I own Tales of Symphonia. And so does Namco. They might own a few more million copies than myself, but...
Longest chapter yet, possibly, loaded with romance moments. Or at least hints of it. Thanks for reviewing, time for some response!
Lugiamania: Of course we'll see them play. In this very chapter, actually. Glad you read this.
Manu: Thanks alot, I'm aiming for the big market in France. Maybe you could become my secretary?
The King of No Pants: Well thank you. Not often can a man see so many capitals in a row. Amen.
SnowCrystal: Of course they are desperate! All fun things emerge from desperation. An old saying...of mine.
Zelda's Fox 38: I love you! You always give me a bunch of presents! I get so happy:eyes sparkle Colette-style: Erm, be sure to update your own fics every once in a while. Can't leave me hanging forever, can you?
Everyone check out her stories, they are awesome:D
dawn at dusk: Sun-lotion equals funnyness. Is funnyness a word? I don't know.
Hiatus-Girl: I will continue, rest assured. I'm aiming for at least25 chapters.
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-Celebrity Insanity- Issue 116-
Name: Colette Brunel.
Age: Um, I...Next question!
Weight: Alright, I'll wait. (BAD JOKE ATTEMPT!)
Occupation: Guitarist and 2:nd Chosen of The Chosen.
Instrument of choice: Electric guitar.
Pets: No, but I'd love to have a cute butterfly. All the ones I have had died though, they didn't like pork for some reason.
Favourite possession: Oh, I love my collection of porcelain figures.
Last thing you bought: A brownie. And it was delicious!
Favourite band member: I like everyone, but Lloyd is my best friend.
Favourite movie: Oh, I don't know. Sorry.
Favourite book: Dunno. Sorry.
What do I do in 10 years: I have no clue, sorry.
Motto: You can't say I'm sorry too many times.
-Thank you, Colette Brunel, please don't apologize for the weather as well-
"I am so good!" Kratos said, and removed his wig. "I even nailed the accent, and now they are all trapped with Cuddles! There is no way they'll get back in time to make a concert. Their career is over before it started! MWAHAHAHA!"
The passing people looked suspiciously at the tall man still wearing a skirt, laughing maniacally to himself.
Kratos suddenly froze, his laughter died instantly and he turned around and looked at the large wooden doors, as if he tried to look through them.
"Wait a second... If I'm not mistaken, a silver-haired female half-elf was with the group. Which means, that Raine most likely is with them." He frowned his forehead. "And that means, that I most likely will get a major beating if she finds out that it was me who did it. Unless Cuddles eat them..."
His smile which had lingered on his face for a moment fell and he sighed.
"The love of my life is trapped inside a building which can't be opened, along with my monster pet that eat humans for breakfast. I guess I have no choice. I must do something."
He unsheathed his sword, and clenched his gloved fist around it. Every muscle in his body was readied and he took a deep breath.
It had to be done. He could not abandon his love, he could not turn his back on her when she needed him the most.
So he turned around, started to wave the sword frantically above his head and screamed for help.
"Let us attack in united force!" Zelos said, and readied his sword. "Regal, you first!"
"Yeah, Regal! Kick him!" Genis yelled. Regal didn't answer.
Genis took a step backward, and stepped right on a body. It was Regal. He didn't move.
"Oh my god!" Genis yelled. "It has already killed Regal!"
Suddenly, the dead person on the floor started to snore and Zelos took a leap in the air and clinged on to Raine.
"GAH! Can dead people snore! Raine, my hunny? Let's put a sword in him, and kill him properly!"
"He's not dead, you idiot." Raine said and whacked Zelos head with her staff, causing him to fall off her like dandruff. It was pitch-black, but lets call it female intuition. "He has gone to sleep."
"Now of all times." Sheena sighed. "Allright, I'll create a smoke cloud to cover our escape."
"Since it's pitch-black and I can't even see my hand, I can't understand what purpose a diversion maneuver would serve." Raine stated. "Let's just kill the thing. Zelos, make a run for it."
"Yes, sir." Zelos said and raised his sword above his head. Then he froze. "Um, why just me?"
"You are the only one who has the courage to do it."
"Of course I have, but wouldn't it be better to just attack it everybody together?"
"I'll rather send you on a suicide mission first, to see what strategy is the best."
"Hmm, makes sense. Evil monster of doom, stand aside before the might of my sword!"
"Gah!" Sheena shrieked. "That's my hand, Zelos!"
"I'm not touching your hand!"
"Then who is?"
"THE MONSTER!" Genis yelled. "It has come to eat us! Run!"
