Note: I don't own Saijaku Muhai no Bahamut, I'm only writing this for fun.

So during the course of this story, I'll be mostly following the light novel's plot, but I'll add my own details and make some changes, just so that it's not a copy and paste of the light novel, but the central plot will still go in the same direction

And if anyone has any ideas for the story (character details, how one character should interact with another, etc.) let me know and I'll write it in if it seems interesting.

Lux gasped at the pain ripping through him. He felt Bahamut's jet black amour being torn apart, a blade biting through his unprotected torso. Vaguely, he noted that shards of ragged metal were digging into his unprotected chest.

He knew it was stupid, what he had done. Knew that he still had things left to do. Sacred Eclipse hadn't been stopped yet, and the matter with Fugil hadn't been resolved, his murky lineage left unknown. And he wasn't even sure if everyone else was okay yet. Lisha, Krulcifer, Philiffy, Celis, the Triad, Airi. And of course, Yoruka.

But she was kind of a given, seeing as it was her that he had taken the fatal blow for.

Lux knew that his death would rattle her, that she would be left feeling lost. But when he saw Singlen's blade crashing down on her, his body had moved unthinkingly. He couldn't bear the thought of leaving her to die when he knew he could stop it.

Perhaps he was selfish, doing what he knew Yoruka herself would have never wanted him to do. He didn't regret it though, not the slightest.

"Aruji, sama…..?"

Yoruko called out disbelievingly to her master's back. A pool of blood was slowly forming at Lux's feet. She didn't want to believe what was happening, what had happened. Had she failed him as she'd failed her little brother?

No

"Insolent fool, throwing away his life like this, without becoming neither king or hero. Looks like his caliber was only half-baked like this," sneered Singlen.

Feeling his consciousness growing murky, Lux couldn't help but feel ashamed.

Sorry Airi, I guess your big brother has to break a promise to you. I didn't want to leave you alone, but the others will take care of you, so you don't have to worry. Damn, I haven't finished my duty yet. As Lisha's knight, as the New Kingdom's Seven Dragon Paladin, as my classmates' strength.

For the first time since Fugil's betrayal, Lux felt tears threatening to overflow. He choked down a sob, or was that blood? He couldn't tell. Self-loathing clawed at him. He'd failed everyone and everything at the end.

If only I could go back and redo it all. What am I saying? This is all your own goddamned fault. This is all because you weren't strong enough. I don't deserve to say 'if only.' This is all my fault. If only I could rewind time, maybe then I-

Lux was abruptly brought out of his self-loathing when his clouded vision caught sight of something.

Who is that? Lux thought.

Peering over him, an ethereal-looking girl leaned over into Lux's eyesight.

"I will grant you your wish," was all she said.

Then everything went black

With a jolt, and a shriek, Lux snapped awake.

"GAH!"

He realized that he was in a cold, damp cell, one that seemed very old, yet somehow familiar.

"Where am I? What happened? I died back there, I know I did."

Both his sword devices were gone, but that wasn't the strange thing. The strange thing was that he was wearing his usual outfit when he wasn't in uniform: white shirt with a short brown overcoat, and simple work pants. He was flabbergasted at how he was back in this outfit. He hadn't worn it in weeks!

If he had somehow survived and been kidnapped, there was no way that his assailants could've or would've gotten him in this outfit.

"What in the world?" Lux whispered softly.

"Are you awake, Prince?"

"GAH!"

He really needed to stop getting startled.

Walking through the doorway and stopping in front of his cell, was Lisesharte Atismata.

"Lisha-sama! You're okay, thank god! What's happening? Why-" Lux was relieved beyond all measure that she was alright. He felt a little of the tension easing out of his system, thought that was short lived.

"SILENCE, Fallen Prince! You've no right to refer to me so casually!" Lisha spat out, a hostile look in her eye.

What.

Lux was speechless. Lisha was, albeit very headstrong and vocal, never this rude with him, and she had never spoken to him like this. Not since they'd first met back when he-

The metaphorical light bulb flashed so brightly above his head, it was a miracle Lisha didn't notice it.

