Author's Note – It's probably not been very apparent so far, but Zell is actually my favorite character in Final Fantasy 8, second being Seifer. I'm rather excited about this chapter, as I finally get a chance to focus a little on my blonde hot-head and his feelings about things in this one, and look things from his POV. Just to warn you as well, events happen a little out of order in this chapter than from what they do in the game, but the end is still the same. As always, enjoy! (PS : Not that it matters much, but I listened to Hinder's "Better than Me" on loop while I wrote Zell's part of this chapter. Most of the lyrics don't really fit, but the general idea of the chorus does, and the overall mood is very fitting for his thoughts at this point in the story. Just in case anyone's interested. Do a search on AOLMusic or YouTube if you wanna hear it, it's a great song, IMO. )
Chapter Fifteen
Snipers and Assassinations
The group began walking up the front walk of the massive orange-colored Galbadia Garden everyone—but Squall—with disbelief and awe reflecting on their faces. The atmosphere was completely different from the more scholastic, laid-back Balamb Garden. Here, the air was filled with militaristic shouts, everyone dressed smartly in uniform with no street clothes visible.
Selphie ran ahead and led the way up to the front gates.
"Wow . . ." she breathed. "Completely different . . ."
The others arrived behind her.
"Sure is quiet," Zell observed then. Seifer grunted his agreement, staring up at the men in hovering MECH-suits doing drills above. Squall put a hand to his hip and smirked.
" . . . I like it." Seifer snorted.
He would.
"Well," Pubes continued, "I better go find the headmaster and explain our situation." He started through the gate, then turned back, eyebrow raised. "The rest of you try to stay out of trouble until you're called."
Rinoa huffed and crossed her arms, offended. Zell growled and clenched his fist, Seifer flashed Squall a universal fuck-off gesture and Selphie settled for bracing her hands on her hips and giving the bland-faced teen a raspberry.
Seifer, Rinoa, Zell and Selphie followed Squall into the Garden building at a slower pace, and hesitated in the main receiving hall while he continued off down a hallway.
"Well, who else is up for breaking something or getting into a fight just to piss off Pubes?" Seifer suddenly quipped. Rinoa and Selphie snickered. Before he could make good on that idea however, another voice suddenly yelled out.
"Seifer! Hey!"
They all turned and Seifer's eyebrows rose at the sight of a familiar face. Alana Vesper, the shy librarian he'd teamed up with yesterday morning—Hyne was it only yesterday morning, it felt like an eternity—suddenly ran up to him from down another hallway. She gave him a grin, her black pig-tail swinging with each step. Alana was dressed today in a loose black denim skirt and a red t-shirt this time that read 'STOP WHEN FLASHING (You Wouldn't Want To Miss This)' in black lettering, a black cropped jacket on over it.
"Hey, Lani," he returned her greeting, eyebrow raised.
No one noticed Zell near the back of the group, who suddenly looked as though he'd swallowed his own tongue. His expression was a strange mix of pleasure, anger and fear, his face going pale and then flushing a dark ruddy red. Alana glanced his way and—strangely enough—her cheeks became a little more pink as well.
"Oh . . . h-hi Zell. I-I didn't . . . I didn't see you . . . at first."
Seifer's eyebrow quirked. Zell just shrugged however, mumbling something incoherent before he suddenly turned on his heel and then pelted off. Rinoa and Selphie both exchanged glances, highly confused. Seifer just rolled his eyes.
What a wuss.
"What're you doing here in Galbadia?" he questioned then. Alana sighed, stuffing her hands into the pockets of her jacket.
"I had promised the head of the Library Committee here last month that I'd stop by and help him reorganize his shelving system. I was on my way out of Balamb when Headmaster Cid approached me and asked me to deliver Squall and his team their new orders." she shrugged. "I was supposed to go to Timber, but the trains were all stopped, so I just came here instead."
"New orders?" Selphie questioned, but Alana shook her head.
"I dunno what the orders were, exactly. I just delivered the envelope to Headmaster Martine here, when I couldn't get to Timber. Cid's orders." She grinned, then. "S'kinda weird luck that you guys came here too."
"Balamb's ok, though?" Seifer questioned. Alana shrugged.
"As far as I know. Not really sure though," she admitted. "The broadcast happened after I'd already left." Now she glanced over her shoulder, in the direction that Zell had disappeared. She bit her lip. "Is he . . . Is Zell okay?"
