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

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CH.9 LOST AND FOUND. Pt.1 A TRAP IS SET

BALAMB** GARDEN ***, HALO*

Time passes, wounds heal. The halo turns. Drake sat on one of the many spokes of the halo watching as the world passed below him. He had decided to come up here to get away from the rest of the school. He had enjoyed their little spring break in Vana'diel. It had been fun, and informational. He couldn't wait to go back. Leo the Dragon had told him of some really beautiful cliffs where he could see the sky go on forever.

Drake was looking forward to it. Vana'diel had purity to it that Drake couldn't quite put his finger on. However it had refreshed none the less.

However when they had returned they had found there school work waiting for them. Hours of calculus had left Drake in a state of mental putty. So he had snuck up to the halo to rest and recharge his brain. As he watched the world around himself he had decided to rest his mind by playing a game of chess on his P.D.A. It wasn't as relaxing as he had thought it would be. The computer cheated, a lot. Than would get pissed when he beat it.

Drake sighed as he thought of the Calculus work he still needed to do. Not to mention that "Z" apparently owed Xavier and Ashlin a pizza party. It was something to look forward to, but he wasn't sure if he could stand to watch Xavier and Ashlin competition drink again. He still could not believe how much those two could drink before passing out. He had always known that "X" was a heavy drinker, but it was nothing for them to consume a grand in ale and not be finished.

Deciding that his calculus couldn't wait any longer Drake stood up, and stretched. Giving the halo one more full revolution, Drake leapt out in to the setting sun of Balamb, and for a brief instant felt truly free.

STUDENT DORMS

Time passes, wounds heal, and a paint roller turns. "Z" bounced around her new apartment Painting the entire thing bright pink. They had been given new apartments to show there new, higher status. She wouldn't complain though. In fact she felt honored that she had been assigned to her parent's old apartment in the hero's wing of Balamb garden.

The hero's wing had been a last addition to the rebuilt school so that those who stayed on after the second sorceress wars would have a special something to come home to after a hard day of, what ever it was that war heroes do when there is nothing but wondering monsters to fight.

"Z" couldn't have been happier, though latter on she knew that her pocket-book would be hurting. She could care less at this point. They would go out, have some good pizza, a ton of beer, and just have a grand old-time.

Life was grand.

MAGIC THEROIES CLASS ROOM

Time passes, Wounds heal, and the minute hand on the clock crawls along its predestined path. Life sucked. Period. No second opinions, no change of heart. Life out right blew. Ava had been sitting in the same seat in this class for the entire time she had been attending Garden. She knew she needed to improve her magic skills, but there was only so much of instructor Kinneas's cheery disposition she could take. Ava felt like she was going to vomit.

She didn't know how much more she could take before she nuked the entire class room either, because the rest of her class mates were just as disgustingly happy as Inst. Kinneas. Ava could feel her eye lids getting heavier. Till finally the sand man took her away.

DOWN BY THE BEACH

Time passes, Wounds heal, and clay pigeons fly through the air.

"Here they come."

Drew watched as Inst. Irvine Kinneas pushed the button on his little remote that launched the clay pigeons at the class. The drill was simple enough. Hell she had been through it a million and one times. One student stood surrounded by clay pigeon launchers and shot them out of the air. The student in the middle this time sucked, he had been hauled off to the infirmary all too often for getting hit by the damn things. Today was no different. Drew watched as the boy was hauled off, a large lump on his head was already showing.

"Okay Drew, why don't you show us how it is done."

Drew stood up and entered the circle of launchers. She took several deep breaths to calm herself. She watched as time slowed, and Inst. Kinneas pressed the button. Time remained in slow motion as she started doing one of several well-practiced gun katas she knew.

When the shooting stopped Drew was surrounded by clay dust, and a silence had fallen over the class. Drew blushed as red as her dress as she stepped out of the circle and took her spot on the beach.

INFIRMERY, LABRITORY

Time passes, Wounds heal, and new medicines get discarded. Clip carefully swirled the green liquid he was working on around, and around the container it was in. He had been satisfied with the first field run of his super potion. However he felt that it had not worked fast enough. He also really wanted to find away to produce it so that it wouldn't have to be made on location before it was consumed. If there was one down fall to the formula it was that it had to be consumed immediately for it to work right. It had no shelf life what so ever. Where as a normal potion, even a Mega potion, had a infinite shelf life.

Clip took his current mixture and put it under the electron micro scope. Than he waited, watching the molecules go about their activities on the monitor. Ten minutes passed without incident. Than all at once the potion broke down.

"Another failure." Clip said as he dumped out the mixture.

"It will come to you Cliphord." Dr. Greene said as she approached him.

Clip winced at the sound of his full first name.

"Can't you just call me Clip, Dr. Greene?"

"I will not Cliphord. I do not call Zella Dincht, "Z". I also do not call Xavier Lofbrah, "X". I feel it is demeaning to give a nick name to a person."

Clip took this little conversation as an opportunity to stand and stretch.

Dr. Greene took that opportunity to poke Clip in the ribs.

"You are too skinny for your own good. I am prescribing that you go down to the café now, and do not return until you have consumed some good food. And get Zella, Ava, and Drew to join you, all of you need more meat on your selves"

Clip sighed and decided she was right. So he left to go and get some food. Dr. Greene noticed that he had left his note-book on the counter and decided to take a peak at it. She was amazed by what she found in the book.

AIR SHIP HANGER A SHORT DISTANCE FROM GARDEN

Time passes, wounds heal, and the wrench turns. With care full pressure Rakeios turned the wrench he was holding, tightening down yet another bolt. He knew every bolt, he knew them well. Each bolt had been carefully inspected several times before they were purchased. Every rivet was checked and rechecked. Every inch of metal tempered, forged and inspected.

As soon as they had gotten back from their "Spring break" Head master Squall had commissioned Him and Ashlin to do a lot of mechanic work. Amongst which was an air ship so advanced that it had taken him, Uncle Cid, Brother, Buddy, and Shinra weeks to design it. Ashlin had offered to help, and though he was an extremely talented mechanic, he didn't know a thing about Air ships. Just like he him self knew very little about Motor cycles, and Ashlin was a genius when it came to any thing to do with a motor cycle.

However what really got "Tech", yeah the nick name had stuck, was that they had to build an extra chamber by the engine for a device of considerable size that the network security people were going to be installing latter.

What ever it was, it was important. It would have connections all over the air ship, with controls on the bridge. All at once a tech showed up asking him to leave. As Tech was walking out to join the rest of his Alh'behd companions a shit load of technicians started to swarm up the entire ramp carrying large crates.

_"Ehh, what do you suppose they are doing?"_Cid said to the group in their native language.

"I really don't know old man I am just here to work."

Cid glared at his son.

_"It doesn't really matter what they are doing. Apparently it is important enough that we had to leave."_Tech said

With that he turned around and slipped in a puddle of lubricant. With a great yell Rakeios "Tech" Tatame went sailing into a stack of his own crates. Cid, Brother, Buddy, and Shinra couldn't help but laugh.

GARDGE, GARDEN VEHICAL STORAGE

Time passes, Wounds heal (some at least), and a ratchet turns.

He was going to fucking kill him. That was that, his life was going to come to an abrupt and messy end. However this time his anger was not at Sephiroth or other ghosts of the past, but his own brother. Ashlin could not fathom how Xavier's bike was still running. The evidence of neglect was clear every where on the bike, and the mechanics at this "school" were idiots, fools, and putts.

He had put Xavier's bike off till last, because he thought that his brother was capable of at least the most basic of maintenance jobs and repairs. So he had spent the better part of a month fixing, building, cannibalizing, and routine checking all the other Garden vehicles. Than he finally got to the bike. At the most he thought he would have to give the thing a tune up. But no he had to rebuild the entire god-damned engine. He dared wager that the thing was at least ten thousand miles over due for an oil change. The tires were bald. The brakes hardly worked, and first gear was all but stripped. Ashlin swore a string of curses that would have made the most jaded air ship sailor blush, or make Cid Highwind proud.

Ashlin started working on the engine. However it didn't take long and the ratchet striped a bolt, causing Ashlin to jam his finger on the engine. Ashlin swore again. Turning around he sent the ratchet sailing. It would have taken off Head master Leonhearts head, had he not caught it.

