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Ch. 5 Receptions, The Good, The Bad, And The Onikage Special

Disclaimer: 1

All Final fantasy characters and locations are the exclusive property of Square Enix and do not belong to me.

Every thing else is me and my friends.

"You know, my father once told me that every man has his own personal devil."

Quoted from "The Crow"

DORMS

"...and then he did his "Rough Divide" limit break, beating me." Xavier finished his telling of his last week. He looked around Drake and his room, at all the faces staring back at him. Clip was the first one to break the silence.

"Remind me not to piss him off."

Xavier grinned at the farmer/white mage. They all laughed.

"Hey guys, I need to get going if we are all to get ready for the ball." "Z" said getting up.

"X", Drake, and Clip looked at the wall clock. With a groan they watched her go, and decided it was time to get ready themselves. None of them wanted to go. But they knew that if they didn't, they would never hear the end of it from so many people. All three of them had a plan to ditch the ball when the opportunity presented it self. But no one knew the other had the same idea.

"God I hate formal wear." Xavier thought to himself as he pulled the accursed SeeD formal uniform from where it hung in his closet. Xavier took a few seconds to look at himself in the mirror. He had the light turned low so he could have a spare second with out the goggles. He barely recognized the person staring back at him. Tattoos, scars, and muscles showed every where. Xavier placed his left hand over the scar on his right shoulder.

He hated dances. He hated to dance. There was only one person he had ever truly enjoyed dancing with. And he didn't know where she was. Oh for sure he had enjoyed dancing with Rikku, but she didn't dance the same way as her.

Xavier's hand slid to the purple "S" over his heart. Slowly he placed his forehead to the mirror and stared into his own eyes.

"Would you even recognize me any more?"

Xavier could see the answer reflected back at him through his own glowing eyes. Slowly he pushed himself away from the mirror and started to get dressed.

Drake checked and rechecked his dress uniform. He had put on some muscle since the last time he had worn the thing, and worried that the seams were not in the right place. Or that he looked absolutely stupid out right. He checked his seams again.

"Good, good, every thing is right." Drake thought to himself.

"Is it?" his inner voice asked.

"Of course it is."

"Is it? Is this really what you want for your self Drake?"

"Yes, I want to be a SeeD. I want the recognition so that maybe some where my real parents will see me and decide that it is time to be part of my life."

"Is that what you really want Drake? They haven't cared so far. And what would mother think. What would Gregory think?"

"I don't know. I am not them."

"You mean you are not a dragon. You are not even a Dragoon. You are just some mutt that was dumped at the base of a mountain. Left to cry till the real dragon ate you."

"My, aren't we aggressive tonight? And mother, brother, and sister love me."

"I have to be aggressive with our self Drake. Because do you really want to be a paid killer. Some champion of a cause that is not your own?"

"How can you, my inner voice, know what it is I want? And I can't believe that I am arguing with my self so much now."

"Wouldn't you prefer to be in the sky, than killing for money? I know I would."

"I think I have heard just about enough from you for one night." Drake said ending his argument with himself for the moment. Drake tied his hair back, and examined him self one last time.

"Perfect."

Clip stepped from the refreshing shower feeling better than he had since leaving the farm. Slowly, and methodically he rubbed himself down with the red towel that had been provided to him. Some how, who ever it was in charge of providing uniforms, had found him a formal uniform? He stared at the blue grey uniform grinning.

"That wont last long." Clip said to him self discarding the now white towel.

Taking the uniform from the hangar it was on Clip started to get dressed. It didn't take long before he noticed the Blue Grey of the uniform slowly turning white. Clip watched as streaks of white crawled and expanded over the uniform, turning it as white as every other article of clothing he owned.

"Great family spell dad. Every thing we ware turns white to remind us of what we are. Or are about to become."

Clip finished putting the uncomfortable uniform on.

"You know, just once I would like to ware something other than white."

All three stepped into the center room at the same time.

"My god boy, that is white." Drake said mockingly shielding his eyes from Clip.

"Family spell. It is to remind us that we are white mages, and to never deviate from that path."

"You know if we hurry we can probably avoid "Z" and any kind of dancing what so ever." Xavier said making for the door. Clip and Drake needed no further prompting.

A SHORT TIME LATTER

Xavier, Drake and Clip made their way through the café. As they approached the doors to the ball room they could here the sounds from with in. Xavier grasped a hold of the double doors and let out a deep breath. With a flourish he threw the doors open wide. Clip had never seen the ball room before. He was stunned by the sight of it. Every where he looked he saw intricately carved wood trim. Exquisite marble as far as he could see. And as he looked up he saw the night sky through the expansive glass domes.

"That is so beautiful." Clip said

"Aint it? There kinda hard to clean though."

Clip turned his head so fast he thought he was gonna break his neck. Instead of Drake, and Xavier standing by him, it was "Z".

"Where are the guys?"

"They were right here. But I guess they bailed on me."

"Z" made a showing of looking around for them, but to no avail.

"Oh well, Lets dance Clip."

Clip started to protest, but a sharp stomp on his foot and a force full pull at his arm made him follow her on to the crowded ball room floor.

Squall watched as "Z" forced Clip to dance and couldn't help but smile. He didn't have to look to know that Rinoa was smiling also.

"Not as subtle as trying to entrance him in to dancing."

"No, and you were a better dancer, even when you were pretending you couldn't."

They both chuckled to each other, as they laced their fingers together. Slowly they made their way around the room making the necessary pleasantries with those who thought they deserved their time. As Squall stood there listening to Rinoa make small talk with the dignitary of Tribia, he watched Emmy dance with a new SeeD candidate. She looked so happy. Squall really hoped that Eric's forth coming discussion wouldn't ruin Emmys happiness. Squall turned his head slightly and spotted Xavier right where he had disappeared to as soon as he could have. Squall watched as Xavier pounded what ever it was he was drinking, tapping his foot in time with the massive speaker he was standing on. On the same note Squall looked up to make sure Drake was still up in the rafters sipping on what ever he was drinking as well.

The song ended and Emmy came running to her parents. As Squall watched Emmy approach he noticed Clip desperately trying to get away from "Z". Squall cleared his throat, this caught "Z's" attention. Very slightly Squall shifted his eyes up. "Z" got it and looked up. In one fluid motion "Z" grabbed a snack tray from a passing waiter, and hurled it at Drake. Caught unaware Drake got hit in the head by the tray and fell to the ground. The band stopped, and every one watched as "Z" stormed over to the still recovering Drake. The band picked up again, and people went back to what they were doing. A short time later Squall watched as "Z" dragged Drake out on to the dance floor. Fortunately for him, Drake was a better dancer than Clip.