Seifer snorted rudely. Selphie gave him a glare, then turned to Alana and smiled.
"Zell's a little worried about Garden, but he's doing fine. My name's Selphie by the way, I don't think we've ever met. And this is Rinoa," the brunette added, motioning to the smiling female at her side. Alana took Selphie's proffered hand and shook, then did the same with Rinoa.
"Alana Vesper," she returned. "But you can call me Lani, most everyone does." She sighed. "Well, I've got to get back to the library. Lots of work to get done before I can go home." She clapped Seifer on the arm. "Good luck, you guys. It was nice meeting you!"
Alana turned on her heel and then began back down the way she'd come. Perhaps, by no coincidence, in the same direction that Zell had fled.
Zell glared down at the painfully polished tile floor now only inches away from his nose.
"How many times have I told you not to run in the hallways!" the militaristic instructor pacing back and forth in front of him roared angrily.
Sheesh. Only ten minutes in this new Garden and already Zell had managed to get himself in trouble. Who knew these people would be so anal? And over something so silly as running to your destination. Zell was currently laying belly down on the floor, feet to the wall, with three other students of this Garden in similar positions. Apparently they'd all been caught breaking the same rule. And now they were about to get their punishment for it.
"Give me some push-ups!" the instructor barked, then. "Now!"
Zell heaved a sigh, then raised up on his toes and braced his closed fists on the floor before pushing up effortlessly, elbows locking. Then he lowered himself back down, his chest brushing the floor. A moment later he repeated the process all over again. Push-ups were nothing new to Zell. He probably wouldn't even break a sweat with this. He burned through two to three hundred of these babies on a daily basis in his morning work out alone.
The mindless physical exertion helped him clear his mind of the chaos currently swirling around in it, however, and for that he was very grateful.
First there was his worry about Garden to contend with. Zell frowned. Hyne, how could he have been so stupid! Seifer was right to call him a moron. That'd had been his worst moment yet, blurting out their identities in front of such an influential figure as the President of Galbadia. Being angry at Seifer was no excuse. He was supposed to be better disciplined than that. When was he ever going to learn to control is stupid temper?! He was always getting himself into trouble like this, flying off the handle and opening his big mouth before he thought of the consequences. Now Garden could be in serious trouble, and if anyone got hurt . . . it would be all his fault.
Zell wasn't so sure he could live with that.
And secondly . . . there was Alana Vesper to think of. Zell swallowed the lump that tried to rise in his throat, his reps faltering slightly. Hyne . . . she was just as pretty as ever. Those glossy black curls, soft gray eyes and that deeply dimpled smile could drive him to utter distraction, and had—on several embarrassing occasions he didn't even want to think about right now. Zell had had a crush on Lani Vesper from the time he'd entered puberty about five years ago. He could never seem to work up the guts to say or do anything about it, though, no matter how he tried.
Lani was so smart, after all, a real genius who loved to read books and was equally good at math and with computers. She was the head of the Library Committee of Balamb Garden, after all, and had been for several years running. She had also graduated to SeeD when she was just sixteen, a full year ahead of him. Rumor had it that she was dating a guy five years older than her too, a real conceited piece of work named Dante Saven. The twenty-two year old SeeD was sure quick enough to brag about his conquests with Alana to anyone who'd listen to him. But Lani was intelligent, beautiful and already successful and worldly.
And Zell was . . . well, Zell. He stared down at his distorted reflection on the tile, morose. Just a thick-headed, muscle-bound, temperamental idiot, that's what he was. Couldn't solve anything unless it involved his fists. Wasn't good for much else. And now, what was worse, Seifer seemed to know Alana rather well, too, though couldn't help but wonder how. They didn't seem like they'd frequent the same places or circles of friends. Yet she had looked so happy running up to meet Almasy a moment ago.
She'd only noticed him as an after-thought.
Zell growled a little, his push-ups increasing slightly in speed.
"Hey, dude," the student next to him suddenly whispered. Zell glanced over and the guy gave him a crooked grin. "Know what? There's one good thing about doing push-ups . . ." The younger teen jerked his head to the side, then, drawing Zell's attention to the fact that someone was coming down the hall. The instructor had his back turned, so he didn't notice when the student and Zell himself stopped their push-ups in an upright position. Zell watched—flabbergasted—as none other than Lani began walking in their direction. She winced at the sight of him on the floor, gave him a tentative wave and a smile—probably out of pity—before moving past.
