DISCLAIMER: I do not own any of the characters, except for the original ones, so don't sue. But if you do, just call me, I'm going to be lawyer. (Wait for about, what, ten years? Coz I'm just entering college next year…), thanks.
Summary: What if Conrad wasn't able to tell Sydney the whole deal with The Passenger? What if Rambaldi has prophecies about people who will protect the Chosen One? J/I, slightly S/V. Constructive criticisms are welcome. (Please take note of the word constructive) J
CHAPTER ONE[Somewhere in Europe]
She was lying on her four-poster bed, listening to Vivaldi's 'Le Quattro Stagioni' on the CD player. She particularly liked this piece, summer. Somewhere in the room, an alarm sounded and she automatically looked at her watch.
Three pm.
She sighed. Her flight leaves in four hours and she's taking her sweet time getting ready. Slowly, she rolled off the bed, stood up and stretched her long, lean body. Her stomach grumbled loudly.
'God, I'm hungry.' She said to herself. She was torn between going downstairs to fix a sandwich and ready her things.
'Focus!' She thought. 'If you finish early, you can go downstairs and eat everything you see in the fridge. Quit stalling!' she said to herself and went down to her knees to get something under her bed.
She pulled a metal case towards her and opened it. A sniper rifle greeted her.
Carefully, she dismantled it. She doesn't want to get caught in the airport with this. It will be a dangerous mistake. And very unprofessional.
She has done a lot of unlawful things. Assassinating people, stealing very valuable things, retrieving things, etc. She can be called a neutral courier, not working for any side, just someone you can call on to do things.
'Well, this is the first time I was asked to miss my target.' She thought as she finished her task. She was going to pack her clothes now.
'Its summer in Los Angeles and its summer in Mexico. Pack something summer-y.' She said to herself as she looked inside her closet. She's going to Mexico for a little vacation but she's going to pass by California first.
The Ambassador of Macedonia will have a very bloody hand tomorrow.
{Los Angeles, California}
Sydney walked out of her apartment. It was a Saturday, a free day for her. And she has a lot of things to do this day.
First in her list is to go to the grocery. She was running low on milk and eggs.
She walked towards her car. She was going to get in when she felt someone looking at her. Sydney looked around and seeing only people minding their own business, she went in her car.
The feeling of being watched was predominant throughout her trip to the store. It was getting scary and Sydney wants to find out why she's feeling this.
As she gathered her bag of groceries from the backseat, she felt somebody behind her.
"May I help you with your groceries?" someone asked.
Sydney turned around to face the person who asked the question. She was surprised to see an orange-clad man with a shaved head. He looked like a monk.
"I'm sorry if I startled you." he said upon seeing Sydney's surprised look.
Sydney blinked. "Yes… uh… pardon me for asking, but who are you?" she asked.
"I am Hector. I am a follower of Rambaldi. I am also a friend of Conrad."
"A friend of Conrad?" Sydney said.
"Yes, and he seemed to have regretted to tell you more about The Passenger and the Chosen One. He told me." The man said.
"He told you?" Sydney asked disbelievingly. "But Conrad's dead." she pointed out.
"Yes, I knew that. But… you and your colleagues have misunderstood one of the prophecies-" Hector started but was interrupted by the ringing of Sydney's cellular phone.
"Excuse me." Sydney said as she fished out her phone from her pocket while at the same time keeping an eye on Hector. "Hello?" She greeted.
"Syd, were you visited by a man in orange who claims he's a follower of Rambaldi and a friend of a monk named Conrad?" It was Vaughn.
"Yeah. He's right in front of me." Sydney answered, facing Hector.
"Good. Keep him there and keep him safe."
"What? Why?" Sydney asked.
"He went to Dixon's house yesterday night and told him about Rambaldi's prophecy. Dixon didn't understand what he said, so he left. We're on our way to your house." Vaughn answered.
"Uh… okay. See you." Sydney said and ended the call. She looked at Hector.
"I guess I have to keep you here." Sydney told him.
Hector bowed and offered to carry the groceries for her again. Sydney accepted.
"Was that your young man?" Hector asked as they walked to her apartment. She looked at him, a bit taken aback with what he said.
"He used to." Sydney answered.
Hector nodded his head in understanding.
Sydney unlocked the door of her apartment and went in. Hector followed her and placed the bag of groceries on top of the counter.
"Have a seat." Sydney said to him. Hector gave her a smile and bowed to her. "Do you want anything to drink?" she asked.
"You are truly gracious, o Chosen One." Hector.
"Please, call me Sydney." She said to him. It is a bit freaky that someone is calling her in her own house the 'Chosen One'.
He bowed down again and sat on the sofa. Sydney watched him warily but he seemed that he was content not to move at all in his seat. So, she took out the groceries on the counter and started to place them on the fridge and cupboards. After a few minutes, somebody rang the doorbell.
Sydney went to the door and opened it. It was Vaughn, together with Jack, Dixon and Marshall.
"Hello… everybody." Sydney greeted as she let them in.
"Where is he?" Dixon asked.
"He's in the living room." Sydney answered as they trooped to the living room. Hector didn't budge from where he was sitting and he looks like he is meditating.
Dixon cleared his throat after they had waited for a few minutes.
Hector opened his eyes and found four men looking at him.
"What do you want from the CIA?" Dixon asked in a straightforward manner.
"I have realized that you have misinterpreted the prophecy concerning the Chosen One and The Passenger." Hector said.
"The Chosen One and The Passenger will be embroiled in a battle and when this battle is over, no one will live. That's why her mother killed my father. To kill Nadia, The Passenger." Vaughn said.
"Her mother tried to kill The Passenger because she didn't know that the Chosen One will have protectors." Hector replied.
"Protectors?" Marshall asked.
"The Protectors are supposed to defend the Chosen One but they can also protect The Passenger." Hector answered.
"So what you're saying is that, the Protectors will be able to stop this 'battle' between the Chosen One and The Passenger?' Sydney asked.
"That is how Rambaldi convey it."
The CIA agents looked at each other. Rambaldi's messages/prophecies seem to have scarier meanings.
"If you do not believe me, I have proof." Hector said.
"Proof? You have Rambaldi artifacts?" Jack asked.
"No. But the Chosen One knows who her Protectors are."
Sydney gaped at him. She doesn't really believe in the prophecy but actually telling her that she knows who the Protectors are, is laughable.
"No, I don't." Sydney said.
"Yes, you do. It's in your subconscious. I can call it up for you." Hector said.
"Just how will you 'summon' this subconscious?" Dixon asked.
"There is an oration for it. She will be transported to another a parallel reality, where she knows the Protector. The timeline will be a bit different, though. This world is where your mother or Sloane never knew Rambaldi." Hector said.
"Is it safe?" Sydney asked.
"Yes it is safe."
"Can we do this… summoning in the Operation Center?" Vaughn asked.
"My abilities don't work well around electricity. Your house is near trees. Even if you have electricity, nature still surrounds you." Hector said.
They looked at each other warily. "What will happen if I do find out who the Protectors are? What will happen?" Sydney asked.
"The Protectors has the ability to track down The Passenger." Hector answered.
If they know who the Protector/s are, they can track down Nadia and maybe Sloane.
Sydney looked at her father. He has a worried look on his face.
"Okay. Lets do it."