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Disclaimer: 1

All Final fantasy characters and locations are the exclusive property of Square Enix and do not belong to me.

Every thing else is me and my friends.

CH.** 11 DRAKE AND HIS KICKED ASS**

Time, it is the one universal uncertainty. When you want it to go slow so that you can enjoy a moment, it flies faster than the speed of light. When you want it to go fast so you can get through a bad situation, it crawls slower than a snail. Right now though, for one at least, time was fading in and out. Just like his sanity.

In one flash of awareness Xavier grabbed a short sword that was hanging from Dami'tu's limp body, oblivion.

The next moment he was fending off an attack from Drake, "why am I fighting Drake?" oblivion.

The next moment Drake was on the ground and he had "Tech" in a head lock punching his face, "Why am I punching tech in the face?" oblivion.

The next he had flung "Tech" aside and kicked Clip in the guts, "Why am I kicking Clip?" oblivion.

The next moment he was running across the open desert, "Why am I running, what has happened?" oblivion.

All at once he found himself surrounded by Ashlin, Leo, Army, and Odogg. A smile that matched his sanity spread across his face. Xavier didn't know why but all at once he found him self hunched over ready to kill his friends, "Why is this happening to me? Make it stop."

A maniacal laughter left his mouth.

"Vae Victis!" Xavier screamed as he leapt at his Friends.

"Make it stop please some body, make it stop."

Xavier didn't make it half the distance before he fell to the ground unconscious. Every one looked up from the unconscious Xavier to see a very terrified Morgan backing away from Xavier's limp body. No one bothered to ask her where she had gotten the branch she had clubbed him with.

"I didn't know what else to do." She tried to explain as she backed further away.

Every one surrounded the limp Xavier, not knowing what to make of anything any more.

Leo looked at Drake and Ashlin before he spoke.

"I thought I was coming to help you guys fight this Sephiroth and his devastating army. I get a quarter of a mile from this cave and all the sudden the sky fills with black voids. And just as suddenly as they appeared, they disappear. I finally make it to you guys only to witness Xavier trying to kill every one. Now I ask you two, in the name of every thing holy what the hell happened here."

Drake sighed deeply, Leo needed to know. Locking gazes with "Z" Drake gave a little nod towards Morgan. Drake watched as both "Z" and Coss lead Morgan away from the group. Drake faced Leo and the rest of G.o.V.

"Well what happened here?"

Drake and Ashlin started to tell the story as best they could. When came to what happened in the cave before they arrived they told of every thing they had been told. It took them a bit to finish the end of the story.

"Well, with a story like that, I would have gone crazy too." Leo said looking down on the still unmoving form of Xavier.

"You need to get him out of here, as well as that piece of shit Dami'tu."

By this time every one had gathered around Xavier again.

"What was it he said before Morgan knocked him out?" "Z" asked.

Drake watched as the members of G.o.V shifted uneasily. It was Odogg that finally broke the silence.

"Vae Victis. Woe to the conquered."

A FEW HOURS LATER

"Ok, let's go over this one more time." Headmaster Leonheart said not truly believing what he had heard.

"Yeah, especially the part where Ashlin gets his ass kicked by a 90lbs "Z". I don't think that will ever get old." Ava said laughing.

Ashlin glared daggers at Ava.

Drake rolled his eyes at the two of them before he went in to his telling of the events for a third time that day. It took a few hours for the story to be told. He made sure to take his time and give as much detail as possible. Ava filled in the parts Drake was not personally there for. Finally the story was done. Nothing more could be said, even if they were to try. Squall sighed deeply as he put the final touches on his memos for the event, and turned his computer aside.

"I am at a loss here guys. We were lead by the hand in to a trap, and like fools we walked right in."

Drake and Ashlin started to protest, but Squall just waved it aside.

"It never occurred to us that Xiedie was the reason that Xavier was acting the way he was. Honestly none of us could even begin to imagine that she would be capable of any thing like this. In hind site it was perfect though. Xiedie needs this Shyri for some yet to be discovered reason, and Xavier was the only person with any kind of connection to her. We won't even mention that he was just as adamant about finding her as Xiedie was. The difference being that Xavier just wanted to find his long-lost friend, possibly the most important person to him."

Drake and Ashlin could not keep quiet at that.

"No, she is the most important person to him, and they are more than just friends."

"That not with standing. She has driven Xavier off the deep end, and has gotten her hands on this girl."

"Shyri, her name is Shyri, and she is just as much an innocent in this as any other of Xiedie's victims. I think we can at least show both her and Xavier a little respect by not treating her as some object of mass destruction." Ashlin said flatly.

"Do you know what Xiedie wanted her for Ashlin, I sure don't?"

"I don't think she even knows what Xiedie wants her for only that she has looked for her, for her entire life."

"Do any of us know what it is she can do?"

Every one was silent as they personally recalled every thing they had ever heard about her, and what they had seen.

"Well we know that she trained under Xavier. Every thing he knows, she knows. However, her magic leans towards the healing arts. She also has the ability to create illusions."

Squall looked at the group not believing what he was hearing.

"There is no way you can sit here and tell me that Xiedie has hunted this girl for twenty some odd years for healing and illusionary abilities. No there is something else we are not seeing. I would be willing to bet that Shyri doesn't even know what she has been hunted for."

The silence was heavy in the air as the group stood there thinking. No one could think of any thing that was help full. Drake couldn't take the silence any more.

"Is there any news on Xavier's condition?"

Squall got a sad far away look in his face.

"There is no change in Xavier's condition, and I wouldn't recommend visiting him either. There is no telling if or when he will snap again."

The three members of Team X-treme hung there heads.

"For the moment you guys are without him, and I am appointing Drake team leader."

Drakes head hung lower.

"I understand. I must full fill my responsibilities as the second in command. I graciously accept my duty as the acting leader of Team X-treme, but only until Xavier comes back."

Squall stood up and walked around his desk till he was standing in front of Drake.

"He will be fine son, and you will do fine. Now why don't you get you and your team some rest? However keep them ready, we don't know when that bitch will strike again."

