Once again, hello out there! I expect everybody wants to stab me now ("It's another clichéd selfinsertion! SHE MUST DIEEEE!") and quite frankly I wouldn't blame you ..;
I fell in a video game is one of those few things that ate away at my brain until I just had to write it out, and then my friend thought it was good, so now it's posted here ; Funny how life works, isn't it… I haven't played Tales in a while since I started writing this, so events may be changed and/or out of order. I may omit small side quests without knowing it (I may even not be aware of them) so if you see something I missed that I'm not already aware of, please tell me. I like to keep these things in mind.
Before you all start freaking and wondering what OC pairings will be popping up around here, relax and take a breath. If you don't like such things you shouldn't read them, you know –nodnod- However, since I stink at most romantic things there shouldn't be anything in here that isn't canon. Yay. Do you all feel better now?
If things get too Mary-Sue-ish, I'll need a slap. Deliver a nice hard one, would you? Thanks.
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales or the characters. Poor me ;.;
...Life is strange.
The weirdest thing I've ever done in my entire life happened to me not too long ago. I remember it all quite clearly (for an event like this, who wouldn't?).
It was my lucky day, Friday the 13th. Yes, I know people squeal at the mention of it, because the Devil is supposed to come and eat your soul or something on the 13th. (Or is that 6/6/06?) Either way, that's a load of hogwash.
Anyway, I was in my usual mode as a subterranean basement dweller, hiding in the depths of our moldy and smelly cellar playing video games. To be more specific, Tales of Symphonia. That game owns everyone's soul, no matter what they say. It is truly awesome.
Currently, I was playing it again for the- third?- time, and giving the hard path a whack. The other two times had been easy- go to Izoold, Palmacosta, the stupid ranch, back to Palmacosta again, off to Luin, Asgard, etc... The reason they call it the hard path is because you have to get in the Tower of Mana to kill Iubaris right after Triet, and he is hard. Damn horse.
Because I'd just been massacred in under ten seconds again by the Dark Horse of D00m, I was now hauling my entire party out onto the plains for some heavy-duty training. Apparently, over level 20 wouldn't be enough to smack down Iubaris, which now meant I would have to get up to level 30 and try again. As painstaking as the training process is (go into field, find monster, kill, repeat) it would be worth it for later, when I knew more sweet tech attacks to use against assholes like Mithos and Kvar (I wanted to learn Falcon Crest reeeeeeally badly. Lloyd needed to level up faster, dammit!) To hit level 100 is my dream, and to pwn Kvar with Kratos would be my reality.
Haaaa. I am such a pervy fangirl.
In the midst of my training regimen I heard a burst of thunder, and then the dripping sounds of rain. That was somewhat unusual, storms in summer? Things were normally pretty dry around here. Oh well, maybe it was heat lightning or something. Nature's own fireworks...
"Bah, more grasshoppers...why can't I find a Velocidragon or something to pound on?"
The lack of higher-level monsters to fight really starts to get on my nerves somedays.
About the time I found the Velocidragon I was looking for, the storm had really picked up. It sounded more like a cyclone or typhoon out there than a regular ol' thunderstorm...good thing I was already in the basement, heh heh.
Buttonmashing madly, I heard the thunder moments after the lightning. What felt like a tickling sensation spread through my body, and then there was the loudest BOOM I'd ever heard, followed by a momentary loss of vision...
...hmm, how very odd. What looked like a Velocidragon's fanged maw was coming right at my face...
...something hit me, and I got knocked out.
----------
"...Are you alright?"
...say wha? I'm going to swear I got headbutted by a dragon and that Lloyd Irving is talking to me...
"...ow." Blinking uneasily, it took a few minutes for me to regain my vision.
And when I did, I nearly fainted all over again.
"Professor Sage! She's waking up!" Lloyd called over his shoulder at someone, no doubt Raine. Holding the side of my head with one hand, I sat up and looked about. It took me a moment to realize that there was something wrong- or should I say, nothing wrong- with this picture- I was seeing 20-20, and my glasses were not on my face.
"...What happened to my glasses?"
Lloyd turned back around to face me upon hearing my voice. "Hey, you're awake! You...kind of had a cut on your head, so Raine healed you..."
"Oh." Now things made sense. Raine hadn't just healed my head...she'd gotten my faulty vision too! I would definitely have to give her a big hug for that...providing she didn't whack me with her staff first.
