Sharingandude: Yo, what's up? I'm sorry for the late update but I'm back with poll results, team members, and a new chapter.

Lloyd: So what are the results?

Ike: It's a tie.

Sharingandude: It's a tie!!!!! Wait what?

Kratos: It's a tie.

Sharingandude:

Anna: What are you going to do?

Sharingandude: I don't know a tie breaker perhaps?

Kratos: What kind of tie breaker?

Sharingandude: I'll think about it.

Lloyd: Just don't take too long.

Sharingandude: Alright, now I am going to state a few character that are currently on Kratos' team.

Lloyd: I wonder who is going to join up with us.

Sharingandude: Oh and if you see "???" below it refers to a character that has not joined yet but will.


Kratos Aurion

Status: Alive

Rank: Leader of Aurion Mercenaries

Anna Aurion

Status: Alive

Rank: Second in command

Lloyd Aurion

Status: Asleep

Rank: none

Yuan

Status: Bored

Rank: Leader of Renegades

???

Status: Alive

Relation: Childhood friend

???

Status: Alive

Relation: Lloyd's Future Rival

???

Status: Alive

Relation: Childhood friend

???

Status: Alive, but "lifeless"

Relation: none

???

Status: Alive, but "imprisoned"

Relation: none


Lloyd: Hey, who are the "???" people.

Yuan: Yeah, who are they?

Sharingandude: Try and guess… Hey I know, the first reader to guess the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th members of the Aurion Mercenaries, will be the person who breaks the tie.

Kratos: It's about time you came up with a good idea.

Sharingandude: Hint: try and use the "Relation" statement. Don't think about it too hard. It's just a guess.

Mia: Hey boss!

Sharingandude: Mia? What are you doing here?

Mia: You told me to come here today.

Sharingandude: You're Early.

Mia: I am?

Sharingandude: Don't worry about it. Hey since you're here say the disclaimer.

Mia: Sure thing boss. Sharingandude does not own anything that might appear in this fic. I he did, it would be the #1 selling video game.

Ike: It would be badass too.

Sharingandude: Chapter Start!!!

"Don't Die" Character speaking

"I hate tomatoes" Character thinking/Flashback

"Aether" Name of Technique/Incantation

"Don't get cocky" Character anger/other

"Ain Soph Aur" Mystic Arte


Chapter 3, It Begins

Derris Kharlan

Yggdrasill was up to no good. Then again, he's always to no good. He was sitting on his throne "thinking" carefully about his latest plan when an angel came in and interrupted his thoughts.

"Milord"

"…"

"MILORD!"

Yggdrasill woke up and fell out of his seat. If the angel wasn't a life-less being he would have been laughing. Yggdrasill quickly stood up and glared at the angel and yelled, "WHAT THE HELL IS YOU PROBLEM! CAN'T YOU SEE I WAS SLE- UH THINKING, YES I WAS THINKING."

"Milord, the troops are ready for your command."

Yggdrasill was about to issue the order when he was interrupted by Pronyma

"Milord"

"WHY IS IT THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO INTERUPT ME? IS IT "INTERRUPT YGGDRASILL DAY?"

"Sorry milord."

Yggdrasill looked at her weird and said, "Have you done what I asked you to do?"

"Yes milord, I have just returned from Tellius and I bring some news of interest."

Yggdrasill looked at her and thought, "What is wrong with her?" He shook that thought away and said, "So what's this news?"

"It seems that the King of Daein is plotting to invade the other kingdoms."

Yggdrasill thought and came up with a brilliant idea. He gave a sinister smile and said, "Pronyma, take as many angles you want and bring this "King" to me. I will not accept any failure in this, do you understand?"

"Yes milord."

"One more thing."

"Yes milord?"

"Why are you talking like that?"

"I have no idea milord"

"Never mind, just go and do your job. I'm not paying you to stand around."

"Thou no pay me at all, milord"

"JUST GO ALREADY!"

Pronyma turned around and left. Yggdrasill looked at the angel and said, "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU LOOKING AT? GO WITH PRONYMA!"

The angel turned around and left. Yggdrasill let out a sigh and went back to his throne. He sat and continued his "thinking" while snoring away.


Greil Mercenaries Fort

"Lloyd"

"…"

"Lloyd"

"I d-don't wanna go to school today"

"Lloyd wake up!" said a very annoyed Kratos

"HUH, What's happening, are we under attack?

"No, it's time for your morning training. Go freshen up and get some breakfast. We'll start after you're finished."

Lloyd nodded. He got up, still half-asleep, and headed toward the edge of the roof. Kratos saw that Lloyd was about to step off the roof and tried to warn him.

