Me: Sorry it took me so long to update. I had a little writers block with the fight scenes.

Genis: This chapter's pretty eventful.

Me: I hope so. By the way, I just finished a drawing and would appreciate it if you'd go and check it out.

Genis: She owns nothing.

Me: Except anything that is not originally in the game.


The eastern ranch, the second human ranch I would go to since I had gotten to Sylverant. It hadn't been that bad the first time because I didn't actually go inside. I remember all the horrible things that went on inside a ranch. I sent shivers down my spine. The closer I got to the ranch the more frequent the shivers became. I was really not looking forward to going in there. I just told myself that we would stop it to give myself confidence. Didn't work out so well.

Anyways, after we left Palmacosta we had gone to the House of Salvation and was informed by a Palmacosta militia soldier. Colette wanted to pray at the alter in the House of Salvation for good luck before we left. That's when we ran into Sheena again. She was also praying at the alter, for Tethe'alla. After that we headed straight for the ranch. At first on our way there I was wondering about how Sheena did the "disappear in a puff of smoke" trick. I had always wanted to learn how to do that. Then my thoughts went to the ranch.

"Chosen one! Please, wait!" Neil called, coming out of hiding.

Everyone stopped and turned to him.

"Neil! We heard Chocolat's been kidnapped!" Lloyd informed.

"…Yes, I wish to speak with you regarding that. Please, come this way…" Neil sighed.

"…It doesn't sound like you have very good news for us," Raine pointed out.

Neil led us to a hiding spot and explained to us the situation. I decided to try and stay out of the entire conversation. Kratos continued to glance at me ever since he learned of my secret. I was guessing he was expecting me help move things along faster.

"Now, then, we have two courses we can take. The first one is to go on ahead and infiltrate the ranch and rescue Chocolat and the other captives. Now that thing have come to this, is we leave the ranch, it will surly result in a second Iselia. Our second option is to confirm Dorr's true motives. If he has planned a trap, then he knows the layout of the ranch well… Let's let him talk for a bit," Raine explained.

"What are you going to do to Dorr?" Neil asked, worried.

"…You'd better not ask that. Raine's punishment is painful," Genis informed before getting smacked behind the head by Raine.

"Thinking logically, dealing with Dorr first is the correct choice," Kratos explained.

"What do you think, Lloyd?" Colette questioned, turning to him.

"Let's go attack! Who cares about their trap?! We're going to save Chocolat, now!" Lloyd determinedly answered.

"You got it! Count me in!" Genis agreed.

"Me, too. I'm sure Chocolat is scared and lonely by herself," Colette replied.

"I don't want to agree but it looks like I don't have a choice…" Raine sighed.

"…If that is your wish. Let's go," Kratos responded.

Everyone had turned their attention to me.

"I have no argument," I informed, shrugging.

So we headed towards the human ranch. Before we got too far, Neil stopped us again and asked to come along. Which we agreed to. We worked our way inside and through the ranch. Why the hell did they make human ranches like giant puzzles? I'll never understand that. At least some of the puzzles that were in the game weren't there, so it wasn't as annoying as it would be. Eventually, we found the prisoners.

"It's the captives…" Genis noted.

"Please, let's save them," Colette begged.

Raine nodded, "Yes, when you consider what'll happen, we can't just leave them here like this."

"Should we split into two groups, then?" Lloyd asked.

"No, please leave this to me. Members of the Palmacosta army will be coming soon. I'll remain here, join up with them, then free these people. Please, take care of Chocolat," Neil convinced.

"Okay, we'll leave it to you, then," Lloyd replied.

We opened the cell doors and freed the prisoners. I looked over the prisoners and walked over to Lloyd.

"Chocolat's not here," Lloyd commented.

"Yeah, I know, but don't worry, we'll find her. It's sad, most of these captives have dull, lifeless eyes. I hope the life and hope is returned after they get out of here," I dejectedly said, looking at them sadly.

"Me, too. It's horrible what they do here," Lloyd agreed.

Then al little boy walked up to us. We looked down at him.

"Hmm? What's wrong? You're not going to run away?" Lloyd asked.

