Disclaimer : I don't own it.
Note :
Ultimuus - I'm glad you like my fic. :) I like the idea of trying to combine unusual things. Thank you very much. :)
JuseaPeterson - As to who the girls is, you have a long time to wait before you find out, but if you look back at her physical description, it should narrow it down quite a bit. Blake won't be so nice for the majority of the fic. Sadly, I think he even gets worse. The conversation with Shane, I never got. I think that he's really competitive, but kind of likes Shane as a friend because he's good competition. It's been so long since I played the game, if they ever explained it, I just don't remember. LOL
Mad, sad, scared, confused... Shane's a lot of things, and I believe a lot of them will be explained further on into the fic. The school is a military school, and when they graduate, they become soldiers, so yep, that's right. LOL.
Yep, I thought that "Good luck, Blake." comment was cute too. LOL.
Yeah, I brought in Toxica and Jindrax because they suit the characters well, and in the end, they do the same thing as these characters will, which I won't say now. LOL. Blake's a little...off, I think, in this fic. I don't know why he applauded, but he did... I don't think there was anything to Marah finding Shane's room. They all became SeeDs anyways, so...well, you'll see soon. LOL.
Actually, I don't think Blake is IN the resistence. I'm not sure, but I think he might only be helping out. Well, either way, we'll both find out when this story continues.
Wow, long review reply. LOL. Since I've taken up more than enough note room... On with the fic! LOL
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(Shane's POV)
Watching the strange girl walk off, I felt somehow...hollow. It was unusual, and awkward, the way she approached me. And I felt like a complete fool when we began to dance. But she didn't get angry or give up. She stayed patient and kept smiling at me.
For the first time in a long time, I actually felt like smiling back.
Then it hit me. She was the same girl that I saw in my dreams. There was an almost sad, pained look about her eyes, and I watched silently as she walked over to Headmaster Kanoi.
Again I found myself wondering... Who is she?
I need some fresh air.
Heading off to the side, I went out onto an empty balcony, grabbing another glass of champagne as I went. Standing alone, I looked out over the still night, listening to the sounds of laughter from behind me, in the Ball room, and feeling the cool night breeze rush across my face.
"You really are an excellent student." came Tori's voice from behind me as she joined me at the balcony. "Even that dance was perfect." she said, raising an eyebrow.
"...Thank you." I said simply, taking a drink of my champagne. We stood there silently until I knew there was another reason for her to be here. "Yes?"
She sighed and turned to me, not looking happy. "So, you'll dance with a complete stranger, but you can't even stand being around me?" she asked, hurt obvious in her eyes.
I shrugged, keeping up my indifferent mask, and mentally telling myself over and over, that I didn't care if she got hurt. "...Whatever. You're my instructor, and I'm your student. It's kind of awkward when you don't say anything." Then again, sometimes talking can make it even more awkward. Seeing her look, I sighed. Like now...
"That's true." she quietly admitted with a nod, looking out over the night sky. "I was like that myself." She frowned and closed her eyes. "Oh, I completely forgot. I wonder what's to become of me."
What's that supposed to mean?
"I came here to give you an order. You and I are to go to the secret area in the Training Center, where students often meet after curfew."
"What're we going to do there?" I questioned out loud. Turning to her, I raised an eyebrow. "Are we going there to tell everyone they're violating curfew? If that's the case, forget it. Leave that to the disciplinary commitee." Blake would just love that.
Tori began to laugh and shook her head. "Go get changed and meet me in front of the Training Center. This will be my last order."
I frowned at that. Last order? What did she mean by that? Get changed and meet by the Training Center? What's this all about?
Heading out, I made my way to my dorm and changed into my battle uniform, consisting of what I wore the day Blake decided to give me my scar. Going to the Training Center, I noticed Tori had changed too, wearing her outfit that she wore when we went to the Fire Cavern.
"Shane, I was just wondering... Have you fought the T-Rexaur in the Training Center?"
I shook my head and she nodded.
