Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale, a tale of a fateful trip, that started from this Nippon port aboard this tiny ship. The mate was a mighty sword-slinger, the skipper tall and pale, five passengers set out that day on a three-hour sail, a three-hour sail. The weather started getting rough, the tiny ship was tossed, if not for the courage of the fearless crew, the Noonza would be lost, the Noonza would be lost. They hit the ground on the shore of this uncharted desert isle, with Gourrigan, the Red Priest too, the chimera man and his leech, the sorceress, the Trickster and Firia...here on Gourrigan's Isle!

     The scene opens on the interior of the boys hut on Gourrigan's Island. It's mid morning, yet the thermometer by the window is on the verge of exploding. Laying underneath the window, wearing shorts and a light weight button down shirt in a tropical print that is open down the front, is Alex.

Alex: "Hello, Alex here. Man it's hot today. Not just a little hot, but really really hot. Alex would move, only moving produces more heat and makes Alex even hotter. Alex would still be sleeping, only a little birdie outside of window decided to be really loud and perky so Alex is wide awake and roasting to death."

     Zelgadis walks in, similarly clad as Alex, sweating visibly.

Zel: "Alex, why in the nine hells are you talking like Excel?"

Alex *looks up and scratches one leg with the foot on the opposite leg* "Because this heat wave is cooking Alex's brain to a nice, golden, extra crispy cinder."

Zel *sighs* "Oy. Well, come outside. It's a few degrees cooler since the breeze is off of the ocean."

Del *pokes his head into the room* "You might want to nix that idea.... Naga's out there in a bikini that looks about ready to explode."

Zel & Alex *both sigh* "Cue the intro song."

     Filia and Sylphiel dress up as Excel and Hyatt and sing the opening theme. Mind, neither of them is particularly skilled at singing or dancing, and wind up keeling over into the title screen, flailing their feet in the air while some Excel and Hyatt backup dancers take the stage.

     Several minutes later Alex has joined Zel and the others outside of the hut, where everybody is dressed in beach gear and having the time of their lives. He plunks a towel down in a shady patch next to the hut and plunks down there, leaving the other two to wonder what's wrong.

Del: "You do realize that this is the summer special, don't you?"

Alex *nods* "Yeah... I know. I'm just not sure how it's supposed to go."

Zel *arches an eyebrow* "You mean there is no structured plot for this episode?"

Alex *looks up at Zel* "Is there *ever* a structured plot to any of the insanity?"

     Del and Zel exchange glances.

D&Z *shake heads* "Nope."

Alex *grins* "Ex-actly!"

     He proceeds to pull a laptop out of pseudospace and begins to work on some project or another. A moment later a warp bubble forms in the space near them, and from this steps a young lady of about sixteen years of age, with a very Duo Maxwell-esque hairstyle, her long brown hair pulled back in a long braid, her bangs a shade of burgundy to match Alex's, her brown eyes very much like the guest writer's.

girl: "Daddy!"

Del & Zel *look at Alex* "Daddy?"

girl *giggles and pounces on Alex* "Daddy, I've found you."

Alex *blushes crimson* "A...Alexis?"

Alexis *giggles and boops Alex's nose* "Yup, that's me."

Del *looks slightly confused* "I thought he turned into Alexandra due to the Ranma curse."

Alex *glares up at Del* "I still do, moron. Alexis is my daughter... from the future."

Zel *sweatdrops slightly* "Great.... this very charming young lady is your offspring?"

Alex *nods* "Yup. She knows magic... at least I think she knows magic."

Alexis *plunks down next to Alex and sets her head on his shoulder* "So what are you working on today daddy? Another one of those insane projects for the Queen of Swords? Yet another fanfic? What? What? What?"

Alex *sweatdrops* "It's... it's nothing. Just.... a little something."

Alexis *giggles and nods* "Ok... right... you want me to leave you alone I take it."

Alex *blinks* "But..."

Alexis *giggles some more as she stands up* "It's no big. I'll go and hang out with Auntie Lina and Auntie Naga and Auntie Amelia and Uncle Gourrigan." *bounces off*

Zel *arches an eyebrow at Alex* "Wait.... Uncle Gourrigan... Auntie Lina... do you even *realize* what Lina is going to do when your daughter bounces up to her?"

Alex *grows pale* "I can only imagine."

     He resumes typing for a few more minutes until a very angry looking Lina approaches them, her face almost as red as her hair.

Alex *under his breath* "Five... four... three... two..."

Lina *lifts Alex up by the collar of his shirt and shakes him* "YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU HAD A DAUGHTER!!"

Zel *facefaults and dives for cover* "Shit! She's gonna go Giganova on him in a matter of seconds!"

Del *facefaults as well and ducks around the corner* "Fuck Giganova.... try Terranova!"

Lina *still shouting* "HOW LONG HAVE YOU HAD THIS KID THAT YOU NEVER TOLD ME ABOUT AND WHY THE BLOODY HELL IS SHE CALLING ME AUNTIE?!"

Alex *sighs* "She's from the future, after I marry Crystal, which will be after a lot of other things happen."

Lina *blinks and drops him* "Oh. Ok. So long as you... wait.... for her to be sixteen, you would have had to have mated when you were...."

Alex *nods* "Quite impossible, if you ask me, to have a sixteen year old daughter when I'm only twenty five."

Lina *sighs* "Sorry about that. But wait... if you're going to get married and have a daughter, then that means that...."

Alex *blushes* "Let's not bring my sexuality into this special just now, ok."

Alexis* bounces up* "Auntie Lina, Auntie Naga has been blown up a few too many times today. Think we can blow up Uncle Xellos for a little while?"

Alex *glares at Lina, who facefaults* "You let her use magic on Naga?!"

Lina *giggles* "Um.... well.... yeah.... but only low level stuff."

Naga *stumbles over to them, very charred* "You call invoking a Dragon Slave something low level?"

Zel & Del *poke heads out* "The landscape is still the same."

Alexis *giggles and scratches the back of her head* "I invoked it... she didn't, and mine... still needs a little work."

all *sigh* "oy." *wander off*

Alex *closes his computer and stares off towards the ocean* "Author's brain is cooked to a delicious cinder due to insane amounts of heat, and author would rather not be in such a hot place at the moment. Author thinks he'll go and take a nice dip in the lagoon."

Xellos *poofs in above him* "Well, well, well, it appears the heat has gotten to you Alex-kun, since you're talking in third person reference to yourself."

Alex *impales Xellos with a holy lance* "Not in the mood, mazoku. Currently experiencing nasty mood swings and all that fun crap."

Xellos *removes the lance and tosses it away* "Well, why are you mood swinging? You're on vacation and just had a birthday. You should be relaxing and having fun."

Alex *glares at Xellos, bits of green flecking his otherwise brown eyes* "I said drop it, mazoku trash, or do I have to utilize a Soul Eraser to get that through your thick head?!"

Xellos *floats back a few inches* "My, my, my, aren't you becoming the violent one."

Alex *eyes are half green and half brown. His voice is very pleading* "Xellos, you really have to leave now. Otherwise he'll come out, and that will be a very, very, *very* bad thing."

Xellos *arches eyebrow and opens one eye* "You.... your alternate personality is coming to surface, isn't it?"

Alex *nods* "though he's not an alternate personality... he's... my darker half."

Xellos: "Is there anybody I should get?"

Alex *collapses to his knees* "Yes.... Mike... find Mike... and bring him here."

Xellos *nods* "Right." *vanishes in a cloud of smoke*

Alex *begins to breathe heavily* "This... this is bad... this is very bad. Bad, bad, bad."

     He sits back and screams as his eyes change completely to green, the colors of his hair reversing so that most of his hair is burgundy and the bangs are jet black.

Will / Alex: "Heh, heh, heh. I'm free again, and I shall have much fun destroying Gourrigan's Island! A HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"

     Birds flee from the trees as his laughter echoes across the island.

     In an office building quite some miles from Gourrigan's Island a young man is hunched over a keyboard, the screen reflecting off of his glasses. He sits back in his chair a moment later and stretches, running a hand through his spiked, bleach blond tipped brown hair. He surveys what he's just typed and pulls his glasses down on his nose.

young man: "What a dull day. Dull, dull, dull. And everything is winding down yet again, so I'll have more time for the things I want to do."

     A small text window appears on his screen, and he pushes his glasses back on before leaning forward to look at it.

man: "What the.... I could have sworn I had all people I didn't know blocked on my IM list. Who is this TwistedPriest666?"

     Something adds itself to the text window, and he arches an eyebrow.

man: "Alex-kun is in trouble? What? Who the hell is sending this?"

