A/N: Hehe... been a long time, huh? (Sweatdrops at the glares) I decided to take a break, so bite me. Writing for amusement does get tiring after awhile. But at least this is (technically) a double chapter, since I combined two chapters into one for this .

Luin: He should have finished this MONTHS AGO...

Sandstone: (Glares)

Luin: Right, like that REALLY affects me anymore. This baka was too busy with classwork and playing some new game to write.

Sandstone: (Sighs) Sheesh. Dunno why you hate NWN2 'Li', or FFXII so much.

Luin: Because. FFXII is... bah. And you just have too much fun playing those tabletop-derived games.

Sandstone: (Mockingly) It's harder when you have a set number of spells, instead of mana, which can be recovered with a handy liquid. Now shut up and get in the plot! (Punts Luin into the storyline)

Mushrooms and Djose:

I narrowed my eyes. "Goons at twelve o'clock."

Rikku made a face. "It's those creeps again!"

I smiled. "Care to chase 'em, and steal whatever they're after?"

Yuna grinned, racing ahead of us.

&&&&&

Yaibal stood in front of the entrance, blocking our passage. He said in an incredulous tone, "Lady Yuna? It's good to see you!"

Yuna sighed. "Hello, Yaibal."

I moved out from behind Yuna, and said mildly, "Care to move?"

Yaibal nervously looked over to a familiar face. The third chocobo knight, the one who wanted to be a breeder. What the hell was he doing here?

Yaibal said in a shaky voice, "Clasko, you explain the gauntlet." He walked away swiftly, as the unfortunate knight walked up to us. "Hello again."

I arched an eyebrow. "What are you doing here? I thought you turned to chocobo breeding!"

He coughed, then reddened. "Sorry, Sir Icewind. But Lucil asked me to help her reform the knights, and then joined the Youth League… one thing came to another, and here I am."

Paine interrupted, asking "Gauntlet?"

Clasko shrugged. "There's been a lot of fiends on the road to headquarters. We haven't been able to patrol all that well, something about a mission."

Paine nodded, then walked onto the rocky path. "Let's go, before we loose them."

I nodded, then turned to Clasko. He looked away, but I simply sighed, then turned to catch up with the girls.

&&&&&

Fatso and Slim raced down some stairs, and we crept after them, staying out of sight. They kept on looking behind them, so it was a fairly difficult job staying out of sight.

But then they reached a gateway hewn of stone, and relaxed, walking inside, talking to themselves.

I looked inside, as they spread out a bunch of spheres, putting them into one of ten holes in a rock that looked like it was sealing something. Yuna stepped forward, asking, "What are you doing?"

Ormi and Logos panicked. Ormi dove to the ground, picking up spheres, while Logos exclaimed, "We must inform the boss!"

He fired a shot into the ground, covering the area in smoke. Rikku shouted "Hey!"

When the smoke cleared, they were gone, but a sphere was glimmering on the ground. "Hey, cool."

Rikku peered at it, then smiled. "Looks like they dropped something."

Yuna smiled, and pocketed the sphere. "Finders keepers."

We turned, and another familiar sight greeted us. Maroda was standing by the exit-path. "Hey, long time no see."

I rolled my eyes. "For some of us. I talked to you less than three months ago around here."

Maroda laughed. "You and lady Rikku."

Rikku giggled (no one ever calls her 'lady Rikku' normally, it always makes her laugh), and Yuna asked, "How have you been?"

Maroda responded, "I've joined the Youth League, and it's been keeping me busy. You?"

Yuna smiled. "Oh, I'm a sphere hunter now."

Maroda smiled faintly. "Ah, that sounds great, trying out a new way of life. Actually, Pace's a sphere hunter now, too. He's the leader of the Kinderguardians. Be nice to him

if you see him."

Yuna asked, "And Isaaru?"

Maroda looked pained for an instant, then shook it off. "The Youth League discovered this place, you know. It's called the Den of Woe. It was sealed around the time of Operation Mi'ihen."

Yuna asked again, "And Isaaru?"

Maroda continued slowly, "But, uh, the seal can supposedly be broken with the right combination of spheres."

Yuna blinked, then said, "Um…"

Maroda regained his composure, and finished, "I'm afraid this place is off-limits until we can conduct a more thorough investigation. So I'll, um, have to ask you to leave. I'm sorry."

Yuna sighed, and we left the 'Den of Woe'. I said as we left, "He's dropped out of sight, Isaaru. I haven't heard of him in awhile."

Rikku sighed. "It's weird. You think they had a fight?" Paine said, "Probably," and that was the end of it.

&&&&&

We reached the elevator, and were greeted by another chocobo knight. Elma rushed up, and said, "Oh, wow! Lady Yuna! It's me, Elma! It's been so long! Wow, you've really changed."

