Part Four

Burning Embers

Dollet

Communications Tower

The emergence of a GF into battle wasn't unknown to any SeeD cadet. In fact if you possessed a GF you got a better chance of passing your exams with the assistance of your guardian. Squall already possessed Shiva, the Goddess of Ice and Ifrit, the Fire Demon.

Zell was given Queztlcolt, God of Thunder, for his mission so the use of GF's was very common. However the sight of Seifer's GF actually made Squall and Zell stop in their tracks and stare at this creature for obvious reasons. His bright red hair and outfit drew immediate attention to the GF.

He was holding two silver and red chakrams in his hands and a malicious smile graced his ethereal features. His crimson and golden wings shimmered thanks to the dying sunlight and fire danced around his arms. His green eyes were practically alight with the flames he commanded and Squall had a feeling that this GF could easily rival Ifrit for mastery of the fire element. He yelled 'burn, baby, burn' a few times before setting the two Galbadians on fire. When the GF was through his weapons vanished amide fire and he turned to grin at his audience.

"You care to explain this Almasy?" Squall demanded icily.

"I'm the Phoenix, Guardian Force to Seifer here." The red head introduced himself. "And you must be Squall Leonhart, the guy born with a stick shoved up his ass."

"What the hell?" Zell shrieked. Since when did GF's possess attitudes?

"Hey...now that is more my type." Axel grinned at the stunned blond.

"You're choosing the Chicken-Wuss over me? I'm insulted." Seifer sniped as he turned to inspect the dish.

"He's totally awesome!" Selphie commented.

"The girl has taste." Axel smirked. His green eyes took in the town below. "Looks like the soldiers are moving out."

"Where did you find him Seifer?" Squall demanded icily.

"You remember our little duel don't you?" the tall blond asked. "Remember that ball of fire that fell from the sky?"

"How could you not report this?" the brunet growled.

"It wasn't anyone's problem." Seifer defended. "Besides I wanted to show initiative."

"You're so desperate to pass that you'll keep your GF a secret?" Zell yelled angrily.

"Give the guy a break." Axel snapped, his green eyes glowing. "So he didn't tell you, big deal."

"He had an obligation to tell the Headmaster of the Garden." Squall snarled.

"As if you've never kept a secret." Axel cocked an eyebrow.

"We've got company guys!" Selphie cried when the door began to open.

"It's been fun but we'll catch you later." Before Seifer could react Axel grabbed him by the wrist.

"What the fuck are you doing?" the blond cried.

"We're taking the easy way down." The red head glanced over the edge. Realization dawned on Seifer and he stared at the GF.

"No fucking way!" he tried to tear his wrist from the iron grip it was trapped in.

"Live a little Almasy." Axel laughed as he placed one arm under Seifer's legs and the other arm around his shoulders.

"Seifer!" Squall yelled but Axel jumped over the edge.

Now it took a lot to scare Seifer Almasy shitless but this had to be number one of his list as he continued to fall towards the earth. He squeezed his eyes shut and gripped onto his Gunblade while Axel's grip remained strong around the blond man.

The GF smirked at his host's reaction then her felt his wings spreading and the wind caught in the feathers. For Axel it was unlike anything he ever felt before. His whole body felt incredibly light and the fire coursing through his veins made it easier to use his wings to fly.

His crimson wings flapped a few times so that he could levitate in the air with his quarry. The alleyway he spotted through the dust was clear of any living thing, making it an ideal spot to land. Axel glanced back towards the tower hoping for a glimpse of Squall, Zell and Selphie. Finally his feet touched the solid earth and Seifer scrambled out of his arms. Axel half expected Seifer to get down on his knees and start kissing the ground.

The red head glanced back towards the tower he had flown from. It was so bizarre to be in this world. Seeing Seifer, Squall and Zell in this place even though he met them in his own world was really one big mind fuck. Being stuck in an alternate reality didn't occur to people every other day. While being in Seifer's head Axel managed to retrieve some information concerning the blond, Squall and Zell. Seifer Almasy was basically the same guy back in Axel's own dimension except he didn't have a brother.

Zell Dincht hadn't changed in the least and that girl Selphie seemed nice enough. Squall Leonhart was one icy bastard and Axel suddenly had a lot of fun ideas for him. At least Squall's alternate self actually cared about the people around him. Leon practically treated Sora like his kid brother. The red head turned back towards Seifer when the blond started muttering obscenities about how he was never flying again. Axel shook his head as he leaned against the nearest wall.

He drifted into his thoughts concerning Roxas. Since becoming a Guardian Force he hadn't given much thought to his blond best friend. It just hurt too much t think about Roxas because the simple truth was that he was never going to get home to see Roxas again. Axel knew what he was doing when he fell into the Gateway but that didn't make it any easier to live with. He missed Roxas, Sora, Demyx...Axel missed them it actually physically hurt.

"Don't ever do that again!" Seifer barked causing Axel to blink and stare at his host.

"I enjoyed it." Axel shrugged.

"We're gonna have enough problems when we get back to Balamb Garden." Seifer pointed out when he got his breath back.

"Look at it this way..." Axel flung an arm over Seifer's shoulders. "You'll have a better chance at becoming a SeeD."

"Are you always this optimistic?" the scarred blond questioned.

