Wolf: Hi ya peoples! I don't own SeeD, instructors, or the regular FF
characters. I got at least one review for Tobias so sadly he stays.
Tobias: YEAH!!!! * dances up and down in a girlish fashion. ( A/N: No offense to girls since I am one. )*
Wolf: For now.
Tobias: * groans*
Wolf: Anyway, this chapter takes place three years from the attack and some things have changed. Its near the time for the field exam and SeeD graduation. I got rid of the time factor so that helps a bit. The only one from the second generation that is SeeD so far is Leo, no surprise. I'll try to fill in the gaps so just pay attention.
Tobias: Also my dear friend added another GF so their mind talk is - sample- .
~*~
Part one: Trail of Fangs and Claws
May 12th ...
It was another peaceful day at Garden, it was the crack of dawn. But not everyone is asleep. Clang! The sound of two gunblades rolled through the training center. Two eighteen year olds fought on a narrow plank suspended three meters from the ground.
The first was Leo Leonheart, SeeD rank fifteen. He had brown messy hair matching his fathers but Rinoa's eyes. He donned a leather jacket and wielded a gunblade called Punishment. ( A/N: for those that don't remember that's a gunblade before Lionhart.) The other was Alloran Wolfeyes. The years hadn't aged her that much. Her eyes were a deeper sapphire and she had let one strand of hair grow to her shoulder, which she kept braided with two braids. A golden one at the top with a lunar moon embroidered on and a silver braid at the bottom with a sun embroidered on. A scar was on her left cheek of a cross from a bullet assault on her three years ago.
Alloran attacked downward and Leo did a somersault over her. Drat! Alloran thought. He pulled this last time too! Alloran spun back around and ducked as Punishment's wielder swung. Alloran took another swipe and Leo leapt back like a cat. Alloran jumped back as he swung his gunblade down. Alloran spun the handle of Windhowler getting the blade to face up as she charged Leo. Leo's blade came down and prevented the assault. Alloran quickly moved Windhowler back and faked left then pushed the blade in the right. Leo lost some of his balance as the blade nicked him. Taking the chance Alloran swung in but Leo moved back and attacked. Alloran stopped, she let Leo get through her defense and to her neck. She could have moved but she knew he wouldn't move his blade till she gave up.
" Okay Leo, I get the picture, you won, again," Alloran growled as Leo grinned moving Punishment's blade.
" How many times does that make now?" He asked keeping a smile plastered on his face.
" Plenty," Alloran said dryly. " It might help with the fact that you've been in SeeD for a year."
" True," Leo said as he jumped down off the plank with Alloran following him. " Don't you have your GF test today?" Alloran nodded. She remembered what Leo said about the test. You attempt to obtain a GF in a time limit. Leo had been sent to get Alexander last year and almost failed. She had to do this to go onto her next exam, the field. Leo said if she was lucky she wouldn't be assigned to get a GF like Bahamut.
" I have a class that tells instructions and then I'm off to complete the test," Alloran explained. Yesterday Tal and Casseil had their GF exams earlier and both passed. Tal had gotten Shiva and Casseil got Carbuncle.
" Speaking of which," Leo started. " There's half an hour before class. "
" Drat, time always fly by when we fight," Alloran smirked. Alloran took off leaving Leo behind. A loud cry rang through the training center. A T-rexer. Alloran felt a strong wave through her body almost knocking her out. ( What was that for!? ) * Remember last time? You got angry that you couldn't use that limit Dark Moon and went to the training center to blow off some steam.* ~ And she almost got herself killed. You were able to use Dark Moon, after getting pounded into the ground and on the brink of death. ~ ( You just have to remind me. ) ~* True *~ Responded both GFs.
~*~
" Good morning class," Quistis greeted them with a smile. " This evening is the field exam for the SeeD candidates. The final GF tests will be taken this morning. Those SeeD candidates who passed their tests have the afternoon off. Those who failed the written exam go to study hall." A wave of yahoos and groans ran through the room. " Till then you are dismissed. " Everyone filed out except Alloran, who was stopped at the door by Quistis. " I don't suppose you forgot the exam."
" Who could forget," Alloran asked sarcastically.
" Good, meet me at the front gate in half an hour," Quistis smiled and left being followed by a group of Trepies. ~ One half-hour, better get your stuff. ~ ( I know that Fenerir. )
~*~
" Do you think you'll pass?" Tal asked as Alloran went through her stuff.
" If a doofus like Casseil could I can," Alloran muttered pulling out a wooden box. Inside was a set of hand knives Tal gave her for her birthday last year. " It can't be that hard." She slid two knives up her sleeves into sheaves she kept there so all she had to do was flick her wrist and it would slid into her hand.
" Leo didn't have it easy," Tal frowned. " Even Drake had problems. I even thought I wouldn't pass. Speaking of which, why didn't you take the test last year? You might have passed it." Tal's hair was highlighted black now on the edges and kept her hair back in a bun.
" How could you forget!?" Alloran snapped in disbelief.
" Well having two GFs has affected my memory," Tal admitted. Alloran sighed and got out her box of pulse ammo. She hadn't used one bullet since Casseil told her they were worth fifty thousand each.
" I had problems with my final limit break that slave driver of a teacher tried to teach me, went down to the training center, almost got killed by a T-rexer, used Dark Moon, was in infirmary for a month and missed the exams, that sum it up?" Alloran asked holding onto a bullet in her hand. It still felt like feeling someone's pulse after all this time. She slipped seven into her gunblade and slipped six into her pocket. " Do you know what time it is?" Alloran hated to remember that T-rexer's breath on her face when it moved in for the finishing blow. She wanted to forget it ever happened but that memory almost always popped up.
" 9:33, you have about twelve minutes before you have to go," Tal replied. There was a knocking at the door. " Great, visitors." They opened it to find...
" Hi guys," Casseil grinned walking in. Casseil needed glasses two years ago so he always kept the sunglasses add on, on, just to look 'cool'.
" Don't you believe in asking to come in?" Alloran asked rolling her eyes.
" Nope," Casseil said simply. " Besides, where would be the fun in asking? You'd just say no."
" Exactly," Tal said dryly. " Alloran has to split, her test is starting soon."
" Already?" Casseil asked with a grin. " I'll pick up her remains when the GF tears her apart."
" Gee Casseil, that's so encouraging," Alloran muttered heading for the door.
" Can you wait a sec? Catch!" Casseil threw Alloran a small waving cat statue. " It used to be a big fad to own one of these lucky cats when I was younger. It's for good luck."
" I don't believe in luck," Alloran said frowning. Casseil shrugged. Alloran had a feeling Casseil wouldn't let her leave unless she took the cat with her. Sighing Alloran pocketed the cat and took off for the gates.
~*~
" Are you ready Alloran?" Quistis asked with a worried look on her face.
" As ready as I need to be," Alloran said with a shrug. She could see tenseness in Quistis. " What's wrong?"
" Alloran, are you sure you want to take the test?" Quistis asked. Alloran couldn't believe what she just said. Alloran wanted to do this for some of her own reasons. Her top one was maybe she that might face Visser again. The memory of that night three years ago was still fresh in her mind of Visser jumping over the edge onto a helicopter. She had nightmares for weeks about the searing pain through her body as the bullet barrage tore through her. Dr. Kadowaki was amazed she survived. Having a GF helps you heal faster but she said not even Leviathan could have helped as fast as her recovery was. Alloran remembered Visser's words they would face each other again but she might need to become SeeD.
" Of course!" Alloran growled. " I've been training for about five to six years, of course I want to take the test. What do I have to fear?"
" The GF you have to face, the GF residing in the forest outside of Balamb," Quistis stopped. " One of the most powerful and sought after GFs, Bahamut."
~*~
I can't believe I'm doing this, Alloran thought. Bahamut had been released to the world nineteen years ago. Mostly only SeeD would go after Bahamut but come back a bloody mess. Last year a level thirteen SeeD tried and was in a coma for three months. He even almost quit SeeD for failing to obtain the dragon. ( Hey Fenerir, Leviathan?) ~* Yes. *~ ( Do you know what Bahamut is weak against, it didn't mention in the book of GFs. ) ~ Gravity. ~ ( Magic language please? ) ~ Demi. If you had Diablos it might be an easier battle. ~ * She has me. She doesn't need Diablos. * ~ That's what I worry about. ~ ( Can you guys talk among yourselves? I want to think. ) * If you want us too. *
Alloran's fingers ran under her sleeve and touched the scar Visser gave her on her right arm. I'll do more than just break his gunblade next time I see him again. Alloran thought. Alloran and Quistis had been walking in silence for an hour. They were both thinking about what awaited them. Alloran had to face Bahamut alone in a time limit. Most GFs let a human opponent heal themselves particularly if it's a cadet. But what if Bahamut didn't let her? Why do I have all the luck? Alloran thought as the forest came into sight. From what she heard it used to be small, but since Bahamut came to the forest it had grown rapidly. The trees had grown fifteen to twenty stories tall and there was a sudden increase of trees that stretched on for miles.
" State cadet name and supporting SeeD," asked the Garden guard.
" Alloran Wolfeyes," Alloran stated.
" I'm her support, instructor number fourteen Quistis Trepe," Quistis said in her normal teaching voice.
" Clear," The guard nodded. " Objective, obtain the GF dwelling here. Choose a time limit that suites your abilities. You will be judged on your choice for the final results. The choices are ten, twenty, thirty, and forty minutes. " Alloran nodded. The choices were set to show how the candidate thought, at least that's what Leo told her. Ten minutes? Nope I doubt I can beat Bahamut in the amount of time. It might also show the SeeD she was too rash. Forty was a definite no. She might beat Bahamut in that amount of time but it shows lack of confidence. Which left twenty or thirty. Alloran glanced up at their faces at the corner of her eye. They had doubtful looks on their faces. Alloran hid a frown, they didn't think she would succeed. I'll show them, Alloran thought.
" Twenty minutes is all I need," Alloran told them keeping a poker face. The guard nodded and marked down the time and name on her evaluation sheet. Quistis looked down and set her watch. " Ready? Go!" Alloran sprinted off into the forest with Quistis right behind her. A bite bug flew up to them. I have no time for this! Alloran thought as she ran at the bite bug with a cocked arm and sliced it open. She couldn't waste anytime, not with the exam at stake. If Tal, Drake, Casseil, and Leo could do this she could too.
" Bahamut should be at the center of the forest!" Quistis called to Alloran as Alloran slipped ahead. Alloran could already feel a force here, it was powerful. " Here comes a barrage of monsters!" Alloran saw about four more bite bugs waiting for a fight. Alloran called up a fireball in her mind.
" Fire!" A blast of fire exploded as the bite bug zoomed at the two, dead. Quistis swung her whip in the air and slammed it down on another bite bug. Alloran let the next one come to her, she ran to it and swiped fast leaving the bite bug in two pieces. Quistis took care of the final one.
" Blizzard!" Quistis called as a giant ice block formed above the bite bug and crashed down on it. That takes care of that, Alloran thought running off not waiting for Quistis. She could almost feel the air heating up. ~ He's close. ~ ( Who? ) ~ Bahamut. ~ Alloran just cut anything that came in her way, she was guessing she had about fifteen more minutes. A clearing! She thought seeing a passageway of light.
" WHO WISHES TO FIGHT THE KING OF DRAGONS?" A loud voice that sounded like many serpent's voice, it was deeper then Leviathan's and was more confident. Alloran found herself facing a giant blue dragon. Its dark wings spread across the clearing. Alloran could see his claws twitching to fight and could feel the air hot and dry.
" Me, " Alloran said barely keeping her voice from shaking. " I'm a SeeD cadet here for a test."
" DO YOU EXPECT TO BEAT ME?" The great dragon's voice laughed. " I'VE BEATEN MANY CHILD SINCE I WAS RELEASED AND I DON'T PLAN ON GIVING UP MY FREEDOM TO JOIN A MORTAL!" Without warning Bahamut's massive claws struck down at Alloran. Crap! She thought as she leapt to the side. He missed by an inch.
" Ten minutes Alloran!" Quistis called.
~*~
Squall looked over the candidates for the field exam, it was to be in Dollet, just like his field exam. The only difference was he was working with Seifer outside of Dollet and they weren't taking the test. Nine of the ten for today's GF test came back, three passed. Alloran and Quistis should be back from the fire cavern soon. She was meant to get Ifrit. Squall's memories weren't as clear as they used to be of the fight. Being truthful he wanted more cadets to pass. Lately more cadets were failing and it would affect SeeD in the future. Squall looked up from his papers to see Irvine.
" Don't you believe in knocking?" Squall asked angrily.
" Yeah I did but you didn't hear," the cowboy replied. " How's the preparations going?"
" Fine, Seifer said he'd get as much soldiers as he could down there," Squall said bitterly. He'd only agreed to the mission because Rinoa asked him. " We've got seventy six cadets and possible seventy seven, one hundred and fifty four SeeD and that's most we can send."
" Oh so Quisty ain't back with her student from Bahamut's forest?" Irvine asked. Squall looked at Irvine with a serious face.
" The forest!?" Squall demanded almost dropping his reports.
" Yeah that's what the report said," Irvine said shrugging as he handed Squall the report. Squall looked it over five times before he spoke again.
" Someone's hacked in," Squall told Irvine.
" What?"
" Quistis and her student were meant to go to the Fire Cavern," Squall could see the look of shock come onto the cowboy's face.
" But," Irvine faltered. " I thought Garden's computers were impossible to hack into."
" Well it isn't," Squall snapped. " Someone has found a way to hack in."
~*~
Alloran tightened her grip onto the handle of Windhowler. He's mine, she thought. Bahamut's claws swiftly swiped at her. Alloran jumped up high into the air and aimed the blade down. Smack! Alloran felt herself slide across the ground leaving a trail dug into the dirt. What hit her!? Alloran noticed Bahamut's tail waving dangerously. Draw! She thought calling Bahamut's magic to her. Excellent, Alloran thought dodging a very angry GF. Its Flare. Kadowaki hadn't let Alloran handle magic like Flare or Ultima but she was sure she could handle it.
" Demi!" Alloran yelled letting out the spell. Bahamut let out a roar as he let loose a Flare attack. Alloran slid out as fast as possible. Shit! She thought feeling pain in her back. Bahamut's Flare had gotten scorched her slightly. There's no sign of weakness! Alloran thought. She needed to get past his defense somehow. Alloran flicked her wrist lightly so the knife was loose and ready to fall into her hand. " Flare!' She let a Flare at Bahamut's right wing. As Bahamut leapt at her she flicked her wrist hard and threw her knife at Bahamut's neck. The knife had dug in deep. It was Alloran's longest knife and favorite. I got him! She thought grinning as she noticed a hole in the right wing. ~ Don't celebrate yet, look. ~ Alloran noticed the hole healing over. ( How am I supposed to beat an opponent that keeps healing! ) * Just fight! * His tail raised up and acted as a whip as it slapped Alloran through a tree. " Cur-" Alloran started. Bahamut's claws racked Alloran's side as she attempted Cura.
" Three minutes!" Quistis yelled to Alloran biting her lip. She wasn't aloud to help in the fight. Alloran pushed herself up almost staggering. She missed her chance to cast Cura. Crap! She thought moving to the side before Bahamut hit her with the second assault. ( Leviathan, care to join in? ) * A pleasure. * Alloran kept dodging as the connection between her and Leviathan formed.
" IS THAT ALL A HUMAN CAN DO? DODGE ME?" Asked the dragon. Tsunami, thought both Alloran and Leviathan. The portal zoomed across the sky and the great sea serpent slithered out of the portal throwing off the light covering it. Leviathan climbed the sky with the land following it. When Leviathan stopped the great serpent burst into light and water flooded down and washed over the dragon. " DO YOU THINK A GUARDIAN FORCE LIKE THAT WILL STOP ME?" Its done enough, Alloran thought. She could see the dragon start to stagger. Now to do some damage in a short time, she thought. Then she noticed her dagger was still stuck into Bahamut's neck.
