An Antagonist's Tale Written by Cari Sanosuke --- Disclaimer: I do not claim to own any part of the Golden Sun universe. However. I do wish I did. But I don't. So don't accuse me. Nyah.

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Chapter One - Saturos

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"I'll be fine. I wish you would stop worrying about me all the time!"

"Famous last words." A young woman stepped into the light of a house's den. "Just be careful. You know what happened to you the last time you went to 'investigate'."

"My leg is fine now, dear." The tall, muscular body of what seemed a fairly aged man stood up. "Now if you would please get my compass, I'll be on my way."

The woman took a small leather bag out of her pocket, and then went to hand it to the man. "All this stress is getting to you. You look ten years older than you really are."

"I'm not stressed, Jasmine! Do I look stressed to you?"

"To put it simply, yes."

"Gee, thanks. I'm going now."

"Wait." Jasmine paused for a moment, then turned to look up the stairwell of her house. "Saturos! Your father is heading out again! Would you like to say goodbye?"

The young Proxian came bounding down the stairs, almost smacking right into his mother. He skidded into the next room, and right into his father's open arms. "Where are you going this time, Dad?" He asked as he was lifted up to sit on his father's shoulder.

"I'm going to the Mars lighthouse with the other members of my expedition team. If I find any golden treasures, you'll be the first to see, okay?"

Saturos smiled happily. "Okay Dad! Just make sure you get back for my birthday!"

"Ah, that's right! You're turning ten this year! That's a very important number."

"Why is that, Dad?" Saturos asked.

"Because it means that you start your psyenergy training and become a member of the Fire Clan!"

"Yeah! And next time you go adventuring, can I come with you?"

"If you become strong you'll be able to go wherever you want." He set his child down. "Now, I can't hang around here all evening, or I'll be late."

Jasmine kissed her husband goodbye, and then put Saturos to bed. She walked back downstairs, sighing. "I just pray those Fenrir don't get him."

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"Ian! Come on, you're lagging behind!"

"Wait a second, I found something." Ian was searching on the ground through a small pile of dirt. He pulled a small, circular gem from it. "Look. Aquamarine."

"That's not important. We have to make sure we get to the top of the lighthouse soon."

Ian pocketed the gem. "I'm giving it to my son for his birthday. It's in two days, remember?"

"Yeah I remember. And I also remember that there's a pack of Fenrir in the area. We need to move before-" The man stopped suddenly. He moved backwards, and against the wall. "Ian! They've already come! Get out, now!"

But Ian was also against the wall. The two-headed, slobbering dog beasts surrounded Ian and his partner, their plum colored fur gleaming in the soft light of the moon shining in through the windows. Their paws hit the stone floor softly as they circled around the two. They stopped suddenly and their eyes flashed a blood red before leaping onto the two explorers.

It was a cold, bloody, screaming night for Ian. But the Fenrir left the lighthouse happy, and full.

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Jasmine shook her son awake. "Saturos! Get up. it's your birthday."

Saturos opened his eyes, and then yawned sleepily. He dragged himself out of bed, and got dressed. "Mom, is Dad here yet?"

Jasmine shook her head. "No. I wonder what's taking him so long. He promised he'd be back by this morning."

"I guess he'll have to come during the party." The child yawned again. "What's for breakfast?"

"You can't have breakfast now. You slept in too long, and the first guest is already here. Why don't you go greet him?"

"Okay." Saturos walked downstairs and smiled. "Hey, Agatio. Wasn't your dad with my dad in the Mars lighthouse?"

Agatio looked down. "That's why I'm here so early. My mom's coming too. She needs to talk to your mom."

Saturos' expression turned to one of confusion. "Why? What happened?"

"Excuse me, Saturos." A tall, slender woman entered the house, carrying a small box. "May I ask where your mother is?"

"Oh. She's in the kitchen, ma'am." Saturos turned once again to Agatio. "Agatio! What happened?"

"My dad. Your dad." His voice cracked. "They're both. dead."

Saturos looked shocked. "You can't be serious!"

"The Fenrir got them." His eyes began to tear up. "Ripped 'em to shreds."

Jasmine came into the room. Her face wet with tears, she handed a small, light blue gem to Saturos. "This is a birthday present from your father."

Saturos began to cry as well. "Agatio. it is true."

Another child came into the room. She looked around for a moment before speaking. "What happened? Why is everybody crying?"

Saturos managed to speak again after violently trying to get his tears away. "Menardi. my. my dad's dead."

Menardi embraced Saturos after a moment. "I'm sorry. You can cry. I don't mind."

Agatio put his hand on Saturos' shoulder. After about what seemed to be twenty or thirty minutes, his mother sighed after flicking her tears away. "Let's just have cake and try to forget this for today."

Saturos got up. "Mom! Remember the tale of Sol Sanctum?"

Jasmine looked up. "Hm?"

"You know. If someone lights the four elemental lighthouses with the elemental stars, they can do whatever they want."

Jasmine nodded. "Yes, I remember now."

"Well, I'm gonna go to Vale after I get strong and light the lighthouses!"

"You're going to bring your father back to life with the power of Alchemy?"

"You bet I will! Just you wait!"

Agatio nodded. "I want to come with you. We can get rid of all the Fenrir on the earth with Alchemy."

Saturos turned to Menardi. "Will you come too?"

"I don't know. Maybe if I get stronger, I'll come."

"We'll all get stronger!"

Menardi managed to produce a weak smile, despite the situation. "Sure. I guess I'll come."

"Then it's settled!" Saturos turned to his mother. "I'm joining the Fire Clan. But we need cake first."

Jasmine looked around the room, and then chuckled to herself. "I guess the cake can distract us from Ian's death for a while. Fine then. Cake it is."

To Be Continued