-&- ((Edit, 15.11.04: I like the two following disclaimers. They're staying))

Ame: Once again, I do not (sadly enough) own a brain!

Alex: ... disclaimer, Ame...

Ame: Oh yeah o.o I don't own golden sun n-n;; but I DO own some pretty cheesy jokes... Knock knock!

Alex: ...

Ame: Come on! Say who's there! Knock knock!

Alex: ...

Ame: Knock knock!...

-&-

Well I'd hope that since we're here anyway
that we could end up saying
Things we've always needed to say
so we could end up staying.
Now the story's played out like this
Just like a paperback novel.
Let's rewrite an ending that fits
Instead of a Hollywood horror.

The next day Mia was feeling a lot better. Megan and Justin had let her sleep in and she was now off on a call.

So many people in the town despised the flu season. But she... she found it contorting. No nasty travelers for Alex to defeat and no free time to even think of Alex. There she went again.

In her dreams maybe.

It was late in the day, a few hours past supper, when she was summoned to an old couple's house.

She was just about to leave when she ran into some travelers who had followed her inside. Neither of the owners could protect her if they turned out to be sickos and they had her out numbered and mostly outsized.

"Wh-who are you?!" She panicked, trying to keep it hidden.

Just then, the room lit up with a brilliant blue light.

"Wh- the light house!" She felt like someone had just punched her in the gut. "Alex!" He's back! He's finally back! She almost smiled. But where did he go? Why would he enter the lighthouse?! She ran off, across the wintry country.

Standing on the base of the lighthouse, she looked around wildly for any sign of her brother. "What's going on... who moved this statue here... Alex... di-"She stood helpless, not even noticing the small group of three run up behind her until they moved the statue out of the way. "How- did you do that?" she asked.

One of the boys nodded. This boy just so happened to be Isaac. With him traveled Both Garet and Ivan.

"Thank you, now I must be going! Only Alex and I may enter the light house, and SOMEBODY is here!" She continued in, followed by the small party of uninvited guests. But she didn't mind. She enjoyed being followed again, these boys even protected her when she was attacked.

"They're so similar..." She whispered after a battle and continued to run. The next obstacle shook her. A statue sat in the path and the floor had been broken. "Alex... Alex would have never done this. He hates this lighthouse, he'd never come here. And he has too much pride in his heritage to destroy it..." She muttered as Isaac and his friends fixed the path. "Wait!" She stopped them from continuing. "You have business here too, don't you?" She couldn't stop thoughts of Alex. The small child that had followed her around, the boy who had protected her. "I'll come with you. I feel I can trust you." Anyone who acted like that warm brother she had once cherished was worth trusting.

Isaac nodded, accepting her to join them and fight beside them. Fighting with those three brought a sad smile to her face. Sure she was worried about Alex, but these three were everything he used to be. It was almost like fighting next to all three of Alex's sides. His quiet yet committed side being Isaac, the warm and loving side of Garet, and the small childish side of Ivan.

I don't know what Alex is doing... and I'm sure he doesn't either. I HAVE to see him again... we need at talk... Alex...

Meanwhile Alex anticipated the arrival of his sister as he stalled Saturos and Menardi long enough so that the two teams would meet at the top after the beacon had been lit.

And finally the moment came.

Alex made sure he was hidden behind the light and- just as he'd thought- Mia came up the stairway. Along with her came three other adepts. He fought with himself to not fling himself out and greet her. She was a traitor, and enemy. In her eyes, he was now the villain. They could never be siblings again. Nobody would ever know or have to know what they once were.

No.

That past was not his. None of that ever happened.

He continued to watch as Saturos took them on. He watched as the amateur team near fell to their knees and felt the compelling urge to jump into the beacon's pit. Mia wouldn't live, and it would be his fault.

"We've done it!" Garet cried triumphantly.

Alex jumped up and blinked in surprise as they celebrated their victory. He stepped out, wanting to share the joy with Mia-then realized what he had done. But it was too late to turn back. "I shall tell you what he means..." He acted casual.

"That voice! could it be? Alex!" Mia jumped, he could see the saddened joy in her eyes. At this time, he wished they were alone on the blanket again- learning ply. He hated this lighthouse, this is where it all fell apart- and this is where the last thing precious in his life would learn to hate him.

He wanted to cry, to scream, to let it all out- The mounting feelings that formed after all these years. That feeling of loneliness that had formed out of a love and formed into a greater love for his sister- the last person in his family. Instead he just nodded. "It's been a while, Mia."

"Alex, do you realize what you've done?"

He shook his head. "Ha! Of course... I have freed great power that has long been sealed away.

Mercury, the lighthouse of water... what a mighty force."

"Alex, you... are you mad!?"

He jumped in fear, fear of coming thus far and being judged a negative. He came here for her, and now he could feel it. He was about to become the bad guy. "No, Mia... Don't you understand"

"Huh?"

"The lighthouse granted you great power during your battle with Saturos."

"It's true... I could use my power without ever depleting it."

"Don't you see? The mercury Lighthouse supplied you with limitless psynergy."

"Psynergy? Are you telling me my powers come from psynergy?"

He stepped forward, trying to make a desperate friendly point while at the same time staying cool. "You and I are both members of Mercury Clan... Masters of Water Psynergy."