All at once Squall noticed Eric approaching. He had on his normal cloths. This bothered Squall, Eric always dressed for the occasion. This could only mean that his news was bad.

"Hey Emmy. I bet if you go over to that large speaker by the stage and ask it if Xavier could dance, he will."

With out question Emmy bolted towards the stage. Squall knew that his daughter liked Xavier. He also knew that Xavier knew that Emmy liked him, and he didn't mind her. But like every one else kept her at arm's length if not further. Squall smiled as he watched his daughter ask the speaker if Xavier could dance. Then wider still as Xavier looked over the edge of the speaker at the girl. He then tried his best not to laugh as Xavier shot him a dirty glare before jumping off the speaker and surprising Emmy.

"Squall, we need to talk."

"Yes Eric. Lets take this out to the balcony."

Xavier danced a perfect waltz with Emmy. The entire time watching Squall and Eric Masters leave the party and head towards the balcony. With a flourish the song ended, and they bowed to each other. Xavier made to leave, but was brought up short by the site of "Z" storming towards him for the next dance.

"Hey Emmy, shall we dance again." Xavier said bowing to her and offering his arm, a picture perfect smile on his face. As giddy as a school girl who Xavier had asked her to dance again, she latched to his arm like her life depended on it. Xavier looked over his shoulder just in time to see both "Z", and Drake flip him off. The last thing Xavier saw as Emmy and he started dancing was Drake running away from "Z". At least Xavier had to admit that Emily Leonheart was a damn good dancer.

BALCONY

Squall walked to the railing over looking the central garden just off the training grounds. The multi domed structure dominated the center of his garden. His and his alone. All his life's work was right here. And he had the strangest sinking feeling that Eric was going to give him the worst possible news, and there was nothing that He could do to stop it.

"Look at it, will you Eric."

Squall stood there and admired the school he helped reform in to what it was now.

"Is it not beautiful? Look at what we have worked for. Look how majestic it looks."

Squall turned around to see that Eric was also looking out over the school.

"And now you're going to deliver some bad news on me. Something so monstrous that this will once again be sent into chaos."

Eric hung his head.

"Am I that obvious?"

"If you make a habit out of looking for small oddities in people, yes."

Squall once again turned to look at his school.

"But I should have guessed that one day it would all end and you would be the one to bring me the news of it, Odin."

Eric didn't look surprised.

"I guess I really am that obvious."

"As I said, only if you know what to look for."

Eric sighed and looked his former master, and best friend in the eyes.

"Trouble is brewing Squall."

"I figured as much."

"A sorceress, the other avatars and I defeated more than a millennia ago has come back."

Squall sighed as he hung his head.

"Why is it always a sorceress? What does she want?"

"What do all people of power want? More power."

Squall didn't answer. He just stared off over the garden.

"She has been building her power, and very soon will start her attacks."

"What are her plans?"

Eric joined Squall once again looking over the grounds.

"I really don't know."

"Best guess."

"Best guess? If I was her I would destroy the Avatars, and then find my self some really strong allies. I already know she has a very strong weapon."

"Oh?"

"A black mist, what it does I do not know. She took control of a monster with it, and has killed our Ifrit."

Squall couldn't believe what he was hearing. For a few seconds he considered scrambling every SeeD every where, to go to the location of their avatars and protect them. But Squalls guts told him the worst was yet to come.

"You're not telling me something Eric."

Eric sighed deeply again and looked Squall right in the eye.

"You, and the rest of the past heroes, will not be able to beat her."

Squall brought his hand to the bridge of his nose, trying desperately to sort out every thing that Eric had just told him.

"Why can't we, the old heroes beat her?"

"Because of just that, you are old. You are too set in your ways. Unable to adjust to a new situation as quickly as you once did. I am not saying that you, Cloud, or Tidus are not as strong as you used to be. Hell your teams are stronger now than they ever have been."

"We just can't adapt as fast as we once could. We expect our old tried and true tactics to always work. And they don't."

Squall worked this over in his head.

"Who do you have in mind?"

Eric took a deep breath to steady his nerves. Squall was not going to like his answer, because even though the team he had in mind was skilled. It had major holes.

"Team X-treme."

Squall exhaled deeply yet again.

"They are not ready. There not even a whole team yet."

"I know. But I figured that you could send them on a few B.S. missions, and while they do those we can fill the gaps."

Eric could almost see Squalls mind start working.

"What do you suggest?"

It was Eric's' turn to think. Individually he counted off the members of team X-treme, out loud.

"Lets' see. First there is Zella "Z" Dincht. Primary job class is fighter. She has no secondary job class. She is good with her feet, and fists. She also has limited use of warrior magic. She tends to be a bit eccentric at times. But is clearly the moral support of the group, as well as an effective cheer leader. In other words, like her father, she doesn't know when to shut up. She also has a nasty tendency to day dream.

Squall picked up the next member.

"Secondly, there is Drake Gryphonys. Primary job class is Dragoon. Secondary job class is Summoner. He has a basic understanding of Blue magic also. Drake has the ability to jump to extreme heights, as well as attack with dead aim accuracy while in flight. So far he has one summon. Drake is fiercely loyal, and determined to prove himself worthy. Worthy of what is any one guess."

Eric nodded and continued down the list.

"Next we have the newly acquired Cliphord "Clip" Creedington. Primary job class White mage. Secondary job class, gunner. He seems unsure of him self out side of a fight. In a battle though he knows his place and knows it well. His skill with a shot-gun boarders on surgical. A valuable asset, if he can discover his self-worth."

Squall got a far away look in his eyes as he started rattling off Xavier's stats.

"And Last but not least. Xavier Lofbrah. Primary job class, Ninja. Secondary job class, Red mage. He has a great ambition to perfect both his ninja, and magic abilities. However Xavier has an extremely dark shrouded past. And a drive to destroy some one. Who, I do not know. That drive is only out done by two things. The first and most important is Xavier is searching for a lost friend. Possibly a love interest, the details are uncertain at best. And secondly his fierce loyalty to his friends. Xavier considers Drake a brother, and "Z" a sister."

Squall took a deep breath before continuing.

"However, even though he is the leader of team X-treme, he has no wish to lead. He also does not develop close relation ships with many people, due to some past tragedy, or tragedies. So Xavier may seem the logical choice to lead the team since he already does. However it may become necessary to remove him of his leadership role if it proves too much."

Squall and Eric looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. If Xavier doesn't lead them, then who would they follow? Because if he liked it or not, Drake, and "Z" would only follow him.

They watched as the crowd on the dance floor seemed to flow and move as one. It was almost captivating. Slowly the inner lights dimmed and the fire works display started. Brilliant splashes of reds, blues, greens, and gold painted the night sky. He could hear the round of applause erupt from the Ball Room.

