Heart of Stone: A Fanfic by Gyppy

Timeline: 10 years after Tales of Symphonia

Summary: Colette is left alone in the tragic world that surrounds her, and she seeks help from all her friends and former companions. However, no one wishes to turn to her... so instead, she relies on the one who protected her ten long years ago.

At the time she was traveling, any relationship with this guardian would've been considered despicable. But now, at the age she's reached, her bond with another angel may just deepen even more...

Pairings: KratosxColette, with references to GenisxPresea, LloydxColette and LloydxSheena, and possible hints at ZelosxSheena.

Author's Note: Now, don't get me wrong, I love Colloyd, Sheelos and Kraine, but this time I'm straying way out of the norm. This fanfic follows the Kratos path of the game, in which Zelos is killed.

There are a few reasons I didn't pick Genis for this fic instead of Kratos: one, he's not my favorite character of that respective gender, two, I don't particularly like it when the girl is older than the guy, and three, I am a strict Gesea shipper. I will not ship any pairings involving Genis or Presea outside Gesea. The only reason I'm shipping Sheeloyd in this fic is because of the Kralette and the fact that Zelos is dead.

Don't ask me why I was inspired to write this fic.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or Namco.

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Chapter 1: Once Forbidden, Now Forgotten

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Colette felt as if she was completely alone in the new world Lloyd had created for them.

Not too long after the two worlds were reunited, Lloyd and Colette became lovers... for a brief period of time. After deciding that Colette was not the right person for him, Lloyd decided to go and marry Sheena, who was devastated at the loss of Zelos, to attempt to calm her down.

Genis and Presea seemed to be bound together by firm will and determination. Nothing was going to get between them, especially not the ramblings of some former Chosen.

The only person Colette could see in life was Kratos.

Five years before, he'd returned to Symphonia from Derris-Kharlan for numerous reasons, mostly involving Lloyd. Colette could see much in the former seraph, everything from his determination and strength to his gentle, loving kindness.

Ten years before this terrible time, Kratos had been 'hired' as a mercenary to guard Colette on her journey to regenerate Sylvarant. She still felt much gratitude towards him for defending her on the journey, and she had always admired him for many reasons.

At the time she was traveling, any relationship between Kratos and Colette would've been considered taboo - she was still a young teenager, whereas Kratos was a full-grown man. However, as long as he was in possession of his Cruxis Crystal, Kratos would never age.

Therefore, Colette sought to extend the relationship, seeing as Lloyd had abandoned her. Colette didn't know what Lloyd would think, but she didn't care that much since he had left her so long ago.

And as Colette sat by the shores of Lake Umacy, gazing into its waters and reflecting upon her past, she swore for the very first time in her long, hard life.

"Damn you, Lloyd... damn you and your selfish desires to hell..."

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Kratos knew there was something wrong with Colette. She had been acting so strange at all the group's reunions, even going so far as to get angry, which she had never before done. She especially acted strange around Lloyd, the one who had offered her comfort and love so long ago.

So, one day, Kratos decided to speak with Colette in private.

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"Colette, what is your problem?" Kratos asked, gazing into the blue eyes of Colette. The former Chosen had grown up so much now... he thought she was beautiful despite himself.

"It's Lloyd," Colette replied as her tone faded to one of sorrow. "For the longest time... nearly fifteen years, he loved me... he cherished me..." tears started to fill her eyes, which worried Kratos. "...and then, he just left me!" Her tone changed to one of anger. "He left me for Sheena! He once thought of me as more than just a close friend... he loved me, and then he turned and went with Sheena! Sheena of all people!"

"Calm down," Kratos said soothingly. "I'm sure there's an explanation for it all."

Colette continued to cry, despite Kratos' comments. "But... he was so nice to me... and he loved me more than anything else in this world... and then he abandoned me! He won't even talk to me anymore!"

"I understand," Kratos said softly. "You mustn't cry. Just... try to calm down, and more than anything, try to forget about Lloyd."

"But how can I forget about... him?" Colette questioned, tears running down her face.

"Do not think of yourself as alone," Kratos stated. "If you do, you'll just pull a stunt like I did ten years ago. No matter what the others say about you... no matter who's gone with who in this world, there is still another angel who wishes to comfort you."

Colette's face brightened ever so slightly. "Really?"

"Yes," Kratos replied. "Lloyd may not love you anymore, but I could never stand to see you suffer. And ever since I returned to this world, I have been wanting to live a normal life, just like everyone else."

"You can't love me," Colette said quietly, her tone darkening once more. "No... it would be a despicable thing. You... you could never do it... I may be alone now, but remember, I was once Lloyd's..."

"Forget about the past," Kratos said. "Think about the future... what lies ahead of you, rather than what's behind you. Remember at one time, I was also alone..."

"No," Colette stated. "Y...you can't love me. Loving me would be a sin..."

"That's not what I think," Kratos said, moving closer to Colette and taking her hand. "To you, it may seem to be a sin... but remember, sins can be forgiven."

Hearing these last few words, Colette's face brightened, and she finally smiled for the first time in a long time; and as Kratos drew her close, holding her in his strong embrace, she already felt that much better to be with him.

For some reason, she just felt better with him... maybe she was meant to be with him all along. Maybe that was why she was drawn to Lloyd...

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Author's Note: I know the first chapter's kinda short, but if you'll just bear with me, I'll write some more. It's a bit angsty, ne? Well, I tend not to write angst, so describing this was pretty new to me. It's a good thing Colette didn't become all suicidal and crap. Heheh.