Amidst my musings, it took me a moment to realize that I was surrounded and being scrutinized by the rest of the gang, all of which were looking at me with various degrees of interest. Sitting up, I brushed grass and dirt off my clothes and then stumbled to my feet, nearly falling over in the process.
Gee, guess my sense of balance hasn't come back yet...
Fortunately for me, I nearly fell on Colette, who helped me back up with a grin. "Don't worry," she smiled cheerfully, "I do that all the time."
Yeah, I know. I saw you all those times in Iselia...
"Umm...if you don't mind my asking...who are you?"
Gazing at Lloyd (the asker of the question) and then the rest of the group thoughtfully, I decided to play a little prank. It would probably get me lynched or roasted by Genis, but the ensuing chaos would be priceless.
"Hmm... You all give me your names, and then I shall give you mine, Lloyd Irving."
Like I said. They were soooo gonna roast me for this.
...oh gee, did Genis learn Eruption yet? I don't think so...great, all that leaves is Genis and Kratos' Fire Ball...
"How do you know my name!" Lloyd sputtered, clearly taken aback by the fact that I knew him, and stole his trademark quote in the process. Oho. Looking around the group of now worried and semiangry people, I knew that it would take a while before everything came clean.
"Er...maybe we should make camp, I'll tell you all then..."
----------
As night came and we all sat around the fire brooding, I was once more prompted to tell my story, this time by Colette and Genis.
And of course, Lloyd got excited and butted in and dragged Raine and Kratos down with him...
"So? Spill! Tell us who you are, where you're from, and how you know our names!" Genis urged, hopping about the fire impatiently. I watched with a sweatdrop forming, and trying not to laugh.
"Yeah, c'mon! Don't keep us waiting all night, or we'll force you to eat Raine's cooking." Lloyd added evilly, and was promptly slapped by the Professor. "Ow!"
"...ew. No thank you." I grimaced, and rubbed my face tiredly. For the moment I reminded myself of Kratos, almost, but now wasn't the time to get nostalgic. "Hmm, where to start..."
"Try the beginning, and things may get easier." Kratos advised coolly, leaning back against Noishe with his sword in his lap. I stared at both of them for a moment, resisting a very strong fangirlish urge to run over there and hug him to death. But no, that wouldn't be wise, he would probably slice my head off long before I got to him...
...or I could immobilize him with tomatoes and then hug him...
No! Bad self! No threatening the health of the hottest guy in Sylvarant! Picking up a nearby stick, I whacked myself in the head with it (not too hard, I didn't want to seriously hurt myself), and then became aware of curiously embarrassed stares in my direction.
"...what are you doing?" Genis asked, clearly confused. Throwing the stick away, I laughed weakly.
"Umm...nothing! Just trying to refresh my memory..."
Stares.
Okay, they don't believe me. Crap.
"Anyway...moving on..." I cleared my throat and gave my ponytail an absent tug, readying myself to tell a confusing tale. "I suppose you all want my name first..."
"YES! FINALLY! WHAT IS IT?" Lloyd jumped right in my face with glee, and I nearly fell over.
Cute guy overdose! HELPME!
"Lloyd, give her some breathing room." I heard Raine remark from the background, and Lloyd withdrew from my personal space. Whew. Thank Martel.
"Right...name. My name is Emily." I sighed, a little scared at giving away my name. Of course, they were never going to pry my last name out of me... I was going to take that to the grave.
...of course, Kratos or Genis could always cast Grave and end my very short life. That in itself was not a pleasant thought.
"So, that's your name...nice." Lloyd grinned, flopping back into his former spot next to Colette. "So, how did you teleport like that?"
My turn to stare. "...teleport?"
"I think what he means is, 'Why did you sudden appear in the middle of a battle and scare us all to death?" Raine elaborated. "After all, you did just...appear on the field out of thin air."
"It wasn't thin air, Professor. She came out of a lightning bolt, remember?" Lloyd prompted, turning his head to give me a curious glance. I, myself, was a little clueless.
Lightning bolt? Why would I...! The storm!
"Of course," I breathed, excitedly. "It was the thunderstorm! It must have zapped the GameCube or something and...digitized...me..." My train of thought slowed as I realized the consequences of my statement. If I had been digitized, then, I might truly be in the game... How would I get home!
Even worse, what would my parents do when they found me missing?
One scorched GameCube, fried disk, melted memory card, and no anime-loving daughter... Oh, sheezus. They're going to have simultaneous heart attacks.
"Um...what's a GameCube?" The sound of Lloyd's voice brought me back to the present setting, where all the members of the party were now staring at me like I was insane.
