Moy. Leave it to me to have multiple projects going on. But I digress.

Welcome, welcome, welcome to my ( few ) loyal reviewers and anyone else who's reading this! I should warn you: this fanfic has been caused due to playing too much Xenosaga and my borrowing of FF8. Their future-esque concepts and plot lines have caused me to make me want to write my very own futuristic fanfic as well. Yes, you may all stop booing now.

Also, even though the genre is Action/Adventure/Drama, there are other genres added to this as well: Romance, Angst, and some sci-fi elements.

And so, like I do in so many of my other fics, I will just put the disclaimer here and now in the first chapter, and you can just refer to it whenever you start feeling that I really do own Golden Sun.

Disclaimer: Ookami MX does not own Golden Sun – that belongs to Camelot. All characters, places, names, etc. belong to that company. Nor will Ookami ever own Golden Sun. Ever. ( Or, we think he won't, anyway… )

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The "Lonely Soldier Boy". That's what his fellow students called him, anyway.

"Hey," whispered a female cadet, "I heard that the kid over there," - she pointed to Isaac – "is going to become a military gruntie once he gruaduates."

"No way!" whispered another cadet, this one a male, "Soldier Boy? Hah! Haven't you heard the rumors?"

"Which?" asked a different female.

"You know…" the only male out of the three rolled his eyes. "Isaac DeSol as regular infantry? Are you kidding me? The guy's total mercenary material! I heard that last year, he beat up the Academy bully just for five hundred!" The two girls huddled with him let out an "Ooooh…" and lifted an eye in Isaac's direction.

Isaac sighed in frustration and shut his book angrily. Ignoring the glances made by the three cadets, Isaac walked by them without even casting an eye in their direction, even though the three were highly aware that Isaac had heard the entire conversation. Isaac headed back towards the Academy's sliding glass doors and left the courtyard.

Once inside the main lobby, he sighed once more, all the more frustrated. So, that was the rumor of the month. He stuffed his book – and his hands – into his pockets and headed up to the front desk.

Isaac was a 17-year old student at the West Angaran Academy, and dressed in its uniform of navy-blue pants and a button-down navy-blue jacket with gold buttons and trims. He was of a pretty much average height for his age, measuring at about 5'10". From an outsider perspective, he didn't look too intimidating with his pale skin, slight muscular build, and lithe body frame. From another perspective – particularly a female one, Isaac could be considered quite handsome, or even sexy, with his quiet and pensive demeanor, unruly golden-blonde hair, and sapphire eyes that reflected the uncanny and ironic innocence of a military student.

But that was not the case. In fact, Isaac was considered the complete opposite of those. People fear what they do not understand – it's human nature. Many people were fearful or at least distrustful of Isaac because he was far too quiet and reserved for a student in the Academy. Rumors about him spread like wildfire.

Oh, he'd heard the rumors. Some said that he was the bastard son of the headmaster or one of the faculty members. Some said that he was a complete mercenary in every aspect of life – he'd beat up students; he'd sleep with someone; or even fail a test just for some cash. Others said he was a terrorist in disguise, and that he secretly planned to gun everyone to death at the graduation ceremony. People called him the "Lonely Soldier Boy" because of those rumors – no matter what they were about.

Isaac walked up past the front desk in the lobby, his eyes glaring daggers at the other students, and a scowl on his face. The desk's secretary – a woman by the name of Layana – looked up from her computer and called out to Isaac. "Excuse me, Isaac DeSol?"

Isaac cocked his head in her direction. "Yes?"

"Um…" the woman began, fumbling with what to say, "Your friend…Mr. Jerra, I believe it was… asked me to tell you that he reserved a time slot for sparring, and to meet him at the Colosso Delta."

Isaac blinked, and then nodded politely. "Thanks, Miss. Layana. I 'preciate it." Waving his good-bye, Isaac headed up to a near-by elevator. He pushed the "Up" button, and the elevator doors soon opened. Once inside, Isaac selected the fourth floor – the location of Colosso Delta.

The name "Lonely Soldier Boy" was really complete and total B.S., as Isaac called it once. Isaac wasn't "lonely" per se. He had friends, one of which was his fellow student and friend of 3 years: Garret Jerra.

Ding Dong!

The elevator opened up and Isaac stepped outside. Students loitering in the hallways suddenly stopped what they were doing and stared at the soon-to-be graduate. Isaac scowled and walked through the white walls, never once giving even the slightest of glance towards his fellow students.

