Alrighttt, here comes chapter 4!!!

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Welcome back. It's a pleasure to see that you have decided to return and hear the continuation of my story. Two days have passed since Larsa, Basch, and Zargabaath met with Vaan and Ashe. I know you must be teeming to hear the details of how history is changed, so I'll spare you my introduction and continue with the journey of our heroes:

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"Ahh, gorgeous day out, isn't it Fran?" Balthier said, smiling pleasantly, holding his face up to the rays of the sun.

"Sunny as always. The weather is always beautiful here on the Phon Coast," Fran replied, peering around the area.

"It's a shame we had to leave Archades so soon though. I had been collecting so much loot from the rich side of town. I'd much rather have stayed and kept pushing my luck."

"We've already collected more than enough loot, Balthier. What we sold was worth thousands of Gil. So let's sell lay low for while here on the Phon Coast, and perhaps we can return," Fran replied, picking up the empty sack beside her that had previously been full of jewelery and artifacts.

"It was terribly easy too, like stealing candy from a baby," Balthier smirked.

Fran's eyes continued to scan the area. Then she noticed them. Archadian airships coming in fast, about seven of them. She nudged Balthier and nodded her head in their direction.

"Please, Fran. I'm sure that I covered my tracks, and I hardly think that they know I'm here on the Phon Coast," Balthier assured smugly.

They watched the small Archadian airships come closer until they all hovered over the beach. They all descended at once and landed on the shore. A group of soldiers from each airship walked out and formed into a battalion that appeared to be led by one commander. They marched toward the item seller and conversed with her for a moment.

The item seller turned her head and pointed across the way at Balthier and Fran. The commander turned his head in their direction as well.

Balthier's eyes went wide and his head snapped over in Fran's direction, "They're looking for us."

"There's no way we can escape into the surrounding areas, they have airships," Fran commented.

"Alright Fran, you ready for another wild ride?" Balthier spoke as the sides of his mouth curled up into a devious grin.

Suddenly, Balthier dashed over toward the direction of the airships, and before Fran could ask what crazy idea he had, she followed him. They sprinted about thirty yards to the closest Archadian airship, and when they got to the loading ramp they heard the soldiers behind them yell out.

Balthier entered the middle of the airship, which happened to be empty. He knew this model of airship, it was a model that was made after an older, smaller airship once called the Moogle. Straight ahead was a set of seven stairs that led straight to the cockpit. He ran straight forward and bounded up the stairs. There were two Archadian pilots sitting in the cockpit.

Balthier pounced on the first one, karate chopped him in the throat and then decked the helpless pilot in the jaw. The pilot fell out of the cockpit chair and sprawled on the floor. Before the other pilot could react, Fran was already doing the same to him.

"Alrighty, Fran," Balthier started, "Aren't we lucky they left the engine running for us?"

Fran knew exactly how to pilot this model, and the first thing she did was close the ramp before the soldiers got there, which she did right in the knick of time. Balthier pushed some more configuration buttons, pulled a lever back, and the small airship levitated in the air.

"Woohoo!" Balthier cried, "Let the chase begin!"

The airship lurched forward across the water. Fran looked in the mirrors around her and saw that the other six airships were quickly airborne and hot on their tail.

"Where do plan on going?" Fran asked.

Balthier shrugged and replied, "Who knows?"

The chase went on for a little while, but since Balthier and Fran had the head start they were able to maintain distance between themselves and the Archadians. That was, until more Archadian airships came into sight from the distance.

"Ah, dammit," Balthier cursed. "They got in contact with the other airships."

The airships ahead of them opened fire and started to shoot at the rogue airship.

"Blast! They want to gun us down?!" Balthier cried.

"I suggest we land before we are injured," Fran pointed out, turning toward Balthier.

"Yeah, yeah," Balthier said unhappily.

Balthier turned the ship to the right and kept flying for another five minutes. It appeared as though there were no more shots, those first ones were only warning shots. They finally came to land, and Balthier landed the airship. They dropped the back ramp, and Balthier and Fran walked out slowly, their hands raised in the air.

"Balthier Bunanza?" The commander of the soldiers said after the soldiers had gotten off their airships.

"Yep, I'm the bloke you want," Balthier said in a melancholy tone.

"We have orders to take you with us back to Archadia," The commander continued.

The commander nodded at two soldiers and had them rush forward and grab Balthier's hands. They didn't touch Fran though.

"What, no handcuffs or restraints?" Balthier questioned.

"No sir, we're merely escorting you," The commander replied.

"Sir?" Balthier questioned, raising his eyebrow at the fact that the commander called him sir.

"I cannot disclose any more information, you must come with us," The commander said.

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"Pleasant day for a walk, isn't it your Highness?" The short political advisor said to Al-Cid as they strolled through a garden of the castle, Al-Cid's assistant following close behind.

"It's always nice to soak up the outdoors," Al-Cid replied, taking his sunglasses from his assistant's hand.

"Quite true," the advisor added, keeping pace with the exotic king.

