The Story So Far…

3 groups from different worlds arrives in 1935 Gallia. They sought for peace and to settle in a more quiet life. However, Little did they know that the land they're on was heading for another war. With nothing left to do, they enlist in the Gallian Militia and get assigned on Squad 7. Noctis becomes Welkin's accomplice and assists him in operating the Edelweiss as a loader and gunner. Their colleagues become acquaintances with the other members of Squad 7, most notably Squall and Alicia's on and off arguments. After days of waiting, training and exercising, the path to tranquility was underway with the Squad's first taste of combat at Vasel.

It was only the beginning, The question now is… Will they ever be able to step out alive?

The following day, It was dawn and a few were starting to wake up. Welkin and Noctis discussed on how to attack Vasel. The lives they may save may be theirs and the squad's fate lies in their command. Underneath a tree, both men were having tea as they discussed on how to attack the city.

"Ok. I won't get the Edelweiss through unless those Lancers are taken care of. I'm putting you in charge of the infantry attack on the city. We'll separate the squad in three platoons. You'll lead the second platoon. Rosie will have the first and I will command the third. If something bad happens to the first, you go in and relieve them. Also, keep moving. Don't stop."

"Gotcha on that. Let's hope everything pays off."

"I'm sure it will." Welkin replied, filled with confidence.

When the sun had shone, the Squad was on a lonely road to Vasel, standing by. Welkin had sent Noctis to check out the place along with Rosie. They were hiding on a slope with the squad behind them. The entrance was a three-way junction with the café on the middle and two buildings on both sides across the café. It had 2 other avenue of advance aside from the road where they were, giving an opportunity to attack.

"You take first platoon straight. Hit hard and fast and move quickly. I'll be ready to support you in case something happens."

Noctis glanced at his watch to check the time. He had to attack on the precise time.

"Alright, go!"

"First platoon, on me."

Rosie got up to her feet and lead her platoon towards the entrance. Prompto was the first man to follow her and the rest followed.

"C'mon, keep moving. Go!"

As Rosie and Prompto were approaching the entrance, little did they know that the whole platoon was late in going up to their feet, making the two the only to go in first. The two weren't aware that the café was swarming with Imperials.

"FIRE!" a voice shouted.

Suddenly, machine gun fire unloaded on the two.

"Shit!"

"Enemy MG! Get down!" a voice shouted somewhere in the platoon.

The sudden machine gun fire made Squad 7 hit the dirt and grabbed for cover on the grass and refusing to go out in the open.

"Take cover!"

On the entrance, Rosie and Prompto managed to make it to a wall for cover and found out that the whole platoon wasn't behind them.

"Shit!" bawled Prompto. "goddamit."

"Where the f*ck is everybody?!" Rosie asked.

Prompto was firing blindly at the machine gun nest and didn't reply to her question.

"Where'd everybody go?!"

"I have no idea!" Prompto replied before firing blindly again.

Back in the slope, Welkin and Noctis rallied the platoons to attack. But the sounds of Imperial Machine Guns firing at them was too much for the squad to handle.

"Let's go! Get out there!"

"We're gonna get killed out there for pete's sake." Aika yelled.

"Follow me! We'll flank them from here." Tidus volunteered.

Noctis looked to his side, seeing Zell taking cover on the dirt, refusing to go out.

"Move! Get out there. We have men getting killed out there, Zell! Get moving!" He said, grabbing Zell by his sleeve and out of cover. "Move! You got no cover here!"

"Go! Go!" Welkin continued. "Get out of cover!"

"C'mon, follow me." Squall yelled.

Meanwhile, Rikku, with the help from Wakka deployed the Bren while being concealed on the tall grass. It was a good thing that Rikku had a bipod on the gun that allowed her to provide return fire on the Imperials. Wakka acted as her spotter and reloader at the same time. They made up of Squad 7's Support Team.

"Enemy fire on the left, 2nd floor."

As Rikku and Wakka suppressed the Imperials; To the left, Tidus, along with Vyse, Gladiolus and Aisha attempted a flank on the café. To Tidus' left, there was a sniper preparing to shoot and before it could fire, Tidus unloaded a shot, putting it out of commission. From Tidus' side, He could see the gunner on the café and fired a shot, killing it but getting him and the others bogged down.

"JEEZ! GET TO COVER!" He shouted.

