Title: Liberi Fatali (Fated Children in Latin)
Rating: PG-13
Member/Pairing: Nino X OC
Author: shodrive

A/N: It is advised you listen to the FFVIII soundtrack as you read this story to get a better 'feeling'. I'm joking. XD

Chapter 1;

Alright, now I wasn’t really the clean-up type when it came to cleaning up my apartment. I mean, even if I hate doing it, I guess I’d better do it now since I have the mood to right? Not like there’s anything much to clean. I just need to sort out my video games; that’s all.

Sitting myself down on the floor, I reach into the television cupboard. God, it’s really dusty in there. I manage to take out a few games and my PlayStation. The small and white one that I used to play with. Yeah, those were the good old days. I looked through the games.

Final Fantasy VIII huh? I haven’t played that game in a while, and I got the bad urge to. Deciding that the rest of the games can wait, I quickly hook up my PlayStation and insert Disc 1 in, and waited for the game to start.

The menu screen appears, bringing nostalgic memories. I selected the ‘new game’ option and waited for the thing to load. The screen went blank and stayed that way for a pretty good while. I think I waited for around 10 minutes or so.

“Argh, stupid thing! I knew you were too old to play with!” I murmured in anger as I got up to switch the contraption off. Suddenly, just as I was about to reach for the ‘On/Off’ button; a bright white light flashed from the screen, blinding me completely.

And then, everything went black.

-----------

“He looks as if he hit himself pretty hard.” I heard a voice say. Sounded like a voice that’d belong to a doctor.

“Is he going to be okay?” Another voice said, this time belonging to a girl.

“Where’d you find him, you say?” The doctor asked.

“I found him in the Quad… he certainly doesn’t look like he’s from here.”

Quad? I don’t look like I’m from… where? Wait a second… what’s going on?! I opened my eyes to see two people peering down at me.

“Oh, you’re awake… can you sit up?” The doctor asked me. My head was spinning but I managed to do so anyway. The doctor then told me to wait right where I was and left me alone with the girl.

“Ugh… where am I?” I asked, looking around at my surroundings, it looked as if I was in a hospital room or something.

“You’re in the infirmary, of course.” The girl said.

“Infirmary?”

The girl nodded. “Dr. Kadowaki went to get my brother, so I’m gonna have to sit with you until she gets back.”

Dr. Kadowaki? What a minute- isn’t that? Hold on a second… there was a light flash from my television just before I woke up in this place… but then-

“What’s this place called?” I asked the girl.

“You go to this school and yet you don’t know what the name of the school is? We’re in Balamb Garden, of course.”

Did she say what I think she just did?! Balamb Garden?! But that’s from a videogame! What’s going on?! Why am I here? What am I even doing here?! How is this even happening?!

“Hey, are you alright?” The girl inquired, noticing the confused expression written all over my face.

I nodded my head. “Y- Yeah… Just a little… surprised.”

“What’s your name?”

“Huh?”

“Your name. I’m Crystal Leonheart.” The girl, apparently whose name was Crystal, smiled at me. Taking a good look at her, she appeared to have dark blue eyes and black hair that was tied up in a loose ponytail. What she wore was white jacket covering what seemed to be a black sleeveless top, and her pants looked like they were track pants.

“I’m Ninomiya. Ninomiya Kazunari.” I said. “But you can call me Nino, if you want to.”

“What a weird name… I don’t think I’ve ever met someone with a name like yours before. Where are you from?”

“I’m from Tok-” I stopped at the moment I was about to say ‘Tokyo’ but I realized that Crystal, or anyone else in this world for that matter, would know where or what Tokyo was. “Uhm… it’s a little hard to explain right now.”

Just then, a male and Dr. Kadowaki came in. The guy had a scar across his face, he looked very… silent and stoic, if I had to say. He donned a black coat with some fur and a white top. His black pants had belts on them as well. There was no doubt who this guy was.

“Who’s he?” He asked Crystal, who stood up to face him.

“He says his name’s Nino. I found him at the Quad.” Crystal told. He turned to face me and took a good look at me for a moment

“He looks different.” Squall stated, turning back to face Crystal.

“Uhm… well, actually…” I stammered, unsure of what to say. Both Squall and Crystal turned to face me, with Squall’s eyes raised and Crystal holding onto one of her forearms.

“I… don’t come from here?”

“What do you mean?” Dr. Kadowaki asked.

“You see, the last thing I remember was that I was blinded by a flashing light, and then I ended up here. I’m not from this place, I just ended up here and I don’t know how.”

“So, you’re saying you’re from another world?” Squall asked, folding his arms. I nodded my head. He looked at Crystal, who shrugged her shoulders.

“Is there anything you can do? Like fight with a weapon?” Crystal asked me. I shook my head.