I laughed, and she blinked. "Sir Icewind? You're traveling with her too?" She looked over at Rikku, and I could see her connecting the dots in her head.

Yuna asked, "How are you?"

Elma smiled grandly. "Never better! Now that I'm in the Youth League, I've always got something to do. Hey, you made it past all the fiends. Nice work!" She gestured to her subordinates, "Go on, step aside!"

The Youth League members did so, and Yuna smiled. "Wow, look at you!"

Elma grinned. "Not bad, huh?"

I shook my head silently, and then rubbed my eyes tiredly. "Aren't you the leader of Nooj's fan club / guardian group?" I'd heard that tidbit while traveling, from a Youth League member (I was disguised, and had red hair at that time, so he didn't know it was me).

Elma reddened. "Uhm…"

Yuna giggled as we activated the elevator, Paine smirking slightly. Rikku remained quiet, but she had a huge smile on her face.

&&&&&

We reached the headquarters. It was the site of Mi'hen. The Youth League - the initial idea of them was quite alright - that Yevon will make Spira repeat past errors. That I have no problem with – it's just the hotheads they employ that makes me dislike them.

Two kids with heavy swords (for them) raced up, and then froze. They turned to each other, then began to spar with each other.

Yuna examined them questioningly, then turned away. "That was weird."

I shrugged. "Don't look at me, for once, I DIDN'T do it."

&&&&&

We reached the 'command area', as I nicknamed it. Lucil was standing by the entrance. "It's been too long, Lady Yuna. I am Lucil, commander of the Youth League forces."

Yuna smiled, and said, "It's good to see you!" Rikku said brightly, "Hiya!"

Lucil said, "I am glad to find you well." She stared at me for a moment, then continued, "As you can see, I have joined the Youth League to aid in the fight for a new Spira. I consider it my duty. Meyvn Nooj, out leader, has been hoping for an audience with my lady for some time." I made a face, and Lucil frowned slightly, before continuing, "Unfortunately, he is planning a mission of great import and will be occupied well into the night. I am terribly sorry, but I must ask that you return another day."

I asked, "Does this mission involve the blockade at Kilika in some way?"

Lucil remained stone-faced as she shook her head. "No, what makes you think…"

I snorted. "Because the guards are blocking every non-Youth League member from the forest, even a legendary guardian who helped kick Sin's scaly ass." Lucil studied me intently. "We are merely preventing New Yevon from infiltrating the village."

"And blocking off the village-folk from visiting relatives because…"

Lucil frowned, and remained silent, her look telling me all I needed to know. I asked slowly, "Does it involve a sphere?"

Rikku asked, "The Youth League's looking for spheres too, right?"

Lucil answered Rikku, "Yes. 'Knowledge of the past is the key to the future.' So says the meyvn. It is with these words in mind that we seek the spheres of yore. The mission we are planning also revolves around a sphere, but... I am sorry. I had best say no more. It is not a matter to be discussed openly." She gave me an intent look, and I sighed heavily. "I guess."

She nodded, and remained still, guarding the doorway to the command area. Yuna turned, walking away, the three of us following. That was, until the old scholar we'd met on her pilgrimage showed up, and we stopped to talk. Then we left.

&&&&&

We reached the elevator, and I said, "You know, I've had enough walking." I pulled out Erastrani's ball, and tossed it up, revealing the Flygon. She looked around, then smiled brightly, stretching. "Fly!" After a few moments, she bent down, and I jumped expertly onto her neck, Rikku following me a moment later.

Yuna and Paine climbed on, a little more clumsily. Dragon riding is something that takes awhile to adjust to.

&&&&&

We set down outside of Mushroom Rock Road, nearby Clasko. As I climbed off Erastrani, Clasko walked up. Tiredly, he said, "I've had enough. Lady Yuna, would you allow me to ride on your airship, until I find a place to settle down?"

Yuna called from atop Erastrani (Rikku was helping her and Paine down), "The more the merrier!"

I nodded, and he said brightly, "Thank you, I'll try not to be a burden."

We saw Clasko off onto the Celsius, then moved on to Djose Temple.

&&&&&

I whistled as I saw the bridge packed with people. "Jeez." People turned, some staring.

Yuna flinched a little from the attention, but walked onward towards the temple.

Yuna whispered to us as everyone silently stared at her, "Everyone's staring."

I said tiredly, "You're famous, Yuna. Better get used to it, or turn into a hermit. And trust me sis, hermitage is no fun."

Yuna sighed. "All I want is some peace and quiet."

Rikku said to Paine and myself, "Poor thing. She's led such a sheltered life."

Paine said, "Maybe she's getting old."

Yuna frowned, and said sharply, "Who's getting old?"

A guy with an eye patch walked past us a moment after Yuna spoke. Rikku whispered to us, "That's Gippal, leader of the Machine Faction. He can be kind of annoying, but he's all right."

