Treasure Hunter (and Co.) for Hire
By Karu Leonnese
Notes: It's been ages since I last wrote a ficceh, and gods-only-know how long since my last FFVI ficceh. ^_^ I hope to have a better grasp on the charas since my last (rather pathetic) attempts. This thing started (and will probably continue with) no plot whatsoever, other than a dream I had. ^_^ Enjoy, yes?
Warnings: Shounen-ai of the Locke x Edgar variety, and prolly some Setzer x Sabin or something so odd. Most likely some violence, chara abuse and other such nifty things. Like I said, I have no idea where this is going, so warnings are sparse right now. More to beh announced as ideas form. ^_^o
******
Chapter One: Finding Leads
"Well...look what you've gotten yourself into this time, Mr. Master Treasure Hunter..." Edgar stifled a grin as he looked at his friend. Leaning against the wall of bars that separated the two, Locke offered a self-depreciating smirk.
"Okay, Edgar, this was sooooooo not my fault!"
Edgar poked his forehead through the metal bars. "Then why am I bailing you out?"
Locke winced momentarily then shook his head. Moving in as close as his prison would allow, he motioned the blond in to a whispering distance. "Because...I'm on to something big this time."
Edgar let out a sigh of one long-suffering but patient. "Locke...you say that every time, and every time I wind up getting you out of trouble!"
As it was, Locke was in no real trouble this time. He had happened to be in the wrong place at the right time...this particular time. He could have been freed at any time, but Edgar, upon hearing the thief was being held, had asked to speak with him personally. And who would deny him, king of Figaro, such a simple thing?
Locke looked a bit hurt. "Alright...so the whole thing in Maranda turned out to be a scam...how was I gonna know until I checked it out myself?!"
The king crossed his arms. "It didn't help that you got yourself caught as the ring leader of the aforementioned scam...what would have happened if you hadn't been with Sabin at the time? Or if he hadn't caught the real culprit before he made his escape? Locke, you can't just keep doing this!"
"Look, I'm not just doing this to cure boredom or anything! This might be the start of the 'for hire' thing!"
Since the demise of Kefka, Locke had been restless. After saving the world, cave searching didn't thrill like it used to. So the idea was formed to start a sort of private detective agency, no case too risky, no job too dangerous.
Edgar shook his head. "C'mon...let's just go..." He motioned for the guard, who opened the cell and freed the captive rogue.
Locke chanced a look at his friend. "Edgar..."
The blond laughed a bit humorlessly. "After all...we have to work fast on this new lead of yours, right?"
A smile made its way to the treasure hunter's face. He slung an arm over his shorter friend's shoulders. "Knew I could count on ya Eddy!"
Edgar couldn't help but grin. "Please don't call me that..."
******
"Are you sure this counts as a lead?" Edgar eased the heavy book he'd been looking through back onto the table. Across from him, Locke leaned his chin on his fist.
"Of course!" he continued slowly, as if explaining something to a child. "There's no magic left in the world, right?"
Edgar sighed, rubbing his temples. He could feel a headache coming on... "Obviously."
"Okay! So, if there's no magic, then how do you think the people of the town never die?!"
The king shrugged weakly. "Good diet?"
The ashen-haired man looked at him semi-annoyed. "Edgar..."
"Sorry. Alright, why?"
Locke had been enthusiastic up until this point. At the thought of the solution so close to his grasp he jumped up, slamming his open hands on the table. His gloves muffled the noise, but the sound still carried through the Figaro Castle study. "ESPERS!"
Edgar, still seated, raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Locke...Espers aren't exactly roaming around anymore either..."
The thief proceeded to walk around the table. "But what about Magicite...not in the full, usable form, but shards of it...with just enough power radiate through the town?"
Now Edgar stood, index finger to his chin in thought. "So you're saying...you believe there's Magicite shards in this town? Just lying around perhaps?"
Locke put a hand on the king's shoulder. "Not necessarily...I was thinking more...underground."
Edgar looked at him, trying to process all that had been laid out. There was a sparkle in Locke's green eyes...something Edgar hadn't seen much of since their battle against the Empire and Kefka. That look of absolute determination. Once Locke had made up his mind like that, there was nothing even Edgar could do to deter him. Better to just go along. At least if he was with him, he might be able to keep his usually headstrong friend out of some danger.
He nodded. "So when do you suggest we leave?"
******
The town of Seren had been formed along the shore, hoping to secure a fish trade. It was a very profitable town, and after some time, it gained a very odd legend. Rumors began to spread that the town's inhabitants, many injured soldiers from the beginnings of Ghestahl's war, never aged. Not many believed this legend, but every now and then, a few adventurers looking for some secret fountain of youth or other such myths wandered in, never to be seen or heard form again.
