Parlour Of The Slayers

The newly formed quadruped had been in New York city for a week. Unfortunately, it hadn't done them much good.

Haley joining the team had definitely excited the boys. She had a sweet, but cocky air to her that kept all of the boys happy and amused when they'd unwind from the day's events. She seemed fascinated to learn all about Tim's inventions and, as her dragon trainer was Sun Park, she had plenty of experience with meditation, resulting in a lot of conversations and practice of techniques with Aang. She hadn't really connected too well with Jamie, not finding anything in common with him, but he did have a knack for cheering her up with his goofy shenanigans with his duplicates. They could think for themselves, so if they were made without a specific focus or intention, they tended to get a little out of their creator's control. Haley still laughed when three clones he'd made in his sleep covered the original's face in shaving cream. There was a picture of the moment when they were doing it and one where he'd woken up and dropped his jaw in shock and outrage that were going on the internet.

But it was more than just her personality and friendship that had them thrilled. Haley's involvement had opened doors they hadn't even known existed on their mission. Every day since they'd met, Haley had taken them to every inch of the hidden magical community in New York City that she could think of in search of information.

The elves apparently were great at creating magical devices. Unfortunately, anything they tried to make to track the phoenix blew up, unable to handle the sheer amount of power the bird possessed.

Aang was reminded greatly of the spirit world back home when he saw the magical market in search of a lead. Jamie dragged the young monk around almost as fast as the wind could, pointing and marvelling excitedly over all the different magical creatures. It wasn't until he'd kicked over a gnome, head butted a fairy's entire body and made Aang freak over the possibility that the duplicator had accidentally offended a woman with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a spider that Jamie finally conceded to calming down. No harm done to the spider woman though, she just brushed it off with a smile and went on to answer every question flustered, out of breath Haley asked her. His other two victims were annoyed, but got over it quickly too as they watched him. The market place had been full of so many different creatures that both boys could never quite wipe the looks of wonder on their faces. After staring into eyes of bright, curious, albeit apologetic grey and wonder filled, innocent blue, most of the crowd simply made sure to give them space. Even the fairy Jamie hit was rather happy to be marvelled at like a work of beauty after Jamie apologised. The gnome was moody, but what can you do?

They even went to the village of giants nearby and the park where some of the more solitary magical creatures conducted a little business. They talked to a wizard that had been going to school with Haley's older brother. They even tried talking to a trio of witches that ran a spells shop.

Unfortunately, while the boys were fascinated by what they saw with every trip, none of them turned up any useful leads. The best they got was an image of Jim in a forest somewhere. They had no idea where he was or how he was coping, but Tim still managed to get some solace from it and thanked the woman projecting the image anyway. At least they knew that Jim was still ok.

The mundane methods weren't of much help either. Tim had been keeping track of every news report and related file appearing on TV and the net involving the Phoenix. The fire bird had made appearances on three separate days they'd met Haley and every one had ended the same: an explosion upon its arrival before flying randomly over large distances. By the time that he'd managed to piece sightings and information suggesting the Phoenix' presence, the stupid bird had already taken over and flown off for another random trip to who knew where. The only good thing that came out of it was that only a few disappearances had been reported. Unfortunately, Kim was one of them. The only other one reported was a mutant calling himself Pyro. He was a terrorist known for working for Magneto and for being a pyromaniac. According to the news footage, the Phoenix showing up in Paris had him running right to it with glee, only for him to try and control the flames and get snatched up by fiery talons.

Tim had only grown more desperate for answers when he found out about Kim. It was around that time that he remembered that his Timmunicator was buried at the bottom of his bag and he pulled it out immediately. It was a direct link to Wade and surely he'd know something. However, he'd barely made the connection when Wade freaked on him.

"Tim! Don't call, we're being tapped. I'll call you when it's safe!" With that, the line went dead and Wade had made no attempts to call them since. Tim didn't even know who was tapping the line, how they could or why it was so dangerous, though he could make a couple of guesses. Drakken and Global Justice were the most likely choices, though he doubted Drakken. The weirdo had gone quiet ever since the invasion. Still, it only left them with the feeling that they had a set of unwanted eyes watching the group.

...

It was a very sombre group of kids sitting around a dining room table covered in pizza boxes that night. They couldn't even laugh as one of two duplicates Jamie accidentally made leaning back in his chair too far decided to put pineapple pieces into the other's ears. Not in the mood for their mischief, Jamie simply reabsorbed them.

"So, what do we do now?" Aang asked sadly, nibbling at a slice of his vegetarian pizza without really eating it as he stared at the piece of paper lying nearby on the floor. It was a list of every magical and technological lead Haley and Tim could come up with. The only one not crossed out was military satellites, but that had been deemed too risky. Tim could get in with a normal computer, but he'd be caught in an instant and his control over his ability, though having improved a little with assistance and advice from all three of his friends, was still way too far from perfect to try it. He'd probably send the satellites on a direct course to the ocean or the sun if he tried, assuming he didn't simply make the computer he used to overload or fall to pieces. Both were possibilities for the satellites too. That was a bit too much of a risk for a database that had a million guns to point their way and a low chance of gaining any useful info.

"Not much we can do." Tim muttered, sinking into his seat. He hadn't touched a single slice yet. "The Phoenix wasn't jumping continents when we left the institute, so it's not like our 'blindly follow the birdy' plan's of any use anymore."

