Disclaimer: I wish I owned Tales of Symphonia. If I did, Sheelos would be as obviously official, instead of obviously implied, as the Colloyd pairing. But alas, I don't own it. /Dramatic sigh. /
A/N My inbox is full of reviews… wow! I meant to update sooner, but my parents, who are complete and utter angels (complete with halos) bought me a brand new computer because the one I was working off of had a tendency to go 'poof.' It would black out on me without warning, in other words. The new one, which I am updating off of, was being persnickety. (Isn't that a fun word?) My dad was having trouble installing the three and a half disk drive and making the Internet work. So, after several weeks of hoping for that… and laziness on my part as well… I return to you all with chappie number four, conveniently located below the reviewer response.
DragonMaster Reborn- /Pokes shoulder./ I hope I haven't killed you yet… You have to read the update you requested first.
Bob the Great- Hey, Brian. You're really weird… Have you even read this yet? If the answer is no… well then… coughLOSERcough. If the answer is yes… well… hurry up and post something yourself!
Rose-Wisteria- Wow, I like your new screen name. It's so pretty. Don't worry, things will be getting more serious soon. I like to put in angsty stuff, too. I hope that my story lives up to your predictions. Oh… I would love to join your Sheelos community. The first time I played the game and I saw the way those two interacted I became obsessed with the pairing. I only received the game over winter break, but I've already beaten it twice. So, yeah… I've been over-analyzing those two a bit.
HikariUsa- You made me blush, seriously. Thanks, it really made my day.
AA- Well, here it is. Tell me what you think.
Blade Liger Knight- Um… you don't have to worry about reviewing right away since it'll usually take me some time between updates. All that matters is that you find time to read it and that you enjoy the story. As much as I, like any author, love reviews, bringing people entertainment is my number one job.
AngelCatGirl- Thankies. Seles is fun to write, especially in this chapter. Having her verbally bash her brother is fun. Hehehe.
ClaudiaAurion- Thanks for the review. Don't worry, I'll definitely do my best.
Shadowfox5- Zelos is fun to write, so I'm glad that everyone says I write him well. He's fun loving yet complex- an off-kilter character with a deranged sense of humor. Yay for Zelos.
A fan of ToS- Yep, poor Zelos. With three lovely hunnies around, he's sure to screw up big time… or do really well. With him, there is just no telling.
The Zelda Master- Thanks for your review, the comments on typos and grammar made me feel a lot better, I tend to mess up on that a lot. I have to say that your praise of my story made me blush. I've never thought of myself as anything more than a mediocre writer at best. /Grins brightly./ Ego boost, yay.
Twisted-Galaxy- Thanks for the review. I like your sn… it's cool.
A/N Thanks for all the good wishes towards my Grandmother. It was really nice of all of you.
Now, on to the fanfic!
Chapter 4
Dark haired and handsome, that was how Apophis was often described. Black crystalline wings fluttered invisibly in the dark, his raven-colored hair making a good form of camouflage in the Meltokian night.
It was midnight, the witching hour, when devious deeds were accomplished. Like capturing empaths of extreme talent a twisting them to the way of the Anubian Warriors.
Landing inside the wall silently, Apophis walked towards the house that his target lived within. Light from one of the windows briefly illuminated his handsome face, showing the smirk on his lips and the scar running down his right cheek. He slipped out a lock pick and was quickly, effortlessly, inside the house.
All right, so it was actually a conspicuously large mansion. Saying a house would be like calling a mouse hole a shack… it has to do with size difference.
Avoiding the stairs, the fallen angel flew up to the second floor and into the room with light peeking out from under the door. He pushed open the door and walked inside. Then, his smirk fading into a scowl, Apophis saw someone very different from his target looking back at him.
"Hello, Apophis. Fancy meeting you here. Now, tell me, aren't you supposed to be dead?" Ra sat lazily on the bed in the center of the otherwise empty room.
"Ra," the black-winged angel snarled a curse in the angelic language.
"Now, now," Ra interrupted. "We're in the house of the ex-Chosen. That is still considered a sacred place, right? Should you really use such language in here? I know you're none too bright, Apophis, but even children know that much."
The blonde's mockery was far more than Apophis wanted to take. Brushing a hand briefly against his scar, his brown eyes narrowed. "You gave me this scar, Ra, and I swear that just before I kill you, I will give you a scar to match mine."