Drake just nodded his head and turned to leave, Ashlin and Ava on his heals.

SOME PLACE DARK

He was falling. He knew he should be worried about it, but he really didn't care any more. He had fallen so many times, as well as fallen so far that it didn't matter. What was a little farther to him? Nothing, that's what it meant, absolutely nothing. He would just enjoy his decent.

All at once he landed heavily on his feet. When he looked up he was in some strange dark chamber. There were various books and other miscellaneous stuff lying around. He didn't know what to make of his surroundings. So he just looked around some more.

All at once a light illuminated a tall wooden panel that was just suspended in the air. Slowly he walked up to it, noticing the entire time that it was slightly swaying. There also seemed to be muffled crying sounds coming from the other side of it. With one hand Xavier reached out to the panel and gave it a slight nudge.

He was not ready for what he saw, or what happened. Two things happened at once as the panel spun to face Xavier. He was horror-struck by what he saw, and he was hurled across the room. Unseen forces held Xavier against an unseen wall as the love of his life was held fast, naked and bleeding, to the panel.

"SHYRI!"

"Xavier, help me!"

His heart shattered at the sound of her crying, trembling voice.

"SHYRI, WAIT FOR ME, I'LL SAVE YOU!"

"I would certainly like to see you try."

Xavier snapped his head so fast in the direction of John Onikage that sweat flew from his brow.

"If you harm her I swear I will kill you slowly."

Onikage just laughed at Xavier as he roughly grouped the naked Kitsune girl pinned to the plank.

"Xavier, please."

Xavier started to tremble uncontrollably in his rage. His rage melted to terror as Shyri gave another cry when Onikage started to run his tongue from her mid rift to her breasts. Xavier only conciliation was that Shyri passed out before Onikage got to her upper body.

With an unexpected burst of rage Xavier broke free of his restraints

"I told you John he wouldn't be held there very long."

He watched as Sephiroth walked around the plank to stand behind Onikage.

"He doesn't need to be held Sepie. He needs to be killed. Look he is trembling in fear at the sight of us standing here in front of his precious girl friend."

It wasn't fear that was causing Xavier to tremble, it was rage. With out thought of consequence Xavier charged the men. He moved so fast Onikage didn't have time to react to Xavier kicking him three times in the face. While still in the air Xavier flipped over Catching Onikage under the arm for a mid-flight hip toss, and pulled the sword strapped to Onikage back.

He watched as Sephiroth neatly ducked under the flying body of Onikage and pulled Masimune in the same motion. In a sane state of mind Xavier would have avoided this fight at all costs. However sanity was not on the menu today and Xavier was all over Sephiroth like stink on shit. It was just too bad that not a single attack got through.

Xavier ducked under a slash from Sephiroth only to come face to foot with his boot. tumbling end over end, Xavier came to a sudden stop when he hit a wall.

"For once I think you are right John. This one must die."

Together they advanced on the slumped over Xavier. They didn't make it very far before twin bolts of lightning threw them back across the room. No one knew how Eric Masters got into the room, but it really didn't matter. He stood protectively over Xavier daring them to come closer.

"Why don't you call your dogs off Xiedie and show you're self."

Xiedie walked out from behind the plank. Sephiroth and Onikage both sheathed their swords and stood down.

"Why Odin, you haven't been this demanding of me since we said our vows."

Eric threw his swallow into the ground and crossed his arms.

"Lets cut the crap, dear, you are going too far now. You have already broken the boy. His future is unsure, and still you want to torment him."

Xiedie shrugged her shoulders almost looking innocent.

"I just want to make sure your champion stays away from my daughter."

Eric was starting to lose his cool.

"The only way you will keep these two apart is if you kill one of them. You won't kill her, because you need her for something. And I won't let you kill him"

Xiedie just smiled.

"I see that after so long your temper is still the same. Such fire, such passion."

"YOU WILL NOT HARM HIM!"

Xiedies cool did fail.

"WE SHALL SEE THUNDER GOD!"

The illusion vanished. Xiedie and crew were once again in her chamber. Xiedie took several deep breaths to calm her self.

"Well that went well."

Xiedie turned on John and hurled him into a wall.

"If you ever touch my daughter like that again, I will kill you. You will be sent to such a level of hell that even I will not be able to bring you back."

Sephiroth stopped long enough to sneer at John.

"Saw that coming too."

The sound of Sephiroth's laughter could be heard throughout Xiedie's castle.

BACK AT GARDEN

Eric Master opened his eyes. Looking once around the room to make sure no one was watching or listening, he made his way over to Xavier's side.

"You can open your eyes son, I know you're awake."

He watched as the restrained youth turned his head ever so slightly away from him.

"I don't want to open my eyes; they have been opened for way too long."

Eric had no response. There was nothing he could say.

"I truly have lost every thing haven't I?"

Again Eric didn't answer.

"I have lost my friends, my team, and my sanity. More importantly I have lost Shyri. I had her in my arms, and I let her go. I didn't even try to stop Sephiroth. Just "Here Sepie have her, I don't want her. Why thank you Xavier. And for your time, efforts, and troubles I'll hit you with sin harvest again. Oh but don't you fret I'll leave Xiedie's son here for you to beat on. By the way when he snaps he'll break your Gunblade and push you over the edge as well." Did I miss any thing?"

Eric hung his head as he felt Xavier's eyes turn to him.

"No you pretty much got it all in one monologue. How ever your imitation of Sephiroth needs work. Also none of the events after your reunion with Shyri was your fault. You were led by the hand into a blatantly obvious trap. However because the bait was so tempting you didn't notice the sings of the trap till it was sprung."

Eric looked deep into Xavier's eyes before he spoke next.

"Had it just been Dami'tu you would have won. However because she also sent her little guard dog you stood no chance."

Xavier closed his eyes again as tears started to fall down his cheeks. Eric didn't want to force Xavier; the boy needed time to heal. But he needed to make a choice, and he needed to make that choice soon.