"How nice of you to ask me to take a walk with you as well, it's not often that I can enjoy the company of someone who wants to talk only politics," Al-Cid said, eyeing the political advisor and the uncomfortable expression that formed on his face when Al-Cid said that.

"Well... this walk isn't merely for casual enjoyment... your Majesty," the political advisor said uneasily. "I asked you to come with me so we could talk more about the current situation."

"Current situation?" Al-Cid questioned, raising his eyebrow, pretending not to know what this man was going to tell him.

"I'm sure you're aware," The advisor continued.

Al-Cid stopped walking and said sarcastically, "Ahhhh. The current situation! You mean the situation that everybody keeps talking about? The one about Archadia having some secret plans to attack us? Or that we should take Archadia now while they're peaceful, so that future rulers don't attack us? Or how Archadia is untrustworthy? That completely slipped my mind. Odd too, seeing as that's all I've heard coming from anybody these past few weeks."

"Sir, I humbly ask that you do not take this crisis with a grain of salt."

"Crisis?" Al-Cid said questioningly. "When did rumors start to become a crisis?"

"Sir, these are no rumors," The political advisor continued.

"Advisor, all reasons to fight are gone," Al-Cid stated matter-of-factly.

"Ah, but I assure you they are not. Larsa Solidor IS from House Solidor. And no matter who rules each country, the two nations have always had struggles for power, one premature teenager will not change that. There is too much history between us to suddenly ignore the fact that our nations have always been enemies."

"I still haven't heard any reasons why Rozarria should attack Archadia," Al-Cid said bluntly.

"Sir," Al-Cid's assistant butted in. "You've heard plenty of reasons why they are not trustworthy. Surely you can see some truth in all of them?"

"I see more truth in saying that it's Daylight when the Moon is out than saying that Larsa Solidor is an untrustworthy and dangerous leader," Al-Cid spat. "What are you strategies? To overwhelm me with propaganda until I'm brainwashed into thinking it's true? Well, that strategy might have worked on all of you, but I assure you, it will not work on me."

"Your Highness, it won't be long until the people decide to overthrow you," The advisor stated.

"Another threat?!" Al-Cid exclaimed. "That's all I've been hearing lately! I'm going back to my office, and make sure of it that neither of you follow me there."

Al-Cid turned and started to walk angrily back to his office. He couldn't believe what these people were trying to get him to do. And especially after all the hard work that went into creating the peace.

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"Amazing," Zargabaath said to himself, standing on a hill overlooking the capital city, Genard-Fo-Deen, of Landis.

In the past few days traders and merchants from Bhujerba, Archadia, and Dalmasca all flocked to Genard-Fo-Deen to being trading and creating an economic market. The city had been quiet and still the previous week, but as Zargabaath stood on the top of the hill, now he could hear the crowds and noises of the marketplace from the hill that stood no more than a thousand feet away.

"It will only get busier," Marquis Ondore spoke, turning to Zargabaath. "Pretty soon, the soldiers that the nations have sent will arrive, and you can begin to train them."

"And I can't wait for that. I'll be able to teach them the Archadian art of combat."

"As well as the strategies of air warfare," The Marquis smiled. "The preliminary Airship dock shall be done within the week. It will be able to hold over three hundred airships when it's completely finished. And I trust you still want Bhujerba to lend you a few of those airships for your merchants in the meantime?"
"Very much so," Zargabaath nodded. "I thank you again for your cooperation, Marquis."

"Are you still thinking of implementing the draft for the Republic?" Ondore questioned, turning back to the bustling city in the twilight of the late afternoon.

"Yes, at first I will. We must get a strong army here before any progress can be made. That way, once the army is created and the economy is rich, people will begin to immigrate here, and as time goes on, the population will grow and flourish."

"Have you talked to the Republic about appointing a leader?"

"I have, multiple times. For now they wish to keep it a Republic, so they can oversee the changes and make sure it's to their liking. But they've said that eventually they would like to make me the ruler of Landis."

"Quite an honor," The Marquis said quietly, nodding slightly.

"Quite a burden. But it is what Judge Gabranth and I have been willing to sacrifice. This needs to be done for the good of Ivalice. Pretty soon, Balfonheim will be given its sovereignty, Nabradia will be given a leader to revive itself, and hopefully the viera will decide to cooperate. Bhujerba will soon become an important ally as well," Zargabaath added.

"Well, keep up the good work," The Marquis spoke.

The two leaders remained still, overlooking the the gradual change in the city.

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The soldiers tugged Balthier along, not in a rough manner though. Which was odd, considering he was a big time thief, and he robbed an extraordinarily large amount of people. Fran followed behind, also being escorted by the guards. They had arrived in Archades already, and it appeared as though the commander was escorting them to the castle.

"Are we really going to the castle? And not the jail or the courthouse?" Balthier questioned, nervous as to where they were going.

"I told you, details are not to be spoken of," the commander replied, turning his head.

