I don't think you people are getting the point.

THIS IS NOT A PARODY. PLEASE STOP TURNING IT INTO ONE. THANK YOU.

~Masamune~

... and a new story! Some may be familiar with this, there was a FFOG that survived not two, but three different messageboards. This story was no doubt the longest OnGoing Story this group has ever seen and one of the most in depth.

The way it works is simple. This story is original and all our own. Our own characters, our own plot, our own world, and no ties to any previous story or games. However, to maintain the ties to the series, you will see some familiar stuff pop up. Like summoned monsters, weapons, maybe even a few various names.

(Luigi of the Pipes: And Mog. He's in every FF :p.)

This works like most other OGs, characters in the story are open for people to use. However, a unique twist is that each author may choose to insert a character of their own creation into the mix. This character may be nothing at all like them, but is their 'avatar' in this world. Though everyone may write about this character, the creator of the character ultimately makes the decisions for his/her backstory and personality. But don't worry too much about that, since this should not be a big deal.

Oh, and a small plea. Please, PLEASE introduce your character in the course of the main character's journey. I know this may seem odd and a bit difficult, but having two or more simultaneous plots with separate characters is a pain. And it makes us weep. Weep to be so alone.

~Ditto~

www.ffgon.com/midis/Final_Fantasy_I/FF1_02_Prelude.mid

(Opening Theme... out of Tradition)

*Mog walks out on stage, and bows*

Incidentally, folks, this is another big part of the Final Fantasy OG series. It's not just words. Final Fantasy's always been more than just that, so the OG is too. That's why posts may also contain links to music (either traditional FF music, or stuff you compose yourself, such as event and character themes), and artwork as well. That's right, even post your FFOG artwork as well.

All this combined has helped make FFOG the three-year-running megahit it was, because, let's face it, in Final Fantasy, atmosphere matters.

~Luigi of the Pipes~

The Empire of Avito was the greatest empire of its short-lived time. Its boundaries spread across an entire hemisphere, and it happened to be very popular with the territories it had claimed. Emperor Avito*, when claiming them for his empire, did not extend a sword, but rather a handshake and a warm embrace from his wife.

He was known throughout the world for his kind and selfless nature. He had never drawn a sword himself, but knew the dangers of pacifism and let his Guards carry and be trained in the weapons all the same.

The Empress was well known for the fact that she always kept her face veiled; it was said that even the servants who dressed her had never seen it. Many guessed she had been disfigured by some scar, as before becoming Empress it was rumored that she practiced swordfighting. No one remained to confirm it, and scar or no scar the people still loved her and the Emperor.

Avito's popularity was so great that it intimidated the many independent countries on the other side of the world. Not only was it popular, it was powerful, and not afraid to use power if necessary. If Avito decided to claim land on the other hemisphere, no one would stop them.

Which is exactly why the country of Harmanor trained its army for sabotage for six years. Which is why they infiltrated their army into Avito for four years after that. Which is why, when that four years had passed, they entered the palace of the Emperor and killed him. The Empire itself collapsed shortly after.

The Empress's screams can still be heard.

*All Emperors of Avito were given the surname Avito, as it was easier to say "Emperor Avito" than to say, as in the last case, "Lucian Faron, the Emperor of Avito."

***

Biggs and Wedge ran to the palace, furious with each other. "A drink!" Wedge shouted. "That's all you said! One drink and back to the gate!"

"I'm sorry!" Biggs replied. "If it makes you feel better, they'll probably blame you just as much as they'll blame me!"

"If there's anyone left to blame us at all!"

"Stop shouting!"

"You started it!"

"Fine! Sorry!"

Biggs Garmeade and Wedge Beltor. Both were Guards of the Avito Empire, though neither from Avito, nor skilled in guarding. Both had been put on gate duty. Both had left their posts for a quick drink at the Maton Bar.

They were the only Guards left by then. Harmanor's army had studied for six years. They knew the swordplay that Avito's Guards were trained in. They knew every hollow in the armor that the Guards wore. They knew everything that they needed for a clean, efficient take over. Setting the palace on fire was just for fun.

Of course, without the fire, Biggs and Wedge wouldn't have known the palace was being attacked at all.

Wedge, by far bigger and stronger, ran straight through the gate and charged the front door, pulling his sword. Biggs caught his arm and barely slowed him down. "Whoa! We can't go in that way! The fire!"

"I don't care! What if they get the Emperor? What if they already did!?"

"I know! I know!" Biggs pointed to the right. "But the back door's faster anyway!"

Wedge stopped, thought for a second, then nodded. They started off around the castle walls.

They had just rounded the corner when something crashed through a window and slammed into Biggs, throwing him to the ground. He jumped back on his feet, then leapt back in shock. "That's a girl!"

"No, really?!" Wedge remarked, leaning over to check her pulse. "She's okay, seems unconscious. That window gave her some nasty cuts, though."

"Who is she?"

"Can't tell by her clothes. Maybe she's one of the servant's daughters." He turned to look through the window and saw a pair of men running away from it. "Harmanors..." He grabbed Biggs by the arm. "Come on, let's go!"

"Wait! You can't just leave her!"

"I can't leave the Emperor either!"

"What would he want you to do, though?"

Wedge had to stop again and think. "Okay. I'll go find the Emperor. You take her and see if you can find a healer. Will that do?"

"She looks a little heavy."

"She's a girl!" He started running.

"I know, but..."

"Just do it!" he shouted, and then he was gone.

Biggs lifted the girl onto his shoulder, nodded to his partner, and then walked off in the other direction.

Biggs looked up at the sign on the door. In gold engraved letters it read, "Doctor Zeuver's Lab". He was not the most reliable doctor. He was not the most sane doctor. And by all means he was not the most expensive doctor. But he was, at the very least, not the type to betray the empire. And he would work for free in special circumstances, but not without complaining...

Biggs knocked on the door, watching cautiously to see that no one was watching him. Soon enough it was answered by a particularly strange man. He had a white lab coat on, various medical tools on his person, a twisted white mustache, and a completely bald head. On the end of his nose was a tiny pair of spectacles that seemed to be held up be some unexplainable force of nature. Or perhaps it was just glue.

"Vot... vot are you vanting!?"

"This girl is hurt," Biggs explained. "She needs medical attention."

"Vell, you are in zee right place for zat, but I do not like valk-ins," he grumbled. "I am ze doctor here, ve shall have a look at her, non?"

"Please," Biggs replied as he set the girl on a bed.

"Vell, let's have a look..." the doctor mumbled. "She has suffered a nasty hit to ze head, a few scrapes, nothing a potion won't handle, non?"

"You barely looked at her!" Biggs snapped. "I think her arm is broken at LEAST!"

The doctor looked at her arm with an annoyed expression. "Vot are you talking about? It is fine, perhaps a bit sprained, but nothing to shed tears about, non?"

"Can she at least rest here?" Biggs asked. "I'm waiting for a friend."

"Zis is NOT A SOCIAL ESTABLISHMENT!" the doctor complained. "But for you I shall be accommodating. I am feeling a certain pity for this girl."

"Erm, thanks."

---

Wedge raced down the streets full of adrenaline and a sense of not knowing what he was doing. This was not unusual for him, but it was never very comforting. He realized the palace was full of Harman Soldiers and that being a imperial soldier was sort of asking for trouble. He was, he realized, in a position that could get him killed.

He stopped at the castle gates and put his back against the wall as he peered inwards. There were soldiers everywhere. There was absolutely no way he was getting in there. At least, not way he would get in there are not killed for being an imperial soldier. He paused and looked down. For looking like an imperial, he corrected himself. Fortunately he, unlike Biggs, was the right size for the strict recruitment used in Harmanor.

He quietly slipped inside and his himself behind one of the trees as some soldiers walked by. Just as the last walked by, he pulled him behind the tree and was about to give him a thrashing over the head.

"Hold up!" the soldier yelped. "You don't want to do that?"

Wedge glared. "Why not?"

The soldier pulled his helmet off. It was readily obvious he was from one of the southern imperial states, Fragrico, that had been acquired only too recently. His dark skin served as the major indicator that he was not from Harmanor. "The name's Barta, I was just trying to get out of this place."

"What were you doing there?" Wedge asked distractedly.

"I was the bodyguard in charge of protecting the ambassador of my city," he explained as he stood. "But those bastards killed her."

"I have to get in there and find the emperor before it's too late."

"Those guards will tear you to pieces, disguise or not!"

"I have to go," Wedge retorted.

Barta held him back, "Listen, you won't find the emperor. I was there, they took the emperor, you'd need wings to catch up with them."

Wedge turned to face him. "Why should I believe you?"

Barta glanced at the soldiers then back at Wedge, "Because pal, out of everyone here, I'm the only one who doesn't want you dead."

Wedge said nothing.

"I can help you of the city," Barta continued. "But we have to get out of here."

Wedge nodded. "We have to stop somewhere first, I have a friend."

"Let's make it quick then, shall we?"

