I'll Be Home For Christmas – Part 3

(Original Story Concept: Limit Break)

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December 23

Stone Fields, 0715 Hours

The chopper landed with a thud against the hard earth. Squall, Nida, Irvine and Xu leapt out, along with their TSF squads. The other chopper was already airborne again, its teams being led by Zell and Selphie respectively.

Rinoa's mage squad arrived by sea, as did Quistis's Indirect Magic Operatives. Quistis herself was absent because she was pregnant. The other land team was being led by the commander of the Sabres, and now the fields were filled with over 50 SeeD operatives.

The 12 Men who had surrounded the hostage were now joined by at least fifty other men, who appeared out of nowhere. A large stone structure near them spat out other enemies, such as Jelleyes and Geezards, which were a very mundane threat for experienced SeeD members. Standing on top of the central structure, however, was a woman with long black hair, wearing a black cloak. This was their target.

"Okay TSF follow me!" Squall shouted. "We're engaging the Sorceress directly! Brawlers, secure the hostage and get her to safety!"

Zell nodded and his team ran in the direction of the still panicking woman.

"All other teams, deal with the monsters and enemy units!" Squall ordered.

The soldiers saluted and began their attack.

Squall's team ran down the center of the field. On either side of him were the twin TSF squads, helping the command team hold the oncoming enemies at bay. Bullets were flying everywhere. Off in the distance, Squall saw Zell untie the hostage and escort her back to the safety of the chopper. He heard Zell's voice over his radio.

"Hostage secured, standing by for evac."

Closer to the stone structure, Rinoa's mages were gaining the most ground on the enemy, Rinoa herself sending a powerful Firaga spell into the midst of the monster portal. Selphie's team was having a stalemate on the left flank, but they were holding their own, which was the important thing.

Finally, after a half hour of battle, Squall's team reached the Sorceress.

"So," she smiled darkly. "Another group of SeeDs come to eradicate the Sorceress?"

"Stand down, and we will not kill you," Squall said.

"You lie," she smiled.

She sent a massive bolt of lightning crashing through the ranks of the TSF. Xu fell back and Nida was blasted 12 feet. She then used her mind to pick up Irvine throw him back behind her. He landed with a loud crack. Squall had no more time to think. He lifted his gunblade and rushed a the Sorceress.

She sent another crash of thunder through Squall. The numbing shock started at the tip of his blade and went through his entire body. He landed on the ground in front of her.

Squall looked up into the face of death and saw the Sorceress prepare to finish him off.

And then, out of nowhere, a loud crack exploded over the field and the Sorceress fell on top of the pillar, dead.

"What the hell was that?" Squall shouted. "A sniper?"

He glanced over and saw Irvine, holding up his rifle. He had taken the shot.

"Irvine, nice shot," Squall smiled.

"I wasn't aiming at her!" Irvine insisted.

"Relax, she was the real deal obviously," Squall replied.

"No seriously. That was a complete accident. I was shooting at a Geezard over there," Irvine pointed down in the direction of Zell's Squad. "When out of nowhere the bullet got deflected off something and hit the Sorceress."

And, laying on the ground in front of the pillar, was the wrench.

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Author's Note: Ahahah! I'm an evil bastard who just ended the story with a horrible punch line. Muahahahaha!