Ok so I know its been sooo long since the last update, and your prob expecting some gigantic update. Well truth be told that was what I was going to deliver, but to be honest Chapter 13 still isn't done, and its been in the works since August. At the time of this posting Chapter 13 is over 50 pages long and contains over 25,000 words. Since I figured since it'll be even longer once its done, and that hardly any of us have the attention span to read through all of it that I would release Chapter 13 in parts so please enjoy!

Nitty Gritty:

I know Pope John Paul II is dead, but I loved the guy so much I had to put him in my story.

Two the ship in this story (I'm not gonna spoil it) is very well known and despite all the research I did I'm bound to have made some mistakes so please don't go off on me about it.

Any other concerns on my writing style or something you see needs improvement, that's what the Reviews are for SO PLEASE LET ME KNOW! I appreciate all reviews except for flames. Oh yeah if there's something you want to draw my attention to immediately use the message function on my profile page, I've yet to get one and would love to hear from ya'll.


Chapter 13 Part One

The Test

"Many steps must be taken before the Dragonmaster will be ready to fight. Of these steps he must undertake, one is the trial of right. This trial will prove if the Dragonmaster is indeed worthy of his title, and position." –Book Of Trials


Water Temple: Hiroshima Japan Rec Center August 18th 9:30 AM

Nall spotted Sion and Jamie resting in the corner of the lounge area. Jamie had her head nestled against Sion's shoulder, and both were asleep. Nall smiled to himself as he remembered how things were between the two when Sion had first arrived.

Since that time Sion had made great strides in his efforts to become the Dragonmaster. Just recently they had been able to confirm that Jamie was indeed the one destined to help Sion through the Trials, as well as being one of the 4 girls that may have Lucia's powers within her.

Nall quietly snuck up behind the couch, and then leaned into Sion's ear before shouting, "WAKE UP!"

Jamie jumped off Sion, and leapt to the other side of the couch. Sion rolled off the couch, and continued the roll till he was standing up with the dragon soul edge formed in his hand, ready to fight.

"Now your just showing off, I knew you heard me", Nall still couldn't help but smirk. The training he had given Sion had really paid off, and the boy had improved many times over from what he had been upon arrival.

"Yeah well, I've gotta show off alittle in front of my girlfriend right?"

"I guess."

Jamie then got off the couch, "Well Mr. Big shot, you better remember not to shove your girlfriend off of you next time you decide to show off, or otherwise bad things might happen."

Sion recognized the playful look in Jamie's eyes; it usually meant a very long, and hard workout session was ahead.

"Alright, I promise I won't next time."

"Good", Jamie leaned in and got a quick kiss from her boyfriend before heading off to help her Aunt Ruby get dinner together for the complex.

"So Nall what have we got."

Nall's tone and facial expression then got serious, "A Problem."


North County: St. Michael's School Lunch Room,August 18th 2:00 PM

Caitlin had settled into the jest of things. Mrs. Nickson had allowed Caitlin to take Sion's place at his school for her final year of high school, since the tuition had already been paid, and she figured Sion would have liked to see her go there anyways. Of course being a senior in High School wasn't entirely the picnic it was made out to be. Yeah sure the homework load was lighter, but the teachers really left it up to you to do everything.

"All of the getting you ready for college bull", she figured.

Her favorite class was English this year. She decided that after meeting the teacher Mr. Folgers. He had to be the funniest and most animated teacher she had, had through her high school life. She noticed that all the teachers here were more attentive to the individual students needs, and there were under a hundred people in her grade. Of course she had to remind her self that this wasn't public school, so that's just how it was here.

She did miss some things though she noted. The people here were nice, but tended to run in their own groups, and exclude everyone else from them. The fact that there were so few people here also made the school small, and she couldn't find any after school sports clubs or anything, just varsity, and she didn't feel like that much of a commitment.

Still it felt nice to be at Sion's school. Sion, that also brought back some mixed feelings. She hadn't been able to bring herself to date anyone since then, and just being back here where her late boyfriend had gone to school brought back memories, and had her brain racing with stupid questions like, "I wonder if he sat at this desk, or I wonder if he hung out with that crowd?"

Caitlin couldn't stop the questions flowing through her brain. She didn't even notice when Jeff snuck up from behind her and tapped her on the shoulder. The surprise caused her to jump.

"Sorry about that Caitlin, how you like the place?"