"I will save you, Sheena!" Zelos yelled. "Victory Light Spear!"
Sheena sighed.
"Over here, Zelos."
"Oh. Victory Light Spear! Victory Light Spear! Victory Lihgt Schpear! Vic... huff...puff...wheeze. It's hard doing this all the time."
"Zelos, save me, dammit!" Sheena screamed in panic. "A friggin monster is attacking me!"
"Erm, of course. Just hold your hand where I can see it, and I'll chop it free."
"The thing is, you can't see it."
"Aw well, I do have a strong feeling it's here somewhere."
"Somewhere?"
"Yeah. I might cut your leg off, but I'm sure Raine can put it back in a second."
"Sure, I'll fix it." Raine encouraged.
"Zelos, don't..."
KLING!
Sheenas heart stopped beating for a second.
"My hand is still here..."She mumbled.
"Then WHOSE hand am I holding?" Zelos yelled. "Gah, it's furry!"
Through a series of incredible adventures including loads of side-quests and monster battling, our hero party finally reached the stage again, two levels higher than previously and full of experience.
Zelos, ignoring all rules of RPG,ran up on stage, and knocked the man who was holding the microphone unconscious. The audience were shocked, and Zelos quickly grabbed the microphone and smiled.
"Dun worry, this is all for show. He's not really unconscious, he's
dead...erm, I mean, pretending to be unconscious. Hehe. We're back now, and ready to give you a hell of a show. "
He placed his hand over the microphone and yelled to a sound technician.
"Get this man off the stage before someone erects a tombstone. Thank you,
and make it quick."
The sound technician was terrified, but ran in and grabbed the mans arms and dragged him away.
The band came back on stage, and the crowd cheered in excitement.
"You're so unsensitive, Zelos." Sheena said and sighed, as she grabbed her
bass guitar.
"Thank you, my cute hunny."
"That wasn't a compliment, you idiot."
"Let's do this." Presea said, and placed herself behind the drums. She was
barely visible behind the cymbals and hi-hats. "Are you ready, Genis?"
"Um...yeah. Good luck, Presea." Genis mumbled and blushed. The crowd was huge, and they were all expecting a success.
And that is what they got.
Lloyd struck the first chord and in the very same second, Presea let her drums explode in a powerful beat.
Zelos jumped around on stage, waving his hands along with the thousands of people in the audience and in the very same second Sheena began to play her smooth bass-melody, he broke out in song.
Rock The World written by...?
Love is overrated
Like a treasure already excavated
Nothing can make you smile
Like a happy song in rock style
We're here tonight for a single reason
Here to rock you in every season
Everybody dance, or commit treason
We're gonna rock the world
Along with every boy and girl
Rock everyone back on track
Save them all from a heart-attack
Rock the world, every day and night
Move them all into the light, yeah
Rock the world tonight
Music is underrated
A fact that's already been stated
Stand up, get rid of the hatred
Loosen up, don't be so frustrated
We're here tonight for a single reason
To rock you in every season
Dance with us now, or commit treason
We're gonna rock the world
Along with every boy and girl
Rock everyone back on track
Save them all from a heart-attack
Rock the world, every day and night
Move them all into the light, yeah
Rock the world tonight
Love is overrated
Like a treasure already excavated
Yeah, come on!
"You all did great today" Raine said, as they all were walking back towards the inn. Meltokio which just an hour before had been a city full of life were now almost empty, it was late at the evening and most people had gone home to cure their soon-to-be hangovers.
"Yeah, the audience were great, they seemed to like me." Zelos said, taking a few swift dance steps.
"Us, you mean. We're not your support band, Zelos." Sheena stated, thoughtfully chewing on a bubblegum. "Everyone did an awesome job, we really do have a future as a band."
"Not to mention my awesome chance of doing a solo career" Zelos happily exclaimed with a dreaming expression on his face.
The smoke coming out of Raine's nostrils made him change his mind.
"Erm, after we're done with the band, that is."
"I'm tired." Sheena said. "Let's go to bed."
"I'll race ya." Zelos suggested. "The winner decides sleeping partner."
"Deal. Be prepared for the floor, Wilder."
"Um, hi Raine." Regal said and sat down beside Raine on the bench.
Meltokio was quiet, the noise of the festival had died out. Everyone had gone home, leaving a total mess behind. The rest of the band were in their room.
"Hi Regal." Raine said, she was gazing thoughtfully on the silent streets below. "It's kind of cold here tonight."
"Heh, I never noticed" said Regal. "But now that you mentioned, a coldwind is blowing tonight."
"We did a great job today, our first performance went great. Despite the delay."
