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Ch 6. Mission to Spira pt.1

GARDEN - INFIRMERY

Xavier slowly opened his eyes, and was not surprised to see the institution white tiles that were the infirmary ceiling. He groaned as he rolled over. He was so sick of waking up after a battle and seeing the damned institution white tiles of the infirmary ceiling. At one point he could've told any one the number of dimples in the damned things. But what bothered him more than waking up in the infirmary once again was the knowledge that he carried. Eric Masters was Odin.

More than that though, he finally knew how to find that bastard Onikage. Xavier could almost feel the blood of his enemy on his hands, and he loved it. He had learned his enemy's signature move. He had used it against him. He has already felt Onikages' blood on his hands, and couldn't wait for it to be there again.

"Yes, I will bath in your blood once again. And when I do, you will no longer be able to hurt me."

Xavier grinned and closed his eyes.

The light hurt. It was that simple. So Drake decided to just keep his eyes closed. This is what it felt like to be Xavier after all these years. All those fights that landed Xavier in the hospital. All because he insisted on being the first one in, and the last one out. Now Drake knew why. Now Drake had a face to put to Xavier's hate. And Drake had to admit, he hated the man too.

How one person could have so much hatred for some one because of how they were raised. Enough hate to track them their entire life just to kill everyone and every thing they ever came in to contact with. Drake didn't think that he would ever be able to have the capacity for so much hate. The thought made him sick beyond sick. Drake rolled over and vomited.

"Z" just stared at the ceiling. Tears fell from her eyes in unchecked streams. Her pillow was drenched with the wetness and smell of so many tears shed over so many hours. It was hard for her to decide what kept the tears flowing. If it was the pain in her chest from where the blades had stuck into her. If it was her constant worrying about her grandmother. Or if it was the knowledge that she now knew why Xavier never formed attachments. Never allowed him self to love. Never allowed him self to feel. The sinking knowledge that they were not strong enough to beat him, or that they would have to face him again.

And "Z" knew deep down in her heart of hearts that now that Xavier had found him. He would not stop until he was covered in the mans blood. And she feared that when that day came, they would more than likely lose Xavier forever. Zella "Z" Dincht rolled over and cried some more.

Clip stared at his hands. His hands that had failed to cast the healing spells that had been drilled in to his head from the second he was able to wiggle his fingers. When his team had needed him most, the healing arts had not flowed from his fingers. His friends had needed him and he had let them down. He wondered if he could ever look his friends in the face again knowing that he had failed them.

Clip rolled over, and started praying as hard as he could. Slowly he placed his hand over his chest wound and felt the healing energies flow forth. Hours later Clip walked out of his infirmary room completely healed. But he knew that healing him self was different from healing another. But he knew where he could start, and made a B-line for Xavier's room.

HEADMASTER LEONHEARTS OFFICE

"What happened out there Eric? What exactly went wrong that you felt it necessary to show your true self. Not only to your team, but to the enemy as well?"

Eric Masters hung his head. He had no good answer for his leader, his friend, and one time master.

"I do not know Squall. One moment I was saving them, the next I knew there was a sword sticking out of my chest. What else could I do? There are only so many times you can fake your death and get away with it."

Squall stood up from his desk and walked around it so that he was standing in front of Eric.

"Was this guy that strong that they could not beat him?"

"Yes Squall, he had already defeated Drake, "Z", and Clip. Xavier wasn't far behind. Though the boy did manage to tech copy the mans special move."

"And what do you make of his obsession with Xavier?"

"I believe that this man is the one that Xavier is looking to destroy."

"What makes you think that?"

"The way they fought was so intense that the land they fought on was trembling. You could see it in their eyes how much they wanted to kill each other also. I believe that this one man is the sole reason that Xavier is the way that he is."

A low whistle escaped Squalls lips.

Eric pressed on.

"And you know as well as I do that he will not stop now till this man is dead."

Squall hung his head knowing full well that Eric was right.

"It doesn't matter, because he is going to get his chance to go after him."

"What do you mean Squall?"

Squall tossed the folder he had been reading at Eric. Eric picked up the folder and started to read it. Squall could read Eric like a book as he read the folder.

"You know why He calls his organization the Mi'ihen Conglomerate right?"

Eric slowly closed the folder and set it down.

"Yes, it is because it is based out of Spira. Some where near the Mi'ihen high road. But this, they are not ready for this. They still are not a full team." Eric said pointing at the folder.

"They will be."

Eric flopped down in one of the arm chairs that sat in front of Squalls desk.

"So who did it end up being?" Eric asked clearly unhappy.

"Ava Rei and Drew Roberts are being immediately resigned to Team X-treme."

Eric sighed deeply.

"I told you she wouldn't leave team John."

