Disclaimer: I, as I'm sure you expected, do not in any way own Klonoa or any related characters. The Klonoa series is owned by Namco.

All right, here's Chapter Six. At least this installment ends the "each-chapter-increasing-in-length" trend, being substantially shorter than the last two. This one is more of a calm interlude between the last chapter and the next upcoming one, which will have more action again. That's certainly not to say that this one isn't important to the story, though…

Chapter Six:

It was dark again now, the only light coming from the weak, flickering fire that had been lit for warmth. The sky was completely covered by a thick layer of clouds, giving the night a cold, un-welcoming feel as damp snow-drops chilled the faces and hands of those that dwelled under the ominous, wintry blanket.

Lolo sat pretty much alone.

The only other person nearby wasn't much company. Theo's unconscious form was covered from his toes up to his chin with one of the thickest blankets that had been retrieved from their earlier sleeping place, and a bandage was wrapped around the higher part of his back – the place where he was bleeding the most heavily. A couple of other places on his body were cast as well. Lolo was amazed that just a simple toss could have done that much damage.

Nevertheless, they had indeed found a heartbeat in him after Lolo and Leorina had dragged the white creature out of what was now Gemini's lair. So far, however, he hadn't even stirred – though Lolo could see the jagged rise and fall of his chest as the red glow of the fire washed over him, turning his stained white fur to a shade of orange.

The rest of the group were doing a quick scout around to make sure that no one, or nothing, was lurking between the unforgiving darkness of the woods. They were camping very near the place they had stayed the night before. It was a risky move, but everyone was too exhausted to look for anything better, so unless they found somewhere else during their quick patrol this would be it.

Lolo had originally wanted to go with the rest of the group, but Leorina had told her to stay back at the camp to keep watch over Theo. While it was true that someone needed to make sure he stayed safe, she couldn't help but think that maybe they were just pitying her again – thinking that she needed rest, or perhaps some time to think…

However, in some way that was exactly the opposite of what she wanted – everything hurt less when she was occupied with something else, but now in the somber midnight calm there was nothing to come between her and her tangled emotions.

Klonoa…

She wasn't sure what hurt worse: when she had thought that Klonoa himself had betrayed her, or the truth that he had been killed days ago, without her ever knowing. More than anything she felt guilty for ever thinking the things she had.

She should have known that there was no way it could have been her old friend doing the things that Gemini was, and that he'd never deceive her like that. But in the time that she should have been grieving his death, she had been proclaiming her hatred towards him.

Lolo hoped he understood, wherever he was now.

The Priestess felt loneliness creep over her as she wiped her damp eyes. Strangely enough, she wasn't crying, at least not yet. It was as if she didn't even have the strength left for sobs, or that her thoughts were too jumbled to process all at once. In a lot of ways though, the hush was almost more miserable.

Now that she knew the truth – that their friendship had been real, it was harder than ever to think about the fact that she'd never see him again – after the quest was over, she'd return home alone, to no-one. Well, except for Popka of course, but her bond with him was different… She didn't really have anyone else…

Lolo tried desperately to remember the final time she had seen the real Klonoa. The day before the night of the meeting, it must have been. Didn't Gemini say that he'd killed him on his way to the group gathering?

Try as she might though, she couldn't clearly remember the last moments they had shared, at least not entirely – for the event hadn't been anything particularly special at the time. All she could recall was perhaps a smile, and a "See you later!" that had never come to pass. She wished now that she had paid more attention.

With a shake of her head, she took a slow glance toward Theo's unmoving shape, he had been kind to her, but now it was unknown whether he'd even last much longer either.

No! He had to be okay, she didn't know if she could take one more loss – for she had actually grown to like the odd white stranger, despite his secretiveness. Besides, he had promised that he'd finally tell her the truth about how he'd found out about Gemini and his plans. Did he know all along that it wasn't really Klonoa? – Did he know that he'd been killed? If he did know, he never told me, despite how much I was hurting… Her thoughts wandered desolately as she continued to stare at the face of her elusive companion, she still couldn't figure out what it was about him that seemed so strange and yet familiar at the same time.

At least his name was cleared, now that Gemini had confessed to the murder of Marris. Lolo's thoughts turned to Aquette. Was she hurting just as much as she was?

Aside from just the pain she faced with the loss of Marris, it was no doubt that the archer felt responsible for the rash action that had led to their leader's death. She had been acting in a bit of a daze since the escape, not talking much – or rather, even less than everyone else.

