Growth of Power

The last, and in my opnion greatest Ace story to date. This story is going to be helluva long. I plan for a total of twnety chapters, making it over twice as large as the first one (which was nine). While some of the chapters (e.g. number three) camn be dry, this story also has some great ones. Number eleven is a personal favourite of mine, where friendly rivals Yuno Imzadi and Ace Strife fight each other. Ace will also learn more about his past as this story goes on. There are other aspects that will happen later on in this story, especally after chapter fifteen.

Chapter 1 - The Prophecy

Two years ago.

"I’m late I’M LATE!" muttered Ace, as he flew back to college. "Fighting monsters between classes is not a good thing. I should have taken Janine’s advice and not bothered to!"

Ace Strife, a man thought dead, was actually alive. The beings who gave and supplied him with his power were able to revive him after the man’s Ill-fated battle with Sephiroth. Ace wasn’t meant to die then. However, a clone calling himself Ace Strife was on the loose. The watchers decided to use a power called "Energy Shell", which uses holy energy to disguise a person as another. Everything about him is changed to look, talk and act like another person. Ace was disguised as a man called Reilly, but he wasn’t given any of his previous memories of being Ace Strife. As Reilly, he joined a small college in Midgar where he met four people - Geg, Arthur, Janine and Felicia. Reilly also became a masked fighter called the Black Ninja. What Reilly didn’t realise, was that he was using Ace’s fighting skills and techniques. Ace received some training with Lord Godo of Wutai, before he was captured by Shinra. He was then trained as an elite fighter at Shinra, becoming one of the world’s strongest fighters. Ace Strife was also the current Chosen One when he died. Ace was chosen at birth to carry the greatest power on earth, and to fight for all that was good and pure. Because Reilly was Ace, he also had the ability to do this, but these powers didn’t appear straight away. Now Reilly was in the second year of college. Felicia had left the college for personal reasons. She rarely spoke to the other members of the group, and seemed to keep secretive. Also, Reilly had begun to date Janine. Janine had taken a liking to Reilly since the day she met him. She still loved him when he revealed that he was the Black Ninja, the Chosen One and Ace Strife.

Ace hovered in front of his college room window, banging his fists on it with frenzy. Being the Chosen One, he had exceptional strength and because glass to him was as fragile as paper, he had to be careful.

"GEG! ARTHUR! Hurry up you two before people start looking out of the window at me!" he cried in to his roommates.

"Ace sure is taking his sweet time, ain’t he?" said a lounging Geg to Arthur.

"How the hell am I meant to know? Do you hear something at the window Geg? You did remember to leave it open, didn’t you?" questioned Arthur.

"Uh… I… uh…" Geg paused. "Shit! I forgot" he cried out.

Geg got up, and ran towards the window. He quickly opened it, to find Ace hovering in the air, the wind blowing his jacket like a cape. Ace just floated there with his arms folded and a "what-the-hell-took-you-so-bloody-long?" expression on his face.

"Uh….. sorry Ace. I completely forgot." stuttered Geg.

Ace just hovered in.

"I have to meet four people in what…" He looks at his watch "Five minutes so I can do my project, which is needed tomorrow. I said I’ll be back at half past the hour, and I was! That was five minutes ago! And another thing…."
A voice could be heard through the door.

"Reilly are you in there?" came a sweet, smooth female voice through the door.

"Huba HUBA! Ace, you gota let me meet her!" said Geg
"Not now Geg." Ace’s voice had a sharp edge to it.

Ace placed his hands in front of his face, and began to charge energy, then he fired. The energy spread from his face down his entire body, creating a shell. It then fused onto his skin, creating Reilly.

"I’ll catch you guys later." said Reilly, as he ran out the door.

"That wasn’t too bad. Last time, they came in just before he changed. Ace had to run into the bathroom, and pretend he was going for a shit! That was so funny." laughed Geg.

"True, but you didn’t need to say "Ace is going for a shit." to them when it happened. I could have sworn one of them gagged." replied Arthur.

They both just looked at each other and laughed.

On the right hand side of the dorm was a door leading into the next dorm. There lived Janine. The door creaked open, and Janine soon waked into the dorm. She looked around, then stared at Geg and Arthur.

"Where’s Reilly?" she questioned.

"He just went off to do some group course work. I don’t know when he’ll be back." replied Arthur.

"Oh. Ok. It’s just, I could have sworn I just heard him outside." she said.

"Yeah. Geg forgot to leave the window open for him." said Arthur.

Janine walked into the room, and slapped Geg on his right arm.

"OW! Why did you do that Janine?" he asked.

"How could you close the window, and leave my poor Reilly floating out in the sky?! Though I disagree, he was fighting to make Midgar a safer place and you don’t even leave the window open for him!" she said, with an angry tonne in her voice. Arthur just stood there and laughed as Janine kept beating Geg on the arm.

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop that! Ow! Ow! Ow! I said stop that! Ow! Ow! Please stop it Janine! OW!"

Present time

Three years have passed since Ace became Reilly and revealed his identity to his friends and AVALANCHE. Ace and Yuno both joined AVALANCHE a few weeks before it dissolved. Janine, Geg and Arthur often gave them support from the Highwind, but they had other jobs so they were never full members. Because there was no major threat, AVALANCHE dissolved. The group kept in close contact but otherwise there was no activity from AVALANCHE. Occasionally, the media would mention them with rumours like:
"Red XIII ate my dog."

"I’m carrying Vincent’s child."

"Cid crashed the Highwind into my house."

but it was nothing major.

Meanwhile, two teenagers were running down a dark alleyway in Midgar. Behind them was a group of seven people. The chasers didn’t know why they were chasing the couple, but it was their orders. The male was called Jeremy. He had red hair, blue eyes and was wearing blue jeans and a black shirt. Sujen was his girlfriend. She had dark brown eyes and black hair. She was wearing blue jeans and a dark blue tank top. They continued to run, splashing through puddles, jumping over fallen garbage cans, anything to escape their stalkers. Finally, they stopped at a dead end.

"Were trapped!" cried Jeremy

"What are we going to do?" replied Sujen

All the while, a man had been running through the shadows. He kept out of sight of the stalkers, but watched them like a hawk. He watched the stalkers corner the couple, as he slowly climbed a building's fire escape ladder. The leader crept towards Sujen and Jeremy. Jeremy held Sujen close, in an attempt to protect her. The leader just laughed and pointed his gun at the couple.

"Good bye...." the man sneered.

Then, from the building the man from the shadows jumped down. He spun in the air, and landed feet first onto the gunman's arms, breaking them. The gun fell from the gunman's hand, and the man from the shadows landed in front of Sujen and Jeremy. The light shone on his face, to reveal Ace Strife. Sujen gasped, grabbed Jeremy’s arm and shook it like mad.

"Oh my god! Oh my god! Oh my god! It’s Ace Strife." she cried.

"Uh… yeah Sujen. I suggest we don’t distract him." replied Jeremy.

One of the six remaining stalkers drew a long knife and lunged at Ace. Ace just stood there, then at the last split second before the knife struck him he grabbed the attacker’s arm and twisted it, causing the man to drop the knife. Ace then put him into an arm lock, and kicked the body into a nearby wall. Before the others could attack, Ace grabbed Sujen and Jeremy around the waste and jumped onto the flat roof of a two story building.

"If I were you, I’d wait here. I don’t want civilians getting hurt in my fights." he added before jumping back down.

"But…. but…. but….." cried Sujen, but it was pointless. Ace had jumped back down and continued to fight. He landed lightly on his feet, then raised and crossed his hands in front of his face, before swinging them backwards. The force threw his jacket back, revealing two scabbards on his hips, holding Melmusa and Masamune. He placed his right hand on Melmusa’s handle and his left on Masamune, drew the swords and held them in a casual fashion, staring down the competition. One of them took one look at Ace, and ran down an alleyway. There was a sound of a man kicking another, and soon the run-away stalker ended up crashing into trash cans. Yuno Imzadi stepped out of the allyway.

"Trying to go into a fight without me Tameto?" He said, chuckling to himself

"Oh my God! It’s Imzadi! The greatest fighter in the world!" cried one of the stalkers.

Ace and Yuno then launched themselves at their enemies, and soon had beaten them. Ace jumped back up the building to retrieve Sujen and Jeremy while Yuno interrogated one of the men.

"Who sent you?" Yuno asked.

"I….. I…. I don’t know. Only our boss knows." Replied the injured man.

Yuno picked up Alator, and aimed one of the blades over the man’s head.
"Are you telling the truth?"

I-I’m tellin the truth Mr. Imzadi.. honestly, we don’t even know why we’re chasin the couple."

Urine could be seen trickling from the man’s trousers.

"All right, which one is your boss?"

"The one with the broken arms. Please don’t kill me." he pleaded.

"I won’t." Yuno replied as he let the man drop. He then walked over to the leader. He had black hair and dark blue eyes. He was dressed in a scruffy white T-shirt and blue jeans. Yuno picked him up, and began to shake him for answers. When he said nothing, Yuno threatened him with Alator.

Meanwhile, Ace had managed to get Sujen and Jeremy down from the building.

"I don’t know why these men targeted you two." said Ace.

Just then, Yuno ran towards them.

"Tameto, I found out why they targeted them." he said. Blood was dripping from Alator.

"You didn’t kill him did you Yuno?" questioned Ace

"What? No. I just stabbed him in the arm. He should be ok in a month or two. Anyway, it has nothing to do with you two, it has something to do with Tameto."

"Then why were they chasing us?" asked Jeremy.

"Well, an old, uhh, "friend" of Tameto’s wanted to lure him into a fight. That’s all I know. You two should run off home. I doubt they would attack you again." said Yuno.

And so, the couple ran off into the night. Ace and Yuno kept an eye on them until they were out of distance, then Ace turned to Yuno.

"Who sent them?"

"Don."

Atop a roof, a man slowly crawled backwards, holding a video camera. He quickly leant his back towards a chimney, and watched Ace and Yuno walk away.

"That was close. Too close. I have to deliver this to Don now." He said as he crept towards the ladder.

Since finishing college, Ace had no proper home. Geg, Arthur and Janine had homes and families to go to. Ace spent almost a year roaming the planet, and had little contact with AVALANCHE. After about eleven months, he heard Cloud and Tifa had opened a bar in Nibelheim. So, he went to Nibelheim, to see if he could rent a room at their house. When he arrived, he learnt that they had taken the old Shinra Mansion and changed it into a bar and restaurant on the ground floor and used the upper levels to sleep. When Ace arrived they were more than happy to rent him a room, as long as he helped work in the bar. Ace agreed, and he’s been living there and helping in the bar since then.

The PHS rang. Ace wondered over to it and picked it up.

"Hello?" he asked down the PSH.

"Red speaking. I have something to tell you. It’s important. In thirty days, the Dark Lord will rise." said Red.

"Who?"

"The Dark Lord. He is the one responsible for the Dark Ones. Since the second Great Chosen One, he has risen after two people, chosen by fate to wield the Dark powers were killed."

"Oh shit."

"Each of the Four Great Chosen Ones had managed to create a new level after one had defeated the Dark Lord. However, the Dark Lord is capable of mimicking these skills. Ace, you need to come to Cosmo Canyon to learn how to reach the fourth level. It’s the only way you can beat him."

"Right. I’ll head for Cosmo Canyon now!" said Ace as he hung up the PHS. He then ran out the doors and flew into the sky. As he flew, he sensed a large amount of energy on the outskirts of Cosmo Canyon. He lowered himself to the ground and began to explore. He saw a man dressed in black armour. He wore everything, except a helmet. Also, from his back draped a long, black cape.

"He looks like some kind of noble man." Ace whispered to himself. "I wonder what he’s doing here and why he’s dressed like that?"

Ace walked towards the man. As he got closer, he noticed the noble man’s hair was black and was long enough to rest on his shoulders. The noble man had his back to Ace when Ace finally reached him.

"Excuse me sir, but do you need help?" asked Ace.

The noble man turned to face Ace. He had dark eyes. They seemed almost black. He spoke in a booming voice.

"I wish to see the "Chosen One". Does thou know where he is?" he asked

"The Chosen One? Why do you want to know?" replied Ace.

"That should not be of your concern mortal. Now, tell me where I can find him, if thou knows his location." he replied with a snap.

Ace just stood there in silence.

"If thou does not tell me soon, I will have it on you." His eyebrows were beginning to lower.

"I am the Chosen One."

"Really? This shall be wonderful. I am the one known as the Dark Lord. I have come from Hell to fight you." replied the Dark Lord. Two leathery bat wings emerged from his back.

"Whooo! But I was told I had thirty days! Why are you here?"

The Dark Lord grinned. "I casted a spell. It is temporary, yet sufficient enough to allow me to cause thou some trouble."

With that, Ace’s hair turned white, stood on its ends, then grew down his back.

"Ahh, so you know the skills of the Third Great Bastard. I know that of the Fourth!" Said the Dark Lord.

Ace lunged at the Dark Lord, in an attempt to punch him. The Dark Lord just dodged the attack, raised his hands and fired. The attack struck Ace, causing him to be thrown several feet away from him. The Dark Lord lowered his hand and walked over to Ace’s fallen body.

"This isn’t the same attack thou or my Dark Ones uses. This is a spell, a spell to strip you of you’re powers!" cried the Dark Lord.

Before Ace managed to stand up, bolts of lightning came from the Dark Lord’s hands, encasing Ace’s body and lifting him above the ground. Slowly, Ace’s hair began to shrink. When it reached its normal size, the Dark Lord spoke.

"You no longer possess the skills of the Third Great Bastard. Soon you shall posses none of his skills." He laughed as he spoke. Ace just screamed from the attending pain. Everything he worked towards was vanishing in front of his very eyes. Soon he was left with nothing, and the Dark Lord let him fall. He began to kick him as he lay on the ground. Soon, it began to rain, but the Dark Lord didn’t stop his furious attack. Ace lay there, beaten, blood pouring from the wounds and into the flowing rain. Soon, the man had gone unconscious. His neck slightly rolled to one side, exposing a birthmark.

"What’s this?" said the Dark Lord, leaning closer to Ace’s neck. "It looks like an angel wing, just like…… his…… So, he is the Perfect One, the greatest of all the Chosen Ones. I expected more of a fight."

A portal opened behind him. The Dark Lord spat on Ace, then jumped in. Ace’s blood mixed with the rain, and flowed down the cliffs of Cosmo Canyon.

Chapter 2 - It Begins

"This is truly interesting, is it not? Our Perfect One, the one who could well stop the Dark Lord has been beaten to within an inch of his life." Said a man with long, white hair. He was standing over a well, or at least something which resembled a well. Down in it was the planet. The walls were made of white stone blocks and three other men and a woman accompanied the man.

"Indeed it is Third Great One. We shall see if he shall triumph or fail. Will he learn of the True Way, the proper way to learn his full potential? Or will he just lie there broken, beaten and bleeding. Only time will tell." The speaker had no physical changes to him. One of the other men had spiky, white hair. The other man and the woman stood in the shadows.

"I hope our Perfect One learns how to return to full strength and advance. I shall go to my lair in anticipation of him. I just pray he learns of us." Said the man with no physical changes. He was known as the First Great One.
"God speed." The others said as the First Great One jumped down the well like object.

Two years ago.

A tall, well built man chased a young, beautiful woman down an ally way, with the intention to rape her. She pleaded to him to leave her alone, but alas it was in vane.

"Relax missy. It won’t last to long." He said with a grin on his face as he finally cornered her. He had dark hair, blue eyes, jeans and a white vest. The woman had long, brown hair, hazel eyes, a red shirt and a black mini skirt.

"I suggest you leave her alone, unless you want to taste my blade." Said a voice behind. The man turned around, and saw Geg pointing a Broad Sword at him. Arthur also stood there with a bo staff. Above them on top of a building stood Ace Strife, watching the up coming fight.

"And what the hell do a pair of punks like you plan to do?" Asked the man

"Beat the shit outa ya, that’s what!" Replied Geg.

Before anything else could be said, Arthur leapt forward, held his bo staff behind his back and swung it onto the man’s head. He then quickly swung it up into the man’s jaw and finally quickly swept him off his feet. The man look at Arthur, blood pouring from his nose and mouth, as Arthur span the staff above his head, then lowered it into a guard. The man scrabbled to his feet and ran out of the ally way

"You OK miss?" Said Arthur. He held his bo staff in his left hand, and lowered his right to help the woman up. She took his hand, got up and wrapper her arms around his neck, kissing him.

"Thank you for saving me. How can I ever repay you? I know." She pulled a pen and a small bit of paper from her pocket. She wrote down a number, and passed it to Arthur. "Call me some time." She said, and then she ran off. Ace leapt down from the building top, and landed with grace, not making a single sound.
"Well done you two. Your training is paying off." He complemented.

"Yeah, but Arthur got the girl. I wanted the girl!" Cried Geg. Arthur just grinned.

"The bo staff is an excellent weapon Geg, and it can’t kill your enemy in the same way a sword can. You chose the sword." He replied.

"Fine, I’ll use nunchuks. I know, let me have the one’s you use." Geg asked.

"NEVER! These were given to me by Lord Godo himself." Shouted Ace.

"But you never use them." Geg replied.

"I am sorry, but these are valuable to me. True, Melmusa and Masamune are stronger but still, the weapons I received in Wutai are valuable to me.

Ace thought about this memory, as he lay there, beaten, bleeding. He felt the rain fall on him and wash his blood away. He had finally awakened from his beating. The Dark Lord, the being of pure darkness and evil, the one thing that could destroy the world rose up to fight Ace. Worse still, he used magic to remove Ace’s powers. He could no longer reach the second or third level of the Chosen One power, and even the first level felt weak. Be he couldn’t move. He lay there, broken and beaten.

"Ah crap! I was gona meet up with Geg, Arthur and Janine today. Damn it!"

The PHS rang. Cloud walked over to it, and answered it.

"Hello?"

"So you know where Ace is?" Asked Red XIII.

"No." Replied Cloud. "Why do you ask?"

"I asked him to come over to Cosmo Canyon, because I discovered something. I did this about half an hour ago." Red replied.

"Hmm. He’d keep his word, but then he was planning to visit his friends. I’ll call them and see if he’s there." Said Cloud. He hung up, then dialled Geg’s number.

"Hello?" Asked Geg.

"Geg. Is Ace there?" Asked Cloud.

"Why do you ask?" Geg replied.

"We need to know." Said Cloud.

"No." Geg replied.
"Oh….. Thanks." Said Cloud

He hung up, then re-dialled the number for Cosmo Canyon.

"Well?" Asked Red XIII.
"He isn’t there. I’ll contact Cid, get the Highwind and fly over." Said Cloud as he hung up. He called Tifa, and the two ran to the door. They opened it, and there stood Yuno Imzadi.

"Where is Tameto?" He asked.

"That’s what we’d like to know." Replied Cloud

"I see. I shall come with you. I wish to fight Tameto." Said Yuno.

A few hours passed. Ace was still lying there. For the past few hours, he lay there, with his eyes closed, sleeping, day dreaming, whatever he could to escape the grim reality. He dared not move, fearing the reaper would claim his soul if he so much as flexed a muscle. Most of the wounds had sealed up, but a few more were open, with blood running down.

"As I walk through the valley of death…. That basterd! If I ever see him again… Like I can kill him. He stripped me of my powers. I’m nothing now, nothing."

Ace had been bleeding for quite some time now. Though it had stopped raining, some of the blood was still slowly flowing down the edges of the cliffs of Cosmo Canyon. The Highwind is unable to land anywhere near Cosmo Canyon itself, so Cid landed the plan and Cloud, Cid, Tifa and Yuno began there climb up the canyon. They had searched everywhere on the island except the canyon but saw no sign of Ace. As they climbed towards Cosmo Canyon, Cid glanced down and saw some blood and water slowly flow down the cliffs. He pointed it out to the others and they began to follow the trail.

"F*****g hell! What happened to you Ace?" Cried Cid.

"Cid?" Ace asked, weakly.

Cid glanced over him, the tip cigarette glowing red. He looked up, and gestured the rest over.

"What the hell happened here Ace?" Asked Cloud

"I got the shit beaten out of me." He replied.

Cloud and Yuno carried Ace to Cosmo Canyon. Ace was placed on a table in the canyon while Red made his way towards his team mates.

"Ace, what happened to you?" Red asked.

"He called himself the Dark Lord." Said Ace.

"The Dark Lord…. Are you sure?" Red questioned.

Ace described what happened when he fought the Dark Lord, the whole time, Cloud was casting Cure magic on Ace.. When he finished, Red glanced down briefly at Ace’s right arm. The fight had destroyed much of his jacket. There on his right arm was a birth mark, shaped like an angel’s wing.

"That mark. Ace, did the Dark Lord say anything about "The Perfect One"?" He asked.

"Yeah. He called me the Perfect One." He said.

Ace sat up. He had been cured but he was no where near his full strength, or at least if you compare it with the strength he woke up with.

"Is there any way I can get my powers back?"

"One. Four warriors, refereed to as "The Four Great Ones" formed the power of the Chosen One. Each of them had created one of them created one of the four levels a chosen one can reach."

"So you’re telling me to become a great one, a Gifted One must create a new level?" Question Yuno.

"No, no no. To become a Great One, yes you must discover a new level but you must also defeat the Dark Lord. Few are capable of doing it for the Dark Lord has set many challenges to beat the Chosen Ones. The first two Great Ones were mages. When both of them died - there was a thousand year gap by the way, a spell was casted. There abilities were then turned into a level future Chosen Ones could reach. However, the Dark Lord found a way of copying this spell, allowing himself and his Dark Ones to reach the same levels as there holy counterparts."

"I see. So what has this got to do with Tameto?" Asked Yuno

"I once read that it is possible for a Chosen One to reach the full extent of his or her powers by training with a Great One. All Ace has to do is track down each one, one at a time." Said Red

"Will it be that easy?" Asked Cloud

"I’m afraid not. Even if he still had all of his powers, finding a Great One is like finding a needle in a haystack the size of Midgar. He won’t be able to sense any of them." Said Red.

"Hang on, Ace used to be able to reach level three. Surely he’d be able to sense them if he still had his powers. He would even be able to beat them, wouldn’t he? Piped up Tifa.

