A/N: What's up, everyone?
First of all, I'd like to take a minute and once again thank you all for the dedication you're showing to my story and to my newest readers, I hope you'll continue to like this story to the end. You have no idea how much I appreciate all the love I'm gettin'
In this chapter, I've 'hidden' dialogue from two movies (yes, the movie freak in me strikes again!). To give you a tiny hint, one of them is a worldwide known Sci-Fi movie, and the other one is a romantic comedy with the element of adventure in it as well. Now, whoever finds both of them and mentions which character is talking to whom, gets the next chapter e-mailed to him/her immediately. Remember to comment on the chapter too though, mmmkay? :-p
Last chapter summary: B-Garden visits the ruins that are now TrabiaGarden and a secret held for many years within them resurfaces…
A second chance
By: Sickness in Salvation
Chapter 24: The final battle
It was almost eight in the morning in the snowy plains of Trabia. The Garden was still stationed there, giving the students the opportunity to train with some Ice monsters. Today it was Sunday though and it was a day of rest. A day of rest for the body, but not for the mind apparently.
Seifer had hardly gotten any sleep during the night. He still couldn't fully comprehend the awful truth that had stricken them all. The woman they once all loved was their deadly enemy… Something just didn't fit though. There was no logical explanation for her sudden turn to the 'dark side'. He couldn't possibly believe that the benevolence and affection she'd shown them in the past was hypocritical. Something must've gone wrong. And he'd die before he allowed the extermination of Edea before he found out what that 'something' was. He just had to. Even if it meant lying to everyone else for now…
He had woken up early that morning, but deciding to sleep in was not an option he was fond of right now. Instead, he decided to seize the opportunity and go out for a jog. He needed both the fresh air and the time to think. Wearing a pair of black sweatpants, and a thick grey, hooded sweater, he walked outside to the snowy landscape, not forgetting to take his Hyperion with him.
The fresh morning air revitalized him, clearing out his lungs. He put his hood up and began jogging, the snow reaching up to his ankles almost. It had only been about twenty minutes, when he started to get short of breath. He stopped, resting his palms on his knees, breathing heavily 'I have to cut down on smoking... I once could go on running non-stop for at least forty-five minutes…' he thought. He took a deep breath and stood up, deciding to do a few stretches. Somewhere in between the twentieth stretch, he noticed a heavily dressed figure, making its way from the plains near Trabia Garden towards their own. Following him or her, were a bunch of kids.
He squinted, trying to make out who it was. He groaned; Quistis with her students. She was wearing a long brown coat, her peach battle gear underneath it, a long pink scarf with matching mittens and a pink woolen cap. She had worn her hair in two low ponytails, visible from underneath the cap. Her cheeks and nose were now red from the cold, making a great contrast with her pale, porcelain-like skin. Seifer sighed. He wasn't in the mood to face Quistis right now after yesterday's events. But it was too late. The children were already sprinting towards him.
- "Good morning, Commander Almasy!" chimed all the kids together.
- "Good morning to you, too." said Seifer, forcing a smile, crossing his arms "What are you all doing out here at this hour?"
- "They all insisted on seeing a Mesmerize from up close." answered Quistis, avoiding his gaze "We didn't have any hours free during the week, so I agreed to take them today."
- "Commander, look!" said a red-haired little girl excitedly, holding up a Mesmerize blade "Instructor Trepe gave it to me because I answered her question correctly!"
- "Well done." said Seifer grinning.
- "Commander, can we stay out for a while and play?" asked a brown-haired boy.
- "I dunno… There are a lot of monsters around…" replied Seifer, rubbing the back of his hair.
The last thing he wanted right now, was having to worry about a bunch of little brats out in the unsafe fields of Bika.
- "Pleeeeeeeease?" asked all the children in unison, smiling at him. Seifer sighed.
- "Alright… But don't go far away." said Seifer wearily, earning excited shouts from all kids.
- "Will you stay and watch us over with Instructor Trepe?" asked a blonde girl.
Seifer and Quistis looked at each other. Quistis shrugged feebly.
- "OK, I will. Now go on…" said Seifer.
The blonde girl giggled and ran off to join her classmates in their snow fight. Seifer put his hands in his pockets and chuckled somewhat poignantly. Quistis smiled at the sight of the children playing.
- "Look at them…" she said "So young, so carefree… I wonder if we ever were like this…"
- "Come on Trepe, it's not like you're getting old or anything. What are you, eighteen?" asked Seifer.
- "Almost nineteen." she replied.
- "Well what do you think eighteen is, old?" asked Seifer, raising an eyebrow.
- "Of course not. I just envy them… We all had to grow up so fast… It's really heard to remember the times when I had any fun as a child." she said gloomily.
Seifer sighed, dragging his foot nonchalantly onto the ground, leaving a trail on the snow.
- "Listen… About yesterday…" Quistis began.
- "Do we really need to talk about this?" Seifer asked jadedly.
- "I think we do." Quistis replied, facing him "I meant every word I said. We need you on this. And it's not just me saying this. We all agree. And… If you must know…" she spoke, making Seifer turn to look at her "Squall was the first one to say it. Honestly."
Seifer looked down at his feet once again and scoffed. A grin slowly spread wide on his face.
- "So… The 'Puberty-Boy' finally came to his senses and realized my superiority?" Seifer asked, smirking.
Quistis chuckled. That was the Seifer she knew. And… liked.
- "So you're with us?" she asked.
- "I… I don't know yet… I don't know if I can do it." he admitted.
- "It's not easy for any of us. Just… try. Please?" she asked, looking at him "It won't be complete without you…Lucky seven…" she added, smiling.
Seifer's forehead creased at the sound of that.
