Hail all. Finally, my latest project has it first outing. Yes, I know this is a crossover, as the title of the piece suggests. Once I saw the clips of the game Dissidia:Final Fantasy, I knew I had to write somethingbased on it. Then I saw fanart called Dissidia Academy on DeviantART (look up the Dissidia art, there are some really funny ones.) I had already the idea, but that was when it really got going. I wasn't going to put this up for some time yet, but my friend sissyHIYAH encouraged me to do so, so the shoutout goes to her. Also to rorudesu-chan, who knows what I'm about with my XIII characters. Anyway, without further ado, here is the first chapter of Dissidia Academy. This isn't so much a High School fic as a we-all-are-here-because-of-school fic. Most of the story will revolve around the characters out of class. Besides, this isn't based off the American school system. I kinda tried to create my own here.
Many Arrivals
Characters:
1; The Warrior of Light and Garland. Both do not show up for most of the story but are looked up to by the others.
2; Firion, Maria, Guy, Leon, Emperor Mateus Palamecia
3; Luneth, Arc, Refia, Ingus, Sara, Desch, Salina, Cid, Medusa, Xande, Cloud of Darkness.
4; Cecil, Rosa, Kain, Edge, Rydia, Palom, Porom, Tellah, Edward, Yang, Golbez
5; Bartz, Faris, Lenna, Galuf, Krile, Exdeath
6; Terra, Locke, Celes, Edgar, Sabin, Cyan, Gau, Shadow, Relm, Strago, Setzer, Leo, Kefka, Gestahl
7; Cloud, Tifa, Zack, Aerith, Barret, Cid, Red, Vincent, Yuffie, Reeve, Rufus, Turks, Sephiroth, Genesis, Angeal, Kadaj, Yazoo, Loz, Weiss, Rosso, Nero, Azul, Shelke, Shalua, Shera, Marlene, Denzel
8; Squall, Rinoa, Irvine, Zell, Quistis, Selphie, Xu, Nida, Ellone, Seifer, Raijin, Fujin, Cid, Edea, Laguna, Caraway, Ultimecia
9; Zidane, Garnet, Vivi, Blank, Freya, Eiko, Amarant, Steiner, Beatrix, Kuja, Brahne
10; Tidus, Yuna, Rikku, Paine, Auron, Wakka, Lulu, Kiamhari, Seymour, Jecht
12; Vaan, Penelo, Ashe, Rasler, Balthier, Fran, Basch, Gabranth, Drace, Bergen, Zargabaath, Ghis, Vayne, Larsa
13; Lightning,
Versus 13; Noctis, Stella
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Minor characters: will be introduced over time. None will have a focal point in the story.
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Pairings:
Firion/Maria
Ingus/Sara, slight Luneth/Refia and Arc/Refia, but neither are set, more of her mothering of the two.
Cecil/Rosa, Kain/Rydia, Edge/every female character Edward/Anna
None in 5, but it seems that Bartz has a crush on both Faris and Lenna
Locke/Celes, Edgar/Every female, slight Terra/Leo and a paternal relationship between Shadow and Relm
Cloud/Tifa, slight Cloud/Aerith, Zack/Aerith, Cid/Shera, slight Vincent/Yuffie, Tseng/Elena, Reno/every female character, slight Angeal/Cissnei, Genesis/Rosso, Rufus/every female character
Squall/Rinoa, Irvine/Selphie, Seifer/Quistis, slight Raijin/Fujin, Zell/Library Girl, Laguna/Raine, Caraway/Julia
Zidane/Garnet, Steiner/Beatrix
Tidus/Yuna, Wakka/Lulu
Vaan/Penelo, Rasler/Ashe, Balthier/Fran, Gabranth/Drace
Noctis/Stella
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Advance! That was what rang in the young mans head as he stared at the large gates which marked the entrance to Dissidia Academy. Pearly white stone curved smoothly to meet with glossy black hinged gates which were wide open and welcoming. This was his first time here and, unsurprisingly, it frightened him somewhat. Not that he'd ever admit to being frightened. He lowered his gaze to the stream of people going in and out of the gates, mostly in, and thought to himself that he had never seen as large a group of people in his life. Completely absorbed in the daunting prospect before him, he was completely shocked when a hand fell on his arm. Spinning the young man found his gaze locked in a pair of liquid brown eyes, framed under a shock of purplish hair of all things. But then, it was always something he'd teased Maria over when they were children.