Caitlin turned to face Jeff, and his new girlfriend Christy.

"It's, well great, it's just that…"

Jeff whispered something in Christy's ear, she nodded and ran off to find Amy. Jeff then motioned Caitlin to follow him outside to the court yard.

"This is where me and Sion used to hang out all the time. We'd sit here and play hacky sack, or chat around with friends. After classes we'd go up there near the pick-up line and hang out with our other friends."

"Other?"

"Yeah, the groups in our grade don't really mix with our style, so we usually hang with some of the juniors; we get along better with them."

"JEFF!"

"Shit there's one now."

One of the juniors Jeff mentioned ran up to him and Caitlin. She was normal looking, thin, and a little on the pale side, with black hair. She ran up and gave Jeff a hug.

"I'm sorry about what happened to Sion, I woulda come and seen you guys but we were out of the country for the spring and summer."

"It's no big deal Cassie."

"Oh but I miss him, don't you?"

"Of course, oh hey this is Sion's... well I don't know what to call ya in that respect", Jeff scratched the back of his head in embarrassment hoping it didn't bring up anything painful for Caitlin.

"I'm Caitlin, I was Sion's last girlfriend."

"Oh yeah I saw you on the TV. Sion was a great guy, used to make me laugh all the time."

Jeff got in-between the two, "Well Cassie I gotta go show Caitlin around, we'll catch up after school k?"

"Sure c ya!"

Jeff led Caitlin to the far end of the courtyard and down some steps. Then they went through some doors into the cafeteria. Since it was a free period near the end of the day it was completely empty; except for the occasional person passing through.

"So let me guess, your stuck wondering about everything Sion did here am I right?"
"Yeah, I've been trying to block it out, but it just doesn't seem to work."

A voice from behind caught Caitlin off guard, "Don't try to block it out, we'll show you around."

Amy appeared behind Caitlin; Christy with her. Christy went to sit beside Jeff while Amy took the seat next to Caitlin.

"I can understand that you want to learn more about him since you didn't know him that well. We'll help you out, won't we Jeff?"
The look Amy gave Jeff could have stopped the devil in his tracks, "Of course Amy it'll be fun to remember the stuff me and the guy did together."

The four left the cafeteria and went to the parking lot. They all piled into Jeff's car and drove off. It was the last period of the day, and they all had a free period so they figured no one would care if they left early.

"Where we going?", Caitlin was looking out the window looking at everything as it passed by.

"Well for starters we'll check out the old school we went too."


Water Temple: Rec Room August 18th 10:11 AM

"A problem? What could it possibly be now?",

"Well I guess a brief history lesson will help ya understand a little better."

"Great I love these history lessons", Sion walked over to his small table with Nall, and sat across from him."

"Alright, well you know about the trial that you'll have to undergo in March right?"

"Yeah, isn't it a little early to be worrying about that now?"

"Well it's not the trial were worried about per-say. It's a requirement that has to be fulfilled; before the trial takes place."

"Why do I feel I'm not going to like this? Please don't tell me I have to go through another one of those hell weeks."

"No, no nothing like that, here take a look", With a wave of his arm a roll of paper appeared in Nall's hand. He laid it out on the table for Sion to view.

"Ya know, you and Ruby are going to have to let me read some of those books from the ancient Vane library some time."

"Yeah, yeah, now take a look at this."
The scroll depicted four objects, a sword, shield, helmet, and armor. Each had a different color for the text that described it. The sword text was silver, reading Althena's sword. The Helmet was red titled Red Dragon Helmet. Then the shield was written in blue, and the armor black.

"So what's all this?"

"These are the magical items of the Dragonmaster. All of them were forged with the magic of their respective dragon. On his journey the Dragonmaster to be would visit each dragon's lair, and upon completing the dragon's trial he would receive the item from that dragon, as well as their power."

"So what's this got to do with the trial?"

"Well if you remember after Dragonmaster Alex; the powers of the Dragonmaster were sealed since Althena no longer existed. So the items were no longer needed either."
"I still don't see where this is going."

"Alright look. The items in this scroll, see. Usually once the Dragonmaster dies or loses his powers the items would magically return to their respective dragon. After Althena ceased to exist so did the need for the Dragonmaster, so the items lost their magic abilities and became just plain objects. Now, I've kept up with the sword, but the other three items are scattered around, and were trying to track them down."

