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The Crystal Rule	By : QueenDraggyofSwords Category: Final Fantasy Games > Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Views: 956 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy: chrystal Chronicles, any of its characters nor am I making any profit off of them.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Chapter Nine

It was hot. Blisteringly hot. So hot one's sweat evaporated within seconds of forming on your forehead. Someone could easily die within hours out here.
That was all Layle could think about. How abysmally hot it was out in the center of the northern desert. Technically as a whole the place was identified as 'Prison Sands', but right now the boys were far from the work yard and the gloomy Aerial Prison that loomed overhead. You couldn't even see them this far out among the sandy wastelands. No one in their right mind went out past the flying prison, as the desert itself slowly converted from sand to quicksand.
Miles and miles of scorching quicksand with only large rocky islands scattered here and there as relief. That last oasis was miles ago; as well as the last signs of life. Out here it was just the sands. The rocks. And the monsters. Which were of course what they were here for.
Today's request was to hunt down all forms of earth Sahagins: Stone, Sand, and Lord. And of course, they had to be hunted in their natural habitat. Which, as usual, was some place ridiculously dangerous- not that Layle was complaining. Over the past three weeks he had nearly been stabbed by Tonberries and crushed my mushrooms; nearly lost his jacket in a lava pit and dropped into one by an Ahriman; almost beheaded by a Shade; taken for a wild ride through poisonous mist by a Nightmare, and not to forget half encased by a mob of angry Princess Flan. Certainly it was a dangerous job collecting monsters for Dr. Oides. But that wasn't what was really making the heat so miserable.
What was making him so miserable was Keiss.
With each passing day, and each passing mission the Selkie became more and more fixated with getting them onto this train. So fixated that Layle was up to his neck in Flan before the Selkie decided to help him. So interested in finding out more about the route it took and what it shipped that they usually split up once they were back in Alfitaria, mind you being alone didn't bother him. But not seeing your partner for days was a bit vexing. And when Keiss did show up it was only ever with a job, or with Dass.
That was his name. Dass. That blue haired Selkie. Layle had only learned a few days ago down at Chime's. Apparently Dass frequents the place. He had contemplated waiting around for Keiss' other partner, but figured it would only be a fuss to start a fight in a Selkie bar without his living Selkie pass.
Not that he was out to start a fight. Just question him. Yeah, question him.
'Like if he's Keiss' boyfriend, why am I the only upset by the constant flirting?' It was flirting wasn't it? That he was all he could define it as after the middle of last week when he pinned him to a wall and kissed his neck. It was definitely flirting.
"I should just move out…"
"Hey!" Keiss looked over Layle from his perch on the rocks. "No talking, you'll scare the fish."
Layle sighed, "Sahagins don't care if we talk or not. Besides it's not like you're doing anything to help me with this." The Clavat turned his attention back to the swirling sand in front of him. He had been sitting here for over an hour. Watching the sand for the shadow of a Sahagin coming close to the surface. Oides had given them some bait, which they had tossed into the desert and hooked onto a chain to keep from losing it, but so far they were still one type short. A Sahagin Lord. The monster was technically capable of living anywhere, and was more common to be found in marshes. However Oides wanted one from the desert.
So here they were. Sitting on a rock in the middle of the desert with their supplies, a fuck ton of water, and two Chocobos. They were the only way to get across the desert; there wasn't rock structure big enough to land the Acote on. One was loaded down with all their supplies and the other Keiss and Layle had to share. Which only made him more upset.
The Crystal Bearer picked up his bottle of water and sucked the last few drops from it. He stood up and proceeded to rummage around the packs for his tenth bottle today. Once he took a few swigs, Layle decided it was time to add his shirt to the pile of sweaty, not going to be worn for a while clothes, along with his jacket, Keiss' armor and shirt and both of their shoes. The Selkie had even taken off his bandana though he kept it tied to his right arm just below his shoulder, and had his hair looped up in a ponytail.
All around him, Keiss was looking through papers. Train reports he had gotten from somewhere. He had spent this mission reading over the facts, and the figures, trying to determine what was so important to these supposed 'Striped Brigands' that they need to hit up nearly every military train in the past few weeks. Layle sighed and walked around him to check Keiss pole. Since he couldn't yank the monsters out like Layle could, the doctor had fixed him up with a fishing pole that worked in the sand. The blond tugged the line noting it felt lose. He grabbed it with both hands and pulled it in only to curse once it was out of the sand.
"Keiss!"
"What?" The redhead didn't even look up.
"Your bait is gone!"