     The text screen glows, filling the entire screen. A moment later a head of panic purple hair pokes its way through, followed by an upper body clad in a yellow and black priest's outfit.

Xellos: "Mike, I presume?"

man *stares in shock at the mazoku priest* "Yeah... that... that's me. Who are you?"

Xellos: "A friend of Alex's who sent me to look for you. Something about his darker half. Any comments on that?"

Mike *blinks for a moment* "What? What are you talking about? Alex got control of his dark side... didn't he?"

Xellos *shakes his head* "I'm afraid to say that he didn't. In all truth it sort of took him over, and now Gourrigan's Island is in grave peril."

Mike *sighs and takes his glasses off before rubbing his temples* "Alex-kun is in serious trouble, isn't he? And you're here to bring me to him, aren't you?"

Xellos *nods* "Yes, and unless we hurry there won't be much of an island left." *holds out his hand, the rest of his body still in the computer screen* "Are you coming with me? He asked specifically for you."

Mike *looks at Xellos, then at his workplace, then at Xellos again before reaching out to take the priest's hand* "I'm in."

Xellos *grins* "Good. Prepare for download!"

Mike *arches eyebrow* "DownloAAAAAAADDD?!"

     The last part is more or less exclaimed as he's pulled in through the computer screen by Xellos, leaving a few papers to float from the desk to the floor. Mike's boss pokes his head in, looks around, shrugs, and walks out again, leaving the office relatively undisturbed.

     Somewhere, in the middle of nowhere, for almost no good reason whatsoever, a gateway opens. Out of this gateway steps a woman who appears to be of about 26 years of age. Her long black hair is pulled back from her face by a headband of sorts, which has little "ears' sticking off of it. She's clad in an indigo /  violet battle dress / armor combination, and the boot on her right leg goes up to her thigh while the one on her left leg stops about mid calf. A saber is situated on her lower back, and she checks this from time to time.

Rose: "What the hell am I doing here?"

     She looks around and surveys the area. There's pretty much nothing around her except for grass, rolling hills, and a dark cloudy sky.

Rose: "Great... I'm in pre-twister hell. Damned universe is laughing behind my back."

     She turns around to see a couple of Puchuu's giggling in their own little way.

Rose *sighs* "Bloody wonderful." *Dashes at the puchuu's, draws her sword, and hacks, slashes, and stabs them. When she's done she poses with her saber pointing to the ground behind her leg* "More and More!"

Puchuu's *turn from cute to ugly* "Why for you kill us?"

Rose *grumbles* "I bloody hate cute, that's why!" *punts the dead puchuu's away*

     Another portal opens a short distance away, and Rose arches an eyebrow at it. Would it take her home, or would it take her someplace even stranger than this nowheresville?

Rose: "Oh, just get on with the plot line!" *struts into the portal, which closes behind her.*

     A herd of puchuus runs through the field that was previously occupied by the dragoon knight, unaware of the danger they had just avoided. And somewhere, the universe was laughing at its own little joke.

     Elsewhere in the universe, namely back on Gourrigan's Island, Will has begun to cause enough trouble to keep the locals jumping and running for their lives. Alexis has gone from defensive to offensive and back to defensive since the prospect of battling her father face to face was not something she wanted to do. Lina, Amelia, and Naga were similarly engaged in defensive magic, since Will was dishing out everything in Alex's spell book, with a bit of additional power.

Will: "Nightmare.... FURY!!!"

     An intertwining mass of nightmare monsters erupted from the air in front of Will, turning day into night in their wake while drawing the very life essence from the air around them. Alexis and Lina pool their powers, erecting a defensive shield to block the spell for the time being.

Alexis: "Damn.... daddy never told me his darker half was this bleeding strong."

Lina: "I don't even really recall seeing him get this angry over anything before!"

Del *cowering behind Lina while charging up for an attack* "He's been unstable for the past few months. Remember, his mom died, which rocked his world. Then there's the whole Mike situation, and the Rob situation, and Spike's 'death' as well as life just pretty much sucking for him."

Lina *sighs* "Yeah, I remember all of that. But why is it manifesting itself like this right now?"

     Xellos chooses that moment to crash the party, dragging Mike a few feet through the sand as they make a not so wonderful 3 point landing. Lina picks Xellos up by the collar, shakes him, and tosses him outside the barrier, where he takes the brunt of the damage caused by Will's spell. Del, on the other hand, helps Mike to his feet and brushes some of the sand from his clothes.

Del: "Well, looks like Xellos found somebody who could help us with this problem."

Lina *turns and glares at Del* "Didn't you just say that he was part of the problem?!"

Mike *arches an eyebrow, then sighs and bows his head* "Yes, the Mike-kun has created some problems for the Alex-kun in the past, but I thought he was completely over me. I have no idea why he's acting like this." *looks up at Will and facefaults* "Oh shit! He's...."

Alexis: "Undergone a full transformation into the darker personality, thus spelling certain death for those of us who must do battle against him."

Naga *glares at Alexis* "So what's with becoming miss doom and gloom all of a sudden?"

     Alexis looks at Naga and sighs.

Alexis: "Nothing. I just don't want to have to hurt my dad."

Del *turns and looks up at Will, electricity sparking around his body* "If somebody's willing to launch me I think I can take him down without dealing any serious damage to his body."

Mike *looks at Del, then at Will, then at everyone else inside the barrier* "Well, I don't know how well I can control my magic... whatever type Alex unlocked..... but I think there may be some way to send you flying."

     He proceeds to mutter something under his breath while assuming what can only be described as a stance for the beginner spell caster. Del strains his ears to hear what spell the only "normal" person in the area could be casting and face faults.

Del: "Oh goddess... not that spell...."

Mike *swings his right arm up to the sky* "Mega Brando!"

     The ground beneath Delwynndwn glows and explodes, sending the elf screaming a quarter of a mile into the air.

Del: "Shiiiiiiiiiiiii.........."

Lina *whistles as she watches the elf's ascent* "You have made me proud, oh honorable student of the ways of magic."

Mike *sweatdrops and scratches the back of his head* "I... didn't mean to blow him up."

Alexis *has since pulled out a pair of binoculars and is following Del's flight* "Here he comes."

     Everyone in the area, except for Will, look to the sky to see a somewhat char broiled elf dive-bombing the person casting a high level black magic spell. Will hears something and looks up in time to see Del's fists preparing to collide with his face.

Del: "TEMPESTRAL SMASH!"

     A deafening explosion and a blinding flash of light fill the area as the elf unleashes one of his most powerful attacks on what used to be his best friend. The landscape of the island is changed once again, incorporating a new pool to the already pockmarked beach front.
     After a few moments of earsplitting screaming everything falls silent. Those hidden behind the remains of the barrier spell slowly open their eyes to see Del laying on his back, unconscious, half in the new pool, half out of it. Will is laying on the other side of the pool, unconscious as well.

Mike *spits sand out of his mouth and brushes some out of his hair* "Geeze..... if I knew hanging around with Alex-kun's friends would mean getting covered in sand I would have changed out of my business wear into beach gear."

Lina *spits some sand as well and shakes some kelp out of her hair* "This is almost as bad as Xellos' cooking."

Zelgadis: "Considering that it was inedible to most of our band of merry and not so merry men and women, the sand must taste pretty bad."

Del *moans and sits up* "I feel like I've been run over by the space platform Barge... or been blasted by the beam cannon. Am I even still alive?"

Alexis *hoists Del to his feet and supports his weight* "Yup, you're still alive. Unless we're all dead and this is what hell is like."

Martina *waltzes up to everyone and offers them lemonade* "Enjoy."

Mike *takes a long sip of lemonade* "If hell has lemonade then I'm all set."

Alexis *looks at Mike before fishing around in her braid* "I've got something here that might help with your wardrobe problem... if I can just find it..." *pulls a wand from inside her braid* "That's the ticket."

     Alexis proceeds to wave the wand a couple of times, swishing and flicking. A moment later Mike's clothes glow, most of them vanishing, leaving him in a black tank top, a pair of blue swim shorts, and a faded blue baseball cap.

Alexis *smirks at her work* "How's that?"

Mike *arches an eyebrow, then shakes his head* "Never mind. It's good."

Naga *glances over at Alex / Will, who is still unconscious* "So what are we going to do about our guest writer?"

Zel *picks Will up and begins to drag him towards the boys' hut* "We'll figure out something later. I just pray he doesn't wake up before we can figure something out."

Amelia *smiles* "This'll be easy. Leave it to me. Sleeping!"

     A gentle glow surrounds Will, dropping him into an even deeper sleep. Zel sighs and pulls the unconscious mage onto his shoulders, which was easier since the weight was evenly distributed. Mike and Del jog to catch up with Zel, who had increased his pace to get him up to the hut faster.

