still feel something.
" We've heard enough," said the council elder. " There will be a half- hour break to decide." The council filed out, in one hour the decision would be made.
~*~
" Tal?" Alloran asked unlocking the dorm door.
" Hey," Tal said sitting in a chair in the mini kitchen.
" You okay?" Alloran asked taking a seat nearby.
" Yeah," Tal said. They sat there in silence for a long period of time.
" She's really not that bad." Tal said suddenly. " It's just that she's worried. When I came back to FH this summer she acted like she lost something. She was more stricter only because Dad wasn't there and started being more nervous." Tal sighed. " Mom used to always scold Dad out of humor and she was the most relaxed person I knew, now she's on her last nerve, its hard having to support us, me, Kayla, and Amery, but she always loved the challenge with the rest of us when we were younger."
Alloran and Tal talked for an hour or so forgetting about their problems. About Mrs. Carter, about Garden, about S.U.P, even about the sorceress. Till they heard a knocking at the door. Tal walked over and opened it to find a great surprise, Mrs. Carter.
" Mom, what are you doing here?" Tal said sounding bitter.
" Please Tal, I just want to talk," Mrs. Carter said sounding like a loving mother than an angry parent. Tal looked over at Alloran. Alloran nodded and left for her room leaving Tal with Mrs. Carter.
~*~
Tal felt alone standing there, no one could help her there, not Alloran, not Casseil, just herself against her mother.
" I'm not leaving Garden or my friends!" Tal yelled with a low growl.
" I only want you to be-" Mrs. Carter started.
" Safe? I know that! But it doesn't help taking me away from my only true friends! I happen to like my life here," Tal snorted turning her back. She didn't want to see what her mom looked like. She didn't want Mrs. Carter seeing her get close to tears.
" What about Myou, Cassandra, and Mark? Weren't they your friends?" Tal's mom asked.
" No, they all wanted something from me!" Tal snapped at the sound of their names. " Alloran and Casseil actually like me for who I am. Not like those cows."
" But Tal," Mrs. Carter pleaded. " What if you get killed? Or you kill so many people that you forget who you are and become a slaughtering machine?"
" I won't on both counts!" Tal growled. " I'd rather be fighting then be sitting at home twiddling my thumbs while others are battling Cal!" There was an ominous silence throughout the room. All you could here was the lapping of the ocean outside.
" Fine then," Mrs. Carter said quietly. " Garden won and will be staying open. But Tal if you ever do change your mind Kayla and Amery will be happy. Your great grand dad wanted one of us to fight when he couldn't, maybe you're going to be a SeeD, maybe. Till then remember there's always a place for you in FH." Tal heard a click as the door shut. Thank you mom, Tal thought letting a single tear fall. She couldn't wait to tell Alloran and Casseil the good news.
~*~
Part seven: Can't think of a title
December 20th ...
Is he even coming? Alloran thought impatiently. Alloran thought as she and Squall waited for Visser. ~ If your lucky he decided to leave Garden. ~ (Yeah, the word there is if.) Visser ran in holding a different gunblade. It was black and the blade was made of two blades. Visser grunted as he held it up.
" My father sent this and I had to pick it up," Visser seemed to gloat to Alloran. " Its called Twin Lance, one of the most powerful remodels of the Revolver."
" If its as good as you talking I'm sure its powerful," Alloran muttered.
The lesson moved on more smoothly until... " I want you to spare together, its what you need to learn more about." They heard Squall say. Visser looked at Alloran with a grin. They both marked up.
" Lets see if I can add another cut in that arm, Wolfeyes," Visser whispered flexing Twin Lance. ~ Be careful, its heavier than the Revolver. ~ ( I can handle it. )
Alloran and Visser faced each other holding their gunblades in the usual position. At the word " go" Alloran and Visser charged. Visser attacked to the side and Alloran turned and made him face her face to face. Twin Lance was heavy so Alloran struggled to keep it's freshly sharpened blade away from her face. Visser pulled away to Alloran's relief and slammed Twin Lance down onto Windtrecker. Time seemed to slow down as Alloran brought Windtrecker into an upward block. They pushed each other's blades in to each other, then Alloran heard crack. A crack started to form in Windtrecker.
" Visser, stop!" Alloran called but Visser didn't listen. Twin Lance was stronger and heavier, in a second Windtrecker broke into half. Alloran jumped out of the way of Twin Lance still holding Windtrecker's handle, her gunblade was broken. Squall ran up and started yelling at Visser, Alloran didn't hear a thing. Windtrecker, Alloran was the only one to choose Windtrecker was gone. She looked at the broken blade, by the looks of things Windtrecker could never be repaired.
~*~
December 27th ....
Damn you Visser, damn you! Alloran thought furiously. Squall said she had till classes started again to get a new gunblade. All she could afford at the moment was either a Revolver or a Hyperion. None would do, she still preferred something like Windtrecker. But what use would it be? Visser just might break another gunblade. She was running out of time fast, a few more days and she would have to get a new gunblade. She was so bothered she didn't bother changing out of her cloths. Tal and Casseil offered to lend her money but she didn't want to borrow money to get what she wanted. She even talked to Quistis and it still no answer. What would she do?
~*~
" The time to strike is close," Cal's voice echoed to her followers, Galbadians and her most loyal. " We are meant to attack soon, prepare, make sure nothing stands in your way. Listen to the data your president's son gave us, leave no survivors!"
"Cal! Cal!" Rang through the room. Cal smiled coldly. Reginald's plan to close Garden and take Greiver when Squall was alone failed. Her fingers twitched as she flexed them, Reginald paid for his failure in blood. So would many who she didn't need anymore. Cal would have rid herself of Dian if he didn't have so much power. But his time would come soon. By dusk tomorrow she would have Greiver and take her rightful place in the world. A years preparation was mostly what they could hope for. Soon, soon those Kursed SeeD will be gone for my future rule. Cal thought letting out an evil laugh as they chanted her name, their rulers name.
~*~
Next day...
Alloran knew it was morning, she knew she was supposed to get up, but she didn't want to. Nothing to do. Tal was doing Hyne knows what, and Casseil, what do boys do besides act like dorks. Besides she still didn't know what to do, she was so worried she didn't bother changing when she fell asleep. She moved her legs and felt them touch something on the ground. She got up and almost pinched herself in disbelief. On the ground was a Windhowler case brand new with a note on top. Alloran picked it up and looked the case over. It was a smooth black leather and the corners were a golden metal. On the cover it had a howling wolf and was engraved ' Windhowler'. In the case was Windhowler and a wooden box consisting of thirty average looking bullets but if you held them you'd notice they pulsed. (Who do you think would send this?) * If you looked at the note you dropped you might find answers* Alloran blushed as she picked up the note she let drop in her inspection.
Alloran, this is Windhowler. Consider it a contribution to your training. It won't break like any other gunblade you can afford. Those bullets are pulse ammo, extremely rare and potent. Save them, they may one-day help you more than you expect.
No name again, Alloran sighed sliding the note between some books. ~ Oh well, at least that solves your gunblade problem. ~ * True. * Alloran gingerly picked Windhowler up, it possessed the same comforting feel as Windtrecker. Alloran almost dropped it not expecting the extra weight. Her left hand felt the cool blade slid as she ran it up and down. She swiped the air twice almost hearing the air being cut. Alloran barely skinned her thumb on the blade and skin flaked off by a lot. ~ Its sharp. ~ (Gee, no kidding.) * What?* (Its called sarcasm.) * Oh.* I wonder if Casseil can tell me how much these bullets are worth, Alloran thought picking up a bullet. At the first touch Alloran almost dropped it, it felt like someone's pulse. ~ Well it is called pulse ammo. ~ (Very funny Fenerir.)
All the sudden Garden shook Alloran went flying and landed on the ground. " What the hell!?"
" Galbadians and followers of the sorceress are here! Prepare for battle!" The intercom rang over. Hyne help us! Alloran thought pushing herself up. She wrapped her fingers around the handle of Windhowler and loaded twelve regular bullets. Before Alloran could move the dorm door was knocked down. Alloran's own door was closed. Ever so silently Alloran crept to the door keeping Windhowler cocked. Her fingers gingerly wrapped around the handle and she swiftly pulled it open. A Galbadian soldier holding a gun was there ready to blow her head off. Garden training had prepared her for this. Alloran jumped up as the bullets sailed beneath she landed very close to him taking away his shot on her. Without a single thought Windhowler sliced through the air cutting down the soldier. Alloran had no time to be thinking how well she did she can here fighting. With a quick run out the door she cut down another life from this world. There were only twenty five students fighting in that hallway. It hit her, Tal wasn't there. Alloran tried to keep going ahead but they just kept coming. A fast object skinned her shoulder causing it to bleed. Crud! She thought as pain gathered there. Alloran tried to do her best but the numbers were great and she had injuries and was tiring, just like everyone else there. It was annoying, every time she cut one down two others seemed to take their comrade's place.