"No. The abilities he could reach barley even scratched the surface of a Chosen One’s powers. At level three, he could still be beaten by the First Great Chosen One with a single breath." Said Red. "It is possible for Ace to find the First Great One, but Ace will have to sear the entire planet, through ever nook and cranny. The advantage is, once he’s found on, he’ll be able to find the others with ease."

Ace jumped off the table.

"Then it’s obvious what I’m going to do." He said, as he flew out the room.

"I never got to tell him that in 30 days, the planets will align. When the do, the Dark Lord will be able to rise to the earth to fight again….." Said Red in a low voice.

He landed in an alleyway, not far from Geg’s home. Since finishing at college, Geg moved back into his old home where he grew up on the out skirts of Midgar, Sector 2. Both Arthur and Janine lived locally so they often visited him. In the alleyway, Ace used his powers to transform into Reilly. Nothing happened.

"How could I forget. I didn’t learn the shell ability until I reached the third level of my powers. I can no longer become Reilly." Muttered Ace in a sad voice.

Glancing out from the alleyway with a stealthy look, he made sure no one saw him walk out. He then walked to Geg’s house, and tapped the door. Geg answered.
"I was wondering when you’d turn up." He said in a warm fashion. He glanced at Ace, and his facial expression turned more serious. "What’s wrong?"

"Lets go inside first. Is Janine and Arthur there?" Ace asked.

"No, but I’ll call them over."

"Good."

"Why aren’t you Reilly?"

"I’ll explain in a minute."

It wasn’t to long before everyone was sitting around Geg’s table. Reilly told everyone what happened, up to the point where he left.

"…And that’s what happened. Without my powers, I can no longer become Reilly. Basically, Reilly is dead. However, if I can locate this "Great One", I’ll be able to not only get my powers back but become stronger so I can kick his ass!" Ace said.

"Do you know where he is?" Janine asked.

"No. According to Red, I won’t be able to. How the hell am I gona find him? Search all the corners of the earth?"

"Perhaps. It may be the only way Ace." Replied Janine

"Perhaps, but I don’t have time. I caught Red saying something about the Dark Lord returning in thirty days. I have to be strong by then." Ace replied. His facial expression changed, then he walked towards the door. "I’m sorry my visit was brief but I have a duty to become strong again. I shall see you soon."

With that, he ran out. A weak, white aura appeared around him as he powered up to fly off. Geg and co walked out and watched him fly away.

"I’m surprised no one saw that." Arthur said.

"Yeah. You’d expect people to see that." Geg replied.

"I can sense him nearby. Perhaps the Perfect One will find me. Perhaps there is still some hope left for the world." Uttered a man from within a cave. He sat there, in the shadows, only the base of his face exposed by the light. There, a small smile grew.

"Perhaps there is still hope."

Ace landed on the middle continent, the one with Cosmos Canyon, Nibelheim and the Gold Saucer. Ace looked around the continent. By shear luck, he landed where he was fought the Dark Lord. Images of the fight flashed before his eyes, angering, upsetting him. He screamed, causing a huge explosion of energy, but it barely made a crater. Ace looked at the pathetic dent in the land, and flew into the sky. He had been stripped of his strength, his abilities and his pride. He had nothing and it fuelled his anger and his lust for revenge. Suddenly, he felt a sharp twinge in his mind. He flew over to the Nibel Mountains and landed.

"I can feel something here, a great surge of power. Is it the Great One? But Red said I wouldn’t be able to sense him." Ran across his mind. He began tapping on the different mountains, in different locations. Soon he heard a hollow sound. He punched and felt his hand go through the mountain.

"Ah, you found me Perfect One. True, I did help you for time is short. Please, come in so I can begin your training for as I said, time is short."

Chapter 3 - First Great Chosen One

*Prologue* Prier to Ace Strife, there have been many Chosen Ones. A Cetra woman named Aeris Gainsborough was one of them, but before her were Four Great Chosen Ones. There is a prophecy that speaks of the Chosen One’s eternal battle with the forces of darkness. The first Great Chosen One was the very first Chosen One. He was an expert in the skills of Magic. When the Dark Lord first walked the earth, the greatest fighters challenged him, and lost. The first chosen one had a brother, whom he was close to. His brother was an expert in fighting and chose to challenge the Dark Lord. Like all the others who challenged the Dark Lord, he was killed. When the magician heard about his brother’s fall, he became upset, but soon turned his intentions to avenging his brother. He began to learn about Holy magic and attempted to master it. The more he learnt about it, the stronger he became. He soon learnt that Holy had become part of him, and he could fire Holy spells from his hands. He also attempted to fly and he succeeded. He then challenged the Dark Lord, and was able to beat him. The Dark Lord was then trapped in his lair in hell, but he threatened to return one day. On his death bed, the Chosen One casted a spell on himself: once in every generation, a child chosen at random would posses his skills in magic and must use them on the Dark Lord. However, the spell backfired. The Dark Lord found a way to sap part of it for himself, and was thus able to mimic the powers of the Chosen One. *End Prologue*

Adapted from an ancient text called "Legacy of the Chosen One"

Before him stood a withered, old man. He was bent forward slightly, and had a long, white beard which almost touched the ground. The man had barley any hair on his head and a look in his eyes that showed he’d seen many centuries. However, he was a spirit. He had lived many centuries ago, when the human race was still young. He was dressed in white rags, white to show his purity as a Great One.

"Black. You wear black and yet you are the purest living man. Interesting." The Great One muttered to himself.

"Excuse me. Do you have a name I can refer to you buy?" Ace asked.

"No young one. You must refer to me as sir, as you will the others." He replied.

"I see." Said Ace.

"Time is short young one. Let us begin. You once could mimic the abilities of the Second and Third Great Ones, am I right? Oh course, it was a weakened version. You wouldn’t have lost so easily if you reached there full potential." He said.

"What do you mean by weakened versions?" Questioned Ace.

"Learning how to reach high powers from a book is impossible. Only the other Great Ones and myself can teach you how to truly reach the high powers. Now fire at me. Do not be afraid of hurting or killing me. I am already dead and your powers wouldn’t kill me if I were alive. You are weak, weakened by the Dark Lord." Taunted the Great One.

Ace lowered his eyebrows, and clasped his hands together. He began to cry out, as he charged up. His jacket and bandanna began to move as his energy level slowly rose, but it was nothing compared to what he could do before. Before, he was able to make them flap, like in the wind, almost ripping off his body. Tears ran down his face as he attempted to do something, to make a crater in the cave, a dent in the rock, something.

"That is enough. You want my help, yes? You want to become strong again, yes? You want to defeat the Dark Lord, yes?" The Great One asked.

"Yes. With all my heart." Ace replied.

"Good. Now, let us being."

The Great One drew a mage’s rod and pointed it at Ace.

"You know what this is?" He asked

"No. I’m not a mage. I’m a monk, a Ninja, a samurai. I use the skills of the people of Wutai, of the Asians. I rely on my fists, speed and Katana blades." Replied Ace. The Great One could tell Ace was proud about his skills, what he could do, all by listening to how Ace spoke. He could tell that Ace had a high amount of honour, which he knows comes with training in the arts of the Asians.

"I see. I am a mage, as is my successor, the Second Great Chosen One. To master the first two levels of the Chosen One power, you must be able to use the spells to their fullest strength." The Great One said.

"But I possessed excellent physical power when I used the second and third level. You said when I’ve finished my training I’ll posses more strength. How can I when this level and the next use magic rather than physical strength?

The Great One just stared at him with an annoyed look on his face.

"I’ll tell you what. I’ll cast a spell at you and you have to dodge it." He said.

"Ok." Ace replied.

"The spells will be all the basic elements and in all three of its forms. All you have to do is dodge it by either jumping up, or moving to your left or right. I will cats the same spell three times. If you dodge all three, I’ll move to the next level. If any strike you, I’ll start from the beginning of the first level. Do you understand?" He asked.

"Yes." Ace replied.

"Good. FIRE!" A huge fireball flew at Ace. Ace stared at it, before jumping sky high. The fireball went into the sky. It landed on Ace.

"Pathetic! I would have expected you to dodge the first one! I suppose we should try again." The Great One sighed. He fired another fireball at Ace. This time Ace dodged to the left. He watched as the fireball jumped up into the air, like the first. After the second one was fired, Ace watched it, like a hunter watches it’s pray, studying it to see which way it will run. He did that they’re after, studying his foe, predicting which way it would go. When the Great One casted three Fire attacks, he moved onto Fira and then Firaga. After that he switched to Blizzard, Blizzara and so on. He covered five of the nine elements - Fire, Ice, Thunder, Water and Gravity. Because Ace watched each spell closely, trying to predict the direct it would go in, few hit him.

"Interesting. You went from being attacked all the time to avoiding almost every one. I believe you truly have made some progress. You should also now have increased your speed and stamina. Some of the spells I casted moved at a quick pace."

The Great One handed Ace his staff, and told Ace to cast spells.

"But I don’t have any Materia."

The Great One groaned "When I was Chosen One, we didn’t have Materia. You have the power to use, but you need to unlock this power. True, if any of the Four Great Ones possessed the Nine Elements, we could make it easier for you.

"The Nine Elements?" Ace asked.

"To be honest, we don’t really know that much about them, other than the fact they exist. All we know is that there are nine orbs, each representing the nine elements. If someone holds one of the orbs, they can use that element and take it’s strength to it’s fullest level. We don’t even know the location of any of them, but I feel they are all in one place. Hmm." The Great One paused for a second. "Summon Excaliber."

"Uh, OK. Holy sword Excaliber, I summon your. Come to me and help me destroy the darkness that I am fighting!" Ace cried. Excaliber materialised in his hands. "Now what?"

"Take a close look at the blade. See anything?" The Great One asked.

"No. It’s just a blue blade, with no bumps or scratches in it." Ace replied.

"Really? Give it to me."

"Uh. Ok." Ace said as he passed on the sword.

The Great One held the sword with both hands, above his head. He closed his eyes for a few seconds. Ace could see his lips move, but the Great One was speaking in a whisper. Suddenly, the Great One’s eyes snapped open.

"Excaliber, sword of Light. Listen to my words. You are the sword of light. You are the sword who shall hold the Nine Elements. Sword, show me how you shall hold the Nine Elements." The Great One chanted. The caved turned dark, almost pitch black. Ace watched as the sword began to glow, and watched as nine holes appeared in the sword. The sword returned to the Great One’s hand, and he passed it back to Ace.

"I have a feeling you shall encounter the Nine Elements in one form or another. Whenever you do encounter one, stab it with Excaliber to finish it. It will be absorbed and enter its reverent slot." The Great One said.

Ace took a closer look at the sword. Each of the slots was roughly the same size as a Materia slot. Above each one was an image. Ace looked more closely and saw a flame, a snowflake, a lightning bolt, a tornado, a mountain, a wave, bubbles, a blob and a cross.
"I get all of this except the bubbles and blob. What are they?" Ace asked.

"Have you ever used a poison spell? When you do so, the enemy is attacked with green poison bubbles. And when you use a gravity spell, they are attacked by a black blob." The Great One replied. "Enough chat. You still have to master the first level Ace. Now, where were we? Ah, yes. To cast spells, you must channel your strength. Look deep inside you. You shall find the ability to use magic sleeping inside you."

Meanwhile, a man ran through the shadows of Midgar, close to the Wall Market. He came to the edge of the shadows, close to the ruins of the Honey Bee Inn. He was a demon, a demon who can manipulate all darkness, including the shadows. He can simply merge himself with them and run forever if he so wishes. A dark foot stepped out from the shadows. It was a scrawny, black leg. It had two, thin toes and on the end were long claws. At the heal was a larger black claw.

"Opps. Almost stepped out without any clothes on." He said, under his breath.

A man in a long, light brown jacket stepped out from the shadows. He had a brown hat on. It was at an angle that covered most of his face. He stepped out and made his way towards the materia shop. It was the dead of night, and there was basically no one. The air was cold. So cold that the demon’s breath could be seen as it left his mouth. He opened the door to the shop and walked in.

"Is my order in yet?" The demon asked.

"Yes, it came in earlier. It’s a very strange piece of materia I must say. It looks like your regular Magic materia, but it wobbles like jelly. It doesn’t seem all that solid." The store owner replied. He picked up a small box and handed it to the demon. The demon opened the box, and pulled out the green orb then held it on the flat of his right palm. It shone in the light, then suddenly dissolved into a liquid and wrapped itself around his right hand. The demon grinned, even hissed under his breath. He aimed his hand at the store owner.

"Bio!" He cried. A blast fired out of his hand, onto the un-suspecting store owner. Suddenly, the man’s skin turned green and he fell over, dead. The liquid returned to its natural state of the orb and the demon placed it back in the box, and chanted. The ground beneath him opened and he fell through.

The next day, Ace emerged from the cave, smiling. The strength he lost a few days ago had partly returned. He was still unable to create energy weapons or shells but he had also gained new skills. He now possessed greater magic skills than he had before. He had taken a step forward, one that would allow him to avenge his humiliating defeat.

Else where, in the Dark Lords Hell dimension, the demon stood before his master and passed him the box.

"Here it is master, the last of the Nine Elements, Poison." He said.

"Excellent work my minion. With these that Chosen One won’t be able to do anything to stand against me. He is weak, weaker than his father. Ah yes, I remember it now, the day we fought each other. I remember killing his wife, and ordering you to destroy the boy as he lay there in his basket." The expression on the Dark Lords face suddenly changed. He raised his hand and blasted the demon. "It’s obvious you failed, or else I wouldn’t have had to face the Chosen One a few days ago." He said. He took all the orbs out of their boxes, except for Holy. He ordered a demon to do so. When the demon’s had touched the orb, it began to burn. The demon knew he could not let go, for he would be killed. The demon just picked it up and put it with the rest before running off, nursing his hand. The Dark Lord stood over the orbs, chanting.

"Hear me, Elements of this universe. Transform into fiends of the night, demons of darkness. Change into creatures to kill mercilessly. Obey my every word." He cried.

The nine orbs began to glow, before transforming into different creatures, each one, staying the single colour of their element.

"Now my creatures, go to Earth and destroy the Chosen One." He said

"Yes master." Said the red demon, Fire.

"At once my lord." Said the ice blue demon, Ice.

"I shall do as you wish my lord." Said the yellow demon, Thunder.

"It shall be done master." Said the blue demon, Water.

"Your task shall be carried out master." Said the brown demon, Earth.

"Yes sir." Said the grey demon, Wind.

"I shall kill him slowly and painfully my lord." Said the green demon, Poison.

"He shall not last long in my presence my lord." Said the black demon, Gravity

The last demon, the white demon Holy just stood there. It seemed to have a confused, painful expression on its face. All the demons flew towards the top, and went through the dimensional portal.

Chapter 4 - Storm’s Challenge

Two years ago.

"I can’t believe Reilly’s doing a concert. I never thought he was a musician." Said one of Janine’s class-mates.

"Oh yeah. He’s been playing the guitar for so long now. It’s almost like there isn’t a thing he can’t do." She replied.

Meanwhile, a few blocks away from the old warehouse where Reilly was holding his gig, a monster was once again on the lose. It was almost as if something was studying the way Ace fought these fights were so frequent, but that thought never crossed Ace’s mind.

Backstage, Ace was preparing for the gig. Arthur was tuning the guitar and Geg was shuffling up the sheet music.

"You know what music you’re gona play, right Ace?" Asked Geg, with a slight nagging tone in his voice.

"Yes." Ace replied. You could tell by the tone of his voice he was getting fed up with Geg nagging him.

"So Arthur, when are we going to meet your new girlfriend?" Ace asked.

"Well, you already met her, remember when she was about to be rapped by that guy in the ally."

"Yeah, but I was on the roof wasn’t I?"

"Suppose. Ace, you’re on in about a minute. Put on your college face though if I were you."

"Oh yeah."

In the chair, Ace transformed into Reilly, picked up his guitar and music and walked onto stage. Geg and Arthur walked off to meet up with Janine and Arthur’s girlfriend.

"Hey everyone. Hope you enjoy the show." Reilly cried out on stage.

As he played, the monster loomed closer towards the warehouse. It trampled on people as it slumped it’s way towards the warehouse, without a care in the world.

"My world, it’s so small. No one understands my pain. My shoulders, they brake with the weight of carrying the world! It’s so small! It’s so small! Yet the pain grows larger. It’s so small! It’s so small! It’s so small! Yet my shoulders keep breaking." Could be heard coming from the speakers. A few danced to the music, others just stood and drunk with friends. Janine leaned on the railings, staring at Reilly. Reilly looked up at her, any they made eye contact. Reilly smiled at her, sweat running down his face. Suddenly, the expression on his face changed to shock, then anger. He looked up and Janine, give her a serious look. She knew that look. It meant something bad was about to happen. Arthur walked over, and spoke.

"You look al tense Janine. What’s wrong?" He asked.
"Reilly senses something bad is coming. She replied.
"Again? That’s the third time this week, and it’s only Tuesday!"

The back wall of the warehouse was smashed open by the beast. Reilly was thrown half way across the room. Everyone turned around, looked at the monster and ran. A huge amount of rubble fell on Reilly as he lay there. One of Janine’s friends cried out to him, but Reilly just lay there. She was about to run to his aid when a huge white blast struck the monster. Ace hovered into the building, his hands glowing with white energy, his jacket flapping because of his high energy level. He placed his hands together and blasted the monster again, before landing before it. Ace was about the size of it’s legs. The monster stood in two legs and had four arms. Its entire body was purple and it had curled horns on it’s head.

"My, aren’t we a cutey." Ace said, smiling at the demon. He drew out Melmusa and Masamune, jumped high into the sky and slashed the demon’s eyes, blinding it. He then threw both swords into it’s brain, killing it.

"Well that was easy!" He said. He pulled out his swords, picked up Reilly and flew him out of the room. Only Janine, Geg and Arthur stayed to watch the fight. Ace handed Reilly to Geg, and told him to take him to his room to rest.

"Ok Mr. Ace Strife, sir." Geg said

"Please don’t call me sir, or Mr. Ace Strife." Ace said.

Geg took the body back to his room and placed it on Reilly’s bed. He tapped the window, and Ace flew in and put the shell on his body to become Reilly.

Ace remembered that day well. He could no longer become Reilly. When the Dark Lord took his powers, the ability to change into Reilly, as well as any use of Energy Shells and Energy Weapons were gone. It had been a week since Ace had fully mastered the first level, training under the First Great Chosen One, but he was told he couldn’t become Reilly again until he train under the Second. Till then, Ace used a cloak to hide his face. Ace Strife was known to the people. He was a celebrity. Often, he was seen running from hundreds of beautiful, young girls.

The weather was cold. It had been for a week now. Some people clam they saw nine demons emerge from the ground, and spread across the world. Most people thought they were just drunk, but there were a few who believed them. Some even clam that an ice blue demon went high into the sky above Midgar and turned and made the weather identical to winter. Of course, they are correct. The demon created from the Ice element had been manipulating the weather to suit its natural habitat. That was another reason why Ace wore a cloak, so he could stay warm. As he walked down the streets of Midgar, Ace planned to meet up with Geg, Arthur, Janine and Arthur’s girlfriend. She knew Reilly is really Ace Strife. One day, Ace was training with Arthur between classes. Ace assumed the door was locked, only to find Arthur’s girlfriend walk in, and close the door before looking at Ace. Ace took the time to explain that he is Reilly, and asked her not to explain who he was. She happily agreed, and never once outside of the circle of friends say that Reilly was really Ace.

Ace thought about this as he walked along. He held the cloak close to his face to keep the snow out of his eyes and to hide his face. Only his mouth was showing. A couple of punk teens saw him walk past them. Thinking that Ace was some poor, defenceless old age pensioner, they decided to go and bully him. One of them ran up behind him and grabbed part of the cloak. Ace just stopped.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you. You don’t wana make me angry." He said.

"Or what? You’ll beat us up with your walking stick?" One of the punks replied.

"Who said I was an old man?" Ace replied.

He threw off his cloak and turned to face the teens. He had a devilish grin on his lips, and his hands were hovering over Melmusa’s and Masamune’s handles. Ace heard a sound like running water, and noticed that the snow under one of the punks was turning yellow.

"Pppppppplease don’t kill us!" One of the punks begged.

"Why?" Ace replied. "You thought I was an old man so you decided to give me trouble. You thought I was weaker than you, so you decided you could bully me. Now you know I am stronger than you are. By your rules, I should bully you."

He walked over to one of them, and drew his sword. He held it above his head, then put it away.

"I am not like you. I am not weak. I do not pick fights with weaker people. Leave me now, and let me never hear about you bullying people again, or else I will do more than just warn you next time." He said, his voice boomed over them. They ran off, and the people around Ace cheered. Ace noticed his friends step out, and he smiled at them. Suddenly, the smile dropped, and he spun around. He could hear the snow behind him crunching under a man’s step. When he turned, he found Yuno Imzadi facing him.

"I have come to fight you Tameto. Now is the time to do so." He said.
"I kinda had plans now Yuno, so I don’t really want to fight you. Ace replied.

"Tough." Said Yuno.

Yuno pulled out Alator, and had one of the blades pointing towards Ace. Just as he prepared to lunge at Ace, Yuno watched as Ace’s eyes rolled up and watched as Ace fell over. Yuno saw a tranquilliser dart in the back of Ace’s neck. Yuno walked over and pulled it out.
"A Storm tranquilliser dart. Since they relieved they were going to attack him three years ago, Storm have been attacking Tameto. I once heard they even attacked him when he was Reilly, provoking him into transforming into Tameto. I myself have stood in their way, and I shall do so again." He said under his voice.

Yuno noticed one of Storm’s henchmen run out from an alleyway, and pick up Ace’s body by the shoulders. He noticed Yuno, and sharply dropped the body.

"I know what your boss wishes to do. He wishes to fight with and defeat Tameto. Well, only Yuno Imzadi may defeat Tameto. Tameto is both my friend and my rival. I can not let you take him!" A strong, proud tone could be heard in Yuno’s voice. The henchman just looked at Yuno. Fear was written all over his face. He was too afraid to even run away. His hand shaking, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a radio. He put it to his ear, his hand shaking.

