Tales of Symphonia:

Royal Issues

Written by NatureElvenGuru, all rights reserved for the makers of Tales of Symphonia

It was five months since Marta Lualdi and Emil Castagnier held back the creatures of Nifilhiem, with the help of a "stuffy" centurion named Tenebrae and the heroes of world regeneration. All of them were now going their separate journeys…

Colette Brunel woke on a summer morning atop her white sheeted bed. The sunlight barely made it through the closed blinds. She blinked her blue eyes multiple times before she got out of her bed and yawned. She walked to the blinds and pulled them open to reveal the quaint town of Iselia. After slipping on her white boots she walked down her wooden stairs to her house's bottom floor. Her father Pepe sat drinking coffee and reading a book.

"Good morning father!" Colette greeted with a beaming smile. She walked to the wooden front door and opened it. "I'm going to tidy up the school before the new teacher comes, just to make sure it is in top shape!" She continued cheerfully.

Pepe nodded, "Have a nice time, and good morning to you to," he responded taking another sip of his coffee. "Come home safe."

Colette shook her head, "Father, I'm just going to the school, there's nothing to worry about, so see ya later!" She yelled as she shut the door. When she turned she almost knocked over her grandma, Phaidra, right to the ground. Colette giggled then said, "Oh, hello grandma!"

Phaidra smiled gently then said, "Greetings Colette."

"I'm going to the school, so I'll see you later!" She chimed as she skipped to the school.

Phaidra suddenly realized she had something to tell Colette, so she beckoned for her to come back. Colette then back stepped a few times before she stood next to Phaidra.

"Yes grandma?" she asked as she clasped her hands behind her back and smiled.

Phaidra scratched her head, "Oh…um…uh…um…oh what was it I had to tell you? Ugh, why does my resent old age do this?" She bellowed as she thought. Colette wanted to say she had been old for some time now, but she decided to keep her mouth shut. Phaidra then looked back up to Colette, "Oh yes, A girl who previously traveled with you is waiting there, so go say hi and stuff."

"Alright, see you later!" Colette said as she strolled back to the school. She opened the door to the school and entered. As she entered the classroom, she saw the friend sitting in one of the desks reading a poem that a student wrote. Colette was excited and shocked to see the person sitting there. That person was none other than Sheena Fujibayashi. She wore a black pony tail and purple coat. She then got up and walked to the pictures hung up on the wall. Colette did what she thought was the best way to greet her, so Colette tackled and hugged the surprised Sheena.

When they got up Colette could barely stand still with excitement. "Sheena! How are you?! Oh, I missed you, what have you been doing? Why are you here?"She babbled.

Sheena was still surprised, but she kept a calm look on her face and said, "Oh, nothing really. To answer your first of many questions, I am good. I am here on official business. As you know, Mizuho wishes to move to Sylvarant, so I came here because north of Iselia is a wide forest area currently uninhabited. Since Iselia is the closest city to that area, this is where I'm staying for the meantime. I also found out that you…and L-Lloyd live here as well, so I thought I might say hello." She explained as Colette listened intently. Sheena was happy to see Colette, but since she was twenty two, she didn't want to seem excited. She just smiled and said, "Well, how about we catch up by taking a walk around the town?" Sheena suggested.

Colette nodded, "Good idea," she then grabbed Sheena's arm and pulled her out of the classroom and into the fresh air of the town. Colette pointed out houses and people from the town, though Sheena already knew most of them, but she didn't want to say so.

Sheena and Colette were again in front of the school. "Well, Thanks for walking with me. I should probably get back to Mizuho to report on the area," Sheena said as she scratched her head.

Colette looked down, "You have to leave so soon?" She wanted to stay with Sheena longer.

Sheena looked sympathetic, "Don't worry, I'll come back. This area is a good place to move our village to, so I'll try to convince the chief to move here," Sheena reassured her.

Colette looked up and smiled slightly, "Alright," she said.