Squall on the other hand took a detachment of troops from Noctis's Platoon. He planned to flank to the right and try to pick off a shot on the enemy inside the café. But to his frustration, he couldn't pick off a shot.

Back on the entrance, Rosie and Prompto could see that the gunner placed his attention to the left where Tidus is. Taking the opportunity, The two decided to prepare to throw a grenade with Prompto covering Rosie.

"Alright, Cover me…. Now!"

Fully loaded, Prompto fired a whole magazine of his rifle as Rosie charged and threw the grenade inside and hitting the ground to avoid getting wounded by the shrapnel when it exploded. When it did, Squall got out of cover and lead some of his troops to get across the street. By now, Tidus and another detachment got through after the nest was cleared.

Near the warehouse, Squall could see Tidus along with 3 more troops moving in and taking positions. In front of them, parallel to where they are was a warehouse. Squall decided that it had to be taken and its Imperial occupants wiped out.

"C'mon, We gotta take that warehouse!" He uttered, leading his detachment.

On the entrance, More of Squad 7, including Largo and a few lancers started to storm the area. The first step was complete. Noctis and Welkin had a short discussion on what to do next near the café.

"Alright, Leonhart has the left under control. Next, we need to clear the houses before we could move on. I'll send Rosie and the others to sweep the houses to the right."

"Good. I'll take Alicia, Strife and Lockhart with me. We'll get to the intersection with some from third platoon."

"Alright, Good luck, Welkin." He said before going back to command. "Rosie, Take Prompto with you and clear the houses over there. Yuffie, Aerith, you're with me."

Rosie and Prompto took cover on the walls of the house. The two listened closely for Imperial voices inside. When they did, Prompto would smash the window while Rosie would throw the grenade. After which, Prompto would kick the door down and finish off any Imperials alive. On the next house, the two couldn't hear any Imperial Voices. Rosie tried to pressure him.

"C'mon, Argentum. Do it."

However, Prompto refused and instead, kicked the door open only to find a civilian family trying to hide from the gun fighting outside.

Back in the street fighting, Squall went up to a balcony to see that the west bank of Vasel was almost secure until he started to hear mortar barrages and saw that mortar shells started to rain down on them.

"They've got us zeroed! Get out of there! Scatter!" He yelled.

Immediately, Squad 7 troops started to run for cover while others were still securing houses. On an alley, Noctis gunned down 5 Imperial troops with his "Tommy" to which Rosie was able to catch up on. Just as she was about to speak, Mortar shells started to bombard the road near them. The two immediately went to cover while seeing Squall trying to get other Squad 7 members to cover.

"C'mon, Get out of the streets!"

Suddenly, A mortar shell lands on the spot a few meters away from Squall, sending him into a shockwave and his rifle broken in half.

"Squall's down, Medic!"

Then, Edy went out of cover to the wounded Squall to find that he was still breathing and shivering. He had blood coming out of his left cheek and had blood near his groin. Squall had in thought that he had died there for a moment, reminiscent of his familiar memory from his old experience.

"Sir, stay with me. Everything's gonna be fine." She comforted. "Homer, give me a hand here!"

Homer then arrived to check on what happened and saw Squall wounded. He checked on the blood coming out near his groin and tore the cloth open.

"Everything should be fine. Can you get up?" He asked, to which Squall replied with a nod.

"Alright, Help me here." He referred to Edy. "Upsy-daisy." He uttered, placing Squall's right arm behind him.

Somewhere in Vasel, Isara had arrived inside the town with the Edelweiss after the Imperials retreated from the area. Welkin was still with Noctis, having another briefing after a few minutes street fighting.

"Alright, Looks like we've got them on the run. Isara should have arrived inside with the Edelweiss at this moment."

"Good to hear. I've already sent Rikku and Wakka to go after a few retreating columns. Right now, We should be in the clear."

Then, Something started to shake the ground. Caterpillar tracks were getting near and the two were aware that it wasn't a pleasant sound to here. It wasn't the Edelweiss but it was an Imperial Tank going through a wall.

"Tank! Get off the streets!" Welkin yelled.

The two ran for cover as well as the rest of the squad who were on the same street as them. Just then, Largo arrived from the back, informing that the Edelweiss had just arrived but only at the entrance and they were a bit far from it. Luckily, Largo had his Anti-Tank Lance with him.

"Largo, You think you could put a hole on that tank over there."

