Dishonored: Europa

Author's Notes: This is a story of what would have been if Corvo Attano had done some of the good and bad but the ending had a new twist either way, and he leaves the empire to burn behind him and leave for another place in the world…what if he had come to Europa?

This Corvo is one with Low Chaos but gets the bad end, just read to find out.

Disclaimer: I do not own the franchises Valkyria Chronicles or Dishonored, and it belongs to their respective makers. If I did I would have made a game or tried to cross this over.

"Daud, I have failed. I couldn't save her, the Empire has fallen. I wish I had better news for you, but Emily Kaldwin heir to the throne of Empress Jessamine Kaldwin was killed by Admiral Havelock…and it was all for a coup."

"The outcome is never fixed, sometimes it doesn't matter what you do or did…it just happens to go that way, and the next thing you know is that you personally had to witness an infighting of the noble houses tearing an empire apart. I thought I did the good things, I gave some of my targets a chance to live but with their own consequences while others…others, well, I gave them the end. Becoming a true assassin in an empire ravaged by disease and death all around was not my choice, it was however an obligation to for what the Spymaster did to Jessamine and putting all the blame on me to ascend the hierarchy and do God knows what. I stopped him, but at a cost."

"Emily…I should have shot Havelock in the face when I opened that door, instead I hesitated and because of me he threw himself and her into the sea lost to the ghosts and rocks that haunt the swirling watery landscape. I suffer a gunshot wound because of it, and my shame. By the time you read this letter, Daud I would disappear from the Empire for good and never come back…as a man who had regrets for an equally damaging mistake, you would understand my reasons. If you are ever in Serkanos whatever the outcome of this deteriorating empire may be or my journey of solitude ends, try and use your contacts to find me so we can at least share a drink and toast the fallen. In the meantime I will travel out of the Isles, explore the world I never got the chance to see and enjoy and atone for whatever wrongs I have committed to our country and the empire as a whole."

"Take care of yourself-Corvo Attano, previous Protector of Empress Kaldwin and her daughter Emily Kaldwin."

1934, Europa Continent

"How much further till we reach the port?" The captain of the large ship turned to face his behind as he propped himself up against the table in the main deck, burly arms folded underneath the sleeves of his uniform a cigar simmering with the afterburn of a light while cold mistrusting blue eyes shot a glare at the sudden appearance of his guest, holding a hand to his heart.

"Not far, but at least learn how to knock outsider…there's doors for a reason." The captain sarcastically shot at the mysterious guest who simply bowed in politeness to his words, a blank expression still on the stranger's face while he spoke softly brushing a few strands of dark hair from his face.

"I can't help it, captain my life as a poor lad led me to steal to live for a while and the first rule of pickpocketing was always to be silent and unseen as a pickpocket. I apologize if my old habits have not died yet."

"Ah of course, of course the old pickpocketing life…I remember back when that would cost you jail time for a decade depending on your total amount stolen." The captain spoke with a dismissive tone as he turned back to the table reading the large map strewn on his table, a finger tracing the distinctive contours and landmarks that filled an enlarged portion of the destined continent surrounded by islands and sea the elderly man placing a small flag on the nearby western coast where a crude artist's drawing of the city laid, if you could call several houses and a wall a very descriptive map before the captain felt a shift in the wood turning to his right with a click of his tongue in irritancy.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Reading the map, is a guest not entitled to seeing the map and knowing just where he is heading into?" The man countered calmly, but the captain felt an undertone of a subtle threat before he gave in jabbing his finger on the map at where the flag laid a sour expression on his face. The stranger then turned his attention to the small port city that was in front of him, dull eyes and a hand on his growing beard and mustache scratching the chin while the captain spoke in a dry voice.

"That over there is Randgritz, the capitol of the so-called great independent 'Gallia'."

"Gallia?" The stranger asked curiously as the captain shot him a look to be quiet as he continued to speak.

"Gallia is the one of three superpowers that lie on the continent we're heading to, the other being the Atlantic Federation in the far west while in the east we have the Imperial Alliance sitting snugly with a huge claim of the land but somehow they're more interested in the west rather than the other countries living in the south, must be some grudge they have against their western brethren."

