Okay, I've got down time, so I'm gonna get started on this and work myself to the bone to get it done. Let's take some time out for all my reviewers who I love so much!

Dragoon Swordsman – Yeah, Brother hates Arek. That'll be explained later. And sorry about the battles, they were rushed, but there's good reason. The Seymour fight will play in later…

Solid Shark – And I hope I can make it thicker. My plot's gonna be thick as the layer of clothes covering the floor in my room.

Glaciours – I didn't know Para Ball came from FF6. Colette from Tales Of Symphonia uses it, and that's where I took it from because that game is amazing!

icecreamlady - Thanks a bunch for the note. It's nice to know people appreciate my faith. Some people think it's stupid and it's depressing because God isn't stupid. But I'm gonna stop now or I swear I could go on for like pages.

Dragon and Sword Master – You'll have to re-send you full review because I never got it. My computer's so stupid sometimes… And sorry about killing Rikku in the other fic. She's my favorite too, so its not like I have anything against her. And I'll update all I want, thank you! Lol.

Souungo – Keep Chibi Rikku back! School sucks and I have finals do worry about now, so I'm surprised I have any time to type at all!

AND BIG THANKS TO MY REVIEWERS FOR MY OTHER STORIES!!! GLAD YOU LIKED THEM!!! But no more anonymous repeating reviews! AMC kinda bothered me by doing that. No harm done, but no more because it's ignorant. You'll make people think like 10 people reviewed it when like one did. Plus people will think I just did it myself to beef my numbers WHICH I DIDN'T!!! Okay, I'm ready to start now!

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I woke up inside. It took several minutes to remember to events of the last few hours. After my head was squarely back on my shoulders, I stepped outside of the shelter I was in and examined my surroundings.

Desert. All I saw was sand dunes, stretching all the way to the horizon. This shelter was situated between two large dunes, so the horizon really wasn't that far away, but I was reasonably sure the desert I was in extended out for a long way. I reached for my sword, then remembered it was gone. The handle was in my pack; I had put it there after the fight with Seymour. The blade was presumably still resting in the back room of the temple where it had fallen. Defenseless for the most part, I went back into the tent to await a rescue. Hopefully the others were out there somewhere.

Stepping back inside, I took a look at the surroundings. Nothing but a cot and two chests. Opening the first, I was greeted with rows of bottled water and a few sandwiches. Blizzard magic must have been working to keep them cold, or something. Examining the other chest, I saw a simple lock, but I didn't feel like waiting for a key to turn up. Grabbing the lock a tearing it off (surprising easily as well) I discovered something wrapped loosely in purple fabric and a note on top. Written out to me. Grabbing the envelope and tearing it open, I read:

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Commander Arek,

I've written this in Spiran to keep any of our people who might come across it unawares of the information contained herein. Yevonites will never find this island, so it should not be a problem. I came across your body in the middle of the desert and got you to safety. I doubt you remember, but Home should be southwest of your current location. Seek me out and we shall talk. For now your mission is to continue to protect Yuna until we can find out more about the current situation. Much remains unknown, but our network will uncover it soon enough. If possible we will have someone contact you. I hope your memory returns soon. I am anxious to hear what went wrong on your last mission. The operation should have been successful, but seeing as it certainly wasn't something must have gone wrong when you went to speak to Jyscal. Also, seeing as your sword is obviously out of action, I've managed to find something for you. Not quite the same but it will have to do. Best Regards.

The Boss

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Pocketing the note, I removed the sword from the veil around it. I strapped it to my side, then drew it to examine my new weapon. The blade itself was two and three quarters feet long, with extra distance being added for the hilt, which was another perhaps six inches. The hilt was black and studded with metal. The single edged blade swept straight forwards until the very end, where it turned upwards slightly, ending in a wicked point. The word 'Nightmare' was carved into the blade close to the handle.

Stepping back outside, I found southwest by lining up the sun properly and then set off with a few bottles of water, the note, and my new weapon. I began to wonder how Jyscal tied in with everything. I remembered he was dead; seeing his ghost and seeing that sphere helped with that, so there was now way to just ask him. I had no idea what mission or operation took place that involved Yevon. Considering Yevon was Jyscal's affiliation, chances were the mission itself was a covert one. The only way to be sure what was happening was to get to Home, find the leader, and ask who exactly "The Boss" was.

