Chapter 10 Surprises

"I knew it!" Sheena exclaimed, emerging from her hiding place, pointing at Arketh, followed by Colette walking out and standing beside her.

Arketh gulped, "Knew what?"

"That there was something strange about you! There's no way you'd stalk us like that if it was just Yuan's orders. I mean, the look on your face that time the papal knights attacked us-" Sheena exclaimed.

"At least Raine doesn't know. She'd probably try to dissect us or something..." Bud pointed out, putting his mask back on and messing up his hair.

"Why are all of you in here?" Raine had just walked in, "Why is Kratos-?"

"I'll be leaving now..." Kratos said before teleporting away.

"That's... sort of annoying..." Lloyd muttered.

"Wait. Were you listening in Yuan's office as well?" Arketh asked.

"Yep!" Colette said cheerfully.

"You never explained why you look like Kvar's son, though!" Sheena exclaimed.

"I guess it's because of what the angel did," Bud replied, shrugging.

"Origin's work, probably..." Arketh said, rolling his eyes, "Though he could be more considerate when giving me the body of Kvar's son..."

"What do you mean?" Raine asked, having not eaves dropped on their conversations.

"You're better off not knowing, Raine..." Sheena said, turning to Arketh, she remembered what he had said at the lake, "When you were talking in your sleep at Lake Umacy... You were talking about me, weren't you?"

Arketh turned bright red, not looking at Sheena's face, "Believe what you want!"

"He's-!" Bud started to say.

"Stop telling them everything, I realize you're doing it on purpose, you know!" Arketh glared. Bud opened his mouth to say something, but Arketh interrupted, "I'm your brother- your twin brother! Why wouldn't I know?!"

Colette gasped, "But that would mean that you and Lloyd-!"

"Hey Arketh I think there's something wrong with Lloyd..." Bud said. Lloyd was staring ahead, saying "No he can't be- why would he...?"

Colette seemed to figure out what was wrong and grabbed him by the shoulders, "Lloyd, get a hold of yourself! You're you, it doesn't matter who your parents are!"

Lloyd smiled at Colette, "I... I guess you're right..."

"Hey guys, I think Arketh is trustworthy, and we could always use a couple more fighters!" Sheena said.

"What? But I'm-"

"Come on, Arketh! We should help them out! Besides..." Bud said.

"Fine, as long as it's okay with everyone in your group..." Arketh said.

"Yeah, you finally get to help us out!" Lloyd grinned.

"Lloyd, are you okay with this-? I mean... with everything you've learned today?" Arketh asked.

"It'll take me awhile to get used to... but I'll be fine! So, can they come with us or not, Professor?!" Lloyd exclaimed.

Raine sighed, "I suppose, there's no use fighting with you. If anything happens, I'm not responsible."

"Why are we bringing these guys along again?" Zelos asked as they continued their way to make the pact with Aska and Luna.

"Because we want to annoy you!" Bud glared.

"Sheena was the one who suggested we come along..." Arketh sighed, "And Bud, he hasn't done anything yet. Forget 'im."

"Fine," Bud muttered.

"Now I can call Lloyd bud anymore, either!" Zelos sighed.

"Good," Lloyd grinned.

They arrived at the teleporter, and Arketh hesitated, "Maybe I should wait here..."

"Come on!" Genis said impatiently.

Arketh quickly followed him, waiting patiently as they agreed to make the pact, and the fight began.

Drawing his sword, he went to attack. He saw Lloyd get knocked back, while the rest hadn't noticed, and flew off the edge. He went to go save him, when Bud sped past him.

"Don't worry- His friends will certainly be surprised though," He whispered, before attacking Aska. Arketh bit his lip, but sure enough, Lloyd flew up with his huge wings, and returned to the fight. By now everyone had noticed that Lloyd had grown wings.

The battle ended shortly after that, and they turned their attention to Lloyd.

"Awesome! I have wings! But why-?" Lloyd exclaimed, surprised.

"Whoa! Lloyd has wings!" Genis exclaimed.

Arketh ignored the voices of amazement, and prepared himself for what was about to happen...

After everything with the ranch and the tree was done and over with, the group was too worried about Colette to question Lloyd's wings, or Lloyd to question Arketh. At the moment they were staying at Dirk's, most of the group was outside, except Colette- who was sitting down beside Arketh- Genis and Arketh had gone to bed early.

"Arketh, can I ask you something?" Colette asked.

"Sure, Colette," Arketh replied, looking at her.

"Did you know about the tree?" She asked.

Arketh looked away, "Yeah, I did."

"Wh-" Colette was interrupted by a scream from the second story.

"That sounded like Presea," Arketh said quietly, running up the stairs.

Presea was standing in the doorway; Bud was no where in sight, and in the middle of the room...

"Oh dear Martel," Arketh muttered, putting a hand over his mouth.

...Was Genis' dead body.

Me:Well, there we go! Sorry for the long wait, I went to the city for a few days and had lots of homework XP Ah, well. And... uh, don't kill me about that last part?