"Firion?" her calm voice, etched with concern came to his ears over the cacophony in the background, "Is everything okay?"
"Yeah." He answered slowly, "Just not used to seeing so many people here."
"Well then," the darker haired Leon walked up beside his sister, "Let's go and meet them all, shall we?"
Firion smiled. The way Leon had said "we" meant that the older man was supporting him on this daunting day, supporting them. None of them had ever been to Dissidia before and the new city and Academy was a shock to them all.
"Alright," the silver haired boy turned his blue gaze back on the road before him, "Let's rumble. Come on Guy!" the last part was called out to the young man standing behind them. Exceptionally tall and broad the young man was whistling to the birds in the hedge. At the sound of his name he looked up. With a broad smile that showed his nature Guy came up arm in arm with his friends. When he spoke his voice was surprisingly quiet.
"Yes."
Arm in arm, together in their comradeship, the four friends entered Dissidia Academy, right through its sculpted gates.
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A few metres from where the group had entered the academy gates, a bus pulled up and let the mountain of students it had onboard out. The last two out were a silver haired and a brown haired pair of boys. Luneth smiled at the amount of people in front of him, more specifically the number of girls, and nudged his friend Arc in the side.
"Dude! Check out the ladies!" he whispered to him.
Shorter and far shyer then his outgoing companion, Arc did not share his friends enthusiasm for the adventure.
"Look at all those people full stop."
Luneth threw a quick glance at his friend, but it was a typical Arc response. Arc had been almost consistently bullied back in his home town and it had not been a good way of growing up for him. Arc always thought about how a situation was going to work out based on his fears, and it was a pessimistic view that Luneth really disliked.
"Aw, don't worry Arc, I'll make sure none of them bother you." Fiercely protective of his adopted brother, Luneth had been reprimanded several times for fighting people, mostly for things they either said or did to Arc. "Besides, this year we are going to get you a lady, my friend."
"Luneth, that's really not necessary…"
"Are you kidding? You spend way too long with your head in books man, you need to get out of the classroom and enjoy yourself."
Conversation was cut off as they saw the huge building in the distance. With a gulp the duo shook hands before turning and heading into the gates.
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They hadn't seen it but farther down was a staff entrance and an airfield, where airships were landing consistently. Through the gates of the staff entrance two men were driving in. a loud conversation was going on, mostly about the benefits of different parts of engines in airships. Both men, named Cid ironically enough, never noticed the small slim female figure which snuck in through the open gates and managed to get into the grounds. With a slight smile on her face the girl began to walk towards the large building across the field.
"Who says I need a guardians permission to go here?" Refia muttered to herself.
Within seconds she was getting chased off the lawn by one of the gardeners.
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With the purr of a well maintained engine a car slid through the gates and headed for the building. At the end of the drive it whirled around and began to pull up at the main doors.
"No Ingus, head towards the garages."
"Your highness?"
"Ingus, I don't want to be treated with kid gloves while I am here, so I'm not showing up to the front door in a Sasune limosine so everyone can see who I am. Dissidia does not like it when certain students are placed on pedastals and hold themselves superior to the other pupils. So while we are here, I will be just Sara."
"Yes your highness."
There was a brief silence.
"Ingus."
"Yes Your highness?"
"Less of the "your highness" please. Remember what I said about incognito?"
"Yes."
"Good. So while we are here you will call me Sara, understood?"
"Yes."
"Yes what?"
"Yes your high… I mean Sara."
Sara smiled slightly. "Excellent."
There was a slight sigh from the front portion of the car followed by a muttered, "I can't believe I'm doing this."
Sara smiled to herself, Ingus was just really too predictable. "What's wrong Ingus."
"Nothing."
"Tell me, I can still order you to."
"Why am I doing this Sara? I mean, it's not like I was given the invite here, or that I particularly deserve this job. I'm a loyal knight, and that's my job." The blond head of the knight/driver/bodyguard turned around to look at her.
Sara smiled to herself. "Ingus, I was enrolled here by my father so I could work on my magic skills. I need a bodyguard, despite my own beliefs to the contrary, and you were the obvious choice. You are a skilled knight and you're nearly the same age as me so you'll blend in better. Plus, you'll be able to keep up your sword skills while here and at the same time you'll be able to learn new ones. So that when you do return to Sasune, we will both be far more skilled then when we went in. Do you know now why you were assigned to this?"
