It's been a while since my last TPoX part, but here it is! I tried something new, and I think I wrote it pretty good.

Hope you like it!

---

Zephyr stepped of the scale and walked towards the big mirror in his room. In it, he could se his own reflection.

"Well well, I gained quite a lot..."

He turned slightly from left to right, so see his body from different angles, his belly swaying a little. Zephyr knead his belly, feeling how soft it was. Then he heard knocks on his door, a voice following shortly after. It soundd like Xulph.

"You in there Zephyr?"

"Yeah, what is it?"

"I want to talk with you. Can I come in?"

"Sure!"

The door opened, and Xulph came inside.

"So, how do you feel Champion?"

"Pretty good, can't complain!"

Xulph walked towards Zephyr, who could see him coming closer in the mirror.

"You gained quite a lot of fat."

"Yeah, right?"

"Do you feel... uncomfortable? I mean, if you would gain even more?"

"Well, I can sure put on much more!"

Zephyr squeezed his belly with two claws.

"Well, that's nice to hear. So, why I'm here is... because I want to talk about Kizara."

Zephyr turned around to Xulph.

"Yeah?"

"I'm sorry that she left you alone, when..."

Zephyr interrupted him.

"It's ok, I already spoke with her, and she apologized."

"Wow... I... didn't know. I didn't even thought that she would. It's not... usual for her."

"Yeah, I was kinda surprised too when she stood in front of my door. I even got my next lesson in two hours!"

"Well, then that is done. If there is something else, I'm in the main hall."

Xulph was about to leave Zephyrs room.

"Wait, what can you tell me about Zanaras?"

Xulph turned aroud slowly back to him.

"... who told you about her?"

"Kizara did. Is that wrong?

Xulph took a deep breath and spoke with a more serious voice.

"I told Kizara to not to talk about her."

"What's so bad about Zanaras? Well, she betrayed you both-"

Xulph got angry and spoke with a hard voice.

"Betrayed?! More than that! She just ran away, unthankful! And she even helps Xalph now! If I see her ever again, I swear I will..."

He was burning with rage, and even Zephyr felt something changing in Xulph. Just before he could finish his sentence, he realised how angry he became.

"I-I'm sorry! I... couldn't control my rage and..."

Xulph didn't know what he should say next., neither did Zephyr. Awkward silence filled the room for several seconds, until Zephyr spoke up.

"It's ok, I should've thought that talking about Zaranas was a bad idea. I'm sorry."

"No! Don't be sorry Champion! It's me who should be sorry. And I am."

He sighed.

"I'll tell you everything about her. Just ask."

"Well... who is she then?"

Xulph began to talk in a neutral voice.

"Zaranas is a female Fox. Snow-white. About your height, slightly smaller, and a slim body, well, it was like that the last time I saw her..."

"A white Fox? I know someone like that... but she had a different name!"

"Where did you see her?"

"Uh... well, the last time I was at the Doctor in Grange, she's his secretary."

"What name did she use?"

"It was Trugi."

"... smart girl... veeeryyy smart... using a different Name... If she's still there, we must confront her! We have to go!"

"Wait... we'?"

"Yes! I'll go with you, and we go now!"

"But I have my lesson with Kizara soon!"

"That's not important, we have to catch that devious fox!"

Without any hesitation, Xulph teleported both him and Zephyr near the outskirts of Grange.

"II remember this place! It's the hideout I used to live in with Rasel!"

"Right. Come on, we have to get moving."

"Wait, what if anyone will recognize you?"

"How? No other mortal knows my true form. They'll just think we're... friends."

"Well, if you're so sure about this..."

"I am. Go on ahead, show me where the Doctor is!"

Zephyr nod and walked ahead, Xulph following him. It was 1pm, and the sun was shining down on Grange. Zephyr almost forgot how dirty and big Grange was.

"I'm so happy I live in a better city than this..."

"I agree. How do you live in a place like this? It's so... awful."

"We are almost there! It's just around-"

What Zephyr saw, he didn't like at all. His father and his mother. And they saw him. and his father never looked angrier.

