"Galbadian Soldiers! Galbadian Soldiers approaching!" Nida's voice can be heard within the Garden through the speakers.
What? Squall was interrupted from his thoughts as he heard the loud explosion. His room shook from it's impact. He shoot himself from sitting in his office and ran towards the elevator. Xu also rose from her desk and followed him. He pressed the button up to where the cockpit and the Main Control Room is located. They quickly approached the nervous head pilot. He looked at the screen where he sees what seemed to be ten of Galbadian airships nearing the boundaries of the Garden.
"What happened?!" He demanded.
"Commander, they launched a rocket. Fortunately, it only hit our protective barrier but it was still a powerful one it tore a portion of it!"
He gritted his teeth. "Prepare the Garden's defense! Ready all the cannons. One more attack from them, don't hesitate to shoot! Xu tell the flyers Squad A and Squad B to put on their suits! All the pilots go to their airships! Tell them to take off immediately!"
"Aye, sir!" Xu saluted and hurriedly went to the intercom.
Squall grabbed a communicating device from a nearby locker and wore it. "Nida! Xu! Keep monitoring them! Any bad move, report it to me through the intercom!"
"Yes sir!" They obliged in unison.
He ran again towards the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. "Seifer…" He furiously breathed.
The lift reached the main lobby and he saw Quistis and Claire who were crawling beside the staircase. He paced to keep up with them. Zell, Selphie and Irvine are also approaching from the front entrance.
"Seifer is outside bro! He has a battalion behind him!" Zell shouted as soon as he caught sight of their leader while running. "Squall I uh…" He instantly fell into silence as he spotted Claire beside them. His face immediately became red.
"That idiot just threw a bomb at us!" Selphie annoyingly added.
Irvine reloaded his shotgun, "I'm ready to shoot at your signal, baby!"
"For gods sake, Squall! What are they doing here?!" The blonde instructor worriedly asked.
"He wanted to show off." He answered. "Seifer can't get enough of it."
"That son of a moomba!" Selphie whined. "Ever since he took over Galbadian Garden he returned to being a bully!"
"It's no surprise. He wants to show the world that he's the better commander and I'm not capable to lead. He wants to humiliate me." Squall replied.
"Soldiers coming." Claire informed them. They looked at the main entrance and squads of Galbadian Soldiers in red uniform entered. Zell, Selphie and Irvine ran at the front of the staircase drawing their weapons. The ex soldier, on the other hand, though she doesn't have any weapon at hand, also positioned herself beside them ready to attack. Very much aware of her position as a student without any license to fight or even a go signal from her superiors who happens to be just inches away from her, she decided to take the initiative. This is her new home anyway and devotion to Balamb Garden with her life is one of the pacts that she swore in when she entered the school so she was really left with no choice.
"Get ready!" She shouted.
"What'ya gonna do, honey? Slap me? Pull my hair?" One of the soldiers insultingly said before laughing.
"Tch!" Her icy blue eyes narrowed as if to pierce the soldier's thick metal armor. One wrong move and you'll be very sorry. She thought.
The SeeDs suddenly arrived upon Xu's orders and they hurriedly gathered beside them. Weapons raised, they surrounded the hallway to prevent the intruders to advance even further.
"This isn't how we treat a lady, young man." A deep voice spoke from the line of Galbadian soldiers. They immediately made a way for their commander to walk through. A man with blond combed hair in a dark vest under a white, long jacket and black pants emerged. "Manners, soldier." He said with a smirk on his face. "Commander Leonhart!" He shouted. "Gods only knew how much I've missed you!" He greeted sarcastically. "Aren't you gonna draw your gunblade?"
"Seifer." Irvine murmured.
"Who is he?" The ex soldier asked. She honeslty doesn't have any idea who the person is.
"Seifer Almasy. He's kinda one of us when we were like kids, eww. Anyway we grew up on the same orphanage. He's a previous student here in Balamb. But he's just a big bully and he sucks that's why he can't even pass the SeeD exam. Serves him right. But he rebelled for a long time out of bitterness. I thought he already changed after the war. He's been like, a thumbs up soldier in Galbadia for a while until he was offered to take over the Garden and the rest is what you see right now, a loser." Selphie replied.
The blond knight with a scar on his forehead furrowed his brows in a jokingly manner. "What is this? Hiding behind your toy soldiers you call SeeD?" Noticing the instructor standing beside Squall he added, "Don't tell me you're also planning to hide behind Instructor Trepe's skirt." He tauntingly added while swinging his gunblade which earned a laugh from the soldiers behind him. "Instructor, looking the charming vixen as always. You're getting prettier every single day!" He run his tounge on his lips. Quistis gave him a disgusted look.