"Well, excuse me," a voice said from behind. Sheena and Colette spun around to see a man wearing a white coat with a gold priest- er…whatchamucallit-over the coat. On his belt was a sea-green weapon. He carried no item that showed he was on a pilgrimage. "Where might the closest merchant be?" He asked.

"Over there, at the shop called 'Halo'." Colette stated as she pointed at the shop. "So…are you on a pilgrimage or something for the Church of Martel?"

The man, who looked like he was in his early twenties, looked stern, "Oh, no. I'm a former priest of Martel. After I found out about Martel not being a goddess, I left. Also the church is far to corrupt for me. I just keep the outfit 'cause it looks cool to me."

Sheena nodded, "I agree, the church is bad. I also know it will eventually decline. Hopefully then everyone will see the truth, about Martel…and Mithos…"

The man also nodded, "I agree. Anyway, I really must get going, so, nice meeting you two. After I shop I need to go to Altamera to sell these items I found at the Triet Ruins. So see you later…maybe…" the man said as he began to walk away.

Colette yelled, "Wait!" She then turned to Sheena, "Altemera is on the way to Mizuho right? So how about we take him with us?" She suggested. Sheena nodded as the man walked back.

"Yes, what is it? I'm sort of in a hurry." The man said.

"We are going to the village of Mizuho, so maybe you could come with us?" Colette suggested.

"Wait, what do you mean us?" Sheena asked as she realized what Colette was saying.

"I want to go with you Sheena!" Colette said as she turned back to the man, "So, what do you say?"

The man thought for a moment than smirked, "Alright, I'll go with you guys. But first let me buy some apple gels for the journey, since there are bandits and robbers on the way, and perhaps there will be some monsters on the way as well." The man agreed as the three walked towards the shop.

After a while Colette asked, "So…what's your name?"

"Barrivus, Barrivus Rafion." He said bluntly. Colette also noted that he had white-grey hair and deep blue eyes.

After buying items at the shop, the three stood just outside the gates. They were going to decide where to go next.

"Well, we certainly don't want to go straight to Altamera and Mizuho, so of course we will have to make a few resting stops along the way. So I suggest the first place we stop should be the city of Triet. Any objections?" Sheena explained as she waited for an answer.

"I don't see a problem with it." Barrivus stated after a short pause.

"Um... OK, I don't mind stopping at Triet." Colette decided.

Sheena nodded. "Alright, then let's head out." Sheena said as she stood up and walked east to Triet, Colette and Barrivus following close behind.

That night the group made a small camp including a camp fire. They were currently a mile away from the Triet Ruins, which meant they were about three miles from the city. Sheena sat by Colette close to the camp fire while Barrivus sat farther away from the camp fire across from them.

"So, what exactly are these items that you found in the ruins?" Sheena asked, trying to make conversation.

"Oh, just some ancient artifacts of value. Well, at least they are of extreme value to the lady who wants them." Barrivus explained as he through another block of wood into the fire.

Sheena sighed, "Who is this person who requires the artifacts?" She asked.

"Do you really need to know that?" Barrivus responded.

"Well, no, but-" Sheena started to protest.

"Well, then I feel no need to tell you anything. Besides, I doubt you would recognize this person." Barrivus said as he turned to face the opposite direction. "There isn't too much more to talk about, so, I'll do night time watch, you two just try to get some sleep."

Sheena was going to protest, but she decided not to. She realized that this guy was stubborn. She nodded and then laid down; Colette decided to follow her example.

The next morning when Sheena woke up she saw that Barrivus was still awake. He turned to face her and said, "Finally, you woke up. Wake up blonde over there and let's head to Triet. I really need to hurry." He said quickly as he stood up ready to go.

Sheena sighed and shook Colette until the nineteen year old sat up. "Come on Colette, it's time to go." Sheena said as she too got up. The sun was just rising, since it was the summer that meant it was still pretty early. The team then began the trek to Triet.

Triet was a desert town, small in size, but it did surround a resourceful oasis. There was also a fortune teller in the city, and a certain someone they will not like to meet.

