Welcome to my newest story that plagued my head. I know, I know. Stop writing new ones when others aren’t done. I couldn’t think of anything for the others. So, sorry.
Disclaimer time!!

I do not under any circumstances own Final Fantasy XII or Tales of the Abyss. I’m just playing around with them innocently.

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Looking left and right, all she saw was darkness. She shivered from the cold that seemed to exist. Wait, why was it cold? She didn’t remember being near Keterburg when she fell asleep. Last she knew, she was with Luke and the others above the East Rugnica plains! How could she have appeared in a dark void that was as cold as the snow? Shaking her head to clear her mind, she stepped forward in the inky blackness and fell.

She woke up later with sand in her mouth. She sat up quickly and spat the grainy substance out. She looked around. There was no more void and dark but, rather blinding sunshine, heat and sad, lots and lots of sand. She slowly stood up, fighting away whatever nausea that had built and looked at her new surroundings. It was definitely a desert but, not exactly like Chesedonia. No, this place was different.

She heard sounds of fighting behind her and spun around and noticed a young boy with short blond hair fighting two wolves. He looked about done in. Tear hurried. Singing her fonic Hymn, she quickly put the beasts to rest and hurried to the boy’s side. He looked toward her and smiled.
“Thanks. Thought I was a goner.” He said as Tear healed him. He noticed that she wasn’t chanting any spell or, anything to heal him. It was certainly, different. “You’re not from around here, are you? Are you from out of town?” Tear didn’t answer until she stood up, finished with the healing. Her cold demeanor returned.

“No, I’m not.” She said hastily. She eyed the boy cautiously. He was armed with a short sword and a shield, practical weapons for the battlefield. His clothing, however, was not suited for battle but rather for casual wear. He wore a vest that barely covered his torso, held by an odd looking pendant, a pair of matching pants, and a red sash wrapped around his waist. He wore semi-armored gloves, which she guessed was to protect his hands from an enemy attack and rather simple armor boots. It was adequate, she guessed.

“Ouch, alright. Um, what’s with the staring?” he asked quickly and Tear jumped back a little. He noticed her long and flowing brown hair and sapphire eyes. She carried a staff that was sharp near the top. From her spell casting, he could tell she wasn’t a close range fighter but, why the sharp looking staff? He scanned over her, just as she did to him and quickly looked away when he realized just what he was looking at. “So, uh, w-what’s your name?”

Tear looked at him. Why would he ask her name without giving his?
“I believe it is more polite to address yourself before asking about others.” She snapped harshly. He was so much like Luke used to be. Oh well, at least she knew how to deal with him.

“Oh right. I’m sorry. My name’s Vaan.” Vaan said, regaining his posture as the Wild Saurian passed them by and decided to snack on a nearby wolf. Tear found the monster interesting but didn’t make any movements towards it.

“Tear. Tear grants.” She said simply. “Is there a town or city nearby? I’d rather not stay here any longer.” She watched the giant dinosaur for a while before turning away to study the blond, who folded his arms behind his head. Vaan was it?

“Huh? Oh yeah, there’s Rabanastre to the west and a small resting area for travelers to the east.” Vaan said but spoke the rest to himself, literally, as Tear began her move west towards Rabanastre. “Hey! Wait up!”

“Why? You’ve already given me my directions so you may go now.” Why was he being so persistent?

“Cuz, I live in Rabanastre, that’s why?” Oh, that’s why. Tear sighed. She’d be traveling with this boy for just a little while, so she can get out of this Score-forsaken desert.

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POV Change – Vaan
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Ouch, talk about cold hearted. I mean, seriously. I asked her a simple question and she looks like she’s going to rip my head off. Tear Grants huh? She’s certainly an interesting one. I mean, her healing and even that attack she did to kill the wolves. Wow! I don’t think I’ve been this impressed for a while. I’m deciding to go with her for a few reasons.

One, my hunt is over so I actually need to go back anyways.
Two, travelers can’t just waltz into Rabanastre right now with the new Consul arriving and all.
And three, I want to ask her about that magic of hers. Man, I hope she tells me and I don’t end up on the wrong side of those spells.

Though, her manner of dress is a little weird. I wonder… No, better not go down that train of thought. It’s weird just talking with her. Stupid hormones!
Wow, didn’t even know I knew that word.

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POV Change – Tear
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I don’t see why he had to come with me. Sure, he lived here and all but does he have to stand so close? No matter. I will not be rude. He’s just some teenager who happens to act a bit too much like Luke. I mean, he even has the wandering eyes and personality down. Stick some red hair on his head and there’s Luke for you.