"You have no business here, Seifer!" The brunet said in a strong voice that echoed within the hall.
"Oh yeah of course I do!" He replied in the same tone. "Lemme see… Oh! Stop pretending oh-so-mighty when in fact you're just a ladybird hiding in your nest and letting your premature chicks do the dirty work!" He pointed at the SeeDs in front of him. "What are you trying to do here? Huh? Acting so nice like 'Hey! I've got the best soldiers in town, Galbadian soldiers sucks!' to get every government's sympathy so all of them will only trust you?! Even Deling only asks for your services whenever they need it! Why?! Do you cloud the princess' decision with your sugar coated words?! Or are there any other services you provide her besides lending your soldiers? You fucking tell me!"
"Don't talk about Rinoa that way! You're still under her subordination so you should damn well respect her!" Squall is now fuming in anger at the insult accompanied by the young sorceress' name. "It's not my fault that you lost your credibility as a leader of your Garden, Seifer! It went downhill for you the moment you decided to use your power as the commander to help syndicates in their illegal ways! It should be a great shame for you that even your country's monarchy doesn't even think of trusting you and I pity you for that!"
"Pity? Me?" Seifer laughed like a mad man. "You see, I'm quite surprised that you're still oblivious at what was happening. I mean, look around man!" And he laughed again. "In just a matter of time all of you will be worthless! And all of them, they will come to me!" His deep, blue eyes narrowed, as if hinting a threat.
"What is this retard saying?" Claire asked, irritated at the arrogance of the blond intruder.
"Believe me baby, no one knows a shit of what this psycho is thinking." Irvine replied.
"How dare him insult Rinoa in front of these people? He doesn't have any shame!" Selphie's voice is shaking. She was about to cry in anger.
"Listen… This is just a warning. Mark my words, Squall. Before you destroy Galbadia, I will destroy you first! You and this rotten place!" He spoke with a dark voice. "Move! We're leaving!" He walked towards the exit with his soldiers in tow.
"Airships are pulling out, sir. I repeat, airships are pulling out." Squall heard Xu through his earpiece. He sighed deeply to calm himself.
"For all the trouble of traveling from Galbadia to Balamb, they left just like that." The blonde instructor shook her head in disbelief. She called the senior SeeDs and asked them to disperse and check on the students.
Claire started to feel the awkwardness and somehow out of place from being left alone with the infamous group whom she well knew fought the evil sorceress Ultimecia several years ago. There's no place for a student like her to lurk around anymore.
"I'd better go now." She saluted.
Irvine stopped her. "Where are you going, love? It's okay. Stay with us." He winked at her.
Quistis nodded with a smile. "It's okay. We really appreciate your courage to face those soldiers even though you're still a newly endorsed cadet. I'll make sure corresponding credits will be given to you for your bravery."
"I bet every cadets already hid in their dorms in fright except you." Irvine added.
"Squall, are you okay?" Selphie asked worriedly.
Trepe turned to face him. "He won't make such an effort of coming here with his minions and create such a big scene if he doesn't have any serious motives. Tell us, is there something we should worry about, commander?"
Instead of answering, he sat on one of the step of the stairs and held his forehead with both hands, his elbows resting on his knees.
Irvine sat beside him and tapped him on his shoulder. Zell, on the other hand, maintained his reddening face and just stood in one side like a statue, clearly having his own personal struggles just by being around the presence of the pinkette sergeant.
"This is just the beginning." The commander answered. "Truth is… Seifer… He was accused of protecting syndicates. Drugs, prostitution, ilegal gambling, you name it. He is actually subjected for questioning by the high court as evidences starts to surface on by one. It's a scandal. As a result, every clients, big or small, even the governments of most of the countries started avoiding them. They don't want their services because they lost their trust in him and they are too afraid of being involved with the issue." Everybody made a surprised reaction at his news.
"He can't accept the fact that he messed up, big time. So instead of manning up and facing his charges, he wants to drag others down with him. And in this case, I'm the lucky chosen since I am his self proclaimed rival." He continued. "He won't stop until he destroy me."
"That loser! So the rumors were true." The nunchaku expert pouted.
"It won't happen. You've lead us with the best you can. In any case, whatever he plans to do, you know we'll always be here for you bro." Irvine consoled his friend.
Selphie squealed and jumped. "Tee hee! Friendship goals forever!"
" Thank you guys." Squall murmured as he lifted his head. His eyes caught sight of the pink haired woman who was impatiently leaning on the wall near them. And as an idea hit him he thought. I guess I have no other choice. His expression changed. "You're Claire Farron, right?" He called.
She cocked her head to the side to look at him and nodded.
Too tough. He thought. He stood up and placed his hands on his pockets. "I want to see how good you are."