"Actually, Seifer has taken the team under his wing and is going to try to make them a better unit."

Eric lifted an eye brow at Squall.

"Don't give me that look. He maybe an ass-hole but he knows how to train a team." Said picking up the folder and handed it to Eric.

"Assemble your team you are leaving for Spira first thing in the morning."

Eric snatched the folder away from Squall and stormed out of the office.

TRAINING GROUNDS

She watched the T-rexaur with rapt attention as it tour apart another T-rexaur. It was bloody and messy, but it was the way of things. If you weren't the biggest and the baddest, you got eaten by the one who is. Casually she looked over at her best and only friend in the world. She watched as her friend slipped a full cartridge of bullets in to each one of her guns, and nodded that she was ready to go. Quietly her friend stood and started forward her half skirt; half dress didn't disturb any thing as she moved. Though she couldn't under stand her friends' choice of work cloths it worked. Her friend wore a white singlet that covered her upper body, and clasped somewhere between her legs. Over this she wore her half skirt, half dress. It was the only way to describe the thing. The skirt part stopped just short of half way down her upper right thigh. The dress half went down to the top of her left calf boot. They were both the color of dark red in scale.

Just as quietly, which was a feet in of it self, she followed. She watched as her friend concentrated, then unleashed a sleep spell on the huge monster. It went to sleep. She her self then wound up and unleashed a fire spell on it. Her friend then started firing her guns. Each shot found its intended mark. Before the monster had a chance to start attacking, she cast poison on it.

A short time later they were back in the under brush recuperating, and reading for the next fight.

"So, what do you think this Team X-treme is like?" Her friend asked as she feed more ammo in to her guns.

"Don't know, don't care. They can't be that great if they need two SeeD candidates to help them out." She replied getting ready her self.

"I heard that they are the top team in Garden."

"Like I care."

She looked through the bush as a plant monster walked by. Casually she lifted a hand and nuked it.

"Like I said if they need us they can't be that great."

So it went until they got messages that they needed to be in the garage by eight a.m. Quietly they left the Training Grounds and made their way to their dorms.

On their way they came across four SeeDs on their way out for the night. She instantly recognized the two from the food fight. Especially the one that was half dragon. That one needed to be hurt, badly. As they passed each other the hyper one in pink and the half dragon smiled at them. She just scowled at all four of them. This caused the half dragon to grin wider. The hyper one didn't notice, she was to busy ragging on the one dressed all in white. He obviously was a white mage. She scowled extra hard at him as well. The one in the goggles, with all the tattoos just raised an eye brow at them both. Again she just scowled. The guy just shook his head and kept walking.

This pissed her off, and she made to hit him with a thunder bolt. Her friend stopped her though.

"Are you mad? That's Xavier Lofbrah."

"Who in the hell is that, and why the hell do I care?" She demanded as she snatched her hand away from her friend.

"That's the guy who single-handedly defeated Johna Raven, and her team."

She looked back at the guy as he continued walking away.

"That guy? You're kidding right. I know that Johna has off days. But that guy beat her. How, I mean I can see him beating her team. But her? No way."

"I swear he single-handedly beat them all. He scares me."

"What ever lets just get going, eight a.m. is damn early."

BALAMB CITY

Xavier watched as Drake mindlessly threw darts at a dart board. He didn't know why he let them talk him into going to this bar.

"Come on Xavier, it will be fun. Come on you never leave the Garden unless you're going to get your Chocobo meat. And it is a new bar, come on let's go."

So he went with them just to get some peace. Yeah right the place was packed. He was bored. He didn't know how many more games of darts he could stand to watch Drake shark these dumb people in before he got sick. They already owed Drake five hundred plus dollars. God he hated the public.

Clip was entranced. There was no two words for it. Every where he looked he saw women dancing. Not just dancing, but moving them selves in ways that he never knew the human body could move. And the middle of them moving the most seductively, moving in ways that he could only dream about was "Z". He wondered if she would hurt in the morning.

Mug, after mug of beer disappeared in front of Xavier. As soon as one was set in front of him it was empty, and another was ordered.

"Come on "X" lets play some darts. I need a challenge." Drake said waving the Darts in front of Xavier's face.

"No, he owes me a dance." "Z" said walking over to them.

Xavier had to admit that "Z" had the "Walk" down to a beat. He had never seen the "Walk" done so well. But darts against Drake was more interesting than slow dancing with "Z". Xavier snatched the darts away from Drake and walked to the line. With little effort the darts left his hand, and all three of them hit the bulls' eye right next to each other.

Drake lifted an eye brow, and took his darts from Xavier. Just like Xavier did, all three of Drakes darts hit the bulls' eye right next to each other. This continued for hours, the dart board stopped counting the score a long time ago. Drake had resorted to standing at the back of the bar two hundred some feet away, standing on a chair.

