A Twisted Fate
By Harmony283
Summary-Hmm, well, this idea came to me after my second time of playing through the game. Basically I thought 'What if instead of both Raine and Genis being abandoned only Raine was abandoned? What would happen if Kloitz took Genis with him to Meltokio to be raised by some of his friends?' Though one has to wonder—if Genis never got abandoned and Raine was the only one that went through the Other Worldly Gate then…how would things have changed in the game?
Pairings-GenisXZelos, GenisXOC-one-sided
Disclaimer-No, sadly enough I don't own ToS. Namco does. If I did Genis would have a bigger role and Mithos wouldn't have died in the end.
Warnings-This takes place before the game during the game and after the game…so yeah, there'll be spoilers. And of course, there's Shonen-ai
A/N: This idea has been bugging me for a while and thanks to YukitheFox/Nady-Kun over on Deviant Art I decided, why not post this up? Though it did take a crazy long time editing it an all…
Prolog-One Stormy Night
The night was thick, humid. A storm was brewing on the horizon. The waves crashed dangerously close on the nearby beaches. Despite this, many people thought of the day as peaceful. After all, what could possibly happen? This was just another summer storm. Though for some people this 'storm' wouldn't just be a 'storm'. It would be a silent, or not so silent, warning of the future. Of what hardships were to come.
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It was nearing one o'clock in Heimdall. A lone house on the very edge of town, near the Ymir forest, had a single light lit. There was an elven woman with silver white hair, an eleven year old girl that looked almost exactly like the woman, and a human man with black slight spiky hair and blue-sometimes purple-eyes in this lone room. The woman was lying on the bed, crying out in pain. A boom of thunder outmatched this scream and many others that had come before it.
"Come on, Virginia, just a little longer!" The man whispered encouragingly, squeezing the womans' hand. The eleven-year-old girl just watched happily. She had always wanted a younger sibling. Now she was getting one…even though she knew it would be tough on her family. Suddenly the door opened and a man dressed in a navy blue cape walked in. He was the village elder and had been called to bless this…child…like always. But after that…he had to tell them to leave. For no half-elves, or their relatives were allowed into the small town.
With one last cry, yet again muted by the onslaught of thunder, a baby was born. The elder took the boy in his arms, and walked towards the bathroom to wash the child off and bless him. He noticed almost immediately that this child…was different. Yes he was indeed a half-elf, as were all born from humans and elves. But he was different. The elder dipped the boy in the basin of water, earning a happy giggle from the small child. This made him smile. This child did not deserve to be born into such a family.
A high ranking soldier as a father, an elf as a mother, and a child prodigy half-elf as a sister. The elf wrapped the…boy…in a small towel, and raised his staff, chanting some holy words, "Goddess Martel please bless this soul and grant him thy passage to happiness." Though where that happens was in this boys' twisted fate he did not know. The elder got up slowly and carried the boy gently back into the room to the expectant parents, and older sibling.
"Here is your child, your healthy baby boy." Virginia's eyes lit up as the small child was placed in her arms. "Oh…he's so cute!" the eleven year old girl said with a smile on her face, "Yes, he is. What…what should we name him?"
"How about…hmm, Genis!" Virginia said with a huge smile on her face. The man just nodded his head, seeming slightly nervous about something. The Elder sighed, "Listen…even though he's just a new born…you can't stay here." Virginia and the man turned towards him, "But--"
"No buts. You know what happened when half-elves were here last time." The elder said, his eyes harsh and cold. Virginia looked down at the sleeping boy, "But we can't possibly--and the Academy…Raine…no…we have to settle down somewhere!" She looked up frantically at the man standing there, "Kloitz, what do you think, dear? What should we do?" The man sighed, "I…I will take Genis with me when I…go to Meltokio. I have a friend who wants a child. He can look after him. I'm not sure about--"
"WHAT? You mean I can't…see him…?" the girl shouted from the side of the bed. Kloitz looked at her with sad eyes, "I'm afraid not, Raine. Unless you want to work in a horrible cell for the rest of your life." Raine looked over at her mother, "Are you going to agree with him?" Virginia nodded her head slowly, watching as Genis slept. "We…might not have any choice. I'm so sorry Raine…but you won't be able to see your brother again…you might not be able to see him again ever."