"That is quite the arm you got Ashlin."

Ashlin didn't know what to do. He was so pissed at Xavier right at the moment that he dared not speak to Xavier's mentor, less something be said that he would have to apologize for later.

"However from the way Xavier kept going on about you all these years I expected you to be more calm."

"I expected my brother to be capable of maintaining a motor cycle, and I expected a military organization to have at least one competent mechanic. What do you have shaved and trained monkeys working on your vehicles around hear?" the words were out of his mouth before he had a chance to think on them.

There was no point in being ashamed of them, they were the truth, and the truth was never something to be ashamed of. However Squall just chuckled.

"I apologize for that, we thought we could save a few dollars and let our students work on the vehicles. It turned out that all our really talented mechanics ended up being our most troublesome students. All of them ended up at the detention Garden over in Garabaldia. None of them are trusted to work on machinery any more."

Ashlin was starting to settle down. He didn't care for this Leonheart too much. But he was inelegant, and seemed to be ready for any thing. At the very least he begrudgingly granted him a warrior's respect.

"I came down here to thank you for the work you have done on the vehicles around here, and to give you this as well." Squall said handing Ashlin an envelope.

Ashlin wiped his hands on a rag in his back pocket.

"What is this?" he asked not opening it right away.

"A talented mechanics pay for a job well done so far..."

"My god that is a lot of zeros, especially for just some mechanics work." Ashlin stated looking at the check."

"I can not accept this Squall. You have let me stay at your school, eat your food, use your tools, and I have paid for none of it."

"My wife and I insist, especially since our sports car hasn't run that well even when it was brand new. And especially my muscle car too that thing has never run, period."

"Those two cars are yours?"

Ashlin wanted to kill and congratulate the man at the same time. The ware and tear on the sports car was to be expected, especially on a shitty little rice burner like they owned, tweaked and fiddled with to have all the little sports goodies. What did a Headmaster need with nos on their car any way. However the muscle car, that thing was a thing of absolute beauty, and had only needed a bit of work to get running. The thing had more balls than the rice burner could ever hope to have.

"Yes and no. The sports car is actually our daughters; our car got stolen and stripped the last time we went to Garabaldia garden. The muscle car is mine; I inherited it from my old man. How he got it is any ones guess. Rins car is in the shop in town, she doesn't trust any one here to work on it."

Ashlin looked down at the massive pay check again.

"Eh gill is gill, and you're right I do deserve it after all this bull shit." Ashlin said waving the envelope at all the vehicles in the garage.

"However we will be renegotiating my contract if this is to continue."

"Fine by me, grab your brother and meat me up in the dueling grounds. We can renegotiate them there."

Ashlin lifted an eye brow at Squalls back as he walked back into the school. Still looking at the check he turned back to the bike. Looking at the bike Ashlin turned right back around and crammed the check in his pocket. He than stormed in to the school to find Xavier and kill him.

TRAINING GROUNDS

Time passes, Wounds heal (some at least), and hand seals long forgotten are being studied hard.

"Boar, Ram, Ox. Boar, Ram, Ox. Boar, Ram, Ox." Xavier said over and over as he did the corresponding hand seals for each animal.

It hadn't taken long for the techs down in network security to tell him that they had decrypted the ninja information for him. The file had ended up being a ton of ninja techniques ranging from the most basic, to the most complex. He was trying to learn blink, or the ability to make copies of him self.

It was hard. He had succeeded in doing it once but the copy was just a shadow and didn't do any thing. He needed it to be tangible. He needed it to actually attack.

So he tried using more chakra, all he got was more shadows. So he had started adding in little amounts of Manna, and Mako as well. He was getting positive results. However the process was long and hard. Gathering his energies to himself once more, Xavier did the three hand seals. There was a tremendous burst of smoke, and there stood another copy. Heaving Xavier approached the copy. It didn't move, instead it just stared at him. Xavier threw a punch at it; the copy caught the punch and returned an attack of its own. Success. Xavier clapped his hands together and the copy disappeared.

Xavier finally satisfied with the jutsu stumbled over to a tree completely drained of energy. As he stood there heaving, his lungs on fire, the over head weather generators kicked in and started the cycle that would make it rain in the training center. The effect was as much for the plants as it was for the wild monsters that in habited the place.

Xavier removed his goggles and tilted his head back, exalting in the feeling of the semi-warm rain falling down his body. All at once he doubled over and retched. He was not surprised to see blood mixed with the bile that now pooled at his feet. He had done that all too often, ever since there return from Midgar.

As he proceeded to wipe the bile from his chin he also became aware of another sensation he had felt a lot of all too often as of late. He couldn't place a direct finger on it, but if forced, he had this unshakable feeling of trying to wake up and being unable to. As he stood there trying desperately to shake the feeling he became quite blatantly aware that he was without a doubt going insane.

As he watched the fake rain clouds over head continue to deliver their pay load he could feel his carefully constructed inner walls shatter, and start to crumble. With out warning Xavier doubled over and added more blood to the mess that was already at his feet.

A twig snapped, and he whipped his head in the direction of the sound. There stood Ashlin with the most profound look of concern on his face that he had not seen since the last time Cloud stuffed him in a reactor. As Ashlin made his way to Xavier, Xavier couldn't help but wonder when the medics in the nice white coats would come to haul him away in a straight jacket.

And in the back of his head he heard an overtly familiar female voice coo to him. "Oh how far you truly have fallen."

DUELING GROUNDS MIDAFTERNOON

Squall pinched the bridge of his nose. He couldn't believe this. He had told Ashlin to grab just Xavier. Not the entirety of Team X-treme, even Eric Masters had shown up for the spectacle.

"I apologize for this Ashlin. I only wanted you and Xavier."

"It is fine Squall. I know why you wanted me and Xavier here."

Squall lifted a questioning eyebrow at Ashlin.

"You want to see if Clouds other student is as strong as the one you know. Or just simply to see if I live up to the hype my brother has established here for me."

Squall shrugged and drew his Gunblade. As with Xavier he had not brought the "Lionheart".

Ashlin brought his sword up to his side casually. He knew never to underestimate an opponent. This Leonheart was a legend for a reason. Ashlin had a feeling he was going to find out why.

"Come on "Old man", keep your guard up!" shouted Xavier.

"Don't call me an "Old man"!" they both yelled back at him.

The air exploded with the sound of steel meeting steal. Ashlin learned quickly that Squalls timing was perfect. He never missed a chance to pull the trigger on his Gunblade, and it was always at the perfect time. He was a master swords man, and some one not to be taken lightly. However when Ashlin pushed an attack, especially ones that involved him spinning on his hands kicking at Squalls head, he was slow to adapt. There in laid the key to beating Squall Leonheart, Ashlin decided. Be unpredictable, do the unexpected.

So Ashlin did just that, as Squall charged in he dropped down and spun at Squalls feet. At the last second as Squall was adjusting, he flipped up on to his hands and delivered two successive kicks to Squalls head. Both hit.

Squall landed hard on his back. He rolled out-of-the-way just as Ashlin's heal drop hit the ground where his head had been. Squall had never had a use for acrobatics, or fancy flips. But as he nipped to his feet to avoid another attack at his head, he was glad he had learned them.

"Stop breathing so hard sir. You don't even smoke." Drake shouted as Squall stood there, chest heaving, waiting for the next attack

With that Drake, Clip, and Xavier all lit up at the same time.

Squall waited for Ashlin to make his next attack, he decided there was no point in trying to predict Ashlin, and he just couldn't do it. So he waited, waited to see what Ashlin gave him to work with. The man had a very unique style of fighting. Some how he had absorbed every thing that Cloud had taught him, took what he had learned from Sephiroth, and mixed the two together with a third style that he had never seen before. At best he could describe it as break dancing with a sword.

Squall remembered fighting Sephiroth in the arena, back when the heartless wars took place. He would have never guessed that the man had a student. But than again he also couldn't be sure that was indeed Sephiroth he had fought all those years ago. By all accounts the man was long dead, several times over.

Ashlin saw that Squall was distracted and took the opportunity to flip over his head and deliver a bird step on the way over.