"Now Gallia is a place of commence, a good place for trade and technology of various designs…in fact if it weren't for the two superpowers trying to vie for attention and looking like fools doing it Gallia wouldn't have this problem of being forced to participate in wars." At the mention of war did the captain see a look of worry crossing the face of the stranger whose face twisted a little in sadness as the older man's sarcastic manner softened a bit as he continued to talk, his finger tracing back to the map of Gallia as the younger man stood fixated on the detail.

"War…what happened in the past decade or so?" The younger man spoke curiously as the captain gave a sigh of unrest and pushed himself off the table and moved to the window watching the sea afar.

"What you said, war happened. Not too long ago we had a war in which Gallia had to fight and hold off both the Empire and the Federation in battles across the whole continent, not only that but the kingdom of Fhraid was attacked and their armies…it was a massacre instead of war. So many weapons fired onto neutral countries and kingdoms altogether as the borders shifted through and fro in the favor of the Federation and the Empire, so many years and life wasted only to cultivate into nothing but tension and each of the two superpowers waiting to see what the other would do…a frightful end to an already useless war." The captain spoke bitterly as he strode over to the map, placing a finger on the Empire's territory with a harsh tone.

"This place is filled with power hungry princes and an aging monarch who was flirtatious and quite the skirt-chaser in his life, now he gets to hang around with bickering families of various origins stretching from the west to the kingdoms of the south…a bonus to tax his already addled mind."

"So the monarchy is alive in the Empire, and the Federation? What type of government does it offer if not that of a sovereign?"

"They have none, stranger…they instead have a Head Councilor of some sort, they still have a government like Parliament to oversee the policies governing the states. I can tell from your stance that you are more of a royalist than the revolutionaries I see spewing their greatness in the port cities, in fact I don't know where you even come from stranger. Where's your home at, outsider?" The captain asked curiously as he watched the raven-haired man stare back at the map with hesitation a hand drawing back into his black outer coat, rummaging through the pockets before he flipped out a simple pocket watch eyeing the portrait of a young woman dressed in black as well as a little girl with a blue ribbon and dress standing beside her painted in miniature size by a friend the man knew, the captain standing opposite him saw the flash of emotions ranging from sadness to guilt on the young man as he closed the watch and stuffed it into his pocket, unable to speak to him before the older man replied to his own words waving a hand in the air.

"It's alright, you don't have to talk about it to anyone if it causes you so much grief and uh…sorry."

"My thanks." The outsider replied a bit sharper than he intended before he turned and pushed open the door, shutting it quietly behind him.

An hour later, Guest room

"So how did it go?" The black-clad stranger turned to the young voice that called out to him from the opposite side of the room, a 22 year old young adult jumping off the small bunk bed and onto the wooden floor letting out a weak groan in protest to the man's weight as the stranger simply looked at him hesitantly. The young man was much more energetic, his face showing off that bright energy with his green eyes brimming with mischief while a stray strand fell across his nose and eye a small beard and thin mustache covered the surrounding of his mouth and under his nostrils, dressed in a simple forest green waistcoat buttoned at the front with black pants and shirt the sleeves revealing his hands and half his arm while he twirled a gun in hand by the trigger guard unnerving the grown man who just glared at his reckless action, snatching the weapon from the man and placing it on the end table near his bed.

"You should learn some sense, don't play around with a gun like that." The man chided the young adult only to hear the man chuckle at him in reply.

"Don't worry, it was unloaded anyway. But seriously Corvo how did the meeting go with Captain 'O Moody?" Corvo gave a massage of his temple as he shed the outer coat and draped it over the only wooden chair in the quarters by the desk sitting just at the outer shielding of the ship staring at a porthole overlooking the sea above it, running a hand through his black hair before he turned back to the black-haired man with a neutral look.

"It was alright."

"Don't lie to me, Attano I know your psyche profile from Daud and you're being troubled by Emily again." The young man retorted, Corvo didn't give a reply or reaction instead opening the pocket-watch and looking upon the picture that Sokolov gave him before he left the Isles for good thanking him once more for his assistance in helping him reconcile with Piero and curing the rat plague that infested Dunwall and the surrounding Isles, the former Lord Protector hung the watch around his neck stuffing the piece into his shirt before eyeing the man.

"I am not troubled, Candide. I am broken and ashamed, unable to fulfil my role as protector for the Empress and her child despite all I did and there is nothing left for me to even protect…Havelock was right about one thing, I was bad at protecting Empresses." He spat bitterly as he went and settled himself on the bed, Candide looking over him with a disappointed glance before he drew out the chair and sat on it facing the assassin with his fingers drumming against each other.

