This concept was one that I tinkered with for a while, as I was completing another chapter for American Idiot.
Disclaimer: I do not own Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle.
On a day out in the town, Lux and Lisha encounter a homeless boy named Gulls.
However, not only does Gulls seem keen on doing bizarre antics and magician tricks, but he also possesses a Sword Device of his own! Lux and Lisesharte bring him to the Crossfield Academy, where he can find a home and a job.
And so begins the adventures of "The Big Brother of the Royal Knight Academy."
"Miss Lisha! The pickpocket went this way!"
"After him, Lux!"
Lux and Lisesharte were on a day out in the town. Once again, it was Lisesharte's treat. They went window shopping, and to all sorts of different places, searching for a good place to eat. The pair settled for getting a snack from a vendor on the market street.
That is, if it wasn't for a pickpocket snatching Lisesharte's wallet right out of her hand.
They quickly gave chase.
It was obvious the thief was experienced, as the brigand kept slipping right past the two. They chased the thief for some time, eventually leading the pursuit to an alleyway.
"Rrrgh!" Growled Lisesharte, "I'll use my Tiamat!"
"Wait Miss Lisha, what about-?!"
Suddenly, an object streaked across Lux's vision, and struck the pickpocket right in the back of the head.
The object clattered to the floor, revealing it to be none other than a brick.
"That's what ya get for thieving, rat!" A voice called from behind the pair.
Lisesharte and Lux turned around to find the culprit of knocking out the thief.
It was a boy in raggedy clothes. He wore a patched-up brown ankle-long coat, around his torso he was wrapped in bandages, worn-out shoes, and very wrinkly trousers. He was a bit taller than Lux, with unkempt, oily, light-black hair and dark bags under his eyes. However, his eyes were mismatched, as his left eye was golden and his right eye was bright blue. He kept his right hand pressed against his hip, as if to obscure something from view.
"G'day," Greeted the boy, "Name's Gulls, hope the cur didn't spoil your date!"
"D-Date?!" Lisesharte stuttered, offset by Gulls's assumption.
Gulls walked past Lux and Lisesharte, and began to frisk the unconscious the thief.
He emerged with Lisesharte's wallet in hand.
"How'd you know-"
"Takes one to know one, Miss." Gulls said, quickly flinching as he realized the slip of his tongue.
"A-Anyway," He recovered, "This belongs to you?" Gulls handed the wallet to Lisesharte.
"Yeah!" Lisesharte said, snatching the wallet, "T-Thank you..."
"Gulls, you already forgot?" Interrogated Gulls.
"I..."
"Eh, not that I care." Gulls said, beginning to walk away, "S'not like we're gonna get chummy! Catch ya later, or not!"
"Wait just a second!" Called Lux.
Out of nowhere, a small breeze kicked up.
The cape of Gulls's coat flapped up.
And that's when Lux saw it.
"Shoot!" Gulls snapped as he dropped the object he hid in his coat.
Lux witnessed as he saw a very peculiar-looking Sword Device slip out of Gulls's hands and clatter onto the ground.
The Sword Device looked identical in design the Lux's Bahamut Sword Device. However, unlike the Bahamut, the Sword Device was pure snow white, with blue lines dancing all over the blade and handle. Oddly enough, the lines seemed to glow with a bright blue, further outlining the patterns decorating the Sword Device. Under the shadow, the blue lines brightened.
"You have a Sword Device?" Inquired Lux as he approached Gulls.
"You saw nothing!" Shouted Gulls as he snatched the Sword Device and booked it.
"Wait!" Lux called as he gave chase.
Lisesharte quickly joined Lux as they chased Gulls.
"Crap..." Gulls muttered under his breath.
Gulls threw down a smoke pellet, and vanished from sight.
"Wait! We just want to...talk." Lux called as Gulls escaped.
"He got away!" Lisesharte said, beginning to look around.
"Don't bother," Groaned Lux, "We'll look for him later."
The two begrudgingly walked off.
As soon as they were out of earshot, Gulls busted out of an empty keg on the side of the alleyway.
"Crazy rich kids..." Grumbled Gulls, "Never back off when they should..."
Gulls turned, and walked in the opposite direction of the students.
