Disclaimer: For the last time, I don't own the characters from FF:TSW, though Boyer is mine. And he will pop up again in other fics, because of that…
Author's Note: Because you demanded it, here is the final chapter of "Out of the Ashes." I'm sorry it took so long; some sections just weren't coming together like I wanted them to. And something about it still doesn't seem quite right, but it's the best I could do. Also, I couldn't for the life of me remember if Aki still thought the Phoenix was a figment of her madness, and I don't currently have access to previous chapters of OOTA to check (they're still kinda packed in a box, somewhere.) I assumed that she is. Anyway, I'd like to thank everyone who has been with OOTA since the beginning, and those who discovered it only recently. This fic has gotten me more threats to finish it than anything else I've written, and I appreciate that. I think. I'd also like to add that I had a nice, long 'extras' section that I was going to include, but due to ff.net's policy of no longer allowing such a thing, it can only be found at Ovo's site, "Soul Haven." I urge you to go and visit; while I don't know when the extras will go up, her site is definitely worth a visit.
OUT OF THE ASHES
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The Long Road Ahead
A scream was ripped from Aki's throat as Ash, seeing what she was reaching for, reacted by digging his fingers into Aki's shoulder and yanking her backwards until she thought her spine would snap in two. Then he tossed her away like a broken doll, and she fell to the pavement in a crumpled heap. The wind had been knocked from her lungs; she had trouble even drawing a breath.
Ash kicked the Nocturne away, and it skidded down the steep, shattered roadway. Aki tried to see where it fell, but a red haze covered her vision. Only the fading ring of metal on pavement as it continued to fall gave her any indication of its location. It was falling so far…
Aki froze as Ash's scorching gaze found her, pinned her. Though every instinct inside screamed for her to run, she wouldn't let her body obey the flight impulse. She'd lost the Nocturne, her only way to shatter his shields, but there was no way she could run after it and find it before Ash pounced on her. She had the feeling that if she did make any sudden move, Ash would kill her without thought, before she could take more than a few steps. She had to stand her ground, to let him toy with her while she tried to think of something else.
Only problem was, she couldn't think of anything else to do besides die.
That's not acceptable! I'm prepared to die, but he has to come with me! Dammit, how do you kill what seems to be invulnerable? She waited for the Phoenix to offer some word of advice, but the other was silent in her head.
Ash circled her, waiting for her to get to her feet just so he could beat her down again. Aki remained still as she recovered her breath. While she knew Ash would tire of waiting for her to rise, she had a few moments to think.
And then those moments were up as, with a roar, Ash slammed his foot into her ribs.
* * *
Silence filled the clearing, a silence broken only by the rasp of scale on scale, the rustle of membranous wings, and the deep breathing of the creature poised above Neil. From his position between the massive forelegs, the tech watched as the creature's maw opened, revealing dagger-like teeth and a thin, lolling tongue.
Oh my God… After seeing the Phoenix, Neil knew he shouldn't have been surprised to see a dragon appear. But this creature wasn't like the Phoenix; while she had had an aura of peace to her, this creature had a menacing air that Neil recognized on an atavistic level. This thing was a predator, and he was prey…
"Shit," he heard someone hiss, breaking the spell the creature's appearance had cast on him. Neil turned to see Major Boyer backing slowly away, his gaze never leaving that fang-filled mouth, his hands upraised as if they alone could hold the beast back. Nice dragon… good dragon… Neil could almost imagine Boyer saying. He almost giggled hysterically at the thought.
Then it sank in what Boyer was doing. He tried getting to his feet, but his body was still weak from what had happened. "Ryan, he's getting away!" A quick glance to the side showed the sergeant was frozen in shock. Neil's cry seemed to jolt him from his reverie, but he wasn't reacting fast enough. Boyer was going to escape… "Stop him!" Neil said desperately.
With the speed of a striking snake, the dragon lunged forward. Before Major Boyer could react, the dragon had its jaws around his midsection and was lifting him into the air. Boyer screamed as teeth sank in, and then the dragon shook him like a dog with a chew toy. There was the wet snap of bones breaking, and then Boyer's screams abruptly stopped. The dragon flung the body away, where it hit the ground and lay still. Then the creature turned its attention back to Neil.
