All right, I guess it's time to update the story. Just to let everyone know, I went and saw Pirates 2 for the second time tonight, in fact, I just got back. It's still awesome! Actually, it was even better the second time around. Anyway, I'm rambling now so here's the next chapter. I hope that you all enjoy.

Chapter 8: The Transformation

The group was making their way towards the Tower of Salvation, following the wishes of the voice that they'd heard not too long ago. Zelos had been unusually quiet for most of the trip, not wanting to draw Storm's attention to him. He tried to erase her from his mind, but he couldn't as he thought about the fate that would be awaiting her. He wasn't too sure yet if they should be trusting this strange voice, believing whatever it said without thinking about the consequences.

Zelos didn't want to protest about Storm's decision to follow its orders. He knew how she had always felt left out in the world, and now she felt as if she had a purpose. She felt as if she had a reason for being the way she was. Everyone had always thought that her powers were a gift, but he knew to her they were a curse. They led her towards her own destruction every day of her life. Now, if this voice was telling the truth, she had a chance at happiness and fulfillment in her life, something he had never been able to give her. Still, he wasn't about to trust this one hundred percent.

Zelos stopped as everyone else in front of him halted to stare at the tower directly in front of them. No one really knew what was about to happen and they all had their own expectations and doubts. No one really wanted to make the first move inside the tower, but Storm soon took a deep breath and proceeded. Lloyd followed her next, followed by Yuan and Kratos, then the others took up the rear. Fear and uncertainty was creeping through everyone's minds as they went ahead with what seemed to be an inevitable fate for Storm, whatever it was.

They soon found themselves at the same spot that Colette had been turned into an angel, where Zelos had betrayed the group, and where they had first met Mithos Yggdrasil. Now, another unforgettable event would take place at this sacred spot. Storm stepped forward a few steps, waiting for something to happen. There was an eery silence that turned seconds into hours as the group waited for anything.

"Step up on the platform Storm...,"

Storm's head perked up at the sound of the voice. She nodded her head as she slowly walked up to the platform. The tension in the air was thick as everyone held their breath while watching her take her place on the platform above them.

Zelos watched carefully as Storm climbed up to the platform above them. He was still fighting in his mind on what he should do. Should he let Storm know how he felt about the situation, or should he allow her to do as she pleased? He didn't want to take away something that she wanted, he knew that that happened too often in her lifetime. He stayed back and watched, still fighting with himself.

Once Storm reached the top she looked out at her friends. She was still wondering if it was the right thing to do. Would she really be happier as an angel? Of course, the worst thing that could happen was to die. At this point in her life, death didn't scare her, in fact, it still seemed to be a welcoming relief. She breathed in deeply before sighing, waiting for her next orders.

"Are you ready to become a true angel? Are you ready to face your destiny?"

"Yes," Storm replied as she dropped her gaze to the ground, refusing to look at her friends' and family's expressions.

"Let the transformation begin!"

A strange light began to glow underneath Storm's feet as a bright circle appeared beneath her. The light started to engulf her whole body. She could feel something, but it was as if something was trying to come into her.

"Storm, stop! Get out of the way!" Zelos screamed as he jumped onto the platform and ran at her. He pushed her out of the light as she fell to the ground. She looked up at him as the light engulfed him. Soon, the light flashed brightly, filling up the entire room. Storm shielded her eyes as Zelos was taken by the light.

"Damn, you're not the one I wanted. I suppose that this body will have to do until I can get the girl's,"

"What? You don't sound the same as before. What are you talking about?" Storm asked as the light returned to the circle.

"I know that voice now, I knew that it was familiar. Spiritua, you should be dead!" Kratos yelled out towards the light on the platform. Storm looked at her father, not wanting to believe what she was hearing. Her eyes went back towards Zelos when the voice began to talk again.

