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 4: "Test of Twinklian"
Twinkle Island lays to the west of the world map of FF8. Its south-east of Island closest to Hell. It's made up by me. On the island, Twinkle Garden; Twinkle City; Starville Town and Emeton Town all reside. Starville Town has a launching site into space and Twinkle City is on the coast so it has a huge harbor. Emeton has a fighter airbase. Ragnarok and Tanilo, a Polaron striker, reside close by Emeton. At first Tanilo resides on the ocean floor, close by Twinkle Garden.
Tanilo currently isn't with Ragnarok but I'll come to that. Seifer and his son, Hector stayed at Galbadia garden. Squall and the others moved to Twinkle Island and found themselves jobs in Twinkle Garden. Even Laguna and his party with Ellone went to Twinkle Island. Squall and Rinoa are married and have a daughter, Karen. Squall and Rinoa are both 38. Laguna married Julie or Julia, the pianist or singer and the two are living in Starville Town with Ellone.
Believe it or not Quistis and Irvine married and have a daughter, Jennifer. Quistis and Irvine live in Twinkle City while Jennifer works in Twinkle Garden. Balamb Garden is a few kilometers to the south of Twinkle Island, holding its position in the ocean. Emeton also has Long-range missile strike base. Zell and the librarian married and had a son, Roy. Alan Loire is Laguna's son as Laguna is in his early fifties; Alan is the headmaster of Twinkle Garden.
Jennifer works both as a director and medic. Śohoob is the son of Nasser Actonal. Nasser was married to Warda and they used to survive out in the open in Cactuar Island. Ragnarok came over and saw them. Squall was in it and Nasser let him take Śohoob to raise him up in Twinkle Garden. Śohoob was a few months old back then. Other characters, like Heather Naneram and Nasran Otomy, are to appear soon. Their history would be revealed later on, on its own.
THREE DAYS LATER...
Śohoob; Squall and the rest that lived in Twinkle Garden were all assembled in the Entrance Hall of the garden. Mr. Loire, Alan Loire, son of Laguna Loire was the headmaster and he was on a high platform for all to see him. He preached about the mission and wished them good luck and god speed. Everyone in the entrance hall went back to work. The ones with the mission went to the train to head to Twinkle City and only one, a jeep, headed to Emeton.
The one behind the wheels was Squall. With him were Śohoob; Roy and Nasran. Roy had yellow spiky hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a black leather coat; cowboy hat; black cowboy shoes; black leather gloves; white pants; black belt with clips around it of all sorts of ammo; black shirt with a dolphin encrypted on it. Behind and below his right shoulder was a tattoo of a dolphin. Roy was the sniper. He certainly was pleasant but Śohoob was friendlier with Nasran.
Nasran had red hair and green eyes. There was a scar between his left shoulder and elbow. Nasran was Zell's apprentice. He was the knuckle fighter of Śohoob's party. He was wearing a silver shirt, with silver cape, with a black carved panther on the central back of the cape; silver sport pants; silver combat gloves or knuckles; silver panther athletic shoes. Nasran was wearing Ehrgeiz combat gloves, the most updated ones.
Roy's rifle was an Exeter. Roy was Irvine's apprentice. Exeter was the most updated rifle. A car from Starville left it and headed towards Emeton with Squall's. Squall smiled upon seeing it; he knew that Laguna and his party were going to come through it.
"You three see the car following us?"
Śohoob; Nasran and Roy all looked behind them and saw Laguna's smiling back from behind them, with his party in his car. Śohoob turned back to the front.
"So Laguna and his party are coming with us after all!"
Squall nodded.
"Laguna couldn't deny his importance in this mission."
Squall reached Ragnarok, close by Emeton but outside the town. He parked the car near it on its side; Laguna parked near it on the other side. Squall got out of the driver's seat and leaned onto the jeep's door, staring at Ragnarok.
"So we meet again old friend."
The camera zoomed around Ragnarok from its rear to its rear and over it, capturing Squall staring proudly at it. Śohoob; Roy and Nasran all scrambled out of the jeep. The jeep was Squall's. Śohoob had his ID necklace; coin necklace and Karen's necklace gift with him, around his neck or wrist. He had his shoes on with his twinkle belt around him. Squall took out the ID necklace from the ignition and locked the jeep's doors behind him.
He used his ID necklace to open the entrance to Ragnarok. Laguna; Kiros and Ward all came around. Laguna hadn't changed a lot. His uniform was the same as the one at the end of FF8, when he looked over the grave. Kiros' uniform was his combat one as was Ward's. Laguna and Squall shook hands with each other. Śohoob; Roy and Nasran all shook hands with Kiros and Ward. Laguna shook hands with Śohoob.
