Disclaimer : I don't own anything.
Note : Ok, if you really think I'm going to kill off any characters like Shane, Blake, Tommy, Miko...or anyone like that, then you got the wrong fic. I hate character deaths so try to avoid it. I'm sure you've noticed that I've done so before, but I always HAVE to have a happy ending. So despite how this chapter seems, remember that this is only the beginning of the fic.
Some of it might seem a little gorey or like I killed someone, but I didn't. Sorceress Really powerful powers that can bring back the dead, over and over and over and over and over... You get the point, right? LOL
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(Merrick's Mansion, Tori's POV)
"Oh, no!" I cried, hearing the music start up. I ran to the window and looked out, cursing the fact that it had bars on it, or I would've jumped out if I had to. "It's starting! We've got to find a way out of here!"
I noticed Dustin frowning thoughtfully at the statue again and Marah glanced at the picture. Checking them out, I noticed that the picture was of a woman, identical to the statue, and she was holding a glass goblet in her outstretched hand.
With a frown, I walked over to a gladd cabinet with a lot of glass goblets and looked at them all closely. Most had brass or gold handles, but one had a silver handle and looked more worn than the others. Lifting a few, I also noticed it was a lot heavier than the others, too. So I took it and placed it in the hand of the statue, turning it until it fit in to the small indentation.
There was a whirring, and the hand of the statue lowered a bit before it shook violently and moved to the side, revealing a hidden passageway.
"NO WAY!" Dustin cried in shock as he ran over with Marah,
Marah nodded with a grin. "Pretty sneak-y!"
"Let's go!" I ordered, beginning into the dark and dimly lit passageway, noting briefly that it was very damp and smelled really foul.
Marah protested at that. "But we don't even know where it goes!"
"Better than staying here." Dustin put in, following me. Taking a step in, he gagged and coughed before covering his nose. "Nasty!"
I saw a ladder and looked down, jumping down to get to the bottom quickly. The smell was a lot stronger here, but at least I knew why. "Probably because it's a sewer, Dustin!" I called up, standing back as he and then Marah jumped down.
Marah made a face and seemed to focus on breathing through her mouth, and other than making a face, Dustin seemed to have adapted to the smell.
We sloshed through the sewers, making our way up and down paths, and climbing over water wheels. At first, I thought we were going around in cirlces, but then we found a map, and I peered carefully up and out of a man-whole cover, using what I saw to pinpoint our location.
We're close. I thought eagerly, feeling my heart pounding in my chest.
We prepared to move when the music grew a lot louder and we stopped in horror.
"It's starting!" Dustin cried in a panick.
That meant we didn't have long!
(With Shane and Hunter, Shane's POV)
The gates slowly opened, and we ignored the numerous dancers waiting for the float. Watching as it slowly moved out of the building, the sorceress sat on board it, looking bored as she gazed out at the cheering fans.
"Now's our chance! Come on!" Hunter cried urgently, but I paused, staring at a face, I wasn't sure I'd ever see again.
Standing on the float, beside the sorceress, gunblade in hand and wearing his trademark cocky smirk...
Blake.
So, he hadn't been executed. I thought darkly as he grinned into the crowd from his place at the side of the sorceress.
"What're you waiting for?!" Hunter demanded, bringing me back to the present. "Kapri could die!!"
That did it, and we ran off through the crowd, making our way back through the gate and to a truck loaded with boxes. Climbing the boxes, we hopped across to the platform and ran into the building, finding the two Lizards hovering over Kapri's still body on the ground.
"Kapri!!!" I yelled, panicking that we were too late.
Rushing forward, I slashed visciously at the closest lizard, hitting it multiple times before I sent it lfying into the air and followed after it, slashing it multiple more times and dropping to the ground in a crouch. Sensing an energy from it, I frowned and closed my eyes, holding my hand out as I sensed and drew Carbuncle, another GF.
Hunter took his turn next, standing forward and firing his gun extremely quickly. These shots hit the monsters in the eyes, and released a black smoke cloud each time, effectively blinding the monsters from hitting us.