"It took you long enough to figure that out Kratos. You can't even recognize the voice of someone that you traveled with, protected, and eventually led to their death,"

"You are Spiritua! You deceived me, all of us! What do you want with me, with Zelos?" Storm asked as she made a move for her sword in its sheath.

"Well, since I am dead and am only alive in spirit I needed a body to return to this world. I wanted to take my revenge on all the people that caused me so much pain while I was alive. People only cared about themselves, it didn't matter what race they were they would have rather killed me with this regeneration than deal with their own problems. I had no life, so I wanted to take it out on all these people. Storm, your body allows you immortality as well as angelic powers, I needed yours. I may have this body, but I can still get yours," Spiritua said as she moved herself into Zelos' body. His wings, hidden for so many years were once again revealed to the group as Spiritua prepared to attack.

"Zelos...you saved me...," Storm whispered to herself as she watched his eyes lose their emotion as Spiritua completely took over.

"Prepare to be mine," Spiritua screamed through Zelos as she moved towards Storm who backed up. Everyone below was still shocked by the events that had just taken place and were hesitating to attack someone so close to them. Kratos and Lloyd were about to move towards the platform when Storm held her hand out at them, signaling them to stop. They lowered their weapons slowly, praying that Storm knew what she was doing.

"Zelos, why did you do it? You don't deserve this fate, don't let her take you over," Storm cried as she moved towards the red-head. She moved up to him and wrapped her arms around him, hoping to get through to him. Spiritua was had too much control on him to allow her plan to work as Zelos pushed her away violently. Storm crashed to the ground hitting her arm on the floor hard. She held onto her shoulder as she slowly got up and moved towards him once again.

"It's useless girl, he's mine now and once I get you I will kill him," Spiritua laughed.

Storm threw her arms around his neck and buried her head in his chest as the tears began to stream down her face.

"I'm so sorry...I never apologized, I never told you what you needed to hear. I was afraid, but I shouldn't have been. Zelos...I love you, don't do this. I love you...I always will," Storm whispered into his chest.

Storm could feel Zelos' body tremble and she felt his arms wrap around her. She wasn't sure if he was coming to, or if Spiritua was taking the opportunity to gain control of her body. She didn't care either way, she just wanted to be close to Zelos, she refused to let go. Soon, she felt a head on her shoulder, and someone's breath down the back of her neck.

"I love you too Storm, I'm sorry for what I did to you," Zelos whispered into her ear.

Storm looked up as he moved his head off her shoulder. They stared at each other before they moved ever closer to each other. Their lips stopped inches from each other, both lost in each other's eyes. They both looked into each other's seeing the emotion that was supposed to be there that was once lost. Then their lips finally met in a passionate kiss that each had been waiting for for some time.

"Damn you two. Don't think this is over. If I can't fight you here then I will bring you to where I can fight you physically. Come to where my soul is and face me. If I win I gain the body that I so desire, but I doubt that you'll be able to do anything," Spiritua challenged them as a void opened on the platform a few feet away from where Zelos and Storm were standing, still locked in each other's embrace.

Storm looked at Zelos looking him over intently. "Are you okay?" she asked quietly.

"I'm fine, but are you okay, I attacked you," Zelos asked her as he moved her away from him to look her over.

"I'm fine as long as you're back to normal," Storm told him. "But, now we have to finish this thing with Spiritua," Storm told him as she looked down at the others. They were all still stunned by what had just happened, but they smiled up at the reunited couple. "What do you guys say?" Storm asked them.

"Let's do this," Lloyd said confidently.

"How do we fight a spirit?" Genis asked curiously.

"Who cares, let's just kick her butt," Sheena commented.

"Agreed," Kratos added as they all made their way to the void on the platform, ready to take on whatever they met up with on the other side.

Well, that's it for this chapter. Sorry if it sucked, but the next chapter might be better...I hope. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews, and if you read this and don't review please do. That's the only way I know how you all feel about it. Well, hope you liked it and thanks for reading, please review!