Side Chapter o1- Upset Birthday

"Hey Lloyd are you ok?" The boy clad in red looked up from his spot on the building roof, gazing at her with a small smile. "Yeah, don't worry about me Colette." He assured, as she sat next to him. They both stared out towards the dark world, the small lights of the stars and moon shining down upon them.

"What are you still doing up, shouldn't you be sleeping?"

"I could say the same about you." He mused, looking at the blond haired girl, who just smiled back. "What are you still doing up?"

"I'm just not tired."

Lloyd nodded his head as he looked back to the vast land before them. Things had changed, a lot, since they left home. Colette's transformation, Genis and Raine being half elves, Maddy's new power... Maddy.

He turned his head to look at the group that slept around the fire. Madison was curled up in her sleeping bag, eyes closed, breathing gently as sleep overcame her senses. This Madison was different from the one back home. Less confident with herself, more afraid, and timid. He wasn't sure if this was her true self which she hid from him or this was a phase, but whatever it was he knew he had to be there for her. She was one of his best friends after all.

"Your worried about her too?" Colette questioned, looking at him then towards the group huddled around the fire. "She's different than she use to be, isn't she?" Lloyd simply nodded his head, knowing that something was surly up if Colette can notice.

"Maybe this trip is to much for her." He whispered softly, looking back towards the velvet sky. "I should of taken her somewhere safe..."

Colette simply giggled, "she would have came anyways." He looked at her as the blond smiled towards the glistening moon. "That's just her nature. She cannot leave something behind, no matter what. She is stubborn, and acts on impulse, but has a good heart. She's just like you Lloyd."

Silence followed her statement. She stood up and dusted herself off. "It was nice talking to you, but I suggest we get to sleep. Tomorrow is a big day." Lloyd smiled, "yeah, and she would be terribly annoyed if we forgot." With a giggle she set off, back towards her sleeping bag that was set between Raine and Madison. Lloyd stayed up for a bit longer, looking out into the sky.

--------------

Three whispers were heard as the three rushed around the hotel they rented not far from their campsite the night before. Genis smiled as he rushed around, pinning up some orange ribbons, followed by Colette with the balloons. Her giggling can be heard as she stood on a chair, tapping the balloon's around randomly while singing as she went.

"We have to hurry!" Lloyd commented as he looked out of the window. Raine was to get the food while Kratos was keeping Maddy busy. "They should be back soon." He explained, as the two nodded, quickening their pace.

"It's only me." Raine stated, as she walked through the door, making the three students jump in surprise. "Kratos and Madison should be here shortly." She said, placing some bags down, pulling out food, plates and cutlery.

Genis made his way to his elder sister after putting up the rest of his streamers, and climbed onto the chair. "Do you think she'll like it?" He questioned, as Lloyd grinned. "Of course!" He exclaimed loudly, throwing his hands up in the air. "Maddy loves surprises!"

Genis nodded, but still questioned their antics. It has been a few months since they were banished form home, only a few months ago that Madison found out that her father wasn't really her father. Maybe this party would be to much for her, seeing that it's usually Cohort who would set up parties like this for her.

Raine placed a hand on her siblings back, as if she could read his mind and smiled reassuringly. "She'll need this." She explained, "she needs to know that she can still be herself." Nodding his head, he couldn't shake off the dreaded feeling he was having as he gazed upon the cake on the table. Iced like pure white snow, bright orange writing like the sun. 'Happy Birthday Madison!' In his gut he knew this was going to turn out different than they were expecting.

---------

Fire engulfed my scythe as I swung it around, the chain flying about as I whipped it around the clearing, doing tricks I learned through time. Quickly wrapping the chain around my arm I spun on my left heel before outstretching my arm, sending the scyth in a new direction. I pulled it over my head, ducking back into a bridge like stance as the flaming weapon passed me and would have hit an enemy who was behind me.

I flipped through the air, continuing to keep my weapon in constant motion, my arms moving widely to keep control of the weapon I claimed as my own. My long brown hair fluttered behind me, being pulled out of the ponytail it was in due to my quick and constant moving. I allowed my body to slow, pulling on the chain and catching the scyth at the handle, outing the fire. I could hear clapping from behind the tree's as I looked to see Kratos.

"I see you have been doing much better." I smiled gently, nodding my head. Like I said, with my weapon I felt in control, I didn't feel completely hopeless like I did when I could only rely on magic. "What inspired you to choose such a weapon?" He was walking towards me as I hooked it to my shorts.

"I'm not sure." I answered honestly, trying to figure out how I came across a weapon like this. I could remember my fa- Cohort training me with different weapons. Blades of all sizes, chakrams, staff, swords, bows and arrows, but nothing seemed to fit me.