Alexis *looks at Lina* "Auntie Lina... what are we going to do now?"

Lina *shrugs* "I really don't know kiddo. I really don't know."

Xellos: "He's suffering from great internal strife, mostly on an emotional level, and until that is settled down to a more manageable level we may be stuck with Will for a while."

Lina *sighs and scratches her head* "that's what I'm afraid of."

     Somewhere in a dark corner of the recesses of Alex's mind lays the good personality that had more or less given up the battle for the body. Curled up in the fetal position, not wanting to move, let alone breathe, and in immense pain, he had given up all hope of anything.

Alex *voiceover* "Why am I here? Why do I feel the darkness around me? Why does this darkness feel so comforting? Why the bloody hell am I doing a voice-over?"

     A gentle glow comes from somewhere in the darkness, pulsing with life and light and hope.

voice: "Alex... you are not alone. You know that you are not alone. And yet you pull yourself deeper into this dark pit of despair. Why?"

Alex *opens eyes weakly and squints against the light* "Why do I do this? I do this because I'm sick and tired of feeling this pain and emptiness inside. I do this because the person who I have deep rooted feelings for doesn't feel the same way and wants distance. I do this because.... because I hurt inside!"

voice: "You know that your friends care about you."

Alex: "If they cared so much, why do they continue to inflict pain upon me?! Why can't I ever feel anything good any more?! Why do I have to feel so shitty all the fucking time!"

voice *sighs* "One of your friends cares so frickin much about you that Xellos went and got him for you, and he's here right now."

Alex *opens eyes wide* "Mike.... Mike's here."

voice: "Yes, he's here. He's on the outside, awaiting your return."

Alex *crosses arms and hrumphs* "He can wait there for all I frickin care. I don't want to see him right now!"

voice *grumbles* "You're.... you're so bloody stubborn, you know that! I don't even know why I bother trying to get through to you!"

Alex *grumbles as well* "Maybe you should go and tell everyone outside that I'm not coming out for a good long time!"

     The light vanishes, plunging Alex back into darkness.

Alex *curls back up into the fetal position* "Shit... shit.... shit...." *begins to cry* "I'm such a fucktard."

     Will appears in the darkness, an evil grin on his face.

Will: "So, Alexander tried to communicate with you, you worthless excuse for a personality. I'm glad you're hurting so much. With all the pain you feel, I grow ever stronger, and soon I will be the dominant personality and I can make them suffer for making me suffer! Especially Mike!"

Alex *curls up tighter* "Mike... I...."

     Complete darkness falls, cutting Alex off in mid sentence. With one final burst of strength he says what he's wanted to say.

Alex: "I LOVE YOU!"

     In the boys' hut everyone has clustered around Will, wondering if they can get through to Alex's personality instead of the dark force that has taken over the body. A piece of glowing white materia floats above Will's chest, and this occasionally pulses with a light as pure as the morning dawn.

Seifer: "Have we found out anything of importance?"

Zel *shakes head* "Only that Alex is tucked away in the darkness and is being as stubborn as ever."

Alexander *glows bright for a minute* "I've done all that I can do. He's cut off again. Will must be on to us."

Mike *sighs* "Did he say anything about me?"

Alexander: "You were mentioned." *glows blinding for a second* "Wow.... incoming transmission."

Alex's voice: "Mike... I.... I LOVE YOU!"

     Everyone turns and looks at Mike, who begins to back for the door.

Mike: "I... I need to go."

Lina & Alexis *give him a death stare* "You step out that door and you're a dead man!"

Del *nods* "I'm with the ladies on this one. His feelings for you are apparently very deeply rooted, and if you said something about distance.... then you're going to fix this here and now or else we'll make your life a living hell!"

Mike *sits down and glares at everyone* "I don't know if Alex mentioned it or not, but I really dislike being caged or cornered, and you guys are doing just that."

     A fierce wind begins to blow through the hut, picking up papers and other small objects. A split second later a raging whirlwind forms in the center of the room, picking up small objects and small pieces of furniture. Amelia casts a shield spell around the centralized group as Mike stands up and storms out of the hut. The minute he's outside the whirlwind dies away, dropping everything it was carrying on top of the barrier.

Del: "Well, that went about as well as planned."

Zel: "He's.... he's got incredible power."

Lina *rubs head* "We're fucked if we piss him off."

Amelia: "If Mister Will wakes up we're all gonna die anyway."

Naga: "So what do we do now?"

Alexander: "You guys bend over and kiss your asses good-bye. I'm already sort of dead, remember."

Seifer *snatches the materia piece out of the air and clips it around his neck* "If we die, you're coming with us. Got it?"

Alexander *grows pale* "You're sick and twisted, you know that?"

Lina *rubs the stone gently with the tip of her finger* "Yes, we know that." *turns to Alexis* "You know how to get this furniture off of us?"

Alexis *grins and produces her wand* "Easy. Winguardian Leviosa!"

     She swishes and flicks her wand, all the debris on the barrier lifting into the air and sailing off into a corner, where it forms a neat little pile. Amelia drops the barrier and everyone in the room breathes a small sigh of relief.

Zel: "Well, we can thank the goddess that he's still asleep."

Del: "True. But how long will he stay that way?"

Amelia *yawns* "Until I pass out from exhaustion... or sometime after that."

Lina *facefaults* "Cut to a commercial or another camera!"

     Outside the hut Mike can be seen marching away across the beach, heading towards the little oasis near the hot springs. When he's a short distance away from salvation a portal opens, from which steps Rose, who looks somewhat puzzled as to why she should show up on an island in the middle of nowhere. Mike stops in his tracks and blinks at her, since he wasn't expecting company. Rose stops as well and studies Mike for a minute before smiling slightly at him.

Rose:" Well, well, well, it looks like I've met the person responsible for the release of yet another black monster."

Mike *arches eyebrow in a questioning manner* "Black monster? You mean Alex-kun's darker half?"

Rose *nods* "Yes, Alexander Mathias West. His darker half, as you put it, is the black monster that I'm sensing."

Mike *sighs and looks at the ground* "I wish I wasn't involved in this at all. I only came to see if I could help in some way. I wasn't expecting to find Alex-kun transformed into...."

Rose: "Will."

Mike: "So you know the name of his dark half."

Rose *nods again* "Yes. I pick up on things quickly. I have to, since I'm well over 10,000 years old."

Mike *facefaults* "Wha.... but.... but you don't look much older than I do."

Rose *smiles and blows him a kiss* "Thank you." *turns towards the hut where Alex's body is being held* "Now, I must go and defeat this evil before it destroys the world."

Mike: "What?! No. No! No way! You.... you can't kill Alex-kun just like that. He's got hopes and dreams that he has yet to realize."

Rose *smirks* "You going to try to stop me?"

Mike *moves between Rose and the hut* "If I have to die trying, I will."

     The hut explodes, and a moment later Cenn and Del skid to a stop on either side of Mike.

Del *groans* "Man... Amelia really needs to concentrate on her spells more."

Cenn *groans equally loudly in pain* "I feel like my butt has just melded with my brain."

Rose *hisses* "Damn. I'm too late."

Mike *turns head to see Will walking through the smoke, his eyes glowing blood red* "Alex-kun?"

Will: "I keep telling you, Alex no longer exists! All that is left is WILL!"

     The island shakes as Will shouts his name. Clouds darken the sky as an ill wind begins to blow.

Naga *crashes down behind Rose* "He's... too powerful. We don't stand a chance."

Lina *crashes down on the other side of Rose* "I never thought I'd see my life flash before my eyes like that."

Zelgadis *skids to a stop a few feet from Mike, his shirt torn to shreds* "If we don't stop him we're doomed."

Rose *draws her sword* "If we don't stop him the entire world is doomed."

Mike *bows head* "There must be a way to save Alex. There has to be one."

Will *smirks evilly and begins to summon the energies for one of the most powerful spells in zodiac magic* "Azarath..... Metrion...."

Cenn *reaches into his pocket and pulls out a portable hole* "Time to disappear." *throws the hole into the air and uses sheer force of will to expand it wide enough to encompass everyone* "Say goodnight."

Lina: "Huh?"

Will: "ZYNTHOS!"

     Will unleashes a blast of raw dark power mere milliseconds after the portable hole encompasses everyone, throwing them through time and space, away from the island and the overly pissed off possessed mage. A volcanic crater appeared where they had been seconds earlier, and Will cackles evilly before wandering off to find something to drink.