"Leave him alone!" Ryan flung himself between Neil and those bloody jaws. "Get out of here," he said to Neil. "I'll hold it off…" he broke off as he realized the futility of the situation. Even if he could slow the dragon, there was no way Neil could escape.
"It's all right," Neil said. "I… I think that's General Hein."
Ryan didn't take his eyes off the dragon, though he did angle his head so he could see Neil. "You're joking, right?"
"I think this is what Duos do," he said slowly. He felt ill; this creature that had mangled Major Boyer was part of him. "Why did you attack Boyer?" Neil addressed the dragon warily.
"Because you told me to." Neil started; he hadn't expected the dragon to speak with a real voice. It was deeper than he was used to, but easily recognizable as General Hein. And there was no remorse in that voice about what he'd done, no guilt echoed through their mind link. He'd just killed a man because Neil had told him to, and seemed to feel nothing.
"I… I didn't mean for you to kill him!" Neil screamed. The dragon ignored him, staring into the forest and lashing his tail restlessly, like a cat.
"I hate to interrupt," Ryan said, "but we still need to get out of here. Jane and Major Elliot still haven't snapped out of what Boyer's done to them, Dr. Ross is still missing, we're in the middle of nowhere, and there is a fire coming this way. We're in a bit of trouble."
"A 'bit?' And I thought Dr. Sid was the master of the understatement." Neil put aside his horror at what Hein had done as he considered this problem. "Well, Ryder and his had to arrive by transport, right? If we can get to one of those, we can use it to search for Dr. Ross."
"It would take us forever to find one, especially carrying the others. Leaving them behind is out of the question; we might never find this place again before the fire comes through here. What about him?" Ryan jerked his head towards the dragon. "Can he find the transports?"
"Can you?" Neil asked.
Somehow, those scaly features managed to convey nervousness. "I could… but I've never flown before." (I'm not good with heights,) he added through the connection that he and Neil still shared. (Rhiannan would choose a form like this for me…)
"There's no time for Dragonflight 101," Neil snapped. "Go." The dragon growled, but spread his wings, giving a few practice flaps before leaping into the air. There were a heart-stopping moments when it looked as if he couldn't do it, but then instinct seemed to take over, and the dragon's flight smoothed out, and he vanished over the treetops.
He felt a rush of power at the effect his commands had on what had once been a superior officer. Then he remembered those jagged teeth, the meat snagged between them, the blood dripping down… He shuddered. This could be one of those gifts that's more a curse than a blessing…
* * *
Aki curled herself around Ash's foot, a plan forming in her mind. Maybe her erratic magic couldn't get through Ash's shields, but what if she got close enough to him that she was inside his shields?
Ash growled and tried to pull his leg free, but Aki clung with a death grip. What can I do? Aki asked the silent Phoenix. She knew too little about her own abilities to attack on her own; so far, none of the powers she'd manifested matched Ash's combative powers.
(Bio,) the Phoenix said. (It will slow him down.)
Slow? But I want to stop him! Aki didn't have time to argue further; Ash was swinging his fist down in a blow that would land squarely atop her head if she didn't move. There was an odd, electrical tingle where her palm touched Ash, and then she had to twist away, curling into a ball to protect her stomach from another blow. And then Ash suddenly doubled over, gagging.
What did I do?
(Poison,) the Phoenix said. (It's the best I could do. I can't seem to access the more powerful spells I know you're capable of. You're fighting it, Dr. Ross. You're reluctant to use those powers because, deep down, you don't want to hurt him!)
Sweat had broken out on Ash's face. He groaned in pain, and turned dimmed green eyes towards Aki. "What did you do?" he gasped, unconsciously echoing Aki's query to the Phoenix. "What did you do to me?!" He took a shaking step towards Aki. "I'll kill you," he seethed. "I'll kill you!"
Hands slick with sweat grabbed Aki around the collar, pulling her up until they were face to face. Aki's eyes widened. Only seconds before, he'd looked ready to collapse. But he'd had one of his customary rapid changes of mood; the light in his eyes was flaring up again, and he gave her a savage smile. "You hurt me, but I can make it better," he sneered. "But you'll have to pay for what you've done."
A corona of flames formed around them, and suddenly Aki found herself lifted high into the air, until the shattered roadway was far below her. "Let's see you fight back now," Ash smiled.
