Okay guys, I finally found the time to type this.

It's finally time, Chapter 9 of SilverFeather!

-Applause is heard- Thank you, thank -you sound of knives and pitchforks being put away, unhappy grumbles-

No really, thanks for not killing me. I haven't been able to use MS word so this hasn't gotten up.

9 down, 1 to go, that's 9 down 1 to go, Yeah!

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

Dedication: My normal editors Mr. Eck and Shallan and of course Selene for her endless patience while I bounced stupid idea after stupid idea off her for the sequel for about a good 45 minutes.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Yes, you are not human." Came a child like, innocent voice. Lloyd did not have to look up to see whom it belonged to. The owner was anything but a child, the innocence anything but true. "Perhaps you understand now."

"What are you getting at Mithos," said Lloyd from his position on the ground. He sounded defeated.

"Do you understand my hatred? Why I am doing this? The humans hated us for being different! Humans hate anything that is different! All I wanted was to be accepted, for all of us to be accepted. This is the only way! I'll eliminate all those differences!" Mithos ranted. He was pacing back and forth now Lloyd raised his eyes to watch the seraphim.

"The path you wish to take is foolish! As long as different bloods exist, as long as different ideals, thoughts and opinions, species, and cultures exist society will never accept those who are different! Surely you, who are so unique you don't even have others of your own kind to turn to, must have experienced this." Lloyd thought back to his childhood in Iselia.

"I tried to change things. Tried to do it your way. Even after I passed into legend as a hero, nothing changed. I became an angel, the ultimate being and still NOTHING changed!" Mithos was really getting into his stride now. He turned to face Lloyd.

"My world will have none of that. It will eliminate all hatred and discrimination. Everyone will be accepted because there will be no differences. We will all be the same."

"And then what." Whispered Lloyd, "What happens then?"

"My sister will tell me. Once she gets here, Martel will decide what's best. Martel loved and accepted me as I was, when no one else would. It is her dream, the world I'm building. A world just for us, a world for my sister and me."

"Mithos… what you hope for is nothing but a dream."

"Then I will make it a reality!" he yelled childishly. Mithos paused to compose himself. "You can help me. I'll forgive you for all you've done. For foolishly rebelling against me, taking Kratos and Yuan away from me, trying to take my sister away. For destroying my armies one by one and tearing down the world I've built with my blood, sweat, tears, hopes and dreams. I'll forgive all of that, Martel would. And you can have a place by my side. You can rule with me." He reached towards Lloyd, "Think about it. You would be accepted for what you are. You wouldn't have to hide anymore."

Lloyd stared at the outstretched hand and the person behind it. For one blissful moment, he actually considered Mithos' request. He looked at the boy's hopeful gaze and came to a startling conclusion. He was talking to a child, albeit a four millennia old, slightly insane and grieving child, but a child nonetheless. Mithos mind couldn't move on, wouldn't mature. He was frozen in time unable to age, unable to change for an eternity. Forever grieving and lamenting the loss of the only person he believed could love him. Lloyd made his decision.

"No."

"What!" Mithos' face contorted in rage, "I offer you eternity, the world on a silver platter and still you would deny me! Surely you can see the truth in my words, you who Kratos said was most like me!"

Lloyd briefly wondered if Mithos had been stalking him as he stood and turned to face the boy.

"That is not acceptance, that is not life. That is simply existence. Things change, have to change, because change is the only constant in life. Perhaps I will never be accept for what I am but I will not condemn the world for it."

He looked at Mithos sadly.

"Everyone deserves a second chance and as similar as we are…"

Lloyd paused to consider the impact of his next words.

"I am not you."

He turned his back on the spectre and walked off to find his friends.

"And so you turn your back on the only one willing to accept you." Came the voice of the spectre.

"No. I turn my back on an empty life."

The room was quiet. Lloyd sighed. A silver feather floated down in front of him. It glowed palely in the mock light of the holy city of Welgaia.

"A feather… a symbol of my difference and uncertainty." He muttered to himself. He pocketed the feather and once again raced off into the city to find his friends.

Owari.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

First attempted at writing Mithos. Let me know what you think.