"Mia is an adept too, isn't she?" Garet looked to his leader. Isaac nodded. "Geez, Isaac, you knew all along, and you didn't tell us?"

"Tell me, Alex.. Why wasn't Saturos able to use his full power?" Ivan piped.

"Ah, yes... I shall explain it all. Saturos is aligned with Mars, the clan of fire. Fire and water are opposing elements... His full power was bound by the water psynergy of the lighthouse."

"Didn't Saturos know that?" Mia looked at Alex, partially glad for the subject change.

Alex shook his head. "of course he knew. However, he failed to appreciate the power of the lighthouse. As did I..."

"Is that why we were able to defeat Saturos?" Garet was for once unsure of his strength.

"No... there is more to it. I stood by, watching your battle from afar..."

"you were watching us?" Ivan jumped.

"Yes. I did not help Saturos, because I was certain he would win. But I was wrong... you have become great fighters in a short time." He smiled. ((AWWWW!!!))

Just then, Saturos was able to stumbled up to his knees.

"Saturos is up again!? But we beat him!" Ivan shuddered.

"Me? beaten? Never! I lost to the lighthouse, not you!"

"I was merely stalling you until Saturos regained his strength"

"You were just buying time! That's not fair, Alex!" Mia scolded.

Alex merely shrugged, heaving Saturos onto his shoulder.

"I won't let saturos escape!" Garet had a hand on his blade.

"And just what are you going to do? Will you finish him off?" Alex challenged his sister's new friend.

"I will." Garet growled.

"If that's the case, you will have to fight me, as well. I've seen you fight. you cannot hope to win. An I doubt you are the type to "finish" anyone off!"

"Of course, you are welcome to believe whatever you want." Saturos scoffed.

With that Alex swifted away unto the lower platform.

"He warped again!" Garet jumped.

"Again? He's done that before?" Mia looked to her friend, perplexed.

"Yeah, in sol sanctum..."

"That psynergy... the warp. Does that mean Mia can use it?" Ivan was half hopeful.

"No, it's impossible. Even Alex didn't have this kind of power before." Mia shook her head.

Ah, well... I can't stay the same Alex you knew forever... Well, it seems that my ride has returned while we were speaking. And so, I bid you adieu." ((SEE! HE SPEAKS FRENCH!!!))

"Isaac, Saturos still has the elemental stars!" Ivan jumped.

"that's right! we can't let them leave now!" Garet urged his leader to do something.

"Oh? And you want to take the elemental stars from Saturos?" Alex raised a brow.

"What do you think?!" Garet taunted.

"Ha! too bad! Menardi has them. you'll have to ask her!" Saturos laughed.

"That reminds me... Do you still have the Mars star?"

"Yes." Isaac stood firm.

"I appreciate your honesty." He moved unto the elevator. "I suppose you'll be willing to pursue us for the elemental stars?"

"Yes."

"I look forward to it. I shall see you soon then. Good-bye."

"I look forward to our next battle." Saturos grinned.

"YOUR parents died protecting this lighthouse, mine died because I hadn't the courage to light it." He left.

"They're gone..." Ivan whimpered.

"Shoot... We couldn't even save Jenna..." Garet fumed.

"I don't deserve to be a healer... We couldn't stop them from lighting the beacon. I've failed my clan, failed in my duty..."

"That's not true! We can still beat them, right Isaac?" Ivan couldn't bear her tears.

"yes."

"That's right, Isaac! All we have to do is stop them from lighting all the lighthouses! The beacon of mercury has been lit. but we'll stop them next time."

"that's right. We can save Jenna at the next lighthouse." Garet sighed.

Yes. We won't let Alex get away with this... Let's go after them now!" Mia growled.

"huh?" The boys jumped.

"What's the matter? We should hurry!"

"We? Mia, are you coming along with us?" Garet jumped.

She nodded.

"But the people of Imil need you, Mia." Ivan reasoned.

She shook her head. "it's ok. "The fountain shall be filled as long as light fills the lighthouse." That's an old saying. The fountain will run over with healing waters now." She shook her head. "I have mixed feelings about leaving, but Imil will be fine as long as the fountain continues to flow with the water of Hermes. We should hurry if we're going to follow them."

And so they traveled back to Imil, entering the sanctum, Mia nervously approached her students.

"...... I... how should I tell you?"

"You have something to say? what is it?" Megan perked up.

"Well, I... uh... I... I'll be joining Isaac on his quest. It's very hard for me to leave you, but it's the lighthouse."

"You said the world would be in danger if the lighthouse was lit, right?" Justin remembered.

"Is that why you're leaving? To protect the world?"

"Yes... that's right..."

"Then there's nothing we can do..."

"we won't stop you, then. After all, you are trying to protect the mercury clan."

Mia frowned, remembering the things Alex had said. "Yes, I am..."

"As members of the Mercury clan... we will protect Imil ourselves. So don't worry, ok?"

"I will try hard and learn to heal as well as you, Mia!"

Mia looked at each of them and nodded. :OK, I'll leave the village in your hands, Megan, Justin...

We can leave w/o any worries, now."

-&-

Ame: Knock KNOCK!!!

Alex: u-u

Ame: Come on, work with me! Knock knock!

Alex: ...

Ame: knock knock!!!!...