"I'm sorry?" She asked while raising an eyebrow, clearly not sure of what she just heard.
"I just saw you about to fight those soldiers earlier even without a weapon." He recalled. "I want to see your skills. Fight me."
Quistis intercepted. "Are you out of your mind? She's just a cadet!"
"It's okay." She coolly stated as she stared at the tall brunet, analyzing his thoughts through his usual stoic face. "I'm ready for this."
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Brother, why so harsh?" Irvine also intercepted.
"At the training center. Now." Commander Leonhart said in a monotone voice and left, completely ignoring the rest as he headed to the location he mentioned.
"Why is he suddenly being so rude now?!" Selphie complained.
"You don't have to do this, Ms. Farron." Trepe tried to stopped her. "He's just… He's in a foul mood today. Let's just leave him alone and go to your dormitory." She offered.
Claire mildly shook her head. No is not in my vocabulary when it comes to a fight. You might've forgotten me but I will make you remember it, schoolboy. She looked at the long haired brunet with the cowboy hat. "Can I borrow your gun?"
Though quite surprised, Irvine pulled his beloved shotgun. "You better be careful."
She smiled at them and started her steps. "Show's free if you want to watch." She said as she walks away without looking back.
"Wait for me, sis!" Selphie immediately grabbed the petrified-by-love Zell by the collar and followed, Quistis and Irvine also followed right behind them. Good thing nobody else overheard about the upcoming bout.
At the training center…
Squall had already drawn his gunblade, staring at it while standing at the middle of the artificial forest in silence.
Claire halted her steps as she saw him. Whatever we had in the past I will put it aside and pretend to know you as our leader. She turned to her right to see the weapon rack they used at the assessment before.
She pulled a blade from the rack with her right hand, and gripped Irvine's shotgun on her left. I still feel strangely weak. Too late for regrets. I'd rather much die than embarrass myself. She took a deep breath. The rest had already gathered not far from them.
Sensing the woman behind him, he spoke. "I won't go easy on you. So you better do your best."
"Let's just start." Not really a fan of small talks, she responded.
He turned to face her and leaped with much force. In just a split second he was already in front of her, gunblade raised ready to slice her. But she was alert enough to shield it with her blade before it could wound her. She aimed the gun she held on her left hand on his belly and didn't hesitate to pull the trigger, but Squall was quick enough to dodge it. He manage to jump a certain distance backwards to her right side.
"That it?" She asked sarcastically.
He roared as he advanced again, this time his gunblade was pointed to stab her multiple times, pulling the trigger of his revolver as he thrusts it. The four audiences can only manage to gasp in horror at the rough fight happening before their eyes. It seemed to them that the two fighters are out for blood and are willing to kill each other at that point.
On the other hand, the ex soldier jumped backwards as she successfully avoided the precise stabs that can quickly bore a hole throughout her body but unfortunately, the commander already anticipated her move and resorted in hitting her nape with his elbow and kicking her on the stomach with great force that made her fly several meters away, snapping branches of trees she hit in the process.
She coughed blood and winced in pain. You'll regret this, you rascal! She cursed as she rolled over and picked up both of her weapons. She gritted her teeth as she prepared to draw the first blood this time. She leaped forward at an inhuman speed while raising her blade. Squall raised his metal weapon with both of his hands to shield her sudden attack. Their weapons clashed and they both groaned as they exerted their strength at the contact.
It can't be! His eyes widened as he caught a glimpse of the triumphant smirk trailing the face of the valkyrie. He clearly fell on her trap.
She quickly raised her left hand in just a blink of an eye and now the gun was pointed on his stomach. Without any protection as both his hands supported the handle of his gunblade, she pulled again the trigger and blood splattered on a nearby tree. Not satisfied yet, she followed her attack with a spinning kick on his chest that threw him a few feet away through the tall bushes.
Moments of silence…
She kneeled down and grabbed her aching rib. Her lower lip is dripping with blood. Just a couple minutes of fighting and I already feel like dying, dammit! She cursed.
"Knock it off!" Having enough of what she saw, Quistis walked towards the battleground. "What in the world do you two think you're doing!" She pulled her hanky on her pocket and wiped the blood from the young woman's lips. Disappointed by what she saw, she raised her voice again. "Enough! This isn't even legal! I didn't even know why I played along with this!" She ranted.
"Squall?" Zell finally spoke. He poked his head and searched for the bushes to find the gunblade wielder. "I think you killed him!" He panicked.
"He's okay. It's a miss." The ex soldier replied between heavy breaths. Her breathing became very labored as if she was about to cut short of air. She felt very weak. Zell, on the other hand, can't do anything but to scratch the back of his head.