"So what's this got to do with the trial?"

"Ah glad you asked, now I get to use this new spell."

Sticking his right arm above his head an orange glow came from Nall's palm and enveloped Sion and himself. When the light was gone Sion found himself in the Trial starting area that he had been to with Nall months earlier. Next to him was The Book of Trials, which Nall was flipping through.

"Here it is, it's kinda hard to understand though."

"The trial serves two purposes. One to test the youth to see if he is indeed ready to take on the responsibilities of the Dragonmaster, and to akwaken the inner powers within the dragons needed to restore the Dragonmaster. With this the four items of being are needed to complete the task."

"Alright what the heck does that mean?"

"Basically that the trial is in fact a test of your abilities, but once you complete it at some point, and I'm not sure how it happenes, the ability for the four dragons to instate a Dragonmaster will be revived, and in order for it to work we need those four items. Right now were tracking down the Blue Dragon shield."

"And you're going to use your funky transport spell to take both of us to the command center so you can show me."

"'Oh yeah, I can't get enough of using this", an orange glow surrounded the two and then shrunk until it disappeared, the two no longer there.


North County: St. James School Chapel August 18th 2:45 PM

Caitlin was amazed at the size of the chapel. In the front there was a huge iron cross suspended from the ceiling as well as a large stain glass arrow pointing toward heaven. The entire ceiling was oak wood with a dark finish, gothic arches made of wood connected at the top. It was scary wondering if it would hold together, but breathtaking to look at.

"We all used to go to school here. It used to be that this school would handle the students from kindergarten until fourth grade. Then we'd go over to the high school, where we are now."

Jeff walked over to the front of the church and then stood on the steps.

"Every year just before Christmas break we'd have a huge Christmas pagent here. They still do actually, but it was a big deal for all of us when we got to be in it."

Amy started to remember the pagent, "Each grade did things as a group like choir, or children of the world, but once you got to 4th grade you tried out for individual parts, and that's where the best memories are."

"What did Sion do?"

Jeff started to laugh, "Sion was a flag carrier."

"Really?"

"Yeah he tried out to be one of the readers, but he didn't make the cut."

Caitlin smiled thinking about what the place would look like filled for a Christmas service.

"They never had anything like this at my old school."

Amy noticed Caitlin was starting to think too hard about what happened in the chapel. She turned and whispered in her ear.

"Would you like to just move on?"

Caitlin nodded her head, and the two moved out of the chapel toward the lunch room. They continued to tour the entire school as Caitlin soaked in the history of her late boyfriend. Images flashed in her mind of the moments she saw of the crash sight, and how, with Kyle's detailed explanations, she was unwillingly able to recreate the event in her mind. She shook it off when they got to the parking lot.

"How was that, feel any better?"
Caitlin smiled at Amy, "Yeah thanks."

Jeff ushered the girls to the car, "Well now I say we head off to me and Sion's other favorite place."

"And that would be?"

"North County Mall of course."

Amy smiled remembering the events from the previous school year with Sion at the mall, "Yeah lots of things happened over there."

"I always went to that mall off of Capitol, I've hardly ever been to North County, lets go."

The two girls both jumped in the back of Jeff's car. He sighed knowing he would look like a single chuffer going down the road.

"What's wrong Jeffy, want me to call your girlfriend and have her join us?"

Jeff smiled but shook his head, he couldn't let these girls get the better of him. Unfortunately Amy easily saw through his front and sent Christy's phone a text message to meet them there. She figured she was already in the area anyways.


Water Temple: Command Center August 18th 11:31 AM

It seemed the people manning the command center were used to Nall's transportation spell antics, and the flash of light and sudden appearance of their commander didn't even faze them. A young aid ran up to Nall, and handed him a report. The look on his face told Sion that something was definitely not right.

"Sir we believe that we have found the location of the Blue Dragon shield using historical records, however I don't think we'll be able to retrieve it easily, if at all."

Nall smiled, "Well at least this is better news than I was going to give ya Sion, and it looks like we know where it is now, right?"

"Actually sir we're nearly certain we know the exact spot of the item right now, and we're almost just as certain that it has not been retrieved."

Nall slapped the aid on the back, "That's perfect news, so where's it at?"

"Well sir we traced it by its appearance in newspapers and historical documents. Supposedly it was a well known war artifact that many generals took into war with them as a sign of wealth and believed it would keep them safe."