Zell was a little more preoccupied with the fact that the little prick next to him was taking full advantage of his position and leering up Lani's skirt, however. He scowled, then reached out and jerked one of the guy's wrists out from underneath him. Quicker than a blink Zell was back to doing his reps, so after the guy next to him fell forward on his face and broke his nose on the tile, the blonde looked as innocent as a lamb when the instructor whirled around to see what the commotion was all about.
Alana stopped and turned around, confused and startled as the kid began howling like a wimp and clutching at his now-bleeding nose. Zell scowled and forced himself to stare steadily at the floor, beginning on his reps triple time. So he completely missed the way her gray eyes lingered over him for much longer than was necessary before she finally turned her back reluctantly and continued on to the library.
Zell hesitated several minutes later when the PA suddenly sounded out in the hall.
"Attention SeeD party from Balamb. Please assemble at the front gate."
Zell hopped to his feet and—after receiving a stern glare from the instructor—he walked back out of the hall and through the main room, then outside to the gate. Seifer was already there, leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed. Rinoa sat on the same wall next to him, her legs swaying back and forth. Zell walked up near by but not close. Selphie jogged up next, humming to herself. Moments later Squall reappeared. He was as blank-faced as ever, his eyes giving nothing away. Zell felt his whole body tense. Geez, this guy must be an ace at Triple Triad. Talk about a card face.
"How'd it go?" Selphie demanded as soon as Squall stopped in front of them. He sighed.
"They understand our situation." He turned to Zell and smirked. "And Balamb Garden is safe."
Zell slumped, fists hanging, eyes closing with relief. Oh, thank Hyne . . . He lifted back up again, and frowned when Squall's smirk disappeared.
"The attack on the president in Timber was classified as an independent action. There was an official notice from the Galbadian government saying that Balamb Garden is not being held responsible."
Zell swallowed, glancing over at Seifer, who had not moved or said anything. The tall blonde's face was as blank as Squall's was, but there was just something about the way his emerald eyes glittered. Seifer, like Zell, had suspected what was to come next.
"So . . . Quistis is taking all the blame?"
Squall turned to stare at Seifer as well. "The trial's over," he announced grimly. "And the sentence has already been carried out."
Selphie and Rinoa gasped, stunned. Seifer's jaw tightened so hard Zell feared he was in danger of cracking his jaw. Not that he could blame him. Man, what a load of BS. Quistis hadn't even been the one behind the aggression against the president. What kind of government would just try and execute someone for a crime they didn't even commit, in less than a day?
"She was . . . executed?" Rinoa demanded, voice choked. Then she sighed, and turned to stare at Seifer, who still hadn't moved an inch. She put her hand on his arm, trying to give comfort Zell supposed, but Seifer didn't even twitch in her direction.
"So what do we do now?" Selphie questioned then, tone subdued. Squall sighed and turned back toward the Garden entrance.
"Now we wait. The Headmaster received orders from Headmaster Cid, intended for us. He's coming out to deliver them personally."
As the minutes ticked by, Zell began hopping in place and shadow-boxing. The repetitive motions helped to keep his mind clear, helped him not to dwell on things . . . most best left forgotten. It also helped him stave off the restless energy that always seemed to consume his body. Just when Zell thought this headmaster would never show up, all of a sudden he stopped in his punches when he heard a car approaching. The others turned as well.
"Oh, I think that's him," Rinoa exclaimed. She hopped off the barrier and then moved over to where the others—save Seifer—were lining up. "Just pretend I'm a SeeD too," she whispered to everyone. "It'll be less complicated that way."
The vehicle pulled to a stop in front of them and then a tall man with fair hair dressed smartly in black and gold military regalia got out. Everyone but Seifer saluted, with Rinoa glancing out of the corner of her eye to make sure she was doing it right. The former remained leaning against the wall, arms crossed, scowl heavy. The headmaster gave him a look for his insubordinate actions, but in the end opted to ignore Seifer and came in front of the others.
"Good day," he called, voice deep and authoritative. He began pacing before them. "I have official orders from Headmaster Cid addressed to you," he announced. "Following regulations, I have gone over these orders. After careful consideration of our options, we have decided to fully assist and cooperate with Headmaster Cid." He sighed. "Actually, we too, have been planning this for quite some time now. In order to stress the importance of this mission, I must first brief you on the current situation."
