Hey dudes it's been a while so here it is! Thanks again for the reviews I get so happy when I find I get emails from this place. I'm incredibly sad sometimes haha!

Disclaimer: I don't own TOS


Chapter Four

Solitude

Colette Brunel waved her father off a smile pasted on her gentle face. Frank turned and smiled fondly at his daughter as he and his companions set off into the world. They had taken it upon themselves to chart a map of the new world as no one else had done it yet.

She turned and walked back into the village smiling at some of the residents who smiled and said hello. In all honesty she wasn't completely content to let her father wander off into the world, there was technically no danger but she'd miss the company. It had been a long time since Lloyd and Zelos had last visited, and she hadn't seen Raine and Genis in a little while.

She cast a wary eye at the sky and sighed, there was going to be a storm. Colette hated the rain. She hugged herself wrapping her arms around herself tightly. This was going to be a long couple of weeks. She took a moment before walking towards her small house, she'd make her dinner, have a little read and then go to sleep. The sun was setting and she found herself wondering if anyone else was feeling as suddenly lonely as she was.

She pushed open her door and closed it behind her, she gazed sadly around the room. Colette hated being alone. Time passed slowly as she worked at the stove, the pots bubbled and her chicken burnt, so she made herself a sandwich.

It wasn't that she wanted her friends to drop everything they were doing and run to her side once again, she just missed them. She stood up her plate in her hands and she walked towards the counter her eyes struggling to keep open all of a sudden.

She placed the plate on the counter and she felt terribly dizzy, something was wrong. She tried to push herself back towards the chair in front of the fireplace but there was a blinding flash of light.

"Colette…" Colette blinked she was on the floor, she was on a lush pasture, the sun was beating down on her back and a gentle voice whispered so softly she could barely hear it, "Colette."

She glanced up and her eyes met a most beautiful sight, long green hair, a long green tunic and beautiful big eyes. Colette felt her breath catch in her throat and she pushed herself off the ground watching the woman in front of her. Her blue eyes were wide in fear and apprehension.

"M-Martel?" Colette said sweetly her blue eyes glistening her hands clasped held up to her chest. Biting her bottom lip she took a step forward and Martel smiled gently.

"I come with a warning dear one." Martel said her voice small and quiet, although it was difficult to hear it filled Colette with unjustified confidence. There was no reason Martel should be here, unless something was horribly wrong. But something in her voice seemed to make everything okay, "The vessel is in danger. Mithos' vessel is needed by the dark ones."

"Wh-what?" Colette breathed, "The Dark Ones?!"

"They are an organization which worked within Cruxis in the event of his failure to bring him back. To defy all the laws of nature, to defy everything to make sure Mithos, my brother would have his age of lifeless beings. The vessel shared his memories with him, shared his thoughts and for while neither was themselves, they were one until they began fighting for control." Colette clutched her heart, "They are lead by a twisted soul who goes by the name of Xanthos. He's out for cold blooded revenge and is coming to Iseila tonight."

"He's coming to Iseila, why?" Colette balled her fists her blue eyes glistening with tears, "Who are they after…I need to stop this!"

"He's coming to stop you from protecting the Wilder boy." Martel whispered placing a hand on Colette's shoulder, "It is of the utmost importance that you make it to him before they do."

Colette felt her heart beating so hard against her chest, it was sore, "Zelos is the vessel?!" She gasped, "Of course he was possessed by Mithos!"

"Colette!"

Martel closed her eyes, "I will return."

"COLETTE!" Colette closed her eyes and the next thing she knew a pair of soft brown eyes gazing at her in fear, "Oh martel!" Sheena said sitting back and leaning against the cupboard under Colette's counter.

Colette sat up blinking confusedly.

"Are you alright Sheena?" Colette asked, Sheena looked faint and for a second anger flashed across he face but it quickly passed.

"Am I…Yes Colette I'm fine." Sheena whispered exasperatedly, it was then Colette noticed her dishevelled appearance Sheena's hair had fallen out of it's pony tail, she was soaking wet from head to toe, her clothes clinging tightly to her body, she looked pale and a little frightened, "You…you were yelling…something about Zelos."

And with a jolt Colette remembered, "Martel!" She exclaimed standing up suddenly gripping onto the dinner table for support, "Sheena she spoke to me again." Sheena stood up, watching Colette very carefully she nodded for her to continue, "The dark ones are after Zelos…M-Mithos…they want to bring back Mithos and Zelos has something to do with it."

Sheena seemed to struggle with herself, "Lloyd and Zelos turned up in Mizuho today. They had been collecting Exspheres in the temple of ice, a man was talking to Mithos who was embedded in ice." Sheena let out a shaky sigh, "Zelos' Cruxis Crystal was burning."

