"It's Dion, the plan's changed, he needs his death faked within two days in a fight against one of the three of us in our Eikon form"

"Something must have happened to either oust him or make him decide that he can't wait the full month like originally planned"

"Then I guess Ramuh is paying Sanbreque an unexpected visit, unfortunately we don't have time to send Dion a stolas to prepare him for this fight, or my arrival"

"Good thing that's part of his plan apparently, he already knows there's no time to let him know we're coming, he just says to send one of the three of us and then make sure the fight looks good and Bahamut is obviously defeated and 'killed' at some point in the fight"

"Got it, I'll be back within the week then"

"Right"

And so Cid left the Hideaway and thus began the anxious wait for Clive and Jill, but a week later Cid did indeed return and with Dion, however Dion was unconscious when he arrived

"What happened?"

"Thinks went a little wrong when we had our mock fight, he's actually hurt to a degree that if not for Ramuh he'd be dead right now, though why that's the case I don't know, Dion tried to tell me in his Bahamut form but couldn't for some reason"

Tarja (who had been let in on the plan while Cid was away as a precaution) checks him out and that's when it was discovered that Dion had been poisoned before the fight

"And it's not a very nice poison either, or easily detected, Sanbreque developed it against Dominants but apparently stopped due to failure. It's likely that Dion here was simply fighting to keep himself under control and couldn't communicate with you about the issue since he was doing his best to make sure that his death was faked"

"I see, we can always ask him when he wakes up and go from there"

"Agreed"

Two days later Dion would wake up and confirm Tarja's suspicions about what the poison had done to him

"It took all I had to keep from killing you Cid, all Bahamut wanted to do was kill Ramuh. Clive the second half of our plan will unfortunately have to wait for a bit, I'm too weak to transfer Bahamut to you right now, at least not safely anyways"

"I understand"

"By the way, once I'm strong enough I want to help with strategizing our moves"

"I can agree to that"

"By the way, if Joshua remembers the future like us, that won't be for at least another two years Dion, and even if he remembers he might not join us here at the Hideaway"

"I know, Ultima needs to be dealt with, and perhaps it might be best if our forces are split, but it will be nice to communicate with him from time to time if he does remember the future in two years time"

"Indeed it will be, for now though we have another problem that I'm not sure how to deal with"

"Your apparent murder of me I know, Sanbreque will not take their loss lightly considering I am their prince and Dominant all in one, if I was just their Dominant or just their prince it would still be complicated though manageable, if only just, but with me being both..."

"It makes our situation down right impossible"

"Exactly, and this is going to affect uncle and Sir Wade too"

"Oh, right, communicating with them won't be easy with Sanbreque hunting me down more than likely"

"Exactly and we need the regular communication from them too"

"Do you code your messages?"

"Not...entirely, they use my field name of Wyvern when writing to me, and there is a small amount of code words in use for certain things, but otherwise the letters are easily read by anyone and Cid doesn't have a code name since we never thought one would be needed"

"I see, then letting them know of my situation, and Cid's is impossible to do in a letter and thus must be told in person, which I assume is difficult to arrange on a regular basis"

"It is, we haven't seen each other in person since we reunited with Sir Wade shortly before your letter arrived, which arrived while we were with him actually"

"I see, then we need to figure a way to meet with your uncle in secret and then figure out how to solve the mess I created so that I could join you in the fight against Ultima much sooner than I did in the original timeline"

The next month wasn't easy on anyone due to the fact that Cid hated being confined to the Hideaway for safety reasons after Sanbreque started their manhunt of him, posting reward posters of what he looked like with a lot of gil to make the most desperate want to turn him in, and managing to almost kill him twice on his runs to free Bearers with assassins. They had also tried to capture him through a false Bearer trade walk. For Clive though a bright side to the month was Dion giving him Bahamut without hurting himself two weeks after his arrival making Cid think about doing the same. Eventually though a letter arrives for Clive from Byron requesting an emergency meeting between Clive, Cid and Byron

"He's been trying to figure out a way to get a message to me to meet with you Cid since he heard the news, he also knows you can't go to Port Isolde so he's going to come to Martha's Rest and hopes you figure out a way to go as well in disguise"

"I will make a way to get there to talk with him on time"

"Do you need help with a disguise Cid?"

"No, those won't work Clive, remember the last time we tried before I was officially confined to the Hideaway?"

