Legacies: Chapter 10
by: Gemini83
Disclaimer: You know it, I don't own FF8. But I do own this story.

The party was in high gear tonight. Twirling figures abounded on the marble dance floor.

Squall sat at his table booth, beside Rinoa and looked at the spectacle absent mindedly.

Rinoa waved her hands in front of his face, "hello, planet to Squall..."

He blinked, and looked back at her, "excuse me?"

Rinoa laughed, "something on your mind?"

He leaned back against the cushioned seat, "just wondering what President Loire has to say to me that's so important."

Rinoa nodded, "he didn't tell you?"

Squall shrugged, then stood up as he saw someone in the crowd. She slowly made her way to their table.

"Sis," said Squall.

Ellone smiled, coming up to embrace Squall, "it's been forever since I saw you."

Squall nodded, "not as long as the last time we met."

Ellone stood back, and looked at his strangely, she turned to Rinoa.

"That must be the first time I heard him try to be funny," she smiled, "you're work I presume?"

Rinoa covered her hand and laughed.

Squall shook his head, "whatever."

Rinoa and Ellone mimicked his comment, in time "whatever."

Squall determinedly pushed past it, "Sis, this is Rinoa. Rinoa, my sister Ellone. You didn't meet for long last time."

The two women laughed playfully.

"Glad to finally meet you," said Ellone, "I've heard so much."

"Likewise," answered Rinoa, "so, how is Esthar?"

"Strange as ever," grinned Ellone, "but I like it that way, it suits Uncle Laguna."

Squall nodded, "where is he? What did he want to talk to me about?"

Ellone's smile vanished, "he has some...personal things to discuss with you."

Rinoa frowned, "personal?"

Ellone nodded, "just how much do you know about him?"

Squall shrugged, "what you showed us in the visions. That, and he knew some people from my past, including you. What are you getting at?"

"That's for him to tell you," Ellone pursed her lips, "do one thing for me Squall."

"Anything," he replied.

"It may take a while," she explained, "but he'll get there. Let him finish in his own way. You know how he is."

Squall shook his head. Ellone was right, Laguna was a little...weird. Especially for a president and ex-soldier. How he got to be President of one of the world's most powerful nations was beyond him.

"He'll be here in a little while," finished Ellone.

Squall nodded.

Rinoa looked back and forth between the two, "well, let's not sit here feeling awkward."

Ellone smiled, "being around you has improved him."

Rinoa grinned back, "thanks, I'm trying. He was a real piece of work when I first met him."

Ellone nodded soberly.

Squall hung his head and shrugged.

She laughed, "I don't think he likes us talking about him in third person."

Rinoa pouted playfully, "oh, poor Squall. How about a dance to lighten your mood?"

Squall looked up, "wh-" he started

He caught the looks in their faces, "-en have I ever been able to refuse?"

Rinoa looked at him for a moment before laughing again.

Ellone shook her head, "he's getting wise of us."


Zell sat at another table, Irvine, Selphie, and Raijin by his side. Leona came to the table with a few friends.

Zell stopped inhaling his hot dogs long enough to say, "hey guys, this is Leona. Take a seat."

She nodded, and complied.

Irvine surreptitiously winked at his friend. Zell waited until Leona was looking away, then made a cutting gesture at the throat.

Irvine and Selphie laughed, getting the message, 'knock it off.'

Raijin looked on with varying degrees of amusement, "so, how's it been at Trabia?"

Selphie groaned, "it's been such hard work! But Sir Laguna's really helped out lately. We're doing okay."

Irvine nodded, "how about Galbadia?"

"You banged us up pretty good," joked Raijin, "but Seed's always bounce back."

Irvine nodded, then stopped as he looked on the dance floor, "well, I never knew Xu and Nida were an item."

The others turned to look.


The two did indeed seem to be enamored of each other, lightly treading across the dance floor, oblivious to their surroundings.

Selphie gestured to two other dancing figures, and Irvine smiled as he saw Rinoa and Squall waltzing together.

Irvine leered at Zell, whispering to him, "so, I hear you've got you're eyes set on her."

He moved his eyes to Leona, then back.

Zell blushed slightly, then bared his teeth, whispering back, "can it Irvine."