Several minutes later, Isaac found himself at the doorway to Colosso Delta. The Colosso system was, in simplest form, a training room of sorts, named after the gladiatorial games of old. Students could practice with their weapon or weapons of choice, spar with other students, or practice some of the other forms of combat taught at the Academy. Every floor had a Colosso system in the center of each floor, and since Isaac was currently on the fourth floor, he was near Colosso Delta.

The sliding doors receded to the wall as Isaac stepped inside. Before him was a small hallway leading to the main chamber, but the purpose of this hallway was something else. Various weapons hung on racks attached to the walls – weapons that students were trained or specialized to use in.

Isaac headed over to the right side of the hall and lifted his own weapon of choice: the HI-Blade.

In an age where guns were outlawed, weapon manufacturers decided to redesign old-fashioned weapons into more "new-aged" and "technologically advanced" versions. A HI-Blade was one of these new weapons, for example. Modeled after light and medium weighted swords, the HI-Blade resembled a regular sword, except the blade itself was wider by at least two inches, and the hilt had a small turbine installed into it to produce power. Once activated, a HI-Blade's blade became electrically charged.

HI-Blade in hand, Isaac walked through the hallway and into the Colosso main chamber. Just as he had been told and expected, Garet Jerra stood in the center, a larger sword slung across his back, and a grin on his face.

Garet Jerra was another 17-year-old boy as well at the West Angaran Academy. He had easily befriended Isaac during his first year at the Academy, when the two boys were fourteen. He was very tall – about 6'5" – and many called him a giant because of his stature, his physical build, and the mass amounts of muscle that adorned his arms and chest. He had long red hair that fell past his shoulders – or, naturally anyways – but all of Garet's hair was spiked upward with obvious amounts of hair gel, defying gravity and the laws of physics. His eyes were a pleasant mixture of red and brown, and his happy-go-lucky nature was contagious to just about everyone. He, too, was dressed in the same uniform as Isaac, only he left his jacket unbuttoned, exposing a white undershirt.

"Hey there, buddy," grinned Garet, "how's life?"

Isaac smirked and raised his HI-Blade. "Same as always."

"Cool." Garet reached behind his back and unsheathed his own weapon – a broadsword. Unlike Isaac's HI-Blade, Garet's weapon was far too large and too heavy to have the same turbine system installed into its hilt, it was more or less the same type of broadsword used many years ago. "Ready?"

Isaac nodded his response. In a normal fight, Isaac would have had the upper hand with the capabilities of the HI-Blade. However, the Academy's own HI-Blades had a safety installed onto the turbine, preventing the turbine from producing power. And since he really couldn't just go and stab his friend in the ribs…

It was painfully obvious that Garet had the upper hand.

Being the brash person that he is, Garet took the initiative – his broadsword rested on one shoulder, while his sword hand clutched the handle. He ran towards Isaac and swung the massive blade down. Isaac, however, was still the faster of the two, and ran out of the way just in time.

With Garet struggling to lift his weapon back up, Isaac took the opportunity to attack his sparring partner. Dashing forward, he began striking at Garet's sides with the flat of his weapon's blade. What surprised Isaac, however, was that Garet suddenly lifted his own weapon up, spun around, and made another downward swing – this one at Isaac's head. Using his quick reflexes, Isaac brought his HI-Blade up and intercepted the attack, but it wasn't easy; Garet outmatched him both physically and in swordsmanship, and the redhead began pushing Isaac back.

A step back. Another step back. Isaac was slowly being pushed back into a corner by the strength of Garet's weapon against his own, and Garet's brute strength as well. Isaac could feel his arms starting to droop downwards because of the strain of holding the broadsword at bay.

Isaac was never one to ever quit, and for a split-second, his sapphire orbs twinkled.

The building started to shake. Although the two were dueling in the fourth level of a five-floor building, the vibration of the shaking earth was setting Garet off balance. The tremor slowly became worse. The shaking continued to grow worse and worse, until finally, Garet – not really being the most coordinated person in the world – lost his balance and fell butt-first onto the floor. His broadsword lay several feet behind him, and a scowl adorned his face.

"Isaac," he growled, "I thought we were going to fight like real men! Not be cowardly about this!"

Isaac lowered the HI-Blade back to his side. "We're going to be Adepts soon enough, Garet. May as well get over that honor code of yours – it's going to be the death of you." He walked over to his friend, and offered him a hand.

Garet stared at his friend's hand before finally he cracked a smile and allowed his friend to lift him up. "I know, I know – but I still think that using Psynergy in a warrior's duel is a cowardly thing."