Squall saw Ashlin jump. He had seen Xavier do something similar to a training partner. So he knew to bring an arm up to block a set of kicks that were called bird steps for some reason. Sure enough there they were. Squall reached out to grab a foot, but Ashlin at the last moment tucked his feet in. Squall had the feeling that Ashlin had expected that to happen if the move was blocked.

Squall spun around and saw that Ashlin was facing away from him, his sword sheathed. Squall took this distraction as an opportunity and charged Ashlin. All too late Squall realized he was had. The power pouring from Ashlin made his little hairs stand on end.

Time slowed as Ashlin drew his sword at Headmaster Leonheart. He watched as Mako danced along the curve of his blade in angry green arches, as it sliced through the air. He was not surprised when Squalls Gunblade came up and blocked the attack. But a vicious grin split Ashlin's face as his momentum built and he was carried around again in a second faster swing. Head master Leonheart did not expect the second swing, and so had not blocked it. He watched as he was helplessly sucked in by the void that the attack created around Ashlin from the sheer speed of the first swing, that he got hit by the second swing.

Ashlin's grin stayed on his face till he realized that Squall had rolled with the second swing, and delivered one of his own.

Both men stood there staring at each other trying to read the others thoughts. Trying to predict the next move. Neither could figure the other out. So they just charged each other again. Squall watched as a ball of energy formed on the end of Ashlin's sword. With all of his effort Squall blocked as much of Ashlin's Omni-slash as he could. If he could give Ashlin one thing, he was stronger than Xavier when it came to delivering the Omni-slash. Squall watched Ashlin went into the air for the last hit. As with Xavier he took this opportunity to rush in with Rough Divide. The ground shook as their blades met, and went sailing in opposite directions.

Both men stood there panting, unarmed waiting to see what the other would do. Then there came a thunderous applause from there gathered crowd. Both men slumped to the ground grinning at one another, both there curiosities met and satisfied.

"That was amazing." Clip said handing both a large cup of green liquid.

Both of them downed Clips special potion, and they both had to work really hard to not wretch at the taste.

"That was very nice Ashlin. Thank you."

"Thank you Squall. I haven't had a fight that good in a long time.

Both men shook the others hand firmly knowing they would defiantly cross blades again.

MUCH LATTER THAT NIGHT, BALAMB CITEY

There was an art to drinking. An art very few could handle without becoming a slave to the bottle. Xavier and Ashlin were the masters of this art, and their drinking was there canvas. True to her word "Z" had taken the gang out for pizza and beer. However not one slice was going to be eaten, or a drop swallowed till Xavier lived up to his promise and danced with her, twice.

Xavier couldn't club dance to save his life, and "Z" couldn't slow dance to save hers, but some how both managed to survive the ordeal. And like magic, as soon as the last note faded on the last song, pizza and beer fell from the heavens like rain.

Every one dressed casually since it was a party, or as casually as they ever dressed. "Z" was clad in a hot pink mini skirt and matching halter top, her black calf boots kept time with the music perfectly.

Clip sat in a booth wearing his usual white cloths, slowly nursing a white Russian, while he went over his notes yet again. He had a mountain of cigarette butts in his ash tray, and more were materializing every ten minutes.

Drake had chosen to ware a pair of faded blue jeans and a maroon shirt proudly displaying the fact that he was commando at the moment. Slowly he tilted his head back chugging his Irish lager as yet another dart left his hand and hit the dart board dead center.

Ava sat in her booth dressed in black pants, and a black shirt glaring a hole through Ashlin and Xavier as they continued to down their beer. Drew sat across from her in the same outfit as Avas only a deep maroon. Ava had given up on listening to Drew a short time ago, and even though she was free to go back the school she decided she would rather sit here than be stuck there dealing with all the "happy people". Casually Ava turned her head in time to see Drake get another perfect dart while chugging his drink. Annoyed Ava wiggled a finger at Drakes mug. She than watched as Drake went to chug the beer again and instead got hit in the face by a solid chunk of frozen beer. Ava erupted with laughter.

"That wasn't very nice" Drew said bringing her soda to her mouth.

Drew gave a short yelp as her drink erupted in flames.

"No, but it was funny."

Rakeios sat at the bar in a tank top and cargo pants drinking his ninth long island ice tea. It took him five to finally realize that the drinks Brother and Buddy were giving him were alcoholic. But by that point he didn't care. As number ten was brought to him "Tech" decided that it was time to pay the rent. As he stood up to go in search of the restroom his legs gave out and he found himself once again face down on the floor.

Ashlin had been soar as hell after his match with Squall but that was all behind him now as he lounged back in the bear booth. He had to give credit where it was do and the beer booth was in genius. It had at one point in its life been a dentist's chair now it was painted black and had straps on it. Ashlin found himself strapped in to one Xavier in the other, both had a long funnel like device hanging from there mouths and beer was running down them. The concept was drink or drown, and so they drank, and drank, and drank some more. Ashlin had decided to dress up a little, as comfortable as his work cloths were now was not the time for them. So he had gone out before hand and purchased a pair of black raver pants, and a black shirt to match.

Xavier had apparently lost a bet with some one, because he was dressed up as well. From what he was wearing he apparently had lost the bet to "Z". He was also in a pair of black raver pants and a large hole fish net shirt. Some how though he had managed to keep his scar on his right shoulder covered.

They both watched as more beer was brought and poured into the funnel. Ashlin closed his eyes and let the beer flow down his gullet. His drinking was brought up short by the sound of Xavier sputtering beer every where.

Ashlin looked over to see Emmy Leonheart sitting Indian style on top of a strapped down and struggling Xavier. Ashlin had to stop drinking as well or drowned in beer. Ashlin struggled out of the straps the entire time doing his best to stay on his feet and hear what Emmy was saying to Xavier.

"So are you going to dance with me tonight as well "X"?"

Xavier couldn't answer because the funnel was still in his mouth, and he couldn't move because of the straps and the one hundred pound dripping wet teenage girl on his stomach. It came out as muffled yells and wet screams.

"What was that Xavier; I can't under stand you with that funnel in your mouth."

With that Emmy removed the contraption from Xavier's mouth

"Jesus Christ girl, are you trying..."

What ever Xavier was going to yell was lost as Emily Leonheart kissed Xavier full on the mouth. It was at this point that Ashlin was able to gauge how intoxicated Xavier was, for he kissed her back. Emmy pulled away though a short time later.

"Ewe, beer."

"Well what the hell did you think; I am strapped to a beer booth!"

Emmy suddenly got off of Xavier and quickly walked away.

"What?"

Xavier heard a throat clear above his head. Xavier lifted an eye brow and let his head tilt back. There standing above him glaring down was her father, Squall Leonheart.

"Oh shit."

A short time later the crew was sitting at a booth, still drinking.

"I can't believe you kissed her." "Z" said in a hurt kind of tone.

No one believed she was that hurt by it though, she was just as blasted as every one else.

"Hey she kissed me first, damn it." Xavier said, than immediately shot gunned another beer.

"You are such a male slut."

"You stay out of this Drake you weren't even there."

"No but I do know you better than almost every one else at this table"

Ashlin lifted an eye brow at Drake.

"I said almost."

"I am not a male slut."

"Yes you are." "Z", Drake, and Ashlin replied.

A loud snort came from the back of the booth. Every one looked at the passed out members of team X-treme and shook there heads.

"How do you figure I'm a male slut?"

"Can you name one female ass you haven't grabbed in your travels?" Ashlin asked.

"Yes I can."

"Prove it." All of them said again in unison.

Xavier thought for a moment.

"Ava, and Drew, I have not grabbed either of their asses."

"I should hope not there minors, and team mates." "Z" said finishing another beer.

"That didn't stop me from grabbing your ass."

"Z" blushed eleven shades of red.

"See you liked it even."

"You're such an ass hole when you're drunk."

Xavier shot gunned another beer.

"What ever."

"You are." Ashlin said making another beer disappear as well.

"You're a fine one to talk Ash. Every woman you run into you ask to have your first male child."

Ashlin shrugged and downed another beer.

"True, but I don't grope them."

Drake finished his beer and set the mug down.

"You're both male sluts than."

