Here's the next chapter, enjoy.

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The soft snow felt comfortable against Rikku's shoes, but the cold air all around her just made her shiver.

I'll just have to change into some warmer clothes with a dressphere change, she thought calmly.

Moving through the snow, the blonde fighter took casual strides up to the entrance of Mt. Gagazet. The sky above was a gloomy gray, almost like Rikku's mood. But her mission came before her feelings, and it had only just begun.

Rikku kept her strides at a quick pace, making her way toward the entrance of the sacred mountain. Rikku shivered as she walked, her thief costume not giving her much warmth. But the sound of something hitting the ground behind her caused her to shiver for another reason.

Rikku spun around, and besides now facing the direction from which the cold winds were coming, found a familiar face in front of her.

"Little girl come late. Garik not pleased by irresponsibility." The massive Ronso bellowed in his deep voice. Rikku simply stared intently at him before speaking.

"Well, I made it to the checkpoint just so you know. And now I'm going to be on my way." She answered promptly, before turning away from the Ronso. But the sudden rush of air over her head told her that she wasn't going to make a clean escape.

Garik smashed back onto the ground, blocking Rikku's movement.

"Little girl must be stopped. Garik have orders to uphold."

"What?! You're not supposed to fight me, silly!" Rikku stated with a light one. But she knew that this Ronso was not persuaded easily. She would have to fight. Getting serious, Rikku pulled out her double daggers, spinning the blades around. "I must pass through here Garik. If I have to go through you then fine." Rikku's tone had become cold and serious, which was uncommon for her. But she meant what she said, and she was prepared for fight.

"Very well, Garik excepts your challenge. Prepare to be banished from these sacred grounds!!" The Ronso pulled out his seven-foot lance, spinning it in his massive hands.

"Bring it on, big man!!" Rikku yelled provocatively. Garik growled, and lunged at her.

Rikku took off into the air, leaping over the lunging Garik. Clutching her daggers, Rikku landed ands sprung off the ground at Garik from behind. But despite his size, Garik was still quick. He flipped over Rikku; bring his lance down toward her. Rikku rolled on the ground to the side as the weapon crashed down next to her.

Jumping to her feet, the blonde battler took a fighting stance, as Garik resumed his assault. The powerful Ronso fighter swung his lance in a horizontal cut, just missing a ducking Rikku. Rikku quickly brushed her blonde locks out of her face, and sprung over a forward stretch of the lance. She preformed a handspring, flipping her self over Garik and landing behind him.

But his lance suddenly shifted around, sweeping Rikku off her feet. Garik swung down at her, but she caught the tip of the lance by blocking with her daggers. The cold snow against her bare back was draining Rikku's strength. She quickly knocked the lance's tip to the side, and flipped backwards off the ground, landing on her feet away from Garik.

Rikku changed to her dressphere change stance, and watched as the energy danced around her. The sequence took affect, as her appearance changed, leaving her in her new appearance. Now she had a deep pink witch's hat, midnight blue long sleeves, dark pink skirt, and the pink and yellow stockings. A sly smile played on her face.

"If you can't take the heat," Rikku pulled out her rod and spun it around, preparing a her black magic, "then stay out of Rikku's kitchen!!" The blonde black mage screamed, as an explosion of flames ignited in front of Garik, knocking him off his feet. "I'll try to remember not to give you anything spicy." She joked. But all her teasing did was make the Ronso angrier. He jumped to his feet, preparing for his own skill.

"Let you magic-wielding abilities be tarnished!!" He shouted, before lunging at the black mage Rikku. Her black mage form was not as agile as her thief form, so she fell prey to the attack. The tip of the lance exploded against her with a dark purple mist, knocking her back.

Rikku stood up only to figure out that Garik had depleted her ability to cast magic.

"Fair enough Ronso dude, if you want the physical fight, then here it comes!"

Once again, Rikku let her appearance change in the sequence of changing dresspheres. When it finished, she was dressed as a berserker, claws flying wildly. Rikku growled wildly, and charged at the Ronso man.

Flipping into an aerial roll, Rikku came down hard. But she only smashed the ground with her fists, as Garik had quickly jumped back. Rikku howled angrily, ready to attack again.

"Stop, that is enough!" A female voice ordered from beyond the entrance to Mt. Gagazet. The woman moved briskly up to the two fighters, turning to Garik first.

"You have disobeyed me! I shall spare your imprisonment as you are still important to the plan, but be gone now!" The woman ordered angrily. Garik reluctantly nodded before taking off toward the mountains peak. The woman slowly turned to face Rikku, who had changed back to her original appearance as a thief. "As for you, I am disappointed at your tardiness."

"Sorry, I just had to break away from someone. You know, guy troubles." Rikku answered in a timid tone.

"I do not care for your silly games, Rikku. I am pleased that you have accepted your mission. I have come to you because there have been changes. Everything will be explained, Rikku. Now it is time to go."

Rikku quickly trotted after the woman who had already started up to the entrance.

I sure hope Yunie will be okay.

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A/N: So, a mystery woman, who could she be? Anyway, I hope you liked the action, and please review.