MISSING AND MOVING ON
By Wonga316
COPYRIGHT Final Fantasy and its characters are property of Squaresoft etc, etc...
INTRODUCTION This my first attempt at FF8 fan fic. It takes places directly after time compression with a twist that will rock the crew of FF8 to the core (especially Rinoa).
Excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes. I try my best to catch them all but occasional one does slip through. I'll also try to keep everyone IC and minimize OC.
"..." Indicates normal speech [...] Indicates speakers thoughts -...- Indicates any other communications eg – radio, television, telephone
CHAPTER 01 "... Is everyone ok? Oh my head..." Quistis muttered aloud as she rubbed the back of her head. She looked around her surroundings and found that she was in a field. Small flowers were scattered across the entire area. She could make out a small structure in the distance "The orphanage?"
"Damn... My head..." Zell muttered.
"Hey Zell! Are you ok? Where is everyone?" Quistis asked, walking over to the blonde and helping him up to his feet.
"I think so... My head is spinning. Where are we?" Zell replied rubbing his head and dusting the dirty off himself.
"It looks like we are close to the orphanage."
"That's weird. After we all jumped through the gate shouldn't have we landed back in Odine's lab?" asked Zell.
"I'm not sure I would have thought so. Have you seen anyone else?"
"Selphie, as much as I like you on top, can you get off me please." Quistis and Zell instantly recognized Irvine's voice. They turned to the source and found Selphie had landed on Irvine's chest.
"Oh! I'm so sorry Irvy! Are you alright?" Selphie said getting up.
"Selphie! Irvine! Are you guys alright?" Quistis asked as she raced over to the couple.
"Hey Quistis! We're fine. Where are we?"
"If I'm not mistaken this is field behind the orphanage," Irvine explained before falling to his knees as he tried to stand.
"Irvy are you alright?" Selphie asked with concern as she went to his side.
"I think you might have bruised some ribs when you landed on me." Irvine clutched his side and grimaced. "Take it easy, Irvine. Have you guys seen Squall or Rinoa?" Quistis asked as she helped Selphie sit Irvine down.
"They were behind us when we went through the gate. Squall told me that he had to make sure that everyone made it through first." Irvine explained
"Rinoa would have waited for Squall but they should be around he somewhere, right Quistis?" Selphie asked.
"Hey guys! Over here!" They turned their attention to Zell who was kneeling next to someone lying on the ground.
"Selphie stay with Irvine." Selphie nodded as Quistis raced over to Zell. She saw Zell gently shaking Rinoa trying to wake her.
"Hey Rinoa. Are you ok?" Zell asked.
"Squ... Squall?" Rinoa mumbled half consciously.
"It's Zell. Are you OK? Can you stand?" Zell asked.
"I think so... My head hurts... Where's Squall" Rinoa replied as Zell helped her up.
"Yeah me too."
"Rinoa! Are you hurt? Is everything ok?" Quistis asked as she helped Zell with the young sorceress.
"I'm fine. Where's Squall?" Rinoa asked again sounding a little more concern.
"We can't find him over here." Selphie said with Irvine's arm slung across her shoulders.
"He forced me to jump in before him. I know he went though the gate. I could feel him as we passed through." Rinoa commented
"Rinoa, try using your powers to see if you can find him. He's probably landed somewhere else but he should be close by." Quistis suggested.
"Of course! Let me try." Rinoa closed her eyes and focused her powers. Her breathing leveled out and a light blue aura radiated from her as she tried to sense her knight.
-Seed one. Please come in. Seed one. Please response- Quistis looked down at the communications device that Dr. Odine had given her before the mission.
"Seed one here. Peit is that you?" Quistis responded in the device.
-Yes it is. It's good to have you back. Did you accomplish your mission objectives?-
"NOOO! HYNE NO! SQUALL! SQUALL!" Rinoa screamed. Quistis immediately felt numb and unconsciously drop the communications device.
*** Esthar Presidential Palace ***
"How is she?" Ellone asked Dr Odine. "I have given her a light sedative to help her rest. She's asleep right now." The doctor responded as he closed the door to Rinoa's room.