"Oh shut up Drake, you wouldn't know what to do with a woman even if one were to offer her self to you right now."

"I bet I would know before you "X"."

Xavier said nothing he just slammed three more beers and sat there quietly.

"I see you are speechless."

"No, I am just taking my time coming up with a witty remark."

Every one laughed as Xavier downed another beer

"You know what, screw you all. I bet I could pick up a chick before Drake could."

A silence fell over the booth.

"And what about me?" Ashlin asked downing another one.

"You're not in this, you're taken."

Ashlin shrugged and drank some more.

"You know what "X" you're on." Drake proclaimed slamming his mug down.

"I bet you next mission's wages that I can pick up a chick before you tonight."

"You're so on."

With that Drake and Xavier got up from the booth and walked off in opposite directions.

THE MORNING AFTER

As with anything there are consequences for the things you do. But for the moment Garden went about its morning rituals with out fault. All accept those who were out partying the night before. Lucky for them it was the week-end. Unlucky for most of them, they were about to wake up.

In the hanger of the new air ship Rakeios started to stir. He opened his eyes and shut them right away. The light was blinding, and his head felt like there was a freight train running through it.

"Tech" hung his head over the edge of his bunk and retched. This immediately woke up brother who was now covered head to toe in vomit.

"Man that is disgusting! If you're going to do that at least go in the bathroom!"

"Tech" nodded his head and turned to the other side and retched all over Cid.

"Boy, you are going to die."

Rakeios closed his eyes and passed out again.

Ashlin had never been one to wake up with a hang over, and truth be told he didn't have one right now. How ever he did have to pay a lot of rent. So he was motivated to finally wake up and piss.

When he opened his eyes he found himself on his couch though. Shaking his head and writing it off as it being that is where he fell when he finally got in the night before. Carefully he stumbled to the bathroom and pissed like there was no tomorrow. Than he got a good whiff of him self and promptly showered.

He had to admit, with all the smoke, and sweat, and spilt beer removed from his body he felt one hundred percent better. How ever he was incredibly hungry, and from the smell of it some one was up and making breakfast already. Wrapping a towel around himself, he left the bathroom.

"Who ever is making breakfast is my official hero." Ashlin said as he B-lined to his bedroom.

"I'm glad you think so, Ash."

Ashlin stopped dead in his tracks, and prayed to every god he could think of that he had not just heard a female voice. Ashlin walked back to the kitchen and sure enough there was a girl in front of the stove making breakfast, her shapely legs sticking out of the bottom of the black shirt he had been warring the night before.

He didn't think it could get any worst, and then it did. She turned around.

"How do you like your eggs, Ash?" Emmy Leonheart asked.

Ashlin found himself completely forgetting about his towel as he tried to climb the wall.

Across the hall in her own room, about to get her own rude awakening, Ava became aware of something tickling her feet. Slowly Ava opened her eyes, and the tickling sensation didn't end. Slowly she tried to get up, but found she couldn't move. All at once she felt an arm tighten around her mid section.

Ava froze in terror as she looked down and realized that the arm around her had a slight green tint to it, and the fingers ended in talons. Ava rolled over desperately wishing that she was having the world's worst nightmare. Her horrors were realized as she came face to face with a sleeping Drake.

If he was asked to describe it, the best could do would be to tell you that it was like a sonic grenade going off in his ear. But than again that was the least of Drakes concerns at the moment.

He quickly dodged to the side as another lightening spell screamed past him.

"CAN'T WE TALK RASHINALY ABOUT THIS FOR A SECOND?" Drake yelled dodging again.

"YOU SICK, TWISTED, PERVERTED SNAKE!"

"DRAGOON! DRAGOON! I DON'T DO THAT TONGUE THING!"

Drake had to dodge twice on that one.

"YOU TOOK ADVANTAGE OF ME! YOU SCALLY LECHER!"

Ava hurled another spell at Drake. Fortunately or unfortunately the spell reflected off the wall. The apartment's last occupant had been a mage so the place was loaded down with protection against spells.

"I TAKE OFFENCE TO THAT YOU STUCK-UP, RUNTY BITCH!"

Drake had to wonder as he was rolling and leaping how much longer she could cast spells before she would tire.

"PEDOPHILE!"

Drake stuck his head from behind the couch.

"HEY NOW YOUR OF AGE!"

Drake dodged again.

"AND BESIDES WE WOKE UP FULLY CLOTHED! GET OVER YOUR SELF ALREADY! I WOULDN'T TOUCH YOU WITH A FIFTY FOOT SPEAR!"

Ava stopped dead and stared at Drake with a shocked look on her face.

"Are you ready to talk rationally now?"

"NO!"

Ava unleashed more spells than Drake could imagine. Seeing an opportunity Drake dodged towards the window, grabbing his shoes as he did. With a mighty spring Drake was air born out the window.

"COME BACK HERE! I AIN'T FINISHED WITH YOU! PERVERT, LECHER, BASTARD!"

Across the hall in an apartment that was rather plainly decorated, in a bed that was actually rather ordinary, Drew stirred. As she became more aware she realized she was totally naked under her covers and that there was an arm around her waist.

With a little concern she rolled over while still in the embrace and came face to face with Clip, he to was just waking up.

"So did we do what I think we did?" Clip asked slowly starting to remove his arm from around her.

"I don't know. I think so. I am rather soar down there." She replied snuggling deeper into Clips body.

Clip replaced his arm where it had been, realizing that he was more than likely not going anywhere soon.

"So what do we do now?" Clip asked running a hand down the length of her red hair.

"I don't know." Drew replied hugging her nude body to Clips.

Together they just laid there content in each other embrace, trying to piece together what more than likely happened the night before. To both the night was a blur and a fog. Clips heads hurt, one from drinking, the other from god only knew what. Drews head hurt also, more than likely from a hang over. But she had never been as content and happy as she was now. True she hurt, and was soar in places that could only lead to one conclusion. But other than that she was actually at peace.

"Hey" Clip said giving her a nudge.

"Hmm" Drew replied nuzzling her face into Clips chest.

"Do you wanna... you know... one more time? Just to see if we can remember any thing at all."

Drew didn't answer with words. Instead she gently and lovingly started kissing Clip. Clip kissed her back as he felt her start to gently rub her leg up and down his.

"Z" became aware of the sensation of rising and falling. It was kind of rhythmic in nature, she was also aware of another rhythm the constant and steady thumping of a heart.

Slowly "Z" opened the one eye she could, because the way she was sleeping her other eye was covered. "Z" took in her first sights in amazement. She let her eye follow the strong curve of a male peck, as it raised and fell in the steady rhythm of the owners sleep. Than she saw it, a tattoo that made her heart skip several beats. There in the middle of the male chest she was sleeping on was an intricately tattooed purple "S"

"Z" became aware of three things all at once. One, she finally had Xavier in her bed. Two, she was naked, and finally so was he. "Z" silently thanked every god she had ever heard of for major miracles.

Ever so delicately she ran her hand over Xavier's well muscled chest and abs. His breathing didn't change so she dared a further exploration. Ever so slowly her hand traveled down those oh so perfect abs and started down Xavier's treasure trail. All at once she felt something out-of-place. An elastic band. Frantically but still gentle enough as to not wake him she desperately felt around some more.

"That's right; I still have my boxers on."

"Z" cringed.

"And you still at least have your thong on."

"Z" sighed and brought her hand back up to rest on Xavier's chest.

"I can still dream can't I?"

Xavier sighed and hugged "Z" too himself. He knew he was more than likely going to regret every thing that happened after he and Drake made their stupid bet. But he counted himself lucky that he had not had sex with "Z".

He knew she was heart broke over this fact, and it more than likely didn't help that he was now holding her mostly nude body to his mostly nude body. He knew damn well that the only thing preventing "Z" from having her wish, and destroying their friend ship forever were two very thin peaces of fabric. He wasn't going to out right bitch though. It had been a very long time since he had a female this nude practically throwing herself at him, much less sleeping pretty much on top of him.

Xavier could feel his common sense being over whelmed by his male urges as "Z" started to lightly kiss his chest and place her self further on top of him. All at once Xavier found himself kissing her back as his inhibitions disappeared. "Z" started to kiss at Xavier's neck slowly moving her way down the right side of it, till she moved his hair and found the scar he had hidden from the rest of the world.