Getting away from the palace proved just as easy as getting to it had been, and Wedge and Barta slipped back into the city unnoticed. The first few blocks were completely empty; apparently, it had caught on that the people should get away.

Barta had made it a habit to peer back at the palace every so often. Wedge didn't bother; for the moment he was fixed on guessing which doctor Biggs had gone to.

"All right," he said aloud, in case the other cared to hear. "Only a few doctors would be open at this time of night. Only a few of those doctors would be open during a crisis. And only a few of those doctors would still treat patients for free. We used up all our spare money at the pub."

"Who, then?"

"I'm guessing Doctor Zeuver--Doc Z. He's exactly the sort."

"Which way?"

"I'll lead. You just--" He stopped short as Barta grabbed his arm and dragged him into the nearest alley.

"They didn't see us, we're okay."

"Who?"

A pair of footsteps rang into Wedge's ears. He peered out of the shadows as two men walked up.

"It seems that the people are runnin, Captain."

"Yes. You may take your men and chase them if you like--have your fun. But our mission is complete for now. The Emperor is dead."

Wedge slumphed against the wall. Barta lowered his eyes.

The other man laughed. "How'd yeh do it?"

"We tried a firing squad. It was actually quite effective. They can't all miss, after all."

Wedge wanted to run out and hit the guy, hit them both, kill them both. Maybe they were lying... maybe...

"It's a pity that the Empress wasn't there to watch. Considering her reaction to us simply taking him away, she probably would have fallen dead right there to watch his execution as well."

"Yeh didn't find her?"

"She wasn't where the men said they threw her. Must be a quick healer."

"I'll take my men. We'll find her if she went into the city."

"Very well, just don't be long."

The footsteps sounded again, then faded off. Barta looked over at Wedge. "We should make our way for Fragrico. We can warn them, and everyone along the way."

Wedge didn't reply.

"All right, fine, let's go..."

***

They continued on through the city, though more cautious for any of the Harman soldiers. They still hadn't caught up to the people escaping, and since Doctor Z's lab was just a few blocks away, it didn't seem like they would any time soon.

Just as they reached the alley that would lead them to the doctor, they heard more footsteps, and again ducked into a path to hide. This time, however, it was a squad of Imperial Guards who passed by--the second shift. They were marching to the palace.

Wedge jumped out of the path, shouting for them to stop. Barta shrugged and followed.

Hesitantly, the Guards paused and turned to him.

"Listen, guys," Wedge said. "I just came from there. You don't want to go there." He pointed towards the city limits. "Get the people out of here instead."

One of the Guards stepped forward. "We can't. Commander Ritone ordered us to go to the palace. He won't be happy if we don't."

"Screw Ritone! He doesn't know what he's talking about!"

"Watch your tongue, Beltor," someone called. Wedge turned to the voice and saw a man crouching at the edge of the roof above him. Unlike the Guards, he wore a full body suit of something between purple and black.

"Ritone, listen," Wedge said. "I was there. They killed all of the Guards except me and Biggs."

"Why not you?"

"They killed the Emperor."

"Don't lie. He's not dead."

"I saw it," Barta spoke up. "Well, I didn't see them kill him, but they took him away. Even if he was alive, he wouldn't be at the palace anyway."

There was a pause, and then Ritone jumped down from the roof, landing in front of Barta. "Who the hell are you?"

"I'm from Fragrico. I was here with the ambassador."

There was another pause, and then Ritone smacked Barta hard across the face. "Don't interfere. This is between me and my Guards."

Barta rubbed his bruise. "So much for diplomatic immunity..."

Ritone ignored him and moved on to Wedge. "I don't need your crap, Beltor. I'm the commander. I say we go to the palace. We go to the palace. Your shift has officially just ended."

"I'm not going to let you throw your lives away back there."

"Beltor, if you don't move, I'll throw your life away."

Wedge glared and put a hand on his sword. "Just try it."

Ritone nodded in acknoledgement of Wedge's challenge as he drew his own sword and immediately swung at Barta. But his blow was blocked by Wedge's sword. Ritone pulled back immediately and replaced his sword. he pointed to two of the more skilled soldiers and ordered, "You two take care of these traitors! The rest of you, follow me!"

Wedge and Barta had no time to object before the burly soldiers were all over them. The heroes took up the defense in this battle because they didn't really want to hurt these guys, and/or the burly knights were so fast that they wouldn't ahve any chances to get the offensive. And while they were busy fighting, Ritone took this oppurtunity to rush towards the castle with his Guards.

Barta's sword clanged with that of Guard 1, who we'll call Jerry. Jerry was in control of the battle and slowly forced away from Wedge. Ever alert, he raised his saber to block his enemies time and time again- until he looked and saw that his blade had been looped in half. Dropping the ruined sword, Barta decided to take the coward's way out and dashed towards the palace. Right now saving those guards was more important then his pride. Jerry traded in his sword for a trusty bow and let the arrows fly. One of them struck Barta in the back of his leg, forcing him to limp.

Wedge was having an almost worse time in combat withh Guard 2, who we'll call Hzxzxsuivkfi. But when he saw Jerry pulling out his bow and arrow, his thoughts turned to an excellant, yet suicidal plan. Hzxzxsuivkfi slashed at Wedge from the latter's left, and with the impact Wedge tossed himself to the right and rolled over, then dashed towards Jerry and slashed his bow in half, but it looked like one of the arrows had already hit his companion. Jerry drew his sword in anger, and Hzxzxsuivkfi ran towards him from the other side. Wedge raised his sword and prepared to fight until death or some cheesey, yet conveniant miracle.

***

Ritone and his men were swiftly approaching the castle. But in the back of the line, one of the guards felt something grab his foot. Turning around, he saw an exhausted Barta, blood oozing from an arrow wound in his leg. "Please... stop..."

The guard Barta grabbed saw that he was falling behind thanks to him. He had to catch up with them, to reclaim the castle and save his emperor. He wanted the joy of getting revenge on the Harman, to end one of their soldier's lives with a brutal stab to the heart. But now he was being held back. Thinking of Barta as nothing but an obstacle, he stomped on his hands with his free leg.

"Hands off me, foreigner!" shouted the guard as he stomped on Barta. "This is none of your business!"

Barta finally let go, but grabbed on again when the guard turned to run. "Please..."

Even further angered, the guard stomped on his hands again. It took less time to free himself this time. Then he kicked Barta right in the face, breaking his nose. He followed with another kick to the side of his head. this was his chance. He turned to run, not caring if his previous annoyance was alive or not. All that was on his mind was catching up with the rest of his troop and slaughtering the Harman army. However, he did not get the chance to prove his worth. Lagging behind had not only seperated him, but singled him out to one of the Harman snipers stationed in one of the castle towers. Though years of training, certain Harman soldiers becamse excellent snipers. This one was no exception. Despite the distance and height difference, the sniper managed to fire an arrow right through the gap the Avito guard used to see through his helmet. The arrow embedded itself between the guards eyes, and he immiedietly fell foward. The end of the arrow hit the ground first, causing the arrow to dig deeper into the guard's head. He fell on his side, not living long enough to know what hit him.

***

Sadly for Wedge, there would be no cheesy, convinient miracles for him. He blocked Jerry's first attack, then jumped out of the way of Hzxzxsuivkfi's charge. Hzxzxsuivkfi turned to Wedge and they dueled. Sadly, Wedge could not protect himself against two swords with one. Jerry ran up, and before Wedge could do anything about it, Jerry's sword embedded itself in his knee. In fact, the sword almost sliced off his leg completely. Without thinking, Wedge let himself fall foward onto the guard, planning to stab him in the side. However, Jerry simply pushed him off of him. Hzxzxsuivkfi caught him, and stabbed him in the back with his secondary weapon, a knife. With one more thrust, Hzxzxsuivkfi figured that he had severed Wedge's spine. If it didn't kill him, it would cripple him. He threw Wedge to the ground, sheathed his knife, and charged toward the castle. Jerry didn't expect this, and ran after him.

"Wait!" yelled Jerry from behind. "Shouldn't we finish him off?"

"Don't worry about him." Hzxzxsuivkfi answered. "I'm sure he won't last very long like that."

And so they left Wedge for dead. He wasn't, yet. But he could hardly move, and there was a growing puddle of blood underneath him.

***

It was true about the Harman taking over the castle, Ritone saw too late. They were caught by surprise by the snipers, and a number of his men were taken out. Ritone ordered the soldiers to cover their heads with their shields, though the men didn't need to be told that. Their own archers managed to take out a few of the snipers, but more trouble lay before them. The large, heavy doors to the castle opened, and a troop of Harman soldiers exited to "greet" them.

"Bastards!" Ritone yelled at them, as if it did any good. He then yelled to his men "Attack! Don't leave any of them standing! We must take back control of the castle! We must save our emperor! For the sake of the Avito Empire!"

Miracles don't occur often. The fact that Wedge's didn't show up when he needed it is proof enough.

Of course, that depends on one's definition of when he needed it.

