A/N: Phew... Almost 4000 words... That's pretty insane for me... Anyway I'll let you get on with the show!

The group was up early the next day, thinking it was best to get away from Flanoir as soon as possible and most of them unable to sleep very much anyway. Lloyd tried hard to act as if he was unaffected by yesterday's events but even Presea could tell it was still bothering him. He had lost his usual enthusiasm for even the simplest things and seemed to be staring at random things a lot.

They mounted their Rheiards and took off in the direction of Meltokio, travelling slower than usual due to the extra weight on Presea's Rheiard. Sheena felt awkward holding onto Presea the whole time and she was sure that Lloyd had caught her staring at him at least a dozen times before they reached their destination. She would have to remind the Sybak scholars to change their definition of red to "Sheena Fujibayashi's face"...

They arrived in Meltokio before noon, landing just outside the gates before venturing inside the city walls. If it had been busy before the two worlds had joined then it was bordering on chaotic now. Huge waves of people washed through the streets carrying handfuls of bags, the girls' full of the latest fashions and the most gorgeous jewels and accessories, and the boys' full of the latest weapons, armours and potions that claimed to make you 10 times stronger. And occasionally the other way around.

It took them at least twenty minutes to navigate through the endless sea of giggling young girls and cocky self-proclaimed warriors to the richer sector of Meltokio. With less shops around the streets weren't quite as packed but getting from A to B was still hard work.

"Ugh… I feel like all my bones are crushed," Sheena groaned when they finally arrived at Zelos' front door. Lloyd walked up to it and knocked a few times… Nothing. He tried again. After a while the door was opened to reveal an unfamiliar face.

"Err… Zelos home?" Lloyd asked, looking slightly confused.

"I'm afraid he no longer lives here. He moved out a few weeks ago in fact. I believe he lives in a rather new house round that corner over there," he answered, pointing to an alley behind several more crowds of people.

"Uuuugh… Err… Thanks," he replied. "Come on then."

"Why would Zelos move house?" Presea asked as they once again attempted to cut through the endless reams of people.

"His old one probably wasn't big and obnoxious enough," Sheena laughed. "He must need at least a hundred rooms he doesn't use."

"Err…" Lloyd stopped suddenly as they rounded the corner.

"What the-"

"There must be some kind of mistake…"

"What?" Presea asked, her face a mask of spectacular befuddlement.

"It's… Well… It's just so… Small," Sheena finally managed to say. "Well not particularly small I suppose but… Compared to his old one it's like a cottage!"

The house was the only one on the small back street of the sector. It even looked like a cottage, plain wooden walls and decorations that simply didn't look like they belonged in this usually over-extravagant part of the city. There wasn't a bit of gold in sight.

As they approached the house Lloyd moved forward to lean on the door with one hand. It was thrown open just before he touched it, causing him to reach straight past and fall flat on his face.

"Nah I already tried the floor. Tastes horrible," Zelos chuckled. "Now the beds! Man you gotta try those!... What?" He suddenly looked behind him after noticing Regal and Sheena's faces. "Well yeah o.k it's cool but it's not THAT good. Just a house."

"Whrff moommf hffm?" murmured Lloyd from the floor.

"Huh?"

"I said why did you move house?"

"Sounded to me like you said 'Whrff moommf hffm'"

"Exactly!"

"Err… Ooookaaaay then… Well ya know. I thought hey I'm not even using half these rooms. Thought I'd try out something a little more cosy. Isn't it great? Perfect place for you to show off your voluptuous body Sheena ♥ ," he winked.

"Haven't changed a bit then I see," Sheena sighed. She slowly moved behind Lloyd. Just in case…

"PreSEA! Aaaw well aren't you just as cute as a button!" he squealed, squeezing her hard enough to break any normal person's bones.

"Are buttons cute?" she managed to gasp.

"Err… Well no I guess they aren't…"

There was a long and awkward silence…

"Come in! I'll show you around the place!" Zelos yelled cheerily.

"Err… Well actually we kinda came here for a reason…" Lloyd replied.

"You mean other than seeing my beautiful face?" he exclaimed, looking genuinely shocked.

