Part Sixteen

Fork in the Road

There was nothing in this place. Darkness stretched out forever before him. All he could feel was a chill deep within his body. Did he even have a body anymore? He remembered pain, terrible pain that tore his body apart. What happened to him? Everything was hazy but images began to seep into his mind.

His name was Zell Dincht and he had gotten shot by the guards when he shoved Rinoa aside. He remembered talking to Squall then the image of Seifer kneeling beside him. The darkness had encased him and now he couldn't find a way out. Panic started to pour into his mind. He would never see his mother again. He wouldn't see his friends. He was doomed to remain in this limbo.

Just as the hope started to seep out of his heart Zell felt something warm and gentle press against his lips. At first he tried to fight back but as the warmth spread throughout his body he began to relax. He felt something flow into his body and a sense of peace washed over him. Zell felt light and warm again in this endless darkness. Finally light broke through his darkened vision and he felt his body being pulled towards the light. Before he could think about this Zell opened his eyes and that warmth left his lips. His vision was blurry but he was able to make out warm jade eyes staring at him expectantly.

"What happened?" Zell rasped out. His mouth had a coppery taste inside it.

"How are you feeling?" that was Rinoa.

"I feel stiff but I'm ok." Zell slowly got to his feet. "What's wrong?" everyone was staring at him in shock except for Seifer who was blushing.

"You were hurt Zell..." Selphie croaked. She looked like she'd been crying.

"You saved my life." Rinoa whispered.

"I..." Zell stopped as he remembered. The guards had come into the room and aimed at Rinoa. He pushed her away... "I died didn't I?"

"Seifer saved you." Baralai said gently.

"It was Axel." Seifer murmured. "He wanted to keep you alive."

"Well, ah, thanks man." Zell scratched his head.

"We better get going." Roxas interrupted. Sora didn't miss the jealousy lacing his tone.

"You're right." Squall turned to the others. "Quistis, take Irvine, Rinoa, Selphie and Zell down to the garage. The rest of us will head back up." Squall said.

"Why are you going back up?" Zell asked.

"Someone turned the barrier back on. They could've stopped the garage from opening too." Squall pointed out.

"He's right." Seifer nodded. He cocked his heads to the side as he listened to Axel. "Axel says we should be Ienzo with us. In case we get into serious trouble."

"Ok." Squall replied. "What about you?" he turned to Cloud.

"Leon and I will go after the Sorceress. She mentioned something about a Trabia Garden." Cloud said.

"That's where I'm from." Selphie spoke up.

"She wants to know about the SeeD and their true purpose." Leon said.

"Will you guys be ok?" Sora asked.

"Just get to safety Sora." Leon said sternly. The younger brunet froze for a moment then he nodded reluctantly.

"Be down in the garage within the half an hour." Squall ordered.

"Don't worry about us." Leon said wearily.

"Ok, move out." Squall motioned for Seifer, Riku and Roxas to follow him.

"Good luck guys." Selphie called before she took off.

Cloud and Leon split away from Squall and the others as they made their way farther up to where the Sorceress resided. Seifer led the way back towards the terminal chamber on the top floor with Ienzo by his side. Sora and Riku had gone with Quistis and the others.

The Keyblade Master was still inured and Riku refused to leave his side. Roxas had remained with Squall's group. They made it back to the top floor without incident but there were people waiting for them in the computer room. Three men, two dressed in blue uniforms and one in red, held up their swords for a fight.

"You're not leaving here alive." The red suited guy said. "Take them down."

"Do yourself a favour and just leave. Don't make it hard on yourself." Seifer warned as he gripped Hyperion.

"You don't scare me SeeD trash." The man spat out. "Take them out." Behind him there was a large machine with twin machine guns attached to its sides.

"Shit." Seifer cursed. He spotted the terminal that controlled the barrier and he lunged forward, slicing through it with Hyperion.

"What the hell?" the guard yelled. Sparks flew out from the ruined terminal and the barrier had dropped again.

"Allow me." Ienzo stepped forward.

His violet eyes narrowed as he spread his hands out to either side of his body. Water spread out from his feet and formed a bubble before him. Demyx's body formed within the water then the water collapsed and he remained floating before the stunned guards.

His eyes were glowing blue and he smiled when he heard what Zexion wanted him to do. It had been awhile since he used this ability and he had yet to meet any living thing that could resist his Siren Song. Smiling his raised one webbed hand and began to sing.

