When the day finally broke it was not perpetual twilight, but a full-blown sunny day. The amber light from early morning broke in through the windows, giving it a golden hue wherever it creeped.
It was the dawning of a new day, but each new day did not mean you left the previous one behind.
As Squall, now Leon knew all too well.
The amber had turned to pure golden light by the time he was truly ready. Hardly anyone had said a word to him since he last spoke to them last night. And not just because it was late when he ended his story, and they all were sleeping or at least trying to. Tifa stayed up the latest- or earliest depending on who you asked. She had the most questions, some of them it seems were still unanswered. But everyone knew what would come next. Dread seemed to fill the house, but he didn't know why. It was his burden to bear. His and his alone.
He picked himself and straightened out his jacket pulling it into place. The lion pendant around his neck jingled being the only sound to hear, save for the ticking of the clock. Looking up at that clock he read '9' on the dot. Later than he would usually start his day. But perhaps he was given that today, or perhaps it was an omen.
He reached for his Gunblade and took it, gripping it fiercely in his hand. He looked ahead to the door knowing that likely the moment he stepped out, he would be the start of the final chapter before closing the book for good. He turned his head over to see that while he was late getting up everyone else was not. But they all seemed to be waiting him anyway.
He looked over each of them. Cid was grumpy and making coffee to busy himself. Yuffie sat on the table but had wide puppy dog eyes at him. And Tifas were filled with concern. Like she was looking at someone different than she had known this entire time. but now she knew why he left the other day with the Gunblade. For this very reason.
Leon gave one nod to everyone as a means of comfort to each of them. Then he took a step forward towards the door.
"Big day today huh?" Cid called and Leon stopped right before the door.
He took in a deep breath "Yes." he sighed releasing it.
"Well, good luck." he said half heartily with a shrug as if he wasn't sure of what else to say but was the most adamant on making sure the young rascal got what was coming to him. Yuffie and Tifa watched on in silence and concern. With no one before him but the door, and no one calling out to stop him, Leon reached for the nob and opened it.
Tifa reached her arm out "You-" she started but she wasn't able to finish. She was cut off as he opened the door and standing outside of it was none other than Seifer. He was a few feet away but there none the less. As still as a statue but very much alive. Fuu and Rai were by his side, yet none of them moved save for the wind to blow his long white coat. Leon stalled in the doorway.
Their eyes instantly locked onto each other. Their stares were similarly hard, strong, cold and entirely on the other. This was it. Even if they hadn't agreed to it, they both felt it. That it would end today.
Leon took a step forward placing one foot out the door, but in that moment someone else came forward to stop him. Tifa from his right side and Yuffie popping out from his left to cut him off.
"Wait!" "Stop!" they said together and succeeded in making him "You don't have to do this." Tifa pleaded finishing what she meant to say.
"We agreed." Leon said speaking for the first time that day "You were there for it."
Tifa and Yuffie weren't convinced, but someone else was.
"Pah." Cid spat "Good riddance."
"You won't hurt him, will you?" Tifa asked concerned.
"I didn't want to the first time. Now... seems he won't have it any other way..." he paused looking past them to him as Seifer continued to grill him down "neither will I if it comes to it."
"Go give em what for." Cid spat from inside the house.
"Don't hurt him Squall!" Yuffie pleaded in a high pitch voice, though the use of that name so suddenly and so loudly disturbed him "He's too hot!"
Gently Leon put a hand on her shoulder and lightly moved her aside. He spared a glance to Tifa as reassurance, but she didn't feel it coming from him, especially when he turned his head back to view Seifer. Leon continued on and took a few steps forward making his way towards Seifer. For a moment Leon wondered if he had even really left last night. He remained still and uncharacteristically silent as Leon made his way towards him, but then as he was lining up approach him, Leon suddenly changed his path and began to walk away from him and instead headed into town. A grimace and grumble escaped Seifer as he turned his head to watch Leon's back as he walked away.
"Where are you going Squall?!" Seifer barked. Leon stopped at the sound of Seifer and turned around to him.
"That's Leon." he corrected.
"Well, whatever you wanna call yourself. Where do you think you're going?"
The stakes were high in this, for both of them. For Seifer it was a tale of losing his innocence to a 'great warrior'. A knight who turned black. For Squall it was about letting his guard down, something he swore he would never do again and yet it happened when his home world was lost.
"We agreed it would be today..." Leon admitted before a pause "not that it would be now." Leon said. He still had responsibilities here. To this world and the people in it.
"But it'll be now." Seifer barked turning to face him "I've waited long enough."
"Then let's go take it somewhere else." Leon said ready to move on and away from the town.
"That wasn't part of the deal!" Seifer snapped stepping forward and raising a fist "Here and now."
Leon took in a deep breath. If there was no more delaying or even moving it to another location, then it really was time. Time to end this.
"Alright, have it your way." he relented as he reached his hand up pulling his Gunblade up to rest on his shoulder. He had said that to Sora all those years ago in Traverse Town whose only retort was having no choice but to fight back. Seifer of course naturally had a retort before the fight began.
"That's the only way there is!" he declared.
And it was Seifer who made the first move.
Seifer jumped at him, leaping head first but extending his fist out even farther. Leon stood there the entire time, like he was a statue waiting to get toppled. The wind rushed all around Seifer as he went through the air. He felt like he was flying as Leon only became larger in his vision, becoming a bigger target for him.
Then at the last moment when his fist would have struck Leon moved, stepping to the side and out of the way as Seifer instead landed right behind where Leon was once standing. With too much momentum and nothing to stop him, Seifer stumbled to a stop before he stood up again. Yet as he did Leon behind him did not wait.
Trudging forward, Leon threw his shoulder into Seifer knocking him away. Seifer stumbled as Leon then let loose his free arm grabbing onto Seifer by the back of the head before tossing him away. Flung forward Seifer hit the beams that held up a nearby awning. Righting himself, Seifer saw Leon coming at him. But not with his hands.
Leon's arched arm, folded back like a jack knife let loose the sword it held. Seifer at the last moment slid to the side of the swipe effectively dodging it. But Leon's arm was still extended to the side of Seifer. Seifer threw his arm down elbow first hitting Leon in the middle of his arm.
His usual dry face winced in sudden pain. Seifer knew what he had to do next, with Leon's arm weakened he had to get him away from that sword. So, he grabbed him by the arm and with all the strength he had hurled him, spinning around and letting him loose. Leon was not only bigger than him, dare he even say stronger, but he was also heavier. Seifer would have mocked he had gotten soft and fat. But it took everything he had to move him, spinning around and letting him loose heading towards a nearby house. Seifer watched as Leon stumbled just like how he made him stumble. Only his was arm first away from him, only for him to turn around at the last minute as his back hit the wall bringing him to a sudden hard stop.
Shaking his head, Seifer couldn't be disappointed it didn't work. He let out a strained pant after putting everything he had into that throw. But he had to keep fighting.
He ran up to Leon just as he did before. But his opening move was more successful as when he came back down his fist landed on the back of Leons head and fell further down from him. Then he swung his other fist back up sending Leons head up when he hit him again. He then reared his fist back and flung it forward ready to punch him straight in the gut. But Leon brought his free hand up and caught Seifers fist. He then snapped his arm away, twisting and turning Seifer's body unnaturally, opening up his body for an attack. With that opening Leon used it as he raised his sword hand and swung his sword down connecting it with Seifers chest and sending his straight to the ground.
Groaning Seifer tried to get up, mustering all the strength he could, but Leon wouldn't let him. Not without his help for he reared his leg back and kicked Seifer in the ribs sending him rolling across the ground and back to the edge of the shadow of the awning. His body was half cast in sun and shadow as he lay at the edge of the awning as he writhed from that slash from the sword.
Looking up from the ground Seifer saw Leon coming and knew what to do next. He jumped up to his knees right as Leon slashed by him. He dodged the slash and jumped again, this time outward and to the wall where he pressed his feet against and jumped off of the wall driving his shoulder into Leon knocking him away, specifically hitting his head onto one of the many outlying potted plants that hung from the awning rafters.
Leon snapped around just as Seifer made his way to his back, but he was already moving. Reaching upwards Seifer grabbed awning, pulled himself up and swung forward kicking both legs out and hitting Leon in the chest and sending him flying back across the awning, his head hitting each of the hanging plant pots as he was propelled back and there seemed to be one for each stumbling step he took back. He finally stopped when he hit the beam all the way on the other side of the awning.
Coming to a stop, Leon saw Seifer rushing at him. He moved out of the way as a punch came at him, stepping out from under the awning to come out into the sunlight. Seifer twirled around with another kicked which he avoided again.
A cocky smile came over Seifers face. The more he attacked the more he remained in control of the fight. That last move had worked wonders. Each flowerpot that hit his head was like another blow from him. So why not try again? He reached up to grab the one above his head, ready to swing forward and with extra momentum kick Leon not in the chest but in the face this time.
He gripped it tightly came up and swing. But his swing stopped short, and the pot became loose from the hook that held it. It fell to the ground and Seifer fell with it.
"AH!" he shouted as he fell to the ground on his back. He wasn't expecting it, so the hard ground hit him harder. But what's worse was that he was now completely vulnerable. For when he looked up, he saw the tip of the Gunblade at his throat and the rest of it hovering over his body, with Leon on the other end "Eh." Seifer snarled up at him, starring up at Leon's blank face that starred back down.
