Subject: [FF][BASTARD][SI] Traveler pt3
From: WWWA Trouble Consultant for hire!!
Date: 8/2/1997, 6:51 AM
To: davidtwolf@juno.com, fanfic@fanfic.com, jaidite@aol.com

Well, here be part 3.

Jazz
"yeah, it's that time."

     "These are images in Jazz's mind?" asked Sheila with
disbelief.
     "Yeah.  Now let's go teach our student a lesson about being
late.  Especially for a meal." said Darschu with a grin.
     Finding him seated at a table among several tall stacks of
books, all six people surrounded him without making a sound. 
Jason  awoke' from his research when someone before him cleared
their throat.  Looking up...looking up further...looking up even
further, Jason's eyes went wide at Victor's face under lit by his
reading lamp.  Falling over backwards, Jason's opened his eyes
after blinking out the pain to see the faces of Cammy, Felicia,
Chun-Li, Lei-Lei, Victor, and Ken reaching for him.
      ESCAPE NOW!!!!!' screamed his mind.  Scrambling from the
chair between Felicia and Cammy, Jazz ran at full tilt away form
the crowd.  Looking behind to see the six fighters following him,
Jazz completely missed a small table in the narrow isle.
     Rolling with the slam into his legs, Jazz's mind noted the
pain as he searched for a place to hide.  Finding a small nitch,
Jazz rested as he mentally assessed the damage and the entire
situation.   Both thighs hurt, back hurting, left arm sore.' his
mind reported.  Another part of his mind generated another list
of the situation:
     A)Darkstalker and Street Fighter II characters are after me.
     B)None of the above could exist here.
     C)I am most likely late for something.*his stomach had just
gurgled in hunger* Late for dinner.  Check.
     D)Six to one odds against me.

Options to handle.
     A)Surrender.
     B)Fight back.

     Option B selected' thought Jazz, smiling.  He also noted
that he had a fair amount of energy.  Stepping out from his
nitch, Jazz heard "There he is." and took off in a dead run the
opposite direction.
     Getting into a corner, Jason batted the nearest wall mounted
glows away, making the corner pitch black.   Perfect.  Illusion
101 has been convened.' thought Jazz with a chuckle as the
necessary image entered his mind.
     Victor, Ken, and Felicia stepped cautiously into the
darkened area, alert to any sign of danger.  The trio stepped
back involuntarily as two glowing green spots appeared in the
darkened alcove and seemed to move towards them.
     The nearest glow gave a brief hint at the twin horned snout
of the large, four legged figure approaching the trio.
     Taking up defensive positions, Ken, Victor, and Felicia
waited as the rough skinned beast came to a stop ten feet away
from them.  Suddenly it spoke.  "Rhinox...MAXIMIZE!!!!"  The
beast reared back to reveal an armored figure holding twin large
boxes with multi-tube opening that began spinning rapidly.
     "Your choice." roared the figure, looking down at the trio.
     Raising their hands, each person's illusion faded to reveal
Darschu, Felicia, and Gara, each with resigned looks on their
faces.
     Chuckling softly, Jazz canceled his illusion, saying "I
take it that I am late for dinner?"
     "Yeah, about twenty minutes now." replied Darschu, not the
happiest about being beaten on the illusion front.
     "Sorry.  Let me go get the others and I'll meet you at the
main door."
     "Just hurry, we're all hungry." said Gara as the trio headed
for the main entrance.
     "Okay.  Won't be long." said Jazz, wandering off and
plotting.
     Coming upon Cammy, Jazz backed out of sight, casting yet
another illusion.  Jazz noticed he didn't change all that much
except in clothes and a war hammer on one hip and a roll of duct
tape on another.  Chuckling, Jazz stepped back into her line of
sight, asking "Looking for me?"
     "C'mon, Jazz.  It's late and we're hungry."
     "Not quite, m'lady.  First you must defeat me."
     "Jazz..."
     "DUCT TAPE, SANJO!!!!!" called Jazz, as the duct tape on his
hip unwound to surround and wrap up Cammy.  "Do you give?"
     Nodding quickly, Jazz canceled both illusions with a
dramatic wave of his hand.  "Jazz, that wasn't nice." responded
Tia.
     "All's fair in love and jokes.  Join Gara, Darschu, and
Felicia at the door please.  I still have a little hunting yet to
do." said Jazz with a grin.
     Tia sighed, heading for the main entrance.
     Climbing a ladder, Jazz managed to spot a Chun-Li-like
character after sitting and waiting for a few moments.  Chuckling
softly, Jazz latched onto the one image he had used to defeat
Chun-Li the first time he played the Street Fighter II video
game.
     Chun-Li spun as the words "AIR SMASH!!!!" responded above
her to see a large man land beside her.  Unfortunately, her spin
put her right into a waiting bearhug.  Grabbing her about the
waist and locking his arms together on the small of her back, the
sumo said "Give in or be crushed."  To prove his point, the sumo
applied a little pressure.
     "I give." squeaked Sheila, canceling her illusion.
     Seeing who he had in a bearhug, Jazz canceled his in turn
and set her down gently, blushing brightly.  "Sorry, I thought
you were Arshes."
     "Jazz, don't worry about it.  You wouldn't have crushed me,
would you?"
     "Never.  I will now collect one Arshes Nei and we can go
eat."
     "Okay, just don't take too long."
     "Yes, princess.  Be back soon."  Turning over into a
different tone, Jazz finished "Be vewy, vewy quiet, I'm hunting
an Awshes.  Hehehehehehe."
     Giggling, Sheila headed for the main door as Jazz
disappeared into the stacks.  As he looked for Arshes, his mind
fed him an update.   Damage almost completely repaired.  ETA of
completion: 1 minute.'
     "Oh bother," he whispered to himself, "gonna have to make
this quick."
     Coming up behind the last illusional figure, Jazz tapped her
on the shoulder, while standing behind the opposite shoulder. 
When Lei-lei turned to look over her left shoulder, Jazz
attempted to stay behind her, out of sight.
     Quickly and quietly, Jazz reached into his pouch searching
out his pocket pliers.  Opening it so the needlenose pliers were
exposed, he placed it against the small of her back.  "Well, all
right, pilgrim, reach for the sky." Jazz drawled, attempting a
decent John Wayne impersonation.
     Lei-Lei eeped, thinking a sword or a spear had been put to
her back, and raised her hands.  "Now march for the door."
continued Jazz, keeping up the impersonation, trying hard not to
laugh.
     Stepping close to the table he had been at originally, Jazz
picked up a few pieces of paper with notes to study for later. 
Shaking his head, Jazz finally said "Lady Arshes, you can cancel
the illusion."
     "Okay..." replied a voice behind him.
      Oh crap.  Fell for the fake illusion bit.' Jazz thought as
he turned to see the real Arshes Nei.  The illusion of Lei-Lei
slowly derezzed back to nothingness.  "It looks like you got me,
Lady Arshes.  Now, can we go eat?"
     "Yes, now you get moving."
     "Yes, ma'am." replied Jazz, grabbing the last of his notes,
heading for the door with Arshes behind him.
     Getting to the door, Tia said, with slight disgust, "It's
about time."
     "Sorry," tried Jazz, sheepishly, "I got involved with all
the scrolls down here and lost track of time."
     "Just don't let it happen again." reprimanded Arshes.
     "It won't..." whispered Jazz.
     "Let's go eat." said Gara, glad to finally be able to go
eat.
     Brightening up, Jazz said "Okay."  His hunger making itself
known as his stomach gurgled at the thought of food.
     Five minutes later, serious noshing of food began.  Over
dinner though, Jazz mulled over a small problem he found with an
initial design he had for a set of armor.
     Noticing this, Felicia asked him quietly what was on his
mind, that it was causing his brow to furrow occasionally.
     "Nothing...just working out a problem...nothing major
though..." replied Jazz quietly.  Glancing over at the smirking
Darschu, Jazz saw the same smirk on Darschu's face that he had
this past afternoon.  Thinking back on the conversation, Jazz
blushed slightly, sitting back up straight and finishing dinner
quickly.
     Heading back to his room, Jazz read over his notes and
looked over his initial drawing of his armor idea.   Best have
something as back up.' he thought, making a correction to the
design.
     As the sun set, Jazz climbed into bed as the day finally
caught up with him.  Setting his glasses on the small table,
Jason pulled the covers up around him.  Breathing deeply, he
marveled at finally being free of his inhaler.  He also caught
brief hint of perfume in the air.   Hmm...smells relaxing...but
somehow familiar...hmmm...' he thought as sleep finally asserted
it's claim on him.
     Deep in the shadows of the room, a long haired shadow moved
with all the grace of a cat.

