AN: Friends, enemies, and people I have yet to categorize, you know who you are. At least I hope you know who you are 'cause not knowing your name would be slightly embarrassing. More to the point now, I'm back, you're reading, and hopefully planning on reviewing. Speaking of which, it's time for acknowledgements to all people who felt like being nice and reviewing.

D.D.Z.: Thanks for enjoying, and putting this story on your favorites list. And as for your question, you'll just have to wait and see. Be patient.

Draco Blade: You are now officially the only person who has reviewed all of my chapters, congratulations! Always happy to see that my work is appreciated.

Fan Fan Girl: Glad you like it. Regal's reasons will be revealed soon enough. And it's wasn't so much "love at first sight" as it was "infatuation at first sight." The things they notice about each other are going to be the catalysts in their relationship. I hope at least.

Slintjr: Thanks for the review. It's a great feeling, knowing people like this story, and I'm the evil genius behind it… did I say evil? I meant to say nice genius… I'm not evil. Stop looking at me like I'm evil! I have henchmen you know, and they know how to dance terribly… yeah, they are pretty lame. As for your questions, just keep reading and you will know all.

Okay that is taken care of. Now one final thing before you start reading. I know it's always one more thing with me, ain't it? You people know Draco Blade right? In case you don't he is the author of great stories like "Together Forever," and "Heart of Darkness." But to get to the point, he has a story in the ToS section called "Lousy Imposters!" and it hasn't been read or reviewed by many people. This just isn't right. He's a great author and this story is really good. It's basically about what happens to the Fake Chosen Group from ToS, after the game has ended. If this is of any interest to you, you should go check it out as soon as you can. I have read this fic and it is definitely worth your time. Jeez, I almost sound like some really crappy furniture salesman. I now fear myself.

Oh well, enough of the thank yous and publicity for now. On to the real reason you're here.

Disclaimer: I've played it, I'm on the verge of mastering it, but I still own nothing of it. Yeah, I'm talking about Tales of Symphonia.

Ch.4 The Past

Running. That is all that existed for them. Running as fast as they could. Their lives depended on it. They had been running for almost two full hours, and it was nearly dawn.

Suddenly, Lloyd collapsed.

"Hey," came the voice of the young boy. "Are you alright?"

"Hungry," was all he could manage.

"We can't stay here long," said the silver haired woman. "But all the same, we can probably spare enough time to have a quick breakfast." She went for her pack and pulled out some rolls, and passed them around. "While we are stopping we should introduce ourselves. I'm Raine Sage."

"My name is Sheena Fujibayashi," said the beautiful woman.

"I'm Colette Brunel," chimed in the blond haired girl with the strange eyes.

"I'm called Genis Sage," said the small boy. "Raines my older sister.

"I've already introduced myself," explained Zelos when he didn't add in his name.

"My name is Regal Bryant," Regal started for the former slaves.

"Presea Combatir," Presea spoke, without emotion.

"And I'm Lloyd Aurion," said Lloyd finally. "And I've gotta get going. It's a long walk back to the ranch. And the sooner I get back, the sooner I can kill Forcystus.

"You don't mean Forcystus, the leader of the Five Grand Cardinals do you?" asked Sheena, trying to understand what Lloyd meant to accomplish with such a foolish idea.

"I don't care about his status," Lloyd said angrily. "I just want to go back there and get my swords back, and while I'm at it, I'll take revenge for my time as a slave."

"If you want to kill Forcystus you may as well take on the entire Desian Empire," Raine said analytically. "One person can't do such things alone."

"Then, I'll just die trying," Lloyd said, without hesitation. "It's better than living as a slave, or in constant shame."

"Now you're just being stupid!" Genis remarked. "If you're just going to get yourself killed than you should just let me fry you right now." At this, Raine hit him over the head swiftly enough that Lloyd hadn't seen it coming. "Ouuch! It's true you know. One guy without so much as a knife won't even get through the front gate, much less kill an army."