"Lloyd watch out!"

But it was too late. Lloyd had already fallen and hit the ground with a thud. Kratos jumped of the roof and check to see if hi son was still breathing.

"Lloyd, are you alright?"

Lloyd was lying on his stomach and was not moving. A few seconds later he turned around and faced his father.

"Well, I'm awake."

"You forgot that you had slept on the roof."

"Yeah"

"Your forehead his bleeding"

"I know"

At that moment Anna came out along with everyone else who heard the thud.

"Hey, what's going on." asked Boyd

"Nothing, Lloyd just forgot he had slept on the roof and fell."

"He slept on the roof?" said Ike

Lloyd then sat up and said "Yup, that's about right."

Anna saw that his forehead was bleeding and said, "Oh no, my poor baby is hurt."

She then ran toward him and gave him a hug and said, "Don't worry Lloyd, mommy is going to make you feel better."

Lloyd heard a few small chuckles coming from Boyd, Ike, Rolf, and Mist. Lloyd cheeks turned red and said, "I'm fine mom, it's just a scratch."

"Nonsense you're bleeding."

"It's just a small wound."

Anna put her hand over Lloyd's forehead. She channeled some mana into her hand and said, "First Aid" Lloyd's forehead stopped bleeding. Anna then reached into her pocket and took out a band-aid. She placed it on Lloyd's forehead and the she kissed it and said, "There, good as new."

At this moment Ike, Boyd, Rolf, and Mist were at the point where they couldn't hold there laughter anymore. Even Kratos was on the verge of laughing, wait Kratos?

Soren, who was just watching and not laughing at anything, was surprised to see Anna use a healing technique without a staff.

"How did you use a healing technique without a healing staff?"

"Dang, I forgot that they use staffs here, all I have is a sword. Maybe if I told him I have a Healing Sword… sigh, I a bad liar. Wait I got it!" thought Anna

Anna stood up and said, "It's a basic healing technique that requires a little supply of mana concentrated into the palm of my hand. It only heals small wounds. I would need a healing staff for bigger wounds."

"Heh, nice one mom, he won't see through that." thought Lloyd.

"Not bad Anna."

Soren seemed to have accepted her answer and was about to say something but was cut of be Mist.

"Wow, could I learn that technique? I'm a healer in training."

Anna smiled and said, "Sure let's go inside and I'll teach you." (Note: I'm not going to write the teaching scene. Just use you imagination.)

Anna and Mist left. Soren quietly went inside with a few thoughts in his head, "I've never heard of this, could she have lied? I think they aren't telling us something."

Lloyd finally stood up, looked at Ike, Boyd, and Rolf, and said, "I you guys want to laugh, then feel free."

"Whoa" thought Boyd

"He's more mature than Boyd." thought Rolf

"He sounded exactly like his father." thought Ike

"Hey that's my line…sort of" thought Kratos

"I've always wanted to say that." thought Lloyd

"Alright Lloyd draw your swords and prepare yourself." said Kratos as he unsheathed Excalibur.

Lloyd drew out his Material Blades. They sparkled with the sun's light. Ike was amazed with Lloyd's blades.

Boyd whistled and said, "Damn, those are a pair of sweet blades. Makes me wanna start using swords instead of axes."

"Boyd's right. Look at the color of the blades." said Rolf

Soon everyone was outside watching the spar. Even Soren was watching.

"I wonder how strong Kratos' son is." said Greil

"Alright, don't hold back Lloyd. Give it your all."

"I don't plan to." said Lloyd as he ran toward his father.


Derris Kharlan

"Unhand me you angles. Where are you taking me?"

"…"

"Are you deaf? Unhand me I say!"

The Angles made no reply. They followed their leader and took the prisoner into a certain room.

"Good job bringing him here Pronyma. You may go."

"Thank you milord." Said Pronyma as she turned around and left.

"You may go as well."

The angles nodded and left. The prisoner looked at the only person in the room and said, "Who the hell are you?"

"Oh where are my manners. Perhaps you would like to introduce yourself before asking someone's name."

The person growled at him and said, "I am King Ashnard, ruler of Daein. How dare you kidnap me. I will kill you for your insolence." Ashnard drew his Sword and lunged at his kidnapper.

"Fool do you think you can fight me?"

(Battle Theme: Tales of Symphonia OST: Yggdrasill's Theme)

"I will show you why people fear me."

"You foolish Inferior Being, I'll show you the TRUE meaning of terror." said Cruxis' one and only leader.

Ashnard swung his sword at Yggdrasill. The blade was a few feet from slicing Yggdrasill's head off.

"It's over."

Yggdrasill smirked.