"Xulph, those two dragons are my parents! You have to help me!"

"Zephyr! WHERE. HAVE. YOU. BEEN?!"

Zephyr's father was incredibly angry, and before Xulph could say anything, his rage continued to flow.

"And who is this?! Your new best friend huh?! My GOD you've gotten fat Zephyr! Does he feed you all day or what?!"

Xulph was getting angry too, and had enough of Zephyr's father.

"That's enogh! Silence mortal!"

"What the-!"

Xulph seemed to have magically silenced him.

"Alright, now let's get a move on!"

They both walked past them, Zephyr's mother trying to help her husband.

"Well, this it!"

"Alright, let me go ahead, and leave the talking to me."

Zephyr nod, and they both walked inside. and indeed, the fox was there..

"Welcome to-"

She exactly knew who were standing in front of her.

"Xulph."

"Zaranas."

They awkwardly stared at each other,

"And your so called 'Champion'... well, wel,l well. I seem to be in a bad position. What do you want from me then?"

"Tell me EVERYTHING about Xalph and his plans! I KNOW you're working for him!"

"Haha, you're right. I work for him. Well, listen up..."

She sat down on her chair behind the counter.

"He is trying to find his Champion too. In Grange. But he still can't find him. "

"You don't want to be his champion?

"No. I don't like to be the puppet of Gods."

"Shut up! Tell me more!"

"Alright, alriiiight... he's also trying to biuld that weird machine."

"The Dimensional Bridge?"

"Exactly. He needs some pieces, but I guess it'll take some more weeks until he gets them."

"Anything else we need to know?"

"Uuuh... no. Nothing I'd like to tell you."

Xulph got angry and slammed his claws on the counter and startet to shout.

"TELL ME DARNIT!"

"Geez, no need to get angry... ok. The next time he catches Zephyr, he wants to kill him. That's all. Oh, and I quit working for him."

Then the door to Gutbach's office opened, and he walked outside.

"Who's shouting here?! If you won't stop, I'll call the police, and..."

Then he saw Zephyr.

"Zephyr! You... are quite chubbier than the last time I saw you. Didn't the workout work for you? Did you eat properly?"

"I... did."

He lied.

"I could prescribe you something for you weight!"

"Come Zephyr, we're leaving."

"Yeah... let's go..."

"What? You're just gonna leave? What about your health? I'm worried!"

Without any other word, Xulph and Zephyr left.

"Well... if Xulph builds that machine, we have little time left until he unleashed a powerful attack towards us."

"What is that 'Dimensional Bridge'?"

"It's a device that lets you easily travel to dimensions you want to go. This way, he can send hordes of his servants to my dimension. We have two ways, first, we try to sneak into his dimension and destroy the machine. Second, we prepare ourselfes and have a little surprise for him. Well, what do you choose?"

Zephyr was thinking about both ways, but he always wanted to sneak around.

"Let's do the silent way!"

"Well, Champion. Your decision. And I already know how. Let's get back to Magna-Grange first."

As Xulph said, he teleported both back into the Core in Magna-Grange.

"So, you already know how I get into Xaloh's... err, home?"

"I think, yes. But I think I need to find out more about his dimension. It'll take about three days."

"Well, then I'll prepare myself until then!"

"Yes. Got to Kizara, tell her I send you. And tell her, this: Mission invasion."

"Ok... whatever that means... I'll go then!"

Zephyr walked to the elevator, and took it to Kizara's Dojo. She was there, already waiting vor him.

"WHERE have you been?! You're a full hour late!"

"Kizara, listen, Xulph said.-"

"No! No excuses! Now get you butt moving on this treadmill!"

"Listen! Please!"

She let out an annoyed sigh.

"What."

"Xulph sent me. He otld me, that I need you to tell you this: Mission invasion."

Her right eyebrow rose.

"Is he sure about that?"

"Seems so. What's this Mission?"