FLASHBACK
"You guys… Matron is going to be soooo mad when she finds out we sneaked out again!" a blond little boy said.
"Shut up, Cry-baby Zell!" another blond one spoke, that one older.
"Yeah, we've got Sis with us too, so she can't be mad!" a chirpy, copper-haired girl spoke.
A brown-haired boy frowned and wrapped his arm tighter around the oldest of the seven children. He didn't like it when other people called her 'Sis'. She was only his 'Sis'.
"You have to promise you'll be quiet about this though, OK?" the older girl said with a warm smile "Otherwise I'll have to take you back…"
"No Sis! We won't talk, we'll be good!" the copper-haired girl spoke again.
The seven made their way through the forest during nightfall, after the blond, oldest boy had insisted they went out to catch fireflies and keep them into a jar. The idea was welcomed by many cheers from all children, except for two…
"I'm scared…" Zell muttered, walking closer to the girl everyone called 'Sis'.
"Then why did you come along, you baby?" the other blond boy spoke again.
"Seifer, leave Zell alone." Sis spoke, mildly scolding him.
"I think I'm a little scared, too…" the copper-haired girl said.
"I'll protect you, Sefie." another brown-haired boy said, walking close to her "I won't let any monsters get you."
The little girl beamed at him and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
"Ewww!Irvine has girl cooties!" Seifer said, pointing at the other boy and laughing.
"You have girl cooties, too!" Zell piped in "I saw you the other day, when-"
"Shut up! Shut up!" Seifer threatened, raising his small fist to punch Zell.
"Both of you, stop it!" Sis said, grabbing Seifer's fist in mid-air "Be nice or we're going back!"
"Fine…" muttered Seifer, crossing his arms, kicking rocks on the ground with his shoes.
"Sis…" the other brown-haired boy spoke.
"What is it, Squall?" the girl asked warmly.
"If you're scared, too, you can hold my hand…I'll protect you…" Squall said. The girl smiled at him.
Sis raked her hands through his silky hair and kissed him on the top of the head.
Seifer turned his gaze to the far back of the small group, where a blonde little girl was walking alone, swatting the ground with a branch she'd cut out. The boy turned back to see if anyone was looking, then slowed his pace down until the girl caught up with him.
"You scared, too?" he asked her.
"Nuh-uh…" the girl replied, looking away.
"You are too!" Seifer insisted, grinning "All girls are scaredy-cats!"
"Are not!" the girl retorted, head snapping back up.
"Are too!" Seifer persevered "Quisty is a scaredy-cat! Quisty is a scaredy-cat!"
Quistis pursed her lips and almost in tears, ran after Seifer who had gone into a fit of laughter and was running back towards the rest of the group. They made a couple of rounds around them, yelling –in Quistis's case- and giggling –in Seifer's-, as Sis scolded them and told them to be quiet. The two blondes ran towards the back again, when they heard a noise.
They both stopped dead in their tracks.
"W-w-what was that?" Seifer stuttered.
Quistis glanced around, fear-stricken, when she looked down at Seifer and began laughing.
"What's so funny?!" Seifer asked, narrowing his small, green eyes at her.
Quistis kept on laughing.
"Stop laughing!" Seifer said, frowning, advancing on her.
"Well, now we know who's the scaredy-cat!" Quistis said, between fits of giggles "You stepped on my branch!"
Seifer's little cheeks flushed into a zest shade of red as he turned around and realized that indeed, the source of the sound had been a branch, now laying split in two on the ground.
"Quisty! Seifer!" came Sis's voice for a few feet ahead "Don't stay behind, or you might get lost!"
"Coming Sis!" Quistis chirped, beginning to walk towards her direction.
Seifer was already ahead, brooding, hands slipped inside his pockets. Quistis caught up with him, giggling.
"Are you mad because I called you a scaredy-cat?" she asked, still sniggering.
A scoff was all she got for a response.
"I'm sorry Seify, I didn't mean it!" she said, grinning.
"I'm sorry Seify, I didn't mean it…" Seifer repeated, mimicking her voice in a mocking tone, frowning.
"Will you stop being mad at me if I tell you I'm scared, too?" Quistis asked, scooting closer to him.
"I'm not scared." Seifer insisted.
"Do you think there are monsters around here?" Quistis asked, looking around her cautiously.
"Maybe… But we'll be OK." Seifer said shrugging.
"How do you know?"
"We're seven, aren't we?" Seifer said "Seven always does the trick… Lucky seven." he added, smiling at her.
Quistis smiled back, looking down to the ground. Biting his bottom lip, Seifer hesitantly slid his arm over to hers, encasing her tiny palm into his slightly bigger one. Quistis blushed and grinned.
"Seifer! Quistis! I won't say it again! Don't stay behind!" Sis called once more.
"Seifer has girl cooties! Seifer has girl cooties!" Zell called.
"Shut up, Cry-baby!" Seifer called, letting go of Quistis and chasing after Zell…
END OF FLASHBACK
Quistis was still smiling at Seifer, patiently waiting for him to snap out of his trance and respond.
- "You remembered…" he said in awe. Quistis beamed at him and nodded in response "I… I-I'll try… But I don't promise anything." Seifer replied, a grim, lopsided smile on his face.
- "Fair enough." Quistis said, nodding 'That's a start…'
A long, silent pause engulfed them, as they kept their eyes onto the children before them.
- "Remember," Seifer said suddenly, chuckling "One of the rare times when it snowed in Centra? We used to team up boys versus girls in snow fights, but you were outnumbered, so you had Matron on your side."
- "Yes… I remember that too…" she said, smiling.
- "And you always won, because I ended up burying Chicken-wuss in the snow, leaving Irvine and Squall to fight alone." he added, laughing.