"So what does team X-treme need to be complete?" Squall asked brining his attention back to the matter at hand.

Eric thought about the situation. He tried to think of every thing that could, and more than likely would happen to them.

"I think they could benefit from a purely black mage."

Squall thought about this and agreed. He knew the benefits, and down falls of having a pure mage on a team.

"Who do you have in mind?"

With out hesitation Eric responded.

"Either Johna Raven, or Ava Rei."

Squall shot Eric a surprised look.

"Johna will never leave team John, and Ava won't do any thing with out her best friend Drew Roberts. On top of that neither of them are SeeDs."

"True neither of them are SeeDs. However both are the top students in their class for black magic. Also, I wouldn't be to sure about Johna never leaving team John. I have a feeling as soon as she realizes how much the other two are using, and abusing her she will leave them in a heart beat. As for Ava not doing anything with out Drew. The experience would do Drew good."

Squall thought about this.

"Fine let me sleep on this, and I will talk with all of them Individually."

With that Squall made to leave, but Eric caught his arm.

"One last thing Squall. I will be going with them when they finally go. They will need me."

Squall nodded before saying what had just come to his mind.

"You don't expect some of them to live?"

Eric hung his head, and shook it no.

"You don't expect to live?"

"No." Was Eric's only response.

"Get some rest Eric, I have a feeling that their missions will be starting soon."

Eric watched as Squall left. Slowly he turned his attention back towards the garden below him. Way above him standing on one of the spokes of the halo that was in constant motion around the garden, Xavier watched Eric for a few more minute before finally leaving himself.

INFIRMIRY

Johna Raven lay in her hospital bed having the most horrifying dream she had ever had. She was standing on a field of battle, death and destruction all around her. As she stood there a large group of people started to attack her. Her hands started moving of their own accord, and before she knew it every one was dead. Burned to a crisp by her own hands.

"Just think Johna, this could be you."

"No, I could never do this." she said in a shaky voice.

"Oh but you can, just look at how the rest of your team is enjoying it."

Her head moved with out her moving it. Off in the distance she saw "Big" John mow down a group of helpless children.

"WHOOO, GET R' DONE!!!!!" He yelled at the top of his lungs before shooting some more children. Johna turned her gaze as fast as she could only to witness Jon mercilessly slaughter some unarmed civilians. Even at this distance he could see the joint hanging from his lips, needle marks littered his arms. Soullessly he killed more and more people.

"No, this isn't real, they aren't like that."

"Are you sure Johna, they have already willingly joined me. They like this reality. All it took was me promising John Headstrung all the power he could ever want as long as he recognized me as his superior. And Jon Oblisky. All the drugs he could consume."

All the sudden a large mirror sprang from the ground in front of Johna. Involuntarily Johnas head looked up into the mirror. What she saw was her dream self looking back at her. She was drop dead gorgeous. She had the perfect body, her curves went on forever. She finally had a body that every one would want.

"And you dear could easily look like this. Unfathomable beauty, the masses finally excepting you because you finally are as beautiful on the outside as you are on the inside."

Johna reached her hands up to her face to feel it. Her fingers left bloody streaks on her face where ever they touched.

"You have your self so convinced that you are ugly and undesirable that those around you, including your own team mates, start to believe it." Johna heard Xavier say in the back of her mind.

"This isn't real, none of this is real!" Johna screamed. The illusion shattered, and she sat bolt up right in her hospital bed. Johna desperately searched the room she was in looking for sings of friendly life. Her eyes came to the sleeping form of "Big" John, and were horrified by what she saw.

"That's right you little bastards die. Hmmm. Get r' done." He kept mumbling over and over in his sleep. The entire time sweeping his hands as though he was shooting something. Above his head was a cloud of dark mist.

Johna quickly turned her gaze towards Jon and saw him also mumbling in his sleep. He looked like he had something hanging from his mouth. Once again waving his hands like he was killing something with his sword.

"This can't be real." Johna said out loud to her self.

"Oh but it is real now Johna."

Johnas' head shot up to look at the most gorgeous looking woman she had ever seen. Slowly the woman walked out of a cloud of black mist and approached Johna. Johna tried to get up and run. But with a gesture the woman had Johna restrained.

"You have no choice Johna. You will help me, as the rest of your team will help me."

"Why?" Johna asked softly crying.

"Because, no one cares. And no one will stop me. They are all to busy with those privileged few who became SeeD's."

The woman walked over, and stood right next to Johna, her revealing outfit barley containing her body. Slowly she stroked Johnas hair and bent in.

"One way or the other, you will serve me. It is up to you if you keep a small part of your self. Or I kill you and reanimate your corpse. Either way you will serve."

The woman snapped her mouth open, and black mist enveloped Johna. Johna writhed in her bed for a bit before sacomming to the black mist.

"Good child, you will serve me well. Now I need to find a suitable leader for you. Some one more suited to lead than that shaved and trained monkey over there."

Slowly the mist seeped back out of the room taking its' mistress with it. Dreamlessly the three Johns slept.

STAFF APARTMENTS

Seifer Almasy thrashed in his sleep, sending his black bedding every where. Sleep was some thing he did only because he had to. Sleep was hardly ever peacefull for him. In the past six years he could count on one hand how many times he slept peace fully, and still have plenty of fingers left over.

Again he thrashed in his sleep, rolling over in the process. His night mares tended to cycle from one, to the next. First he would dream of the atrocities he had done as the "Sorceresses knight". Then he would dream of his time in rehab, fighting his drug addiction. And finally he would dream of the site of his wife's crash.

And always in vivid details. He could see the missiles destroying Tribia. He could feel the pain of the withdrawls. He could remember the twisted metal, and shards of plastic that surrounded the tree his wife had crashed into. And in each one he could see and smell the blood.

Slowly the black mist infiltrated his bed room, and pooled around the foot of his bed.

"Poor, poor Seifer. Always suffering, always hurting."

A tendril of mist snaked its' way up his nose and into his brain.

Seifer slowly approached the remnants of the car, trying very hard to deny that it was Janines' sports car. With out warning a missile hit the car blowing it in to nothing. Seifer tripped and fell as he ran towards the burning car. His head felt like every drug he had ever taken had suddenly flashed back on him. He couldn't move from where he laid on the ground. Slowly he looked, and watched as a black mist swirled in front of him and a woman stepped out of it.

"You had so much more when you served the sorcerers Ultimecia. Why did you through it away. You had no pain while you were on drugs, why did you stop."

It took Seifer several tries before his mouth would form the words he wanted to say.

"Because I hated not being in control of my life."

The woman knelt in front of him and cupped his chin in her hands, making him look at her.

