(Hit self)

Yuan: What are you doing that for?

Me: The first sentence I use here should've been the last one in the precious chapter…-_-' I was going to do it, but then I thought 'nay, it can wait'….stupid me.

Yuan: All right…. Freakyanimegal owns nothing.

NOTE: 8/13/09 Edited. Fixed some character issues and grammar errors.

"I thought I was in TOS not freaking POKEMON!" I shouted.

Everyone looked at me a moment before we all became occupied with something a lot more demanding of our attention. There was a flash of light and for a moment…well, everything was gone. I was by myself, quite obviously freaking out as I heard a voice- Verius?

I'm going to read your hearts…

"Uh-"

Anger, frustration, desperation, despair, fear, rage, hate, loneliness, complacency, arrogance…

I froze, the words echoing in my head.

Determination, passion, faith, hope, love, joy, idealism, love…

Then quite suddenly everything was back and everyone was wearing the same dazed expression I'm sure I was wearing. I tried to stammer out a question, but Lloyd beat me to it.

"Did…anyone else just see that?" he asked, looking at all of us.

"The fading out thing and the voice thing?" I asked.

Lloyd nodded as everyone else slowly did the same. Sheena shook it off first, noting that Corrine was gone from her shoulder. She panicked a bit before her friend quite suddenly reappeared by her side….except quite obviously not little Corrine anymore. Verius stood next to Sheena in his full glory, the long elegant tails curled around and his bell hanging proudly on his collar-bone. Sheena and everyone gasped, though I did not so much seeing as I was expecting this after that point.

I read your hearts, your emotions of hope, love and courage outweigh all.

"C- Corrine-?" Sheena stammered.

"Verius, actually," I said, staring at the large 'animal', "by getting close to our hearts he managed to become a true summon spirit, the summon spirit of heart."

That is correct.

"W- Wait just a minute-!" Sheena stammered, gaping at Verius and then me.

"In the game when Corrine died protecting you, he appeared again in Iselia as the heart spirit," I said, unable to keep myself from looking at Verius' deeply intelligent eyes, "but…but he didn't die as Corrine, and he's here instead of…"

I sighed deeply, shaking my head as I closed my eyes.

"Okay, what's going on?" I groaned. "This wasn't supposed to happen…"

"Corrine? Is that really you…?" Sheena gaped at Verius.

He nodded.

Yes, Sheena, it's me. Your love for me allowed me to transform… Thank you.

"I…I…" she stammered, slowly touching the side of his head, "you're…? But-"

"This wasn't supposed to happen," I bit my lip, trying not to freak out, "I- I don't understand. Verius, what are you doing here? I thought your duty was to observe everyone's hearts…"

"Wait, what are you saying?" Sheena said suddenly, jerking her head to look at me. "The way you're talking it's like he can't stay with-…"

She looked at Verius, who looked at her and then at me, locking me in his gaze. Verius' eyes were an intense blue shade, almost like they were glowing, radiating. I didn't move, I couldn't bring myself to; after a minute Verius spoke.

Your heart is especially troubled; as we all know.

I flinched.

You speak saying I was formed from your hearts? That is true.

He gave Sheena one affectionate nuzzle before taking steps toward me, staring me down. He was bigger than Noishe, even, he was perfectly eye-level with me.

A single heart can change others around it, did you know that? A single instance can affect a lifetime, a single grain of sand can tip a scale, a single act of kindness can save a life. I am different from the Verius you knew, because your heart is now added to mine as well.

"It's….kinda like cooking," Genis said, making the analogy, "if you add just one more ingredient, you can completely change the taste. So I guess what he's saying is that by having Jaela added to him with the rest of us, he's different than the one she knew."

I stared at him as he flushed and looked away, rubbing the back of his neck.

"That makes sense," Raine nodded, "and we've all changed because we met you, Jaela. Perhaps very insignificantly, but a change nonetheless; just as we've changed you."

