Final Training
As day broke, Kiro and Calus were wide awake, Kiro, in his usual morning meditative state, Calus on
the other hand was in preparation for Barton's first day of training. He spent most of the night in
Heaven, speaking with the only two people he knew that could control space or time. When he
returned, Kiro had awakened and fed Barton, and begun his meditation. Barton and Calus talked a bit
before Kiro finished and the trio agreed to begin the training. Bria had wanted to come and watch, but
she was on bed rest and under the watchful eyes of Nadi and Marcia.
So with while Bria rested, Barton and his two mentors left the house and walked a distance, more for
the protection of the house than anything else. When they were a safe distance away, Barton was the
first to speak. "So, does anyone here know how to use space or time?" Kiro and Calus shook their
heads in unison before Calus spoke. "No, I don't, but I did speak to a couple of people in Heaven that
could, and had them give me some advice to give you. Out of the two elements, space is easier to use,
and control, then time, so we will start with that one. I was told for you to relax all muscles, and your
breathing, as you do, you should feel a small pull in the pit of your stomach, if so, concentrate on it and
try and expand it to encase your body, and aim with your mind of where you want to reappear." Barton
looked a little confused but nodded, "So I just stand here and let my body relax?" Calus nodded and
pushed him back a bit. "See if you can aim for right in front of us first."
Barton nodded and stood up straight, his arms down at his side. He began breathing softly and at first
he felt nothing. He was going to voice his objection, when he felt a small, but noticeable pull in his
stomach. He tried to grab it, but each time he did it got progressively smaller. Rather than keep trying,
he let the pull get stronger, it took a lot of effort to not break his concentration, but he was eventually
rewarded with the ability to grab the pull and begin expanding it. He thought to expand it quickly, but he
lost control and the pull shrunk again. So he waited, and waited, for the pull to again reach its maximum
strength. When it had, he slowly spread it over his abdomen first. When it covered his stomach and
chest, he moved it downward to his hips and legs. The more spread out the pull got, the harder to
control it was. When his lower body was covered, the pulling sensation was getting to be hard to resist,
when he covered his arms, it was almost unbearable. When he was able to cover his head, he could no
longer stop himself, and he felt himself pulled into his own body, at least that's what he felt. What Calus
and Kiro saw, was Barton disappear into a black shroud, and reappear from it about half a foot away
from them, and collapse. Kiro helped Barton up and smiled, "That looked like fun, how did it feel?"
Barton dried some of the sweat from his face using his sleeve and shook his head, "Painful, tiring,
frustrating. But when I did teleport, it felt amazing, it was like being shot out of a cannon at an amazing
speed." Calus smiled and nodded, "Good, now rest for five minutes and try again."
While Barton rested, Kiro asked Calus about the advice. "Was it who I think it was that told you?"
"You mean Kenneth and Alexis, yeah I asked them." "Didn't think you angels would let them into
Heaven so easily." "We've nothing against them, besides, they earned their way in." "I guess, will you
ever tell Barton who you asked, and who they were?" "Probably, just not right now, his mind has
enough stress without that." "I guess your right, if he knew his parents were former Haven members,
and in Heaven, I think he'd break." "Yes, that's why I'll tell him after all this is over. Anyway, back to
work." "As you wish, just make sure you don't push too hard, his is a boy, in mind anyway." Calus and
Kiro walked over to Barton and Calus patted his head, "Oie, breaks over." Barton nodded and stood
up, "So what did you two talk about." Kiro looked over at Calus who shook his head, "Just telling Kiro
that the angels will help in our storming of Lucifer's island." Barton nodded and again stood away from
Calus and Kiro. As Barton began trying to use space again Kiro and Calus began talking. "As hard as
this is, what's space going to be like?" "About three years worth of training put into a one day crash
course from his mother." Kiro shrugged and sighed, "Ouch. I remember fighting her, so I can imagine
what training would be like." Calus laughed, "Yeah, Barton may hate us after this." After about three
minutes, Barton had teleported fifteen feet away from Calus and Kiro. "He's getting this down fairly
quick, I guess Kenneth left behind his natural talent in the boy." Calus nodded, "Let's hope Alexis did as
well, then we can focus on building his stamina and resistance to its mental stress." While Barton began
teleporting farther and farther away, Calus cooked dinner. Kiro kept a visual on Barton, who by the
end of the day was able to teleport up to 2 miles away. "Space is kind of fun, I hope time is just as
easy." Calus shook his head, "Nope, but knowing space will be a great help, so no worries."
