Author's Note
Sorry about the long delay in updating the story, but it should be finished with about one or two more chapters. It's been difficult to decide which direction to go with this one, since there is obviously no clear answer to how it should end….

Now, if you've been waiting faithfully, I thank you! Please enjoy the eighth installment of Astray in the Desert!

Chapter 8: Don't call me imposter!

Opening the front doors to the castle, Fran walked in like she owned the place. Vaan, Penelo and Balthier followed her in, struggling to keep up with her increasingly rapid pace. She strode right up to the receptionist's desk (royal palaces gotta have order too, no?) and slammed her fist down on it.

"I demand to see Princess Ashe at this very instant." Fran didn't seem to be too excited to have finally arrived at their destination. And the receptionist didn't seem too excited to see her unexcited. And Balthier and Penelo and Vaan didn't seem too excited to see that Fran wasn't excited. This didn't bode well.

"Well, ma'am, if you have an appointment then you will surely be permitted to see the Princess, but if you don't, then I'm afraid you will have to make one and come back." The receptionist stared at Fran like she was 12 years old, and had lost her mother.

"I don't need your sympathy, old woman. Either you can allow me to see her or I will just have to allow myself."

"As I said, it is not possible for you to see the princess at this time. Now," the receptionist remarked as she opened her appointment book, "I can fit you in tomorrow at 2:15 as long as it won't take more than 45 minutes; she is a very busy woman and has—hey wait, come back here!"

Fran has long ago stopped listening, and was halfway up the humongous staircase that led to the royal chambers of the castle. Following the signs posted on the walls, Fran soon found Ashe's day chamber. Upon her arrival at the door, Fran politely knocked.

"Who is it?" The butler cracked the door. "I don't remember receiving word that the Princess is to have any visitors right now…"

Fran muscled her way into the room[accidentally giving the butler a bloody nose. She marched over to where Ashe sat in her chair and stopped, glaring at her.

"Do you realize what we have gone through to get here to see you!? And you can't even do something as simple as leave us a pass at the gate, or even in your own palace!? What is wrong with you!?"

Balthier, Vaan and Penelo shut the door quietly behind them, but not quietly enough to save them from a ferocious glare from Fran.

"Um…I…I'm sorry, Fran. I thought you were already here. After all, you did arrive a few days ago…." Ashe stopped when there was a knock at the door. Balthier opened it and in walked a hume followed by a viera and two other humes.

"Oh dear…" Penelo stared in awe at the foursome who had just entered. It was like looking in a mirror; it was the same exact group that had entered Ashe's quarters a few moments before.

They were looking at themselves…

[Do note that the group we have been following throughout this adventure is to be referred to as the 'real' group, since they are indeed real, despite Fran's actions suggesting otherwise…

After the initial surprise wore off, Fran was of course the first one to confront the imposters.

"Who…who are you!?" she approached them, closing in for the kill.

"What do you mean who are we? Who are you and what are you doing here?" the imposter Balthier exclaimed.

Fran glared. She was angry. "Do not answer my question with a question, fool. I will punish you…."

The real Balthier nodded in agreement as the fake Balthier's eyes narrowed. "You are nothing like Fran. Who are you?"

"If I may interject," Ashe stepped into the middle of the room, regarding the real Fran. "You do seem to be nothing like the Fran I grew to know. I think that maybe you are the imposter"

Fran stared blankly at Ashe, while behind Fran's back Balthier was frantically signaling to stop talking. Ashe didn't get the message.

"The Fran I knew was kind and caring, but wise and insightful as well. You just seem overly moody and rude. You are acting more like Balthier than yourself. Who are you really?"

Sighing heavily before she did so, Fran scooped up the imposter and threw her out the window. By the time she had come back for the other three, they were long gone, sprinting down the hallway towards the stairs.

"What the hell do you think you're doing!?" Ashe ran to the window in time to see the imposter Fran hit the ground with a sickening thud. She turned back to the real group. "Just who do you think you are!?"

Fran smiled maniacally and replied, "Why, we're your friends of course." Fran approached Ashe…

Screen fades to black

Just kidding…..on with the story now…..

When Fran reached Ashe, she embraced her in a tight viera hug. "We have traveled so far to see your greatest achievement…how could you not recognize us?"

"Can you blame me? You're acting very strangely…"

Fran let go of the stunned princess and stepped back, crossing her arms. "Well just how am I to prove to you that I am the real Fran?"

Ashe pondered for a moment, then came up with the answer. "You can tell me the name of Penelo's true love. Only the real Fran would know that…"

Fran smirked. "Oh, that's easy…" She looked towards Penelo, who began to blush.

"Don't bring me into this!" Penelo came forward as she shouted. "Besides, I am truly in love with V—"

"Larsa Solidor!!!!!" Fran smiled wide and shared a laugh with Ashe.

It was the first time that Fran had laughed (not as somebody's physical expense) in a very long time….