Chapter 7: The End of the Beginning

[ST]

OMG, I'm terribly sorry for the half-arsed post a while back. *bangs head* I read it again and it made me angry hahaha School problems as usual. ;D
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In the main lobby of Balamb Garden, the leaders and founders of Garden have gathered together with all the functioning SeeDs--there are only about 20 others left standing excluding the Trinity team--under them. Curaga spells and bandages fly around the busy area for the sake of the injured. Captured DotNas are tied in a single file near the entrance and there are dead bodies everywhere.

"The commander and the SeeDs under him aren't here yet," Quistis tells Xu, exhaustion is evident in her tone. They have lost many lives today.

Just then, an explosion occurs near the main elevator causing everyone to jump on their toes. The tube-like glass that houses the elevator including its platform shatter to pieces and dust and debris rain everywhere. As the smoke clears away, a gigantic griffin looms upon the SeeDs and on it are Squall and his troops, all covered with blood.

Vanesse jumps down together with the others and pats her GF. "Good job!"

"Looks like the late Headmaster Cid really wasn't drunk when he appointed you commander, Squall." Xu greets them rather blandly. "But what happened up there? You all look like--"

"We've secured the Trinity sword." Squall says in a hurry, surprised at the amount of dead bodies littering the place.

"--And the wise guy who calls himself Adel's b!tch," Zell finishes, hauling Weiss body on his sturdy shoulder. The sight of him unconscious instantly causes unrest among the tied DoTNAs.

"We need more medical attention here!" Irvine shouts at the other medics. "These girls aren't exactly in top shape."



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Everyone

There isn't much time to recover but all of your injuries have already been given basic treatment. Though not 100% healthy, you should be fine for now.

During your treatment, Polaris and Gemma tell everyone about Adel's plan to turn Balamb Garden into a guardian force and devour everyone in it, an information they got from the DotNA leader. The only way to stop the transition is by destroying the heart. Stardust, Jun, and Blaze then inform everyone of a weird pathway located on the roof of the Garden. The superiors decided that that will be their next destination.

"For now, we're safe." Selphie nods.

"I won't count on that," Seifer says. "I'm sure Adel has already noticed that her lackeys failed. There's only one thing to do now that she can't absorb any more energy to fatten her ass."

"You mean kill Rinoa?" Quistis blurts out. "Rinoa's power has increased. She can't kill her that easily. Besides, the ritual for the Trinity is almost complete the only thing to do now is..."

Squall Leonhart sternly faces the Trinity SeeDs.

"Listen up, and listen good," he starts, thrusting the Trinity sword on the floor and widening his stance. The three gems have been placed on the hilt. "We are forbidden to enter Adel's fortress, so you have to do the final task on your own. You are to take the Trinity Sword and plunge it deep into Adel's chest. It doesn't matter who does it. I want everyone to work together to make it happen. No matter what happens, you must accomplish this." He looks at everyone one by one. "I can't guarantee your safety this time, and there's a possibility that one of you will die. If your heart isn't in to it, then I won't force you to make a cause." The words are directed to the SeeDs, more specifically to the Opps.

"What do you say?" Squall looks at them.

"What this man means to say is," Seifer walks beside Squall and crosses his arms. "Any last words, punks?"

[stardust]

Gah, indirect rudeness in full-force *is ashamed of this charrie*
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Stardust was feeling better than she had a while ago, and she didn't have to call out her GF either. Squall and Seifer's words of encouragement had just sunk into her. Everything she had been working hard for all would come to this very moment. Stardust had shed tears and blood for this. She made it. She could feel her hands get a bit shaky, but it wasn't fear--far from it.

The pinkhead didn't know if it was Seifer's intimidating face or Squall's, but noone seemed to be desperate enough to be in this death march any more than she did. If there was, he/she would've beaten her in carrying the Trinity Sword. Of course, why would she even wonder.

/Don't kid me, you'll fight with whoever it is that beats you to the sword./ Diwata lightly said. /Attention whore./ She chuckled mischievously.

I thought you'll say psycho.

Stepping forward to where Squall and Seifer was, she gave her teammates a glance that screamed "the-sword-is-mine-you-chickens".

"Sounds like fun, Commander." Stardust nodded, and held out a hand for the sword. "Leave the sword to us." She sounded purely hypocritical.

Squall nodded and handed her the sword.

[Polaris Lyn]

"So our objectives are to defeat Adel and secure Sorceress Rinoa's safety?" Polaris asked calmly, drawing Regen from a cadet to replenish her stock. She felt the warmth of the spell fill her up, and she felt better, still tired, very exhausted--- but she didn't feel like collapsing, even if she looked like a total mess. She carried herself calmly, back straight, expression very guarded, very cold--- she had collected herself now. No weakness, no breaking, this was it, there was no way she was going to waver in this mission.

Her dark eyes lingered on Stardust for a moment, and then she glanced away, her voice very even. "Don't lose that, Infinity."

