Larsa was sitting alone in the garden. There was a cup of tea on the table where Larsa only took about one or two sips from. He did not sleep well lately. Vayne continued haunts his nightmares about. Larsa knew he had turned against Vayne and disobeyed him about staying away from conflicts, so he did not know what was going to happen.

Larsa was thinking. Many of his nightmares involved people her cared about, especially his friends. He was thinking maybe they could predict something, maybe not. Larsa was too tired to think a lot anyways. He stood up, and walked to the stream of water to the pond. He looked down at the water as it ran between two stones. He tried to let his brain flow as smooth and gentle as water but it didn't work. He decided to go sit down, so he walked with his eyes closed, and hit the wall, and fell back.

A while later, Larsa woke up and looked around. There was no longer a bright sunshine in the sky. Instead, it was cloudy and the grayness seemed to be upon him. He looked around. Penelo slowly came out from behind a wall. She was wearing what she wore a year ago- Her yellow and black diving suit outfit, as well as her hair in braided pigtails tied with small feathers in the end. He did not know why she came back to visit him.

Larsa didn't whether his rejection had hurt her feelings or not, but he felt like making up with her. He stood up, as she walked towards him with a mysterious look on her face.

"Look Penelo, I-" She hushed him when she put her index finger on his lips.

"I know, it's alright Larsa. I totally understand." She smiled. Larsa was opened mouth and did not know how to reply. He just stared. He shook his head.

"Would you like some tea?" He offered her. She did not answer him. He guessed she probably was not thirsty.

"Maybe we can do something else instead." He tried offering again. "Maybe I'll come back with you to Rabanastre for a day." He said without thinking. She smiled at the idea.

Larsa had one of the Judges fly them off to the imperial pilots take them to the aerodome. They were in Rabanastre, and together, they walked around, passing by the Muthru Bazaar, and other places. They ended up at the Southgate, and went out to the Giza Plains to enjoy the sunshine, except the sky was still cloudy.

"Penelo, why did you come to me?" He asked her with curiosity; "Why?" all she did was nod her head. Larsa decided to be quiet, even though he was very confused. They walked side by side until suddenly, both of them turned around, hearing a boom behind them.

From the cloudy sky, rained down a big ball of nethecite. Both startled, Larsa and Penelo turned around slowly.

"Oh mi gosh, just like the great crystal core in Giruvegan." Penelo whispered.

Larsa's eyes lit with surprise and fear. At the core, was the Occuria, including Venat. Venat had controlled people obsessed with nethecite and used them, including his brother Vayne. Occurians appear as ghostlike figures to people, but a lot scarier.

With fear, Penelo quickly grasped into Larsa's hand. Larsa squeezed it tight. At the same time, they were taking small steps back. Mist started to spill out for the giant rock, making a shape. The mist took its shape, forming two familiar figures. One was fat, and the other was a four-legged animal that formed into a wolf like creature.

"Ha! Now I'm finally back for more, with my new and improved weapons!" said a voice. Penelo immediately recognized it.

"That sounds like Gilgamesh!" She exclaimed. She was just about to run.

"Right you are! Now, I have come back for my revenge on those, who had defeated me. And now, I will start with you two!" He declared. "Ready Endiku?" His wolf dog jumped right to his side. The fat ninja in his red Genji Gear started walking towards Penelo and Larsa. Both Penelo and Larsa started receding backwards slowly.

"Penelo, on my command, let's run." Larsa whispered. Penelo gave a quick nod, and continued to grip tightly onto Larsa's hand.

Gilgamesh let out an evil laugh. "Now, lets run!" Larsa declared to Penelo startled. They let go of each other's hands and started running side-by-side. Larsa had to keep a hand on his Joyese sword on his belt, or else it would fall. Penelo just carried a small pouch on her waist, so it was a lot easier for her to run.

"You will not get away from me you fools!" Gilgamesh yelled. He was running after them, but he was weighed down by his fatness. Endiku was there to make up for his lack of agility. He was a lot closer the Penelo and Larsa.

