A/N: And I'm back….with another story. XD Surprise, surprise. I just noticed that Star Ocean doesn't have very many stories compared to some anime shows. Well…that's all going to change when I get done with all he stories I've planned...if I ever get through them all. XD

Disclaimer: Albel and Fayt should be plushified so they could rule the world with their awesome cuteness! But alas, even if they were plushies…I wouldn't get any money from it.

It was another average day of routine training for Fayt. There wasn't much to do except prepare for the upcoming battle. The boredom of doing the same thing every day was beginning to wear on Fayt, but he knew it was probably a good idea to keep training, even if it was monotonous. Besides, Albel had already threatened to cut Sophia's throat out for asking for a day off and Fayt didn't want to become the next victim of Albel's wrath.

Fayt was so busy thinking about what Albel would do to him if he took a break for an hour while he was walking towards his training spot that he nearly crashed into a little boy standing out in the open field.

"Watch where you're going, stupid," the boy growled rudely, his hands on his hips.

Fayt came to his senses quickly and looked down at the angry eight year old standing in front of him. "Sorry, little one," Fayt said apologetically. "You're right; I wasn't looking where I was going."

"Don't talk down to me slime," the boy snapped. "I'm not just some brat."

Fayt raised an eyebrow and glanced at the dagger the boy had drawn, which was like a sword to him because of his small stature. "Are you sure you know how to use that?"

"Silence," snarled the boy. He waved the blade menacingly and stomped a boot clad foot. "I'm not as useless as you are."

Fayt sighed heavily. "What's your problem, kid?"

"I told you I'm not a kid!" the boy shrieked. He drew himself up importantly. "My father is a brigade captain and one day I'll take his place."

Fayt blinked and scrutinized the child more closely. Shoulder-length straight black hair, red eyes flashing with anger, delicate features, a baggy sleeveless purple shirt, loose purple shorts that were tied on to the child's thin frame with a thick beige belt, and knee-high purple boots that looked a little too tight. The kid managed to be adorable and look fearsome at the same time. Just like a mini version of a certain someone…

"Albel," Fayt whispered, his eyes involuntarily falling to the boy's arm, but luckily it seemed that the boy hadn't gone through the same horror Albel had.

"Yes," the boy said, sounding exasperated. He rolled his eyes at Fayt with a look that clearly said "Took you long enough."

Fayt sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't realize you had such a…powerful father."

"That's because you're an idiot," the boy retorted. "Now take me to my father before I decide to cut off your feet!" he screamed.

"Alright, alright," Fayt said tiredly. "I'll take you back to Airyglyph."

The boy proved himself to be the spitting image of Albel over and over again. He wouldn't let Fayt hold his hand or carry him. He insisted on having Fayt walk directly in front of him as a guide. If Fayt walked too slowly for the child's taste, he would find himself subjected to many death threats if he didn't hurry up and the tip of the knife pressed against his back.

After a few hours, they reached the outskirts of Airyglyph. "Finally," the boy muttered irritably. "It was too hot in that stupid place." He fished out a pair of purple fingerless gloves out of his pockets and slipped one on each arm.

Fayt tried to conceal his annoyance. "Can you make it to Airyglyph on your own from here?"

The boy stomped his foot. "I don't care about this wretched place! Take me to my father."

Fayt sighed. "I have no idea where he is. He isn't accountable to anyone about where he goes. But maybe if you wait for him, you can talk to him when he comes back."

The boy glared at Fayt wrathfully. "He has to be here somewhere! Find him or I'll kill you!"

Fayt sighed heavily. "Like father, like son."

"Do it now!" the child screeched. "If my father doesn't kill you for being dense, I sure will."

"Yes, young Lord Nox," Fayt said wearily, with a mocking bow. "I'll go find him."

Fayt had walked down only one or two streets when he ran into Nel exiting a shop.

"Hey, Nel, have you see Albel anywhere?"

Nel shrugged and shifted her packages to another arm. "He's probably off training somewhere."

Fayt groaned. "Just great. I'll have to go hunt him down."

Nel blinked. "Why? Do you have to talk to him about something?"

Fayt gave her a wry smile. "I suppose you could say that. Err…Nel, did Albel ever tell you he had a son?"

Nel looked surprised. "A son? How could that be possible? Albel wouldn't let a woman get close enough to him for that to happen."

Fayt shrugged. "Well, it certainly looks that way to me. Come with me and I'll show you."

The boy crossed his arms over his chest angrily as Nel walked up to him. "Oh great, another idiot," the boy growled.

"This is Nel," Fayt said quietly. "She's an Aquarian."

The boy spat. "What is she doing in Airyglyph? It's not her country. Get her out!"

"Well, you see, Airyglyph and Aquaria have made an alliance right now or something like that."

"What!" The boy exclaimed. "When did this foolishness happen?"

Nel rolled her eyes. "Yes, just like his father. If you would ask him, the war would still be going on."

"Stop talking about me like I'm not here," the boy growled. "My father will slice off your heads and feed them to poisonous reptiles."

"The next time I see your wicked father, I'll tell him not to teach you all his threat until you're older," Nel said, sounding amused.

"Shut up," the boy growled. "When I'm captain of the dragon brigade, I shall have you executed and then your carcasses will be eaten by dragons."

Fayt looked puzzled. "But your father is captain of the black brigade."

"Who gave you that idea?" said the child crossly.

"This is bizarre," Nel muttered. "You talk like Albel and look like Albel."

"Of course I do," the child said indignantly.

"But you're not his son," Fayt muttered.

"Whose son?" demanded the boy.

"Albel's."

"That's crazy! What kind of weirdos are you anyway?"

"If you're not his son, then whose son are you?"

The boy stared at Nel calmly. "My father is Glou Nox, captain of the dragon brigade."

Fayt jerked back. "Abel? You're Albel?"

"I already told you before!" said the miniature Albel angrily.

"Oh no this is bad," Fayt muttered. "Albel's been turned into a child."

"What on earth are you talking about, fool?" said a familiar voice.

Fayt froze and turned slowly around to see Albel scowling at him, one hand on the hilt of his katana.

"Well? Answer me, fool! What's going on?"

Fayt looked from the younger Albel to the adult Albel. "I'm not sure anymore," he confessed.