Of course, there always was the chance that I really was insane, and all this was nothing but a very realistic dream brought on by high stress and sugar. However, I now considered that fact very unlikely.
"Well, a GameCube is..." How the hell am I supposed to explain what a GameCube is to Lloyd! "Um, maybe I should finish explaining...or trying to explain...first, and then things might make sense..."
Lloyd opened his mouth to ask another question, but Raine smacked him and nodded to me. "Alright. Please continue."
"Okay. Hmm...well, I was at my house, sitting in the basement playing a kind of game called a video game. It's not something you can play physically, it's more of a visual thing which involves a screen, game console and controllers... Anyway, while I was playing, this storm started up, and I guess lightning zapped the game console or TV I was using, transporting me...here." I took a deep breath at the end of my explanation, slightly winded. By nature, I was not much of a talker.
"But how did you get here if you were sent into a game?" Lloyd asked, cocking his head and looking confused. Much to my surprise, Raine whacked him again.
"Idiot! We ARE the game!" she growled, putting away her staff with annoyance. I just stared, extremely surprised that Raine had understood my weak explanation and gotten everything together so fast. "Though I find it a little hard to believe that our fate is controlled by something other than destiny..."
"Some days, I feel the same way." I remarked tiredly, reaching up out of habit to adjust my glasses, and suddenly remembering that they weren't there. That would be my cue to thank Raine for lifting an eight-year curse for me.
"Oh, and by the way Professor...can I call you Professor?"- a nod from Raine- "Thanks for fixing my vision and all...I'm really glad my glasses are gone." She smiled, suddenly looking interested once more.
"Oh, I fixed your eyes too? I thought I was just doing that cut on your head from when that Velocidragon rammed you." Lloyd suddenly chuckled, causing everyone to look at him.
"Gee, it sure was bad luck you had to appear in front of one of those things, eh?" He snickered. "I mean, you should've seen the look on your face, it was like 'Holy crap, I'm going to get eaten! WHAM!'" We all just stared at Lloyd for a moment, and then Raine thwacked him with her staff for about the third time that night.
"Learn some manners, why don't you?" she admonished him over Lloyd's whining about how he was going to get an permanent lump from where people kept hitting him. "I'm sure it wasn't Emily's fault that she had to appear in front of a dragon..."
"Er...funny you should mention that..." I sweatdropped weakly. "Actually, since I couldn't get past the Light Seal, I hauled my entire party out onto the plains for training, and found a Velocidragon when the lightning hit..."
"So it was your fault the whole time." Genis sighed, shaking his head. "I was wondering why we kept getting the sudden urges to go out and train."
"I'm sorry...I suppose..." I muttered, looking around sheepishly. "But I just couldn't beat Iubaris, and you all were leveling up so well...almost to level 30." Lloyd ducked away from Raine and asked another question.
"Is that strong for the 'game'?"
"Compared to the guys later on, it's incredibly strong." I replied, unable to keep back a grin. "You'll be able to wipe the floor with them in about two seconds flat." Lloyd grinned back, excited.
"Cool! In that case, I forgive you for making us fight monsters endlessly!"
I sighed, relieved. Woo, one down. Now I just have to hope that the others don't hate my guts.
"Since you know so much about us, does this mean you know where the other seals are?"
Colette had been so abnormally quiet the whole time I'd almost forgotten about her.
"Yep, I know where all the seals are...and all the Human Ranches." I gave an evil grin. "Blowing those things up is mighty fun, let me tell you..."
"Even better! Now we can find the seals faster, and defeat the Desians along the way too!" Lloyd exclaimed, jumping up in a little mock dance of victory around the campfire. I watched, remotely amused, remembering all the skits I'd had during the game like this. Within twelve hours, it would be a sure bet that Lloyd's enthusiam would ebb away, and then he'd do nothing but whine.
I pitied Kratos and his angelic hearing. I really did.
"...so, what do we do now?" That was Genis.
"We go to sleep, obviously. It's been a long day, and we need to be rested if we want to fight Iubaris-that is his name, right?" I nodded. "-defeat Iubaris and release the Seal of Light." Good ol' matter-of-fact Raine stepped in and solved almost all my problems. Judging from the reactions of the people around me, they weren't going to keep me under guard or anything, meaning they trusted me.
The characters from Tales of Symphonia trust me?
I couldn't keep back a smile.
