Disclaimer: FF is not mine nor does the references or characters in it

Chapter 11: Dual in an early morning

He retrieved back his gaze from the rain-stained window in front of him, glancing at the clock on his dorm wall, indicating 4:53 A.M. He sighed and stood up. He intended to walk to his still neat bed, hoping to drift to sleep, though never manages it in account of his insomnia sickness.

He glances at his timetable then groans. A 'Squall' scribed on that day date, indicating his training with the commander. 'This sucks,' he exclaimed in his mind, 'I rather be in school doing algebra.'

Cloud only goes to school when there are exams or when he does not have any lessons or missions in Radiant Garden. His grades are fine so he the headmaster would not mind for Cloud to take the test and take some of the lesson in his school.

So basically, Cloud's days would never open up for a break or vacations in his hands. Soon enough, the 17 year-old blond would crack in a few more weeks in account of stress.

He walked to the closet with mirror sliding doors, picking up a uniform. As soon as he dressed, he slid off the door shut, gazing at his reflection. Cloud's reflection showed an unemotional soldier wearing short navy uniform with long sleeves and two symbolic guards on his shoulders with matching trousers. His face showed more hollow emotion in them, despite his natural silent characteristic. The wet Monday was not the reason for Cloud's moody behavior.

It was only yesterday since his and Tifa's argument in the park. He did not know what came over him. He just dragged her to the park and told her to not hang out with guys. It could be the cause of anxiety concerns towards his friend; he had been too late to save her at that old mansion. He should have rescued her, like their promise that they made when they were still children.

He picked up a large leather case with his trademark wolf pendant forged in steel in front. The case was larger than he was. He strapped to his back then walked off his room, the door slide automatically for him to leave.

Cloud shook his head. He then scanned the small dormitory. The small room has two a simple two-person dining table with glass wall overlooking the advance academy. There was a small kitchen and a T-board on one corner of the room.

All of the 3rd class rooms at Radiant Garden have a wall size glass overlooking the whole advance academy, a single bed in a corner. A table with light sat opposite from the bed, next to the small bathroom. In front of the bed stood the mirror slide closet, next to the automatic entrance door. The side of the bed there is an opening where a metal cabinet forged.

Cloud's room was simple; He got a flat screen computer on the table, some books stacked in the opening beside his bed and an electric guitar stated beside his black case were.

He took the T-board, the advanced vehicle that actually programs to transport the students like a skateboard only normal skateboards do not floats on air. Cloud placed the board to the floor which it floats lightly in midair then jumped on it.

Lights of cerulean blue enlighten by Cloud's feet and the light travels through the board. Cloud stated his destination then the board accelerates by his command.

Along the way, Cloud examines the empty dark corridor. The middle of the Garden was a small cubical lift that transports the students to the second floor, where the classes are. The highest floor was the Commander's office, which people need to get the key to go to the floor. According to rumors that float among the students, there was a lower ground floor beneath Radiant.

There are stairs leading down from the lift that faces the directory and the front gate. Fountains circles around the platform and the other side of the pathway. There are junctions that could lead to certain places on the rim of the circled lobby; labels with different colored tiles decorated the floors.

Cloud swerved into a green tiled junction, which the sign 'TRAINING CENTRE' written on the side of the junction. He rode into the corridor then stopped as the he arrived at a jungle like atmosphere. There were a lot of trees and various animal-like sounds.

He only waked a few steps but leaped abruptly, avoiding a tentacle from hitting him. He tilted his head slightly; eyes scanned the creature that attacked him.

It was a plant –like monster, vine tentacles on each side with sharp end and goo slimed over it. Then, another creature attacked from behind, knocking his case to the ground, revealing six giant swords.

Cloud avoids the stings of a large giant bee by back flipping himself pick up one of his swords along the way. He then put his weight down while slamming his sword downwards vertically, creating lis limit break, Braver

He looked around; the creatures spotted him, countless fiends surround around him. He sped forwards and attack swiftly at all the creatures. At one point, he was near his case then picked up another sword. With that, he does more damage to the monsters.

He could her some slashing behind him. Without realizing it, he was back to back with a tall brunet, taller the he is.

"You're late." Said the cold voice.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Cloud stated sarcastically, "I was just too busy paying attention to my 'guests'." Cloud said, glaring at the monsters.

Squall's head tilted a little, his bluish-gray eyes cornered Cloud's hate expression. "Hmph, that's so like you." He said, staring back at the point of his blade and tighten his revolver handle.

"Can we just take care of the monsters first 'sir'?" Cloud said un-obediently. He joined his two swords together.

"Yeah, whatever," he said, reloading his gunblade.

Both of them shot forwards. Cloud slashed away his foes, releasing glowing blows from time to time whilst Squall triggered his weapon, exploding perfectly at each monster that met his blade.