"How long you think I've been an anti-tank man? Couple of tanks ain't no sweat." He said, filled with confidence.

And so he did. Largo, with his lance got out of cover. Noticing that the tank was firing its machine gun, one of them opted to throw a smoke grenade. Cloud had the honors of giving the first throw.

"Dammit, that tank's got a machine gun. Largo can't move if it keeps firing it."

"Cloud, throw a smoke grenade!" Noctis ordered.

"On it!"

When the smoke grenade was thrown and landed in front of the Imperial tank, Largo went out of cover and rushed to get a shot on its sides. When the tank crew noticed Largo was already on their side, it was too late. Largo triggered his lance and his AP shell instantly took out the tank out of commission.

"Cease fire!" Noctis shouted. "Sound off!"

"North area cleared!" Homer voiced.

"South area cleared!" Tidus reported in.

"Western Sector clear!" Prompto followed.

"Eastern Sector clear!" Irvine reported last.

When the smoke had cleared and the sector of the town in allied hands, Alicia was debriefed by Welkin, standing on top of the Edelweiss when Noctis and Luna just arrived.

"Welkin. All sectors have been secured. The road to the bridge is open."

"Nice job, partner! Seems like you're ahead of time."

"Any casualties?"

"So far, Squall got wounded but he got evacuated in time."

"Excellent." Welkin remarked.

While the men were chatting; On the other hand, Alicia noticed Luna, who was beside Noctis. She wore the same uniform as her. Her blonde hair flew past her shoulders upto her busts. It looked as if it was made of golden silk. Her eyes were blue and her face gave her the impression of a goddess. Never has Alicia seen such beauty. She was far different, even more so comparing herself to this 'goddess'.

"Hey, what's your name?" Alicia asked, curiosity hinting at her.

Luna looked slightly startled. "I'm Lunafreya Nox Fleuret and...I'm the lover of Noctis." She replied.

The answer surprised Alicia and Welkin, who overheard the two ladies conversation.

"What?! You and Noctis are together?!" Alicia gasped.

"Yes we are, Sergeant." Noctis voiced, approaching his lover and holding her by her hand. "Me and Corporal Fleuret are planning to get married in this world. Well, we wanted to marry once we are at place where we can leave quietly. Marrying back in our place might cause a paparazzi. "

"And it's no wonder you're so lucky, Noctis." Welkin expressed a slight hint of jealousy.

"I always told to her that I'd never leave her side. Ever since, I've been her knight in shining armor." Then Luna cuts in.

"And I've been his guardian angel."

Alicia, being interested in their bond wanted to know more about it. In fact, she hoped that her life would be the same as Luna's with the things that the couple mentioned happening to her.

Just then, a journalist came in between their moment.

"Hey there! You guys aren't with Squad 7 by any chance, are ya?"

"Yes, that's us." Alicia replied.

"Ha ha...bingo! I've been looking for ya...meaning you. Hot stuff on the tank and that guy with a princess beside."

"Us?" Welkin and Noctis voiced at the same time.

"Uhuh! That must make you Lieutenant Gunther and Lieutenant Caelum, am I right?"

"Umm... Excuse me... I-" But Alicia was cut in between.

"Yeah. That's us."

The journalist came right up at the tank. Welkin was protesting on her act of this. So did Noctis. The journalist took out a pocket book and started interviewing the two gentlemen.

"Nice to meet you too. Now, let's get right to the questions. So, you're the son of the great General Gunther, huh? You look awfully young. How old are you anyway? Must be your first war, huh? What's the hardest experience so far? Wait...happiest? No, uh...funniest? I'd also like to know hobbies, favorite foods...what you do on your days off."

"Hey, lady! This is a combat zone! Excuse me, but what are you doing here anyway?" Alicia took her attention.

"Hey, give me a break, willya? Scoops are near danger, and I'm near scoops. That's right. The name's Ellet. I'm GBS Radio's top woman reporter. I smell a story, a good story, and you guys are it!"

"So.. You're a reporter?" Noctis asked.

"Yeah. So anyway, how about you? You're Lieutenant Caelum right? I've heard some stories that you came from a faraway land. Is it true?"

Both Luna and Alicia sighed.

On the other side, adjacent to where the five were was Rosie and Largo. The two were exchaging negative opinions about the two commanding officers.

