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Ch. 13 The Path of Sin: Ifrit and Ixion

"It has to be done this way or we will never catch up with her."

Drake tried to keep up with Xavier as best as he could, but with as fast as he was storming to the beach he might as well be running. Normally this wouldn't have been a problem. However Xavier had woken them all early and told them to get down to the beach. He had managed to get some details out of Xavier between cups of coffee and what he was planning made sense except for one thing.

"Who is going to pilot the other ship? God-damn it "X" will you stop and talk to me."

"If you honestly don't know Drake than you will just have to find out with the rest of the team."

Xavier didn't say another word as he picked up more speed. As they entered the beach though all of Drakes questions went away. Waiting for them on the beach was Brother and his airship the Celsius.

"That is a really...."

"Big, magnificent, sheer power incarnate?" Brother tried to fill in the words Drake was going to say next.

"Loud, yeah that's the word loud airship."

Before Brother could say anything else though a loud clap of thunder shattered the fragile morning sky.

"What in the hell was that?" Drake asked as he picked himself up off the ground.

"The other airship."

Drake joined Xavier as he looked at the forming shift portal opening up in the sky.

"Don't tell me."

"Fine I won't."

They just both watched as the Airship "Tech" had built emerged from the shift portal. With slow grace the air ship came to a landing right beside the Celsius.

"What the hell is all the commotion here?"

Drake and Xavier turned to see the rest of Team X-treme standing at the mouth of the beach.

"Actually this is why you are all here."

"Oh please do tell "X" so we can get back to sleep." Ava said while trying unsuccessfully to rub the sleep from her eyes.

"Ava, I could give you another eighty winks and it still wouldn't help."

This granted Xavier an immediate withering glare and a middle finger. Deciding he didn't have time to argue with Ava, Xavier turned back to the two airships.

"Ok fine I'm going to make this painfully simple so that all of you can follow it. I am going to split the team in to two groups. I'm going to lead one group and Drake is going to lead the other. And these two ships are going to be our transportation while we are searching Spira for Xiedie."

"I don't mean to interrupt a good plan with an ugly truth but who in the hell are going to pilot those airships?" Ava said looking like she was ready to bite some one's head off.

"Well, "Tech" is going to pilot "Raine". That is provided of course that he can fly the ship he built."

"Of course I can fly it." "Tech" said offended

"Good. Than Drake, Ashlin, "Tech", Ava and Drew will be in "Raine". Make sure you're well stocked on healing items, not that I doubt Drew's abilities to heal the party, but it is good to be ready. Me, "Z" and "Clip" will be in the "Celsius"."

"Again, I hate to interrupt a good plan with an ugly truth, but who is going to fly that airship?" Ava asked getting madder.

Xavier turned to look at the group. It took them a second to realize that he was looking specifically at one person. Every one turned to see who he was looking at. What they saw was "Z" standing the back of the group, rapidly turning pink in the face from the sudden attention that was being directed at her.

"So "Z", think you can fly that?"

"Z" regained her composer long enough to look at the "Celsius".

"Nobody is flying my ship but me."

Xavier rolled his eyes and head at Brother.

"Brother, I wouldn't fly in a ship you were piloting even if it were to save the world."

Brother was at a loss words, however Drake found his voice.

"Ok. I'm lost, I'm angry, and I'm armed. Can someone tell me what's going on?"

"Boy you really are something aren't you Drake." "Z" said genuinely upset.

"No, I just want to know when you learned how to pilot an airship."

"About the same time you were going to Midgar and Alexandria three times a week to learn how to jump."

"How in the hell did Xavier know and I didn't."

By this point Drake and "Z" were in each other's faces.

"Because unlike you he pays attention, boy do I pity your team."

"I'm a fine leader."

"The hell if you are."

"I'll bet my team gets to Ifrit before your team gets to Ixions temple."

"Drake you could leave now and I could take my time learning to fly that piece of shit Brother calls an airship and we would still get done before you."

Brother took that moment to interject.

"My airship is magnificent, and you are not flying it little miss pink and..."

Whatever Brother was going to say next stopped short when "Z" put her fist in his mouth. However Drake and "Z" still hadn't gotten out of each other's faces.

Xavier finally having had enough did interject.

"Z" how long do you think it will take to get your self familiarized with that airship?"

"Z" finally looked away from Drake and at the "Celsius".

"Well provided the sleeping wonder over there didn't do anything to extravagant to it, give me about three hours."

