Well I'm back again and looking to advance the plot a little for you all. Don't worry about the lack of Lloyd and Presea in the plot at the minute, I assure you they will be back soon. I need to get the plot rolling.

I'm looking for some reviews though people, whether you are a long time reader of my works or a completely fresh face. I LIVE FOR REVIEWS ^_^;

So anyway without further ado...

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Act II: Chapter II: A Mutual Understanding

Zelos had been feeling uncomfortable since the employee had left, moreso now as he sat in the office of the Lezarano Company. Regal was late, it wasn't like him and Zelos was beginning to get a little irritable. He probably would have stormed out by now on a quest to find Altamira's hottest hunny however sat next to him was the one thing that kept him at ease. If there had been one thing that had always kept him calm and stable in the last few months it had been Raine's mere presence around him.

"He sure is taking his sweet time," Zelos said to no-one in particular earning a slight glare from Genis who sat himself next to Regal's water cooler.

"I'm sure that he is really busy with something, probably evacuating all the women in Altamira!" Genis quipped.

"Now what the hell is that supposed to mean?" protested Zelos before receiving a smack on the back of the head from Raine.

"That's enough the pair of you," Raine announced folding her arms.

Zelos slouched in his chair losing his fight with boredom and having to deal with the fact that Genis was barely managing to stifle his laughter. He wondered what had happened to himself lately, 'I mean a year or so ago, I would have never let the little brat away with that but I just can't say no to Raine,' he thought idly.

Suddenly the door to the office opened and Regal stepped in wearing his business attire and holding a stoic expression, he exchanged glances with the three of them before sitting down in his cushy chair. "Can I get you anything to drink?" he asked formally.

Raine turned to him and shook her head, "No..thank you, I'm more interested in why we all had to be here this evening," she questioned.

The president reached into his desk drawer and pulled out some photographs and documents, the very same ones he himself had been looking at all yesterday. He spread them on his desk before beckoning Raine to his desk, "Tell me, what do you make of these?" he asked cryptically.

Raine picked up each photograph in turn, shocked and appalled by the death and destruction depicted on many. She gathered from the flora and fauna in the photographs that the area had to be Ozette or somewhere like it. Zelos stood glancing over her shoulder seeing the picture she was holding which depicted what appeared to be a ninja in a white garb with a gold trim. The face on the wearer was covered by what looked like a Mizuhoan style mask. "What the hell is this!?" Zelos demanded slamming his hand down on the table.

"I was hoping you would tell me...or rather help me believe that it's not what you think it is," Regal sighed pouring himself a cup of tea from the teapot behind his desk.

Raine studied the photo intensely, the clothing was different from what she remembered Sheena's clan to wear, the white on the outfit made no sense for one thing. Sheena's people had always operated covertly so dark colours that could blend into the environment seemed a much more practical choice. The fact that this ninja's outfit defied that logic must mean that hiding is not a part of their agenda, at least not anymore. Raine looked up from the picture and looked Regal square in the eyes, "Is this the first attack like this?"

Regal sighed looking at the floor, "What I'm about to tell you is classified information and doesn't leave this room, are we completely clear?"

"Crystal," Zelos replied almost instinctively, eager to hear what was so hush-hush.

The president cleared his throat before levelling his gaze at the three, "This isn't the first attack, truth be told, there have been various attacks in several cities and towns around Aselia."

"Why did you wait til now to tell us? They could have struck Meltokio and with no warning, something terrible could have happened!" Genis shouted shooting a glance to Raine who nodded.

"Truth be told, this is the first concrete evidence that we have that a covert group is sabotaging towns around Aselia, when we couldn't find traces of the attackers at previous sites, we assumed it was the odd bandit or two wrecking havoc. Sadly this is not the case." Regal took a deep breath before taking a sip from his teacup.

"Damned right it isn't, you heard what happened six months ago with Sheena and Lloyd, this feels like abuse of power in the extreme, what are you going to do about it?" Zelos stared coldly at Regal who returned his gaze.

"Well I have called you here as you are some of the strongest people in the new world, as for Lloyd and Presea, I have despatched an emissary to them and they should be in the loop soon. As for us, we need to find a trace of where these 'ninja's' are operating from." Regal declared.

"A logical course of action would be to start at the old location of Mizuho, there may be some clue there, we will head in that direction." Raine announced with purpose.

Regal nodded "Very well, my resources are at your disposal, whether it be weapons, an inn or anything like that. I will send my agents around the world and try and pick up some leads, hopefully I can find something you can use."

"Very well then, we shall get going then, unless there is something else." Raine asked intently.

"One more thing, here take this." Regal handed Raine a small box with an antenna sticking out of the top,

"What's this?" Raine asked with beaming eyes feeling what she imagined as magitechnology in her hands.

"It's a Magi-communication device or MCD for short, with it we can keep in communication with each other, I can deliver updates to you in the field from here, that way I can let you know if something happens." Regal announced with a sense of pride.

Raine smiled feeling reassured by the weight of it in her pocket, "Thank you, right we'll be off then," she turned and waited for Zelos and Genis to follow her.

Regal turned towards the window at the back of his office. "Good luck my friends," he sighed.

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Lloyd and Presea were walking through the forest holding a large stack of wood. Well Lloyd was carrying some of it as Presea dragged the rest behind her in a cart.

"Man I'm beat, I'm looking forward to getting home!" Lloyd moaned to no one in particular.

"Yes it will be nice to get back," Presea responded wiping the sweat from her brow.

"Phew, you aren't kidd..." Lloyd started before stopping to sniff the air, it was a smell he was familiar with but he hadn't smelt in so long.

"What is it Lloyd?" Presea asked while tilting her head to the side.

Lloyd didn't respond, instead he ran to the nearby cliff that overlooked the valley of the nearby town of Palmacosta and was in shock at what he saw.

Presea caught him up and dropped the handle for the cart. She found herself staring dumbfounded as a tear escaped her eye.

"No...." she whimpered.

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Well that's the next chapter done, what did you all think? Please leave me a review and let me know what you think Lloyd and Presea have seen if nothing else.

Thanks guys, I write for you all so =)