I don't believe it. I don't bloody believe it. 69 reviews and now officially over 5,000 hits…sweet Jesus…in my book, that's as good a reason as any for a celebration!

Well, there's some bad news for Xenomorph fans out there: The Kiande Amedha trial is now over. Finished. Kaput. There's this little wrap-up chapter, and then Drake's heading home to face school, Danny and his goons, a murderous corporation that's out to kill him, and, worst of all, Rebecca. No rest for the wicked, huh?

Incidentally, I'd like to again point out that the idea for this story comes from my good friend Joe Hartwell. While I came up with the character history and story, the basic idea was his. Joe, I just hope I'm doing the character justice here.

Yautja, Predator and all related characters and trademarks are © 20th Century Fox.

AFTER THE TRIAL

Mom…

Dad…

Drake ran, terrified, through the alley, finally coming to a stop as he heard the sound of gunfire and explosions behind him. He looked up to see a great, dark shape looming over him…

"Drake…?"

The images before Drake suddenly vanished to be replaced by endless, inky darkness…

"Drake…?"

Drake suddenly became aware of where he was, of a sharp pain in his chest…

He recognised the voice.

"Scarface...?"

"He's awake!"

Drake's eyes finally drifted open, looking up to see Scarface and the others standing around him.

"Finally," Dachande smiled, "We were worried, Drake."

"What…what happened…?"

"You don't remember?"

"Remember what?" Drake asked, wincing at the pain in his chest as he sat up, realising he was in a Yautja tent. "What happened…I remember…we were fighting Xenomorphs…"

"Drake, the trial's over. We all passed…and guess what: You came first out of all of us!"

"What?"

"You killed the queen," Tu'Thaka told him. "Blew her head clean off."

Drake suddenly realised that Dachande had a large scar on his side.

"You and I got the worst injuries," Dachande explained, "Especially you…the Queen stabbed you right in the chest. Man, you almost didn't make it…"

"He's right," Scarface told him, "Just be glad they got you back here so soon."

"Well…hold on…what about the hive?"

"The plasma-nuke worked. The entire hive's gone. You've all passed with flying colours." Scarface smiled. "Congratulations, Drake."

"You guys look different," Drake thought out loud, "Wait a minute…"

"We all went through the braiding, " Dachande explained, "It hurt like hell, too."

"How long was I out?"

"Three days."

"Three Days!" Drake exclaimed. "Sweet mother of Pauk…"

"Language!" Scarface snapped.

"Sorry. So, am I meant to go through the…"

"No. You don't have enough hair."

"Besides," Lua'Ki answered, "It wouldn't suit you."

Drake leaned back and smiled slightly.

"I guess so."

"Well, then," Scarface said proudly as Drake stood up, "Well done, Drake. From this moment forth, you can consider yourself a fully-fledged Yautja."

Suddenly, Deadstreak stepped forth, a severe look on his face. The look of pride of Drake's face soon became an irritated stare.

Surprisingly, Deadstreak suddenly extended his hand and smiled. Drake smiled back and shook his head.

"I never did thank you," Deadstreak admitted, "I owe you one. Hell, more than one."

"No problem," Drake smiled back, "I'll give you a rematch someday!"

Deadstreak paused for a moment.

"I have to admit…" He finally said, "…I was wrong about you, Drake. Whether you're human or not, you proved yourself back there. So…basically…I'm sorry about the whole 'moderately evolved monkey' comment."

"Apology accepted," Drake smiled.

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The following day, Drake, now a fully-fledged Yautja, stood before the ship.

"We'll miss, you, man," Dachande said as they shook hands, "See you soon?"

"Will do." Drake answered. "I just want to say one thing before I leave…even though we all faced certain death back there, I wouldn't have missed it for anything. It's been an honour to hunt alongside all of you."

After a few more fond farewells, Drake and Scarface turned and walked into the ship.

"Did you read that off the back of your hand?" Scarface asked casually.

"Yeah," Drake admitted with a laugh, "I did."

Thus ends the Kiande Amedha trial…hope you enjoyed that little wrap-up.

Next chapter: Drake returns to the colony…but new challenges, and one great surprise, await…

Believe me, Drake's saga is far from over…

The braiding is the Yautja ritual where the young Yautja's hair is put in dreadlocks. As the hair is fused to the scalp, it is excruciatingly painful, but if the Yautja shows any pain they have to go through the Kiande Amedha trial again.