The New Life: A Final Fantasy Crossover / Shoujo-ai
A lonely blonde looked out across a sandy beach, looking to the waves for answers that she would never receive. Quistis Trepe took a deep breath and looked for the next fight. The young instructor was blowing off steam. She wasn’t angry; she was frustrated at being alone. She was getting tired, but the feeling didn’t go away. Her grip on her whip tightened as she heard a roar signaling that a new challenger had come to fall before her. It was large, yellow and had two tentacles. ‘Oh God…it’s an ochu!’ She realized she might be in over her head.
--
Another lonely blonde was looking out at the ocean. She was searching for somewhere to hide. ‘Some way to thank us for saving the world… I’m so sorry, Terra.’ Ex-general Celes Chere gripped her sword tightly. She felt like a failure. She had let the person closest to her… She had to keep herself from collapsing in grief. This was no time to cry.
“She mustn’t get away! There she is!” a pitchfork-wielding villager yelled. Celes looked toward the voice. Next to him was a crazy-eyed old man in elaborate robes, obviously a leftover Cult of Kefka zealot. She quickly cast Vanish on herself and began to make a run for it.
“No, you don’t, you witch!” the zealot yelled. He began to chant a familiar incantation. She didn’t have time to consider the hypocritical accusation as he finished. “X-zone!”
Celes’s breath caught in her throat as he cast the spell. She wasn’t counting on the mad-eyed zealot being able to cast spells. She was vulnerable to spells while she was invisible, with X-zone being especially bad. As she was sucked into the void, she had a strange thought: “I guess I’ll find out where all those monsters ended up…”
--
Quistis was definitely in serious trouble. True, she had fought against the Sorceress Ultimecia, but she was not alone then. Now, she had been fighting over an hour straight with barely a minute’s break. She lashed out with Save the Queen at the big yellow monster. It growled and responded with Ochu Dance. Toxic fumes filled the air. Quistis suddenly felt dizzy and nauseous. ‘Oh no, poison!’ It was the one thing she was not immune to. Her struggling was brought to a halt as a tentacle slammed into her stomach. She flew through the air and skidded across the sand. ‘I don’t want to die…’
--
Celes felt her sense of up and down invert. Her body floated through an abyss of light and dark, sound and silence. She was terrified at the thought of spending the rest of her existence in limbo; all alone with those fresh, horrible memories. For an indeterminate amount of time, there was nothing - just darkness.
Her thoughts traced over her short life. She remembered her adoptive father Cid. He had always tried to make things easier for her in the most difficult circumstances, especially during the magic infusion experiments. She forced the painful memories of the experiments out of her mind. She had spent months recovering and never known what a normal life was. She remembered ‘joining’ the Empire’s Military as a young teen. ‘Not like I had any choice…’ She thought about the ambitious Emperor Gestahl. He had ordered her to commit so many heinous deeds in his name. Her hands never felt clean after that. She remembered the courageous General Leo. She had always looked up to him and learned from him how to keep sane while serving a cruel purpose.
Lastly, she thought of Terra. Sureshe wasn’t the onewho saved her from that basement in South Figaro, but she had saved a part of her heart and soul. The young woman had become a very special friend, if not something more. A pang of regret hit Celes as she thought of the lovely green-haired girl. She never got to admit her true feelings.
“I don’t want to die…” a desperate voice called into the abyss. Celes awoke from her revelry and searched for the source of the plea, but couldn’t find it. She couldn’t just float around if someone was in trouble! Out of desperation, she closed her eyes and concentrated on the voice. She focused harder and felt a pull. It started as a tug and turned into a horizontal fall. She felt her consciousness slipping and blacked out.
--
When Celes managed to open her eyes, she noticed the blue sky. Before she could notice anything else, she heard a roar. She struggled to her feet and drew her sword. A huge yellow plant was attacking a blonde girl, who was lashing out with a whip from her knees. Celes ran towards the girl as she was thrown by a tenticle. The general let out a yell to call attention away from the victim. The monster turned towards her and roared.
