1Alright, it's time for Chapter 5! I'm sorry if I don't thank people enough, but you have no idea how much your reviews mean to me. My thanks is not enough. So for anyone who I may miss, sorry, but thank you for your reviews. Anyway thanks again to Kratos Wilder,

Cai-nikz, and muffineer. I appreciate your continued support. P.S. I suggest everyone reading this to also read Annihilation and Broken as well, written by Kratos Wilder. They're both really great fan fics.

Okay, this chapter takes place at the Asgard ranch (the first time through). Hey if anyone thinks I need to move the story faster tell me so, or if you want to see anything different please suggestions are welcome.

Chapter 5: Exspheres

"How are you planning on getting us in Lloyd?" questioned an annoyed Storm.

"I hadn't exactly thought of that part yet," replied a confused looking Lloyd.

"We could disguise ourselves as Desian soldiers," suggested Sheena.

"How do you plan to disguise us as Desian soldiers?" asked Raine.

"All we have to do is knock out a couple of guards and steal their uniforms," said a surprisingly easygoing Sheena.

"Oh right like it'll be that simple," Storm said.

"Well, seeing as we have no other plans I suggest we go with Sheena's idea," Kratos said.

"Fine," replied a very stubborn Storm who just wanted to leave the ranch alone and get back to the Regeneration journey.

Sheena, Lloyd, Kratos, and Storm were chosen to fight the guards and steal their uniforms. The four of them snuck up behind a group of three guards who were not paying much attention to their jobs. All the group really had to do was knock them into the nearby wall with enough force to knock them unconscious. After the dirty work was done they gathered the group together again.

"Alright Sheena, Storm and myself will disguise ourselves as Desian guards," Raine said as she gave Sheena and Storm their uniforms.

"Why do you guys get to be guards?" questioned Lloyd and Genis.

"Because the uniforms fit women soldiers," replied Sheena.

"Well then, how are we going to get in?" asked Lloyd.

"Easy, you guys will be prisoners," Raine replied.

Well, I'll admit I never thought I'd be reduced to disguising myself as a guard to get into a Desian human ranch, thought Storm.

After successfully sneaking past the other guards, the group entered what looked like a control center for the ranch.

"Shh...listen someone's coming," Collette said.

"Quick, we've gotta get outta here," Storm said as she led the group towards the nearest exit. Before they got to the door though it opened and Botta entered the room with two of his men with him.

"Not you again..." Lloyd said as he prepared to battle with Botta.

"Wait! Storm and Kratos are with them. We'll retreat for now," Botta said.

"What was that all about?" asked Raine.

"Well, I guess when you're mercenaries your reputation precedes you," Kratos replied.

That was a little too close for comfort. Those damn Renegades keep getting in the way.

Just as they were about to make a run for it another door opened revealing a very cocky looking half-elf. He entered with two Desian guards at either side of him.

That's gotta be Kvar. He doesn't look so tough. I was expecting someone a little more threatening. I'd better get the Chosen out of here before he sends in more Desians, thought Storm.

"Don't even think about getting in our way!" Storm screamed as she ran up to Kvar and the guards, stabbing the one guard with her sword. "Hurry get to the next room," she yelled at the others as she held off Kvar and the other guard before quickly following the group as they sneaked by.

"That was a close one," sighed Genis.

"Yeah, thanks Storm. I had no idea you were such a strong fighter," Lloyd added.

"No problem, now let's get moving before they catch up," Storm replied as the team headed towards what seemed like a stair case.

Once at the top, the group looked as they saw humans being carried along a conveyer belt towards a machine where it seemed as if they were coming out in little tubes.

"What's going on?" questioned Collette.

Exspheres, thought Kratos and Storm simultaneously.

"They're exspheres," came a voice from behind the group that sent chills down Storm's side bringing up emotions from a past long thought forgotten in her mind. It was Kvar and he looked quite pleased at the prize he was about to capture.

"Exspheres? You don't mean that...?" Genis started hesitantly.

"Yes, what did you think exspheres were? They are parasites which feed off of human hosts until they finally grow powerful enough for us to use. We then harvest them form the human hosts. Why else would we take care of these inferior beings?" Kvar explained.

