Chapter o2- Violation

"What no way!" I cried, slamming my hands down on the table that stood in front of me, my eyes watering as Colette looked up at me with a sad expression.

"Why?!" Lloyd bellowed behind me, his expression like mine, minus the tears. "Why can't I go with you?!"

"Why can't we go with you!" I corrected, feeling that tinge of jealousy once more, but I had to ignore it, this was for Colette, not me. We were all in this, Lloyd, Genis and I, we had to protect Colette, she was our friend. That's what friends did, protected one another, no matter the situation. I looked at her almost pleadingly, I couldn't let her go on this without me, I just would die with worry. "Colette..."

"It is because you'll get in the way." Kratos replied, his eyes closed as he spoke. I couldn't help but glare at the man at the other end of the table. His antics, his attitude, his looks, everything he did annoyed me, I knew he was hiding something, something important. "The battles at the chapel were nothing compared to the journey that awaits is. Children need to stay home."

I let my nails scrap against the wooden table, my glare focused on the man before me. How dare he speak so ill of us, we did nothing but help.

"What did you say!?" Lloyd demanded, as I growled. "He is afraid we will get in his way." I spoke, as I tried to read him. He looked at me with those violet eyes, daring me to try and read his soul, daring me to figure out what was up with him. "He doesn't trust in our abilities."

"Why would I?" He questioned, continuing to star at me with those eyes. I still couldn't understand, I couldn't sense what he was feeling. "This is not a trip to a park. Lives are at stake here."

"It is as Kratos said." I looked away from the man towards Colette's grandmother, "we have decided to assign Kratos and Raine as the Chosen's guardian for the journey of Regeneration." She spoke, her wise words were listened closely. "Now then, we still have things to discuss, you three should go on home."

I looked at Colette once more as she looked away, I could see the sadness in her eyes as I sighed, allowing Genis and Lloyd to lead me out of the small home. I didn't understand, I couldn't understand.

"What's up with that guy!!?" Lloyd cried grasping his hair as he glared at the ground. "That Kratos really gets on my nerves!"

"Lloyd your face is scary!" Genis flinched as he clutched my shirt, looking up at me. "Maddy...?" He whispered. I looked down upon him, rubbing my eyes as I smiled gently.

"Sorry, zoned out for a moment..."

"Lloyd! Genis! Maddy! Wait!" I turned my head to see Colette rush from her house, her long blond hair flying behind her as she wrapped her arms around my waist. "I'm really sorry about earlier!"

"Colette?" I looked at her as she looked up at me with those big blue eyes, looking from me to the other two. "Why are you apologizing?"

"That's right. It's not something you need to apologize for!" Genis stated, crossing his arms as he looked at Colette who still clung to me.

"Y-yeah but, you guys helped me out a lot at the temple when I received the oracle." She said, bowing her head. "I'm really sorry."

"You mean 'Thank You' right?" Lloyd questioned with a sweat drop. I couldn't help but smile at my friend who clung to me.

"Oh right, sorry."

"Enough of apologizing Colette." I hugged her back, "we are friends, I told you that. Lloyd, Genis and I will always be there for you, no matter what trouble your in." I smiled at her, as she smiled back and nodded her head.

"Oh!" She let me go and looked at the house. "I'll have to go thank Mr. Kratos too!"

"Ah!" Genis exclaimed, stepping away from Lloyd who glared daggers at the house. "Colette, that's a Taboo word right now..."

"I don't trust him." I crossed my arms and closed my eyes. He was hiding something, I know it. I could just feel it.

"Yeah, is it all right for you to bring that guy on your journey or Regeneration?" Lloyd looked at her skeptically, his voice held worry and protective.

"It's alright!" She smiled, that aura of innocence glowing around her angelic form. "he saved us from desians. He's a good person." I grumbled under my breath, I knew that Lloyd didn't trust him like I did.

"That aside." Genis smiled, "starting today, Colette is the chosen. We've been taught that the chosen will be given the oracle on the day of the prophecy. But I had never imagined I would be able to see it today with my own eyes."

"And your point being?" I drawled, looking at him with one cracked eye. He just grinned.

"Isn't today Colette's birthday!?"

