Hello. Just by the summary, you would know what this story is about. A classic who-done-it. This happens after the world regeneration. This chapter just gives a few descriptions, character definitions, that sort of thing. Anyway, enough of this, time for the story!

Don't own anything other than Kate Ashford (don't worry, you'll find out who that is soon)

CHAPTER ONE: MURDER

After defeating the evil Lord Yggdrasil and saving the world from destruction, what would you want to do afterwards? A party of course! Yes, what better way to celebrate a victory over champagne and elegant delicacies? The party was held at a mansion, in the outskirts of Meltokio. It was surrounded by trees and green, lush grass. It had three floors, a lovely porch and doors made out of the finest wood and glass. Inside, a celebration was underway. Anyone who was anyone was there. From those of royal decent to those who helped with the world regeneration process. Among these people, our heroes were mingling with among others. It was about 9:00 in the evening.

Lloyd Irving, the hero of the group, wearing his usual red attire and spunky, brown hair. He is a brave man who fought for justice and truth. The only downside is that he was…a little dull witted. He was found conversing with Colette Brunel, former Chosen of Mana, who wore her usual white clothing. She is strong and cherry but a little clumsy as well. While they were talking, she spilled her drink all over Lloyd.

"Ooops!" She exclaimed. "I'm so sorry! I'm such a klutz…"

"Stop apologizing!" Lloyd replied, grabbing a napkin and wiping himself dry. "It's not like you did it on purpose."

"……thanks Lloyd."

"For what?"

"For being you."

On the other side of the room, there was a little violence.

"Zelos," An angry Sheena Fujibayashi yelled, with a wet, red dress on. "I'm gonna kill you!"

"Yeesh, Sheena," Another former Chosen of Mana, Zelos replied, rubbing his face due to the slap Sheena gave him. His pink clothing and red hair was the main attraction. "Colette spilled her drink all over Lloyd and he didn't mind."

"That's because she did it by accident! You just walked up and poured champange all over me!"

"Come on, hunnie, can't you forgive me just this once?" He proceeded to her. Sheena slapped Zelos in the face, again.

"I guess not…"

"I'll never forgive you this time!"

"Why not?"

The fight continued to escalate.

Among the on-lookers, two children (well, given one looks like a child) were observing the fight. One was a boy who wore blue and had white hair. Another was a girl who wore black and had pink hair. Their names were Genis Sage and Presea Combatir. The both of them gave a sigh.

"They're making a scene," Genis pointed out.

"They always do," Presea replied. "I wonder how this is going to end…"

Another slapped was delievered to Zelos' face.

"Just like usual…"

"I hope there's a doctor in the house…"

Two more people from the group observed the fight. Regal Byrant, president of a successful company in Altimaria who wore noble like clothing and Raine Sage, an esteemed professor and scholar who studied ruins (among other things). She wore her usual orange clothing and was simple looking.

"Why can't Zelos keep his hands to himself?" Regal asked.

"This could just be a way for him to get noticed," Raine replied. "You know how he is."

"I've never seen him act this way before."

"Probably because this is a party. He's becomes wild when it comes to parties."

"How do you know all this?"

"By studing his behaviour. During our journey, he could be described as a person that didn't take anything seriously. Just put all that here and you get…"

"...one rowdy Zelos…"

Lloyd tried to make an attempt to separate the two that were arguing.

"Sheena, Zelos, stop fighting! You're making a scene…again!"

"Well, just tell Zelos to keep his hands to himself!" Sheena glared.

"Lloyd, thanks for protecting me from this vile witch," Zelos replied.

"What did you just call me?"

"Uh…nothing?"

"I'll nothing you…you…philander!"

"Well, well, why can't we just be friends like we use to?"

"If you weren't such a jerk, maybe I would let you live!"

"Stop it right now," Lloyd said," this is getting nowhere."

"Please stop fighting," Colette replied. "I just can't stand you guys fighting."

Sheena calmed down a little. Zelos sighed, relieved. He moved over to Sheena and said, "There, don't you feel better now?"

Instantly, Sheena knocked Zelos to the ground, pounced on his and tried to choke him.

