Warning to all the readers: This fanfic was based on the imagination of an FF8 fanatic. Ergo, readers who have not played even a bit of FF8 might have a bit of difficulty in understanding the conceived plot. This difficulty may lie in some FF8 lingo, but worry not for the humor will compensate for your reading pleasure . For those of you who have played FF8 though, all the more reason to read my fanfic! Welcome and enjoy my world.

The Heart of a SeeD

By: Juno Altaeus Libgood

Disclaimer: I know that it's stupid to even think that I own something that cannot be called anything less than a masterpiece but, to clear that I don't, this space is provided to tell all you readers that this is 100 my imagination in terms of content, main characters, and events. FF8 is a product and property of SQUARESOFT, got it? Now that that's clear, let me give a free tour of what I experience 24/7 in my imagination. To brief you on the story line, the six main characters from the game are still here, but the main character of this fanfic is a Field Commander, Captain Julius Omega. Ultimacia is dead, but a sorceress who's related to her has formed an army called the UA (Ultimacia's army). As for Balamb Garden, it's back to its original placement, and the original set-up was restored. The only difference the Ragnarok ship, is nestled outside in an upright position by the icy mountains of Shiva.

PART I: Life as a SeeD

Prologue: The Broken Sword

- Three years have passed since Sorceress Ultimacia was defeated, and the UA was formed. SeeD, having lost their main purpose – to defeat Ultimacia – were given a new drive, to rid the world of the UA, a dark organization bent on destroying SeeD and the rest of mankind, led by the mysterious Sorceress Alexia. -

Deling City:

Death is now upon me, as the dark figure creeps over my battalion of SeeDs recruit operatives. My only chance of survival is to escape…but it seems escape is inevitable. If only I never stood up to what I knew was, to us, unbeatable. I would probably have seen the break of tomorrow's dawn. It is unfortunate – in more ways than one – that my honor transcends my sense, and my spirit yields not to fear. Though it is with this that I take pride. It is this character – honor – that measures one's manhood, for a warrior is not measured by how many a man he defeats, rather, he is measured by how many times he fights, even to the brink of his inevitable destruction.

My name is Julius Omega. I am a SeeDs field commander. It was at the sunset of this day that I brought my battalion to save the innocents dwelling here in Deling city at approximately 1800 hours. Sorceress Ultimacia's army, the UA, have brought a new addition to their weapons of genocide to the light of humanity's doorstep. The OMEGA WEAPON II, or O2, is ten times smaller that it's predecessor, but it's destructive power, is much greater, for they may be mass-produced in a matter of months. I don't know how they can make such vile creations, but that is the last of my worries. Ten O2's were sent to destroy Deling, and apparently, in one hour, they have wrought enough havoc and destruction of property, to last this city's people a decade. Thirty minutes ago, when we landed here, before we battled one of ten O2's, I had thirty men, all level 30 and up. Thirty minutes after, we defeated five, and from thirty SeeDs recruits, I have but two left. This one was particularly tough. Though the O2's are all without long ranged attacks, unlike its predecessor, they are invulnerable to most basic level magic. A Fira could'nt dent this machine's barrier. The first three found out too late… At present, cadets Mark and Claire are all but fine, their blue uniforms stained with oil and blood. My uniform on the other hand, was black, and shiny as usual, with a layer of dust though. Mark, a spears cadet, had sustained heavy damage, and Claire, a Martial Artist, had a gaping wound at the upper-right side of her chest.

"Stay with me guys!" I called. "If you separate, you'll be more susceptible to its attacks."

"YES SIR!" The two replied.

We were trapped. High Level SeeD reinforcement was supposed to arrive at the mansion ten minutes ago, and now, we're backed up against a barred gate, with a highly damaged O2 coming our way.

"We're trapped sir! The sides have been blocked!" Mark yelled emphatically, whilst healing a shrapnel-wound that Claire got on the way here.

"I know that! Mark, hurry that up! Attack on my signal!"

The four-legged thing was coming closer and closer, and it held a long, shiny Lance in the air with its robotic eyes glistening at a distance. I knew that the slash I gave it on its leg a while back stopped it from being able to charge, which was a an advantage because it disabled his Limit Break, the Death Pierce. I held out my bent-out-of-shape "Yoshimitsu" Katana, and I held my breath as it drew nearer to my pre-attack stance. Mark finally got Claire healed enough for her to stand. It was now or never! It growled as I yelled "Charge!" and we ran to it with invigorated strength. Its might was incomparable to any ordinary beast I had tangled with before. Mark was easily brought down to the ground with one blow from his Lance. For every attack I gave, it retaliated with greater fury than ever before, until I managed to cut his arm off, along with its shoulder guard.

