The events of this chapter are a few days after the last chapter.
Chapter 21
Zidane, Garnet, Kairi, Riku, Vivi, Sora, Tobli, and the many Hypello's in Tobli's company stood near the stage of the theater discussing what new projects they would do.
"Our last play was splendid, marvelous, it was…. splarvelous!" said Tobli excitedly.
"Splarvelous?" asked Garnet scratching her head.
"Of course we must begin work immediately on our next play yep yep. We must keep it up and not disappoint the masses!" said Tobli.
"I hope I actually get to be in it this time" said Riku.
"Can my character be something that doesn't have a hunchback?" asked Vivi as he raised his hand.
"…or feathers" said Kairi
"…or extremely hot armor" said Sora.
"So what are some of the ideas for the new plays?" asked Zidane.
"Well I've thought of doing a musical or something based on history…or maybe a drama…or perhaps a tragedy..or maybe…" Tobli just went on talking out loud to himself trying to think of what they could do next.
"This could go on forever…" said Zidane.
"You think he'll notice if we just check out for the day?" asked Riku.
"I don't think so. I think we're pretty much done for the day" said Sora.
Tobli paced frantically and kept throwing out ideas to himself. The rest of them began walking up the steps toward the exit. Even the Hypello's left.
"I have it! How about a play with a large cast of characters that live in a large city and they each have their own stories but some of their stories intersect with out them knowing it? There could be romance, drama, action, comedy, suspense, mystery, magic, and….hello?..." said Tobli as he looked around at an empty theater.
"Oh dear me…"
(Next Scene)
Inside the Square City Airport Yuna, Tidus, Rikku, Paine, Wakka, Auron, Lulu, and Vidina who was being held by Wakka stood.
"I can't wait to see my father! It's been much too long since I last saw him. The same with Kimahri and Uncle Cid too" said Yuna smiling brightly.
"I can't wait to meet your father. This makes me wonder what my dad is doing" said Tidus.
"Hmm…you're going to be in for a surprise" thought Auron.
"I bet pops is going to find something to gripe about as soon as he gets here and Brother…I bet he's going to start flirting with Yunie as soon as he gets here…"
"So your brother flirts with Yuna?" asked Tidus.
"Yes" replied Rikku.
"But if he's Rikku's brother doesn't that make you asked Tidus scratching his head slightly confused.
"Yes, it's creepy we usually just try not to think about it" said Paine.
"So Paine…Have you talked to that Nida guy anymore since the club?" Rikku smiled and began nudging Paine with her elbow which was what she usually did when she was trying to be nosy.
"None of your business…" said Paine nonchalantly.
"Ooohh do you like him? Huh Paine do you like him? Do ya do ya?" said Rikku trying to get on Paine's nerves. It was actually an easy thing to do.
"Rikku that's minus five respect points" said Paine.
"Ohh how many do I have left?" asked Rikku.
"…Nine and a half"
Yuna and Tidus just laughed at them both.
Vidina giggled while Wakka held him.
"C'mon buddy can you say Blitzball? Blitz-ball c'mon say Blitzball ya?" said Wakka.
"Wakka! Stop that! His first word will not be Blitzball!" said Lulu scolding Wakka.
"Aww c'mon Lu…."
"They're here" said Auron.
The group looked toward the exit terminal where passengers got off the airship. Several people began surging out of the exit. Soon two tall men began walking toward them. One of them was very royally dressed. He wore long robes and a strange looking headdress. He carried a long staff as well. Next to him was a man that looked more rugged. He didn't have a shirt on and his body had several strange tattoos. His hair was long and brown and he wore a red headband. A few men behind them carried their luggage.
"Father!" yelled Yuna as she ran toward the man who was well dressed. He was indeed her father High Summoner Braska. It had been years since she had last seen him.
Braska dropped his staff and hugged Yuna. Tears came to both of their eyes.
"My little girl…she's a woman…" said Braska.
The other man looked toward Tidus and Tidus couldn't believe his eyes.
"Wha…" said Tidus in amazement.
"That any way to great your old man" said the man. He was Jecht, Tidus' father.
Tidus slowly walked over to him but their greeting was not as warm as Yuna and Braska's had been.
"I hear you're tearing up the blitz circuit here. Using my moves and all…but you're still all bones have you been eating right boy?" asked Jecht antagonistically.