"You have two. Now as for the rest of you. Get ready. Anything you think you might need, get. Any item you're out of or running low, replace. Drew, Ava as nice as your dresses and skirts look you need to get your selves some pants or shorts. I need you two to be as mobile as possible. Drake and Ashlin you two need to get together and go over strategy. Speaking of Ashlin where is he?"

Every one once again looked to the back of the group to where Ashlin was standing rubbing his head and scratching his tattoo.

"Time get moving, gotta move. Need to act, must move, must destroy."

"Ashlin"

"Must smite my adversaries, must destroy."

"Ashlin..."

"Must obliterate all that stand in my way, must kill."

"Ashlin, who are you hearing?"

"Praise be to Jenova, Hojos will be done."

"ASHLIN!"

Ashlin snapped back to his senses.

"Yeah "X" what do you need?"

Xavier looked Ashlin right in the eyes.

"I need you to be here, take one of your arm bands off."

Ashlin hesitantly took one of his arm bands off. As soon as he did he stopped sweating and shaking. He instantly felt better.

"Well that was... Unexpected."

"Not entirely, I want you to do me a favor Ashlin."

"Yeah, what's that?"

"Unless you're fighting I want you to keep at least one arm band off at all times."

"Yeah, I think that might be best."

"We don't need your other self making a comeback tour."

"No defiantly not, we don't need that kind of excitement right now."

"That goes for all of you, any unresolved issues you have with each other or me, deal with them in the next two hours. We are going up against odds that we have never faced before and are not expected to do well. The casualty rate for this mission from now on is exceedingly high. However I say we can do it. I don't expect perfection from any of you, but I do expect nothing less than your all. Find what is important to you and that is what you fight for. Don't fight to save the world, it is too big and you don't know many of the assholes in it. I for one am fighting to protect those that I love, and to regain what I have lost."

"Don't worry Xavier." Drake said waving a hand dismissively.

"Yeah we'll help you get your girlfriend back." "Z" said flashing a toothy smile and giving the thumbs up.

"But Xavier I gotta ask you something."

"What is that Ashlin?"

_"DON'T YOU WISH YOUR GIRLFRIEND WAS HOT LIKE ME?"_Ashlin sang and to emphasize the phrase turned an ass cheek to him and slapped it.

Xavier rolled his eyes and head away from Ashlin to look at "Z"

"DON'T YOU WISH YOUR GIRLFRIEND WAS A FREAK LIKE ME?" "Z" sang smacking her ass.

"Yeah, this is going to be good. Just a little walk in the park."

Xavier looked back at the two air ships where Ashlin and "Z" were still singing and dancing, poorly. Shaking his head Xavier turned back to the village.

A LITTLE LATER

Neither one of them knew what it was Xavier wanted them to do but they both knew that it was better to just go along with what he said. It all would make sense in the end. So Ava and Drew had made their way to the one and only clothing shop in Besaid. The selection was limited but good at the same time. When they both emerged they were both wearing whole new outfits. Drew had managed to find a simple pants and shirt combo done in shades of red, while Ava had found a black T-shirt and black and purple pants. Over the shirt Ava had put on a piece of simple armor also the color purple.

Deciding they should talk to people who would know more than themselves Ava went to talk to Lulu to see if she might have any suggestions. Drew went to find Yuna. She found her in the temple where she was talking to "Clip". It turned out to be very beneficial to them both. Ava learned a few new black magic spells, while Drew and Clip learned some new white magic spells.

BACK DOWN BY THE BEACH

Drake stood atop "Raine" deep in thought, his sights set straight ahead at the horizon line. Subconsciously he was aware of the beauty he was looking at. He saw the cerulean waters, crystal clear in their purity, rolling in and out of the beach. He saw the light fluffy clouds as they made their slow journey across the sky. However his head was else where. He had not even officially given up command of the team, and Xavier had put him back in control of a part of it. On some level he was happy that Xavier thought he was good enough to be a leader, but he had been so looking forward to just being second in command again. Then there was his wings. He was ecstatic that his mother and sister had granted him flight, if only in a limited amount. He just wished he could make them work when he wanted them to, not when he desperately needed them to.

"What's eating you Fly boy?"

Drake didn't even turn his head to look at Ashlin.

"Are we ready?"

"I think Drew and Ava are still getting ready but other than that, yeah we're ready."

Drake sighed and turned to Ashlin.

"That's not what I meant. Are we ready for this mission?"