My wish when I was dying, that strange girl's words, this familiar cell, Lisha's behaviour, it all makes sense now.

"Now come on! Headmistress Relie wishes to speak with you. No doubt to met out punishment for your peeping in the girls' bath."

Lux had gone back in time, to when his story with the girls' had started.

Lux looked quite calm while he was being lead down the Academy's hall. Especially since he was handcuffed. But in his mind, he was panicking like a groom standing at the altar who'd just realized that he'd forgotten to buy a ring.

How is this possible? Is this actually the past, or is it some alternate timeline? Who was that girl? Am I just going insane?

"We're here!"

Lisha pulled on his chains roughly as they neared a set of heavy, oaken doors.

"Ara, ara, hello there Lux," Relie greeted cheerfully, as if they were meeting over a nice brunch.

"Ah, hello Relie-san"

"Now, this is quite the situation you've gotten yourself into. Sneaking in and groping the 2nd-years while the 3rd-years are away."

"T-that was an accident! I was trying to return a stolen pochette and-" Lux rattled off. Even though he knew this was going to happen, he was still flustered at the accusation. He'd never been very good with these types of situations.

"No more excuses! Headmistress, how will we be punishing him?"

"Now, now Lisesharte, as a longtime acquaintance, I will vouch for Lux's innocence. He's not gutsy enough to do something like this.

Ouch, Lux thought, his pride a little hurt. She's right kind of right though. The only reason these sorts of things happen is because of accidents.

Lux quickly shook the memories of other such incidents out of his head. Now would not be a good time to be thinking about that. He felt a minor blush forcing its way up at the memories, but quickly squashed it.

But at the thought of memories, Lux felt doubt and panic creeping up on him, the gravity of his situation finally setting in.

What if things don't turn out to be the same? Well, I guess the whole point of going back in time is so that things wouldn't be the same.

Lux shook his, he'd think about this later.

"-and so I'd like to ask Lux to work here," Relie was saying.

"WHAT?! We're going to allow this perverted, 'man', to work here?! What are you thinking?!" Lisha shouted.

"That's true, huh. Then what if we let the girls who were victims of this incident decide the punishment?" Relie replied, her usual calm smile still in place.

"Well then, I challenge you, Fallen Prince, to a duel. Should you win I'll overlook this incident and allow you to work here. Should you lose, however, I'll be handing you over to the guards as a common criminal," Lisha declared. She drew out her sword device, Tiamat, and pointed it at Lux. She smiled in a confidant way, and then walked over to the doors and threw them open.

On the other side, and enormous crowd of girls were listening in. Now that he had a chance to look, Lux realized that they all looked immensely embarrassed at being caught red handed. He had to stifle a laugh at their expressions.

"Oi, to all you eavesdroppers!" Spread the word that the Princess of the New Kingdom is about to do away with the Prince of the Old Empire!"

At once, wave of whispers erupted, the girls getting excited at what was to happen.

"Now that I'm thinking about it, even though you already seem to know my name, I haven't introduced myself properly yet. Greetings, Fallen Prince. I'm Lisesharte Atismata, princess of the kingdom that toppled your precious Old Empire."

Lux knew that this was meant to be taken as a threat, and it probably would've worked too, if he was like any other ruined prince. But, seeing as he himself was the one who destroyed his country, it didn't work too well.

Lux smiled awkwardly at Lisha, who only glared at him.

"Mou, Nii-san, what were you thinking? Breaking into the girls bath house?"

Airi was sitting across from him on a couch, looking like she was scolding an exasperating little brother. Kinda ironic, since Lux was older by a year.

"Ah, sorry about that Airi. Did I cause trouble for you?"

"Nevermind that. Do you realize what will happen if you're handed over to the guards? We're already criminals as surviving members of the Arcadia Empire. How will I pay off the debt if your in jail?" Airi admonished.

"But it was an accident!"

Lux sighed, he knew he wasn't going to win against Airi. Still, it was nice to see her. There still that doubt that not everything would be the same. Looking over to Airi's right, Lux focused on Noct.

Still as proper and calm as ever, he noted fondly.