"That's right!" She smiled to the smallest member of our group. Gah! I totally forgot! What kind of friend am I that I forgot my best friends birthday! No matter, I have a gift for her, I just forgot when to give it to her. Hehe, now i feel like a worthless friend.

"Hold on a second!" Genis grinned digging into his pockets, "I have something to give you." Throwing a small bag over to Colette she fumbled it a bit before actually catching it. "Here you go! Happy Birthday!" She smiled gently and looked at him with grateful eyes. "I baked you some cookies. Sorry I couldn't give you a better present."

"No, no. Your cookies are really delicious, I really love them!" She grinned, looking at her gift.

"I have something for you too Colette." I walked over to her while digging into my pockets, I knew I had it here somewhere.

"You didn't need to get me anything Maddy!" She exclaimed, shaking her head. I looked at her strangely, "but then what kind of person would I be?" I asked, pulling out a silver chain from my pockets, a small pink gem hanging from it. Her eyes widened slightly, as well as Lloyd and Genis's.

"Maddy, I can't." She whispered, looking at me with those blue eyes. "That's your mother's necklace, I can't take that from you." She spoke softly pushing it back towards me.

I shook my head, pushing it back towards her. "Please accept this Colette." I said smiling gently, my hair blowing in the soft breeze behind me. "I never knew my mother, my father never speaks about her, all I know is that this necklace and the one I wear..." I touched the blue gem that was around my neck, "...are connected. I want to know you are safe on this journey, I need to know that my best friend is safe." I watched her slowly take the necklace into her hands.

"But your mother's necklace...?" She whispered, looking at me once more.

I smiled and nodded my head. "My mother was a kind and pure hearted person, I just know it and this belongs to someone with the same traits and you are the only one I could think of who is worthy of my mother's necklace."

"Oh Maddy!" She smiled hugging me tightly. "I'll cherish it forever, nothing in the world will harm this necklace." I laughed and hugged her back, I wish I didn't have to let go. Colette is my best girl friend any girl could ever want loyal, kind, and very reliable. Someone I could talk to when I couldn't talk to Lloyd, someone who would laugh with me, someone who was willing to cry with me. She pulled away from me and laughed slightly, rubbing her eyes. "Sorry Maddy, didn't mean to get so emotional."

"It's fine, honestly." I grinned with a smile. We both turned to the boys when we heard Genis's voice.

"So..." He looked at Lloyd with a certain grin that cause me to sigh gently. "What about you Lloyd?" Lloyd looked away, sweat running down the side of his face as he chuckled nervously. "Don't tell me you forgot!"

"Uh, no way!" Lies. Lloyd did forget, I knew it. Rubbing my temples I shook my head. What would Lloyd do without Genis or I? We decided to not tell him just once about something and he forgets it. Who forgets their friends birthday? Ok, I know I forgot what day it was, but I still remembered didn't I? Give me some credit for actually having a gift to give her! "It's almost done!" He exclaimed, fighting for his defense. "I'll give it to you tomorrow before you leave!"

"I'm so glad!" Colette grinned happily, holding the bag of cookies and necklace close to her. She was just to naive for her own good sometimes, that's why I worry about her. "As soon as we've decided when we're leaving, I'll let you know!"

"Colette!" Her mother and father called as she waved at us, rushing towards her parents. "Thanks for the gifts! See you later!"

"Y-Yeah..." Lloyd chuckled, waving at the retreating blond figure behind the wooden door.

"Liar." Genis and I stated, looking at him with weak glares. I had my arms crossed as Genis had his hands on his hips. Lloyd grinned at us, rubbing the back of his head, "If I start on it now, I'll finish it in time."

"Really?" I asked with a raised brow, almost doubtfully, but I had to give Lloyd credit when he set his mind to one thing, it would almost always get done in the time frame Lloyd set for himself. It was a trait I always adored about Lloyd. I don't have that kind of will power, I usually jump from one thing to another.

"What ever." Genis huffed, shrugging his shoulders. "By the way Lloyd, your going home now, right?"

"Yeah, after I walk Maddy home that is." He said looking at me as I smiled. Lloyd always walked me home, it was kinda out thing after the day was done since I lived in his direction.

"Can I go part of the way with you two?" He asked, as I nodded my head. "Of course you can, you don't have to ask." I stated.

