And the chapter you've all been waiting for ;)

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

"Lloyd!"

Lloyd choked, gasping as he struggled to get to his feet, ignoring the searing burn of the cannon-fire on his back. He heard Forcystus behind him, crowing that he was a Grand Cardinal, that he wouldn't die so easily.

"So this is how the great Desian hero meets his end?" the old swordsman's voice hissed. "I'm disappointed."

"You-…I see…I wondered, but it makes sense-"

Lloyd lifted his head in time to see his father's blade swing toward Forcystus, only to get deflected by his cannon arm.

"Lord Yggdrasill trusted you, yet in the end you betray us! This is why humans can never be trusted!"

He heard another shot right before he felt someone pressing against him, using their body to shield his own. Lloyd choked and lifted his head, catching sight of Colette's face, scrunched with pain, the smell of her burnt clothing searing his nose.

"Colette-!"

He managed to roll out from under her, supporting her in his arms just as his father's sword impaled the Desian, who choked, falling back to the ground with a thud.

"Colette! Colette are you-? …W- what is…?"

She shivered, her eyes shut tight as he slowly turned hr so he could see where the cannon had hit her back. Lloyd's eyes widened dangerously, staring at the strange, blue scaly like surface that was spreading on her skin.

"D- Don't- don't look at me!" Colette cried, trying to push away from him.

"Lloyd," his father snapped. "You need to send the signal to Sheena, now."

"But- Colette is-"

"She won't die yet but if you don't send the signal this world will!" he snapped.

Lloyd's eyes went up to meet his, brown meeting russet, and for a moment Lloyd didn't think, just took in those eyes. Those…same…eyes…

"..Now do it," the man said, softer, but even more firm.

"I-…all right."

He set Colette down as gently but as quickly as he could, quickly scrambling for the device that Yuan had given him. As soon as that had happened however he quickly knelt by Colette again, supporting her into a sitting position.

"Are you all right, Colette?" he said, scanning her desperately. "You're going to be okay, all right-?"

An enormous sound akin to an explosion nearly knocked several people off their feet and Lloyd clung Colette closer to him, protectively as a bright blue light flashed on the horizon. Not seconds later something like a scream went through the air and- quite suddenly- the tree had disappeared from the horizon. Lloyd stared a moment and then back at Colette.

"Colette-"

The blonde flinched, struggling to get away from him again.

"D- Don't look! It's- it's disgusting- it's- stay away-!"

She struggled a bit then fell back, her eyes falling shut.

"C- Colette-!" Lloyd jerked.

"Relax; it seems she's just fainted…" Raine said, having drifted over. "We should get her and the captives somewhere where they can rest. …We should head to Iselia."

"I- Iselia? But Lloyd and I were banished," Genis said, fidgeting.

"Colette's home is in Iselia, and we can't just leave the captives here." Raine pointed out. "We need to take them somewhere safe."

"Yeah…let's...go to Iselia," Lloyd said, frowning as he scanned Colette.

The teen carefully picked Colette up, scanning the group, then his eyes falling on his father. They exchanged a long, silent look before Lloyd frowned, looking back at Colette.

"Once she's…resting, I- …you promised," he said quietly. "You promised that you'd explain everything. …Yuan knows you, Forcystus did too, he just said it, he just said that-"

His teeth grit to keep himself from shaking, forcing himself to take a deep breath.

"He said that Yggdrasill 'trusted' you."

He stood on the front porch, tapping his foot in some subconscious attempt to alleviate his tension. Any minute he'd come out here, he had said such, so they could go talk in private while the others stayed with Colette. The talk with Phaidra had been….unnerving, the way his father had spoken; there was no doubting it now. He knew too much about Cruxis to not have been…involved at some point, if not with Cruxis then with the Renegades. B- but- still, there could be another explanation, right? Sure he knew Yuan but…well if everyone was after his mother because she was an experiment, it made sense if his parents ran into the Renegades, right? But-…but…no, no he had to have been involved in Cruxis, Forcystus had confirmed that much.

