Somewhere in the middle of the ocean, just past Fisherman’s Horizon and Timber, a small unmarked boat was making its way towards Trabia at a fairly steady pace. On the deck of the snow white craft stood Seifer and Irvine. Seated near them was Alex, who was trying to diven where the sorceress’ castle was located. Zell was leaning his head over the railing, going with the flow of sea sickness. Selphie and Laguna stood on either side of him, taking turns in rubbing his back. Squall and Rinoa stood at the bow of the ship, reenacting a scene out of Titanic. Quistis was in the wheel house with Cid, discussing their plans of attack.
     “Have you found it yet?” Seifer asked as he paced back and forth.
     “If you keep interrupting me I’ll never find it,” Alex growled through clenched teeth. He took a deep breath, exhaling all of his anger as he centered himself once again. ‘Spirits of air heed my command, search high and low across the land. Ariel Eyes!’
 In his mind a map of Trabia and the northern continent unfolded, several blinking spots appearing on the map. Names appeared on the map, all blinking in sequence with the spots. The map turned three dimensional a moment later, spiraling and shifting as more was added. A large dark circle formed on the southern coast of the map, a blinking question mark forming above it.
     ‘That must be our destination,’ he thought as he locked the map into long term memory moments before the spell ended. He opened his eyes and shattered the silence by saying, “I know the location of the sorceress’ castle!”
     “What?!” Seifer said, diving at Alex, who flipped from his perch and landed in a crouch, his jacket in one hand, his boots in the other.
     “I said I found where the sorceress is hiding out,” Alex replied as he slipped his jacket on. “And we gotta go and find it ourselves.”
     “Did you say something about finding the castle?” Selphie said as she passed by. Alex and Seifer both froze where they sat, since they didn’t want anybody else to know. Selphie took note of how they reacted, giggled, and bounced off to tell Zell and Squall.
     “Dude, we are so screwed,” Seifer said after a moment. Alex slowly nodded a response.
     “Guys, let’s go aerial,” Irvine said as he pulled his jacket on, checking that his weapon was where he left it and that he had a good supply of ammo.
     “Doesn’t Laguna always know how to cast Ray Wing?” Alex asked as he finished tying his boots.
     “Yeah, but five gets you ten that he forgets half of the words,” Seifer said as he tugged his own jacket on.
     As the trio were finishing their preparations Laguna and Squall approached. With them were Rinoa and Selphie, who were giggling insanely about some inside joke or another.
     “Are you going to share the information with us?” Squall asked as they approached.
     “What information?” Alex asked nonchalantly.
     “The location of the sorceress’ castle, of course,” Laguna said, “Selphie heard you say that you found it.”
     “Well, I did, but the location is a secret,” Alex said, giving a very Xellos like smile. As he said that a circle of energy formed beneath the trio, which quickly surrounded them in a column of light. Alex gave a victory sign moments before the three within the column vanished with the column going with it. Those who saw the entire event blinked a couple of times in awe, nobody uttering a word.
 After several awkward seconds of silence Laguna said, “Did what just happened... really happen?”
     “You mean three of our SeeDs vanishing in a column of light?” Rinoa asked. Laguna and Squall nodded in unison. “Then I guess that happened.”
     “Where did they go?” Squall asked.
     “No idea, but when we reach Trabia my friend Jessica could probably help us to find them,” Selphie said energetically.
     “We need to find Trabia first.”

     ‘I’ve never considered the belching through time and space which I call phasing to be fun... more of a headache to be honest, but there are times that I’m actually thankful for this ability. Also the lights are beautiful to look at.’
     ‘True about the lights, but also true about the headache... it feels like mine’s about to burst.’
     ‘We’ll be emerging in a matter of seconds, so look for the light at the end of the tunnel. Look, there it is!’
     A pocket formed in the fabric of time and space, and from that burst a bubble containing Alex, Seifer, and Irvine. The bubble hovered for a moment before beginning a rapid descent, coming to a gentle stop on the ground before bursting and depositing the three in a heap.
     “We made it,” Irvine said, kissing the ground, “I’m so happy we made it.”
     “Hey, save some of those passionate kisses for us,” Seifer grumbled as he rubbed his temples.
     “Guys, take a look at where we are,” Alex said as he began to stretch the assorted kinks and knots out of his body. Seifer and Irvine looked up to see the sky as black as night, lightning playing through the clouds in chains. Before them stood a castle of immense proportions, a large population of demi - humans and other monsters surrounding it.
     “You brought us to the castle,” Seifer said in shock, “how did you manage that?”
