Me: Okay, I didn't think I had so many temporary muses! (I don't own these!) Introducing…Dr. Z.

(Dr. Z comes in)

Me: Hello Dr. Z

Dr. Z: What is the point of saying 'hello'?

Me: Um, to greet you?

Dr. Z: What is the point in greeting me?

Me: It's the human thing to do.

Dr. Z: I'm not human.

Me: (sigh) Why do my friend's give me so annoying muses? Next up, Jingo.

(Jingo flies in)

Jingo: My name is Jingo and I belong to Jana11015. She's mean! She threatens me with my Kratos doll!

(Kratos and Nia are already in the room, but they were quiet so no one noticed.)

Kratos: You have a doll of me?

Nia: Where did you get it from? I want one!

Kratos: Why does everyone want a doll of me?

Nia/Me/Jingo: Because you're cute!

(Kratos looks horrified)

Me: I'm sorry if I don't use your muse, and I've promised to, but it's already mayhem here! And who's doing the disclaimer?

(Everyone points at Jingo.)

Jingo: What?

Me: You have been nominated to do the disclaimer.

Jingo: I won't do it!

(Jana11015 comes in and hands me a Kratos doll)

Me: You'll do it, or Nia torches the doll!

Jingo: Nooooo! Kratos! Mez10000 does not own Tales of Symphonia, Namco does. She also doesn't own anyone who was in the conversation, apart from Nia and herself.

Me: From now on, only two insane people in my mind at any time! It makes the chapter a page longer with all these people! Jana11015 owns Jingo and Zoronlink owns Dr. Z.

Everyone: Sorry!

We were heading towards Meltokio. No one had done anything particularly fascinating, and life was pretty normal. Well, as normal is it can get when you're travelling round in a video game, and have a dragon in your head.

"LLOYD IRVING!" Raine's voice bellowed. Everyone looked very scared.

"Lloyd, what have you done to get Raine in such a bad mood?" I asked quietly.

"I don't know. Failed school for the last ten years!" Lloyd slowly went over to Raine, who was brandishing what looked like charcoal.

"Lloyd, what have you DONE!"

"I didn't do anything! And what's that in your hand?"

"I found my precious research sample in the fire!"

"Oh, I just thought it was a piece of wood, so…"

Everyone turned away. No one wanted to know what Raine would do when she was in such a foul mood. After one very loud metallic crash, we looked round to see if Lloyd was still alive. Fortunately, he was, but he was clutching his head.

"Are you okay?" Genis was concerned. After all, he had faced his sister's wrath before.

"Oww. I think I'm okay."

"Remind me never to get on Raine's bad side." I said.

Once Lloyd could stand, we journeyed to Meltokio. Almost no one spoke, out of fear of provoking Raine. Once we had got to Meltokio, Sheena left and gave us the letter for the king. The funny thing was, I didn't see her write the letter, but I wasn't really concerned.

"So, any ideas where the castle is?" Genis asked.

"I vote for going up the huge staircase." I quickly shouted, before we traipsed around Meltokio for a couple of hours.

"Why?"

"Simple psychology. The stairs are opposite the entrance, so it's one of the first things you see. Then the stairs are striking, and grand."

"Well, I didn't understand that, but you're saying that the castle is going to be up the stairs right?" Lloyd had recovered from Raine's 'attack'.

I sighed. "Yes, at least, that's what I think."

Everyone took my advice and went up the stairs. On the first platform, we were met by a certain red-head and his gang of 'hunnies'.

'Oh, brilliant. Zelos.'

'What about him?' Said a voice in my mind. It wasn't Cyclone.

'Another thing I'm going to love. Meeting you.' I had guessed by now that it was my other half. Again, I think the telepathy gave it away.

'Aw, you don't really mean that?'

'It's called sarcasm, look it up. Anyway, where are you? And what are you calling yourself in this world?'

'I'm behind Zelos' group. I've been with them for the last day and a half. And my name will be Stephan in this world. That's what I've already told Zelos.'