Xavier was still bored out of his mind, but it was funny to see both Clip, and "Z" passed out in a corner booth. Finally the bartender had kicked them out. Not because they had been disruptive but it was two hours pass closing time and he was tired. So they had left. It hadn't taken long before Xavier was carrying "Z", because she was too tired to walk. On a passing note He shifted "Z's weight in his arms and grabbed his P.D.A. He wasn't surprised to find a message on the thing.

"Come on guys we have to hurry." Xavier said tucking the tiny device away.

"Why?" Drake asked

"Because we have to go on a mission first thing in the morning."

"To where?"

"Don't know. We just have to meet Mr. Masters in front of garden at like eight in the morning."

Drake looked at his watch.

"Dude, it is like 4:30 in the morning now."

"I know that is why I said lets hurry."

All three of them started to run. It didn't take long for them to get back Garden. With out much sound they went there different ways. Xavier forgot he had "Z" in his arms till he got to his door. Slowly he turned around and walked the three steps across the hall to "Z's" room. It took some fancy hand work but he finally managed to get "Z's" key card out of her back pocket. Quietly he made his way in to her room and shut the door. Once again he shifted her weight and removed his goggles so he didn't have to turn on the lights. Immediately he was assaulted by varying shades of pink.

Xavier just shook his head and made his way across the mess to her bed room. Stepping over the thresh hold Xavier's eyes hurt. If it was possible, her bedroom was a brighter shade of pink than the rest of her dorm. "Z" stirred in his arms as he approached the bed.

"Hmmm, after five years your finally taking me to bed "X". I was hopping that it would have been yours' but I guess this works."

Xavier lifted an eye brow at her.

"How much have you drunk tonight Zella?

_"Nufkin, I'm just really tired. Lets go to bed."_She said half asleep and placed a kiss on Xavier's cheek.

Xavier sighed, and shifted her weight in his arms and threw back the covers on "Z's" bed. Gently he laid her in her bed, but she wouldn't release her arms from around his neck. Xavier sighed again and gently tried to pull her arms from around his neck.

"Nuh-uh, come to bed Xavier."

Xavier gave her a gentle poke in the ribs. This caused her to giggle and cringe up, releasing her grip on his neck. Quickly he covered her up, and backed away.

"Am I that unattractive to you Xavier? Don't you love me?"

Xavier sighed and hung his head. He chose his words carefully before he spoke.

"I do love you "Z"."

"Then why won't you sleep with me?"

Xavier walked back over to the side of her bed. Slowly he bent over her, and gently kissed her on the forehead.

"Ask me some other time. Now get some sleep we have an early day tomorrow."

"Z" rolled over and started breathing deeply almost immediately. Once again Xavier sighed deeply and turned to leave. Only to hear that "Z's" Deep breathing was expertly covering her tears. Xavier's head hung lower. Slowly he made his way to the door. Giving one last look over his shoulder Xavier carefully placed his goggles back on his head and stepped out in to the hall.

Stepping back into the darkness Xavier removed his goggles. Both Drake and Clip were long asleep. Xavier walked into his room and closed the door. Xavier leaned his back against the door, and slid to the floor.

"Why, why can't you be here with me now?"

Xavier banged his head back against the door. He heard it thud, but did not feel the impact. So he hit his head several times more into the door, each time the impact was harder. All at once felt his head cushioned by a delicate hand.

He didn't remember closing his eyes during the ordeal, but he dared not open them. He felt the hand slide further behind his head, and was followed by a slender arm. He couldn't explain it but he felt like he was being hugged by a female body. Slowly the phantom woman he dared not open his eyes to see slid down and rested her head on her arms, in his lap.

Carefully as not to disturb the phantom he placed his hand on the phantom head in his lap. Slowly he started to work his hand through the hair of the head that's wasn't there. Gently he started to caress a very fox-like ear he found on the head.

"Why, why aren't you here with me now? Why must my mind tease me with these phantoms of you?"

He felt the head adjust in his lap so that it was laying face up. He felt a pair of silken fur covered hands take his in there's and gently start kissing the tip of every finger.

Xavier felt his eyes start to brim over. He could feel the love he felt for a friend he needed so badly and could not find given back to him ten fold with every little peck. Xavier used his free hand to remove his shirt, for all the sudden the scar on his right shoulder started to burn.

"I have found him, the one who tore us apart. And soon, soon I will bath in his blood. Soon he will hunt us no more."