     “A little talent of mine,” Alex said, smiling, “I got us here, but now we need to go and kick some butt and save Sylphiel.”
     “Then onward to destiny,” Irvine said as he drew his shotgun from his jacket. He checked to make sure all was in working order before saying, “Let’s go!”
     “All right!” Alex cried as he produced his glaive, “Let’s get going!”
     “I thought we needed a plan,” Seifer sighed as he drew his gunblade from his jacket. Irvine and Alex halted motion before turning back to him.
     “A plan would be wonderfully helpful,” Alex and Irvine said in unison, giving Seifer loving looks.
     Seifer sighed and plunked down on the ground, digging the blade of his weapon into the ground. “We’re back to square one.”
     “We’ll think of something,” Alex said as he knelt down behind Seifer to give him a shoulder rub, “we just have to.”

     “Food! Glorious, wonderful, delicious food!!”
     “This is the best food I’ve tasted recently.”
     “This is the only food you’ve tasted, yogurt brain. Hey Amelia, save some of that meat for me!”
     “Miss Lina, you have quite enough food on your plate already, so leave Amelia alone.”
     “You stay out of this Celia! I’ll have you know...”
     Lina was silenced by two pork buns being stuffed into her mouth, one by Zelgadis, the other by Gourry. She chewed these slowly, muttering a mix of oaths and praises to the chef. The others at the table sighed, sweat drops forming on their heads.
     “We’re doomed if she’s not comfortable,” Mackenzie sighed.
     “I hear you bro.,” Nick sighed, “this is going to be tough.”
     As they ate, a middle aged woman approached the table. She was dressed in a flowing violet gown, her dark hair that was silver streaked pulled back behind her with a silver hair clip.
     “Are you looking for a guide?” she asked, startling those she had come up behind.
     “And who are you?” Lina asked through a mouthful of food. Her companions sighed at her incredible lack of manners. Lina blushed, finished her mouthful, and repeated her question.
     “I am called Edea, and I can guide you to where you want to go,” the woman said.
     “Great,” Nick sighed, “we don’t even know where we’re going.”
     “Alex’s signature is near Sylphiel’s,” Zelgadis replied, taking a bite of food from his hot pot. The others stared at him.
     “And how do you know that?” Lina asked, giving Zel a death stare.
     “I’ve been keeping track of their power signatures,” the chimera replied, taking a sip of his coffee.
     “If we had a map could you locate it?” Nick asked.
     “To a degree. I can find the area, but I can’t pinpoint it.”
     Edea produced a map and unrolled it, setting it before Zelgadis. Zel looked at the map, consulting where they were with where the others were. When Edea saw the rough area she said, “That’s near Trabia Garden, one of the schools I helped to set up.”
     “How long will it take us to get there?” Nick asked.
     “With a fast boat, most of a day,” Edea replied, “and I can find you one quite easily.”
     “Great,” Amelia said cheerfully.
     “But I must warn you it’s incredibly cold up there, so you will want proper clothing.”
     “No problem,” Celia said, “I can warp home and grab our gear.”
     “I’ll be fine as is,” Lina said as she recommenced eating. The others sighed again.
     “I’ll be awaiting you once you finish your meal,” Edea said as she wandered off. Once she was out of their sight she sighed, holding her hand to her forehead. “Oh Cid, what have I gotten myself into now?”

     A couple of hours later Lina and her companions left the restaurant, finding Edea standing outside waiting for them.
     “About time you finished eating,” she sighed, “what took you so long?”
     “Lina needed to have a few more courses,” Nick explained, “then she wanted dessert.”
     “Hey,” Lina said, “you’re making me sound like a pig of some sort. I’m a growing girl, and I need a lot of energy to keep going.”
     “I’m withholding my comment,” Gourry whispered to Zelgadis, who sighed.
     “I heard that yogurt brain,” Lina grumbled as she got Gourry into a headlock, “and I want to know what your comment was!”
     “Never mind,” Zelgadis said as he untied Lina from Gourry’s neck, “we need to go and find the others.”
     “The boat is ready for you,” Edea said, “if you’ll follow me.”
     “Just point the direction and we’ll fly you there,” Amelia said as she cast a Ray Wing around the group. Edea looked a little surprised for a moment before pointing the direction.
     “And away we go,” Mackenzie said as the bubble took off at break - neck speed.
     After several breathless moments Edea said, “The port is down there. Our ship is the black one with purple markings, on the far pier.”
     “We’re going in for a landing,” Amelia said as the bubble descended toward the appointed ship. They landed on the deck a moment later, the bubble popping to deposit them.