"Ugh… My Rheiard got trashed by… Well… We'll explain that in a bit. One of the wings has been completely broken off," she said, handing him her wing pack.

"Weeeeell I must admit I'm no blacksmith but… I do know one who owes me a favour. I'll just get him to weld it back on. Shouldn't be too hard." A servant seemed to appear from nowhere and took the wing pack from Sheena. "Ask him to make it quick will ya?" Zelos added.

"Plus… I'd pay to not see your face." Sheena shot back.

"You're so mean to me," he replied, giving her the hugest, saddest puppy-dog eyes he could muster.

"How many times do I have to tell you that doesn't work on me?" she sighed. "Besides I'm sure one of your brainless 'hunnies' would much rather have you groping them."

"I do not grope! I either feel or fondle... There's a big difference!"

"Yeah... Right... Where are they anyway? I'd expect to have been trampled by a huge crowd of them by now," She added, looking around.

"I'm afraid if you came here looking for girls to play with you're fresh out of luck Sheena," Zelos replied with a complimentary wink. "There's only one girl for me at the moment."

All but Zelos burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter. When Lloyd could finally breathe again he managed to say "Good one Zelos," clapping his hand onto his shoulder, mainly to help him stand up straight. "But seriously, where are they?"

"I was being serious! You lot just have absolutely no faith in me do you?" he asked, giving them another face that could shatter the hearts of even the most battle-hardened warriors. If they hadn't seen it every two seconds in the past year that is. "Hunny! ♥" Zelos called. "We have visitors!"

A little head popped out from a door down a hallway behind Zelos. None of them could believe their eyes.

"LLOYD!" squealed Collette, running straight towards him at breakneck speed. She saw Sheena standing next to Lloyd, began to slow down, and tripped on a rug that was in the middle of the floor. She was up again instantly with an insanely huge smile on her face. "Whoops... I guess I'm still a bit of a klutz," she giggled. She glanced at Lloyd but turned away blushing. Sheena took a step closer to him.

"You know it's quite rude to keep your mouths hanging open like that," Zelos said, grabbing Collette by the waist and giving her a big hug.

"Hi everyone! It's so good to see you all!" Collette said waving happily at them all.

"But! But- But... You do realise this is Zelos right? I mean... Did you hit your head when you fell or something?" Sheena asked, completely astonished.

"Aaaaw you guys are so mean to him... He's sweet really," she replied hugging him again.

"See? She realises it! You're all just crazy!" Zelos cried.

"Right... We're the crazy ones... No doubt you've already corrupted her mind. Probably de-flowered her too," Sheena said, shuddering at the thought.

"Huh? De-flowered?"

"Nah she wanted to wait until after we get married" Zelos replied and winked again.

"What? ... OH! Oh... Umm... Yes..." Collette's face now outmatched even Sheena's for absolute scarlet.

"WHAT!" Sheena and Lloyd both cried.

"You're getting married?... O.k... where the hell is the real Zelos? I think we may have another shape-shifter or whatever here..." Sheena said, taking out her cards.

"See what I mean? They just hate me! Besides you lot are acting as if it's strange for me to like Collette! Don't you think she's cute?" he asked rubbing his head on hers. "Not as cute as little Presea here of course, but still pretty cute ♥. Wouldn't want Presea to get jealous of you now would I? How old are you now by the way Presea? Can't be long 'till you're legal." He winked again, before adding "I was kidding!" to Collette, who looked like she'd been slapped.

"I'm t-... Thirteen..." she mumbled.

"What? You didn't tell me you'd had a birthday." Regal replied, looking slightly insulted. When was it?"

"Umm... Last week... I didn't tell you because I... I didn't want any fuss."

"I wouldn't have made a big deal of it if you hadn't wanted me to..."

"Aaaw how sweet! My little Presea's officially a teenager! This calls for a celebration!" screamed Zelos, clapping his hands together.

"But Zelos I-" Presea started but was cut off as the cogs in Zelos' head slowly began to spring to life.

"I won't take no for an answer! This'll be a great opportunity for our first party in the new house."

"Zelos. No."

"I'm not taking it!"

