A FEW NOTES! First off, for the sake of the story, a few characters' ages are different (namely, Cloud, Tifa, Squall, Rinoa, and Yuna) because of their back stories. The Ivalice Alliance and all the countries therein, despite being named after in-game places, are all modern-day. In other words, Alexandria has a highway running near it and the castle has security cameras.
The only final fantasy characters are from VI-XIII Versus, and the Kingdom Hearts kids are here.
For MANY reasons, Xemnas and Ansem won't be in this. Ansem the Wise will be, but none of Xehanort's cronies. Entities. Whatever. Organization XIII does include Xion, and, since this is AU and I can, Roxas and Sora do exist at the same time. Also, the BBS guys are here at normal age with everyone else. Don't you just love AU?
And with that, I give you, Kings and Queens! Please review.
Kings and Queens
Chapter 1
"I hear the war is progressing towards Alexandria from Figaro. Won't Lindblum be targeted?"
"Lindblum has been in that war between the Organization and the Returners for years now, haven't you heard? I'll call 'em miracle workers if Tantalus can get here from that bloody mess in one piece."
"Isn't Tantalus involved with the rebels? Is it safe?"
"Of course it's safe! Tantalus is the one thing keeping Lindblum a livable place topside. They've been the link between the kingdoms- keeping things safe in the areas around Lindblum. If they could stretch their influence further to other kingdoms, they really would be miracle workers."
"Soldiers! Back to your posts. Gossip on your own time, not the kingdom's," a stern, husky voice demanded.
The two privates stuttered a "Yes, General Beatrix!" before scurrying off to their posts.
Seconds later, Beatrix quietly rapped on Princess Garnet til Alexandros's bedroom door. "Princess? Have you gotten dressed for the celebration?"
Her handmaidens quickly zipped her white gown up and finished fiddling with her hair. They'd been at it all morning, making sure their princess looked absolutely stunning for the show. "Yes, Beatrix," Garnet answered, slipping her feet into her handcrafted ivory heels. Painstakingly crafted mint roses embroidered the shoes and the heels, matching the roses stitched onto her bright dress. Her soft ivory crown was woven into her contrasting ebony hair, tied at the bottom with a silver clip- an early birthday present from her mother.
As her servants excused themselves, Beatrix stood in awe in the doorway. "You look marvelous, Princess, if you don't mind me saying."
Garnet gave her a small smile and turned to the window where airships carrying nobles from all six kingdoms were starting to come in. "Which do you think I should choose, Beatrix?" Garnet quietly asked, a frown marring her round face. "Five young princes to choose from in one night- and I haven't met any of them."
Beatrix slowly shook her head. "My apologies, Princess. I know it is hard, and I'm sure you realize it is strictly out of peace that you must marry one of the princes. But I am also sure that you will find love in one of them."
I hope, Garnet thought. With a sigh and sweep of her skirts, she rose from her seat and softly closed the window. "Will you escort me to the stadium, Beatrix?"
The general nodded, sending auburn curls spilling over her shoulders. "Of course, my princess."
((((()))))
"Everyone understand the plan?" Zidane Tribal asked, standing high on a chair in the middle of Prima Vista's map room.
Locke Cole, carefully hiding his smirk behind a cough, resisted the urge to knock their leader of the chair and nodded. "Perfectly."
Although it somewhat irritated him how young the mastermind behind Tantalus was, Locke did respect Zidane's leadership, despite how… unorthodox it may be. For the past year, they had stopped skirmishes all along the border of Alexandria and Treno from breaking out, actually making the kingdom seem like a pretty good place for once.
The same couldn't be said for other kingdoms, however. Locke himself had seen the terrible war flash before his eyes on the day Zanar troops invaded Kohlinger. Rachel had nearly died that day- if he hadn't been there….
Locke let out a deep breath. "How much longer until Alexandria?"
In response, Zidane turned and hollered, "Brother! How much longer?"
