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Once again I've decided to update my story though this chapter might be on the short side, and I'm planning on doing some editing on it as well. Just to let everybody know that I have chapter three's title and story in my head at this very moment. I almost still can't believe it's already been four years to this day...

Chapter 2: The Talk and More Nightmares

Marche made his way onto the bus and sat next to his friend Mewt whom was sitting behind Ritz. The two of them sat in silence as they were still a little sleep deprived and jumpy from last's night nightmare. Ritz who was hardly listening to Odette's chatter, quickly turned to stare out the window, and seeing nothing out of the ordinary turned away. Odette wondered what was going on with Ritz as she was unusually inattentive, and she seemed to be rather shocked at every single movement too.

"Hey Ritz, is something the matter? Your rather jumpy this morning."

"Don't worry Odette I'm fine, I just had a rather horrific nightmare last night and I was unable to go to sleep afterwords as it kept playing in my mind."

"What... was the nightmare exactly? It might be best to talk about it."

"It's kinda gruesome but here goes nothing *sigh*...It was about a massacre where soldiers brutally slaughtered innocent lives in a seemingly middle ages village. In the dream there was much screaming, pleas for mercy, but mostly a ton of blood flowing throughout the streets. A lit torch is thrown upon one of the soldiers who than cuts their attacker down in a way that would die a slow torturous death. The moon which is hidden by dark clouds show the soldier and the soldier's attacker... the attacker mouths out 'why?'. The only answer is a sickening smile upon the soldier's face... my own face."

"You mean....?"

"That's right I was the soldier with the sickening smile and the person I had just cut down was..... none other than you Odette. I was the soldier who cut you down."

"*Shiver*... That's one spooky nightmare, I can see why your jumpy today after such a night."

"Yeah *yawn*... hopefully I'll get a good night's sleep tonight."

"So do I."

Needless to say both Marche and Mewt were stunned as Ritz had the exact same nightmare as they did. Marche than whispered to Mewt that his brother Doned had the exact same nightmare, to which Mewt replied that his father in fact had the nightmare as well. The two nodded with the agreement of waiting until the three of them were alone in order to talk about it. It wasn't until lunch break did the three of them managed to get together to discuss what happened last night.

"Doned and I both had the same nightmare except I cut down Montblanc and Doned had killed Nono Montblanc's brother."

"It might be a coincidence that our nightmares are the same though my victim was you Marche and my father's was Ezel."

"I lied... my victim wasn't Odette but Shara, doesn't it seem strange that we all had the exact same nightmare on the exact same night?"

"Doned's thinking is exactly the same, he wondered if the three of you had the same nightmares we did. I wonder if it has to do with Ivalice... but there just couldn't be a way right?."

"By the way Mewt, how's your dad's new job?"

"*Grin* It's actually going pretty well, and it's like the old days before he became a drunken slob."

"That was your reason, right Mewt? Your father was the..."

"Judgemaster? Yeah I didn't want him to end up as a slob that's why..."

"We all had something that we wanted and had gotten back than... Cid with a highly respectable position, my little brother Doned was healthy, no one picked on you Mewt, and Ritz she had the silky red hair that she always wanted."

"Don't forget yourself Marche after all you were athletic and strong."

They continued to talk until the bell rang signaling that the break was over and that they had to head back inside. However that very night was once again plagued by the same nightmare, and the only thing different was the increasing feeling of joy when so many fell to their weaponry and skills. Just as it happened the night before they awoke screaming and it didn't stop there for the nightmare became more frequent as time went on.

The next chapter will be up soon.

Once more I had a spark of inspiration earlier today so I decided to write the next chapter of this story, I hope everyone likes reading it as much as I enjoy writing it. By the way do you know where the symbols of Ritz, Doned, Marche, and Cid have made come from?