"Possibly. We learned a lot from our fights here, and I have my new power. We should do ok."

Drake turned back to the ocean.

"I certainly hope you are right my friend. Xavier won't be there to bail us out again."

THE BEACH

Xavier watched with pride as his team assembled for what was going to be their hardest mission yet. Everyone looked nervous, and he couldn't blame them. The odds were stacked against them in more ways than any of them could imagine. Yet still everyone seemed calm and at peace. They had come a long way from their days as SeeD candidates. However Xavier knew that their biggest challenges were about to come.

"You look pleased with yourself." Drake said as he and Ashlin made their way over to where he was standing.

"I was just watching every one and admiring how far everyone seems to have come. I know that things haven't been easy, and their only going to get harder. But somehow I think we'll do just fine."

"Do you believe that?" Ashlin asked.

"Not as much as I just made it sound I did, but more than you're thinking I do right now."

The three of them stood there looking at each other, none of them wanting to break the silence. However Xavier finally did.

"Keep your eyes open and your wits about you and you'll do fine. Don't be too hard on Drew, she is more nuke than heal, but she will do her best. Though she is a bitch, I think Ava's heart is finally with the team. As for "Tech" look past his klutziness and you will see a great man just looking for his opportunity."

Drake and Ashlin took this all in. Neither one could tell though what Xavier was thinking though; his goggles hid his eyes and emotions too well.

"How many of us are you expecting to make it out of this?" Drake asked reluctantly.

"All of you. I sure as hell can't fight Xiedie on my own." Xavier said as he turned towards the Celsius.

"That and I sure as hell ain't buying the beer when this is done."

CHAMBER OF THE FAITH, KILIKA TEMPLE

John Onikage watched as Xiedie in the fox girls body put the finishing touches on whatever spell she was doing now. There were times in his life when he actually didn't question her because it just wasn't worth it. This was one of those times. Silently He watched as two titan sized shadows emerged from the ground where the Ifrit faith should have been. He was to transfixed by the shadows incarnate that he almost missed a third Silver colored titan join them.

"Are they not impressive John? Do they not make you tremble in your boots?"

"No, no they do not."

"Than what has you so quiet John? In all the time I have known you; you have never been this quiet."

John chose not to answer the question, but Xiedie could guess.

"You hate my daughter don't you?"

"I have been chasing her for a long time for you with the express intention to kill her so I could get at Lofbrah. And now that she is so close I can do nothing because you are using her to get at Lofbrah."

"Why is this a problem you will still be able to get Lofbrah."

"Yeah but killing her would hurt him more than my chain blade ever could. But now that you have her I will not be able to kill her."

Xiedie knew that this is what was bothering John, and truth be told she couldn't wait to sacrifice his ass to be the final Avatar. He would be so much easier to control as Sin.

"I'll tell you what John. If by some chance Xavier Lofbrah is able to get her back to her normal self and she chooses to once again to go with him over me, than yes you can kill her. But until than you will leave her to me."

John chose to leave it at that, he would just have to see how it turned out. However this was going nowhere good, and after he killed Lofbrah he was out, he had enough.

KILIKA

To be out right honest no one had known what to expect when they landed in Kilika. Thankfully "Tech" had been right and "Raine" now floated next to a dock. However as they slowly made their way through the village there was one thing that was nagging the hell out of every one. Where in the hell were all the people.

Kilika was a ghost town, nothing was moving. Everywhere they looked it was clear that John Onikage and his Mi'ihen had been here, and not too long ago at that. However even though there was nothing moving, there also weren't any dead bodies. It was like the entire village had just vanished.

"So who else is creeped out here?" Ava asked as she tried to find some sing of life.

"You know I actually expected Drew to ask that first." Drake said as he moved deeper yet into the village.

"I think it would be pointless to look in the village any further." Ashlin said as he too continued to look for anything useful.

"So where do we have yet to look?" Drew asked looking at the team.

"In there."

Everyone looked to where "Tech" was pointing. In front of them were the remains of the heavy wooden gate that kept the villagers safe from the monsters that inhabited the woods between the village and the temple. Everyone just looked at the demolished gate, every one wondering the same thing. "What could've done that?"

"So, does anyone else have a really bad feeling about this?"

Drake had expected that out of Drew, maybe even Ava, but not "Tech".

"Ashlin suit up we're heading in. That goes for everyone else, I want you ready for anything."

While everyone was getting ready Ashlin took that moment to pull Drake aside.

