Me: Thank you so much to eveyone who reviewed! Finally, here is the final chapter! I hope it wraps up everything well...
Kratos: LinktoTwilight does not-
Lloyd: -own anything Tales of Symphobia related!
Me: Lloyd what are you doing here? *heart heart*
Kratos: It's Sym-phon-ia, Lloyd.
Lloyd: Aw, man.
Me: That's okay Lloyd! You're still my co-favorite character!
Kratos and Lloyd: ...
Me: Oops. Ummm, review please! This is an updated version. I think it's better this way. ^.^
Chapter 3
The tower was gone. Zelos gripped the Eternal Sword tightly. Origin had accepted the new wielder in honor of Lloyd's sacrifice. Now it was Zelos's turn to pay tribute. He looked at Colette floating beside him, a determined look in her eyes.
"For Lloyd," she said.
"Yeah."
They raised the Eternal Sword and shot the Great Seed back into the worlds. There was an explosion of light as the Great Seed hit, momentarily blinding the pair. When their sight cleared, they flew down, anxious to see the results of their efforts. When they arrived, there was a small sapling that had pushed its way through the ground.
"That's it? That's the Giant Tree?" Zelos asked, incredulous.
"Yes, of course." Said a new voice, soft and kind. It was a woman, long green hair flowing over an entirely green and white outfit. Her smile was calm and knowing, and she seemed to radiate a sense of peace. She held a long golden staff in one hand and wore leaves on each side of her head.
Colette's eyes widened. "M-Martel?"
Zelos jumped. "Woah, wait a sec. Martel? As in Mithos's sister?"
The woman nodded. "Yes, I am Martel, but not the Martel you knew. I am not Mithos's sister. I am a Summon Spirit, created to watch over and care for this tree. It is only a small, weak sapling at the moment, but if you give this tree love and care, I will continue to watch over it until it grows large enough to care for this world you created. That is the vow I require. But where is the pact maker? Where is Lloyd?"
Both flinched. Colette stared at the ground as Zelos clenched his fists and answered, "He's gone. That bastard Mithos killed him."
Martel lowered her head. "I'm truly sorry. That is terrible. Then Colette, you shall become the next pact maker. You love this tree already, I can tell." She smiled gently.
Colette gave a watery smile in return. "Yes, of course. I'll-"
Suddenly there was a bright flash of light. A glowing ball of light rose from Colette's pocket and began to float over to Martel.
Colette stared. "That came from…"
"Wait that's the same kind of thing we saw with Mithos at Origin's seal! It can't be…" Zelos's voice trailed off as the light once again flashed. Standing next to Martel was a figure.
"No…" Colette whispered. But there was no denying those twin swords, that spikey hair, that brilliantly red shirt. "Lloyd…!"
Lloyd's image turned towards the duo. "Hey guys! Check out what I just figured out how to do!" His hand formed his signature sign next to his forehead. "Pretty cool, huh?"
"Lloyd!" The Chosens cried. Colette leapt forward. "How…how…?"
Lloyd scratched his head. "I'm not exactly sure to be honest. The last thing I remember is this weird sensation coming from my exsphere. It was like all of the emotions you guys felt for me were building up inside of it. The next thing I knew I was awake and able to walk and talk within my exsphere. I think right now I'm built out of those emotions from you guys. I just tried walking out and here I am!" He gave them a huge grin.
Zelos chuckled. That answer was so Lloyd. Leave it to him to give them a completely vague and simple explanation.
For a moment Colette was speechless. She never thought she would be able to see that smile again. "So…are you…?" She asked when she finally found her voice.
Lloyd looked at Colette's face. She was so hopeful. He put his hand on her cheek. She gasped and put her own over his. "Sorry, Colette. I'm not here to stay. Actually, I'm running out of time as it is. I better make this quick." He turned towards Martel, his hand still on Colette's cheek.
"Martel, if I could I'd like to help you look after this tree. It may be selfish, but I've put a lot of effort into helping that thing grow. I want to see the new world. I want to help guide it."
"Please, Martel!" Colette turned her pleading eyes to the summon spirit. "It's Lloyd's right! It's from his work that this tree is even here!"
Martel laughed. "Calm down, Chosen." She turned her eyes to Lloyd. "I can sense that you care deeply for this tree. And for the world it is connecting. That love should be enough to give you your own existence here. Yes, I will allow you to help."
Zelos punched the air and shouted. Colette laughed and turned to face the man that meant so much to her. But even as he smiled in return, his form was beginning to fade.
"Woah, hey, Bud…" Zelos started.
"Don't worry guys," Lloyd stopped him. "After all, it's not like I'm a summon spirit or anything. But I'll be here. I'll be with this tree. And I'll be watching you guys."
He leaned down and put his forehead on Colette's. "You'll tell them all, right? Especially Genis and both my dads. Let them know I'm happy okay?"
Colette had thought she was out of tears, but she couldn't stop new ones from stinging her eyes. Was Lloyd fading more or were her tears in the way? She shook her head, trying to clear her vision. Then she smiled, genuinely smiled, through her tears.
"Of course, Lloyd. And you know that we'll be with you too, right? We'll all come visit you and Martel as much as we can!"
Lloyd laughed. "Deal!" He turned to the redheaded Chosen. "See ya later Zelos! Good job doing this right! And speaking of doing things right you better fix things up with Seles after this! I'll be watching, don't forget!"
Zelos blinked. Then he made a huge grin to match Lloyd's. "No problem, Bud! You know everything will be fine as long as it's in the hands of yours truly!" He gave a small bow.
Lloyd laughed again before looking back at Colette. "Goodbye, Colette. I'm sorry to leave you twice. You'll stay happy though, right? For me?"
Colette sniffed. "I'll try, Lloyd. It'll be easier now that I know you're here. Thank you, Lloyd."
She gasped as Lloyd kissed her gently on the forehead. "You dork. You should've known I'd never leave." Colette closed her eyes, willing that moment to last just a bit longer.
When she opened them, Zelos had his hand on her shoulder. Lloyd and Martel were gone. She looked up at her companion questioningly. "Let's go back, my sweet little angel. We have some worlds take care of." He bent down and raised his other hand, poised to take hers in true Zelos fashion.
Colette breathed in deeply. Then she grabbed Zelos's hand and rushed away, practically skipping off the ground. Zelos yelped and got his feet under him, eventually joining in her infectious joy.
"Yes, we do, Zelos! Come on!"
End