It made sense, actually. Perfect sense. A single factor can make a drastic outcome, Calculus and Chemistry were very clear examples of that, as much as I loathed the former. If just a digit was different, the answer could be completely off. So…

"So what does that mean? You're different? How are you different?" I asked Verius.

I would like to continue traveling with all of you and to fight by your sides.

"C- Corrine?!" Sheena gasped.

"S- Seriously?!" I gasped too, almost jumping a bit. "You're going to stay with us?!"

"Really? That's great!" Lloyd grinned. "I was worried you'd have to leave, Corrine!"

Verius.

"Oh, right, sorry," he laughed, rubbing the back of his neck.

Verius was going to stay with us? To fight with us? This was more like the manga than the game; where Verius helped fight Volt and then disappeared. How could this be happening? Surely just me showing up couldn't have changed Verius that drastically. Well…all right, it could. If anyone had showed up with this group at all that wasn't here before, than Verius would be different.

…If anyone did at all…

"Corrine I- I..uh, I mean Ver-" Sheena started.

You can call me Corrine if you'd like, Sheena.

"How come she gets to?" Zelos scoffed.

"Because he likes her more, duh," I said.

Zelos whimpered.

"Jaeeelaaaa….."

Now, let us show Volt who's in charge. He said to Sheena.

"Heh heh, charge…" I giggled.

They all stared at me.

"…Y'know, because he's electricity…and he said 'charge'-? Oh nevermind," I sighed.

"Oh! I get it!" Genis laughed. "Good one!"

"No, it was kind of lame actually," Zelos frowned.

"I regret to say that I would have to agree," Regal said.

"Ouch," I winced, "nobody loves me!"

"I do-! W- Well, I don't love you- you know what I mean," Genis huffed, looking away.

"Yeah, I know," I sighed, looking away from him.

Oh God, I can't believe I didn't notice before…he really did have a crush on me, didn't he? Ooo….this could only end badly. I mean, this could never possibly work out. Poor kid, why couldn't he just have a crush on Presea like he should-?

I flinched.

That was another one right there, wasn't it? Genis' heart was different because of his infatuation; and it didn't stop there. Lloyd was different because he knew about Kratos, Kratos had been different because he traveled with us more, every one of us was different than we had been in some way…

"Jaela? We're going to make the pact now," Presea said, drawing my attention back.

"Huh-? Oh, yes, let's go," I nodded.

Lightning struck the altar as Volt took shape, Sheena nervously stepping forward as Verius gave her a light, supportive nudge forward. She looked up and took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. Fighting back memories is never easy, especially when confronted with the very thing that caused them.

"…"

"It's just like before! What the hell is he say-!?"

"He's bound to Mithos, yes the same Mithos from Sylvarant," I said, "I'll see if I can explain that later…"

They all looked at me, even Volt, who began to make a strange buzzing sound.

"Volt wants to know who you are," Raine translated, glancing at me, "he seems a little surprised at how you knew that."

I flinched and looked up at the big mass of electricity, noting the large red eyes that were currently locked in on me. For a second I froze before I managed to stammer out a response.

"M- My name is Jaela," I said, "I- uh…"

She's from Earth. Verius said.

Volt gave a little jolt, looking at the large vulpine and then back at me while buzzing more.

"He's asking…" Raine bit her lip, obviously worried about what she was hearing.

"…I'm probably going to regret asking, but what's wrong?" I asked her.

"He wants to know if you use 'duracell' or 'energizer'," she raised an eyebrow.

I burst out laughing, clutching my gut. Seriously!? I was in freaking ToS and Volt just asked me what kind of battery I used?! Are you KIDDING!?

"I- I usually use Duracell," I snorted, covering my mouth.

Volt buzzed some more.

"He says…'energizer sucks'?" Raine said numbly, certain she had mistranslated.

I could barely breathe with laughter at this point.

"All right then….back to business, Sheena, if you would?" Raine asked.