As they were running, Larsa tried to look around for a place to hide. All he could see were leafless bushes made out of twigs with wildsnakes, Tall black rocks called dark crystals that were in open areas, and a dry wasteland. Apparently, there wasn't really a place to hide.

"Penelo," He panted as he asked her. "I think we should try to bring him down."

"What?!" She exclaimed as they were running "But were too weak!"

"Yeah, but you said you beat him before." Larsa reminded her.

"That was when there was six of us. But here is only you and me!" She pointed out.

"Stop trying! You can run, but you can't hide!" Gilgamesh called down from behind. "Fly Endiku, Fly!" The wolf started taking off in air, getting faster.

"He right! We got no chance!" said Penelo in fear. "I don't think I can run much longer." Talking and sprinting at the same time was tiring her faster.

"Then we'll just have to-" Larsa stopped when they were coming close to a small bridge. It was no very high, but high enough so people could crawl under. "Over there Penelo!" Larsa pointed. "Let's try to hedge them over there."

"Right!" She answered. She followed Larsa. Larsa crawled under the bridge first. Penelo followed up. She started crawling under the bridge, when something bit and caught her leg. "Ahhh!" She yelped. "I can't!"

"Ha! I told you fools you can't escape the wrath of Gilgamesh!" He started laughing evilly as he slowed down. Now Endiku, get her out!" The wolf dog dug his teeth into her skin, trying to drag her out.

"Grab my hand!" Larsa demanded. "Hurry!"

"You don't have to tell me twice." She replied, then lunged forward to grab onto his hand. Larsa tried to pull her in, but it was difficult for him, since he was young, and not well built, well at least not yet. Instead of his hand, he could feel Penelo tug into the fabric of his white glove. She pulled it off, but Larsa saved it on time, trying to pull the glove in his both his hands. Penelo struggled and shrieked. She started kicking. Larsa heard Endiku whimper from behind. He fell and Larsa pulled Penelo with all his might in. Her body landed on his. She was pretty heavy for him.

"Rats!" Gilgamesh cursed. "You were lucky, but you still have to face me and my weapons!"

Penelo rolled off of Larsa and groaned, holding her right leg. Larsa quickly covered Penelo. Gilgamesh tried to force himself under the bridge. He put an arm in, trying to snatch one of them. Larsa crouched in as far as he can, with Penelo in his arms. She continued to hold onto her injured leg. Larsa suddenly saw light and a hole through where Gilgamesh couldn't fit. Larsa quickly shoved himself and Penelo out through the hole with a little difficulty. He grunted.

"Argh! You fools will never get away!" Gilgamesh struggled to remove himself from the bridge, but he could not get out, for he was stuck. His legs dangled from the outside, and the top half of his body was stuck inside. The dog lay next to him with his tongue sticking out.

Larsa quickly put one of Penelo's arms around his neck (the other holding her leg), and dragged her away. Bordering the Westersand and Estersand deserts made it hotter in Giza. There was no source of water around, so Larsa sweated even more. He also needed to help clean Penelo's wounds. She heavily sweated. Larsa stopped to take a break. He carefully laid Penelo on the ground next to a dark crystal so she could lean on it.

She grunted in pain. "Penelo are you okay?" Larsa asked. "Can you walk?"

She didn't answer for a second. She was trying to rest herself. "I'll be right back okay? I try to get help." Penelo quickly nodded. He was afraid to leave Penelo by herself at the moment, but he needed assistance. He also needed to figure out why there was a giant piece of nethecite in the middle of Giza Plains. It had brought back old enemies of his friends. 'It could be an illusion,' He thought as he was strolling along the plains, 'but an illusion couldn't hurt her that much. Either way, this energy will be very dangerous, especially if it gets into the hands of trouble.'

As he walked and interpreted at the same time, He saw roofs of huts and tents. 'Huh?' He thought. 'Is that a village?' He quickly ran to it. Larsa sighed with relief. It was full of Humes and a moogle. Larsa returned to where he had left Penelo, trying to remember his way back to the village.