Garet knew better, however. Isaac wasn't in the top of their class for nothing. While students feared the mystery and amazing skill that was Isaac DelSol, the teachers and faculty adored him for it. From Isaac's first real month as a student in the Academy three years ago, the teachers were awed by his amazing tactical instincts. Isaac could spot his opponent's weakness and mishaps within the first few seconds of a fight. Garet had lost because Isaac took note of his inability to remain coordinated while fighting with a broadsword.

Another reason why the teachers loved his skill as a student was his unnatural ability to use Psychic Energy – codenamed Psynergy – in simple, complex, or difficult tasks as well as combat without flaw. While many of his fellow students thought he was a Pure – a member of Adept who was born with the natural ability to use Psynergy – but in reality, he was just a Norm – someone who was given the chemical enhancements to use Psynergy. Garet had been given the enhancements as well.

"Ah, well," smirked Garet, "A win's a win, and a loss's a loss. C'mon, I think Jenna wanted to meet you in the library after she finished her exam today."

"You mean she isn't finished? I took that chemistry exam same time as her, and I've been done for about an hour."

"Well, that's because we're not all frickin' geniuses like you, Einstein." Garet rolled his eyes.

"Heh. Sorry."

"S'allright… anyway, she said it was important. Something about the field exam tomorrow."

Isaac nodded in understanding. The Adept Field Exam was the end-all be-all test that all aspiring Adept members had to take once they completed three years of schooling in one or more of the various Acadamies. Sure, all future Adept members were required to graduate after three years – but passing this Field Exam was mandatory and required for a license. If anyone scored below an 85, the Academy would make you repeat the Field Exam during the summer months ( Academy students spent 3 long years at the Academy year-round; however, summer was reserved for the students to "goof off" more than during the other months, but classes were still held ) and if that test was done poorly, then the student would have to stay for another year.

The two friends chose to change the subject, and placed their weapons back on the weapons rack while having a nice conversation on the Joys and Sorrows of Women Companionship. On a normal circumstance, should anyone try to spring up conversation with Isaac, Isaac would either ignore or end the conversation immediately.

With Garet it was a different case. Garet was one of the few people Isaac could safely say he trusted more than anything or anyone else in all of Weyard; he was like a brother to him.

As the two walked on through the halls, the students once again stopped what they were doing and started to whisper about Isaac behind his back. Garet immediately scowled and was about to yell at a second-year student, but Isaac shook his head – an obvious "Don't do it". They reached the elevator and boarded it. As soon as the door shut, Garet smashed the wall with his fist.

"Damn it, Isaac! You know how much it pisses me off when those idiots start spreading bull like that about you!"

Isaac kept his same impassive expression. "It's alright, Garet. Let them say what they want… it doesn't bother me anymore."

"But-"

"Really."

Garet sighed. "If you say so…" He released a weak smile, "Hey, I heard while taking my algebra final that you were some top-secret project developed by the government to serve in Adept. Heh, 'magine that…some of the stuff you hear…"

And Isaac smiled weakly along with him.

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The W.A. Academy's library was one of the most resourceful information surfaces around. The Academy headmaster, Headmaster Kraden, was a big history buff, and wanted to enlighten his students about the history of Angara and the world – because, as he said, "The world is doomed to repeat itself!"

Many students considered him a "loon", or a "quack", or various other names regarding his slightly odd policies.

But Isaac had great respect for him. Kraden was the man who volunteered to become his legal guardian 7 years ago after a terrible storm that separated Isaac from his parents on a simple trip to Vault. As Kraden told him and as Isaac remembered, Isaac was found in an alleyway – alone, helpless, and soaked to the bone. Isaac knew his parents hadn't abandoned him. He just … couldn't remember how he became separated from them in the first place. When Isaac told the police of their descriptions, Dora DeSol and Kyle DeSol were never found. They were, naturally, presumed dead.

And since Isaac was taken care of by Kraden, he had large respect for literature. In fact, his guardian had suggested he read a book about the legendary lighting of the Lighthouses – structures of yore. The book was currently situated in Isaac's pocket.

Isaac and Garet entered the library with grimaces on their faces; if they were late, and Jenna had finished her test, then they were screwed. Royally screwed.

Garet gulped. "Well, let's just blend in and look natural, o' buddy o' pal…"

"There you are!!"

Isaac and Garet slumped forwards. She had found them. "Hi, Jenna…" they said simultaneously.

"Garet, I told you to bring Isaac down here once I finished my test!" she paused, than sniffed the air. "Garet…have you been…sparring with him?" Garet grimaced – she had smelt his sweat.

