Wolf: Hello again. I don't own any FF 8 characters. Please enjoy this second chapter.

Tobias: * in a hospital bed* Why me?

Wolf: Because you're the lackey!

Tobias: DANG!

~*~

Alloran rested on the bridge. They'd be there in one minute. The concealment device was on but they weren't sure if it would hold. The plan was that Casseil would park Ragnarok near the towers and Isaac and Elizabeth would stay and take care of Ragnarok. Alloran, Leo, Sef, Flare, and Casseil would sneak in. It would be 12: 36 AM. They would separate into two teams. One team would get back the weapons and GF stones confiscated by the enemy while the other worked one freeing the prisoners.

" Ready to go?" Leo asked. Alloran and everyone else nodded. " Good. The first team will consist of Alloran, Casseil, and myself. The second will Sef and Flare. My team will take care of freeing everyone. Sef and Flare can take care of getting back the weapons. Flare, TRY to be discreet for once."

" So, what are we supposed to do if Ragnarok's concealment device breaks?" Isaac asked.

" Use the cannons or something," Leo sighed. " Just keep defending until we can get on."

" Sooo, then who gets to activate the self-detonation device?" Flare asked.

" We can worry about that AFTER we get everyone out," Leo replied.

" Hey, guys," Casseil called. " We're here."

" Well," Alloran said quietly. " Let's get going."

Alloran, Sef, Leo, Casseil, and Flare waved goodbye to Isaac and made their way to the hanger door. Anyone who saw them was going to have to die. They COULD NOT be reported till after they help those inside. It was pitch black out as they stepped out onto the floor of the base. That concealment device really works, Alloran thought as the door closed. She couldn't see a trace of the great machine hovering nearby the prison. She couldn't see ahead of her very well but she knew Leo was just ahead of them.

" Stay here for a sec guys," Leo whispered through the darkness. Alloran couldn't hear him as he crept through the dark night. A quick moment later a muffled sound was heard ahead of them. " Kay, guys, we're in the clear. Just keep going forward."

Alloran's eyes were gradually adjusting to the dark surroundings. She could make out the others in front of her. Further on she saw two shadows on the ground reeking of death. I'm really starting to hate that smell, Alloran thought with the same disgust had had seeing the red water. They stopped at a door and Sef got to work.

Sef was one of the best hackers in Garden so a simple Galbadian security system would be easy to break into. The door opened and the five SeeD walked into a dimly lit room. There were many security cameras in the room with to their luck a sleeping guard. Leo nudged Alloran slightly. She knew what he needed her to do. Alloran flicked her right wrist and let the knife fall. Alloran didn't exactly like killing a person like this but it had to be done. She slipped behind the sleeping Galbadian and drew blood.

" Okay, check the cameras," Leo hissed. " Flare, see if you can find the deactivation codes for the self-detonation device." They split up checking out different cameras of different places. Fat Galbadians, Alloran thought checking one. Nope. Empty corridors, nope. Officers sleeping on the job, nope. ~ You really aren't finding much. ~ (Gee, no kidding.) Hello, she thought.

" Found something," Alloran said quietly. Leo and Casseil took a space on either shoulder and peered at what Alloran had discovered. " Looks like their guarding something big." There at was at least fifteen soldiers in front of a door made of titanium. " Now, what could they be wanting to hide?"

" Think their in there?" Casseil asked.

" Maybe," Leo muttered. " Does this thing have an audio button?" Alloran's eyes darted around the keyboard. Here it is, Alloran thought. There was a switch labeled 18, the same as the camera's number.

" When can we take a break!" Whined one as his officer smacked him at the side of the head to wake him up.

" Stop whining!" Snapped the officer. " We're Galbadian soldiers of sorceress Cal! We do not whine like dogs!"

" Sir, yes, sir!" Yelled the soldier.

" My apologies, sir," said one meekly. " Who are we waiting for? Why can't we just kill the Garden brats now?" Flare was muttering curses under his breath and breathing hard.

" We wait you idiot!" Snarled the officer once more. " We have our orders! The specialist should be here soon and she'll see who gets killed today and who gets killed later."

" Specialist?" Asked another.

" Samantha Gallian," was the reply. " Galbadia's top torturer. She gets whatever information we've missed on Garden then decides whom sorceress Cal uses for that 'ritual'. Whatever the ritual is."

" Samantha Gallian?" Whispered the second one who had spoke. " I've heard of her. She can break the toughest cases. They say she looks like an innocent person that dresses in black. But once you leave her with her victim she could squeeze almost anything from her victim."

" Yeah, and I don't suggest you get her angry," snapped the officer. " She's a mercenary and president Deling is paying miss. Gallian a lot. We piss her off and she leaves he'll have all our hides!" Leo bent over and flicked off the audio switch just as it had been before they had entered.

" Well, I guess that makes our job easier," Leo said with a small grin. Alloran didn't like what he was getting at. " So Alloran, looks like you got a job."

" Leo," Alloran said in a low threatening voice. " Since when did you get off telling me what to do?"

" Come one Alloran," Leo said with a pleading tone. " You're the only girl here. And you ARE dressed in black. Besides, don't you want to help Tal?"

" Leo," Alloran muttered. " Remind me to kill you if we get out of here."

" I won't," Leo said giving her a small punch on the shoulder.

" Got something," Sef said handing Leo a piece of paper. " It's a floor plan of the D-District prison."

" And here's something else," Flare tossed them each a earpiece used for communicators. " I kinda borrowed them from dad. Their used for missions like this so we can keep in touch."

" Thanks," Leo replied. " Well, let's get going then. We'll meet up with you guys at the holding cell, if that's actually it."

The five walked down the steps silently like shadows. Any guard seen was extinguished quickly. Sef and Flare took off five floors down and left Leo, Alloran, and Casseil alone.

" How far do those stairs go?" Casseil moaned as they turned down another stairwell.

" Well," Leo said checking the map. " We've got ten more floors."

" Isn't there a quicker way?" Alloran asked sheaving Windhowler.

" Not unless you want to attract attention," Leo grimaced. " There's an crane two floors up near the solitary cells used for moving individual, detachable cells. Don't think we can use it though. Someone has to stay in the control booth while the others ride down. And since neither of us know how to work it we might as well skip that plan. Besides, we planned NOT to catch attention until after we find everyone."


" So basically we still have a long walk," Alloran sighed.

" Yep," Casseil muttered.

They quietly trekked down the stairwells and across floors. (For a prison there doesn't seem to be much security.) * You'll probably encounter more when you make your escape. * The three kept going feeling small fatigue. A, because they hadn't gotten much sleep, and B, because they hadn't run into any battles and they were going down their thirteenth flight of stairs. Only two more, Alloran thought. They were moving a bit faster now. They'd be there very soon.

They were just around the corner from the giant door. They all exchanged looks. " I'm heading in," Alloran muttered attaching the ear clip to her ear. " I'll call you when I'm ready for stage two. Then you guys take care of those guards there."

" Kay," Leo said attaching his ear clip. " Be careful. There's a high chance there's an anti-magic field being on. They'd probably turn it on if they were being attacked but we still don't want to take the chance yet. We'll cover for you if the real Samantha Gallian comes. If she's already there we have a problem." Alloran nodded and reached into her pocket revealing a pair of dark sunglasses Casseil had given her.

" Be careful," Casseil said with pleading eyes.

" Don't worry guys," Alloran said slipping the shades over her eyes. " I can take care of myself."

