Hey everyone. Another installment of "The Forgotten Son" Now we're up to chapter 17! Isn't it exciting! Hee hee. Well on with the story!


With Selphie at the wheel of Ragnarok, they raced towards Tears Point at a speed that even the designers dared not to go. However, the time was drawing short and the group just had to make it to Ultemicia before she gained the power of the Moon. Max paced around the bridge as they drew closer to their final destination. He had been pacing since they left the Sorceress Memorial and Squall snorted as it began to annoy him.

"Max," Said Squall. "Stop pacing like that. It's driving me crazy"

Max nodded and soon sat on the cold metal floor of the bridge, another meditative state. As he sat there, the memories of his past began to come back, the fight between him and his younger self had not gone well. Even though he had matured and gotten much stronger since leaving Ultemicia, he forgot the added strength her powers gave him when he was still her knight. It amazed him how much different he had become since leaving Ultemicia's homicidal grip. The hate and fury were no longer there, all his pain was gone… he actually had friends and people who cared for him and that he, too cared for.

"We're almost there." Said Rinoa as she shook him gently out of his trance. "You should get ready."

He nodded and grabbed his sword from where it leaned on the wall and strapped it onto his back. The others already had their weapons ready and stood ready as they saw Tears Point draw near. Monsters streamed out of Tears Point in all directions wave upon wave of them rushed at the Ragnarok as the group flew in closer. The ship cruised on as the waves of monsters continued until they arrived at the base of Tears Point. Selphie wasted no time in setting it down and preparing to leave.

"Alright," Began Squall. "Be ready for anything, who knows what Ultemicia plans to throw at us this time."

They proceeded to the back of the Ragnarok. Once they left the safety of the ship, another former foe attacked.

"You dare to trespass on Ultemicia's Realm, humans." Said Sphinxaur. "Prepare for your end."

It lunged at them, but in one smooth motion Max sliced it in half. They had no time to waste on Ultemicia's pets and definitely not if there were any more to get through. The more time they spent on the Guards of Ultemicia, the more power she would get.

"Squall, how many more of them are there?" Asked Max.

"There should be about 7 left." He replied. "Of course that's only if she brought all of them back."

Not good news, not good at all. If they waited any longer, Ultemicia could break through the outside barrier of the Moon. It would not be completely impossible to beat her then, but if she reached the core… there would be no chance for the planet.

"Why me?" asked Max more to himself than the group.

They battled their way though wave after wave of monsters nearing the center of Tears Point until…

"Pitiful humans, how dare you even show your selves here?"

Tri-point stood in their way, yet another Guard of her former Castle. As they group prepared to attack Max lifted his hand.

"Subsisto!"

Tri-point froze in mid air.

"Attero!"

The frozen Tri-point began to shake and after a few seconds exploded in what seemed like a small nuclear explosion. Two down, six more to go, thought Max.

"Max," Rinoa sounded a bit concerned. "Are you sure you should be using all this magic before we reach Ultemicia?"

"I'll be fine we just need to make it to her quickly. If we don't, there may not be a world to save."

In all honesty, he hadn't recovered even half of his magical powers after reviving Rinoa. The Moon crystal had helped, but there was still much more magic that needed to recover. The strain showed on Max's face as he forced a smile to show he would be okay to continue. Onward they fought.

"Watch the right!" Squall screamed as he cut a Mesmerize in two. "Be careful Zell, they're coming from every direction."

The blonde fighter nodded and attacked a group of Turtapods a few yards away.

After destroying a wall of monsters, Squall looked out and saw not only one, but three of Ultemicia's former Guards in their path.

'Krysta, Trauma, and the Red Giant?' thought Squall. 'They must really be trying to stop us this time.'

Squall began to run at them, but Max soon sped past him attacking all three of the Guards at once. With one gigantic spell, he disposed of the Guards and waved for the rest of the group to follow. Once they reached him, however, his smile had faded and he kneeled on the ground. His breaths came in short sharp pants as he tried to regain his composure.

"Are you gonna be okay?" Asked Zell as he kneeled down next to Max.

"Yeah," He replied with an even more strained smile. "I'll be just fine. Just needed a little breather after all that."

He stood once again and the group battled on. After a few more waves of monsters, the group met up with two of Ultemicia's former Guards.

"We will not let you humans pass!" the Guards said in unison.

In their way stood Gargantua and Catoblepas, two of Ultemicia's former guards wielding great power. Even the first time around they had been a challenge to defeat. Max sighed a bit and ran head first at them.

"Rending Flare!" In an instant, Max flew through both Guards with a flaming slash. The subsequent blast completely incinerated what was left of them and Max, once again, kneeled to the ground. His energy was waning fast, if he kept this up, there would be nothing left when they fought Ultemicia. He stood again before the rest of the group could reach him and waved them on to keep attacking.

"There's only one left, Max." Said Squall ass he reached him. "We can take on Tiamat."

Max nodded and stayed back as they fought through more waves of enemies. The rest would do him some good, he though, just a little break. He looked on as Squall and the others subdued Tiamat with a few attacks, but… why was he so sleepy all of a sudden?

"Hey Max." He told himself. "You have to stay awake…"

'Come my son, rest a while.'

Max fell into a world of darkness beckoned by his mother's voice.

"I'm coming mother, let's rebuild this world…"


hmm... i always had a feeling something odd might happen. Ah who knows, i might decide things differently for this. so...is there something deeper within the Forgotten son? We'll see! I hope you all enjoyed reading this as much as i liked writing it! Vincent Sekod