The New Kid

Chapter 14

Yuja: Finally! I made it to Chap. 14!

Isaac: She's trying to kill me.

Yuja: Like I'd ever kill you in one of my stories… Oh, wait, I did…

Isaac: (turning pale)

Yuja: Don't worry. Not only did I take that poem/story down, I'm not looking at killing you in this one. Besides, you're the main character!

Isaac: (cheering up slightly)

Jenna: Didn't you say that when you watched that Titanic movie? Right before the lead guy died?

Isaac: (turning pale again)

Yuja: Er…well…I uh…Let's do the disclaimer!

Ivan: Yuja doesn't own Golden Sun, or anything else that's copyrighted material.

Jenna: Hey! That's my line!

Yuja: And sorry if all the jumping around in this chapter gets confusing. I know this chapter is long, but I couldn't exactly find a good break that would keep it at a decent length. AND I HATE THESE STUPID SPACERS! Forgive me if I forgot to replace any of the missing breakers with THESE CRAZY SOLID LINES that the site has kindly supplied to replace the ones I had been using since I started. (please note extreme sarcasim)

"Let us out of here! Hello? If anyone is out there, you'd better let us out right now! Are you listening to me? Hello? Hello?"

"Jenna, would you please stop making so much noise? It's giving me a headache"

They were in a room that looked like it was meant for business meetings. There was a long table surrounded by chairs in the center. More chairs lined the two longest walls. Jenna stopped banging her fist on the door and turned back to her brother. Felix was sitting in one of the chairs with his head resting on one arm on the table. Giving the door one last angry look, as though the people behind it would see, Jenna walked over and sat in the chair next to Felix.

"Felix. Please, just let me try to heal you," whispered Mia. She was in one of the chairs against the wall behind him.

Felix hugged his stomach with one arm. "No Mia. If they want Adepts so badly, then neither you nor Jenna can risk being caught using Psynergy," he whispered back. He started coughing again, his breathing shallow. He hadn't realized until now just how injured he was from his encounter with Saturos.

Garet, who had been pacing around the room, looked from Felix to the door. After a short pause, and another bad coughing spell from Felix, Garet marched to the door and pounded it with his fist, only louder than Jenna had and almost threatening to break down the door. "Hello? If anyone is out there, we need a doctor or something in here! Hello? Open this door!"

There was a clicking noise and the handle started to turn. Garet took a few steps back, but got ready to cold-cock who ever stepped in. The door opened slowly and a man in his mid twenties with sea-green hair and sunglasses entered. He wore dark blue slacks, a teal button-up T-shirt that was tucked in, and an overcoat that went to his knees and was the same color as his pants with gold trim. Garet jumped towards the man and launched forward a fist, but the man lifted a hand and caught the punch. Stunned, Garet stopped in his tracks as the man closed the door gently behind him, still holding Garet's fist. The girls jumped to their feet.

"If you think fighting will aid you in saving your friend, you are sadly mistaken." The man gave Garet's fist a light shove, and Garet stumbled back a few steps, staring wide-eyed at him.

"Just who do you think you are?" demanded Jenna. "We want out of here right now, with Isaac! You can't keep us here!"

The man held up a hand again for silence. "I know." He glanced around as he pulled some kind of remote from his pocket. There was a faint double beep. The man nodded to himself before pressing a button. There was another beep and he looked satisfied. "The security cameras to this room are now off. Well, it is more like they are seeing prerecorded images of you in this room." He stepped further into the room.

"W-who are you?" questioned Mia. "Where is Isaac?"

"The people here call me Picard. I recommend you do the same. As for your friend, I have just come from tending to him. He was given an injection to keep him under control. However, it is taking longer than normal to wear off, no doubt due to his current lack of energy. Hopefully, he will recover quickly…for everyone's sake."

"C-can we see him?" Felix gasped, but instantly regretted it as he started coughing harder.

Picard went over to Felix, gently moving Jenna aside.

"Leave my brother alone. He's hurt enough!"

