Ultimate Fantasy III:
Notorious Troubles

We're getting closer. I can feel it. The hairs on my neck are getting tense. We're about a mile or so from the secret entrance, and we are ready for everything. So's the group shadowing us. They're not as good as I thought they'd be. Twice in the past two days I spotted their point man. Sometimes I think I'm too good for my own good.

Quistis stopped us when we were within a quarter mile but still out of sight to rest up and prepare. That meant that off with the snow gear, on with the battle attire. We sit for five minutes, not thinking about the hurting cold but of the up-coming battle. The unknown group's observation post is in view, but they can't see us. We're behind a high snow bank. Jehli and Jessica are huddled together, trying to keep warm. Quistis is keeping as close to me as she can, with her arms wrapped around my waist and her head buried in my shoulder. I have my arm draped around her, keeping her as warm as possible.

"Scott," she says quietly. "I hope we can finish this mission. I don't know what'll happen to us if we don't."

"Don't worry," I reply. "They can't do much to hurt us if we stay together."

"You're right, but it still unnerves me. I'm so afraid."

"It's OK. I'm staying with you, no matter what happens. Remember that."

She looks up into my eyes and kisses me. "Thanks. Let's go."

We stand as one, and set ourselves into a ready position. Three, two one... Go! We dash across the snow to where the secret entrance is supposed to be. I hear someone shout, and know we've been spotted. I charge a lightning spell and fire it toward the shouter, blowing him out of his socks. Jehli fires a elemental blast of his own, taking out one of the perimeter guards. Quistis launches a fire spell towards the tower, causing it to catch fire. The men inside never had a chance to jump to safety. Jessica fires a ice spell that hits one of the supports and snapped it in half.

I don't look back to our handy work; the hatch is just ahead. I could see where it is hidden. Quickly I dig it out and open it. I motion for everyone to get in before they get any closer. Jessica dives in first, followed by Quistis. Jehli crawls in next, then I get in, closing, locking, and welding the door shut using a fire spell.

"Ok," I say as I turn to the rest. "Now what?"

"Let's get to the elder's hut," Quistis says. "We'll learn more there."

We set off. It's a short walk, and we make it in no time. The elder's assistant is waiting for us outside the hut.

"Ahh! Welcome," he says as we walk up. "I am so glad you are here. The elder has been waiting patiently. Please, enter."

We do, after he opens the door. It's a bit warmer than I'd like, but I'm not here to comment on the weather. The elder is sitting on his throne, looking very tired, but in good condition for a fight that is sure to come. Quistis steps forward and greets him with a bow. "We are here. What is your need?"

"Quistis!" the elder exclaims, standing up. "It's been too long."

"Indeed it has," she replies. "What is your situation?"

"Upon the initial attack, we lost three Shumi. The artisan was quick enough to lock the

elevator as soon as he heard the weapons fire."

"Any idea who we're up against?" I ask. That was the whole point of coming out here.

"A group identifying themselves as the Regal Renegades," the assistant says. "A group out of Winhill, or so they say."

"Winhill?" Jessica says. "That's a peaceful area. They don't have an army."

"The name is all wrong for a Winhill group, too," Jehli says.

"Well, whoever they are, they chose a fine place to strike," Jessica says.

"Let's go introduce ourselves, eh?" I ask, and everyone agrees. We all head over to the elevator. The Elder unlocks the power cells, and we CeeD enter.

"Good luck to you all," the elder says as the doors close.

"Everyone ready up," Quistis says. "We're going out hot."

She's nervous, I can tell. She's clenching the handle of her Chain Whip like it might get away. I reach over and take her other hand.

"Don't worry," I say. "You'll do fine in this one."

"I haven't commanded in so long," she replies. "I never had leadership abilities.."

"Yes you do," I say. "How do you think we got here so quickly? You led us on the quickest path. Granted path finding isn't a big leadership ability, but it's a step in the right direction."

"Yes, it is," she replies. "But it's a small one."

"Skills aren't acquired quickly, you know. It takes time and experience."

