Disclaimer: All names, place and things belong to Square-Enix with the exception of my own OC's.
A/N: I want to warn you that right from the beginning this fic probably doesn't fit the game lore; I've yet to complete FF12 and haven't even tried Revenant Wings so this is defiantly going to be AU, and potentially Gabranth (Basch) and an OC.
I will be using names from other fic's I've written, I also want to note that it is an FFX crossover with the use of Aeon's (not saying anymore cause it will spoil it) Please don't hate me if some char's are a bit OOC and forgive me if the lore isn't right...I'm relying mostly on wiki to write this, oh one more thing more than once there will be strong language if your easily offended then don't read.
Prelude – Judge Magister's
Archades was not as well ordered as it use to be, with the Judge Magister's dead (save two) and the Imperial Army in chaos crimes had risen greatly especially since the new alliance with Dalmasca no one seemed to know who to trust. For Lord Larsa Ferrinas Solidor it troubled him to see his beloved home in such chaos as the new Emperor he had to do something about it or truly Arcadia would fall.
His first (and foremost) decision was to restore order to the army only then could he turn his attention to the chaos in the streets, to restore the army he needed new Magister's people who would be loyal to the Empire people he could trust with his life.
"Zargabaath...I need Magister's however they must be loyal to the Empire and not easily fooled or swayed by others...preferably experienced...can you think of any worthy enough for the title?"
Zargabaath the only original surviving Judge crossed his arms "my Lord I can think only of two I would trust enough...one of which was hand chosen for the Akademy by Judge Gabranth himself..." here the Judge looked at the second figure in the room almost knowingly.
'Gabranth' stirred a little by his spot by the window but remained silent, something told Larsa that the experienced Magister knew that the man wasn't the real Gabranth "Zargabaath, you are loyal to the Empire yes?"
"I always have been my Lord," replied Zargabaath looking a little stung by the comment
"Then you must know the truth since you suspect anyways, Basch if you would"
Gabranth finally turned from the window and removed his horned helm revealing a man who looked like Gabranth only he had a scar above his left brow "Captain fon Ronsenburg...I'm curious how this man comes to bare his brother's armour and name."
Larsa explained about Gabranth-no Noah's final dying request for Basch to protect Larsa, a wish Basch had honoured
"I will protect the young Lord I swear it all I ask is that you call me Gabranth...as far as anyone is concerned I am he"
"Whatever Your Honour wishes."
Larsa allowed himself to sigh with relief "now that is over with, you were going to speak of two...potentials?"
Zargabaath nodded, "one is a woman named Kali'ara Dal'drez, she has served the Empire already for ten years as a street Judge, It is her who was selected by Gabranth she was acquainted with Drace, as I recall he saw them sparing or rather Drace teaching her and saw the potential...she is part Rozzarian."
Larsa was never one to judge someone by their blood "her lineage will not be a problem to me, if you believe her worthy then please summon for her, who was the second?"
"Malachi, he is fresh from the Akademy however his instructors tell me his knowledge of Law and black magick is second to none, with the right training I believe he would make a fine Magister and like Kali'ara his loyalty is to Arcadia."
"Then please summon him too, for that moment that is all"
"Yes my Lord," he bowed "Gabranth," he then turned and left the room his black cape billowing behind him as he went.
Larsa waited until his armoured steps became distance before speaking "Gabranth...it isn't going to be easy restoring order, that I know...my first course of action will be to confront the Senate there are traitors amongst them...until we can discern who I must disband them, however...it is unprecedented and they will not take kindly to it."
"What do you propose my Lord?"
"Kali'ara and Malachi will be your responsibility...it must be made known to them that if things do not go well with the Senate they may have to confront them with force that is if they accept their promotion...I shall not force it upon them."
Basch frowned, the former Knight-Captain had cut his hair short as Gabranth's had been, in fact the only people who would know this isn't him would be those who knew Basch...those that had travelled with him when he had protected the Lady Ashe no Ashelia on her quest to restore Dalmasca.
"My Lord...I am new to this...shouldn't Zargabaath be responsible for them?"
"Unlike your comrade-for that is what he is you have experience teaching inexperienced soldiers, although if this Kali has served the Empire ten years she will not be inexperienced however...a street Judge is a far cry from being a Judge Magister...she may not have experience in command, since you yourself are inexperienced as a Magister they will no doubt relate to you better than Zargabaath."