The group headed back to their safe house and Barton went to sleep with Bria, while Calus went back
for more advice from Barton's mother. When morning came, Calus was back with a smile, as Kiro and
Barton ate. "Went for more advice Calus," Barton asked with a puzzled look. "Yup, time maybe a bit
easier now." Barton smiled, "Good, the more I learn the better." The trio set out for the same spot as
the previous day, and upon arrival Calus looked Barton dead in the eyes. "I wont lie, the fastest way to
learn time, at least as I was told, is in battle, when you need to use it to survive." Barton looked down,
"So you guys are going to attack me again?" Calus shook his head, "No, we wouldn't be much for you
if you fought back with all your might. We did find someone in Heaven that was willing to help." Kiro
whispered and asked Calus, "You didn't bring one of them back did you?" Calus nodded, as he did, a
woman dressed in a white robe walked from the woods. She had long silver hair, and bright red eyes.
"Barton, this is the person that can control time, the only person other than you. "So you're the young
man my powers were passed to upon my death?" Barton nodded, "Yes, thank you for helping." The
woman shook her head and smiled, "No need, it's nice to know my ability will be used for saving the
world. Anyway, I'm going to use my powers to try and kill you, hopefully awakening your own." Barton
swallowed deeply and nodded slowly, "Ok."
Without warning the woman was gone, appearing behind Barton and elbowing him in the back of the
head, knocking him down. "Fight with all your might, try and stay alive, Barton." Barton jumped up and
tried to land a kick in the process, again, before he could react she was gone. The woman appeared in
front of Barton, a sword drawn and aimed at him. "If you can't awaken your power, you will die."
Barton stared at her, he looked scared, frightened. Barton could only watch as she froze time and thrust
her blade at his neck. Without warning, his eyes flashed white and the woman stopped moving,
everything had. He stepped aside and watched as time flowed forward, the woman's sword obviously
hitting only air. She stared at Barton with a smile. "Good, now do it again, keep trying until you can do
it consciously." As she froze time, she again aimed at Barton, this time intending to impale his heart on
her blade. Only to be met with the same flash of light and air. Before she could attack again, Barton
dropped to the ground, he was sweating and breathing deeply. His body was tired and his mind was on
the brink of shutting down. "Alexis, that's enough for now, remember he is only just learning to use
time." Alexis helped Barton up and handed him to Calus, "He is close, just a bit more and he will at
least be able to use it on his own." "That's not much good if his mind breaks and he can't tell friend from
foe." Calus set Barton against a tree to rest while he and Kiro talked to Alexis. "It's amazing how much
he's grown." Calus nodded, "Well he is your son, yet you were unable to see him for almost thirteen
years now. So I though if you could at least see him, maybe you and Kenneth could at least rest easy."
Alexis nodded and smiled, "Yes, I'm sure Kenneth will be just as surprised to hear he's alive as I was."
"Sorry we couldn't tell you, we couldn't risk any information leak, so we wanted you to believe him to
be dead until the time was right." "It's ok, just a system shock to know your son is alive and going to go
head to head against Lucifer himself. Speaking of, can he really win?" Kiro shrugged, "With time and
space mastered, and brought to the levels we saw earlier, and our help, most likely."
After twenty minutes or so of rest, Barton stood up slowly and leaned against the tree for help. "Hey
guys, are we done already?" Alexis smiled and drew her sword, thinking to herself, "That's definitely
our son." Barton smiled and charged Alexis, before she could move, he froze time, and it unfroze with a
spear of pure ice at Alexis's throat. "Checkmate." Alexis dropped her weapon and smiled, "You are
strong, very strong." Barton smiled as he let the spear melt. Before he realized it, Alexis hugged him and
whispered, "Don't lose, all of us are relying on you." Barton nodded, "I know, the world, my wife, and
my child are counting on me." Alexis brushed bright red and ran over to Calus, "WIFE?! He's only a
boy, yet he's married and has a child on the way????" Calus smiled nervously and nodded, "Oh yeah,
forgot to tell you, you and Kenneth will be grandparents soon, so calm down and get back to heaven
before you say something to tip him off." Alexis nodded and smiled, "You better not let him die, or I'll
come for you both." Calus and Kiro nodded and waved with Barton as Alexis disappeared. "Well, let's
call it a day and tomorrow you will begin endurance training for your new found powers." Barton
nodded, "She was strong, and beautiful, but I feel..sad by her leaving." Calus pushed Barton toward the
shack and smiled, "Don't worry, you'll meet again someday."