"Thank you doctor. Everyone is waiting for us in the conference room." Ellone and the Odine made their way to the conference room. When they entered the atmosphere was not what it should be after they had saved the world. Selphie was crying into Irvine's shoulder. Edea was comforting Quistis while Zell and Cid stood by the window not saying anything. Laguna was sitting at the lead chair, his eyes red and swollen from crying. Ellone immediately went to her uncle's side for support.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news... Test conducted at the exit site of the gate indicates that only five people passed through."
"That's bullshit! Run and the test again!" Laguna exclaimed.
"Sir we have run the test four times already. Each time the results are the same... Squall never made it though the compression gate."
"Have you tried looking at other possible exit points for compression?" Cid asked.
"That's a possibility we are looking at right now but alternative exit points for time compression could not support a body of mass an adult. A infant or young child is possible but the odds of that succeeding are slim at the best."
"How's Rinoa?" Irvine asked, still holding a crying Selphie.
"She's resting right now." Ellone answered, wiping her own tears.
"I'll never forget her scream for Squall. It was like her entire life force was ripped out of her. She was so angry after that. I was worried that her sorceress powers were getting out of control." Quistis commented.
"Squall was her life... He was her Knight. All of us have to be there for her from now on. Things are only going to get more difficult for her from here." Edea said [... and us...]
"What are we doing do? Squall always knew what to do. He was family and now he's gone what are we..." Selphie couldn't finish before breaking down. Irvine tried his best to comfort her but it didn't seem to help.
"We have to try on move on... That's what Squall would have done... That's what he would have wanted." Zell replied.
***One Year Later – Balamb Garden***
"Commander Trepe?" Xu asked from the doorway.
"Yes Xu. What can I do for you?" Quistis asked looking up from her laptop.
"The arrangements for tomorrow have been completed."
"Thanks Xu." Quistis said as she returned to her work.
"Quistis..." Xu paused for a moment before continuing. "I know now is a hard time for everyone, but I just wanted to say if you need anything just let any of us know."
"Thanks... I appreciate it."
"Oh and you also have two visitors." Xu moved aside as Selphie and Irvine made they way in her office. Quistis greeted each of them with a big hug.
"Quistis! I missed you! How have you been?" Selphie exclaimed.
"You know, the usually. How about yourself? How's Trabia coming along?"
"Great! We've started enrolments for next semester. The new campus looks awesome." Quistis laughed at her young friend's enthusiasm [You haven't change a single bit, Selphie] "Has Irvine been looking after my little sister?" Quistis asked, raising an eyebrow to the young cowboy.
"You know me Quisy. I always treatment ladies with respect" Irvine said with a sly grin. His actions received a swift elbow from Selphie, which knock a small amount of wind from his system.
"I see you haven't changed Irvine. Have you had a chance to see Rin or Zell?" Quistis asked.
"No yet. We stopped off at Cid's office to speak to him and Edea first." Selphie replied.
***Balamb Garden – Court Yard***
[It's almost been a year, sweetie] Rinoa thought as she looked upon the statue of Squall in the Garden courtyard. The months after Utlimecia defeat, word spread that the leader of the seed team never returned from the battle. The student committee agreed on a monument in honor of Squall's sacrifice be created in the courtyard.
Rinoa looked on as number of students paid respect by dropping of flowers and other gifts by the statue. Some students she could recognize from the Utlimecia war and they would give an understanding nod to the young sorceress. She was also surprised by the number of new students who didn't know Squall or what occurred during the war but still paid respect to the former commander
[It's just like you, Squall... You had this way about you. People were just drawn to you. That's why I was drawn to you...]
"I knew you would be here," Someone said to Rinoa.
"Hey Alex. Don't you have a class to teach with Zell?" she asked the young man.
"Zell said I could take this off and told to come look for you."
[Zell... I'm lucky to have you as a friend]
"Tomorrow is the day, isn't it?" Rinoa didn't response to Alex's question, which worried him. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's alright... Tomorrow is the day." Rinoa replied looking back at the status.
"You know my cousin and Irvine should have arrived by now."
"I know."
"Did you see them? Where are they?"
"I haven't seen them yet but I don't have too." Rinoa said "I'm a sorceress remember." Rinoa tapped the side of her head.