Sheena looked a little miffed about the whole situation, I suppose it was insensitive of me to be laughing with Volt after he had ruined her life. I'd have to apologize later…

"I am Sheena, I ask that thou annulst thy pact with Mithos and establish a new pact with me."

"The pact's broken but he doesn't want another one," I said, my laughter coming to a halt, "he…he doesn't want to be betrayed again. His last pact-maker broke his trust."

Everyone looked at me a moment more before Volt spoke again.

"He says: 'Then you can understand I will have no more dealings with people'," she said, "'So I will not form another pact'."

I was talking before I could stop myself.

"Well that's childish!" I huffed.

Volt locked eyes on me.

"You had a few bad run-ins and you decide to close yourself off for good?" I scoffed, looking up at its big red irises. "Summon Spirit or not, you can't live your life like that! If you close yourself off you can never move on! It's not like we're the ones that hurt you, so what gives you the right to do that to us?!"

There was a long silence as Volt looked down at me and his electricity began to crackle more intensely, his eyes narrowing on me. My mind blanked as I realized what was happening, what I'd done.

I'd made him mad.

"Oh sh-! Everyone get off the plat-!" I started.

Thunder exploded in my ears as light flooded my vision, not around me, but through me. Volt had electrocuted me. All I knew as an instant of blinding pain, and the next second it was all gone.


When I came to I was in a bed, a very soft bed. It was almost like a cloud, weightless, light and so soft I can't describe it. It felt like the futons I had used once back in Japan, how amazingly comfortable they were-

Wait. It…was a futon.

I was in Mizuho?

I jerked upright, something I shouldn't have done seeing as my entire body ached. With a groan I held my head and looked around, trying to get my bearings. Yup, Mizuho. But where-?

You're awake.

Once again I jerked around, ignoring my aching muscles, and found Verius curled up on the other side of me. Before I could say anything he sat up, his head above mine.

Sheena told me to keep an eye on you. They're all very worried.

"Where are they?" I asked, wincing a bit as I looked around.

Just outside, you've been out for a few hours.

"I have, huh?" I sighed deeply, looking down.

That was very brave of you.

"Brave? What I said to Volt? Nah, that was stupidity," I said, looking at the floor, "it wouldn't be the first time I got into trouble for speaking my mind."

I heard Verius shift next to me as I continued to gaze into the fabric. I'd gotten into a lot of trouble before for speaking my mind, repeatedly. One time someone almost got hurt, very hurt.

Stupidity? Well, I'll say it's true you could've thought about it before speaking, you can't take back the words you say, you know.

I snorted.

However, you have a habit. You always speak your heart and speak the truth-

I almost jumped about a foot.

"W- What did you just say?!" I said, looking up at him.

You always speak your heart and speak the truth.

"…"

Is something the matter?

"No, I've just…heard those words before," I smirked lightly, letting out a chuckle, "from someone very important to me…"

I commend you for that habit, to be honest. But just as honestly if you speak carelessly you may end up doing something horrible, whether or not you're trying.

"Yeah…" I sighed, looking down again.

You are not stupid, you are just learning. Learning like all people learn, through mistakes.

"I only think a mistake is a mistake if you regret it," I said.

And do you regret what you said to Volt?

"…Am I the only one that got hurt?" I asked him.

That doesn't matter. Do you regret your words? The things you said to him?

"The words? No. Because it's true," I said, shaking my head, "but if someone got hurt because of me- no one did, right?"

Verius shook his head and I let out a sigh of relief.

If someone did get hurt, then how would you feel?

"Stupid," I spat, "because I got someone hurt…I'd hate myself."

You really don't know what it is you're doing, do you?

I felt like I had been smacked. Sadly, though, he was right. I always try to do the right thing, to say the right thing, but by saying it I only ended up causing trouble. Still, I never did regret saying what I said, because I meant it. So did that make me stupid? I don't know, I don't know if I'll ever know, but I have to keep trying… I have to find a way to say what I need to say without hurting anyone in the process.