For the next few days, Barton did solid endurance training, building his resistance to the mental stress of
time and space. After four days, he could teleport over ten miles, and could freeze time for up to a
minute and a half. The group took the seventh day as a day to let Barton rest, his mind was tired as was
his body. Everyone sat around, the gravity of the situation finally hitting home for Barton and Bria.
"Tomorrow we make our way for Lucifer's hideout, and there, we face Lucifer himself." Calus and Kiro
nodded, "It may be best to leave Bria here, but it's unlikely to be safe anywhere now." Barton held Bria
softly, "Why?" "His generals are dead, but his pawns remain, so if he tells them to grab her, no one's
here to help her, what do we do then?" Barton nodded, "I guess, so will you and Kiro fight with us
Calus?" The pair nodded and smiled, "Of course, I've waited a thousand years to find a true challenge,
so I wont miss this chance." "Well, it's my job, but I can't say that's my only reason for fighting." Barton
smiled and nodded, "What about Nadi and the others?" Calus looked over at Nadi and nodded, "It's
ok, you can go ahead and change back Nadi." A light enshrouded Nadi and when it dissipated, the
Gardevoir had changed into a tan skinned angel, she had wings that folded over her body, and white
robes as clothes. "It feels good to stretch my wings again." Nadi smiled and let her wings expand out
before resting them around her body again. "So Barton, your caretaker is a really good looking girl isn't
she?" Barton nodded slowly, "But, I though she was a Pokemon." "Just a disguise, one of her abilities.
She's an elf, but became an angel in death like me." "So can she fight like you?" Nadi shook her head,
"No but I can heal almost any wound, so when the fights over, count on me to make sure you can walk
again." Barton nodded and smiled, "One more day till we free the planet, it's a weird feeling, knowing I
will be saving it." Kiro nodded and looked down, "Just make sure you sleep tonight, know one knows
what Lucifer can do, but I do know we wont just waltz in there and demand battle."
As the group split up for the evening, Nadi and Bria elected to sleep with Barton, one on each side.
Barton fell asleep with his face nestled in Bria's fur, and his body being held by Nadi, her wings
providing everyone with a blanket. In the embrace of his two lovers, his mind was finally provided
peace.Chapter End Notes:Final training before the final battle. After training with his mom, is Barton ready to face evil incarnate
the other hand was in preparation for Barton's first day of training. He spent most of the night in
Heaven, speaking with the only two people he knew that could control space or time. When he
returned, Kiro had awakened and fed Barton, and begun his meditation. Barton and Calus talked a bit
before Kiro finished and the trio agreed to begin the training. Bria had wanted to come and watch, but
she was on bed rest and under the watchful eyes of Nadi and Marcia.
So with while Bria rested, Barton and his two mentors left the house and walked a distance, more for
the protection of the house than anything else. When they were a safe distance away, Barton was the
first to speak. "So, does anyone here know how to use space or time?" Kiro and Calus shook their
heads in unison before Calus spoke. "No, I don't, but I did speak to a couple of people in Heaven that
could, and had them give me some advice to give you. Out of the two elements, space is easier to use,
and control, then time, so we will start with that one. I was told for you to relax all muscles, and your
breathing, as you do, you should feel a small pull in the pit of your stomach, if so, concentrate on it and
try and expand it to encase your body, and aim with your mind of where you want to reappear." Barton
looked a little confused but nodded, "So I just stand here and let my body relax?" Calus nodded and
pushed him back a bit. "See if you can aim for right in front of us first."
Barton nodded and stood up straight, his arms down at his side. He began breathing softly and at first
he felt nothing. He was going to voice his objection, when he felt a small, but noticeable pull in his
stomach. He tried to grab it, but each time he did it got progressively smaller. Rather than keep trying,
he let the pull get stronger, it took a lot of effort to not break his concentration, but he was eventually
rewarded with the ability to grab the pull and begin expanding it. He thought to expand it quickly, but he
lost control and the pull shrunk again. So he waited, and waited, for the pull to again reach its maximum
strength. When it had, he slowly spread it over his abdomen first. When it covered his stomach and
chest, he moved it downward to his hips and legs. The more spread out the pull got, the harder to
control it was. When his lower body was covered, the pulling sensation was getting to be hard to resist,
when he covered his arms, it was almost unbearable. When he was able to cover his head, he could no
longer stop himself, and he felt himself pulled into his own body, at least that's what he felt. What Calus
and Kiro saw, was Barton disappear into a black shroud, and reappear from it about half a foot away
from them, and collapse. Kiro helped Barton up and smiled, "That looked like fun, how did it feel?"