"Ah, this is my roommate Noct."

"Yes, it's really too bad that Airi's big brother is such an unbelievable pervert," Noct monotoned.

"Like I said, it wasn't my fault!"

At this point, getting flustered and defending himself had become a habit, what with Krulcifer teasing him all the time.

Speaking of Krulcifer, I wonder how she's doing? There still some time left before the matter with her engagement, but I'd like to try and talk to her first.

"Anyway, I'm going to tell you about Lisha-sama's Divine Drag-Ride, Tiamat, now Nii-san. You'd better pay attention. I'm not going to repeat myself, okay?"

"Ah, okay," not that I really need to hear it though.

"The exhibition match between Princess Lisesharte Atismata and Lux Arcadia will be starting now!" Raigree announced.

The stadium was pretty full of cheering students. Which didn't help Lux's nerves.

Gotta make sure that the Gargoyle won't hurt them when it comes.

Lux couldn't just walk up and say "Hey you know that match that'll determine if I'm a criminal or not? Well, a Gargoyle's going to attack in the middle of it, though I can't tell you how I know. Can we please cancel the match?" Yeah, Lux didn't think that'd go over too well.

"Hey Fallen Prince! Do you know why I challenged you to a duel?" Lisha called out, just before the match started.

"Errr," Lux responded with uncertainty. He sweat dropped internally. Of course he knew the answer, but he couldn't really answer truthfully, now could he?

It'd be creepy if he said that it was because she was branded with the mark of the Old Empire on her pelvis.

That would be sexual harassment, I think.

"If you beat me, I just might tell you, you know?"

"MATCH START!"

Lux equipped his Wyvern, feeling the reassuring armour enfolding itself over him. At least some things don't change, no matter if in the past, future, or present.

"Just a mere Wyvern, Fallen Prince?" Lisha taunted with a hard smile."

Hovering there in the sun's rays, her and Tiamat's silhouette looked truly formidable. Lux held his breath, remembering once again how powerful and beautiful she was.

I'm lucky to be her knight. Now, if I could stay alive long enough to be her knight again, that'd be nice.

Almost immediately Lisha launched her airborne fortresses, the small flying projectiles Tiamat controlled.

Lux, honed again and again through high risk combat, reacted immediately. Quick as lightning he shot up on the air, and agile as a dancer he dodged the projectiles. He stood the beat chance of winning when he was in the air, and he'd be better prepared to fend off the Abyss that should be appearing in just a few minutes.

"Do you dance, Fallen Prince? My dance is a little on the rough side," Lisha taunted with an intimidating smile.

Without really thinking, Lux responded.

"I do dance, but I'm not always good," he said softly, "But I do hope to match your pace"

Lisha looked at him, a bit startled at his response.

What the hell is he talking about? Maybe he's just gotten delusional

She shook off her thought. Now was the time to fight, not to contemplate.

But something's wrong, Lisha thought, narrowing her eyes at Lux's flickering form.

Her airborne fortresses, though keeping him occupied, couldn't land a solid hit on Lux. His form was incredibly confidant, not a move was made that was unneeded. In fact, it seemed as if he already knew what was going to happen, reading their movements like a script.

She wasn't far off.

Having all the knowledge and experience he gained from the future, Lux was powerful. Much more than anyone could ever expect. He was a warrior, a veteran almost. Piloting a Drag-Ride was natural to him at this point, the metal's weight reassuring against body. He felt free in this armour, even though it wasn't Bahamut.

But that doesn't mean he was slacking off. After all, it was still a common Wyvern against a fabled Tiamat.

He knew he still had to keep his guard up, he wasn't going to let hubris wouldn't be his Achilles' heel.

But it's not like anyone could ever seriously fathom Lux falling into hubris.

"It seems like you weren't called the Weakest Undefeated for no reason, huh. Well, I guess as a sign of respect I'll show you a somewhat fancy move."

Wait, Lux thought, isn't this where she uses Seven Heads?

*BOOOOM!*

A ray of condensed energy shot through the air, barely missing Lux as he dodged it, and cleanly punched the barriers the instructor's Wyrms had created.

