Dynamo
Master of Plot Devices
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 Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:58 pm Post subject: A New Fanfiction: Final Fantasy 8 (Chapter 24) |
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(Is it just me, or are these chapters getting longer and longer?)
Chapter 24:
“Let’s see… Casting Slow over Haste will cancel Haste and return the target’s status to normal… No. If a GF is hardly used, or has low compatibility with party members, it may leave your party… No. Use the magic Confuse to inflict confusion status on your enemy… Yes…”
It’s been a couple of days since Balamb Garden started moving. All this time they had been drifting aimlessly across the ocean. Until they figured out how to pilot the Garden there was nothing they could do.
The monsters running loose in the Garden had been taken care of and order was re-established. There was little else that needed to be done. Instead of lying in bed and waiting for something to happen, Tylor decided to write some tests to raise his SeeD rank.
“Alright, next question. Esuna or the item Soft removes petrify.” His stomach made a loud growl. “Oh yeah, that’s right. I haven’t eaten breakfast yet. What time is it?” He looked at his clock that read 2:30 in the afternoon. He hadn’t eaten anything for hours. He was so caught up in what he was doing that he forgot all about it. “Must have lost track of the time. I guess I should go to the cafeteria and get something to eat.”
He put on his jacket and strapped his swords onto his back. He didn’t really need them, but he felt safer knowing they were in arm’s reach in case something happened.
As he entered the cafeteria he saw Squall and Rinoa talking to each other.
“This is the cafeteria.” Squall said. “Obviously, this is where we take our meals, but keep in mind, there’s always competition for the good stuff, especially the hot dogs. Some of the hot dogs are so popular, you’ll be lucky just to see someone eat it.”
Tylor approached them. “I think Zell would sell his soul just to have one.”
“Hi, Tylor.”
“Hey Rinoa, Squall. What are you two doing together?”
“Oh, Squall’s just giving me a tour of Balamb Garden.”
Tylor smiled. “Is that what they call dating now?”
“It’s not a date.” Squall said. He didn’t think it was funny, but Rinoa did.
“Well, I’ll leave you two love birds alone. Have fun on your date.” Tylor just said that to annoy Squall.
Rinoa laughed. “We will. Bye, Tylor.”
They were all out of hot dogs, again, so Tylor just ordered a hamburger and some fries. He sat down at one of the tables and started to eat. As he ate he noticed a group of girls looking at him a few tables away. When he smiled back they looked away and started giggling.
“Well, looks like somebody’s popular.”
Tylor looked at the person who spoke to him. “Hey, Quistis. You miss lunch?”
She sat across the table from him and ate a french-fry from her tray. “Yeah, ever since the Garden started moving Cid’s been keeping me busy. What about you?”
“I missed lunch AND breakfast. Is was busy writing some tests in my room and forgot to eat.”
“Tylor, I wanted to apologize.”
“For what?”
“For doubting you. Everything you said would happen did. At the time, I didn’t believe you because I didn’t trust you. It was like that ever since you arrived for the SeeD exam.”
“I know. It’s hard to trust somebody who shows up out of nowhere.” He remembered something. He didn’t want to ask, but sooner or later it would come up. “Hey, did Martine send my files to Cid before all this happen?”
“Yes, he did. That’s kinda why I’m here. He wanted me to bring you to his office to discuss it with you.”
“Uh, oh.”
The P.A. system turned on. “Squall, Quistis and Tylor, report to the Garden Master.”
“Saved by the bell.” Tylor got out of his seat and grabbed his tray. “Looks like we have something else to do first.”
“After we see the Garden Master I have to take you to Cid.”
Tylor dumped his leftovers into a nearby garbage bin. “Of course.”
As they made their way to the elevator, Quistis asked, “So, how’s your arm doing?”
“It’s feeling better. I think in a few days I’ll be able to take off this cast.” They got into the elevator in the lobby. “So, what floor do we go?”
“The basement.” She pressed a button and the elevator went down.
The floor of the basement looked like it was shaped out of different pieces of metal and was glowing blue. There was a large machine behind the elevator. They heard voices coming from that direction. One of them was Cid’s. The elevator went back up to the lobby after they got out.
“Please! Listen to me!” As they listened the elevator came back down. Squall and Rinoa stepped out.
