It has been a long time (really long). Anyway, if I'm at fault, then I accept all responsibility. I haven't given up on this story. Anyway, we're sailing to Rosevale Island to stop the attacks there.

Don't own anything except the concept of the story.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: ARE YOU PONDERING WHAT I'M PONDERING?

After the destruction of Yuan's fortress, the ships set sail for Rosevale Island, where the island's inhabitants are being constantly attacked by presumably Lord Kratos. Getting to the island of Rosevale would take quite some time, giving our heroes some much needed rest. Also, it had given Genis some time to ponder about some happenings within the now demolished fortress.

"Hmm…" Genis was busy thinking about what Yuan said about the Mana Cannon.

"What are you thinking of?" Tetra asked.

"What?"

"I said, what are you thinking of?"

"How did you know I was thinking?"

"Simple. You make funny faces when you're thinking about something."

"Well, a few things have been bugging me for quite some time now."

"And that is?"

"In the fortress, it seems that Yuan was working with Lord Irving into building this Mana Cannon."

"What's a Mana Cannon?"

"It's probably a super weapon capable of mass destruction. Anyways, Yuan also said that Lord Irving was also going to destroy the Tower of the Gods using the Mana Cannon."

"Why would he do that?"

"That's what I've been thinking about. Why would they go to great lenghts to destroy the Tower of the Gods? And another thing that's been bugging me is this Lord Irving, who is working with his master, Ganondorf, is planning to betray him. What are his motives?"

Tetra's head was filled with Genis' questions. She, too, began to list the possible reasons why Yuan and Lord Irving would want to destroy the Tower of the Gods and why would Lord Irving betray Ganondorf in the first place.

"Now you got me thinking," Tetra replied.

"Do you have any ideas?" Genis asked.

"Yeah…a few. Maybe Ganondorf did something to Lord Irving."

"Something like what?"

"Something bad like…betray him or take something of great value from him. Ganondorf is greedy. He tried to take the whole land of Hyrule! I would like to get back at him if he took something from me…"

Genis had a sudden idea. "Tetra, are you pondering what I'm pondering?"

"I'd have to say the odds of that are terribly slim."

"True…"

"I mean, really, when have I ever been pondering what you've been pondering?"

"To my knowledge, never."

"Exactly. So, what are the chances that, at this time, I'm pondering what you're pondering?"

"Next to nil."

"Well, that's exactly what I'm thinking, too."

"Therefore, you are pondering what I'm pondering."

Tetra blinked dumbfounded. "Hmm…I guess I am!"

Author's note: I got that whole dialogue from "Are you pondering what I'm pondering" from wikiquote

Genis sighed in agitation. He knew he couldn't tell Tetra his idea because he had no basis or any proof backing up his story. He would wait until he found more information about Lord Irving's motives. Meanwhile, another conversation was being taken place on Governor Wilder's boat with Raine and Ayrll. Shadow was sleeping from the battle.

"Hmm…" Raine was thinking (for once) about what Yuan said to Shadow.

"What'cha doing, Raine?" Aryll asked.

"Thinking…"

"Thinking about what?"

"Stuff…"

"What sort of stuff?"

"Stuff that you can't understand…"

"Try me. I'm pretty cleaver at times."

Raine positioned herself to Aryll and said, "then here me out."

"I'm listening."

"Well, when I was about to be killed by Yuan, Shadow protected me. After Shadow pierced Yuan, there was some interesting dialogue."

"What sort of dialogue?"

"Yuan said something weird. He said that Shadow was working with Ganondorf, the one who is probably coordinating these attacks."

Begin Flashback

Raine Narrating: "I guess Shadow didn't know I was still awake when she and Yuan were talking…"

"Gah!" Yuan cried, "Colette…you inferior being…you would betray…Lord Ganondorf?"

"I didn't betray anyone," Shadow whispered. "I am under a new master now…I needed to protect her…"

"An inferior being…like her…is your new master?"

"She feels the pain…that I felt… so long ago. You can never understand…"

End Flashback

Raine just had a sudden idea. "Aryll! Are you pondering what I'm pondering?"

"I think so, Raine," Aryll replied. "But who lives in a pineapple under the sea?"

Raine sighed with agitation. It was obvious that Aryll lost interest in the topic. Nether the less, Raine attempted to revive their discussion.

"Didn't you hear? Yuan called Shadow, Colette."

"Colette? Do you think…it's her real name?"

"It probably is her name. I'm not sure how to say this but…"

"What? That Shadow was possibly working with Ganondorf?"

"Yeah! Don't you remember? She was telling you her life story! How could you not connect the two together?"

"Um…lots of stuff happened during that time, okay?"

"……I need to talk to her…"

"About what?

"About what! What else? About this whole situation!"

"Well don't yell at me, then!"

"You're the one acting like an idiot!"

Link joined the conversation. "What are you guys up to?"

"WE'RE TALKING!" Aryll and Raine shouted together.

"Okay, well, leave me out of it."

"What do you want?" Raine asked.

"We've reached Rosevale. We're dropping anchor right--"

The two ships suddenly jerked. Link was thrown into Governor Wilder's ship face-first.

"Now…" Link mumbled. He got up and yelled, "Tetra, why can't you just warn me before you just drop anchor?"

"Then I wouldn't be able to see your funny expressions of surprise," Tetra replied.

Link grumbled as the crew prepared to disembark for the island where dark clouds were indeed over.

Well, what happens next? Please R&R.