"Oh, of course. How silly of me to forget."
Alex was Selphie older cousin and a seed. He graduated from Trabia Garden and was relocated to Balamb after the missile attack. When mission requests were low he would assist Zell with some of his hand-to-hand combat classes. Selphie introduced Alex to Rinoa in an attempt to help her recover from Squall. She knew that Rinoa would never stop loving or forget about Squall but she couldn't grieve for him forever either.
[He's kind of sweet like that... sometimes he reminds my of Squall, how his ignorance made him comical sometimes.]
"Rinoa!" Selphie yelled as she charged into the courtyard. She grabs the young sorceress in a Selphie special bear hug. "How have you been? You look good! Have you lost weight?"
"I missed you too, Selphie. Where's Irvine?" Rinoa asked trying not to laugh aloud from the girl's excitement.
"Right behind you, sweetheart." Irvine answered. Rinoa greeted him with a hug.
"You look well Irvine. Have you been looking after Selphie?" Rinoa asked.
"What is this? Quistis asked me the same thing. It must be a conspiracy that you Balamb women have." Irvine replied. Rinoa smiled as Selphie started telling Irvine off for his 'typical male comment'.
"Hey Rin. I had a feeling that you be down here." Quistis said joining the group.
"Am I that predictable?" Rinoa asked the commander.
"No. Just understandable. Everything has been setup for tomorrow's ceremony. Xu has arranged the Ragnarok to depart at 09:00 tomorrow." Quistis replied.
"Don't I get a hello my dear cousin?" Alex said trying to involve himself in the conversation.
"Oh... Hi Alex. Have you been looking Rinny for us?" Selphie questioned walking up to her cousin and jabbing him in the chest.
"He's been fine Selphie. You shouldn't be so hard on him." Rinoa defended the young man.
"Alright, you're lucky rookie"
"Hey, I'm no rookie. I'm a seed class A" Alex said a little annoyed by his cousin's comments.
"That may be true but tell me how many sorceresses have you defeated?" Selphie replied leaving Alex a lost for words.
"Easy Selphie... I reckon the young lad could beat you in a one on one battle." Irvine said.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Selphie turned her attention to her better half and started a verbal assault. Alex saw this as an opportunity and made a quiet exit.
"Hey Alex... if you're not doing anything tomorrow... I'll like you to come with us." Rinoa asked noticing Alex's tactical escape.
"Ah... No... I mean that I'm not doing anything tomorrow. Ah... it would be an honor."
***Four Years Later – Orphanage Field***
It was a beautiful sunny day. A small arch lined with the flowers from the field sat between two tents. A lush red runway carpet ran between rows of chairs and stopped just underneath the arch. In the first tent a group of women were busily trying to get the bride ready for the occasion.
"Oh Hyne! Has anyone seen has my shoes?" Selphie exclaimed holding the train of her dress as she looked franticly for her shoes.
"They're right here, sweetheart." Edea answered holding a pair of shoes.
"Oh thanks, Matron!" Selphie replied running over to collect her shoes.
"I still can't believe that you're getting married." Edea said wiping a tear from her eye [My little Selphie has become a women...]
"And to Irvine to all people." Quistis said finishing off Edea.
"That's true, I always pictured Irvine the last one of us to get married." Rinoa commented. Both Quistis and Rinoa were wearing their respective brides maid dresses.
"Ha! That shows you that Selphie Tilmitt can change any man." Her response brought about a round of laughter from the four women.
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Alex asked from the tent curtain. His entrance was missed because of the laughter.
"Oh... It's alright sweetie. Come in." Rinoa said walking up to Alex and giving him a quick kiss. The other women looked at the scene with Rinoa and Alex with content smiles on their faces. They all knew it would take a long time for Rinoa to get over Squall but Alex slowly worked his way into her heart. Each of them knew that Alex would never be a replacement for Squall but they were happy that Rinoa had finally come full circle with loosing Squall Leonhart.
"Selphie, can you tell me why you and Irvine decided to wed in the field behind the Orphanage? I know Laguna was more than happy to arrange a full state wedding in Esthar." Edea asked wondering while she never asked her before the actual wedding day.
