Disclaimer: I don't own this. However, one day, if I should win that lucky poker game, it just might be.

Oh, and about the characters ages… Lloyd is 17 during the game because he lived with Dirk for 14 years and was taken in by Dirk when he was 3. Colette is 16. It was said somewhere in the game, I believe. Zelos is 19 and I think Sheena is 17. Presea looks 12 but is actually 28. 16 years of not aging does that to a person, I guess. Regal and Raine are mysteries to me, but I'm going to say that Regal is in his early thirties. Raine, I'm certain, is somewhere in her twenties. Genis is 13 or 14, I think. Kratos' age is unimportant since he doesn't have to age. The same goes for Yuan.

Summery- It all starts with Zelos, who is determined to finally get to know his sister Seles. He takes Seles, and Sheena, on a quest to find fun but ends up with a mystery instead. With the help of their friends from their journey to regenerate the world, Zelos and Sheena will search for a way to destroy an ancient device of Cruxis that Mithos had once sought to use in order to unify the world under one species.

Pairings- Sheelos, Gesea, KratosRaine, LloydColette

Prologue

Zelos stared out his window tiredly, wondering where on Tethe'alla the past six months had gone. Six months ago, he'd helped save the world. Six months ago, he'd come back to Meltokio a hero. Six months ago, he hadn't felt as if the world hated him.

The Church of Martel had been easily converted into a group of spiritualists and philosophers in Sylvarant. In fact, from Zelos' point of view, Sylvarant's transition had been ridiculously simple. Of course, the fact that the people had already felt abandoned and were eager for change probably had something to do with it.

Zelos hadn't had it so easy in Tethe'alla. No one wanted to admit that the religion was a hoax. It had been an extremely drawn out six months that had seemed, while occurring, to have taken an extraordinarily long time. It was only in retrospect that Zelos realized how fast and out of control everything had been.

Nevertheless, it was finally finished.

Zelos sighed, his trademark grin slowly returning to his face. The Church of Martel was disbanding in the same fashion as Sylvarant's. The title of Chosen no longer applied to the red-haired comedian. He could finally be himself. Not that he was entirely certain what that meant.

Frowning in spite of himself, Zelos found his mind wandering over everything he could do with his life now that he was free of the Church of Martel's ever watchful eye. For the majority of Tethe'alla, he was still a hero and a well-loved celebrity. If he ever wanted to go political, he'd most certainly have backing.

Collapsing in a nearby chair, Zelos thrust the political idea out of his mind. He wasn't cut out to be a politician. Shark-like tactics wasn't something he did well. That was probably why he'd been so easily converted into Lloyd's friendship. He was an innately honest person and Zelos didn't want to let good people like that get hurt.

Seles, his younger sister, was still at the SE Abbey, though it had been renamed something rather stupid. She probably hates me, Zelos thought dejectedly. I just hope she's okay.

"I know!" Zelos leapt to his feet, the chair rattling behind him, and his trademark grin returning in full-force. "I'll go see Seles. I'll take her out of that Abbey and the two of us will finally get to know each other; brother and sister bonding will be fun." Then, he froze as another idea joined his first one. "Perhaps I should take Sheena along as well. That way I'll know that at least one of my companions doesn't really want me to be dead."

Zelos turned and waltzed from the room and into his study two doors down. He sat at his desk and pulled out a sheet of paper and a pen. Biting the end of the pen slightly, Zelos pondered what he was going to say in his letter. Then, his grin widening in triumph, Zelos pushed some hair out of his eyes and then uncapped the pen and began to write.

Dear Sheena,

Hey hunny, it's Zelos. I know it's been awhile, six months actually since I've seen or talked with you and the others, but I've been really busy. Tethe'alla has had rather tight attachments to the Church of Martel. I didn't expect less than that, though. I should've written you all, and I know that Lloyd and Colette are reading this over your shoulder, which is why I say you all.

/o/

Colette and Lloyd read the final sentence of the first paragraph and, stammering their regrets, departed from Sheena's shoulder.

The Ninja woman could barely contain her laughter. If only Zelos could know how right he'd been about Lloyd and Colette's over-the-shoulder reading habits.