It was at the expense of three-fourths of my blade. As it flew through the air before stabbing the bed of gravel street dirt, Claire was preoccupied with dodging and hitting it at each opportunity with every ounce of strength in her. Mark got up, and thrust his spear into the beast's core. Black liquid gushed out as it screamed in pain, though it is an enigma to me, to how a machine feels pain. "Die you bastard!" Mark taunted as it swerved to force the spear out. Mark held on until it kicked Mark into the air. Mark tumbled before hitting the gravel rolling, unconscious and still as he stopped. Claire seemed to have reached critical aura, and she released her limit break on the O2 screaming, "Death Barrage!"

The Limit Break was fast and efficient, hitting it so hard that it dented the gleaming armor with each strike. If I counted it right, she hit it twenty times before she unleashed a blue ball of force. After the explosion, all that was heard was her voice echoing, "Azure Fury!"

She stood up, with the weight of her steel-knuckle gloves holding her down slightly. As the dust settled, Mark stirred, and the battered O2 was on the ground, busted, devoid of any movement. Just as I tapped her on shoulder, two of the last four O2's appeared out of nowhere. I knew then, as Mark staggered to get up, and Claire trying her best to keep standing, and my sword rendered almost useless, we were doomed. The first charged, and Claire did so as well, finding herself unconscious as the O2 dealt a numbing blow to her stomach with the butt end of the lance. I charged with Mark, and the two of us jumped at it. To my nuisance, it parried, leaving me weaponless on the ground, and Mark unconscious. The two O2's came closer to me, and they stopped at striking range. One stood on two feet, ready to crush me with its massive feet, and the other, in skewering stance.

"Damn it…" I said under my breath, "this is the…"

Just as I thought that the end had come, the O2 that was ready to crush me was dealt a blow that left a gaping hole on its abdomen. It tumbled down, and died instantly. The other O2 looked in another direction before seeing an Armor Piercing (AP) bullet go right through its skull. I knew then, as a lady screamed, "Yeehaw! Bull's Eye Irvy!" that reinforcements had arrived. I got up, and I saw Commanders Irvine, Selphie, and Zell. The one who caused the gaping hole in the O2 was commander Zell, and his Limit Break "My Final Heaven".

I stood up, and Commander Selphie used FullCure on Mark, Claire, and I. We dusted ourselves off, and saluted the three commanders. They did so as well, and as we lowered our hands, Commander Zell came up to me and said, "Captain Julius, report."

"Sir, my battalion mowed down six O2's before you arrived."

"And where is your battalion Captain?"

"I'm afraid that these two are all that were left of the thirty." At this, a disdainful frown fell on Commander Zell's face. "Sir, what of the remaining two O2's that are still loose in the city."

"They have been terminated," Commander Selphie replied, "Squall, I mean General Leonheart, and Commanders Rinoa and Quistis have dealt with them accordingly."

"As for your battalion of cadets," Commander Irvine began, "Two of them were rescued. Sniper Cadet Mario, and Gunblade Cadet Nathaniel. They have been brought to the Ragnarok to be treated, and will be meeting you at the extraction point at 2000 hours."

"As for us," Commander Zell continued, "we will see you at the SeeDs party. Congratulations SeeD Cadet Battalion Omega, you have successfully rid this city of Deling from the O2 threat. Though you were helped, and over eighty percent of your cadets were lost in the battlefield, you have done a great deed for the people of Deling. Captain Julius, you and your men are invited to the SeeDs annual Graduation Ball. See you in Balamb, it is 1900 hours, and you have one hour before the SeeDs train comes for your extraction. Good day."

With that, the three boarded a jeep, and rode away. Mark began to cry, and Claire jumped joyfully as they both exclaimed, "I've become a SeeD!"

I was happy for them, but I was saddened, seeing my Katana in the dust. I picked it up, and groaned…

Chapter I: The Pianist and the Soldier

- I told Claire and Mark that I'd meet them at the extraction point, so they went. On the other hand, I had to have my Katana fixed… -

Junkshop:

I walked to the Remodeling store or "Junk Shop" to have my Katana fixed. The man greeted me and asked, "This is a mighty fine blade you got there. It's too bad it's broken. Well, I can fix it, hand it here."

"What can you do for me?" I asked.