“No, where I come from we don’t have all that.”

Squall sighed at this. “I’m leaving. Crystal you figure something out, alright?”

“Don’t worry about a thing; I’ll take care of it,” Crystal nodded, and taking a good look at what I was wearing, she laughed; “Let’s get you a weapon, shall we?”

-----------

“I didn’t know you guys had a weapons storage in this place,” I said in awe as I looked around. Crystal laughed at this. I must have sounded like an idiot saying that.

“Alright, let’s get down to business. But first…” Crystal said, closing for a moment and reached her hands out as if she was calling something. Suddenly, a bright blue flash shone her hands, and closing my eyes for a second, the moment I opened it; the goddess of ice, Shiva, was standing right in front of me.

“You called, Crystal?” The summon said in a very mature voice.

“Hey, Shiva. I need you to help me pick out a weapon for this guy,” Crystal said pointing into my direction. Shiva approached me and took a good look at me for a moment. “And maybe help him with some fighting skills.”

“What’s your name, boy?” Shiva asked me, putting her hands on her hips.

“Ninomiya Kazunari,” I said. She walked around me and nodded her head. I raised an eyebrow at this.

“Well?” said Crystal, placing her arms behind her back.

“Judging from his looks and weight, I suggest you give him a long katana,” Shiva stated, making her way back to Crystal. “I suggest as well that you give him the one in the purple casing.”

Crystal agreed and went to the back of the store to get my weapon.

“How good are you when you fight, Nino? Can you cast magic?” Shiva asked me.

“I… I haven’t ever fought with a weapon before, nor have I ever cast magic before,”

She simply nodded her head at this. “Very, well, then I and Crystal shall be your tutor. Crystal with weaponary and I in magic.”

I suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask Crystal as she appeared once more with the katana in her arms.

“Oh yeah, you said your name was Crystal Leonheart, right?” I said as she handed me my weapon.

“Yes, why?”

“Are you related in some ay to Squall or something?”

“Oh, didn’t you know? He’s my brother!” Crystal said. I was sort of surprised. I didn’t know that Squall had a sister! She noticed my confused expression. “What’s wrong?”

“Ah, nothing!” I shook my head.

“Right… now I have to teach you how to summon your weapon.” Crystal said. “It’s really simple actually. All you need to do is put your concentration on it like casting magic or summoning a summon. When you’re done with it, just concentrate once more on making it disappear, or course, this would be a different case if you were using your fists, like Zell.” Crystal stated, and turned to Shiva. “This guy needs some magic, doesn’t he? I know we have draw point around and all but, would you mind giving him his very first magic spell?”

“Alright, I don’t mind,” Shiva said, approaching me. “Stand still,” She said. Then, she had raised her right arm into the air, creating some sort of ice orb. It floated down towards me, entering my body.
“Since we’re all done here, let’s go to the Training Area shall we? I think if we work really hard today you might be able to sit for the SeeD exam with me and Squall tomorrow,” Crystal smiled.

“Tomorrow? The exam’s tomorrow? But how would we be able to make me that powerful by tomorrow?”

“That’s why I said, we’re going to work hard today! Are you in, or out?” Crystal said, giving out her hand for me to shake.

“I’m in.” I said, shaking her hand.

I had a feeling that I won’t be going home that soon, so what’s to lose?

A/N: Nino sucked into a video game? Please excuse me if the fanfic just sounds wroong. Ah, and I'd like to inform you that updates for this story [b]might[/b[ be a little bit slow because I'm focusing more on To Take a Chance right now. Got so many ideas in my head I don't want them to slip my mind fast. XDDD

So basically this story would follow the FFVIII story line, with a little bit of twists here and there. ;D

that's interesting and challenging too nice work for the first chapter....can't wait the the update. i read to take a chance, love it too....natsuko and sho....can't wait for this fic update, gabate

XD You really like FFVIII HAHA But he got sucked into his game?! <333 LOL How fitting for Nino, can't wait to find out what will happen to him LOL XD

wow this seems very interesting!
a crazed-game otaku in a game...
can't wait for your next update!

Wow, this is really interesting. What a new premise. Looking forward to the continuation.

FFVIII! WOOT! I love it. Update when you can!

@niska842003: Thank you for reading! : D
@rosevic87: I... I'm not obsessed I swear. XD *hides all FFVIII merchandise in back closet* XD
@julygrl393: Thank you for reading! : D
@phw: Thanks for the comment!
@Mishi: Thank you! X3

Chapter 2;

“OW!” I exclaimed as I landed hit the ground hard, my arms aching from trying to block Crystal’s attack.

“Wow; we’re barely 5 minutes into this and yet you’re already out like a light,” Crystal said in amazement as she threw her pinwheels up in the air and catching it.