[Hadrian D'arcell]

Hadrian thought about Squall's little briefing. He could lose his life, or so they said. If that happened, he wouldn't be able to find his parents, or create the ultimate software that would make everyone worship him, or even find whatever it was he was missing. But if they get through this, they would be heroes and he would be in history books, and he could meet a lot of chicks and hook up with twice as more. That way, he could gather up some datas to be stored in his 'puter and successfully open a business in harem industry. With that as his part-time job, he would be rich. Yep, he certainly could die for that.

Before he knew it, some pinkhead in a bloody shirt beat him to the sword. It wasn't like he was crazy enough to jump in front of Adel with the sword, so he could care less who carried it. Although, it was a good thing the dirty glances Stardust and Polaris shared didn't blossom into something else.

"If she's willing to die first, then let her." Hadrian grinned, placing a hand on his pocket. "Honestly, who would expect a SeeD to quit in a middle of a mission? Is this like a trick question? " He scratched his head and stepped forward to join Stardust and Polaris. "Not falling."

[Jun and Rayden]

"As SeeDs placed on this mission I think we would've expected to have a higher risk of death than the others. Otherwise we wouldn't have been picked or even lasted five minutes on it." Jun's voice was firm, her strides steady when she moved forward to join the ever-growing group of gungho kamikaze fighters aka her teammates. She shot a look at Stardust.

I knew she would be the one who carries the sword. She thought with a satisfied smirk.

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Rayden knew if he wise-cracked anything inappropriate at that moment he would probably have his head bitten off. Besides, not as if the atmosphere called for that. He would just wait until the 'parental authorities" were away and work his magic on the ladies later.

"Yeah what they said about summarises it." He strode casually at stood near Stardust, discretely eyeing the way she held the Trinity Sword. Almost as if her life depends on it.

[Blaze Sanaku]

ROTFLMAO HADRIAN XD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

---

Blaze's eyes swept back and forth from teammate to teammate. Squall's offer to let people sit out didn't even faze her but she wondered if it would affect anyone else. She had a feeling that nobody would back down though. This mission was far too important to sit out on. Anyone who did would be looked down upon for the rest of their lives as a coward. SeeDs were trained not to fear death. There was no way that anybody would pass up a chance to defeat Adel.

Even if someone did die, they would still be looked upon as a hero and for Blaze, that was the best way to die.

"Commander I assure you that none of us would want to pass up the honor to defeat Sorceress Adel," Blaze said, almost snidely. She tried not to look at Stardust's direction. When Squall had given her the sword to hold on to, Blaze burned with jealousy.

Over my dead body will Stardust be the one to kill Adel

[Diego Stanton]

Deo was really tired. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gone this long without falling asleep. His mind drifted off to soft downy pillows and warm blankets. Not to mention a TV.. and some pancakes. Yeah, eating pancakes while watching TV in bed.

His eyelids slowly got heavier and heavier. No! He couldn't fall asleep! Deo remembered the last time he fell asleep standing up. Vanesse had painted a clown face on him and he walked around the entire day like that. He had been so confused as to why everyone was snickering at him and why little kids kept following him.

The weight of his eyelids was overpowering though. Before he knew it he had fallen asleep.

Blaze looked at Deo in confusement. "Is he...?" she asked, unsure of if he was asleep or not. She'd never seen anyone sleep while standing up before.

[Stella]

Stella was sore.

She had been fixed up but the curagas didn't stop the tiredness and ache that tore through her body. Her wound had been grievous, something unlike anything she had ever felt before.

Standing there among the other SeeD. even though she was hurting, she felt confident and ready. It seemed the other team had learned a lot more then they had. All the had done was traipse through a nasty ass room and then the boys almost killed each other. Remembering it made her want to sigh out loud. But she held it in and just shot each one the boys on her team a short dirty look, excluding Seifer of course.

When Stardust stepped forward she notched an eyebrow and just gave a short nod. It didn't matter who struck the final blow to kill Adel just as long at it got done.

Stella didn't feel the need to answer Seifer. The blood caking her body and clothes spoke volumes. She was in this to stay, no matter what.

[vanesse]

AHAHAHAHAHAH DEO CRACKS ME UPXDXD Of all places...XD
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"Is he...?"

Vanesse went beside Blaze. "He's just thinking deeply," she told her. "This is no laughing matter afterall." Which was true, since she was sure the group would've preferred someone dozing off out of the blue than someone who would just randomly laugh out loud like Able.

Able.

"Stopping Adel is the Opps number one goal, and for the pride of our teammates, we're going to fight with you too!" She slapped Deo on the back and looked at Jaime. She was sure she was thinking the same thing. Nevermind the stickiness of the dried blood on her clothes, nevermind the physical exhaustion she was feeling, she wanted to see this so-called "Evil Sorceress" who had been tormenting people ruthlessly.