Rinoa asked, “What’s going on?” Tylor placed a finger on his lips and shushed her.
“Let go of me! I’m not finished!” They heard the sound of someone being punched right before Cid stepped around the corner and into view. “Greedy son-of-a-bitch! Why did I even bother talking to you!?” A Garden faculty member approached him. “SeeDs were brought up for the future! And that future is now! Why can’t you understand!?” The man grabbed Cid by the shirt and pushed him back before walking away. “Dimmit! I should’ve never trusted you! I wish I could go back ten or so years. To tell myself that you’re nothing but a money grubbing son-of-a-bitch! Then I would’ve never built this place.”
“Sir?”
Cid turned to face them. “Squall!? …You heard everything?”
“…Yes.”
Cid looked away. “I’m embarrassed, but sometimes even old men like me lose their temper. Let’s get out of here.”
Before Cid walked away Squall said, “Sir, I still have to give you my report.”
“Please come to my office later.” He looked at Tylor. “Tylor, I want you to come to my office, too. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Another Garden faculty member approached them as Cid rode the elevator back up to the lobby. “You’re the SeeDs who returned from Galbadia, correct?”
“Yes.”
“It’s about time. Master NORG has been waiting for you. Come.” They followed the man around the corner to a large machine. “Whenever Master NORG calls you, be sure to be there within 3 seconds.”
“Frushushu… 3-SECONDS-ARE-UP!” The top of them machine opened. Inside was a large yellow-skinned creature wearing clothes. Tylor believed he was a Shumi, from the Shumi village in the snowy northern continent. “FushifuruFushifuru… GIVE-YOUR-REPORT-ON-THE-SORCERESS.”
The faculty member cautioned them. “Answer him quickly. Be concise.”
Squall faced NORG and straightened his body to show respect. Rinoa and Quistis did the same, but Tylor didn’t move an inch. “…We failed to assassinate Sorceress Edea. Confirmation of Headmaster Cid’s order was made at Galbadia Garden. After Irvine Kinneas of Galbia Garden joined out party, we set off to carry out the ‘Sorceress Assassination’ order from Balamb and Galbadia Gardens.”
“Bujurururu! BALAMB-AND-GALBADIA’S-ORDERS!? Bujurururu! YOU-WERE-FOOLED!”
“I… don’t understand.” Squall told him.
“Fushurururu… EXPLAIN-TO-THEM.”
“Master NORG has known about the alliance between the President of Galbadia and the sorceress.” One of the faculty members told them. “He heard it from the Galbadia Garden master himself.”
“The Galbadia Garden master…?”
“Fushururu… THE-MASTER-OF-GALBADIA-GARDEN-IS-A-SUBORDINATE-OF-MINE-NAMED-MARTINE.”
“Yes. In fact the sorceress and Garden are closely connected. That is why the sorceress will definitely try to gain hold of all Gardens. So, Master NORG sent an official order to Galbadia Garden. It was to kill the sorceress. An assassination was thought to be the best means. But…”
“Bujurururu! THAT-SLY-WEASEL-MARTINE-USED-YOU-AS-A-LAST-RESORT-FOR-THE-ASSASSINATION. HE-GAVE-THAT-ORDER-TO-PLACE-THE-BLAME-ON-ME! THAT-THAT-BASTARD.”
“Are you saying that Balamb Garden had noting to do with that order?” Squall asked.
“You just happened to show up just before the mission was to be carried out. They used you. But the operation failed. The sorceress is still alive and the sorceress retaliated, just as we suspected. No doubt, it was the sorceress who ordered the missile attacks. Something must be done to calm the sorceress’ anger.”
“Wait a minute. That’s just-”
The faculty member cut off Squall. “In order to do so, we needed to hand over those involved in the assassination to the sorceress. We had to show Balamb Garden’s sincerity.”
“Bujurururu! OFFER-THE-SeeD’s-HEAD-ON-A-SILVER-PLATTER-AND-PRETEND-WE-OBEY-THE-SORCERESS!”
“You dumb-ass!” Tylor shouted.
“Bujurururu! WHAT-DID-YOU-CALL-ME!?”
“Why aren’t we fighting her!? What about all that time we spent training!? What good is it!?