* * *
When the dragon landed – well, crashed was more like it, though Ryan would never have said – Neil looked up from where he was examining Jane's still form, reassuring himself that she was still alive. "The good news is: There are two transports back that way." The dragon nodded its head towards them. "The bad news is that, between you and them is the fire."
"Is there a way around?" Ryan asked. Odd how, in the face of an impending crisis, it's easy to forget that I'm talking to a monster. Unless he glanced towards where Boyer still lay crumpled where he had fallen. He hadn't been able to work up the fortitude to examine the mangled body; but he was certain the man was dead.
The dragon shook his massive head. "If you ran, maybe you could make it before the fire closes you off completely. But somehow, I doubt you'll be leaving them behind. They'd slow you down." He jerked his muzzle towards Elliot and Jane.
Ryan was about snap at the dragon's uncaring attitude, but then stopped himself. Hein may not have the friendliest personality, but he was helping them, even if it was because Neil was ordering him to.
"Can you fly us?" Neil asked.
Ryan blinked; he hadn't even considered riding on the back of this… monster. "Are you sure that's a good idea?" he asked uncertainly.
"Do you have any better ideas?" Neil challenged. "Can you do it?" he asked the dragon again.
Hein looked them over. "No… I don't think I'm strong enough. I could carry one at a time, maybe. But that would take too long."
"Take Neil first," Ryan said. Neil looked ready to protest, but Ryan stopped him. "You're going to have to start one of the transports. Fly it over us; it's a military transport, so it should have pickup cables. Get back here as fast as you can
Neil gave him a weak grin. "Are you as scared of this as I am?" he asked. There was a humorous tone to his voice, but Ryan could hear real fear.
"You're the flyboy," he said, moving with Neil to the dragon's side and giving Neil a boost to the creature's shoulders. "I thought you liked this sort of thing."
Neil's fingers were white as he gripped tightly to the spiny ridge lining the muscular neck. "I'm a trained pilot," Neil pointed out. "He's not." He yelped as Hein took a couple steps forward, then, with an awkward hop, he sprang into the air.
Ryan waited in the silent clearing, wishing the dragon would hurry back. It was eerie here, in the darkness, with the scent of the encroaching fire becoming more prominent. If he squinted, he imagined he could see flickers of the light in the darkness…
Shit… that wasn't his imagination. Hurry up! he thought, suddenly wishing he had Neil's mind link and could see where Hein was. He's not coming; he ate Neil, we're going to die here…
The whine of engines broke into his dire thoughts. Several cables, two of them fitted with rescue harnesses, were lowered, and Ryan promptly went to work fitting first Jane, then Elliot, to the harnesses before grabbing on to another cable. Neil must have been watching; the moment Ryan's grip was secure, the cables began to lift. As he gained height, Ryan felt a wave of guilt for leaving General Ryder and Major Boyer's bodies to the fire's fury.
As soon as his feet hit the transport's metal floor, Ryan hurried to the cockpit. As soon as Neil heard Ryan come up behind him, he said, "We've got problems. I spotted Ash hovering above the old mountain road. Hein says he saw Ash holding someone."
"Aki," Ryan breathed. "He has her. We can't leave her, Neil."
"I sent Hein to go help her… but I'm not sure just what he'll be able to do for her."
* * *
It was hopeless. Suspended so far above the ground, with only Ash's whim keeping her from falling to her death, Aki had no way to defend herself. If she fought free of him, she'd fall and die. And with her own offensive abilities apparently locked away, there was little she could do to hurt Ash. He'd already shrugged off the poison that had been in his system, and Aki doubted she'd get a chance to use it again. Despite his child-like temperament, he learned quickly. Aki could see a faint, unnatural sheen along his skin and clothing, where he'd somehow managed to pull his shields close to his body. There'd be no getting within his shields, now.
"Let me go," Aki gasped out.
Ash's face, still level with her own, twisted into a smirk. "And let you fall to your death? Where's the fun in that?"
It would be better to die that way than be at Ash's mercy again. Maybe she hadn't been able to kill Ash, like she'd hoped, but perhaps she'd delayed him long enough for the others to get away. Did they escape? Aki asked the Phoenix tentatively.
