Author's Note: Hey guys. Sorry for the delay, I got a hold of Dissidia and was addicted to it for awhile lol. Anyway I'm thinking of putting some Dissidia elements. Someone asked if I could put FFXI in this. I love Shantotto and will use her but as far as the republics and characters go, probably not. I might use a few of there powerful beasts but that's it.

Anyway enjoy. I kinda rushed this. We'll start picking up battles and the actual plot next chapter.

The Excalibur traveled threw the air, roaring in the sky. The red ship flew at breakneck speeds cutting the time to this Akademia to only an hour. The ship landed on the outskirts of the island. The moogles assured Sephiroth that they would lock up and wait for his return. Not like they need to. If something went wrong Sephiroth could be back in a minute and finish whatever intruder was foolish enough to take his new airship. Sephiroth departed his ship and proceeded to walk up the island. Already Sephiroth was annoyed.

He knew he should've asked Axel why he recommended this place. What was so special here and what he could use. Sephiroth assumed the term Akademia was just another version of Academy and didn't actually mean the term. To his annoyance it was an academy for students into their teens. Sephiroth had a Auto-Libra ability on him and could sense who these kids were. It WOULD be foolish for someone to attack these kids straight out, which surprised Sephiroth. But these kids weren't anything too special.

Sephiroth walked up to the large building at the top of the mountain. He looked around for someone over the age of 18 but had no luck. A boy came behind Sephiroth. "Hey what are you doing here?"

Sephiroth turned to see a young boy in his mid teens in uniform. All student have been in the same uniform. Black pants with the bottom parts white, buttoned light leather jackets and a combination of a scarf wrapped around their necks to form a cape behind them. "I'm looking for an adult to talk too."

"Doesn't matter," the kid said crossing his arms. "You're trespassing. Either leave or I'll make you."

"Such arrogance," moaned Sephiroth shaking his head. "Very well."

"See? It was smart of you-,"

"Stop me."

"What?" asked the boy surprised.

"I'm here to find some people, and I can't do that on the other side of theses walls," answered Sephiroth turning to face the boy head on. He was easily a foot taller than the kid. "Either stop me, or let me proceed."

The kid jumped back and took out 5 cards, their backs facing Sephiroth. He stood in a weird position, as if to battle. "Alright, but I warned you. Names Kard, see you in the next life."

The kid threw a card at Sephiroth. Before it could reach Sephiroth it exploded. Kard looked up surprised. "What the?"

"Using cards as a weapon," Sephiroth examined. "A very rare fighter I see. Still it will do you now good against me."

Kard frowned taking another card from his deck. He kept it attached to his belt for safe keeping. The card he threw before was a Bomb Card with a picture of said creature on it. It WAS supposed to explode but only through contact. Before Kard could reach for a card in his hand Sephiroth vanished. His eyes went wide feeling the swordsman behind him. Cold sweat went down his body, now able to feel his strength. The mass of energy that lied in wait from this man was beyond him.

"Ok I give," said Kard through a few heavy breaths. "So what did you need again?" he chuckled a bit.

"I want a team," answered Sephiroth walking casually through the halls. "I'm looking for someone and I need some help finding him."

"We're not the police you know," sparked Kard wiping the sweat of his face. "We're students being taught in magic and fighting."

"I figured," came a dull reply as Sephiroth turned around. "It's why I was hoping to speak to someone older. To see if I could take a few of you. In exchange for you helping me, you all get to broaden your horizons and gain more power."

Kard stared at him for a little bit. "I don't see why not. Come with me," said Kard walking outside. Sephiroth followed without much hesitation.

Kard led Sephiroth through a garden to a large open grass field where students were praticing magic. They shot the first level spells of Fire and Ice at each other while others tried to block and counter it. Kard walked Sephiroth along the side path until they came up to a woman. A short one, barely over 2 feet tall with blonde hair and a very small figure.

"Master Shantotto?" asked Kard. "This man here is looking for a few students to accompany him. He's real powerful too."

"Oh really?" said the lady turning around. Her tone that of a middle aged woman. She was no higher than Sephiroth's knees. "Oh my, you might actually be something."

"That's a compliment coming from her," Kard whispered. "She dislikes pretty much everyone."

"Very well, you may take who you like, just no more than 12," waved Shantotto turning back to her students.

Sephiroth gave a small bow and turned around and walked away. "Kard, you're one of them."

"Huh? Why me?" asked Kard a bit shocked.

"A card user with power, is something rare that I can use," responded Sephiroth. "Now help me pick out a few others."

For the next hour Kard led Sephiroth around the place and found 11 others he needed for the job. Half women, half men. The men, a twin gunner, a spearmen, archer, fighter, swordsmen, and Kard. For the woman it was a scythe, mace, gun user, flutist, katana and a flailing sword. They specialized in certain magic and there weapons. They all had assembled in front of the Ragnarok.

"Our mission is to find a man named Cloud," said Sephiroth looking them over. "I'm sure there will be more to it than just that. After all, I know there will others trying to get me. But with you guys, I'm sure it'll be easy. Now follow me."

The group of 12 mumbled a few things to themselves as they boarded the Airship Excalibur. Sephiroth made two of the girls, the gunner and mace wielder, pilot the ship. The ship rose from the ground. "Head towards Rabanastre," commanded Sephiroth. The ship took off into the air heading towards Ivalice.

Before they got too far, Sephiroth senses picked up on something. An Airship following. It wasn't as fast as the Excalibur but still fairly fast. It had someone powerful on it, evil and malice coming from it. This wasn't going to be easy.