"S… sir, Yuno Imzadi is here and he won’t let me take Ace’s body. What should I do?" He said.

Yuno could faintly hear the reply. He recognised it was the voice of Don the second he heard it.

"WHAT! He ain’t gona interfere with our plans. I’ll send backup immediately." Don said.

"Right sir. I’ll try and…." Before he could finish the sentence, Arthur’s staff had knocked the radio out of his hand. He then struck it with the staff, breaking it.

"You ain’t taking my friend anywhere!" He threatened.

Sweat could be seen running down the man’s face. Geg ran up behind.

"What do you think you’re playing at Arthur?" He cried.

"Possibly saving Ace’s life from Storm." Arthur replied.

"I suppose you’re right. One man should easily go down. Just look at him!" Geg said.

"You may not have Geg, but this man radioed in for backup. Backup will almost certainly have been sent by now.

As Yuno spoke, other Storm henchmen crept out of the shadows.

"The boss is interested in you Imzadi. It’ll be a pleasure to take you down." Said one of them. Out of the entire group, he was the only one wearing a black suit. The others wore navy. It was obvious he was the leader. He put on a set of brass knuckles, then lunged at Yuno with a barrage of punches. Arthur and Geg were left defending Ace’s body.

They had been watching from the meeting spot everything that happened. When they saw everything that happened with Yuno, Arthur pulled out his bo staff out of it’s carry case, ready for the worst. Then, went Storm acted, he gave Janine and his girlfriend a "I’m-gona-save-Ace" glance. Janine nodded, and his girlfriend kissed him on the forehead for luck. Geg just looked confused, suddenly realised what happened and ran after Arthur, almost leaving his sword behind. And now they were about to fight ten of Storm’s top fighters.

"This should be interesting." Arthur said.

Geg just replied with a nervous laugh. Before anyone moved, Arthur thrust the end of his bo staff into the stomach of the suit nearest him. Geg used this as a distraction, and smashed the flat end of his sword on the side of the nearest suit’s head. Already, two of the ten were down. Meanwhile, Yuno was exchanging blows with the leader of the group. However, for Yuno, this was a walk in the park.

"Hmm. You expect to beat Yuno Imzadi, yet you only use four of the main weapons a fighter posses. I am sure even Tameto’s pupil Geg can use the fifth weapon!" He said.

"Fifth weapon? What the hell are you on about you fool!" The man replied.

Yuno stopped, his eyebrows lowered.

"No one calls Yuno Imzadi a fool, especially an amateur like you. He said. He grabbed the man by his shoulders, then threw him into a wall. The man was knocked out cold, and he slowly slid down into a trash can. Yuno picked up Alator, and ran over to help Geg and Arthur. Between them, Ace’s friends had managed to fight off half of their attackers. Yuno jumped into the fight by performing a spinning kick to the head of one of the suits.

"I have often wondered what it would be like to fight along side the pupils of Tameto, and now I shall finally find out." Yuno said. Arthur just grinned, as he smashed his bo staff on the head of one of the suits. Between them, the three fighters took down the remaining people without breaking a sweat. Arthur stood there, grinning. He then noticed Geg fall flat on his face, asleep at Arthur’s feet.
"What the hell?" He said. He then felt a small prick on the back of his neck. He himself collapsed, asleep. Yuno walked over to the bodies, and gentile kicked them. The only thing that happened, was Yuno falling asleep. As his eyes closed, Yuno caught glimpse of a man, holding a tranquilliser rifle.

"What the hell?" Ace’s eyes snapped open. His arms and legs were chained to a wall, and he was about a foot off the ground. He caught glimpse of something in the back of his right eye. He looked around to see Yuno, drugged, asleep. Ace then glanced up at the chains and could plainly see they were loosely in the wall. He pulled his right arm and watched as the chain came out of the wall with ease. He swung his legs up towards him, pulling two more chains out of the wall. He then placed his feet on the wall, and pushed himself off, pulling out the last chain from the wall. He flipped and landed on his feet. He then took the time to rip the chains off his wrists and shins and went to draw Melmusa and Masamune.

"WHAT THE! Where the hell are they?" He cried out.

Yuno just hung there, sleeping. Ace hovered over to him, pulled him out of the wall, placed him on the ground and started to kick him.

"Come on, wake up!" He said.

"What?!? I don’t wana go to school today mommy!" A half asleep Yuno said.

Ace paused for a second.
"I’ll pretend I never heard that!" He said.

Ace helped Yuno to his feet, and helped remove the chains.

"Where are we?" He asked.

"I remember seeing a Storm sniper holding a tranquilliser rifle before I fell asleep. I suspect Storm brought our sleeping bodies here. Yuno said, looking around and surveying the cave. "Where is Alator?" He asked.

"God knows. I don’t have any of my weapons either." Ace replied.

Footsteps could be heard. Ace and Yuno spun around, to see Don walking in. He had a smirk on his face, but the minute he saw they were free, it changed to shock.

"How the hell did you break free?" He cried out.

"Didn’t ya know? I posses super human strength." Ace replied.

Don’s face showed a blank expression as he looked at Ace.

"The reason why I brought you here is to fight you to the death. Do you remember how you were once a member of Storm Ace?" Don said.

"The crimes I committed. I was young then, like Theora." Ace replied.

"Ah yes, miss Theora, the woman you said you loved then threw her aside." Don replied.

Ace just stared at him. "And the fact you lied to me about Storm? You were as smart and crafty as a fox when you were seventeen. Smart enough to fool me when I was fourteen. You said that Storm was gona help Shinra, but you lied to me. You had me kill some of the best members of SOLDIER. For days after that I wondered why they cried out for mercy, but you just told me they were rebels dressed as Shinra SOLDIERS." Ace cried out.

"But you hate Shinra now?" Don asked.

"That’s not the point. You tricked me, made me kill people I worked with. Kill people in cold blood. Melmusa was baptised in enough cold blood that day to make it like its father Masamune. When I learned the truth, I left Storm. I was glad no one lived from the massacre I made, no one to tell Shinra about me." Ace cried out.

"But you broke Theora’s heart. And worst still, you exposed us to Shinra. You betrayed us and left Theora without saying a word. For days she locked herself in a room alone, weeping. How can you do that to your soul mate?" Don asked.

"Soul mate? Her! Hah! I met my soul mate as Reilly!" Ace said.

"One of the two girls you hang around with. Well, now I shall capture them and kill them along with those two kids who tried to defend you! Storm shall have the last laugh Ace Strife!" Don laughed.

"Two kids?" Ace asked.

"He means Geg and Arthur. When you went down, they jumped to your aid, as well as I. Those are good people, unlike the filth known as Storm! I, Yuno Imzadi shall fight along side Tameto, to bring an end to you once and for all, and to help Tameto save his friends." Yuno said. His voice had a proud tone to it.

Don clicked his fingers, and Scythe lunged himself at Yuno. Yuno was thrown down a section of the cave, away from Don and Ace.

"Fight me Strife!" Don cried out.

"All right Don, I will. To finally silence Storm." Ace replied.

Don put on a pair of gold knuckle dusters. On each of them were four diamonds, each above the knuckles. Ace raised his fists above his head, holding them back to back. A white glow appeared around them before Ace threw them down to his sides. There, on both hands was a set of white, glowing fighting mits.

"Let the fighting begin!" Don cried.

Chapter 5 - Two Battles

Part I - Ace vs Don

Don entered a fighting stance, while Ace just stood there. The two of them were in dead lock, staring each other down. Don just stood there, waiting for Ace to make the first move. Ace did nothing. Don just shrugged, ran towards Ace and performed a jump kick. Ace just stood there, and let the kick hit him in the head. As Don fell back down to Earth, Ace punched him in the gut.

"How do you expect to beat a stronger man weakling?" Ace taunted

"Shut up Strife!" Don said, as he clutched his stomach.

Ace gave him a devilish grin, before launching himself at Don, his fists moving in a flash, punching Don. Don struggled to resist the fury of attacks, and soon fell down, weakened by Ace’s constant attacks.

"Giving up so soon? I thought you were eager to fight me!" Ace taunted.

Don spat blood from his mouth, and staggered to his feet.

"I am!" He cried, as he performed a jump spinning kick to Ace’s head. The kick caught Ace off guard, and managed to strike him on the head. Ace’s body spun in the air as it fell down to the ground. Don walked over to Ace’s body, grinned and performed an elbow drop. The next thing he knew, he was on the cave floor with a broken arm. Ace had used his speed to move out of Don’s way just as he went to perform the elbow drop.

"You don’t think, do you Don? A fighter needs to think his way during battle and you obviously don’t. How do you expect to win? How?" Ace taunted him.

Don just growled at Ace, and lunged at him. Ace stood there, and at the last second punched Don in the face, causing Don to fall flat on his back. He jumped up and went to kick Ace in the head. The kick connected, and Don grinned. Suddenly, he noticed that Ace was also grinning. The kick had pushed his head to one side, but Ace just stood there, like the kick barely fazed him.

"You call that a kick? Don’t you understand that you are weaker than me? Your kicks and punches barely scratch me while I stopped holding back, I could kill you with one punch!" Ace said.

"Shut it you bastard!" Don cried out.

Ace lowered his eyebrows. Don knew Ace was basically an orphan who knew nothing about his past. He didn’t take that lightly.

"There is no proof that I was born out of wedlock. And nobody calls me a bastard!" Ace cried out.

Ace’s fists moved faster than Don could see, but he felt the results. Angered by Don’s last words, Ace struggled to hold back his strength as he pummelled Don, his eyes blinded by anger. The fury of attacks was to much for Don, and he slowly slumped to the ground. Ace stopped, and locked over the body. Don was barely alive. His left arm was broken from where he attempted to elbow drop Ace and his body was covered in cuts and browses. His knuckle dusters were basically clean, as he never got a real chance to attack Ace.

"Challenging me was stupid. You’re way out of my league. You saw me fight the clone, and yet you challenged me." Ace said.

Ace shook his head and walked away. He had a vague idea where Geg and Arthur were being kept, as he could have sworn we saw them before he began to fight. As he walked away, Don slowly looked up, with each muscle movement causing him more pain. He slowly putting his hand into his pocket and pulled out a gun. He aimed it at Ace’s left leg and fired. Ace’s leg weakened from the shot, and collapsed under his body weight. He rolled himself onto his back, and raised his leg to look at the wound. The expression on Ace’s face showed that the wound in his leg burned like white hot fire even when he so much as moved a toe. He looked at Don to see his struggling to his feet. As soon as he got up, he fell to his knees. With his last ounce of strength, Don laughing at Ace. Don dropped the gun. Smoke was slowly rising from the gun’s main barrel.

"Looks like I win Strife!" Don said with a smile.

"You cheap bastard! Why can’t you fight as a man?!" Ace cried out.

"I want to kill you Strife, even if it means filling your body with lead. I will do anything to kill you!" Don said in a bitter voice.

"Really? Well ain’t that nice!" Ace said in a cocky manner.

Don picked up the gun and slowly limped over to Ace. There, he feel to his knees and managed to somehow aim the gun at Ace’s brain.

"It’s done!" Ace cried out.

"WHAT?!" Don said in a confused manner.

Ace jumped to his feet, grabbed the gun and crushed it between his hands.

"Wha…. Wha…. WHAT!!! I thought you were in agony!" Don screamed.

"My body posses the power to heal itself. As soon as the bullet entered my flesh, my body began to heal itself. I was in agonising pain a few seconds ago, but it didn’t take my body long to heal a wound like the one you gave me." Ace explained

Ace jumped to his feet, and grabbed Don’s throat, and slowly raised him from the ground. There, he punched Don in the gut, then followed that attack with a punch to the face. He let Don drop to the floor, where he kicked him in the ribs. The force of the kick threw him half way across the room. Ace suddenly realised where Don was likely to land, on top of a stalagmite. He was right. Don did land on a stalagmite, and he was skewered and thus killed. Ace walked over to the body, raised his hand and fired. The blast vaporised the body.

"What an idiotic bastard. I was too strong for the fool. He brought death upon himself, and all I did was wait him. Now, no one will find the body. Storm won’t pester me again." Ace said, a devilish grin on his face.

Down in his lair, the Dark Lord looked up at the events above.

"This is an interesting development. That fight proves it." He said.

A high ranking general of his dark army of demons walked up to his master. He was tall, black and had horns and a tail.

"What is it my lord?" The demon general asked.

"The Chosen One is no longer pure white. When I removed his powers, part of my darkness entered his body. It is slowly turning him Grey, and hopefully Black. The way he fought in this fight and destroyed the body proves this to me. The amount of Grey in him is small, but it grows. Soon it shall consume him and turn him Black. Still, send Ice to test his skills." The Dark Lord said.

"But my lord. What if he uses the sword Excaliber to capture Ice?" The demon general asked.

"He may be able to defeat Ice and maybe all of the others, but he will be no chance for Holy. Holy is all powerful, for he is a mix of Holy and my Black magic which gives him life." The Dark Lord said to himself.

Part II - Yuno vs Scythe

"Why do you wish to kill Tameto?" Yuno asked

"Strife betrayed us to Shinra. They came and killed Don’s father, the greatest crime lord of them all. We thought he was one of us, but he betrayed us. He once loved Theora, but threw her away like she was nothing. If he were older, I’d bet he would have used her." Scythe said.

"I see. No matter. I can not let you beat Tameto. That is my privilege and I shall let no man stop me."

Scythe drew his scythe, and pulled out the blade. Yuno entered a fighting stance, and waited for scythe to make the first move. Scythe ran up to Yuno and raised his scythe above his head. Yuno punched Scythe in the stomach, causing him to fall backwards, and drop the scythe. The scythe landed inches away from his head. A sweat puddle was slowly growing under Scythe’s head. He jumped to his feet, only to find Yuno performing a jump kick into his torso. The kick threw him back a few feet, away from his scythe. Yuno stood between the Scythe and its master, blocking any chance of Scythe retrieving his weapon. Scythe stumbled to his feet, then fell on his knees

"Please don’t hurt me Mr. Yuno!" Scythe begged.

Yuno just stood there, puzzled by this turn of events.

"You mean to tell me that you hide behind that scythe in battle and posses no actual fighting abilities?"

"Y… Yes…." Scythe said.

Scythe quickly lunched himself at Yuno, throwing the two of them back towards Scythe’s scythe. Scythe quickly grabbed it and pulled it out from the ground, then went to do a horizontal slash on Yuno. Yuno managed to almost dodge the attack, and watched as the blade sliced some of his suit. He heard a loud clanging sound, and looked round to see Alator. He looked up and saw a small cave above them. In it, he caught the glimpse of a shadow, running down that cave.

"Thank you, who ever you are." He said.
"That bitch! She’s gona pay later." Scythe cried out.

Yuno picked up Alator, then faced Scythe. Scythe ran towards Yuno, and went to slash him across his chest again. Yuno used Alator, to block the attack, the smacked Scythe on both his cheeks with the flat sides of the blades. He the elbowed Scythe in the stomach then uppercut him, throwing him high into the air. Yuno watched as the scythe again fell from his foe’s hand. Yuno dropped Alatro as he walked over to the body, watching the body land on the ground. When Yuno reached the fallen body, hesuddenly found Scythe kicking him with both feet in his stomach. Yuno staggered back slightly from the kick, allowing Scythe to get up, and do a hook punch to Yuno’s face.

"Ha! I lied to you! I fooled you. I posses no fighting abilities, but I can pack a solid punch Imzadi!" Scythe cried, as he punched Yuno again.

Yuno shook the punch off.

"You’re proud that you fooled me?" He asked. "What is there to be proud about?"

"Uh… Well… SHUT UP!" Scythe cried out.

Scythe hook punched Yuno in the face, causing him to stagger backwards. He sniggered at the prospect of victory. Yuno held his jaw, looked up and saw another attack by Scythe. Yuno managed to raise his hands in time to deflect the attack. He then grabbed the deflected fist, twisted the arm and punched Scythe in the face. Scythe staggered backwards, only to find his weapon on the ground, He quickly picked it up, and prepared to attack Yuno. Yuno picked up Alator and entered a guard stance. Scythe went to do a vertical slash. Yuno held up Alator, and watched as the blade struck the middle of his weapon. Scythe went to slash him again and again, but Yuno kept in his guard stance. Fed up of being attacked, Yuno slapped Scythe with the flat side of his weapon. He then dropped it on the ground.
"Let us fight as worriers, hand to hand. Weapons are for the weak!" He said.

A gunshot could be heard, coming from the battle between Don and Ace. Yuno took this as an opportunity to wrestle the Scythe out of Scythe’s hands and throw it away. He then attacked Scythe with a fury of attacks, never giving his foe a chance to counter. Scythe struggled to get off the floor, and in the end just laid there. Yuno picked up Alator, and turned to walk off. Scythe managed to pick up his scythe and throw it at Yuno. Yuno just held up Alator, and the scythe reflected off the weapon. It then landed, blade down in Scythe’s chest, killing him.

Part III - Storm’s fall

"What happened to Scythe?" Ace asked Yuno.

"I blocked an attack from his scythe and the blade landed in his body. What about Don?" Yuno replied.

"He fell on a stalagmite." Ace replied

"So Storm is dead?" Yuno asked.

"Not quite. You forget Theora." Ace said.

"Ah yes, her. It must have been her who helped me in my fight with Scythe." Yuno said.

"Why? What happened?" Ace asked.

"She threw Alator to me during my battle, which helped even the odds between me and Scythe." Yuno replied.

The two walked through the cave, looking for Ace’s weapons and Ace’s friends Geg and Arthur. Ace stopped.

"What is it Tameto?" Yuno asked.

"Footsteps. I can hear footsteps." Ace said.

"I hear nothing." Yuno replied

"I have heightened sense. Ever wondered why I stopped wearing my glasses?" Ace said.

Ace and Yuno turned around, to see Theroa walked slowly towards them, her head hanging down. She looked up, saw Ace and ran towards him, her arms stretched out. She wrapped her arms around Ace, smiling. Ace was slightly shocked by this, then tried to get her off. He succeeded, and caused her to fall on her ass.

"What the hell do you think you’re doing?" Ace cried out.

"What do you mean, my love?" She replied.

"My love? What the hell are you on about?" Ace said.

"What do you mean? Don’t you love me?" Theora said.

"NO! I’m with someone else." Ace replied.

Ace and Yuno then turned around and walked away.

"That was a bit hard Tameto." Yuno said.

"To be honest, I didn’t know what else to do." Ace replied.

Theora ran up in front of them, holding Ace’s weapons. She pushed them into his hands, then grabbed his right arm and pulled him down one of the caverns. Yuno chased after them. When Theora stopped running, Ace looked up to see Geg and Arthur chained up on the walls. They were still asleep.

"I helped you retrieve your friends. Do you love me now?" Theora asked.

"WHAT?! No. Like I said earlier, I’m with someone else. I’m sorry Theora but that’s all behind me now. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to leave now." Ace said.

Theora looked Ace in the eyes. Ace could see tears forming in her eyes. She then began to sniff, and ran off. Ace shook his head as Yuno walked over to him.

"She seems almost obsessed with you Tameto." Yuno said.

"I know. Here, help me get Geg and Arthur down." Ace replied.

The two of them got Geg and Arthur down, and walked off with them draped over their shoulders, as the two of them were still asleep. After spending what felt like hours, Yuno and Ace finally found the main exit. Ace then blasted the area above the cave entrance, causing boulders to collapse and block the exit. Ace then used his PHS to contact Cid, and ask him to bring the Highwind.

Five days later, it was reported that Theora hung herself in a room. She could not get over he love for Ace, and felt her life was no longer worth living if he didn’t share her love.

Not long after that incident, Ace began the search for the Second Great Chosen One. He only had twenty-three days left until the Dark Lord was meant to rise and he wanted to spend that time training. Meanwhile, Ace was slowly turning grey without him knowing. In a matter of days, Ace would turn pure grey, symbolising a balance of white and black in his body.

Chapter 6 - Second Great Chosen One

*Prologue* The second Great Chosen one was born a few centuries after the first. After the first one’s death, people made records about him, turning him into a legend. The Second chosen One usually gelled his hair in a spiky fashion. When the Chosen One grew up, he began to train his magic skills. Down in his lair, the Dark Lord heard about the new Chosen One and randomly chose a person, making him the first Dark One. The Dark One found and Chosen One’s home and began to murder his family in cold blood. The Chosen One returned home and saw this. The shock turned his hair pure white. Angered at the sight of his family’s death, the Chosen One attacked the Dark One. He found that his magic powers had increased for some reason and was able to beat his enemy. He put this down to the anger of his family’s death and, perhaps his white hair. The Dark Lord was angered by this and sent forth another Dark One. The Chosen One trained hard in the arts of magic. When he finally met the Dark One, he found his increased strength enabled him to beat his foe. The Dark Lord was angered by this and returned to earth. After the second battle, the Chosen One expected a third, stronger foe so continued his training. He also took a blade and infused it with Holy magic, creating Excalibur. The Chosen One fought the Dark One and used his magic skills and Excalibur. Though the Chosen One beat the Dark Lord, Excalibur was broken. When he died, the two Chosen Ones combined there magic skills to make the second Chosen One’s skills a second level. To distinguish it from the first, the second Chosen One’s hair style and white hair was used. Whenever a Chosen One increased their strength, their hair stood up in a spiky fashion and turned white. *End Prologue*

Adapted from an ancient text called "Legacy of the Chosen One"

"And, on a final note, organised crime group Storm have vanished, presumed dead. Some rumours flying around claim that they were involved with the man known as Ace Strife. Ace Strife once worked for Shinra, left and joined AVALANCHE, gave his life to save the planet, became the new owner of Shinra, killing many innocent people but was also the Black Ninja, making two of them and the two fought. It was stated though that the Ace who ran Shinra was in fact a clone of the real Ace. Anyway, Storm members were last sighted a week ago when they captured Ace Strife, Yuno Imzadi and two civilians." The news announcer was a young, dark hair woman with a red jacket on and a white blouse.

"CIVILIANS! Arthur and I are more than civilians!" Geg cried out.