"You need to go somewhere?" Lloyd questioned as we set out towards the first destination; my house.

Genis nodded his head, "yep." He pulled out another bag of his cookies. His cooking was amazing, if it wasn't for him I would starve during lunch times since I couldn't cook if my life dependent on it. "I'm going to see a friend."

"Oh! You had another bag of cookies." Lloyd jumped in front of the young half elf, his arms out like a begging dog. "Are you going to give that to me?"

How blunt and rude could someone get?! I hit him over the head, pushing him to the ground. "Lloyd!"

"Ow! Maddy what was that for?!" Lloyd cried, staring up at me, holding his head in pain.

"He said he was going to go see a friend, which causes the assumption of giving those cookies to that friend, and since we both are here those cookies don't go to either of us."

He grumbled, as he got to his feet, muttering under his breath. I glared at him as he glared back.

"She's always hungry so..." Genis broke the glaring contest between the two of us as I looked at him with a smile.

"Oh! So it's the friend you have been giving your bread from lunch to." Lloyd said with a grin.

Hey I didn't know that?! Why didn't I know that?! I always spent my lunches with these two plus Colette, and I didn't even know he gave his bread to someone else!

"Y-You know?!" He exclaimed, fully surprised as I. Even though I just found out now I played along with Lloyd, I didn't want to feel, well dumber then he was.

"That's commendable considering how the village has been on a food shortage." Lloyd grinned. "Ah..um yes!" I exclaimed, pushing Lloyd to the side as he looked at me with that look that read you-don't-know-anything-about-this-do-you? I grinned sheepishly, "that's very generous of you Genis!" He smiled at me, "you think so?" I nodded my head and hugged the little elf boy, sticking my tongue out at Lloyd.

"That dog!" Lloyd laughed giving Genis a thumbs up. "I'm sure she'll be happy!"

Genis's grip on my arms tightened as he glared, an irk mark forming on his head. "She's A Human!" He stated angrily.

"Huh?!" Lloyd cried as I looked at him. "I assumed you were secretly caring for a dog or something..." He claimed meekly as I sighed. That would have been my first guess to.

"How rude!" The short male exclaimed, crossing his arms over his chest. "She's a fine human friend!" Aww I wonder how old she was. Maybe she was Genis's girlfriend or something...Aww! That would be so adorable! Yes, I do have random girl moments.

"Huh? I didn't know you had friends outside of the village besides me."

"Ahem."

"Besides Maddy and I." He rolled his eyes as I nodded my head. He was jealous that Genis was more my friend than his. Hehe just kidding!

"It's none of your business." He stated opening his mouth to continue but stopped when a thudding sound could be heard. All three of our heads turned towards the incoming sound only to be pushed aside by the sudden force. "Whaaa!" Genis and I cried falling on either side of Lloyd who was tackle down by the large creature.

"..." I blinked and watched the large creature lift his head to look at Lloyd with those large black eyes. I couldn't help but smile at the look on the boy's face.

"NOISHE!" The poor creature whined and rubbed his head against Lloyd's red suit. "What are you doing here...?" He mumbled softly to the dog, "I told you to wait at Maddy's house with her dad!" He scolded as Noishe whined again.

"Ah! There it is!" I looked again to see a farmer rushing over to us waving his pitchfork like a mad man. "I've been telling you, don't let that weird creature into this village!"

Oh here we go again. I sat back and watched, looking down at my nails. Hmm maybe I should paint them blue tonight...

I ignored most of their conversation, since we been through this over and over for the past hmmm ten years since Lloyd got Noishe. The dog like creature was very affectionate and hated to be left alone, thus Lloyd leaves him with my father, but seeing Noishe here now meant my dad was to busy and couldn't spend time with him. I also usually received the privilege of dog sitting the white and blue creature when Lloyd went out to train. He said he wouldn't trust Noishe with anyone else and claims that the creature likes me. Pfft. Not that I don't like Noishe, I mean we're cool and all, but he tends to like to get on my nerves, and that was quiet a lot. I swear he just comes over to bug me rather than to be dog-sat.

"You two haven't wandered into the Human Ranch and played around have you?" I looked at the farmer with a blink when he referred to the ranch. I assumed he was talking to Lloyd and I do to the fact that Lloyd and I were the closest to living to the awful place.

