Squall gathered the rest of the SeeD's at the Garden gate and awaited Seifer's arrival. He made sure to keep extra ranks just in case the enemy broke through the front line. It may have been over two years since Seifer led the first attack on Garden, but Squall wasn't going to let him board it with out a fight.

"Are all junior Classmen in their home rooms?" Squall asked Zell as he walked up to the gate.

"Yeah… we have the rest of Garden covered too. They ain't gonna get in here this time." He said with his signature smile.

"Good… keep me posted Zell."

They saluted each other and Squall ran for the infirmary. He greeted the doctor and warned her of the situation.

"Are you sure it's Seifer?" She asked him somewhat shocked.

Squall simply nodded.

"I want you to be as ready as you can for casualties. I don't expect him to give up easily. I need to speak with Max too… do you think he's healthy enough to help us?"

She looked over at the sleeping young man and thought for a few seconds then looked at her clipboard and shook her head, yes.

"Good. Wake him up and… give him his weapon."

The doctor nodded as Squall left the room to announce further orders to the other sections of Garden. Dr. Kadowaki reached behind her desk and pulled out a shiny red samurai sword.

'I didn't even know any one used these anymore… all these Gunblades they have now.' She thought walking to Max's bed.

She poked him lightly with his sword… he stirred but very little.

"Come one wake up, Squall needs you." She poked him a bit harder.

"No mom… five more minutes." He muttered.

She poked him even harder this time in his stomach. He coughed, but refused to wake up. Frustrated she hit him over the head very hard and yelled.

"Wake up Max!"

"Ouch!" he cried waking. He looked at the doctor pouting. "Hey I thought you were supposed to heal your patients not hurt them."

She looked at him with an annoyed frown and hit him again.

"Ow!" He rubbed his head. "Hey Lady! That hurts!"

"I know… now listen you need to go and help Squall okay… go to the front gate of Garden and wait for orders."

He muttered something under his breath as he grabbed his sword from the doctor and headed out the infirmary door. After trekking around Garden for a few minutes, he finally reached the front gate lined with SeeDs from garden ready for battle. He looked around for any familiar faces but found none in the crowd. Zell however had seen him walked up and made his way to the young man.

"Hiya Max! You ready to beat some Galbadian ass?"

Max looked at him with a bemused expression. He could have sworn he heard Galbadia in that sentence. He shook it off and nodded to Zell's question. Zell grabbed him and pushed him to the front line of SeeDs.

"Hey buddy…" He started. "I'm sure you know how to use that sword, so I'll need your help for the first wave okay?"

Yet again Max nodded even though he didn't understand what was going on.

"Alright!" Zell Smiled at max and gave him a thumbs-up. "Better get ready. Seifer's one bad guy."

Seifer had been waiting for another chance attack Garden, but with the Galbadian War against Esthar still raging he had not had time to set up the attack plan. After that final defeat from Squall only two years ago, he wanted a rematch. Even after the fact that he lost to his rival three times before that he still had his pride to keep him going. After all pride is our greatest strength and weakness. As he stood on the bow of the White SeeD ship hurtling full speed at Balamb Garden he smirked remembering his old home and friends. Mostly though, Squall.

'I don't care if I have to blow that damn Garden to pieces. I'm going to kill you Squall." He thought as he looked out over the expanse of ocean between them.

He had been working on his Gunblade skills since that last fight and was sure he was at or above Squalls current level of skill. He even brought enough White SeeD's to put up a good fight with Garden; he had really thought this out this time. The only thing that stood in his way was Squall himself after he took care of him he would take over Garden and use it to help Galbadia in the war. A perfect plan if he did say so himself.

"Alright everyone!" He yelled to the White SeeDs on the deck of the ship. "Prepare for battle. I want you to crush the enemy and leave no prisoners behind!"

He turned back to the front of the ship and continued to look as the Garden came closer. He lifted his Gunblade Hyperion into the air and slashed a few times.

"Let's go!" He pointed the Gunblade towards Garden as the boat picked up speed.

Squall had made sure to get all areas of Garden secure before he made his way back to the front gate. He looked around for Zell and found him in front with Max next to him. He walked over to the two of them, looked at Max, still somewhat confused by the situation, and talked to Zell.

"What's the situation?" He asked Zell.

"Not looking good." He replied. "The boat just picked up speed and it looks like they're getting ready to attack."

Squall shook his head at the news and looked back over at Max to his left. From what he could tell, he had probably had some combat training but he wasn't sure if he had enough.

"Are you okay Max?" He asked him putting a hand on his shoulder. He jerked away at first but then saw Squall and smiled.

"I'm okay… I just don't really know what's going on."

Squall explained the situation to him and the reason why Seifer was attacking them… well the most likely reason why. Max looked even more confused than before but shook his head as if he understood.

"We're fighting against Galbadia?" He asked Squall.

Squall nodded.

"But… I'm from there. I can't fight my own people."

'I didn't think he would.' Thought Squall. He turned back to Zell.

"He won't fight Zell. He's from Galbadia." He said coldly.

"What the hell! But we need all the people we can get right now!"

Squall slowly turned back to Max with a slight smile on his face.

"Are you sure you're not going to help us fight? We really need your help with this Max."

Max thought for a second and sighed. He looked up at Squall and shook his head, yes.

"I never liked the government anyway so I have no problem helping you guys." He smiled.

"Thanks."

They both nodded and looked back out to the ocean. The White SeeD ship had gotten closer since the last time Squall was there. He could tell this battle would be difficult, but he also knew that the Garden SeeDs could handle what ever Seifer had to throw at them. He was ready, the SeeDs were ready, the only thing they could do was wait for Seifer to attack and that time seemed to be coming shortly.

Did you like it? I hope so! WellI hope you liked it as much asI liked to write it. Review please! Vincent Sekod