"Ocean's Heart." He murmured. This was the name of his song.

Music flowed from his lips in perfect harmony. He seemed to be able to create his own kind of music and the notes fell from his lips. Golden light drifted from his fingertips and approached the now swaying men. They were already under his spell.

Moving his fingers Demyx flipped his cerulean tail around the floor with fine grace and skill. Ienzo smiled as he watched his beautiful GF put those men under his ethereal spell. Turning to Seifer he nodded, indicating that the blond could release his own GF. The blond man called up his fiery companion to finish off the men and their battle machine.

"Calamity's Flame." Axel grinned as he raised his hands.

Twin fireballs appeared in his hands. They grew in size, blue flames mixing with orange and yellow. Throwing one hand back Axel tossed the first one towards the men and the machine then he threw the other one. The two fireballs combined to create a nova that enveloped everything in its wake. When the blinding hot light vanished the men were now three piles of ashes and the machine had melted into a puddle. Axel was staring at his hands with a cross between awe and shock.

"That was sweet." Seifer was grinning.

"Indeed." Ienzo smiled when Demyx clapped his hands together.

"You haven't lost you touch Axel." The laughed happily.

"I'm Axel, when have I ever lost me touch?" the red head smirked. Squall rolled his eyes at that statement.

"The garage has been opened." Seifer called out. "We can leave." Demyx and Axel went back into their respective hosts then Squall led the way back downstairs.

"We have a problem." Cloud said when the group met up with the blond swordsman and Leon.

"Did you get to the Sorceress?" Baralai questioned.

"We didn't have to." Leon said darkly. "We overhead some guards talking about the missiles aimed at Trabia and Balamb Gardens."

"What the fuck?" Seifer exclaimed.

"They said something about a missile base not far from here." Cloud said.

"We have to stop them." Squall stated and he took off towards the garage with the others following close behind.

When they reached the bottom floor Irvine, Selphie, Rinoa, Zell, Sora and Riku were already in one vehicle and ready to depart. Squall got into a jeep along with the rest of the group. Squall gripped the steering wheel as he drove out of the prison and out into the vast hot desert.

Squall was momentarily blinded by the bright glare and he stopped the car when he drove for at least ten minutes. The ride had been bumpy and more than a little hazardous but they made it. They had stopped at a fork in the road. Squall got out and made his way to a large black boulder lying in the sand. He stood on the rock and scanned the horizon.

"What's going on?" Sora called.

"The Sorceress is arming missiles to destroy Trabia and Balamb." Leon said quickly.

"What?" Selphie cried out.

"The missile base is down this path." Squall pointed to the left road.

"I'm going." Selphie said adamantly. "I'm not gonna let them blow up my home."

"We'll split up." Zell suggested. "We can get to the base faster that way."

"Axel and I can get back to Balamb ahead of you." Seifer pointed out to Squall. "It'll take you a while to get to the nearest town."

"I can teleport the rest." Baralai spoke up. Ienzo shot him a quizzical look but Baralai held up his hands. "A lot of people are going to die if we don't warn them."

"He's right." Seifer glanced towards Selphie and the others. "So who's gonna go into the silo?"

In the end it was decided that Selphie, Irvine and Rinoa would enter the base. The less people the less chance of getting caught. Baralai offered to teleport at least three people back to Balamb. Zell, Riku and Sora volunteered to go with the White Mage.

Leon, Cloud, Squall, Quistis and Roxas would travel to the nearest town and get the first ship to the island. Seifer was already in Axel's grasp and the winged GF took off into the air but not before getting a good luck kiss from a certain blushing blond boy. Squall leaned heavily against the jeep when Irvine, Selphie and Rinoa sped off down the road towards the base.

"Let's go." Squall said after a few moments. The nearest town was Deling City if he remembered correctly. If luck was on their side hopefully they could stop the missiles from launching. Squall silently prayed that they weren't too late.

Note-sorry for the wait guys but I finally beat that boss I was stuck at in FF12. Also Axel's main attack is actually based on Vaan's Pyroclasm Quickening from FF12. I thought that attack just suited Axel. Also I have discovered a new love. I recently purchased the first five volumes of Gravitation and I haven't been able to put them down. Yuki is such a bastard but I love him all the same. Anyway catch you guys soon and have a good day.