"And yet with all of your control, you were unable to prevent your wife from dieing."

Seifer averted his eyes from the woman in front of him.

"I can give you unimaginable power once again. The kind you enjoyed under the power of Ultimecia. All you have to do Seifer is swear allegiance to me, and agree to do my bidding."

Seifers' eyes rolled back in his head as he passed out from the pain. The woman dropped his head.

"I will take that as a yes."

Black mist enveloped Seifer where he slept. His thrashing subsided. And for the first time in a long time. Seifer slept dreamlessly, and peacefully.

SEVERAL WEEKS LATER

Very carefully Xavier pushed the delicate flower to the side. With practiced ease, and precision Xavier slowly pulled the unsightly weed that was next to it. Then as gently as when he pushed it aside, he let the flower return to its' original position. Casually Xavier tossed the weed over his shoulder where it landed on a pile of similar weeds. Slowly he stood up to admire his work.

For the last few weeks they had been sent on several missions. Most of which entailed helping some one get a cat out of a tree, or getting food for a little old woman. They even had ended up painting the hotel in Balamb. The worst by far had been when they had gone to Deling to stop a terrorist who thought he could take control of the country by forcefully taking over the chocolate factory.

That mission had landed Xavier with weeding detail. He had lost his cool with all the bull shit surrounding their missions, and had beaten the shit out of the nit wit. So the disciplinary comity had decided to make him weed the medical herb garden, where they got all the ingredients for potions. Xavier didn't care, secretly he loved land scapping. It was calming, and rewarding. As he looked over the Herb garden he recalled the first time he had discovered he liked landscaping.

MIDGAR - SECTORE FIVE SLUMS. 7 YEARS AGO

He had wandered around the sector six parts of the slums looking for random trouble, when he had happened upon sector five. Sector five actually had people living in it like sector seven. But what had caught his eye was an old church smack in the middle of it.

Carefully he had entered the old church, only to discover that it was as degenerated on the inside as it was on the outside. He was going to leave when he noticed that a section of the ceiling was missing. Upon further investigation he found a very poorly taken care of flower garden growing in the spot the roof let light in.

"What a shame huh. I bet that was once a beautiful, well-loved flower garden." He had heard from behind him.

He had turned his head slightly to see that his training partner and friend Ashlin had followed him.

"Yeah, maybe if you're in to that kinda crap." He had replied smartly.

"You have too much anger, Xavier, and not enough focus for it. I believe this is why you are having a hard time learning what Cloud is trying to teach us."

Xavier nodded his head trying not to be upset with Ashlin. Ashlin was always honest with him, and truly tried to help. For sure the others were cool but none of them seemed to care one way or the other.

"It's not that we all do not want to teach you Xavier. It is just that the most of us do not have any thing that you would benefit from learning." Tifa had once told him.

"Tell you what Xavier; I have an idea, why don't you work on making this garden as beautiful as it apparently once was. Maybe while you are doing that you can find away to channel your hate in to something constructive. Think of your missing friend while you rebuild the splendor of this little patch of earth and rember why it is you fight. Besides, Cloud is on a drunken tear any way and we can't go to the Mako reactor up top to infuse you."

With that Ashlin had turned around and left Xavier to think on his words. From out side he heard Ashlin start talking to some one.

"Pardon me miss, would you mind helping me out? I am looking for some one to bare my male children."

It did not surprise Xavier to hear a loud slap shortly there after. Grinning Xavier had gotten down on his knees and started removing the weeds from the struggling flower garden.

PRESENT TIME

Giving the herb garden a once over he decided that the job was done and it was time for a well-earned break. Sitting down by a cooler that he had brought with him Xavier drew out a large bottle of ice water. Xavier thrilled in the feeling of the cold water sliding down his throat. It felt so good to drink something that cold on such a hot day.

Xavier pulled out an energy bar and started to eat it. As he sat there munching on the power bar a baby chocobo stumbled out of the herb garden. Xavier raised an eyebrow at it as the young Chocobo stumbled up to his booted foot. Xavier had to refrain from lunging at it to eat it. But it was rather cute. Getting an idea Xavier broke a piece of his energy bar and held it out to the Chocobo.

The baby stumbled its' way to the crumb in his hand and started to nibble at it. Xavier picked the tiny bird up in one hand and looked at it. It was about the size of a toy dog.

"Where is your momma, I don't think it is very safe out here for some one so small."

Xavier stood once again and looked around for the mother Chocobo. After several minutes of searching Xavier decided it was useless.

"I know why don't I take you to the Chocobo farm. I bet they have a good place for you there."

With a decision made Xavier gathered his cooler and the baby Chocobo. Quickly he made his way to his dorm to get changed.

THE HALO

Xavier was right, Drake decided as he watched the tiny island of Balamb pass beneath him. From where he stood on the halo that circled Garden. The view was breath taking. It had been a long time since he had felt the wind against his face like this. Oh if only he could actually fly. To be one with the sky. Not just jump really high, and then plummet to the ground. To actually stay in the air for long periods of time with out the aid of man-made machines.

The halo made another revolution of the Garden, and Drake exalted in the feeling. For a long moment Drake considered bringing a hammock up to the halo and setting it up. But he then thought better of it. Drake closed his eyes and spread his arms. He felt the wind whip his hair, and shirt as the halo made another revolution. Drake heard the maintenance door slam open, and whipped around.

"Don't jump son, life is worth living. We can help you with what ever is bothering you. So why don't you just step back this way." A SeeD in a nice medical uniform said to him.

"You think I'm up here to commit suicide?"

"Aren't you?"

Drake laughed.

"I'm a dragoon. If I were to commit suicide it wouldn't be from jumping off the halo. I would land on my feet and walk away."

The man gave Drake a funny look, and Drake knew the young man didn't believe him. He also didn't feel like dealing with his shit either.

So without listening any more to his would be rescuer Drake turned and jumped off the halo. With a heavy thud he landed on the third floor roof. Drake looked up at the shocked face of the young SeeD up on the halo.

"Don't fall man. It could really hurt some one not trained right."

With that Drake jumped from the third floor to the second floor roof. Finally Drake jumped from the second floor, to the quad. Dusting himself off, he exited the Quad like nothing happened.

MAIN HALL WAY** , JUST OUT SIDE OF THE LIBRARY**

Clip peered around the plant he was hiding behind. He didn't know exactly how it had happened. But one moment he was on his way to the café for coffee and the next he had been pulled kicking and screaming to "Z" room to give his honest opinion on her work cloths. He had liked Drakes traditional Dragoon armor. Hell he had even liked "X's" outfit. But every thing "Z" had shown him was pinker than the next. Now He had no problem with the color pink, but enough was enough. So while she was changing in to her tenth halter top, fishnet, and pants combo he had run. Now she was chasing him.

