Lily: Ugh, I have the stomach flu. But it isn't going to stop me from writing another chapter!

Anna: Coley, you need to take a rest.

Lily: No I-…be right back -runs to the bathroom-

Stephanie: There she goes again…

Conway: She can't eat or drink anything…

Daniel: This is going to effect the story time.

Lily: -Walks back in the room- Ugh, you guys just had to give me the fricken stomach flu didn't you?

Everyone: Sorry…

Erika: I'm not!

Lily: -Sweat drop- let's get on with the story already-…be right back again -Runs off to the bathroom again-


(???)

"Is there ANY possible way we can get to them while they are still weak?" his violet colored eyes stared down at the gang who now had landed in Bhujerba.

"I was hoping too, but right now is not a good time to make any sort of appearance. HE is watching over them quite carefully, so it'll be very hard to get to them without HIM showing up suddenly." The other replied as he pulled back his bleached blonde hair into a tiny pony tail.

"Hm…well that just sucks."

"Yes, yes it does…but for now…we wait."


(Daniel's P.O.V)

The trip was long, but quite fun, actually. Conway had found a deck of cards in his pants pocket, and half us started to play poker. We even taught Vaan how to play and a couple of other games as well. Erika suggested we should have played strip poker, but many courses of no's came from my friends and I. Vaan was confused, but when explained it to him, he began to blush.

Anyway, we landed not too long ago and currently we were walking around. I was quite bored, there was nothing to do but wait for one of these guys to say something. Oh how I wish I could train right now. Man…

A grin appeared upon Balther's face as he turned to Basch. "Easy."

Then, an imperial guard, no wait, a few imperial guards ran by. It looked like they were searching for something. Oh! That's right, I think I remember now. Larsa…

"No good. He's not here." I was snapped out of my thoughts by one of the imperial guards speaking.

"Keep searching." Another one of them ordered. The others nodded their heads and rushed off in opposite directions.

"You're a dead man. Don't forget." Balthier said, once again turning to Basch, before turning to us. "And no names." He then said.

"Of course," Basch replied, before we started to walk again.

Wonderful!


(Not too much longer…)

After not walking too much further, we stopped on a small bridge for a moment.

"The Lhusu Mines are just up ahead." Balthier spoke. "Though, I do hear there's not much left there these days." He then sighed.

"You have some business in the mines as well?" A voice came up. I knew whom exactly that voice was…Larsa…who was disguising himself as a boy named Lamont. Of course, my friends knew this as well; well I do hope they do. "Then please allow me to accompany you. I have an errand to attend their." Larsa, no I mean, Lamont…for now, then said.

"What manner of errand?" Basch questioned as he walked up to Lamont.

"What errand? I might ask the same of you." Lamont countered.

No one said nothing as Balthier spoke up. "Right, come on then." Lamont looked pleased.

"What?" Vaan asked in a light whisper. It was a quick decision, Balthier made, after all.

"Excellent." Lamont said looking quite pleased.

"Do me a favor and stay where I can keep an eye on you." Balthier said…or more like he commanded Lamont. "Should be less trouble that way,"

"For both of us," Lamont nodded.

"So, what's your name?" Vaan asked Lamont a moment later.

"Oh, I…I'm Lamont." Lamont stuttered.

"Don't worry. I don't know what's in the mine, Lamont, but you're in good hands." Vaan smiled putting a comforting hand on Lamont's shoulder. Vaan then looked over to Basch, who looked quite unsure about all of this. "Right, Basch?"

Basch only sighed, in defeat I might add, and nodded. I followed my friends as we made our way to Lhusu Mines. It wasn't all that far from where we were standing.

"Lhusu Mines: One of the richest veins in Ivalice." Balthier suddenly said.

"Under imperial guard, no doubt," Basch sighed.

"Actually, no. With but a few exceptions, the imperial army is not permitted in Bhujerba." Lamont said next. Basch and Balthier blinked and glanced at each other before looking back at Lamont who smiled. "Well, shall we proceed?"

We all nodded and followed Lamont as he led us down some stairs.

When we entered there were some imperials, a judge and some other guy heading up some stairs, so we hid. They were all talking; I think I remember what they were talking about, too. After they left we came out of our hiding spots and looked to make sure they were gone.

