A/N: Wow, I'm surprised at all the reviwes I got for just the prologue but thank you all so much!This makes me feel really happy to know that people enjoy this(seeing as I do want to be a writer; I figured best practice would be fan fictions..though that's only my strange thinking) I do apologize for any grammer mistakes in my chapters but actually for some reason grammer doesn't like working with me and the thing that messes/confuses me most is past and present tense and when to use them. (Sounds stupid and you're probably wondering why but to tell you the truth I think it's from the fact I was a delayed speaker...lack of talking equals okay vocabulary and bad grammer? I guess so... cause it's what I'm told) But anyway, I would appreicate if you guys do point out grammer mistakes as that is my weakness of writing and it will help me improve a lot XD..that and microsoft word doesn't pick it up sometimes along with my one friend who proof-reads it before I post, so the more help the better!
Also I noticed confusion in some of the reviews over the plot or situation... was I not clear enough in the Prologue? hmm..guess I'll have to re-read that again but for of you who are confused: yes the entire symphonia has been turned to little kids and Kratos is the current care taker. Basically, a comet rained down and as the summary says: it caused some nasty side effects to those who came in contact. As for why there was one on Derris Kharlan: that will be explained later on. And as for ages it will be as following: Lloyd and Colette: 2 years, Genis and Presea: under a year, Raine and Regal: 4 years, Sheena: 2 1/2, and Zelos: 3 1/2 years
so again thanks for reviewing thus far, and here's chapter one! Disclaimer: Tales of Symphonia does not belong to me.
Chapter one:
If there was ever a time Kratos Aurion was wishing to die of embarrassment, then it would probably be now. After discovering his current situation back on Derris-Kharlan, and borrowing some of Mithos' old clothes, the young angel went to the Cruxis core system and researched the strange energy readings. To his horror, Kratos found them to be exactly the same to the ones on Aselia. If Derris-Kharlan hadn't remained in Aselia's obit then transporting back down would have been impossible. 'Dammit…I specifically told that moron to inform me of anything that occurs while I was absent. Does he think something like this applies as nothing? Rushing back down to find your own son and his friends as toddlers?'
Small noises and delightful shouts could be heard from behind him in the wagon being pulled. The eight young children and the fish protozoan each looked around at the passing forest with amazed eyes. Managing to retain some of his calmness after the surprise, Kratos immediately began searching the house for any specific items before taking the kids and heading for Iselia. The first was finding a pail of water for Noishe to breath, the second was grabbing Flameberge and Vorpal from their respected locations, and the third task was finding an item which could assist in transporting all eight of the small toddlers to Iselia. Pushing through the large material of clothes, Lloyd pointed to something in the distance which caused the others to laugh; each playing their own game to entertain themselves for the short ride. Kratos glanced back and through the stress managed a small smile at their childish antics. It was a dilemma after all but who said you couldn't enjoy it a little bit?
"Well, I suppose matters can't get worse for now." Kratos started to say.
The clear blue sky became covered by dark clouds. Where there was once a bright atmosphere, came a gloomy one. A small crack of thunder alerted Kratos and the others to stare up and in a few minutes, the Symphonia gang was met with a pouring rainfall.
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Most of the towns' people ran inside to dryer areas upon seeing the first signs of rain. Shop keepers began closing stores early while families shut their windows and locked their doors to prevent rain from leaking in. Inside Colette's house, Frank closed the last window as Phaidra finished preparing some tea. Yet before he could sit down, a knock on the door caused him to turn in slight confusion. The door opened at that moment and standing before the two was a soaking wet Symphonia gang.
"Is there anyway we can help you, children?" Frank asked.
Blowing some wet strands of hair away from his face, Kratos adjusted his hold on Lloyd and took a deep breath before speaking.
"Frank, I do not like to bother you like this but the current matter calls for some actions and—"
Looking more carefully at the younger one, Frank's eyes widened. "Kratos?!"
"Frank what are you doing holding them up? Let them inside already before they catch a cold!" Phaidra called out.
Stepping to the side, Frank allowed Kratos and the others to enter inside. Immediately Phaidra came back in with towels and assisted Kratos to helping the kids. With some light conversation, Frank and Phaidra nodded in understanding.
"I must say Kratos; your surprises never cease to amaze me. And here I thought they'd end with Colette no longer being the Chosen." Frank chuckled.
Kratos dried some of his hair and removed his dripping shirt. "I was hoping the same thing for Lloyd and the others but it seems fate has other plans in stored."
Phaidra helped the last child into a towel a picked up the young Genis and Presea. "If you two don't mind I'm going to help these young ones to a bath and some new clothes. I'm sure we have some stuff lying around here for them to use. If you would like, Kratos, we also have a spare set for you to change in as well. Angel or not I would rather not have you get sick."