Lolo wasn't really sure if the other members of the group were angry with her or not. How could they possibly blame her though? She questioned. Who could think clearly in front of their best friend's killer? And not to mention the shock of it all. Lolo had felt the exact same way…

And aside from that, the arrow that the leopard-girl had fired to Gemini's shoulder had probably saved the Priestess' life. Technically, she should be grateful to her – even though the preceding events it had set in motion had led to Friedole's death. Lolo sighed again, was that yet another thing that she needed to feel guilty for?

Friedole himself had acted so differently towards the threat to her own life – when she had been held down by Ussannis with a blade to her neck, he had been going to let her die. But when Aquette put herself in danger, he had been willing to sacrifice everything to protect her – one of his followers. Clearly, Lolo had never proved her worth to her leader.

She was lucky to be alive at all though, she realized, after all that had happened. She had thought for sure that it had been over right from when the magician had first captured her. Ironic, if Ussannis had held true to his word, he would have killed her before she had ever learned about the fate of her friend. She would have died thinking that he had deceived them all.

Lolo startled at the sound of coughing and instinctively turned to look back at Theo again. He choked a bit as he inhaled a deep breath, his eyes opening weakly. She could have run up and hugged him right then. "Theo!" She exclaimed excitedly, coming to kneel next to him. "You're awake!"

"Lolo… What happened, where are we? Where are the others?" He glanced around, confused, his voice more like a tired whisper. "We're at our new camp, the others are out making sure that no one else is around. They should be back soon." She explained.

The white creature tried to sit up a bit, feeling pain shoot up his back as he straightened his muscles. "What happened to – " "Gemini?" Lolo interrupted, not wanting to hear Theo call that monster by her friend's name again. His eyes opened wider. "He told you?" His voice was filled with disbelief. So, he had known, after all.

Lolo nodded. "So you know what happened to…" He started slowly. She nodded again, assuming that he was talking about Klonoa. There was a brief, awkward silence. Theo hung his head and twiddled around with his fingers, a bit uncomfortable.

"Yes. He told us everything." Lolo finally spoke. "He told us about himself, about Klonoa, about Marris, about all of it!" She looked down sadly. "But we still couldn't defeat him… Friedole was killed! …He sacrificed himself to protect Aquette when she tried to avenge Marris. The rest of us escaped, but…" Theo's ears pricked up, startled, as he passed her a look of horror. "Friedole's dead!" She didn't answer, instead wiping her damp cheeks.

They both looked up as the bushes nearby startled to rustle. The faces of their remaining companions materializing out of the bleakness as they made their way back into the camp.

"Oh! Theo!" Eneste cried in surprise as she noticed him staring back at the group. "Ah, good." Leorina approached the place where he and Lolo were sitting, followed by the rest of the group.

She looked him over carefully, scrutinizing his wounds. "How're you feeling?" "Okay." He grimaced. "But my back really hurts…" "I would expect so. I'm surprised that you're even awake yet at all. Well, everything seemed safe enough, and we didn't find anywhere else, so it seems we will indeed be staying here tonight. Just take it easy and get your rest. I presume Lolo's filled you in on the details of what's happened?" "Pretty much." He nodded. "Good." And with that, the sky pirate walked off, taking a seat not too far from the fire.

"She's pretty much the leader now, everyone's been listening to her…" Lolo whispered to her companion. "…What happened to the sapphire?" Theo asked after a moment, somewhat unexpectedly. "…I threw it out the broken window, but I assume he's found it by now… He could still use it somewhat without it even in hand! He…he transformed into this…beast, he even grew wings!" Even now, her eyes were lit with terror as she described the day's earlier events.

Theo shook his head in despair. "If only I could have gotten the stone to bond with me first! That was the whole reason I'm here – to prevent him from awakening it. I just can't believe that I failed…"

Lolo passed him a confused look. "I still don't understand, what would make you be able to use it at all? And how did you know about Gemini? You promised you'd tell me now, remember?"

He blinked. "Oh, well I…" "Don't tell me you're going to back out again!" Lolo gave him a stern glare, recognizing the hesitation in his voice. "No! It's just…can I talk to you about this later Lolo? Without anyone else around?" "But why?" She questioned. Just what was the white stranger hiding?

He hung his head, not able to come up with an answer. He would have to explain everything to the whole group at some point, and there was no reason to hide it now. But… The words just wouldn't come out, refusing to form on his tongue. And would anyone believe him, anyway?