" That's it!" Alloran growled feeling her anger rise. Tal and Cassiel could be in trouble and her being here didn't help matters." I've got better places to be here!" Alloran could feel her body heat up with frustration and anger. " Fire Cross!" Without even trying the giant bonfire engulfed the enemies and burnt them alive. Alloran almost felt sorry for them but it was going to be her job one day. Alloran took off down a flight of steps being passed or passing students and SeeD. Where the hell are they!? Alloran thought running to the elevator pressing on the key like heck. The elevator came down speedily as it normally did. ~ There's someone on there. ~ (Who?!) Before Fenerir answered the door opened. Alloran held Windhowler ready to shoot down whoever was there.
" Alloran!" Cried Tal rushing out with Casseil behind her. " We were worried, afterall your Windtrecker was torn in half and-"
" Where did you get that sweet gunblade!" Casseil exclaimed at the sight of Windhowler.
" Long story," Alloran told them. " What's going on?"
" Commander Squall is calling for those on leave to get their butts back here for battle. And Visser's in deep trouble, someone caught Kane and Bruno and they revealed Visser and them have been spying for Galbadia. The commander said to pass the word to get Visser and make sure he doesn't get away," Tal explained.
" Bastard," Alloran muttered. The only good thing about Visser was he was a rival, someone that made Alloran try hard to outdo in class.
" What now?" Casseil asked shooting some soldiers charging a group of students.
" We hold them off and look for Visser," Alloran said quietly. " Till the SeeD that are on leave come back we have a disadvantage. And if you do face Visser," she tightened here fist. " Leave him to me, I want to pay him back. Don't complain Casseil," Alloran said before Casseil could say anything. " Me and him have always seemed against each other and I say he's mine."
" Understood," Tal said simply.
" What!?" Casseil burst out. " We all want a piece of him!"
" I know," Alloran told Casseil. "But I need to face him."
" Geez," Casseil yelled. " Fine that bastard's yours." Alloran nodded thanks and the three took off to their job.
~*~
" Do...they...ever...stop...coming?" Alloran panted using Windhowler to push herself up.
" Doesn't seem like it," Tal replied shooting down another two men.
" Damn," Casseil grumbled taking a shot.
The fighting stopped, everything seemed to go silent as the dark haired women that came to Balamb stepped in, sorceress Cal.
" Students of Balamb Garden," her twisted voice rippled through the air. " I commend you on your resistance but it is futile. Give up and serve me, your soon to be ruler. You can't win so why bother with the bloodshed?" A fast projectile slashed Cal slightly in the face, she was bleeding. " Who dares!?" She hissed like a snake.
" Your forgetting, Cal," spoke a voice, Rinoa. Rinoa refastened her air shooter." You aren't the only sorceress of this time. As for bloodshed as long as you're around there will always be bloodshed."
" When I'm done you won't be a sorceress, you'll be dead!" Cal screamed letting out an invisible force out at Rinoa. Rinoa braced herself and put up a force field. " Not bad but still not good enough!" Cal kept on the assault on Rinoa not letting her get a chance to do anything else. No one did a thing but watched a battle of sorceresses.
" Flare!" Rinoa screamed letting out the most powerful fire magic. Cal put up her force field but struggled to keep it.
" You think Flare's tough, Rinoa?" Cal asked. " Try the ultimate magic, Ultima!" Rinoa's eyed widened with fear.
Cal was ready to call Ultima, everyone would die. Horror awoke in the mind as death was at the door. Then they all heard something, bullets and arial projectiles aimed at Cal. Cal called up her shield as they whizzed at her. At the gate there were hundreds of SeeDs all ready to fight. Cal spat, " this isn't over!" And with that she vanished like she did in Balamb. The reinforces charged first and the enemies fought back. All seemed tied up except...
" Visser," Alloran whispered.
" What?" Tal asked.
" He's still here somewhere," Alloran growled heading back to the elevator.
" Alloran, do you need help up there? We were there and we didn't see him," Tal asked. Alloran just left and got on the elevator and something happened. She saw a vision of Visser, he looked smug as he slid out of a empty classroom like the snake he was. He was heading to the up stairs balcony. You're mine, she thought gripping Windhowler. As she got off she saw Visser running out of the classroom like before, Alloran followed.
On the balcony it was raining hard to match the mood, Alloran called to him. " Visser!" Visser whirled around in surprise.
" Why if it ain't Wolfeyes," Visser smiled coldly. " Now that you found me what will you do? Cal's followers are keeping everyone busy and I busted your gunblade, now that was fun. "
" I'll take you down," Alloran brandished Windhowler. Visser looked at her cockily and laughed.
" Oh, that's supposed to be a threat to me? Ha! Now that I'm no longer a student I'm free to destroy you Alloran, prepare to die!" Visser called running with Twin Lance in hand. Like before he slammed Twin Lance down and Alloran blocked high. " Lets see how long it is before it breaks," Visser said pushing down more.
" It won't, I'll be the one be the one to cut your gunblade in two!" Alloran growled pushing Twin Lance closer to Visser.
" Do you really think so," Visser replied as they both pulled back and circled each other. " Cal will reign and we the Galbadians will rule with her. First among mortals." Alloran and Visser ran again. Alloran swirled up and aimed the blade down as Visser jumped to safety.
" Too bad it won't happen," Alloran sneered flexing her fingers daring Visser to come forward. Visser accepted the challenge and slashed across as Alloran stepped inward to the side and attacked. Visser spun quickly and the gunblades met. With a crackle of lightning overhead their gunblades fell out of each other's hands far from each other. Visser glanced at Alloran and tried diving for his gunblade. Alloran tackled him so he was five feet short of Twin Lance.
" Let go of me filth!" Visser scowled kicking Alloran's face. Alloran kept one hand on Visser as the other wiped across her lip, blood. With anger Alloran twisted her body and kicked his face back. He got loose and ran to pick up Twin Lance.
" Fire!" Alloran let loose a fire spell at Visser and picked up her own gunblade.
" Looks like miss goody two shoes doesn't play by the rules after all," Visser mocked holding Twin Lance in guard position.
" Who ever said I was nice when you're involved," Alloran asked holding Windhowler back. ~ Let him come to you, patience is the key. ~ ( What if he's waiting for me to make a move? ) * Bait him, it works all the time. * " Hey Visser! How what did your butt ugly mom use to trick your dad into marrying her?"
" What!?" Visser growled in anger.
" Maybe it was because they were both to stupid to notice how ugly they were, a perfect match." * I think that's all you need. *
" Wolfeyes, you're dead!" Visser yelled with pure rage running forward with blind anger. That's all I need, Alloran thought smugly. Visser slashed upward and Alloran swiped as fast as she could against Twin Lance and... Crack, Twin Lance broke into several different pieces. " No," Visser whispered with anger and hatred. " I suppose you think you have me," he said inching for the end of the balcony. " That I'll go to jail, that you've won, but you haven't." He climbed onto the edge. " You're wrong if you think this is over, its just starting Wolfeyes, and we will face each other again mark my words." Before Alloran saw what was happening Visser jumped over the edge. The idiot! Alloran thought. Her thoughts changed after she saw a helicopter rise up with Visser on it. Soldiers fired bullets at her like crazy. Alloran braced herself as she felt the bullets either skin her skin or hit square on. Pain rose everywhere and her vision got blurry, then darkness came. Before she lost all thoughts she thought yes Visser this isn't over, and I will be the one to put an end to you.
~*~
Wolf: Yep I decided to end it here. Expect the next few chapters to get more interesting.
Tobias: They should be the last few were snore city!
Wolf: * casts flare on Tobias.* Don't listen to him he's the idiot.
Review answers from chapter seven
Sephyr Blackstar: Yeah I decided to throw in some humor. As for God I don't think so many other people are a lot better than me.
Preaw: Don't worry I plan to keep writing.
Verdanii: I can only update when I can but I'll try to update regulary.
Mini Sorceress: Meh, I added the period idea because I'm sure lots of people get freaked out, especially if they don't know what it is. But that never happened to me just clearing that up.
GirlsDon'tCry: Well you've read what that guy has to say already.
Sorceress Fujin: Yeah, you can expect to read more, as soon as I write it that is.
Wolf: That's all. Expect this at the end of every chapter. Also for Tobias, I'll let you decide if he stays here or not. I need at least one review wanting him to stay.
Tobias: * burnt* remember to keep reading and review.
Tobias: Now that that's over lets continue.
Wolf: WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE?!
Tobias: Well since my parole doctors at the nut house released me they told me to help you host this.
Wolf: * mutters curses. * I really got to check which nuthouse I leave you in.
Tobias: * shrugs* Oh well. Let's move on.
October 17th to December 28th of the third year at Garden.
Part one: News of Galbadia.