"Not that it worked to begin with." Aang sighed, rubbing his temples. "By the time we figure out and go wherever it's been, it'll have already gone elsewhere."

"Tracking it worked once or twice." Jamie mumbled forlornly. "Only it never worked out well for whoever did it. Like the X Men."

"And Kim." Tim nodded in agreement.

Aang had started wondering what they thought they were doing often once word of Kim Possible's dramatic disappearance reached them. Yes, they had a possible answer to save Jim, but none of them could do it. None of them were a telepath. None of them would be able to do any more than tell him to try using his own psychic power. A power he barely knew how to turn off, let alone actually use. It really did seem hopeless. Not that he'd ever say that out loud, Tim needed them to have a chance.

"Tracking him would only have a chance of meeting up with Jim if we had access to high speed, aerial travel." Haley frowned, staring at the table. Gazing dejectedly her way, Aang was about to speak again when her eyes narrowed. She was pondering something. "So then the best method would probably be to know where he's going next."

"And how would we figure that out?" Jamie raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Even I know a random trail when I see one. There's no way to know where it's going."

"With a being like that, anyone with any talent in divination would know." Haley answered, regaining her proud 'I'm smarter than you are' voice as she grinned. "And there are a number of them."

That brought everyone back up from their slouches. Aang actually swallowed a piece of pizza as the boys all stared at her brightly and hopefully. If there were people who could determine where the Phoenix was going to be, then half their problems would be over in an instant. Granted, the part after finding the Phoenix was even harder than meeting up with the damn beast, but they'd cross that bridge when they came to it.

"Why didn't you mention them before?" In any other situation, Tim would have been really annoyed by her withholding information like that, but now it just made him excited to hear it. The young prodigy leaned over the table and was almost right in Haley's face.

"Because the only ones to hang around here are the Oracle Twins and they seem to be out of town at the moment. So, the whole topic was looked over." Haley answered, having the decency to look a little sheepish and apologetic at that.

"So do we have to wait for them to return or do you know how to track them down?" Aang asked, a small frown returning to his face. They'd already lost so much time and the Phoenix had caused so much destruction, pain and disappearances. If they had to sit around and do nothing for the unknown amount of time for seers to show up and help them then he was going to rip his hair out! He couldn't let this keep up, he had to do something. At the very least, he needed to failed at all the stupid ideas sooner so he could find the one that worked. He'd let too much happen back home. He couldn't let this continue here, especially with his friends being so hurt by every action the bird made.

"If they're oracles, why haven't they seen us needing them and come to us already?" Jamie pouted.

"They can't control the visions they get. If they have seen something, and I know that they have, the Phoenix is too big of a deal, it may not have involved us. They may have taken it to a senior dragon or something." Was Haley's response, folding her arms and staring at them in contemplation. "Or they may have freaked and ran for cover. The kind of malice and power the Phoenix has tends to change things."

"Truer word have never been spoken." Aang nodded, quoting the TV as he rubbed his arms sadly. If it wasn't for the Phoenix, he would have been invading the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun and ending the hundred year war for good. Instead, the entire invasion fleet was driven into hiding and he'd ended up in this world, being treated like family by the Possibles before chasing after a mystical deity of fiery destruction.

"Still, it doesn't matter. I know just the place to search for those who study divination." Haley continued before anyone else lost their happiness again. "Hidden from the mortal world's sight is a school for witches and wizards called Vonderland. It's the most unique magical school in the world by far, not that there are many as most families prefer to raise their own or their breeds are low in numbers and scattered, but that's beside the point. If there was anywhere in the world where you could guarantee finding someone capable of helping us, it's there."

"That sounds so cool!" Jamie exclaimed, his smile covering his entire face. "I wonder how similar it is to the Xavier Institute. If wizard schools are anything like mutant ones, then this is going to be a hoot!"

"Yeah, but will they even let us in?" Tim asked hesitantly, not sure he wanted the answer. It sounded great and he was just as keen as Jamie to see what a wizard's school actually looked like, but there was a potential problem. "I mean, only you have any magic and it's not witchcraft. Would they even talk to us?"

"Magical creatures of all kinds can see and enter the grounds, provided the protection spells against dark magic aren't triggered by you and I should be able to get you guys in." Haley shrugged casually, immediately calming Tim and bringing back a hopeful grin. "The only problem with this plan is the school's location."

"Why's that?" Aang asked, tilting his head confusedly.

"It's in Canada." Was the simple response. Too simple. Though Tim immediately caught on and groaned, Aang and Jamie simply stared at them before turning to each other, completely baffled.

"And how is that a problem?" Jamie asked, only to get the world's two most dramatic 'DUH' looks in return.

"Oh, I don't know, maybe because it means we have to cross a country boarder, with no adults, no passports and a face exactly like mine on wanted posters?" Tim rolled his eyes, only to sigh when the look the boys were giving him and Haley didn't change. Sheesh, he could understand Aang being lost by this, but Jamie too? "That means we'll be caught and stopped with every method used to enter Canada." He added slowly, like talking to a two year old.

"The X Men manage to cross borders without a problem." Jamie pouted moodily, crossing his arms and offended.

"They have a stealth master jet of their own and adults for when they run into others." Tim sighed, rubbing his temples.