Later that day...
Lux and Lisesharte walked through the town, no real destination or purpose in mind.
"It was so strange," Pondered Lux, "You saw it too, right?"
"The odd-looking Sword Device? He snatched it up and ran like he committed a crime. Perhaps he stole it?
"I don't know..."
"You heard him when he was handing back my wallet. 'It takes one to know one.' It's obvious he's admitted to stealing."
"But why would he return the wallet?"
Lisesharte quickly pulled out the wallet and checked the contents.
"He left everything in it too. That's weird..."
The pair began to walk nearby the chapel.
Suddenly, they saw Gulls burst out the door.
"I didn't ask for this!" Gulls cried as he ran like a gazelle, his Sword Device in his hand.
A nun rushed out the door after him.
"Gully! Come back!" Cried the nun, "Finish what you started!"
Lux and Lisesharte were dumbstruck as they watched Gulls run like a madman.
The two nodded at each other and took after Gulls as well.
Gulls sprinted faster than any of his pursuers could hope to match, and seemingly showed no signs of slowing down.
Lux blinked, and veered to the left.
"Stay on him, I have a plan!"
Lisesharte looked as Lux turned left, but kept trailing Gulls alongside the nun.
Gulls suddenly turned left.
Lisesharte then realized what Lux was trying.
She continued to chase Gulls.
"Gully~!" Called the nun.
"Not today!"
The nun and Lisha began to tire out as Gulls kept going.
Gulls ran to the left again.
However, Lux was waiting for him.
"Shi-oot!" Gulls stuttered as he stumbled and tripped. Gulls quickly scrambled to his feet, and held out his Sword Device.
"Stay back!" He warned, "I know how to use this thing!"
Lux looked confused.
"If you know how to use that," He said, "Then you'd have unsheathed it."
Gulls glared at Lux, obviously embarrassed.
The nun and Lisha rounded the corner.
Gulls looked back, and quickly collared Lux as he dragged him around another corner.
"I'm in a pinch, help a guy out please?" Pleaded Gulls.
"Why's that nun after you?"
"I...Messed up."
"What d'you-?!"
Suddenly, Gulls covered Lux's mouth and dragged him to a set of barrels nearby.
Lisesharte and the nun rounded the corner.
"Where'd Gully go?" Whined the nun.
"Lux?" Called Lisesharte.
Lux tried to respond, but Gulls had him restrained too well.
"D'oh, drat." Concluded the nun, "He got away again. I should get back to the chapel..."
The nun turned and left, dejected.
Lisesharte remained.
Gulls let go of Lux as he burst from behind the barrels.
"Miss Lisha!"
"Lux?! What're you doing behind there?"
"We were hiding from that nun, I think." Lux said, pointing to Gulls.
Gulls chuckled nervously as Lisesharte glared him down.
"I've got half a mind to turn you in, whoever-you-are." Said Lisesharte, "You've got some explaining to do-"
Lisha unsheathed her Sword Device, and held the tip of the blade point-blank at Gulls's face.
"-And you'll do it right now."
"Now, Miss Lisha-" Said Lux.
"Alright! Alright! I get the point." Gulls said, putting up his hands.
Gulls calmed down as he did his best to explain.
"My name's Gulls. I...Live on the streets. I'm homeless. I was running from the nun-her name's Sister Maria, by the way-because of a misunderstanding. I visit the chapel often, and she took a shine on me for some reason. But..."
"But?"
"We...Had an oopsie."
"What kind of an 'oopsie?'"
"I tripped on her, and landed face-first onto her...Anyway, it really got a little more embarrassing as I got off. She's been after me, trying to make me 'repent for my sins and take responsibility' ever since. I think she hates me now, so I try going to the chapel when she isn't around. Problem is...She's a fast learner."
Lisesharte sheathed her Sword Device.
"You're a pervert." She scolded.
"I am not! It was an accident!" Pleaded Gulls.
"I'm more curious about your Sword Device." Prompted Lux.
"This thing? Why you keep calling it a 'Sword Device?' It's just a fancy-looking sword, innit?"
Gulls pulled out his Sword Device.
"Where'd you get it?" Asked Lux.