"I've been receiving death threats from you since we were both fifteen, Apophis. What makes you think that I'll start paying attention now?"
"I don't," Apophis replied, a cruel smile lighting up his face. "I expect you to believe me in your last few moments of life. I will most certainly savor the fear that your face will show."
"I fear nothing, Apophis. Haven't you learned that by now?" Ra shrugged and stood up with a languid movement. "Besides, you came here for the empath and missed. At least I have a reason for losing Wilder. I didn't know who I was looking for when I first arrived. You… what is your excuse?"
Red fire filled Apophis' hand and he hurled it at Ra. It passed right through the blonde angel and knocked out the far window. "A hologram… you coward." Somehow, Apophis managed to keep his voice cold and unreadable.
"I didn't want to waste my time on an inferior creature," Ra's hologram replied. "But, if you must know, this is really me talking to you. I wouldn't have missed conversing with a pre-evolved mind for anything. You know how much I love science."
"Pre-evolved? I'll show you 'pre-evolved,'" Apophis growled. Searching the floor, he found the projector on the ground not too far away. He smashed it with his foot. Sending more fire at the walls of the room, Apophis flew out the broken window.
He watched over his handiwork for a moment, ensuring that the fire had truly taken hold of the mansion, and flew into the night. Set was going to be most displeased. Apophis could handle any situation with a cool head… until Ra entered the equation.
One day, I will see him die. On that day, I'll have my revenge for everything he's done to me. For everything…
/o/
Ra watched for a moment as the mansion burst into flames. Oops… I wasn't expecting him to do that. Racingdown the steps andout of the Imperial Garden, Ra began to yell, "FIRE! Fire at the Chosen's mansion! Come quickly!"
The loud shouting caught the attention of the Palace guards, who immediately dispatched some random runner to the fire station.
Darting around the corner into the Noble's section of town, Ra entered the mansion. The first floor wasn't on fire yet, but the entry hall and living room were full of smoke. Making certain his mouth and nose were covered, Ra maneuvered through the dark, smoky rooms until he found the servant's wing. There were currently only three servants; two maids and a cook. They stayed in the same room together, so it was simple for Ra to race in and wake the sleeping ladies.
"We've got to hurry, I don't know how quickly the fire will spread," Ra said as he rushed them out of the room.
"Thanks, sir," one of the maids said and then raced out of the house. The other two didn't bother to speak. It was too hard to talk with the smoke clogging their lungs.
Outside, half-elves who were properly employed to the fire station (for the first time in their lives) were putting out the fire. This was the home of the human who'd fought for the repeal of the anti-half-elf laws the ex-Pope had once passed. Most of those pieces of legislature had been removed thanks to the Chosen. If nothing else, Zelos Wilder would always have the support of those whose lives he'd improved in the past few months…
It was crowded out on the street, so it didn't take much for Ra to disappear into the crowd. Phantom wings fluttering in the back of Ra's mind, he seriously considering pulling out the crystalline contraptions from his connection to his Cruxis Crystal but decided against it as he reentered the Inn and entered his room. Covered in soot, it was hard to keep from making footprints on the carpeting.
Glancing forlornly at the bed, Ra headed for the shower. He'd get to sleep soon, though with the dreams he'd been having, perhaps it would be better if he didn't sleep at all. The subconscious could be a cruel companion at times.
/o/
Yuan walked back and forth across his office as he seriously considered sending a representative to the Tower of Salvation and making everyone fly to Triet. His pacing, however therapeutic it might have been for him, had already driven his secretary up a wall, accross the ceiling, and all the way down the other side of the room. She left him to his own devices several hours earlier and, last Yuan had heard, was currently starting a party in the wreck-room.
The blue-haired half-elf found himself wishing Botta was there to give him advice again. The brunette half-elf had been a great second-in-command, a wonderful friend, and the perfect impromptu psychiatrist. If there was anyone who could help Yuan get over his skittishness of seeing the Yggdrasill tree's avatar, it would have been Botta… or Kratos, but it was rather obvious to Yuan that he shouldn't be bothering the burgundy haired man without a very good reason.