Alloran toke a drink of water feeling dizzy from cure. * Well you cast eighteen cures I'm surprised you didn't pass out. After all you are a beginner.* ~ I knew she'd do it. ~ * Hah! Knowing you Fenerir you'd think she'd give up! * ~ I've been watching over her for years you've just came a while ago so butt out! ~ ( Shut up you two! I'm getting tired of you arguing!)
The door opened and a blue blur ran to the examining table to the man. " Father!" It was Rinoa. " What happened!? Why are you here!?" She hugged him tightly. Squall swiftly entered after her.
" He's your father?" Dr. Kadowaki asked looking surprised. " He looks a lot older than he was last time we saw him." She noted.
" You would too working for those government bastards," he hissed with indignity. In a gentler tone he said, " Rinoa, could you please let go before you kill your father. Unless that's what you plan on doing."
" To cut to the chase Caraway, what did you want to tell me?" Squall said coldly. Rinoa shot her husband a glare while Caraway tried pushing his way up to be greeted with pain. He sighed and lay back down.
" Do I have a choice? But not in front of that child," he said child like a drop. Alloran snorted. She felt like a toddler when she was called child. Squall nodded.
" Understood. Alloran, leave." Squall ordered. Alloran left the room but that didn't stop her from listening. He pressed her ear against the door and listened.
" Now that, that child is gone I'll explain," Caraway said in a formal tone. " The Galbadians are up to something. The president has us employing and training more and more soldiers each day. They keep putting off peace talks with other nations like Esthar and Trabia for classified reasons. Lately they've been telling the people about sorceress Cal's reasons for taking over like she doesn't have a knight to help her stay sane or she was given to an injustice. Bunch of crap if you ask me."
" But why are you all beat up?" Rinoa asked.
" I'm getting there!" Caraway snapped. " At the last counsel they said were trying to compromise with the sorceress and they needed all the generals permission. I declined and I was attacked in my home. I've struggled to get here for months and they've been following me just barely missing me. When I made it to the land near here they caught up and what you call getting the stuffing kicked out of me. They left me there, I'm not sure where I got the strength but I'm here." There was a moment's silence; it was as though no one was there.
" It looks like the Galbadians are trying to bring back the sorceress war again," Squall noted.
" Squall, can we ask my father more things later?" Rinoa paused. " I want to talk to him alone for awhile."
" Understood," Squall said. Alloran quickly backed away from the door. Squall passed her and muttered something to her. " You shouldn't listen to matters that don't concern you." Hyne, how did he know she heard! ~ Some GFs posses the ability to detect things so he might have done that. (Great, just perfect.)
" Alloran," Kadowaki said leaving Rinoa with her dad. " We'll have to cancel magic for today. It's the last block of the day so I suggest you put time to good use. And one more thing, DON'T tell anyone about General Caraway, many at Garden hate the Galbadians from the last war. Many have grudges against anyone related to Galbadia. Till then you are dismissed."
Alloran heard about the sorceress war last term. They said it had to do with sorceress Adel and Esthar. They also mentioned about how the president of Esthar, President Laguna Loire, tricked Adel and became the president. As for a sorceress knight, Alloran read about them in the book Tal gave her. It said a knight's job was to protect a sorceress and maybe love her. Also a knight keeps a sorceress from going insane with power. They're a sorceress's helper and as repayment a sorceress would give her knight a token of her trust.
I wonder if Squall has one, Alloran mused. After all, Squall is Rinoa's like the former headmaster was to former sorceress Edea.
As the evening came rumors spread around about a Galbadian general at Garden. By the looks of things not everyone likes the Galbadians.
" Why can't they go back to Galbadia!?" Tal grumbled throwing a napkin in a close by trashcan.
" Why should it be a problem for you?" Casseil asked hoping Tal wouldn't go on a rampage. A plate of macaroni just barely missed his head by an inch and hit a senior in the face. All attention turned to the senior. With rage he took another plate and threw it at Tal.
" Oh Hyne," Tal whispered ducking letting it nail Flare.
" FOOOOOOOOOOODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD FIIIIIIIIIIIGGGGGGHHHHH!" Sef yelled grabbing a plate of tofu and tossed it at the cafeteria lady. Plates of food sailed threw the air smacking anyone in sight. Alloran gripped onto Casseil's arm and pulled him under the table. Tal threw another plate and ducked under the table.
" No problem for me? I'm from FH remember!?" Tal snarled at Casseil. " About twenty years ago they attacked FH. If the SeeD hadn't come FH would be burned to the ground. Of course I have the right to feel this way!"
" That's not what I-"
" Just shut up Casseil!" Tal snapped. Things were tense, you could almost hear lightning crackle above.
~*~
Part 2: Loss of FH.
Three weeks later...
Poor Alloran, stuck between two friends. Since Tal and Casseil fought they either insulted each other or tried to get Alloran to pick who was right or wrong. In time Alloran had to avoid them too so she wouldn't get dragged into their mess. Whenever Alloran was with Tal in their room Tal would start sniping away. Enough to drive someone over the edge. The three couldn't hang out like last year anymore, things were out of order.
" Alloran, if you see what's his name tell him I'm not giving in," Tal said loudly to Alloran even though Casseil was on the other side of the table.
" Tell the gust of wind over there I'm not wrong and I didn't do anything wrong," Casseil mimicked Tal. Tal got up and started yelling.
" I'm a gust of wind huh, well at least I'm not an orphan boy!" Tal hit Casseil hard emotionally. Casseil was very emotional about his parents.
" Leave my dead parents out of this Tal Carter!" Casseil was furious. * She keeps this up and he'll cry. * ( You guys aren't even this bad.) ~ We are not like them! ~ Alloran looked at Casseil, he was hiding it well but she could see he was close to tears.
" Then apologize!" Tal demanded.
" I don't need to! I'm gone!" Casseil almost ran out.
" Fine!" Tal took off in the opposite direction.
" Casseil, Tal!" Alloran called to them but they were gone just like hopes off their friendship restoring. Alloran stood there looking almost like a lost puppy. What happened!?
~*~
Days later...
Things were looking their darkest. Tal and Casseil stopped talking to each other altogether. At meal times when one was there the other left. The same went for anything else but classes. They avoided much contact with Alloran too. She often wondered if they felt the same as her. Lonely? Confused? Afraid? The cold came as well but what was happening felt colder and bleaker. Alloran was left to re-read books and listen to her GFs. Be patient was their usual suggestion but it seemed impossible to be patient and see if they patch up. What if they never made up and were enemies forever? It felt as though the Hyne left them standing alone.
One day Alloran was heading back into the room to get bowled over by Tal. Tal was crying and she clutched a paper in her hand saying things like " Why?" or " How could they?" Alloran wanted to follow Tal but Tal didn't leave a trace of where she went. Alloran got up and went as fast as she could without getting detention. Many others were crying to for some reason. Alloran asked what was wrong but they just turned away and sobbed more.
" Alloran!" It was Casseil. " Do you know what's wrong? I think I saw Tal crying too. Its not like they failed a mark or something."
" Do you know where she went?" Alloran asked.
" No but why would I want to know, she's been on me for the last few weeks!"
" Hell Casseil you're as bad as her! None of you two or right! Can't you two get it threw your stubborn heads!? Hyne you sound like a three year old!" Alloran exploded. She turned and streaked away.
" Alloran I'm sorry!" Alloran pretended she didn't hear him.
~*~
Alloran wasn't sure how long she wondered around the hallways but it seemed like eternity. Some people looked sad others were asking what's wrong? And such. Alloran heard sobbing as she got off the elevator to the second floor.
" Sniff, Alloran?" Alloran found herself looking at the corner near the elevator seeing Drake. " Alloran, it's terribly. FH, sniff." Tears streamed off his pale face.
" What about FH?" Alloran asked patting his back.
" I'm from FH and well," he blurted the rest out. " Sorceress followers destroyed almost everything!" Now it made sense why Tal was sad, her home was destroyed.
" Drake," Alloran said softly. " Have you seen Tal? Remember her?" Drake sniffed a few times before he got the words out.
" She, she passed by here crying her eyes out, I th, think she's on the balcony. I heard music coming from th, there." He hid his face in his arms and kept sobbing. That's as much as Alloran expected out of him.
" Thanks Drake," Alloran called leaving him to his sorrow. ( Was that too cold?) ~ No, you've done worst. ~ * You're the same as always Fenerir, inconsiderate.* ~ Compared to you I'm the nicest GF in this world. ~ * You wish! * Alloran ignored the arguing GFs and went to the place she saw Tal on the balcony. Faint flute music was heard but it sounded like it was gasping for air.
" Tal?" Alloran called as she stepped onto the deck and saw a sight she hadn't expected. It was Tal and Casseil talking. Tal's face was flushed and she was attempting to play her flute. Casseil had a concerned look on his face.
" Alloran," Tal wiped her eyes with her sleeve. " We were talking about you."