"Halim Ondore IV, the Marquis of Bhujerba." Lamont whispered and pointed his finger at the white hair guy who seemed to hesitate as he walked up the stairs. "The Marquis served as mediator at the Negotiations of Dalmasca's surrender. It would appear that he is somewhat less neutral now." Lamont added.

Balthier crossed his arms. "They say he's been helping the resistance."

Narrowing his eyes, Lamont looked at Balthier, who only continued look after where Halim once was standing. "They say many things."

"You're certainly well informed. Who did you say you were again?" Balthier asked as he eyed Lamont.

"Uh…"

Balthier wasn't able to ask another question as Vaan stepped in. "What difference does it make? We have to find Penelo." He said as he walked passed us all.

Lamont stared at Vaan confused. "And Penelo is your-

"She's a friend. She was kidnapped and taken here." Vaan simply explained to Lamont, before he ran off into the Mines.

"C'mon, let's go before he gets himself into trouble." Nicole said.

We all nodded and jogged after Vaan.


(In Lhusu Mines)

"Oi! Lar--…Lamont!" Lamont blinked and turned around as he saw Erika and Nicole running up to him. When the two girls caught up they both grinned and extended their hands.

"I'm Nicole," Nicole started.

"And I'm Erika," Erika continued.

"Nice to meet you!" They both coursed.

"Oh…same," Lamont nodded as he shook both of their hands.

My sister and I sighed before we also decided to go introduce ourselves to Lamont.

"I'm Anna," My sister started. Lamont nodded as he remembered her name and then turned to me.

"Daniel…" I said simply in a monotone voice.

Lamont nodded again before he saw Stephanie and Conway started to walk up to us with smile on their faces.

"I'm Conway and this is Stephanie." Conway said as he jabbed his thumb at him first and then Stephanie.

"Well, it is certainly nice to meet you all." Lamont smiled.

"Nice to meet'cha too, Lamont," Anna said with a grin.

"Alright, now that introductions are done…let's go!" I felt sorry for Lamont when Erika grabbed his tiny hand and rushed off down the mines, by passing everyone.


(A little while later…)

"Almost there…" I mumbled to Conway who nodded his head.

As we came through a small passage way, we finally made it into the room that I have been waiting to get in.

Then suddenly, Nicole's, Erika's, Anna's, and Stephanie's eyes grew all sparkly as they all gazed around the room. I sweat dropped.

"It's more beautiful in real life." Erika gaped.

Lamont blinked. "Real life?" He asked turning to Nicole, hoping she could give him an answer.

Anna and Stephanie didn't hesitate as they slapped their hands on Erika's mouth.

"Nothing, she is talking nonsense." Conway said. Lamont only nodded, almost unsure of our answer, but then shrugged and turned around.

"This is what I came to see." Lamont then said. I watched as Lamont brought out the blue Manufacted Nethicite. Vaan, whose eye was caught on the Nethicite walked to Lamont and bent down to his size.

"What's that?" he asked, pointing to the Nethicite.

"It's Nethicite. Manufacted Nethicite." Lamont replied.

"Nethicite?" Vaan questioned.

"Unlike regular Magicite, Nethicite absorbs magickal energy. This is the fruit of research into the Manufacted Nethicite. All the hands of the Draklor Laboratory," Lamont explained simply to Vaan. Vaan nodded, somewhat getting what he said and somewhat not. "So this is where they're getting the Magicite…" Lamont then whispered as he examined a wall.

"Errand all attended to, then?" Balthier asked.

"Thank you. I'll repay you shortly." Lamont said, with a wave of his hand.

Balthier shook his head as he walked up to Lamont, and turned him around so that he could face Balthier. "No, you'll repay us now. We have too much on our hands to go on holding yours." Balthier said.

"What…" Lamont gasped.

"So, where did you hear this fairy tale about 'Nethicite'?" Balthier asked ignoring Lamont. "And where did you get that sample you carry? What do you know about the Draklor Laboratory?"

"I…uh…I…" Lamont stuttered.

Balthier raised a brow. "Tell me: Who are you?"

Nicole ran up to Balthier and pulled on his arm. "Balthier-…!" she started, but was cut off.

"You kept us waiting, Balthier!" the voice that had cut off Nicole, shouted.

"Ba'Gamnan…" Stephanie gasped.