I looked, and Stephan was standing just behind Zelos' gang. He was about the same height as me, just shorter than Zelos. He had short brown hair, and his suit was similar to mine except his top was blue instead of red. The only other thing that was different was that he wore a black cape. The most striking thing about him though, was his aura. It was as thick as mine, but a brilliant sapphire, which shimmered like mine.

(A/N Stephan will be based on a real person. I've put the cape in at his request, so he can quit bugging me!)

Zelos came up to me, as he'd probably finished flirting with the other girls in the party.

"Why, hello. Who is this gorgeous beauty that I see before me?"

"My name's Nia. And if you flirt with me one more time I'll show you where to shove that sword of yours," I said in a sweet, innocent voice.

"Ouch. I guess I'll have to work on you later, my hostile beauty. See ya later my little angel, my lovely lady, my hostile beauty and you, uh…other people."

Zelos walked off, but Stephan stayed behind. Even without telepathy I knew what he wanted.

"Hey, who are you?" I asked. Asking questions I already knew the answer to was becoming really annoying!

Sounding like some really cheesy hero, he replied. "I am Stephan. Who are you?"

I resisted a very strong urge to palm my face.

"We are travellers from Sylvarant. Do you know where the castle is?" Raine asked.

"Sure. If you want, I'll take you there. I don't have anything else to do."

"Weren't you with Ze-his group?" I realized that they didn't know Zelos' name yet.

"Yeah, but Zelos has this big important meeting which I can't exactly go to. So, I've got a lot of time free."

I was half hoping that Stephan just wanted to explore the two worlds by himself, but he wanted to journey with us.

'Why me?' I asked Cyclone.

'You know, I can hear you even when you're talking to your guardian. So, spill. What is he, who is he?' Stephan kindly butted in.

'Cyclone, Stephan; Stephan, Cyclone. Cyclone's a dragon and we still don't know what Stephan is.' I introduced them.

The last piece of information brought sniggers from Cyclone and, 'Hey!' from Stephan.

'Anyway, have you got a guardian yet?'

'Actually, I have. Say hello to Izarax, the unicorn.'

I ignored a low growl from Cyclone.

'I thought the unicorns were extinct. I saw the last one die…'

'And when a unicorn dies, a new one is born.' Said a different, slightly familiar voice.

'I've been meaning to ask about that. If a new unicorn is born when the old one dies, then how have they become extinct?'

'Maybe you should ask your dragon.'

'What? Cyclone, what does he mean?'

'The only thing that can truly kill a unicorn…is fire, dragon's fire. I'm sorry, I should have told you earlier.'

'In the War, two opposites were always pitted against each other. Elven kind and humans, Tethe'alla and Sylvarant, unicorn and dragon.' Izarax explained.

'I'm sorry. I guess that's what you meant at Lake Umacy, 'the gap between unicorn and dragon is deep…' After that, I almost broke into tears again. (Darn emotions!)

I hadn't realised it until now, but we were right outside the castle. The guards stopped us.

"Excuse me, but we have a letter to give to the King."

"I'm sorry, but the King isn't granting any audiences while he's ill. The Church of Martel is holding rituals to pray for his health. If this letter is so urgent, I'd suggest going to the church."

Another pair of guards came, and took over the job of guarding the doors.

"Okay, guess we should go to the Church." I said with fake enthusiasm.

"But what about Stephan? We don't need to drag him around with us." Raine asked.

"I don't mind, like I said earlier: 'I'm bored.'" Stephan said.

"You'd better know now: danger follows us around where ever we go."

"Do I look like I'm going to be put off? I'm coming with you. Besides, I'm quite experienced at fighting."

"What weapon do you use?" I asked. I added silently, 'In this world.'

"Twin daggers. And some…magic. That's probably the best word for it."

"What exactly do you mean by magic?" Genis asked. I think he could already sense the elven blood.