" Yeah if you felt that way why didn't you tell us?" Casseil asked looking out at the mountains near Esthar where Garden parked that day.
" Would you have done it?" Alloran asked rolling her sapphire eyes. Casseil looked like he was going to say yes but changed his mind.
" Come to think of it no," Casseil admitted. " But me and Tal both said we were sorry to each other and now-"
" We're sorry Alloran," Tal cut in. She turned her face from Alloran and Casseil " I guess I got to emotional. But now, I don't have much to get angry about. FH is gone and there aren't many survivors. Garden, must have sent a notice to everyone from FH. My, my family, almost all are gone. There's only my mom, older brother and kid sis. My great granddad said he wanted to see the day someone in our family made SeeD. " Her voice broke. " Damnmit! Because of those sorceress slime balls he'll never get that chance! Why does everything happen to the innocents!? "
" All the more reason to become SeeD," was all Alloran could say without making it sound unnatural. " If you become SeeD you should be facing the sorceress right?"
" And you can get her back for destroying FH," Casseil finished.
" In that case I'll make sure she burns in Hell!" Tal grinned. " Hey guys, lets make a promise before we decide to hate each other again. If we all make SeeD well do or best to get revenge on her and tear her to pieces."
(A/N: Yeah, yeah I know it sounds dumb but their teenagers remember?)
" I can live with that," Alloran nodded. She really could live with an oath like that.
" Ditto," Casseil nodded. ( A/N: I don't mean Pokemon!!!!! * stabs a Pokemon doll)
" Okay its decided, sorceress Cal is going to get her butt kicked!" Tal announced.
~*~
Part three: Holidays
December 23rd, the beginning of the Christmas holidays.
" Think we should get a gift for our teachers?" Casseil asked on the bus to Balamb for the day trip. Alloran checked her gil she had from her monthly pay of fifty gil.
" Like the Trepies?" Alloran rolled her eyes. " Like the teachers pets? No way!"
" Yeah and we have limited gil too doofus," Tal reminded him looking at her Christmas list- which was shorter than last years. " Anyway how do you two feel about having your birthday parties on the same day?" Alloran and Casseil exchanged glances. " Come on guys it won't be that bad."
" Yeah we can invite Visser and his block headed dummies. Then call the teachers for cake and cookies," Alloran said sarcastically. " Birthdays parties aren't exactly what you get living with Miss. Fallow."
" Then it could be your first. Come on, what's the worse that can happen?" Tal asked. Alloran and Casseil started counting up to seventy thousand problems. " We can keep it among ourselves okay?"
" Fine," Alloran and Casseil both said.
" We might as well do what we did last year," Alloran shrugged. That idea worked out with everyone, no problems for the holiday right? Fate had something else in mind.
Balamb looked mostly like it did before, Garden funds helped with that. As the bus emptied students got off to talk to relatives or window shop.
" Meet you later," Tal called as they took off in opposite directions. After Alloran finished her shopping she took off to the weapon shop to browse since she didn't have much gil for any good weapon. As she looked a rack of gunblades caught her eye. They had a huge selection of gunblades all top quality. There was a Hyperion and the same type of gunblade that her limit break teacher had. Come to think of it she didn't know his name.
" Interested in this model," the shopkeeper pointed to Hyperions look alike. " It's a remodeling of the Hyperion called Hyperdragoon. As powerful as the Lionheart."
" Is there a remodeling of the Windtrecker?" Alloran asked curiously hoping maybe she could remodel it.
" Yeah it's pretty strong, called Windhowler, made from the strongest metals known to man. It's practically unbreakable. And its price, if I sold five or so I could retire in no time." He explained.
" So I take it not many get Windhowler," Alloran said disappointed.
The shopkeeper laughed. " No one has bought one. I don't even sell many Windtreckers and its costs as much as Revolver or Hyperion. If you want one I suggest you save for about ten or so years. There's one on the top shelf if you want to look it over."
Windhowler was a beautiful gunblade. The weapon was a meter odd long. ( A/N: think of Sephiroth's sword length.) the blade was cool silver. The shadow colored handle top spread across the top to half way. The trigger was freshly oiled so it could be pulled fast. Alloran took a piece of paper and lightly pushed on the blade and it ripped through fast. Imagine what it could do if someone tried to cut something fast. Alloran thought to herself.
" Monsters!" A voice shrieked.
" Wha?" Alloran whispered. A force slammed her back and slammed her against the wall. A growl made her attention turn to what hit her. A Geezard was hissing behind her. Alloran pulled out Windtrecker. This wasn't going to be an easy battle. The Geezard was tired of waiting, it leapt for Alloran's throat. " Not today," Alloran muttered. She stepped back and took a swipe. The Geezard was knocked back but not stopped. As it jumped again it seemed to be hit by an invisible force. The shopkeeper was holding an Exeter.
" You're with Garden right? Well what are you waiting for," he breathed. It didn't take a scientist to see the recoil on Exeter hurt him. " Well, are you?"
Alloran nodded and took off. On the streets the Garden students and those who could fight were taking on monsters. ( I thought they stayed out of cities and towns! ) ~ Obviously they don't know. ~ * I can feel a power drawing them here. * ( What would do that? ) * A sorceress. * ( She's here!? ) ~ No, I don't feel her presence. It must be a spell. ~
Another loud cry screeched, another Geezard wanted to fight. Give me a break! She thought. She gripped onto Windtrecker and slashed down and pulled the trigger. The stupid Geezard was still standing. It let out a cry and let out a thunder spell. Alloran cursed herself for letting it cast thunder. A sharp jolt ran through her body pushing her into a world of pain. What's that expression? Fight fire with fire. She searched her mind for a fire spell. Her body heated up and blasted at the Geezard. Unfortunately it was still there. Hyne how much longer before it gets the message to stay down! Two objects flew past Alloran's ears and took down the Geezard. It let out one final cry and hit the ground dead.
" Need a hand?" Asked Tal.
" Or a bullet?" Casseil added loading another packet of bullets into his gun.
" What's going on?" Alloran asked Casseil.
" Well monsters are attacking."
" Aside from that!"
" Well a lot more are still coming and that's all we know," Tal said bitterly.
If this keeps up Balamb might end up like FH, a memory. Alloran thought. A flash occurred in her mind. She saw a cliff over looking Balamb and a horde of incoming monsters. A silky female voice said " call Leviathan." The vision ended. As if pulled by an invisible force Alloran ran away to the cliffs.
" Alloran?!" Tal called chasing after her.
" Not again," muttered Casseil. Shaking his head he followed them muttering why did he become friends with girls.
~*~
Alloran was there, at the place of her vision. The masses of monsters were growing but they weren't going into Balamb, they were waiting. It occurred to Alloran that they were going to attack all at once when Balamb was weak. Who knew monsters strategize. * They don't, something or someone is controlling them. * ( Who?) * The sorceress. * ( She's here?! ) ~ No, I can't feel her presence it must be a spell. ~ Who or whatever sent the vision wanted her to call Leviathan. * If you plan on calling me do. * ~ I agree with that sneaky serpent I share a space with. You have two choices, A you wait and see if Garden sends reinforcements or B you call Leviathan. ~ * And I agree with that dumb wolf, I haven't been called in years and it would be wonderful to surface again. * Alloran wasn't sure, Dr. Kadowaki said they'd get to summoning next term but what would happen if she didn't call on Leviathan now? ( Okay Leviathan, lets do it. )
Alloran closed her eyes and felt for that contact with Leviathan. She felt her thoughts melding with Leviathan. It felt like she was in a cool rain shower.
" Alloran!" Tal and Casseil both called as they saw Alloran standing there. They could almost see a serpent above her. Tsunami, Leviathan and Alloran both thought. A portal flew across the sky and a creature covered in light came out. The light broke off and revealed a giant blue sea serpent just like in the book. It rose into the sky and the ground rose to create a mountain. Leviathan burst into water and flooded down the mountain and washed over all the masses. The mountain went back to normal and all the monsters were gone. ( They're, gone. ) * No, their bodies were washed into the ocean. * ~ I think Balamb will be fine. ~
Both Tal and Casseil sprinted to Alloran and started bombarding her with questions. Alloran couldn't hear them though. Her body felt tired from the summon and then everything went black.
~*~
Three days later...
" She moved!" Alloran heard a voice say. Her body felt like it got hit by a ton of bricks. She felt someone shake her. " Alloran, Alloran wake up!" Alloran pushed herself up. The ones present were Quistis, Kadowaki, Casseil, and Tal.
" Welcome back to the world of the living," Kadowaki shook her head. " You suffered from exhaustion, that's what happens when you summon when your body isn't ready for the power."
" It's still impressive," Quistis noted. " She was able to fully summon Leviathan even though she's only had Leviathan for a few months. So how do you feel Alloran ?"
" Just a bit tired," Alloran admitted. " What happened when I was out?"
