Alrighty...I just got back from a basketball game...GO TEAM! Anyway, I hope this chappy is good, I've had a lot of things on my mind today. I got a call back from a place and I think I am going to be getting a job in the near future, meaning that I might not update everyday. Sorry. Also, I have been thinking of what to do with BOT and I have started a onehot with...yeah, surprise! You'll find out soon, hopefully tomorrow! Also...MY BRONCOS PLAY IN THE AFC CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY! GOOD LUCK!

The Race

Lloyd woke up in pain. He felt like he was tied to the bed he was lying on, but when he looked, he wasn't. He moved his eyes as far as his head would allow him and tried to figure out where he was, or where everyone else was. He decided it would be best to get more rest and see if he felt better when he woke up. However, he heard someone walk in and walk to his bed side.

"You feel alright?" Genis asked as he knelt down next to his friend. "You have been out for almost three days."

"Where…are we?" Lloyd managed to say.

"We're at the inn in Sybak. The others already left to go to the next Summon Spirit. They should be back soon."

Lloyd didn't reply. He wondered what happened to him and if Sheena had the power of Volt yet, but he couldn't find the strength to ask. Genis laughed.

"It's okay Lloyd. They'll be fine and we have Volt. It was hard, but we managed to defeat him."

"The Rheairds…what about them?"

Genis shook his head. "Well…we haven't had enough time to go get them. I'm sure when we go to the Temple of Earth, we'll stop by and get them."

"Where are they now?"

"They went to Flanoir to get Celsius, the Summon Spirit of Ice."

Lloyd rolled his eyes and laughed inside. Of course, I'm stuck getting shocked to death while I could have froze to death. I can't decide which option I'd prefer. I wonder which one I'll fight next. A crazy dog with huge teeth and a serious bite? The sun that would burn me or something? Right now I'd expect anything.

"What's so funny?" Genis asked, seeing a smile on his friend's face.

"Nothing…just thinking."

Genis rolled his eyes and stood up. "Well, I'll let you know when they are here. Don't get up and walk around. Raine said that you should stay in bed for a few more days. I've got your back."

Lloyd smiled as his friend left his sight. He closed his eyes and went back to thinking about all the fun he was missing because he was stupid enough to fall on pavement, then get shocked to death by Volt. He smiled at his stupidity and closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.

-----

Kratos had no idea where he was going, but if he knew Yuan like he thought he did, the first place to check was his base in Tethe'alla on the outskirts of Flanoir. He had been there once when helping Yuan build it for the newly formed Renegades some time ago. However, Yuan was not on the top of his "caring" list right now. He stopped at the edge of the continent he was on and looked at the water. In the distance, he could see the small icebergs sticking out of the water outside of were his destination was. He could feel his anger begin to get the best of him, but he needed to calm down. He had to play this smart to avoid the risk of putting Anna in danger. After a few seconds, he pulled out his angel wings and flew to where the base was located. Once he stepped foot in front of the base, he clenched his fists and prepared to walk in.

I won't let you get away with this Yuan. I have put my family in danger before and we have gotten out plenty of times. I made the mistake of letting them down last time, but I refuse to let it happen again. I will do whatever it takes to make sure they are safe, even take you out!

He walked into the base without any problem, meaning they were more than likely expecting him to show up soon. He didn't know the place well, which was the only disadvantage he had at the time. He walked around and a few soldiers saw him, but ignored his presence.

They must think I have just come here on business and a chat with Yuan. They don't even know the real reason I am here, or maybe they do and they're doing a damn good job at hiding it.

He knew where to find Yuan and his office, but that's the last place he wanted to be now. He had rescued prisoners from ranches before, so what made this any different? However, he had to be cautious. If this was a mistake, Anna could have been killed for it. But, he had a feeling what Yuan wanted from him, and in order to get that, he had to threaten her to his face, not kill her while he was away. He shook his head; Yuan would do anything to get his way, even kill her behind his back. Yuan knew about Lloyd, so he still had another weakness out there. He was too caught up in his thoughts that he didn't see a door fly in his face.

"Oh, I'm sorry…Kratos? Well…isn't this a surprise? I was just checking on the conditions of Anna when I ran into you. Funny little world isn't it?"

He held his head from where he collided with the iron door and stood up, glaring at the man in front of him.

"You best not lay a finger on her or I will kill you."