"What are you doing here?" asked Tidus in a somewhat angry tone.
"I'm here to escort Braska, an old buddy of mine….and there's another old buddy of mine" said Jecht looking toward Auron who was walking up to them.
"It's good to see you again Jecht and you too Braska" said Auron looking at them both.
Yuna and her father finally stopped hugging long enough for Braska to speak to Auron.
"Auron the years have been kind to you old friend" said Braska.
"Father you remember Wakka and Lulu don't you? This is their son Vidina" said Yuna.
"Of course I remember them. You two look well and your son looks very energetic" smiled Braska.
"He keeps us on our toes ya" said Wakka.
"It's great to see you High Summoner Braska" said Lulu.
"Please while I'm here just call me Braska. We are friends there is no need for formalities" said Braska.
"Hiya Uncle" said Rikku smiling.
"Rikku? You've grown into a fine young lady as well" said Braska.
"Father this is my other friend Paine" said Yuna.
"Hi" said Paine.
"Hello" said Braska.
"…and this is Tidus…my boyfriend" said Yuna.
"You're dating Braska's daughter? It's a small world after all…" said Jecht.
"This is your son Jecht? Indeed it's amazing that the two of you met. It's nice to meet you Tidus" said Braska.
"It's nice to meet you as well" said Tidus.
"Well looky here it's a regular family reunion" said a voice from behind them.
They all turned around to see Rikku's father Cid, Brother, Buddy, and Shinra,
"Pops!" said Rikku walking up to her father.
Cid looked her up and down.
"…aren't you cold walking around town in that skimpy outfit?" asked Cid while scratching his
"See I told you he'd find something to gripe about!" yelled Rikku throwing her arms up.
"I tell you these youngsters don't understand the concept of clothes…" mumbled Cid.
"Hey everybody" waved Buddy.
"Hello" said Shinra
"Hello Yuna did you miss me?" said Brother immediately walking up to Yuna.
"Umm…hey Brother" said Yuna somewhat uncomfortable.
"I've been working out can't you tell?" said Brother striking several strange poses.
Rikku walked up and got in front of Brother.
"Cut it out you sicko! Yunie is spoken for!" said Rikku.
"CBUGAH VUN?" (SPOKEN FOR?) yelled Brother.
"Yep that's her boyfriend over there. His name is Tidus cu lid ed uid! (so cut it out!) said Rikku lapsing into Al Bhed.
Brother looked over at Tidus and crossed his arms. Tidus wasn't even paying attention or looking in his direction. Tidus was talking to his father and the others.
"Bnaddo puo…." (pretty boy….) grumbled Brother under his breath.
Some blue furred humanoids had approached the group and they were in fact Ronso. They were all several feet taller than the humans. There were several male Ronso and a few female ones too. The males were a few feet taller and significantly bulkier than the females and they had a long horn that protruded from the middle of their foreheads. At the front of the group stood a male Ronso and this particular Ronso stood out the most. He was small at least by Ronso standards. He was only slightly taller than the female Ronso. There was that and there was the fact that his horn had been broken off at the middle.
"Kimahri! Everyone Kimahri is here" yelled Yuna as she ran up to him.
"Yuna" said Kimahri in a deep yet gentle voice.
"Kimahri how was your trip?" asked Yuna as she looked up at him smiling.
"Kimahri enjoy trip on flying ship. Kimahri think Ronso youth enjoy ship as well" said Kimahri.
The other Ronso seemed to comply with this.
"Is Elder going to talk all day?" asked another Ronso in a gruff tone. He was large not just to a human but also by Ronso standards. He stood taller than a few of the other male Ronso's and needless to say towered over Kimarhi. This was Garik the same Ronso that helped Ansem and Kuja up Mt. Gagazet.
"Garik must learn patience" said Kimahri.
"Hmpf…Elder speak much of Yuna….Yuna it is Garik honor…" said Garik looking down at Yuna.
"…Nice to meet you…" said Yuna somewhat frightened. She knew some Ronso people and none of them had the demeanor that Garik had. There was something sinister about him. Garik simply walked away.
"There's something not right about him" said Paine.
"I feel the same way" said Auron.
The large group of old friends was now reunited. They stood there for several minutes talking and laughing and catching up each others lives.