"Mission invasion is, well, about invading. The silent way, so you'll need to learn how to turn invisible, and muffle your footsteps. How much time have we?"

"Xulph said about three days."

"He WHAT?! No way I can teach you how to be invisible in three days! I needed an half year to learn that! No WAY!"

Zephyr was thinking.

"Well... how about.... I learn how to be partially invisible? Could that be easier?"

Kizara was surprised.

"Hmmm... good idea. That could be possible in three days. And a spell to muffle your footsteps in really easy. Are you ready?"

"Uh, sure. Where do we start?"

"The partial invisibility. First, free your mind. Sit down, take deep, slow breaths."

Zephyr did. He already felt better.

"Then, think about something... awkward. I dunno, like... you're being naked in front of thousands of people. Trust me, it'll help."

He did as Kizara said, filling his mind with pictures of him being naked in public, instantly making him feel awkward.

"Keep your breathing like this. Next, think about how you just vanish. Slowly, bit by bit turning invisible."

Zephyr followed Kizara's orders, and imagined ho he slowly vanishes.

"And now repeat this."

About four hours passed, Zephyr deeply sank into his thoughts, when Kizara suddenly spoke.

"Zephyr! You're really invisible! Well... a little bit. That's... impressive I must say."

Zephyr opened his eyes and looked at him down. Indeed, he was slighty invisible! It looked like his clothes and scales colored themselfes like the dojo floor. He stood slowly up.

"I'm... really impressed. After just.... four hours! Xulph must have felt that you're the one. You indeed are worthy of being his Champion!"

He felt honored and proud. And his stomach growled.

"Well, could I eat something? I feel hungry..."

"You made big progress, yes you can. Eat, Champion."

Kizara made a table with various food appear in front of Zephyr, who didn't hesitate to eat, stuffing himself to the brim.

"Well, you can practice that... turning invisible without my help. If you want me to test your invisibility, come to me. And now I'll teach you to muffle your footsteps. First, stand up."

Zephyr stood up, it was a little difficult after he stuffed himself so much.

"I'll show you. Look."

Kizara took deep breaths, closing her eyes. Then, she stomps her tiny feline feet on the floor, but Zephyr couldn't hear any 'thumps'.

"Wow. That... seems useful!"

"Of course it is. Now it's your turn. Close your eyes and take deep breaths."

And so Zephyr did. Again, he freed his mind from everything, just listening to his breathing and Kizara's voice.

"Now, if you feel ready, think about you stomping your feet on the ground, but it's completely silent. Or think about you dancing. Then, start stomping."

Zephyr imagined him dancing around, almost giggling from that thought. Then he began to stomp, at frist he could hear his feet loudly thumping on the floor, each time feeling is belly wobbling around, but the more stomps he made, the more silent they grew. Just after a few minutes, they were completely silent like Kizara showed.

"I must say... you learn really fast. Impressive... just like Zanaras did..."

"But it wasn't as easy, really. It took a ton of concentration. I feel exhausted..."

"I believe that. Well, your lesson for today is over, do whatever you like. I'll see Rasel next, tell him his lessons starts soon."

"I will, thanks Kizara!"

"No problem, champion."

Kizara bowed towards Zephyr, something she never did before. He really felt honored. He took the elevator back down to the main hall. Rasel was already in front of the elevator door, about to press the 'Call elevator' button.

"Oh, hi! Where'd you come from buddy?"

"Kizara's dojo, I learnt how to make myself a little invisible, and how to muffle my footsteps!"

"Well, that sound like you're going to sneak around somewhere soon, eh? We needed that back when we robbed the fridges of people!"

They both laughed.

"Yeah, right! Also, Kizara is ready to give herl essons, your turn."

"Alright, see ya 'round big Dragon!"

They hugged each other, and Razel took the elevator to Kizara's Dojo. Zephyr decided to report to Xulph about his progress. So, the fat drake walked down the hall, where Xulph had his throne, which he sat in.

"Ah, Champion! How can I help you?"

"It seems like I'm really a natural at learning new stuff, I made great progress today! Even Kizara was impressed!"

