Before I actually start the story, here's what I have to say about Isaac/Mia, Jenna/Garet, Ivan/Sheba pairing…
PHOOEY!
Personally, I think that's kind of stupid.
IMPORTANT: I DO NOT OWN GOLDEN SUN.
ALSO IMPORTANT: this 4story is very possibly not going to end for aLONG time. Just so you know. I'm guessing there will be about 50 chapters, give or take.
I think, Valeshipping, Imilshipping, Lighthouseshipping. (yes, it's gonna be in this story) If you want to see my proof, email me at (My email, but not my registered one. Someone used it.)
Now, here's what the story is about:
A year after the Golden Sun formed at Mt. Aleph, News comes via Piers from Lemuria…
THE CONTINENTS ARE STILL SHRINKING!
This propelled Kraden, in his old age, to continue research. He found out that, like Sol's Golden Sun, Luna had an astral symbol as well-the Silver Moon.
What's more, the Psynergy seal that was thought to be broken, giving everyone a fake sense of peace…
SILVER MOONChapter 1: Here We Go Again
"Isaac!"
"What, Kraden?" Isaac called, annoyed.
"It's Piers…he's here! Or, at least, his ship is."
"WHAT? But old Concus…Confu…whatshisname wont let him in again!"
"I know, Isaac, calm down."
Isaac sighed. "All right, let's go see what's brought him here, before the girls start asking how old he is again."
Kraden hid a smile. Ever since returning, he always referred to Jenna as "the girls," along with Sheba and Mia. Perhaps he thought he could hide his affection, as if everyone didn't already know.
Kraden didn't understand why he didn't just come out and propose, and get it over with, but that was Isaac. Too shy with women for his own good.
They hurried toward the form of the flying ship heading toward the new Vale. Kraden and Isaac waved him down, and Piers got out and greeted them.
"How's it go-?" He asked.
"Well, but why are you out of Lemuria?" Interrupted Isaac.
He sighed. "To the point, as always, Isaac." He gave a short grin, but it was soon replaced by a look of worry.
"Remember how when Felix, myself, Sheba, Kraden, and Jenna were at Lemuria? How we confronted the Senate with the shrinking continents?" They nodded. "Well, guess what? The continents are still shrinking!"
"But we lighted all the lighthouses! The Golden Sun formed! Alex was there to see it!"
Piers nodded. "But, the continents are still shrinking."
Kraden said, "Then my research has not been all for naught."
The group, now joined my Felix, Jenna and Garet, looked at Kraden in unison.
Kraden raised his hands in the air. "Peace, friends. I did not know that this was happening. But I believe I know why.
"Remember when we visited Sol Sanctum, Isaac, Jenna, Garet?" When they nodded, he continued. "Unfortunately, we were interrupted by Saturos and Menardi, and, you and Alex, of course," Kraden said to Felix and now Alex, who had joined the town of Vale, for "his own reasons."
"If we had had more time, we may have found a route to another Sanctum."
Everyone exchanged glances and turned back to Kraden.
"Remember the statues of Sol and Luna, Isaac?"
"Yes, Kraden."
"And remember how Luna was actually Sol?"
Jenna spoke up. "Yes."
"In my rush to investigate further, I forgot to check what appeared to be Sol in the beginning. If I had, I now suspect I would have found that the entire sanctum was switched around. I suspect I would have found a way into Luna Sanctum."
"So what does that have to do with the crisis now?" Piers inquired.
"The Sol lighthouses hold the answer. You remember how an Adept of the respective element was required in order to access the beacon?"
All nodded, silently.
"I believe that that wasn't necessary. For example, did any of you try to access a lighthouse without that particular adept?"
Everyone shook their head.
Alex spoke. "But each lighthouse's traps required Psynergy of that element."
Kraden agreed. "Indeed, Alex. But, I think other methods might have worked as well. If we tried. For example, I revisited Mercury back in time with a powerful, one-use Psynergy, but used the Mercury Star instead of Ply. And the door did open!"
Everyone nodded.
Kraden nodded. "The lighthouses of Sol only required the respective Star. Now, I believe that they have almost nothing to do with the elements. Only that the elements draw power from the lighthouses."
Shocked silence filled the room.
"We should have looked deeper. Here's what I think: The formation of the Golden Sun was to strengthen the elements after the seal was broken. The Golden Sun does not actually break the seal."
Nobody spoke. Then Piers gulped and said, "So what should we have done?"
"Good question." Kraden answered. "What we saw as the results of the Golden Sun was merely the flaring of the Elemental powers. This causes a slight unbalance, thus doing several things, saving Prox and empowering Alex, for one."
At the mention of what he himself called "old follies," Alex reddened very vaguely.
"But, it was not enough to allow the Elements to completely break free of the seals. I think we should have taken the four Elemental Comets from the inner Luna Sanctum, instead of the Elemental stars. We should have sought out the Elemental Temples, and placed each upon its altar, breaking each seal separately."