Colette shook her head, "So it was real then?" She walked to the window the rain was beating down against the panes of glass. Sheena shifted uneasily behind her.

"I guess so." Colette shook her head and threw herself onto the couch in exhaustion. Sheena joined her, "We're meeting at sunrise at the tree."

"Can I come?" Colette asked quietly, "I know what Lloyd's like…he can be-"

"Over protective? Dense? Naïve?"

Colette giggled and moved to close the curtains, things were fuzzy she couldn't remember all the details of the dream. She knew some of it and it was slowly coming back to her in short bursts. She could suddenly feel the warmth of Martel.

She didn't like the sudden horrible situation, however she didn't feel as horribly alone anymore.

Slowly the two girls started to dose off together on the sofa, Colette found herself oddly at ease. So she decided to ask something that had been plaguing her for a while.

"Sheena…" Colette paused she didn't really know if this was the time, but during the journey they had gotten by, through talking about other things and such, "Have you ever been in love with someone?"

"I…" Sheena sat up and looked at Colette with her eyebrows raised, "Well, I don't actually know to be honest." She wasn't being honest Colette could see it in her eyes. There was a hidden pain there, something underlying which Colette suspected may be eating her up inside.

"Sheena?" Colette urged she needed to hear her say it, for some reason she wanted an explanation about what it was.

"Well, Orochi proposed." Colette spoke out she had to.

"OROCHI!" Sheena backed off looking slightly frightened, "But he's…he's so…" Sheena sighed and looked away, "He's not who I thought you might…"

"Who did you think I loved?" Sheena asked pulling her knees up to her chest. Her black hair drying now in loose curls.

"I thought you might like, love Zelos." Sheena hesitated for a second before laughing knocking her head back. The laughter was sort of scary and perhaps a little forced, there was a blush on her cheeks that she couldn't hide.

"Me and Zelos?!" Sheena shook her head, "You've got to be kidding. Zelos has…Zelos has a group of girls who adore him and worship the ground he walks on. He's a philanderer, and a good person but a philanderer is a philanderer and a leopard never changes it's spots." Sheena smiled, "Maybe one day I'll marry Orochi…it's my duty." She laughed, "If I'm ever allowed back in."

There was a knock on the door, sudden and sharp. Sheena sighed and made her way to the door, pushing herself off the couch with a grumble rolling her eyes at Colette.

"This is a little late for visitors isn't it?" Sheena muttered, Colette was struck all of a sudden not quite sure why she felt so suddenly terrified. Sheena had her hand on the handle and then it hit her! Colette turned and opened her mouth to stop her but it was too late. The door was open.

"Sheena Fujibayashi. You look just like your mother did." Sheena gasped and let out a shriek as a gloved hand grabbed her arm pulling her out of the door.

Colette felt the fear grip her like a vice, she shook it off however. She couldn't let herself panic, she needed to help. And fear was just a hindrance.

Colette ran outside her blue eyes wide, the man had Sheena in a tight grip she was struggling to free herself as he pulled her close drawing his sword and holding it to her neck.

"Ah if it isn't the failed chosen, heroine of the world!" The man bellowed his silver eyes on Colette, seemingly piercing right through into her core. "What an interesting situation we find ourselves in, eh? I wonder if the others are finding themselves in similar binds?"

"Let her go!" Colette yelled angrily, once she found her voice. "Let her go now!" The rain continued to fall down heavily, "Sheena!"

Sheena looked up at the man who held her tightly, a fierce determination in her eyes. Colette couldn't remember seeing anyone look like that, and as Sheena closed her eyes Colette found herself wishing she could be as brave, "Colette…get to the Sylvarant base. Don't look back, tell-"

"Tell Zelos Wilder that I am keeping Miss Fujibayashi company. If he doesn't come here, I'll kill her." Sheena turned to Colette who hesitated, "If you don't, I'll kill her I promise you Colette."

Colette closed her eyes, what could she do? She couldn't let him kill her. She had to fly, as fast as she could. She needed Lloyd Irving. "I'll be back Sheena!" And with that she was off flat out running towards the border of the town.

"Let's see if he does feel like returning those feelings shall we?" Colette heard the man whisper as she extended her wings and took off, she was faster using her wings in any case. The rain battered against her face she was soaked to the skin, she didn't care, she needed to save Sheena…they needed a plan.

Eventually, ten minutes later to be precise Colette arrived at the desert which oddly enough felt slightly chilly. Her forehead wrinkled in confusion she landed. She shivered slightly to herself before she started to run towards the door colliding with Jack the Guard and falling back onto the ground.

"Where do you think you're going Missy?" The guard said in a low purr. Colette shrugged clenching her fists she looked at him desperately.