Chapter 5     Where's my hammer?

     "Don't force it.  Get a bigger hammer."
          -Anonymous

     "Wha??  Whoa!  Nice kitty!  Good kitty.  Have a missile."
          Daver-Undocumented Features #3

     The next three weeks past like a small blur.  His training
sessions with Gara and Arshes were starting to produce noticeable
physical changes the Jazz noticed.  Geo, Tia, and Sheila drilled
history, social etiquette, and few other things into him. 
Darschu still pondered at the radical different readings he got
from Jazz during their  Magic 101' sessions.
     During the third week, Jazz even got up enough gumption to
ask Arshes to teach him how to play the lute.  Arshes hesitantly
agreed since few people knew she played an instrument.  However,
Jazz's fingers just couldn't adjust to the fingerings.  Even with
his improved flexibility and strength, Jazz still found things he
still couldn't quite do.
     With his lack of knowledge of metalsmithing, Jazz asked
Talon to tutor him a few nights a week on how to use a foundry
properly and efficiently.  Felicia looked on, offering the
occasional bit of advice or encouragement when needed.
     At first, Jazz had been hesitant to have dealings with the
young woman.  But that incident in his bedroom after his first
day of training, Jazz shook his head, wishing he could have
handled it better.  Thinking back, he couldn't help but chuckle a
little bit.
     Felicia gazed at the young man from the shadows as he fell
asleep.  Her mind once again warned her about her way of saying
thank you to this young man, who had saved her life.  She wanted
to do something special for him.
     Making sure he was asleep, Felicia slipped from the shadows
and into his bed, curling up against him.  Feeling safe being
close to him, Felicia fell into a restful sleep.
     Waking a few hours later, Jazz felt a hot stuffiness about
the bedding.  Attempting to get rid of a layer, Jazz's sleep
enshrouded mind took in the sleeping form of a lightly clad
Felicia with little response.  Getting back inside the bedding,
Jazz's mind came fully online as his head hit the pillow. 
Lifting the bedding, Jazz confirmed what he had seen earlier.
     Screaming mentally, Jazz asked himself  What is she doing in
here?  In my bed?  With me in the bed?  AAAARRRGGGHHHH!!!!!!'
     Trying to calm his racing heart, Jazz made up a list of
options.  Having always made lists, this had come second nature
to him.
     Option 1.) Wake her and tell her to leave.
     Option 2.) Scream loudly.
     Option 3.) Take the last blanket and sleep on the floor.
     Option 4.) Faint.
     Option 5.) Go back to sleep and hope nothing happens.
     Option 6.) Good question on what to do.  