"Well, that has to mean something. It's been a long time, since last I heard that she was impressed by something. You know, Zanaras betrayal really did a thing on her."

"I undertand that. So... did you found out anything about Xalph's dimension?"

"Not really, like I told you, it takes some time. My informants still have not returned."

"Well... I'm quite hungry..."

"No problem Zephyr, let's take care of that hunger of yours, yes?"

Xulph got up from his throne an made an entire feast appear on the tables around Zephyr with loads of, mainly fatty, food. He didn't hesitate, and began to devour one thing after another, stuffing his greedy gullet further and further.After many minutes of eating, Zephyr felt suddenly very tired, and fell asleep in his chair. Xulph brought him back into his bed. The next day, Zephyr woke up, not really knowing how he ended up in his bed. The last thing he remebered was him eating at the dining hall. He got up from his bed, and noticed that is belly has grown a little. Patting it softly, Zephyr walked outside of his room, and went to the dining hall to see Xulph. He was already waiting.

"Greetings Champion, slept that food nicely of, did you?"

"I... guess. Did you brought me to my bed then?"

"I did. Your bed is much more comfy, than this chair."

"Well, I've got a question."

"What is it Zephyr?"

"Uh, well, I'd like to train my muscles some, but I don't want to annoy Kizara in her Dojo. Could you...-"

Xulph cut off Zephyr mid-sentence.

"Make you some training utensils? Sure, no problem, I bet you want some in your room, yes?"

"... yes."

He laughed.

"No problem, just give me some minutes."

They both walked back to Zephyrs room and Xulph created some things for Zephyr to train his muscles. Some weights, a treadmill, and of course some snacks.

"Enjoy, I'm glad you want that youdon't want to train just your... belly."

"I thought that this request would be a surprise for you, but it's part of my training!"

Xulph left laughing Zephyr's room, and he began lift some weights. First some lighter ones, to get accustomed to it. After hat, he ran for some time on the treadmill. Inbetween breaks he ate some, and continued then. Zephyr trained the whole day, and felt pretty good. Sure, it made him loose a few pounds of fat, but his muscles were important to him too. He took a shower at the end of the day, and went to bed. The next morning Zephyr woke up with his muscles aching a little, but that was a sign for him that he did more than enough. Today was his last day of preperation for the invasion into Xalph's dimension. He walked outside, and took the elevator up to Kizara's Dojo. She was already there, meditating on the floor. She noticed Zephyr when he entered.

"Welcome Zephyr."

"How'd you know it was me?"

"The way you walk. Because of you weight, you make specific sounds. Heavy thumping. Additionally, your belly makes silent noises all the time, like gurgles. Also, your Aura around you. It's... impressive, and strange."

"My Aura? Is that something I need to hide too? I mean, Xalph could sense it."

"He could, but you don't have to walk right past him, right?"

"Well, I hope so."

"Good. Now, the last day of your training. Please, continue training your invisibility and silent walking here with me."

Zephyr nod and he trained both with Kizara. After a few hours, she was satisfied.

"Alright, you're pretty good at it now. I think you are now ready. Xulph surely has to tell you something about where you will go."

"I think so too, thank you Kizara!"

"You're welcome."

She did her bow again, and Zephyr went back to the main hall to meet Xulph. He was already waiting.

"There you are! Listen up, I've got plenty of things to tell you. Please come closer."

Zephyr stepped closer towards the big and round table Xulph was standing behind. On it were scattered various plans and blurprints, which seems to be, of a big building.

"Katarina, James, we are now ready."

Zephyr was confused and turned around. He saw a black Panther to his left, who was also dressed completely black. He seemed to be James. To his right though, was a female, grey-furred Wolf. She also wore the same attire as James, but just grey colored. Also, she had a smal scar on her face, right across her left eye. Both had a slim physique. She spoke first.

"Finally, I couldn't wait any longer."

"So, you are Zephyr then? A pleasure to meet you."

James held his paw in front of Zephyr, ready to shake his claw.