Penelo was where Larsa had left her. She laid her head on the side of the rock, and she held onto both her legs. She appeared to be sleeping, but Larsa walked over, and tapped her on the shoulder. She looked up and saw him.

"Penelo, I found a village where we can rest." He said.

"Right, I think it's the nomad village." She said.

"So there were villagers living here. At least they were unharmed. Well, let's go. I'll carry you." Larsa said.

"It's alright Larsa, I'll try to walk." Penelo held onto the rock, and tried to push herself to stand up. She fell over, and Larsa quickly caught her, and fell to his knees.

"Penelo! Stop trying! Your wounds are too rough! Let me accompany you!" He harshly demanded.

"Fine." She answered with a sigh.

"Give me your arm." Larsa instructed her. She gave him her arm, and he put it around his neck, and held onto it. With his other arm, he carried her by the waist. With her good leg, she walked constantly with it. With struggle, they eventually made it to the nomad village.

A nomad villager who looked like a Rabanastran lady walked up to them. "She is injured?"

"Yes, ma'am. Please help her recover." Larsa requested.

"Of course, just bring her here." Instructed the lady. Larsa followed her, seeing a stable of big cockatrices, and a bunch of children running around and playing.

"In here." Said the woman, opening a tent. Larsa took Penelo inside. "I'll be right back."

"Okay." Larsa answered. He set Penelo down carefully over a pillow, and put a blanket over her. He stood up to leave the tent.

"Larrrrsa," Penelo softly whispered. Larsa quickly spun around. "Am I too much trouble for you? Is that why you can't accept me?" She asked him.

He didn't know what to think. Penelo continued with another question.

"Do you hate me?" She asked him. Larsa eyes were just about to fall out of his head.

"Penelo," He began. He sat down and knelt next to her. "I do really like you. I just don't think we can be together. I have the empire to run, and you have to take care of orphans and Vaan-"

"NO! Not Vaan! You're the one I like!" She quickly sat up, and tears started spilling out of her eyes. "Larsa, I want to be with you." She quickly shoved her face into his and there lips met. She drew her head away, and looked at him with blank eyes. "Larrrrrssssa…" she sad mindlessly, then fainted.

Larsa didn't know what to think or do. He sat there, and looked at her. His thoughts got distracted when the lady came in with a bucket of water and cloth.

"There, I'm going to clean up her wound now." She said. Larsa nodded, then left the tent. When he got out, he walk up to the fence of the cockatrice stable and stopped. He put his gloveless hand up to his mouth. He had never thought about there relationship that way. He also never had any experience with girls. Penelo was his first.

The cloudy sky looked down on Larsa like it was about to cry. Of course, it looked like it was about to rain. He knew he should be returning home to Archades. He was emperor after all, and he shouldn't take so much time off from a big responsibility.

The lady from the tent walked up to Larsa. "Your friend has now healed." She said to him.

"Thank you very much. Let me repay you shortly." He said.

"No, that's fine. I just chose to do my best to help to help her." She said.

"Right. Thanks again. We best be off." He said.

"Have a safe journey." She said. Larsa just nodded.

He walked towards Penelo's tent, deep in thought. He saw her come out. Her leg was bandaged. She smiled at him. "How are you feeling?" Larsa greeted nervously.

"Thanks, I'm good as new." She said, acting like nothing has happened between them.

"Good, we better get back. It looks like it's about to rain anyways. He said, trying to keep a straight face.

"Right behind you." She replied. They ambled out of the village in silence.

Larsa began thinking. 'Maybe she just went crazy from the wolf bite. She probably didn't intend to do that.' He thought. 'Yeah, that makes sense. Penelo would never do something as crazy as that anyways.' Larsa noticed something suspicious, and his eyes lit.

"Something wrong Larsa? You look shocked." She questioned.

Larsa quickly answered, "Yeah, I think something's wrong." He finally noticed, and looked over to where the bridge they hid at was. "Gilgamesh and Endiku are missing!" He said in a surprised tone.

Penelo's jaw dropped. "Oh no, we better get back fast."

