Polerman-well people this was a long chapter for me to write but I do it for you people so please read and leave a few good words.

Disclaimer-I don't and probably never will own Tales of Symphonia

Born a Knight

Chapter two: Guard Duty

"Taki I'm sorry I have to see if everything is alright."

"But what about."

"Taki I promise I'll be back."

"Cid please don't go."

"Taki this letter is dated one year ago for all I know there all dead."

"You know that would never happen."

"Taki please don't cry."

"Please don't go…just stay here…stay with me."

"Taki no matter where I am, know that I will always be there for you."

"Cid I love you…please don't go."

"Taki…I love you to."

"Then stay."

"Things change and I know that some day some where we will be together."

"Not tonight…not now…please Cid never."

"Taki I have to."

"Just get the HELL! Away from me then…JUST GO AWAY!"

"Taki I will always love you."

"Go away I HATE YOU!"

"Taki…Taki I will never forget…you."

Cid woke up from that small nightmare in an unfamiliar bed and in an unfamiliar room but still he had done that many times when he traveled. So he wasn't shocked with the whole thing, he just got up and remembered this was his brother Anthony's room.

Cid exited the unfamiliar room and trudged to his room which was right beside it. He opened the door and looked at the spotless room, nothing was out of place and nothing was even touched. Considering this was about the third time he'd been in his room since he returned from Mizuho. He went to the closet and opened it looked at the body length mirror. He studied the unfamiliar figure and noted how he had changed a lot since Mizuho. He was slightly unshaven with his fathers goatee forming on his face and his jet black hair was cut slightly short. He was use to it being just crazily set on his head back in Mizuho but a few days in rich town you are forced to get a hair cut.

He stripped down and switched into his black uniform which was just a long sleeve which had the Tethe'alla guard banner sewn onto the shoulder and basic pants to match. He padded the creases in his uniform and exhaled deeply and glanced over his shoulder at the huge grand father clock in the corner. Ah Crap five minutes till roll call gotta move if I don't want to be late and be stuck on mopping the frick'n floors for weeks.

Cid quickly stumbled out forgetting anything to do with eating or washing and ran his way to the Palace. He didn't care if people were looking at him funny because his hair was all messy or the whole fact that he was running because it seemed in rich town nobody ran anywhere because you were that frick'n important that they shouldn't mind if you were late, but Cid knew his brother wouldn't let that fly so Cid double timed it.

He approached the main doors and the two guard's saw the uniform and sword and knew who he was so they allowed him to fly at full speed right through them without a hitch. Cid just made it on time. "Cid Moore." Called the Captain of the Citadel loudly. "Sir!" Cid shouted back.

Cid fell in line with his fellow men and stood up straight and waited till the rest of the names were called but thankfully enough Cid was about the fourth last name to be called. Because like hell Cid could stand straight like this for fifty other names to be called heck he was having one hell of a time trying at the moment.

"Alright men your all accounted for so move out and stand strong." The Captain finished. The guard shifts were divided into the west and east wing of the citadel and then they were divided up into a dozen other duties around the castle that needed to be done.

Cid was part of the West Wing of the defense which pretty much meant the left side when you entered. Cid and the others assigned to the west all fanned out to the left and down stairs to the barracks which were also done alphabetically so Cid was near the back of the long room. Although long it wasn't long enough so bunk beds were put up, and at the very back wall was were his was located. In Cid's childhood during school Cid had made many friends but the ones he trusted the most were Patrick Xander, and the Zepher twins Sam and Eric. So basically he bunked under Patrick and the twins at the right and on his bunk was his polished armor. It was Silver mythril with the Tethe'alla banner down the centre, the leg armor was the same silver hue as the chest plate, the boots were less armored than the rest for easier maneuverability, and the helmet Cid never liked the huge cutter like fins the helmets had on them but he would never complain so he just slipped the whole wardrobe over his black uniform.

He then slipped his sheathed sword around his belt and thought. 'ready for anything.' Then a sergeant came down and called off guard shifts to random soldiers and they just responded "Sir!" and went along there way.

"Alright Moore and Xander your on Throne room watch."

"Sure always stick me with that crap." Patrick said bitterly. As he collected his sword from his bunk and trailed his way up stairs.