They all stood still around her, whether assessing the situation or just deep in awe of the action they just saw when someone groaned from the bushes. He forced himself to stand up while holding his right waist.
"What are you trying to do? Kill a student?" Trepe nagged at her superior, not even trying to hide her disapproval. Though Squall is and has been the only man she ever had eyes on, as an instructor, she won't tolerate such silly act.
He chuckled. "Does she still look like a helpless student to you?" He slowly walked towards them, grunting at the sting of pain coming from his side caused by his movements. "After what you all saw…" He added. "Not just her. But have you noticed how exceptional her batch is? This is why I pushed through with the assessment even though it is actually not necessary. I need these kinds of people." He coughed.
The whip wielder paused. Think about it, their fighting skills are excellent. It's hard to miss it ever since their practical assessment. She looked at the pink haired woman beside her and then to the lion approaching. As if a bulb suddenly lit up, she asked. "What are you planning, exactly?"
He hesitated for a bit before answering. "We need them."
"Need them for what?" Irvine, now lost at the conversation asked. "Monster control?"
The commander shook his head and waved a hand. "It's too much for me to explain. Let's just cut the chase and include her, no not just her. But her whole team. Put them on the field exam. I want her to lead the squad."
"Wait. What?" Their reactions are priceless. From Selphie who just can't hide her excitement, to Irvine who was now more confused, and Quistis who had her jaw dropped.
While Claire was a bit shocked, she also had something inside her burn. Whether it's because of excitement brewing or what, one thing is for sure, this is definitely music to her ears. The field exam means vying for the SeeD spot. And that is where all the real action is. And that's a fantasy that she dreamt for quite too long.
The blonde instructor paced towards him. "Let me clarify it. You wanted them to just skip a year worth of learning and make them take part on the field exam?"
Squall nodded once.
"Are you crazy?!" She stomped her right foot in annoyance. "They can fight, we know that but you can't just put a newly entered, unprepared student in a real life, deadly mission! Today is just day one of their semester mind you! Do you remember when you had your very own field exam? You're this close to being toasted by that giant spider robot!" She looked at the man in front of her like he's actually losing a screw.
"She did have some background as Laguna's security, though." Zell informed them which earned him three pairs of confused eyes. "Y'know she's from Esthar. Worked as President Loire's head security for a couple of years and was actually recommended by the president himself. Passed the background check, impressive combat skills and speed… She had knowledge of military tactics and stuff…" He unconsciously continued until he suddenly realized something. He looked at his companions one by one as if he was being suspected of a serious crime. "I didn't stalk her. Seriously guys I-I just accidentally read her profile while Xu was sorting some files." He stuttered.
The commander, more pleased with what he heard pointed faced the ex soldier. "It's a rare opportunity. Let me know if you're willing to accept it."
"I'll do it." The pinkette answered without hesitation as she stood up. "Honestly, this whole go-to-class thing… It's more like killing me instead of my time. If you're planning to put the whole team in the upcoming field exam, do it. I will be very grateful."
Squall smiled. "I'll make you lead your team. You and your squad should pass the field exam. This will be your first mission. Pass and I'll make you a sergeant. I know you won't but don't disappoint me." The ex soldier saluted.
He turned to face Quistis. "Do everything to help them before the field exam. Make sure they are prepared." He let out a deep breath. "Just trust me guys. I can't be so certain anymore of what will happen next and…" He paused as the next words he'll say was somewhat giving him a hard time to pronounce it. "I can't do this on my own. If things gets out of my control, I need you all to be there. Not just for me but for this school. I'll be needing all the help I can get." He looked at every single face in front of him. "And besides, the headmasters had a long line of giving opportunities to someone who really deserves it. She didn't think twice of defending us earlier against Galbadia, so let's give her a shot. I'm willing to gamble at this point. And I'm betting on her."
"So this whole monster control thing…" Irvine stared at a nearby plant. "Is it actually a squad like you originally told us or…"
"Of course! People would kill to have our services at their disposal. With the monster problem out there and all. It will benefit both sides. But when the time comes, you must utilize them for more important matters." The commander answered.
Selphie pouted. "Heeeyyy! I want me some action too!" She jumped in protest.
"Of course. You, Quistis, Zell and Irvine does have an important role in it." Squall assured her. "Whatever Seifer is planning, it is always much better to be prepared than be caught in surprise like what happened earlier. Seems like he forgotten not to mess with us so let's show him." He smiled.
"Sounds good…" Quistis nodded.
Irvine gripped the cowboy hat on his head. "Been a long time since we had some serious stuff like this. But I love it!"
"YEEAAAHHH! Let's rock!" Zell shouted while raising his injured arm. "Ow! Ow!" He winced as his adrenaline came back to life.