Final Fantasy - All Series Fan Fiction ❯ Domestic ❯ Repercussions ( Chapter 10 )

Domestic

WARNINGS:

1) I do not own FF8, Squaresoft, or get any profit out of this story

2) Rated PG-13 for violence, language, and sexual content

Chapter 10: Repercussions

Zell was never happier. It finally happened. With a face that was scaring underclassmen, Wix packed up his dorm. Zell stood idly in the hallway. Wix would occasionally throw something heavy, and the blonde was getting a kick out of his tantrum. Several other students also paused at his door, trying to find out what the occasional crashes and explosions were. Half an hour later, Wix emerged from his dorm with his suitcase.

"Bye man!" Zell called. "Be sure to apply next year."

"You'll pay," Wix glared. "I swear, your little Garden's going to pay."

Zell laughed and waved goodbye. Today was a fine day indeed.

(**********)

Travis woke up at 1000 hours the next day. He woke up to a rush of pain. His left hip was heavily bandaged, and he saw a bloody bullet on the tray next to his bed. "At least it's out," he muttered to himself. Stretching, he couldn't find anymore injuries. His shirt was on the floor beside his bed. In the pockets, he found Demitrius. His right glove was somewhat bloody, but his left one was fine. Then it came rushing back to him. Wix was nowhere to be found. The gunblade was nowhere to be found. He started to panic. How come Wix didn't touch him after he threw his punch? What happened to Wix? Did Seifer find the gunblade? Was he in trouble? Was he expelled?

"Oh! You are awake," Dr. Kadowaki smiled, bringing him back to reality. "As you can see, the gunshot wound was minor. After a few more cures you should be good to go. I'll probably release you tomorrow."

"Where's Wix?"

"Um…I'm not allowed to disclose that," Dr. Kadowaki said anxiously. "Zell said he wanted to stop by today. I'm sure he'll answer all your questions."

"Uh…ok," Travis mumbled.

"Try to get some more sleep. We'll try another cure at 1300 hours."

(**********)

"You awake?"

"Now I am," Travis grumbled, rolling onto his side.

Zell stood next to his bed with a smug smile on his face.

"What happened?" Azerton asked.

"Yesterday was a great day my friend."

"Wait, start from the beginning," Travis yawned. "What happened to Wix?"

"He's no longer with us."

"What?"

"Squall expelled him last night. I believe he's back in Centra right now."

Travis's blood went cold. "Wait, did you find me in the training center?"

"Not me. Seifer did though."

"Oh no…" Travis moaned.

"No, he saved you actually. From what I hear, Wix was about to slice you real good, but Seifer pounded him."

"So I'm not in trouble?"

"Hahaha," Zell laughed. "Nah, Squall pretty much knew how it went down. Seifer backed you up too."

"Seifer?"

"Yeah. I didn't think he would either, but Wix stole Hyperion. He's now on Seifer's shit list."

"All right," Travis sighed, dropping his head back to the pillow. "I thought I was screwed there."

"Nah, I got your back. That's it really. I got to go. Dr. Kadowaki wants to give you another cure."

"Thanks man," Travis nodded.

"No prob. See ya."

"Oh yeah, Zell?"

"What?"

"I want to train again."

Zell smiled. "I saw you hit Wix with Demitrius."

"Yeah I…"

"ZELL QUIT WASTING TIME AND GET OUT!!" Dr. Kadowaki roared.

"We'll continue training on Monday," Zell squeaked. "See ya."

"Later."

(**********)

The next morning was picturesque. Travis awoke 700 hours. It was unusual for him, but his hip kept bugging him. Dr. Kadowaki said he could leave whenever he woke up, so he threw on his blood stained shirt left. The Garden was cold. The once warm autumn was now turning into a bitter winter. He looked out the Front Gate and saw a good three inches of snow on the ground. It was early enough that the powder was still fresh. No footprints were tearing through the perfectly placed snow. Smiling to himself, Azerton trudged back to his warm dorm.

"You're back!" Riene squeaked, wrapping him in a giant hug. "Dr. Kadowaki wouldn't let me visit. She's so mean."

"You're telling me," Travis muttered, awkwardly hugging her back.