Every warning flag in his head and every restraint he had ever put up came on-line as "Z" kissed the scar on his right shoulder than stopped.

"Where did you get this?"

As gently as he could Xavier lifted "Z" off of himself and got out of bed.

"Z" watched as Xavier collected his clothing off the floor.

"I see. She gave it to you, and it reminds you of what you have to do."

"Yes" Xavier said as he started to go through various clothing that was strewn everywhere.

"Z" saw what he was looking for hanging off her bed post. "Z" grabbed the goggles and lovingly ran a finger over the lenses. She found that they easily fit over her eyes and fell around her neck. She looked down at them and once again ran a finger over them wondering what the world must look like through the eyes of the loneliest man on gia.

Xavier watched as "Z" sat on her bed, legs tucked under her, looking at the goggles. He could see it in her poster how much she longed for him. Xavier hurt for her as well. If circumstances were different, hell if his life had been different, he would happily return her needs and desires.

"Z" was so transfixed by the goggles that she didn't notice that Xavier had walked up to the bed. She only looked up to him when he gently cupped the side of her face.

For the briefest of moments her moist blue eyes met his hurting reflective eyes. For the briefest of moments Xavier could see her deepest longings and desires reflected in them, and almost became lost in the depths of those blue eyes.

Like wise for the briefest of moments "Z" could see in to the depths of Xavier's soul in his glowing eyes. She almost cringed at the longings, the desires, the pain, the suffering, and the hurt that was so clear in Xavier's knowing gaze.

"Z" wanted to through her self at Xavier and hold him close to her heart till all of his pain went away. She wanted to hold him and comfort him telling him over and over that every thing would be all right.

The moment was almost completely lost when Xavier removed his goggles from around her neck. It was further lost when he turned around and started to walk way.

"Why won't you love me?"

Xavier stopped, but didn't turn around.

"I do love you "Z"."

"Z" got off her bed and walked up behind him throwing her arms around him from behind, pressing her self as close to him as she could.

"Than why don't you show it?"

Xavier hung his head.

"What you want from me is not love, and it will prove nothing in the end other than to destroy our friend ship. Is that what you want "Z". Do you just want to throw away the five plus years of friend ship and dedication for five minutes of pleasure?"

"Z" didn't say anything; she didn't even resist as Xavier pulled away and walked right out of her apartment.

For some unexplainable reason she felt extremely dirty and made her way into her shower. At least in there she could hide her tears in the running water.

Ashlin couldn't believe what had just taken place. In all of his life he would have never once thought he would be capable of what he and Emmy had just done.

For the first time in his life Ashlin had finally found a girl he didn't want to immediately take to his bed. On the contrary, he had almost no physical attraction to her at all.

They had sat there and talked for hours. She had told him how he had gotten home last night, and why she was in the apartment and his shirt. Apparently He had been too drunk to walk back to Garden so she had given him a ride. Some where along the way to the apartment he had lost his beer all over her, so he had given her the shirt.

The reason he was on the couch was because by the time she had helped him get that far she couldn't go any further than that. So she had dumped him on the couch and made her way to his bed. From there she had explained that since she didn't know if Drake or Xavier were going to be home yet that night she had crashed on his bed.

After that they had just talked openly with one another. He had told her his past, and she had told him her plans for the future. Ashlin wasn't surprised to discover that like "Z" she desired Xavier at one point also. But unlike "Z" she had given up and decided to just be his friend.

All at once though Ashlin found himself looking at her and wishing he had Tifa there with him right at that moment. He found himself longing for her touch, her sent, her taste, her smell. He longed to look deep into her liquid brown eyes, and know that his life had a purpose other than what it did right now.

Suddenly Emmy wanted to know how he had met Xavier. Ashlin caught him self thinking that she had really given up on Xavier. So he had told her every thing about their meeting and subsequent training. Than he got to the most pain filled part of his story.

He didn't remember spacing out. One moment he was talking to Emmy, the next he was stand on the peek of mount Nibelheim. He watched as Cloud made his way to his motor cycle ignoring both him and the rain that was coming down in sheets.

"Cloud you can't keep him in there like that!"

Cloud said nothing as he placed his sword in to the storage wing and swung his leg over the seat.

"If you leave him in there like that it will kill him!" Ashlin yelled placing him self in front of the bike.

"Than he will die." Cloud said

"If we cut the flow by half, and cut the count to three days he'll be fine. But at that level of flow and for fifteen years, it will kill him."

Cloud said nothing as he continued to glare at him.

"I was in that pod for fifteen years Cloud, and it almost killed me. And I had the flow set at a third of that. Now please help me get him out of there." Ashlin pleaded pushing a wet strand of hair out of his face.

Ashlin had moved to Clouds side.

"Please Cloud help me get him out of there. He doesn't deserve this."

Cloud didn't respond.

However Ashlin found him self on the ground the next instant, his chest hurting, as he watched the fading lights of Clouds bike.

Ashlin almost couldn't blame him. Cloud had just got his life back to normal when Xavier and him self entered his life. Ashlin had always felt that they had driven Cloud from his friends to begin with. It became more obvious every time he abandoned them. Ashlin swore he would make it up to Cloud some day. But right now he was trying to murder Xavier, and He alone had to stop it.

Ashlin recalled distinctly the soul rending screams that issued from the pod as he tried to open it. He could recall without effort the look on Xavier's face as he lapsed out of consciousness. He could remember how his arms felt as he gathered every bit of energy he had and brought his sword down on the hoses that feed the ever deadly Mako energy into the pod.

He could remember distinctly how time slowed as the last hose ripped from its housing, and the door swung open. He could recall the sound of alarms going off letting him know that the reactor was reaching critical mass. He would never forget the feel of Xavier's burning up body against his shoulder as he slung him over it and hauled ass out the doors.

Than the nightmare truly begun.

Ashlin had saw several people including Xavier writhe and wither as Mako wracked there bodies. He watched in horror as the rashes and burns associated with Mako poisoning spread along Xavier's body. But until the day he died he will never forget the insanity, the sheer madness in Xavier's glowing eyes when they opened. Like so many before him, the Mako poisoning had caused Xavier to go mad.

He could recall every word he had said to him in trying to settle him down. The look Xavier gave him as he drew his Gun blade, not his training sword, but his Gun blade would haunt him too till his last breath. The battle was short yet explosive, and truth be told he didn't remember too much of it. He just remembered coming too with this terrible pain in his shoulder. He didn't even bother looking for Xavier, he knew deep down that his brother was not in this world any more.

So he done the only thing he could think of. He got on his bike. The next thing he knew he was waking up to the feel of his shoulder being healed. He remembered Tifa asking if he wanted her to stitch the wound or just heal it. He didn't remember telling her to leave it.

Those weeks were a blur. He just knows that at some point he had asked Yuffie to marry him. She too had left him. Than his depression had set in. For several long months he had sat in a corner of his shop and did no more than he had to barely say he was alive. Once again Tifa had come to his rescue and helped him get his shit straight.

All at once Ashlins eyes focused and he was back in front of Emmy.

"And that is pretty much about it."

Emmy just stared at him.

"How sad."

Ashlin thought about it for a bit.

"Yeah it is. Cloud and Xavier have barely spoken since. And it took me a long time to forgive him too. But I have and I have a feeling some day Cloud will too, and like wise."

Emmy thought on this and then got up.

"Well it is about time I get going."

Ashlin got up as well, glad that he had the fore sight to go and put some p.j. bottoms on.

"One last thing Ash."

"Okay"

"Dose Xavier seem to be acting strange to you."

Ashlin knew what she was talking about, and the short answer was yes, very.

"No, I think he is just a little stressed."

Emmy just nodded and turned to leave, however she tripped over one of Drakes boots.

Ashlin didn't remember moving but Emmy was suddenly in his arms as he caught her, hugging her to his chest.

Xavier's head pounded as he made his way down the hall to His, Ashlin's, And Drakes Apartment. Once again he was flooded with the feeling of being asleep and desperately trying to wake up. To top it off he was starting to hear the voices of his enemies mock him. His vision blurred as he rounded the corner and nearly ran head long in to Headmaster Leonheart.

