Chapter 4
Written By Illuminet
Disclaimer: Most (if not all) of the characters appearing within this story do not belong to me, but rather, are creations of the brilliant minds within Square Soft/Square Enix. I don't claim any of them.
Note: Since you all know that I haven't played Final Fantasy Tactics Advance personally, I don't know what abilities are in the game, so most abilities will be from the regular Final Fantasy Tactics or made up ones until I can get more information.
"..."-Indicate Speech
'...'-Indicate Thought
------
Ivalice, Cyril City Bar
Marche stood within the bar's entrance, thinking over what Montblanc told him.
'So, in order to expand a clan's power, one must take odd jobs in order to begin getting a reputation. I guess I'll start easy then work my way up...'
Marche stared at the bar keeper. The bar keeper smiled.
"Your a friend of Montblanc, aren't you. What's your name?"
Marche nodded at the bar keeper.
"Marche."
The bar keeper nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Marche, so why are here."
Marche came closer to the table.
"Well, I'll normally need quest items so a clan can take on commission jobs, but since you probably don't have one, I'll have to give you this sheet that has jobs not requiring quest items. In the future, remember to bring quest items to any bars to accept other jobs, but remember also that these jobs will usually be harder, understand?"
The bar keeper explained. Marche nodded, taking the sheet given to him and looking it over. Upon reading one, he gave it back to the bar keeper.
"How about this one?"
The bar keeper nodded.
"Sure, but I'll need three hundred gil for you to undertake the job."
Marche gave the man the needed gil.
"Alright, thanks Marche, be sure to come back safe."
Marche nodded at the bar keeper as he made his way out of the bar.
------
Ivalice, Cyril City, outside the bar
Marche met Montblanc outside.
"Well, Marche? did you get a good job for our clan, kupo?"
Marche nodded at the Moogle.
"Yeah. It seems like a pretty easy job, so it should be good practice for our clan. It's always best to start out small anyway."
Montblanc looked at the piece of paper Marche just handed him.
"Hmmm...so when do we leave, kupo?"
Montblanc asked after skimming over the contents. Marche smiled.
"As soon as possible!"
He said enthusiastically. Montblanc nodded.
"Before we go, kupo, let me give you this sword."
Montblanc dragged a wide bladed sword with a large rounded tip. The weapon was almost as large as Marche himself.
That's a pretty big sword..."
Marche began, scratching his head. Montblanc shrugged.
"Your right, it is very abnormally big. Most sword users have similar blades, but are more narrow, and not so long and heavy as this one, kupo..."
Marche looked confused.
"So why are you giving me this one instead of the normal issued ones?"
Montblanc shrugged.
"This sword was found outside the town. When I first saw you, I thought it was originally yours, kupo. We have some gil, if you'd like to go to a shop and buy a normal sword..."
Marche interrupted him, picking the sword up easily in one hand.
"No, this is fine, Montblanc. This sword is very powerful."
Montblanc clapped.
"Kupo! I'm surprised you can wield it in one hand so easily, kupo!"
Marche shook his head.
"I'm not that good. Look closely, Montblanc. This sword could cause a lot of destructive power with it's weight alone. I might have to use it for shield offense..."
Marche said as he practiced more with it, experimenting with it's weight. Montblanc looked confused.
"Shield offense...kupo?"
Marche scratched his head, thinking of a way to explain.
"Well...it's when you keep up your defense while attacking. You see..."
Marche held the blade in a fashion Montblanc never saw before: Holding the blade so it was behind him, as he grasped the long hilt with one hand, as it stuck out in an angle.
(Note: If your having trouble envisioning this...for those who have ever played one of the Guilty Gear fighting series, it's a stance similar to Sol Badguy.)
"I don't see how you can do that, kupo..."
Marche brought up the blade so it was covering his whole body, while running forward like a locomotion. Montblanc's eyes went wide as he barely jumped out of the way, however, the Moogle barely had time to stop as Marche jumped up in the air slightly, making a fluid twist of his body, bringing the large blade ahead of where Montblanc was by less than an inch. Montblanc felt his fur soaked with sweat as he breathed heavily.
"That was amazing, Marche! How did you do that, kupo?"
Marche shrugged, hefting the large blade over his left shoulder.