Apparently, neither doubt nor danger was going to stop the infamous adventurer Locke Cole. It did, however, make it more difficult in getting the others to tag along.
"Absolutely not." Setzer glared at the two, "Locke, I'm not risking my airships on your weird quests anymore...saving the world is one thing, but this is quite another. And Edgar, I've come to expect better of you."
Edgar answered non-commitantly with a shrug. "It's not like you've got anything better to do...and besides...I thought you enjoyed a game of risk."
Setzer crossed his arms. "That was before I started hanging out with you all. I've come to believe you're bad luck."
Locke jumped up from his seat next to Edgar. "Pleeeeeeeeeease Setzer? I'll...I'll make you a bet!"
The gambler said nothing, but looked at him with mild interest. Locke took this as his cue to go on. "I'll bet you that we'll make it through without anything happening to your airship!"
Setzer laughed. "I can tell you're not going to take no for an answer...alright, I'll take this bet. So what's at stake?"
The rogue thought for a moment. "Hmm...if you win, then...I'll give you all the treasure I've collected this month."
Setzer calculated this prospect. Locke had done nothing but adventuring since Kefka had been defeated, so there had to be a fair amount of riches to collect. "Done. And if you win, I agree to take you wherever you need for the next...say...three months. Are we agreed?"
Locke nodded and with a wide grin, shook the silver-haired pilot's hand.
Edgar shrugged again. "Two down, one to go."
******
"You wanna go where?!" Sabin, caught off-guard, nearly lost his balance. Which isn't a good thing when you're standing on a beam over a seven-foot drop. Locke and his motley crew were assembled at the edge of the beam. Edgar hated to interrupt his brother's training, but Locke wanted to leave as soon as possible and the king would feel a lot safer if they had Sabin's power backing them up.
"Seren..."Locke answered, like it was the simplest thing in the world, "I think they've got working Magicite shards under the town."
"Cave dwelling again?" the younger Figaro twin laughed. "I should probably just stay here and train..."
Locke looked at Edgar pleadingly. He sighed and went to stand on the very edge of the beam. "Sabin...think of this for a second. We're going to undertake a mission. There's bound to be some very difficult monsters roaming about...what better way to train than that?"
Sabin turned sharply, and for a moment Edgar feared his brother had lost his balance. But his twin stayed firmly planted on the beam. "This is true."
"So...are you in?" Edgar reached out his hand.
"You always did know how to convince, bro..." Sabin winked and took Edgar's hand, as the shorter blond pulled him off the beam.
Locke shoved a fist in the air and started running for the airship. "Team assembled-LET'S GO!!!"
Edgar, Setzer and Sabin looked at the excitable thief, then, after exchanging looks with each other, shrugged and followed.
******
Setzer leaned boredly on the Flacon's steering wheel. "I think that's it up ahead..."
Edgar nodded. "Okay, here's the briefing. According to the information I could gather, Seren started as a fishing port, then became a sick bay town to Empire soldiers when Ghesthal started collecting Magicite. Since then, no one has left there, and anyone that chances a visit disappears. Whether or not they just decided to stay is unknown, but no family or friends ever hear from them."
Sabin looked at his brother as he balanced on his elbows against the balcony. "And no one ever dies?"
"Well, that's the rumour. It can't be confirmed, since there's no communication from the town. Either they're doing away with their visitors, or it's some kind of cult thing where you're not allowed to have contact with the outside world. Either way, something's going on down there."
Locke nodded. "And that's why we're gonna check it out!"
Setzer offered the thief a glare. "And what's to say we won't wind up like everyone else that wanders in?"
"I'm sure we'll be okay. It's probably something they did wrong, like get caught snatching something..."
"Which reminds me..." Edgar pointed a finger at him, "No treasure hunting while we're here. This is a reconnaissance mission only. Understand?"
Locke winked and gave a mock salute. "Absolutely!"
"Here it is," the silver-haired pilot announced, "Whenever you all are ready..."
******
The town of Seren was completely surrounded by a tall metal fence. Edgar thought about voicing a question about whether that was to keep others out or townspeople in, but he decided not to. As it was, there was only one gate to enter from, and it was locked. Locked so well, not even the master treasure hunter could pick it, though he did try.
"Well, this was fun..." Sabin rolled his eyes.
"Lovely trip..." Setzer agreed.
"There's gotta be another way in!" Locke said in disbelief. Edgar just sighed and shook his head.
