Authors notes: Hey everyone. This is my first Fanfic so please tell me any major improvements that could be made. This Fanfiction starts off in plot but then goes off plot completely. All the italics are dreams or flashbacks. R&R please.

Disclaimer: I don't own Star Ocean 3 or any of the characters (apart from the doctor).

Chapter 1- Dragons and Vegetables

"Fayt! Behind you!" Albel shouted to Fayt when he noticed a Tri-Dragon about to sink its claws into Fayts' back. Quickly Fayt spun around, his sword raised, taking two of the dragons three heads off in the process. Fayt then quickly took the dragons' third head off, killing it instantly. Thanking Albels timely warning Fayt wiped the blood off his blade and sheathed it before continuing on his trek through the Mountains of Barr, the rest of his group following closely behind.

Looking around he still couldn't see any signs of the entrance to the cave that would take them through the Urssa Lava Caves and to Crossel. All he could see was sand and rock ad sand and rock. He knew that the rest of his group, mainly Albel and Maria were getting restless after their thirteen hours of walking but instead of turning back he desperately looked for the cave opening. Then he spotted what may be it and began to hurry towards it.

Suddenly Fayt felt a stabbing agony in his lower back followed by a loud scream from behind him. He turned around to see what had struck him but before he could the world went black and he fell into the dirt, blood seeping out his lower back and a Lairon dragon perched on his shoulder blades, roaring.

He tried to open his eyes but couldn't, tried to move his arms but couldn't, tried to move anything but couldn't. All Fayt could do was think and listen to the people talking near where ever he was lying.

"I'm afraid to say that your friend has gone into a state where he cannot move, talk, or even breathe for himself. We call it a 'Vegetable' state. He can probably hear you and understand what you're saying but he cannot answer you or show any recognition that he has heard you," an unfamiliar voice stated from Fayts' left side.

"If he cannot breathe for himself then how can he be alive?" this time a very familiar voice, one who Fayt didn't think cared about him, asked.

"We have him on a life support system. It breathes for him, keeping him alive. But there is a problem. Fayt is unlikely to come back from this condition. In every previous case of this the person hasn't been able to come back and we believe this case will be no different. If it okay with all of you then after a fortnight of being here, we will turn off the life support system. If Fayt is out of this then his lungs will start working again and he will live. If not he will die."

"What are the chances of his lungs working again?" this time it was the voice of Maria that asked the question that everyone was thinking.

"They are less then one percent." The doctor answered, her voice sad and filled with guilt of what she might have to do.

"Then why turn the life support system off! Leave it on and he so he definitely lives!" the shrill voice of Sophia rang out round wherever he was.

"It is not that simple. If his lungs do not work in a fortnight then they will never work again. Fayt would live out his life lying there, not talking, not breathing, just thinking. Forever hearing what you say but not being able to answer. It would be the worst kind of torture. We cannot do that to him." The doctor replied calmly. "Now go, I'm sure you all need sleep."

She then turned around and injected Fayt with a needle that made him instantly fall into a deep asleep. What neither Fayt or the doctor knew was that Albel still watched, silently hoping that Fayt would be okay and not knowing why.

"Albel, why do you always sit here alone eating? Why don't you come and join us inside?" Fayt asked Albel coming to sit next to him on the stone bench where Albel was sitting, looking down at the great rolling Kirlsa ocean. It was a stormy day, therefore the massive waves were whacking against the cliff on which they sat, the spray from it occasionally coming over the top of the cliff and hitting them. The sky was cloudy and the rain would have soaked them if it were not for Fayts umbrella.

Albel turned around to look at Fayt and simple uttered the word "Bah" before walking off. Fayt slowly walked back inside, wishing for once that Albel would talk to him.

"Albel hold still or the wound will get infected." Fayt said, looking up into Albels face. Albel just laughed and pushed Fayt away.

"I can do it myself maggot. No wound can kill Albel Nox." Albel answered.

"Call me by my name Albel! I use yours so why not use mine!" Fayt practically shouted at the blood-loving swordsman. Again Albel just laughed and answered,

"I don't give people inferior to me names." He answered before snatching the bandages and water off Fayt and walked off, laughing evilly.

Albel woke with a start. He'd had the same dream for 3 nights running and he was getting tired of it. Why couldn't he stop thinking about Fayt! It was driving him insane. Stretching he decided to go and look at Fayts room to see if that would stop him thinking about the blue haired boy. He didn't think it would but it may hold a clue to why he kept on thinking about Fayt.

When he was almost there he heard the sound of sobbing coming from Fayts room. He crept up and slowly opened Fayts' door and saw a sight that made his stomach turn from an emotion he had never felt before, jealousy. Sophia was sitting by Fayts bedside, stroking his hair softly and sobbing. She was muttering words to herself and slightly rocking back and forth. There was a soft blue light coming from her fingertips and falling onto Fayt's hair as she stroked. Albel turned and walked away confused, not confused about what Sophia was doing, confused as to why it had made him feel jealous. Suddenly there was a scream coming from the direction of Fayts room. Albel turned and sprinted back before slamming the door open and looking franticly in.

Remember R&R please

-Valmar