Author's Note: The best thing to do when writing an angry Balthier, is to listen to angry music. :D Three Days Grace and Breaking Benjamin are what I listened to mostly while writing this chapter. Hahaha. :3

B'awww. Hugs to my favorite readers, Joshua Chung and The Giant Daifuku! x3

B a d B r o m a n c e

Chapter Seven

Running From a Fight

It seemed like an easy thing to do, rescuing the damsel in distress from the bad guys. But for me, it seemed a lot harder than it should have.

"The Lhusu Mines are just up ahead," Balthier explained as the group stepped out of the aerodrome. Both Snow and Vaan were eagerly looking over the edge of the floating city, staring at the seemingly endless sky below them. "Though, I do hear there's not much left there these days."

A young boy standing a short away from the two blonds stepped down from the railing, turning toward the three standing in the middle of the walkway. He had light black hair, and had a sense of nobility, much like Balthier, about him. "You are on your way to the mines?" he asked. "Then, please. Allow me to accompany you. I've an erran to attend to there."

"What matter of errand?" Basch asked, folding his arms across his chest.

"What errand? I might ask the same of you."

Snow raised an eyebrow as soon as he stood between Balthier and Fran, wondering what was going through the sky pirate's head at that time. He seemed to be eying the boy carefully, studying him. "Right," he said after a long pause. "Come on then."

Both Snow and Vaan exchanged uneasy glances. "What?"

"Do me a favor and stay where I can keep my eye on you. Should be less trouble that way."

The boy nodded, smiling. "For us both."

"So what's your name?" Vaan asked, approaching the newcomer.

"Oh, I...I'm Lamont."

He clapped a hand on Lamont's shoulder, grinning widely. "Don't worry. I don't know what's in that mine, Lamont, but you're in good hands." He then looked toward the others. "Right, Basch?"

Balthier pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, and Snow hung his head low. Obviously Vaan didn't listen to what had been said earlier - there had clearly been a direction of no names. Basch, however, only sighed when Vaan innocently smiled at them.

They ventured through the city with ease, since there were no threats of imperial interruptions around. Fran silently pulled Snow and Vaan into a weapons shop, and bought them better weapons to use in battle. Vaan replaced his weak dagger for a blade called danjuro, while Snow found a pair of gloves with silver plates over the knuckles. At least then he'd be able to help the others in battle without worrying of injuring his hands.

When they reached the entrance of the mines, Balthier stopped to observe the area. "The Lhusu Mines," he murmured, frowning slightly. "One of the richest veins in Ivalice."

"Under imperial guard, no doubt," Basch commented, standing beside the sky pirate.

Lamont stepped forward, heading toward the mines. "Actually, no," he interjected. "With but few exceptions, the imperial army is not permitted in Bhujerba. Well, shall we proceed?"

The two men exchanged glances, but followed the boy into the mines nonetheless. As soon as they walked down the steps to a long walkway, Snow caught sight of a judge and his entourage leaving the mines. There was a older man with them, calmly walking behind the judge as he was spoken to. The group hid behind multiple pillars, and from where he stood between Snow and Basch, Lamont peered out and looked to the ones leaving the area.

"Halim Ondore IV, the Marquis of Bhujerba," he muttered, explaining it to a fairly confused Snow. "The Marquis served as mediator at the negotiations of Dalmasca's surrender. It would appear that he is somewhat less neutral now."

"They say he's been helping the Resistance," Balthier added in, walking out from behind the pillar as soon as the other group was out of sight.

"They say many things."

"You're certainly well informed." The sky pirate tilted his head, arching an eyebrow. "Who did you say you were again?"

Vaan stepped between them, growing impatient. "What difference does it make? We have to find Penelo."

Lamont looked curious at the sound of the girl's name. "And Penelo is your...?"

"She's a friend. She was kidnapped and taken here." Vaan turned away and ran down the hall, forcing the others to follow close behind.

The Lhusu Mines were a lot like the Barheim Passage, Snow noticed. He also took notice to how tense and edgy Balthier seemed to be, despite how much he tried to hide his discomfort. He seemed to know more about Lamont than he was willingly to admit, too. Not that he'd be willing to actually say something to Snow...After what had happened the night before, the two had barely even glanced in each other's direction.

At last they reached an open part of the mines, a large cavernous area covered with glowing blue lights in the walls and ground. Lamont bent down on one knee, examining the lights on the ground. "This is what I came here to see," he stated, and he pulled out some sort blue crystal from his pocket.

"What's that?" Snow asked, the brand on his arm twinging weakly at the light coming from the crystal.

"It's nethicite. Manufacted nethicite."

"Nethicite?" Where had he heard that before?