"Come on Zelos we don't really have time to stay for a party," Lloyd offered.

"Nonsense! We'll have it today. Trust me, when Zelos Wilder has a party word spreads fast! I'll go make all the preparations." And with that he was off, disappearing into the depths of the house and laughing hysterically.

"... What the hell just happened here?" Sheena asked.

"It seems Zelos and Collette are getting married, and Zelos has now decided to hold a birthday party for me," answered Presea immediately.

"You know I wasn't literally asking... We didn't even get a chance to tell him about Kratos..."

"Kratos? When did Kratos get back?" Collette cried, looking overjoyed.

"He didn't... It wasn't him, I know it!" yelled Lloyd. "Those eyes weren't his..."

"Umm... What's going on?" asked Collette, worry slowly creeping onto her usually cheery face.

"Maybe we should get Zelos back here first..."

"We won't see him for hours... He always just disappears when he's planning something. I'd love to know where he goes..."

"O.k then... Well, where to start..."

Sheena started at their unexpected detour into Gaoracchia forest, leaving nothing out until they had reached Meltokio, before Regal took over to tell his part. She had of course been careful to make sure she accentuated the fact that her and Lloyd were together the whole time.

"It can't be him…" said Collette when the tale was done. "I know he attacked us in the past but… It's different now! There's no way it could be him!"

"She's right in a way… Cruxis no longer exists, or the Desians. He has no one to take orders from," Regal agreed. "However, at the same time, who else could want Lloyd dead? Or any of us for that matter? Anyone able to summon a shape-shifting demon would have to be powerful, or at least have a small army of workers at their disposal to help…"

"Yuan perhaps? As far as we know he still has his Renegades," suggested Sheena.

"Hmm… I think it's unlikely, but at this time we can't rule out any possibilities."

"Well… You could all use a bit of relaxation right?" Collette smiled, instantly cheery again. "Maybe this party isn't such a bad idea huh? Anyway… I think I'm gonna go get ready. I'll see you all later!" She hurried away down the corridor and, from the sound if it, up a flight of stairs. And onto the floor again…

"Good to see some things are still normal around here," laughed Sheena.

"Err… Does anyone actually have anything to wear?" Lloyd asked.

"Now that you mention it… I don't have anything other than what I'm wearing…"

"I'm gonna go take a look around the shops… See you guys later." said Lloyd as he slipped through the door into Meltokio's streets.

"Sounds like a good idea… You guys coming?"

"I have a house in Meltokio. I may pick something up from there," replied Regal.

"O.k. Well I'll see you two later then."

Sheena's head rested on her arms, crossed on the banister of the balcony. Why did I get this stupid dress… It's so embarrassing…Not like Lloyd's gonna be impressed anyway.

She wore a long lavender dress of fine silk, shimmering softly in the moonlight. The shoulders were bare, and the sleeves ran down the length of her arms to hang at her wrists. It was tightly fitted, showing off her curvy figure and draping elegantly around her legs, thankfully covering her dark coloured boots. She hadn't had enough money to buy any shoes, and probably wouldn't have bought any if she did.

So much for a party… She thought. It's just a bunch of Zelos' friends getting drunk. And they're probably just as perverted as he is… She let out a long sigh. I can't go down there…

"Oh…"

"Huh? Oh, Lloyd. Err… Hi," Sheena spluttered nervously.

"Sorry I didn't realise you…"

"No it's fine… You can stay here… I- if you want…"

"Thanks," he smiled. "I'm not really a big fan of these 'parties' either." He came and leant on the edge of the balcony next to her.

"Couldn't find anything to wear?" Sheena asked, noticing Lloyd's usual red outfit.

"Err… Yeah. Everything's the same. It's all just boring suits everywhere."

"Aaww I bet you'd look really cute in one of those suits," laughed Sheena, instantly wishing she hadn't and turning her head so Lloyd couldn't see her face rapidly turning pink.

"Heh. Thanks. You err… You look great in that," he replied smiling.

"I- Uh-" She coughed. "I err… Thanks… Was what I meant to say…"

They stood there in silence for a while, looking at the sky.