(Next Scene)
Outside of the Airport several reporters and camera men gathered around two young men. They were both blonde. One of them was more royally clad while the other wore a tank top that showed off his large muscles.
"I hate all this attention Edgar" said the muscular one as they both made their way past the crowd.
"I hate it at times too Sabin but I do love the ladies" said Edgar. Edgar is the king of Figaro and Sabin is his brother.
As they walked through the crowd Sue Shillingsworth the attractive blonde reporter caught Edgars attention and being a man that loves beautiful women he couldn't resist talking to her. She held a microphone in her right hand and a single cameraman stood near her.
"Well hello there" said Edgar giving a smile.
"King Edgar it's an honor to meet you. Would you mind answering a few questions?" asked Sue.
"Well of course I could answer a few questions for someone as lovely as you" said Edgar. He gently held Sue's hand and gave it a slight kiss. She giggled a bit and Edgar looked really smooth.
"Oh brother…" said Sabin shaking his head.
"There have been reports of hostilities between Figaro and the Gesthal Empire. What do you think of the Empire's decision not to participate in the Gaia Summit?" asked Sue.
"The fact that they won't participate in a peace summit should show everyone exactly where the Empire stands. They're has been subtle hostilities from them against the South Figaro provinces and they refuse to acknowledge it. They have no interest in having peace with Figaro or any one else for that matter" said Figaro in a serious tone.
"Ok Edgar don't say too much…" whispered Sabin to Edgar.
Edgar calmed down and decided not to answer anymore questions.
"Well thank you very much King Edgar" said Sue.
"It was a pleasure" said Edgar.
Edgar and Sabin walked away and made their way toward a limousine. The crowd of reporters behind them followed behind them trying to get statements from either of them. When the two brothers got into the limo it pulled off and left the crowd of reporters.
"Edgar you have to be careful with these reporters. They can twist your words around" said Sabin.
"I know but she was so cute wasn't she?" laughed Edgar.
"-sigh-…Have Locke and the others reported anything new?" asked Sabin.
"See that's what I'm sort of worried about. The last report I got from Locke was that they were spying on some Empire troops conducting an exercise but I haven't heard from him since" said Edgar.
(Next Scene)
Zidane and Garnet walked down the hallway of her apartment building. Somehow they had snuck away from the others to get some alone time. Garnet pulled out her key and opened the door to her penthouse.
"I still can't get over how nice this place is" said Zidane as they walked into Garnet's very luxurious apartment.
"We could have just gone to your place" said Garnet she pushed the door shut but forgot to lock it….
Zidane and Garnet walked down some steps at the door and then over to Garnets large couch. They sat down and once again they sank into the comfortable couch.
"My place isn't nearly as comfortable as yours and besides Vivi would probably come home soon" said Zidane.
"Yeah you're right….this way we can be completely alone" said Garnet.
She scooted over closer to Zidane and wrapped both her arms around his neck. They began to kiss slowly.
"Are you trying to seduce me?" joked Zidane they stopped for a moment and their faces were so close together that their noses touched.
"…yes" said Garnet quietly.
The two began kissing again this time more passionately. Garnet put both of her hands on Zidanes face and he in turn held her close.
"Zidane…. I ….want you" said Garnet in between gasps for air. She began unbuttoning her blouse.
Zidane and Garnet were too caught up in the moment to hear a faint knocking on the door. Zidane pulled his shirt off and the too began kissing again. Garnet's blouse was still half unbuttoned showing a bit of the black bra she had on under her blouse. Garnet had forgotten to lock the door and the visitors had decided to let themselves into the penthouse….
"SCOUNDREL!" yelled a voice.
"Wha…!" yelled Zidane.
"Oh no.." said Garnet looking up.
A strange looking man in steel armor stood not far from them. He had his hand on a large sword that was strapped to his back and his eyes were fixed furiously on Zidane. Next to him was a pretty woman with long brown hair. She wore a breastplate and a skirt and over her right eye was a metallic eye patch. She looked at Zidane and Garnet with a little half grin on her face. Zidane and Garnet scrambled to their feet. Zidane started trying to get his shirt back on and Garnet tried to button hers up.
"Steiner, Beatrix what are you doing here!" yelled Garnet.