"Ugh. Now he's giving interviews? Who does he think he is? Ooh, look at him, son of some big hero. Please! He's still a schoolboy! And what about that black-haired guy. People say he's from a faraway land. What is he? A damn Prince Charming?"

Largo, puffing a cigarette replied. "No kidding. One little win and he's the new grand duke. And that Prince guy may ruin his own looks. Ugh, I hate kids. Eh, whatever. They'll learn soon enough. Only one thing matters out there in the field, and that's experience."

After some ridiculous interviews carried out by GBS Reporter, Ellet amongst the members of Squad 7, especially those who came from other "places"; Captain Varrot arrived with Faldio to check out the situation.

"Captain!" Welkin and Noctis saluted.

"Good news, Squad 7's suppression of the enemy camp on the west bank gave us the foothold we needed. Now we'll join the army's Vasel Battalion in Operation Cloudburst to take back the bridge. Militia forces will take the point, crossing the bridge and attacking the eastern camp."

"Captain, crossing that bridge means breaching the enemy bridgehead. What sort of on-site backup and supplies can we expect from the army on this? " Faldio raised.

"The plan calls for the army to commence its operation after we've struck the bridgehead."

"Wait a minute...so we're just being offered up on a platter?!"

"I know how you feel. I felt that way when I was a militia foot soldier, too. But sometimes being a soldier means taking on tough missions. Even dangerous ones."

"Understood, Captain."

"I'm not saying you're wrong, Faldio. Breaching that bridgehead by ourselves is...it's going to be tough."

"But Captain, that is absolutely absurd. We're not willing to carry out major operations. We're just a militia group for god's sake." Noctis voiced out his concern. "It's suicide."

"Captain Varrot, may I go observe the area around the bridge?" Welkin volunteered.

"Observe it? I don't mind, but what do you-" But Varrot was cut in mid-sentence when Alicia came knocking.

"Welkin! Noctis!"

"Sergeant Melchiott?! What is it?"

"Oh! I...sorry to interrupt the meeting. "

"We're finished, it's fine. Now I assume there's a reason for your visit?" The Captain asked.

"Yes, Captain. Welkin, ah, I mean, Lieutenant Gunther...the squad. They're at each others' throats."

"What?!" Noctis and Welkin, surprised.

"Please stop them, sir. I tried to, but they...I couldn't."

"What? You want us to break them up? I don't know...maybe it'd be better to just let them have it out." Welkin answered

"Let them have it out?! You can't just ignore them!"

"I'm not ignoring them. I think it's important that they say what they're thinking. Butting heads over differing opinions can be one way to bring people closer together."

"Welkin, Alicia has a point. We aren't going to break this Squad in half." Noctis protested.

"Noctis is right, Welkin. You have responsibilities."

"Welkin, come..." Noctis said, leaving the office.

With that, the three left Faldio and Varrot alone in the office.

Welkin, Noctis and Alicia immediately went to the scene of the very intense argument. There was Largo and Rosie on one end. The other had Isara and Aerith. The tension was rising for a reason that even the three don't know.

"Hmph!" Rosie uttered.

"Okay, what's going on here?"

"You really have to ask, Lieutenant? It's either her or me, pal! Who let her in, anyway? You really think I'm gonna work with a dark hair? She'll blow us all up! Besides, I can't stand the stink of her! Her type's got a bad reputation and everybody knows it. No Darcsens allowed. Ya hear me?"

"Rosie, that's enough. We can't put discrimination in the way of war against a common enemy." Aerith pleaded.

"Oh so now flower girl's talking. You belong in a church right? Why don't you go there and be a damn nun! As for you Darscen, you better screw off and get lost."

"Oh yes, I've heard everything you have to say. But I'm still a human being, the same as you. Besides, no evidence exists to substantiate what you call the "Darcsen Calamity." It's a myth."

"Excuse me?! So what, you're calling me STUPID now?!" Rosie raised her voice up.

"No one here is stupid, Rosie. Even you!"

"Stay out of this flower girl!"

Welkin tried to cease the tension. "Stop it, that's enough!"

"Stay out of this! I would hurt a fly even if you're my CO." Rosie said.

"Rosie, what's gotten into you."

"Me? Oh! So now you're siding with these two stooges eh?!"

"No that's not what I mean't. What I mean't is-"

But the argument between Welkin and Rosie would seem to be unending. Both couldn't seem to get the upper hand. Luna saw this as well as some of the squad members.

