A/N: Hi all! It's been a long time since I've written a Star Ocean story…but I've had this story written for a long time and I've never got around to typing it up and I finally found it in one of my old notebooks. So, it's been waiting for me for a year at least. This is a really short story…it's only 4 chapters and I don't think it's my best work. But it is what it is. Finally I have something for you all!

Disclaimer: I don't own anyone except my boyfriend. Hehehe.

Fayt Leingod had lived in Airyglyph all his life. He loved his country, but as a scientist's son, he wanted to visit the more technologically advanced country of Greeton. Fayt had encouraged Albel to accompany him. Albel Nox, the prospective captain of the Black Brigade was Fayt's best friend and lover. Fayt was lucky to be on Albel's good side. Albel had a tough and irritable exterior, but he cared for Fayt a lot. Albel's possessive and protective attitude meant that Fayt had easily convinced Albel to accompany him and keep him. Greeton soldiers easily recognized Albel, or Albel the Wicked as he was known on the battlefield. Both Fayt and Albel had been captured and put in prison. Fayt remained in his cell while Albel was being interrogated, which probably meant that Albel was being tortured for information. Fayt knew Albel would never divulge any Airyglyph secrets so the soldiers were probably just trying to wound Albel badly enough so that he wouldn't be able to fight any time soon.

Fayt paced nervously about his jail cell. He was desperately racking his brain for some way to keep Albel from killing him when he returned. At last, Fayt sighed and settled into the thin cot in the corner of his cell. He was worried sick about Albel, but there was nothing he could do. He strained, listening for Albel's voice, but he heard nothing. Fayt slumped forward dejectedly. All he could do was wait for Albel's' return and clean his wounds. Hopefully Albel would forgive him.

The hours passed by slowly. Fayt was alone and surrounded by silence. Greeton had a very large prison was very few occupied cells. None of the cells near Fayt contained any prisoners. Jail guards passed by his cell, not giving him a second glance. It was excruciatingly boring. Fayt would have fallen asleep hours ago if he weren't so worried about Albel.

Fayt was jerked out of his lethargy as a door slammed somewhere distantly. A faint scraping sound followed and Fayt eventually perceived the rattle of chains. Perhaps Fayt would acquire a neighbor in the next cell.

A low laugh echoed down the corridor. "The Wicked One isn't going to be trouble anymore. He's taken care of."

Fayt's heart raced and he gripped the bars of his cell. What were they talking about? Albel couldn't possibly be dead. He was too powerful for that. Anyone that tried to murder Albel was met with a slow painful death at Albel's sadistic hands. They didn't call him Albel the Wicked for nothing.

Albel had acquired his nickname early in childhood when he had shoved a wealthy city magistrate out of the way as he ran down the cobbled road. The magistrate had shouted after Albel, "You wicked child! You should respect your betters."

But Albel didn't really respect anyone, even as an adult. He didn't care how powerful or how notable a man was. Albel quickly established a reputation as a fearless warrior who would take on anyone. Soon, "bravery" was defined according to how long a man could stand before Albel without cowering in fright under Albel's' fierce, bloodthirsty gaze. Only the truly brave dared take him on. Albel was certainly a good warrior, but despite his reputation, he was far from immortal.

Fayt sighed and wrapped his arms around himself. If Albel was killed, it would be a huge blow to Airyglyph's military. Airyglyph's military power was due mostly to Albel. And Albel wasn't even involved in most of the fighting. Just knowing that Albel could arrive was usually enough to bring fear to Airyglyph's enemies. Would Airyglyph's morale plummet without Albel? And would Fayt be able to go on without his beloved friend? A tear slowly dripped on Fayt's cheek.

"Well, here you are, little crybaby," a guard sneered at Fayt. "You'll get company soon enough."

Fayt lifted his head and stared at the guard. "Who?"

'Why, you little friend of course." He laughed nastily and continued on his rounds.

Fayt let out a relieved sigh. So Albel was still alive. Maybe he was beaten within an inch of his life, but at least he was still alive. Fayt would never be able to forgive himself if Albel died.

The rattling of chains drew closer and three guards turned the corner, leading a prisoner who was wrapped in chains from head to toe. The procession moved slowly up to Fayt's cell. 'Here you are, princess," a jailer sneered. "Home sweet jail cell."

Fayt blinked in surprise as the chains were removed and the prisoner was shoved into the cell with Fayt. "Albel?"

"Uh-huh," the prisoner replied blandly.

Fayt stared at him in disbelief. He was certainly dressed in Albel's' bizarre skirt outfit and he certainly had Albel's two-toned hair and red yes. But he wasn't acting like Albel. The fiery red eyes were dull and Albel was slouching. The Albel Fayt knew would fight back instead of just giving up.

"What did you do to him?" Fayt demanded. "He's not himself."

The guard chuckled. "I like him this way. A lot less trouble for us. You're a well-behaved prisoner, but no cell would hold the Wicked One so we had to take care of him."

"But what did you do to him? Albel would never sit quietly, even if he was bleeding to death. He doesn't sit back and let people like you shove him around."

The guard's eyes twinkled with mischief. "It wasn't easy. We used some of our newest technology on him. Swords don't stand a chance against our machines. We just had to hold him down and clip this bitch collar on him."

Fayt pinked. "A what?"

The guard snickered. "Don't play dumb. I bet he chains you up too. You seem like the type to play pet to our little princess, here. I know Albel the Wicked doesn't readily play the bitch, so we're just helping him out. You should thank us." He laughed to himself as he locked the cell and sauntered back down the corridor.

Fayt sank to the ground with a cry of despair. Albel stood by listlessly, his eyes vacant. "I can't stand this," Fayt whispered. "Albel has to suffer a fate worse than death. And it's all my fault."