He laughed. "Lord Yuan is the one giving orders, not me. He thinks that Anna is, disrespectful to him and needs to shape up. I don't know how you managed to put up with her. I have been around her for three hours a day, seven days a week and I can't stand her."

"She knows her place. She is not someone that is to be used by anyone. I would act the same way."

"If she keeps that up, Yuan will kill her, even if you are already here. You have two weaknesses Kratos. He'll be more than happy to take them both away."

He shoved Botta into the wall and pinned him there, Kratos having the upper hand.

"You listen and you listen well. The minute you or Yuan does anything to my family, I will kill you both! I will inform Mithos about Yuan running the Renegades, and he can kill him!"

"Big words coming from a man who can't keep his promises."

Kratos glared into his eyes and slammed him into the wall again. "That just goes to show I'm human. I make mistakes, but I sure as hell won't repeat them!"

Botta laughed. "Please Kratos. How can you say that when I can count the number of times you betrayed your family on two hands!"

Kratos looked away from him, but still held him tightly against the wall. "As can I, but I will do anything to make it up to them. Even if that means releasing this Seal and dying to keep them safe, then so be it. I love them, and that is something that no one, not even you, Mithos, or Yuan can take away from me, no matter how hard you tried. If I have to show that to them by dying for them, I will. They mean that much to me."

Botta looked at Kratos and smiled. "I'm sure Lord Yuan will be pleased to hear that. After all, that is what you came for, is it not?"

"I came to save Anna, not play some stupid game of life and death with Yuan." Kratos slammed his knee into Botta's stomach, causing him to bend over in pain. He released him and fell to the ground while Kratos ran in the door he came out of. He slammed it behind him and locked it to avoid any more fights and encounters with Renegades. He ran down the darkened hallway, calling for Anna. However, he didn't get a response.

Is she already dead, or did Botta intentionally mean to send me down this hallway when it was a dead end? This has to be it! Yuan never likes the look of places like this! This has to be the dungeon. But what if Anna isn't in the dungeon and with Yuan?

"Looking for me Kratos?"

Hearing his name, he stopped and turned toward the familiar voice. "I was. I had a feeling you would be waiting for me."

He heard a laugh and saw him reach for the wall and turn on a light. Yuan was smiling, holding Anna in his left arm, his hand over her mouth. His right hand held a sword to her throat while she was trying to remove his hand from her mouth.

"Glad to know that. It seems we both have been waiting for you. One week Kratos…I thought you could do better."

"I had to find you first. I also stopped by Lloyd and told him what to do."

"Acting like the father you never could be huh? You're showing those emotions again Kratos, and they're going to get you killed."

"Is that not what I came here to do; get killed?"

Yuan smiled while Anna shook her head, telling him not to do what he had thought. "You're late. That's something you'll pay dearly for." Yuan lowered his weapon and Kratos got a little suspicious as to why. The next second, he put three inches of his blade into Anna's side and held it there and smiled at Kratos.

"Want me to go further? It's about half way through, but I can change that." He shoved more of the blade into her when Kratos punched the side of his face, knocking him to the ground. He was thrown from Anna and realized it. He got up off the floor and picked up his sword to prepare to kill her. However, Kratos stood in front of her.

"Go ahead. You said you wanted to kill me right? Why are you holding back now? Tell me I didn't come all this way just to see you hesitate?"

Kratos smiled when Yuan glared at him. He knew he wanted to kill someone of importance to Kratos before he was killed himself. However, it seemed he had him caught, again. Yuan slammed his sword on the ground and walked off.

"You will regret that Kratos. I have troops on your son. I'll just have to kill him instead. After all, I doubt you can be in two places at once, like I can."

-----

Genis was half asleep when he heard footsteps outside. It was late and he wondered if that was the group returning from Flanoir. However, the voices didn't sound familiar and most of all, they were talking about killing Lloyd.

"The master gave us the all clear. Let's get him."

Genis didn't waste anymore time. He ran into Lloyd's room and shook him until his eyes were open.

"Dammit Genis! That hurt!"

"Lloyd, someone has come to kill you! We have to get out of here! I can't fight by myself!"

Lloyd saw the look of fear in his friend's eyes, so he stood up and with the help of Genis, he was able to leave out the window. Both of them headed for the exit when a bright light hit both of them, knocking them out instantly.

"You foolish child." he said as he walked over to the unconscious boys. He reached down and picked up Lloyd, the only one he needed. "You can blame your father for this Lloyd. I'll get him back to Cruxis one way or another, and since Yuan has Anna, I think I'll take you."