A New Beginning - Part 3 Intro Squall and Rinoa have returned from visiting General Caraway in Deling City and are back at Balamb Garden. Cid has some troubling news... Chapter 3 Zell stuffed another hot dog in his mouth as he winked at the girl sitting beside him. She giggled softly and he swallowed. "Going for the record!" he told her, opening his mouth wide to eat yet another hot dog. "Just two more and I'll be Balamb's hot dog champion!" The intercom suddenly beeped as he took his first big bite. Zell hoped it wasn't for him. Cid's voice echoed through the cafeteria. "Would Squall Leonheart, Quistis Trepe, Selphie Tilmitt, Irvine Kinneas, Zell Dincht, Rinoa Heartilly, and Seifer Almasy please report to my office immediately." Zell kicked the table leg. "Not now!" he complained. "I was almost a hero!" He stood, patting his stomach as he smiled at the girl beside him. "Don't go anywhere, I'll be back soon to start over again!" She giggled and he winked, trying his hardest to strut out of the cafeteria with his aching belly. 'The sacrifices I make...,' he thought as he strode out into the hallway. He noticed Quistis walking just ahead of him and ran to catch up with her. "Any idea why Cid wants to see us?" Zell asked as he approached. Quistis turned and smiled tightly. "No idea. Has it ever been good news?" Zell paused and thought for a moment. "Well...," he finally said. "There might have been once..." As they stepped onto the elevator, a small voice cried "Wait up!" from behind. They turned to see Rinoa waving and running towards them, with Squall close behind. Quistis held the door open as the pair joined them. "Going up!" she said as the elevator headed towards the third floor. "So what's up?" Rinoa asked, excited that she had been asked along. "We don't know," Quistis replied. Zell beat his fists in the air. He laughed. "Probably another sorceress on the rampage." He noticed Rinoa bite her lip and look down. His shoulders dropped as he realized his mistake. "Sorry, Rinoa. I didn't mean..." She shrugged and forced herself to smile. "It's all right," Rinoa told him. "Just something I have to get used to, I guess..." Squall put his arm around her for support as an awkward silence filled the elevator. He was thankful the ride was short as a bell dinged to announce their arrival. The four hurried out of the elevator into Cid's office. Five SeeDs Squall didn't know talked quietly in a corner in their uniforms. Across the room from them, Seifer lounged against a table. He glanced up at their entrance. "About time you all got here," he said. "You're still here?" Zell asked, swinging a punch in the air. Seifer nodded. "Looks like you'll have to get used to me, chicken-wuss. I've been reinstated into Garden, since I was under the sorceress' control and everything before." He grinned broadly as the others were silent, unsure of what to say. A mechanical noise riveted their attention to the center as Cid rode down from Garden's control post. He stepped off the lift and nodded to them as they formed ranks before him. Rinoa copied their salute - she was a little better at it now. "I'm glad you're all here," Cid began as two figures came running from the direction of the elevator. "Wait!" Selphie called, waving frantically. "We're coming!" She and Irvine rushed in out of breath as Selphie tried to straighten her hair. "Sorry," she apologized breathlessly. "We were over in the Training Center, fighting off a couple of Grats." She winked at Irvine. "This one fell asleep on me!" Irvine threw his hands up in the air. "It's not MY fault!" he said. "I was..." Cid held up his hand to cut Irvine off. "I'm sure you can share the fascinating details with us later. For now, however, I have more important matters to attend to. It seems as if peace cannot last for long. But let's not begin with the bad news." He swung his arm around towards the new cadets. "I'd like to introduce you to a few of our other top SeeDs who will be accompanying you on your missions." The five saluted again sharply. "Rayden, Calee, and Brennan will be heading to Deling City with you, Seifer. The new President is holding a celebration of peace and has asked a delegation from each Garden to be sent to participate in the festivities." Cid sent a sharp glance to Seifer. "Calee is in charge on this mission. I expect orders to be obeyed, Seifer. This is your only and last chance. I wouldn't send you at all but President Caraway specifically requested your presence." Rinoa narrowed her eyes as Seifer grinned at her. "Guess your old man's finally warming up to me," he smirked. "Enough of that," Cid warned. "As for the rest