Listening to the soft pitter patter of the rain against the window, Arya and the others were gladly reminded of the peace and quiet these last few days. Not one sign of a Shadow was detected as they slowly passed through each town, giving them a refreshed sense of hope in their battle against the Shadow Line. More importantly, it relieved Arya that the nightmares had not return lately, either.
"Don't you seem quite happy today, your majesty." said Conductor, settling down near the edge of her seat. "I haven't seen such a genuine smile like that from you since you've arrived."
"There's been a lot of things lately that are worth smiling for." she replied, still peering out at the rushing scenery outside.
"I suppose so." he responded quietly, glancing at the group of friends at the other end of the room.
Turning her head to see what Conductor was staring at, she responded "You and President chose well."
"Really?" he asked, an amused glint in his eye "I never thought I'd hear that from the one person who's always tried to do things her way."
Smiling, she said "It's good to try something new every once and awhile."
"I suppose you're right, your majesty." he said, remaining quiet after that.
"Something wrong?"
With a deep sigh, he responded quietly "Do you feel lonely, your majesty?"
"No, why do you ask?"
"Oh it's nothing, it's just...you seem pretty distant from the others."
Taking a moment to comprehend what he had just said. Arya realized that he was right. For the last few weeks they've spent together, the ToQgers and her hadn't really spent time together that much. Arya saw that she was an outsider to their friendship, while the others thought of her as only the empress. The only person she spent the most time with was Akira.
"Does it matter?" she whispered "We're comrades, isn't that enough?"
"Is it though? Are you content with being just comrades?" he questioned.
For a moment, Arya's mind flashbacked to her conversation with the Emperor of Darkness.
"You are comrades, you should learn to get along!"
"Comrades? Why act friendly to those beneath you when in the end, they'll have to die for your sake?"
"I know it must be hard for you...getting close to others again, your majesty." spoke Conductor, breaking her from her flashback "But you shouldn't let your death stop you from-"
"I understand, Conductor." Arya spoke hurriedly, tears on the verge of spilling out as she turned her attention back to the window.
Taking a moment to look at her one last time, the Conductor slowly got up to leave the empress in peace.
Clutching the stone resting heavily around her neck, Arya closed her eyes to control the mess of emotions rushing through her mind. However, when she opened her eyes, she could've sworn she saw the tall figure of the emperor standing outside in the pouring rain as if waiting for her to come out and join him.
"Your Majesty!" spoke Nero worriedly "Are you feeling unwell? Ever since the Empress of Light left, you've been behaving differently!"
"How so?" Zett asked, bored, as his chin rested in the palm of one of his hand that was propped up on one of the arms of his throne.
"Well, you've been quite unresponsive." said Nero cautiously "And you haven't been allowing us to send forth Shadows to the Human World."
"Why the rush?" he asked.
"Excuse me, your majesty?"
"Why the rush to send out Shadows when we know they'll be defeated by the ToQgers?"
"Your Majesty, with all due respect-"
"Nero! Don't waste your breath!" called Mork, entering the room "His Majesty is only behaving this way because he's upset that he couldn't play with his precious new light any longer!"
Casting only an annoyed glance at Mork, Zett remained quiet.
"Is this true, your Majesty?' questioned Nero, remembering the kindness the Empress of Light displayed to him.
"So what if it is?" he challenged.
"Hmph, see Nero? If only you had stopped his Majesty from leaving the Castle Terminal, he wouldn't be acting like this!" demanded Mork.
"Excuse me?" cried Nero.
"Can't you both just be quiet for a moment!" growled Zett, standing up from his throne.
"W-we're sorry, your Majesty." they replied, taking this as an order to leave.
Watching them leave, the emperor could now rest in silence, only hearing their muffled conversations echo through the hallway.
Taking a deep breath, Zett knew that what Nero said was right. His mood had changed since Arya left, but it wasn't her that was causing it. Lately, Zett was experiencing what he would consider nightmares. However, none of it made any sense as they were only flashes of images. Hardly recognizable, Zett always woke up not able to remember the images, but still feeling the fast beat of his heart. Feeling the need to get some fresh air, he boarded his train to Earth, in hope of seeing Arya again.
Breathing in the cool air around him, Zett took shelter underneath a tree, watching the rain drip slowly off the already soddened leaves. Hearing the distant sound of a whistle, Zett opened his eyes to see the Rainbow Line passing by. Probably hidden by the drooping branches of the tree, he continued to watch the speeding colors of the train in silence until it completely vanished. Smiling, as he knew Arya was the only one who noticed him, Zett boarded his train back to Castle Terminal.
