Since Zell Dincht quit the Garden, he return to his homeland to build a military force of Ballamb. In short time, he already become a leader of the city under the title; Regent. He married his sweetheart from the library and brought her in his mansion. Now Ballamb is well developed harbor city which it's people work as farmers aside of fisherman. It's a big city now and an engineer university was build a decade ago.

Quistis built a small house not long ago in Ballamb, hoping can enjoy her retirement there. She always love Ballamb. Although genetic tracking already found her real parents which is galbadian people in Dollet.

When they reach Ballamb, it's already late. Zell, as an old friend and childhood friend ask her to join the dinner with Dincht family. So here they are in Dincht's manor enjoying delicious dinner on silver plates.

"I remember when you used to grudge when cafetaria out of hot dogs." Quistis laugh out loud with her old friend. Brandish know that it's been a while since their last meet, about 5 or 6 years, maybe more. But everytime they meet, they always talk about hot dogs. As if that's whats the only thing linked between them. Where is the story about defeating the future sorceress? Youngsters demands to know! But oh boy, Brandish can't look away from Zell's daughter. She's kind of a sporty girl with muscles and belly packs. She's pretty yet strong, kind of kick ass girl you never want to messed with. Last time they met, she was about 12 or 13, and her hair was blonde. Now it's all brunette.

"I can't believe you marry James. You know, I thought you always think of someone else out there." Zell laughs.

"Oh Zell, I don't know who you talking about. I think life is easy, when you love someone, you know it, and you tell them. That's all." Quistis sip her red wine. With delicious steak it become perfect combination.

"Yes, like me and my darling." Regent Dincht smiles to his mid-aged wife and kiss her. Brandish can imagine how happy their marriage is.

"But congratulations on your engagement. I hope you two spend your retirement days happily ever after." Regent Dincht raise his wine glass and sip it.

"Thank you, Regent Dincht. But the party is tomorrow, I hope you be there on time. I'll told the chefs to cook lots of hot dogs only for you."

"Sure, I will. Don't worry."

As the dinner continues, Regent Dincht can't help but looking at Brandish. Last time he met the boy was 4 years ago when he request SeeD's help for a problem in Ballamb mine. Near fire caveren, someone found adamantium mine. Suddenly the drilling caused an earthquake and the mine collapsed. Sensing a magic sensation, the soldiers decided to ask help from the SeeDs. Brandish's team was dispatched (it was a field exam for him to own his ragnarok) and went down. What they found underground was amazing. It appears a new guardian force was discovered, named Kjata. The Guardian Force is given to the garden and year ago, it was presented to Claude Leonard Loire as a birthday present.

"How are you doing, Bran? Good?"

Surely he asks about his ragnarok team business. "Been solo hunting lately, Sir Dincht. It was undescribable." Brandish smiled confidently. "Last time I'm doing some business in Fisherman's Horizon."

"Fisherman's Horizon ... hmm ... I heard there's a gang war there lately?"

"Yea, that one. It seems that the gang war went from bad to worse. The young rascals tried to break FH's bridge to separate the rail roads in two, and they meant to bury their opponent's district into the ocean."

"That's very bad."

"It is. My father almost turned into fish food if I hadn't found the bombs."

"You did that alone?"

"Technically, no. I collaborate with my dad's crews. Some of his men is very good at making bomb detector so we can disable them on time. And after the place was safe, me and dad went together to enemy's district to capture them. Now they're in Garden's jail."

"Nice teamwork between father and son, eh, Quistis?" Zell laughs.

"I do proud of my son." Quistis smiled. "Where's Rick, Zell? I heard he invent couple inventions last year?"

"Oh yes, he's too busy in Timber, you know. Giving engineering lectures. But he's on his way home now. For a new job." As he talk, Regent Dincht smirking at Brandish.

"So he's teaching somewhere now?"

"Not teaching. More to a military works. He always dreamt about joining military ... not with strength, of course."


