Battle of the Gardens

The Battle over Edea's Orphanage was fought on Balamb Garden (whose mobile capabilities had just been discovered) between SeeD forces under the command of Squall Leonhart and the Galbadian Army under the orders of Sorceress Edea, who ordered the attack as means of retaliation after the failed attempt on her life.

As both military academies were built with mobility devices by the Centra, the battle began after Galbadia Garden rams against Balamb Garden in mid air, just over Edea's House. Squall, recently appointed commander of the Garden, leads the ensuing battle.

The in-game event is fairly linear. After the crash, Rinoa is left clinging to the bottom of the Garden while Zell rushes back to inform Squall on the situation. After being sent back and unable to reach the quad where she is, Zell returns to the bridge again to report. Squall then decides to jump into action: he goes down to the second floor, battles a paratrooper, casts him away and uses his airborne device to reach her location.

After an encouraging speech by Squall, the SeeDs fight back while the party uses the opportunity to enter Galbadia Garden and confront Edea. Here, they confront the GF Cerberus and, shortly afterwards, Seifer, appointed Sorceress Knight and Edea herself.

Aftermath
Whth the Sorceress defeated, Rinoa received Edea's powers and became a Sorceress herself; Ultimecia then possessed Rinoa and forced her into a coma. Free of Ultimecia influence, Edea was finally able to explain to the party her actions and the purpose of Ultimecia, the Sorceress from the future. She told the party about the existance of the White SeeDs, adviced them to find Ellone and remained for the rest of the events of the game in her house, accompanied by Headmaster Cid.