And with that she took off around the corner walking differently than she normally did. This was the walk most important Galbadian officials used. (A/n: I know it may not seem important but a way a person walks but it does. I learned that at a drama camp.) Garden students were required to take at least one year of drama and she had just finished drama so this MIGHT be easy. " Excuse me!" She said in a sharp Galbadian accent.

" Who might you be?" Asked the officer glaring down at her. Like must Galbadian soldiers he smelled of smoke. He flashed his crooked yellow teeth at her as she faced him.

" Samantha Gallian or Miss Gallian to you," Alloran said in sharp military tone.

The soldiers whispered to each other quietly until the officer growled at them. " Miss Gallian, we weren't expecting you until another hour or so."

" Are you disappointed I'm early?" Alloran said in a menacing voice. " Or maybe you'd like me to take your insolence to president Deling himself?"

" No, please Miss Gallian," said the officer in a false soft tone. " Forgive us for our stupidity." To two soldiers beside him he hissed, " take Miss Gallian to the prisoners so she can start her work! President Deling is paying her a lot to do this!" The Galbadians rushed to open the titanium gate all for a false torturer.

" I commend your men on their efficiency," Alloran said to the officer as the gate opened.

" I trained these worthless dogs hard," the officer said in pride.

" Indeed, I shall report this to president Deling when I return to Galbadia," Alloran said with a small smile.

" Thank you Miss Gallian," the officer saluted.

" One more thing," Alloran said stepping toward the now opened gate. " I hear from my employers they want you to keep your eyes out for an imposter Samantha Gallian. They say those Garden dogs might send one. The message of my employers are, kill anyone that says they are Samantha Gallian aside from me. Do you understand?"

" Yes ma'am!" The officer saluted once more as Alloran, followed by two soldiers, vanished through the closing door. Suckers, Alloran thought with a smirk. - Don't get over confidant. This mission hasn't ended yet. -

Alloran walked down a narrow corridor each with a door and security pad. We might have problems fighting here later, Alloran noted. * Then we might want to break some walls down *

" Hand me the key to the rooms," Alloran said sternly. " Any screams you hear I want you to stay out."

" Right away Miss Gallian! We'll fetch the master key right away!" The rushed to the other end of the corridor to a cabinet. Alloran watched them go a distance before she got ready.

" Firaga," Alloran whispered expecting the usual flame to engulf the two soldiers. Only a small spark flickered that the two didn't see. What the heck? Alloran thought. ~ Remember what Leo said, there might be an anti magic field. ~ (Then I'll just have to take these two out fast before they know what hit them.)

" Here's the master key Miss Gallian," said one of the soldiers. " Anything else?"

" Why, yes," Alloran said in her most inviting tone as they handed her a keycard. I HATE talking like this, Alloran thought. " Close your eyes."

They both did as she asked. Better make this quick, she thought. Slowly she drew Windhowler quietly so they couldn't hear. " Okay look." There's eyes opened with shock. Alloran ran forward and cut the first one down with a deft cut and thrust the other back with a kick. His communicator hit the ground. He tried reaching for it but her feet were quicker. In a second wires and plastic went flying.

" A traitor!" He gasped as she closed in.

" No I'm not," Alloran said with a smirk dropping the accent. " I was never on your side to begin with." His fingers grasped around a gun hidden on him and fearfully fired. Alloran ducked under the shot and used a low whirling cut taking out the legs. Then a flash of silver sliced straight through his chest to the heart. That was pretty easy, Alloran thought. - Just wait for your escape. -

" Clinton! Come in!" Yelled a voice from the communicator of the first soldier. Alloran disdainfully picked it up. It was covered with blood from it's owner.

" This is Samantha Gallian," Alloran said sharply adding the accent once more. " What's the problem, officer?"

" Where's-"

" He handed me the communicator incase I needed anything," Alloran said coolly. " Is there a problem?"

" We heard noises," insisted the officer on the other line.

" Nothing but my work officer," Alloran replied. " Just relax, I know my work well and I'll call if any problems are presented. Over and out." Idiots, she thought clicking off.

Her eyes rested on the doors. There were so many. Please be here, Alloran thought pleadingly. She was thinking off Tal. In Garden shortly after Visser left they had been taught what Galbadian prisons normally did for 'interrogations'. And there were some other unpleasant things Alloran had heard and they were all flocking to her head like a avalanche had gone off in her mind.

The card was in one of the first doors. There was the familiar beeping of a door open. The door slid open easily. All visible to the SeeD was pitch black. It was cold. She had heard some cells were left unheated. Steadily she stepped in hearing only the sound of her boots hitting against the cold steel of the cell. Is there anybody here? Alloran thought.

Something hit her from the side. Whoever was there had a strong tackle. The darkness concealed whoever was attacked. A fist sailed into Alloran's face. Alloran raised a foot and kicked whoever was on her off her and they both now were thrashing at each other. The person gripped onto her foot after a kick and tried flipping her. The young SeeD brought up her other foot and kicked back. The person started a punch assault leaving Alloran with blocking. Alloran had had enough. She came to help, not get attacked. Alloran flicked a wrist and let the knife fall. As the shadow got close Alloran pressed the knife's sharp blade rest on the throat of who was ahead of her.

" Care to stop it?" Alloran said breathing hard. She could feel some of her own blood slip from her lips. " I'm from Garden okay?" The next thing Alloran heard was a joyous sound. Something Alloran had been meaning to hear when she woke up from coma.

" Alloran?" The voice cracked. " Is it really you?" Alloran dropped the blade right there. The two were silent as the knife clattered to the ground.

" Tal?" Alloran couldn't help but feel her heart burst. The two friends were hugging each other tightly. Alloran hadn't meant it to happen but she was doing something hadn't done in a long time. She was crying. " Your okay!"

" I probably wouldn't be with that Samantha Gallian," Tal said bitterly. Alloran could tell Tal was crying too. " I meant to take her out but instead I attack you." There was another silent moment. " What are you doing here? Did Garden come?"

Alloran wasn't sure what to say. Garden hadn't sent anyone. Would it be a good idea to tell? ~ She deserves to know. She'd find out sooner or later. Alloran. ~ Alloran gulped.

" No," Alloran said bitterly. " Squall wasn't going to send anyone. Garden policy. We need to be hired for a mission like this!"

Alloran found herself breathing hard and feeling hatred toward her commander. Just as she had when he talked to her when she woke up. The fact that he took away Quistis's instructor license, the fact he probably would be taking Fenerir away from her, the fact that he'd probably hate her because of her sire. (A/N: For those out there that don't know that means dad.)

" Alloran you idiot!" Tal said. Alloran could picture Tal frowning. " Do you know the consequences!?"

" Yeah," Alloran muttered. " But so did Casseil."

" Who else?" Tal sighed.

" Leo, Sef, Flare, Isaac, and Elizabeth," Alloran stated.

" And HOW did you get here?" Tal asked suspiciously.

" Well," Alloran faltered. Please don't yell, she thought. " We kinda 'borrowed' Ragnarok."

" I can't believe you'd do that," Tal said quietly.

" All did, whatever their reason was," Alloran replied. " Anyway, we still have to get out and help everyone else. The sooner we can get everyone out the better."

Light blinded their eyes as they stepped out of the dark cell. Tal was taking deep breathes of fresh air while Alloran checked the now dead bodies of the two guards she had finished off earlier. If she found a second keycard Tal could give her a hand. Alloran glanced over at Tal. She could tell Tal hadn't been treated the best. Tal's hair had been badly cut short and her black high lights were gone. Her friend had also gone thin and her skin was bruised. She still wore the same clothes she had on the night of the attack and they were torn and covered with dirt.

