Heeeeeeeeeeeere's the final chapter! This one takes place when the group is at the Linkite Tree and Lloyd's spending the day making the Linkite Flute required to call Aska. Enjoy!

The eight Rheairds dipped down steadily before slowing down and landing on the outskirts of the coastal city of Palmacosta, near a forest. The occupants of the Rheairds climbed out of their vehicles and deposited them in their wing packs before viewing Sylvarent's largest city. One of them carelessly folded his arms behind his head and remarked, "It doesn't look like anything special, though I have to admit it certainly is thriving."

Genis sighed. Trust Zelos to make such a comment after complaining about the lack of casinos. He opened her mouth to tell of the red-haired Chosen but Regal beat him to it, "This is a declining world so the quality of the land should not be so surprising," he lectured.

Lloyd smacked a fist into his open palm, "Don't worry, everyone. We'll stop this stupid cycle that Yggdrasill created and return the worlds to their former state," he said in a determined tone. He was about to continue his speech but, at that moment, his stomach growled. Everyone groaned as Lloyd looked down in embarrassment, "But first, I gotta eat!" Dramatically pointing towards Palmacosta, he bellowed, "Onwards!" With that, he ran towards, Colette giggling and chasing after him.

The rest of the group silently trailed behind them, eyebrows raised at the scene. After a while, Sheena spoke up to break the silence, "They've been quite attracted to each other lately."

Genis silently agreed. Since he'd met the two when he moved to Iselia, they'd become totally inseparable. Whether it'd be school, games, or even trips to the local store, he usually didn't see one without the other unless Lloyd had to walk home with Noishe.

"Normally I'd disprove of such a relationship, but seeing how they're so happy together…" Raine trailed off, adjusting her grip on her staff.

Regal displayed an amused grin as he spoke, "Young love is such a joyful experience nowadays. We should let them be and see how this drama plays out."

Just then, Zelos turned around to give Genis a knowing grin and mouthed, "Presea." The young half-elf blushed a brilliant red and averted his gaze from the Chosen and concentrated on the path he was walking on.

When the group checked in the inn at Palmacosta, there was still daylight so they had decided to split off and find some sort of leisure in the city. Of course, this was the perfect time for Genis to get Presea's present. When they had finished getting rooms, Genis practically ran to his room to drop off his stuff and tore through the halls, down the stairs, and through the entrance in his excitement to get to his intended shop.

And it was at that moment, when he reached the store, when his courage and excitement failed.

The young half-elf stood timidly at the entrance, doubts and negative results mingling in his mind. What if she doesn't like it? What if she outright hates it? What then? Argh…look at me. I used to be the self-confidant genius back at Iselia. Come on, Genis, you can do this…

Still a bit apprehensive, he reached for the door knob and grasped it. This time, the doubts came out in full force and Genis backed away from the entrance, sighing. He couldn't do it. His head bowed in disappointment, Genis trudged away from the shop. He hadn't took ten steps before a voice stopped him, "Giving up before you've even started? I guess you really ARE the brat I know and hate."

Genis immediately whipped his head to face the speaker, his face arranged in an angry expression, "Zelos, just shut up!" he shouted, attracting a few bystanders' attention.

The Chosen in question raised his hands in surrender, "Whoa, don't get so frustrated there," he said hastily, "I was just passing by and saw you dejected so, being the caring person that I am, I decided to help you if I could."

Genis shook his head, "You can't help me with this, Zelos," he stated before attempting to walk away again.

Zelos quickly grabbed his arm to prevent him from getting away, "C'mon, Genis, it can't be THAT hard to just go pick up a present at…" he looked at the store's sign above and looked down at Genis again, "at the…" he blinked and did a double-take,"…at a weapons store? Why would you go there?"

The young half-elf tried unsuccessfully to shake off the Chosen's grip, "Does it really matter? And besides, who said I was getting a present?" he retorted.

Zelos kept hanging on Genis' arm until he stopped struggling. The magic swordsman then knelt down so that he was eye-to-eye with him, "Look, bud," he started, "All you gotta do is waltz into that store, snag her present, and stash it away so you don't lose it. Don't think about anything else; concentrate on the gift ONLY."

