[ Chapter IV: "Red-Haired Threat" ]

Lindblum city was bursting with activity once more. To see all those people running around. And in the midst a red-haired man who was not only tall, but very well build. He looked around, trying to see anything relating to thieves or thief bands. No he didn't find anything, it was beginning to annoy him.

He entered a pub, immediately drawing the attention inside.

"What'll it be?" The barkeeper asked.

"Something strong." He replied while sitting down.

Amarant looked around, seeing lots of people staring at him. He took a toothpick and removed some leftovers from his teeth. The barkeeper served his drink.

"There you go."

Amarant smirked, "Barkeep, what thief band is most famous around these parts?" he asked.

"Well that would be Tantalus, led by Baku." He replied with a strong voice. Everyone knew Tantalus.

"Tantalus huh? Where do they reside?"

"No one knows for sure, but they come down here often to have a drink." "This Baku, how does he look?"

"A bit fat, a bit tall, and a bit aggressive. You'll recognise him." He replied laughing.

Outside the pub, in the busy streets. Zidane and Blank where talking a stroll.

"Zidane, common lighten up a bit!" Blank said trying to cheer him up.

"I just can't Blank." He said while shaking his head.

"Let's go get something to drink?" Blank suggested.

Zidane stopped walking and looked at Blank. And what came out of his mouth was typical Zidane-behaviour.

"Drinks on you?" He grinned.

Blank sighed, "Glad to have you back Zidane."

The two entered their local pub. And it was the same Amarant was in... The two went to the counter. The barkeeper walked towards them from behind the counter.

"Zidane, Blank. Glad to see you two." He said.

"Glad to be here." Blank said.

"Two of the usual." He ordered.

The barkeep nodded. Amarant looked at the two, they where sitting right next to him. Blank looked at Amarant, there was something strange about him. The barkeeper had their drinks ready, Zidane started drinking like he always did, fast.

Amarant finished his drink and turned to the two Tantalus members.

"You two mind if I ask some questions?" Amarant asked.

Blank looked at Amarant, he was sure of it that Amaran'ts intensions weren't good.

"What's it that you want to ask?" Blank replied.

Zidane looked at Amarant as well, now that he finished his drink.

"You guys happen to know Tantalus?"

Zidane almost answered they where from Tantalus, but Blank stopped him.

"Why? Do you need them for any special reason?" Blank asked.

"As a matter of fact I do, but that's not of your concern." Amarant coldly replied.

"Yes we know them, so now there." Blank took a sip of his drink.

"I didn't say I was done asking questions."

"For me you are finished, now leave us alone." Blank replied.

Amarant stood up, he walked towards Zidane.

"You... You look a lot like the man on the posters outside." Amarant noticed.

Zidane and Blank where now sure this guy was a bounty hunter, after the fat reward Wedge was giving out to whoever caught the thief of his stone.

"Listen, I know you two are members of Tantalus. Now I'm giving you the choice, come with me in peace. Or struggle and make it more interesting." Amarant said.

Zidane stood up, so did Blank.

"Hey, if you're so tough why don't you come outside and show what you're worth!" Zidane yelled.

Amarant smiled, and nodded. They went outside, along with the people that wanted to see the fight.

Outside it was abandoned, everyone knew that sparks where going to fly. Two members of Tantalus, and this mysterious stranger with red hair.

"I have to warn you two, this is your last chance of escaping!" Amarant shouted, overconfident.

"Sure, like we would run away from a fight!" Zidane yelled, he grinned.

Blank took his sword, Zidane his twin daggers. Amarant raised his hand to show everyone his weapon.

"This is the mythril claw, a little thing I got when I killed it's former owner." Amarant bragged.

"Hey, are you going to brag all day about some claw or are you going to fight?!" Blank yelled.

A grin on Amarant's face appeared. Zidane had enough of the waiting and rushed in towards Amarant. Zidane landed behind Amarant with his back turned. Amarant turned around and scratched Zidane's back. Zidane quickly jumped back to Blank's side.

"Are you alright?" Blank asked, worried about his friend.

"I'll be ok, I think I underestimated this guy." He replied.

Amarant laughed and rushed towards Blank, the thief blocked Amarant's attack with his sword.

"Close call," Blank said, "now it's time to finish you off!"

Blank jumped up, barging down with his sword aimed at Amarant. A direct hit! Amarant had to catch his breath.

"It seems I have underestimated you two as well!" He yelled while attacking Zidane.

No Mercy was one his trademark moves. How he got that extra dose of power nobody knew. His powers where that of a monk. Mystical but powerful.

Everyone thought Zidane was hit for sure. But the loud bang of Amarant's claw hitting Zidane's twin daggers was good enough to convince everyone that he wasn't hit. Because of the dust raised by Amarant's attack no one could see what happened. But as it cleared up, they saw Zidane in a power clash with Amarant!

Blank hopped over to Zidane, attacking Amarant's back. A loud signal could be heard from a few blocks away. It was non other then the Lindblum authorities! Amarant sighed, it's been a while since he had such an interesting fight and now it would be interrupted!

Blank and Zidane both smiled.

"Guess we'll have to face each other some other time, redhead." Zidane smirked.

"Hey! Zidane, I'm a redhead too!" Blank shouted.

"I agree, we'll meet again." The bounty hunter shouted, he jumped up and disappeared.

Blank and Zidane ran, as fast as they could. The authorities arrived at was once the battle area. All the people that where witnessing the fight fled too. The two Tantalus members where being chased by some Lindblum soldiers. They ran into a small alley where they succeeded in escaping them.

"Whew, close call Zidane." Blank said, with a very exhausted tone in his voice.

Zidane bended his head over the corner, seeing the soldiers running to the other side of the street. They where safe...

*********

In another part of Lindblum city. Baku, Marcus and Cinna where walking. A royal soldier jumped in front of them.

"HALT! I am ordered to arrest anyone that looks suspicious in the matter of the stolen stone!" He yelled, obviously he was a rookie at this.

Baku laughed, so did Cinna.

"Listen kid, just get out of our face and you won't get hurt." Baku warned him.

"...Do you dare oppose the Lindblum crown?!" He yelled again.

A short "yes" followed from the three Tantalus thieves. The soldier was shocked.

"It seems I'll have to take drastic measures then! Behold!"

The soldier raised his shiny new sword. Some kind of wooden construction appeared in the street, rushing towards the Baku, Cinna and Marcus. They looked at it with suspicion, but then it trapped them. They where stuck! In some kind of cell!

"I can't believe this rookie tricked us!" Baku yelled while slamming his fists against the bars.

The soldier who was riding the wooden construction (on the inside it was made of metal) and laughed.

"No one opposed the Lindblum crown! I will take you to prison where you will be questioned on the stolen stone!" He shouted in anxiety, probably hoping to be promoted.

Zidane and Blank are safe from the soldiers now, but what will they do next? Since Baku, Cinna and Marcus are now trapped, will they go and save them? Do they even know where to start? And what about the stolen stone?

Author's Note: Next up, Baku, Cinna and Marcus arrive in the Lindblum prison. Zidane and Blank have no clue what to do. Chapter V: "The Stolen Artefact"