"What the hell kind of core system are you guys running up here? It's slow as hell!" Mithos grumbled.

Kratos rolled his eyes. "We've tried fixing it. We failed."

"Obviously." he mumbled. "Ugh. I'm going to take a walk-call me when it's over."

He stood up, leaving the room. When the door clicked shut behind him, Kratos lifted his hand from the flashing button he'd hurriedly covered a moment earlier. Pressing it, he spoke.

"Kloitz?"

"Oh, good-you guys didn't turn to stone, or something."

Kratos raised an eyebrow, "What?"

"Virginia and I haven't heard a thing out of you in weeks."

"My apologies. Things have been busy."

"Ah, well, I'm sorry for the news I'm about to give you, then."

Kratos frowned, "What is it?"

"Kvar's back to his old tricks. Captured a young couple from their caravan. I managed to get the male out of the base, but the girl's going through the preliminaries of the experiment he had Anna under. No idea where he got the files or enough information to even try and reproduce the experiment, but he's determined."

Kratos cursed loudly.

"I'm delaying him as much as I can-missing piece here, unplugged tech there, but I can only do so much. Plus, the guy's gonna wake up with no idea where he is in the middle of Flanoir in the snow. Can someone pick him up?"

"I think Martel's in the area, I'll call her."

"Why not just send Remiel?"

"Remember how I said things are busy?" Kratos asked, "Assume that it's just Martel, Yuan, and I for now."

"Pronyma?"

"Otherwise occupied."

"Well, shit."

"Get in touch with Virginia; tell her not to call the Derris Kharlan line. Call me or Martel directly, Yuan if you can't get either of us. The same goes for you."

"Alright."

"Send me the coordinates of the man; I'll send them on to Martel." Kratos said, typing to encrypt the incoming line.

"Sending. And helping me with the girl?"

"I'll be back in touch. Do what you can. Coordinates received. Thanks, Kloitz."

"Of course. Talk to you soon."

The connection cut out. Forwarding the coordinates to Martel before shutting down his console, Kratos left the room and called Martel on his personal communicator as he headed towards the transporters.

"Martel? I've just sent you some coordinates. We have a problem."

"What sort of problem?"

"A Kvar sort of problem."

XXXX

From camp a good 500 feet away, Lloyd could hear Martel's loud curse. He jumped, glancing at his mother, who was zoned out, listening to the conversation.

Nudging her, he snapped her out of it. "What's going on?"

"She's talking too fast, I can't really understand her. She's completely frantic, though." Anna frowned.

"So, nothing good." Lloyd translated.

"Exactly." Anna sighed, refocusing. Genis glanced over at Lloyd.

"How far can your mom hear? Martel's pretty far away." he asked.

"We've never really tested it." Lloyd shrugged. "Pretty far, but the faster you talk, the harder it is to comprehend."

"That's sort of true no matter the distance, though." Sheena added.

"Mmm, true."

"Well, if you inherited any of it, it definitely didn't help you listen in class." Raine rolled her eyes.

Lloyd shot her a grin as Martel flew over, a flurry of feathers.

"Anna, you and I have to go. We're the only two who can get there fast enough."

"Where?" Anna frowned, standing up and brushing the snow off her pants.

"I'll explain on the way-we don't have much time. Lloyd, here," she tossed over her communicator.

Lloyd caught it, realizing it was still connected.

"Talk to Kratos-he'll explain. Anna, come on." Martel grabbed the brunette's hand, launching herself into the air and dragging Anna with her. Anna adjusted, pulling her own wings out and flying after Martel.

"Dad?" Lloyd asked into the communicator.

"Hello, Lloyd."

"What's going on?"

XXXX

"Gin, over here."

The silver haired woman glanced over, catching sight of her husband in one of the small guard carts. She climbed in, and Kloitz shut the door, the cart immediately speeding off.

"Why the sudden call? Botta won't be pleased I used the transporter without permission."

"I can't have just wanted to see you?" Kloitz teased.