"Xavier. Why aren't you in your apartment?"

Xavier stood a little straighter and shook his head to clear his vision.

"Apparently I spent the night at "Z's"."

Squall looked the half-naked Xavier over, and lifted an eye brow at him.

"It is most defiantly not what you think sir."

Squall just raised a hand.

"I don't need to hear "X" I just need to find Drake, Tech, and Emmy."

Xavier felt like vomiting but he spoke any way.

"I have no idea where any of them are, why?"

Squall stepped aside as Xavier took out his keys and made his way to the door.

"I have something for Drake and Tech. And I haven't seen my daughter since last night."

Xavier sighed as the lock finally opened. Xavier looked back at Squall as he pushed the door open.

"Well why don't you step in and I'll get changed and we can find them together."

All at once Squall got a seriously pissed off look on his face. Xavier was only mildly relieved to note that he was glaring past him and not at him. Slowly Xavier turned around, and there the middle of the living room Stood Ashlin and Emmy, both had there arms around one another holding the other close.

"Oh shit." Was uttered from three mouths.

Drake dodged around the corner of the building. He thought that going out the window would have saved him, but Ava had followed using her magic to stop her fall. She had chased him now for entirely way to long. Thankfully he was almost home free. He could see his open window from where he stood. With three strides he was air born at the window.

Drake had never been so happy to see his messy bed in his entire life. He started to wonder how long Ava could stay pissed at him. He needed to find out what really happened last night, and he knew who just to ask. Emmy had been there all night and she would set things straight. As Drake approached the door of his room he heard Ashlin talking.

"Holly shit is Ava psychotic, she has been chasing..."

Drakes words died as he entered the living room to the site of a half-naked Ashlin holding a half-naked Emmy, and next to the door was a half-naked Xavier and a seriously pissed off Headmaster Leonheart. A fourth oh shit was uttered.

LATTER THAT MORNING

Drake stood and watched as Headmaster Leonheart went through his papers. He had summoned Tech and himself to his office, a bout a half hour ago, they had stood there for the last twenty waiting for the headmaster to speak. Tech looked seriously hung over, and apt to vomit at a moments notice.

It had taken all there efforts to calm Squall down enough to even listen to Ashlin and Emmys side of the story. It took a bit but the story was finally told. Squall had nodded his head and stormed from the apartment, Emmy had run after him. Drake remembered seeing the Ragnarok taking off shortly there after.

Finally Squall looked at them.

"Tell me gentlemen, what summons you currently posses?"

With out hesitation Drake answered. "Tech" just looked at Drake miserably and than to Squall.

"What he said."

Squall lifted an eyebrow at "Tech".

"How much did you drink last night?"

"Tech" tried to tick off all that he had drunk, he really didn't remember though.

"At least a dozen long island ice teas and six or seven bears."

"And you Drake?"

"All of that and more."

Squall opened a drawer in his desk and pulled out an old lamp.

"This item has the avatar Diablos. If you so chose you are to gather two team mates and then rub the lamp. If you are able to defeat Diablos you will get him."

Drake graciously accepted the lamp and then turned to "Tech".

"Come on boy let's go and get you cleaned and sobered up."

SOME WHERE DARK AND UNREACHABLE

Septhiroth didn't know why he had to put up with such unreliable cohorts every time he was brought back. First it had been the Shinra corp. than it had been several clones and other copies of him self. Than it had been the three clones of him that was lead by Kadaj. The last time had been the Heartless.

He really wanted to be more than just a memory. He had grand plans at one time in his many lives, but for the life of him he couldn't remember what. He just knew it was more than playing lap dog to this Necromancer, and her whipping boy, John Onikage.

They couldn't be more opposite if they had actually tried. He was proudly wearing his normal blacks and had the masamunehanging from his hip. Onikage on the other hand was in urban combat fatigues. His highly polished combats boots loudly clomped every time his feet struck the ground, and his sword rattled on his back. Sephiroth would have happily killed the loud mouth if given the chance.

They came to a set of large black double doors and stopped. They had been summoned, but the spirits only knew what Xiedie did behind those closed doors. Together they pushed and the doors parted, slowly.

As they entered the depressingly dark room both men felt like they were being watched from every direction. Sephiroth became aware of the fact that he had his hand at the ready to draw his sword only after he noticed that Onikage did as well.

"Good you have finally made it." Both of them heard from a distance in front of them.

Suddenly they found them self standing in front of Xiedie. She was sitting on a throne slowly passing her hand over a crystal ball. As Sephiroth watched images danced across it of Team X-treme.

"What is the matter Sephiroth? Dose it bother you that they are still alive?"

Sephiroth didn't answer as he watched the crystal ball continuously cycle images of Xavier.

John Onikage was not as patient as Sephiroth though and it showed.

"When will you let me kill him?"

Xiedie gave him a cool stare.

"Soon enough John. But first you both still have work that needs to be done."

Xiedie immediately stopped and placed her hands on the ball and started to whisper to it.

The two men watched as the image of Xavier staggered and clutched his head.

"What are you doing to him?" Sephiroth asked without emotion.

Xiedie stopped whispering to the ball and removed her hand.

"I am slowly driving young Lofbrah insane."

She replaced her hand and started whispering again.

"To what end will that help me kill him?" John asked visibly agitated.

Again Xiedie removed her hand from the ball and gave Onikage a less than patient glare.

"By doing this he is less likely to be able to focus in battle, and very shortly our agents in garden will deliver an order for Team X-treme to go to Vana'diel."

"To what end?" Sephiroth asked his interest slightly peaked.

"One of the last two things I need is there, and young Xavier Lofbrah will all too happily take me right to her."

Comprehension dawned in the two men, but only John Onikage was dumb enough to continue to question.

"What is so damn important about this half Kitsune you so desperately seek? She has no out standing powers and very unremarkable abilities, and on top of that she has no want to fight other than to protect her self from you."

Xiedie didn't move, but all at once Onikage has hurled into a pillar by some unforeseen force. Finally after watching him struggle for a little bit did she move from her throne. Slowly Xiedie glided to the pillar and looked John Onikage right in the face.

"Because I have too much time invested in not only her, but the twin brother of there black mage. I selected thousands of beings to mate up, weather by their own choice or not in her case. Of all the offspring produced only five survived, Drake Gryphonis, Ava Rei, Dominic Rei, Dami'tu, and Shyri. Of those five only three can do what I personally created them to do. Those three are Dominic Rei, Dami'tu, and Shyri. And of those three only Dominic Rei and Shyri are of any use."

Finally Xiedie let go of Onikage and he slumped to the floor.

As she made her way to her throne Sephiroth could have sworn he heard her mutter angrily about the two male subjects being damn near uncontrollable, and drunk on their own power.

Sephiroth let her return to her throne, and visibly cool down before he spoke again.

"And what exactly is it that these three beings can do that makes them so important."

Xiedie favored him with a smile that almost made him back pedal.

"They have the ability to destroy the Avatars. And once they are destroyed I will finally have my final use for John Onikage."

"And what would that be?" John Onikage wheezed as he got back to his feet.

Xiedies smile made John Onikage fear for his life for the first time since he started doing her biddings all those years ago.

"Sin"

GARDEN, FRONT LAWN, MID DAY

Drake looked at his friends and team mates that had gathered out on the front lawn with him. Drake had taken every possible second he had from the time he and tech left Squalls office to think of who he was going to ask. His first choice had been Xavier, but when he went back to the apartment Xavier was no where to be found. So he had gone looking for him. However as he passed the garage he heard the most obscene language coming from with in. So he decided to have a look.

Once in side he had quickly located Ashlin working on Xavier's bike. Drake had all he could do to keep from laughing. With every peace Ashlin removed he swore a string of oaths that would have made airship sailors proud. Drake didn't feel like looking all over Garden for Xavier so he had asked Ashlin if he needed a break to work off some aggression. It didn't take much convincing, Ashlin had accepted without much prompting.

Tech on the other hand had not had such an easy time of it. He had thought first of getting Ava, but she refused to do any thing with Drake. So he had made his miserable way to Drews room, the thought being red mages were just as good as black mages. However Drew did not answer her door.

