I actually did a little research for this fanfic. 8D And yes, Balthier's birth name is "Ffamran Bunansa", so I'll be using that name in the first chapters because this is happening before FF12 started (guh, half the time I was writing "Balthier" and then noticed after I went back to read it over x3). Ok, enjoy!

Traitor

It was dawn in Archades, the town glowed a faint yellow on this morning. Barely any one was out running through the streets or browsing in shops at this time of day. But two people, a Judge and an Archadian Researcher stood before the Aerodome.

"Ffamran…" The boy's father spoke.

The sixteen-year-old titled his head away from his father's direction in response.

"You will be going to Dalmasca this evening to scout around for the next few days."

"What will a Judge, like I, be scouting around for?" Ffamran questioned. He already knew the answer; he just wanted a different one.

Dr. Cid, Ffamran's father, narrowed his eyes at his son and turned his head slightly to the right of him. "Yes, I believe he does know." He spoke, seemingly to himself. But Ffamran knew he was talking to that Venat.

Ffamran's eyebrows furrowed together in disgust and turned away. "I'll be leaving for Dalmasca now." He announced, while he started walking away from his father. His Judge helmet was placed between his right side and arm; he just recently hated putting it on.

"You're right, like always, Venat." He heard his father chime.

He boarded with some luggage, the private airship that was set to leave to Dalmasca right away and sat down with a heavy sigh. He doesn't want this life anymore. He doesn't want to be a Judge. He doesn't want to see his father like this. He set his helmet on the table next to him and looked around, understanding they'll be off in a few minutes. He got back up, took his suitcase and went into the restroom to change into something more…normal.

Ffamran looked into the mirror to see a Judge, a soon-to-be-traitor Judge. Maybe traitor wasn't the word to describe what he was going to do exactly, but he smirked at the thought. While changing into average hume clothing, he felt the airship start. He quickly changed into a loose-fitting, white button-up shirt and dark baggy pants like everyone in Rabanastre wore, that's where he'd be going after all.

Scouting… my ass. More like gathering data to start planning the infiltration of the poor country, Ffamran thought to himself.

He came out of the restroom and stuffed his Judge uniform in a nearby closet. "It's not like I'll need this attire any longer." Ffamran mumbled. He then returned to his chair to think on his plan more clearly, though he didn't get much brainstorming in because the co-pilot interrupted him.

"How are you, Bunansa?" The pilot asked casually.

"Alright, just preparing. And you?" The Judge replied, being as equally as casual though he didn't know the man. If Ffamran did, he didn't really care, most of the co-pilots and pilots looked the same anyways. Or maybe he really just didn't care to remember their faces.

"Very well, sir." He said with a nod and began making his way to the front of the ship.

"When do you believe we'll be arriving?" Ffamran asked as he eyed the clock.

"I'd say about an hour and a half, sir." The co-pilot answered with another nod and he disappeared into the steering room.

"Thanks." The teen said lamely as he began to sit back in his seat, but then stopped. He saw his Judge helmet at the corner of his eye on the table. Ffamran mumbled to himself as he got up to hold his helmet. He stared at the closed door that led to the steering room and then walked to the closet. The Judge opened the closet door and shoved the helmet all the way to the back of the shelf and shut the door. If he could lock the door, he would have. He picked up his suitcase and slept for the next hour and a half in the cabin.

Once they landed in Rabanastre, Ffamran said his thanks and set foot on Dalmascan soil. It was nothing like Archades. Rabanastre had a more comfortable, laid-back feel to it.

Maybe this is where I could stay? No, then I'd be caught for sure. He mentally threw the idea into the trash.

He went through the entrance gate freely, smiling to the citizens if they looked at him, and they would smile back. No one suspected him of working to bring this city down. Maybe that's what made him stop and look regretfully around.

"Vaan! You know you shouldn't do that!" A young pigtailed girl scowled towards a blonde boy around her age. Ffamran eavesdropped silently as he sat down at a bench, near the kids. She stared at the money pouch in his hand

"Aww, c'mon, Penelo! I can finally get you that feather hair tie you always wanted!" The boy smiled, hitting a soft spot on the girl.

She was hesitant to reply, debating if this was alright or not. "But Vaan! I don't want you to get it with stolen-"

The boy covered her mouth with his hand, "Penelo, don't get me caught or I'll rot in jail." He whispered, panicking a little as he looked around to see if there were any on-lookers. Ffamran held in a laugh as he glanced at the couple, unafraid of what Vaan would do. Vaan removed his hand from Penelo's mouth and stared at the teenager, scared.

Ffamran shook his head, "I won't tell if you won't. But…you might want to hide that pouch somewhere before the prior owner starts looking for it." He said so only they could hear. Ffamran got up then, taking his suitcase up with him.

Vaan gave a relieved sigh and Penelo grabbed her friend's hand. She looked directly into Ffamran's eyes and smiled, "Thank you, sir." Penelo then whispered to the boy, "Let's go, Vaan." She let go of his hand and started off to a nearby shop.

"So you do want the hair tie!" Vaan laughed.

"Vaan! C'mon!" Penelo replied with a very urgent tone.

Vaan turned to Ffamran and smiled, "Thanks for not telling, mister."

"Like it never happened." He replied with a nod. And with that, Vaan ran off to where Penelo disappeared to.

Did you like it? I know it didn't get to the romance part yet, but it's coming! Don't worry! Review if you want, thank you so much!