I was bored today so I decided the finish off this chapter instead of completing it next week, like I said. This time, the chapter takes place right after the group completed the Shadow Temple. Nothing else much to say, so enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia characters, places, or events.

When the group stepped out of the dark depths of the Shadow Temple, the sunset abruptly caught them off guard. Genis squeezed his eyes and threw his left arm to shield them from the glare. He froze for a few seconds then, confidant that his eyes had gotten used to the luminous, orange light, slowly opened them but kept his arm over his face. Even without looking, he could tell that his companions were in similar positions.

"Man, we've been stuck in that stupid temple for too long!" Lloyd complained, "Stupid blobs, why'd they have to hide in such stupid places?"

"At least Sheena managed to form another pact. Now we're one step closer to our goal!" Colette piped up with her usual optimism, "Great job, Sheena!"

"Ah, well, forming pacts isn't that big of a deal," Sheena stammered, turning red, "As long as someone has had the proper training…"

"Nonsense!" Raine interrupted, "If it weren't for you, it'd be impossible to separate Sylvarant and Tethe'alla."

"And besides, " Zelos appeared at Sheena's side, pulled her closed to him and grinned, "When you're up there doing your pact thingy, you just look so-ow!" he moaned and rubbed the spot on his head where Sheena had whacked him.

"Finish that sentence and I'll hit you where it REALLY hurts!" she threatened, waving one of her cards around.

Zelos opened his mouth, either to make a snappy comeback or to test Sheena's threat and finish his old sentence, but Regal cut him off, "Zelos, perhaps it is best that you refrain from any comment lest you receive any…painful injuries." he commented in a calm tone, as if he were discussing cooking.

The Tethe'alla Chosen wisely decided to shut up and the group headed toward the Rheairds in silence. It was at this time that Genis made his move. Walking over to Lloyd, the young mage pulled him a little ways behind the group and said, "Can I talk to you privately Lloyd?"

The young idealist nodded energetically, "Sure, Genis! That's what best friends are for! What is it?"

Genis hesitated for a bit but a sidelong glance at Presea fueled his determination. He took a deep breath and said, "Lloyd, what do you think I should give Presea in return for her present?"

Lloyd pondered for a moment for snapping his fingers, "How about a handmade necklace or something?"

Genis blinked and sighed, "That'd be the same as what you gave Colette," he said in a flat tone. Shaking his head, he continued, "That wouldn't be interesting at all."

"Well, sor-ry for not being 'interesting,'" Lloyd retorted.

Seeing his best friend's mood, the young half-elf hurriedly changed the topic slightly, "What would you want, Lloyd?" he asked.

The twin bladed swordsman brightened and he answered enthusiastically, "No question there. I'd want a year's worth of Sichuan tofu curry! And maybe a wooden sword set…"

Genis sighed as Lloyd continued to babble about his dream presents, "Should've known better than to ask you," he mumbled to himself. I'll ask Colette about her opinion, then. Maybe she has a better answer--

"Hey, you two!" Sheena called out suddenly. Looking up, Genis found that he and Lloyd had put some distance between them and the others, "Hurry up, we're almost at the Rheairds!"

The young mage pulled the idealist by the arm and ran, "Come on, Lloyd! We gotta catch up!"

"I can run on my own!" Lloyd protested as he stumbled, trying to keep up with his younger companion.

The sun had almost set by the time the group had reached the Rheairds so Lloyd had elected to stay a night at Sybak before setting off for Sylvarant. When they reached the city, night had fallen. After taking a few minutes checking in at the hotel, Genis found himself in a rather large suite that Zelos had gotten for the group. His sister was using a nearby table to write down notes on her notebook. Sheena had decided to retire for the night, mainly because the forming of the pact had drained her, and Presea had followed her. Regal had gone towards the Lezareno Company headquarters to see how things were doing. As for himself, he was occupying the couch, with Colette sitting beside him, watching Zelos and Lloyd spar against each other with practice blades

Even though Lloyd had the advantage of wielding two swords, Zelos was much more experienced in combat. Time and time again, the red-haired Chosen pushed him back, swiftly exploiting any openings Lloyd had left in his defense. It wasn't long before Zelos had the idealist on the ground with the tip of his wooden sword pointed at his throat.

"Again?" he asked, not reveling in his victory like he usually would.

Lloyd nodded furiously, "Of course! As long as I keep practicing, I should be able to defeat Kratos!"

Zelos lifted his blade from Lloyd's throat and stepped back, with one eyebrow raised, "You know, Lloyd, it's not like you'll be alone when we face him in combat. You have all of us to support you. Don't turn this into a personal vendetta," he lectured, seriously.

"I know that!" Lloyd bit out as he got to his feet. Shifting into a combat stance that Kratos himself had taught him, he continued, "But it doesn't hurt to be prepared, right?"

Raine looked up from her notes and answered in response, "You're right, Lloyd, it doesn't. But you mustn't forget that we're fighting as a team. Losing yourself in a rage won't help you nor will it help others."

