C:\ cd nomad\fanfic\171582

C:\nomad\fanfic\171582 disclaimer.rtf_


This is a fan fiction. The author does not own any items related to FINAL FANTASY VIII, and does not write this piece for money-making purposes. Do not display this piece without crediting the author. All your base are belong to us.


C:\nomad\fanfic\171582 chapter1.rtf

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(A)bort, (R)etry, (F)ail? R_


It's so hard to believe that it's been a whole year since we defeated Ultimecia, said Quistis, as the dazzling rays of the effulgent sun shone down on her from amidst the gilded clouds that framed the cerulean sky, reflected in a kaleidoscopic fashion by the Garden's great ring to form a rococo pattern of myriad lights on the ground about her. Rather than take notice of this spectacular display of scenery that would send all but the most educated of persons hunting for a dictionary, she was focused on a sheet of paper in her hands that looked rather dull when compared to all this.

replied Squall. I'm glad that everything's been so peaceful and happy in Garden.

I'm a little worried, though, said Quistis. You know what they say about good things like this.

What do they say?

They never last.

Oh. Well, you shouldn't think about that. Let's just treasure the time we have.

Quistis nodded. Yes. Yes, you're right. I shouldn't be thinking about bad things. Now's the time to be happy!

Here, Selphie interrupted. Stop it, stop it, stop it! she demanded. Squall, could you please put at least some feeling into it?

Squall replied, in the same flat monotone that he had been using since the beginning of the scene.

Come on! Selphie persisted. The play's not gonna be any fun if you don't bother acting!

Get someone else to do it, Squall suggested.

I can't, Squall! Selphie punctuated the middle word by stomping her boot angrily on the floor of the Quad. You're the Commander, and Quistis is the best instructor in Garden!

Selphie, they fired me, remember? Quistis interjected.

That's not the point! Selphie insisted. People look up to you guys! It just wouldn't work with anyone else!

Quistis sighed. Selphie, I can't help but sympathize with Squall a little. I don't mean to be rude, but this script....

I know it's got a few bugs left in it, Selphie admitted, but we're on a really tight schedule! The Garden Festival is next week, and I have to have the performance done by then!

We know, said Quistis. But maybe we could just...I don't know, do another musical number or something?

Squall was spared from having to choose between theater and music by the Garden's intercom. Will Squall Leonhart please report to the Headmaster's office, it summoned. Repeat, will Squall please report to the Headmaster's office.

For once, Squall was almost happy to oblige.


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Squall's visit to the Headmaster's office, however, quickly relieved him of that relief.

Squall, I've decided to retire as Headmaster of Balamb Garden. I'll be stepping down after the Garden Festival, and I'd like you to take over in my place. Cid delivered this statement in a perfectly matter-of-fact tone, ignoring the fact that his revelation had nearly caused Squall to perform the very impressive feat of choking on the oxygen he had been breathing in at the time.

Once he had averted suffocation, Squall spent the next thirty to forty-five seconds with his right hand figuratively plastered to his forehead. Cid, apparently exhibiting some degree of sympathy for Squall's predicament, waited for him to end his inner monologue before continuing.

Why me? Squall asked.

Well, to be honest.... Cid hesitated. You're very well-respected among the students here, you certainly proved yourself capable during the Ultimecia campaign —

How does defeating a Sorceress have anything to do with running a Garden? Squall demanded.

Cid chuckled. You'd be surprised, actually. Don't worry, Squall; I know you'll do a good job. Edea and I will be moving to a remote town in southern Centra, so I'm afraid you won't be able to reach us for assistance, but I'm sure that won't be necessary. He picked up the glasses that he had taken off at some point and replaced them on his nose. Oh, and we received a message from Esthar. President Laguna is coming by tomorrow, and he wanted to speak to you. It sounds important.

Squall wasn't quite sure whether to be confused or still angry about being made Headmaster against his will or better judgment. The fact that he was confused about whether to be confused or not made him even more confused, which in turn made him angry, and therefore he managed to do both at the same time. He turned to leave.

Oh, Squall! Cid said. If you see Quistis, could you have her come talk to me, too?

Squall was too flustered to even spare a as he left.