Raine looked at her mother, slightly confused, "What do you mean, mom? I don't get it…" Kloitz reached down to pick up his newborn son, causing him to stir and open his eyes. Kloitz took one look at those eyes and smiled, "Heh, that's good. He shouldn't have any trouble with fitting in now…"
"Hmm? What color are his eyes dear?" Virginia asked weakly, feeling suddenly tired from the recent ordeal. Kloitz smiled at her, "They're my eyes. He has the same ones…"
"Oh I see. That must be good because…they'll recognize him as your son, right? He won't have any trouble…with um, racism?" Raine asked, her voice wavering slightly. She was still slightly angry at them for so easily deciding on giving up Genis. "Yes, that should ease it off him. This will too." Kloitz reached into his pocket and pulled out a pendant. It was shaped like a cross and a lone angel made out of pure Amethyst rested in the center. "This was made by a well renowned Dwarf about a thousand years ago. It's my family's most precious heirloom. It's to be past down to all the males in the family." Kloitz said as he slipped the pendant around the young baby's head.
Genis gurgled happily, his eyes shining a purple color. "Ah yes, his eyes are exactly like mine." Kloitz murmured, shifting his weight between his feet. "I will…leave first. I'll go to Meltokio and…ask my friend to take care of this boy."
"Are you sure they'll take care of him? They won't treat him badly, will they?" Raine asked, her eyes hard and cold, she obviously wanted to be reassured that her new baby brother would be fine.
"Yes. My friends' wife can't have children and she was raised to be non-racial. She helps out those in the Slums area of Meltokio. My friend, his name is Robert; he's the head of the guards under the kings' nephew. He'll make sure he gets a good education." Virginia nodded her head, closing her eyes slowly, "Hmm, that sounds wonderful. After we make sure he safe we can…" she yawned softly, making Kloitz smile, "You rest now. We will deal with…our living conditions later. Raine please watch over your mother. Elder, please let her stay just this one night." The Elder sighed reluctantly, "Oh alright. Just as long as Raine doesn't show her face…it should be fine."
Raine pouted but understood that he was right. She could be hurt badly since she knew no magic…and in a village crawling with Elves that knew high leveled magic she could very well be in danger. "Um, I'll just…uh, stay here." She murmured as she watched Kloitz and her baby brother walk out of the room.
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One Week later: Meltokio Plaza, 4:25 PM
"So this is…your son?" A man with light green hair and matching green eyes mused softly, studying the infant child in his arms. Kloitz nodded his head, running a hand nervously through his spiky hair, slightly dampened from the light drizzle of rain the town was receiving. "Yes that's my son. His name is Genis. I would like you to take care of him for…I don't know how long. All I know is that right now isn't the best time for Virginia and I to be raising a baby."
"Then how did you manage with Raine?" The green haired man asked, looking at his best friend incredulously. Kloitz shifted his weight nervously and glanced around. No one seemed to notice who he was…yet. "Ah, well, times have changed. And it was easier to move around with just one child. And the income, as you know, wasn't as good as it could have been." The man nodded his head sympathetically, "Yes. There really isn't a need for any fighters at a time like this. Well, as trainers yes but…other than the occasional Mercenary, which can never be trusted…ah, you get what I mean don't you?" Kloitz nodded his head, his eyes turning a light purple, in relief.
"So you will…take care of him?"
"Did I ever say I was going to say no?"
"Well…no…I just wanted to make sure. Raine was pretty torn up about this. She really wanted a baby brother." The man nodded his head in understanding, "But now people know about Raine's, say, unnatural intelligence it's going to be triple times that hard to hide her from the Research Academy. They'll want her to work there. What will you do?"