Lolo studied her companion, noticing how uncomfortable he looked. "…Alright." She agreed reluctantly, closing her eyes. "But please, tell me then for real! If it involves Klonoa…then I want to know." A bit taken off-guard by the comment, Theo instinctively opened his mouth to speak, but just then Leorina came up to the two once again.

"Lolo, why don't you come over with the others now, the group needs to discuss our plans for tomorrow. Theo, you should stay here by the fire and try to get some extra sleep tonight. We can catch you up with the details later."

"Okay." Lolo nodded to Leorina, taking one last look at the white creature before walking off behind her new leader. She took a seat on one of the logs toward the back of the place where the rest of the other's had gathered, a perfect clearing on the outskirts of their camp.

She noticed for the first time how small the group now seemed, the only other people seated around her were Leorina, Vioris, Icarus, Eneste, and Aquette – who was seated off to the side, not looking at the others at all. All of them had solemn and serious looks on their faces. Their little "quest" had turned much more deadly and epic than the original nine members had ever imagined on that sunny day when they'd been told of their position about a week before the journey began, triumphant, excited smiles lighting their expressions.

A pang hit Lolo's heart as she recalled the grin Klonoa had passed her when her name had been called. She remembered Friedole's words from their dinner on the ferry, Klonoa had been the only reason she had even got the come – he'd secretly talked their leader and the High Priestess into it, yet he'd never even made it to the first meeting himself.

She'd been right that night, when she had been looking out the window, waiting for him to arrive with a sinking feeling in her stomach. That must've been when he was killed… She'd felt it, even then…

Her mind busy with her own thoughts and despair, Lolo hardly even heard Leorina's

words as she announced that they were just going to rest and prepare tomorrow, and invade the ruins where Gemini was hiding again the day after.

"But what are we going to do when we get there?" Vioris' voice inquired dryly. "He's undoubtedly found his precious little gem again by now – he'll be even more powerful this time. And judging by the fact that he's already taken out three of us, I don't think we have much of a chance against him…" "Shouldn't we at least go back for help?" Eneste butted in, obviously not liking the prospect of charging right back into that horrid place.

Leorina gazed at the rest of the upset group thoughtfully. "No. We were chosen as some of the most suiting in Lunatea. And with his powers, even in numbers we could not defeat him by direct assault. I was thinking more along the lines of going with stealth this time…" There was silence.

"Lolo, what was that skill you used earlier today?" Leorina inquired, looking over towards the Priestess. "Huh?" Lolo's head jolted up as she realized that she was being spoken to. "That skill that you used yesterday." Leorina repeated patiently. "Would you be able to use it again?" "Umm…well, maybe. I don't know…I don't know what came over me…" Lolo sputtered, not liking having all eyes on her. "Well, try to remember it again. Along with anything else that could be useful. And I know from my brief experience with your 'profession' that there are many… The 'Verse of Light', I believe that one was. It can be very powerful." Lolo didn't answer.

The rest of the planning proceeded more or less that way. They were going to try to sneak into his base and take Gemini by surprise the day after the next, and tomorrow itself they were to simply try to rest and practice anything they needed to in order to feel ready. If Theo didn't recover enough, he would start back on his way home the day they left for the attack – Leorina wouldn't have him slowing them down. Besides, he had said that he lived in Mira-Mira.

Afterwards, it was time to get some sleep. Lolo slowly walked over and pulled one of the remaining sleeping bags out of the group's main pack. She glanced around the camp, trying to decide where to set up her bed – though somehow she didn't think she'd be getting much rest at all.

Her eyes caught Theo as she looked towards the fire. It looked like he was already asleep. She sighed, it didn't look like he'd be telling her much of anything that night. He did need sleep, but still she was frustrated. Maybe he would explain it to her the next day, though she was beginning to doubt that he'd ever truly share his secrets.

She gazed back at the rest of her companions. A lot of them were already lying down. The rest were chatting by the flames – yet far enough away from Theo so as not to wake him. Towards the left, Eneste was kneeling by Aquette, a hand on her shoulder. They said something back and forth that Lolo couldn't hear, and the vixen leaned forward and stretched her arms forward in an embrace as her friend tried to wipe the tears off of her eyes. At least the leopard-girl still had somebody.

Feeling more alone than ever, Lolo eventually settled down to sleep near the edge of the clearing. She plopped down exhaustedly into the warm covers, grateful to have something to shield her from the snow. Yet she was wide-awake, and the lump in her throat was stubborn – throughout the whole day it had never gone away, and it certainly wasn't now.