     Climbing slowly from the bed, Jazz tiptoed over to the
window, looking up into the night sky, hoping an answer would
present itself.  Sighing, Jazz continued to ponder this when his
ears picked up something from his bed.
     "...no...don't touch me....someone help me please...help me
please..." murmured Felicia in her sleep.
      She must be having a nightmare.' thought Jason, trying to
calm his nerves.  Walking back over to the bed, Jason laid his
right hand on her shoulder lightly, calming her nightmares.
     Shaking his head, Jazz brought one of the chairs in the room
over to the bed and kept a silent watch over the sleeping form in
his bed.  Wishing he could be in the bed, he contented himself to
watch over her.  Not long and he was dozing in the chair.
     Felicia awoke a short time later to find Jazz no longer in
the bed.  Looking around frantically hoping she hadn't scared him
off, she found him sleeping in a chair next to the bed.   Jazz,
what are you afraid of?' she thought silently as she climbed from
the bed, reaching for the blanket Jazz had stripped off earlier.
     Hearing the bed creak, Jazz woke up to see Felicia reaching
for the blanket he had taken off earlier.  "Felicia, what are
you doing here in my bed?" he asked softly.
     Startled by Jazz's voice, Felicia tried "I...I...I was cold
and wanted someone...uummmm..."
     Taking her hand in his own, Jazz looked into her eyes and
asked gently "Felicia, why?  Don't you have your own bed?"
     "I feel....safe, in your presence..." replied Felicia
carefully and softly, her head downcast.
     Shaking his head in almost disbelief, "What would these
people say if they found us together in the same bed?" asked
Jazz, trying to sort out his own feelings.
     "I....I...don't know..."
     "Felicia, could you..." Jazz tried, his own mind rebelling
against itself.
     Fearing the worse, "...leave?" finished Felicia.  At his
hesitant nod, Felicia knew that her worst fear had happened. 
She had made him angry and he no longer wanted another to do with
her.
     Noticing tears beginning a trek down her cheeks as she
climbed from the bed to leave.  Jazz's heart finally made itself
known.  "Felicia, its not that..."
     Felicia looked back him, trying to hold in a sob.  "I...I
care for you and this just caught me off guard.  I'm sorry..."
finished Jazz, turning away, his head bowing.
     Having her hope restored but knowing she must leave, Felicia
said quietly "I should have asked..."
     "Do you...truly feel safe in my presence?"
     Seeing her slow nod, Jazz came up with an option which all
his moral upbringing rebelled against, threatening to take
complete control if he followed through with it.  Jazz completely
ignored his conservative upbringing when he said "Fel-chan,
please stay."
     Smiling again, Felicia nodded.  Wordlessly, they both
climbed back into his bed.  Wrapping his arm around her, Felicia
cuddled up against Jazz with a sigh of contentment.  "Only for
this night, okay..." rumbled Jazz softly.
     Feeling her nod, Jazz shook his head as the sounds of short
shallow breathing reached his ears.   Now if I can sleep...' he
thought as this body temperature rose to slightly uncomfortable
levels.  Being a very warm person temperature wise, Jazz found he
could wear shorts in the late Fall/early Winter when other people
had to wear pants against the cold.  Chuckling at the time, he
had put it off as his Central Wisconsin cold weather training.
     Dozing off and on repeatedly, the morning came just a little
too soon for his liking.

     Thinking over the incident, Jazz chuckled as each of his
teachers commented on the tired look in his eyes.  His mind
slowly drifted over to his current project.  He had the knowledge
to build what he needed but not the facilities.   Maybe I'm
thinking too large.'  Chuckling softly, he muttered softly, a
line a field had hooked him on, "Gotta get a Gundam.  More power.
Arr Arr Arr Arr."  He had been trying for the last two days to
get the power levels up to where he needed them but nothing
seemed to work.  The crystals always seemed to loose power just
as it came to full power.
     Shrugging mentally, Jazz noticed a certain man he wanted to
talk with, walking towards the soldiers' barracks.  Sir Crodyn. 
 I hope this will go better than our first meeting...'
     Heading down to the soldiers' barracks, Jazz inquired where
Sir Crodyn was.  Getting directions several times, Jazz tracked
him down, as he gazed at the night sky.
     "Sir Crodyn." said Jazz, experimentally.
     Turning to see the young man who had defeated him a while
ago, Sir Crodyn turned back away from Jazz and said brusquely
"What do YOU want?"
     "I...I was..."
     "What?" interrupted Sir Crodyn.
     "Sir Crodyn, I wondered if..."
     "What does the hero of the Battle of Antrathrax want of me?"
interrupted Crodyn again.
     Without hesitation, Jazz's anger came to forefront and spoke
"Dammit Crodyn, I'm trying to settle things between us.  I prefer
to make friends than enemies but fine, I'm gone."
     Turning to go, Jazz heard "Do you truly mean what you say?"
     "Yes.  Enemies are made too easy.  I just wanted to make
amends with you because..."
     "Because why?" asked a curious Crodyn.
     "I can't shake a feeling that it will be up to us to defend
Metallicana someday in the future."
     "What do you mean?"
     Looking back towards Crodyn, Jazz replied "I have been
getting these strange feelings, just a general sense of unease. 
I don't know what to make of it."
     "Have you mentioned these...feelings to Lord Geo?"
     "No...I didn't want to trouble him with it."
     "Maybe you should."
     "Tomorrow.  But tonight, do we part friends or enemies?"
asked Jazz, looking sincerely at Crodyn, holding forth his arm.
     Taking his arm, Crodyn said "Friends."
     "Thank you.  Also, how are the repairs on your armor
coming?" asked Jazz, knowing the damage it had suffered from a
recent skirmish with a couple of orcs.
     "It's coming slowly.  Those orcs damaged it well.  The
blacksmiths are saying it will be out of action for several
days."
     Nodding, Jazz commented "Not good.  It's a key part to
several of Metallicana's defenses."
     "Yeah.  If you will excuse me, Sir Jazz, I wish to retire
for the night."
     "No problem.  Good night, and just call me Jazz.  None of
this  Sir' stuff, okay?"
     "Okay, S...Jazz.  Good night." said Crodyn, turning and
going into the soldiers' barracks.
     Watching him go, Jazz began to grin mischievously as an
idea entered his mind.   I may not be able to build my own armor,
but maybe I can...'
     The sounds of clanging from the forge area resounded long
into the night.  Arshes watched from the shadows as Jazz stumbled
back into his room well in the early hours of the morning.
      Now, what have you been doing?' pondered Arshes, turning to
go back to her own room.

