Thieves
By Dixxy
Prologue
AN: Before you begin to read this story, I would HIGHLY suggest reading another story I wrote entitled Memories. The part of the prologue in italics is a direct excerpt from the said story (with maybe one or two word adjustments- I did this so long ago I can't remember). Basically, this is what might've happened if some of the events in Memories had occurred differently. Enjoy!
~
Daylight began to break over the Zenan Mainland, waking many of its people, whether they were in Porre or Guardia. Some had been long awake, baking breads and preparing morning deliveries that would fulfill their livelihoods while others were just up to witness the big orange ball climb high into the sky.
Four young boys were nearly on the outskirts of Porre. Norris was in the lead, the figures all hidden under cloaks to hide their identities as they made their escape. Dario kept close to his brother, almost constantly reminding the younger boy that they were almost home free. Karsh was running on Glenn's other side in an attempt to make the boy feel safer.
"There!" Norris announced. The group stopped, seeing the outskirts of the city just ahead of them. He laughed brightly. "You guys are almost home free!" He turned to Glenn and knelt down to his level. "Don't worry, you'll be home soon. You'll be back with your dear old dad and out of this hell hole."
"What about you, Norris? Aren't you coming, too?" asked Glenn.
Norris shook his head. "No," he said. "My place is here."
"But that man Curtis is here!" said Glenn, looking concerned. "He's bad!"
"Uh, Glenn, I don't know how to tell you this but-" Dario started.
"But what, Dario? I don't know any Curtis," said Norris coldly.
Karsh gave Dario a knowing look. Dario shut his mouth, catching the drift. Glenn would be happier not knowing who Norris was in relation to his kidnapper. They weren't sure how the boy would handle such information, and they didn't want to risk a negative reaction- he was traumatized enough as he was.
With that done, the boys began to run for the exit. Once they were out of Porre, they were much, much safer. This city would do them no good- it had done Glenn no good and Norris knew that something worse would happen to Karsh and Dario is they were captured. Perhaps the three of them would die. Even I might die.
Just as they reached the city limit, they heard the clicking sound of a cocked gun. All four boys jolted to a stop, nearly crashing into each other. Norris turned his head to see his father pointing a gun at the boys. "I don't know who three of you are, but I know that little Glenn is with you."
Norris froze. The man that he had learned to hate almost overnight was standing there before them, looking to take them back to the facility. No! He wouldn't allow that to happen! Never! Karsh, Dario, and Glenn didn't deserve this! Making a very bold move, Norris lowered his head. "No."
Curtis nearly dropped his gun. "Norris!? What the hell are you doing?!"
"You heartless bastard! You hurt a little kid, you big jerk!" he said.
Karsh bit his lip. He's going to get us killed!
"Norris, the little brat is a political prisoner! He's the son of one of those El Nido savages and I need him to help Porre take over Guardia and eventually his country! Now just give him back before I beat you for this! Don't you realize this is treason, boy? Your mother would pitch a fit!" Curtis yelled.
"I don't care!" said Norris. "You're all a bunch of power hungry bastards! Why would I want to associate myself with a bunch of power hungry bastards! I don't want any part of this anymore! We're going back to Guardia and maybe I'll stay with them! Maybe the Devas don't believe in brutally torturing little children!"
Curtis grabbed Norris by the shirt collar. "You little piece of dirt," he sneered.
"Let him go!" Glenn protested.
Curtis shot a sneer towards his former prisoner. Glenn yelped and hid behind Dario.
"Guys, ahd suggest we git ourselves out of here before we git into more trouble," Karsh suggested.
Curtis briefly dropped Norris to look at Karsh. "You must be that big ax welding Deva's son. Karsh, was it?" he turned his head to Dario. "And from the way Glenn's hiding behind you I'd bet my badge that you're Dario, the great Garai's other son." He shook his head, laughing. "Seems as if I've made quite an interesting catch. Crippling two Devas would shoot me straight to the top." He grinned. "Too bad my traitor of a son is helping them. Such a shame."
Glenn looked at Norris in shock. The Porre boy gulped, feeling nervous.
Curtis raised his gun again. "I want all of you to keep quiet and follow me. If you try to run I guarantee you I'll kill one of you, maybe two. Norris can tell you how good of a shot I am. He's seen me shoot and he knows I'm dead good. If you value your lives then I'd suggest you all move it!"
~
For those of you who are just tuning in, the REAL sequel to Memories (this is more of an AU), which was entitled Marooned, featured a brief poll on what people wanted to see after that story was finished, and if you're reading this, well, it's done. This was the winner. The other two stories will come later.