"Well the blue dragon is going to be tickled pink when he hears that, but go on."

"Yes sir, the shield found its way into Great Britain after the revolutionary war as one of the art items General Cornwallis brought back for his personal collection. Later the London museum took possession of the shield, and in 1912 the shield was scheduled to appear in a museum in New York on loan."

"Alright continue."

"Well sir the shield departed port in April 1912 bound for New York."

Sion spoke up, "And just what was the name of the boat the shield was traveling on."

"R.M.S. Titanic."

Nall slapped his head, "I can't believe this, do you have any information to confirm this?"

"Well sir, we weren't able to find the shield on the ships manifest, but we have documents from the British government that confirm the shield was to be transferred to New York in April, 1912 by a White Star Line boat. We also found a personal memo addressed to Bruce Ismay to take special care of an antique shield that would be traveling with him on the Titanic."

Nall slammed his head on the table, "So just where is it exactly."

"Intel reports that the shield should be in the lower hold area in a steel safe, which is currently a little under 1000 miles off the coast of New York, 2.5 miles under the water."

"And you're absolutely sure no one snuck the object off the boat?"

"Yes sir, several people were questioned about the shield's whereabouts. In fact a secret organization related to the shield due to its war history was rumored to be traveling with the shield, and protect it from theft. None made them off the boat."

"Great, just great. Well do we have anything else?"

"Yes sir; we have the Black dragon armor located in storage in the Cairo museum that has been mistaken for an ancient burial uniform. And the Red dragon helmet is located in Osaka shrine in Japan, mistaken for a samurai helmet."

Nall snickered, Ruby would love to know her article was mistaken for a samurai helmet.

"So Nall what do we do about that shield", Sion was always a big fan of the Titanic, but he knew it was next to impossible for them to obtain the shield.

"Well first off, private Green."

"Yes sir?"

"Deploy two small recon teams to obtain the two items we know about, I want them back here in a week. I'm gonna have to brain storm with Ruby on this shield."

Nall left the room in a hurry with Sion closely behind him.

"How the heck does he expect to get that shield?"


North County: North County Mall August 18th 3:41 PM

On the inside Jeff couldn't be happier to see Christy waiting for them near the McDonald's in the food court, but he didn't dare show it, otherwise Amy would undoubtedly see it as a favor he owed her.

"Hey there handsome, you single by any chance?"

"Fraid not, some beautiful brown head's got me on a leash."

"Well then how about I give it a tug."

Pulling on Jeff's shirt collar Christy brought him in for a quick kiss before greeting the rest of the girls.

"So girl where's the first stop?"

"Well since Jeff's the local Sion expert I think we should follow his lead."

"That's right there's nothing you ladies know about Mr. Sion Nickson that I don't know, so follow my lead."

Caitlin quickly thought of something smart, "Do you know what it feels like to make out with Sion, Jeff?'

"Well ahh…."

"Well then I know something you don't know", Caitlin was about to put her foot in her mouth when she remembered Amy was with them, but her regret faded away when Amy started to laugh hysterically with all of them as Jeff's face turned red.

"Oh look Caitlin, Jeff's getting embarrassed, maybe he does know!", Amy couldn't help but get in on the action.

"Oh shut up you guys, I'm straight."

Ah much as Christy wanted to join in on the fun she felt guilty enough laughing so hard at her boyfriend so she helped him out, "Sorry ladies but I can vouch for him on that one, I mean just look at the woman he's got."

"Can't argue with you there girl, but you better keep him straight."

"Oh don't worry I will, if he starts acting gay on me he won't be able to remember the last time he made out with me, mark my words."

Jeff turned around, "Hey that guy looks pretty hot."

Christy elbowed him in the ribs. Holding his side Jeff turned to face Christy, "Don't worry I've only got my eyes on you."

The remark earned him a kiss from Christy, and an aww from the rest of the girls. Caitlin felt a little awkward watching the scene wondering to herself , "I wonder if Sion had eye's only for me, or did he like Amy too?"

Jeff showed the girls around the spots in the mall that he and Sion would hang around. He made a stop over at the local Suncoast to show the girls where Sion had worked. He also stopped by some of the places in the food court they would always eat at. After a quick stop by the tool department in Sears Caitlin stopped to soak everything in.