"Oh, I forgot actually, then what do you suggest?"

"That I don't know yet"

They thought about it and it was ultimately Dion who figured out the solution

"I think I might know how to get you to Martha's Rest on time with relative ease, but there's not going to be much comfort in it for anyone if we're to make the plan succeed"

"Oh?"

"Clive, you remember the brand you were forced to wear for thirteen years, I myself have been forced to witness Bearers being given the brand on several occasions, thus my plan"

"You're not seriously suggesting what I think you're suggesting young prince"

"And if I am Cid?"

"For one I hate that thing and don't even want to think of it on my face, for another just adding a tattoo that looks like the brand won't disguise me all that much"

"Which is why it's only part of the plan, and you're not actually getting the brand tattooed on your face, instead it will be special paint that was developed about...what fifteen years in the future?"

"No, more like fourteen years since it was developed during my second year as Cid and it's been three years since we came to the past"

"In any case there's a special paint that can be used to fake a brand on your face until we wash it off with special soap, but you're also going to have to undergo a change in the way you look, at least temporarily so that you don't look like your poster only with a brand now added to your face"

"But we just said disguises won't work"

"That's because they weren't the kind of disguises that I had to think of over the years in order to visit the town without a guard with me at all times, when I just wanted to be a normal person I would disguise myself in various ways to blend in and get a few hours of normal life"

"I see...let me think on this for a day or two since there's no designated meeting time quite yet"

Ultimately Cid would agree to Dion's plan and over the next week Dion and Cid worked in private to come up with a disguise that would work well with a painted Brand on Cid's face

"Now all that's left is your uncle to decide when he's coming to Martha's Rest since as far as I know the letter that mentioned that location recently didn't give us a meeting date"

"Next week when the new moon is to be expected, he had business he couldn't put off to meet with us any sooner"

"Understood, is Sir Wade also coming?"

"That I don't know"

"Then we'll find out when we either do or don't see him"

A week later the meeting happened with Sir Wade being there

"Uncle Byron, Sir Wade"

"Wyvern, or shall we call you Clive for the moment?"

"Clive will work since it's just us, you mentioned needing to meet with us due to our current problem"

"Indeed we were wondering if you might have an idea of how to get Branded to safety now that Sanbreque has a price on your head Cid, and is watching any and all Branded movements more carefully, along with the sales"

"We've been trying to figure that out ourselves actually"

"I see...by the way with...his loss how are you going to handle Ultima in the future?"

"The same as last time if necessary due to the fact that he is actually still alive, it was all part of a plan actually of his idea"

"I see, that still doesn't resolve our current issue since that knowledge can't be generally known"

The group thinks on it and then Sir Wade speaks up

"I have an idea, but it's not one that neither of you will like I'm afraid"

"Oh?"

"We give Sanbreque Cid's head on a metaphorical platter, at least we make them think we're giving them Cid's head on a metaphorical platter"

"Faking my death huh? I want to know how you're going to do so without giving away the truth"

"There is...a drink my men have concocted that when taken makes one's enemies think the person is dead, the breath and heartbeat of the person is not detected at a rate that would suggest someone can live. As such I propose we send word that we have captured and killed Cid the outlaw and make arrangements to meet with them and once in Sanbreque you drink the concoction and afterwords are given the antidote in secret. We have found that the person does die if the antidote is not given within five hours, but given who you are you would most likely be given a quick burial and we could argue doing it ourselves to save them the trouble, and even if we don't have that permission, if the burial is quick we can ambush those meant to bury you and whisk you away to safety before giving you the antidote"

"I see...and this concoction is proven effective with Dominants as well? I'm only asking because of the fact that we are different from even Bearers, not by much but enough"

"That we're not actually sure of, but it has worked on Bearers so even if there are differences we have a chance"

"Then since it's safe for Bearers I shall be the one to test it for Dominants and then we shall make further plans from there"

Ultimately Clive proves that the concoction was safe for Dominants to consume

"Well then I think we have our plan"

"Not quite, before we sneak into the Sanbreque capital we'll need to fake a fight so that you can be truthful when you say that taking me down wasn't easy, even if you supposedly weakened me first"

"I see...makes sense though, and nephew you can't be one of the participants in either the fight or the presenting of Cid's supposed body to Sanbreque"

"Oh I know, I already plan on staying at the Hideaway while Cid's gone, Cid, do I need to confirm to him that what the three of us talked about in private before this meeting is still valid?"

