CW- Merry Christmas to all of you. It's still a few days early but still. I managed to get the next chapter up before January, it's a Christmas miracle. Anyway, let me answer some reviews now.

Kratos Wilder- yes, fighting bumper cars are very funny. You would poison Regal? Wow, that's just as unexpected as when Alex the Summoner said he would poison Collette. Thanks a lot for your kind words and enthusiasm, I'm still not sure on weather I'll have to stop writing or not, but I promise to at least finish this story first. If you really want tips for your stories, I'd be happy to help, just let me know what you need ok? Happy holidays.

Alex the Summoner- thanks so much for your praise. My parents always said I had a knack for making up stories. As I told KW, I'm still not sure if I'll have to give up on writing yet, but I really hope that I can keep writing. It's my favorite hobby. Did I pick on you in the review page? If so, I'm really sorry. Anyway, happy holidays.

Kratos Aurion fan- thanks for the review. No, the crystals are not horcruxes. And as for their true purpose, well, you'll just have to wait and see, wont you? Please don't encourage Lloyd to write a fic, if you give him praise, he'll never go home. Happy holidays.

Shadowofthewave- I'm really starting to worry about you, is everything ok? You haven't sent me any reviews or e-mails in a while, I hope nothing happened to you. If this message reaches you, I hope that you have the happiest of holidays.

CW- ok, the reviews are answered

"Door bell rings"

Persea- I'll get it

"Opens door to find every TOS character, and even people from other shows and games, plus my family members standing outside door"

Persea- the guests are here

CW- oh good, that means the Christmas party can get started. Please, come in everyone.

"People enter"

Lloyd- the eggnog is over there by the punch bowl on the buffet table

Genis- and make sure to help yourselves to the food, I made it myself

CW- well, while I get this Christmas party started, you can enjoy my Christmas present to you, this next chapter.

Chapter 7

A Misadventure In Mizuho

After a long explanation in Regal's office, the team had finally, fully explained why they had come to Altimaria. Shocked by the news of Angelos' return, Regal and Persea insisted that the team depart immediately to find Sheena and Zelos. However, Raine protested that they had already exerted to much energy from fighting the robot, and that it would be best if they left in the morning. Regal wanted to continue his argument, but he finally decided to give in. they all decided to rest at Regal's place for the night, and depart in the morning.

Regal and Persea have joined the party.

Raine obtained the title: Negotiator

The next morning………………………

After a good nights sleep, the group awoke the next morning, all of them eager to continue their journey. They went about their morning routines, ate breakfast, and then went to the docks. The moment they got there, Genis prepped the EC, and the group set off for Meltokio in a matter of minutes.

"So" started Lloyd as they sailed along the calm blue sea, "What do you think Zelos and Sheena have been up to this past year?"

"It's scary just thinking about it" replied Persea with a small giggle.

"You don't suppose they had a kid do you?" asked Genis, as he continued to steer the ship.

Lloyd thought about this for a moment. He pictured a baby that had hair like Zelos, but in a shade of purple like Sheena. He also pictured the baby being as lecherous as Zelos, but in a much nicer and refined way like Sheena.

"That would be kinda creepy" said Lloyd with a dazed look on his face.

"I think their baby would look cute" said Collette.

"Oh yeah" said Lloyd, sarcastically, "very cute……hahahahahahahahaha, I'm sorry, I couldn't say that with a straight face hahahahahahahha". The group shared a hearty laugh as the ship sailed on.

Lloyd obtained the title: Master Joker

Hours later……..

The ship docked at the bridge near Meltokio. Genis packed up the EC, and then the group set off for the city.

Later…….

The team arrived at Zelos' mansion, eager to see their friends again. However, the welcome they received wasn't what they had expected.

"May I help you sir?" asked the butler when he answered the door.

"Yes" said Lloyd, "We're her to see Zelos and Sheena, are they home?"