"Get up." Leon said shocking him a bit and diluting his snarl.
"Huh? What'd you say?"
"I said get up." Leon repeated taking the sword away. But despite him saying it twice Seifer remained on the ground.
"What kind of trick is this?" he asked suspiciously.
"No trick." Leon clarified "If I beat you like this, you'd say there's a way you could have won. A loophole. Then this will never end." Leon explained as he put his sword away, arched over his shoulder "Get up." he said again, more commanding this time "And I'll show you there's no way you can win."
"Tsh." Seifer let out "Shows what you know!" he said. He threw an arm out and the basket that failed him was flung towards Leon. Casually Leon brought the sword before him, cutting the pot in half, splitting it down the middle as each side fell to his. Then as soon as that was out of the way Seifer dove at him wrapping his arms around his waist. But Leon just flicked his sword hand down hitting Seifer on the head with hilt. His grip loosened; Leon then kneed him away. Grabbing his head stopping him from falling further Leon then threw him away, stumbling deeper into town.
Seifer found himself where his journey began on Radiant Garden. In these very marketplaces where he first looked for Squall and here, he was again now finally fighting him. As for Leon, it's where he was turned to head when he tried to walk away from Seifer before. So it seems he got his wish in one way.
Seifer backed away from Leon, not in retreat but in assessment. Each step Leon took forward Seifer took back. Squall kept his pace which was as slow and dreary as he was. His sword hanging over his shoulder. Backing down the path more it opened up into the wider marketplace and the flower filled garden was in the center of the intersecting streets. At the furthermost edge that pointed to true north was the gates that lead upwards to the spiraling castle.
Coming to the open plain first Seifer looked around at his new surroundings. To his right he saw an awning, and dark shade underneath it as well as large countless flowerpots that lined the way. A smirk came across his face as he set his eyes back on Squall approaching him. Moving quickly, he ran out of the way of Squall whose line of sight was still limited by the path he was still on.
Leon stirred briefly as Seifer seemed to come forward and then disappear to the left side.
"Hmm." he grumbled "Running away." he called.
"Running!?" Seifer repeated, his voice echoing out from where he ran "You're too slow!" he called back from beyond where Leon could see. Grumbling further Leon said nothing and turned the corner. And he saw nothing. Just the row of shops circling the courtyard. But there was not a customer or more importantly troublemaker to be seen.
Going ahead slowly Leon was wary but kept moving. Large flowerpots that reached up to his waist lined along the awning and columns and he walked between them. Then as he past one, a black a hat poked out from behind it and two blue eyes watched him lumber on past him. Seeing his chance Seifer jumped from his hiding place and latched onto Leon's back, reaching up and wrapping his arms around grabbing him by his shoulders.
Leon stiffened in place, clearly caught off guard as Seifer held onto him for dear life. Leon swayed and bucked as Seifer dangled from off his back.
"Gotcha now!" Seifer laughed. Then as he said that Leon shrugged his shoulders and Seifers grip loosened. Then Leon bucked in place flinging his arms out and Seifer's hold broke, falling off of Leon's back to land on his own.
On the ground again, Seifer landed within the rows of large flowerpots he once hid behind. Seeing them beside him on the ground it gave him an idea.
Leon turned around now and when he did, he saw Seifer again, not flailing on the ground, but in the air leaping at him. And his arms were raised holding one of those large ceramic domes that were as large as he was. Crashing down on top of him, Seifer smashed the pot into Leon's head. It broke over it as black dirt flew everywhere, pedals fell around them, and the ceramic dome was now in pieces.
Seifer hopped to his feet as Leon staggered to his knees. Dirt covered his body and fell down his shirt and got into his eyes. He shook his head wildly like a dog trying to get dry, but he was still covered in dirt. Staggering to his feet, lurching over he was still taller than Seifer who then leapt at him again.
Defensively Leon put his free arm to block an incoming blow, but Seifer used that to his advantage. He grabbed ahold of his arm he swung under it and flung his knee forward hitting Leon back and sending him stumbling. Then coming back down he jerked Leon's arm with him. Then he pushed forward, slamming Leon into the wall. Leon was pinned between Seifer and the wall, but he was still bigger and stronger than him, one hand or not.
Seifer moved to maneuver him again, but this time Leon pulled back. He swung his arm with Seifer still on it taking him off his feet and slammed him into the wall so he landed right beside Leon. Seifer let go instantly and with his arm free Leon followed it up. As Seifer slid down on the side of the wall Leon threw his shoulder into him slamming Seifer deeper into the wall.
"-eh!" he held in a guttural groan as Leon squished him there before he moved letting him slide down more. When Seifer looked up, he saw another swing coming at him, but this time it was the sword.
Coming to his senses and fighting through the pain in his chest and back, Seifer ducked low and rolled forward on the ground. Leon struck through the wall slicing through it like paper.
Rolling to a stop, crouching Seifer looked back to see Leon removed his sword from the wall. Shaking his head Seifer turned around, pivoting on his feet he turned upwards, his coat flowing behind him like a great cape. He jumped in the air, landing on a flowerpot and then used that to springboard himself even higher. He reared his fist back as Leon turned around and he swung it down hitting him in the head, sending it lower to the ground. With Leon bent over before him, Seifer slammed both his fists down onto his bent over figure striking his back. Then he jumped up as Leon stood back up just in time as Seifers hit struck. Striking him with both legs Seifer double kicked him sending him falling back through the large flowerpots breaking them.
Grinning confidently at the development Seifer watched as Leon shook himself again, shaking more dirt and flowers off. But as comical as it was, this was no time to stop. Bending down himself Seifer bent down and reached for another pot. But he kept his eyes on Leon and it was a good thing too, since as he picked himself up his sword began to shine red.
Gripping the flowerpot before him Seifer took notice.
"First fireball of the fight." he realized, thinking that he had pressed him so hard already he had no choice but to use it. It wouldn't take him by surprise this time, unlike last night. As soon as Seifer uttered those words Leon unleashed one at him and the blast headed straight for him. Seifer braced himself behind the flowerpot and the fireball hit that instead. It erupted into flame and disintegrated into his hands. Shaking them free, Seifer let it all into a smoldering mass of ash at his feet. A thin veil of smoke rose from it.
And then cutting through that was Leon.
Moving quicker than before and faster than Seifer had, Leon charged forward trampling into Seifer, taking him unawares and knocking him back down the street. He fell onto his back as Leon stooped over him raising his sword. Seifer then swung his right arm up hitting Leon in the leg. It faltered his step and stopped his swing, but in reply he only reared his other leg back and kicked Seifer further down the street.
Seifer rolled to a stop and put his arms and legs out to pick himself up. Looking to his side he saw Leon, not advancing at him, but standing still. But his sword pointed right at him, glowing red again. Seifers eyes shot open at the realization, and he picked himself up right as a fireball shot out landing right behind him where his legs once were. He then broke out into a sprint and Leon fired another fireball, which landed right behind him blackening the pavement of the street. Seifer moved further around the marketplace. Jumping up Seifer flung himself over a table displaying goods the shop owned, but that erupted instantly after he passed it.
He took cover under an awning but continued to run beneath it. But as he did whatever cover it gave was gone as the shade suddenly lit up as Leon aimed for the awning that caught on fire itself. Ducking down Seifer got away from the disappearing awning and reached out for the next stores overhanging beam to fling himself off, dodging a fireball in the air as he did. Continuing to outrun Leons blast he landed on a small perch which showed more flowers that grew out of them. Not waiting a moment Seifer jumped into the air, but as he did Leon trailed him with his Gunblade. He lined up his shot and unleashed a fire ball. It travelled through the air and hit Seifer dead center in his back. Whatever grace or control he had in the air was gone as he began to free fall and plummet head over heels back to the ground. Smoke and fire mixing onto his back as he tumbled along the ground head over heels. Skidding out like a plane that failed its landing.
Leon allowed himself a cool smile as he brought his sword down. Then he moved forward.
As soon as he did others race behind him, down the path the two of them came down was everyone else.
Tifa led the charge, as Yuffie and Fuu skidded to a halt behind her. Cid was next and following up the rear was Rai.
"Slow down!" he gasped before nearly collapsing at Tifas feet, but his cries fell on deaf ears "You're really good at running, ya know." he said looking up to her. But she was not ready for compliments.
"Look!" she pointed off as Leon who slowly approached Seifer who was laying on the ground on the edge of the center of the courtyard which dropped into a lower level of the garden. His head and arm were teetering on the edge and hung down to the lower level which showed the garden.
"Seifer!" Fuu called.
"Look out!" Tifa called and though her voice made Leon turn back to look at all of them he still went forward. An iciness in his stare that was facing all of them but looking to her specifically. It chilled her into silence before Rai getting his footing got up.
"Lady." Rai heaved beneath her "Whose side are you on, ya know?"
But the calls for them seemed to stir Seifer up. Blinking and grinding his teeth he rolled his shoulders and shook his back. And he saw the same ever looming presence approaching him. Looking around Seifer saw the garden beneath him in a lower level, but sprouting up from it was more than flowers, but tall wide trees. And one was right next to him.