     The next morning, Jazz awoke at the sound of the breakfast
bell ringing.  Cursing slightly about his late night activities,
Jazz hurried got dressed and ran down to breakfast.
     Heading out to the practice field, Jazz did a few warm up
katas had been taught.  The sparring with Gara and Arshes early
in the morning progressed well enough.  At least he wasn't
getting as many frequent flier miles as when he first started.
     He also confirmed another choice he had made.  The training
had progressed to include melee weapons.  Trying the sword, Jazz
found he did acceptably well.  But when it came to war hammers
and staffs, Jazz excelled exponentially.  This also brought
another moral he held.  He never wanted to intentially kill
another person, just take them out of the battle.
     This morning proved to be a little different.  Trying a new
tactic, Gara and Arshes attacked Jazz at the same time.
     "Hey, no fair!" tried Jazz, only to be silenced with a
stronger attack.  Dodging out of the way, Jazz grabbed his
customary staff, holding it at the ready.
      Warning!!" screamed his mind, as he noticed that Arshes and
Gara were edging apart to stand on either side of him.
      Gotta keep moving.' Jazz thought as a lesson from a book
made itself known.  Jazz did his best to keep Gara and Arshes in
the same viewing arch.
     Suddenly a hard impact made itself known between Jazz's
shoulder blades.  Pitched forward into the dirt, Jazz looked
where the attack came from and saw Tia with another rock in her
hands, tossing it up and down.
     Before he could think further, Gara and Arshes pressed
their attacks on his prone position.  Rolling to the left, Jazz
managed to stay ahead of their twin attacks until he rolled into
a sword buried into the ground.
     Bringing his legs over his head in a reverse somersault to
come into a small crouch, Jazz waited for their next attack. 
Seeing another projectile headed his way, Jazz felt a brushing
impact as he tried to dodge from it's flight path.
     Going on the offensive, Jazz whirled the staff in a tight
formation of moves, moving towards Gara.  Stopping suddenly, Jazz
turned and threw the staff at Arshes, stopping her ambush. 
Drawing out one of this twin war hammers, he hit the flat of
Gara's blade as hard as he could.
     Getting the desired result, namely Gara's arm going slightly
numb, Jazz backed away from the trio, trying frantically to come
up with a battle plan.  Reaching into the back of his belt, Jazz
drew out an experimental weapon he had built during his first
lessons with Talon.  Dodging several more stones hurled by Tia,
Jazz let fly.  Flying true to form, the metal  V' came around and
severed several small branches over Tia's head before returning
to Jazz's waiting hand.
     Finding herself in a shower of tree foliage, Tia screamed
and dodged.   Okay, distance attacks taken out.  Now for the
inclose pair.' thought Jazz, pulling out his other war hammer.
     Arshes and Gara watched in slight amazement as Jazz
effectively defeated Tia.
     Attacking Gara head on proved to be Jazz's downfall. 
Locking
him up, Gara gave Arshes the opportunity she needed to disarm
Jazz with the staff he had thrown moments before.
     Sighing, Jazz took the defeat.  "Jazz, what was that thing
you threw at Tia?" asked Gara, intrigued by the device.
     "It's called a boomerang.  If thrown properly, it can
achieve the desired results.  I had practiced tossing that thing
more times than I can count before I opted to use it today.  I
lucked out that it did what I needed it to." said Jazz,
collecting his myriad of weapons.
     "Interesting.  Can you make more?"
     Thinking for a few moments, Jazz replied "Sure.  Shouldn't
be a problem.  Just need the time to do it."
     "How goes the work on your armor?" asked Arshes, after a few
moments, knowing the time he had put towards that project.
     Sighing, Jazz replied "It's not going as good as I hoped. 
The books I followed say the design should work but I just can't
keep enough energy in it to keep it running.  I guess I gotta try
something else."
     Just then, a servant from the soldiers' barracks approached
the quartet.  "Excuse me, I'm looking for Sir Jazz."
     Pointing at him, Gara said "That's him."
     "Thank you."  Turning to Jazz, the servant continued "Sir,
your presence is required in the forge now."
     Muttering softly, Jazz mumbled "oh boy."  Speaking up, he
said "I will be there shortly."
     "What is this about?" asked Tia, finally getting the twig
attack cleaned off herself.
     "All I was told is that Sir Jazz would know what it was
about when I asked him to come."
     "Jazz, what did you do now?" asked Tia, turning to glare at
the suspect.
     "Nothing...too serious.  Hopefully I didn't mess up too
badly." shrugged Jazz.
     "Please hurry.  Sir Crodyn asked me to have you hurry."
     "Okay.  Lead on." said Jazz, cleaning the last of the dirt
off his clothes.  Arshes, Gara, and Tia followed on his heels.
     "Jazz, does this have to do with your getting back to your
room late last night?" asked Arshes.
     "How...how did you know about that??  Never mind, I think it
does."
     Ten minutes later, the forge loomed before them.  Walking
in, Jazz noticed a slightly perturbed Sir Crodyn and other
blacksmiths gazing at the armor.
     "We're here.  What did he do now?" asked Gara, indicating
Jazz.
     Seeing him, Sir Crodyn shouted "Jazz, what the God's name
did you do to my armor?"
     "I fixed it..." replied Jazz sheepishly.
     Not hearing his response, Sir Crodyn shouted again "What was
that?"
     Taking a deep breath, Jazz shouted in return "I fixed it."
     Walking over to him, Sir Crodyn said "What did you do
exactly to my armor?"
     "Well, I patched the armor where it was weak and...a few
other things."
     "What other things?"
     "Well...you will have to get into your armor for me to
explain it." said Jazz, a look of slight fright on his face.
     "Okay, whatever..." said Crodyn, throwing up his hands and
walking back to his armor.
     Five minutes later, Sir Crodyn strapped into his armor and
had achieved verticle positioning.
     Jazz shouted "Sir Crodyn, head outside.  We need to test the
improvements I made."
     Shortly thereafter, the troop came to stand in a practice
area not far from the forge.
     "What's this about, Sir Jazz?" asked Sir Crodyn.
     "Just do as I say and you will see."
     Silently vowing to have a talk with Jazz about touching
another knights personal equipment, Sir Crodyn prepared for
Jazz's first order.
     "Sir Crodyn, punch the rock formation."
     "But, that will..."
     "Trust me." interrupted Jazz.
     Shrugging, Crodyn said, hesitantly "Okay..."
     Sir Crodyn reared back and punched the rock formation with
all available strength, praying the armor on the arm held.  When
the duct cleared, Crodyn saw the arm was whole while the rock was
nothing more than pebbles.
     "Happy now?" asked Jazz sarcastically.
     "What else did you do to my armor?"
     "Look to your left.  You should see a red switch.  Point at
the target down field and hit the switch."
     Doing so, everyone heard a small whirling sound as a stream
of sharp projectiles became imbedded in the target.
     "Gatling launcher works.  Careful though, you have limited
ammunition."
     "Okay...anything else?" asked Crodyn, liking what he found
so far.
     "Well, not much else beside," Jazz began to tick off the
fingers on his right hand, "Increased reaction time, two more
gatling launchers in the arms, a flamethrower mounted above your
head, a lighter, stronger armor, and an increased power plant. 
My power armor just wasn't working so I worked on your's last
night.  Hope you didn't mind."
     "Not now...just next time, tell me about what you are going
to do to my armor.  Okay?"
     "No problem.  Have fun." said Jazz, turning to go.  Seeing
Arshes', Gara's, and Tia's stunned looks, Jazz continued "What? 
Aren't Sir Crodyn and I allowed to be friends?"
     "I thought he was your enemy?"
     "No Tia, he and I made up last night.  I try to follow the
philosophy of trying to make as many friends and as few enemies
as possible.  Besides, I believe it is getting close for my
session with your father."
     The rest of the day progressed as usual, sessions with
Darschu, Sheila, Tia, Arshes(musical enhancement), and finished
off with a round of blacksmithing with Talon.