"Hmn?" He picked up another folder and started writing on it, "Oh yeah, I heard something tugging a while ago…"
"A while ago! How long ago?"
"Like…twenty minutes? I don't know…Look, I think I figured out where they're getting onto the train at. It has to be while it's on route-" Layle reached down with his hand and knocked the papers from Keiss grasp. Right off their rock ledge and into the sand.
"Layle!" he stood up, "What the hell was that for!"
"That's not our mission, Keiss! You're supposed to be helping me with his monster bullshit! Not tracking down a bunch of thieves!"
"You short sighted ass!" Keiss pushed Layle back from him, "That information is going to get us a better mission! Or do you want to be helping Oides forever! I thought you wanted to get away from him and his experiments!"
"I do!" The Clavat pushed back, "But how can we find other work where you're always disappearing, have your nose buried in this fucking train nonsense or you're too busy fucking around with Dass!"
Keiss stumbled a bit and picked up his water bottle. He unscrewed it as he started to retort, "I am never around because I am out working! Getting information is how you get a job! I can't trust you to go out and woo over a few Lilty officials! Not with your attitude about everything! So just cool off and let me work!" He sloshed Layle with the bottle of water. It only made the Clavat more upset.
"Let you work! Let you work! I'm the one working! Every damn mission you do nothing while I nearly die!" He snatched the bottle from Keiss and threw it at his head, "If I wanted to deal with this kind of bullshit I'd have never of left my old partnership!"
"Well if you can't grasp the idea that not all this work is physical labor, then maybe you should go back to the slums and the halls for work! But oh wait you won't! Because you keep mailing gil out to someone!" This time Keiss picked up his pole and swung it at Layle, "You can't afford to slum it! I pay you too well! And as a result I'm paying someone else pretty well too! So where are you sending money to, Layle! Huh! Tell me!"
The Bearer jumped back and grabbed the end of the pole snarling, "I'll tell you as soon as you tell me what you've got to do with the Selkie Guild! Huh! Why do you have a list of their informants and their network! Why does Chime keeping asking for info on you in exchange for money!"
"You've been snooping around my stuff! You rotten Son of a Fenrir!" Keiss yanked back on the pole, "It's none of your business, so keep out of it!"
"Then you keep out of mine! Selkie Theif!" Layle yanked back twice as hard.
"Clavat Commoner!"
"Pillaging Scum!"
"Idiot Hick!"
"Jackass!"
"Bastard!"
"Slut!"
"Prude!"
"God I fucking hate you! Being your partner was the worst idea ever!"
"I absolutely agree!" Keiss twisted the pole toward the edge shaking Layle lose. He then swung with all his might at the Clavat's head, but Layle threw up his hands and created a barrier to protect himself. The blond then grabbed the pole with his powers and flung it- along with Keiss- into the sand.
For a moment he stood triumphant over the edge of the rock watching Keiss panic in the quicksand. "You'd better stop moving. You're only gonna make it worse."
"Layle! Layle get me out of here! You asshole! You bastard! You filthy, Clavat Hick! Don't just stand there!"
Layle sat down watching Keiss attempt to pull himself up from the sand and onto the rocks with no avail. "Now, now, Keiss, if you want me to rescue you, we're gonna change a few things."
"Arg! FINE! Anything!"
"First, when you go 'working' we go together."
"Fine! Pull me out!" Keiss nails dug into the rock, the sand was now up to his hips.
"Second, you're gonna drop this train bullshi-"
"Fuck you!"
"Say 'Hi' to the Sahagins for me."
"Fine! Fine! Pull me out! No more train info!"
Layle nodded and picked up Keiss' papers, tossing them into the sand. It only made the Selkie swear at him more. "And lastly…Dass…Quit bringing him to the apartment."
"Dass!" Keiss struggled a little less, but only because this request threw him off guard, "Why Dass?"
"He bugs me."
"…bugs you?" Keiss took a few deep breaths; the sand was now just below his chest, "Yeah, okay, fine." He reached out his hand, he would figure it out once he was out of danger.
"Good," Layle reached out with his right hand, ready to encase Keiss in a gravity field and yank him out, when something caught his eye. Just behind the sinking redhead he could see a shadow. It was steadily swimming right for him. And every now and again a dark blue- almost black fin stuck up out of the sand. "A Sahagin Lord…"
"What?" Keiss looked behind him and saw the fin now coming his way. "Oh, Crystal…Layle! Layle pull me out!"
"It's coming right for you…" he looked down at Keiss, "Keep splashing around."
"What are you, stupid! Pull me out, Crystal Bearer!"