"My Grandpa gave it to me. Gave me a book along with it."
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Lux began to think.
"Hey," Said Lisesharte, her tone changing from commanding to friendly, "I may keep forgetting your name..."
Gulls groaned.
"...But, would you like to come with us?"
"Come with you where? Please don't say you're turning me in..."
"No," Offered Lisesharte, "Ever hear of the Royal Knight Academy?"
"That fancy kingdom-funded private school for girls?"
"I attend it, actually." Confessed Lux.
"What for?"
"That sword of yours is actually a Sword Device," Explained Lux, "It allows you to summon a Drag-Ride."
Gulls looked mind-blown.
"That's why it was so special to Gramps..." He realized, "He never said it could do that. But he called it 'Albion' for some reason. Now I think I know why..."
"Well, come with us then!" Said Lux.
"But..."
"You said you lived on the streets right?" Said Lisesharte, "Well, you can get a real bed-"
Gulls shot up and grabbed Lisesharte by her shoulders.
"You had me at real bed." Said Gulls.
"He was really won over so easily..." Lux thought.
At the Royal Knight Academy...
"So," Said Relie, "Lisesharte and Lux here tell me that you possess a Sword Device?"
"Y-Yeah, I do-I mean, Yes Ma'am."
Relie chuckled.
"What's your name?"
"Gulls, Ma'am."
"And you're full name?"
"Gulls."
"That's it? You don't have a family name?"
"No...Not anymore...I'd rather not."
"It's no problem." Assured Relie, "You don't have to say anything on the subject if you don't want to, Gulls."
"Thank you."
"Anyway," Said , "How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Oh my!" Chuckled Relie, "You'd be a third year by now! But if we were to induct you into the Third-Year Course, you'd probably be crushed by the other students. But you're quite the boon if you join the Academy, boys like you are quite rare."
Gulls blushed and pouted, embarrassed.
"But," Summarized Relie, "Lux and Lisha tell me you're homeless? Is that why you have such a dismal appearance?"
"Yes Ma'am..."
"I see...We should contact your parents abo-"
"I don't have parents." Gulls said defensively.
Gulls's interjection threw everyone off, as if he'd been waiting to say such a thing.
"Oh..." Stuttered Relie, "I see. Well, since you're eighteen, you can make your own decisions I guess."
Relie began to consider what to do with Gulls.
"Well Gulls," Offered Relie, "I have an opportunity for you. If you agree to it, I can get you a job as a handyman right here at the Royal Knight Academy. It might not be totally glamorous, but there are quite a few benefits to someone in your position. You'll be taking requests alongside Lux for tasks. However, without enough verification, and due to you being over the age requirements, I can't get you into the Academy as a student."
"Those benefits being?"
"For starters," Explained Relie, "You'd have an actual place to stay, with a nice, fluffy, comfy bed to sleep on. You'd certainly have better clothes than what you're wearing now. I can see to it you get payment for your services, since this is more of employment than academics. You can attend classes if and when you want to."
Gulls had stopped listening, quickly beginning to space out as he imagined the fluffiest bed imaginable.
"So," Relie concluded, "What do you say?"
Gulls snapped back into reality.
"I...Uh...Yeah. Of course!"
Relie giggled as she held out her hand.
"Welcome to the Royal Knight Academy." She greeted.
Gulls took her hand firmly.
"Well, I'll arrange everything for you," Said Relie, "You'll move in tomorrow, and receive orientation."
"'Course-I mean, of course Ma'am."
Relie chuckled again.
"We'll have a uniform ready for you when you arrive tomorrow. I'll send for some students to help groom and clean you up as well, have a nice day!"
Lux ushered Gulls out of Relie's office.
Then, Lux took Gulls on a very short tour as he led him off the Academy grounds.
"I need to go get my things," Said Gulls, "Tomorrow, then?"
"Yeah, see you later!"
Gulls ran off to prepare.
Gulls raced through the town, and ran behind an Inn.
This wasn't just any Inn, however.
This was the Inn that Gulls had slept in for a long time.
Gulls quickly began to gather random boxes strewn about behind the Inn, stacking and piling them together.
"So," A voice said from behind, "You're Lux's new friend?"