Amy walked up next to Caitlin, "Come on Caitlin it's time you saw the best place."

"Where's that?"

Jeff turned around, "Well that would be the garden playground over at the park of course."


North Korea: Pyongyang Unknown Location August 18th 10:57 PM

Kaname woke up with the sun in her face. She had forgotten to close the curtains to her room last night. The room she had been living in for the past few months was elaborately decorated, and very comfortable.

However, even with the wonderful treatment by Zech and the rest of the workers at the palace Kaname still was on edge about the whole situation, and she couldn't help but constantly think about her mother's safety.

Kaname had actually started to believe what Zech had told her about rescuing her mother, but then her end of the work started. Every Wednesday after lunch Zech would come for her in her room and take her down to what looked like an operating room.

She would be placed on a cold steel bed after dressing in hospital garb. Zech assured her every time that there was nothing being operated on her, and that they were just testing a device that would allow her to interact with the Dragon Heart.

Kaname found it hard to believe, and even troubling. At first she refused to be put under, but then Zech would become irritated with her and threatened to withdraw his promise to retrieve Kaname's mother if she did not corporate. Kaname wanted her mother back to safety more than anything, so she decided to corporate. They'd put her under using some kind of odorless gas, and she'd wake up about three to five hours later in time for dinner feeling a little woozy, and a slight head ache that went away after about half an hour.

However this 'treatment' is what kept her werry of Zech, and everyone else at that palace. She knew despite their every effort to try and be friendly with her she was under no circumstances allowed outside by herself. While outside she couldn't talk with the locals, and she had no way to contact the outside world from within the palace. There were also guards outside her doors at all hours.

"This is definitely weird, but I've got to get my mother back!"


Water Temple: Ancient Libary Hidden Wing August 18th 12:12 PM

"How could this happen, the text clearly implies that all items are accessible to us when we need to conduct the trials", Nall was beside himself after the report from his subordinate.

("Well it implies that you will be able to obtain the items of being, but it doesn't say it will be easy to do so.")

Ruby came and placed her hands on her husband's shoulders, "She's got a point, I mean its not entirely impossible right?"

"That things under over two miles of water, that's enough pressure to snap you in half. Thats not to even mention the shield might be rusted to pieces."

"Well I wasn't talking about going down to get it. I think your forgetting that ace up our sleeves."

Nall's face lit up, "The Reversal of Pandora?"

Sion was walking around the halls of the complex with his arms behind his head, Jamie by him, "Well at least they'll have three of them by the end of the week right?"

Sion wasn't as upbeat, "Yeah it's just that we need all four, that ship is way down there, the pressure alone would snap you in half. None of the expeditions down to the Titanic have even been able to get into the area where the shield is supposed to be."

"I'm sure Uncle Nall can find a way."

"I'd love to agree with you, but anything short of raising the entire ship isn't gonna work. That's excluding the fact that you can't really raise it because it's split in half."

Jamie grew a little irritated, "You've been here half a year and you still don't understand just what Uncle Nall and Ruby can do."

"Perhaps you can give me an idea?"
Before Jamie could even answer Ruby approached them and directed them towards the ancient Library, "Nall's got an idea he's wrestling with, but we need to make a decision soon."


North County: St. James School Playground August 18th 4:30 PM

Caitlin looked around the small playground, it was pretty simple. A large open field with chain link fence all around it. On top of a hill was a large sandbox with a couple of plastic forts for kids to play in. It sorta reminded her of her little neighborhood park somewhat.

Jeff walked out into the middle of the field, "We used to play endless games of soccer with a rubber playground ball. Sion was usually the goalie."

"Why's that?"

"Well it wasn't like he was super good at soccer or anything, but he could block the ball quicker than anyone else around here. The main reason was that yard behind the goal."

Caitlin was confused, "I don't get it."

Jeff pointed to the top of the chain link fence that served as the goal, "That rubber ball flies far, and it would go over the fence all the time. If it went over that side over there we'd just run out into the road and get it. But this side; there used to be some crabby old lady that lived there. She hated us, and when the ball would go over the fence she'd know. Everyone else that tried to go out there would get caught by her and the teacher's would have to give them silent lunch, but our guy Sion, he'd sneak under the fence, grab the ball, and easily get back here without being seen. So he was always the goalie."

Caitlin walked over to the fence in question and looked over into the yard, "How'd he do it?"