Irvine shuddered inwardly. To all outside appearances, it looked like they were having an innocent conversation, but Irvine knew Zell. And right now, it looked as if Zell wanted to bite him somewhere painful.

Selphie saw and heard the display, hiding a laugh.

She stood up, "come on Irvy, let's see how well you move."

The cowboy shook his head, and followed her, waving to the others, "duty calls."

Raijin snickered, as Zell glared at him.


Selphie led Irvine through the crowd, dragging him by the hand. She ignored his pleas for her to slow down.

"Oh no you don't Irvy," she reprimanded, "the last thing we need is you giving Zell 'advice.'"

She turned back to him, and he smiled sheepishly.

Selphie bumped into someone, and quickly made her apologies.

"Oh, excuse me."

The man turned around, glancing at her surprised, then shrugged it off, "not a problem."

Selphie recognized the khakis, the blue jacket, and the familiar smile immediately.

"Sir Laguna!" she shouted.

He smiled back, giving her a slight bow.

He nodded to her and Irvine.

Irvine nodded back, "hello Pres-"

Laguna raised his hand to stop him, "please, just my name."

Irvine nodded once more, "nice to see you again Laguna...Kiros, Ward."

Laguna turned to his sides, as his two eternal compatriots returned the greeting.

Kiros nodded, "the good doctor is here as well. I think he's lost himself in the festivities though."

Irvine laughed, "not a problem."

Selphie bounced slightly on her feet, "so, Sir Laguna, what brings you to the ceremony?"

He sighed, scratching his head, "well, it's kind of complicated..."

Kiros quickly explained, "he has some matters to discuss with Commander Leonheart."

Laguna let out his breath, silently thanking Kiros, "what he said."

Kiros nodded slightly.

Ward shook his hands in the air, mumbling.

"What did he say?" asked Selphie.

Kiros laughed, "he's glad to see you."

Selphie smiled back.

Laguna brushed his hand through his hair, "so, where is Sq- uhm...Commander Leonheart anyway?"

Irvine pointed to the dance floor, "out there, dancing with Rinoa."

Laguna turned to look, and felt his heart catch again as he saw Squall, dancing without a care in the world. He shook his head as Squall dipped Rinoa, then spun with a flourish, grinning all the while through the dance.

He spoke almost sadly, "he looks happy."

Selphie nodded, "I think she's the only one who can get him to smile like that."

Laguna felt beads of sweat begin to form on his forehead, he wiped them away with a handkerchief.

"What's...what's he like?" asked the President of Esthar.

Irvine thought, rubbing his chin, "well...ever since he was a kid, he's been kind of apart. Squall doesn't like having to depend on others, but he's learning."

Laguna nodded.

Selphie continued, "one more thing, he doesn't get mad often, he doesn't really get...anything...often, but when he does, it's really something to see."

"All in all," finished Irvine, "he's done pretty good for himself, all things considered. Why do you ask?"

Laguna shrugged, "oh...just wondering."

"Oh yeah," said Selphie, "that reminds me, we never got to thank you for helping us rebuild Trabia."

Kiros shrugged, "it's always our pleasure to help Seed, after all we owe you."

Ward nodded.


Rinoa and Squall finished the dance, and walked hand in hand from the floor.

Rinoa stopped them, "oh look, there's President Loire."

Squall glanced up, and saw the ruler of Esthar, "what does he want anyway?"

She smiled, "why don't we find-"

Squall looked at her as she stopped, "what is it?"

Rinoa gestured with her chin, "looks like my father's finally decided to show up."

Squall looked up again, and saw General Caraway of Galbadia, Rinoa's father. To say the least, relationships between them hadn't always been on the best of terms.

He frowned, "do you want me to stay?"

Rinoa bit her lower lip, and shook her head, "that's okay, go and see what President Loire wants."

Squall sighed, "I'll be here-"

"If I need you," finished Rinoa.

He smiled back, bringing her close for a kiss, then turned away.

Rinoa made her way through the crowd, towards her father, and found two more familiar faces in the crowd...


Squall walked up to Laguna. The President of Esthar, waved, declining to extend his hand for a shake. Squall was notorious for his total lack of response. Irvine had to laugh, Laguna had done his homework.

"So," asked Squall, "what brings you to Balamb Garden?"

Laguna shrugged, "I had some important things to say to you."