"We talked it over and decide that if we had it here somehow Squall would be able to attend. I know it seems silly but this way he could look over us like the old days..." Selphie replied.
"He would have liked that, Selp" Quistis said giving the bride a hug.
"He will always look over you all. Hehehe... Listen to us, could you picture the reaction if Squall heard us talking about him like a guardian angel." Edea said trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah... He'll probably give us that trademark look, a 'whatever' and then start swinging his gunblade at us for calling him a fairy." Said Selphie, which caused another round of laughs. Then a loud thunderous clap outside the tent interrupted the moment. Everyone quickly ran outside to see where the noise came from.
"Irvine! You can't see me yet, it's bad luck! Selphie exclaimed to her future husband as the noise had caused the groom's tent to empty as well.
"Sorry babe! Did you hear that? What was it?" He asked.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?" Laguna yelled pointing to what seem like a black hole above the flower arch.
"Hyne! Get back! It's a compression gate!" Odine warned everyone causing some people to scatter back.
"WHAT? How's that possible? Don't you have to initiate a compression gate? They just don't appear out of nowhere." Quistis exclaimed.
"Don't worry about that now. I'm more worried about what's about to come through" The doctor replied causing everyone to back away from the gate.
They watched in awe as the gate rumbled and shook the air. It had been a long time since anyone had seen time a compression portal but this one seems to have something strange about it. Our favorite seeds positioned themselves and ready for an attack. The thoughts about the wedding were far from their concerns.
Rinoa ready herself and then notice Alex come across her and shield her from what was about to come through the gate. Then for the first time in almost five years Rinoa felt something tug within the depths of her soul.
"Heads up, here it comes!" Zell yelled. What dropped through the gate was something that they didn't expect. A gunblade flew head over end and dug itself the red carpet. It's handle standing in the air with its chain hanging down.
"What the hell? That's looks like..." Before Quistis could finish leather clad torn body followed the weapon and landed with a thud next to it. The next thing everyone heard was Rinoa's scream.
"SQUALL!"
By Wonga316
COPYRIGHT Final Fantasy and its characters are property of Squaresoft etc, etc...
INTRODUCTION This my first attempt at FF8 fan fic. It takes places directly after time compression with a twist that will rock the crew of FF8 to the core (especially Rinoa).
Excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes. I try my best to catch them all but occasional one does slip through. I'll also try to keep everyone IC and minimize OC.
"..." Indicates normal speech [...] Indicates speakers thoughts -...- Indicates any other communications eg – radio, television, telephone
CHAPTER 01 "... Is everyone ok? Oh my head..." Quistis muttered aloud as she rubbed the back of her head. She looked around her surroundings and found that she was in a field. Small flowers were scattered across the entire area. She could make out a small structure in the distance "The orphanage?"
"Damn... My head..." Zell muttered.
"Hey Zell! Are you ok? Where is everyone?" Quistis asked, walking over to the blonde and helping him up to his feet.
"I think so... My head is spinning. Where are we?" Zell replied rubbing his head and dusting the dirty off himself.
"It looks like we are close to the orphanage."
"That's weird. After we all jumped through the gate shouldn't have we landed back in Odine's lab?" asked Zell.
"I'm not sure I would have thought so. Have you seen anyone else?"
"Selphie, as much as I like you on top, can you get off me please." Quistis and Zell instantly recognized Irvine's voice. They turned to the source and found Selphie had landed on Irvine's chest.
"Oh! I'm so sorry Irvy! Are you alright?" Selphie said getting up.
"Selphie! Irvine! Are you guys alright?" Quistis asked as she raced over to the couple.
"Hey Quistis! We're fine. Where are we?"
"If I'm not mistaken this is field behind the orphanage," Irvine explained before falling to his knees as he tried to stand.
"Irvy are you alright?" Selphie asked with concern as she went to his side.
"I think you might have bruised some ribs when you landed on me." Irvine clutched his side and grimaced. "Take it easy, Irvine. Have you guys seen Squall or Rinoa?" Quistis asked as she helped Selphie sit Irvine down.
