Author's Notes: For any indication of how my first party of Śohoob; Karen and Jennifer attack; summon or doing their victory phrase then checkout Episode 2: "Star Cerberus."
Listen to your soul - Never forget your personality - Battle for Freedom - Nightmares and Failures lay ahead - Rejoice! Myths is still in the air - The fighting is not over - Gain your confidence - Challenge your rival - A better day lays ahead - Survive for your time is yet to come - A war would erupt - All for a rear item - Destruction... Corruption... Chaos... Betrayal... Death all lay in your path - Excel in your abilities - No one stops you - Stars of Twinkle
The Age of Meric
Episode 3: "Twinkle Garden"
Śohoob; Karen and Jennifer all paced normally back towards Twinkle Garden.
"No troubles so far."
"We might encounter some soon."
"Don't count on it."
Right then, they were challenged and went into battle.
"You were saying?"
"Three T-Rexaurs!"
"We'll need to withdraw from this one."
"It's my turn."
Śohoob summoned Soul-Warrior 3. The party vanished and the battleground changed. The battleground was space with stars all around the T-Rexaurs. One star glowed blindly bright and it exploded into Sewiril. Sewiril smiled and flapped his wings, spinning around.
Star Storm
Stars gathered around in front of Sewiril as he continued on flapping his wings and spinning around. The stars gathered in a hurricane formation spinning around and moving vertically up and down. Sewiril stopped spinning and released the Star Storm towards the three T-Rexaurs. 750 left each T-Rexaur. Sewiril went back into a star. The battleground changed back to normal and the party appeared. It was Jennifer's turn.
Cure
Jennifer cured Śohoob back to full HP.
"Let's make a run for it once one of the T-Rexaurs attacks."
"Got it."
"Good plan."
The left T-Rexaur attacked first.
Meteor
"Oh shit."
"This is going to be some massive damage."
The battleground changed and the three T-Rexaurs vanished. Meteors continuously hit the party, with some missing entirely. 320 left Jennifer; 225 left Śohoob and 470 left Karen. The battleground changed back to normal and the T-Rexaurs appeared. Jennifer; Śohoob and Karen all made a run for it. They successfully withdrew before the second T-Rexaur attacked.
Karen collapsed onto her knees, holding onto the spear. Śohoob and Jennifer stopped once they noticed that Karen wasn't with them. They rushed back to her.
"I was hit the most. My HP is only 510."
"Jennifer and Karen, give me some of your magic and your guardian forces. Jennifer, take Karen back to Twinkle Garden and I'll hold them back."
Jennifer and Karen stared worriedly at Śohoob. Śohoob nodded, reassuring them. Jennifer gave him Soul-Warrior 1 and some cures with blizzards. Karen gave him Soul-Warrior 2 and some auras.
"I'll be fine. I'll make it. I was taught by one of the best sword-masters."
"If not by the best. I'll report this to Alan and Squall once we return. Expect help and backup."
Śohoob nodded to Jennifer.
"O.K."
Jennifer held onto Karen's waist and Karen put her arm around Jennifer's neck. In Karen's other hand was her spear. The two took off. Śohoob waited for some time then took off behind them. They left the forests safely without any new encounters. Śohoob thought that he was through once entering the plains but he was wrong. Once he stopped to rest from the running, he was challenged once again by the three T-Rexaurs.
"Shit! I thought I won't face them on the plains. Well, better keep my guard up the whole way I guess. Squall hurry."
The middle T-Rexaur attacked normally. 35 left Śohoob.
"I'm draining here."
Fire
A fireball from the right T-Rexaur hit into Śohoob and 75 left him. It was Śohoob's turn.
"I have no other choice."
Cure
Śohoob cured himself almost back to full HP.
"Next time I guess it should be shell and protect."
It was the left T-Rexaur's turn.
Thunder
Śohoob was blasted by thunder. 43 left him.
The middle T-Rexaur attacked normally. 35 left Śohoob. The right T-Rexaur attacked again.
Fire
75 left Śohoob.
"Time to run."
Śohoob withdrew and was successful.
Śohoob hastily ran through the plains as fast as he could. He momentarily stopped and used some cures to fully cure himself in the open. He continued on, he looked back and saw the three T-Rexaurs behind him. He turned his gaze back to the front and saw the Twinkle Garden in the horizon and a figure leaving it. Śohoob smiled.
'Squall! I'll have backup then once I face off with the T-Rexaurs.'