Ballamb hotel now renovated bigger and larger, it has ballroom and the catering is great too. That's where the engagement party held tonight. Since the sun is set, the music on, lighten up the atmosphere in the ballroom. Brandish looks good in any uniform, including the tux. Greeting incoming guests, he should keep his light mood ahead and pretend he enjoys all the small talks. He making sacrifice here, he don't really like the party, he don't really agree with the engagement, but for his love to beloved mother, he should be a perfect host in this party.

"You really look so much like your mother, especially her eyes." The guest is his mom's friend, and know nothing about his biological father. Brandish always feels all about his face resemble his father. Although disagree, guest's happiness is everything, so he just smiled at the compliment.

As he saw a tan-skin middle aged man in SeeD uniform and black cape, he thank God for that and quickly excuse himself from his mother's friend to approach the Grand General of Ballamb Garden. "So delighted to see you here, General Lionheart."

"And you look good too, Captain Treepe." the general reply.

"Gorgeous as always, Madam Heartily." Brandish greet a beautiful middle-aged woman who cling her hand upon the Grand General's.

"Thank you Brandish. Look at you now, look so much like Seifer isn't he, Squall?"

Thanks for exist! Brandish thought.

"Where is Quistis?" asks Rinoa Heartily.

"Let me take you to her." Brandish wave his hand sign for the honorable guests to proceed into the room where Quistis stand with a brown-skin man with glass of wine on their hands.

And there goes another nostalgia, talking about the old times again back then about when they met, about battles they spend, but again, never talk about went to the future to defeat Ultimecia. Nobody ever understand how bored Brandish with party like this. But thanks to God again, in entrance door, he see a beautiful young lady enter the ballroom. She walk alone, searching for someone. Her hair is black, like dark linen. Her eyes sparkle like garnet stone.

"For the love of the sorceress ..." Brandish approach the young lady and greet her with all his charm. Seeing a handsome man, the young lady let the young man kiss the back of her palm.

"Let me guess." Brandish said, "you're Grand General Squall Leonheart's most beautiful daughter."

"Well ... how do you know that?" the young lady blushed, and touch her hair.

"I can always tell a warrior's child, they always have the kind of stare which melt the coldest iceberg." Brandish try to make his move, looking straight into the young lady's eyes.

"Oh, do I? I hope I didn't melt your heart, Mr ...?"

"Brandish." He introduce himself. In fact, this is their first met. This lady going to Galbadia Garden, she never been in Ballamb Garden. "Brandish T. Almasy."

"Ah, so you're Mr Seifer's son?"

"I am."

Suddenly another young man with brown-golden hair appears and drag away the young lady from Brandish. "Don't let him get you, Delphy. His flirting skill is sucks!"

"Oh, come on, brother, it's always nice when someone can appreciate me." Delphy smiled to Brandish. And the young man nods back, winking one of his eye. "Don't worry, miss Delphy. I knew Claude L Loire just like the back of my hand. He always have difficulities to maintain attention."

"Oh yeah? Talk to yourself, loser! Anyway, you're not gonna get my sister. Because she ain't marrying loser like you!"

"I see, just like you and Grand General's succession." There's rumor about Luke Lionheart's return to Ballamb Garden and restore his SeeD ranks in couple weeks. It means more rival for Claude L Loire. The General's second son is about to land a punch on Brandish's face when someone grab his hand to prevent the fight.

"Cut it out, Claude. Don't ruin a beautiful lady's special day." The guy already shaved and cut his long hair into shorter-messy crew cut style. He has his mother's black thick eyebrows, and his grandfather's spirited eyes. Optimist is the first thing people can think of whenever they see the first son of Grand General Leonheart's face. He's like the reincarnation of Laguna Loire in modern age.

"Grr ... come on, sister, there's more worthy guy to be your boyfriend rather than this loser!" Claude take his sister away from his most hated person in this world; Brandish Treepe and Luke Leonheart.

Brandish always smile to the guests, even to the arrogant spoiled Claude L Loire. But whenever he face this creature, Luke Leonheart, he put a defensive stance. "I thought you in hospital."

"Oh, come on, Brandish, what's with the cold welcome? We used to have good time when we still cadet before!"

"You know why, Luke. And I warned you, this is my mother's engagement party."