In that instant Yggdrasill grab the sword and held it in place.

"Is that all you've got, because if it is then you're not living up to your reputation."

Ashnard's eyes widened. "How can he block my blade with his bare hands?"

"Hm, you're not as strong as I thought you were."

"Shut up!"

Yggdrasill let go of his blade and jumped back he gathered some mana into the palm of his hand and blasted Ashnard.

Ashnard flew back a few feet and laid on the ground motionless. Yggdrasill let out a chuckle and said, "You know, I just wanted to strike a deal with you, oh well."

"You won't take me down that easily you bastard."

Yggdrasill turned around and saw Ashnard standing there without any injuries.

"WHAT! How can you still be alive?"

"My armor is blessed by the goddess Ashera. Only weapons that are blessed by the goddess can hurt me. Besides I don't make ant deals with anyone, especially a guy with girly looking wings on his back."

"Say whatever you want. Now that I know that your armor is blessed, you can't hope to defeat me."

Yggdrasill started to laugh. Ashnard grew impatient and charged at Yggdrasill without thinking.

"Let's see if you laugh once your head is on the floor!"

Yggdrasill raised his hand and materialized the Eternal Sword. He grabbed it and said, "Let me show you the power you'll never be able to achieve."

He swung the Eternal Sword and cut through Ashnard's armor.

"W-What? H-How did he cut though my armor like if it was nothing?"

Ashnard hit the ground. He looked up and said, "How did you do that?"

"This is The Eternal Sword. Its power is far superior than any weapon that has been blessed. Do you know why?"

"No"

"This magnificent blade was created by Origin himself."

Ashnard's eyes widened. "You mean THE Origin, the King of the gods?"

"Hm, he's heard of Origin but it seems they turned him into a god in Tellius."

Yggdrasill smirked and said, "Well that saves me the trouble of telling you about him. Now I will save your life if you do one thing for me."

"What is it?"

"Join me"

"What?"

"Think about it, if you join me I will not only save your life but I will also assist you in your quest to take control of Tellius."

Ashnard thought for a moment, "If I join him I won't die here and he will help me take control of Tellius but what does he want in return?"

"What do you want in return?"

"I am searching for a few individuals that have escaped into Tellius. I will "lend" you an army of angels to aid you in your plans if you can find the exact location of the fugitives that I'm looking for. That is all."

"Alright I accept… hey I never got your name."

"I am Yggdrasill, Leader of Cruxis and the Desians."

Ashnard stood up and said, "I'll make sure I find these individuals for you, Lord Yggdrasill."

As they were talking, they both failed to notice someone who over heard there conversation.

"This is bad. I better go and report this to Lord Yuan."


Back with our Heroes

"D-Dang, I'm so tired now." said a very exhausted, bruised up Lloyd.

"Heh, it seems that you pushed yourself to the limit. Not bad Lloyd." said Kratos as he sheathed his sword.

"I still couldn't defeat you."

"You are improving. There were times when you could have given me a run for my money."

"What? Are you serious or are you trying to make me feel better."

"I'm serious. You could have beaten me but there is one thing that sets us apart."

"What is it?"

"Experience." said Kratos as he walked toward the others. Lloyd sheathed his blades and slowly walked toward the rest of the group. Anna walked toward her son. She was going to heal his wounds, but then she got a better idea. She evilly smiled. Lloyd saw the expression on his mother's face. "Oh no, she has that look on her face. Either she is going to continue the training or she is scheming something."

Anna looked were the other's were and said, "Hey Mist come over here."

Mist turned around and looked over where Anna was at. She slowly walked towards them. Once she got there Anna spoke, "Mist, remember what we talked about."

Mist tried to speak but found it difficult to do. "Why can't talk, come on Mist say something!"

Finally she was able to say something, "Y-Yes"

Anna thought in her head, "It seems that she has a crush on Lloyd." She then said, "Ok then, I want you to practice on Lloyd."

Lloyd's eyes widen and said, "Practice what on me?"

"I taught her the First Aid technique. She was able to understand the basics behind it in just a few minutes."

"Really, that's cool. I don't even get what the heck I am supposed to do. You're really smart Mist."

At this moment she started to turn redder than she already was. "Why do I feel like this? Could Ike be right?"

Lloyd got a worried look on his face and said, "Hey Mist, you're turning red again. Are you feeling well?"

"D-Don't w-worry I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah"

"I knew it. A mother's intuition is never wrong. Too bad Lloyd is dense, just like his father was." thought Anna.

"Don't worry about it Lloyd. Mist, use the technique on Lloyd. If you can do it, then you have mastered it."