Gulls threw the box he had in hand and jumped away in surprise.
A girl was standing very close behind Gulls.
She wore the same academy uniform as She had pale blue hair. She had a rapier-shaped Sword Device sheathed on her belt.
"Who the heck're you?!" Cried Gulls.
"My name is Krulcifer. I spied you leaving Academy grounds. You really thought you could just run off and no-one would notice?"
"What's it to you?"
"Well, you're one of two of hundreds," Said Krulcifer, "It makes you quite interesting. Besides, I'd like to get a look at that Sword Device you have under your raggedy old coat-"
"This coat's saved my ass plenty, respect it." Growled Gulls as he returned to piling boxes.
"Why're you stacking boxes? A task of yours?"
"Nah," Said Gulls, "Just the keys to my place."
Krulcifer was quite confused by Gulls's statement.
The pile grew until it reached the roof of the Inn.
Gulls finished stacking boxes, and began to climb to the top.
He turned around to look at Krulcifer.
"And by the way," He called to her.
Suddenly, he kicked the stack of boxes over, scattering them and destroying his pile.
"No girls allowed!" He quipped with a chuckle.
Krulcifer rolled her eyes and walked off.
Gulls turned to a panel on the rooftop.
He opened it and carefully slipped inside.
Gulls crept into the attic of the Inn.
Ever since Gulls had been forced in poverty, living on the streets, he'd originally moved from place to place. Later on, however, he'd discovered the attic of a local Inn. The Innkeeper-a beautiful and well-endowed but cruel woman that picked up Gulls and threw him out the front door when he tried to request a room but was too poor to afford one-rarely had need to come up to the attic, allowing Gulls to slip in unnoticed.
To help reduce risk of being caught, Gulls had managed to fix the place into a secret hideout for himself, hiding his very few possessions amongst the items lying around. Gulls had formed a routine. That being when he got up in the morning, he'd make sure to stow everything, leave and not come back until nightfall.
However, Gulls had to get ready to move everything, as he was going to the Royal Knight Academy at dawn.
Gulls went to one end of the attic, opening up a chest.
Inside sat a pile of books, a messy pile of clothes, a deck of cards, odds and ends, and a big backpack.
Gulls quickly dumped the junk, clothes, and books into the backpack. He then took his Sword Device, and strapped it to the backpack. Gulls tested the bag on his back, which was just as lightweight as it was when he first settled in the attic. Gulls then looked to a very dusty book he left on a barrel.
He picked it up, brushed the dust off the cover, and put it on top of everything in his backpack.
With that, Gulls was ready to move out.
However, his new place wouldn't be ready until tomorrow, and there wasn't really much for him to do until then.
Gulls spied a wide trunk on the other side of the attic.
He walked over, setting his bag on the side of the trunk, and opening it.
Gulls had modified the trunk into a bed. He lined the bottom with a heap of feathers, covered by a sheet of cloth, and another cloth to serve as a blanket. He'd poked air-holes into the sides of the trunk, so he wouldn't suffocate while he slept. He also took a huge helping of feathers, and wrapped them up to create a pillow.
He was always so cold in the winter, and too hot in the summer.
Gulls could never sleep right at night.
He sighed in relief.
"Finally," He whispered, "I'll finally have a good night's sleep for first time in years..."
Suddenly, Gulls could hear the thumps of footsteps coming up to the attic.
He froze.
"Where'd I put the damn..." The Innkeeper came up the stairs.
She froze.
Gulls and the Innkeeper locked eyes.
Her eye twitched.
"I...Should get going." Said Gulls.
"You...You...YOU SLOTHFUL BUM!" Shouted the Innkeeper.
Gulls broke for the panel on the ceiling, and jumped onto the roof.
"Get down from there, I'll give you a good rearing before I turn you in, you trespassing bastard!"
Gulls looked back at the attic one last time.
"Goodbye my friend." He whispered before turned and jumping off the roof of the Inn.
Gulls hit the ground on his feet, and dropped like a log.
He writhed in agony.
"Oh GOD!" He cried in anguish, "Why, God WHYYYY?!"
The Innkeeper was going down the stairs of the Inn, ready to chase Gulls down.