Jeff walked over, and put his foot on the bottom of the fence and pushed it outward, "A bunch of us would push on the gate and bow it out. Sion would sneak under, and grab the ball then get back here before the lady was able to catch him."

Caitlin laughed when she imagined the scene played out by an eight year old version of her late-boyfriend. Amy tapped her on the shoulder to get her attention.

"So now that you've seen some of our world how about yours?"

Jeff led them all over to a small picket table, "Yeah Caitlin we never heard much about your childhood."

"Where do I start?"


Water Temple: Ancient Libary Hidden Wing August 18th 12:17 PM

"Alright you two sit down with me, we don't have a lot of time to decide on this."

Jamie and Sion took a seat across from Nall and Ruby at one of the reading tables in the ancient library.

"So you've got a solution to this?", The skepticism in Sion's voice was obvious, Jamie gently nudged him in the side. Sion relented and softly brushed against her hand and cupped it with his.

"Well I was sorta hoping to save this for when the shit hit the fan so we could go back and try to correct our mistake, and try again. We only have one use with this."

"Woah there Nall, your not making sense. Just what are you talking about?"

"You ever heard of the ancient legend of Pandora?"

"Yeah, the god Zeus gave her a box she was never to open, but she did. Let out a lotta bad stuff except for hope, and she lived for the rest of eternity in the underworld regretting what she did."

Nall smiled, "That's right, and when she opened the box all the hatred and evil got out. Now it's a little known fact that the magical city of Vane way back had invented a spell called the Reversal of Pandora."

Sion grew curious, "Reversal of Pandora?"

"Yep, a machine allows for a group of people to actually go back in time to change an event. However there are a few catches."

"Whoa go back there, you can go back in time with this?", Sion could hardly believe what was going on.

"Yeah I know its kinda out there, but you gotta remember your going to be see'n a lotta stuff like this in the coming years; so you better get used to it."

"Sorry I'll put the shock of traveling back in time aside for now", Sion's sarcasm earned him a gentle elbow to the ribs from his girlfriend.

"Right now for the problems. One; the machine can only be used once every hundred years starting in the year the machine was created. Now that was way before any recorded history on this planet, but we're about at the middle of one of those 100 year windows. Now our problem. I was hoping to use this as a safety in our fight against Virgo incase something went wrong we could go back in time and try again, but unfortunately now that were faced with this problem with the Titanic we don't have a lot of choice in the matter."

"I think we can take down Virgo without a safety net, how about the other problems Uncle Nall?"

"Well really there's just one more. The machine can only be used at a religious center."

"I've got a bad feeling about this, but just where is that location today?"

"The Vatican, in Italy."

"Woah as in the pope?"

"Yeah as in Pope John Paul II himself. I'll give him a call; we go back."

Nall exited the room to make the call. Ruby gathered up Sion and Jamie as they went to pack for the trip.

"Now I hope you too don't mind older clothes because you're going to have to blend in with the rest of the people on the boat."

"Wait a second Ruby, we're going on the boat? What about some special team that could just sneak in there, and grab the thing and make it out?"

"Way to big of a risk. If someone sees them, or they accidentally leave something from our time it could potentially alter the course of history. Nall and I both don't like this idea, but it's the only way. So it will just be us."


Water Temple: Dragon Kids Dormitory August 18th 7:38 PM

Dr. Konishi had adapted to life rather well at the complex. The beautiful gardens were much like the Japanese country side she had grown up in Okayama, and while she missed her daughter greatly she had come to terms with her loss. She also reminded herself that she was staying with the group that was hoping to get rid of the evil men that had taken her daughter away from her.

Dr. Konishi also had more than enough to keep her busy. She remembered about a week after her arrival she had been walking around the complex and noticed a lot of children running around out side. It looked like some of the older children, she figured to be around 15, were trying to keep all the younger ones under control but to no avail. Ami Konishi had stepped in and helped, and she found the more she helped care for the children the happier she became, so she threw herself into it.

About a month later Ruby had named her the new head of the Dragon Kids and she became a full time mother for more than thirty young ones. She loved them very much, and they had quickly taken to her calling her mama Ami.

It was late at night and she had finally put the most energetic kids to sleep along with all the rest. She then walked out of the nursery area to her now ajoining room. She looked at her bed, and decided she wasn't tired and went outside for a walk instead.