"So Canada's another nation and they guard the whole border?" Aang asked, getting a more patient nod from Haley and Tim in return. That seemed kinda stupid to him. The only border back home that was blocked and guarded was the Fire Nation's. The Water Tribes were wary of people approaching, but that was only because the war posed a constant threat of raids. Before the war started, it was easy for him to travel to every edge of the world. No one ever stopped the Air Nomads. Why create more difficulty when you're in a time of peace.

"Normally, you need a passport and to go through certain procedures to visit another country." Haley explained for both boys' benefit. "As long as you're not carrying illegal goods or have a criminal record, there aren't any real problems getting through at all. However, parental or guardian consent must be declared for kids to travel to the next country, meaning that they have to accompany them either across or at least to buy a ticket for transportation over. None of us have any of that and when they see Tim's face, they'll assume he's Jim, a terrorist, and have us targeted by law enforcement and the military."

"And the last thing we need is another nation's military on our backs." Tim added with a sigh. "The mundane methods will get us caught and Canada's a really good distance from here. "Plus, with our luck, I doubt this school's near the border."

"No, it's well into the country." Haley admitted, earning sighs and irritated groans from everyone. Without transportation, the journey was going to take so long that the Phoenix would probably have burnt half the world to the ground before they even reached the place.

"I wish Uppa came with me." Aang said softly, not even trying to fight the tears falling down his face as he thought of his beloved sky bison. This was the second time he'd been ripped away from his furry life companion and the only reason he felt any better about it than he did last time was because he knew that he was safe with Katara and the others. Still, he missed him dearly. And at this moment, his furry friend could have really helped out.

None of the others said anything to that. Haley and Tim just watched him sympathetically while Jamie wrapped an arm comfortingly around his shoulders. Over the week, they'd all recounted their tales to each other, the good and the bad. They knew all about Uppa and the rest of Team Avatar and how much Aang missed and worried for them. They knew just how much Uppa meant to him in particular. His oldest, most loyal friend.

"We could have just sneaked in as a cloud if he was. Katara and me made it work fine plenty of times before." He said after a minute or two, wiping his tears away and giving the others a small grin.

"Is that still a possibility?" Jamie asked curiously, turning questionably towards the others. "Tim can make machines, couldn't you make something for us to fly on? Or maybe there's magical way we could all fly?"

"I could probably make something, but any radar would catch it." Tim shook his head. "I have no way of knowing where the radar towers even are and I doubt my technopathic range is as long as theirs."

"And to fly at that kind of height and speed, we'd need another dragon or to somehow get a griffon to help us. Neither option's a likely one." Haley sighed, mimicking Tim. "The dragons would tell us to go home and head out to stop Jim their own way and trust me, you don't want them to succeed."

"What would happen?" Jamie asked hesitantly, Aang biting his lip and Tim gulping in fear as they waited for the answer.

"At best, they'll kill him." That brought a round of gasps, tensing whitening knuckles wrapping around the table. And unfortunately, Haley wasn't done. "If not, he'll be sealed away forever with the Phoenix in darkness and misery, wishing he was dead."

"Ok, someone magically pull a solution out of thin air NOW!" Tim shouted, his fists banging on the table. "They are NOT doing that to my brother. THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE NOT, THEY'RE NOT!"

"Tim, we're all in agreement that they won't be allowed to do that." Aang said firmly, drawing nods from the others as Tim glared at everything in sight with freaked, watery eyes.

"We'll stop them ourselves if we have to." Jamie stated, punching his hand and creating three duplicates, all of them nodded seriously.

"Exactly. Now calm down." Aang went on, moving to Tim's side and gently pushing him back into his seat. "If we want an answer, then we have to keep cool heads. The answers to life's problems don't just magically appear because we're distressed."

"You're right. Sorry." Tim said softly, taking a deep breath and relaxing into his seat. When he looked up again, he had reverted to his contemplative look, suppressing his troubles and grief. "So if magic's out, the mundane methods of travel are too bustable and our abilities alone aren't sufficient, what's left?"

The group fell into silence once again at that, stuffing their mouths half-heartedly with now cool pizza. What was there left? Well, they each knew a possible way to cross over the border without any problems. The problem was that they either couldn't access them or, where abilities were concerned, at least one of them, Jamie or Tim, would have to be left behind. Probably both, Aang couldn't fly real long distances without his glider. If even magic and mutant powers couldn't help here then...

"Anti-magic!" Haley's cry was so sudden, loud and unexpected that all the boys were jolted a foot in the air. Jamie even fell to the ground and kicked the table, the two events each creating four more Multiples.

"Say what now?"

"Jamie, if you multiply much more, we're going to be pressed against the table."

"Sorry Tim." Jamie reabsorbed all his duplicates, smiling sheepishly up at the others as they relaxed before getting back up on his seat. "So, what were you saying Haley?" It was better if he redirected the others' exasperated attention away from him for now. "What's anti-magic?"

"Until not long ago, there was an organisation known as the Huntsclan." Haley started, sitting back in a way that reminded Aang much of the way the Air Temple monks used to sit as they regaled stories or lectures. "For centuries, they terrified all with the gift of magic in their bloodline. They used magical artefacts, sphinx hair and technology alike to track, capture and slay all magical creatures.

"They were defeated about half a year ago when they gathered magical crystal skulls that, when united, had the power to grant the wish of the one in possession of them. They intended to use them to destroy all magical creatures worldwide, but were thankfully stopped by a member turned spy for our kind. Rose then used the skulls to eradicate the Huntsclan instead. There are only three of them left on the entire planet, including Rose, and the other two are nothing worth worrying about."