"I am going now son, you think long and hard on what I said. Think about what you seen in the vision as well. They are expecting you to fail. I know you. You have never just lie down and let an enemy walk all over you. When ever you are told you can't do something, you prove just how much they are wrong. Now, Xiedie and her flunkies think you are a done deal. Poof, gone, out of the picture, no longer a threat. I think you have more than one trick left up your sleeve. But first you need to once again find your self. You need to heal your body, mind, and spirit. And now more than ever you have to remember why it is you fight. Why you're the first one in and the last one out. You are more than my intended champion. You are, or were at one point Xavier Lofbrah. It is up to you to find him again. Once you find him again you need to make him stronger. Make him faster, smarter, colder. You need to bring a level of extreme that no one ever expected and than you need to leave it in the dust to become more. She is still out there son, you know it, I know it, and she is waiting for her hero, her champion to come and save her from her captors, her demons. Only if you lay here will you have failed not only your friends and team mates, but her as well."

Eric left Xavier's bed side and made his way to the door. Before he left he looked one more time at the shadow of a man lying in the bed.

"You have a decision to make, and I expect you to make it soon."

With that Eric walked out the door and shut it. Xavier cried him self to sleep.

LATER THAT NIGHT

Eric Masters lounged back in the love seat that was next to Squalls desk. He watched as Squall continued to work on his end of day paper work, his mind every where but the place he was.

"What's the matter Eric?"

Eric looked up to see Squall glancing at him from behind his computer monitor.

"This whole thing with Xavier and his team, every thing has gone so wrong. None of us seen this coming, and we should have."

"None of this is your fault Eric. We made a decision to send them. And despite the current forth comings, I still feel they are the best suited for what is still to come."

Eric gave Squall a level stair.

"Would you still think that had I not told you the true origins of Drake and Ava? Would they still be best suited if they weren't lead by my quote, unquote champion?"

Squall had no inelegant answer to give.

"I can't help but feel every thing is my fault. Twice I had the opportunity to kill her, and I didn't. I could have easily killed all her children. Instead I turned three of her five children against her, and than created my own child all for the express reason of finishing her. So how is this not my fault?"

Again Squall had no answer to give.

"So what do you think Xavier will do?"

Eric sat up to look at Squall better.

"He'll leave. He will go to Spira to be with Tidus and them. There the closest thing to a family he has ever known."

Squall thought about this for a moment.

"How long before he goes?"

"It wouldn't surprise me if he has slipped his bonds already and was crawling around the vents now."

Squall looked down at his monitor just as a little message window jumped up with a new job request. Squall opened it up and started to read it.

"Well it looks like he will be able to avoid unpleasant good byes."

Eric arched an eye brow at him.

"Why is that?"

"I just got a job request from Winhill."

Eric's eye brow didn't go down.

"Let Winhill's garden take care of it."

"That would be a little difficult. It was taken out."

"By what?"

"A dragon of some kind. They think it came from Wyvern cliffs."

Eric was speechless. He recovered quickly though.

"So let's get Drake up here and get this mission underway."

AIRDUCTS

Silently he watched as his team slowly filed out of the room. He really wanted to know where they were going, but deep down he knew there was no way he could help them. The war was there problem now, not his. He waited for five minutes after they had left before he started to remove the grating from air duct. With practiced ease he lowered him self down in to the apartment.

Xavier took stock of every thing in one glance. Drake was slipping, the apartment used to be so clean. Silently he made his way into his room and started packing what he absolutely needed. It didn't take him long, and when every thing was said and done all his stuff was neatly in his duffel of holding. He added two more things to his bag before closing it. The first being the glass case holding the special Al Bhed potion Rikku had given him. It also had a group picture of Team X-treme. The second was a black box about the size of two boot boxes stacked on top of each other. This was an emergency object that Ashlin had created and entrusted to him.

Quickly Xavier changed in to some casual cloths and jumped back into the air duct. He hoped his friends would be all right with out him.

NETWORK SECURITY

Drake waited for the elevator to make it down to the portion of the sub basement that Network security was in. Headmaster Leonheart had sent them down here to get more information about the mission. Since details were sketchy at best. Drake was having a hard time believing that a dragon from Wyvern cliffs had gone rogue. He knew his first stop would have to be home in order to get more information.

Slowly the doors parted and Drake was confronted with a jaw dropping sight. Network security was deserted. All the computers, all the desks, all the people were missing. Slowly Drake and Ashlin made their way into the abandon space.

"This isn't supposed to be like this. Is it?"

"No it isn't. These people never sleep, let alone pick up and move."

They had made it about a hundred paces into the space, checking every office and cubicle with the same result, before they found something.

"What is that?"

Ashlin looked at the thing Drake was pointing at. Carefully he approached the Device looking for any thing that might give a clue. It was a black cylinder about three feet tall and a foot wide. Standing dead center of it was a P.D.A. displaying a digital count down.

"Oh that, that my friend is a bomb."

Ashlin casually started to walk away.

Drake gave the thing a funny look for all of two heart beats before he turned around and started running, Ashlin doing the same thing several yards a head. The explosion wasn't big. In fact the only indication to those above grounds that there even was one was a slight tremor.

Ashlin groaned as he shoved a collapsed cubical wall off of him self. Dusting off he surveyed the damage.

"Well that was certainly fun. I got to remember to let you take me places more often."

"Oh you're a fine one to talk Ash. Most people when they recognize a bomb usually scream "AH BOMB! BOMB, BOMB RUN FOR COVER!" Not you though, you're like "Oh hey look a bomb." Than you just sashay away like it is a common occurence to find a bomb in the middle of a high security area."

They both stopped bitching at each other long enough to look around again.

"Speaking of that we are still missing about a hundred and seventy-five security people, including Mr. Almasy."

Drake stopped looking around.

"Lets just go, there is nothing else to see down here."

GARDEN ROOF

Xavier watched as the Garden air ship streaked away. He knew his team was in it heading to the Wyvern cliffs. Carefully he made his way down to the balcony outside of Headmaster Leonheart's office. What he needed was in there.