He felt the head leave his lap. But the ghost hands gently cupped his face before he could open his eyes. Xavier held his breath as he all the sudden felt a pair of phantom lips touched his. He didn't know what to do or say, and all too soon it was all over. He felt a hand slide to his shoulder and gently come to a rest over his scar from her. He felt it flare up in pain and then sooth as a kiss gently brushed over it. Xavier's eyes snapped open, but he saw nothing. He always saw nothing when he opened his eyes afterwards. Slowly Xavier got to his feet and fell into bed, and like "Z", eventually cried himself to sleep.

Else where

She watched as the vision of Xavier faded into nothing. She could always see him in sharp contrast every time she projected her self to him. But she could never see his eyes for some reason. Slowly she lifted a hand to the heavens as if to grasp at the fleeting image of her love.

"You know he can not defeat Onikage."

She hung her head. Ever since she had been able to project herself, she had received projections herself of the most horrid woman she had ever known.

"I know."

"Even with his little team of SeeDs he will never be able to defeat him."

She stood there in silence.

"I have set John Onikage on the path of Sin. And your precious Xavier is following my bread crumbs right to him."

She felt her hands ball up into fists, and her ears flatten back against her head.

"And once I have the power of Sin, none of the avatars will be able to stop me. Especially Lord Odin."

With blinding speed her hand wrapped around the handle of one of her gunblades', and cut a vicious arc behind her. But as always there was no one there.

"Damn you Xiedie, he will kill Onikage. And after he kills him, I will help him kill you."

With that she ran in to the night.

"Run my little kitsune. You have always played your part well. From the second I lead your demon father to your human mother; your life has been mine to have. And have you I will. You can not refrain from projecting your self to him, and one day I will find you and claim you.

The Xiedie phantom shimmered out of existence. She knew that the half kitsune could not escape Vana'dieal. She had tried several times. But Xiedie had more pressing matters to attend to.

MIDGAR

She stepped through the black mist in to the northern crater. Her golems had done their job well. The most feared warrior ever was once again alive, and starting to draw mako to him in large amounts. She had no doubt that John Onikage, and Seifer Almasy wouldn't have any difficulties with SeeD or any other resistance for that matter. But none of them could compare to him. He was perfect. All at once the man in the stasis tube opened his eyes and with a final surge of mako he burst free and fell to the ground. The man struggled to his shaky knees as best he could. All at once a large pile of black clothing was dropped in front of him. Slowly he lifted his head to look at the woman in front of him. His wet waist length silver hair fell from his face, and his glowing aqua blue eyes bore holes through the person that stood there.

"Happy birthday warrior. If you want to live long enough to extract your revenge, you will learn how to bow down on that knee well. Or you can go back to the life stream. The choice is yours."

The man turned his head and gazed down the long hole that lead to the life stream.

"And what is the name of my mistress?"

"Xiedie. And you will need your old friend for the work I have in mind for you."

With that his eight foot long masamune joined his cloths on the ground. He stood and brought his old friend up to look at. Yes my friend we will help her, and have our revenge."

All at once angry arcs of mako danced up the blade, and the man drew more mako than he ever had in his entire life.

"CLOUD!"

Else where in Midgar

Clouds G-bike came to a screaming halt. He whipped his head to the north and removed his Sun glasses in disbelief.

"Oh my fucking God." Were the only words to leave his mouth as he whipped his G-bike around and peeled ass back to Midgar.

Sector 7 Slums

All at once a well used wrench hit the ground. The hand that had held it was being stared at as it twitched of its own accord. With out thought he grabbed his four-foot katana and jumped on the nearest G-bike and shot toward the train station.

It hadn't taken long for him to reach the upper disk of Midgar city. Even less time to get to the top of Shinra tower, or what was left of it. He felt his waist length black and grey hair blowing in the breeze as he gazed north wards at the pillar of blue light that was emitting from the crater.

"Oh-my-fucking-God! How in the hell did he come back. Who brought back Sephiroth?"

Balamb** Garden ***8:00 in the morning*

God this was boring. Her and her friend had stood at the entrance of garden for forty-five minutes or more. To say she was getting pissed was an under statement. She watched as Mr. Masters paced back and forth in front of them. He was obviously pissed too. All at once there came a commotion behind them as two people came walking out of Garden.

"Man I don't care how tired they are. We didn't drink, and look at us." This from the girl.

"Yes "Z" I get it we are on time and they are not." This from the man all in white.

"ZELLA DINCHT AND CLIPHORD GET YOUR ASSES OVER HERE NOW! AND YOU BEST HAVE A GREAT EXCUSE AS TO WHY THE OTHER TWO ARE NOT WITH YOU!"

As the two came running at them the girl recognized the two. They were two of the four that they passed in the hall last night. All at once a shadow loomed over them and then the half dragon came to a heavy landing right in between them and Mr. Masters. With a flourish he bowed to Mr. Masters.

"If you think I am impressed Drake I am not. Now where in the hell is Xavier?"