Brother, a desert dweller from the badlands south of Figaro, called back in his garbled accent. "Thirrty morre minutes!"
Zidane grinned at the prospect. "Almost there! Get to work on those final preparations- Relm, Eiko, go see if Yuna and Terra have fixed the dress yet. Rikku, I need you to call you-know-who and tell him we're about to begin. Ah, the pay we're going to get…."
As their blond leader spun heel and dashed upstairs to the bridge, Locke turned back to the rest of the men in Tantalus. He also wondered if they too had their doubts about Zidane being so young and in charge, but not a one blinked an eye towards his unruly behavior. They must been more used to it than Locke, obviously.
Auron stood and resumed Zidane's supposed job of fully explaining the plan. He had simply said they were going to kidnap Garnet during the performance and escape back to Treno.
It had startled everyone in Tantalus when Zidane announced the kidnapping. It was even more troubling to think what this mysterious you-know-who from Treno wanted with the princess of a neutral country. It smelled suspiciously like someone wanting to change the course of the war in their favor, but Locke hid his thoughts and went along with it anyway.
If Zidane were to do anything to jeopardize his plans, Locke would take him out without hesitation.
He had to stop this war.
((((()))))
Tifa Lockhart cocked an eyebrow at the royal invitation that had spontaneously showed up in her mailbox a week ago. Cloud had just today bothered to go outside and check it. "Looks fancy," Tifa noted, cracking open the seal.
"And expensive," Cloud pointed out with a sigh tugging at his lips.
But Emotional Brick Wall Cloud wouldn't dare show emotion like that, Tifa sarcastically thought with a role of her eyes. Cloud Strife was many things- but when it came to conversations, he really stank at carrying them on.
Rinoa Heartilly stuck her head over Tifa's shoulder. "Ooh, a letter! Could it be that promotion we've been looking forward to so long? Oh! To Squall Loire-"
"Lionheart," the brunette growled out in the background. "I refuse to use my idiot father's name."
"Oh, he's not that bad," Rinoa chided, turning back to the letter to continue. "-Cloud Strife, Tifa Lockhart, and Rinoa Heartilly- Why do I have to be last!- the Alexandrian embassy hereby invites you to attend Princess Garnet til Alexandros XVI's birthday celebration. Your names were brought to mention by Ambassador Laguna Loire and her highness Princess Stella Nox Fleuret of Tenebrae as four of the most dedicated veterans the First War has seen. We of the Ivalice Alliance thank you for your service and pray you enjoy the festivities."
"I'm not going," Cloud and Squall immediately announced. Rinoa and Tifa punched their arms. Squall corrected himself: "I'm not wearing a suit, I refuse to dance, and all drinks must be gotten by yourself, Rinoa."
The twenty-four year old huffily crossed her arms and spun towards the door. "Then Tifa and I will leave you sourpusses and go shopping for dresses. Have fun brooding, you two. You know, I think you'd look good in a red dress, Tifa…."
"No, Rinoa."
((((()))))
Kairi spun around to give the island one last look. She cocked her head, having to blow the stray auburn hair that dropped in her face. After giving the boys a reassuring, determined nod, Kairi stepped on board their raft.
For years they had dreamed of sailing away from monotonous days spent on Destiny Island, the largest island of all of the eastern Destiny Archipelago. Every year, a resident moved away to Alexandria's grand harbor, a common place for rural islanders like themselves to come looking for work.
Everyone had long gone from their island and now only loneliness remained when the breeze rolled over the sands. Sora was sick of the quiet waves, silence wind, and the sunset that taunted them with thoughts of life on the mainland.
Of course, there was little to be found on the mainland but war nowadays, but even that was better than silent isolation. So, after months of preparation and planning, Sora, Kairi, and Riku had built a raft that would sail them to Alexandria. It wouldn't be a long trip- if one looked hard enough, they could see the lights of the city on the horizon, past the vast cerulean sea.
"Let's go," Riku said, taking up an oar. Sora nodded and took the other one.