"What has Xavier told you about my past?"

"Nothing why?"

"Not to get into to many details, but I was under the control of some very evil people."

"I knew that much. You said so when we were in Vana'diel that you were under the control of Sephiroth."

"Yeah him as well as others, they controlled my mind. To this day I can still hear them inside of my head."

"What's your point Ashlin?"

"With this much energy flowing into me it will get progressively harder to resist their calling. If I lose control of myself there may be problems."

"Well we'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen."

As a team they walked through the demolished gate. What awaited them was nothing short of morbid. Bodies of both human and mob laid everywhere, and the smell was enough to turn anyone's stomach. Some ones stomach did turn.

"Ashlin while Drew finishes up with revisiting her lunch I need a path cleared. I don't want to deal with this."

Ashlin heaved a sigh, the dead should not be treated the way he was about to treat them. Ashlin reached into his pouch of holding and pulled out his arm bands. Carefully he put them on, and instantly felt the Mako flow into him at a higher rate.

"Finishing Technique, MAKO ESENCE!"

Almost instantly the woods in a straight line leading to the temple was leveled. In the next instant the debris was blown away. As soon as he was done Ashlin removed one of his arm bands.

"There the path is cleared, and the remaining mobs should leave us alone."

"Well I would think that it is safe to assume that we are too late, so everyone be ready for anything."

As one they started down the path Ashlin cleared. Everywhere they looked there was destruction, but it was hard to tell whether or not it was from Ashlin or from whatever had attacked the village.

They didn't have to wait long to figure it out. As they stepped on to the stairs of the temple they were confronted by Heartless and Nobodies.

"Well this explains a lot." Ashlin said pulling Kuroaki.

Ava unleashed a Firaga spell incinerating the small group of creatures.

"Not really, we knew that she was using these things now."

"I guess your right Ava. Learned a few tricks did we?"

"Yes, when Xavier told us to take care of anything we needed to I went and had Lulu teach me the higher end spells."

"Nice." "Tech" said pulling a Blitz ball from his pouch of holding and kicked it at a rampaging heartless stopping it dead in its tracks.

"Nice shot."

"Thanks Drew, I used to play pro."

"Whatever." Drew said putting neat holes in the heads of three more heartless.

Drake looked up the length of the stairs at the apparently never-ending barrage of Heartless and Nobodies.

"This will take too long, We need a better plan." Drake said taking to the air. He noticed that his back was starting to tingle.

"Great I wonder what I'll do this time."

Drake, and everyone else was so preoccupied that they didn't see the Nobody come up behind Drake and attack him. Drakes back was on fire, and without thinking he was in the air. As before his wraith wings tore themselves from his back. However instead of going higher or sending the magical energy to his throwing arm, it went to his lungs. His lungs burned with such intensity that he had to exhale, and when he did he expelled gout of fire that blanked the Heartless and Nobodies like napalm. With the last of the fire expelled Drakes wings folded up and disappeared. The ground was not forgiving when he landed.

Breathing deeply to calm himself Drake tried to stand up.

"Whoa now, take it easy big guy."

"Thanks "Tech", just give me a minute and I'll be fine." Drake said leaning heavily on the smaller man.

"So, dragon's fire?"

"Apparently Ava. I'm still trying to learn all the new stuff I can do now."

"I got a great Idea if anyone wants to hear it."

"And that would be Ash."

"Well since our leader has cleared us a path, I think we need to take advantage of it."

Apprehensively they took to the temple door, not sure of what might come flying out at them. The antechamber was all but destroyed. Statues lay in various states all over the place.

"Not to sound disrespectful, but do you think she has it out for the Avatars."

"What was your first clue, Ava?" "Tech" asked not too kindly, toeing a shattered statue head.

"Sorry gosh, bite my damn head off why don't you."

"Tech" stormed past her, making his way silently to the back of the temple.

"Ava, there's this little thing called tack, I want you to practice it while we are in the temples." Drake said standing beside Ava.

"I didn't mean to be disrespectful, he didn't need to be so pissy."

"These temples were a major part of his families heritage. This is almost a direct slap in the face, not only to him, but the entire populace of Spira."

Ava just watch silently as "Tech" started to clear away debris from a lift.

"If you want to get to the chamber of the Faith, we need to get this cleared." "Tech" said passively.

As a team they cleared the lift. As soon as the last bit was removed it started to move.