Her battle instincts kicked in instantly. It lashed out at her. She dodged and counter-attacked. As a result, green blood spurted out at her, but none hit her considering she was still on the move. 'No point in making myself a target.' It continued to swing at her as she swiftly added a dozen slashes to the first. The plant-thing growled and Celes felt a familiar tingle on the back of her neck. ‘This thing can cast magic?’ Celes was tired of surprises but instinctively held her sword in front of her. A fireball shot out at her. As it reached her sword, it fizzled and was absorbed by her sword. The monster looked a little frustrated from the look on its hideous face. It tried to toast her again, which she also absorbed. She responded with Ice 3. It howled as it began to wither.
When she was sure it was dead, she turned to regard the young woman. The blonde woman was trying to push herself to her feet with gloved hands. Her pink skirt and blouse were covered with sand. Celes offered her hand to the woman, who looked at it before gratefully grabbing it.
“Thanks,” Quistis said, exhausted. She looked up and her eyes widened.
“What?” Celes asked. “Is there something wrong?”
“No, it’s nothing.” Quistis legs buckled and Celes caught her. Their eyes met; blue to green. “Thanks again. By the way, I’m Quistis. Might I ask who my white knight is?”
Celes reddened at the implied title: “Celes.”
“I would love to tell you how beautiful your name is, but I don’t think I’ll be conscious for much longer… Head to the road and follow it to the Garden.” Quistis managed to point vaguely east, then, her body went limp. Celes had no trouble picking up the young woman in her arms, but her body was starting to ache from her flight and the battle. She used her remaining magic energy to heal herself and Quistis. She smiled as she looked in the young woman’s peaceful face.
‘She’s beautiful.’ A pang of guilt and shame went through her. ‘Terra’s been gone only a couple of days and I’m already checking out someone else.’ She shook her head sadly as she trudged towards the indicated direction. Sand turned to grassy fields. The road was easy to find and smooth. Celes kept walking down the road and a question entered her mind. ‘“Follow it to the garden?” Does she live in a farming village? I hope they have some healers and a spare bed.’ She had not slept in a couple of days and the exhaustion was returning now that the adrenaline was drying up.
Celes looked up and saw a strange structure. It looked like a big blue bubble with a halo. ‘Am I hallucinating?’ As she closed in, she noticed people were moving around. Her legs became weaker the closer she got. ‘Just a little farther…’
As she reached the first set of stairs, a brunette in a yellow dress ran up to them. In a panicked tone, she said: “Oh my god, Quisty!”
‘Well, I guess I’m in the right place.’Celes’s vision blurred as the exhaustion caught up with her. She fell to her knees as everything went black.
--
The first thing Quistis saw was Selphie’s smiling face hovering over her. Quistis was glad to see someone cared about her well-being, but she was curious about the young woman who had saved her from a painful death. The last thing she remembered was looking into those green eyes and spouting some corny pick-up lines and passing out. She hoped she didn’t blow it. ‘Or was she some sort of illusion?’ Nah, she was lonely, but not mentally unstable.
“How do you feel?” Selphie said, concerned by her distracted friend. ‘I wonder if it has something to do with the woman who was carrying her.’
“Fine, Selphie,” Quistis said, almost casually. “I feel like I got sat on by a T-Rexuar, but other than that I’m fine.” She stretched carefully. “By the way, where is the blonde woman who brought me here?”
“She’s resting in the other room.” Selphie grinned. She knew she was right about why Quistis wasn’t paying enough attention to her. “Poor dear’s exhausted. She must’ve had a rough couple of days or something.” Quistis attempted to get up, but Selphie gently pushed her down. “You’ve had it rough too. What’s wrong, Quisty?”
The blonde instructor sighed and closed her eyes. “Ever since…I gave up on Rinoa…I’ve felt lonely…like I’m not capable of being loved.”
Selphie quickly took offense and cut in saying: “We all love you! Maybe not that way…but we all really care! You’re the only person I know with a fan club as fanatical as yours.” Quistis placed her hand on top of Selphie’s, who was gripping her arm. Selphie’s rant halted.
“But I’m looking for my ‘special one’,” Quistis looked pleadingly into Selphie’s eyes. “I just lost faith that I’ll ever meet ‘the one.’ I just took a walk and had to release some stress.”