It baffled him about how she could want his opinion when he barely even knew her. She had responded that "X" and Drake would have just nodded their heads and agreed till they finally ran away. So she had expected him to give his honest opinion. Of which he did. Hell he had never been asked to judge a girls cloths before. And each outfit she tried on was more revealing. He just couldn't take it no more. His head was pounding from too much pink.

"If you're going to hide from me Clip, you're going to have to do better."

Clip spun around landing on his ass. There was "Z" in a flamingo pink torn halter top. Under it was a fish net singlet that covered her arms, upper body, and torso. It tapered off under her low hanging pants that also were showing off the straps of her bright pink thong. The pants themselves were also flamingo pink and had neon green pockets, and straps, as well as red flames.

"Drake usually jumps some where really high that would take me forever to get to, and by the time I did he would be else where. And Xavier is just scary in his ability to disappear. So you will have to do better than just hiding behind a fern."

Clip started to scoot away. With a loud thud "Z" red and black sneaker stomped on the tail of Clips trench coat.

"Oh, no I'm not even close to being done with you."

PARKING GARAGE

Xavier lovingly ran his hand over his shiny, well maintained G-bike. He remembered the day that Ashlin had given it to him.

"Here you go "X". I just got done with it."

"Wow that is a really cool."

"Yeah it has a higher performance out put than that model that Cloud drives around on. And it doesn't run on liquid Mako."

"Damn, that is sweet. So what does it run on since every thing that actually runs here, runs on Mako."

Ashlin removed a panel where the Mako tank should have been. And in its place was a large Crystal.

"So instead of Mako, it is using Materia?"

"Don't be stupid, that would just defeat the purpose. This is a new crystalline substance I came up with. Don't have a name for it yet. But it is cheep, easy to make, and non pollutant."

"Those qualities are all ways a plus."

"I also put the usuals on it. Radio, CD, Noss, and sword storage side wings."

Ashlin pushed a button, a wing on each side folded down revealing places to put several swords.

"Here "X" I want you to have it. With as much as you travel you never know when you will need a good set of wheels."

Xavier graciously accepted the keys to the bike.

"Thank you Ashlin. Of all the people in this dump, you are the only one that is truly worth while."

"Thank you "X"... I think."

"You should come with me to Balamb when I leave to go to the academy. You and your talents are going to waste in this place."

Ashlin set the tool he had been holding down and faced Xavier; he had a strange far away pained look on his face.

"I would love to "X" but the way you describe this Centra place, it just sounds to clean, to in order. I don't think I could live in such a place that doesn't have the constant danger of falling apart because it is too abused."

Ashlin watched as Xavier hung his head.

"You may call this place a dump, and the people aren't worth your while, or effort. But where you see garbage, I see beauty. Where you see the grime, I see a well lived area. And where you see the scum of the earth, I see a family man just trying to put food on the table one more night in the most honest way he can."

Ashlin walked over and had put a greasy hand on Xavier's shoulder.

"That and I will never join an organized military faction again. No matter how righteous their cause may seem. But you clearly do not belong here "X". And I can pretty much guarantee you that one, your friend aint here. And two you will learn nothing new from Cloud. He is pissed you have learned Omni-slash."

"If he didn't want me to learn it. Then he shouldn't have done it to me."

"Well I would get your rest while you can. We're going back to Nibelheim. He wants to stick you in a stronger reactor to see if he can't get more Mako in you. Don't know why, if your eyes glowed any more they would shine through your goggles."

Standing here now Xavier could remember every mile he had put on this bike. To be sure Ashlin had taught him how to make the fuel. Xavier swung his leg over the bike and sat down. Carefully he started the bike. Instantly the side wings opened, and Xavier set his gunblade in one of the open spots right next to his training sword from Midgar. With practiced ease Xavier wheeled the bike to the garage door and input the code to open it. Giving his pack one last adjustment to make sure the baby chocobo was alright; Xavier slammed the bike into gear and cranked up the gas. Like a built from a gun Xavier took off towards Balamb.

A short time later Xavier pulled his bike up to the Chocobo ranch and parked it. Xavier hopped off the bike and made his way to the front office. He was familiar with this place; he came here often to get his Chocobo meat.

"Hello."

No answer.

Xavier poked his head in to the door. But no one was there.

"Hello?"

Again no answer. Xavier stepped back out side. Having an idea he walked around back to the Chocobo yard, and stables. However no one was there and no Chocobos were missing. Spotting a group of baby Chocobos around an adult, Xavier unslung his pack and set the baby on the ground. It instantly ran towards the other babies. Feeling his good deed for the year was done Xavier went back to the office and left a note saying what he had done. Feeling he could do no more Xavier jumped back on his bike and pealed ass back to Garden.

BACK AT GARDEN

Xavier stood at attention, with Drake, "Z", and Clip in front of Headmaster Leonhearts desk awaiting their orders. The second Xavier had gotten back he had been told by a student that he was to report to the Headmasters office. So now here he stood, waiting with the rest of his team for their orders. Off in the corner Xavier noticed a large, flat object covered with a white sheet. He didn't know what it was but he felt drawn to it for some reason.

Drake watched intently as Headmaster Leonheart went through the papers in front of him. Casually he looked at the rest of them. Clip looked like he was going to fall asleep at any moment. Drake didn't blame him either, that was a damn uncomfortable couch. "Z" looked like she was going over something in her mind. Drake wasn't concerned though because his sensitive ears could pick up her light humming. Finally Drake looked over to Xavier and was more than a little surprised to see that he wasn't raiding the coffee pot by now. Instead he seemed to be staring a hole through an object in the far corner.

"Come to us young one. We will travel far and wide, as fast as you can think it. Nothing and no one are out of our far reach."

"Xavier"

"You want to travel; we can see it in you. Come to us and we will take you there. You can travel faster and farther than any one before you."

"Xavier"

"Let us travel master. We will take you where you want to be. Step through us, and see the world spread before you like never before."

"XAVIER LOFBRAH!"

Xavier snapped his head forward faster than he thought possible.

"What was that just now?" Xavier wondered as he looked into Headmaster Leonhearts stony glare.

"Good, now that I have your attention here are your orders."

Team X-Treme stood up straighter.

"You will lead your team under the supervision of instructor Masters to Balamb. Once there you will infiltrate the city and give a complete, and total checking over. Report any thing and every thing you find out of the ordinary. Any questions."

"Yes what is going on in Balamb, sir?" Xavier asked.

"We lost contact with the citizens a few days ago, and a supply run returned today to report that there was no one to be seen. Any further questions you can give to Mr. Masters on your way there. Meet him at the front gate in fifteen minutes. Dismissed."

