Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Final Fantasy IX characters but my characters are my own creations and I do own the rights to them.

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Final Battle Ends

Xavier trembled uncontrollably as Phina glared at him with unspoken hatred. She was trembling as well but it wasn't from fear. Gulping almost guiltily, Xavier let out a long breath and put his hand forward. Phina watched as a small ball of energy formed in his palm. She felt herself relax a little but the rage didn't lessen. Phina could see the effort that was going into that little ball of energy. It was obvious that they were both drained of almost all their strength. Phina wasn't even sure if she would be able to dodge the attack. Fortunately she didn't have to worry about it.

Slowly that forming ball of white light shank and disappeared. A disgruntled groan came from Xavier's thin lips, while a sigh of relief came from Phina. After a moment Xavier looked up at Phina.

"So how are we going to finish this, brat?" he asked. "We both know that we can't let the other one go freely."

"Whoever has the most strength left wins," she said with a sly smile coming to her lips. Now was the time to put her plan into action, though it would cost her dearly.

"And how are we going to determine who has the most strength? It looks to me like we're both drained considerably."

"It's simple, really. We'll stand apart and since we're both summoners, we'll summon the strongest eidolon that we can. The first eidolon to kill the other and its summoner wins," Phina explained. The smile still hadn't left her face.

Xavier stared hard at her sly expression trying to decide if there was some sort of loophole in the entire proposition. But the more he thought about it, the less likely that possibility seemed. Phina had no training as a summoner and it was quite possible that she had no eidolons at all. But if that were true then why would she propose such a contest?

~No, she has to have at least some idea of how it works, unless she really wants to die~ he thought. ~The real question is what is the extent of her knowledge and what kind of eidolons does she have? Also how much power does she have left? If she's got enough she could summon a really powerful one.~

Phina watched as Xavier thought over her proposal. The wheels were clearly turning as he tried to figure out whether or not she would be a problem. After several minutes of waiting, Phina decided to help him with his decision.

"What's the matter? Are you scared you'll lose to the daughter of Lily and Ramus?"

A flash of anger entered his eyes as the words stuck like barbed thorns under his skin. Determinedly, he rolled up the sleeves of his now tattered shirt and settled into his summoning position. Phina smiled at the old man and unclasped the necklace that contained the golden phoenix feather.

"Ready…"

"Set…"

"GO!"

Magic rippled through the air as both summoners used the last of their reserves to call on the most powerful eidolon they could. Phina gripped the necklace in her hands while she channeled her magic to it and used it as a beacon to call the golden phoenix. Suddenly she felt its presence. Using the last of her power, she called to it by pushing everything she had into a magical call for help. She didn't hear whether or not she got an answer before her concentration was broken by a loud crashing noise. Glancing up, Phina saw that Xavier's eidolon had arrived. It was Leviathan.

"I thought you were supposed to be drained," she commented softly. Xavier just smiled wickedly

"Where's yours?" he asked still grinning from ear to ear. Phina didn't answer. She had used every last ounce of her strength to call for the phoenix and even her simple comment had exhausted her over her limits. She could feel the world around her start to dangerously spin and she was light headed. Her eyelids drooped so that she was now just looking through slits. Sighing ironically to herself, she wondered if she would even be conscious when Xavier decided to kill her. His next words lifted her doubts.

"Kill her," he hissed at the eidolon. Phina watched as the creature speedily made its way towards her. The blue scales of the serpent flashed in the bright sun and its eyes glowed with a mysterious light. Suddenly a swift wind rushed around her ears and just as Leviathan struck a rainbow of gold and yellow surrounded her. Brightly colored feathers formed a protective shield around the young woman as the serpent was driven back by the fearsome cry of an angered golden phoenix. The giant bird hissed threateningly at Leviathan before it moved its large wings from around Phina. Slowly, she let out the breath that she had been holding and leaned against the phoenix's soft feathers.