Kloitz looked around nervously yet again, "Um, well…I'd rather not talk about it here. Let's go back to where you're staying." The man nodded his head and led him to the inn. Once the room was securely locked the two friends settled down, "Now then, what's the story?" The green haired man asked once more, placing the sleeping baby Genis on the nearby bed. "Ah, well, have you heard the rumors about…Sylvarant?" The mans green eyes widened, "You really think it exists?" Kloitz nodded his head, "Yes. That's what Virginia suggested. And…I'm willing to go through with it. I don't want Raine to work in a horrible place like that for the rest of her life! You understand, don't you?" the man nodded his head, "Yes I do. I'll make sure this little guy doesn't end up there either. Though I doubt he will."
He then smiled, "After all, if he's anything like you he'll turn out to be not only a great swordsman and politician but possibly, because of his elven blood, a great Magician and Scholar as well! He'll be a child prodigy!" Kloitz laughed nervously, happy that his friend was so enthusiastic but worried all the same, "But…you won't force him will you?" the mans face turned serious, "No of course not. He'd probably hate me if I did that. Besides I know I wouldn't want to be forced to do anything. I'll make sure to ask him before we start any classes or training sessions with him." Kloitz nodded his head, "Well I'd better be leaving now. Virginia's probably waiting for me somewhere."
The man nodded his head, "Yes you'd better go. And I hope that that mysterious land of Sylvarant is actually real. But…" He turned his gaze to the sleeping baby, "May will be happy when I bring this little guy home." Kloitz nodded his head; "Yes she's such a nurturing person. You both are. Thanks again for taking care of him, Drew." With that Kloitz walked out the door and down the hall. A boom of thunder rang above his head as he closed the inn door. He sighed softly, "I hope that one day our children will forgive us for all we're putting them through." He murmured as he pulled his coat tighter around himself.
The rain poured down mercilessly a few seconds later, drenching him. Little did he know that this was going to be the last time he walked the cobble stone streets of Meltokio. The last time he would ever see his son. And the last time rain like this would fall on his shoulders…
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Two weeks later:
"Mom? What's wrong mom? Where's dad?" Raine cried out, looking around frantically. Her mother had taken her to some weird ruins on this small desolate island close to the Toize Valley Mines. She had no idea what she was doing out here. She just knew that it was cold and dark and…and the moon was full. "Mom?" The woman she called her mother looked about her worriedly, "Honey don't worry! Please don't worry. I'll…I'll go get your father now. Just wait here. It's not safe if you come with me into town anymore."
Raine nodded her head, knowing that this was the truth. "I…I understand. I'll wait here." Virginia nodded her head and got back into the small boat, "Don't worry dear, you'll be fine waiting here. I'll just…go get your father now." She started to row away, leaving her oldest child there on the small island. Raine sighed softly as her mothers' form disappeared from view. She knew full well that the place closest to here would be either Altimira or…or Heimdall but it took at least two days to get to either…if her mother didn't sleep.
But her mother said to wait, so she would wait. "Mother just please hurry…" Raine walked over to the center of the ruins and looked around, trying to find a place to sit. A cool wind ruffled her silver, shoulder length hair as she walked around the perimeter of the ruins. "Wow, this island really is small. But mom left some provisions so I should…I should be fine." Raine walked back over to a bag that rested close to the middle of the ruins. She picked it up and smiled, "Yup there's plenty here for two full days of waiting. Hmm, I'm sure I can keep myself busy until then."
She sat down on the ground, another cold wind blowing past her, making her shiver. Suddenly there was an eerie green glow surrounding her. "Wha--?" She looked around her, the light surrounded her, "MOM!" She cried out as the light engulfed her. She suddenly felt the sensation of falling. She was falling through the air. But that didn't make any sense. How could she be falling through the air when she had been sitting down on solid ground?
