Hello readers, Vira has been resurrected from the dead in order to make a new story. I'm taking a break from anime and focusing on the great game, FFXII. A few notes:

1) All of the characters are going to be slightly OOC. You have to understand, dear readers, that because of the way they are presented in FFXII I am left with little choice. I am trying my best, though. Hopefully you will forgive me in this area.

2) I understand that there is a DS sequel coming out, so this could possibly conflict with events that take place there. I have not yet played the game, but this takes place four years after the original FFXII, so again hopefully you will forgive me there.

3) Some of the characters use a style of language/English that I am not totally familar with. Hopefully you know what I mean by this. I have tried to take notes and capture the expressions as best as I can, but they still will probably speak a little differently than what is said in the game.

4) I am undergoing a major revamp to my website, and currently it is not yet showing my updates for this fanfiction. Patience!

That's probably all. I hope this story is liked!


Four years had passed since the fall of Lord Vayne, when six heroes—two orphans, a fallen princess, a dishonored knight, and two sky pirates—bared their weapons against him. Their long journey had brought the party close, but soon after they traveled their separate ways just as suddenly as the group had met. The throne of Dalmasca, restored by the princess; the honor of the knight, returned. The orphans remained where they started and the sky pirates flew back to the sky. With the power of nethicite extinguished and so the threat of war, a feeling of ease intermittently crept over the lands.

However, fate would yet keep the heroes bound to one another. Beneath the mask of peace lay the remnants of tension between the lands caused by the Imperials. And so distrust remained. Our young queen, eager to quell her people's hearts, lay out plans for peace accords to repair what damage was caused…


The meeting had not gone quite as she had planned. With her were two representatives, one from Rozzaria and one from Archadia. On the far end of the table was a Nu Mou acolyte from Mt. Bur-Omisace to complete the clerical part of the circle. Near the door was Basch, her old friend and the head captain of the castle's elite knights.

Unfortunately her associates could not agree on any one term of the agreement. The problem this time was airship restrictions—who should take custody of sky pirates, what amount of control should be placed on cartels, and other tiresome details. Ashe closed her eyes painfully.

"…But if airships from our lands and pirates of our people," the Rozzarian representative continued, "are taken into your custody, it is only fair that we may deal with them internally. Perhaps we could obtain useful information from them—even to disband gangs of sky pirates where they live."

"Nonsense," the Archadian official returned quickly, "it is only sensible to interrogate the pirates and seize the airships in the land they have been captured in. If they have been smuggling illegal goods or hunting restricted beasts, I would have myself the first one to know of it, not whatever country they come from."

"Our refugees come from all lands." The Nu Mou chimed in. "We do not ask questions of from whence they came, or why their past, however criminal, has lead them to Bur-Omisace; only that they begin their new life on the Mountain. We would not return them to anybody."

"I understand all of your concerns." Ashe said at last. "And I believe it is very important we all come to an agreement. Our new era of peace has just begun its life—now is surely not the time to cast aside our tentative treaties for such a trifling matter. My people depend on us to now work together—for too long have they listened to the bickering I hear before me."

"Which is why we must be clear about these new restrictions." The man from Archadia replied. "If they are too conflicting, then we all know none of our cities will follow them."

At the end of the room a clock chimed. "Ah," said Ashe, "Perhaps now we should put these thoughts aside for lunchtime. We shall resume this meeting in one hour."

The others nodded and stood up from the table. Ashe remained behind, turning her head to the glass window in the room. Was she strong enough? Did she have what was needed for the Dalmascan people? Would the other lands listen to her? Ever since the fall of Vayne it had been an uphill battle. Supporters of the Empire still yet remained in Dalmasca as well as the passionate members of the former Resistance. Meanwhile the resentment of being defeated had not since faltered in Archadia. Some ex-Imperial officers, the same ones who had patrolled the streets of Rabanastre, remained in the city. Had anything really changed?

"Courage, Lady Ashe." A voice said behind her. "Your people will support your wishes. The legitimate leader of Dalmasca has their full blessing."

She smiled at Basch. "If only the other lands would think so. Must it always be impossible to swear full loyalty to agreements I propose? I sensed quite readily the daggers cutting their promises just as soon as they said otherwise. How are we to have lasting peace if they cannot commit to our mutual wills at the cost of compromise?"

"It is difficult, to be sure." He agreed. "However, I believe that Dalmasca has shown her determination to end these meaningless wars. They see this too."

"I pray you are right, Captain." She stood up. "But we shall put this matter aside. Have you eaten yet?"

Basch held the door open for her as she walked through. "I have not, my Lady."

"Then let us go see what the cook has prepared. He said a special box of rare meats came in, you know, compliments of Migelo."

"Ah." They walked down the hallway. "I wonder if he has been keeping Vaan and Penelo busy enough."

They turned a corner and passed a window overlooking the city. Ashe paused for a brief moment to see the market section of Rabanastre, where they were sure to be right now. "I daresay we should visit them sometime soon…"


Penelo hurried down the street corner. Earlier in the morning Kytes had made the delivery Migelo requested to the palace but had not returned since. She had just looked all over Lowtown, the usual place to find the younger children playing and gossiping, but had not found Kytes. And where was Vaan? Slipping away to check the hunt board, perhaps?

