A/N: Remember, I’m only writing this for the fun of it, so no flaming please!

I forgot to mention in the prologue that Ashe’s costume is based on her Fortress design (it was a spin off to Final Fantasy XII that went bankrupt). You can see it here: http:// final fantasy. wikia. com/ wiki/ File:Fortress_-_ Ashe. jpg (Its the design on the left.)

Vaan is based on this picture I saw on Deviant Art: http:// flo-moshi. deviantart. com/ art/ vaan- from- final- fantasy- XII- 49103026?offset= 40#comments

Chapter 1: The Bismarck

One week later

The Galbana bounded through the clouds at neck-breaking speeds. Her target: a plump merchant ship with a substantial quantity of nethicite in her belly; the Bismarck. The newest owner of Draklor Laboratories took it upon himself to exclusively escort his precious cargo to Rozarrian Empire, through Dalmasca. It’s a shame it will never make it, Vaan smirked privately.

This was the life; chasing ship, harassing the rich merchants, what more could a Sky Pirate ask for? A Queen to share this with of course, Vaan expressed a bittersweet smile. There was no doubt in his mind that he could court Ashe and win. He knew there would be difficulties, but when Vaan closed his eyes and listened to the wind whistle through his hair, he knew Ashe is what his heart wanted. Everything else is mere details.

Vaan, Penelo and the Galbana’s crew stood on her roof waiting for the Bismarck to creep into sight. This was a simple procedure. Hook the prey in, storm her deck and apprehend her party. Quick, dirty and just the way Vaan liked his meat; rare.

“Filo! Man the grapple hook!” Vaan commanded.

“Aye, aye Captain!” Filo cried from within the ship.

The Galbana slid up to the side of the merchant ship as she frantically struggled with two grapple hooks embedded in her side. The kill was close. When the two ships were successfully bound together Vaan utilised a rag to glide across to The Bismarck via the steel rope of the grapple hook. His loyal crew followed.

“Surrender pirate scum!” A gravelly growl emitted from an opening hatch. Burly humes lugged forth like filthy Behemoths. Mercenaries? Of course! That explains why such a valuable cargo was flying unescorted. Not to worry; they’re only a minor set back in my plan. Their overpowering build didn’t faze Vaan. Many of the giants did not carry weapons, rather that they scrunched their fists into balls that were roughly the size of an Ozmone Bunny.

Don’t these morons know anything? Never take on a Sky Pirate without a weapon.

Vaan extracted his Arcturus from the hoister on his back. It’s show time. Immediately he shot the nearest hulk through the kneecap and smirked. (He won’t be walking without a clutch for the next few months!) Around him his faithful crew were following his lead. Penelo’s fist ignited with white fire. She stepped back and tossed the Holy at a man. Kytes waved his Zeus Mace, ice crawled up the leg of a hume’s breeches and bound him in place.

Blood-thirsty flames danced on Llyud’s Gungnir. The aegyl lifted the lance high above his head and slashed. Sablé, Ciett and Teak mowed through the mercenaries with fervour.

Every where the humes were falling in large numbers, but there were still many more to go.

Nirvana revolved in Penelo’s her hands as her hips swayed to the silent beat the battle. She whispered incarnations. White-hot fire dispersed into her staff, quickening her steps. Again, she turned in an impossibly fast tango that amazed the humes around her. The Forbidden Dance was complete. Humes groaned and clutched their stomachs’ as green flames licked their bodies. They sprawled across the deck, convulsing in pain like poisoned Cockatrice.

Vaan alternated between Anastasia, Arcturus and a number of Platinum Daggers.

“Feeling lucky Pirate?”The large hume loomed over Vaan. The man balled a fist and struck, but Vaan was too quick for him. He ducked. Anastasia hacked an opening in the mercenary’s chest, his eyes rolled backwards and into the back of his head before he fainted.

