I do not own TOS, Namco does. I do take credit for this fic which is my first TOS story. Hope you enjoy.
Chapter 1: Let the Game Begin
The world of regeneration was complete. The two worlds no longer fought for mana. In between rested the newly reborn Kharlan Tree, protected by the free angels.
The group had separated following different paths. Each individual with a goal to reach.
-Tethe'alla Base-
"Yo, I'm leaving. So...later."
The ex-Chosen waved his hand at his former blue haired commander.
"Yes. I have nothing more for you to do. Very well, you may leave. Come back anytime you please."
Wandering the desert with no apparent destination. Enjoying the sun and heated gusts of wind, the redhead decided to lie down and bathe in the rays of light. Zelos looked around to make sure that he was in a deserted area. Onced he felt assured he began to strip off his clothing. Not wanting to make contact with the sand Zelos lay his bare body on top of the clothes.
"Heheh. Maybe I should get a tan. I could make even more people swoon over me."
-Three hours later-
"Uugh... Crap! I over slept." the sun-baked man gasped.
Zelos looked at his body and hesitantly touched his skin. Sighing with relief the crimson haired man rose to his feet to dress himself.
"Whew. No sun burn. I guess I'm not as sensitive to the sun as I thought. Okay, time to see if even more people will fall victim to my irresistible charms."
After a while of pondering Zelos decided to visit his buddy first at Dirk's house. Not having much patience the redhead skillfully teleported himself there.
-Dirk's House-
Behind the house Kratos quietly prayed to Anna's tombstone. Wishing his wife peace in the after life. A few orange feathers fell from above which caused the man in purple to raise his gaze.
"Hmm?..!!!!"
"Watch out below. Wheeee!" the long haired man said cheerily.
"Oooof!!" both men said in unison as they were engulfed in a cloud of dust.
The younger man crashed full weight on top of the other. The cloud of dust cleared as the two regained awareness. The older man narrowed his eyes at Zelos.
"Ahhh! S-Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to, honest. Here let me help you up." the younger man said as he pulled the other to his feet.
"What are you doing here?" Kratos inquired.
"Uh,... oh yeah, I was looking for Lloyd. Is he home?" Zelos smiled.
"Yes, inside the house..." he said slightly blushing due to the redhead's tan.
"Thanks."
Kratos eased as Zelos rushed towards the door unaware of his blushing. The thought of grabbing and holding the redhead tight wandered in his head.
"Hmph. Such foolish thoughts." he shook his head to clear the image.
Zelos knocked on the door with a little too much enthusiasm.
"Hello? Zelos, hey. What brings you here?" Lloyd smiled.
"Yo, bud. Just wanted to visit ya."
"Come on in we're having dinner. Hey, Kratos, dinner's ready." the young swordsman called out.
"It's that time already?" Zelos said placing a hand to his stomach.
A loud grumble roared so loud that all three swordsmen froze in place.
"Huh, I guess is it." Zelos laughed sheepishly.
"Oh, we have a guest. That's going to be a problem." Dirk peeked out the door way.
"A...A problem? Am I causing you trouble?" the long haired man frowned, "Sorry, I'll just go hom-"
"No no no! It's just that we only have three chairs." the dwarf pointed in the direction of the dinner table.
"That's okay. I'll eat on the floor." Zelos suggested.
"No, you are our guest. Lloyd, give him your seat." the dwarven father commanded.
"Aww, I like my chair." Lloyd whined.
"Where are your manners?" Kratos said giving his son a light tap on the head with his scabbard.
The three started arguing as if Zelos were not present. Not wanting any trouble the crimson maned man came up with an idea.
"Hey, I'll just go eat at the balcony."
The redhead rushed to the top. He didn't mind eating on the floor, but he also didn't want to cause them trouble. This was the only solution he came up with.
"Aahh. Fresh air is good for digestion. Great place to eat." he sighed.
Usually Zelos would eat elegantly as he was taught to do so at an early age, but since he was at a close friend's house he felt like a part of the family and didn't think it was necessary. Especially, since he was eating by himself. He ate piggishly when he was hungry.
The door clicked open as the seraph walked through.
"Why are you eating out here? You are our-"
"Guest, I know. Can't you guys treat me like a family member? I don't care if there isn't enough chairs. Besides, I like it out here better." he said while continuing to eat savagely.
"...Would you like some company?" Kratos said sitting beside Zelos.
"Whaf?" was the muffled answer that came out of Zelos' stuffed mouth.
"I asked if you would like some...company." the spiky haired man said turning away as he noticed Zelos' tan again.
"Uh... Sure, why not?" the redhead replied as he swallowed his food.
Kratos began to feel uncomfortable at the awkward silence. Zelos was known for his nonstop babbling. Kratos stared at Zelos fascinated by his behavior.
"Somethin' wrong old man? You don't have to keep me company if you don't want to. I'm used to being alone anyway."
"No, I am just surprised that you are quiet."
"Hmph! Whatever." he snorted.
