Here's another chapter that makes me wonder why I still have this down as a FF Tactics story. Enjoy.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything Final Fantasy. I only own/use the great personality of thefour main characters.


The FF Tactics Story
By Sanoon and friends

Chapter 4: Enter Markus

The group had finally gotten a considerable distance from the town of Gilshire. In fact, they were almost upon the next town. That was their destination, mostly because they needed food. They decided to camp for the night in the forest and head into town the next morning. Around the campfire, Black Mage and Rouge were telling Melissa tales from their previous adventures, adding in as much horror and gore as they could. They did this in hopes to scare her away. It didn't work. In fact, she started telling them stories that made them want to get up and leave.

The next morning, the group was silent as they made their way towards town. They were all in thought. Black Mage was thinking about what to do with Melissa when they reached the town, and how he would one day destroy Rouge with all of his power. Rouge was thinking of all of the stuff he had ever stolen, and was also contemplating how rich he would one day be. Melissa's thoughts were…somewhere. In the distance, the group could see a man walking away from the town. He was armor clad, which meant that he might be a knight. Black Mage and Rouge made a quick glance at each other, a way that they often used to tell each other what they were going to do.

It didn't take long before the man in armor reached the group. "Hello strangers," the man said. "Have you seen a thief that looks like this," he said as he pulled out a small piece of paper that had a crude drawing of Rouge on it. "This man is wanted for theft and murder."

"I didn't kill…" Rouge quickly mumbled before he caught himself, "…I mean, who would do something as horrible as that?" Although no one could see it, Black Mage had been smiling, something that he rarely does.

"Yes, who would do something as horrible as that?" Black Mage said sarcastically.

"There's a big reward for this man," the man said. "He's wanted dead or alive. Same bounty for both, so I'll go with dead."

Rouge silently gulped, as Black Mage tried to direct all of the man's attention towards himself. "So," Black Mage muttered, "When did this bounty come out? I can't imagine it happened all that long ago."

"Oh, it just happened yesterday," the man said calmly. "Come to think of it, your friend looks like the man on this paper," the man said slowly raising the hand that once held the bounty on it. "Hey, what happened to my paper?"

Black Mage just stared at the man, and shrugged his shoulders as Melissa started to laugh in the background. "You'll find it," Black Mage said reassuringly.

"Yeah," the man sighed.

"Say, I never caught your name," Black Mage asked with fake interest.

"Oh, sorry, my bad. I'm the great bounty hunter known as Markus"

"Bounty hunter?" Black Mage questioned.

"Oh, that's like what I do," Melissa said as she ran up to Black Mage. "I take jobs from people, and I make money that way."

"Jobs?" Markus asked.

"Yup, jobs," Melissa repeated.

"You mean like bounty's?" Markus asked.

"Nope," Melissa said calmly, shaking her head. "I'm a Mage Assassin."

Markus looked at Melissa, and then at Black Mage, and started laughing. "What's so funny?" Black Mage asked as a look of confusion drew itself on Melissa's face.

"A mage assassin and a black mage traveling in the same group," Markus said while laughing. "What are the chances?"

"Quiet low actually," Black Mage muttered.

"Hey guys," Rouge said calmly as he came out of the bushes next to the trail. "I'm back. I had to use the restroom."

"Well, I have to go," Markus said. "Maybe I'll see you guys later."

"Probably will," Black Mage muttered. Markus took one last look at Black Mage and Melissa, smirked, and walked off down the trail.

The group started to head for the town. When Markus was a considerable distance away, Black Mage glanced at Rouge and asked, "Wha'd he have?"

"A few swords, some potions, 4235 gil, and that wanted poster," Rouge answered.

"Is that all you guys do?" Melissa asked.

"Pretty much," Rouge answered as they reached the town.

Meanwhile, down the trail, Markus had come to realize something. "Hey, wait a second…that man…he was the same guy that was on the wanted poster…which I can't seem to find anymore. Damn it!"

Back at the town, the group had split up to accomplish their few objectives. Rouge was assigned to get a room at the inn, and Black Mage and Melissa were assigned to find the local market and buy enough food to keep them satisfied during their journeys.