"He's right you know," said Sheena, an idea forming. "Your best option right now is actually to come along with us to Meltokio, the capital city of Tethe'alla. Once there you can probably get an audience with the king. If you're lucky and persuasive, you might be able to talk him into lending you some soldiers. We're at war with the R.O.F. but we should have enough reserves to give you a start."

"I agree," said Regal seeing the obvious sense in the plan. "If you do that, I would like to join you. I have my own reasons to go back there. And I can help you persuade the king. He and I are old friends you see, and he has always listened to me."

"I will go too" said Presea. "There is at least a 30 raise in the odds of success if we follow this course of action."

"If the duke is going than we'd probably be assigned to continue protecting him," Zelos said, knowing how political minds worked.

"Okay, okay," Lloyd conceded. "I'll go with you. But if this doesn't work then I'll go back to the ranch, and go with my old plan."

"Fair enough," said Zelos.

"We had better get going," said Sheena. "We don't want to get caught just after breaking you guys out."

…That Night…

Lloyd couldn't sleep. He decided to go out and sit outside. When he got there he saw Sheena, sitting by the fire. He went over and sat down.

"Why are you up this late?" he asked.

"I'm night watch," she explained. "I was planning on waking someone else to take over, but since you're up would you mind?"

Lloyd smiled. "Sure thing, I probably won't get much sleep tonight anyways. I can't get over the thought that I don't have to get up for quarry duty anymore."

"Yeah, you just need to get ready to walk until your feet are sore," Sheena joked. She had to admit it to herself, give him some nourishment and a change of clothes and Lloyd might look kinda cute. But there was still that strange look in his eyes. That light of perseverance and strength. What had caused that look? "Do you mind if I ask you something?"

"Sure go ahead," Lloyd responded.

"What did Forcystus do to you that makes you want to kill him?"

Lloyd's face softened, he almost looked sad. "That's a story that goes back a few years," he began. "I don't remember everything, my head's taken a few hard hits, but when I was a kid, I don't think I had any friends. Well none but my father. We would do pretty much everything together. We went fishing, camping, I think he even taught me to hunt. He also taught me swordsmanship. He taught me to survive. He was my best friend."

"Was?" Sheena questioned. "Was he killed?"

"I don't know," Lloyd said. "But I know he left..."

…Flashback: Four years ago…

"Wake up Lloyd," came a voice. "Wake up or no breakfast!"

Lloyd awoke instantly. "'Morning Dad!" he said sleepily. "What's for breakfast?"

"That is for you to decide," Kratos Aurion said with a hint of sorrow.

"What do you mean?" Lloyd asked, confusion writing itself across his face.

"Happy Birthday Lloyd," he replied, handing his son a long box.

Lloyd was never good with remembering dates, and this was no exception. Quickly opening the box Lloyd found two swords within. One sword, he recognized as his father's sword, Flamberge. But the other sword was completely new to him. It had a silver hilt covered in sapphires, and the blade was an icy blue.

"I hope you like them," Kratos said. "I commissioned Dirk to make the new sword. I know you've always been the kind to fight with two swords."

"I love them," Lloyd assured his father. "But why are you also giving me your sword?"

"Lloyd," Kratos started, a great pit forming in his heart. "I'm leaving. I'm going to find the Renegades. They are a small army that is planning on fighting the Desians. Now is my chance. I must go and avenge Anna.

"You can't come with me, so don't ask!" he continued, sternly. "If I were to loose you too, I would not be able to go on. Stay here, in Iselia. Continue to train. Become strong. Don't die Lloyd. Good-bye…"

And with that, Kratos left his son behind…

…End Flashback…

"For the next year I trained," Lloyd went on. "It wasn't simple technique I was working for. I think I was trying to learn some sort of ability. Everyday I ran for hours, lifted heavy rocks, then tried to crush them. I kept training and training for about a year, I think. But then…"

…Flashback: Three years ago…

Hack! Slash! The tree fell with one slash from each of the two swords. Nodding with satisfaction, Lloyd sheathed his blades.