With a quiet creak the door opened and Lloyd whipped his head around, feeling his throat tighten as his father stepped out. The man looked at him and then away, quiet. The sun was getting low, casting long shadows on the builds and trees, half-obscuring his father's face, from the side all that was visible was his eye and the silhouette of his profile-

Lloyd choked. Wait- no. No. He said he'd explain, so he'd explain, he would explain….

"Did you want to speak somewhere more private?" he said quietly, still not looking at him.

Lloyd's fingers curled at his sides but he nodded.

"Yes," he said. "…Come on, let's go."

The teen turned and walked off, knowing he was following. He made a beeline for the nearest exit, knowing that if he was spotted by someone in the village they'd most likely try to stop him, seeing as he was exiled. That wasn't something he wanted to deal with right now, he had …bigger things on his mind. So he went out of the north gate leading to the Martel temple, stepping out just far enough to be out of the village but close enough they could go back inside quickly should any monsters show up. Lloyd finally stopped, looking out from the cliff-face to see the sun settling down on the water.

"…You said you'd explain," he said quietly, swallowing as he slowly turned to meet the man's eyes. "So…explain."

His father finally looked at him, a sobering, misted look in his eyes, as if he was on the verge of- well, perhaps not tears, but…there was something to harrowing in that look. Regret, fear, self-loathing, tension, it was a lot like that look Kratos had given him at the tower-

Lloyd clenched his fists.

"W- Well?" he snapped, trying not to shake. "Say something! Yuan knows you! Forcystus said Yggdrasill knew you- trusted you! You just said all that about Cruxis and the tower and the tree and- you know all of this! You know all of this, how could you know? Tell me! What's going on? What are you hiding from me?"

"…I…" the man said softly, his eyes drifting down to the ground. "I-"

"What did Yuan mean about 'taking the name' Scott? Huh! Is it your name or isn't it? Why would you have a fake name? What's going-"

"Scott….was your mother's last name," he said quietly.

Lloyd flinched, frowning a bit.

"S- So you took her last name? …I don't get it, what's bad about that? Why would Yuan-?"

"You're not going to get any answers from him, Lloyd, why don't I explain for you?"

Lloyd flinched, whipping his head around to the trees just in time to get struck by a lightning spell.

"Lloyd-!"

His body jerked and stiffened, paralyzing him momentarily, just enough time for some Renegades to jump from the trees, grabbing his arms and putting a blade at his throat. Before either of them could react they were surrounded, Yuan walking out casually into their midst, his green eyes narrowed.

"Yuan!" his father snapped. "Let him go, he has nothing to do with-"

"Oh please, Kratos, we both know that's a complete lie," the half elf smirked, though his eyes narrowed coldly.

Lloyd choked.

"K- Kratos-? What are you- What are you talking about? He-"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," the man stated stiffly, eyes locked with Yuan, his fingers curled tightly around the hilt of his sword.

"Don't insult me, Kratos," Yuan huffed, crossing his arms. "If you had any of chance of keeping your identity a secret, you blew it as soon as you acknowledged knowing me earlier."

Kratos' teeth grit, glaring death the man as the half-elf simply strolled forward, eyebrow raised in amusement and curiosity.

"Though I do wonder how you managed to do this…the hair and attire can easily be altered after all, but your mana signature is definitely human, it's the same as before we became angels. That and- well obviously your skills have dulled as if you were an old human, normally you would've at least heard us coming."

Lloyd stared, his eyes wide, gaping at the man he had been calling his father. He still wouldn't look at him, his body clearly tensed, teeth gritted in anger.

"But he can't be…" he whispered, stunned.

"So how did you do it, Kratos? I wasn't aware of anything we had access to that could do something like this-"

"You're lying!" Lloyd shouted before he could even think it through. "He's not Kratos! He can't be- look at him! That-"

"Exactly. Look at him," Yuan said flatly, turning. "His facial structure hasn't changed that much, it's merely the facial hair and the lines that hide it. Honestly, his eyes and his voice haven't altered at all, how could you have not noticed that?"