Chapter 4: The Judge, Nu Mou, and Viera

Time had passed and just like the nightmares more races of Ivalice were slowly starting to appear, and than disappear rather quickly. Like before since their adventure in Ivalice Marche, Doned, Mewt, and Ritz were all at Marche's house but this time they were discussing the latest developments of both the nightmares and appearance of Ivalice races. Due to the cause of the nightmares the five of them began to put on concealer in order to hide the dark circles underneath their eyes or at least somehow lessen the color of the circles. Apparently not only were the races popping up but the humans of St. Ivalice clothing seemed to go a sudden transformation before going back to the normality.

"... What could it all mean? I mean what's happening exactly?"

"I wish that I knew exactly what's going on myself."

"*Stare*... Hey Mewt, is your dad off tomorrow?"

"No but he'll be home at five, why do you ask?"

"Tomorrow we'll meet at your house Mewt since we don't know when Mrs. Radiuju will return home from stepping out and... I see her coming up the walkway you guys."

"Alright than I'll tell my dad about the next meeting once he's home and Doned... it's best that your there as well."

Once the matter was settled it was time for Ritz and Mewt to leave and head back to their own houses. Mewt informed his dad the moment that he had gotten home how the five of them were going to be meeting there tomorrow. Ritz was absently tugging on some of her long hair that fell over her shoulder as she walked when she noticed that it wasn't white but the silky red she had once wished to have. Quickly she shook her head and the red hair turned back to white, as she continued to walk down the street she bumped into another person, it was none other than a Viera who glared at her before disappearing, and suddenly she felt another presence behind her... but nobody was there. So she once again she began the journey home where she pondered this brand new development some more. The next day the boys assembled at Mewt's house promptly at five and Cid entered a few moments later, he asked why they were all there when he remembered, and Ritz entered a half hour later with a shopping bag looking rather irritable.

"... Sorry I'm so late but the store was kinda crowded and the cashier decided to wanna play a game of keep away with my purchases. Not that it matters but I wrote a complaint on that guy."

"What's in the bag Ritz?"

"I bought a map and some colored pencils, everyone were going mark this map with the sightings of Ivalice's races from where they first appeared and disappeared. No dots though since they'll just overlap so choose a pencil crayon, choose a symbol, and mark the map with it. Doned you go first..."

Doned grabbed an orange pencil crayon, made a circle for his symbol, and marked the hospital where he spotted the Chocobo and others. Marche was next making a blue X mark where he saw the moogle children, where they disappeared, and the same for others. Cid made a green triangle as he too made the marks of the appearance and disappearance. Mewt was next as he made a purple star began his own marking, and Ritz was last making a pink square but also... a red check mark appeared on the map as well.

"Hey Ritz, why did you make two marks instead of just one?"

"I'll explain later but foremost is that we have been seeing evidence that Ivalice is returning."

"I remember a while back when I saw those Moogle children throwing snowballs at one another, they disappeared but the evidence of that they were there still remained."

"Just the other day I was taking a stroll, you guys know the magazine stand between York and Tate street right? Well a Nu Mou grabbed a newspaper and started to read it, and when he disappeared the paper that he was reading was on the ground."

"Just yesterday as I was heading home, I literally bumped into a Viera who gave me a glare, and than she just disappeared..."

"You mean you actually felt her?"

"Yes I have and..."

"I get where your going on this Ritz in fact I had a similar experience today. I had headed out to buy my lunch and a cup of coffee today when a Chocobo passed right by me. Some of it's feathers got stuck on my jacket and here they are..."

Cid showed the bright yellow feathers which had stuck onto his jacket when the chocobo brushed passed him earlier. A rather unique test of smelling the feathers was all it took to confirm their authenticity as those feathers stinked big time. Ritz than explained that the second mark was all the times that she had felt a lingering presence of someone who was watching her after the nightmare and onward from that point in time. Soon Marche and Ritz were using the phone telling their parents not to expect them for dinner since they would be eating at Mewt's tonight. Cid than phoned to order a large pepperoni pizza with mushrooms and Mewt headed to the corner store to pick up some pop for them to drink. Later that night Ritz awoke screaming from her nightmare but after washing her face, she headed downstairs and put on her jacket and shoes, and went out in the backyard. Quietly opening the garden gate she slipped out, headed down the road clutching her head, and trying to rid of the images that had plagued her night. Another person woke up in a cold sweat, inside himself he was urged to walk through the streets, and the two of them bumped into one another not too long later.