"Don't know, but if you saw how it worked, even if an enemy should side step and try and go for a counter, I can still use my momentum to spin and strike them even when there at the side. If the enemy didn't see it, they'd simply be bowled over and trampled on."
Montblanc looked skeptical.
"For someone not of this world, you certainly seem to have lot's of experience, especially when it comes to battle, kupo. Care to explain, kupo?"
He asked, crossing his arms and waiting for Marche to respond.
'Well let's see...thanks to Cloud Strife, he showed me some pretty good pointers while using large swords like this...yeah, like you'd believe me, Montblanc...'
"Uh...well, I just thought it could be used like that, that's all...hey, Montblanc, while were talking about this sword, does it have a name?"
Marche asked, but Montblanc shook his head.
"Sorry Marche, I only found it, so I don't know it's name...why don't you give it one, kupo?"
Marche nodded before looking at the massive sword.
"I'll just call it Defender."
Montblanc also nodded.
"That has a nice ring to it, kupo."
------
Ivalice, Geeza Plains
The large landscape was rather bare, save for about three trees in the area. Marche, Montblanc, Human Soldier Rooty, Banga Warrior Victory, Nu Mou Black Made Hedges, and Viera Fencer Celine stood side by side as they surveyed the land. Celine's ears twitched as she pointed forward.
"We have company."
She said simply. Marche's mind was already at work as he looked at the enemy party: Three Goblin's and a Sprite.
'Hmmm...it's obvious they are not very organized. I'm unfamiliar with the Sprite, so that will have to be the one I keep an eye on. They are all fairly spread out...'
"All right everyone...Montblanc, you take Rooty, Victory, and Celine. Group attack the closest enemy you can while me and Hedges distract the others. Once your done, move on to the next. Hedges, were going to take on that Sprite."
As they prepared themselves, Montblanc came forward slightly, holding up his arm.
"Engage!"
Upon saying those words, a knight on chocobo came into view.
"I shall be the Judge for this Engage..."
The Judge picked a red card.
"...today's law is...no Holy Magic. BEGIN!!"
Marche accessed the situation.
'Good...no one in our clan has Holy Magic usable for now.'
Montblanc took his small group and simultaneously attacked a Goblin, their swords piercing through it's body, killing it quickly. Montblanc saw Marche and Hedges distracting another Goblin and a Sprite, Marche grabbing stones off the ground quickly and pegging the Goblin in the head while the Sprite was being driven off by Hedges Bolt spells.
(Note: In case any reader is wondering and has not played FFTA, I've heard that there is no longer a charge time for spells, or anything else that used to use charge times, like in FFT. But this is for the Japanese Version, who knows what'll happen in the U.S. Version.)
"Let's move, Kupo!"
Montblanc said, as he saw Marche side step a Goblin's tackle attack, before swinging his giant sword horizontally, hitting the Goblin's back with the blunt if his blade, making it stumble forward towards Montblanc and his team, where the four proceeded to knock the Goblin down as Victory came on top of it, snapping the Goblin's neck. Hedges killed the Sprite with excessive spell casting to keep it at bay. Marche took care of the last Goblin, as he charged it, swinging wide with an overhead smash. The Goblin dodged the blow fast enough, preparing to counter attack Marche as his heavy sword was about to hit the ground. Before letting the sword touch ground, Marche swung his body back, kicking the blunt of his blade so it changed with him. He struck the Goblin in the neck, sending it flying into a tree, as a sickening cracking sound was heard as it hit it's head.
"Looks like we did it. Did any of you guys get hurt?"
Marche asked as the rest of his party walked up to him. The Judge walked towards the small clan, about to declare the battle over, when a Goblin dressed in red suddenly appeared behind Marche, reeling it's fist back. Montblanc eyes widened in surprise.
"KUPO!!"
Marche barely turned around, bringing his sword up as the Goblin struck his sword. Marche gritted his teeth.
"Wow...pretty strong..."
Montblanc came forward slightly.
"Careful, Marche. That's a Red Cap, one of the most powerful Goblins out here, kupo..."
Marche ignored Montblanc as he jumped backwards, making the Red Cap use it's momentum against it as it drove forward. Marche side stepped, bringing his sword behind him, before swinging it forward like a base ball bat, hitting the Red Cap solidly in the head, making it flip through the air before falling on the ground. Before it could get up, Marche smashed the blade down on it's head, cutting it's red hat in two, before the rest of the blade slashed through it's head, killing it instantly.