Gabranth replaced his helm as the sound of armoured footsteps approached signalling Zargabaath's return, he knocked on the door then he entered along with two people, Larsa's eyes were first drawn to the woman.
She was surprisingly tall perhaps a head shorter than Gabranth and Zargabaath (perhaps her Rozzarian blood?) she wore a black leather jerkin and a short leather skirt, her arms and legs had well defined muscles yet she was still feminine. Her eyes were a deep crimson red and her shoulder length hair was platinum white, Larsa realised he was ogling which was completely inappropriate on the account that he was only thirteen and she nearer Gabranth's age.
The man was a lot shorter with short dark hair and puzzled brown eyes; he was wearing the standard Judges armour, every now and then he glanced at the female but not as a man gazing upon an exceptionally beautiful woman but fear, clearly the tall strong female intimidated him a little.
"Good evening, you must be Kali'ara and Malachi?"
Kali'ara nodded and bowed "I am my Lord," but Malachi was looking unsure clearly wondering why he had been summoned to the Emperor's office, perhaps he thought he had done something wrong or something.
"I am told by Zargabaath that you two have the potential to be Magisters, Kali'ara was in not Judge Magister Gabranth who suggested you join the Akademy?"
"Um...he sorta...forced it rather than suggested it my Lord," replied Kali'ara bowing again then her eyes fell on Gabranth and she frowned
"Is something wrong?" asked Gabranth
"Nothing...I only just noticed you Gabranth," but again she frowned "Your Honour's bearing has changed since last we spoke."
It was Larsa's turn to frown he hadn't actually given it thought that Kali'ara would know Gabranth if he'd taken an interest in her training...but then if she was friends with Drace then perhaps it wasn't unreasonable for her to know him too.
Zargabaath looked at Kali'ara sternly "you are not a Magister yet Kali, watch how you address-"
"It is ok Zargabaath," said Gabranth cutting him off he looked at Larsa "my Lord please continue."
"Of course," Larsa looked at Malachi "I am also told you are skilled with black magic?"
"Y-Yes my Lord...but..."
"Do you not wish the position?" asked Larsa noticing how awkward the Judge was looking "please speak as you normally would"
"It's not that I am not honoured to be suggested but...well to be honest my Lord I'm not the right material, I am only a year out of the Akademy...I prefer to follow orders rather than give them."
"It's no different for me Malachi," said Kali'ara looking at him "I've been following orders for ten years, never before have I given one..."
"But you're more experienced as a Judge by nine years, you might not have given one but you've probably been given enough orders to know how to do it"
Kali'ara opened her mouth to reply but closed it again and frowned, when she finally answered it was in a quiet tone "giving orders and following them are two different things I think...I've seen more experienced Judges than me get promotions and blow it"
"Yeah but still."
Larsa's eyes went from one to the other it was as if the Judges had completely forgotten where they were and who was present, Zargabaath was about to say something but the Emperor shook his head let them talk he thought if anyone could reassure Malachi it was Kali'ara even if she did intimidate him, the younger Judge still had respect for her at the same time it was obvious.
"She is right," it was Gabranth who answered "giving orders and following them are two different things...you may however surprise yourself and find it is something you can do,"
Malachi and Kali'ara looked at him "y-yes Your Honour, but...I do not want to give them...I'm happy as a Magus..."
"Then at least give it some thought, you will only be given this opportunity once,"
"I will think about it Your Honour,"
"I would like an answer by tomorrow," added Larsa smiling somewhat "you are dismissed"
"Yes my Lord," Malachi bowed then left.
Zargabaath looked at Kali'ara "and what about you Kali, do you need time to think about it?"
"I don't need time Your Honour, even since before Drace began giving me lessons I wanted to join the Akademy...I've always aspired to hold this position...to prove myself..." she frowned and Larsa got the feeling this was something she did often.
"Prove yourself?" asked Larsa curiously "to whom?"
She frowned as though contemplating weather to tell him or not "my father...my Lord it is a personal matter...your Lordship shouldn't concern yourself with it..."
"If you are to be an elite of house Solidor then I would like to know you."
Kali'ara smiled a little "very well if it pleases my Lord, but first I ask you drop the 'Kali'ara' I prefer just Kali. The thing is my mother was Arcadian...a um...well to put it bluntly she was a whore, she wouldn't consider it offensive to be called such quite the contrary 'a whore and proud of it' but she didn't want me to follow in her footsteps and I didn't want to.