"They were behind us when we went through the gate. Squall told me that he had to make sure that everyone made it through first." Irvine explained
"Rinoa would have waited for Squall but they should be around he somewhere, right Quistis?" Selphie asked.
"Hey guys! Over here!" They turned their attention to Zell who was kneeling next to someone lying on the ground.
"Selphie stay with Irvine." Selphie nodded as Quistis raced over to Zell. She saw Zell gently shaking Rinoa trying to wake her.
"Hey Rinoa. Are you ok?" Zell asked.
"Squ... Squall?" Rinoa mumbled half consciously.
"It's Zell. Are you OK? Can you stand?" Zell asked.
"I think so... My head hurts... Where's Squall" Rinoa replied as Zell helped her up.
"Yeah me too."
"Rinoa! Are you hurt? Is everything ok?" Quistis asked as she helped Zell with the young sorceress.
"I'm fine. Where's Squall?" Rinoa asked again sounding a little more concern.
"We can't find him over here." Selphie said with Irvine's arm slung across her shoulders.
"He forced me to jump in before him. I know he went though the gate. I could feel him as we passed through." Rinoa commented
"Rinoa, try using your powers to see if you can find him. He's probably landed somewhere else but he should be close by." Quistis suggested.
"Of course! Let me try." Rinoa closed her eyes and focused her powers. Her breathing leveled out and a light blue aura radiated from her as she tried to sense her knight.
-Seed one. Please come in. Seed one. Please response- Quistis looked down at the communications device that Dr. Odine had given her before the mission.
"Seed one here. Peit is that you?" Quistis responded in the device.
-Yes it is. It's good to have you back. Did you accomplish your mission objectives?-
"NOOO! HYNE NO! SQUALL! SQUALL!" Rinoa screamed. Quistis immediately felt numb and unconsciously drop the communications device.
*** Esthar Presidential Palace ***
"How is she?" Ellone asked Dr Odine. "I have given her a light sedative to help her rest. She's asleep right now." The doctor responded as he closed the door to Rinoa's room.
"Thank you doctor. Everyone is waiting for us in the conference room." Ellone and the Odine made their way to the conference room. When they entered the atmosphere was not what it should be after they had saved the world. Selphie was crying into Irvine's shoulder. Edea was comforting Quistis while Zell and Cid stood by the window not saying anything. Laguna was sitting at the lead chair, his eyes red and swollen from crying. Ellone immediately went to her uncle's side for support.
"I'm afraid I have some bad news... Test conducted at the exit site of the gate indicates that only five people passed through."
"That's bullshit! Run and the test again!" Laguna exclaimed.
"Sir we have run the test four times already. Each time the results are the same... Squall never made it though the compression gate."
"Have you tried looking at other possible exit points for compression?" Cid asked.
"That's a possibility we are looking at right now but alternative exit points for time compression could not support a body of mass an adult. A infant or young child is possible but the odds of that succeeding are slim at the best."
"How's Rinoa?" Irvine asked, still holding a crying Selphie.
"She's resting right now." Ellone answered, wiping her own tears.
"I'll never forget her scream for Squall. It was like her entire life force was ripped out of her. She was so angry after that. I was worried that her sorceress powers were getting out of control." Quistis commented.
"Squall was her life... He was her Knight. All of us have to be there for her from now on. Things are only going to get more difficult for her from here." Edea said [... and us...]
"What are we doing do? Squall always knew what to do. He was family and now he's gone what are we..." Selphie couldn't finish before breaking down. Irvine tried his best to comfort her but it didn't seem to help.
"We have to try on move on... That's what Squall would have done... That's what he would have wanted." Zell replied.
***One Year Later – Balamb Garden***
"Commander Trepe?" Xu asked from the doorway.
"Yes Xu. What can I do for you?" Quistis asked looking up from her laptop.
"The arrangements for tomorrow have been completed."
"Thanks Xu." Quistis said as she returned to her work.
"Quistis..." Xu paused for a moment before continuing. "I know now is a hard time for everyone, but I just wanted to say if you need anything just let any of us know."
"Thanks... I appreciate it."
"Oh and you also have two visitors." Xu moved aside as Selphie and Irvine made they way in her office. Quistis greeted each of them with a big hug.
