Thirty Minutes Later

Mark stood up suddenly and began pacing. Anna allowed him to do this, knowing that this action meant he was thinking deeply. It wasn't long before he stopped and faced her again.

"Obviously we somehow got transported into the world of Final Fantasy VIII," he said. "How that happened remains a mystery, but the only thing we can do is let things take their course and see if we can help these people in any way."

Anna looked up at him incredulously from where she was sitting on the edge of a fountain. "Mark, we can't just do this. We know what happens in the game and neither of us has the training that these people do. We've never fought a day in our lives."

"I know that, Anna, but I also know how to use a katana. You remember all those days I stayed after school for remedial studies?"

Anna nodded her head, mystified as to where he learned to wield a katana. "Well the truth is that I was actually staying for a weapons training. It started out as a fencing class, and then when I excelled at that, the teacher asked me if I would like to train with a katana. So I'm pretty proficient at it."

"But where are you going to get one and what about me? I don't know how to use any kind of weapon, Mark. I'd be a sitting duck in a battle. Besides there is the SeeD exams to think about and how to convince Cid to let us take them."

"Convincing Cid won't be a problem. Leave that to me. You know every theory about all the weapons of this game right?"

"Yeah, but what does that have to do with anything?"

"Well, you once told me that as long as you knew the theory behind something, then you could do it."

"I was talking about Chemistry, Mark, not weaponry. It's completely different."

"Not really. Besides I have faith in you." Then, seeing her disbelieving face he added, "It's worth a shot, and we have to find a way of getting back to our world and how are we going to do that by ourselves? We are going to need help."

Sensing that she had lost that argument, Anna finally gave in. Mark smiled broadly and said, "Alright, let's go have a chat with the headmaster, shall we?" And with that, they both headed to the elevator that they knew would take them to Cid's office.

Two Hours Later

Cid Kramer sat in his chair behind his wooden desk and stared at the two teens before him. Their story had not shocked him in the least. He knew who they were and why they were here. He also knew he needed to get them trained and fast. Part of that had already been accomplished through the game that had been created in their world, although Cid explained none of these things to them. Telling them the things he knew would only bring about a terrible end to their lives, and he couldn't have that. They were the only hope for this world. At least, that's what Diablos told him before the Guardian Force brought them here.

"You don't look surprised to hear our story, Headmaster. I mean it's enough to turn anyone's head, including our own."

Cid was brought out of his reverie by Anna's statement. "The truth is, Miss McKenzie, I knew you two were coming." Upon seeing their shocked expressions, he added, "I won't go into too much detail as to why you were brought here, but I can tell you how you came to be in this world."

"Please, sir," Mark said, "We would very much like to know how that happened."

"The GFs have long been able to see into the future and have seen some disturbing events that, unless and intervention arises, will destroy all humanity in this world. You of course know to what I am referring, and to who causes them."

"Ultemecia," the two answered in unison. Cid merely nodded and continued his explanation.

"The GFs, not wanting the future to leak out here gave some gamemakers the idea for a video game to coincide with these futuristic events to train two hopeful people in your world to assist us. Now there are deeper reasons as to why it was the two of you that were chosen, but I cannot go into that at the moment. I promise, though, that all will be revealed in due time."

"Sir, I don't mean to interrupt, but what about the other Final Fantasy games that we have played? Are those real as well?" Anna couldn't help but ask.

Cid nodded, "The ones that occurred before this one is the history of this planet and the ones that occur after are the future, so you no doubt know what becomes of the planet after we are long gone. But we will have to discuss that later. Now, your stories will be that you are transfers from Galbadia Garden and are to take the SeeD exam in one week's time. Do not let it be known that you are from another world. If Ultemecia were to find out that other worlds existed, she would strive to conquer all of them. Now let me call your roommates to show you to your dormitories and to the weapon's master." He pressed a button on his desk and asked Xu to call their roommates up to his office.

"Sir," Mark began, "Are the events that are going to occur going to go exactly like they did in the game?"

"Not exactly. You see, some will change and others will stay the same. Then again, some may not occur at all. It will all depend upon what new events occur now that you two are here."

At that moment, Xu entered the office followed by none other than Squall and Selphie. Anna's eyes grew large at the sight of the two people who had just entered. She couldn't help but stare at the stoic Squall, and it wasn't long after she had started staring that his gaze met her own. Stony grey met bright violet and she blushed crimson as she realized that he knew she was staring and hid her face behind her black, wavy locks of hair. Cid filled the two in on the situation and Anna only half listened. She was more interested in her thoughts about actually being in the Final Fantasy VIII world, and that is why it came as quite a shock when she was pulled from them by Selphie pulling her up from her seat chattering the whole time about how it was awesome that they would be roommates and that she couldn't wait to see what kind of weapon that Anna would choose. This one-way conversation continued all the way to the dormitories, allowing Anna to sink back into her thoughts.

She hadn't even noticed that they had reached their dorm room, or that Squall and Mark's dorm was right next to their own. She just kept thinking about how intense Squall's gaze had been. It was like the thought refused to leave her mind.

"You know, when the headmaster had sent all those clothes to our dorm, I didn't know what to think at first. Then I found out, or more like forced out the information, from Squall that we were both getting roommates. I was so stoked!" Selphie said and snapped Anna from her thoughts again. It was then that she took in her surroundings and Selphie's appearance. The spunky girl was not sporting her usual sun yellow dress and brown boots, but rather blue jean shorts, a black tank top and black combat boots. Selphie then looked ashamed suddenly and stated, "I'm sorry. Here I am chatting away about nonsense and you probably just want to get settled in."

"It's alright, Selph. I just really want a shower right now. How about you help me come pick a weapon after I get cleaned up and changed?"

The hyper brunette brightened back up after that and showed her where the shower was. "I'll be back in a bit, Anna. I'm gonna go get you some food. You have got to be starving."

"Thanks, Selph, I appreciate that."

"No prob." And with that, the girl left Anna to her own devices.