Ingus returned his gaze to the garage wall in front of him. "I suppose so your Highness."
"It's Sara!"
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Cecil Harvey stared at the new location. Despite the amount of travelling he had done, Dissidia was something he had never seen in his life. The city was huge, swarming with people, but all of it was dependent on the building in front of the airship. Dissidia Academy was a massive white stone building that was completely and utterly foreign to anything he had ever seen. It was almost as big as Castle Baron, at least a hundred and twenty stories tall.
"It's huge isn't it."
Rosa Farrell. The light of his life, a friend who helped him through all his burdens and his struggles. He knew he loved her, and she loved him, but to say it was hard, constrained as he was by this dark armour.
"More for me to battle with then."
"And for I." Kain Highwind, captain of the dragoons and the most skilled of them all.
"Do you always think of fighting?" Rosa demanded of them.
Cecil felt a stab of pain at his heart and turned to look at her. "No. I think about how I can best protect people, how best I can serve my king and my friends and if training is the best way to go about it, then I will train constantly."
Rosa smiled and placed a hand on his arm, at the same time beckoning Kain over to her. When he arrived she linked arms with him as well and gave him a comforting smile. "In that case, just remember that is your goal. Both of you promise me."
The two young men threw quick glances at one another to see and Kain smiled as Cecil rolled his visored eyes.
"Alright Rosa, I promise."
"I'll do my best."
Rosa squeezed them both. "I don't know what I'd do without you guys."
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A chocobo galloped up towards the gate at a huge speed. With a quick, gentle pull of the reigns Boko slowed down and the rider quickly took in what was happening ahead of him. A young woman and an older man accompanied by a child were trying to get in the gates of Dissidia Academy and the young man was headed there too. But, he was a sociable kid and with a smile Bartz Klauser decided he might as well introduce himself.
"Afternoon."
The three turned and looked up at him. Immediately the young girls eyes widened.
"Wow, a chocobo! I never get to ride chocobos!"
Hell no. It was one of those annoyingly giddy kids. Bartz took an immediate interest in what the older man was saying, hoping it was to tell the kid to shut it before Boko got thick.
"Calm down Krile, you know why you aren't allowed to play with animals. For good reason." he muttered to himself.
Krile grumped. "But grandpa!" she whined
"No buts." Grandpa was adamant. "You need to be careful with them, not treat them all as pets. I'm sorry young man," here he addressed Bartz directly, "Krile loves Chocobos and she rarely gets a chance to see them, even if she is a little over the top when it comes to them."
Bartz shook his head. "It's alright. I was always a little over the top when I was younger. But I'm afraid Boko has a slight temperament and he doesn't take kindly to strangers."
The young woman laughed quietly to herself. Bartz immediately shifted his attention there. Pinkish blond hair covered a face with a small smile and a pair of blue eyes. She introduced herself first.
"Lenna Highwind."
"Bartz Klauser. You are a student here?"
She paused. "That is correct. I am here to study and get a few more skills under my belt. Besides," here she coughed slightly into her tissue, "my father says I need to meet more people my own age."
Bartz smiled at her. "Well don't worry about that, I'm sure that there are more people than me to get to know."
Krile jumped up and down, waving her hand in the air. "I'm here to get to know Lenna!"
"But I already know you Krile."
"Besides which kiddo, you'll be attending your 1st level Education while Lenna will be in 3rd Level." Added Grandpa.
"You're in 3rd Level as well?" Bartz had a smile on his face. Go Bartz, go. A chance to score, right here! Alright. "I'm in 3rd as well. What are you planning to take?"
"White magic and maybe a couple of other classes. You?"
"Aw no it's swordsmanship for me."
"The typical boys response. What about you Galuf?"
"I'm just visiting while my granddaughter here takes her first lessons. I'm Galuf Balderison by the way and, as you know, this is Krile, my granddaughter."
"Hi." Bartz shook the old man's hand and high fived the younger girl when she held out her palm. "Well will we go in?"
The other three nodded.