The other's presence vanished from her mind for a moment. (They found their way to a transport. Do not concern yourself with them.) The Phoenix paused. (Fight your way free of Ash.)
Even this odd figment of her wounded psyche that acted so much like a real being agreed that falling would be a better way of death.
Aki gave Ash a crooked smile. Then, with as much force as she could muster, she rammed her knee into his groin.
Protected Ash may have been, but the blow seemed to catch him by surprise. Startled, he released his grip, and Aki was sent plunging towards the burning forest below. Aki shut her eyes and waited for the impact that would shatter her body and send her into blissful, eternal darkness.
(He comes!) the Phoenix suddenly cried. Aki's eyes snapped open. She expected to see Ash bearing down on her, trying to catch her before she hit the ground. But the other's mind voice had been… triumphant.
And then Aki slammed into something warm and solid, something that dropped under her to ease the impact of her landing. The breath had been forced from her lungs, and she was going to have one hell of a bruise along her belly, but she was alive.
And that was when Aki knew she'd truly gone mad, because her rescuer seemed to be a dragon.
"Are you all right back there?" a voice called back. Oh, good… and now it was speaking to her in General Hein's voice. "Shi – Hang on, that monster's coming after us!" The dragon tucked one wing under and rolled sideways as Ash dived through the space they'd been only moments before.
What the hell is going on? Aki demanded. She figured that, since Ash could fly, she could, too, and that her half-mad mind was attempting to rationalize the situation by making it seem something else was happening. Though why her delirium made it seem she was riding a dragon who sounded like General Hein, she didn't know. It seemed less rational then the fact that she was flying.
(This is the true power of the Duos,) the Phoenix explained. (But we have no time for this. You must finish this! The Nocturne… find the Nocturne! It's still your best chance for defeating him!)
Aki leaned forward as the dragon went into a dive to avoid a series of fireballs curving from the sphere that contained Ash towards them. "I need you to turn around!" Aki cried, hoping the creature would hear her.
"Are you mad, Dr. Ross?" the dragon said in a biting tone she knew all too well.
Yes, she didn't say out loud. "There's something along the road that I need, something that might be able to take down Ash!"
The dragon spun awkwardly in the air, then dove lower, skimming the treetops. His dark scales blended with the smoke rising from the burning forest, and while it made her eyes water and hurt her throat so badly she had to cover her mouth with her hand, she had to admit that hiding in the smoke seemed to be concealing them from Ash.
But not for long. She could see him streaking across the sky, and knew it was only a matter of time before he found them. Fortunately, the trees grew up to the line of the road, and they hadn't been forced to leave their cover until they were right on it.
"What are we looking for?" the dragon who couldn't be real, and certainly couldn't be General Hein, asked as his pale blue eyes swept the concrete before them.
"A Nocturne," Aki said, getting a better grip on his neck spines before leaning over his shoulder to search with him. Damn, the road was so cracked and overgrown, it would be difficult to see anything… and she wasn't sure just where on the road she'd been when Ash had surprised her.
They'd flown almost a mile along the road when the Phoenix cried out, (Incoming!) Balls of fire slammed into the concrete around them, setting new fires in the overgrown areas ahead of them. The dragon braked sharply, and Aki was nearly thrown onto the neck spines. "Keep going," Aki cried. Above them, Ash was getting into position to fire another salvo.
"This is like finding a needle in a haystack, Doctor," Hein snarled. "He'll kill us before we find this thing. Let me take you back to the others-"
"No," Aki whispered. "I will end this." Louder, she said, "Keep looking!"
A hail of golf ball-sized fireballs came down on them, less powerful than Ash's previous attack, but there were much more of them. Aki gritted her teeth as one landed between her shoulders, and she risked freeing one hand from her grip on the dragon's spine to brush it off. Hein wasn't so lucky; several landed on the sensitive membranes of his wings and burned straight through. His screams of pain were like the keening of a falcon.
But he kept on going, even though he knew Ash was readying a third attack. She could feel his ribs heaving beneath her calves; he wouldn't be able to keep this up much longer.
And then he flew over a stretch of ruined roadway that looked familiar to Aki. The twisted guardrail was where she'd looked out over the burning wilderness before Ash had found her. "Here! It's around here somewhere!" Desperately, she searched the road for the gleam of moonlight-on-metal that would mean they'd found the Nocturne…
"There!" The dragon's cry came seconds before she saw it herself: The Nocturne, at the base of a steep slope of road.