The one called Drake made a showing of looking around.

"I don't know."

"Screw it let's go."

With that they walked the short distance to the Ragnarok hanger. And standing there looking impatient was the fourth person from last night.

The guy spoke with out looking at any of them.

"You're late. I've been waiting for you for over an hour."

His head shifted to look at the two young women that were with the rest.

"And who the hell are those two, we don't have time to baby sit."

With that she unleashed a wicked lightening spell on Xavier. With barely a gesture Xavier reflected the spell back at her. She was just able to dodge the spell she was so stunned.

"That is enough Xavier!" Eric masters said with little restraint.

Xavier lifted an eye brow at Mr. Masters.

"These two are your new team mates."

Drake, Clip, and "Z" all gave a double take at the same time. All three of them just stared at the two cadets.

"Go ahead girls and introduce your selves. Will you three stop that? You look like fish out of water."

Drake, Clip, and "Z" snapped there mouths shut as the one dressed in the white singlet and the red half dress stepped forward.

"He... hello, I'm Drew Roberts. I'm a Gunner/red mage. Pleased to meet you." Drew stammered at the four.

The one in black and purple walked forward, and kept walking. She was about to enter the air ship when she was stopped by the firm grip of Xavier.

"Let go of me now ass hole."

"You didn't introduce your self."

"Like I care. The sooner we're done the sooner we can get back, and I can get away from him." She said hiking a thumb over her shoulder at Drake.

Xavier lifted an eye brow at Drake. Drake grinned and shrugged.

Xavier whirled her around to face the rest.

"You see them. They are my friends and team mates."

He pointed at them individually.

"He is Clip, our Gunner/White mage. He will be the one healing your ungrateful ass. She is Zella "Z" Dincht, our Fighter. She'll be the one keeping the monsters from finding you. Him. He is Drake Gryphonis, our Dragoon/Sumoner. He will be the one in the air or bringing our avatar friends to help you."

Xavier finally released her with a shove that sent her back by Drew.

"We are team X-treme. We are the ones that will be counting on you for magical support. If you fuck up, it is us who will suffer. And so help me if I have to come back here and tell any one of their deaths because "you don't care" I will kill you myself. Are we clear?"

She nodded her head yes. Even though he hadn't moved the force of his words and manna set her little hairs on end. And there was something else about him. An underlying power, right under the skin that was greater than his manna. There were in fact three power sources in him. Each one bigger than the next.

"I am Ava Rei, a Black mage."

"There was that so hard?"

With that he turned around and started up the ramp.

"Wait what's your name and job?"

Xavier looked over his shoulder at her.

"Me? I'm Xavier Lofbrah. The leader of Team X-treme. It is my responsibility to make sure every one gets back as soon as possible."

With that every one got on to the air ship. With no troubles it lifted into the air, and shot off to Esthar. The flight didn't take long, and was made in relative silence. Clip and Drew were the only ones who were excited about the flight. Neither one of them had flown before. Every one else was indifferent. Even "Z" was quiet for a while. Drake found it odd; especially the way she would make brief glances at Xavier. Xavier was either asleep or didn't notice. The truth being he did notice and felt like shit that "Z" was pissed at him. He didn't blame her, and understood why she did what she did last night. He was great full that his friends were worried about him. Touched even. But now more than ever he could not afford to have close ties to those around him.

The Ragnarok touched down in Esthar at the presidential palace. Every one left the air ship. Of Team X-treme, Xavier was the last. Before they reached the palace doors Xavier grabbed "Z" by the arm, and gestured to the rest to go inside.

"I wanna thank you for the offer last night, and when this is over remind me that I owe you a dance or three."

"Z" looked Xavier right in the eyes, and punched him in the face. Xavier reeled back.

"I deserved that I guess." Was the only thing Xavier said from where he laid on the ground.

Slowly he got back to his feet. And immediately had "Z" in his arms.

"We just don't wanna lose you Xavier." "Z" said, face buried in Xavier's chest.

"We know that this Onikage is the man you seek to kill. And as your friends we know that you will not stop until you kill him. We also know that we can't stop you. But we will help you in any way that we can."

"That is all that matters "Z" is that you guys under stand. Now let's get this thing done."

Once inside they were not led to the presidential office like they thought. Instead they were led to a dark room where the only light was a bright circle on the floor from an over head lamp. Team X-treme lined up at attention in the middle of the light. Eric masters appeared before them holding a folder. He did not look happy.

"Do you know why we are here?"

Every one stayed quiet, because no one knew.

"We are here because our mission is to go to Spira, and stop the Mi'ihen Conglomerate at their base of operations."

Every one looked at every one else in surprise. Except Xavier. He kept looking forward. The stone cold look on his face never budged.