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From the direction of the train station came a solitary figure trudging along, slightly unhappily, but with a trolley with a couple of cases on it. Terra sighed silently to herself. It had been a long journey and she was so tired. She hadn't the money to afford a cab out as far as the academy, but she was resolute she'd get there. The scholarship had been a total surprise and she was half afraid it had been a fake. She was a runaway, where from, she had no idea. She lived in an orphanage, hiding really from whatever paranoia was rumbling in her veins, and worked weekends in a café to earn money and her keep in the house. Technically she was too old to be in the orphanage full time, and it looked like she was going to be in there for her entire life, but she helped out and she worked hard to make extra funds. The matron was very kind to her and always told her she should work with children. That was the best part of her life. School was a pain, people always found her green hair and her pale features a strange combination and she'd always been given stick over it. Now as she walked silently along, she noted all the people arriving in cars, arriving in buses, all laughing and enjoying themselves. Would they be as inconsiderate and cruel as all the others had been, or would she actually find friends here? Maybe some of them were as weird as she was, the thought wasn't really that comfortable. As she rounded a corner she struck something, or rather someone.
"Ow."
Immediately the girl was running around the trolley and wringing her hands at the catastrophe. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry!" she wailed.
The blond head looked up at her. "Ha." He said in a light tone, "nothing really." He reached out a hand to her and smiled. "Names Locke. You wouldn't mind giving me a hand up?"
Terra stuck out her own and hand and braced herself as the boy pulled himself up. "I'm really sorry." She said again.
"Meh, no harm done, really. I tripped over my own feet as a matter of fact." he looked at her closely and she lowered her eyes under the intense gaze. "I haven't seen you around here before? You new?"
"Yeah. I just arrived from the station. I'm starting here this year."
"Cool. I've been here for four years now."
"Really?"
"Yeah." He enthused, "It's really good, the teachers are right on and the pupils are all really level."
"How'd you come to be here?" Terra asked and almost immediately regretted it. It was too nosy surely.
"Pay to stay. And before you ask, no my folks don't have money."
"I wasn't going to say that."
"No but you were thinking about it." Terra blushed, quickly lowering her head to keep him from seeing.
"Anyway, I'd better get going as I've got to meet up with my friend Setzer. Hope I catch you later though. And I hope you get settled in comfortably. Later." In a moment he was gone.
But with a smile Terra picked up her bags and walked on.
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The airship floated steadily down through the sky until it landed on the platform. From the window Edgar could see the large building that was the academy. Here he was, King, almost, Edgar of Figaro, sent away to some boarding school to undertake their advanced diplomacy course. Why he didn't know, how he did know and it was driving him mad. For a brief minute he wished he had followed his brother and left the royalty. And speaking of a brother…Edgar turned.
Sabin Figaro stood at the window beside him and gazed out at the sight with a calm gaze. Sabin always seemed so calm in the face of all his troubles, but then again, he didn't have many troubles. The young man had long ago left the responsibilities of royalty behind him and he was now living the life of a hero. Sabin had studied martial arts under the tutelage of Master Duncan and he was here to finish off his training with the brilliant Master Yang.
"I see the Empire have already arrived." Sabin's voice cut off the thoughts of his brother and Edgar had to refocus so that he grasped what Sabin was talking about. Sabin pointed out the Imperial airship which was landing on the airfield.
"I see. Who's on it?"
"Edgar," Edgar turned to look at his brother, "You probably know who's on the airship and you want me to ask who so you can say it's this person and this person and so on and so forth. Come on." Sabin lifted his chin somewhat. "I'm not stupid."
Oh yeah Sabin had lost a sense of humour too.
"The greatest general of the Gestahl Empire is on that ship, Leo Christophe."
Sabin shrugged and turned back to the view. "Not so bad then. At least he's an honourable man. You'll have him to talk to during diplomacy training. At least he'll be better than some of the others."
Scratch that, he had a very dry sense of humour.
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Spiky blond hair and spiky black hair focused on the building they were walking towards.
"What do you reckon it'll be like Cloud?"
A shrug. "No idea really Zack."
"Brilliant." Muttered the third member of their troupe.
Cloud Strife and Zack Fair both turned to look at the other young man who was with them at the time, Vincent Valentine. "What?" he asked morosely.
Zack shook his head and smirked. "You really are a downer, aren't you. Between you and Chocobo head here," Cloud gave him a dark look, "I have to keep everyone's spirits up, don't I."
Vincent was always somewhat sullen and emotionally withdrawn, but it was the way he was. "Excuse me for living." He stated.
"No one needs that." Cloud added. "And what was with the chocobo head comment?"
"Aw come on Cloud, it was a joke. Grief what is with you two these days."