"Manipulating mana outside of my body." I was shocked that Stephan knew a word as big as 'manipulating'! (The real 'Stephan' wouldn't!)

"What?" Lloyd didn't understand.

"Instead of using normal magic, like Raine or Genis, he uses magic like me." I explained.

"But what difference does that make in battle?" Lloyd again asked.

"We have a nearly unlimited supply of mana to use. Unfortunately, I, at least, am bound only to two elements, fire and air." I explained.

"As I am bound to water and earth." Stephan said.

"Okay, I don't quite get it, but I've got it." Lloyd said, causing everyone to sigh.

I didn't see a point in the last couple of minutes of conversation. Anyway, we somehow went into the church and heard about the rituals that were being held in the King's chambers, or something like that. It's not my fault if I don't listen.

'Then whose is it?' Cyclone asked.

'I don't know. Maybe I should: "blame my fate!"' My remark drew sniggers from Stephan (huge Kratos fan!), who was obviously listening.

'Why is Stephan always listening in?' Cyclone asked.

'Don't worry, it's getting annoying for me too. I mean, I have to listen to what a kaq has to say.' Izarax complained.

'What's a kaq?' I wondered.

'It's an unpleasant word in the unicorn language that means dragon.' Stephan explained, unhappily.

'Are you okay, Cyclone?' I knew it could be horrible when people started calling you names.

'I'm fine. I'm mature enough not to sink to his level.'

'Please, you two. I know you have your differences, but don't you think Nia and I have them too? We share an uneasy friendship at the best of times because of the elements, and we don't need you making it worse.' Stephan reasoned.

'Take his side, after all, he does share your elements.' Cyclone answered back.

'Cyclone, stop it. Stephan isn't taking anyone's side. You two are behaving like children.'

'But…'

'Cyclone. Stop this, NOW!' I commanded. I was experienced with using Stephan's telepathy, so I shot my fury at Cyclone. I could feel him quivering in fear. I also felt momentarily tired.

'I'm sorry, Nia. You must understand that we have always loathed each other, maybe not in these forms, though. Don't you hate every drop of water that falls on your skin, just because it causes you pain?'

I sighed. 'I overcame that. Don't you realise that the way you're both going, it's the same way as Mithos and humans? We're on a journey that may help end discrimination between humans, elves and half-elves, yet two old, and supposedly wise, elemental beasts still won't let the past go.'

'She's right. Has either of you actually harmed the other directly? Is this a fight between one dragon and one unicorn, or is it the on going fight between all unicorns and all dragons?' Stephan sounded like a counsellor.

'I'm sorry. I'll try to keep an even mind, at least about Izarax.'

'Me too. I don't want a repeat of the Kharlan War.'

'Okay, well, good that's sorted.' I said. I was jerked away from my thoughts by…

"Nia, are you in there at all?" Lloyd said, waving his hand in front of my face.

"Oh, yeah. I'm fine. Just had a…small problem with Cyclone. All better now."

"We were trying to get your attention for the last couple of minutes!" Genis.

"Okay, what did you need me for?"

"We're inside the castle, with the help of Presea."

"Oh," I murmured weakly, because I'd seen the interior design.

I was stood on a red carpet, which stretched out towards the king's throne. A group of guards stood in front of the throne. There was a passage to the right and left of me, both with a red carpet up them. There were two balconies, one to the left of me and one to the right. Everything was either red, gold, white or blue.

"Wow, is this place big enough?" I asked. There was a slight echo off the walls and the guards looked disapprovingly at us.

"We need to find the King. Stephan do you know where he is?" Lloyd asked.

"Why'd ask me?"

"If you haven't noticed by now, we're from Sylvarant. We had enough trouble finding the castle in the first place." I told him.

"Yes, but why didn't you ask Presea?"

"I don't know. Lloyd?" I passed this question on to the crimson clad swordsman.

"Um, I think we should go now," Lloyd tried to escape from the question.

