Me: Well this is my first crack at FanFiction so let’s hope all goes well shall we? People around me say I can write so let’s see if they really mean it. Well, enough of my talk let’s bring in the muse for this story! Appear before me KRATOS!!

Kratos: appears in a cloud of smoke You know I could have just flown in. Anyway this has potential to be interesting.

Me: Well, I think I’ve held it off long enough so let’s get on with the story shall we? Kratos, if you’d be so kind to say the disclaimer.

Kratos: She owns only her character and maybe a few turns of the plot.

Me: goofy smile This is gonna be fun.

Chapter 1: Lloyd, Eternal Trouble Seeker!

Lloyd quietly went about the house looking for the Flamberge and Varpol. It had been five years since the journey and he-along with his bride Colette-moved into the home of Dirk. The house had grown quite a bit considering two adults and a dwarf lived there. Although, it had grown considerably more in the last four months because they found out Colette was expecting.

To be able to provide for the family Lloyd took up a job in Triet that Dirk and Colette had yet to find out about. This was why the Eternal Swordsman was trying to sneak around the house a little after sunrise. He was able to find a similar outfit like his real father’s but it was red, had no cape, and was just all around better (although that’s hard to believe ‘cause I love Kratos!). His hair had grown longer and laid in a similar fashion to his father’s but he kept the bangs from his face. Although, that particular morning his hair was bound determined to get in his way, thus causing the ability of stealth to be lost in the swordsman. He managed to get his swords strapped to his side but as he moved towards the door he tripped on a wooden figurine and fell into the table causing a horrible racket. As Lloyd lay on the ground he thanked Martel that Colette was in Iselia visiting the Sage siblings and wouldn’t have to explain his actions. Then he heard a noise by the door and looked up to see the suspicious eyes of a certain dwarf.

“Caught,” Lloyd breathed as he stared at him. He noticed that Dirk also had his traveling pack in his hands. ‘That dirty son of a-’ Lloyd began to curse.

“So where be ya goin’,” Dirk asked conversationally.

“Listen dad, we don’t exactly have a lot of money and we’ll have to provide for the baby. So I’m going to Triet and destroy a little monster problem. It has good money and I’ll be fine. Anyway, I need you to go into Iselia and stay with Colette,” Lloyd said in a quick rush hoping his father would listen.

“Only twenty-two an’ orderin’ me ‘round,” Dirk growled in a soft reply as Lloyd picked himself up from the ground being sure to watch the figurines. Dirk reluctantly handed him the pack and said, “Fine, but you better be getting’ back soon.”

“Thanks dad!” Lloyd said happily as he ran past his adoptive father.

Dirk watched him go but began to feel uneasy when he heard Lloyd fly off. Dirk looked at the figurine he tripped over which turned out to be Yggdrasil. Dirk looked the figurine in the eyes and they seemed to be alive. He shook his head suddenly and breathed, “Old dwarf. You’ve been on the wretched surface for too long. I’ll wait a while before goin’ into town.”

The ‘old dwarf’ went about the house clearing it up until he knew they would all be up. He quickly made his way to the town trying to find a reason for his discomfort. He was thrown from his thoughts when he came to the gates and saw Sheena, Zelos, Regal, Presea, Genis, Yuan, and Raine holding a small blue-haired child crowded around Colette.

The young child in Raine’s arms was the first one to see Dirk and react. She looked from the group and stared coldly at the dwarf. She had her mother’s face but had her father’s hair and piercing eyes. Dirk shivered at the girl and thought of the opponent she would grow into.

Then he took a better look at the placement and noticed Zelos staying close to Sheena but acting like a gentleman. Presea was smiling like a normal girl and leaning against a more confident Genis. Raine and Yuan seemed to stay close and always smiled at their child every few seconds. Regal was staying back, no doubt feeling uncomfortable.

“What be all this ‘bout? Is a dwarf not to know ‘bout anythin’ nowadays?” Dirk said loudly coming up behind them. That jostled them from their conversation and they all turned to face Dirk. He saw it there to. His own uneasiness was reflected in their eyes, “I’m beginnin’ to wonder if getting’ outta bed was smart this mornin’.”

“Hiyah Dirk!” chirped Colette. Everyone was sighing thanking all of mana that she hadn’t fallen into the mood stage yet of the pregnancy. But, then again it was only four months. Give it time and she would soon kill them all. She grinned happily and continued, “Where’s Lloyd? We were coming to see you guys.”

“Yeah, we wanted to see, ‘Daddy’,” Genis snickered evilly. Apparently Colette had told them all about her four months.

“Well, Lloyd went to go do something for Triet. He’ll be back in a couple of days,” Dirk answered calmly. He restrained the monster comment although knew that the day was going to get ugly. Why not help it along by talking about a monster rumored to be beyond all skills of any swordsman? Dirk temporarily cursed Kratos for being a mercenary and the influence it had on Lloyd.