"Unlike regular magicite, nethicite absorbs magickal energy. This is the fruit of research into the manufacture of nethicite. All at the hands of Draklor Laboratory."

Balthier narrowed his eyes when Lamont stood up, approaching the wall of the cavern. Before Snow could stop him, the sky pirate followed the boy.

"So this is where they're getting the magicite," Lamont murmured, touching a hand to the wall.

"Errand all attended to, then?" Balthier asked, walking toward the boy.

"Thank you. I'll repay you shortly."

Balthier's eyes darkened, and for a moment Snow thought he saw red in them. "No, you'll repay us now. We have too much on our hands to go on holding yours." He cornered the boy, leering in on him. "So, where did you hear this fairy tale about nethicite? And where did you get that sample you carry? What do you know about the Draklor Laboratories? Tell me, who are you?"

Snow stepped forward, grabbing the sky pirate's shoulder before he could hurt Lamont. "Balthier-"

"You kept us waiting, Balthier!"

The red glint in Balthier's eyes faded away as soon as Ba'Gamnan's voice rang out through the cavern, and he turned around to see the bangaa and his crew standing in the way of their exit.

"You slipped away in Nalbina," the creature said, holding out his spinning saw-blade toward them. "We missed you! First the judge, and now this boy! The whole affair has the smell of money, I may have to wet my beak a little!"

"Keep your snout in the trough where it belongs," Balthier answered, scowling. "This thinking ill befits you, Ba'Gamnan."

Ba'Gamnan only laughed. "Balthier! Too long have I gone unpaid! I'll carve my bounty out of that boy!"

"Where's Penelo?" Vaan demanded, clenching his fists in anger. "We're taking her back!"

"The girl? Why keep the bait when you've landed the fish? We cut her loose on the way here, and then off she ran, crying like a babe!"

Lamont threw the nethicite at the bangaa's head, temporarily stunning him to give the group enough time to run off. While Vaan, Basch and Fran rushed forward after the young boy, Snow grabbed Balthier by the arm. The sky pirate was furiously glaring at their enemies, and the red tint was back in his eyes. His hands were tightly clenched at his sides, and when Snow tried to pull him away he wouldn't even budge.

"Balthier, c'mon!" he yelled, "We can't fight them! We need to run!"

However, Ba'Gamnan saw that there were two left behind, he beared his teeth and ran at them with his saw at hand. Balthier still made no motions of running away, and Snow did something that he knew he'd regret. He stepped in front of his comrade before the bangaa could reach him, receiving the blunt of the blow. The saw cut through his shirt and into his skin, blood clouding his vision, and he fell against Balthier as soon as he backed away.

"Snow!" Balthier called out, snapping out of his momentary daze. He grabbed the blond before he could hit the ground, but Snow stood back up on his own.

"I'm fine, it's just a scratch!" he answered, grinning weakly. "What did I tell you? I'm the hero! And the hero doesn't die!"

Balthier narrowed his eyes when Ba'Gamnan and his gang leered in on them, and the hand he placed on the blond's shoulder tensed up. Just as the bangaa was close enough to strike them, Snow slammed his fist into Ba'Gamnan's snout and sent him flying against the wall. Using the distraction, Balthier pulled the other man to his feet and took off running. As soon as they out ran them, the bangaa's voice called out to them from a distance.

"Confound you! I will have my pound of flesh yet, Balthier!"

They managed to catch up with the other three, despite the fact that Balthier was nearly dragging Snow as they ran. Fran saw the blood on both of them, and instantly began to cast a curative spell for the blond. Balthier walked forward and watched as Lamont approached the judge and his entourage. Among them was Penelo, looking as if she didn't know where to go. After a moment, Lamont took her hand and led her away, and the rest of the group followed.

"What's Penelo doing?" Vaan asked. "And what's the deal with that Lamont?"

"That's no 'Lamont'," Balthier replied, resting a hand on the wall. "Larsa Ferrinas Solidor. Fourth son to Emperor Gramis...and brother to Vayne."

"What? That kid?"

Fran looked up from where she tended to Snow's wound, her eyes glancing at the others. "Do not worry," she said. "I believe he will treat her well."

Balthier smirked widely. "Nobody knows men like Fran does."

"Our purposes lead the same way: to Ondore," Basch stated, stepping forward. "We must find means to approach him."

"The Marquis is channeling money to organizations opposing the Empire," Balthier agreed. "We'll start there."

"Marquis Ondore announced my execution two years ago. If news of my survival were to spread, the Marquis may find his position compromised."

"The men he's been funding bear little love for the Empire. They won't be thrilled to discover that the rumors of your death were, in fact, greatly exaggerated. If we were raise a clamor to that effect, we might just get their attention."