"Ok"

Mist placed her hand over one of Lloyd's bruises. She closed her eyes and started to gather some mana just like Anna had told her to do. When she felt that it was enough she released it and said, "First Aid" She opened her eyes and saw that Lloyd's bruise was healed.

"Congrats you have mastered the technique." said Anna.

"That's cool. Hey maybe you can explain to me how it's done." said Lloyd smiling.

"So you taught it to her, Interesting." said Kratos

"What did she learn?" asked Greil.

"Anna taught her how to use First Aid."

"That will be pretty useful."

"Greil, how about we head towards Melior and meet up with the King?"

"Alright but let's tell the others first."

A few minutes later

"So you guys are headed for Melior? Why?" asked Ike

"Yes, the King wishes to speak to us both." said Greil

"Who long will you be gone dad?" said Lloyd

"A few days." stated Kratos

"Be careful Kratos. Come back in one piece." said Anna as she gave him a soft kiss.

"Mom isn't going?"

"No, she is staying here to make sure no one gets into trouble. Lloyd you better behave yourself."

"Don't worry nothing bad is going to happen."

"Who else is going?" asked Boyd

"Well, Kratos, Titania, Oscar, Soren, and I are going."

"Is everyone ready?" asked Kratos

Soon they said their goodbyes and headed toward the capital of Crimea. As Lloyd waved he got a strange feeling that something big was going to happen. "Man, I feel like if my past is coming back to haunt me." Poor Lloyd didn't know how right he was.


Somewhere in the middle of nowhere

A strange figure was crossing a hot desert. He had a black cloak with a hood on it. Now you ask yourself, "What kind of person would be wearing this in the desert of all places?" Well no ordinary person would be wearing this. In fact this person is more machine than man. This man was none other than Kvar, or should I say Meta-Kvar. Kvar had recently landed on Tellius, the wrong part of Tellius. He made his way through the desert thinking, "Where the hell am I. That blasted Rodyle gave me bad directions. DAMN IT, when I see him again I'll make him walk through this blasted desert."He walked some more and found an oasis. Kvar walked toward it but then stopped and thought, "Wait a minute, what if that's just a mirage… oh never mind. This type of thing shouldn't affect me anymore." He walked toward it again but this time he was stopped by someone else.

"Hey what do you think you're doing?"

Kvar turned around and saw a strange looking fellow. He hand orange cat ears and a tail. "Hmm, this must be the laguz creatures that Rodyle was talking about."

"What's it to you Inferior Being."

"What do you mean by Inferior Being?" said the laguz

"Oh I'm terribly sorry I meant SUB –HUMAN!"

The laguz got pissed. "You beorcs are all the same. Thinking you own everything, well guess what I've had it. I'm going to teach you a lesson!" yelled the laguz as he transformed into a giant cat.

"Bring it on SUB-HUMAN."

(Battle Theme: Tales of Symphonia OST: The Law of the Battle)

The laguz leaped at Kvar, aiming at his neck. Kvar easily dodged the attack. Kvar easily kept dodging all of the attacks.

He thought, "Hahaha, so this is how much my speed has increased. Unbelievable, when I fight that Inferior being Kratos, I won't lose."

He started to laugh maniaticly as he dodged more attacks. The laguz was taken back when he heard Kvar laugh. He still continued to attack him until he finally was able to bite his left arm in hopes of tearing it off. The laguz thought he had won until he saw Kvar smirk. The arm the laguz was biting suddenly "tore" from the elbow joint. The laguz eyes widen when he saw the arm. "What the hell, a metal limb. That's impossible." During the confusion, Kvar grabbed the laguz by the neck and started to squeeze his neck. The laguz felt cold, sharp fingers starting to dig into his flesh. Blood started to drip from his neck. The laguz transformed back into his human form and started to choke. Kvar then fiercely kneed him in the stomach. The laguz couldn't believe the strength of this beorc, no this monster. He felt his ribs break like if they were twigs. The laguz looked under at Kvar's hood. He froze. He started to feel something he hadn't felt in a long time. He felt fear and terror. When he saw under Kvar's hood he saw the face of a murderer, the face of a psychopath, and the face of death.

"Hahaha, is that all you got? How disappointing."

Kvar slammed him on the ground. The laguz yelled out at the pain his body was going through.

"Hahaha, feel honored as you will be the first one to witness my ultimate attack."

He jumped back a few feet and aimed his left arm at the laguz. The laguz was able to see that it was some sort of cannon. He tried to move but he found that his body was paralyzed with fear.

Kvar started to laugh some more and said, "Try all you want you won't be able to move. Now witness my power!"