     In yet another pocket dimension in the infinite void of pseudo space the party reappears, all somewhat shaken, stirred, disturbed, and distracted by what has just transpired. Rose and Mike quickly distance themselves from the rest of the party, since Rose is supposed to be destroying Alex / Will and Mike isn't even sure he should be there at that moment. Lina sits up and scratches her head, since the pocket dimension they landed in reminds her of someplace she visited with Naga in the past.

Naga *sits up and adjusts her top* "Say Lina, doesn't this place look familiar?"

Lina *looks up and facefaults* "Oh goddess no. Not this place. Not now. And heaven have mercy if.... if she's still here."

Amelia: "Who are you talking about, Miss Lina?"

voice: "I fight for love and justice and against tyranny and evil."

Lina *chokes and looks at Naga, her pupils dialated* "Oh fuck."

voice 2: "And I shall fight along side my bestest friend in the entire world to protect the peace and bring justice and all that... and all while wearing a muumuu."

Naga *looks at Lina, the same look of absolute terror frozen upon her face* "We're fucked."

Alexis: "Auntie Lina, Auntie Naga, those voices sound just like you guys.... only..... warped."

Del *scratches back of head* "I seem to recall reading about this place. Something called the... what was it...."

Lina: "The Shadow Reflector."

Del *snaps fingers* "That's the name I was looking for..... the Shadow Reflector... was hidden in a cave like this."

Naga: "Not a cave like this.... this is the cave where that ungodly thing was created and used upon us."

Lina *shudders* "But we figured when we broke it that its evil could no longer be used."

Naga: "We also figured that our clones were gone as well."

Zel: "Clones? You never mentioned clones."

Lina *glares at the chimera* "They were too scary to mention. We had to undergo serious psychotherapy after that mission."

     Two shadows fall over the group, and all look up to see a pair of people who are identical to Lina and Naga, except for the fact that the Naga type person is wearing a very unflattering floral muumuu and the Lina type person is wearing scholarly robes and glasses.

shadow Lina: "Welcome friends, to our little abode in the infinite universe."

shadow Naga: "Two of our friends have appeared to have separated from the group."

shadow Lina: "Quickly, we must find them and bring them back to the rest of the flock, lest they be lost in their own thoughts and wanderings."

Lina *pulls out some rope and ties up the shadow reflections* "Now hold on a minute here. You're not going to do anything of the sort."

shadow Lina *looks starry eyed at Lina* "But.... but.... but.... can't we all just get along?"

shadow Naga: "We fixed that mirror and put it away for safekeeping. If you need to use it you may borrow it."

Naga: "Now that's what we're talking about."

Lina *pulls the rope tighter* "Thanks a bunch. Now if you could kindly tell us where it is we'll be on our way."

shadow Lina: "The very handsome young man in your group is heading in that general direction as we speak."

Del *facefaults* "Oh hell."

Amelia: "If Mister Mike sees his reflection in the mirror...."

Alexis: "Then will it be an evil reflection that could wipe the floor with our collective asses?"

shadow Lina: "We fixed the problem. It only reflects what is inside the person. If there is evil within, it will reflect that and manifest it."

shadow Naga: "Likewise, if there is good within, it will manifest the purity and goodness within."

Lina *facefaults and bangs head against cave wall* "Great. Bloody fucking great. We don't know anything about this Mike guy except he's a friend of Alex's and Del's and has a very nice looking body."

Naga: "Lina, since when do you notice guys?"

Lina *elbowstomps Naga* "Stow it, Goldfish Feces. One thing at a time. Del, you and Alexis find Rose. Zel, Cenn, Seifer, you stay here with the clones. Amelia, you and Naga are with me."

all *nod* "Right." *wander off to their respective tasks*

Lina *cracks knuckles* "It's clobbering time."

     Somewhere down a dark 'hallway' in the cave Rose is strutting along, searching for some way out in order to find her black monster and ultimately defeat it. As she stops to rest and regain some sense of direction Del and Alexis catch up to her, both visibly out of breath from running.

Rose *arches an eyebrow at her sudden company* "What do you want?

Alexis *looks at Rose with eyes that show purity* "We want you to stop trying to kill my dad."

Rose: "Your father is now the purest form of evil, even more powerful than any dark lord in any known world. He has to be destroyed lest he destroy this world and move on to destroying others."

Alexis: "But he wouldn't do that. He's my dad. He loves this planet."

Rose *looks at Del* "Explain it to her, will you? Explain how her father is no longer her father. How the person she knew as father is gone, having been replaced by a force of pure darkness that consumes light, much like a black hole."

Del *shakes his head* "I can't do that."

Rose *glares* "And why not?"

Del: "Because I still believe that we can save Alex from himself."

Rose *arches an eyebrow* "Then you are a fool. You're both fools. There is no way to save someone who has become a black monster."

Alexis: "But you don't know that for sure. I'm pretty sure that with this Shadow Reflector we can save him."

Rose *looks at Alexis* "Do you honestly believe that some magic mirror can bring the good in your father back? It'll be a shadow clone, not your real father."

Alexis *tears up* "But.... but.... but..."

Del *glares at Rose and turns his back* "C'mon Alexis, we should go and catch up to the others."

Alexis *sniffles* "O.... ok."

     Del and Alexis walk off, leaving Rose alone in the hallway. Once alone, Rose looks at a wall and punches it.

Rose: "Damn it Dart! Why did you have to go through all that trouble to save Sharra? Why was she so important?"

Dart's voice *echoed* "I did it because I loved her and because she was like a sister to me."

Rose *looks at where she has punched, then at where her glove is torn and blood is issuing* "I fear I've become that black monster who doesn't care about people's feelings. I fear that I've become cold and distant and that darkness could consume me at any moment."

Dart's voice: "Rose, you have to do what you feel is right. What are you feeling right now?"

Rose: "I feel like a fool, for one. I also feel... that I should help these people in their quest to save their friend from himself." *nods* "I'll do it. I'll help them. For you Dart, for you."

     Dart's smiling face appears for a moment and winks at Rose before vanishing.

Rose *bows head, a single tear falling down her cheek* "Thank you Dart. My love."

     She turns on her heel and begins to run after Alexis and Del, a new resolve in her to help them save Alex.

     Deeper in the cave Mike is walking by himself, lost deep in thought in regards to their current situation and how Alex had turned into the half of him that was pure unbridled evil. He doesn't hear the people who are running to catch up to him until Naga starts laughing.

Naga: "O hohohohohoho. We've found you!"

Lina *sighs and elbowstomps Naga* "You idiot! You were supposed to remain quiet so that we could sneak up on him."

Amelia: "Miss Lina, Miss Naga, please stop fighting. This isn't going to get us anywhere."

Mike *sighs and turns around* "You're coming with me to find the Shadow Reflector, aren't you?"

Lina: "Um.... yeah. That's right. But how did you know where we could find it?"

Mike *shrugs* "Must be one of those things that Alex unlocked when he unlocked my magical powers. I can sense magical strength and its position."

Amelia: "Didn't he also unlock a way of strengthening common spells?"

Mike *sweatdrops* "He didn't unlock that. He just sort of discovered it. I could explain it, but that'd take too long, and to be honest I don't think your island has much of a chance of surviving if we take the time to go in depth with how magic and math are strongly related."

Naga *eyes spinning* "Wow.... mental overload."

Lina *grumbles and elbow stomps her again* "Shaddup goldfish feces."

Mike *resumes walking* "That mirror shouldn't be too far from where we are currently."

Amelia *follows him* "Mister Mike, sir, um.... just how well do you know Mister Alex?"

Mike *blushes* "Isn't that a little personal for someone so young to be asking?"

Amelia *blushes* "I... I'm sorry. forgive me."

Mike *chuckles* "It's no big. Anyway, we've arrived."

     Amelia looks past Mike into an ornately decorated room in the cave, or as ornately decorated as a cave chamber can be. Lina pushes past the two of them, her mouth dropping open in awe at the decor and how scholarly and mystical everything looks.

Lina: "Wow... remind me to thank my shadow clone before we leave."

Naga *looks over Mike's head* "This.... this is the richest decorating job I've ever seen. My shadow clone has taste.... just not in clothes."

Mike *looks at something wrapped in canvas* "Could that.... be the Shadow Reflector?"

Amelia *walks up to the canvas package and picks it up* "Should we... should we... unwrap it?"

Del *walks into the room* "That could prove to be a disastrous affair."

Alexis: "Playing with unknown magical items might prove hazardous to one's health."

Amelia: "But I just want to see what it looks like." *begins fumbling with the ties*

Mike: "Are you really sure you should be doing that. What if it's facing up and you wind up reflecting everyone around you?"