She shook her head and slowly opened the door to Migelo's Sundries. Not much had changed in a year. Not much at all. Occasionally, when the time would be spared, she went with Vaan to seek the latest hunt and battle against it. Since the mist, which had previously mutated most of the hunts, had quieted down, they mainly went after three or four rank hunts. Vaan let Kytes practice on some of his weapons—one day, the child would be strong enough to accompany them.

'But that makes Kytes not concentrate on his errands.' She thought regrettably. 'Just like how Vaan was whenever he had those sky pirate daydreams.' Maybe that was where the two were—practicing their battle techniques. Penelo sighed. Did she have to do everything? She hated scolding, because that made her feel like the bad one.

"Ah, Penelo, come in." Migelo motioned her inside. "So? Did you look everywhere for Kytes?"

She sighed. "I checked Lowtown but he wasn't there. My money's on Vaan. I think he may have something to do with it."

Migelo chuckled. "That boy always has his head in the clouds. Well, you did your best, Penelo. Will you tend to the customers why I take care of some business near the gate?"

She nodded. It was happening again! Vaan was out having fun with the others while she was stuck in the shop. Did responsibility ever pay?

He opened the door, but seemed to remember something and looked back at her. "Oh, and Penelo, there is a letter for you. I left it on the store's counter."

She turned to look. So there was. From who? Even with the adventure they had, Penelo still did not know that many people outside of Rabanastre. And she certainly wasn't expecting anything. Perhaps from Ashe or Basch in the palace? Or even…Balthier and Fran? She had not known what happened to them. Gingerly she went over to the letter and opened it. It read:

Dear Penelo,

It has been quite some time since I have heard from you or the others of your party. I trust all is well. Perhaps right now her Majesty Ashe is trying to negotiate agreements with the other lands. From personal experience I can say this is no easy task, but I wish her my best. As always her requests have my full support. And I also trust you and Vaan have continued to keep up the store run by that Migelo gentleman? Things have been much the same here as they are where you live, I have no doubt.

Forgive me for the abruptness of this question, but might you stop by my home sometime? Perhaps with Vaan? I have heard little news of the going-ons in Rabanastre. I look forward to catching up about things. Unfortunately since I have assumed the family name, I have also assumed all duties associated with House Solidor. Therefore I can spare little time for anything, but do please send word back about when you might be able to visit.

Regards,

Larsa

Penelo stared at it and read the words again. Of what she had imagined she wasn't expecting this. 'But what a nice idea!' She thought. 'None of my old friends ever try to contact us over here. Ashe is always cooped up in the palace, Basch mainly stays where Larsa is, and who knows what became of Balthier and Fran. I don't know much about what has been happening to them, but meeting Larsa will be a great chance to catch up. At least I'll know how one old friend has been.' She sat down immediately to start writing her reply. 'And besides, things have become way too boring around here. A trip to Larsa's home is just what I need to get away from work.'

At that point Kytes came through the door. Penelo looked up in surprise. "Kytes?!" She exclaimed. "Where have you been?"

His eyes shifted around. "Was talkin' with Old Dalan for awhile." He wiped his nose. "Then Filo said she lost the thing Dalan told her to deliver when she was peerin' down into the fountain and accidentally dropped it. So naturally we went lookin' for it in the waterway."

"The waterway!? You went inside the Garamsythe Waterway just for that?? Hasn't Vaan told you about the stories of all the terrible beasts we've encountered down there?!?"

"But I've been gettin' stronger!" He insisted. "Vaan taught me how to use some of the weapons you guys fought with!"

She sighed. "Listen, Kytes, I don't have time to think about this right now. Have you seen Vaan? I need to ask him about something that just came up."

"Umm," the boy moved his head to the side, as if to better think that way, "I guess I haven't seen him lately. But earlier in the morning I know he went over to the tavern. Probably was lookin' up the latest info on hunts. You know how he is, Penelo."

She shook her head. "Did he go after a mark without me? It better have been something not too major—he knows it's not safe to go without anyone to back him up."

"Nahh, you worry too much, Penelo." Kytes put his hands behind his neck. "Vaan can handle anything. He helped you guys overthrow the Imperials, didn't he?"

"Yes, but he had friends to support him." She sighed. "Well, I guess I'll be the only one to go see Larsa. Guess Vaan's too busy with whatever mark he's hunting now."

Kytes' face changed. "Oooh, did Lord Larsa ask you to come see him?" he teased.

"Knock it off, Kytes." Penelo walked back to the other side of the counter. "He hasn't heard any news from us over here. I'd be quite interested to know what we've been doing if I were him too. I'm sure he'll have some interesting stories that I can tell you about later."

He grimaced. "From the Imperials? I doubt it."

"That was four years ago, Kytes. Besides, Larsa was never like the other Imperials anyway. You know that. Now…don't you have some work to do?"

He lowered his head. "…Maybe…"

Kytes ran back outside. Penelo smiled slightly and turned to talk with a customer who had just entered. Although she was always serious about helping Migelo, right now her work was not the first thing on her mind.