"Expheres are created from human lives?" Lloyd asked, shocked.

"Yes, now if you don't mind Lloyd I would like that exsphere of yours," Kvar demanded.

"Again with my exsphere. Why is it so damn special?" Lloyd asked obviously annoyed.

"You don't know anything do you? That exsphere was a special project I worked on. It was meant for Lord Yggdrassil. We conducted the research on the host body. Her human name was Anna, your mother!" Kvar said with an evil smile across his face.

"Mom? You killed my mother!" Lloyd shouted angrily.

"Now, now Lloyd, I didn't kill your mother, your father did," Kvar replied.

"Liar," Lloyd shouted back tears welling up in his eyes.

"Your father killed your mother. She escaped fro, the ranch, so to make an example out of her I pulled off her exsphere causing her to turn into a monster. Your father was forced to kill your mother. I find it rather funny," Kvar smirked.

"Do not speak ill of the dead," Kratos replied rather emotionally.

Poor kid. And I thought I had it rough losing my mother and brother. He lost both of his parents and his father's a murderer. But I shouldn't care this much. Why is Kratos so emotional about this anyway. It's not like he knew the kid's mother or father anyway.

"Don't mock my parents!" screamed Lloyd.

"Why not they were just a bunch of filthy humans," Kvar added with a chuckle. "Now if you don't mind I'll be taking what belongs to me."

"I don't think so," cried Sheena as she threw out her last Guardian card and they were transported safely back outside.

"Sir you don't suppose that young girl was...?" asked a guard.

"I'm not sure. She looks like a lifeless being in her eyes. But she couldn't be...his daughter?"replied Kvar.

Back at camp

"These things," said a very hurt Lloyd as he ripped his exsphere off his hand. "These things make a mockery out of human life."

"You think we don't realize that? But Lloyd we would have lost a long time ago if we hadn't had them," Sheena said.

"You think I don't know that! But, this was my mom's life! These were all human lives and they all suffered at the hands of those Desians!" replied Lloyd.

"This was Marble's life," Genis sadly said as he looked at his exsphere.

"Lloyd, do you really think you can continue on this journey if you get rid of that now?" Kratos asked worried about what his son would do.

"I know, without these we're just a bunch of weak humans, but I think I need to think about it," Lloyd replied as he walked off.

It's all my fault. Anna I'm sorry for what I did to you. And now because of my mistakes I've hurt Lloyd too, Kratos thought.

Later...

"Did it hurt when you died mom? Did you suffer? What should I do?" Lloyd asked the exsphere hoping to get a reply.

"Lloyd?" Storm asked cautiously. "Can I talk with you?"

"Sure," Lloyd replied still filled with sadness.

Storm walked over and sat down next to the boy.

"I know my opinion probably doesn't matter much because I don't wear an exsphere but I believe your mother wouldn't have wanted you to throw her away. I know my mother wouldn't. If your mother was like my mother than she wouldn't have wanted you to give up. Please Lloyd, let your mother help you and use your exsphere. Show her the new world," Storm advised.

"How would you know what your mother would have wanted? I thought your mother died when you were young as well?" Lloyd questioned.

"She did, but I figured that if we're mother and daughter we're probably a lot alike and I wouldn't have wanted you to give up either," Storm replied.

"Thanks I'll think about it," Lloyd told her, "Hey this may sound stupid but, why do you care so much? You just met me a couple of days ago," Lloyd asked.

"I don't know...I guess you made me care," Storm replied looking rather confused herself.

As Lloyd walked away Storm began to think about what Lloyd had said.

Why do I care? Why do I have this strange connection to Lloyd that I can't explain? It's not like Kratos and I would be unable to protect the Chosen without him so why do I want him to stay? It's like I've always cared about him and always known him. I need to focus more on my mission and try to contain these strange emotions. I can't let my head be filled with these thoughts. But I can't help wondering, why do I care...

Well that's it for now. How was it? I'm sorry if it was exceptionally long this time but I couldn't stop writing. Well, you know what to do!