Is 4 years too long for an update? Probably. Oh well, I'm going for it anyway! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed in my absence. This chapter isn't worth that long of a wait, but I hope you enjoy it nonetheless! Just to reiterate, I'm pretending TOS 2 never happened in this story, aside from a mention here and there of Ratatosk. This plot is strictly my own crazy invention.

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the OC's.

Quote: Before them was a giant machine consisting of a conveyer belt. The belt was transporting human beings into the heart of the machine where case after case of exspheres were being released. They stared in horror, even Ada, as no trace of the people came out of the other side. "No," she muttered, feeling the bile rise in her throat. She could smell blood in the air and the scent of decaying human flesh. It was too much. Mirror Image, Ch. 2.

"Well, this explains why you all are suddenly gaining Cruxis crystals!" Anna snapped, glowering and her children, grandchildren, and assorted nieces and nephews.

"In our defense, that probably would have happened anyway, given the mix of angelic blood in most of us," Akira replied smugly.

"Quiet," Raine snapped. "If you all had listened to us and turned away from fighting, the developments might not have proceeded as quickly. We could have caught it before now."

"But now-" Presea said quietly, examining the outstretched hands of all the children. It wasn't a pretty sight. Just below the surface of the skin on each child's hand, there was a perfectly round, pale blue circle. There was no sign of the crystallizing green skin that could eventually accompany these changes, nor did any of the children lack the ability to feel pain or taste or the ability to speak.

"You all swear that the only symptom you're encountering is the insomnia?" Kratos asked. The children chorused their assent. "Very well," he said turning back to the rest of the parents. "Now...we need to figure out what must be done."

"The answer is obvious," piped up Mitsukai. "We need to go to Cruxis and get the mana fragment and head to Tethe'alla for the rest of the materials to make Rune Crests."

"We can't get to Cruxis without the Eternal Sword, Mitsukai!" Anna growled.

"Then we go find it." Suki crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her mother.

"Suki..." Anna said, rubbing her temples. "Not this again."

"You all know my views on this!" Suki snapped. "Finding his swords by the Yggdrasill tree does not mean he is dead! Not until we find a body."

"It's been fifteen years," Raine said quietly. "Don't you think he would have returned by now if he could have?"

"...I don 't know how to explain this." Suki said, brow furrowed as she stared at her lap. "I just know he is out there somewhere and there is a reason why he isn't coming back."

"What reason, Mitsukai?" Kratos asked. "What reason could hold him up for fifteen years?"

"Don't play dumb, Dad!" Suki snapped. "You all know the stories. The rumors. The half-elf kidnappings. The burning of the forest where sacred wood is grown. The darkness radiating progressively outward across the land...starting at the sight of the Tree."

"It's a coincidence, Suki." Zelos said. "There is no proof that any of this indicates a problem with the tree or the world."

"It may even be Ratatosk," Yuan pointed out, naming the Giant Tree's vengeful summon spirit

Suki jumped up out her chair, which slid back and clattered to the floor. "Then what about the rumor of a winged man cutting down anyone who tries to get near the tree! What about the evil power that all of you sense, spreading?" The adults looked at her uneasily. Suki laughed without amusement. "So much for the wonderful heroes of reunification. Too scared to do anything without their ring leader."

Suki turned on her heel and stomped out. Anna made to go after her, but Kratos stopped her. "Let her go. She needs time to think." He turned to the rest of the parents. "I think we all do. Shall we meet back here tomorrow?" The group nodded and grabbed their children, departing in small groups.

"Mom?" Jon asked Sheena. "Can I please go talk Suki for a minute. I know I'm in trouble but...she's upset. I might know how to cheer her up."

Sheena glared at her son. "With your Zelos-like behavior? No way."

"Please, mom!" Jon begged. "I won't pull any dad stuff. I swear."

"I really should be offended," Zelos muttered. "We're leaving now, son, so you'll have to wait."

"I can poof home!" His parents scowled. "Well the cat's out of the bag now so no use hiding it! I have been doing it for over a year. I know how. Please!"

Sheena and Zelos exchanged looks. "Fine," Sheena said. "Ten minutes. Go." She grabbed Xander and Senshi and disappeared, Zelos right behind them.

Jon turned and headed in the direction he knew Suki went. Sure enough, he found her sitting on the fence bordering the graveyard, staring at Lloyd's grave.

"You know I believe you, right?" Jon asked, hopping up onto the fence next to her.

"You're the only one." Suki replied hotly. "I just don't understand their eagerness to let him go!"

"Don't you?" Jon asked. "The last memories they have of Lloyd are of him killing Regal and pulling a sword on Aunt Colette. Only you had a moment of peace with him before he left. They are stuck fearing his memory and you are stuck clinging to his promise."

"He wouldn't break his promise." Suki sighed. "Not to me."

"Well unless you can convince the parents to investigate some of these rumors...you're stuck." Jon paused. "You think it's him guarding the World Tree, don't you?"

Suki shrugged. "Who knows. I just know that my brother-hell all of our parents-risked their lives for that tree and for this world. Who better to make sure that evil doesn't trump everything they worked for? It's their duty to find out!"

"But Lloyd was kinda like...the glue you know? Held them together. Maybe it is him killing people who go to the tree. Maybe they don't want the memories of him tainted any further by the truth."

"Why are you defending them?" Suki snapped.

"I'm not." Jon jumped off the fence. "I'm just playing Devil's advocate. And plus you're happier when you get to bite someone's head off, especially mine." he added with a grin.

Suki shook her head, smiling wryly. "You such a dork, Jon. But sometimes...you're pretty nice. Thanks for trying to cheer me up."

"Anytime, Suks." Jon said, winking. "Oh and what I said before, about me believing you? That's not just me, you know. The others all believe you too."

"Really?"

"Yeah," Jon replied, walking away. "And it may just be a guess...but I think one of the 'rents might believe you too." He turned, waved to Suki and disappeared in a puff of smoke. Suki jumped down off the fence and started back towards the house. Through the window she saw her parents huddled in deep conversation. Colette was crouched between her children, talking to them. Of all the parents who had yelled at them tonight, Colette alone had remained silent. Even now, the look on her face was one of encouragement and concern, not anger and fear.

...It may just be a guess...but I think one of the 'rents might believe you too.

Suki grinned. It might be time for a heart to heart with her Aunt Colette.

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