Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia, or any of its themes or characters. In retrospect, that's probably a good thing.

A/N: I'm back, and I apologize for not updating earlier. I do have other stories to write, you know! Anyway, I hope everyone like the last chapter. Yeah, Presea's evil, cool huh? Also, when she did her magic attack, I accidentally made her say "Explosion." I meant for her to say "ERUPTION", just a little brain-fart.

I also want to thank everyone for all of the review. I'm averaging 13 review a chapter, which is superb! At this rate, I can make 100 review easy. Thanks to all! Also, if anyone wants me to read and review their own stories, just say so in your reviews. I would love to read others' stories.

Now, onto the actual reason you read through this long and boring Author's Note: Onto the real story!

Chapter 3: Old Friends

"Iselia!" Lloyd called out, announcing to the rest that they had finally arrived. Riding with him on the Rheaird was Sheena, who was hugging her arms around him to keep on. Behind him was Kuchinawa, who had taken the last Rheaird. Orochi had stayed behind to lead his people. They needed him now more than ever.

"Are you sure the rest will be here?" Sheena asked, talking into Lloyd's ear. He shook his head.

"No, but they should be," he explained. "I sent messages to all of them, except Presea obviously. I know that Colette and Zelos will be here."

"Well, duh, they live here!" Sheena retorted, punching him in the arm. "What about Regal, and Kratos?"

"I think Regal should be there," Lloyd answered. "As for dad, I can't be sure. You know him, he comes when he wants to."

"We can talk later, we have arrived!" Kuchinawa said, landing his Rheaird. Lloyd followed suit, helping Sheena off the Rheaird. She kissed him as she jumped off, making Kuchinawa look away. He wasn't that he wasn't gal for them, it's just that they went overboard with the kissing sometimes. Like now.

"We really should get going," Kuchinawa said, still not facing them.

"Aw, you're no fun, Kuchinawa," Sheena said, finally breaking off from Lloyd's lips.

"Kiss later, save world now."

As the three finally got moving, they headed in the direction of the Iselia school. It had changed a lot. The school now took up an entire block, and had two full stories. Ever since Symphonia had been created, people had moved from everywhere into Iselia. Its reputation for being the most peaceful city around preceded it. But, it still wasn't as big as Luin.

"Why, this place has changed," Lloyd said, remembering his old school days.

"Yeah, you're actually going to school, and you're not asleep," Sheena said, teasing him.

"Yet," Kuchinawa added.

"Hey!" Lloyd cried. "How come both of you have to gang up on me? It's bad enough with only one of you."

"Mizuho tradition, make fun of the bokka," Kuchinawa said simply. Lloyd's face was as blank as a piece of paper. He turned to Sheena.

"What's a bokka?" he whispered into her ear. She just grinned.

"It's Mizuho for 'stupid', Lloyd" she explained, and continued walking.

"Oh," Lloyd said. After a couple moments of standing there, he added "HEY! I am so not bokaa!"

"It's bokka, Lloyd!" Sheena said, cracking up at her husband. Lloyd caught up with her as she continued to laugh at him. Kuchinawa sighed.

"I almost liked the kissing better..."

Finally, the three reached the school. Opening the doors, they entered the building and stepped into the open classroom. Lloyd smiled as he saw the teacher. A very pretty blonde was teaching the class, holding a book and lecturing to the class. She was only twenty-seven years old. She looked up as the three entered the room. The children immediately fell silent.

There, standing in the doorway, were three very different people. Kuchinawa was still dressed in his red ninja uniform, which frankly frightened many children already. Sheena was wearing her purple successor robes, which actually made a few girls gasp in awe. And then there was Lloyd. The Governor-General of Luin was fully dressed in his blue and white naval uniform with black pants. The red boots and gloves added to his appearance even more. And then, there was the long red cape.

"Excuse me, but can we please speak with Mrs. Wilder?" Lloyd asked, looking over at Colette. The blond girl smiled as she recognized her friends.

"Class dismissed early today," Colette said, still not looking away from her friends. The three got out of the way as two dozen wild children ran out of the room in a mad frenzy.

"How are you, Colette?" Sheena asked, walking up to her. Two hugged, and soon Colette hugged Lloyd as well. She just shook Kuchinawa's hand.

"Hello, Kuchinawa," she said. The red ninja grunted in reply, shaking her hand. He could just feel the cheerfulness in the room. Frankly, he found it kinda gross.