"Well, at least that's one less side to worry about. Good thing too, considering just how many groups are already after Jim." Tim nodded, though raising a confused and sceptical eyebrow. "But how does that help us?"

"The Huntsclan hunted magical creatures all over the world and had secret bases in every country. And in each of these bases, a teleportation system was set up, capable of connecting to every other base in the world." The superior smirk on her face grew greatly as realisation flickered to life in Tim and Jamie. Even Aang had a basic idea what that meant, having listened to Jamie talk about Nightcrawler repeatedly throughout the week. "One of the bases in America is very close by. Jake's friend Spud could tell us its exact location and then it'll only be a matter of hacking the system and setting the location. We'll be sent straight to Canada without anyone having the slightest clue we did it."

"And we haven't found a system yet that can keep our man Tim out." Jamie beamed, clapping the young science prodigy on the back, getting a happy nod and an eye roll as the action created four duplicates again.

"Ok then, Haley, can you get the location tonight?" Aang asked, getting an 'do you really need to ask' look for his efforts.

"I could have it in five minutes."

"Great, then we'll head out first thing in the morning." He decided, looking over the others. "We get a good night's sleep, use the teleporter and track down this school."

"We could get the information and go now." Tim pointed out, a little indignant at the prospect of waiting. Not that the others blames him for it.

"The bases still have a lot of security and my presence might set it off. We're talking big guns and who knows what else." Haley shook her head. "It's best we go in when there's sunlight at the entrance and we're well rested."

"Hey, my ability-"

"Is a...loose cannon?" Aang interrupted, turning to Jamie questionably to make sure he got the saying right and pressing on as all five of them nodded. "You still cause random problems whenever you try to manipulate machines with your mind. It's too risky for you to do anything more in a place like that than stuff that requires your hands and tools or keyboards."

"Says the guy from the primitive world." Tim retorted, though there was no fire behind it. It was more pouty than anything else.

"I sat him down and put on a sci-fi marathon, remember?" Jamie piped up, bouncing happily on his seat, his letting out huge smiles before being absorbed back into the original.

"Aang's right Tim." Haley crossed her arms, looking at him sadly. "I wanna go as soon as I can too you know. We all do. We all have someone or some place that we want back." The others nodded at that, Jamie calming down quickly once again. "But we need to be careful. The bases have self destruct systems that we can't have you accidentally activating. You'll blow us apart. And we're going to have to face two potentially activated security systems that make even the best the military have look stupid. We'll need to be at our best."

"I get it. The Xavier Institute's defence systems' plans are in my head. If they're anything alike, then we have our work cut out for us." Aang almost flinched at the defeated sigh that left Tim at that. The boy's breakdown was still fresh on the displaced monk's mind and this was a little too close to it for comfort.

"One night isn't very long." He tried, optimism taking over as Jamie and Haley nodded along with him. "And we have a plan that actually looks like it could work now. At the very least, we may find some witches and wizards willing to help save Jim or maybe even some knowledge that could help contain the Phoenix. Who knows what magic these people have?"

"With a library that's more than a thousand years old and holding much older books, you can bet there will be something amazing." Haley agreed, amusing Jamie and Aang as she went starry eyed. "I've always wanted to go there. Vonderland has a greater library than almost anywhere in the world. If it's magical, there's a book all about it on the shelves."

Tim just grinned at her enthusiasm before nodding his consent. They were right of course, on all accounts. Besides, the school wasn't going anywhere and if what Haley was telling them was all true, it was well worth the wait.

Besides, he still had a pizza to eat and no one wasted a perfectly good pepperoni pizza.

...

The rays of dawn were barely up before Tim ran out of Jake's room. His face set in determination, he banged on every door he passed as he walked down to the kitchen. He was intent on rousing the others, the sooner they were up, the sooner they could leave.

Fortunately for all concerned, it didn't take him much. Aang was always up early to meditate and Jamie had grown used to being startled awake for early sessions with Logan or Storm before school. Haley made a point of being an early riser. It was still a bit early even for them, but it wasn't the stretch and grief that it would be for the average teenager to get up.

Still, of the three of them, only Haley managed to actually tidy herself up by the time they'd all reached the kitchen and set up a quick breakfast. Dressed and groomed, she spent the whole quiet affair smirking and giggling at the ruffled, bedhead sporting boys, Jamie and Aang looked at each other the first time she did it, but just shrugged and went back to grabbing a waffle and a glass of milk respectively.

Tim on the other hand, was set to go. The technopath had grabbed a banana and left the kitchen before the others had even arrived. When he came back five minutes later, he actually managed to get the others to stop and stare.

"Wow dude, you're packin." Jamie was the first to comment, others simply nodding in agreement.

"Well, dangerous hideouts, who knows what on the other side and, as you guys like to point out, a mutant ability that might kill us if I get into more than its most basic trick. Best to be prepared." Was Tim's response, getting light nods and general motions of agreement in return.

It wasn't a great deal more than he'd worn before. The clothes themselves were his old Team Possible mission look. He'd packed them on a whim before leaving home. However, unlike before, not everything was hidden in the compartments of his utility belt or pockets. The holster at his side bore his magnetic laser. What looked like metal bracers were wrapped around each of his forearms. The right one looked like it was a small grappling hook launcher while the left looked like it wasn't finished yet, like there was room to attach something. Finally, a couple of gadgets, or rather pieces of one, were strapped to each of his thighs and one gadget piece each was strapped to his upper arms.

