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FF Odyssey
Fan Fiction
Final Fantasy VIII: Final Call
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(Chapter)
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11 12
13 Epilogue |
The next, day, everyone was assembled in the remains of the ballroom. The balcony was cordoned off with ropes, and most of the damage had been cleared away. Miles sat on the floor by the balcony, his head against the wall and eyes closed. Squall stood on a makeshift podium, elevating him above the crowd. He read off the damage reports.
“…Training center: partial loss, dormitory: no loss, classrooms: no loss, cafeteria: partial loss, and finally… MD level: major loss. I’d also like to report one casualty. That of Jasmine Farway. Her loss is more than a loss to her friends; it is a loss to everyone in Garden. We all remember her blend of humor and intelligence. She brightened up any day. She will be missed.”
Miles groaned and buried his face in his hands. Everyone tried to avoid staring.
“Now… this is tragic for all of us, but… I have more bad news, not as bad, but bad. Garden has lost the ability to move. We’re near Fisherman’s Horizon, so I shall be sending over a few teams, including myself, to the area. We will request help there, and I’ll need more people to proceed with me to Esthar. I’ll be making those announcements later.
***
Jasmine’s funeral services were long, and heartfelt. Miles was in no condition to deliver a eulogy, so instead, Lee did. Afterwards, Miles retreated to his room, where he proceeded to pull out his gunblade and smash the mirror.
He was cleaning the glass half-heartedly, when the loudspeaker came active.
Squall’s voice was loud and commanding, “Will Miles Animus, Lee Reist, Quistis Trepe, Zell Dincht, Selphie Tilmett, Irvine Kinneas and Seifer Almasy report to my office immediately?”
Miles shrugged and headed for the office.
***
He was the last one there, and Rinoa was also there, although not called for. Squall stood behind his desk, while the others were assorted in the room. Miles leaned back against the wall.
Squall nodded and began, “I’m guessing you all know why you’re here. You’ve been selected to make the FH mission. Now, it’s quite simple. We will take a few rafts out to FH, then I shall contact the mayor, and convince him to get his crews to repair Garden.”
Selphie raised an eyebrow questioningly, “Squall, do we need all of us for that?”
“Good question, that brings me to point number two. You, Irvine, Quistis and Zell will stay at FH, and help with the repair effort. Meanwhile, Miles, Lee, Seifer, Rinoa and I will continue for Esthar. There we will commission the use of the Ragnorak, and complete a contract.”
Seifer nodded.
“Once that’s done, we’ll return the Ragnorak, and head back to Garden. Questions? Thought not. Pack up, and meet at the Infirmary. Doctor Kadowaki wants to check us all before we leave.”
Everyone left, and Rinoa walked up to Squall.
“Was that smart?”
“What do you mean?”
“Sending Miles on this? He’s unstable. He’s ready to crack Squall. Give him a rest.”
Squall sat down, “I know, I know, but this is the best thing for him. If he dwells on it, he’ll start blaming himself, and once that cycle starts… no! We need to keep him active.”
She nodded, “I hope you’re right.”
He sighed and looked at the elevator, as if expecting something, “I hope so too.”
***
Miles collapsed into a chair in the waiting room after Kadowaki’s examination. The tests were plain-out annoying. First the usual stuff associated with a physical. Then, she proceeded with the more in-depth testing, x-rays, and other minor does of radiation to test various statuses of his body. After all was said and done, she told him to wait outside while she double-checked some of the tests. He reluctantly agreed.
A few moments passed before Squall and Rinoa walked in to the infirmary. Miles gave them a look, and then looked back down.
Squall coughed, “Miles, what’s the problem?”
Miles stared at Squall questioningly.
“Dr. Kadowaki told us that there was something with your tests she found very important.”
Miles shrugged, and then Dr. Kadowaki walked in and plopped a large folder down onto the desk. She looked around the room, “Squall, Rinoa, I’m glad you came.”
Rinoa cocked her head, “You expected us not to come?”
“Well… I know you two are busy, and the message didn’t suggest too much.”
Squall shook his head, “The health of the people in Garden is a top concern.”
Dr. Kadowaki threw back her head and laughed heartily, “I never thought I’d hear you say THAT.” Her face turned grim, “Unfortunately, this problem is on a much darker tone, I think.”
Squall took a seat next to Miles, “You think?”
Rinoa sat on the other side of Miles and took his hand in hers to comfort him.
Kadowaki began, “Well, I ran the usual tests on Miles, X-Ray, exposure, c-scan, MRI, you know. However, when I ran the energy trace tests, I got something I’ve never seen before.”
She pulled out a few charts that Miles vaguely recognized having seen during his science classes.
She set them up on a board, “You’re all familiar with the energy trace charts, right?” Upon seeing their confusion, she nodded, “Okay, I’ll run over it. It’s simple; the rays do a quick scan of your body, then give off a different color on the charts, depending on energy detected. You’re all familiar with the theory that certain people are inclined to using different magic abilities, thus making certain people more compatible with different GFs, right?”
All nodded.
