A/N: Much thanks to Waves of Eternal Doom for the review, your question is answered in this chapter, and as always, R&R, comments/criticisms are appreciated.
Chapter 3
Squall blinked in surprise. "A SeeD?" he asked. He had never heard of any surviving SeeDs. Sorceress Relena had conquered every Garden, and the SeeDs that had managed to escape had supposedly been hunted down. Squall knew this, though; Ixidor had never been in Balamb. Rank A SeeDs were almost constantly on missions, and even when they weren't on missions, they were kept careful track of.
Ixidor nodded and started walking. "I was...advanced for my age. I had no family to speak of, I doubt I ever did...I joined Trabia Garden when I was 7, and I became a SeeD when I turned 10. I rose through the ranks quite easily, and I became a Rank A SeeD at the age of 18, 5 years ago."
"How did you know I was looking for someone?" asked Squall, following Ixidor through the sand dunes.
Ixidor turned around. "In Trabia Garden, there was a little girl, a year younger than me. She wasn't the best fighter, so naturally I got stuck tutoring her, since I was a better SeeD than even some of the teachers. I was a Rank 15 SeeD when this happened, and at the rate I was going, I would never become a better SeeD. I wanted to spend every moment looking for that which would make me a better soldier, not mentoring a bad student. I shouldn't be held responsible for the weak just because I'm strong, I thought to myself. Back then, I pushed myself because I thought that the weak were destined to perish, and only the strong would reign. I thought of the girl as a waste of time."
"But that which I thought I had been cursed with turned out to be one of the greatest gifts I was ever given."
"She was a happy, cheerful girl, maybe a bit hyper though. While I taught her how to fight and use magic, she taught me something much more important. She taught me there was so much more to life than battles; there was friendship, and love..." Ixidor stopped and looked at the ocean in the distance.
"As you've probably guessed by now, that girl was Selphie Tilmitt." Ixidor said.
They walked on. "Selphie and I were best friends, and we did our best to keep in touch. She told me all about you, Squall Leonhart, as well as all your other friends."
Ixidor smiled. "The hours I would spend listening to her...I feel like I could write a book on you guys. A week after she arrived I was forced to go on a series of missions, so I wasn't there during or after the Galbadian missile attack. As soon as I got word I came back and did all I could to help rebuild Trabia Garden. The compassion and happiness Selphie had taught me was what I had needed, I think. I was awarded Rank A after Trabia had been rebuilt. After Sorceress Relena destroyed Balamb Garden, I decided to do what I could to save the future of SeeD. I begged all my friends and fellow SeeDs to leave Trabia Garden. Many people knew that Balamb was only the first step. Trabia Garden would surely be destroyed as well. Unfortunately, many didn't listen to me, and I had to go forward alone. 4 days after I left, Trabia Garden was annhilated. I hear many Trabian SeeDs escaped, and ever since then, I've been searching for my friends, like you have. I've had many adventures along the way...but I digress."
Ixidor's face turned serious. "A week ago, I recieved a transmission code-named "Lionheart", and it contained a message from Selphie. My best friend...I was overjoyed to hear from her. She told me that she was safe, and that she was looking for you, and that you were probably doing the same."
Squall frowned. "She didn't bother to contact me?"
Ixidor shrugged. "Only someone with a radio wave reciever could access that message," he said as he took out a small black device and threw it over to Squall, "If you don't have one, that's obviously why you didn't get the message."
Squall looked at it. It had a bunch of knobs and dials, and he didn't have the slightest clue how to work it. "This seems complicated to work." Squall said as he threw it back.
Ixidor caught it and put it away. "Selphie always was a bit smarter than everyone else on the class, it's only through her that I know what to do with it." he replied. He stopped walking. They had reached the shore.
Squall looked around and asked, "What are we doing here?"
Ixidor looked back at Squall. "Well, you're here to choose. If you choose to be partners, then we begin the first and final step of the SeeD Rebirth. We'll call all the SeeDs together and fight the Sorceress in one final battle."
Ixidor looked up at him. "Just like Edea Kramer wanted us to, right?"
Squall nodded.
Ixidor looked at his blade. "This journey won't be easy, but you know that. There are way too many dangers along the way, and the odds of us even surviving the trip are very, very, slim. But one way or the other, we'll find our friends again." He pointed in the direction of the Space Center. "If you choose to escape, to save yourself, to go it alone, then head in that direction. A SeeD named Asi is going to go to the old Lunar Space Station. But if you go, be prepared to never return, because he's loaded the place with explosives set to destroy the Center 5 minutes after he is launched into space. This way you won't have to worry about the Sorceress following you there." Ixidor looked up at the sky. "The choice is yours to make."
The waves beat against the rocks. Squall looked at Ixidor. Ixidor's eyes were cold, indifferent. A lot like Squall's used to be...
Squall said, "What are we waiting for? We've wasted enough time at this place." Ixidor grinned and nodded. He ran in the direction of the Great Salt Lake.
Squall looked up at the sky, like Ixidor had done. Storm clouds were gathering.
A/N: Ixidor's story is revealed, and Squall and Ixidor form a partnership. Well, that's chapter 3, chapters 4-5 soon to come.