"Thank you for saving me. Here, take this," the little boy responded, holding out a card to Lloyd and I.

Lloyd took the card and examined it, "What's this?"

"I picked it up over there," The little boy pointed in the direction he picked it up from. "I saw a Desian treating that card as if it was really important."

"Thanks," Lloyd said.

I smiled, "Thank you. I'm sure this will help us."

The little boy giggled and ran off.

"It's good to see that not all have lost hope," I sighed, slightly happy at the fact.

"Yeah," Lloyd replied.

Neil took the captives and we headed back to the portal. We made our way through the confusing portal puzzle thing and found Chocolat being harassed by the Desians. I slipped on my Cruxis Crystal, knowing that a fight would soon take place.

"Look!" Genis pointed out.

"Stop! Let her go!" Lloyd shouted in a commanding tone.

The Desians turned to face us and attacked. Colette took out her wings and flew over to Chocolat to guard her. I stayed in the back and guarded Raine and Genis while they prepared spells. Kratos and Lloyd took the front lines. I didn't get to do much since Kratos and Lloyd mostly took care of them.

After the battle, we went up to Chocolat, who looked surprised.

"You came to rescue me?" She questioned.

"Yup! Did they hurt you? Are you okay?" Colette asked, worried.

"Yes, I'm fine. Chosen one, everybody, thank you all so much," Chocolat looked really appreciative.

"Ah, don't mention it…" Lloyd modestly replied.

"There is no time to be celebrating. We still need to take care of Magnius," Kratos responded.

Lloyd looked irritated by Kratos' words.

"Assistant Governor-General Neil is taking the people imprisoned ere to safety. Our job is to secure the control room and ensure a safe escape," Raine explained.

"Dorr finally mobilized his plans, didn't he?" Chocolat asked, excited.

"Um…uh. Yeah," Lloyd stammered.

"I'm not sure if it's in the control room or not, but in the back is a platform that leads to a room filled with sparkling lights and other magical looking things. I'll show you the way," Chocolat insisted.

"Hmm, it may be a bit dangerous but we'd appreciate your help," Raine replied.

"Of course. Follow me!" Chocolat exclaimed.

She led us the a warp panel and stood there.

"I think… if you get on this round platform you can go to the floor you want," Chocolat explained.

We nodded and stepped onto the platform. Lloyd and I went first, then Genis and Colette followed with Chocolat, Raine and Kratos right behind.

I examined the room, looking at all the magitechnology. It was really quiet until Lloyd spoke up.

"So this is the control room…" Lloyd trailed.

"So the forsaken Chosen and her entourage of vermin have finally arrived."

"For…saken?" Kratos questioned.

Magnius came down on his floating chair thing.

"You got it mixed up Magnius, you're the one that's forsaken. Your time here is up," Lloyd shot back.

That's when Desians warped into the room and surrounded us. I knew there was going to be a fight soon so I reached for my weapon.

"We're surrounded!…" Colette pointed out.

"Hahaha! Just like a bunch of stupid vermin! I know your every move. And I know about those inferior being trying to escape, too," Magnius snorted.

He brought up the projectors. They showed Neil and the prisoners getting trapped inside a room.

"How did Neil get in there?" Colette asked, confused.

I wanted to explained but I knew Kratos and Raine would, so I kept my mouth shut.

"That's a projector. A product of magitechnology," Kratos explained.

"It's a device that displays images of people and things that are far away. We were displayed on here as well," Raine added.

The last of the doors closed, locking the prisoners in.

"Oh no! They're trapped!" Genis noted.

"Hahaha! A wasted effort! Everything you've done is meaningless," Magnius said, full of himself.

"How so?! We can rescue everyone after we take care of you!" Lloyd shot back.

"Big words from someone whose futile actions caused the disaster in Iselia!" Magnius brought up.

Lloyd looked down to the ground in shame. I put a hand on his shoulder, to try and comfort him.

"Th…that was…" Lloyd trailed.

"I know, how about I recreate that incident using the vermin on the projector? Watch, I'll unleash their Exspheres and turn them into monsters!" Magnius sadistically shouted.