Silently the balcony door opened, and Xavier slipped in. Careful not to disturb any thing Xavier made his way to the far corner where the shift gate was. Grabbing a handful of the sheet that was covering up the gate, Xavier gave a mighty tug. The shift gate was in its dormant mirror like state for all of a few seconds before it flared to life.

"I'm surprised that you didn't have a go at the coffee pot while you were at it Xavier."

Xavier didn't even look over at the god that was sitting on the love seat.

"This late at night I doubt that it is even good."

"So where are you going Xavier?"

"Do you even need to ask, Odin?"

"No, but I could be wrong for once."

Xavier looked into the swirling depths of the shift gate. He didn't have to look to know that Odin had gotten up and was walking towards him.

"How long are you going to be gone?"

"As long as I need to be."

Xavier felt something brush up against his leg. Looking down he recognized the standard issue carrying case for a gun blade.

"I don't need that."

"You might."

"I don't even know how to fix it."

"You could learn. It might help you."

Xavier finally did look at Eric.

"Four pieces or Four million, it makes no difference. I can't wield it to save my life or any one else's."

"That is something else you are going to have to work on as well. Who knows maybe when it is fixed; it will be stronger than it was before."

Xavier smirked at Eric.

"Are you talking about me, or my gun blade?"

"Pick one son. But do me a favor, while you're in Spira try not to spend too much time on the beach or in the arms of Rikku."

Xavier had to smirk again.

"Don't you mean in her bed?"

"Arms, bed it makes no difference. You will be distracted from what you need to do."

"Maybe that's what I need more than any thing else. Just not be tied down to any thing any more."

Xavier looked into the swirling vortex of the gate and hung his head. Odin was right of course. He needed his gun blade, but he wanted to go. He needed to get better so that he could save Shyri. Xavier's head snapped up. There was a way to spare her some of the pain she was in.

"I will take it with me, but I need you to do me one last favor."

"What do you need son?"

"I need you to take me in to Shyri's mind, like she always went in to mine."

Eric gave him a funny look.

"Why?"

"I know a technique that will help her save at least the core of her self."

Eric was taken aback.

"You know how to partition your mind?"

Xavier nodded his head.

"Than how in the hell did you fall into her trap?" Eric yelled.

Xavier shrugged.

"No don't you dare shrug your shoulders at me pretending you don't know what I am talking about."

"I don't know. It wasn't her voice; it wasn't John or Sepie's voice either."

"Who's voice was it than?"

"My own."

Eric was struck speechless. The silence stretched out uncomfortably long.

"Lets get this over than. I hope you can save her son."

Xavier sat down on the floor with Eric right across from him. Contact was instantaneous.

SHYRIS MIND SCAPE

Xavier looked around at the horror that was Shyri's mind. Every where he turned he saw another scrap of the abuse she endured her entire life. Off in the distance Xavier could see the proverbial ray of light.

"Well that's as good as place as any."

Xavier took off at a flat-out run towards the pillar of light. It didn't take him long to reach the light, and the sights he saw wanted him to through him self off the highest cliff. The hurt he felt when he passed through the memory of her tails splitting into four still fresh on his mind. What he saw when he entered the light made him stop?

In side the light was a scene right from his child hood. He would never forget the clearing next to the slow-moving creak in the woods by Beartree. Apparently neither had she.

Sitting next to the creek was a vision of him holding a crying vision of her. With out a doubt the vision of her was the real inner her. It didn't take much for him to take over the vision of himself.

"I knew you would come."

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long."

He just sat there and let her cry into his shoulder.

"You can't stay; she is going to try again to take over my body. I don't want her to hurt you any more."

"She can't hurt me any more than she already has. Nothing she could do would hurt as much as all the times I should have been there for you and wasn't, because of her."

Xavier ran a hand over her four tails so she knew exactly what he meant.

"I forgive you that Xavier."

"I don't. I promised I would be there for you."

Her lips found his, and they drank each other in. They both wished it would never end. However it was over all too soon. There was work to be done.

"Why are you here Xavier?"

"I know a technique that can help you at least a bit."

"What is it?"

"I am going to partition your mind."

She gave him the funniest look.

"I am going to take the core of your being, I am assuming that this is what I am talking to right now and lock it away deep in your subconscious."

"You're going to lock my soul away? Why?"

"So that even though she may control your body, she will never control you. I am than going to use some of our combined life essence to tether it to your body so that it can't be removed with out rendering your body totally useless."

Shyri snuggled her head deeper into his chest, and kissed his neck before she spoke again.

"Will it hurt?"

"I don't know."

Xavier gently brought there fore heads together and started the process. It didn't take long to separate her soul from the rest of her body. Creating the impenetrable construct he put it in took even longer. When all was said and done he was standing alone in the middle of her mind scape holding a glowing ball about the size of a soft ball.

Xavier carefully did the necessary hand seals to bring forth a strand of her life force. He repeated the process one more time to bring forth some of his as well. Merging the two together he tethered the ball to her being and buried it in her subconscious.

Xavier took one last look around, and was once again at garden.

"That was a very dangerous thing you did Xavier."

"I know, but it had to be done. This way she dare not hurt her."

"I hope your right Xavier."

Xavier stood up and grabbed his duffel and sword case.

"I have to go. There is nothing left for me to do here."

Xavier turned to the shift gate and started towards it.

"Please watch over my team Eric, I shouldn't be too long."

"Don't worry about them, they should be fine."

Xavier stepped into the shift gate.

SPIRA, BESAID ISLAND

With a bright flash Xavier found himself in front of Besaid village. It didn't take long for a welcoming crew to come out and greet him. He wasn't surprised to see Tidus, Yuna, or Wakka coming to see what was going on.

"Who goes there?"

"Don't get your shorts in a wad, Tidus, it is just me."

Every one just looked at him weird. For effect Xavier held his hands out at the side and turned around slowly.

"There satisfied?"

"Holy shit it is Xavier."

"My god what happened to you, yah?"

Xavier hung his head; he really didn't feel like playing twenty questions.

Yuna walked up to Xavier and wrapped her arms around him. Xavier returned his friend's hug, happy that she too wasn't bombarding him with questions as well.

"Welcome home Xavier."