The two groups scrambled into Ragnarok. They took their seats and buckled up. Twinkle Garden officials updated Ragnarok a bit and made it safer. Laguna and Squall sat in front at the controls. Śohoob; Roy and Nasran all sat behind each other in one row. Kiros and Ward were in another row. Squall closed the entrance to Ragnarok from where he was and Laguna started Ragnarok's engines.
Śohoob had a one shoulder back bag. In it were his laptop and some survival items. He had it on his lap. He took it with him so that it won't be as hard to survive in the wilderness. Squall had already given numerous Full-Life magic to Śohoob, just in case. Śohoob; Roy and Nasran had numerous Curagas and Auras with them. Ragnarok blasted off into the air and headed north, towards Deling City. It blasted off into the air.
Below, few squadrons of fighters flew into the air, out of Emeton's fighter field. They took positions beside Ragnarok. In front of Śohoob was Squall and in front of Kiros was Laguna. Together, all flew north to Deling City.
In no time, squadrons of Deling City's fighters appeared in the horizon. Emeton's squadrons stayed in formation until Deling City's fighters were in range. Squadrons from both sides broke formations and attacked one another. Ragnarok continued on its way, leaving the air battle behind it. Once over the northern coast, close to Deling City, Squall opened the entrance door. Śohoob and his party unbuckled themselves from the seats. Śohoob put the backpack around his back.
He jumped out of the entrance, sky diving to towards the beach. Nasran jumped behind him with his arms extended out all the way. Roy jumped last. He aimed his rifle towards the drop zone and fired three times. Green liquid spheres bumped into the beach sand. Śohoob fell into one; Nasran fell into another and Roy fell into the third. The green spheres were vaporized and TA 1 party went into action.
Roy armed his rifle with bullets; Nasran punched a few times and Śohoob unsheathed his blade. Śohoob was in the center; Nasran was to his right and Roy was to his left. Squall landed Ragnarok behind TA 1 party. Laguna and his party scrambled out with their own weapons ready. Squall left Ragnarok and closed the entrance door behind him. FF8 Ragnarok music stopped playing.
Hector and his party, a girl with long white hair and a black boy with afro-American hair, appeared. Śohoob and his party immediately went into battle with them. On another side Seifer; Raijin and Fujin appeared. Squall noticed him.
"We'll handle them Squall. Watch TA 1."
Laguna and his party went into battle with Seifer and his party. Squall turned his head towards Śohoob and his party.
"Finally we can finish what we started Hector."
"You can bet on that! I see you have some friends. I have my own as well."
"Mind to introduce us?"
"With pleasure."
Hector nodded to his right. A girl with white hair with Fujin's weapon or one like it.
"That's Mora."
Hector nodded to the afro-American, his left. A black boy with Raijin's weapon or one like it.
"That's Ray."
"I would guess that you already told them about us."
"I only told them about you."
"O.K. then."
Śohoob nodded to his right.
"That's Nasran."
Śohoob nodded to his left.
"That's Roy."
"Let's get this battle on the road!"
The first turn went to Mora. She attacked Nasran normally. 37 left him. Nasran growled. It was Hector's turn next.
Firecross
Hector excelled in his father's limit break and Seifer let it be his son's limit break as well. Fire was fired at Śohoob and then Hector stroke. 215 left Śohoob. It was Ray's turn.
Tornado
"Oh shit."
110 left Śohoob; 125 left Nasran and 100 left Roy. It was Roy's turn.
Triple
He cast triple on himself. Next was Śohoob and it was vengeance time for the scar. Śohoob summoned Soul-Warrior 2. TA 1 vanished and the battleground changed.
"Not good."
Diamond Shower
230 left Mora; 215 left Ray and 195 left Hector. The battleground returned back to normal and TA 1 appeared. Śohoob was grinning. Nasran's turn. He jumped towards Mora.
Duel
115 left Mora and Nasran grinned, jumping back his position. Śohoob didn't know how much Mora's HP was but he pitied her. Mora noticed and didn't blame him. She concentrated on Nasran. It was Mora's turn but she passed it to Hector, surprising the others. Nasran blinked. Hector nodded.
"Very well then."
It was Hector's turn. He attacked Nasran normally. Mora gasped, turning to Hector as he withdrew back to his position. She sighed and lowered her head. 37 left Nasran.
"Guys, concentrate on Hector. He's our opponent."