"You all right?"
Rooty asked as he came closer to Marche, who simply nodded.
"Of course!"
The Judge held up His hand.
"You, of the Ruglia Clan. That was a splendid performance, and you didn't even get hit. Keep up the good work."
As the Judge left, Marche looked about the field.
"Well, looks like we got out of that in one piece..."
Montblanc nodded.
"Yeah...I'm impressed, kupo! You must have done this before to be so good at guiding us such a swift victory, kupo..."
Montblanc said, but Marche shook his head.
"No, that was just a fluke, Montblanc. Beginner's luck, you could say..."
"That's impossible, Marche. The way you acted...you must have had some experience, kupo."
Marche scratched his head, thinking up a fast excuse.
"Look, lets hurry and get the herb, okay?"
Marche said, changing the subject. Montblanc was well aware of it, but decided to go with it, seeing that Marche was going to be adamant about it.
"Alright, Marche. We'll continue this another time, kupo. The herb were looking for is the Muskmaloi, right, kupo?"
Marche nodded.
"Yeah, where would we find it?"
Montblanc stared at the ground.
"Don't worry, this field is filled with them. Just pick as many as we can and this Quest is a success, kupo."
------
Ivalice, Cyril City Bar
Marche and Montblanc sat alone at the table. Most of their clan already went to sleep, leaving the two alone.
"What have you got there, kupo? Another job offer, kupo?"
Montblanc asked as Marche read through a piece of paper. After finishing it, Marche rolled it up, putting it on the table.
"Yeah. It's rather odd though..."
Marche said, crossing his arms and lowering his head in thought.
"What's odd about it, kupo?"
Montblanc asked. Marche took the rolled up paper and handed it to the Moogle, who unrolled it and read the contents.
"Hmmmm....go to Lutia Pass with group of children and let them play in the snow...wow, a whopping 3,600 gil reward, kupo!"
Montblanc smiled. Marche just raised an eye brow in confusion.
"Doesn't that just sound a little weird? I mean, I thought the Herb picking was odd until finding out it was a much needed medical remedy...but this is just..."
Montblanc held up a hand, silencing Marche.
"Hey, it's a job. They pay well and it's simple. That's what I'd prefer, kupo. There will be many more that may seem pointless, but there is a deeper meaning within, kupo. Think on it Marche: The Herb Picking was a job to get valuable medicine to those in need of it, kupo. The reason why we're escorting children to Lutia Pass is because, being the large increase of monsters around, kids can't play outside hardly, anymore, kupo. The root of learning comes from experience, and you learn things best when your young, right, kupo? All children will eventually grow up to work in clans, so it's best they know how a clan works. We will show them what it means to be in a clan, kupo. It'll be essential for their survival in the future, kupo."
Marche thought on what Montblanc said.
'Hmmm...I didn't think Montblanc would say so much, but he's got a point...back in St. Ivalice, a child's greatest enemy could be his peers, but monsters were the last thing there...? Montblanc's words...?'
Marche stared down at his opened hand, looking about it's callused surface.
'Back then...yeah, we also had to learn to survive in a world of constant struggle, whether it be human or monster...we were taught to kill the enemy, to defend ourselves...all at the tender age of six or seven...this Ivalice is almost the same as the old one...'
Marche felt himself being shaken out of his reverie.
"Marche are you Alright, kupo? You kind of just zoned out, kupo."
Montblanc looked at Marche worriedly. Marche simply shook his head, holding it low so the fringe of his hair covered his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine...I'm going to bed now. Will start this job tomorrow."
------
Ivalice, Lutia Pass, Snow fields
"I guess we have no such luck. We got some monsters on our hands."
Marche said, turning to Montblanc. He stared at the small group of kids with his clan: two Human boys, one Human girl, one Banga boy, two Viera girls, and a Moogle girl. Marche then looked at the rest of his clan.
"There's only two Red Panthers and a Goblin...Montblanc, your with me, the rest of you guard these children should other monsters appear."
Montblanc followed Marche, drawing out a spear. Marche blinked.
"A Javelin? Can you even wield that properly, Montblanc?"
Montblanc's fur bristled.
"KUPO!! Of course I can, kupo!"
Marche drew his large Defender sword.
