1Well, it's the moment many of you have been waiting for, enter Yuan and Renegades. How will Storm react? I don't know, I guess you'll just have to read. Thank you to everyone who reviews my story, and also a big thank you to everyone who continues to even read it. I hope you silent readers are enjoying it and that I don't disappoint you in any way. Well, time for the next chappie!

Chapter 10: The Renegades

All she could feel was pain. Pain all over and blood splattered all over the walls and floor, her blood. She didn't know what she did to deserve such an unusually violent punishment. All she had done was cried because she couldn't see her dad. What was so wrong about that? Yet, there was something about her emotions that Lord Yggdrassil had disapproved of. Pronyma had been order to "deal with her," and she did. She couldn't understand why Uncle Mithos had changed, why he didn't play with her or laugh with her anymore. What had she done to displease him? Those wings...those angel wings... Ever since her wings came out he had treated her different, taken her away from her father and even started to beat her for any emotion. Those accursed wings made her more like everyone but she couldn't fit in. A sudden outburst of pure, loving emotion for her father had caused her present condition. Being beaten by Pronyma, and left to lie on the cold floor in pain. Why did it happen to her? Where was her father when she needed him the most?

Storm gasped as she woke up terrified from a horrible nightmare. It took her a few moments to recall what had just happened and she glanced around trying to gather her bearings. She had not been asleep for years, but a pretty good beating on her head had caused to black out. She was not in Derris-Kharlan and Lloyd and the others were still knocked out cold. Knocked out, but still alive. Where was she? This place reminded her of Welgaia but there was something different about it.

Storm got off of her bed and began to wonder what to do. The first thing that came to mind was to find the Chosen. Did Lord Yggdrassil have her? But if he did why would she be where she was? Should she leave and try to get back to Derris-Kharlan. No, Lord Yggdrassil had instructed her to stay with Lloyd's group. She decided to investigate where she was and started to head to the door when it suddenly opened. Two Renegade guards entered and closed the door behind them.

So, I'm in the Renegade's base. This is great! I can kill two birds with one stone. Return the Chosen and destroy the Renegades, Storm thought.

"You! You're coming with us! Our leader wishes to speak with you! Do not attempt to resist," the guards ordered Storm.

"No objections here. I'll come quietly," she replied as she was led out of the room.

Once she entered her destination she saw what appeared to be the Renegades leader sitting in a chair on the opposite side of the room with his back faced to her.

"So, what do you want out of me," Storm asked the mysterious man with a hint of sass in her voice.

"I'm here to strike a bargain with you Storm," the man replied.

That voice, it's familiar. How does he know my name? Wait a minute it couldn't be...

With that the chair spun around revealing a blue-haired half-elf. It was none other than one of her childhood companions. Yuan, the man she had always played with, someone who she had felt she could trust was standing in front of her, leader of a group against Cruxis.

"Yuan! You're the leader of the Renegades! But I thought you and Mithos were friends! What about my father and me! You're the traitor!" Storm was overcome by shock at her discovery.

"Yes, I'm the leader of the Renegades. So, like I said, I've called you hear to make a deal with you. I'm willing to keep your little secret form Lloyd's group as long as you let us hide the Chosen. All you have to do is tell Mithos that you don't know where she is. You were knocked out cold, I think he'd believe you," Yuan negotiated.

"Oh please Yuan. Do you really think you can make a bargain with me, when you have so much to lose yourself? I could sell you out to Lord Yggdrassil so easily. He's been looking for the Renegade's leader for a long time now. Now, I know that you lead them and where your base is. Why don't you let me do the negotiating around here. How about we keep each other's secrets quiet for now and the Chosen will remain with Lloyd's group, but I'll let Yggdrassil come and pick her up himself if he wants her," suggested Storm.

"Dammit Storm, fine I'll let you keep the Chosen but Yggdrassil can't know where this base is. You know when I look at you, you remind me so much of your father, but you're even more like Mithos," Yuan replied as he gazed at the young girl. "You should be wary, I'm not the only person close to you who's keeping secrets from you," he added.

"What?" Storm began when suddenly the doors behind her opened and the Lloyd and the others entered the room still shaken from their near death experience. Storm gave one last intimidating look at Yuan before she turned around and smiled sweetly at her group. She walked over towards them to see how they were all doing.

"Hey, what were you doing in here?" Lloyd asked.