Genis watched as Zelos shifted into his own stance and attacked Lloyd with a sudden forward thrust. Lloyd dodged it and swiped with one sword at the Chosen's knees. He jumped over the attack and slashed vertically, but it was met by Lloyd's second blade. The twin bladed swordsman counterattacked with a barrage of slashes that forced Zelos to retreat.

The young mage observed the two swordsmen clash at each other over and over again. He glanced over to his left where Colette was watching them with a half-excited expression. Next, he looked over at his sister, who had returned to her notes. No one was paying attention to him, so he took a deep breath to gather up his courage. Turning to Colette, he called, "Hey, Colette?"

The Sylvarant Chosen turned to him with a smile, "What is it, Genis?"

Genis hesitated again before asking, "I'm thinking about what to give to Presea in return for her present. What would you like if it were you?"

Colette tapped her chin in thought, "Well…I think I'd have to say…" Genis leaned forward a bit to hear her answer, "…world peace."

Genis' eyes widened and his mouth dropped, "Ah…wow…talk about large-scale," he mumbled quietly.

Colette misinterpreted his reaction and smiled brightly, "I'm glad I could help, Genis," she said. She suddenly yawned and covered her mouth. Blushing a bit, she apologized, "Sorry, Genis, but I'm pretty tired. I think I'll turn in for tonight,"

Genis shook himself out of his shock and bid the angel goodnight. As she skipped off towards her room, he groaned and buried his head into his arms. What he planned to do was to give Presea a present before they'd separate the worlds. But seeing how he didn't have any idea of what to give her, the situation seemed hopeless.

And that's when Genis happened to glance at his sister who was still writing things down her notebook. The young mage stood up to ask her and suddenly stopped. His mind presented him a prediction of what might if he told his sister his problem.

"Raine, I'm thinking about what to give to Presea in return for her present. If it were you, what would you like?"

"Hmm…if it was me? I'd like the Necronomicon, the ancient lost book. You've at least heard of it, I presume. Said to have sunk deep into the sea during the Ancient War…"

"Man…should've known better than to ask you…"

Genis heavily sighed. So much for that. As far as he knew, there was no way he would be able to get a present for Presea in time. Announcing that he'd be going to bed to the others, he slowly trudged into his room. Shutting the door behind him, he flopped onto his bed on his back and moaned. This was a perfect chance to show Presea how he really felt about her and he blew it. He could pass school exams and tests with flying colors. He held extensive knowledge about magic and how to properly wield it. But he couldn't find a simple present suitable for her. Without a doubt, this was definitely going to be one of the biggest regrets of his life.

A few knocks at the door interrupted his moment of despair. Without moving, he turned his head sluggishly towards the door. The disheartened half-elf considered not answering it but when he heard Zelos' voice call out to him, "Hey, brat, open up! It's me, Zelos!" he lifted himself off the bed and opened the door.

Zelos swaggered in, clutching his practice blade in one sweaty hand. He wasn't breathing too hard, but Genis could tell he was exhausted nonetheless. He stumbled into a chair, almost knocking it down, and wiped his brow with his empty hand.

"Whew, that kid sure gave me a good workout!" he remarked, "He's really determined to take down that Kratos guy!"

"Of course he is," Genis said, "In our world regeneration journey, Kratos treated him as if he were his son. To stab him in the back just like that…"

The young mage trailed off and sat down on his bed, reminded of his original problem. Zelos noticed his discomfort and raised an eyebrow. He asked, "Did you decide on what to give to Presea?"

Genis buried his head into his hands again and groaned, "I can't decide…"

Zelos rubbed his forehead, sighed, and stood up, "Okay, looks like the great evangelist of love, Mr. Zelos, is going to have to teach you about presents," he mumbled to himself. The red-haired Chosen sat down beside the young half-elf and placed his elbows on his knees. After a few moments, he said, "The key point about presents is that they need to be something the recipient will be happy to get. You need to think carefully about what you could give Presea that would her happy."

Genis raised his head slightly but kept his gaze to the floor, "Make her happy….hmm…" he thought.

Zelos patted him on the back, "Well, anyway, think as hard as you can about it," he said, standing up. He walked over to the door, stretching and yawning, "I think I'll turn for tonight. If you need any help, you can ask me in the morning," he declared. With that, the magic swordsman exited the room and closed the door.

Genis kept his position for a while, still contemplating Zelos' advice. After a long moment, he suddenly stood up and an excited grin erupted on his face. His previous despair had transformed into elation. He felt like the happiest person in the world.

Because he had managed to think up the perfect present for Presea.

And another one bites the dust! The final chapter will come sometime late next week…. or tomorrow if I'm REALLY bored.

I'm also thinking of posting the game script I used in this fic in the final chapter, in the author's notes (kinda like an extra from a DVD, I guess). But if I did, would the chapter/fic be counted as a script fic? Please tell me your opinion when you review. Till next time!