“I understand. Sometimes I think Irvine will never grow up and ask me out. Just promise me that you won’t go out alone like that. You’ve trusted me with everything so far and you trust me to watch you back, so promise me now…”
It was all true. Quistis had trusted her with her crush on Rinoa. She had fought beside the brunette in many battles and trusted her implicitly, despite her hyperactive demeanor. Quistis nodded. “You’ve never given me a reason not to trust you. I promise to let you baby sit me.” She added a bit of a smile at the second sentence. Both girls laughed. “Now will you let me visit my rescuer?”
“Are you sure you can contain yourself? She’s awfully pretty. Kinda reminds me of sleeping beauty, right now…” She gave Quistis a suspicious look as she helped her friend stand.
Quistis assumed a mock-offended look. “Are you accusing me of something?”
“Well, there was that time Rinoa woke up with you just inches in front of her face…”
Quistis turned bright red. “She nearly drowned that day! Okay, I’ll behave. I want to see her and I’ll let you chaperone, okay?” Together, they limped into the next room. A white cape was hanging off a coat rack. Underneath the covers, the young woman was resting somewhat peacefully. Her long blond hair was spilled over her shoulders in waves. Her face looked troubled and her eyes showed evidence of crying. Selphie led Quistis to a chair next to her bed, which she sat down in heavily. She leaned over and reached out with her hand. She let her fingertips caress the sleeper’s cheek. In response, a peaceful sigh emerged.
“Careful, you don’t wanna wake her,” Selphie whispered harshly. Quistis pulled back her hand and leaned back in the chair. However, green eyes slowly opened.
--
Celes woke up when she felt a gentle touch. Her eyes slowly responded. Next to her bed were the blond and the person she collapsed in front of. From the white walls and windows, she was in a hospital. She hated hospitals. They reminded her of laboratories. The seated blond smiled happily at her. ‘Quistis, wasn’t it?’ The brunette standing behind her jumped up and down with a larger grin. “Are you all right, Quistis?”
‘She remembered my name! Hallelujah!’ Her heart managed to skip a beat.“Yes, I’m fine, minus a few aches. What about you?”
Celes pulled herself into a seated position. “I feel like I’ve been out for a while. Did I take us to the right place?”
“Right to Selphie here. She was looking for me.” Quistis motioned to the brunette who shook Celes’s hand excitedly.
“Nice to meet ya! I’m Selphie Tilmitt. Would you like to join the festival committee?”
“Selphie… She just got here and I don’t think she’s from around here.” Quistis scolded the ecstatic girl, before returning to the issue at hand. “By the way, where are you from?”
“Well, I really didn’t have a home. I lived most of my life in the Imperial capital of Vector, but most recently I lived in an orphanage at Mobliz.” Celes explained. She only received confused blank looks back. “What? Is something wrong?”
“I’ve never heard of Vector or Mobliz… I’m sorry.” Quistis apologized. “We’re in Balamb Garden next to the town of Balamb. Maybe we can look it up.”
“That’s all right. I left nothing behind.” Celes frowned as she knew that it was true. “I’m pretty sure that I must have warped here after that spell hit me. No, I got here after I heard a call for help and tried to find someone.”
“That was me.” Quistis blushed. “Thank you for saving me. You were amazing fighting off that Ochu.”
Selphie rolled her eyes.‘She’s not even fully conscious yet and Quisty’s hitting on her.’ “Yeah, I bet Quisty woulda bit the big one if you’d not come along.”
“It was nothing. I would do anything in my power to save a lady in trouble.” Celes said modestly. She had not been complemented like that in a while.
Quistis shifted in her seat uncomfortably. ‘Maybe she really is some sort of white knight.’ Celes moved her legs over to the edge of the bed as she prepared to get up. Quistis stood up to help her. Celes pushed herself up and wobbled slightly. Then, fell down on top of Quistis, who fell to the floor. Quistis groaned. Celes groaned. Then, they noticed the awkward positioning. Quistis had one hand out, as if to catch herself, while the other was wrapped around Celes’s shoulders. Celes’s arms were around Quistis with her face in the woman’s collar. She looked up straight into a pair of blue eyes. Celes slowly got up and helped Quistis to her feet.
