Chapter 10:

I think your demon tainted the energy you gave me. I told Neeko as I flopped onto my bed.

She was back in the form of a cat, curled up on the covers of one of the beds feigning sleep. She couldn't possibly be sleeping because she lived on a slightly different sleep schedule than humans; and by slightly I mean immensely. Her sleep cycle was fifteen years long. Awake for ten years, asleep for five.

When she did finally sleep, no one would even notice because she would remove herself from the time-line and reenter it at exactly the spot she'd left after she woke up. Basically five years would pass for her, but it would seem like no time at all for those existing in the world around her.

Neeko cracked open a yellow slitted cat eye and glanced at me icily. ~That is impossible. Once the energy left me and was transferred to you, it would have been completely converted to your energy.~

Not if the demon has been manipulating the energy from the time of the transfer through the stupid link you put in our heads so it would be easier to talk to me; and read my mind constantly, can't forget about that. I rolled my eyes.

Neeko opened both eyes and lifted her head to regard me with a scowl. ~... It is unsettling to be around someone who knows more about me than I do.~

She sighed and shifted to a sitting position. ~Your theory is still very unlikely. If it were true, then there isn't anything I could do about it.~

It's your demon, fix it. Sever the link or something.

Neeko continued to scowl at me. ~It's not just a simple link that I can sever as I am now. It's complicated, and dangerous. Not to mention it's part of what holds you to your own world. Severing it would risk trapping you in this world for the rest of your life.~

Don't give me that, you could send me back at any moment if you just break a few seals. I retorted.

~And if something were to happen to me? If I were to die, maybe? What then?~

I stopped. I hadn't thought of that. Neeko couldn't really die, she wasn't really here. The cat sitting on the bed was just a figment of illusion that she was allowed to live through even while being imprisoned.

Her real body was held in some remote location that could exist in any universe, at any point in time, in any dimension. Bound in so many seals and chains; she wouldn't even be allowed to think if not for the tiny breach that was allowed so she could have an illusion copy. A copy that they used as a slave to do their bidding.

If the illusion Neeko died, then it could take anywhere from a few days to a hundred years for her to form a new one. Depending on when her jailers would get around to obtaining permission for her to form a new one. Even then, she might not even remember taking me to this world. It was possible that I could be stuck here if she died.

So... this link will make sure I get home even if you die? I asked anxiously. She could do that. Maybe. Would she though? I didn't know.

~Probably. I haven't exactly tested it.~

` Right, so, severing the link, bad. New plan. Any ideas?

Neeko yawned as she went back to napping. ~The plan is that you learn to cope with it. I was trying to get you to be less of a pansy anyway. This just helps things along.~

What if I can't control it? I specifically remember making demons very hard for normal people to control, I demanded.

~Then I'll kill you. Problem solved. Now go away, you're annoying.~

I could tell she was losing her patience, and she was probably at as much of a loss at what to do as I was, so I stopped arguing and stepped out of the room. I stood out in the hall trying to figure out what to do.

It was past lunch time, and I hadn't eaten breakfast either. Surprisingly, I wasn't hungry. I almost wished I were sleepy so I could take a nap, but I wasn't tired either. After a bit of debate, I decided to go take a walk and maybe figure out what the others were up to.

The next morning was much less eventful than the last. I was awake early, the sun hadn't even come up yet, and I managed to avoid Kratos and Lloyd's training session on my own. Neeko didn't even come seek me out for another beat down. I had a free morning all to myself.

And I was bored out of my mind. Almost literally. I was actually considering going off to find Lloyd and Kratos to go train with them, I was that bored. I probably would have too, if I weren't afraid of the demon interfering. I needed to learn to control it better before I trained with Lloyd again. I just didn't know how.

"Maddy!"

I'd been walking around town aimlessly all morning, and I was surprised to hear Genis call my name. I turned toward him and waved. Colette was with him.

"Hey guys, what's up?" I asked.

"It's terrible!" Colette cried out. I was surprised to see she was near tears as they came closer.

"What happened?"

"The Desians kidnapped Chocolat!" Genis blurted out, coming to a halt in front of me.