" They figured they'd have fun with my hair," Tal said dryly seeing Alloran's look. " And trust me, their ideas of 'fun' are disgusting."

Alloran caught what Tal was getting to. " They actually tried doing that to you!?"

" Yeah," Tal grumbled but then flashed her teeth. " Let's just say they will never try it again." Alloran could just vomited. The Galbadians had to have been sick bastards.

" Did they try it with anybody else," Alloran said quietly.

" Putting it simply they will never try it with Garden students again," Tal said shaking her head. " Whenever anybody tries to escape they get over ten guards to restraint them." Tal sighed. " They drew our GFs and they have an anti magic barrier on all the time. It's so we can't heal ourselves when we get beatings. Trust me, that's where I got these," Tal indicated the black and blue bruises. Alloran grinned as she pulled out the keycard and threw it to Tal.

" We can talk later when we're out of here," Alloran muttered. " Just get everyone out of here first."

Alloran and Tal were moving fast. They would stick the keycard into a slot and take off to the next one. Alloran could feel her legs burn in exhaustion. She hadn't rested them in a awhile. Hold on until we're done legs, Alloran thought.

As Alloran unlocked the last of the cells the stolen communicator started ringing. Sighing she picked pressed it too her ear and played the Galbadian accent. " Samantha Gallian here."

" We've got a problem Miss Gallian!" Hissed the officer. The sounds of gunfire was heard the background. " We're under attack! Two have already broken into the inventory and stolen the confiscated weapons!" Looks like Flare and Sef did their job, Alloran thought relieved. " Keep your guard up alright? We'll hold them off as long as possible!"

" Thank you," Alloran said nonchalantly. Without another word she clicked the off button. What the hell is Leo and Casseil doing!? She thought angrily. I thought we weren't supposed to draw attention yet! Alloran clicked a button on her ear communicator calling Leo." Leo! What's going on!?"

" Well, the REAL Samantha Gallian popped up," Leo shouted as metal clanged. There was a only the sounds of grunting and screams.

" And?"

" We killed her and caught attention," Leo said breathing hard. " Just stay there until Flare and Sef get here. The anti magic barrier is turned off so if anybody needs healing now's the time. Over and out."

" So what's the news?" Tal asked.

" Leo says the anti magic field's lifted, but he wants us to stay but for now and heal up," Alloran replied. Tal was already frowning. " We don't really stand a chance if everyone is beat up. Besides, Sef and Flare still have to somehow bring the weapons AND GF stones here. And I don't know how their going to do it. Basically just pass the word around okay?"

Tal nodded and muttered some words to herself. Lights much like orbs twirled around Tal and infused into her. All the cuts that she had were sealing together and her bruised skin was slowly turning back to it's natural color.

Everyone was whispering as they watched Tal heal. A few of them started saying cure spells, which to their surprise worked. Soon bright lights were filling the room.

" Tal, can you go tell them now?" Alloran asked quietly. " I'm going to see if anybody needs help."

" Right away," Tal responded moving through the masses to the older teens.

" Okay! Try it again!" Alloran heard a faint boy's voice. Judging by the timber the speaker was probably only in their early teens. Alloran's eyes were searching the crowds to find a group teens bunched up in a corner.

Slowly she took off toward them. There were seven kids surrounding a kid a year younger than Alloran who was in terrible shape. Through his injuries Alloran knew exactly who he was. His eyes were both blackened and his face was swollen. His spiky blond hair was covered with blood and dirt and his clothes were torn into ribbons. Much to Alloran's dismay a bone in his right leg was broken badly. Very badly. So bad his bone was sticking out of the skin. A third degree broken bone, Alloran hated treating these.

" Drake Lee?" Alloran croaked. Everyone looked at her. " What happened!? I thought he was dead, in fact everyone in Garden did."

" He can explain later, we don't know," snapped Kara, the head Trepie of the Trepies. (A/N: Remember her from chapter eight?)

" We're just trying to fix him up, he's in the worst shape," muttered a first year. " Kept trying to escape. Damn bastards kept beating him badly for his 'misbehavior.'" Alloran had a good idea why, Michelle. " We're trying to help but it's not easy with all the blood coming out." (Leviathan, think he can survive a recover technique?) * I don't know, it's not likely but by just using cure, cura, or curaga it would take along time. Especially with that leg. * Alloran looked at that leg again. They might not have enough time and last thing they needed at the moment was someone who couldn't defend themselves when the they tried to escape.

" Let me have a go," Alloran said quietly.

" What can you do, Wolfeyes?" Kara sneered standing up. They both glared daggers into each other's eye.

" I was trained by Dr. Kadowaki in magic and medicines," Alloran growled. " I know how to handle it." Alloran actually was told to use cure and curaga spells but in short time she didn't want to risk it.

" Well, I was trained by Quistis Trepe in magic," Kara growled back defensively. " Dr. Kadowaki isn't even in SeeD."

" So, what does that have to do with curing Drake?" Alloran snapped. Dr. Kadowaki was an excellent teacher, probably as good as Quistis. " Just let me try, if it fails you can go back to your way."

" Why not Kara?" Asked one.

Kara shot Alloran a look and waved her hand in reply. ~ You do know your risking Drake's life at the moment. ~ (I know, but I don't think Drake's going to die. To stubborn.) ~ Just like when he begged you to spare with him? ~ (Yep.)

" See if you and place that bone in place, as close as possible to the correct spot," Alloran muttered. Kara shot her a look and helped two other disdainfully move the bone bloody into the skin. It was easy because the bone had almost been broken off. Drake's face made some painful gestures but no real noise.

" I'm surprised he's not screaming," noted someone on Alloran's left.

" He would if he was awake," Alloran responded. " Probably loud enough for the soldiers on the other side to hear him loud and clear. Have anything to clean up the blood?"

" Just our own clothes," responded Kara sourly.

" Use what you can," Alloran commanded quietly. " We need to make sure the polluted blood is cleared away. Otherwise he might end up from dying from that." A few exchanged glances but ripped off bits of their clothes and started working figuring their clothes were already messy enough. " Good work."

Alloran's finger's dug into her pocket and wrapped around the small pale stone there. Aquamarine. ' You have to draw energy from the aquamarine and the GF itself.' That's what Dr. Kadowaki had said. Alloran could feel the stones energy pulsing. Quietly in her mind she was calling the energies to Drake, no different from drawing magic or GFs except for she was giving it to him instead of taking it away. " Recover," she whispered. Energy and light surrounded Alloran and Drake. The light circled round and on Alloran's order flew into Drake.

" It's working!" Smiled one happily. The cut was closing but Alloran knew the bone was already fixing itself. If Drake had any other broken bones they'd be fixed in no time. He was already starting to look normal, well, almost. He still looked out of shape but then again so was everyone else. He'd be back to full health soon, maybe, or at least enough to fight. Eventually his green eyes opened. There was a relieved look and everyone's face. Except for Kara, she looked kinda angry in a way but slightly relieved.

" We could have done that eventually," Kara muttered to no one in particular.

" Welcome back," Alloran said blithely.

" Where are we!?" Drake asked suddenly. " Where's Michelle!?"

" We're still at the D-District prison, for now, and Michelle's at Garden," Alloran replied. " And one more thing," she hit Drake on the head.

" What was that for!?" Drake grumbled rubbing the side of his head.