"The ranch?" Lloyd looked at me in surprise as I looked at the farmer. "Like hell we would." He stated.

"I wouldn't be caught dead there." I shuddered lightly, rubbing my arms. "I hate that place."

"Right Genis?" Lloyd looked at our elf friend who nodded quickly, "O-Of course!"

Now how come that didn't seem to convincing to me? I looked at him as he shifted nervously on the spot, looking at me. He knew that I realized something was up.

"L-let's get going already, Maddy, Lloyd."

"Ahh, right." Lloyd smiled as they began to walk towards the entrance of the village. I looked at their backs as they stopped, turning towards me. "Coming Maddy?" I blinked in surprise and nodded my head following quickly behind.

"They attacked the chosen at the temple even with the nonaggression treaty in effect!" The farmer called out, "beware of those Desians!"

"Got it!" Lloyd grinned, waving at the man.

I looked at Genis who looked away, avoiding any eye contact with me as I raised a brow.

"Desians huh?" I wondered crossing my arms. Lloyd looked at me, then to Genis. "The Desian's are half-elves right?"

"Huh? Oh y..yeah." Genis replied sadly looking forwards. "That's right, but..." I looked at him and rested a hand on his shoulder as he looked at me. "I wonder why they do these things."

"Who knows!" Lloyd exclaimed, putting his hands behind his head and walking. I was no where in this conversation, since this talk about Desians and such is usually between the two of them. Coming to see my house in view I rushed up a head.

"I'll see you both tomorrow!" I called, as they waved at me.

I rushed inside and slipped off my shoes, leaning my weapon against the wall, making sure the chain wasn't all tangled. "Dad?" I called walking into the kitchen. He was sitting at the table, looking rather down. "Dad...?" He looked up with me with a blank stare before mumbling something I didn't understand.

"I'm sorry Madison, I really am."

"What are you talking about dad?" I asked, placing a hand on his arm. He jerked away quickly as I looked at him. I don't understand what got him so riled up. "Dad, what's going on?"

"Stop calling me that!" He bellowed making me step back, my eyes widening.

"B-But Dad!" I exclaimed, looking at him. His blue eyes held no warmth, his dark black hair seemed different as well. As if he was a stranger.

"I am not your father!" I bellowed, pushing the table across the room, causing me to cry out in surprise and stumble back. I didn't understand, I don't think I want to understand. "I have no child!"

I looked up at him in utter shock, tears swelled in my eyes.

"Don't you dare cry Madison!" He called out loudly, "I told you I hated when you cried!"

I rubbed my eyes quickly, but my tears continue to fall. What would you do when the man you called your father for sixteen years claimed that he wasn't?

He got to his feet as the phone rang. He answered it, his muffled voice and words were to jumbled together for me to hear. He chuckled, as he hung the phone up and looked at me. Those eyes I grew to love and adore held nothing but pure hate, the love that was behind those eyes were gone.

"It seems your little friend got himself into trouble at the ranch."

"What?!" I called, Lloyd said he was never going to go there...wait...Genis's friend. Genis's friend must have been a slave there. The man I once called my father grabbed me by the arm and lifted me over his shoulder, ignoring my cries and struggles.

"Let me go! Put me down!" I rammed my fists into his back, kicking his best with my legs but I was no match for the man.

"Now Madison is that any way to treat your...father?"

I stopped and looked at him with a small glare. "My father would never do this to me!" I exclaimed, as he chuckled.

Where he took me, I knew for a fact wasn't somewhere good as soon as we stepped into the Human Ranch part of the forest. My eyes widened, as the gates opened of him, people; desians and slaves alike a looked at me.

"Agent Cohart, good for you to join us."

"Yes." He replied as I looked at him. Agent... He was working with the Desians...? He was part of group that herded people at cattle!? Part of the group that tried to kill Colette and the others, including me?! How could he?!

He threw me to the ground as we entered a large room, screens filled the walls, all with the pictures of Lloyd. Video's of him attacking the desians were playing.

"So this is Lloyd's little friend." A man said, I couldn't see him, since he was sitting in a chair facing away from me.

