Part Nine
Galbadia Garden Reunion
The silence in the transport vehicle was thick to the point of suffocating. After the events that took place in the Timber Broadcasting Station the SeeD group had then been ordered to head to the Galbadia Garden to gather information on the Sorceress and the President.
Selphie, Rinoa and Zell were sitting together in the transport while Squall and Quistis flanked Seifer. The blond man hadn't spoken a word since Axel rejoined him. The simple truth of the matter was that Squall wanted to demand answers from Seifer and he wanted them now.
Squall never liked being in the dark about anything. For some reason his rival knew the names of those three men but that could be blamed on the influence of the Phoenix living in his head. But there was more to it than that. Squall could see it in those jade orbs he knew so well. Seifer had seen something else thanks to the Phoenix but he wasn't talking about it. Maybe it had something to do with whoever this Roxas was. The GF's reaction to the name and the accusations were enough proof that the Phoenix was the connection.
The only problem was that Seifer refused to summon his GF so Squall could talk to him about that Saix character. The brunet felt a pounding headache coming on. Everything had been fine until they reached the station.
He, Selphie and Zell had met up with Rinoa Heartilly on board a train and she had gone on to explain her plan on capturing the Galbadian President by hijacking his private train car. Everything had been fine until they discovered that the President was in fact a monstrous imposter.
Once Squall had taken them back to Timber Station they had gone on to the Broadcasting Station to intercept the President. That was when the large screen on the building flickered to life and Squall watched as Seifer and his red headed companion took control of the inner station. Quistis had been sent by Headmaster Kramer to meet up with Squall and bring Seifer Almasy back to Balamb Garden. Leonhart could hardly believe his ears as Quistis told him how the GF had flown out of the Garden with Seifer in his arms.
The transport lurched along the rocky road that would take them towards the Garden nestled past the mountains. The group were taken past a thick wooded area then through a small valley between the mountains and out onto a grassy plain much like Balamb. The Galbadian Garden was a large building the same shape as Balamb Garden but blood red in colour. Cid had ordered them to meet up with Headmaster Martine and to gather what information they could.
Squall glanced towards his rival and frowned when he noticed that Seifer's eyes were distant and glassy. He was clearly deep in thought or having a conversation with that GF of his. Squall scowled angrily as he thought about the greened eyed red head with the superior smirk and know-it-all attitude. It was his fault Seifer had started acting strange and out of sorts. The Phoenix knew more about this Saix person and the other two and just what in Hyne's name was the Gateway?
Seifer mentioned something about the blood of the Final Key being spilled to open the door. Hopefully they would get some answers from Headmaster Martine. For now all that mattered was stopping the Sorceress and her three Knights. Finally the vehicle came to a stop within the Garden and Quistis led the way out of the transport. The Garden had the same design as Balamb but only on the outside.
"Wow, it looks like home." Zell whistled.
"It's actually more complex on the inside." Quistis explained. "There are more rooms, corridors and staircases than Balamb Garden."
"Do you really think Martine will help us?" Selphie asked.
"Even if he doesn't there's still a Sorceress out there." Zell pointed out.
"I can't believe the President would actually join forces with a Sorceress." Rinoa frowned.
"There's something else behind all this." Squall muttered. "Seifer..."
"Is he ever gonna talk again?" Zell groaned.
"I thought you'd be pleased with his silence." Quistis smirked.
"Well...it's just not Seifer you know?" Zell shrugged. "Besides that GF of his knows something about Saix and those other guys."
"You're right." Squall nodded. "We'll have to get him to talk."
Students came and went along the front entrance, their eyes occasionally falling on the visitors from Balamb Garden and their voices low in hushed whispers. A man appeared from the front door and made his way towards the group. He was a tall man of about middle age with a thick moustache and greying hair. He was wearing the official Garden uniform. On either side of him was a SeeD carrying swords. He saluted the group before getting down to business.
"I'm Martine. Are you from Balamb Garden?" the tall man asked.
"Yes." Quistis affirmed. "I'm Quistis Trepe, an Instructor from Balamb Garden."
"I've been expecting you. Which one of you is Seifer Almasy?" Martine asked.
"That's him." Squall said stiffly.
"I'm afraid he must be placed under arrest." Martine clicked his fingers and the two SeeD flanked Seifer.
