An Unexpected Encounter


The whole Quad was silent. No body knew what to say. Finally, Squall decided to speak up. He walked down the altar with Rinoa following close behind.

What the hell do you think you're doing? he shouted. His voice echoed throughout the large area. A strange aroma filled Squall's nostrils as he stepped closer. It smelled a lotlike alcohol. Are you drunk!?!?

Seifer stood up and immediately went to his own defense. NO! Of course I'm not drunk! I came here to confess my love for Rinoa!! I can't let her marry you Squall!!

Outraged by his sudden outburst, Squall roughly grabbed his neck and threw a powerful punch straight in his face. Seifer slumped down a little but not enough to knock him out. Blood dripped from the left side of his face but that didn't stop the knight from countering an attack. He knelt down and elbowed Squall in the stomach, followed by a kick in his chest.

cried Rinoa and held his arms, pulling him back. She could have sworn she saw a hurt look flash across Seifer's face for a moment but it quickly disappeared.

Squall ignored Rinoa's struggle and immediately reached for his gunblade holster only to find it was empty.

Heh...it looks like I have something you don't have, Seifer growled. He reached under his trench coat and pulled his glistening Hyperion. The weapon never looked as deadly as now. He pointed it challenging at his rival.

Stop it!! Cid stood up from his seat. We are not going to have a fight here!!

The rest of the SeeDs all started talking at once.

SHUT UP!! yelled Seifer. He grabbed Rinoa's arm, pulling her towards him. Squall instantly broke the chain and stood in front of Rinoa protectively. Before neither of them could say anything, a crescendo of turbulence shattered above them all. Three motorbikes crashed through the glass ceiling followed by a wave of soldiers clad in blue and navy who parachuted into the Quad. They lined up in a straight row beneath the steps of the altar. Weapons and other damaging explosives were heavily equipped it on them.

Galbadian Soldiers!! Selphie cried in alarm. What are they doing here?

Squall turned back to Seifer. Is this your doing!?!?

HELL NO!! I'd like to know myself why they are here!!

Then let us explain, the commander of the army replied coolly. We are here under General Caraway's command.

Rinoa gasped. My father? What does he want?

Our goal is to bring you, Miss. Heartilly back to Deling City and then eliminate all the SeeDs. If you refuse to obey orders, we will not hesitate to kill you.

Eliminate SeeDs?!? What is he up to?

Miss. Heartilly, come with us, the commander continued.

Rinoa backed away. If my father wants to kill all the SeeDs, then I will CERTAINLY not go back with him. She immediately stood in her battle stance.

Have it your way then stubborn fool but I assure you that fighting is futile.

Without another word, more Galbadia reinforcements were called upon. Motor bikes came flying in from every available angle and side, creating even more havoc.

Garden cadets, help the juniors out of her NOW!! Students who have fighting and defensive abilities at this point will stay during this battle!! Now go!! Squall instructed. This was the best he could do. He hoped that didn't sound too out of control. There was no way that he could strategize a real battle tactic with so many lives at hand and considering this was an unexpected ambush.

Shrieks and screams filled the Quad as students made their way out. As soon as the area was cleared, the formations began. Without wasting another second, the soldiers lunged forward.

What should we do Squall? Irvine shouted.

Since none of us are equipped with any weapons with the exception of Zell, I guess we have to rely on our magic or fist to fist combat. Using GFs can be dangerous since we are all cramped up here so called them only when there are no other choices!! Understand!?

Everyone gave a quick nod and rushed. With an ironic twist, the wedding has now been turned into a battlefield. Rinoa held the bottom of her dress as she ran forward, careful not to trip over the long gown. She whispered a few words and concentrated all her energy into one spell. A chilly breeze loomed through the Quad. A huge block of ice came soaring down, instantly knocking out four Galbadian Soldiers. Selphie rushed to her side and teamed up with her. Since Squall and Irvine's magic weren't as high as the girls, they stood at the rear, casting lines of defensive spells.

Irvine focused and raised his hands. He got ready to call for his second spell. A bright blue barrier was duplicated three times on three different targets.