" Chew on this!" Alloran yelled firing several pulse ammo at Bahamut's chest. The explosions were big as the three shots all hit dead on. Alloran jumped threw the smog sheaving Windhowler for a second. Her hands wrapped around the handle of the knife as she jumped up.
" OFF MORTAL! Bahamut roared as his head turned to take a bite with his razor teeth.
" Flare!" Alloran yelled letting one loose in his face. The great beast roared angrily as it swiped at his own face. Ow! Alloran thought in pain as a fang bite her leg. She was hanging there holding onto the handle of a knife. Come on! Alloran thought pushing the blade downward. It has to go down! Sweat and blood poured off her and hit the ground. Finally the blade slashed through the scales and went down a long way. Yes! Alloran thought as the blade slid down deeper. Than a claw slashed her off. " Float!" She yelled before she hit the ground. He's still standing! The wound she caused on the dragon healed over quickly. ~ Alloran, do you want me to call up some bad past memories? ~ ( What!? ) ~ Think about it, you're bodies suffered a lot, if you have some emotional pain added you might be able to use Dark Moon and finish him. ~
" One minute!" Quistis yelled clenching her hands. ( Do it! ) Alloran felt a swarm of memories come on her. When the T-rexer almost finished her off, when Visser got away, the orphanage....
" Dark Moon!" Alloran cried feeling the energy explode through her body. The dragon looked at her almost curiously as her body felt like an inferno. Her fingers spun it in a circle in front of her leaving spelled writing. The area around her was turning as dark as a moon less night. Alloran then rested the flat part on her left and pushed the blade into the center of spelled circle like a key and a dark beam of light exploded out of the circle and hit Bahamut dead on. ( Did it work? ) The smoke cleared from around Bahamut to show...
" He's still standing!?" Alloran said dumb folded. She'd thrown her best at him and he was still standing. Her fingers felt her pocket for the waving cat. So much for bringing luck! Alloran thought. Then something happened. Bahamut turned his head to the air like he was listening to something and growled in pure fury.
" IMPRESSIVE FOR A HUMAN YOUR RANK," Bahamut roared. " I ACKNOLEDGE YOUR SKILLS. AS THE LAW OF GUARDIAN FORCES PREECHES I SHALL JOIN YOU HUMAN." Alloran was totally caught off guard. He would be her GF? Bahamut broke into light and turned into a small circular object the size of Alloran's palm. The stone dropped to the ground as well as Alloran's knife. Beep, beep! The watch alarm had gone off.
" Congratulations Alloran ," Quistis said putting her hand on Alloran's shoulder. " You passed."
" Yeah, I did," Alloran said hardly believing this. Her hand picked up the knife first and slipped it into its sheaf. Then her fingers gingerly wrapped around the red stone. Garnet, Alloran noted. It was meant to be a stone that helped bring up someone's strengths. At least that's what a crystal shop owner told her. Alloran stopped kneeling and got up. Ouch! She thought as her legs cried pain.
" Well we can't have you hurt for the way back," Quistis told her helping Alloran up. Alloran was guessing fighting Bahamut made her forget the body strains. " Curaga!" Alloran felt all her pains go away and the blood stopped.
" Thanks," Alloran said with a smirk. Her muscles still felt sore though.
" No problem, as a teacher it's my job," Quistis smiled.
~*~
Part two: The exam.
Alloran showered a bit when she got back to Garden. Tal and Casseil were somewhere so she didn't worry about questions. She didn't bother washing her hair much since they had the field exam soon. She was to meet at the gates at 4:30 PM. At least she didn't have to wear that stupid uniform for the test. With the ex-headmaster it was mandatory to wear a uniform or you lose marks for the final results. But since Squall didn't like uniforms that much it was a choice option. At least that gets rid of the blood, Alloran thought slipping on another black jacket. Training at Garden had taught her to get extras of your favorite clothes or your stuck with the school uniform. Well this jacket's totaled Alloran sighed taking a look at the black trench coat she wore against Bahamut. The jacket was torn across and burn and blood marks were all over it. Alloran took out the items out of the pockets like antidotes, softs, echo screens, etc. and finally the Garnet.
Alloran could feel the power pulsing through the stone unlike sapphire or aquamarine. I wonder why he decided to join me? She thought recalling his words. ' I DON'T PLAN ON GIVING UP MY FREEDOM TO JOIN A MORTAL!' Before Alloran realized it she tightened her hold onto the garnet. She closed her eyes and felt the strong power enter her mind joining Leviathan and Fenerir. ( Are you okay Bahamut? ) - Why should a mortal be interested in me? And why are you talking to me? - * Same old Bahamut. She always talks to me and Fenerir. * ( Yeah, and I'd appreciate it if you called me Alloran, not mortal all the time. ) - But that is what you are. Our jobs as guardian forces is to aid mortals and test them. - ( It maybe, but you act like it's a hefty chore. ) - It is, we lend strength to the humans and receive nothing in return except a wait to be called again to fight. - ~ Speak for yourself Bahamut, I haven't been called in eighteen years. ~ - And that was before you joined the humans again. - ( Can't we just call a truce? ) - Fine, mortal. It is our job to obey humans. - ~ Is not Bahamut! ~ - Then explain why we always serve humans? We are superior to them and Hyne condemns us to depend on them. - ( Then why did you choose to join me? ) - My duty as a guardian force. - Bahamut and the rest of the GFs were silent. Alloran sighed and gave up. If they were talking it'd be impossible for to hear.
~*~
" No way!" Casseil exclaimed when he and Tal heard the news. " You, of all people beat Bahamut, the king of dragons."
" Yeah, and you can stop acting like I saved the world from Ultimecia," Alloran growled. She wished she could forget the battle against Bahamut.
" But it is a big deal," Tal said grinning. Alloran rolled her eyes, she didn't do anything special and probably never would.
" I bet MY kitty helped ya, "Casseil said happily.
" No, I did it by myself," Alloran growled. " Like I said before I don't believe in luck." With annoyed glare she tossed the waving kitty back to its owner.
" Well I do, I mean how else could you beat Bahamut?" Casseil asked her.
" Skill, alright?" Alloran muttered. She beat Bahamut and that was that, no one seemed to get it through their skulls.
" Well, since we've got an hour, do you want to get lunch?" Tal asked. Then with a worried look she said. " Though you might want to look out for the Trepies and Drake. The Trepies think you cheated and Drake's eyes almost popped out of his skull when he heard what you did. You know how much he looks up to you after all."
" The Trepies? Why should they be angry at me now?" Alloran asked with a humored look. Most people stayed on the Trepies good side- because of the whips. Alloran happened to like being on their hate list for some reason.
" Because a lot of the Trepies have tried to get their paws on Bahamut but well, you know," Tal smiled. " They think you must have done something against the rules or something."
" Okay, in that case Ill stay here-" Alloran started.
" Nope, sorry." Casseil said as he and Tal gripped onto her arms.
" Trust me Alloran, you are going to need some energy for the field exam," Tal told her. With a sigh Alloran pulled away and followed her dear, asking friends to the cafeteria.
~*~
" Spill Alloran, we know you must have done something, admit it!" Yelled Kara, leader of the Trepies. Alloran, Tal, and Casseil had only been in the cafeteria five minutes and they were swarmed with Trepies. Alloran had been attacked by Trepie accusations for twenty minutes in counting.
" Yeah I did do something," Alloran said taking a drink of water as the Trepies started to grin, till Alloran finished. " I beat a GF most of you failed against."
" That's not what we meant!" Kara yelled back looking like a zombie. Alloran rubbed her temples and started looking for an excuse to leave.
" AW COME ON! YOU CAN"T BE OUT!" Flare's voice rang out through the cafeteria. As the cafeteria ladies said to try again Flare started hitting his head against the wall. That's my excuse, Alloran thought.
" Excuse me, I happen to have a job to do," Alloran said ignoring the Trepies's glares. To Tal she whispered, " wait for my signal and split." Tal nodded as Alloran jogged over to the upset Flare. " Hey Chicken Boy."
" Go away!" Flare growled with a threatening glare.
" Okay, I will, but first," Alloran handed another pink slip to Flare. " See ya." Alloran almost grinned as she heard Flare mutter curses, until some of the Trepies moved in front of her.
" We're not leaving till you answer our questions truthfully," one of them piped up. " You must have done something so instructor Trepe didn't notice."
" Oh," Alloran looked over to the far side of the cafeteria and pointed. " Hey isn't that her!?"
" Where!?" The Trepies glanced around for their 'god'.
" Adios," Alloran said as she sprinted toward the door with Tal and Casseil right after.
" That was evil," Casseil said smiling. " I can't believe you said that. They'll be after you for that."
" Oh well," Alloran shrugged. " Since when haven't they hated me?"
" They've never liked you," Tal said flatly. " But you have to admit it IS kinda sad that they're like that. I mean if instructor Trepe stepped in Gnat guts they'd consider that holy."
" True," Alloran nodded and checked her watch. " Crap! Its 4:20!" With a quick glance at the other two before they ran off to their dorms to get ready.
~*~
I didn't mean to use THAT much ammo, Alloran thought checking how much ammo she had in Windhowler from the fight. Nothing, zero, zilch, all the ammo had been used up. With a shake of her head she replaced the pulse ammo she had with the regular stuff. With another look at her watch she almost felt like shooting the clock. " Tal if you don't hurry up I 'm leaving without you!"
" I'm hurrying!" Tal said attempting to get her Pinwheel on.
" We've got three minutes to get down there!" Alloran growled as she locked the door and followed Tal down the hallways apologizing to others as they ran through the hallways.
" Hyne, why does the dormitories have to be on the other side of where we need to be!?" Tal asked as they finally exited the dorms.
" Hyne, why do you have to be so slow!" Alloran snapped.
After twelve apologies, one trip, and three students bowled over Tal and Alloran finally made it to the gates.
" Are... we... late?" Tal asked Quistis, who was in charge of instructions.
" You're ten seconds late," Quistis replied. I guess I'm with Flare, Alloran thought seeing Casseil, Flare, and Sef. " The other four teams have already been given their assignments and have been sent out. You're squad E. Your team shall consist of Alloran Wolfeyes, Casseil Hunter, Tal Carter, Flare Dincht, and Sef Kinneas." Flare opened his mouth to object but Quistis beat him to it. " No, there will not be team switching. As for your captain," Flare started to beam happily. " Your captain is Alloran Wolfeyes." The five teen's jaws dropped.
" Her!?" Flare asked with shock.
" Me!?" Alloran asked with equal shock. Alloran was positive anyone but her would be a better leader. " Are you positive it's not someone else?"
" I don't decide who's the captain I just give the instructions," Quistis sighed. " The mission is outside of Dollet. This will be an actually battle and people will die. Our mission is to assist the rebel troops and Dollet soldiers. More will be explain on the boat to Dollet. " Alloran winced. Dollet, that's close to where 'Miss Fallow's Orphanage' was, just outside of Dollet.
~*~
" Can I drive?" Casseil asked Quistis when they made it to the parking lot.
" No Casseil, that isn't necessary," Quistis said quickly as she took the driver seat.
" Jeez what's the matter with me driving?" Casseil asked after the cadets took their seats.
" Remember last year when we learned to drive?" Alloran smirked. " I hear their still trying to fix the damage."
" Poor Balamb," Tal said pretending to be in a daze. " Never stood a chance to Casseil's driving."
" Har, har," Casseil said sarcastically. " I did well enough to pass, this year."
The engine roared to life as the car rode out onto the road to Balamb.
~*~
I wish Flare would knock it off, Alloran thought as they got on the boat. The entire ride Flare seemed to be shooting her the evil eye. I didn't even want to be leader. - Here's a first, a human that doesn't want power. - ( I've never been leader of anything, I don't want the responsibility anyway. ) * Weren't you leader of the discipline committee? * ( No, we're just a group of friends doing a job. None of us took command. ) ~ There may be a day you need to take leadership. ~ ( What's the chance of that happening? I'm more likely to be following someone else's orders. ) ~ You never know. ~ ( Yeah right, Flare can be captain for all I care.)
" Hello Quistis," saluted Xu. " You're the last ones."
" Greetings Xu," Quistis saluted back. " Shall I explain or do you want the job?"
" I might as well," Xu replied looking at squad E. " I suppose you know the purpose of the mission? Good. We will land at Lapin beach at 1750 hours. You will be transported to the outskirts of Dollet by car. The rebels will drive the Galbadians out into the plains." Galbadians? Is Visser with them? Alloran thought griping onto her arm. " - and so if the Galbadians head your direction your objective is to keep them from re- entering the city. If you fail to complete or have problems SeeD will come and finish the job" Xu finished. " We shall arrive in half an hour. If you have any questions ask Quistis. Those are your orders for now." With a formal salute she walked off to the control panel. Casseil and Tal went to talk to Quistis leaving Alloran with a grumpy Flare.
" Get over it Flare," Alloran whispered to Flare. " I don't even want to be the captain."
" Suuuurrrreeee you don't," Flare muttered. " And I'm the commander."
" Care to shut up," Alloran almost growled. " Listen, let's just get over with this mission alright? We probably won't ever work together again, alright?"
" Fine, but I won't take being ordered around," Flare said shooting Alloran a dirty look. Alloran just sighed and walked out onto the deck. That was the best she probably could expect out of him.
~*~
Alloran stood there on the deck for about fifteen minutes just listening to the oceans pounding against the ship. The wind pulled like playful puppies at Alloran's jacket and hair. Her beads repeatedly hit her neck as they were pulled and let go. The wind felt like a cool winter day in December. Visser, are you there? Alloran thought looking across the horizon. You can't die yet, not until I face you and put an end to you. Alloran almost lost her balance as a large wave hit the side of the vessel.
" How does it feel?" Asked a calm voice.
" Hello Xu," Alloran said saluting slightly. " How does what feel?"
" Going back," the older women said standing beside Alloran as she looked out at the water. " I heard that was your only home until you came to Garden."
" Huh," Alloran asked. " How did you know?"
" Garden holds many secrets, I'm not even sure how we can acquire so much information," Xu replied. " So how does it feel? You spent twelve years there and by the looks of it hated it."
" Yeah I did hate it," Alloran sighed. " But I still don't feel much hatred toward the place as I should. The kids there aren't bad, it was the old hag running the dump. I don't know what to feel, I probably won't go back. If I did I'd just get chased out."
" Miss Fallow still runs it," Xu told her. Xu looked kinda sad standing there. " I felt the same way years ago. I was raised in Timber by a drunken dad and a selfish mom. I left at age thirteen and met Quistis. When I was sixteen I took the SeeD field exam. Our mission turned out to be in Timber. My mom was in the hospital and wanted to see me. I wanted to go but I had a mission to attend to. I didn't owe anything to her and she probably wouldn't say anything nice so I assumed she would be okay so I left without a word. Two days later I passed the exam and received a letter from the hospital. My mom was on her deathbed and wanted to say she was sorry, she never got the chance. If I had gone I might have failed, I still question my decision today. Maybe one day you'll find yourself in that situation. " Without another word Xu turned away.
" Xu, I don't mean to be rude but, why are you telling me this?" Alloran asked. Xu still had her back to Alloran.
" Maybe you remind me of someone I've talked about this before," Xu replied as she walked back into the hold. Who the heck would I remind her of? - Why does it matter? It's none of your business. - ( Maybe it is. )
" Hey," Tal said joining Alloran on the deck. " We'll be there soon." Alloran nodded. Tal looked at the water as well. All they heard for moment was the crash of the oceans waves." Hey Alloran, do you believe in heaven?"
" Yeah," Alloran replied. Why was Tal asking her this?
" Do you think," Tal faltered. " We have a place there? We've already killed more than one person and if we do make SeeD I expect we'll continue taking more lives. I tell myself it's just a bloody game that has to have a victor but, now it all catches up to me, my guilt. I know we've trained for along time, I know our duty, but I wonder, will we end up like them? Dead on the battle field, destined never to see people we know and care about alive." Alloran looked at the black hair streaked girl. She had never seen Tal act like this before. Whenever Casseil had doubts Tal would tell him to get over it. Then Alloran wondered, was Tal scared?