" Payback for the trouble you caused," Alloran growled with a grin.

" Alloran," Drake moaned. Alloran felt a vibration from her ear communicator. That meant some one was calling. Alloran walked away from the crowd now.

" What's going on?" Alloran asked quietly. It was either something good or bad.

" Sef and Flare are here!" Leo yelled. " Get everyone away from the door and ready for their weapons. We'll need you to give us a hand holding them back till everyone can fight back."

" Okay, over and out," Alloran said nodding. ' Get everyone away from the door?' Sounds like those came up with something, Alloran thought. Alloran brought two fingers to her mouth and let out a loud whistle. Everyone looked at her and shut up. Alloran felt slightly nervous. It felt to her like everyone was judging, waiting for a mistake. She shook the feeling and spoke in a calm voice. " Leo says to get ready. In a short moment Flare and Sef will be here with your GFs and weapons. But keep your guard up. At the moment all we have to hold them back is myself, Leo, and Casseil. We cannot guarantee they won't attack you while we work. All we can guarantee you is we will do our best and that we 're going to get out of here one way or another."

Everyone seemed ready unlike they had been thirteen days ago. There was giant bangs heard from the other side. The ground was trembling like a quake spell had been cast. Dents were beginning to form as well. Alloran heard the familiar sound of her gunblade scrapping against her sheaf. This is it, she thought. Whatever they were hitting it with had to have been VERY hard. Something broke through. It looked like a head to something. " Get ready!" She yelled. Her instincts were telling her the battle would start in three, two, one

" YEE HAW!" Sef whooped as the metal broke apart and the Galbadians filtered in. Alloran's jaw almost dropped. Sef and Flare had stolen a Galbadian warship.

These ships were some of the Galbadians most powerful 'toys' used for special missions. The ship was almost the size of the Ragnarok but lacked it's power and aesthetics. Normally they were dark like the night and were sleek to move through the night undetected but then again that was before Flare and Sef got their hands in it. The paint was scratched and metal and it was covered with dents, LOTS of dents. I bet some engineers are crying right now, Alloran thought.

" Quake!" Someone behind her yelled. The land in front of Alloran began to shake at first, then the true power of quake came clear to the Galbadians. The cracks beneath their feet turned a crimson red before the massive shake.

" We're under attack!" A soldier yelled. No duh, Alloran thought with a sigh. And to think these men are supposed to be smart.

When the ground had stopped shaking there lay a giant chasm no average person could jump. Leo and Casseil were already at work tearing through them like hot knives through butter but even SeeD had limits. The chance of them taking on such masses weren't likely. Might as well even out the odds, Alloran thought grimly stepping back. Three, she thought, two, one. GO! Her heels dug into the ruined concrete her feet using anything to give her a chance of clearing the chasm. It also helped that she had GF enhanced abilities to give her an extra boost. Her right foot pushed off the edge wall hurling herself into the air. Alloran kept pumping her legs and arms keeping her eyes on the other wall. No different from long jump, Alloran thought grimly. * Except in this case there's no sand beneath you, just air and the hard ground. * Her legs were stretched forward toward the edge. She HAD to make it. Her feet solidly hit the ground in front of her knocking her forward off balance. A hand swiftly caught her helping her back on her feet.

" Need a hand?" Casseil asked using one hand to blast Galbadians away with Thundaga.

" No, that's good enough," Alloran replied dryly. " I can take care of myself."

Casseil shrugged and disappeared near the back so he had a better view on what was going on. Any problems he either flung a few spells out, thanks to a triple spell, and knocked them down or shot anyone at a distance his spells didn't reach.

Leo had been in a mass of Galbadians gritting his teeth. He had cast protect on himself but it still didn't change the fact that being cut by a sword and hit by a bullet still hurt to some extent. Punishment was blocking and countering many blows and hopefully wouldn't break. The soldier in front of Leo charged in with a swift but aiming toward Leo's head. Leo wasn't as slow witted as most of the soldiers. Before the soldier knew what had happened his opponent ducked under and the sword sliced the throat of his own ally and then greeted by a dark blade tearing across the mid section. Two down, lots to go.

Alloran sighed and ran in there. At first they were thinking the great Samantha Gallian was coming to their aid. They were wrong. Very wrong. " Firaga!" With the anti magic field gone this blaze wasn't a small spark anymore, it was a blazing bonfire. The fire hungrily leapt out ignoring anything in it's way. All that mattered was the taste of flesh that had been robbed a short while back. Each soldier's eye filled with fear as the fire came closer. Screams filled the air along with the mixture of burning flesh and blood. Alloran knew there was someone behind her ready to slice of her head. She could hear the sound of metal cutting through the air. Alloran swung Windhowler over her shoulder vertically and intercepted the blow. Her attacker opened his mouth to say something but it didn't happen. The SeeD turned around and blocked another slash and countered with an overhead attack.

" Miss Gallian what are you doing!?" Stuttered the officer from earlier. He was surrounded by many of his soldiers standing ten feet away from Alloran. Their eyes locked.

" Doing my job," she said first in a Galbadian accent, then she dropped it. " The job I was born to do. To kill sorry asses like you, officer," Alloran said empathizing officer.

" What are you talking about!?" The officer asked wide eyed.

" Read my lips, I am not Samantha Gallian and I'd be ashamed to be associated with slime balls like you," Alloran said coldly watching him simmer.

" KILL THE IMPOSER!" He snarled, turning a shade of magenta. Five soldiers, his bodyguards exchanged glances and reluctantly took the command. " SHE'S ONLY A GIRL! THIS WILL BE EASY FOR A KILL!" Idiots, Alloran thought. They have no idea who their dealing with.

They were running fast toward her. Alloran felt like a shield had been placed over her, namely because Leo cast a protect spell on her. Also because she knew even with these odds it wasn't likely a normal human wouldn't stand a chance but then again she wasn't exactly normal at the moment. She had three GFs juctioned and a gunner equipped with powerful spells watching her back.

The first one ran in yelling, ' for the glory of Galbadia!' His sword was raised overhead ready to slice the young girl in front of him. Sadly for him in his excitement he failed to notice the firaga spell speeding toward him that had been casted by Casseil. In a quick instant he was down on the ground, dead. Alloran shot Casseil a glare that said, 'that was mine!' Casseil just happily shrugged and went back to shooting soldiers near Leo.

Soldier two up to bat. They both ran head in on each other. His gloved hand balled into a fist and connected with Alloran's face. Gritting her teeth she growled raising Windhowler. Out of fear the blue dressed soldier raised his own sword to block. Unfortunately attacking wasn't her intent. She had wanted to psyche him out. Her foot raised as she came closer slamming him in the stomach. He doubled over and shortly a silver blade impaled him.

This time three soldiers came up in hopes of overpowering her. Alloran's eyes caught what the soldier in the back was doing. Holding his blade back he muttered the words 'fira'. Windhowler came up and blocked most of the fire. But that didn't stop some of the some of the flames from lashing out at her. Her body was heating up and her hair was singed as well as parts of her face. Through the smoke she spotted the flash of metal. She ran forward slashing Windhowler against whatever had been ahead of her. She heard the clang of metal hitting the ground. With a flick of her left wrist a knife fell and she threw it at her head level. A scream was heard. Alloran guessed it had hit the throat, right where she had hoped to hit. " Darkness!" Someone yelled in front of her. It felt like everything was getting dark. Her eyes clouded over in gray and black. I can't see a thing! Alloran thought irritably. - Then rely on your ears. - She heard steady footsteps coming silently walking toward her on the side. Her fingers tightened around the trigger. She heard a giant bang of a gun being shot but it wasn't her that had shot the bullet. A second later she heard something hit the ground with a thud.