Vaan moved forward but, yet again he was confronted. A man with a crude great sword stood in his path; he brandished his sword as an arrogant challenge for Vaan to duel him. Vaan pulled Anastasia from her stealth at his hips. The grizzly hume lunged forward while bringing his great sword down on Vaan with huge power. In the last second, Anastasia swung up and meet his attack. The hume swiped at Vaan again and again but he was too slow. In a final attempt to prevail, the Hume swung his sword in a circle and switched aim for Vaan’s thigh. Vaan moved but the powerful blow sliced through the fabric of his pants and grazed his skin. Anastasia retaliated. Vaan slashed her forward and drove her tip into the man’s shoulder. He slumped to the ground while clutching his shoulder; admitting defeat.

Vaan continued to carve through the crowd. Another heavy hume stood in the way of the hatch. The hume threw his fist at Vaan in a frenzy, fortunately Vaan was able to thwart his attack by ducking behind his Demon Shield. Vaan threw a Platinum Dagger that embedded itself in his thigh; he fell to the deck while swearing violently.

“Penelo, keep them distracted while I go below!” Vaan shouted over the havoc.

Penelo turned around from where she was beginning the Dance of Darkness. The worry in her blue eyes was penetrating.

“Be careful Vaan!” A green blaze passed from Penelo’s fingertips and into the wound at Vaan’s thigh. Skin closed over the wound, stitching itself together and leaving only a thin line of white against tan, “Don’t pick any unnecessary fights. I don’t want to see you hurt.”

Vaan nodded then ducked into the belly of The Bismarck.

The Bismarck could be considered luxurious by a Sky Pirate’s standards. (Vaan had seen better) Intricate paintings lined the hallways, accompanied by statues. Every inch of each room that Vaan snuck past was finely lavished with objects that could feed a family in Rabanastre for a year. It’s sick how selfish these people are. Families in Dalmasca are starving while these people live in extravagance! In some ways, Vaan felt that that stealing only from the rich was justified. Not that he needed an excuse.

Wait! What’s that sound? Vaan sidestepped behind a statue just as a heavy man, his uncoordinated assistant and the well dressed Captain walked past.

“...tell the mercenaries to kill them! Judge Magistrate Draco specified that those antidotes are to arrive untouched and classified to the Royal Palace of Rabanastre. Those potions are worth more than your life! The President spat.

A Judge in the Rabanastre Palace? I have never heard of a Judge Magistrate Draco. I’ll have to ask Ashe about this when I get back, Vaan questioned. What’s this about rare antidotes?

“The mercenaries are doing their best. I am afraid to say that the pirates’ forces are far stronger than we expected. We have no choice but to abandon ship.”

“Nonsense! Those antidotes must not fall into filthy pirate hands. They will all die with the ship,” The President scoffed vulgarly.

The Captain said nothing. Perhaps he did not agree with leaving the mercenaries and most of his crew for the dead. Perhaps he respected the President’s power more than he honoured doing what was right. Perhaps he was just as cruel as his leading superior. This was obvious in Vaan’s eyes.

“What do you want me to do sir?” The assistant asked quietly.

The President sighed with haughty intolerance, “Run ahead and check on the mercenaries. I will activate the self-destruct mode and ready the escape pods. Alert what members of the crew you see along the way. Captain, you are with me”

Heartless Swine! Vaan sneered. What potions are worth more than the lives of every man and woman on this ship?

“Yes sir!” The assistant ran ahead in the direction of the hatch. (Boy he was in for a surprise!)

The President of Draklor Laboratories continued to walk down the hall to where Vaan presumed the bridge of the Bismarck lay. Vaan stepped in time behind him; close enough to watch his every move, yet far enough for a quick duck and cover if the need arose. He snuck closer; pulling a Platinum dagger from its stealth and prepared to ambush.

“That will be far enough Mr. President,” Vaan slid an arm over his chunky chest and held a dagger over his throat. The President could only squirm. One wrong move and Vaan could have easily killed him.

The Captain stared in shock. The President struggled but Vaan was too powerful.

“Pirate scum! Who are you? What do you want from me?” He growled under his breath.

“You may know me as the Dread Sky Pirate Vaan Dragonsbane of Dalmasca, Captain of the Galbana and superior to pigs like you!” Vaan recited confidently.