Gulls began to crawl across the ground.
He needed distance and a miracle if he was going to escape this time.
The Innkeeper bust through the door of the Inn, and rushed around.
Gulls had just barely gotten a few meters away from the Inn as he frantically tried to get to his feet.
"You're not getting away, gutter rat!" Shouted the Innkeeper as she prepared to march over.
Gulls got on one knee.
"If there's one thing I pride myself on," Gulls declared, hoping to distract the Innkeeper and buy himself at least a few more seconds, "It's the ultimate combat strategy!"
"Oh? What's that, boy?" The Innkeeper grinned smugly as she marched over, ready to pummel Gulls to a pulp.
"My Gramps taught me this very special move..."
"That being?"
"...To run away as fast as I can!"
Gulls stumbled as he launched off his foot and ran for dear life.
"Oh no you don't!" Shouted the Innkeeper as she gave chase, clutching her skirt with one hand, and waving a bat in the other.
Despite his best efforts, the pain from his ankles and the shaking of his backpack severely slowed Gulls down.
Krulcifer was walking down the street.
She then saw Gulls, crying in pain, being chased by the Innkeeper run right past her.
Not only was her interest peaked, but her amusement as well.
She decided to jog after them, just to see how such a spectacle would end, watching from a distance.
Gulls staggered and stumbled, but his resolve to escape the clutches of the Innkeeper never faltered.
"Just imagine she's Sister Maria, right?" Gulls thought to himself as he spared a few seconds to look back.
He imagined Sister Maria's face on the Innkeeper's body. Gulls realized that doing so was a mistake, as he was now more terrified than before he used his imagination. But his trick had worked, as he was now hobbling along faster and faster.
"Get back here!" Shouted the Innkeeper, doing her best to keep up.
Gulls didn't say anything in response, focusing everything he had on running.
After several minutes of Gulls and the Innkeeper causing a scene as they ran through the town, Krucilfer predicted the chase was nearing an end.
Whether it would end with Gulls escaping, or the Innkeeper catching him she couldn't predict.
Gulls pulled off his backpack, rummaging through it as he continued onward.
The Innkeeper saw her chance, and began to close in.
It seemed to everyone that Gulls was as good as caught.
However, Gulls had a trick up his sleeve.
His hand shooting out his backpack, Gulls quickly unsheathed his Albion Sword Device, and began to tie a belt he scavenged from his backpack around the base of the blade with one hand.
Gulls closed the backpack, and pulled out a rope tied to the belt.
He spun the belt, twirling the Sword Device.
Gulls looked skyward, scanning the tops of buildings.
And with a mighty underhand, Gulls threw the Albion Sword Device with everything he had into the air!
The Sword Device flew past a wooden beam that jutted out of the building to the front-left of Gulls.
Gulls moved closer to the left.
And with that, the Sword Device rested by the belt around its blade and hung upon the wooden beam! Gulls yanked the rope to his left as he moved forward, further tying the rope around the Sword Device!
Gulls jumped, and began to pull on the rope.
The Innkeeper reached, and screamed as she narrowly missed Gulls.
Gulls began to climb the rope, praying the Sword Device wouldn't cut the rope, and the beam would hold his weight.
And, after a short struggle, Gulls reached the wooden beam, climbing the rope with his arms alone!
The Innkeeper shouted and swore vengeance as she eventually left, stomping her way back to the Inn.
Gulls held onto the beam, sighing as he began to chuckle.
The boy then began to make his descent to the ground, gently placing his feet first. He then tugged the rope, and pulled the Sword Device off the beam, and collected the belt and rope as he sheathed the Albion Sword Device back on his backpack.
He then realized a problem.
Where was he going to sleep tonight?
Krulcifer began to applaud Gulls as she approached him.
"Aren't you just clever?" She chuckled.
"Oh." Grumbled Gulls, "You again."
"So, what happened?"
"I was living in an Inn attic for a while," Admitted Gulls, "The Innkeeper-lady saw me packing up, and...Well, you can figure out the rest."
Krulcifer chuckled.
"I oughta go," Groaned Gulls, as he went off, "Need another place, since I won't be moving in to the whats-its-face academy till tomorrow."