Her thoughts were immediately halted when she made contact with the hard ground. Her head hit something even harder and she felt her consciousness slipping away. Her surroundings falling into darkness…
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Virginia slowly got out of the boat as she made contact with the sandy ground. She turned around just in time to see an eerie glow emitting from the ruins. "I'm…so sorry Raine. I'm…so sorry. Please forgive me…" Virginia murmured as she walked alone in the cold towards the Toize Valley mines. She hoped against hoped that Kloitz would be there like he promised. She reached the entrance of the cave and shuddered, it was pitch black inside. She quickly reached into her bag and brought out a lamp, lighting it hastily with her elven magic. She then walked further into the mines. She knew it had been deserted since that horrible accident with the owner of Lorenzo Company was sent to jail.
Her footsteps echoed off the walls as she walked further in. She reached the first large room and gasped. There, blocking the entrance to the cave, was a huge…machine. It was obviously the Security System. But it looked like no one had bothered it in quite a while. She sighed inwardly, "I guess I should wait. Please hurry, Kloitz." She shrank against the far side wall and buried her head in her knees.
It seemed like an eternity before she heard footsteps again, she looked up expectantly and saw the man she had been waiting for. Kloitz stood there, in the entrance, also temperarily entranced by the Security System. He then scanned the room and smiled when he saw Virginia. "There you are. I was…worried about you not…waiting for me." He whispered softly, as if he couldn't believe it was her.
"Why…why did you take so long, Kloitz? Was work that…long? Did it take you a while to get out?" She got up and ran towards him, her face showing how worried she was. Kloitz shook his head and ran his fingers through his hair, "No. Not that. It's just…I was…with some friends in Altimira. They invited me to dinner and I didn't have an excuse planned. In other words, he forced me to go. Things…didn't go too smoothly though. He asked about my family and if I should settle down yet."
Virginia nodded her head, though she seemed slightly surprised. "I see…so they still don't know about…?"
"Oh I'm sure they do, Virginia. I'm sure they know about…Raine. Now the only person who knows about Genis and whose child he is would be Drew and possibly May." Virginia nodded her head, "It would be…much worse if…the wrong people found out about him at this age." Kloitz nodded his head in agreement, "Why don't we get out of this cave though? I borrowed some…wing packs from…someone. We can go anywhere we want to." Virginia smiled, "Yes, that sounds…like a good idea. It is…getting a bit chilly here."
"But before we go…did Raine…?" Virginia nodded her head, "Yes, she did. It was like the legend said. 'On a full moon the passage to the world of Sylvarant awakens." She's there; in Sylvarant as we speak. I just hope she'll find a better life there." Kloitz nodded his head, slightly dazed, "Yes, I do as well. She's a smart girl. One of the smartest half-elves alive. I'm glad that she will now choose her own path. Now we must choose our own." Virginia nodded her head and followed Kloitz out into the chilly night air.
They brought forth the Wing Packs and took off. Little did they know that the kings knights were watching them closely from behind some nearby trees.
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Four Years Later:
"Genis, where are you?" A woman with shoulder length brown hair split on either side of her face, called out; her blue eyes showing worry.
"What's wrong, May?" Drew called out from down the road, lugging a piece of heavy baggage over his shoulder.
"Oh…it's Genis. He ran off again."
"Really? Have you tried looking in the Slums?"
May stared at him, mouth hanging open, "How can you…you know it's dangerous down there!"
Drew just sighed and nodded his head, "I suppose you're right, but you know how much he loves to explore…and that's the only place he hasn't explored so…"
"Oh, I just hope he's okay." May whispered, to which Drew put down the heavy baggage he was carrying and walked over to her, wrapping his arms around her lithe frame.
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Same Time Frame w/Zelos:
I sighed to myself yet again. I had to finish that…weird…Summon Spirit allignment project before tomorrow and, to make matters worse, I didn't want to and I also couldn't convince Sheena so that I could look off her notes.
Dammit, what was I going to do?
Well I could always ask one of my hunnies to do it for me…but…oh for the love of the Goddess Martel, what's gotten into me?