Squall nodded, "if it's about the building of the Gardens, we are duly grateful, and will-"

The President of Esthar demurred, "oh, it's not that...it's something more...personal."

"Personal?" asked Squall.

Kiros laughed, "you'll have to excuse Laguna, he has no tact sometimes. He wanted to talk to you alone for a while."

Squall nodded, "sure, fine, we could head to a table reserved for the Garden Instructors, they're set apart and private."

Laguna nodded, looking at the far end of the room to the booth like seats, indeed, they did have a lot of expanse.

He nodded, "that'll be great."

"Follow me," suggested Squall, leading the way.


Selphie turned to Kiros, as Laguna and Squall left, "what's this about anyway?"

Kiros looked away, rubbing his chin, "it's...complicated."

Irvine raised an eyebrow.

Kiros looked back, and smiled reassuringly, "don't worry, everything will be alright, I hope."


Squall sat down at the table, and nodded to several cadets, who stood sentry just out of earshot. No one would hear them now.

Squall looked at Laguna expectedly, saying nothing.

Laguna took a deep breath, "Squall...may I call you Squall?"

He shrugged back, "whatever."

That didn't help, he had wanted to break the ice first.

Laguna nodded, getting straight to the point, "exactly...what do you know about me?"

Squall blinked, "I'm not sure what you mean. You're president of Esthar, a former officer in the Galbadian-"

Laguna dismissed it with a wave of his hand, "oh, not that stuff. I mean, what do you know about me personally?"

Squall sat back in his chair, pondering, "you knew Rinoa's mother when you were with Galbadia."

Laguna glanced up, "Rinoa? Julia's child?"

Squall nodded.

Laguna leaned back, "she looks like her you know, same spirit."

Squall sniffed, "she likes to think so, if only because she's not easy around her father."

Laguna shifted in his seat, "hates him? Why?"

Squall shook his head, "he wasn't really there for her when she was a child, and being a resistance fighter didn't help much either."

Laguna winced, though Squall didn't know why, "what else?"

The commander of Balamb Garden continued, "you lived in Winhill for a while. Then you left and imprisoned Adel for several years."

Laguna nodded, "then, I suppose you realize there's a connection between us?"

Squall nodded, "the sorceress wars, and sis...what are you getting at?"

Laguna took another deep breath, reaching for a glass of water, and emptying it.

Squall waited patiently, not saying a word.

Laguna looked up at him again, and sighed, "Hyne...you look so much like her..."

Squall raised an eyebrow, "pardon?"

"You look like Raine," explained Laguna, "like your mother...must be where you get your brains from. You'd be hopeless with mine."

Squall drew closer to the table, "Raine? Raine's my mother? But that means..."

Laguna nodded again, and took the plunge, "I am your father..."


Quistis looked around the ballroom, and heaved a sigh. She couldn't help smiling when she had seen Squall and Rinoa dance. They seemed made for each other. After all that had happened, they deserved to have each other's hands to hold. She was happy for them, she really was. If only she could feel as much for herself.

'All the Treppies around the Garden,' she thought morosely, 'and not a single one asks me to dance.'

"Are you alright dear?" asked Edea.

Quistis turned to the woman, and smiled, "I'm fine, just lost in thought, I guess."

Cid shook his head, sipping from his glass, "you kids really should learn to relax, loosen up a bit."

Quistis laughed slightly, "I'm fine."

Edea smiled, "you know Quistis, most of the students are rather in awe of you, they revere you. Maybe you should let your hair down once in a while. Having a following is well enough, but it's lonely."

Edea smiled again, this time sadly, "believe me...I would know."

Cid looked up from the table, as a figure made his way to the table, "ah, fate sends us an offering."


A figure, dressed in black, strode up to the table. He peered down at them from behind several strands of black hair.

Quistis looked above the folds of his long trench coat, 'Hyne I hope he's not another Seifer or Irvine wannabe, there are enough of those.'

He saluted the three sitting at the table, bringing his hand up in Seed fashion.

Quistis quirked an eyebrow, "that's interesting, you don't seem to be a Seed cadet, or an instructor."

The man smiled slightly, "I'm neither."

Cid hastily answered for him, "he's currently working with Nida on the...ah...issue we discussed earlier."

