Folken entered the room. It was cold and empty like the rest of this place. He hated the way it felt. He walked up to the five older men in matching black cloaks. They're eyes were as empty as his were….no…emptier. But then, he couldn't remember anything past a year ago. He was programmed. Another one of there experiments. Another test subject. But the difference was; he was a success.

"Folken...is everything ready?"

"Yes" replied the tear cheeked subject.

The sorcerers confirmed things Folken didn't understand with each other.

There plan would be set in motion and there was nothing he could do about it. He so badly wanted to free Celena of the pain she would have to endure but he was only able to give her false hope by playing mind games with her. And in the end…didn't' that just make it worse?

He walked out of the room and down a dark corridor to see the object of innocence and beauty that would be so badly hurt. He turned right at the end of the hall and opened the second door to his right with a key from the set that was entrusted to him. He opened the door and saw her frail looking figure lying on the cold metal. He saw her shivering and felt instantly horrible for her. Her eyes reminded him of a small child lost in a forest. She looked so confused; only hoping for someone to come to her rescue.

Folken kneeled down next to her and she used every ounce of her strength to smile at him. How can she still be so sweet? He decided she should be let loose if even for a moment. He took out his keys and unlocked her from her bindings. "You have to promise me that you won't do anything stupid little one. I'm only taking you to a bed and getting you some food. So don't do anything that might get you or me into trouble."

Celena couldn't talk. And she could barley smile. Her back was in intense pain and she felt as though it would snap at the slightest movement.

Folken saw that she couldn't move after freeing her. So he decided he had no other choice. He lifted her into his arms and carried her out of the room to somewhere less cold and scary. He felt like a big brother… a feeling that felt all too familiar. He dismissed the thought at the obvious pain on Celena's face. There was really nothing he could do but get her as quickly and gently to her bed as possible. So that's what he did. He brought her to a room next to his. It was simple. It had a twin bed in the middle and a small dresser next to it. On the dresser was a bowl filled with water and a towel beside it which was used as a wash stand. The walls were grey and the room had a very depressing sensation about it.

Folken laid her gently onto the bed and put the sheets over her. He decided to let her rest and he would bring her food in an hour or two. After all…she only had about seven hours left until she was forced to endure pain again…

Dilandou had a very irritated look upon his face due to the fact that he had been interrogated the second he was awake. Allen had bombarded him with questions on the whereabouts of his 'precious' sister.

"TELL ME WHERE SHE IS DILANDOU!"

And the prize for 'best negotiator goes to…' like Dilandou would tell him EVEN if he knew! "Why are you asking me! Why do you think I was out by myself? I was looking for her you buffoon!" answered Dilandou harshly. But it was to be expected.

Allen looked to mad you could fry eggs on his head. He was ready to pull his sword out and slice of Dilandou's face. The only thing that was stopping him was the fact that Dilandou might be his only ticket for getting his sister back.

"Y'no Celena doesn't even wanna come back. She told me so."

"What are you babbling about!"

Dilandou had a malicious grin planted right where everyone could see it. Even though him and Allen where the only ones in the room he was yet to inspect. "She was always talking about how she was so happy to be out of your protective grasp. How she would love to see your face when you found out she had left with me." Dilandou was a good liar and he saw the effect this was having on Allen.

It couldn't be true! Not his little sister…she would never say such things…or would she…? Allen didn't know what to believe anymore. And what difference did it make? He might never see her again anyway. Everything was falling apart and he couldn't do a thing about it. He felt such pity for himself. "I don't have time for you! I have a search party to organize! We will have a little chat tomorrow."

With that, Dilandou was left to his thoughts. He would have to get some rest if he wanted to escape from this place.

Allen walked into the small dining room on the crusade. He had decided to have it sent; for it would be easier to continue searching like this. He sat next to Van who was eating some soup he had gotten from the kitchen.

"What are you doing here Allen? I thought you we're waiting for Dilandou to wake up so you could blow up at hi-" Van stopped at the pathetic look on Allen's face. Doe he always have to be such a baby? Thought Van.

"I did blow up at him."

His face just got sadder and sadder.

"Good! Did you find out anything?" asked Van in-between a bit of soup.

"No…just that Celena doesn't want to come back." The blond haired baby walked over to the opposite side of the table and sat down. His weight caused the soup to bounce a few drops onto the table from the thud he made a she sat.