Quistis laughed heartily along with him. They stopped after a while, looking at each other. Quistis looked away blushing, turning her gaze upon the kids. One of them had gotten stuck in the snow in waist-length. Quistis and Seifer both laughed as they watched it, struggling to get away.
- "I'll go…" Seifer said, walking over to that kid.
He pulled up the little boy from the arms, setting him down on his feet. The boy thanked him, grinning awkwardly and ran off again. Seifer chuckled and turned around. As soon as he did, a snowball landed square on his face. He coughed, clearing the snow from his face, squinting. A few feet away from him, stood a giggling Quistis, traces of snow visible in her mittens, betraying the identity of the 'snowball-thrower'. Seifer narrowed his eyes at her, but smiled. He looked at Quistis, surprised at the mischievous grin that had spread across her always serious face. She seemed loosened up, cheerful, provocative... and damn sexy.
- "Care for a re-match for old times' sake?" she asked, in a daring manner, tossing another snowball up and down in mid-air on her palm. Seifer grinned devilishly.
- "You're goin' down Trepe…" he said, bending down, cupping a handful of snow.
Quistis squealed like a schoolgirl, as she dodged Seifer's well-aimed snowball, while throwing him her own, getting him on the shoulder. She began running, laughing like mad, while snowballs landed on her back, or passed inches away from her face, whistling in mid-air. She grabbed snow from the ground beneath her, making a new snowball, sloppily throwing it at Seifer. He bent down, dodging it and threw her another one, striking her right on the face. Quistis let out a sound between a grunt and laughter and began clearing her face with her gloved hands. She opened her eyes soon enough to see a grayish-black blur launching itself on top of her.
Seifer had jumped like a predator on its prey on her, grabbing her from the waist, pinning her down on the snowy ground. Quistis groaned in pain, but laughed. Seifer chuckled along with her.
- "You lost, Trepe. I win this time…" he said smirking, looking at her.
Quistis scoffed, but smiled. They had both stopped laughing now and had become aware of their position. Seifer was lying on top of her, still holding her waist, while she had her palms slightly pressed against his shoulders. She looked beautiful in her 'helpless' position underneath him and Seifer couldn't help but notice that. He brushed away a stray lock that had fallen on her face and swallowed with difficulty. Without realizing it, Quistis touched his cheek with her gloved hand and her lips twitched just a tiny bit upwards. This was different, this felt different from that moment they'd had on that balcony. He could feel the change in her; he could see it in her eyes. The time was right.
Their chests were touching and both of them could feel their hearts pounding wildly like drums. Seifer took a deep breath and leaned down to her. None of them had their eyes closed; they wanted to keep them open to the last minute, not willing to lose a single second of the moment. When their faces where less than an inch apart, a fit of suppressed laughter was heard and the spell broke instantly. They both turned to their right, not moving at all from their previous position. They saw all the kids from Quistis's class gathered, looking at them, grinning and chuckling.
- "Yay! Instructor Trepe is going to marry Commander Almasy!" said a raven-haired girl, giggling in delight.
All the children burst into laughter, as Seifer and Quistis widened their eyes in embarrassment and quickly pulled away from each other. Seifer stood up, clearing the snow from his clothes, offering a hand to Quistis, without looking at her. Quistis took it, swiftly getting up, dusting off snow as well. The kids hadn't stopped laughing, making Seifer and Quistis' position even more awkward.
- "Come on kids, time to go back inside…" Quistis said, blushing profusely, heading towards the Gates of Garden.
The children followed her, some throwing glances back at Seifer, giggling. Seifer had gotten burning red in the face and as he looked down at his crotch, he noticed that he was in serious need of a cold shower...
Seifer went jogging again the following morning. He was dressed in the same attire, running around the snowy plains in Trabia. At some point, a snowball squashed on his bare neck, making him turn around. He saw Quistis, smiling at him, dressed in the same clothes as the previous morning. She grinned and beckoned him to follow her with her index finger.
Seifer smirked and began striding towards her, through the snow. Quistis let out a heavenly, angel-like giggle and turned around, beginning to walk away. With each step, she removed one piece of clothing, until she was only wearing her coat. Seifer was struggling to get to her. Quistis turned around, looking at him mischievously, letting the coat fall just a bit to reveal her bare shoulder. She winked at him and pulled it back up.
Seifer felt his blood boiling in desire and began running after her. He jumped and grabbed her from the waist, pinning her back-first on the ground, once again. He quickly leaned in and kissed her greedily, while she held the base of his neck with one hand. With one move, she pulled the belt of her coat and flashed it open. Seifer's eyes widened at the sight of her naked body underneath it. He grabbed her waist and pulled her into another kiss, while she began pulling his sweater off…
- "Gaahh!" Seifer choked, jolting up in bed.
He closed his eyes and let out a whiny groan, falling heavy on his pillow.
- "Not again dammit… Not again…" he whined.
- "Commanders Almasy and Leonhart please report to the bridge immediately." Nida's voice came through the intercom "I repeat: Commanders Almasy and Leonhart please report to the bridge immediately."
- "Oh great…" Seifer groaned and got up.
Squall strode down the Dormitory hallway. He had been called only a few minutes ago via the PA to assemble at the bridge, much to his dislike. He hated it when he had to ruin his daily morning routine, especially when it involved being interrupted from his morning shower. He ran a hand through his hastily dried hair. Still damp. Thankfully, it was a warm day and he didn't run the risk of catching a cold.
Suddenly, the door of a dorm whose inhabitant he knew all too well flung open and out came a seemingly quite irritated Seifer. The tall blond slid his hands inside the pockets of his black pants and strode down the hallway sulking. Squall debated on whether he wanted to pick up his pace and walk to the bridge along with Seifer. He quickly pushed that thought away. He wasn't in the mood to hear Seifer bitching… Unfortunately for him, the blond left him with no choice, as he stopped on his tracks upon hearing footsteps behind him and turned around.