He could hear it now… "Hey, Kratos. I don't really want to meet up with you by the Yggdrasill tree because the lady tending it looks, acts, talks, and has the same name as my dead fiancée." Yes, that would go over well.
Okay… so he would definitely be going all the way to Tethe'alla in order to personally welcome back his best friend that was currently alive.
Yuan turned and began to pace back, a cold place within his heart demanding that he not go. He still saw her beautiful face and long green hair in his dreams… still heard her soothing voice… why make an open wound worse?
Except, he turned yet again, it wasn't really much of an open wound. 4,000 years was certainly conducive to a great deal of healing, right? While she might still haunt his dreams, he had dated other women. He hadn't loved them or dated them seriously, but the point was that he'd seen other people.
Yuan sighed and finally collapsed into his chair. Several hours of walking back and forth had finally exhausted him. The sad thing was, however, that there were two hours left before someone really out to leave and the half-elf was no closer to deciding if he'd be the one to go than he had been the previous evening when part one of his pacing had begun. Part two had been that morning.
"So… should I go?" Yuan's voice echoed oddly in the office.
Sometimes, it's the hardest decision to make that is the one most worth making. Yuan closed his eyes as the memory surfaced. That was the line Botta had used to convince Yuan that the Renegades would be worth the effort of creating.
The blue-haired man sighed softly and set the nearby clock to sound in an hour-and-a-half. His decision was made; he just hadn't wanted to admit it. "Well, I'm going. Thanks, my old friend. Even in death, you give out great advice."
With the words spoken, there was no going back. Yuan closed his eyes, leaned back into the chair, and fell asleep.
All too soon, however, a loud noise filled the room.
BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP! BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
The startled half-elf fell out of his chair and landed in a disgruntled heap on the ground.
"Um, sir?" The secretary peeked in and laughed softly at her boss. "I think it's about time for you to get ready to depart. The Rheaird is already prepped."
"Thank you, Miss Melinda," Yuan muttered, standing up slowly, his cheeks slightly pink from embarrassment. "Then I'll be leaving short. Computer! Deactivate that alarm!" he snapped the final commands, satisfied when the alarm cut off in mid 'beep.'
"I hope you have a good day, sir. If you want, I can have a packed lunch ready to go with you."
"That won't be necessary."
"All right then, Lord Yuan. Good luck on this mission you've set yourself on." Melinda turned and walked out the door, her blonde hair brushing her shoulders as she walked.
"I'm going to need all the luck I can get," he whispered and shook his head in annoyance. He glanced at his desk and then moved towards his weapon's chest. All he needed to bring with him was in there. Anything that could be found elsewhere in the office would be superfluous.
/o/
"Earth to Zelos, is the Great Idiot alive in there?"
Zelos jumped in surprise at the sound of his sister's voice and turned around to face the fiery redheaded teen. "Sorry, I was kinda lost in thought."
"Whoa, now there's a shocker…" Seles grinned. "It's time to go, come on oh Lazy One."
Zelos was sorely tempted to attempt some form of prank on his little sister before leaving Altamira. There was only one problem with that idea that kept him from trying that out… well, two actually. Sheena and Presea wouldn't appreciate any jokes he might try on Seles. However, between the name-calling and the sarcasm, it was truly a trial for Zelos to play nice with his little sister.
"I guess some habits die hard," Zelos murmured softly as he followed his sister from the hotel room.
"What?"
"Nothing, Seles, nothing."
"Zelos, are you prepared to depart?" Presea asked when he and Seles boarded the elevator. "Sheena is waiting in the lobby already."
"I'm ready to leave, don't worry. Let's just go already."
"I concur."
Seles shrugged and said quietly, "I kind of like it here, but all the noise gives me a headache. What about you, Zelos?"
"Huh? Sorry, I'm not exactly all awake yet, Seles."
She sighed in exasperation. "You really are the Lazy One," she teased. "We'll be out and about soon, so don't fall asleep flying that Rheaird of yours."
"Seles, perhaps you would accompany me on my Rheaird. I would enjoy conversing with you on the flight to the Tower of Salvation," Presea interrupted.
Seles grinned and clapped her hands. "I'd love too, Presea!"
The pink haired girl grinned brightly and the other two occupants of the elevator smiled as well. Presea's adorable smile was simply too much to resist.
