New computer means high-speed internet and faster updates! This one is coming at you fast! {This also goes out to Strifey-san… Welcome back to the FF13, VS 13, and Agito 13 Forums!!}

~Disclaimer:~

I must make this statement…since I feel that those copyright enforcers "are always watchin' me!" {Sorry for the horrible song reference…ugh…commencing with the story now…}

Tsubomi

~Chapter Twenty-One~

Noctis wandered the main halls in search for his comrades, sure that he had heard Vidal's voice call him down from the staircase.

'Where is he?' he contemplated, walking about absent-mindedly in a cool stride.

That's when Alaricus spotted him and pulled him aside. "Come with me, young Noctis. There's something I need to discuss with you."

Hesitant, Noctis didn't excuse his godfather's wishes and obediently followed him to his office…

~…~

After Ezio and Adelais finished up their reunion with their old acquaintances from the military, they started off back to the main halls looking for Vidal and Noctis. However, neither of them were in sight. They didn't even seem to be in the room for that matter.

Approaching a group of girls that they had seen Vidal with last, Adelais asked them where he could've whisked off to.

"Last time I saw," said a cute-faced brunette, "he stumbled towards the front doors… I think he looked rather green around the gills, if you know what I mean…"

"Thank you very much," Adelais bowed, nodding to Ezio and heading for the grand double door entrance.

And there, on the top of the steps declining downward, Vidal sat slumped, resting his forehead on his knees, holding them close to his body with his shaking arms.

"Hey," Ezio slowly trotted over, "are you all right? Drink too much?"

The blonde didn't respond.

"Vidal," Adelais started, "what's wrong?"

"What's wrong?" Vidal reiterated somewhat vexed by the scarred-man's innocent statement. " What's wrong?!"

He then hastily got up and revealed his furious disposition, eyed flaring with a burning hatred. "Everything is wrong!! It's all been a lie!!!"

The two froze, perplexed.

Vidal looked to his feet, his fists clenching tightly. "You… You're both bastards!! Tell me… TELL ME WHY YOU NEVER TOLD ME YOU WERE THE MURDERERS OF MY PARENTS?!"

Ezio went wide-eyed while Adelais stood in complete taciturn.

"How…?"

"You and your military buddies are pretty close, huh?" Vidal glowered. "How many other innocent lives did you take together?"

Despite the tension, Adelais stood his ground. "Listen, Vidal, we…"

"SHOVE IT!!!" the blonde exclaimed. "I'm done with this… I'm done… with you two!"

He then pushed past them and stormed back inside the building.

'Damn it,' Vidal forced back stinging tears. 'What do I do now…?'

~…~

"Fiancé?"

"Surprised?" Alaricus spouted in a mocking tone, facing the wall-sized window in his office that faced the city. "I've arranged this so that you may return peacefully to Tenebrae with someone by your side to keep you company…"

The Prince wasn't sold. "I'm not going back there."

"Oh?" Alaricus turned around, sneering. "I wasn't asking, young Noctis. I'm telling. You will go back to Tenebrae or else your new traveling companions may fall under a bit of unfortunate luck… It's not my fault if something bad happens to them. Besides, they're runaways and rogue military officers… no one will miss their kind."

Noctis grit his teeth. "…Who is this girl that you've sent?"

Alaricus then gestured to the unlit part of the room, where an unseen, undetected, presence steeped forth.

It was Stella.

"You?!" Noctis gasped, taken aback by the unexpected turn of events.

She curtsied and smiled lightly. "A pleasure to be reunited with you… Prince Noct."

~Chapter Twenty-One Finis~

Noctis nooo!! Don't fall under her charm! This is starting to feel more like a soap opera then anything…BTW, random and not hinted well enough, but that "cute-faced brunette" girl was Yuffie Kisaragi. Yeah, I know. Totally out of place with this one, but she snuck into the party to steal some rich goods and stuff.

Well, I have 8 days of summer vacation left and this story is almost over… I wonder how much longer it'll last…?

REVIEW!! Please?