The three friends were an off grouping. Zack was always cheerful and outgoing, while Cloud was somewhat withdrawn, but he too had his bright moments. Vincent was the polar opposite and seemed to always be down in the dumps with a bored expression. The only person that Cloud had ever known to be worse than him was the Leonheart boy from Balamb. The three friends had spent two years working up enough money to attend the course here in Dissidia, they had even volunteered for some medical experiments as well and none of them liked to talk about that. Cloud and Zack had both offered to undergo experimental SOLDIER enhancements that the Shinra company had undertaken. Needless to say Zack had had to carry Cloud all the way home across the desert afterwards, as Vincent had done something totally different for this scientist chick. It had not been pleasant according to him, and he had disappeared for quite some time. When they'd found him again he was dressed in the clothes he was in now and he had a stack of gil. So the three applied. As a bonus, Cloud could now say that he was a member of SOLDIER, a fact that was going to impress, hopefully, someone he'd left back home.
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Squall Leonhart stared up at the tall white stone building that was to be his home for the next few months. Squall was a SeeD, a member of the mercenary commandoes that were trained in the Balamb Garden training facilities. Quite often the Gardens took in orphans, such as himself, and turned them into lethal killers. Hired guns, that's what they were, but they were the best there was. Squall was here, however, as part of the advanced course. Around him were his team, all of whom had been selected to take the advanced course as well.
"Woah! Look at that!" Selphie Tilmitt exclaimed as she stared, wide eyed up at the massive structure.
"That is impressive." agreed Irvine Kinneas, who was standing right beside her.
Zell Dincht smiled at them all, his enthusiastic nature showing through. "Think they're ready for the lot of us at once?"
There was a general laugh from the group, except of course for its leader.
"What do you think Commander?" That was Nida, a skilled pilot and a strong asset.
"Whatever." Was the only response that Squall muttered. It was his typical response to everything that came his way.
Of course the SeeDs had a long history with Dissidia Academy, not least the fact that they had sent students here before, but they had also managed to get one in as an Instructor. Quistis Trepe was well known as a prodigy, being the youngest person ever to become SeeD as well as the first to become an Instructor whilst still involved with another group. All the other members of the Staff had been retired from their jobs before they were accepted as tutors, but Quistis was the only one who was still a fully paid member of another group as well as being an instructor here. Now she was walking up to the group, her head held high and her sharp blue eyes focused on the group from behind her glasses. She was a staff member yes, but she was also friends with this group, particularly Selphie and Xu. Quistis also had a soft spot for Squall, a fact which was visible to anyone watching.
"Welcome to Dissidia." Her voice was warm and strong, though not harsh.
"Quisty!" Selphie was ecstatic at seeing her friend once more. The bubbly girl was about to hug her when she noticed the look on the Instructor's face and subsided.
"It's good to see you all again. I will probably be teaching magic theory so I will have a chance to see you there. Outside, I can't promise anything." Quistis said this somewhat rapidly, apparently trying to get it over with quickly.
"Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in." came the laconic voice that they all knew so well.
"Seifer Almasy? What are you doing here? You are not on the advanced courses list." Headmaster Cid Kramer was understandably annoyed with the young man. Also, everyone noticed the look on Squall's face. His eye had narrowed on opposite sides of the scar that Seifer had given him, after one of their fights.
The blond haired, green eyed man laughed somewhat to himself as he noticed Squall's expression. "Relax Puberty Boy, I'm not here for you." He became somewhat serious and added, "I was given this acceptance as a gift, not as a SeeD cadet, but as an individual. I don't know where it came from," he held up a hand to stop questions, "but I'm not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I'm here now so you'd better deal with it. Besides, I'm going to have fun showing you all up."
With a swagger, the arrogant young man strode off.
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Gaping up at the huge structure Rinoa Heartlily felt her courage fail her somewhat. This was to be her home for the next few months, possibly years, and yet she could feel her courage falling quickly. Silently she cursed her father for his decision to send her here, but he wanted the best for his little girl and she would suffer his wrath if she didn't take it. How she hated him at times like this. But it had been her decision in the end and as such she couldn't blame him, much as she'd like too. As she started forward she happened to run into another girl. The other girl was somewhat smaller than her, but had similar colouring and was busily trying to keep an older man from carrying her luggage.
"Steiner I can handle all of this.. oof!"
The pair of them went down in a heap and they sat there looking somewhat amused by the turn of events. At least the girls were, the man was not pleased.
"Madam, I don't know who you are, but you are not allowed that close to my lady."