With that all four of them turned around and left the office. Xavier spared a quick glance at the object.

"Come to us. We will take you where you need to go."

Xavier shook his head and walked out. A short time latter Eric exited Squalls apartment.

"You were right Eric, he was drawn to it."

"I didn't think he could have made an unauthorized jump. Interesting."

"When was the last time a natural shifter was even alive, much less on record?"

"I can't even remember. It was that long ago."

A low whistle escaped Squalls lips.

"I better get going they will be waiting."

"Happy hunting Eric."

Eric Masters bowed deeply to the Headmaster. With a flourish he turned and left the office. Squall locked the door after Eric had walked out of it. Slowly he walked over to the object in the corner and carefully removed the white sheet. Squall looked deeply in to the shift gate that stood in front of him completely uncovered now.

"You want to active now. Don't you?"

"We want to travel. Yes, we want to travel. And that one will be able to go farther, and faster than any one before him."

"It has been a while since you had some one who could use you naturally?"

"Yes, longer than you know mortal. Even the one who wants to take over the world can not use me as well as that one will be able to."

Squall sighed and walked away from the Shift gate. As he did so it took on the appearance of a mirror once again.

BALAMB

They had arrived with out fan fair, or warning. As one the four members of Team X-treme had quietly advanced on the small town of Balamb. With as little talking as possible Xavier had instructed Clip, and "Z" to patrol the streets. Drake and he would patrol from the roofs. He instructed them to keep up as much radio silence as possible.

Quietly Xavier and Drake jumped from one roof to the next. Checking every roof they could and every back ally that they came across. Every thing seemed fine. Other than there was no one there. With a signal Xavier motioned Drake to investigate the harbor. With a nod Drake jumped in the direction of the harbor. Quickly Xavier started to run across a small telephone wire. All at once the quiet was broken by a sudden high-pitched scream. As soon as Xavier picked himself off the street he realized that he could hear the sound of some one sobbing. Jumping back up to the roof Xavier pulled his P.D.A. from his pocket and brought up the locator program.

As quickly as he could he ran in the direction of the blip that indicated "Z". As he got near her signal he all the sudden felt ill. He didn't need to look at the P.D.A. any more he knew where "Z" was and that knowledge made him move faster.

With out a sound Xavier landed in front of the Dincht residence, followed shortly by Drake. They both drew their weapons and rushed in the doors. It didn't take long for them to find "Z" in the kitchen. With a gesture Xavier sent Drake to check the rest of the house. Slowly he approached "Z" where she was sobbing on the floor.

"It will be ok "Z", we will find her." Xavier said kneeling by his friend.

He had met the sweet old woman several times, and like Zell he liked his mother also. From the first time he had met her she had insisted that he caller grandma Dincht. So he had.

"Come on "Z" lets go and find grandma."

"Z" nodded and picked her self up. On their way out of the kitchen they noticed that there was smoke coming from the stove. Cautiously Xavier opened the stove, and smoke billowed out of the door. When the smoke cleared Xavier saw a blackened pan on the rack. Grabbing a hot pad he pulled the pan out. In it was a blackened piece of coal.

"What is it?" "Z" asked looking over Xavier's shoulder.

He poked it and it turned to dust.

"It looks like it was super, like three weeks ago. Man are we lucky that this house hasn't burned down."

They both looked at the stove. It was set at 350 degrees. The right temp to bake a roast. Xavier turned the stove off and walked out. They were greeted at the front door by Drake, and Clip.

"So what have we discovered?" Clip asked

"Nothing, every house and building we checked was empty. How about you two?"

"The same. Every roof and ally we checked was empty."

"Is there any where we haven't looked?"

Xavier thought about the question for a second. Then he dialed in to Mr. Masters.

"What have you come up with Xavier?"

"Not much sir. But we have one last place left to check, if you wanna meet us at the hotel."

"I'll be right there. Proceed with caution."

"Understood."

Xavier looked at his team mates one at a time. They all nodded to him that they were ready when ever he was. Xavier took off at a trot down the street, his leg flap trailing behind him. With three strides he leapt up on to a light pole, then up on to a roof. In the same three strides Drake was on the roof opposite of himself. Clip and "Z" silently ran down the street.

As one they reached the hotel, only to find that Mr. Masters had already beat them there. He greeted them with a nod.

"I want you to take your team in there. Search it totally from top to bottom. Leave nothing untouched. Keep absolute radio silence, unless you discover something. And Xavier be extra cautious, something isn't right here."

Xavier nodded to Mr. Masters, and with a gesture sent his team forward. Silently they moved on the hotel. With a mighty leap Drake was on the roof. As one Xavier, Clip, and "Z" went in the front doors.

To no ones surprise there was no one at the desk. Xavier tilted his head at the front desk. "Z" instantly moved on the desk, and set to work on the computer. While "Z" worked methodically at the keyboard Xavier, and Clip searched the rest of the lobby. Clip was the first to discover the sing in book.

"Hey Xavier check this out."

Xavier took the book. Quickly he scanned down the list of people who had singed it. When his eyes came to the last name he almost dropped the book.

"your not even looking on the right floor, you filthy ninja wanna be."

It was singed by a General John Onikage.

Xavier slammed the book shut and crammed it in to his pocket of holding.

"We have found something and are moving up stairs. Drake do not engage any body or any thing by your self."

Drake stood up from where he had peaked in to a top floor window.

"Copy that. What did you find?"

"The registration book. We are heading to room 320. Get there, and again do not engage anything."

As quickly and as quietly as they could the three ran up the stairs. Xavier kept his eyes open for anything moving so that he would not be caught off guard. As they entered the third floor hall way they almost ran right in to Drake. With a quick nod and a gesture they all grouped around the door of room 320. Taking deep steadying breaths Xavier grabbed the door knob and threw the door open. After a complete search of the room it was clear that it was empty, and had been for a while.

Every one split up in the huge room and searched it from top to bottom. Xavier discovered a scroll resting on the corner desk. Carefully he picked it up and unrolled it.

It does not surprise me that the SeeD coalition would send a half assed team to search this little shit hole of a town. But what does surprises me is that Leonheart would be so brazen as to send a half trained filthy ninja to do it. Man he must be desperate to send a closet case like you to investigate. If he continues to treat her majesty with such disregard she will be forced to set him straight. And as for you Lofbrah. I destroyed your clan, your family, your friends, and your dreams. I look forward to the day I destroy you.