He was now standing in front of me, looking down on me with those cold eyes he owned. Lifting up his hand he placed it on my head, ruffling my brown hair, making it messier than it already was. "Remember those friends I spoke to you about? The woman with the spells and the man." I simple nodded, remembering the book that sat in my pocket, safe from the world. "Well the man used the exact same weapon."

"Really?" I exclaimed, "he must have been really good!"

"He was." Kratos assured, "not many can wield a weapon like yours with such grace and percision like he could." I listened in awe, already admiring his two friends. He chuckled, shaking his head. "We better go, I'll keep the stories for another time." I pouted but nodded none the less, allowing him to usher me out of the training grounds I was using.

The others said they were busy, so I came to train, but now I question what they were busy with. The only thing that came to mind was getting new weapons and such, or stocking up on material and food. Coming into the village, Kartos lead me to a hotel. I questioned him, thinking that we were only going to pick up the group and set out again, but he simple ushered me towards the inn, pushing open the door. I cried in surprise as my three best friends jumped out from random hiding spots, crying out 'surprise'.

"W-what?" I stuttered, simply surprised.

"It's your birthday silly!" Colette grinned, grabbing my hands in her own. "Don't tell me you have forgotten!" She looked at me worriedly, as my eyes started to water up. Surprise parties reminded me of him, of Cohort. "I-I'm sorry!" She cried, now worried.

"Maddy..." Genis whispered, looking up at me. I rubbed my eyes, shaking my head as I turned on my heels and rushed out of the inn, taking me wherever my legs could take me. I couldn't help but miss him so much. I wanted him back, I wanted the one I called my father back.

"Maddy!" Lloyd cried, running towards the door, only to be stopped by Kratos. "But Maddy!" He exclaimed as Kratos shook his head. "Leave her, she is dealing with a lot right now." Lloyd sighed but nodded.

I ran, I didn't know for how long, or how far, but I ran. I couldn't help it, waves of emotions engulfing me like a wave. I wanted to be happy, that my friends did this for me, but this is what he did for me. He always planned these surprise parties for me. I cried out, tripping over something as I crashed into the ground, my body heaving up and down as I cried, my tears making puddles below me. I felt helpless again, like a little girl who fell and scraped her knee, waiting for her father to come pick her up, kiss her wound better, telling her everything was going to be ok.

I grasped the dirt below my fingers, as images of the past filled my head. I could hear him, his voice ringing in my ears. "Why." I cried out, "why!" I slammed my fist against the ground, my frustaration finally getting the better of me. "Why did you have to be the evil one!?" I continued to thrash out on the ground. Soon I had no tears left to cry, my body was numb, my fist bleeding due to my constant attacks on the hard earth.

I looked like a mess, laying her on the ground, dirty, bleeding, with a tear stained face. My looks matched my feelings right now. I felt broken, broken into millions of pieces that are too small to put back together. Why did I deserve this? I didn't know, I wanted to know.

"Maddy!" It was Lloyd's voice, he was searching for me. I looked up from the ground, how long was I out here for? It was completely dark now. "Maddy!" Lloyd finally found me as he rushed to my side, helping me off the ground, allowing me to lean on his body. I hid my face from him, in his chest, not wanting him to see what I have become. "I'm so sorry, it was my idea. I didn't know it would hurt you so much..."

I clung to him, feeling his arms wrap around my body and pull me closer. He was now sitting on the ground with me on his lap. He was looking at me hands, tracing his fingers over the cuts that I caused with a hurt expression.

"Maddy please say something." He whispered softly after a few moments of silence. "I didn't mean to hurt you, I swear. I thought it would be nice to celebrate your birthday."

I continued to stay quiet, I didn't know what to say. I knew Lloyd wouldn't intentionally hurt me, he wasn't that kind of person. He continued to run his fingers over my cuts, brushing away the blood that had dried over time.

He looked from my cuts to my face, which was hidden by my hair. He moved my hair, tucking it behind my ear as he stared down at my tear stained face, his expression looking even more depressed than usual. His hands cupped my cheek, his thumb caressing my face. I finally looked up, into his eyes, those brown eyes I grew up with. Those same warm eyes were now filled with worry and regret.

"I'm worried." Lloyd whispered to me, "I'm worried about you Madison." He used my full name, he was being serious. He only ever used my full name when he is serious. "I know things have been hard Madison. The man you believed was your father isn't, and is part of a group that kills humans like ants. This strange new powers that have the same group of evil after you. The burden of protecting us. Your trying to face everything alone, and you can't handle it." I knew he was right, I couldn't handle it. As if I was hydrated again, my tears fell once more as I clung to him.

"I-I'm scared." I cried, "scared and confused! I don't know what to do Lloyd!" He cooed to me softly, pulling me close as he comforted me. I spilled all my worries on him, all my fears, basically poured my heart to him. He continued to hold me, listening to every word I cried to him.