"But, do not lose heart! There is still time. If we can find the Comets and illuminate the altars before the power of the lighthouses completely wear out, Weyard may still have strength enough to rise back from its hibernation."
"And, to end on a happy note, because there is no great energy surge, there is no, or very little danger of Weyard getting blown to pieces, unlike last time."
At the end of this absurdly long speech, Kraden looked exhausted.
Isaac spoke, softly. "How long do we have?"
Kraden looked saddened. "I wish you hadn't asked that question, Isaac. You have approximately…six months. And…we must find the Luna Sanctum, plumb its depths, and get the Comets. If we hurry, that should only take a week or so. However, finding the temples will be much harder than finding the lighthouses.
"I propose we split up. At this point, I'm only certain on the location of one temple-Tundra. It is beyond the southern mountains, across from Tundaria Tower. Since we know where it is, we should send two Water Adepts. Piers, you have access to the libraries of Lemuria, so I suggest you go back and try to find the other Temples. Alex, you and Mia, since you were guardians of the Mercury Lighthouse, I suggest you go to the Temple. Is that all right?"
All three nodded. Alex laid a hand on Mia's shoulder, and rested the other on Piers's.
"As for the others, Terra (earth), Pyre (fire), and Gale (wind), I know nothing of them besides their names. I suggest we all pair up with someone of a different Element. Let's see…Isaac and Jenna, Felix and Sheba, as well as Garet and Ivan. That sound all right?"
Everyone nodded. Looks of determination filled the eyes of each one.
The pairings moved to stand by each other.
Piers was thankful that he had been spared. He didn't much like fighting, though he understood it was necessary. As he mentally checked the pairs, he saw how well they worked together.
Isaac was brave, loyal, cool-headed and a good companion, while Jenna was a hot-tempered, headstrong, and an emotional girl. Isaac would keep her temper in check, while she would urge him on when her was faltering.
Felix was a silent, decisive Adept, while Sheba was a risk taker. Together, nothing could stand in their way, as long as Sheba barged ahead and Felix made important decisions.
Garet was strongly built, and could endure many hits. Ivan was slight, but his Psynergy was as deadly as his blade. While Garet protected Ivan, bolts would shred enemies to pieces. A good pair, to be sure.
Alex and Mia were used to working together. When the ambitions that inhabited Alex was gone, his old self returned, with all of his old noble aspirations. Alex's prowess and Mia caring heart made them an almost unstoppable pair.
Piers was jerked back to reality when Kraden spoke. "Get some rest today, guys. Tomorrow, we dig up Sol Sanctum.
Isaac, Felix, Garet, Alex, Jenna, Ivan, and Sheba gathered at what used to be Mt. Aleph.
Isaac was staring incredulously at the mountainside. "We're going to dig through that?"
Kraden shrugged. "If you can find another way, do it."
Isaac nodded, and whacked the mountainside with the Sol Blade until the Psynergy within summoned Megiddo. Nobody was sure how it worked, but enchanted weapons seemed to summon after a number of hits.
After the mountainside was cracked enough, he used Burst on it several times until a good-sized cavern appeared.
"And now, we search for the missing fragments of Sol Sanctum?" Jenna guessed.
"Right!" Isaac said cheerfully.
Felix laughed. "I like your thinking, Isaac. So gentle, so subtle."
"Isn't it?" Isaac replied in mock agreement.
Felix clubbed him lightly head, grinning.
Everyone streamed into the cavern. It didn't take long to discover a wall that belonged to the Sanctum.
Like they did before, except this time doing it the other way around, they discovered that it didn't work the way they thought it would.
It was longer, much, much longer.
Garet kept up a steady stream of complaints, including "we already did this" and "why the hell are we walking aimlessly." Alex tried to shut him up by freezing his mouth, but Garet burned that off, scorching his face in the process.
Everyone's nerves were fraying at the thought of going off again after a long journey after such a grueling one had just ended.
After several days of traps, interrupted every so often by bouts of cursing by various members of the party, they finally found the chamber that held the Comets. They were not surprised to see the Wise One there, and Alex flinched at the sight of him.
Do not worry, young Mercury Adept. I simply attacked your half-possessed mind to teach you a lesson.
"Yes," Alex managed, very shakily. Mia laid a hand on his shoulder, reassuring him. He looked very grateful.
Hm. It seems that you survived the depths of Mt. Aleph after all. I was not expecting to see you so soon.He turned his attention to the rest of them. You are very late in coming. I thought you had the comets already, when you came to the sanctuary of Sol Sanctum. Not until after you left did I realize my mistake. But by then, I was busy reinforcing these walls for the disasters to come.
Now, you must take the Comets. Hurry, and all of you go this time. I sense a new enemy awaits you. They will be here. Very soon. Split into the groups you have formed. Hurry. I sense their footsteps within the walls. They know the puzzle already, hurry!
Kraden acted. He joined Ivan and Garet, (because Ivan had Hover) and they split into groups.
Kraden tossed each of them a transporter disk. "When you find a Temple, send a note via this and we'll send you the appropriate comet.
A quick farewell, and they leapt onto the platforms.