" Tal," Alloran started. " We probably do, if we don't we have plenty of time to earn a place. But we have to take a few lives, as a soldier we have to make a choice, them or us." Tal nodded and threw a pebble lying on the deck into the sea.
" What about you, don't you feel anything?" Tal asked. Alloran thought for a second. What DID she feel about this?
" I can't really say," Alloran confessed. " I guess I feel kinda uncomfortable knowing the outcomes possible. And-" Alloran stopped. How to explain it.
" What?" Tal asked. Alloran rubbed her temples. She had never told any human being about her dreams and premonitions. Most she forgot but talking to Tal brought it up.
" I think something bad is going to happen," Alloran said. The dream was of a burning building, it was familiar somehow. Screams were heard and many children there were crying. That's all she could remember and if she told Tal it might distract her.
" Oh," Tal replied as the sea's crashes were replaced with gunfire. " I guess we're almost there, lets get ready." Alloran and Tal ducked into the hold and waited. Squad E stood by the hatch waiting, they would hit shore soon and head off to the battlefield. How many soldiers would they face? How many might get injured?
" Brace yourselves!" Yelled the pilot. The noises were getting loader in their ears as the ship came to a sudden halt. Alloran almost found herself thrown off to the wall. Squad E heard the sounds of concrete or chunks of stone scrape the side of the ship. The hatch opened.
" Go!" Alloran yelled as the squad ran out onto the beach. No enemies here but there would be where they were going. Xu and Quistis followed a group of other SeeD to complete their mission.
" Hey, squad E," called a SeeD. He signaled to a large jeep with five seats. Rushing past the other cadets as the jumped into their vehicles. At least they left the keys, Alloran thought roaring up the engine as the rest of the team got in. The jeep sailed over the sand dunes with great ease as it bumped up and down. Ops, Alloran thought as they hit a road sign.
" And you complain about my driving," Casseil grumbled.
" Oh shut up, " Alloran growled. " You try driving on sand!"
~*~
" I... am... never... staying... in... the... same... car... as... you... again," Flare said as he vomited over the edge of the cliff they waited at. They had to drive through the town to get to their destination and Hyne it wasn't easy.
" Get over it," Alloran snapped pushing some of her messed up hair down.
" How long do you think before they come?" Casseil asked with a worried face.
" Dunno, when the enemy gets here," Sef shrugged as he loaded his gun. Alloran jumped onto a lone tree and started climbing to the top.
" Ugh," Flare said still holding his stomach. " What are you doing?"
" Getting a view," Alloran called as she finally made it to the top. She reached into an inside pocket and felt for her telescope. Ignoring Flare's complaints she peered through the telescope and looked in all the directions. Well, looks like it'll be awhile, Alloran thought seeing the battle fire far on the other side of plain.
~*~
Thirty-five minutes and still no action. This is getting boring, Alloran thought still in the tree. " Flare, stop napping!" She yelled at Flare who fell asleep in the back of the jeep.
" But we still haven't faced anyone," Flare said drowsily.
" How are we supposed to make SeeD if we don't do anything?" Tal grumbled taking target practice on dead plants.
What are we supposed to do? All the squads have all gotten into combat and we're still waiting. Alloran thought. " Hold up!" She yelled at them seeing something just faintly heading their way.
" What is it!?" Sef asked jumping out of the jeep. Alloran kept watching, yes, it was a tank and quite a few soldiers.
" We got company," Alloran told them finally jumping down. " Looks like the Galbadians called for reinforcements. Too bad they won't get to help." Alloran smirked pulling Windhowler out. " They should be here in about three minutes."
That seemed to break the boredom. The five all had their weapons in hand and waited. The battle would start soon. The wind seemed to pick violently as the enemy was seen just ahead. The sun blazed faintly upon the would be battlefield as battles were about to begin. Bang! Bullets sailed through the air toward the five. " Sef, Flare, you take down the tank. Me, Tal, and Casseil will cover the soldiers!" Alloran yelled as the ran in different directions.
" Roger that," Sef replied shooting from behind a boulder. Two soldiers holding gunblades charged Alloran. Alloran followed their example and leapt at the closest one. The soldier got his blade up in time to block, but Alloran lowered her gunblade and swept Windhowler up under the soldier's sword, Windhowler sliced through the soldiers chest like paper. The second soldier was aiming for Alloran's head but was hit by a number of shots, dead before he hit the ground.
" I figured you needed it," Casseil told her dodging three bullets by acrobatics.
" I didn't need it," Alloran grumbled. Flare and Sef were advancing bit by bit to the tank.
" Thundara!" Flare yelled letting loose a the powerful spell at the tank. Alloran could see what they were up to. Flare was casting lightning related spells to take down the tank and Sef shot attacking soldiers. ~ Incoming. ~ A fireball aimed at Alloran face. Alloran deflected the fireball and the attacker's blade swiftly followed attempting to slice up her face. Alloran quickly fell back on her back, the blade missed by one inch. Before the soldier saw what kicked him in the stomach as she got up and sliced down across the face like he had attempted. A load bang was heard followed by electronically gadgets burning up. Looks like they finished their job, Alloran thought. Three more soldiers came her direction looking really pissed off.
" Fira," Alloran whispered as the flames engulfed the three followed by their screams. Alloran almost felt something for them but they would have killed her too.
Flare just jumped out of the way of a charging Galbadian and countered with a full solid roundhouse kick followed by an uppercut enforced with GF strength abilities. He was so busy he hadn't noticed a Galbadian crawl out of the burning wreak, formally a tank, holding a sword ready to slice the martial artist in two. He owes me one, Alloran thought as she fired Windhowler at the weakened Galbadian. Flare turned in time to see the soldier hit the ground muttering his final curses. Flare shot Alloran a glare before going to work on another Galbadian. * I'll take it this won't sit well with him. * ( Oh well. )
" Behind you!" Alloran heard Tal yell. Alloran swung Windhowler up into a block as her opponent slammed down.
" Looks like the little girl got lucky," he sneered pulling away and aimed his strike for past her gunblade. Alloran just kept blocking his assaults with him barely succeeding to block her counters. Then he messed up. Taking the chance Alloran swung Windhowler home. He was alive, barely. It would be impossible for him to live, Alloran had caused too much damage.
" Looks like this little girl beat a full grown man," Alloran muttered to the soldier.
" You Garden brats think your so great," he gasped.
" We're better than you'll ever be," Alloran told him unemotionally. Idiot, she thought as he took his last breath.
One of the remaining soldiers with a rifle said something in a low voice and took rapid shots at Flare, the only one without a weapon. Flare rolled out of the way repeatedly as the bullets marked his path. Tal loaded Pinwheel and fired at the soldier guided by one of Casseil and Sef's bullets.
" This, can't be," stammered the last one. " They're just a bunch of Garden brats." Alloran moved for him, he had no weapons or hopes. Then he pulled something out of his pocket. " Dead brats," he whispered in a low voice only Alloran heard.
" It's a grenade!" Alloran yelled realizing what it was. You could see his menacing smile as his shaking fingers reached for the pin.
" Fira!" Alloran and Tal both said as the two flames blasted the soldier matching the power of a Firaga. His screams of pain were heard as they saw his shadow still holding the grenade. He was dead. Alloran stopped and looked around. That was all of them, how many died? Alloran thought. Some bodies had holes in them from the bullets, others were cut from Alloran and Tal, others had their bones smashed up.
" Mission complete," Alloran muttered. Her hand ran through her hair, it was probably covered in sweat.
" So do we just wait?" Flare asked. Alloran shrugged and sat on the jeep's hood. It had been a little smashed up but was okay. The fighting would die down soon, she thought almost slipping off into a trance.
~*~ Part three: The decision.
" No, you can't do this!" Cried a small fourteen-year-old girl. Her name was Calli from ' Miss Fallow's orphanage.'
" Quiet brat!" Growled a soldier as he pushed her away. " Garden destroyed our reinforcements and allies, and you pay the price." To the others with him he smiled evilly. " Ready? Fire!" Him and his companions let the fire spells fly to the old building and light it ablaze.
" But there are still kids in there!" Calli yelled as tears welled up in her eyes. The men just laughed.
" So? It'll make Garden think of the consequences next time," the tallest said as him and his companions got back in their car and drove away laughing.
" What now Calli?" Asked a five-year-old. The rest of the children that were outside were asking the same thing. Calli could see the kids have tears streaming down their cheeks wanting an answer. Calli was the oldest and they expected her to have the answers. Calli wiped away her tear and put on a straight face.
" Garden has magic, they're around, they might help," Calli breathed thinking this up as she went.
" But their mercenaries," protested a boy who was thirteen.
" Its worth the try Pacco," Calli said balling up her fists. She knew mercenaries did this thing for money and they had none. " I'll go, you try and find a way to get them out!" Calli ran as fast as she could. Maybe it made her feel better by running. Made her feel like her only home was burning to the ground and friends and Miss Fallow were still in there.
~*~
" Think that's all of them?" Flare asked after awhile.
" Probably," Alloran said to get Flare to shut up.
" Then who's that up there?" Tal asked peering off into the distance. A small kid was running toward them as fast as her legs could carry her. Alloran took a look with her telescope. The girl had ratty clothes and her black hair was a total mess. Her face was covered with dirt and Alloran could see bruises on her arms as the girl got closer.
" Are... you... SeeD?" The girl asked clutching her chest. Her breaths were deep and her face was red.
" We're Garden cadets," Alloran told her. The girl looked familiar somehow. The girl's face suddenly seemed at greater ease.
" Can you help!?" She blurted out. " The Galbadians, they, they set my home on fire. A small orphanage a ten-minute run away. Can you!?" Her face was desperate. " We don't have money to pay but I'll do anything! There are still kids trapped inside and we need help!" Alloran almost turned white. The small orphanage had to be Miss Fallows.
" Is the owner Miss. Fallow?" Alloran asked calmly. Casseil and Tal looked at her. They understood what she meant.
" Yeah why?" The girl asked. Alloran nodded. If she went she might fail the SeeD exam, if she didn't others would get killed. Kids would get killed. Somehow Alloran had a feeling this is slightly how Xu felt.
" I'm going," Alloran said quietly.
" What!?" Flare burst out. " What about our mission!?"
" Screw it," Alloran growled. " You can stay here like a obedient dog but I going. That was my home for twelve years and I don't want innocent kids dyeing." Alloran's sapphire eyes dared Flare to question her. Flare just scowled.
" Then we're going too," Tal remarked. " Do you think me and Casseil are going to let you have all the fun?"
" Might as well," Sef shrugged. Flare hung his head defeat.
" Damn, guess I'm stuck following you," he grumbled. Calli seemed a lot better.
" You'd better show us the way," Alloran told Calli. " My memory ain't that great." Calli nodded happily and lead them away.
~*~
" What's the report on the squads?" Quistis asked on the phone to those watching the cadets. " Okay, thanks." There was a long pause and Quistis had a worried look. Jeez what's wrong with her? Seifer thought. Raijin and Fu were handling the other side of the city leaving Seifer stuck with Quistis and Xu. " What do you mean they just ran off!? Get over there!" Quistis looking ready to throw the phone against the wall.
" What, a squad failed to complete a task?" Seifer asked cockily bouncing Hyperdragoon on his shoulder.
" That's the thing about you Seifer, you never change," Xu said rolling her eyes. Seifer grimaced. Xu always loved being on his case. Even at Garden when he re-took a field exam she loved making a comment about it.
" The teams all finished their missions," Quistis told them.
" And?" Xu said expectantly.
" Squad E ran off with a little girl abandoning their post," Quistis explained. Seifer almost grinned. That's what HE had done in his final field exam. Xu looked angry.
" What!?" Xu growled. " Why would they do that!?"
" Their looking into that," Quistis muttered. " The people watching them said they'll follow them to see if they can get some answers. Till then we've been ordered to get to a burning building outside of Dollet." Xu nodded with fury in her eyes. Seifer just shrugged and kept his cocky look on. Whoever ran off from their post was going to have a field day with Xu.
~*~
" It's just up there!" The girl said. Tal had her on her back because the girl couldn't keep up with them. The got over the hill and saw the burning orphanage. Its just like the dream, Alloran thought biting the inside of her cheek from saying anything dumb.
" Calli!" Cried a boy. " Is this Garden troops?"
" You can say that," Tal grunted as she put Calli down.
" How many in there?" Casseil asked. The boy counted on his fingers and showed six.
" Plus Miss. Fallow," the boy announced. The hag, Alloran thought.
" Let's get going," Alloran told them.
" That's a burning building, how do you think we'll survive the heat?" Flare asked.
" Like this," Alloran put her hand to the sky. " Water." The spell splashed lightly on them since Alloran made it a small one. " Solve the problem?" Flare nodded lightly. Great, today I've faced a GF, gone on a field exam, and now going into a burning building. Hyne I'm in trouble after this. The five leapt through the hole in the door and split up throughout the house. Alloran could feel the heat searing as she climbed the staircase. I might have problems getting out later, Alloran thought noting the growing fire. Alloran put a hand over her mouth to avoid smoke as it got hotter. ( Hey Fenerir, can you bring up some orphanage memories? ) ~ Why? ~ ( I need to know where the rooms are. ) A second later memories filtered into her mind and she knew where to go. Alloran leapt back as a piece of timber fell. Alloran's right hand drew Windhowler while her left stayed over her face. With a single swing the burning wood fell in half allowing Alloran through. This is Miss. Fallow's room, Alloran noted.
" Who's there!?" Snapped a voice that almost made Alloran jump. On the bed was Miss. Fallow same as always.
" No time for that the place is on fire," Alloran growled.
" I know that!" Fallow snapped. " There's no way out so why bother?"
" Listen, those kids down there still need you, you old hag," Alloran growled going up to Fallow staring her down. The hag's hands reached for the sapphire hanging on Alloran's neck. Fallow looked at Alloran in disbelief.
" Alloran?" She asked. Alloran nodded. " Go, you shouldn't try to help me! You don't owe me anything!" Alloran frowned.
" Do you want to die here? In the fires?" Alloran asked with her eyes glaring angrily at the old women. " I don't need a reason to help you, I'm doing it because as much as I hate to admit it you still took care of a bunch of kids who don't have anywhere else to go."
" Are you really going to do this?" Fallow asked. Alloran nodded again.
" You really are a strange girl."
" Lets just get out of here," Alloran said taking off her coat and putting it on Miss. Fallow. Its dry, she thought. " Hang on, water!" Once again Alloran felt damp. She helped Miss Fallow onto her back and started down the stairwell. Damn it! She thought. The entire stairwell was covered in fire and it was too high to jump over. I don't even have anymore waters! Alloran thought. Miss. Fallow kept coughing. What can I do? Alloran thought. She could feel the fire already licking her ankles.
" Water!" Alloran heard a voice from the other side. " Water! Water!" Repeatedly water spells hit the fire on the stair well till it was low.
" Flare?" Alloran asked in disbelief of who helped her.
" Consider us even," he called back.
" What about everyone else?"
" Their okay, the kids too, we got everyone," Flare replied. Fresh air! Alloran thought as her and Flare finally got out. A load of whispers ran through the crowd as Alloran put down Miss. Fallow and took back her jacket. I guess that wraps things up, Alloran thought. Then she saw a car ride up containing Xu, Quistis, and her cocky instructor.
" Uh oh," Alloran whispered.
~*~
Part four: The evening
" What the Hell were you thinking!" Xu scolded the five after they were back on the ship. Quistis and her instructor were on the deck but Alloran was sure they could hear all Xu was saying.
" Well what do you expect!? We finished our job and she was needed help so we went and helped them!" Alloran yelled back.
" I would have expected you to stay at your station or send one to town to tell us!" Xu growled at the young cadets. That didn't stop them from questioning her.
" And what if the people inside died before you got there!?" Sef said sharing the squads fury.