"Indeed."
"Can I ask you something, Regal?"
"Go ahead."
"Why do you keep saying 'indeed'? Wouldn't a 'yes' be enough?"
Regal smiled and his eyes lost themselves somewhere on the starry night sky.
"I am the president of a great company, and I must answer formally to all questions."
"Is it presidential law?"
"I guess not. But I'm used to saying 'indeed', so I'll stick with it."
"I'm not really bothered." Raine gave him a broad smile and moved a bit closer. "I just wondered."
When she came closer, Regal suddenly noticed her stunning beauty in a way he had never done before. Her eyes reflected the shining stars in a magic way, and her innocent face didn't have a trace of age upon it.
He couldn't understand that it had taken so long for him to realize it, and he felt quite ashamed for his stupidity. She was beautiful.
"You look lovely tonight, Raine." Regal said, blushing. He prayed that it wouldn't be obvious.
"Thank you." Raine answered and fired off another blinding smile, making Regal blush even more. "Why is your face so red?"
"Um, I'm allergic."
"To what?"
"Eh, peanuts."
"You don't eat peanuts."
"That's because I'm allergic."
"Why is your face so red then?"
"Erm..." Regal turned his head away. He couldn't look at her. He had never felt this way before, not since Alicia. "I'm tired. I should go to bed."
"Alright." Raine said, pulling her coat closer around her. "I'll stay out here for a little while. It's calming."
"Very well. Goodnight then." Regal said and got up and bowed.
When he walked away, he cursed himself.
Allergic to peanuts? You pathetic moron. How hard can it be, just tell her
how you feel.
Regal sighed and glanced back. Raine was sitting silently, and her white hair moved slowly in the cool wind.
"Raine!" Regal yelled.
"Yes?" She turned around, and Regal immidiately lost his ability to think clearly.
"Um... Don't sit out too long, you might catch a cold."
"I won't, thank you. Goodnight, Regal."
Regal clenched his fists and whacked his head against a nearby wall.
Don't sit out too long, you might catch a cold?
Idiot.
"My memory, it is back!" Lloyd suddenly yelled and woke everyone up. "WAKE UP, I REMEMBER!"
"Yeah yeah, shut up and let me sleep." Zelos moaned and pulled his pillow over his head.
"It's a miracle!" Lloyd got out of bed and started to shake Raine violently. "Raine, I can remember!"
"Good for you, Lloyd. Goodnight."
"Raine, don't you understand? I can remember! I remember everything!"
"But yet you never pass any tests. Go you. Let me sleep."
"Come on, let's have a party!"
"Who's talking?" Genis sat up. "I said I don't want any biscuits! Get lost!"
"Genis!" Lloyd smiled. "Guess what, I remember everything now! My ammonitia is gone!"
"It's a-m-n-e-s-i-a, Lloyd." Raine mumbled. "Get back to sleep or you'll have homework."
"Yes, give me homework miss Raine!" Lloyd jumped up and down. " Oh please, I want to learn something!"
"Okay." Zelos got on his feet and grabbed the lamp nearby. "Where's the real Lloyd and what have you done to him?"
"I am the real Lloyd. Yes, L-l-o-y-d! That's me!"
"H-He can spell his own name..." Zelos raised the lamp above his head. "Hold him down, Raine. I'll knock him out! We have an imposter in camp!"
"Drop it, Zelos, or I'll drop you. Let me go to sleep or I'll chain both of you to the wall. Understood?"
"B-but..."
"Zelos, don't make me grab my staff. Go to bed, now."
"He'll kill us all when we're asleep. I know it!"
"ZELOS! SHUT UP!" Sheena yelled. "I need my beauty sleep."
"I know you do, my voloptous hunny. Maybe we can share bed tonight?"
"Raine?" Sheena asked.
"Yes?" Raine replied with a sugar sweet voice.
"Let's beat the crap out of him. Now."
"I agree."
Zelos tried to run. He was wrapped up in his sheets though, so he fell flat on the floor with no chance of escaping.
And while Raine and Sheena took turns in kicking some sanity into the poor Zelos, Lloyd sat down on his bed and grabbed a notebook.
He had some good ideas for new songs, and immidiately started to write, relieved over that his memory had finally returned.
"I DON'T NEED A VACCUUM CLEANER, I SAID!" Genis yelled and punched holes in the air with his tiny fists. "GET AWAY FROM ME, EVIL PIRATE!"
Just another ordinary evening, eh?
Genis slowly woke up. It was still dark, so it was most likely still in the middle of the night. Damn he was smart.
