Crystal Feathers: A Fanfic by Gyppy
Timeline: Based 2 years after 'To Kill An Angel'
Summary: After Niflheim was sealed, Lloyd thought the evils of the world to be dead. The group split up, expecting peace and quiet to reign around the world.
However, they were all in for a big surprise. Two years after Niflheim was sealed, the rising shadow that once concealed the world began to rise again... and now, Lloyd and the others must go on a journey to uncover the cause of the Rising Shadow and seal it away forever.
Pairings: LloydxColette and ZelosxSheena primarily, with some MithosxOC, YggdrasillxPronyma and GenisxPresea. There will also be hints at SelesxOC, YuanxMartel and KratosxRaine.
Author's Note: For the sake of keeping true to the storyline of Rising Shadow, there will be (as probably expected) very few hints at KxR. This is primarily to avoid offending all those random purists out there. I know that most of the purists will end up hating this story because of a few other pairings, but KxR seems to be the most hated of them.
As you all probably know, I'm a big fan of KxR. It's an official pairing in this storyline, though it will be rather rare. This fanfic will mostly focus on the action, though there will be some fluff inserted here and there.
This fanfic is based two years after 'To Kill An Angel', four years after 'Rising Shadow'. Therefore, Lloyd is 21, Colette is 20, Zelos is 26, Sheena is 23, Genis is 16, Presea is 16, Raine is 27, Abyssion is 27, Leviathan is 20, Seles is 18, Allurya is 8, Mithos is 16 and Karina is 15.
Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia, Namco, Final Fantasy or Squaresoft/Square-Enix.
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Chapter 2: Betrayal of Fire
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A young Ktugach crouched in the underbrush, its hellish red eyes gazing intently upon its target. Its forelegs, which had constructed themselves in its evolution from ktugachling to Ktugach around a month ago, were hidden beneath a layer of plant matter, while its long tail swished out behind it in anticipation.
Its target was a young winged dragon, one that was attacking a group of humans. It had heard of this group of humans numerous times before, but never really thought of them until now. Its mind ran wild with thoughts, recognizing that these were the same humans that killed its master.
But its master was no more. That damned bastard deserved to die after all he'd done to the world of Symphonia. And that was the most intense thought in the Ktugach's mind at this moment. A friend of Nebilim had decided to take over the Age of Lifeless Beings again, reviving it with his own cunning plans. And this Ktugach sought revenge on its master for forcing it to undergo the cruel treatment it had endured.
The creature leaped from the underbrush, the Crystal of the Underworld on its chest glowing. Wings of pure flame burst from its back as it prepared to attack.
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Lloyd was suddenly caught up in a tornado of pure wind as the winged dragon attacked. He managed to evade too many bad hits, and retaliated with Psi Tempest, which caused the dragon to flinch.
Kratos' Fierce Demon Fang did little to the dragon. However, the Hell Pyre that immediately followed knocked it back temporarily, burning its side. It got back up and lashed at Kratos with its tail, sending him flying into a nearby cliff.
Identical Double Demon Fangs hailed from the direction of Mithos and Zelos. The four shockwaves struck the dragon almost simultaneously, forcing it to fall back again. However, it got back up, and retaliated by creating another tornado around the attackers.
Much to the surprise of the others, Lloyd suddenly turned his head to the right. He could've sworn he'd heard a voice...
Get away from the dragon! Let me handle this!
Lloyd's eyes widened as he realized that it was the voice of a Ktugach. Fearing the worst, he backed off, and watched as a magnificent red-orange blur flew by, striking the dragon hard. The winged beast finally fell, its spinal cord severed by a bite to the neck.
As Lloyd had expected, a Ktugach appeared in front of the dragon's body. Its teeth were still slicked with the red blood of the winged creature, though its expression seemed neutral.
"What the hell...?" Lloyd was almost at a loss for words. "Is this... some kind of trick...?"
It's not a trick, the voice echoed. I really am assisting you.
"But why would a...?" Abyssion seemed just as confused as Lloyd, and a bit stunned as well.
Nebilim was a fool, the Ktugach said. I learned that the hard way. I guess you could say I was his 'experiment' - the one ktugachling that received a Key Crest. And due to that, I'm capable of thinking for myself.
Lloyd stepped closer to the Ktugach, examining the crystal on its chest, and found out that there was, indeed, a Key Crest holding the crystal in place.
I'm sorry to have disturbed you, the Ktugach said. If you don't want to accept me, that's alright. I'll just return to the Tower of Destruction's crater.
"No, it's okay," Lloyd said. "You speak the truth. I'm glad you, of all the monsters, were able to see the light..."
Yes, it is true, the Ktugach said. The Cruxis Crystal allows a creature's intelligence to increase, and the Key Crest suppresses the emotional instability the crystal causes.
"Thanks for saving us anyhow," Lloyd said. "I've become more trusting of people now... it's kinda hard not to, what with all the people betraying the enemy." He laughed slightly.
Abyssion stepped forward. "Do you have a name?"
Actually, I do, the Ktugach replied. I am a male Ktugach who once served under Nebilim... and that's where I got my Cruxis Crystal. My name is Draconis. Pleased to meet you.
"You've probably heard of me before," Lloyd said. "I'm Lloyd. Welcome to the group... Draconis."
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It took quite a while for Lloyd's group to get accustomed to having a Ktugach in their party. However, Draconis seemed to be a relatively carefree soul, joking left and right and occasionally making rather annoying remarks about the other members of the group. He was also lazy, though would instantly be up and about when there was a battle.
The band traveled about Sylvarant, building up strength for their attack on the darkness radiating from Triet. Draconis seemed to know all the best fighting spots, and would lead them to their practice areas all the time.
Deep inside, Lloyd was thankful for the fact that one of those creatures had turned to the side of light. It gave them a new and powerful weapon, one that would be hated by their enemies and loved by their allies. Ktugach especially were powerful, and they could summon forth the power of fire itself to destroy anything that would burn.
Not everyone was content with Draconis' decision, though. As a matter of fact, some vehemently opposed his turning to the side of light.
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"There's another one down," a Desian guard said, inspecting the dragon's body from a distance. "Looks like there have been some monsters on the loose."
Another Desian walked over and investigated the bite marks, though they were barely visible on the creature's decaying body. "Definitely a Ktugach. I'd say it was a pretty small one, though." He extricated a piece of broken tooth from the dragon's neck. "It could barely get its teeth through this little guy's neck."
"You know what that means," the first Desian muttered. "Nebilim made a bad decision when he decided to put a Key Crest on that ktugachling. Looks like Draconis has come back for revenge."
"Dammit..." The second Desian slowly backed away from the dragon's body, only now beginning to be repulsed by the smell. "If we can't find Draconis and kill him, we'll..." He turned green and immediately headed for the bushes.
"Gah, there he goes again," the first Desian muttered to himself. "I swear that guy has no stomach sometimes."
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Author's Note: Alright. First, about ktugachling to Ktugach. They obviously change when they grow older. Remember that ktugachlings don't have forelegs or particularly big spike crests.
Second, about the Age of Lifeless Beings... well, actually, never mind. Too much of a spoiler. ;)
Third, I must apologize to my readers for not updating. I'm currently writing another story, and have become enthralled with another game.
As a side note, you can probably expect to see some other Tales series cameos in this fanfic. ;)