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Just like that? Quistis asked, as she and Squall were having dinner in the cafeteria that evening. ...Wow. Who ever would have thought that Cid would make you the Headmaster?

Apparently it's a fairly common idea, actually, said Nida, who was also there.

It's ridiculous, Squall grumbled. What do I know about running a Garden? Why couldn't he give it to Xu or somebody?

I think Xu turned the job down, Squall, said Quistis. She's happy where she is.

Squall blinked. Wait...you can turn the job down?

Quistis shrugged. Well, she could. You can't.

Why the hell not? demanded Squall. Why don't I ever get a say in anything?

Wasn't that whole thing about going to Esthar and up to the Lunar base all your idea? asked Nida.

Squall, there are some things that you just have to accept, said Quistis. Sometimes things happen that don't make sense. You should just hope it all turns out for the best. She sighed. I guess I can't really be too impartial about it, though. When he called me in, Cid told me that he'd decided to reinstate me as an instructor, and he didn't explain at all why he'd changed his mind.

Quistis, you got your instructor's license back?! exclaimed Selphie, who had been somewhere nearby. That's sooooo terrific! And congratulations on becoming Headmaster, Squall! I bet you'll do great!

Just then, a distinct clatter arose from a nearby table, where a very sick-looking Zell had just fallen out of his chair and was now being buried by enough hot dogs to fill the back of a Garden car. Selphie and Nida went over to help him up. Squall barely seemed to notice.

...Maybe we should get out of here, Quistis suggested, noting that Squall seemed slightly nauseated himself, though for reasons completely unrelated to his meal.

Squall needed little encouragement.


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Remember the first time we came here? Quistis asked, as the two of them leaned against the rail of the Secret Area, bathed in the glow of the Garden's illuminated ring.

Squall gave her a look.

...On second thought, maybe I don't want you to remember that, she said, her reminiscence soured by the reality of the memory. Well, we sure have changed a lot since then.

...Like how? Squall asked.

Well for one thing, we're together now, she said.

Well, okay, Squall admitted grudgingly.

There was a long pause as Quistis searched in vain for any sort of romance in the air.

Squall, I know you don't want to be Headmaster, but I'm sure Cid wouldn't have made the decision unless he trusted your abilities. She took his hand, forcing him to look at her. I trust you, too. I know you'll be a good Headmaster, Squall. Just believe in yourself.

Despite her best efforts, she could detect only a miniscule amount of romance in the air. Still, she kissed him anyway, and was gratified at least in that he didn't resist.

Well well well, said an unexpected familiar voice. Isn't this a pretty picture.

Quistis and Squall quickly composed themselves and spun to face the new arrival. Quistis exclaimed, even though she had already recognized his voice and therefore the sight of him was not particularly surprising. What are you doing here?

I got homesick, Seifer declared, pointing to the Garden with his gunblade and nearly beheading Quistis in the process. So I talked to Cid, and he agreed to let me continue as a student.

He what? Squall asked.

Agreed to let me continue as a student, Seifer repeated. Let me guess, you finally hit puberty and it's making your brain a little slow, is that it? He gestured a challenge with his gunblade. You still know how to fight, Mr. Leader? Or are you just one of Cid's trained desk-monkeys now?

Squall, don't, Quistis cautioned, even though it was obvious that he was going to anyway. With a cold fire in his eyes, Squall reached for his gunblade as he settled into a combat stance. This set him up for a particularly embarrassing moment as he discovered that he did not have his gunblade with him.

Seifer laughed. Good one, Squall. Who goes through the Training Center without a weapon, anyhow?

Actually, if you have Encounter-None, it's pretty easy, pointed out Nida, who had arrived at some point.

Further conversation was cut off by yet another figure's arrival, running through the entrance past Seifer to collapse in a heap at Squall's feet. she called, while in the process of doing so.



she said, panting as she attempted to raise herself from the ground. I can't go on by myself anymore. I need your help. I think...no! No! She clutched her head as if in great pain. She's here! I can't...get out get out get out of my mind!

And she collapsed unconscious to the ground.

I'll get help! declared Selphie, who had arrived at some point previous to all this. She then immediately departed towards that end.

said Quistis. This was all quite unexpected.

Nida shrugged. Well, actually....


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