Anyway, I've finally managed to get rid of the Church of Martel by sending it, albeit far slower, down the same path that Sylvarant's church took. It's been really frustrating, though. You know how I can normally smile through anything? I think I'm losing my touch in that category. Everythings been really annoying here in Meltokio and I've developed a number of new enemies. You'd probably say its what I deserve since most are my ex-girlfriends.

I wouldn't let them tagalong with me anymore. A couple threw a fit. Truthfully, though, I kind of feel freer without them. Unfortunately it makes Meltokio a rather bad place for me to be right now. Especially since I've the remnants of the Papal Knights to deal with. Four of them have challenged me to duels already. At the same time. I ended up having a chandelier crash on them. Guess I can understand Gnome's words concerning the four-on-one stuff we used to pull on summon spirits.

Now that things are cooling off in the city, I've decided to take a break and go see Seles. The only problem there is I'm quite certain that she hates me. She'd always hoped that she'd somehow get a shot a being the Chosen in order to show me how a real Chosen should act and now that the Church is gone… well, I'm sure you can imagine as well as I can. Seles probably hates me right now.

I was kind of hoping that you'd come with me, Sheena. I know that Lloyd and Colette are busy with their exsphere destruction at the Iselia Ranch and you're probably doing your best to represent Mizuho and Tethe'alla at Iselia by helping out. If you're bored and want a break then write me to let me know where to find you.

Otherwise, I'm sure I'll catch you later. Cheers, my ever-violent Banshee.

Zelos Wilder, the ex-Chosen of Mana and current bane of the King's little universe

Sheena snickered and then reread the letter. Zelos had really changed, she could tell from the letter. His typically joking self was still there, but he sounded more serious.

"What did Zelos have to say?" Colette asked from the other room.

Sheena stood and walked to the doorway. "He's bored. The Church of Martel has finally been disbanded over there and he's going to torment his little sister with bad jokes. He wants to know if I'm tired of smashing exspheres and want to join him in his quest to annoy Seles."

Lloyd laughed and his head appeared in the window. "Go, have fun. The Iselia Ranch has nearly been emptied. We'll be heading to Palmacosta in a few days and you'll go out of your mind with boredom if you stay here."

"Well," Sheena shrugged. "I really ought to be helping my people in Mizuho finish their move, then."

"They'll bee done in a few days as well." Colette pursed her lips and then smiled again. "Go back to Mizuho, but tell Zelos that's where you'll be. That way he can get you there. It's closer to the SE Abbey where Seles is anyway. They won't have to go so far to find you if you're in Mizuho."

"I know, but…" Sheena hedged, rather uncertain if she wanted to be spending so much time with the red-haired pervert.

"It'll break Zelos' heart if you say 'no,'" Lloyd warned from the window. "And you know how dramatic he is. He'll make you feel so guilty the next time you see him if you don't go."

Sheena nodded. "You're right. He would do that. He'd make a scene and embarrass me in front of everyone. I guess that settles it for me then. I'll go help at Mizuho until he arrives with his sister to go and do whatever the idiot has planned. Besides," Sheena's face took on a curious look, "someone has to protect his sister from those terrible jokes of his."

Returning to the other room, Sheena found herself already mentally crafting a letter to send back to Zelos.

/o/

Zelos,

You're so lucky I didn't shred you're letter after you opened it with 'Hey hunny.' The fact that Colette and Lloyd suddenly stopped reading over my shoulder at the end of the first paragraph evened things out till the end, though.

I've recently decided to return to Mizuho. The village is almost done moving to a location in Sylvarant near the Linkite Tree. My people are planning on being close enough to it that we can take care of it as best we can. None of us want that beautiful tree dying again. I'm not going to that new site, however. I'm going back to the old site to help the last of the people move on out.

Once you've collected your sister, you can come on over to Mizuho. It sounds like fun, hanging out with you and Seles and I'll definitely enjoy a change in scenery from Iselia. It's a nice town and Colette and Lloyd are wonderful hosts here, but ever since they got engaged last month, they've been super lovey-dovey and it gets rather annoying.

I guess I'll see you soon, just try and refrain from referring to me as 'hun' or 'hunny' or any of those other nicknames, ok?