Swinging my blade in my hand, I held it to the side as I raised my hand and cast Demi on them, weakening them quite a bit. Then I cast Firas on them both, followed by another volley of shots from Hunter.
Soon, the first one fell, but we still had another to go. Checking through my magics, I cast another Demi followed by an Aero, and watched as the second lizard finally collapsed away, sighing in relief as I knelt next to Kapri and sheathed my sword.
She moved a little and sat up, refusing to look into my eyes. "...I was scared." she admitted, her voice filled with confusion and shame. Sitting up further, she launched herself at me and grabbed my arm, holding it tightly. "...Really scared." she almost whimpered.
"It's over now." I stated in as calming a voice as I could.
"I was scared. I was really, really scared." she whimpered, shaking as she held me tighter.
Frowning, I looked down to the shivering mass of blonde locks and sighed sadly. "You're not used to battles, are you?"
"I couldn't...I just couldn't... I couldn't fight alone." she breathed shakily.
You're not ready for all this. I thought sadly, using my free arm to gently brush some of her hair back. "Better get going." I said, standing up as she released my arm.
Following me, she quickly latched onto my arm and shook as she struggled to remain standing. I knew what she was thinking and sighed. Right. Her orders. "I haven't forgotten your order. Just stay close to me." I suggested, and she let me go with a nod and a shaky smile. She's...not ready for any of this... So, how'd she get involved in the first place?
Heading back the way we'd come, I found the trap door and opened it, sliding down and picking up the sniper rifle that had been waiting for us. I waited until Kapri had climbed down and moved to sit on a small metal covered engine that worked one of the carousel figures. Hunter walked up to me silently with a grim expression on his face, and I handed him the rifle, expecting some smart-ass comment, but he only took it silently and nodded, hesitating for a moment before he turned and walked to the front of the carousel and sat down against the wall, shaking slightly.
Huh? Why' he get so quiet? I watched as he closed his eyes tightly and bowed his head. Oh, he must be concentrating. I thought before turning away and watching as Kapri looked at the floor with a blank face. Loneliness of the sharpshooter... I guess he has a point. Can't hear anything from in here. I wonder what's going on with the parade?
Then I frowned and felt my eyes narrow as I walked over to sit on another metal covered engine, facing Kapri. Blake... So he's alive after all. I don't know whether that's a good thing or not. "Kapri..." I didn't want to tell her, but knew she had a right to know. "Blake's alive. He was in the parade with the sorceress."
Her knees had been drawn up to her chest, but hearing this, she let them drop to the ground with a light thud. Staring at me with wide eyes, she looked away and somehow didn't seem as relieved as I'd expected. If anything, she seemed more pained. "...What does it mean?" she asked after a moment.
"Who knows?" I responded with a slight shrug. If I were to go against the sorceress directly, would I have to go through Blake? ...That's the way it goes as a SeeD. You can't chose your enemies... "I may end up killing Blake."
Her face paled but she nodded slowly. "You're both...prepared, right?" she asked softly, looking torn. "That's the kind of world you live in. You've had a lot of emotional training. But...of course, I'd rather it not happen..."
"That's up to Hunter." I responded before sighing and getting up. Walking to the back, I noticed the look of terror on his face as he shook violently and felt my eyes widen. Huh? Is he freakin' out?! "Don't tell me you're getting the jitters..." I said incredulously as I crouched next to him.
"I...I can't do it!" he hissed in shame, not looking at me as he held the sniper rifle leaning against his chest.
(Gateway Team, Tori's POV)
I was worried we wouldn't make it on time, but seeing where we were on the map, I managed to find the way out rather quickly. Leading Dustin and Marah through the smelly sewers of Deling City, We fought Creepers, Red Bats and Buels.
Still, we made it to the Gateway arch in no time, finding a ladder and climbing up it to the very building we were to be stationed at. Climbing it all the way to the top, I waited by the switch as Dustin watched the time and Marah watched the parade anxiously.
Feeling my heart pounding, and body shaking with nerves, I took a deep breath and mentall prepared myself.
"Instructor, now! Hit the switch!" Dustin suddenly cried, and I gasped loudly before doing as he told me. Once that was done, I closed my eyes, praying that he hadn't told me to pull the lever too soon out of excitement, and clutched at my heart as I walked over to the window.