"What do you want from me?!" I exclaimed, glaring at the back of the seat.

"You see..." He spoke, never turning to face me. "Lloyd had violated the nonaggression treaty-"

"You did!" I exclaimed, pulling myself to my feet. "You were the ones who attacked Colette at the temple!"

"Silence!" My father bellowed, slapping me hard as I rolled on the ground looking up at him with wide eyes, my hand rested on my now red cheek. My father never hit me before...but the man before me was not my father. "My apologies Forcystus." He bowed to the man in the chair.

"It's fine, a little rebellious act would do nothing against me." He got up revealing himself to be a man who was no older than what looked like his mere twenties. Light green hair rested on his shoulders, but what caught my attention was the sword like weapon that was attached to his arm. "Now my dear Madison." He spoke, walking up to me and kneeling down so he was face to face with me. "I would like to try this again." I glared at him, my hand still upon my cheek. "Lloyd had violated the nonaggression treaty and now he has to be punished."

"Don't you dare touch him." I hissed, narrowing my eyes at him. He chuckled, as I tried to slap him, but he caught my wrist, holding it painfully as I winced.

"I don't like to be touched Madison."

"Neither do I."

He glared down at me, "you will be the one to punish Lloyd."

"W-what?"

"You will punish him, as a member of the Desians it is your job."

"I am not part of this!" I snapped, pulling my hand back. "I will never be a desian!"

"You haven't told her yet have you?" Forcystus questioned my ex-father who shook his head.

"No sir."

"I see." He walked back to his desk as pictures changed on the screen. Two people. Man and Woman. The man had dark brown hair, the woman had lighter brown. They were both standing side by side, the man had her arm around the woman as if to protect her. "This is Hardion and Clocea." He stated, "the man and woman who would have been known as your mother and father."

I looked around at the pictures, absorbing everything in. These two were my parents? I walked up to one of the screens and touched the image of my mothers face, like Colette she looked so pure, so innocent. My father had that Lloyd look of pure determination and courage. These are my parents...not the man I called father for sixteen years. I closed my eyes, how could these two be desians?

"If your questioning about your parents being Desians, then don't." Forcystus stated, looking at me with those cold eyes. "They weren't desians, but they gave you up to us to save themselves."

"What...?" I looked at him.

"They both had a choice, to keep you and live in fear all their lives or give you to us and be free from the Desian hold, and they chose option B."

"T-Thats a lie, my parents wouldn't!" I cried, shaking my head. "They wouldn't...would they?"

"Now my dear Madison, no need to cry." He said resting his hand upon my shoulder. "It was for the best, don't you want your mother and father to be happy?"

I looked at him and nodded my head slowly, of course I did. What kind of daughter would I be if I didn't?

"But for their happiness, you have to obey us, or we'll find that happy little family of yours and kill them in front of your pretty little eyes." He smiled in fake happiness as I glared at him. I was their play toy, someone to do their evil work, or loose the family I always wanted.

"Fine, but I wont hurt him." I stated, rubbing my eyes. "Scare him yes, but not injure him."

"That is all we ask." He smiled, turning away from me. "Take her to her corridors, she will meet Mable later."

Being ushered out of the room I collapsed on the ground in the bedroom, pulling my legs close to me. Clutching my fingers around my blue pendant I closed my eyes, tears running down my face.

"I'm sorry Lloyd, I really am..."

"Colette? Colette are you ok?" Lloyd looked at the blond girl in worry as she held the pink gem in her hand.

"W-what?" She blinked a couple of times, as Kratos and Lloyd looked at her in question.

"You were apologizing to me..." Lloyd replied, as she continue to blink.

"Was I?"

He nodded his head as Kratos opened the girls hand. "Where did you get this Colette?"

"Maddy gave it to me." She replied as he looked at the gem within his fingers. It had a faint glow to it and he frowned slightly. "Who did this belong to before Madison?"

"Why her mother." She said looking at him. "Is there something wrong?"

"No..." He let the gem fall back onto Colette's chest as he turned. "Come, we must get ready for tomorrow."

"Alright, bye Lloyd!" She smiled rushing after the man. "Come say goodbye before I leave alright?"

"Of course..." Lloyd smiled waving to his friend as she rushed down the path. "Now that was weird..."