But now so was Leon. Seifer saw out of the corner of his eye that he unleashed a fireball right at him. With little time to move and little else to go Seifer jumped up going off the edge and into the tree.
The fireball erupted beneath him, but it did not strike him. The thin layer of smoke that rose gave him some cover to climb higher above it. Peering down Seifer saw the crowd that was following them watching the battle rage on. But he also saw Leon coming forward to stand on the edge where he just laid. He slashed his sword cutting the smoke away and with his vision clear he looked up to see Seifer glaring down at him.
"Hmph." Seifer let out "Tough chance getting me from up here, Squall!" he called down.
As soon as he had said that, as if instinctively reacting and without any hesitation Leon slashed his sword sideways cutting the tree at the base. Seifer held on tighter as he felt it shake and instantly it began to fall down. And from below Leon watched it do so.
The tree crashed onto the marketplace landing with a mighty wooden 'crack'. Lying there cover nearly half of the path from the center to one of the markets. Emerging from the other side from the thick pines was Seifer who came to his feet, and he saw Leon on the other side.
"Timber." Leon said his voice as plain and dry as a piece of wood.
"Ha!" Seifer grimaced at him. He shook himself free from some of the bristles and then kicked his leg forward hitting the tree and sending it rolling it towards Leon. But he merely hopped over it and continued on, heading straight for Seifer.
Growling, he backed away. He was tired of doing it, but Leon's offensive capabilities were just too great even for him. He knew it would always be an uphill fight, but he could not be on the losing end. And he couldn't do that by retreating.
He backed away now but spread his arms out widening his stance as he did, goading him to come forward. Leon remained unphased by this and continued to follow him at his slow dreary pace as they began to continue the circle around the marketplace and heading right for the gate to the castle.
Seifer continued to back away until he felt the cold sting of metal on his back and a faint haunting metal chime. Combined it would have sent shivers down his body, but he wasn't afraid. Especially not when his hated rival loomed over him and came to a stop as he did with his back against the gate.
"You have nowhere else to go." he commented as he cornered him.
"Then come at me already!" Seifer barked up at him.
Leon didn't verbally confirm his reply, but when he released his sword, it was all Seifer needed.
Leon stabbed his sword forward at Seifer, but he managed to sidestep out of the way at the last moment and Leons blade instead stabbed through the opening in the bars on the gate. But now that he was to his side, Seifer made his move. With the sword through the gate, Seifer grabbed the edge of the door and flung his arms bringing the gate out of its closed position and slamming it onto Leon.
The gate swung out and closed in slamming on Leon pinning him against the wall. Leon groaned at first as he was pinned there. And did again when Seifer rushed the gate pushing it into him further and deeper into the wall.
Then he erupted slamming his arms up and swinging the gate back. Moving quickly Seifer jumped out of the way diving past the gates and its swing to land on the other side, opening the way at the base of the steps.
Free from his constraint Leon strolled out walking around the gate to stand in its now half open doorway to look at Seifer who got back to his feet.
Following from behind everyone trailed to see what would happen next.
Glaring down at each other Seifer also looked to his back. The narrow stairway that led up the narrow path through the castle. If he could confine Leons swing, he could keep him at bay, closing the gap between them. It was a perfect plan. Grinning he turned around and then jumped backwards up the stairs so that he was now higher than Leon. He raised a brow in reply.
"Is that the best you have?" Leon called up to him.
"Just evening the playing field." Seifer grinned feeling two steps ahead of him "Your slow pace is the thing really drawing this out."
As soon as he finished Leon slashed his sword, not at Seifer but at his feet. The two steps beneath were sliced and crumbled. Seifer almost lost his footing and slid down right as Leon came at him, but now he was the higher one.
Unleashing another swing at him, Seifer jumped up as it cut the steps he was on. He managed to land higher up and swiped his leg out trying to kick Leon in the head. But he casually ducked under it and then jabbed up with his sword nearly slicing Seifer who hopped back going higher up the stairs.
Leon now, took his first step and one of his feet landed on the stairs. Grinning confidently that his plan had worked Seifer now turned his back to him and ran up.
"Hmm." Leon suppressed a grumble and then shot his blade forward and a fire ball with it. But Seifer looking behind saw it coming and moved to his left dodging it as the stairs took the brunt of the blast. Erupting around him Seifer continued his path up running upwards as Leon followed.
He kept his eyes on Seifer but looked back sparingly only to see Tifa and the others forming at the bottom of the stairs. Pausing only for a moment and letting out a sigh, he turned his head back to Seifer and in doing so missed the much larger crowd forming down below.
Seifer ran up the stairs being a few steps ahead of Leon. He turned around abruptly as he had the higher ground now. He threw out a kick as Leon came to a stop behind him. He managed to dodge it and then swung his sword. He swung it over his shoulder and down, but Seifer saw it coming and when the sword came down Seifer got out of the way as it cut into the stairs. Grinning Seifer then planted his foot on the blade embedding it there. Then with his other he swung it out colliding with Leons head.
"Ha!" Seifer let out it. It was the beginning of his downfall now, and it was a long fall from here.
But at that moment Leon tugged on his blade pulling it from the stone and Seifer whose foot was still on it lost balance. He fell onto the jagged stairs. Looking up, he saw Leon take a step over him to block out the sun with his sword raised up. Seifer swiped a leg out, taking both of Leon's in the process. Clumsily Leon fell onto the steps, landing a few rows beneath Seifer. Both were sprawled out over the stairs, Leon across it horizontally and Seifer vertically, but both were awkwardly placed. Leon stirred first picking himself up.
But Seifer was in the better place to attack. Leaning down he stomped a foot onto Leons hand that held his Gunblade. He pressed down as hard as he could, but Leon's grip only tightened. As he winced bringing his head into better view of him, Seifer snapped his foot out kicked him in the head. Then he brought both feet up and pressing them onto Leon pushed him further down the stairs.
Leon rolled with the Gunblade still in his hands, tumbling down the stairs until finally one hand reached out and stopped himself. It was a sharp sudden correction and though he felt like he just fell off a cliff he was soon up, pulling himself to one knee. He looked up to see Seifer but like him his arms were full. Not with a sword but rocks, chunks of the stairs that had been destroyed so far.
Seifer swung his arm out launching one at him. Leon ducked down dodging it before coming back up as another came at him, this one knocking him in the head. He pried his sword up and slashed it cutting the next oncoming one and the one after. It became clear that he could swing faster than Seifer could throw. And he was running out of stair fragments to use.
Crouching Leon took a step forward as he swiped a rock chunk away. He brought his other leg up coming closer to Seifer as he swiped again.
Seifer saw he was getting dangerously close and reached for another rock but found he had little left. So, in one last daring move he shot his arms out unleashing all of them at once. With a quick parry Leon slashed through them all as easily as he had one.
At that moment Seifer knew with Leon advancing he would only come higher, so in the haze of the slash and the rock pellets he ran back up the stairs. When he came to the next landing, he saw it continued up towards the castle. But a path also emerged, running left and through thick bushes and trees with an arch over it. Looking back Seifer saw Leon raise to his full height and Seifer ran down that new path he found.
The only reason Leon lost eye contact with him was because he ran down out of his view. Slashing his sword to his side Leon discarded the stone waste on it. Then he walked up the stairs slowly and never taking his eyes off where he last saw Seifer. When his fist foot came to the landing, his head turned with it. He could see down the pathway now but knew what it was and where it led. It was a sightseeing spot and lead to the harbor. He had taken Tifa here many times. The path winded further along the bushes and trees before disappearing within them. The archway over it grew higher than them with a big 'Welcome, enjoy the garden' written on it. Leon saw no sign of Seifer and suspected he either ran down the path where he could not see or would leap out from the vegetation at him.
Whatever it was he was ready. He kept his sword close and walked forward leaving the stairs behind him. And as he guessed he was right, with the exception of where he would leap from. For clinging to the arch and hiding behind it, Seifer peered down at Leon who entered the path.
Watching from above he saw Leon take a few steps forward, coming closer to him and not seeing him. Not until Seifer wanted him to that is.
"HA!" he cried out as he leapt down at him. Reacting quickly Leon twirled his Gunblade up and let out a blast. It passed by Seifer who fell down to him. Leon backed up as Seifer landed where he just was. Sticking the landing he came with right hook that Leon evaded. His left was evaded on the same way. Clenching his teeth Seifer then dived at him, but Leon reacted down swinging his sword. Seifer ducked under the blow as it instead sliced all the way across the narrow path he had picked out. It seemed if the arena did not suit Leon, he would make it so. The trees and bushes lining them were cut in half and the two pillars holding up the arch were sliced. And with nothing to hold it up it fell down onto them.
Looking over his shoulder Seifer saw it and looking past him Leon did too as the shadow of the archway was cast over them as it fell down. Seifer quickly dove back landing behind the arch as it fell before him. Looking ahead he saw Leon raising his sword to cut it as he did everything else. But Seifer had another idea. Jumping up he came behind the falling arch and shooting his feet out kicked it, making it fall even faster to the ground and onto Leon who unable to swing in time was stuck under it when it crashed.
Seifer came back to the ground looking at his improvised handiwork. He saw the fallen arch move and then all of a sudden, a sword was stabbed through the bottom coming out on the other side. Then it cut itself free and wrenching itself to its feet behind it was Leon.