"We're here for the Gaia Summit. Did you forget? It seems you've been really… busy…"giggled the woman named Beatrix
"You rascal how dare you soil the princess with your grubby paws!" yelled Steiner.
"Who is this walking tin can? Princess? What are you talking about?" yelled Zidane.
"Have you no respect or sense of decency? You are in the presence of royalty and your pants are not zipped up properly!" yelled Steiner.
Zidane looked down and sure enough his fly was unzipped. He started zipping them up.
"Hey that was unzipped before all this started I guess I just forgot to zip up. What's with the princess stuff?"
Garnet just sat down on the couch and held her hands over her face.
"Well…" Steiner began to talk but Beatrix interrupted.
"I think you've said enough Steiner. Hello I'm Beatrix and this is Steiner. We are servants to the crown of Alexandria. We are here to escort Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVII to the Gaia Peace Summit" said Beatix calmly.
Zidane looked over at Garnet in disbelief. She still held her hands in over her face.
"…you're a princess?" asked Zidane.
Garnet looked up at him and nodded her head yes.
"I never wanted anyone to know…but I guess everyone will know now…" said Garnet. A tear started to form in her eye.
Zidane sat beside her and put his arm around her.
"This explains the apartment…but why didn't you want anyone to know?" asked Zidane.
"I just wanted to be as normal as possible…to have friends and live a somewhat normal life…I didn't want anyone to start looking at me differently" said Garnet.
Zidane pulled her a bit closer.
"Now you know better than that…there's no way I could look at you differently. There's no way any of us could look at you differently. We got to know the real you…the one inside and you being a princess doesn't change the fact that you're a kind hearted, loving, sweet, generous, person and we all love you for that" said Zidane.
Garnet looked at him and smiled.
"How do you know exactly what to say?" laughed Garnet.
"With you it's easy" said Zidane.
The two of them hugged and Beatrix and Steiner watched.
"Oh my I think I'm going to cry that was so sweet" said Beatrix.
"Hmm…that was smooth…perhaps I should take some notes from him" thought Steiner.
(Next Scene)
On the rooftop of Shinra Inc. Headquarters a helicopter descended toward the helipad. Several of the Shinra Executives stood on the roof watching the helicopter descend. Scarlet, Heidegger, Tseng, Rude, Reno, Elena, and Palmer all stood there. Rude and Reno seemed to be feeling as good as new finally.
"Oh I do hope the new president will put more funding toward the Space Program" said Palmer as he bounced around.
"That program is dead. It's been dead for years now why don't you simply get over it…" said Scarlet coldly.
Palmer held his head down. The helicopter landed in the center of the pad and soon Rufus stepped out. He was dressed in an expensive white suit. He walked slowly up to the group not really looking at any of them.
"Good afternoon Mr. President. We want you to know that you have our condolences" said Scarlet trying to sound as sincere as she possibly could.
"Save it….I know none of you are really that concerned over his death…I'm not really that concerned myself. Let's go to the office and you all brief my on the upcoming plans" said Rufus.
Rufus and the others walked down a few steps to the president's office below. When they got there Rufus immediately took a seat at his father's old desk. There was a look in his eye as he sat there and leaned back in the chair. It was clear to everyone that this was something that he had been waiting for his whole life. The others stood in front of his desk.
"-sigh- Alright then I am curious…what did you tell the media about my father?" asked Rufus.
"We told them that your father died of a sudden heart attack" said Tseng.
"If there's something that Shinra Inc. does very well it's telling lies and keeping secrets. Oh what a mess my father made…it's up to me to clean it all up. My father was too sloppy. Any clue as to where Sephiroth is headed?" asked Rufus.
"He only asked me if any helicopters were on the pad" said Palmer.
"Sir we've tried tracking the helicopter but apparently Sephiroth has destroy the tracking device. He's a sneaky one gyah gyah gyah" laughed Heidegger.
Rufus stood up suddenly and banged his hand against the desk hard. The sudden movement caused a few of them to jump a bit.
"Enough with that stupid horse laugh! See that's what I'm talking about! My father let you off with piss poor work and idiocy like one couldn't believe!" yelled Rufus angrily.
He then calmed down and sat back in his seat.
"Have you heard from Ansem and Kuja?" asked Rufus.
"They have informed us that the weapon on Mt. Gagazet is near fully operational" said Scarlet.