Yep, that's definitely when she uses Seven Heads.

"Jeez, don't you think Lisha-sama's overdoing it a little?" Tillfar asked with a slightly frazzled smile.

"Yes, Airi's big brother could be in serious trouble at this rate," Noct ask, with just the slightest hint of concern.

"Perhaps we should stop the match?" Sharis suggested. She had no desire to see him seriously hurt, even if he was a prince of the Old Empire. He had seemed harmless enough to her, and Airi had spoken highly of him.

But that doesn't mean she wasn't wary of him.

"It's fine," Airi interjected, "even though my brother's weak-willed, when he's decided on something, he'll definitely see it through."

The Triad looked at her, confused. Clearly, they were expecting some details or an explanation, but Airi just looked on calmly at the match.

"And besides," she said, a smile on her face," He surely stands a chance of winning."

"Instructors, reset your barriers!" Raigree called out.

At this point, Lisha was getting frustrated.

Why can't I hit him?! He's clearly on the defensive and I clearly have the upper hand but…

Lux looked to sure of the situation. He was breathing hard, yes, but somehow she couldn't imagine a scenario where he lost.

"I guess I'll have to got all out. SPRAY SHOT!" Lisha called out, thrusting her great sword downwards.

The gravity around Lux immediately strengthened, forcing him to the ground, but Lux was prepared. He had felt Lisha's Spray Shot before, after all.

He had recognized the preparatory movements from Tiamat, and had immediately braced himself. Still, it didn't mean he didn't grit his teeth at the pressure.

Still strong, he thought.

His body may not be as strong as before, and his stamina may have been cut, but Lux knew that he could still go on.

I'll have to start training again. It's hard to believe I had let myself go this much during the five years as the citizens' handyman.

Lux's version of "letting himself go," was him not being able to move a hunk of metal continuously at high speeds for long enough without getting tired. Add on the fact that his Wyvern has weights added so that it felt like Bahamut (minus the extra power of course), and that he was evading 16 homing projectiles, and you'd hear a lot of internet addicted teenagers cursing Lix in their minds.

Anyway, back to the thing at hand.

Soon, the pressure lightened, and Lux took off to the sky.

"...he's doing remarkably well," Sharis said, focusing intently on the silver-haired teenagers movements. She was trying to analyze them and remember them for future reference, but with Lux's speed, it was kind of hard to do.

"Yes, it's incredible that he's lasted this long against a Divine Drag-Ride with only a Wyvern," Noct added. Though she hid it well, she was rather surprised at Lux's ability.

I don't think I've ever seem someone pilot a Drag-Ride so well. Not even an instructor or one of the nobles.

"Haaah, your brother's pretty good Airi," Tillfar said, eyes wide and impressed. "Maybe we oughta ask him for some pointer. If he's, you know, not in jail after this."

While the Triad were appreciating Lux's skill, Airi was in silent confusion.

Was Nii-san always this good? Of course, he's the Black Hero, and he's been keeping up with his training. But still, this is almost otherworldly. To think he's only 17 and already so...seasoned.

She didn't worry too much though. If he was stronger, he could protect himself better, was Airi's thought.

"Hah...hah...hah,"

Lisha was breathing hard, cold sweat dripping down her forehead, strands of blonde hair clinging to her skin.

After continuously commanding 16 airborne fortresses, firing off Seven Heads, and activating Spray Shot, all in the span of a handful of minutes, it could only be expected that Lisha would be tired. Though exhausted would probably be a better term at this point.

Lux was also tired, but from his posture, it was clear that he could still go on, and that frustrated Lisha.

Why can't I beat him?! Why-

Her thought was cut short when Tiamat started to emit high-pitched warning sounds, along with the releasing of pulses of light. It was going out of control.

"Am I…going to lose, because of something like this?!" She shouted out angrily.

But Lux was preoccupied with something else.

The Gargoyle should show up any moment now, but where? I don't remember exactly.

He knew that Lisha wouldn't listen to him, even if he was to suggest that she unequip Tiamat. But he also knew that she wasn't self-destructive enough to endanger her life over a mock battle. And he trusted the instructors to step in if it got too dangerous. Well, at least until the Gargoyle showed up, then it'd be him that was to step in.