"I hate how you can't see the stars as well in Meltokio," Lloyd said suddenly. "All the light…"

"Yeah… They're… Nice," she replied. Oh come on… What the hell was that?

More silence…

Damnit. This is ridiculous. I've got the perfect opportunity and I'm just gonna waste it. Come on! You're not scared of anything Sheena. Especially not Lloyd… If you don't do it now you'll never do it…

"Lloyd…"

"Mmm?"

"I-…"

She took a deep breath.

"Soooo, what're you two lil' love birds doin' up here-huh?"

Mother FUCKER!

More silence…

Lloyd and Sheena both turned around to see Zelos standing there, a huge grin on his face and a bottle in his hand. "I… Didn't say that out loud did I?" Sheena asked hesitantly.

"Say what?"

"Err… Nothing. Never mind."

"Don't you two be using my personal balcony for anything naughty," Zelos said with yet another wink, desperately trying to point somewhere in their general direction and failing miserably. Sheena had to admit he must have pretty good balance considering the fact that he wasn't on the floor yet.

"Exactly how much have you had to drink?" she sighed.

"Not much... I think... I don' reallyy-ike alco- alco... hol," replied Zelos, trying to take a swig of a strange green-ish substance which ended up mostly down his shirt. "Maaaan you guys are sooooo booriiiiiiing! Come on, I'm taking you downstairs!" He grabbed Sheena's wrist and began to drag her away down to the depths of the party below. She turned around, giving Lloyd a glance that screamed 'Save me!' before she was out of sight.

By the time Lloyd got downstairs Zelos was on the floor with Sheena's boot on his back. Regal was deep in conversation with a handful of nobles, no doubt talking about the most boring subject they could think of, while Presea was standing in a corner and appeared to be fascinated by the wallpaper. Collette was standing not far from Zelos, glaring at a large group of girls who looked like they might pounce on Zelos at any time if she didn't maintain the most threatening expression possible.

"I didn't think you'd need me," laughed Lloyd. "Thought I might come down just in case."

"My hero," she smiled, giving Zelos a quick kick in the ribs.

"Some people just have no respect! Trying to beat me up in my own home!" cried Zelos, getting up from the floor and waving his arms around frantically.

"What do you mean trying?"

"... Shut up..."

Suddenly the front doors were flung open, banging loudly against the walls and causing Zelos to shriek loudly and jump into the arms of Sheena, who promptly dropped him.

"Zelos Wilder!" came a stern, yet feminine voice from the doorway.

"Oh crap... I'm not he- ... Hang on a minute... Is that? Oh my gawd it's Raine!" squealed Zelos. He got up from the floor and ran towards her, opening his arms wide to hug her and leaning his face forward, ready to give her a big wet kiss. She slapped him hard round the face before he even got close, sending him to the floor.

"I don't remember saying you could touch me..." she sighed.

"Oww... That hurt," mumbled Zelos, his eyes big and watery, staring up at Raine. "What is it with you people and putting me on the floor? Do I have a sign saying 'knock me over' stuck to my head or something?"

"You're just more useful that way. We need somewhere to wipe our shoes," laughed Sheena from across the room.

"That really hurt me Sheena. On the inside... So what brings you to my humble abode huh Raine? Just couldn't get enough of me huh? You missed me didn't you?"

"I missed you as much as I miss chewing on razor blades... We just happened to arrive in Meltokio this morning. Coming here wasn't my idea anyway, it was his," said Raine, pointing to Genis who had just walked through the door.

"Why weren't we invited to your party?" he cried.

"How was I supposed to know you were in town?" Zelos replied shrugging his shoulders. "Besides I wouldn't have invited you anyway... Midget," he added, pressing down on Genis' head.

"I'm a perfectly normal height for someone my age damnit!"

"What, six?" he cackled.

"Don't make me hurt you!"

"Ooooooh... I'm reeeeeally scared"

"Fireball!"

Zelos let out a high pitched squeak and jumped behind Raine, suddenly realising a few seconds later that Genis hadn't actually used any magic and coughing nervously. "I was just kidding..." he murmured.

"Genis! Buddy!" called Lloyd as he ran over to greet them.

"Lloyd! How've you been?"