"Oh, well that my friend, I will stay out of." With that. The raven-haired boy picked up his soup bowl and went somewhere, ANYWHERE where he wouldn't have to listen to Allen talk about how much his life sucked.

Van walked into his room. It was plain and empty except the clock n his wall.

10:00pm

He sat on his bed and decided to throw the rest of his soup out. He disposed of it and went back to his bed. After lying there for a good ten minutes he decided to try and reach Hitomi. There bond was still strong and he could still speak to her.

Van reached around in his dresser for the pendant. He moved his clothes around and found nothing. His heart beat picked up as he was scared to death that he'd lost it! Wouldn't that be something…king of Fanelia… 'Dies from loss of pink necklace'

He laughed to himself mentally. Anything to get his mind off his lost treasure!

Van looked under his dresser and BINGO! There it was. Success! He picked it up and held it tight. So tight that he thought it might disappear. He opened his hands to gaze at the light he knew would bounce off it when…it wasn't there! IT WASN'T THERE!

A loud yell could be heard throughout the Crusade as the maroon eyed boy lost all sanity!

How could it just disappear into thin air! He tried to think as logically as possible. Okay… maybe had held it so tight it really DID disappear into thin air! No… that just wasn't logical. He thought for a moment that maybe he never picked it up to begin with. But he tried to steer clear of thoughts that might question his sanity.

This one a mystery Van Fanel would be solving!

Dilandou lay in his bed sleeping as wake ness claimed him. His eyes fluttered open to see an unfamiliar place. This doesn't look like the Crusade. He felt cold. Like he felt about a year and a half go… oh no…he would know this place anywhere. Dilandou Albatou was on a floating fortress!

He ran out of bed! He opened the door and stopped. He realized that if he were to just waltz into a place where he knew Ziebach soldiers were. There would be trouble. Although there wouldn't be many due to the fact that Ziebach was only made of the remaining people still loyal to Dornkirk….dead as he was.

The albino killer slowly walked out of his door scanning the empty hall of hiding places. He knew how these places where built. He walked down the hall and heard footsteps coming his way! He took the chance and went into the closest room to him. The second door on his right.

Dilandou swung it open and clicked it shut quietly. He let out a sigh as he heard the foot steps pass by. He then realized there may be someone in the room. He turned to see not a soul. He looked down at the bed in the room and noticed that it was filled with a small frame. His curiosity got the best of him and he decided to take a look see.

Shock

He saw her features graced with the peace of slumber. Her lips half-open and her soft breath coming out. It was her. It was Celena! He found her! He didn't know where on Gaia he was but he found her! A giant smile played on his face and he knelt down beside the bed. He shook her slightly and watched as her eyes slowly opened. Then:

Shock

She looked at the face of the only person in the universe she wanted to see. There he was! Porcelain skin gleaming with one of the few smiles it was graced with. She wanted to shout his name and hold him in her arms! But then came to quickly realize in her condition; she could do neither.

All was fine though as Dilandou took her lips in his. It was all he wanted to do. Although he stopped at the pain he felt on her side. She was obviously not being taken care of….those bastards would pay. "Celena…"

She looked in his eyes and saw them fill with love, only to be replaced by anger and determination!...but mostly anger from what she would seem burning in his fiery red eyes.

"We have to get out of here" he said in a hurry.

"But. I can't move."

This was obvious to Dilandou and so was the solution. He scotched his arms underneath her and lifted her up against his chest. She made a small cry of Pain but it had to be ignored. For he had to find a way out of this place. And maybe find the answers as to why he was here in the first place.

As he walked over to the door he was stopped. Just my luck…were the exact word he thought.

In his path was a silver haired man with a tear drop on his cheek.

Folken

It had been a while since he last laid eyes on his stratigous. "Out of my way" Said Dilandou as he attempted to walk past him. But to no avail. Folken had no expression on his face as he stood in there way.

"Even if you pass me there will just be more guards that will put you back where you're supposed to go." His eyes looked down as he said the next thing. "I would suggest that you enjoy the last few minutes you have together before the experiment starts."

With that, Folken left the room and locked the door. Dilandou hated that word. Experiments... It stuck to the roof of his mouth like peanut-butter.

He would just have to use the time he had with Celena to decide on what to do and ask her some questions of his own.

WELLY WELLY WELLLLL! I suppose you all hate me for taking so damn long to put this chapter up! (I don't blame you) I had quite the block on this one. But no worries! I'm back and am going to finish this story within about 3 chapters! WOO WOO

Hope you enjoyed! RR!