Quistis nodded. So, this was a member of the infamous Centra spy net.

Edea raised her eyebrows gracefully.

He answered before she could ask, "I saw the lady seemed a bit bored."

He turned to Quistis, "I was feeling somewhat worn myself, and wondered if she'd care to dance?"

Quistis turned to Cid and Edea, who smiled and nodded.

She looked up and answered, "I'd love to."


He offered his hand, and led her to the dance floor. Quistis saw from the corner of her eyes, several cadets looking and pointing. From another table, Irvine raised a glass in salute. Quistis shook her head as she was led on.


As they began to dance, the music changed. The band was playing the Waltz for the Moon. Quistis looked around uncertainly and began to back away.

Her partner turned to her, "something wrong?"

Quistis shook her head, "oh no...nothing, it's just this song...it's Squall's..."

This was his song, his and Rinoa's she didn't quite feel right dancing to it.

Her partner smiled again, "don't worry, it'll be fine. Besides, I doubt Commander Leonhart will mind."

Quistis nodded uncertainly, and began to waltz with him. She noticed immediately that he was quite good at it. As they turned and slid past each other, Quistis smiled as she remembered when she had first seen Squall dance to this very same song.

They drew together again, and began to dance hand in hand.

Quistis laughed as something suddenly came to her mind, "I don't even know your name!"

He smiled slightly, "don't you? That's odd."

Quistis stared at him, "do you have one, or shall I make one up for you?"

He laughed again, "my friends call me Gabe."

"Very well, Gabe," smiled Quistis.

"So," he asked, "what was wrong with the song?"

"What?" wondered Quistis.

Gabe shrugged, "you said this was Squall's song? I assume you meant Commander Leonhart."

"You know of him," said Quistis.

He cocked his head, "who doesn't?"

There was that, the heads of Seed were almost icons now.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I was just thinking. This song reminds me of him."

Gabe frowned slightly, "no, I'm sorry, his gain is my loss."

Quistis furrowed her eyebrows for a moment, then laughed as she realized, "oh, it's nothing like that."

Gabe smiled knowingly, and Quistis got the impression that he knew she still cared for him, even if from afar. She felt guilty. She was happy for Rinoa and Squall, but couldn't find it in her to be happy for herself.

Quistis brushed it off. As was her reputation, she was resilient, "what about you? Working with Nida on the...project must be quite an experience."

Quistis had couched her words just right. She knew Gabe had something to do with the dark stranger, had some knowledge on the 'Nightwarrior,' and she wanted to know.

Gabe shook his head again, "unfortunately Instructor Nida will have to tell you. Actually, I wanted to ask YOU about the...incident."

"Ah," laughed Quistis, "the truth comes out."

Of course," added Gabe, "I couldn't resist asking for a dance, it was too tempting, even if you didn't know anything about our stranger."

Quistis nodded, appreciating his candor, "well, what do you want to know?"

"In the report," said Gabe, "it said that the attacking monsters behaved strangely. Have you ever seen such a reaction before?"

"No," replied Quistis.

"And you have no explanation whatsoever for it?"

Quistis shrugged, "I assume the...stranger had something to do with it."

Gabe nodded.

"So," she asked, "what about my question?"

He smiled back, "sorry, I cannot tell you."

"Cannot, or will not?" asked Quistis.

Gabe shrugged, "security I'm afraid. If I tell you..."

"You have to kill me?" joked Quistis.

Gabe returned the joke, "now that would be a shame, but I fear I'd not fare to well if I tried."

He hugged her closer to him, startling Quistis, and whispered to her, "too many prying eyes and ears."

Then he backed away again, and flashed another smile, as if all was forgotten.

However, a fluttering shadow at the corners of his visions drew his attention. Gabe's eyes flashed in anger. He bowed to Quistis.

"I must leave," he said curtly, "I'm sorry."

Before she could reply, Gabe walked off. Quistis had seen a glare in his eyes...something was amiss.


Rinoa caught sight of her friend dancing, and nodded, 'it's about time Quistis loosened up a bit.'

Then she was facing HIM, and her smile disappeared.

He looked back at her, at a loss for words, a man dressed in military uniform, with a general's stars on his shoulders.

"Hello father," said Rinoa.

"Hello...Rinoa," returned General Caraway, uncertainly, "it's good to hear you call me that."