" Garden would have been there but they were delayed," Tal explained. " Dear sorceress Cal sent an army to Garden and they couldn't send anyone to Balamb."
" It's December the 26th so you missed Christmas by a day," Casseil told her. " We kinda got our gifts when they fell outta your pockets when we were carrying you to Garden." Someone is going to be dead if he starts bragging, Alloran thought to herself.
" So that's it?" Alloran asked getting her focus back in her eyesight. They all nodded. Looks like things are okay here but time to go see another person.
~*~
At a Castle in Galbadia...
" How!?" Hissed Cal as she threw her wineglass at the wall. " How could the future lie!? I spelled that orb to tell the future! This is the second time it's failed, no it wasn't the orb, it has to do with Fenerir!" She raved. When she became a sorceress she acquired a GF called Karu (A/N: K- rue), brother GF of Fenerir. Cal had been following Karu's advice the whole way. Karu warned her of a future women named Ellone and a GF called Fenerir. ~ Right milady, it wasn't the orbs fault, it had to be that Ellone from the future. ~ Karu's powerful voice echoed through Cal's mind. ~ We know her powers, and we know that she can only send the minds of others to the past now but if we wait she'll be more of a threat in the future. ~
" You! Deling!" Cal pointed to a slender man called Dian Deling, president of Galbadia. " How goes the plan of assassinating that brat Ellone!?"
" With all due respect sorceress Cal," his voice had the same lofty tone as Visser. " It's hard to sneak our men into Esthar, after all she is the adopted daughter of president Loire."
" I want progress not excuses! Get out!" Cal snarled at Dian.
" Yes sorceress Cal," Dian bowed and left.
" Get me a new glass of red wine!" She ordered a servant. If you saw her you would think she was talking to herself but in truth she was talking to Karu. " The first time was Fenerir's doing! In the orb it showed me taking Greiver from Squall and starting my reign as Ultemicia, but then that child stopped me. That child possessing Fenerir. " ~ I'm sure the orb will be right this time. ~ " If you say so Karu." Cal raised the orb to the light and chanted words unknown to mortals and the orb flickered to life. Cal smiled coldly as the image ended. " We shall try again next year. Till then we shall assembly an army Garden can't beat!"
~*~
Part four: Limit break Demon Slice.
(A/N: Yeah, yeah I know Demon slice is another of Seifer's attacks. Give me a break if I didn't get Demon slice completely like in the game. I was up late writing this and I can only remember so much.
March 13th ...
" Okay, time to learn limit break again," Squall told Visser and Alloran. The blond haired instructor was there looking as cocky as he had been the year before. " Visser with me Alloran with him." He said him like poison. The blondie just snorted and took off to a group of dummies muttering curses under his breathe.
" I'm only going to show this to you once so pay attention!" He growled. He's in a cheerful mood, Alloran thought. He cast Aura on himself like before and stepped away from the dummy. He took a running start and brought his Hyperdragoon down to up and flipped the dummy up into the air. He jumped up and spun in the air and repeatedly slashed the dummy across the chest and toke a final blow knocking it down into the ground. I'd hate to be the person on the receiving end, Alloran thought wide eyed. " Well do you think you can do Demon slice?" Alloran nodded. She wouldn't dare say no. " Good. Aura!" The warm feeling over came Alloran again. He was waiting for her to try. Before she attempted memories swarmed over her like last year. ( Fenerir, I promise to get you back when I can make you come out of my mind! )
Alloran gripped onto the hilt and thought if she could learn Fire Cross in one class she could learn this to. Alloran took the running start and struggled pushing the dummy into the air. With all her might she pushed up the dummy into the air. She leapt up and spun after one spin and hit she hit the ground. She could already feel Aura's effect slip away.
" Weren't you paying attention!?" Growled Alloran's dear instructor.
" Have you ever thought how hard it is when you don't exactly tell me what to do!?" Alloran shot back. They shot daggers into each others eyes.
" If you paid attention you could probably wouldn't need someone to explain," he said while his green eyes were full of anger. " Try it again!"
~*~
Damn! Alloran thought punching the wall after the day's lesson was over. How was she supposed to know exactly what to do. She had messed up in the last twelve classes and he would be there again for next class in two days. She was stick with him for next year too when she was supposed to learn her final limit step. If she qualified for the next year.
After the classes were over Alloran didn't feel like going for supper. Instead she went to the training center and tore apart Gnats. What the Hell was she doing wrong!?
" You might want to focus," Quistis said calmly. " Your cuts are inaccurate and if you don't focus a Gnat can get you if you don't pay attention." Pay attention? That's what he said. " Are you listening?" Alloran just nodded and went back to her work. Quistis sighed and put her hand on Alloran's shoulder. " Its your limit break teacher isn't it?"
Alloran didn't respond. If she said he was a bad teacher he might not get to come back. For some reason she didn't want him to vanish on her yet and have someone else teach her. As crazy as it sounded he was pretty good. He made her want to push ahead. It took Visser seven classes to get Renzokuken while it took her one to learn Fire Cross. Maybe she was just trying to hard to live up to his expectations. Even though he had a way of making you try harder he was still kinda hard. She would only have him again next year so she might as well get over it.
" He's harsh," Alloran smirked. " But I don't think that'll stop me." Quistis smiled and looked off dreamily.
" Yes, he's actually a nice person inside," she said. Then she caught herself and nodded. " Yes checking on how it was going." Quistis blushed and left. ~ I think she likes him. ~ (Those two!? I cant see it. ) * Well you never know. *
~*~
" Well are you ready to murder Demon Slice again?" The blond haired instructor taunted. Alloran nodded. " Aura!"
Alloran felt the light flood over her. ( Fenerir.) ~ On it. ~ Her bad memories came back. She didn't know why but she felt used to seeing them. Alloran kept all her focus on the dummy. She could barely here the voices of her memories. She ran fast up to dummy and grunted as she pushed it into the air. In a second she was in the air spinning fast slashing apart the dummy like it was paper. Then she did the finishing move and slammed the dummy into the ground. She panted as sweat dribbled down her face. It was almost unbelievable to herself that she pulled it off.
The dummy was slashed to bits making Alloran wonder whether she was the one that did that. She heard clapping coming from the slave driver of a teacher.
" Not bad," her instructor smirked. " But it'll still be awhile before you'll be as good as me. Next class we'll work on working with the trigger." Alloran felt a swell of pride. She did Demon Slice finally. Hopefully she would learn her next limit as easily as the first.
~*~
Part five: End of another year
June 23rd ...
Alloran and Tal traded attacks. Alloran grabbed onto Tal's fist and turned it. Tal yelped and kicked Alloran in the stomach. Stepping in Alloran punched, Tal grabbed onto it and flipped Alloran onto the ground of the mate.
" Test over. Move onto the next test," said a staff member. Tal grinned triumphantly as she attached Pinwheel to her arm.
" To pass the limit break satisfactory first cast Fire Cross then Demon Slice on those targets," said a garden staff member. Alloran gripped onto Windtrecker. This should be one of the easiest tests. She felt Aura slip over her and started. She glared at the target and focused hard. That training with her instructor really paid off. She felt the energy build up and then she released it onto the dummy. A giant flare shot from her hand and barbaqued the target. The staff member nodded and started writing something down on her evaluation sheet. ~ You've improved. ~ ( Yeah working with that slave driver helped I guess. )
" Next limit," the staff member said dryly. Alloran ran to the dummy and threw it into the air. Weeks of weight lifting helped her out on that. She jumped into the air and started spinning cutting the dummy into shreds. Next she pulled the trigger to Windtrecker as she slammed the blade down. The staff member widened their eyes and wrote down her mark furiously. * I'll assume you passed. * " You're next job is to spare with cadet Visser Deling." Alloran frowned. She knew she had to do this to pass but she still had bad outcomes when she dueled Visser.
Another staff member lead Visser over to her. She wouldn't put it past him to try and think of something to cause trouble. Most people started to gasp or whisper. A slender man with greasy black hair sat down with Squall and Rinoa, who were looking the cadets over. Squall looked a bit annoyed but kept his mouth shut.
" So Squall you teach your students to stare and whisper when a guest comes," he sneered with a lofty voice similar to Visser. Squall whispered something to the man and everyone went back to their own thing.
" Face off," a staff member said. Alloran and Visser were five feet apart and kept their eyes on each other. Visser held Revolver in guard position and Alloran held Windtrecker loosely in front of her with two hands. The slender man kept his cold blue eyes on Visser. " Go!"
Alloran and Visser ran face to face. Alloran cocked Windtrecker and slashed downward and Visser brought Revolver in an upward block. They jumped away on the recoil and Visser jumped up and sliced downward and Alloran braced herself and brought Windtrecker in a high block. This is getting annoying! Alloran and Visser thought. Visser pushed his weight down on the blade forcing Alloran lower. She could risk doing what she did in the first year but she didn't think Visser would pull the same trick twice. This time she leapt to the side and went on the assault. Visser stumbled but recovered and moved Revolver to the side blocking it. They both pushed blades together and the gunblades moved upward together. They both took the risk and moved to the side and struck. Alloran froze, she felt cold steel up against the back of her neck. But she didn't need to look around to know her blade was against his neck too. They were holding their gunblades to their backs to each other's neck. None of them would dare strike again for fear of getting their throats slit.