*GRAAAAAHHH*

An unearthly howl tore through the bright midday sky, startling all but Lux.

There it is!

The Gargoyle clamp its massive jaws and claws on an instructor's Wyrm, and digging through the armour, and shook it around a few times before throwing it to the side and howling again.

"INSTRUCTORS, PROTECT THE STUDENTS AT ALL COSTS!" Raigree commanded, drawing her own sword device, preparing for battle.

In the spectator seats, the students where in chaos. Though they were talented cadets, they were still teenagers.

People ran screaming, forgetting about their lessons on keeping calm and such. The Syvalles though, were a different story.

Quickly, the members of the elite group started giving out instructions and calming the panicked, all the while keeping a hand on their sword devices and an eye on the Abyss. They knew to be prepared to fight back.

Lisha was no exception.

Damn, Tiamat's still raging. I can't protect the others like this. I might as well be a sitting duck. Why is there even an Abyss here?'

She gritted her teeth. As a Divine Drag-Rode user, it was shameful for her to be so vulnerable, she thought.

Lux, though, was prepared.

Quick as lightning, he was on the Gargoyle.

It of course, jumped back, but Lux was hot on its trail.

They were both in the sky, caught in a game of cat and mouse where the roles kept being switched.

"Lux Arcadia! Just hold on! Help will arrive shortly!" Raigree called. At the moment, she and the other instructors couldn't call their own Drag-Rides until the students were all safely evacuated.

Gargoyles were known to chase those who moved around too quickly. And while Lux was keeping it occupied, Raigree and the other instructors were worried that the Gargoyle would turn its attention to the still panicked students running around in the stands. They couldn't afford to risk leaving the students' side until every one of them was gone.

Back in the air, the Gargoyle swung a powerful arm at Lux, before suddenly turning to lung at the resting Lisha down below.

Lisha flinched, but the Gargoyle never made it that far.

Lux had near instantly pursued it and shot off a ball of energy, which found its mark on the Gargoyle's back.

*GRAAAAAHHH!*

It howled in pain, and turned back at Lux, who had closed the distance between them, and who slashed at it in that exact moment.

*GRAAAAAHHHH!*

Amazing, Lisha thought in wonder. He had been moving non stop since the match had started. Between her and the Gargoyle, he had to be tired, yet his movement's precision hadn't dulled the slightest.

I might have to change my opinion of you, Prince. I didn't expect you to protect me or the Academy's students and staff. Doesn't mean I'm going to stand by and let you do all the work though.

With the last of her energy, after Tiamat finally calmed down, she sent her airborne fortresses after the Gargoyle. They struck the thing's back, where Lux's canon had damaged its hide.

*GRAAAAAAHHH!*

It howled again and turned around, whereupon Lux struck the fatal blow to its back. His great sword pierced the Abyss's chest, and came out the other side, ending its life.

Slowly, the corpse slid off Lux's blade, and fell to the ground when a dull thud. There was silence as Lux landed as well, with a lighter thump than the corpse.

And then he promptly pitched forward as his sword device equipped. And he was also losing consciousness.

Shoot, I pushed myself too hard

Throughout the fight, both with Lisha and the Gargoyle, he had been straining himself, his body not as strong as it was in the future.

I guess that's a good thing; it means I had improved. He comforted himself. Then, he passed out.

"Lux!" Lisha called out in concern, dispelling Tiamat and running to check up on him.

"Woooow, your big bro sure did a number, didn't he?" Tillfar called out cheerfully as the Triad and Airi walked through the halls.

This was a little while after the incident, and they were walking to their rooms. They'd been told that Lux probably wouldn't wake up for a while, so they'd decided to turn in for the night.

"Do you mean on himself or the Gargoyle, Tillfar-san?" Airi replied. She was more than a little angry and worried.

Stupid Nii-san. What was he thinking?! Passing out like that.

Internally, Airi was worried sick. She had always hated it when her big brother got hurt, even more so when he passed out.