"It is good to be home Yuna. Where are Rikku, Lulu, and Paine?"

Tidus and Wakka grabbed Xavier's stuff as he started to walk in to the village with Yuna.

"Rikku and Lulu are inside by the fire pit, Paine is in Luca."

Xavier nodded his head.

"Rikku will be happy to see you again."

"It will be good to see her again as well"

"So why are you here "X"."

Xavier looked over his shoulder at Tidus.

"Well..."

WYVREN CLIFFS, CENTRA

Drake knew something was wrong as soon as he stepped off the air ship. By no means was Wyvern cliffs ever a jumping tourist hot spot. However morgues had more life in them than the streets of his home town right now. Drake didn't notice "Z" walk up to him he was so wrapped up in his thoughts.

"This isn't supposed to be like this is it Drake."

"No, it isn't."

Drake slowly made his way into town checking every thing as he went. There were no people to speak of as he went desperately searching for any kind of life, any at all. When he got to his friend Stanley's black smith shop his heart shattered, and all hope left him. Stanly the old lunatic was dead, pinned to his own anvil by unforged iron bars. He really must have pissed the people off who had done this to him for one bar had been stabbed through his yet open mouth. He barely heard the gasp of "Z" when she saw the sight. He was even less aware of shrugging off Ashlin's comforting hand as he charged out of the shop. He was completely oblivious to bowling over "Tech" and "Clip".

He was so wrapped up in getting to his family that he wasn't even aware that he had left the team in the dust of his jump. He was aware of nothing till he came to a crashing land in front of the cave he had spent his childhood in. Drake charged into his home, spear drawn, not knowing what to expect anymore.

The door to Lady Scarlet's personal set of chambers nearly exploded as her youngest son came charging in. She was not surprised to see him, or see him upset. In fact her heart nearly exploded with pride at her youngest Sons righteous anger as his gaze swept the chamber. She watched as he came to a sudden stop in front of her and immediately dropped to a knee in front of her.

"Mother I have come home seeking answers for a mission, only to find my home in ruin and its people dead."

Scarlet's expression had not changed since she had felt him land, hence why she was already in her dragoon form instead of her true dragon form. Her face was expressionless as she approached her yet kneeling son. Nor did it change when his team mates came rushing in while she still approached.

"Raise my son, and look your mother in the face." Scarlet said placing a hand under her sons chin to better see his face as he rose to stand well taller than her dragoon form.

Finally her expression did change as she through her arms around him.

"My Drake, my son, I am so happy that you are alive and doing well." She said smiling through her tears.

"Mother what has happened to the Cliffs. Who has done this to our home?"

"I do not know son, Gregory and I were not here. However Leslie was."

"Where is she now?"

"She is up where you took your last fall."

Drake kissed his mother once on each cheek and turned to his team.

"Ashlin with me, the rest of you stay here with the Lady Scarlet. Protect her, and get any information you can from her."

Ava grabbed Drake by the arm as he walked by her.

_"Are you out of your fucking mind Drake? You not only want us to protect, but also question a full dragon. And not just any dragon but a ruby dragon."_She whispered harshly under her breath

""Yeah, but you don't have to question her, just talk to her. I would be willing to bet she would like that even."

Drake walked past Ava giving her a pat on the shoulder in the process. Ava just stood there mouth slightly agape as she watched "Z" and Drew start talking to the high dragon with out a care in the world.

PATH UP THE CLIFF

"You know, if I didn't know you better Drake I would swear you had it out for poor little Ava."

"No not really, my mother is quite the conversationalist."

"You know what I mean. Did you see how white she got at the thought of entertaining a dragon?"

Drake smirked.

"I know right. I just hope she remembers her manors"

Their conversation ended as they came to a flat. There laying on the ground in her true form was Leslie, sunning herself

"It is good to see you again Leslie."

The dragon opened an eye and looked right at them.

"I knew you would come Drake."

All at once she was enveloped in flame. When it cleared Leslie was in her dragoon form. Still lying on the ground, and as beautiful as she was nude. Drake and Ashlin turned around so fast they almost fell over each other.

"Oh stop it you two, you act like you have never seen a naked woman before"

"You're my sister."

Ashlin said nothing as he tried to not think of the breath-taking sight behind him.

"Very beautiful sights you grew up with. Both out there and back there." Ashlin said pointing in front of and behind him.

"Oh shut up."

"Ok guys you can turn around."

"I think we will just go and wait for you by mother."

With that Drake grabbed Ashlin by the arm and dragged him with back down the mountain.

A SHORT TIME LATTER

After about an hour of story telling team X-treme had a good idea of what happened. To make it even worst the more the dragons talked the more convinced Drake was that Team John was behind the whole thing.

"Drake."

Drake came back to his senses.

"Yeah."

"As I was telling your friends after they got done killing every one they broke the seals on Tiamat's prison."

Drake felt really sick to his stomach. He had a hard enough time believing that even the Johns were capable of the crimes that they had committed, but to release the most evil dragon ever was unthinkable.

"Where is Gregory?"

"He took off after the culprits, they were headed towards Winhill. He is not strong enough to defeat them though. He is especially nowhere near the level necessary to defeat Tiamat."

Drake got up making to leave.

"Wait son, we have something to give to you."

Drake faced his mother and sister. He was surprised that they both had one of their wings in hand.

"Remove your armor son."

Drake knew better than to question his mother. She was infinitely smarter than he was. As quickly as he could Drake stripped out of his upper armor.

"The pants too Drake."

Drake blushed.

"Ashlin take the team out side and wait for me, this could take a while."

Ashlin shrugged and headed out.

"Wait why are we leaving?" "Z" asked as Ava ushered her out.

"You don't want to know." Ava said glaring at Drake.

"What was that all about Drake?"

"He has been acting really modest mother, and I don't know why."

Drake hung his head and dropped his pants around his ankles.

The lady Scarlet looked at her son in disgust. While Leslie's eyes got as big as base balls.

"Drake Gryphonis, why are you not Wareing under pants?"

"I don't know mom he looks rather good."

"Oh shut up." Both Drake and Scarlet said at the same time.