"Havelock was a fool, he thought he could take the throne for himself but all he ever had was a dead girl and hell waiting for him in the afterlife for what he's done. You were a merciful man Corvo, you sent fewer men to their graves than the plague did but punished them for their crimes all the same and let them regret their actions…if anything you are already a better man than most of the nobles in that city." The young man spoke as Corvo shifted in the bed, not bothering to draw up the covers before he kicked off his boots onto the wooden floor as Candide got up from his seat and walked back to his bed grabbing the gun from the end table, Corvo's voice calling out in a soft tone.

"We're close, from the looks of the map we should be in the port capitol Randgritz most likely daybreak the next day." Candide nodded in affirmative, his hand cradling the gun in his hand before he sat back down on the mattress his feet tapping in anticipation as he looked back at Corvo's prone body.

"So what's the country called?"

"Gallia."

The next day, Randgritz

"We're heading to port." The captain spoke to Corvo and Candide who were standing behind the officer as he directed the men handling the navigation leaving the energetic green eyed man to exit the captain's deck, Candide taking in with awe at the large wall that arched into a semi-circle around as concrete pillars supported the wall that rose from the sea towering towards the bright blue sky amidst the choppy waves before Corvo excused himself and stared up at the wall with some nostalgia.

"It's like the Tower back in Dunwall…excellent fortification." Candide nodded at Corvo as the two men watched the streams of foam and saltwater splash the wooden deck while sailors moved at a hurried pace, the captain could be heard warning the crew in the command deck as the two men retreated back inside.

"Watch it, we have cargo on board and I don't want to lose any profits for any of us today!" Candide moved next to the captain leaving Corvo to linger around the deck as he glanced around at the men scurrying around the command deck noting the sailors checking the conditions of the weather outside to messengers relaying messages back and forth, the captain staying still at the wheel keeping an ear out for any updates.

"So what cargo do you actually trade in?"

"Ah that, we trade in ragnite boy!" The captain declared proudly as he steered hard to the left pointing at a large bronze gate ahead, signaling to his crew to get ready as he professionally steered the cargo boat towards the gate resisting the waves that had gotten rougher as Candide looked confused.

"Ragnite? What does this material do exactly?" The captain looked a bit shocked as he stared at Candide with his mouth opening and closing before he found his voice.

"Your people know nothing of ragnite? It's the source for many things, weaponry and machinery and also for healing…hell ragnite is worth its weight in gold here a result of the industrial revolution that shook the continent upon its discovery!"

"I come from a city where whale oil is used instead."

"Whale oil?! What kind of world were you living in, boy? I can't imagine a use for whale oil!" The captain said stunned as Candide just shrugged in reply, his eyes turning back to the huge bronze gates creaking open to let the boat into the harbor while Corvo walked outside again looking at the large sea gate with fascination as he eyed the outposts on either side, blue uniformed soldiers looking down on them with weapons lowered but at the ready nevertheless as the cargo boat soon entered a dark tunnel the concrete archway blocking all source of light except for the small lights that ran the walkways but it soon opened up to reveal a huge underground dock, various ships ranging in size and several battleships hung around the huge oasis of seawater with lights brightening almost every corner of the main harbor. There were taverns, shops and some houses from where Corvo could see his eyes taking in the magnificent sight of such an intriguing design underground while the captain chuckled at Candide's face a gaping mouth and incoherent words coming from the mouth as he gestured to the busy port with glee.

"Welcome to Randgritz boys, home of Gallia and the Principality of Gallia's gem in the crown!"

"This is incredible! Une telle beauté!" Candide said in utter amazement at the port, his eyes gleaming with energy as the boat came to a halt near one of the concrete bays the sailors giving out a cheer as they docked before they lowered the ramp and began to move the cargo, the captain turning to the young man as he shook hands with Candide who returned the gesture with a smile thanking the older man while Corvo continued to look at the view in silent vigil.

"Thank you again for your service to us, here's the payment as promised." He said as he placed the bag of coins in the man's hand, the captain opening the bag to see the coins with a strange look on his face before he replied bluntly placing the bag into the man's palms again.