"Well, this here is a level one weapon. The next three stages are as follows: Kaze, Muramasa, and Masamune. If you want, I can get you a Kaze. It seems that it's what you can afford. How much do you have on ya'?"

"Ten thousand…"

"Yep, that's about all you can get with that."
"What's the Limit Break addition?"

"Well, the one which you have is the Dragon Strike. This adds the Limit Break Dark Pulse, the Muramasa adds Bloody Twister, and the last one, which the Masamune adds is Bushido."

"Great, when can it be ready?"

"Oh, in thirty minutes. Pay me when it's done."

"Alright, see you in thirty."

The chime of the door was all something I barely noticed on the way out. There was music coming from the hotel across the street. My trained ears picked the sound up instantly. I walked over, and I heard the music coming from below. As I went down the stairs, I saw the most beautiful woman I ever laid my eyes upon. She was in a white dress, playing a familiar song to the tune of a black piano. She had the blackest hair, and the fairest voice that I'd ever heard. I took the seat nearest the stage, and I asked for a drink from a young lady in a black, skimpy dress. A glass of red wine was all it took to make everything sway…

"…So darling please share with me, your love if you have enough. The tears if you're holding back or pain, if that's what it is. How can I let you know, I'm more than the dress and the voice? Just reach me, hold and, you will know that you are no dreamer…"

After the last line, she stood up, and the crowd, small as it was, gave a standing ovation. Checking my watch, I saw that twenty minutes had passed, and there was still time for some short chitchat. I went up to her, but for some reason, my heart began to pound wildly, and I had the sudden urge to run…

I don't recall everything that happened after that – I don't want to remember anyway. To make a long story short, I found myself running up the stairs, and tripping on the carpeted floor at the lobby, before tumbling down twenty to thirty steps. All I thought about in that moment in time, while everyone, including the foxy pianist, was laughing and jeering under their breath, I followed my instincts and said, "I'm alright!"

Around five minutes passed before the people went up to their rooms, and I thought I was alone, compressing my ankle with some ice. I wasn't actually alright, in fact, the fall sprained my right ankle. The lights went down, and the bartender said, "Closin' up mac…"

"I'll be sure to leave, don't mind me." I replied.

This was embarrassing. Thirty minutes passed 1900 hours, and I still had a sprained ankle to deal with. I just let out a long, depressing, sigh...

"Why so glum?"

It was a voice from nowhere, yet, seemed quite familiar. I turned around to see who it was. What I thought was the most embarrassing moment in my life, had shifted to something worst. There before me stood the maiden in a white dress, holding what looked like, my Katana.

"This yours?" She asked.

I was speechless, but I wasn't without sense…

"Ummm…Where did you get that?" I asked, stuttering slightly.

"From the man at the Junk Shop. I went to get my new pistols, and he asked if I met a guy in a SeeDs uniform who came into this hotel."

"Oh. Well, it looks like you found me…"

She grinned at that, and she looked to what I was holding. "Oh dear," she said, "let me give it a shot."

She casted Curaga, and my ankle felt as good as new. "Wow, thanks."

"No problem. It's just a bit of practice from my SeeDs test."

"You're a cadet?"

"No, was one. I was late for extraction, and was taken as MIA (Missing In Action) last year. After I got here, the lady asked if I could play the piano, or sing, and the rest was history. I bring a crowd so big every night they had to remodel the bar, making it twice its original size. They even got me the top suite."

"That's a story to remember…my name's Julius, Julius Omega."

"Mary Ann Hart, pleased to meet your acquaintance. Forgive the change of the subject, but do you happen to be a SeeD official?"

"Well, sort of. Why?"

"It's been a while, and there's a new pianist who asked for my job. This is my last night here, and I was wondering if you could bring me there."

"Yeah, why not? General Leonheart would be glad to see you."

"Great! Give me three minutes. I'll go get my bags. Meet you in the lobby."

"Ok…"

I don't know if I did that out of the goodness of my heart, or if by the mere fact that she had curves much sexier than any girl in Balamb. Nevertheless, I dropped down at the Junk Shop, thanked the owner, and paid him the cash before coming to the lobby to meet Mary Ann. As the cling of the elevator was heard, and the door opened, it revealed Mary Ann in a SeeDs uniform and a knapsack for her clothes, and a pair of pistols in her side-holsters. It was surprisingly harder to keep my eyes away from her curves, but I was a gentleman. Besides, they weren't bulging and big, they were just the right size…oh what was I thinking? The perfect smile on her face though, was all it took to have me smiling and seeing her eye to eye. "Ready?" I asked.