Doctor Zeuver's lab was only a block away from the scene of the fight, and said fight had of course attracted the attention of its occupants.

"Wedge!" Biggs called, running to his fallen friend. "My god, what..."

Doc Z, not far behind, placed a scrutinizing eye on Wedge and said, "Looks a little beat up, non?"

"A little! He's lost like half of his blood!"

"Bah, zat's only a few drops. No-zing ve can't replace."

"Biggs..." Wedge said, shifting his arm to point where Barta had gone. "Help him."

Biggs looked in that direction and saw Barta, then shook his head. "He doesn't look nearly as bad as you."

"Just a few cuts..."

Zeuver prodded Wedge with his finger. "Can you valk?"

"Umm..."

"Then I shall carry you," Biggs said.

"No, you couldn't even carry the girl."

"I'll manage, and I'll come back for him if that's what you want."

"I'll get ze beds ready," the doctor sighed.

***

The doctor washed his hands in a rusty old bowl, which seemed to get its water from a hole in the ceiling instead of the well outside. "I've done vot I can. Vedge's cuts vere deep, but missed ze vital organs. Didn't even hit ze spine like I zoospected. Und ze Fragrican just has und concussion. He'll be vine after a few potions."

"How's that girl?" Wedge asked, looking over at her bed.

"Hmm... she vos hit by zome magick spell, und I am fresh out of ze antidotes. It could take a little longer to vear off."

"What happened, Wedge?" Biggs asked.

"This guy, Barta," Wedge said, pointing at him again. "We were escaping the palace and ran into the commander and his morning shift. We told them to turn around, that it was hopeless. Ritone wasn't in a listening mood, I guess..."

"They got past? Went to the palace anyway?"

"Yeah. They're dead. Kind of a waste..."

"I'll zay!" the doctor scowled. "I lost ze good zooplies on you!"

Wedge grimaced. "You're gonna lose them all, soon. The Harmans are sending a squad into the city."

"What?!" Biggs cried. "They can't just leave us alone?"

"They're looking for the Empress. She must've slipped away."

The doctor chuckled, but neither noticed.

"She's alive?! Is the Emperor?"

". . ."

"Oh..."

Barta coughed. "If that Ritone guy is any indication, the whole Empire's fallen already without him. Seriously, your commander is exactly the opposite of how the ambassadors acted when they invited us to join."

"He's... fanatical," Wedge answered.

"You could have warned me about that before you decided to jump out and stop him." Barta opened a potion and downed it in a gulp.

"Sorry..."

"So, wait," Biggs interrupted. "The Emperor's dead, but the Empress is still alive? If we can find her and keep her safe, maybe there's hope for the Empire..."

The doctor chuckled again.

"What?"

"Find her? You already have, non?"

The three men stared at him.

"Ze girl," he said, motioning to the girl on the bed. "Zat is vhy I felt ze pity for her. I zuddenly recognized her. I remember giving her birth."

The three men stopped staring and gaped instead.

"I felt ze pity because her hoosband just died, und I could feel it in her. Ze poor soul..."

"This..." Biggs started, "is the Empress?"

The doctor chuckled, grabbed a towel from one of his shelves, and wrapped it around her face. "Familiar, non?"

Wedge jumped up. "She didn't have her veil on when she was thrown out the window! The Harmans must know what she looks like! We have to get her out of here now!"

"Mmm... zat sounds good, yes."

"Biggs..."

"The Empress..." Biggs mumbled. "She's younger than I thought."

"Twenty," the doctor answered.

"Snap out of it!" Wedge shouted. "Biggs, carry her. We're leaving now."

"Should you guys be moving with your injur--"

"Barta, you said you'd help us out of the city, right?"

"Yeah, I know a way from here." He turned to fill Biggs in. "We can make our way down to Fragrico, and stop along the way to warn the other territories."

"Sounds good," Wedge cut in. "Let's move. In case you haven't noticed yet, it became a whole lot more important that we avoid that squad. Coming, doc?"

"Vait... hold on und zecond..."

They all faced the doctor. "Yes?"

The doctor looked over the girl, "It iz... a small matter. Travelling with ze Empress vill be dangerous for not only her... but you as well."

They nodded.

'If she is travelling with you, she may be inclined to... do something foolish, non?"

Barta narrowed his eyes, "What are you geting at, doc?"

The doctor sighed as he pulled out a vial from his shelf. "Zis is a special potion I made for ze emperor." He slid the vial into a needle. "If injected, ze patient vill be forgetting every zing. It has been ze secret to many reformed prisoners."

"Wait, hold up!" Wedge interrupted. "You're suggesting we give the Empress amnesia!?"

"Yes."

Biggs shook his head. "That's crazy. We're her subjects, to even think we'd do such a thing-"

Before Biggs could finish, the doctor had injected it in the woman's arm. He looked at them with a look mixed with despair and hope. Wedge unsheathed his sword in anger, but Biggs and Barta held him back.

"What kind of doctor are you!?" Wedge fumed.

"Vun who eez loving ze empire," the doctor sighed. "I know ze empress. She vill not run, but march you into battle and you vill all die. She must not know be knowing her identity."

The soldiers were speechless. Barta nodded. "Understood, doctor. Is there any way to reverse it."

"You vill find out in time... now go! Ze soldiers vill find you!"

Biggs looked down at the girl in his hands as he picked her up. "What will we call her..."

"Kaleena Madren vill do. I vill stay here to cover your escape. Perhaps ve vill meet again... now go!"

Wasting no more time, the three covered their heads with the hoods on the robes they had been given by the doctor. They would still have to get out of the city now. The two soldiers hoped that Barta could get them out safely now. With the chemicals now circulating through Kaleena's body, they would suffer an even worse fate than Ritone if they were caught.

----

They shuffled through the streets as silently as possible. Biggs had Kaleena in his arms, which unfortunately did little to disguise them. At one point, Barta led them into an alley. Biggs set Kaleena up against a wall and sat down too. He was the biggest among them, but he was not exactly in shape. Twenty years service in the empire guarding gates had done little for his overall build. Wedge, the younger and nimbler of the two, was much better built and ready for action. He was the less experienced of the two, Biggs reflected.

"You two stay here," Barta replied.

Wedge looked up. "Where are you going?"

"We'll need some supplies and different clothes. Give me an hour, then we'll go," Barta answered.

"You're not exactly in great shape," Biggs noted. "You sure you don't want one of us to come along?"

Barta pulled a contraption that was hanging on his belt on his left side. Pulling back a small lever, it snapped into place, stretching out several metal parts and shaping into a crossbow. On his right side was a small quiver containing a small bundle of arrows. He grinned and pulled back his hood, giving them the first real look at him since they met. His right eye was covered with an eyepatch and his face was set with determination.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine."

With that, he stepped out of the alley, dissapearing down the streets as he covered his head with his hood. The two guards glanced at eachother and sighed as they waited. The hour went by without incident, even though for them it seemed forever. At last Barta returned with a sack of items. He tossed some clothes at Biggs and Wedge. The two examined them, they were merely simple clothing worn by peasants.

"Hurry up and change."

"Here? Why?"

"Before 'Kaleena' wakes up," Barta said as he looked down the alley way.

When he finally turned around, the two had changed. Biggs was adjusting his stocking hat while Wedge was fitting his belt and sword sheath over his clothes. He himself had chosen not to put on the stocking hat, not at all liking it. Instead he tied a headband around his forehead, insisting it made him look cool. Barta ignored the two as he pulled something from his pocket and rubbed it under Kaleena's nose.

"What's that? Wedge asked.

Biggs rolled his eyes. "Smelling salts."

"Oh."

Kaleena's eyes slowly opened as her breathing increased. She backed up against the wall and looked around. "Where... where am I?"

"In a alley way outside of Avito Palace," Biggs supplied.

"I don't remember what happened..." she mumbled. "Or who any of you are... or who I am."

"You suffered a bad fall," Barta quickly explained, glancing at the two guards meaningly. "Your name is Kaleena Madren. This is Biggs Garmeade and Wedge Beltor, they work under you. I am the Ambassador of Fragrico, Barta Kinstillan. I was being attacked and you tackled the soldier down, but fell out of a window. Thank goodness you are alright."

"Tackled the soldier? Why?"

"It's your job. I hired you are my bodyguard. You're very good at it, after all."

She nodded silently, processing this all. For some reason it did not seem right, but despite that she believed it. They seemed like nice enough people, even if Barta did not look anything like an Ambassador. In fact, he looked like more like the last person an ambassador would see before their assassination. It probably made him pretty feared in political debates.

Barta walked away from them towards the far wall and moved some barrels out of the way, revealing a man-hole in the ground. "This leads to the catacombs, which will take us just outside the city."

Biggs looked at him, "I've lived here all my life, yet you're not from here... how do you know about this?"

Barta tapped his nose and grinned, "Trade secret. Now come on."

---

OOC: Just a side note, I got Luigi to approve this whole dealio in advance. So don't be giving everyone amnesia now... or... I'll cutcha!

