Dynamo
Master of Plot Devices
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 Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:25 pm Post subject: A New Fanfiction: Final Fantasy 8 (Chapter 26) |
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Chapter 26:
“Squall!!!”
Everyone saluted to the safe return of their comrades. Tylor could see the happiness in Squall’s eyes when he saw everyone was OK. “Hey, Selphie, Zell, Irvine. It’s great to see you guys.”
“Say, what happened to the Garden?” Irvine asked.
“The Garden is safe.”
They all jumped for joy. Selphie shouted, “Really!!!? Whoo-hoo!!!”
“What happened to you guys?”
Quistis told Squall, “Squall, let’s save that for later.”
Squall nodded. “Quistis, Rinoa, why don’t you guys take them back to the Garden? I’ll see you guys later, after me and Tylor take a look around.” Everyone nodded and walked away.
As Selphie walked past Tylor she said, “Hide in the blue tank. Thanks for the advice, Tylor.”
He smiled. “Hey, I’m just glad you guys are safe.”
Squall called out, “Tylor, let’s go!”
Tylor noticed the mayor sitting on the train station’s steps. He knew he had to set things straight, to tell him they weren’t bad people. “You go ahead, Squall! I’ll catch up with you.”
When Tylor approached, the mayor said, “I guess you saved my life.”
“Sorry for butting in.” Tylor apologized.
“No… But I’m not thanking you.”
“You don’t have to. It’s just that…” He tried to think of the right thing to say. “I wish you could be a little more understanding about us. We’re not just a bunch of warmongers.”
“Oh?”
“It’s… hard for me to explain. I wish… everything could be settled without resorting to violence, and there would be no need for battles. Like you’ve been preaching, it would be wonderful if things could be settled by discussion. The only problem with that is it often takes too much time, especially if the others are not willing to listen. So I believe that fighting is inevitable at times. It’s really sad.” He sighed, there was nothing else he could do to help him understand. “That’s all I have to say. I hope you understand someday. I think the world needs both people like you and people like us. Thank you for all your help, good bye.” He saluted before leaving the mayor to think about what he just said.
As Tylor went to catch up with Squall he saw Rinoa and him talking. “You know, you just surprised me. You looked and sounded so happy to see them. It was the first time I’ve seen you so honest. It was… really sweet.”
“They’re my responsibility. I was worried about them, that’s all.”
“Is that all?” When Squall sighed she said, “OK. Well, it’s great that everyone is all right. It must be a big relief for you, Squall.” She ran off. “Catch you later, Squall!”
When she was gone, Tylor walked up to Squall and said, “We all know you care about us, Squall. There’s no shame in showing it.”
“Let’s just get going.”
Later, after riding the lift on their way back to Balamb Garden, they met up with Irvine who was waiting for them on the catwalk. “The headmaster gave the OK to let the technicians in the Garden. They’re in there right now.”
“OK.” Squall said.
As Squall began to walk away Irvine said, “Say…”
“Yeah?”
“Uhh… I was wondering. Those technicians seem very handy. So like… would it be all right if I asked them to fix some other stuff?”
“As long as it doesn’t slowdown the work on the Garden, go ahead. Try not to ask for too much.”
“Yeah, of course.”
As they made their way back Irvine stopped. Squall looked at him. “What?”
“…Selphie’s feeling down right now. I thought I should let you know, since you’re… kind of like everybody’s leader. I think you should go talk to her. I know you’re a klutz when it comes to these things, so I’ll back you.”
“…Where is she?”
“She’s hanging out at the stage by the quad.” As they continued walking, Irvine asked, “Hey, Tylor. How’s the arm?”
“Still broken, thanks for asking.”
“Wow, you’ve gotten quite an attitude lately.”
“Why don’t we break your arm and see how jolly you are all day?”
“Hey, I was just pointing it out. You don’t have to get violent.”
“…I’m joking, Irvine.”
Irvine stopped when they reached the Garden. “Wow. I didn’t expect all this heavy machinery.”
“How else are they going to repair it? With hammers and nails?” Squall asked.
“Hey, hey, hey, this isn’t my department.”
“Then what is?”
“…Guns and women of course.”
Squall sighed and continued walking.
They found Selphie standing in front of the wrecked stage in the quad. “Whew… this is so bad.”
