The Tenkan Twist
by val'tanelle

Summary: [S2 crossover S3] "Year 475 of the Sun Calendar: x-month, y-day. In the almost two weeks since coming here, life in the castle has been calm and stable at most. The only thing different now is the magician who appeared into thin air a few days ago."

Author's Notes: I haven't finished the game (HEHEHE, but I blame the fact the CD broke when I saved in Thomas's chapter...and was stuck there...) but I do have the manga! So I'm following the manga! I have volume 9 but I don't have 7 and 8 and 10 and beyond. And it's not available online either! So yeah this story is in hiatus when we get to volume 7 XD that's chapter 11. I know it sucks haha.

Weekly update! I have ten chapters written already. Way to go to break my own promise xD But Suikoden needs more love. Now that the team had disbanded, I need to show urgent appreciation haha. SUIKODEN FOREVER.


The Tenkan Twist

I: One Very Odd Guest

Budehuc Castle was not as impressive as it sounded. It wasn't going to live out the "castle" part of its name anytime soon because Thomas had been bombarded with just about every castle lord's nightmare since his father, a councilman of Zexan, had given it to him.

The exact word to describe the castle that made it unimpressive was that it was run-down: gaping holes in the wall, faded wall painting, leaking, rusty pipes, dusty old books and carpets, limited supplies. The worst part was the staff. Oh, they were far from incompetent (then again, Thomas didn't have very high standards) but the castle was simply understaffed.

The castle only had one butler, Sebastian. He was also the chef, the cleaner, the account, and pretty much every standard thing a castle lord would do. Either Sebastian was really good or he had too much experience with the castle. He is a veteran in his job, having overseen many castle lords govern Budehuc Castle until it decayed to its decrepit state today.

Keeping the warehouse in order is Muto, who had eaten Sebastian's cooking all his life and was therefore Sebastian's life-long, die-hard fan. Muto was always in high spirits and his cheerfulness ever infectious like a really good cancer (what kind of disease is that?). However, he does need a little work with his memory. Thomas hadn't seen anyone hand in a dead spider when asked for a Medicine.

Then there was Cecile, the captain of the Budehuc Castle Guard, her passion for her job driving her to guard day and night. She's also the only member of the guard, which, to sum up, is there was no Budehuc Castle Guard in the first place. Just Cecile.

Guarding the libraries was Eike, who Thomas never see eat, bathe, or see the light. He was always in the maze of shelves, surrounded by the hardbound, thick volume of books with a scent of wonderful vanilla. Of all the areas in the castle, the library is the only well-kept one and Eike continues to do a great job with it.

The castle still had a dojo along with its dojo master, Juan. Thomas thought it was pretty impressive, until he discovered he had not a single student. He was even less impressed upon discovering Juan barely did anything than lay down on the grass.

At least Budehuc Castle still had its recreational activities. There's the long-time resident, Martha who handles the lottery (except no one buys a ticket from her) and Piccolo was an excellent magician. Unfortunately, his magic did not extend to his fortune-telling services.

Thomas sighed, putting down his quill. He stood up and gazed from behind the windows of his office, overseeing the castle and its fall to ruin...

Thomas shook his head vigorously. No, Thomas! You will live your dream here! It's a rough start but it's a start. Nothing can go easy in life after all.

He smiled to himself at his own encouragement. That smile slipped into wonder when a strange light circled in the castle grounds. He blinked his eyes and leaned his face closer that his nose touched the glass. A boy probably no older than him appeared from where the light had vanished. He carried a staff a foot taller than him and the regalia he worn made Thomas think that he was a magician. His clothes slightly resembled Harmonian but it might be because it was too fancy.

The magician turned around and made eye contact with Thomas. Ah, he must be here to set up a shop! Thomas' dream was to make Budehuc Castle a free trading place and he welcomed anyone regardless of his race or land to open a shop in the castle. Thomas raised his hand to ask him to wait but the magician vanished equally as he had appeared. Thomas' head jerked back.

"Hmph. They become less and less impressive each year."

"Ahh!" The exclaim of surprise shot right out of his throat. Thomas whirled around and saw the magician standing before the desk. "H-how-" Wait, of course, magic. Thomas regained composure and asked again, "Who are you? And – oh, er, I'm Thomas, the castle...lord..."

Thomas lost his voice. The magician seemed to be busy with something else. His eyes were closed and his focus was somewhere else. Thomas was afraid he might be interrupted something so he kept silent.

The magician opened his eyes, revealing a pair of emerald orbs. He thoughtfully placed a hand on his lips. "Hmm. I don't sense Lady Leknaat. It seems I missed several days or even weeks on the right mark." The magician fell silent again.

"Excuse me," Thomas interrupted his thoughts politely. "Are you perhaps here to open a shop?"

The magician tilted his head and Thomas got the feeling he was looking at him with a scrutinizing gaze. Thomas thought for sure the magician had glanced toward his hands. Oh no, did he have dirt on them? What an embarrassment.

"I'm here to join your cause," the magician said. "By orders from the Lady."

Thomas couldn't help but smile. "That's great! We can discuss the details in the—"

The magician waved his staff and vanished. Again.