I blinked in surprise. I'd forgotten about that. So... wait... did that mean it was time to go to the ranch? Oh snap. I wasn't ready for a ranch. I didn't think I could stomach that. "Really? Those smarmy punks..."

"What?"

"Uh, nothing. I like to make up words sometimes. Pretend I said slimy jerks," I amended hastily. "Lloyd isn't planning on going after her is he?"

"He is." Genis started running back to the inn and Colette and I followed.

"Is he crazy? Taking on a whole ranch? That's suicidal!"

Genis shook his head, "Dorr is planning on coordinating an attack with us. The city's militia will fight most of the Desian forces, we just have to sneak in and get Chocolat out while they're busy."

I scowled. I knew Dorr was a traitor and that the army's distraction would never happen, but I couldn't say anything. I just nodded as we ran the rest of the way to the inn where Lloyd, Raine and Kratos were waiting for us.

"Maddy!" Lloyd greeted me. "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you!"

"I woke up early and couldn't get back to sleep so I went for a walk. Nevermind that, what's this I hear about a suicidal mission to the ranch?" I asked.

"We can't just leave Chocolat there. It's our fault they took her. If we hadn't interfered...," Lloyd looked so upset and angry that I dropped my protests.

"If we hadn't interfered, her mother would be dead and probably a good amount of other town's folk. What we did wasn't wrong, and you're right. We probably should go save her." I finished for him. I sighed in resignation. This had to happen, even if I didn't want it to.

We packed quickly and started out right away. Lloyd was conflicted and moody the entire time, and some how I ended up being the one walking with him.

"So. You okay, Lloyd?" I asked. I'd never been a very tactful or subtle person. Blunt by nature, that was me.

He turned to look at me incredulously. "I should be the one asking you that."

"Huh?"

"Maddy, you've been acting weird lately."

"Oh, that. I'm not entirely sure what the whole red mana thing is about, but I think I've got it under control."

"No, not that... well, yes, that's part of it; but, I mean...," he sighed. "When was the last time you ate? You skipped dinner last night, and you didn't eat when we had lunch before that either. Did you even eat breakfast this morning?"

I grimaced. I hadn't even noticed my lack of appetite. He was right though, I hadn't eaten in almost two days. It was already past lunch time, and I still wasn't hungry. That frightened me.

"It's probably because I'm not feeling well. Colette doesn't eat much either," I countered. "Besides, a bit of diet will be good for me. Lose some of that flab, you know?"

Lloyd didn't answer right away. I didn't think he bought my attempts to misdirect him.

"Will you do me a favor?" he asked after a bit. I didn't like the sound of where this was going, and I waited silently for what he was going to ask of me.

"If... if there's something wrong, will you promise to tell me? Like, if you're in trouble or something."

I stopped. In the middle of the road, with everyone moving ahead in front of us, I stopped. I stared blankly at him at a loss for words. I couldn't promise him that. That would be lying, and I couldn't lie to Lloyd. Even without that, I wouldn't make a promise I knew I couldn't keep.

Lloyd stopped too, looking at me with concern. "Maddy?"

I was almost crying. I wanted to make that promise, I wanted to tell him that everything was wrong, and that I just wanted to go home. Go see my nephews... hug my siblings... talk to my friends...

I fought back the sudden emotion, and it was a moment before I started walking again and trusted myself enough to speak. "I'm sorry, Lloyd. I just can't make that promise."

His face fell, and I felt terrible. We were silent until Raine called a stop for lunch. While everyone was busy setting up camp and making a fire, I snuck off into the trees. I needed a moment to be alone. I needed to go cry.

I walked several yards away, and found a good tree to climb. I liked trees, even if I hadn't been able to climb one since I was little. With the exsphere and my more active life style, I found trees easy to climb again.

I went up as high as I could safely manage and curled up to wallow in self-misery for a bit. I wasn't up there long before the voice started.

I can get you home.

I jolted in surprise. The sinister feelings from before had never been so clear as they were now. They were feeding on my loneliness, growing stronger by the second.

Let me free. Getting you home would be easy... the demon purred in my head.