"Couldn't your toys stay in your backpack if they don't fit in your belt and huge pockets?" Haley asked, tilting her head warily as she stared him over. After all, the backpack in question was still strapped in place over his shoulders. "If things get dicey, aren't you risking their safety out in the open like that?"

"No, finding them in my bag would waste too much time. Besides, each of these is made to handle a bit of concussion, so they should be fine." Tim shook his head sharply, a little offended by the toy comment. They were his creations, designed by him and Jim themselves to aid them in competing with and even potentially exceeding Kim's abilities and tools. They were amazing, high tech pieces of machinery that the twins had put everything they had into creating, not toys.

"Well ok, just don't cry when they get broken." Haley shrugged before finishing her meal and skipping off to the bathroom while the boys shovelled down the rest of theirs, awkwardly ignoring Tim's irritated look following the dragon as it was turned on them.

"Settle down Tim. We won't be long." Aang said softly, but firmly as Jamie created a duplicate that took both boys' dirty dishes to the sink as they rose. "We only need to suit up and we're outta here."

"Don't you need to put on your makeup?" Tim asked, doing as his friend asked and taking a mellowing breath as he stared pointedly at the arrow marking Aang's head. "We'll be going into public on the way to this base."

"Not this time. My tattoos will all be covered by my clothes." Aang grinned, already walking to the stairs. "After all, you're not the only one intending to be prepared. Suits for Fire Nation school kids have to be pretty decent stuff. After all, a kid's always in danger of amateur Firebending and falling to the ground. My vest is so thick and durable that it's almost armour."

"And it comes with a headpiece?" Jamie asked, frowning as he followed. "That might get you noticed in the streets. Depending on what it is."

"Oh, please, it's New York City. No one will notice if you go out there wearing a toga." Haley butted in on her way back down. The girl was almost ridiculously fast at the morning rituals.

If only Kim could figure out how to do that. Tim thought as he gave in and took a seat in the lounge room, double checking his pockets, belt and their packed bags while he was waiting. Not that she ever made it to the bathroom before me and Jim or anything. He added with a small grin as many morning memories crossed his mind, all of them depicting Kim being annoyed by how long they were taking or because they left her with so little hot water.

By the time that Haley had gone around the house and ensured that everything was off and locked, both the other boys had joined them by the door, Aang tying his bandana around his forehead on the way down the stairs and Jamie readjusting his jumper hiding the top half of his uniform. It was time to leave.

"You know, we don't have to take all your bags." Haley said as they each rested one bag on their back with the boys also picking up a duffle bag or, in Jamie's case, the folded up tent. "I mean, we'll be using the teleportation system to get back into America later, right? We could leave some of the less necessary stuff here instead of lugging everything around."

"Yeah, but if something goes wrong, America may not be the first country we travel from Canada too." Tim sighed gravely. This plan was their best shot in a while, but he wasn't going to get too optimistic until it worked. Xavier and the X Men should have worked after all.

"And we don't know how far from the school we'll end up reappearing." Aang nodded in agreement. "Countries are big and we don't have any guarantee of transportation. We may need the tent and supplies."

"I guess you have a good argument." Haley conceded, following the others out the door before locking it with an audible click. "Let's go." With that, she headed down the street, setting a fast pace that was just slow enough to ward off any more suspicion than the minuscule amount their group's fashion sense and luggage got them in New York City.

Lowering his baseball cap lower over his face, Tim followed on, an excited grin covering his face. Even if his faith in the plan's ultimate success was in question, they were going to two technological gold minds. Imagine what he and his ability could gleam from places like that. And since the Phoenix was a mystical creature itself according to Haley's recounting of her knowledge, anti-magic weapon just might be able to give them an edge in stopping the fiery pain in the butt.

Yes, there was definitely some things to be excited about.

...

"I still don't think Jake would approve of this Haley."

Haley just resorted to rolling her eyes as she stared down at the giant metal structure hidden within the rocky terrain and giant trees. It wasn't the first time they'd heard that today. More like the eightieth.

Spud and Trixie had both come along to lead the way, but they only gave in to the plan after Haley had declared that if they didn't then she'd simply look for another, most likely more dangerous way to get to the school. Without powers of their own or access to authority figures capable of bringing them in line, they didn't really have much choice. They did however, demand that they had to stay with the older pair the whole way through the bases. Supervision was the best that they could do.

None of the teens really minded though. If the older duo kept an eye on the bases, then they'd be safer to come back to when the mission was over.

"Sooo, how do we enter?" Multiple asked, raising a curious eyebrow as he stared down at the absolutely huge metal door and motion sensor lasers moving around.

"Take out the security first and foremost." Trixie exclaimed, her tone reeking of the word 'duh' as she pointed around the area. "This is the one place on earth the Huntsclan loser duo still chill. And it looks like they're home."

"Well, that's easy enough." Tim grinned, immediately drawing worried looks from the others. Use of his powers, even from out there, could be catastrophic to their plan. However, before anyone could voice their concerns, the Possible twin turned brightly to Aang. "I've been hoping for a chance to see what you can really do. You almost always use air."

"I saw him shake the ground once." Multiple said excitedly with a nod. "But other than that, it's always been wind. Show us what you've got Avatar."