"Yeah! We got her!" Marah called, jumping a little.
I looked out the window and watched as Sorceress Miko shot up from her seat, glaring angrily at the gates that had closed around her. Sighing in relief, I looked to the clock tower as the carousel began to raise from the top of it.
We did our part. Now it's up to Hunter and Shane. I thought as I prayed for luck.
(Clock Tower Carousel, Shane's POV)
"Hunter Bradley!" I hissed loudly shaking him a bit as I tried to get his attention.
Pushing me away, he glared at me while shaking and shook his head. "I...I can't...I'm sorry. I can't do it. I always freeze like this... I try to act cool, joke around, but I just can't handle the pressure..." he said softly.
Frowning at this, I tried to make sense of it. For one thing, if he always froze like this, then why did Headmaster Tyzonn send him with us? Surely he knew about it. Did he mean for us to fail? Shaking my head, I focused on trying to get Hunter to take the shot. He's got to get over this sometime. "Forget it." I said easily, waving my hand for emphasis. "Just shoot."
"My bullet...the sorceress...I'll go down in history." he said absently, not paying attention to me. "I'd change the history of Galbadia...of the world! It's all too much..."
"Enough!" I hissed again, struggling to keep my voice low. "Just shoot already!"
"I can't, dammit!" he yelled before leaning back and looking lost. He still shivered but not as bad.
Shaking my head, I sighed and closed my eyes, keeping a tight reign on my annoyance and anger. We don't have the time! I thought darkly, tempted to take the rifle and make the shot myself, but I knew I wouldn't make it. "Hunter, calm down. Everyone's counting on you. I don't care if you miss." I told him honestly. Just take the shot and see what happens. "Whatever happens, just leave the rest up to us. Just think of it as a signal. A sign for us to make our move." I pleaded calmly.
Hesitating for a moment, he looked into my eyes unsurely. "Just a signal..."
I nodded. That's it... "Please."
Getting up slowly, he turned and leaned his arms on the wall of the carousel behind him, looking out over the edge and aiming the gun. After a moment he began to shake a little and pulled his head away from the scope. Shaking it, he sighed. "...Just a sign..." he repeated firmly as his hands steadied and he leaned back in.
BANG!
I watched as the shot made it's way to Sorceress Miko, but by swiftly raising her hand, she was able to deflect it in time and I shook my head, cursing under my breath. That meant, since the sniper attack failed, we'd have to go head to head.
Falling back, Hunter looked at me with slight shame. "Sorry."
I shrugged and pulled out my gunblade. "It's ok. Your aim was perfect. Just leave the rest up to me. I'm goin' in for the sorceress. Hunter, Kapri, just be ready to back me up!" I ordered firmly as I stood up. Taking one last glance at Hunter I nodded seriously in Kapri's direction as she crouched next to him. "Take care of her." I stated before I jumped over the edge.
Falling to the ground below, I landed and rolled quickly, springing back to my feet and making a b-line straight for a red convertable that was parked nearby. Hopping into the driver's seat, I noticed the keys in the ignition and turned it on, backing it out of the parking space and aiming it for where the float was trapped.
Ignoring the numerous Galbadian Soldiers wrestling with the public and running towards me, I gunned the engine, racing towards the gate. Turning at the last second, I allowed the car to slam into it sideways, and jumped through two of the bars, climbing up the back of the float to where the sorceress sat.
Seeing Blake standing in front of a clearly pissed off sorceress, I looked past him in confusion. This is Sorceress Miko? Why do I feel like we've met before?
"Well, this is how it turned out." Blake said with amusement as he bounced the flat of his gunblade against his shoulder, smirking as he gazed at me.
I shrugged and stared indifferently at him, masking my confusion. "I see you've become the sorceress' lap dog."
Raising his gunblade to the sky, he scowled at me briefly before smirking again. "I prefer to be called her knight. This has always been my dream."
He suddenly rushed at me, and I quickly deflected the blade, counter attacking and slicing him across the midsection, though it wasn't deep as he jumped back just as I swung. Racing forward after him, I swung again, hearing the metal on metal screech as he blocked my shot, and I kicked him quickly before he could try some dirty trick on me.