"Unfortunately no" replied the butler, "they left for miss Sheena's home town 3 days ago, and have yet to return".

"Really?" exclaimed Raine, "well then, it does us no good to sit around here and wait. We should head for Mizuho".

"Right" said everyone else at once.

On the way to Mizuho……..

The team walked along the lush plains, enjoying the sights, and humming happy tunes to themselves. The calm was broken however, by the sound of none other then Lloyd.

"So" began Lloyd, "what do you think they went to Mizuho for?"

"Well, they might have gone to visit her friends" replied Regal.

"I guess" said Lloyd, "but I have this strange feeling that something is wrong."

"Whatever" said Genis, "you say the same thing whenever you see another guy talking to Collette".

THWAP

"Ow" whined Genis, "what was that for?"

"For opening your big mouth" replied Lloyd angrily.

"Oh Lloyd" swooned Collette, "I didn't know you cared so much".

"How could you not know?" said Genis, pulling a chalk board out of nowhere, and going into an anime classroom theme. "The signs are fairly obvious" he said as he drew pictures of Lloyd, talking to and rescuing Collette. "I mean come on, the heart warming chats, the rescues. The guy loves you".

THWAP

"OW" whined Genis again.

"Shut up" said Lloyd.

"Oh Lloyd" Collette swooned again, "your so sweet". She then began kissing him furiously.

"Ah young love" said Kratos, with a mixed expression of happiness and sadness on his face, "It's a beautiful thing".

"Mizuho, dead ahead" called Raine, interrupting the moment. Everyone stopped goofing around, and looked ahead to see Mizuho. However, what they saw, was to horrible for words.

The Village was completely ruined. The houses were burned to the ground. The once green and lush landscape was now baron and desolate. The people that had befriended the team the most during their original journey were nowhere to be found.

"This is horrible" gasped Collette, "who could have done this?"

"I don't know" said Lloyd, "it might have been some of the local monsters".

"You're right" came a voice from the trees.

"Who said that?" jumped Lloyd, unsheathing his sword.

"Its ok" said the voice, "it's me". A shadow jumped down from the tree and into some bushes, and from the bushes, rose Sheena.

"Sheena!" yelped Collette, "Your alive, I thought that something had happened to you".

"Something did happen to me" said Sheena sadly, "to me, and the rest of the village as well".

"Wait" said Regal, "Where is Zelos? Isn't he with you?" Sheena lowered her head slightly.

"Follow me" she said, and she turned to lead them down the almost dried out river.

Minutes later………

Sheena led the group up the river to the small island where she and Kochinawa fought a few years ago. However, instead of finding a quiet secluded island, they found a small encampment, where the people of Mizuho were currently living.

"What happened?" asked Genis, "Why is the village destroyed? Why has everyone moved here?"

"Well" began Sheena, "It happened 3 days ago. Zelos and I were out for a walk around Meltokio. All of a sudden, a messenger from Mizuho pops out of nowhere and hands me a letter from the vice chieftain. It said that some strange looking monster was spotted near the village, and he wanted me to head to the village and help them get rid of it".

"Then what happened?" asked Lloyd.

"Well" continued Sheena, "We immediately came to the village to help, but it was already to late when we got here. The village had been ravaged. We searched the immediate area, looking up and down the river. That's how we came to find the villagers camping out up here. They claim that this place, is the only location that the monsters that attacked, wont barge into".

Sheena began leading them to a tent as she continued her story.

"Zelos and I went in search of the monsters, to try and stop them. We found them, near the outskirts of the village. There were hundreds of them, but one of them stood out. It was bigger then the rest, and the most hideous thing I've ever seen. We tried to attack it, but the other monsters captured us. They held us down, and pulled out some kind of liquid. They poured it into Zelos' mouth first. At first glance, he seemed fine. While they were forcing him to drink, I managed to break free. I knocked away the monsters and grabbed Zelos, then we came back here, and we've been here ever since".