Glaring up atop the arch his eyes locked onto Seifer.
"You shoulda stayed down!" he barked "You finally gonna take me seriously?!"
"You talk too much." Leon replied, his tone both annoyed and unimpressed "You take every little thing as a victory. But all your victories mean nothing." he spat, his voice deep and menacing, almost matching his though keeping his dry droning tone. He then slashed the sword out not to strike him but to show him "I was trained with this sword." he showed it gripping it tighter "Mastered the blade no one else could. What did you master?!" he said his voice rising and echoing down the narrow path.
"The streets of Twilight Town!" Siefer boasted confidently "It's a never-ending struggle!" he said putting his fists up.
"A street thug. Nothing more." Leon said dismissively.
"This street thug is giving you a run for it. Master." he said mockingly "If you're such a master" he began "then why did this world fall to darkness in the first place! And where is she?! You leave her behind too!"
At the sound of that Leon bolted forward and Seifer did the same running to meet him.
Leon dragged the tip along the ground raced forward and when he and Seifer clashed slashed up. But Seifer eased back from the swing and then came up himself with an uppercut hitting Leon in the chin. Then he grabbed ahold of his head to bring it back down knocking it into his knee. He reared up for a kick, but Leon swung forward with his hand holding the sword punching Seifer in the face, then he knocked the bottom of the hilt onto his head. Seifer then came at him, wrapping his arms around him and thrashing. Leon bringing one arm down pried himself free and pushed Seifer away further down the path.
Following it up, he slashed at him, but boldly Seifer evaded the blade and then knocked it away from him. With Leon open, Seifer shot up with a kick to the side of his head. Rearing his arm back for a punch Leon quickly shot his arm out and the sword with it, but Seifer managed to jump out of the way, land on the small corridor lining the path. Jumping onto that he jumped onto Leon hitting his shoulder into him and knocking Leon off the path and into the bushes.
Falling into the green vegetation leaves fell over all him. He disrupted it greatly, but it did nothing to block his vision. Seifer landed on the corridor over him and leaning down began slugging his face and chest, beating on him like a gorilla. Leon took every blow he gave out before he kicked his feet up and hit Seifer off of him.
He was flung across the path to the other side landing in the bushes. Leon pulled himself out and landed on the path again. Bracing himself, he looked around but saw no sign of Seifer. The faint rustle of trees could have been the wind, but Leon took no chances. Shooting his blade out he shot a fireball into the trees, turning it into flames. The rustling stopped there, but he heard it elsewhere.
Slowly, he began to make his way down the path going further down it. All the while he remained on guard and circling all around. He moved forward down the path, but looked back the way he came from, leaving it behind as the fire went out, the trees unevenly cut, and the fallen archway.
Then suddenly he heard a great ruffle of branches, and he turned around as Seifer came down from the very top of the trees and down at him. Leon moved out of the way as Seifers fist slammed onto the ground.
Seeing him now Leon rushed him and slashed his sword, but Seifer rolled underneath it. The two had now traded places. Leon came around swiping at Seifer again who evaded, and Leon swung at him. He stepped away from Seifers dodge and follow up attack. Another soon followed.
"Ha!" he cackled "Now whose running?!" he asked throwing another punch. Leon dodged that one and the kick that followed. When Seifer threw himself at him again Leon slashed down at him, slicing the ground he once stood on.
Sidestepping himself Seifer came around behind him. He shot a punch to his kidney and Leon recoiled. Another blow effected the other side in the same way making Leon lurch over. But before Seifer could do anything else. Leon snapped his elbow out striking him in the face. Holding his face and stumbling back Leon turned around and bore his sword at him.
Seeing him Seifer had put his arms down from his face and was ready to face him. Another slash cut more of the trees around him but not him. Another one did the same to the other side. Seifer evaded more of those and tried to put in some of his own. He stomped forward but Leon stabbed the sword to where his foot would go cutting him off. And instead of advancing Seifer had no choice but to evade his attacks.
It began to grow brighter around him, not because the sun was getting higher but because the path was coming to an end. the trees thinned out and stopped and they came to a stairwell. One that lead directly to the port of Radiant Garden.
Another slash at Seifer caused him to jump back to dodge only this time when he fell back, he fell down. Clearing the steps completely he just managed to land on his feet. Looking up he saw Leon standing at the top like a menacing statue. Seifer did not take notice of it, but Leon did look beyong Seifer to see how crowded the port behind him was. It was filled with all kinds of ships. There was Little Toot, a small tugboat that helped pull gummi ships in, a Keelboat with its nefarious captain, a jungle cruiser, but the largest of them all was a Great Ship with Black sails.
None took notice of the two, but they would soon.
Leon let loose a fireball down at Seifer who jumped back out of the way of it. The small explosion caught everyone's attention whether they were hauling cargo or tying lines. Seifer skidded back off the stairs and into the thick of them. And with him there Leon did not attempt to shoot him but hopped down off his perch to come at him himself.
The wary seafarers were confused and began to break away.
"That's Leon." they recognized "What's he doing?" "Whose he after?" they asked in a concerned jumbled mess.
"Me!" Seifer barked and the wary few backed away from him as Leon charged. But one of the pirates beside him was holding onto a line from the great black ship behind him. Seifer threw his arms out "Gimme that!" he said grabbing ahold of it. And right as Leon came at him Seifer pulled on the line and instead of being pushed back was pulled up shooting high into the sky over his sword slash.
"Whoa!" the men on the dock let out as Leon skidded to a stop before them. Stopping himself he looked up to see Seifer riding high on the line, going all the way up to dangle alongside the black sails.
"Whoo!" he cheered when he finally came to a stop exhilarated from the rush he just felt. That along with the fighting never made him feel more alive than he ever did.
The rope was idle now as he dangled from it. Looking out to the pier, he saw the crowd of many forming on it. One however stepped out from it; Leon. Seifer may have been far away, but he was still very visible due to the contrasting sight of him against the ship. Bringing up his sword and pointing it out to him, lining his shot Leon unleashed a fireball at it.
"Uh oh." Seifer let out. Flinging himself on the rope he rocked himself to the right and then the left trying to pick up as much momentum as he could as quickly as he could. He picked up just enough to swing himself out of the way of the fireball which instead hit the sail behind him.
Despite the fact he missed Leon did not stop there. Shooting out another fireball this one hit its mark; not Seifer but the rope he hung onto.
No matter how strong his grip was Seifer knew he couldn't hang on. He began to plummet from the fried rope and freefall below. Free falling head over heels the world passed in circles around him. Bright blue sky meshed with black ships. He spread himself out as he fell reaching out for something, anything to grab.
His hands reached out and when he felt the semblance of something hard, he gripped it. All of a sudden, the world came to a stop.
Everything evened out and Seifer looked around. Though his legs dangled beneath him, his arm were clinging tightly to the top of the main mast. Looking around he saw the crowd still at the pier below him and even Little Toot blew his smokestack in applause. Looking over down the mast, Seifer saw a withered old man with a parrot on his shoulder sitting on the mast with rope in his hand. Both eye him strangely.
"Well, what are you looking at old man?" he groaned pulling himself up onto the mast more.
The parrot squawked and answered or rather asked "HRAWR! When do you sail?"
Seifer was puzzled by that or why the old man didn't answer himself, that was until he opened his mouth to reveal all teeth and no togue. But turning away from him Seifer saw he had other issues now.
Another fireball heading straight for him.
Reaching his arms out Seifer snatched the rope from the man's hands. Gripping it and without a moment's hesitation or a moment to lose he leapt from the center mass right as a fireball flew past him to strike the crow's nest destroying it. Cotton hunkered down as the debris passed over him and his parrot flapped its wings.
The splinters fell to the ship below as Seifer swinging around on the rope went all around the length of the ship. He turned now to the pier to see Leon and more fireballs coming at him. But as he swung around coming down to pass by the length of the ship, he saw them pass by. Instead, the fireballs struck parts of the mast, the sails or even the bulk of the ship instead.
Seifer began to swerve around to the other side. But all this firing only caused its eccentric captain to sprout out of the ship.
"Eh!" he called waving his hands up and down, but Leon kept firing "Stop blowing holes in my ship!" he declared, but Leon kept firing as Seifer contained to swerve around. Unleashing his own sword Captain Jack Sparrow was ready to act.
Coming down the gangway he thrust his sword at Leon, who seeing it at the last moment brought his own to dodge. Cheers broke out from the crowd.
"Yeah!" Get him Jack!" "Fight back! "Leon!" they cried in a jumbled mess of voices and cheers.
Those cheers however reached Seifer who flew through the air on the rope circumnavigating the ship. But looking down now, he saw another fight breaking out below. One against the man he came all this way to fight.
"He's mine!" he shouted from high above as he came back around. Jack and Leon's duel moved away from the dock and onto the streets. The crowd followed, watched and swayed as they did, cheering each block or jab that came at the two. Everyone was so focused on that, that no one saw Seifer swinging back around the stern of the ship.
The rope pulled as far as it could and when he felt it reach its furthest extent he let go. Gliding over the port he felt like he was flying for the first time. And coming back down to the ground like a missile he headed straight for Squall.
Leon slashed away a blow from Jack and brought his sword up to guard against another one that would come. But then next strike that hit him came from the side.