“Hands in the air, now!”Vaan shoved the President forward and replaced his Platinum Dagger for Arcturus, “Show me where the bridge is.”

Arcturus kept a trained eye on its two hostages and marched them forward slowly. The President resumed glaring haughtily at his own shoes.

Ashe could feel the flames of irritation consuming her. She sat at her throne (almost slouching with annoyance) while the endless line of suitors showered her with offerings. To add to her frustration, she was beginning to feel her neck muscles ache from wearing her crown for too long.

It almost seemed as if the entire male population of Ivalice had decided to try their luck at courting the Queen of Dalmasca. Humes of every nationally lined the halls of the Royal Palace, there were even some hopeful women to court the men. As usual, Ashe thought the whole deal was ludicrous.

None of the humes stood out from the crowd. They brought with them flowery poetry, gifts and other thoughtless offerings, but Ashe was not impressed. None of the suitors offered her anything meaningful. Their sugar-coated lies wore through fast and then only the ugly interior remained. I’m only a trophy to them. A prize to enjoy earning but later is forgotten and barely tolerated.

A trumpet cry pierced the scattering buzz of chatter. “Please welcome the honourable Emperor Larsa Ferrinas Solidor and his personal guard, Judge Magistrate Gabranth of Archades!”

A murmur of whispers erupted. Ashe didn’t need to guess what they were gossiping about. (The Emperor is here to court the Queen? Do you think he could win her? I still don’t trust the Empire.)

Ashe stood up and swept her skirts, she bobbed her head respectfully.

“Emperor Larsa, Judge Magistrate Gabranth; it is my pleasure to welcome you to the Royal Palace of Rabanastre.”

Larsa stepped forward and bowed low. “Your Majesty Ashelia, it is an honour to see you again.”

Ashe was quite surprised at how greatly Larsa had grown; they were almost the same height. (Ashe being several inches taller) His long, brown hair was swept back in an elegant ponytail that usually hid his dark eyes. What surprised Ashe the most was the deep rings under these eyes that spoke of hardship beyond his sixteen years.

Gabranth or rather, Basch Fon Ronsenburg was dressed in his inherited suit of plate amour with a velvet cape. Basch slipped off his helmet to address his former charge. “Lady Ashelia,” He nodded politely.

Basch looked happier than Ashe could remember him being on their adventure. The corner of his lips tipped upwards in a slight smile. Physically he remained the same; bright blond hair, a horizontal scar over his eyebrow and blue eyes; he didn’t seem a day older. In fact, with his content visage Basch seemed younger than he looked five years ago.

“If you could please step this way, tea will be prepared for us in the terrace.”

The bridge of The Bismarck was much like every other room of its interior; gaudy and technologically advanced. Draklor Laboratories equipment lined every wall and a man sat at every control panel. When Vaan entered with the President and Captain held at gun point, not a hume in the room moved. Vaan resisted the urge to laugh as all the humes slowly lifted their hands into the air without Vaan having said a word. Am I really that fearsome? I could get used to this.

Vaan dug into his pocket and pulled out his communicator to the Galbana. It was shaped like a large round disk with pores over its surface in which sound was relayed and transmitted.

“Filo, I’m in the bridge of the Bismarck and I have their crew under my control. I’m going to tell them to land the Bismarck in the Giza Plains to we can take their cargo. Reel in the grapple hooks, will you? Land the Galbana behind the Bismarck in the Giza Plains”

“Sure thing Vaan. I hope they have lots of treasure on board! Over and out!” Filo’s voice crackled over the communicator.

The Bismarck swayed as it was released for its bonds. All humes who were standing at the time tipped over from the sheer size of the ships bulk shifting while afloat. Vaan also lost his balance. In the few moments Vaan lost control, the President scooted across to the control panel behind him and detached the ship’s portable detonating device. Vaan didn’t see this happen.