" Enough," Squall said sitting up. " No sense in killing each other." Visser and Alloran reluctantly pulled away. The slender man looked furious. After the exam Visser went straight to the slender man. The slender man started scolding Visser at a low voice.
~*~
" Did you see that guy?" Casseil asked Alloran at lunch.
" Yeah, who wouldn't?" Alloran muttered.
" He's a major person from wherever, I'll give you that by the uniform," Casseil said munching on an apple.
" Word has it its Visser's old man," Tal growled in slight fury. " Dian Deling, president of Galbadia."
" Then why would a big shot like him be here?" Casseil asked quickly looking away.
" Its not like we know what he'd be thinking," Alloran muttered. Tal had a look of rage in her eye.
" So Tal, are you going back to where FH is being rebuilt?" Casseil asked changing the subject. Tal's rage vanished.
" Yeah, they need some help rebuilding FH and I want to see how my mom's doing," Tal explained. " But I'm a bit worried."
" Why?" Alloran asked. Why should Tal be worried about going back home?
" You see," she stopped and shook her head. " Its nothing much okay? I'm heading back home after we get our results back. " Tal picked up her tray and left the table.
" You think something's wrong?" Casseil asked.
" Nah, lets just give it time," Alloran told Casseil. Being truthful she did believe something was wrong but why make Casseil worry too?
~*~
" Do you have the disk I wanted?" Dain Deling asked his son.
" Of course father," Visser gave a highly incoded disk to Dian.
" And it has everything I need?"
" Of course, I wouldn't leave anything out."
" Perfect, Cal will be pleased."
Part six: Doubts in Garden
August 27th...
Alloran polished Windtrecker's blade. Tal would be back for the afternoon for the end of the break. Alloran had been desperate enough to spare with Drake because of the boredom. Surprisingly Drake was getting pretty good. Tal went to the rebuilding of FH to help and see her family, what was left of it at least. Lately at Garden, men in suites came to check things out lately. One tried to get Alloran open up her room for inspection. Those guys were quite annoying trying to inspect student rooms, Squall almost had to threaten them with the Lionheart to leave. According to Drake the uniforms were the type special inspectors used for hard cases. But why would they come here? It all seemed to be a weird summer with all that was going on.
Click. The door opened. If it was an inspector she would have met him with Windtrecker in hand to hint them to go away. Luckily it wasn't a pesky inspector.
" Back already Tal?" Alloran grinned putting Windtrecker away.
" Don't tell me you were hoping I was going to stay away," Tal grinned as Casseil followed her like a puppy. " Casseil met me at the gate. So what's new?"
Alloran sighed. What was there to say? Not much except for those suits. Alloran explained to Tal about the weirdos in black. Alloran expected Tal too look bored but instead her eyes were wide open.
" Hell do you know what that means?!" Tal asked Alloran wide eyed. " I heard about guys like that. They check places they think is unsafe, get support, and get rid of the service." It sunk in, those guys had been looking around to run Balamb Garden out of business.
" No way!" Casseil yelled punching the wall. " This is the home for a lot of kids! Besides, who would support those freaks!?" Tal quickly looked away, Alloran understood.
" Your mom's with them, right?" Alloran asked. She hadn't meet Mrs. Carter but Tal said that sometimes her mom was a bit over protective or serious. A single tear hit the ground.
" She's worried," Tal said keeping a steady voice. " She think that if I stay here I'll get killed and join my dad and the rest of my dead family. I, I almost couldn't come back here this year because of my mom. I had to runaway and leave them with only a note. I tried to explain to her that Garden needs to stay open but she's pig headed! She got some parents to agree with her that have kids here at Garden. Some kids weren't able to get back here. From what I heard there's supposed to be a debate between those nutsoes and Garden here and even a rally for those opposed to keeping Garden open here." Tal sat down on a chair keeping her head in her hands. " I know my mom is going to be there, she's going to go ballistic!"
" Then what can we do?" Alloran asked sitting opposite of Tal. Garden couldn't be closed down. Alloran and Casseil, and others wouldn't have a place anymore. It would be like losing a second home.
" Well," Tal sniffed. Casseil handed her a tissue. " Pass around the word not to get interviewed, I hear people can edit it so it looks like you want Balamb Garden to be closed down. And Casseil, DON'T attack any of them. I know you would. They can say Garden is making us snarling wolves."
" That's all?" Casseil asked rubbing his red fists- which he got from punching the wall.
" Give me a break, I had to think about it on the bus here," Tal muttered. ~ Looks like things are going to get tough. ~ * They can't close down Garden. I've been put in the Galbadian Garden archives and students and it's the pits. * (They won't, no one would allow it.)
~*~
September 13th ...
" Classes will be cancelled for the meeting between S.U.P and Garden, please remain in your dorms until the meeting is over." The intercom rang over the school."
" What the heck Sup?" Casseil asked.
" Stop Unsafe Places," Tal said stoically. Alloran understood well. Tal's dear mom would be coming today. If Garden was closed Alloran and Casseil might never see Tal again." Well we might as well go to the dorms," Tal said picking up her textbooks. Alloran knew that Tal didn't want to see her mom at the moment. And who would blame her. She almost stopped Tal from coming back, and now wanting to close down Garden. They walked down the hallways hearing chants. " Close Garden!" "Its wrong sending kids to war!"
A crowd of people holding signs up were walking up and down the hallways and a news team was recording this.
" And here you have it, S.U.P supporters are here today for the meeting between Balamb Garden and S.U.P. Mrs. Carter, what do you have to say?" Asked a news reporter. Alloran, Tal, and Casseil all glanced over at the crowd.
Mrs. Carter was a elderly women with blond hair like Tal but had gray streaks. Her hazel eyes were filled with discontent and sadness and her skin was as pale as the snow in Trabia.
" My daughter disobeyed me and came here," Mrs. Carter's voice echoed. " I wanted to stop her because of those attacks last year. I've lost my husband and three children to the battles already. Tal was already a student at Garden for two years and they're teaching teenagers to fight and kill. She and my children six year old daughter Kayla and seventeen year old son Amery. I don't want to lose another person dear to me." Mrs. Carter's jaw was quivering. Alloran kinda felt sorry for Mrs. Carter. She only wanted to make sure Tal was okay but she hasn't thought how Tal would feel about not going back.
Alloran heard a quick pace of footsteps retreating back to the dorms.
" Tal?" She heard Casseil.
" Casseil, why don't you head back to your dorm?" Alloran told Casseil. She had a feeling Tal was feeling down.
" Okay, if you say so Alloran." Casseil muttered shooting the group of rioters a glare. " I just hope Bruno ain't there."
~*~
" Squall Leonhart, do you not admit that Garden has been attacked in the past?" The head of S.U.P, Reginald asked. Quistis frowned, they were going too pore on the subject Garden gets attacked and isn't safe. Anything in front of the council and the news to make Garden look bad.
" Trabia Garden and Galbadia Garden have also gotten attacked in the past and I notice you don't fight with them," Quistis said resisting the urge to do anything rash. Balamb Garden had been her home since she was a young teen and was the home to many.
" I did not direct the question to you Quistis Trepe," Reginald sneered. Quistis just clutched her nails in her hand and nodded apolitically. " So Squall?"
" Yes we have gotten attacked but we also help other towns and cities that get attacked," Squall said coldly keeping his emotionless face on.
" Yes we know that," Reginald growled. If you do why ask the question? Quistis thought angrily. " Last year Balamb got attacked correct? I notice Garden didn't send their 'legendary' SeeD to help." We were a little bit busy with us being attacked. Quistis thought. Zell hated it the most, his mother and Bella were there and Balamb was his home besides Garden.
" We were being attacked as well and Garden students stopped the attack on Balamb last year as well," Squall told Reginald. Reginald smiled.
" So you were to busy to send help to the town that needed it, and I hear the person that did stop the main force used a GF. A powerful one called Leviathan, the great sea serpent that destroys its enemies with Tsunami. The person who did call Leviathan was only a girl, who haven't used Leviathan before. Suppose you arranged the attack on Balamb with those monsters to train your SeeD." Reginald said coldly.
" Why in Hyne's name would we do that!?" Zell yelled furiously standing up. Don't Zell! Quistis thought wide eyed. " I happen to be from Balamb, do think we'd do that!? How could we get mindless creatures to attack Balamb!?"
Reginald thought for a second before replying. " What about your wife Squall? Sorceress Rinoa, has the power doesn't she?"