Rinoa nodded, "it's good to see you came."

"Of course," answered her father.

Both looked away and fell into an uncomfortable silence, having said already what courtesy demanded of them.

Caraway drew himself up, "there are...other reasons why I'm here as well. I must speak with Commander Leonhart."

Rinoa looked up at him, "what for, may I ask?"

He shrugged, "certain military matters in Galbadia. I wish to speak with him. I believe you could-"

Rinoa cut him short, "you came to my graduation, so you could speak to Squall?"

The General continued as if it was nothing, "it is a matter of state. I was hoping that-"

Rinoa nodded curtly, "Squall's rather busy right now. Perhaps later you can ask him. In the meanwhile, Seifer doesn't seem busy, he's right over there."

Caraway turned to see the Commander of Galbadia Garden.

"Very well Rinoa," he stopped, seeing the look in her eyes.

He laughed sadly, "we never talk anymore, do we?"

Rinoa was taken aback for a moment, "we never talked. I was raised my nannies and strangers. All you ever had time to talk about with me was my contacts with the underground. And now, it seems, with Seed."

Caraway winced, she wasn't lying, he hadn't been much of a father to her.

He continued, "I hear you and the Balamb Commander-"

"His name," said Rinoa through bared teeth, "is Squall."

"Be careful around him," warned Caraway, "he has other commitments, commitments that may-"

"I love him father," she replied.

"He may not always be there for you," he started.

Rinoa stared back archly at him, saying nothing.

Caraway stopped speaking, reading her eyes.

He sighed, "I was never there for you either. I know that. Just like I wasn't there for your mother. I just...want you to be careful. I did care about Julia, and I care about you too."

Something in her eyes softened, and she looked away, "I wish you'd show it."

Caraway nodded, "Rinoa, I don't expect you to forgive me, not so soon. But, maybe we could try?"

Rinoa blinked, answering him with a calm face, "go ahead and talk with Seifer, I'll see that Squall hears your concerns."

Caraway nodded, "and us?"

Rinoa looked pensively at him, and sighed, "I need time..."

The General hazarded a smile. She nodded curtly and walked away. He couldn't expect anything now, but Rinoa would consider it. That, at least, was something.


If anyone had looked at Dr. Odine, standing on the balcony, they would think he was talking to himself. They would have been wrong.

Perched above the balcony, shrouded in black and concealed by vines, several figures sat waiting.

"So," said the doctor, "you have recovered all of ze bodies?"

One of the figures replied, "yes."

"And she has begun to use ze powers already, her presence is known?" he continued.

"Yes," replied the shroud.

Dr. Odine rubbed his hands as he thought, "I believe zat we will need both of ze bloodlines to make it work."

The shrouds nodded, "we cannot take it from them directly. They are too well guarded."

Dr. Odine nodded, "yes, and zey vould know of our plans too soon. However, try it if you can. If not, I think we shall need to...how do you say...raid ze crypts? In ze meanwhile, prepare Tiamat to avaken Gitano."

The shrouds nodded, "we will tell Lord Erebus."

Dr. Odine quickly made his way out of the training area of Balamb Garden. No one had followed him in, and no one had seen him come out. He quickly merged with several passersby to avoid drawing attention, and made his way to the party.


Seifer greeted Raijin, "where have you been?"

Raijin smiled, "ya know, those Balamb Seeds aren't that bad."

"Great," replied Seifer, "next thing, you'll want a transfer."

Raijin quickly raised his hands, "oh no, nothing like that."

Seifer waved his hand, "yeah, sure. Can it you traitor."

Raijin looked at him in dismay.

Fujin smiled slightly, nudging Seifer, "leave him alone."

"To quote a rather infamous friend of mine," sneered Seifer, "'whatever.'"

Fujin laughed.

Seifer stopped short as he saw a man approaching their table.

Raijin turned around, then rigidly stood to attention. Fujin nodded.

Seifer calmly sipped from his cup, wiped his mouth, and smirked, "as I live and breathe...General Caraway. What brings you to my humble table?"

Caraway sighed, if Leonhart was anything like his Galbadian counterpart, this could be very difficult.


Squall shook his head again, "when...did you know?"

