A Golden Sun fanfic requested by BrickRoad. While it this may appear to be a Garet x Mia fanfic, things are not always what you expect. ;) Although, this story DOES support Valeshipping (Isaac x Jenna) and Lighthouseshipping (Felix x Sheba).

– Prologue: Aftermath –

Things have been really different ever since all four lighthouses were lit...For one thing, we're done with all those crazy adventures. It's a little odd trying to return to our old lives after what we've been through, but it's not like we have much choice. Sure, we have been getting a bit of a hero treatment from, well...let's face it, just about everyone, but we're not their protectors or anything. At least, not anymore. Now, you might think that after basically saving the entire world, you'd at least feel stronger than the average person. The truth is, once those lighthouses were lit, the seal on Psynergy was released, and now everyone's Psynergy is on a pretty equal level. Everyone's. Every Adept has basically peaked in power over their own element, and training Psynergy is no longer necessary. But it's far from pointless.

Now, with training, some Adepts are learning to control more than just their own element without using any Djinn. Felix and Sheba have already trained together and mastered each other's abilities, now that they're a couple. No surprise there, on both counts. The boy who disappeared from his village and returned an experienced warrior and a powerful leader; and the girl who fell from the sky and grew up to control the wind. Plus, there was that whole crazy Venus lighthouse dealie between them. Of course they'd fall for each other, and of course they'd be the first to completely figure out this crazy new power. After all this time together, it's not surprising that we'd know what to expect from each other. Just like I expected Jenna to make the first move on Isaac so they could finally start going out; just like I expected Ivan and Piers would both leave us for a while– Ivan to go learn more about himself from his sister, Piers to set sail and make good on a new promise that he'd get Lemuria to join the rest of the world again; just like I expected Mia to...well, I actually didn't see this one coming. Not by a long shot. Together, we're both breaking a lot expectations. It actually started a little while ago...

– Chapter 1: An Unexpected Journey –

"Come again?" Kraden asked me.

"I said I want to become a scholar," I repeated. The confused look on Kraden's wrinkled features were a little insulting.

"Well, Garet, my boy, one does not just become a scholar. It takes years of hard study and education–"

"I know that! And I've already got a plan for how I want to do it," I told him confidently.

"Oh, so you do! May I hear your plan?" he replied.

"Well," I was a little nervous thinking of how to explain it, "I was thinking I'd go on a new quest. For knowledge...or something like that."

"You mean you'd like to work in the field?"

"Sorta. Well, after everything I've been through with the gang, I figured I could do some real adventuring on my own to learn a little more about things. Y'know, like through experience."

"I must admit, that is an intriguing idea. Yes, I do know that I myself was quite enriched from our travels. But, tell me, Garet," he continued, "why the sudden interest? Forgive me if I seem blunt, but I never took you to be the type to have any connection to this field."

"That's kind of the thing, sir. The others have always made me out to be the dumb one. I know they're my friends and they're just messing around, but thinking about what they said got me thinking about other things a little more seriously during our quest. And, the more I thought, the more I wanted to really know–"

"My, that is quite interes–" he started.

"And the more I knew, the more I wanted to learn and understand things! But now that we've settled down, I haven't gotten much chance to do some hands-on learning. I really wanna do this."

"I can see you really have a passion for this," Kraden concluded.

"I do," I confirmed, "I don't think anything can stop me from this right now."

"Oh, now don't get too hasty," Kraden chuckled, "I've seen a young man's heart get stolen away by the simplest things. Though, I must ask, if you feel nothing can stop you, why have you come to me? Surely you don't need my permission or even my approval? I'm not in charge of you, you know."

"Actually," I said, "as much as I'd appreciate your approval, I was wondering if I could ask for a favor."

"And what would that be?" he interrogated.

"Could I borrow some money? I've still got my old armor and stuff, but I could use a few things for the trip," I laughed nervously.

"Oh, Garet..." he sighed. Gotta love those expectations.

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I gathered up all my stuff from my room and my special chest. As I put on my armor, I recalled the events of a few minutes ago when I told my family what I'd be doing. Of course, they'd still worry about me no matter what. I mean, all I did was fight about half of the monsters in all of Weyard and help save countless lives. But they could tell I was serious this time, so they didn't argue against it. I sheathed my sword and grabbed my bag of herbs, potions, and whatnot. I was about to exit my room, but I heard a voice from outside calling me.

"Garet!" she yelled, "You wanna come hang with us? We were thinking of playing a quick game of 'Forceball'!"

I popped my head out the window and looked down. Mia was standing under it looking up at me, and everyone else was waiting over by Isaac's place. Felix and Sheba were laughing about something–they really lightened up since we returned home–and Jenna was clinging onto the always reluctant Isaac. Jeez, you think he'd be a little more excited with the girl he's liked for as long as I can remember.

"Well, quit spacing out, whaddaya say?" Mia asked again. She always was surprisingly aggressive compared to how gentle she seems when she's healing someone.

"Uh...I'm actually packing up. Or, I just finished, I mean."

"Packing up?"

"Yeah, I'm leaving Vale for a while to go...do stuff. Nothing big, but I might be gone a while."

"What?! Leaving? I hope you know you're not going anywhere without a better explanation than 'doing stuff'!"

I came down and explained everything to her. She just sorta looked at me and nodded to show she was listening. After I finished, she told me to "hold up for a second". I stood there and watched her go back to the others and tell them everything. They all got similarly surprised faces and ran over to hear it from me while she ran over to Isaac's place, where she's been staying over. After a few "Good luck!"s and "I still can't believe...!"s, Mia returned wearing her robes and carrying a staff and a bag.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I started, "what's with all this stuff?"

"Isn't it obvious, Mr. Scholar? I'm coming with you!" she said.

My jaw dropped. The others were just as surprised.

"What? You're leaving, too?"

"Oh, now we're only gonna have half the group together."

"Jeez, we can stand losing Garet, but not you, too!"

"Hold up!" I interrupted. "Why should I let you come with me?"

"C'mon, big G," she said while patting my shoulder, "someone's gotta keep you alive. We can't let you go alone. Plus, it could be fun, even if it has to be with you!It'll be like reliving the old days!" she replied happily.

"I don't need you to survive, I'm not an idiot." I said defensively.

"Oh, really?" she said skeptically. It looked like the others were on her side.

No use fighting it. "Oh, fine, you can come along. Just don't slow me down," I added a little sorely.

"Please, you wouldn't get anywhere without me," she teased.

After some hugs and goodbyes, we walked through the village gate together, a guy embarking on an unexpected adventure and a partner he didn't expect to join him.