Amelia *looks into the package* "it's ok. It's facing down." *hands the package to Mike to hold while she lifts the mirror out* "This... is pretty."

Del *ducks as Amelia swings around with the mirrior* "Watch where you point that thing! I don't want to meet my darker half at the moment."

Rose *walks in* "Did you find it?"

     The mirror fixates upon Rose, the eye in the center of the reflective surface opening. The dragoon knight of darkness is fixed where she stands, frozen out of fear and wonder. A white light fills the room, and a moment later another Rose is standing with them, this one wearing silvery white armor with golden trim over a flowing white gown.

Rose *blinks* "Is that.... that my shadow double?"

shadow Rose: "Yes, I am the light that was trapped within the darkness for so long. There is good within you Rose. Like the flower, you have your thorns, but you're pure, beautiful, and unspoiled inside."

Amelia *blinks in awe* "Oh.... oh my."

Mike: "Goddess have mercy."

Del *goggle eyes* "...."

Lina: "They weren't kidding when they said they'd fixed it."

shadow Rose: "My time here is short, for I am but a glimmer of what can be achieved. Everyone, please take care, and don't give up. Even in the darkest of moments, there is a shimmer of light that can bring day to night. Farewell, and good luck.

     Shadow Rose vanishes in a shower of golden glitter, leaving a very stunned Rose to blink in awe. Amelia walks over to Rose and taps her on the shoulder.

Amelia: "Hello? Miss Rose? Are you all right? Do you need a Flow Break?"

Rose: "She.... she was me? But... but I've done some horrible things in the past..."

Alexis: "She said she was a glimmer in the dark, a glimmer of what can be achieved. Sound like anything familiar?"

Rose *nods* "Yes. It does sound familiar. It could be why I have decided to help you save your friend, since I don't think I can get home for a while."

Del: "Shouldn't we be returning to Cenn and the others?"

Lina *nods* "Right. Amelia, wrap it up and give it to someone who won't be fighting."

Amelia: "Already done. Mister Mike is holding it."

Mike *sweatdrops* "Guess I'm elected for baggage duty, since I really don't know what sort of powers Alex unlocked."

Del: "Dude, you're learning what your powers are every time you use 'em. Maybe you know something that'll bring Alex down without hurting him."

Rose *begins walking out of the room* "Don't get your hopes set too high for that. He has much to learn before he'll know everything in the ways of magic."

Alexis: "With some training at Hogwarts he could become as great a wizard as some other people there."

Mike *sweatdrops* "Great.... me go to Hogwarts... how about not."

Del *shudders* "A school for witches and wizards... I'd rather train at a ninja academy personally."

Lina *smacks the two* "Less talking, more walking. We have a world and a friend to save."

Del & Mike *pick up the pace* "Right!"

     Back at the beam in point Cenn, Zel, and Seifer are playing 'I'm going to the picnic' while waiting for the others to return.

Zel: "I'm going to the picnic, and I'm bringing Armor of invincibility, blackberry jello, cinnamon raisin toast, dark schneider's underpants, everything bagels, fake breasts, google-eye glasses, and human remains."

shadow Lina: "I'm going to the picnic, and I'm bringing  Armor of invincibility, blackberry Jell-O, cinnamon raisin toast, dark schneider's underpants, everything bagels, fake breasts, google-eye glasses, human remains, and indigo ink."

Seifer: "I'm going to the picnic, and I'm bringing  Armor of invincibility, blackberry Jell-O, cinnamon raisin toast, dark schneider's underpants, everything bagels, fake breasts, google-eye glasses, human remains, indigo ink, and jellybean chili."

shadow Naga: :"I'm going to the picnic, and I'm bringing  Armor of invincibility, blackberry Jell-O, cinnamon raisin toast, dark schneider's underpants, everything bagels, fake breasts, google-eye glasses, human remains, indigo ink, jellybean chili, and kiwi strawberry kool-aid."

Cenn *listens to his stomach grumble* "I suggest we take a break from the game, since it's making me hungry right now."

Seifer: "In full agreement."

Zel: "Can't you just zap us up some lunch or pull it out of your backpack?'

Cenn *sweatdrops* "You do realize that we could wind up with exploding sandwiches if I do that."

Seifer: "I'm willing to chance it."

shadow Lina: "I'm hungry as well, and think lunch would be a most wonderful idea, don't you Naga?"

shadow Naga: "Yes. It's almost time for afternoon tea."

shadow Lina: "If you would be so kind as to untie us we'd be more than happy to make some tea for you."

Seifer *looks at Cenn and Zel* "What do you guys say?"

Zel: "Well, they are pacifists, so we shouldn't have to keep them tied up."

Cenn: "And they've been nice thus far."

Zel: "So it's settled." draws sword and hacks away the rope* "You ladies are free to make tea."

shadow Lina: "You won't regret it."

     Several minutes later the beam in point in the cave has been accessorized with candles, a table, chairs, cushions, a full tea service, and an assortment of cakes, pastries, several different types of tea, sugar, honey, and cream.

Cenn *looks at the food, drooling* "Is it safe to eat?"

Del: "Not before we join you guys."

     The five who are about to sit down to tea turn and look at the rest of the group, who are all in visible shock from the change in their surroundings.

Alexis: "I don't think we're in Kansas any more."

Lina: "Wow.... this is even girlier than Filia's tea parties."

Naga *sits down on a cushion* "I'm ready for some tea."

Amelia *elbowstomps her sister* "No alcohol, and act like a proper lady."

Naga *sighs* "I will. Don't worry about it."

Del *sits down between Cenn and Zel* "So what did you guys do while we were gone?"

Cenn: "Played 'I'm going to the picnic'."

Del *sweatdrops* "Oh..."

Rose *helps herself to a dainty cucumber sandwich and a cup of oolong tea* "This is a wonderful layout."

shadow Lina: "You really mean that?"

Rose *nods and nibbles the sandwich before sipping the tea* "Yes."

Del *sips at some green tea* "Delicious."

Alexis *has stuffed several pastries into her mouth* "Mega yum!" *gives a thumbs up*

     The savious of the world enjoy their tea time with chatter and laughter and good food and good friends. When all have finished with their snack and the tea service has been whisked off to be cleaned, the mood of the group turns to seriousness and their task ahead.

Cenn: "Are we ready to go?"

Del *looks around at everyone* "You all realize that not all of us may make it out of this alive, right?"

Alexis: "I want to save my dad."

Mike: "I want to help Alex return to himself."

Cenn: "As do I."

Zel: "Count me in."

Lina: "Saving the world is what I do."

Rose *nods* "You can count me in to help with this."

Naga: "Lina couldn't go into battle without me, since I'm her greatest rival."

Amelia *sweatdrops* "Just don't laugh too much. You could shatter the mirror by accident."

     Shadow Lina and Shadow Naga return and bow politely.

Shadow Lina: "Thank you for visiting. Do hurry back. We can have tea again."

Del *gives a thumbs up* "I don't know about these guys, but I'd like that."

Alexis: "Ditto."

Shadow Naga: "Do be careful. And let us know how it turned out."

Seifer *nods* "We shall. Cenn, take us home."

Cenn *pulls a portable hole from his bag and tosses it into the air, where it grows to a size that can accommodate everyone in their group* "Next stop, Gourrigan's Island. Buckle up and hold on!"

     the portable hole falls over them and vanishes, leaving Shadow Lina and Shadow Naga alone in the cave.

Shadow Lina: "So, Naga, what shall we do while we wait?"

shadow Naga: "We could sew some more muumuu's for the unfortunate people who can't afford enough clothing.

shadow Lina: "I'd like that ever so much."

     Back at Gourrigan's Island a hole opens in the fabric of time and space, gently depositing those within on the beach. Technically it dropped them on what had once been a beach, since now it looked like parts of it had been turned to glass from some great heat. Craters littered the countryside, and nothing but rubble remained of the huts where the cast had been living for so long. Trees that had been around for every reset were burned to stumps or had the vegetation stripped away.

Amelia *tears forming in her eyes* "What.... what happened to everything?"

Seifer: "I.... I can't believe that someone could cause this much destruction on purpose."

Alexis: "Did somebody order an apocalypse?"

Lina & Rose: "Did we return too late?" *look at each other and turn up their noses*

Mike: "Wow.... this island is....."

Del: "Extra tasty crispy."

Cenn *whistles at the mass destruction* "Was this the result of a zodiac spell or a giga slave?"

Lina *sniffs the air* "Not the giga slave..... no scent of death. Had to have been zodiac in nature."

voice: "Actually it was shamanic crossed with zodiac, but I'll be willing to just unleash the spirits of darkness from their celestial seal."