"Your orders are to kill any Mi'ihen soldier you meet that does not immediately surrender. Especially one John Onikage."

Mr. Masters pulled out a large picture of general Onikage for those who hadn't seen him yet.

"Why are you coming with then Mr. Masters?" Drew asked.

"I am your back up, just incase you five can't handle it."

With that all the lights came on illuminating a large mirror. Xavier recognized the shift gate immediately.

"Every one step forward."

As every one stepped towards the shift gate it sprang to life. One by one the members of Team X-treme stepped through the shift gate. As Xavier got closer he started to hear the voices from Headmaster Leonhearts Office.

"Come traveler, we will take you where you wanna go."

Xavier shook his head and got closer.

"Spira is not where you wanna go. We can take you where you need to go."

"Spira IS where I need to go. That is where my enemy is."

Xavier stepped through the shift gate he heard the voices speak one last time.

"We could have taken you to your love."

Xavier fell into the void.

SPIRA, THE MI'IHEN HIGH ROAD

Xavier landed unceremoniously on his face as the shift gate dropped him in Spira. If any one could have seen his eyes he would have lost leader ship of Team X-treme on the spot. The madness with in was so clear at the choice that laied before him. Go back through the gate before it closed, and find his love. Or stay in Spira and kill his nemesis.

The decision was made for him as the shift gate winked out of existence. Xavier picked himself up off the ground, and made full body revolution to get his Baring's. They were indeed in Spira. The Mi'ihen High road was unmistakable. Just behind him was Luca. He was not surprised to hear the sound of distant cheering. In front of him was the Mi'ihen high road.

"Let's go."

And with that they started forward. It didn't take long for Xavier to realize that something was very wrong with the Mi'ihen high road. It hit the hardest when they found a bill board. The bill board read

"Come and see your Luca Goers defend there Blitz Hack title against The Mi'ihen. This Saturday at Luca stadium."

With out a conscious thought Xavier cast a fire spell on the bill board.

"Brilliant Xavier. We were supposed to stay unanimous as long as possible."

Xavier glared at Drake, and kept moving forward. Something was still missing from the high road, but he couldn't tell what. Xavier took a minute to look around, really look around.

All along the road the long grass and wild floor swayed in the gentle breeze. Off in the distance he could see some kids playing in the many ruins that were everywhere on the high road.

Xavier inhaled deeply. The smell of spring floors and other nature like things washed over him. Then it hit him. There was no Chocobos, or Machina. Xavier kept looking for sings of life, but other than the kids in the ruins there was no life.

Xavier took off at a run towards the kids, his team hot on his heals. As he got closer he saw that the three kids were standing in a circle kicking a little ball around. Xavier snatched the little ball out of mid-flight and started to look at it.

"Hey mister give us back our blitz hack, ya."

Xavier whirled on the kid.

"Xavier, when did you get back, ya?"

Xavier grinned at the kid. He looked like his father but had his mother's eyes.

"I just arrived Vidina. What in the hell is this, boy?"

The boy took the small ball and looked at it sadly.

"This is a blitz hack, it replaced Blitz ball."

Xavier let out a deep sigh.

"Blitz ball was outlawed ten or so years ago when the Mi'ihen deemed it a ninja training game."

Xavier thought back ten years or so ago. It dawned on him.

"When I used that ninja technique during the Blitz tournament."

"Yeah, yeah about that time, ya."

Xavier took the ball again. He gave it two experimental tosses. With blinding speed he turned around and threw it as far as he could.

"Hey why did you do that?" all three kids yelled at Xavier's back.

Xavier reached in to his pouch of holding and produced a real Blitz ball.

"Here, play a real game."

"They arrest people for playing Blitz ball now." Vidina said trying to give the Blitz ball back to Xavier.

Xavier shoved the ball back at the kids.

"Keep it. Who cares what the Mi'ihen wants or think. They don't run Spira."

"I care Xavier. I don't want my parents, or lady Yuna to get in trouble."

Xavier got visibly upset. He reached up and removed his goggles to glare holes through the children. It hurt a lot to do so, but the point must be made.

"Now you listen to me, and you listen well. Your life is yours alone. Stand up and live it how you see fit."

Eric Masters watched his students as they listened to Xavier talk to these kids. He could see in each one of them that they were moved by what Xavier had just said. He could also tell that a few of them swore to them selves that they would do exactly that.

Xavier put his goggles back on, and stormed away. Eric took three strides and had caught up with Xavier.

"What was that all about?"

"I can't stand to see people who willing accept oppression."

"Do you wanna talk about it, son?"

Xavier gave Eric a funny look.

"Let's cut the shit Mr. Masters. I know who you really are. My team doesn't, but I do. What is it that is really going on here."

"Do you want the political "Bull Shit" version, or do you want the truth."