"Sheesh, just asking. You don't have to bite my head off..."
Montblanc sighed.
"Sorry, Marche. I know you didn't mean any harm, just the way you said that pissed me off, kupo."
The Goblin started advancing slowly, the Red Panthers close behind.
"Sorry about that. Now let's concentrate on this battle, huh?"
Montblanc nodded.
"Engage!"
A judge treaded through the snow on his Chocobo.
"Ah, the Ruglia Clan, again. Well now let's see..."
The Judge removed a card from within the folds of his cape.
"Alright, today's law is...Jump Prohibition, No Jump techniques will be tolerated. Anyone who uses it..."
He looked very pointedly at Montblanc.
"...will go straight to jail. Now then, begin!"
Montblanc slouched.
"Darn, he had to pick the law that out ruled the very ability I was hoping to use, kupo..."
Marche's eyes widened.
"Montblanc, look out!"
Montblanc looked up in time to see the Red Panthers attack him simultaneously. He brought his spear to defend himself, each end caught in the teeth of the feline predators. Montblanc tried to twist the Javelin free, but to no avail. Soon the Red Panthers pulled back, dragging Montblanc with them, since he was so light.
"Wahh, Marche, help me, kupo!"
Marche had heard the cry, as he blocked a blow from the Goblin.
"Damn."
Marche cursed before crouching under another punch the Goblin threw, bringing his sword underneath it's feet in the snow. Marche lifted the blade with all his might, the wide blade leveling up snow and the unfortunate Goblin into the air, tossing it behind him. He rushed over to aid his friend. Marche Threw the Defender in front of Montblanc's spear as the Red Panthers kept dragging him. Upon hitting the Defender, the Red Panthers, having been pulling with so much momentum, released the Spear, leaving large teeth indents in the wood surface of the shaft on either end.
"You alright?"
Marche asked the snow covered Moogle, who gave him a thumb up.
"Fine kupo...Marche, behind you!"
Montblanc thrust the javelin towards Marche, who side stepped as the Goblin dashed past him, only to be impaled through the heart of Montblanc's javelin. He twisted the now bloodied weapon from the Goblin as he turned towards the Red Panthers.
" I'll hold them off, Marche. Just get your sword, kupo."
As Marche made his way to the Defender, one of the Red Panthers chased him to it, as the other one snapped it's jaws at Montblanc, who poked his spear forward to keep it at bay.
"Hey Marche, be careful, kupo!"
Marche could hear the crunching of the other Red Panther close behind him. He turned around quickly as the Red Panther leaped through the air at him, it's claws shining green.
"Damn, It's using it's poison claws..."
Marche mumbled as the beast tackled him to the ground, but before it could sink it's venomous claws into him, Marche brought up his feet, kicking the Red Panther over him. It hit the sharp blade of the Defender, which left a large gash on it's back. Marche approached the wild animal cautiously, which was wheezing in pain. Marche grabbed his sword and looked down at the Red Panther.
"I'll put you out of your misery."
Marche impaled the Defender through it's heart, killing it. He turned around to see Montblanc still fending off the Red Panther. It soon lunged towards the small Moogle, who brought up his javelin, catching the beast on it's underside and sending it flying towards Marche's direction.
"He's all yours, kupo."
Marche nodded as he saw the beast fly through the air towards him. Marche swung out with his sword over head, cutting the Red Panther in two in mid air, spraying the snow red with it's blood.
"Guess that's all of them..."
Marche said as he looked around, scanning the area. Montblanc leaned against his spear, breathing heavily.
"I'm tired, kupo."
The Judge looked towards Marche and Montblanc.
"You two make a vicious team. I'm impressed. All you have to do is clean up the mess and the kids can play."
------
Ivalice, Cyril City, Marche's room
'I'm so tired...guess that's what I get for taking performing a job so early...'
He hit his bed with a thud.
'I wonder if I'll see Ritz and Mewt here...they probably grew up in this place, too. Hey, what about Doned? What if he's here too...?'
An image of his brother in this place in only a wheel chair getting attacked by monsters scarred Marche.
'I hope you three are alright...'
Marche fell asleep, dreaming of meeting his friends and brother once more.
***TBC***
Apology: Sorry for the delay, but I've been having some major technical difficulties with the computer. Hopefully the fifth chapter will come on around Monday or Tuesday of next week.