"My father...was a proud Rozzarian who had been one of her customers, however shortly after being born my mother got sick and wasted away...somehow she managed to find out who my father was and arranged for me to live with him, I still know not how. When I say 'proud Rozzarian' I really mean it, Arcadia was an enemy but he put up with me until he found out I wanted to come to Arcadia and somehow join the Akademy."
Larsa crossed his arms, "I think I can see where you are going, he considered you a traitor or something because you would join the enemy"
"Yes, but my Lord I never saw Arcadia as an enemy it is in my blood just as much as Rozzaria, we argued over it and he said I wouldn't get into the Imperial Army let alone the Akademy...I ran away from home that night with a few possessions and a little gil. I was able to travel to Arcadia with a group of merchants I never saw my father or Rozzaria again, it wasn't easy but I was eventually able to get into the army."
Larsa was genuinely interested in this storey and actually sat on his desk rather than at it and gave her his full attention, every now and then Gabranth and Zargabaath exchanged looks, Larsa and Kali had instantly become friends.
"How did you meet Drace? She was my tutor,"
Kali again smiled a little "she was in the Akademy when I joined the army, we both frequented the same tavern and one day started chatting, she noted I was not too proficient with a sword so she agreed to train me so that I would eventually be able to join the Akademy, she become my mentor and one of my best friends."
Suddenly Kali's eyes took on a saddened look perhaps at the mention of Drace, five months ago she had been killed by Gabranth (the real one that is) who was forced to do it to prove his loyalty to the Empire.
"One day Judge Magister Gabranth saw me and Drace sparring, I'd quickly become skilled with a sword and he said that such a natural talent should be in the Akademy and with his influence I joined, just like that...not that he gave me much of a choice." Here she quickly looked at Gabranth it only just occurred to Larsa that she didn't know this wasn't the real man "but it's something I wanted so I wasn't about to complain, I had done it I had proved my father wrong, was in the Akademy and quickly graduated as a street Judge where I have been since, I am happier than a chocobo surrounded by greens...though I wish Drace could see me now...practically a Magister...oh how she would laugh."
Larsa felt himself instantly connect with her he too missed his old mentor "as a friend and no doubt teacher she would be proud of you I think...your father should be too weather he is Rozzarian or not"
"He disowned me the moment I ran away, but I do not care I'm happy I couldn't care less weather he would be proud or not...oh my," she suddenly added "it has gotten so late...Drace always said I liked talking"
"Well it's just a good job I like listening; I will take the liberty of assuming you accept your promotion?"
"I do my Lord."
"Well then from this moment you are now a Judge Magister with all the privileges granted to that rank..." he looked at Zargabaath and Gabranth "how was that?"
"It would suffice, you are the Emperor," replied Zargabaath
"Good, will you show Kali to the armoury and inform her of all situations"
"Yes my Lord."
Kali'ara Dal'drez was still trying to get over it all, after serving the Empire for ten years she had finally become a Judge Magister an elite and spearhead of the Arcadian military in your face father, it was the next day and Kali was to be found looking at herself in a mirror. Her new armour was black with a red trim and a black cape which had the symbol of the Empire, her helmet had black horns coming from the side in a similar style to Gabranth's.
Ah yes, Judge Magister Gabranth, Zargabaath had told her that Gabranth wasn't really Gabranth but his twin brother Basch pretending to be Gabranth to honour the last dying wish of Gabranth, a sort of imposter it saddened her because it meant Gabranth was dead, he may have been a ruthless bastard but he had been her friend...and more.
During her training at the Akademy the Magister would check on her progress on behalf of Drace but Kali suspected it was to make sure he'd made the right choice in backing her, which he had Gabranth...she wondered what he would think if he saw she had become a Magister would you be proud like Drace? She was sure he would because it would prove he had been right.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door causing Kali to jump out of her thoughts, "it's open!" she called how could anyone have known about her new room in the palace she had only got it last night, it was probably a palace hand.
To her surprise is was Zargabaath "Your Honour," she bowed
"Kali we hold the same rank you're allowed to drop the formalities, besides were you not on first name basis with Gabranth? I know it's early but duty calls, we are to gather in the Emperor's office,"
"Yes Your-ah Zargabaath-oh wow that felt weird..." it was a bit like school, when you left and saw your teacher you still called them 'Sir' or 'Miss' just out of habit or respect. She quickly took her helm and put it on
"That armour suites you, do it proud and serve the Empire loyally,"
"I do and always have," she left the room with him and was once again surprised when she saw Gabranth further down the hall waiting with his arms crossed.