"Surprise me."

Eric Masters thought for a second choosing his words carefully. He finally decided that Xavier deserved to know the truth.

"We were legitimately hired by lady Yuna, and her guardians to eliminate the Mi'ihen conglomerate. It just so happens though that the leader of the Mi'ihen conglomerate is the right hand man to a very old, and powerful sorceress named Xiedie. Xiedie is looking to rule all lands from the first continent to Ivalice and beyond."

"So why us? Why my team?"

"To be honest, you guys are the only ones that will be able to survive against her for various reasons that I choose not to get in to. It would take to long to explain. The simple version is that you guys are young and not set in your ways when it comes to battle. You are able to adapt."

Xavier thought for a second, before speaking again.

"Ok fine, why me then?"

"Because of how attached you are to the entire situation. Because of how integrated your life seems to be entwined directly, and indirectly to her plans."

Xavier was instantly lost in thought about how he could be integrated in to the plans of some one he had never even met before. Then it hit him and Xavier stopped dead in his tracks. He suddenly remembered that Shyri had told him once that she had dreams of a terrible person telling her that she would help her take over the world. He also remembered a dream he had of some one telling him the same thing. Xavier whirled around and was about to run back to the beginning of the high road and try to open the shift gate, when Mr. Masters grabbed his arm.

"There is nothing you can do now "X". The best you can do is follow this Onikage right back to his master."

Xavier snatched his arm away and started down the high road again. The further he went the more like shit he felt. Every where he looked he could see the effect of the Mi'ihen on Spira. It sickened him. Sickened him to no end. This is not how he wanted his friends to experience Spira for the first time.

Drake walked a few yards behind Xavier, and mister masters. He could tell that something was not right with Xavier from the way he moved, and continued to look around. Drake remembered clearly Xavier's descriptions of Spira, and other than the landscape it was nothing like Xavier had described it.

He didn't see the randomly milling people who Xavier said were every where, always happy to greet a new face. He didn't see the mechanical wonders that were supposed to be patrolling to make sure that monsters wouldn't attack people. He didn't hear the random chatter about this seasons Blitz ball games. Nothing, just the landscape and the sky.

Drake found himself drawn to the sky. It was such a lovely shade of blue, and the clouds looked to be made of the finest cotton. Drake longed to be in the sky experiencing the wonders of Spira from cruising altitude. There would be time for that latter. Right now he needed to focus on the mission. He needed to be in the here and now. Not two thousand feet in the air. As Drake continued forward he flashed back to Xavier's words.

"Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it how you see fit."

Drake lost himself in thought as he walked forward.

"Z" watched as both Xavier and Drake walked as if they were expecting an attack. So far there had been no sings of hostility from any thing but Xavier. And that had been over a stupid sport. But she did have to agree that Xavier did have a point about the whole life thing.

But as far as she was concerned there was entirely way too much stress in this party. And the two new girls didn't want any thing to do with the rest of the party. Finally some one to girl talks with, and they didn't wanna talk. "Z" just contented her self to skip along and hum to her self. Far let it be for her to follow the crowd and be in a bad mood.

Clip was in awe. Every where he looked he saw a different flower or plant. He looked up he saw the bluest skies. He looked left he saw the greenest fields. He looked right he saw the same thing. Every where there was a different discovery to be seen. Sure there was little to no human life, and the looming threat of constant battle. But what the hell. He saw the beauty in the nature that surrounded him. He could lose him self in study in an environment like this.

But he was compelled to think on Xavier's words and their meaning.

"Your life is yours alone. Rise up and live it."

He felt drawn to the sentence like a moth to the flame. He couldn't help but think of what Ifrit had said and what Xavier said. So he thought as he walked.

Ava and Drew stayed as far back from the rest of the group as they could without raising suspicion. They talked among them selves about the team though. Neither one knew how long the assignment would last. But the Way Mr. Masters and Xavier were acting this could take a while. And what was the deal with Xavier telling those kids that There life was their own to live. Rise up and live it. What the hell was he talking about. So they continued to follow their new team mates.

Around mid day they came to the travel agency that was half way down the High road. Xavier had commanded that the rest of team stay there and set up a base of operations. He than decided that "Z" and himself would go and scope out the base.

It didn't take long for them to start to see signs of the Mi'ihen. The first had been a two-man foot patrol. They didn't have a chance. Xavier brought them down, and offered them once the chance to surrender. Both refused. Xavier sent them to the far plain with out a second thought. He then had bent over their dead bodies and cut there left ears off.

"That is disgusting Xavier, what the hell are you doing." "Z" yelled at him.

Xavier had turned towards his team mate. He had affixed the ears to a leather cord and tied it around his neck.