“Nobody move unless I tell you to. Those of you that normally fly this ship, return to your stations and prepare to land in the Giza Plains. Remember, I have the President detained. Unless you want to return home and explain how you lost the President of Draklor Laboratories, I suggest you do what I say!” Vaan picked up the bridge’s microphone and handed it to the Captain, “Tell your men to disengage.”

A shadow of doubt passed across the Captain’s face but he did what he was told. “Crew of the Bismarck, this is your Captain speaking. All units disengage and allow yourself to be handcuffed by the enemy. I repeat; all units disengage and allow yourself to be handcuffed by the enemy.”

“This is absurd! You’ll never get away with it. Judge Magistrate Draco will personally order your death if you take this cargo. The Rozarrian Empire wants their Nethicite!“ The President rambled while he slipped the detonator in his pocket. His stout cheeks reddened and beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, “I won’t have this! Soon all ships loyal to the Empire will be here to arrest you.”

Vaan knew that the President was bluffing. He had already made sure that Filo scrambled all frequencies within a one mile radius. That was the procedure with all heists.

“We’ll just have to hurry then. If this ‘Judge Magistrate Draco’ wants my head, he’ll have catch me first,” Vaan said confidently. “Mr. President, Captain; you’re going to show me the cargo hold. The rest of you are to land this ship. Don’t try anything funny ‘cause the Galbana has her nethicite cannons aimed right at you.”

The garden terrace of the Rabanastre palace was tastefully decorated with species of plants from all across Ivalice. Vines drifted across the sculpted walls, Estersand poppies scattered around the native fishhook and saguaro cactuses. The Dalmascan roses were the envy of all plants in the garden. Their strong scent and petals of the deepest red drew all eyes to their bloom. Ashe admired these blossoms the most. For years, Ashe had escaped her life of royalty by sneaking out to the terrace to inhale the scent of the roses. Sniffing a flower seemed so normal, something even a Queen could enjoy.

Basch, Larsa and Ashe sat at a round table amidst the roses. A maid laid out a variety of Dalmascan cuisine, including crystallised Cactite candy, steamed Chocobo meat and Dalmascan sun cakes. No one ate a bite.

Larsa cleared his throat to relieve the tension, “Lady Ashe, I do not wish you to be alarmed over our arrival. Basch and I are not here to court you, merely to see through the desires of the Senate. As Emperor it is expected that I at least attempt to arrange a diplomatic marriage between out nations for the greater good of Ivalice. This will not be the case.”

”Will the Senate not be unhappy when you return without the promise of marriage?” Ashe queried.

“The Senate assess whomever I choose as the Empress of Archades. It is my choice alone to whom I court. They will have no objections to my saying that you and I do not suit. We are here as an elaborate hoax to mislead the Archadian society into believing that I was unsuccessful in courting the Queen of Dalmasca,” Larsa smiled reassuringly.

Ashe nodded. She felt the weight in her chest slightly lifting and giving her more room to breathe. What a relief! I don’t think I could handle explaining my refusal to both kingdoms.

Ashe turned to Basch who had just started nibbling a piece of Cactite candy. “It is wonderful to see you again Basch. May I enquire what has placed you in such good spirits?”

He placed the candy back on his plate and looked up at Ashe with eyes that radiated energy, “I am married now.”

Ashe was taken aback by this statement. Basch married? I always thought that his loyalties were only to his charges. Will everyone find love before I will? Suddenly all the many people that loved Ashe seemed few and far between. As the Queen and Princess, Ashe had always been forced to be careful about who she associated with. Many of the aristocrats of her court seemed friendly but secretly sneered at her behind her back. Ashe knew this better than most.

How many true friends do I really have? Basch and Vossler were always there to defend me, even if I did not need protection... Larsa has offered me his undying aid countless times. Fran and Balthier are trustworthy, as far as Sky Pirates go... Penelo has been like the little sister I never had, but Vaan...

There was something special about the connection between Ashe and Vaan. It was like an unbreakable thread that tied each of their hearts together for all eternity. The farther away they walked from on another, the more the thread tugged, the colder the palace seemed. Ashe jerked awake from her chain of thoughts. Vaan is a good companion that can always make me laugh. No more nonsense about an unbreakable bond with a Sky Pirate and finding true love! I am the Queen of Dalmasca for Occurias’ sake! Ashe scolded herself.