...The road to the next territory was a long one. Kaleena had been stripped of her former identity, but not her capabilities to defend herself, as the group learned some time after she had recovered from her headache.

Wedge and Biggs had left it to Barta to come up with a suitable excuse for why they were on the run with her and why she didn't remember much..

..After all, it did seem like he was the more intelligent of the three. And Barta did just that, using his most recent experience as an excuse. "..I am an Ambassador of Fragrico.." he explained slowly. "You are three of my.. personal bodyguards and assistants. Unfortunately with the attack on the city, we all were injured.. hence this fast pace out of there.."

"..We just have to stay out of the way of those soldiers." She frowned.

Barta sighed. "..Precicely.. At this point, we shouldn't even travel by the main roads."

Biggs gave him a look. "What? But there are forests and who-knows-what are hiding in them!"

"Shhh!" Barta growled. "We don't want to be found. They are likely scouring the city for signs of.. us. We don't have much time. There is likely some dirt path we can take out of here."

Wedge grimaced. "All right.. don't blame me if we run into creatures!"

Kaleena frowned. "..Um.. I don't really understand but..." She glanced towards the city that could still be seen burning some ways behind them, "..I suppose that we should do what Barta says.. he is our lord, after all."

Biggs nodded. "Yes.. right.. we will all work to protect the Ambassador. ..And ourselves, of course. We must be more careful."

Barta gave the men a stern look. "Kaleena is your commander. You must remember to guard her as well."

Wedge blinked, and nodded. "Ye-yes, of course, Mr. Ambassador sir! The attack took us a bit off of our guard, it seems.."

"Don't let it happen again." Barta warned, waiting for Biggs to lead the way into the forest.

----------------

"..We're lost, aren't we." A young woman muttered, adjusting her glasses annoyedly. A hat was on her head, partly covering her face, and her pink hair was pulled back into twin ponytails.

"Well.. no, not exactly.." A young man stammered. He was tall and very good-looking; most of his attire was red. He scrambled through the satchel that he was holding in his hand. "...Errr.. Hey Angel, did you take the map?"

The last person in the group, another young woman, with strange silvery-blue hair, shook her head, the hood falling back and exposing her eyes as she did so. "Of course I didn't. Though this place looks familiar, doesn't it?"

"...The map..." The young man frowned. "...Akasha.. when you got annoyed back there and decided to set half the forest on fire.."

"I did not! Just a scrap of paper that the wind blew into my face.." The woman's face fell. "...Wait, what?"

"So basically.. Arturo got us lost, and Akasha burned the map... really you guys, now how are we supposed to get to the city?" The other girl sighed, pushing her silvery hair back with her hand. "Why does this seem so typical?"

"Shhh. I hear voices." Arturo frowned, looking in the direction of where the trees were clustered together. "Blast this foilage.. it's hard to see.."

Akasha charged a spell in the palm of her hand. "..Looks like the only thing left to do is attack."

"Um.. guys, what happened to rule number four? Wait to see if it's friend or foe?" Angel hissed into her ear. "Really, it was bad enough when we ran into that ambush back there but.."

The girl wearing the straw hat had clearly siezed control, focusing a spell in her hand. "Arturo, charge up a spell, will you? Angel, stay back there. You get injured fairly easily."

The young mage frowned a little. "But don't you think that we should.."

"Stop interrupting my concentration!" The girl hissed annoyedly at him.

The scant traces of what could barely be referred to as a proper path wound through the thick forests that surrounded the Imperial City of the Avito Empire; normally, these areas were rife with wildlife and rich in beauty... the heartland of the peaceful state the Emperor had maintained with such skill.

Now, however, with the acrid stench of smoke in the air, drifting from the still blazing palace at their backs, the land seemed... wilted, as though nature itself could forsee the eventual consequences the unforseen Harman invasion would bring.

Barta noted this almost absently, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he and his small company tore their way through the foilage, whipping past outstretched tree branches, trampling the underbrush that crowded too close to the pitiable path they rushed so quickly along. It would not be long before the invading soldiers moved to the cities and townships on the outskirts of the imperial city that lay still too dangerously close at their backs; they would want to be quick to expand their influence, to ensure thoughts of rebellion were quelled at once.

A frown. They would not do so peacefully -- and of course, there would be rebellions. How many would die in the weeks to come, foolishly defending the ideals the Avito Empire had stood for -- the philosophies that these people had been raised with, conditioned to love? How many would stand and fight, only to fall?

They would lend their weight as best as they could. The earlier the people were warned, the more time for preparation they received... the citizens of the Avito Empire were well united; they would fight with one another, stand against the trials ahead. But unless they were given some advance warning, they would fail. Barta swore to himself that he would give them the best chance they could.

Travelling this way would be difficult, but they could not afford the risk of slipping onto the main roads. He grit his teeth in frustration. Likely, the Harman forces had already deployed units to the surrounding cities; would they get there first? When they finally arrived at their next destination, what sight would greet them? More burning buildings, more screams of agony?

Abruptly, Barta paused, stopping short with a brow raised in trepidation. Surely the guards would not have found them already, on this ruined forest path?

"Barta?" Biggs inquired, just behind him, having nearly collided right with the archer before realizing he had come to a halt.

"Is there a problem?" Kaleena asked in that soft, still somewhat dazed voice. She wore an ornate rapier on her hip; a finely crafted weapon that she drew immediately upon noticing Barta's now raised crossbow. Biggs and Wedge followed suit, raising their respective weapons in defensive postures.

"I thought I heard--" Barta spoke softly, though still in that gruff tone they had grown used to by now.

A muffled curse from the plants barring their progress to the left and right interrupted him; all four turned as one to gaze apprehensively in the direction the sound had come from.

"Bloody... forests!" An irritated female voice exclaimed, and a flash of no doubt magical origin was quickly followed by a wave of heat, rolling over them from that direction. The plantlife in that area seemed to melt away; incinerating to leave only curled black leaves steaming at the edges of the newly created dent in the forest.

"What happened to being cautious?" A male voice spoke incredulously from behind her. "Will you stop taking the front?!"

"...Burning these forests is a grievous crime, you know..." A quieter female voice, speaking in a lecturing tone, with the air of one often accustomed to being the voice of reason.

Barta stared at the woman who emerged onto the path, dusting her clothes in a nonchalant way. She looked at him with a curious gaze, mouth pursed, eyes searching in a way that would have made him shift uncomfortably. He pointed his crossbow squarely at her, his expression demanding an explanation for her presence.

"It seems we're outnumbered," She spoke, sounding of all things rather... amused? Barta knotted his brow incredulously, but his aim never wavered.

"By who?" That male voice again, and a blotch of red with a vaguely human form jumped from the trees after her; Kaleena moved quickly to intercept him, crossing her rapier with his drawn blade.

"...You're in our way," Kaleena spoke in a cold, matter-of-fact tone. "Explain yourselves."

"Please, forgive my companions..." That quieter voice again, and a woman clad in a white cloak stepped onto the path after the red-clad man, her hands raised in a gesture that clearly indicated she meant no harm. "They're bumbling fools at best, but I assure you, we mean you no harm!"

"Hey!" Arturo complained, though he was sensible enough not to take his eyes from the woman currently threatening him with a wickedly sharp blade.

"...We've been in worse situations than this," The first woman pointed out. "And we're not dead yet. So don't be so quick to dismiss us as fools."

"We don't have time for this," Barta growled, lowering his bow, having decided this perplexing trio was harmless enough. If they were from the Harman troops, they'd already be engaged in battle.

Kaleena nodded, stepping back away from the red clothed man.

"Again, my apologies," the woman with the white cloak spoke again. "My companions and I were merely on way home... we ran into a spot of trouble earlier, and were forced into the forests... we had a map, but Akasha there burned it..." A scathing glare in the direction of the other woman told Barta that she must be the one called Akasha... the dark-clothed girl with the wide, straw hat.

"I told you that was an accident..." She crossed her arms defiantly.

"Trouble?" Biggs cast his companions a worried look -- had the Harman forces made it so far?

"I'm not sure what it was about... they seemed like foreigners, but I'm sure their intentions were... less than savory."

"...It won't be safe, wherever you're planning on returning," Barta weighted this information heavily in his mind. "I'll tell you -- the palace has been breached, and the Emperor is dead. The Avito Empire has reached its end."

"You're lying!" The woman whose name was Akasha gasped, and her two companions eyed him with similar incredulous, disbelieving looks.

"Do you smell that? That is the scent of the place being burned to the ground!" He continued forcefully.

"I thought it was the smell of Akasha burning the forest down," The red clad fellow spoke up brightly, earning an irritated glance from Akasha.

"...if what you say is true..." The white cloaked woman spoke, sounding rather shaken.

"They must be heading for our home next..." Akasha finished the thought, her face paling somewhat. "The problem is, we're lost... we'll never get back in time..."

"...We'll be warning as many cities as we can of the calamity to come," Barta explained hurriedly, knowing they had already dallied too long in one place. "We need to get to as many places as we can before the Harman forces."

