Editors Note: Tension is building...more stuff gets revealed...yeah, you get the picture. As per usual, please give constructive comments and reviews.

The wind howled like a wounded animal as the blonde haired figure stood on the mountains overlooking Balamb Garden, his cold blue eyes taking in the surrounding area. From his vantage point high on the cliff, he could make out every detail of the sprawling complex. A college for soldiers…a haven for murderers…

It was not yet the right time to strike. That would come soon. The blonde man smiled to himself as he unhooked the massive sword he was carrying. From what he had heard, experiment number 1500 seemed to have no weaknesses. But he would find one.

"I'll prove to them that I'm not a failure…" He said to himself. He would bring number 1500 back to Origin Station…dead or alive, it no longer made any difference. Maybe, though, it would be better if he killed him. Then they would see that he was the perfect weapon, not number 1500.

He smiled to himself again as he began the long walk down the mountainside.

The bathroom filled with steam as Gale turned up the heat dial on the shower. He had found an empty room on the second floor of Balamb Garden. Nobody had told him to get out yet, so he assumed that it was alright for him to stay there.

Not like anyone would have the guts to kick me out anyway, he thought dully. All the other residents avoided him. He supposed they had good reason to.

Some parts of his upper body were still bloodstained. All his wounds had completely healed, but the dried blood still remained. Raising the showerhead, he began to scrub himself clean. First his chest, then his stomach. Legs and arms came next, then his back. Finally, there was the most difficult part.

He frowned as the muscles in his wings contracted, bringing them under his armpits and into plain sight. It was going to be hell to dry them, but, as they were already wet…

Some loose feathers fell to the ground as Gale stepped out of the shower. His purple eyes narrowed as he looked at his reflection in the mirror. Satisfied, he turned, but something caught his eye. He craned his neck, looking back at the mirror to try and catch a glimpse of whatever he had seen. Then he saw it. Directly between his wings he could make out some writing. It was a tattoo.

1500

Gale

Suddenly, the room around him blurred. Gale clutched at his head, realising that he was about to have another flashback. Unable to keep his balance, he fell to the floor, his head striking against the cold tiles.

(Flashback)

"Just stay still, Gale. I'm afraid this is going to hurt." Said a voice from above him. He was lying on what looked like an operating table.

Gale gasped as a needle was dragged across his back. "What are you doing?" He choked out. The pain was mind numbing.

"Don't worry. It's just a precaution. It's in case there's an accident and we cant identify you."

The pain stopped. His eyes watered.

"Well done. You're almost ready…just a few more tests, and Dr. Blaine says you'll be ready for your fist assignment!"

(End Flashback)

Gale slowly picked himself up off the floor. A new piece had just been added to the puzzle. Things just keep getting more complicated, he thought to himself. He picked up a towel and began to dry himself vigorously.

Storm leaped forwards, swinging her gunblade around as Squall ducked underneath her attack. He slashed at her left side and she blocked, adrenaline coursing through her veins as she parried his vicious strokes. Even so, she knew he was holding back. He always did.

Quickly, she stepped back, swinging her gunblade around and bringing it down hard, smashing Squall's gunblade into the ground of the Training Area. Even though he held back, Storm had yet to beat her father at a gunblade duel. He quickly recovered from her attack and began a steady attack, keeping her on the defensive as she manoeuvred herself around, looking for an opening she could exploit. Sweat lined the brows of both combatants as they danced their deadly way across the Training Area.

Suddenly, she saw an opening. Squall's eyes went wide as Storm retaliated, driving him back furiously. She knew she was very close to finally defeating him. Then Squall made his fatal mistake. He noticed something out of the corner of his eye, and took his eyes off his opponent for one second.

One second was all she needed. Storm heaved her gunblade upwards, cleaving a trail through the ground and striking chips from the floor as her weapon smashed through Squall's defence. Lionheart went spinning out of Squall's hands as Storm's gunblade came to rest inches from his throat, just under his chin.

She had done it.

"Well done. I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever be able to beat me." Squall stated, putting his hand on the flat of the blade and lowering it.

"Dad! Don't be mean!" Storm exclaimed. Her father chuckled as he bent to retrieve his weapon.

"Really, though, well done. You're better than me now!" He said, picking up Lionheart.

"No, that time was just luck," Storm replied, "I'll beat you for real next time. And DON'T hold back." She said, turning round and walking quickly out of the Training Area.

Squall sighed, then turned his eyes to look at the thing which had distracted him. The purple eyed, winged boy was sitting some distance to his left. Storm had not seen him. He was watching Squall intently. Then something strange happened.

Gale clutched at his head, a look of pain on his face. He let out a groan as he fell to the ground, spasming slightly. Squall didn't know it, but he was having another flashback.