(Look out!) The Phoenix's warning came a split second too late; a flaming comet slammed into the dragon's left wing, and it crumpled under the impact. Dragon and rider plummeted to the ground, with Aki falling free of Hein before he hit the pavement.
Somehow, she managed not to lose consciousness. But the dragon wasn't so lucky. As she watched, the massive body seemed to dissolve, first into a green spirit form, then fading away completely.
Aki had no time to wonder what had happened, for Ash looked as if he were readying another, final attack. No more games; this time, he intended to finish her off for good. The Nocturne… where was it? She got to her feet, dimly aware of a pain shooting through her left leg. Broken? She had no time to tend to the wound. She had to stop Ash. Determinedly, she limped towards where she could dimly see the Nocturne. It's now or never… If he uses those little meteors of his on me again, I'm done for. There's no way I can dodge on this bad leg. It felt as if she was getting no closer to the Nocturne. In fact, it almost seemed to be receding in the distance…
That's just an illusion! I'm almost there… almost there… She was aware of the change in glow that preceded Ash's spellcasting. Don't pay any attention to him. The Nocturne was right there in front of her. Right below her fingertips…
There was a crackle of energy as Ash released his fireballs…
The modified Nocturne was in her hands, she was lifting it up…
The first of the fireballs hit the ground around her, shattering pavement and sending shrapnel flying…
And she fired…
The shot hit Ash square in the chest, cleaving through his shields, his flesh, as if it weren't there. It hit his spirit, that ethereal core that was so vital to existence. Even the slightest damage to one's spirit could prove mortal; it was why so many died of seemingly small Phantom infections, why the Nocturnes were the only weapons that could kill beings of pure spirit.
The last of the flaming comets Ash had managed to fire off went far off target as Ash fell, screaming.
When no further attack followed, Aki dared to pull herself up from the crouch she'd fallen into after she'd fired. Is it really over? she wondered. Ash hadn't moved from where he'd fallen, but Aki wasn't going to make any foolish assumptions. When several moments passed, and he still hadn't so much as twitched, Aki finally gathered up the courage to limp over to Ash's prone form.
She rolled him onto his back, which elicited no response. But she did discover one thing: he was still breathing. Aki's hands closed around his throat. She could end it now, so easily… he was vulnerable, and perhaps she'd be doing him a favor. A patient who lost too much of their spirit after a Phantom infection tended to slip into a catatonic state before they died. She recognized the signs in Ash's slack features. Chances were good he'd never wake up.
Then… why can't I do it? He's done so much to me, so why can't I kill him now? I was ready to do it before. She pulled her hands from his throat. Tears slipped down her cheeks as she took in his face, which was no longer twisted with cruelty. In his current state, it looked… innocent. Vulnerable. Oh, Gray…
Weeping, she buried her face into her hands.
She wasn't sure how long she'd crouched, crying, before she heard the whine of engines passing overhead. She lifted her face as the blast of wind that accompanied the transport's landing swept over her. Aki stood up as the hatch opened and Ryan stepped out, followed after a moment by Neil.
"Aki, are you all right?" Ryan asked. Aki nodded, and the sergeant's gaze fell on Ash's immobile form. "Is he…"
"I couldn't do it," she said miserably. "He's in a coma, probably even dying, but… I just couldn't finish him off."
"Neil, help her back to the ship. She looks like she's hurt. I'll bring Ash," Ryan said grimly. "I don't feel very safe having him with us, but we can't just leave him here."
"Right. Well, c'mon, Dr. Ross," Neil said, and Aki gratefully leaned against his shoulder.
"How did you find me?" she asked once Neil had helped her through the hatch.
"General Hein told me. He's hurting, and so am I because of it, but he's back inside my head, safe and sound. Lucky me." He grinned at her. "Who could believe he'd turn out to be a dragon? First a phoenix, then a dragon. So much for my dad telling me reading fantasy was a waste of time since it was impossible."
She smiled tiredly, then something she'd said sunk in. "Wait… a phoenix? You actually saw a phoenix?"
"Uh…" Neil looked guilty. "I shouldn't have said anything. But it's Jane's story, too, and maybe it's about time I told the rest of you."