Arthur sat with his girlfriend lying on his chest. Ace was sitting next to Janine and Geg was shouting at the TV. Ace’s jacket hung on a chair, and his weapon’s sat in it. They were sitting in an empty coffee shop on the ground floor of Geg and Arthur’s flat.

"Oh give it a break Geg! How are they to know you and Arthur are my buds?" Ace said.

There was a knock at the door, then it opened.

"Greetings Tameto." A voice said.

"Oh Yuno. How are ya bud?" Ace replied.

Yuno walked in. He was wearing his normally martial arts suit but strapped to his back was a long case, which Ace knew stored Alator.

"I am fine thank you Tameto." Yuno said.

"Who’s this "Tameto"?" Arthur’s girlfriend piped up.

"I used to live in Wutai, and my name there was Tameto. Yuno’s also from Wutai so he refers to me by my Wutai name." Ace explained.

"Like when Vegeta referees to Goku by his Sayian name Kakarrot, rather than Goku." Arthur added.

"Oh. I get it now." She said.

"My visit is purely business Tameto. I wish to fight you." Yuno said.

"Now?" Ace asked.

"Yes. Now." Yuno replied.

Ace shrugged, put on his jacket and began to walk out the door.

"Is that gona be with or without weapons?" Ace asked.

"Without." You said.

"Right." Ace spoke as he walked out the door. Yuno followed and everyone else moved towards the window to look out. Yuno stood about three hundred meteors away from Ace, with the case that holds Alator resting on the ground next to him. The fight was to take place right in the middle of Sector Two of Midgar. Sector Two was filled with homes for the middle class people, including Geg and who shared a flat. Janine lived a few blocks down with her parents. Ace himself didn’t live in Midgar. He lived in Nibelheim, in Tifa’s home along with Cloud.

"Be prepared Tameto. I know you’re honorary enough not to use your powers." Yuno said.

"Yeah, but it does mean holding back. I can bend steel with my hands." Ace said.

Yuno lunged himself at Ace, preparing a shoulder strike to the face. Ace jumped high into the air, flipped and aimed his right leg at Yuno’s head. Yuno stopped, jumped, flipped and kicked. Ace’s foot barely missed Yuno, but Yuno’s foot made contact with Ace’s stomach and threw him to the ground. Ace jumped to his feet, ran and performed a slide towards Yuno’s feet. He knocked one out of the way, then performed a sweep which took the other one out. Yuno fell flat on his face. A loud thud could be heard. Ace looked up and saw the weather turn from sun to snow in the blink of an eye. A demon made of Ice began to slowly walk down the street. Yuno got up, looked at Ace and watched Ace ran into the coffee shop, grabbed his weapons and ran out. He attached Melmusa and Masamune to his belt and drew the blades. Yuno himself picked up the case and pulled out Alator.

"What do you think is coming Tameto?" Yuno asked.

"To be honest I’m not sure." Ace replied.

The demon stood before the two of them. The demon itself wasn’t that much taller than Ace or Yuno. It stood roughly seven feet high.

"Chosen One…." The demon bellowed. "My master wishes for you to die!"

"What have I done to piss off Frosty the Snowman?" Ace asked with a cheeky tone. He turned, smiling to Yuno but could see a cold look on his face. Ace could tell the joke didn’t go down to well.

Ace turned round to look at the demon, with Melmusa and Masamune pointing at it. The demon stopped not far from them.

"What is this mortal doing here?" The demon asked.

"Protecting the innocent from you... Uh.. Whatever you are." Yuno said.

"I am the demon created by dark magic from the Ice element." The demon replied.

"The nine elements. So the Dark Lord must have them." Ace said as he put Melmusa and Masamune into their scabbards. He then held out his hands as if he was holding a broadsword.

"Holy sword Excaliber, I summon you. Come to me and help me destroy the darkness that I am fighting!" Ace said.

Excaliber appeared in his hands, and Ace slowly raised it to be level with his head, with the flat of the blade parallel with his face. Out of the corner of his eye, Ace could see a strange glow emerging from it. He held the hole over his right eye, and looked at the demon. Ace noticed an ice blue orb roughly where the demon’s stomach would be.

"I see." Ace said under his breath. "My guess is that if I strike him there with Excaliber, Excaliber can begin to absorb the element into itself, at least I hope it will..."

Ace lowered the sword into a fighting position, and turned to Yuno.

"I believe I’ve found it’s weak point. Where it’s stomach should be is an ice blue orb, which I assume is the Ice element. Excaliber has been up-graded to absorb them should I come into contact with them, and I bet you that if Excaliber comes in contact with it, it’ll destroy the demon. Say, it hasn’t moved since I last looked at it." Ace said.

The demon stood there with its mouth hanging down. Just as Ace and Yuno prepared to move, a huge ice blast fired, freezing everything it came in touch with. Ace gasped as the entire left side of the street was frozen solid. The flat where Geg and Arthur lived in was on the right, and Ace knew the demon would freeze that next. He flew at his top speed towards the demon, raised Excaliber next to his head and went to stab the demon in the stomach. However, Ace was moving at a slow pace and the demon could work out what was happening. The demon raised its left hand a struck Ace. The force caused him to drop the sword, and sent him flying out of Midgar, and sent him far enough to land in the dessert surrounding the Gold Saucer. The demon then turned around and froze all of Sector Two, including Yuno. They all stood there, frozen solid. The demon then created something to rest on in the middle of the street, hopped onto it and slept. It had now made Sector Two it’s new home.

"Our Chosen One must become strong." The First Great Chosen One said.

"I agree. It is now my turn to train him. I shall use the Holy Water method." The Second Great Chosen One said. He then walked over to the edge of the well like object they use to monitor Earth and jumped in.

"I pray that time be not a foe to him. The Chosen one has little of it and we need to train him to full strength soon." The Third Great Chosen One said.

"But training him to full strength is impossible by us." The First Great Chosen One added.

"True, true." The Third Great Chosen One replied.

"I failed them. I failed them all." Ace said. He lowered his head, tears falling from his eyes. He lowered himself to the group, and sat cross legged looking at Midgar. He could faintly see a cloud of ice hanging over part of Midgar. Once again, he lowered his head as he thought about his failure.

"You wish to avenge everyone don’t? You want to save them and beat the shit out of Ice, don’t you?" A stranger asked.

"What the? Who the hell are you?" Ace said as he turned his head around.

"I’m the guy who is going to help make you strong. I’m Odonic, the Second Great Chosen One." He said.

"I see Sir. Thank you for your assistance." Ace said as he stood up. Odonic was roughly the same size as Ace, and didn’t look that much older than him. "You don’t look that much older than me Sir."

"That’s because I was twenty five when I died, five years older than you. And please. Don’t call me "Sir"." Odonic replied.

"I was told to call all of you Sir by the First Great Chosen One." Ace said.

"That’s just the way the guy is. I prefer it if you just called me Odonic." Odonic replied.

Odonic was wearing an old, tatty red robe. On his left hip was a short broad sword and above it a mage’s staff. He had green eyes, much like Ace and short, spikey, white hair.

"Come with me Ace so we can begin your training." Odonic said as he turned to walk off. Ace slowly followed.

The two of them walked down, past Cosmo Canyon, mountains, forests and many of the other sites on the middle continent. They stopped only to battle monsters. They had no need to rest, because as Chosen Ones, their strength far outmatched the strength of the monsters they fought. Ace turned around to watch the sun set behind Midgar, and once again lowered his head.

"Would you stop doing that. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll be strong enough to beat Ice with your eyes closed." Odonic said.

Ace noticed a difference between Odonic and the First Great Chosen One. Odonic seemed to be more level headed, more down to Earth and more understanding than the First Great Chosen One. Odonic didn’t demand as much respect as his predecessor. But Odonic was still a good 500 years old. Ace raised his head and began to follow. Soon, the two of them reached the river that separated Cosmo Canyon from Nibelheim. Odonic knelt down, scooped his hands in the water and drank it.
"I suggest you do the same Ace. We have travelled a long way, and we haven’t finished our journey yet." Odonic said.

"Where are we going?" Ace asked.

"To my old lair. A Dark One killed my family before my very eyes. That turned my hair white from the horror I saw. My home was destroyed by the Dark One and I ran. I discovered this mountain and lived in the cave, training. I believe that mountain is now called Mt. Nibel and is located behind the town Nibelheim." Odonic said.

"I know where you mean. Cloud, Tifa and I." Ace paused. "Cloud and Tifa are friends of mine." Ace said.

"We know all about your life Ace. We watch over you from our watch place in the heavens. Besides, Aeris has told us about your friends." Odonic explained.

"You know Aeris? I didn’t know she was a Great One." Ace asked.

"Aeris is no Great One, though her skills are Great. We felt her wisdom and strength was enough to all her to watch over the Earth with us Great Ones. If she had lived long enough, I’m sure she would have become a Great One. Come, we are wasting time. Time is of the essence Ace." Odonic said.

Ace walked towards the river, scooped his hands in, pulled them up to his mouth and drank. When he was done, both Ace and Odonic jumped over the river. It proved to be no problem for them, as they slowly glided over the river.

It didn’t take the two of them long too finally reach Odonic’s lair. He walked over to a stone mound and placed a jug on top of it.

"This jar contains a potion, which if drunk will give you the powers of a level two Chosen One." Odonic explained.

"Sounds simple." Ace replied.

"However, there is a catch - you must get this jar off me." Odonic said as he picked it up.

"What!" Ace cried out.

"Ace, the training would be to easy if I just let you drink it. You must prove yourself worthy of drinking it." Odonic said.

Odonic pulled the mage staff out of his belt, and picked up the jug with the end.

"What? How the hell did you do that?" Ace cried.

"Telekinesis is part of a Chosen One’s powers. I’m surprised you never learnt it. But the point of your training with the Great Ones is for you to gain new powers. Powers which shall hopefully make you stronger then before." Odonic said.

Ace cracked his knuckles, looked at Odonic then dashed towards him. Ace jumped into the air, and performed a flying kick towards Odonic. At the last second, Odonic side stepped and Ace went straight into a wall.

"Please. The only way you’re gona get this jug is if you out smart me!" Odonic taunted.

Odonic jumped into the air, hovered and flew high away. Ace growled, and flew after him. Within seconds, Ace caught up with Odonic.

"Ace, you’re so predicable!" Odonic cried. He held the rod with his right hand, raised his left and fired a blast at Ace. Ace easily dodged the attack, looked up and saw a bigger blast hit him in the face. It threw him backwards into a wall. Odonic just laughed at Ace.

"At this rate, you’ll never succeed. Think Ace. A fighter has more than four weapons. He has five. He has his two fists, his feet and most importantly his brain. Use it to fight Ace, not your fists and feet." Odonic said.

Ace pulled himself out from the wall and looked at Odonic. He hovered for a few seconds, then flew towards Odonic. Before Odonic could react, Ace just stopped. Odonic noticed out of the corner of his eye, another Ace hovered to his right and to his left. Puzzled, Odonic paused. Suddenly, Ace appeared over Odonic’s head, his fists held together. He went to swing it down on Odonic’s head but watched as he fell through.

"Wha.... What?" He cried.

"Ha! You’re not the only one who can do Split Illusion Ace!" Odonic cried out.

Odonic used his free hand to conger up an energy broad sword. He flew over Ace, and slashed at him. Ace dodged the attack easily. Odonic stayed on the assault, attacking again and again and again, each attack Ace easily dodged. Odonic threw the sword at Ace, and watched as he grabbed it.

"That’s it. Not long now." Odonic said under his breath.

Holding the sword in his hand, Ace flew over to Odonic, trying to slice him. Odonic evaded all of Ace’s attacks. Ace threw the sword down and without even thinking created another enemy weapon, this time a Katana. Ace lunged himself at Odonic, slashing his sword. He then used the Split Illusion technique again, creating more doubles than before. Once again, it ended with Ace going to slam his fist on Odonic’s head and as before, Odonic used a Split Illusion to evade it. However, the next thing Odonic saw was Ace’s fist in his face. Odonic fell to the ground. Inches away from the ground Ace grabbed both Odonic and the jug. Ace waited till Odonic was awake before he opened the jug. It didn’t take Odonic long to sit up, where he saw Ace holding the jug. Ace opened it and drank the liquid inside.

"What the? This is rain water!" Ace cried out.

"He he he. Don’t you get it Ace? Split Illusion, Energy Weapons, increased speed and strength. Those were skills of a Second Level Chosen One. Granted, you should also have increased Magic strength but you’re a fighter, not a Mage. You need hand to hand techniques, not magical. Now, lets see if Reilly lives again."

Ace paused for a second as he charged his power. He then raised his hands to cover his face and fired. The white energy slowly covered his face then spread down to cover his body. It wasn’t long before Reilly stood in front of Odonic. Ace then shattered the shell, and drew the energy back into his hand.

"Excellent. Now for the final test. Power up to Second Level Chosen One." Odonic said.

Once again, Ace paused while he gathered the energy. His jacket slowly begun to flap as Ace’s energy level rose. Ace’s hair slowly began to stand on end, and turned white. His jacket flapped faster and faster because of the increasing energy level. The room was filled with a white flash as Ace powered up to the second level of his powers. There, he stood with spikey, white hair. His jacket slowly began to stop flapping as violently as it did. Bolts of electricity orbited Ace, like a planet orbiting the sun.

"Congratulations Ace. I would recommend you stay like that for as long as possible. Try not to power down unless you really have it. It will help to be familiar with that level. I would also recommend you do the same with the other levels. Well, my work here is done. Good bye Ace, and good luck." Odonic said as he slowly vanished.

"Yeah. See ya later Odonic." Ace replied.

When Odonic had completely vanished, Ace rushed out the cave in a blink of an eye. Within seconds he was heading for Midgar, preparing to destroy the Ice Demon to save his friends and most of all Janine, his one true love.

Chapter 7 - Re-match

The Ice Demon sat in it’s new lair, sleeping. All around him innocent people were trapped in ice, unable to move, unable to speak. They were almost dead. The Ice Demon stirred, sat up and looked to its left.

"I thought I killed you." It asked

"No. Just humiliated me and sent me to a place where I could become strong." Ace answered

"I see. Well, I’ll make sure I kill you this time." The Ice Demon replied.

It swung a huge hand at Ace, attempting to bat him away. When it had finished it’s attack, Ace was no where to be seen. The Ice Demon grinned and turned around to continue sleeping. Ace was hovering in the Demon’s face.

"What the? I thought I swatted you." The Demon cried out.

"No. I just used a Split Illusion technique and moved her before you swung your hand." Ace replied.

He then pulled his hands back and fired an energy beam attack at the Demon’s face. The Demon flung its head back, roaring with pain.

"H.. How? You were so weak!" The Demon cried out.

"I told you. I became strong." Ace replied.

"That’s it. I won’t hold back on you this time! This time, I shall kill you." The Demon cried out.

Ace stood there holding Excaliber in his right hand, in a casual manner. He then ran up to the Demon, jumped up holding the sword behind his head and swung down onto the Demon’s head. The Demon held up a hand and caught the blade. It then threw the blade away, with Ace still holding onto the handle. Ace landed in a pile of boxes. Ace pulled himself out, placed Excaliber on the floor and raised his fists. Ace ran up to the Demon and attacked it with a fury of punches. His fists just bounced off the Demon’s icy skin, but each attack forced it backwards slowly. Ace punched it one more time with his left hand, before charging and firing a small energy blast with his left hand. The attack blew the Demon’s head clean off its shoulders.

"I expected him to be more of a challenge." Ace said as he shrugged. He then walked over to the frozen people, placed his hands together and began to change a wavy energy ball. He then threw it high into the air and watched as it slowly fell down to the ground. As the ball fell, it began to spread out and melt the ice. An ice blast was fired at Ace’s back. At the last second, Ace turned around and slashed down with Melmusa, deflecting the attack.

"I may have let my guard down thinking you were dead, but I an assure you I could hear you as you charged up that attack." Ace said to the Demon.

The Demon looked at Ace, growling at the young warrior. Ace drew Masamune, and ran towards the Demon.

"Ah, the blood tainted sword." The Demon said.

"Blood tainted sword?" Ace questioned.

"Did that blade not belong to Sephiroth, the Dark One? The man who killed the innocent with it? The blade has sliced through the flesh of the innocent. The blade has bathed in their blood. That makes it a blood-tainted sword. That makes it evil." The Demon explained.

"Evil." Ace said.

Ace paused, looking at Masamune. He then looked up at the Demon, held Masamune in his left hand, ran towards it and slashed. Nothing happened. He attacked twice more with the sword, but again nothing happened.

"I was born with black magic. That sword has bathed in the blood of the innocent, making it a black sword. Black can not hurt black." The Demon said. It then raised a hand and swung down on Ace, throwing him back into a pile of boxes. Ace placed Masamune in its scabbard and went to attack with Melmusa. Unlike Masamune, Melmusa seemed to cause some pain to the Demon, but nothing great. Ace placed it in its scabbard, and held out his right hand like he was holding a sword. White energy could be seen in his hand, before shooting out to make a Katana blade. Energy seemed to hang off the blade, and the excess evaporated into the air, but the blade was still strong. Ace ran up to the Demon, jumped into the air, somersaulted and struck down on the Demon’s head. The Demon winced. As he slowly fell down, Ace struck the monster again with the sword repeatedly. Each strike left a small gash on the Demon and smoke rose from it.

"White energy burns black energy." Ace said.

"And black energy burns white energy." The Demon replied.

The Demon stretched out a hand and grabbed the blade. Smoke rose from its hand, but slowly the blade vanished. Ace jumped into the air, performed a back flip and kicked the demon with both feet. The creature stumbled back slightly.

Meanwhile, Ace’s spell had managed to free the fighter Yuno Imzadi. Yuno blinked a few times, while looking around. Other people were slowly being thawed but others stood there either still completely frozen or partly frozen. Yuno then turned and saw Ace fighting. Raising Alator into a fighting position, Yuno ran up to his comrade to aid him. By the time Yuno reached him, Ace was hovering in the sky, performing a hook punch to the Demon’s face. The strength of the attack threw the Demon back. Ace landed.

"Greetings Tameto." Yuno said.

"Oh, hi Yuno. I seem my thawing spell freed you." Ace replied.

"Indeed it did. Now, let us defeat this monster." Yuno said.

"Afraid you can’t Yuno. You don’t posses Holy magic in ya." Ace turned to face the Demon. "Only those with Holy magic can kill a Demon like that. But you can free the others." Ace said.

Ace grabbed Yuno’s right hand with both of his, and slowly his hands glowed. Ace let go, and Yuno raised his right hand to look at it. His hand glowed like Ace’s does.

"What have you done Tameto?" Yuno asked.

"That is the thawing spell. I thought I used enough to free everyone but I guess I didn’t. Yuno, I’m entrusting you with some of my powers. Use it to free everyone while I defeat the Demon." Ace replied.

"I understand Tameto, and good luck." Yuno replied.

Ace grabbed the top of Yuno’s martial arts jacket and jumped. Below them, a layer of ice formed. The Demon had attempted to freeze the two of them. Ace lowered himself and his friend down, and watched as Yuno turned to run off. Ace then turned his attention to Excaliber and ran for the blade. The Demon fired three ice balls at Yuno. Holding Excaliber in his left hand, Ace fired three energy balls at the ice attack, striking and destroying all three. He then grasped Excaliber with both hands, and ran towards the Demon.

While the two of them fought, Yuno held us right hand up and fired the white energy at the frozen bodies. He watched as they thawed out, then ran down further, thawing more of the city. He then came to the coffee shop where Ace’s friends were. He fired at the building, thawing it before going inside.

"What the.... What the hell is going on out there?" Geg cried.

"Tameto is finishing off the Ice Demon. But he seems different. I suggest you all stay here. I doubt Tameto would be happy if anything happened to you." Yuno said.

"Right Yuno." Arthur replied.

And with that, Yuno ran outside. The Demon was holding Ace in its right hand. Though the hand wasn’t much bigger than Ace’s torso, it still had a good grip on him. Ace watched as the lower section of the Demon’s arm began to glow. Slowly the glow rose up the arm. At that very second, Alator sliced through the Demon’s arm, causing Ace to fall to floor. When he was grabbed, Ace dropped Excaliber. Now the holy sword lay next to him. Picking it up, Ace held it parallel to his eyes. He looked through on of the holes in the sword, and managed to see through the Demon. Roughly where a stomach would be on a human, Ace could see a small glowing orb.

"That must be the Ice element." Ace said

He held the sword parallel to his right shoulder and ran towards the Demon. He struck the monster right on the Ice element and watched as both the hole and the sword shined white. Ace let go of the sword, and watched as it slowly slid into the Demon. Everyone watched as the Demon turned transparent, allowing them all to see the Demon like Ace did when he looked through the sword. They watched as the sword pierced the Ice element and continued to move through it until it was level with the hole for the Ice element. As soon as the Ice element was inside it’s hole, the Demon began to slowly shrink. Seconds later, only Excaliber remained. The hole for the Ice element now had an orb in it, like a piece of materia that had been placed in a sword. Ace picked up the sword. A white light covered the two of them for a few seconds.

"Ice Blade!" Ace cried.

The Ice element seemed to melt from its hole and cover the entire blade. Ace began to swing around the sword, and everyone watched as the Ice froze the air around it.

"Ice Blast!" Ace cried.

The sword began to glow an icy blue colour, before firing an icy blast straight ahead. Ace then placed his hand into the Ice element and pulled it out. The Ice element sat in the flat of his right palm. It shone in the light, then suddenly dissolved into a liquid and wrapped itself around his hand. His hand turned an icy blue colour. Ace then held up his hand and fired an ice blast into the sky,

Ace continued to play with the element for a few more minutes. When he finished, the people of the city congratulated him. Ace and his friends managed to return to Geg and Arthur’s flat.

"I didn’t say anything earlier Tameto, but you look different." Yuno said.

"Yeah, how did you manage to beat the Ice Demon Ace? I saw it kick your candy ass last time." Arthur said.

"Simple. I found the Second Great Chosen One and trained under him. I am now a second level Chosen One. My hair now stands up on end and turns white. It’s great to have my old powers back. Plus, I have a surprise." Ace said.

Ace steeped back. Ace placed his hands in front of his face, and began to charge energy, then he fired. The energy spread from his face down to his entire body, creating the shell. It then fused onto his skin, creating Reilly.