"Now that ain't a Ducat I can tell. It's useless to me, though…I can't go around carrying worthless money." Candide did a nod at that as he took back the gold and was about to reach into his pockets before the captain stopped him.

"It's all right, boy. I can let you off on a free trip just this once, you did help me with the loading of the cargo after all but uh, your friend…is he going to be okay here?" Candide's polite features disappeared as he turned to Corvo, who leapt off the rail of the upper deck and landed onto the ground floor below shocking some of the sailors as the former assassin strode off the ramp and onto the walkway his face distant as he strolled along the concrete waiting for Candide who just gave a sad smile at the captain's concerned look and shook his head.

"No, there is no place in this earth would he find peace for his misfortune." Leaving the captain to ponder about that statement, the young man left jumping off the rail onto the ground deck as well before exiting the ramp patting his sleeves and joined Corvo who was already moving ahead of him, Candide pushing his way past the crowd and towards the large entrance into the main city ahead keeping up with Corvo's fast pacing while the young man was breathing a bit heavily.

"Corvo, hey wait up man! We have to stick together!" He called after the assassin who stopped and turned to face the young man before he walked up to Candide and pushed him ahead from behind, getting a funny reaction of the young man stumbling a little as he saw the assassin give him a smirk.

"Ass. Hey Corvo, what are you planning to do here anyway I mean we can't just wander around aimlessly like a bunch of homeless people."

"Don't know, but I certainly do not want to get caught in the middle of this boiling pot of trouble for long. We hang around here and try to explore, maybe I can find a new purpose to my life here aside from being the moping Lord Protector." Corvo replied lightly as the two men found themselves in the main square past the harbor's archway, Candide looking at the streets and shophouses in awe seeing kids and adults moving around the marketplace busy with their own lives as Candide reached into his pocket taking out the pouch of gold and frowning as he remembered the captain's words back on the ship before he looked at Corvo who was observing the place with keen eyes.

"Hey Corvo, our currency doesn't work around here and we didn't get paid for the labor work we did on the ship…we need to first get some real money fast or we'll starve."

"Uh-huh."

"So we have to find someone who could be willing to either pay us for work or we find someone to take us in so we can kill two birds with one stone." Candide spoke while Corvo's head faced the marketplace, watching the scenes of people buying and arguing or gossiping about prices before someone caught his eye as he followed the person's movements with some hint of curiosity as he moved towards what he now found upon taking a closer look was a young woman with a red bandana tied around her forehead nervously running past the marketplace to his left, Corvo's instincts kicking in immediately as he elbowed Candide who was still talking prompting him to glare at the assassin before Corvo shot him a look before Candide suddenly stiffened his eyes darting to his left to see the girl with the red bandana running to his left as the two men nodded, taking off after the woman in a fast walk pushing their way through the crowd politely as Corvo noticed the patter of footsteps coming into the busy marketplace, his head turned back to see a small group of men dressed in uniform led by a particular man with red hair and a roguish look on his face as he turned to his five companions.

"Where's that bitch at? How dare she insult me, find her!" He ordered as the five men scattered around the marketplace, Candide about to speak his mind before Corvo silenced him with his finger pulling up the hood of his outer coat gesturing Candide to follow him instantly lowering his head as the assassin and his companion pushed through the crowd both men entering a street leading away from the marketplace and the soldiers before a head of black hair and a bright red cloth sticking out from a nearby alleyway caused them to pause in their steps, Corvo pointing to her as Candide cautiously approached the head of hair that disappeared Corvo following close behind but didn't creep instead walking silently making no noise as a string of words caught their ears.

"…nice going, Claudia this never would have happened if you just stayed indoors. Now I have to deal with some ruffian soldier and his crew while I hide here like a rat, waiting to be found and worse." The female voice muttered as Candide turned the corner seeing the girl knelt down against the wall, her hands covering her knees while she had a frustrated look on her face the man taking some time to let her vent her anger eyeing the plain dress she wore before he cleared his throat.

"Ahem." His voice must have really shocked the girl, because as soon as he cleared his throat she turned her head up and began to scream but Candide clamped a hand on her mouth to prevent her from screaming as Corvo came up from the side his hand reaching into his pocket as he drew up a small black handle tossing it in the air while Claudia watched in fascination as the handle began to unfold into a sword's blade, the assassin taking cover by the wall and peeking out while Candide spoke to Claudia with a calm expression and a smile.

"Stay calm, my dear lady and let us help."