Chapter 6     All Good Things...

     "There is never an ending, just new beginnings."
          -unknown

     "Okay...1...2...3...4...5...help!"
          -Phillip Moyer-Serendipity 2

     Another week passed without too many incidents.  After
another hard day of instruction, Jazz retired to his customary
thinking location, a parapet overlooking the central courtyard,
deep thoughts becoming prevalent.
      All I hope is that Felicia will be happy...' he thought,
with slight regret.  Earlier in the week, Jazz had told her that
they shouldn't be a couple anymore.
     Felicia asked him why.  As the tears streamed down her
cheeks, Jazz sought for the answer.  Not being good at dealing
with people on the intimate scale he and Felicia were getting,
Jazz fumbled badly.
     "Fel-chan, I would still like to be friends but right
now...I...I don't know what to think.  So much has changed in my
life recently that I don't know...how to proceed with what's
happening with us..." echoed the words he had used in his head.
     "Why didn't I handle that better?" asked Jazz of himself
quietly.
     "Yes, why didn't you?" asked a voice above him,
sarcastically.
     Stepping back involuntarily, Jazz looked up to see Karlos,
the wizard of wind and water, floating on the air, a smirk on his
face.   Gotta trust my hunches from now on.' Jazz mentally noted.
     "Wha...what do you want?" tried Jazz, looking for help.
     Waving his hand towards Jazz, Karlos took a reading of the
young man.  "So, you're the boy that all the concern in
Metallicana is for.  Too bad."
     "Why too bad?" asked Jazz, looking for an escape route.
     "You could have made a good ally but we have opted to kill
you instead."
     "By we, you mean Abigial and yourself?" asked Jazz, hoping
to stall the wizard.
     "Maybe...now die." shouted Karlos, casting a freeze spell.
     Looking back to where he had been, Jazz saw the frost
encrusted stone.   Gotta keep dodging.  Not cool to be a
Jazz-cicle.' he thought, looking at the wizard.  "Was that your
best shot?  Couldn't even hit the broad side of a barn with that
one." taunted Jazz, trying another option.
     Reciting a long string of sounds, Karlos let fly with a
blizzard of ice projectiles.  Able to dodge most, Jazz fell to
the ground in a curled ball as one last spear ripped into his
side.  Casting a healing spell, he managed to staunch most of the
blood flow.
     "Ha, another foolish magic-user destroyed." sneered Karlos.
     "I...I..." tried Jazz, feeling the floodgates of power open
within himself.  "I don't think so." said Jazz, regaining his
feet and getting into a defensive stance.
     "How can you survive that?" asked Karlos in disbelief.
     "Call me Timex.  I can take a licking and keep on ticking. 
Now leave before I have to get rough." commanded Jazz, hoping to
sound tough.
     Felicia came out the watch tower staircase to see the battle
brewing between the two magic users.  She also took in that Jazz
had begun to glow.  Two sides suddenly began to war within her,
trying to decide whether to get help or to watch.
     Casting his own version of  Riot', Karlos easily destroyed
the wall around Jazz.  Jazz on the other hand managed to get a
shield up in time to deflect most of the blast.
     Feeling his clothes becoming tattered, Jazz returned a spell
he had developed with Darschu.  Chanting, Jazz said "Kikakoo
micha, ni cra so ta, megra chiso, PETRA!!!!!"
     Jazz's high hopes soon dashed themselves upon the rocks as
Karlos took the hit and canceled it out.
     For three minutes, the two magic throwers tossed high level
spells before anyone noticed.  Getting desperate, Karlos tossed a
high level force bolt at the land bound Jazz, knocking him back
several feet.  Suddenly a rain of energy strikes fell from the
heavens, striking Jazz multiple times, weakening his already low
reserves.
     Then Karlos noticed the fight's observer for the first time. 
Jazz watched in confusion as Karlos cast an ice storm at a target
off the field.
     Seeing the intended target, Jazz screamed "NNOOO!!!" as he
cast a quick shield spell around the young lady.
     Felicia screamed as she saw the ice spell flying towards and
covered her head with her arms.  Not feeling an impact, Felicia
cautious lowered her arms to see a golden shield about her. 
Looking towards Jazz, she saw him with is arm pointed at her.
     Turning back towards Karlos, Jazz yelled "This is between
you and me, homeboy.  Let's rumble."
     For another minute, the two mages, one experienced, one
wannabe, tossed spells back and forth.
      Damn, where is everyone?  Almost out of energy...gotta
recharge.' thought Jazz, falling to his knees tiredly.
     "So kra barada niktoo, zodo nicha clikto, SLAYER!!!!"
chanted Karlos.  Jazz looked up to see Karlos gathering a
purplish energy and braced himself
     The purple force bolt slammed into him like a runaway
freight train, blasting him outward over the castle wall. 
Landing several feet from and several yards below where he
original kneeled, Jason skidded to a stop, the rocky ground
rending his clothing and scraping his skin.   Faceplant!!  Record