"Goodbye island; hello new life!"
Kairi let out a happy whoo! and waved at the fleeting sand.
Sora serenely smiled at what awaited them just across the sea. We'll be better off on the mainland. I know it.
I just know it.
((((()))))
"Xion! Axel! How many times have I told you not to lounge about in the open with your cloaks on?"
Axel groaned, falling on his back and taking another bite of the blue salty but oh, so sweet deliciousness Twilight called Sea Salt Ice Cream. "Don't have it memorized? This is the 5,671st time, Saix."
Organization XIII's blue-haired co-leader scowled up at the four of them on top of the clock tower, dressed inconspicuously as the rules mandated. Ansem had written them for a reason- but apparently, two of the thirteen didn't quite care.
Roxas frowned across to Axel. "Should we leave?"
"Nah," Axel said, tossing the ice cream stick behind him. "Saix knows your cool with the Organization. We'd probably let you in, if you wanted."
Namine politely shook her head, taking a small bite out of her ice cream. "I'm not very good at fighting like you all. My skills lie only on paper, I'm afraid."
Saix impatiently called up to them again, interrupting Axel's next persuasion technique. Instead, the fiery redhead sighed and stood to leave. Xion stood as well, waving goodbye to Roxas and Namine. "Next time you should bring some of your pictures, Namine. I'd love to see them."
The blonde nodded, waving back. After they had left, Roxas rolled his eyes and finished his ice cream. Truth be told, he had been thinking of joining the Organization, but he couldn't leave Namine on her own.
The streets of Twilight were a scary place when you were young and defenseless. Roxas and Namine knew firsthand how dangerous it could be after growing up and surviving the countless battles fought over the years.
For as long as anyone could remember, Twilight had been the center of the warfare between Zanarkand, Treno, Caelum, and Tenebrae. Alexandria, to the east, and Figaro, to the south, hadn't been very involved with the central trade city, but Roxas knew better than to think they weren't a threat. Soldiers and refugees from other smaller, decimated towns made up most of Twilight's residents. The true citizens were either military buffs living in mansions outside the wall or on the streets, like themselves.
Roxas and Namine, orphaned at young ages, had lived in a caged off area in the back of an alley for years. It was a small place- but they were blessed to have it. Once a junkyard before war hit the city hard, they had salvaged all kinds of old furniture and detritus to furbish the area. It was almost like a six-by-ten little house, Namine always liked to think. They had looked out for each other like they were blood siblings, and always would. Nothing would pull them apart.
Not even war, despite how it tore apart other families.
((((()))))
Prince Noctis Lucis Caelum jadedly looked out his limousine's window at the Alexandrian city flashing by. Prompto, the young man who basically did everything for him in life- his driver, his bodyguard, and one of his only best friends; came to a rolling stop as they arrived at the first checkpoint.
Ever since the terrifying First War, after the bloody massacre of a battle that lasted more than twenty-four hours straight (dubbed the Scarlet Field Battle), security everywhere had been bumped up to maximum. Noctis was surprised Alexandrian guards didn't break down the doors to give the vehicle a quick search. He supposed being the crowned prince of Caelum blessed him with a slightly less inconvenient drive.
"Still awake, Prince?" Prompto asked with a joking smirk, looking at him through the rearview mirror. "You need to look sharp if you're to impress Princess Garnet."
And the smile he almost- almost- had instantly subdued itself and the frown remained locked in stubborn place on his face. "Please don't remind me."
But Prompto only laughed, the air in the limo conflicting between his jovial teasing and Noct's failure at hiding his embarrassment towards the subject.
Who had suggested to marry off the princess to one of the five princes, anyway? Queen Brahne? Noct's father? Some other important monarchy in the shattered Ivalice Alliance?
Noctis had never met the princess- he wasn't even exactly sure what she looked like. Alexandria, so far to the east and next to the sea, had always taken the greatest care to keep out of the war between the other kingdoms. Queen Brahne, ever so protective of her precious Garnet, had kept her locked away in the castle in what seemed as all of her sixteen years.