Barton dried some of the sweat from his face using his sleeve and shook his head, "Painful, tiring,
frustrating. But when I did teleport, it felt amazing, it was like being shot out of a cannon at an amazing
speed." Calus smiled and nodded, "Good, now rest for five minutes and try again."
While Barton rested, Kiro asked Calus about the advice. "Was it who I think it was that told you?"
"You mean Kenneth and Alexis, yeah I asked them." "Didn't think you angels would let them into
Heaven so easily." "We've nothing against them, besides, they earned their way in." "I guess, will you
ever tell Barton who you asked, and who they were?" "Probably, just not right now, his mind has
enough stress without that." "I guess your right, if he knew his parents were former Haven members,
and in Heaven, I think he'd break." "Yes, that's why I'll tell him after all this is over. Anyway, back to
work." "As you wish, just make sure you don't push too hard, his is a boy, in mind anyway." Calus and
Kiro walked over to Barton and Calus patted his head, "Oie, breaks over." Barton nodded and stood
up, "So what did you two talk about." Kiro looked over at Calus who shook his head, "Just telling Kiro
that the angels will help in our storming of Lucifer's island." Barton nodded and again stood away from
Calus and Kiro. As Barton began trying to use space again Kiro and Calus began talking. "As hard as
this is, what's space going to be like?" "About three years worth of training put into a one day crash
course from his mother." Kiro shrugged and sighed, "Ouch. I remember fighting her, so I can imagine
what training would be like." Calus laughed, "Yeah, Barton may hate us after this." After about three
minutes, Barton had teleported fifteen feet away from Calus and Kiro. "He's getting this down fairly
quick, I guess Kenneth left behind his natural talent in the boy." Calus nodded, "Let's hope Alexis did as
well, then we can focus on building his stamina and resistance to its mental stress." While Barton began
teleporting farther and farther away, Calus cooked dinner. Kiro kept a visual on Barton, who by the
end of the day was able to teleport up to 2 miles away. "Space is kind of fun, I hope time is just as
easy." Calus shook his head, "Nope, but knowing space will be a great help, so no worries."
The group headed back to their safe house and Barton went to sleep with Bria, while Calus went back
for more advice from Barton's mother. When morning came, Calus was back with a smile, as Kiro and
Barton ate. "Went for more advice Calus," Barton asked with a puzzled look. "Yup, time maybe a bit
easier now." Barton smiled, "Good, the more I learn the better." The trio set out for the same spot as
the previous day, and upon arrival Calus looked Barton dead in the eyes. "I wont lie, the fastest way to
learn time, at least as I was told, is in battle, when you need to use it to survive." Barton looked down,
"So you guys are going to attack me again?" Calus shook his head, "No, we wouldn't be much for you
if you fought back with all your might. We did find someone in Heaven that was willing to help." Kiro
whispered and asked Calus, "You didn't bring one of them back did you?" Calus nodded, as he did, a
woman dressed in a white robe walked from the woods. She had long silver hair, and bright red eyes.
"Barton, this is the person that can control time, the only person other than you. "So you're the young
man my powers were passed to upon my death?" Barton nodded, "Yes, thank you for helping." The
woman shook her head and smiled, "No need, it's nice to know my ability will be used for saving the
world. Anyway, I'm going to use my powers to try and kill you, hopefully awakening your own." Barton
swallowed deeply and nodded slowly, "Ok."
Without warning the woman was gone, appearing behind Barton and elbowing him in the back of the
head, knocking him down. "Fight with all your might, try and stay alive, Barton." Barton jumped up and
tried to land a kick in the process, again, before he could react she was gone. The woman appeared in
front of Barton, a sword drawn and aimed at him. "If you can't awaken your power, you will die."
Barton stared at her, he looked scared, frightened. Barton could only watch as she froze time and thrust
her blade at his neck. Without warning, his eyes flashed white and the woman stopped moving,
everything had. He stepped aside and watched as time flowed forward, the woman's sword obviously
hitting only air. She stared at Barton with a smile. "Good, now do it again, keep trying until you can do
it consciously." As she froze time, she again aimed at Barton, this time intending to impale his heart on
her blade. Only to be met with the same flash of light and air. Before she could attack again, Barton
dropped to the ground, he was sweating and breathing deeply. His body was tired and his mind was on
the brink of shutting down. "Alexis, that's enough for now, remember he is only just learning to use
time." Alexis helped Barton up and handed him to Calus, "He is close, just a bit more and he will at
least be able to use it on his own." "That's not much good if his mind breaks and he can't tell friend from
foe." Calus set Barton against a tree to rest while he and Kiro talked to Alexis. "It's amazing how much
he's grown." Calus nodded, "Well he is your son, yet you were unable to see him for almost thirteen
years now. So I though if you could at least see him, maybe you and Kenneth could at least rest easy."
