Lightning-Dono: Here we are, the third chapter in a matter of a couple of days. I've been in the mood for Golden Sun lately. I'll probably slowly slink out of this mood and then into it again. xD Notice the Yuugi Ou fanfics that are incomplete. I lost interest in Yuugi Ou until they introduced Alister's past and then I just loved it again. oO; Okay, enough of that.

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"Who are you?" Volatile shouted as an eye unblinkingly appeared on the rough surface of this object.

Instead of responding rudely, the object spoke very conversationally. "Is this how you address The Wise One? My, my how time has changed people. A few years ago your people would've greeted me with all due respect. Now your ignorance has clouded your vision so much you cannot even recognize me." He made a tutting sound in disapproval.

Annulus decided to speak up. "You come here and try to dictate us? Please, I beg you to go back to where you came from and think about your choices." She drew her staff, deeply hoping that she would pose a threat to this ball of rock and ice. "Or else."

The Wise One let out a derisive laugh. "'Dictating' is one way of putting it, but I wish to say it in a different way...'Advise' would be much more appropriate in this situation, as I do not wish to command you."

Volatile fingered the hilt of his sword as though deciding whether or not to leap up and knock the bloated undersized comet out of the sky. "Well, get it over with." He waved a hand in a dismissive way.

"You must not go north," he cautioned. "I do believe that they are planning something of great force to devastate your land."

"Then it'd be best if we got off this puny continent then, wouldn't it be?" Annulus sneered. "Besides, if we get up there in time, we might just-,"

The Wise One shook his head in what Volatile and Annulus thought was in disappointment. "They are developing their powers right now. By the time you arrive they will have been too strong. The Adepts in the north have learned to enhance their Psynergy to accomplish achievements of great height by merging with their element."

Volatile had a fleeting thought of Fire Adepts sitting on fires and stuff to be able to merge with their elements. "Our techniques are much more advanced than theirs are!" Volatile argued fiercely.

"True, but you both lack experience. Being frozen away for a whole half century doesn't make for good fighting skills. In order to be able to defeat them, you must train."

Annulus glared coldly at The Wise One. "So we shall. If only you'd just let us go, of course. Then we will train at once when we find a boat and get off this damn continent."

The Wise One, apparently, was not accustomed to be spoken to in such a manner. "I prohibit you from leaving until you gain experience. I do believe that there are no longer monsters in this area, so you must set off to sea and battle monsters that are wreaking havoc there."

The girl sighed impatiently. "Like I said. Would you please let us go?"

Volatile unsheathed his sword, a choice that was much too risky, but he had to do it. They would never get up north if this rock kept blocking their way. "Do you like my sword?" He questioned. The Wise One's eyes ran over the blade and he sniffed.

"A touch of poison, perhaps? Clever...Very clever. Extremely well made, also. I believe people across the sea would very much enjoy owning a blade like this." His single eye twinkled. "I suppose you are thinking of selling it?"

"No," replied Volatile, shaking his long hair over his shoulders. "I would like to make a trade. This sword for our freedom to go wherever we wish without your supervision."

Annulus's eyes widened in horror. "Are you crazy? That's the best weapon we have right now! You can't give it away!" She ran over and grabbed him by the shoulders, whispering angrily into his ear. "If we perish, it will be your fault."

"Hush," Volatile murmured to Annulus out of the corner of his mouth. "The quicker you decide, the faster we can get up north. If you accept, I will gladly hand it over to you, providing you can carry it."

The Wise One pondered upon his options for a moment. "But if you give it to me, what will you do without a decent weapon?"

"I'll find another one," Volatile answered impatiently, bouncing on his heels. "Do hurry, it's not easy to stand here like this."

Annulus decided to crack something right then. "And if we can't find anything for him to use, we shall become One with our enemies. That way, we can join forces and eventually we'll have an entire army to control. Funny how a bit of controversy can lead to something so big, right?"

Volatile elbowed her hard in the ribs, motioning her to shut her mouth before The Wise One started turning deaf ears upon their request. If he even had ears.

"I accept," The Wise One concluded. "On one condition. You must carry it to the water's edge for me. It will be much less a distance that I have to carry it." His voice sparkled with mirth, seemingly because of the joy he felt when he got to boss them around. The Adepts agreed.

Trekking across the barren, frozen desert, The Wise One pounded down on them with questions.

"What do you plan to do once you get to your destination?" He inquired, floating above them. It was hard enough for the pair to keep up, much less answer questions through their heavy breathing.

"First, we infiltrate their hideouts, destroying ever possible item that may be a threat to us." Volatile breathed in through his nose and released it out his mouth, trying to keep himself calm, despite the hammering of his heart.

The Wise One remained as conversational as ever. "Do you have any idea where their hideouts might be?"

"We'll know when we find it," Annulus gasped, not bothering to pace herself and half sprinting after the shadow that The Wise One was casting on the ground.

The reached the water's edge at last after answering countless questions that seemed to do nothing more than make them both worry.

"Time to hand over than fine blade," The Wise One said greedily, his voice dripping with the desire to just touch it. His eyes flickered wildly as Volatile unsheathed it once more. His floating seemed a bit more bouncy as he floated up and down in excitement.

Volatile sighed loudly. "Well, here you are."

He leapt up and plunged it into the avaricious slime ball's eye. Without a loud screech, The Wise One plunged into the sand where granules of it flew up and nearly blinded the two.

"Don't you start making plans yet." The Wise One wheezed in pain. "I will be back..." With one last breath, he vanished into the depths of sand.

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And if anyone wants to know how I got their names, 'Volatile' is a simile for the word 'gaseous', as Neptune is a gaseous planet. 'Annulus' is a simile for 'ring', as Saturn has rings. She carries a staff with ice because the rings around Saturn are composed of ice. Simple enough? Good. :D