"Yup, let's go!"

The train station wasn't so far off, and there was still ten minutes before the train would arrive. We got there, and sure enough, Claire and Mark were waiting for me. Mark suddenly exclaimed, "Captain Julius, who's your friend?"

"Mark, Claire, I'd like you to meet Mary Ann Hart. She was a cadet from last year's SeeD test, and she was MIA. She will be traveling with us, with my consent of course."

"Ah, I see. You're the youngest cadet who went MIA last year. You were sixteen last year, you must be seventeen now right?" Claire inquired.

She blushed and said, "Well, yes I am. Wait, you're a captain?" She said, looking to me.

Before I could answer, the two cadets Mario and Nathaniel came rushing in, saluting me.

The black haired cadet, Nathaniel said, "Hey, I didn't see you at the dropzone?"

"Yeah, I think she's a spy!" Mario added.

"Don't worry guys," I told them, "This is Mary Ann Hart. She was…"

The two cadets were shocked at this, "MARY ANN HART!" they both exclaimed.

The next thing came as quite a shock. The train arrived with Commander Seifer at the door. The moment Commander Seifer saw us, he uttered, "Mei?"

Mary Ann began to cry and emphatically called out the commander's name. Just then, Quistis, the commander's wife came out, and kissed him on the spot. Mary Ann was speechless. Commander Seifer turned his eyes in a weird manner. "Excuse me…" was all that she could say, before running into the train's corridor. I followed her, and I found her crying, and holding a heart-shaped locket. I asked what was wrong and she showed me the locket. It had a picture of her – and Commander Seifer kissing! She fell on me, and cried on my shoulder. After a while, I brought her to a private room, where she told me everything. Turns out that the two were lovers, except it seems that her MIA report had everyone thinking she was dead. Pacifying her was the least of my problems. The train stopped, and she said, "When I saw that ring on that woman's finger, I didn't know what to do, and when she kissed him I…I…I…"

The torrent of tears continued. I did the last thing I could do, and I gave her a hug. She stopped crying and she smiled saying, "You're warmer than my teddy…"

I was glad to see her smiling again. I wiped the last tear in her eye, and she kissed me on the cheek before she said, "Thanks, I needed that."

After that, she left the room, and she was, accompanied by SeeDs to General Squall's office. That kiss left me smiling for the next hour…

Chapter II: The night of the SeeD Ball

- The guys went to take the rest of the day off at Balamb, and as usual, I was alone. I'd always been alone, except my roommates Joseph and Al, and my best friends Mikhail and Nathan. No party, no second-degree friends, no love life, the works. It's probably because I'm a damn loner. I fight alone, and there's never been a time I teamed up on something by my free will. I'm a good leader, follower, but I have something in me that goes against fighting with others. Speaking from multiple experiences, I happen to be the babe magnet, but I never go out on dates. Sure there are a few girls I'd love to go out with, but they've all been taken anyway. I'll probably be stuck watching the Balamb Love teams dance all night. Hey, maybe Mei will be there. Wait, did I just call her Mei? Nah, can't be…that would mean that I'm…dang…falling for her…crap… -

The strike of 2200 hours would mean the ball would start. It was an hour and a half before, so I got to my room, and I took off that stupid SeeDs uniform. I had to choose from the male student wear (The black get-up that Squall Wears), the blue pre-SeeD uniform, and a number of other set of clothes. I put on a red t-shirt, a pair of blue jeans, and a big white polo that trailed down to my thighs. A ring adorned my left ring finger, and a silver cross necklace was something I never parted with. I took my new "Kaze", and sheathed it before entering the Training Area. There were a number of Grats scurrying away from an area. It looked to me as if they were scared out of their minds. I then found out why…

There was a great T-Rextaur that began to stomp around the place, and it looked like it found its soon-to-be meal. Mei was trying ever so endlessly to shoot the damn thing, but the bullet damage was way too low on its own, doing nothing but riddling the T-Rextaur with meagerly painful holes. I thought she didn't wanna be bothered, but, when she got hit by the tail attack, I wasn't too sure about not helping. I had second thoughts about helping at first because I wanted to see her fighting ability, but as soon as the gigantic reptile picked her up by the teeth, I knew she was in deep shit. I knew that I had to do something, but it seemed too late for Mei…if only I went in earlier. No! Just then, while I was about to lose sight of hope, I felt my adrenaline circulating at an all-high, and the next thing I knew, my Limit Break was summoned out. I screamed out as I attacked, "Burning Rage, Dragon Strike!"