I sighed, but shrugged helplessly. Rikku had told me a lot about him – they were old friends, and had gone out for a bit, before the two of them realized it would never work out. From what she'd told me, they'd parted well enough, and were something akin to 'distant friends'.

Gippal turned around at the doorway, and said, "Okay, let's do some interviews. Bring it!"

Yuna giggled for a moment, "Yeah, he seems all right."

I shrugged, staring at the line. "This is going to take awhile." I pulled a pokeball, releasing Mindstrike. He looked over at the line, sighed, and took a spot. He's been acting less psychotic than usual, I'll just have to make sure he doesn't do something stupid.

We walked around for a few minutes, until Mindstrike signaled that he was next in line, and we walked up to him, just as they signaled for us to enter.

The employee studied the five of us (I hadn't returned Mindstrike yet). "If you want an interview, you'll have to go to the temple. If you get the job, you'll be paid for parts you dig up at Bikanel Desert."

I rolled my eyes. "We had to wait for this?"

The woman shrugged. "It's a way to get rid of the wimps."

I sighed, and Yuna led the way to the temple.

&&&&&

Gippal was talking to another Al Bhed, saying "E ryja ymnayto ehdanjeafat people. Uha uv oui kioc dyga ujan." (I have already interviewed people. One of you guys take over.)

The Al Bhed pointed behind Gippal, towards us. "Gippal…"

Gippal turned, then said in shock, "Huh?"

Yuna said innocently, "Hello."

Gippal looked from her, to me, and then the other two. He asked hesitantly, "You, uh, here for an interview?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Would we be here if we weren't?"

Gippal asked the ceiling "The great high summoner wants an interview?" Ok, now he's pissing me off.

Yuna said shortly, "Former summoner."

Gippal snorted. "All right, follow me."

He walked out, heading towards the bridge. We followed him easily, Rikku and myself chatting idly.

He stopped, and turned. He looked Yuna over, then said, "Never been this close to a celebrity before."

Yuna looked away, and said, "That's nice."

Gippal continued, "I could get used to this."

I looked at Yuna, and she slightly shook her head. She stated firmly, "Let's not."

Gippal shrugged, and looked over at me. "So, you're with them now?"

I rolled my eyes, saying silently, 'duh'. Gippal remained silent, then said, "It true that your… aeons… never disappeared?"

I nodded, then snorted. "Mindstrike was saving a spot in line for us. They're still here."

He shrugged, then turned to Rikku. "Well, if it isn't Cid's girl. How you been?"

Rikku pouted, and said, "Hey, I have a name!" She leaned slightly against me, folding her arms across her chest. I gave Gippal a look that said quite clearly, 'stop it, or I'll drop you'.

Gippal laughed shortly. "Brother doin' okay?"

Rikku shrugged. "Same as ever. Buddy's around, too."

Gippal snorted. "Same as ever is right." He looked over at Paine, then gasped, "You!"

Paine blinked, then said in a monotone, "Paine. Nice to meet you."

Gippal seemed disturbed by something, and said, "Uh-huh?"

Paine remarked dryly, cutting off his muttering, "We're here for the interview."

Gippal walked past the four of us, muttering, "Right...the interview."

I looked over at Rikku, and she shrugged. "Alright Gippal. Get serious, before Li here goes nuts."

Gippal stared at her, then said, "You sure you wanna dig? 'Cause we're talking about the desert, ladies. Not exactly a picnic." He turned to me, and I snorted. I'd BEEN in deserts before I arrived at Spira. "Try me, I ate a picnic in a sandstorm." That was kinda fun, actually… I had Psymachine and Ashley had Suicune divert the winds away, so we could eat in the 'eye' of a sandstorm.

Gippal stared at me, and I smirked at him. Finally, he raised his hands skyward, and rolled his one good eye. "All right, you're hired."

Yuna looked between me, and him. "Huh?

Gippal laughed. "You. Are. Hired." He paused, then continued, "Don't know why a superstar like you would want to play in the sand. Well, do what you gotta do. Anyways, I've done what I can. Dig to your heart's content."

I looked over at Rikku, who had a grin on her face, and shrugged. Psychic pokemon… glad I have two of them.

Yuna said unsurely, "Um, thanks."

Gippal produced a letter in his hand, then held it out to Yuna. "Show this letter to a woman named Nhadala. You'll find her in the Bikanel Desert." Yuna carefully took it, and he turned, calling, "Happy digging!"

Paine rolled her eyes, and said, "We can play in the sand later. Let's just keep moving."

I made a face, and said, "Hey, if we dressed her up in a red jacket and sunshades, you think…"

Yuna paused, as Rikku gave me a strange look. Then Yuna smiled, and shook her head. Paine looked at the three of us, confused. "I really don't want to know, do I?"

Rikku giggled, "Nope!"