A/N: There is a fourth part to this. One that I feel it particularly well-written. However, it is...

1. Ridiculously short

2. Purely cathartic in nature.

It's up to you readers if you want to see it.


Footsteps echoed in the hall of Welgaia, those who flew on wings looking oddly at the auburn-haired Seraph. Their puzzlement amused him endlessly; most of them had seen him walking the halls many, many times. Yes, it was faster to fly, but he refused to use his wings but when it was absolutely necessary. He despised what they represented, what they made him.

Speaking quick, sharp, quiet words to the guard who now blocked the way to the brig, the guard flew aside with a timid, "Yes, my Lord," and Kratos stepped briskly past him to the jail cell that the kids had broken out of. He brushed his hair out of his face and stooped slightly to touch one of the ruined bars in puzzlement.

He had told the boy to "use his own head." Well, that would be the very last time he told Lloyd Iriving to use his own head. He had, and the result was his rag-tag group becoming so very innocently hellbent on destroying the two worlds. The first mana severance he was annoyed at, although understanding of. It needed to be done to get the party back to Sylvarant, a task he'd predicted when word of their presence in Tethe'alla got to Vineheim.

The second severance concerned him, and a short, tense discussion confirmed his suspicions; he hoped his vague admonition to be patient would be enough to halt their foolish plan, but it was not, and as he felt the third mana link sever, he began to panic. He had no one to blame for the situation but himself- he'd practically asked for it. Finally chosing to attempt to explain why they needed to cease this foolishness, he waited for them at the last seal, where Yuan had cut him off before he could explain fully.

He had to admit, through the horror of seeing his dear friend in that condition and the knowledge that they were on the brink of destruction, he got a smug satisfaction from Yuan's own consternation.

With their help, they were able to save the worlds from immediate danger, as well as Martel, only to discover that another of his predictions had come true- Colette had contracted the very same disease Martel had, so long ago. His heart hurt for the girl and for his son, but at least it gave them something to do while he worked to repair the damage they'd done.

The group had proven, over and over, that they could and would foil any plan he came up with. But this one- this plan had been positively Lloyd-proof. He knew they'd try to get to Derris-Kharlan. So when they did, with the rest of the materials needed to cure Colette, he'd take them prisoner so they couldn't cause anymore trouble, see to it that the girl's illness was treated properly, give Lloyd the materials to forge the Ring of the Pact and help them escape. It was absolutely, completely, positively Lloyd-proof.

Tracing his fingers over one of the bars broken at the top, Kratos pondered how in Martel's name they could have possibly screwed this one up, how they could have possibly broken out. Sighing, he retrieved the security tape and made his way back to his quarters where he watched it from the time they'd been been put there, sitting on his desk.

It was rather boring for the first few minutes, as the group was unconscious, and he fast-forwarded until he saw them start to come to. Resuming at regular speed, he watched intently as the group discussed their attempts to break out- and then the one named Regal blasted through the bars with a bolt of pure mana from his chained hands. The bolt struck the powerbox for the camera and it went dead.

Kratos stared at the blank projector for several seconds. Yes, the plan had been Lloyd-proof. He hadn't considered that one in their group might be able to manipulate mana in that way, and certainly not Regal. He pondered if the man had elven blood somewhere in him, but it was irrelevant. He had to find the Aionis and get it to them. Hopping off his desk, he grabbed his cloak and put it on, then his sword and buckled it at his waist. Checking to make sure he had everything, he left his quarters.

"Going to rescue your idiot son and his band of fools again, Kratos?"

Kratos stiffened at the voice and calmly shut the door to his quarters and locked it. "I don't know what you're talking about, Yuan."

"Funny, the rest of Vineheim does," Yuan replied smugly. "Let me enlighten you, then: Lloyd is-"

"Shut up," Kratos commanded through gritted teeth.

"Oh, now don't be like that. Especially when I'm here out of concern for him." That got Kratos' attention, and he turned to face the blue-haired Seraph. Yuan smirked as he continued. "I suspect he may need your help very soon, Kratos."

"What have you done to Lloyd? I swear, Yuan, if you-"

"I haven't done anything!" Yuan cut him off, raising his hands in a surrendering gesture, but the smirk didn't leave his face. "I just happen to know that he's made a lot enemies since their little adventure started. Like the person who tried to kill you at Hima. It was Lloyd's fault he was injured." Kratos paled, catching onto what Yuan was saying. No. Impossible. We were best friends. Yuan wouldn't try to- "Just think, Kratos," Yuan said, stepping forward. "Think of the guilt you'll feel if something happens to him. You have the chance to save him, to make up for where you failed, but you don't, and he gets hurt because you-"

Yuan stepped forward again, closer to Kratos. "-Didn't-"

Another step, and Yuan's face was inches from Kratos'- "-Go."

"... Where is he?"

"Altessa's," Yuan responded smoothly, walking away. "I pray you get there in time."

Kratos stared at his former friend's back before turning in the opposite direction and bolting for the exit. I'm coming, Lloyd... I swear, I'll protect you this time, I swear it...