"It's about time," said Yuan as the group walked in.

To their surprise, also in the room was Sheena, Regal, and Presea as well. "Sheena, Regal, you're here too?" said Lloyd in shock. "Yep," Sheena replied, "I take it you guys got the earthquake too."

"We did," answered Raine. Lloyd interrupted, "But the earthquake was caused by a root from the Kharlan Tree." Kratos stood next to Yuan while the others were heading to their seats with the others. Then Genis noticed, "Hey, where's Zelos?"

"If you can take your seat I can explain," Yuan said in a low voice. Genis took his seat, and Yuan began to speak.

"As you know, an unusual event has occurred in both worlds. We both seem to seem to have faced a huge earthquake." Yuan turned to Sheena, "Sheena, give us a report of what happened in Tethe Alla,". Sheena stood up, "Well, in Mizuho we experienced a large shaking that went on for about an hour. It was obvious that it wasn't an average earthquake, so I summoned Gnome to stop the shaking."

Then Lloyd interrupted, "Then it stopped right?". Sheena shook her head, "Nope, it just kept on coming. So anyway, I decided to send Gnome underground to check it out." Sheena then began to look at the floor.

"Then what happened?" asked Genis in great curiosity. Sheena then answered, "Then… He didn't come back."

The whole group froze, "Didn't come back!" Genis shouted. "What do you mean didn't come back?"

"I mean he didn't come back!" Sheena shouted. "I'm sorry I shouted.".

"Then it seems the situation has gotten worse than I thought," said Yuan. Then Colette rose up, "I'm sorry about Gnome,". Sheena then sat down without a word.

"Enough!" shouted Yuan. Everybody froze again, then Lloyd stood up. "Enough! Enough of what? Sheena just lost one of the Summon Spirits!"

"Lloyd! Sit down!" Yuan again shouted. He then turned to Sheena, "Gnome is gone, there is nothing we can do about it now." He then turned back to Lloyd, "I thought I told you to sit back down."

"I can stand if I want to," sassed Lloyd.

"Lloyd," said Kratos in a deep voice. Lloyd then sat back down.

Yuan then began to speak again, "The Kharlan Tree is our problem right now, and so are the Chosen.".

"But I'm not the Chosen anymore," said Colette.

"That is true, but you still have a great amount of manna surrounding you." said Yuan. "The best we can do now is hide Colette from the outside world where the Tree can get to her."

Lloyd stood up, "Why do we have to hide Colette! Why can't we just head to the Tree itself and see the problem?".

Before Yuan could say a word Kratos cut in, "Lloyd, you remember how the fight with the root at Isalia was?". Lloyd looked down at the floor. Kratos began, "If we head to the Great Tree itself, imagine how difficult the problem will be." "Damn it!" said Lloyd sat back down."

Then Yuan started again, "As I said, thing to do right now is hide Colette,". Raine decided then to ask a question, "How long would Colette have to hide for? And for how long?"

Yuan, answered, "We'll hide her here, until my men could come up with a solution."

"What about Altamira?" said Regal. Everyone turned "What?" said Yuan.

Regal stood up, "We could hide her in Altamira, I think Colette would prefer it than here," Yuan began to raise his voice, "This isn't about comfort!". Regal turned to Colette, "Lets let her decide,"

"I would love to," said Colette with a cheery face. Yuan grew irritated, "Fine do what you wish.

"There is still one thing you haven't answered," said Presea. "Where is Zelos?" "We don't know," Yuan answered. The group froze again, "Chances are that the Tree got to him before we did." Yuan turned toward his desk. Then Sheena stood up, "We don't know that for sure! There were no reports of an earthquake in Meltokio".

Without looking at them Yuan gave an order, "Just go, leave what ever needs worrying to us," Before Lloyd could lash out a word, Kratos gave Lloyd a stern look. The group rose from their seats and exited the door. But Kratos stood behind to talk to Yuan.

"Do you really think the Tree got to Zelos?" said Kratos. Yuan, still without looking gave the reply, "No," Kratos then left the room.

"So I guess we're heading to Tethe Alla then," said Lloyd. "Yes," answered Regal. "Well, we better go get the Rheards," said Sheena.

As the group left to get the Rheards Genis stood with his sister waiting for Kratos, "Sis? Do you think Zelos is ok?"

Raine replied, "I'm sure he is, he has to be,"