Disclaimer- so yeah, my first shot at writing these. Naturally I dont own anything about FFX, Tetsuya Nomura does. The only thing I do own are my original characters, and I'd sell those to him in a heartbeat for the compilation of FF7 and some Mountain Dew. Oh and no reason for the Al Bhed titles they just look cooler.

Chapter Two: Haatma eh y Ryocdylg (Needle in a Haystack)

The group walked out of the city into the glittering icicle forest of Macalania. The woods sparkling always amazed Braska. Ever since he was a child playing the forest was his favorite pastime. Then again he thought a poor boy from the slums could rarely afford much in the way of fun. Regardless Braska loved the forest and from the faces of his comrades they felt the same way.

"Joppa I want you to have a look at this," Auron said as he handed a note to the eye-patched man. The note was the only clue found on the floor of Baaj Temple, and if anyone could figure out what it said Joppa would be the one to do it.

He scoured over the note with his one eye, and paused as he finished it. "It's definitely Al Bhed, I'd stake my life on it." He finally replied.

"What? Those heathens in my temple?" Dirrel's face turned red. "This will not stand! Where are they?"

"He takes this quite personally," Braska said silently to Kinoc.

"He was the High Priest of Baaj's temple, no one is exactly why he left the position though most assume he was determined to bring glory to a town that was slowly being abandoned." Kinoc replied.

"Well, the note says something about stealing the fayth and transporting it to the Calm Lands, but I can't make out much more, the note is written rather illegibly as though in a hurry." Joppa seemed sorry he was unable to make out more and expected to be reprimanded, but Auron replied, "Well, it's not much, but it's the only lead we have so I suppose we have to take it."

"But the Calm Lands are huge we may never find it, ya?" Vedda protested.

"You have a better idea?" Auron peered down at the Besaidian coldly and he withdrew his complaint. "We set off for the Calm Lands now."

It wasn't far to the Calm Lands, Bevelle was located close by, the last outpost of humanity that Yevon knew of. It was drastically different from Bevelle, the crowded streets and towering spires of the temple replaced by wide open spaces and barren terrain. There was only one place anyone lived in the entire area. A small campground upheld by priests for summoners, Crusaders, Monks, and other travelers. Auron headed there to gather information.

"Welcome, what brings your party hear good Monk?" The attendant approached them. He had a shaven head like most monks and looked a little worse for wear. Braska guessed he had been hear for awhile.

"We search for Al Bhed, we have reason to believe they have vandalized a temple," Auron took command, "Have any passed through hear recently?"

"Why yes, I believe so, one of their party was injured and I insisted they leave him here to be treated."

"Is he still here?"

"Yes, I shall check the infirmary for him."

At that point a blonde man wearing the Al Bhed's tell tale goggles ran out of a nearby tent. He had obviously been listening the conversation and was determined not to be caught. He showed a bit of a limp, but was otherwise fine. In fact he appeared more than fine and took off with blazing speed.

"Don't just stand there after him!" Auron bellowed.

The chase lasted an hour. Though he was injured the Al Bhed man had one advantage, he knew the land. This proved to be the determining factor in the race, as traversing miles of interchangeable terrain, left Auron and company completely lost when they had finally lost sight of him.

"Yevon damn it," Kinoc sputtered, kicking a rock. "Where in Hell did he get to?"

"Perhaps a better question would be where the Hell did we get to" Auron noted coolly.

"Hmm, we do appear to be lost, everyone be on your guard he could be anywhere"

"When I find that blonde bastard I'll cut him to ribbons for stealing our sacred Fayth" Dirrel gripped a rusted knife in one hand and placed his other over his machina holster. "He'll pray he becomes a fiend after what I do to hi-"

He was cut off as a bullet whizzed past his ear.

After the sound registered with the group they heard another and far more fearsome yell from the rocky hillside nearby.

"YDDYLG!"

Note- Al Bhed will be used in the next several chapters. In most cases I'll translate it at some point. If not, you mave have to find translations on your own. If you can't read it though it probably isnt important. Ok so thats all I have on the computer, theres more in notebooks around my room but it may be awhile before I get them up.