“Don’t blame me! Where I come from we don’t have these things!”

“What’s going on?” Squall said, entering the Training Centre to come and see how things were progressing.

“I was just giving Nino a lesson here but…” Crystal and Squall glanced at my ‘saddened’ and sweaty state.

“You’re ambition as a Garden teacher seriously needs to be disposed of,” Squall sighed. “I’ll take it from here, Crystal.”

“Does that mean he’s going to share a room tonight with you too?” Crystal asked.

“You know I like my personal space, you take him to your room,” Squall said, folding his arms.

“But I’m a girl! He’s a guy! Isn’t that… against the rules?!”

“Look, it’s just going to be for a night. Besides, if we all pass the SeeD test tomorrow, Nino-whatever included; he’ll get his own room too, right? There, problem solved.”

“Good point, Captain Squall. Well then,” Crystal said, turning to face me with a small wave. “I’ll see you tonight, okay? I think Squall will show you to my room, and don’t forget to work hard! I know you can do it!”

That said; she left me alone with Squall, Shiva following right behind her. Squall turned to face me.

“Can you stand?” He asked, reaching a hand out to help me out.

“Yeah, thanks.” I said, as he helped me get back on my feet. I didn’t know that Squall was actually… helpful. From what I’ve seen in the game, he was the type that wouldn’t even help a single soul. Not in the beginning of the game anyway.

“Why are you staring?” He raised an eyebrow at me.

“Ah, nothing! I just had a spaced-out moment, that’s all.” I said, picking up my katana that lay on the floor.

“Alright, let’s start with the basics of fighting, are you ready?” Squall said, getting into his fighting position.

----------

“Nino? Hey guys… the door’s unlocked.” Sho said as the four of the Arashi members stood outside Nino’s apartment door.

“I have a bad feeling about this…” Aiba uneasily said as they opened the door. The apartment was empty and quiet, and there was no sign of Ninomiya Kazunari anywhere.

“He left the TV on… what a waste of electricity!” Sho sighed as Jun approached the television to see what Nino had been up to.

“UWAH!” Jun screamed, taking a few steps back.

“What is it?” Ohno asked as they stood behind Jun who was pointing to the TV, wide-eyed.

“Hey! It’s…”

“It’s Nino!” Jun exclaimed. On the TV screen there was a figure that looked exactly like Nino. The subtitles with the dialogue had the name ‘Nino’ too. Sho noticed the cover of the game that Nino was supposedly playing.

“Final Fantasy?” Sho rasied an eyebrow, flipping to the back of the cover.

“The story tells us of a boy who was sent to another world, chosen to be a fated child like the rest of them, to take down an evil beyond their dreams. Indeed, if the viewers are able to see him to the very end, a wish will be granted.

“That sounds like… like a manga I’ve read somewhere. A girl who got sent to another world! Except she got sent into a world inside a book!” Aiba said as he finished reading the synopsis.

“Now’s not the time! We need to figure a way on how to get Nino out!” Sho said, peering at the TV screen once more. It appeared as if Nino was being led to a room.

“… A wish will be granted at the very end…” Ohno bluntly said, reading the synopsis again.

“That’s it guys!” Jun exclaimed. “We’ll see this thing to the very end, and when we make our wish, we’ll wish that Nino gets back here safe and sound!”

“Sounds like a plan to me,” Sho agreed, sitting down on the sofa. “Now all we have to do is watch and wait… right?”

----------

Squall knocked on the door to his sister’s dorm. Good thing everyone was still at dinner! I think it would be embarrassing if I had to compete with the weird stared they would have given me.

“Coming!” Crystal’s voice said through the door, followed by a bunch of hasty footsteps. The door opened, revealing the smile on Crystal’s face. “Hey, guys! How was training today?”

“It was fine. I guess this guy here would be able to do well tomorrow.” Squall said, pointing to my sweaty and exhausted figure.

“Well, you must be tired, huh? Come on in!” Crystal said, opening her door wider. “Are you going to come in too, Squall?”

“No, I’m going to head back to the Training Centre to do some extra work.” Squall shook his head.

“Working hard?” Crystal smirked as her brother nodded at her comment.

“Yeah, we plan to go to the Fire Cavern tomorrow before the SeeD exam begins. You’re coming too, right? You and…” Squall turned to face me. “… Your new friend.”

“Don’t worry, we are!” Crystal laughed. “See you tomorrow.”

Squall gave a wave as he turned around and started walking away. Crystal welcomed me into her room. It was… neat. Well, better than mine, obviously. Books were neatly stacked on the study table; her SeeD exam clothes and SeeD costume were hanging by the wall.