Written By Illuminet
Disclaimer: Most (if not all) of the characters appearing within this story do not belong to me, but rather, are creations of the brilliant minds within Square Soft/Square Enix. I don't claim any of them.
Note: Since you all know that I haven't played Final Fantasy Tactics Advance personally, I don't know what abilities are in the game, so most abilities will be from the regular Final Fantasy Tactics or made up ones until I can get more information.
"..."-Indicate Speech
'...'-Indicate Thought
------
Ivalice, Cyril City Bar
Marche stood within the bar's entrance, thinking over what Montblanc told him.
'So, in order to expand a clan's power, one must take odd jobs in order to begin getting a reputation. I guess I'll start easy then work my way up...'
Marche stared at the bar keeper. The bar keeper smiled.
"Your a friend of Montblanc, aren't you. What's your name?"
Marche nodded at the bar keeper.
"Marche."
The bar keeper nodded.
"Nice to meet you, Marche, so why are here."
Marche came closer to the table.
"Well, I'll normally need quest items so a clan can take on commission jobs, but since you probably don't have one, I'll have to give you this sheet that has jobs not requiring quest items. In the future, remember to bring quest items to any bars to accept other jobs, but remember also that these jobs will usually be harder, understand?"
The bar keeper explained. Marche nodded, taking the sheet given to him and looking it over. Upon reading one, he gave it back to the bar keeper.
"How about this one?"
The bar keeper nodded.
"Sure, but I'll need three hundred gil for you to undertake the job."
Marche gave the man the needed gil.
"Alright, thanks Marche, be sure to come back safe."
Marche nodded at the bar keeper as he made his way out of the bar.
------
Ivalice, Cyril City, outside the bar
Marche met Montblanc outside.
"Well, Marche? did you get a good job for our clan, kupo?"
Marche nodded at the Moogle.
"Yeah. It seems like a pretty easy job, so it should be good practice for our clan. It's always best to start out small anyway."
Montblanc looked at the piece of paper Marche just handed him.
"Hmmm...so when do we leave, kupo?"
Montblanc asked after skimming over the contents. Marche smiled.
"As soon as possible!"
He said enthusiastically. Montblanc nodded.
"Before we go, kupo, let me give you this sword."
Montblanc dragged a wide bladed sword with a large rounded tip. The weapon was almost as large as Marche himself.
That's a pretty big sword..."
Marche began, scratching his head. Montblanc shrugged.
"Your right, it is very abnormally big. Most sword users have similar blades, but are more narrow, and not so long and heavy as this one, kupo..."
Marche looked confused.
"So why are you giving me this one instead of the normal issued ones?"
Montblanc shrugged.
"This sword was found outside the town. When I first saw you, I thought it was originally yours, kupo. We have some gil, if you'd like to go to a shop and buy a normal sword..."
Marche interrupted him, picking the sword up easily in one hand.
"No, this is fine, Montblanc. This sword is very powerful."
Montblanc clapped.
"Kupo! I'm surprised you can wield it in one hand so easily, kupo!"
Marche shook his head.
"I'm not that good. Look closely, Montblanc. This sword could cause a lot of destructive power with it's weight alone. I might have to use it for shield offense..."
Marche said as he practiced more with it, experimenting with it's weight. Montblanc looked confused.
"Shield offense...kupo?"
Marche scratched his head, thinking of a way to explain.
"Well...it's when you keep up your defense while attacking. You see..."
Marche held the blade in a fashion Montblanc never saw before: Holding the blade so it was behind him, as he grasped the long hilt with one hand, as it stuck out in an angle.
(Note: If your having trouble envisioning this...for those who have ever played one of the Guilty Gear fighting series, it's a stance similar to Sol Badguy.)
"I don't see how you can do that, kupo..."
Marche brought up the blade so it was covering his whole body, while running forward like a locomotion. Montblanc's eyes went wide as he barely jumped out of the way, however, the Moogle barely had time to stop as Marche jumped up in the air slightly, making a fluid twist of his body, bringing the large blade ahead of where Montblanc was by less than an inch. Montblanc felt his fur soaked with sweat as he breathed heavily.
"That was amazing, Marche! How did you do that, kupo?"
Marche shrugged, hefting the large blade over his left shoulder.
