The Sacred Stones Retelling

Disclaimer: Fairy Red doesn't own Nintendo, Fire Emblem, or the Sacred Stones (tee-hee…yeah, whatever…). As the title suggests, this is a minor retelling of the popular 2003 RPG/Strategy game. One that focus of characters she likes. Ah…let her explain.

A/N: All the way through Ephraim's POV. Well, not exactly his POV. More like how I'd do the game. No 8-chapters of Eirika here, NO SIR!! I personally didn't like the fact that Eirika got her own story…she was okay, but she just…isn't a face for leadership or a hero role. So, starting from Prologue…until Chapter 8…will be how I imagine the first 8 chapters when, what Ephraim must have been doing, and so on.

Plus, the people in the story might say something in Japanese once in a while. Or maybe I'll forget myself and have someone say something in Japanese. If you didn't understand a Japanese word or whatnot in this fanfic, just let me know, and I'll translate for you. I'm studying Japanese now, and want to practice. So…bear with me, okay? Okay:3

And a final, quick note: the pairings.

Ephraim/Lyon (obviously…) and Ephraim/Forde (more like fluff, but still…)
Joshua/Artur (eventually, because it's a CUTE pairing!)
Eirika/Seth (the best pairing in FE:SS, other then Ephraim/Lyon!)
Vanessa/Innes (cause they're so in love) and Vanessa/Lute (fluff fuzzes whee!)
Syrene/Gilliam (cause it's a sweet pairing)
Colm/Neimi (they're so for each other!) and Colm/Rennac (fluffiness of love!!)
L'Arachel/Rennac (it's cute, it's sweet, and I can see 'em together!)
Tana/Cormag (they look like they can be sweethearts, don't ya think?)
Saleh/Ewan (don't you love teacher/student pairings? I do.)
Kyle/Lute (why not? Kyle and Lute look great together to me!)
Gerik/Tethys (cause Marisa can stay sexy and independent!)

That should be it…heh heh. Let's begin, shall we?

Prologue: Fight the Front Lines
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The invasion had lasted a long time. Long enough for Prince Ephraim to decide to take matters into his own hands. What he couldn't fathom was why. Why Grado chose to invade Renais so suddenly…

Maybe if I can get to Lyon… thought Ephraim, putting on gloves for fighting. I'll go talk to Lyon…he can tell me what this is all about…

Ephraim was planning on going out at night with his escorts Forde, Kyle, and Orson to strike Grado head on. Reckless, yeah, but maybe reckless was what Ephraim did best.

"That should do it…" muttered Ephraim, armoring himself and throwing a cape over his shoulder carelessly. Not that it mattered how he looked; a fight was all that was on the teal-head's mind. "Now, to make sure Forde, Kyle, and Orson are ready…" he left his room and quietly headed to where said cavaliers and paladin waited. "Are we ready to go?" he asked.

A dirty-blonde haired cavalier looked up. "Ready as ever, Prince," he answered with a smile. "Me and Kyle have been ready all day, and Orson's always prepared."

"That's good, Forde," said Ephraim. "And no one has spotted us?"

"None, sire," said Kyle, looking out the window. "But still, I am worried…for us to leave the castle unguarded…what if the invasion comes to the castle?"

"We won't be leaving the castle unguarded," said Ephraim. "After all, Seth is here, right? And so many other soldiers. And…my father is here, too. He's very strong, and he can hold the castle, even if it does get sieged. Eirika will fight too, if she must." Ephraim turned to Orson. "Are you ready to go, Orson?"

Orson didn't answer right away; he had been packing a few things in a rucksack. Upon hearing his name, he looked back at Ephraim. "Nearly ready, Prince Ephraim. I just need to grab a few more provisions. We won't survive charging to the front lines without something to eat. I'll make a quick run to the kitchens, and meet you three at the castle gates."

"All right, that's a plan. Come on, Kyle and Forde." Ephraim walked out of the room, beckoning for the two cavaliers to follow him. I have no reason to remain at the castle, thought Ephraim as he walked down the halls to the castle gates. The battlefield is where I belong…If only I wasn't expected to be some stuffed-up king someday… Ephraim sighed to himself. Father had better live forever…for I don't feel like taking his place as king…Eirika would serve better as a queen then I as king… Ephraim leaned against the gate walls and crossed his arms. "The weapons, Forde? You grabbed them, didn't you?"

"Yes, I did, Prince," said Forde. "I grabbed myself a few swords and javelins, Kyle's got his lances, and Orson is bringing some strong silver swords."

"And for me?" asked Ephraim. "I intend on fighting, too."

"Ah, I know that." Forde headed for a bush. "I felt like you would like something special…so I got you this."

Ephraim blinked in surprise at the weapon that Forde pulled out. "Is that…Reginleif…?"

Kyle was more open about his surprise. "Reginleif, Forde! I-Isn't that King Fado's lance…?!"

"King Fado is strong, Prince Ephraim," said Forde, walking to Ephraim and holding out Reginleif. "I know this is a bold move, but…here, Prince."

"…Forde…you…" Ephraim took Reginleif in his hands. "…Heh. You do have a lot of nerve, Forde." Ephraim looked Reginleif up and down, and gave it a few experimental thrusts. "…yes. This weapon is perfectly suited for me. Perfect for storming Grado lines…"

"Prince Ephraim, I really must insist that you don't bring Reginleif with you," said Kyle. "It's your father's weapon after all, and it might be needed here. There are other weapons you could use…"

"No, I'm bringing Reginleif with me," said Ephraim.

"Too right he is," muttered Forde to himself. "I risked my life to snatch that from King Fado's room…"

"What…! You didn't, Forde! Tell me you're lying!" exclaimed Kyle.

"No, it's no lie! Prince Ephraim is staking a lot to charge Grado with just us and Orson. He deserves Reginleif!"

"Kyle, Forde, damare!" hissed Ephraim suddenly. "Someone's coming…"

Kyle and Forde quieted, and looked around. Indeed, they heard the soft, grass-cushioned clop-clop of horses. "Could it be Orson?" asked Forde.

Forde was right; a few seconds later, Orson came in, leading three horses. "I've brought the horses. Only three, though…four missing horses are more noticeable then three. You'll have to ride with someone until we reach enemy lines. You don't mind, do you, Prince Ephraim?"

"No, I suppose it's all right," said Ephraim. "As long as we can be out of here by the time the sun rises. I'll ride with Forde."

"Very well, sire," said Forde with a shrug. "Just let me get on first. And make sure you hold on tight. Riding on horseback was never your forte."

The cavaliers and paladin mounted their horses, and Ephraim got pulled onto the horse by Forde. "All right…got it…" Ephraim looked over Forde's shoulder. "Very well then, men. Let's ride. Grado awaits us." As does Lyon… thought Ephraim to himself. At least, I hope Lyon's awaiting me…he looked up at the clouded night sky as they rode on. Then maybe I can find out what made Emperor Vigarde change his allegiances so…

"Prince Ephraim, we should be make for Ide first," advised Orson. "If we go from Renais Castle to Serafew, it might make things too obvious."

"Hmm…yes, I suppose," said Ephraim. "Then we head west of the castle…I got it. Head west, Kyle, Forde."

"If you say so, Prince," said Forde.

"Of course, Prince Ephraim," said Kyle.

Ephraim turned a little to glance at Renais Castle, already vanishing into the distance. I better serve Renais as a solider then a prince…I will find out what Grado is up to, with Kyle, Forde, and Orson…
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Heh. Not bad for somewhat AU prologue for FE:SS. Of course, such opinions are for you to decide. Let me know what you think, as always. See you later!