Author's note: Not much to say on this one. But I'm really excited for the next one. Plenty of Ashe/Lightning in that one. I need to find room for Serah/Balthier. But I hope this works for now. Enjoy and have fun.

Chapter 11 Leviathan Shard

The 8th fleet of the empire had seized the party and brought them on the flagship once again. Being captured like this almost seemed routine as they were lead through the airship. On the bridge of the ship Judge Ghis stood without his helmet. It laid in front of him on the console, being lightly tapped by his fingers as the party came into view.

"Such a tremendous honour to again be graced with your presence, Majesty," Ghis said smugly, knowing the position he was in.. "You left us with such great dispatch upon our last encounter that I must confess I had begun to worry that we may have given your Majesty some cause for offense."

"Such a heartfelt display of remorse," Ashe responded sarcastically. "Now what is it you want?"

"I want you to give me the Nethicite."Serah found herself gripping the container that Larsa had given her days before. Judge Ghis took note of her hiding it from him. "That is a base imitation! We seek Raithwall's legacy. The ancient relics of the Dynast-King: Deifacted Nethicite." His fierce demeanor changed with a smug look. "Did you not tell them Captain Azelas?"

All eyes of the party turned to Vossler as he walked up to Ashe. Noticeably he was not in chains like the rest. "Majesty, he speaks of the Dawn Shard, that is the Nethicite"

No one said a word for a moment, stunned by this revelation. Basch was the first to say something. "Are you mad, Vossler?"

"If we are to save Dalmasca, we must accept the truth. I will fight this profitless battle no more."

"Captain Azelas has struck a wise bargain,"Ghis continued while everyone was stunned. "In return for the Dawn Shard, the Empire will permit Lady Ashe to reclaim her throne, and the Kingdom of Dalmasca will be restored." He had expected Ashe to say something, but she remained silent. "Think of it. An entire kingdom for a stone. You must admit, 'tis more than a fair exchange."

"Not all of us are easy to control, you know," Lightning said, drawing the Judge's attention to her.

"And when all is said and done, your master will have another pet," Balthier added.

Judge Ghis stared between the two for a moment in silence. Trying to hold back his anger. "Lady Ashe, let us take these two before for the people of Dalmasca. Your Majesty wallows in indecision on peril of their heads." He drew his sword and places it between the sky pirate and gunblade wielder. "And theirs shall be the first to fall"

"Well at least your sword is to the point." Balthier said staring at the judge.

"Even if it couldn't cut us before," Lightning remarked. The Judge's attempt to intimidate them didn't seem to be working.

Ashe came forward with the Dawn Shard, holding it up for Ghis to take it. The Judge sheathed his sword before taking the stone from the princesses hands. He brought the stone up to the light, getting a better look at it. "To think the relics of the Dynast-King were Deifacted Nethicite. Doctor Cid will be beside himself."

"What did you say?" Balthier demanded.

Judge Ghis wasn't listening it seemed, or choose to ignore the inquiry altogether. "Captain Azelas, take them to Shiva. They should have leave to return to Rabanastre soon."

Vossler led the party out of the bridge and to the hangar where a shuttle laid waiting to take them. They boarded the smaller airship and took off from the Leviathan. A moment later they arrived at Shiva, a light cruise airship in the fleet. The party got out a moment later, still bound in chains with the exception of Vossler.

"When we return to Dalmasca, we can announce that you are live and well," Vossler explained to Ashe as they walked. "I will then continue our negotiations with the Empire. I believe Larsa's the key. He'll listen to us. We should trust him."

Ashe stopped in her tracks before turning her head sharply to him. "Who are you, Vossler, to talk of trust?"

"A Son of Dalmasca."

"A traitor of Dalmasca," Lightning corrected as she walked past him.

Fran had been stopped in her tracks. She had planted her head into hands, as if she had a migraine. "Such heat. The Mist, it's burning." Soon her whole body began shaking violently, drawing the attention of the soldiers. When one tried to touch she tore apart her cuffs and slammed the soldier across the room with one kick.

"Hold her down!" Vossler ordered as the guards began charging her. But Fran simply responded with vicious attacks left and right, taking out guard after guard.

"What's wrong with her?" Serah asked as Mog began undoing the cuffs around each member of the party.

"I always knew Fran didn't take well to being tied up," Balthier stated as Fran took a few more. "I just didn't know how much." Balthier turned to Ashe. "How about you?"