In front of her Xavier could only stare in awe at the wonderful bird. He had heard of its legendary strength and beauty but he never thought that he would actually live to see it. Now he didn't think that he would live long enough to see it a second time. The huge beast that stood before him and his own eidolon was impressive and awe inspiring.

It stood at least ten feet tall with shining golden feathers that blinded him when they flashed in the sun. The beak of the phoenix was dangerously curved and the eyes that rested above it where a light blue that made it seem all the more terrifying. Pointed talons held the phoenix's body aloft as it gazed over its target.

A small "Eep!" was heard from beside Xavier's feet and the combatants both realized that they had forgotten Eiko in their struggle for dominance. The little princess lay with her stomach on the ground as she gazed at the bird that stood behind Phina. Like Xavier she had heard tales of the most powerful eidolon but had never seen it. Slowly a sly grin of his own graced Xavier's face. Phina quickly realized what Xavier was going to do and her face contorted into a look of fear.

"NO! Eiko! Get out of there!" she shouted taking a step forward.

But it was too late. Xavier grabbed the poor little girl by the wings that she wore.

"Now what should I do with my little prize?" he asked shaking Eiko to make a point. Phina growled under her breath and the phoenix behind her shifted restlessly.

~Do you want me to get the girl first before I swing around and kill him?~ the phoenix asked in her head. Phina nodded her head and quickly added, "Drop Eiko by me before you go in for the kill."

A few yards away Xavier watched as the girl whispered some words to the bird and it nodded its head in acknowledgement. They were planning something but what? Suddenly, the phoenix lifted from the ground flapping its powerful wings and gaining altitude. It sped up and batted Leviathan away before the serpent even had a chance to defend itself. Now there was nothing left between the phoenix and Xavier.

Smiling he held Eiko up in front of his face as a shield but something he didn't expect happened. Instead of going straight for the kill the phoenix raised itself and gripped Eiko by the shoulders with its powerful talons. With one more powerful beat of its wings the phoenix wrenched Eiko out of Xavier's hands and turned around setting her on the ground by Phina. The girl rushed to Phina's leg and gripped it like there was no tomorrow. Then they both watched as the phoenix set its sights on Xavier.

With a screech it raced towards him. He put up a hand to block the oncoming blow but there was nothing he could do to stop the infuriated bird's beak from piercing his chest. His eyes went wide and a gurgle could be heard from his throat as blood began to fill his lungs. The phoenix removed its beak with a wrench and Xavier fell over dead with nothing else to support his weight.

Behind the phoenix Eiko head her eyes in Phina's pant leg. Phina herself could only watch with interest as the man that had been giving her and her family so many problems was finally dead. Now she could carry out her father's wish and make a new life for herself and her sister. Sighing, Phina picked Eiko up in her arms and walked towards the phoenix with slow steps, as she was still exhausted from the fight.

~You look like you could use a rest.~ the phoenix said. ~I'll give you and your friends a lift to the palace.~

Phina nodded gratefully and set Eiko on the phoenix's back before turning around and making her way over to Zidane and Vivi. With the phoenix's help she managed to get everyone on the bird's back. Settling down in the soft golden feathers Phina fell asleep on the way back home.

^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Hey guys, I'm back! After almost two months of not updating and probably more without and actual new chapter I have finally settled down in front of my computer and forced myself to finish this one. Not that I don't like the story or you guys or anything but I've had a major writer's block on this one and I didn't want to turn out some crappy piece of material that stank to high heaven. Hopefully this will satisfy you people who are reading this. Just remember I promised you two chapters and I will deliver. I just have to type up the last one toady and it will be out or you guys can all come and kill me.

Thanks this time go out to Dagger and black-magician-girl.

To Dagger: Well, since you're probably not going to get this far in the story I don't know why I'm writing this but hey if you do happen to see it all the better for you. Anyways sorry about the whole splitting up Garnet and Zidane thing but I have my own reasons for doing it. I'm not going to tell you those reasons because you'd probably hate me for them but try to keep an open mind okay. Thanks for the compliments on the story but I doubt I'll be writing anymore Final Fantasy IX ones.