Aki slumped against the curving wall of the ship. Neil had seen the Phoenix… and the dragon! Then, perhaps she wasn't going mad after all. For the first time in what seemed a long time, she smiled, a real, genuine smile. Neil looked puzzled, but he smiled back.
Perhaps things would be okay, after all.
* * *
The heat washing through the small clearing finally woke Boyer. He released his breath with a groan, feeling the edges of broken ribs digging into his lungs. That thing had nailed him pretty good; it was going to take him awhile to recover from this.
Assuming he survived the fire sweeping towards him.
Through the film of blood over his eyes, he could see the fire in the depths of the woods, fast approaching. It was fortunate he'd woken when he had; unconscious, he'd have been completely defenseless against the flames. But Ash wasn't the only one who could play with fire without getting burned…
And once he was out of this inferno, and his body pulled itself back together, he'd have to investigate this new manifestation of power, this summoning of monsters. He'd harness this new power, master it has he had the others.
But first, he had to survive the raging inferno bearing down on him. He just hoped he had the time…
* * *
"…and that brings us here," Aki Ross concluded. To Jane's eye, the woman looked exhausted from the telling, but she wouldn't let anyone else take over. Perhaps she'd thought the words would have more impact coming from someone who had suffered from General Ryder's betrayal. It had certainly won the sympathy of the Council members who weren't known Ryder sympathizers.
"Thank you, Dr. Ross. We will need to discuss all that has transpired. Rest assured, help will be given to the people of New York. And we will get to the bottom of General Ryder's actions and his influence on the Council." Councilwoman Hee, acting as spokesperson for the Grand Council meeting that was being held in Chicago, had been the only one to speak while Aki had given her summary of the events. Most of the Council members were hearing the story for the first time. Others were going to be given hell for turning a blind eye towards General Ryder's actions, Jane thought with satisfaction. It would take time for the Council to sort out these traitors, both among themselves and in the military.
Jane wanted no part of it. She was sick of all this; she wanted no part of politics, and her faith in the military had been sorely tested with Ryder's betrayal. She hated to admit it, but… she didn't want to fight anymore. She'd killed too many people lately, one of them a man she'd taken orders from. Maybe, in the future, she'd regain her will to fight, but not now. Which was why she'd been thinking about something she'd discussed with Major Elliot on the way to Chicago, something she hadn't quite made up her mind about yet.
As if sensing her thoughts, Aki glanced towards Major Elliot, seated behind them with a hood pulled over his face. "We were hoping you would consider something," Aki said. "Ever since New York's occupation, the people have been lead by Major Elliot, who has done a fine job keeping them safe from General Ryder. They know him, and trust him. I think he would be an excellent choice to be in charge of New York."
There were soft murmurings from the Council. Jane couldn't make out any words, but she could guess what they were saying. Major Elliot had done little to distinguish himself as more than General Hein's shadow. Could they trust him?
"We will discuss this matter as well," Hee said, once the others had quieted. "Meanwhile, your presence is no longer required. A meal has been prepared for you, and rooms. I suggest you get some well-deserved rest."
Jane was all for it, though she thought Aki looked reluctant to leave. There was just too much she needed to know – namely, what was going to happen with Ash. Thus far, he hadn't woken from his coma, and he was being contained in a secure facility… but none of them would feel safe as long as he lived. If only Aki had been able to kill him and save us all this trouble… But she couldn't really blame Aki; she hadn't been able to kill Ash, either.
The others were getting to their feet, and Jane followed suit. She was careful to put Ryan between herself and Neil. She didn't want to talk to him right now…
She had no memory of how they had escaped Boyer and the forest. She only remembered killing Ryder – killing… how could I kill him? – and then going after Boyer. And then he'd used abilities none of them had suspected him of having, and then there'd been nothingness. When she'd woken, she'd been aboard one of Ryder's troop transports, and learned that Boyer was dead, Ash was catatonic… and that Neil had summoned a monster with the mind of General Hein that had ruthlessly played a part in both. Aki had left that part – and all other mention of Hein – out of her summary of events. A dragon… even coming from Ryan, she'd have doubted the story – if the memory of the Phoenix didn't still linger within her. Dragon… Phoenix… the world was changing in strange ways.