“Yeah. It’s been crazy, with the Garden moving and crashing into FH.” Squall told her. “A lot’s happened.”
“Y’know, I really wanted to see a band perform on this stage. I even had my eyes set on a few people, too.” She crouched on the ground. “Oh well…”
“Come on.” Squall told her, “I’m sure you can still do something.”
“…Squall… being sensitive? That’s weird. You’re the last person I expected to cheer me up. I must really look depressed.” Squall looked away. He was obviously thinking about something but was too stubborn to say anything. Selphie stood up. “Uh-oh! There you go again into your own little world. And you’re not gonna share anything, huh?”
“…Yeah, whatever…”
“Well, I think I’m feeling better. Don’t worry about me, Squall.”
Squall turned to Irvine. “Irvine… you help her. I’m out of here.”
“…Alrighty.”
“Squall, Tylor, this is the headmaster speaking. Please come to my office.”
“Well,” Tylor said. “I wonder what he wants now?” Together they made their way to the lobby elevator. As they left, Tylor could here Selphie and Irvine talking.
“I guess there’s no point feeling blue.”
“That’s right.” Irvine said. “Let’s get the fun started.”
“Fun? What fun?”
Tylor was too far away to hear anything else. He didn’t need to hear them to know what they were talking about. Irvine was planning on getting the FH technicians to fix the stage to cheer Selphie up.
Cid had called both of them to his office so they could deliver their report. Actually, it was more like Squall deliver the report and Tylor just stood there adding his two-cents worth every now and then. The old rust control system in the cockpit had already been taken out by the technicians.
“…That about covers my report, sir.”
“I see… I also heard a report from Selphie just a moment ago. She said the diary is open in the computers for everyone to see. Maybe you should have a look.”
“Oh, and one more thing. It appeared that the Galbadians were searching for Ellone. That seemed to be their main objective in FH. I believe that Sorceress Edea is behind all this.”
Cid turned around and looked outside the large window. “So now the Galbadians are working for the sorceress, and were searching for Ellone in FH…”
Tylor added, “They were also ordered to burn down the city, whether or not they actually found her.”
Cid sighed. “That would help reduce the number of potential places where she could hide.” He turned to face them again. “Most likely, the sorceress will not stop this onslaught until Ellone is found. She will continue to hunt her, and burn everything in her path. We can’t wait any longer.” He turned on the P.A. system.
“This is Headmaster Cid. I have an announcement to make. I have important news that I must share with all of you. The Garden is being repaired right now. We’ll leave FH immediately after it’s finished. We’re going on a journey. This is a journey to defeat the sorceress. Garden will now be used as a mobile base. The administration of Garden will be run by myself and the staff, as usual. This journey will involve many battles. A well-qualified leader is needed for this. Therefore, I am appointing Squall as your new leader. From now on, Squall will be the leader. He will decide our destination and battle plan. Everyone, please follow his orders. In addition, Tylor will be appointed as his second in command. If for any reason Squall is not available, Tylor will take his place. He will also be Squall’s advisor, so if you have any questions or requests, please direct them to him. If there are any objections, please come see me in person. That is all.”
He turned of the P.A. and said, “Squall, we’re under your command from now on.” Squall put his hand on his forehead and sighed. “This is your fate. It is your destiny to lead the way in defeating the sorceress.”
Tylor put his hand on Squall’s shoulder. “And I’ll be right there at your side.”
Squall pushed Tylor’s hand away, causing him to stumble. “Don’t talk about this like it’s been decided since my birth!”
“Squall, you’re obviously tired.” Tylor told him. “Why don’t you go back to your room and get some rest.”
Squall shook his head and left. Cid said, “He doesn’t seem to be taking it very well.”
“It’s just been a long day, for all of us. He just needs some time to think.” Tylor faced Cid and did the best salute a man with a broken arm could offer. “As Squall’s second in command, what would you like me to do?”
Cid laughed. “You don’t have to act so serious, Tylor. We can’t do anything until Balamb Garden is mobile again. Why don’t you find the others and see what their doing?”
“Alright.” Tylor rode the small elevator down and left Cid’s office.