"No! Stop!" Lloyd yelled.

"Come on now, I'll be more than happy to turn them into monsters, just like that old lady you killed… Just liked Marble! Hahahaha!" Magnius laughed.

"Marble? You don't mean…" Chocolat trailed.

"Oh, but I do, my little Chocolat. Dear old granny Marble was sent to the Iselia ranch, where she was killed by Lloyd. I heard she met a pitiful end," Magnius twisted the truth.

I had a look of disgust on my face as I looked at Magnius. I turned my attention to Lloyd and soften my look. I still had my hand on his shoulder. I looked over to Chocolat. Genis also turned to face her.

"Wait, it wasn't like that! Lloyd tried to save her! But the Desians turned her into a monster and-" Genis was cut off.

"Lloyd killed her," Magnius finished with the truth twisted.

"No…" Chocolat whispered, backing away.

I really wanted to stop her but I held myself back. I knew she still held a role to play later on. And I was there to basically make sure the timeline went accordingly. I couldn't do anything to change it. Everything basically happened for a reason in the game and I wasn't suppose to change it. I wasn't suppose to even be there.

Everyone turned to face Chocolat. She backed away and the Desians grabbed her.

"Chocolat!" Colette called.

"Dammit! Let her go!" Lloyd demanded.

"Leave me alone! I refuse to be save by Grandma's murderer! I'd rather die!" Chocolat childishly cried.

I had always thought that she was being like a little kid when she said that.

"You mustn't say things like that! Don't throw your life away!" Colette desperately tried to convince her otherwise.

"…Dorr will save me. Leave me alone!" Chocolat responded childishly.

"Hahahaha! Right, Dorr, huh. Well, whatever… Take her away!" Magnius ordered.

The two Desians surrounding her took her away. They left on the warp panel.

"Stop!" Lloyd shouted, wanting to go after them.

The four Desians that were left attacked us. The frontline melee attackers split up into our usual formation. It was more difficult then the other fight that we had fought. The archers kept stopping casting and I had to continuously watch out for spells the Desian mage cast.

I was faced with an archer so it wasn't hard. I ran up and tried a head on attack. The Desian dodged and tried to hit me with his bow but I blocked the attack. I kicked the archer in the stomach then knocked him out by hitting him in the back of the neck with the back of the handle. My fight was short but it didn't really matter to me.

I looked over and saw that everyone else had just about finished their battles. I knew we would face Magnius soon. I was anxious to hurry up and get to the next fight to end it. I did not like being in that ranch. I was hoping that I wouldn't get in the way when we fought Magnius. To be truly honest, I was scared. I had a knack for over thinking things and I was thinking of the worst possibility happening. Over thinking things is the reason why a lot of people saw me as a pessimist.

"Dammit! How could you idiots allow these inferior being to defeat you?!" Magnius shouted. He got up and faced us, "Fine, I'll take care of you myself! I'll put an end to the Chosen, right along with you fools who can't let go of your elven blood!"

I decided not to get in the way, so I took on one of the Desians that were with Magnius. I tried to strike at the Desian's shoulder but he blocked and countered. He sliced my arm but it wasn't deep. I then rushed back in and stabbed the Desian's shoulder. I pulled my weapon out and kicked the Desian in the chest. He tried to attack back but the kick had slowed him down, so I was able to dodge. The Desian stumbled, still trying to regain balance after the kick, I stepped behind him and stabbed my weapon into his back. The Desian collapsed onto the ground.

"Flame Lance!" Magnius shouted.

I looked over and saw that the attack was aimed for me. I struck a defensive position and waited of the attack.

"Guardian!"

I glanced up to see that Lloyd had blocked the attack with Guardian. I sighed, relieved that I wouldn't have to be hit by an attack like that.

"Thanks, Lloyd," I said.

"No problem," He replied and went back to the battle.

I saw that only Magnius was left. I circled around to the back of him to attack. I've learned it's easier to attack from the back. When I got there, I cut a deep gash across while Lloyd attack at the same time from the front. Genis used the spell Icicle and finished him off. I walked back over to stand with the others.