"Don't worry, I hope you let me greet my favorite instructor."

"And I hope you leave soon." Luke walks away from Brandish. Although he greets another guests, Brandish should stay close to his mother from this second on.

"There he is. Come here, Bran." Quistis called him.

Brandish move closer to his mother's group. She's with her fiancee, James Ingram. When they got married, he had to put "Ingram" as his last name. Sounds manly too, but he likes "Almasy" best. With the two happy couple, there is the Grand General and his wife. Both of Squall and Brandish don't talk much in group. It's Rinoa, Quistis and James dominated all the talks. James always talk about how much he waited for this moment to come since his young days. But nobody talk about James's wife, which actually not yet divorced. James always said that he had divorce his wife, but everybody knows his wife still haven't sign the divorce letter. That's one other reason why Brandish kind of disagree with this engagement.

"I don't really like party." Grand General sighed as the two men separate themselves from their small groups.

"Me too, General."

"But you sounds very smooth with the guests."

"Well, I have to help my mother in her special days. In fact, I'm more to introverted guy. I prefer to be alone."

"Really? I think I have to cancel the group I've set for you."

"You what? Sir, please don't cancel the group. I can't work alone, I need team."

"You're one of the prodigies, Bran, you're a perfect soldier can work alone or groups. I don't think you need them."

"Please don't cancel, Sir. I never believe that prodigies stuff they always put on me. I'm not a kind of superheroes, I'm just a mere human with a strong guardian force."

General Leonheart really enjoys kidding this young man. "Alright. But remember. Two men already KIA under your command. If another got killed again, you will lost your ragnarok."

"I'm very aware of that, sir."

"I'll gave you two personels that I believe can be great help for you. Basically you still got room for 3 more personels. You can pick the rest by yourself. You may also recruit people outside the garden too. But they will not recieve any payment from Garden."

"That's great news, sir."

"I already sent you their datas by emails. And if you already recruit someone, please email their bio so I can put them in database."

"Yes, sir!"

When Squall enjoy his wine again, Brandish go to the hotel's veranda to check his email. He can't wait to see his new crewmates.

Patiently Luke Lionheart wait until the most beautiful lady in this room left alone. When Rinoa Heartily surrounded by another influencing ladies such as Queen of Dollet, Prince of Trabia, etc, that beautiful lady only has James Ingram near her. He can handle that old man.

"You look beautiful as always, Dr Treepe." He said as he approach the enganged lady.

"Of course, she is. That's why I've been in love with her even before you was born, kid." James Ingram definitely understand what this young man up to. He hold his fiancee closer into his arms.

"Congratulation on your engagement, Mr Ingram and Dr Treepe." Luke Leonheart shake James's hand.

"Thank you, Luke." Quistis smiled at him. But her fiancee clearly want this young boy to leave his sight. "I believe Princess of Dollet is very beautiful. Want me to introduce you both?"

"I appreciate it, but luckily, I'm not a shy person. And I'm honest about my feelings."

"That's right. Luke is the most honest boy I ever see." Quistis praise the young man, instead, she can see it in his eyes.

Luke sip his drink. "Hmm ... this is a very sweet wine. High quality only exist in Trabia ... I knew you have good taste, Dr Treepe."

"Thanks, Luke, but it's Brandish's idea."

"Like mother, like son."

Some people approach them as they speak. It's James Ingram's old friends. Quickly put the about to be groom out to introduce him to some influencing people.

"After marrying you, he will become a strong figure. You are the second in command of Ballamb Garden." Luke whispered to Quistis, watching Ingram being introduced to the new president of Delling.

"Yes. That's why this party is full of strong figures. They will come again in my wedding party."

Then, a heavy sigh heard from a young man beside her. She turn her look to him and smiled warmly. The young man reply with his look upon her, can't believe how stupid his father was. "I wish I was born much earlier."

Quistis hold his hand tenderly, "don't be sorry. You're a nice man and responsible. People misunderstands you but you still put your head up tight. You never know how strong you are. You'll find a woman which is right for you."

"And I wish nothing but your happiness."

They lift the glass of wine for toast.