"In that case, do you mind if we join you?"

"Angel?!" Akasha blinked at her companion in surprise.

"Akasha, Arturo. Think -- it is likely too late for the ones we left -- though we weren't planning on staying long..."

"We don't need more burdens on our backs to worry over," Biggs objected, frowning.

"...We can take care of ourselves," Akasha shot back. "Or did you not notice the burning forest a minute ago?"

"Don't worry!" The man who must have been the one called Arturo exclaimed, flipping his sword extravagantly into its sheath. "Just leave it to me -- I've always been around to protect these two anyway! You won't have to concern yourselves at all." He grinned; Akasha rolled her eyes in exaggerated fashion.

"You mean, I'm always there to fry the guys you forget about while you're jumping haphazardly into battle, and Angel's always there to heal you after you inevitably hurt yourself..."

Arturo's face fell somewhat.

"If you're coming..." Barta snapped, already moving forward along the path, "Don't lag behind. We're not going to wait for you -- if you fall behind, we'll leave you there."

"Well!" Akasha huffed, moving to keep up. Biggs and Wedge exchanged unreadable glances; Kaleena bowed lightly in greeting to her companions, then turned to keep up with Barta.

"...You know, if this leads to something bad..." Akasha paused for a moment, looking back at Angel with a sour look on her face, "It's all your fault!"

"That's a chance I'm willing to take, in this case..." Angel smiled sweetly back, shoving Arturo forward to get him moving. He rushed obediently after the rest, and Angel took up the back...

It would be interesting to see where this would lead...

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* These three mages are wanderers; in the sense of "hometown" and "home village" they mean the last place they were staying at before they moved on. I just want to establish they have no heavy or particularly emotional attachment to any place near here, which makes it more likely for them to abandon that in the hopes of aiding the greater cause. If that makes sense.

The path wound beneath them, and it was definitely taking far longer than it was supposed to have. The forest was silent; most of the beasts had been scared away by the burning stench in the air or Akasha's rage.

Kaleena had been ushered ahead of Biggs and Wedge in their marching order, but Barta remained at the front of the line. Angel noted that it was more like they were protecting her than the ambassador.

"You're crazy," Arturo shrugged. "They're from the south, they do things different down there."

"You're from the south," Akasha scoffed.

"Not that south..."

"Look," Angel interrupted. "Kaleena wants to move to the front. She keeps asking, and he keeps refusing. If they do things different, then why isn't she too?"

"Uh... what?"

"The ambassador's got that wicked crossbow thing," Akasha said. "Maybe that stupid eyepatch screws up his aim, and he doesn't want to accidently hit her?"

"Which raises the question," Arturo began, narrowing his eyes at Barta, "of why you would use a crossbow if you only have one eye..."

"No, it doesn't," Angel sighed. "Listen you two..."

Before she could finish, they had left the forest behind them. The path continued on to the town they had just come from, which was surprisingly not on fire. Barta glanced around cautiously, and then moved on.

"Listen what?" Akasha asked.

"...Nevermind."

"No, what?"

". . ."

They continued amongst themselves as Barta led on. He was feeling particularly guilty. It was hard having to lie to the empress, act superior to the empress, order the empress around...

"Ambassador," Kaleena said.

"Please, it's Barta."

"Just Barta? All right."

Barta winced. Giving another command...

"You're a very liberal ambassador, aren't you?"

"So to speak."

"Okay."

Barta waited for more, but it didn't come. Kaleena hummed to herself as they continued, left hand on her sword, right swinging beside her.

Biggs stared at the ground as they continued, mumbling to himself. "Just a drink... it's all my fault... all my fault..."

Wedge said nothing, but tried to send a glance of pity to Biggs every so often, a frustrated glance at the trio behind him when he could, and a stern glance forward for the rest of the time.

***

The town ahead was called Erton. It was small compared to the Imperial City, but large compared to most other towns in Avito. It was an old town, and seemed to carry a lot of dust throughout it that made one want to wash his hands every few seconds.

It was empty when they got there.

"The soldiers must have already come through here," Barta scowled, wiping dust from the window of a house. He peered inside. "There's no way we could have beat them here through that forest."

"Wouldn't they have burned the place down?" Wedge asked.

"I doubt we should assume. All their stuff is still in the house. They must have left in a hurry."

"Or they didn't leave," Biggs said. He started down one road. "There's some sort of gathering down this way. Should we check it out?"

Barta turned and looked past him. "It could be the soldiers. I'll check it out."

"Let me," Kaleena said, stepping in front of him.

Barta grimaced. "Well... I don't want..."

"It's my job, right? I'll do it."

"I'll do it," Wedge said. He ran off before anyone could object.

They were in fact not the soldiers, but the people of the town, who had been gathered for an announcement by the mayor and a guest of high importance. Wedge slipped into the crowd just as the mayor stepped up to a wooden podium on a stage before the crowd. Seeing him do so, the others followed.

The mayor, like most of the leaders in Avito, was young. He was tall and fairly built, with light colored hair. A pair of goggles were pushed up onto his forehead, and he wore a thick brown coat despite the warmer temperature of the day.

"My citizens," he began. "As you may now be aware, the Imperial City has been attacked by the people of Harmanor, who have for long held our society in contempt. It is said that the emperor has been executed." He paused. "I'm sorry to you all. But there is hope. I honorably introduce our guest, the Empress Avito."

The crowd, save four, applauded. Kaleena watched intently. Barta, Biggs, and Wedge gaped. A woman walked up to the podium, her face covered. "My people," she began.

"What the hell?" Wedge whispered.

"Kaleena," Barta said, turning to her. "I'm... uh... I'm feeling a bit claustrophobic around all these people. Do you think you could help me get indoors... now?"

Kaleena looked up at the stage quickly, then back at Barta and nodded. Barta turned to Biggs and Wedge quick. ". . . Keep your eyes open. And don't let them," he nodded to the mages, "figure it out."

They nodded, and Barta and Kaleena disappeared into the crowd.

"--Harmans have cleared the Imperial City with only casualties on the part of those that attacked them. The Harmans themselves have had no casualties. We cannot fight them. The Empire of Avito is officially surrendering. I pray that none of you attempt to resist them."

There was some shock through the crowd, but it quickly died down as the empress swept the veil off of her face. Kaleena stared out at the crowd.

Now the mages gaped. They turned to Biggs and Wedge, speechless.

The guards traded glances. They were just as shocked to see Kaleena's face under the veil. Wedge tried to cover with another uneasy, "What the hell?"

Biggs jabbed his ribs, then glared up at the stage. "That.. that can't be! Kaleena doesn't have a twin, and... that's not the empress!"

"Wh--" the mages stuttered.

Biggs leaned in close. "Listen. I used to work at the palace before I became one of Barta's bodyguards. I... uh... I saw the empress one night without her veil on. That's not her."

"That's... not the empress?" Arturo asked.

"Then why does she look like your boss?" Akasha added.

"I don't know. But, uh..."

"Empress!" the mayor shouted, interrupting the conversation. "You can't seriously be giving up!"

"I am, Mayor. We are."

"But... the emperor..."

"Is dead."

"Is this what he would have wanted?"

"Mr. Winsael, please do not challenge me."

"I'm sorry, but..."

The lady narrowed her eyes at the mayor and snapped her fingers. "Please remove him. We need to have a talk, later."

"You're sure that's not the empress?" Akasha asked. Her hand began to glow.

"Absolutely," Biggs said. "What are you doing?"

"She's trying to take down the Empire, whoever she is. We can't let that happen." A fireball flashed into existence. Akasha threw it high into the air, then watched it come down on the stage, right in front of the imposter. She cried out, stomping at the burning hem of her dress. The crowd jumped back.

"Ready, red boy?" Akasha grinned.

"After you," Arturo replied.

They charged the stage.

"Wait!" Biggs shouted. "Dammit!"

Angel watched her friends, shrugged, and walked calmly after them.

"We have to go get Barta," Wedge said.

"We can't just leave them."

"This again! What's with you and not leaving people? Fine. I'll go get Barta. You go help them."

Biggs sighed and nodded, then turned and trudged after the mages.

"Bloody nutcases," Wedge grumbled.

Having gotten inside one of the empty buildings, the only thing that Kaleena could see was the crowd. Shouting could clearly be heard from the outside, though when she glanced towards Barta he shook his head, as a warning to remain quiet and stay inside.

Kaleena didn't mind doing this, however. The crowd itself had made her feel uncomfortable. There were too many people and things occuring at once for her to be able to grasp the situation. They were supposed to warn the town about the invaders, but her task was to remain by the Ambassador--Barta's-- side. Considering how little she knew of the situation, this did seem to make sense.

The shouting from the outdoors increased. She glanced towards Barta, who had risen to his feet and seemed to be very alert, his gaze moving towards the back of the house.

"Ambassador? ..I mean.. Barta?" Kaleena began slowly. "Is there.."

Barta lifted a finger to his lips, listening. Apparently losing one of his eyes had increased his capability for hearing to an extent. "...Kaleena. We need to find a different exit to this house."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "..Sir?"