As she lay with her back facing the others, she was aware at the edge of her consciousness of the rhythm of mild footsteps approaching. She shuffled around as she once again heard Leorina's voice recite her name. "Lolo…are you doing okay?" She didn't know how to answer that question, but in the end a dry "Uh-huh" was all that came out.

"I know that you've had a hard day… But please, try to get some sleep tonight. You need it." The sky-pirate stared at the Priestess for a moment longer, as if her distant eyes were trying to measure her well-being. "I know. I'm fine." Lolo finally replied quietly, though it was plainly obvious from her voice that the statement wasn't true.

With that though, Leorina reluctantly turned and walked off, not knowing what else to say to the troubled girl. She wasn't one that was skilled at the art of comforting, even though she did feel deep compassion for her.

Lolo never really did sleep much that night, though on occasion she would doze off for a few short minutes. Every time though, the nightmares were the same: lost friends, familiar faces…voices, tears, screaming…death. Throughout the night the shock began to wear off, and the whole thing began to sink in much deeper. It was at the time just before dawn that all at once the barrier within her finally broke, and at last the sobs came, shattering the still nocturnal silence.

She sat up, a hand covering her downcast eyes as they dampened. She tried to quiet the sound of her weeping, but this time it was no use. She stood up slowly, wiping her cheeks and running off towards the woods again, not wanting to wake anyone with her tears.

The Priestess stopped just outside of the camp, not wanting to go as far as she had before. Though at least here she doubted that anyone would hear her cry. She sat down under the semi-shelter of a particularly full-branched tree, hoping that it would act as an umbrella against the relentless white flakes that rained down on her.

This all reminded her of another time far too recently when she had been weeping alone under the shelter of the firs, but for an entirely different reason. She still felt guilty for the feelings of hate she had harbored – how could she have ever believed those things that Gemini had said?

She let her cries come out raggedly, no longer trying to hold them in. Hadn't it been Klonoa himself that had taught her so long ago that it was okay to cry?

Her thoughts were on the past as she sat in solitude, her sad wails the only sound that flitted around the waning darkness.

"What's wrong?"

She spun around quickly, startled to hear another voice, though she knew who it belonged to immediately. "Theo!"

The wounded creature was standing just a few feet away, leaning up against one of the trees. His left arm was wrapped around his midsection, as if he was trying to support himself. "What are you doing here?" Lolo exclaimed, surprised to see him up at all. "I thought you were asleep!"

"I was…sort of. I kept kind of drifting awake, …my back…it was hard to sleep. Anyway…I heard you get up, so when you didn't come back I thought I'd come make sure that you were alright…" He explained, slightly out of breath.

Lolo smiled in spite of herself. "You've made a habit out of this, haven't you?" She commented, recalling how it was always him that came each time she went off alone to mope. He smiled back.

"But really," She added more seriously, coming up to him, "You shouldn't even be walking yet! – You'd better get back to bed, or you'll open up your wounds again! …I'm fine, really."

"I've heard that before." He remarked simply. She turned around, trying to wipe the tears out of her eyes, slightly embarrassed.

This would be a perfect opportunity to ask Theo about how he knew about Gemini again, but…he was obviously in pain, even if he was trying to hide it – the dull sting showing in his eyes. Maybe now was not the time to push him… He had said that he'd tell her later, when they were alone, but really, he needed to be asleep right now, healing… It would be selfish of her to call him on his promise…

She felt the sobs creeping up again, though she tried to push them back. Nevertheless, it seemed her companion noticed. "Hey, are you sure you're okay?" He came up to her on her right side, his own eyes staring directly into hers, even though her head was hanging down.

"Yes. It's just that… I feel so bad… Klonoa…he was dead, and all I could do was think about how much I despised him. I was wrong! It wasn't him that I hated, even though I didn't realize it, but I swore at his name! I fell for everything Gemini said! He played me for a fool, and turned me against my own best friend! I should have been grieving for Klonoa…but instead, I…" She broke off, falling into tears.

Theo gulped, sweat beginning to dampen his fur. "Lolo don't…don't cry, please! I'm sure that he understands." She looked up at her companion, surprised by the comment. "You really think so? For real?" He nodded reassuringly, a warm expression on his face. "Yeah! In fact I'm positive!" She wondered how he could sound so sure, Theo had never even meet him.

"I wish you would have told me what happened to Klonoa earlier…it really hurt, to think that he had betrayed me…" She said quietly, looking away.