"Oh, I woke up before you guys so I decided I'd find out who rescued us," Storm replied.

"Yeah, we've pretty much got this whole ordeal somewhat straightened out," Genis replied.

"Yeah, except you guys hadn't exactly finished your side of the story," Sheena added looking at Yuan waiting for a reply.

"Well, as you already know, we're a group separate from Cruxis called the Renegades. Our goal is to prevent the revival of Martel," Yuan began.

"So that's why you tried to kill Collette," Raine burst in.

"Yes, but now we're unable to kill her as her body is now in a sort of defensive mode. If we were to try and harm her she could kill us. Which is why, Lloyd, that in order to prevent Martel's revival we need you. Men secure him," Yuan ordered as a group of Renegades began to close in on the group.

"What! Why can't you guys decide if you're helping us or if you're against us," Lloyd yelled as he drew his sword and quickly attacked Yuan who fell to the ground.

"Sir, your wounds from Hima haven't healed yet," a soldier advised.

"Damn you Kratos," Yuan said weakly.

"Wait, that was you at Hima!" Lloyd replied.

"Lloyd don't just stand there like an idiot, let's go," Storm yelled at her companion. Lloyd spun around and noticed that everyone had already used the distraction as an opportunity to run. Lloyd quickly followed them, leaving Storm behind. She looked at Yuan and sarcastically saluted him before following after the others.

She is getting bad, Kratos I thought you would have tried to prevent any more victims. Why did you let him change your own daughter into one of "them"? Yuan wondered.

"Now what!" Raine yelled as they rounded a corner trying to stay one step ahead of the Renegades.

"Let's go to Tethe 'alla.," Sheena suggested.

"How are we supposed to get there?" Genis asked.

"Well, it was the Renegades who convinced the Tethe 'alla king that we should kill the Chosen of Sylverant. They had me come here on a Rheihard. I'm sure they have more around here somewhere," Sheena replied as she began to search for a Rheihard dock.

"I bet Tethe 'alla will have sort of technology that can help bring Collette back," Raine suggested as the rounded yet another corner.

"They might, we'll have to go to Meltokio to get permission from the king to go to the Imperial Research Academy in Sybak," Sheena answered.

Soon, they entered a room and inside the group found three Rheihards. They spent no time quickly jumping onto them and prepared to launch. Sheena and Collette jumped on one, Genis and Raine another, and Storm and Lloyd took the remaining Rheihard. Storm had flown these before but pretended to fumble with the controls. Soon, the entire group was off the ground and were flying away from the Renegades base.

Well, I guess my journey will be longer than expected. This should prove to be much more interesting than I thought. I wonder what dad's doing now? I hope he's already, Storm thought as the Rheihards warped to Tethe 'alla.

Where are you now Storm? Are you and Lloyd alright? I really hope that things are going alright for you, I hope the Renegades haven't hurt you. I can only pray, but to who I don't know, Kratos thought as he walked through Mithos' castle.

"Kratos, I hope that your daughter is taking good care of the Chosen. If she fails this mission it will be her last. I trust her enough but I'm afraid that her emotions have been coming back. We may need to knock some out of her again. What do you think?" Mithos asked his old friend.

"I haven't seen any signs of her soul come back yet," Kratos lied. He hoped to Martel that Mithos wouldn't catch it, he couldn't stand his daughter getting another bloody beating from Pronyma. He'd hoped she was done with that years ago when she lost her feelings.

That night Kratos stared up at the sky and began to talk to someone he hadn't spoken to in a while.

Anna, it's me. Sorry if I haven't talked to you lately. I need a little guidance. I hope I haven't disappointed you with how Storm is. I've tried my best but I believe that I've failed your expectations greatly. Lloyd seems alright though, I just hope he won't get hurt by getting involved with Cruxis. Am I doing alright? I don't know how I'll ever be able to atone for all of the sins I've committed against you, Lloyd, and Storm. I'm sorry.

Kratos...

Kratos lifted his head up as he felt a cool breeze blow across his face, something very uncommon on Derris-Kharlan. He knew it was Anna and her touch was very comforting. He hoped she wasn't too disappointed in him.

Well, how was it? I hope the ending wasn't too corny and I hope that there was enough Yuan for everyone. I also hope that Storm's character is started to come through. This chapter showed a lot about her past and the effect it has on her now. Will she be able to overcome her past and save her future? I don't know I haven't thought that far ahead yet.