A/N Thanks to all my reviewers! I hope everyone keeps reading! Oh and I've changed a few little things here! Enjoy! BTW, 'This means Yggdrasill is talking in Lloyd's head' 'This is Lloyd thinking to himself' and 'This is another person communicating with Lloyd'

'I have something for you.'

Lloyd turned, letting the rest of the group go on ahead to the Rhieards. Kratos had drawn his sword, but laughed when he saw a familiar looking raised eyebrow shoot up his son's forehead.

He held the sword up in the morning sun, light dancing off the preciously formed flame-shape. Kratos thew it up in the air, and caught it skillfully by the blade, holding out the handle to Lloyd.

'For you.'

Lloyd was flabergasted, 'What? But that's...that's...'

'Flamberge. Forged for me during the war by a dwarf we helped out. It helped me stop the Kharlan War, I can only hope it will be successful in helping you stop the war we find ourselved in.'

Lloyd took his two swords out of their sheathes and flung them towards Noishe's pen. He took the flame-red sword in his right hand and swung it around slightly, testing its weight. He stumbled as his balance left him for a split second, cursing.

'Be careful. Retain your strength,' was all Kratos had to say on the matter, 'Dirk has promised to finish a similar sword for when you return. They will surely benefit you.'

'I...don't know what to say.' Lloyd gripped the sword tightly, admiring its perfect weighting.

'You don't have to say anything,' Kratos placed a hand on Lloyd's shoulder as he walked past, 'Use it well.'

Kratos walked a few strides in front of the teenager, before looking over his shoulder.

'And Lloyd?'

'Hm?' Lloyd looked up from the sword.

'Don't die.'

He was waiting for them.

The group saw Yggdrasill at the top of the stairs in the Tower. Lloyd was trailing at the back of the group, looking at his feet. He had replaced his outfit with his old red one, but felt no more comfortable; despite not even looking, Lloyd could tell Yggdrasill was staring right at him. Lloyd remained on the edge of the walkway, just before reaching the circular platform. His friends split in two and dispersed around the edge, surounding Yggdrasill.

Colette was trapped in a similar 'cage' to when she had been captured by Rodyle. She had her hands by her sides and looked as if she was doing her very best not to move.

'Nice of you to turn up.'

Lloyd heard the group erupt into a series of threats, exclamations and insults. He heard swear words from Zelos, threats from Genis and Sheena, warnings from Yuan. But Yggdrasill ignored them. Lloyd lifted his head cautiously, looking through his eyebrows and his messy brown hair. Yggdrasill grinned as their eyes met, causing more shouts and threats from the party. Kratos noticed Yggdrasill's expression, and looked over his shoulder, concerned, at Lloyd. The eye contact was broken, however, when Zelos caught everyone's attention.

'Okay, I have had enough of this shite already.'

He drew his sword and ran towards the 'cage' Collette was being held in.

'Zelos, NO!' Colette shouted at the pink-clad swordsman as Zelos's blade came down on the orange extremities of the 'cage'. He was thrown backwards and rattled into a pillar with a thud, but the sound was overshadowed by an ear-splitting scream.

Lloyd collapsed on the ground, hand gripping chunks of his hair. Everyone turned in shock at the sound as Lloyd began to shake violently, gritting his teeth at the sustained period of pain that had overcome him.

'Lloyd!'

Kratos tried to leap towards his son, but stopped abruptly as an orange 'cage' appeared in front of him, cutting Kratos, Yuan, Zelos and Sheena off from reaching Lloyd, who was still on the path to the platform, and Yggdrasill, who was in the centre of the platform. A similar cage had appeared on the other side of the platform, cutting off Raine, Genis, Presea and Regal.

Lloyd had recovered slightly and clambered to his feet, staggering.

'Lloyd... are you okay?' Genis asked, a deathly silence had fallen in the Tower. Yuan shot a look of daggers at Zelos, while Lloyd shuffled towards the platform.

'If you touch the mana cages, Lloyd's mana will be drained substantially.' Yggdrasill was getting straight to the point, 'I will fight Lloyd alone.'

'What?! That's not fair!' Sheena protested, Genis echoing her sentiments from the other side of the platform.

'FAIR!?' Yggdrasill erupted, 'Don't you dare talk to me about fair, human,' he calmed as Sheena paled, 'If I win, Collette becomes Martel's vessel, I take my Cruxis Crystal and re-establish my pact with Origin. Only then will I reunite the worlds to how they were. If I lose... Lloyd gets his key crest and the rest is up to you. Do you accept the terms?'