"You can become Reilly again Ace?" Janine said.

"Yep." Reilly replied. "Energy Shell is an ability a second level Chosen One has access to." He explained.

Janine leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

Else where, in the Dark Lords Hell dimension, the Dark Lord sat on his throne. A grovelling demon slowly crept up to his master.

"My lord. It seems the Chosen One has regained the second level of his powers, and has managed to kill the Ice Demon and capture the Ice element.

"This is a problem." The Dark Lord said. He stood up and his cape flowed down. "But the Chosen One is no longer pure. It seems that not only has my spell created a way to slowly turn him black, but also it seems I can feed off his power. As he becomes strong, I become strong. There is no way he will be able to win, even if he finds the last two Great Chosen Ones and trains with them. Victory is mine." The Dark Lord said. With that, he let out a booming laugh.

"Not even the great Reilly Pepin, founder of the fourth level of Chosen One will be able to save the boy." The Dark Lord muttered to himself. "Still, send Fire, Lighting and Water to defeat the boy."

"At once my Dark Lord."

A few days later, Ace and his friends went to walk through the forests of the content. They approached the nearest forest when suddenly it was engulfed in flames. On top of it all stood a creature made up of fire. It jumped off the flaming forest and landed in font of Ace. Ace stretched out his arms and pushed his friends back.

"Greetings Chosen One, I am the Fire Demon, created by the Fire Element. You may have defeated my brother the Ice element, but I can assure you that you will have no luck over me." The Demon said.

"Oh boy. Not this again." Ace said.

Chapter 8 - More Demons

The Four Great Ones stood over the well like object they use to view the Earth.

"Two Souls shall be released." Said the First Great One.

"The Dark Lord shall add two more skulls to his collection of people slain." Said Odonic, the Second Great Chosen One.

Reilly, the Fourth Great Chosen One just stood there, speechless, motionless.

"Perhaps looking at that was not a wise move." Said the Third Great Chosen One.

"But first, the Chosen One must obtain the elements." Said Odonic.

"I shall teach him my strength’s soon. I know he shall master the Third level easily. " Said the Third Great Chosen One.

"And then, it is my turn." Said Reilly. "Hopefully, the Chosen One will be ready by then."

"Time ticks on. Ten days have passed. Twenty remain. To master the Fourth level will take more time. Will the young Chosen One be able to master it and still fight the Dark Lord?" Asked the First Great one.

"Time will tell." Said Reilly.

And with that, the four looked over the well again. Huddled in a corner said Aeris. She had often prayed for Ace’s success, for she had grown to like him during her time as his Spirit Guide.

Ace’s hands were held on his right hip, a ball of energy charging in his hands. He leapt into the air, and threw the ball down on the Fire Demon.

"Is that the best you can do?" The Demon taunted. "Perhaps I should burn those mortals to show you my true strength."

"GET AWAY FROM THEM!" Ace cried. He continued to blast the demon, throwing everything he had at it. The demon just laughed at him, watching as Ace’s attacks did little damage to him.

"Watching you try and destroy me Chosen One is humorous. How Ice let you defeat him is beyond me!" The Demon said, with each word filling Ace’s rage like water in a glass. The more his rage filled, the stronger his attacks, but still nothing to wound the demon. Ace knew that behind him, a crowd was gathering, interested in the young mans attempted to take down the Fire Demon. His friends, Geg and Arthur cheered him on while Janine sat there, worrying about her love.

Ace knew his swords Melmusa and Masamune would be useless in this fight. The metal would just conduct the heat from the demon, and could even melt. His hands had been slightly burnt by his continual punches and hand strikes. Though the power of Chosen One provided some resistance to the flames, there was only so much they could resist against and he was beginning to go over that limit. He then paused, and slapped himself on the forehead.

"Excaliber. Of course. How could I forget?" He cried out. After performing the chant of Excaliber, the holy blade formed in his hands. He leapt into the air, and struck the demon with it. The Demon threw back it’s head, and roared with pain. Ace knew he had struck a nerve. Holy energy is always strong against Dark energy, and Demons are always created with Dark energy. He sliced the demon again, getting the same reaction. The Ice Element shone in the light of the sun and the fire of the Demon. After striking the Demon for a third time, Ace pulled out the Ice Element. He held it in his right hand, and watched as it went from it’s jelly like form to a gel like form, wrapping itself around his hand. He then held it up, his palm facing the Fire Demon. He fired an icy blast at it, striking its right arm. The Demon whelped and steam began to rise off the arm.

"I don’t get it. Why did the Demon whelp Arthur?" Geg asked.

"Because Fire is weak against Ice, just like Ice is weak against Fire. Each element is strong and weak against the same element. Fire and Ice, Thunder and Water, Wind and Earth. Poison, Gravity and Holy are the only elements that aren’t weak against another one." Arthur explained.

The Demon looked at Ace. Pain and anger was in its eyes. Its right hand was shaking as it was raised. A small ball of fire slowly charged. Seeing what was happening, Ace fired an Ice blast at the slowly charging fire ball. He watched as it froze, and fell to the ground where it shattered.

"PUNCH BAG!" Ace taunted. "So much boasting about strength, and yet I put a bit of Ice on ya, and you cry like a baby!"

Ace thrust his right hand out to the side, and using his Chosen One powers, created an energy sword. The power of the Ice Element caused it to wrap around the sword, giving it the power of the element Ice.

"And now, the final blow!" Ace cried. He flew over to the Demon and slashed him. The Demon dispersed into flames seconds before the blade touched it. Assuming the Demon was dead, Ace "dropped" the sword, and returned the Ice Element to Excaliber. This was a mistake. With the Ice Element put away, the Fire Demon reformed behind Ace. Hearing the screams of his friends, Ace looked around and saw the Demon, seconds before a flaming punch struck him in the face. Ace pulled himself out of the rock wall he landed in, shook his head and flew towards the Fire Demon. The two threw punches and kicks at each other. There seemed no way to decide who was winning and who was losing. Ace seemed to show no concern for the flames of the Fire Demon. Then, suddenly the Fire Demon was thrown to the ground. Soil was disturbed, as the body of the demon slid back. Hovering above him was Ace. His eyebrows were lowered. His ever-growing dark side had been awakened. He summoned Excaliber again and thrust it through the demon’s chest, right onto the Fire Element. An evil grin was on his face. The demon screamed in pain. The Holy sword burning his insides, piercing the Fire Element which made its heart. He thrust the blade deeper into the creature’s body, until the Fire Element lined up with its slot. His face was evil. The way he smiled. The way he quietly laughed. Ace was slowly turning darker with each battle. But it was discreet. His friends didn’t see it, and the four Great Ones didn’t either. It was almost as if Ace would become the clone he killed three years ago.

When he pulled out the sword, his eyebrows raised. He had returned to his old self. Now claming the Fire Element for his sword, Ace turned to re-join his friends. He sent Excaliber back to where it is stored. Excaliber’s "home" is a mystery. Not even Ace knows where the blade rests when un-used. But now that information was of no concern to him.

In his Hell Dimension, the Dark Lord sat at his throne, awaiting the day he can walk the Earth and cause havoc. A demon servant slowly walked towards him, shaking with each step.

"The Chosen One has faced one of my Demons, hasn’t he?" The Dark Lord asked.

"Yes my lord. The Fire Demon my lord." The Demon stuttered.

"I can tell that he has captured the Fire Element. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be shitting yourself." The Dark Lord said. "I shall kill you for the Demon’s failure."

"Bu..... Bu...... But my lord, I bring great news." The Demon said.

"Spit it out."

"It seems with each battle, the Chosen One gets stronger and darker. He could become a Dark One by the time you face him."

"A Chosen One turning into a Dark One? This should be interesting. And if the birthmark I saw tells me the truth, he is actually the legendary Perfect One. If he turns dark, his perfect powers are mine for the taking. Because this news pleases me, you shall live." The Dark Lord finished. The Demon quickly shuffled away, and the Dark Lord turned to look out a window. All he could see was lava, dripping down the cliffs of his hellish realm. He smiled at the possibility of Ace turning dark.

"I hope this is true. He has talent, but as a Chosen One, he must die. If he were a Dark One, he’d live and help me rule that pitiful world." The Dark Lord said to himself.

Three days had passed since Ace defeated the Fire Demon. He walked down the streets of Sector two, rain falling on his head. Sector two rarely had rain. The remaining smog from the reactors prevented rain. People ran around him confused, as Ace walked down the street. Rain landed on his head, his shoulders and ran down his jacket. His hands were in his pocket, and he seemed almost to be not of this world. The further down he walked the heavier the rain. It was obvious the Water Demon was the one behind the rain. Suddenly, he stopped. Roaring water could be heard coming from his right. He turned and saw a tidal wave, a tsunami.

"Oh fu....!" Ace cried. People had already been caught by the tsunami, and were slowly drowning. Ace ran towards the tsunami and dived in. There he grabbed two people by the waist and flew them out of the water. Placing them atop a building, Ace dived back in for the others. When he first entered the water, he saw a good ten people in there, but he was sure there was at least two or three more he couldn’t see. He grabbed two people by the waist and flew them out of the water. At this rate, some of them were sure to drown. He couldn’t use an energy shell to create duplicates, as he would otherwise need to sit down and concentrate on the shell. He dived back in, wondering how the hell he was going to get them all out. Suddenly, he heard a splash. Two of the people behind he were grabbed and the creature jumped out the top of the water. Ace just managed to grab one person, but was concentrating more on the mysterious being what was grabbing the victims of the water. One again, he heard a splash, and watched as the being swam towards him. He recognised him straight away. Ace nodded at him, grabbed another person and flew out of the water. The other human grabbed two more people, sank to the bottom and jumped. Yuno threw himself out of the tsunami, and managed to get close to the building’s roof. Suddenly, Yuno felt gravity pull him down, and realised he hadn’t done a strong enough jump to reach the roof. Ace thrust down a hand, and grabbed his friend. Pulling him onto the roof, Ace did a quick head count.

"We’ve rescued ten people. I think that’s most of them." Ace said.

"Agreed, but we should still check." Yuno replied.

"But of course."

"Where’s my son?" A woman cried.

Ace and Yuno looked at each other, then dived into the tsunami. The two of them were unable to see the lost child, and knew time was growing short. Any second and the child could drown. As Yuno swam forward, Ace charged up an energy ball and fired it at the top half. The second the energy touched the water, it evaporated. He could see nothing. Yuno swam towards him, clutching a small body. Ace grabbed the top of Yuno’s martial arts jacket and flew out of the water. He then fired an energy attack at the tsunami, destroying it. He then turned his attention to the child, only to see it wasn’t breathing. The mother turned to her husband, laid her head on his shoulder and began to cry.

"Yuno. You know CPR?" Ace asked.

"Yes Tameto." Yuno replied.

"Good. Do it. I have a Demon to destroy."

"CHOSEN ONE! FIGHT ME!" Came a voice at street level. Ace looked over the edge of the building and saw the Water Demon. It looked like water in zero gravity, except it had the basic shape of a man. Ace could vaguely see the Water Element in the middle of the Demon’s chest. Ace jumped off the building top, somersaulted and landed on his hands and knees. He looked up at the Demon, and flipped onto his feet. He drew his two swords Melmusa and Masamune, and threw himself at the Demon. He sliced his way through the Demon’s watery body, and watched as the limbs were sliced off with every time the blade passed through the Demon’s body. In a matter of seconds, the Demon was nothing but a puddle of water on the floor. Summoning Excaliber, Ace knelt down and went to pick up the Water Element. Water shot up from the puddle, throwing Ace back.

"Do you honestly thing your weak blades could defeat me?" The Water Demon asked.

"Not really. But I thought you were weak because of the way you fell apart." Ace said.

The Demon snarled.

"Me, weak? Ha! Ice and Fire were weaklings compared to the rest of us. All the Demons you face now will be able to kill you in a matter of seconds." The Demon explained.

It raised both its hands and fired out a huge amount of water at Ace, throwing him back. Blood could be seen falling down from his chest. The water pressure was proving to be too much for his body to handle. Ace struggled to look up at the Demon. All he could vaguely see was a grin on the creature’s face. Laughing, the Demon began to up the amount of water he was firing. He know it would rip Ace apart the second it touched his chest. Ace lowered his head, as the extra water was about to strike his chest. There was little he could do to escape his fate.

"I told you Chosen One. Myself, Thunder, Earth, Wind, Poison, Gravity and Holy are much stronger than Ice and Fire. You shall die today, and my dark master shall reward me well. And then, the other Demons and myself will destroy this pitiful planet, while you lie in a coffin in the ground!" The Demon cried.

Ace was seconds away from being killed. No idea how to escape, and no hope of survival. This time, he was truly going to die.

Chapter 9 - Water and Thunder

Ace was seconds away from being killed. No idea how to escape, and no hope of survival. This time, he was truly going to die.

"I’ve.... stared death...... in the face..... before. This...... doesn’t scare me!" Ace cried.

Above, what sounded like a spinning aeroplane blade could be heard. The demon looked up, distracted by this. Ace quietly used a Split Illusion move to escape the water unharmed. The water shot through the Split Illusion and destroyed it and made two small holes in the wall behind. Yuno fell on top of the Demon, spinning Alator like a rotor blade. It sliced up the demon and sent water everywhere.

"The child is fine Tameto. I was barely able to save him." Yuno said. "I see this Demon’s giving you trouble."

"Caught me off guard. By the way, you didn’t kill it." Ace replied.

"I didn’t think I did. Only Excaliber can destroy it." Yuno said.

"OK then. But we have to act quickly. I feel that demon will be pulling itself together soon."

Ace ran over to Excaliber. Picking it up, he turned and saw an angered demon reform. Yuno ran up to it, and sliced it with Alator. The top half of the demon sliced off, struck the ground and exploded with a huge splash of water. Ace gave Yuno a "Why-the-hell-did-you-do-that?" look. Yuno turned and saw the demon reform.

"That is the second time you have destroyed me mortal. Now face the penalty!" the demon cried out. It shot out an arm and grabbed Yuno by the neck. Raising him off his feet, the demon slowly squeezed. Seconds later, Ace sliced off the demon’s arm with Excaliber. The demon screamed as the holy blade sliced through its watery arm. Yuno fell to the ground, and watched as Ace continued to slice the demon. And then, darkness awoke. Ace seemed to tap into his ever-growing dark side, and repeatedly sliced the demon with the sword, water thrown in opposite directions as the blade sliced through the demon. He jumped up and kicked the demon in the head. The demon fell to the floor, and watched as Excaliber was thrust through its head. Before the demon could react, Ace was throwing hundreds of energy attacks at it, almost immobilising the creature. Ace then pulled the Fire element out of Excaliber, and let it wrap around his hand. Roaring flames could be seen coming from it, as it slowly evaporated the demon. Yuno had no idea where this new found strength was coming from. After Reilly revealed he was the real Ace Strife, and killed the Ace clone, Yuno had often trained with Ace and fought along side him against all the demons and monsters that plagued the planet. He often helped Ace train Geg and Arthur. Never before had he seen Ace fight like this. Yuno only assumed Ace was pulling out all the stops in his attempt to take down the demon. But what Yuno couldn’t see was the slight tint of black in Ace’s hair. To Yuno, it just looked like the hair a second level Chosen One normally has.

The Water Demon had been evaporated by Ace’s constant attacks. All that was left of the creature was the Water element. As Ace knelt down to pick it up, he sensed the air around him heat up.

"You can not kill me Chosen One! You merely boiled me, not destroy me. Now I shall boil you with steam. Ice and Fire were weak demons Chosen One. You are no where near strong enough to destroy me. Die Chosen One, die!" the Demon cried.

"F**k you!" Ace replied.

There was a huge flash of white light, blinding everyone. When the light had died down and everyone could see again, Ace was placing the Water element into Excaliber.

"Three down, six to go." Ace said as he walked over to Yuno.

"But Tameto. The Water demon said the next are much stronger. You barely killed the Water demon. How will you stand against the other six?" Yuno asked.

"Good point. I suppose my only option is to find the Third Great Chosen One and obtain the third level of my powers." Ace said.

"How much time is left Tameto?" Yuno asked.

"About ten days. Give or take a few."

"Tameto, I feel that is information you should know."

Ace just grunted.

"This worries me. How could he turn dark?" The First Great Chosen One asked.

"I don’t know. I seriously don’t know." Replied Odonic.

"What about that spell." Said Reasp, the Third Great Chosen One.

"Spell?" Odonic asked.

"The one which removed the Chosen One’s powers." Reasp replied.

"Oh, you mean the one the Dark Lord cast. Perhaps. Maybe it is. Some of his darkness growing inside the Chosen One like a parasite.

"But when he trains with me, I shall banish this darkness from him." Said Reilly, the Fourth Great Chosen One. "To achieve the angel form of the fourth level, one’s heart must be pure."

"One can only hope." Odonic said.

"He is strong. I sensed this when I trained with him. If he were to turn...." The First Great Chosen One said.

"Then the Dark Lord shall have a powerful comrade." Reasp finished.

He ran down the rocks of the mountains around Cosmo Canyon. His paused. His white armour shined in the light of the sun. He had a noble look to him, like that of most of his kind. His red hair rested lightly on his shoulders. His red cape flapped in the wind. His blue eyes had a mystic yet relaxing look to them.

"I will smite all evil. I am a Paladin. Warrior of light. Defender of justice. I shall destroy this demon that nearly killed me and my love." He said.

And with that, he continued to jump down the rocks.

Not far away, Ace flew around trying to pick up the Third Great One’s energy. As he paused in the air, and looked down at the man jumping around the rocks of the Cosmo Canyon. He could vaguely make out that it was a Paladin.

"The Third Great Chosen One was meant to be a fighter or a knight or something, and Paladin’s are holy knights. It’s probably him as there are no more Paladins in existence." Ace muttered to himself. And with that, he flew down towards the Paladin.

The Paladin paused, hearing the sound of Ace fly towards him.
"What on Earth?" he said. He looked up and vaguely saw the shape of Ace fly towards him. Ace landed, and bowed before him.
"Oh Third Great Chosen One. Teach me the ways of the third level of my power so I may continue to protect the planet." He said.

"Wha.... Wha.... What the hell are you talking about?" The Paladin asked.

"Huh?" Ace said. He looked up. "I remember you. I saved you from some of Don’s cronies. You’re, what was it."

"Jeremy. And I never really did thank you for that, did I?" the Paladin said.

"Uh no. Say, you’re a Paladin. Why didn’t you save yourself from them?" Ace asked.

"A true Paladin would sheathe his sword." Jeremy replied.
"Figures."

Ace sat down on the rock, looking down at Cosmo Canyon. Jeremy went to sit down.

"So, what you doing anyway?" Ace asked

"I’m searching for the demon who almost killed me and my girlfriend Sujen."

"Who was that?"

"Called itself the Demon of the Thunder Element. I saw it come this way and decided to follow it."

"Damn. I was hoping not to face him."

"Huh?"

Ace stretched out his hand and summoned Excaliber. Jeremy’s eyes widened and his mouth dropped.

"Oh my God! That’s the lost Holy Sword Excaliber. How... How did you get that?" Jeremy asked.

"As a Chosen One, I must whiled Excaliber in battle. Also, I am trying to defeat the Element Demons and capture the element for Excaliber. I’ve beaten three, but the last one, Water said the others will be stronger than him and I struggled to be it." Ace explained.

"You’re.... You’re a Chosen One! Wow! I thought you were only a legend. All the Paladins would love to met you."

"There are still Paladins?

"Yeah. I mean we don’t exactly run around saying: "We are Paladins.", but we are still around. But we’d love to met you. You’re like the Holiest man on the planet, what with you powers and all."

Ace just grinned. Jeremy watched as slowly, the grin lowered, and Ace turned his head to his left. There stood a huge yellow creature made up of lightening.

"Oh fu...!" Ace cried.

The creature grabbed Ace’s face mid sentence, jumped into the air and smashed Ace into the cliff. His head was embedded in the rock, and Jeremy watched as his body turned all lifeless and limp. The demon threw back its head and roared. Jeremy drew his sword and slashed the demon. The blade skid down the creature with no effect. Jeremy looked up, and saw the creature slowly turn is head. Horror struck his face as the demon slowly moved its hand towards him, blots of lightning crossing it. Just as the demon was about to fry Jeremy, the ground shook. They both turned around as saw a pissed off Ace standing there. His hair was standing on end, white. They could see a white aura around him. Before either of them moved, Ace quickly blasted the demon. Jeremy felt some of it, and was shown when he flew into part of the cliff, but the demon received the most of it.

"Ya wana kill someone? Why not kill someone with equal strength!" Ace cried.

Ace clasped his hands together and slowly charged up a huge ball of energy. The Lightning Demon slowly walked towards him, its arms raised ready to smash down on his head. The demon swung, just as Ace jumped back and fired. The attack slowly forced the demon back. Jeremy swiftly ran back, placed his hands together and chanted.

"Swe, ha, hoie, dlo, sae, siun." He chanted.

He reached down, picked up his sword and ran into the fight. He slashed the demon’s right arm, almost slicing it clean off its body. Ace quickly sliced upwards with Melmusa, removing the arm from the creatures body.

The creature screamed with pain, yet no blood or anything gushed from the wound.

"Huh? Why isn’t he bleeding?" Jeremy asked.

"Probably because he doesn’t need blood in any form." Ace suggested.

The creature turned towards the two warriors. If it had eyebrows, they would be lowered at them. Instead, his eyes were emitting sparks of black thunder. It let out a battle cry and ran towards Jeremy. Ace quickly picked up Excaliber and stabbed it in the demon’s chest. He barely missed the Thunder Element, but let his sword embedded in the creatures chest. Ace pushed Jeremy away, and stood there, staring at the demon. The demon reached down and grabbed Excaliber’s handle. Smoke could be seen as the Holy in the blade burned the demon’s evil hands. However, it managed to pull out the sword and throw it away.

"Oh crap!" Ace cried.