I want to do it myself!
Now there's a scary thought.
A really scary thought.
I sighed yet again, walking aimlessly through the nobles' area of the grand city, then out to the garden area outside the castle. That's when I heard some racket someways off, down the stairs that led to the entrance to the town.
"Hnn? Now what's that all about…?" I vaguely thought that it was just another group of slums people starting a fuss with the guards again.
But, when I made my way down the stairs, I heard nearby people whispering about a rather you half-elf being in the plaza.
Oh great…they couldn't be talking about May and Drews…?
Well, there was only one way to find out. And I'd better hurry too! Their foster child was, what, only four? How cruel can these people get--attacking a four year old for--
My train of thought was cut off as I heard crying--as well as screaming.
"Oh gods." I muttered, jumping down the last few steps.
The fight came into view.
There was a group of knights clad in green--obviously the papal knights--and they were surrounding a small shivering form of a little boy.
Though one had been flung back and now the papal knights were just staring at the limp--but still alive member of their group.
Did that boy do that?
"You…you'll pay for that you lil' brat!" One man cried out, bringing his spear down, planning on piercing the boy.
Which he would have if I hadn't intervened.
"Yo…you'd better stop." I growled, deflecting his lance easily.
"Wha--dammit The Chosen! Get outta the way!"
"And what makes you think you can order me around?"
"That boy is dangerous!" A woman called out, fear tinging her words. Yeah I could see that…right…I mean come on! The boy's four for goddesses' sake! How can he be 'dangerous'? It was most likely that pendant around his neck that caused that wound.
"Yeah, yeah, but do you know who this boy is?"
The papal knights looked from the younger boys' form to mine…but with confused looks on their faces.
I sighed, yeesh, these people really were denser than I thought.
"Look, see that pendant around his neck?" I said, moving to the younger boys' side, and unveiling the silver cross with an angel in the center carved out of the finest Amethyst stone in the area.
"Wait a sec…could that be…so that's…Kloitzs son?"
"Hmm? What's going on here? Didn't I tell you to--ah, the Chosen." The pope said, walking forward with a horrible smirk on his face.
"Grrr…what do you want Pope?"
"Simple, I wanted this…half-elf exterminated! He's a threat to our very society! I don't care if he's the son of whoever--he must not be allowed to live in this city--it's the rules!"
This really pissed me off.
And for the first time I…wanted to stand up for a half-elf.
"Do you think this kid wanted to be born a half-elf? Now, since I have more power than you do, I suggest you let me take this boy back to his home and I suggest you don't try this…stunt…again."
The pope looked at me, almost horrified, but he grudgingly agreed before rushing off out the city doors with papal knights following close behind.
I sighed, turning back to face the trembling form of the small boy. I think his name is Genis…
"A-Are…ya…gonna h-hurt me too?" he asked, fear present in his voice. I shake my head, "Nah, kiddo. I'm takin' ya home…okay?"
I move to pick him up, and he clings to me, "O-Okay…" he murmurs and I watch as he snuggles up closer to me, falling asleep almost immediately.
I felt so sorry for him.
This little kid wasn't…he had just been beat up and he couldn't help it!
He couldn't help being born as a Half-elf!
I shifted my weight and then turned, walking back up the stairs from which I came, ignoring the stares of the towns people.
The murmurs that were whispered between each person.
The rumors…
I looked at the sleeping boy in my arms and chuckled, "Well, I guess I'm the first Chosen that saved a Half-elf, eh?"
I sighed once more and continued to walk.
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Duh, duh, duh, duh! That's…basically the Prolog. Though the fact it's only seven pages saddens me (I normally write more). Ah, well, I can't really do much else without giving away some stuff. The next Chapter should be around four years after this…meaning Genis is 8, Zelos is 18 and Sheena is 15ish. So…R&R and I hope you liked it--despite the unusual pairing that's going to evolve from this (see the pairing if you don't already know what I'm talking about).