Tylor went back to FH and saw everyone standing in front of the mayor’s house. The technicians had started building a stage for some kind of performance. Tylor knew what was going on, everyone was organizing a concert to celebrate Squall’s appointment as leader, and for all he knew, his appointment to second in command, too.
“Hey, you guys having a party without me?”
They were all surprised when they saw him. “Tylor? What are you doing here?” Irvine asked.
“You guys can’t fool me. You’re setting up a concert for Squall and me.”
“Aaahh… It was supposed to be a surprise!” Selphie shouted.
“I’m psychic, you can’t surprise me. Don’t worry, I haven’t told Squall yet. I want to help out.”
“I guess we could find something you could do.” Irvine said. “Why don’t you be in charge of the lights and special effects?”
“Sounds good.”
Irvine turned back to everyone else. “OK everyone, our producer, Selphie, would like to say a few words.”
“Ahem! We’ll be holdin’ the concert as planned. As Tylor pointed out, the performance isn’t just for us, though. It’s also for him and Squall. Y’know, to congratulate them on their recent promotions.” She looked at Tylor. “But since Tylor wants to help, I guess it’s just going to be fore Squall.”
“Sounds fun.” Quistis stated.
Zell asked, “So, who’s gonna perform?”
“We are.” Irvine told them.
Zell: “Yeah right.”
Quistis: “You’re kidding.”
He then added, “Of course, Tylor can’t play anything since his arm is still broken, so instead he’ll be in charge of the stuff backstage.”
Tylor’s eyes narrowed. “Yes, thank you Irvine, we get the picture. I’m a cripple until I’m out of this cast.”
“Oh, no way.” Quistis said. “You can count me out. I have no musical aptitude.”
Rinoa said, “Oh really? I gotta see this.”
Selphie told everyone, “Let’s just give it a try. We have everything ready and all we need is four people.”
“This is gonna be fun!”
“Oh, sorry, Rinoa, but you’re not gonna be a member.”
“You’re leaving me out?” She asked, disappointed.
“Uh-uh. We have something more important for you to do.”
“So what are we gonna do?” Zell asked. “I mean basically, we’re all amateurs, right? Even if you hand us instruments, we won’t be able to do anything.”
Selphie continued. “First I wanna ask you guys something. OK, you know I took over this event after I transferred to Balamb, right? I have the composition that the last producer recommended to me, but everything got all messed up after the Garden started moving. There’s supposed to be only 4 scores that go with the composition, but I got 8 scores here.”
“What does that mean?” Zell asked.
Irvine told him, “It’s pretty simple. 4 other scores from a different composition got mixed up with the 4 scores that Selphie had. Se we have to find the 4 original scores to perform the composition that Selphie has. Only way we’re gonna find them is to play all 8 scores and see.”
“So I want you guys to pick up an instrument, one person at a time, and play it.” Selphie told them. “Irvine knows the composition, so he’ll choose which 4 are the right ones.”
“Let’s get started.”
After a while they had gone through all the instruments until they found what they were looking for. “OK,” Irvine said, “we have until tonight to practice for the performance.”
“Rinoa, that’s when you’re up,” Selphie said.
“You can count on me!” it was Rinoa’s job to make sure Squall actually showed up.
“It’s gonna be a blast!”
They practiced for the rest of the afternoon. While everyone practiced Irvine taught Tylor how to use the controls for the lights and fog machines. The technicians came by later to finish the stage while everyone took one last chance to practice. Once the sun had set, it was time to go to work.
While Tylor was taught how to control the lights and SFX, he realized that it wasn’t a one-man job, especially when that man only has the use of just one arm. He had two other students from the Garden behind the stage to help him with the controls.
Tylor was just going over one last bit of information with the students when Selphie showed up. “Ok, everyone, places! They’re on their way!” Selphie, Irvine, Zell and Quistis all climbed onto the stage.
Tylor signalled for the students start. The laser lights shone and the fog machines turned on as they started the show.
Squall was dressed in his usually attire. Rinoa was wearing the same dress she wore to the SeeD graduation party. Tylor thought it was a little unnecessary, but he didn’t complain since he wasn’t the one who had to drag Squall to the concert in the first place.