"If you insist. Give me some space." Tensing his body into an unyielding stance, Avatar waited just long enough for the others to take two or three steps back before kicking the ground hard and sending four large boulders into the air before him. Before they could so much as pass his head, Avatar leapt into a spin and unleashed fast and brutal punches and kicks at each one, sending each boulder surging through the air like they had been shot out of a cannon. The motion sensors on the highest reaches of the front side of the base didn't even have time to fire before a boulder had crashed into each one and shattered them all.

Aang didn't stop there though. Before the dust could settle, Haley and the others found themselves watching in amazement as stone flew up from the ground and wrapped around the Avatar's entire body like armour before the earth at his feet flew up and tossed him like a catapult.

"Wow. That armour's complete and solid all over, but he's moving like it's not there at all." Haley marvelled as they watched him come down. All the remaining lasers out front were pointed right at him by the time he landed, but the second his form hit the ground, his arms flung out and the ground all around him was ripped apart. Chunks of earth flew up into the perfect positions block all but one laser blast from the boy, the last of which was easily blocked by his armour, before the shattering ground spread right out to the high fence mounting most of the remaining weapons and sent it crashing down. Not even bothered as the next round of laser fire blew chunks of rock away from his armour, Aang stomped and thrust his arm up, first left, then right, and brought up diagonal chunks of earth from the ground, stopping the growth of the new formations only after they each hit another laser. The last few were wiped out not a moment later as Aang slammed his hand into one of his new rock pillars and had earth spears flying out of the top and striking every last metal weapon left right in their barrels and causing them to blow up.

"Now that boy's got it goin on." Trixie smirked, very impressed as the group headed down to join him. "Even...Jakey was never that accurate." She added, her breath hitching sadly as what happened to her friend returned to her mind.

"You're sure that Jake's ok, right?" Spud asked, growing just as sad as Trixie. It reminded Haley that she wasn't the only one hurting and worried here. After all they'd been through, Jake, Trixie and Spud were like siblings too and without Jake, they were just as lost as she and her new friends had been. "He's really still alive, right?"

"To the best of our knowledge." Aang nodded, offering a sympathetic smile. "We'll let you know as soon as it's confirmed."

"If you do the same for us." Haley added, crossing her arms and tilting her head up, looking seriously right into their eyes. "I know you guys well enough to know that while you're babysitting the base, you're going to be tapping into every computer and searching system it's got. We tell you what we find, you tell us what you find."

"Well, of course Little Drag." Trixie responded crossing her arms and leaning down to Haley's face with a smirk. "After all, what good would the info be to us without your help? We ain't magical or mutants ya know!"

"If we were, we'd be running into the front lines with you." Spud nodded, throwing Haley off with just how serious he was being. That almost never happened period and Haley had never been there to witness it before Jake disappeared. Even when they fought the Dark Dragon in Hong Kong, he'd still been his usual goofy self. It was just so anti-Spud that she didn't have the slightest clue how to handle it, with the sole exception being to wish she could see the old Spud back. "We still would, but with the skills and powers you guys have, we'd probably just get in the way. So don't worry about that, we'll help you in every way we can from the sidelines."

"We are very grateful for all that you can provide us with." Aang bowed respectfully, getting slightly more awkward ones from the older teens in return as Tim moved up to the door.

Letting his ability guide him, he walked straight to one side of the door and pushed his palm onto a seemingly solid wall only for a panel to sink in and slide away, revealing a scanner.

"Place slayer mark before scanner." A computerised voice stated as the screen flared to life.

"It's after the dragon birthmark? Well, that might be a problem." Trixie grunted, resting a hand on her hip irritably.

Paying her no mind, Tim placed his bag on the ground and pulled out a small device with a few cords and a small keyboard. Pulling his magnetic laser from its holster next, he aimed it at the scanner and activated in at a low setting and ripped the front of it right off, exposing the circuitry inside.

"Well, that beats using a screw driver." Trixie winced, covering her ears from the loud band of the metal falling from the laser and clattering along the concrete ground. "You know, as long as you're not going for the subtle approach."

"Destructive and chaotic is more fun." Jamie said happily, getting a smirk from Tim as he connected the cords into the circuitry and typed away on his keyboard. Not half a minute later, he had bypassed three security responses and whooped triumphantly.

"Access granted. Welcome Huntsmaster." The New Yorkers all stared at Tim, shocked and very impressed, as the doors opened, revealing a well lit, albeit empty and windowless, room.

"You made that thing think you were the Huntsmaster?" Spud cried, relaxing Haley a little as his happy, excitable nature peeked through once again. "Dude, that is some mad hacking. You have to teach me how you did it some time."

"With pleasure. I'll even reprogram the next base to think that you're the Huntsmaster, give you full control over the place." Tim smiled mischievously, walking in quickly and calmly, much unlike the more wary steps the others were taking. Noticing it, the boy turned and smirked back as he kept going, uncaring of what was ahead. "Guys, relax. This place thinks the Huntsmaster opened the door and I shut down all extra security while I was at it. we're safe."

"Until twinkle dumb and twinkle dumber figure out what you did." Trixie muttered, but picking up her pace a little all the same.

"If you call them that, how dangerous could they be?" Jamie asked, looking around curiously, but carefully as he joined Tim up the front. Wolverine's lectures and drills had him watching for details, but he was still quite happy to move around at a careless pace.

