Greetings yet again in the Archive Rejects, Mandalore-holics and True Believers!
This is something I've worked on off and on in the last year or so... A small concept I've been uncertain as to whether or not I'll turn this into a fullfledged fic. This was inspired by a few discussions of crossing over Elder Scrolls with Harry Potter. The writing style, as you'll no doubt notice, is heavily influenced by Jbern's "Bungle in the Jungle" and "Turn Me Loose" both here at FF(dot)Net and fanficauthors(dot)net. Not to mention the constant praise of my penchant for writing fusion/X-Over fics.
So, after I gave up my Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind Novelization, I decided on something newer that would possilby cater to a much bigger fandom by giving them something they rarely ever get to see.
So, enjoy my newest entry into the Archive Rejects, the Harry Potter/Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion X-Over, "Harry Potter and the Gates of Oblivion".
Let me know if this is Good, Bad, or Ugly!
You awoke in a cell.
The last thing you remember was sitting in your common room, joking with your best friend, all the while eyeing his sister discreetly. Your other best friend kept giving you knowing glances, but you chose to ignore those for your own greater good. The last thing you need is for people to meddle in your life more than they already do.
Which brings you back to the present.
You are in a cell.
You shake your head to clear out the cobwebs, but you seem to have developed a splitting head ache. You take what little comfort you can in the fact that the source of you pain is NOT your scar and that despite not wearing what you wore to bed the previous evening, you still have your wand.
Going through the necessary movements, and a quick whisper of "Alohamora..." and the manacles on your wrists pop right off. Luckily for you, they don't make much noise when they hit the floor.
Unfortunately, you seemed to have attracted the attention of someone over in the next cell across the hall.
"What's this...? An Imperial in the Imperial Prison?" said a white haired 'man' with pointy ears and purplish, grey skin, with menacing red eyes. "I guess they don't play favorites, huh?"
He looked all too smug saying this, considering his own predicament.
"Your own kinsman think you're a human piece of trash..." Your hand tightens around your wand. He reminds you so much of your nemesis that you almost curse him on instinct. However, it is because that A) You have no ideas where the guards are and how they'd react to you attacking the prisoner across the hall and B) You're not entirely sure what your fellow prisoner is, that stay your hand and don't make a move to curse him into next week.
And your least favorite professor says you are incapable of thinking things through, always looking before you leap and all that. You know, the 'typical Gryffindor'. However, even if he was the slightest bit accurate before, and you hope he wasn't, the death of your godfather several months ago definitely made you learn caution.
"How sad..." the 'man' said in a faux tone of sorrow. However, it didn't last long as your fellow prisoner's face contorted in a vicious sneer. "I bet the guards are going to give you special treatment before the end."
"The end?" you ask in confusion, you're still disoriented so your not exactly running on all four cylinders.
He give you a hearty chuckle, "That's right, you see, you're going to die in here, Imperial! You're going to die!"
You start to argue with him, however he cuts you off with an explanation of his taunts.
"Imperial criminal scum like you give the Empire a bad name, you see. You're an embarrassment," his sinister smirk threatens to break his face in half, as does the reductor curse you'd like to throw at him at any minute. "Best if you just... Disappeared..."
Still, you can't help but think over what he is saying, though when he came to that last part you wryly think, 'What else is new...?' Though only the Dursleys ever thought of you as an embarrassment, it seemed as if nearly everyone else in your life would wish you to disappear until needed- packed away in your own little glass case labeled "Open in Case of Voldemort".
There are still too many questions unanswered.
How did you get into this cell? Why does that... Man... keep calling you 'Imperial'? And what in the hell is he anyway? The third question is the only one you remotely have an answer for. Given the pointy ears, you'd say he is some sort of elf. Though you grew up on the legends of elves, predominantly those in Tolkien's novel "The Hobbit", the Keebler commercials, and last, but not least, Santa's little helpers, you can't help but think that they are far from what you'd ever imagine that they looked like, your encounters with Dobby and Winky emphasize your point.