"..One that does not lead to the crowd. Understand?" Barta's voice was forcibly calm. He wasn't quite sure what he had heard, but experience told him that the best plan was to get out of dodge immediately. Everything was at stake.

"..What about the others? Shouldn't we.." She trailed off, realizing that it wasn't her place to question her superior's orders. "I apologize. I will do so at once."

Barta merely nodded, keeping his gaze trained towards the original door that they had entered.

Which burst open a moment later.

"Barta!" Wedge gasped, slamming the door behind him. The sounds of pandemonium were clearly heard in that moment from behind him before being shut off. "..Big trouble.." he glanced around. "Where is Kaleena?"

"..Tell me what has happened. Quickly. Before she returns." Barta turned his head in the direction that the girl had disappeared.

-------

"This again! What's with you and not leaving people? Fine. I'll go get Barta. You go help them."

Biggs couldn't help it. If someone was in trouble, his first instinct was to help them, while Wedge was more of the opposite; he seemed to be the one eager to run away.

Even though in this situation, it might have been better to run away..

Biggs huffed and puffed as he hurried after the mages, who had managed to break through the crowd. The one with the straw hat was using her magic to her advantage as the crowd clearned around her and Arturo...

Yet he noticed, it was only Akasha and Arturo who had broken through. For the crowd was showing signs of panic and chaos, some running off to their homes, the others moving back against one another, as if blocking the way against any more attackers.. and that's when he saw his chance.

He grabbed Angel by the hood and she gasped, nearly choking as the material pressed against her throat. Biggs had managed to drag her out of the crowd and off to the side before her staff quickly came into play, and Biggs stumbled back from the blow.

"..Oh it's you." The white mage murmured, and quickly cast a spell of healing upon the man. "Forgive me, but a moment longer and I would have stopped breathing."

"We must stop those two before something happens." Biggs said quickly. "Can't you control them or something?"

"I would have, if I could have gotten up there before the crowd moved in." She muttered, her gaze moving up to the stage. "...But what can we do? They are already far ahead. Where are the others?"

"Wedge went off to warn Barta and Kaleena.. if those two get into trouble, we're all doomed here." Biggs sighed. "Perhaps we can make some sort of excuse for them.. or somet--" His words were cut off as an errant fireball was suddenly sent in their direction.

Angel gasped and moved out of the way, as the spot she had been standing was suddenly incinerated, though then she froze in place, her hand over her heart, her gaze locked on the stage. "...What? Harman soldiers?!" She started to move forwards, though Biggs grabbed her by the hood again. "Let me go! We have to stop them!"

"It's not going to do any good if you get into that mess too!" Biggs snapped. "We have to think of something!"

Angel sighed, rubbing the back of her neck. "This town.. has fallen already. The crowd, even if they wanted to, will not be able to survive this. We.. we have to save my comrades, Biggs.. They are all I have, do you understand?!"

"I'll do my best," Biggs promised. Yet he wondered if it was a promise that he could truly keep.

-------

Pandemonium was the ideal word to describe the scene outdoors.

Akasha hurled another fireball towards the "empress" as she and Arturo charged the stage, in perhaps a move that could be decribed as bravery.. or utter stupidity.

"You are not the true empress," She accused, as the woman onstage deflected the fireball with a spell of her own.

"She wouldn't surrender to the Harmans! They haven't gotten here yet!" Arturo chimed in, his sword held in his right hand.

"Traitors! Treachery to us all!" The false empress exclaimed, pointing a finger scathingly in their direction. "Arrest them!"

"Listen, people!" Akasha shouted, holding up a glowing hand. "Do you honestly think that the empress would surrender willingly to the Harmans? We cannot allow this calamity to continue!"

"Akasha! Look out!" Arturo whirled around, his blade clanging against another.

Out of one of the houses nearby, a group of four Harman soldiers had marched up to the stage, pointing their deadly weapons in the female mage's direction. One of their swords was already in a strange dance with Arturo's. The others had decided that the woman was more dangerous, and surrounded her.

"It has already been done." The leader said coldly. The crowd gasped.

Akasha lost control of the fireball that she had been charging when the soldier held his jagged sword to her neck. "Arrest these two for treachery. They will be the first to be publicly exceuted for their crimes."

The false empress nodded, looking over to the crowd, feigning a sad expression. "Alas, do you not see why we must submit? There is no need to cause trouble.. you will not be harmed if you do so."

A deadly silence fell over the crowd as the soldiers roughly dragged the struggling pair back towards the house. A house which, if anyone had noticed, had been the one that the mayor of Erton had been dragged to previously...

Angel gasped as she watched her two friends be apprehended. Her first instinct was to attack, but fortunately for her she was not as rash as her two friends. She turned to Biggs, who seemed to be thinking hard. His eyes were squinted and his forehead wrinkled. Biggs was not much of a thinker, he was always a doer. And even then his doing usually meant doing something else.

"I think... we'd better find the others before we do anything," Biggs said.

Angel looked back at the crowd, which the Harmanors were unsuccessfully calming. This would hopefully buy them some time. She just hoped that nothing happened to Akasha and Arturo in the mean time. The ambassador seemed nice enough, but she was worried he'd not be willing to help. After all, her friends had tried to attack them before...

"But where?"

Biggs looked behind him. The Harman soldiers had already begun positioning soldiers around the city exits. It would be impossible to get over the wall without being seen. "... you didn't see which way Barta went, did you?"

Angel shook her head. "No..."

"We'll have to lay low then. "


---

"... those idiot mages are going to get us killed," Barta growled. "But this so-called empress..."

"What about her?" Wedge asked.

Barta turned to make sure Kaleena was not near. "What if we have the wrong one?"

"You don't think?"

"I find it unlikely that the real empress would surrender, but..." Barta paused as he took a deep breath. "... we have to realize that it's not impossible that we got the wrong one. If we did, we will be executed as traitors to the empire."

Wedge said nothing. A second later Kaleena was back. "There's a basement in the house, there's an exit through the cellar, but it's locked from the outside. There's a window, but it's too small to fit through. But it leads outside the wall."

"Take me to it," Barta replied.

She glanced at Wedge, who had came back alone. "What about Biggs and the mages?"

"We can't allow the ambassador to be put in anymore danger," Wedge quickly supplied. He was a good deal more clever than Biggs, having taken to the improvising a lot quicker. "Once we get out, I'll come back and look for the others."

Barta hesitated to reply. This would be so much easier if he could do it himself. This kind of work was right down his alley, Wedge would only succeed in getting himself killed. But the empress was bound to him now... as his bodyguard. He took a deep breath. He was not going to let it happen again...

"No. You two take the exit."

Kaleena's jaw dropped. "I must protect you!"

"You HAVE to go. That's an order!"

"But... why?"

Why indeed. "There's someone out there who looks like you."

"Who?"

"... I don't have time to tell you. They're not after me though," Barta explained. "But if they saw you, you'd put us all in danger." He grinned. "Besides, it's not like I'll cut your pay for this."

Kaleena was speechless for a moment. She finally nodded to him and turned to Wedge. "You heard him, let's get out of here!"

Wedge saluted instinctively. "Y-yes ma'am!"

Barta waited until they were gone until he left the house. With any luck, he wouldn't die.

The soldiers of the Harman army were no strangers to rough tongues; yet even a few among their seemingly impenetrable ranks wore incredulous expressions behind their concealing armored faceplates at the cacophony their newest prisoners raised -- the woman, much to their surprise, in particular. They were under strict orders not to cause the unruly mages bodily harm, or rather, to use as little physical force as possible, but it was hard to resist striking out to stop that horrendous screeching. Granted, she could hardly be blamed... it must have been a difficult prospect, the thought of being among the first scapegoats of the Avito empire, sacrificed to ensure the peaceful submission of others.

The more heartless among the military company smirked at the prospect.

They were thrown unceremoniously into a holding cell that had clearly been vacant for some time; clearly, the rumors concerning the unprecendented peace and stability of the Avito Empire were indeed based on some kernel of truth, if the prison of a respectably sized town such as this was so bare of vagrants.

Akasha charged immediately for the bars, gripping them with white knuckles, her furious voice echoing down the halls as the majority of their captors retreated with almost amusing haste. The few left behind to guard them looked none to pleased at the task, but there would be no sympathy on her part for these filthy invaders, however pathetic their gazes. Eventually, however, she ran dry of insults, settling into a sullen silence instead, much to their guards' relief.

"This is all your fault, you know," She shot at Arturo, who stood with a pondering expression on his features, leaning against the wall as though there were absolutely no need for concern at all. "Are you even listening? Hello?" Akasha waved a hand in front of his face, frowning in obvious irritation.

"Yeah, yeah..." He shrugged the imposing limb from his field of vision, continuing in a mild tone, "Don't worry about it so much. We've been in worse situations!"

"When?!" Akasha exclaimed incredulously, folding her arms across her chest.

"Uh... well..."