"Quistis! I missed you! How have you been?" Selphie exclaimed.
"You know, the usually. How about yourself? How's Trabia coming along?"
"Great! We've started enrolments for next semester. The new campus looks awesome." Quistis laughed at her young friend's enthusiasm [You haven't change a single bit, Selphie] "Has Irvine been looking after my little sister?" Quistis asked, raising an eyebrow to the young cowboy.
"You know me Quisy. I always treatment ladies with respect" Irvine said with a sly grin. His actions received a swift elbow from Selphie, which knock a small amount of wind from his system.
"I see you haven't changed Irvine. Have you had a chance to see Rin or Zell?" Quistis asked.
"No yet. We stopped off at Cid's office to speak to him and Edea first." Selphie replied.
***Balamb Garden – Court Yard***
[It's almost been a year, sweetie] Rinoa thought as she looked upon the statue of Squall in the Garden courtyard. The months after Utlimecia defeat, word spread that the leader of the seed team never returned from the battle. The student committee agreed on a monument in honor of Squall's sacrifice be created in the courtyard.
Rinoa looked on as number of students paid respect by dropping of flowers and other gifts by the statue. Some students she could recognize from the Utlimecia war and they would give an understanding nod to the young sorceress. She was also surprised by the number of new students who didn't know Squall or what occurred during the war but still paid respect to the former commander
[It's just like you, Squall... You had this way about you. People were just drawn to you. That's why I was drawn to you...]
"I knew you would be here," Someone said to Rinoa.
"Hey Alex. Don't you have a class to teach with Zell?" she asked the young man.
"Zell said I could take this off and told to come look for you."
[Zell... I'm lucky to have you as a friend]
"Tomorrow is the day, isn't it?" Rinoa didn't response to Alex's question, which worried him. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have said anything."
"No, it's alright... Tomorrow is the day." Rinoa replied looking back at the status.
"You know my cousin and Irvine should have arrived by now."
"I know."
"Did you see them? Where are they?"
"I haven't seen them yet but I don't have too." Rinoa said "I'm a sorceress remember." Rinoa tapped the side of her head.
"Oh, of course. How silly of me to forget."
Alex was Selphie older cousin and a seed. He graduated from Trabia Garden and was relocated to Balamb after the missile attack. When mission requests were low he would assist Zell with some of his hand-to-hand combat classes. Selphie introduced Alex to Rinoa in an attempt to help her recover from Squall. She knew that Rinoa would never stop loving or forget about Squall but she couldn't grieve for him forever either.
[He's kind of sweet like that... sometimes he reminds my of Squall, how his ignorance made him comical sometimes.]
"Rinoa!" Selphie yelled as she charged into the courtyard. She grabs the young sorceress in a Selphie special bear hug. "How have you been? You look good! Have you lost weight?"
"I missed you too, Selphie. Where's Irvine?" Rinoa asked trying not to laugh aloud from the girl's excitement.
"Right behind you, sweetheart." Irvine answered. Rinoa greeted him with a hug.
"You look well Irvine. Have you been looking after Selphie?" Rinoa asked.
"What is this? Quistis asked me the same thing. It must be a conspiracy that you Balamb women have." Irvine replied. Rinoa smiled as Selphie started telling Irvine off for his 'typical male comment'.
"Hey Rin. I had a feeling that you be down here." Quistis said joining the group.
"Am I that predictable?" Rinoa asked the commander.
"No. Just understandable. Everything has been setup for tomorrow's ceremony. Xu has arranged the Ragnarok to depart at 09:00 tomorrow." Quistis replied.
"Don't I get a hello my dear cousin?" Alex said trying to involve himself in the conversation.
"Oh... Hi Alex. Have you been looking Rinny for us?" Selphie questioned walking up to her cousin and jabbing him in the chest.
"He's been fine Selphie. You shouldn't be so hard on him." Rinoa defended the young man.
"Alright, you're lucky rookie"
"Hey, I'm no rookie. I'm a seed class A" Alex said a little annoyed by his cousin's comments.
"That may be true but tell me how many sorceresses have you defeated?" Selphie replied leaving Alex a lost for words.