Laguna sighed, "I saw Ellone again, while you were fighting Ultimecia. It had been such a long time, and she had grown so much."

He smiled fondly, "she told me about you."

Laguna struggled to control his thoughts and emotions, "I never even knew you had been born until then."

Squall stared back at him. Laguna looked up and shuddered. It wasn't a cold stare, or even an angered stare. There just wasn't...anything. It was as if Squall were looking right through him, like Laguna wasn't even there.

"So, what do you want?" asked Squall.

Laguna shrugged, "I wasn't ever good at this sort of thing. Both you and Ellone raised yourselves, I can claim no part of it. I couldn't tell you before, not when so much was happening. But I was hoping, that now, maybe..."

He trailed off, letting Squall finish the thought for himself.

Squall looked away, "fine, whatever. Be that as it may..."

He shrugged.

"We can take it up another time," said Laguna, seeing that Squall didn't want to continue the conversation.

Squall nodded, all business again, "and your other concern?"

Laguna cringed inwardly, this was getting awkward. Even if Squall had yelled at him, it would have been better than this.

Nevertheless, he pushed on, "I will be having a series of...meetings with the heads of the Galbadian government."

"And you wanted an impartial security force," finished Squall, "a third party that would put both sides at ease."

Laguna nodded, "You read my mind. I've spoken with General Caraway of Galbadia, there are certain...concerns that we both have."

Squall quirked an eyebrow, "threats?"

Laguna raised his hands, "oh well, you know, no authority figure can please everybody. Least of all the other side. I'm not too concerned, but I think it would-"

Squall repeated his question, "threats?"

It reminded the President of Esthar how professional his son was, as he was reputed to be. He winced, feeling like an idiot, fumbling around like this.

Laguna sighed, "nothing I've seen for myself, but the reports I get certainly aren't the most encouraging."

Squall nodded, and saw Seifer beckoning to him.

"I have to leave for now," said Squall, "but I will consider your request, Mr. President."

Laguna cringed at the address, but knew he'd get no better for quite a while yet, "which request?"

"Both," answered Squall, as he walked away.


Laguna dropped his face to his hands, "oh yeah...that went well."

Kiros patted him on the shoulder, and Laguna turned.

Kiros smiled, "it could have been worse, he could have snapped at you."

Laguna groaned and shook his head, "I think I might actually have preferred that..."


Gabe crept through the hallway as he chased after the robed figure. The man had eluded him. Or, at least he thought it was a man. He couldn't make out more than a hazy figure when he last saw him. Gabe squinted his eyes, looking as far as he could, and saw the figure emerge from the Training Center. Gabe followed, but cursed as his mark disappeared in a rush of people. When the crush disappeared, so did the mark. Gabe shook his head in dismay.

"I'm getting rusty," he chided himself, "well, let's see what was so important in the Training Center."


Zell greeted Quistis as she made her way out of the Quad.

"Bravo Quis," he laughed, "who is he?"

She smiled, "he calls himself Gabe."

Zell grinned, "did you scare him? He left rather suddenly."

Quistis nodded, "I'm going to go out for a bit. Think you can hold the fort while I'm gone?"

Zell waved his hand, "have fun..."

Quistis made her way out, wondering what exactly she was looking for.


Gabe walked into the hallway leading to the training area, and realized he had no weapon. He looked around, finding a storage room to the side. That was funny, he didn't remember it being there in the blueprints.

He shrugged, and blasted the lock open with a fire spell. He quickly grabbed some weapons, a gunblade and a pair of handguns, before closing the door behind him. Gabe looked around, to be sure nobody was watching, and then welded the lock with another fire spell.

He slung the blade over his shoulder as he made his way. Gabe arrived in time to see several shadowy figures disappear at the edge of the training field.

"Damn," he cursed, "I'm too late."

Nevertheless, he walked to the edge, searching for clues. Gabe took stock of the surroundings. The brush was still fresh and unbroken, so they can't have been roaming around too much. A quick glance out the balcony exposed this area as one of the few unprotected areas of the Garden.

Gabe smiled. Anyone who was stupid enough to break into a room full of monsters most likely deserved what they got.

Then it hit him...why hadn't he seen anything? No monsters, no beasts, nothing...which meant...

Almost as a reflex, Gabe shot a blast of ice out into the foliage above him, as he leapt away.