The man ignored her and kneeled on one knee beside Felix, holding a hand to Felix's sweaty forehead. "What happened." Felix started to answer, but shuttered and coughed some more. He could barely breathe now, and he was starting to look rather ill.

"That guy – Saturos – hit him in the stomach and knocked him to the ground," said Mia.

Picard removed his hand and sat in Jenna's previous seat. "Can you sit up?" Felix could just barely comprehend much beyond the pain now, but he managed to raise himself up on one elbow before Picard helped him up the rest of the way. "I am afraid I am running low on energy at the present time. However, I will try to heal him as much as I can for now."

Felix was still holding his stomach, and Picard placed a hand on Felix's. A blue glow like Mia's emitted from Picard's hand and moved to Felix. After a moment or so, the light faded and Picard pulled away, standing and moving to a chair along the wall.

"Felix?" Jenna quickly sat in her chair again. His breathing was returning to normal as he opened his eyes again, though he looked very tired.

"Jenna." He gave her a slight grin.

"Felix! You're OK!"

"Ack! Jenna! Not so tight! You're hugging me too tight!"

"Oops. Sorry."

Garet stood near Picard. Psynergy didn't surprise him much anymore. "Thanks."

"The initial injury was not so bad. No doubt the sudden movement and transportation here caused it to worsen." There were beads of sweat on Picard's forehead. "I only wish I had more of my Psynergy left, but I used almost all of it just trying to revive Isaac."

"How is Isaac? What are you going to do to him?"

"First, I wish to get this matter straight. If you think I want Isaac here, you are sadly mistaken. Isaac is a fine young man who deserves a far better life than the one he currently lives. If I could, I would release Isaac immediately. However," Picard stood, "he is not the only prisoner in this establishment." Picard raised a hand and slowly removed his glasses. Garet gasped and took a step back.

Yellow. Picard's eyes were yellow. Like a cat's. He also looked younger without the shades, like someone only a few years older than Alex. But there was something about him that made him seem far older, far wiser.

"W-what are you?"

Picard pocketed his glasses. "I am a descendent of an ancient race, and the last in the bloodline of a noble family. For hundreds of years, my family has served under the great King Hydros himself, ruler of Lemuria."

"But, I thought the legend of Lemuria was just a myth," said Mia, remembering stories she had heard as a child.

Picard nodded. "Lemuria is a well hidden civilization. Few have ever left it, and even fewer have ever made it back alive."

"But what about you?" asked Felix. "If you're telling the truth, then what are you doing here?"

"I was…ship-wreaked. As the head of King Hydros' personal army, I was given a mission of utmost importance. It required leaving Lemuria, a feat that had to be done in absolute secrecy. To completely leave the realm of Lemuria is to forfeit citizenship. Not even my own family knew of my plans. To tell them would only have placed them in danger of exile." Picard started to slowly pace around the room. "My ship was almost ready, but something went wrong. I won't go into details just now, but I was washed out to sea in my ship by a massive tidal wave. What crew I had was lost in the storm, and I lost consciousness. My memory is…clouded as to what happened next, but I was discovered by Master Iodem. He recognized me as a Lemurian and took me to his superior. We Lemurians live for long periods of time, and the man that owns this place wanted my secrets for long life. For years now, I have been forced to produce copies of the Lemurian Draught to sustain that man's life. However, my potions are growing weaker, and are gradually losing effect on him. That has made him increasingly desperate for a solution, and that is why he has now captured your friend as well. Isaac most likely possesses a powerful healing Psynergy not seen in ages, and my Master wishes to use that Psynergy to achieve his dream of immortality."

There was a pause as the teenagers absorbed this. Then Mia finally spoke. "Who is this man? We know the names of Iodem and that scientist Kraden, but we don't know the name of the man who ordered them to kidnap us."

Picard sighed and stared at the group with his golden eyes. "His name is…"

"Lord Babi."

"What is it now, Iodem? Was the boy apprehended?"