“Are you well Lady Ashe?”Basch interrupted. Ashe’s head shot up to see both Larsa and Basch staring at her with concern.

“F-fine! I apologise for my digression. I have much on my mind at present.”

“Perhaps it would be best if you rested for the time being. Basch and I will leave you to your peace,” Larsa stood to leave, Basch did the same.

“That will not be necessary. I am perfectly well. Why don’t you tell about the lucky hume you married Basch?”

Basch smiled once again. He told Ashe about his lovely wife of four months, the Lady Lysistrate Fon Ronsenburg of the court of Arcades. Basch briefly described how the two met at Larsa’s coronation ball and instantly felt a connection. Their marriage was small and personal, with a small number of guests from Arcades. Basch seemed truly happy to be married to the woman he loved.

“...we are expecting a child in seven months time,” he beamed with pride. Ashe decided that she wanted met this woman. Anyone that could melt the heart of the stoic Ex-Captain of the Royal Dalmascan Army was a friend in her books.

“That’s wonderful news Basch. I’ll have to visit Archades some time to your wife and child.”

She couldn’t help but feel jealous that most women her age would already have a large family and children to look after. Deep down, Ashe was like every other female in Ivalice; she wanted a family and a love to share her life with. The only thing that stood in her way was her entire kingdom.

“Basch and I are also here to discuss with you other business on behalf of the Dalmascan-Archadian Alliance,” Larsa injected.

“What news do you have for me?”

“It has come to the senate’s attention that there are a number of extremist in Arcadia who remain loyal to my brother, Vayne. In the past this has not been a problem for our law in enforcements, however the number of people who support this clause, has of late escalated,” Larsa paused while frowning. “You must be more careful in the future Lady Ashe. We now have on our hands a rebellion that will stop at nothing to resurrect the Empire. If this situation is not handled carefully they could initiate a revolution across Ivalice.”

A rebellion? To what reasons do the people of Arcadia have to be unhappy? Something did not seem quite right to Ashe. What use could reinstating the Empire have for the people of Ivalice? How was Dalmasca involved with this?

“There may be threats against your life in the future. The Underground will stop at nothing to have the whole of Ivalice under their control,” Basch was no longer smiling. The lines on his forehead creased into a concerned frown.

“Not only that but, we have our suspicions that the Underground may have infested your political system.”

It was too much to absorb at once. Ashe messaged her temples and contemplated what to do. Traitors in my Government? I’ll see to it that they are all hanged!

“What do we know about this organisation?” She asked.

“Not much,” Larsa sighed. “Our spies have only been able to extract their motive, also that the leader of the Underground is the Former Judge Magistrate Draco, who reigned from before the Empire began. Nothing is known about his true identity or where he is now.”

Everything I’ve worked for ruined... Who can I trust? Who is there to turn to? Ashe tried not to panic. There could be spies watching me at this very moment. If I don’t act soon they could have the entire kingdom under their control!

Ashe abruptly stood up from her chair, “Thank you gentlemen, you have given me much to ponder over. If you would excuse me, I will be retiring to my room for the rest of the afternoon. An assistant will show you to your quarters for your stay.”

Ashe strode out of the room before Larsa or Basch could say another word. The Emperor and his guardian exchanged a knowing frown.

“Vaan, there you are!” Penelo bounded down the hallway to where the President and Captain were leading him to the cargo hold. The crew of the Galbana followed. Vaan noted how none of the seemed extremely hurt and all were accounted for. Must have been an easy ride.

“Most of the crew surrendered when they heard that announcement. We’ve tied all of them to the mast on the deck. So what do you want us to do now?” Penelo questioned.

His crew turned to him expectantly, “Kytes, Llyud, Vazz; follow me to the cargo hold. The rest of you take the Captain and make him show you to the bridge. Follow Penelo’s lead. Make sure that they land this ship in the Giza Plains, will you?”

