Thank you everyone so much for reviewing! I can't tell you how surprised that I got so many reviews so far for my first story. Good news, I finally got the basics of the storyline all played out in my head and now its just a matter of writing it down. The eleventh was my last day of school so I should have more time to write now. Thank you again and I hope you enjoy the rest of the story.

Note- All names of places roads, and such are all made up. None of them have anything to do with FF8. Sorry

WARNING- There is mild swearing in this chapter. Read at your own risk.

Disclaimer: I don't own Final Fantasy 8 or anything to do with it, I just own the Emperor, he's mine :-P!

A Damsel in Distress

17 years later...

The temperature was unusually cool for a late summers day. The sun shone lightly down from the clear sky giving a prediction that the day was to have good weather. It was the perfect day for all, but none could be seen enjoying it. Yesterday had been Midsummer's day and celebrations had lasted well through the night. Now however all had found their way back to their homes to claim a much named rest day. The festivities were now over and the lands were once again calm. There would be no work in the fields today, and no market. Today was to be spent in silence.

However not all had spent the night in singing and mirth. No, not even today did some claim a holiday. Out upon the Birckshire Forest path rode two such people. The first rider was a man of a good statue riding upon a black charger. The man was in some odd way different then most. Perhaps it was because he looked so cold against the steady warmth of the day. Maybe it was how he held himself so uncomfortable rigid upon his great mount. Or how he seemed to give off a essence of hidden power. Or even perhaps it was his cold tempest eyes that seemed to challenge the world around him. Whatever it may be, the man was different then most.

The second man was utterly diverse then the first rider. While the other man had looked calm and reserved that man seemed to boiling with intensity. Even sitting upon his small roan he seemed to be bouncing with vigor. His bright golden hair seemed to match his sunny temperament well. The odd thing about this little man however was the many different tribe-like tattoos that decorated his mirth filled face.

Both men however were similarly dressed. Both had the same practical looking leather gherkin and black pants. The first more somberly looking rider however wore a black fur lined cloak even in the warmth of the day. He also carried at his waist a long scabbard and sword. The second man did not appear to have any weapon at all. It was also obvious who the master and servant here were.

The ride had been long and the horses could not even hid there weariness as the trudged forward. The second man however showed no signs of his own fatigue. His own horse had greatly fallen behind but he paid no heed. Instead he kept up his good humor by entertaining himself with an off-key ballet.

"I once knew a little lass named Ann. Her hair was as white as sand. She called me her little lamb. But once she misunderstood me for her brother Sam. I never spoke with her again." He stopped abruptly. "Again... Hey Squall what rhythms with again?" He asked.

The first rider never turned even as he spoke. "Again rhythms with Zell if you don't shut up I will throttle you off your horse." He said without any emotion.

"But that doesn't rhythm with..." He stopped short, "Oh." Was all he said any further. The smaller man named Zell, slid back in his saddle. "Squall could we please stop at the next village?"

"No," Was the short reply.

The smaller man galloped his horse up to walk beside the charger. "Why?" He asked.

"Because I said so." Said 'Squall'.

Zell grumbled something under his breath in annoyance. "Well then, can we just stop for a little while?"

"No," Squall replied still with out any emotion. Zell was just about to press the matter further when he was silenced by an icy glare from the other.

Once again the two riders rode on in complete silence. Squall stormy eyes scanned the thick forest walls while Zell began to throw punches in the air. This however did not go on for Squall halted his horse. Zell being too busy plummeting his invisible enemy did not notice and 'accidentally' punched Squall in the back. Squall however did not seem to care for he was too far in concentration to have really noticed. Zell finally realizing they had stopped, gazed around the scenery trying to figure out why they had stopped.

"What is it?" He asked, still not understanding why Squall had just halted in the middle of the road. He hadn't known Squall long but he knew enough about him to know that Squall never did anything without a reason.

Squall's eye narrowed in skeptically. "I heard a scream." He said.