A figure appeared behind Squall. Śohoob stopped and blinked. He recognized the other figure as Zell Dincht. Śohoob heard a growl behind him and sweat-dropped. He turned around to see the three T-Rexaurs breathing down his neck. He immediately entered battle for the third time against the three T-Rexaurs.
"Hold on Śohoob!"
Śohoob didn't hear Squall's yell since he was already in battle.
"Here we go again. It's my turn though, let's use it."
He spun the blade in his right hand, summoning Soul-Warrior 1. Śohoob vanished and the battleground changed. A twirling green wormhole replaced the battleground.
Ownalis Tunnel
A white lion appeared at the party's side at the far end of the green wormhole and blasted green energy towards the three T-Rexaurs. 350 HP left the three T-Rexaurs. The battleground returned to normal and Śohoob reappeared. Squall appeared in the battle to Śohoob's left, Zell appeared in the battle to Śohoob's right.
"Good thing you're still hanging in there."
Śohoob smiled, glad that he wasn't alone. Squall had his gunblade unsheathed and in combat stance, Zell was in combat stance as well.
"It's a great thing that you held the three T-Rexaurs off until Jennifer and Karen returned safely and we arrived."
"No problem Mr. Dincht."
"Call me Zell please."
"Whose turn is it?"
"The left T-Rexaur."
Squall sweat-dropped.
"Here we go."
Quake
"Shit."
The small earthquake damaged the party. 150 left Squall; 210 left Śohoob and 130 left Zell.
"Amazing. I can stand the most against that attack."
"O.K. Śohoob, you'll deal with curing yourself and us. We'll go into defense first Zell."
"I'm with you Squall."
The middle T-Rexaur attacked.
Fire
The attack hit Squall and 75 left him.
"No problem. We SeeD members are above 2 thousand HP. We'll hang in there. We got Life and Full Life just in case."
"Let's take on the middle one first."
"That was my line Zell but it is the first. We'll take them down one by one."
The right T-Rexaur rammed into Zell. Only 5 left him. Zell laughed at the dinosaur.
"O.K. Zell, your turn."
"Right on it."
Triple
Zell cast triple on Śohoob. Śohoob's turn.
Triple Cure
He cured Squall; himself and Zell, returning their HP mostly back to full. Squall's turn.
Reflect
He cast reflect at Śohoob. The left T-Rexaur.
Thunder
He blasted a bolt of lightning onto Śohoob but it reflected back at T-Rexaur, for the party's advantage. Squall and Zell laughed in his face. Śohoob sighed.
"Remember, they're most vulnerable against ice. Use Blizzard and other ice attacks. I'll summon Shiva. Zell, you deal with turning Śohoob into an impenetrable fort. I don't want to lose my best student from our first battle together."
The middle T-Rexaur's turn.
Fire
The attack reflected off of Śohoob and back towards the middle T-Rexaur. It cured him somewhat. The party gasped.
"Don't attack with fire, that'll make them tougher."
"They're smarter than they look."
"He used that attack on purpose to bring his HP up slightly."
"Let's see what the third would do."
The third T-Rexaur attacked.
Fire
"Shit."
The magic reflected off of Śohoob and back to T-Rexaur, curing him some.
"They're going to use Śohoob's reflect for their advantage!"
"O.K. Change of plan. We'll make our stand here. We die here or win here and continue on. If we survive this, I have some stuff to tell you apprentice. Zell you attack with Blizzard, the same goes for you Śohoob. I'll summon Shiva. I'll use triple Curaga when we need them."
"That means..."
"You know it."
It was Zell's turn. Śohoob's reflect disappeared, along with his triple.
Triple
He cast triple onto Squall. Śohoob's turn, he cast aura on himself.
"What the heck are you doing?"
"I know what I'm doing. With all due respect, mind your own business."
Squall blinked but stayed calm.
"I'll deal with you once we get back to Twinkle Garden."
"That's if we get back."
"Listen Śohoob, I know you've got a secret plan and heck it might even somehow take these T-Rexaurs down one by one. I know that much. Enough talking... For now. My turn."
Squall summoned Shiva. The party vanished and the battleground changed.
Diamond Dust
950 left every T-Rexaur. The party appeared and the battleground changed back to normal.
'Making it easier on me.'
Seeing him as the most dangerous threat amongst them, the three T-Rexaurs rammed into Squall, one after another. 35 left Squall each time. It was Zell's turn.