Cid followed afterwards knowing it wasn't something you rushed to do considering throne guard was just basically stand on guard near the throne and look threatening. But Cid did as ordered and went to the throne room and took the free spot by the kings right side and stood straight and looked forward.

The hours passed without a hitch, people visited the King from all over Tethe'alla with their problems people wanting taxes lessened on their lands, wanting more knights to protect their cities from monsters, Ect. Cid just stood there ignoring the whole thing and just faced forward without a word said.

"Is that it for all the questions?" Questioned the King to the man who carried the list of names and appointments that still needed to be appointed to.

"No you highness there is still a Zelos Wilder and Cardinal Murdock to see till we are finished for today."

"Good is the chosen ready?"

"Yes your highness just give the word."

"Send him in please." The King shifted his weight slightly to get more comfortable.

The doors opened and a red haired man dressed in pink entered with a blonde girl dressed like an angel on festival day would be. The red haired man bowed and began. "Your highness it is good to see you again."

"Ah master Wilder it has been a while since I have seen you. So what brings you here now?"

"Straight to business I see. Well as you may know the beautiful Colette and I are with the Chosen Fund. Which is a small non-profit organization that accepts many donations from all around to aid with the reconstruction of many cities, towns, and other location around the new world that were destroyed." Zelos said as he wrapped an arm around Colette.

"Right and I guess you want a donation?" The King said as he rubbed his chin.

"Well it's the least you could do considering I've saved your life how many times?" Zelos shot back and put a smile across his face. Then Colette nudged him in the ribs. "I…what I meant to say is that the many people who count on donations from the Chosen Fund would be very grateful if you could lend some gald." Zelos finished and began to rub his sore ribs.

The King obviously took the life saving comment over the other and stared blankly at the former chosen of mana. "Yes, you have saved my life and lives of many others. And please continue doing so with the Chosen Fund. Please send for a currier to fetch this man and women…" The King began as he wrote something on a slip of paper. "…this much." The currier hurried along and when he retrieve the slip of paper he stared at the king and then to the two former chosen's and smiled. "I think that is a feasible enough donation…"

"So my king I guess I will see you currier soon?"

"Yes master Zelos you will see him shortly."

With that said and done the two chosen's invited themselves out and waved goodbye to the king and left. The next hour or so was spent mostly in silence as the king signed a few papers and read over a few things.

"Daddy I'm going out to the dinner party." The princess said as she shook her father from a temporary doze.

"Sure, just be back before curfew."

The princess walked out the double doors and into the night. The few hours to past was spent in the same silence that seemed to normal around here. 'don't think I can do this ant longer' Cid thought as his muscles ached painfully.

"Your highness Cardinal Bell has arrived."

"About time." The king said as he sat up slightly from slouching. The double doors busted open with man Cid was familiar with, Cardinal Bruce Bell. Cardinal Bell was an old man of sixty-five and still going strong, he was in impossibly good shape for a man his age, he was bald but most didn't notice because he wore a hat or helmet over his head, and he was the leader of all the Papacies Legion. He was a very influenced man, he was about one of the few who still worshipped Martel.

"Your highness I bring dire news." The Cardinal said as he breathed hard from running.

"Why? what has happened?"

"There's a leak in our intelligence…the proposal has been announced and a few out breaks of hostilities have been reported over in several location across the bridge." The Cardinal paused for a second to catch his breath. "I'd advise sir that we draw off the bridge, just in case someone gets a smart idea of crossing and causing their hell over here."

"Yes Cardinal please do so and get Tactician Moore up here if you would."

"Right away sir." The Cardinal quickly turned around and made his way out the doors.

Cid stood there stunned and confused at what had just been said. Out breaks of hostilities did not sound peaceful at all. What the hell did it even mean? Out breaks of hostilities. The King looked just as baffled as Cid was he was rubbing his temples hard in frustration. "How the hell did this get out?" The King mumbled. "Guards leave me." Cid looked at the King and did as ordered and followed Patrick back to the west wing.

"What was that all about? Cid…Cid you know anything?" Patrick questioned Cid as he usually did about things he didn't know but Cid was just as unknowing as his friend.