Meanwhile, at the town's entrance. "The guy I'm looking for is a wanted criminal, and there are two others that are traveling with him," Markus announced to the guards. "The man I'm looking for is a thief, and he's accompanied by a black mage and a mage assassin."

"A mage and a mage assassin traveling together," one of the guards said quietly. "Poor, poor mage."

"Haven't seen anyone like them enter," the other guard replied as he shrugged his shoulders, ignoring the other guard's comment.

"But you guys are supposed to keep watch over everyone who passes through those gates!" Markus shouted, pointing to the gates.

"Listen, if you have business in this town, then fine," the other guard said, somewhat angrily. "Just don't interrupt the guards or something bad might happen."

Markus looked at both of the guards, shrugged, and said, "Fine, fine. Whatever. I'll just have to do this by myself, just like always." Markus walked past the two guards and entered the town. As he walked past the gates, he raised his hand into the air and flipped them the bird. The guards didn't see this, but a young group of kids did though. They were all staring at Markus as he walked by. Markus glanced at the kids, and waved. They just continued to stare though. Markus shrugged and continued on.

Markus's quickly headed for the tavern. The tavern looked like it was constructed at least 50 years ago. The boards that consisted of its walls looked worn, and rotten due to weather, or poor care. Ivy was growing on its sides, and the roof looked like it would collapse at any minute. A drunken man was sitting next to the tavern's stoop, unconscious.

"What a crap-hole," Markus said to himself before he went inside. If there was a fugitive in this town, then he might have come here to find a way to clear his name, or escape from any bounty hunters, or to get a drink, or whatever the hell fugitives do at a tavern. Markus was sure of that.

The tavern was filled with dirty low-life thugs who wouldn't hesitate to kill you and take your gil…or they were just coal workers who just got off work. One of the two. Markus was certain it was the first though. He slowly walked over to the bar. He observed everyone that he walked by inconspicuously.

When he got to the bar counter, the bartender glanced over at Markus and asked, "What can I do you for?"

"I'm not gay," Markus replied, causing a few of the people around him to stare at him.

The bartender stared at Markus for a few seconds and shook his head slowly before replying, " I meant, what do you want?"

"Oh, right. Of course," Markus replied quickly, somewhat embarrassed. "I'm looking for a man. He's about 5'-8", and he's wearing a vest and some dark green clothing. He's traveling with a mage, and a mage assassin. Have you seen anyone like that?"

The bartender thought for a few seconds before replying, "Yeah, actually I did see someone like that. He was heading towards east. He might have been heading towards the inn, or the dock. It's funny that a black mage is traveling with a mage assassin though."

"I know, it is funny," Markus replied.

"Why do you ask?" the bartender asked.

"Oh, no reason," Markus replied. "An old acquaintance." The bartender nodded his head and Markus turned around to leave.

"That'll cost you 200 gil for the info," the bartender said evilly, causing Markus to turn around.

"What?" Markus asked, surprised that that simple question would cost him money. "I'm not paying you for that."

"Oh really," the bartender said as he nodded towards the door. Markus glanced behind him and saw two large men standing next to the door. They were covered in armor, and they looked like they could rip a man in half without breaking a sweat. How did he miss these guys coming in?

"You have bouncers?" Markus asked, somewhat confused as to why this crappy tavern had bouncers. The bartender nodded and Markus moaned in annoyance as he gave the bartender 200 gil. Markus turned around, and left the bar angrily. "Pay for unreliable information. What kind of crap is that?" Markus headed east to find the inn and the docks. After five minutes of walking through people infested streets, he reached the inn. Markus walked up to the inn's doors, and opened them in hopes of finding his next big bounty. As fate would have it, Rouge was sitting in a chair, talking to some old guy as he plucked his watch from his pocket.

Markus went to draw his sword, but realized that it was gone. He looked to his other side, and realized that his other sword was gone too. "Damn it!" He shouted, causing everyone in the room to divert their attention towards him. Rouge saw him, and slumped in his seat. Markus pointed at Rouge, and shouted, "You took my swords you crappy little bastard! You're going to die!" Markus bolted for Rouge's chair, but Rouge was too fast. Rouge jumped out of his chair, drew his dagger, and ran out of the inn. Markus wasn't too far behind.


Sorry for the long wait, but I hope this was worth it. Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think. According to one of my friends/revisers, this chapter is Gandhi approved.