" Yeah!" Flare joined in to the group. " Innocent kids could have died!"
" Innocents die everyday, you can't save them all!" Xu told them bluntly. Alloran could see the anger rising in her eyes.
" Then why does Garden bother!?" Casseil demanded.
" Yeah, people suffer everyday from the Galbadians so why does Garden bother?" Tal asked. " So what if a town is destroyed and kids are orphaned? Why does Garden bother!?"
" Enough!" Xu silenced them all. " At this rate you will never make SeeD!"
" They might make it but I probably won't," Alloran said quietly. All their eyes turned to her. " It was my fault the squad left their post. I was the first to say I was going and they just followed my lead."
" No way!" Flare yelled. " I would have gone even if you tied me to a tree with Cerberous as a guard dog!"
" Enough all of you!" Xu snapped. " We have a while's trip back to Garden and I don't need you all arguing!"
" Having problems with the cadets?" Asked Alloran's cocky instructor.
" You stay out of this!" Xu hissed. " They don't need your influence!"
" How can I influence them? They left without my saying," he said with a grin.
" Enough, all of you!" Quistis said empathizing the words 'all of you'. " We don't need you all tearing out each others throats. It's the commanders choice who's fit for SeeD not you Xu." And with that she went back onto the deck. With a smirk Alloran's instructor followed leaving squad E with Xu. ( Why do you think he's here? ) * Its obvious. Don't you know anything? He's a rebel troop. * ( You can tell? ) * Quite easily. * ( And you didn't tell me? ) * You never asked. *
~*~
Alloran and squad E had made it back to Garden half an hour ago. Alloran had already cleaned up from the trails of the day and Tal was taking her turn. I shouldn't have gone, Alloran thought. I probably cost the squad our chance at SeeD.
Miss. Fallow had died shortly after the rescue. According to the doctor she died of the smoke. He also said she said " sorry Alloran," just before she died. That's a thing Alloran hated! She went in there to save her and the old hag died anyway. Pacco and Calli were kinda sad but SeeD said they would set up another orphanage near the same spot run by another person so that helped lift the spirits of the kids. At least they wouldn't have to do chores or suffer Miss. Fallow and her friends snide comments. The thing that really surprised them was when they discovered who Alloran was. They had been around when Alloran went to that orphanage and they said they remembered her. Alloran didn't have the heart to tell them she didn't remember them. They said to come back when she made SeeD and tell them her stories but the problem there was making SeeD.
" Hey," Tal said taking a sea at Alloran's desk at the corner. Alloran could tell her friend had something on her mind.
" What is it?"
" Why did you try and take all the blame?" Tal asked.
" It was my fault," Alloran sighed. " If we all fail its because of me."
" Nah, me and the rest of the group made a decision to go so its really not your fault," Tal said simply.
" I wish I felt that way," Alloran muttered.
" Will those who took place in the field exam please meet in the upstairs corridor," came a voice over the intercom.
" That's us," Tal said with a sigh. Great, now we get to hear how we failed. Alloran thought as they walked down the corridors. They might as well just call everyone but squad E, Alloran thought bitterly.
At the corridor the entire group looked nervous. Looks like people have already been called, Alloran thought noticing the small size of students waiting for the results. Also by the punch marks in the wall from angry students.
" Hi Alloran," Drake said cheerfully. " I heard what your team did. And you were even captain of the squad! Man you're lucky." Not really, Alloran thought to herself.
" Trust me Drake, you wouldn't want to do what I did today," Alloran muttered. Twelve minutes, still nothing. I wonder if they do this to make us feel nervous, Alloran thought checking her watch again. With the sound of a beep a staff member finally walked out.
" Lee, Drake Lee," The staff member said dully, like most. Drake's face totally lit up. He almost ran to the elevator in happy ness. " Sharingan, Edward Sharingan." Edward had a confident look on his face even before they called his name. A bunch of girls in his squad started sighing and cheering for him while the boys in his squad and squad C had annoyed looks. " Summers, Michelle Summers." Michelle meekly looked up and was shaking all over when she walked to the elevator. " Carter, Tal Carter." Tal had a shocked look on her face. Just go, Alloran thought. " Dincht, Flare Dincht."
" BOOYA!" Flare yelled as he jumped as in the air and jogged to the elevator.
" Hunter, Casseil Hunter." The staff member said rolling their eyes as they started hurrying up the announcements out of boredom. " Kinneas, Sef Kinneas. And Wolfeyes, Alloran Wolfeyes. That is all." A chorus of moans from the failed ran through the corridor as Alloran rushed off to meet the rest. She was pretty sure she heard someone cursing, a lot. And a few punches hitting the wall.
" Whoa," Casseil said wide eyed as they got into the elevator. " How did WE make it to SeeD?"
" I don't know, luck?" Alloran said with a smirk making Casseil grin. The entire Squad E made it.
" I thought you didn't believe in luck," Casseil replied.
" Why does it matter how we made SeeD? Just be thankful we were able to join," Tal replied with a grin. Alloran couldn't blame her. Everyone on the lift had a smile plastered on their faces.
" Do you think we'll be on the same missions?" Drake asked Alloran with a hopeful look.
" Maybe," Alloran replied hoping slightly they wouldn't. Bing, the elevator came to the usual sudden halt as they got off at the third floor. By the looks of things the announcements would be just near the lift to the bridge. The members present were Squall, high ranked SeeDs, instructors who took part in the mission, and Alloran's cocky instructor. Alloran and everyone else there lined up beside the others who passed the exam.
" These are the SeeD candidates who passed," announced the staff member who told them who passed. The new SeeDs saluted to Squall after that.
" Congratulations," Squall told them keeping with poker face on. " From this day forward you are SeeDs. Till the time comes for SeeDs true focus you shall be assigned to missions for Gardens benefit. You were chosen for your skills and choices, you are the best and Garden's top combat specialists. You know your duty as SeeDs, your choices will affect you and your team. Handle your missions with care." Squall was passed their rank card and walked to the line of SeeD. Alloran, Casseil, and Tal were at the end. Each card had Garden's insignia and his or her rank. He whispered something to each of them. Some of them grinned, some of them turned red with embarrassment. Flare looked really meek after Squall told him something. The order ran down till Squall came to Alloran lastly. He handed her the rank card and bent down and whispered,
" Try not to let your emotions get in the way of the mission," he told her. Alloran knew exactly what he meant. At least it was better than a fail. To everyone present he said, " till then all SeeD and faculty are dismissed."
Alloran tried to get out fast before the crowds of celebrators got big. Guess Tal and Casseil are still back there, Alloran thought as she got on the elevator. Alloran finally glanced at her card and was pleasantly surprised. Seven gold bars were at the top showing her rank was seven and her monthly salary on the bottom. Alloran felt a swell of pride. Rank seven was quite high for a new SeeD. After Alloran got off she waited as new SeeDs talked excitedly, jumped up and down- like Flare, and ran off to tell speeches. Most ham bone SeeDs would give speeches to their former classmates. Alloran remembered two last year who's speeches went on for about an hour.
" This rocks," Alloran heard Casseil say. " And just wait for later, we get a graduation party!"
" And I'm sure you think the girls will flock to you," Tal said dryly.
" Yeah sure, who wouldn't be interested in me?" Casseil said shrugging.
" Let's see, 99.9% of Garden's girls," Alloran told him.
" Gee, that's so encouraging," Casseil muttered giving Alloran a slight punch in the shoulder.
~*~
" Not fair," Tal grumbled after the delivery person gave Alloran and Tal their SeeD uniforms. Unlike Tal, Alloran somehow persuaded the man to give her some pants instead of a skirt. Never in all the years at Garden had Alloran or Tal worn skirts. " No way I'm wearing this," she said holding up the black skirt.
" Like we have a choice," Alloran dryly. " Its mandatory going to the party." Tal picked up the skirt and muttered curses as she went to her room to change.
Alloran sighed as she took off her jacket and everything else. It was replaced with a shorter black jacket with gold outlining, a red tie, and black pants. This stays, she thought putting back on sapphire. She had to unjunction Leviathan and Bahamut but she wasn't leaving without Fenerir. ~ This feels much better, you sure you can't leave Bahamut and Leviathan unjunctioned? ~ ( Positive. )
" Not a word and no body gets hurt," Tal grumbled at Alloran's door. Alloran just barely stopped herself from laughing. Tal was wearing a skirt.
" Better tell Casseil before you decide to kill him," Alloran said with a smirk as she and a reeeeaaalllly pissed off Tal took off.
~*~
The ballroom was on the second floor with a skylight of the night sky. Every SeeD was there to meet their new partners under the supervision of instructors and Garden staff. By the looks of things Alloran was the only female SeeD wearing pants instead of a shirt.
" Hi Tal," Casseil said with a smile plastered on his face. " Nice..." Alloran started making death signs showing if he made any comments about Tal wearing a skirt and he'd be toast. " Nice evening huh?"
" Yeah, I guess," Tal replied shooting Alloran a look since she hadn't seen Alloran give Casseil the warning.
" Hey have you seen Alloran?" Casseil said to Alloran. " I'm looking for a friend called Alloran Wolfeyes who's a girl."
" Watch it Casseil," Alloran said in a threatening tone.
" How long are we supposed to stay for this anyway?" Tal asked.
" Till 11:00," Alloran muttered. She didn't want to be stuck there for two hours! She hated parties like this, she wanted to get as far away from this as possible. " So Casseil, where's the flocking girls?" She said in a taunting tone since Casseil claimed the girls would be flocking to him.
" Over there," he said gloomily pointing to a crowd of girls that they couldn't see who was at the center. " Why did Edward have to make SeeD tonight?"
" Even if he wasn't here you wouldn't be surrounded with girls," Alloran said flatly.
" Hey it's not like you attract many guys!" Casseil said defensively. Thank Hyne I don't, Alloran thought. She had never thought anyone attractive and never wanted to. She thought Tal sometimes was interested in Sef but didn't show it often and Casseil liked almost any pretty girl. Alloran didn't want to go through the problems lovers did. She didn't want to be turned into a lovesick puppy always wanting to be with a certain someone.
" And I'm happy I don't," Alloran snapped making Casseil drop the subject.
~*~
Only an hour! Alloran thought furiously. She hung around a wall near the balconies just watching pass buyers. Casseil had been shot down at least fifteen times so far. As for Tal, she was dancing with Sef so far. By the looks of things all the new SeeDs were dancing with someone except Alloran and Casseil. Even Drake had someone! He had shyly asked Michelle and she accepted in the same manner. Someone had asked her something about five minutes ago, Edward had asked Alloran to do something alright, hold his wineglass! In fury Alloran had thrown it in his face with many shocked girls. Many would think it was a so-called honor to be asked to do anything by Edward.
" And I thought I have the trouble maker of Garden," Alloran faced her former limit teacher.
" I'm not I just felt he deserved it," Alloran muttered. Her instructor laughed. " What's funny?"
" I really would have thought by now you'd know who I am," he said grinning. " I guess I'm slipping not to be recognized even here except by the people I went to Garden with."
" Why's that? I'm sure most know you're a rebel soldier," Alloran said rolling her eyes.
" Do you really want to know who I am?" He said cocking a single eyebrow. Why not, Alloran thought with a sigh. I've never known his name and he taught me a limit break three times. She nodded. In a low voice he said, " I am Seifer Almasy, former sorceress knight and the rebel leader. " Alloran almost fainted. Her FORMER instructor had been unknowingly Seifer Almasy, the guy who made her want to join Garden.
" You're Seifer!?" Alloran said as her jaw dropped.
" Yep," he said smirking. " Now I suppose you hate me ,right?"
" No," Alloran replied trying to stay the way she was before. " Why would I?"
" Darn I guess Timber doesn't mention the rotten things I've done in the past," he said shaking his head. " Uh oh, Trepies," he said looking at a group of instructors glaring over at him walking slowly over to him.
" They had Trepies when you were a student?" Alloran asked with a humored look. Even the past generation hadn't been safe from the Trepies.
" Yeah, everything they've achieved they say its all because of their God Quistis. I'd better go before they start lecturing me about how bad a boy I've been and I don't deserve to live," he said smirking as he walked briskly off to Squall, Irvine, Selphie, Zell, Rinoa, and Quistis. And sure enough the former Trepies walked past her toward Seifer again. Weird, Alloran thought. ~ That's just how life is. Quistis must be an excellent teacher to have so many admirers. ~ ( Yeah, too bad their a pain in the butt. ) ~ Can't complain there. Why do you think he's here? ~ ( I don't know. I can't even know when you and the other two GFs are talking separately from me. ) ~ Thank Hyne. ~ ( And yet your aloud to listen to my thoughts? ) ~ Its Hyne's choice. ~ ( Drat! )
~*~
Ten more minutes! Alloran thought relieved as she waited on the balconies. She had waited until the couples were done using the balcony as a love ground before she moved away from the dance floor. Garden had settled over the ocean near Balamb that night. The dark sky had no clouds that night so it was easy to see the constellations and the full moon. It was good to get out of there, now they were playing the slow lovers music. I wonder if Casseil actually found a desperate girl to dance with, Alloran thought looking up at the stars. That makes everyone but me thankfully.
" Boo!" Said a voice as someone reached for her shoulder. Alloran gripped onto whoever was on the other end and threw them into the balcony. " Ow! Can't you take a joke!?" Casseil whined rubbing his head.
" Couldn't find anyone?" Alloran asked with humor in her eyes.
" Humph," Casseil said pushing himself up. " They don't know a good looking guy if they were right in front of them."
" Oh really, where?" Alloran asked pretending to look around.
" Hah, ha," he said dryly standing beside her. " Its not like your going to fall in love."
" Probably," Alloran replied. After a look a Casseil she realized he was kinda handsome in the moonlight... Hey wait a sec! You aren't supposed to think that about your friends! Alloran thought. Then she realized Casseil was looking at her. " What?" She asked blushing slightly.
" Its just that," he started. " I never realized you looked that way in the moonlight." The two looked at each other kinda weird and looked away again.
Bong, bong! The bell rang throughout the dancehall letting everyone know it was time to go to bed. " See ya!" They both said accidentally hitting each other. " Sorry!" They both said. This time they both went around dodging each other joining the rest of the SeeD heading to bed.
~*~
" So we're agreed, I've completed my part of the deal," Seifer said seriously. He had been bugging Squall for years for more soldiers. They were losing the battle because he had some soldiers that didn't even know what they were doing.
" Fine Seifer," Squall said coldly. It had been fifteen minutes since the graduate party ended. He had promised to do this. More of for Rinoa instead of Seifer. " It'll take a month's tops to get some SeeD ready for the job."
" Better be Leonhart," Seifer sneered. " I waited three years for you to be able to send some specialists to Timber."
" I won't forget." Squall replied.
~*~
Wolf: Done! Alleluia! This is my longest chapter yet!
Tobias: And you haven't gotten writers cramp either! Not fair! And you won't even let me write!
Wolf: For a good reason! Now stand still. * Holding a dart. *
Tobias: * holding a paper target* I think I'll just move over to the right.
Wolf: Nope there is just fine.
* Tobias's screams of pain are heard outside Wolf's bedroom door.*
Review answers from last chapter:
GirlsDontCry: * nods her head* Yeah I know it's good. I hearby marry you and my story. Not! I still need it anyway, weddings off!
DarkAngel666: Yeah I aim to making each one better. Better prepare yourself for another wait I have another few stories to update before my friend gets really angry for not updating another chapter in a story.
FantasyWolf: Seifer was in there! * takes a bow* Booya I love getting good reviews! Expect more good chapters. Seifer will make more of an appearance so don't worry about me leaving him out.
Dark Hope: I'll update as soon as possible. And expect more Tobias bashing and possible shrink bashing for sending him to me!
Verdanii: Glad you enjoyed it. And I'll try not to take your reviews seriously in the future.
Sorceress Fujin: You can expect more, as soon as my friend stops bugging me to update some stories I haven't in a long time.