"Funny I heard nothing-..."

No sooner had Zell spoken then a angered cry echoed through the forest. "GET YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF ME YOU BA$TARD$!" More loud voice could be heard following. Squall gripping the reins in hands sent his great mount galloping into the underbrush of the forest. Zell brimming with excitement yelled to his horse ride, kicking hard into its ribs. The small roan however did not 'ride' instead bucked its small rider off unto the ground.

Squall rode fast into the forest heading towards the source of all the commotion. It didn't take for the black charger to come crashing down out of the undergrowth to a small clearing. Unsheathing his sword he halted his horse to the scene in front of them. Many different men, probably farmers, were tying up what seemed to be a woman. Squall could not get a good look at her for the man blocked her from his view. For a while the men did not see Squall, or that in his hand he held a sword. Instead they were to busy trying to restrain a thrashing and biting woman. One man who was kicked in the face for his third consecutive time, began to lose his patience.

"I swear I will kill you myself witch, if you will not be still!" He yelled.

The woman however did not stop her struggle, instead she seemed struggle even more. Squall having seem quite enough of this reared up his horse in annoyance. The man hearing the animals war like cry turned to see the armed man. Some of the men's eye went wide in fear, others tried to look unafraid.

One of the braver of the mob glared up at Squall. "This is no business of your stranger." He said, "This concerns us and the witch, no others." Squall's raging eyes met with the farmer's, his expression never changed. Fear flooded through the mans face. He slowly back away from Squall's gaze. "I beg your pardon sir, but this maid is a witch and a witch has to dealt with." The mob mumbled in agreement.

Squall had not said anything until now. "You call her a witch." He stated, "Well what is the evidence that proves this allegation?" His cold voice cut through the mob like a knife.

The farmer that had spoken before once again voiced the mob thoughts. "Yesterday was midsummer's day, it was a full moon last night. My family and I saw her dancing under the damned moon summoning up evil." A murmur went through the mob like wild fire. The farmer feeding off of it began to speak again. "And she has been seen cursing the well water and not a fortnight ago she cursed my friends Kells fertile field into dust."

The woman who had kept silent since Squalls dramatic entrance, began to hiss in fury. "You stupid Lout, I was never near those fields! And you fully well know that drought dried up those fields." She spat, "This has nothing to do with me being a so-called witch, this just has to do with you wanting my parents lands!"

The farmer whipped around in the direction of the woman. "Be silent, witch!" He hissed.

Squall having heard enough of this quarrel jumped down from his mount, sword still in hand. "I believe there has been a mistake here." He said almost silently, "Fear of the Sorceress has twisted the world into chaos. And some use this fear as a way to their own means." He narrowed his eyes threatening. "I think you should leave now."

The mob faltered slightly but the loud-mouthed farmer did not. "As I said before this is none of your business stranger."

Squall flexed his hand. "I don't think you understand who I am." He stated, "I am Sir Squall Leonheart, Knight of the great Emperor himself, and you not heeding my command is punishable by death. I would consider that before you say anything else."

Squall had made his point just by saying the words 'Knight' and 'Emperor', the rest was not necessary. The mob scattered like mice, even the insolent farmer vanished like dust to the wind. Squall stood there smirking slightly though many would never have noticed. He turned to sheath his sword when his eyes fell upon the 'woman'. She just stood there, her soft almond-colored eyes staring softly into his. For a brief moment he thought his heart had stop beating as he gazed at the angelic beauty. Her soft raven hair whipped around her a breeze shifted through the air.

"Thank you." She said smiling, "My name is Riona."

From behind him, Squall heard the trampling of the underbrush. He turned to see a bruised but smiling Zell, leading his small horse forth. His smile broadened as he looked at Riona. "What did I miss?" He asked

End of Chapter One

Well that's the second installment.. I hope you liked it, review if you did so I know to keep writing. BTW I hope this was easier to read.