First, I hacked and I hewed a several number of times, and while it was stunned, white-blue light emanated from inside me as small bolts lightning surged through my body. Then, a stream of energy engulfed my Katana, soon manifesting itself as a long yet weightless extension of my Kaze. I aimed it at the monstrosity, and thrust it through the beast. Strangely, though the blade extended for at least twenty feet, and I rushed forward until the whole sword pierced its being, the energy seemed to surge through it as an electric force, rather than going through. It winced in pain as it was shocked by the Dragon Stike's energy, and it dropped Mei from the clutches of his jaws of doom. After the Kaze's Blade finished going in, I pushed myself off it and waited for its reaction. As blood gushed from the wound, it staggered before it let out a roar of excruciating pain. As the aura that flowed through my veins faded with the threat, the toll it took on my body sank in. "Whew, haven't done that in a long while."

I guess my body was weary of the spirit aura it took to do the move because it was rare that I needed it without being in critical condition. I remember Instructor Faye saying, "In the critical condition or when induced with the magic "aura", the fighter surges with adrenaline, releasing a condition known as limit break. The Fighter's soul fuses with his weapon, and thusly incorporates an attack that manifests his skill…"

Wait, Mei! She was lying in the dirt with cuts and bruises that covered her legs, arms, and face. She probably had a broken rib or something. I tried to rouse her, but she was totally knocked into tomorrow. I would've casted life on her, but I hardly use magic anyway. I sheathed my Kaze and I got took her into my arms. I brought her to the infirmary so Dr. Kadowaki could treat her. Unpredictable as the enigma that was this day, Mikhail and Nathan were there for a little card game. (Mikhail was crying as Dr. Kadowaki took his best cards from him.) "Who's the babe Julius?" Nathan asked. "Looks like you bagged another MID (Maiden In Distress) most noble Samurai."

"Good Hyne! She's hurt pretty bad. Get her inside the operating room, quick!" Dr. Kadowaki said, leading us into the bigger interior. "Lay her there." (Pointing to the black leather Bed.)

After Mikhail got over losing to the former King of Cards, he asked me, "Where'd you find her man?"

"Training Area…"

"What happened to her?"
"T-Rextaur. Lucky I was there, I used my Limit Break before it could eat her up."

"Another day, another MID saved by Sir Julius Omega," Nathan said jokingly. "ladykiller…"

After a long twenty minutes, Dr. Kadowaki finished treating her, but she was still resting from the grueling battle. I told the guys I'd wait, and that they'd best be gone to change for the SeeD ball. She took quite a while to gain consciousness, and all that time, I began examining her. The cuts and bruises were all gone and her long, black hair was still straight as if it was newly re-bonded. "She looks so cute asleep," told myself.

"Haven't heard you say that in a while Julius."

"Oh be quiet Sacred!"

"Touchy are we? This must be serious. I think I'll go back to sleep. Don't want to ruin the moment. See you tomorrow Julius."

Sacred is my Guardian Force, one of two. He's a Holy Warrior type GF, and he is brother to the Dark Force-type GF Forbidden. As much as I need him and talk to him as much as I do my block mates, he's still a pain in the ass. Not only does he remind me of the most annoying, embarrassing, and dark moments in my life. Occasionally, he does strike up a good conversation. Love, friends, advice, etc. he's a lot like an older brother to me. A really big, shiny, strong-willed, crazy, annoying and insightful brother, who I need in my day-to-day life; GF's do that after they now you. They do give you power in exchange for a bit of your space memory bank. Just as he is one of the strongest GF's in existence, I hardly ever summon him. He has this ability multiplies my physical and mental skills ten-fold. Forbidden was a lot like Sacred. The only difference is Forbidden only comes out either when then the two of them come out together, or when I'm engulfed in pain and bitterness (like when I'm angry at something I did wrong). Just then, Mary Ann began to stir and my watch said there were approximately ten minutes before the ball.

"Ummm…"

"You're finally awake. Welcome back Mei."

"Ummmm…Huh? What happened? Why am I in the infirmary? And did you just you just call me Mei?"

"Oh, sorry, Mary Ann. You were in the gripping teeth of the T-Rextaur when I found you. It was good that I got to defeat it before you could be lunch food for that monstrosity."

"…You saved me…again…guess I owe you…again. By the way, you figured my nickname right. Feel free to call me Mei."

"Forget about it. I was glad to have helped. You better get dressed though, the ball's in ten minutes."