"You're attending the Royal Knights Academy?"
"That's the one!"
Krulcifer began to think.
"Well," She offered, "I can arrange a carriage for you to sleep in tonight."
Gulls flinched.
"I don't trust you...My Albion looks like something of value t'you, so don't play me for the dumbass, rich girl. I've been through it all, these years of mine, and I can spot a lying girl with my eyes closed."
Krulcifer twitched a little.
Gulls was a bit smarter than he looked.
"Your loss." She said smugly, turning away.
Gulls was quite tempted at the promise of a good bed, but fought against the urge to submit.
"I'll find my own place!" He concluded, marching off.
Krulcifer pouted, discouraged. She turned and left.
That night...
Gulls climbed the bell tower of the chapel.
He checked the skyline.
There was still time to read before he ran out of daylight.
Gulls quickly pulled out the dusty old book from earlier. He laid his backpack down, and sat down beside it. Gulls then proceeded to scrub and scrape off the remaining layers of dust coating the book.
It was an unlabeled journal.
But Gulls knew full well what the book was.
He opened it.
Gulls's name had been signed on the back of the front cover. On the pages were entries all over, some of them had drawings and descriptions. The entries were all random, with no transitions between them.
Despite knowing what the book was, Gulls was opening and reading the journal for the first time in his life.
"Just what did you give me, Grandpa?" Gulls whispered to himself.
After several more minutes, Gulls had reached a very special set of pages.
"Gulls," Read the entries, "This sword, your Albion, will determine the fate of the world. Keep it safe. Sincerely, Grandpa Josef."
Gulls squinted, doing his best to make out the words as the twilight began to darken.
There was a picture of a very strange Drag-Ride. Next to it, there was a picture of the Albion Sword Device.
As Gulls read on, he found pictures of strange items and weapons. There were various descriptions and entries about each, but it was too dark for Gulls to make out what they were.
Gulls skimmed through pages, eager to find something his grandfather wrote that he could read.
Halfway through the book, Gulls found it.
On the middle page of the journal, there was some kind of statement, surrounded by quotations.
The page was separated by the preceding pages by a handful of blank pages.
Gulls squinted.
Thankfully, the words were big enough for him to read.
"Incarnate, Yang most omnipotent." He recited in whispers, "Rend the Abyss asunder with pure power. Come forth...Albion?"
Gulls blinked, looking over to his Sword Device.
"Just what were you up to back then, Gramps?" Muttered Gulls, as he yawned.
Gulls tried to reread the chant, but discovered he'd run out of light to read with.
The boy closed the journal, and returned it to his backpack. He then reorganized everything in his backpack, laying it down on its side. He put the books and junk on the side laying against the ground, and put the clothes above them.
Gulls closed the backpack, and took off his coat.
His entire upper-torso had been wrapped in bandages, up to the point where the wrappings became something of a long-sleeve shirt. Gulls pressed his hand against his chest, and breathed.
He'd never forget what happened.
With that, Gulls wrapped his coat around himself like a blanket, and rested his head on the backpack.
And eventually, Gulls fell asleep.
Tomorrow was the start of a new life for Gulls.
And thus began the tale of the Big Brother of the Royal Knight Academy.
A/N: Hello everyone! This is a new story I wanted to do after watching Undefeated Bahamut Chronicle. I've got a storyline all lined up, and ready for drafting!
In terms of where this story is, The start of this story takes place between episodes 5 and 6 of the anime.
The story will follow Gulls, a homeless boy with no family name, but a very unique Divine Drag-Ride known as Albion.
I'll start revealing the full profile of Albion in later chapters, revealing a bit more about it as Gulls uses it. For now, I'll leave it at this: Think of Albion as Bahamut's polar opposite. It's not as clear-cut as that, but it'll do for now.
Hope you all enjoy this story! I plan to write it to completion!
Next time: Gulls is officially employed at the Royal Knight Academy! All the students are quite eager to meet their newest handyman!
Gulls is just eager to finally get a real bed.
But Gulls will quickly learn that he'll have quite the first day ahead of him if he just wants to take a nap...
Leave a review, they're much appreciated and show that you care!