"I'm not sure I can do this... I want you to lead for this attack."

"Me?" I ask, a little surprised. I'd been a leader online back home, when I played Mech Warrior 4, but this is a little different. This is life or death. "Lead? You're the leader here, babe. It's your show. I can't..."

"Just for the attack, Scott. That's all."

"Quistis, I can't lead! I haven't the training!"

"Skills aren't acquired quickly, Scott. It takes time and experience"

"Come on!" I say, shaking my head. "Don't use my own words against me." She's right. I do need leadership experience. "All right, ALL RIGHT! I'll do it."

"Thanks, hon," she says and gives me a quick but meaningful kiss.

"Well, let's go then," I say. "Jehli, take point and vape anything in front of the door as soon as it opens." He doesn't like me giving him an order, but he positions himself. "Jessica, give support. Quistis, take the left flank, I got the right. You two divide the center and give 'em hell."

This is pretty easy. I could feature doing this for a living. Three seconds left... Here we go... two.. one... OPEN!!

Jehli fires a blast of wind and electricity combined, knocking about five bad dudes down. Jessica follows up with a Blizzard, freezing a few fleeing troops and making our job a little bit easier. Quistis and I leap out of the elevator, slashing at anything that survived.

My heart's beating faster to keep up with me. Man, they keep coming, like there's no end. Something catches my eye off to the left... what is that? I fight my way over towards where I thought I saw something. It's just a key. One of the troopers must have dropped it when we came out. Quickly I put it in my pocket, and return to the fight. Quistis is taking on about six bad guys alone. It's not good, but before I can intervene, Ifrit burst out of nowhere and destroys them all before disappearing again. I'm about to congratulate her when I'm tackled from behind. I turn to see who hit me, and I see Jehli standing over me, Gunblade in hand.

"What the hell..." I start.

"It shouldn't come as a big surprise to you, Scott," he says. "I'm obviously on their side."

"Why, man?" I ask as I slowly stand. "What'd they give you? Money? Power? The usual?"

"What they gave me cannot be understood by a Frelledg worm like yourself," he replies, using a word from his native tongue that I have no idea what it means. "Simply know that I have double crossed you."

I look around and see that the fighting has stopped all over. Everyone's watching us. I have a feeling this was planned.

"So, what do we do now? Fight?"

"Exactly. This is our final fight, Wolf."

"Oh. How dramatic. Let me guess. One on one."

"Yes."

"No magic."

"If you prefer."

"Right."

"Ready?"

"If you are."

"Let's begin then."

"Fine."

For a moment, neither of us move, then he dashes toward me, Gunblade pointed directly at my heart. I wait a full second before I react, then I twist my whole body like a bull fighter, and back-hand him on the head. He staggers forward, then turns. I pull my Gunblade to my fighting stance, and await his next move. It's his show, I just control it.

"Fancy moves will not save you this time, Wolf," he says. "It is my Gunblade that will end this."

He dashes again, this time intending to swipe from above. I see the blade begin to fall, and I side-step to the right and dash to a near-by tree, full of snow and ice. I jump to it's strongest branch and crouch there, holding on to the trunk for stability.

"Running away, Wolf?" Jehli taunts. "How un-characteristic of you."

"I can kill you anytime I want, Jehli," I shoot back. "The fact that I haven't should have you thanking God."

"You'll be praying to God for mercy when I'm through," he returns. Jessica is sneaking behind me, hoping to catch me with my guard down. But I don't need my guard up with Quistis in my corner. She uses her Chain Whip to lasso Jessica around the waist and flings her over the hill. A loud thump is heard to tell of her landing. Meanwhile, Jehli has resumed his attack. I jump just before the tree is sliced in half. This time I do thank God for giving me the intuition of a fighter, but I also thank the Final Fantasy gang back on the Garden for training me to be fast enough to use that intuition.

Now it's my turn to attack. I jump into the air and execute a flying kick aimed a his head. He ducks and swings at me, I bring up my Gunblade to meet his. Now it becomes a battle of strength, both of us pushing against the other, struggling to gain the upper hand. Neither of us is successful. I hear an explosion behind me. We break apart then, distracted by the intrusion.