Virginia rolled her eyes, giving him a quick kiss. "So, what's going on?"

XXXX

"What? How did he... Kratos destroyed his notes-that's why he wanted the exsphere back so badly!"

"I know." Martel sighed, "And the exsphere's still safe-Kratos checked-but he managed to restart the experiment, somehow. Kloitz was sure it was the same experiment. We have to save her husband before he freezes to death and then meet the others at the base." The 'before Kvar kills them' was implied.

Anna nodded, albeit shakily. "Right."

XXXX

"Dad said someone would be waiting for us at the coast." Lloyd said, all business and trying not to think too much. Kvar brought back uncomfortable memories, both recent and distant, and he didn't really want to focus on them. "We're not too far away, so we should make it there before sundown."

"So, let me see if I understand this." Raine said, "Kvar, the man who kidnapped us all from the Tower in Sylvarant,"

"And electrically shocked Lloyd to a crisp." Genis perked up.

Raine leveled a glare at her brother, who immediately shut his mouth. "Kvar kidnapped your mother when you were young and performed an experiment on her."

Lloyd nodded, "Right. I told you that before, though-that's the reason she had to become an angel."

Raine nodded, "And this experiment had something to do with something called an exsphere, which he was looking for when he attacked Anna, Sheena, Zelos, and Genis on their way to Flanoir a few months ago."

Lloyd nodded again. "The exsphere's on Derris Kharlan somewhere, though, so he wouldn't have found it."

Again, Raine nodded. "So, now he has some other young woman and is trying the experiment again, and if we don't get there in time, it could end in much the same way or worse?"

"Exactly." Lloyd nodded. "I know it's really out of the way-"

"Don't you dare apologize." Raine stopped him. "If we didn't want to come, we would have said something. Glancing at Sheena, Zelos, and Genis for confirmation and only getting smiles, she nodded again.

Lloyd smiled, "Thanks, Raine."

The coast wasn't as far as Lloyd had implied, and as they came up on a small dock, Lloyd noticed a woman standing there, waiting for them.

"Lloyd. Nice to see you less beaten up." she greeted as they approached.

"Thanks again for the save, Virginia." Lloyd nodded. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Raine flinch, and frowned.

"No problem." she answered, "Come on, we have to move. Is your father coming?"

"If he can get away." Lloyd responded.

"What the hell happened to make everyone so occupied? Last time I was there, everything was all smooth sailing." Virginia raised an eyebrow.

Lloyd shook his head, "Long story."

They piled into the small boat-it was a tight squeeze, but the body heat exchanged would keep them warm as they moved across the freezing waters. As they set off, Virginia turned to the others. "I'm afraid I don't know your names-we were moving so fast last time that we were never introduced."

"I'm Sheena, this is Zelos." Sheena introduced herself and her best friend, "Raine, and Genis," she gestured to the Sage siblings, "And you know Lloyd."

Lloyd caught Virginia stiffen, but her voice was steady, "It's nice to meet you all."

"So, how are we getting into Kvar's base?" Lloyd asked, "Last time, Dad and I made quite a scene, but he said to avoid that at all costs this time because we don't 'have an angel with us' or whatever." he grumbled.

Virginia raised an eyebrow, going to speak, but Lloyd shrugged and shook his head before she could. Giving him a look, she switched away from what she was going to ask. "Kloitz 'accidentally' left the left guard door open. We'll be going in through there. That'll take us in near the labs, so we should be able to get in and get out, provided that Kloitz has managed to distract Kvar."

"And if he hasn't?" Zelos asked.

"Then you leave him to me and Kloitz, get the girl, and get out." her voice was stern.

"But-" Raine went to interrupt.

"No." Virginia stopped her. "No arguments."

Hesitating, Raine backed down as the ship pulled up to the shore.

"Alright. Let's get going and hope it's easy." Lloyd said.

XXXX

"Why can nothing ever be easy?"