Backing off, holding his midsection, he grinned. "Shane, you're mine!" he called, straightening up and holding out his hand.
Expecting the blast of fire magic, I raised my hands and blade to block it, and lowered them just in time to watch as he raced forward. He swung more quickly than I'd expected, and before I could move to block it, I felt a biting pain in my side, sending me staggering a bit. After recovering my balance, I ignored the wound as I raced forward myself. I cast a quick Fira on him before repeating his trick and catching him across the midsection again, sending him staggering back.
Giving me an angry glare, he shrugged and cooled off more quickly than the Blake I knew ever did, and raised his gunblade again, ignoring his wound as well. "Thought I was dead, huh? Not until I fulfill my dream!" he yelled as he charged.
I blocked his attack and kiced him again before holding my hand out and casting a Thundara. As he backed off, I swung my blade and rushed forward, hitting him seven times before I backed off.
Falling to his knees, Blake truly glared at me now. "Ugh, not bad!" he grunted, slowly managing to stand back up. "Shane, this is it!" he yelled, casting powerful Firagas on me before racing forward, glowing yellow and unleashing one of his attacks. Hitting me multiple times, I watched through blurry eyes as he backed up, cursing that I wasn't quicker to block his attacks.
I fell to my own knees, but was immediately back up. Shaking my head to clear it, I glared at him and staggered forward. Gripping the handle of my blade tightly, I waited for his next move, determined to make it his last.
With a triumphant grin, Blake raced forward, holding his blade high, but as he got close enough, I swallowed heavily and raised my blade, watching as it all seemed to happen in slow motion.
As Blake ran forward, he didn't notice that I was holding my gunblade ready. He got closer and closer, and I waited for the right moment. Soon, he was too close to stop himself in time, and I raised my blade just high enough.
His eyes widened in horror, and he tried to stop himself.
Soon, that look of horror turned into one of incredible pain, and he cried out as the blade slid through his stomach like butter.
He finally stopped. The blade went into his stomach, portruding out the other side and he looked down at it, in a daze. Blood pooled on the ground around his body, where it poured from the wound. He looked at the blade, and then looked at me with wide, uncomprehending eyes as he took several shaky steps back and the blade slid out of his stomach.
Staggering to the side, Blake dropped his gunblade and clutched at the wound. "I...lost...?!" he whispered in a shocked voice.
Finally, he collapsed and fell to the ground, unmoving. I watched him silently for a moment, feeling a powerful guilt and pain build up within me. Then, his limp body began to glow and my head spun to the sorceress, watching as she lowered her hand with a bored look. Turning back, I noticed that all the blood, and Blake's wound were gone. Yet still, he remained unmoving.
"...A SeeD..." the woman stated in a cold, rage-filled voice. "...Planted in a rundown Garden..."
I raised my blade to battle her when I felt a strange warmth running through me. Glancing at my side, I watched as my wound faded and realized that a Cure spell had been cast on me. Looking up, I watched as Kapri and Hunter joined me, each looking determined.
"I can fight if I'm with you!" Kapri called as she glared at the sorceress. "That's why I'm here!"
Hunter nodded. "I need to redeem myself!"
The sorceress glared at us with such hate. "The accursed SeeDs..." she spat. Raising her hand, a blast of energy hit Hunter, knocking him back a foot.
Shaking his head, he raised his rifle and aimed carefully before firing a volley of shots at her. Then he quickly pulled out a potion and drank it.
Kapri glared before closing her eyes and raising her hand. She glowed white for a moment before throwing her hand out and a small hole appeared in the ground before us. Two tall, pointy green ears appeared before a small, green, furry creature jumped out, flying high into the air. It had a long, fluffy tail, soft looking ears, gentle blue eyes and a red gem in the center of it's forehead. Raising it's two front paws, the gem glowed red before emitting a rainbow-colored light, and I felt a barrier form around me. Falling out of the sky, it landed back in it's hole and the hole disappeared.