Pain!!!  Ow ow ow ow!' his mind screamed.
      You asked for it, not running away from a superior
opponent.' another part screamed.
     Looking back towards his assailant, Jason slowly worked his
way to his feet.  Pulling up what little energy he could, Jason
managed to form a small shield to partially deflect the icy
fireball flung at him.
     Screaming as the ice fire bathed his skin, blisters forming. 
Letting his unconscious in, Jason's power level's rose slightly. 
 You already used your supply of energy.  There is no more.' his
unconscious said.
     Falling back to his knees, Jason felt the power ebb away
from him.  Looking at Karlos, Jason accepted his fate as he
powered up another force bolt, this one glowing blue with power.
     Karlos let fly as Jason bowed his head, a single tear
forming, for not being able to do the job he had taken up. 
Suddenly a figure leapt into the path of the bolt, casting a blue
lit shadow over Jason.  Looking up, he managed to raise his arms
enough to catch the blasted, broken form of Felicia.
     Looking down at her, his mind spun, a single word coming to
his lips.  "NNNNNNNOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
     Looking at Karlos, his mind took in that Karlos had fallen
under the assault of two wizards and small force of troops.  The
cognizant part of his mind recognized Darschu and Arshes Nei and
several Metallicana troops.
     Seeing that he was under assault by superior forces, Karlos
turned and advanced to the rear, but not before yelling "This is
not over, young one.  There will come a time I will defeat you."
     Jason didn't care.  He leaned over Felicia, tears raining on
her face.  Looking up towards some approaching footsteps, Jason
recognized Geo and Tia, both with looks of great concern.
     "Say there is something you can do for her.  PLEASE!!!!"
Jason asked, his voice pleading.
     "Jazz, I'm...sorry..." said Geo, regretfully.
     "NO!  There has to be something you can do!" screamed Jason,
looking between Geo and Tia pleadingly.
     "We're sorry." whisper Tia softly.
     Looking down at her face, Jason whisper, sobbing, "Fel-chan,
I'm sorry...please forgive me..."
     "Jazz, s...sorry...luv you..." whispered Felicia, touching
the side of his face weakly much to Jason's surprise.
     Suddenly Jason's mind started racing once again, recalling
all his knowledge of force bolts.   This society is based on
magic.  Force bolts take away a person's magical essence when
they get hit.  She needs an infusion of magic to keep going.'
     Geo and Tia noticed the look of determination entering
Jazz's gaze and his lips drew back in a slight snarl.  "Jazz,
what are you thinking of?" asked Tia, worriedly.
     "Tia, please lend me your dagger.  We may be able to save
her yet." Jason insisted, his eyes turning hard.
     Tia pulled the dagger from its holster hesitantly as Geo
said "No one has survived a force bolt, much less the magnitude
of the one she absorbed."
     Snatching the dagger from Tia's hand, Jason replied with
grim determination "Today, someone just might."
     Before either could do anything, Jason ran the dagger along
the underside of his left arm, just deep enough the draw a little
blood.  Jazz clamped his eyes shut hard, trying to ignore the
pain, focusing on his plan.
     "Jazz, stop it.  There is nothing you can do." pleaded Tia,
as he drew the dagger down his other arm.  Suddenly Jason's aura
flared into existence.
     "Today will be different." replied Jason, a deep power
resounding in his voice.
     The entire assembled group stared in disbelief as Jazz's
aura got brighter and brighter with the power it drew upon.  Geo,
Darschu, and Arshes Nei drew back involuntarily at the power
Jason called upon.  Cupping his left hand, a small spot of yellow
energy began to form, growing brighter as his hand moved towards
the still form of Felicia, her life light almost out.
     Placing his left hand over her heart, Jason laid his right
hand on her forehead and whispered "Accept..."
     A bright flash of multi-colored light erupted from the pair,
blinding everyone within several yards for several seconds.  When
the light faded, Jason looked almost dead on his knees while
Felicia seemed to be coming fully awake.
     Scanning both quickly, Geo couldn't believe his senses. 
Looking at Arshes Nei and Dark Schneider, the looks he saw
matched what his senses told him.  Felicia had regained her
magic, and then some.  Jason, in turn, appeared to be completely
drained of magical essence, with no way of regaining it, ever.
     Tia rushed forward as Jason fell on his side, exhausted. 
Seeing him fall, Felicia reached out suddenly stopping his
descent to the ground.
     Looking into his face, Felicia's ears picked up "I..it
worked...thank the...goddess..."  Jason suddenly went limp in her
grasp.  Looking up at Geo, Felicia demanded "What did he do?"
     "We have to get him back inside the castle, now!" order Geo. 
"If he is going to survive."
     "What did he do?" insisted Felicia.
     "Fel, he gave of himself to save you." said Tia, bowing her
head regretfully as a pair of troops approached with a makeshift
gurney.

