Disclaimer: Don't own Skies of Arcadia, sorry.

The dark land of Valua hardly ever saw the sunlight. The dark clouds covered the entire sky. In order to make the situation a little more livable, the Empress had many people to turn the almost infinite in number, streetlights on and off in an attempt to create an illusion of a sunrise and sunset. Many of the unfortunate people of Lower City didn't have the education to know that there ever was an end to the dark clouds.

Alfonso was startled awake by a rather low-ranking guard very early in the morning. He knew it was early because the streetlights weren't on yet. Outside it was pitch black.

"Who the hell are you? What time is it?" He said in a slurred voice, as his mouth was not quite dry from not speaking since the night before. " Empress Teodora has asked me to awake you. There is a crisis she needs you to attend to." His ears perked up at the mention of the Empress, may she live forever. * She rarely ever asked him to attend to a crisis of any sort. He assumed that she must have other, less talented people doing her odd jobs and tradework and only called on him when the "best Admiral in the Armada" was absolutely necessary. After all, he was the bravest, most talented and surprisingly youngest member of the Valuan army. At the age of 16, roughly a year ago, he had been exclusively chosen to be come the Admiral of the 1st fleet out of thousands of other applicants following the death of the previous Admiral.

" I'll be there, now remove yourself from my sight while I get ready." The man did as he was told and Alfonso proceeded to get himself ready. He put on his Admirals uniform and did his hair. After all, the Empress wouldn't settle for anything less. After a process that took roughly twenty-five minutes. The man, who was wearing a full suit of armor wait outside the door until he finally reappeared.

"What are you still doing here?" It was as if the guard didn't realize his grand superiority and was questioning his loyalty to Her Majesty. The guard took the hint and scuttered off in the opposite direction. After the eyesore was out of his line of sight he strutted down to Her Highness' throne room.

When he arrived, it was to his surprise that the rest of the less important Admirals had been summoned as well. Belleza sat with her legs crossed staring quite obviously at Lord Galcian, who didn't notice as he was talking to Empress Teodora about something inaudible. De Loco looked somewhat restless, as always. At the time he had been summoned he had probably already been awake, working on his machinery and was quite anxious to get back to it. Gregorio sat patiently as always, always eager to please Her Highness. Vigoro of course, had some whore on his lap whose dress came barely to her thighs and her expression completely vacant of all that could be considered intelligence. Alfonso wondered why they kept him General at all. It was obvious that he cared more about sex than the well being of the Valuan Empire.

Then again, Alfonso had to admit, besides himself; Vigoro was probably the most handsome man to look at in the entire Palace, possibly in all Valua. The only other competition was Vice Captain Ramirez and Prince Enrique. Though all three of them could never equal up to himself. Ramirez looked so permanently vacant that Alfonso doubted that he even knew he was a male. Vigoro although probably capable of some intelligence always seemed to think with his balls. Although, if you didn't think with them balls were a pretty good thing to have. Someone should lend Prince Enrique a pair. *

" Good Morning gentlemen." The Empress always referred to them as that even with the exception of Belleza. They all walked up one by one to kiss the hand of the Empress and Prince Enrique. Their expressions differed greatly. Empress Teodora looked pleased at the Empire that she had made for herself, and who she had put in charge of it. Enrique on the other hand looked worried, almost disgusted when their lips brushed his hand.

" There are a number of different crisis's in which we must attend. Admiral Vigoro there is a situation with Air Pirates around the outskirts of Valua. * Admiral De Loco I want you to go with him with your fleet." Said Galcian slowly for the Empress. He rambled on about Belleza and Gregorio to go and discuss some trade routes with Nasr and so on. " Admiral Alfonso," Galcian looked as if he knew that he had only been pretending to listen during the past three minutes. Alfonso looked up and Galcian looked satisfied. " you will be going with a few of the guards to help control the recent riot down in Lower Valua."

His eyes widened as the words were uttered from his mouth. Why, in all of Arcadia would the most talented and intelligent of all the Admirals be put on the most insignificant, unimportant assignment of all? Of course he knew better than to question Her Highness' request so he just hid his disgrace and nodded and threw his hair back to make it seem as if he was pleased with what he said. Most of the time it was a habit and he didn't really know he was doing it but this time he was quite conscious of it. Moons forbid! Why would be go and soil his perfect reputation by being seen in Lower Valua. That was the place for lazy, pathetic excuses for humans who liked to pretend that they had no other choice then to live like pigs. Just looking at it through a window made him shudder. Suddenly, the streetlights shot on. The Valuan sunrise. They were dismissed.

Author's notes: *--I'm sorry, I love Enrique I am just trying to keep Alfonso in character. Don't be mad at me for insulting Enrique's masculinity. * ducks from the tomatos*

*-- Think what you want, it's fanon, could be Vyse, could be not.

Yeah, the chapter is short. But the first one always is. All my friends and people have said that I am good at writing long winded sweet romance stories. So that's what I am going to attempt. And if that mixes in with Alfonso you know it might go a little OOC but I am doing my best not to make it so. And when the OC comes in I will try not to make her too Mary-Sue….. –ish. Please Review. I like reviews.

-Dani