Though, I doubt that Luke would dress in such a manner. I mean, even replicas, I mean he, has some sense of decency.

His clothing aside, I looked ahead and noticed a group of rather poor looking people and some knights. Wait, were those lizard things monsters? I stopped behind them and listened. That boy, Vaan, went over to one of the kids on the side. Apparently, he knew him.

“Out of the way. Make way! Make Way!” one of the knights said, he sounded disgusted about the citizens. They must’ve been denizens of the city. But, why wouldn’t they let them through? They sounded so rude. That was not how a proper soldier was to act. They were civilians. Soldiers were to protect them. Not treat them like dirt.

The soldiers started moving as giant birds headed their way, the citizens moved too, ordered by the knights. Why were birds allowed through the gates? I didn’t understand. I heard Vaan speak up.

“Why would you let these chocobos through and not us? We have every right to be in our own city!” he yelled at one of the knights. He just shoved Vaan to the side.

“Mind your manners boy. These are pedigree paraders, they’re worth far more gil than even a hundred of ya.” The knight spat as the bird walked through the gates. I noticed something red on the ground under the bird’s feet. They looked like flowers. They had gotten smashed as the bird walked by. Vaan looked at the flowers, horror on his face. Ah, so those were his. But, why was he so worked up.

“That does it.” He started but was cut off by some sort of grunting and a chuckle. I watched the gate as one of those lizard creatures passed through, carrying a bottle and followed by a young girl who rushed to Vaan’s side. I didn’t catch the old lizard’s conversation with the knight but, soon everyone started walking into the city. My eyes narrowed on the soldiers as I passed. How could they? A citizen’s life was worth so much more than a bird.

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POV Change – Normal
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Tear looked around in the city. There were soldiers all over the place. She felt someone grab her shoulder. As she spun around she saw Vaan. He had this big smile on his face, the girl from before was behind him, staring at her with an ‘I’m-not-going-to-lose-to-you’ look. Tear blinked once before he spoke.

“Hey, Tear was it?” Vaan asked. Tear nodded to confirm his question before he continued. “Penelo and I were wondering if you wanted to come with us to go see the parade.” Tear blinked again.

“P-Parade? For what?” she began, unknowing how to react in this situation.

“The new Consul. Apparently, that’s what that hold up earlier was for. So, wanna come?” he asked again. Tear sighed once and then nodded her head.

“Sure.” She said simply. Before she could regain her composure, she was already being dragged toward the parade site with Penelo, Tear assumed was the girl, by her side.

When the odd trio reached the site, the parade had already started. They were just in time to see the Consul arrive on his fancy float. Tear watched him. He noticed her cold glare and smirked almost sinisterly. She caught this and almost wanted to cast one of her fonic hymns but, if he really was their consul, she could do nothing or else she’s be persecuted and stripped of her rank. She couldn’t do that. She watched as he passed and watched Vaan tense up from the corner of her eye. He seemed to hate this man.

Penelo wore a sorrowful look. She hated this man too. Why did they hate their consul? Wait, she had heard this was called the royal city, so, where was the king? Why was there a need for a consul? She shook her head from the thought as her partners left the parade site. She followed behind them; she wanted to know what was going on.

She found them sitting together on some stone steps. They were talking. It seemed sorrowful. So, she watched them, and tried to hear what they were talking about.
Penelo spoke first.

“Vaan, I know it’s been hard on you these last two years since Reks died but, please, you can’t keep getting into all of this trouble! It’s not worth it.” She pleaded. Vaan looked away. “Vaan! Look at me!”

“Penelo, I can’t keep still while the empire treats Dalmasca like crap. We aren’t worthless. I’m going to sneak into the palace tonight and find something that can fetch a nice price. Then we won’t have to worry about the empire ruining our lives.” He said looking the other way.

Tear looked disgusted. How could he think about stealing from them? They were their rulers, no matter how bad they were. She would not help him if he asked, no matter what. She would have to stop him. She watched him get up and walk the other way. Penelo looked down. How could he be like that? Didn’t he notice how much she was suffering? He was…he was…so selfish! Just like Luke had been.

“Luke…” she said under her breath as she looked to the sky. Her only clue was ‘Dalmasca’ and it did her no good. But, for now, her mission was to stop Vaan. Not as an acquaintance but as a soldier. She hurried after him, passing by Penelo, but she didn’t seem to notice. He went through a gate and down. Where was he going? She quickened her pace, and followed into the city’s depth, and hoped that she could stop this foolishness.

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A.N: Ugh, short. Oh well. Cliffy. Hope you guys liked it. I don’t know how long it’ll go but, Reviews are loved, and flames shall be eaten. I suck at writing long chapters or whatever.