The cannon started to glow in a dark reddish yellow color. "I'LL SEND YOU TO HELL INFERIOR BEING, HELL'S JUDGMENT"

The laguz didn't even scream. The blast was so intense that the surrounding plants burst into flames. Once it was over the only thing that remained was black ash. Kvar smiled maliciously and soon started to laugh. "Incredible, my victory is assured. I am far superior than Kratos will ever be. Once I find him I'll make him watch me kill his pathetic, inferior family of his. Then I'll make him beg for his death. Hehehehe."

Kvar snapped the rest of his left arm back on and walked away toward his next destination.


Sylvarant Base

Yuan had recently finished all of the paperwork that he had on his desk. For some reason he felt sleepy for the first time in a long time. He fell asleep and started to dream too. In his dream he had a GIANT pair of scissors and was cutting though all types of paperwork. He mumbled, "Ha, take that stupid paperwork." But his dream didn't last long as Botta came running into the room and yelled, "LORD YUAN"

Yuan woke up with a shock. He then looked at Botta and said, "WHAT IN MARTEL'S NAME ARE YOU TRYING TO DO? GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK?"

"I'm sorry sir but I just got back with Sheena. I have already told her the details."

"Excellent work Botta. I'll be heading to Tellius now."

Just then a renegade came into the room. He looked like if he was being chased by Yggdrasill himself.

"Lord Yuan, I have an update to what Yggdrasill is up to."

"What is it?"

The Renegade told him what he had witnessed and heard. Yuan and Botta were in shock. They couldn't believe what they had just heard.

"Damn it, this is turning into a crisis. Now I have to fill out even more paperwork."

Yuan was about to work when he got an idea. "Botta I have a mission for you."

"What is it sir?"

"Go hire a secretary. I'm tired of this paperwork."

"Are you serious?"

"Yes. And if you can't find one then find a paper shredder."

"Alright"

"Ok then, I'll be headed for Tellius now."

Yuan walked out of his office and went to the lab. He picked up a box and opened it. Inside were numerous amounts of Exspheres and key crests. "I wish I didn't have to use these but with things the way they are those other mercenaries are going to get involved as well. Hopefully with these it will increase are chances of getting through this crisis."

He walked out and met up with Sheena. "There you are. I've been waiting here for a while."

"Sorry for the wait. We got some last minute info. I'll tell you on the way. Are you ready to go?"

"Finally let's go already."

"You seem impatient."

"I know it's just that I have a feeling something is going to happen."


Back with Lloyd and friends

"Man I'm so bored. Maybe I should have gone with dad. Oh well." thought Lloyd

Lloyd was currently on the roof again. Ever since he got that strange feeling he went up there to think. Then he took a nap and woke up again and currently he has nothing to do. "Hey I got an idea. I'll go train in the woods for a while. After all I can't let my skills drop."

He jumped of the roof and went inside. He found his mother making some food.

"Hey mom"

"What is it?"

"I'm going into the woods to train for a few hours. Is that ok?"

"Alright just be careful."

Lloyd nodded and left to train.

A few minutes later Mist came into the room and said, "Mrs. Aurion?"

Anna turned around and said, "Oh don't call me like that. It makes me feel old. Just call me Anna."

"Ok, well I just wanted to let you know that I was going to go out into the woods and gather some herbs."

"That's fine with me as long as you come back before nightfall."

"Thanks." said Mist as she turned around to leave but was stopped when Anna said, "That reminds me, I 'forgot' to tell Lloyd to come back before nightfall. Could you tell him for me? He's out training in the woods."

"S-Sure" stuttered Mist

She turned around and left. Anna had an evil grin on her face as she thought, "I just love playing matchmaker."


The Woods not far from base

"This seems like a good place to try out my moves."

Lloyd unsheathed his blades and started to attack a nearby tree.

"Let's try this, Double Demon Fang!"

The waves hit the tree casing some wood to break off.

"Hmm, I just don't see the usefulness of this technique. It's just like a normal Demon Fang. "

Lloyd charged up some mana into one of his blades. Then he yelled, "Fierce Demon Fang"

The shockwave hit the tree causing it to collapse. Lloyd stared at the tree. "Now this is what I call a technique."

He was going to practice some more when he heard something.

"Urgh"

"What was that?"

Lloyd walked toward the source of the noise the noise started to get closer until it was as close as it could get. Lloyd looked through the area but couldn't find the source of the noise. Soon the noise started to fade away. "Hmm, that was just wired. This is starting to creep me out. I think its best I call it a day."

Lloyd turned around and bumped into a familiar person.

"Ouch that hurt." said Mist

"Sorry about that Mist. I didn't see you. Are you hurt?"