"Erm, hi..."

Zephyr nervously shook James paw. It was strangely warm.

"And I am Katarina, James' girlfriend. Nice to meet you."

And Zephyr shook Katarina's paw too, it was not as warm as James'.

"So, you feel ready for this? Xalph's mansion is not the most guarded place I've been to, but it's still hard to get in there without being noticed."

"I... guess. I feel confident enough."

"Great, now let's get to the planning."

Xulph said and gestured the couple to the sides of the table.

"So, listen up Zephyr, the main plan is that James and Katarina bring you as close as possible to the mansion, and you sneak inside. You can start all around the mansion, the best choice would be behind it, there a plenty of trees and shrubbery. Here. "

Xulph pointed at he bottom right corner of the blueprint, and drwe a red circle there.

"From there, they bring you to the outer wall, where they can climb up and throw you down some rope, so you can climb up too."

Then he drew a line to a thicker white line, which seems to resemble the outer wall he mentioned.

"From there, you three sneak past three guards, which are on a simple partol sceme."

He continued te red line and drew 3 black dots and some lines going from them away, that must ave been their patrol sceme.

"When you are past them, you have to go in alone. They'll open you a window, where you sneak inside. Then you are on your own. James, please explain how the masion is built."

"Sure thing X. Listen carefully Zephyr, when you are inside, there is a big hallway to your left, if you go in there, they can spot you. There are bright lights and plenty of guards stationed there. So, you have to go the right way."

James continued Xulph's red line, and dre w it into a big hallway, and marked it with a big X. Then he drew from Zephyr's entrance point, and drew it the right way.

"If you keep going down that way, to your left will be a room. I don't know what's in there, but it might be important to check it."

He marked the room bit a red questionmark.

"When you go past the room, you will come to a oval room. This room is dangerous, because we spottet Xalph inside there. He has no pattern, and does various things. He could be at his desk here, and do some paperwork or... other stuff. We saw also some training gear, maybe he trains there too."

The Panther drew the line into the oval room, and marked it wit a exclamation mark.

"From there, there are two hallways. one to your left, and one straight ahead. The second one leads into a corner, with a room on the left. We don't know whats in there."

He drew the red line to that corner and marked it with a question mark again.

"The left hallway though, leads into a big and open stairway. Surprisingly it's not much guarded, and leads to te upper floor."

He continued to draw the line into the mentioned stairway, and marked it with a arrow pointing up.

"Unfortunately, that's all we know. you need to check the two rooms, and what's in his upper floor. But, we have something for you. Here, take this. It's a magic sensor. If your think that his machine is nearby, use it. It'll make a silent beeping rythm if you are close to it."

Jamed gave Zephyr a small, colorless orb. He put it in his right pocket.

"Thanks! I think It'll help me a lot!"

"Well, that's all we could find out, meet us at the portal on floor 45-B."

James and Katarina walked away from the table.

"Phew... I already feel nervous..."

"I believe in you. You can do this."

"Thanks... I guess I'll follow them."

Xulph nod, and Zephyr took the elevator to floor 45-B. There was a open, but small room with a portal in the middle. The Panther and Wolf already waiting in front of it.

"Are you ready Zephyr? You seem to be nervous."

"Yeah, I am... I think."

"Don't be nervous though, we believe in you. Now, let's go."

All three went through the portal, and Zephyr found himself in a small pit with James and Katarina. It was dark, but not too dark for Zephyr to see. But strangely the ground felt metallic, and indeed it was. It just looked grey and metallic. Katarina began to whisper.

"Alright, now let's get up to the bushes, and scout were the patrols are."

The couple and Zephyr slowly walked to the bushes, which were surprisingly normal, and hide inside them.

"Ok, everyone seems to be on patrol, like we saw them earlier. When they all face the right way, we run towards the wall there. We have three minutes until they look our way again. On three... two... ... one!"

All three ran as fast as possible to the wall, Zephyr being a little slower than them. James helped Katarina climb up the wall, and she threw down a piece of rope. James climbed it up first, Zephyr then too. It was quite hard for him, but he did it in time.