Wolf: * comes out of the room whistling* Remember readers, Read and Review or you might end up like Tobias.
Tobias: YEAH!!!! * dances up and down in a girlish fashion. ( A/N: No offense to girls since I am one. )*
Wolf: For now.
Tobias: * groans*
Wolf: Anyway, this chapter takes place three years from the attack and some things have changed. Its near the time for the field exam and SeeD graduation. I got rid of the time factor so that helps a bit. The only one from the second generation that is SeeD so far is Leo, no surprise. I'll try to fill in the gaps so just pay attention.
Tobias: Also my dear friend added another GF so their mind talk is - sample- .
~*~
Part one: Trail of Fangs and Claws
May 12th ...
It was another peaceful day at Garden, it was the crack of dawn. But not everyone is asleep. Clang! The sound of two gunblades rolled through the training center. Two eighteen year olds fought on a narrow plank suspended three meters from the ground.
The first was Leo Leonheart, SeeD rank fifteen. He had brown messy hair matching his fathers but Rinoa's eyes. He donned a leather jacket and wielded a gunblade called Punishment. ( A/N: for those that don't remember that's a gunblade before Lionhart.) The other was Alloran Wolfeyes. The years hadn't aged her that much. Her eyes were a deeper sapphire and she had let one strand of hair grow to her shoulder, which she kept braided with two braids. A golden one at the top with a lunar moon embroidered on and a silver braid at the bottom with a sun embroidered on. A scar was on her left cheek of a cross from a bullet assault on her three years ago.
Alloran attacked downward and Leo did a somersault over her. Drat! Alloran thought. He pulled this last time too! Alloran spun back around and ducked as Punishment's wielder swung. Alloran took another swipe and Leo leapt back like a cat. Alloran jumped back as he swung his gunblade down. Alloran spun the handle of Windhowler getting the blade to face up as she charged Leo. Leo's blade came down and prevented the assault. Alloran quickly moved Windhowler back and faked left then pushed the blade in the right. Leo lost some of his balance as the blade nicked him. Taking the chance Alloran swung in but Leo moved back and attacked. Alloran stopped, she let Leo get through her defense and to her neck. She could have moved but she knew he wouldn't move his blade till she gave up.
" Okay Leo, I get the picture, you won, again," Alloran growled as Leo grinned moving Punishment's blade.
" How many times does that make now?" He asked keeping a smile plastered on his face.
" Plenty," Alloran said dryly. " It might help with the fact that you've been in SeeD for a year."
" True," Leo said as he jumped down off the plank with Alloran following him. " Don't you have your GF test today?" Alloran nodded. She remembered what Leo said about the test. You attempt to obtain a GF in a time limit. Leo had been sent to get Alexander last year and almost failed. She had to do this to go onto her next exam, the field. Leo said if she was lucky she wouldn't be assigned to get a GF like Bahamut.
" I have a class that tells instructions and then I'm off to complete the test," Alloran explained. Yesterday Tal and Casseil had their GF exams earlier and both passed. Tal had gotten Shiva and Casseil got Carbuncle.
" Speaking of which," Leo started. " There's half an hour before class. "
" Drat, time always fly by when we fight," Alloran smirked. Alloran took off leaving Leo behind. A loud cry rang through the training center. A T-rexer. Alloran felt a strong wave through her body almost knocking her out. ( What was that for!? ) * Remember last time? You got angry that you couldn't use that limit Dark Moon and went to the training center to blow off some steam.* ~ And she almost got herself killed. You were able to use Dark Moon, after getting pounded into the ground and on the brink of death. ~ ( You just have to remind me. ) ~* True *~ Responded both GFs.
~*~
" Good morning class," Quistis greeted them with a smile. " This evening is the field exam for the SeeD candidates. The final GF tests will be taken this morning. Those SeeD candidates who passed their tests have the afternoon off. Those who failed the written exam go to study hall." A wave of yahoos and groans ran through the room. " Till then you are dismissed. " Everyone filed out except Alloran, who was stopped at the door by Quistis. " I don't suppose you forgot the exam."
" Who could forget," Alloran asked sarcastically.
" Good, meet me at the front gate in half an hour," Quistis smiled and left being followed by a group of Trepies. ~ One half-hour, better get your stuff. ~ ( I know that Fenerir. )
~*~
" Do you think you'll pass?" Tal asked as Alloran went through her stuff.
" If a doofus like Casseil could I can," Alloran muttered pulling out a wooden box. Inside was a set of hand knives Tal gave her for her birthday last year. " It can't be that hard." She slid two knives up her sleeves into sheaves she kept there so all she had to do was flick her wrist and it would slid into her hand.
" Leo didn't have it easy," Tal frowned. " Even Drake had problems. I even thought I wouldn't pass. Speaking of which, why didn't you take the test last year? You might have passed it." Tal's hair was highlighted black now on the edges and kept her hair back in a bun.
" How could you forget!?" Alloran snapped in disbelief.
" Well having two GFs has affected my memory," Tal admitted. Alloran sighed and got out her box of pulse ammo. She hadn't used one bullet since Casseil told her they were worth fifty thousand each.
" I had problems with my final limit break that slave driver of a teacher tried to teach me, went down to the training center, almost got killed by a T-rexer, used Dark Moon, was in infirmary for a month and missed the exams, that sum it up?" Alloran asked holding onto a bullet in her hand. It still felt like feeling someone's pulse after all this time. She slipped seven into her gunblade and slipped six into her pocket. " Do you know what time it is?" Alloran hated to remember that T-rexer's breath on her face when it moved in for the finishing blow. She wanted to forget it ever happened but that memory almost always popped up.
" 9:33, you have about twelve minutes before you have to go," Tal replied. There was a knocking at the door. " Great, visitors." They opened it to find...
" Hi guys," Casseil grinned walking in. Casseil needed glasses two years ago so he always kept the sunglasses add on, on, just to look 'cool'.
" Don't you believe in asking to come in?" Alloran asked rolling her eyes.
" Nope," Casseil said simply. " Besides, where would be the fun in asking? You'd just say no."
" Exactly," Tal said dryly. " Alloran has to split, her test is starting soon."
" Already?" Casseil asked with a grin. " I'll pick up her remains when the GF tears her apart."
" Gee Casseil, that's so encouraging," Alloran muttered heading for the door.
" Can you wait a sec? Catch!" Casseil threw Alloran a small waving cat statue. " It used to be a big fad to own one of these lucky cats when I was younger. It's for good luck."
" I don't believe in luck," Alloran said frowning. Casseil shrugged. Alloran had a feeling Casseil wouldn't let her leave unless she took the cat with her. Sighing Alloran pocketed the cat and took off for the gates.
~*~
" Are you ready Alloran?" Quistis asked with a worried look on her face.
" As ready as I need to be," Alloran said with a shrug. She could see tenseness in Quistis. " What's wrong?"
" Alloran, are you sure you want to take the test?" Quistis asked. Alloran couldn't believe what she just said. Alloran wanted to do this for some of her own reasons. Her top one was maybe she that might face Visser again. The memory of that night three years ago was still fresh in her mind of Visser jumping over the edge onto a helicopter. She had nightmares for weeks about the searing pain through her body as the bullet barrage tore through her. Dr. Kadowaki was amazed she survived. Having a GF helps you heal faster but she said not even Leviathan could have helped as fast as her recovery was. Alloran remembered Visser's words they would face each other again but she might need to become SeeD.
" Of course!" Alloran growled. " I've been training for about five to six years, of course I want to take the test. What do I have to fear?"
" The GF you have to face, the GF residing in the forest outside of Balamb," Quistis stopped. " One of the most powerful and sought after GFs, Bahamut."
~*~
I can't believe I'm doing this, Alloran thought. Bahamut had been released to the world nineteen years ago. Mostly only SeeD would go after Bahamut but come back a bloody mess. Last year a level thirteen SeeD tried and was in a coma for three months. He even almost quit SeeD for failing to obtain the dragon. ( Hey Fenerir, Leviathan?) ~* Yes. *~ ( Do you know what Bahamut is weak against, it didn't mention in the book of GFs. ) ~ Gravity. ~ ( Magic language please? ) ~ Demi. If you had Diablos it might be an easier battle. ~ * She has me. She doesn't need Diablos. * ~ That's what I worry about. ~ ( Can you guys talk among yourselves? I want to think. ) * If you want us too. *
Alloran's fingers ran under her sleeve and touched the scar Visser gave her on her right arm. I'll do more than just break his gunblade next time I see him again. Alloran thought. Alloran and Quistis had been walking in silence for an hour. They were both thinking about what awaited them. Alloran had to face Bahamut alone in a time limit. Most GFs let a human opponent heal themselves particularly if it's a cadet. But what if Bahamut didn't let her? Why do I have all the luck? Alloran thought as the forest came into sight. From what she heard it used to be small, but since Bahamut came to the forest it had grown rapidly. The trees had grown fifteen to twenty stories tall and there was a sudden increase of trees that stretched on for miles.
" State cadet name and supporting SeeD," asked the Garden guard.
" Alloran Wolfeyes," Alloran stated.
" I'm her support, instructor number fourteen Quistis Trepe," Quistis said in her normal teaching voice.
" Clear," The guard nodded. " Objective, obtain the GF dwelling here. Choose a time limit that suites your abilities. You will be judged on your choice for the final results. The choices are ten, twenty, thirty, and forty minutes. " Alloran nodded. The choices were set to show how the candidate thought, at least that's what Leo told her. Ten minutes? Nope I doubt I can beat Bahamut in the amount of time. It might also show the SeeD she was too rash. Forty was a definite no. She might beat Bahamut in that amount of time but it shows lack of confidence. Which left twenty or thirty. Alloran glanced up at their faces at the corner of her eye. They had doubtful looks on their faces. Alloran hid a frown, they didn't think she would succeed. I'll show them, Alloran thought.
" Twenty minutes is all I need," Alloran told them keeping a poker face. The guard nodded and marked down the time and name on her evaluation sheet. Quistis looked down and set her watch. " Ready? Go!" Alloran sprinted off into the forest with Quistis right behind her. A bite bug flew up to them. I have no time for this! Alloran thought as she ran at the bite bug with a cocked arm and sliced it open. She couldn't waste anytime, not with the exam at stake. If Tal, Drake, Casseil, and Leo could do this she could too.
" Bahamut should be at the center of the forest!" Quistis called to Alloran as Alloran slipped ahead. Alloran could already feel a force here, it was powerful. " Here comes a barrage of monsters!" Alloran saw about four more bite bugs waiting for a fight. Alloran called up a fireball in her mind.
" Fire!" A blast of fire exploded as the bite bug zoomed at the two, dead. Quistis swung her whip in the air and slammed it down on another bite bug. Alloran let the next one come to her, she ran to it and swiped fast leaving the bite bug in two pieces. Quistis took care of the final one.
" Blizzard!" Quistis called as a giant ice block formed above the bite bug and crashed down on it. That takes care of that, Alloran thought running off not waiting for Quistis. She could almost feel the air heating up. ~ He's close. ~ ( Who? ) ~ Bahamut. ~ Alloran just cut anything that came in her way, she was guessing she had about fifteen more minutes. A clearing! She thought seeing a passageway of light.
" WHO WISHES TO FIGHT THE KING OF DRAGONS?" A loud voice that sounded like many serpent's voice, it was deeper then Leviathan's and was more confident. Alloran found herself facing a giant blue dragon. Its dark wings spread across the clearing. Alloran could see his claws twitching to fight and could feel the air hot and dry.
" Me, " Alloran said barely keeping her voice from shaking. " I'm a SeeD cadet here for a test."
" DO YOU EXPECT TO BEAT ME?" The great dragon's voice laughed. " I'VE BEATEN MANY CHILD SINCE I WAS RELEASED AND I DON'T PLAN ON GIVING UP MY FREEDOM TO JOIN A MORTAL!" Without warning Bahamut's massive claws struck down at Alloran. Crap! She thought as she leapt to the side. He missed by an inch.
" Ten minutes Alloran!" Quistis called.
~*~
Squall looked over the candidates for the field exam, it was to be in Dollet, just like his field exam. The only difference was he was working with Seifer outside of Dollet and they weren't taking the test. Nine of the ten for today's GF test came back, three passed. Alloran and Quistis should be back from the fire cavern soon. She was meant to get Ifrit. Squall's memories weren't as clear as they used to be of the fight. Being truthful he wanted more cadets to pass. Lately more cadets were failing and it would affect SeeD in the future. Squall looked up from his papers to see Irvine.
" Don't you believe in knocking?" Squall asked angrily.
" Yeah I did but you didn't hear," the cowboy replied. " How's the preparations going?"
" Fine, Seifer said he'd get as much soldiers as he could down there," Squall said bitterly. He'd only agreed to the mission because Rinoa asked him. " We've got seventy six cadets and possible seventy seven, one hundred and fifty four SeeD and that's most we can send."
" Oh so Quisty ain't back with her student from Bahamut's forest?" Irvine asked. Squall looked at Irvine with a serious face.
" The forest!?" Squall demanded almost dropping his reports.
" Yeah that's what the report said," Irvine said shrugging as he handed Squall the report. Squall looked it over five times before he spoke again.
" Someone's hacked in," Squall told Irvine.
" What?"
" Quistis and her student were meant to go to the Fire Cavern," Squall could see the look of shock come onto the cowboy's face.
" But," Irvine faltered. " I thought Garden's computers were impossible to hack into."
" Well it isn't," Squall snapped. " Someone has found a way to hack in."
~*~
Alloran tightened her grip onto the handle of Windhowler. He's mine, she thought. Bahamut's claws swiftly swiped at her. Alloran jumped up high into the air and aimed the blade down. Smack! Alloran felt herself slide across the ground leaving a trail dug into the dirt. What hit her!? Alloran noticed Bahamut's tail waving dangerously. Draw! She thought calling Bahamut's magic to her. Excellent, Alloran thought dodging a very angry GF. Its Flare. Kadowaki hadn't let Alloran handle magic like Flare or Ultima but she was sure she could handle it.
" Demi!" Alloran yelled letting out the spell. Bahamut let out a roar as he let loose a Flare attack. Alloran slid out as fast as possible. Shit! She thought feeling pain in her back. Bahamut's Flare had gotten scorched her slightly. There's no sign of weakness! Alloran thought. She needed to get past his defense somehow. Alloran flicked her wrist lightly so the knife was loose and ready to fall into her hand. " Flare!' She let a Flare at Bahamut's right wing. As Bahamut leapt at her she flicked her wrist hard and threw her knife at Bahamut's neck. The knife had dug in deep. It was Alloran's longest knife and favorite. I got him! She thought grinning as she noticed a hole in the right wing. ~ Don't celebrate yet, look. ~ Alloran noticed the hole healing over. ( How am I supposed to beat an opponent that keeps healing! ) * Just fight! * His tail raised up and acted as a whip as it slapped Alloran through a tree. " Cur-" Alloran started. Bahamut's claws racked Alloran's side as she attempted Cura.
" Three minutes!" Quistis yelled to Alloran biting her lip. She wasn't aloud to help in the fight. Alloran pushed herself up almost staggering. She missed her chance to cast Cura. Crap! She thought moving to the side before Bahamut hit her with the second assault. ( Leviathan, care to join in? ) * A pleasure. * Alloran kept dodging as the connection between her and Leviathan formed.
" IS THAT ALL A HUMAN CAN DO? DODGE ME?" Asked the dragon. Tsunami, thought both Alloran and Leviathan. The portal zoomed across the sky and the great sea serpent slithered out of the portal throwing off the light covering it. Leviathan climbed the sky with the land following it. When Leviathan stopped the great serpent burst into light and water flooded down and washed over the dragon. " DO YOU THINK A GUARDIAN FORCE LIKE THAT WILL STOP ME?" Its done enough, Alloran thought. She could see the dragon start to stagger. Now to do some damage in a short time, she thought. Then she noticed her dagger was still stuck into Bahamut's neck.