"N-No"

"Ok, Hey Mist what are you doing here?"

"I-I c-came to get s-some herbs and I a-also came to tell you that you're supposed to come back before nightfall."

Lloyd kept looking around and said, "I was just headed back to the base. Do you need some help with the herbs?"

"I-It w-would help me a lot."

Lloyd nodded and proceeded to help her get some herbs. About a half an hour later they were finished. They both started to head back to the base when Lloyd heard to sound again.

"Urgh"

Both of our heroes stopped Lloyd turned to Mist and said, "Did you just hear the same thing I did?"

"Y-Yes"

Lloyd drew his swords and said, "That's it. Whoever is hiding out there I suggest you either show yourself or leave."

"Urgh"

The sound was getting closer. The sound was moving toward them. Soon the thing that was making the sound stopped right in front of them. It shocked them to see that it was a floating black skull with horns on the sides.

The skull looked at Lloyd and said, "You, Strong. You Fight Me … NOW!"

Lloyd jumped back and said, "Mist go back to the base and get help. I will stall this thing for a while."

"W-What about you?"

"I'll be fine. Hurry up and go!"

Mist nodded and left. Lloyd turned to the skull and thought, "Well it could have been worse."

Suddenly a large, black skeletal body rose from the ground along with four arms. The arms attached to the body. Then the two top arms grabbed the skull and attached it to the body.

Lloyd then thought, "Well it could have been worse."

Then four different kinds of swords rose from the ground and each of the arms grabbed one. The creature gave a chilling roar as Lloyd thought, "Me and my big mouth."

Boss Battle: Lloyd vs. the Sword Dancer A.K.A. THE Skeleton Guy

(Battle Theme: TOS Dawn of the New World OST: Full Force!)

Lloyd started to analyze his opponent. "Hmm, he's walking really slowly. Perhaps I can use the hit and run tactic and win this fight."

Lloyd ran toward the Skeleton in hopes of hitting him. The Sword Dancer swung the two bottom blades once Lloyd got near. Lloyd put his blades in a defensive position and yelled, "Guardian" The blades hit the greenish shield and bounced back. Lloyd quickly thrust his blades at a fast pace. "Sword Rain Alpha" said Lloyd as he finished his attack. He then jumped back to avoid the two upper blades from slicing his head off. "Damn that was scary. A little more and I would have died. Attacking it head on is risky. If only I had some long range moves... Wait I do!"

Lloyd got his distance from his enemy. He then swung one of his blades twice and sent out two waves. The waves hit the Sword Dancer. The attack seemed to have stunned the skeleton. Lloyd wasted no time and ran forward. His exsphere started to shine as he yelled, "Fierce Demon Fang" After that he moved back a little and jumped into the air. He placed his swords in front and dove forward.

"Rising Falcon"

Soon he gave the Sword Dancer a few more strikes before he was forced to dodge the Sword Dancer's "spin attack"

"Whoa talk about 360degree rotation. That's just crazy. Well at least I damaged it. Who would have thought that Double Demon Fang could be used to snipe"

Lloyd continued his assault. Every time he did he changed the techniques used. He ended up using all of his moves on the Sword Dancer. The Sword Dancer was still standing and wasn't showing any signs of fatigue. Lloyd on the other hand was starting to breath hard. He proceeded to attack but stopped when he noticed something. The Sword Dancer's top arms were moving in a strange pattern. "What the hell is he doing?" Lloyd used Double Demon Fang and noticed that the move didn't stun the skeleton like it did. All of the sudden the Sword Dancer stopped moving and said, "Grave"

Lloyd's eyes widen at what he just heard. "He just cast a spell but how?"

Lloyd was able to dodge the center spike that came out but was hit by some of the outer spikes.

Lloyd yelled out in pain. The spikes had injured him on his Left arm and Right leg as well as his lower stomach. He then saw that the Sword Dancer had moved right next to him. "Damn it he used that spell to give him enough time to catch up to me, clever bastard."

The Sword Dancer started to glow in a dark aura. He raised his blades and said, "Cross Slice"

Lloyd raised his own blades and braced himself. "This is going to hurt"

(Battle Pause)


A few moments before the start of Lloyd's Fight

Yuan and Sheena had arrived at the Greil Mercenary base. Yuan had told Sheena the update on Yggdrasill's plan. She was shocked that Yggdrasill would go this far just to find Kratos. Before they knocked on the door Yuan told Sheena to not reveal any of her skills unless it was necessary. Yuan knocked on the door and waited for someone to open the door. Luckily it was Anna who opened it.

"Hello Yuan. What brings you here?"