That was Carbuncle, a GF. His only ability was to cast reflect on the party in battles, causing magics to bounce off a barrier and hit the caster instead, and since we were facing a powerful sorceress...
Sorceress Miko raised her hand and cast a powerful blizzaga that was reflected off Kapri's shield, and hit her, causing her to back off a step. Standing straight, she glared at us as she brought her hands into her chest. After a moment, she raised one and a flash of light was seen around Hunter before his reflective barrier shattered, and he was left vulnerable to magics.
Running forward, I sliced the sorceress several times before I fliped back and jumped into the air. Holding my blade above my head, I sensed the energy buildup and spun twice, swinging my blade around my body before I landed and the energy waves I'd created hit her.
Kapri whistled loudly and her dog appeared, stopping beside her and howling at the sky. A white light surrounded us, casting regen and an invincible spell, and she gave the dog a treat before it rushed off.
The sorceress cast another Dispel, but it had no effect.
We were intangible, to a point. No magical or physical attacks could touch us, but we could attack others.
Hunter glowed brightly before raising his gun and firing a volley of shots at the sorceress, that exploded on contact, causing her to stagger back.
She hunched over and clutched at her chest, glaring at us angrily. "Impudent SeeDs..." she snarled.
Since the invincibility was only temporary, it soon faded, and Sorceress Miko stood straight. Staring at us with dead, haunted eyes, she slowly raised her hand and we armed ourselves again. Several giant blades of ice formed above her hand and she threw her arm down and they shot forward.
I felt my eyes widen as I took in the approaching blades. Feeling my hand go limp, I barely registered that I'd dropped my gunblade, when I felt a sharp pain in my shoulder, radiating through my whole body. Everything seemed to slow down, almost to a crawl.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I watched as Blake stood up and sneered triumphantly at me. Kapri's eyes went wide and she opened her mouth. I knew she was screaming, but with the roar of my blood and heart in my ears, I couldn't hear anything. Hunter looked pale and shocked, turning and taking a step towards me.
That's when I realized that they were getting farther away.
I was falling.
I watched as Kapri raced to the edge of the float as I fell, reaching out her arm with a horrible pain in her eyes as she tried to catch me. I saw the tears, saw her mouthing my name, but heard nothing.
I could hear my heartbeat slowing down, and a feeling of utter cold washed over me, numbing the excruciating pain that I was in. Feeling my eyes grow too heavy to keep open, I let them close and welcomed the peaceful darkness.
(Kapri's POV)
It was that dream all over again, but this time, it was more of a nightmare. Just like what I'd seen before, the sorceress shot those ice blades at us. They bypassed Hunter and I completely, and as I spun, pierced Shane's shoulder. But it was too close...
Too close to his heart.
I watched as his eyes widened, feeling my heart stop. I couldn't even breathe.
He looked around with a dazed, confused look for a moment and I couldn't help it.
I screamed.
Cried out in pain and horror as he began to unconsciously lean backward. Hearing something behind me, I spun to find Blake staring at him with a sneer, and turned back, letting go and racing for the edge.
But I was too late.
Even as I dropped to my knees and reached my arm out as far as I possibly could, even as I screamed his name over and over...he was too far. I couldn't catch him.
I didnt even feel the tears streaming down my cheeks as I watched his eyes slowly close, before he landed on the ground with a dull thud.
"SHAAAANNEE!" I screamed again, feeling arms come around me.
I saw the dark skin on his hands and knew it was Blake. Struggling in his hold, I couldn't take it. Falling limp, I welcomed my own darkness.
(END OF DISK 1)
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Kay. I tried to go for more feeling into the scene. Hope it's done ok. I was kind of tired of all the fight after fight and stuff, but again, I wanted to finish this section. Bet you're all wondering what's going to happen next (Unless you've played FF8) LOL. Well, stay tuned. LOL.
Note : For those of you that don't know Final Fantasy, there ARE monsters that use 'Bad Breath' and 'Fart' attacks, so if I mention that, it's not my messed up sense of humor. It really DOES happen! LOL.
Hope you like it.
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"Dear Kelly's Mother and Father, Kelly's been a good girl today."
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R+R please.
Thank you.
Tenshi.