Iodem bowed in the gloominess of the room. "Yes, milord. Your plan to use Alex worked wonderfully."

Babi grinned. He was a withered old man with a beard that would touch the floor when he stood. However, he was currently under over three layers of blankets in his oversized bed. "I knew it would. I have that foolish Mercury Adept right in my grip. Isaac no doubt tried not to greatly harm Alex, a factor that added to the success of today's capture. How did our young Proxian friends fare?"

"They assisted in the capture. However it seems that they left the greater portion of the fight to Alex."

"No doubt a test of his limits. And what of Saturos and Menardi?"

"They witnessed the entire battle, milord. Saturos had a bout with one of Isaac's friends, and all present at the fight were caught."

"You caught his friends?"

"Yes, milord."

Babi considered this for a moment. "Is Isaac cooperating yet?"

"No, milord. The anesthesia has yet to wear off."

"Does he know his friends are here?"

"Doubtfully, milord."

"Very well then. Keep his friends here. If using Alex worked this well, I can hardly wait to see Isaac's reaction when we pull forward someone he actually cares for." Babi grinned before he gave a hacking cough. "And find Picard! I need more draught, and I want it stronger this time."

"Yes, milord." Iodem bowed and exited the room.

"Isaac? Isaac, can you hear me?"

Isaac slightly opened his eyes, but the fog from before was still there. "W-who…"

"Take it easy. You'll need the rest."

That voice. Isaac had never heard it speak in such a tone before, but he could still recognize it. "A-Alex?" A cold feeling flowed over Isaac and his vision cleared a little. Mercury Psynergy? He could now see someone with blue hair looming over him. "I-is that you?"

"Just hang in there, OK?" He sounded almost worried, though he was obviously trying to hide it. There were footsteps in the distance and some voices. "Gotta go." Isaac saw Alex's outline moving away. A door opened and closed, and Isaac was alone again.

"So this creep's name is Babi, huh? What, did his parents run out of name ideas?"

"Garet, Lord Babi is a powerful man and should not be taken lightly. He was once the ruler of Tolbi, and is now over 150 years old."

"150 years old!" exclaimed everyone.

"Good grief! Just what is that guy on!" said Jenna.

"My Lemurian Draught."

Jenna crossed her arms. "It was just an expression."

There was a beeping sound and Picard pulled the remote from his pocket and pressed a smaller button on the side. "Yes?"

"Picard. Get going. Iodem is coming towards you."

"Okay." Picard pressed the button again. "I have to go now. If anyone should ask, this meeting never happened." He started for the door.

"Wait. What about Isaac?" asked Mia.

"Have patience, Mia. There are more people here besides just me that want to help Isaac. And do not let anyone know that any of you have Psynergy."

"Any of us? But only Mia and Jenna have Psynergy," said Felix.

Picard's back was to them, and they couldn't see him smile to himself. "Yes. Of course." Then he left.

Within a minute of Picard's departure, footsteps could be heard outside. There was a clicking sound as the door was unlocked and opened. Four people in the full suits from before hurried in and stood near the door. Iodem stood out in the hallway with another two.

"Get them out and moved to their new holding chambers. You know the rest of the orders." Without another word, he walked away.

"Did you have a good chat?"

Picard closed the lab door behind him. "They are very close to him and each other. I fear for their safety should Lord Babi use them against Isaac."

Kraden stirred a blue fluid in a beaker. "I understand your concern, Picard, but there is not much to be done at the moment. We can't act until Isaac has recovered." There was a pause as Kraden added a powder to the beaker and the fluid turned clear. "Lord Babi has ordered another one of your draughts."

"Already?"

"This sample is almost done, but I'm almost completely out of the main ingredient. I still can't determine the genetic and chemical make up of that strange plant. The only things I can copy are the carbonic compounds, but that doesn't help me find the right proteins to make an artificial duplicate. It truly is a scientific mystery in itself."

Picard didn't say anything. None of Kraden's scientific talk ever made much sense to him, so he just studied some of the jars that lined the shelves on the lab walls.