I still hadn't found the others. I really hoped they were okay. Especially Rikku. I knew she'd find her way back to Home though, and if she could find everyone else then we'd all meet up soon. I was worried for the others. They weren't used to the desert heat. If there was any doubt in my mind about being Al Bhed, it would have been gone now. I felt completely at home in the desert. Even with my jacket on I felt fine. Over the next two hours all I saw was sand dunes. Eventually, I saw smoke on the horizon. Concerned, I ran to the top of the next dune. What I saw made me scream out loud.

Home was under attack. Seeing it for the first time since my memory loss, I remembered a few things from my past. I remembered Home. I remembered playing in the desert around it as a little boy. I remembered children my age that I played with, even though I couldn't put names and faces together. I knew this was my home. And it was burning, in ruins, laid to waste by Yevon. I drew my blade and ran the whole way down the slope.

Upon arriving at the plaza outside the entrance, three Guado greeted me. My rage was overpowering; I jumped, my blade flashing bright white, and upon driving it into the ground the Energy Wave exploded outward and obliterated all three. The main door was wedged open by wreckage. As I walked inside, I felt the cross glowing. Holding Nightmare with just my left hand, I held out my right and let the magic float into it. A Guado jumped at me.

BOOM.

Tiny flecks of white lightning cracked around my hand and a new ball formed. A Bomb floated to greet me.

BOOM.

A Chimera roared from around the corner.

BOOM.

Two more Bombs flew in from a side room.

BOOM… BOOM. The first Bomb exploding had taken down the second one, sparing me the trouble.

I was now to a large circular room. Several Guado bodies already littered the floor, but three were standing around still. My energy attacks depleted, I charged in with Nightmare. I ducked the claws of the first Guado and spun, cutting his legs out from under him. I spun the rest of the way and sliced his chest open. He crumpled and I vaulted over him, placing a flying side kick into the next one. The third Guado was charging a spell. I threw the blade at him, following its flight. Nightmare split his head in two and stuck into the wall. I pulled it out and went back for the other Guado, who had just gotten up and was looking to run. Fortunately, he was going the same way I needed to go, so I followed him. I caught up fast, plunging the blade into his back, then twisting and yanking it back out. I ran on deeper into the facility.

All I thought about was that this was my home. These filth were destroying it. I knew The Boss must have trained me well; his training was a good investment. I descended a flight of stairs and ran into everyone. Two Chimeras were about to jump them from behind. I ran down the stairs, jumping and planting my foot on the rail about halfway down, and vaulting forward. My forward flight put enough power behind my swing to split the first Chimera in half. I flew past the perpendicular gangway and over the edge, reaching back at the last second to grab the ledge. Pulling myself up, I flipped and landed on my feet, then destroyed the remaining beast with a few quick swings. I spit in disgust on its fading form, then turned back to the others, all who were staring at me in shock.

"What? They were going to kill you." Rikku slipped through the group and tackle hugged me, nearly making me drop my sword in surprise, but I recovered fast and returned her embrace as best as I could.

"We were… we were…"

"We were afraid you were in here when this mess started, ya?" Wakka finished for her. "We expected the worst."

"Where's Yuna?"

"Well… we was kind of hoping you'd know, ya?" Rikku spoke up to answer Wakka. "She'll be in the…"

"Summoner's Sanctum," I finished for her. "It's in the second deepest area of the facility."

"First off, how did you know that, and second off it's the deepest part, not the second deepest, and thirdly…"

"Rikku, we'll talk later, we need to go now!"

We took off deeper into Home's underground and finally found the room Yuna would be in. We burst in only to find Dona and Issaru preparing to Send the dead Al Bhed. Looking around, I saw the bodies of dozens of Al Bhed strewn around the room.

"They died protecting us. The least we can do is give them a proper sending," Issaru explained. The youngest of his guardians, Pacce, ran up to Tidus.

"What does 'sacrificed' mean? The Al Bhed said that Summoners are being sacrificed."

We all knew it was time. There was no way to go on without telling Tidus. Rikku was the one who had to do it.

"Summoners journey to get the Final Aeon. But even if she gets it, she'll die, you know? If Yunie summons the Final Aeon, it'll kill her too!" She fell, but a caught her, and she sobbed into my side. Turning to Dona, who was standing some distance away, I asked where everyone else was.

"They've gone on ahead. There's a way out, evidently. The CyhtCduns covered the escape of Cid, us, and the other leaders, and they're holding the Guado back as we speak. Once we're done sending we're all to fall back."

"CyhtCduns?"

"Yes. It translates to SandStorm. It's the elite division of the Al Bhed Secret Service. They're highly trained fighters that defend Home and the Al Bhed interests."