Next was the sound of something big followed by more sounds. The familiar sounds of gunfire and whips were heard. She could hear Galbadians screaming and spells being cast. Alloran's heart skipped a beat as a hand gripped her shoulder. She hadn't heard any footsteps behind her.

" You alright?" Alloran could have either torn apart the person who was there or fainted.

" Tal you scared the life out of me!" Alloran growled. She could only just barely make out shapes.

" Well that really doesn't answer my question," Tal said humorously.

" Got any eye drops?" Alloran asked with a sigh. She had a vial but she couldn't tell which vial was which at the moment.

" No, they smashed my medicines," Tal grumbled. " How about you?"

" Right inside pocket, third vial to the right, labeled 'eye drops," Alloran could feel her jacket being moved and something being pulled out.

" Hold out your hand, I'm putting five drops in your hand," Tal muttered. Alloran did as instructed. She felt the cold fluid hit her cupped hand and rubbed it in her eyes. It hurt! It always felt like there was smoke in the eyes or something. She blinked a few times ignoring the pain. At least it worked. The darkness was steadily dissipating.

" Thanks," Alloran said with a nod. She looked over where her knife had hit. Right on the neck, she thought pulling it out it. Her eyes strayed around the battlefield. Her eyes sharpened on the target ahead. The officer was barking orders as he cowardly inched away. " Think I can hit that guy with a spell?"

" Too far, won't get a decent fire on him," Tal said shaking her head. " Unless you had Flare, Quake, or Ultima it won't work out well."

" Then I'll just have to take him out a different way," Alloran said with a smirk. The officer had spotted her and his mouth was gaping open. A second later he bolted. Coward, Alloran thought leveling Windhowler to eye level.

She needed at least one good shot. She was aiming just ahead of him. Wait, she thought. He was getting closer to the mark. Wait, she thought again. He was three centimeters away, then she fired. Swiftly the bullet tore through the air. No one noticed that Alloran had fired a bullet until it was too late. The bullet buried itself into the jugular vein in his neck. (A/N: The jugular vein is one of the main ones. Once it's cut your dead. He coughed out a final cry and let his legs collapse onto the cold floor. Many of the Galbadians stopped fighting. Alloran grinned. Any soldier that stopped was being torn apart. She had once read in 'A Sorceress Knight' the best thing you can do is take out the leader and the rest fall apart.

" Well, let's get to work," Alloran said with a nod to Tal. A soldier ran at the two sword ready. Alloran went in first. The soldier attacked blindly swinging his blade down on her. With a swift movement she was to the side and cut through his arm and to his main body. Tal didn't want to be left out. Tal kicked him in the stomach, hard making him double over. Unlike what Alloran had done she gripped him in a headlock and threw him to the ground. She wasn't done with him yet. Alloran watched amazed as her friend used many different martial art moves on the one soldier. In a short while his bones were broken and Tal pushed her loose hair to the side.

" That's for what you tried to do," Tal growled finishing him off with beat rush. Alloran knew very well ' what he tried to do.' ~ Maybe she should have become a martial artist. ~ (Nah, she likes her Pinwheel the best anyway.)

" Alloran!" Leo yelled from a distance. " Brace yourself!" What's he up to? Alloran thought. A second later her question was answered. The building started shaking violently and the sound of gunfire filled the air. Or to be technical the Ragnarok's main cannons. After a couple more shots the wall broke sending many flying due to the impact. In mere seconds smoke filled the room followed by the rush of cold air.

" Everybody get in!" Flare yelled through the smoke and dust. Alloran felt Tal grab her arm and pull her through the crowd. Alloran felt bodies brush against hers all in the rush to get out of this hell on earth. She didn't want to think what she was stepping in occasionally. Almost there, Alloran thought seeing the hanger door. She felt people pushing more and more to get ahead. Away from this place.

Finally they were through. Alloran watched the masses crowd into Ragnarok running to see each other and such. Even Elizabeth had left to find someone. Alloran watched as Elizabeth and a younger teen hug each other both arguing and crying together. His name was Hikaru, Elizabeth's half brother.

" Tal, Alloran!" Casseil yelled running to meet him. His clothes were torn up a fair bit and his vest was covered with soot. Him and Tal hugged each other for awhile before they broke apart.

" Knew you guys would come and help," Tal said with a smile.

" Even me?" Casseil asked with a crocked smile.

" You bet," Tal said punching him weakly in the shoulder. The fight had taken a far bit out of her. She hadn't worked out in awhile.

" Tal!" Yelled another voice. It was Sef this time. Tal ran with tears in her eyes to Sef and they embraced. I knew it, Alloran thought happily.

" We're going to be leaving soon," Leo yelled to everyone over the intercom. So much for blowing up the base, Alloran thought scornfully.

" I'll be back," Alloran said with a nod to Casseil.

" What are you up to now?" Casseil asked as the smile faded from his face.

" Don't worry," Alloran said with a wave of her hand. " I'll be fine." Casseil looked at her suspicious and sighed letting her walk away. Alloran must have said over thirty ' excuse me's to get to the bridge. Ragnarok was filled to the rafters despite Ragnarok's great size. Alloran was just thankful the platform to the bridge wasn't blocked. At least the bridge isn't full, Alloran thought. The only ones up there were Leo, Flare (who was asleep), and Isaac. Probably tired from missing sleep and fighting Galbadians, Alloran thought to herself. She turned to Leo who spotted her.

" Mission complete," Leo said taking a seat in the driver's seat. He started pressing buttons to get Ragnarok moving. " Sef found some codes to shut the doors to the area. By the time their open we'll be long gone."

" Then you plan on skipping the destruction of the D-District prison?" Alloran asked quietly.

" No time to do it Alloran," Leo muttered as the Ragnarok lifted into the skies. " But it's a shame, the Galbadians put billions into this place. If we were to destroy it that would set them back a fair bit." Alloran looked down to the floor.

" Drop me off at the control tower," Alloran said quietly.

" What!?" Isaac and Leo said at the same time.

" I can take care of myself," Alloran said steadily. " Like you said it would be a blow to the Galbadians."

" Alloran are you nuts!?" Leo asked seriously. Leo parked Ragnarok under a vial of clouds and put Ragnarok on hold. " By going in alone you risk-"

" My life," Alloran finished. " Don't we put ourselves on the line every mission?"

" Even if you could blow up the D-District prison how could you get out in time?" Isaac added.

" I have a way," Alloran replied. " Just leave it to me and I'll get back to Ragnarok. Sef has the codes so he can tell me how to disarm the security to the self detonation device. Once I activate it I'll get out."

" I don't know," Leo said shaking his head. " I'm not sure how Casseil would react if you got killed."

" I'll be fine," Alloran said insistently glaring at Leo straight in the eyes. " Just trust me." Leo started pacing the room nervously. Slowly he walked over to the intercom system.

" Sef, please report to the bridge immediately," Leo said quietly. To Alloran he said in a low voice, " you had better come back alive or else Alloran Wolfeyes." Alloran breathed hard knowing she had probably signed her death warrant.

~*~

" How could Alloran be so stupid!" Tal said furiously. Tal, Casseil, and Sef had made it to the bridge after the had turned around. Leo was driving Ragnarok back into dark clouds a far distance from the D-District prison.

" Why the Hell did you let her do it Leo!?" Casseil snarled shaking uncontrollably.