"Don't know, but if you saw how it worked, even if an enemy should side step and try and go for a counter, I can still use my momentum to spin and strike them even when there at the side. If the enemy didn't see it, they'd simply be bowled over and trampled on."
Montblanc looked skeptical.
"For someone not of this world, you certainly seem to have lot's of experience, especially when it comes to battle, kupo. Care to explain, kupo?"
He asked, crossing his arms and waiting for Marche to respond.
'Well let's see...thanks to Cloud Strife, he showed me some pretty good pointers while using large swords like this...yeah, like you'd believe me, Montblanc...'
"Uh...well, I just thought it could be used like that, that's all...hey, Montblanc, while were talking about this sword, does it have a name?"
Marche asked, but Montblanc shook his head.
"Sorry Marche, I only found it, so I don't know it's name...why don't you give it one, kupo?"
Marche nodded before looking at the massive sword.
"I'll just call it Defender."
Montblanc also nodded.
"That has a nice ring to it, kupo."
------
Ivalice, Geeza Plains
The large landscape was rather bare, save for about three trees in the area. Marche, Montblanc, Human Soldier Rooty, Banga Warrior Victory, Nu Mou Black Made Hedges, and Viera Fencer Celine stood side by side as they surveyed the land. Celine's ears twitched as she pointed forward.
"We have company."
She said simply. Marche's mind was already at work as he looked at the enemy party: Three Goblin's and a Sprite.
'Hmmm...it's obvious they are not very organized. I'm unfamiliar with the Sprite, so that will have to be the one I keep an eye on. They are all fairly spread out...'
"All right everyone...Montblanc, you take Rooty, Victory, and Celine. Group attack the closest enemy you can while me and Hedges distract the others. Once your done, move on to the next. Hedges, were going to take on that Sprite."
As they prepared themselves, Montblanc came forward slightly, holding up his arm.
"Engage!"
Upon saying those words, a knight on chocobo came into view.
"I shall be the Judge for this Engage..."
The Judge picked a red card.
"...today's law is...no Holy Magic. BEGIN!!"
Marche accessed the situation.
'Good...no one in our clan has Holy Magic usable for now.'
Montblanc took his small group and simultaneously attacked a Goblin, their swords piercing through it's body, killing it quickly. Montblanc saw Marche and Hedges distracting another Goblin and a Sprite, Marche grabbing stones off the ground quickly and pegging the Goblin in the head while the Sprite was being driven off by Hedges Bolt spells.
(Note: In case any reader is wondering and has not played FFTA, I've heard that there is no longer a charge time for spells, or anything else that used to use charge times, like in FFT. But this is for the Japanese Version, who knows what'll happen in the U.S. Version.)
"Let's move, Kupo!"
Montblanc said, as he saw Marche side step a Goblin's tackle attack, before swinging his giant sword horizontally, hitting the Goblin's back with the blunt if his blade, making it stumble forward towards Montblanc and his team, where the four proceeded to knock the Goblin down as Victory came on top of it, snapping the Goblin's neck. Hedges killed the Sprite with excessive spell casting to keep it at bay. Marche took care of the last Goblin, as he charged it, swinging wide with an overhead smash. The Goblin dodged the blow fast enough, preparing to counter attack Marche as his heavy sword was about to hit the ground. Before letting the sword touch ground, Marche swung his body back, kicking the blunt of his blade so it changed with him. He struck the Goblin in the neck, sending it flying into a tree, as a sickening cracking sound was heard as it hit it's head.
"Looks like we did it. Did any of you guys get hurt?"
Marche asked as the rest of his party walked up to him. The Judge walked towards the small clan, about to declare the battle over, when a Goblin dressed in red suddenly appeared behind Marche, reeling it's fist back. Montblanc eyes widened in surprise.
"KUPO!!"
Marche barely turned around, bringing his sword up as the Goblin struck his sword. Marche gritted his teeth.
"Wow...pretty strong..."
Montblanc came forward slightly.
"Careful, Marche. That's a Red Cap, one of the most powerful Goblins out here, kupo..."
Marche ignored Montblanc as he jumped backwards, making the Red Cap use it's momentum against it as it drove forward. Marche side stepped, bringing his sword behind him, before swinging it forward like a base ball bat, hitting the Red Cap solidly in the head, making it flip through the air before falling on the ground. Before it could get up, Marche smashed the blade down on it's head, cutting it's red hat in two, before the rest of the blade slashed through it's head, killing it instantly.