Lloyd ducked below a table in one of the lab spaces as lightning magic crashed over his head, igniting some of the papers on the table.

The infiltration had been easy enough-the door was unguarded and unlocked, via Kloitz. When they made it to the lab where the girl was being kept, however, Kvar was not as distracted as they'd hoped. The opposite, actually. Kloitz was unconscious and he was waiting for them. Despite Virginia's shouts to get the girl, a pink-haired woman who looked no older than Raine, and run, Lloyd and his companions ignored her, jumping right into the battle.

The only good thing, Lloyd noted, was that Kvar was destroying his own research at the moment.

As Genis cast a water spell at Kvar, soaking him, Lloyd dove over to where Raine was crouched over an unconscious Kloitz, muttering something that sounded like she was pleading.

"Raine, how is he?"

"I can't tell!" Raine was the polar opposite of calm, and Lloyd had no idea where this sudden worry had come from. "He's not waking up, but he's breathing, and I just can't... I don't know!"

Lloyd nodded. "I'm going to get the girl out of her cell-I need you to get her out of the room and out of the base. Please don't argue-someone has to get her out, and as our healer, you're the best to tend to any injuries she has." Pressing his communicator into her hand, he continued, "When you're outside, call my mom or my dad, whichever one picks up, and explain the situation."

"And... and Kloitz?" Raine asked.

"Let him rest here-I'll make sure Genis keeps an eye on him while he casts."

Raine nodded. "Okay. Ready when you are."

"She's awake in there-her breathing's too erratic to be sleeping. I'll get her to run towards you when the cell door's open. Grab her and go."

"Right." Raine nodded.

Lloyd stood up, running over to the locking mechanism next to the cell doors to get to work, as his friends covered him and kept Kvar occupied. Sheena slid backwards with the force of one of Kvar's bolts and bit back a shout. Why hadn't they ever gone back for Undine? She would have been incredibly helpful at this moment!

"Sheena!" Lloyd shouted, "Get down!"

Sheena fell to the floor, a blast of lightning exploding over her-a blast of lightning that most definitely would have not been fun to recover from. Crawling towards Lloyd, who had ducked to the ground as well, she spoke, "You can't get the cell open?"

"I'm ten seconds from smashing the damn thing." Lloyd admitted.

"Lemme take over-keep Kvar busy?" Sheena asked.

Lloyd nodded, hurrying past Sheena without a word, and diving back into the battle in her place.

Sheena was the only daughter of two researchers and was currently pursuing a science degree of her own, so she prided herself in being at least competent with machines.

This machine in front of her, though, was making her start to doubt any skill she might have. She completely understood why Lloyd was so close to just smashing it.

"Try 1636."

Sheena looked up, surprised. The pink haired girl within the cell, lying on the cot, had opened her eyes. She shifted painfully so she could see Sheena better. "Please. I think it's 1636."

Sheena nodded, typing the code in. The lock clicked open and the summoner threw open the door, running over to the girl to help her up. "Come on, we're getting out of here."

"Thank you." she murmured.

"What's your name?" Sheena asked as she helped her out of the cell.

"It's Alicia. Alicia Bryant."

Sheena turned surprised eyes on the woman, "Duke Bryant's wife?"

Alicia nodded, "Yes... is my husband alive?"

Sheena nodded back, "Lloyd's mom went to find him-one of the soldiers got him out."

Alicia nodded, trembling. "Thank you. Thank you so much."

"Don't thank me until we get you out of here." Sheena answered. "Raine!"

The silver haired half-elf ran over, helping support Alicia. "I've got her. I won't be able to get her out unless you can get Kvar more distracted-Zelos had to get Genis out of the way-Lloyd and Virginia are on their way."

Sheena nodded, "Okay." The green ring on her right hand began to glow. "But get out fast, I don't see this distracting him for long."

Raine nodded. Despite her fear and pain, Alicia spoke up. "Be careful."

Sheena grinned, "Will do. Don't worry about me." She threw her hand into the air. "I call upon the heavenly maidens! I summon thee, come Sylph!"