"So what can we expect down there "Tech"?" Ava asked as nicely as she could.

"Tech" gave her a long side-long glance before he answered.

"Fire, lots and lots of fire. Almost the entire antechamber will be filled with it, and if we have to do any of the cloister trials they will involve fire."

"I hope you know how to do these trials "Tech""

"Why Ava, afraid of a little heat."

Ava didn't have a chance to reply as the lift came to a stop. What awaited them was not fire. Everywhere they looked there was death and destruction. Temple guards and villagers laid everywhere. Flames that had burned for a millennia or more were now as still as the dead that choked the hall ways of the antechamber.

"I really don't like how quiet it is."

"There is a strong possibility that she has already left Drew."

The temple didn't get any better either the closer they got to the chamber of the faith.

"I got a hundred gill that says she ain't in there and we are walking into a trap."

No one was in a rush to take Avas bet; they knew it would be a losing one.

"Even if we are walking into a trap we need to spring it so that no one else does, that and the faith needs to be put to rest, again."

As a team they entered the Chamber of the Faith. It wasn't too hard since a very large hole had been blown into the wall where the ornate door should have been. What greeted them was not a weeping faith or a grossly mutated Ifrit. Instead there was just very deep shadows.

"So, uh where's the faith?" Ava asked.

"It's not here."

"Well no shit Drake we can see that, thank you captain obvious."

"Shut up Ava I need to think."

"By all means take your time "Fly boy" I know the act of thought is very painful for you. Good thing you've done it before or this could take a while."

"What did you just say?"

"That it hurts for you to think."

"No the other part you pompous bitch."

"What having done it before?"

"That's it! That's why she ain't here."

"Why?"

"When I took my summoners exam to get Ifrit, after we left the cave there was a terrible roar from the cave, we just thought it was Ifrit being pissed that we beat him so fast. I bet it was in all reality Xiedie taking his soul for her sick goal."

Instantly the room grew darker. From the now deeper shadows stepped two massive Dark-side Heartless and a Twilight-thorn Nobody.

"Yeah trap, walked right into that son-of-a-bitch. Just, poot trap. Yeah great leader I am."

"Won't hear any complaints on that one Drake."

"Ava, blow me."

Ava would have more than likely said another snide remark, more than likely something like having to find the body part in question. How ever the three monstrous titans were almost done forming, and a disembodied voice took that moment to speak.

"Very nicely done my son, you figured that out right away."

Every one stopped and looked at Drake.

"What? I know she ain't talking to me. My mother's a dragon."

"Actually child your mother was human, and your father was dragoon. Both were my faithful servants and received my gift to them with honor. That dragon killed them and raised you to be against me."

Instantly Drakes anger flared. He didn't know if what she had told him was true or not, but it was the most any one had ever talked about his past. It also explained all his studies on love, honor, and doing the right thing.

Every one watched as Drake stood there trembling in rage.

"Well I for one think I have heard enough." Ashlin said pulling on his armband.

"Since there isn't a Faith here to be saved lets just get rid of these uglies and move on to the next one."

Drakes back was on fire as he nodded his head in consent.

Every one charged.

"Do you really want to defy your mother?"

Drake took flight at the Twilight-thorn.

"I refuse to believe anything you tell me."

Drake wasn't even at the peak of his jump, and he buried his spear into the forehead of the Twilight-thorn. It was hardly affected by the attack, to prove this it swatted at Drake. Drake pulled his spear out and jumped up again just in time to avoid being hit.

"You can't ignore me forever."

ON THE GROUND

"You can't ignore us forever."

Ashlin danced away from a barrage of black lightening from the Twilight-thorn.

"I wouldn't count on that, the dead are easily ignored."

Ashlin spun at the Twilight-thorn bring Kuroaki into solid contact with its ankle. The Twilight-thorn shuddered and stepped back a step.

"Only one of us is dead."

Ashlin had to quickly spin, and duck under another set of lightning attacks. In the process he kicked the opened wound.

"Both of you will be dead again soon."

Ashlin rushed the wound again, all feet fists and sword. He didn't know if he was getting anywhere with the attack, but it kept back peddling.

DARK-SIDE ONE

"Tech" had chosen to go after the Dark-side on the right. He found the thing to be easier than expected, but it didn't matter entirely too much. This thing was the result of desiccating the temple, it would die. Quickly "Tech" dodged away from a lumbering swing of its massive arm. Just as quickly he rushed in and delivered a punch to its wrist.