Sheena

Zelos grinned to himself as he mentally reviewed the letter from Sheena. He wasn't entirely certain why, but the letter made him feel really happy inside. Whatever would happen when he reached the SE Abbey would happen and if Seles hated then that would be as well. At least he knew someone out there was going to be happy to see him.

If only he could guarantee that his sister would feel the same way. "What will be, will be," Zelos muttered as his Rheaird flew on.

Chapter 1

"Everyone here except the guards treat me like trash because of you these days," Seles shouted angrily, "and I'm supposed to be happy that you're here? I hate you!"

Zelos flinched at Seles' words despite the fact that he knew that they were heading his way. "Seles, I didn't expect you to be happy. I knew you were going to say that you hated me the minute I came back to Meltokio with the intent to disband the Church of Martel. It isn't really gone yet despite the fact that it's officially nonexistent as of last week."

"I know that." Seles glowered at him. "Do you think any of that makes it easier on me? No! Once again, the great Zelos Wilder couldn't think of anyone beyond himself."

"If that were true, Cruxis would've won."

"Liar," Seles pushed Zelos backwards violently, spinning him just enough to make him loose his balance. She turned and ran as he fell into a nearby vase, the sound of the crash and shattering pottery filled the room, covering up, almost entirely, the sound of ripping fabric.

Zelos lay stunned for several minutes, trying to take stock of what had just happened. He'd never expected to get pushed into a vase. He's foreseen many different scenarios, but none including a vase. After a few moments passed, Zelos gingerly sat up, pain lancing through his right arm.

For the most part, Zelos was simply bruised. 'For the most part' being the key words. His right arm had a piece of broken pottery stuck in it; in fact, there was a rather long gash in his arm and his prized pink glove was now not only ripped, but bloodstained as well.

Zelos did the only thing he could do. Wincing in pain and whispering many, many curses, he slowly removed the shard from his arm. "My glove," he muttered numbly, "is ruined. And this is my lucky pair that I wore throughout the entire journey against Cruxis, too."

A naturally pale person, Zelos had always astounded everyone by his ability to resist both tanning and sunburns. Unfortunately, there was a downside to his pale look. With his blood slowly flowing from the gash in his arm, Zelos looked about as white as the ghosts he's once helped fight against.

One of the ex-Pastors of Martel, Zelos didn't know his name, rushed into the room. "Dear Martel, Chosen are you all right?"

"Yeah, well," Zelos shrugged painfully, "all except my arm. There was an accident. I should probably check on Seles in a little while."

"You don't look all right, Chosen."

"Please, call me Zelos."

The ex-Pastor nodded and helped Zelos to his feet. "Later, Master Zelos, you can check on your sister. You're arm requires washing for I'm sure you don't want that wound becoming infected. It will require stitches as well."

Zelos winced internally at the thought of stitches. When Seles got mad, she really got mad. "What will be, will be," he said as cheerfully as he could manage, a slight, pained smile showing up on his face. "Thank you, um…" Zelos fumbled for the man's name.

"My name is Ibis. I was assigned here just a few months ago," he smiled. "I was actually rather glad that the Church was disbanded. I wanted to be a healer, my mother wanted me to be a Pastor."

"Ahh, but now you can be a healer, right?"

"Yes, Chosen, er, Zelos. I am a very qualified healer, for someone with very little in the ways of magic." Ibis smiled in a friendly way and led Zelos from the room. "I'll have you stitched up in no time at all."

/o/

Sheena glanced up at the empty skies of Mizuho for the twelfth time that hour. Snickering, Orochi avoided his friend's venomous glare.

"What is so funny!" Sheena demanded snappishly.

Orochi smirked and picked his words carefully as he spoke. "You keep looking up at the sky as if you expect your friend to come zooming here any minute. You said he'd be here tomorrow earliest. Stop watching for Zelos and Seles today when they will not be here."

"Zelos is weird though," Sheena argued. "He'd probably show up today just to keep me off guard."

"Granted," Orochi replied, "but doubtful. He has to convince his sister to come with him first and that, as you described the most probable scenario, is doubtlessly going to be a difficult task."

