First off, I would like to thank Migito for the review.

And since I haven't said this in a while, I NO OWN ToS. It belongs to Namco.

Chapter 10

In a plain, white room far, far from the Chosen's group's location. They were currently trying to find the imposter Chosen group that they were told, by Governor-General Dorr, were given the Book of Regeneration.

Inside the room mentioned above, a young boy paced back and forth as an older man stood at attention in front of him. The man wore armor-like clothes, a long cape and his blue hair was in a ponytail while the boy's long blond hair flowed behind him as he walked. His clothes were similar to Colette's in appearance, but less dress-like. "How could this have happened?" The boy's voice was full of confusion as well as anger, his hands clasped behind him as he went back and forth. He continued, muttering, "Curse those stupid Renegades, always getting in my way…" The boy stopped in mid-step. "Yuan," he turned toward the blue-haired man. "I want you to go down to Tethe'alla and see how their Chosen is doing. Make sure he doesn't get too many ideas about what our plans may be. We need to keep him on his side so he doesn't find out about the Regeneration Journey's consequences."

Yuan nodded, "Understood, Lord Yggdrasill."

A flash of light appeared upon Yggdrasill, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared. In place of the young boy stood a man; he had the same color hair as the boy, but his clothes changed from the loose-fitting outfit of a child to an almost skin-tight white one. Yggdrasill looked him straight in the eyes., "What did you call me?"

"Is there a problem with me calling you 'Lord Yggdrasill'?" Yuan inquired evenly.

"No, but your attitude needs to change. I find it disrespectful."

Meanwhile, the Chosen's group was approaching the dock of the only port leading to Thoda Island Geyser. It had been decided, by Raine, that since they were passing by the House of Salvation Koton, the old man the imposters had sold the Book of Regeneration to, had told them about they could get the Spiritua Statue to give to him. Unfortunately, they arrived to find out that the statue the House of Salvation had was a fake created by Dirk to look like the original that one of the house's priests had lost at Thoda Geyser. So that whole explanation takes the story to where it is now; at the docks.

"Washtubs?" Lloyd complained. "I thought she said we could use the boat."

"Don't complain, Lloyd," the mercenary chided.

"They are washtubs," Genis commented.

"True. Washtubs, hmm…"

Not paying attention to the others' remarks, Colette like the prospect of riding in the washtubs. "Wow! This looks like fun!"

Raine on the other hand, was not so excited about it. "I-I'm going to stay here. You all go on without me."

Lloyd turned to look at her in confusion. "What's wrong, Professor Sage?"

"No-no-nothing," she replied. "I-I'm just not getting in that thing."

"It looks fun to me," commented Colette. "Come on, let's get in!"

Genis reached over and grabbed his sister's wrist, "Yeah, Raine!"

"Ahh!" She shouted, yanking her wrist out of the young mage's hand.

All the others turned to stare at the professor in surprise. "'Ahh'? Professor Sage, are you…afraid of water or something?"

"N-no, you didn't let me finish," Raine responded, her voice faltering a bit.
"I was just starting to say 'Ahh, this should be fun'."

The others are all doubtful, but remain silent as Raine strides by Lloyd and gets into the washtubs. "Uh…sure." Lloyd followed her, and then Genis and Colette.

"Heh, so she says," Kratos remarked before doing the same.

Back with Yggdrasill and Yuan…

"Lord Yggdrasill, please excuse my rudeness," a voice called as a blond man with white, feathery wings flew over to the pair of men.

"What is it, Remiel?" Yggdrasill questioned sounding annoyed. "Can't you see I am in the middle of something?"

"Yes, my lord, but the Chosen and her friends have broken both the Fire and Water Seals. They are now on their way toward the Wind seal in the Balacruf Mausoleum."

"What of the assassin? Do you have any information on who she is or where she's from?"

"Yes, I do. The assassin is Sheena Fujibayashi from the hidden ninja village of Mizuho," Remiel answered hurriedly. "It seems she has been hired by the Renegades to assassinate the Chosen of Sylvarant."

Yggdrasill raised and hand, stopping Remiel's report. "Do you not think I know that already?"

"Oh, yes, Lord Yggdrasill. Please forgive me."

"Your apology is accepted. Now go to the seal so you can continue the project," Yggdrasill ordered sternly. Remiel bowed, and flew out of the room. Once he had, Yggdrasill reverted back to his child-like form, turning toward Yuan afterward. "See, Yuan? Why can't you treat me more like Remiel does than an inferior being would? Aren't we friends?"

"Lord Yggdra—"

"I'm willing to forgive your past experiences with, or more like betraying me by using, my sister. You knew I didn't approve of it and yet what did you do? You just went on your way, talking to her about how much you 'loved' her. As if I couldn't tell you were lying because I was a kid."

"Lord Yggdrasill, I—"

"I don't want to hear it!" The young boy shouted agitatedly. "Now go do what I told you to, okay?"

"As you wish, Lord Yggdrasill," Yuan consented, bowing in imitation to Remiel before leaving the room.

Yggdrasill watched Yuan's back as he left, leaving the young boy alone in the large room. Just then, a loud knock sounded on the door Yuan had left by. He sighed, "Always being interrupted by someone, aren't I?" the boy mumbled annoyedly before raising his voice to speak. "Who's there?"

"It is I, Lord Yggdrasill. May I come in?"

"Just a moment, Pronyma," Yggdrasill told her, transforming into his adult form. "Come in."

"Lord Yggdrasill, there is a problem at Kvar's ranch. It seems the Chosen's group has infiltrated it and is currently trying to find their way to the control room," Pronyma reported, handing Yggdrasill a small device. "See for yourself."