In the confusion and frantic spell casting that followed the Sylph's summoning, Raine helped Alicia bolt towards the door and out through the cleared hallways. It wasn't until they were outside of the base, by the boat, that she threw open the communicator, hitting the button that would call Kratos.

"I'm on my way down, what's happened?"

"Kloitz is unconscious, Genis was hurt, and Zelos is trying to protect him. We got the girl out, but Lloyd, Virginia, and Sheena are fighting Kvar alone, and they're not winning."

Kratos cursed, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Thanks."

The connection clicked out and Raine pocketed the communicator. Turning to Alicia, she carefully held her staff over the young woman. "Stay still." Alicia nodded.

As Raine cast a healing spell, Alicia felt some of her strength return, but the throbbing in her chest didn't lessen. Raine carefully pulled Alicia's neckline down, eyes falling on the gleaming red jewel there. The skin around it was veiny and swollen—most likely infected.

"We need to get you to a specialist…" she murmured. "But I have no idea who that would be."

Alicia flinched, "Why did he choose me?"

"I have no idea." Raine frowned, "I'm so sorry."

Alicia shook her head, "No, no—thank you for getting me out before he could kill me." She pulled her knees up to her chest, "I hope Regal's okay…"

"Your husband?" Raine guessed.

Alicia simply nodded.

"I'm sure he's fine. My best friend went to find him." Raine assured her.

Alicia, trembling, nodded again. "Okay. I'm sure he's okay." She said, unsure."

"I'm sure he is." Raine insisted, casting another healing spell, to little effect. Alicia needed proper medical attention soon.

XXXX

When the roof of Kvar's base was smashed in, Lloyd let himself fall back and stop fighting. He was exhausted, his limbs were aching, and he was pushing the limits of his strength. He could see his father's wings as he landed on the rubble.

"Kratos!" Kvar snapped, turning on him.

Lloyd scurried over to Sheena, Virginia, Zelos, and Genis, gesturing them towards the exit. "Zelos, get Kloitz out of here—Sheena, take Genis."

"We're not leaving you alone!" Sheena protested.

"I'm not alone, and besides, dad's got this now." Lloyd gestured at his father. "You guys go help Raine."

Sheena hesitated, but Zelos nodded, "Sure. See you soon."

Lloyd grinned, "Of course."

"Don't you dare get hurt." Sheena snapped at him, picking up Genis and running for the exit. Zelos laughed and picked up Kloitz, "Man, this guy's heavy." He grumbled, hurrying after Sheena.

Virginia put her hand on Lloyd's shoulder, nodding at him, before running after the two humans.

Lloyd turned back to the battle. Kratos had Kvar plenty occupied, so he set to destroying as much of the still-intact research as he could. If by some chance his father let Kvar live through this, he wasn't taking any chances this time.

XXXX

"As usual, you come back to defend the inferior." Kvar hissed at Kratos as he launched a lightning spell towards the angel.

"Judgement." Kratos cast in response, the light pounding down towards Kvar. Despite himself, Kratos felt a twinge of pride as Kvar screamed. "Those that you call inferior, Kvar, are the same as those that you are fighting now. Would you call me inferior?"

Kvar growled, "And if I would?"

"Then you'd be sorely mistaken." Kratos flew forward, using his wings for speed, slashing the half-elf across the stomach. Kvar stumbled backwards, clutching at his bleeding chest.

"So, you're just going to kill me now? You'll never save the girl if you do that!" he snapped.

Kratos slashed across Kvar once more. "We have more resources than you could dream of."

Kvar choked, managing to mutter, "Resources or not, you won't save her."

Kratos stabbed him, piercing his chest and precious organs. "We'll see about that," he muttered, letting Kvar's dead body fall to the ground.


Aaaaand there you have it. I'm really sorry about how long this took. This was written in pieces over the course of the semester and I finally pulled it all together today. I'll try and update a few more times before the end of the summer!