"Steiner?"
"Yes madam?"
"I can handle this."
The other girls stood and stretched out a hand to Rinoa. "Sorry about that. I'm… Dagger by the way."
"Rinoa Heartlily. Sorry about that, I wasn't really looking where I was going."
"Are you new this year?"
"Yeah, I came to study magic as that's what my field really is."
"Like me then. I'm here to practice my summoning. I hope I get to work with Braska, he's said to be the best there is."
Rinoa bent down. "Here, let me help you with these."
Dagger was also picking up her stuff. "Thanks."
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Zidane Tribal was pretty stunned when he got the letter. He had been given a place in Dissidia Academy, the most prestigious centre of learning in the entire world. It was totally wicked and definitely something he'd have to tell the guys back in the Tantalus group all about when he got back. Blank, Ruby, and the others had all stared when he had gotten it. Subsequent attempts to find out exactly what it meant resulted in the same thing. "Your place was secured years ago by a unknown benefactor who wishes to remain nameless." The same line over and over again. It never changed, despite how many times he rang. Eventually he had given up. But that didn't mean he wasn't going. Zidane had learned long ago to seize every opportunity that life afforded and now, he was here. His smile was wide and he turned to his companion, the guy he had met on the bus and said, "Wasn't I right Vivi?"
The yellow eyes of his friend, all that could be seen of his face, redirected themselves from the towers of Dissidia, back to his friend. "You were right Zidane, this is an amazing place, truly."
"Damn right it is! And hello…" he cut off as a group of women walked past.
Vivi, rolled his eyes at his new friends antics and for a moment he considered heading on in himself. Zidane was a consummate ladies man and he had already tried to chat up a couple of girls on the way here. That had fallen through when their boyfriends had noticed him. Not a pleasant time, and Zidane had backed off with a couple of death threats. Now he was looking at going through the same problems for the next eight to ten months until either Zidane settled down or he made other friends.
"This is going to be fun." He muttered under his breath.
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"Hey Tidus!" Wakka was insistent that his friend should wait up for him.
"What Wakka?"
"Why the sour face?"
"What does it look like?" Tidus was in a rage, his clear blue eyes flashing dangerously under his blond hair.
"Oh." Wakka was an older man, still in his early twenties who had been both mentor and best friend to Tidus in the world of Blitzball. Since that was what the majority of Tidus' life was about, Wakka was his best friend. And he knew exactly what Tidus was referring to. "Is it really that bad?"
Tidus kept his focus on his anger, rather than his disappointment. It kept the tears from his eyes. "Yes it's that bad Wakka. The bastard leaves me and mom alone for so many years while he's off doing Hyne knows what. The only time I see him is when he's drunk and back for only a couple of nights, mom dies and he shows up at her funeral drunk as a skunk. Then a couple of months ago I get a letter from him telling me I've been placed on the registry for this place and he's paid for it and he suddenly expects that to patch everything up! Just as well I was coming here anyway."
"Ya, but I wasn't." Wakka had been added thanks to Tidus and the Besaid Aurochs who had entered him.
"I know." Tidus calmed down slightly and looked around. "And he isn't even here to meet us."
"We don't know if he's at the gates or what Tidus."
Tidus shrugged, his faith in his father long gone. "At least Auron's here." He said to the world at large.
"You know Sir Auron?" the voice was young, clear and definitely female. Right up Tidus' alley.
"Hello?" he asked turning around. In front of him was a girl with short brown hair and an intelligent expression. If he was correct as well, he could see that one eye was blue and the other was green, a cute trait if he'd ever seen one. She was wearing a long sleeveless dress that left her arms free and a pair of loose sleeves which were tied on at the elbows. With her were two other girls, one of whom had a mess of blond hair, green eyes and was wearing a beige tank top and a green miniskirt, the other was dressed in black leather trousers, top and had short silver-black hair and red eyes. But it was the girl in front of him who got the most of his attention. Act cool Tidus!
"Tidus, and you are?"
She smiled, an action which lit up her face. "Yuna."
Hyne she was gorgeous! "I knew Auron back in Zanarkand. He taught me how to use a sword, but I was too interested in Blitzball at the time so we kinda drifted apart."
"You play Blitzball?"
"Yeah. I played for the Besaid Aurochs for a while, same as my best friend Wakka here. We finished up when we got into Dissidia. I plan to play for the team here anyway."