Just then three members of CyhtCduns came running out of the previous room. One planted a charge at the base of the door, and blew it down as soon as the others were clear. Another man, #7 according to the uniform he wore, stepped up to me and saluted.

"Lussyhtan, cen. Ed'c tysh kuut du ryja oui pylg! Mulg yht muyt, cen," he said before tossing me a nice looking firearm. Twin clips loaded into the underside of the rifle and it appeared to be automatic and very powerful. A-56-C was labeled on the side, evidently the weapon's construction model. I turned to the others.

"I'm going to help my men hold off the Guado. We'll buy you some time to get out. We won't be long." Just then the rubble around the door began to shake. "Go! They're breaking through!" The others took off, Rikku being dragged by Auron, and Wakka asking Lulu "What did he mean by 'his men', ya?"

The rubble exploded outwards, most likely from a Bomb attack, and Guado began to pour through the opening. Having no choice, all four of us opened fire. The guns tore the Guado to pieces; most of them never made it three steps. Even so, so many were coming through that we weren't holding up. We fell back fast, running along the gangway, firing off bursts whenever possible, and diving through the door to the airship just before it took off. Standing up and adjusting my clothes, I asked #7, "How many did we lose?" He looked uncomfortable at this. "Soldier…?" I pressed him.

"Sir, all members of SandStorm who weren't on assignment were killed in action. And… no one was on assignment last time I checked. We're all that's left, sir." I looked and the three men left out of my combat unit. #7, #19, and #24 were it. I shook my head in dismay.

"Very well. Once you three have recovered, guard The Boss and Cid. Report directly to The Boss for further orders." They all saluted and left to find the med bay, or whatever there was on the airship to make up for one. More likely than not there was just someone who had minor healing powers on board and they would take the place of a real nurse. I immediately went in search of The Boss.

Being back in Home brought several things back to my memory. I knew where the Summoner's Sanctum was because the way to the CyhtCduns training facility went through the Sanctum. Few people knew about The Center, where we were trained. CyhtCduns was kept in strictest confidence. Only the highest ups knew it existed. Evidently even Rikku didn't know about it, seeing as she didn't know The Center was truly the deepest part of Home. I remembered bits and pieces of my training as well. Not enough to truly pinpoint any details about my past, but enough to make me feel satisfied for now. As I was walking towards the bridge, Rikku came tearing by with tears in her eyes. Putting other business on hold, I took off after her.

She hadn't gone far. I caught up to her on the observation level. She was leaning up against one of the windows, suppressing sobs and trying to look like nothing was wrong. I walked up without invitation and pulled her into a hug. We sat there for a few minutes while she calmed back down some.

"Everything's gone… We worked so hard to build our lives back. Dad put everything into re-uniting us. Everything's gone…"

"Hey, we're still alive. We lost a lot today, but we didn't lose everything. We can re-build, and we'll recover just like we have in the past!" She smiled at this and kissed me.

"You're the only one who really knows what to say. So explain what exactly has been going on."

I told her everything I knew up to that point, from waking in the desert to my re-discovery that I was the leader of CyhtCduns. She listened to everything, not saying a word. When I finished, she still had nothing to say. It must have been a surprise for her, but I didn't blame her reaction. Had the conditions been any less dire I would have reacted the same way.

We talked for a little while and then I excused myself as Wakka came up. Judging by her look, he had something to apologize for. I headed back down towards the bridge, this time planning on finding The Boss.

Now, remember how I said I recalled some things from my training? Being the commander of CyhtCduns meant I answered to only one person: The Boss himself. During my time in Home, his face floated back into my memory. Therefore I had no trouble finding the man on board the airship. Walking up to him, I snapped to attention and saluted. He gave a small smile and an "at ease" before stepping forward to shake my hand.

"Good to have you back in action, Arek," Rin said. "I was quite worried about my right-hand man."

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Not as long as normal, but still pretty good. I was gonna wait on giving out this plot point, but I've got plenty more goodies up my sleeve and I like letting my stories flow. Arek was smart enough to figure it out before I wanted him to, so I'll just have to work around what he does.Review for me because I worked my BUTT off to get this chapter out so fast. And with finals breathing down my neck too! Love you all! See ya's!

TRANSLATIONS

Lussyhtan, cen. Ed'c tysh kuut du ryja oui pylg! Mulg yht muyt, cen - Commander, sir. It's damn good to have you back! Lock and load, sir