"What the fuck are you doing?" Seifer yelled. Being put under arrest certainly got a response out of him.
"Cid Kramer told me what you did Almasy. I've been asked to detain you until you are ready to go back to Balamb." Martine explained.
"Fuck that!" Seifer growled.
"Don't fight them Seifer." Squall warned.
"Where are you taking me?" the blond hissed through clenched teeth.
"You'll be taken to a private room." Martine replied.
Don't fight them Seifer. We'll wait for now. Axel instructed. The blond silently agreed.
"Are you sure this is necessary?" Quistis asked as Seifer was taken away.
"I'm sorry but those are my orders." Martine motioned for the others to follow him into the Garden.
An hour had passed since the group arrived in Galbadia Garden and Martine had yet to tell the anything useful about the Sorceress. What he did say Squall and the others already knew from the history texts concerning the Sorceress War.
Squall was pacing the room he and the others had been assigned during their stay here. Seifer was off limits until they were ready to transport him back to Balamb. Zell and Selphie were both unusually quiet while Quistis conversed with Rinoa. The door opened and a SeeD entered.
"The Headmaster wishes to see you now." The teenager announced.
"About damn time." Zell muttered darkly. They took the elevator up to the office where Martine was.
"It's time I filled you all in on the plan to assassinate the Sorceress." Martine said the moment they were all gathered in his office.
"You have a plan to kill her?" Squall raised an eyebrow.
"Yes and we have to move quickly if we want it to succeed." Martine replied.
"What does Cid say about this?" Quistis asked.
"It was his idea." Martine answered. The Balamb SeeD members grew quiet. "The plan is to take her out during the Sorceress Parade in Deling City."
"The people will allow that?" Zell asked.
"As long as the Galbadian President is beside her the people will listen." Martine answered them.
"So what's the plan?" Squall interrupted tersely.
"General Caraway has the full plan. He's stationed in Deling City and has requested the presence of SeeD from both Balamb and Galbadia." Martine glanced towards Squall. "You'll be taking Irvine Kinneas with you."
"Who's he?" Zell asked.
"The best damn sniper in the region." Martine replied. "Once he gets the Sorceress in his cross hairs he'll kill her."
"When do we leave?" Quistis spoke up.
"As soon as possible." The Headmaster answered. "General Caraway is expecting you in his mansion."
"What about Seifer?" Selphie looked between Squall and Martine. "He knows about the Sorceress Knights."
"What do you mean?" the man raised an eyebrow.
"He knew their names. Seifer and his GF have a connection to the Sorceress and her Knights." Squall informed the older man.
"Do you want him with you on this mission?" Martine looked at them intently.
"He knows things and the GF he has can prove to be a valuable asset. The Phoenix knew things about Saix and the other Knights." Squall explained.
"Seifer Almasy will be your responsibility Leonhart." Martine warned.
"We just need his help for this mission." Quistis cut in quickly. Before Martine could answer a sharp knock was heard on the door.
"What is it?" Martine called.
"You should come to the front gate sir. There are two civilians there." The guard replied.
"How does this concern me?" Martine said irritably.
"They're carrying weapons I've never seen before sir...and they attacked some monsters along the Garden. You need to see them." the guard was frantic.
"Dammit." Martine swore.
He motioned for the others to follow him as he stalked out of his office. This had better be good. The Sorceress was rising to power once again and his SeeD wanted him to check out some kids fighting. He made his way to the elevator and hit the button for the bottom floor.
Martine noticed that some SeeD students were gathered at the front entrance and they were chatting amongst one another excitedly. Martine cut through them then stopped when he saw what they were staring at.
Two boys stood back to back as they battled against various creatures on the plains. One was tall with a striking hair colour and the other was a small brunet. They were both carrying the strangest looking swords Martine had ever seen.
They cut through the monsters without breaking a sweat, moving n perfect harmony with one another. When the creatures fell the two boys stopped but still gripped their swords. The smaller one stopped moving completely when his bright blue eyes fell on Squall Leonhart and he charged at the scarred brunet.
"Leon!" the boy yelled happily as he wrapped his thin arms around Squall's waist.
"What the hell?" the normally stoic man cried out. He glanced towards the other boy with silver hair and aquamarine eyes.
"Sora!" the boy yelled. "That's not Leon."