[Chapter I - Heart of a Lion]

Squall -- as usual, was engaged in profound contemplation. Leaning against the massive crimson wall on one side of the entrance, his right arm at angle across his torso bearing the weight of his left arm at the elbow, and with his left hand covering a portion of his face, his fingers wrapped around his brown strands of hair and supporting his forehead; the classical posture of any thoughtful individual. He remembered it so well. It felt as if no time had transpired between then and now, yet, it had, for they were not here with him. He remembered them shouting his name in despair, in agony... "SQUALL!!"... most of all, he remembered her scream above all others, it deafened the rest. It haunted him still, and was the reason he decided to adopt a new name -- Leon.

His name was called, and Leon knew what it meant. Instinctively, he took hold of the Revolver Gunblade at his side, and although it was the weakest of all the weapons he had acquired during his journey, he favored it still. "Leon!", once again, in an impatient manner, a stumpy figure near the stadium cried out.

With his thougths now collected, Leon responded, "I heard you the first time, goat man."

"Watch your mouth with me kid!" Normally, Philoctetes, or Phil for short, wouldn't have hesitated to charge in attack anyone who dared call him that... but he had been witness to Leon's abilities in battle, and would have rather remain a spectator and not a participant.

Leon walked towards the arena, drawing closer to the battle square with each step.

He had brought defeat upon hundred of enemies in this ring before, and afterwards, defeat awaited a hundred enemies more... with each passing battle, Leon knew he would eventually encounter the man he was in search for. This man, as he had come to know through Aerith, Cid, and Yuffie, possessed incredible strength of both body and heart. No doubt was this man in search of his lost comrades, they thought, and so, Leon volunteered for purposes known only to him. All three, Cid, Yuffie, and Aerith, were surprised at this unexpected behavior from Leon... they considered him a lonewolf, and he hardly talked at all. The only time Leon did not feel like an outcast was in the companionship of his old comrades, they were the only friends he ever had.

"I wasted our time together, I wasn't able to cherish it.", Leon thought in regret as he stood in front of the familiar arena.

"You OK champ?", Phil asked, slight concern in his voice.

Leon replied with silence at first, but then decided to ask a question of his own. First having to lower his vision to meet Phil's, "Who am I facing?"

"A tough one, he's made it here without losing... well, just once. I tell you kid, he was holding back!"

In the corner of his eye, Leon begun too see a shadow in the ground cast by a figure on the opposite side of the ring. Slowly raising his head, as if time was gradually halting solely for this purpose, he first saw the triangular tip of a huge cracking blade, mantled by torn wrappings, umber color boots, navy blue pants, with leather straps fastening the baggy cloth below this fighter's knees, above, an arrangement of belts adorned the waist. As Leon came to notice each feature of his opponent's outfit... his memory soon brought forth a description of the man he sought. Time returned to normal. Leon was now met with an unnatural shade of blue eyes, surrounded by a pale white face, though, only half of the man's face was visible, the rest remained hidden behind a long violet ragged scarf, and spiky blonde hair.

Leon was in awe, even though anyone who had been present wouldn't have noticed an exterior change, soon his attention was drawn by the dark aura this man emitted through every part of his body. There were some minor inconsistencies with the man's present state, and the description he had been given by the people who had known him in the past, but this sensation of dark energy troubled Leon the most. The man had been considered a hero only by his companions, no one else in his world thought of him as that, not even himself nor would he have taken satisfaction in the thought... so why ally himself with the darkness? Leon was unsure of the man's true identity, but it did not deter him from pondering over such inquiries.

"Are you Cloud?"

"Why would it matter to you?"

The man was quick to reply, it caught Leon by surprise... sincerely, he had not expected one at all.

"Answer my question, and I'll answer yours.", Leon persisted.

"I'm only here to defeat you and move on to my next opponent.", the blonde- haired man responded, ignoring the request and now irritated by Leon's words. "I've already wasted enough time on you than I wanted to."

Leon growled faintly, also annoyed at the small, yet vehement exchange between these two fighters. From what he had been told, Leon expected a cold attitude on behalf of Cloud, but not unwillingness to cooperate; he further doubted this man could be Cloud, but the similarities were undeniable.

In the earliest stages of his life, Leon could not resist being pulled towards battle, and as a result was praised for his skills. Underneath in secrecy, he hoped there were another way to settle problems, however, war had made a warrior out of him, and he knew there was no other solution but violence at times. At heart he was a pacifist, what prevented Leon from upholding this ideal was his gift. Leon had a power most didn't, and did not intent to waste it. He would rather fight and put his power to use, creating peace even if momentary, than attempt to settle conflicts peacefully and obtain no results.

Such an occasion called for his talent - both his blessing and curse in one package. Combat offered to bestow the enlightenment he now needed, ironic that it was also the reason he had become an orphan. Not only would Leon discover the nature of the mysterious aura enveloping his foe, but have an opportunity to test "Cloud's" strength... Leon was still uncertain, but that's how he would regard the man as, for now. He would not disclose the information he held so hastily without some reassurance.

"Whatever."

Mounting the Revolver Gunblade on his shoulder, Leon stepped onto the square platform. The invisible wall's erected, surrounding the arena to protect the coliseum's audience from the incredible power both fighters would soon display.