"I like Fran's idea," Ashe said as her cuffs came undone. "Let's get out of here!"

The party began rushing for the exit only for Vossler to stand in front of the, sword drawn. "No farther. Sky pirates! The Future of Dalmasca will not be stolen!" He held his sword high, ready to attack anyone trying to pass. Basch was the first to approach. "Why do this, Basch? This struggle is futile. You must know where it leads."

"I do know," Basch replied as he reflected on his past. "All to well."

"Dalmasca's future won't be stolen," Lightning added as she pulled out her gunblade. "At least we didn't try to sell it away like you did."

Vossler had had enough. All the anger he had, the sorrow, the hatred, were thrust into his blade as he charged them. Lightning didn't hesitate in charging in return, clashing her blade with his and parrying it. Vossler continued his assault, only for his blade to be blocked by Basch's shield. Then a third strike, that got parried by the woman he defended for two years.

While Lightning and Basch kept them occupied, Serah found an opening and ran through to the exit. "Mog and I will get us an airship."

"Now that's a sky pirate in the making," Balthier complimented as he ran with Fran behind her. "We'll have her ready by the time you're done with the captain."

That would only be a moment later. Basch blocked one of Vosslers sword attacks with his shield while Ashe disarmed it with her sword, followed by Lightning hitting once across Vosslers chest, cutting deep. He stumbled back from the strike, unable to fight back. His legs gave way and soon found himself knelt down before the group.

No one said anything for a moment. The trio looking down at a man they trusted moments ago. He struggled to get up look at them. "All I have done," Vossler struggled to put together, "I've ever thought of Dalmasca first."

"I know you do," Basch replied sympathetically. "I would ne'er gainsay your loyalty."

The wound had begun to affect him again. No longer even able to sit up straight his back gave way, forcing him on all fours. "Look on what my haste has wrought. Did I act too quick? Or was your return too late?" Basch didn't say a word. Just looked on at the man he trusted before him on death's door. "I can serve her no more. You must take up my charge."

Basch turned around and began running with Ashe. Lightning was about to join them before her leg was griped by Vosslers hands. "Lightning, a moment. I would ask you to serve Her Majesty as well."

"I'm a Knight," Lightning replied as she moved her leg away from Vossler's grip. "I'm determined to help her."

"A Knight," Vossler repeated with a chuckled that turned into a grunt a moment later from pain. "I didn't trust Her Majesty's trust in bestowing you with that title before." Forcing himself to sit up to look at Lightning. "My mistake. I was never worthy of it to begin with."

"When her kingdom is restored, I'll ask that you be anointed an honorary Knight for your sacrifice."

Vossler looked surprised at Lightning's proposal. He hadn't expected such kindness after what he had just done. A smile small crossed his face with a light chuckle coming afterwards. "Guard her well," he finally said.

"Lightning, lets go," Ashe implored as she came back, grasping Lightning's hand and pulling it along with her.

"I will," Lightning responded to Vossler before turning back to Ashe and Basch, running for the exit.

Outside the Leviathan a small airship began flying away at top speed. Just in time as a massive explosion erupted from the flagship and spread out in all directions. The sky filed with red energy and mist, growing quickly and encompassing most ships. The small one that Serah and Balthier had confiscated did it's best to outrun the explosion. The entire time they ship spent a mere hundred meters or so away the edge of

"This might get a little dicey!" Balthier stated as the ship rocked from the nearby explosion.

It was another minute before the rocking stopped. The explosion grew no larger and had reached it's maximum extend. The small airship spun around to look at the giant circular ball of energy that encompassed the 8th fleet moments before. The explosion began to disperse into the sky bit by bit as a small orb began floating out of the ball of energy.

"What's that?" Serah asked.

Ashe turned herself to the window to see the ball coming further out of the energy and into clear sky, showing itself as the purple orb from before. "I think it's the Dawn Shard."

"Balthier," Lightning began to say.

"Already on it," Balthier said as he turned the airship to grab the orb.

The following day news had gotten out around the empire about what had transpired, marring a few details. The Leviathan had sunk along with the 8th fleet of the Archadian Imperial Army. Ashe's uncle, Ondore, had quit as leader of Bhujerba to take part in the resistance. Ashe and her entourage had found the Strahl during the aftermath of the explosion, and used it to return to Rabanastre. Despite all of the commotion the past few days no one knew that the princess was still live and well. She had even insisted that everyone not reveal this information to anyone.