Rose *draws sword* "You monster! You must be stopped before this world ceases to exist!"

Will *appears from a cloud of jet black smoke* "You going to try to stop me, little girl? I laugh in your general direction."

Del *shudders* "He's misquoting 'Monty Python and the Holy Grail'."

Mike *sweatdrops* "That's.... just plain freaky."

Amelia: "Where are our friends? Where's Mister Gourrigan and Mister Rezo and Mister Zangalus and Miss Martina and Miss Filia and Miss Sylphiel?"

Will *evil fanged grin* "I destroyed them, of course."

Zel: "You lie! You could never destroy them! You don't have the heart!"

Will *shocked look* "You saw through my ruse. I was going to destroy them, but they had since escaped to safety, thanks to that purple haired mazoku and pink haired girl."

Naga: "Xellos and Washu saved everyone... what a relief."

Lina *charges up her amulets* "Don't have to worry about harming the innocents when there are no innocents here."

Will *smirks* "So you think you're going to defeat me with such a simply spell as the Dragon Slave?"

Lina *facefaults* "How.... how did you know?"

Will: "I am one with the lords of darkness, or haven't you figured that out? You can call me the Dark Priest of Chaos!"

Cenn: "Oh hell. I thought I had been praying to Chaos Dragon Garv or L-sama all this time."

Will *cackles* "This is rich! Bring it on!"

Amelia: "Miss Lina, let's hit him with the hammer of justice!" *leaps into action* "Visfarank!"

Zel *sighs and face palms while drawing his sword* "Oh well, can't be avoided. Astral Vine!" *leaps into action behind Amelia*

     The princess rears back her glowing hand to strike while at the same time Zel brings his sword back for a slash, each coming from a different angle. Will simply looks at them and both are slammed into the sand below.

Lina: "Stasis Lock!"

     the sorceress is surrounded by a glowing circle of light, which quickly vanishes when she brings her hands to her sides. A moment later a glowing green aura forms around Will, ceasing his movements.

Will: "How.... how did you do that?"

Lina: "Little trick I picked up in my travels."

Will *smirks* "You need to practice it more." *shatters the aura like it's nothing* "And now to die! Flashfire.... HURRICANE!"

     A ring of flame forms around Will, the temperature in the immediate vicinity rising to dangerous levels in a matter of seconds. The ring expands, the air around them exploding into flames in a circular fashion that encompasses the entire island. Trees that haven't been burned yet are reduced to ashes in a matter of seconds.

Alexis & Cenn: "Divine Protection!"

     A barrier bubble forms around them, blocking the flames, but with the unfortunate side effect of trapping the heat. In such high heat everyone is down on their knees in a matter of seconds.

Seifer: "We're gonna die in a very unfortunate way, aren't we?"

Amelia: "Who knew he'd know such a high level fire attack."

Lina: "That one isn't even in the spell book. Where the hell did he learn it?"

Del: "Most likely from some anime or another."

all *sweatdrop* "Greeeat."

Del *sweatdrops as well* "Sorry I said anything."

Rose: "So how to we fight him? I can barely move without feeling like I'm going to expire."

Cenn *presses both palms to the ground, small waves of water rising up through his fingers* "Aqua TOWER!"

     Several small geysers form around them seconds before a large geyser forms in the center of their protection bubble. The water hits the top of the dome and splashes back down upon them, cooling them down while replenishing their strength.

Alexis *presses her hand to the ground, icy air swirling through her fingers* "Ice TOWER!"

     Spires of ice burst through the ground around them, extinguishing the burning trees while cooling down the air on the island. Cenn and Alexis look to Mike, who blinks and points to himself as if to say "Me?" Both nod, and the only 'normal' person in the group sighs and bows his head while cupping his hands, a small blizzard forming in his palms.

Mike *throws the blizzard into the air* "DIAMOND DUST!"

     The air is suddenly filled with snow and ice chips as the temperature decreases to a more comfortable level. Alexis and Cenn cease casting their spells, the dome vanishing long enough for everyone to move into better positions for attack.

Will *glares at everyone* "How dare you break my wonderful spell! You shall all DIE!!"

Zel *aims his sword at Will's back* "I hate to do this, but here goes nothing. Frozen Wind!"

     A concentrated blast of arctic air pulses from the chimera's blade, striking Will in the back, icing the dark mage over instantly. The ice holds for roughly twenty seconds, after which Will bursts loose, the shock wave knocking Zel into a rock, where he stops moving.

Amelia: "Mister Zelgadis!"

     Will glares down at Amelia, and a moment later a force wave picks the princess up and throws her against a burned out tree trunk, where she also stops moving.

Cenn: "Blast Rondo!"

     The swarm of fireballs converge on Will, who performs an area steal to move out of the way. As the dark mage phases back in, he finds the fireballs have converged upon his phase in point. The fireballs strike and explode, blanketing him in thick smoke.

Cenn *breathing heavily* "Did... did I get him?"

Alexis: "Looks like it."

Rose *tenses up* "Looks can be deceiving."

Will *cackles* "You fool! You cannot stop chaos itself! Now feel pain! Magma TOWER!"

     The island shakes, and a moment later geysers of lava burst through the ground, moving towards each of the people involved in the battle.

Del *from above Will* "You need to learn to pay attention a little more."

     Will, along with everyone else, look up to see the elf dive bombing the mage, his body surrounded by an aura of electricity, a blade composed of the same energy in hand. Will simply waves his hand, figuring that a force wave will slam the elf into some other part of the island. However, when he looks up to see the damage caused he's surprised to find the elf still barreling down on him.

Del: "Prepare to feel our hammer of justice! Heaven's Cry!"

     The elf strikes Will with the electric sword, discharging all of his accumulated energy into the dark mage. Del is blasted away by the backlash, fortunately landing relatively unscathed. Will screams in pain as the electricity courses through his body, waves of raw dark energy emanating from his body in outward ripples.

Lina *looks to Mike* "Do it now before he has time to recover."

Mike *looks at what he's holding in his arms* "Are you sure now is a good time?"

Seifer *watches as Lina leaps into the air to get in her own spell strikes* "He's hurting and stunned. Now is as good a time as any!"

     Mike looks at Will before pulling the canvas off of what he's holding. The Shadow Reflector shimmers and begins to glow as Will is reflected in the glass. The eye in the center of the mirror opens, projecting what is hidden deep within the heart of the force of evil. At that same moment Will manages to break free of the electric attack, the force knocking Seifer and Lina back to the ground, both landing on their feet in defensive stances.

Mike: "I hope this works." *holds the mirror higher in the air*

Will *glares at the mirror* "How.... how dare you reflect me!" *begins charging up for an attack*

Rose *dashes forward to deflect any attacks that may be made during the reflection process* "Hurry up and bring his reflection into being!"

Mike *closes his eyes and opens his heart* "I believe in this magic. I believe in miracles. I believe in the wonderful and caring person that Alex is."

     The mirror floats out of Mike's hands and into the air, where it flips over so that the reflective surface is pointing at the ground. From the center of the mirror a seed falls and hovers in the air. The seed glows and increases in size while changing shape, taking on a very human form. The glowing form solidifies into a very lifeless Alex.

Mike *opens his eyes* "Alex?"

Will *unleashes a force wave that throws Rose halfway across the beach and into a dune* "DIE!" *aims another force wave at Mike*

     Alex opens his eyes and blinks, a force wall forming between him and Will's attack. The Shadow Reflector falls to the ground following this, the reflective surface shattering into an infinite number of pieces. The mage looks at Mike and smiles a little, and Mike smiles back out of relief.

Alex:*winks and tips an imaginary hat* "Heya cowboy, how ya doing?"

Mike *looks as if he could cry* "Alex-kun, you're such a nut."

Alex *smiles and blinks* "Yeah, ya could say that."

Will: "Such a heartwarming reunion. Makes me wanna puke, kick your butts, and puke again."

Alex *turns toward his darker side, his power item forming in his right hand* "We're gonna end this here and now." *hoists his power item to the sky* "Saturn Cosmic Power... TransFORM!"

     His voice echoes across the beach as absolutely nothing happens. Will, who was in shock from seeing the Saturn wand form, begins to laugh at the top of his lungs.

Will: "You almost had me there. You're a refined version of me, remember? You don't have the darkness in your heart to summon your Warrior powers! How pathetic!" *resumes laughing*

Alex *still has the wand hoisted aloft* "Saturn Cosmic Power transform! Saturn Cosmic Power Transform! Saturn..... cosmic.... power....." *drops his hands to his sides and bows his head*

Will *smirks* "So it's true. You're only half of what you are without me. You need me to be able to summon your powers!"