- "Hurry up. I don't have all day." Seifer growled.
- "No-one asked you to wait for me…" Squall mumbled, once reaching him "And a good morning to you too." he said sarcastically, now walking down the corridor next to Seifer.
- "Maybe for you…" Seifer retorted crankily.
The two young Commanders continued their walk out in the Main Hall silently, heading towards the elevator.
- "I'm not seeing my favorite furry jacket and I'm worried…" Seifer said at some point mockingly, referring to Squall's attire "Has hell frozen over?"
- "Obviously not, since I'm seeing my favorite grey coat, even though it's damn hot outside…" Squall spat back. Seifer scoffed.
Old habits died hard apparently, as Seifer was indeed wearing his trench coat that day. He'd been sensible enough though, as to fold the long sleeves up to his elbows. Squall inwardly felt grateful that Seifer was wearing his coat however, as it made the white 'Barbie is a bitch' T-shirt he was wearing underneath seem less apparent. Squall on the other side, was in his usual attire, minus the leather fur-lined jacket.
The two men reached the entrance Hall and walked up the small stairway to the elevator. Seifer strode inside first, punching the button to the third floor casually. Behind him, Squall let out a weary sigh and shook his head in disbelief.
- "You break it, you pay it." he said coldly.
- "My pocket can handle it quite well, Leonhart…" Seifer said smirking, leaning his back against the wall of the elevator shaft. Squall rolled his eyes "Ahh… another day at the office…" Seifer said, once the doors slid open.
As soon as they stepped inside, they came across Nida, Xu and Quistis, who seemed quite distraught about something.
- "So, what's so important that you had to interrupt my beauty sleep?" Seifer asked. Everyone rolled their eyes.
- "I think you'd better take a look at this." Nida said, handing Squall a pair of binoculars.
Seifer cocked an eyebrow and walked over to Xu, who had another pair hanging from her neck, pulling it up to his eyes. Xu staggered and almost choked, making Seifer grin deviously as he looked through the binoculars. A big red blur was visible in the distance and as Seifer zoomed it closer, the image of a floating Galbadia Garden was made clear. Seifer cursed and let the binoculars go, earning a glare from Xu.
- "What do you think?" Nida addressed the two Commanders.
- "The battle's inevitable…" said Squall plainly.
Seifer sighed inwardly. He was left with no choice.
For the time being…
- "I say let's rumble." he said.
- "The Sorceress is supposedly with them, right?" Xu spoke "So this is the final battle?"
- "Seems like it." replied Seifer, frowning.
- "I guess we should let everyone know then." Quistis said. Seifer looked at her puzzled, making her roll her eyes.
- "She means give out orders." Squall said "So, what should we say?"
- "Well, we gotta keep it simple or chaos will ensue…" Seifer said "I say go with attack and defense plans."
- "Alright," Squall said, crossing his arms "We need to decide on where to concentrate our forces. They might try to infiltrate us while on air."
- "Well, the only areas they can come through are the Quad and the Front Gate." said Seifer, rubbing his chin "All other areas are barricaded by roofs. And we gotta make sure there's no confusion over who will go where. Divide them into teams with ID numbers ending in odd or even numbers."
- "Right… Shouldn't we also inform them about the Garden's course?" Squall asked.
- "I don't think it's really that necessary, but go ahead." Seifer replied shrugging.
- "Oh and we should have someone take care of the junior classmen." Quistis piped in.
- "Alright. Garden's route, attack and defense plans, junior classmen and make sure you call the others up to the bridge." Seifer said to Squall.
- "Why should I make the announcements?" asked Squall, frowning.
- "Just get on with it, Leonhart. We're losing time." said Seifer casually.
Quistis frowned as she looked at Seifer. He wasn't usually one to be afraid of public speeches, but this time he seemed a bit… shy to speak to everyone. Squall groaned and walked over to the PA. He turned it on and spoke.
- "This is Squall speaking." he said "This is an emergency so listen carefully. We're going into battle against GalbadiaGarden. The Garden will proceed straight ahead. Set speed at 50% in case we need to make evasive maneuvers. 1st and 2nd Class Sabers, assemble in the Parking Lot. Those with MG Ranks 3 or above, head for the 2nd floor deck and await instructions. Be sure to warm up. The enemy will probably come aboard. We must concentrate our forces at the Front Gate and the Quad. If your student ID number is even, report to the Quad. If it's odd, report to the Front Gate. Those who have student ID numbers ending with an 8, take care of the junior classmen. Zell, Selphie, Irvine, come up to the bridge right away."
Squall turned the PA off.
- "Hey, what about Rinoa?" Seifer asked. Squall fell into thought for a few seconds.
- "We'll assign someone to take care of her." he replied eventually.
- "Shouldn't we allow her to fight?" Seifer asked, cocking an eyebrow.
- "Think she's up to something like that? She might be a good fighter, but she's not as experienced as everyone else here." Squall said.
- "Got a point there…" replied Seifer.
Right then, the elevator to the bridge got called and soon, Selphie and Irvine appeared up.
- "We heard you on the PA," Irvine began breathlessly "So this is it, then?" Seifer nodded.
- "Whoo-hoo! Garden vs. the Sorceress, The Final Battle! This is so exciting!" Selphie exclaimed, jumping up and down.
- "It never ceases to amaze me, her ability to make everything sound like Pro-Wrestling…" said Seifer, shaking his head in disbelief.
Quistis and Irvine chuckled, while the latter wrapped his arm around Selphie's shoulder. Selphie stuck her tongue out at Seifer and gently nudged Irvine away.