I was sorely tempted to take the offer. However, I'd spent my whole life resisting temptation. I'd also had experience with oily, sweet-talking, manipulative people. Nothing repulsed me more than someone who tried to sweet-talk me into something I knew I didn't want.

Go away. You won't be taking me over, I growled at it. My anger only made it stronger, as it tried to soothe my emotions.

Just think about it. Think how easy it would be if you just let it all go...

I closed my eyes and tried to think of something happy. My happy place. Where was my happy place? It took me a while to get away from my previous misery and sadness, but, eventually, I managed to turn my thoughts to memories of my nephews.

Them setting up their little toy boxes in a row and then sitting in them while making train noises.

One of my baby nephew helping to pick up all the tissues he'd taken out of the tissue box. He had been watching me try to put them back, and was copying me.

Another of all three of them helping me to bake fudge crinkle cookies... ooooh... cookies...

The demon had retreated from my thoughts for the time being, and the sudden memory of food sparked my appetite. I was hungry again. I sighed in relief.

I opened my eyes, feeling more like myself, and climbed back down the tree. I made my way slowly back to camp, hoping I didn't look too much like I had been crying. I also hoped there was something delicious for lunch, I was starving.

When we reached the ranch, Neil was waiting for us.

"Chosen One, please wait," he called out softly.

We stopped and Lloyd stepped forward to greet him. "Neil! We heard Chocolat's been kidnapped."

"..Yes," Neil spoke, looking uncomfortable. "I wish to speak with you regarding that. Please, come this way." He turned and walked towards a small little grove of trees that would be out of sight of the base.

"It doesn't sound like you have very good news for us," Rained commented grimly as we followed.

As we all crowded into the little grove, I took a place in the back; where not a lot of people could see my facial expressions. I was too worried about our trip into the ranch to bother schooling my reactions to events I already knew about.

"I would like you all to just go ahead and leave the Palmacosta region," Neil told them bluntly.

The group blinked in surprise, and I tried to look the part. "But if we do that, what will happen with Chocolat?" Colette asked.

"Yeah! We're supposed to work in conjunction with the Palmacosta army to save Chocolat, right?" Genis questioned.

"No, that's...," Neil looked awkward, and I felt awkward too. I felt miserable knowing the truth, and not telling anyone. It didn't help any that Lloyd had been avoiding me since the day before.

"So... it is a trap," Kratos spoke, and made me jump. I hadn't noticed him right behind me, which was odd. Usually I was paranoid and extra aware of where he was so I could carefully avoid him. I guess I'd been too preoccupied with the up coming ranch trip and the whole issue with Lloyd.

It was too late to tactfully step away from him, so I just stayed where I was. It wasn't as if I had anywhere else to stand, with Lloyd on the other side of the clearing and avoiding me and all.

Neil had been almost as surprised at I was at Kratos' statement, and his surprise didn't lessen any when Raine nodded in agreement with Kratos.

"Of the several possibilities, it looks like the worst one came true."

"What are you guys talking about?" Lloyd demanded, looking thoroughly confused.

Kratos turned an even gaze at him. "It was a mystery that the Desians would simply leave a city with an army alone."

"Yes, exactly," Raine agreed. "Choosing not to crush the seeds of rebellion must mean they are not a threat. They are left alone simply because they have no real power, or perhaps, because they are in fact beneficial."

"It is as you say," Neil confirmed, "Dorr is working with the Desians to lead the Chosen into a trap."

"Why would he do such a thing?" Genis gasped.

"Because he's a big jerk-face, that's why," I blurted out, surprising myself. That earned me a few looks and I grimaced, looking down at the my feet. I hadn't meant to speak out. I'd just never liked the whole Dorr betrayal thing from the game.

"He didn't used to be like this," Neil went on, ignoring my outburst. "He always though of the well-being of the people of the city. Even when he lost his wife, Clara, he swore to fight against the desians."

"Then why...?" Colette asked.

"I don't know," Neil answered, shaking his head. "At any rate, entering the ranch now will put the Chosen in danger. Leave Chocolat to me and please go on your way. Please regenerate the world as soon as possible."

"Indeed. It would be best to abandon the situation here for world regeneration," Kratos spoke.

"No!" Colette protested. "I can't just ignore this!"