"Not yet, only if you receive word that things have gone wrong are you to tell him that what was discussed is valid"

"Understood"

"So, when shall we do this?"

"In a week's time, I need to gather my men for this part of the mission and we'll also need to figure out where we're supposed to supposedly ambush the Dominant of Ramuh, making sure it's a safe place to do so for everyone since we don't want to risk civilian lives"

"Agreed"

A week later Sir Wade and his men executed the plan to fake Cid's death so that he would no longer be hunted by Sanbreque and the first half of the plan was executed on a road near Martha's Rest and yet far enough away that innocents wouldn't be involved and everyone came away from the fight with injuries, none of them serious enough that time wouldn't heal them completely, and they were still able to walk, but serious enough to give credit to the lie that taking Cid down hadn't been easy, even with Cid supposedly weakened. Instead what had happened was that Cid had held back in the fight by a lot so that it was as if he truly had been poisoned, but after the scuffle they snuck into Sanbreque and there Cid drank the concoction that made him appear dead but was in actuality still alive and then one of Wade's men puts a fake cut on Cid's neck signifying that someone had managed to get behind Cid and slit his throat at some point in the fight and then request an audience with Sanbreque's king

"Your Emperor, we bring to you the body of Cidolfus Telamon, the one who brutally murdered your son, Prince Dion, Dominant of Bahamut"

"So I see...the reward is of course yours, I also leave it to you to burn him to ashes since I don't want to do the deed myself, and it must be done away from the capital and off direct Sanbreque soil, you may if you so choose burn him in Rosaria for though that land is of Sanbreque I have never considered it such. However...before I allow you to do that I myself must do one thing that will bring me peace of mind even if since he's dead he will never know about it"

And so Dion's father picks up a spear and puts it through Cid's chest right where the heart would be and with a spark of lightening Cid's body suddenly disappeared, almost as if Ramuh was waiting for Cid's body to be struck through the heart to allow for that to happen

"Hm...that it didn't happen earlier is a surprise but that it happened at all isn't, well I shall give you the reward for bringing me his body and then you can leave"

"Understood"

As soon as the group left the capital Wade made sure to send a Stolas to the Hideaway since that was the fastest method available to him so that the group knew that Cid was gone, his body disappearing before the antidote could be administered and once sent Wade spoke to the rest of the group to let them know that it was time to return to their original work near Isolde

"Come on, we have work to do"

"Right"

Back at the Hideaway the group was simply waiting for word that the plan had succeeded when suddenly Gav came in and Clive knew that it was urgent

"It's from Wade, I didn't get the full message but it stated that you and Dion needed to be here to hear the full message"

"Right"

And so Clive says the words to access the message not knowing it would change everything

"Wyvern the plan worked and failed at the same time, Dion your death is still believed and your supposed killer has been punished and thus the Hideaway is safe for the moment. However you are now the full leader of the Hideaway Wyvern, Gav, you will need to tell your scouts and help Wyvern tell the rest of the Hideaway of the loss of Cid, his body disappeared when the Emperor put a spear through Cid's heart, the flash of lightening means that Ramuh was involved somehow but we don't know why. I'm sorry for your loss everyone, but we Guardians will do what we can to continue the mission in Cid's honor, as soon as it's safe we'll get some Bearers to you I promise, and of course we shall continue working to free Rosaria while not arising suspicions among us, Sir Wade signing off"

As soon as the message was fully given Clive turns to Dion and speaks up

"So...I was told to pass on a message to you"

"Oh?"

"Yes, what we talked about before this whole thing started is still valid...Cid"

"I see, I wish it hadn't happened this way, especially since the rest of the Hideaway wasn't made aware of the private conversation the three of us had, but I understand"

"Uh Clive, why are you calling Dion by Cid's name?"

"Because that is who I am now, before he and Clive met with Sir Wade and Lord Byron the three of us had a private meeting and Cid asked me to take on his name and mission should anything go wrong at any point, including any potential plans to fake Cid's death to my father"

"I see, then what are your orders for me Cid?"