" Chew on this!" Alloran yelled firing several pulse ammo at Bahamut's chest. The explosions were big as the three shots all hit dead on. Alloran jumped threw the smog sheaving Windhowler for a second. Her hands wrapped around the handle of the knife as she jumped up.
" OFF MORTAL! Bahamut roared as his head turned to take a bite with his razor teeth.
" Flare!" Alloran yelled letting one loose in his face. The great beast roared angrily as it swiped at his own face. Ow! Alloran thought in pain as a fang bite her leg. She was hanging there holding onto the handle of a knife. Come on! Alloran thought pushing the blade downward. It has to go down! Sweat and blood poured off her and hit the ground. Finally the blade slashed through the scales and went down a long way. Yes! Alloran thought as the blade slid down deeper. Than a claw slashed her off. " Float!" She yelled before she hit the ground. He's still standing! The wound she caused on the dragon healed over quickly. ~ Alloran, do you want me to call up some bad past memories? ~ ( What!? ) ~ Think about it, you're bodies suffered a lot, if you have some emotional pain added you might be able to use Dark Moon and finish him. ~
" One minute!" Quistis yelled clenching her hands. ( Do it! ) Alloran felt a swarm of memories come on her. When the T-rexer almost finished her off, when Visser got away, the orphanage....
" Dark Moon!" Alloran cried feeling the energy explode through her body. The dragon looked at her almost curiously as her body felt like an inferno. Her fingers spun it in a circle in front of her leaving spelled writing. The area around her was turning as dark as a moon less night. Alloran then rested the flat part on her left and pushed the blade into the center of spelled circle like a key and a dark beam of light exploded out of the circle and hit Bahamut dead on. ( Did it work? ) The smoke cleared from around Bahamut to show...
" He's still standing!?" Alloran said dumb folded. She'd thrown her best at him and he was still standing. Her fingers felt her pocket for the waving cat. So much for bringing luck! Alloran thought. Then something happened. Bahamut turned his head to the air like he was listening to something and growled in pure fury.
" IMPRESSIVE FOR A HUMAN YOUR RANK," Bahamut roared. " I ACKNOLEDGE YOUR SKILLS. AS THE LAW OF GUARDIAN FORCES PREECHES I SHALL JOIN YOU HUMAN." Alloran was totally caught off guard. He would be her GF? Bahamut broke into light and turned into a small circular object the size of Alloran's palm. The stone dropped to the ground as well as Alloran's knife. Beep, beep! The watch alarm had gone off.
" Congratulations Alloran ," Quistis said putting her hand on Alloran's shoulder. " You passed."
" Yeah, I did," Alloran said hardly believing this. Her hand picked up the knife first and slipped it into its sheaf. Then her fingers gingerly wrapped around the red stone. Garnet, Alloran noted. It was meant to be a stone that helped bring up someone's strengths. At least that's what a crystal shop owner told her. Alloran stopped kneeling and got up. Ouch! She thought as her legs cried pain.
" Well we can't have you hurt for the way back," Quistis told her helping Alloran up. Alloran was guessing fighting Bahamut made her forget the body strains. " Curaga!" Alloran felt all her pains go away and the blood stopped.
" Thanks," Alloran said with a smirk. Her muscles still felt sore though.
" No problem, as a teacher it's my job," Quistis smiled.
~*~
Part two: The exam.
Alloran showered a bit when she got back to Garden. Tal and Casseil were somewhere so she didn't worry about questions. She didn't bother washing her hair much since they had the field exam soon. She was to meet at the gates at 4:30 PM. At least she didn't have to wear that stupid uniform for the test. With the ex-headmaster it was mandatory to wear a uniform or you lose marks for the final results. But since Squall didn't like uniforms that much it was a choice option. At least that gets rid of the blood, Alloran thought slipping on another black jacket. Training at Garden had taught her to get extras of your favorite clothes or your stuck with the school uniform. Well this jacket's totaled Alloran sighed taking a look at the black trench coat she wore against Bahamut. The jacket was torn across and burn and blood marks were all over it. Alloran took out the items out of the pockets like antidotes, softs, echo screens, etc. and finally the Garnet.
Alloran could feel the power pulsing through the stone unlike sapphire or aquamarine. I wonder why he decided to join me? She thought recalling his words. ' I DON'T PLAN ON GIVING UP MY FREEDOM TO JOIN A MORTAL!' Before Alloran realized it she tightened her hold onto the garnet. She closed her eyes and felt the strong power enter her mind joining Leviathan and Fenerir. ( Are you okay Bahamut? ) - Why should a mortal be interested in me? And why are you talking to me? - * Same old Bahamut. She always talks to me and Fenerir. * ( Yeah, and I'd appreciate it if you called me Alloran, not mortal all the time. ) - But that is what you are. Our jobs as guardian forces is to aid mortals and test them. - ( It maybe, but you act like it's a hefty chore. ) - It is, we lend strength to the humans and receive nothing in return except a wait to be called again to fight. - ~ Speak for yourself Bahamut, I haven't been called in eighteen years. ~ - And that was before you joined the humans again. - ( Can't we just call a truce? ) - Fine, mortal. It is our job to obey humans. - ~ Is not Bahamut! ~ - Then explain why we always serve humans? We are superior to them and Hyne condemns us to depend on them. - ( Then why did you choose to join me? ) - My duty as a guardian force. - Bahamut and the rest of the GFs were silent. Alloran sighed and gave up. If they were talking it'd be impossible for to hear.
~*~
" No way!" Casseil exclaimed when he and Tal heard the news. " You, of all people beat Bahamut, the king of dragons."
" Yeah, and you can stop acting like I saved the world from Ultimecia," Alloran growled. She wished she could forget the battle against Bahamut.
" But it is a big deal," Tal said grinning. Alloran rolled her eyes, she didn't do anything special and probably never would.
" I bet MY kitty helped ya, "Casseil said happily.
" No, I did it by myself," Alloran growled. " Like I said before I don't believe in luck." With annoyed glare she tossed the waving kitty back to its owner.
" Well I do, I mean how else could you beat Bahamut?" Casseil asked her.
" Skill, alright?" Alloran muttered. She beat Bahamut and that was that, no one seemed to get it through their skulls.
" Well, since we've got an hour, do you want to get lunch?" Tal asked. Then with a worried look she said. " Though you might want to look out for the Trepies and Drake. The Trepies think you cheated and Drake's eyes almost popped out of his skull when he heard what you did. You know how much he looks up to you after all."
" The Trepies? Why should they be angry at me now?" Alloran asked with a humored look. Most people stayed on the Trepies good side- because of the whips. Alloran happened to like being on their hate list for some reason.
" Because a lot of the Trepies have tried to get their paws on Bahamut but well, you know," Tal smiled. " They think you must have done something against the rules or something."
" Okay, in that case Ill stay here-" Alloran started.
" Nope, sorry." Casseil said as he and Tal gripped onto her arms.
" Trust me Alloran, you are going to need some energy for the field exam," Tal told her. With a sigh Alloran pulled away and followed her dear, asking friends to the cafeteria.
~*~
" Spill Alloran, we know you must have done something, admit it!" Yelled Kara, leader of the Trepies. Alloran, Tal, and Casseil had only been in the cafeteria five minutes and they were swarmed with Trepies. Alloran had been attacked by Trepie accusations for twenty minutes in counting.
" Yeah I did do something," Alloran said taking a drink of water as the Trepies started to grin, till Alloran finished. " I beat a GF most of you failed against."
" That's not what we meant!" Kara yelled back looking like a zombie. Alloran rubbed her temples and started looking for an excuse to leave.
" AW COME ON! YOU CAN"T BE OUT!" Flare's voice rang out through the cafeteria. As the cafeteria ladies said to try again Flare started hitting his head against the wall. That's my excuse, Alloran thought.
" Excuse me, I happen to have a job to do," Alloran said ignoring the Trepies's glares. To Tal she whispered, " wait for my signal and split." Tal nodded as Alloran jogged over to the upset Flare. " Hey Chicken Boy."
" Go away!" Flare growled with a threatening glare.
" Okay, I will, but first," Alloran handed another pink slip to Flare. " See ya." Alloran almost grinned as she heard Flare mutter curses, until some of the Trepies moved in front of her.
" We're not leaving till you answer our questions truthfully," one of them piped up. " You must have done something so instructor Trepe didn't notice."
" Oh," Alloran looked over to the far side of the cafeteria and pointed. " Hey isn't that her!?"
" Where!?" The Trepies glanced around for their 'god'.
" Adios," Alloran said as she sprinted toward the door with Tal and Casseil right after.
" That was evil," Casseil said smiling. " I can't believe you said that. They'll be after you for that."
" Oh well," Alloran shrugged. " Since when haven't they hated me?"
" They've never liked you," Tal said flatly. " But you have to admit it IS kinda sad that they're like that. I mean if instructor Trepe stepped in Gnat guts they'd consider that holy."
" True," Alloran nodded and checked her watch. " Crap! Its 4:20!" With a quick glance at the other two before they ran off to their dorms to get ready.
~*~
I didn't mean to use THAT much ammo, Alloran thought checking how much ammo she had in Windhowler from the fight. Nothing, zero, zilch, all the ammo had been used up. With a shake of her head she replaced the pulse ammo she had with the regular stuff. With another look at her watch she almost felt like shooting the clock. " Tal if you don't hurry up I 'm leaving without you!"
" I'm hurrying!" Tal said attempting to get her Pinwheel on.
" We've got three minutes to get down there!" Alloran growled as she locked the door and followed Tal down the hallways apologizing to others as they ran through the hallways.
" Hyne, why does the dormitories have to be on the other side of where we need to be!?" Tal asked as they finally exited the dorms.
" Hyne, why do you have to be so slow!" Alloran snapped.
After twelve apologies, one trip, and three students bowled over Tal and Alloran finally made it to the gates.
" Are... we... late?" Tal asked Quistis, who was in charge of instructions.
" You're ten seconds late," Quistis replied. I guess I'm with Flare, Alloran thought seeing Casseil, Flare, and Sef. " The other four teams have already been given their assignments and have been sent out. You're squad E. Your team shall consist of Alloran Wolfeyes, Casseil Hunter, Tal Carter, Flare Dincht, and Sef Kinneas." Flare opened his mouth to object but Quistis beat him to it. " No, there will not be team switching. As for your captain," Flare started to beam happily. " Your captain is Alloran Wolfeyes." The five teen's jaws dropped.
" Her!?" Flare asked with shock.
" Me!?" Alloran asked with equal shock. Alloran was positive anyone but her would be a better leader. " Are you positive it's not someone else?"
" I don't decide who's the captain I just give the instructions," Quistis sighed. " The mission is outside of Dollet. This will be an actually battle and people will die. Our mission is to assist the rebel troops and Dollet soldiers. More will be explain on the boat to Dollet. " Alloran winced. Dollet, that's close to where 'Miss Fallow's Orphanage' was, just outside of Dollet.
~*~
" Can I drive?" Casseil asked Quistis when they made it to the parking lot.
" No Casseil, that isn't necessary," Quistis said quickly as she took the driver seat.
" Jeez what's the matter with me driving?" Casseil asked after the cadets took their seats.
" Remember last year when we learned to drive?" Alloran smirked. " I hear their still trying to fix the damage."
" Poor Balamb," Tal said pretending to be in a daze. " Never stood a chance to Casseil's driving."
" Har, har," Casseil said sarcastically. " I did well enough to pass, this year."
The engine roared to life as the car rode out onto the road to Balamb.
~*~
I wish Flare would knock it off, Alloran thought as they got on the boat. The entire ride Flare seemed to be shooting her the evil eye. I didn't even want to be leader. - Here's a first, a human that doesn't want power. - ( I've never been leader of anything, I don't want the responsibility anyway. ) * Weren't you leader of the discipline committee? * ( No, we're just a group of friends doing a job. None of us took command. ) ~ There may be a day you need to take leadership. ~ ( What's the chance of that happening? I'm more likely to be following someone else's orders. ) ~ You never know. ~ ( Yeah right, Flare can be captain for all I care.)
" Hello Quistis," saluted Xu. " You're the last ones."
" Greetings Xu," Quistis saluted back. " Shall I explain or do you want the job?"
" I might as well," Xu replied looking at squad E. " I suppose you know the purpose of the mission? Good. We will land at Lapin beach at 1750 hours. You will be transported to the outskirts of Dollet by car. The rebels will drive the Galbadians out into the plains." Galbadians? Is Visser with them? Alloran thought griping onto her arm. " - and so if the Galbadians head your direction your objective is to keep them from re- entering the city. If you fail to complete or have problems SeeD will come and finish the job" Xu finished. " We shall arrive in half an hour. If you have any questions ask Quistis. Those are your orders for now." With a formal salute she walked off to the control panel. Casseil and Tal went to talk to Quistis leaving Alloran with a grumpy Flare.
" Get over it Flare," Alloran whispered to Flare. " I don't even want to be the captain."
" Suuuurrrreeee you don't," Flare muttered. " And I'm the commander."
" Care to shut up," Alloran almost growled. " Listen, let's just get over with this mission alright? We probably won't ever work together again, alright?"
" Fine, but I won't take being ordered around," Flare said shooting Alloran a dirty look. Alloran just sighed and walked out onto the deck. That was the best she probably could expect out of him.
~*~
Alloran stood there on the deck for about fifteen minutes just listening to the oceans pounding against the ship. The wind pulled like playful puppies at Alloran's jacket and hair. Her beads repeatedly hit her neck as they were pulled and let go. The wind felt like a cool winter day in December. Visser, are you there? Alloran thought looking across the horizon. You can't die yet, not until I face you and put an end to you. Alloran almost lost her balance as a large wave hit the side of the vessel.
" How does it feel?" Asked a calm voice.
" Hello Xu," Alloran said saluting slightly. " How does what feel?"
" Going back," the older women said standing beside Alloran as she looked out at the water. " I heard that was your only home until you came to Garden."
" Huh," Alloran asked. " How did you know?"
" Garden holds many secrets, I'm not even sure how we can acquire so much information," Xu replied. " So how does it feel? You spent twelve years there and by the looks of it hated it."
" Yeah I did hate it," Alloran sighed. " But I still don't feel much hatred toward the place as I should. The kids there aren't bad, it was the old hag running the dump. I don't know what to feel, I probably won't go back. If I did I'd just get chased out."
" Miss Fallow still runs it," Xu told her. Xu looked kinda sad standing there. " I felt the same way years ago. I was raised in Timber by a drunken dad and a selfish mom. I left at age thirteen and met Quistis. When I was sixteen I took the SeeD field exam. Our mission turned out to be in Timber. My mom was in the hospital and wanted to see me. I wanted to go but I had a mission to attend to. I didn't owe anything to her and she probably wouldn't say anything nice so I assumed she would be okay so I left without a word. Two days later I passed the exam and received a letter from the hospital. My mom was on her deathbed and wanted to say she was sorry, she never got the chance. If I had gone I might have failed, I still question my decision today. Maybe one day you'll find yourself in that situation. " Without another word Xu turned away.
" Xu, I don't mean to be rude but, why are you telling me this?" Alloran asked. Xu still had her back to Alloran.
" Maybe you remind me of someone I've talked about this before," Xu replied as she walked back into the hold. Who the heck would I remind her of? - Why does it matter? It's none of your business. - ( Maybe it is. )
" Hey," Tal said joining Alloran on the deck. " We'll be there soon." Alloran nodded. Tal looked at the water as well. All they heard for moment was the crash of the oceans waves." Hey Alloran, do you believe in heaven?"
" Yeah," Alloran replied. Why was Tal asking her this?
" Do you think," Tal faltered. " We have a place there? We've already killed more than one person and if we do make SeeD I expect we'll continue taking more lives. I tell myself it's just a bloody game that has to have a victor but, now it all catches up to me, my guilt. I know we've trained for along time, I know our duty, but I wonder, will we end up like them? Dead on the battle field, destined never to see people we know and care about alive." Alloran looked at the black hair streaked girl. She had never seen Tal act like this before. Whenever Casseil had doubts Tal would tell him to get over it. Then Alloran wondered, was Tal scared?