of you, you'll be heading to Esthar. Dr. Odine has disappeared and the President asked for you five to come." He turned to Rinoa. "Laguna requested your presence as well, Rinoa, but of course it will remain your decision. I'm also sending Aeryn and Lyanna with you. It's time they saw some action. Any questions?" he finished, looking to each one of them in turn. "No? Well, best of luck to you all then. Both teams leave at 0600 hours tomorrow morning. If there is nothing further, you are all dismissed." Cid turned around and headed back up the lift, and the others wandered their way to the elevator. Rinoa glanced back to make sure Seifer wasn't in hearing range. "Why would Father want to see Seifer?" she whispered to Squall. Squall shook his head. "I don't know," he answered, but I have a feeling we're going to find out..." Rinoa stretched as she walked down the ramp of the Ragnarok, blinking in the harsh morning sun. She still hadn't gotten used to the early morning missions. At least she had managed a quick nap on the way over - any excuse to sneak a little time in Squall's arms. Irvine was already outside, loading his gun. Selphie stood beside him, nervously bouncing her nunchaku against her shoulder. "Kinda quiet," she whispered to Irvine. Rinoa noticed that fact too as Squall came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. "Enjoy your nap?" he asked. She nodded and smiled at him sleepily. Her face suddenly betrayed a hint of worry. "No one's here to meet us," she told him. Squall looked around with concern. "That's odd... Laguna should have been expecting us..." "Is there a problem?" Quistis asked as Zell and the new recruits emerged from the Ragnarok behind her. Squall turned to her. "Something's wrong. There's no one out on the streets. Be on your guard," he said, pulling his gunblade from his belt. He nodded towards the new SeeDs. "Make sure you stay near somebody." Irvine tipped his hat to Lyanna. "Irvine Kinneas in your service, ma'am," he said with a wink. Selphie kicked him in the shin and he jumped, moaning as he grabbed his leg. "Awww, Sefie, what was that for? I was just trying to be helpful, baby!" She snorted and gave him a reproving glare. Irvine laughed nervously as the three paired up. "And you can stay with me," Zell piped up, beating his fists in the air near Aeryn. "Nobody gets through me!" "Just be careful," Squall warned. "Let's head to the Presidential Palace." "OR PERHAPS NOT!" a loud voice rumbled. They grabbed their weapons as a hideous monster descended from the sky. Short, stubby fur covered its body from its snout to the large pointed claws on its hands and feet. Great wings sprouted from its back, knocking them back with a powerful wind. "Get ready!" Squall shouted, tightening his grip on his gunblade. "What is it?" Selphie shouted. Rinoa's fists tightened with recognition. "It's a GF!" she called. "Great," Irvine said as he twirled his gun. "That's all the bad guys need." The monster turned to Rinoa, its great mouth twisting into a hideous grin. "WELL DONE, MY DEAR. YOU MUST BE THE LITTLE SORCERESS I WAS SENT TO WAIT FOR. I AM THE MIGHTY ARAGON, AND YOU ALL WILL DIE!" Without warning, the great beast reared up on his haunches, bellowing a tremendous roar. "LIGHTNING STRIKE!" he called, jumping into the air and furiously swinging his massive claws at his opponents. Rinoa shrieked as his hands swiped just in front of her face and she quickly ducked out of the way. Aragon's wings had called forth a massive dust storm and she shielded her eyes and coughed in the whirlwind. "Squall?!?" she called, frantically trying to find him as the monster's roar filled her ears. Suddenly, silence filled the air and she froze, her hand ready at the trigger of her weapon. A deep throated laughter reverberated through the stillness as the air finally began to clear. Aragon still stood, his sides heaving with laughter. Rinoa noticed the still forms at his feet. "No!" she cried, running towards them. "Angelo, help me!" Her dog came running from the Ragnarok as she frantically tried to pull a Pheonix Down from her pouch. She threw the magical potion at Squall. "Come on...," she whispered, shaking him slightly. Aragon laughed above her, and she wondered why he hadn't attacked her yet. As Squall began to stir, she left him with a Potion and ran over to Selphie. Angelo barked nearby as the rest of her friends slowly tried to sit up. They weakly grasped their weapons, valiantly preparing for another round against the fiend. With a sharp cry, Rinoa shot her weapon at the monster, though it barely made a streak across his thick chest. Aragon's laughter