Kratos nodded. "I would appreciate that, Phaidra, and thank you very much for your hospitality."
Phaidra smiled. "With all that you've done for Colette it's the least I can do to repay you." That being said, she gathered the younger ones up and started heading up the stairs with them following after her; Regal and Sheena pulling a reluctant Raine along.
"Comes on Raine! Wes goes gets cleans now!" Little Sheena moaned.
"NUH UH! NO WATERS! NO WATERS FOR ME!!" Raine cried out while struggling against the two.
As Kratos turned to follow Frank, a small tug on his clothes stopped him and he turned to be met with Lloyd.
"…Wheres you goings, Daddy?"
Kratos sighed and smiled lightly. "I'm going to change into a dryer pair of clothes and then have a conversation with Frank. You should go along with the others and get dry yourself. I'll be waiting down here for you."
Lloyd thought for a moment. "Promies?"
"I promise, Lloyd,"
"Kay!" With a bright smile, Lloyd ran to catch up to the others. Impatient over the delay, he moaned and began assisting Raine up the stairs with Sheena, Colette, and Regal.
Shaking his head at the antics, Kratos turned and followed Frank further into the house, thunder replacing the rain outside. A couple of hours later Frank and Kratos returned into the kitchen. Dressed in a simple white turtle neck and a pair of black sweatpants, the young ten year old sat opposite of the other and began sipping a glass of water as he listened to what Frank was saying. Also on the table also was Noishe swimming around in a portable fish tank, showing signs of comfort as he watched the two men.
"So the comet fell down in a meteor shower about three days ago?" Kratos asked.
"Well I wouldn't exactly say it was a comet but what your description fits with what occurred. Two nights ago, shooting stars came raining down from the sky. Each of them left a light trail of purple dust and landed on several different parts of Sylvarant. It was indeed a lovely site to behold and I recall seeing one land somewhere near the Iselia Forest. I apologize for not being of much help with the matter." Frank replied.
Kratos shook his head. "No, the information is helpful and I do appreciate it. I'll probably have Yuan look further into the matter once he responds to my messages and arrives."
"Yuan…that name sounds familiar."
"He's a former Cruxis angel like myself and also leader of an organization called the Renegades which disguise themselves as Desians."
"The Renegades…Ah yes! You mean the group that was disbanded about a few weeks ago."
"Disbanded?"
"Not sure myself but it was some shocking news in Sylvarant. The group came out into the public a while back and it was rumored that a few weeks later the entire group was sent on leave by the leader."
"I see." Finishing the glass of water, Kratos glanced down and folded his hands under his head as he leaned forward with a thoughtful expression. 'This would probably explain then why he hasn't been replying to my calls. Though if what Frank says is true, then trying to contact him will become more difficult. If I'm lucky, perhaps he's still in Triet's base though the odds are against my favor.'
The stairs creaked from added weight and both men glanced up to see Phaidra coming back down; Genis and Presea in her arms and sleeping.
"I apologize if I'm interrupting anything." Phaidra stated.
"It's fine, Kratos and I were just waiting for the little ones."
Kratos gave Phaidra a appreciative look. "I hope they weren't to much trouble."
Phaidra chuckled and smiled. "Not at all. I managed to get them cleaned and changed into some nice clothes. Though if you won't take my word, then why don't you see for yourself."
In a stampede, the little ones came running down the stairs and crashing on top of one another at the bottom. Untangling themselves from the man-made pile, the six stood and dusted off their clothes quickly before presenting themselves in a stiff military like manner; an action which caused Frank and Phaidra to laugh. In near the middle of the line was Lloyd dressed in a matching brown outfit with a two layered light jacket connecting at the collar. Next to him, on the second right, was Zelos who wore a short sleeve white shirt and pants with a reddish sleeveless vest. Next to Zelos, on the end, was Regal with a plain light blue shirt with dark navy pants. Standing on Lloyd's left, was Sheena who wore a one-piece rose pink romper with a hastily tied lavender bathrobe over it. Next to her, was Raine wearing an orange turtleneck dress with a hood attached and a yellow sash tied around her waist. Colette, the last one on the end, wore a light summer dress with flower patterns scattered across. In Phaidra's arms was Genis, with a blue overall and white turtleneck, and Presea, with a one-piece footed pajamas and patches of ducks and sheep.
With a smile, Lloyd ran over to Kratos and climbs onto his lap.
"Looks' Daddy! I cleans now!"
While the others followed, Raine moved further away into a corner and stared down at the bottle in her hands with a strange gleam present in her eyes. Glancing at Sheena and Raine, Kratos sent a questioning look to Phaidra who chuckled.