"For every Mi'ihen I kill I am going to cut off there left ear and put it on this cord. One day Onikage left ear will be on this cord."

He had then turned around and continued down the high road. "Z" had a fleeting thought at that moment. Xavier had officially gone off the deep end.

As they progressed it became clear that this was going to be a heavily fortified place. Of course the Machina Mechs kinda made it necessary for them to move in the shadows.

Then it was upon them. The Mi'ihen Head quarters. What was once the Mushroom Rock road was now completely transformed in to a bustling fortress. He remembered well the text he had read on the Battle of Mi'ihen, when Lady Yuna and her guardians had defeated sin. He also remembered the text from the eternal calm and the way Mushroom Rock road had looked when the youth league had inhabited it. This just couldn't be the same place. Nothing was the same.

Upon further investigation there was only one way in, and that was the front door. No back door, no air drops. The only other option was a small access door along the north wall. But it had been extremely guarded. Xavier had counted three war Mechs, and a battalion of foot soldiers.

Xavier, and "Z" returned to the travel agency to report what they had found. Every one agreed that it wouldn't work to go in the front door. And the amount of planning it would take to get a strategy together for the side door would be difficult. So collectively they had sat around a table and hammered out a plan. A half assed plan, but a plan none the less.

THE NEXT MORNING

Every one woke at the same time. In silence they had all gotten ready for the day that was to come.

On the roof Drake spun his Spear one way, than the next. His spear was a constant blur of motion as he went through every spear kata he had ever learned. Finally he jumped. As he soared he continued to spin the spear. His upward momentum slowly came to a stop, and he started to fall back to the roof. With out a sound Drake landed and slung his spear on to his back.

"Z" stood behind the travel agency shadow boxing. She was totally focused on her shadow as she bobbed and weaved. Her hands, and feet would flash out at her shadow. Then return back to there original position. She had no forms to practice, her families fighting style was a style unto itself. The only thing she could practice was her fighting techniques. And those she did practice she did without any flaws. Finally feeling she was warmed up enough she bowed to her shadow, and walked back into the travel agency.

Clip was in his room. In one corner he had erected a make shift cross. He was kneeling in front of it praying as hard as he could. The healing white energies danced around him as he continued to pray. Hours passed and he never left the front of his cross. He prayed for forgiveness for all of his past sins. He then prayed for forgiveness for all the lives he had taken. He then prayed for forgiveness for the lives he would be taking today. Finally he prayed for the success of his team. As Clip left his room he seemed to be whiter than usual.

Drew cleaned her guns with an almost Zen like calm. Each piece was removed, cleaned, oiled, cleaned again, oiled again, and replaced. When that was all done she removed several large boxes from her pouch of holding. Slowly and with as much care as she showed the guns she loaded up every magazine she owned, and placed them in to her pouch. She then made sure that the energy clips she used as default ammo were fully charged. These she carefully slid them into her guns. Expertly she spun the guns on her trigger fingers and slid them into their holsters at the small of her back.

Ava paged through her spell book going over every thing she had learned. From the most complex spell to the most trivial theory. Anything at all she thought might help. She then felt for the flow of manna around her. It was strong and pure. The magical energies swirled and danced around her in intricate patterns. It was hypnotic the way they danced around. When she finally felt ready she closed her book and tucked it in to her pouch of holding and walked out of her room.

In front of the travel agency out on the little patch of land over looking the ocean and a beautiful set of ruins was Xavier. In the early morning light Xavier swung his Gunblade in slow deliberate arcs. He was one with the blade, and it with him. As he went through every kata he had learned, every technique he had ever picked up in his travels, his Gunblade wove a pattern of certain death. Periodically a throwing knife would flash out and stick into the center of little targets he had set up every where.

Then he practiced his sword techniques. First was Neo-twister nine that he had learned from Zidane. A raging inferno of a tornado flew at a boulder the boulder was undamaged, but the knife thrown at it shattered it. The move reduced a targets health by 90%.

Than he did Climb Hazard, one of two moves he had learned from Cloud. The boulder that it hit neatly split in two. Then he did the Onikage special. Three boulders shattered from the force of the attack. Next he did his own Limit Break to a boulder. Strike Purple Lightning, he moved and swung so fast that the opponent saw four of him and was hit just as many times. Finally he did his strongest technique, Omni-slash. He felt the Mako build in him as he rushed the last boulder. When he was done he was drained, but the boulder was reduced to sand.

Xavier pulled a power bar and a thermos of Headmaster Leonhearts special blend of coffee. In no time his Chakra, manna, and Mako levels returned to him. If ever he was ready now was that time.

Eric Master just grinned as he felt his students get ready. Their presence in the universal fabric was so strong he actually felt pity for their opponents. But he knew that they were still no match for General John Onikage.