- "So what are we going to do?" asked Quistis.
- "Well… Wait. Where's the Chicken?" asked Seifer.
- "Zell…? Umm, I think he's taking a nap. "Yeah, he said he hasn't slept at all lately." Selphie replied, grinning awkwardly.
- "What…? Oh yeah." said Quistis, nodding.
- "You're shitting me, right?" Seifer asked frowning "We're going against the final battle with the whole of G-Garden and the Sorceress and he's napping?!" he growled 'Sounds really freaky, but that guy seems to speak my thoughts out loud sometimes…' Squall thought.
- "Look… It's nothing… It's just… our little secret." Quistis said. Seifer cocked an eyebrow at her "Don't look at me like that! I'm not saying anything!"
- "Sigh Whatever… I'm gonna go check the Quad. Who's coming with me?" asked Squall.
- "I'll come." Irvine said.
- "OK. Selphie, you go find Zell." Squall told her.
- "Gotcha!" Selphie exclaimed.
- "I'll go check the Front Gate, then." said Seifer "Trepe, you're with me." Seifer said. Quistis nodded.
- "Wait. Shouldn't one of you stick around here?" asked Nida. Squall and Seifer looked at each other.
- "Fine, I'll stay for a while." Seifer said "Selphie, you and the Wuss lead the team at the Front Gate. I'll come check upon you later with Trepe."
- "OK! Leave it up to me!" Selphie said chirpily "Oh, wait. What about Rinoa?"
- "You and Zell take care of her, alright?" asked Squall. Selphie nodded and left.
- "Xu, you go cover the Parking Lot." Seifer ordered Xu, who nodded and took the elevator down.
- "Come on, Irvine." said Squall.
As soon as everyone left, Seifer began pacing back and forth the bridge, looking deep in thought. Nida kept his eyes in front of him, piloting the Garden. Quistis looked at Seifer and spoke.
- "What's on your mind?" she asked. Seifer sighed and stop walking for a minute.
- "Their Garden has more experienced fighters. I don't think we're a match against them…" he replied, frowning "We gotta figure out a plan that won't be based upon our strength, or we'll surely lose…"
- "Anything in mind?" asked Quistis.
- "Nope… Thinking…" said Seifer, and resumed his pacing.
Quistis fell in thought as well. Seifer was right; they couldn't base the attack on their skills alone, or else they were doomed. Suddenly, she noticed Seifer stopping, his eyes widening a bit.
- "Wait…" he mumbled, "What if-" he began.
- "Great Hyne!" Nida suddenly exclaimed.
- "What?" asked Seifer and Quistis in unison, walking over to him.
- "They're heading right for us!" Nida shouted.
- "What do you mean, 'heading right for us'?!" hissed Seifer "Maneuver the Garden outta their way, then!"
- "I did! And they changed their course as well, heading towards our Garden again!" Nida said worriedly.
- "Oh dear Hyne, we're gonna crash!" Quistis exclaimed.
Zell and Selphie were down at the Quad, giving out orders to the soldiers gathered there, Rinoa included. Squall and Irvine had just left the Quad, and where headed back up to the bridge. All of a sudden, a roaring sound was heard and Selphie jerked her head to her right. Her bright green eyes widened.
- "Holy mother of Hyne!" she yelled.
A swarm of Galbadian soldiers all clad in blue was visible… in mid air. All of them were riding G-Garden motorcycles and had launched from their Garden, right onto theirs. The bikes had soared right through the dangerously closing distance between the two mobile academies, leaving trails of exhaust behind. The bikes soon landed hard on the Quad, roaming around the terrified students, wreaking havoc everywhere.
- "Oh dear Hyne, we're gonna crash!" Quistis exclaimed.
- "GO TO THE FUCKING RIGHT!" Seifer yelled.
Nida lost no second and immediately pushed the heavy steering mechanism to the right. Seifer grabbed the PA.
- "The enemy's close! Quad team, watch out!" he called.
Despite Nida's evasive maneuver, the Garden was unable to move fast enough. The two Gardens collided, creating a great earthquake that shook the entire academy. Nida gripped the handle near the steering mechanism, to prevent himself from falling. Seifer lost his balance and hit the glass wall behind him hard with his back. Quistis shrieked and missed her step, falling right into Seifer's arms, back first. The tall blond grabbed her just in time, wrapping one arm around her waist tightly, balancing himself by pressing the other hand up against the wall behind him. Quistis blushed and squirmed in his embrace.
- "Let go." she whispered.
- "Shh." Seifer silenced her, trying hard to listen to something.
- "Let go, please." Quistis asked him again, trying to pry his arm away.
- "Don't get excited." Seifer retorted, still clutching her, while trying to listen.
- "Commander, being held by you isn't quite enough to get me excited." Quistis spat back, frowning.
- "Sorry, sweetheart." Seifer said, finally letting her go "We haven't got time for anything else." he added, winking at her and approached Nida.
Quistis blushed furiously and turned her gaze away.
- "Nida, what's this sound?" Seifer asked.
- "I dunno…" Nida said, trying to listen as well.
A humming sound could be heard, and suddenly a crash pierced the air from the distance.
- "What the-?" Seifer said, and turned around, running towards the elevator to go check it out. Quistis ran over as well, but not before…
- "Watch out!" Nida had time to yell, before another collision took place.
Seifer and Quistis both tripped; Quistis fell face first onto the floor, Seifer falling right on top of her. He rolled off her immediately.
- "Thanks for the timely warning, Nida!" he growled at him sarcastically.
Right then, a message came through the intercom in the bridge.
- "The classroom 5A is under attack!" shouted a desperate female voice "I repeat: The classroom 5A is under attack! We need back-up immediately!"
