Disclaimer: To see the full disclaimer, see the prelude. Golden Sun belongs to Camelot and Nintendo. This is a fanfiction, written solely for entertainment.

A/N: I'm very sorry about the lack of updates recently. You'll think that during the summer I would have more free time, but because I'm going to be a senior in high school, I have all this college related stuff that I need to do, a job, and volunteer work. Updates will be slow for a while, but please keep checking back!

Also, since the chapter is really late, I didn't really have a chance to edit it. Please alert me if you find any mistakes and I'll be much obliged! I also tried to make the format easier to read. However, the preview is all funky so I'm not too sure how well it came out. I'm hoping for the best!

Oh, and Isaac was the one who said "Yeah right," and Mia poked him. Yuja answered both questions correctly, so you get six invisible cents! Yeah, congrats!

"For the great majority of mankind are satisfied with appearances, as though they were realities, and are often more influenced by the things that seem than by those that are."-Niccolo Machiavelli

Chapter 7. APPEARANCES

"The Moon!?" the Adepts exclaimed unanimously.

King Hydros smiled at the Adepts' surprise. "Yes, the Moon. However, it's not the celestial object that revolves around our world."

"Then what are you referring to?" Garet asked.

"I'm sure that you have seen much before coming to Lemuria, but there is still much for you to see in this world. If you had ventured to the Great Western Sea and had visited the island Atteka, you would have learned about a city called Anemos."

"What is special about this city?" Ivan asked.

"Anemos is a civilization just as advanced as Lemuria. However, the city lifted off the ground and flew away."

"What?" Mia exclaimed incredulously. "Why? How is that possible?"

"Surely you have all realized that anything is possible?" King Hydos said with a small smile.

"So why tell us this?" Isaac asked dryly. "You want us to do something for you, right?"

"Impertinence!" a guard yelled as he rushed forward. "How dare you-"

King Hydros waved the guard aside. "No, Isaac is right. I have a favor to ask. Because I cannot leave the island, please go in my place to the Moon in order to find someone and deliver a message for me."

Isaac looked at the king warily while the other three eyed each other uneasily.

"You have already heard our story," Isaac said, "and you're aware of the time constraint that we're under. Of course, we will need to go to the Moon to find a draught and fulfill our promise to Lord Babi, but why do you still ask us to deliver some message for you?"

"I'm very aware, Isaac, that you will not go anywhere that does not hold anything of value to you. However, there is something there that I know will aid you greatly in your quest."

"Why are you all so solemn?" Picard asked as he collected the dishes. "Did King Hydros tell you anything important?"

"Yes," Ivan said thoughtfully, sipping his tea. "You could say that."

Picard nodded, waiting for more. However, Ivan fell silent along with the rest of the group. Trying again, he asked, "Are you planning to set sail soon?"

"Tomorrow," Garet said.

"You don't intend to stay for awhile?" Picard asked surprised. "After trying so hard to come to Lemuria?"

"Lemuria no longer has what we're looking for," Mia replied. "We must now head towards a place of jumping illustrious items."

Picard blinked. "A place of jumping illustrious items? Er, whatever for?"

"To find what can be found," Isaac said cryptically.

"Don't keep bothering them," Lynn scolded as she poured some more tea for Mia. "They need to rest soon if they plan to leave early tomorrow."

"Yes, mother," Picard said, leaving the room to do the dishes.

"Are you and Picard the only two living here?" Mia asked.

"Hmm?" Lynn said distractedly. "No, my younger brother lives here, too. I kicked him out for the night, though. Otherwise there won't be any room for all of you to stay."

"That wouldn't be a bother, would it?" Ivan asked, alarmed.

"No, no. Mia can stay with me, Garet with Picard, and Isaac and Ivan can take my brother's room."

"Thank you so much, Lynn. You have done a lot for us."

"It's not a problem." About to say more, Lynn started coughing.

"Is there something wrong?" Garet asked. "Should I get Picard?"

Lynn tried to shake her head, but the coughing had caused her whole frame to tremble. Garet was about to leave when she grabbed his hand. "Don't… don't tell him. He has enough to worry about."

A soft blue light filled the room as Mia rubbed small circles on Lynn's back. "Hold on, Lynn. This should quell your cough for a while."