She stood up real quick after that, but what she said next was something that could have only happened in my dreams. She walked to the exit, paused, and said, "Hey Julius, if you don't have anything better to do, could you um…be my date?"

(Dramatic pause) "Yeah Sure! I mean, yes."

She blushed before saying, "Great, now could we get to the Dorms before we're late for the ceremonies?"

She took my hand (SIGH) and we walked to the dorms, and we looked into each other's eyes before we split up at the fork that separated the male and female blocks. As I got into my room, I was surprised to see Joseph in.

"Joseph, why are you still here?"

"Oh don't mind me, I just asked Justin out, but she…"

"Already had a date?"

"…Yep…"

"Well, I gotta hurry," I said pulling my shirt off, and exposing a toned and shapely body (that lacked bulging muscles). "Can't keep Mei waiting."

"Mei? What happened to Bea?"

"Oh, um…she's got a boyfriend anyway."

"Oh, new meat aye," he said slyly, taking off his shirt. "You handsome devil you, I have to see this girl for myself."

We got dressed up real quick, put on some perfume, and I looked myself in the Mirror before running to meet Mei. She was at the same spot we split up, and she wore a red, low-cut dress that was a bit above the knees. While Joseph did his best to keep his tongue in his mouth, he went to her saying, "Hey there, my name's Joseph Lang, Julius' roommate."

"Umm…Hey, my name's Mary Ann."

"So, um, you his girlfriend or something?"

"…"

I would have been glad to kick the knave in the ass, but the fact that we were running late led me to say, "No, were not intimate or anything, in fact, I just met her."

"Oh, I see…"

"Yes, Julius and I met at a popular hotel in Deling."

"Yeah, whatever, let's go before we're late…"

We walked to the Quad, and we walked up to the Ballroom where the said party was held. There were a number of changes since my SeeD Ball, with all the people sitting and uninterested in dancing. Just as I recalled the night sky filled with the white glistening stars and the same old dance floor I danced cheek to cheek with a special someone, Mei pulled me by hand into the dance floor. The whole room suddenly filled up with a great amount of murmuring, and they all set their eyes to the only pair dancing to – strangely enough – the same tune which I heard Mei singing at the bar in the hotel in Deling. She put her arms around my shoulders, and put mine around her waist. It was pretty weird, with all the people staring that is, but as I closed my eyes to her embrace, I couldn't help but remember the fact that I was totally helpless…I was infatuated with the ephemeral angel that had me slow-dancing to a love song that her voice was whispering into my ears. In the ethereal air filled with the scent of her hair, I peered to the right, and a sight to behold – Irvine and Selphie came up to the floor and began dancing cheek to cheek. The love teams of Squall and Rinoa, Zell and Adrian (the pigtailed girl from the library), and Seifer and Quistis began to dance with us, swaying and kissing in their laughter. It was a swell looking scene, all five of our pairs dancing slowly to my new, favorite song. I looked to the eyes that were piercing deeply at my soul, smiling sweetly as I pressed my lips to her forehead, then to her cheek, then to her lips, and we slow danced to the end of the night.

Chapter III: Omega

- After midnight, the ball ended. People were too drunk to stay awake, except for a few who didn't plan on getting tipsy or drunk. Squall and his gang got so drunk that Fujin and Raijin had to help them to their rooms. I on the other hand, didn't touch any drink. Mei on the other hand, took two glasses of rum, and fell into a sleepy stupor. I thought of taking her to the Dorm, but she wanted to go out for some air. I couldn't bring her to the Fire Caverns now could I? So I brought her to the only place that had fresh air, and was actually open, the training area. I waded through the thickets and the tall trees, and the carved rocks that led to the "secret area". As I went in, I was surprised to see that there was no one inside. It was usually filled with loners and lovebirds that would like to be alone, especially after hours. I brought her to the balcony, and I put my SeeDs shirt on her so she would feel warmer. She cuddled me, and after she got comfy, she asked me, "Why did you bring me here?"
"You said you wanted some air, so I got you to the most beautiful place I could find."

"What do you mean by beautiful."

"Look," I said as I pointed to the big time clock. "That is the Balamb Garden Clock."

She smiled, and she put her head on my shoulder. "Julius," she said, "I know that we've just met, but I can say that you're the sweetest, most considerate, modest, and reliable man that I've ever met…I think I'm falling for you…"

"You probably know…that I think I love you too…"

She closed her eyes, and I wrapped my arms around her, and the next thing I know is that it's morning. She was too tired to walk, so I got up, held her in my arms, and I carried her all the way to the Dorm. Just then, a shumi superior came up to me and said, "Captain Julius Omega, Student ID no. 7077573, Headmaster Cid would wan't to see you."