Selphie shouted into her microphone. “Squall! You big stud! This is all for you! Congratulations! Enjoy the show! Rinoa, don’t let him get away!” Selphie looked behind the stage to see if everything was ready. Tylor gave her a thumbs up to tell her to start. “Ready!? A-one, two, three…”
They began to play. Quistis was playing the flute, Zell was tapping his feet to the beat, Irvine played the guitar and Selphie played the violin. The song they played was high spirited and uplifting. Tylor and the two people helping him hit every cue for the special effects.
Half way during the song Tylor saw Squall and Rinoa around the stage. They were sitting together on the edge over the glass floor below. Tylor looked at the two students helping him. “You guys take it from here. Just remember to hit all the cues.” Tylor left them to take care of the show while he went to hear what Squall and Rinoa were talking about. He made sure to stay out of sight as he got close enough to listen.
“You wanted to talk about something, right?” Squall asked. “What is it?”
“Umm… well it’s about your promotion. Things are gonna get real tough for you, huh?” Squall looked at his feet and said nothing. “Squall, I’m sure there’ll be a lot of difficult things that you’ll have to deal with from now on. We were talking about that, and saying how you’ll probably try to handle everything on your own. They know you too well. I do, too, although I haven’t been around you that long.”
Squall rested his head on his hand and frowned. Rinoa mimicked him. “Y’know, when you start thinking, you tend to frown like this.”
Squall looked at her for a moment before swatting at her. She rolled out of the way before he could touch her and started laughing. “I’m out of here.”
“Oh come on! I’m sorry!” Rinoa crouched behind Squall. “But really, we were saying that… well… you can’t handle everything on your own.” She pushed him off the ledge to the glass surface below and jumped after. Tylor got closer to still hear them.
Squall looked like he was about to yell.
“That’s it! Just let out anything!” Rinoa placed a hand on her chest. “Anything… We want you to talk to us a little more, that’s all. Y’know, if there’s anything you want to tell us, or anything we can do, don’t hesitate to let us know. I know it’s not easy but I wish you would trust us and rely on us a little more.”
Squall put his hand on his forehead and frowned, just like Rinoa pointed out earlier. He turned away and it was obvious he was in deep thought.
Rinoa started pacing around Squall. “What a night. Great music… Good-looking guy… Not only is he good-looking, he’s the sweetest guy, a great listener. Right now, he’s seriously thinking about what I said. He’s shy and doesn’t say anything, but I know.” She stopped and looked at him. “So, what do you think? None of our business?”
“I appreciate your concern… But…”
Rinoa held her hand in front of Squall’s face. “No ‘buts’! Just think about this: This might be the only time we’ll all be together. So, as long as we’re together, we might as well enjoy each other’s company and… just talk, right?”
Squall shook his head. “…Just for now, huh? Forget it. I don’t want friends who won’t be around tomorrow.”
Rinoa laughed. “Gosh, you’re such a pessimist. It’s probably a good thing Tylor’s your second in command. There are no guarantees in the future. That’s why TODAY, the time we have now, is important. Squall, we wanna help you, as much as we can, for as long as we can.”
She pushed him in the shoulder and said, “We all love you. There, I said it. Please don’t freak out. We just wanna live, y’know, live through this time with you, together.”
“…Together…?”
“Keep it in the back of your mind. Call on us whenever you need to, we’ll be waiting. Like I said, who knows what’s gonna happen in the future… but I have a feeling we’ll be together for a while.”
“Who knows what’s gonna happen in the future…” Tylor thought. The way Rinoa said it made him think.
She began pacing around him again. “So, what’s on your mind? Do you have any dreams, Squall? Anything you want to do with your life?”
Squall waved his hand, as if dismissing the issue. “That’s something I’d rather not talk about. What about you?”
“…I don’t know. I guess I’d rather not talk about the future, either.” She stopped pacing. “But right now… I wanna stay right here… like this.”
The concert was nearing its end. Tylor had to get back to the backstage before anyone found out where he went. What Rinoa had said about not knowing what the future had in store really got him thinking. Maybe it didn’t matter whether or not he knew who he was, or where he really came from. All that matters is who he is now, at this moment, and where he was going. He knew he couldn’t dwell in the past, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to move forward in life. He had been selfish, putting more concern in finding his own truths than helping everyone else find their’s. Whatever happened or didn’t happen was in the past, right now he had to focus on moving forward. |
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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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