Eventually, the cough faded as Mia escorted Lynn to the seat Isaac was offering. Lynn leaned back against the chair as she took several deep breaths.

"Are you ill?" Ivan asked.

"But I thought that there was no sickness on Lemuria," Garet said.

"It's true that there are no sickness," Lynn said. "However, I had a weak constitution since I was a little girl. Also, I experienced some personal shocks recently, so my condition has been growing worse."

"Is there something we can do for you?" Mia asked.

"Yes," Lynn said. "Tell my son I love him."

"There's something strange going on between Picard and Lynn," Mia said. After Lynn assured them that they were fine, she sent them off for a hot bath and a change of clothes. Now the Adepts had gathered in the hallway for a private discussion. "Their relationship is a bit strained for a mother and son."

"Perhaps it is because Lynn is not well," Isaac said softly. "Mothers behave differently when they fall ill."

Garet glanced at his friend's face and knew what Isaac was referring to. "Isaac, Dora and Lynn are both strong women. They'll both be fine."

"Why would Lynn ask us to tell Picard that she loves him, though?" Ivan wondered.

"I think the Lemurians are all hiding something," Isaac said.

"Hiding what?" Picard asked as he poked his head through the doorway. Seeing the alarmed faces of the Adepts, he apologized. "I didn't mean to intrude, but you guys should start going to bed soon."

"Of course," Mia said. "We do need to get up early tomorrow. Sleep well everybody."

"We better head in, too," Ivan agreed. "Goodnight."

"Night," Isaac said simply.

"G'nite," Garet replied as he joined Picard.

"I'm afraid the floor may not be too comfortable."

"No problem, Picard. A couple of blankets and a pillow and I'll be fine. It's better than sleeping outside with monsters, that's for sure," Garet said as he plopped down.

"If you need anything, just wake me up," Picard said with a yawn as he stretched out on his bed.

Garet was about to drift off amidst the sounds of Picard's slight snore and the occasional groaning of the springs when he noticed a slight change. The snores disappeared and the springs delighted in the lightening of their load as feet hit the ground. Trying to peer through his eyelashes, Garet could sense that Picard was nearby.

"Are you awake, Garet?" Picard said in a breathy tone. "No? Good."

Counting slowly to three, Garet sprung out of his bed. He opened the door with caution as he peered down the hall to see Picard turn the corner. Aware that something strange was going on, Garet followed him as quietly as he could.

'Where is he going?' Garet wondered as he left the house.

Picard had veered to the western side of the city as he headed toward a rectangular stately building. Shivering slightly, Garet felt the tendrils of mist curling around him. Debating whether he should return to fetch a robe, he noticed a sign with the word "Senate." The word already brought back the images of the elderly old man that had bothered Picard earlier. He immediately concluded that Lord Conservato was pestering Picard again. If he did, Garet was prepared to step in to help Picard out, forgetting about the robe as he crept into the chilly, stately building.

"Good evening, Lord Conservato. And for what reason did you summon me here?" Picard asked smoothly.

"Cut the act, Kaolin (1)," the familiar voice growled.

'Kaolin?' Garet thought bemusedly. 'Why would he call Picard that?'

Garet paused in the doorway as he peered into a smaller room. The only light cast in the room was provided from a small fire across the hall. Although dim, he could make out the figures of Picard and the senator standing by a table.

"Tired of me being Picard… Father?" the boy laughed. Garet nearly goggled when he removed his hair.

'A… wig? Father? This boy is Conservato's son, but why would he pose as Picard?'

"What did you learn?" Lord Conservato asked, refusing to take Kaolin's bait.

"Is that all you see me as?" Kaolin snarled. "An informant who pretends to be your best friend's son?"

"What did you learn?" Lord Conservato repeated firmly. "What are those outsiders doing?"

"They didn't say very clearly," Kaolin muttered. "They were speaking in riddles. They're leaving tomorrow, headed for some 'place of jumping illustrious items,' looking for 'what can be found.'"

"Place of jumping illustrious items?" Lord Conservato pondered deeply. "Leaping stars? There are several cities known for creating imitation stars, but which one would it be? What are they looking for? Are they headed for Astraia (2) where the songs sing of the city's 'open secret' wealth of embedded jems in the streets?"