"Squall!" it cried out and he glanced over right as Seifer collided with him and with all the momentum he had built up he knocked Leon clear off his feet and sending him spiraling all the way down the length of the port.
With him gone Seifer stood back to his feet and tugged his jacket down, showing off his swagger. Of course, he had something else to deal with too. Looking over he saw Captain Jack watching Leon tumble away with everyone else. his head bobbing with each bound Leon's body made.
"Hey!" Seifer snapped at him, and Jack puzzled looked to the angry looking boy "If you want your shot wait your turn." he said before marching off "I've waited years for this."
The puzzled look over Jack's face gave way before the edges of his mouth turned into the smallest of sneers.
"Oh, I know the feeling." Jack mumbled to himself as his free hand strummed the pistol on his hip. He then found that with Seifer gone everyone else was looking at him. In the vacuum of what just happened it appeared Jack won, but not on his own account "Good thing I planned it that way." he said feigning the confidence he didn't have to explain what just happened.
On the other side of the harbor Leon groaned as he picked himself up from the ground. Slowly he put a handout to touch the ground. The other came up, hitting with the hilt of the sword first. He groaned again as his legs shifted to bring him to his knees. He coughed roughly, stopping him from moving any further. In that pause a shadow cast over him. Managing to look up he saw Seifer gleaming down at him. Leon let out a groan and moved to get up.
He did so in silence. And that's what made him unnerved.
"What's wrong?" he said easing himself up. His face as hidden by his hair and bowed head "No comment." he said as he brought a knee to the ground but kept his head down.
"Get up." he heard Seifer snap. Startled Leon looked up to see Seifer still staring down at him, but his stare was harder now.
"What?" he let out.
"I told you to get up. "Seifer said kicking, not to his Leon put to kick dirt into his face "Get up." he repeated. Leon moved up again but not because he was told to. "Faster come on."
"Why not hit me?" Leon asked rising "Get your shots in and get this over with."
"Tsh." he spat "You gave me the option before." Sefer said "If I'm gonna beat you. I want you to know I did fair and square." he said as Leon was standing upright now and took only a moment to shake his hair free.
"Hm." he let out "Surprising." he let out.
"Looks like I still got some surprises for ya." Seifer said "Come on then." Seifer waved his hands at him. Leon moved his arms and that's when Seifer moved too. He flung a fist at him, but Leon sidestepped it and with his arm already extended slashed it at Seifer. But he moved away at the last moment.
Moving side by side the two paced together, moving sideways and towards the stairs; the ones all the way at the other end of the pier that they had reached.
Climbing upwards together Leon swiped at Seifer who jumped up to the next step. Another slash came at him and Seifer jumped on the railing lining the stairs and then landed behind Leon. Throwing his shoulder, he pushed Leon upwards. Leon stumbled forward. Another push made him fall down but he caught himself stabbing his sword into the ground as he came to his knees.
Folded he felt more pressure as Seifer jumped on top of his back and knocked him down. Looking up Leon saw Seifer jumping ahead. Coming up Leon slashed his sword which Seifer barely managed to dodge, only by going to the topmost winding stair.
Once he reached it, Seifer turned around to see Leon getting up. But Seifer noticed something else closer to him. He saw a skateboard lying there leaning against the railing. Remembering there was one at Twilight Town and how he was the best at that, he did what came naturally to him like everything else. Taking it in his hands he jumped atop it and rode it down the length of the railing and headed right for Leon who was standing back up.
Coming up Leon got hit in the head with a punch. Seifer then jumped off the railing to land behind him. With Leon on the ground and Seifer standing he raised the skateboard to break it over his head, wielding it like it was his own sword. He cracked it over his head and pulled back to swing down and do it again, but this time Leon snatched his arm out to grab him by his collar. Then he swung his arm down sending Seifer onto the ground beneath him. With him still in his grip Leon got up and shot his arm out, hurled him over his shoulder and through the air before he landed back at the top of the steps head first.
Back where he started Seifer did the same thing again. He got to his feet and jumped onto the railing to skid down at him. But Leon was ready this time. He shot out a fireball that hit the railing he skated on. Seifer was forcefully flung from it as the railing erupted, propelling him all the way back past the top of the stairs and he crashed into the wall it led to. Falling back to the ground he passed by the tunnel to land hard.
Rolling on the ground Seifer looked at the skateboard which was ash beneath his feet. Looking past them, he saw coming to the top of the stairs was Leon. Fighting to pick himself up Seifer did so, holding onto his sides at first but bringing his arms back up to continue this fight when he was ready.
Walking towards him, Leon thrust his arm out missing Seifer but slashing off a part of the wall. He slashed it back to the other way to strike the other side of the wall as Seifer disappeared into the dark tunnel.
It was darker inside, dimming their sight of each other. Seifer could see the faint glimmer of the sword come at him as he dodged and the darker shadow of Leon wielding it. Each slice and step brought them out closer to the other side allowing Leon to see the outline of Seifer and react to it.
Seifer jumped out first and Leon now running followed. A swift swipe came at him and Seifer jumped back, falling off the balcony and to a lower level of wherever they found themselves.
Yet when he landed it was not with a controlled 'thud' but a messy 'splat.'
Skidding he nearly lost his footing as he saw he was ankle deep in water. Darting his head around he saw he was in water, not a pool or pond but a fountain. To his side were two waterfalls falling from a pearl white pillar leading to another high level. And above that still was a third, as wide and long as the other combined.
It seemed Seifer had missed the path he leapt from and ended up inside of the fountain. He looked around at the sight.
"Pretty isn't it." he heard Leons voice drone. Turning his head back he saw him set foot into the pond, his footsteps making bigger ripples than Seifers.
"Tsch." Seifer scoffed "If you like that sorta nonsense." he replied as Leon came to a stop. He let out a deep sigh.
"It took a long time to get the world this way." he told looking upwards to the highest level but remembering a time when it wasn't there at all "Back to the way it was..." he paused and there was a soft tenderness in his voice and even his hard face that Seifer never heard before. Perhaps that's who Leon truly was. But then he saw his grip tighten and he returned to Squall making Seifer realize they were truly one in the same. "That's what I fight for. What do you fight for?"
"Tsh." he scoffed again "What a dumb question!" he let out "I fight so I can beat you!" he said before breaking into a sprint at him.
"Pitiful." Leon said as he remained standing unfazed or undeterred by Seifer's boasts for threats "With goals like that, you'll never be strong." he said enraging Seifer more.
"I'll show you!" he said rearing an arm back to punch him square in the head. Leon remained droning at him, as if he expected nothing at all and Seifer was ready to prove him wrong.
But before he could do that, he felt his next step taken away from him and instead of stepping forward he was sent flying upwards. An eruption of air and water beneath his feet shot up and him with it. His coat flapped beneath him, and he saw his feet leave the ground. He flailed them aimlessly as if that would help him, but the only thing he saw looking down was the ground get further and further away and Leons blank face watching him go.
Eventually he peaked, coming level with the highest point of the fountain. High in the sky he saw he was able to look past the wall that isolated this part of the town. Gazing over the wall for the briefest of moments he saw the entire town, the port, the marketplace. He saw all of it. It seemed the only thing that was higher than him was the old Castle. He paused in the air getting one last look of it before coming back down. Managing his decent as best he could he landed on the second level, falling to his knees. Shaking with uncertainty water dripped off his person as he kneeled in it.
Another surge of air and water was heard and when he looked over, he saw Leon, shooting up into the air, moving as stiffly as he walked. He came back down with much more control as Seifer had, as if he expected it.
Seifer stared at him, and Leon did the same.
"The fountains are just as I remembered them." he told bringing his sword down "The jets always brought so many crowds."
"Lots of wishes I bet." Seifer said getting up "But I'm not gonna toss any coins, I'm gonna toss you!" he pointed at him.
"Prove it." Leon said "Or are you still all talk?"
Seifer kicked his leg out, not at him but to the water. A small wave came at Leon as he moved around it. Pivoting on his feet Seifer moved too.
Seifer lunged at him. Leon slashed at Seifer who ducked under rolling off behind him through the water. He came to the edge of the fountain and looked down to the lower point where he once was and realized he was very high up, feeling like he was teetering off the edge of a cliff. Kneeling he turned around at the same time Leon did. The two didn't press their fight but grilled each other.
"You wanna know why I fight for?" Seifer asked and Leon paused ready to hear him out "You don't think my reasons good enough?" he panted "How's this for a real reason?" he said coming back up "You came to my town and ruined my life. Now I'm coming for yours!" he lunged at him "It's revenge! As simple as that!"
Leon in acknowledgement of what he said, closed his eyes and nodded. When he opened them, he saw Seifer coming at him once again.
Seifer jumped up landing right on the jet which shot him up higher. Leon on guard watched him go up as he did before, but Seifer went even higher this time, and Leon found his vision of him blurred and the blinded as he found himself looking up into the sun. He shielded his eyes to look up but still saw only the blinding light and his gloved hand hanging over his face.
Then suddenly he felt a weight slam onto him, and he fell down beneath it. Seifer had fallen on top of him. Straddling him over his chest Seifer punched down knocking Leon's face back, hitting the back of it on the ground as he splashed into the water. Seifer then struck down with his other hand hitting him again, and again continually beating on him, splashing, rippling, and rupturing the water with each blow he made.