While Barrivus traveled to the nearest merchant, Colette and Sheena decided to take a tour of the town that they already knew well. They decided to take a seat and drink some water inside of the inn.

"Man, I forgot how hot and humid this town was. I can't wait to go to some place cooler. But this does bring back memories of the Journey of World Regeneration. So, I guess it isn't too bad." Sheena moaned as she gulped down a third glass of water.

"I love this peaceful town though." Colette mused as she sipped from her cup.

Sheena cocked up an eyebrow and said, "Colette, you love every town you go to."

Colette smiled and said, "Yah, I guess you're right. I love going to old and new places."

Sheena looked around the inn as if bored. "Ugh, what's taking Barrivus so long? I guess a priest, wait, a former priest sure likes to take his suite time." She complained as she drank her sixth glass of water.

As they drank there beverages, Sheena heard something from above, like a familiar laugh from up the stairs. She then widened her eyes as she saw who came down the stairs. The man hugged her as she shrieked in surprise.

"Oh my beautiful Sheena, I missed seeing you over this period of time!" The man said. That man, of course, was none other than Zelos Wilder. "Now, what have you been up to my voluptuous beauty?" The pink dressed red haired man smiled as he said this.

Sheena blushed slightly but then returned her facial expression to a glare. "You pervert! What is some idiot like you doing here?!" Sheena roared as she flung her arms in the air.

Colette jumped up and hugged Zelos while smiling, "Oh, Zelos! I'm so glad to see you!" She greeted happily as she turned to face Sheena, "Sheena, why aren't you happy to see Zelos?"

"Yes, I wonder the same thing. Come on miss jubilees, why don't you want to greet your handsome Zelos?" Zelos chimed as he grinned widely. Sheena was furious now. She then smacked Zelos square across his cheek. "You idiotic buffoon!" She yelled.

Colette seemed confused considering she didn't know what Zelos had meant by 'jubilees'. So she just giggled. "Awww, you two are so cute together!" Colette teased.

Sheena blushed then yelled "What!" as Zelos just smiled widely.

Sheena just turned away from Zelos as he tried to hug her. "Get away from me you perv!"

"Ah, you aren't that much fun Sheena. Oh well, there are plenty of other women to flock to the Great Zelos Wilder." Zelos said as he daydreamed.

"A bunch of floozies will flock to you, that's for sure." Sheena whispered.

Zelos finally came back to the normal world as he said, "So, where are you all headed?" he asked scratching his chin.

"Altamera, then Mizuho." Barrivus said as he entered the building.

Zelos cocked his head to the side then asked, "Who are you?"

"Barrivus Rafion. I'm traveling with Colette and Sheena. So who might you be?" Barrivus asked as he walked next to the table that Colette and Sheena had been sitting at.

"Well, I'm the Great Zelos Wilder! Master of elegant and beautiful women… and Sheena." Zelos boasted.

"You are certainly no master of mine, and what do you mean 'and Sheena'?!" Sheena yelled infuriated by Zelos' comment.

Barrivus smirked and laughed slightly then said, "I take it you two know each other. Well, the three of us really need to get a move on, so it was sort of nice meeting you Zelos Wilder. Now let us leave Colette and Sheena."

Sheena nodded and walked to the door. "Colette, are you coming?"

Colette still stood next to Zelos who was waving goodbye to an annoyed Sheena. "Um… could Zelos maybe come with us, I mean, if he can?" Colette timidly asked.

"I don't really care, I just wish to leave." Barrivus stated bluntly as he walked out the door into the outside desert.

Sheena was furious as she yelled, "What! You've got to be kidding! We're bringing this fool with us?!" Sheena gestured towards Zelos when she said the word 'fool'.

Colette smiled and nodded, "Yup! It will be more fun with old friends! I mean, I really missed Zelos after the Ratatosk affair, so I really think Zelos should come with us."

Sheena buried her face inside her hands. "This is horrible!" She moaned.

Zelos walked to the door. "You heard the guy, let's get a move on! You first my little angel, and you my banshee." Zelos said as Colette and Sheena exited the inn.