Martine stopped pacing and eyed them all critically. "At ease." They all relaxed into more normal stances, Zell doing so with a slight sigh. "You all know about the sorceress being appointed as the peace ambassador for the Galbadian government," the headmaster continued. "However, this ambassador thing is just a cover up. There will be no peace talks," he proclaimed grimly, "only threats. The sorceress creates fear among the people. Therefore, peace talks are impossible. Galbadia is planning to use this fear to negotiate favorable conditions for itself. It is clear that Galbadia's ultimate goal is world domination. Garden is no exception, either. It is a fact that the sorceress is planning to use this Garden as her base . . . ." Martine trailed off, then shook himself and continued sternly. "We have very few options available to us. We entrust world peace and the future to you."
Zell, Selphie, Squall and Rinoa all saluted once again at those words—and again Rinoa kept glancing over—and then they relaxed once more
Martine produced a large manila envelope."Details of the mission are enclosed in these official orders." He approached Squall and then handed it to him. Squall opened it and glanced inside. "Any questions?"
The moody teen lifted his gaze, eyebrow quirked but his expression unreadable. As usual. "The orders say by means of 'a sniper,'" he intoned, and Zell's curiosity became nearly rabid. "We have no one with that skill."
Martine waved away his worries. "Don't worry about it," the older man assured. "Let me introduce an elite sharp-shooter from Galbadia Garden." He turned to the right, staring off into the lawn near-by. "Kinneas!" Martine then roared. "Irvine Kinneas!"
Everyone turned to see the only person over in that direction. It was a male teen of about their age lounging on his back in the grass a ways a way, one leg crossed over the other, a black cowboy hat tipped low over his head and hiding his features. As they watched he lifted his fingerless-gloved-hand, pointer finger extended as a fat yellow butterfly fluttered past. It landed on his upraised finger for a moment before the teen suddenly made a shooting motion, causing the insect to fly away again.
Then the lanky male slowly got to his feet, picking up an impressively large rifle along the way that had lain at his side out of sight until now. His back was facing them at first, and all Zell could see was his black hat and the ends to a long, curly red ponytail that fell down nearly to his waist over the top of a dark brown, fur-lined duster. The male finally turned toward them after a slight, theatrical pause, lifting his gun and resting it on one shoulder as he flashed them all a sideways smirk. He had on a dark violet vest beneath his long coat—no shirt beneath it—and a pair of butter-soft brown leather pants that fit somewhat indecently snug to his long legs in Zell's somewhat sickened opinion.
The Kinneas fellow approached them and then made one pass in front of them, eyeing them all one by one. Zell glared into the guy's laughing teal-colored eyes. There was just something about the guy that rubbed him the wrong way. Kinneas finally came to a stop next to Rinoa and sighed, turning toward the headmaster—who had watched the whole performance with a bland scowl.
"This is Irvine Kinneas," he announced heavily. "He will be your sharp-shooter. Leave whenever you're ready." He turned on his heel then and began walking back toward his car. He hesitated before he got in, though, and turned to give them one last, hard look. "Failure is not an option."
Then he got inside and the car pulled away. As he did so, Kinneas suddenly raised his arm, fingers pointed like a gun, and then made a motion to shoot, murmuring, "Bang!" to himself.
Irvine stepped off to the left as Zell, Selphie and Rinoa surrounded Squall. Seifer remained where he had been leaning against the wall, silent.
"What's our next mission?" Selphie demanded.
Squall sighed. "Our mission . . . . This is no ordinary mission," he heaved. "It's a direct order from both Balamb and Galbadia Garden." He took a deep breath, then, "we're to . . . assassinate the sorceress." Zell gasped, eyes wide. The others fared no better. Only Irvine and Seifer remained unfazed. "We're to shoot her from afar," Squall continued, glancing in Kinneas' direction. "Kinneas will be our sharpshooter. We're to support Kinneas to our fullest. Should the sniper fail, we're to attack head on."
Irvine turned and grinned cockily at that, giving a mock salute. "Thanks for the support," he murmured arrogantly, "but I never miss my target."
Squall twitched an eyebrow at that, but didn't reply. Instead he turned to Almasy.
"Seifer—,"
"I'm going with you," he interrupted stonily. They locked gazes if not proverbial horns.