"The procedure for handling Isaac is ready. All that remains is to restore his strength." Picard looked back to Kraden. The scientist continued. "Lord Babi has sent notices to every scientist here to prepare herbs and potions and whatnot. What worries me is that Lord Babi can be very impatient, and he may carry out the experiment before Isaac can fully recover."

"What? But that would be completely pointless! If Isaac does possess the power Lord Babi is searching for, then he must be at full health to accomplish it, especially since it is his first time!"

Kraden poured the liquid from the beaker to a flask and put a cork in the top. "I know, Picard, but like I said, there isn't much we can do."

Picard thought for a moment. "Alex. We can use Alex. He is already learning to teleport."

"No. Using Alex would not work. While I'm certain he would agree to help, seeing as how he seems to be the only one here that can't keep his end of the bargain, his abilities are simply not developed enough. He still has trouble focusing. Why, he has already been to the medical wing twice this week! No. We cannot risk his life in an attempt to save Isaac if it most likely won't work anyway. Here. Take this to Lord Babi." Kraden handed Picard the flask and went back to his other experiments. "You must be patient, my boy. We must have faith that it will all work out for the best by the end."

"Some holding chambers," grumbled Garet. "More like a prison to me."

"I swear, that was the worst understatement I've heard in my entire life," said Felix.

They were in a dark cell near one of the doors, complete with wooden boards attached to the cell walls for seats or even the convenient bed. Brick and stone surrounded them on three sides, a wall of bars made the fourth side, and wire cages shielded the lights on the ceiling. There were seven other cells on the hall before another door at the end, and they all seemed empty with doors slid open.

"How long do you think we have to stay down here?" asked Jenna.

"Who knows. I'm just worried about Isaac," said Felix.

"Guys, what ever happened to Ivan and Sheba?" said Mia.

There was a pause. Garet crossed his arms. "I hope they got away and found some help."

"I think they're alright," said Felix. "We probably would've heard something by now if they were caught."

The door at the far end of the hall opened and three people quickly entered. The sound of clanging bars could be heard. The four friends silently peeked around the corner of their cell.

"I've had just about enough of your attitude, Alex." It was Saturos, and he was holding Alex by the collar against the bars of a cell.

"I-I can't let you do this," gasped Alex, wincing as he was pressed harder against the metal. "It…It wasn't part of the deal."

"Do you think I care what the deal was? You've completed your part. If you weren't buddies with my cousin and Menardi's sister, and Babi didn't need you alive, I wouldn't hesitate to finish you off right now!"

"Leave him be, Saturos," said Menardi behind him. "He's not worth the effort."

"That may be so, but he's not worth the waste in space here either."

"We had a deal. I get you people Isaac Wood, you teach me Psynergy, and no one else gets involved! But you had to go and take all the others with him. You broke the deal so now I'm out of here."

"First off, we weren't the idiots that fought the brat where anyone could intrude. We also weren't the ones to try attacking those cronies of his. And third, where would you go if you left? We know everything about you. Isaac wasn't the only Adept Lord Babi wanted. Didn't it ever occur to you that he chose you for a reason!"

"I don't care!" In a burst of blue energy, Alex was free of Saturos' grip and running - and stumbling - for the door beside the captives' cell.

"Flare Wall!" A wall of flames erupted in Alex's path, bringing him to a dead halt.

Alex spun around to face Saturos. Rings of blue Psynergy ran up and down around him and, without thinking, he yelled, "Teleport!" For a second, nothing happened.

"You idiot!" shouted Saturos, running forward. The firewall disappeared. "You still just don't get it!"

"Wh-what's happening!" said Alex, his voice shaking. The rings seemed to shatter and shimmer in the air around him as a blue light surrounded him. A numbing coldness overwhelmed Alex, making him shiver and hug his shoulders. Saturos stopped.

"Saturos! We have to stop him-"

Saturos held out an arm to keep Menardi back. "We can't."