" Tal," Alloran started. " We probably do, if we don't we have plenty of time to earn a place. But we have to take a few lives, as a soldier we have to make a choice, them or us." Tal nodded and threw a pebble lying on the deck into the sea.
" What about you, don't you feel anything?" Tal asked. Alloran thought for a second. What DID she feel about this?
" I can't really say," Alloran confessed. " I guess I feel kinda uncomfortable knowing the outcomes possible. And-" Alloran stopped. How to explain it.
" What?" Tal asked. Alloran rubbed her temples. She had never told any human being about her dreams and premonitions. Most she forgot but talking to Tal brought it up.
" I think something bad is going to happen," Alloran said. The dream was of a burning building, it was familiar somehow. Screams were heard and many children there were crying. That's all she could remember and if she told Tal it might distract her.
" Oh," Tal replied as the sea's crashes were replaced with gunfire. " I guess we're almost there, lets get ready." Alloran and Tal ducked into the hold and waited. Squad E stood by the hatch waiting, they would hit shore soon and head off to the battlefield. How many soldiers would they face? How many might get injured?
" Brace yourselves!" Yelled the pilot. The noises were getting loader in their ears as the ship came to a sudden halt. Alloran almost found herself thrown off to the wall. Squad E heard the sounds of concrete or chunks of stone scrape the side of the ship. The hatch opened.
" Go!" Alloran yelled as the squad ran out onto the beach. No enemies here but there would be where they were going. Xu and Quistis followed a group of other SeeD to complete their mission.
" Hey, squad E," called a SeeD. He signaled to a large jeep with five seats. Rushing past the other cadets as the jumped into their vehicles. At least they left the keys, Alloran thought roaring up the engine as the rest of the team got in. The jeep sailed over the sand dunes with great ease as it bumped up and down. Ops, Alloran thought as they hit a road sign.
" And you complain about my driving," Casseil grumbled.
" Oh shut up, " Alloran growled. " You try driving on sand!"
~*~
" I... am... never... staying... in... the... same... car... as... you... again," Flare said as he vomited over the edge of the cliff they waited at. They had to drive through the town to get to their destination and Hyne it wasn't easy.
" Get over it," Alloran snapped pushing some of her messed up hair down.
" How long do you think before they come?" Casseil asked with a worried face.
" Dunno, when the enemy gets here," Sef shrugged as he loaded his gun. Alloran jumped onto a lone tree and started climbing to the top.
" Ugh," Flare said still holding his stomach. " What are you doing?"
" Getting a view," Alloran called as she finally made it to the top. She reached into an inside pocket and felt for her telescope. Ignoring Flare's complaints she peered through the telescope and looked in all the directions. Well, looks like it'll be awhile, Alloran thought seeing the battle fire far on the other side of plain.
~*~
Thirty-five minutes and still no action. This is getting boring, Alloran thought still in the tree. " Flare, stop napping!" She yelled at Flare who fell asleep in the back of the jeep.
" But we still haven't faced anyone," Flare said drowsily.
" How are we supposed to make SeeD if we don't do anything?" Tal grumbled taking target practice on dead plants.
What are we supposed to do? All the squads have all gotten into combat and we're still waiting. Alloran thought. " Hold up!" She yelled at them seeing something just faintly heading their way.
" What is it!?" Sef asked jumping out of the jeep. Alloran kept watching, yes, it was a tank and quite a few soldiers.
" We got company," Alloran told them finally jumping down. " Looks like the Galbadians called for reinforcements. Too bad they won't get to help." Alloran smirked pulling Windhowler out. " They should be here in about three minutes."
That seemed to break the boredom. The five all had their weapons in hand and waited. The battle would start soon. The wind seemed to pick violently as the enemy was seen just ahead. The sun blazed faintly upon the would be battlefield as battles were about to begin. Bang! Bullets sailed through the air toward the five. " Sef, Flare, you take down the tank. Me, Tal, and Casseil will cover the soldiers!" Alloran yelled as the ran in different directions.
" Roger that," Sef replied shooting from behind a boulder. Two soldiers holding gunblades charged Alloran. Alloran followed their example and leapt at the closest one. The soldier got his blade up in time to block, but Alloran lowered her gunblade and swept Windhowler up under the soldier's sword, Windhowler sliced through the soldiers chest like paper. The second soldier was aiming for Alloran's head but was hit by a number of shots, dead before he hit the ground.
" I figured you needed it," Casseil told her dodging three bullets by acrobatics.
" I didn't need it," Alloran grumbled. Flare and Sef were advancing bit by bit to the tank.
" Thundara!" Flare yelled letting loose a the powerful spell at the tank. Alloran could see what they were up to. Flare was casting lightning related spells to take down the tank and Sef shot attacking soldiers. ~ Incoming. ~ A fireball aimed at Alloran face. Alloran deflected the fireball and the attacker's blade swiftly followed attempting to slice up her face. Alloran quickly fell back on her back, the blade missed by one inch. Before the soldier saw what kicked him in the stomach as she got up and sliced down across the face like he had attempted. A load bang was heard followed by electronically gadgets burning up. Looks like they finished their job, Alloran thought. Three more soldiers came her direction looking really pissed off.
" Fira," Alloran whispered as the flames engulfed the three followed by their screams. Alloran almost felt something for them but they would have killed her too.
Flare just jumped out of the way of a charging Galbadian and countered with a full solid roundhouse kick followed by an uppercut enforced with GF strength abilities. He was so busy he hadn't noticed a Galbadian crawl out of the burning wreak, formally a tank, holding a sword ready to slice the martial artist in two. He owes me one, Alloran thought as she fired Windhowler at the weakened Galbadian. Flare turned in time to see the soldier hit the ground muttering his final curses. Flare shot Alloran a glare before going to work on another Galbadian. * I'll take it this won't sit well with him. * ( Oh well. )
" Behind you!" Alloran heard Tal yell. Alloran swung Windhowler up into a block as her opponent slammed down.
" Looks like the little girl got lucky," he sneered pulling away and aimed his strike for past her gunblade. Alloran just kept blocking his assaults with him barely succeeding to block her counters. Then he messed up. Taking the chance Alloran swung Windhowler home. He was alive, barely. It would be impossible for him to live, Alloran had caused too much damage.
" Looks like this little girl beat a full grown man," Alloran muttered to the soldier.
" You Garden brats think your so great," he gasped.
" We're better than you'll ever be," Alloran told him unemotionally. Idiot, she thought as he took his last breath.
One of the remaining soldiers with a rifle said something in a low voice and took rapid shots at Flare, the only one without a weapon. Flare rolled out of the way repeatedly as the bullets marked his path. Tal loaded Pinwheel and fired at the soldier guided by one of Casseil and Sef's bullets.
" This, can't be," stammered the last one. " They're just a bunch of Garden brats." Alloran moved for him, he had no weapons or hopes. Then he pulled something out of his pocket. " Dead brats," he whispered in a low voice only Alloran heard.
" It's a grenade!" Alloran yelled realizing what it was. You could see his menacing smile as his shaking fingers reached for the pin.
" Fira!" Alloran and Tal both said as the two flames blasted the soldier matching the power of a Firaga. His screams of pain were heard as they saw his shadow still holding the grenade. He was dead. Alloran stopped and looked around. That was all of them, how many died? Alloran thought. Some bodies had holes in them from the bullets, others were cut from Alloran and Tal, others had their bones smashed up.
" Mission complete," Alloran muttered. Her hand ran through her hair, it was probably covered in sweat.
" So do we just wait?" Flare asked. Alloran shrugged and sat on the jeep's hood. It had been a little smashed up but was okay. The fighting would die down soon, she thought almost slipping off into a trance.
~*~ Part three: The decision.
" No, you can't do this!" Cried a small fourteen-year-old girl. Her name was Calli from ' Miss Fallow's orphanage.'
" Quiet brat!" Growled a soldier as he pushed her away. " Garden destroyed our reinforcements and allies, and you pay the price." To the others with him he smiled evilly. " Ready? Fire!" Him and his companions let the fire spells fly to the old building and light it ablaze.
" But there are still kids in there!" Calli yelled as tears welled up in her eyes. The men just laughed.
" So? It'll make Garden think of the consequences next time," the tallest said as him and his companions got back in their car and drove away laughing.
" What now Calli?" Asked a five-year-old. The rest of the children that were outside were asking the same thing. Calli could see the kids have tears streaming down their cheeks wanting an answer. Calli was the oldest and they expected her to have the answers. Calli wiped away her tear and put on a straight face.
" Garden has magic, they're around, they might help," Calli breathed thinking this up as she went.
" But their mercenaries," protested a boy who was thirteen.
" Its worth the try Pacco," Calli said balling up her fists. She knew mercenaries did this thing for money and they had none. " I'll go, you try and find a way to get them out!" Calli ran as fast as she could. Maybe it made her feel better by running. Made her feel like her only home was burning to the ground and friends and Miss Fallow were still in there.
~*~
" Think that's all of them?" Flare asked after awhile.
" Probably," Alloran said to get Flare to shut up.
" Then who's that up there?" Tal asked peering off into the distance. A small kid was running toward them as fast as her legs could carry her. Alloran took a look with her telescope. The girl had ratty clothes and her black hair was a total mess. Her face was covered with dirt and Alloran could see bruises on her arms as the girl got closer.
" Are... you... SeeD?" The girl asked clutching her chest. Her breaths were deep and her face was red.
" We're Garden cadets," Alloran told her. The girl looked familiar somehow. The girl's face suddenly seemed at greater ease.
" Can you help!?" She blurted out. " The Galbadians, they, they set my home on fire. A small orphanage a ten-minute run away. Can you!?" Her face was desperate. " We don't have money to pay but I'll do anything! There are still kids trapped inside and we need help!" Alloran almost turned white. The small orphanage had to be Miss Fallows.
" Is the owner Miss. Fallow?" Alloran asked calmly. Casseil and Tal looked at her. They understood what she meant.
" Yeah why?" The girl asked. Alloran nodded. If she went she might fail the SeeD exam, if she didn't others would get killed. Kids would get killed. Somehow Alloran had a feeling this is slightly how Xu felt.
" I'm going," Alloran said quietly.
" What!?" Flare burst out. " What about our mission!?"
" Screw it," Alloran growled. " You can stay here like a obedient dog but I going. That was my home for twelve years and I don't want innocent kids dyeing." Alloran's sapphire eyes dared Flare to question her. Flare just scowled.
" Then we're going too," Tal remarked. " Do you think me and Casseil are going to let you have all the fun?"
" Might as well," Sef shrugged. Flare hung his head defeat.
" Damn, guess I'm stuck following you," he grumbled. Calli seemed a lot better.
" You'd better show us the way," Alloran told Calli. " My memory ain't that great." Calli nodded happily and lead them away.
~*~
" What's the report on the squads?" Quistis asked on the phone to those watching the cadets. " Okay, thanks." There was a long pause and Quistis had a worried look. Jeez what's wrong with her? Seifer thought. Raijin and Fu were handling the other side of the city leaving Seifer stuck with Quistis and Xu. " What do you mean they just ran off!? Get over there!" Quistis looking ready to throw the phone against the wall.
" What, a squad failed to complete a task?" Seifer asked cockily bouncing Hyperdragoon on his shoulder.
" That's the thing about you Seifer, you never change," Xu said rolling her eyes. Seifer grimaced. Xu always loved being on his case. Even at Garden when he re-took a field exam she loved making a comment about it.
" The teams all finished their missions," Quistis told them.
" And?" Xu said expectantly.
" Squad E ran off with a little girl abandoning their post," Quistis explained. Seifer almost grinned. That's what HE had done in his final field exam. Xu looked angry.
" What!?" Xu growled. " Why would they do that!?"
" Their looking into that," Quistis muttered. " The people watching them said they'll follow them to see if they can get some answers. Till then we've been ordered to get to a burning building outside of Dollet." Xu nodded with fury in her eyes. Seifer just shrugged and kept his cocky look on. Whoever ran off from their post was going to have a field day with Xu.
~*~
" It's just up there!" The girl said. Tal had her on her back because the girl couldn't keep up with them. The got over the hill and saw the burning orphanage. Its just like the dream, Alloran thought biting the inside of her cheek from saying anything dumb.
" Calli!" Cried a boy. " Is this Garden troops?"
" You can say that," Tal grunted as she put Calli down.
" How many in there?" Casseil asked. The boy counted on his fingers and showed six.
" Plus Miss. Fallow," the boy announced. The hag, Alloran thought.
" Let's get going," Alloran told them.
" That's a burning building, how do you think we'll survive the heat?" Flare asked.
" Like this," Alloran put her hand to the sky. " Water." The spell splashed lightly on them since Alloran made it a small one. " Solve the problem?" Flare nodded lightly. Great, today I've faced a GF, gone on a field exam, and now going into a burning building. Hyne I'm in trouble after this. The five leapt through the hole in the door and split up throughout the house. Alloran could feel the heat searing as she climbed the staircase. I might have problems getting out later, Alloran thought noting the growing fire. Alloran put a hand over her mouth to avoid smoke as it got hotter. ( Hey Fenerir, can you bring up some orphanage memories? ) ~ Why? ~ ( I need to know where the rooms are. ) A second later memories filtered into her mind and she knew where to go. Alloran leapt back as a piece of timber fell. Alloran's right hand drew Windhowler while her left stayed over her face. With a single swing the burning wood fell in half allowing Alloran through. This is Miss. Fallow's room, Alloran noted.
" Who's there!?" Snapped a voice that almost made Alloran jump. On the bed was Miss. Fallow same as always.
" No time for that the place is on fire," Alloran growled.
" I know that!" Fallow snapped. " There's no way out so why bother?"
" Listen, those kids down there still need you, you old hag," Alloran growled going up to Fallow staring her down. The hag's hands reached for the sapphire hanging on Alloran's neck. Fallow looked at Alloran in disbelief.
" Alloran?" She asked. Alloran nodded. " Go, you shouldn't try to help me! You don't owe me anything!" Alloran frowned.
" Do you want to die here? In the fires?" Alloran asked with her eyes glaring angrily at the old women. " I don't need a reason to help you, I'm doing it because as much as I hate to admit it you still took care of a bunch of kids who don't have anywhere else to go."
" Are you really going to do this?" Fallow asked. Alloran nodded again.
" You really are a strange girl."
" Lets just get out of here," Alloran said taking off her coat and putting it on Miss. Fallow. Its dry, she thought. " Hang on, water!" Once again Alloran felt damp. She helped Miss Fallow onto her back and started down the stairwell. Damn it! She thought. The entire stairwell was covered in fire and it was too high to jump over. I don't even have anymore waters! Alloran thought. Miss. Fallow kept coughing. What can I do? Alloran thought. She could feel the fire already licking her ankles.
" Water!" Alloran heard a voice from the other side. " Water! Water!" Repeatedly water spells hit the fire on the stair well till it was low.
" Flare?" Alloran asked in disbelief of who helped her.
" Consider us even," he called back.
" What about everyone else?"
" Their okay, the kids too, we got everyone," Flare replied. Fresh air! Alloran thought as her and Flare finally got out. A load of whispers ran through the crowd as Alloran put down Miss. Fallow and took back her jacket. I guess that wraps things up, Alloran thought. Then she saw a car ride up containing Xu, Quistis, and her cocky instructor.
" Uh oh," Alloran whispered.
~*~
Part four: The evening
" What the Hell were you thinking!" Xu scolded the five after they were back on the ship. Quistis and her instructor were on the deck but Alloran was sure they could hear all Xu was saying.
" Well what do you expect!? We finished our job and she was needed help so we went and helped them!" Alloran yelled back.
" I would have expected you to stay at your station or send one to town to tell us!" Xu growled at the young cadets. That didn't stop them from questioning her.
" And what if the people inside died before you got there!?" Sef said sharing the squads fury.
" Yeah!" Flare joined in to the group. " Innocent kids could have died!"