The young-mage stared at Zelos' unusually serious expression before stumbling towards the entrance again. This time, he firmly visualized the present in his mind, blocking out any doubts. Reaching for the door knob, he did not hesitate as he opened the door. Genis strode through confidently, ignoring the stares from the customers that were a bit taken aback by his young appearence. He searched through the aisles for a particular section and, when he found it, a grin formed on his face. Through his relief, he did not notice a person walking up to him from behind until a hand lay on his shoulder. Genis jumped, letting out a surprised gasp, and whirled around. And immediately blanched when he saw who snuck up on him.

"Genis," Presea said, "Why are you here? This place does not have equipment befitting a mage of your caliber."

"Ah, um, Presea!" the young half-elf fumbled, "W…w…what're you d…doing here?" He immediately, mentally kicked himself for asking such a stupid question.

Presea was not at all put off by his nervous state, "I am merely observing the weaponry of this city," she answered simply.

"O…oh. I see," Genis stammered while trying to figure out how to get a present when the receiver was less than three meters away from him. Luck appeared to be shining down on him, however, for at that moment, Zelos' voice boomed, "Oh, there you are, Presea."

Both axegirl and half-elf turned to find the red-haired Chosen striding towards them. While Presea blinked innocently, taking in the new arrival, Genis immediately suspected that Zelos was up to something. There was a twinkle of mischief in the Chosen's eyes as he walked up to Presea and slid a hand around her shoulder like an older brother would to a younger sister.

"I've been seeking high and low throughout this whole city just to look for you," he said in a casual tone, "There's something I need to speak with you about but let's not talk here; I don't wanna be responsible for planting certain images in young Genis' mind."

Genis angrily opened his mouth, but suddenly Zelos turned around and winked at him. The young half-elf stared, understanding appearing on his face. The Chosen then guided Presea towards the entrance, who was not at all minding his actions, leaving Genis alone in the store. Not wasting any time, the half-elf returned to the aisle that his present was in and began to search for it.

It was now dark outside. In the lounge, he had his present inside a small wooden box, similar to the one that had held his own gift, and ready to give to Presea, which was stored in a little backpack he was carrying. He was still feeling confident and proud of himself for getting a present. Presea was sitting with him on a couch and he could've given it to her at any time at all. There was just one problem.

There was no way he could do it with so many people watching.

Lloyd was occupying a rocking chair and Colette sat on his lap, dozing off. Sheena was updating her journal as usual, sitting on a nearby chair. Raine and Regal had retired for the night early and Zelos had not yet returned to the hotel.

Genis was rocking himself back and forth, feeling frustration build up. He was so close to showing just how much Presea meant to him. Why couldn't Presea and he be alone in some hallway or their room? If only his friends weren't nearby…

Beside him, Presea suddenly stood up and announced, "Excuse me, everyone, but I'll be going to bed now."

Genis blinked in amazement, relief flooding through him, while the others bid Presea good night as she exited the lounge. This was his chance! Standing up hastily, he declared, "I…I'll being going too," before speed-walking towards the exit. Just as he slipped his hand onto the door knob, Lloyd's voice stopped him, "Genis!"

The young half-elf turned around to see Lloyd giving him two-thumbs up and an encouraging grin, "You can do it!" he shouted.

Genis grinned back, feeling determination course through him. Pushing the door open, he ran across the hall, turned right, and found Presea with her back to him at the entrance. She was almost at the stairway leading to the rooms so he called out, "Presea!"

She turned around, innocence lining her features, "Yes, Genis?" she asked.

He ran towards her, feeling confident enough to give her the gift, but, as soon he opened his mouth, his courage instantly evaporated and his voice broke up again, "I…I…I…I…I…I…Th… this…p…pre…pre…pre," he stammered, his entire body shaking. He'd never felt this nervous before. Never in his entire life!

Presea tilted her head, confused, "What?" she asked quite normally, as opposed to Genis' nervousness.

The young mage's mind couldn't think up of a response so he answered with actions instead. Swinging his backpack in front of him and on the ground, he unzipped it, grabbed the gift, and, leaving his backpack where it was, brought it in front of him, "H…here!" he stuttered, turning red.

Presea took it, observing the gift questioningly, "This is…for me?" she asked again.

"Y…yeah," he nodded energetically.

He watched her open up the box, dread building up inside him. He was staring at her, almost like an accused staring at a judge for the final decision, when a small smile spread across her face. It may have been a minuscule smile but that one smile alone was enough to make his heart swell.

"…Thank you," she said, looking up at him while still smiling, "May I…go ahead and try it?"

"Sure!" he replied, confidence building up inside him. He'd never felt this proud of himself before. Never in his entire life!

"It's wonderful…I'll try it out on my axe right now," she said before closing the box and heading upstairs.

