Here is the fifth installment of my story. Let me explain a few things. One is that, even though this story appears to be mostly about Basch, it is actually a combination of Basch and Gabranth. I picked this as the theme because Gabranth and Basch had hated each other for so long, I wanted to explain why. This is true especially on Gabranth's end of the story. He had a more perceivable hatred for his brother. I wasn't satisfied with the ending completely in F.F. 12 because I felt there was a whole background there that made them decide to reconcile in the end. I am attempting to do that in this story.

Forgive me, but I am a sucker for a good clean romance story. So I had to throw a bit of that in there as well. Gabranth's end, of course, because you saw more of Basch in the game and knew exactly what his story was. But don't worry—not all hope is lost for the poor guy.

As to what happens to Lord Larsa—well, you'll just have to read on and find out for yourself! )

5.

Vaan took Larsa, Penelo, and Basch in his airship. Penelo had wanted to converse with Larsa over the most current events. Balthier, therefore, was stuck with Gabranth, Nadia, and Leith. At first he didn't mind, for Nadia and he were old friends. It got a little boring and incessantly irritating when Leith kept asking him what every knob, dial and button was, and wanted to touch them all. Meanwhile, Gabranth and Nadia took no notice of their progeny while they talked quietly in the back hold. Thankfully however, Fran's maternal instincts kicked in. She managed to occupy him before Balthier fairly ripped his hair out.

Gabranth was not happy in the least. Especially was this true when he heard the whole story about how he had set up Basch by masquerade; killing King Raminas and setting out as an instrument taking over the whole country for Archades. She left no gaps, for she felt she could handle no more surprises around the corners. "So I am the one who would pretend," he murmured. "I would hide my face behind a mask. I suppose that is only appropriate, you think it not?"

"I couldn't tell him my plan to bring you back for a long while. I didn't even want him to know I was alive. I begged Lord Larsa not to breathe a word of it when he took up your stead. I wanted you back. Basch was a constant reminder that you were gone from my face."

He crossed his arms sullenly. "And how. He bears my resemblance quite strikingly."

"Well, he is your twin."

"I doubt that not." He looked away from her.

She glanced at him. "You are still angry with me."

"Not with you, Nadia. I am enraged by him."

She sighed in exasperation. "Why? I told you the truth! Basch is an honorable man! He would never…"

He interrupted her. "He desired you once, if naught else." He sat back in the seat that was directly across from her. "He desires you still."

"You are mistaken."

He shook his head. "He has my face. If anyone should know, it is I." He paused. "Along with the memory of the two of you sharing a kiss."

She laughed. "Impossible! I would have you as the only man in my life, even if there be two of you."

He scowled at her. "I disagree. You were holding flowers…" he closed his eyes in concentration, the deep glower still etched on his features. "…You stood on your toes to reach his stature, and kissed his cheek."

"I hardly call that sharing a kiss, however." She humbled when his eyes gave her a deadly gaze. "I remember that, actually. Landis was a city of flowers. Do you remember the tradition? I had just opened my technick shop. Basch decided to pay me a visit and bless my store by gathering wildflowers from the deep woods. I kissed him in gratitude. I assure you there was nothing else to it than deep appreciation."

Gabranth took a deep breath. He gazed at his hand as he stretched it out and rested it upon his knee. The power those hands had once possessed seemed almost unreal. "I remember hating him."

"Then I suppose you don't remember reconciling." She stood from her seat and sat on the bench next to him. "When you remember that--" She put a hand in his. "You will find peace again. Have faith."

His face turned to hers. As much as he remembered hating his brother, he remembered all the consoling, wonderful, carefree times being with her. He took in her features. They were so familiar to him, yet so different. He was just about to reach out to her when Fran entered, carrying Leith in her arms in a protective fashion.

She shut the bulkhead behind her, to silence out Balthier's irritated cries. "Perhaps it's best if you watch your son now," Fran offered, handing him over. "I have not seen Balthier in such distress as he is now." With a forced smile, she turned to open the bulkhead again. "I will try to calm him."