"Ritz, what are you doing on the streets so late at night? You should still be in bed."

"The nightmare Cid... it's scale of horror approximately jumped through the roof tonight."

"The nightmares have become more and more frequent, the pills that I take aren't helping me either, and yet something urged me to take a walk tonight."

"Hmmm... I wonder..."

A solider with armor that resembled deepest night was shielded quite well by the darkness as he watched the honorary Viera and the Judgemaster conversing. Their conversation was of no consequence as his goal was clear in the matter, he positioned his mount a rare black chocobo, and made his way to his target.

Flashback

"Do you understand who your target is and what you must do?"

"Yes my lord I shall bring the person to you right away."

Flashback ends

Speeding along he swooped down and nabbed Ritz who all the while struggled, and Judgemaster Cid wasn't far behind as he raced after the soldier. With a firm hold placed upon her Ritz's only hope was that her plan should work, with luck her plan would succeed, and she bit the chocobo hard where it's body was unprotected by it's own armor. The chocobo reigned as it's rider tried to get it under control, unconsciously his grip on Ritz loosened enough to escape, and quickly ran behind Cid who caught up to them. The chocobo and soldier slammed hard into the wall cracking it a bit, Cid took out his swiss army knife, and before the soldier could retaliate the two disappeared but the mark remained.

"Ritz, are you alright?"

"I'm fine despite being a bit dirty, but it's so strange... he looked like a judge of Ivalice."

"We make enough noise to awake the entire neighborhood and yet no one checks out the noise. You'd best hurry back home Ritz otherwise that person could return. Want me to escort you home?"

"No it's best that we split up here and don't worry I'll keep my guard up, just be careful returning home Cid."

"You too Ritz you too."

Ritz soon returned to her house and quietly made her way back to her room after cleaning off her coat she changed her pajamas. Cid returned home as well wondering who that judge was and why did he appear. Meanwhile in a throne room the very same solider that had tried to abduct Ritz was making his report to his lord.

"Sire I have failed you, I was unable to obtain the Viera as you ordered..."

"Was she alone?"

"No my lord the judgemaster was by her side as well and gave chase, I'm sure if I made the attempt..."

"NO... she will come in due time, tell me the month of that world was."

"I believe it was the end of the first week of February."

"Very well... now go."

"Yes my lord."

The soldier left leaving the man behind as he stared out the window to his next shift of guarding the front gate. Within time all would be revealed of the mysterious lord and the solider. However the question still remained in the Viera/Judgemaster and would soon remain in side the soldiers/prince's head, why did that judge try to abduct Ritz?

The next chapter will be up soon

It's been a little over of a month since the last updated chapter, the reason is none other than the lack of inspiration, things happening in real life( my cat being put down sad ), and other things in general but the former is basically the biggest reason. Though I must warn everyone that this chapter may be a little on the short side though I have inspiration. Despite all this please enjoy the next chapter and remember all reviews/feedback goes in the feedback section wink .

Chapter 6: News and Plans

"Those who continue to see such images are advised to get some sleep and to seek professional help. Now it's time for the weather with *click*..."

The premonition of Marche's came true over the very next day as Cid, Ritz, Mewt, and Marche were gathered around Ritz's room listening to the television as they were watching the news broadcast. Doned was watching the same broadcast from the set in his and Marche's room also turned it off, he than wheeled himself to the window, and wondered what their next step should be. Originally he was to be there at Ritz's but due to his 'mother' he was forbidden, in fact so was Marche but he went anyway, and it seemed odd how apparently these days she didn't want her sons to leave the house for vast amounts of time unless it was school or the hospital. That was brushed off as she was worried about their health as of late instead of only caring if Doned was feeling well, another note was after their adventure did they confront their feelings to their mother, and yet she still acted the same but... she seemed to flirt more with men.

"Hm... I wonder..."

"Wonder what bro?"

"MARCHE... You nearly gave me a heart attack you dough head, weren't you going to Ritz's place to watch the news or something?"