"Splendid. I want the first target to be Vector" said Rufus.
"Vector? Mr. President that is the capital city of our allies the Gesthal Empire" said Scarlet confused.
"-sigh- Am I the only one here with a brain? Oh I forget that working under my father doesn't mean that you have to think. Do you really think these groups will be loyal to us to the end? Do you really think that they will not wrestle control of this operation the first chance they get? Inform Ansem and Kuja that the first target is to be set on Vector. When they try to double cross us…. which inevitably they will I want their capital turned into a giant crater…" said Rufus without a bit of emotion.
"Yes Mr. President" said Scarlet.
"Raise the number of troops on our side and prepare the cybernetic units as well…each of you know what you must do now get to it!" yelled Rufus.
The group complied and they scrambled away. When they left Rufus got up from his seat and much like his father used to do he walked over to the large window and looked out over Square City. He stared out at the city with a cold emotionless stare.
"um sir I actually don't know what it is I'm supposed to be doing…" said Palmer as he came back in the room.
"Just go!" yelled Rufus.
Palmer rushed off to go do something.
(Next Scene)
"Hey Squall what you up too?" asked Zell as he passed Squall in the hallway of the SeeD garden.
"Oh I'm just going to do a bit of training…" said Squall.
"Oh want me to come with you?" asked Zell.
"Oh no it's fine I kind of want to be alone. What you up to?" asked Squall.
"Well I'm off duty and now I'm probably going to go hang out with Marle, Chrono, Lucca, and Yuffie a bit. I want to get some time with Marle and Chrono before they have to be tied down at the Gaia Summit" said Squall.
"Well you do that. Don't worry about me. Have fun with your friends they won't be in town long" said Squall.
"Alright man. See ya later"
Zell ran down the hall. Running in the halls was against the rules and Zell always broke that rule.
Squall shook his head and walked away.
"Are you ready for me to show you that I'm much superior to Quezacotl?" asked Griever.
"I really hurt your feelings with the Quezacotl remark didn't I?" thought Squall.
"No…"
"Sure…anyway looks like no one is here" said Squall as he stepped into the training area.
The SeeD's Training area used holographic imagery to simulate battle situations. The room was very wide and long and the ceiling stretched up high. The walls and floor were white. Squall closed the door behind him and began walking further inside. The Training Area was run by a computer program named AGRIAS that had a female personality.
"AGRIAS run battle simulation code 29841" said Squall out loud.
"Voice recognition of Commander Squall Leonhart, registration number 0574 comfirmed…downloading requested simulation…please stand by…" said AGRIAS with the voice of a female.
Squall pulled out his new Gunblade the Lionheart. It was the first time he would actually use it. He tried to find some excuse for not using it since Laguna sent it to him. He didn't like the idea of his father sending him things because didn't want to feel like he owned him something…but this weapon was just too perfect. He gripped the handle and looked at the blue colored blade. The blade was so light.
"Heh heh heh" chuckled Griever with a half laugh half growl sound.
"What is it now?" asked Squall.
"You'll see…" said Griever.
"Whatever…"
"Requested simulation complete…Balamb Forest Scenario…" said AGRIAS
Suddenly Squall was in a large lush forest. The simulated environment had appeared around him. Everything looked so real though.
"The objective for this scenario is to defeat all monsters in the area…please select difficultly level…choose a difficulty level that suits your skill…take into consideration the fact that you are training alone…a lower difficulty level is recommended…" said AGRIAS.
"Squall set it to the highest possible difficulty level…" said Griever.
"I'm alone in here. That setting is usually reserved for large groups of our most skilled SeeDs" said Squall.
"Do it…" said Griever.
"Set this simulation to Master difficulty" said Squall to AGRIAS.
"This difficulty setting requires a pass code…please state pass code…" replied AGRIAS.
"JR28084-OP52698-IT52163" said Squall.
"That is quite a pass code" said Griever.
"We can't make the pass code obvious because then idiots who think they can take on the world will come in here and hurt themselves….did I just insult myself?" said Squall.
"Have some faith. I told you I'm not your average Guardian Force.
"Pass code confirmed…Good Luck Commander Squall…" said AGRIAS.
Squall readied his weapon. He was a little nervous about taking on the Master level alone. He knew that it was no joke.