"You got it captain."
"I won't disappoint you."
Ray's turn.
Blizzard
Ray cast Blizzard onto Nasran. 105 left him.
"What the fuck!"
Nasran growled.
"My turn. Time to show them what we're made off."
Triple Aura
Hector and Ray both gasped. Mora faintly smiled. Roy cast aura on Nasran; Śohoob and himself. It was Śohoob's turn.
"That's the way it's going to be then."
Renzokuken
235 left Hector. Nasran summoned Soul-Warrior 1. TA 1 vanished and the battleground changed.
Ownalis Tunnel
120 left Mora; 207 left Hector and 195 left Ray. The battleground returned to normal and TA 1 appeared.
"I think it's time we withdrew. It's wiser. We'll be able to lick our wounds. With aura and their guardian forces, we don't have a chance... yet. I'll have a talk with you Mora."
It was Mora's turn.
Curaga
She completely cured herself back to full HP. It was Hector's turn but he escaped with Mora and Ray. TA 1 all smiled in triumph, doing their finishing moves.
Śohoob kept his blade unsheathed as he watched Hector and his party runaway back to Deling City. He turned towards Laguna and his party; he saw Seifer and his party running away back to Deling City also. Nasran whispered to Śohoob.
"I have a feeling Mora doesn't like to fight."
"I have a feeling in the rather close future that she'll start to have a crush on you."
Nasran blinked, taking a step back. Śohoob sheathed his blade but kept on alert. TA 2 Team arrived. Squall turned to TA 1 party.
"Let's get going. We'll split up in Deling City."
Squall and TA 1 ran, heading towards Deling City. Laguna and his party were left behind to protect the beaches and Ragnarok. On the way Śohoob cured the rest of his party back to full HP. His backpack was still on his back.
Upon entering Deling City, Squall went his way and TA 1 held their position momentarily. It was the first time they were in Deling.
"I guess they knew that we were coming."
"Nobody is challenging us or waiting for us here."
"That probably means that they're deeper in the city."
"Roy, Nasran, ready your weapons and stay alert at all times."
Śohoob unsheathed his sword and TA 1 ventured into Deling City.
"Why do you have that backpack with you?"
"Both of you were briefed on what might happen before today, right?"
"Yeah."
"The backpack has some survival stuff to make it easier."
"Do you really think that'll happen?"
"Hey! The guy packed survival equipment! I think that's pretty obvious. It's best to be prepared. I mean I also think that might happen. Our party captain is wise enough to bring them that I'm relaxed that he has them."
"O.K. Geez. I didn't mean to put up an argument."
Just then they were challenged.
The challenger was one Galbadian soldier. Easy. Their uniform had changed as it become black and all the metal parts on their uniform were dark red.
"Normal attacks on this one. He'll be easy."
"He's stupid to challenge three of us."
"Let's just take him out."
It started with Roy's turn. Roy attacked normally, shooting at the soldier. The soldier got injured. Next was Śohoob. He attacked normally and withdrew. Nasran was next and he attacked normally. More damage was done to the soldier. The soldier's turn.
Cure
The soldier cured himself back to full HP.
"Dammit!"
Roy's turn. He shot the soldier and withdrew. Next was Śohoob.
"This is lasted longer than it has supposed. Time to end this."
Blizzard
The attack killed the soldier. He fell down and vanished. TA 1 did their ending, victory moves.
TA 1 continued on their way towards the city's center. No more confrontations were encountered. It seemed that the first one taught the others not to dare challenge TA 1. That wasn't the reason though, more serious trouble and a more dangerous challenger was at the center.
"Is that what I think it is?"
"Damn! It sure is. Squall has shown me pictures of them and told me all about them."
"If we're to take the city's center we're to defeat the spider machine."
That's correct; it was BGH251F2, the menace robot from Squall's Dollet mission. TA 1 was the ones to challenge it into battle this time.
"Remind me to never take on any mission after this."
"That's if we survive this."
"We might have to use a lot of full-lives here."
"And a lot of curagas and auras if not all of them."
"I for one am not backing down and not withdrawing! No matter the cost."
"We're with you fearless captain."
"We're the best apprentices of our mentors."
"We're the only apprentices of our mentors."
That was it. TA 1 was going to enter the biggest; longest and most tiring battle of all their training and lives. Back in Disc 1 in FF8, the robot menace wasn't defeated in direct battle, only with Quistis was it silenced. Now history was repeating itself but with an ironic twist of events. TA 1 wasn't to withdraw and it must survive at all costs. Will they change history and defeat BGH251F2 in direct battle? Or would it be the same? I'll try to make this battle as interesting as possible.