Quistis saw Rinoa tighten. She knew Rinoa hated it when people called her a sorceress. Quistis patted Rinoa's arm. " Its okay Rinoa, almost no one cares about you being a sorceress anymore." Quistis whispered as Squall kept debating with Reginald.
" Easy for you to say, you weren't given these powers without a choice," Rinoa whispered back. Quistis remembered when Rinoa when she first got her powers got angry or really emotional they would flare up. Rinoa's powers didn't flare up anymore but you could still feel something.
" We've heard enough," said the council elder. " There will be a half- hour break to decide." The council filed out, in one hour the decision would be made.
~*~
" Tal?" Alloran asked unlocking the dorm door.
" Hey," Tal said sitting in a chair in the mini kitchen.
" You okay?" Alloran asked taking a seat nearby.
" Yeah," Tal said. They sat there in silence for a long period of time.
" She's really not that bad." Tal said suddenly. " It's just that she's worried. When I came back to FH this summer she acted like she lost something. She was more stricter only because Dad wasn't there and started being more nervous." Tal sighed. " Mom used to always scold Dad out of humor and she was the most relaxed person I knew, now she's on her last nerve, its hard having to support us, me, Kayla, and Amery, but she always loved the challenge with the rest of us when we were younger."
Alloran and Tal talked for an hour or so forgetting about their problems. About Mrs. Carter, about Garden, about S.U.P, even about the sorceress. Till they heard a knocking at the door. Tal walked over and opened it to find a great surprise, Mrs. Carter.
" Mom, what are you doing here?" Tal said sounding bitter.
" Please Tal, I just want to talk," Mrs. Carter said sounding like a loving mother than an angry parent. Tal looked over at Alloran. Alloran nodded and left for her room leaving Tal with Mrs. Carter.
~*~
Tal felt alone standing there, no one could help her there, not Alloran, not Casseil, just herself against her mother.
" I'm not leaving Garden or my friends!" Tal yelled with a low growl.
" I only want you to be-" Mrs. Carter started.
" Safe? I know that! But it doesn't help taking me away from my only true friends! I happen to like my life here," Tal snorted turning her back. She didn't want to see what her mom looked like. She didn't want Mrs. Carter seeing her get close to tears.
" What about Myou, Cassandra, and Mark? Weren't they your friends?" Tal's mom asked.
" No, they all wanted something from me!" Tal snapped at the sound of their names. " Alloran and Casseil actually like me for who I am. Not like those cows."
" But Tal," Mrs. Carter pleaded. " What if you get killed? Or you kill so many people that you forget who you are and become a slaughtering machine?"
" I won't on both counts!" Tal growled. " I'd rather be fighting then be sitting at home twiddling my thumbs while others are battling Cal!" There was an ominous silence throughout the room. All you could here was the lapping of the ocean outside.
" Fine then," Mrs. Carter said quietly. " Garden won and will be staying open. But Tal if you ever do change your mind Kayla and Amery will be happy. Your great grand dad wanted one of us to fight when he couldn't, maybe you're going to be a SeeD, maybe. Till then remember there's always a place for you in FH." Tal heard a click as the door shut. Thank you mom, Tal thought letting a single tear fall. She couldn't wait to tell Alloran and Casseil the good news.
~*~
Part seven: Can't think of a title
December 20th ...
Is he even coming? Alloran thought impatiently. Alloran thought as she and Squall waited for Visser. ~ If your lucky he decided to leave Garden. ~ (Yeah, the word there is if.) Visser ran in holding a different gunblade. It was black and the blade was made of two blades. Visser grunted as he held it up.
" My father sent this and I had to pick it up," Visser seemed to gloat to Alloran. " Its called Twin Lance, one of the most powerful remodels of the Revolver."
" If its as good as you talking I'm sure its powerful," Alloran muttered.
The lesson moved on more smoothly until... " I want you to spare together, its what you need to learn more about." They heard Squall say. Visser looked at Alloran with a grin. They both marked up.
" Lets see if I can add another cut in that arm, Wolfeyes," Visser whispered flexing Twin Lance. ~ Be careful, its heavier than the Revolver. ~ ( I can handle it. )
Alloran and Visser faced each other holding their gunblades in the usual position. At the word " go" Alloran and Visser charged. Visser attacked to the side and Alloran turned and made him face her face to face. Twin Lance was heavy so Alloran struggled to keep it's freshly sharpened blade away from her face. Visser pulled away to Alloran's relief and slammed Twin Lance down onto Windtrecker. Time seemed to slow down as Alloran brought Windtrecker into an upward block. They pushed each other's blades in to each other, then Alloran heard crack. A crack started to form in Windtrecker.
" Visser, stop!" Alloran called but Visser didn't listen. Twin Lance was stronger and heavier, in a second Windtrecker broke into half. Alloran jumped out of the way of Twin Lance still holding Windtrecker's handle, her gunblade was broken. Squall ran up and started yelling at Visser, Alloran didn't hear a thing. Windtrecker, Alloran was the only one to choose Windtrecker was gone. She looked at the broken blade, by the looks of things Windtrecker could never be repaired.
~*~
December 27th ....
Damn you Visser, damn you! Alloran thought furiously. Squall said she had till classes started again to get a new gunblade. All she could afford at the moment was either a Revolver or a Hyperion. None would do, she still preferred something like Windtrecker. But what use would it be? Visser just might break another gunblade. She was running out of time fast, a few more days and she would have to get a new gunblade. She was so bothered she didn't bother changing out of her cloths. Tal and Casseil offered to lend her money but she didn't want to borrow money to get what she wanted. She even talked to Quistis and it still no answer. What would she do?
~*~
" The time to strike is close," Cal's voice echoed to her followers, Galbadians and her most loyal. " We are meant to attack soon, prepare, make sure nothing stands in your way. Listen to the data your president's son gave us, leave no survivors!"
"Cal! Cal!" Rang through the room. Cal smiled coldly. Reginald's plan to close Garden and take Greiver when Squall was alone failed. Her fingers twitched as she flexed them, Reginald paid for his failure in blood. So would many who she didn't need anymore. Cal would have rid herself of Dian if he didn't have so much power. But his time would come soon. By dusk tomorrow she would have Greiver and take her rightful place in the world. A years preparation was mostly what they could hope for. Soon, soon those Kursed SeeD will be gone for my future rule. Cal thought letting out an evil laugh as they chanted her name, their rulers name.
~*~
Next day...
Alloran knew it was morning, she knew she was supposed to get up, but she didn't want to. Nothing to do. Tal was doing Hyne knows what, and Casseil, what do boys do besides act like dorks. Besides she still didn't know what to do, she was so worried she didn't bother changing when she fell asleep. She moved her legs and felt them touch something on the ground. She got up and almost pinched herself in disbelief. On the ground was a Windhowler case brand new with a note on top. Alloran picked it up and looked the case over. It was a smooth black leather and the corners were a golden metal. On the cover it had a howling wolf and was engraved ' Windhowler'. In the case was Windhowler and a wooden box consisting of thirty average looking bullets but if you held them you'd notice they pulsed. (Who do you think would send this?) * If you looked at the note you dropped you might find answers* Alloran blushed as she picked up the note she let drop in her inspection.
Alloran, this is Windhowler. Consider it a contribution to your training. It won't break like any other gunblade you can afford. Those bullets are pulse ammo, extremely rare and potent. Save them, they may one-day help you more than you expect.
No name again, Alloran sighed sliding the note between some books. ~ Oh well, at least that solves your gunblade problem. ~ * True. * Alloran gingerly picked Windhowler up, it possessed the same comforting feel as Windtrecker. Alloran almost dropped it not expecting the extra weight. Her left hand felt the cool blade slid as she ran it up and down. She swiped the air twice almost hearing the air being cut. Alloran barely skinned her thumb on the blade and skin flaked off by a lot. ~ Its sharp. ~ (Gee, no kidding.) * What?* (Its called sarcasm.) * Oh.* I wonder if Casseil can tell me how much these bullets are worth, Alloran thought picking up a bullet. At the first touch Alloran almost dropped it, it felt like someone's pulse. ~ Well it is called pulse ammo. ~ (Very funny Fenerir.)
All the sudden Garden shook Alloran went flying and landed on the ground. " What the hell!?"
" Galbadians and followers of the sorceress are here! Prepare for battle!" The intercom rang over. Hyne help us! Alloran thought pushing herself up. She wrapped her fingers around the handle of Windhowler and loaded twelve regular bullets. Before Alloran could move the dorm door was knocked down. Alloran's own door was closed. Ever so silently Alloran crept to the door keeping Windhowler cocked. Her fingers gingerly wrapped around the handle and she swiftly pulled it open. A Galbadian soldier holding a gun was there ready to blow her head off. Garden training had prepared her for this. Alloran jumped up as the bullets sailed beneath she landed very close to him taking away his shot on her. Without a single thought Windhowler sliced through the air cutting down the soldier. Alloran had no time to be thinking how well she did she can here fighting. With a quick run out the door she cut down another life from this world. There were only twenty five students fighting in that hallway. It hit her, Tal wasn't there. Alloran tried to keep going ahead but they just kept coming. A fast object skinned her shoulder causing it to bleed. Crud! She thought as pain gathered there. Alloran tried to do her best but the numbers were great and she had injuries and was tiring, just like everyone else there. It was annoying, every time she cut one down two others seemed to take their comrade's place.