Then again, with the exception of the Tolkien Elves, the others were kind hearted and full of joy. Not but three seconds with this one and you hate him on a level equaling that of Draco Malfoy and Dudley Dursley all wrapped up in one neat little package. The only true differences between them and the creature before you is the fact that his uncombed hair lacks the greased up do of Malfoy and he's about a good hundred pounds lighter than your cousin.
You're brought out of your thoughts by the approach of several figures, each hurriedly moving and talking in hushed tones.
The 'elf's' eyes widen, "Hey! You hear that! The guards are coming... For you!"
With that he let out a sinister laugh before retreating to the back of his own cell.
"Baurus, lock that door behind us," you hear someone order. A woman from what you can tell.
You can hear bits and pieces of conversation, but nothing definitive. While they are approaching you tuck your wand into the waist band of your trousers.
"You don't know that sire, the messenger only said that they were attacked," the woman tried to assure a white haired man in majestic purple robes wearing the most beautiful amulet you had ever seen.
Suddenly, a dark skinned man in heavy looking armor is standing in front of your cell, his eyes widened as he saw you. The two of you lock eyes, but your mind is still focusing on the conversation between the woman and the old man.
"No... They're dead... I know it..."
"My job, right now, is to get you to safety," she assured him. She stopped when she saw you standing in the cell door way. "What's this prisoner doing there in there, this cell is supposed to be off limits!"
"A-A mix up with that watch... I..." He answered hesitantly.
"Never mind... Gate that gate opened," she ordered. "Stand back prisoner, we won't hesitate to kill you if you get in our way."
"You prisoner, stand aside, over by the window, stay out of the way and you won't get hurt!" The guard ordered. Not seeing any reason to not comply, you walk over to the nearby window. However, the hole in the wall can barely be classified as such considering how small and high up it is.
The Guard then opened the door and walked into your cell. "Stay put, Prisoner..."
"Let's go," said the woman. "We're not out of this yet..."
She then began to study one of the walls of your cell intently. Meanwhile, the old man has caught your eye.
"You..." he says to you.
You can't help but gulp.
You have no idea who he is, but he has obviously seen you before. Considering the fact that they are protecting him and you are their prisoner, it is logical for you to assume he's the one who's keeping you in this cell.
"I've seen you... Let me see your face..."
Despite his kindly conversational tone, you can't help but be intimidated by the old man in front of you. As he nears you, you try your hardest not to make any sudden movements, as you have little doubt the guards would make good on their promises of your early demise should you even blink wrong.
"You... You are the one from my dreams..." he said, lost in thought, "Then the stars... Were right and this is the day...Gods give me strength!"
Idly, you wonder if the man is somehow part centaur as, other than Professor Sinistra, you've never really heard of anyone else talking about stars in casual conversation before. Well, you COULD count Trelawny, but that old bat couldn't predict her own suicide if she had the dagger pointed at her own chest.
"Um... Sir, what's going on?" you ask hesitantly, not really expecting anything other than a beating in return.
"Assassins attacked my sons, and I am next," he tells you. "My Blades are leading me out of the city along a secret escape route. It is by chance that the entrance to that escape route, runs through your cell."
That explains why they're in your cell, now all you have to do is figure out who 'they' are and why YOU are in your cell.
"So... Who are you?" you ask. Not exactly respectful, but at least he doesn't seem the least bit offended. "And why am I here?"
He quirks an eyebrow at you. "To answer your first question, I am your emperor, Uriel Septim. It is by the Gods that I serve Tamriel as her ruler and you are a citizen of Tamriel and you shall serve her in your own way. As for your second inquiry, perhaps the Gods have placed you here so that we might meet. As for what you have done, THAT is not what you shall be remembered for."