     “Karna! Anessa! We’re here and ready to take off,” Edea called. A young man with jet black hair and ice blue eyes appeared, standing beside him was a young woman with dark blue hair and sea green eyes.
     “You called Madam Edea,” the young man said.
     “Are you prepared to shove off Karna?” Edea asked, indicating the young man.
     “Yes, Madam Edea, we’re ready,” the woman, Anessa, answered.
     “Then take us out.”
     “Yes ma’am,” both said, saluting before running off to the wheel house. The roar of engines filled the air, and a moment later the boat reversed direction, pulling away from the dock. They turned out to sea, the engines roaring once again as they headed out to open water.
     “This boat is moving far too slow,” Lina said as she leaned on the railing, “we’re in a hurry and we’re not getting anywhere.”
     “Well Miss Lina, there’s always flying there,” Amelia said as she leaned on her folded arms, the breeze blowing her hair about.
     “Amelia, you just gave me a great idea!”
     “Here we go again,” Zelgadis sighed as Lina ran off to find Edea. A moment later the engines began to slow down and a mast with several large sails extended from the center of the ship. As the sails unfurled Lina returned to the group and said, “Amelia, Zelgadis, I could use your help.”
     “You didn’t?” Zelgadis said. Lina smiled and nodded, “Oh boy.”
     “You mean we’re...” Amelia began to say. Lina smiled wider and nodded even more. “Well, if it’s in the name of justice, then so be it.”
     The three stood behind the sails, held their palms so that they were facing the sails, and in unison they called out, “Bom Di Wind! Bom Di Wind! Bom Di Wind!”
     A gale force wind captured the sail and propelled them forward at break - neck speed. Celia, Nick, and Mackenzie were nearly thrown from their feet, and Gourry wound up on his butt. Celia managed to pull herself to the front of the boat in time to see a large bridge coming at them.
     “Amelia, cast a Levitation spell on me,” she cried.
     “All right,” Amelia said, moving her aim to the vampyress, “Levitation!”
     Celia absorbed the spell, amplified it in her body, and cast it around the boat. Their craft quickly lifted from the water, barely missing the bridge by scant inches before they descended back into the water, still moving at high speed.
     “Way to go Celia!” Mackenzie cried.
     “The girl is amazing!" Nick exclaimed.
     Edea approached from the boat house, her hair a little out of place, her balance shot. She took hold of the railing with an iron grip and said, “You guys just took half a day off of our trip with that little stunt.”
     “Are we going the right way?” Lina asked, turning her head from the sail for a moment.
     “Karna and Anessa are handling the steering. You guys just handle the propulsion. With this speed we should be there shortly, and by jumping the bridge we don’t need to go around the long way.”
     “And according to my calculations we’ll be there in the hour,” Zelgadis said.
     “Which gives me time to teleport home to get our gear,” Celia said. she handed a blinking pager like device to Nick before vanishing in a puff of crimson smoke. She reappeared a moment later, laden with ski parkas, heavy cloaks, and other means of winter warmth.
     “Get your heavy weather gear here,” she said as the air suddenly took on a wintry chill. Everyone except for Lina scrambled for cloaks, jackets, sweaters, etc. until she was left with her own magenta ski parka, which she quickly threw on and zipped closed.
     “Just how far are we from the port now?” Mackenzie asked several minutes later.
     “It’s just barely coming into view right now,” Karna called from the wheel house. Lina, Mackenzie, and Amelia scrambled to the bow of the ship, all gazing anxiously ahead. Into their view came a small harbor with several small docks and a couple of larger ones. A small harbor town existed behind the docks, and several people could be seen going about their daily business.
     “Should we begin breaking procedures?” Zelgadis asked since he was the last one using magic to propel the ship.
     “We’ll use the engines to pull into port,” Edea called to him, “you’ve all done a wonderful job.”
     Zelgadis ceased his spell casting, collapsing to the deck in an awkward cross legged position. The engines roared to life a moment later, and Anessa brought him a steaming mug of soup, which he anxiously drank down to restore some of his strength.
     “We’ll be in port in a matter of minutes,” Anessa said as she took a seat next to Zel.
     “You from around these parts?” Zel asked.
     “Nope. Karna and I are from Balamb, which was where you left from.”
     “And we’re going to...”
     “Trabia. That’s the name of the town we’ll be arriving in. Once we land, Mistress Edea will give you direction on how to reach Trabia Garden, where they can help you find those you seek.”
     “Thank you,” Zelgadis said, nodding his gratitude, “thank you for all you and Karna and Madam Edea have done.”

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