" She insisted on it," Leo said stiffening defensively. " I really did try to stop her." Yeah right, Tal thought angrily.

" Could you keep it down?" Flare said sleepily probably unaware of what they were arguing about.

" I agree with Flare," Sef added. " I need to be able to hear any transmissions from Alloran."

" Look guys," Leo said clearing his throat. " Alloran can probably take care of herself. She's a SeeD after all." But can a single SeeD stand a chance in a building of Galbadians on their guard? Tal thought to herself.

" Hey, I got her!" Sef yelled. Tal felt her heart jump. It meant Alloran was still alive.

" Can you hook her into the audio system?" Leo asked.

" Will do," Sef replied. He hooked a wire from the ear piece communicator to an outlet in the Ragnarok. " Alloran, can you hear me?"

" Loud and clear," Alloran's voice was silent over the sound system of the bridge. " I need the first code." Sef looked over a piece of wrinkled paper out of his pocket.

" There are four codes, the first is ST9 432," Sef repeated every word on the paper to Alloran. " Did it work?" There was a short silence before Alloran's reply came.

" Yep, code two?"

" G69 YT2," Sef relayed.

" Next."

" AIS 106."

" Last one?" Looks like she's about to do it, Tal thought with a smile.

" DOM 892," Sef replied. They waited to hear her success but something went wrong.

" Something's wrong!" Alloran said with panic in her voice. " It says, 'incorrect password, please try again'. " Sef eyes widened. Flare woke up and saw the panic in everyone's eyes.

" Try it again," Sef said in a calm voice. There was a sound of typing in the background. It was fast and frantic.

" What's going on!?" Flare demanded.

" Alloran's in the D-District prison trying to activate the self detonation device," Casseil growled.

" And it's not working," Tal finished. Tal wanted to say ' get out of there now!' But she couldn't find the words.

" Was the password DOM 892?" Flare asked gulping.

" Yes," Casseil hissed. Flare was turning red and sweaty.

" That's not the password," Flare squeaked. Tal could have just blown Flare apart.

" You were getting the passwords!" Leo snarled.

" I missed the last one," Flare said meekly. " It wasn't there in the database." Tal could feel pure fury building up. Flare should have known better.

" Then why did you write that down!?" Tal growled shaking her fists.

" You guys were expecting me to get the codes and when I couldn't I didn't want to feel like I failed!" Flare yelled defensively.

" Tell Alloran to get out of there!" Casseil yelled to Sef with an angered gaze to Flare.

" Alloran, get your ass out of there!" Sef said calling to Alloran's communicator.

" But-" Alloran started. She was interrupted by gunfire and then only static was heard.

" Sef, what's wrong!?" Tal yelled turning white. She was hoping what her fear was wouldn't be true.

" Her communicator's dead," Sef choked on the words. " There's a chance she may be too."

~*~

Now it's time to fly back to Alloran's tale when she was dropped off at the control tower.

Alloran felt her feet slip on the roof of the tower. They raising the towers higher incase anyone was trying to escape. Her fingers gripped onto the antenna as the freezing wind rippled past her face. ~ Sure you don't want to turn back? ~ Alloran gritted her teeth and tightened her grip as the towers shook violently. (Positive, besides, it's not like they'd accept me into Garden after this.) ~ How can you be so sure? ~ (I just know it. Fenerir, just be ready. I'm probably going to need you.) ~ Your forgetting, you've always needed me. ~

Alloran braced herself as the towers came to a sudden halt. It was freezing out there. The wind was ferociously hit her. It felt like the wind itself was shredding through her skin to her bones. Next time I decide to destroy a building on my own I'll pick it so it's not so cold, Alloran thought irritably. Alloran heard foot steps just below her followed a stream of light from a flashlight. Quietly she unsheathed Windhowler and stood on the balls of her feet preparing to jump down.

" Damn Garden brats!" Grumbled the dark figure on the right. " Because of them the captain wants us to make sure none get in here! Talk about overtime, we don't even get a bigger paycheck!"

" It might not have been Garden," muttered the other. " There's really no proof."

" Don't be naïve! It was their men, that was their ship, WHO ELSE COULD IT BE!"

How correct you are, Alloran thought. A soft sound was heard as her weight shifted. " Who goes there!?" Someone yelled. By the time they pointed the light in her location she had moved, landing right behind them with a soft thud. " Huh?" A man asked in confusion as Alloran's blade cut through the air. His partner shone the light the glaring light in her eyes as he brought his sword up to block Alloran's attack in time but she swiftly changed Windhowler to the left and swept Windhowler low slicing from under the arm through the chest. The second had fear written all over his face. This was probably one of his first battles. He shakily whispered ' sleep'. Alloran leapt to the side watching the blue magic just miss her, barely. The Galbadain jumped at her slashing his sword down at the head. In a swift move she spun away letting him sail past her. With his back turned to her he with a deft attack he landed on the ground, dead.

Alloran's eyes were on the door. ' Galbadian security systems normally are only opened by the key cards possessed by those who protect that sector,' that was something Quistis had told them once last year when they studied security systems. Alloran looked at the two freshly killed bodies. She HATED having to touch the dead. Disdainfully searched through their pockets trying to ignore the smell of fresh blood. - Strange how you can hate blood so much. - (I just don't like the smell or how it's been spilled.) - I thought humans loved this sort of thing. -

Alloran would have said something back but she realized in a way Bahamut was right. Humans are like that in a way. A human nature that probably could not be erased. Constantly fighting, bringing destruction to the world. Humans are always battling, Alloran thought. SeeD, Galbadians, we both bring death. Am, I as bad as them? Alloran shook her head. Just focus on the mission, she thought continuing her search.

In a few seconds she produced a laminated card from a body covered in the owner's blood. At the moment Alloran was relieved she was wearing gloves. Something to prevent her hands from becoming more soiled, at least, that's what she was thinking. Slowly she slipped the key card into the door. " Welcome, Private Grant," said an electronic voice as the door opened to a dimly lit room. The only light radiated from a single computer screen with soldier seating feet up.

" What took ya so long you guys?" The soldier asked lazily reaching for the coffee on the keyboard. " Captain wants us to analyze discovered photos from the battle. I can't see why-" he was interrupted by the stinging pain in his shoulder. He yelled out in pain as a silver blade tore into his shoulder. He turned to see his attacker when his assailant's left hand gripped onto his wind pipe, cutting off most of his air.

" Hand over your key card," Alloran whispered coldly. " I do not like checking dead bodies." Her grip tightened The soldier's eyes widened in realization that his life was on the line. Shakily his right hand pulled out a white key card and dropped it into the ground. At the same time Alloran felt something sharp pierce into her right arm. She had to give him credit, she hadn't seen him remove his knife. " That was pretty stupid," said the SeeD in a low tone. Windhowler tore through his shoulder hocking off an arm then came back with the hilt crashing into his skull. Letting the body hit the ground with a thud Alloran simply picked up his keycard and started scanning the options on the computer.

There were dozens of icons written in code with the Galbadian symbol beside each one. Great, Alloran thought. They don't even have a search button. Her finger started doing the work opening many of the programs, with the help of the stolen keycard. In big red letters a warning sign started flashing on the screen above. The words behind it were simple to read. ' Self detonation safety device.' First she slipped the key card in and then came the "access denied, please insert the proper passwords."

Tapping on her communicator she said, " I'm in." There was a pause before Sef replied.

" Alloran, can you hear me?" Sef asked.