"That was close... they almost saw you!"

"Phew... yeah... quite hard to run fast...!"

"Anyway, now we need to sneak past these three guards there. You see 'em?"

Zephyr, still a little exhausted, looked the way Katarina was pointing at. He saw three guards in heavy looking armor patroling the area around the mansion. The mansion itself looked futuristic, but mixed with the theme of Magna-Grange.

"On three! One... two... three! Run!"

All three began to run towards the mansion, and James slowly opened the window where Zephyr was supposed to climb into.

"Here, take this! If you have destroyed the machine, say the following words: 'Take me back where I once was safe!' then, you will be back in the Core in Magna-Grange. Good luck!"

James gave Zephyr a small, tear-shapd, blue gem, and put it in his lift pocket.

"We will wait for your return in the core. Good luck, Champion."

James and Katarina hugged each other, and James whispered a few words and they boh vanished in a grey portal. Now Zephyr was all on his own. He climbed through, the obviously too small, window, and squeezed through. Inside, there was a red carpet on the floow, which seemed to be not metallic. the walls made of concrete, painted blure. This must be indeed Xalph's mansion. First, Zephyr tried to turn invisible, repeating that wht he learned vom Kizara, and it worked astoundingly fast! In just a few minutes, Zephyr was alsmost invisible, and he muffled his footsteps too. He slowly made his way to the first room on the left. He slowly made his way to the white door. Turning the golden doorknob, the door opened, and Zephyr found his way into, which seemed to be, Xalph's kitchen. It was quite big, the floor tiled typically black and white, with a few kictehn counters, some fridges, and a microwave.

"A microwave? I thought he'd eat only healthy stuff... maybe even the God of sports n' stuff needs a quick pizza or lasagne...."

He thought to himself. Curios, Zephyr snooped around a little more in the kitchen, and he found quite a lot of food in the fridges. Many different meats, and... Pizza? Zephyr didn't mind and ate a piece, which tasted pretty good. He ate another piece, and closed the fridge again. He left the kitchen, and sneaked towards Xalph's room, and he was really there! He was standing in the middle of the room, facing away from Zephyr, looking outside his windows.

"Only one piece left... it sould arive soon... soon I will have my revenge!"

Suddenly Zephyrs stomach growled.

"Huh? Who's there?!"

"Oh no."

Zephyr thought, and Xalph turned around. He was looking around, but couldn't see anyone, Zephyr was hidden too well.

"Whatever... it was probably just my stomach. I'll eat some Pizza or something else."

Xalph just walked past Zephyr, and didn't noticed him.

"Stupid belly! Almost blew my cover!"

He thought, and walked down the hallway, further down to the room on the left. The door was also white, and hat a golden doorknob too. Zephyr was able to open the door too, and walked through. There, he was greeted by the smell of sweat. Looking around, he noticed quickly that this has to be Xalph's workout room, so Zephyr decided to leave this room. Going back to the oval room, he turned right this time, to the stairway. It was indeed guarded, but just by two guards, each at one pair of stairs. There was a golden chandelier hanging from the ceiling too. Suddenly, the right guard spoke.

"Did you noticed that Xalph has developed a strange craving for Pizza?"

"Sssh, don't say that too loud! He could be right behind us!"

So Zephyr was right. Something odd is up with Xalph.

"Alright, now check upstairs. I'll keep my position."

"Ok. Moving upstaris."

The left gurad turned around and walked slowly upstairs, and Zephyr followed him. The stairs below his feet creaked under his weight, they were wooden stairs!

"Did you put on weight dude? The stairs never creaked like that before!"

"Nah man! I swear I keep my strict diet! It's just the heavy armor, I tell you!"

"Yeah, yeah, it's not like I've seen you secretely snacking."

"Oh you...!"

The guard in front of Zephyr was upset about his partner, and walked up the stairs further, with Zephyr behind, and the creaking continued.

"Alright, everything clean up here. Moving down again."