The bulkhead slid open.

"….and furthermore, should I ever have a son, he will stay out of the cockpit until his maturity. And then should he wish to learn, he would listen only! No questions, and precisely no touching…"

Fran sighed with a toss of her head.

Gabranth and Nadia glanced at each other curiously as Leith produced in his chubby fist a hand full of knobs.

--- ---

Larsa and Penelo caught up while Basch pondered many things. 'Such a faithful hound to cling so to a fallen kingdom.'

'Better than throwing it away!'

'Throwing it away? As you did our homeland?'

The words had stung him. As much as Noah had blamed himself for Landis' suffering, he blamed his brother much more. Basch remembered looking into his traitorous brother's eyes, recalling that something deeper than Landis was bothering him.

'No! We cannot escape the past!'

Could he ever escape? The guilt of returning home under King Raminas' banner, to find it a desolate waste? Scattered with the remains of Landian soldiers? Finding his brother's sword—dried blood encrusted upon the valiant letters and symbols? He knew Noah was correct. He would never be able to escape the shame.

'You confound me, brother!'

He supposed he did. He confounded himself. Why had he not forced Noah to reconsider that night? Why hadn't he fallen alongside his comrades? All the honor he had earned through Dalmasca, and he would have traded it for the honor of dying in Landis.

'All was stripped from me!'

The things Noah must have had to endure to survive in the Archadian army, while his brother was training in good spirits in Dalmasca, making peace with the past. 'I'm so sorry, brother.' Now that he knew the truth, he realized the thing that had been bothering him the most was not Landis, but Nadia. What did he have to do to protect her? Was he able to protect her at all? Everyone knew what often happened to beautiful women under the Empire's heel.

'…You still hold on to your honor! How?'

And why? Had he done anything to deserve honor? In fact…

'Strut and preen all you like! In the end, we are the same. Carrion birds, hell-bent on revenge!'

Noah had been right. The day that Gabranth came to taunt him, he knew it was the truth. He began hating his twin. Perhaps it was even before then. Yes, it was when Gabranth had branded him traitor, killing his friends and his king. He had worn his face and clothes to orchestrate the whole design. Day after day, it had bit him like a serpent. In his grief, he built up a wall of hate to protect himself. It only dissipated completely when Noah reclaimed his honor and name.

And yet after all the torment, when he felt his brother redeemed and his hate tempered, as Noah lay dying before him….He had never mentioned his wife. It had been something he wished to keep to himself, even up to his death. It was that mistrust that pierced him now. His brother hadn't trusted him then. Furthermore, of the few things he did remember, he still remembered that mistrust even now.

"You're kinda quiet," Vaan said, interrupting his thoughts. "Thinking about your brother?"

Basch blinked. "Yes."

"You look upset. You think bringing him back was a bad thing?"

Basch looked out the window. "I know not." He wished he could be left alone.

His companion rubbed his nose with his forefinger, as was his habit. "What's the problem? You guys made up, right? I mean, if I had that chance with Reks," he paused, "Well, I suppose I'd take it. Even if he did get mad at me and we did fight once in a while."

He listened carefully, but said nothing. All he could do was lend an ear, for his feeling betrayed him still.

"I guess I just think you should feel lucky. These chances never come around. You know?"

Lucky. A slight smile curled at the corner of his mouth as he mulled over that expression.

"If he gets his memory back, you could work for Ashe again. She misses you a lot. Anybody could see that."

This was the second time he had heard such a thing. His eyes shifted slightly to Vaan and one ear visibly picked up. Returning to Dalmasca had been his desire for quite a while. Lady Ashe had always had a special place in his heart, besides. Her strength of character had more than paid for his loyalty. He thought back on Larsa's words to him earlier with a smile. Would it be such a bad thing? "You are correct," he told Vaan. "These chances are rare."

"Yeah." Vaan sat back, pleased with himself over getting something right.