"Where's Zelos?" Lloyd asked, noticing the party animal was mysteriously absent.

"Oh, he's on the second floor, hold on," Colette said. Looking up, she punched the ceiling three times. "ZELOS! Get down here!" (AN: This is how teachers communicate in my school. It's beyond sad!)

As the three stared at her strangely, they heard three more thumps from above her. Suddenly, they heard a horde of children running down the stairs and out of the school. As the last student ran, panting out the door, Zelos came down, smiling widely. His red hair was still long, and he still had a fondness for the colors white and pink. However, he now wore glasses over his eyes.

"Hey, what's up, bud?" He asked, seeing the Governor-General in the room. The teacher began to sweat. "If this is about the stolen barrels in Flanoir, I swear I didn't---"

"Zelos, it's me," Lloyd said, facing him. Zelos' face instantly lit up. "Oh, Lloyd, of course it's you!" he said. "Just ignore everything I just said..."

Lloyd had already forgotten it as he shook his friend's hand. "No problem, Zelos. By the way, when did you get glasses?"

"Glasses?" Zelos asked, looking out of his lenses. "Oh, these. Eh, just makes me look smarter," he said, throwing them behind him. "And Sheena, what a surprise!"

"Hi, Zelos," Sheena said, giving her old friend a hug. She trusted him this much, as the playboy had changed a lot since marrying Colette. It was quite an improvement.

"Have Regal or Kratos arrived yet?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah, Regal is upstairs cleaning for me," Zelos said, smiling slyly. When Colette gave him a disapproving stare he said "What? He lost a bet!"

"As I recall, I volunteered to help," Regal said as he came down the stairs. "When I offered assistance, I didn't mean having to scrub your chalkboard."

"Heh heh..." Zelos let out a nervous giggle as Colette stared at him. "I'm gonna move over here."

"And I've been here for quite some time," came another voice. All six looked around to see Kratos appear behind them. He had been waiting at the door. "I arrived here shortly after Lloyd and Sheena. Now, what is it you have summoned us all here for?" he asked.

"Geez, dad, hello to you, too," Lloyd said, grinning at his father. Kratos only grinned back.

"I am sorry," he said, walking towards his son. "Would you have been happier if I had strolled in and gave you a hug?"

"Uh. . ." Lloyd trailed off. "Okay fine, just at least say hello!"

"Very well," Kratos said, still smiling. "Now, to business."

All seven of them took a seat in the classroom. Lloyd explained what had happened in Luin and Mizuho. Colette gasped a few times, and Sheena was close to tears at the Mizuho part. Regal kept shaking his head, and Kratos and Zelos remained emotionless. Kuchinawa, the only one standing, didn't say a word the whole time.

When thy got to Presea, many reactions were heard. Colette gasped sharply and Zelos shook his head. Kratos narrowed his eyes in deep thought. But Regal took it the hardest. Hearin what she did, he stood up immediately, angered.

"Presea?" he said. "Presea did this!"

"Yes, I'm sorry Regal," Sheena said. "Wasn't she working for you?'

"Not recently," Regal admitted, looking down. The years had been rough on the poor man. His back was bad, and his face was beginning to wrinkle. "Presea left my company about a year ago. I never knew what happened to her. But this. . . this explains it. It's. . . too much."

"And what of the Desians?" Kratos said, rubbing his chin in the classic thinking position. "You said they were sent by this Half-Elf Emperor, correct?" Lloyd nodded. "Well, then it leads me to wonder exactly: Where is Genis?"

The other six looked at each other. "What?" Finally, Sheena looked at him.

"Well. . .Genis went missing four years ago," Sheena told him. "But you don't think. . ."

"I assume nothing," Kratos told her. "It is just a suspicion, nothing more. Presea, half-elf army, it all points to him."

"Well, it is possible," Lloyd admitted. "But Genis would never do that! He's our friend!"

"Stop arguing," Kuchinawa commanded before either one could talk back. "We are not here to make assumptions, we are here to act. We must decide who is to after this Emperor, and when. The time for action is now."

"Once again, my knowledge is bested by our friend, Kuchinawa," Kratos agreed. "We must decide who is going and who isn't."

"I would love to help you," Regal said. "But, alas, I cannot. Besides the fact I must run Lazareno, I am an old man now. I am in no condition to protect myself, much less fight anyone."