“Sorry, maybe I shouldn’t have gotten up yet.” Her face was a little red, but not from strain.
“It’s all right. I probably shouldn’t be up yet either.” They both kind of laughed it off and sat back down to recuperate more.
Selphie just sighed and shook her head and thought, ‘Obviously I’m a third wheel.’
Quistis continued. “Well, we need to go explain the situation to Headmaster Cid, but first I’d like to hear your story first…”
“Okay. How far back do I need to go?” Celes looked uncertain.
“Far enough back to at least tell us who you are,” Quistis said, trying not to push her.
“Well, I used to be a general for the Empire. I trained soldiers and fought in numerous campaigns before I was 18. Then, one day, I went against orders to burn down South Figaro.” Celes went on about being rescued by the ‘treasure hunter,’ Locke, and the resistance against the Empire and Kefka. She purposely left out the couple of months afterwards. “Then, a mob was stirred up by one of Kefka’s followers and I was pursued until a dangerous spell reaction transported me into another dimension. I heard your cry for help and ended up here.” They were seated on the edge of the bed. Quistis had a thoughtful look on her face. Celes pondered that look temporarily, before Quistis got up and they made their way to Cid’s office.
--
After receiving numerous curious looks, they navigated their way through a crowd of Trepies, who looked quite jealous of the blonde standing protectively next to their favorite instructor. One audacious member reached out to tell the new girl to watch her step. She responded with a swift trip and shove.
“Now, now, Celes,” Quistis chided, softly, “We don’t want to injure my students, even if they are somewhat fanatically protective of me.” Celes sighed and shot the man a dirty look as the two of them entered the elevator. Selphie had left them claiming something about ‘checking on Irvine.’ Once the cramped elevator came to a stop, they went through a set of wooden double doors. Behind the desk sat a round man with glasses and a dark red vest with a serious look of concentration on his face.
He was muttering to himself. Quistis swore she heard him say: “I can’t believe it! Zell keeps eating more and more of those hot dogs. Why if I were young again…I’d challenge him myself.” Quistis coughed politely. “Oh, hi, Quistis! I’m glad to see you’re all right. Ah, I take it this is our special guest.” He stuck out his hand politely, and Celes responded with a firm grasp and shake.
“I’m Celes Chere, former general and enemy of the Empire,” She said with a smile.
“Well, a general… We’ve also had experience in fighting with ‘rebels.’ Well, are you with the Timber Resistance or the Galbadian Scorpions or...”
Quistis politely interrupted. “Sir, she’s not exactly from around here.” Cid had a curious look on his face.
Celes touched Quistis’s arm signaling she was going to tell her story. It sent an electric jolt that made the instructor twitch. “Well, it’s a long story. Why don’t we sit down?” Celes went into her previous story. Cid couldn’t hide his amazement.
“Well, that is an interesting story… Since you have nowhere to go, we’ll be glad to have another warrior on board, if you want.” Cid said, as he stretched his arms over his head.
“I’d be happy to earn my keep.” Celes nodded her approval.
Quistis leaned forward in her chair and looked to Celes. “I was wondering, with your permission Headmaster, if you would be interested in becoming my assistant instructor. Your experience would be a valuable asset in the classroom.” She waited for the other woman’s approval. The pair of green eyes looked to the floor in deep thought.
The instructor and the headmaster waited patiently as they saw the ex-general’s expression darken followed by a look of determination.
Celes looked to Quistis with a curious expression. “Would it be all right if I observed first? I haven’t trained troops in a while and I’m not sure if I want to be involved in any unnecessary fighting, right now.”
Quistis gave the woman a comforting touch on her arm. “I understand. I have a class tomorrow. It’s a group of younger students, but it’ll give you a good idea of what we’re doing here.” Celes nodded and smiled. She turned back to the headmaster who was observing the exchange. “Have you made any arrangements for her stay, sir?” Cid shook his head. “Might I request she stay with me?” Celes blushed slightly at the sly smile on the instructor’s face.