Squall's team continued to use this pattern of magic attack, heal, and defensive. Pretty soon, all four of them were under high defense. Another available turn came for both the knight and the gunman. They quickly use this opportunity to head to the second main group. Zell and Quistis were using physical attacks although the instructor couldn't manage much longer with her fists and legs. Her reflexes just weren't fast enough. An idea suddenly hit Zell. He dodged an attack that hit him from behind and kicked the enemy in the stomach, sending him flying backwards into the huge cake. Continuing forward, he stopped at the switch.

Opening the cable box, he carefully examined for something that could be a valuable asset. His eyes locked on the long black cords. There were too many of them of them to choose and selecting the wrong one, the consequences could be deadly.

Come on! No time to waste here Zell, he told himself. he yelled.

Quistis looked up from her battle.

Here!! Catch!! He tugged on a random cord and pulled it out of the cable box with all his might. He tossed the long cord through the air. Quistis nodded and retrieved the flying item.

I guess this will come the closest to a whip

Seconds later, electrical currents bolted through the cable box. In a blink of an eye, the whole switch was damaged severely. All the lights in the Quad flickered off.

They now fought in the dark.

NICE GOING CHICKEN WUSS! a familiar obnoxious voice yelled followed by a clash from his gunblade.

%@!$ I was hoping this wouldn't happen, the martial artist cursed.

Squall and Irvine stopped in their tracks. There was no way they could reach Zell and Quistis now to help them.

We'll just have to trust that they're doing well, commented Irvine. Lets just focus on our battle now!

Every brief moment, spells illuminated the room. Everyone took this chance to quickly glance around their surroundings, making sure they don't attack the wrong targets. The fury fray continued. Screams of pain came from injured Garden fighters.

Selphie tried to focus on her battle instead of wincing at every cry.

This isn't looking too good for us...

More glass obliterated from above.

They must be sending in more soldiers. If they continue to do so, we'll be outnumbered!!

Seifer dodged an attack and move forward with his gunblade, slashing it vertically at random targets. He bumped into someone in back of him. He raised his gunblade, ready to strike when another spell illuminated. Seifer lowered it when he realized it was Squall.

This isn't looking to good, he commented.

The latter said nothing. He was still too furious with his rival to answer back.

He's not going to get away for what he did. I'll make sure of that...

He spotted Rinoa, casting one spell after another. She looked so exhausted that he wondered how she still manages to stand on her feet. Suddenly, he spotted a soldier searching for a small explosive in his pocket. He pulled out a grenade, aiming for the Sorceress. Seifer noticed as well.

They both shouted and plunged forward. Squall quickly grabbed her and dived into the floor. He towered his body over his to protect her while Seifer stood on Rinoa's other side. They evaded the direct blow but not quick enough to avoid it completely. The blast sent the three flying as well as the other fighters near by. Sporadic quakes were resulted from the explosion. Squall leaned against the cool walls, his languid body all battered and beaten. He fumbled in the darkness, searching for the Sorceress who was nowhere near him. He recognized a familiar scream coming from Zell and Selphie.

How many soldiers are there? When will all this stop? This had to end NOW!!

There was no other choice but to summon a GF. Although the GF's power could do lethal damage to the Quad, it was a risk that they had to take. There was no other way to win this battle.

Squall began to think which Guardian Force he should summon. He had Eden, Ifrit, and Bahamut junctioned. Eden and Bahamut seemed to be too powerful so his final decision was Ifrit. Closing his eyes, he applied all his energy into calling the GF. Green light surrounded as he and the rest of the Garden troops disappeared. The fire demon ascended, a ball of blazing inferno burning beneath him. With a mighty slam, the huge boulder hurdled below. The burning fire created massive carnage everywhere it spread. The catastrophe soon subsided and everyone was back in their original state...






Author's Notes: This chapter took me quite awhile to write since I'm not really good at writing action and fighting so I'm sorry if this wasn't one of the best chapters.

Please review! Thanks! I'll try to keep the updates coming as quickly as possible!