"You all right?"
Rooty asked as he came closer to Marche, who simply nodded.
"Of course!"
The Judge held up His hand.
"You, of the Ruglia Clan. That was a splendid performance, and you didn't even get hit. Keep up the good work."
As the Judge left, Marche looked about the field.
"Well, looks like we got out of that in one piece..."
Montblanc nodded.
"Yeah...I'm impressed, kupo! You must have done this before to be so good at guiding us such a swift victory, kupo..."
Montblanc said, but Marche shook his head.
"No, that was just a fluke, Montblanc. Beginner's luck, you could say..."
"That's impossible, Marche. The way you acted...you must have had some experience, kupo."
Marche scratched his head, thinking up a fast excuse.
"Look, lets hurry and get the herb, okay?"
Marche said, changing the subject. Montblanc was well aware of it, but decided to go with it, seeing that Marche was going to be adamant about it.
"Alright, Marche. We'll continue this another time, kupo. The herb were looking for is the Muskmaloi, right, kupo?"
Marche nodded.
"Yeah, where would we find it?"
Montblanc stared at the ground.
"Don't worry, this field is filled with them. Just pick as many as we can and this Quest is a success, kupo."
------
Ivalice, Cyril City Bar
Marche and Montblanc sat alone at the table. Most of their clan already went to sleep, leaving the two alone.
"What have you got there, kupo? Another job offer, kupo?"
Montblanc asked as Marche read through a piece of paper. After finishing it, Marche rolled it up, putting it on the table.
"Yeah. It's rather odd though..."
Marche said, crossing his arms and lowering his head in thought.
"What's odd about it, kupo?"
Montblanc asked. Marche took the rolled up paper and handed it to the Moogle, who unrolled it and read the contents.
"Hmmmm....go to Lutia Pass with group of children and let them play in the snow...wow, a whopping 3,600 gil reward, kupo!"
Montblanc smiled. Marche just raised an eye brow in confusion.
"Doesn't that just sound a little weird? I mean, I thought the Herb picking was odd until finding out it was a much needed medical remedy...but this is just..."
Montblanc held up a hand, silencing Marche.
"Hey, it's a job. They pay well and it's simple. That's what I'd prefer, kupo. There will be many more that may seem pointless, but there is a deeper meaning within, kupo. Think on it Marche: The Herb Picking was a job to get valuable medicine to those in need of it, kupo. The reason why we're escorting children to Lutia Pass is because, being the large increase of monsters around, kids can't play outside hardly, anymore, kupo. The root of learning comes from experience, and you learn things best when your young, right, kupo? All children will eventually grow up to work in clans, so it's best they know how a clan works. We will show them what it means to be in a clan, kupo. It'll be essential for their survival in the future, kupo."
Marche thought on what Montblanc said.
'Hmmm...I didn't think Montblanc would say so much, but he's got a point...back in St. Ivalice, a child's greatest enemy could be his peers, but monsters were the last thing there...? Montblanc's words...?'
Marche stared down at his opened hand, looking about it's callused surface.
'Back then...yeah, we also had to learn to survive in a world of constant struggle, whether it be human or monster...we were taught to kill the enemy, to defend ourselves...all at the tender age of six or seven...this Ivalice is almost the same as the old one...'
Marche felt himself being shaken out of his reverie.
"Marche are you Alright, kupo? You kind of just zoned out, kupo."
Montblanc looked at Marche worriedly. Marche simply shook his head, holding it low so the fringe of his hair covered his eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine...I'm going to bed now. Will start this job tomorrow."
------
Ivalice, Lutia Pass, Snow fields
"I guess we have no such luck. We got some monsters on our hands."
Marche said, turning to Montblanc. He stared at the small group of kids with his clan: two Human boys, one Human girl, one Banga boy, two Viera girls, and a Moogle girl. Marche then looked at the rest of his clan.
"There's only two Red Panthers and a Goblin...Montblanc, your with me, the rest of you guard these children should other monsters appear."
Montblanc followed Marche, drawing out a spear. Marche blinked.
"A Javelin? Can you even wield that properly, Montblanc?"
Montblanc's fur bristled.
"KUPO!! Of course I can, kupo!"
Marche drew his large Defender sword.