“WHAT-DID-YOU-SAY!? YOU-LOST-TO-THE-SORCERESS! QUIT-YOUR-WHINING!”
“Headmaster Cid was saying the same thing…” One of the faculty members pointed out.
“Bujurururu! CID!? THAT-IDIOT-CID-DISPATCHED-SeeD-TO-KILL-THE-SORCERESS. AND-IF-YOU-FAIL? THIS-GARDEN-WILL-BE-DONE-FOR! MY-GARDEN! IT-WILL-ALL-BE-OVER! THAT-IDIOT-CID. HAS-HE-FORGOTTEN-THAT-IT-WAS-I-WHO-PUT-UP-THE-MONEY-TO-ESTABLISH-GARDEN!? I-WANTED-TO-OFFER-THE-SORCERESS-CID’S-HEAD-ALONG-WITH-SeeD’S. I-ORDERED-THE-STUDENTS-TO-FIND-CID-BUT-THEY-SIDED-WITH-HIM! Bujurururu! Bujurururu! THIS-IS-MY-GARDEN!”
“No!” Squall shouted. “It’s not just yours!”
“Bujurururu! THEN-WHAT-IS-IT? IS-IT-CID-AND-SORCERESS-EDEA’S? THAT-MARRIED-COUPLE’S-GARDEN!?”
“What…?”
“Bushurururu… NOW-I-UNDERSTAND. CID-AND-EDEA-ARE-TRYING-TO-TAKE-MY-GARDEN-AWAY-FROM-ME!”
“Your Garden?” Tylor asked. “You think just because you put up the money to build this place makes it yours forever? This Garden was established to train soldiers to protect the world from people like the sorceress. While you’ve been down here counting your money, we’ve been fighting for the future of this place and everywhere else! You’re nothing but a coward!”
“Bujurururu! ENOUGH! YOU’RE-ONE-OF-CID’S-FOLLOWERS-AREN’T-YOU!? PREPARE-TO-DIE!” The machine slammed shut.
Rinoa shouted, “Squall!”
The two blue lights at the base of the machine turned red. Tylor warned them. “Watch out! He’s going to attack us with magic!”
The two lights produced a Thundara spell. Tylor jumped in front of the others. “Refle-” Before he could cast the spell he was hit and knocked back at full force into the wall.
“Tylor!” Quistis shouted. “Are you alright?”
“Don’t worry about me! We need to protect ourselves from his magic!”
Each of them cast Shell to protect against the attacks. In order to get to NORG they would have to open up the machine. Tylor got back to his feet while the others defended themselves against the barrage of spells. He reached for one of his swords, but found nothing. They must have been knocked out of their straps when he was thrown into the wall. He looked around and found them lying a few feet away on the floor.
The floor underneath Tylor began to crystallize. He jumped to the left avoid the Blizzara spell as the ice shot up as a spike. He grabbed his sword Apocalypse when he landed.
The machine began shooting Fira spells at them. Tylor ran up to the machine, dodging each spell as he went. When he got close to the machine he was hit by a Fira spell he failed to dodge. Squall caught him before he hit the ground.
“Are you OK?”
“I’m fine. The machine can only cast two spells at a time. I need you guys to distract it while I attack.”
Squall nodded and told the others. They split up to try and divert the attention away from Tylor, Squall going to the left and Quistis and Rinoa going to the right.
It worked. The machine was casting Fira spells at Squall and Thundara spells at Quistis and Rinoa. It paid no attention to Tylor.
Tylor took this chance to strike. He ran up to the machine and leaped at the hatched where NORG was hiding. With one strong lunge, he plunged his sword through the metal and into the machine.
The machine stopped casting magic as the hatch slowly opened. Tylor’s sword had gone through the machine and into NORG’s gut.
“Fushururu… I’M… DONE-FOR… I’M… AFRAID… OF-YOU…” NORG slumped back in his seat and closed his eyes. “WHY… ME…?”
Tylor slowly pulled out his sword and jumped down to join the others. A large red dome of energy surrounded NORG’s body.
Quistis asked, “What happened to the Master?”
“Forget about it for now.” Squall told him.
Rinoa looked at him. “I can’t believe you said that. I think what just happened is really serious.”
