Title: To be Reborn
Part: 0/? (prologue of I don't know yet how many chapters)
Pairings: Lloyd/Colette, Zelos/Sheena, Regal/Presea (they aren't really going to be in it much though), and one more that will soon be revealed
Summary: Six years after everything is over, Genis muses about an old friend now gone. Mysterious forces come into play and a second chance is issued. Can things be made right this time? (hmm...I'm very much torn between liking that summary and hating it with a passion... . )
Notes: As I said, this will have massive spoilers for the end of the game. Also, I'm writing it off of what I saw happen. In my game, I kept Zelos instead of getting Kratos. I don't know how much the game changes if you get Kratos back and lose Zelos, so some things might not make sense if you played a different way than I did. Another thing is that I'm writing this with my theories of what happened to the two worlds at the end of the game, namely, that they kind of merged together to form one, larger world. If anyone has any better theories or comments on this, please feel free to say them. Speaking of which, reviews are very, very much appreciated! Also feel free to email or IM me, my contact info is in my user profile.
To be Reborn - Prologue
It was noisy, and the air was cheerful, full of laughter and conversation and music. Around the room, people were dancing in the center, or talking to one another on the sides near the tables piled high with delicious food. This was the event of the year for miles around; the wedding of the Chosen and her protector, and many people had come to wish the pair their congratulations.
The old group had gathered once more; the eight that had joined forces to save the two interlocked worlds, when all had seemed impossible. Zelos and Sheena had traveled from Meltokio, and Genis and Raine had taken a break in their journey to end discrimination against half elves for the event. Presea and Regal had even come amidst their busy schedule of rebuilding the town of Ozette, though they wouldn't be staying for as long as the others.
Colette and Lloyd had decided to return to their roots for the wedding, and were holding it in the big city hall building in Iselia. Luckily, the title of mayor had changed from the old one to a new and younger man over the past few years, and now there was far less discrimination in this quiet town, and people like Genis and Raine, half elves, were more than welcome. Colette's grandmother had performed the official marriage ceremony for them, being a priest at the Temple of Martel nearby, and Frank, her adoptive father, had walked her down the aisle, smiling proudly. Genis had been Lloyd's best man, of course, and Raine, Sheena, and Presea had been the bride's maids. All in all, it had been a lovely wedding, and now the two were finally wed.
Since all of their friends had gathered for the first time in awhile, and most were staying in Iselia for at least a week, the two newlyweds had decided to postpone their honeymoon for a few days, at least, to visit. It wasn't often that they would mostly all be in the same place for any lengthy time, nowadays, and they wanted to take advantage of it when it did happen.
After the wedding, everyone had moved up to the second floor for the after party, and now the hired band was playing music while couples sauntered around the dance floor. Lloyd, in his suave tuxedo, was currently standing beside Colette, in her lovely silk white gown that almost made her look angelic (though they all knew by now that 'angels' weren't all they were cracked up to be), his arm around his new wife's waist, and receiving another round of well wishes from guests. He smiled pleasantly back, feeling happy and excited and nervous all at once inside, hardly even listening to what was being said to him. His eyes roamed around the room, seeking out his friends to see how they were doing, and he noticed that someone in particular was missing.
He dropped his arm from its place around Colette's waist, and, ignoring her questioning look, turned to look around more. Finally spotting his target, he politely excused himself from the conversation, assuring Colette he'd be right back, and walked away.
Genis was currently enjoying the cool outside air from a balcony, leaning on the railing and tilting his head up to look at the stars. Six years hadn't changed his appearance much, other than adding to his height. He was also wearing a tux, and every once in awhile raised a hand to mess with the collar. He sighed, eyes moving from bright star to equally bright star, and then jumped when a voice behind him said, "Having fun?"
Turning around, he let out another sigh, this time in relief, and relaxed when he saw it was merely his best friend, Lloyd Irving, now happily married to one of his other best friends. He turned back to the balcony, resting his crossed arms on it and leaning out again but looking at Lloyd, and answered, "Yeah, the wedding was great, and the party is nice. It's great to see everyone again. Even that Zelos," he added with a playful smile.
Lloyd came over now and mimicked Genis' position, leaning out into the clear night outside and looking down over the village where he had grown up. "So, what's wrong then?" Genis opened his mouth to protest, and Lloyd held out a hand, looking over at him and saying, "Genis, you're my best friend, and I've known you for a long time now; I'm able to at least tell when you're sad about something."
Genis was silent, looking away from him and outside again, for a long minute. Just when Lloyd had given up hope on getting an answer from him, the half elf opened his mouth and replied, "I was just...thinking about Mithos." Lloyd merely nodded, encouraging him to go on, and he did with a sigh, "Today is the six year anniversary and celebration of the day that we saved the world, saved both worlds. That's also why you two decided to get married today. It's a wonderful occasion, to me as well, but I can't help but think about how Mithos had to die for the world to be saved...can't help but wonder if maybe there was another way." He slumped down now, resting his chin on his arms.
Lloyd looked at him, not saying anything for a moment, before looking out to the sky above. "I don't know if there wasn't another way. All I know is that we did what had to be done, and in the end even Mithos himself agreed. He told us to crush the crystal, remember, Genis? He didn't want himself being absorbed more, or doing anymore horrible things. If there was another way...none of us saw one, not even him."
Genis sighed again, slumping down even more and looking miserable. "Yeah, I know. Don't worry about me, I'm just being stupid."
Lloyd looked at him again now, paused, then reached out and placed his hand on his friend's shoulder, causing him to look up at him in return. He gave a reassuring smile, and said, "What's done is done now, Genis. Things turned out for the best, and there's no need to have regrets now. Plus, I'm sure you'll see him again, someday," he added, his eyes briefly flickering upward.
Genis paused for a moment as well, then stood up straighter and returned the smile, saying, "I hope so." Then, after a last look at the starry sky, he turned and followed the older man back into the lively party room, saying, "You know, Lloyd, sometimes you say some pretty smart things. You should do it more often."
"What's that supposed to mean?!"
---
A few miles away, in a dark secluded forest, a figure flickered their eyes open slowly. They sat up, raising a hand to their forehead and looking around, trying to see their surroundings in the darkness. Standing up, they pushed blonde hair out of blue eyes, wondering where they were, and why they were there.
The lone boy started to walk, not seeing anything familiar, and wondering when he would reach some kind of civilization. He walked along the worn path, alone and confused.
--To be continued--
A/N: Well, how was it? Does the ending remind any of else of the beginning of episode 1 of .hacksign...? Please review to tell me what you think of in-character-ness, what you think will happen, how I wrote it and if there's anything in particular you did or didn't like, and just your thoughts on the fic in general. The first chapter will be up either tomorrow or later today. Faster if I get more reviews :P Also, sorry for the sucky ending of the chapter, I can't write any kind of ending to save my life.