But, if one didn't count the "handsome" Figaro twins, Noct was likely to be the one she chose. The other two princes, Kuja and Seymour, respectively of Treno and Zanarkand; had been shady characters during the war. Working from the shadows, their families had orchestrated the beginning of the war. Figaro's influence only worsened the state of the war.
Figaro was the smallest kingdom, but also the Alliance's wildcard. Although it was in the southern desert, Figaro was a major technological center with vast resources coming from their territories on the Destiny Archipelago. Most of the Alliance's technology came solely from Figaro and, if it were to fail, all six kingdoms' economies would suffer a severe depression. The trading country of Bikanel further south in the badlands only buffered the kingdom's technological advances.
In short, Figaro was a devastating power.
Zanarkand and Treno, in the west, were great powers as well, however. Treno had a fine trade alliance with the northern countries of Gagazet and Cacoon, two large countries shrouded in mystery. The only thing known of Gagazet and Cacoon pertained to their many trade alliances with the Alliance and their vast natural resources that stretched as far north as the continent. Zanarkand had the largest naval power of the kingdoms, on a peninsula stretching far out into the Hod Ocean.
Prompto stuck his head out the driver's window in awe. "Wow, Noct, can you believe this place? They've got a giant sword sticking up from their castle! You've gotta convince the King to invest in some charm like that."
"Father likes the castle best in boring, ancient, and crumbling black, Prompto, remember?" Noct said, hoping his dry humor would ease the tension his in his chest. "Anything else would likely give him a heart attack."
Prompto's eyebrows shot up as he whistled. "Bold words, Prince. Aiming for King so soon?"
Noct made a repulsive face that provoked Prompto's laughter once more. Still chuckling, Prompto drove up to the castle gate and handed over the keys to a bell boy. Noct rolled his eyes at his sniggering when Prompto opened the door for him.
The security was amazing, boldly proclaiming Queen Brahne's paranoia. Both Noctis and Prompto wondered if she was hyperventilating over the thought of so many royals coming to her castle to seek her daughters hand- Noctis swallowed hard, trying to fight back the nervousness that made his stomach roll.
Was she a snob? Paranoid of invaders like her mother?
Was she ugly? Short? Fat?
A red-head?
Noctis sighed, simply knowing he was going to dread this afternoon's concert and party.
Prompto let out an evil laugh, forgetting all about his duties as driver/bodyguard. By far, his favorite job was being the best friend.
((((()))))
"Alright. So, do we know all our lines?" Zidane asked, looking around at the Tantalus members he'd specifically chosen for the job of kidnapping Garnet.
Rikku, Yuna, Terra, Locke, and Auron nodded, knowing full well he was asking if they knew the plan. Yuna was to prove as their distraction as she sang in the concert. Meanwhile, they would swoop down, steal the princess, and somehow breakneck their way back to their airship, the Prima Vista. It seemed like suicide, but Zidane and Yuna seemed as confident as ever.
Yuna was twenty-five years old, the same age as Locke. Also coincidentally, they both joined Tantalus around the same time- albeit for different reasons. Though she didn't talk about it much, everyone in Tantalus knew she joined as a distraction from the war that had obviously brought her pain. The two guns she wielded and her expertise in the medical field only made her past more obvious.
Locke was unsure as to why she hadn't settled for going back to civilian life, but he figured that she had the same reason as him: when war tears you apart at the seams, it is impossible to go back to peaceful days.
But now, one year later, she was dressed in a flashy navy outfit with her hair flared out and heterochromatic eyes shining. She took the microphone from Zidane's hand and took a deep breath, the thrill of getting to sing evident in her eyes.
The young blonde, dressed in a tuxedo much too elegant for his likes, stepped back and grinned in a way Locke swore was pure evil.
"Let the show begin, ladies and gentlemen."