"Not bad for a brat!" came a voice off to his side. Lloyd looked him over quickly. He was a half-elf. That was made obvious by the odd green color of his hair. No human had green hair. He wore red clothes and on his left arm, there was a strange golden hammer-like weapon. "But little kids shouldn't be playing with swords. Why don't you just hand them over, before you hurt yourself?"

At this, 30 fighters surrounded Lloyd. He wasn't impressed however. After all of his training he was confidant that he could handle 30 to 1 odds.

"The only one who will get hurt here is you if you keep making threats," he proclaimed, boldly.

"Alright then," the man chuckled. Then pointing to three of his men he ordered, "Attack!"

They formed a triangle around Lloyd and closed in slowly. Lloyd however, was not going to wait for them to start. He charged the first one, cleaving him in two neatly. The other two took the opportunity and rushed Lloyd from behind. Turning quickly he struck them with the flats of his blades. One man became an ice cube, and the other burst into flames.

"Well well now," said the leader. "You seem to have some skill to back-up those swords. But you still can't win."

"Prove it!" Lloyd challenged.

The man stepped forward, and the others filled in the circle.

"I am Lloyd Aurion!" he declared as per the terms of the duel.

"I am Forcystus!" the other man replied.

Lloyd charged in fast. Stopping just short of Forcystus, he jumped in the air, planning to finish this quick with a slash from behind. But just as he landed, Forcystus kicked him to the edge of the circle. Lloyd charged again. This time he crossed his swords over, and coming in with a double horizontal slash. Forcystus jumped back, and then came forward, punching Lloyd square in the gut. Lloyd quickly regained his footing and his breath, and for the third time charged. This time however, he faked a downward slash form the right, and instead threw the sword into the air. Forcystus followed the blade, unaware until the last moment that Lloyd had moved behind him. Lloyd performed an upward slash with the flaming sword in his left hand and Forcystus mostly dodged it.

"MY EYE!" he let out an agonized scream. "THAT DOES IT, NO MORE GAMES!" He then raised his hammer-arm and then…

…End Flashback…

"After that the next thing I remember is waking up with my hands in chains and this thing on my hand," Lloyd finished up his story. "And my swords on Forcystus's belt. So that's where it all stands. I've got to get back those swords, and I've got to finish my duel."

"Thanks for telling me, Lloyd," Sheena said. "I know how hard it can be to loose something important."

"May I ask what it was that you lost?" Lloyd asked.

"I never knew my parents," Sheena began. "But when I was a little girl I had this beautiful broach that had belonged to my mother. Or at least that's what I'm told. One night, while I was out sleeping under the stars, someone came to my house and stole it. When I got back, what hadn't been broken had been taken. The broach, and some food was all that was missing. If I ever find it, I swear I'll take it back.

"The sun will be up in a few hours, we should probably get some rest. Good night, Lloyd."

"Good night, Sheena."

As Sheena unraveled her sleeping mat she found herself unsatisfied. She had learned what was driving Lloyd on, but still… She wanted to know more. "What is it about him? Why do I want to know so much about him? Get a hold of yourself, Sheena! You can get your answers later." And with those thoughts still swirling about in her mind, Sheena went to sleep.

As Lloyd watched her sleep he thought to himself "Wow, she's beautiful, quick thinking, and kind! She is quite the woman… what the hell am I thinking this for? More time for this thought later. Then again, I've got nothing better to… do, but sleep…Okay, now I'm tired. But who to put in my place…

AN: Alrighty then, this chapter is officially over. But now before you go to review, I have one final thing to say. I have just decided to write a small sub-chapter on who Lloyd decides to wake up to finish night shift. I will post it as a one-shot story separate from this one. Since I get indecision way too easily I want you to decide for me. You can vote for anyone in the group except Sheena and obviously Lloyd. Just put your choice in with your review. And don't forget to read "Lousy Imposters!" See next time at Ch. 5: The Cottage, and also hopefully at the story that I shall call "Night Shift!" Laters!