Sheena nodded but glanced back up at the sky again anyway. She had the strangest feeling that something was wrong.

/o/

Stitches hurt. If there was nothing else Zelos learned from this particular incident, that fact would always be irrevocably burned into his mind. Stitches really, really hurt.

Wincing as the final stitch was put in place, Zelos swayed painfully where he sat. He was slowly regaining some color in his face, though. Instead of white-as-a-sheet pale, Zelos was returning to his normal complexion.

Ibis took a small pair of scissors, tied of the thread, and snipped off the excess. "Now, try not to over use your arm for a few days and depending on whether you have someone fully heal that, you can remove those stitches in a few weeks." Frowning slightly, he added, "I'd say that in a week and a half you should have someone check up on it."

"I will," Zelos promised. "Thanks, Ibis. I really apreciate you patching me up like that. It's to bad your miracle working won't help the true victim in all of this." Zelos held up his torn and stained glove. He then suppressed another wince as Ibis wrapped his arm with white gauze. "My lucky gloves lost their power today. Such a shame, right?"

Ibis laughed and stood. "Indeed, Master Zelos. Perhaps we shall meet again, but I need to head out. I'm going on my own journey today. I plan on heading to Sybak in order to start my own office."

"Perhaps I'll swing by there to see how you're doing," Zelos stood as well, still swaying, but not so badly. His arm didn't seem to hurt so much any longer. More like a sharp ache, but even that was slowly fading. "I'm going to check on my sister. Catch you later, Ibis."

Ibis nodded sagely in return and then disappeared from the room.

Trademark grin in place, Zelos walked down the nearby stairs and into his sister's room. "Knock, knock, Seles," he called softly, knocking on the door as he entered.

"Go away, Zelos."

"No, Seles. I'm not running away anymore." Zelos smiled brightly at his younger sister.

Seles looked up at him in confusion. "When have you ever run away? You've always been everyone's perfect little Chosen and only I knew how much you resented that title. I could've been a much better Chosen than you, except I'm only the half-sister and unimportant in the long run."

Zelos remained silent, his smile gone.

"And then here you come again, all high and mighty. Cruxis was evil. The Church of Martel is a fake." Her voice dripped with sarcasm as she mocked him, but Zelos kept quiet. "You ruined my life in enough ways. Just go away, just leave me alone."

"Mithos Yggdrasil captured the others and me just before the final battle against him. Everyone except Lloyd that is." Zelos spoke abruptly into the silence after a few moments,"when Lloyd saved me from the prison I was trapped in, I was faced with four holograms. One was directed at me alone. It was a copy of you; it talked the way you do, looked like you, even mimicked your voice."

Zelos took a deep breath and then exhaled slowly before continuing. "For a moment, I thought it was really you, that Mithos had kidnapped you or something. And then it started speaking." He sat down on the chair by the door as he spoke. "It told me that it was very much aware of Cruxis' plans and it wanted me to join Cruxis. It said that I'd finally by free of the title Chosen and that you would take up that title and the burdens that came with it."

"That was when I stopped believing it was you." Zelos laughed softly, all to aware how strained he sounded. "Sure, you wanted and still want to be the Chosen, but it didn't feel like you. There was nothing in the eyes of the hologram. That was when I started thinking about something you'd said after I'd reclaimed my Cruxis Crystal from you," Zelos smiled faintly. "You'd said something along the lines of 'stay safe.'"

"It was Lloyd who said I had worth, but I don't know how much I would've believed that had you not asked me to stay safe. Which is why I'm still standing here today."

Seles was silent for a moment, simply absorbing everything that Zelos had said. "I don't really hate you, big brother," she mumbled after a moment. "I just… hate being here."

Zelos smiled brightly once more, his serious attitude seemingly gone. "Then come with me, Seles. I want to show you everywhere I've been in Tethe'alla, and in Sylvarant."

"What, but isn't Sylvarant such a backward place?"

"Somewhat, but not really. It's a good land with good people," Zelos shrugged. "And of course, Sylvarant has some very cute hunnies."

Seles threw a well-aimed pillow at her brother's head. However, he ducked at the last minute, causing his chair to tip over. Zelos fell to the ground, the chair crashing on top of him, and a sharp curse was spoken.

