1And now...the moment you've all been waiting for...the truth will be revealed. But, first thanks to all my wonderful reviewers. I love you all! Also, readers who prefer to stay silent I appreciate you guys more than you will know as well. Okay, on with the story...

Chapter 21: Family Secrets

Storm woke up after being unconscious for what seemed like hours. She was leaned against a rock outside of Altessa's house and she couldn't remember how she had gotten there or what had happened. She tried to get up but suddenly realized that her arms and legs wouldn't respond. She was paralyzed. She could move her head but anywhere past her shoulders were uncooperative with her. Suddenly, two Renegades appeared behind her.

"Hey, she woke up and the boss isn't back yet," one said to the other.

"Don't worry she can't do anything anyway with those drugs in her," the other replied.

So that's it...they've got me drugged. I must be paralyzed temporarily. This has got to be the work of Yuan. I can't believe I let him trick me, Storm thought as she tried to will her body to move.

Suddenly, Yuan appeared and glanced over at the immobile angel and chuckled slightly.

"You're not so tough when you can't fight back," Yuan said.

"Why don't you try saying that after these drugs have worn off," Storm taunted.

Soon, the front door to Altessa's house as Lloyd walked outside. Two Renegades blocked his path with their swords. Storm looked to her left and saw her father walking towards Altessa's house and she hoped that he had come to help her.

"What's going on?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah Yuan, I think you'd better explain yourself," Storm replied.

"You know, you really shouldn't be so cocky when you can't move," Yuan replied getting annoyed with her attitude.

Yuan didn't realize that Storm was getting her movement back, she was starting to move her fingers and was getting the feeling back in her arms and legs. She could feel her power flowing back to her. She was going to wait and release her power when Yuan was least expecting it though.

"Kratos," Yuan began looking at Kratos, "release Origin's seal or Storm will die right here," Yuan said as the two guards by Storm placed their swords by Storm's neck.

"Hey, watch where you're pointing those things," Storm said to one of the guards.

"Well, what do you say," Yuan said.

"No, dad if you do it you'll..." Storm said with worry in her voice.

"..." Kratos replied.

"No," Yuan replied, "okay if you don't release that seal both your children will be killed."

"Both?" Storm asked.

"Yes, Lloyd and Storm will die in front of your eyes, like Anna," Yuan said.

"No...it can't be...Kratos can't be...the man who betrayed us...couldn't possibly be...my father...and Storm...she couldn't be...no," Lloyd said bewildered.

"So, how's it feel to be rejected by your son like that?" Yuan asked.

"..."Kratos replied with hurt feelings buried underneath his emotionless exterior.

"Dad...you knew? And you never told me?" Storm asked hurt by his deception.

Kratos stared at the ground as if it held some sort of advice for him to use in the situation.

"Oh, come on Storm, don't act like you've never known. You know you've always suspected something. How else did you get so close to him? Didn't you always feel as if you'd known him forever?" Yuan asked.

Well, I..." Storm replied.

"You know, you changed once you got a family. You couldn't fight after that and when Anna died, the only thing that kept you alive was Storm. You weren't like that when we met. That poor unfortunate woman, Anna," Yuan said almost laughing.

"Don't mock my mother," Lloyd and Storm both said simultaneously.

Lloyd stepped away from the guards and walked over to Yuan and lifted his sword, threatening the Renegade's leader. Yuan launched a powerful charge of mana at him. Kratos unexpectedly jumped in front of Lloyd and took the attack.

"DAD!" Storm screamed as she launched her Outburst attack to knock away the guards who surrounded her.

"Storm, how did you?" Yuan asked.

"How dare you Yuan," Storm began as she made her way over to her father.

"Are you all right Lloyd...good," was all Kratos could say before he collapsed from the attack.

"What am I supposed to believe?" Lloyd asked screaming to the heavens.

Suddenly, Collette walked out of Altessa's house, completely oblivious to anything that had been happening. "Lloyd what's wrong?" she asked a very upset Lloyd.

"My family...they're all traitors. I don't know what to think anymore. Who am I?" He responded.

"Lloyd you always told me that I was me. It doesn't matter who your family is or what they did, you're still you. And remember that Kratos protected you," she replied.

Hey, you're right. He told that to me too. I'm me? Does that mean that I can choose what to do with my life? Storm thought.

"You're right," Lloyd replied. "Thanks," he said as he knelt down next to Kratos. "I still can't call you dad though, I hate what you and Storm...what Cruxis does. It's not right to sacrifice anyone. I understand about discrimination but what you all are doing is still wrong and I can't agree with you guys," Lloyd said.

"Thank you for that Lloyd, I feel like I'm going to be sick," a voice replied from behind the group.

They all turned around to see a small blonde half-elf boy just coming out of Altessa's house. He walked out and knocked out the Renegades standing on either side of the door. He then looked at Yuan.

"Yggdrassil, how did you," Yuan began.

Before he could finish Mithos attacked with a powerful mana blast, knocking him to the ground.

"What are you doing Mithos?" Lloyd asked outraged by the half-elf's actions.

Mithos, ignoring his questions walked over to the Renegade leader and began to kick at him. "So, you're the leader of those filthy Renegades? If it wasn't for my sister's wishes, I'd kill you right now. Hahahahahahah..." Mithos laughed as he assaulted Yuan.

"Mithos what are you doing?" Genis asked from behind them as he and the others came out of the house to see what was going on.

"Well, I joined your group because I had to send Pronyma to watch Kratos because it seemed he was leaking information to your little group. Why, it's not like you trusted me anyway Genis," Mithos replied.

"I...that was just..." Genis began.

With that Mithos launched an attack at the rest of the group Altessa and Tabatha both took the blows to protect the group knocking Altessa unconscious and breaking Tabatha.

"Mithos, how could you? You got along so well with them," Sheena said.

"That stupid doll was a failed experiment to resurrect Martel. I never could stand to look at her," Mithos replied.

"You monster, we trusted you," Lloyd said as he launched his demon fang attack at Mithos hitting him directly and knocking him to one knee.

"Stop Lloyd," said Genis jumping between the two. "You're both my friends."

Suddenly Pronyma appeared. "Lord Yggdrassil your wounds have not yet healed. Leave them to the angels," she said.

"Very well," Mithos said as he, Pronyma, Kratos, and Storm were teleported back to Derris Kharlan leaving a group of angels to fight off the rest of the group.

Lloyd...my brother...I guess I always did know... But then how can I fight him? Where do my loyalties lie? Storm thought for awhile after she arrived in Derris Kharlan.

"Storm," Lord Yggdrassil appeared behind her. "I need you to return to Altessa's and tell Zelos that it's time to bring the chosen back to Derris-Kharlan. I've had enough of that group. Tell him to kill them and we'll give him angel's wings and release him of his Chosen's title if he succeeds. I want them here tomorrow," he said.

"Yes my lord," Storm replied as she prepared to leave for Altessa's.

This is it...Lloyd I won't betray you again. I have to warn you before I tell Zelos, Storm thought as she entered the teleporter.

Well, that's it. Was it what you were expecting or was it terrible? Sorry if it wasn't what you wanted. Next up, a little Storm and Zelos, Kratos and Lloyd, and Storm and Lloyd. How will Lloyd react to Storm now that he knows who she is? Keep reading and you'll find out. Review please!