"You would let us come with you, right??" She looked hopefully at the SeeDs. "I think we've already proven how reliable we are in battle, and besides, you guys aren't so bad afterall. What are friends for." She grinned.

[Jaime]

"We won't be hampering you when you're charging for Adel's life, that's for sure." Jaime said after returning Van's look at her, nodding at her friend slightly. "'Of course we realise that the Evil Sorceress would most certainly be killed by you SeeDs but you can count on us to lend the support. I noticed that most of you probably lack healing magic? That's where Van and I can be helpful while Deo..." She moved nearer to the dozing sleepyhead, jabbing him subtly in the side with her elbow "...his bombs would definitely come in handy somehow."

[Jax Ridean]

Deo...a narcoleptic..
Seeing the pyro SeeD pass out standing up, Jax couldn't resist letting out a loud cackle.

"But seriously now," he cleared his throat, "I'm on the same boat as you too are. I know that I haven't been assigned to this mission for as long you others have. I mean, can't really consider myself one of the group yet right?" Suddenly his eyes went soft and gooey as he slung an arm around Hadrian. "But if I have to sacrifice this beautiful body in order to save my teammates..." he paused dramatically, "It will all be worth it as long as we...BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF THIS SORCERESS BITCH!"

Silence set in as Jax was met with blank faces staring back at him with slight confusion.

Oh god...
Rolling her eyes in exasperation, Gemma cast a glare at her little brother and promptly spoke up.

"He means that we're going too Commander."

Jax nodded, "Yeah, and one more thing." He grinned sheepishly, "On this mission, Commander Leonhart--do you think we will be in any need of any airway assistance?"

[ST]

LOL XD Ahhh myacuuu *glomps*
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Hadrian was jerked forcefully when Jax threw an arm around him and yelled like one of those drunks in a pub. If this pilot couldn't consider himself as one of the group yet,then what more for him? He was as much of a stranger as Stella, Jax, and Gemma were.

He laughed at Jax, cocking his head. "They say people get hysterical when their days are numbered." That was Trabians way of saying 'right on, dude!'. Really.


Everyone


"On this mission, Commander Leonhart--do you think we will be in any need of any airway assistance?" Jax asks Squall with a sheepish grin.

"Good question," he answers. "For now, we're not sure if there's a functional airship available, but--"

"We're all set. There's a DoTNA airship sitting outside." Selphie and Irvine runs back to join the squad. "We've just confirmed it. And as a transfer SeeD from Trabia Garden, I'm confident that Jax has the proper training in piloting any types of airship there is." Selphie beams proudly and points at him. "Trabians are no pushy-pushy, right?" She looks straight at Jax, the kind of look that tells you that "no" is not an option.

~*~

In a matter of minutes, the team is ushered by Squall and the others towards the airship. They stand in a single file at the base of the airship and give the SeeDs a much needed salute as they board.

"Please come back alive." Quistis bids them. "We'll leave Rinoa to you," adds Xu.

"Right! We believe in you youngsters and all that jazz." Selphie winks at them.

Zell grins. "Damn, if I were 20 years younger, I would've jumped in with them to save Rin."

Seifer shoulders his gunblade and places a hand on his waist. "Give it up."

Irvine tips his hat. "Make us proud."

"We'll see you later." Squall nods and gazes at them sincerely as the hatch closes in on the SeeDs.

The next thing you know, you have lifted off and fast approaching the roof of Balamb Garden. Anticipations floods your body as you near the end of the mission. As short as the flight was, so does the airship's endurance. A tremendous turbulence shakes the airship, and it begins to crumble as if it hit an invisible wall, forcing everyone to make a sudden jump.

As you safely plant your feet on the Garden's roof, you are welcomed by an unfamiliar gothic bridge that is oddly connected to the Garden's structure. The chilling breeze caused by the clouds is overpowering and it makes it hard to see what is up ahead. Even the night sky looks pitch black. Right now, there is nothing but a bridge in front of you--a bridge that seems to go on forever.

[Hadrian D'arcell]

Hadrian exhaled, a puff of air coming out of his mouth. He thought he was going to die in "Jax's" airship before Adel could lay a hand on him. "I don't know what you're all thinking, but all I know is that we shouldn't march ahead mindlessly like Bla--I mean like a madman." It wouldn't hurt to be cautious.

[waterlily43]

"For once you may be right." Jun smirked at Hadrian. "So why don't we ask someone who's stepped on the bridge before? Blaze, did you see anything when you got on the bridge earlier?"

[Blaze Sanaku]

Blaze had already walked across three planks of the bridge when she heard Hadrian's comment behind her. She wheeled around and walked back to face him.

"WHO'S a madman??" she asked threateningly. "The bridge is fine, I almost walked across the whole thing. I mean, there's nothing-"

wait a second...

"Oh yeah I think I saw something staring at me last time I was here. I don't know what it was. Probably an imp or something. Well, excuse me, I have a mindless march ahead of me." Blaze began walking across the bridge again.