"Agreed," Sheena said. "We don't want anything to happen to you. And we don't want anyone to feel forced to go on our account. If you don't want to, that's fine."

"Either way," Lloyd said, "Sheena and I are in all the way. We already talked about it on the way here, and we are going. If we could defeat Destron, we can sure as hell beat this guy."

"Then I am going as well," Kuchinawa said. "I will have vengeance for my home, and my people. It is my duty as a ninja of Mizuho to reclaim my tribe's honor. I will face this Emperor to the death if I must."

"Very well," Lloyd said, nodding his head. Sheena nodded as well.

"You are a valuable fighter. I still have scars to prove it," she said with a smile. "We're lucky to have you."

"In that case, I hope none of you have anything against us if Colette and I stay behind," Zelos said. "I know it's not like me to run from a fight. . ." (Sheena snorted) ". . .But, we wouldn't be all that helpful anyway. Besides, things just got normal after ten years. I'd like it to stay that way!"

"Sorry," Colette apologized as she hugged Zelos tighter. "We don't mean to inconvenience you."

"It's okay, Colette, really," Lloyd said.

"We will miss you though," Sheena said, smiling. Finally, she turned to Kratos. "And what about you?"

Kratos seemed deep in thought. He looked around the room from person to person. After studying the six people surrounding him, he finally spoke. "I apologize, but I will be unable to journey with you, for reasons of my own."

"What!" Lloyd cried, standing up immediately. "What do you mean you can't come! You are our strongest fighter!"

"Exactly," Kratos said. "In case you fail, I will still be here, as a backup. And just because I do not journey with you does not mean I will not help you. I will provide you aid whenever you need it. But, I have pressing matters in Derris-Kharlan that must be dealt with."

"Very well," Sheena sais, upset as Lloyd. "But it won't be the same without you."

"She's right, Dad," Lloyd said. "We'll miss you, but if you have pressing matters, then I won't stop you."

"Thank you, Lloyd," Kratos said, standing up at last. "Now, if you all will excuse me, I must leave."

"Good-bye!" they all said as Kratos began to teleport back to Derris-Kharlan. All standing up, they exited the school building.

"You should all stay at our house tonight!" Colette said. "We have plenty of room, and I'm sure Fred and the kids would love to have you!"

"That sounds great," Sheena said. "How are your daughters?"

"Oh, they're both doing fine," Colette said, smiling. "Lena (6) is just growing up too fast. But we still have Shara (2) to snuggle with!"

As they laughed, they exited the school. As they left, they heard a scream. As instinct, Lloyd, Sheena, and Kuchinawa drew their weapons and ran forward, the other three following behind them. Finally, they arrived at the front gate to Iselia. And gasped.

Standing before the gate was a large number of Desians. Not the hundreds they saw last time, but at least fifty. The red-armored troops stood at attention, ready to strike the town at an order. Because standing before them was Presea.

The pink-haired girl was dressed in a combat uniform. Her tight black suit had pieces of armor in various places and it covered all but her head and face. Her pink hair remained short, and only fell to her shoulders. Her eyes still remained empty.

Behind them, Lloyd heard Regal let out a cry. Colette gasped as well. As they stared at their old friend, their expressions changed into ones of fright and anger. They looked at the fifty troops ahead of them as Presea stared back at her old friends. Finally, she spoke.

"We are here to take with us the Governor-General of Luin, along with his wife, to see the Half-Elfe Emperor."

"And if I don't agree to come with you?" Lloyd asked. Presea shrugged.

"Then we will destroy Iselia."

A/N: Can you say CLIFFIE? Sorry about that, but it had to be done. Cliffhangers are the authors' way of pretending he knows what's going to happen next. Sorry to keep you in suspense. I hope everyone liked this chapter, even if not much actually happened. Don't worry, next chapter has lots of fights. It should satisfy your blood-lust.

Also, I wanted to remind everyone that my story "Lousy Impostors!" is currently out and ready to read with two chapters. I've only received 4 reviews on it, but I want more. I mean, it isn't that bad! Please, everyone read my other story "Lousy Impostors!". I really want everyone to read and review it. I swear it is good!

Now, time to review for chapter three! Tell me what you think! I wanna hear feedback, people! I love that review button, so please make me happy and push it on the way out!

Until next time in Chapter 4: The Heimdall Castle!

PEACE OUT!