The demon raised it’s hand, charged a thunder bolt and fired it at Jeremy before Ace had a chance to react. Ace watched as the young paladin was fried in front of his eyes. He turned to the Demon, his eyes now black. The darkness inside of him grew at a fast rate, angered by the demon’s cruel punishment on Jeremy. He ran up to the demon and landed an uppercut square on its chin. Jeremy fall down, as the demon flew down towards Cosmo Canyon. Ace flew down after it and fired multiple blasts, some white, some grey and some black. Just before the demon hit Cosmo Canyon, he grabbed it by the arm, swung it round and threw it. However, the arm ripped off because of the speed Ace was spinning it at and Ace’s strength. Ace returned to his normal self as he flew up to the fallen demon. He threw both the arms onto the fallen body, and stabbed Excaliber straight through the creatures chest. Excaliber touched the Thunder Element, killing the demon.

"How did you kill the demon Ace? I thought you said you weren’t string enough to take it down." Jeremy asked.

"I don’t know. After you got attacked, I don’t remember anything except holding the demon’s arm and watching it land on the rocks as it hovered over Cosmo Canyon." Ace replied.

The two said their goodbyes and went their separate ways. Meanwhile, the four Great Chosen Ones looked on.

"It is time I trained him." Said Reasp.

"But this dark side to him is worrying. As already stated, suppose he turns dark? He is clearly strong in his dark form. He struggled to kill the demon in his light form, yet threw him around like a plaything in his dark form." Said Odonic.

"But then again, there is the legend." Suggested Reilly.

Chapter 10 - The Third Great Chosen One

*Prologue* The third great Chosen One was a fighter unlike his predecessors. When he received the power, he noticed his basic warrior abilities increased. When he reached level two, he used the magic to form basic weapons like broad swords and axes. After narrowly defeating the first Dark One, he continued to train in the second form to help increase his strength. He spent years away from people training in the arts of a warrior. He developed the ability to create more sophisticated weapons and was able to hold a shield and a sword using the magic. Over the years, his hair grew down his back. When he finally fought the second Dark One, he defeated it easily. It takes roughly between one to three years for the Dark Lord to rise when a Dark One’s defeat. In this case, it took him one year. The Dark Lord had become an expert in Magic but found out that he was weak against basic fighting. During the year, in-between the fights, the Chosen One found the three pieces of Excalibur and put the blade back together. He then used it in the battle with the Dark Lord. Once again, the blade was destroyed upon the Great Dark One’s defeat. When the Chosen One died, the first two great Chosen Ones decided to make the third’s strength a third level. The long, white hair and increased muscle mass became the appearance for the third level of a Chosen One. Instead of magic and the way of the mage, he specialised more in fighting and in the way of the warrior. *End Prologue*

Adapted from an ancient text called "Legacy of the Chosen One"

It dived at Ace, claws forward in an attempt to stab him. In mid air, Ace bolted to the right of the winged demon, drew Melmusa and sliced off a wing. He moved with such speed, no blood was on the blade. The creature shrieked with pain, then fell down towards the earth. It stumbled onto its four feet and began to stand again. Suddenly, it felt a sharp pain in its left leg. It turned its head and saw Yuno ram Alator into the leg. The blade pinned it to the ground. The creature attempted to swipe Yuno with its claw, onto to find Arthur swing his bow staff onto it, breaking it. Just as the creature went to raise it’s right leg to try and kick something, a sword was thrust though it. Geg had managed to pin its other leg with his sword. Ace landed in front of the monster, drew Melmusa and sliced off the creature’s head, killing it.

"That wasn’t to hard." Said Geg.

"Well done, all of you. You basically killed it for me." Said Ace. Geg and Arthur grinned. Yuno just stood there, motionless.

The people of Kalm slowly crept out their homes, and saw the four warriors stand over the creature’s corpse.

"Yuno Imzadi killed the demon."

"I bet he did it all by himself. I mean that guy’s sword has no blood on it."

Ace just stood there with a blank look. It always annoyed him how people always said Yuno killed a demon or creature when he all the hard work. Yuno and Geg walked over to the creature’s legs and pulled out their weapons. Ace glanced up at the sky, then flew off.

"Where’s he going?" Arthur asked.

"Tameto has often spoken about finding the "Third Great Chosen One". Perhaps he has finally sensed him." Yuno suggested.

Ace could sense Reasp, the Third Great Chosen One near by. He over Midgar, heading straight the caves near Wutai. It didn’t take him to long to reach his destination. He landed below the bridge, and found a hole punched into the mountain. He walked in. There, he found a man sitting on a rock. His long, white hair also rested upon it.

"Greetings Chosen One." He said. "I am Reasp, the Third Great Chosen One, and the one who shall train you."

He summoned Excalibur, flew towards Ace and went to slash down. Ace managed to barely block the attack with Melmusa. He kicked Reasp in the chest, throwing him back. Before Reasp had a chance to attack him again, Ace drew Masamune. This time, he dived at Reasp. Reasp easily handled the attacks from one of the sword, but found attacks from the second one too much to handle. He flipped backwards, and lowered Excalibur. Ace lowered his swords.

"I can see you fight like a man, instead of using poofy magic. Now, let us begin the proper training. First, you must build up your strength."

Ace was in his second level Chosen One form. Sweat ran down his spikey white hair. With his hands on one rock, his feet on another, rocks on his back, Ace was made to do press-ups.

"Fifty one. Fifty two. Fifty three..." Ace said, as he gasped for breath.

"That’s it boy. Keep it up. Only another one hundred and forty five left to go." Said Reasp. Ace just grunted.

Reasp stood in front of Ace, with a poor guard up. Ace had huge weights strapped to his arms and legs. Each weighed roughly two tuns each. He barely managed to raise a guard. Reasp jumped, throwing punches and kicks at Ace.

"There isn’t any style in his attacks. I could easily beat him in a fight. After all. I’m a trained Monk while he’s a Knight. Knights aren’t taught hand to hand fighting techniques." Ace thought.

Reasp managed to land a punch in Ace’s gut.

"Damn these weights. If it weren’t for them, I’d easily be able to block his attacks. But then, the point is to build up my arm strength by using these weights."

Ace managed to get his right arm up in time to block a punch. Reasp went to kick Ace, only to find Ace had stepped to the side of Reasp. He slowly raised his right arm, and struck Reasp on the back of the neck using the edge of his hand. Reasp slumped to his knees, and almost fell flat on his face.

"I should have realised that your Monk training would cause you to evade and counter like that." Reasp said.

"Are you ok?" Ace asked.

"Yeah, I’m fine."

Reasp jumped back onto his feet, and held his hands like he was holding a broad sword. Holy energy began to form in his hands. It solidified as a broadsword. The blade shone in the light of the sun. He held it above his head and ran towards Ace. Ace quickly formed a Katana, and barely blocked the attack. He looked up and saw pieces of holy flake away from the sword. It was getting weaker.

"Why is my blade weakening?" Ace asked.

"It’s under the strain of a stronger blade." Reasp replied.

Ace remembered creating stronger weapons before he fought the Dark Lord. The day he had his powers stolen was burned in the back of his head. He screamed and kicked Reasp in the stomach throwing him off. Ace absorbed the energy back into his body, and created a new Katana. He attacked Reasp, and watched as his teacher struggled to hold back Ace’s attack. He looked into Ace’s eyes, and saw darkness. He realised Ace’s darkness had once again been awakened. Reasp blasted Ace in the chest, throwing him off. He watched, as Ace seemed to return to a normal form.

"What just happened?" Ace asked.

Reasp almost told Ace about his dark side, but then realised there was probably nothing he could do about it. It would also alarm him, and Reasp felt this would gain nothing.

"Uh.. You hit your head on a rock." Reasp lied.

"Really? I don’t feel a lump, and my head doesn’t hurt." Ace said.

"The power of the Chosen One allows us to heal people. I healed you."

"But wouldn’t that classify as "Poofy Magic"?"

Reasp replied with a blank look.

"Let us continue the training."

Ace struggled to jump back onto his feet. He forgot about the weights strapped to his legs and arms. Reasp had his back to Ace. When Ace managed to be able to stand up straight, Reasp spun around, created a broadsword in each hand and went to attack Ace. Ace flipped backwards, landing on his hands and fell down. Reasp stood over him, ready to thrust the sword down. Ace fired a small blast, throwing him back. Jumping to his feet, Ace held out a hand, and created a Katana.

"No. I must make something stronger. I must master the art of the energy weapons." Ace thought.

Reasp began to charge at Ace. Ace lowered his head in an attempt to increase his power, and create another sword. Seconds before Reasp attacked, Ace looked up.

The room filled with a white flash. The blades of Reasp’s swords slid off and fell to the ground. Ace stood behind, in a long stance, with his left led bent forward, his right leg back and almost straight and his chest leaning forward. His hands were held out to the side, parallel with his hips. His hands were pointing diagonally forward and in each hand he held a blade. His hair had grown slightly. Sweat ran down his face, as he gasped for breath. Reasp turned and walked towards Ace. Ace turned and faced Reasp.

"I see you have begun to transform into the third level of a Chosen One. Believe me, the hard part is over. Now we must work on you’re physical strength more." He said.

"Great." Ace replied.

The two of them hovered in the air, their hands in a guard. Reasp knew Ace would use his martial arts against him. He would be a tricky opponent to fight. However, Reasp knew he was much stronger than Ace and his punches would do more damage.

"Let us begin." Reasp said.

The two flew towards each other and began to fight. Energy could be seen flying from them as each punch connected. Sweat fell to the ground. Punch after punch was thrown, kick after kick. There seemed to be no winner. Then, suddenly Ace vanished from Reasp’s face. He appeared seconds later to his side, and stuck him on the back of the neck. Ace’s hair had grown even longer. The attack threw Reasp back slightly, but the warrior soon recovered and flew back up to Ace. Once again, Ace vanished from his vision. Expecting him to appear to his side again, Reasp quickly turned around.

"Think I will fall for a split illusion trick twice in a row?" Reasp shouted.

Ace didn’t appear. Instead, Ace showed up in his face, and punched him. The punch felt much stronger than before. Reasp lowered himself to the ground, and gestured Ace to do the same.

"I see you’re strength and speed have increased dramatically. Well done." Reasp said.

He held back his hands, and created a broadsword in them.

"Can you do this?" He asked.

Ace held back his hands, and created a Katana. He let go with his bottom hand and found nothing there. He placed his back, and concentrated. The blade grew longer, and so did the handle. Ace absorbed the energy back into his body and tried again. He concentrated his energy and found he could easily create a two handled Katana. He had mastered the third level of Chosen One. His hair had managed to grow down to the base of his spine. He turned to Reasp, nodded and attacked. The two swords clashed as they struck each other, energy flying away. The two blades clashed, energy flying as the two blades slid together. Soon, Ace and Reasp were face to face. Quickly kicking him the stomach, Ace watched as Reasp fell backwards. He moved quickly, placing his sword near Reasp’s throat.

"The victory is mine." Ace said as he absorbed the energy back into his body. He held down his hand. Reasp grabbed and Ace helped him to his feet.

"Well done Ace. I can see the training has finally paid off." Reasp said as he got to his feet. "It seems that you have mastered the third level of your powers."

"Finally. I feel stronger than I was before I lost my powers."

"As expected. You learnt you’re skills through a book. Now you are being taught by a master."

"Great."

"These past twenty days have done you well Ace. Soon you’ll train with Reilly Pepin, the fourth Great Chosen One. That will make you must stronger."

"What about the remaining elements?"

"They will come soon enough. But be warned. Gravity and Holy will require the fourth level to defeat."

Ace said his good byes, turned and flew out the cave entrance. Reasp slowly vanished from sight.

In the Great Chosen One’s look out, Reasp appeared. Reilly was sleeping with his wings wrapped around his body. Reasp gestured the First Great Chosen One, Odonic and Aeris over.

"I have found him." Reasp said.

"You mean he isn’t dead?" asked Odonic.

"No."

"Should we tell him?" Aeris suggested.

"No."

Ace landed near the entrance to his home. There stood Yuno.

"Tameto. We have both been summoned to Wutai." Yuno said.

"Why?" Ace asked.

"I don’t know."

Chapter 11 - The Clash of Rivals

*Prologue* About a week back.

"Hey, Buddy. Look. Some woman is hanging herself." Said one man.

"Do you think she’s dead?" replied the man known as Buddy."

"Dunno. Let’s cut her down and see." Said the first man.

A few minutes ago, she hanged herself. She was still alive, but weak when the two men cut her down.

"Are you all right?" Asked Buddy.

"Why did you save me? I wanted to die!" The woman replied.

"Why?" Asked the first man.

"I am not loved." The woman replied.

"Love is painful, but no reason to kill yourself. And besides, love can creep up anywhere. You just need to be ready to find it." Replied Buddy.

Buddy and his friend helped the woman out of the back of the cave, as a boulder sealed off the main entrance. *End Prologue*

Yuno sat by the lack at Wutai, the moon reflecting in it. He threw a stone right on the reflection and watched it fall apart as the stone made the water ripple. Then, it just returned to normal like nothing had happened. Yuno sighed. He was seventeen years old and still training under lord Godo. He heard a twig snap behind him, turned and found himself looking at a fifteen year old girl. He stood up. She was wearing a white silk dress that went down from her neck to her shin. She had long black hair and blue eyes. Yuno stood up and looked into her eyes.

"I have come to see you." She said.

"Farah, what are you doing out at this hour?" Yuno asked. He was faintly blushing.

"To see you. All I can think about is how much I love you Yuno." Farah replied.

Yuno looked away, blushing.

"And I know you love me to." She replied.

Yuno turned to look at her. His face moving closer to hers.

"Hey Yuno, where are we going?" Ace asked. He was shaking Yuno’s left arm to wake him up.

"I guess all I can say is, I... love .... you..." Yuno said in a half conscious voice.

"Uh... sorry Yuno, but I don’t swing that way."

"What? Oh. I wasn’t talking to you Tameto. I was thinking about an old memory of a woman I loved."

"And she is?"

"Farah Nadine."

"I don’t think I know her."

"She was kept in her home till she was about ten years old, but she did live in Wutai when you did."

"What happened to her? Is she?"

"No. She isn’t dead. But when we return, I shall see her again."

"Say, why have we been called anyway?"

"I don’t know. Lord Godo gave me no reason."

"OK, but it must be special if he said we’re allowed to bring guests.

On the Highwind with Ace and Yuno were Geg, Arthur, Janine, Cloud, Tifa and Cid.

"We’re going to Wutai, the home of Ace’s training. I can hardly wait." Geg said.

"I have heard many things of Wutai, but I have never been there." Arthur said.

Ace was holding his Wutai Katana and nunchuks. Since he mastered his Chosen One powers three years ago, Ace rarely used the weapons, favouring more Melmusa and Masamune. He sighed and looked out the main window.

The Highwind landed not far from Wutai. Ace and Yuno lead the group. Two guards saluted the two warriors as they entered the village. There, stood Lord Godo, his daughter Yuffie and Weykun Nadine.

"It is good to seeing you again Tameto. I have heard great things about you and you’re powers. To think, a pupil of mine the guardian of the Earth." Lord Godo said. You could tell he was proud about Ace. Yuno lowered his head slightly, feeling slightly left out.

Weykun stepped forward. He had on a blue suit, much like Godo’s. He had long black hair and brown eyes.

"So you are the great Tameto. Hmm. I have heard great things about you, and I must say I agree with most of the things I’ve heard." Weykun said, expecting Ace.

The two lords and Yuffie then turned to walk off. Seeing something move towards the lake in the corner of his eye, Yuno glanced over towards the lake, and there saw Farah Nadine. Yuno looked at his old love. His jaw slowly opened, as he looked at the beautiful woman she had become. She stood there by the lake that ran through Wutai, the sun beaming on his white skin. She threw back her hair, with almost no care in the world. She wore a dress similar to the one in Yuno’s memory.

"She's an... Angel! I can’t believe how much she’s changed since I last saw her six years ago." Yuno said.

Ace had a slightly confused look about him, and glanced over at Farah. He blinked a few times, then leaned over to Yuno’s ear.

"Wow. She is beautiful. But I must say, I prefer Janine myself. Nothing against Farah." He said.

Yuno smirked.

"I can see you truly love Janine. But my heart has been taken by Farah." Yuno said.

"Why don’t you go over and speak to her?" Ace suggested.

"It’s been to long Tameto. I’m sure she found someone else." Yuno replied.

"How do you know?" Ace asked.

"I left Wutai when I was seventeen years old. Six years have passed since then."

"How do you know she hasn’t been waiting for you?" Ace said. Before anything else could be said, Lord Godo returned.

"We would like it Tameto and Yuno, if you and your guests would join us for dinner." Lord Godo asked.

"Certainly." Ace replied.

They sat at a huge round table. At the head sat Lord Godo with Weykun to his right and Yuffie to his left. Ace was sitting next to Yuffie, with Janine next to him. The rest then went round from there. Next to Lord Weykun was his daughter Farah, and next to her Yuno. Lord Godo rose with a glass.

"A toast to the return of Tameto." He said.

Everyone drank. Lord Weykun then rose.

"And may we drink to this news. I have called you all hear to tell you of my intention to marry my daughter, Farah Nadine to Wutai’s most greatest and noblest fighter, Tameto." He said.

Yuno and Ace didn’t reply. They looked at one another, and Ace saw a murderous glance being given to him by Yuno. He rose

"I beg your pardon Lord Weykun, but I must decline this offer. I have already fallen madly in love with another woman. And I feel Farah will be better suited for Yuno." Ace said.

"What?! You are declining an offer made by me, Lord Weykun?!" Weykun shouted.

"Now now Weykun. It is obvious the outside world has infected Tameto, for it has been a good ten years since he last lived in Wutai. I am sorry Tameto, but you must marry her." Lord Godo said.

"Have you asked her if she wishes to marry me?" Ace replied.

"She can not question. Her father has chosen this, and it must happen." Godo replied.

Ace growled under his breath. Under the table, he placed his hand on Janine’s, and felt her grasp it. He turned to her and smiled slightly. Yuno stood up.

"My lords, I would like to request Farah’s hand. I have seen Tameto with his girlfriend and I feel a marriage between the two of them would be perfect for them." Yuno said, before sitting back down again.

Lord Weykun managed to control his anger, while Lord Godo though.

"Hmmm. Perhaps a tournament is needed. Yes, a tournament to prove who is Wutai’s best. The winner shall receive Farah’s hand in marriage." Lord Godo suggested.

Yuno looked over at Ace, a smile growing on his face.

"I accept this challenge Lord Godo." Yuno said.

"As do I." Ace replied.

"Excellent. Tomorrow, we shall hold the tournament. Tonight, you two should both rest." Lord Godo said. He snapped his fingers, and told a servant to take Ace, Yuno and Ace’s guests to their rooms.

That night, Ace went to the river. He asked Janine to join him.
"Do you still love me?" He asked her.

"Yes, of course Ace. I would only feel upset should you have accepted the marriage, but to decline it proves you’re love for me." She replied.

Ace smiled and kissed Janine in the mood light.

Ace returned to his room, and found Yuno waiting.

"I have waited years to finally fight you Tameto. But I can tell you are going to throw the fight. Am I correct?" Yuno asked.

"Yes. I want you to marry Farah, not me. I want to marry Janine." Ace said.

A footstep could be heard. Ace and Yuno raised a guard. Out stepped Weykun.

"Heh. I expected you to decide to throw the fight Tameto. Mark my words, even if Yuno wins, you shall still marry Farah." Weykun said.

"What?" Ace cried.

"If you throw the fight, Yuno won’t have proven his skills. But I know Yuno can’t beat you otherwise, with or without your powers." Weykun said.

Ace glanced over at Yuno. He could tell Weykun’s comments insulted him.

"I don’t know why you two are bothering." Weykun sniggered as he walked off.

Ace stood on the left hand side of the ring. It was located outside Lord Godo’s home. There opposite stood Yuno. Ace stood there, his eyes closed, psyching himself up for the fight. His hair stood on end, turned white and grew.

"Before the fight starts, I have something I need to do." Ace said.

He held his hands out parallel to his hips, then began to cry. A white glow appeared around him, then suddenly a white mist flew straight out of him. Above his head hovered the mist. Yuno glanced over and noticed Ace on his hands and knees, his hair normal. Yuno could tell Ace was weaker. Gasping for breath, Ace spoke.

"I have... expelled my powers.... Now, I shall..... give Yuno an..... even fight......" Ace said. He raised himself to his feet, barley managing to hold his ground.

"Give me about another minute before I fight."

"One minute." Yuno thought to himself. "One minute, and I shall fight Tameto. A fight I have been dying to do since what feels like forever. Now I shall finally fight my rival and friend in the ring. Now I can prove I have been the strongest. But Weykun knows Tameto is planning to throw the fight. Damn it! Even if I manage to beat Tameto fair and square, Weykun could still accuse Tameto of throwing the fight."

"May the fight BEGIN!" Lord Godo cried.

Ace entered a fighting stance, the mist still above him. Yuno did the same. Ace attacked first. He ran up to Yuno, then performed a turning kick with his left leg. He placed it on the floor, spun round and performed a reverse turning kick with his right. The heel of the foot smacked Yuno on the head. Managing to hold his ground, Yuno jumped into the air and came down with an axe kick onto Ace’s head with his left leg. Ace managed to block it, but failed to notice the right foot until it kicked him in the face. Ace was throw back. He quickly flipped and landed on his hands, then threw himself forward. Holding his left leg out, and pulling his right leg in, Ace attacked with a flying kick. Yuno could easily see and block the attack. He got his arms read to block and grab Ace, only to find Ace land and quickly kick Yuno in the face with the flat edge of his left foot. Yuno fell back and quickly swept Ace’s leg. Ace fell backwards. The two got up, and face each other. For a split second, the two analysed the other, trying to work out just how to beat him. Yuno jumped up, then swung down with a left hook. Ace held out his right arm, blocked the attack and grabbed Yuno by the arm. As he swung him down, Yuno quickly kicked Ace in the stomach. Stumbling back and clutching his stomach, Ace fell over while Yuno landed on his chest. The two of them staggered to their feet. Ace paused for a second while he tried to rather some strength. It had been over three years since he fought without his powers. His body wasn’t used to fighting without the added power of holy. Meanwhile, Yuno took this as an opportunity to attack. He jumped into the air, stretched out his left leg and performed a flying kick. Managing to finally gain control over his body, Ace looked up only to see Yuno’s foot connect with his face. Yuno landed, and watched as Ace staggered back towards the edge of the ring.

