Well, this is my first true piece of written work I've ever done so bare with me as I go. I promise I won't do too bad, just give me a chance...I plan to have this story go on for a while.

Disclaimer : This is a story based in the world of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, I did not make it nor do I have any claim to it. All the characters used in this writing are OCs, or Original Characters, made by me in my own pool of thoughts and inspirations. Some of the places used in this story are from the game, while some are of my own original thoughts as well. This is set in a time before the actually game of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles, in a town long forgotten in the past. Feel free to flame me, and/or comment to help me improve myself. For that is what the world comes down to, improving one's self. The Main Theme Song for this story is 'Moments' by Ayumi Hamasaki.

Year 1 - Iris Caravan

The sun rose as it did ever other day for the quiet town. Silently the shadows danced across the ground as the sun rose higher and higher, slowly the cobblestone street filled with people, ranging from simply getting out and moving about, to buying and selling goods from the Vendors.

In the center of this town there stood a true monument of beauty, the Crystal of this town. Soft lights danced across it's surface as the light from the sun reflected onto it and bounced off in all directions, making a full array of colors, truly taking one's breath away. Delicately, It danced back and forth in It's river of light, the beacon of hope and happiness for all the town, for everyone depended on this crystal to save them from the deadly Miasma.

"Beautiful morning, as usual!" Rang out a slightly high voice, sounding out over all the other talk of the town "I still can't believe it's almost time for the Caravan to go out to collect Myrrh again...It always seems like the Crystal's shine would never fade." Spoke the same voice with a slight tone of disappointment. This voice belonged to a young Clavat, sitting high up on a stonewall next to three other people. His clothes were nothing more than the usual clothes of a villager, a pack was strapped to the side of his belt to carry materials in. He turned his head to look at his friends, the slight breeze brushing his hair about, showing off the dark green headband just under his hairline "But...do you think the old group can still go on?" He spoke once again, looking towards his friends.

"Tch, the geezers are at the end of their ropes. This is probably going to be their last ride out to collect Myrrh." Spoke a deeper, more irritating voice from next to the boy. The speaker was a young Selkie, about as old as the other boy. He wore the exact same clothes as the Clavat next to him, except slightly larger, since his proportions were much different. His hair, the usual silver that belonged to most Selkies, was tied back in a medium length ponytail that trailed over his racket "That is, if they even decide to go out. Their probably just going to abandon us all to die." He spoke with a smirk, looking upwards into the blue sky at the passing clouds, his eyes a brilliant emerald.

"Yep. Wouldn't be surprised at al-" With a loud smack he was cut off in mid sentence, tumbling from the wall onto the floor in a sprawled position, kicking up a cloud of dirt when he collided with the earth "Serves you right for talking like that!" Growled the girl whom was sitting next to him at the time, whom was a Selkie just like him. In her hand was her racket, which, she had used to smash the poor boy over the head "Lien! How many times must I tell you to talk with respect! If not for them the village would have been long gone and you would have been DEAD you arrogant rodent!" She nearly screamed at the boy, now standing on the wall, ready to pounce down on the boy, whose name was Lien. Slowly he sat up rubbing his head, growling while throwing a side-glance at the girl. People were starring at them now, for so much noise and shouting had caught the attention of passer bys "Oh, and what are YOU looking at?! This is none of your business!" The girl shouted at them waving her racket about in a way to shoo them away, before stamping a foot on the wall "Hmph. The nerve of some people." she growled while crossing her arms in a huff.

While the loud Selkie girl shouted, the fourth and last person on the wall climbed down and kneeled next to the fallen Lien, holding his arm while gently lifting him "Lien...are you alright? You must be more careful about the things you say...think about those before us, and even those in the future...those so called 'geezers' are a blessing to this village!" Spoke the girl whom now held him up. Her voice was smooth and quiet as she spoke, but had a tone of reproach to it as well, her emerald eyes shining in the light as she looked down at him. With a touch of pity in her voice, she once again spoke "You must remember not to get on Ella's nerves." She said while letting him go once he had his balance, dusting Lien off.

Lien growled while being helped up by the girl, then pushed her away suddenly when she tried to dust him off "Iris, stay out of this. It's not my fault Ella is violent in nature." He said while tossing a glare at the female Selkie, both hands clutched into fists, whom sent the glare right back while running a hand up and down her racket "Say that again." she said while with a definite tone of arrogance. Instantly he opened his mouth to say something, more than likely rude, just to have a hand suddenly cover it to silence him.

"He's only kidding Ella! You know Lien, he wouldn't do anything to insult you! ...Right Iris? ...Right?!" Spoke the boy from before, the Clavat, holding Lien's mouth closed. He looked slightly panicked, obviously afraid of getting a clubbing for himself from the Selkie girl, Ella.

"Oh...Oh! Yes, you know him Ella, he's only kidding!" Iris spoke quickly smiling and nodding before leaning over next to the boy "Nice save there Felix!" She whispered so as not to be heard by Ella. The both of them were used to doing this kind of thing.

"MEH. He better have or el-" Now she was interrupted as a different voice from the four range out above all the other noise, catching their attention "EVERYONE GATHER AT THE CRYSTAL, A SITUATION OF UTMOST URGENCY HAS RISEN!" Shouted the voice several times before finally stopping, the murmuring of the town utterly silenced, as everyone gathered at the Crystal.

The four children simply glanced at one another, without a word, simply exchanging looks at each other, before scrambling off the wall and running down the worn cobblestone path to the brilliantly shining Crystal. Things were about to change.

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{And so, this is the first chapter of the story. Sorry if it seems sort of slow, nothing more than a character introduction and placing the settings for the main town while plotting out personalities for the main Caravanners goes on here. It isn't too long and I apologize for this, but it will pick up in the next chapter, I can promise you that. I might even get to throw in a few twists. So, until next time.}