"How could a superior half-elf like me lose?" Magnius gasped, holding is injuries.

"It's because you are a fool Magnius. Cruxis has accepted Colette as the chosen," Kratos replied.

"…What?!" Magnius questioned.

"That's right! Colette is going to regenerate the world! We're not going to lose to someone like you!" Lloyd remarked.

"So…you're…Then… I was deceived…" Magnius collapsed.

Raine ran over to the controls and activated the projector. It showed Chocolat being taken away from the ranch by two Desians. Raine pressed some more buttons to allow the people to escape.

"This should allow the people imprisoned in the ranch to escape," Raine informed.

"What about the Exsphere implanted on them? With out Key Crest, it's only a matter of time before they go out of control," Kratos responded.

"Can't we just take the Exspheres off of them?" Genis asked.

"It's dangerous to attempt to remove an Exsphere lacking a Key Crest. I would imagine only a dwarf could handle it," Kratos replied.

"Then we can ask Dirk to do it," Colette put in.

"Yeah. Let's contact my dad," Lloyd agreed.

"…We can work out the details later. Right now I'm going to program this place to self-destruct. Ready?" Raine asked.

Lloyd and Genis stepped back.

"Are you serious?!" Lloyd asked.

"Raine, if you do that-" Genis was cut off.

"At the very least, we'll deal a major blow to the Desian stranglehold over this region. If we're going to strike them, it should be thorough and decisive," Raine explained.

"Raine…" Genis trailed.

"Remember, Genis, we're not like them. We're different," Raine replied.

Raine turned back to the controls and activated the self-destruct option. Why do they make self-destruct options anyways? I don't think I'll ever figure it out. Anyways, the alarm went off and Raine turned back to face us.

"I've set the self-destruct timer for ten minutes. Let's hurry and evacuate," Raine said.

So we ran off and out of the ranch. We met back up with Neil outside.

"What happened to the captives?" Lloyd asked.

"We've moved them all to Palmacosta," Neil informed.

"Then, Neil, please get out of here, too! Hurry!" Genis urged.

Neil stood there confused while everyone except Colette and I ran away.

"What?" he questioned.

"It's going to explode!" Colette said, running off.

"Raine set off the self-destruct option," I explained and ran after Colette.

We soon got a good distance away from the ranch and heard it explode. We continued on to Palmacosta and everyone started to discuss the problem of Exspheres. While we were walking, Lloyd came up to me.

"Something wrong?" I wondered.

"Nah, it's just, you dropped this during the fight," Lloyd replied, handing me the little sphere my brother had left me.

"Oh! Thank you, I don't know what I would've done if I had lost it," I said, taking it and holding close.

We soon arrived in Palmacosta and headed to the government building.

"There's no one here," Lloyd stated.

"I think I hear voices from below," Colette informed and turned to the door leading to the basement.

Everyone else faced the same way.

"…Really? I don't here anything," Lloyd replied.

"There's no one here. We should head down to the basement," Kratos responded.

"Yeah," Lloyd agreed.

I nodded in agreement.

We walked down into the basement and heard Dorr conversation with the Desian. Once the Desian left we came out.

"What's the matter? You look like you just saw a ghost," Lloyd remarked.

I sighed, I never really thought it was clichéd line until I actually heard it.

"Um, Lloyd, that's a really clichéd line," Genis put in.

"Shut up, Genis!" Lloyd replied, embarrassed.

"What are you doing here?! Neil! Where's Neil?!" Dorr questioned.

Neil stepped forward, "Governor-General… I can't believe you've been working together with the Desians."

"So that's it… You betrayed me!" Dorr accused.

"Governor-General! The Chosen destroyed the ranch for us. Please, stop this foolishness…" Neil begged.

"What?… What have you done?! You…destroyed Clara's hopes of living!" Dorr shouted.

"I don't know who that is, but we saved everyone at the ranch. Except for Chocolat," Lloyd informed.

"…Saved?! Th… That's funny! All right, then! Just try saving Clara!" Dorr tore down the curtain that covered the cage, revealing Clara. "Save my wife!"