Alexis nodded and smiled, "Yes, I'm sure Kenneth will be just as surprised to hear he's alive as I was."
"Sorry we couldn't tell you, we couldn't risk any information leak, so we wanted you to believe him to
be dead until the time was right." "It's ok, just a system shock to know your son is alive and going to go
head to head against Lucifer himself. Speaking of, can he really win?" Kiro shrugged, "With time and
space mastered, and brought to the levels we saw earlier, and our help, most likely."
After twenty minutes or so of rest, Barton stood up slowly and leaned against the tree for help. "Hey
guys, are we done already?" Alexis smiled and drew her sword, thinking to herself, "That's definitely
our son." Barton smiled and charged Alexis, before she could move, he froze time, and it unfroze with a
spear of pure ice at Alexis's throat. "Checkmate." Alexis dropped her weapon and smiled, "You are
strong, very strong." Barton smiled as he let the spear melt. Before he realized it, Alexis hugged him and
whispered, "Don't lose, all of us are relying on you." Barton nodded, "I know, the world, my wife, and
my child are counting on me." Alexis brushed bright red and ran over to Calus, "WIFE?! He's only a
boy, yet he's married and has a child on the way????" Calus smiled nervously and nodded, "Oh yeah,
forgot to tell you, you and Kenneth will be grandparents soon, so calm down and get back to heaven
before you say something to tip him off." Alexis nodded and smiled, "You better not let him die, or I'll
come for you both." Calus and Kiro nodded and waved with Barton as Alexis disappeared. "Well, let's
call it a day and tomorrow you will begin endurance training for your new found powers." Barton
nodded, "She was strong, and beautiful, but I feel..sad by her leaving." Calus pushed Barton toward the
shack and smiled, "Don't worry, you'll meet again someday."
For the next few days, Barton did solid endurance training, building his resistance to the mental stress of
time and space. After four days, he could teleport over ten miles, and could freeze time for up to a
minute and a half. The group took the seventh day as a day to let Barton rest, his mind was tired as was
his body. Everyone sat around, the gravity of the situation finally hitting home for Barton and Bria.
"Tomorrow we make our way for Lucifer's hideout, and there, we face Lucifer himself." Calus and Kiro
nodded, "It may be best to leave Bria here, but it's unlikely to be safe anywhere now." Barton held Bria
softly, "Why?" "His generals are dead, but his pawns remain, so if he tells them to grab her, no one's
here to help her, what do we do then?" Barton nodded, "I guess, so will you and Kiro fight with us
Calus?" The pair nodded and smiled, "Of course, I've waited a thousand years to find a true challenge,
so I wont miss this chance." "Well, it's my job, but I can't say that's my only reason for fighting." Barton
smiled and nodded, "What about Nadi and the others?" Calus looked over at Nadi and nodded, "It's
ok, you can go ahead and change back Nadi." A light enshrouded Nadi and when it dissipated, the
Gardevoir had changed into a tan skinned angel, she had wings that folded over her body, and white
robes as clothes. "It feels good to stretch my wings again." Nadi smiled and let her wings expand out
before resting them around her body again. "So Barton, your caretaker is a really good looking girl isn't
she?" Barton nodded slowly, "But, I though she was a Pokemon." "Just a disguise, one of her abilities.
She's an elf, but became an angel in death like me." "So can she fight like you?" Nadi shook her head,
"No but I can heal almost any wound, so when the fights over, count on me to make sure you can walk
again." Barton nodded and smiled, "One more day till we free the planet, it's a weird feeling, knowing I
will be saving it." Kiro nodded and looked down, "Just make sure you sleep tonight, know one knows
what Lucifer can do, but I do know we wont just waltz in there and demand battle."
As the group split up for the evening, Nadi and Bria elected to sleep with Barton, one on each side.
Barton fell asleep with his face nestled in Bria's fur, and his body being held by Nadi, her wings
providing everyone with a blanket. In the embrace of his two lovers, his mind was finally provided
peace.Chapter End Notes:Final training before the final battle. After training with his mom, is Barton ready to face evil incarnate