'Mithos, you bastard.' Yuan shouted across the platform, 'You touch a hair on Lloyd's head, and I swear-'

'I accept.'

'WHAT?!'

The group turned in shock to Lloyd, who was stood a matter of feet away from Mithos. He had drawn Flamberge, and was looking weary. He had spread his stance out so he had more balance and shook the hair out of his eyes.

'Mithos, please...' Kratos pleaded.

'Hahahahaha! He accepts! Excellent. I am looking forward to this!'

Lloyd wasn't prepared to wait around. He sprung at Mithos, trying to focus his vision, as shouts from his friends rang in his ears. He swiped with the sword using all his strength, but Mithos warped away at the last second, laughing. Lloyd stumbled and tried to swing his sword round to protect himself, but a strike from Mithos's Holy Lance struck him in the chest, sending him carreering into a pillar.

Lloyd's hearing had failed him; he couldn't decipher the cries he heard around him. Using the sword as a crutch, Lloyd returned to his feet, glancing into the dancing eyes of the hero of the Kharlan War.

That Exsphere has evolved magnificently. Seems Kvar did a good job.

Lloyd's eyes narrowed as he attempted to dodge another magic blow from the angel. It caught him on the shoulder and knocked him off balance slightly, but Lloyd managed to regain his composure and set himself for another attack. A silence had fallen around the Tower, many of Lloyd's companions watching in shock. Lloyd blinked yellow and purple spots from his vision, and went on the offensive. He swung a number of times, trying to land a blow. Every swipe from Flamberge left a red blur behind it, creating a fluid picture of the way Lloyd was fighting. He lunged at Mithos, swiping at the angel's chest. Yggdrasill stepped to the side, but the blow caught him on the shoulder, causing him to cry out and grip it tightly.

Lloyd stumbled blindly as the blow came down, noting the cry of pain from Yggdrasill.

'I've had enough of this!' The angel shouted as he motioned towards the floor, causing a sphere of mana to erupt beneath his feet, sending Lloyd flying into the air, and dangerously close to the edge of the platform. A quick recovery by Mithos allowed him to reuse his Holy Lance technique, striking Lloyd while he was still in the air, and sending the teenager plummeting over the side of the platform.

'Lloyd!' Genis shouted, trying to see over the edge of the platform from his confinement in the 'cage'. He was joined in his cries by the rest of the party, Kratos silent as he closed his eyes and tried to locate Lloyd's mana signature. He breathed a sigh of relief when he felt a burst of mana from below.

'Holy shit!' Zelos had also felt the change in mana, as Lloyd flew back up to the platform, striking violet wings fluttering behind him. He landed precariously close to the edge and lost his balance one more, planting his right hand holding Flamberge on the floor.

'I don't believe it...' Genis muttered.

'His Exsphere has completed its evolution,' Yuan said, earning a grin and a nod from Yggdrasill.

'Exactly,' the angel replied, 'it is now perfect for me to use, I should be able to re-establish my pact with Origin with no problems now.'

The group stood shocked as Lloyd stared at the floor in front of him, breathing heavily and trying to regain his strength.

'Lloyd,' Kratos's voice was calm, yet dangerously quiet. Lloyd did not look up, 'put them away. They won't help your mana supply, it's a waste of energy.'

A brief nod of the head from Lloyd followed, and the magnificent purple wings dissappeared in a flash of mana. He stood himself up again, wiping his right hand across his forehead and regaining his eye contact with the angel.

'Godammit, nothing's working!' Zelos said to himself, pacing the small 'cage' he found himself in.

'He's too strong,' Presea commented, earning a nod from Regal. Genis was mumbling to himself, overcome with the situation and brain whirring to try and find a solution.

That was some quick thinking to get yourself out of that one, Lloyd. I'm impressed.

Lloyd pinned his eyes shut, trying to blot out the taunts and assessments from the leader of Cruxis.

Do you wonder what else you can now do?

Lloyd opened his eyes again and turned his head slightly, looking at Yggdrasill almost quizzically.

'I can take an opportune guess,' he thought, directing it a Mithos.

Do it.

Lloyd chewed the inside of his lip, all the time retaining his eye contact with Mithos. He could hear nothing around him, oblivious to what was being said by the rest of the group. The focus for both Lloyd and Yggdrasill was on each other.

'Lloyd? Lloyd can you hear me?'

Lloyd's eyebrows shot up as another voice filled his head. It was strangely familiar, yet he felt he had not heard it in a long time.

'Lloyd you must listen to me, you haven't got much time left. I can't protect your mana for much longer.' The voice was a woman's, soft and gentle, yet urgent at the same time.