"What am I going to do?" you ask. He smiled kindly at you, as if he knows something you don't. He probablly does and as much as you'd like to curse him, he is the only thing keeping the guards from demonstrating whether or not the swords at their waists are real or for show.
"You will find your own path, but take care, for there will be blood and death before the end," Uriel tells you wisely. You still don't understand, and from the look of the guards expressions, they don't either.
That's something at least.
The Emperor, however, smiles benevolently as if nothing was wrong. You can't help but wonder if Dumbledore gets that same expression on his face whenever you leave his office with more questions than answers. Which you are loathe to admit is far, far too often.
"Please, sire... We must keep moving," the woman urges as she presses down on a brick, opening up the alcove in your cell. She then turned to 'Baurus' and the other guard. "We better not close this, there's no way to open it from the other side."
"Stay back... I'm watching you..." threatened the unnamed guard as he shoots you a pointed look before following after Emperor Uriel and the female guard captain.
The third guard merely smirks at you. "Looks like this is your lucky day."
He too disappears down the tunnel, you can't help but wonder if that is your okay to leave the cell. Deciding you'd rather go on some fool's errand with the Emperor than sit and rot in a cell, you quickly follow after them. Especially if there are assassins about. They're bound to come this way eventually.
As you finally catch up to them, they are heading down some stairs- the woman leading, followed by the dark skinned guard that threatened you, the Emperor, and, finally, the one called Baurus.
Seeing as there is no other option, you follow them into the next chamber. Of course, as soon as you step into the room, there is an ambush. There are shouts as the three guards meet their foes and the Emperor draws an intricate looking short sword and takes a defensive stance. You draw your wand and take aim at one of the attackers when a scream distracts you.
"Captain Renault..." whispered the Emperor. You get a sickening feeling in your stomach. It's only confirmed when the guards come back and are short one of their number.
"We've driven off the assassins, Emperor," said the friendly guard. "It seems as if they were waiting for us..."
"And Captain Renault?" asked the Emperor, though you are pretty sure he already knew the answer.
"Dead, sir," he answered mournfully.
You grip your wand tightly.
Everything begins to hit you at once. Business has just picked up as you fully realize that your most likely not on Earth anymore, let alone Scotland. The only consolation you take from this is the fact that Voldemort doesn't seem to have anything to do with this and he isn't here to torture you further. On the downside, it seems as if you've left everyone you've ever cared for to take care of that mess themselves.
Of course, Voldemort was an impending doom on the entire Wizarding World, that may or may not attack at any moment. You currently have assassins out for your blood in the here and now. Once this chaos is taken care of and you somehow get rid of the assassins after you- or rather the Emperor your helping escort, then you can get back home to your own problems.
Namely, how to approach that girl you've fancied for the last few weeks despite her having a boyfriend and six older brothers, and a Dark Lord that has tried and failed to kill you since you were just barely over a year old.
You know, typical teenage hero stuff.
At least your scar doesn't prickle with that annoying constant throbbing of the Dark Lord's presence. Apparently, the link doesn't extend to interdimensional travel.
You follow the Emperor and his two remaining guards as they make their way to the next door. You force yourself to ignore the dead men in the red robes and the armored corpse of the rather pretty guard captain. The first guard unlocks the door and steps through. Just as the Emperor exits, the other guard turns to you.
"This is the end of the line for you," said the guard sternly.
You get ready for a fight. You had hoped to help the Emperor escape so that he could help you get home, but it looked as if that wasn't going to happen.
Oh well, if you were going to die in a strange place on a strange world, you'd die fighting.
"You'll have to find your own way out of here," he said and just as you go to draw your wand and curse the man with all you've got, he turns away from you instead of drawing a weapon. He too steps through the door, but closes it behind him. The telltale clicking says that he locked the door behind him.
You grab the handle and confirm this.
Nothing a little magic can't fix.
However, your musing and incantation for the Unlocking Charm are both cut off when there is a cracking noise behind and to the right of you. The stone wall seems ready to collapse and there is something behind it forcing it to do so.