"On their own? Not very." Trixie waved off. "But unfortunately, the Huntsclan made plenty of toys that turn even the most pathetic wielders into something to be wary of."

"And this place may still be booby trapped. This place was used to train and horribly punish new recruits." Spud cautioned. He had actually been there before and remembered all too well how he'd entered. He'd almost been killed within a minute of entering with that obstacle course of doom.

"If it's a training ground for beginners, just how bad could it possibly..." Aang started only to scream as a giant, spiked disc shot up out of the ground just inches away from Tim and Jamie and started spinning fast. Gasping, the boys' stumbled back and barely managed to get out of the way as its stand started swinging too, attempting to cut them in half.

"Now you know how they welcome new recruits." Spud exclaimed right as more lasers, swinging blades and spike covered bludgeons flew out from all over the place.

"Then how exactly did their Order survive so long?" Aang cried as he and Haley, in a flash of flames, leapt into the air and ahead of the rest. Taking a quick breath, Haley unleashed a flamethrower at the same time Aang lashed out with a wind vortex, the flames melting or blowing up a lot of the equipment on their left ripped out and blew away most of the weapons to the right. Flying around and kicking off a wall respectively, Haley and Aang dodged the remaining projectiles with ease while Multiple shielded the ground bound group with his duplicates. Meeting again in mid air, both elementals took deep breaths, Aang spinning his hands around until they were brought up around his mouth, and blew fire and wind as hard as they could, the two streams mixing and creating an enormous flame that melted every weapon left in the room.

"Wow. I'm sure to be amazed or terrified." Trixie said uncertainly, eyeing the melted and shattered security system warily before turning as Aang took another deep breath.

Letting it out, he coated the ground with cold air, quickly cooling the heated floor before grinning at his work.

"Amazed. Definitely amazed." Multiple grinned as he marched ahead, Tim chuckling and Spud nodding in agreement as they went on. Feeling quite proud of herself, Haley flew on ahead. After all, if another trap went off, it was better the others had more warning. It wasn't like she needed it. When she got in the air she was almost completely untouchable. Who could possibly be better?

...

Deep within the base, the happy mood had not spread. In fact, it was amazing the invading team hadn't heard the panic stricken screams. They would have made a group of banshees impressed.

"What do we do, what do we do, what do WE DO?"

"I don't know, I don't know, I DON'T KNOW!"

Two boys, not likely to be any older than Aang, were running around before a large monitor like chickens with their heads cut off. Both clad in purple and black Huntsclan uniforms, one of them was a short, chubby boy of African descent with the number 88 on his arm while the other was a slightly taller, lanky Caucasian with the number 89.

"They'll be here any minute!" 88 shouted, stopping long enough to look at the monitor. It depicted the group running into another trap, this time a hole filled with rising spikes, but Multiple simply duplicated and yanked everyone back from it while took what looked like a pen from his belt and fired a laser beam of his own, cutting through every spike. Now blunt, the remains were simply used to hop across to the other side. "We gotta get out of here!"

"What? We can't do that! Imagine how bad our rep will fall if we flee from our own base. Before we even see the enemy?"

"Dude, what rep?" 88 shouted, his feet finally coming to a halt only for his arms to fly wildly above his head. "The smallest and weakest magic creatures look down on us and laugh! And have you looked at who's coming?" He added, pointing at the screen. "One's wearing the clothes of a member of Team Possible, one's marked with the X Men's symbol, one's a dragon and another has power over wind AND earth! We couldn't even take down a single dragon with the best weapons the Huntsclan ever made! How do you expect to handle all that!" Conveniently, for his point at least, the X Man had grabbed the laser pen from the Possible and multiplied by ten before firing and destroying every new security weapon coming out of the walls before they could fire any more than one shot, all of which were avoided.

"Man, that X Man is a one man army. Literally." 89 admitted with a gulp, what little bravado he had disappearing along with the duplicates. Still, he wasn't about to let go of the single shred of dignity he had left. "So we'll activate all our big toys and blow them away the second they enter this room."

Not waiting for a reply, he ran to the far wall and placed his slayer birthmark under the scanner and waited for the 'Huntsclan mark confirmed' voice to raise the wall, revealing all of the Huntsclan's most dangerous weapons. "Let's see how they handle-"

"They're HERE!" 88 barely got his scream out before a BOOM resounded though the room and the door, now bearing a deep impression of a dragon foot, crashed to the ground with a bang.

"AAHHH! Quick, grab the-" Running, 89 reached for large device designed to be strapped to the back, but before he could so much as touch it, Tim whipped up his arm and fired his grappling hook right into its side, eliciting a terrified scream from the taller slayer. With the push of a button, the hook was quickly retracted, ripping the device along with it back toward the group as Multiple ran ahead and jumped yanking it from the air and off the hook, the momentum causing him to spin. Easily moving it onto his back, he created four duplicates as he landed, all five Multiples holding up the connected laser guns at the Huntsclan misfits' general direction.

"Oh ma-AHH!" 88 shouted, running as fast as he could to the weapons alongside 89, only to stumble back as Avatar ran before them faster than they could see, fierce winds blowing around him as he pressed his fists together.

"I wouldn't try that if I were you." Aang said calmly. For all the power he was using, his form was completely relaxed. It only made the boys even more terrified.

"AAHHH!" Screaming, 88 turned and ran back towards the computer, hoping to get some of the lowered security back online, only to come face to face with a smirking, pink dragon. "AAAAHHHHH! DRAGON!"