"You slipped away in Nalbina. We missed you!" Ba'Gamnan laughed. "First the judge, and now this boy. The whole affair has the smell of money. I may have to wet my beak a little."

Stepping protectively in front of Nicole, Balthier crossed his arms. "Keep your snout in the trough where it belongs. This thinking ill benefits you, Ba'Gamnan." He said.

"Balthier…" Ba'Gamnan growled in anger. "Too long have I gone unpaid. I'll carve my bounty out of that boy."

Before anyone could say anything else, Vaan ran up to Ba'Gamnan with an angry look.

"Tell us where Penelo is. We're taking her back!" he shouted at Ba'Gamnan.

Ba'Gamnan blinked. "The girl? Why keep the bait when you already landed the fish? We cut her loose on the way here and then off she ran, crying like a babe!" Ba'Gamnan laughed.

As Vaan was about to shout some more, Lamont ran in front of him and threw the Nethicite, hitting Ba'Gamnan's head. Balthier shouted for us to run as Lamont grabbed back his Nethicite and made a run for it.

"After them!" Ba'Gamnan shouted not too far away from us.

Balthier made a small grunting noise as he grabbed Nicole's hand and continued to rush off through the mines. "We'll not be able to fight them all! Fight who we must, leave the rest," he said.

We all nodded as we skidded to a halt and waited for Ba'Gamnan and his gang to catch up with us. It didn't take long and soon it was, or it felt like, we were surrounded.

Nicole released herself from Balthier's grip and picked up and rock, throwing it at Ba'Gamnan first.

Ba'Gamnan growled as he turned around and faced Nicole.

"Why you little-…!" he started, but was cut off when Erika jumped in front of Nicole.

"Back off ugly!" she shouted as she threw her arms out in front of Nicole protectively.

"Take this!" Anna shouted as she brought out her staff and smacked Ba'Gamnan over the head with it.

That's when Balthier took out his gun and shot at Ba'Gamnan, Fran did the same with her arrows. Soon enough, Ba'Gamnan and his goons were down.

"Confound you!" Ba'Gamnan hissed. "I will have my pound of flesh yet, Balthier." He then threatened before running off.

"Hey…where did Lamont go?" Vaan questioned breaking the silence.

Everyone blinked as they glanced around, only to see no Lamont.

"Uh…he probably just got away already." Anna nervously chuckled.

"I hope so…" Vaan mumbled.

"Well, enough of that, let's continue on before they decide to come back." Balthier said. We all nodded, agreeing with him before we continued to walk through the rest of the mines.


(Outside of the Lhusu Mines)

After finally making it out of the mines, we all turned the corner, only to be stopped by Fran and Balthier who shushed us as they watched something going on. I blinked and looked over them, only to spot Lamont…no now Larsa and…Penelo! And well, some other people too.

"We caught her wandering out in the mines." The judge said.

"I was kidnapped-…!" Penelo exclaimed.

"Silence!" The judge interrupted her.

"If it is a crime to wander on one's own…then I too, am guilty." Larsa confessed. He then faced towards a really old guy in yellow robes. "Marquis. Can your estate accommodate another guest?"

"Why not?" The Marquis said.

"Judge Ghis, I shall heed your counsel. I shall not go anywhere without any accompany." Larsa said to the Judge. Larsa and Penelo walked away together, and we all looked at each other.

"What is Penelo doing? And what is up with that Lamont guy?" Vaan asked.

"That's no 'Lamont'." Balthier said. "Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. Fourth son to Emperor Garmis…and younger brother to Vayne Solidor,"

"What? That kid?!" Vaan asked surprised.

"Do not worry." Fran said as she took a step forward. "I believe he will treat her well."

Balthier grinned. "Nobody knows men like Fran does."

"Our purposes lead the same way: To Ondore." Basch said next. "We must find means to approach him."

"The Marquis is channeling money to organizations opposing the empire." Balthier said. "We'll start there." He grinned.

"Here we go again…" Stephanie sighed. I nodded.


Nicole: Looks like Vaan isn't too happy right now. Well, he was lied to and he STILL hasn't gotten Penelo back, but at least he knows she's safe, right? Next time on, Our Adventure with the Final Fantasy Gang!: Fantasy? Is he a wizard? Stay tuned!