“Would the job include clearing up the monster problem which has stopped tourists in Triet?” Raine asked in a suspicious tone of voice. She shifted her daughter lightly in her arms receiving an annoyed glance from the two year-old. Oh yeah. She was gonna be fun when she got older. Raine looked Dirk in the eyes and said, “It’s of great importance that you answer the question truthfully.

“Well………yeah but he beat that Yggdrasil feller so what’s one more monster?” Dirk laughed nervously. Yet, he felt worse when everyone paled.

“That’s not good. The creature is a large black skeleton that we fought and beat before. It’s a dangerous foe called the ‘Sword Dancer’. It nearly killed us each time we fought it until we beat it for a final time. Someone brought it back,” Regal said looking at Dirk.

“Only a person with great skills in healing and light magic could have accomplished such a feat,” Presea said with about as much emotion as a light post.

“The bad thing is only Raine has that kinda skill and she didn’t do it,” Genis said in a worried tone. Dirk was beginning to dislike the day more and more with each passing second.

“I used the Renegade’s database and found only one being who could do that. It was……” Yuan trailed off causing the entire group to pale even more.

‘Argh! Why can’t they be more like dwarves? We get our point across and then worry about it. None of this trail in and out!’ Dirk growled to himself under his breath but remained silent.

“The only person who could do it was Mithos!” Genis suddenly exclaimed bowing his head. He missed his half-elven friend although he was happy to be alive with his other friends.

“It’s not Mithos!” Yuan growled angrily at him, “It’s a manifestation of Yggdrasil’s hatred and pain! And it’s looking for revenge!”

“That means Lloyd-” Sheena suddenly gasped but Colette’s narrowed eyes shut her up and caused everyone to jump back.

“Don’t go there!” she hissed causing all in attendance to shiver. They all made a mental note: NEVER EVER mess with the pregnant lady (I myself learned this very lesson the hard way……they’re scary!)

Colette’s attitude then did a complete turn as she smiled, “Sorry guys! I was just-”

She suddenly dropped off in mid sentence to stare into the sky. Everyone followed the blonde’s gaze and a collective gasp erupted from them. A purple aura was shooting across the sky like a comet and crashed by the Martel Temple. Yuan’s jaw dropped and he stammered, “Kr-Kra-KRATOS?!”

“Let’s go check it out!” Sheena called doing her pointing pose (You know she’s twenty-four now. You think that would stop.)

“I’d feel better if you’d stay behind Sheena. After all can’t let our kid get hurt!” Zelos called as he brought out his wings. He cut out ahead leaving Sheena blushing and Genis covering a snicker with a cough. Raine’s daughter stayed back with the two pregnant ladies and the rest of the group ran ahead.

“That little girl of yours is going to be fun when she gets older!” Zelos called to Yuan and Raine from above.

“Don’t remind me!” both shouted in response.

“What cute lovers,” Genis muttered quietly.

“RAY!”

“LIGHTING BLADE!”

The onslaught of attacks left the half-elf twitching in pain as the rest of the group ran on without him. Except Presea who walked back, picked him up like a sack of potatoes, and carried him to the temple. They ran up the steps and stopped dead in their tracks at the sight they beheld.

Kratos was lying on his back unconscious and looked worn and beaten. He seemed to barely be breathing and Yuan could sense his mana flowing from him at a fast pace. Yuan moved forward and gave him some mana while healing him.

Zelos looked at the scene and muttered, “De ja vu.”

WHACK! Raine smacked him upside the head. She glared him down until he hid behind Regal whimpering like a dog. She glared one more time at him then looked at Yuan saying, “Will he make it?”

“Kratos doesn’t die without a fight,” Yuan answered quietly but Raine could tell he was worried.

Suddenly Kratos shot up breathing hard but Yuan didn’t dodge out of the way in time. SMACK! Yuan fell back holding a huge red bump on his head and Kratos fell back down, “What in Martel’s name?!” He saw Yuan twitching and looked at him. Kratos turned away and struggled to keep something deep in his throat.

“He’s laughing………All hell’s gone lose!” Zelos shouted laughing at Kratos. This didn’t help matters and they all found themselves laughing. Even Kratos was laughing at Yuan still twitching.

Once they settled down Kratos said, “Where’s Lloyd?”

Before anyone can answer they hear a shout come from the bottom of the staircase. And it sounded like a certain Kuinochi (spelling?) everyone knew and loved/was annoyed with, “WHAT THE HELL?!”

ME: I think I’ll end it there. This was just a first try so people who are reading please give me a second chance!

Kratos: You’re leaving it like that? What is Sheena shouting about anyway?

ME: Well I could tell you but……I don’t wanna. So please Review and I’ll get the next story up!

Kratos: She’ll also be posting a bloopers for something else so watch out for that.