"Lolo…I…" Theo stumbled over his words, as if he was uncertain of what to say. "I wanted to, more than anything I wanted to! …I was just afraid…if I'd exposed him, Gemini would've…" Lolo looked at him blankly. "'More than anything', huh?" She repeated dryly.

"It's true!" He insisted. "It hurt me, too! I wanted someone to know! I'm tired of all these secrets! …It's me, Lolo. I'm the real Klonoa!" Tears were running down his face now as well, as he finally lost control of all the emotions he'd been hiding. Lolo didn't say anything, her eyes opening wider as she realized just what it was he was claiming.

"After I was killed, I was sent back…just in a different body." He continued. "I was told to stop Gemini from awakening the Dark Sapphire. I was the only one that could – even though I'm not the Dream Traveler in flesh anymore, the stone would recognize my spirit. I could still harness it myself, and that was the only way to stop him – by getting it first. That was why I'm here again! I couldn't tell anyone who I really was…if Gemini found out he'd destroy me for a second time, along with the whole group…and then there'd be no hope left… And he was too strong to fight! Even before he got the sapphire, he made much better use of the traditional Dream Traveler powers than I ever did…" His word's trailed off for a moment.

"But I failed of course! I had the stone in my hands, but I… I still can't control magic – anything to do with it! Just that stupid ring, that's all I could ever do! …I'm still afraid of what powers I have left… Even then, when I was supposed to fulfill the very role I'm now alive for…I…I still couldn't…" His voice finally stopped, his rant apparently over. He gazed at her hopefully, only able to pray that she'd believe him. But at last, he felt as though a weight had just been lifted off his shoulders.

Lolo started to back away, facing her companion directly. She stared incomprehensively, completely shocked by his words.

'Theo' raised a hand to his face, trying to wipe away his tears, though they were still coming. Lolo could see that his face was red through his pale fur, and sweat was dripping to the snow below from his shaking palms.

Neither one of them spoke.

"What…?" Lolo's voice was hardly more than a whisper. This time it was him that was silent, though he raised his head to look her in the face again. "Lolo…It's me." He finally repeated after several moments.

"But…but that can't be!" She cried, shaking her head in a mix of confusion and distress. Was someone else masquerading as her friend?

"I know it sounds strange, but, please…it's true." 'Theo' said quietly, looking at her almost pleadingly.

Did she believe him? She didn't know.

In some strange, poetic way, it actually made sense. He had seemed familiar to her right from the first time she'd seen him. Something about his eyes, his smile, the way he moved and talked. And he'd acted like an old friend all along.

It would explain everything. From the way he'd been determined to try to awaken the sapphire and supposedly claim to have the ability, to the way he'd known about Gemini's plans to begin with.

Sent back? From the next life? If what he was saying was true, then what would happen to him now. He'd been unsuccessful on his supernatural mission.

She fiddled with her feet, biting her tongue. She still didn't know what to think.

"If you are telling the truth, then what are you going to do? Are you going to be called back again because you can't stop Gemini now?" She said cautiously, not gazing at him directly.

His face brightened, taking the question as a sign that she believed him. "No. As long as I survive this life is mine to keep. I was thinking that I was going to try to get the sapphire to 'bond' with me as well. I don't know what will happen though, if it's tied to two people at once, or if it's even possible…"

"But you can't go back there! You're hurt!" She said, clearly surprised at his response. "I have to!" He insisted. "I wont let Gemini get away with what he did to me! …And all the others… I have to at least try. It's all my fault that he got the stone to begin with…if I'd been more competent… …And besides…" He added hesitantly. "I kind of want my real body back…"

She looked at him strangely. "You can get it back?" He nodded. "Since it was originally mine, I can re-enter it if I can get Gemini out of it. Then I can be the real Dream Traveler again!"

Lolo stopped talking once more. Perhaps his story would also explain the odd plainness of his form. If it was only meant to be temporary, then…

She took a step closer to him, watching his eyes closely as she tried to gauge whether or not it was really the soul of her friend in that strange form. He smiled warmly, the two staring in silence for what seemed like minutes. "Klonoa?"

It was then that something overcame her, and the next thing she knew, the two of them were locked in an embrace – both of their eyes damp as they wept together under the new morning's dawn.

I bet a most of you saw that coming a long time ago. Well, now it's officially revealed, Theo is indeed the real Klonoa. In any case, the fic is drawing closer to it's finish, only one, or maybe two chapters (depending on length) and a epilogue remain now. The next chapter (possibly the last full-length) will see things heating up again. Stay tuned, and, as always, reviews are appreciated.