"No Pat I don't know a damn thing." Cid said without emotion. He thought about saying something more hoarse like 'I've just got back a while ago like I know anything about this crap.' But he thought strongly against it considering Patrick was his friend.

They both went back to their bunks and sat around talking about a barmaid Patrick met in this bar in Altamira and how he thought of seeing her again. Then about what they thought was truly going on, then about how good they were at chess, and then had a few games of chess.

"Patrick you need some more practice."

"Yeah I know but who has the time?" Patrick said as he took Cid's queen and flashed it playfully in front of him. "HA now who needs practice."

Cid then moved his rook in for the mate and smiled with victory. "You still do."

"You're an ass you know that." Patrick said as he set the board up again for another game and got a sudden curiosity on how his friend was so good. "So who taught you how to play?"

Cid looked at his friend for a second remembering a certain ninja. "My father and the Cardinal." He said not taking his eyes off the board.

"The Cardinal? How'd you get that to happen?"

"Well when I was young my dad was captain of the Citadel, so the Cardinal and my father met on a regular basis and they played chess all the time. And I usually got drag along to meet the Cardinal and one thing led to another and they both taught me how to play."

"Well isn't that special." Patrick said as they both continued to play. But the game was set about five turns in. "Ah hell I resign, I'm going to bed." With that said Patrick flipped the board and turned over in his bed and easily fell asleep.

Cid cleaned up the mess that his friends anger had created and smiled. Patrick is still acts like a damn kid. He didn't change at all over those three years Cid was gone, he was still the same Patrick he knew and grew up with.

Cid's thoughts drifted as he thought about those three years he was gone, how great they were. It was around New Years and his parents had forgotten him the fifth frick'n time and Cid had gotten fed up with it and just left without a word.

Cid looked around the house for his mom and dad or anyone of his family calling their names frantically as he ran through the house. 'Damn they forgot me again.' Cid thought bitterly as sat down on the couch and thought of crying but remembered what his father would say.

Cid knew a few locations where his family might go, it was New Years so they could have went to the Palace or the coliseum or dozen of other places but not knowing where they went didn't matter because he could have just stayed home and then acted as if he had been there at the party and they would have believe him.

You know what how bout I don't pretend that I was there and just…just…just go…go and leave this place and then they won't have to worry about Cid Moore again. Cid just went up to his room and grabbed a small pack and started fill it with clothing and other items.

Cid was ready to go but he made one last stop, he went down the hall to his parents room and took his father sword and shield. With the two items firmly tied on to him he exited his house and walked down the grand stair cases of Meltokio and to the huge closed gates.

"Well didn't think this one through." Cid thought as he eyed the huge gate. His mind quickly raced for an answer. 'Duh idiot the sewers.' Cid thought as he smacked his forehead and went to the nearest manhole and entered, although disgusting and reeked of waste Cid managed to get outside the castle gates and on his way to hopefully freedom. A while of heavy traveling Cid managed to get himself over to Sylvarant, after more directionless traveling he ended up in this forest somewhere.

Cid was fed up with this frick'n forest already he had ran into many small mobs of monsters and easily defeated them without effort but this really scary looking wasp stung him and ever since he just didn't feel so good. Cid stumbled foreword tripping over every single root that defiantly stood up. 'Ah crap if I make it through this hell I'm deffinantly taking a vacation.' Cid thought bitterly as got up.

Cid continued his stumbling march through the forest. 'can't keep this up going to lose conciseness.' Cid thought before his vision started to darken slightly and he felt as if someone was pushing down on him. Snap! Cid may have been losing his sight but he heard that easily. Cid drew his fathers sword and prepared for a fight, his dark vision didn't help but he thought he saw someone standing in the middle of the path then disappear.

Cid heard the foot steps behind him they were defiantly trained how to sneak up on someone but Cid wasn't just someone. He quickly turned around swinging his fathers sword horizontally. The figure dodged it easily then disappeared. Cid brought the sword in a defensive motion, waiting for another attack to happen. Cid listened…there to his right Cid turned right just in time to guard a strike. His opponents strength seemed unmatched but Cid twirled it by some miracle of Martel and backhanded his attacker. Cid knew this fight was won because his opponents were easy to read they counted on stealth and precision strength. Then bam! Cid felt a sharp pain hit him in the back of the head and he tumbled to the ground but before he passed out saw a rock right beside him and thought 'sure throw a rock at me, oldest trick in the book.'