"Doned that broadcast was an hour ago and I just stepped in the door two minutes ago... you were really lost in thought there since you didn't hear me calling your name or anything. Where's mom by the way?"

"She went out a little after you left, it was kinda disgusting, because before she left she flirted with a stranger that was walking his dog, and he had a marriage band on his finger... at least I think that's what it was. Do you have any idea... what our next move should be?"

"Unfortunately none of us had any clue as to what to do... ugh, you mean she flirted with a married person? There's something wrong with her *snicker* maybe we should take that advice from the broadcast and get her some professional help."

The two of them laughed out loud at that especially when Doned admitted that the therapist would just look for his own therapist right after the first session. Only once the laughter died down did their faces began to get serious, just like Marche's prediction came true that Ivalice was somehow returning, and despite the heavy cleaning they still couldn't find the book of The Gran Grinmoire. If they couldn't find it at Mewt's house it was decided that they would check all of the small town's bookstores/strip mall/library and any other place they could think of. However a few days afterwords the book was finally found at Mewt's house and the only question remained, should they head to Ivalice right now that they finally gotten the spell book?

"We should put some serious thoughts and plans into this... once we go it could probably be days here in St. Ivalice before we could return. If there is such a time we can all go like a weekend or something."

"There is actually we have two weeks off for spring break next month, don't you remember? We could go to Ivalice than but how to tell our family where were going... hm... if there was only a way..."

"Like camping... we simply tell your family that I'm taking you camping, and using the Gran Grinmoire BOOM we're in Ivalice."

"That's a great idea Cid plus we get to go camping as well, now all we need is permission and some camping gear."

"I have camping gear at my house, it was given to my parents as a Christmas gift years ago, and I'm positive that they won't mind us using it."

It was than decided that using the camping gear that Ritz's family owned and their families permission would they go camping on a pretense, head to Ivalice, get the answers to their questions, and stop whatever evil is now plaguing the land.

The next chapter will be up soon

Since I have been hit by inspiration once more this next chapter will be brought up... though this particular chapter is most likely going to be rather on the short side.

Chapter 8: Reports, Missions, and Rumors

"... That is all that I have to report my lord."

"Are you certain that no one was there when you arrived?"

"Yes my lord I throughlly checked their two tents and that large metal house on wheels... the Judgemaster, the prince, the two others, and the Viera were not in the vicinity. It's apparent that they are somewhere in the land of Ivalice at this very moment."

"Very well than leave... I want you to go out to search the land and don't return without that Viera, do you understand?"

"Yes my lord I shall make arrangements at once by your leave."

As the judge was making his report the five people mentioned above was following the law as they were either in engagements or making arrangements for traveling such a distance. It would be a few days before they would meet at their destination in total but luckily back in their world a mere hour would pass by( 3 days = 1 hour). Marche whom was sent to the Giza plains arrived there first and surprisingly Montblanc his friend whom had pulled him out of a jam and let him join the clan Excalibur upon his arrival had just gotten back from a mission. While the Excalibur clan had at first welcomed back their long gone member, things grew serious as Montblanc told Marche the news as of late... a sinister force was on the rise lately, and what was worst that no one knew really where it came from or how to deal with the situation.

"It's been kupo crazy around here... what's on your mind Marche?"

"I wonder... could the sinister force be the mastermind behind with what's going on for the past while in St. Ivalice and my friends and I?"

"What are you talking about kupo?"

"Strange things have been happening for the past two months in St. Ivalice Montblanc, it began with horrific nightmares where we're commanders of a legion of soldiers that massacre an entire village and where we cut down... that one specific person whom tries to defend the village by throwing a lit torch on us."

"Cut down whom kupo?"

"We cut down our would-be attacker the thing is for each of us our attacker is far different. For Cid his attacker was Ezel, Ritz's was none other than Shara, Mewt's was none other than me, my little brother Doned was none other than your brother Nono, and my would-be attacker was... you Montblanc. The worst part of the nightmare was when we felt the lingering joy of slaughtering so many and as the nightmares became more constant..."