thundered around them. "ARE YOU READY TO PLAY AGAIN?" he asked mockingly. With one quick sweep of his arm, he raked his gigantic claws through the party. "Watch out!" Zell called weakly, throwing himself in front of Aeryn to shield her. She screamed as his body fell limply on top of her. Rinoa gasped as she once again emerged miraculously unscathed, completely baffled. Why was she the only one not being attacked? The sight of her comrades lying unconscious before the cruel monster sparked a heat of rage deep within her. She couldn't allow the beast to hurt her friends any longer. "That's ENOUGH!" she shouted, feeling down deep within herself for her forbidden powers. They boiled, writhing as they tried to reach the surface. She grimaced as the terrible power seethed within her, but she knew it was the only way. Stretching her hands forward, a small ball of energy suddenly appeared. "FINAL ARMAGGEDON!" she cried, sending the ball of energy towards Aragon. It stremed outwards from her hands, a dark energy that swirled around the enemy and bathed him in an eerie light. Aragon roared and batted at the strange symbols that spun wildly around him, but they nimbly evaded his grasp, spinning ever closer until they converged in a brilliant explosion of light and color. The beast's shout was lost in the thunderous noise. Rinoa uncovered her eyes as the intense light slowly faded, blinking as her vision adjusted. She gasped as the figure of Aragon still stood before her. 'It can't be!' she thought wildly. The great beast grunted, then slowly leaned backwards. Rinoa braced herself as the enormous beast hit the ground with an earth-shaking blow and slowly disappeared into a steaming vapor. With a relieved sigh, she sank to the ground, utterly exhausted from using the forbidden sorceress' magic. She glanced up at the others. They were beginning to stir again, each of them pulling healing potions from their pouches. Squall stood up, frantically looking around for Rinoa. He spotted her and jogged over, kneeling down beside her. "Are you all right?" he asked, clearly concerned. Rinoa nodded, falling into his arms. "I don't know how you did it," he told her, holding her tightly. Rinoa only sighed. He smiled down at her. "But thanks." "Everyone here?" Quistis called, stretching out her sore muscles. The others murmured an agreement. She smiled tightly. "You're here!" a voice called from behind, and they all exhaustedly turned, watching Laguna, Kiros, and Ward running towards them. Laguna leaned over, out of breath. "We got over here as soon as we could. I was afraid that thing had gotten you." "Rinoa stopped it," Aeryn said quietly, glancing back at the girl. Laguna nodded, walking over to where Squall was helping her to stand. "How's our heroine doing?" he asked. Rinoa managed a smile for him. "Where did that thing come from?" Squall asked. Laguna shrugged. "Your guess is as good as mine. It showed up the night Dr. Odine disappeared. It took care of the guards while some other men came in and grabbed the Doc. They left - unfortunately the monster decided to stay and wreak a little more havoc." Squall nodded solemnly. "Any idea who's behind it?" Laguna shook his head and Squall sighed. "Haven't a clue," Laguna told him. They took the plans for the time compression machine with them though." "The one the sorceress used to get back to our time?" Quistis asked with concern. "I thought Dr. Odine was going to destroy the plans for that!" Laguna shrugged. "Apparently not. His lab assistants said he just couldn't bring himself to do it. Though you all defeated Ultimecia, right? There shouldn't be anything to worry about." "I suppose not," Squall said, glancing over where Aragon had made his final stand. Nothing was making sense to him, though he had the nagging feeling that trouble was coming. He met Laguna's eyes. "We'll find him." "I knew you would," Laguna said, giving Squall a swift pat on the shoulder. "I knew I could count on you guys." "If there's nothing else we can do here, we'd better head back to Garden," Squall said, motioning the others back on the ship. "Maybe the Headmaster will have some ideas..." ----------------------------------------------------------------------- End of Part III - And the intrigue deepens. Who was behind the attack and where has Dr. Odine mysteriously disappeared to? Next time, a startling discovery shakes up the peace at Garden... How'd you like it? Let me know! squalls_angel@lycos.com -------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is MY story, and cannot be distributed and/or used for commercial purposes without my permission. You know the drill. :)