"I need to speak with Kratos. Is he here?"

"No, he left to go speak with the king a while ago."

"Dang it Kratos, no matter I will just go find him. Sheena stay here with Anna."

Yuan turned around and headed to find Kratos.

Anna was puzzled. She turned to face Sheena and said, "Hi Sheena. I haven't seen you since you were a little girl."

"Hi Mrs. Aurion, It's good to see you are doing well."

Soon Ike, Boyd, and Rolf came to see who was at the door.

"Who's that?" said Ike

Anna turned around and said, "Ike, Boyd, Rolf, I would like to introduce a family friend."

"Hi there I'm Sheena. It is nice to meet all of you."

Before anyone could reply, Mist arrived. She looked like if she had seen a ghost or something.

"Mist what's wrong?" asked Ike.

"L-Lloyd's in trouble."

"What do you mean?" asked Anna

"A large black skull with horns on the side came and attacked us. Lloyd told me to find help."

"A skull with horns attacked you? Are you sure it wasn't some animal?" said Boyd

"I know what I saw and if we don't hurry up Lloyd could seriously get hurt."

"You said that you saw a skull with horns? What color was the skull?" asked Sheena

"It was black"

Sheena's eyes widen. She then said, "Are you sure?"

"Yes it was a black skull with yellow horns."

"Damn it we have to go help Lloyd now!" said Sheena

Sheena then turned to Anna and said, "I'm going ahead to help out Lloyd. You guys get your equipment and then follow. I just hope we are not too late."

As soon as Sheena left, the others got their equipment. Rolf stayed behind just in case if Yuan came back.


Back with Lloyd

(Battle Resume)

Lloyd was a complete mess. He had managed to finally weaken the Sword Dancer. How did he know this? It was rather easy to notice that the skeleton guy was starting to move slower than normal. Lloyd on the other hand had reached his limit. Even strengthened by his exsphere, his body couldn't continue to handle the stress. He could feel his body about to give up on him but he continued to attack. He knew that forcing his body isn't a good thing but if he stopped he was as good as dead. Somehow he knew that the enemy knew this as well. It seemed to be waiting for Lloyd to drop.

"I'm not giving up. I will defeat you here; if I don't my friends will be in danger." Lloyd dashed toward his enemy, ignoring the pain his body was going through, and before he was able to get close he saw someone jump out of the trees. The person hit the Sword Dancer with a card and yelled, "Pyre Seal"

The Sword Dancer flew back and hit a nearby tree. The person then said, "I see you're as clumsy as ever Lloyd."

"Hey I know that voice." thought Lloyd.

"Yeah, well at least I don't fall into holes."

"Hey good to see your still alive."

"Nice to see you too, Sheena"

Sheena walked toward Lloyd and smacked him on the head.

"What was that for?" asked Lloyd while rubbing his head.

"That was for fighting a Sword Dancer by yourself, what the hell were you thinking?"

"WHAT? That thing is a Sword Dancer? I thought it was just some random skeleton guy."

Soon the others came. Once they looked at Lloyd, they knew that he went through a hard fight. Anna walked towards Lloyd and smacked him on the head. "Hey that hurt. What was that for?"

"That was for getting into trouble."

"Hey, were is that creature?" asked Ike

"It's over there. I think Sheena's Pyre Seal took care of it."

"RAHHH"

They turned to see the Sword Dancer standing up. It gave another chilling roar as it started to walk toward them.

"Looks like you pissed it off, Sheena"

"Your were fighting that thing by yourself!" said Boyd

"Yeah"

"Now I know why they hit you."

"Enough chatting, it's getting closer." said Ike

The Sword Dancer stopped then it started to talk, "Boy fights me. One on one. No interference." He started to move his upper arms in a weird way. Ike, Sheena, and Boyd proceeded to attack. Mist was about to go when Anna said, "Mist stay here and heal Lloyd. I'll give the others support." Mist nodded and proceeded to heal Lloyd.

Lloyd on the other hand was thinking, "He's moving his arms in the same way he cast grave but it's different."

He then noticed that the grass near the Sword Dancer was giving off smoke like if something was going to ignite.

Lloyd then yelled, "GET AWAY FROM IT NOW!" The others barley got away right when the Sword Dancer said, "Explosion"

The blast didn't directly hit them but it was enough to send everyone that was near flying. Boyd and Ike hit the trees. Sheena was able to cast her own version of Guardian but in the process one of her spell cards was torn.

"Damn it these were brand new."

Anna had used Guardian as well. "Damn, I didn't think the Sword Dancer could use magic as well." She looked toward the Sword Dancer and saw that it was moving its arms again. "Another spell?"