Seifer got up on his feet and pulled Quistis up from the wrist.
- "Come on, Trepe. We gotta go." he urged her, pulling her over to the elevator with him.
Selphie and Rinoa followed Zell, in their attempt to stop the Galbadian bikes from leaving the Quad and entering the Garden. Zell dashed forward, cracking his knuckles in preparation, while Selphie behind him, took out her nunchaku and began swinging it skillfully. Rinoa slid her hand to the side of her hip, ready to take out her Cardinal, when she heard a cracking noise from right behind her. She turned her head to the side abruptly for a split second.
It was enough.
The ground underneath her shook violently and she watched in terror, as a deep crack appeared onto the solid concrete next to her, speedily spreading. Before she knew it, a great mass ground detached itself from the rest of the Quad and began slipping down to thin air.
- "Rinoa!" Selphie shrieked.
The raven-haired girl let out a gasp and reached out to grab onto anything that could keep her up on the surface. Her fingernails scraped the hard soil, but didn't manage to keep her up. She slipped further down, the edges of the rocks scraping against her chest and torso, bruising her. Rinoa winced and shrieked, her hands finally getting hold of a steady outcrop. She held on to it for dear life, feeling the rest of her body suspending . Swallowing with difficulty, he looked down to the abyss lying before her. The chunk of ground that had been detached from the Quad fell further down, reaching the golden helix spinning underneath the Garden, smashing into shards…
Squall and Irvine ran down the Main Hall, towards the Front Gate. They had been called by the PA to assist the forces stationed there immediately.
Squall sighed. The condition of Garden was getting more and more critical with each passing second. The Galbadian forces were much stronger and well-trained than their own. It was only a matter of time before they succumbed. Squall knew it; he couldn't deny it. And he was certain that everyone else did as well, by taking a mere glance on the expression of their faces. They were slowly but steadily drowning, desperately trying to cling on something, anything to give them hope.
- "Squall! Irvine!"
Selphie's scream made both men stop in their tracks. Squall shut his eyes and clenched his teeth. That shriek couldn't possibly be the bearer of good news… And right now, Squall wasn't sure he could handle any more bad ones…
- "Squall!!!" yelled Zell "Rinoa's in trouble!"
'Dammit… I don't need this right now…' Squall thought, sighing and turning around.
- "What's wrong with her?!" Irvine asked worriedly.
- "She's gonna fall off Garden!" Selphie exclaimed 'Damn...' thought Squall.
- "WHAT?!" shouted Irvine "HOW?!"
- "A great chunk of the Quad fell off and Rinoa was on it!" Zell narrated "So now she's hanging from a rock that could fall off any time now!"
Squall ran a hand through his hair… Could the situation get any worse?
Right on cue, Xu sprinted down their way, trying to catch her breath from running.
- "Squall," she panted "The enemy's heading this way!"
- "Squall, DID YOU HEAR ME?!" Zell yelled furiously at him
- "YEAH!!!" the young Commander snapped "But she's not the only one in danger!"
- "Didn't think you were so heartless, Squall." Irvine said disapprovingly "Rinoa is gonna die! Don't you realize that?!"
Squall spent a moment to regroup his thoughts. They had to split in two groups. Someone had to go with Xu and someone had to help Rinoa… And where the hell were Seifer and Quistis?!
- "Do you know where Seifer and Quistis are?" Squall asked Xu.
- "Last time I contacted the bridge, they were heading off to one of the classrooms to block an airborne attack." the brunette replied.
- "Can you get in touch with them?" Squall asked.
- "I can try their radio, but I can't guarantee anything…" Xu said, shrugging.
- "OK, try that and if you find them, tell them to head for the bridge. I'll be there as soon as I can." Squall said "Selphie, you go to the Front Gate and Xu will join you after she gets in touch with Seifer."
- "Gotcha." Selphie said firmly.
- "Irvine, come with me. We'll make sure the second floor is clear and head for the bridge to reorganize." Squall went on "Zell, you help Rinoa. Do whatever it takes, alright?!" Squall asked his blond peer, a hint of worry quite apparent in his voice.
- "Leave it to me!" Zell replied, dashing towards the Quad.
Squall made a run towards the stairs to the elevator, Irvine right behind him. His anxiety over the fate of Garden was building up second by second, but he had to retain a solid and strong façade for everyone. Time was running out for the SeeDs of Balamb and Squall was shocked to realize, that his heart ached most for the possible loss of one who did not belong within the SeeD population…
Seifer leered down at his last remaining opponent alive, as he drew his last breath and his life fell lifeless to the side. He slowly got up, raking a hand through his hair, swinging his Hyperion to rinse off a great portion of blood that lingered upon it. He turned and looked at the female SeeD crouching behind a few desks, holding two Junior classmen close.
- "Are the children safe?" he called to her.
The blonde girl raised her head and rose up to her feet once realizing there was no danger to them close anymore.
- "Yes, yes, they're fine." she replied, hands still shaking.
Quistis walked over to the little boy and girl, kneeling down next to them.
- "Aeris, Keith?" she spoke softly "It's OK, now. The danger's gone."
The two children turned their gazes upon her. They were both Quistis's students and their faces immediately became calmer in relief of seeing their Instructor.
- "Are you hurt?" Quistis asked them.
- "I…I think I hurt my ankle Instructor Trepe…" Aeris mumbled, rubbing her ankle in comfort.
- "Can you walk?" Seifer asked, having approached them as well.
- "I… I don't know…" the girl replied, shrugging.
Seifer suspended his weapon from his belt, kneeling down close to the girl. He picked her up in his arms and began walking towards the exit of the classroom, closely followed by the rest.
- "Is there someplace safe you can take them?" Quistis asked the girl.