"Those wishing to enter must check in at the front..." a low voice beside the blond king said. Everyone turned sharply to see a man there, with pale skin, amber eyes and jet-black hair. He was dressed entirely in black as well. Edgar moved closer to Locke and away from the stranger.
"Who're you?" the rogue asked defensively.
"It is not important. But if you wish to enter these gates, I must warn you of the danger. Only those who can pass a test can stay here. All others will be dismissed."
"See?" Locke grinned at his teammates. "I told you there was something the others did wrong. Let's go!"
Edgar grabbed his arm. "How do you know we can pass this test? We don't know anything about it."
"No shame in backing out when the stakes are too high..." Setzer muttered.
"I was never good at tests anyway..." Sabin crossed his arms.
"C'mon guys...you promised!" Locke looked through the gate at the town inside, just waiting for him to explore its secret.
Setzer and Sabin looked at each other, then shrugged.
"I suppose we did..."
"And I do have a bet to see out..."
Edgar frowned. "Fine. But if we die, I will kill you, paradox or not."
Locke laughed. Okay! We're ready to go in Mr. Whatever-your-name-is."
The man nodded. "You have been warned. Your choice to continue is your own..." he put his hand over the gate's lock with an eerie slowness. Then he removed it just as slow, and the lock was open. The gates swung inwardly, as if by themselves, opening the town to the adventurers.
Locke hurried in, anxious to begin his investigation. Edgar ran after him, attempting to keep up with his excited friend.
"You do realize this goes against my better judgement..." the pilot looked at Sabin.
"Mine too," the blond grinned sardonically, "but I suppose that's the fun of it, huh?"
Setzer laughed, then the two followed behind.
"Where do we look first?" Locke looked around.
"Well, I would think—" Edgar was cut off by the loud sound of rusted metal. Everyone turned back to see the gates close, trapping them inside.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Sabin went to run back, but Setzer stopped him.
"What happened to that man?"
All four looked beside the gates. The stranger that had opened them was nowhere to be seen.
Edgar turned worriedly back to Locke. "What the hell did we just get into?"
******
Fine for chapter one! ^_^ Just a warning, I always like to break at suspenseful moments. Drives a lot of people crazy...*giggles* Anyway, tell me whatcha think!
~Karu
By Karu Leonnese
Notes: It's been ages since I last wrote a ficceh, and gods-only-know how long since my last FFVI ficceh. ^_^ I hope to have a better grasp on the charas since my last (rather pathetic) attempts. This thing started (and will probably continue with) no plot whatsoever, other than a dream I had. ^_^ Enjoy, yes?
Warnings: Shounen-ai of the Locke x Edgar variety, and prolly some Setzer x Sabin or something so odd. Most likely some violence, chara abuse and other such nifty things. Like I said, I have no idea where this is going, so warnings are sparse right now. More to beh announced as ideas form. ^_^o
******
Chapter One: Finding Leads
"Well...look what you've gotten yourself into this time, Mr. Master Treasure Hunter..." Edgar stifled a grin as he looked at his friend. Leaning against the wall of bars that separated the two, Locke offered a self-depreciating smirk.
"Okay, Edgar, this was sooooooo not my fault!"
Edgar poked his forehead through the metal bars. "Then why am I bailing you out?"
Locke winced momentarily then shook his head. Moving in as close as his prison would allow, he motioned the blond in to a whispering distance. "Because...I'm on to something big this time."
Edgar let out a sigh of one long-suffering but patient. "Locke...you say that every time, and every time I wind up getting you out of trouble!"
As it was, Locke was in no real trouble this time. He had happened to be in the wrong place at the right time...this particular time. He could have been freed at any time, but Edgar, upon hearing the thief was being held, had asked to speak with him personally. And who would deny him, king of Figaro, such a simple thing?
Locke looked a bit hurt. "Alright...so the whole thing in Maranda turned out to be a scam...how was I gonna know until I checked it out myself?!"
The king crossed his arms. "It didn't help that you got yourself caught as the ring leader of the aforementioned scam...what would have happened if you hadn't been with Sabin at the time? Or if he hadn't caught the real culprit before he made his escape? Locke, you can't just keep doing this!"
"Look, I'm not just doing this to cure boredom or anything! This might be the start of the 'for hire' thing!"
Since the demise of Kefka, Locke had been restless. After saving the world, cave searching didn't thrill like it used to. So the idea was formed to start a sort of private detective agency, no case too risky, no job too dangerous.
Edgar shook his head. "C'mon...let's just go..." He motioned for the guard, who opened the cell and freed the captive rogue.