Drake was more than a little nervous as his mother and sister approached him.

"Drake we are going to strengthen the spells in your legs, as well as add a spell to your back."

Drake gave his mother and sister funny looks.

"Do I want to know what you're going to do to my back?"

Scarlet walked behind her son and looked at the scars where his wings had once been.

"You will just have to find out Drake."

"I trust you mother, but I really need to know what you are doing. I have no time to wait for my body to reconfigure, and adjust the way it did last time."

"I don't mean to be so cryptic about it Drake, I really don't. However I don't know how this spell will affect you. It is just a hunch, and it won't be complete till you get a set from Gregory as well. He will know what we have done as soon as he sees you."

What ever Drake was going to say to his mother and sister was dead on his lips as Scarlet put her youngest son into a deep dreamless sleep.

HOURS LATTER, WINHILL

It had been hours since his mother and sister had done there magic to him. For all intents and purposes Drake felt no different. Sure his legs were a little stiff and his upper back burned a bit, but other than that he felt fine. They were about to land in Winhill, and from the looks of it they weren't going to have a pleasant visit.

Once on the ground it didn't take long to survey the crater that was Winhill Garden, or find the missing air ship. More disturbing than that they were missing was the fact that the path of destruction left by team John was entirely way to easy to follow. Unfortunately it leads right in to town. It also didn't take to long for them to follow their trail to a bar.

As they approached the busted door it was clear that there was more than just team John in the bar. Drake tried to peak his head around the corner. But it was no use. Drake gave a sigh and shook his head.

"What are we waiting for? Let's kick those Johns asses." "Z" said in a strained whisper.

"We can't just go barging in all gun-ho "Z". We aren't even sure it is the Johns in there."

"Hey Johna why don't you wiggle that little ass of yours behind the bar and get us some more beer." Big John bellowed as if just to prove Drake wrong.

"Get it your self you chauvinist pig." They heard Johna reply

"Z" arched an eyebrow at Drake and gestured towards the door.

"No we still don't know exactly who is all in there now do we."

"No we don't, and it doesn't matter."

"Yes it does, we don't know if it just the Johns in there or if they have Mi'ihen in there or if they have Tiamat in there as well."

""X" would have rushed in there and dealt with the situation as it unfolded."

"And look where that kind of recklessness has gotten him."

All at once Drake found himself lying on his back looking at the sky, as well as a whole bunch of shiny stars. Slowly he got to a sitting position with "Z" towering over him.

"How dare you speak about your best friend that way Drake. He was and still is ten times the leader you will ever be."

"Do you want to lead this team "Z"?"

"Yes I do."

"Well... you can't. I'm the team leader. Not you, not Ash, not "X" but me. And I think we need to know what we are getting our selves in to. Now give me some god-damned aspirin so I can think straight."

"Why?"

"YOU PUNCHED ME WOMAN! I HAVE A HEADACHE AND MY JAW HURTS!"

"WELL YOU ASKED FOR IT YOU SCALY SON-OF-A-BITCH!"

"Well, well, what do we have here?"

Drake sighed deeply as he looked at his team mates standing in front of him looking behind him.

"Wait! Don't tell me. Siefer is behind me."

"Dose he ware all black and a white trench coat?" Ashlin asked.

"Yes."

"Than yes. As well as the rest of team John and a really ugly dragoon."

"Yeah, this is going to be good. I can see it now. My obituary will read here lays Drake Gryphonis, he failed his first mission as team leader for yelling at his team mates' right in front of the enemies."

"Are you quite done Drake?"

"I don't know Mr. Almasy that really depends on you."

"Oh is that so?"

"We have been ordered to bring you and your team back to Garden for questioning. You have also released a Notorious Dragon that must be resealed on the Island closest to hell."

The Dragoon laughed.

"I would like to see you try half-breed."

Drake sniffed at Tiamat and looked back at Siefer.

"The choice is yours to make Mr. Almasy."

"Remember knight, your mistress demands their destruction."

Siefer nodded his head and drew Hyperion.

Drake sighed and looked behind Siefer and Tiamat to the rest of Team John.

"Team John, you have been ordered by your commanding officer to stand down and return to Garden for questioning."

Jon stepped around his team mates and walked right up to Drake. The two of them locked gazes for a few seconds before Jon spat in Drakes face.

"You can go and fuck your self Drake, we have a new commander."

"Your choices have been made than?"

Team John didn't say anything. Instead they full-out charged Team X-treme. The attack was so sudden that only Drake, Ashlin, and "Z" were ready for it. Every one else was left for back up.

Jon's great sword did all the speaking Drake needed to under stand from him. Drake had to confess he was mildly impressed with Jon's abilities since the last time he fought him. Over and over again he tried to get into the air, and repeatedly Jon didn't give him a chance.

Drake lunged and parried with his spear as best he could. However it was just no match for Jon's great sword. He honestly didn't know how many more direct hits it could take before it was cut in two. Out of desperation Drake gave a vicious stomping like kick to Jon's chest that sent him sprawling. Drake immediately crouched and jumped. Only to be caught by the ankle less than three feet off the ground and whip snapped back down. The impact made Drakes teeth rattle and his head spin even more.

AT THE SAME TIME

"IS THIS THE BEST THAT GARDEN COULD SEND AFTER US?" Big John laughs as he continued to spray the area with untold amounts of bullets. Drew ducked behind a partly destroyed wall as she was reloading.

"Well this certainly is a lot of fun."

Drew jumped she wasn't aware that "Clip" had been there too.

"What do we do?"

"No clue really"

"Clip" took that second to quickly pop up over the wall and fire off a shot, than ducked down again.

"Christ, how many shells does he have?"

"His gun is energy based like mine, but his energy pack is bigger."

"Clip" fired again.

"How many shots do you get?"

"About thirty."

"Clip" swore a few oaths.

"So he has like 300,000."

"Something like that."

All at once a grenade landed by them. With out thought they jumped over the wall. Big John was laughing again.

"You two really suck. A white mage gunner and a Red mage gunner against me. I'm insulted."