I looked at Clara and my eyes widened. I covered my mouth and felt the color drain from my face. Clara, it must have been so painful for her. I felt like crying at seeing her condition but held it back. Kratos had a horrified look, this, no doubt, reminded him of Anna.

"Ah! Wh… What's that monster?" Genis gasped, horrified.

"N…No! Don't call her a monster!" I cried.

"She's crying… She's crying out in pain… Please, listen to Sarah… You mustn't call her a monster," Colette gasped.

"You don't mean…" Lloyd trailed.

"That's right. This is what became of my wife, Clara!" Dorr spat.

"So that's why you told everyone she passed away," Raine concluded.

"My father, the previous Governor-General, was a fool. Because of his defiant stance against the Desians they killed him, then planted the demon seed in my wife as a warning. If I cooperate with them, they will give me the medicine to save her," Dorr explained.

"But…that means you're betraying the people of this city!" Genis pointed out.

"Who cares! It was the only way to save Clara! But it's all been for nothing… I've lost the only chance I had to save her. All because of you!" Dorr blamed.

"Stop talking like you're the only victim! I'm sorry about your wife. But think of all those people who believed in you only to be sent off to the ranch! Any of them may have wound up just like your wife!" Lloyd responded.

"Silence boy! Stop acting like your justice is absolute!" Dorr retorted.

"Where do you get off? Don't even start spewing the word "justice"! I hate that word! If you wanted to save your wife, you should have resigned your position as Governor-General and searched for a cure, or help, or whatever! You're a worthless jerk, who couldn't give up his social status even for his own wife!" Lloyd shot back.

I've always agreed with Lloyd when he said that.

"Lloyd, please stop! Not everyone's strong enough to stand up against the Desians. Please, stop this!…" Colette begged.

Lloyd turned to her, "Colette…"

"I'll find it for you! If there's a medicine that can save your wife, I promise to find it! So please…" Colette offered.

"…There's no use. There's no way to remove a demon seed once it has sprouted," Kilia explained.

That's when I saw her pull out a knife. She stabbed Dorr in the back and he collapsed.

"…Kilia… what are you-" Dorr tried to ask.

"What are you doing?!" Lloyd shouted.

"How could you do that to your own father?!" Genis questioned, horrified.

"That's a laugh," She snorted and transformed back to her true form. "I am a servant of Pronyma, leader of the Five Grand Cardinals who rule over the Desians. I was merely assigned to observe the new human cultivation technique, developed by Magnius. There's no way that a superior half-elf such as I could have a fool of a father like this."

"A…fool of a father?…" Colette questioned.

"Just look at him! He didn't even notice that his own daughter was dead… because he was too busy chasing after medicine that doesn't exist… in order to save his monster wife!" Kilia laughed.

"The only monster here is you!" I snapped.

That earned me everyone's shocked look. I had never shouted something like that. I pulled out my weapon, ready to fight the little devil. She attacked first, by throwing something at me. I don't know what it was because I was too focused on the fight. I dodged and charged in.

The other's soon joined in. I was going head to head with the little devil. I was pissed off at her and that thing just hated me for some reason. We clashed again and again, barely doing any damage to each other. Luckily, I had friends to help me, while she had nothing but herself. We did deal some major blows to each other at one point, but Raine healed me and I went straight back into battle. Back on Earth, I had noticed that when I was angry my strength increased, the same thing happened there. I was too ticked off to stop and consider my injuries, I didn't hesitate. I dealt the finishing blow to her. We were all out of breath by the end of the battle.

"This can't be… Fine…then. I'll set this monster free and let it kill you!" She crawled over to the cage and unlocked it.

Clara staggered out of the cage.

"No, not again!… Do I have to kill another innocent victim?" Lloyd said.

She staggered over to Lloyd, ready to strike.

"Stop!" Colette and I shouted.

Clara stopped and staggered out through the exit the Desian had left through.

"W… wait!" Genis called.

Colette and Genis ran over to the exit but stopped.

"…Is Kilia really dead?" Dorr asked.

We all turned our attention to him.

"Kilia is…" Genis started.