He looked around. Everyone was asleep. Regal snored loudly and Zelos was lying on the floor sucking on his thumb.
Presea sat on the edge of her bed staring through the window on the opposite wall.
"Hey Presea." Genis said and sat up. "Wanna go outside for a while?"
"Sure. I can't really sleep tonight."
"Your pyjamas is nice, Genis." Presea said as they sat down on the bench outside of the inn.
"Y-You like it? We had a pyjamas party once, and everyone teased me for it."
"It's pretty. Red hearts and dancing Katz with party hats are a nice combination. Really."
"T-Thanks. My classmates said that it was girly. Lloyd thought it was hilarious. He still teases me for it sometime. But we're best friends. It's not like I tease him for sleeping nake...Erm, nothing!"
Presea smiled and pulled her blanket closer around her.
"It's cold tonight, don't you think?"
"Yeah, the nights are getting colder." Genis answered. Summer is over soon."
"Too bad. I like it when it's warm. But Altamira is too hot for me. I prefer
this climate."
"I like it when it's cold. Especially if it snows. Everything gets so nice when its all white. I'd like to move to Flanoir someday. You could come visit anytime you like."
"That's good. But it is in the future. The band is everything right now."
Genis gazed thoughtfully on the moon. It spread its weak, white light over Meltokio and made its tall buildings shine with a eerie glow.
"I like things the way they are now. We're all back together again, just as we were two years ago. I missed times on the road. Our lives aren't on the line this time, we can enjoy ourself more."
"Yes. Let's just hope that everything goes well." Presea mumbled.
"I'm sure it will. Raine is trying to arrange for us to record an album. We
don't have enough songs yet, though..."
"Lloyd is writing new ones now. He got his memory back tonight, and he has
been writing ever since."
"He did? That's good, I've missed him. He has always stood up for me."
"Thank you, Genis."
"For what?"
"For being here. I appreciate it."
"I'll always be here, Presea." Genis moved closer. Presea looked him in the
eyes, she was smiling. She took his hand. It was warm.
I can do it. Genis thought.
Presea closed her eyes and leaned forward to meet his lips halfway.
Don't be afraid. He won't hurt you.
Lloyd sat by the fire inside their room. He had an acoustic guitar in his hands, and he played it silently not to wake the others. Where did all his inspiration come from?
The guitar released notes from the depths of his mind, and the lyrics came naturally.
You are all alone tonight
While flashing stars on the night sky
Spread their eternal light
You are not the first, nor the last
Feeling lonely in this cold world
Can't change it, happens too fast
You may be all alone
Sinking into the darkness like a stone
In the desert of your own mind
Consoling thoughts are hard to find
Walking through life like you're blind
Your heart has been torn
And there's no end in sight
Since the very day you were born
You have been left without light
A lonely soul under a burning sun
You may think it's too late
Not too long before it'll all be gone
No way to change your fate
You are all alone
While sinking into the depths like a stone
Lost in the desert of your mind
Consoling thoughts are hard to find
Walking through life like you were blind
"Man, that song was cheezy." Zelos said from behind and sat down on an empty chair. "Ya can't have the audience crying on your concerts, now can you?"
Lloyd looked up and put away his guitar.
"Oh, hi Zelos."
"So, how's your love-life?"
It was a big surprise. The question came out of nowhere and Lloyd lost his ability to speak for a second.
"W-what?"
"Aw come on, don't you think I've noticed the way Colette and Sheena looks at you?"
"I-I haven't noticed, seriously."
"Don't tell me you haven't seen how Colette's eyes get all shiny when she talks to you? And Sheena is like a different person when you´re around."
Lloyd remained silent, while Zelos leaned forward to steal some warmth from the dying fire.
"I mean, Sheena never takes me seriously. I admit I'm pretty tough to be around most of the times, but whenever I try to be a little bit serious she just waves it off like a joke."
"I-I don't know how to help you, Zelos."
"Heck man, I don't even know either. I mean, what do I do wrong? Maybe she doesn't like me calling her a violent banshee? Or voloptous hunny? Maybe I should start calling her for something new... Like...eh... Sheena?"
"It's a start, at least."
"Hmm, well, you're right. I'll go back to bed now, this evening has taught me that stonefloors isn't the best ones to sleep on."
He got up from the chair and rubbed his hands in front of the fire.
"Well, goodnight Lloyd. See you tomorrow, I guess."
"Yeah, goodnight."
That was it! Colette/Lloyd/Sheena moments in the next chapter, Kratos purpose becomes more clear and the surprising appearance of... the Wonder Chef?
Stay tuned for chapter 9, folks! All reviewers will get a cookie!