Rushing over to her brother, Seles pushed the chair off of him and pulled her suddenly to pale brother off the floor. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, I just fell on my arm and…" he trailed off as Seles stared at his arm horror dawning on her face.

"Your gloves are missing, I should've noticed sooner," Seles whispered in a stricken tone. "Dear Martel, I did this, didn't I? When I pushed you into the vase. I hurt you so badly, I didn't mean too, really I didn't. I just wanted to make you go away because I was angry," Seles sounded hysterical.

"Shush," Zelos pulled Seles into a hug. "Its okay, you weren't feeling yourself. I know that all too well. I haven't really been myself much lately either. That's why I came to see you."

"Go to sleep Zelos." Seles suddenly pulled away. "You seem to need it. You look exhausted."

"Yes, mother."

The younger sibling just laughed. Zelos grinned and laughed as well. Despite the fact that his gloves were casualties, everything was finally going well for him. Now, if only he could ensure the continuation of that luck.

/o/

Mizuho was originally a very beautiful village that was, though not teeming with life and activity, an active little town of ninjas. It was mostly deserted now, at least this particular site was. Zelos could just imagine that the new location of Mizuho was full of the same amount of liveliness that once was in evidence here.

Seles gingerly stepped off the Rheaird and stared in awe at old Mizuho. "It was beautiful here before they started the move, right? I bet this was an absolutely charming place to live."

"It was," Zelos confirmed grinning brightly and waving at Sheena and her friend Orochi as they walked over.

"See, Sheena. I told you not to expect them until today, but did you listen?" Orochi could be heard teasing the ninja woman.

"Oh shut-up, Orochi."

"Aww, my Violent Banshee, did you miss me?" Zelos' eyes twinkled brightly as Seles stared at him in surprise.

"Violent Banshee? That's a new one," the redheaded girl muttered.

"Zelos, what did I tell you about using nicknames with me!" Sheena exclaimed angrily.

Zelos immediately held up his hands in mock surprise. "I thought that statement was just for the 'voluptuous hunny' nicknames." Sheena stepped forward menacingly as her friend attempted to hide a smile of his own. "Come on, Sheena. Besides… you are a violent Banshee, but in a good way."

"Zelos, it's been nice knowing you," Seles called, moving hastily away from her brother. She walked over to Orochi. "My name is Seles. I have the displeasure of being Zelos' half-sister, but I think I received the good genetics in the family, so it isn't to bad."

"I am called Orochi," he replied. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Seles. I'm sorry you have to be related to that philanderer over there."

"One does tend to get used to him."

The two watched as Sheena continued to yell at Zelos and he… well he seemed to be rather enjoying himself. Seles had always known her brother verged on idiocy, but it seemed to her that purposely provoking Sheena was going to get him killed.

Then, in the middle of the strange and (for unknown reasons) largely ignored, spectacle, Sheena stopped yelling at him and stared at Zelos' arm for a moment.

"Cat got your tongue all of sudden, oh Violent Banshee?"

"What in the world did you do to your arm, oh Idiotic Chosen?"

"Oh, that," Zelos chuckled. "There was a disagreement I was involved in recently with a vase. I lost, but then again, so did the vase."

Seles blushed profusely. "Can't he ever just state what happened plainly?" she muttered to herself.

"Where are your gloves? I've never seen you without them before," Sheena asked curiously.

"Alas," Zelos said, his smile still on his face, "first, the right glove became a casualty of the dispute between me and the vase, and then both disappeared. I'll simply get new one whenever I finally revisit Meltokio."

"Revisit? Don't you live there?" Sheena snickered.

"Just because I own a house there doesn't mean I count it as my home," a slight frown flickered across his face, but he covered it with another grin. "Now, dear lady, I have arrived to kidnap you and take you with me and Seles on a grand adventure."

"Grand adventure? Yeah, right. You'll probably head straight to Altamira," Sheena shrugged. "I still don't know why I agreed to go with you."

Zelos laughed, "Lloyd and Colette suckered you into it, right?" A short nod with narrowed eyes. "No, I was not in contact with them, I just happen to know what their typical behavior is. I ought to, having traveled just about everywhere with them and you and the others. However, I was planning on taking a very short pit stop at Altamira. We have to say hi to Presea and Regal, you know. Seles hasn't met them yet."