" Loud and clear," she said quietly. On the computer another warning flashed, ' intruder spotted! Investigate the area!' I'd better make this quick, Alloran thought. " I need the first code."

" There are four codes, the first is ST9 432," Sef told her as she swiftly typed in the password. " Did it work?" The computer buzzed silently before the message ' accepted, next password please,' popped up.

" Yep, code two?" She asked.

" G69 YT2." There was the same buzzing noise before the same message came up.

" Next."

" AIS 106." The same thing repeated itself. * One more. *

" Last one?"

" DOM 892." Alloran typed in the code and inserted it. The same buzzing noise came but instead of what it had been saying before it spelled out, ' incorrect, please try again.'

" Something's wrong!" Alloran said with panic in her voice. " It says, 'incorrect password, please try again'." What the heck!? I typed in all the write letters, Alloran thought. Another message popped up in the corner. 'Intruder in the control tower! Seek and destroy!' Crap, Alloran thought frantically.

" Try it again," Sef said in a calm voice. Her fingers hit the board hard as she typed as fast of possible. Still the same messages popped up.

" Alloran, get your ass out of there!" Sef yelled. Alloran wanted to ask what was happening and why was the password failing but she could feel her instincts starting to prick up.

" But-" She started. Her ears detected footsteps pounding into the ground followed by gunfire. A rapid speeded object hit the communicator head on and brushed hard against her ear. Blood dribbled down her ear, down her neck. The communicator hit the ground with a clatter. Alloran's eyes gazed at those behind her. There were ten gunners and seventeen sword wielders.

" Give up," said an officer in a heavy Galbadian accent. " You may have slipped past our security for this far but this is where your antics end."

" Oh really," Alloran asked cocking an eye brow turning her hand to the wall behind her.

" Listen kid," said the second officer. " Come easy and you might not get hurt."

" I notice the keyword there is 'might'," Alloran retorted.

" Depends on your behavior, kid," replied the first officer. " Now decide, how would you like to leave this room. Alive and quietly, or dead and quietly?"

" Well, actually I have my own way of leaving," Alloran said quietly. With a small whisper she muttered, " firaga," letting the flames burst out on the wall.

" You've determined your fate," said a gunner. He held back his hand meaning get ready to aim.

" Thundaga!" Alloran growled sending them back. The electrical surge lashed out at their guns setting off a chain of electrical breakdowns. Quickly right after she said, " water." The spells blasted the same spot on the wall where her firaga spell hit causing it to start cracking. She drew Windhowler and slashed apart the wall. Because of the effects of her spells and Windhowler's sharp blade there was little problem cutting through the metal of the wall.

" Don't miss!" One of them yelled behind her. No time, Alloran thought crashing her body into the wall with gunfire following.

Alloran felt the wind lash at her as she was falling like she had before. They had stopped shooting assuming she was going to fall to her death. They were wrong. In her mind she called out to Fenerir feeling a connection build. It was unlike any connection with a GF she had felt before. It was swift and almost like her and Fenerir were the same being. It felt wonderful. Like Alloran was being liberated from her pain and worries.

In short moments the feeling ended and the moon turned full. A howl filled the air and a blur of white flashed down from the sky and caught her. " Nice timing," Alloran muttered.

" I guess that was a failed mission," Fenerir replied quietly. Alloran thought for a second. Why hadn't the code worked? She watched the D-District prison now slipping into the distance and came up with a plan.

" Could go back a bit?" Alloran asked. Fenerir flapped her massive wings and flew several meters closer before stopping.

" What are you up to?"

" You'll see," Alloran said with a small smirk. (Bahamut, feel up for some havoc?) - Only if you wish me too. -

Again was a connection but it was different. It didn't have the same feeling as it had been with Fenerir. It felt more distant and slow. She couldn't feel a strong feeling in the connection but it grew slowly anyway.

The moon was still full and the sky was covered in dark clouds. Giant winds blew past her worst than it had been on the roof of the control tower. Beneath the clouds ahead of her a giant form formed. Surely the creature rose from the clouds. Bahamut. The clouds crackled around her. Yellow sparks started to fly as Bahamut broke through the clouds in his prime. Fire formed from his jaws and released it in several streams of smoke all aimed at the D-District prison. Immediately explosions went off blowing apart several parts of the prison. Bahamut wasn't finished yet though. Throwing his head back flames emerged and a beam of energy focused. The energy wasn't fire, or water, thunder or ice. It was the most potent of magics. The non-elemental. Closing his wings the energy was released. Fire irrupted from the blast covered the entire area for hundreds of miles. Alloran covered her eyes as the smog washed over them into the distance fading away. The smoke and clouds were sucked into a mini twister and disappeared. With his duty done Bahamut flew into the air and turned like a twister himself and vanished from sight.

(Thanks.) - It's Guardian Forces duty. - Alloran sighed. That probably was the only reason Bahamut bothered helping her at all. " Let's head back to Ragnarok, Fenerir."

Fenerir dipped her head and stretched her silver wings. This is a lot better than last time, Alloran thought to herself as a gentle wind passed by. This time I'm awake to know what's happening, and people aren't being killed around me.

" Fenerir," Alloran started.

" Yes?"

" Was there ever a time Guardian Forces were called like this? Not to battle, just for help or something," Alloran blithely.

" Maybe at one time," Fenerir replied. " I wouldn't know. Me and Karu entered the world around the time of a war. As far as I have lived in this millennium Guardian Forces have only been called to fight. " This could explain why Bahamut feels about being with human, Alloran thought. Only being called to fight a battle for others, never really getting a chance of peace. Sensing Alloran's uneasiness Fenerir sighed and replied, " you can always ask Leviathan or Bahamut. Leviathan and Bahamut are both some of the oldest Guardian Forces known." There's Ragnarok, Alloran thought with a sigh. Probably going to receive heck. Ragnarok was still in the air hiding beneath the clouds.

Fenerir landed on the roof of Ragnarok with a soft thud. As Alloran got off she took the time to notice Fenerir was a lot smaller than any of the other GFs. Fenerir dipped her head once more and broke into white light disappearing.

The clouds were starting to clear, scattered. Like a puzzle missing a few pieces of being complete. Alloran smiled breathing in the early morning air. They were in the east, right where the sun first touched the land. First the stars there faded slowly, one by one. The sun was just peaking out of the horizon causing it to glow like fire. It started a rose color first, then spread across starting at the ocean, then moving to the land.

I wonder, Alloran thought with a yawn. If anybody in Galbadia really takes the time to notice sunrises like this. I bet Tal and Casseil would have liked to see this. Suddenly Alloran froze. Hyne! I forgot to tell them I was alright! Alloran thought reaching for her right ear. The communicator was gone. She suddenly remembered the experience of having it shot off cutting her ear. Her fingers pressed gently on the spot and yelped in pain. The blood was mostly dry at least. " Cura," she muttered feeling the spell take it's effect.

Half running half walking she opened the hatch and ran down the hallway. It seemed like everyone was asleep. Her fingers tapped away at the control panel to the door leading to the elevator. On the elevator was two kids asleep. Grunting Alloran lifted them both up and put them down on the ground nearby. Kids seem to be getting heavier each year, Alloran thought grumbling heading to the bridge.

" Flare you idiot!" Alloran heard Tal's voice fill the air of the bridge. Everyone there were surrounding Flare and yelling. " Had it ever occurred to you that someone could die!?"

" But-" Flare started.

" Shut up Flare!" Casseil snapped. " Alloran could be dead!"