Locke chanced a look at his friend. "Edgar..."
The blond laughed a bit humorlessly. "After all...we have to work fast on this new lead of yours, right?"
A smile made its way to the treasure hunter's face. He slung an arm over his shorter friend's shoulders. "Knew I could count on ya Eddy!"
Edgar couldn't help but grin. "Please don't call me that..."
******
"Are you sure this counts as a lead?" Edgar eased the heavy book he'd been looking through back onto the table. Across from him, Locke leaned his chin on his fist.
"Of course!" he continued slowly, as if explaining something to a child. "There's no magic left in the world, right?"
Edgar sighed, rubbing his temples. He could feel a headache coming on... "Obviously."
"Okay! So, if there's no magic, then how do you think the people of the town never die?!"
The king shrugged weakly. "Good diet?"
The ashen-haired man looked at him semi-annoyed. "Edgar..."
"Sorry. Alright, why?"
Locke had been enthusiastic up until this point. At the thought of the solution so close to his grasp he jumped up, slamming his open hands on the table. His gloves muffled the noise, but the sound still carried through the Figaro Castle study. "ESPERS!"
Edgar, still seated, raised an eyebrow at his friend. "Locke...Espers aren't exactly roaming around anymore either..."
The thief proceeded to walk around the table. "But what about Magicite...not in the full, usable form, but shards of it...with just enough power radiate through the town?"
Now Edgar stood, index finger to his chin in thought. "So you're saying...you believe there's Magicite shards in this town? Just lying around perhaps?"
Locke put a hand on the king's shoulder. "Not necessarily...I was thinking more...underground."
Edgar looked at him, trying to process all that had been laid out. There was a sparkle in Locke's green eyes...something Edgar hadn't seen much of since their battle against the Empire and Kefka. That look of absolute determination. Once Locke had made up his mind like that, there was nothing even Edgar could do to deter him. Better to just go along. At least if he was with him, he might be able to keep his usually headstrong friend out of some danger.
He nodded. "So when do you suggest we leave?"
******
The town of Seren had been formed along the shore, hoping to secure a fish trade. It was a very profitable town, and after some time, it gained a very odd legend. Rumors began to spread that the town's inhabitants, many injured soldiers from the beginnings of Ghestahl's war, never aged. Not many believed this legend, but every now and then, a few adventurers looking for some secret fountain of youth or other such myths wandered in, never to be seen or heard form again.
Apparently, neither doubt nor danger was going to stop the infamous adventurer Locke Cole. It did, however, make it more difficult in getting the others to tag along.
"Absolutely not." Setzer glared at the two, "Locke, I'm not risking my airships on your weird quests anymore...saving the world is one thing, but this is quite another. And Edgar, I've come to expect better of you."
Edgar answered non-commitantly with a shrug. "It's not like you've got anything better to do...and besides...I thought you enjoyed a game of risk."
Setzer crossed his arms. "That was before I started hanging out with you all. I've come to believe you're bad luck."
Locke jumped up from his seat next to Edgar. "Pleeeeeeeeeease Setzer? I'll...I'll make you a bet!"
The gambler said nothing, but looked at him with mild interest. Locke took this as his cue to go on. "I'll bet you that we'll make it through without anything happening to your airship!"
Setzer laughed. "I can tell you're not going to take no for an answer...alright, I'll take this bet. So what's at stake?"
The rogue thought for a moment. "Hmm...if you win, then...I'll give you all the treasure I've collected this month."
Setzer calculated this prospect. Locke had done nothing but adventuring since Kefka had been defeated, so there had to be a fair amount of riches to collect. "Done. And if you win, I agree to take you wherever you need for the next...say...three months. Are we agreed?"
Locke nodded and with a wide grin, shook the silver-haired pilot's hand.
Edgar shrugged again. "Two down, one to go."
******
"You wanna go where?!" Sabin, caught off-guard, nearly lost his balance. Which isn't a good thing when you're standing on a beam over a seven-foot drop. Locke and his motley crew were assembled at the edge of the beam. Edgar hated to interrupt his brother's training, but Locke wanted to leave as soon as possible and the king would feel a lot safer if they had Sabin's power backing them up.
"Seren..."Locke answered, like it was the simplest thing in the world, "I think they've got working Magicite shards under the town."
"Cave dwelling again?" the younger Figaro twin laughed. "I should probably just stay here and train..."
Locke looked at Edgar pleadingly. He sighed and went to stand on the very edge of the beam. "Sabin...think of this for a second. We're going to undertake a mission. There's bound to be some very difficult monsters roaming about...what better way to train than that?"