One of the enemy huts has gone up in flames. The CeeD's have decided to bring their talent to the game. Squall leads the charge, slashing his way and meeting heavy resistance, but that doesn't last long as the Mercs break and run. I turn back to Jehli.

"We always get interrupted. We'll meet again, Wolf"

He turns and runs. I give chase, but am stopped by Quistis.

"Let him go, Scott," she says." There will be another time."

"You bet there will be," I say as the last of the Mercs disappear over the hill, chased by professional CeeD. "There will be another time."

The Shumi Village is swept for possible stragglers, and the passage is repaired. Yet I am still uneasy about the result of the operation. True the village is liberated and the Mercs are gone, but we lost two units to the enemy willingly. This might go badly for Quistis. She was team leader for this, so it will be her responsibility. Jehli apparently had planned this for quite some time. Jessica had been a co-conspirator so she left with him. Love'll do that, I guess. Strange, but I'm worried about what will happen to her. I didn't like her, but she was from the garden. As I say this, I'm reminded of what happened when Sifer was "executed" by Galbadia. I wonder if that's what happened with Jehli and Jessica. But they went willingly, so it's different, I guess. Still... I don't know. I don't have time to dwell on it. They want to ask me questions. Time to report in.

I head up to Cid's office, determined to state my case. The elevator seems sluggish and jerky but I don't pay attention. The doors open, and I see Cid sitting behind his desk, Squall to his right. Quistis is at attention in front of them. I walk up next to her and salute Cid.

"Is it bad?" I whisper to Quistis.

"Not yet," she replies.

"Sir," I say to Cid. "Reporting as ordered."

"No order was given, Scott," Cid replies with his usual smile. "It was simply a request to reinforce what Quistis tells us."

"I stand by Quistis' report, then."

"Excellent. Please continue, Ms. Trepe."

"Yes sir," she replies. "Upon Scott's appointment of assault leader, he ordered Jehli to take point and Jessica to give support. I was to follow them, and he would go last."

"Why did you choose this order, Scott?" Squall asks.

"It was actually spur-of-the-moment, sir. I just came up with an order based on what I knew of our power. Jehli would be a good starter, and Jessica could support if he needed it. Quistis was lined up to push the charge, and I would clean up."

"Hmmm..." Cid says. "Continue, Ms. Trepe."

"After our egress from the elevator, we split up to cover a wider area. Scott went to the left area, Jessica and Jehli took the center, I took the right but was forced to the center by heavy weapons fire, and let Jessica take my area. Suddenly, the battle stopped. Every one of the enemy troops turned toward the left area. A battle had started there between Scott and Jehli. Scott was on the defensive when I arrived. I don't remember the exact nature of the battle, but I was forced to remove Jessica from the area. That is when the other team arrived."

"Is all of this accurate, Mr. Wolf?" Cid asks.

"Yes sir," I reply. "To the word."

"Why did a team member attack you?"

"At first, I thought it had been a misdirection of magic. But when I realized who it was, I knew it was no mistake. Jehli has had it in for me ever since I arrived. I guess he saw a chance somewhere during the course of our training, and set up this siege to ensure that we'd have a clean fight. He probably didn't count on Jessica or Quistis to be included, nor did he predict a second team being sent. But before he could alter his plan, we were already under way."

"Very interesting," Squall says.

"Indeed it is," Cid replies. "Unexpected, and unfortunate. Because of his problem with Scott, we've lost two students. I seriously hope he doesn't turn out like Seifer."

"Neither do I," Squall says. "But we'll talk about that later. Right now we have to deal with them." He points at us to be sure we know who he's talking about. Not an angry, accusing point, but more of a gesture.

"Yes, yes. Of course." Cid rises from his chair. "Scott Wolf. Step forward."

I step forward, but a little voice inside me cries out, "Eep!"

"Scott Wolf, for your actions during this operation, we hereby congratulate you on your graduation. The operation in question had been deemed a test by myself, Squall, and Zell Dincht, who was questioned on his opinion of your performance during training."