The doors whooshed open and the trio walked out into the lobby.
"There you all are! I've already checked us out of the hotel, Seles, Zelos. So now we can just go."
"Really, Sheena," Zelos teased, "try to sound excited about leaving this city. Someone might think you were unemotional."
"I thought she sounded very emotional," Presea muttered to Seles.
The strawberry haired mage laughed softly and whispered to the axwoman, "Zelos is being sarcastic, Presea. He's teasing the witch who unknowingly seduces him."
"Sheena is a summoner, not a witch," Presea protested.
"So it's my special nickname for her."
"She is glaring at you. I think that she heard your comment…"
Seles swallowed nervously but grinned the famous Wilder smile, hooked an arm around Presea's shoulders, and escorted the younger girl out.
"I think Presea's been adopted," Zelos remarked after a moment. "I hope she enjoys being an honorary member of the Wilder clan, 'cause we're a weird bunch."
Sheena nodded in agreement, "that certainly is a fast friendship. Of course, it isn't that odd considering I became friends with Colette and Lloyd while I was still trying to kill our favorite blonde Chosen. They kept being so darn nice to me."
"Such a terrible crime, being nice to people," Zelos teased. He waved at some of his fangirls and they practically fainted at the sight of his smile.
Sheena rolled her eyes and walked towards the doors. "Your terrible, really, you are. Come on now, dimwit." The doors opened and Sheena walked out into the Altamiran morning.
"Zelos, do you really have to go?" one of the fangirls asked. "That Ninja is such a hag."
Zelos frowned darkly, and covered the girl's mouth, trying, but not entirely succeeding, to quiet the girl. "Sheena is my friend and I will not tolerate hearing her referred to in that manner. Is that clear?"
She nodded, stunned. "Yes... Master Zelos..."
He smiled faintly and let his hand drop to his side. "Good. Now, since this expedition I'm currently on was my idea, I do have to leave. Farewell, my hunnies, I'll return... eventually." Turning on his heel, the redhead tried to keep his temper in check. His head was starting to throb painfully and a whispering noise echoed in his ears. It wasn't the first time he'd felt that way, but he'd hoped that leaving Meltokio would make it start to go away. Then again, I haven't really started to relax yet. Maybe in a few days, when I don't feel so stressed, I'll be myself again. The door whooshed twice as he crossed from one side to the other. "Hey Sheena, Seles, Presea! Wait up! Don't leave me behind, hunnies!"
Racing after the three laughing girls, Zelos pushed his troubles behind him. He didn't have the time to do anything except have fun.
/o/
Help…
Zelos started at the sound of the whisper in his mind. Flying was a rather precise science when using a Rheaird; it was simpler to use his wings (though Zelos wouldn't do that for rather obvious reasons) but faster to use the mechanical device.
Owww… pain… I need to stop talking to myself…
Shaking his head and clearing his mind, Zelos marked this whole event down to exhaustion. Of course, that was when he happened to see someone all the way on the ground. While his eyes were enhanced the angelic powers he'd received from Cruxis, Zelos didn't typically wear his Cruxis Crystal and, as a result, had only slightly better than average eyesight. That is, of course, if you're going by the elven average and not the human one.
"Uh, HEY, PRESEA!" Zelos yelled, over the Rheairds, coming to a halt at a slightly lower altitude.
Presea also came to stop and gave Zelos a curious look. "What is it, Zelos?"
"Do you see anyone down there," he asked, gesturing to the plain below.
Seles rolled her eyes. "How can anyone see anything so far away, Zelos?"
Sheena came to a stop and glanced at the three people on the other two Rheairds. "What's up? Why'd we stop?"
"Zelos thought he saw something," Seles said.
The Rheairds made a soft purring noise as they hovered there while Presea scanned the ground. "There is someone down there, Zelos. I can't see him very well, but… I think that person is injured."
"So do I," Zelos whispered softly. "So, shall we see if they need assistance?"
"Definitely," the three girls chorused.
Moments later, the four of them were standing on the ground only a little ways off from the man lying motionless on the ground. Zelos was over to the injured person in a flash and hesitated for a moment as startled recognition sunk in. "Ibis? Sweet Martel…"
"Sorry to inconvenience you… Chosen One," Ibis croaked, his voice soft and crackling.