The skeleton guy soon stopped. Lloyd looked around to see were the attack would come from. "What is the Sword Dancer plotting?"

"Well if it won't attack then I will" Anna grabbed her sword and charged at the skeleton.

The Sword Dancer pointed one of his blades toward Anna. Lloyd realized that the Sword Dancer just did and yelled, "MOM, ITS A TRAP! IT'S THE DELAY SPELL TACTIC!"

Anna heard the warning but she was already too close. The moment she turned around to escape the Sword Dancer spoke, "Negative Gate"

Instantly dark, purplish energy emerged from the bottom of Anna's feet forming into a sphere, trapping Anna inside.

After the attack finished, Anna fell back with multiple damages all over her body. "Damn, I rushed in without thinking." She tried to get up but found that she couldn't. She was able to raise her head a little and saw that the Sword Dancer was going to swing his sword at her.

"MOM!" yelled Lloyd as he tried to go to her aid but when he moved a little his whole body ached.

The Sword Dancer finished his attack, only to find cut pieces of a log. Lloyd and Mist were baffled when they saw the log. Lloyd realized that Sheena used her replacement skill and should ninja poof next to them in a few seconds. Sure enough she did. She gently place Anna's body on the ground.

"Don't worry Lloyd. She's just unconscious."

Lloyd stared at his mother. Images from the past blasted his head as he remembered, "Not again. She almost died last time. This can't be happening." Lloyd gripped his sword handles tightly. He then turned to face the Sword Dancer and said, "Mist, stop healing me and heal my mother."

"What about you?"

"I'm fine, just heal her."

Sheena stood up and said, "Lloyd what do you thing you trying to do? You can't fight yet. Just stay back and..."

"NO, I will defeat this monster by myself." He then made direct eye contact with the Sword Dancer and said, "I WILL DEFEAT YOU!"

At this instant his exsphere started to shine with an intense light. Around this time Ike and Boyd were coming back to their senses right when they both saw the light. Both of them thought, "What the hell is that?"

"THIS FIGHT ENDS NOW!" yelled Lloyd as he dashed toward the Sword Dancer with a huge increase in speed.

Lloyd hit his enemy with multiple slashes and rapid thrusts. Lloyd then jumped back a few feet and held his blades together. The Material Blades started to shine brightly. He jumped up high and soon both blades were releasing a huge amount of bluish mana. He brought his blades down and yelled, "TAKE THIS, DIVINE JUSTICE!"

There was a huge explosion. Soon the area cleared up. Everyone who was looking at the fight was shocked. They had just seen Lloyd defeat the Sword Dancer with a powerful attack. The Sword Dancer had fallen to the ground and Lloyd was barely standing. The Sword Dancer's body disappeared and all that remained was his skull. The skull then rose and faced Lloyd and said, "You Strong. Stronger than expected. We will fight again." The skull then disappeared.

"I'll be looking forward to it." said Lloyd as he fell back. Boyd and Ike ran toward their friend to see if he was ok.

Ike turned toward Mist and Sheena and said, "Don't worry, He's Ok. He just fell asleep."

Boyd helped Ike pick him up and said, "That was awesome. I would be asleep too if I did something like this."

During their chatter they failed to notice a dark color tint starting to spread on Lloyd's Exsphere...


With Kratos and the other mercenaries

"I estimate that we have covered at least 2/4ths of the way." said Soren.

"I assume we traveled faster than normal?" asked Kratos

"It seems that way." said Greil

Oscar, who was keeping a lookout for any enemies, spotted something, "I see some smoke over that hill."

They went over the hill to see something gruesome. They saw a bunch of dead soldiers, at least over 110 soldiers.

"Where are these soldiers from?" spoke Titania

Kratos looked around and found a burnt flag. He let out a sigh and said, "There're from Crimea..."


Sharingandude: And stop right there!

Mia: Aw, It was getting interesting.

Sharingandude: I know but this chapter came out longer than I thought.

Mia: So when am I appearing?

Sharingandude: Maybe next chapter.

Sheena: Hey what was up with Pronyma?

Sharingandude: That was just a random thought that came to me. I thought it was funny so I put it in.

Lloyd: When is the contest going to end?

Sharingandude: You've recovered already?

Lloyd: I sort of snuck out of my room.

Sharingandude: Well, the contest will be going until someone guesses right. Besides I already gave away a few "freebies"

Lloyd: Well I won't say anything other than to ask the reader to please review. I'll heal faster if you do.

Sharingandude: Yeah what Lloyd said, if you don't we'll kill a monkey.

Lloyd: WHAT?

Sharingandude: That's it for today, Ja Ne