-RAAAAARRRGGHH-
Out of the forest a large T-Rexaur came bounding. The vicious dinosaur like monster ran at Squall with its enormous mouth gaping wide. Squall ran to his left dodged the snap of the monsters mouth. The T-Rexaur then turned and tried to knock Squall out with a swing of his tail. Without thinking Squall leapt high into the air. The swinging tail missed him.
"What the?..."
Squall soon realized that he had jumped higher than he thought. In fact he had jumped higher than any normal human could. He was clear over the T-Rexuar's head.
"Feeling stronger than normal?" laughed Griever in Squall's mind.
Squall came down from the sky and landing on the T-Rexuar's head. He stabbed the Lionheart into the top of the monsters head. The powerful Gunblade cut easily into the monsters scaly skin and the T-Rexuar began to flail about a bit. Just then another T-Rexuar came out of the forest and ran toward them. Without think Squall raised his left hand…
"Ultima"
Squall cast an Ultima spell that hit the approaching monster dead on and knocked it down.
"I'm casting spells I didn't even draw!" said Squall in disbelief.
"Want Quezacotl now?" asked Griever
Squall fired a round of ammunition into the head of T-Rexuar. The monster had taken a direct hit to the brain and began to topple over. Squall leapt off and landed on the ground gently. He felt much stronger than he had every felt with any other GF. It was like power was coursing through his body. The T-Rexuar that had been knocked over by the Ultima spell managed to get up and made another attempt at Squall. Two other T-Rexuars appeared out of the forest.
The first T-Rexuar bent over and bit at Squall with its large mouth. Squall ran, jumped, and landed on the nose of the monster. When the monster lifted its head Squall jumped and was propelled in the air like he was on a trampoline.
"Flare"
Squall cast a Flare spell in the air which was another spell that he didn't even draw. The flare spell hit the monster in the face and it roared in pain. Squall cast another Flare spell that hit the second T-Rexuar and another that hit the third. Squall then came plummeting down from the air. He landed on the first T-Rexuar's neck and plunged his Gunblade into it. The T-Rexuar screamed in pain as Squall fired a round into the open wound. The monster began to topple over and Squall leapt to the next monster.
As Squall leapt toward the T-Rexaur it welcomed him with a wide open mouth as if it expected Squall to jump right into its mouth. Squall cast another Flare spell that went straight into the monsters mouth and exploded its insides. The T-Rexuar's stomach exploded shooting blood and guts everywhere. Squall landed on the ground and the last T-Rexuar just looked at him. It then lifted it's head in the air and started screeching.
-SKKKREEEEEEE-
"What?" thought Squall.
Soon lots of rumbling could be heard in the forest. The ground shook like an earthquake was happening.
"It's calling for backup" said Griever.
Soon several T-Rexuar's began pushing through the forest and they were all surrounding Squall. There were at least twenty of them.
"Summon me…" said Griever.
"Ok then…" Squall began concentrating and focusing his mind to call forth Griever. The T-Rexuar's began biting at Squall but while he focused he was protected by a blue field of energy. This is how Guardian Forces protected people when they were about to summon them and the damage was actually delivered to the Guardian Force instead of the person.
"It's like mosquito bites" mocked Griever.
"Ok here goes!"
The entire area turned dark. Squall looked up and so did the T-Rexuars.
High above them was Griever. He was a large lion with black fur and long white angel wings. Squall stood their speechless as he watched. Griever raised his front right paw.
"Shockwave…Pulsar!"
A large beam of energy rushed down and smashed into the ground. A shockwave of energy rushed toward the T-Rexaurs and incinerated all of them. The impact of the attack was so hard that it shook the entire building.
"Whoa…" said Squall holding his hand up as the energy got brighter and brighter.
"WARNING…WARNING…ENERGY LEVELS CRITICAL…SHUTTING DOWN SIMULATION BEFORE FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE SYSTEM IS SUSTAINED…" said AGRIAS as several alarms and beacons started going off…apparently Griever had broken the training area.
Griever vanished and so did the simulation. Squall was now standing alone in the empty training area. There was actually a humongous hole in the floor where Griever's Shockwave Pulsar attack had struck.
"Impressed?" asked Griever.
"…yeah you made me eat my words…I've never felt so strong and I was cast spells that I didn't even draw…" said Squall.