The Dark-side immediately shot straight up clutching its writs in pain. Taking the open opportunity "Tech" rushed in and drop kicked its ankle bringing it to its knees in absolute pain. Seizing yet further opportunity "Tech" rushed the now exposed head.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, BLITZ RUSH!"

Tech was a blur of motion as every kick, and punch found its intended mark.

"FIGHTING SKILL, RISEING DRAGON WAVE!"

"Tech" caught the heartless right under the chin with a rising uppercut sending it into the air. Following the mob into the air he continued to punch and kick its face till they reached the apex of their mutual flight.

"LIMIT BREAK, DRAGON KICK!"

With all his might "Tech" flipped over and brought his energy filled feet down hard on the bridge of the Dark-sides nose. "Tech" landed heavily on his feet, the Dark-side vanished in a silent explosion of shadows.

"One down, one to go." "Tech" said retrieving his Blitz ball from his pouch of holding.

DARK-SIDE TWO

Ava would be damned if she was going to allow "Tech" defeat a Dark-side and she couldn't. However it seemed to take less damage from magical attacks than it did physical ones. That didn't stop her from trying though.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, FIRAGA FURY!"

The Dark-side went down hard but it still wasn't dead.

"Damn it all to hell."

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, TRIGGER HAPPY!"

The Dark-side took every hit like it was a fatal hit. Of which it was, the Dark-side imploded dispersing its shadow everywhere.

"Hey Ava, I bet the silver one is vulnerable to magic." Drew said pointing at the Twilight-thorn.

Drake and Ashlin were finding this out the hard way. It easily shook everything they threw at it. Drake pushed off the Twilight-thorns head. He felt the wraith wings tear from his back.

"Dragoon of the first order limit break, STEAL RAIN!"

For his efforts Drake was snatched out of the sky and hurled to the ground.

"LIMIT BREAK, MANA MELTDOWN!"

Ava started at the top of her magical list and hit the Twilight-thorn with everything on it till she reached the bottom of it.

With an ear-splitting scream the Twilight-thorn collapsed in upon itself, drowning the room in light.

"Well that certainly was an educational experience." Ava said leaning on her staff.

"Educational, the only thing we have learned is that Xiedie is one step further ahead of us and one of us is her son."

"Ashlin, one take an arm band off and two I don't ever want to hear that again." Drake said picking himself up off the ground.

"So, what do we do now?"

Everyone looked at Drake.

"We need to get in touch with Xavier."

DJOSE TEMPLE

They had landed the "Celsius" right in front of Djose temple in order to avoid any unnecessary confrontations with the Mi'ihen. When they had entered the temple they found it deserted. Honestly they had not expected anyone but temple guards to begin with. The followers of Yeven had abandoned it right after Sin-Jecht had been defeated. After that the Youth League had taken it over as there base of operations, till the Mi'ihen had chased them away. Now there was nothing.

The three members of team X-treme had made their way to the cloister trials. Xavier watched as the magical lightning that was ever-present in the temple was angrily dancing everywhere. Everywhere they weren't supposed to that was.

"Let me guess, those aren't right."

""Clip", when was the last time that you saw lightning in a temple?"

"The last time I saw it conjured, or just in it like this?"

"Like this."

"Well "Z" I have never seen it like this in a temple."

"This isn't normal, it is never this erratic."

"Clip" and "Z" both looked at Xavier questioningly.

"This temple is for the Avatar Ixion. I can't remember too much about his history, but he is a lightning based Avatar. But normally the currents follow a very specific path; you can see the path there on the ceiling clear as day. They all arced towards the center, there; it activated a lift to the second floor so that you can do the next test."

"Oh, okay where's the lift?"

Xavier stepped to the center of the room and looked up at the ceiling. With a shudder the center of the ceiling lowered to the floor.

"Yeah I just want to get on this thing."

"Clip" didn't have much choice as "Z" shoved him on to the lift. More than once all three of them thought that the lift was going to crash to the ground. However the next hall way was a bigger mess than the last one.

"So, what do we do now?"

"You know "Clip" I always thought you were rather intelegant."

"What's that supposed to mean "Z"?"

"You're just asking a lot of questions."

"And how would you suggest getting across the large hole in the floor that is filled with lightning?"

"Z" walked up to the hole judging the distance. Taking several paces back "Z" rushed at the hole. As she reached the edge of the hole she jumped, tucking herself into a ball to avoid the angry surge of lightning. Hitting the other side "Z" rolled with the landing. Apparently though she hadn't made it perfectly through the lightning, her hood was smoldering.