"Sheesh, just asking. You don't have to bite my head off..."
Montblanc sighed.
"Sorry, Marche. I know you didn't mean any harm, just the way you said that pissed me off, kupo."
The Goblin started advancing slowly, the Red Panthers close behind.
"Sorry about that. Now let's concentrate on this battle, huh?"
Montblanc nodded.
"Engage!"
A judge treaded through the snow on his Chocobo.
"Ah, the Ruglia Clan, again. Well now let's see..."
The Judge removed a card from within the folds of his cape.
"Alright, today's law is...Jump Prohibition, No Jump techniques will be tolerated. Anyone who uses it..."
He looked very pointedly at Montblanc.
"...will go straight to jail. Now then, begin!"
Montblanc slouched.
"Darn, he had to pick the law that out ruled the very ability I was hoping to use, kupo..."
Marche's eyes widened.
"Montblanc, look out!"
Montblanc looked up in time to see the Red Panthers attack him simultaneously. He brought his spear to defend himself, each end caught in the teeth of the feline predators. Montblanc tried to twist the Javelin free, but to no avail. Soon the Red Panthers pulled back, dragging Montblanc with them, since he was so light.
"Wahh, Marche, help me, kupo!"
Marche had heard the cry, as he blocked a blow from the Goblin.
"Damn."
Marche cursed before crouching under another punch the Goblin threw, bringing his sword underneath it's feet in the snow. Marche lifted the blade with all his might, the wide blade leveling up snow and the unfortunate Goblin into the air, tossing it behind him. He rushed over to aid his friend. Marche Threw the Defender in front of Montblanc's spear as the Red Panthers kept dragging him. Upon hitting the Defender, the Red Panthers, having been pulling with so much momentum, released the Spear, leaving large teeth indents in the wood surface of the shaft on either end.
"You alright?"
Marche asked the snow covered Moogle, who gave him a thumb up.
"Fine kupo...Marche, behind you!"
Montblanc thrust the javelin towards Marche, who side stepped as the Goblin dashed past him, only to be impaled through the heart of Montblanc's javelin. He twisted the now bloodied weapon from the Goblin as he turned towards the Red Panthers.
" I'll hold them off, Marche. Just get your sword, kupo."
As Marche made his way to the Defender, one of the Red Panthers chased him to it, as the other one snapped it's jaws at Montblanc, who poked his spear forward to keep it at bay.
"Hey Marche, be careful, kupo!"
Marche could hear the crunching of the other Red Panther close behind him. He turned around quickly as the Red Panther leaped through the air at him, it's claws shining green.
"Damn, It's using it's poison claws..."
Marche mumbled as the beast tackled him to the ground, but before it could sink it's venomous claws into him, Marche brought up his feet, kicking the Red Panther over him. It hit the sharp blade of the Defender, which left a large gash on it's back. Marche approached the wild animal cautiously, which was wheezing in pain. Marche grabbed his sword and looked down at the Red Panther.
"I'll put you out of your misery."
Marche impaled the Defender through it's heart, killing it. He turned around to see Montblanc still fending off the Red Panther. It soon lunged towards the small Moogle, who brought up his javelin, catching the beast on it's underside and sending it flying towards Marche's direction.
"He's all yours, kupo."
Marche nodded as he saw the beast fly through the air towards him. Marche swung out with his sword over head, cutting the Red Panther in two in mid air, spraying the snow red with it's blood.
"Guess that's all of them..."
Marche said as he looked around, scanning the area. Montblanc leaned against his spear, breathing heavily.
"I'm tired, kupo."
The Judge looked towards Marche and Montblanc.
"You two make a vicious team. I'm impressed. All you have to do is clean up the mess and the kids can play."
------
Ivalice, Cyril City, Marche's room
'I'm so tired...guess that's what I get for taking performing a job so early...'
He hit his bed with a thud.
'I wonder if I'll see Ritz and Mewt here...they probably grew up in this place, too. Hey, what about Doned? What if he's here too...?'
An image of his brother in this place in only a wheel chair getting attacked by monsters scarred Marche.
'I hope you three are alright...'
Marche fell asleep, dreaming of meeting his friends and brother once more.
***TBC***
Apology: Sorry for the delay, but I've been having some major technical difficulties with the computer. Hopefully the fifth chapter will come on around Monday or Tuesday of next week.