"It's pretty simple to beat, once you're strong enough. Use a Sleep spell to put it to sleep and hit it with constant Blizzard spells. I still don't get how magic won't wake them up, but it's a quick and easy way to beat one." she informed me.
Heading inside, we fought a few plant monsters called Grats, but luckily, no T-Rexaurs. Making our way to the back of the Training Center, we took a hidden path to a large balcony that a few students were out on. Some were making out, and others were cuddling.
Tori stood at the railing of the balcony, looking sad. "I haven't been here for a while. Shane, what time is it?"
Walking up to stand beside her, I sighed and checked my watch. "Just after midnight."
"Oh well." Her sad look grew and she rested her head on her arms. "I, Tori Hanson, am no longer an Instructor. I'm a member of SeeD now, just like you. Who knows, maybe we'll end up working together." she said with a small grin.
What the hell am I supposed to say? "...Oh really?"
She stood away from the railing and stared at me incredulously. "Is that all you're going to say?"
"If thats how it was decided, you have to abide by it." I explained, feeling a little cornered and nervous. I really don't care for heart-to-hearts, and this was making me a little...scared I guess. I'm not good at expressing my feelings, and don't like feeling cornered.
She sighed and once again looked out over the railing. "They told me I failed as an instructor, basically, I lacked leadership qualities. I was a SeeD by the age of 15, got my instructor license by 17... It's been three years since I got it. I wonder where I went wrong... I did my best..." She looked over at me and frowned deeply when she noticed I wasn't even really paying attention. "Are you even listening?"
I shrugged and glared mildly at her. "Are you done yet?" I asked in a bored tone. "I don't want to talk about it. What am I supposed to say about other people's problems?"
"I'm not asking you to say anything!" she retorted, glaring back at me. "I'm just asking you to listen."
"Then go talk to a wall!" I growled.
Sighing, she gave me a pleading look. "Aren't there times you want to share your feelings with someone?"
Sometimes... "Everyone has to take care of themselves." I said, more to myself than to her. It was something I often reminded myself. "I don't want to carry anyone's burdens." Without even waiting for an answer, I headed out of the secret area, but not before catching her final words.
"...No leadership qualities... Failed Instructor... Perhaps they're right..."
Heading towards the Training Center entrance, we walked silently, fighting whatever came our way. Again, we ran into no T-Rexaurs, but as we neared the entrance, a panicked cry echoed across the facility.
"Someone, help!!!"
Tori turned to me and nodded seriously. "Come on, Shane!" she called as we raced into the main room.
Feeling my eyes widen, I noticed the same girl from earlier, backed against a high wall, with four strange monsters surrounding her. One was a giant, flying bee, and the other three looked like heavily armored armadillos.
Granaldo and three Raldos.
But... They shouldn't have been here. Only Grats and T-Rexaurs were supposed to be in the Training Center, so... Where'd these guys come from?
Seeing us, the girl reached out shakily, her blue eyes wide with terror, and her red hair a mess. "Shane!" Then she noticed Tori. "Shane! Tori?" She almost seemed confused to see Tori there, but the relief in her eyes grew to see us both draw our weapons and draw the monster away from her.
Quickly casting Sleep on the Granaldo, we focused on the Raldos. Part of SeeD training gives us plenty of information on many monsters all over Gaia. With Granaldo asleep, the Raldos wouldn't move and we could dispatch them easily.
So that's what we did.
Heavily armored, I drew on my ultimate attack and hit the Raldo on the far left. Running forward, I slashed it multiple times, ending with a flip, slashing it as I spun in the air, Then I backed up and held my blade out to my right. A glowing ball of energy formed around the center of my blade and I swung forward, watching as it shot out, hitting the Raldo before the ground opened up beneath it, sucking it down and closing up again.
Tori continued, attacking the middle Raldo with her whip before jumping back and raising her hands to her chest, closing her eyes and glowing a light blue. This was one of her ultimate attacks. Blue Magic. It allowed her to use certain abilities certain monsters could use.