Sure enough, the device showed a hologram of Lloyd, Genis, and Kratos as they searched for the warp point that would take them to the control room. Where are the others? Yggdrasill thought before it switched to reveal Sheena, Colette, and Raine speaking with freed prisoners outside the human ranch. "What are you doing by just letting them do this? Do you want these inferior beings to destroy another ranch?"

"No, but Lord Yggdrasill, this ranch is under Kvar's control. If he wanted to do something about them, he would."

"That's no excuse, Pronyma," Yggdrasill reprimanded. "You know how Kvar is. He won't ask for help, even if he needs it. Now go aid him."

Pronyma bowed to him and then turned to leave. On her way, she commented, "That personality sounds familiar, doesn't it, Lord Yggdrasill?" And then she left the man by himself to go contact Kvar.

—Transmission Begin—

"What is the matter, Pronyma?" Kvar questioned.

"I'll have you know that Lord Yggdrasill has sent me here to help you with the intruders."

"I am already taking care of them as we speak. They're those inferior beings of the Chosen's group."

"And the Angelus Project?" Pronyma inquired, attempting to get Kvar to reveal a secret she had found out that he was working on. "How's that coming?"

"That, Pronyma, is none of your business. Not that you don't already know from stealing the research data I have collected."

The sound of footsteps could be heard from on the other side of the room. "I've found you, Kvar!" Lloyd shouted as he, Genis, and Kratos approached Kvar and Pronyma.

Pronyma's head turned to look at Lloyd. "So, this is Lloyd. I see, he does bear a resemblance."

"Huh?" Lloyd wondered, puzzled.

"So, you've come," Kvar stated, staring at Lloyd and the others before turning back toward Pronyma. "I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't change the subject, Pronyma! It's clear you've been stealing research data from my Angelus Project."

"I grow tired of you accusations, Kvar. As I have told you, I know nothing of it.

Kvar sighed slightly. "Stubborn woman…I guess I shouldn't expect any less from one who commandeered the leadership of the Five Grand Cardinals. Take heed, Pronyma. Once I retrieve the Exsphere from this inferior being, I shall become the leader of the Five Grand Cardinals. When that happens, you will be begging for my forgiveness.

"You speak nonsense, Kvar," Pronyma objected sourly. "I've also heard that Rodyle has talked you into joining him in one of his schemes. But it would be best not to believe that you can deceive Lord Yggdrasill for long."

—Transmission Terminated—

"So the Mana Cannon is no longer a secret," Kvar concluded, turning to face the group three males. "Well, it doesn't matter. Once I succeed in retrieving that Exsphere, any suspicions I might have been under will be but a distant memory." He prepared to fight the intruders.

"Get ready," Kratos advised his two companions.

"You're not getting my Exsphere, Kvar!" Lloyd told him defiantly.

Kvar and a pair Energy Stones began to battle the Lloyd, Kratos and Genis. After being defeated, Kvar fell to the floor.

"…I did it, Mom," Lloyd said in amazement. "You've been avenged!"

Just then, Colette, Raine, and Sheena ran over to their friends after taking the warp point up to the control room. "Lloyd!" Colette called.

"We've learned of Chocolat's location," Raine informed them.

"Really?" Lloyd wondered.

Noticing something behind Lloyd, Colette shouts, "Look out!" Kratos turned around to see Kvar just about to attack Lloyd. The younger swordsman spun around and, right before he was attacked by Kvar, Colette stepped in front of him and took the strike herself.

"Colette?!" Lloyd caught Colette just as she was about to fall. "Colette, I—"

"Lloyd…are you okay?"

"Yeah, but you're…"

"I'm fine, really."

Kvar turned away and began to walk away from the scene when Sheena appeared in front of him, blocking his way.

Furiously Lloyd drew his sword. "…You!" He plunged his sword at Kvar. Kratos, after drawing his own sword, copied Lloyd's action..

"Kratos…" Kvar started weakly, "you pathetic, inferior being!"

"Feel the pain…" Kratos intoned before swiping his sword at Kvar, "…of those inferior beings…" He slashed Kvar which caused him fall to the floor, "…as you burn in hell!" Then, Kratos sheathed his sword as he spoke the last words to Kvar.

Back with Yggdrasill… He had been watching the entire scene, continuously becoming more angry at everyone in the control room. Especially Kratos, "That traitor! How could he betray me like that?!" Yggdrasill demanded, turning off the projector.

"Who do you mean, Yggdrasill?" A man's voice inquired aloofly.

Yggdrasill spun around to glare up at the speaker for he was in child form. "Kratos!" He seethed. "You told me not worry and trust you wouldn't—"

"I simply told you not to worry that one of the others would find out about me."

"I did, but aren't you the one who just killed one of the Five Grand Cardinals?!"

Kratos stared at Yggdrasill, even though his face didn't show it, in slight amusement. "You care that one of them was killed by me?" He commented. "Magnius has been killed as well."

"You don't think I know that?! The only member of the Five Grand Cardinals to have come in contact with them that hasn't died at their hands is Forcystus, who is still alive."

"Are you saying you would rather me have acted suspicious and tell the others not to kill him?"

Child Yggdrasill gave Kratos a look that if spoken would have said; Is what I'm telling you really that hard to understand? "No, dang it, Kratos!" He shouted, stomping his left foot on the ground multiple times. "That's not what I meant and you know it!"

A shadow of a smirk appeared on Kratos' face, "Heh. If you insist, Yggdrasill." He turned his back to the young boy, a small light appearing on his back. Once the light disappeared, a pair of blue, crystal-like wings could be seen coming out of his back. "I shall report back later. Good bye for now."

"Get back here, Kratos!" Yggdrasill demanded just as Kratos disappeared into thin air. "Curse him," He muttered, realizing Kratos had left to rejoin the group on the Regeneration Journey.

Heh, heh, heh. I enjoy having people annoy Yggdrasill. If you can't tell.