Leon then rolled his body taking Seifer who buckled onto him. Turning over Leon was now on top of him, but he didn't stop there. He continued to roll and this time Seifers leg lock on him loosened. Leon grabbed him and hurled him off sending him flying onto the wall of the fountain.
He landed lard against the wall breaking open the water that fell onto him before he fell with a splat face down into the water again.
Picking himself up on his knees and elbows he saw Leon bracing himself with his sword. Then he pushed up off his sword and came at Seifer. He slashed the Gunblade slicing the waterfall, cutting it surgically as Seifer ducked to the side. He stabbed it down at him, but Seifer pulled his feet in at the last moment. Then he swung his leg out kicking Seifer in the head and then followed up with a sword slash. It cut along Seifers arm.
Seifer grabbed it as he rolled to the side avoiding another swing. Then he jumped up and tacked Leon sending them both back and heading right for the edge of the fountain to fall below.
But before they could reach the edge for him to push him off, they had to run over a fountain and the moment they passed over it, the jet shot them up high into the sky.
Seifer held onto Leons jacket as they were sent soaring into the sky, but he was wet and loose, so he brought his other to grip his firm shoulder. Entangled in the air it was at this moment they peaked and began to plummet back down. With his grip confirmed Seifer then brought his other fist forward to punch Leon in the face repeatedly. Coming close to the ground Seifer kicked off of him sending him straight into the third and highest level. Seifer landed on his feet and was ready to take him for another ride, though there was no jet this high up, so the only way to go was down. Seifer charged at him as Leon got up to his knees.
But as he came upon him, Leon's Gunblade shined bright and unleashed a fireball nearly point blank at Seifer. He backed away at the last moment as the fireball was unleashed. Seifers vision was overtaken in red flame as he backed away and the heat from it rose, but then lessened. Smoke took its place as he backed way with his arms raised, but they were smoldering from being so close.
Looking to them He saw smoke coming off his right arm, no it was his coat specifically his shoulder. He moved his left arm to touch at it, then his right did the same as all he felt was crisp singes of what was once there. He lowered his arm down to place it in the water and cool the burning sensation. And as he lowered, Leon rose up. Seeing that contrast Seifer picked himself back up, his left arm dripped wet. Not ready to stop for anything.
Then he shouted out and ran forward going quicker than he had before tackling Leon. The two collided and Seifer took him right off the edge and they fell to the second level again this time causing waves to crash when they landed, they filled over the edge.
Landing beside each other it seemed a struggle to get up. Seifer managed to be first and once he was up pushed Leon down as he tried to get up himself. Leon in reply to that push jolted up sending Seifer falling back splashing into the water. Once on his back Seifer pulled his head from the water to see Leon over him once again.
Leon stabbed his sword down at Seifer, who moved away from it. He caught the end of Seifers coat pinning him there. Alarmed Seifer looked over his shoulder to see Leon pinning him in place, and his foot raising over his head. Lunging out and rolling to his side Seifer's coat ripped free from the sword which still pinned a small gray strap beneath the water. But Seifer rolled out of the way as Leon's foot stomped down to where his head once was. Out of the way of that, Seifer looked as Leon came at him again with his sword. Seifer scrambling away on his arms scurried away from him. Water splashed all around them as he did.
Pursuing him Leon continued to stab the sword into the ground at him. Each one was only a half a second off from hitting Seifer who he pursued relentlessly, with each movement took them farther away from the right side of the fountain they entered from and closer to the left, where across the balcony to watch the fountains was another exit to leave.
Scurrying away Seifer felt there was little he could do with the sword at his legs, but then he thought of it. The sword stabbed into the ground and in the moment before it could be pulled out again, he kicked his leg out hitting Leons knee and dropping him on to it. They were closer and more level now and using that Seifer reared up to punch Leon in the head sending him further to his side.
But Leon came back and when he did it was with the strike of the sword.
Hitting Seifer from the side, he sent him spiraling through the air uncontrollably. Launching the boy off the fountain, through the air and to the balcony before the tunnel on the opposite end.
Seifer groaned and stayed on the ground for longer than he would have liked. It was not until he felt the pelt of rain fall that he looked up, but he realized there was no rain. But Leon who had leapt over to catch up to him, water droplets falling off of him as he propelled himself off the fountain.
Punching the ground Seifer pushed himself up and squared up with Leon. Seeing he was just as ready as he was Leon charged him. Seifer jumped back into the darkness of the tunnel. Leon came in swinging but was instantly struck in the head, but in the darkness could not see from where. He swiped at where it came from, but he didn't hit anything.
Seeing the light from the other side he ran towards it swinging as he did. Knowing that Seifer would not wait in here, and if he hit him, it was a good thing anyway.
Both seemed to have the same mindset however and appeared together on the other end of the tunnel side by side.
Now there were not surrounded by beautiful fountains and fauna, crowded markets or ports. But instead, were confined to a small pathway with pipes lining the walls.
Seifer pushed into him instantly. Leon slashed at him as he slid away beneath his swipe. Stopping himself, Seifer came back at Leon who slashed at him again, but Seifer jumped out of the way and Leons attack instead cut along the walls and split one of the pipes open.
Shooting out of it was a thick gust of smoke that overtook Leon. Seifer backed away from it, but no sooner had he disappeared had he reappeared coming slashing at him. Seifer jumped away this time landing atop the pipes. Leon slashed at him again his sword cutting through another pipe causing more smoke to shoot out.
Leon followed Seifer being only a step behind him, but the strikes he made only made more smoke appear and allowed them to see less. Eventually Seifer ran out of pipe to run along and had no choice but to jump back down to level ground.
Beneath him was a thick white haze of smoke and as soon as he jumped into it, he was lost. There was no sound of attack. Looking around he couldn't see anything. Not even his hand before his face.
He could not see or hear a sign of pursuit either. If he couldn't see himself, he couldn't see Squall either. Which meant he couldn't see him. Alerted he jabbed a handout but only punched the air. He did again move the smoke for sure, but it was too thick to thin it.
Keeping his fists to himself he knew he could only do one thing. Feel his way out.
Punching the air before him, he felt nothing and used that as a way to gauge his path. He picked up his speed and the frequency at which he punched at. Below him he didn't hear the hard metal floor but a stone path like all the others. Which meant that he was getting away from all that even if he was still lost in the fog.
He felt a rush of cold air now and looking ahead he could see his forearms and the tips of his knuckles. He was getting close to freedom. And looking ahead he saw the smoke finally clear, and he saw the rooftops of the town.
But he also saw a ledge.
With clearer sight Seifer bolted forward sprinting to the ledge and jumping off of it. He soared through the air erupting free of the smoke that trailed behind him. As he flew, he saw even more of the rooftops of Radiant Garden below.
Scurrying around the streets was everyone else. Tifa darted around, her head to look down one street while her next stopped to take her to the next one. But regardless of where she was going, she didn't see Leon or Seifer. A step behind her Fuu scanned from side to side.
"Where could they be?" she asked worried.
"Lost?" Fuu said looking up at her.
"Not Leon." Tifa shook her head "He knows his way."
"Leon?" Fuu asked. Looking out of the corner of her eye Tifa saw she was looking at her.
"Eh.. Squall." she said uncomfortably. Behind them Rai opened up a trash can to look inside
"They're not in here!" he announced for everyone to hear. At that moment Yuffie hanging upside down from an awning that was over him.
"But this still is!" she announced as she hung upside down. Standing with their group was one other. Cid looked around just as they had, but it was to take in the sights not necessarily for the two of them. And the more he saw of what they left behind the angrier he got.
"Bah!" Cid said as he gnawed at his toothpick. Disgust was in his face as he looked elsewhere, not for Leon or Seifer but at what they left behind. A ruined garden, blackened streets and steps, broken flower pots, windows and awnings. It made him sick. His face curled up into a sneer and he spat the toothpick out as if it left a bad taste in his mouth. "Gonna take a lot ah fixin' to get over this." he said "Again." he grumbled.
Tifa then came up to his side "Then let's find them." she said as he turned over his shoulder to her. He nodded and she did too "Let's keep looking." she said to everyone else.
A few blocks down and above them soaring through the air and coming back down Seifer landed hard on the nearest one. He landed down on its brown tiles breaking a few of them. Bending down he looked back over his shoulder to see the thick fog of smoke emptying out into the town.
Then suddenly it cleared and released something else with it.
Leon and his Gunblade.
He landed on the same rooftop, right next to Seifer cracking the tiles as he did. Seifer was ready for him. He threw a punch that Leon dodged and then struck his sword down onto the roof. Seifer dove out of the way as it split the roof. Picking his sword back up, he saw Seifer leapt off the gutter to land on the rooftop next to this one. And Leon followed close behind.
Jumping over and coming down on it he came with a swing that Seifer dodged again. He pursued him vigorously with a slash for each step he took as they climbed to the peak of one roof to come down the other side and then leapt into another. Seifer wound jump on a chimney and Leon would slice it off making him loose his footing and almost fall in it. But each time had managed to avoid a swing and try one of his own which Leon dodged easily.
They leapt off of the roofs and landed onto another one.