Everyone took Lloyd's 'advice' and since Presea wasn't talkative, we did what we normally do when in a new area; explore. We took the right passage, wandered into the kitchen, wandered out of the kitchen, walked up the stairs, got bored and asked for directions.

Before any of us had spoken, the guard opened his mouth. "I am patrolling the inside of the castle. Diligent security will stave off those who would seek to infiltrate the castle."

"Right. Well, good luck with that." I struggled to keep a straight face. "I was wondering though where the King's quarters were? You see, I'm new here and I need to know where I'm not allowed."

"The King's chambers are on the top floor. You can't miss them. And you shouldn't worry about strolling into them by accident, there's a Papal Knight on duty right now.

"Thank you, sir." I acted a meek housemaid, and stepped down the stairs.

"Nia, the guard said the top floor! Why are you going down?"

"I don't want that guard to find out I'm not working here. If he does figure it out, which I'll admit is unlikely, he'll bring back up. Better to just go round the other way, I think."

We went back to the main room, took the left and went to the top room, the King's chambers.

"What do you want?" A papal knight asked.

"We need to see the King. We have a letter we need to give to him," Lloyd explained.

"I'll just check." The knight turned around, to go into the room.

"Sorry about this." Lloyd apologised, as he hit the guard in the back, where a leather guard, rather than metal plating, protected him.

We stepped over the unconscious body and entered the King's room. Inside there was the Pope, Zelos and the King, all startled that we had barged in.

"Who are you?" The king asked.

In an attempt to shorten the conversation, I replied, "We are travellers from Sylvarant. We come bearing a letter from Sheena of Mizuho." Then, as an afterthought, I added, "Your majesty."

"These are people from the declining world?" The Princess asked, absolutely disgusted.

'Yeah, imagine that. You're used to living a sheltered life with the absolute best right in front of you whenever you want it, then these wild, savage people burst in on the daily politics.' I thought.

'Who are you talking to?' Cyclone asked.

'I don't know. Anyone who'll listen, really.'

'I'll listen. What are you talking about?' Stephan butted in.

'Can I have a private conversation, at least inside my own head! Most people take that for granted.'

'Sorry. So, do you want to talk or not?'

'Fine, we'll talk. So, how's the weather?'

'Aw, come on. I'll leave you in peace if you won't talk.'

'Yay!' Stephan's threat had the opposite effect.

'Hey, if you hadn't noticed, we're in the crimson room now.'

'What? Really?' I snapped out of my half-daze and looked round.

We all stood in a fancy guest room that was painted the same shade of red as Lloyd's clothes. Glancing round, I couldn't see Lloyd anywhere, just a 'floating' head above the sofa. (or couch)

Suddenly, some palace guards stormed in and tried to kill Colette. Despite myself, I thought that a crimson room was the perfect place to spill our blood. Of course, Colette easily pushed them away.

"See, I told you. They have Exspheres. Of course they're powerful." Said the insufferable Zelos. (And yes, I do loathe Zelos)

Just when I thought I was going to die from boredom, listening to the long conversation, a giant, pink rabbit jumped down from the ceiling and started waving a pair of nunchucks around! Later I found out I was hallucinating from boredom. (I wonder if that ever happens to Lloyd?)

We left the room shortly after and I had to say goodbye to Wilfred, the rabbit. Me saying goodbye to an invisible, six foot tall rabbit earned me some strange looks but I wasn't bothered.

We were to meet Zelos at the Church of Martel. I briefly wondered why Zelos wasn't with us now, after all, we could try and peg it back to Sylvarant. (Has anyone actually tried this? Could you say what happens, if anything?)

We entered the church while my mind was still contemplating possibilities like this.

Okay, couple of apologies.

Sorry for people who are reading this before I post it, I almost quit in the middle of this chapter.

Sorry for Wilfred, but he just popped into my head and he was a very good distraction from the 'proper' story line.

The next few chapters are going to be hard to get right, so sorry in advance if I'm a little slow.

Sorry for having the 'Colette syndrome.' (Saying sorry for everything)

R&R!