Then, Noctis had enough.

"THAT'S ENOUGH! ENOUGH! ENOUGH!" He exploded. "As long as me and Welkin are in command here, no discrimination will take place. Now I don't give a shit if you hate darscens, Rosie. Either way, you're still under my command. Your orders are to cease this tension at once."

"Hunh! You don't know me, Prince Charming."

Fed up with Rosie's attitude, Noctis raised his Webley (a kind of 6-shot revolver) and pointed it at her.

"Whoah! Noctis, please. Stop it." Aerith pleaded but Noctis turned a deaf ear.

"Noctis, put the gun down." Welkin pleaded as well

"Go on, shoot me. You're not crazy enough." Rosie speaking in a tone of plead.

"Noctis, let's just calm down." Alicia voiced.

But none of these were of importance to him.

"I saved Isara's life from two Imperials back in Bruhl. I know she's a darscen even before you and I met. She's my friend and I won't stand up for this. Discrimination is a fucking capital offense in my book. Shooting you won't be crazy. It'll be the sanest thing I've ever done."

"Rosie, just leave." Largo ordered. Largo has at least a voice of power to make Rosie stop.

"Hmph!" She uttered. With that, Rosie left the area and Noctis holstered back his Webley.

"Okay, boss-man. We won't fight alongside no Darcsen. What about that can't you understand?" Flicking the cigarette near Aerith. "Another thing we ain't doing is taking orders from some hotshot greenhorn and his prince charming buddy."

"Alright fine. Now, lesten and listen good. I'll have that bridge back in Gallia's hands in 48 hours.

"What?!"

"Now, if my plan fails, which I doubt, then I'll resign. Squad 7 will be all yours, Largo. But if my plan works, you'll take my orders and like it."

Largo just laughed it off. "Your funeral, boss man. You sure about this?"

"Yes I am."

Afterwards, Welkin and a still frustrated Noctis left the scene to prepare further.

"But...wait a sec...Welkin?" Alicia ran off to Welkin and Noctis by the river. They were surveying the area around and figuring out how to attack.

"Welkin!"

"Hmm? What's up?"

"What's up?! You just made an insane promise! That's what's up!"

"I'm sorry, Welks. I shouldn't have argued...this is all my fault. And I'm sorry too Noctis. I didn't know you had attitude with your persona."

"It's nobody's fault, IS. It's a war; we're all on edge here. And this mission certainly isn't helping. It's little wonder the troops are upset."

" I concur. And technically what Rosie did was something unnecessary for the time being. This is war. Discrimination doesn't exist among troopers."

"That's why pulling this operation off is the perfect way to bring the squad together."

"That'd be great, if it works...but how can you possibly hope to take back the bridge in just 48 hours?"

"Well, that's the hard part..."

Then, Welkin's light bulb lighted up. "Aha!"

"Huh? Aha what?""

"I was hoping..." But Welkin had a hard time on how to explain it. "But there they are. Isara, Alicia, think you can do us a favor?"

"Sure...what is it?"

"If we can get the Edelweiss to swim on the river, we could probably manage to do a sneak attack behind their noses. To make it, we need manpower. Noctis knows his men, especially that Al Bhed. Maybe she could be of use. Noctis tells me she's a one of a kind engineer. Always makes things fast."

"Indeed. Private Rikku and I were the ones who came up with the Bren and the Tommy so probably it would be ideal to help us within 48 hours. In fact, she made the Bren gun in less than a day. That's just how resourceful Rikku is."

"What we need is a snorkel for the Edelweiss. It needs to get under the river. If we can get Rikku to make it, then this operation would be a lot easier and we could be able to get the operation done in less than 12 hours. You follow me?"

"But that's...is that even possible?!"

"Well, Is? Think you can make it by tomorrow?

"Yes. But where's Private Rikku?"

"Rikku's by the Edelweiss checking to see if it's alright. Apparently I told her not to look at it." Noctis pointed.

"Alright, you can count on us."

"All right. I'll trust you on this." Alicia voiced, keeping her trust with the two men.

"Right O! Let's get started."

A/N: I'm back! I only did a few rewrite and improvements to Chapter 5 and small changes to Chapter 6. They were still a part of the old write up I made years ago so I just did a bit of improvement. Chapter 7 will be going up soon!