“What’s the point of talking about it now!? You don’t know what’s going on, either!”
“Squall, don’t take it out on Rinoa. It’s not her fault.” Tylor told him.
Squall sighed and grabbed his forehead. “This is crazy. I don’t know what’s goin’ on anymore. I feel like a helpless puppet being manipulated in some major scheme.”
Rinoa walked up to him. “Squall…”
“Yeah… I’m going to see the headmaster.”
They made their way to the elevator. As they walked, Tylor looked back at the cocoon of energy. He hadn’t killed NORG. He was a Shumi, he would turn into a Momba sooner or later.
When they arrived at Cid’s office they couldn’t find him. “Where’s Headmaster Cid?” Squall asked. “He told us to come to his office.”
“Obviously he’s not here.” Tylor told them. “Let’s go see if he’s in the Infirmary.”
“Why would he be there?” Quistis asked.
Tylor knew why he was there. He was crying and didn’t want anyone to see him. “Uhh… He just is. Now let’s go.”
Dr. Kadowaki greeted them when they arrived. She asked, “Do you need to see the headmaster?”
“Yes.” Squall told her. “I need to give him my report.”
“Well, the headmaster is kind of…”
Cid’s voice came from one of the rooms. “I’m OK now, doctor.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I believe I’m done crying.”
“…Just take it easy, OK?” She faced the others. “He’s got a lot on his mind.”
They entered the small room and saw Cid. “What do you want to discuss?”
“I want to make a report.” Squall told him.
“No, no. It’s not necessary. I can guess what must’ve happened. Is there something you want to ask about?”
“Please tell me the real meaning of SeeD.”
“SeeD is SeeD. The elite mercenary force of Balamb Garden.” Cid rubbed his head. “Hmmm, do you know something about SeeD?” Squall nodded his head. “SeeD will defeat the sorceress. The Garden will train SeeD members. The many missions around the world are only training for the final battle against the sorceress. But now that the sorceress has become a major threat, our true mission has begun.”
“Master NORG said Sorceress Edea is your wife.” Rinoa stated. “Is this true?”
“You’re quite right. She had been a sorceress since childhood. I married her, knowing that. We were happy. We worked together, the two of us. We were very happy. One day, Edea began talking about building the Garden and training SeeD. I became obsessed with that plan. But I was very concerned with SeeD’s goal, that one day SeeD might fight Edea… She laughed and told me that would never happen. However…” He trailed off.
“Tell us about Master NORG.” Quistis said.
“He is from the Shumi tribe. A black sheep of the tribe, one might say.”
“Well, it’s good to know all Shumis aren’t like that.” Tylor pointed out.
“Indeed. We met while I was running around trying to find funds to build the Garden. He became interested in building the Garden, and we hit it off. Thanks to his funding, it was completed. However, we needed an enormous amount of funds to run the Garden. So we began dispatching SeeDs around the world as a means of supporting the Garden. NORG’s idea was right on the money. An enormous amount of capital began flowing into the Garden. And the Garden began to change. Lost sight of our high ideals, the truth was covered up…” He sighed. “That’s probably enough. In the end, it was my fault, for giving up control.”
“Well,” Tylor said. “Now that NORG’s out of the picture, what are we going to do next?”
“We must stop drifting around soon… I only hope that we can get things back to the way they were.”
“Well, that’s all I can take for one day.” Tylor said. “If anyone needs me, I’ll be in my room sleeping.”
“Tylor,” Cid cautioned. “I still have to talk to you about the files Martine sent me.”
“…Right.”
“Squall! Tylor!” Xu ran into the Infirmary. She was in a panic. “Have you seen the headmaster around?”
“I’m right here, Xu.”
“What’s wrong?” Rinoa asked.
“Go to the second floor deck. There’s a ship approaching. It could be Galbadians or worse; the sorceress might be aboard, coming to attack us!”
“This sounds serious.” Cid turned to the others. “Can you all go and see what they want? I’ll be there in a few minutes.”
“Yes, sir.” Tylor was relieved to have another chance to stall. He wasn’t looking forward to this little talk with the headmaster.
A white ship with sails was docked beside the balcony. Onboard there were people wearing white SeeD uniforms. One of them called out, “Is Headmaster Cid here!?”