Suddenly, Cloud loses his focus and fell down. He glared at the remaining monsters that were still standing. "Damn, monsters increased two folds."

Squall stood in front of Cloud then sighed. "This is going too far." He said.

A bright circle appeared around Squall as his gunblade enlightens. He releases Renzokuken, the simultaneous slashing technique that needed high speed triggering. When the seven slash skill unleashed, he landed backwards then jumped into the air. He releases Love divide, a skill where he brought the burning aura on his gunblade around, a perfect 360-degree angle then the wave elongated and killed the monsters instantly.

When he landed to the ground, a T-raxaur, a carnivore dinosaur appeared suddenly behind Squall. He hissed at the creature but paid attention to Cloud instead.

He had his right hand blade to the upper back, bluish flame erupt from the sword. Squall made a last minute leap to avoid Cloud's Blade Beam, where he slammed his sword and sending a shockwave to the creature.

"Watch it!" Squall hissed to Cloud.

The attack gave a minor wound on the monster. Squall got up and brush some dust from his leather jacket.

"What level are you on?" Squall asked, his eyes never leave the red scaled monster.

"35" he said, resting his sword on his shoulder while approaching Squall.

"Are you in for fleeing?"Squall asked. Cloud gave him a face. "Thought so. Use Shiva on it."

"I've barely finish my writing test." Cloud groaned.

"You're so pathetic..." 'no wonder he's a 3rd rank cadet' Squall said, approaching the creature.

He held his gunblade facing the ground beside him then put his other hand in front of his face. He closed his eyes, face skewed as if he was thinking of something. "Diamond Dust!"

Three shimmering orbs flew from Squall then slammed to the ground where a massive Ice crystal emerged from the blow. A blue creature with an appearance of a woman with long blond elven-style hair slumbers inside the crystal, hands crossing in front. Her eyes shot open, shattering the ice chamber along the way. She then held both of her arms upwards, gathering bluish energy inside her palms. She then throws the energy to the creature, accomplishing a large amount of damage. The T-raxaur still standing, roaring in fury then whips his tail towards Squall, knocking him backwards.

Cloud thrust his sword in the ground and gathers pale-yellow colored energy from his outreached arms behind him. "Sleep!" he screamed, releasing the energy to the monster. Some transparent stars appeared around it and slowly, the T-raxaur began to daze out. It collapses to the ground. Squall walked beside Cloud then the both members took a stance.

They both slashed the monster in half, killing it instantly. "What's the monster's level anyway?" asked Cloud.

Squall took out a piece of a piece of card-like gadget then separates it away, a blue transparent screen appear in the middle of the stretched technology.

"T-raxaur level 60." He said. 'Damn, I should tell those idiotic faculties to deal with these monsters'

"What-"

"Don't ask." Squall cut, holding up his hand.

"Right," Squall said after putting away his card in his jacket and took a stance. His cast a Protect Guard on his weapon, which it glow in white aura. "Let's begin your training." 'I can't believe I have to train HIM!'

Cloud also took a stance and cast Protect Guard. Without waiting for Squall, he shot forwards. They clash blades in the middle of the forest-like centre.

Cloud unleashes a side slash towards Squall who blocked it, then followed by a thrust towards the commander's torso who avoids sideway. Cloud then swung his sword towards Squall's head who ducked and at the same time vertical slash Cloud, knocking him sideways. Cloud stammered his foot just in time, avoiding him from losing balance.

Cloud glared at Squall. "Looks like someone a little grumpy in the morning." Squall said coolly.

Cloud rushed towards Squall with his sword to his side. Squall was ready, as he predicted Cloud's side slash. Squall gave an early dodge but loses his balance then fell down. Squall glared at Cloud who had slid his foot to Squall legs before. 'Hmph, a distraction huh…'

Squall stood up. There was a pause then both of them shot forwards. Squall held his gunblade to his left while Cloud held in the opposite. They both swung their weapon at the same time. When they blade clash in a flash, they both fell backwards. With getting up, he swung his blade towards Squall's neck, just to found Squall's on his throat.

They both stared at each other while silence fell between them. Their weapon still at each other's throats.

Cloud was the one who got up first then Squall stood up too.

"Another tie." Cloud said simply.

Squall smirked.

Sorry, just need to get active with Radiant. If you guys don't get it already, Radiant Garden is actually Balamb Garden that bears the name. I think it sounds so cool ne?

And the I change SeeD member to GUARDIANS (SeeD just going limp to the lame category comparing to Radiant.)

The Protect Guard in the story was created by me. The function of the spell is to avoid fetal injuries from training. Simply put, it's like turning a sword into a toy. (perfect for training cadets heh)