Lucky. Basch chuckled to himself for a moment, the same thoughts as before turning over and over in his mind. Lucky, indeed.

--- ---

Upon arrival in Archades, Basch noticed his brother noted him with complete neutrality—not as before, when he acted with hostility. He had been chastised under Nadia's hand in their younger years and it seemed apparent that the same proved true now. It was only appropriate, however. She always had and always would be Mediator. Larsa walked up to him quickly, interrupting his brooding thoughts. "Judge…" He visibly faltered, for he knew no longer what to call Basch, now that his brother had been retrieved. Thusly, he omitted the name altogether. "We must be on our way. I intend to question Zargabaath and Millaje on their involvement."

"I am ready." Basch glanced at his brother. He was looking their direction, whispering to his wife. "I suggest all caution. Whoever orchestrated this mayhap knew naught of your interference."

Larsa's young eyes squinted as he nodded. The Ivalice sun was at high noon. The glare bounded off the richly crafted buildings and into his eyes. "We must make haste. I wish nothing to interfere with Queen Ashe's coronation."

Queen Ashe. How he missed her! It was he who had convinced Vossler Azaleas that she was worth saving when she was known only as Amalia. Furthermore, he had taken his charge up and kept her safe when her identity had been revealed to the Archadian judges. While many were content to keep her physical being safe, he was one of the few who protected her interests as well. He had longed over the past year to go back to Dalmasca, to serve her once more. At least with the coronation ceremony in place he would be able to see her again, if naught else.

"I wish to go as well, My Lord." Gabranth's voice came into the thick trail of Basch's memories. He was standing just beside his brother now, fixing all of his attention on Lord Larsa.

Larsa's face registered relief. Basch tried not to feel a pang at this. He had, after all, been serving Larsa for quite some time, and was told he did an admirable job of such. However, it seemed that the Young Lord still preferred the hand of his familiar. "Do you feel that is wise?"

He nodded in earnest. "I do. Nadia believes if I am exposed to familiarity I will regain my memory. If not that, you could use another sword-arm. That used to be my purpose, am I correct?"

Basch and Larsa glanced at each other, each wondering what the other thought best. "You are a welcome guest," Larsa finally decided. "I am pleased. Though I think it best if we disguise you in warrior's garb and mask for now. There is no point in tilting our hand just yet."

The brothers exchanged meaningful glances. Of course they had nearly forgotten that there couldn't be two Gabranths. "I agree," Gabranth forced quickly. All the while, Basch knew what he was thinking: Why must the original Judge Magister surrender his title to the pretender? He revealed no such thoughts, however, as they exited the landing platform and entered the royal hallways.

Meanwhile, Balthier had eased over to Nadia, giving her a wary gaze. "Do you really believe his memory will come around?" He doubtfully questioned.

She watched her husband walk into the royal towers for several moments before she replied. All the while, she kept fast hold on Leith. "He remembers small things," she answered, toying with her son's hair. "If he remembers small things, there is always hope he'll remember more."

He nodded. "I suppose you'll ensure he receives all the answers he needs."

She smiled sweetly at him. "I've always meant to say thank you, Ffamaran. You were the only judge I didn't mind, be it short-lived as it was."

"Short-lived indeed." He shrugged. He had only seen the girl to Archades and formalized her career contract with his father. A few days later he had argued with his father over how the Landian refugee should be treated. Only two days later he was found missing, changing his life from renowned Judge Magister to pirate. Still, it mattered much to her that he was one of the few Archadian officials who had conscience.

"It is so good to see you again, Ffamaran." She patted his arm in a friendly gesture.

He raised an eyebrow at her in the cocky fashion everyone had recognized him for. He dusted off his vest casually. "Balthier, if you please, milady." And then he winked at her. "Now if you'll excuse me, I must go collect my fee. Come along, Fran." In passing, he managed to snatch the last of his missing knobs from Leith's hand.