- "I think they'll be alright by the Infirmary." she replied "I was about to take them there, but-"
- "Khhhuistis? It's Xu khhh…"
Quistis turned her attention to her radio and picked it up.
- "Xu? Is anything wrong?" Quistis spoke into the radio.
- "khhhIs Seifkhhhhhith you?"
- "Yes, why?" asked the blonde.
- "Skhhhall said you kkkould head to the bridge rikkhhhh now."
- "Alright, we're going. Over." Quistis replied hastily, turning off the radio.
- "Xu says Squall told us both to head to the bridge now." Quistis addressed Seifer. He nodded.
- "Take them down to the Infirmary." Seifer spoke to the girl who had been taking care of the children "And be careful."
He made a move to hand Aeris to her, when the little girl kissed him on the cheek and mumbled a faint 'Thank you.' to him. Seifer didn't say a word, just placed Aeris on the girl's embrace and stepped back.
- "Come on." he told Quistis, heading towards the elevator.
The blonde Instructor walked inside the shaft, pressing the button for the third floor. Seifer leaned against one of the glass walls, running a hand over his sweaty forehead. He stared at the Garden laying down before him, filtered through blue glass. Chaos was reigning downstairs. Students were running around wildly, Galbadian bikes lay among corridors ruined, fallen SeeDs were filling the archways, covered in blood.
Some were even in search of lost limbs.
He was thankful once his vision was blocked by the concrete walls of the floor they were approaching. The elevator stopped and he made a move to step outside, when Quistis's hand gripped his arm, holding him back. He turned around to face her, a questioning expression on his face.
- "That was really sweet of you back there." she said "I told you the Garden needs you."
Seifer opened his mouth to speak, but was silenced when her lips pressed against his cheek, right next to the corner of his lips. He swallowed with difficulty as she brushed by him and out of the elevator. He muttered a curse and followed her outside.
The two blondes appeared into the main Hall of the third floor. They found Dr. Kadowaki there, waiting for them.
- "What's the situation?" asked the doctor.
- "It's complete chaos down there…" Seifer replied, shaking his head "We're loosing too many, too fast."
All heads turned around as Squall and Irvine entered.
- "Oh good… You're both here." Squall said, nodding.
- "Well?" Dr. Kadowaki asked him.
- "We were able to stop the first two waves of the attack." Squall replied "But our forces aren't looking too good. Many are injured. If they send another wave, I don't know if we can hold them."
The elevator doors slid open once again, as Selphie barged inside.
- "How's your team?" Dr. Kadowaki asked her.
- "Bad." replied the girl, shaking her head while trying to catch her breath "They're barely holding them off."
- "So… looks like this is it." said the elder woman.
- "Their Garden has more experienced fighters." spoke Quistis "On the other hand, most of our troops are students who are still in training. Like Squall said, one more wave and we might be finished."
- "Well…" said Seifer "Attacking them seems to be our only chance. If our defense keeps failing, then we've got no other choice."
- "The only problem is," said Squall "How are we going to board their Garden?"
- "Say," Irvine piped in "How about if we crash into their Garden? I know it sounds crazy but at least we'll be able to get in. Their pilot's been ramming us all along. I'm sure Nida can do it, too."
Squall and Seifer looked at each other. The blond nodded firmly.
- "We have no choice." said Squall "Let's do it."
The sound of the elevator doors opening once again announced Zell's arrival into the room.
- "Where's Rinoa?" Squall asked him.
- "Sorry, man." Zell replied dejectedly "There's nothin' I can do! There's no way to get to the Quad! Those bastards have the area barricaded. Man! The only way we can get to her is by going over the roof or flying there!"
- "What the hell are y'all talking about?" Seifer asked, crossing his arms.
- "Rinoa's hanging from the edge of Garden, about to fall off…" Selphie replied.
- "WHAT?!" Seifer and Quistis yelled in unison.
- "Whoa, wait a minute." Irvine addressed Zell "You just gave up on her, didn't you?" Before Zell had time to reply, Irvine turned over to Squall "Listen… Do me a favor. YOU go help Rinoa. It may be too late, but don't give up until you're CERTAIN that there's nothing more you can do!"
- "I...I have to lead the attack with Seifer…" Squall mumbled.
- "I don't care what you have to do, or how you feel." Irvine insisted "Besides, I'm sure Seifer can pull it off just fine."
Seifer didn't speak, just turned his gaze away, when he felt all pairs of eyes lock upon him.
- "Just do it… please!" Irvine went on "For Rinoa."
- "Listen to Irvine, Squall." Quistis said "She's one of us."
- "C'mon, Squall! Please!" Zell pleaded "It's gotta be you! You're the only one that has to save her!"
Squall ran a hand through his hair, sighing. It's not like he didn't want to help Rinoa… But he was a Commander, he had to be there for his army… He, too, was certain Seifer could make it alone, but he just wouldn't feel right if he hadn't aided him in some way…
- "I'll take everyone inside GalbadiaGarden. Don't worry." Irvine said "I know the place like the back of my hand."
- "We'll lead all our forces inside and wait for you." Quistis added.
- "OK, OK…" Squall said "I'll go. You can make it, right?" he addressed Seifer.
- "Of course I can." Seifer replied bluntly, face expressionless.
Squall nodded and dashed away towards the elevator and out of sight.
- "Some of us will need to lead everyone from the Front Gate." Seifer spoke "The rest will access their Garden from the balcony on the second floor."
- "Seifer, you're forgetting something very important." Dr. Kadowaki said to him.
- "What?" he asked, frowning.
- "You need to talk to your men. Encourage them." she replied "It's your duty as a leader."
- "I'm pretty much certain I'm the last person they want to hear from." Seifer replied, grinning sarcastically.