"The pride of the Huntsclan, these two." Trixie rolled her eyes, she and Spud dropping the groups' bags as they entered the door.

"Behold the terrifying slayers of all things magical." Spud exclaimed dramatically, sweeping his arms out like a king would to his proud men.

"W-w-w-w-what are y-you going to do t-to us?" 89 stuttered, shivering shamelessly, shrinking into himself. They were weapon-less, outnumbered and all round outclassed. He had nothing to fake bravado with.

"With you?" Multiple glared, down at them, getting high pitched squeaks in return before it turned into a big grin. "Nothing."

"T-th-th-then why are-"

"We intend to use your teleporter." Trixie snapped, irritably. She didn't like playing pack mule to the boys' bags and these snivelling twits always got on her nerves. "Now shut up and you'll be fine."

"Though we'll have to do something about all this weaponry." Tim grinned mischievously, already moving up before the computer and typing away rapidly. "Little boys with no supervision, playing around with all this dangerous equipment? You could hurt yourselves. Better fix that."

"You dare patronise the Huntsclan?" 88 shouted indignantly, only to quickly fall back into quivering terror as Haley snorted smoke in his face. "W-what are you d-doing?"

"Oh, nothing really. Just locking down security and..." Tim started lightly, hitting a button and bringing a scanner out of the wall. A moment later, it was scanning Multiple.

"New identity data accepted." Both Huntsclan boys paled considerably as the computerised voice made that declaration.

"Making it so only a mutant signature, along with a password, can open your weapons vault." Tim finished with a smirk as the wall hiding the weapons came down again.

88 and 89 could do nothing but helplessly watch as all their best weapons were sealed away, tears and blubbering cries coming from both of them.

As he watched the wall once again meet the ground, a deep, all consuming rage surged through 89. How dare he? How dare he take away what was rightfully theirs! He was going to make the Possible boy pay! He was gonna...

"Aaahhh..." Screaming, he charged right at Tim, his fists poised to strike...only to have his ankle ensnared by a dragon tail and ripped from under him. All his rage got him was a face plant and a possibly broken nose.

"Do yourself a favour and stay down." Haley smirked, towering over him as he looked up at her with fear and hate. "You two are only still alive because you run away. A lot."

"I'm about done here." Tim called, typing a final command into the computer before shutting it down. "All security measures at the next base related to identity have been deactivated. I can shut off the rest as soon as we're in."

"Ok, so where do we teleport from in this ugly metal eyesore?" Trixie asked before pointing to the bags. "And FYI, I am not carrying those again. The man is supposed to carry the woman's bags, not the other way around.

"Hey, women wanted equality. That means equal work too." Tim retorted playfully as Spud moved over to a pair of pillar-like metal rods on the far side of the room.

"This is it." He called, gathering everyone over, Multiple creating duplicates to restrain the Huntsclan boys and grab the bags on the way. Activating a consol next to a rod, he set to work, bringing up every possible destination. "With this system, we can travel to any continent on Earth. Even Antarctica!"

"What do they chase down there, polar bears?" Multiple frowned confusedly, crossing his arms.

"Those are in the north Multiple." Haley rolled her eyes, getting an embarrassed 'oh yeah' from the young mutant as he scratched the back of his head. "There are some magical creatures down there, mostly under the ice covering the sea. A few small pockets live more inland though."

"Though I doubt that the Phoenix is gonna go after them any time soon, so let's ponder the frozen south later." Tim broke in, sidling up beside Spud as the human prodigy set to work on lessening the scale. Within seconds, it was focused on the bases hidden in North America. It then went on to display only the bases in the USA and Canada, though there still quite a number of them.

"Which base is closest to your destination Haley?" Spud asked, pulling away and letting the dragon girl in.

"There." Haley answered half a minute later, pointing to a dot a little inland on the Eastern side. "It's only a day or two's walk from there if my geography's right. Which it usually is." She added proudly, puffing up her chest.

"You want the magic school!" 88 cried, startling the others only to try and shrink into his clothes as everyone stared at him.

"What do you know about it?" Haley growled, turning every bit of intimidation on the pathetic excuse for a slayer. "What did the Huntsclan do there?"

"NOTHING! I SWEAR!" 88 screamed, shaking his head vigorously. "It was too well protected and filled with far too many witches and wizards, not to mention the half breeds within their ranks and the other creatures roaming about. The Huntsclan knew that it wasn't ready to confront the school, so they just kept an eye on it from a safe distance."

"Too bad." Haley sneered before turning back to the screen as Spud set the coordinates. "If you had made a move on the school, you would have had countless magical creatures being led by wizards and those wizard half breeds coming after you. It would have ended the Huntsclan so much sooner."

"Anyway..." Spud called, smiling as the rods came to life, humming as they charged. "It's time to go. Who wants to go first?"

"ME!" Multiple shouted, running straight up front. Waiting just long enough for Spud to give the ok, he stepped between the rods with the duplicates holding the bags and was wrapped in energy expelled from them, disappearing a second later.

His disappearance caused his remaining duplicates to disappear a moment later, but all 88 and 89 did in response was run away screaming for their mommies, so the others just kept going, Aang, Trixie and Haley making up the next group. Finally, Spud set the machine one last time and walked through with Tim. With the last flash of energy, the last of the party had disappeared not only from the base, but the country itself.