Then a while after he woke up in jail, ah what fun Cid thought as he got off his bunk and began to make his way up stairs. He got up stairs and the guards were still on patrol walking in fixed pathways they were assigned. He waved to the Zepher twins before he entered into the throne room. His father was there with the Cardinal and his brother they were all gathered by the kings throne talking about a unknown subject. "Sir Moore! Report." Shouted his brother.

Cid looked at his brother and the others as they stood there looking back. "Didn't you hear report." Cid saw his brother get a little more agitated and decided to double time it up to the Kings Throne. "Sir!"

"It has come to my attention that you were present during the Cardinals appointment." His brother asked but sounded more as a statement.

"Yes sir I was present sir."

"Well considering the facts it seems you heard everything."

"Yes sir I heard everything sir."

"As you know you are not to talk of this to anyone."

"Talk about what sir?" Cid said but was dead serious because he didn't know what the Cardinal meant when he did say it.

"That's good sir knight keep it up."

With that said Cid took his leave accompanied by his father. When they reached the east wing his father took it upon himself to explain. "Son its time someone told you what is going on." His father took a slight pause so he could lead Cid down to the dungeon. When they were down there his father motioned the guard to leave and whispered. "Son the King is thinking about re-marrying."

"And that would cause mobs to break?"

"No that's not the full reason…" His father looked around. "You know of the complaints that come from Sylvarant?"

"Yeah, how they want to be part of some of the major things that go on, like the recent discovery of a new energy Emblem Rock."

"Yes exactly, but now the King thinks he can solve this by marrying someone of royal blood from Sylvarant."

Cid stared blankly at his father then spoke. "Yeah now I can see how that would get a few people mad."

"Yes and now it seems that someone has released this information before the King can try and explain to the people how this type of resolve would help both sides."

"Seem like even though we are reunited we still can't get along."

"Well it's just not us either some groups in Sylvarant don't like this ether."

"Who wouldn't mind this type of peace?"

"We don't know but I think I may know."

"Who…who does?"

"The Mizuho intelligence." Fredrick said blankly.

"What…what makes you think they know?" Cid said obliviously offended of the sudden accusation.

"My son please don't take offense, I know of your stay with the people of Mizuho. But they know all and we need to know what they know about this."

"And what they want to raid them and demand that they tell them what they know about this."

"No, no…no that would cause war, a war we don't need. So we…I was hoping that you would…" Fredrick began but he was cut off by his son.

"I won't do it dad."

"All you have to do is ask them nicely."

"And what if 'Nicely' doesn't cut it?"

"You come home and we figure it out without their help…" Cid's father stood there silent and then said. "Just think about it, this is the King of Tethe'alla we are talking about. You should say 'Yes sir' and do as ordered. But I came to ask you nicely if you accept this assignment."

"Because it's you father and not someone else I will accept this assignment."

"Thank you son." His father said and hugged him. Cid hugged him back and watched as he left up stairs. 'Cid what have you gotten yourself into now?' he thought as he followed up stairs.

"Hey you your shift over…are you even listening to me?" shouted the knight to another as Cid made it up the stairs. The questioning knight moved in closer to get a better look. The questioned knight then turned to the questioning one and his hand reached into his pocket then shot out lightning fast. Cid had seen this type of fighting style before in Mizuho. He saw the almost invisible projectile fly at his fellow Citadel guardsmen and hit his throat. Another projectile flew at him but his training proved to be worth the while he easily drew his double edge and deflected the tiny knife and four others to follow.

Cid's opponent now saw his projectiles wouldn't work and drew a saber and approached slowly and cautiously. Then suddenly shot off like an arrow hoping to catch Cid off guard. Cid brought his already drawn sword up in front of him and easily deflected the blade off to the right leaving his opponent widely open. Cid then used it to his advantage and backhanded the attacker with his left fist and quickly thrusting his sword forward into the imposter's chest and out leaving a huge open cut for blood to seep out. The imposter fell to his knee and then to the ground. 'That was to easy there must be more of them.' Cid thought as he stabbed his sword quickly in and out in the back of the downed figure just to be sure of the kill.