"If he falls out, this battle is mine." Yuno thought to himself. "I’ve finally managed to beat Tameto. Yet, this battle feels so empty to me, and I don’t understand why."

Lost in thought, Yuno didn’t see Ace recover himself, inches away from the edge of the arena. He turned and ran towards Yuno. Looking up, Yuno watched as Ace punched him in the stomach. The force of the punch slightly lifted Yuno off his feet. Next, Ace used his other hand to punch Yuno in the chest, throwing him back. Yuno stood up and launched himself at Ace, fists at the ready. He threw a punch at Ace but watched as it was easily blocked. Yuno swung the elbow of his other arm down, and watched as it landed on Ace’s head. Falling onto his back, Ace shot both feet into Yuno’s chest and jumped up into the air. Clenching both fists together, Ace swung it down on Yuno’s head. Landing, Ace ran up to the staggering Yuno and hit him with an uppercut into the stomach. The force of the attack lifted him off his feet and put his head slightly over Ace’s shoulder. Blood flew out his mouth, and landed on Ace’s shoulder.

"You got blood on my jacket Yuno." Ace said in a deep, dark voice.

"What... the?" Yuno weakly replied. Even with Yuno’s head close to his ear, Ace struggled to hear Yuno. Ace jumped up and performed a spinning kick at Yuno, throwing him onto the floor. Ace threw off his jacket. It seemed even without his powers, the darkness from the Dark Lords spell still flowed through Ace like blood in his veins. He raised his hand to slam down on Yuno’s head, then paused. The darkness in him was also much weaker without his powers, allowing Ace to come to his sense and stop himself from possibly killing Yuno. He backed off.

"What is wrong with me?" He said under his breath. Yuno took this chance to stand up again, only to stagger forward, half conscious.

"Why did I almost kill Yuno? I’m sure that last punch could have been enough to kill him. When did I turn so dark?" He said under his breath.

Yuno fell onto his face, unconscious. Lord Godo looked at Yuno, then began counting.

"One... Two... Three..." He began.

"How did I become dark? .... The Dark Lord’s spell. It must have left darkness in me." Ace said under his breath.

"Seven... Eight... Nine..." Godo continued.

"UNCLE!" Ace cried out.

"Te.... What? Are you surrendering Tameto?" Lord Godo asked.

"Yes. I have realised that when I fight, I turn into a beast. This has only just come to me, and is something Yuno didn’t know. He has had an un-fair disadvantage. With no knowledge of my dark side, he was unable to think of a way to counter it should I have become dark. Thus, I will surrender and let Yuno win." Ace explained.

Knowing of Ace’s plan to throw the fight, Weykun tried to think of a way to trap Ace. But he had watched the fight and saw how evil Ace’s moves were, how he showed no concern for his opponent’s well being and how Ace came so close to killing Yuno in the ring.

"Is this truly Tameto? I heard many noble things about him, but he seemed to almost kill Yuno in the ring. Is there some kind of explanation?" Weykun thought to himself.

Raising his hands, Ace summoned his power back into his body. The mist almost fell down onto his hands and vanished. Ace walked over to Yuno and placed his hands over him. A strange white beam came out of his hands. Rather than being a straight beam like he used for attacking, the beam coming from Ace’s hands was all wavy. The beam hit Yuno, and covered him with a glow much like Ace’s. About a minute later, Yuno slowly raised himself to his feet.

"So I lost, did I Tameto?" Yuno said, shakily.

"Nope. I surrendered before Lord Godo reached ten." Ace replied.

"Why did you surrender Tameto?"

"Remember when the Dark Lord removed my powers?"

"Yes."

"Well, I think some of his darkness was left in me. I haven’t noticed it when I’ve fought before, but I assumed that if a fight lasts long enough, I tap into this darkness for an added strength. It changes me into basically an animal, hell bent on killing my opponent. I surrendered because you knew nothing about that and had no way to survive my attacks." Ace said.

Ace slowly turned his head to his left, looking at Da-chao. A green blob was oozing it

s way over the mountains, and heading for Wutai.

"What the hell?" Ace said. A glow appeared around him as he powered up and flew towards the blob.

He hovered over the huge blob, wondering what it was. Suddenly, it shot something at him. Managing to evade it, Ace watched as the attack hit a tree. The tree turned green then died. It had been poisoned. The blob reformed as a demon.

"Greetings Chosen One. Prepare to die!" It said.

"Oh shit! The Poison Demon." Ace cried out.

Ace powered up into the third form of Chosen One. His hair turned white and grew in size, until it was level with his ass. His voice deepened, his muscles grew in size and his eyes seemed to darken slightly.

"I will not let you kill anyone demon!" Ace cried out in his deep voice. Drawing Melmusa and Masamune, Ace flew over and slashed at the demon. It easily evaded his attacks. Realising the blades were no match for the demon, Ace began to channel holy energy into his hands. He then pushed the holy through his blades, giving them the added strength of holy. Ace flew over to the demon and slashed it. He watched as a piece fell off and the demon cried in pain.

"Ha! By becoming a level three Chosen One, I have gained powers, which allow me to easily smite the likes of you demon. This shall be an easy fight!" Ace taunted.

"You would think that Chosen One, but I wouldn’t be so sure." The Poison Demon said. It returned itself to its blob sate and quickly moved away from Ace, towards the people of Wutai.

"What he hell? Oh no!" Ace cried out.

Meanwhile, everyone had left their seats to congratulate Yuno, except for AVALANCHE, Geg, Arthur and Janine.

"What did he fly off after?" Cloud asked.

"It was that green blob which started him. Don’t know what it is though?" Arthur replied.

"Hey. Ain’t it coming this way?" Cid asked.

"Shit. I think it is. And why does it make me think of one of those Element Demons Ace has been fighting?" Geg suggested.

Some of the people had looked at the huge green blob rolling its way towards them. A few of them had decided to run away. Meanwhile, Farah ran down to join Yuno. They kissed each other, then looked into each other’s eyes.

"It looks like I won." Yuno said.

"Soon, we shall marry." Farah replied.

Meanwhile, Ace tried desperately to catch up and destroy the demon. Ace looked forward and saw a few people remaining. The demon was catching up. Soon it would be onto the people.

"I have to find a way to stop it. But how?" Ace cried out.

Then it went all wrong. Wondering what was going on, Farah stepped out in front of the oncoming demon. Realising it now had a human to infect, the demon increased its speed. Soon, Farah would be infected and die from the poison.

"I need to save her. Yuno would never forgive me." Ace cried out, increasing his speed. He knew he’d just be able to grab her and take her out of the demon’s path. Suddenly, Yuno jumped infront of the demon and pushed Farah out of its path.

"What the fu...! Oh God! YUNO! DON’T DO IT!" Ace cried out.

Ace fired a blast at the demon, but watched as it passed right through the demon.

The poison demon ran over Yuno, infecting him with its poison.

"Farah.... I... love.... you..." Yuno said as he fell over, dead.

"OH F**K! SHIT" Ace cried out.

Farah knelt down next to Yuno’s body. He had a green glow around him. Farah went to put a hand on his cold body.

"I wouldn’t do that if I were you. The poison will infect you to. Don’t worry. That demon will pay for what it did!" Ace said.

Holding his hands in the air, Ace summoned Excaliber, flew over to the demon and slashed it. The blade burnt the demon as it went through. The demon threw back its head and roared with pain. Holding Excaliber in his right hand, Ace used his left hand to fire small blasts at Poison. Ace watched as the attacks burned through the demon easily. He flew over to it and performed a down ward slash with Excaliber. The demon fell to the ground, beaten. Holding Excaliber level with his head, Ace thrust down onto the Element Orb, killing the demon. It didn’t take long for the orb to be absorbed into the sword. Ace took a few seconds to examine the element, then ran over to Yuno’s fallen body. It still had a green glow around it. Already, people had began to crowd around it. Farah was crying next to him, while AVALANCHE, Ace’s friends and the people of Wutai stood there speechless. Ace knelt down next to Yuno, and prayed.

"Great Chosen Ones. Grant me the power to revive my friend. I know it is not his time to die today. Give me the power to revive him." Ace chanted.

His eyes snapped open, then placed his hands over Yuno. White energy began to channel through his hands onto Yuno’s body. Slowly, the glow vanished. About a minute later, the glow was gone and Yuno’s eyes slowly opened. He blinked a few times, then sat up.

"What the...? What the.... hell happened.... Tameto?" Yuno asked.

"You were knocked out, almost killed by the Poison Demon." Ace said.

"Where is it?" Yuno asked.

Ace held up Excaliber, and pointed to the green orb.

"Here." Ace said. "Five down, four to go."

Farah threw herself around Yuno, and kissed him. Weykun walked over.

"I see you truly are worth of Farah’s hand in marriage Yuno. Tameto is an excellent fighter. That fight with the demon proved his skills, but you also died for just to save Farah. You are the kind of man I would like to marry my daughter. Do you accept my offer Yuno Imzadi?" Weykun asked.

Yuno smiled.

"With all my heart." Yuno replied.

"Splendid. I shall begin preparation for the marriage." Weykun replied.

Ace helped Yuno to his feet.

"I guess in some way, Poison was a blessing in disguise. I doubt Weykun would have let you marry Farah otherwise." Ace said.

Yuno laughed. "I guess you’re right Tameto."

Ace’s friends and AVALANCHE climbed back aboard the Highwind. Yuno decided to leave, saying he wished to fight along side Ace where possible. Before he left, Ace made a promise to Yuno and Wutai.

"When I defeat the Dark Lord, the two of us will fight again, an this time I won’t let darkness take me over." Ace said.

Yuno smiled. "I accept your challenge Tameto."

Chapter 12 - Earth and Wind

The four great chosen ones stood over the well, watching the Earth.

"One week is left." Said Reasp, the Third Great Chosen One.

"One week until Earth is fought for." Added Odonic, the Second Great Chosen One.

"In one week, Ace Strife will be put on test. In one week he will be made to fight the Dark Lord." Said the First Great Chosen One. He paused, then turned to the Fourth Great Chosen One. "Reilly. We never completed the spell. At present, no Chosen One will be able to reach the fourth level."

"Damn it!" Reilly replied. "We must do it now. I plan to train with Ace soon."

"We must hurry and do the spell." Odonic said. "Reasp, we will need you’re assistance."

"But I am no mage. What do you require of me? Reasp asked.

"Does the Fourth level of Chosen One not use fighting skills like the Third level of Chosen One does?" Reilly asked.

"Indeed it does." Reasp replied.

"Odonic and I can add the mage elements. You are required to add in the fighter elements." The First Great Chosen One said.

"So be it." Reasp replied.

The three chosen ones stood in a triangle shape, with Reilly in the middle. Facing him was the First Great Chosen One. To his left was Odonic and to his right was Reasp. Each of the three great chosen ones held out their arms pointing at one and other.

"May the power of the Foruth Great Chosen One be released!" The First Great Chosen One began.

"May it gain power from magic." Odonic chanted.

"May it gain strength from fighting." Reasp chanted.

"May it be guided by Angels." Reilly said.

Reasp fired a blast.

"Fighting." He said.

It was caught by the First Great Chosen One then thrown into the air. Next, Odonic fired a blast.

"Magic." He said.

The First Great Chosen One caught it, then fired his own blast at it, adding to it.

"Magic." He said.

The First Great Chosen One then called back down the ball Reasp fired, then mixed it with the "magic" ball. Turning to face Reilly, he fired it at him. Catching it, Reilly threw it in the air and fired his own blast.

"Angel." He said.

The four blast mixed with the orb, then landed on the ground. It grew into the shape of a human. It was basically the shape of a human, except it had a face and two angel wings.

"I am the essence of the Fourth level of a Chosen One’s powers. The spell is complete, but faulty. Only the direct blood line of the Fourth Great Chosen One can turn level four." It said.

"DAMN IT! My son died twenty years ago. If Ace can’t power up into the fourth level, there is no hope for Earth!" Reilly cried out.

Meanwhile, down on Earth, a loan figure was fighting the Earth Element Demon and the Wind Element Demon.

"Ha! What a foolish Mortal! I shall blow him to the ends of the Earth!" The Wind Demon cried.

"Not before I crush him with Earth Wind Demon." The Earth Demon replied.

The warrior raised his sword and sliced the Earth demon. He watched as the tip of his blade snapped off. Gasping, he looked up and watched as the Earth demon slammed a rocky fist down on him. The warrior managed to barley move out of the way in time. He placed his hands together like he was praying, then opened his hands to make a triangle, keeping his thumbs touching each other.

"PALADIN BLAST!" He cried out. A white flame appeared in the sky, then fired down onto the Earth demon. The creature was thrown to the ground. The paladin collapsed onto all fours, panting.

"Heh. Nothing... can..... survive the most.... powerful Paladin spell..." said the Paladin. He collapsed on the floor, tired from the fight and the spell. The Earth Demon towered over him.

"I believe he was trying to hurt us." It said.

"Hurt? It barely even tickled!" The Wind Demon replied.

The Earth Demon raised a rocky fist and prepared to smash the Paladin’s head in.

"HAAAAA!" Something cried out.

The Earth Demon was thrown backwards by the white blast. The Wind Demon looked up and saw Ace standing on a rock. He held his hands palm to palm, and they were still glowing from the attack. Yuno Imzadi jumped up, spinning Alator over his head. He then thrust an end down onto the Wind Demon’s head. The Wind Demon dispersed.

"You’re wasting you’re energy Yuno. You can not harm wind. Geg. Arthur. Get Jeremy away from here. I don’t want anyone dying in this fight." Ace said. He drew his two Katana blades and stood in a fighting stance. Geg and Arthur dragged away the unconscious body of Jeremy while the other two prepared to fight. The Earth Demon stumbled back towards Ace and Yuno. The demon whipped some mud from its mouth.

"So, you’re the Chosen One." It said. "Ha! You’re no match for me!"

"Really?" Ace said. "That’s funny. I feel strong enough to take you down!"

Ace powered up to the third level of his Chosen One powers, and launched himself at the Earth Demon. Realising his swords would be damaged in combat, Ace put them back into their sheaths and created replicas using Holy energy. Ace attacked the Demon with his weapons, but watched as the Demon blocked his every attack. He threw away his energy weapons, and started darting around the demon, moving from side to side. Puzzled by what he was doing, the demon lowered its guard. That was his chance Jumping high into the air, Ace charged up and launched a barrage of energy attacks, throwing the demon back. Landing, Ace looked at the fallen Demon.

"Humph. Expected more from it." Ace said. He held out his right hand, summoning Excaliber. Feeling a breeze behind him, Ace sharply turned around and saw the Wind Demon wrapping itself around him. It then blew him forward with a powerful gust of wind, slamming him into a rock. He dropped the sword, which tumbled down a cliff. Pulling himself out, he turned to face the demon.

"So, you want some of this do ya?" He cried out.

"HHHHAAAAAAA!" cried a voice behind the Wind Demon. Yuno fell down onto the demon and sliced downwards with Alator. At the last second, the Demon slit itself in two down the middle. Yuno looked up, puzzled and watched as it raised a fist and slammed him in the face Yuno was thrown back by the blow and was certain to land in some jagged rocks but was fortunately caught by Geg and Arthur.

"You OK Yuno?" Geg asked.

"Yuno, I already said you should stop fighting. Those attacks are wasting energy. If you must do something go find Excaliber." Ace said.

Using his energy, Ace picked Yuno up and lowered him safely down the rocks to where Excaliber landed. Hearing a rock gently fall down behind him, Ace sharply turned around and saw the Earth Demon. Ace entered a fighting stance. Their eyes locked, waiting for the other to make a move first. When neither did, the Earth Demon charged towards Ace.

"Hah. I’ve been preparing. WATER ELEMENT!" Ace cried out.

There was a gust of wind, and nothing.

"Wait, the Water Element is in Exacliber... Oh bugger!" Ace said. A rocky fist slammed into his face. Once again, Ace was embeded in rocks. He pulled himself out, and looked at the demon.

"You’re weakening." It said. "You are no longer able to maintain you’re third level of Chosen One."

Ace fell forward, gasping for breath. The Earth Demon just looked at him and laughed.

"To kill you now would please my master. Prepare to die Chosen One." The Earth Demon said.

"I... have no choice... Darkness is not an option...." He weakly said, then collapsed.

The Earth Demon raised his fist and slammed it down onto Ace’s head. It suddenly stopped. There laid Ace, holding the fist up. He was in the third level of his powers, but there was a catch. His hair was black.

"You think you can beat me weakling?" Ace cried out. He pulled back his hands and fired at the demon. The attack left it with only its head. Sparks of black energy were at the ends of his eyes. He stopped. His hair turned white again.

"No. I turned dark. I can not allow this. Darkness will betray he in the fight against the Dark Lord. I know it.

"TAMETO!" said a voice from below the cliffs.

Knowing it was Yuno, Ace jumped down to get him and the sword. When they landed, Yuno looked at the head of the Earth Demon.

"My word Tameto. You showed him no mercy." Yuno said.

"It wasn’t fair Yuno. I turned dark to gain the strength needed to beat him. But if it wasn’t for the darkness, I would be dead." Ace said.

"Tell me Tameto. Would it be possible for you to control you’re darkness? Turn it into something you can control?" Yuno asked.

"I dunno Yuno. I don’t think it is possible to control that form unless I was a Dark One." Ace said.

"I see. Well, here is you’re holy sword. While the victory may be dark, at least you have won over him. Deal with what remains and tackle the Demon of the Element Wind." Said Yuno.

"That’s a point. Where the hell’s it gone?" Ace cried out.

Geg sighed as he and Arthur sat by the unconscious body of Jeremy.

"Boring guard job. Why the hell do we get the dull jobs while Yuno and Ace fight Arthur?" He said.

"A guard may still have an effect on victory." Arthur said.

"How?"

"Well, we could get attacked by surprise and be forced to fight, ending up defeating the attacker." Arthur said.

"How right you are ally of Chosen One. But victory is not an option for you." Said the Wind Demon.

"Ah f..." Geg began, before his head was covered by the Wind Demon.

"You’re friend is slowly suffocating. There is nothing you can do to save him." The Wind Demon said.

Picking up Jeremy’s sword, Arthur slashed at the Wind Demon. It looked at Arthur, then threw back it’s head and laughed.

"Is that the best you can do?" It taunted.

Arthur slamming the sword into the Demon’s face. The demon was thrown back slightly and dropped Geg. Stumbling to his feet, Geg drew his sword and helped Arthur attack the Demon. Though it was really just thrown back by the attacks, the Demon was still startled by what was happening. It managed to find it’s feet and looked at the two of them. Jeremy staggered to his feet and looked at Geg and Arthur.

"Wha... what’s going on? HEY! That’s my sword!" He said.

"Sorry, but I had to save my friend. Here." Said Arthur, returning Jeremy’s sword. He then drew his bo staff and the three of them turned to face the Wind Demon. By the time Ace and Yuno arrived, the three of them had given the Demon quite a beating. It was easy for Ace to capture the element in his sword.

"I never knew you fought in a party Ace." Jeremy said.
"Sometimes I do. Sometimes I don’t." Ace replied.

Meanwhile, at the lookout where the Great Chosen Ones stand.

"Hmm. It seems our Chosen One is still unable to control his darkness." Said Reasp.

"What will we do?" Said the First Great Chosen One?"

"I shall train him." Said Reilly.

"Wait Reilly, it is pointless. He won’t be able to gain the fourth level of Chosen One powers." Said Odonic.

"Perhaps, but he should at least gain some benefit from the training." Replied Reilly.

Before anything else could be said, Reilly vanished.

Chapter 13 - The Fourth Great Chosen One

*Prologue* The fourth level is shrouded in mystery. It is believed that it was created in the current century. Little is known about the fourth great Chosen One apart from his first name - Reilly, and his appearance. He is best described as an angel on earth. One myth surrounding the level claims that the fourth great Chosen One was on a picnic with his wife and newborn son when the Dark Lord attacked. The dark Lord brought minions with him, who killed the Chosen One’s wife. The child, who was in a basket vanished from Reilly’s sight. Reilly never knew what happened to his son. Reilly fought the Dark Lord, but died. Each time the Dark Lord fought and lost to a Chosen One he learnt how to mimic his opponent’s power. Because Reilly used the third level, the Dark Lord was able to mimic it and defeat him. As his spirit left his body as an angel, Reilly prayed that he’d be revived. The Great Chosen Ones answered his prayer by reviving Reilly and making him a living angel. He noticed that all his clothes were white and he had two angel wings on his back. However, he could no longer fly using his energy and instead had to fly using the wings. He also learnt he had full control over Excalibur and was able to beat the Dark Lord. When he won the battle, he noticed his wings stayed. He then buried his wife and flew off into a cave. He then sacrificed his powers which then left his body, but he learnt he still had the wings. The ritual to allow future chosen ones to reach the fourth level of their power has not be done at the time this document has been recorded, though it is hoped that it shall happen some time soon. It is unknown what happened to the fourth great Chosen One. Some believe he still lives, mourning the death of his wife and son. However, what happened to his son is basically unknown. The picnic was held near a river. The child’s basket could have been thrown into the river and drifted away until someone found it. *End Prologue*

Adapted from an unknown source

"PREPARE TO DIE CHOSEN ONE!" Cried a black demon. The creature held up a hand and charged a strange black orb. Ace, as a third level chosen one ricochet off a wall and landed a punch on the demon’s chin.

"Please Gravity Demon. Do you know how many demons I’ve fought over the past two years who’s said stuff like that? Can’t ya be more original?" Ace said in a humorous manner.

"DIE!" The Gravity Demon cried out. It fired off three gravity balls. Ace easily destroyed them with a single blast. Meanwhile, the people of Midgar looked up at the fight taking place above their heads. Geg, Arthur, Janine, Jeremy and Arthur’s girlfriend looked up at the fight.

"Oh, I hope he’ll be ok." Said Janine.

"I am sure he will be fine lady Janine." Said Jeremy.

"Look, Jeremy. There is no need to say "lady" or "sir" before everyone’s name." Said Geg.