--- ---

The Senate met a short thirty minutes after Larsa's escort arrived in port. "I have word," Came one Senator's voice, as he was the last to enter. The nervous twittering died down to hear the news. "Judge Ralis is not in their company. He is presumed dead. Nadia Fon Rosenburg lives. Lord Larsa and Gabranth apparently intervened, for he is now questioning the other two Judges of their involvement."

"Do not panic," Spoke Senator Farbner calmly. "They know naught, and thus can say naught."

"If Lord Larsa somehow manages to trace it back to us…"

The High Senator Novari rapped his knuckles on the table fiercely. "Enough of this speculation! Senator Farbner is correct. There is nothing left to point to us, be Ralis perished. He was put under oath to not breathe a word of his orders, not even to the intended victim." When everyone appeared to calm, he continued. "Did they have the Nethicite with them? If they brought it here to Archades, not all is lost."

The Senator who had acted as messenger and spy shook his head. "Word has it that Nadia Fon Rosenburg is searching for it was we speak. It is missing."

Another twitter possessed the crowd. Ralis' orders had been to retrieve the Nethicite before killing Gabranth's wife. "Who could possess it?" High Senator Novari wondered aloud.

The female Senator tapped her nails impatiently on the table. "We will lose our window of opportunity if we do not act with haste! Queen Ashe's coronation ceremony is the day after tomorrow. Some of us will be attending. Perhaps--"

"No!" Novari interrupted sharply. "I have a feeling we have underestimated both Larsa Solidor and his bodyguard. They must have suspected Ralis from the beginning, to follow him all the way to Landis. Such insight we do not dare tempt again."

She let out a frustrated breath. "Or mayhap it was merely coincidence!" Her black eyes burned like hot coal in her eyes. She was a great deal younger than several of the Senators, new in her station. Not only did she have a youthful presence, she had once been top of her class in the military. Her enthusiasm often carried over to the other young members. "The future of Archadia…"

"As I have said to Emperor Solidor once before," he overruled, "We are charged with the interests of Archades. We shall act. However, it will not be now. We shall wait, biding our time. We'll keep an eye always on Gabranth for another weakness. But should we go through his lover, I fear we will only be destroyed—disbanded—to the absolute downfall of our government. If we try to influence his son, we would only be baring our necks to his sword. Worse, I fear Lord Larsa. He is not the idle sort we imagined him to be. He will act. No, we will allow this coronation to continue. When they are settled comfortably years hence, their guards will fall and we will then act. Agreed?"

A round of 'ayes' followed throughout the chamber, one by one, until the last to answer was the young Senator Felisa. Finally, she bowed her head. "Aye."

"Then it is decided. We will speak of it no more. Dismissed."

--- ---

The journey to Archades had been uneventful. He had been distressed by the vast numbers of elderly and women and children chained along in captivity. The widows wailed at the loss of their husbands; the children cried out for their fathers and older brothers. It stung his heart. Many looked about for Basch. The soldiers did not treat them badly. In fact, they would stop ever so often to rest, under the orders of a certain Judge Ffamaran. He kept close to Nadia, surveying if there were any young men who had survived. There were nine besides he. They all stared at each other, grimly noting that there would be no escape. "We should have surrendered," one complained. "At least the majority of Landis would have survived this tragedy."

The whole trip, Nadia spoke not one word.

When they arrived in the city, the general pulled him aside. "You and your woman will be given closer lodging to the city," he explained. "Though still in the slums. Work hard enough, and you may make it into the grand walls of Archades." His eyes turned to Nadia, visibly checking every detail of her features. She did not notice, for here head had been bowed constantly since Landis. Noah did, however, and put his arm around her protectively. "Though I doubt it. This is the best we can offer strays." With that, he dug his stirrups in; the chocobo took off with a squawk.

"Do not listen to him," she finally spoke. "Do not let any of them cheapen your character."

"I allowed Landis to fall, and now I serve her enemy. I eat at the lap of another master. I am indeed as they would see me—a stray; unfit for any honor." His gaze was off to Archades' shining castle in the distance. He soon felt her hand on his chin, turning his gaze to meet hers.