John Onikage

Xavier viciously crumpled the offending letter in his hand. Xavier could feel his blood boiling as he looked around the room. As he glared around the room his eyes came upon the slightly opened closet door. Quickly he opened the letter again and re read it. The words closet and straight were underlined in the letter. Slowly he made his way to the closet. Peeking in side it was very dark. Slowly Xavier made his way into the dark closet and removed his goggles. The closet instantly became very bright to Xavier. No detail was left in the dark to Xavier's eyes. He saw every thing, and that was a lot. It was a huge walk in closet, almost as big as the room itself.

Drake watched Xavier walk into the closet. He didn't know what was going on but he intended to find out. As he stormed past Clip, he grabbed his arm.

"Hey Drake is this picture supposed to be like this?"

Drake looked at the picture in surprise.

"No, it is supposed look like this." Drake said reaching out and straightening the crocked picture.

He remembered the picture from the time they had painted the Hotel. It was a lovely painting of a flower field with a vast span of sky as a background. Very slowly the picture started to tilt back to the slanted position it had originally been in. Drake gave it a funny look before he straightened it again. Once again a few seconds later the picture tilted again.

"I don't know what you are doing out there, but do it again." Xavier yelled from the closet.

Drake gave "Z" a questioning look. She just shrugged her shoulders and returned to raiding the dresser. So shrugging himself Drake straightened the picture again.

Xavier stared straight forward as he waited for them to redo what they had done. All the sudden there was a bright pinpoint glare to his left. Quickly Xavier threw two knives in opposite directions. The first hit the dot of light on the wall, the second at about the same height on the opposite wall.

Care fully Xavier pulled the knife from the left wall where he thought the light was coming from. Putting his face almost up to the wall he searched the entire area around where the knife had been. The only thing he found was a pin sized hole that went all the way through the wall.

Xavier then went to the right wall and removed the knife. But when he did the wall came with the knife. In front of him where there had once been a wall now stood a door. Slowly Xavier opened the door, and was shocked. Before him was an island surrounded by black waters. And on the island were the missing populace of Balamb. They seemed to all be kneeling and facing towards the center of the island.

"Did you find something "X"?" "Z" asked.

"Oh yeah, yeah I found something all right."

From behind him came the sound of rushing feet.

"Holly shit, what is that?" Clip asked.

"That farm boy is the missing people." Drake answered.

"What are they doing?" "Z" asked.

Xavier looked over the crowd and couldn't decide from this distance.

"I don't know, but I intend to find out." Xavier said.

"Mr. Masters come in."

"Go "X"."

"We found a door in the closet of room 320."

"A door in a closet Xavier, imagine that. Every closet I have ever seen has a door in it."

"Do all these doors of yours lead to Islands filled with missing people, and is surrounded by black water. Because if they do I can leave, and not investigate further."

"No they don't Xavier, so this is what you will do. You and your team will investigate further. And I will meet you up there."

"Copy we are moving in then."

Xavier slowly drew his gunblade and with a motion waved his team forward. In a single file order they went through the door. Drake went first, with a thud he landed on the island. He involuntarily shuddered, and motioned for the next member. "Z" went next. She landed right next to Drake and instantly fell to the ground bringing her fishnet covered arms up to hug her self. Xavier gave a worried look at the two of them down there and motioned for Clip to go. Again after he landed he shuddered, just like the other two. Xavier took enough time to put his goggles on, and then jumped himself. When he landed he felt no different than before.

"What is wrong with you three?"

Drake looked up at him before answering.

"I don't know but after I jumped through I felt like I was on fire on the outside but frozen solid on the inside."

Xavier lifted an eyebrow at the comment, and then looked down at "Z".

"What's wrong "Z"?"

"Donno, I just can't stop shaking. I am painfully cold."

Xavier undid his belt and wrapped the purple cloth that he had tied to his waist around "Z's" shoulders. Than gave her a hand up.

"Come on they all seem to be facing towards the center of this Island."

As one they started to wade through the crowd of people. It didn't take long for Drake, "Z", and Clip to warm back up. So Xavier quickly got his fabric back and wrapped it around his waist so that it hung over his left leg. It didn't take long for them to get to the point every one was soullessly staring at. In the center of the island was a large patch of yellow flowers. Casually Clip bent over and picked one to study it.

"This aint from around here." Clip stated.

"How do you know?" "Z" asked

"Because I live out by Winhill, and we grow two things. Wheat for feed, and flowers. This aint from centra." Clip finished, and tossed the flower to the ground.

"Then where are they from?" Drake asked looking around.

"Midgar." Xavier said moving forward.

For the first time the rest noticed that there was a large pillar of dark mist rising up from the center of the flower bed.

"X" what the hell are you doing?" Drake hissed.

"I doubt that these people were brought here, and doped to just stair at a patch of flowers from half way around the world." Xavier said as he stopped in front of the mist pillar.

Slowly Xavier put his hand up to the mist pillar. He felt nothing as his hand rested on it, and then moved into it.

"What is it?" "Z" asked.

"No clue. It feels kinda tingly though."

As one the inhabitants of Balamb fell over unconscious. Clip ran to the nearest person, and bent to check her.

"She is just unconscious though severely under fed, and dehydrated."

Clip, Drake, and "Z" started checking every one they could to make sure that they were all right. Xavier turned his attention back to the mist pillar. All at once his hand still in the pillar went very cold and had a sharp pain in it. Quickly Xavier pulled his hand out. In the middle of his hand was a knife baring the mark of the Mi'ihen conglomerate. Xavier didn't have time to register the pain before a booted foot shot out of the mist and kicked him far back to the ground.

Clip immediately rushed to Xavier as Drake and "Z" moved on the man who was walking out of the dark pillar. Slowly a he came into view wearing a pair of baggy camouflage pants. His highly polished combat boots crushed flowers as he continued to walk forward. With a sudden finality he came to a halt before Drake and "Z". He wore no shirt, but the wide leather strap that hung from his left shoulder encircling his chest bore the pins and stripes that marked him as a general.

"What are you doing here?" Drake demanded

Slowly the man turned his head from left to right taking in the sight of the island.

"Man dose that bitch have crappy taste. An island surrounded by black water, with a flower garden in the middle. But at least she put it between dimensions."

Drake and "Z" watched as the man continued to walk around the dark pillar bitching about every thing as only a general could. Drake finally had enough.

"Hey ass hole, who are you."

The man stopped his pacing and whipped his head in Drakes direction so fast that his close-cropped black hair actual moved.

"You disrespectful little shit. I am the great General Onikage of the Mi'ihen conglomerate. I am here to destroy that filth over there." HE said pointing at Xavier.

"You may leave now junior, or you can suffer with him."

With that Drake and "Z" got into position to attack. Drake didn't even take three steps he was air born the second "Z" rushed forward. Casually the general tucked his arms behind his back. Seeing that he thought so little of her rush only pissed "Z" off more, and as soon as she was close enough she was a blur of motion. But with hardly any wasted motion he dodged and weaved his way out of every punch swung. Every kick was blocked with a knee. Every move was evaded.