Just then several people opened the door and came rushing into the training area. Among them were the Headmaster, the Headmistress, Selphie, Irvine, Quistis, Nida, and several other SeeDs and SeeD cadets.
"Squall what happened? Are you alright?" asked Headmaster Cid as he and the other ran up to him.
"I'm…fine…just had a malfunction in the system…" said Squall.
"Holy moly look at that hole!" said Selphie staring at the large crater.
"Wow it's huge" said Quistis.
"Did Squall do that?" asked Irvine.
"Squall what happened here? We heard an explosion and it shook the whole building" said Headmistress Edea.
"Umm…well I…" stuttered Squall but he could really think of an excuse on the spot.
Everyone was staring at him.
"Griever help me out here. What should I say?" asked Squall.
"……hmm tell them…well….tell them…..oh I got nothing…" said Griever.
Squall just sighed and held his head.
(Next Scene)
Over the past few day Cloud, Zack and Red XIII had registered with the local mercenary guild. The process was simply a lot of paper work. They had just been sent there first assignment in the mail.
"Quick open it man" said Zack.
Zack and Red XIII stood near Cloud as he opened the letter.
"Wow it's a bodyguard job. We're going to work for a man named Professor Howard. He's an archeologist and he's going to start excavating a site that's a few miles north of the city. The problem is there have been reports of large fiends in the area. He's funded by Square City University so we should get a nice chunk of change for this one" said Cloud summarizing the letter.
"Excellent!" said Zack.
-bing bong-
"Wonder who that is?" asked Cloud.
"I'll get it" said Red XIII as he walked up to the door.
He wrapped his tail around the door knob and opened the door. Tifa and Aeris were standing there.
"Hello ladies" said Red XIII.
"Hey there Red XIII" said Tifa.
"Hey what's up" said Aeris.
"Come on in" said Red XIII.
They ladies walked into the apartment.
"Tifa? Aeris? What's up?" asked Cloud.
"Oh we just thought we'd stop by and see how you all were doing…hey Zack" said Aeris.
"Hey Aeris" said Zack.
"Are you guys busy?" asked Tifa.
"No not really" said Cloud.
"Well I got this really good movie called Loveless. Want to watch it with us?" asked Tifa.
"Sure sounds good" said Cloud.
"Cloud do you have any popcorn?" asked Aeris walking toward Cloud's kitchen.
"Yeah it's in the cabinet" answered Cloud.
"Hey let's make some nachos or something to go with it" said Zack as he walked behind Aeris.
They both smiled shyly and went into the kitchen while Tifa and Cloud started setting up the movie. Red XIII sniffed the air for a bit. He smelled what he told Cloud and Zack were pheromones that Aeris and Zack and also Cloud and Tifa gave off which in his opinion confirmed their attraction for each other.
"The pheromones never lie…" said Red XIII as he shut the door.
(Next Scene)
On the back porch of Wakka's house everyone was gathered for a cookout. The sun was going down but the liveliness of the group certainly wasn't. Yuna, Tidus, Paine, Rikku, Cid, Brother, Buddy, Shinra, Braska, Auron, Jecht, Wakka, Lulu, Vidina, and Kimahri were all their laughing, joking and catching up on old times. Jecht impressed them with his blitzball stories.
"…and then I was surrounded by three of their team members. The score was 4 to 4 and there were 10 seconds left on the clock…I knew I had to pull through…" said Jecht telling his story.
"Wow this is amazing" yelled Brother listening to him.
Tidus sat to the side and watched his father bragging. Auron came and sat beside him.
"It's nice to have everyone together like this don't you think?" asked Auron.
"Yeah…I guess…" said Tidus crossing his arms.
"Is something wrong?" asked Auron.
"…it's just him he's always bragging…he hasn't changed at all…" said Tidus.
"I see. You were very young when Jecht went on the pilgrimage as a guardian"
"Yeah I don't even really remember that. I was so used to him not really being around that I just didn't think about it I guess" said Tidus.
"You know the whole time he never stopped talking about you" said Auron.
"What are you trying to say?" asked Tidus.
"There's no hidden meaning there. I'm just saying that the same way he's bragging and telling stories now is the same way he used to brag about…you" said Auron.
Auron got up and walked away. Tidus sat there and thought for a bit.