An electrical wave shot out from her body and engulfed the Raldos, shaking them violently and damaging their armor, and I took over, slashing the middle one with my blade, bringing it down.
One Raldo left...
And the Granaldo chose that time to wake up and attack.
Giving a shriek, it flew over the Raldo and used it's feet to pick it up, before throwing it at Tori, who was sent flying into a wall.
I quickly recast Sleep on the Granaldo before attacking the Raldo with a Blizzard spell and taking it out. Noticing that Tori wasn't moving, I felt a small pang of quilt run through me and ran over to use a phoenix down on her, reviving her, before we turned back to the Granaldo.
Tori cast Blind on it before casting a Cure on herself, and I cast Blizzard, followed by an Aero. Since it was asleep, physical attacks were a bad idea and would wake it up, so we stuck with magic.
Before long, a final Fire spell took it out and we sighed in relief, sheathing our weapons.
Falling to her knees, the red headed girl gave us both a shaky smile as two oddly dressed men entered, walking right over to her. They were dressed in strange, white outfits, with white headbands and each held a sword, a gun, and I sensed strong magic in them.
"It's not safe here. Please, let's go." The first man said, gently helping the woman to her feet.
She looked at us longingly before nodding slowly. "...Alright."
The other man bowed to us before the three of them left, and after a moment, Tori and I followed their example, but stopped in the hallway.
"Shane..." Tori turned to give me a soft, sad look. "It's not like everyone can get by on their own, you know?" she said before walking off.
Staring at her back, I felt my heart beat painfully. "...Says who?" I countered quietly before heading back to the dorms.
The walk was quiet as all the facilities were closed, and most people were in bed by now. I bypassed a few Garden Faculty members, blocking off the other facilities, and made my way to the dorms, surprised when I found Dustin standing in the main hallway in his SeeD uniform.
"Finally!" he groaned upon seeing me approach. "There you are! Where the hell were you? I was lookin' all over the place!" Then he grinned. "We're both SeeD members, right?"
Last time I checked. I thought as I stared at him blankly.
"Well, guess what?!" he asked excitedly. "We got our own rooms, baby!"
That's right... SeeD member didn't have roommates. They had their own, private rooms.
"Your new room's right across the hall from your old one. That's what I wanted to tell you. Man, it took me forever!" he groaned before walking off.
Shaking my head, I went into the hallway and checked the room across from mine, finding that my stuff had already been moved. Sighing, I decided to get some sleep and see what tomorrow would bring.
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Ok, shorter chapter, but I wanted to post something.
I wanted to let people know that it may bee a week or two before I update again. I am by NO means abandoning this fic! I know there are a lot of people out there that begin fics and leave them unfinished, but I REFUSE to do that. I will NOT let my readers down! I am taking a small break because in the past two weeks, my life has become extremely busy, and I am using every spare ounce of energy to keep up, thus leaving me no energy to spend hours a day writing.
So I am waiting for my life to settle down a bit before I continue. I am also taking a break to, hopefully, renew my muse. But no matter what, I will not leave this story up, unfinished. Muse or no muse, I WILL continue this as soon as my life gets back in order and I am able to focus once again. That is a PROMISE!
And it will take no longer than a week or two. If it (for some strange reason that I cannot forsee) does, I WILL find some way of uploading at least one more chapter with an added note to let people know, but I guarantee that I won't leave this for a really long time, and I won't abandon it.
If I am able, I will update as soon as I can, but unlike my other times saying this, I really mean it this time when I say i am taking a break. But again, it is not permanent, and won't be more than two weeks, I am fairly certain.
Forgive me for leaving it at this. I do have a little more written, but not enough to add to this, or make a new chapter.
Hope you like it so far.
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"You are to go to Timber. There, you will be supporting a resistance faction"
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R+R please. Even if it's to tell me how stupid I am, or that you hate me for leaving it like this for a while. (Winces) I hate doing that. I really am sorry. (Bows repeatedly)
Thank you everyone for your support and encouraging me.
Tenshi