----------
Despite the comfy blankets and such that the gang had, I was unable to fall asleep. I didn't know if it had to do with my insomnia, nervousness at being away from home, or the fact that I just can't sleep very well on the ground, but it was driving me nuts. Sitting up, I looked around at the sleeping forms of everyone else. The fire was dying, so I got up and poked it with a stick a few times, and then realized that Kratos wasn't there. Knowing full well that he wouldn't be doing any of his usual betraying activities until Colette released all the seals, I became slightly worried.
Where is he? And where is Noishe? Isn't Kratos supposed to be the night watch? It seems like he's always the night watch...
My brainwave struck me head-on as I realized the hidden meaning in my words. He's always the night watch. Of course.
"Kratos is an angel, fool." I muttered softly to myself, looking about the campsite. "He can't sleep." Or could he? I'd never really asked.
Well, there might be no better time than now to find out...
Sneaking off from the campsite, I went a few feet before my rational side kicked in and noted that I had no idea where the heck Kratos was.
Well, I reasoned, he can't be far because he has to watch the camp. Sooo...what could Kratos be doing that he has to leave camp in the first place?
Frustrated, I picked up a small rock and bounced it in my hand a couple times before throwing it over a small hill. I was rewarded with the sound of an "ow" and a whine.
Yay, Kratos!
I scrambled over the hill and was met by two rows of teeth and a sword tip pressed to my throat. That was very pleasant.
"Icomeinpeacepleasedon'tkillme," I whimpered, leaning back against the hill in an attempt to escape the pointy tip of the sword. "I didn't mean to hit you with the rock..."
Kratos' steely gaze bore a hole through my intestines for a moment, before the angry light faded from his eyes and he withdrew his sword. "I can see that. I am sorry for frightening you."
"Oh, that's alright...it was totally my fault, I shouldn't have snuck up on you..."
"Indeed." Kratos muttered, even though I knew he'd heard me coming. Angel hearing is very acute.
Noishe came over to me and whined, shoving his moist nose right into my face and snuffling me. "Noishe! Stop it! That tickles." I giggled, pushing away the silver-and-green protozoan with one hand whilst wiping his snot off my face with the other. Dismayed at his rejection, Noishe padded over to Kratos and licked his hand, seeking solace. Kratos absently patted him on the head and sat down on the ground, staring up at the sky.
I watched them for a moment before also turning my head to look up at the inky black sky, and gasped. Watching stars in Sylvarant is very different from Earth- for one, the sky is much clearer, and the stars are also much brighter. Amazed at the brilliant display in the heavens, I flopped back against the hill and let my eyes rove around the sky for a bit, searching for constellations that I knew. However, I couldn't seem to find anything that looked familiar...
"What are you, exactly?"
"...say wha?" I blinked to clear my eyes of stars and looked over at Kratos, who hadn't moved from his spot a few feet away. However, his hand was on his sword, and he appeared tense. "What do you mean, 'What am I?'"
"...You have very strange mana." Kratos muttered, giving me a sideways glance. "It seems human, but there is also a peculiar tinge to it that is neither human nor elf, nor angel. It feels like a Summon Spirit, almost..."
"Summon Spirit?" Holy fudge. "Maybe it's the energy left over from the lightning that brought me here?"
"Mm. Perhaps. In that case, it should go away shortly." Kratos seemed to relax slightly, possibly from his determining that I was not a threat. However, harmless as I looked, I wondered if I should screw around with his brain a bit. Just a bit. Besides, I had to tell him that I knew he was an angel and all that, or he might kill me if he found out and thought I might tell the others.
And I wanted to live to see the Tower of Salvation, at least...
"Say, Kratos." A grunt. "Which Summon Spirit did I remind you of? Volt?" Kratos nearly fell over.
"How do you know about Volt?"
Damn, I was staring at the end of a sword again. Slowly raising my hands, I nearly laid flat on my back on the ground to escape the pointyness that was Kratos' sword. "Ah, well, that's a long story, continuing off the one I told at the campfire..."
"So continue." Eek, pointy sword getting closer...
"Ah well, remember when I said this was a game in my world?" A nod. "Well, here's the rub: I've already beaten this game twice, so...I know pretty much everything."
"Everything? You mean about me?" Kratos looked surprised, and the tip of his sword retreated about an inch. I took that opportunity to sit up, but was forced to lay flat again when it came back.
Guess this means I can't get up until I spill all, then...