It brought back memories of that time he slept away a week after overusing Bahamut. She had thought that he wouldn't wake up at all, that she'd lose her last family member and the last one that cared for her.

Needless to say, she'd been near hysterical back then. Now, she only had an incredibly strong urge to go back to her brother's side. Not nearly as bad.

"Yes, it was quite reckless what he did, but it was necessary." Noct replied.

"He'll be fine, don't worry!" Sharis assured. She has a feeling that it'd take more than a Gargoyle to keep him down. Call it a hunch.

"Hey, what do guys think Lisha-sama's going to do with him now?" Tillfar asked again, "I don't think she'd send him to jail after what he did. And she seemed quite concerned about him after he collapsed."

"Yes, I don't think she's heartless enough to do something like that."

"Whatever happens, Nii-san had it coming," Airi muttered.

"Airi might talk like that, but I feel that she's really worried and wants to go back to her big brother's side," Noct said.

"! Noct, you don't need to mention that!" Airi said, panicked and flustered. The Triad laughed good naturedly.

"Uh, ow, my head,"

And my arms, and my legs, and my torso. Everything really.

He looked around and realized that he was in the infirmary. And that Lisha was standing with a washcloth and basin of water.

"Oh, you're awake. The doctor here's pretty good, but…" she trailed off, looking at his bandaged chest.

"Oh you don't need to worry! I'll be fine after some rest!"

There was a silence as Lisha wrung out the cloth.

"Why'd you protect me? Why'd you protect us?" she finally asked.

"Huh?"

She stared at him, slightly blushing.

"Well, I wanted to. You, and the rest, were in danger, and so I protected you."

Lisha blushed more.

"...it's the first time a man's ever said that to me," she mumbled. Lix smile gently at her.

"Thanks for nursing me too, though you didn't have too," Lux said kindly, lowering his head slightly. He'd miss talking to Lisha-the friendly, boisterous, eccentric one, not the hostile, hard one.

"...Lux Arcadia, was everyone in the royal family as humble as you?"

"Probably not, I'm not sure though. I was thrown out pretty early after all."

There was a silence, before Lisha broke it.

"I'll show you why I was so angry at you for groping me in the bathhouse," Lisha suddenly said.

Well I didn't really grope her but- wait, show me why? Isn't this where she shows me that mark?!

Flustered, Lux tried to stop her, but was too late.

Lisha had pulled down her skirt to reveal the red burn marked scorched onto her pelvis, right above her nether region.

Unfortunately, or fortunately, Lux got a generous eyeful before he turned away. While Lisha was certainly beautiful, he didn't want to make her uncomfortable or disrespect her.

Or maybe it was an instinct at this point. He seemed to be pretty good at putting himself in these sorts of situations. That must be why Krulcifer-san was always calling him perverted.

"D-did you see it?" Lisha asked quietly and nervously.

Lux could only nod, tongue-tied and still embarrassed beyond belief.

"Y-you know, you don't seem very surprised."

"Oh, um, it's just that I, uh, that I," Lux panicked, trying to think of an explanation. Luckily, he didn't have to.

"It's okay, I understand. You saw it in the bathhouse right? That's why I was mad. A prince of the Old Empire had seen the princess of the New Kingdom with the mark of the Old Empire. That could cause major problems, you know?"

"Yeah," Lux trailed off. Honestly, he didn't like lying to her. It left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"Could you promise me to keep it a secret?" she whispered almost shyly, fixing her clothes.

"I swear that I'll not say a word. I promise," Lux said, looking at her earnestly, now that she wasn't exposed.

I won't break that promise. Not on my life.

"T-that's great," Lisha said, breathing a sigh of relief. It had been a huge risk to talk to him personally like this. But she didn't regret it, not at all.

Somehow, I feel that I can trust this guy, even he's a prince of that Old Empire.

"Oh yeah! Staring tomorrow, you'll be a student here at the Academy," Lisha added, almost as an afterthought.

"...Understood," Lux replied happily.

I'm back. Back home at the Academy, where I belong.

This time, I won't screw it up. I'll protect them, I swear it on Bahamut's and Wyvern's sword device.