He was rewarded with the sound of a grunt and rustling. Gabe drew his blade, and looked around cautiously.

"I know you're here," he shouted, "I can practically here you breathing now."

Gabe heard another sound, and turned as a blast of fire took his gunblade from his hand. He leapt behind a rock, as several Quake spells shook the ground where he had been. Drawing his handguns, he fired into the trees, emptying both weapons until a shadow fell from the trees.

Gabe threw the guns aside, and rose up from behind his cover. He stepped back as the figure rose.

"Do you have any idea," asked the hooded figure, "what you are dealing with?"

He grinned back, "let me guess...has it anything to do with the occult?"

The figure brushed itself off, "I'm warning you. Trifle not in affairs you can't comprehend."

Gabe narrowed his eyebrows, "are you going to stand there and threaten me to death?"

The two charged at each other, circling around, trying to find weaknesses. The hooded figure struck first, leaping into the air, leg extended. Gabe flipped backward, getting to his feet and delivering a spinning backhand just as his opponent landed.

The hooded figure grabbed the outstretched arm, and threw Gabe into the brush. He landed on his back, and spun to his feet as his opponent attacked again. He paced backwards, egging the hooded figure on, then jump up, leg extended, as the enemy drew close.

Caught off guard, the hooded figure fell to the ground, shaking the dizziness from his head.

Gabe waited patiently for his opponent to rise, but was startled by the sound of roars and screeches.


Quistis walked in the lobby circle trying to guess where he could have gone. She passed by several crowds of people. Balamb Garden was much more crowded today than usual. All marveled at the paved walkways, the mix of technology and nature that was everywhere to be seen in garden. What really drew their attention was the hanging plants, adding a strange sense of mystique to the brass work of the building. Indeed, Garden was a host to many tonight.


Even so, when she heard roars reverberating through the halls, she knew it wasn't people making that sound. Somebody was in the training hall.

She quickly ran to the source of the clamor. A crowd was gathering. Quistis strode to the opening of the hallway entrance. She pointed to several cadets.

"You, go get Commander Leonhart, and you two," she instructed, "guard the entrance. Nobody except authorized Seed instructors are allowed in, got it?"

The two cadets nodded.

"What's going on?" one of them asked.

Quistis shrugged, "probably some hotshot showing off, biting off more than they can chew."

She walked down the hall, and stopped to examine the weapons' storeroom. Quistis furrowed her eyebrows. Someone had broken in, then welded the door shut? She didn't like this, not only because she couldn't explain it, but because, with the magic dampers protecting it, that shouldn't have been possible.

She ran on, despite her worries, and then saw the troubles had only begun...


Gabe looked back and forth, cursing to himself. Looking across from him, he saw the hooded figure do the same. They were both surrounded by a circle of monsters. Beasts of all shapes and sizes, with various assortments of teeth and claws, sat gazing at them, like spectators watching a prize fight. Well, at least they had found the beasts.

The hooded figure drew several spell stones, throwing them at Gabe. He leapt out of the way as Flare and Ultima ignited all around him. The waves of energy buffeted him, but he was thrown clear of the blasts. Many of the beasts were not so lucky.

He charged the hooded figure again, crying out as he leapt into the air. He wrapped his arms around the hooded figure neck, then threw his opponent over his back as he landed. The hooded figure crashed into the ground. Gabe ran to follow the attack, but was caught off guard by a foot sweep. He landed with a bone jarring thud, but twisted his legs in an improvised attack. He cart wheeled to his feet, legs still in the air, then jumped away, fists raised.

"Okay," said Gabe, "I've had enough fun for one night."

The hooded figure grunted, "so have I."

He raised his hand, "will you go quietly, or shall we finish the game?"

The stranger stood still, as if considering the offer.

Gabe turned as he saw Quistis walk into the room.

"What's going on?" she demanded.

Gabe barely had time to answer before the hooded figure threw dust in his eyes. When his vision cleared, the hooded stranger was gone.

Unfortunately, the monsters were not...


Author's Note: Great Hyne, I finally get back to writing after months...and I get...this...thing. I was really planning on a different king of fight, but don't worry. I've got a lot of ideas and need to work out how to tie it all together. Anyway, tell me how you like it, I'm always open to suggestions.