"I don't mean that in a bad way."
No relpy came from the angered ex-Chosen. He continued to munch down on his meal giving the seraph a cold shoulder.
"...I'm sorry if I offended you."
"Who cares. It doesn't matter anyway. So, tell me why you're here and not Lloyd. Wait, let me guess, you lost in rock, paper, scissors. Hahahaha, ah, I wish I saw it."
"No, I came up here on my own...to talk to you."
"Ooohhooo, I see. You need me to do something for you. What is it this time?"
"What?" Kratos was confused.
"Come on don't play dumb with me. Everytime you wanted to talk to me you always had a favor to ask."
"Hmm, that is true, but not this time. I would just like to chat."
"Couldn't you have done that down stairs with Lloyd and Dirk?"
"You are different. I feel somehow more comfortable talking with you."
"Ah, huh... Okay... Sorry, but I don't really have anything to say right now." Zelos shook his head.
"Then, may I ask a question?"
"Ask away."
"Why have you come here?"
"I came to see Lloyd, what else?"
"What have you done to your skin?"
"It's called a tan, pops. Get with the program." (Oh, yeah. I was going to see if Lloyd likes it) Zelos looked over at Kratos to find him staring. "Somethin' wrong?"
"It's nothing." Kratos blushed.
"Okaayy. Hey, since you are up here let's play a game."
"A game?"
"Yeah, we'll just keep asking questions over and over again. The person who doesn't answer loses, and the winner gets to dare the loser, got it?"
"Hm, very well."
"I'll go easy on you for now. Uh, hmm... How old are you."
"Four thousand twenty-eight years old."
"So your body stopped aging at twenty-eight. Okay your turn."
"Now that you are no longer the Chosen of Tethe'alla what do you plan on doing with your life?"
"Oooh, that's deep. Uh, well, hm. I plan on traveling around the world to hone my skills."
"Your swordsmanship?"
"That too." he smirked.
"What other skills doing you have?"
"Geez!! Enough with the insults already. First you're amazed that I can stay quiet then you assume that I don't have any other skills. What have I ever done to you!!! You know what? Don't bother answering that question, cause I don't give a DAMN!" Zelos shouted.
Enraged Zelos stomped off slamming the door behind him so hard that Kratos' hair blew back. Surprised at the redhead's reaction Kratos sat still stunned and speechless.
"Yo, Lloyd, Dirk, thanks for dinner. I have to go. I have some unfinished business to attend to. I'll be at Hima if you need me."
"Zelos, wait. Why-" Lloyd asked unsure of why his friend was leaving so soon.
"Later, bud." the redhead said as he flashed his wings and flew off waving goodbye.
-Hima-
At the edge of the plateau the ex-Chosen sat on the hard ground to stare at the calming light stars. Mixtures of black and purplish-blue gave the sky a mystique sense of tranquility. However, this scenic view did not quench his burning irritation.
"What other skills do you have?" Zelos said impersonating Kratos' voice. "Hmph. I have many skills. Let's see." he said placing his finger on his chin, "I'm a good writer, I can dance acceptionally well, I am caring...when I wanna be, that is. I am a pretty decent cook, I am a martial artist like Seles... Although I'm not nearly as good, just yet. I can be a leader, and most of all I'm a very loveable person when it comes to relationships."
"You have yet to prove that." a deep voice answered.
This sudden response caught Zelos off guard causing him to swiftly jump back and face whoever had snuck up on him. Unfortunately, Zelos was already at the edge of the plateau. He quickly flashed his wings and flew straight up before he fell off the cliff.
"You bastard!" he huffed trying to calm his beating heart.
"My parents were married, therefore I am not." the older man corrected.
"Shut the fuck up! Leave me the hell alone." Zelos barked turning to walk away.
"I do not understand. Why did you leave? I was merely asking you a question. I apologize if I offended you in any way."
"Okay, I forgive you (not like it matters). Now go away."
"We never finished our game." Kratos reminded.
"So what?"
"You never answered my question."
"Well, too bad."
"For you." Kratos smirked, "You lose."
"And I should care why?... Uh, oh." he gasped remembering the game's rules.
-begin-
"Okaayy. Hey, since you are up here let's play a game."
"A game?"
"Yeah, we'll just keep asking questions over and over again. The person who doesn't answer loses, and the winner gets to dare the loser, got it?"
"Hm, very well."
-end-
(Son of a bitch.) "Okay, what's your dare?" he sighed in defeat.
Even though he hated the man in purple Zelos was still going to keep his word.
"Hmm... I dare you to prove to me that the skills you just announced are in fact true."
"That's a pretty stupid dare."
"Oh, is the great Chosen One not up for the challenge?" Kratos raised an eyebrow.
"I'm an ex-Chosen and I never said that! Fine. I'll prove all my skills, then rub it in your face."
Phew, finished at last. Sorry it's so short. I got it out of nowhere. Anyway, tell me whatcha think. Good/Bad? Please review.