"The kupo joy increased, am I right? What else has been happening?"

"Races of Ivalice such as Bangaas, Chocobos, and Moogles would suddenly appear for a few moments before disappearing, as for the humans of St. Ivalice their clothing would change to Ivalice job garments, and return back to normal just as quickly. People have begun to notice the changes but were merely told to sleep and see a therapist, Ritz can tell you how one day her hair color changed for a moment, and the biggest mystery is the judge who appeared one evening."

"Did you say a judge? If so... did this judge have black armor on kupo?"

"Yeah he did, but why?"

"There's a huge rumor going around kupo about that judge, he may seem like one of the judges minus his armor color, but the rumor is that he doesn't act like how the judges are supposed to, and the thing is it doesn't matter if you follow the laws of engagement... if he's the judge than he'll arrest you anyway. Stories of clan members being carted off to jail even though they have followed the rules are everywhere these days and there are some stories that people whether they are in a clan or not disappear never to be heard from again."

"This is definitely serious... it's gonna take some time but Cid, Mewt, Ritz, and Doned are on their way here. We aren't gonna leave until we figure out what's going on with both our worlds and how to stop it."

The next chapter will be up soon

It's been a few days since I last updated but finally I have the creative energy not too mention the inspiration that was needed for in order to write the very next chapter. Anyhow I was basically stuck on what the heck which way this particular chapter will go on... yeah I had a tiny fraction of writer's block xp , enjoy the next chapter.

Chapter 10: Judgement

The clans of Doned, Ritz, and soon Excalibur headed out into Ivalice's world in order to gather the information pertaining the mysterious dark judge and it's even more mysterious leader. They met with other clans whom agreed to pass along any information no matter how insignificant to other clans... yet they would still battle it out if they came across them all the same. It did not matter to them at all at the latter seeing as they too were involved in the clan wars. Information was limited to absolutely nothing when it involved the whereabouts of the people who went missing, returned to only collapse in a coma, and awaken a mere week after being a coma-like state... only to have their memories completely wiped from them. However after going through much of the information that was gathered... it had turned out that the dark judge first appeared by the coast before traveling inwards towards the heart of Ivalice, which meant that the dark judge came from a land somewhere that was across the sea, and most likely the dark judge's master came from that exact place as well. The only questions remained were... which land did they hail from exactly? What were their identities? How did they manage to gain so much power in the first place? Were they involved in the disappearances of the people and the mind wipe aftermath?

"Kupo! That's a lot of questions you have Marche."

"... I know Montblanc, hopefully we'll find that out as well sooner or later, and preferably the sooner the better. I hope Mewt and Doned are getting along alright together in the clan."

"Don't worry about it Kupo! Your brother and friend are going to be just fine, but what about Ritz and her clan?"

"Ritz... I hope that no trouble comes to her especially when that dark judge tried to kidnap her before in St. Ivalice."

"KIDNAP? Kupo! This is the first time I've ever heard about the dark judge kidnapping someone from your St. Ivalice."

"What? It is? But... didn't I tell you guys about that before?"

"Kupo! No you didn't, you merely said that the dark judge appearing but you didn't say anything about him abducting Ritz. Why don't you tell us what happened?"

"Oh yeah that's right I didn't... well alright than *sigh* here goes nothing but remember I only know from what Ritz and Cid told us. It was the night where we had a meeting at Mewt and Cid's place, that night Ritz and Cid woke up from their nightmares and walked through the streets, and they ended up bumping into one another not too long afterwords. As they were conversing the dark judge sped along on his black chocobo mount nabbing Ritz, Cid immediately gave chase after the dark judge, Ritz was able to escape when she bit the chocobo hard enough for the judge to loosen his grip, and both rider and mount ended up hitting a brick wall which cracked a bit. Cid who caught up to them took out his swiss army knife while Ritz stayed behind him, and before the soldier could retaliate or anything he along with his mount vanished but... the evidence that he was there remained."

"The cracked wall, right? Kupo! I hope that clan Ritz will be alright out there especially with that dark judge out there."