"Oh chim chim cher-ee!" the chimney sweep sang as he rose from the chimney, black all over with soot. "Oh!" he let out suddenly as Seifer ducked beneath another swing and the chimney sweep did the same ducking back down and into the safety of his chimney.
Seifer jumped back again dodging another swipe and clearing another rooftop to come to another. But Leon was right behind him.
Landing down Leon swiped low with his Gunblade at Seifers legs. He jumped over the slice and came back down low onto his knees where Leon swiped low again, only this time the low slash was level with Seifers head. Seeing it coming Seifer rolled on the ground just in time to evade it. Then quickly he shot up and threw himself up and into Leon leading with his shoulder. Leon stumbled back from the blow down the uneven side of the roof and even fell to his own knees. But Seifer didn't stop there.
Kicking his feet up, he kicked roof pilings at Leon. They hit him in his chest, shoulder and head before he swiped his sword out unleashing a fireball from it. Seifer was running at him but stopped short as the blast erupted right before him at his feet. A wall of fire overcame Seifer, and he disappeared in it. But as soon as it was created it was broken when Seifer came through it.
"Your aims getting worse and worse!" he cried as he broke through the smoke. He rushed Leon who was still on his knees and perfectly in line with Seifer.
He swung his left fist out knocking it into Leons head and sending it to his left. Right then Seifer shot out his right fist to hit Leon again. Staggered from both punches Seifer kneed him in the chest sending him back again and sliding off the roof.
He braced himself on it as Seifer came forward hitting him again. He swung his left fist, but Leon braced his arm up to block. When the right fist followed, he eased his head back to block it. And once he did, he put one foot up completely brining himself up from kneeling.
When Seifer swung at him again, Leon snapped his arm out holding the Gunblade and knocked his attack away. That allowed Leon to rise to his full overbearing height over him. But before he could move any further Seifer seeing the rising threat dove at him grabbing at his arms and holding him by his elbows to prevent him from taking any action at him. His arms struggled to keep Leon's in their place, feeling at any moment they would break out and down on him. Refusing to buckle Seifer began to move.
The two began to spiral and circle around each other across the rooftop, stumbling over the singles and the angled position they were at. Seifer moved around more as Leon bore down on him, bringing them close to the edge of the roof. His back heel skimmed the edge. And their shadows were cast out onto the road to be seen by all who were watching.
"Look!" Yuffie let out and pointed and everyone followed to where she pointed above. On each of their faces was a mix of joy that they found them, surprise that they had, and shock that they were still fighting. One face alone however showed confusion.
"Are they dancing?" Rai asked cluelessly scratching his head as he saw them grabbing onto each other and swinging in circles.
Grunting Seifer nearly buckled under Leon's weight before he swerved again and further up the roof and out of everyone's sight. But now they knew where to look. Twirling around it only ended when the two let each other go and they spun farther away.
Dizzily Seifer fell back onto the ridge of the roof. But just as he fell Leon was not intent to fall and instead only stumbled back keeping himself on his two feet. But he could only go so far and moving backwards he tried to slow down and only managed to do so as he came to another edge of the roof, a shorter edge braced by the chimney.
His heels graced the edge of the roof, but he stopped himself and threw his arms out to balance himself on the edge as if it was a cliff. But in that balancing act he left himself open and someone else saw that.
Seeing him wide open and begging to be hit, Seifer smirked and raced towards him. Leons back was arched as he then lurched forward finally keeping himself from teetering on the edge. His eyes were on Seifer the whole time, but the rest of his body was focused on not falling. But right as he righted himself Seifer jumped up at him, kicking him in the face and sending him off the edge of the roof.
Beneath them the others rounded the house just in time to see the kick.
"No!" Tifa cried from below as Leon began to fall.
But Leon made one last sudden move. Swinging his sword out it stabbed into the chimney he fell beside. And it embedded itself in there, hanging onto the grip hung from it.
He let out a sigh of relief as he dangled beside the chimney. But he didn't want to stay there for long. And someone else didn't want him to either.
"Man!" he heard Seifer cackle "You just don't take a hint!" he looked up to see Seifer but instead got a kick to the face. His grip remained string even as his face got beat on. He expected another one to follow yet when Leon looked to the roof only to see Seifer wasn't on it. Then at that moment he felt his blade jostle and his fingers stepped on.
"Eh-" Leon grunted through clenched teeth.
Looking up past his outstretched hand hanging onto his sword he saw Seifer standing atop it with his fingers beneath his shoes.
"Haha!" he laughed. But though he stood on one hand Leon had another. Leon reached up grabbing Seifer by the foot, and quickly yanked him down. "Whoa!" Seifer let out as he was dragged down and would have fallen to the ground if at the last moment he hadn't reached onto Leon's back.
Leon tried to shake and wiggle himself free as they dangled from his sword together. Seifers grip on Leon began to weaken even as his one hand still held firmly onto his Gunbalde. Seifer began to wiggle and shake off of Leon finding that he could get no good grip. There was only one thing he could do.
Seifer jumped off of Leon and reached his arms out to hang off the roof instead. Hanging off the gutter, he turned around to see Leon swing himself forward and kicked him in the head. Finally, he let go and landed onto the street below.
"Seifer!" Tifa cried as he hit the ground.
"Ha!" Cid laughed causing a glare to come from Fuu and Rai.
Putting both his hands on the grip now Leon pulled on the sword prying it free of the chimney and he fell. But on his own terms and he nailed the landing. Landing on his two feet he looked over to Seifer who lay sprawled out on the ground. He approached Seifer who groaned on the ground and struggled to move as Leon came closer. His shadow was cast over Seifer as he came over him.
Then suddenly Seifer shot up and spun around hitting Leon square in the stomach causing him to double over from the blow. Tifa gasped as everyone else reacted too.
"Yeah! That's it, ya know!" Rai cheered and Fuu gave a gold clap of approval.
"Bad form!" Cid hollered as Rai grumbled at him again.
Bringing his fist back Seifer then shot up and as he came down dropped his elbow onto the back of Leons head bringing him down more. Then with him hunkered beside him, he shot a leg out and kicked him into the street.
"Hahaha!" he laughed confidently. He kicked Leon again sliding him further down the street. When he came at him again this time Leon turned around with the barrel of his Gunblade at him. Seifer was hit point blank in the chest and was propelled all the way back across the street to crash onto another rooftop. This time landing on a sign that read 'Tiana's Place'.
His head and arms hung off the ledge. And when he looked down, he saw the crowd of everyone looking on at them; Tifa, Fuu, Rai Cid, and Yuffie. But before all of them and charging at him was Leon running at him and a fireball ahead of him coming right his way. Picking himself up he pried singles from the roof he hung from. Hurling one forward it collided with the fireball exploding in the air. Seifer then leapt over that explosion as he saw another one come at him. Throwing the tile with perfect aim of his own he struck that one as well and another mini explosion rocked the sky.
Seifer came back down now landing right before the wall of the restaurant and a window that looked inside it, and Leon was coming right for him. he came with a slash that Seifer ducked under and with Leon above Seifer shot up grabbing him and with all the strength he had picked him up, hurled him over his shoulder sending Leon right through the window behind him.
Crashing through the window Leon landed through a table on the other side shattering it and the fortune of a good meal with it.
Looking up he saw countless customers within the restaurant. Ichabod Crane enjoying a pie, Brer Bear about to slurp his Gumbo, both Casey's enjoying a drink and Tiana serving a table consisting of Pecos Bill and John Henry. Each one was startled by his sudden entry and even more so when he picked himself up only to be tackled by boy who jumped through the window. Grabbing him by his shoulders he propelled Leon forward and further into the restaurant causing more chaos as he went. Then finally Seifer let go and Leon turned around to him only to get punched in the face. Throwing his backhand out Leon hit him back sending him onto a nearby table.
The customers varied as they were all scattered completely making a mad rush for the door, though Brer Bear took his gumbo with him blowing on it as he ran. Ichabod for his part snatched the lovely Tiana in his arms and made off with her, though he was much more frightened than she was.
Leon shot his leg out for a kick that hit Seifer sending him onto another table. Lying on his back he saw Leon coming at him. Stopping before the table Leon flicked one of the legs with his foot causing it to topple over with Seifer on it who landed head first onto the ground. Then falling off of it he looked up as the tabletop was before him. Getting up Seifer threw his shoulder into it and pushed using it as a shield. But then a sword cut beside him as Leon slashed it in two. Seifer jumped away as Leon walked through his now unobstructed path.
Seifer then jumped onto another table as Leon slashed at him. Seifer drove forward with a knee to his face. Leon was sent back knocking into the main counter. Gazing up he saw Seifer on the table. He shot a fireball at him, but he jumped away from it and only the table went up in smoke. Landing on another Leon shot at that as well, but Seifer continued to leap frog from table to table and Leon continued to destroy them. Seifer had made his way across the restaurant to make his way back to Leon who he leapt at with a punch.
But as he landed Leon moved and he missed it. Brining is arms up Leon slammed them down onto his head bringing Seifer to his knees. Then with him down there Leon reached down to grab him with one arm.
Grabbing him Leon brought him up and slammed him onto the counter. Then he began to run along the length of it, dragging Seifer every step of the way, smashing his head into glasses and tray placed upon it until finally, he came to the end where there was none left, but keeping his momentum Leon flung him forward and sent Seifer rocketing off the counter and head first into the wall.