Rose: "Alex, snap out of it! You have to defeat him in order to go on with your life. You have to lock him away!"

Alex: "I.... I'm only half the man I used to be. Half of what I am is him." *bows head at the realization that he's absolutely powerless to stop his darker half* "I can't do anything."

     Will sneers and begins cackling, the sky above growing darker by the minute. The wind increases in force, blowing salty spray from the angry sea across the beach, stinging the skin and eyes of the brave warriors who are fighting to save the world from a greater evil.

Will: "Now taste my true fury. MAELSTROM!"

     The sea washes over the beach, catching everyone off guard and washing them inland. Great waterspouts form from the water, catching each person inside of one, pulling them toward the sky. Webs and chains of lighting split open the sky, electrocuting those within the water spouts with several hundred times the force of a single lightning strike.

Mike: 'This.... this can't be happening. Alex.... you have to snap out of it man. We need you. I need you. I...... love you.'

     Alex hears Mike's thoughts, his head lifting back up when he realizes that his feelings are being reciprocated. A rush of energy flows through his body, giving him a greater power than he's ever felt in his life.

Alex: 'Mike..... thank you. Thank you for everything.'

     The waterspout containing Alex splits apart, startling Will to such a degree that he drops the spell he has been casting. As the water washes back out to sea, depositing those within on a very soaked beach, the light half of the mage touches down, one leg crossed behind the other, arms down by his sides, hair blown dry by the energy he's giving off.

Alex: *glares at Will with a look of pure determination*  "I won't let you cause any more pain to my friends."

Will: *smirks evilly and glares back* "Why? What are you going to do to stop me? Cry?"

Alex *smirks* "If it helps, which it does at times. However, for now I'll just give you a taste of your own medicine."

Will: "With what powers? Your all mighty Nightmare Fury is mine now, as are any of your zodiac spells."

Alex *brushes a few strands of his bangs back from his eyes* "That's where you're wrong. You see, not all spells in the Zodiac book involve darkness or death. And you'd be surprised by the power that one gains when they find their true heart." *holds his white materia stone aloft* "Release the light from the darkness, Deliver us from the shadows .Unleash the light unto the dark. Enlighten those forever locked in the shadows! ALEXANDER!!"

     All eyes are upon Alex as a pair of angel wings unfurl from the space behind him, wrapping around his body to protect him from the energy bolts that Will is whipping at him. The wings spread open a moment later, revealing Alex standing on the shoulder of a giant robot warrior of ancient magical make.

Mike: "He's.... beautiful."

Alexis: "Alexander..... he unlocked Alexander's true power."

Lina *shivers* "I'm getting goose bumps from the energy."

     For the first time during the battle fear is evident in Will's feral green eyes. In a last ditch attempt he summons the awesome power of the Giga Slave, a giant globe of purest darkness forming above his head.

Will: "If I'm going down, you're going down with me. GIGA SLAVE!"

Alex *looks at Will as Alexander spreads his wings wide, the clouds above them melting away* "I don't think so buddy."

     Alexander's wings glow a blinding silver white seconds before wave upon wave of holy missiles tear through the sky, striking Will and his spell, canceling out the Giga Slave while slamming the dark mage into the ground. Several more waves of missiles pelt the dark mage, creating a deep crater around him.

Will *coughs up blood* "I.... You got me. Finish it."

Alex *smirks as he leaps into the air, silver light glowing around him* "Gladly. GODDESS.... STRIKE!"

     The light mage summons his glaive, which quickly becomes a weapon of light, the blades glowing brighter than any could recall seeing. In rapid fire succession Alex unleashed a barrage of goddess strikes that drained what remained of Will's mana and set into motion his downfall.

Will *smiles as his body is bathed in silver light* "Thank you Alex. You have proven that your good half is stronger than your dark half. Farewell."

     And all fades to silvery white silence.

     Following the battle against and ultimate defeat of Will, the cast returns to the island, which has been more or less restored to how it looked before the destruction at the beginning of the episode. Most of the cast has retired to bed, leaving Mike and Alex, as well as a few others, to enjoy some night air. This pair has found a nice spot to gaze at the stars across the calm ocean, Alex still holding onto his now powerless henshin wand. Neither know what to say, since their relationship and friendship have changed greatly due to the recent happenings. Mike looks at Alex, then at the ocean, then back to Alex, who seems to be lost in thought, and takes it upon himself to begin the conversation.

Mike: "So, Alex..... um, how are you doing?"

Alex *looks at Mike, then down at his transformation wand, where the Saturn crystal has since turned completely black* "Guess I could be worse than just powerless."

Mike *smiles a little* "Yeah. You gotta remember that, Alex-kun. You could be worse off than you are, so think positively."

Alex *begins to smile, then looks back at his wand* "Looks like there's not going to be a Warrior Saturn leading the Star Warriors into battle. At least, not for a little while."

Mike *looks at the wand* "So that means something to you?"

Alex *nods* "Yeah. Since high school I've been part of the sailor soldiers or the warriors. Part of a larger collective, you know? I was a leader of many, and many looked up to me. Then there was the incident where we had to battle a hell goddess, and after that I wanted to stop being the leader, you know? I didn't want people to look to me for all of the answers to their problems. I just wanted to be me."

Mike: "Looks like you got your wish."

Alex *nods, but doesn't look up* "Yeah, I guess I did." *caresses one of the angel wings, which have also turned black* "Kinda funny how everything works out. If I could use this I'd be one of the most powerful senshi out there, on par with Eternal Sailor Moon."

Mike *puts his hand on Alex's* "You still do well with your own special gifts, you know that?"

Alex: "But...."

Mike *moves his hand to Alex's chin, and turns his head so that Alex is looking at his face* "No buts. You keep escaping from everything by making excuses, and that's something I don't want you to do. I want you to face all of the challenges of life..."

Alex *eyes beginning to shine with tears* "Mike..."

Mike: "And if that means I can't be a part of your life for some indefinite period of time, that's something I'm willing to do. Maybe in that time you'll come to terms with everything, become stronger, become more independent, and maybe, just maybe the sparkle will glow in that crystal again."

Alex *closes eyes as tears begin to stream down his cheeks* "Mike... I...."

Mike *gives Alex a hug* "Alex-kun, I know how you feel about me, and it's time for both of us to move on with our lives. Maybe we'll get back together at some point, but right now I think it's best that we don't see each other."

Alex *sobs* "Just.... just don't forget about me."

Mike *begins to tear up as well, but keeps voice calm* "You're my friend. I won't forget about you. I'll think about you and hope that you get better."

Alex *hugs Mike back* "I'll think about you as well."

Mike *pulls away and puts his hands on Alex's shoulders* "So things are cool between us?"

Alex *nods, even though tears are still streaming down his cheeks* "Yeah. Things are cool."

Mike *looks into Alex's eyes* "Are you sure?"

Alex *shakes head* "No, but who's sure of anything in life?"

Mike *wipes one of Alex's tears away* "Before I go I want to see you smile one last time."

Alex *squeezes eyes shut as more tears well up, then opens eyes and smiles the best he can* "I smiled, now you smile that million megawatt smile that I love."

Mike *smiles and ruffles Alex's hair* "Alex-kun, you are good person with a good heart who cares about everyone. Don't ever lose that part of yourself."

Alex *looks like he's about to start sobbing again* "I.... I'll try not to lose it again."

Mike *gives Alex one last hug and a quick kiss on the cheek* "You take care now, you hear." *points at Alex like he's pointing a gun*

Alex *smiles the best he can* "You too mate."

    *a doorway appears and opens, revealing Mike's living room*

Mike *steps into the doorway* "I'll see you around Alex-kun."

Alex *nods and waves as Mike steps through the doorway* "Good-bye. Take care."

    *the door closes and disappears, leaving Alex waving at empty space*

Alex: "I... I'll miss... miss you..."

     Tears resume rolling down Alex's cheeks as he bows his head and clenches his hands at his sides, his henshin wand still clenched in his right hand.

     A short distance away sit Zel, Del, Rose, and Alexis, all four of whom have watched the emotional outpouring between two people who must part ways for an indefinite period of time. Del sighs and scratches his head before turning away.

Del: "Well, at least he's still alive."

Zel: "Yeah, but he's going to be hurting for quite a while. He still loves Mike, even though the other doesn't feel the same way back."

Rose: "How do you know he doesn't feel the same way?"

Zel *arches an eyebrow at the dragoon knight of darkness* "What are you saying?

Rose *rises to her full height and scratches her hand through her hair* "Mike clearly loves him more than he's willing to say, but shows how much he cares in his actions."

Alexis: "Come again?"