"Yeah, that's what I thought."

"Angel and those other guys are still out there," Arturo reminded her, grinning. "You know Angel, she's just a modest white mage until someone makes her angry -- she'll get us outta here."

"Sure, let's just discuss this right here with our guards right outside listening to us!" Akasha hissed, aiming a kick toward the lower regions of his right leg. "How about a description next? Draw them a picture? Idiot!"

"Hey!" Arturo exclaimed indignantly, backing away slightly. "That hurts, you know..."

"Oh, please, cry me a river."

Quite some time passed in this manner, the guards exchanging harried glances at the constant banter, occassionally threatening the mages with reprucussions if their annoying conversation continued, though needless to say these threats hardly impeded the talk for long. As such, their captors were more than happy to hear the noise of footfalls approaching the prison after awhile, undoubtedly hoping their shift was up.

Unfortunately for them, that wasn't quite the case -- the soldiers who approached flanked on either side a rather recognizable figure: that goggle wearing character who apparently presided over this township as Mayor. Akasha raised a brow as she recognized him, wondering what on earth he was up to, presenting himself to convicted traitors.

"Thank you," He spoke in a dismissive tone, a severe look on his face. "You may go."

The guards who had accompanied him nodded once sharply in understanding, complying with only the faintest hint of hesitation. The cell guards remained, surveying the situation curiously.

"You too," the mayor insisted, looking at them purposefully. The guards exchanged glances, one of them speaking up in a confused tone.

"Sir, we really must insist--"

"Do you wish to make trouble with me?" came the unexpected inquiry, a knotted brow indicative of the mayor's increasingly foul disposition. "A dissaproving note on my behalf to the Empress, perhaps, should carry to your superiors quickly."

"No, sir!" The defeated man spoke up hastily. "...Uh... caution, then, sir, as the mages still have their magic..." He bowed clumsily in his armor, following his companion at a brisk pace from the room.

The mayor smiled. At least some aspects of the Harman army were predictable -- military beuacracy certainly had its benefits, at least when dealing with the soldiers on the lower rungs of the theoretical ladder. Though even he was somewhat surprised at their foolish audacity, to employ mere footsoldiers with the task of guarding their first unfortunate victims. Yes, he was seeing a few valuable chinks in their so called unstoppable force already -- a good sign.

"Mayor Winsael," Akasha greeted him cautiously, her sharp memory recalling the name spoken from that hateful false empress's mouth.

"I am going to make this quick, and I suggest you cooperate," the mayor began in a hurried, yet no less severe manner. "Explain the accusations you made today -- concisely."

"Are you blind?" Akasha spoke heatedly, indignation plain in her expression. She took a breath as to continue down this less than respectful route of reply, only to be halted by a hand on her shoulder as Arturo pushed her aside.

"It's like this," He began, hoping what limited knowledge they had might afford them some aid from this clearly ill at ease figure. "That woman that spoke today was not the Empress. First of all, the Empress of Avito is well known to have adored the Emperor... would she just stand meekly aside and welcome his murderers?"

"Of course not!" Akasha exclaimed furiously, though she knew the question wasn't directed at her. "And secondly, our Empress would have never pulled off that veil like that in public -- this many years and she pulls a stunt like that? It's a laughably poor hoax!"

"Right!" Arturo agreed with a grin, perhaps more jubilant than a condemned prisoner ought to have been. "Then, to top it off, we have some friends--"

"I wouldn't call them friends just yet..."

"Well, near enough, who said they saw our Empress's face, and that definitely wasn't her."

"...Intriguing," The mayor raised a brow at them, shifting his gaze between the two. "Need I point out the obvious contradiction -- the Empress never shows her face, yet you'd throw your lives away based on hearsay from someone who claims to have seen it? Tell me there is more evidence to support your claims." He obviously looked quite less than impressed.

"Nice one, Arturo..."

"Well, he seemed sincere enough about it."

"Look, if you honestly think that yellow bellied, lying, deceitful snake parading as our Empress out there is the real thing, I don't see why I should bother talking to you at all," Akasha snapped, crossing her arms and looking away in typical stubborn fashion.

"Don't be so quick to discount potential allies," the mayor snapped right back, rather perturbed at her attitude. "Or do you relish the thought of dying at the hands of the Harman people you so clearly detest?"

"How are you planning on helping us?" Arturo interceded quickly, attempting to diffuse the situation in the interests of their well being and possible escape.

"I don't have much time -- and I risked quite a lot to come here," he admitted, peering at them thoughtfully through the bars, "but I've an idea or two."

"So you believe us, then."

"I suspected it myself the moment the woman spoke of giving in -- your first point, I'm afraid, was the same glaring point that piqued my skepticism. The Emperor is dead; and the Empress's disposition as I understood it pointed not to surrender, but to war."

Akasha and Arturo nodded in wholehearted agreement, then leaned in expectantly to hear what Mayor Winsael had to say.

~*~

"Are you absolutely certain this is necessary?" Angel frowned, prodding a recently stolen suit of armor with an unhappy expression.

"Look, you want to save your friends, right?" Biggs sheathed his heavy broadsword with a grunt, eyeing his handiwork critically. Messier than it should have been, but carried out quietly enough to give them some time.

The fact of the matter was that at this point the town was all but crawling with Harman vermin, poking their way into everyone's business, observing even the most harmless child with an air of condescension, and constant, stifling suspicion. Probably due in large part to Akasha and Arturo's previous outburst; what had those two been thinking?

Angel, not one to miss an opportunity, had hatched this rather simple plan, though it was not without its obvious dangers -- and now that they had begun it, ironically, she seemed the most hesitant to follow through. Understandable, since it was she who would be in the most danger even if everything went smoothly, a facet of their plot that didn't quite sit well with him. There was little to be done about it now; the unconscious guard crumpled in a heap between them -- a young chap, unfortunate to have wandered from his comrades -- would be missed eventually, and the likelihood of them being discovered even before then was high given the sheer number of troops patrolling the area.

"Of course I do," Angel sighed, wrinkling her noise with distaste. "Fine, let's get one with it, then."

"Help me out with this, will you?" Biggs queried, moving quickly to remove the hapless man's armor -- it would be a tight fit, but it would have to do. They were fast running out of options. Angel moved obediently to aid him with the various straps and buckles that comprised a convincing Harman soldier disgiuse, and before long he stood before her, completely outfitted in that garb.

"Comfortable," Angel inquired, only half-teasing.

"...No, but there's nothing I can do about that, is there?" He replied gruffly. "Now come on, let's get going."

Angel nodded, and they began their ruse -- Biggs taking a dominating stance, Angel struggling weakly, though still surprisingly convincing -- as though they were captive and captor, approaching the prison as though they had every right to do so. Confidence was key in maneuvers like this, was it not?

Sweat rolled down his brow, induced not only by the incredible stress his current position afforded, but also by the stifling heat inside this metal casing.

He turned down offers of help from additional unsuspecting guards on his way, choosing paths less populated by patrols to minimize his interaction with them as much as possible, assuring each one that he could handle one unruly white mage. They seemed to agree, neglecting to press the matter further, likely anxious to get back to their regularly assigned duty anyway.

The prison loomed ahead, and Biggs took a breath to calm his nerves -- this would be the most difficult part of this little plot. A soft sound, barely discernable, probably only audible due the adrenaline coursing through him, heightening his senses -- the sound of footfalls at their backs. Both he and Angel turned as one, and his blood froze in his veins as he realized shortly what was about to happen.

"Don't--!" Angel all but shrieked at his side, but it was a bit too late for that.

Barta stood facing them, his features a mask of distaste and anger, his crossbow pointed squarely at Biggs. If there was one thing the archer prided himself on, it was for being an excellent shot; his crossbow fired even has Angel's voice rang out, prompting a hint of confusion even as the bolt sailed toward its target. Why would she speak out in behalf of her captor?

The bolt hit its mark with admirable accuracy, punching through a chink in the Harman suit of armor -- which didn't seem to fit its wearer properly, on second glance, making the shot that much easier. Barta was satisfied to hear a surprised grunt from the foe, who staggered back; he was already loading another shot when Angel threw herself across the stricken guard, eyes wide with some emotion he couldn't quite place.

"Angel, what are you--"

"Idiot!" she hissed in reply, and Barta watched in surprise as she knelt over the fallen Harman soldier, yanking the bolt from its resting place, and chanting some ancient rite with unmistakable intent. Barta lowered his crossbow, approaching cautiously.

A flash of light, and shudder from the white mage, whose had brought her staff up to bear to aid in channeling her magic -- the unmistakable sight of healing magic sinking itself into the wounded man before her.

"You're going to ruin our whole plan," She wailed lamentably, casting a rather nasty glare in his direction, and Barta paled somewhat as she flipped up her so-called captor's face mask, shocked.

"Biggs?"

"You shot me!" Biggs declared, sounding both furious and astounded.

"Can you get up?" Angel fussed over him, looking about with a furtive gaze. "Someone is going to see this -- hurry up!"