The air was cold on her skin, but it still was warm enough to wear short sleeves and shorts, even at this time of night. The sky was clear, and you could see the stars.

"Hey Ami."

Dr. Konishi was surprised when Nall snuck up behind her, "Hello Nall, nice night isn't it?"

"Yeah weather's been good these past few weeks, I've got a favor to ask of ya."

"Sure."

"Jamie, Sion, Ruby, and I have to make a business trip out to Rome in about an hour; could ya take my place for a little bit while we're over there?"

"I don't see why not, is there anything going on that I should know about?"

"Let's just say it's hard to believe its happening this fast, so I'll catch ya up when we get back. We've got some search and recover teams operating in the middle east, and Japan right now that should report back within the next two days."

"Alright, have a safe trip Nall."

"Thanks Ami."

Nall walked back toward the main building, and Dr. Konishi decided she better get some rest for the day ahead of her.


North County: St. James Playground August 18th 4:47 PM

Caitlin sat on the picket table with the rest of the group, "My past, well I was born in July, 1987 over in New Jersey. My mother and father both worked, my mom worked part time as a bank teller, and my dad was in the military."

Jeff popped in, "What branch?"

"He was in the marines during the Gulf War, and was killed in action while securing an oil rig in Kuwait."

At the mention of her father's death it became difficult for Caitlin to continue; Amy realized and squeezed her arm. Caitlin looked down at Amy, and smiled.

"After my father's death my mom realized that it was too expensive to live up north and raise me on her salary so she looked around, and got a job in bank management down here at First Citizens bank. I went to a normal school, and just lived a normal life, played soccer, even a little odd ball stuff like paintball. Then in high school I decided I wanted to try helping people so I started volunteering when Hurricane Isabel hit the North Carolina coast with the Red Cross. At first it was exciting to be helping out in a natural disaster because everything was like something out of a movie, but then you see the actually devastation and horror that something like that causes. The job just lost its excitement, and became a 24hr mercy fest. I saw little kids who lost both parents, parents who realized they had lost everything, and didn't have the money to even think about rebuilding. The smell of the place was horrible. You hated seeing it, and you hated it more because your realized there was only so much you could actually do to help them."

Christy was now curious, "So how did you end up at the hospital that you met Sion at?"

"After the hurricane relief work I transferred over to North County Hospital as a nurses aid. I still do the relief work when something like that happens at the coast, but I couldn't join the national relief program while I was still in high school."

"Well that's a brief history."

Caitlin smiled, "Sorry, but except for just being raised by my mom there isn't a whole lot to know about me. Except I enjoy helping people in need."


Water Temple: Tarmac August 18th 8:48 PM

Sion and Jamie stood at the tarmac with Ruby; waiting for Nall to show up.

"I wonder how we're gonna get there. I'm dying to take the Citation X out again, it's been so long since I've been able to fly."

"Yeah well think about it mister, if the plane that went down this past March all of a sudden shows up in Rome; don't you think it'd be world wide news within the hour of us landing?"

"…Yeah you've got a point there, but at least Nall promised to let me fly the plane."

Now Ruby voiced her concern's, "Wait you said it's been six months since you've flown a plane?"

"Yeah, but its something that stays with you for the rest of your life. After a few minutes I should be just as proficient as I was when I flew over here."

Both Jamie and Ruby started to get worried, "So what happen's those first few minutes before you get back to where you were?"

"Oh well besides take off I guess just a little bumpy flight while I refamilizerize myself with the airplane. To be honest even if I was still proficient I'd have to go through it if he's putting me on something I haven't flown before."

"…oh boy", Ruby and Jaime started to go through the bags checking to make sure everything was there, including survival gear incase something happened with their pilot's skills.

Nall chose this choice time to make his untimely appearance, "So everyone ready to go?"

Sion jumped up, "Just show me to the plane man."

"That's my boys lets get too it!"

Sion ran over and grabbed his bag slinging it over her shoulder. He walked back over to Nall who put his arm around him before pulling him in for a noggie, "Alright everyone were going to Rome!", Nall and Sion both kept their arms around each other's necks looking like long time best friends while Jamie and Ruby followed grimly behind awaiting just what kind of plane they would be flying in.
"Well for all of you I've got a treat, the Japanese government sent us a little present last month for our efforts in North Korea awhile back. Check this out."