Rose *sighs* "Let me phrase it as simply as possible. Mike cares about Alex, and even though both of them are going to hurt for a while due to this, in the end it'll make Alex a stronger person who won't spend all of his time whining and complaining about stuff. He'll get off of his butt and do things to make his life better. Then, someday down the line, maybe they'll get together again and pick up where they left off."

Alexis *arches both eyebrows in surprise* "Oh." *goes starry eyed* "How romantic."

Zel *sighs and scratches the back of his head* "Whatever. Right at the moment there's a certain mage who I think needs some comforting, and with Spike gone and Seifer returning to Irvine off on Terra, I think this one falls back on me." *resumes walking away*

Del *shrugs* "So is this how it ends?"

Rose *shrugs as well and looks up at the sky, which is beginning to shine with starlight* "For the moment, yes."

     A couple of days later the weather is back to being unbearably hot. Once again Alex is sprawled out in the sun, this time his head resting on Zelgadis' stomach, his cowboy hat pulled down low over his eyes. From time to time Zel scratches Alex's shoulder, and the mage responds by grasping Zel's hand.

Zel: "How are you doing today? Any better?"

Alex *nods a little* "Yeah. Just a little." *smiles* "It's funny really."

Zel *arches an eyebrow* "What's funny?"

Alex: "In the end I managed to lock away my darker half, and in the process lost my command over the powers of darkness."

Zel: "You mean your powers of death and rebirth and silence, don't you?"

Alex: "Depends upon how you view my senshi powers. I've been called many things, ya know."

Zel: "So what do you want to be called now?"

Alex: "How about just Alex."

Zel *pulls Alex's hat up and kisses him on the forehead* "All right. So what do you want to do today Alex?"

Alex *snags his hat and plunks it on his head with his his right hand while wrapping his left arm around Zel's shoulders* "All I want to do today is be with someone like you." *kisses Zel lightly on the lips* "Is that all right?"

Zel *chuckles and ruffles Alex's ponytail* "Sounds like a plan."

     Rose steps out of the girls hut at that moment, wearing one of Naga's bathing suits, which has been tastefully modified so that it's not as revealing. Zel and Alex both gawk at the dragoon knight of darkness, who turns her nose up at them and walks away.

Zel: "Was that Rose?"

Alex *chuckles* "Yeah."

Zel: "Where do you suppose she's going?"

Alex *shrugs and lays back down so his head is on Zel's stomach* "Probably off to enjoy a relaxing vacation."

     Camera pans to where Rose sits down in a beach chair near Alexis, Lina, and Naga, pulls on a pair of sunglasses, spreads her hair out behind her as she lays back, and joins the other three in sunbathing. Scene then fades to black.

-End

     The camera fades in on the stage of Gourrigan's Island, where absolutely nobody is standing for the time being. The cameraman pans from left to right and back again, nobody in sight. He then pans off to the right side of the stage, past the curtains, to where a Dance Dance Revolution machine has been set up. The entire cast is standing around the machine, and Del and Alex are on the machine itself, dancing up a storm.

Del: "Why did you have to choose this song?"

Alex *smirks* "Because it's fitting."

Seifer *sings* "Sweating 'till my clothes come off." *strips his coat off*

Zel *watches the two dance* "Isn't there something about behinds moving?"

Seifer *nods* "Yeah... and what a pair of cute behinds."

Del: "I'd glare, but we're dancing on Maniac and I need to watch the screen."

Alex *slips his shirt off* "Sweat dripping over my body is right."

Asuka *walks in, arms laden with shopping bags* "Did I miss anything while I was out shopping for new summer wear?"

Alexis: "Only my appearance, the manifestation of my daddy's darker side, an epic battle, and the end of a relationship for the moment."

Asuka *sets bags down* "Oh... is that all?" *takes a moment for everything to register* "Your daddy?!" *glares at Alex*

Alex: "Ask Lina to fill ya in. I'm about.... to.... WIN!" *hits the last step, completing a perfect combo*

Del *bows head, takes his shirt off, and tosses it off to the side* "Damn you Alex and your weird ideas."

Seifer *gets a faceful of Del's shirt* "What in the name of underpants did I miss?"

Alex *chuckles* "Strip DDR."

all *sweatdrop* "You're sick."

Alex *cackles* "You wouldn't have it any other way?"

Del: "And right now I'm wishing that Mike had decided to stick around for some of this fun."

Alex *cringes* "Bitch."

Del: "You know you love it."

Alex *sweatdrops* "Yeah... like I love 'Paranoia' or 'Max 300'."

Del *fanged grin and starts clicking through songs* "Here's a favorite." *selects 'Afronova'* "Eat this bitch."

Alex *bows head and sings* "Fucker. Dill  Brand!" *blasts Del into orbit*

Asuka *hops onto the now vacant spot on the machine and clicks back through the songs* "Here's one for ya Alex." *selects 'Toxic'*

Alex *smirks* "Yer on." *clicks it up to Oni."

Asuka *selects Oni as well* "Let's rock!"

Seifer *watches the two dance* "Wow.... the sweat is dripping off of their bodies."

Asuka *strips her sundress off, revealing a slinky black bikini underneath* "Gotta love being a girl 'cause I'm sweating 'till my clothes come off."

Alex & Asuka: "Oh the taste of your lips I wanna race. Your toxic gun slipping under. The taste of your poison that I kiss. I'm addicted to you, don't you know that you're toxic?"

Alexis *nearly falls over trying to watch the two sets of fast moving feet* "Yeesh.... now I know how daddy stayed in shape for so long."

Naga: "Don't stare at their feet dear... you might go blind."

Lina *falls over from sympathetic exhaustion* "Oh man.... I don't think I could keep up with them."

Zel: "And yet you have to run twenty times faster whenever you do something wrong."

Lina *turns and glares at Zel* "Bitch. You're mine."

Zel *waves hand* "Don't go there Shanene."

Lina *gets up in his face* "Nuh-uh you didn't Shaniqua."

Zel *stares eye to eye with Lina* "Don't go there girlfriend."

Del *crashlands on top of Seifer, who is inching forward to grab Alex's butt* "Ouchies."

Seifer *stands up with Del stuck on his head* "Great.... this is fuckin painful." *turns around* "Um... guys, the camera is still rolling."

Alex *flips off the camera* "Tell 'em to bloody wait until we're done."

     The song ends and Alex and Asuka take a moment to rest.

Alexis *looks at the screen* "It's a tie. You guys both scored perfect combos."

Seifer *sighs, picks Del up, and drops the elf onto the floor* "Who wants to dance with me."

Alex *grins and waves Seifer up onto the platform* "Let's see you sweat until your clothes come off."

Seifer *grins back, leans over, and kisses Alex on the lips* "You see that enough as is."

Alex: "Yeah, but this is more fun, isn't it?"

Seifer *shrugs* "Whatever you say hon." *clicks through the songs and selects 'Dirty'* "This one good?"

Alex *nods* "Sure."

Del *sighs and rubs his head* "You obviously don't care about wrapping up this summer special, do you?"

Alex: "It was a serious special. Not much in the way of comedy. I came, I saw, I battled my darker half and won. What the fuck do ya want outta me?"

Alexis: "Bloopers?"

Rose: "We didn't have time to think about bloopers. Hell, there was nothing to mess up to get bloopers for the end of the show."

Alex: "Exactly. We had tear jerking moments."

Seifer *unzips his shirt and throws it behind him, covering Rose's face with it* "So we're just shooting the shit on camera for a few minutes?"

Rose *takes Seifer's shirt and tosses it to Asuka* "Apparently so. This is a Summer special after all, and that means summer vacation, fun, half naked guys and girls, sunbathing, swimming, etc."

Alexis: "So that's why you're in a bathing suit Miss Rose?"

Rose *blushes lightly and nods* "Yes, you could say that."

Zel *walks away from Lina, several dents in his face* "Never do the gang girl bit with Lina... she plays rough."

Lina *elbow stomps him* "And don't you forget it Shanene."

Zel *sighs* "See what I mean?"

Rose *nods* "Yeah, I see."

Alexis: "I think we should be wrapping this up soon."

Alex: "In full agreement... just... three... more... steps....."

all *stare in amazement as Alex misses the last step, slips on the sweat on the platform, falls backwards, and lands on top of Del, who is only half conscious after crashing into Seifer's head* "SHIT!"

Del *mutters from underneath Alex* "Kill me please."

Alex *looks at the camera and shrugs* "Fuck it. End. Turn the camera off. I mean it!"

Naga *pulls down her top, thus shutting the camera off* "Done."

all: "Thank god. Have a good summer!"

    -End