Spring was starting to become his favorite season. Sure, it had rain, but so did the other season (on occasion). Today was graduation day, and he couldn't be more determined. Things were going to start looking great. Mook was going to make sure of it.

The very last person just returned to their seat from going up to the stage with the principal, who seemed to glow more than usual. Everyone sat patiently as the speech was coming to an end. It took a while, but he did it.

Mook graduated.

He could already hear his mother's praises for all three boys in his head. As those around him stood up  and cheered as they hugged each other, he searched for his brothers and Aru. The happy moment was contagious, and he found himself smiling a great, big smile. Then that smile disappeared when a shrill scream filled the air. Turning to the back of the stadium, he felt his blood run cold. Clenching his fist, he questionably glared at the man who left him when he was a child. Why was his father here.

"Greetings, peasants! I'm glad you all seem to be enjoying the moment, but I'm going to need all of you to become scared for me, if you will."

The monster of a man then grinned a crazed grin as he began to transform. In the place of the man was now a very large sea serpent. People around Mook began to panic and run as his dove down into the crowd of guests attending, hitting away, cutting and nearly crushing them. As he took to the sky once more, it appeared that he had someone in his grasp. He then landed harshly on the ground and growled.

"Let go of me, you fowl man!"

Mook's eyes widened, but only for a moment. His glare returned as he pushed past his fellow graduates and towards the danger.

"Let go of my mother!"

The beast flickered his eyes to Mook and snarled happily.

"There he is, my little Mook. Come, join mother and father."

"You are no father of mine! Release my mother at once!"

Snorting, the beast lifted his (ex) wife to his eye level.

"Never taught the boy proper manners, did you?"

Frowning, she dared to challenge him.

"Never was much of a father, were you?"

She yelped out as he squeezed his tail, hurting her. Mook began to panic as he pleaded for him to put his mother down. Suddenly, seemingly out of no where, his father let out a shrieking laugh.

"It's so like you, my son, to only focus on a small part of the problem."

"What are you-"

"AHHHHHHHH"

Eyes widening, Mook turned to look behind him. There, Dante, his brother, was screaming. He looked to be in immense pain as he covered his ears and fell to his knees.

"Dante...!"

Mook ran to his brother, but was thrown back by an unseen force. Mook hissed at his father and grew angrier.

"Leave him alone! You're hurting him!"

"Pick."

"What?"

"Pick who gets to be saved. Is it your dearest mother? Or maybe it's that wretched boy that you share blood with?"

Before Mook could hurl another insult at him, something huge was hurled over him. He couldn't see what it was until it crashed into his father.

'Who could throw a boulder?!'

"PENDEJO!!!! THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A GREAT DAY!!!"

Turning around, Mook couldn't help but gawk at the sight. A (very) short Xena was breathing heavily as she glared at his father. She no longer had her sunglasses on, revealing the anger in her eyes. Mook couldn't believe it. How could he? There was just no way that this tiny human could throw something so big. Xena, however, was not to be underestimated. Glaring, she clenched her fist. At that exact moment, a chunk of the Earth levitated above the ground. Pointing a finger gun at him, she smirked and winked.

"Target locked—bingo"

Smiling to herself, she pretended to shoot the gun. Though it didn't fire bullets, it did seem to fire the boulder towards the serpent. Letting out a hiss, the beast dropped Mook's mother. Mook felt his blood run cold in fear as he watched his mother fall, but that changed when Xena created a snowy slide, bringing her to safety 100 feet behind Mook. Feeling confident once again, Mook faced his father and made his demand.

"Let Dante go, now."

"I see you have made your choice."

Suddenly, a blinding light appeared, causing everyone to try and cover their eyes. Then, his mother's scream filled the air. Turning around, he felt his heart stop. His mother was unharmed, but she was holding onto someone in front of her. Someone he knew too well. His mouth screamed out her name before he could do anything else.

"ARU!!!"

Then she fell.

He panicked as he ran to her side, but she wasn't responding. As he held her head up, he felt something wet on his hand. Carefully checking as he shook, he noticed a large, bloody gash on her neck.

Then he snapped.

His father took a step forward, but Mook let him know he was unwanted by growling as he tightened his grip on the brunette in his arms.

"Xena..."

The short girl cautiously peered at Mook, concern written all over her face.

"Yes, Mook?"

"Make it rain."