"He shot me," Biggs again marvelled, though he managed to drag himself up as he said it. "Barta, you bastard -- that hurt!"

"How was I supposed to know--"

"Shut up!" Angel hissed. "It's a wonder we haven't been caught already!"

Barta stared from Biggs to Angel incredulously, realizing what their plan had been already -- he hadn't exactly expected them to move so quickly.

And he'd have to apologize to Biggs later, he supposed. For now, there was simply no time to waste.

---------------------------------------------------

Note: I sure do hope Cid is allowed to play a role. *looks about with trepidation*

..There were several paths leading from the city. Unfortunately, they were all soon under the watch of soldiers. Luckily enough, a certain pair had managed to sneak past the guards without being noticed. And now.. the wait.

Kaleena shifted uncomfortably in her position. She was not in any stance, merely lying on the ground, her rapier at her side, the handle clutched in her left fist. While she was quick to obey Barta's orders to flee the place, the time seemed to go by slowly--slowly enough that it had her looking up at Wedge every other minute or so, waiting to see if he had seen any sign of their companions.

Once more, the blond shook his head, pushing his hair back and fixing his bandana. "..No sign of them yet." He muttered. "..Those stupid mages.."

Kaleena studied him. "Hush. We don't want anyone discovering our position."

Their position, as it was, was below a rocky dune. Somewhat like a very miniature cliff, with room for Kaleena to lay low in the tall grass, while Wedge was crouching, his hazel eyes watching the direction that they had arrived from. Already they had seen some of the Harmanor guards securing the city, while others marched past on the main roads. This was not good, especially with what they had seen previously..

"..Barta will take care of them. He has excellent instincts." Wedge spoke, trying to keep his voice calm and quiet. "..So.. we best keep an eye out on any changes in troop position. Ma'am."

Kaleena nodded absently, her soft blue eyes narrowing slightly at a procession making its way from the city. "..I wish I knew more about the situation."

Wedge shook his head grimly. "..We all do." He fell silent as the procession passed; they both did, holding their breath so as not to attract any attention. Most of them were riding chocobos; the others were marching, holding up Harmanor banners.. Kaleena winced involuntarily.

"This is going to be a fun trip south.." She murmured.

-*-

"..Such violence.." Angel murmured, watching as Barta quickly secured himself a disguise of his own, the soldier falling without even realizing what had happened to him; he definitely was an excellent shot. Surprising, with that one eye of his.

"You two hide the body." He growled sharply at them, and Biggs was quick to react. There was some kind of shaft nearby. Whether the man was alive or not, at the moment all they could do was lock him inside.

Biggs was feeling better, at least, though the two of them waited for the archer to gear himself up before continuing on the way towards the prison. More anxiously, now, though Biggs did feel more relieved that he didn't have to take the forefront in their scheme..

There were a group of guards standing outside of the prison now, looking somewhat disgruntled. Barta took it upon himself to take the forefront; he was used to taking on roles by now, while Biggs stood behind him, keeping his hold upon the white mage. It was much easier to be confident when there were other people in the group that would get to utilize the speaking roles more effectively.

"What's going on here, boys?" Barta asked gruffly, his face hidden behind the mask.

One of the guardsmen looked up, raising an eyebrow at him. "The 'mayor' of this pathetic city wished to speak to the prisoners.. and what's that you have with you?" He gestured to Angel, who struggled appropriately.

"..Just another citizen who was protesting our grand influence." Barta growled. "She will join the others in the lockup.. I'm sure you have other tasks that need attending to. A new shift is on the way. There is a pub down the road. You may find it.. interesting."

Angel studied the guards, lifting her her head to gaze at them defiantly. A few of them looked rather amused at that, while others leered.

"Just what do they think they can accomplish, standing up to us?" One of them smirked. "The girls seem to be the more unruly of the lot.. it will be entertaining to teach them a few lessons.. don't you think so boys?"

"You will leave them alone." Barta said sharply.

Some looked truly disappointed at the opportunity not to have a little 'fun', though none argued. Perhaps a sneer or two, but no arguing. Biggs was surprised at the authorative tone that Barta had taken, and the position of command that he seemed to have assumed -- for the moment at least; it likely wouldn't give them too much time to work with. Then again, their outfits were slightly different, he noticed. Perhaps Barta had taken on the role of one of the commanders, and that was why they were quick to react to him. Or perhaps it was the tone of voice that he used. In any case, the soldiers seemed eager to leave the spot.

"Take her inside." Barta said gruffly to Biggs, prompting a 'Yes, Sir!' out of the tubby man, glad that his disguise fooled the Harmans and was secretly counting his blessings.

Angel shuddered. She hadn't enjoyed being studied by those terrible soldiers--hopefully they wouldn't remember too much of what she looked like, incase of a run in at a later date--though she winced appropriately as they headed up the steps to the prison.

-------------
This could have been longer, but hopefully Luigi will expand on the idea I told him :/

"For the moment," the mayor said, "I am trapped here just as you are. It's a wonder I convinced these soldiers to take my commands at all. Anyway, when the empress questions me, I will lie my way through, take a slap on the wrist for stepping out of line, and return to my duties. I'll be appointing myself with a new duty, as well..." He placed a hand under his chin. "The other countries in the Empire need to be warned of this."

"Right," Arturo said, "that's what our traveling buddies want to do."

"We move too slow, though," Akasha added. "Not our fault, of course. The leader has a depth perception problem."

Arturo snickered. Akasha glared at him.

"My new duty," the mayor interrupted, "will be to form small groups to spread the word of Avito's surrender. What they'll really be spreading are the lies that the people need to watch out for. I just need to know what way you're going, so we don't waste our resources."

"We're with the ambassador of Fragrico, so that's probably where we're headed. We didn't really ask..."

"Fragrico. All right. I think I'll be leaving with one of the groups, so that I don't have to hold up an illusion here. Maybe we'll meet again."

"Yeah, but... there is the little problem of us getting killed tomorrow."

"Hmm..." The mayor turned his head sideways and examined one of the cell bars. "No, don't worry. I built this cell. I used to be an architect before I became mayor." He reached into his coat and pulled out a card. "It's a little old, but the coupon on the back is still good."

Arturo snatched the card through the bars before Akasha could, then stuck his tongue out playfully at her. She crossed her arms and turned away, trying hard not to beat him senseless.

"Winsael & Son. We design and build your heart's desire."

The mayor pointed at a drawing on the card. "See? There's my father, Mid, and there's me, Cid. Flip it over."

Arturo did so and read again. "Mid Winsael's Airship Shop. Present this card for a free rental."

Cid waved. "Keep it. An airship might come in handy some day.

"Anyway, I helped build this cell. They're really boring to make unless you... spice them up." He grinned. "I'll signal you when no one's looking. Once I do, pull the far chain of that bunk down three times."

"Nice plan," someone said behind him.

Cid winced and pressed his forehead against the bars. "Damn..."

The mages peered around him. Two soldiers and Angel, who winked at them and mouthed out their names.

"Relax, mayor," Barta said. "We just came to help them out."

Cid turned around, angry. "Execution's being bumped up, eh? Not if I can help it." He put his fists directly under Barta's nose, tapping it a few times to add to the threat.

Akasha tapped him on the shoulder. "That's the ambassador. He's got immunity."

Cid winced again, this time trying to hide a smile. "Oh..."

Barta grinned under his helmet. "We'll go out that way too. You can tell them that there's already two soldiers in pursuit. Maybe they'll take that as enough."

Cid nodded. "Do you have the key?"

"Right here," Biggs said.

"It should be the only one. Keep it with you, and lock yourselves into the cell before you go. They'll have to take the long way around if they try to catch up."

***

The soldiers had just given up worrying about the cell with the mages when they heard a loud scraping sound coming from it. The mayor staggered away, clutching his eyes. They ran over to him, blaming each other under their breaths.

"Ahh!" the mayor cried. "One of those mages used something on me! I can't see!"

One of the soldiers leaned down to inspect him. "Looks like a Dark spell. It should clear up in a bit."

"Liar! I'm blind forever! This is your fault!" He jumped up and started running, crashed into the cell, and fell backwards. "ARGH!"

"Calm down!" the soldier snapped. "Can you tell me what happened?"

"They used a spell on me, idiot! You just said so yourself!"

"Before that!"

"They got out!"

"How?"

"I don't know! I didn't see!"

The soldier looked into the cell. There was a hole in the backwall where some of the bricks had slid away. He pointed at the others. "Don't let them get away!"

One ran forward and grabbed the lock on the cell, tried to open it, then swore. "Who has the key?"

"We gave it to the guy that came over here with the new prisoner."

"Him, yeah!" the mayor shouted. "He and the other ran after the mages. I heard them. They'll handle it, yes?"

The lead soldier frowned. "Just in case, let's go." He waved them to the door, then looked down at the mayor. "Stay here. We'll be right back."

When they had all gone, Cid stood up, blinked his eyes a few times, and looked out the hole in the wall. He grinned, found a chair, and sat down.

Waiting.