I almost let out a yell of joy, but am able to contain it in the form of a great smile. I look to Quistis, and see that she's smiling too.

"Furthermore," Cid continues, "we are putting your CeeD rank at Five for your judgment, responses to action, and your ability to control yourself in the face of betrayal. Congratulations! I'm glad to have yet another Gunblade expert."

"Thank you, sir," I am able to reply.

"Quistis Trepe, stand next to the new member," he says, and she obeys. "Quistis Trepe, for your actions during this operation, we award you with the title of Squad Leader, and raise your CeeD rank from 12 to 15. Congratulations!"

She takes hold of my hand and thanks Cid graciously. I can tell that she's very happy, and I'm happy for her.

"Good job, both of you. Dismissed."

"Did you hear that??" Quistis says when we're safely outside the office.

"Yeah!" I reply. "You get promoted and I get accepted!!"

"Let's go celebrate!" Quistis says. "We're going to dock at Fisherman's Horizon. We'll go have some fun!"

"You guys mind if the rest of us join?"

We look over and see the whole gang standing there.

"It wouldn't be much of a celebration without your friends, eh?" Zell says.

"It's not a party without me," Irvine says.

"I can set up the music!" Selphie chimes in.

"I'll handle the lights," Rinoa says.

"Whoa whoa!" Squall says from behind us. "It's not a gigantic event. It's a celebration. We'll all go to the local bar and have some drinks. Loud music is just a bonus."

"That sounds fun," Zell says, and everyone else agrees. Don't want to over do it, like Selphie wanted.

"I'm all for it," I say.

"Me too," Quistis adds.

"Alright!" Zell says. "We'll arrive tomorrow morning."

"Zell?"

We all turn to see his girlfriend from the library. I never learned her name before.

"Hey, Sherry," Zell says. "Party tomorrow. You goin?"

"If you're there, I'm there," Sherry says. "Count me in."

"Alright! I knew I could count on you," Zell says.

The party wasn't much more than the eight of us. Plenty of drinks, plenty of music, plenty of fun to be had. Nothing really happened at the party though. Just some toasting, some "Problems-of-the-World" solving, the basic getting drunk routine. I won't put any of it because it's mostly a blur.

I woke up in Quistis' arms the next morning with a major headache. Climbing out of bed, I notice two things: 1. I am without clothes and 2. so is Quistis. Trying to remember what happened, I stagger over to the bathroom and dampen my face to clear my head. The last thing I can remember is getting into a drinking contest with Squall, Zell, Irvine, Quistis and the bartender (the bartender won... I think). Next thing to go through my mind is will Quistis remember? Or worse, will she be mad? We were in love, but we were also drunk. Her more so, if I remember right. I turn back to the room and she is awake.

"Morning," she says cheerily. Apparently, she either doesn't know or remember last night, or she wanted it to happen.

"Um..." I stammer. "Do you remember any of last night?"

"You were so wonderful to me," she replies with a wicked smile. "But that's last night. Today, you start as a CeeD. You're doing it for money now."

Instantly, I feel better. She did know, she did want it that way. I just wish I could remember any of it. I dress along with her, admiring her body as it is slowly covered. Soon we're ready to go. My headache is still there, but I'll get some aspirin from Doctor Kadowaki later. Right now we have to get to work.

A quick kiss before we open the door and we're on our way. We walked hand in hand down to the cafeteria for breakfast. It was pancakes. Tasty. After breakfast, we headed over to the library and found Squall and Rinoa together. We walk up and say hi.

"Hey guys," Rinoa said. "How you feelin, Scott?"

"Not so bad," I reply with a smile. "But my head feels like it's split open. I hate hangovers."

"You did drink alot last night," Squall said. "Don't make a habit of it."

"Don't worry, I won't. What's on tap for today?"

"Let's see," Squall said as he searched through a folder he had with him. "Uh... Here! Here's one from Delling City." I noticed Rinoa slightly flinch at the city's name. President Caraway is her father, but she ran away from home to join Squall. "There's a foreign Prime Minister in town tomorrow. They want us to bodyguard him for two days."