Lloyd choked.

The eyes. How many times had he noticed the eyes? The voice- yes, he had noticed the voice to, he had mistaken that voice for Kratos'-

His heart sank in his chest.

It…was, Kratos' voice.

"No, no that's impossible," he said, shaking his head. "I- even if it was true, why? Why would Kratos go around trying to- why would Kratos go around pretending to be my Dad-?"

"Because he is your father," the Renegade answered flatly, meeting Lloyd's eyes. "Why else?"

If anything, that was even worse to hear.

"What are you talking about?" Lloyd tried to demand, but his voice came out a soft whisper.

"Now then, Kratos, you've left me a dilemma." Yuan turned back to Kratos, ignoring Lloyd. "I was going to …coerce, you into releasing Origin's seal, but given the state you're in now, I'm not sure if you can…"

"Take me then, let him go."

"Now is a little late to be trying to fill your failed role, Kratos," Yuan huffed. "Though it's obvious you don't realize that or you wouldn't have gone around in this pathetic charade anyway. You couldn't be his father as you were, so you had to take on a fake identity? Just think of what your dear Anna would think of that, no doubt she'd be disappointed. Pity, she had to end up with you, such an unfortunate woman."

He was right. He was a failure. Anna would be ashamed of him, of everything he'd done since he lost her, since he abandoned their son. His eyes flicked to Lloyd, who stared at him in horror, with wide brown eyes, so much like hers, portraying his shock and pain. NO matter what he did he always just caused his family pain, Yuan was right, he always hurt them, he never deserved them. Even here, with all he had done to try to get close to his son, all he had done was hurt him and now he couldn't even protect him. How could he? He would have a hard time in this situation in his true body, in this aching, slow form, how could he have a hope of saving his son?

"Don't mock my mom!" Lloyd shouted suddenly.

To his shock Lloyd managed to slip away from the grips of the guards holding him, unsheathing both swords and felling them behind him before charging right for Yuan. Kratos choked, eyes widening as Yuan swerved, electric mana charged in his hand, ready to sear right into Lloyd's chest. For a moment everything seemed to slow, the look on his son's face as he realized he was running right into danger, the electricity about to be released from Yuan's palm, all of it seemed slow suddenly, as if mocking him, mocking his inability to stop what was about to happen.

But..he had to, he had to stop it, he had to protect his son. He had to be strong enough to protect his son, it didn't matter now, if Lloyd hated him forever, what mattered was protecting him.

He had to protect him

Before he knew what was happening he had rushed forward, grabbing Yuan's wrist with his left hand and twisting it, yanking his arm upright so the electricity flew out of the half-elves hand into the sky. Yuan let out a shout of surprise as Kratos yanked him to the side, facing him, then proceeded to punch him squarely in the face. An audible crunch sounded as Yuan slipped out of his grip, jumping back, his hand quickly going to his face to exude healing mana to it.

"You-! The boy! Secure the boy!" he snapped at his men.

Kratos quickly turned toward his son, sword drawn in a flash, rushing by his son and slamming his sword into the chest of the Renegade that had been about to grab him. The half-elf let out a grunt of pain before Kratos tore the blade out.

"Wh-?" he heard Lloyd gasp, could almost see his expression of shock.

The Seraph turned and quickly grabbed Lloyd with his free arm, pulling him to his chest and turning just in time to block the oncoming blade of yet another Renegade, knocking him back before quickly casting an Air Thrust spell, successfully felling the Renegade and a couple others that had rushed to help their companion. Kratos swerved, keeping Lloyd half behind him as he swiped at another pair of oncoming troops before turning and stepping forward, between Lloyd and Yuan, sword drawn and at the ready.

It was about then he realized the purple gloves on his hands, the Cruxis crystal on the back of his left, and the Flamberge pulsating in his grip, radiating red and orange, as if matching the setting sun to their sides.

As luck would have it, it was about then when the rest of Lloyd's friends showed up.