Sabin turned sharply, and for a moment Edgar feared his brother had lost his balance. But his twin stayed firmly planted on the beam. "This is true."
"So...are you in?" Edgar reached out his hand.
"You always did know how to convince, bro..." Sabin winked and took Edgar's hand, as the shorter blond pulled him off the beam.
Locke shoved a fist in the air and started running for the airship. "Team assembled-LET'S GO!!!"
Edgar, Setzer and Sabin looked at the excitable thief, then, after exchanging looks with each other, shrugged and followed.
******
Setzer leaned boredly on the Flacon's steering wheel. "I think that's it up ahead..."
Edgar nodded. "Okay, here's the briefing. According to the information I could gather, Seren started as a fishing port, then became a sick bay town to Empire soldiers when Ghesthal started collecting Magicite. Since then, no one has left there, and anyone that chances a visit disappears. Whether or not they just decided to stay is unknown, but no family or friends ever hear from them."
Sabin looked at his brother as he balanced on his elbows against the balcony. "And no one ever dies?"
"Well, that's the rumour. It can't be confirmed, since there's no communication from the town. Either they're doing away with their visitors, or it's some kind of cult thing where you're not allowed to have contact with the outside world. Either way, something's going on down there."
Locke nodded. "And that's why we're gonna check it out!"
Setzer offered the thief a glare. "And what's to say we won't wind up like everyone else that wanders in?"
"I'm sure we'll be okay. It's probably something they did wrong, like get caught snatching something..."
"Which reminds me..." Edgar pointed a finger at him, "No treasure hunting while we're here. This is a reconnaissance mission only. Understand?"
Locke winked and gave a mock salute. "Absolutely!"
"Here it is," the silver-haired pilot announced, "Whenever you all are ready..."
******
The town of Seren was completely surrounded by a tall metal fence. Edgar thought about voicing a question about whether that was to keep others out or townspeople in, but he decided not to. As it was, there was only one gate to enter from, and it was locked. Locked so well, not even the master treasure hunter could pick it, though he did try.
"Well, this was fun..." Sabin rolled his eyes.
"Lovely trip..." Setzer agreed.
"There's gotta be another way in!" Locke said in disbelief. Edgar just sighed and shook his head.
"Those wishing to enter must check in at the front..." a low voice beside the blond king said. Everyone turned sharply to see a man there, with pale skin, amber eyes and jet-black hair. He was dressed entirely in black as well. Edgar moved closer to Locke and away from the stranger.
"Who're you?" the rogue asked defensively.
"It is not important. But if you wish to enter these gates, I must warn you of the danger. Only those who can pass a test can stay here. All others will be dismissed."
"See?" Locke grinned at his teammates. "I told you there was something the others did wrong. Let's go!"
Edgar grabbed his arm. "How do you know we can pass this test? We don't know anything about it."
"No shame in backing out when the stakes are too high..." Setzer muttered.
"I was never good at tests anyway..." Sabin crossed his arms.
"C'mon guys...you promised!" Locke looked through the gate at the town inside, just waiting for him to explore its secret.
Setzer and Sabin looked at each other, then shrugged.
"I suppose we did..."
"And I do have a bet to see out..."
Edgar frowned. "Fine. But if we die, I will kill you, paradox or not."
Locke laughed. Okay! We're ready to go in Mr. Whatever-your-name-is."
The man nodded. "You have been warned. Your choice to continue is your own..." he put his hand over the gate's lock with an eerie slowness. Then he removed it just as slow, and the lock was open. The gates swung inwardly, as if by themselves, opening the town to the adventurers.
Locke hurried in, anxious to begin his investigation. Edgar ran after him, attempting to keep up with his excited friend.
"You do realize this goes against my better judgement..." the pilot looked at Sabin.
"Mine too," the blond grinned sardonically, "but I suppose that's the fun of it, huh?"
Setzer laughed, then the two followed behind.
"Where do we look first?" Locke looked around.
"Well, I would think—" Edgar was cut off by the loud sound of rusted metal. Everyone turned back to see the gates close, trapping them inside.
"Hey! What's going on?!" Sabin went to run back, but Setzer stopped him.
"What happened to that man?"
All four looked beside the gates. The stranger that had opened them was nowhere to be seen.
Edgar turned worriedly back to Locke. "What the hell did we just get into?"
******
Fine for chapter one! ^_^ Just a warning, I always like to break at suspenseful moments. Drives a lot of people crazy...*giggles* Anyway, tell me whatcha think!
~Karu