"Interesting. I'll have to come and see some of your matches then."
Tidus grinned. "That would be great." Her friends were looking at him with an odd expression and he was beginning to get a little nervous. "So, I'll see you around then."
"Sure." Yuna turned and went over to her friends and they moved on, but not before she and the blond one had waved goodbye. The black haired one simply humphed and walked on.
"Weird ya." Wakka put it best.
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"Grief Yunie he was cute!" Rikku was practically dancing.
Yuna smiled to herself. That was not the reason she had talked to him, but it was true. Tidus was pretty good looking. However she wondered how she had never heard Auron talk about him, if he truly had been a student. Maybe he had forgotten him, in the way that all teachers did forget students after some time. Now he was here and, from the sound of it, someone should have been there to meet him. "That he was. I still want to know how he met Auron though."
Paine snorted. The cynical girl was not impressed. "That might have been your intention, but I think you spent a bit too long looking into his clear blue eyes." The last three words were spoken with a contemptuous tone.
Rikku laughed at the other girls words. "Oh come on Paine, at least admit he was good to look at."
Paine sniffed slightly. "Alright. He was."
Rikku snapped her fingers under her friends chin. "See told you so."
Yuna laughed at her companions bickering, knowing full well that it was nowhere near as bad as it sounded.
"What are you three up to now?"
Lulu, an older girl was walking up to them, her long braided black hair cascading down her back. A black mage by profession she was here to study her craft and to increase her experience. She was going to become a Summoner Guardian, but her last two attempts had not worked out. As a result, she was here. Already Lulu had become a sort of mother figure to the three girls in question, constantly keeping an eye on the three. It was not easy.
"Lulu, Yunie met this really cute boy and he apparently knew Sir Auron and she agreed to go out with him and he was with this other boy with orange hair who looked kinda funny and…" Rikku had to run out of breath at that point.
"I didn't agree to go out with him!" Yuna was rather shocked and slightly red.
Lulu looked at her critically. "What did you do then?" she asked.
"I said I'd go and watch him play Blitzball, maybe. But that was it."
Lulu shook her head at her young charges. "Come on. Let's find our rooms.
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Ashe looked up. It was so big it was unbelievable. This was the pride of the Nomura continent, the greatest structure in the city of Dissidia, Dissidia Academy. There was a rumour going around that the academy was patronized by Cosmos herself and that it was the place that turned out the greatest in the land. And now, here she was. From her side Rasler gave her hand a comforting squeeze. And a comfort he was. Dalmasca had been seized by the Archadian Empire, and as such, their country no longer existed. Now the two were fugitives and it had been Raslers idea that they should flee here, to Dissidia and blend in with the other students. At no other time had she been so grateful for his presence. Despite the fact that they were husband and wife, it had been a political union, one that both realised was necessary. But she realised that, even with the political necessity, she had come to value him as a friend.
"Any ideas?" he asked her quietly.
"We sign in, find our rooms and go completely undercover. We'll have to act like we don't know one another Rasler," her eyes quickly flitted around the plaza in front of the doors before coming back to his face, "it's safer. If either of us are recognised, then we are finished. The Empire will send troops here."
"I know. For their sake we must be discreet."
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The Strahl slowly settled down onto the asphalt of the runway that served Dissidia Academy. Its captain, Balthier, slouched down in his seat and ran a hand over his face.
"Vaan."
"Yeah."
"Remember what I told you about getting too excited?"
Vaan hung his head, slightly embarrassed about his former actions. "Sorry Balthier." He muttered
Sometimes the sky pirate wondered what had possessed him to bring his young acquaintance with him to Dissidia. Until he remembered the job needed three people. Despite being easily excited, somewhat naïve and a bit irritating at times, Vaan could do tasks and take the pressure.
"What did he do wrong Balthier?"
That was the other reason he was sorry he'd given Vaan a place on the ship. Vaan never went anywhere without Penelo, his childhood friend and, as he always bragged to the sky pirate, his future navigator. And she did have a penchant for maps that was clear. But she'd obviously never travelled outside of Rabanastre, as all she had done for most of the flight was chatter non-stop about the world. Fortunately his own partner, the Viera Fran, answered for him.
"Vaan's excitement at being allowed to partially land the Strahl, could have worked against him. To be a good pilot one must be focused and calm at all times."
"Exactly," Baltheir concurred, "Fran and I have worked together for quite some time now and she is possibly better than I am at this. So mind what she says Penelo."