“Good, well, what this scan detects, is what kind of abilities are most compatible with your body. Um… red represents mystical, green for healing, blue for elemental, and orange for time/space, just to name a few. However, the scan on Miles gave me something new. He had the usuals associated with males, traces of red and a bit of blue. He also had some orange, but more importantly he had a bright yellow. I couldn’t even remember what yellow was, and it took me some time to find out. You all know that time/space magic allows distortion of time, well, as it turns out, there is another distortion. This type is much more serious, and not temporary or location based, like others. This one allows you to change the past.”
Miles’ head jumped.
“Unfortunately, this type takes a lot to use. Pretty much more energy than any one person possesses. The only known case of a person being able to do something like this is Ellone Loire.”
Squall nodded, “And we all know how THAT turned out.”
“Right, well, the Ultemicia threat is pretty well gone now. Besides there are two reasons why I wouldn’t worry about Miles using this.”
“Those are?”
“First off, it requires an enormous source of energy. Way more than Miles could ever conjure up. No offense. He would require a huge boost of energy to do it. Now… the second part is… this is only temporary in a way. Physically, his body would disappear from modern time. He spiritually, would be able to go to wherever he desires, and make his change. Unfortunately, in order to correct the paradox effect, the time-space continuum would eliminate Miles.”
Rinoa let a small choke out, “Eliminate?”
“Now, this is theoretical. His physical body would remain, but consciously, he would be effectively dead.”
“Effectively?”
“That is up to him. He would be trapped in time, if you will, but, if he had the drive, he could rise himself beyond that, to the… ethereal plane.”
“Death.”
“Yes.”
“With no way of recovery?”
“It would take more power than the combination of Adel, Ultemicia, and Rinoa.”
“So, an unequaled amount of power. No chance.”
“Yes.”
There was a long silence. Squall looked over to Miles, “Well? Don’t you have something to say?”
Miles shook his head.
***
No. This isn’t real. She’s alive, I’m alive, everyone is happy.
Miles felt his foot crunch the soft earth beneath his foot. The fields were beautiful, with grass stretching two feet up into the air. Miles ran his hand across it as he continued to walk. Off in the distance he could see a house. It was familiar, he knew who lived there.
I live there.
He allowed a grin, and tried to take another step. His feet didn’t respond. He didn’t move. He could hear a voice calling his name. He tried harder to run, but nothing.
“Miles…. Miles…. MILES!”
Miles snapped into reality. Irvine stood over him, staring in intense fascination.
“You alright, kid?”
Miles nodded, slowly.
Irvine sat down beside him. They were on a raft, closing on Fisherman’s Horizon. It would only be a few minutes.
“Miles, I want you to know, we’re all worried about you. I mean, you’ve been through a lot, I know, but you haven’t talked since… well since it happened. I know this hit you pretty hard, but you have to talk to us.”
Miles shook his head.
“Alright, here’s the deal, you’re going to tell me one word, right now. How do you feel?”
Miles was tiring of the game, “Rage.”
Irvine doubled over with laughter, “Man, you’re a regular Fujin!”
Miles stood and jabbed a finger at Irvine, “Yeah, rage! I’m pissed off with you! Why the hell can’t you just leave me alone! I just lost the only thing in my life that mattered to me, and all you people want to do is pester me about it! Well piss off! Jasmine was everything to me. This hurt me more than anything ever hurt me before. It feels like something inside of me is missing. My very essence. I don’t have a reason to go on with life, yet I do, and I don’t know why! To add to it, I’m hearing this crap about how I have the power to change time, but I can’t do it! Still, you all can’t just leave me alone! FUCK YOU!”
Irvine grinned, “Don’t you feel better now?”
Miles stood blankly, unable to think for a minute, then, he sat down and shook his head, “Yeah. Thanks.”
Irvine nodded, “Glad I could help.”
***
Fisherman’s Horizon was dull. It was VERY dull. Miles found himself unable to even think straight. Squall was off talking with the mayor, and everyone was just lounging around outside the mayor’s home. Miles turned around, looking at the plating, then he covered his eyes as the sun reflected off of a series of plates and impaired his sight.
That’s probably the most exciting thing that will happen here.
Lee sat next to Miles on the ground, “How you doing, man?”
Miles nodded, “Better.”
“Hey look, after we finish this thing, we’re gonna do it up right, y’know? Ah, we’re gonna find her parents in Balamb, see what we can do about getting her a nice spot in the plains.”
Miles nodded, “She’d like that.”
Lee patted Miles on the back, “Then that’s what we’ll do.” With that, Lee got up and left Miles alone.
Squall walked outside a few minutes later, “Okay everyone, they’re going to send mechanics over. You all know the deal. It’s late right now, so we’ll have to just rest here. Mayor Dobe assures me that we can catch a train to Esthar tomorrow. Meanwhile, we’re free to use the hotel.
Miles looked back at Squall, “All of us? That’s gonna be a bit expensive.”
Squall shook his head, “Free. They owe us big time here.”
Miles shrugged.
***
The house was closer now. Not much closer, but closer. He could make out a few figures in the distance. He didn’t know who they were, but he knew that he knew them. The sky was darker this time. The sun was setting, and the figures by the house were gesturing for him to come. Miles eagerly began to run, but once again, his feet didn’t move. He yelled and threw up his arms.
A little voice inside his head said, “ding.”