"K- Kratos?" Genis gasped loudly.

"Yuan, what is the meaning of this?" Raine snapped, scanning the bodies and the trembling Lloyd.

"Hmph, I figured…" Zelos muttered, though no one seemed to catch it.

Yuan flinched and whipped his head around, cursing as he drew back with his remaining men.

"Fall back," he barked at his soldiers, quickly fleeing the scene.

"Hey, wait! What do you think you're-?" Sheena stared, but quickly cut off when she caught sight of Lloyd's face

Kratos noticed their attention had shifted from him to behind him, where he knew Lloyd was standing. His throat tightened and he slowly turned around, lowering his sword down to the tall grass. The expression on Lloyd's face felt like he'd been pierced in the heart. He had expected horror, disgust, anger, betrayal, and those things were present, very much so, but one thing he had somehow not anticipated to see was despair. It wasn't the same, as at the tower, when he had denial and betrayal quickly followed by anger. The look he was giving him was the look of one that wished dearly that they weren't seeing what they were, that what was happening wasn't real, that somehow it could all just be a nightmare.

"You…you…" the teen said, his voice barely a whisper, gritting his teeth as tears began to well up his eyes.

Oh gods, why couldn't he do anything right for his son?

"Lloyd," he spoke, his voice soft. "I..."

What could he say? What could he possibly say that could make this situation any better? There was nothing. Yuan was right; this entire charade had been pathetic. There was no way it could have worked, there was no way he could ever be his son's father again, in any way.

Not knowing what else to do, the Seraph stepped forward and immediately Lloyd stepped back. Kratos stopped, flinching a bit, then frowned, slowly looking away, staring into the grass that was tinted red with the setting sun and the droplets of shed blood.

"Why?"

The word came soft, but he heard it all too well. How could he answer that? What could he tell him? Nothing would justify it.

"Why?" Lloyd shouted. "Why did you- what was the point of that? Why did you do that? How- how could you! What did you have to gain from-….."

He cut off, silence fell, and Kratos merely stood there, waiting, waiting for the hateful words he deserved.

"Are you or aren't you? Who are you! Dammit who are you, really?" Lloyd shouted.

Kratos said nothing, numb, staring into the grass. He didn't even notice when Lloyd rushed forward and grabbed his shoulders roughly, causing the man to look up, meeting his sons eyes.

"Answer me you bastard!" Lloyd shouted, angry tears slipping down his cheeks. "Tell me! Tell me who you really are! "

"…Isn't it obvious?" he said quietly, his eyes glazed. "I'm who I told you I was at the tower, Kratos Aurion, one of the Seraphim of Cruxis-"

"I know that part, you bastard! What Yuan said! He said you were- well? Was any of that real? Or was Yuan just trying to mess with my head too, huh?" the teen demanded, gripping tighter. "Are you- are you my father or aren't you? Was that all just some sick lie or was it- less of a sick lie! Tell me- dammit, tell me!"

Kratos scanned his son's face, allowing the heart-break he felt to reach his eyes, though his expression remained blank, lifeless.

"Answer me!"

"Yes."

"Yes- yes what?" Lloyd snapped.

"I am," Kratos said quietly, his eyes downcast once more. "I am your father. I deceived you again, I did, I lied, but I-…I am your father."

Another second of deafening silence, then Lloyd's fist slammed into his face. He didn't stumble, didn't flinch, just let his face turn with the blow and stayed there, slowly lowering his head back down, his bangs covering his eyes.

Lloyd went to say something, but couldn't quite get it out. Then he turned and ran back into the village, a couple of his friends following after, while the others stayed. Kratos turned and watched his son go, noting the expressions of his companions, knowing they were not anything remotely friendly or positive toward him, but it didn't matter.

He knew that he had already ruined everything.

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAH…it feels good to be mean sometimes :P lol

Don't worry don't worry, story isn't over yet, lol, I'm not ending it like this :P At least I'm not cruel enough to make you think I am, heheh