You fire off the first spell in your mind.
"Reducto!"
The wall explodes and you hear a high pitched dying shriek of an animal. However, another creature seems to be jumping through the hole in the wall you've made.
This time your kinder to it.
"Stupefy!"
The creature, which you find is the largest rat you've ever seen, is instantly knocked unconsious. Peering into the hole it came from you see an large cavern. You whistle in appreciation. The guards obviously didn't want you following them, so you won't. Because now you don't have to.
Hopefully, even without the Emperor's help, you'll still be able to get home.
But first...
You go back to the bodies behind you for anything useful. It seems disgraceful and it sickens you to your stomach, but you need their stuff a lot more than they do. Overcoming a small bout of nausea you begin to search, ignoring the various wounds on each body and the distinct smell of blood.
You find a few bottles of various liquids, but they mean nothing to you. For all you know, they could be poison of some sort. No, best to leave those behind.
In the end you have a torch from one of the assassins and Captain Renault's short sword and katana.
Going into the cavern, you search once more for anything useful. You don't find much, a shield, a bow, some arrows, a few gems, a dozen lock picks and a couple pieces of gold. You use the small coin purse you got off of one of the dead bodies in the previous room to store the gems and coins. They don't look like any coin you've even seen, Wizard or Muggle, but figured they might be helpful as currency anyway.
After the twins picked you up in the Ford Angelina before your second year, you had them teach you how to pick a lock. Ron thought you were barmy and Hermione looked at you with disdain and disapproval. At least you know how to use the lock picks in the event you find yourself without your wand. It's probablly one of the few moments of your life where it was probablly a good thing you hadn't listened to your friends. So you pocket the lock picks as well, knowing that in this day and age- or at least in this world- they'd come in handy.
You put on an ill-fitting piece of leather armor. It's uncomfortable and it smells, after all someone had died in it, but it's better than no protection at all. You also take off those uncomfortable prison sandals and replace them with uncomfortable leather boots. The boots, no matter how uncomfortable, or smelly, will last a lot longer than those flimsy sandals and you have no idea how long you're going to be in this 'Tamriel'.
Last, but not least, you encounter another corpse. This one is humanoid at least, but its' species is unrecognizable to you. It sort of looks like a Goblin, but it has bluish-green/grey skin. It's also much thinner than the bankers and investors you've met at the local wizarding bank, Gringotts.
However, they're still just as ugly.
On it's body is a rather crude looking club, some gold coins, another lock pick and a key. You pocket the key, the lock pick and the coins and leave behind the club. Not only do you not have much room to carry such items, but you are painfully unaccustomed to using melee weapons in general. You only keep the swords because of your brief familiarization with them when fighting that basilisk off of your current crush a little less than four years prior.
There's also the fact that Renault's intricate katana could probablly fetch a pretty penny.
Guilt starts to eat away at you, but you force it down. She's dead and you're going to need money to survive in this strange world. You sigh wishing for simpler times.
Not far from the 'Goblin' corpse is another door. You use the newly acquired key to get through it and re-pocket it. Who knew, perhaps you might need it again. You were pretty sure you wouldn't, but your inner-Moody kept insisting on keeping it for the time being.
Continuing on into the cavern, you encounter a few more rats, each were easily dealt with and an inferi, which wouldn't go down with a simple Stunning Curse. A muttered "Incendio" followed by "Depulso" was enough to bring it down.
Moving further into the cavern, you encounter another of those Goblin-like creatures. The only difference between this one and the last is the fact that this one is quite alive. Fortunately, it's back is to you. Taking careful aim with your wand, you send a high powered stunning curse at him. Not only is he knocked unconsious, but he slammed into a nearby cavern wall. Your pretty sure that if he's not dead already, he will be if you just leave him there. However, you can't risk waking him or alerting others to your presence as that would most certain spell certain doom for you.