She hadn't realized how hungry she was until the scent of food – real food, not processed military rations – made her stomach growl. They entered the cafeteria the Council had been using during their stay, a room that was thankfully empty due to the late hour.
Ryan, standing beside her, grinned. "How long has it been since we had real food?"
"Too long." Jane seated herself between Ryan and Aki, leaving Neil to sit across from her with Major Elliot. Unfortunately, it gave her an excellent view of his face. He kept trying to capture her with his gaze, but she kept her eyes on the plate of food the kitchen staff placed before her.
After several moments of silence, while they savored the meal, Major Elliot finally said, "Do you really think they'd just give me New York city?"
"Why not?" Ryan asked. "You've more than proven yourself to us, and the Council will see that. You're the best choice. You need to have a little faith in yourself." Elliot didn't respond, but Jane could see he was thinking it over. "And… I'll be there to help," Ryan added.
"What? Sarge, what are you talking about?" The spoonful of food that Neil had been about to shovel into his mouth dropped back onto his plate, unnoticed.
"I just think my powers would be more useful to the people of New York," he said. "So many of them are hurting… I've got to go back."
Aki, who had barely touched her own food, pushed her plate away. "I understand. I'm staying here, because this is where I'm needed. I can't go back there… But they do need help."
"So, you're just gonna leave us, sarge?" Neil cried. "What about Aki? She needs us, too! I'm staying right here to help her. So should you!" Jane saw Aki flinch at this implication of weakness, but it was true; Aki was shy around them because of her ordeal. Around strangers, she was terrified.
"You're right, Neil, I think you should stay." Jane had made her decision. "But… I'm going, too," she said softly, refusing to meet Neil's eyes.
* * *
She'd been avoiding him ever since the Council had agreed to Aki's suggestion that Major Elliot be stationed in New York, as well as being given the rank of Colonel, but Neil was finally able to corner Jane a half an hour before the transport was to leave for New York. He stood in the doorway of the hotel room, the crazy thought that if he could bar the door with his body and keep her in Chicago with him making him reluctant to step any further into the room. Jane had already packed her meager belongings and had her suitcases in hand.
"Jane, please… stay…" Neil put all his feeling for her in those words. His slim frame didn't adequately block the door, and all Jane had to do was push past him and she'd be out of his life forever. But his words halted her, and she set her luggage down and placed her hands on her hips.
"Neil, don't do this." Her voice was cool, but he could hear the anguish underlying the words. "I can't stay here."
"Why?" He couldn't understand it. Hadn't they gotten closer over the past few weeks than they had been in years? Didn't she know he loved her? Didn't she feel the same way? There was a lump in his throat, and he could barely ask the next words. "Is it me?"
Jane's face fell. "It's me," she said quietly. "Neil, I do feel very strongly about you." Her delicate phrasing made Neil's heart sink. She still couldn't say 'I love you…' "But… everything's different between us now. You're not the same person you were…"
"Yes I am!" Neil almost cried, then caught himself. "You're right, I'm not," Neil said dully.
"There are moments, when I'm with you, when you terrify me," Jane said.
"You mean like when General Hein takes over my body," Neil supplied.
"Yes. He killed us, Neil. I'm not going to forget that." Jane hesitated. "But there are other reasons, too. I mean like when you're hurt, and all I want to do is protect you. I killed General Ryder because I thought you had died, and I wanted to hurt someone. I wanted someone to pay. I didn't even think about what I was doing; I just killed him, and I don't even regret it." Haunted eyes met his own. "I hate myself for that. I know Ryder was a bastard, and he deserved to die, but not like that. I didn't know I was capable of such a thing."
Neil couldn't think of anything to say. Jane had always been the strongest of them, going into battle with an unmatched courage and often chalking up more Phantom kills than any of her squad mates. And he'd seen her kill humans before… but only in self defense. Never had she killed in anger. Bruised, broken, mangled… but never killed anyone in anger. "I'm sorry," Neil said finally, knowing it wasn't enough. I feel the same way! he wanted to add, remembering how it felt to hold Jane in his arms after she'd been shot, her life slipping away, and he'd been unable to do anything but watch… But would she listen? He hadn't killed anyone for Jane. But he would have, he was certain of it.