Suddenly he kicked "Z" in the gut and used that foot as leverage to propel his other foot into the back of her head. "Z" went sailing out-of-the-way, and just as quickly the general flipped to the side easily avoiding Drakes spear. With a quick tug the spear was back up in Drakes hand.

Clip had finished wrapping Xavier's hand and was now casting cure on him. As he did so he watched the battle. All at once Xavier kicked to his feet.

"Easy "X". I don't know if that knife had any thing on it but he did hit you damn hard."

Xavier shook his head and drew his gunblade.

"It doesn't matter, he must die now."

Clip pulled his shot-gun and followed Xavier in to battle.

With blinding speed the strange man grabbed Drakes spear before it hit the ground and gave it a mighty jerk. He watched as the young Dragoon came crashing towards the ground. He drew his sword in anticipation. The slow curve of the katana mirrored the sick grin on its master's face as he waited to eviscerate the man falling to him.

Clip took careful aim as the mans attention was on Drake. Clip squeezed the trigger. The gun belched flame, but instead of flesh it chewed dirt. The man had evaded his attack.

"What a dishonorable act for a white mage." He said his attention now on Clip.

Clip took aim again and fired. With a casual swing the man deflected the pellets back at Clip. Clip felt the burning pain in his chest almost instantly. But why was he looking at the sky.

Xavier took his opportunity to rush in on his nemesis. With a mighty swing he brought his gunblade around to hit the general of death and destruction. He easily avoided Xavier's swing, and swung himself. Xavier brought his Gunblade up just in time to block the hit. They traded three quick blows before the general back flipped away from Xavier.

Xavier angrily reached up and removed his goggles, and waited for this murders next move. He watched as Drake and "Z" went to opposite sides of the man. Casually the man looked around him at the three SeeDs, and once over to Clip. He then placed his hand on his head and laughed the laugh of a mad man.

With out warning and faster than they could see the man whirled around one full revolution. Instantly three points of energy came screaming at all three of them. Xavier didn't have time to react as his eyes saw through the energy, and saw the three knives coming at him. Before any of them could react to defend General Onikage gathered energy to his blade and whirled again. Just as the three knives found there marks, all of them were hit with a shock wave of deadly energy that sent them all flying.

"Ha, you week little pieces of shit. You never were even a work out. Now to the task at hand."

With purpose he made his way to the stirring form of Xavier. Gingerly Xavier reached up and removed the first knives.

"Not so fast, trash!"

Viciously Onikage grabbed Xavier by the throat and hauled him in to the air. Xavier had all he could do to stay conscious, and grab Onikages arm to relieve some of the pressure.

"You have evaded death to many times ninja."

With that he forced one of the two remaining knives deeper into Xavier's chest. Xavier screamed as the knife punctured a lung.

"You should feel honored. You're the last survivor of your village. And tonight I will celebrate finally bring about the end of it."

He pushed the second one in deeper to match its partner in Xavier's chest. Again Xavier screamed.

"However I will give you the honor of a warrior's death for surviving my Onikage Special."

Xavier laughed weekly at the tyrant.

"What is so funny filth!"

"I now know the name of the move you just taught me." Xavier said weekly bringing his hand up to point at his glowing eyes. For the briefest of seconds General Onikage looked confused, then I dawned on him.

"You tech copied me you little bastard!"

With that Xavier lashed out with the generals own knife. Caught unprepared he didn't dodge fast enough and got slashed across the face. He immediately dropped Xavier. It was all the opening he needed. As quickly as he could Xavier opened up the flood gates to his chakra, and Mako reserves. He then in one fluid motion grabbed two more knives and threw them. Onikage looked up in time to see the three points of energy coming at him. As quickly as he could he brought his sword up to defend, but it was already too late. With blinding speed Xavier rushed in and did his own version of the Onikage special. Xavier dropped to the ground drained.

Onikage stumbled forward and kicked Xavier in the head.

"You son-of-a-bitch. Your death will not be slow enough."

Onikage raised his sword above his head and made to bring it down on Xavier's head. The blow never landed. Xavier watched as Eric masters effortlessly deflected the blow with one end of his swallow. Then with blinding speed brought the other end around and slashed Onikage across the shoulder. Xavier watched as Onikage landed roughly on the ground in front of the dark pillar. Casually Eric reached a hand out palm up and closed it. Onikage got hit with the most vicious Thundega spell Xavier had ever seen.

Slowly Eric made his way to his students. With careful use of lightning he extracted all metal objects from his students. He then walked out in front of all four of them and pulled out a small bottle of dark red liquid. Carefully he shook the bottle and threw it into the air. The Mega Phoenix burst open and rained its life-giving contents on the four members of team X-treme.

All at once three feet of steal erupted from Eric Masters's chest. "Z" screamed and fainted dead away. Drake looked on in horror. Clip tried to call to mind every bit of healing magic he could think of. Xavier still hadn't regained Consciousness. Eric got a very pissed off look in his face. Angry bolts of electricity started to surround Eric as he threw his arms out to the side and let loose a powerful electric blast. Every one who was nearby was threw away. Drake, and Clip slumped back into oblivion. Xavier came to just in time to watch Eric Masters start to distort and change.

General Onikage didn't know what had happened. He thought he had killed the trench coat wearing intruder. But instead he had been hit with a violent electric attack, and was once again face down in the mud.

Onikage rolled over and watched as the intruder began to grow, and change. All at once the tall man had shot up to about nine feet tall. His navy blue trench was replaced with a black cape. He watched in horror as a black and gold encased hand reached around and pulled the sword out of his back. Lightning and thunder erupted from the wound as the sword left its body. Onikage watched as a pair of armor-plated boots turned around to face him. He looked up in horror at the now enormous armor-plated god faced him.

The only thing visible through the horned helm on top of its head was its glowing eyes. With a growl and a show of power the armor clad giant filled the sword with large amounts of energy. General Onikage stumbled to his feet and watched as the giant wound up and launched the energy filled blade right at him. The sword slammed into Onikages chest and threw him back into the mist. With an equally as impressive display of lightning the Dark pillar collapsed in upon its self.

Xavier watched as the Giant man in armor turned to face him. Slowly he began to shrink and form back into the man Xavier had though he had once known. With a flourish the cape turned back into Eric's trade mark trench coat. With out expression Eric looked Xavier dead in the eyes. Slowly electricity started searing the flesh below Eric left eye forming his trade mark lightning bolt tattoo.

"Eric Masters is the thunder-god Odin."

Xavier passed out.