" Excuse me," Alloran said dryly. " I'd appreciate it if you didn't count me dead yet." Everyone spun around and looked at her like she was ghost.

" Hyne, this better not be your ghost coming back to haunt me," Flare whispered before he fainted.

" Alloran!" Before Alloran knew it her two best friends had tackled her.

" I swear Alloran Wolfeyes next time you pull a stunt like that I'm going to skin you alive and feed you to the T-rexuars!" Tal growled.

" Ditto!" Casseil snapped back.

" Okay! Just get off me before you actually DO kill me!" Alloran said gasping for air. The two of them were crushing her lungs. Tal and Casseil both helped her up shooting her a glare.

" What happened to your ear?" Leo asked wiping off some of the still wet blood.

" Gunners," Alloran said dryly. " Shot the communicator off my head." Seeing everyone's expressions she asked, " what happened with the passwords?" Everyone was silent. Tal walked up to Alloran and put her hand on her shoulder.

" I'll tell since Flare's out," Tal said quietly. And with the Tal explained what had happened.

~*~

A teenager of age eighteen prowled around the dark castle. He flexed his fingers and frowned. The doctors had let him out of bed only at midnight and only because he had a knife near him. He moved through the walls of the castle like a shadow. Those who caught sight of him turned to avoid his gaze. The boy liked it. At least they know they should fear me, he thought to himself. His fingers fell on the handle that had tasted her blood two weeks ago.

There had been no word of her survival. All they knew was Garden was still licking their wounds but still able to defend themselves. But all that didn't matter much to him. He was aiming for two things. Her death and serving the sorceress Cal.

Walking down the dark corridors only lit by candles brought back memories of his years of training. He had lived here for three years knowing pain and suffering. Training strict, studies hard, waking up at the crack of dawn each day, suffering the utmost torturous punishments for failure, all for what? To defeat his rival.

" Lord Visser!" Yelled a servant boy panting out of breath. Visser Deling looked at the boy at disgust as he bowed clad in cheap clothing.

" What is it?" Visser said in a low tone full of malice and hatred. He had been forced to drop his old lofty tone when he came to serve sorceress Cal under punishment unimaginable.

" Forgive me Lord Visser," the boy said bowing again. " My lady Cal wishes to talk to you immediately. She says it is important my Lord."

" Run back and tell her I am on my way," Visser said with the wave of his hand. The boy took a bow and sprinted away. Idiot, Visser thought. It's weak people like that who get in the way of the strong.

Visser walked swiftly through the halls to where security was the tightest. His midnight black hair glistened in the pale moonlight that streamed through the windows. Each soldier turned and saluted the son of the president but none dared to breathe a word to him in fear of a gunblade cutting through them like others that had been forced to fight him.

The metal doors opened to a room full filled with dark curtains and crimson red satin all over the place. The air was filled with incense and plant scents. Ahead of him was the sorceress herself lying on a couch with red and dark purple cusions, reading one of her many spell books.

Visser stopped five feet away from her. He knew better than to disturb the sorceress. Patiently he waited for half an hour before her eyes looked up from the book. Silently she moved a finger toward her signaling for him to move closer. It had taken Visser a week and many beatings to understand all her signals.

" Welcome Visser," Cal said in an eerie soft voice she rarely used.

" You called my lady?" Visser said bowing. Her gloved hand outstretched to him. He calmly walked froward and kissed the moonstone ring, just like the one hanging from her neck.

" Yes my dear boy," Cal said almost tauntingly. Visser hated it when she did that but learned to except it. " You are aware of the attack on the D-District prison half an hour ago." Visser's ears perked. His father had said the prison would never fall. Visser hid a smirk. Looks like my old man was wrong, he thought.

" I am afraid not my lady," Visser replied. Cal's fingers wrapped around an orb. It was her scrying orb, to see into the future. (A/N: I'm not sure if I got the spelling right but to sry means look.)

" In moments a messenger will come in and tell us the destruction of the D-District prison," Cal said to no one in particular. In a few moments later a Galbadians solder ran through the door.

" Sorceress Cal!" He yelled out of breath. " The D-District prison has been destroyed!" Cal looked at the soldier expectantly. " A short while ago a colossal dragon flew through the skies and used it's breath to blow it up!"

Cal held out two fingers. The soldier was automatically silent.

" You are dismissed," Cal said in her regular twisted tone. The soldier bowed and exited. Looking at Visser her tone was now a soft whisper. " I am in need of a knight Visser, one that is worthy of ruling the world at my side." Visser felt like his free will was leaving him. He stood there mesmerized by her words. " But like I said, you must be worthy of knighthood."

" What must I do?" Visser asked.

She was in his mind now. Her words echoed through him. Her whisper was loud in her ears. " Your rival still lives, Alloran Wolfeyes." Visser suddenly felt his heart pounding as she drew closer. In his ears she continued. " I know what you desire Visser. Power. I can provide that power. I will lend you the my powers. She will come to you when the time is right. When she comes destroy her. Only then will I ever consider you worthy." Visser's dark eyes and hers met. " Are we in agreement?" Her hand was out to him, which he firmly gripped.

~*~

Alloran glared at the now awake Flare. He quietly shrank away. I can't believe him! Alloran thought furiously. What if it had been Leo, Casseil, or even Tal in there!? ~ Down girl. ~ Alloran snorted at Fenerir's last comment.

" So what now?" Sef asked. " Do we, just head back to Garden?" Everyone was silent. They all knew what could happen. Leo, Sef, and Flare have it worst, Alloran thought. Their children of a legacy, this is going to cause major problems for them. Alloran stopped remembering she also was a child of a legacy. I wonder what Quistis felt knowing I was gone? Alloran thought sadly to herself.

" Maybe it'd be best if I didn't go back," Alloran said quietly.

" Alloran?" Leo asked.

" I'm already in big trouble with your dad and it's not just because of Fenerir," Alloran continued. " It's something else."

" What is it?" Casseil said putting his arm on her shoulder. " We're all in trouble because of-"

" Ragnarok," Alloran finished with a sigh. " I can't tell you. Not yet at least."

" Then I'm not going back either, or at least for awhile," Tal said suddenly. " Alloran, I'm not just going to let you walk out on me now that we're back together." Alloran blushed. She wanted to say that Tal should go back but she couldn't bring herself to saying it.

" Same here," Casseil and Sef said at the same time.

" I guess it's the same here," Flare said with a bit of a grumble but everyone knew he had doubts about returning.

" Maybe we should all stay away from Garden awhile," Leo said with a sigh. " I think we all need some time away to think awhile."

" We can drop everyone else off at Balamb," Sef suggested. " Then just go where we want."

" Well then," Alloran said shocked at what everyone had been saying. " Where should we go? People would probably tell Garden where we are."

" I know a place," Tal told them with a small smile. " They won't rat us out."

~*~

Wolf: That's the end for now. A bit of an authors note. The part where Alloran called Fenerir and Bahamut was to represent a high capability with a GF and a low capability with a GF. No shout outs this chapter. * Eats the candy from DragonessEve.*

Tobias: Where did you get those!?

Wolf: Reviewer gave em to me.

Tobias: Give me!

Wolf: Never!

* the fighting dust cloud appears and Tobias grabs a piece of candy and shoves it in his mouth.*

Tobias: BLEH! Tastes bad! (A/N: Sorry! A the real Tobias came up with that idea not me!)

Wolf: * stabs Tobias with her sword* No insulting reviewers! PLEASE REVIEW!