He could see the burning resolve and determination in her eyes, despite also being swollen in heart-rending pain. "Noah, even a stray has pride."

Two months later, after his proposal, after his tiring training, after his induction into the Imperial Army, he took her to the slums market. She insisted on going somewhere he felt no fancy for, so he let her go alone, despite his horrid premonitions.

The general of the Archadian Army had kept his eye on Noah's beloved the whole two months they had occupied the city. Especially had this been true when Ffamaran mysteriously vanished. With no Judge wise to his lecherous ideas, he supposed he could do as he pleased, so long as her protector was not near. It just so happened that today would be the day he would strike. He had along with him six others, all dressed casually, for it was holiday. As soon as his eye caught her wandering away from Noah, he nodded to his men, and they proceeded to follow.

Noah had bade her farewell with the promise he would only be down the street should she need him, and made her swear to stay alert. "I shall," she had told him, "but understand that nothing is bound to happen in the middle of a major street in the bright of day." Not five minutes after she spoke those words, he heard it—a faint cry for help. At first he paused, turning his ear to the sound. He was almost fully to his destination. The word had been so faint that he thought he might have imagined it. Then he turned, just to be sure. He noted at once how everyone passing would glance down the particular ally, but do nothing for the two soldiers guarding the entrance. His eyes skimmed the crowd—his heart leaping into his throat—and found no trace of her at all.

He didn't remember the decision to investigate, but suddenly he was at the entrance to the ally, tackling the two guards that had recognized him immediately. She was a little more than halfway down the ally; screaming, casting various technicks and magicks, only so she could keep herself safe. The general had been undeterred. With his four companions, he was making short work of her defenses.

"Noah!" She cried, catching sight of him. She was pinned to the wall by the vile general himself. He stopped his groping momentarily to glance back. "Stop him!" He ordered, a bit of panic crossing his features.

By this length, Noah though he could have taken fifty without breaking a decent sweat. With no though whatever that he was outnumbered, he dove in for her, and was suddenly surrounded by four others. He took the hits without feeling, and struck back in mad rage. Meanwhile, she had fended off the strongest of the five. She had done fairly well for herself, also, but the general proved to be stronger. Noah got two under his feet when the vile commander turned to him again. "Look away, Noah, and it will be over soon."

"Hands away!" He managed to grunt. The last two had a strong hold, pinning him back.

"There are serious charges for attacking fellow officers. Look away, and all will be forgiven." He smirked at Nadia, muttering the last bit under his breath. "This is what her kind deserves by nature."

Nadia had used the last of her magick power to cast Bravery on her savior. As a result, he had the strength to toss the last two over his shoulders and advance on his superior officer. He drew his sword with a halfway smile, ready to use it. Before he reached him, however, he was once again subdued—by fully armored Imperial Knights. Just past him went a blur of metal. Here was poor Nadia's deliverance. The Judge hauled the general back with a fury that Noah himself possessed. The Landian man watched in awe and satisfaction as the Judge gave him the beating he deserved. There was short work to be done, thus was the Judge's power. What was left of the general fell in a crumpled heap in the dust.

"Noah!" Nadia cried, and then glanced up at the Judge. "Please…"

"Release him," the muffled voice replied. "He was not fighting with them, but for her."

When he was free, he ran for his betrothed. He felt he must soothe her, although she appeared relatively calm for what had just happened. "You have my thanks…?"

"Judge Zecht," he filled in. "Judge Ffamaran alerted me to this general's antics just before he vanished. This activity is not tolerated. You have my apologies." He paused for a moment, apparently gazing at the pair. "You must be Noah."

He nodded, gratitude and admiration shining in his eyes.

"I've heard much of you, Noah. Take this." He offered him a dagger from his belt. "It carries my symbol. The guards will look for you at the castle; You will converse with me later this evening."

He agreed without hesitation. This man had honor; Honor that he himself had craved since Landis. He would do whatever he suggested.