Blizzard
The blizzard was aimed at the middle T-Rexaur. 230 left it. Next was Śohoob's turn. He grinned. He shifted his blade backwards and it glowed dark green, Śohoob knelt down slightly and charged the middle T-Rexaur. Squall knew for sure that wasn't part of his training with Śohoob. Śohoob stopped in mid-charge and dirt and grass flew up, covering Śohoob from the T-Rexaur's eyes.
"Welcome my new; original technique..."
Owl of the Forest
An energized green transparent owl burst through the dirt and grass, stunning the T-Rexaur for a moment. That's what Śohoob needed, he burst through dirt and grasses, leaping towards the T-Rexaur, like an owl. Once reaching his neck, Śohoob slashed through and glided down, like an owl, behind the T-Rexaur. He quickly withdrew back to his position. 1500 left the middle T-Rexaur. That strong was Śohoob's limit break. The middle T-Rexaur fell down, the first one down, two left.
"Why didn't you tell me about it?"
"It only came to me last night in my sleep."
"That strong!"
"It's amazing, isn't it?"
"Sure is, if you're asking me."
"My turn anyways. This should take down at least one of them."
Squall summoned Shiva once more. The party disappeared and the battleground changed.
Diamond Dust
950 left the two remaining T-Rexaurs. The party reappeared and the battleground changed back to normal. The remaining two T-Rexaurs fell to the ground and vanished, defeated. Squall; Śohoob and Zell did their victory phases. They gained a few dino bones and that was it. Śohoob went up a level; Squall went up a level and Zell went up a level.
Squall completely cured himself. The three friends walked back to Twinkle Garden without being challenged anymore. They were welcomed back in Twinkle Garden. Rinoa greeted Squall by embracing him. Even Zell's wife was there, kissing him passionately on the lips. It was the girl that had a crush on him back in Final Fantasy 8.
"What is it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Squall stared at Śohoob. He grinned.
"Go check out your girl first."
'My girl? He couldn't possibly mean Karen. Shit! She's his daughter for crying out loud.'
Śohoob sighed.
"Very well."
He nodded and went to the infirmary to check up on. Jennifer was there with her.
"Hey Karen, someone's here to see you."
Jennifer smiled, stepping aside so that Śohoob could show himself. Karen smiled weakly upon seeing him.
"I was worried you won't make it against the three T-Rexaurs."
"I had a trick up my sleeve if I had to use it. Besides, your father and Zell were there to help out."
"How's dad?"
"He's fine. He's still the sword-master that I know."
Śohoob smiled, lowering his eyes and head, shy all of a sudden.
"I'm glad you made it back."
"So am I. So am I. How is she Jennifer?"
"She'll be fine. A few days and she'll be back on her feet."
"Did dad tell you about the news?"
Śohoob shook his head.
"No, not yet."
"Then I won't bother telling you."
"You had a brave stand out there with Squall and Zell. You better rest for the day. Squall might come and see you though."
"I'll make sure to keep my room unlocked."
Śohoob was starting to leave but Karen grabbed onto his left hand with her right hand, lying in her bed. Śohoob turned to look her in the eyes; they were weak but twinkling at the same time. Karen was smiling. Śohoob felt that she wanted to tell him something but she kept quiet, staring at him. A strange feeling went out through Śohoob. What was it? Karen sighed, lying her head back onto the pillow and closing her eyes. She let go of Śohoob.
Śohoob in return left the infirmary, back to his own private room.
Śohoob unlocked the door to his private room and entered it, closing it behind him but not locking it. He took his laptop and went to his bed and laid down in it. He typed onto the laptop some info and after a few instant moments it appeared.
Śohoob Actonal
Hair and Eye Color: Green
Age: 18
Birthday: May 13th
Weapon: Twinklian Blade
Limit Breaks: Owl of the Forest; Owl Feather - Spirit of Twinkle; Feather Moon - Twinkle Eclipse; Twinkle Night
Height: 5'5
Class: Expected to become a Twinkler Elite
Gender: Male
Parents: Nasser and Warda Actonal
Joined Twinkle Garden: In 3017
Current Status: Graduated Apprentice and skilled sword-master
Mentor: Squall Leonhart
Room: Twinkle 5E
Śohoob sighed.
'Is it really expected of me to become Twinkler elite? That strong and good?'