"Those places don't exist anymore," Kaolin scoffed. "King Hydros said-"

"You believe what King Hydros said?" Lord Conservato sneered.

"None of us could visit any of those civilizations anymore," Kaolin argued. "Don't you wonder why? They must have disappeared, just like King-"

"Don't you DARE mention Hydros! That worthless king brainwashed my best friend into leading a group of men to fight against Neptune, and now he is dead! He was almost my brother, the only family I have left!"

"The only family you have left?" Kaolin said in disbelief. "What do you call me then? Do you despise me because Mother was arranged to be your wife and you couldn't marry your sweetheart? Is that it? Is it?"

"You are to foil the plan of Hydros and those outsiders," Lord Conservato said calmly, ignoring his son's outburst. "Make the plan look like a plot against Lemuria. Once Hydros is out of the way, I will become the king."

Garet stepped back in alarm. King Hydros's words came back to him. There was something that would aid him greatly, and, if Lord Conservato's plan succeeded, he would lose the chance of gaining it. He had to report this to King Hydros right away. Garet turned heel to run for the palace, but in his haste he forgot about the fire in the hall. His movement created a shadow that fell into the room, alerting Lord Conservato and Kaolin of his presence.

"Intruder!" Lord Conservato croaked. "Stop him!"

A hitch in his throat, Garet dashed through the hallway as he fled from the senate building. He didn't bother to look behind him to see if Kaolin was following him as he headed for the stately palace. Before he even passed Lynn's house, however, he felt himself fall as someone, most likely Kaolin, tackled him to the floor. The two grappled as they struggled on the dewy grass.

"Why do you listen to him?" Garet hissed.

"What else can I do?" Kaolin countered.

The two drew apart as they got to their feet. However, Garet barely stood up when Kaolin charged at him. Stepping aside, Garet threw a punch. Kaolin saw Garet's arm draw back, but he didn't have time to stop running or move aside. Instead, he had to lean back, feeling himself slide underneath Garet's outstretched arm.

"Stop listening to your father and be your own man!" Garet answered Kaolin's question.

Angry, Kaolin flipped up and swung his leg around to knock it into Garet's face. Forced backwards, Garet felt a groan escape his mouth as he crashed into the wall. Kaolin flew back as Garet delivered a swift kick to the stomach, bringing his head to rub his throbbing head.

"That hurts!"

"Garet? What are you doing up at this hour?" Ivan yawned as he appeared at the window.

"Ivan, watch out! Picard is actually Lord Conservato's son Kaolin dressed up as Picard in order to spy on King Hydros! I saw him take off a wig in the senate building tonight as he was talking to lord Conservato," Garet blurted out. "And Lord Conservato's planning to take the throne!"

Ivan blinked. "Did I miss something? Am I dreaming all this up?"

"You drew more people into this," Kaolin growled. "Now I will have no choice but to kill all of you! DELUGE!"

"Deluge?" Garet winced as he recalled the deadly flood attack Mia often used.

"Move, Garet, you dunce! GLACIER!"

Standing before him, Mia had her arms stretched out above her head, creating a glacial shield above them as giant water bubbles crashed down from above. Next to him, Garet saw Isaac ready with his sword and Ivan holding up his staff.

"I thought you were dreaming," Garet muttered.

"I could be, but even if it's a dream I'll still help you when you're in a tight spot," Ivan grinned. "Release ZEPHYR!"

"So all of your friends are gathered together. How nauseating!" Kaolin spat. "ICE HORN!"

"QUAKE SPHERE!" Isaac shouted.

Columns of earth began to quake before the Adepts as they randomly rose and fell, catching the spikes of ice. As the earth stilled, Ivan dashed forward, heading towards Kaolin.

"Are you planning to hit me with that staff?" Kaolin sneered as he leapt backwards.

"No," Ivan smirked as he rejoined the group. "I just took a souvenir."

"What is going on here, Kaolin?" a voice boomed.

"King Hydros, what are you doing here?" Mia asked surprised.

"Your ruckus woke Lynn up, and she came looking for me. I immediately rushed over." Walking towards the group, King Hydros frowned as he noted the longhaired wig in Ivan's hands. "Posing as Picard, fighting with our guests, and disturbing the peace. Do you have an explanation for this?"