"You, Lloyd, Raine, Colette, everybody." I said, carefully trying to divert the sword tip from my face. "I know you're an angel that works for Cruxis and you're 4,000+ years old and that...Lloyd's your son." I whispered that part. I wasn't sure if Colette had reached the really-good-hearing-no-sleeping part of her transformation. "And I know the truth about Martel."
"Do you, now? A shame." Kratos' gaze hardened even further, I could see that clearly even in the darkness. "And just when I thought this journey could be done so much sooner..." His sword drew back, and it was then I knew he was going to kill me.
"Kratos, don't. I'll yell for Lloyd, I swear I will."
"Go ahead. He sleeps like a log."
Dammit. I don't want to die!
As his sword came down, I did the only thing I could do at the moment- I rolled. Flipping over onto my side, the slice that was meant for my neck grazed my shoulder, ripping my favorite jacket in the process. I choked back a cry as I felt the blood trickle down my shoulder, but scrambled to my feet and ran. However, I only went a few feet before Kratos blocked my way.
"Kratos, stop! We don't have to do this." I panted, hyperventilating. "I promise I won't tell anyone! Really!" Kratos brought his sword up in a rather calculating manner.
"And how do I know that you're telling the truth?"
"Think, Kratos! What do I have to gain from all this anyway? I don't even like Colette! I could care less if she dies!" Wow, the nonsense that spewed from my mouth made no sense whatsoever, but if it prolonged my life I would be more than happy to keep rambling. "Besides, the world needs to be regenerated!"
...that...was lame. He is SO going to kill me now... Martel, I hope you have room in heaven for me...
Kratos froze for a moment, as if considering my words. It was in that moment that my life was spared, all thanks to Noishe.
Snarling, the silver-green protozoan bounded in front of me and snapped at Kratos, who was completely taken aback by this unusual turn of events. Knowing how the two felt about one another, I slumped to the ground and started muttering my thanks to every god and Summon Spirit I knew.
"Noishe..what are you doing? Move!" Noishe flicked his ears at Kratos' commands, but he didn't move and started whining instead. The Seraphim looked baffled. "Why are you acting like this? He doesn't usually warm up to strangers so fast..."
"He's a smart dog." I muttered, reaching up to grip Noishe's silky fur and using it to pull myself to my feet, before grabbing my injured arm with a curse.
Gee, NOW I remember it's bleeding. What to do...can't really wake Raine up at a time like this...
"Let me see it." There was a clinking sound as Kratos sheathed his sword, and stepped forward somewhat hesitantly. Naturally, inspired by the miniature Hell I'd just gone through, I hid behind Noishe and glared at Kratos over the top of his back.
"Leave me alone. You just tried to kill me, remember?" I growled. "What makes you think I'm going to believe you'll help me?"
To my surprise, Kratos just stared, and then started to laugh. It was more like a chuckle, really, but for him that was a big thing. I nearly fainted. Damn this fangirl heart of mine.
"What's so funny?"
"...Nothing. You just remind me of someone." Kratos replied, returning to his former withdrawn self. "Now let me see that wound." I looked at him, then at my arm, and then at Noishe. If my guess is good, then it's Anna he's remembering...
"This better not result in my immediate dismemberment." I muttered to myself, before coming out from Noishe and allowing Kratos to see the sword wound he'd inflicted upon me. It only took a moment for him to do his stuff- First Aid is very useful and quick to respond- and then all that was left was a thin scar upon my arm.
"That should do it." Kratos sighed, then turned and went back to his previous spot, where he had been stargazing before all the fighting had taken place. I shook my head at his behavior, and then frowned at my jacket, which now had a very large rip in the sleeve. Come to think of it, the shirt underneath was damaged too.
"Dammit." I hissed. That had been my favorite jacket, an old Christmas present I'd had for years. Looking back, one could wonder at the purpose of wearing a heavy fleece in summer, but my basement reached temperatures rivaling Alaska in winter, hence the reason I'd been wearing it when I got zapped into the game. And now, it was toast...thanks to Kratos.
I looked over at him with thoughts of throwing tomatoes at him, and got a shock when I realized that he was also watching me out of the corner of his eye. Even so, it still took me a moment to determine that he really was watching me, and not just randomly staring off into space.
So, he still doesn't trust me, eh? I shook my head at the stupidity of it all. Getting up, I turned and climbed up the hill to go back to the campsite, pausing a moment at the top.
"Kratos...while I may know a lot of things, I still don't know everything." I said, my back to him as I started down the hill into the camp for some sleep.
Kratos didn't look, but he heard, and he massaged his temples as he sighed, and Noishe whined.