Yuna and her father talked. She was simply beaming with joy at being able to see her father again.
"Yuna, I hate to question you but…well…your duel is soon and I was wondering if becoming my apprentice is really what you want?" asked Braska.
"Well of course father it's why I've worked so hard" said Yuna.
"Yeah but you could be a summoner and teach younger students or do research. You don't have to follow in my footsteps" said Braska.
"…but I want to father" said Yuna.
"So you and Jecht's son have gotten close?" asked Braska.
"Yes we have. He's really sweet" said Yuna.
"An apprenticeship with me would mean that you would have to leave Square City" said Braska.
Yuna didn't say anything. She looked down and thought about that for a moment. She had gotten used to life in Square City. She had had so much fun with Paine, Rikku, and Tidus. She never thought about having to leave any of them.
"Yuna I'm not trying to discourage you. Anything that you decide to do I will support you completely but I want you to really think this through. I take my duty as High Summoner seriously but…my only regret in life is that it has kept me from seeing you grow" said Braska.
"I see" said Yuna.
These thoughts had never really crossed her mind. She looked around at everyone. They were all laughing and having a good time. She never thought about having to leave them.
(Next Scene)
Far away on Mt. Gagazet a large facility had been constructed. It was in the shape of a dome sort of resembling an observatory. Inside several Shinra troops worked. Ansem sat at terminal and received a transmission from Scarlet.
"We understand. We shall make Vector our first target" said Ansem ending the transmission.
On another terminal beside Ansem, Kuja worked.
"So we'll have our chance to fire this thing soon?" asked Kuja.
"Yes. Vector will be nothing but a pile of rubble and a memory" laughed Ansem.
(Next Scene)
On the wrecked airship The Blackjack the Returners had been trying to find a way to repair it for the last few days.
"Arrgggh! I give up she'll never fly again!" yelled Setzer.
He, Celes, and Locke were in the engine room and he threw down a wrench that he held in his hand. His face was covered in oil.
"We have to get to Square City!" said Celes.
"Edgar and Sabin are probably already there now and they don't have a clue that they are falling into a trap" said Locke.
"I don't know what else to do. We've wasted so much time trying to fix this thing. GRRR I'll never forgive them for wrecking my ship" said Setzer angrily.
"-sigh- If only we could teleport there like the Empire troops…whoa wait a minute I have an idea!" said Locke.
"What?" asked Celes.
"Vincent has Exit Materia. You think there is a way we can duplicate their technology and teleport there?" asked Locke.
"I don't know" said Setzer scratching his head.
"Hmm we still have the files that we stole from them" said Celes.
"Hell it's worth a try we've got nothing" said Locke.
Vincent walked out on the deck of the ship and Shadow was out there. There were also a few Returners that had survived the attack and the crash. Vincent walked up and stood a few feet away from Shadow. Shadow didn't look at Vincent. He looked out into the woods.
"Thanks for the help with those armors…does this mean that we've put everything behind us…?" asked Vincent.
Shadow was silent for a while then he finally spoke.
"For the time being…I won't guarantee anything…" said Shadow.
"I see. Shadow, Shinra is evil. You have a chance to really do some good with helping us stop them"
"Good…Bad…I have no side…" said Shadow.
"…where's your dog?" asked Vincent.
"He's in Thamasa healing" said Shadow.
Shadow didn't look at Vincent at all and Vincent was sure that Shadow wouldn't talk to him anymore. He decided to leave well enough alone and walk away.
(End Chapter 21)
Well this chapter introduced a lot of new characters. Braska, Jecht, Kimahri, Edgar, Sabin, and Rikku's father Cid are here for the Gaia Summit. Steiner and Beatrix sort of…interrupted Garnet and Zidane. Griever has made Squall eat his words and proven that he's an awesome GF by wrecking the SeeD training area. I changed the SeeD training area to an X-men danger room type thing because it just worked better for what I wanted to do and also I never liked that SeeD had real monsters running around their school and if you've played FF8 you saw how that worked out…-sigh-. Rufus is coming off as more ruthless than his father ever was and Cloud, Zack, and Red XIII have gotten a job assignment. Next chapter I'll rant about Advent Children getting pushed back…oh yeah and Yuna will have her duel with Dona. Thanks for reading.