"You mean Headmaster Squall," I said. "That's unless Squall's real name's…(Giggle)…Cid."

"Oh no, Headmaster Squall has a superior, the true headmaster that gave him the power to lead Garden's new generation of warriors lives with his wife on a deserted island off the coast of Esthar,"

Now I didn't actually know anything about the TRUE headmaster because I never caused any irreparable damage or do anything stupid enough to get me punished by the headmaster in any of the past three years I've spent here at Balamb Garden. When I was fourteen, the threat of the sorceress had passed and I moved from Tribia to Balamb Garden for extensive SeeD Cadet training. Even though I was the model student of discipline and field intelligence - something that made me a captain - I never liked being called the best in the current field captain category, considering that I lost over twenty cadets in the last mission and all.

"Pick four SeeDs to be on your team," he continued. "Nathan Diaz of the SSTACOF will be your fifth member. Give me the names of the rest of your team, and get changed. A car will be waiting at the parking lot to bring you the Ragnarok."

This kind of shocked me, Nathan Diaz, part of the SeeDs Special Tactics And Covert Operations Force? My buddy, the computer whiz, belongs in the Balamb Garden's finest? Wait, he is a computer whiz…

"Joseph Lang, Al Anthony, Mikhail Liberty, and Mary Ann Hart," I stated clearly.

"…Take Ms. Hart to her Dorm and her roommate will brief her. Get dressed and you will be led to the parking lot."

I did as they said, went back to my room, dried my hair after a hard earned bath, putting on the Male Student Wear. I put on my armlet, my silver cross necklace, and I sheathed my Kaze before going out the door. On my way to the parking lot though, I kind of ran so fast that I lost my balance on the way to the parking lot…sliding on my knees and passing below some short-skirted girls. I pretty much got up and walked before they could notice, thinking no one saw that. Unfortunately, someone did see that…tripping me at the door and smirking as I looked to see who it was. It was Joseph. "Wipe that smile off your face!" I said, "What're you smiling about anyway?"

"I know…" he replied.

"Know what?"

"I know!"

"You didn't see that…"

"Oh but I did!"

"Then don't tell anyone you idiot."

"Hehehe…horny bastard."

We went inside after that. There was a big bus that had the dragon emblem of SSTACOF parked near the exit gate. "Ah, Captain Julius!" an old friend of mine called out. It was Nathan Diaz, head of the computer club, computer wiz, and to my recent list of his great accomplishments, a full-fledged member of SSTACOF.

"Nath!" Or so we called him. "Good to see ya buddy."

"Julie"

After a long reunification of our old group: Nathan, Mikhail, Al, Joseph, and I, we got inside the giant dragon-formed ship and went into the cockpit. After 15 minutes of catching up, Mary Ann came in a green blouse, two side holsters with her two pistols and a white skirt. I waved and said hi, and so did, but Al and Mikhail began to staring at Mei like complete stranger. It seemed Nathan knew her, but as I saw her begin to make gestures for me to introduce her, I wet to her and said, "Mary Ann, meet Al Anthony and Mikhail Liberty. Miks, Al, meet Mary Ann."

"Hey," Mei said.

"Hi," both of them replied.

"You guys can call me Mei or Mei Ann."

"Alright Ming Ann," Mikhail replied.

"It's Mei Ann," she said, obviously trying to hold back the anger of hearing her name said wrong.

It was then that Mei Ann saw Nathan and ran to give him a hug. It felt like a machete was jabbed deep into my insides and brought up all the way to my heart. I tried to keep my cool…but when Mei called him Nathie, I pretty much fell into the chair. It was then that Headmaster Squall came in and greeted us. We all got up and each gave a SeeD's salute. "At ease SeeDs." He said. "I believe 30 minutes is adequate time for your personal acquaintance, so let me brief you all on the special assignments. Headmaster Cid will give you the details of the full mission, but the overview is as follows. You will be brought to Esthar and gain a meet Doctor Odine. In truth, there is something in Julius that no other human in existence has, save sorceress Alexia. Julius, I asked you to choose your comrades because you will need people who you share close ties with. You will know why later in the mission. For now, sit back, relax, talk all you want. We will reach Cid's island in thirty minutes. That is all. If you need me, I'll be in the cockpit with my party."

With that, he left us. "This perplexes me greatly." I said.

"Yeah, I wonder what he meant by something special inside of you." Mik's said.