He wiped away the tears from my face, "Maddy listen." He spoke as I looked at him, "I know your scared. All of us are, but we are all here for you. Everyone is worried about you Maddy."

"I-I shouldn't even be here." I muttered gently, "it seems I'm always the one getting hurt or the one being useless."

"Don't say that Maddy!" He snapped, gripping my arms. "We need you Maddy! All of us do. Genis looks up to you Maddy, he always has. He knows that you would protect him from anything, and he is willing to do the same for you. Colette is one of your best friends, she trusts you with her life right now Maddy, and you know you would trust her with yours. Raine respects you, I can remember back home when Raine would always compliment you. She says your a fast learner, and that you are someone who can stand up for what you believe in. Heck even Kratos likes you, and you know how that guy is. He has spent days upon days to help you with your powers, he is proud of you Maddy." He moved the hair from my face, his expression softening. "I need you Maddy. You are my best friend, we have been through almost everything. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here Maddy."

My heart ached at his words, my grip on his sleeves tightening. I didn't know I was that important to everyone. I didn't know I made a difference.

"Thank you Lloyd." I managed to whisper, hugging him tightly. "I don't know what I would do if you weren't here."

He chuckled, resting his head on my shoulder. We stayed like that for a while before he pulled away. "C'mon we should head back." He helped me to my feet, taking my hand in his. We have done this many times, holding hands, but this time it felt different. It caused my stomach to flip, my heart to flutter. I looked up at him, watching a smile grace his features. I have never noticed how he looked before. Before he looked like Lloyd, but now, I wasn't sure.

"Lloyd." He looked at me in questioned as we walked back to the inn. "Do you think we could still have my birthday party?" A grin crossed his face as he nodded. "Of course!" He exclaimed, "it is still your birthday after all!"

Lloyd opened the inn door as I was knocked to the ground by a flash of silver. "Maddy! I was so worried!" Genis cried, hiding his face in my stomach. "I knew you would feel like this! I should have stopped them, but I couldn't do it! It's your birthday after all!"

"Shh." I hushed, hugging him back as the others walked over to us. "I know, I'm sorry I acted the way I did." I apologized to them, bowing my head. "I was just overwhelmed that's all."

Colette smiled, and kneeled down. "Don't worry Maddy, we are all here for you, no matter what." I smiled back and pulled her into a hug as well.

"Good to know your fine Madison." Raine said, kneeling down and grasping my hands to heal my wounds. "You had us worried."

"But it looks like you got things sorted out." Kratos placed a hand on my shoulder, and smiled gently at me. "Just don't bottle things, you have friends here who will help you." I nodded, looking at my friends as I smiled as well. Sure I missed Cohort, I missed being that little girl with no worries, but that was then. Now I am here with my friends, who all love and care about me, who need me and I will always be there for them, no matter the condition.

"C'mon let's give her the gifts!" Lloyd cried, waving a gift box and bag in the air while rushing over to me. "Hey that's my gift! I wanna give it to her!" Genis cried, grabbing the box out of Lloyd's hands and handing it to me. I smiled, pulling off the wrapping. "Well it's from Raine and I." He chuckled, as Raine shot him a look. Inside was a box of braceletts and I pulled them out. "They are magic boosters. They will help you control and power up your magic!" He exclaimed, as I smiled. "Thanks Genis! Raine!" I said hugging them both. I slipped the braceltts onto my hand, letting them jiggle around my wrist.

"Mine!" Lloyd cried, pushing the bag in my hands. It was the same bag I saw him with in the village where Kratos got me my weapon. I opened it and gasped, it was the outfit. Pulling it out I grinned, "oh Lloyd you didn't have to!" I claimed, as he chuckled. "I couldn't pass the offer, plus I had no other ideas of what to get you." He chuckled, nervously as I smiled, hugging him tightly. I quickly rushed to change, perfect fit. The top cutting just above my stomach, the fingerless gloves, the capris that had black straps that hung from them and the black shoes.

"Here Maddy open mine please!" Colette smiled, holding out her gift. I nodded, taking the gift from her. Opening it I gasped, inside was a golden colored headband with blue gems that matched my necklace."Colette." I breathed as she smiled. "I knew you would like it! It will help keep your hair out of your face in battles!" I smiled as she helped me put it in. "Thank you." She nodded her head as everyone turned their head to Kratos who raised a brow.

"What?"

"Didn't you get her a present?" Lloyd questioned, crossing him arms.

"Of course." He stated in an almost offending tone. I slipped his hand into his cloak and pulled out a small box, throwing it at me. I caught it, fumbling it but catching it none the less. I looked at it, it was no bigger than my hand. Quickly opening it, I couldn't help but laugh. I don't know where he got these, but they were pictures of all of us during our travels. When did he have time to take these, I have no idea.

I thanked him, hugging the pictures close to me. My friends were the best.