Dr. Kadowaki frowned and turned her gaze over to Quistis.
- "Don't look at me… I've spoken to him, but he doesn't listen…" the blonde replied, shrugging.
- "Seifer, just because you're not 'picture-perfect' doesn't mean people don't admire you." the doctor said.
- "Listen, you don't have to lie. I-" Seifer began.
- "I'm not. You'll be surprised to hear how many young men and women in this Garden look up to you, just like they look up to Squall." Dr. Kadowaki went on.
- "Fine, I'll talk to them." Seifer cut her off, heading towards the lift.
He stepped up onto the platform of the bridge and stood in discomfort before the microphone of the PA. Taking a deep breath, he switched it on.
- "Uhh… This is Seifer." he spoke, his voice sounding within every room, every hall in Garden "I… I… I know everyone of you is probably exhausted and too tired to go on, but I need to ask for your courage. I'm not going to lie to you; our situation is not looking good. However, we still have a chance to prevail. Our defenses have been weakened greatly, but we can still attack. To do this, we'll have to crash into the enemy's Garden, so I want you all to be prepared for a major collision."
He covered the microphone, as he drew a deep breath.
- "The attack will be led by myself, Quistis, Irvine, Zell and Selphie. So please support us to the fullest." he spoke "I'll once again ask for your courage. We all need to be strong, because today we're fighting for our home. It doesn't matter where everyone comes from. We've all grown up in this very Garden and it's a home to all of us. We might get hurt, we might get beaten, but by Hyne… We will not go down easily."
Seifer reached the third floor, where everyone was waiting for him. Dr. Kadowaki smiled and rubbed his back affectionately. Seifer returned the smile and turned to his comrades.
- "We need to divide in two teams. I'll go through the second floor exit with some one else and the rest will lead our troops from the Front Gate." he said "Who's coming with me?"
- "I will." Quistis said immediately.
- "OK." he said, nodding at her "Zell, Irvine, Selphie, head down to the Front Gate and show everyone inside."
- "Got it!" Irvine said sportingly.
- "Dr. Kadowaki," Seifer addressed her "Go give Nida the order to head straight for them."
- "I will. Be careful… All of you." the elder woman said and walked over to the lift.
Slipping one palm underneath his T-shirt, he checked to see if 'something' was in order. Quistis caught glimpse of a sliver of light, reflecting on a shiny surface.
- "What's that?" asked Quistis.
- "Just some back-up provisions…" Seifer replied, smirking "Y'know… In case of an emergency…"
- "Do you always carry it?" she asked again.
- "More or less, yeah… Never know when you I might need it…"
Seifer finished fumbling around with his T-shirt and looked around him. Everyone was gone. He turned his gaze over to Quistis.
- "OK, let's do this. Are you ready?" he asked her.
Quistis took his hand in hers and smiled at him.
- "Yes."
The two Gardens were floating in mid-air, dangerously close with each other. B-Garden's so far evasive route, abruptly turned into an assaulting one, heading straight towards the greater, crimson academy. The two constructions approached more and more in deadly speed, until they collided.
A grand earthquake shook both grounds violently and millions of sparks flew from the contact of metal against metal as the two propellers rammed into each other. Walls trembled and threatened to collapse, while the distant sound of screams echoed from both academies.
Seifer and Quistis seized the opportunity and jumped over the railing of the second floor balcony, landing onto the soft, grassy terrain of G-Garden. Immediately, they broke into a run, hand-in-hand, unnoticed by the Galbadian SeeDs on those grounds. They were either too occupied within battle with their enemies, or were heading towards the overwhelming crowd of blue-clad Balamb SeeDs that was approaching them.
The two blondes soon reached the back Gate of the building, where Seifer stopped on his tracks, pulling Quistis into a stop as well. He turned and took a look behind them. Irvine and the others had made it; their forces were now flooding G-Garden in hundreds. From the distance, he could decipher the forms of his three friends, heading towards them. He turned and looked at his partner.
- "Listen, Quistis…" he spoke, looking into her eyes. The girl reciprocated the eye-contact eagerly "I… I just… I just want you to know…"
She held his hands gingerly, urging him to go on. Instead of speaking though, Seifer leaned in and pressed his lips upon hers, holding the back of her head with one palm he freed. Quistis closed her eyes and offered no resistance to his kiss.
He felt as if he was betraying her. She had no idea –no one did- about what his plan had been all along. He sensed she would never forgive him, but this was something he needed to do. He didn't want to look back, knowing he hadn't even tried. He didn't know if he would get out of it alive, so he needed to feel this, feel her one more time.
Maybe even the last.
He drew back, cradling her face into the crook of his neck. He approached his lips to her ear.
- "I'm sorry…" he whispered. Quistis didn't speak at first.
- "For kissing me?" she asked faintly.
- "No… For this." he said.
Kissing her temple, he brought his lips close to her ear once again.
- "Sleep." he muttered.
Quistis's eyes widened and she pushed Seifer away.
- "NO!" she yelled, as she felt a surge of eerie calmness take over her body "Seif… No… N-n-n…"
Seifer held her unconscious body and took one last look behind him. He could see them clearly now; Zell, Selphie and Irvine. They were calling out for them.
He smiled poignantly. She'd be safe now that they were here.
Gently, he laid her down onto the grass and placed a kiss upon her forehead.
He got up, sprinting towards the entrance, ignoring the shouts he heard from his peers. He reached the threshold and glanced swiftly at the sleeping form of Quistis.
'Quistis… I'm sorry…'
He walked through the Gate.
A/N: Once again, comments on this chapter and your reviews on the previous one will be posted in my journal.
ON THE NEXT CHAPTER OF 'A SECOND CHANCE':
Hehehe… Yeah right! :-p