Nall opened the walk in door to the hanger to reveal a Gulf Stream V business jet. Sion was completely in shock, "it's a…a….a…gulf…stream?"

"Yep brand spank'n new too. This baby's got everything on it to travel in style, and it's even faster than those commercial jets everyone else is stuck flying around in."

"Just how comfy is it on the inside Nally", Ruby made sure to communate her discomfort with their pilot by using her husband's least favorite nickname.

"Well go take a look for yourselves, it's even got a bed in the back of it."

At the mention of a bed both Jamie and Ruby ran up the stairs and into the cabin of the plane. Sion and Nall could hear both woman scream their mutual agreement on the furnishings onboard the plane.

"Oh my gosh look at how baggy this leather is, and its so soft!"

"Wow a kitchen and oh boy, Jamie look all these seats have their own TV!"

"Hey look we don't have to fight over the bed, it's so big we can both fit on it!"

Nall turned to Sion and smiled, "Well looks like their enjoy'n it. But I can tell Ruby isn't too keen on you flying it."

Sion smiled, "Well I sorta joked with them about not flying for six months."

"Oh I see, you never let them in on those weekly flights you took on the C-130's?"

"Course not."

"Well then I guess we'll just have to show them how much skill you have."

"Will do sir."

The pre-flight inspection went by quickly as Nall covered one side of the plane while Sion did the other. Jamie and Ruby didn't notice any time passing by as they learned how to work the TV sets on the inside of the plane. Jamie had somehow found a DVD player and had put in the O.C. for her and Ruby to watch.

With the inspection done Nall opened the main hanger doors then jumped back into the plane and closed the stairs. Sion was already in the cockpit getting the plane ready to go. Instruments glowed in the darkness of the hanger, then the slow humm of the planes APU starting filled the cabin. As soon as it fired; the entire cabin was lit up, the instruments instead of a dim glow became brightly illumated. Sion then took the radio.

"Dragon ground JA1677 request pullout onto tarmac."

" JA1677 request acknowledged. Pulling you onto the tarmac."

The plane rocked back and forth a little as it started to move out of the hanger. The ground crew them detached from the plane, and signaled clear of plane.

"Dragon tower, this is JA1677 five minutes before engine startup. Request clearance for take off runway 04"

"JA1677 start engines and take off, have fun in Rome"

"Roger Dragon tower. JA1677 cleared for take off."

The cabin went dark as Sion shut off power so he could start the engines, then in the blackness the wine of the left engine slowly reached an ear piercing scream before it started. The process then repeated with the right, and the lights returned.

Sion turned to Nall who was sitting in the co-pilot seat, "Alright lets kick this pig!"

"Huh?"

"Sorry, Down Periscope quote."

The plane screamed down the runway like a race car, and quickly took to the air. Jamie and Ruby both pressed back into the baggy leather seats as the plane rapidly accelerated and rose into the air.

"JA1677 resume own navigation, cleared of airspace, we're shutting down all lights, have a safe flight."

"Roger Dragon tower JA1677 resuming own navigation. We'll see you in about a week."

After that the flight was pretty uneventful. Ruby and Jamie watched a little more of the O.C. before hitting the sack. Nall went to the galley to make some coffee which Sion quickly declined opting for a Red Bull instead.

"So what are we going to do once we get there?"

The auto pilot had taken over the flight, and Nall reclined in his seat to get more comfortable, "We'll first we have our meeting with Pope John Paul the II, then…"

"Woah we're meeting the pope?"

"Yeah of course and that's just the beginning. Just before dinner your gonna get to go through a simulation of the Titanic by eating dinner in a simulated 1st class dining room. Then we plan out the raid, and then in the morning we commence the time travel."

"Guess we're not wasting any time."

"Sion, we barely have enough time to get anything done with the time we have left."


GD: Well folks I know you were expecting a ton more but in truth chapter 13 still just isn't finished.

Ruby: Yeah and even if it was none of ya would have a long enough attention span to read it.

GD: So your saying I write boring stuff?
Ruby: Well everything cept the parts I'm in.

Nall: Hell GD cut her out of the whole dam thing.

Ruby: What!

GD Dodges and covers all of chapter 13 as Ruby's flame just misses and hits Nall in the face.

GD: Dam that was close, well readers I promise to try my best and not have such a long delay, till next time please keep those reviews coming in!