'My mana..?' Lloyd asked the voice clearly confused, 'Wait, protect my mana?...Mum?'

'Yes, Lloyd. Now just listen to me, baby. This is a Cruxis Crystal, you must have realised what powers you have gained by its quick evolution.'

'I understand, Mum, but I don't know if I am strong enough.'

'...You can do it. I believe you can do it. I'll do my best to help control your mana, but you need to process all your strength for it to work. No half-heartedness, you must be 100 sure.'

'Will it finish it?'

'Mithos is tired. He wants it to be over.'

'...Alright.'

Mithos had a large, childlike grin plastered across his face, Lloyd was certain he had heard the whole conversation. The teenager around at his group.

Colette was pressing her hands into fists, causing her palms to whiten; she didn't deserve to be caught up in all this just because of who she was born as. Lloyd wanted her to be able to lead a normal life and make her own decisions, not have her whole life planned out for her.

He looked across to the first 'cage'. Presea and Regal...connected by the fate of Alicia, victims of the Exsphere's and their cruel, cruel ways. Lloyd wanted them to fully reach closure by ending the charade of the Human Ranches.

Glancing across the platform, Lloyd saw Zelos, face serious and angry. He was a good friend and a strong person underneath his mask, and Lloyd respected that.

Sheena's eyes were bloodshot and looked threatened to spill over at any minute. Where would they be without her? Her role as a Summoner helped them create all the summon spirit pacts, and sever the mana links. For that, Lloyd was greatful. He wanted her and Mizuho to be happy in Sylverant.

He heard Genis's voice, and glanced back over to the other 'cage'. He was glaring at Mithos, every now and then shouting something incomprehensible to Lloyd. Genis. His best friend. Lloyd wanted him to lead a happy life without discrimination, he didn't deserve to be betrayed once again.

Genis was stood in front of his teacher. What was there to say about Professor Sage? Lloyd owed her a lot, and was grateful for all that she had taught him, despite all the trouble he had given her. She was probably the strongest in the group, and carried a lot on her shoulders. Genis was lucky to have someone like her looking after him.

Lloyd heard a shout and turned back to the other 'cage'. Yuan was waving his arm around and shouting at Mithos, face flushed red. But Lloyd's eyes were directed towards Kratos, who was stood in front of him. Their eyes met, and Lloyd had made his decision. Feeling a burst of strength from within him, and a strange sensation radiating from his Exsphere, Lloyd began to gather his mana.

'Lloyd, don't you dare...' Kratos mumbled across to him. Lloyd closed his eyes and tried to relax as he felt his mana collecting.

'Don't be stupid!' He heard Yuan shout, 'There must be another way!'

'His mana...' Genis said.

Raine lightly gripped the back of Genis's collar, realising what was going on, 'He's collecting it.'

'Woah, woah, woah, Lloyd. Not cool. You don't want to be doing that now, do you?' Zelos shouted, waving his arms in front of him.

'Lloyd, please... you don't have to' Kratos pleaded with his son, causing Lloyd's eyes to snap back open. Identical pairs of deep, brown eyes met once again. Lloyd took a deep breath, turned his head back towards Mithos and held his sword horizontally in front of him, an arm's length away.

'Sacred powers...'

'LLOYD, NO!'

Kratos lunged forwards, only to be stopped by Yuan, who wrapped his arms around the taller man's ribs.

'Kratos, don't!' Yuan shouted, pressing his head to his best friend's back to try and control him. 'If you touch the mana cage...'

'It will interrupt him!' Kratos yelled.

'...you will compromise his chances!'

'...cast thy purifying light upon this corrupt soul...'

Genis was struggling against Raine's grip, tears streaming down his face. The humans of the group had realised what Lloyd was doing, Sheena gripping Zelos's sleeve, as the Chosen stood flabergasted as white runes formed around Lloyd's feet.

Yuan was struggling to restrain Kratos, and Presea and Regal watched silently. Mithos had erupted into a continuous cackle.

'Hahahahahaha! You are not strong enough. Your mana will be depleted, its useless to try!'

'...everyone makes mistakes, Mithos...'

Lloyd held Flamberge vertically, placing the cold blade of his father's sword on his forehead, trying his best to retain the mana collection within him.

'...sometimes you just need a friend to help you correct them...'

Heh... after all this, you consider me a friend. We shall see what you are made of...Do it! Now!

'I'm so proud of you, baby. Be strong, it is nearly over.'

Lloyd took a deep breath...

'I love you, Lloyd.'

'JUDGEMENT!'