You're interesting.

"Well of course I am," I snorted, "I'm a person, we're all interesting."

Verius jolted a bit, his ears perking before he made a sound I could most relate to a laugh.

Pleasure talking to you.

With that he walked away from me.

I'll get the others, please wait.

And then he was gone.

I had all of five seconds to wonder about what had just happened when Genis dashed in.

"Are you okay!?" he blurted, almost instantly by my side.

"Y- Yeah, I'm fine," I nodded, "calm down-"

"Genis, give her some space," Raine said as she entered with the others, "you'll suffocate her."

"You scared us," Lloyd smiled weakly.

"Sorry," I hung my head, "I- did you guys make the pact?"

"Yeah," Sheena nodded, smiling a bit herself, "We got Volt to make it, and we found out something very important that could help us-"

"The mana links," I stated, biting my lip, "oh yeah…"

"You know about that too?" Zelos raised an eyebrow.

"…Well, if we have Volt we can go get the rheairds, right?" I asked, looking up and changing the subject. "We should head for the Flanoir Renegade base, it's not that long of a ride from here and I remember the password to get into the hangar."

"Oh, okay, ignored me," he spat, glaring at me.

"I'll tell you what I know about the mana links once we get Colette back," I told them with a sigh, "I already have to explain a lot to her as it is."

Colette does need to be rescued, Verius said, appearing next to Sheena.

"Ah-! Don't do that!" Genis yelped, shocked at his appearance.

Sorry, Genis, but still… he gestured to me then rubbed his head against Sheena's shoulder.

Sheena smiled a bit and scratched his head, the spirit nuzzling against her hand.

"Yeah, we should go after Colette now," Sheena agreed, "are you sure you're all right, Jaela? If…if you need to rest some more-"

"No, I'm fine," I said, getting to my feet.

"You tend to be a little stubborn, I've noticed," Regal said with a weak smile.

"Get it from my dad," I smirked as I grabbed my saber, "so are we ready to go?"

"Huh-? Yeah," Lloyd nodded, that familiar determined look in his eyes as he brought the task of saving Colette to mind, "let's hurry."

We all went to leave, myself a little bit woozy and aching, which they noted. They knew better than to ask, however, seeing as I gave Lloyd a death-glare when he even tried to ask if I was okay. Genis didn't quite get it, I don't think…

"Are you sure you're okay? Maybe you should rest a little more-"

"Genis-" I started.

"No, really! Don't overexert yourself!" he cried with a frown.

"I'm fine," I said again, "if I'm still walking, I'm fine."

"Well, okay, but…" he flushed, biting his lip as he looked down.

Then Zelos decided to be an ass, but nothing much was new with that anyway.

"Oh, my, goddess," he gaped, staring at me and then Genis, "Twerp-! You have the hots for her?!"

I think the only one that didn't flinch was Presea.

"W-!? No way! I'm just worried about her!" Genis shouted at Zelos, turning red in the face.

"Hots?" Lloyd stared, obviously not getting the hint.

"That is SO sad," Zelos laughed, "yet so admirable! Goin' for the older ladies, Genis you dog! I think I might actually have some respect for you now-!"

"That's enough!"

Raine smacked him.

"Ow-!"

"We don't have time for childish feats like this," she lectured in full 'teacher' mode as she crossed her arms over her chest and glared at us, "we need to save Colette. Now."

The look she gave us all was way too scary to answer. We all shut our mouths and nodded hurriedly, relaxing only when she looked away. No one said anything as we left the village; at least until we got to the dock, and then Lloyd added:

"Wait a minute! You mean you think Genis has a crush on Jaela?!"

I smacked myself in the face.

Sorry it took a bit. n.n' Review if you wish! :D Now I must go play the wii…

Yuan: You and your electronics (rolls eyes)

Me: (is rubbing face against laptop) I wuuuvee youou! :D

Yuan: -_-' Sigh…