"No! It's coming for you! If I pull you out it will leave!" The Clavat turned his attention from Keiss to the oncoming monster. His eyes followed its shadow. It was definitely coming for Keiss.
"Layle! Layle! Crystal Bearer!" The redhead cursed and tried to pull himself out, but the more he struggled to get up the more the sand pulled him under. It was quickly becoming hard to breathe. "Fuck! Fuck! Layle! Help me!"
Layle didn't hear him. He watched as the Sahagin's head poked up from the sand, its eyes trained on Keiss. Two clawed hands emerged next and the creature opened its mouth ready to bite down on the sinking Selkie. Just as the Sahagin pushed forward to leap out of the sand and onto what was left of the Selkie that was still above the quicksand, Layle encased it in a gravity field and yanked further than it had planned right onto the rocks. The stunned Sahagin Lord stumbled a bit. Layle grabbed it a second time and smashed it into the rocks. Once. Twice. Three times. Finally the monster let out a mournful cry as its head was thoroughly bashed to bits and it fell over, defeated.
"Hah!" Layle wiped his hands together, "Who knew Selkies were the perfect bait? Eh, Keiss? …Keiss?" Layle looked over his shoulder. "Oh shit, Keiss!" The Clavat leaned over the edge of the rock; he could just see the Selkie's arm sticking out of the sand, his fingers opening and closing. With his powers, Layle took hold and started to yank. The sand had a tight grip on him. "Come on! Come on! Spit him out!"
Layle gave it one last yank with all his strength, and his partner was yanked up from the sand. The force of it knocked him flat on his ass, and Keiss crashing into him put him on his back. The feeling the stone crashing against the back of his head was not pleasant. He groaned as he heard Keiss coughing on top of him. The Selkie was spitting out sand and gasping for air. In between catching his breath the started to hit Layle in the chest.
"You! You bastard!- Igh! You were gonna! You were gonna let me die!"
"Aww, come on." Layle pushed himself up and rolled Keiss over so he could pat the Selkie on the back. "I wasn't going to let you die."
"Liar! Ugh- everything is gonna taste like sand for days!"
Layle sighed and pulled a water bottle over to them so Keiss could use it to flush out his mouth. After a few minutes the Selkie was up again and looking cross. "Come on, Keiss…I saved you."
"Yeah, but you wanted to get the monster first!"
"It was only fair. I mean you needed to pull your weight this mission too."
"Is that so?" Keiss looked back at Layle and crossed his arms; the Selkie reached into his pocket and made a face, "Aw man…I think my wallet fell out in the sand…" Keiss walked up to the edge and smiled. "Hey, Layle! Can you get it for me?"
The blond stood over the ledge next to him and scanned the sand. "Where I don't see it?"
"It's right there…"
"Right where?"
"There, you just need to look closer!" Keiss suddenly rammed his body into Layle's and sent the Clavat over the edge of the rocks.
"Keiss! Keiss, you DICK!"
The redhead started to laugh. He watched as Layle now struggled in the sand, "What's the matter, Layle? Need some help?"
"Jerk! Asshole! Bastard!"
"My this seems familiar…You want me to bring the Chocobo over so you can hook onto it?"
"Yes!"
"Hmn…Okay, but first…some conditions…"
"Keiss! I hate you! I hate you! And when I get out of here, you are going to pay!"

The entire ride back to the edge of the desert, Layle was bitter and silent. But Keiss was his usual self. The Clavat rode on the back of the Chocobo while his partner steered it. The second bird loaded down with their supplies and their catch was tied to this one's saddle and following closely behind.
"Aw, come on, Layle…don't be a little bitch about this." The Clavat just snorted. The only thing Keiss had made him agree to was he wasn't going to stop him from seeing Dass. But it was more than enough to upset him all over again. "So why does he bother you?"
"Hmn?"
"Dass! Why does he bother you…Do I bring him around too much?"
"Yes." That was a lie. Keiss had only actually had the Selkie over about five times. But Layle hated every time he was there.
"Then we won't come back to the apartment."
"…Why do you have to go with him at all?"
"What?" The red head looked over his shoulder, "This job is stressful. Is a good way to unwind."
"That's all!"
"Well, I do admit I like him…He's relatively interesting…And not a part of the Guild." Layle was silent, he leaned back and looked up the sky still sulking over the matter. "…Are you jealous?"
"What?" His attention snapped forward again.
"You're totally jealous, aren't you?"
"No…Fool around with whoever you want…Just quit mocking me while you do it."
"Mocking?" Keiss turned his attention forward and smiled, "You're so jealous."
"Just focus on where we're going. The sooner we get home so I can shower the better."