"Or maybe you can stay and be our little targets." Said a crooked voice behind them. They both turned around startled. Right in front of their eyes, stood the Bangaa Ba'gamman, and his two brothers, and sister. They were a group of bounty hunters that hated Balthier.

"Heehee, it's a two in one." Said Rinok. "They'll make good trophies."

"We better start running again Penelo." Larsa said. "Just hope your leg's okay."

"Way ahead of you." She replied. "Let's go!" They both started sprinting as fast as they could.

"Baah! You won't get away so easily!" Ba'Gamman exclaimed in his cracked voice. He held out his chainsaw rod. "Don't just stand there you lazy asses, get them!" His bangaa siblings started chasing after Larsa and Penelo.

Larsa was thinking as he ran. 'Where did they come from? How did Gilgamesh escape? I have to go back to that ball of nethecite….'

Larsa felt a drop of water skid on his cheek. A slight drizzle started, and got heavier fast. "Don't stop running Penelo!" He commanded, but she did stop. "Penelo!"

"They're not following us anymore." She said. She heard the pack of bangaa yelping in pain. She started running back to where they were.

"Penelo, where are you going?! Were supposed to be running away!" Larsa called, but she continued to ignore. Larsa groaned and chased after her.

When he caught up, he saw them all painfully screeching and screaming. He didn't know why.

"That's right! Bangaa are weak of water!" Penelo exclaimed. Larsa smiled.

"We have a chance now." Larsa said as he drew out his Joyese sword. Penelo took out her dagger from the pouch she wore on he waist. Since there was a pond of water that had formed nearby, Larsa decided that they would knock all the bangaa into the stream. They hit and knocked all of them into the water. Ba'gamman was left. Penelo swiped her dagger, and mauled the chainsaw rod off his grip.

Larsa smiled, he took out his piece of manufactured nethecite he had given to Penelo the previous year. It was also the same one he threw at Ba'gamman to help him escape from being dead meat. After that event, it was the first time he met Penelo.

"Help me now like you did last time." He whispered to it. It glowed on his face as bright as the night moon shined over the lands. Larsa looked at the deranged bangaa, and hurled the piece of nethecite at him. It hit him hard on the head.

"Gaaaah! Damn you brats!" He cursed. Penelo kicked him hard where it hurts the most, using her good leg. He screamed in pain, and joined the other Bangaa in the stream.

"Yeah! Take that!" She said in triumph. Larsa g ave her a hi-five.

They jumped in joy. The rained still poured on them hard, but they ignored the wetness. Larsa remembered what he had to do, and interrupted their victory dance. "Penelo, I think I better go back and look at that giant piece of nethecite. It could be danger to Ivalice."

"Right, let's go then." She replied. They both walked to the piece of nethecite. Larsa ran up to it and inspected it. It still glowed like a morning star. Mist continued to spill out of it.

Larsa suddenly had images of fear run through his head. He heard a footstep that drew his attention, and looked up. Penelo followed.

"Vaaaayyyynnnee…" Larsa said, shaking in fear, "How?"

"Aw, dear brother, have you forgotten I would be the one controlling the empire?" He asked Larsa. "And I think I will make that happen again."

"This is not possible." Larsa said. "You can't be here."

"But he is." Penelo said, feeling petrified herself.

"That's right brother, nothing's impossible for me." Vayne started walking towards the two.

Without thinking, Larsa started running. Penelo followed behind him.

"Ahh!" She screamed from behind. She had tripped over a stone. Larsa stopped and turned around. Vayne walked towards her.

"Oh no, Penelo!" Larsa exclaimed.

"Larsa, just get away! Forget about me!" She screamed at him. Larsa ignored her and stood there in fear.

'I have to do something.' He thought. 'I have to help her.'

"Little brother, your not going to help your little friend I see? I guess I'll have to finish her for you." Vayne said. He drew out a sword and stuck it upon her.

Larsa took out his Joyese, and ran towards Vayne, "Penelo!" He cried. The rain was beating down on him, but he resisted. Penelo screamed. He could have been too late...


So yea, this chappie came out really long. i guess some other future chaps will be like this 2. sry 4 all da typos :D