"King Hydros! You're the cause of my misery!" Kaolin cried angrily, frustrated to feel hot tears run down his face. Furiously wiping his face, he lunged towards the king with a small knife in his hand.

"FLARE WALL!"

A wall of fire appeared between Kaolin and King Hydros, causing Kaolin to stop his assault.

"Don't do it," Garet told Kaolin softly. "You'll regret it."

"I'll regret not killing this man!" Kaolin shouted angrily, gesturing wildly at the king. "He ruined my life! Father always told me how much Picard resembled his father and how Picard was better than me. He never paid attention to me until one day when I mimicked the king for fun. Father laughed and praised me. Picard was no actor. I found my place to shine. Things were turning better until Picard's father died. Then all Father wanted was for me to imitate Picard. I didn't understand why the praises stopped and the smiles disappeared until one day, he simply said, 'Picard, it's time to go to bed.' He could never have his best friend back, so instead, he wanted me to become the younger version of his friend-Picard. This would never have happened if you haven't sent Picard's father on a suicide mission!"

King Hydros bowed his head. "You blame me for the death of Picard's father. I blame myself as well for not stopping him when he volunteered to lead men in escaping the island. Picard's father was one of my closest supporters once he heard my reasons. Unfortunately, your father believed that I brainwashed him. However, Kaolin, I didn't ask your father to behave the way he did."

"Stop trying to be what your father wants," Garet spoke up. "You're not his puppet. Don't let your father…" Garet paused and stole a glance at Isaac before continuing, "or the memory of your father keep you from living your own life."

"It isn't easy!" Kaolin said.

Garet was about to continue when he saw Isaac step forward with a small smile. Repeating the words he said earlier but with a different meaning, Isaac said softly. " Nothing worth having is ever easy."

"Good morning King Hydros!" Garet said happily with a great big yawn.

"Good morning, Garet. I am glad that yesterday's event hasn't affected your cheery personality."

Garet sobered as he recalled last night's events. "Speaking of yesterday's event… What did you do with Kaolin?"

King Hydros sighed deeply. "What his father was planning and what he was doing were treasonous acts. The price of treason is death."

"You can't kill him!" Garet blurted out.

"Technically, I can and by the law I would be justified in doing so."

"Yes, but… it's not right."

"Which is why Kaolin is now serving an one hundred year sentence in jail."

"One hundred years?" Garet exclaimed.

"It'll pass by as if it were nothing," King Hydros assured him.

"Then what did you do with Lord Conservato? I think his head should be loped off," Garet growled.

"Do you think so?" King Hydros said absentmindedly. "He has considerable power in Lemuria, considering he is the head of the senate. I can not deal with him as easily as I can with his son."

"So you're letting him roam free?"

"Without his son obeying his commands, he should be fairly harmless."

"King Hydros, I was looking for you. I never had a chance to ask you last night. How did you know Kaolin was posing as Picard?" Ivan asked as he walked up behind the two.

"Ah, Ivan, you scared me. Don't sneak up like that," Garet complained. "And what do you mean how does he know? Lynn saw what was going on and told him."

Ivan shook his head. "For two people who discovered that the person they trusted and love was actually a fake, they didn't seem to be too surprised. I could understand if Lynn knew because mothers are aware of such things. Of course, we haven't met Picard, so maybe Kaolin's disguise was flawed…"

"No, the disguise was very well done," King Hydros said. "Kaolin even fashioned golden lenses to cover up his blue eyes. You have all met Picard on Champa, so I'm sure you're notice how much the fake looked like the real one."

"How can you be so sure we actually met the real Picard?" Isaac asked as he ambled into the room. "I overheard you talking, and after last night, I'm not so sure anymore what's real and what's not."

King Hydros laughed. "That's because you told me that he had a Djinni. Only the real Picard has a Djinni. I wasn't just recently aware that there was an imposter. I haven't been king for that long to not notice these things. Secrets get out, the senate was aware of what I was going to talk about, things like that suggested a spy of some sort. So Picard, his family, and I had arranged for a code."

"Good morning everyone. What code?" Mia greeted the group.

"My, am I telling you all a story?" King Hydros laughed as he glanced around the group. "You're all here. A code was created so that the imposter and the real Picards could be distinguished. The code word was Piers."