"W-who are you two? I-I don't know you, leave me alone!" Claudia struggled as Candide shushed her, his expression still calm while Corvo caught a glimpse of blue before he tapped Candide on the shoulder signaling him as the young man sighed, lifting Claudia onto her feet and ran for it pulling the bandana-clad girl with him.

"I heard something, coming from the alley!"

"After her, don't let her escape until she pays for her insults!"

"Woman, just what did you do to rile those soldiers?" Candide questioned behind him as the trio dived into the main street and moved right into another part of the city, Candide narrowly avoiding a horse that came out of the corner the owner reining it in while he yelled a word of apology before the trio ran and weaved through the neighborhoods, avoiding animals and wagons along with the crowds of people moving around the city staring at them. It didn't take long before the voices of the soldiers had died away losing their prey, the trio then slowed to a halt in a nearby street Candide breathing heavily along with Claudia who was feeling her arm begin to grow numb from the young man's forceful pulling, Corvo however didn't break a sweat as he sheathed his blade ignoring the shocked looks of the nearby crowd who saw the weapon in hand.

"Miss, I need to ask why you were running away from soldiers in a city like this…this situation's outset does not look pretty for you." Corvo calmly said as Claudia let out a gasp of air while glaring at the man.

"No…kidding."

"What is your name?" Corvo dismissed her sarcasm as she looked at him reluctantly and replied, sweeping a hand through her hair as she saw some dust particles float in front of her.

"Claudia. Claudia Mann, I'm from a nearby town outside the city I just came here to explore but I never realized I could have gotten into trouble so quickly…just my rotten luck. Lady Luck always wants to kick me like some wounded puppy."

"Claudia, you're running away from soldiers so tell me: what happened?"

"Man, I need to work on my running…and Corvo's right, what was that?" Candide chimed in, still breathing heavily as his hands clasped his knees as Claudia had a worried expression with a hint of self-blame.

"I was stupid, I didn't watch where I was going and bumped into that ruffian apparently I had bought some groceries and the bump threw my eggs into his face, next thing you know he started threatening me for some nonsensical charges like obstructing a soldier from his duty! The nerve! I just shouted back and next thing I knew I said something mean to him and he exploded…" Claudia sighed out as she rubbed her temple. "Oh now my groceries are gone and I am in trouble with the law, what is next in my life of utter misfortune?"

"Hey now, you are safe now they can't chase you and they'll forget you in no time. I know I had that plenty of times." Candide muttered the last statement as Corvo shook his head, turning back to the girl as he spoke to her again watching her mutter to herself cursing her luck.

"Miss Claudia, me and my friend Candide have just arrived in the city and we are unable to find work or a place to live…I was going to ask if you could be so kind as to give us shelter and somewhere we can rest and recuperate." Corvo spoke diplomatically as Claudia looked up at the two men with a suspicious look on her face as she folded her arms.

"And why should I? You could be thieves or worse for all I care, and I don't even know who you are!" Claudia spoke harshly before Candide spoke up for Corvo who kept his silence, thinking of how to get around this roadblock.

"We're not thieves, and we would have mugged you and left you for the soldiers if we did." Seeing Claudia hesitate, Candide decided to continue persuading her. "Please, we just arrived with hardly any money and we need work and a place to rest. In fact, how about this: if you let us stay with you, we find work and we'll give you a portion of the money for you to use…think of it as rent."

"Hmm, I don't know…"

"Come on, we're two men strong and well-built for the job. At least Corvo is anyway." Candide felt a glare being sent his way as he gave a shrug at the assassin before Claudia looked straight at the young man, a serious look in her eye as she put her hands on her hips.

"It's a guarantee?"

"Cross my heart, and my integrity." Candide replied as Claudia gave a click of her tongue, her hand covering her mouth as she weighed the benefits in her mind before she responded with a nod of her head.

"Fine, you both can stay. My house has a couple of spare beds anyway, but you better be prepared to pay up for staying in my house." Candide looked at Corvo who just gave a nod of his head, the young man extending his hand for Claudia to grab his in a handshake sealing the deal.

"It's a deal."

End

Author's Notes: While I concentrate on IS Valkyrie this came to mind, I will admit this now…I have not played the game yet so this is an experimental chapter of a possible cross. Do tell me what you think of its potential.

Enjoy your day

VI