"Easy Selphie... I reckon the young lad could beat you in a one on one battle." Irvine said.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Selphie turned her attention to her better half and started a verbal assault. Alex saw this as an opportunity and made a quiet exit.
"Hey Alex... if you're not doing anything tomorrow... I'll like you to come with us." Rinoa asked noticing Alex's tactical escape.
"Ah... No... I mean that I'm not doing anything tomorrow. Ah... it would be an honor."
***Four Years Later – Orphanage Field***
It was a beautiful sunny day. A small arch lined with the flowers from the field sat between two tents. A lush red runway carpet ran between rows of chairs and stopped just underneath the arch. In the first tent a group of women were busily trying to get the bride ready for the occasion.
"Oh Hyne! Has anyone seen has my shoes?" Selphie exclaimed holding the train of her dress as she looked franticly for her shoes.
"They're right here, sweetheart." Edea answered holding a pair of shoes.
"Oh thanks, Matron!" Selphie replied running over to collect her shoes.
"I still can't believe that you're getting married." Edea said wiping a tear from her eye [My little Selphie has become a women...]
"And to Irvine to all people." Quistis said finishing off Edea.
"That's true, I always pictured Irvine the last one of us to get married." Rinoa commented. Both Quistis and Rinoa were wearing their respective brides maid dresses.
"Ha! That shows you that Selphie Tilmitt can change any man." Her response brought about a round of laughter from the four women.
"I'm sorry, am I interrupting something?" Alex asked from the tent curtain. His entrance was missed because of the laughter.
"Oh... It's alright sweetie. Come in." Rinoa said walking up to Alex and giving him a quick kiss. The other women looked at the scene with Rinoa and Alex with content smiles on their faces. They all knew it would take a long time for Rinoa to get over Squall but Alex slowly worked his way into her heart. Each of them knew that Alex would never be a replacement for Squall but they were happy that Rinoa had finally come full circle with loosing Squall Leonhart.
"Selphie, can you tell me why you and Irvine decided to wed in the field behind the Orphanage? I know Laguna was more than happy to arrange a full state wedding in Esthar." Edea asked wondering while she never asked her before the actual wedding day.
"We talked it over and decide that if we had it here somehow Squall would be able to attend. I know it seems silly but this way he could look over us like the old days..." Selphie replied.
"He would have liked that, Selp" Quistis said giving the bride a hug.
"He will always look over you all. Hehehe... Listen to us, could you picture the reaction if Squall heard us talking about him like a guardian angel." Edea said trying to lighten the mood.
"Yeah... He'll probably give us that trademark look, a 'whatever' and then start swinging his gunblade at us for calling him a fairy." Said Selphie, which caused another round of laughs. Then a loud thunderous clap outside the tent interrupted the moment. Everyone quickly ran outside to see where the noise came from.
"Irvine! You can't see me yet, it's bad luck! Selphie exclaimed to her future husband as the noise had caused the groom's tent to empty as well.
"Sorry babe! Did you hear that? What was it?" He asked.
"WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?" Laguna yelled pointing to what seem like a black hole above the flower arch.
"Hyne! Get back! It's a compression gate!" Odine warned everyone causing some people to scatter back.
"WHAT? How's that possible? Don't you have to initiate a compression gate? They just don't appear out of nowhere." Quistis exclaimed.
"Don't worry about that now. I'm more worried about what's about to come through" The doctor replied causing everyone to back away from the gate.
They watched in awe as the gate rumbled and shook the air. It had been a long time since anyone had seen time a compression portal but this one seems to have something strange about it. Our favorite seeds positioned themselves and ready for an attack. The thoughts about the wedding were far from their concerns.
Rinoa ready herself and then notice Alex come across her and shield her from what was about to come through the gate. Then for the first time in almost five years Rinoa felt something tug within the depths of her soul.
"Heads up, here it comes!" Zell yelled. What dropped through the gate was something that they didn't expect. A gunblade flew head over end and dug itself the red carpet. It's handle standing in the air with its chain hanging down.
"What the hell? That's looks like..." Before Quistis could finish leather clad torn body followed the weapon and landed with a thud next to it. The next thing everyone heard was Rinoa's scream.
"SQUALL!"