"I need to see Lloyd Irving and…and Zelos Wilder!" She gushed standing up as the door opened behind them and Yuan and Lloyd exited looking solemn.

"Colette!?" Lloyd exclaimed as a sodden Colette ran past the guard and threw herself into Lloyd's arms tears spilling down her face mingling with the rain. Lloyd gripped her tightly and she felt safe once again, as though everything was going to be alright. She inhaled deeply, everything was so familiar she no longer felt like an alien in someone else's world.

"I'm sorry…I'm so sorry Lloyd!" She exclaimed as Yuan rolled his eyes. She gripped onto his tunic and sobbed shaking terribly.

"S-sorry?" Lloyd asked pulling away, "What for you dummy?"

"He's…He's got Sheena!" Colette exclaimed, "And he said that unless I bring Zelos to Iseila he'll…He's gonna kill her Lloyd?!"

Lloyd shook his head, "Oh my god." He muttered glaring at Jack who seemed to find the whole situation amusing. Colette hugged herself standing on the spot.

"Lloyd!"

Lloyd turned to Yuan his eyes narrowed and features determined. Colette watched him in awe, sometimes she was so enamoured by his ability to command respect at such a young age, "We need to get to Zelos." Lloyd said to Yuan, "And I suggest you help us."

Yuan shrugged and tossed his hair behind his head as a drop of rain hit his forehead, "So the climate is changing."

"WE DON'T HAVE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT THAT?!" Lloyd shouted suddenly. Colette watched as he rounded on Yuan who merely shook his head at the boldness of Lloyd, "How can you even talk about something like that when someone's in trouble?!" Lloud pushed past Yuan grabbing Colette's hand, "Come on Colette I know where he'll be!"

Reihards, moved slower than wings and desperate times called for desperate measures, they were flying hand in hand at breakneck speeds towards the holy ground of Kharlan the former site of the tower of salvation which now lay in ruins around the Yggdrasil tree.

The rain seemed to be covering the entirety of the world, for when they landed outside the tower it was pouring. Zelos could be seen beside the tree apparently talking to himself. Lloyd was the first one to speak his sword drawn. Zelos merely looked up not even intimidated by this odd move. Colette just gasped.

"Last time you acted like this Zelos you were about to betray us!" Lloyd shouted, "Out with it?!" Colette moved forward but Lloyd turned to her and gave her a significant look. Zelos looked back to the ground and muttered something under his breath.

"I'm not joking around Zelos!!"

Zelos merely looked up at Lloyd sadly, his blue eyes so pained that Colette wanted to run to him. Hug him, do anything to make that look go away, "The door is shut. I can't contact Kratos. No one can."

"Why did you out here alone?!" Lloyd demanded his eyes blazing, "Come on you stupid jackass TELL ME! I was with you the whole time! We were all going to do this together!" Zelos hoisted himself up his blue eyes on the ground looking pained.

"Something's not…Lloyd…" He turned away from them and inhaled deeply, "Lloyd I don't want to hurt you."

"What makes you think you will?!" Tears filled Colette's eyes as Zelos let out a roar of frustration and he kicked hard at a rock below his feet. Lloyd even seemed taken aback by this action.

"I could hear his voice in my head again. It was like…It felt like it did the last time. Mithos was trying to control me!" Zelos said turning to him, "If he is…I don't know what I might do to you guys!"

Lloyd lowered his swords, "You're strong Zelos. You've already proven that by forcing him out the last time remember?" He walked to him, "Stop acting like you're a burden. You're our friend." Zelos smiled sadly and nodded, not looking altogether convinced. Colette nodded so enthusiastically that Zelos even let out a small laugh.

For a minute everything seemed calm and Colette smiled to herself again before the present situation came flying back to her, "Lloyd! Sheena…"

"What about her?" Zelos asked very quickly his eyes wide and fearful. Colette opened her mouth to speak but Lloyd got there first. She was glad she wasn't sure if she could have brought the words to her mouth.

"That man has her. He said if you don't come to Iseila he'll kill her!"

Both Lloyd and Colette watched Zelos carefully, he looked up at the heavens allowing the rain to splash down on his face hard and painfully. Colette felt a lump in her throat and she looked to Lloyd who also looked like he might cry. Obviously Zelos was not sure of his next move.

Colette raised a hand to her heart and sighed, she had thought it was all over. She had thought joining the world meant that this fight was over, for a second she felt alone until Lloyd reached out and grabbed her hand squeezing it gently. Zelos looked at them his eyes misty but determined. A moment Colette prepared to take off but it seemed Zelos had other plans he took off himself flying towards Iseila.

It was almost daybreak and as Colette made to follow Lloyd grabbed her hand, "The others will be here soon." Colette nodded and stared at the disappearing vision that was Zelos.