"And Zelos?" asked Regal again.

Sheena pulled aside part of a tent. Inside, was Zelos. He was lying down, wrapped in a blanket, with water by his side. He looked like he was turning a shade of dark purple, and he wasn't moving.

"The poison?" asked Kratos.

"Yes" replied Sheena with a slight sob, "I have no idea how to cure it, I'm so worried".

"Well" started Lloyd, unsheathing his sword, "the best way to solve a problem-".

"-Is to go to the source" completed Genis.

"Exactly" said Lloyd, "so let's go find these monsters, and save Zelos. I'm pretty sure we can handle them if we work together".

"Thanks everyone" said Sheena.

"What are friends for?" replied Persea, and they all left the village to find the creatures.

Later………

The team walked through the fields that surrounded Mizuho. It was dark outside, and the landscape had an ominous look to it. Suddenly, the heard loud growling sounds, and before they new it, an army of skeleton-like creatures were upon them.

The team took out their weapons, and prepared for a fierce battle. The skeletons charged, and it seemed as though a war had broken out. A skeleton swung it's boney hand at Raine, but she quickly dodged and broke it's rib cage with her staff. Another skeleton charged straight for Collette, but she flew up into the air, tossed her rings, and took out 2 skeletons for the price of one.

"Genis!" called Persea, "Let's combine our attacks".

"Right" replied Genis.

"Eruption" called Genis.

"Beast" shouted Persea.

"Follow it up" they both called, "Erupting Beast". A large explosion destroyed a large number of skeletons, but the fight was still far from over. Lloyd and Kratos were fighting back to back. They swung their blades in full synchronous. Sheena stopped fighting for a moment, and put her hands together.

"By the power of the pact" chanted Sheena, "I summon the inferno of power. Arise, I summon you Efreet". Just then, the spirit of fire, Efreet, arose from nowhere, and spread his flames all across the field. Almost all of the skeletons had been defeated now. However, there was no cause for celebration just yet. A loud rumbling was suddenly heard, and out of a thicket of trees, cam a skeleton, the size of Gnome, the spirit of earth.

"That's it" called Sheena, "that's the leader".

"Then let's take him out" replied Lloyd, and they all charged for the leader. The leader picked up a large, nearby rock, and threw it at the team. They quickly dodged, and made their attack.

"Let's finish this guy off fast Collette" said Lloyd.

"You got it" said Collette.

"Super Sonic Thrust" shouted Lloyd.

"Angel Feathers" shouted Collette.

"Follow it up" they both called, "Super Sonic Feathers". Feathers that were moving at the speed of light, flew through the air, and right through the monsters entire body. The monster froze in his tracks, and then exploded into a pile of smoldering ash.

"We did it" shouted Genis, and he and Persea shared a hug.

"Yeah" said Sheena, and she ran off in the direction of the encampment.

"Where are you going?" asked Lloyd.

"To see my husband" replied Sheena, and she continued running until she was out of sight.

"Wait for us" called Collette, and she and the others chased after Sheena. Kratos however, stayed behind. He went over to the remains of the leader, and examined them.

"Just as I though" said Kratos, as he lifted something out of the ashes, "the same jewel shards, again". He put them into his pocket, and then took off after the others, a concerned look on his face.

End chapter 7

CW- well, how did you like my present?

Sheena- I have to say, that was pretty well written.

Lloyd- my story will be better.

CW- whatever you say Lloyd.

CW's mom-hey, we need more eggnog, can you run to the store please?

CW- sure mom

CW- well, I have to run to the store, but you're welcome to stay for the party. One last thing.

Q- are we allowed to post links in our fics? If so, then please, when you review, if you have a link to some music that you think would be good for the final battle theme. I'll review them, and when I post chapter 15, I will post the best music link with the fic.

CW- well, I'm off to the store. I'll see you all in January. Happy holidays

Guests- please review