Deciding to go and ask "Z" he started in that direction. As before no one answered the door. "Tech" was about to give up when all the sudden he saw Clip heading towards the elevator. "Tech" had to do some serious ass kissing to get Clip to help but he finally had agreed. Drake gave the team one more look over, than slowly he pulled the lamp out and gave it a few rubs.

Instantly the lamp grew to hot for Drake to hold and he dropped it. The lamp landed right side up on the ground in the center of all of them. They were instantly engulfed in a thick cloud of smoke. When the smoke cleared they were standing in a vast black nothingness. In fact the only thing illuminated was a ten meter circle where they were standing.

"Well this certainly is cute." Drake said as he took a look around.

Ashlin had joined Drake in the search of the immediate area.

"What is it exactly we are supposedly here to fight?" Ashlin asked as he shrugged out of his gi.

"About all we could really find out is that Diablos is gravity based Avatar. He roughly looks like a devil and flies." Clip said as he started to feed shells into his gun.

"That's it? Nothing more what so ever?" "Tech" asked adjusting his gloves.

_"You need not know any more than that."_A disembodied voice said.

Every one immediately brought their weapons up, and frantically searched the area.

"Some times you must go into battle with the minimal amount of information. As a matter of fact most of the times you will only know that this is where your enemy is going to be. And this is what they are planning on doing."

A hooded figure entered the lighted circle. The four companions looked the unimposing figure over. It stood just less than six feet tall and was covered from head to toe in red and black robes. No one could make out a face; it was simply to well covered.

Every one felt a chill as the figures gaze swept over them.

"This has to be the most unusual party that has ever come to get my power. That has to be the reason that there are four of you."

Ashlin removed his gi and drew his sword.

"Honestly, did we come here to fight him or get insulted by him?"

Drake and "Tech" looked at him in horror.

Diablo looked at Ashlin and laughed.

"The samurai is right you did come here to fight. I have nothing more to say any way and greatly wish to go back to sleep."

With that a massive clawed hand shot from Diablos right sleeve and grabbed his left shoulder. With a great tear the robes were discarded and Diablos revealed his true form to them.

Every one watched as the nine foot demon hovered in front of them beckoning them to attack. Team X-treme did not make him wait long.

TRAINING GROUNDS

Nature, a source of peace and serenity. An ongoing balance of goods and evils. Balance and serenity being the operatives here. Xavier found neither.

He sat in a meditative state at the base of a great water fall in the heart of the training grounds in nothing but a swim suit. However peace, balance, and serenity were the furthest things from Xavier's state of mind at the moment. Pain, torment, anguish, insanity, that is what filled the mind of the young ninja.

No matter how hard he tried though he could feel his fragile grasp on sanity slipping further and further in to a down ward spiral that he feared would lead to his death. Of course the voices didn't help either.

_"Your team doesn't trust you."_The voice in his skull cooed. The words slid over his mind like razors and honey.

"You have no proof." Xavier replied as calmly as he could.

"Your friends despise you. You have hurt them all at one point or another."

"Than why do they stick around? They could easily go to another team." Doubts started to creep their way in to Xavier's mind.

"You are a disappointment to your mentors and to the SeeD coalition."

"They would have court-martialed me all ready." Desperation.

"Maybe they are just waiting for the right time to betray you. They know you are not strong enough to defeat Onikage and Sephiroth without them."

"..."

"You will be humiliated and have no choice but to join forces with your enemies."

"I still have my honor, and will die by it before I join any of you." The thought of ending his own life wasn't pleasing but neither was helping Xiedie and her goons.

"You will never get to Shyri in time."

Even though the water fall was slightly cold, Xavier felt himself start to sweat profusely.

"She will willingly join me. She hates you too."

"You lie!" Xavier screamed out loud.

A flock of birds took flight at the sudden sound.

Xavier looked around and saw no one near him. As always the sensation of being asleep and not being able to wake was present. Xavier became aware that his hands were clenched into tight fists. Slowly he opened his hands. They hurt and shook violently. He would have given any thing at that moment to bust down and cry. He wanted oh so desperately to not believe the voices, but all evidence was in favor of them. Xavier wrapped his arms around himself and doubled over. He would have given any thing to be held at that moment. All at once Xavier started sobbing and couldn't stop.

THE LAMP

Drake was amazed at how well the team was working together. He wasn't to sure if the fight was going well. In fact it wasn't. Between the four of them there had been twenty phoenix downs, now there were four.

Ashlin had charged in all go, no quit, I've got big balls, and going to show them to you. Most of the Phoenix downs had been used on him. Drake and "Tech" had split there time between fighting and summoning. Clip had stood back and taken a few pot shots at Diablos but had dedicated most of his time to healing the rest of them.

As a group though they were functioning well, and were doing damage to the Avatar. They just weren't doing enough. What they really needed was Ava. When asked though why Ava was refusing to work with him, Drake turned eleven shades of red and immediately unleashed his limit break on Diablos. This prompted an immediate skill chain of limit breaks to happen. Time and items were running low though, and they knew they needed to get this fight done soon.

All at once Diablos shot higher into the air and started to gather his gravity based energies to his hand for one big final attack. Drake, "Tech", and Clip took immediate action and dodged out of the way.

Ashlin was tired of the cat and mouse game they were playing though and stayed right were he was. He watched as the small planetoid that Diablos was making finally stopped growing and was hurled at him. He stood his ground gathering his own energies for what he intended. As he watched the massive gravity spell tumble towards him he knew he would have to gather more Mako to himself than he ever had before.

So he did just that, he released the flood gates and let the Mako flow freely in to himself where he stored it till every cell in his body burned white hot with the life of the planet.

It was go time. If he was going to do it now was that time. Ashlin spun his sword over his head a few times to loosen up his arm, and then crouched low. Like a coiled spring Ashlin shot off the ground right at the gravity spell. His eyes flared as he started to release the Mako both in front of himself for its intended purpose, and behind him to keep his forward momentum.

Every one watched as Ashlin brought his sword in front of himself and met the ball of gravity blade first. But the ball didn't release its deadly force. Instead a divot appeared where Ashlin had entered it, and it was only getting deeper. All at once Ashlin shot from the opposite side of the ball. He had used half of his reserves to cut it in half and kill it.

The last of Ashlins plans came together in a blur. At the last moment he reversed the angle of his blade and hit Diablo with his version of climb hazard. The sword technique carried him well over Diablos with enough energy to spare. He liked the ragged line of Mako the attack had left on Diablos. It was also clear that he was in great pain too. So in one fluid motion Ashlin turned around in mid-flight and dropped the rest of his reserves into doing Braver to Diablos exposed back.

Ashlin knew he didn't have the energy to land so he took solace in the sight of the now two ragged lines of Mako on Diablos. Oblivion took him just before he hit the ground.

Ashlins attack left just the opening that the rest needed. Drake charged the fallen Avatar and further tore apart his defenses with a well place double thrust weapon skill. Leaving him open for "Tech" to come in with his BLITZ RUSH limit break.

"Tech" went to town on Diablos knocking him in to the air with four well placed rising upper cuts. While still in the air he started unleashing multiple kicks and punches. In mid-flight "Tech" wheeled around on Diablos and drop kicked him to the ground.

Drake took this one last opportunity to make his point felt, literally. Drake ran in and lunged repeatedly at Diablos. Each strike hit home harder than the last. Drake leapt into the air still throwing his spear over and over again. As he felt his jump reach its peak he angled him self towards Diablos. All at once he found himself on the other side of Diablos.

With a shudder Diablos fell to his knees. All at once Diablos started to scream and extended his hands at Drake and "Tech". With a bright flash a dark purple crystal embedded into Drakes summoner circle. With searing pain another crystal entered "Tech".

With one last violent shudder the entire team was hurled from the lamp. As one the team watched in shocked silence as the lamp was levitated in the air and engulfed in black mist. All at once there came a blood chilling scream and the lamp crumpled in upon itself. With one last violent explosion the lamp vaporized.

"NO! YOU INSOLENT SON-OF-A-BITCH! DON'T THINK THAT THIS WILL PREVENT ME FROM REACHING MY GOALS YOUR WRONG!"