The light grew in intensity and surged outward. Alex couldn't be seen through the light, but everyone could hear him shouting. Then, as quickly as it started, the light vanished and Alex collapsed on the spot, still shivering from the cold and turning a pale blue as though going into hypothermia.

"Alex? Alex!" Saturos kneeled beside him and shook him. "Alex, wake up. That's an order!"

"He's freezing," said Menardi, rolling Alex over on his back.

"Stupid boy," muttered Saturos, taking off his cape and wrapping it around Alex. "You'd think by now he would know what not to do when he teleports. If he doesn't start thinking, he's going to end up killing himself." He picked up Alex. "Come on."

Menardi nodded. "Right." She ran ahead of them and held open the door beside the prisoners' cell as Saturos hurried out with Alex. They didn't even see Garet or the others. The three visitors were gone for a while before anyone found their voices.

"What…just happened?" asked Jenna, stunned.

"I think we just saw what happens when Psynergy gets out of control," answered Felix. "I wonder if it used to be like that for Isaac."

"So, Alex had a deal with Babi, huh? Sucks for him," said Garet.

"Alex. Isaac," whispered Mia.

"Mia, are you OK?" asked Jenna.

Mia shook her head. "I just…I just can't stand this. It's just not right that Isaac and Alex are being used like this. Neither of them even wanted us to get involved, but we did." She buried her face in her hands and fell back onto one of the benches. "And now both of them are hurt and stuck here."

"Don't worry, Mia," assured Jenna, moving to sit beside her. "Isaac will be OK. And Alex will be too. That's what Pi-"

"Jenna."

Jenna glared at her brother. "What?"

Felix mouthed "It never happened," and Jenna fell silent.

"What never happened?" The voice made everyone jump.

"P-Picard!"

The Lemurian was standing on the other side of the bars grinning, but in different clothes than before. The colors were the same, but he was wearing shorts, his shirt was long with gold designs, the jacket had short sleeves, and he wore a bandana with white wave patterns. His boots were also dark blue and the sunglasses were sticking slightly out of a pocket in his shorts.

"Do not worry. There are no cameras on this hall. Unfortunately, I do not have the keys to this area either."

"How long have you been here?" asked Jenna as she stood again. Garet and Felix were still standing from before.

"Long enough," said Picard sadly, looking back to where Saturos, Menardi, and Alex had entered. "I had hoped Alex would have improved at teleportation, but it seems we shall have to fix things a different way."

"What happened to him?" asked Felix. "What was with the blue light and frozen-high-school-senior-slash-bully thing?"

"Teleport is a complicated form of Psynergy. Every generation, only a select few ever realize such a power in a lifetime without the use of special artifacts. Alex is one of those few. However, he has only recently started using Teleport and is – err – struggling with it. You see, in order to teleport, the user must have visited the place he or she plans to go to. Just now, Alex did not focus on his destination. His Mercury Powers backfired and, since Mercury Adepts control water and ice, his body temperature dropped rapidly and caused an almost hypothermic effect."

"Um, Picard?"

Picard looked down at Mia, who was still sitting on a bench and staring at the floor. "What is it, Miss Mia?"

"W-was it like that for Isaac? I mean, when he couldn't control his own powers?"

Picard hesitated. "I am afraid so, and worse. Alex can control his powers, he just decides not to focus properly. When Isaac started, even if he had focused properly, his Psynergy would still have gotten out of control. While Isaac and Alex's powers are special, I have to say that Isaac possesses an even greater power. Alex's Teleport Psynergy can be found in a few people at almost any given time. Isaac, however, possesses a Psynergy level far stronger and far rarer."

"Just how strong and how rare are we talking here?" asked Garet.

"In terms of rarity, Isaac's Psynergy only appears once almost every 500 years, if even that. As for strength, well, it only appears every 500 years for a reason. No one is yet certain of the full potential, but basically, Isaac holds the power of the earth itself, from earthquakes to landslides to making plants fully grown in a matter of minutes. And you can just imagine what other natural disasters can occur as a result of such events. Tidal waves and changes in weather patterns are only two of the possibilities. "

Felix let out a long, low whistle. "That strong, huh? No wonder everyone's after him."