Once they caught up with him the three Judge Magisters set off through the palace, it was strange for Kali walking with them-no-walking as one of them their equal as they passed guard's she was saluted and addressed as 'Your Honour' truly this wasn't a dream.
"This is bizarre Zargabaath...I'm not use to being saluted by the guards usually I'm one of them,"
"You will get use to it, a shame Malachi won't..."
"You mean...?"
"He refused the promotion, it was his decision to make and he made it," replied Gabranth "we must honour that decision and let it be."
Kali was glad she was wearing the helm because she was once again frowning this imposter wasn't being very Gabranth like, the man she knew with that name would have considered Malachi a fool but at the same time this Basch fella was right and Kali didn't like it, how dare he pretend to be Gabranth when his words and baring contradicted Gabranth's personality.
Even if Basch did get into character Kali still wouldn't like it because it wasn't Gabranth.
"You are still off balance! Any skilled swordsman would have slain you by now Kali"
"Y-Yes Your Honour," replied Kali "you don't have to be a twat about it"
"Now let's try again, and try not to let your mind wander, I have other things I could be doing right now."
Once again Kali began to Spar with Gabranth she had to be careful because they were using real blades rather than training swords, close by Drace was watching looking both anxious and amused at the same time. As they exchanged strikes Kali's mind wandered when she noticed a rather handsome looking Judge passing them, her lapse in concentration resulted in pain; Gabranth's blade had met her shoulder.
"Kali!" Drace rushed over looking concerned then turned to Gabranth "harsh"
"It will leave a scar," said Gabranth who also came over "let it be a reminder of what happens when you don't pay attention to your opponent were this a real scenario and I an enemy you would get more than a cut shoulder, it would be fatal."
Kali looked at him but there was no resentment because he was right, it was her own fault for not heeding his words and paying attention "I repeat you don't have to be a twat about it," she mumbled placing her hand on her shoulder "I will try to not let my mind wander,"
"That is enough practise for today, Drace tend to her wound, you may be an ace with a blade but when it comes to focus you are weak willed, improve," he then took his helmet from a stone bench put it on and began walking off
"Bastard,"
"I heard that Kali."
"Kali!"
Kali only just registered Zargabaath's voice but it was too late she had collided with one of the hands who had been carrying an armful of blankets, Kali immediately crouched down and helped picked the blankets up.
"He was right..." she mumbled standing as the hand gave her a resentful look and walked off it seemed ironic she hadn't been paying attention when her memory was of Gabranth telling her off for that very reason.
"Who was right?"
"What? Oh!" she hadn't meant to say it out allowed "no one, nothing...forget what I said..."
"Your mind was wandering...hmm...he oft said that you had a habit of not paying attention, Kali you are an elite you're supposed to be a 'shining example' not some klutz teen girl," Zargabaath didn't look angry quite the contrary it was amusement
"I will tell you what I told him, you don't have to be a twat about it."
They stopped outside the double-doors leading to the Emperor's office "I will try to pay more attention,"
"Good, now our Emperor waits."
Meanwhile in the Dalmascan dessert four people were fighting Alrune after Alrune for some reason something had drawn them out of the sandsea in droves, one of the figures was a Hume dressed in white robes, the second was a red Bangaa who only wore trousers and a tribal necklace the third was a beautiful tall Viera and the fourth was a Moogle.
"Too many Kupo!" said the Moogle who's name was Hurc "Raven we can't keep this up Kupo..."
"We must heed his words...wait look," said the Viera lowering her bow
"What is it?" asked Raven "Ge'roth, is that a Yensa?"
"Aye that it is lass," replied the Bangaa "he is making the Alrune go away."
True enough the Yensa a strange crustacean like creature in a brown hood was able to dismiss the Alrune then it approached "no hurt Sethik tall ones, no hurt! Sethik come in piece," it held up a white rag and waved it much like a flag.
The Viera walked over to it and crouched "we do not harm those who come in peace; my name is Mtyn, what drives you and those creatures from your homes?"
"Aeon-Gods."
There the end of the first chapter please let me know what you think by reviewing and also let me know if it's too long or too short, anything that will help me make it better.