"If he tries to stay there, the two of us will be more than sufficient to drag him away from his 'hunnies,'" Seles called teasingly.

"Oh hush you," Zelos laughed.

"Right, you're trying to reform," she teased.

"Me, reform? Never, I'm far to fun the way I am."

Sheena rolled her eyes, "now there is an example of either a lie or a delusion, I'm not certain which."

"I am," Seles announced proudly. "It is a delusion. He is quite prone to them, especially ones concerning himself."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Children!" Sheena interupted. "Are we going to be leaving now?"

"Yes mother," the two redheads chorused.

"Ugh, why did I agree to this?"

Orochi walked away laughing and shaking his head. Some things were just far too funny for words.

/o/

Presea stared blankly at the two documents before her. "You want me to become co-president of the Lezareno Company?" Her voice was a steady as always, but emotion was seeping through.

"Yes, Presea. You've more than earned it in the past few months," Regal held up his hand as the pink haired girl began to protest. "If you don't believe me I will have George quote to you exactly how high the efficiency of the company is now that you're here helping me."

"I don't know. There is a lot I was planning to do after helping here for a year." Presea fumbled for the words to describe what she meant. "I came here because you and this city make me feel close to Alicia. However, in a year I planned on visiting Altessa. I have found it within myself to forgive him and I wish to inform him of that. I am… uncertain of what I would do from there, but since Ozette is being rebuilt, I will most likely aid with that particular endeavor."

"I know," Regal smiled at her pleasantly. "Still, I wish to make you the co-president of the company. You will still be able to come and go as you wish, it just means that you will most definitely have a place to go to at all times."

"Thank you, Regal. I will," Presea paused uncertainly, "consider it for awhile. I will tell you my decision as soon as I arrive at it."

Regal nodded. "I will be leaving tomorrow to inspect the Toize Valley Mine once more before it is permanently closed and a new security system is installed there. I wish to personally ensure that none of the previous equipment is working. I also promised Raine that all the magitechnology in use there would be safely removed in order to allow her and other scholars to examine it."

"That sounds like Raine," Presea agreed. "Was her face scary like it normally is when she speaks of archeological matters?"

"Yes."

"I miss her and Genis. I haven't heard from either of them since they departed on their quest to remove discrimination." Presea frowned, "Genis has not even written me. I miss him… very much."

"I'm quite certain he misses you as well, Presea."

"Do you really think so?"

"Yes, Presea," Regal stood and walked to the door. "I know so."

Presea turned and stared out the nearby window, just thinking. Genis and the Lezareno company being formost on her mind.

/o/

"Lethian, you disappoint me," a man spoke in a quiet, dangerous tone. "You were supposed to find the whereabouts of the device and instead you bring more stories along the same lines of the legends. I do not wish to hear about the tales of Morphia. I want to know facts." The man pushed his dark, almost black hair from his face. "Go now. I have a new assignment for you. Wait for Ma'at to arrive at the House of Salvation outside of Triet. She will give you my orders and travel with you to the location I will specify at a later date."

"Yes, master," Lethian answered softly.

Neither noticed the blue haired man watching them from the shadows. Yuan was cloaked in magic, however, so his invisibility was to be expected.

A/N Well, there it is. My first Tales of Symphonia fanfic. Its already 13 pages long which for me, for one update, is pretty long. I hope everyone enjoyed it. I don't update on a regular basis during the school year, but I try, I really do, to get at least one chapter posted each month since I have to write around my homework and Religious Education classes. I'm getting confirmed this year so it is piling on extra work for the year.

I don't have a beta-reader, so any corrections pointed out to me will greatly appreciated. I try to edit it myself but… well… I manage to miss a lot.

Oh, I know that Seles is on the sickly side because she has lung problems. However I'm going to assume that those problems aren't that bad any longer since she can hold her own in a fight for a pretty good amount of time in the coliseum fight between her and Zelos. Therefore, Seles will cough randomly throughout the entire fiction.

Please reviewand tell me what you think.