TA 1 was ready for its destiny battle. All three had determined looks on their faces and with the right magic and cooperation between one another, it seemed possible but weakly. Unimagined events are to happen here, in order to destroy BGH251F2. The spider robot isn't the same color. It's black in color with some parts of him dark red. Nasran was the first to go but he didn't know what to do.
"Do something but don't pass your turn."
"I know."
Nasran was the first to do the unimagined events. The unimagined events are going to show rarely, if I'm correct, it only might appear here.
Anki Hunal!
Nasran did something in a blur, something he couldn't even explain. Whatever it was, it was useful. 2100 left BGH251F2. It was BGH251F2's turn. For some reason it should have started repairing itself. Squall explained that much to Śohoob.
'Is it something with BGH251F2 or was it something with Nasran's attack? Whatever it was, it seems we're going to win this quicker than we thought.'
Everybody was retreating back to the submarines. Karen and her party, Karen; Heather and Blenda saw BGH251F2 battling with TA 1. Her party was TB 3. She went immediately back to Squall who was back in Ragnarok with her party.
"BGH251F2 is at the city's center!"
Squall quickly stood up, facing Karen.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive. Saw it with my own eyes."
"We saw it with her."
"That spider robot wasn't expected to be here. TA 1 is in danger... I'll need to call a general withdrawal. TA 1 might lose but if they hold on, they will give us enough time to withdraw."
"Should TB 3 go and tell them?"
Squall quickly turned to his daughter.
"No! You're to stay here with your party!"
"Dad!"
"You will listen to me! I know how you feel about Śohoob. If anything he'll get himself and his party out of it alive. Don't worry, he'll survive."
Karen whined and sat down in one of the seat, lowering her head and covering her face with her hands, she started to sob. Heather and Blenda pitied her and tried to comfort her. Squall called out a general withdrawal. Outside, Laguna shook his head, sighing.
'That teen and his party better survive. I haven't seen a party as good as them since back when I was a Galbadian soldier with Kiros and Ward.'
Laguna and his party took up defensive positions around the beaches, covering withdrawing Twinkle students.
'Note to self, the next time I meet that teen face to face and personally, I'm to become his close and one of his best friends to support him. I'll salute and congratulate him... Come to think of it, we probably should help him out.'
Zell; Rinoa; Quistis; Irvine; Selphie; Edea and Jennifer made it back onto Ragnarok. With everyone on board and in the subs, TB Team immediately withdrew. Squall and Zell motioned Laguna and his party to scramble on board quick, as Squall was taking Ragnarok into the air. Laguna motioned them to leave, Kiros and Ward motioned Squall to leave as well.
"I don't believe this."
"My only best apprentice is down there."
"So is mine Zell, so is mine."
Ragnarok blasted off into the sky, back to Emeton. TB Team was heading back to Twinkle City. Karen sobbed all the way. A few tears dropped from Zell's eyes as his son was down there.
With both strike forces withdrawing, Laguna and his party, secretly naming themselves from since they were Galbadian soldiers, Rebel Night, rushed with their heads lowered towards Deling City. Laguna; Kiros and Ward had many years in battle together so they knew what the other was thinking and always followed each other willingly.
'Hang on TA 1, we're coming.'
It was Roy's turn. TA 1 never knew that TA Team and TB Team both withdrew. As far as they were concerned, TA Team and TB Team were still there and everything going well. When Nasran did his attack, a silver dim aura appeared around him and it was still glowing. Roy's aura was dark blue and dim.
Setis Emas!
1950 left BGH251F2. It was Śohoob's turn.
'This should be the last strike.'
A dark green aura glowed dimly around Śohoob's body. None of them noticed each other's auras or their own auras. BGH251F2 noticed of course. TA 1 was too into battle to notice anything else.
Lirf Kestir!
Like Nasran and Roy, Śohoob attack in a blur, not knowing what he himself did. DESTRUCTION! Appeared above BGH251F2 and without further warning, it exploded in a blinding dark green light. TA 1 held firm on the ground with their legs and put their right arms in protection in front of their faces. The light subdued and the surprisingly short destiny battle was won. TA 1 did their victory ending moves.
All three went up three levels with their guardian forces and they gained BGH251F2 card along with Anki Hunal card; Setis Emas card and Lirf Kestir card. It was all over as TA 1 won the city's center. Unknowingly to TA 1 yet, it was also still the beginning.