"For now they are the same as Sir Wade's suggestion, along with passing on the word that I am now Cid per the original Cid's decision"

"Understood"

After Gav left Dion sat down in the chair and sighed heavily before speaking up

"How are we going to do this Clive? I mean...we're still about a decade separated from when you originally met Cid and you no longer have Ramuh's power like you did when we fought Ultima at the last, instead you have Bahamut in his place and while that's helpful it's not what you need ultimately"

"I'm not entirely sure Dion, but we'll figure it out I promise and...if you don't feel comfortable doing so you don't have to go into the field often as Cid"

"No, we'll keep to the same schedule you and the original Cid have had these past three years, it won't be easy I know, but it must be done so that no one suspects the full truth"

"Are you absolutely sure? I mean...you're already taking on the name of a dead man, and then there's the fact that if you don't have a good disguise on regularly the Empire will figure things out eventually and then there will be even more trouble for us"

"I know the risks and yes I'm sure I want to keep to the normal schedule, as for a disguise...I've thought of one ever since we talked about me taking over Cid's name in this timeline since you've already established your outlaw identity"

"And the fact that you can't fling lightening around like Cid can? I know for a fact that Cid made that a signature move"

"You can't either since you were never given Ramuh's powers"

"Actually I was, right before Cid left to enact the plan made by Sir Wade"

"But the report..."

"Ramuh somehow knew of the plan and thus left just enough of himself with Cid so that Cid could fight using his power and doing what happened when the Emperor stabbed Cid with the spear, but I had the majority of Ramuh's abilities with me"

"Did...did you feel it when Cid was stabbed in the heart?"

"No, but I do have the rest of Ramuh I can tell you that"

"Then he's truly gone"

"Yes, he is"

"By the way, what about his blood oath? I know it wasn't completely fulfilled from what you told me and that I remember of your history"

"Any witnesses or those he told about the oath are to try and make sure that the oath is fulfilled if possible, it isn't done regularly but there are those who try and keep to that tradition, if no one takes up the oath then nothing serious happens to anyone. However the magic is felt for a while after by Bearers or Dominants at the place the blood oath is made if left unfulfilled, making some people avoid those spots if at all possible"

"So basically Phoenix Gate is avoided by Bearers if possible, not that it means much since no one goes there anyways due to...well you know"

"Yeah, I know"

"Is there any way to help with that issue? I know that if the blood oath is completed that will help I've heard it from some Bearers that served under me before that have been in that situation before when we've been on diplomatic missions to Rosaria in the past, but we might need Bearers to meet at Phoenix Gate because it's avoided by everyone and those meetings are going to have to happen before the completion of the blood oath"

"Unfortunately there's no other option but to complete the blood oath ourselves if we want the issue resolved"

"Why did he make a blood oath anyways? I mean...he should have known the history of Rosaria and how serious making such an oath was"

"He never told me even after I asked multiple times"

"I see"

"In any case while I get why you want to use Phoenix Gate for clandestined meetings, including with Bearers you might want to rethink that plan"

"Right"

"Dion...if he does remember in two years time do you want to meet with Joshua?"

"I...yes but shouldn't you be the one to meet with him after so long apart? I mean...you two barely had any time together once reunited in the previous timeline from what I understood and for the majority of the time period you were separated you thought him dead"

"That's true, but at the same time you also had very little time with him and I know that you wanted to be friends with him if at all possible, especially because of the fact that in all honesty we shouldn't be meeting up with him at all until we originally did ten years from now, and even that reunion was brief, with me only catching a glimps of him before blacking out after meeting up with Ultima the first time right before losing Cid who used the last of his strength to kill that version of Ultima. As such the proper reunion won't happen for another fifteen years if Joshua even remembers since he won't want to risk Ultima finding out things if at all possible"

"I see, in any case though we have a lot of work ahead of us don't we?"

"Yes, we do indeed have a lot of work ahead of us and while I know you want to stick to the same rotation that the original Cid and I created I think that we should go together for a little bit so that everyone can get used to the new Cid since some of the contacts worked with both of us instead of one or the other, and Cid's contacts are not going to trust you initially and you know that"

"Yeah, you have a point"

The next two years weren't easy for the group but in time Dion was accepted as the new Cid and the schedule Clive and the original Cid was put into place between Clive and Dion and then two days after Joshua would have turned fifteen Clive receives a Stolas from Joshua stating that he remembered the future and would like to meet up with Clive and Cid to coordinate information regarding Ultima