Cid pondered it for a moment and said: “Sure. I know you’ve got the extra room.” Quistis smiled, but inside her heart was doing cartwheels. Celes’s stomach decided to interrupt with a slight growl. Celes covered it as if to mute it. “Well, you shouldn’t let her starve any longer. Dismissed.” Quistis stood and saluted while Celes just nodded politely and they left in search of nourishment.
--
The two blondes were seated at a round table in the cafeteria of Balamb. Quistis was eating her salad when she noticed an interesting look on her companion’s face. “Is something wrong?”
Celes barely looked up as she examined her plate. There was a strange pink thing mostly wrapped in bread. “What kind of food is this? I’ve never encountered anything like this in any of my journeys.”
“It’s a hot dog. They’re kind of popular around here.” There was a loud groan of disappointment behind them. They both turned to look over at a young man at the counter. He had spiky blonde hair and had his face in his hands.
“I can’t believe they’re already out of hot dogs!” He dusted his hands off on his shorts and grabbed a tray of the alternative, a salad. He picked up a glass of soda and sighed heavily. He brightened up as he spotted Quistis. He sat in a chair next to her and settled in heavily. He noticed the new girl and reached across the table to shake her hand, nearly knocking over a ketchup bottle. “Hi, I’m Zell! Nice to meet ya.”
Celes politely shook his hand and returned: “I’m Celes. Nice to meet you.”
Zell looked down at her plate. “Wow, you might’ve gotten the last hot dog. Congrats.” Celes looked down at her plate and handed it to him. “Oh, I couldn’t just take it... Well, how about a trade?” He handed her the salad, which she tore into like a rabid rabbit. “Hungry, ain’t ya?”
Quistis overcame her initial shock and shot the martial artist a dirty look. “She spent a couple of days in the infirmary after rescuing me, so she has every right to be half-starved...” Quistis was surprised again as she noticed Celes returning to her seat with another tray of food. ‘I didn’t notice her leave…’ She gave the instructor a piece of cake and handed a cookie to a satisfied Zell. “Thanks.” Celes just nodded absent mindedly and devoured another batch of food, this time something that looked like meatloaf.
--
They were heading towards Quistis’s room after saying goodbye to Zell. He went off to go work out, as they left to orient Celes to her new place of residence. Selphie ran into them and said, “hi,” before running off giggling. The two confused blondes looked at each other, wondering if they had missed something. They heard the thumping of heavy boots and a squeek as someone skidded around the corner. A trench coat swayed with his momentum as he came to a stop. He put his hand on his hat to keep it on his head. He looked at Quistis and smiled, slyly.
“Hey, Quisty,” he drawled out smoothly. “You see which way Selphie went? She stole my favorite girlie mag.” He quickly noticed the woman standing next to her. A visible change went over him. Celes went on the defensive. She was familiar with that suspicious look. She had seen it far too often from a certain blonde prince. Quistis also went into action. As Irvine went to wrap an arm around Celes’s shoulders for a flirty introduction, Quistis quickly placed an arm around the other blond possessively. Irvine quirked an eyebrow and went into a neutral handshake. “Hi, I’m Irvine.”
“I’m Celes.” The general was still quite cautious.
“That’s such a lovely name…” This received a threatening look from Quistis. He leaned over conspiratorily and whispered: “I can see why she likes you…” He stood back straight and smiled. Then, his faced screwed up. “Dang it, she’s gettin’ away!” He took off again.
Celes looked at Quistis who had apparently forgotten her arm was still around the general’s. “Sorry,” the instructor began with a slight blush. “If you haven’t been claimed, Irvine will bug with you until eternity.”
“He reminds me of a sly prince I used to know…” They shared a laugh and headed to Quistis’s place.
End of Chapter one
Not too rushed on romance? Just throwing around some attraction for now. I’ll make it deeper later. I just wanted to test the waters with this one… I didn't want to make Quistis just the damsel in distress, so I made her the really exhausted heroine. Work for you?
I also wanted to throw in a comparison or two between the two games (Irvine-Edgar), so expect more in the future (if there’s a positive response.)
This one’s different, so feedback would be appreciated. Review, please!