Suddenly Big John was thrown into the air by a tornado. Drew and "Clip" looked around to find "Tech"

"Thought you guys could use a hand."

"About time "Tech"!"

"Tech" shrugged.

YET STILL AT THE SAME TIME

"Z" ducked under yet another spell that had been thrown at her. She would have thought that Johna would have run out of manna by now. However her attacks kept on coming.

"Ava please tell little Miss Ray of light is about out of magic."

Ava had to duck under a similar spell.

"I am going to have to say no. She has learned a few new tricks since the last time I saw her."

Johna raised her hand and scattered a firaga spell in every direction.

"Z" and Ava dove for cover.

"Well that certainly is a new trick."

"Ava, this no time to be admiring her!"

AND STILL

Siefer and Ashlin stood glaring each other down as chaos rained down around them.

"This is not your fight Ashlin."

"Your right it isn't."

Hyperion and Kuroaki met each other twice in the air.

"Than why are you still here Ashlin? I am to understand that you refuse to align your self with any military organization."

"Is that what Sephiroth told you?"

Siefer back stepped one kick and jumped over another. Ashlin deflected a fire spell and countered a slash.

"It is. So again I ask why are you still here Ashlin?"

"I owe it to my friend to keep his team together."

"How sweat."

Ashlin and Siefer circled each other trading one vicious blow after another.

"That and the team has grown on me, they are my friends as well."

"So why don't you just get the Team X-treme secret decoder ring and become a member of garden."

"Because Siefer I believe in something greater than my self."

Hyperion and Kuroaki met in a blade tie up. Ashlin and Siefer leaned in heavily on their weapons to add more pressure to the tie up.

"And what would that be Ashlin? A better world, a world without sin?"

"Please. I believe in friend ship, loyalty, and the consumption of large quantities of beer."

"You are no warrior Ashlin."

The blade tie up broke with no one gaining the upper hand. Ashlin pointed Kuroaki at Siefer.

"I am more of warrior than you will ever be, and more of a warrior than you have ever faced."

Siefer pointed Hyperion at Ashlin.

"Than don't hold back son give me every thing you got."

Siefer wasn't ready for what he got.

BACK TO DRAKE

As impressive as Jon had gotten with his great sword, it was still no match for the years of dedicated training Drake had with his spear. Nor did he have the stamina that Drake did either. With a quick shift his body and a whirl of his spear he had caused Jon to over swing and pinned the great sword to the ground.

"What now Drake? There is nothing you can do from here."

Drake stomped down hard on Jon's foot, while at the same time driving his elbow in to the bridge of his nose. Jon fell to the ground out of it. Drake didn't relax though he immediately turned to face Tiamat, only to be bull rushed by the rogue dragon. Drake went flying through the bar wall and landed right on top of an equally unconscious Gregory.

"You had no hope of contending with me mutt."

BACK BY CLIP AND THEM

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, TRIGGER HAPPY!"

It was "Big" Johns turn to dodge and weave. He had kept them suppressed for a good long time. He had even managed to repulse a few of "Techs" summons. "Clip" Taking one in the leg caused Drew to limit, and that was all the opening "Tech" needed.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, BLITZ RUSH!"

Tech rushed in on "Big" John all kicks, and fists. A back flip kick found "Big" John in the air, a barrage of bullets kept him there. A rising upper cut continued the assault from "Tech". He used that momentum to continue laying into "Big" John. As he reached the peak of their upward momentum "Tech" gathered his rage to his feet.

"LIMIT BREAK, DRAGON KICK!"

"Tech" flipped over and brought the heal of his boot down on the bridge of "Big" Johns nose. John never would remember hitting the ground.

A BATTLE OF SPELLS

"Z" landed hard on the ground. She didn't have to look to know that the wind spell she had just been hit with had cut open her side.

"AVA, DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS BITCH!"

Ava dodged a similar spell.

"AND WHAT EXACTLY WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO?"

"Yes Ava, what are you going to do against me? You have never been as strong as me."

Ava whirled around and cast a firaga spell at Johna.

"No skill."

Johna sent the spell right back at Ava.

Ava was forced to once again move out of the way of a spell.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, MAGIC FURRY!"

It was Johna's turns to dodge spells as Ava cast spell after spell at her till there was nothing left to cast, and Ava passed out.

"I told you, you were no match for me."

"It doesn't matter if she was or not, she was just distracting you."

Johna turned around just in time to get hit by a large black ball of energy. Johna's scream wasn't heard over the roar of the black ball as it blasted her in to oblivion.

"Limit break, Neo-black-death."

"Z" her self lapsed into oblivion

TIAMAT

It hadn't taken long for the dragoons to come to and immediately go after Tiamat.

"Alone you were no match for me on my worst day as an infant. Together what do you a pampered brat, and you a spoiled mutt hope to do against me."

Gregory and Drake picked them selves back up and charged Tiamat again. Half the distance there Gregory leapt into the air, Drake kept charging straight ahead.

"Pathetic."

There at once was a bright flash as an energy spear suddenly materialized and swatted Drake away like a bug. With a quick step back he also avoided Gregory's attack. Quickly Tiamat lashed out and grabbed Gregory by the collar, punching him in the face several times.

"You spoiled..."

SMACK

"..Self righteous..."

WHACK

"... Stuck up..."

SMACK

"... Son of a false queen!"

Gregory went flying back into the bar once again. Tiamat started gathering dark energy into his hands, and didn't stop till he had a good-sized ball.

"Now die, and bother me no more. FINAL ATTACK, CHAOS FLARE!"

The ball of curtain death screamed in Gregory's direction and surely would have finished him, Had Drake not jumped in the path at the last second. Drake's upper body armor disintegrated from the sheer brutality of the attack, and was hurled back into Gregory.

"Oh for the love of... THIS HAS GONE ON LONG ENOUGH!"

With a bright flash of swirling black fire Tiamat's dragoon form melted away to show his true dragon form.

"LOOK ON ME AND DISPARE HUMANS FOR I WILL BE THE END OF YOU ALL, AND THEN NOTHING WILL STOP THE DARK QUEEN FROM DISTROYING THIS WORLD, AND THE NEXT!"