"Boring," Quistis said. "What else?"

"Not much else. There's a Fishing Expo in Balamb, a TV show wants to interview some CeeD, some request for a ruling in Timber, and another Bodyguard job in Esthar."

"I've always wanted to see what Esthar was like in person," I said. "Who's the job for?"

"It doesn't say."

"Well, what do ya say, Quistis?" I asked. "Shall we grace Esthar with our presence?"

"Well, OK," she replied, "But only because you want to."

"I'll ready the Ragnarok for you," Rinoa said and left with Quistis.

"Man, she's quite a girl," I said as I watched them leave.

"Yeah," Squall said next to me. "She keep you up last night?"

"I think so. Can't remember. Never let me drink that much again. I want to remember the fun."

"Both you and Quistis were pretty toasted," Squall commented. "She's a happy drunk, and, if I remember right, you're almost the same."

"Yeah, I know," I say. "One of these days you'll have to tell me what happened yesterday."

"No problem."

"Speaking of last night," I say, turning to look him in the eye, "how did our fearless leader fair?"

"Bout the same as you," he replied with a smile, "except less drunken."

"Figures. You're able to remember it."

"Indeed. Well," he said, getting back to the mission, "here's everything you need. Clearance to land at the air station, you're contact's name and location..."

"Any passwords?"

"Not this time. Also, I have a side mission for you. I need you to go to the Lunar Gate and ask if they have that report on the Moon Monsters yet."

"Done. Could you get Mad Cat loaded onto the Ragnarok? It'll save money on a rental. Plus it gets much better mileage than any of their cars."

"Done. Good luck," he said with a salute. I returned it, and we both walked out to the Quad. Squall pulled a tech aside and asked him to get my SUV loaded onto the forward hold. The tech rushed off to comply.

Rinoa and Quistis were in the cockpit, readying all of the ship's systems and sub-systems. They were giggling when we ascended on the elevator from the passenger deck.

"What's so funny?" Squall demanded in a mock commanders voice.

"Nothing," both girls said in a whinny voice.

"Everything's ready," Quistis said.

"Good you release in ten," Squall said, now back to business. "They're loading Scott's 'Mad Cat' right now."

"You're bringing that pile of junk along?" Rinoa asked.

"Hey, that's my pile of junk," I replied. "And it's in perfect running condition."

"OK," Rinoa said. "We're gonna disembark now. Have a good mission." She pulled Squall to the elevator and waved as it descended.

"You're bringing that pile of junk along?" Quistis said.

"It's my pile of junk, and it does run perfectly. Mostly."

"It's you're car," she said, and returned to her duties.

I took a seat in the pilot's seat and pulled the appropriate switches. My advanced CeeD training had included piloting lessons from Selphie, who was normally the pilot. The main engines came online and idled. The display came up on the HUD. It was as ready as it had ever been. The techs outside signaled that all loading was complete. I flashed a thumbs up, and hit the button to close the cargo door. After fastening my safety belt and making sure Quistis did the same, I pulled the Gripper control lever to the "release" position, pushed the Arm control lever forward to "retracted," threw the engines into reverse, and eased the throttle up. Slowly, the ship came back until the nose was clear of the grounds. I adjusted direction accordingly, put it into forward, and accelerated into the sky.

In the game, a trip from Fisherman's Horizon would have taken about thirty seconds. Unfortunately, reality and games, as usually things are, were two completely different things. The trip was going to take three hours.

"Three hours??" I exclaimed.

"Yup," Quistis replied. "Three hours, give or take."

"Man, that's a long trip."

"We were out in the middle of the ocean, you know. It's not like your game."

"I know, I know. I'm affirmed of that daily."

"You're the one who wanted to go."

"Sure, blame me because I suggested it."

Quistis laughed at that, and went back to monitoring. I set the auto-pilot, and stretched."So, what are we gonna do for three hours?"

"Let's just relax and watch the world go by," Quistis replied.

"Works for me," I said.

"Me too."