[Rain McCloud]

"Damn them..." In the dim light that shown from small cracks that were supposed to be windows, I could see a small boy, frightened, and crying silently. Just then another prisoner moved in to comfort the child. It looked like she gave quite the struggle against them. She had cuts and bruises all over her body. I wonder why I didn't see her earlier... who knows. It could be that my eyes have finally adjusted here. I heard the soldier calling for back up. Seems they have confronted something that they are too afraid to handle on their own. I have to admit I was a little nervous. I'd been through a situation similar to this, but that was 10 years ago.

*Flashback*
9 year old boy: ... Elle? What's wrong?
Ellone: ... (tears falling down her face) Uncle Laguna has been ejected from his presidency at Esthar. So were Kiros and Ward. I just don't understand what's going on...
Squall: Don't worry so much Sis. They'll be fine... Esthar is just having some difficulty figuring things out.
Ellone: Squall, you're back! (jumps up and embraces him)
Squall: Whoa… calm down. I’ll be leaving again soon. Something important has come up.
Boy: What is it Uncle Squall?
Squall: … (stares blankly at kid) … I can’t really say. It’s a high priority mission that will mainly be involving me and 5 other specially trained Seeds. This mission should last only 3 weeks. (to kid) … It will be your job to protect Sis, Rain.
Boy: Yes Sir.
Squall: See you all later.

Ellone runs up to Squall and hugs him once more... and he walks off to the Ragnorak parked outside. That night… several Esthar soldiers came… they came to recruit the orphans for their dirty work. I fought them off as best I could, trying to protect Elle and the others. But I was chased off. I ran and ran, as far as I could go. I eventually ended up in a strange forest that I’d never seen before and ran into a young Chocobo. And that was where I stayed for 3 years. I had made it to the mythical Chocobo’s Forest. They fed me and took care of me until I decided it was time to go. I rode on a strange Chocobo that had the ability to walk over the sea. He took me to Balamb and that is where I got my education and became a mercenary. That is also where I met another gunblade specialist who gave me my own gunblade. I forget his name as he vanished after 5 years of training me.

To this day, I still don’t know where he disappeared to. I imagine he got sent off like Squall did. I failed to protect Elle and the orphans. Now was my chance at retribution.