For a moment the younger girl looked chagrined, but then her expression changed as she looked out the window.
"Oh no." she muttered.
"What?" asked Vaan as the others all turned to follow her pointing finger.
"Archadians."
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Aboard the Archadian ship a small group of figures watched from the main viewing platform. Vayne Carudas Solidor was at the head.
"I see a Figaran airship down there, and the famous Ragnarok. That indicates that Edgar Figaro is here, but why would the Estharian flagship be here?"
Beside him Judge Bergan stirred before answering. "President Loire's step-daughter Ellone is here to study. There is also a rumour, which may be true, that he is the father of the SeeD commander Squall Leonhart."
"Really?"
"Yes excellency, but I'm afraid that we have been unable to gain confirmation of that."
"What are the others down there." The voice of Larsa Ferrinas Solidor cut into their conversation and Vayne momentarily closed his eyes in annoyance. Why he had to bring his younger brother along was beyond him. Larsa was smart, witty and fun to be around with, but these were not the circumstances for that. Here and now was where Vayne was going to become the next Emperor of the House Solidor and he did not need his younger brother along while he learned all kinds of political tricks and diplomatic schemes that would keep him alive in office.
"Lord Larsa, there are three ships from the academy itself, one of which is the famous Highwind. You can also see the Blackjack, which is privately owned by Setzer Gabbiani, and the Enterprise of Baron. I can also see the ship called Fahrenheit which is owned by Cid of the Al Bhed. They hail from the Spiran continent and were probably a mix group." Judge Drace, Larsa's personal bodyguard was more than willing to give him the answers.
"You forgot one." Larsa's other guard said.
"And what one is that Judge Gabranth?" Drace asked
Gabranth pointed. "That one there."
"Yes."
"That one is called the Shera. It's Cid Highwind's pride and joy, although not nearly as recognisable as the Highwind. Story says he named it after his wife."
Judge Zargabaath chuckled to himself as beside him Judge Bergan grunted.
"Well stated Gabranth." Added Vayne and he turned to the pilot, behind him upon the helm. "Land us."
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Motor whirring the small car pulled up outside the gates of the Academy. By this stage everyone who was arriving had arrived and was being registered at the time, but the driver already knew this.
"You ready?" he asked the figure sitting next to him in the seat.
She nodded, her downward pointing blonde spikes shaking according to her motion.
"It won't be as bad as you think." He added encouragingly.
"Maybe." The girl said with a small smile.
With a sigh the black haired man switched off the engine and sat back. "I know you're apprehensive, but sitting out here will not make things easier for you."
The girl looked at her father and said nothing.
For a moment her father briefly considered stroking her face, but she disliked any showing of physical affection. Even from her one parent. Or maybe because of her one remaining parent. She reminded him of her mother, beyond the hair colour, shimmering blond, and eye colour, crystal clear blue. She had the fighters spirit.
"You'll do brilliantly, of this I am certain." He told her.
"You really think I'll accomplish what you and mom didn't."
Black spikes shook. "You are not me, and you are not your mom. You are your own person. If you want to succeed at this, your dream, then you will need to go through Dissidia. It is the best way for you to be accepted into the Cocoon army, to say nothing of their elite."
Her blue eyes widened as she focused on him.
"You really think so Dad?"
"You are more than capable of it. You will become greater than both I or your mother could ever hope to be." He looked into her eyes. "Know this, I'm sure your mother, wherever she is, is proud of you Lightning."
Quickly and uncharacteristically, Lightning threw her arms around her father's neck and hugged him. A moment later she let go and climbed out of the car. Noctis watched her go, a small smile on his face. He could tell that his daughter Lightning, was destined for great things. He started back up the car and drove off.
to be continued,
There you have it. Unfortunately, as any of the readers of my other two fic, Seven Knight and Star Wars vs Halo will know, I intend to finish them off before I work on my large crossovers. however, I have the first three chapters of this one done, and the first nine of my sci fi done too, so I can put a couple up when I feel like it. As a side note, after Dissidia is released in Europe (I'm from Ireland,) I will be switching this to that archive. And yes, I purposefully called the continent that Dissidia is in Nomura. What? The guy did create the characters of VII to XIV after all, and he's only Square-Enix's top character designer? No Agito XIII characters, unfortunately, as we don't know any names yet, and likewise, no XI or XIV characters. Bar one.