"Don't worry. It seems your real daughter is fine," Lloyd smiled, sadly.

"Lloyd…" Genis said.

"I see. You… your name's Lloyd?" Dorr asked.

"Yeah…" Lloyd replied.

"Professor Sage, please, help him!" Colette begged.

Raine tried to heal him but couldn't. She stood back up and turned away, shaking her head.

"Please…please save Chocolat. And…if you somehow find a way to save my wife… please, help her return to her human form. When my daughter comes back, I don't want her to be all alone…" Dorr requested.

"Okay, I promise," Lloyd agreed.

"Thank you…" Dorr handed Lloyd a pass for Hakonesia Peak.

"Governor-General Dorr," Neil collapsed to his knees.

Later, we went back up to the main room.

"…I'm sorry for everything that's happened. Thank you for all your help," Neil said, still a bit shaken from the Governor-General's death.

"What are you going to do now?" Raine asked.

"I think the first step is to get together with those who hold power in the city and reorganize the government," Neil replied.

"Good luck. As for us, we're going to find Chocolat no matter what," Lloyd informed.

"That's right, because we promised," Genis added.

"Indeed," Kratos agreed.

"Thank you," Neil responded.

"I guess it's time to go, then," Colette said.

"Yeah," Lloyd nodded.

"Please, be careful. And please, come visit the city again! We'll be waiting for you," Neil smiled.

Raine murmured something to herself. I knew it was something about her healing arts.

"Professor Sage? Did you say something?" Colette asked.

"No… it's nothing," Raine replied.

We left and went to the inn to rest. I laid down on the bed exhausted.

"I didn't realize how tired I was until now," I sighed.

"Me too," Colette added.

I pulled out the little sphere my brother had left me and looked at it.

"What's that?" Colette asked.

"A sphere thing my brother gave me when I was twelve. There was originally two but my brother has the other one," I explained.

"Oh, it must be special, then," Colette replied.

"Very… I almost lost it during the fight at the ranch. Luckily, Lloyd saw it and gave it back to me," I responded.

"I hope you see your brother soon," Colette said.

"Thanks," I smiled.

"We should probably go to sleep. It's late," Colette suggested.

"Yeah, you're right. Good night," I replied.

We went to sleep after that. As usual, I woke up in the middle of the night. I slipped on my boots and went outside to the bridge. I leaned against the railing and sighed. I pulled out the sphere and stared at it. I heard foot steps and looked to my left.

"Do you have a habit of coming out here in the middle of the night?" Lloyd questioned.

"Yes, I do," I answered, straight forward.

Lloyd walked up and leaned against the railing next to me.

"Thinking about your brother?" Lloyd asked, spotting the sphere.

"Yep… I really miss him…" I replied.

There was a pause before Lloyd spoke up.

"Everyone was surprised that you shouted back at the half-elf right before the battle," Lloyd stated.

"Sorry… I guess I let my anger get the better of me," I responded.

"Don't apologize, it just surprised us because you've always been the kind of person to be calm and quiet right before a battle," Lloyd explained.

"Calm and quiet…" I muttered.

Those words reminded me of how I was at school. I was always calm and quiet, usually emotionless. I was the kind of person that was just there, that not many cared for.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"N-no, it's nothing. Don't worry about it," I assured.

"I don't believe you. What's wrong?" Lloyd questioned.

"…It's just… back when I was going to school… I never really did "fit in" so I didn't talk much. I was always calm and quiet, as some would put it. Others would put it as being emotionless," I explained.

"You being emotionless? That's hard to imagine," Lloyd said, surprised.

"Hey, sometimes the people you know use to be the exact opposite of what they are," I informed.

"I guess you're right… but it's still hard to believe," Lloyd replied.

"We should probably get back to the inn," I suggested.

"Okay," Lloyd nodded.

We went back to the inn and into our separate rooms. I laid down and was able to fall asleep easily.


Me: So, there it is.

Genis: Take a look at her new drawing.

Me: There's a link on my profile.

Genis: It's actually pretty good.

Me: Bye everyone, thanks for reading! I'd appreciate it if you'd review and checked out my drawing.