"Like that." "Z" said patting down her hood.

"Oh yeah because I can so make that jump." "Clip" said retrieving a small blue ball off the ground to throw at "Z".

Xavier stopped him though and took the ball from him. "Clip" watched as Xavier continued to search the floor.

"What are you looking for Xavier?"

"There should be another one of these here somewhere. "Z" is it over by you?"

"Z" took a minute to look around.

"Yeah I got it, here." "Z" said throwing the other ball at Xavier.

Xavier easily caught the ball. Turning around he found the small pedestal that they went into. Carefully he set the balls into the slots and pushed it to the edge of the hole. He wasn't sure if it would work the way it was supposed to or not because of the currants underneath. Xavier sighed as he set a foot on it and gave it a violent shove. It shakily wobbled in midair as it settled into place.

""Clip" you go first."

"Oh yeah make me go first."

"Yes, because if falls after you get off of it I can still make it across."

"Oh. Okay."

"Now don't putts around out there. Get on and get off."

"Clip" backed up a few steps and ran at the hole. With a leap he landed on the pedestal, it shuddered violently under "Clips" weight. "Clip" leapt again, and the pedestal went crashing down to the first floor. Xavier heaved a deep sigh as he took several long strides back. Xavier dashed at the hole. Half the distance to the hole the lightning flared out of control. Xavier altered his course slightly and jumped at the wall instead. Xavier hit the wall running. Almost immediately the lightning started hitting the wall where Xavier had been. He tried to avoid it as best he could, but there is only so much you can do while running on a wall. Xavier landed on the other side smoking.

"I think that you have taken the term smoker a little too far." "Clip said trying to make light of the situation.

Xavier dusted himself off and started walking to the Chamber of the Faith. Xavier looked in the hole in the wall that was easily twice the height of Xavier.

"Ten to one odds were late."

""Clip" I am so not taking that bet." "Z" said walking through the hole.

Xavier and "Clip" were quick on her heals.

"Um, "X" is that right?"

Xavier looked at what "Z" was pointing at.

"No "Z" we are too late, she got him." Xavier said looking at the monstrosity that was baying before them.

"I hope I don't have to tell you to keep clear of that horn right."

"Z" rushed the monstrous horse. "Clip" started casting any buff he could think of. Xavier did a few hand seals and made a half a dozen clones of him self, and rushed the monster.

"Come children of Odin, I will send you to the far plane."

"Oh fun, this one is happy to be back."

This didn't stop Xavier or "Z" from attacking. "Clip" took every chance he could to shoot at the possessed Avatar.

"I suppose this is a good time to ask if he is able to overdrive."

Xavier didn't know if it could or not, however one of his clones met its end by getting hit by Aero spark.

"FINAL ATTACK, SUGAR RUSH!"

Much like Drakes "Dragoon Dance" "Z" did every form she knew and every special ability she knew as well. However this angered the Avatar.

""Z" I don't know if or even how much damage you did, however you did piss it off."

Ixion rushed in among them thrashing its head from side to side. "Z" and "Clip" dodged aside as best they could. Xavier on the other hand tried to jump over the enraged avatar. Unfortunately for Xavier Ixion chose to rear his head catching his horn under one of the straps of Xavier's pack. Xavier was thrown around like a rag doll over and over again. Xavier was getting rather tired of being stabbed by this electrified horn. With a flick of his wrist he had a knife in hand and cut the straps from his shoulders. When he was finally lose Xavier swung himself up onto Ixions back. Doing the proper seals Xavier absorbed his remaining clones.

Xavier's body shuddered as he absorbed the clones. Reaching down he grabbed the rest of his straps and he gave a wrenching tug. Xavier swore he heard bones break. With all his might Xavier held the rogue Avatar down.

""Z" finish this thing off!"

It didn't take "Z" long to gather the dark energies.

"LIMIT-BREAK, NEO-BLACK-DEATH!"

Ixion screamed out as "Z" drove the black ball of death. They watched as the rogue Avatar collapsed in upon itself. Eventually all that was left was the Faith.

"You, ass holes! I'll get you."

""Clip" send him!"

Without question "Clip" pulled his gun on the Faith and sent it, in every direction.

"So what now?"

"We need to get moving. Xiedie is further ahead of us than we thought."

The three left the Faith to disperse into nothing ness.