The guards, Balthier, and Fran walked in silence the rest of the way through the city until they finally came to the gates of the looming castle. The guards opened the gates, and they continued to walk inside.

Oh no, this is not good. Anytime a crook is brought straight into the castle it's never good. Don't I get a trial? Balthier thought. Oh no! They're not going to execute me on the spot, are they!? That's an outrageous penalty for thievery! I need to calm down.

They continued up the main stairwell and through the winding corridors of the castle until they got to a large set of oak doors. The commander rapped his knuckles on the door lightly.

"Come in," a quiet voice said behind the doors.

The commander opened one door and led Balthier and Fran in. They stood in the middle of what appeared to be an open courtyard. On the far side was a desk, and in the middle was a small pool of clean water. Grass grew around the rest of the courtyard, except for where the desk was. That half of the yard was covered in a concrete floor. And behind the desk, sat Larsa Solidor, and a fully armored Judge Gabranth.

"Greetings," Larsa spoke, signing a paper on his desk.

Oh my God. Balthier thought. It's the execution paper!

Larsa stood up holding the piece of paper and walked over to Fran and Balthier, Judge Gabranth following close behind.

He's going to hand me the paper and order me into the dungeons! I should start begging for my life right now! Balthier thought, frightened. No! I need to remain calm and collected. Maybe I can weasel my way out.

Larsa handed the piece of paper to the commander and said, "Give this to the messenger to give to Zargabaath. It's the confirmation for Archadian soldiers."

Phew, Balthier thought, relieved.

"It's good to see you both again!" Larsa exclaimed, smiling at his two visitors. "Everybody else, you may be excused."

The commander and soldiers nodded, turned and walked away.

"May I ask what we're doing here?" Balthier questioned, trying to play dumb.

"Yes, you must be so confused right now. We made sure not even the guards knew what we had in mind for you though, just in case it didn't go accordingly," Larsa replied.

"What.. you had in mind?" Balthier said slowly, swallowing hard.

"Basch, go right ahead," Larsa spoke, stepping back.

Basch removed his helmet and looked sternly at Balthier. Balthier fell to his knees and started to plead, "Please Basch! Please spare me! The punishment does not fit the crime!"

Basch raised an eyebrow, "The crime? What are you talking about Balthier?"

"Don't try to fool me! I know why you brought me here!"

Basch laughed, "Whatever you're thinking Balthier, I can assure you that you have no idea why we really brought you here."

"Oh," Balthier said, a little embarrassed, standing up quickly. "Then why are we here?"

"Balthier," Basch started, pacing back and forth. "For the past year and two months, Balfonheim has remained leaderless. After Reddas gallantly sacrificed his life to destroy the Sun-Cryst, they have not reinstated a new leader under the orders of Archadia. We've decided to change that."

"Wait, what does this have to do with the rich part of Arch-" Balthier started, as he was suddenly interrupted by Fran elbowing him hard in the ribs.

"What?" Basch questioned, stopping in mid pace.

"Oh, nothing. Nothing," Balthier covered up, slowly looking at Fran.

"Alright. Well, Zargabaath and myself have decided to take it upon ourselves to create a stronger nation in between Archadia and Rozarria. We want the city-states to become more powerful and sovereign. We've already begun preparations on Landis, Bhujerba is already in the right direction, and Nabradia is slowly being revived. Larsa has decided to give Balfonheim its sovereignty so that it may become a free city state. We are also hoping to convince the viera to do the same. But, Zargabaath and myself have decided to appoint you as the new leader of Balfonheim."

Balthier's jaw dropped, "Leader of Balfonheim?"

"That's right," Larsa nodded, stepping forward again. "We knew we could trust you, and you already had strong political ties to people like myself, the Marquis, Al-Cid, and Ashe. We though it be best if you were appointed the leader. It's not a very powerful or problematic area, so we figured it wouldn't be too strenuous."

"You can trust me? Well, of course you can," Balthier said uneasily. "I couldn't possible fulfill what you're asking though. I'm a sky pirate."

"Please Balthier, we beg of you. It was Queen Ashe herself that brought up the idea, and I'm sure you wouldn't want to disappoint her," Larsa continued.

"Well, for now I'll say yes," Balthier replied. "It sounds like quite a good experience, you know, to be rich and powerful and all. But I'll have to think about it more."

"Well, if you say yes for now, then we can get started," Basch commented. "Get whatever things packed that you may need, and we'll send you on your way to Balfonheim."

"Now?!" Balthier exclaimed. "Isn't this a little hasty?"

"Not at all, we've had our course of action planned out for weeks now, so you can already be on your way," Basch said quickly, walking toward Balthier. "Fran, stay here, because we have our own assignment for you as well."

"Wait! Fran's not coming?!" Balthier cried, trying to resist Basch. "Then I'm definitely not going."

"No, Balthier. Go. Now," Fran instructed. "Do as your told. We will speak soon."

"But-" Balthier continued.

"No. Go," Fran said forcefully.

Basch escorted Balthier out of the room toward the airship dock.

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