"Oh will you just shut up."

Tiamat arched his great ugly head down to look at a very defiant looking Team X-treme.

"Very nicely put "Z". I bet that didn't piss him off at all."

"I hope it did."

Tiamat sneered.

BACK IN THE BAR

It didn't take long for Gregory to realize what had been done to Drakes back, and without hesitation he added two of his own scales to the scars. He also thought it might be a good idea to put one more scale next to the ones he had previously put in Drakes arms.

"Now go my brother, and bring about the end of this monster."

With that Gregory slapped a phoenix down on Drakes chest and lapsed into oblivion.

TIAMAT ONE MORE TIME

"I think you might have actually pissed him off "Z" Ashlin said hand springing over Tiamat's tail to avoid it.

"That was the intent. FINISHING TECHNIQUE, A DIFFRANT BEAT!"

The move didn't have the desired effect of lifting him in to the air, how ever Tiamat did spit out a tooth.

"Yeah defiantly pissed him off." "Z" said as she dodged and flipped away from several successive bite attacks.

"What is the matter child? Why don't you be a good girl and come and sit in my mouth"

"Not happening, I aim to misbehave."

"Z" dodged really quickly after that one.

"LIMIT BREAK, WRATH OF MAKO!"

The dragon went down hard, but started getting back up again.

"This dragon is really starting to damage my calm."

"Oh come on Ash it isn't that bad. Look even Ava and Drew are having fun."

"Fun, it looks like there limit breaking."

"Looks like fun to me." "Z" said shrugging.

DRAKE

Drake picked himself up off the ground. He didn't know how long he had been out; all he knew was that his back was on fire. From out in the town square He watched as his team got tossed around like a ball. Drake picked up his spear, than as an after thought he picked up Gregory's also. Like a flash Drake ran out of the bar.

Tiamat felt more than he saw Drake coming.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, DRAGOON DANCE!"

Drake's spears whirled and spun as he went through the form his brother had taught him. He easily jumped over a claw swipe and came crashing down spear tips first.

"Insolent little maggot, how dare you defy"

"I defy any one who goes against my mother."

Drake rushed in with a mighty sweep of both spears. However he hit nothing as Tiamat launched him self in to the air.

"I grow tired of this you worms!"

As Tiamat lifted higher and higher in to the air he started to gather his breath weapon. Drake crouched down and gathered all his energy to his legs. There came a loud ripping sound as his leg muscles bulged through his pants, splitting the seams. When Drake finally jumped a large dust cloud was kicked up and he left an indent. How ever with every flap of his wings Tiamat got higher and higher. It was Drakes highest jump ever, but it still wasn't high enough. On instinct Drake bunched up his legs again as if to jump again. With out really knowing why Drake jumped again, and he actually did jump again. Tiamat didn't even notice as Drake went flying past him, he just thought he disappeared.

Drake however still didn't know what was going on but all at once the burning left his back and he found himself above Tiamat. Drake started to free fall. For the briefest of instances Tiamat and Drake locked gazes. With a mighty twist of his body Drake spun around in mid-air and drove his spear into Tiamats neck till there was only enough for him to barely enough for him to hold. With his momentum he swung around and drove Gregory's Spear into the other side of his neck, just as deep.

Tiamat gave a mighty roar as Drake started driving his feet repeatedly into his now exposed neck. Drake gathered as much of his hate and rage as he could with each kick. Over and over he bent him self in half and drove both feet as hard as he could in to Tiamat's neck.

"How dare you attack this peace full town."

KICK

"How dare you try to take away what you had no claim to in the first place!"

KICK

"Who are you to deny these people there right to live!"

KICK, KICK

"How dare you try to kill my friends!"

With one last kick Tiamat flipped over in mid-air and plummeted to the ground.

ON THE GROUND

"Here they come Ash, do something quick!"

"Settle down "Z", I'm working on it."

Ashlin gathered his Mako reserves and launched himself in to the air.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, CLIMB HAZARD!"

Ashlin cut deep and true through one half of Tiamat's neck. Spinning around in mid flight he used the last of his energy to come down the other side.

"FINISHING TECHNIQUE, BRAVER!"

Ashlin landed first followed shortly by Tiamats body. Drake and Tiamats head hit last. All at once black mist enveloped Tiamats body, as well as those of team John.

"Go figure she would collect them all." Drake said yanking his spear from the ground.

"Wow you were so cool Drake!" "Z" said running up and hugging Drake.

Drake was temporarily stunned, but hugged her back none the less.

"He was cool?" Ashlin asked.

"Are you ok Drake?" "Clip" asked running up to Drake.

"Is he ok, I killed the mother fucker?" Ashlin said almost hurt.

"I'm fine but I think our work is about to get a lot harder."

Drake finally realized every one was looking at him.

"What?"

"You mean you really don't know?"

"Know what?"

Ava threw her hands up.

"Oh yeah he just does a really power full spell that kind of sort of wins the fight for us, and he doesn't even know he does it. That's it I'm done trying. I study my ass off and fly boys the one who does the über magic."

Ava continued to bitch as she stormed away. Drake arched an eye brow and pointed in Ava's direction. "Z" walked up to Drake and put a hand on his shoulder knowing full well he was oblivious.

"When you jumped after Tiamat, you stopped in mid-flight and jumped again, which is impossible. But when you double jumped a set of wrath like wings appeared on your back and propelled you higher."

Drake gave "Z" the dumbest look, but deep down he knew full well what had happened. He also knew that as they spoke Xiedie was more than likely resurrecting Tiamat. Drake hung his head and found himself once again wishing that Xavier was back.

SPIRA

Xavier looked over the breath-taking view of the night ocean. He watched as the moon light danced over the waves as they moved in and out. He was feeling better; he was well fed and well-loved here. But he could not eat any thing without tasting her lips. He couldn't go on a walk without seeing her out of the corner of his eye. And every time he was wrapped in Rikku's embrace he would feel her body and hear her moans.

"Just hold on a little longer my love. I will come for you."