Squall entered the room and closed the door behind him. Śohoob noticed him and turned off his laptop. He got off of his bed and put it back on his desk. Squall took the seat at the desk. Śohoob took his seat on his bed, facing Squall. Squall was wearing his well known uniform but an updated one that fit him with his rank as mentor; master and director in Twinkle Garden.
"There was some stuff you wanted to tell me?"
Squall nodded.
"I've been watching you with my daughter lately."
Śohoob sighed, sweat-dropping.
"I hope you're not angry about that."
Squall grinned.
"Actually, I'm quiet happy for the two of you, as is my wife, Rinoa."
Śohoob lowered his head.
"I'm not sure but I have a hunch that Karen loves me, as a sweetheart would."
Squall nodded.
"That she does. She told me by whispering it in my ear indirectly when she came back with Irvine's daughter. I wanted to thank you for looking out for her and protecting her."
Śohoob breathed deeply and slowly. He raised his head, staring back at Squall.
"Don't tell her this but I'm not quiet sure how I feel towards her."
Squall stayed silent, listening.
"It's an urge to protect her and stand by her side to defend her when she's in danger but yet it's more than that. I don't think that's why you're here."
Squall blinked, all of a sudden laughing.
"I completely forgot! Thanks for reminding me. There's a coming test for Twinkler Elite rank. You; my daughter Karen; Irvine's daughter Jennifer and a few others are expected to pass it. Amongst them is Roy Dincht, Zell's son."
"What's the mission?"
"Deling City this time. Its air force is strong so squadrons of Emeton fighters are going to come with us. I; Zell and Irvine are all coming with you. Seifer and Hector might be there to hold us back. I; Zell and Irvine would deal with Seifer, the rest of you can deal with Hector. TA Team, us in Ragnarok, is you; me; Roy and Nasran; Laguna might come with us with Kiros and Ward but that's a weak possibility.
"Like in my mission to become a SeeD, we attacked Dollet to strike at the Galbadian army there. The same goes here for Deling City. I'm to observe the mission and test as Master of Twinkler Elite. TB Team, is the submarine strike force, seven is all. Amongst them would be Karen; Irvine; Zell; Jennifer and Heather amongst others would come. Selphie would be with them. If Laguna and his party come with us then they'll be with us on Ragnarok.
"TA 1 Party would be you; Roy and Nasran. You'll be party captain. You're mission would be to take Deling City center and hold onto it until reinforcements arrive. At first, we on Ragnarok are to clear the beaches to the north of Deling City for the submarines to submerge and attack. The spider robot that we faced in Dollet might appear, more than one, might appear at anytime so be extremely careful.
"Like Dollet, a call for withdrawal might be made but if it doesn't get to you then you and your party would need to go into hiding into the wilderness around Deling City until we retract you and your party. Laguna and his party would be to hold the beaches and protect Ragnarok, again if he comes with us. Since I'll be the leader in this mission, it'll be my call to withdraw... Rinoa; Quistis and Edea might be amongst the submarine strike force. That'll all come in three days to be exact.
"Be prepared. You're expected to survive and to keep your party alive and become a Twinkler Elite with them."
"So there's a possibility that my party would have to escape Deling City and survive in the wilderness around it?"
Squall nodded.
"It'll need to be a captain's decision. That's if the call won't come to you or the call is never made."
"Anything else?"
"Actually yeah. Just who do you think you are being rude towards your mentor?"
Śohoob smiled sheepishly.
"Sorry about that back then. I just like to keep my plans to myself most of the time."
"Very well then. No problem. When you feel like telling us your plans, go ahead."
"Squall?"
"Yeah?"
"When my party is retracted, will we have to enter a mission after becoming Twinkle Elite?"
"Most likely. It might be different than ours. Your party TA 1, if it doesn't hear the call to withdrawal and does survive until the retraction... well, you'd be the best elite in Twinkle Garden and the first to enter any defense or offense positions or missions. Your party would remain as it is and be renamed Elite Survival Party. Since you'll be the captain, you'll be able to add members of your choice to it."
"That's great to hear. Lot's see what will happen."
"If that happens than I have complete faith and trust of you surviving and keeping your party members alive. You're most likely an excellent leader."
"Thanks."
"See ya in three days. Oh, Karen might come and see you tomorrow."
"O.K."
Squall left the room and closed the door behind him. Śohoob sighed, lying down back onto his bed.