"Piers? The thing at a harbor?" Ivan asked, furrowing his forehead.

"No, Piers was the name of Picard's… father."

Mia gasped. "Why would he… why would he do that?"

"Why? Surely you can think of several reasons why."

"The name Piers would not arouse too much suspicion if it appears in a conversation," Ivan said thoughtfully. "After all, Piers was Picard's father as well as one of your closer Senator."

"That's the main reason," King Hydros agreed. "But there is a symbolic reason as well."

"He's finishing the task that his father set out to do," Isaac said softly.

"You're right. At the time he met you, we were already discussing ways for him to leave the island. He must have trusted you all greatly if he told you his real name. Picard is a very clever boy. The only reason he would possibly give you his real name was if he believed that you would arrive at Lemuria and resolve the spying issue. He gave you his name so that if you meet the spy, you would not be alarmed. However, he guessed that you would figure out that there was something strange about the spy and would catch him."

"'Looks can be deceiving, (3)'" Mia gasped. "He was already warning us then."

"Everything is now all wrapping up," Garet sighed happily. "Less things to worry about."

"There's one more thing," Mia brought up. "Why would Lynn ask us to tell Picard that she loves him?"

The jovial face disappeared as King Hydros shook his head sadly. "Lynn is afraid that she will not make it by the time Picard returns to us. You see, this trip to Champa was a bit different. It was not a planned trip. Rather, Picard was on a ship, preparing for his attempt to leave the island. At that time, there was a strange tidal wave. As a result, he and his ship escaped the island."

"There was no other boat but ours at Champa," Isaac frowned.

King Hydros looked alarmed. "Then that means he must have used Transport to seek out Champa in hopes of learning more about where he had landed. If he was in a fight as well, he must have been drained when he returned back to his ship, possibly even unconscious."

"Should we… look for him?" Ivan asked hesitantly.

"No," King Hydros said firmly. "You have your own quest, and he has his. Just don't let Lynn know about this. She has received quite a shock when her son went missing after the tidal wave, and with her weak heart, I don't think she could live through another one so soon."

"Of course," Mia said softly. "Is there something we… something that I can do to help?"

King Hydros smiled kindly. "I am very aware of your excellent healing abilities, Mia, but this is something beyond the power of Psynergy. Please be assured that she will be taken cared of. Finish what you have all started."

"Yes, that's true. We need to set out soon," Isaac nodded.

"We must seek out a place of jumping illustrious items and find what can be found," Garet mulled.

"We will try to deliver your message as well," Ivan added.

"I'm sure you will. One of my guards will help Transport you out. For now, Adepts, I wish you fair speed and good luck."

Watching the Adepts leave, King Hydros felt someone approach him. "King Hydros, why did you not tell them about… about everything?"

"No, now is not the time. That was Picard's judgment as well as mine. Right now, their paths do not coincide with Picard's. If I tell them all we know, they will doubt our words and not listen to another word we say. However, if I judged them well enough, once they learn more, hopefully their paths will all be one to help restore our world. Don't you agree that would be much better, Lunpa?"

To be continued in Chapter 8-NYMPH

(1) Kaolin is actually a type of clay. When I was trying to think of a proper name for him, I was trying to come up with a name that showed how well he could imitate others, but really, I didn't want to call him something like Mime or Mirror or Shadow. Then I came across this word, and not only does it look and sound like it could be a name, but it also describes him pretty well. As clay, he could take the shape of something else but he'll only be an imitation. Also, like clay, he is easily molded into something else by his father.

(2) Astraia is Greek derived from the Greek aster meaning "star." I got that information off of a meaning behind the name website on line. I really couldn't think of a more interesting name.

(3) That was what Picard told them way back in chapter 4 (you know you want to go back and read it again ).

One last thing, I'm sure you're all speculating just where the heck the Adepts are going (and if you're not, I failed as a writer to absorb you T.T), but please keep all your speculations to yourself… or e-mail them to me if you really want to. Just don't leave them in your reviews. I'm sure some of you will figure it out in no time, but once someone does, it'll be obvious to everyone else that you're right. So please the other readers and let people figure it out by themselves or hopefully be surprised when the Adepts get there. Thank you!