Chapter 1
A sword came high about Joe's head as he ducked out of the way, and fell in to a forward roll. With his own sword drawn, he managed to deflect a blow that came in hard at his right side. Christ, he thought. Squall was going insane in this practice. The sounds of metal clanging together could be heard through out the entire training area. Many had gathered around to see the two fight. On one hand, you have the hero who saved the world. The one who was a master with the gunblade, and ran the Garden the way he saw fit. On the other, you have an up and coming SeeD who had grown too big for his britches, and desired more than just being drilled daily. Joe wielded a mighty sword, one enormous in size. It was so incredibly large, that everyone tended to make jokes, saying "Joe's trying to make up for where he's lacking". Another loud clang and the two faced each other down. Joe would not be denied this time, but Squall had one last resort. As it seemed Joe had reached deep within for an unbelievable amount of strength, Squall muttered something low, and under his breath. A lightning bolt struck Joe, and sent him to the ground. Knowing he had the advantage, Squall placed the gunblade at Joe's neck, and smiled.
"You lose." Squall said sternly.
"We agreed on no magics!!!" Joe screamed.
"Battles in the world do not have rules, that is something you must learn. If you are to gain the advantage, you have to think on your feet, use your head. Your strength can't always overwhelm your opponent."
"Grrrr, whatever. It's time to shower."
"Go ahead. If you care to resume this battle sometime later, I'd love to."
Joe screamed in frustration, and walked out of the training center. Squall smiled, and followed soon after. That kid was going to make a great SeeD someday. He just had some more maturing to do.
Joe stepped in to the shower area. Showers at the Balamb garden were coed, it took awhile to get used to, but it really wasn't that bad. Joe stepped in, and saw that no one was using the showers. Good, he thought. The water turned on, and cascaded down his body. Joe put his head against the wall, trying to clear his mind, when a hand dropped on his shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw it was Deb.
"How's my guy doing?"
"Alright, worn out thought. Squall won again."
"Joe, you're still 19. Of course he's going to win. He's been fighting since you were in diapers."
"I know, but I just..I can't explain it."
"Well, it doesn't really matter. Now..how about we get a little closer, shall we?" Deb said with a smirk.
"You know the rules of the showers, none of that." Joe answered.
"Fine, we'll just go to your dorm then." She said still smiling.
The water shut off, and the two left. Neither was seen for the next 3 hours.
A sword came high about Joe's head as he ducked out of the way, and fell in to a forward roll. With his own sword drawn, he managed to deflect a blow that came in hard at his right side. Christ, he thought. Squall was going insane in this practice. The sounds of metal clanging together could be heard through out the entire training area. Many had gathered around to see the two fight. On one hand, you have the hero who saved the world. The one who was a master with the gunblade, and ran the Garden the way he saw fit. On the other, you have an up and coming SeeD who had grown too big for his britches, and desired more than just being drilled daily. Joe wielded a mighty sword, one enormous in size. It was so incredibly large, that everyone tended to make jokes, saying "Joe's trying to make up for where he's lacking". Another loud clang and the two faced each other down. Joe would not be denied this time, but Squall had one last resort. As it seemed Joe had reached deep within for an unbelievable amount of strength, Squall muttered something low, and under his breath. A lightning bolt struck Joe, and sent him to the ground. Knowing he had the advantage, Squall placed the gunblade at Joe's neck, and smiled.
"You lose." Squall said sternly.
"We agreed on no magics!!!" Joe screamed.
"Battles in the world do not have rules, that is something you must learn. If you are to gain the advantage, you have to think on your feet, use your head. Your strength can't always overwhelm your opponent."
"Grrrr, whatever. It's time to shower."
"Go ahead. If you care to resume this battle sometime later, I'd love to."
Joe screamed in frustration, and walked out of the training center. Squall smiled, and followed soon after. That kid was going to make a great SeeD someday. He just had some more maturing to do.
Joe stepped in to the shower area. Showers at the Balamb garden were coed, it took awhile to get used to, but it really wasn't that bad. Joe stepped in, and saw that no one was using the showers. Good, he thought. The water turned on, and cascaded down his body. Joe put his head against the wall, trying to clear his mind, when a hand dropped on his shoulder. Looking behind him, he saw it was Deb.
"How's my guy doing?"
"Alright, worn out thought. Squall won again."
"Joe, you're still 19. Of course he's going to win. He's been fighting since you were in diapers."
"I know, but I just..I can't explain it."
"Well, it doesn't really matter. Now..how about we get a little closer, shall we?" Deb said with a smirk.
"You know the rules of the showers, none of that." Joe answered.
"Fine, we'll just go to your dorm then." She said still smiling.
The water shut off, and the two left. Neither was seen for the next 3 hours.