     Jason awoke to the morning sun beating down on his face. 
Sitting up, he pulled on his glasses to bring the world into
better focus.  Hearing a faint rustling at the end of his bed,
Jason looked to find Felicia, sitting in a chair and having
slumped onto the bed asleep.  Reaching out to caress her hair,
Jason pulled his arm back as the bandages revealed themselves.
      Why hasn't my healing power kicked in yet?' his mind asked
itself.
     "I probably just over tapped myself yesterd..." mumbled
Jason, stopping in mid-sentence, as a flood of memories from the
day before filled his mind.  The events of the entire day
scrolled by starting from the Karlos' attack and challenge up to
the point Felicia had...fallen into his arms, nearly dead.
     "Fel-ch...chan..." he mumbled again, looking slightly(okay,
more than slightly) confused at the figure lying at the foot of
his bed.
     As if on cue, Felicia opened her eyes.  "Jazz, you're
awake!"
     "Fel-chan, what happened yesterday after the wizard left??"
asked Jason, wanting yet not wanting to know the answer.  "The
last thing I remember was holding...you as..."  Tears started to
form in his eyes.
     "Shhh.  Jazz, I think Geo can better explain what happened. 
Sit still till I get back."  Going to the door, Felicia sent the
servant who was positioned there to get High Priest Geo.
     Jason cupped his hands together in his lap, his mind
following multiple thoughts.  Ten minutes past before Geo
arrived.
     "I see you are awake, Jazz.  We weren't sure...but you did
survive." said Geo, trying to stay away from a subject he knew he
would encounter sooner or later.
     "Geo, what happened?  Why haven't I healed yet?"
     "Jazz, you remember a few months ago when you did research
down in the catacombs we have under the castle?"
     "Yes..."
     "You remember the tome about the effects of a power bolt on
a human and other creatures, which makes them so effective."
     "Yes.  The power bolt destroys the spirit, or magic if you
will, of whatever it hits.  What does that have to do with me,
lying here in bed?"
     "How much of the battle do you remember?"  Felicia stood
quietly along the wall, watching the two men talk.
     "Well...the wizard came and challenged me.  We fought, he
having more experience than me.  From then, everything is hazy
until I caught Felicia in my arms, her eyes almost dim."
     "Okay.  To save you, Felicia..."
     "...took a power bolt for you." she finished stepping up to
the bed.
     "Then why...Geo, what did I do?" Jason asked, looking
between the two with determination.
     "You remember the question you asked Dark Schneider about
power transfer?"
     "Yeah, I asked him if it was possible, in order to save the
life..." Jason croaked off, looking at Felicia.  "No, I
didn't...I couldn't have..."
     "Yes, you did." replied Geo, Felicia only nodding her head
slowly, on the verge of tears.
     "Ayi-yi-yi..." replied Jazz softly, suddenly going into deep
thought mode.
     "Jazz..." tried Felicia, laying a hand on his shoulder. 
Feeling him draw away from her, she kept her hand there, sitting
on the edge of the bed.
     "Please leave..." whispered Jazz after a few minutes.
     "Jazz?" inquired Felicia gently.
     "Please leave now." said Jazz, becoming insistent.
     "I don't think..." tried Geo.
     "I don't care...I just want to be left alone for a
while...is that okay??" yelled Jazz, his anger suddenly coming to
the forefront.
     Drawing back from his outburst, Felicia asked "Why?"
     "I need to think some things through and can't do that when
people are crowding around me.  So, please leave."
     "Fine!  Can't tell when the only people he knows are worried
about him. FINE!!!" yelled Felicia, storming from the room.
     "God dammit.  Give me a chance and I screw up." whispered
Jazz, his forehead meeting his knees.
     "Jazz."
     "I...I'm sorry, Geo.  I...I just some time to think some
things out and how much things have changed."
     "Okay...but get some rest.  I will have your meals sent up. 
Now sleep." said Geo, exiting the room.
      Great.' Jazz thought sarcastically.   The first real
relationship I could possibly have and I mess it up royally. 
Some good guy I turn out to be...'  Holding his head in his
hands, Jazz tried to banish certain thoughts from his mind.
     Extracting his body from the bed, Jazz hobbled over to the
window to watch the setting sun.   I hope this isn't symbolic.'
he thought, marveling at the color schemes in the sky.
     Looking down into the courtyard, he saw the curled up form
of Felicia, her knees up to her chest and her arms armed around
her knees, sitting on stone upcropping.  Closing his eyes hard,
Jazz wanted to his very center of his being to go down to her but
the fear returned.  Opening his eyes, he noticed the figure of
Sir Crodyn approaching Felicia, concern almost readable in his
gait.
     Once again, Jazz's anger reared it's ugly head but became
quickly squelched by his conscience.   Maybe she would be better
with him.  Whatever did she see in me anyway??  A nobody who
doesn't fit in here and can no longer cast magic.' resigned Jazz,
trying his best to angst.  Watching Crodyn lead off a sobbing
Felicia, Jazz ducked away from the window sill when Felicia look
up towards it.
     Returning to bed, Jazz fell into a fitful, dreamless sleep,
waking only a few times during the night.