Squall called back. “No, he’s not here! Are you from Galbadia?”
“We are SeeDs! This is Edea’s ship. We are Sorceress Edea’s Seed! We’re coming aboard! We’re unarmed!” They jumped up to the balcony. Squall brought out his Gunblade and readied himself for a fight. “Please. We come in peace.” Squall eased down and put away his sword. “We must speak to Headmaster Cid. Where is he?”
“I’m right here.” Cid and Xu approached the group.
“Headmaster, we’ve come for Ellone. It’s too dangerous here now.”
“…Yes, I’m afraid so.” He turned to Squall. “Squall. You know who she is?”
“…No.” There was a hint of uncertainty in his voice.
Tylor told Cid, “I know who she is.”
“Please go find her. She’s here somewhere in the Garden.”
Squall: “…Yes, sir.”
Tylor: “Yes, sir.”
When they all went back into the Garden Quistis asked, “Squall, Ellone is that girl, right? That little girl Laguna was looking after.”
“Probably.”
“Do you know where she is?” Squall nodded his head no. “Let’s split up and look for her.”
After Quistis ran off Rinoa asked, “Hey Squall, who’s Ellone?”
“She’s a person in the ‘dream world’.” Rinoa thought for a minute before nodding and running off.
“Hey Squall, let’s go check the Library.”
“Alright.”
Once they entered the Library they saw a woman sitting at one of the studying tables at the end of the room. She was the same woman they saved in the Training Centre the night after the exam. Squall approached her, but Tylor leaned against a nearby bookcase and watched. He couldn’t interfere with the conversation they were about to have, it wasn’t his place.
As Squall approached she turned in her chair and said, “Yes, Squall?”
“Are you… Ellone?”
“Yes…”
“You’re Ellone? THE Ellone?” She nodded. “You know… Laguna, don’t you?”
She looked away. “I do. I really love Uncle Laguna.”
Squall suddenly shouted, “Then tell me! What is it that we experience!?”
“I’m sorry, Squall. It’s hard to explain. But… one thing… It’s about the past.” She stood up and walked across the room. “People say you can’t change the past. But even still, if there’s a possibility, it’s worth a try, right?”
“Are you the one responsible!? Are you the one taking us to that ‘dream world’!?”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why me!? I have enough problems as it is! Don’t get me involved in this!”
“I’m sorry.”
Squall started backing away. “Don’t… Don’t count on me…” He took a seat on a nearby chair. It seemed like the information was too much for him to bear.
Tylor stepped in. “Ellone. It’s time to go.”
She looked surprised when she saw him. “You’re…”
Tylor shook his head and looked over at Squall. “Squall, are you going to be all right?”
When he didn’t say anything Ellone walked over to him and whispered something into his ear. Even without hearing it, Tylor knew what she said. “You’re my only hope.”
“Ellone, we have to go.” She nodded and followed him out of the library.
Tylor had questions of his own that needed answering, and Ellone was the only one who could give them to him. Together they rode the elevator up to the second floor. Before they got out, Tylor pressed the button that kept the doors close. He and Ellone stared at each other for a few moments.
“…Who am I?”
“Excuse me?”
“Before all this happened I was living a normal, comfortable life. I thought if I helped defeat the sorceress I could go home. But now, I don’t know anymore. I’m starting to doubt if my past life was real at all.” He slammed his fist against the elevator door. “Who am I!? Why do I look like Eric!?”
She stared at him. The look in her eyes wasn’t of fear, but of remorse. “I’m sorry.”
Tylor pleaded. “Please, I have to know the truth. You’re the only one who can tell me.”
“I… can’t.”
“Why not?”
“I just can’t. Please understand.”
“I wish I could, but I feel like I can’t understand anything anymore. I feel so… alone.” After a few minutes of silence, Tylor opened the elevator door and let Ellone out. He couldn’t bring himself to look at her.
As she walked away she stopped and looked back. “I’m sorry, Tylor.”
When she was gone, Tylor leaned against the elevator wall and slid down until his was sitting. He wanted to curl up into a ball and start crying. “Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why won’t anyone tell me what’s going on? Why does my heart hurt so much?”
No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t find his answers. |
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When I give food to the poor, they call me a saint. When I ask why the poor have no food, they call me a communist. |
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