"You have to tell me everything! Did you hear? Wix got expelled!"

"Yeah, I heard."

"I heard he got his nose broken! Did you do it?"

"I don't know. It was sorta hazy," Azerton smiled, breaking away and sitting on the couch. Riene sat right next to him. If she was any closer she would have been sitting on him. It was unusual behavior for her, but Travis shrugged it off and sank into the seat.

"Travis?"

"What?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For being my roommate."

Travis looked at her strangely. She had a small smile on her face and was turning a bright red.

"Just thanks."

"You're welcome," Travis said quietly.

The room fell to silence, as Riene ran out of things to say. To avoid the awkwardness, Travis flipped on the television.

"This is Balamb 7 broadcasting live from the town of Balamb. Around 600 hours, Cid Kramer arrived by boat to the harbor. He traveled with his wife Edea. This marks the first time Cid has stepped foot in Balamb in over two years. When questioned by Luna Tither upon his return, his statements were vague and brief."

The screen flashed back to earlier today. The snow covered Balamb was still in darkness, and Cid stood beside a reporter.

"Why have you returned to Balamb today?" the reporter questioned.

"I have business with Balamb Garden," Cid smirked, forcing a smile. Edea crawled out of the ship behind them. She smiled and then got out of the camera's way.

"Would you care to disclose your business?"

"My business is my own."

The screen then flashed back to the present, and a 'live' sign appeared at the bottom right.

"Any idea why Cid Kramer has made his return to Balamb, Luna?" the broadcaster asked.

"Cid would not disclose his mission to me, and he only stayed about fifteen minutes in town. However, I think this may have to do with the recent hiring of wanton criminal, Seifer Almasy. I heavily doubt that Cid is happy with this change in faculty."

"Interesting," the broadcaster smiled. "We'll keep you informed. Thank you Luna."

Travis clicked off the TV. "Oh shit…"

(**********)

"GET UP!" Seifer yelled through Zell's door. His wrist was beginning to sting, as he'd been knocking for the last twenty minutes. Growing angrier, Seifer kicked the door as hard as he could.

Groggily, Zell got out of bed. He looked through the peephole and saw an especially pissed Seifer standing outside. "What do you want now?" Zell whined.

"Get out here now, Chicken Wuss," Seifer growled. "Squall's in trouble."

"What?"

"Cid's here! Don't make me knock the door down."

"Shit!" Zell exclaimed. "I'll be right out."

(**********)

Seifer had rallied the troops. Zell, Selphie, Irvine, Rinoa, Xu, and Quistis were all crammed into the elevator heading to the third floor. All were ready to back up their commander. They made their way to the third floor and burst into Squall's office.

Leonhart, Cid, and Edea were taken aback. A small army had just invaded their private meeting. With Hyperion in the lead, the group formed a circle around the desk.

"Well this is an unexpected surprise," Cid smiled softly. "However, this doesn't involve you."

"I think it does," Seifer sneered. "How about you go back to Centra?"

"You were brought out of the D-District Prison on special conditions Mr. Almasy," Cid said, still smiling. "I realize that was a mistake. I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I can't let you continue teaching at the Garden."

"No," Squall muttered.

"Mr. Leonhart, you will only be taking a demotion," Cid smiled. "You're still a member of SeeD. Don't do anything stupid."

"I'm not leaving," Seifer barked.

"I care to differ. You think you can burst into any meeting toting a gunblade and expect results? I believe that was your downfall last time round, wasn't it Mr. Almasy?"

Seifer just glared.

"Well Squall," Cid continued, diverting his attention to the brunette. "You've made some good calls and some bad calls. You're just not the kind of leader the Garden needs right now. Step down. Me and Edea have agreed to retake control of the Garden."

"No," Squall restated.

"What?"

"I refuse to step down."

"Hahaha. Squall this is our Garden. Finances are paid from our pockets."

"We'll survive," Squall said stoically. "We make enough funds to be self sufficient."

"Yeah, and all this will do is cause a division," Selphie whined. "Is that what you want? Another NORG on our hands."

"Maybe it is," Cid snarled, losing his temper. "See how long you can keep your castle. Come on Edea, we're leaving."

(**********)