In the forest of Materiwood was the exact location of Ritz, Shara, and the rest of their clan at the moment. The all Viera( plus honorary) clan members were finishing up a mission which involved killing off a group of Jawbreaker bugs. When clan Excalibur arrived the last bug was destroyed with a combo attack and that... is when the dark judge suddenly appeared. Immediately he took out a red card and tossed it into the air, the red card circled around them all, and finally it had stopped before striking. Ritz was hit by the red card however the card changed, from red to a black card with blood red veins, and an evil looking skull. She Ritz was lifted into the air and like all those who were red card before vanished in a ball of light... the only sound they heard last from her was her screams.

"No... No it can't possibly be..."

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... RITZZZZZZZZZZZ."

The black judge had already vanished before they could even attack him, this time he had succeeded in his mission of capturing this particular honorary Viera, and as for Ritz herself? In a ominous looking castle near the coastal sea there she laid unconscious to the entire world.

The next chapter will be up soon

It seems like these days my stories get put up later and later to the point where it's after midnight where I live( the current time is 12:43 AM). Anyhow here is the next chapter though it might be a little on the rather short side.

Chapter 12: Judgemasters and Concealment

'The future Judgemaster? Just what is Deimos talking about? He plans to annihilate those particular three but... wait a minute. The future Judgemaster could he possibly mean... Marche? Yes, it has to be him for I remember Cid once telling me that he Marche would inherit the Judgemaster sword when he was older. The prince and the Judgemaster... I hope Mewt and Cid are alright, meanwhile I have to find a way out of here before Deimos tries to force me down the wedding aisle, and most importantly inform them all of his plans.'

Back in the ivory colored room Ritz paced back and forth furiously, gnawing on her thumb as she looked towards the door, after the confrontation with Deimos Ritz found herself back in the bedroom, and found not only the door was strongly locked but though the windows were opened... the drop should she chose to jump was astronomical. One such window was located above the sea but the water crashed into the natural rocky seawall, which could injure her heavily if it didn't kill her, and the weight of her dress when wet would have her meet her end in Davy Jones Locker. Either way she Ritz was currently imprisoned and it looked like she wasn't going anywhere for a while at least. Meanwhile as Ritz was planning her escape Mewt was wearing ninja job class clothing as a way to hide his face and was waiting for his father who was putting on a Paladin version of his armor complete with helmet who was also trying to hide his identity. The two of them bade farewell to each other with the promise to be careful and they headed off with their new-old clans with the mission of finding Ritz. The idea of hiding their identity came from none other than Babus... now that the prince and the Judgemaster have finally returned, there was little doubt in his mind that whoever the overlord of the dark judge would come after them in order to kill them so no one could oppose him. As it turned out that Ritz's thoughts were indeed correct as Babus also heavily warned Marche to be extremely careful as well, when he inquired as to what the overlord could be after him for, and that's when Cid told him the reason why...

"I would give you my judge sword Marche... when you are older and still the same are you are now. Than you would be worthy to inherit the position of Judgemaster, I guess in a way you would be known as... the future Judgemaster."

"What?... Me... the future Judgemaster?"

"Why so surprised Marche? If you ask me the role of the lawful Judgemaster would definitely suit you. Babus does have a point of you having to be careful... should anything happen to dad than you would inherit the position and that's something the mysterious leader doesn't want. Most likely if he were to completely take over Ivalice this dark judge would become the Judgemaster and enact horrible laws not too mention penalizing those who did follow them anyway. Anyhow we're that is the Clan Doned are shoving off so you guys be careful and we'll send word if we find anything about Ritz or about the people who were mind wiped."

Marche watched as his best friend Mewt leave with his little brother Doned as he was joining his clan. In the time from they were transported from St. Ivalice to Ivalice not a single one of them had any nightmares of being the commanders that were responsible for the slaughtering of oh so many innocent lives. The clans than headed out with the plan of going from town to town, meeting clan after clan, and hopefully finding out whatever happened to Ritz and the people. It would be quite some time before they would fully find out about Deimos and the mysterious magical power he himself had.

The next chapter will be up soon