"I see si.... Geg." Replied Jeremy.

Above their heads, the two fought. The demon pulled his hands back to his hips then thrust them forward, firing what seemed like hundreds of blasts. Ace vanished before his eyes, appeared to the left of the creature’s head and kicked him. As it fell down, Ace summoned Excalibur and pulled out the Fire Element orb. He let it wrap around his hand and fired off three blasts at the demon. Placing the element back into the sword, Ace pulled out Ice and fired three blasts, then followed with three Thunder blasts and three water blasts. The demon was severally weakened by Ace’s attacks and began to fall down onto the people below, knocking down building tops as it fell. Ace let himself fall after the demon, stabbing it with Excaliber then fired off twenty small blasts at the individual pieces of rubble the demon had knocked down. Just as he was about to land next to his friends, Ace felt a tingle in the back of his head and zoomed off.

Meanwhile, Reilly sat in his cave, his lowered. Slowly he rose his head, looked up and spoke.

"He’s coming. I can sense him."

He then lowered his head again.

"What the hell is that?" Ace cried out as he flew around. "I almost feel like I know what that was. I could sense someone, but I dunno who it was, and yet I have this feeling I’ve known that life force from somewhere."

Ace continued to fly, trying to pick up the strange yet familiar energy signal he sensed. His best guess was a cave. He had a feeling it was the Fourth Great Chosen One, and remembered how the other three trained him in a cave. He shrugged and flew down low. He could feel the tingle in his head grow slightly. He could tell he was getting close. He landed and began to walk around. Ace couldn’t understand why, but this being he could sense was like some he knew a long time ago, yet he still couldn’t understand why. He couldn’t explain why, but the energy signal made him happy, like it was a person he loved. He walked towards a cave, and entered.

"Greetings Ace Strife. I am Reilly Pepin, the Fourth Great Chosen One." Said a voice. A man walked out of the shadows. He looked like an older version of Reilly.

"Who do you look like my holy shell Reilly?" Ace asked.

"The Great Chosen Ones and I decide to use my image when we revived you." Reilly explained.

"But you look older than the Reilly I was revived as." Ace replied.

Reilly gave Ace a blank look.

"You work it out!" He replied. "Any way, there is a slight problem."

"What is it?" Ace asked.

"You are unable to gain the power of a level four chosen one." Reilly said.

"What!" Ace yelled.

"The only one who could become one was my son, Silrun Pepin." Reilly said, lowering his head. He paused for a second. "Twenty years ago, my wife and I had a son, Silrun. While we were out picnicking, the Dark Lord and his minions attacked. A minion killed my wife by ramming a spike though her chest. Another one fired a blast at the basket Silrun was sleeping in. Distracted by the death of my family, I was killed by the Dark Lord. But I prayed to the Great Ones as my soul left my body, to be allowed to avenge my family and defeat the Dark Lord. They agreed and fused my angelic soul with my body, creating the fourth, angelic level."

Reilly unfolded the wings on his back. Both wings stretched out roughly three meters from his back. Each wing had different sized feathers, like that of a bird.

"This is what the fourth form has to offer, as well as a perfect balance with magic and fighting skills. But the cost for form is to great." Reilly lowered his head again. A tear glistened in the light as it fell to the ground. "Unlike the other great ones, I’m not actually dead, but I can transport myself to the realm where they live."

"I’m an orphan. Ok, so I’m twenty now, but I’m still an orphan. A fisherman in Wutai found my floating in the sea, almost dead. He adopted me and named me Tameto. My real name is an enigma to me. Ace Strife is just an alias I created. It had been so long since I heard the name Tameto, I forgot all about it."

Reilly looked up. He blinked, then starred into Ace’s eyes.

"It can’t be..... Silrun?" Reilly said.

"What?!" Ace replied.

"I lost Silrun near Rocket Town which is east of Wutai. And it happened 20 years ago. Tell me, when is you’re birthday?"

"Twenty fourth of June." Ace said.

"That was the day Silrun was born on." Reilly replied, smiling.

"This sounds extremely freaky to me. You saying I could well be you’re long lost son?" Ace said.

"There’s a chance." Reilly replied. "The only way to find out is if you become a fourth great chosen one. The spell which makes it accessible for chosen ones to reach the fourth level states that only my son, Silrun can. If you reach it, you have to be Silrun." Reilly said.

Ace smiled. "Then what are we waiting for?" He asked.

"Now hold on S... Ace. This form will be much harder for you to reach, even if you are my son. In the past, you managed to reach a weaker versions of the three levels through studying from a text book, but you did not reach this level. You body hasn’t experienced it yet. This will take time, and the Dark Lord will rise in ten days." Reilly explained.

"OK, but what do we do then?" Ace asked.

"First, you’re heart must be pure. I can cleanse it for you, for as you know, you have been possessed by darkness." Reilly said.

Ace scratched the back of his head, and laughed. "Yeah. That bloody Dark Lord must have done it when he removed my powers."

"Hmm. Well. HAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!" Reilly screamed. A white beam was fired from his hands, and engulfed Ace. Gritting his teeth, Reilly increased the strength of the beam.

"How can a chosen one be so pure and yet so dark at the same time. It’s almost as if he’s balanced. Could he be..... No. That was nothing but a legend." Reilly thought. Despite this fact though, Reilly managed to lock Ace’s darkness away making it almost undetectable.

"Now the training can begin." Reilly said. He sat on the floor, his wings spread out on the ground. "This level is far different from the others. You receive a tremendous amount of power, and you get perfect harmony between you’re body and soul."

Removing Melmusa and Masamune from his belt, Ace placed them down on the ground and sat in front of Reilly. Reilly quickly glanced at the two Katana blades, surprised to see a Chosen One not use a broad sword.

"So, what exercises do I need to do to get it?" Ace asked.

"None. I got this level by fusing my body with my soul. Granted, I did die first and had to beg for my life again, but that’s beside the point. Ace, I need you to speak to you’re soul." Reilly said.

Ace clasped his hands in the normal meditation fashion. He then crossed his legs in the lotus fashion and closed his eyes. Reilly was slightly shocked by this. Ace would be the first Samurai Monk Chosen One. Ace was sitting the way a Monk would meditate, and to speak to his soul, Ace was actually meditating. Reilly could hardly hear Ace’s breath. Suddenly, Ace’s eyes snapped open.

"Now what?" He asked.

"What the? Have you spoken to you’re soul? That didn’t take long." A shocked Reilly said.

"As a Monk, I’m used to meditating and contacting my soul." Ace replied.

"Why didn’t you say that!" Reilly cried out.

"Sorry." Ace replied.

"Well, now all you need is for you’re soul to fuse with you’re body, but don’t forget. You can only do it if you’re my son." Reilly said.

"Yeah, yeah yeah.." Ace grunted.

"What is it you want?" The soul asked.

"For you and the body to fuse." Said Ace’s mind.

"So? That ain’t gona happen without a justified reason." The soul replied.

"If we don’t fuse, many innocent people will die." Said Ace’s mind.

"And?" Said the soul.

"So will Janine. She will die to. I don’t want to think of her dying because I failed her. I love her more than life itself. I want to spend eternity with her, but to do so I must become strong enough to defeat the Dark Lord and to do that. Please, help us." Ace’s mind explained.

Ace began to twitch. Puzzled, Reilly looked at the boy. Suddenly, his body was flung into the air. He screamed out at the top of his lungs. Two glowing white lines went out from his shoulders. Then, white energy grew down from the line. The line bent upwards slightly, to begin the shape of a wing. Ace had managed to reach the fourth level of the Chosen One power, making him Silrun Pepin, Reilly’s son.

Silrun blinked slightly, then lowered himself to the ground. He rubbed his eyes, then grabbed his left wing, and gently pulled it around to look at it.

"I have wings. Cool. Wait till I show my friends." Silrun cried out, smiling.

"And you are my son. Finally, I know what happened to you." Reilly said. A tear drop ran down his eye, glinting in the light. Silrun smiled.

"I’m no longer an orphan." He said as he nelt down to pick up his swords and place them on his belt.

Reilly walked up to Silrun, his wings flapping in the breeze. Silrun’s jacket was also flapping. The wings were about the same height as his body, almost dragging on the floor, but about level with his head.

"Fight me." He said.

Silrun grinned. "You got it." He replied.

Silrun put his hands together by his right cheek and began to charge up an energy ball. Reilly just stood there motionless. Silrun fired his attack, placing the base of his palms together. His fingers were folded in. At the last second Reilly fired his own blast. The two stood there in deadlocked. Neither one of them was showing a chance of overpowering the other. Suddenly, Silrun increased the size and strength of the attack. Is hands were pushed back by the force. Reilly spread his wings and flew out of the way. Silrun leapt in to sky, chasing him. As he flew towards Reilly, he blasted him repeated.

"Is that the best you can do?" Taunted Reilly. He then started to fire small blasts from both his hands at Silrun. Silrun was barely able to dodge the attacks. Reilly stopped, and drew a sword from a scabbard on his belt. The sword was a long, broad sword. Its handle was a dark blue colour and the blade a lighter blue. Ace looked in amazement.

"Excaliber…" He gasped.

Reilly held the sword above his head and threw it at Silrun. Silrun quickly raised both hands, then flung them backwards. The force made his jacket fling open. He placed his hands on two sword handles and drew them. Excaliber was close to his face. At the last second, Silrun caught the sword with Melmusa and Masamune’s blades. He then flung the three swords towards the floor and flew towards Reilly. The Great Chosen One raised his hands and fired off ten blasts. Silrun rolled to his left, avoiding three of them, then struck another, deflecting it down to the ground. He quickly charged his own blast and fired it, destroyed three more. One of them was about to hit him on his new left wing. Quickly pulling it in and out of the way, Silrun wrapped it around his body.

"SILRUN YOU IDIOT! YOU NO LONGER USE YOU’RE ENERGY TO FLY, BUT YOU’RE WINGS!" Reilly cried out.

"Oh shit!" Silrun said as he fell down to the ground. There was a loud thud as he made contact. Reilly quickly swooped down to his son.

"Are you all right Silrun?" he asked.

Silrun staggered to his feet. "Yeah, I think so." He said.
"We need to do some more training my son. You still aren’t used to flying with you’re wings yet. I an tell. But you shouldn’t take more than a day." Reilly said.

"Great." Silrun replied. "I can’t wait to introduce you to my friends, especially Yuno. He likes to met powerful warriors like yourself."

Reilly laughed. "Yes, I have watched him fight. He is a powerful warrior."

"Yeah, he’s good." Silrun said.

The two of them walked off to continue Silrun’s training. With days left till the Dark Lord’s arrival on earth, and one more Element Demon left to slay, Silrun knew he had to learn quickly if he was to stand a chance of saving his home, family and friends.

Chapter 14- The Re-birth of Silrun Pepin

“SOMEBODY! HELP MY CHILD!” Cried a woman, as her child was thrown into the deep waters near Rocket Town. There was a glint in the sky. Suddenly, something fell down at full speed into the water. It grabbed the child and within a few seconds was out of it. The people got a better chance to see the being. It was an angel. The angel landed on the ground, his wings folded over his body, clenching the child. “It’s all right. You’re safe now.” The angel said. The mother came running over. Unfolding his wings, the angel handed the child over to it’s mother. “Oh thank you Mr. Angel.” She said “My name is Silrun Pepin.” He replied. “Pepin?” She said, puzzled. “Are you related to Reilly Pepin?” “Yes. I’m his son.” Silrun replied. “My God! We all thought you were dead.” She said. “I almost did die.” Silrun said. Silrun turned his head slightly, his hand slowly reaching for Melmusa’s hilt. “Is there a problem Silrun?” The woman asked. “Everyone! I suggest you take cover now. I sense a demon present.” He said. Silrun turned round to face the sea, drawing Melmusa as he turned. Out of the water rose a white demon. It was the Holy Element Demon, but its facial expression was different from normal. Before it showed it’s determination to kill Silrun, but this one seemed confused and unable to understand where it was. Silrun lowered his guard. “What the?” he said. “Isn’t it simple? He is the fusion of white and black magic. He is the demon of the holy element, and holy is good, pure and white. The spell that made him is dark, and dark is evil, cruel and black. While legend speaks of a fusion of holy and darkness, making a being of pure strength and no weakness, this is certainly not it.” Reilly landed before Silrun as he explained the situation to him. “Grey is the accepted balance of white and black. However, with no weakness, grey is the most powerful thing in existence, or so the legend states. My fear is that if this creature can balance the holy and darkness, then lord knows how much destruction it can cause. At all costs, we must stop it!” He said. Silrun jumped into the air, extended his wings and flew over to the Holy demon. He had placed Melmusa back in its scabbard when Reilly had arrived, so as he flew over, he performed the chant for Excalibur. When the sword had formed in his hand, Silrun held the sword close to his face, and chanted to the blade. A few seconds later, the red orb of the Fire Element glowed. The blade was engulfed with flames as Silrun held it above his head. When he was close enough, Silrun slashed down with the flaming blade. The demon screamed with pain while Silrun hovered over it, his wings flapping. “Heh. This will be easy.” He said. The demon raised a hand and fired a beam of Holy energy at Silrun. While it did not really hurt him, the beam was enough to throw him out of the air. Silrun swam around in the water, then brought himself up to the surface and launched himself out of the water. He once again summoned Excalibur, but this time just simple slashed the creature with the blade.

Meanwhile, Reilly stood on the land, shaking his head at Silrun’s attempts to fight the monster. “He’s getting nowhere. The Holy Demon can not be defeated in a normal fight like the others. We need to plan our action in order to defeat it.” Reilly said. He paused for a second, cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted. “SILRUN! COME HERE NOW SO WE CAN PLAN WHAT IT IS WE NEED TO DO! YOU’RE POWERS HAVE NO EFFECT ON IT!” Silrun turned around, shrugged and flew over to his father. “Hasn’t the thought crossed you’re mind that a creature made of Holy would be immune to you’re regular attacks?” Reilly asked. “Well, I suppose it would be.” Silrun said. Reilly looked at the ground and shook his head. “We can not hurt the Dark or the Holy aspect of the creature. While it isn’t grey, the Holy part of the creature would cancel out all the Holy attacks and the Dark part would cancel out any Dark attacks - even though we don’t have any at our disposal.” Reilly said. Silrun removed his swords form his belt and sat on the ground. He placed his elbows on his knees and his face in the palm of his hands. He looked down at Melmusa then closed his eyes, looking into his past.

“The thing is Ace, this group of Shinra Soldiers are nothing but a bunch of traitors” Said Don to a young Ace. “OK Don. I have been taught by Shinra that all traitors should be killed.” Said Ace. He was only fifteen then, and easily manipulated. He had been brainwashed by Storm into thinking they were good people, especially by Theora. “Master Don. The solders are in place for Ace to punish them.” Scythe said as he walked in. Theora turned to Ace and kissed him as he turned to leave. “Thanks for telling me this Storm. My bosses will be happy when they hear I’ve punished these traitors.” He said.

About one hour later, Ace had found where the Soldiers were being kept. He drew Melmusa and killed them all. It was only after he as about to plunge Melmusa through a man’s chest that he realised what had happened. He had been tricked by Storm. He realised that these Soldiers knew of Storm’s crimes, and Storm wanted them out of the way. Ace realised he had killed fifteen innocent Soldiers. His hands and clothes were stained with their blood. He could not describe how horrible he felt, knowing that he had ended people’s lives without a just reason. He felt physically and mentally sick. He went into hiding for six months, unable to face Shinra or anyone else.

However, by being tricked into killing the Soldiers meant that Silrun was not fully evil, and Melmusa was not a blade of darkness like Masamune. Silrun had been told that his blade was grey rather than black. Silrun quickly jump to his feet and turned to Reilly. “Melmusa is a grey blade.” Silrun said. “What?” Reilly replied. “I was once tricked into killing fifteen innocent people with Melmusa. Because I was tricked means that Melmusa is not classified as a black blade, but can no longer be called a white blade. Melmusa is our only chance to beat the Holy Demon.” He explained. “Well, why not try it.” Reilly suggested. Silrun nodded, jumped into the air, stretched out his wings and flew over to the Demon, Holding Melmusa above his head, Silrun slashed down. The creature screamed in agony. Grinning, Silrun raised his sword and slashed it three more times. From a distance, Reilly saw the skill Silrun had handling the sword. “Amazing! That sword is like an extension of his arm.” Reilly gasped as Silrun diced up the demon. Silrun, flapping his wings looked at his half dead foe. He summoned Excalibur and threw the blade. It embedded itself in the centre of the creature’s chest, and absorbed the Element Orb. He then flew back to Reilly. “Well done my son.” Reilly said, patting Silrun on the back. The crowd cheered: “Hero! Hero! Hero!” repeatedly, but a woman in the distance stayed silent, her gaze focused on Silrun. “As handsome as always, but he loves someone else. But to die over it is wrong.” She said under her breath. She then turned and walked off.

“I haven’t introduced ya to my friends yet, have I dad?” Silrun said. Reilly laughed. “No you haven’t.” He replied. “Might as well go now then.” Silrun said. And so, the two lept into the air, and flew off.

Meanwhile, at Geg and Arthur’s flat in Midgar. Arthur had thrown himself back in his seat, Janine was staring out the window and Geg was siting down. “God! It’s been three days since we last heard from Ace.” Geg said. “Yeah. I mean he just took off without saying why or where he was going.” Arthur replied. “Oh, I hope he’s ok.” Janine said, looking out the window. “I’m sure he’s fine.” Geg said. “After all, he’s a powerful bugger.” “I know...” She said. It was obvious she was keeping something to herself. “What is it?” Arthur said, sitting up. “Nothing.” Janine replied. “You’re a terrible liar Janine.” Geg replied. There was a knock on the door, then it opened. “Hi everybody it’s me. Sorry I haven’t contacted ya in the past two days.” Silrun said, pocking his head through the door. “Oh Ace. Thank God you’re ok.” Janine said, rushing to the door. Silrun still hadn’t come in yet. “I gotta brace you guys. I’ve change rather dramatically over these past three days. Personally, I love em but I dunno how you guy’s will react.” Silrun said. He walked through the door, and everyone took a look at his wings. “Wow!” Geg said. “You have wings Ace!” “That’s not all. Everyone, this is my dad, Reilly Pepin.” Silrun said. Reilly walked in, smiled and waved. “Hi.” He said. “He looks like an older version of you’re Reilly alter ego Ace!” Arthur said. “Yeah. When the Great Ones revived me, they used Reilly as an example. They had no idea he was my dad!” Silrun said, laughing. “Oh, and one more thing. My name is no longer Ace Strife. Dad told me I’m called Silrun Pepin.” “Silrun Pepin? That’s you’re real name?” Janine said. “I can understand this must come as a shock to you. You haven’t seen Silrun in three days, and when he returns, he has wings, he has met his father and knows his birth name. This will take time to adjust to as Silrun told me he knew you three for three years.” Reilly said. “But I’m sure you’ll grow to accept these changes.” “And, I’ve finally killed all the Element Demons. I now posses all nine elements.” Silrun said. “Nice one!” Geg said. “So, what not?” Arthur asked? “Silrun must learn about Ultima.” Reilly said. “Ultima?” Silrun replied. “It is written that when all nine element orbs are gathered, the Chosen One can combine their power and create Ultima.” He went on. “Nothing is said to be able to stand in Ultima’s way, it is that powerful. But it is strong and you would need to learn how to manipulate it. If I train you, you should quickly be able to master it in the time we have left. Unless I am mistaken, it is one week till the Dark Lord rises.”

Meanwhile, in the Dark Lord’s Hell Dimension, a minion ran towards its master. “Master! Master! The last Element Demon has been slain by the Chosen One.” It cried. The Dark Lord slammed a fist down on his throne. “Damn it!” He cried. “Bring me the souls of the nine demons.” “Yes sir”. The minion said. It bowed then ran off. “The Chosen One may have killed all the demons and captured the element, but there are still ways to kill him.” Nine spirits floated in front of the Dark Lord. Rising from his throne, the Dark Lord raised his hands and cased a spell on the nine demons. They merged into one demon, twice the size of the regular ones. Its body was green, like that of the Ultima spell. It had six limbs, and used four for walking and two as arms. “Ah, Ultima Demon. Even without the element orbs, you are still a powerful being. Unless the Chosen One is taught properly by his father, he stands no hope in hell of winning our fight. I can’t wait.” The Dark Lord laughed.

“What the Hell?” Silrun cried, slowly walking down a blood soaked hall. On the ground was the corpse of Barret. Silrun ran to his fallen ally, but, realising there was nothing else he could to, turned and walked off. The bodies of the other AVALANCHE members - Cloud, Tifa, Nanaki, Reeve, Cid, Yuffie and Vincent were all on the floor, dead. Placing his hand on a door handle, Silrun turned it and walked in. There was the dead bodies of Geg and Arthur. “What the hell is going on? Why is everyone dead.” He said. He lowered his head. When he looked up again, his eyebrows had lowered, his fighting spirit released. “They have been murdered in cold blood! I WILL MAKE THEIR KILLER PAY!” He cried out. He drew Melmusa and ran down the hall. He heard a woman scream. “Ja... Ja... JANINE! NOW THAT BASTARD HAS MADE IT PERSONAL!” He cried out. He then drew Masamune and continued to run. He quickly moved past the body of Jeremy. The sight of another fallen ally increased his rage and desire for vengeance further. He opened another blood covered door, and inside watched the killer ram Alator through Yuno, then his cold, dead body dropped to the ground by the killer. Silrun ran over to his old friend, then looked up. He could see the killer’s arms out from the shadows, stained in blood by the rest of him were hidden by them. “WHO ARE YOU! COME OUT FROM THE SHADOWS NOW!” Silrun cried out. The killer did so, and with each step, Silrun’s eyes widened, his grip on the swords loosened, and ended up dropping the blades on the ground. The creature that emerged from the shadows petrified him. “Y.... You! How can this be?!” He cried out. Silrun quickly went from lying down to sitting up in his bed, cold sweat running down his face. “How... A dream. It was all a dream, but so real. But that killer. No. It can not be true.... Can it?” He said.

Expect an update when more chapters are written.
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