Just heading back on Rosevale for some much needed rest. Please read on!

Don't own anything except the concept of the story

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO: BACK ON ROSEVALE

It was about nine o'clock in the morning when the ships docked neared Rosevale Island. Repairs were being made to the city. People were surprised when they saw Kratos coming out of Tetra's ship with Governor Anderson. People were surprised, shocked and thought of revolt. Then, when signs of riot started to break out, the governor spoke to his people.

"Please, hear me!" Anderson cried.

"What is he doing here?" A townsperson asked.

"Is he our prisoner?" Another asked.

"No, he is not our prisoner," Anderson replied. "He is our…friend."

"Our friend!" A townsperson cried. "Thanks to him, General Smith has rampaged through our island! Do you know how many rupees it will take to restore the island to its former glory?"

Everyone fell silent for a minute. Kratos sighed, went in front of Governor Anderson and dropped two huge bags of rupees in front of them.

"Here," he said. "This will cover most of it."

The people were stunned. No one has ever seen that many rupees at one time (not even Link because his wallet maxes out at 999).

"How much is that exactly?" Raine asked.

"About 200,000 rupees," Kratos replied sadly. "I was going to blow it all on the new casino on Windfall but…" (I'm making up structures now).

The representative of the townspeople stepped forward, clearing his throat. "Well, uh, Mr. Kratos, sir…uh…I think that will cover the costs of the damages done to the island."

"So we're cool right?" Kratos asked.

"Yes, we are, sir."

The bags of rupees were given to Governor Anderson so he could take a good look on what needed repairs. Governor Wilder accompanied him. Meanwhile, the others were given free stays at the inn (partly repaired). Tetra was on the ship, making preparations, Link and Aryll were playing with the neighboring kids, Genis was examining a piece of magitechnology that he found in the fortress and Raine was walking to the other side of the island. There was nothing at the other side of the island. Just rocks and stuff so Raine decided that would be a good place to think. She was looking out of the sea. Just then, she saw Kratos flying over her. He touched down and joined Raine on the cool grass.

"Having fun?" He asked.

"How…how did you do that?" Raine asked.

"What?"

"Where did you get the wings?"

"It came with the body. Pretty cool, huh?"

Raine nodded.

"There's…there's something…I need to ask you."

"What is it?"

"You have a black colored gauntlet on your hand right?"

"Uh…yeah, sure," and she showed it to Kratos.

"Can you take it off yet?"

"No, I can't. She says I'm not strong enough yet."

"Hmm…I guess you're not. Anyway, call her out."

"Call who out?"

"Who else. Call out Colette."

"Why?"

"I just want to see if she's still…you know…the way she always was."

"Okay…" Raine chanted her little spell. Colette popped out and appeared before Kratos and Raine. Kratos was overjoyed when he saw her.

"Colette!" He cried. "No time no see!"

Colette just stood there, not saying a word.

"Who's Colette?" She asked.

"It's your new name," Raine replied. "From now on, your name is Colette."

"I see," Colette said, "Colette is my name."

"And this is Kratos, remember?" Raine asked.

"Yes, that is Lord Kratos," Colette said, in a queer calmness.

"Are you okay, Colette?"

"I am fine, Raine..." She turned to Kratos and said, "Give me your hands, boss."

"Uh…okay," Kratos gave her his hands. Colette grasped Kratos' hands really hard. She looked into his eyes and he looked into hers. Then, without warning, Colette grabbed Kratos' neck, chocking him.

"I'LL KILL YOU!" She yelled. "I KILL YOU PEOPLE!"

"Colette!" Raine exclaimed. "Let go of him!"

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU TOO!"

"Gah! Colette…you're…chocking…me!" Kratos gasped for air.

"Colette, I order you to let go of him!" Raine said in a firm tone. "Now, I'm gonna count to three. One…two…"

Colette instantly let go of Kratos. "Thanks…Raine…" Kratos said. "What in the blue hell was that about?"

"You…you knew…" Colette said silently.

"Knew what?"

"You knew…that he would…"

"Oh, for the love of," Kratos threw his arms in the air. "Don't blame me for Lloyd sealing you away in the glass casket of death!"

"Well it's not like it's my fault either!"

"Maybe it is your fault because you acted all funny with him!"

"What do you mean!"

"Obviously when it came to him you always acted lovey-dovey!"

Kratos and Colette were screaming at the top of their lungs.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Raine screamed. The two stopped.

"I don't care whose fault it is, it's over and ain't nothin' you can say or do to say otherwise!"

Silence for a minute. Colette started to speak.

"Okay," Colette said.

"Say it," Raine replied.

"There isn't anything…"

"Ain't nothin'!"

In a high pitched voice, "Ain't nothin' I can say or do to say otherwise. But--"

Raine cuts her off with an "Ah!"

"But--"

"Ah!"

"And…"

"Ah!"

"We--"

"Ah!"

"I--"

"Ah!"

"Yes, but--"

"No!"

"You see--"

"No!"

"I…"

Raine cuts her off with a frustrated groan. "Kratos, did you know about Colette being sealed inside the glass casket?"

He scratched his head. "Well, uh…a little bit, yeah, but--"

"I knew it…" Colette said sadly. "You…you…"

"Colette, I never knew it would go that far…I--"

"YOU KNEW! YOU COULD HAVE TOLD ME, OR WARNED ME! HOW COULD YOU BE SO CRUEL YOU SELFISH BASTARD!"

"Colette," Raine said quietly. "That was seriously harsh…"

"Ouch…" Kratos added, "I felt that. That was deep, still…"

"That is not half the pain I felt when he…"

Just then, fireballs rained down on them. Everyone dashed out of the way.

"Who did that?" Raine asked.

"I only know one person that could attack that quickly," Kratos replied.

Lord Irving appeared on top of the hill. He jumped down in front of Raine and Colette.

"Colette…" he whispered. "I finally found you…"

Now what will happen? I bet you know already. Please R&R.