“Right,” Penelo jostled the Captain down the hall in the opposite direction. Vaan, Kytes, Llyud, Vazz and the President began to descend lower and lower, into the belly of the Bismarck. The President still clutched the detonator in his hands.

When they reached the cargo hold, Kytes and Vazz gasped in amazement. The room was enormous. Glowing, green-blue nethicite used a portion of the space but the majority of the hold was empty or contained boxes of food. The nethicite was stacked securely in wooden crates with openings that filtered out the eerie glow of its contents.

The crates swayed slightly as the Bismarck landed. Llyud jumped into the air and scanned the surroundings. Vazz, being a Seeq with shaky balance, jolted to the ground. Vaan, Kytes and the President tilted slightly, Vaan turned around to see the cargo entrance open with a metallic clank. Looks like Penelo has everything under control in the bridge. Time for us to make our escape!

“Search all the crates for the potions,” Vaan ordered.

It took five solid minutes of searching before they were found. The vials were stowed under multiple boxes of food. Vaan opened the crate and looked upon its contents. These potions certainly did not at all look like regular antidotes. Normal antidotes were a vibrant green that radiated health, but these antidotes... They looked sinister and foreboding. A black precipitate swirled in a white solution; it reminded Vaan of clouds of soot dancing through Chocobo milk.

Vaan picked up a vial and read the label. ‘Warning: This vial contains the ashes of a Phoenix. Guaranteed to cure all varieties of poisons. Not to be consumed unless in dire situations’

Ashes of a Phoenix? I haven’t seen a Phoenix since we killed that one at the Pharos at Ridorana four years ago. If this works, it will come in use later. Vaan slipped the potion in his pocket.

“Okay, we need to lift these crates out through the cargo entrance and onto the Galbana. Kytes, help me with this one.” Vaan and Kytes lifted the crate containing the antidotes and carried it towards the entrance. Vazz and Llyud followed with a heavy box of manufactured nethicite.

“I’m afraid I can’t let you do that.”

Vaan turned to see the President holding a small device with a bright red button in the centre. A detonator! Where did he find it? I can’t let him blow up this ship, Penelo and the rest of the crew are still on board!

”Put down the potions or I’ll blow everyone on this ship sky high!”

Vaan cocked Arcturus in his direction and growled, “I think you’re mistaken on who is in charge of the situation here; I am. Unless you want to die where you stand I suggest you drop the detonator and put your hands in the air!”

The tension in the air was electrifying. The President continued to hold the self-destruct remote even though he had four weapons pointed at him. He ran his thumb pad teasingly over the red button. Sweat dipped down Vaan’s brow but he didn’t dare move to wipe it away. The President looked completely confident in himself. A stalemate had been reached.

“I wonder if your little crew would be able to find their way off of the ship by themselves, hmm? I have no concern for the men aboard this ship. They are just Chocobo lining up in the corral to me. However, if I return to Archades without having delivered the potions; the Judge will have my head. I have no choice, you see.”

“Last warning, President. Put down the remote!”

“No.”

Time seemed to slow. The President pressed the red button with an audible click. A moment later, a nethicite-induced spark was created in the chamber of Arcturus; the windslicer bullet was propelled forward and shot out of the barrel of the gun. The bullet embedded itself in the shoulder blade of the President.

A siren screeched from above Vaan’s head. The artificial light of the cargo hold muted and switched to a rotating red glare.

“Attention, attention; self-destruct mechanism activated. Thirty minutes until destruction. All units evacuate the vessel immediately. I repeat...”

A horrified look passed across the President’s face, he pressed his palm to the wound and stared at the blood that smeared across his hand.

No! I’ll never be able to find Penelo in thirty minutes. What am I going to do? Vaan was on the edge of panic. He knew he could not save everyone on that ship. There was no way of knowing where the bomb was stored, and he didn’t have the skills to defuse the bomb even if he did find it. Vaan knew there was only one thing that he could do; try. I can’t leave my crew behind!

“Llyud! Drag the President outside. The rest of you run to the Galbana and ready her for take off! I’m going find the rest of my crew.”