"Err... Well... Not too bad I guess. How about you?"

"Well it's pretty tiring travelling around all the time, especially since she refuses to use the Rheiards... Says it'll be good for me to get some exercise." He leant closer to Lloyd to whisper in his ear. "I'm telling you... She's crazy... I swear she's gonna end up killing me one of these days!"

"What was that Genis?"

"I- Err... Nothing... I was just telling him how a lot of people still won't accept half-elves as people..." he smiled nervously.

Raine let out a deep sigh. "He's right though... It's not quite as bad with the people from Sylverant, but the Tethe'allans don't seem to be accepting it in the slightest."

"Don't you worry! If anyone gives you any trouble you just call on me any time, and we'll see who's laughing then!" Zelos managed to slur together.

"Ugh... Right... Thanks..."

Collette, who had been too busy keeping an eye on the myriads of young girls just waiting for a slice of Zelos, came rushing over to greet Raine and Genis and in her haste managed to get her foot caught on a rug and trip in almost the exact same spot she had earlier.

"Oooww... Zelos we really need to get rid of that thing..." she mumbled from the floor.

Raine couldn't help but laugh briefly but soon recovered her cool indifferent appearance. "It's good to see you again Collette." she smiled.

"This is so great! All of us back together again! We all have so much to catch up on!" Collette cried, seemingly about to explode with excitement.

But instead it was the lights around the house that exploded. Glass shattered, sending fragments spinning through the air and the candles were blown out as a chilling gust of air blew through the entirety of the house. Suddenly a window shattered as a harsh contrast of bright white skin and black wings burst through it. The moonlight made his face seem all the more ghostly, and the only colour that could be seen anywhere on him were his bright green eyes. He walked up to the group that had formed around the door, drawing a large obsidian sword from his back and pointing it at Lloyd.

Men and women rapidly flowed through any exit they could find, until the only ones left inside the house were the eight heroes, each of them with weapons drawn, including Sheena who had her cards hidden beneath her dress, just in case.

"Drop your weapons, all of you." the stranger said, a wry grin on his face.

"Drop our weapons? Who the hell are you?" shouted Lloyd, raising his sword in defiance.

"Who are you to ask for my name?"

"I- ... Hang on... Damnit! That's what I'm supposed to say!"

"I'll say it one more time. Drop your weapons or I'll have to use force to take them."

"You and what army?" cried Sheena mockingly.

"Well... I suppose since you asked..." He clicked his fingers loudly and the group felt another cold gust of wind. At least a dozen black and white shapes appeared on the floor immediately, before appearing to drip upwards and form themselves into more wraithlike white faces, with black feathery wings outstretched behind them, and pointing swords at their faces. They were surrounded.

"I just had to ask didn't I?" Sheena sighed.

"Don't you guys worry, I'll handle this," mumbled Zelos as he stumbled towards the obvious leader of this group of demonic looking angels. "Look buddy. We're kinda in the middle of a party here and I don't believe you were invited. Maybe next time O.k? Now can you get out of my house?"

The man simply laughed. His expression soon turned deadly serious however, and he hit Zelos with the hilt of his sword, knocking him out instantly. Lloyd rushed at the man immediately, trying desperately to slash at him, but his attacks were knocked away without any serious protest. Genis and Raine's spells were interrupted almost as quickly as they were started and they were soon lying in heaps on the floor leaving only five of them to defeat more than ten opponents.

"Ugh... I can't fight in this dress!" screamed Sheena as she slashed aimlessly with her cards, unable to hit anything, simply trying to block any attacks that came her way. She heard Collette scream behind her and turned around, only to be hit in the back of the head. She fell to the floor, her vision blurring before her. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Lloyd's sword knocked away from him and tried to cry out as she saw the dark seraphim's blade run through his shoulder.

Lloyd!...

Her voice couldn't escape her throat however, and her body gave way onto the floor as her vision went completely black.

A/N: If the hours and hours worth of dialogue in this chapter made you cry (Like it did me) I'm sorry... I tried to stop it but it just wouldn't die. Anyway I'm glad I finally got this chapter done. Had some trouble submitting it for some reason but all is well. Comment away!