Another short prologue. I know. Prologues aren't supposed to be long in my book, so I make them short. Also, the point of this prologue was to show EXACTLY where history would have changed for the first four of my six victims (I'm not going to say who the other two are until they show up ^_^). In Memories, Karsh and Dario revealed themselves and trash talked Curtis long enough for Norris to get Glenn away. Karsh then used an Element on Curtis so he and Dario could get away. But, as you can see, that didn't happen, and now the boys are goin on a rocky roller-coaster ride that will bring them just about everywhere BUT where they want to be.
This is probably going to be a little on the long side because it's going to be covering a large span on time, more than likely about fifteen or so years. More CC cast members will show up whether it's just a brief appearance or an addition to the main cast.
Now for comments on the epilogue of Marooned.
Iluvrikku12: LOL! Interesting math equation you got there.
Uftaki: Yeah, I just couldn't resist a little blackmail in the epilogue there, could I? The Karlha (Yes! A new pairing word!) was a bit or a surprise to me, too, but I felt bad for Karsh. Glenn's getting married, Dario's having a baby, and he would still be single. Orlha to the rescue! Well, no, in the real game, if you get the GOOD ending, everyone forgets. When I write, depending on the story, I'll usually have it so everyone remembers, so it's a mix of the good and bad endings, really. Busy? You don't know half of it! I have about the same amount of Ronin Warrior fics to worry about, PLUS some Lunar pieces that I'm WAY overdue on.
Al: Thanks! Hmm, Curtis using the teddy bear against Glenn? I don't think he'd go for a teddy bear when he has actual people to attack. Yeah, they were pretty shocked, though somehow I think I could've done the reaction scene a little better. You know, that's one thing I don't get- I always use Karsh as a point of humor when he really isn't what I'd call "comic relief" in the game itself. Thanks for the compliment- I like adding other plots to romance other than the classic "I love you!" "But I love you more!" kind of thing. Ha! Cute. Yeah, there isn't enough Gleena here, I don't think, but of course y'all know my feelings on THE PORRE AFFAIR (Glenn: Oh no, here we go again!). Glenn on the traitors? Well. . .that'll probably end up being a side story, if anything at all. Just assume they learned their lesson.
Miso14: Thanks! But hey, you guys helped out with the 100 mark! A masterpiece? Yes, I'm proud of this, though I'm wondering if I could've had more fluffy, happy chapters like 1-6, which was the original point of the fic. The whole Curtis thing took it over. 3rd installation? That won't be for a while, because Memories is a prequel to the actual trilogy (a la The Hobbit to The Lord of the Rings)! Yes, the next two books do involve more characters, for sure, but Glenn pretty much has the role of "main character" at least until Book Three, which might not have him as the main character if I entertain the idea that's running through my head right now. Yes, I am working on the Thieves story (well DUH, this IS that story!) and I have a notebook that I've been jotting down rough ideas in. Other games? Well, I've played both Lunar games and I have two fics in the L:SSSC section, though I haven't worked on them forever and they're kinda crappy in comparison to some of my more recent works, but if you'd like to see them, be my guest. You're entirely welcome, Miso!
GabbyGirl: Hmm? Oh, you mean about the wedding thing. Don't worry, that'll pop up eventually. Like I'm going to leave a pregnant Riddel and an engaged Glenn and Leena hanging!
Tami: I amaze myself sometime, though I guess it's really you guys who made it a 100+ reviewed fic. A masterpiece? Well, I would definitely call this one of my better pieces, you're correct. I worked at it, and there were some slow periods, but I got it done and look at it now! It's one of the most reviewed fics in this section! Go me! Heh, we'll see if this one comes out as good as it sounds in my head.
Harle is the best: Cliché? Er, what do you mean by that? Yes, you're right- I'm not a fan of "brevity". Most of my fanfics are multi-part mini-novels ranging from seven or eight parts to as many as sixty (and yes I do have a fic that long- luckily none of the parts were any longer than about three and a half pages). Thanks!
Fier: Thanks for reading it! The ending was a bit cheesy, but you know what, sometimes you need a bit of cheese to go through life. A nice little feel-good ending so everyone knows it'll be all right until I write the sequel, when all hell breaks loose once again.
Yukari: Karsh is under-appreciated, really, though lately he's been used quite a bit. I STILL wanna know what Soulblighter2 did to him, though. . .
Renmazuo: You liked the fight scene? Cool. The whole thing with the "Glenn dying" thing worked a hell of a lot better when that was, at the time, the last part posted- for someone reading it after the part where Glenn and his counterpart have their heart-to-heart, it isn't as effective because you aren't left wondering. Damn, I know how to hook my readers! Thanks for your comments!
Alba: Well, it's not like it's the end of the world if you don't review, Alba, really, calm down! I take it you're a big Karsh fan? Okay, okay, no duh on that one. Yes, the VIPER MANOR GANG is cool. As long as I have ideas, I'll keep on writing.
The next part actually gets the story going.
~Dixxy