"Gah!" Zelos gasped. "Can't…breathe…"

"Stupid...Chosen!" She yelled.

The guards pulled her off, saying, "Alright, miss, I think you had enough fun for today…"

Just then, a woman waltzed right in. She wore an elegant red dress and had a figure of a goddess. Her black hair flowed with radience and her brown eyes flashed like a thousand suns. Everyone was looking on her. Obviously, she was of great importance.

"Who's that?" Lloyd asked.

"I'm surprised you didn't know," His majesty replied. "Her name is Kate Ashford. She's our new emisarry of the peace, so to speak. We were considering Sheena but…you know…after seeing that's she's kind of violent and all..."

Kate walked over to Lloyd and his majesty. "Pleased to meet you, Lloyd," Kate said. "It's such an honor to meet you. You look so brave and so strong."

Lloyd started to blush. "Uh…yeah…I've been called that…"

Colette was obviously upset with this.

"Well, if you must excuse me…" Kate continued to walk through the room. She was met by Sheena.

"Who do you think you are?" Sheena asked. "You just can't waltz in here and…"

"Humph, you must be the one with the anger management problem," Kate said, disgusted. "They have great therapists in Sybak so maybe you should book an appointment right now."

"Why you…" Sheena was at a loss for words. Other people began to chuckle. It was made clear that Sheena was embarrased. Kate continued this behaviour. She called Genis' hair a rat's nest, Presea a person with no fashion sense, Regal a convict none the less and the professor an egghead. Others people were bursting out laughing.

"She's asking for it," Genis said, angrily.

"No one makes a fool out of me," Raine replied.

"I've feel so…stupid," Presea said sadly.

"Unclean…unclean…" Regal said, as he rushed to the bathroom.

"Why is she being so mean?" Colette asked. "We did do anything to her."

"She's stuck up," Raine replied. "Although I'd like to show her what this egghead could do…"

"I'll show her fashion sense," Presea replied.

"Well this rat's nest can kick some serious…"

"Genis!" Raine exclaimed.

"Alright, alright, but you know where I'm going with this."

"There are a few moves I would like to show her as well," Regal said. "Prison does teach you a thing or two after all."

"No, we can't do anything about it," Colette replied. "Although she's rude, she's still human."

Everyone else agreed, and saw that Kate was conversing with Zelos.

"Kate," Zelos said.

"Zelos," Kate replied.

"What are you doing here?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Don't start this game with me."

"Oh, Zelos, what's wrong? Just because I broke up with you doesn't make you less of a person."

Zelos became steaming mad.

"You…you…" Zelos (for the first time in his life) was speechless.

"Don't feel bad. Maybe you'll find yourself someone one day…or, maybe someone dumb enough to end up with you."

She started to laugh wildly and walked off. Zelos stormed out of the room and sulked in another room.

"Zelos," Genis whispered.

"That had to hurt," Regal replied.

It was about midnight and the festivities were coming to a close. Not only Kate was an emissary of the kingdom but she doubled as a singer as well. Our heroes were in each corner of the room, watching. Just about when Kate was to open with her favourite number, the lights shut off.

"Don't worry, folks," a technician said, "Just some minor difficulties. Remain in one place at all times." He turned on the light in no time at all. Just then, a woman let out a scream.

"She's dead!" The woman cried out over and over, "Kate Ashford is dead!"

His majesty was in deep shock. Finally, he said, "I want a full scale investigation on this. And make it quick!"

"It shall be done, sire!" The guard exclaimed.

His majesty (curious as he is) moved over to the lifeless body.

"Is anything the matter, sire?" A guard asked.

"It seems that Kate was stabbed in the back by an unknown object. The object moved straight through her, past her heart. Did anyone have any weapons on them?"

"No sire, except…"

"Except what?"

"Well, sire, this will be uncomforting news but the only persons that had weapons during the party were the ones that accompanied the Chosen of Mana during his quest."

That was rather uncomforting news. This means that one of the group members killed off Kate Ashford. Nether the less, the game was afoot.

Who wanted to kill off Kate Ashford? How will our heroes respond to this? Please R&R this chapter and tell me what you think.