"Shush." Zelos concentrated on making his healing spell as powerful as possible and then cast if over the doctor.
Seles gasped in surprise. "How can he do magic, he's just a human… not even a fourth-elf like me…"
"He received an infusion of a mineral called Aionis," Presea replied in a hushed tone. "It allows him to magic. You need to ask your brother about the exact events that transpired during the world regeneration. You will never understand him if you do not, and that would be a great shame."
Zelos grasped Ibis' hand and pulled the man into a sitting position. "Now, now, Ibis. What have I told you about my name?"
"It's Zelos, not Chosen?" Ibis replied automatically, looking very, very surprised at the fact that many of his major injuries were gone. "How is it that you could heal me like that, but were incapable of healing your arm?"
"Doctor," the redheaded man commanded, "heal thyself."
"Ahhh…. I guess that about sums it up…" Ibis murmured in response.
"Sheena, Presea, Seles, this is Ibis, ex-Pastor of the Church and the doctor who stitched up my arm."
"Hi," Seles said quietly, flushing slightly at the mention of Zelos' injured arm.
"Hello, young lady," Ibis replied with an honest smile. "It is a pleasure to be reacquainted with you, I think we met a few times at the Abbey before I left there."
Seles studied him for a moment, skeptically and then nodded in acquiescence. "I think I do remember you. Thank you for stitching up my brother's arm… it was my fault, so…" she trailed off uncertainly.
"Just don't push him into another vase for another couple of weeks and I'm sure he'll be fine," Ibis teased gently. It was exactly what Seles needed.
Grinning wickedly, the strawberry-blonde teen laughed. "Of course. I wouldn't want to harm too many vases, after all."
"Hey," Zelos ruffled Seles' hair. "What about me, huh?"
"What about you?" Sheena echoed mockingly and then reached over and shook Ibis' hand. "It's an honor to meet such a skilled doctor."
"The honor is mine, Miss Sheena. It isn't everyday that one has the luck to meet a person from Mizuho. Your people must be very proud of you," he said gravely, but smiled and stood. Turning to Presea, he asked, "and you must be Presea. I was unaware that you'd left Altamira, but, then again, I've been traveling for the past two days."
Zelos stood as well, surprise foremost in his mind. Ibis, despite the excellent first aid spell, should still be dizzy and not quite on his feet, yet there he was. There was something odd about the ex-Pastor and yet… there wasn't anything duplicitous about the doctor.
"What happened, Ibis?" Zelos inquired.
"Bandits, I guess… I think they took off with my gald and supplies, seeing as my bag is missing."
"Are you still heading to Sybak?"
"Yes, though I don't know how I'll be able to open my clinic now… I'll manage, I've always been able to." Ibis frowned and shrugged. "Thank you for your aid Chosen… ah… Zelos. I greatly appreciate it."
"No problem, but trust me, Sybak isn't the place to go when you're broke. Here, I can spot you some gald."
"No charity," Ibis said slowly. "I won't accept it."
"You can pay me back when your clinic's thriving, ok?" Zelos insisted. "You're very talented and I refuse to let that go to waste. Now, are you going to accept my help or not?"
"I…" Ibis bit his lip nervously. "Ok… thanks again. I'll do my best for the people of Sybak and so that I can pay you back in the near future."
"That's all I ask," Zelos agreed.
Sheena, slight surprise evident on her face, spoke up again. "We're gonna be flying near Sybak anyway. Ibis, if you want, we can just fly you over there on our Rheairds. It'll save you time and keep you well above any other bandits."
It took Zelos and Seles insisting that they'd be horribly insulted if he said no to get the man to acquiesce. Some people just don't know how to say 'yes.'
A/N This one is shorter than I intended, I was going to add a Kratos scene where he came back from Derris-Kharlan, but decided against it. I haven't update in a while due to the computer thing I talked about in the earlier notes, and felt that I should give everyone something to read. Oddly enough, now that this, my lovely new computer, works on the Internet, the old computer works very nicely again. (Growls at evil, older Windows 98 and threatens to curse it with dark magic. Of course… I don't have dark magic, but that is completely beside the point.) Stupid computer… oh well.
Anyway, please review and don't threaten me with pitchforks.
Oh, and my birthday is the last day of the month! YAY for my sweet 16th birthday!