Genis stared after her feeling an aftershock, not noticing that the front desk person was smiling at the drama that had just played out. He was staring when the front door opened, a person walked through, and slung an arm over his shoulder.

"So what'd you give her?" Zelos Wilder asked.

"A sharpening stone…" he answered blankly.

Zelos blinked before shaking his head and sighing, "You're an idiot," he said.

In the bright daylight, eight travelers could be seen in front of the Tower of Mana. Each one of them had a determined expression, which could also be seen from their body language. Their leader, a brown-haired teenager wielding two swords, stepped forward to make a speech.

"This is it, everyone," Lloyd started, "After we make the final pact, Sylvarant and Tethe'alla will split apart and both worlds will stop competing for each others' mana."

Colette stepped up to stand beside Lloyd, "When this is over, there will be no need for Chosens to sacrifice themselves anymore. No more Chosens will have to go through the same angel transformation as I did," she stated.

Zelos carelessly swung his sword around a few times before resting it on his shoulder, "Okay, enough with the speeches. Let's do this!" he yelled before charging through the Tower's front door.

The others followed him, except for Lloyd who stood around bewildered, "Hey, but I'M the one that's supposed to heroically lead you towards-"he was suddenly grabbed on the arm by Raine, who then dragged the protesting swordsman along with her.

Genis sprinted alongside Presea, feeling the familiar determination as he ran. Feeling something snag onto his left hand, he looked down to find Presea holding his hand with hers.

Presea glanced up with a reassuring look in her eyes, "I'm with you, Genis. We're…in this together," she said.

This time, Genis didn't blush or stammer. He merely tightened his grip on Presea's hand and then turned his attention back to his objective, feeling a happiness that was totally foreign to him.

I won't let anyone hurt Presea…as long as I'm around.

Whew….and that's the end. I hope everyone enjoyed because I sure did! Now I'm gonna start my AU fic. Stay tuned!

Oh yeah, and, below, I've also included the skits that I've used during the course of this fic. I also put in the skit number so, for those of you that have beaten the game, you can look up the skits in the Katz village.

Skit 241

Presea: ...Genis. Please...take this.

Genis: ...What? What's this?

Presea: It's...my thanks, for saving me.

Genis: Wow! I'm so happy! May I open it?

Presea: Yes...it's yours.

Genis: Wow, I wonder what's inside!

Presea: A carved wooden bear...

Genis: ...What?

Presea: A wealth charm.

Genis: Ah, um, yeah, I love it! R...really! Because it's a present from

Presea...a present from Presea for me.

Skit 031

Genis: Say, Zelos, I'm thinking about what to give to Presea in return for

her present. If it were you, what would you want?

Zelos: A beautiful woman!

Genis: ...Huh?

Zelos: So, wait, are you going to introduce me to a beautiful woman?

Genis: Why should I do that for you!

Skit 136

Genis: Say, Lloyd. What do you think I should give Presea in return for

her present?

Lloyd: How about a handmade necklace or something?

Genis: That'd be the same as what you gave Colette. That wouldn't be

interesting at all.

Lloyd: Well sorry for not being "interesting."

Genis: What would you want, Lloyd?

Lloyd: No question there. I'd want a year's worth of Sichuan tofu curry.

And maybe a wooden sword set...

Genis: Sigh ...Should have known better than to ask you.

Skit 252

Genis: Say, Colette. I'm thinking about what to give Presea in return for

her present. What would you like if it was you?

Colette: Well... I think I'd have to say, world peace.

Genis: Ah...wow...talk about large-scale...

Skit 319

Zelos: So, did you decide on what to give Presea?

Genis: I can't decide...

Zelos: Sigh Okay, looks like the great evangelist of love, Mr. Zelos, is

going to have to teach you about presents. Listen. The key point

about presents is 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 make her happy.

Genis: Make her happy...hmm...

Zelos: Well, anyway, think as hard as you can about it.

Skit 226

Genis: P...Presea.

Presea: What is it?

Genis: I...I...I...I...I...I...Th...this...p...pre...pre...pre...

Presea: What?

Genis: H...here!

Presea: This is...for me?

Genis: Y...yeah.

Presea: ...Thank you! May I...go ahead and try it?

Genis: Sure!

Presea: It's wonderful... I'll try it out on my ax right now.

Presea exits.

Zelos: ...What did you give her?

Genis: A sharpening stone.

Zelos: ...You're an idiot.