     The next five days past slowly.  Silently glad for
constructing the lapdesk after his first few lessons with Lord
Ironroot, the castle woodsmith, Jazz worked on several varying
designs, for both weapons and armors.
     Coming up with a suitable design, Jazz began to figure out
the necessary construction time and materials needed.  Jazz could
get over how the design looked like a six wheeled bug.   I must
have been watching a little too much Nadia, but hey, whatever
works.  I just hope the alternate modes work as well as I hope
they will.  My luck, Hanson'll show up and sue me for copyright
infringement.' he thought with a chuckle.
     The diagram on paper looked like an oversized beetle. 
Rolling around on six wheels, the curved armored carapace ended
with a fin of metal towards the back.  On the front and back, two
large metal cylinders were mounted on swivel housings, ready to
engage at a moments notice.
      Now to find the necessary parts...' Jazz thought as the
door opened.
     "So Jazz, ready for your magic lesson?" asked Darschu,
entering non-chalantly.
     "No."
     Stopping dead in his tracks, Darschu asked "No??  Why??"
     "Why teach me something I will never be able to use again?"
replied Jazz, somberly.
     "Jazz, you never know."
     "Darschu, this time, I DO know.  The best person to receive
your instruction right now is the person I did save with the
magic I had." said Jazz, his head bowing.
     "..." replied Darschu, at a loss for words.  First time for
everything.  Excusing himself from the room, Darschu beat a hasty
retreat, not quite understanding Jazz's mood.
     Wandering into the chapel, Darschu ran into Tia, who was
going over some scrolls for her session with Jazz.  "Tia, what's
up with Jazz?" asked Darschu.
     Noticing his worried gaze, Tia replied "Darschu, think about
it.  High magic ability one day and the next, no magic
whatsoever.  Right now, Jazz is in a magic society without any
magic.  I would have to say he is depressed."
     Nodding, Darschu asked "What can we do to help him?"
     "There's nothing we can do." Tia said, regretfully.
     "How is our patient doing?" Gara wandering into the room.
     "Not good.  All he is doing is working on is some drawings
on that lap desk of his and looking wistfully out the window."
replied Tia.
     "I tried to get him interested in another session with me,
but he didn't want to." said Darschu.
     "Maybe..."
     "Maybe, what, Gara?" asked Tia.
     "There maybe a way to break his current mood."
     "How's that?" asked Darschu, beginning to grin evilly.
     "I think all he needs is a visit from a certain half
dark-elf..." said Gara, hintingly.
     Grin achieving full bloom, Darschu said, suggestively, "He
did seem to have something for her.  Let's do it."
     "Just as long as it doesn't drive him away." said Tia
sternly.
     "Trust me." said Darschu with a grin.  Tia shook her head
sighingly, while rolling her eyes.

     After yet another low key session with Jazz, Shiela and Tia
were about ready strangle him.
     Walking away from Jazz's room, Shiela asked "Tia, what are
we going to do with him?"
     "I...I don't know.  His current mood is getting on my
nerves.  I liked him better before than what he is now."
     "True..." replied Shiela with a nod.
     Going down a set of stairs and following a hallway to the
church, Tia said "Ever since he gave up his magic potential, he
has been this way."
     "I miss his usual light hearted banter he would throw into
our sessions.  He could always get a laugh out of me." said
Shiela with a sigh.
     "Yeah, he always had a pun ready but...now..."
     "Now, his mood is dark.  Is there no way to give him back at
least some magic?"
     "No.  Geo and I tried right after the incident with Karlos
but it didn't work."
     "I wonder..."
     "Wonder what?"
     "Wonder what it's like not to have magic."
     Shaking her head, Tia said "He probably feels useless here."
     "Useless, how?"
     "Like I told Gara and Darschu, Jazz is now a magic-less
being in a totally magical world.  He is one of a kind and
probably feels lacking."
     "Yes.  Tia, did you notice that he seemed to pull away from
us today when we reviewed court etiquette?"
     "Yeah.  He has always seemed to have a great respect for
everyone he worked with, and for you especially, Shiela.  Today
it seemed like he was afraid of us."
     "Well Tia, he probably feels afraid because like how you
said, he is unique and can't do magic.  Whenever he called on
magic, it seemed that is was to defend himself from assault. 
Without that magic to call on, he mostly likely feels defenseless
against us now."
     "I just hope what Gara and Darschu have planned works."
     "What are they planning?" asked Shiela suspiciously.
     "They didn't say...except that it would most likely happen
tonight."
     "I hope it doesn't alienate him further."
     "I already warned those two that it better not."

     Listening to his two teachers leave, talking about him, Jazz
thought  I'm sorry...for getting on your nerves...'
     Climbing from his bed and moving easier, Jazz ambled over to
the window, looking up at the clouds.   Maybe it would be better
if I wasn't here.  First Felicia, now you two...who's next that I
get to alienate?'
     Punching the wall in anger, Jazz suddenly felt his anger be
replaced by pain.   What good is a non-magical person here
anyway?  Maybe cannon fodder, but not much else.'
     Turning back to the interior of his room, Jazz remembered
what a friend had told him about magic and technology.   Stacy,
in a lot of ways, you were right.  I may not have magic but maybe
I can make up for it with technology.  Unfortunately, I don't
have decent enough facilities to do anything proper.'  Jazz's
idea of  proper' being available in Mega-Tokyo, or the WDF, or
other high level technological societies.  Anywhere but the
medieval society of Metallicana.
     Seeing his lute lying on a chair, Jazz picked it up and
began to strum at it lightly.   Maybe I can get a job as a court
musician if nothing else.'
     Stopping briefly for supper, Jazz continued to play well
into the night.  That was until...

Chapter 7     The best medicine...
"
     "When all else fails, get a mallet."
          -Anonymous

     "If you wanna hear our other plans, we'll have to switch to
a secured channel.
          -Gryphon-Rite of Passage

     Arshes slowly, quietly entered the room, not wanting to
disturb the musician at work.  Jazz for his part was completely
enthralled by the music he played.  Knowing the piece expertly
from having heard it many-a-time, he did a little changing to the
chording to make it fit for the lute as his bass baritone voice
sang forth:

     <In Your Eyes: Project A-Ko>

Looking in your eyes
How I hope that you will see my heart
That our lives will meet -- never have to part

    Feelings here inside
    How I wish the world would go away
    All would disappear -- but you and I would stay
    And I'd be -- forever In Your Eyes

    Standing in the dark
    Wanting only to be next to you
    Shine your light on me -- nothing else will do

    Deep inside my heart
    I believe that you and I could be
    Friends forever more -- thru eternity
    And you'd see -- me forever In Your Eyes

    The two of us together
    I see it in my dream
    Nothing could tear us apart
    Thru any kind of weather
    It's always you and me
    Together we can stand the test of time

    Feelings here inside
    How I wish the world would go away
    All would disappear -- but you and I would stay
    And I'd be -- forever In Your Eyes

    The two of us together
    I see it in my dream
    Nothing could tear us apart
    Thru any kind of weather
    It's always you and me
    Together we can stand the test of time

    Standing in the dark
    Wanting only to be next to you
    Shine your light on me -- nothing else will do