"You're not included in the mission parameters," Squall replied tonelessly. Seifer slowly straightened, his green eyes narrowing into furious slits. He stalked forward until he and Squall stood toe-to-toe, leaning down until their noses nearly touched.
"You tell me to tuck my tail and run back home to Balamb and I will end you, Puberty," he snarled in his face, point blank. Zell felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. He'd never seen Seifer so angry before, not even earlier in the woods when they'd nearly had it out. There was something about him now, though. Something raw.
Squall said nothing, face a blank mask. Seifer suddenly reared away and made a slicing motion with his arm.
"Quistis is dead. She's dead Squall, and it's because of me. I may not be able to bring her back," he heaved, turning back and pinning his furious gaze on Squall again, "but I will be a part of her vengeance. I swear to Hyne, Squall, don't try to stop me. We don't want to go down that road."
Squall stared silently for several moments afterward. Long enough that Zell began to fidget, restless and edgy. Finally however the unofficial leader of the group nodded, once, then turned to the others.
Dismissing Seifer's outburst as if it had never happened. He also missed the way Seifer's shoulders slumped slightly with relief.
"Eliminate the sorceress," he announced, "that's our order. We're going to the capital of Galbadia, Deling City. There we'll meet up with General Caraway to go over the details of the plan." Zell blinked, brow furrowing at the way Rinoa and Seifer both jerked guiltily at the sound of the General's name. They exchanged a glance, but said nothing. Zell frowned, wondering just what that was all about. "Let's get going," Squall finished, motioning for everyone to head out.
Irvine stepped forward. "Well then . . . We'll need to choose the parties for the trip to Deling City. Best to travel in threes." He caught up Selphie and Rinoa before they had a chance to protest and tugged them aside, Selphie on his left and Rinoa on his right. Then he held his hands out at his side, expression cocky. "How's this?"
Squall frowned, then rolled his eyes.
Yeah, whatever, he thought inwardly, annoyed. Then he sighed before sneering, "have a good time."
Selphie and Rinoa both turned on him, expressions appalled. Even Irvine himself looked slightly surprised by how easily Squall had capitulated. Selphie stomped her foot, incensed.
"Are you being sarcastic?!" she demanded. Not waiting for an answer, she began hopping in place and supplied herself with her own. "You are aren't you!" She drew herself up then, expression haughty. "Well, fine then! We will have a good time!"
"We understand very well," Rinoa said then, and her flat, emotionless tone could've given Squall a run for his money. She turned back forward and then Squall jerked, surprised, when she suddenly reached out and then wrapped her arms around one of Kinneas', hugging it to her chest. "Come on, Mr. Kinneas," she exclaimed in a breathy, sexy purr. "Let's go!"
Squall felt his jaw drop, gaping like a complete and total loon. Seifer and Zell didn't fare much better. H-hey . . .
"Call me Irvine," Kinneas insisted after a moment of surprise, grinning. "I'm a pretty lucky guy. Hand in hand with two beautiful girls."
And then Selphie suddenly glomped onto his other arm, giggling flirtatiously. "Irvy Kinepoo!" she cooed. "I'll make you happy!" she exclaimed, and even Seifer's eyes widened at the blatant sexual double entendre that that statement implied, coming from Selphie of all people.
Squall scowled, then. Disgusted. Did I say something terrible? Women, he snorted to himself. I don't understand them.
He winced when the area surrounding him suddenly dropped below zero, and his lungs burned.
Indeed you do not, master, Shiva answered coldly before she lapsed back into silence. Sheesh, he was getting it from all fronts all of a sudden!
Squall, Zell and Seifer all watched in silent disbelief as Irvine lead Rinoa and Selphie out of Garden. Then Seifer turned to Squall and popped him in the back of the head.
"Nice going, Pubes," he snapped, ignoring Squall's death glare that followed. "Now I get to travel to Deling City with the fuckin' sausage fest."
Zell snorted angrily. "Irvine Kinneas," he mumbled to himself, kicking ineffectually. "Loser!" he yelled out then, though Kinneas was long past being able to hear him. Then Zell suddenly turned back. "C'mon Squall! Let's get going! We have to get there before they do!" Then he immediately began jogging after the other three.
"Oh, grow up!" Seifer snapped, yet he and Squall both began after their shorter, tattooed companion.
They couldn't allow themselves to be beaten out by the cock-sure ladies' man. It was a matter of male pride, after all.