Cid could hear a huge amount of commotion in the Throne room and quickly rushed out of the east wing and into a huge battle that had broke out into the throne room. Imposters and black cloaked figures were engaged into heavy combat with citadel guardsmen and Papalian knights. At the kings' throne was Cid's father and the Cardinal holding off attackers from harming the king. His brother was near the gates trying to get them open but was having one hell of a time fighting and pushing a stuck gate. Cid saw two attackers eye him and charge. They were lightning fast in an open space but in close quarters they were nothing so giving his enemy open space to fight in was the wrong idea. The twosome was upon Cid in an instant he deflected one away sending him a few feet away to his right and the other he parried the enemy saber up and used his left fist to punch his attacker in the throat, he staggered back and his buddy recovered and charged again. Cid deflected the blade down between his feet and punched the black clad figure right in the face. With a painful cracking sound on impact the attacker staggered back stunned holding his nose. Cid tripped him and brought his sword into his gut and withdrew. Cid then ran for the gate knowing his father and the Cardinal could easily handle this type of enemy. His brother just finished fighting off three imposter guards and continued to push at the gate. "Heave man hurry and get this gate open for reinforcements." Cid moved to his brothers back and decided to cover him. Three black clad fighters approached. Cid easily made a pattern deflect, attack, guard, attack, and easily finish the last one with a parry and thrust. "Heave men…heave!" Cid ran to his brother's side and helped push. Clenching his teeth hard and put all his weight on the door with his shoulder. Then suddenly. "Brother watch out!" cried his older brother Linkin as he jumped behind him and painfully grunted. Cid quickly turned around to see a saber through his brothers shoulder and piercing out the other side. Cid moved past his brother and brought his sword down upon the arm of his brothers attacker cutting his arm off. He was quickly taken to the ground by the many men who saw his brother in peril.

"Are you alright brother?" questioned Linkin as he grabbed his shoulder and clenched his teeth hard

"Yes thanks to you." Cid answered as he eyed the saber in his brothers shoulder.

"Come let's get this gate open." Linkin said as he started to push the gate again. Cid looked at his brother and put a firm hand on the sabers handle and pulled hard taking the blade out of his brother's shoulder. His brother gave off a grunt of pain and pushed even harder opening the gate almost instantly. More guardsmen stood outside the gates and piled in right when the gates were opened. The battle was completely over at that moment whatever resistance was left raised their hands in defeat and were arrested on sight.

Cid then walked silently over to the west wing to see the damage. He entered to see all his comrades cleaning up dead bodies or tending to there wounded friends. He walked over to the Zepher twins, they were sitting against a wall waiting for a doctor to look at there saber wounds.

"Hey guys you seen Xander?"

"Yeah he was up there." Sam said pointing up stairs.

"Thanks guys." Cid said as he jogged up the stairs to see Patrick swinging his sword around playfully and skillfully. Patrick was about slightly under equal with him so he probably easily handled his confrontations with skill.

"Cid man I'm glad your alright."

"I'm glad your alright too man."

"Man you should have been there. I was sleeping and then I wake up because this huge noise and then I see dozens of these ninja like guys in the barracks and man if you see me man you should of saw them." Cid eyed his friend. He had saber wounds all over mainly because it looked as if he had taken his armor off during the night his flesh was cut everywhere. Patrick approached his friend and he quickly lost his adrenaline rush and finally felt the extent of his wounds. He clenched his teeth hard and allowed Cid to walk him down the stairs and set him down by the Zepher twins. "See ya later man." Patrick said as Cid went back into the throne room.

The carnage was still being cleaned up by the many knights. His father approached him stepping over a few downed black clad fighters. "I've managed to convince them to give you anything you need on your assignment."

"Thanks…I guess…dad."

"Just hurry and get this investigation over."

"I will father…I'll start tomorrow, At the crack of dawn sir."

"Good, that's good. And good luck." Said his father as he exited to go back home and take care of Mavis. Cid watched his father leave. 'better stay here the night then and wake up in the morning and prepared for the mission tomorrow.' He was going back, back to Mizuho, and back to Taki.

Polerman-well people please leave a few good words my reviewer knows I need'em see ya.