With out another word the mist was gone.

In the next heart beat Mr. Masters and Headmaster Leonheart had joined them.

"What in the name of Odin just happened?" Squall demanded.

"Hey now there is no need to drag Odin's name into this." Mr. Masters said half offended.

Ashlin gave Masters a side long smirk.

"He's got a point. You know that." Ashlin said as he walked past Squall patting him on the shoulder.

Eric and Squall looked at each other than watched Ashlin as he walked into the school.

ONE HOUR LATTER HEADMASTERS OFFICE

Squall looked over the members of Team X-treme that had gone on the exercise. They all looked tired, hurt and hungry. All there stories told him the same thing. That was that none of them knew exactly what had happened after the fight. Speculations aside there was no conclusive evidence as to what had taken place.

Squall had dismissed every one but Eric and Ashlin. The three men stood staring at each other.

"Do you know why you were asked to stay Ashlin?" Squall asked.

"I can guess."

"Okay than, how do you know." It was a statement of fact not a question.

Ashlin looked right at Eric Masters.

"No offense lord Odin but your disguise hasn't once fooled me. Your energy pours off of you like a water fall. Honestly I am surprised no one else knows."

Ashlin gave a deep bow from the hips.

"It is a great honor to finally meet you in person, so to speak, my lord."

Eric returned the bow.

"I would appreciate it if you would keep that little nugget of info to your self Ashlin. So far the only other person out side this office that knows is Xavier."

Ashlin gave him a lop sided grin.

"Was that before or after he started listening to our debriefing?" Ashlin said pointing up.

Squall sighed and hung his head in exasperation.

"Xavier you sneaky little shit, get down here." Eric said looking up into the rafters.

With very little sound Xavier landed beside Ashlin. Every one could see in his posture that something was very wrong with the young ninja. They all knew though that to ask would only lead to various responses of not to worry. So no one bothered.

"What do you make of all of this, Xavier?" Squall asked

Xavier's response was immediate and definitive.

"With out a doubt it was Xiedie."

"How can you be certain?" Mr. Masters asked evenly.

"How can you of all beings not? The black mist is the give away."

Eric Masters and Squall Leonheart nodded there heads in agreement with Xavier's logic.

"This is what I want you to do."

Xavier and Ashlin came to a stiff and immediate attention before the headmaster.

"Prep your team. Make them ready and aware of what has happened. Make sure they are ready to mobilize at any moment. Make sure also that any intra team conflicts are taken care of. I don't know, or want to know, what happened between Drake and Ava but it needs to be resolved now."

"Yes sir." Xavier said and gave a slight bow.

Before leaving the office, Xavier made it a point to raid the coffee pot.

SUB LEVEL 3, NETWORK SECURITY

Siefer looked at the stack of papers on his desk and wondered how it had gotten so large. This was happening more often than not. He would lose track of days at a time, and the next thing he would know he would be in front of his desk with a large stack of paper work to do.

Siefer had a really bad feeling that something was happening to him that he had no control over what so ever. He wasn't the only one noticing this either. Quistis had asked him a lot lately if he was do all right. Of course he lied to her and told her he was fine. It couldn't have been further from the truth if he tried.

All he truly knew was that every time he "Lost time" so did his team. Team John was experiencing the same problem he was, losing time, and not knowing where. How ever they were becoming stronger, not more disciplined, but stronger none the less.

All at once Siefer's head erupted in pain. With a silent scream he grabbed at his temples.

"My knight, it is time for you to make your move. After you have delivered the message to the infidel leader take your team and go ahead with your mission."

Siefer immediately got a blank stare on his face.

"Yes, my mistress."

"That's a good boy, now go."

With out hesitation Siefer took out a pair of sun glasses and made his way to the elevator.

A FEW MINUTES LATTER, HEADMASTERS OFFICE

Squall looked his friend over with concern. Siefer had been acting really strange as of late. Like right now he just stood in front of the desk, disheveled and wearing a pair of dark sun glasses.

Squall looked the intelligence report over once again. For years every request for SeeDs had gone through Network security to make sure they were legitimate requests or elaborate traps. This particular request was for a group of SeeDs to go to Vana'diel and eliminate a rogue ninja. The request was littered with oddities. The first of which was that the ruling bodies of Vana'diel very rarely asked for any help from the SeeD coalition. Second one rogue Ninja was no call for a team of SeeDs, maybe three. The last oddity was the location of the request, the village of Vahn. Squall had never heard of it.

"Okay Siefer I'm listening, other than the obvious what makes this a trap."

"The village of Vahn was located near the federation of Windurst."

"Was? What do you mean, was?"

"Vahn was wiped out twenty-four years ago by one John Onikage."

Squall dropped the report on his desk. Nothing else needed to be said. He hated the decision he needed to make, but he had no other choice either. Team X-treme was the only available team at the moment. They were also the only team that had confronted Xiedie and her group. Squall could not recall all the times he had out right despised his job. However he knew that this was one of those times, and he knew that it would more than likely never be topped.

With a deep sigh Squall brought up the messenger function of the combat PDA and sent out one message to two people. With the messages on the way Squall looked back to Siefer.

"How reliable is this request?"

"It is more likely than not a trap."

"That goes without saying."

"Here is the twist. There is a village of Vahn where the old one used to be. Best guess the survivors rebuilt. They are a clan of ninjas, apparently the same ones that Xavier Lofbrah descended from. The most interesting part of this is they are having problems with a rogue ninja. Apparently this one ninja has whipped out half of their village."

Squall gave a low whistle, this indeed was a problem. Not just Xiedie but also a rouge ninja. He stopped thinking about what could go wrong with the mission and instead thought about what could go right.

A chime sounded at the office door, Squall really hoped it was Eric and not Xavier. Eric would be easier to deal with; Xavier would ditch his team and head to Vana'diel with out hesitation. For the first time today something did go right and it was Eric. One look at Squall told him though that what Squall had to say wasn't going to be pleasant, and the sight of Siefer was never good.

"Why is it that every time I am called here and network security is already here I get this feeling like I am going to have a really bad day?"

SOME RANDOM MENS ROOM, GARDEN FIRST LEVEL

With a sudden finality the door to the rest room burst open and Xavier rushed in. With out conscious thought he jumped over the boy he had knocked over kicking the door open. He also ignored the curses and rude gestures that the kid issued him also. As quickly as he could he found an open stall. Rushing in, he slammed the door shut and locked it. No sooner had he done this Xavier lost every thing he had eaten, and then some.

As he finished he collapsed to his knees and flushed the toilet. He watched as stray chunks of food, coffee, bile, and blood swirled down the drain. Xavier wondered just how much more of this he could take before they took him away to a padded white room, and never let him out again. Xavier became aware that he had not managed to close the door and there were people behind him talking in hushed whispers. Xavier closed his eyes again as his guts turned inside out and he added more blood to the toilet.

Xavier felt a hand on his back; he was too tired to even shrug it off. He felt like he was in a dream as the hand helped him to his feet. He wasn't even entirely sure he was walking as he walked out of the training center. All he was really sure of was that he could hear people talking in hushed tones as he was escorted by.

"They are talking about you."

"You think I don't know that?"

"There making fun of you in your weakened state."

"I don't doubt that."

"Where are you going Xavier? Don't you have a mission to do?"

"Do I?"

"You had a message that you needed to go to the Headmasters office."

"I did?"

"Yes that's what you were reading when you became sick."

Xavier finally came to his senses and noticed that he was being steered towards the infirmary by "Clip".

Xavier ducked and dodged out of clips grasp and ran to the elevators. As the elevators came into view he noticed that he had just missed them. Xavier shifted his path ever so slightly and proceeded to run up one of the six flag poles that were in front of the elevator.

As he ran up the pole he looked at the rising elevator and noticed some first years looking at him and pointing. So he decided to give them a show. Xavier came to a sudden stop, and before gravity came into play he pushed off the pole and landed on the roof of the elevator. He stayed there long enough to smile and wink at them, then with a mighty leap he jumped at the flag pole again and landed on the round ball that stood atop the pole. With one last leap Xavier was on the air walk that leads to the Head masters office. Xavier gave Himself a few moments to let his stomach settle down again and proceeded to the door.