" That's it!" Alloran growled feeling her anger rise. Tal and Cassiel could be in trouble and her being here didn't help matters." I've got better places to be here!" Alloran could feel her body heat up with frustration and anger. " Fire Cross!" Without even trying the giant bonfire engulfed the enemies and burnt them alive. Alloran almost felt sorry for them but it was going to be her job one day. Alloran took off down a flight of steps being passed or passing students and SeeD. Where the hell are they!? Alloran thought running to the elevator pressing on the key like heck. The elevator came down speedily as it normally did. ~ There's someone on there. ~ (Who?!) Before Fenerir answered the door opened. Alloran held Windhowler ready to shoot down whoever was there.
" Alloran!" Cried Tal rushing out with Casseil behind her. " We were worried, afterall your Windtrecker was torn in half and-"
" Where did you get that sweet gunblade!" Casseil exclaimed at the sight of Windhowler.
" Long story," Alloran told them. " What's going on?"
" Commander Squall is calling for those on leave to get their butts back here for battle. And Visser's in deep trouble, someone caught Kane and Bruno and they revealed Visser and them have been spying for Galbadia. The commander said to pass the word to get Visser and make sure he doesn't get away," Tal explained.
" Bastard," Alloran muttered. The only good thing about Visser was he was a rival, someone that made Alloran try hard to outdo in class.
" What now?" Casseil asked shooting some soldiers charging a group of students.
" We hold them off and look for Visser," Alloran said quietly. " Till the SeeD that are on leave come back we have a disadvantage. And if you do face Visser," she tightened here fist. " Leave him to me, I want to pay him back. Don't complain Casseil," Alloran said before Casseil could say anything. " Me and him have always seemed against each other and I say he's mine."
" Understood," Tal said simply.
" What!?" Casseil burst out. " We all want a piece of him!"
" I know," Alloran told Casseil. "But I need to face him."
" Geez," Casseil yelled. " Fine that bastard's yours." Alloran nodded thanks and the three took off to their job.
~*~
" Do...they...ever...stop...coming?" Alloran panted using Windhowler to push herself up.
" Doesn't seem like it," Tal replied shooting down another two men.
" Damn," Casseil grumbled taking a shot.
The fighting stopped, everything seemed to go silent as the dark haired women that came to Balamb stepped in, sorceress Cal.
" Students of Balamb Garden," her twisted voice rippled through the air. " I commend you on your resistance but it is futile. Give up and serve me, your soon to be ruler. You can't win so why bother with the bloodshed?" A fast projectile slashed Cal slightly in the face, she was bleeding. " Who dares!?" She hissed like a snake.
" Your forgetting, Cal," spoke a voice, Rinoa. Rinoa refastened her air shooter." You aren't the only sorceress of this time. As for bloodshed as long as you're around there will always be bloodshed."
" When I'm done you won't be a sorceress, you'll be dead!" Cal screamed letting out an invisible force out at Rinoa. Rinoa braced herself and put up a force field. " Not bad but still not good enough!" Cal kept on the assault on Rinoa not letting her get a chance to do anything else. No one did a thing but watched a battle of sorceresses.
" Flare!" Rinoa screamed letting out the most powerful fire magic. Cal put up her force field but struggled to keep it.
" You think Flare's tough, Rinoa?" Cal asked. " Try the ultimate magic, Ultima!" Rinoa's eyed widened with fear.
Cal was ready to call Ultima, everyone would die. Horror awoke in the mind as death was at the door. Then they all heard something, bullets and arial projectiles aimed at Cal. Cal called up her shield as they whizzed at her. At the gate there were hundreds of SeeDs all ready to fight. Cal spat, " this isn't over!" And with that she vanished like she did in Balamb. The reinforces charged first and the enemies fought back. All seemed tied up except...
" Visser," Alloran whispered.
" What?" Tal asked.
" He's still here somewhere," Alloran growled heading back to the elevator.
" Alloran, do you need help up there? We were there and we didn't see him," Tal asked. Alloran just left and got on the elevator and something happened. She saw a vision of Visser, he looked smug as he slid out of a empty classroom like the snake he was. He was heading to the up stairs balcony. You're mine, she thought gripping Windhowler. As she got off she saw Visser running out of the classroom like before, Alloran followed.
On the balcony it was raining hard to match the mood, Alloran called to him. " Visser!" Visser whirled around in surprise.
" Why if it ain't Wolfeyes," Visser smiled coldly. " Now that you found me what will you do? Cal's followers are keeping everyone busy and I busted your gunblade, now that was fun. "
" I'll take you down," Alloran brandished Windhowler. Visser looked at her cockily and laughed.
" Oh, that's supposed to be a threat to me? Ha! Now that I'm no longer a student I'm free to destroy you Alloran, prepare to die!" Visser called running with Twin Lance in hand. Like before he slammed Twin Lance down and Alloran blocked high. " Lets see how long it is before it breaks," Visser said pushing down more.
" It won't, I'll be the one be the one to cut your gunblade in two!" Alloran growled pushing Twin Lance closer to Visser.
" Do you really think so," Visser replied as they both pulled back and circled each other. " Cal will reign and we the Galbadians will rule with her. First among mortals." Alloran and Visser ran again. Alloran swirled up and aimed the blade down as Visser jumped to safety.
" Too bad it won't happen," Alloran sneered flexing her fingers daring Visser to come forward. Visser accepted the challenge and slashed across as Alloran stepped inward to the side and attacked. Visser spun quickly and the gunblades met. With a crackle of lightning overhead their gunblades fell out of each other's hands far from each other. Visser glanced at Alloran and tried diving for his gunblade. Alloran tackled him so he was five feet short of Twin Lance.
" Let go of me filth!" Visser scowled kicking Alloran's face. Alloran kept one hand on Visser as the other wiped across her lip, blood. With anger Alloran twisted her body and kicked his face back. He got loose and ran to pick up Twin Lance.
" Fire!" Alloran let loose a fire spell at Visser and picked up her own gunblade.
" Looks like miss goody two shoes doesn't play by the rules after all," Visser mocked holding Twin Lance in guard position.
" Who ever said I was nice when you're involved," Alloran asked holding Windhowler back. ~ Let him come to you, patience is the key. ~ ( What if he's waiting for me to make a move? ) * Bait him, it works all the time. * " Hey Visser! How what did your butt ugly mom use to trick your dad into marrying her?"
" What!?" Visser growled in anger.
" Maybe it was because they were both to stupid to notice how ugly they were, a perfect match." * I think that's all you need. *
" Wolfeyes, you're dead!" Visser yelled with pure rage running forward with blind anger. That's all I need, Alloran thought smugly. Visser slashed upward and Alloran swiped as fast as she could against Twin Lance and... Crack, Twin Lance broke into several different pieces. " No," Visser whispered with anger and hatred. " I suppose you think you have me," he said inching for the end of the balcony. " That I'll go to jail, that you've won, but you haven't." He climbed onto the edge. " You're wrong if you think this is over, its just starting Wolfeyes, and we will face each other again mark my words." Before Alloran saw what was happening Visser jumped over the edge. The idiot! Alloran thought. Her thoughts changed after she saw a helicopter rise up with Visser on it. Soldiers fired bullets at her like crazy. Alloran braced herself as she felt the bullets either skin her skin or hit square on. Pain rose everywhere and her vision got blurry, then darkness came. Before she lost all thoughts she thought yes Visser this isn't over, and I will be the one to put an end to you.
~*~
Wolf: Yep I decided to end it here. Expect the next few chapters to get more interesting.
Tobias: They should be the last few were snore city!
Wolf: * casts flare on Tobias.* Don't listen to him he's the idiot.
Review answers from chapter seven
Sephyr Blackstar: Yeah I decided to throw in some humor. As for God I don't think so many other people are a lot better than me.
Preaw: Don't worry I plan to keep writing.
Verdanii: I can only update when I can but I'll try to update regulary.
Mini Sorceress: Meh, I added the period idea because I'm sure lots of people get freaked out, especially if they don't know what it is. But that never happened to me just clearing that up.
GirlsDon'tCry: Well you've read what that guy has to say already.
Sorceress Fujin: Yeah, you can expect to read more, as soon as I write it that is.
Wolf: That's all. Expect this at the end of every chapter. Also for Tobias, I'll let you decide if he stays here or not. I need at least one review wanting him to stay.
Tobias: * burnt* remember to keep reading and review.
