Title: Running Up That Hill
Day/Theme: July 4 - even if I lose you, I'll get you back
Series: Tales of Symphonia (AU verse - Run)
Character/Pairing: Sheena, Zelos
Rating: PG
Note: This is from another AU verse of mine, from a rather long winded fic that I'm still trying to get the writing jones for again. Involves Zelos in the Chosen Ritual.

Somewhere, sometime, Sheena was sure this would have felt like a role reversal. After all, wasn't it the girl's job to be the damsel in distress, the one who gets taken and needs a dashing hero to rescue her? (Not that Sheena believed any of that, but still.) She never would have thought - even in her wildest dreams - that she would be running full force to save Zelos.

Oh, she knew too well the reason why. Azrael had lied to them, betrayed their faith, and trapped Zelos into the Chosen ritual just like Cruxis had wanted. They had tried reasoning with him, tried begging for Zelos' fate, but the angel had just laughed at them and attacked. As to just why Sheena was darting around the battlefield, trying almost in vain to reach the Chosen on the other side was another thing.

Zelos had completed the Chosen ritual. Sheena could still see his eyes losing focus and his mind seemingly fading all too clearly, even though it was too late to stop it. He was still and as lifeless as a doll, and he just stood there as the battle raged around him - which was quite unlike the usual whiny Chosen. If he was himself, Sheena knew he'd be running around, complaining about something or other messing up his hair. But... she doubted Zelos could run at the moment anyway.

So this was why Sheena was barreling through the battle like a madwoman to get to him. Because even if heaven itself was trying to prevent her, she was not going to let that idiot suffer any longer. She may hate him, she may have despised his actions, but even he did not deserve this fate. She was going to bring him back, and help him save their world. And not for the cost of his life. She just hoped she could make it in time.

Because if he was going to be the damsel, then she would damn well be the heroine.