"Um…maybe?" Jenna frowned at his incompetence.

Jenna Feu was another seventeen-year-old student at the Academy. She, too, had easily befriended Isaac upon her arrival 3 years ago along with Garet. She was a spirited girl full of life and energy, but very easy to tick off, and would more than likely beat you into submission if you called her "ugly". She stood at 5'9", and was as tan as Garet. She had long, volumatic red hair tinted pink, tied into a high ponytail at the top of her head. Pink lip gloss sparkled on her lips, blush could be seen on her cheeks, and her eyes were accented with eyeliner. She was dressed in the girls version of the uniform: a white blouse with a navy blue sweater, and a navy blue skirt. A gold scarf was laced around her neck.

While Isaac and Garet specialized in swords, Jenna herself specialized in staves and spears. Jenna's personal combat philosophy was that as long as she wasn't too close to the enemy, she'd be just fine.

"Garet…" she started, "I know sparring for tomorrow's exam is helpful and all, but does it have to be with Isaac? And now? You knew I wanted to talk to him!"

"That's not true!" he said defensively. "For all you know, I could've wanted him to spar with him before you wanted to talk to him!"

"Pssh. Keep making up excuses, Garet."

"It's not an excuse!"

Isaac couldn't help but shake his head. Those two were always bickering about something – let it be from political views to personal beliefs, or the most likely team to win in the Weyard Basketball League.

"Anyways," began Jenna, turning her attention towards Isaac, "you did send the registration forms for tomorrow's exam to Headmaster Kraden, right?"

Isaac nodded. "Yeah. Kind of important to forget, don't you think?"

"Don't get smart with me!" she snarled.

Isaac sighed. "Sorry. Yes, I sent the registration forms, and yes, I registered us as a team." He took a seat down at a nearby table. Although it was optional, most students took the Field Exam with their friends, called "teams", and a team of four was the limit in the exam, and in any Adept group.

Jenna let loose a sigh of relief. "Well, that's good," she looked back at Isaac, "How are you feeling?"

"Fine."

"Any sicknesses?"

"No.

"Psychological or spiritual problems?"

"No."

"Alchemy levels too high?!"

"Jenna…"

"What?"

Garet seated himself next to Isaac. "Jeez, Jenna. You always get so uptight about these tests…"

"You say that like it's a bad thing!" she countered, "It never hurts to be prepared, Jerra!" Garet cringed as she called him by his surname.

"I have to agree with Jenna on this one," said Isaac. This surprised Garet, as the pensive blond hardly ever sided with either of them in one of their arguments. "This is it, Garet. This is where we prove ourselves to all the Academy. It still doesn't hurt to be a little careful."

"Whatever."

Jenna smirked. "Ooh, I think Garet's jealous of my amazing debating skills!"

"Am not!"

"Hey, guys," said Isaac, changing the subject, "We…are going to be a team if we get our licenses… right?" As much as the rumors and the behind his back insults didn't bother him, the thought that two out of the three people he trusted the most – if not at all – leaving him after he graduated scared him senseless.

"What do you mean 'if' we pass?" snorted Garet, "Dude, we are going to pass the exam."

Isaac stared at him. "You mean it?"

"No doubts there."

"Ditto," said Jenna, "Isaac… we know how you feel about…" she chose her words carefully "…being left alone." She knelt down to his level, paying no heed to the whispers and stares from other students in the library. "We're too close to just leave each other!"

"Yeah, man," said Garet, patting his friend on the back, "We'll be a team – the most feared and respected team of Adept members that Weyard has ever seen!"

Jenna giggled. "Ooh, nice one there, Garet."

Garet beamed. "Thanks, baby. I'm here all week."

And for the first time all day, Isaac truly laughed.

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Wow. I do think that that is the most I've ever written in a single chapter. Go me.

For those of you who've played ( or ever heard of ) Xenosaga and are wondering where the influence from that is coming, just wait a few more chapters.

Just to clear something up: I think it's safe to say that I've ruled out both Flameshipping and Valeshipping in this fic because of the family-like closeness Isaac, Garet, and Jenna have, so I think it would be virtually impossible for them to start having romantic feelings about each other. As for other pairings…well, those are undecided.

I should also warn you that the language may start to get more intense later on, as will the gore and other, more teenager/adult themes. I like to keep my work as real as possible, and I don't want teenagers going "Oh golly gee! The world is going to be destroyed, but I feel like sunshine and daisies…" I just… don't like that. Anyways, I think I'm done talking about this, and I'm hoping that you're going to click the "Submit Review" button.

Go on.

You know you want to…