"Better yet, why they need us on this mission." Exclaimed Al.

"Well, we'll find out soon enough." I told them. "Wake me up when we get there."

"Ok. Sweet dreams." They all replied.

After I fell back on my chair, I fell asleep. I soon realized that I was in a completely dark room, in front of Sacred and Forbidden. They both greeted me, but in a flash they combined into one GF I didn't know. "Behold my Glory, chosen one of the ancient bloodline that bears my name." It said. "I am Omega, the Greatest GF in all of this realm. I am the opposite light that is to cover the darkness that lies in this world. That darkness is the GF wielded by the dark Sorceress Alexia, Griever."

What was creepier than that, it had a double voice. It sounded like Sacred and Forbidden were talking in unison, except in a silver-winged, taller, grey-armored, heavily built form of a Guardian Force carrying a gigantic lance in one hand, a sheathed sword at his side, and a silver shield in the other bearing the emblem of the red dragon Ragnarok. "Omega, why me, why not any of the greater fighters out there. I couldn't even save the souls of my cadets from the O2's. I fought bravely, and I live and breathe, whilst their souls lay in Elysium."

"Noble one, no other has our bloodline. Thusly no other may wield the power at hand. This is your destiny. Fulfill it and rid the world of this seemingly indomitable threat. If you deny destiny, it will be your fate. Worst, your closest one's fate."

I nodded and he thrust the giant lance to the floor. He took out the sword at his side, and I was surprised to see it was a gleaming Katana. "Take this." Omega said. "It is made up of Elysium Crystal, so it is indestructible, light as air, and absorbent to magic attacks. It is your family heirloom. Use it well…"

After this, he put his hand on my shoulder, and I was awoken by the same gesture. The thing was, it was more than a dream. The weight of the katana by my side was gone, and as I turned to see why, I saw a new hilt. It was then that I knew I wasn't dreaming. As the smile on me grew, Mikhail put his hand on my shoulder and asked, "Are you alright man?"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go see…"

I was cut off my sentence when I saw Nath whispering something to Mei. I was speechless. Mikhail saw that and whispered, "Like her? Well Nath and her used to be partners in field training, so don't worry about them having a "special" bond. When you were asleep, I asked her what her relationship with Nath was and she said she was helping Nath get a girlfriend!"

That at least put me at ease. After landing, we were brought inside the reconstructed house of Edea. We met with Headmaster Cid. Edea was tending to the new orphans. "Kinda reminds you of us," Zell said to his party. "Doesn't it?"

"Commander Zell, did you and your party live here as children?" I asked.

"Yes we did, and we were quite the bunch."

We went into the balcony that led to the beach, and there we met Headmaster Cid. He was a stout man with glasses to match the intelligence of his current age – you had to be smart to be a headmaster didn't you? "Hello Julius." He said to me. "I'm glad we finally had a chance to meet. I know that you have many a question to ask of me, yes?"

"No headmaster, I have but one," was my reply.

"Oh? Have you know question of what makes you special as a SeeD? Why you have been chosen to save the world from the sorceress Alexia?"
"No. I know that you need my GF Omega, my question is what way you will make use of me?"

"It seems that Omega has told you…well let me tell you more. When Squall defeated Griever and Ultimacia, Griever's spirit took hold of the sorceress' magical essence, thusly imbuing upon himself power of GF without comparison…or so we thought. After finding some sacred relics and text from the time of the great Hyne, we found that this had been foretold even before our races existed. To brief you on the text, it says that, 'the black knight shall slay the dark sorceress. The lion of darkness will drink the blood of the dark sorceress and the dark one shall tame him, and together, they will fight to rule over men of the distant future. Only the last Knight and the chosen one may destroy the dark one, and lay waste to all evil with the Lance of Justice.' It is not said who these people are, but the last knight may be Omega because in an ancient language, it means last. The chosen one may be you, and the rest speaks for itself."

"So what do you want me to do?"

"I want you to hone Omega's powers, strengthen you and your party to the highest extent, destroy the UA and all the O2's, and finally, destroy Alexia and Griever."

"One last question, HOW?"

"Your first mission, go to Esthar and meet with Doctor Odine. He will tell you how to hone you inner skills. After that, we will take the next step, begin to destroy the UA and all O2's."

TO BE CONTINUED…

R&R PLEASE! HOW IS IT? Please give critiques. Don't be too harsh, first one's always the hardest to handle and I'd hate to get a flame. I will upload the next installment A.S.A.P. -I AM JUNO ALTAEUS LIBGOOD-