"I need some time to myself, Neil. I need to be somewhere I can do some good, but don't have to worry about emotional involvements. I can't be with you." Her voice didn't waver, her face didn't change, but Neil could see the sadness in her eyes. Or maybe he was only imagining it, because he wanted her to hurt, too.
"Ryan's going to be there," Neil said.
"Ryan's Ryan," Jane said, as if that was all the explanation it needed. Maybe it was; perhaps Neil had been paranoid something was going on between her and the sergeant only weeks ago, but now he wondered how he could have thought that. Jane loved him… but she was letting him go. "Neil… It won't be forever." She took a step closer, then again, until he could feel her breath warm on his face. "Maybe, if things go well…" Rather than complete the thought with a kiss, as Neil had hoped, or even a tender caress, Jane backed away, leaning over to pick up her suitcases. "Good bye," was all she said.
Neil just stood to the side, letting her go. Letting her walk out of his life.
* * *
Aki stood in the hangar, watching as Major Elliot directed a group of soldiers loading the Copperhead with the equipment necessary for getting New York up and running again. Ryan stood beside her, his face pensive. "Are you going to be okay?" he asked finally.
Aki gave him a weak smile. "I'm still hurting all over," she admitted, holding out one hand to display the bandages carefully wrapped around her fingers. "But I'll survive."
"That's not what I meant, Doctor. Are you sure you don't want to come with us? The people of New York could use your help, and it would get you away from… him."
"I've made my decision," Aki said quietly. "I can't go back there, not yet. Sid…" She couldn't finish the sentence. Dr. Sid's death was just one of the many bad memories she had of New York. She needed to stay with the Council in Chicago, then fly with them back to Houston, where she could immerse herself in her work and forget everything. "I won't be alone," she added. "Neil's going to be here. He promised he'd stay with me…" He needed a friend as much as she did.
"Speaking of Neil, where is he?" Ryan glanced around, but he wouldn't find the tech anywhere.
"He's not coming. He said he's already said his goodbyes." She nodded towards Jane, who was assisting with the loading. She'd already given Aki a curt farewell, and was throwing herself into the work. Aki wondered what had gone on between her and Neil, but she wouldn't ask. "Sergeant," she asked after a moment of silence, "do you think I did the right thing? Leaving him alive, I mean?"
Ryan was silent as he considered. "Keeping Ash alive is going to be trouble," he said carefully. "You know that. But… if it came down to it, I couldn't have done it either. The captain was my best friend… even knowing he was a monster, I couldn't have killed him, either. Because, deep down, a part of me would be wondering if there was still something of Gray left inside, and that would have been enough to keep me from finishing him." Ryan paused, and when he spoke again, his voice was tinged with a hope he seemed reluctant to voice. "And, if there is something left, I believe you are the only one who can find a way to help him." With that, he began to walk towards the Copperhead, pausing only once to say, "Good bye, Dr. Ross. And good luck."
Aki turned away. She couldn't bear watching them leave. They'd been through so much together, and now they were splitting up, and she had no idea when, or even if, they'd all see each other again. (Don't despair,) the Phoenix whispered into her mind. (This isn't the end. Think of this as a new beginning.)
A new beginning. Right. And perhaps it was. There was a whole new world out there, one where flesh-and-blood Phantoms roamed primal forests that had only weeks ago been barren desert. It was a world where something new, something incredible, something magical, existed. She knew she'd be spending the coming months, even years, trying to understand this new world, and that she'd be too busy for emotions like despair. There was a long road ahead of her, and it was time she took the first step.
The End
Oi, I never thought I'd type those words at the end of this fic! Not the greatest of endings, I know. This is what happens when you write a story for over two years, and you lose your drive to write it. I did my best, but some of the scenes just wouldn't come. You wouldn't believe how many times I had to rewrite the scenes with Hein/Bahamut, because it just wouldn't work for me. And I know there are plot holes, and loose ends… But I wrote this with a sequel in mind, God help me. And while I compete planning that one out, I plan to do a short three-part fic that's post OOTA about Aki and Neil and the trouble with dragons. And, one day, I'd like to rewrite this fic so it flows more smoothly, and maybe redo many of the action sequences so they're more exciting. But not now. I'm done. I don't want to think about this fic for a loooong while…