Vaan grinned widely, and said before running off, "Leave that to me!"

As soon as the thief ran off, Balthier turned toward Fran and Snow. "How is he?" he asked, looking down as Fran continued to heal the blond's wound with magick.

"He will live," she answered, removing her hands from his chest. She helped Snow stand up, her nose twitching slightly. "He'll need to cover the wound until it completely heals."

"We'll get that handled once we reach the Marquis' estate."

Snow sheepishly smiled when his and Balthier's eyes met. The sky pirate didn't return the smile, however, but he did seem the slightest bit more relaxed.

Vaan had managed to get the attention needed in order to arrange a meeting with the Marquis. After speaking with members of the Resistance, the group was led to the estate not too long later. They wouldn't get to meet with the Marquis until nightfall, and so they were told to wait in separate quarters until it was time for the meeting. Snow sat down in one of the chairs in the room while Balthier leaned up against the window pane. Fran had gone off on her own, sensing that her partner needed to speak with the blond, and she took Vaan and Basch along with her.

"Mind telling me what happened back there?" Snow asked, adjusting the bandage under his shirt. "You almost got yourself killed. You're lucky I stayed behind."

Balthier cast his eyes downward, remaining silent.

"Look, Balthier...It's been an entire year since I saw you, and you've almost completely changed character. What happened to you?" He still wanted to ask about Ragnarok, but he still wasn't sure if Balthier was ready to admit to any thing.

"Being forced to part ways with those you care for is a terrible thing," the sky pirate muttered. "It can change a man. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worst."

"Do you...remember anything from the time you were sent back here?"

Balthier sighed. "Fang and Vanille. They told me that I'd find what I was looking for, eventually. I had figured that meant my true destiny...But now, I understand what they meant. I found what I was looking for, but it turned out to be something completely different. Something I wasn't ready to face."

Snow sat up more, narrowing his eyes. "And, that might be...?"

Before he could answer, the others returned. Fran went to her partner's side, noticing his discomfort and touching his hand. Not too long after that, a servant entered the room and told them that the Marquis was ready to see them. Snow looked toward Balthier, and cautiously walked at his side to where Ondore was waiting for them.

Basch stood close to the large table Ondore sat at, while Fran and Vaan stood by the windows. Balthier and Snow remained close to the door, just in case they needed to make a quick escape.

"Sir Basch fon Ronsenburg," Ondore stated, resting his hands on the table. "It was not very long ago that I announced that you had been executed."

"And that is the only reason I draw breath," Basch answered, his face expressionless.

"So you are the sword he's strung above my head. Vayne has left not a thing to chance." He glanced up toward the knight. "And?"

"A leader of the Resistance has fallen into imperial hands. A woman by the name of Amalia. I would rescue her, but I need your help."

Ondore frowned, standing up from his seat and walking toward the window. "This Resistance leader - this Amalia. She must be very important. You understand I've my position to consider."

"Would you let us see Larsa?" Vaan asked, not forgetting about the reason he came along. "He's got my friend with him."

"I'm afraid you're too late. Lord Larsa's cortege has already rejoined the Imperial Detachment. I am told they will depart for Rabanastre upon the arrival of the fleet this eventide."

Snow glanced out the window and saw transport air ships coming down from a large imperial ship, heading right for the estate. He nudged Balthier in the side, and warning him. At that time, Vaan rushed over and eagerly looked to the door.

"What are we waiting for?" he asked.

"For you to calm down," Balthier hissed at him, pushing him aside.

Ondore faced Basch, the smallest of smirks on his face. "Captain Ronsenburg. Surely the exigences of position are not lost on you. Why indeed, you should find the enemy's chains an easy burden to bear..."

Balthier stepped forward, uneasily watching as Basch pulled out his sword. "Wait!"

"Sorry," the knight murmured. "Can't be helped." He held out the blade toward Ondore, narrowing his eyes.

"Summon the guard!" the Marquis yelled. "They are to be taken to Judge Ghis."

The servant opened the door, and soldiers rushed into the room. One of them tried to grab Balthier, and out of habit Snow punched them in the face before getting pulled away from the others. He could watch as the sky pirate's eyes flickered to the crimson red color at the sight of his comrade being grabbed at, and he beared his suddenly sharp teeth at the soldier binding his hands.

"You leave him alone!" Snow yelled, pushing away from the man's grasp and attempting to stop the soldiers taking away the others. But he was pulled back again, this time by more than one soldier. "No - Balthier!"

Balthier looked back with narrowed eyes as he was led away, and Snow began to panic for his comrade. However, he was led in another direction and away from the other four.

"Take that one directly to Lord Vayne," Ondore said as Snow was led past him, his eyes staring blankly ahead of him.