" Innocents die everyday, you can't save them all!" Xu told them bluntly. Alloran could see the anger rising in her eyes.
" Then why does Garden bother!?" Casseil demanded.
" Yeah, people suffer everyday from the Galbadians so why does Garden bother?" Tal asked. " So what if a town is destroyed and kids are orphaned? Why does Garden bother!?"
" Enough!" Xu silenced them all. " At this rate you will never make SeeD!"
" They might make it but I probably won't," Alloran said quietly. All their eyes turned to her. " It was my fault the squad left their post. I was the first to say I was going and they just followed my lead."
" No way!" Flare yelled. " I would have gone even if you tied me to a tree with Cerberous as a guard dog!"
" Enough all of you!" Xu snapped. " We have a while's trip back to Garden and I don't need you all arguing!"
" Having problems with the cadets?" Asked Alloran's cocky instructor.
" You stay out of this!" Xu hissed. " They don't need your influence!"
" How can I influence them? They left without my saying," he said with a grin.
" Enough, all of you!" Quistis said empathizing the words 'all of you'. " We don't need you all tearing out each others throats. It's the commanders choice who's fit for SeeD not you Xu." And with that she went back onto the deck. With a smirk Alloran's instructor followed leaving squad E with Xu. ( Why do you think he's here? ) * Its obvious. Don't you know anything? He's a rebel troop. * ( You can tell? ) * Quite easily. * ( And you didn't tell me? ) * You never asked. *
~*~
Alloran and squad E had made it back to Garden half an hour ago. Alloran had already cleaned up from the trails of the day and Tal was taking her turn. I shouldn't have gone, Alloran thought. I probably cost the squad our chance at SeeD.
Miss. Fallow had died shortly after the rescue. According to the doctor she died of the smoke. He also said she said " sorry Alloran," just before she died. That's a thing Alloran hated! She went in there to save her and the old hag died anyway. Pacco and Calli were kinda sad but SeeD said they would set up another orphanage near the same spot run by another person so that helped lift the spirits of the kids. At least they wouldn't have to do chores or suffer Miss. Fallow and her friends snide comments. The thing that really surprised them was when they discovered who Alloran was. They had been around when Alloran went to that orphanage and they said they remembered her. Alloran didn't have the heart to tell them she didn't remember them. They said to come back when she made SeeD and tell them her stories but the problem there was making SeeD.
" Hey," Tal said taking a sea at Alloran's desk at the corner. Alloran could tell her friend had something on her mind.
" What is it?"
" Why did you try and take all the blame?" Tal asked.
" It was my fault," Alloran sighed. " If we all fail its because of me."
" Nah, me and the rest of the group made a decision to go so its really not your fault," Tal said simply.
" I wish I felt that way," Alloran muttered.
" Will those who took place in the field exam please meet in the upstairs corridor," came a voice over the intercom.
" That's us," Tal said with a sigh. Great, now we get to hear how we failed. Alloran thought as they walked down the corridors. They might as well just call everyone but squad E, Alloran thought bitterly.
At the corridor the entire group looked nervous. Looks like people have already been called, Alloran thought noticing the small size of students waiting for the results. Also by the punch marks in the wall from angry students.
" Hi Alloran," Drake said cheerfully. " I heard what your team did. And you were even captain of the squad! Man you're lucky." Not really, Alloran thought to herself.
" Trust me Drake, you wouldn't want to do what I did today," Alloran muttered. Twelve minutes, still nothing. I wonder if they do this to make us feel nervous, Alloran thought checking her watch again. With the sound of a beep a staff member finally walked out.
" Lee, Drake Lee," The staff member said dully, like most. Drake's face totally lit up. He almost ran to the elevator in happy ness. " Sharingan, Edward Sharingan." Edward had a confident look on his face even before they called his name. A bunch of girls in his squad started sighing and cheering for him while the boys in his squad and squad C had annoyed looks. " Summers, Michelle Summers." Michelle meekly looked up and was shaking all over when she walked to the elevator. " Carter, Tal Carter." Tal had a shocked look on her face. Just go, Alloran thought. " Dincht, Flare Dincht."
" BOOYA!" Flare yelled as he jumped as in the air and jogged to the elevator.
" Hunter, Casseil Hunter." The staff member said rolling their eyes as they started hurrying up the announcements out of boredom. " Kinneas, Sef Kinneas. And Wolfeyes, Alloran Wolfeyes. That is all." A chorus of moans from the failed ran through the corridor as Alloran rushed off to meet the rest. She was pretty sure she heard someone cursing, a lot. And a few punches hitting the wall.
" Whoa," Casseil said wide eyed as they got into the elevator. " How did WE make it to SeeD?"
" I don't know, luck?" Alloran said with a smirk making Casseil grin. The entire Squad E made it.
" I thought you didn't believe in luck," Casseil replied.
" Why does it matter how we made SeeD? Just be thankful we were able to join," Tal replied with a grin. Alloran couldn't blame her. Everyone on the lift had a smile plastered on their faces.
" Do you think we'll be on the same missions?" Drake asked Alloran with a hopeful look.
" Maybe," Alloran replied hoping slightly they wouldn't. Bing, the elevator came to the usual sudden halt as they got off at the third floor. By the looks of things the announcements would be just near the lift to the bridge. The members present were Squall, high ranked SeeDs, instructors who took part in the mission, and Alloran's cocky instructor. Alloran and everyone else there lined up beside the others who passed the exam.
" These are the SeeD candidates who passed," announced the staff member who told them who passed. The new SeeDs saluted to Squall after that.
" Congratulations," Squall told them keeping with poker face on. " From this day forward you are SeeDs. Till the time comes for SeeDs true focus you shall be assigned to missions for Gardens benefit. You were chosen for your skills and choices, you are the best and Garden's top combat specialists. You know your duty as SeeDs, your choices will affect you and your team. Handle your missions with care." Squall was passed their rank card and walked to the line of SeeD. Alloran, Casseil, and Tal were at the end. Each card had Garden's insignia and his or her rank. He whispered something to each of them. Some of them grinned, some of them turned red with embarrassment. Flare looked really meek after Squall told him something. The order ran down till Squall came to Alloran lastly. He handed her the rank card and bent down and whispered,
" Try not to let your emotions get in the way of the mission," he told her. Alloran knew exactly what he meant. At least it was better than a fail. To everyone present he said, " till then all SeeD and faculty are dismissed."
Alloran tried to get out fast before the crowds of celebrators got big. Guess Tal and Casseil are still back there, Alloran thought as she got on the elevator. Alloran finally glanced at her card and was pleasantly surprised. Seven gold bars were at the top showing her rank was seven and her monthly salary on the bottom. Alloran felt a swell of pride. Rank seven was quite high for a new SeeD. After Alloran got off she waited as new SeeDs talked excitedly, jumped up and down- like Flare, and ran off to tell speeches. Most ham bone SeeDs would give speeches to their former classmates. Alloran remembered two last year who's speeches went on for about an hour.
" This rocks," Alloran heard Casseil say. " And just wait for later, we get a graduation party!"
" And I'm sure you think the girls will flock to you," Tal said dryly.
" Yeah sure, who wouldn't be interested in me?" Casseil said shrugging.
" Let's see, 99.9% of Garden's girls," Alloran told him.
" Gee, that's so encouraging," Casseil muttered giving Alloran a slight punch in the shoulder.
~*~
" Not fair," Tal grumbled after the delivery person gave Alloran and Tal their SeeD uniforms. Unlike Tal, Alloran somehow persuaded the man to give her some pants instead of a skirt. Never in all the years at Garden had Alloran or Tal worn skirts. " No way I'm wearing this," she said holding up the black skirt.
" Like we have a choice," Alloran dryly. " Its mandatory going to the party." Tal picked up the skirt and muttered curses as she went to her room to change.
Alloran sighed as she took off her jacket and everything else. It was replaced with a shorter black jacket with gold outlining, a red tie, and black pants. This stays, she thought putting back on sapphire. She had to unjunction Leviathan and Bahamut but she wasn't leaving without Fenerir. ~ This feels much better, you sure you can't leave Bahamut and Leviathan unjunctioned? ~ ( Positive. )
" Not a word and no body gets hurt," Tal grumbled at Alloran's door. Alloran just barely stopped herself from laughing. Tal was wearing a skirt.
" Better tell Casseil before you decide to kill him," Alloran said with a smirk as she and a reeeeaaalllly pissed off Tal took off.
~*~
The ballroom was on the second floor with a skylight of the night sky. Every SeeD was there to meet their new partners under the supervision of instructors and Garden staff. By the looks of things Alloran was the only female SeeD wearing pants instead of a shirt.
" Hi Tal," Casseil said with a smile plastered on his face. " Nice..." Alloran started making death signs showing if he made any comments about Tal wearing a skirt and he'd be toast. " Nice evening huh?"
" Yeah, I guess," Tal replied shooting Alloran a look since she hadn't seen Alloran give Casseil the warning.
" Hey have you seen Alloran?" Casseil said to Alloran. " I'm looking for a friend called Alloran Wolfeyes who's a girl."
" Watch it Casseil," Alloran said in a threatening tone.
" How long are we supposed to stay for this anyway?" Tal asked.
" Till 11:00," Alloran muttered. She didn't want to be stuck there for two hours! She hated parties like this, she wanted to get as far away from this as possible. " So Casseil, where's the flocking girls?" She said in a taunting tone since Casseil claimed the girls would be flocking to him.
" Over there," he said gloomily pointing to a crowd of girls that they couldn't see who was at the center. " Why did Edward have to make SeeD tonight?"
" Even if he wasn't here you wouldn't be surrounded with girls," Alloran said flatly.
" Hey it's not like you attract many guys!" Casseil said defensively. Thank Hyne I don't, Alloran thought. She had never thought anyone attractive and never wanted to. She thought Tal sometimes was interested in Sef but didn't show it often and Casseil liked almost any pretty girl. Alloran didn't want to go through the problems lovers did. She didn't want to be turned into a lovesick puppy always wanting to be with a certain someone.
" And I'm happy I don't," Alloran snapped making Casseil drop the subject.
~*~
Only an hour! Alloran thought furiously. She hung around a wall near the balconies just watching pass buyers. Casseil had been shot down at least fifteen times so far. As for Tal, she was dancing with Sef so far. By the looks of things all the new SeeDs were dancing with someone except Alloran and Casseil. Even Drake had someone! He had shyly asked Michelle and she accepted in the same manner. Someone had asked her something about five minutes ago, Edward had asked Alloran to do something alright, hold his wineglass! In fury Alloran had thrown it in his face with many shocked girls. Many would think it was a so-called honor to be asked to do anything by Edward.
" And I thought I have the trouble maker of Garden," Alloran faced her former limit teacher.
" I'm not I just felt he deserved it," Alloran muttered. Her instructor laughed. " What's funny?"
" I really would have thought by now you'd know who I am," he said grinning. " I guess I'm slipping not to be recognized even here except by the people I went to Garden with."
" Why's that? I'm sure most know you're a rebel soldier," Alloran said rolling her eyes.
" Do you really want to know who I am?" He said cocking a single eyebrow. Why not, Alloran thought with a sigh. I've never known his name and he taught me a limit break three times. She nodded. In a low voice he said, " I am Seifer Almasy, former sorceress knight and the rebel leader. " Alloran almost fainted. Her FORMER instructor had been unknowingly Seifer Almasy, the guy who made her want to join Garden.
" You're Seifer!?" Alloran said as her jaw dropped.
" Yep," he said smirking. " Now I suppose you hate me ,right?"
" No," Alloran replied trying to stay the way she was before. " Why would I?"
" Darn I guess Timber doesn't mention the rotten things I've done in the past," he said shaking his head. " Uh oh, Trepies," he said looking at a group of instructors glaring over at him walking slowly over to him.
" They had Trepies when you were a student?" Alloran asked with a humored look. Even the past generation hadn't been safe from the Trepies.
" Yeah, everything they've achieved they say its all because of their God Quistis. I'd better go before they start lecturing me about how bad a boy I've been and I don't deserve to live," he said smirking as he walked briskly off to Squall, Irvine, Selphie, Zell, Rinoa, and Quistis. And sure enough the former Trepies walked past her toward Seifer again. Weird, Alloran thought. ~ That's just how life is. Quistis must be an excellent teacher to have so many admirers. ~ ( Yeah, too bad their a pain in the butt. ) ~ Can't complain there. Why do you think he's here? ~ ( I don't know. I can't even know when you and the other two GFs are talking separately from me. ) ~ Thank Hyne. ~ ( And yet your aloud to listen to my thoughts? ) ~ Its Hyne's choice. ~ ( Drat! )
~*~
Ten more minutes! Alloran thought relieved as she waited on the balconies. She had waited until the couples were done using the balcony as a love ground before she moved away from the dance floor. Garden had settled over the ocean near Balamb that night. The dark sky had no clouds that night so it was easy to see the constellations and the full moon. It was good to get out of there, now they were playing the slow lovers music. I wonder if Casseil actually found a desperate girl to dance with, Alloran thought looking up at the stars. That makes everyone but me thankfully.
" Boo!" Said a voice as someone reached for her shoulder. Alloran gripped onto whoever was on the other end and threw them into the balcony. " Ow! Can't you take a joke!?" Casseil whined rubbing his head.
" Couldn't find anyone?" Alloran asked with humor in her eyes.
" Humph," Casseil said pushing himself up. " They don't know a good looking guy if they were right in front of them."
" Oh really, where?" Alloran asked pretending to look around.
" Hah, ha," he said dryly standing beside her. " Its not like your going to fall in love."
" Probably," Alloran replied. After a look a Casseil she realized he was kinda handsome in the moonlight... Hey wait a sec! You aren't supposed to think that about your friends! Alloran thought. Then she realized Casseil was looking at her. " What?" She asked blushing slightly.
" Its just that," he started. " I never realized you looked that way in the moonlight." The two looked at each other kinda weird and looked away again.
Bong, bong! The bell rang throughout the dancehall letting everyone know it was time to go to bed. " See ya!" They both said accidentally hitting each other. " Sorry!" They both said. This time they both went around dodging each other joining the rest of the SeeD heading to bed.
~*~
" So we're agreed, I've completed my part of the deal," Seifer said seriously. He had been bugging Squall for years for more soldiers. They were losing the battle because he had some soldiers that didn't even know what they were doing.
" Fine Seifer," Squall said coldly. It had been fifteen minutes since the graduate party ended. He had promised to do this. More of for Rinoa instead of Seifer. " It'll take a month's tops to get some SeeD ready for the job."
" Better be Leonhart," Seifer sneered. " I waited three years for you to be able to send some specialists to Timber."
" I won't forget." Squall replied.
~*~
Wolf: Done! Alleluia! This is my longest chapter yet!
Tobias: And you haven't gotten writers cramp either! Not fair! And you won't even let me write!
Wolf: For a good reason! Now stand still. * Holding a dart. *
Tobias: * holding a paper target* I think I'll just move over to the right.
Wolf: Nope there is just fine.
* Tobias's screams of pain are heard outside Wolf's bedroom door.*
Review answers from last chapter:
GirlsDontCry: * nods her head* Yeah I know it's good. I hearby marry you and my story. Not! I still need it anyway, weddings off!
DarkAngel666: Yeah I aim to making each one better. Better prepare yourself for another wait I have another few stories to update before my friend gets really angry for not updating another chapter in a story.
FantasyWolf: Seifer was in there! * takes a bow* Booya I love getting good reviews! Expect more good chapters. Seifer will make more of an appearance so don't worry about me leaving him out.
Dark Hope: I'll update as soon as possible. And expect more Tobias bashing and possible shrink bashing for sending him to me!
Verdanii: Glad you enjoyed it. And I'll try not to take your reviews seriously in the future.
Sorceress Fujin: You can expect more, as soon as my friend stops bugging me to update some stories I haven't in a long time.
Wolf: * comes out of the room whistling* Remember readers, Read and Review or you might end up like Tobias.