"There's nothing wrong with a little optimism." Axel replied as his body dissolved into mist and he connected once more with Seifer's mind.

"Back to the beach..." Seifer muttered. Gripping Hyperion he made his way across the bridge and back into town.

By the time Seifer made it back to the beach he saw Quistis and Xu waiting for them in the ship. The tall blond made it back onto the ship but before Quistis could start asking him questions the sound of screeching metal caught their attention.

Squall, Zell and Selphie emerged from the ruined wall with a large six legged machine chasing them relentlessly. Quistis made her way to the machine gun mounted on the top of the ship and she opened fire just as Squall made it into the boat.

Zell, Selphie and Squall lay sprawled on the floor while Xu ordered the boat to be removed from the beach and taken back to Balamb. Quistis kept firing on the machine that resembled a large ant until the bullets eventually tore through the metal and the machine vanished into a large fireball. Shards of metal, glass and rocks littered the beach. The boat was already taking the SeeD cadets back towards the seaside town. When everyone was settled Squall pinned Seifer with an ice cold glare.

"When we get back you're going to the Headmaster about that GF." The brunet stated firmly.

"Who the hell are you Leonhart? My commander?" Seifer snarled.

"What's going on now?" Xu barked.

"Almasy has a GF. He never reported it." Zell piqued up.

"When did you receive the GF?" Xu glared at the smirking blond.

"During my duel with the Ice Princess." Seifer shrugged.

"And you never reported it? A GF Junctions with you of its own free will and you don't say anything?" Xu couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"For now let's just get back to the Garden." Quistis prevented an argument from breaking out.

"Whatever you say Instructor." Seifer scowled as he crossed his arms and leaned back against the wall.

The ride back was held in stiff silence and Seifer threw the occasional glare towards Xu or Zell when one of them made a comment. Squall remained silent but that was nothing new. His stormy gaze was distant and a person could practically see the cogs turning in his mind.

Selphie was bouncing in her seat as she hummed some sort of song. Axel liked her but Seifer wanted nothing more than to tell the girl to belt up for the rest of the trip back home. After arriving back at the harbour the group took the truck back to Balamb Garden.

When they entered the Garden gates Squall, Selphie and Zell were dismissed and told to go up to the second floor for their exam results. Quistis and Xu ordered Seifer to follow her and Quistis to the Headmaster. The scowling cadet was taken to the third floor where the Headmaster's office was located. Quistis knocked on the door and waited for Cid to admit them into his office. When the door opened he was sitting behind his desk going over some papers.

"Headmaster, there's something we need to discuss concerning Cadet Almasy." Xu began.

"What did he do this time?" Cid asked as he peered at Seifer over his glasses.

"He is in possession of a GF." Quistis answered. "He claims he received it during his duel with Squall yesterday."

"Is this true Seifer?" Cid stood up and walked around his desk.

"Yeah it's true." Seifer muttered as he kept his jade eyes away from Cid.

"Why didn't you say anything?" the Headmaster demanded.

"So I got a new GF, big deal. Everyone get's then eventually right?" Seifer pointed out angrily.

"You're on a tight rope as it is Almasy." Xu snarled.

"The GF saved my life ok." Seifer threw his hands up. "He took out the Galbadians..."

"He?" Quistis inquired.

"His designation is the Phoenix." Seifer said through gritted teeth. "Look, he helped me and the others stop the Galbadians and we got some info on the dish on the Communications Tower."

"Why were you even at the tower?" Xu demanded angrily.

"I heard some soldiers talking about a live broadcast being made." Seifer explained. "It was worth checking out."

"You shouldn't have made that decision Seifer." Xu barked.

"But I did make it and something is going to happen when that broadcast goes live." Seifer stated.

"You'll never make it to SeeD status Almasy." Xu growled and Quistis winced. "You're too impulsive and reckless. You think you can do everything by yourself. You lie. You'll never make it."

"I'm trying ok!" Seifer cried suddenly.

"You don't have what it takes to be a SeeD!" Xu yelled back.

"Fuck you!" Seifer bellowed and Xu took a step back out of fear.

"Seifer Almasy!" Cid roared.

"I'm sick of this!" Seifer cried and he had no idea why he was shouting and fighting back tears. He felt sick, angry and ashamed and he had no idea why. "I'm sick of trying to be perfect for you! I try and I try but it's never enough is it?"

"Calm down Seifer..." Quistis tried to approach him.

"No! I'm sick of it. You expect me to follow orders but you never listen when I actually find something out that could be potentially dangerous. All you care about is following orders like fucking robots!" Seifer couldn't believe he was crying now but the images melted away to be replaced by scenes of a deserted city with a heart shaped moon.

"Seifer, for Hyne's sake calm down!" Cid ordered when flames erupted around the blond man's hands.

"You just left me!" Seifer cried. "You left me Roxas and it still fucking hurts!"

Quistis, Xu and Cid never got a chance to ask Seifer about Roxas. The blond yelled out in evident pain before collapsing to the floor in a heap.

Note-So here's a little twist to the tale. Seifer has a deeper connection with his GF than he realized. Just to clarify whenever Seifer gets very emotional, be it anger or something else he can open a connection with Axel. Also some of my viewers are confused. When Axel fell into the portal he ended up in an alternate reality where he has encountered counterparts of the people he once knew. I hope that clarifies things so leave a review.