Sorry for the wait everyone. Anyway, AN?

(AN: Yes?)

Who are you?

(AN: I'll give you a hint. I need children to believe in me to survive.)

… Tinkerbell?

(AN: Not quite, I'll tell you later)

"So how are you going to talk to old Ratatosk anyway, Emil?" said Zelos when they were ready to start.

"Well, even though Emil and Ratatosk are separated, they are still two parts of the same person. They can still talk to each other, it just takes more time and concentration," said Marta.

"Marta's right, I've done it before and it gets faster and easier each time but it still takes about an hour to get into contact with him. When I do, I'll repeat the conversation out loud for you all so you can know everything that's going on. I'll use my voice for things I'm saying and I'll imitate his voice for things he's saying. Sound good?" said Emil.

"Sure, tell us when you're ready," said Lloyd.

Emil sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes and sat like that for about 45 minutes. He then opened his eyes and said, "Done." He had a far-away look in his eyes, like he was focusing on something else.

In his mind, Emil was in a seamless void. He appeared to be floating in a world of mist, but he was also standing on something, something that he couldn't see. Swirls of different colors would go past, reds and greens mostly. This was the place that he had once fought Ratatosk. There was Ratatosk standing in front of him now. Emil could vaguely sense his real body back in Iselia, and prepared to have himself repeat out-loud what was said here.

"I see, so that's the problem," said Ratatosk, after Emil had explained the situation with Cast once again. "Well, I can shed some light on that. You see, when Marta woke me up I had already chosen the form of Aster; don't ask me why, because I'm not sure myself. I wasn't sure of anything right then. I wandered around and found a young boy who I now know to be Cast. I had certain… means at my disposal and used them to copy this boy's memory and create a personality around them. Had I been more clear headed at the time I would have realized I could have used to those means to heal and recover instantly. I would also have realized that if you thought you were Cast you would be sure to realize you didn't look like him. I had no idea Cast had amnesia at the time, however it makes sense now."

"I see," said Emil, "what do you mean by means?"

Ratatosk gave Emil a look that seemed to say 'I'll tell you about it later' and continued without answering the question. "After I was done copying Cast's memories I looked around and realized he had gone. I was weak and unable look for him, and at the time I was rather incapable of caring, so I let you take over. That is where you're memories start."

"Alright," said Emil, "thank you." He then switched his focus more to the real world without completely losing contact with Ratatosk and said, "Would you guys mind if I spoke with Ratatosk alone? I have some things I need to talk to him about."

The others back in Iselia responded saying sure and Emil was aware of them leaving to give him privacy.

When they were gone Emil turned to Ratatosk in his mind and said, "Ok, what's this all about?"

"Remember what we were talking about last week?" Emil nodded. "Well then, you remember how I told about the summon spirit that existed in this world long before the worlds were split. Her name was Deseray and she had the power to grant wishes to those she saw fit. The only wishes she could not grant would be to bring someone back to life, make someone fall in love, and to kill someone. At one point some people; humans, elves, and half-elves alike; saw fit to trap her in a bottle and made it so he would have to grant 3 wishes to anyone who released her. I used my powers to break her seal and release her for good. She was grateful and decided to give me three wishes to use at my discretion despite the fact that she did not have to. Years and years passed and I used the first wish to set the trap in the ginnungigop that turned the owners of the Deris-emblem to stone. The second I used to copy Cast's memories. Not the smartest use. As you know, the third remains."

"Speaking of the third wish, when will it be ready?" asked Emil.

"I need about a month more. I can only work on it when Richter is not paying attention. I have a feeling that he would not let us do it if he knew."

"Yes, you're probably right. I will use that month to help Cast get his memories back, it isn't fair that I have them and he doesn't."

With that, Emil left the place inside his mind and returned his attention to Iselia.

Extra

Cast and Raine arrived back in the forest to resume the search for the mysterious ruins. The others, Genis especially, had seemed reluctant to accompany Raine on her journey. After having traveled with her for a short while he believed he understood why. She got overexcited when talking about finding and studying these and other ruins. Cast saw how this would eventually deter people from trips like these. They had not even found these ruins and he had already begun to witness what one of her friends in Iselia had warned him about before he left, "Ruin Mode" is what they had called it.

He didn't mind, however. Raine was nice and a good traveling companion. He was also rather excited himself. He loved to travel and see new places, to discover fantastic things, and to create new memories to make up for the ones he lost.

Shortly after starting the trip the two of them stumbled upon the rumored ruins. Raine was reacting as was typical of her, overly excited and completely fascinated, but Cast did not notice. He simply stood in amazement. It was like nothing he had ever seen, and despite his short memory he had still seen quite a bit. It was a village, no bigger than Iselia had been, but it was made entirely of stone carvings. Each carving was hollow, unique, and large enough to house a family. He stepped in one of these houses shaped like a pine tree and saw that all the furniture was made of stone as well. He marveled at the expert craftsmanship and relatively good quality it was still in. He couldn't wait to tell all his new friends about it.

(A.N.: So…)

I know, I've been busy and all the usual, but that's not the biggest reason this chapter is late. I've been re-working most of the story and ironing out most of the kinks. It should make more sense now and flow better. And now… A.N., who are you?

(A.N.: What, no guesses? Alright, here's how it works. You are Eevee, the one who writes the stories and all that jazz. I am the fairy, your ideas and weird thought that give you inspiration to write. The stories that result are the sparkle, the final outcome that hopefully entertains the people reading.)

I see, so that's where the name Eeveefairysparkle comes from then.

(A.N.: Sure, let's go with that.)