Snow was taken to Rabanastre by means of a teleport stone, and once they'd arrived at the palace he was led down to Vayne's chambers without another word. He was uneasy - it was the first time he had been away from Balthier and the others, and he wondered if they were in any danger. And the way Balthier had reacted at seeing Snow being forced away from them...Something wasn't right.

As soon as they reached the large room, Vayne smirked from where he sat at the desk. "This the man?" he asked.

"Yes, my lord," answered one of the soldiers. "He claims to be from the land by the name of 'Pulse'."

"You may leave us alone, general."

The soldiers left and the consul stood up from his desk, but Snow's hands remained bound by the hand cuffs. On the other side of the room stood an older man reading a book, who oddly reminded him of Balthier. He looked back toward Vayne with a furious glare. "Where are the others?" he demanded.

"Your comrades?" Vayne turned toward the window behind his desk. "Ah, yes. They are with Judge Ghis, no doubt. I trust your journey here was quick? Traveling by teleport stone is always such a pain..."

"You could send me back just as quick, you know."

"I could, but then what would be the point of bringing you all the way here?"

Snow frowned, looking down at his hands. "I don't know anything about this Resistance. I just want to get back to Pulse as soon as possible."

Vayne looked down at the letter on his desk, skimming over the words in a brief moment. "It says here that you are previously aquainted with the sky pirate Balthier." The man standing on the other side of the room looked up with curiosity. "How, if I may ask?"

"He, uh...helped me back in my world. We traveled with each other for a while."

"And for what reason?"

The blond scoffed. "The same reason I'm here now - to stop the bad guys. Meaning: you."

Vayne was silent for a moment, then he set the letter down on the desk. "So, would you say you are close to the sky pirate?" That made Snow narrow his eyes even more. "It would be a shame if something terrible were to happen to him. However, he has been seen in multiple cities and towns were countless murders have taken place, leaving as soon as the crimes are discovered. Unless it is mere coincidence, I must follow my duty as duty as a man of law and order his execution."

"Leave him alone!" Snow yelled, and the consul smiled darkly. "I'll tell you everything you want to know...Just let Balthier be."

"I'm so glad you see it my way."

Snow went over what he remembered about his journey with Balthier, how they had managed to end the fal'Cie control over the people of Cocoon. But as he spoke, he remembered what the voice in his head had told him, and what Vayne had mentioned about Balthier being around whenever people were killed in different places. That only added to his uneasiness and suspicion.

"So your world was controlled by gods..." Vayne murmured as soon as Snow finished telling his story.

"Which is why I don't understand why I'm here," the blond continued. "My world is saved, so I should still be there."

The man on the other side of the room stepped forward. "My lord, if I may state my opinion..."

"Of course, Doctor Cid."

Cid? Snow watched as the man walked over to the desk, and then began to speak, "Your being here must be a message from the gods, no doubt. Occuria, fal'Cie...They're one in the same. My son saved your world, and now you must save his."

"Your son?" He remembered Balthier mentioning his father once before, but he had clearly stated that his father was dead. How was it that he was still alive? And, did Balthier know of that?

"Ffamran, though he cast that name away long ago, shall always be the heir to the Bunansa name." Cid shook his head, "Nonetheless, you cannot allow the Occuria to take control of this world as the fal'Cie had yours. The reins of history must stay in the hands of man."

"Then, what do you want me to do?" Snow asked.

"Accompany the renegades for as long as you can," Vayne answered, looking up from th piece of paper. "I would not be surprised if they have already met with the late princess of Dalmasca. Your being here must mean we are straying from our path."

"Does that mean...you're letting me go?"

"As long as you keep this a secret from all. That includes the sky pirate." He narrowed his eyes, watching Snow carefully. "By all means, do not live his side. You are the only one who can stop the beast within him, and allowing it to break free would ruin all we have created."

Snow frowned, but he nodded nonetheless.

I didn't know who to trust anymore. I remembered Balthier telling me about his journey before he came to Cocoon...But how could he have done all the things he'd said, if they hadn't even taken place yet? And if things were repeating themselves...It didn't matter if Ragnarok was going to destroy our worlds. Balthier was going to die before this journey was over.

Dun dun dunnn...

I love the relationship Snow and Balthier seem to have. They don't get along, but they still do all they can to make sure nothing bad happens to one another. The song I Don't Care by Apocalyptica really reminds me of them in this story, especially these parts:

I try to make it through my life

In my way, there's you

I try to make it through these lies

And that's all I do

Just don't deny it

Don't try to fight this

And deal with it

And that's just part of it

If you were dead or still alive,

I don't care,

I don't care,

Just go and leave this all behind,

Cause I swear,

I don't care

LOL I'm weird. :3