On the outside Tifa and the others ran to the scene of panic as Tiana and the others fled from the inside of the restaurant.
"Where are they?" she asked looking over the crowd with everyone else. They were nowhere to be seen. As they were all looking over the crowd, Rai took notice of something else. He took a whiff of the air.
"Hmm." he purred "Something sure smells good, ya know." Rai said.
At that moment Leon and Seifer erupted from the Restaurant. Everyone who was once huddled around it ran off as the two continued to battle going blow for blow. But the group who had been following them continued to watch on.
They had come down back to the marketplace swinging, dodging and punching their way through the entire town and each other to get back here. Both were fighting as hard as they could now for there could only be one winner.
Backing away from a slash Seifer paused to take some well-deserved breathes. Eyeing him Leon did not press the attack but did the same. Seifer panted with his shoulders sagging as Leon breathing just as heavy still held his sword tightly.
"There." Seifer let out a deep breath with the word "Think I'm weak now." he panted.
"You've gotten stronger." Leon conceded causing Seifers grin to become more smug and confident "But your still weak." he concluded.
"You won't say that soon enough." Seifer said. Leon had no retort now for he didn't look to Seifer. Instead, he looked around them.
He saw the town he had helped rebuilt. Only it wasn't as it should be. Broken archways, awning, roofs and plants were everywhere. The garden that grew the most beautiful flowers was trampled and crushed. Smoke seeped out from the overhanding ledges. It was like the town was ruined again, not from darkness but from the two of them. From him.
And the people... the people who came all this way. Some to see the world of Light they heard so much about and others who lived here were looking at him.
But it wasn't the usual stare of reverence of dependability he saw in their eyes.
This time it was fear.
Tiana cried about her destroyed restaurant as the others tried to console her; Brer bear offering the gumbo he took with him. Others ran off at further sign of trouble and others tried to take cover and hide. Scanning the crowd, he saw the rest of the Restoration Committee looking at him. They very people who along with him helped rebuild this world. Cid had the grumpy look of disappointment, Yuffie with uncertainty. And Tifas eyes... they looked worried, but at the same time she was scarred. Of him.
"I'll be the one to say it to you!" Seifer shouted and charged him.
"Enough!" he snapped and a startled Seifer came to an abrupt stop.
"Enough?" he repeated "What do you mean enough?!" he shouted anger growing in his voice.
"Just that." Leon said lowering his sword and rising up "I'm done."
"Done?" Seifer repeated again, but his fist which loosened when he stopped clenched again.
"Yeah Seifer! Whoo!" Rai cheered from the sidelines "You beat the fight out of him, ya know!"
"Na." Seifer refuted "It's gotta be a trick."
"No trick." Leon raised his arms, but not offensively. Then he opened them leaving himself wide open "Come on. Get your last hit in if you really need it. But I'm done."
Seifer grilled Leon through a furrowed brow. He was filled with the desire to fight. He was angry, he was hurt, he was full of life. But he was confused. What was this? Leon's stare remained as it had always been. A blank droning sense of boredom and distance. Like he viewed Seifer beneath him. Is that why he doing this? Was he not acknowledging Seifers desire to fight was stronger, but that it was a waste of time for him. No. he couldn't have that.
"I'll get it in." Seifer said clenching his fist "This'll be the one to finish it!" he cried before he ran forward. Fuu and Rai cheered him on. Tifa watched on with concern, Cid with disappointment as he shook his head and lowered it.
Leon, however looked relaxed. Opening his arms more he closed his eyes as Seifer cleared only half the distance between them. It would soon be over.
He heard Seifers furious footsteps stop and he felt a gust of wind come at him. But he still didn't move.
But when a fist knocked into his face dead center he buckled. He body fell back in a free fall. His arms and legs flung forward. He felt his back lead the way as he passed the top edge of the ground to fall of the ledge and into the garden. His arms and legs followed. And his Gunblade was the last to go.
But at the last moment he felt the Gunblade ripped from his hands. Not because of his loosened grip, but because another hand had taken it.
That caused him to open his eyes right as his back his hard against the ground. When they did open, they were not distant and dark but wide in shock and surprise. For standing over him was Seifer and in his hands was his Gunblade. The sword was as long as Seifer and though he still needed both hands to hold it up, he was older and stronger now. And he did so much easier than the last time he held it.
A malicious gleam came over his face as he eyed the sword up and down.
"I see now." he said looking at his reflection in the blade "This is the source of your power. This right here." he said and when he looked down to Leon wide eyed on the ground, he took it as confirmation. "Without this your nothing." he said gripping it even tighter as Leon's eyes went wider with that.
As quick as he could move, he flung himself up to his knees, but as he moved up Seifer came down with the sword slashing Leon across his left shoulder.
"NO!" Tifa cried.
"HA!" Seifer laughed loudly overtaking her cry. Leon said nothing and the slash only stalled him as he registered the cut of steel and the ripped fabric. He brought himself up from his knees only for Seifer to flail the sword upwards and cut across his torso, from his lower left side to his upper right shoulder.
Harried Leon stumbled back, wobblily and weak. Seifer slashed up again Criss-crossing the strike he once made and cutting and X over Leons torso and cutting through his shirt. Stumbling further Leon flailed around himself, trying to protect his front and get away only to have Seifer drag the sword over his back.
Swerling around Leon came around to him again. This time Seifer did not slash or stab him but pointed the tip of the blade right at his head.
"Seems our positions are switched Squall!" he mocked him at the other end of the sword. Even Leon had to admit he was right. While Leon was armed for the entire fight Seifer had come at him with everything he had and more. If Leon wanted this fight to end. This was not how he intended it "Time to fight fire with fire don't you think?" Seifer cackled as the tip of the sword grew red and Leon knew what would be next.
A fireball shot out and struck him dead on, smoke rose from his chest almost instantly and he was forced back from the blow.
"How about a little fire!" Seifer joked and shot another one at him. Leon tried to evade but this one still managed to strike his shoulder smoldering it completely.
Seifer stepped forward following him, this time with both hands over his head and the sword and ready to swing it down.
But Leon falling back had had enough and ready to come forward.
"Enough!" he snapped.
Suring, forward he came at Seifer not only faster than he could, but faster than he expected. Leon used one hand and smashed it on top of Seifers that held the sword up above him effectively stopping his next swing.
Seifer was stunned as his eyes opened wide now, the white in them clear as ever other part of his body was overtaken in shadow as Leon loomed over him.
From the sidelines everyone gasped.
"Yo that's cheating, ya know!" Rai said. Cid put his fingers in his mouth to whistle sharply in applause.
Bearing down over Seifer, their faces were close to each other. The white in their eyes visible and Seifer saw a look in Leon's eyes that he hadn't seen in years. Not since he called himself Squall. Leon's grip crushed over Seifers that gripped his sword.
With his other arm Leon swung down striking Seifer in the face. His head was knocked backwards and his grip on the blade loosened as Leon tore it from him. With it safely back on his hands he rose it up high over his head and higher than Seifer could ever raise it. But it was even higher than that now. An aura of light came over it as energy was being funneled into it. Extending from the blade, overtaking and enlargening it, but taking on its shape itself was light. A light that extended beyond what the regular sword could be. It was now something far more powerful.
Seifer's eyes widened beneath the enlarged blade. 'Another new move!' he realized. One he had only revealed just now.
Then with a murderous force he hadn't used in this entire fight at all, combined with this new form the Gunblade took on Leon swung it down cutting Seifer along his body until the blade cut down into the ground between them.
There it remained.
Lurched over, Leon panted as Seifer was completely frozen in place. Everything else turned to silence, from the countless onlookers to the two of them.
It was broken by the faintest of whispers.
"i.." Seifer huffed out before him. The sound of it caused Leons eyes to trail up to Seifer. He was still standing there before him. His clothes cut open, his body rigid, but his eyes burned in anger as his jaw was locked up and only through his grinding teeth could words hardly manage an escape "i knew... it was a trick-" he said before a gasp escaped his now gaping mouth and he fell backwards limply away from Leon.
It seemed he would fall back onto the ground for his body was too weak to catch him.
But then before his body could fall any farther it was suddenly stopped. His head bobbed in place; his arms hung limply with the rest of his body.
The cause of that was Leon who reached out with his free hand to grab ahold of Seifers long coat stopping him from falling any further. Pulling him back upright Seifers body which then fell forward limply into Leon's slouched form and open arm.
Carefully he then lowered Seifer onto the ground laying him flat across it. Once he was there, he looked up to see everyone else approaching.
"Seifer!" Rai exclaimed as he and Fuu wen to this side to shake him. Yuffie did the same kneeling with them. While those three concentrated on Seifer, the other two went to Leon.
"You alright?" Cid asked offering a rag for Leon to wipe himself. It was a dirty greasy rag, but he used it none the less. Concerned as they all were for him, he turned to see the only member of their group as involved as he was in this. Tifa approached him, cautiously it seemed but she came close to him anyway.
Wiping his face, he ended up with more grease and much across his face. Sighing she brought a hand up to wipe his face truly clean. When she was finished, she tugged on his chin to make him look at her. And then her hand slunk away to her side.
"So that's it?" Tifas asked. Leon turned his head to her. He didn't say anything but made one final movement.
He nodded.