'Rest, I need rest. It might be a long mission. I expect that my party won't hear the withdrawal call and it would come. We'll have to escape Deling City alive first then survive in the wilderness around it. For how long until we're retracted? I don't know. It might be a few days and maybe much more.'
With that as his last thought in his mind, Śohoob dozed off to sleep.
Śohoob woke up during the night. He sat up in bed and went into the balcony of his room. A few private rooms in the garden contained balconies with them and Śohoob's was on of them. Karen's room was two rooms down. She had one too. Śohoob let the breeze play with his hair gently as he looked into the horizon. He sighed, closing his eyes. He had his arms folded on the wall, leaning on it. The moonlight touched down onto Śohoob's face.
Seagulls were flying around the beach at night, not so far away. Their callings filled Śohoob's ears.
'Their callings are going to stay stuck in my mind always. It might be like the call to withdrawal, one I and my party would never know about.'
Karen quietly and gently entered the balcony of his room; she gently and carefully approached him. The night breeze was gently blowing her clothes that she was wearing. Śohoob sensed her and grinned, turning around. Karen jumped back, startled.
"Your dad said that you'd come and see me tomorrow."
Karen sighed, shrugging.
"I was in my room all alone and I wanted some company I guess... So I came here."
"How are you feeling?"
Karen lowered her head.
"Jennifer said it would take a few days but it seems to be healing fast."
Śohoob smiled, nodding. He turned around, facing the ocean and horizon. Karen walked up next to him, leaning on the wall. She looked into the horizon, letting the gentle night breeze play with her hair. Moonlight touched down onto Karen's face.
"Did dad mention to you anything?"
Śohoob nodded.
"If you're talking about the mission, yes he told me about it."
"I feel it's sort of awkward."
"Why?"
"I'm not part of your party."
"I guess he's being careful. He doesn't want to lose his precious daughter."
"But Roy gets to go with you."
Śohoob laughed.
"I haven't seen him yet but it seems he's pleasant. I guess Zell trusts me well enough to allow his son in my party."
"Are you saying that dad doesn't trust you well enough for me to be in your party?"
"Most likely. It's a possibility that I and my party would have to survive in the wilderness around Deling City. Squall prefers for you to be with him, where he knows where you are."
"What?"
"I expect that your dad told you about the withdrawal and what would happen if my party and I didn't hear it?"
Karen nodded.
"Well... I don't have to explain then."
"But... If you're going to live... I mean survive in the wilderness with your party, wouldn't you have to battle tirelessly with monsters in that area?"
"That's the point. It might take a couple of days if not more to find my party and me and retract us."
Karen sighed, closing her eyes.
"I'll miss you and worry about you if that really happens."
"Thanks. Your dad won't want to worry about you. I myself would be more relaxed to know that you're safe back here."
Karen blinked.
"Really?"
"For sure."
There was silence between them for some time, just enjoying each other's company in solitude. The only sounds were the gentle waves of the ocean; callings of the seagulls and the gentle night breeze. Karen dug into her yellow pants pocket and took out a necklace. It was made of emerald, with the Twinkle Garden symbol carved into it. She blushed and held it towards Śohoob. At first Śohoob didn't notice but when he glanced to his right to the floor, he saw the necklace.
Śohoob took it gently with his mouth slightly opened, he barely touch Karen's hand intentionally but momentarily. Karen lowered her head, blushing deeper and smiling as she let her arm drop to her side.
"I made it today while you were sleeping, back in my room."
"Thanks. It's beautiful."
"If anything happens and you and your party would have to survive in the wilderness, remember me by that. I don't know but it might push you on to survive."
"It most likely well. It's a great gift coming from you. Thanks so much Karen."
"Call me Kar and your welcome."
"O.K. Kar."
Śohoob put the necklace around his neck and it sparkled in the moonlight. He put his right gloved hand onto it, holding it upwards slightly for Śohoob to stare down at it. They stayed there together under the moonlight a little longer. After sometime Karen sighed.
"I better get back to my room."
"See ya tomorrow Kar."
Karen nodded, smiling, leaving the balcony. Śohoob let go of the necklace and walked back in a little later after Karen. He closed the slide-door and locked the room's door. He put his necklace and ID necklace around a hook on the wall. He took off his shoes and gloves, putting his shoes under his bed and gloved on desk, next to the closed laptop. He took off his belt and put it around another hook next to the first.
Śohoob laid down on his bed, tucked himself in, sighed and dozed off to sleep.