"Oh that, well the little one over there wanted the shampoo for research and refused to let it go--"
Clutching the bottle closer to her, little Raine moved closer to the corner and gave the others a look before Phaidra continued. "STUDY! mine!"
"—and the other little one wanted to keep the bathrobe over her dress."
Sheena looked up at Kratos in pride. "Me ninja!"
"So what are your plans now? You're free to stay for as long as you like." Frank said.
Kratos winced slightly as Lloyd began to pull some strands of his hair. "Actually, I would be grateful if you could somehow watch the others in my absence."
"You'll be leaving then?" Phaidra asked.
"Ow, Lloyd…" The little two year old laughed as Lloyd released his grip on the auburn hair while Kratos continued. "Yuan hasn't been responding to my calls, so I'll probably head for Triet to try and obtain some hints for his location. If anything else, I'd rather try to reverse the strange effects and probably a good place to start would be to locate those small comet pieces—"
The clouds outside swirled into black smog as the thunder increased. Within seconds the ground shook and explosions blasted off in the area. Screams and frantic panic can be heard outside as the others try to maintain their balance after the sudden shock. Placing Lloyd down on the ground Kratos stood, grabbed Flameberge, strapped it to his side and started heading for the door.
"What on earth…Kratos what are you doing?" Franks called out.
"This matter can't be left alone. I'm going to see what the situation is outside, please stay in here with Lloyd and the others. I do not wish them to be in harms way."
With that said the young ten year old ignored any other pleas and exited the house; preparing for what awaited outside. The entire town of Iselia is engulfed in flames with dead remains of village soldiers littering the ground. Hearing a thunderous roar in the sky, Kratos quickly stared up and found himself meeting a pair of lethal golden eyes. Long blood-red wings extended outward from the body as it soared in the air. On its head were two horns that extended over the piercing yellow eyes and black scales. Without warning, the wyvern dove inward and Kratos barely managed to shield himself as the dragon flew over and landed on the remains of a building; crushing it under its massive weight. The eyes began to posses an eerie glow as the shadows from the flames dance and took form. For as the young seraph draws out flameberge, he was greeted with five wolves before him; each about the size of Fenrir.
"Tch, aren't we clever," he remarked as he moved his sword into a horizontal position.
Beneath him runes began to form and a magic crest extended out as he draws in mana for a spell. Without warning, the first wolf charged with the four others following close behind. In a moment, Kratos opened his eyes and, feeling the mana build up, released the spell as the distance between them closed. "Take this, Grave!"
The ground began to tremble as spikes started to form underneath the first wolf. Yet the spikes only reached a centimeter off the ground before sinking back into the earth; small cracks were the only remnants of the spell. An immense pain suddenly coursed through the ten year old, causing the seraph to hold back a cry. The minor distraction however, is enough as the first wolf bites down into Kratos' shoulder and brings him to the ground; flameberge skidding a few feet away. From a distance the others watched and seeing Kratos struggle, Lloyd set a determined face and ran out into the battlefield. Hearing the footsteps, Zelos turned and tried to grab the others' attention; Frank and Phaidra holding the little ones back as they also try to run out. "Lloyd, don't!"
With a spark in its golden eyes, the dragon turned his direction towards the child. As it opened his mouth, swirls of shadows gathered with the black smog in the air. About a few feet away from the seraph, Lloyd tripped and collapsed onto the ground. The dragon roared and without warning, released black flames towards the two year old. Through his blurred sight, Kratos glanced over at the small boy with fearful eyes. The world for a minute blurred and the cries mixed into another vision. Inhuman screams reverberated in his mind as the form of a grotesque monster appeared through the faded image of a storm. A distance away, a young three year old screamed out as the monster raised an arm to lash out. Sinister laughter is heard through the storm and the world is colored in blood; a long sword seen impaling the creature.
In complete fear, little Lloyd brought up his arms and shut his eyes as he screamed out in hysteria. "DADDY!!"
An un-describable pain stabbed his heart as the Seraph struggled against the creature's weight. From the burning flames, the memories of the past and present fused together as Kratos' features pale. "No, please…..martel not again…'
"LLOYD!"
(End chapter one: start chapter two)
One more thing to point out guys: My experience/time with little kids isn't often and being the youngest in my family doesn't exactly help either so i honestly tried my hardest to get them to act around the proper ages(Though as you can/ will see, they do still have some of their old personality in them Ex. Lloyd being silly him, and Genis: smarter for his age, ect.) Other then that, if it seems like i'm not getting them down properly then please let me know and tell me what age they should be or how they should act.
Unfortunatly now, I won't be able to update as quickly due to school and work but i will try my hardest for you guys. Enjoy chapter one and I'll have chapter two up as soon as possible!