"We could always shower together."
"After today, I can barely stand riding on this bird with you…"
"Ouch, Crystal Bearer. That's hurts."

The boys did not return to the doctor until the following day after some much need rest and cleaning up. They were there bright and early with the Sahagins in tow. Layle had to admit, he was still feeling a bit tired from yesterdays 'swim' and Keiss didn't look so hot either.
"Man…we need a vacation after this one."
"But we're just getting started…" Keiss smirked as he stepped of the elevator.
"Of course you feel that way, you've been taking it easy."
"Now don't start that again," Keiss opened the door to the lab and smiled at Oides who was pacing around the room. "Greetings, Doctor! We have your latest order." Layle set the monsters on the counter. "So what's our next mission?"
"Ah, Keiss, Layle. You've succeeded again. Excellent…Excellent…" The Doctor looked the monsters over. Layle noted he didn't have the usual glee in his eyes that he inspected them with. "Good work…as always…" He stopped and sighed, "But I cannot use them. You'll have to dispose of them"
"What!" Keiss looked startled.
"Why not?" Layle crossed his arms. "After all we went through to get them, you're just gonna have us toss them out?"
"I know, I know… I will pay you still. Extra in fact." The Doctor removed his glasses and whipped them on his coat, "I just cannot keep them. I have nothing to store them in…they will rot before I can use them…"
"What about those tubes…" Keiss jerked his thumb toward the back hall. "If you need more we'll get you the stuff to make-"
"It's not the tubes…it's my stasis fluid. I haven't gotten a shipment in two weeks…and now I am afraid I am running out. I cannot even rotate the fluids in the containers I have. There is just so little…"
Layle couldn't help but smile at the news, "So I guess this means an end to your experiment."
"It will be soon, yes. Once I run out, the monsters will decay…All my research will come to a halt. I will no longer be able to employ you…"
Keiss nodded slowly rubbing his chin, "Dr. Oides, by any change…your fluid…is it shipped on those trains that have been targeted by thieves?"
"…Keiss…" Layle glared at the Selkie. Who held up his hand to him.
"W-why yes. It is."
The Selkie nodded, "Then, doctor, I suggest for our next assignment, you have us inspect this thief matter."
"Keiss! We had a deal!"
"One moment, Doctor." Keiss grabbed Layle and dragged him to the other side of the room. "Will you cool it?"
"You told me you'd drop this train BS," Layle shook his head. "We had a deal."
"Layle, you want work don't you? If the doctor can't hire us, we're in a bind! The next logical step is to make sure he can get his supplies so we get work!"
"Or, you get new work, like you promised. So we don't have to work for a nut job."
"Look! Spinosa is trying to catch these thieves. We catch them, he hires us! No more doctor work!"
"You just want to get on that train…"
"You're right, I do. And so do you. Whether you know it or not." The boys stood there looking at each other. Each trying to stare the other down before finally Layle rolled his eyes.
"Fine, let's do it."
"Perfect!" Keiss pulled back from Layle and approached the doctor, "So as I was saying why don't you hire us to-"
"Absolutely not." Oides cut him off. Keiss frowned but Layle chuckled. "Spinosa told me, specifically to not let you hunt down these thieves. It is Sir Regal's mission."
"Well that settles that!" Layle put his hands in his pockets. "So we'll just be on our-"
"Then hire us to protect your shipment!" Keiss was determined. He saw a way in, he was not backing down. "We won't search for thieves, we won't even interfere with what Regal is doing…just hire us to be guards. We ride the train, with your supplies and make sure none is tampered with. Should the thieves attack, we will only focus on guarding what's yours. And let Regal and the military deal with actually capturing them."
There was a long moment of silence in the room. Oides eyed Keiss with caution. He rubbed his chin and continued to stare at the Selkie. The longer he stared the more determined Keiss seemed. The red head kept his arms crossed and his expression stern. Finally, the doctor nodded, "A…curious loop hole…However, Spinosa never said you could not guard what was mine…Alright."
Keiss smiled and looked back at Layle with a wink. The Clavat just rolled his eyes.
"I will have to get you a clearance pass and a map to the Veo Lu Research facility. That's where it's made and shipped from. You'll be guarding the next shipment. It's scheduled to leave in two days."
"We'll be here the day before for our passes." Keiss nodded to the doctor and turned to head out the room. "You won't be disappointed, Dr. Oides."
The doctor nodded to him. "Just try not to upset the Lieutenant and Sir Regal too much."
Layle snorted as they headed out, "I don't think that's possible for him to do."
- 8
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- 10
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The Crystal Rule