Zephyr quickly strafed to the left and evaded the guard. But Zephyr's stomach growled again, but louder.

"Geez! I heard that from below here! Now move your fat butt down here! We get something for lunch later!"

"That wasn't even me! I swear, it was someone else-"

"No excuses! Now get down!"

Grumbling to himself, the guard walked down the stairs again, leaving Zephyr at the top. Looking around, there was a hallway to his left and right, both looking the same, So Zephyr walked down the right one. There, a door was to the left and right this time. And again, the white doors with golden doorknobs. He decided to open the right one, and it was open. Inside, it was a little darker than the other rooms, and Zephyr could see a bed, a wardrobe and a large cupboard. He took a look at the cupboard first. It was made of brown wood, maybe maple. The cupboard was filled with various books, and a few pictures of Xalph doing some poses, mostly flexing his muscles. He looks quite intimidating. But one picture was standing out, it's a picture of Xulph and Xalph, hugging each other. They looked happy.

"Why does he keep a picture of him and Xulph? Doesn't he hate him...? Strange..."

Zephyr took the picture, and a key fell down. Apparently it was hidden behind the picture frame. Zephyr picked it up, it was quite heavy and golden. Probably made of solid gold. He put it in his right pocket and placed the picture back where it was.

"This will sure come in handy..."

Looking around, Zephyr spotted a mini-fridge besides Xalph's bed. He opened it, and inside was a can of coke, some chocolate bars and a few sausages. Zephyr took three chocolate bars and ate them. He threw the wrapping back into the mini-fridge. A little sated, Zephyr walked back outside, and checked the door in front of him, and it was open too. This room appeared to be a bathroom, judging by the gigantic jacuzzi. Of course there was a toilet and washing basin too. Additionally, a huge mirror. Straining his eyes, Zephyr could barely see himself in it's reflection. There was nothing else of his interest, so Zephyr left the bathroom again. He walked back to the stairway, and walked the other way down of the hallway. This time, there was a golden door to his right, and another white door to his left.

"Woah, now this... is a strange door. Well... I've got to open that golden door then, I guess the key opens it?"

He took the golden key out from his right pocket, put it into the keyhole and turned it. The lock made a pealsing 'click' and Zephyr opened the door. And there was it, The Dimensional Bridge. A huge machinery, with a great arch.

"That must be it... so... does this little thing confirm my assumption?"

Zephyr took the little colorless orb that James gave him, and it was indeed making silent beeping noises, blinking red. He also made himself visible again.

"Alright... so how do I dismantle this thing? How about... this?"

Zephyr took a deep breath, and breathed out fire at the machine, and surprisingly it caught fire fast. Soon, a loud alarm rang.

"Uh oh... I hope this is enough! Anything I could... take?"

Zephyr quickly looked at the burning machine, and noticed a small golden cube, and took it. Just then he heard the door behind him slam open.

"WHO THE HELL- YOU!"

Zephyr turned around and saw Xalph, and he was really REALLY angry.

"How did you even get in here?! No, don't say anything! I'll rip yuou appart right here!"

Xalph was running at Zephyr, hastily searching his both pockets for the gem that should make Zephyr's escape, just when he grabbed it, Xalph was grabbing him by the throat.

"I. HATE. YOU! Any last words, you fat, walking sack of lard?!"

Xalph's grip was so hard, it was very hard for Zephyr to speak.

"Nngh! Take me back where I once was safe!"

Just as Zephyr said these words, he felt the grip around his neck loose and found himself back at Magna-Grange, ind the dining hall. Falling on his knees, coughing a few times, Xulph ran to him.

"Are you alright Zephyr?"

"Yeah... I am... he looks strong, but his grip... is even stronger!"

"He? Did Xalph anything to you?!"

"He grabbed me by my neck, but nothing else. I'm fine."

"What about the machine?"

"Ha... it's burning brightly. And I managed to steal this from it."

Zephyr stood up and showed Xulph the golden cube.

"Well... I don't know what this is, but it sure looks important."