Genis frowned as he stepped forward with Colette, a determined look on his face. Which was pretty cute, and I had to fight the urge to hug him. "Colette's right. If we leave things as they are now, Palmacosta may be destroyed just like Iselia. You think so too, right Lloyd?"

Whatever Lloyd was about to say, Raine interrupted it, making soothing motions at her brother. "Yes, what you say is true; but I still think Kratos is right. If you don't want to see cities destroyed, then you should avoid contact with Desians."

"No, that's not right," Colette argued stubbornly. "Regenerating to the world and saving the people in front of us are not exclusive of each other. That's what I think." She folded her arms fixed Raine with a firm gaze.

Raine sighed, putting a hand to her head. "If that is how you feel, Colette, then we do not have any right to stop you. The only one who has the right to make decisions on this journey is you, the Chosen one. Is that all right with you, Lloyd?"

"That was my intention from the beginning," Lloyd replied. "Remember what I said? I'm going to destroy them all."

A chill ran down my spine and I could feel the demon stirring in the back of my mind. The hatred in his voice was worse than before. Enough to make the demon sit up and take notice.

No, go away... I hissed in my mind. The conversation continued around me as I fought to stay calm and composed. Happy thoughts, not fear... nephews, puppies, rainbows...

~Ugh, the way you fight it is so sickening.~

You're not helping!

~Yeah yeah, just do what I do and tell it to sit down and shut up.~

Yeah and that works out real great for you, doesn't it? Because you totally don't loose control and go on the occasional homicidal rampage or anything, right?

~And that's totally because it's not like I've been fighting this thing for thousands of years longer than you or anything, right? Besides, your sarcasm is a sign that you're losing.~

"Maddy!"

I blinked in surprise at Genis as he waved a hand in my face to get my attention. "Uh, what? Sorry, I kind of spaced out there for a moment..."

I blushed while Neeko snickered in the back of my mind. I pushed the anger out of my mind and forced a smile as Genis rolled his eyes and explained. They were trying to decide whether to rescue Chocolat now, or go deal with Dorr first. I hesitated before answering, taking a glance towards the ranch.

"Well... since we're in a hurry, and we're already here," I really didn't want to say what I was about to say. The very idea of going into the ranch repulsed me, but I knew it had to be done. "I think it would be best to rescue Chocolat now. If only to save on the travel time."

Genis nodded and turned to Lloyd. Lloyd avoided looking at me as he turned to everyone else and began organizing the entry into the ranch. I took a seat on the grass and was finding it increasingly difficult to stay calm.

A romp into the human ranch where Magnius awaited with Lloyd avoiding me and a stirring demon trying to take over my consciousness? This was going to get messy. Happy thoughts, Maddy. Happy thoughts.

Author's Note:

My sister brought it to my attention that this chapter was entirely lacking in moogles and Locke from Final Fantasy 6. Of course I found this a serious problem and have proposed this solution:

One day there was a moogle. His name was Mog. He had an adventure with lots of humans (and some other creatures he wasn't quite sure the name of) and came home with grand stories to tell. One of these humans was a treasure hunter named Locke. Locke was a good human. He had a nice scarf. Mog stole the scarf and now it hangs in a place of honor on his cave wall where all the moogles look fondly after it. The end.

There. Now this chapter is not lacking in moogles or Locke. Problem solved.

On a more serious (and somewhat selfish) note, August 3rd is/was my birthday. So, happy birthday me! Yay. I haven't decided yet what to do for my birthday, but I hope it's something fun...

Also, I'm sorry for not updating sooner, I was busy moving out of state and getting and then losing a job and all the fun complications that go with all that. I'm working on another chapter to my other story, Dragon's Twilight as well so for those of you that read that, I'll hopefully have something for you soon.

As for who goes with Maddy to Thoda Geyser, I currently have a tie between Kratos and Lloyd, so if you guys have a preference between the two of those, please let me know in a review or a PM. Thanks. :D

Special thanks to my beta's, Delphie, and Seraphim Orion. Without which I'd be floundering in a sea of typos and crazy ramblings.

Thanks for reading. Hope to see you all next chapter. :)

-Pyroth