“Here,” She said, giving me a can of what seemed to be an energy drink as I sat down on a chair and she sat on her bed. “Sorry, but I think you’ll be sleeping on the floor tonight. But hey, look on the bright side! If you pass the SeeD exam, you’ll get your own room, isn’t that great?”

“Yeah,” I smiled at her. “But what about my uniform? I don’t have any.”

“I’m sure Squall will take care of that!” Crystal laughed. “Tell me more about yourself… you say you come from another world, right?”

I nodded my head.

“Will you tell me more about it?” She asked, sounding a bit excited.

“Well…” I began, taking a look at the empty can I held in my hand. “I don’t know what to say about it. My job back in my world’s kinda hectic. I have to do performances and shoot films and do recordings for new songs with my band… and about my world… I don’t know how to explain it either. Life in my hometown can be very hectic as well, people usually walk just about anywhere around the city or take the train.”

“I’d love to see your world sometime, Nino. Sounds very interesting,” Crystal said. “Oh yeah! I almost forgot. About your weapon… you need to give it a name.”

“A name? For my… weapon?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Yeah. That way when you conjure it… you call out it’s name. I call mine Dissidia, while Squall calls his Lionheart.”

“A name huh?” I thought for a moment. “Maybe I’ll call mine ‘Arashi’. It’s the only thing I can think of right now anyway, so I think I’m going to go with that.”

“Arashi?” Crystal tilted her head, not understanding the meaning of the word. “What does it mean?”

“It means ‘Storm’. Quite nifty, huh?” I smirked as Crystal gave a small laugh.

“I think you should star getting some rest. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow, and you won’t know what to expect, right?”

----------

There was a woman standing in the distance. She looked familiar, her whole feature looked familiar. I just couldn’t make out her name. She wore a sleeveless blue colored v-neck top and a long white skirt, with a transparent scarf, and she had short, dark brown hair.

“Hello, Kazunari,” She said in a clam voice as she faced me.

“Who are you?” I asked.

“The one who sent you here, that’s who.”

“What?! Why?! Why did you send me here in the first place?!” I exclaimed.

“Because it was fated to happen, Kazunari. You’re a fated child as well, along with the others,” The girl said, pointing a finger at me, before turning away to walk in the other direction.

“Hey, wait!” I shouted, trying to run after her. I don’t remember what happened next but, I could feel like someone was shaking me.

“Nino? Are you okay?” Crystal’s voice caused me to open my eyes to a new day. “You were talking in your sleep.”

“H- Huh? Was I?” I said.

“When you’re done freshening up, come meet me me and Quistis at the front gate. I brought some of my clothes to wear. I think you’re my size,” Squall said, pointing to his clothes that lay on the bed. Great, now I’m going to go around looking like Squall’s twin or something.

“Squall? What happened to your nose?” Crystal said, acknowledging the mark of a slash that had appeared on Squall’s nose. It wasn’t there the day before, which means… today’s the day that the game had actually started…

“It’s nothing. It was just an accident, that’s all,” Squall said, turning around to hide the newly formed mark on his face.

“Was it Seifer?” Crystal said, approaching him to try and take a better look at it.

“Like I said, an accident happened. He has one too now anyway.”

“Right, I’m supposed to believe that!” Crystal said, shaking her head. “You guys never stop fighting, do you?”

“I’ll see you outside,” Squall ignored Crystal’s last comment as he exited the room. Sighing she turned to face me.

“You can change right here. I’ll be waiting outside my room! Then we can grab a quick bite at the cafeteria before heading the Fire Cavern, okay?”

That said, Crystal left the room, leaving me alone to get ready for the day.

A/N: The idea in my head for this chapter didn't come out well... o_o... oh well, can you all guess who the girl who was talking to Nino in his dream is? ;D

HAHAHA Omg I love how the other members are just gonna sit back and watch the game but I wonder what Nino will wish for in the end *hmmm* HAHAHA

rofl~ i have like all these final fantasy "heroine" figures in my room from when i was in japan lol but i can't find riona...=/ i swear i had her too LOL

YAY update! Oh, so they can't pick up the controller and control Nino huh hahaha. That's good coz it would be bad if they do. Wah, Aiba-chan was talkin bout Fushigi Yuugi! LOL.

Loving this! Thanks for the update. MOAR!

Am playing FFIV on DS ^_^

Yeah for update. I agree that it was way too funny how the rest of Arashi is sitting back watching and not freaking out about Neen stuck in a game. May be they will show through Arashi the katana.

yayay! upload!
i love the calm reactions of arashi of nino being in the game!

this is sooo ironic....i JUST started ff8 with my psp again last week since i've never finished it...sounds like a good story. hope you continue it soon. i see i'm not the only one who wonders what it'd be like to live in a video game