"Lord Babi is not after Isaac for his strength, Felix. He is after a single ability that Isaac's Psynergy only grants to Venus Adepts. However, I fear that Isaac's ability is not developed enough." Jenna opened her mouth to ask something, but Picard seemed to read her mind and added, "The power is called 'Revive' and can save any life form, even if it is on the brink of death. The stronger the Adept, the stronger the Revive. It is even said that the strongest version can revive a person that has already died within a certain time limit. Legend has it that all Venus Adepts could use some level of Revive at one point, but now Psynergy levels have weakened over time and such a power can only be found every half millennium."

No one knew what to say, so they stood in silence. Finally, Jenna managed to speak. "Um…What's with the change in outfits?" It wasn't much, but it beat the silence.

"These are the traditional Lemurian garments. It was everyday wear where I am from, but you may think of it more as my uniform in this land, or at least when I am here. It makes me stand out as a Lemurian. Lord Babi's orders, of course, especially now."

"What for?"

Picard looked away. "Lord Babi plans to force Isaac into using Revive within the next day or so. Of course, most of his lead scientists are against this. Isaac must willingly cast Revive, and he must be in near perfect health, especially when considering how this will be his first attempt. Otherwise, the outcome could be devastating."

"And Babi's willing to risk Isaac's life just so he himself can live longer, huh? Sounds like a certified coward to me," said Garet angrily.

"That may be so, but nothing can be done at this time." Something started beeping and Picard pulled a pager-like item from his belt and read the message. He suppressed a sigh in exasperation. "Excuse me. I am needed in the medical wing."

"Is that where Isaac is?" asked Mia hopefully.

Picard nodded. "Yes, but I am being called on to help Alex now. I shall try to return later." He gave a wave of his hand as a farewell and left, the four friends thanking him as he went.

Yuja: Well, that was a long one. What does everyone think? Is this length too long, too short, or just right?

Isaac: Yuja doesn't own "The Three Bears".

Yuja: What was that for?

Isaac: Better safe than sorry.

Picard: Hello.

Yuja: Picard? When did you get here?

Picard: Just now. Felix wanted me to get the Teleport Lapis for him. He's currently in a bit of a jam and Retreat isn't an option.

Yuja: Take it up with Isaac. I gave it to him.

Isaac: Do I have to?

Jenna: Isaac!

Isaac: What! He did this to himself!

Jenna: Give Picard the lapis.

Isaac: Why should I? It's mine.

Jenna: (glares at Isaac, images of flames in her eyes)

Isaac: I suppose it couldn't hurt this time.

Jenna: n.n That's more like it.

Sorceress Sakura -- Here's a question: why aren't there any REAL Isaac and co. plushies in stores yet? Thanks for another review. n-n

epobbp – Oh, don't worry. I haven't forgotten those two. (grin)

Ivan+Sheba: oO;; Cripes.

Dracobolt – Thanks. I'm still getting used to my laptop's keyboard, and I've only recently been able to activate Microsoft Word over the internet, so I finally have the spell check option again.

Fjord Cannon – Wow. My mini cliffhanger actually left someone in suspense. n.n Success! Thanks for the review.

kd7sov – (suspicious grin) I wouldn't exactly say all that work in the fight was Isaac's doing. Well, it was his Psynergy, but… More on that in future chapters.

Meneil -- :-P What do you think of Kraden now? I know Kraden can get annoying, but evil? I just couldn't imagine the guy that way.

Kraden: Did I tell you about how everything in our world is made of the four elements and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah….

Yuja: oO OK, so maybe his constant speeches are evil.

Spirit Seer – (big grin) If you think these past chapters had enough drama and action, this is just the beginning!

-.-;; And the suspense over who the lead bad guy is was completely shot many chapters ago. I knew I shouldn't have dragged it out like I did.