Chapter 1 - Setting Off!

"What? So you guys really took down Grima?"

Across time and space, there existed many worlds, all with a similar element – a hero rising up to defend what they cherish from evil – be it a dragon, a goddess, a demon…or some combination of the three.

"Oh my goodness, it was intense, sisters. There I was, on his large and ugly back, dodging Risen attacks left and right – looking great while doing it – and I spotted Lord Chrom and his tactician leading the charge!"

Heroes of the Emblem. An object always different, but always the key to saving the world.

"And?"

"Well I thought Chrom would use the Falchion, 'cause Lady Naga said he could put him to sleep! But no no no, Robin was the one who did it!"

"WHAT?!"

Although these worlds varied in population, species, countries, and beliefs….there existed another constant to all of them.

"Yeah, yeah, that's what I said too! Or rather, screamed….it was kinda windy up there. Anyways, Grima went down, the world got saved, but….Robin…..oh…..everyone was crying so much….especially his wife!"

"Lady Lucina?"

"Ahem. I see you girls are having fun swapping stories."

Several of the room's listeners turned their heads, where a woman with a large backpack stuffed with weapons stood before them.

"Hi sister!" The story's spinner said with a bright smile.

A red-haired merchant with a mischievous edge in their eyes and love for all things commerce. If you asked any of the Heroes of the Emblem – Marth, Alm, Sigurd, Leif, Roy, Eliwood, Hector, Lyndis, Ike, etc.….they would surely recount such a merchant in their travels.

And this one was no different.

"Stripes, you're back!" The "leader" of the group ran over and hugged her sister. "Didja have fun?"

"Of course I did. Look how much money I made!" She replied, holding up her sack of loot. "Oh please please, can I go back?"

All of the sisters gasped in amazement. Including the youngest of them.

"Sorry love, but you've had your fill. I think it's someone else's turn!"

"But Apotheosis….!"

All called Anna.

"No buts. I have the list right here." Apotheosis said, looking at her notes. "Aaah, I think it's time for our baby sister, girls!"

Heads turned to the Anna wearing a cape and cloak.

"Hey! Aren't all we technically twins?"

It was the unspoken rule of the Annas – all of them had a rite of passage to fulfill if they wanted their potential business to excel. All of them….had to assist the hero in some way.

"Nevertheless! It's your turn, Ace!"

"Okay, fine." "Ace" replied, adjusting her bow. "Take me to Ylisse!"

"No way!" Stripes protested. "I already made my mark there! Get your own, sister!"

All of them had the (mis)fortune of baring the same name as the other. So when together, they often used codenames to differentiate between each other.

"What?!"

"Hmm, she's right." The head Anna said. "You have to pick somewhere else, sister."

"Okay fine! Take me to 20 years in the future, or something."

"Nnnnope! It has to be a different dimension!"

Ace scoffed.

"Can't I just go to Lord Marth's time again?"

All of the Annas sighed.

"Sister, we made a rule – we've seen too many versions of Lord Marth's adventure! One with Kris, one without….and now Stripes just did one with his descendant!"

Apotheosis held up a small crystal ball and rubbed it.

"C'mon, it could be fun. Right, girls?"

All of the Annas gave their family's trademarked look – a finger to a chin and a playful wink. Ace just rolled her eyes again.

I just want to get rich quick….

Not all Annas had the same fanatical obsession with money, but all understood the value of a gold coin. And it seemed the younger members of the family really understood it.

"Here we are!" Apotheosis said, looking at the ball. "It's a world with….hmmm, the two major countries are called Hoshido and Nohr. With some minor territories called Cheve, Izumo, Mokushu…"

"What's the scoop?" "Summer" asked, who was in charge of giving heroes a relaxing vacation on the beach.

"Tsk! Tsk tsk tsk….Hoshido and Nohr hate each other, it seems. Nohr's king looks like bad news."

"Ashnard bad news, Zephiel bad news, or Gangrel bad news?" Stripes asked.

"Little bit of the first two, with some Satan-tier evilness shoved on top." The eldest Anna said, frowning. "Looks like you got a big job to do, baby sister!"

"Very funny…..but I can do whatever I want! The hero does the dirty work, remember?" Ace asked, winking herself now.

All of the Annas giggled.

"Good point! So, are you ready? Once you touch down….you can't just leave."

"Positive! I've dreamed of this day, sisters!"

"Shall we get started, then?"

Who was the hero of the emblem for this world?


"Hya!"

"Very good, milord. I think you're improving by the day." His teacher said, having blocked the sword swing with ease.

"You think so, Gunter?!"

A young Nohrian prince living in the country's fortress, just north of the palace. He had been sent there to live by the tyrannical king, but he didn't mind – after all, he had his supportive servants and siblings.

Gunter himself smirked and knocked the training blade away with ease.

"Yes, but you still need to keep up your drills, Lord Corrin. If you are to best Lord Xander in your practice battles…"

"….yeah, I know." Corrin responded, picking up the sword. "I just hope Father will be proud of me…"

The veteran had to resist a grimace. King Garon – at least for many years – was not known for his love, warmth, and support. Quite the opposite.

"….I hope so too. Now come. I think you've earned some rest. The twins have prepared lunch for you."

"Uhhh…Flora did the cooking, right? N-Not that I mind Felicia's cooking, but…"

Gunter chuckled. "Rest assured, you won't go to bed with stomach cramps this time."

But food was the last thing on the knight's mind. After all, his home country was in a state of degradation. Food was getting scarce and the inequality was rising! Not to mention, war with Hoshido seemed all too likely. Maybe it would pass over.

Or not. Gunter thought.


"Aaah! Sunshine and money, here I come!"

Anna stepped out of her conjured portal, and immediately gasped. She seemed to be on a bridge, with a large crevice underneath. And there was no *sunshine* at all.

"SISTERS!" She screamed to the darkened thundering clouds. "YOU THINK THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUNNY?!"

In the connecting gate of the worlds – the heart of the Outrealms – the collective giggling from every other Anna was proof that it was, just not to her.

Little did this Anna know…..the adventure before her would be an….interesting one….

Oh, and one with $$$.

FIN

Ending notes: Bwahaha! I have returned, to spread teh love for Fire Emblem! In preparation and celebration for the playable Anna DLC coming up...here's a story comin' your way, starring our favorite merchant (Fates version, obviously)!

What's the plot? Kinda my own original thing. I need to beat through Revelations to get some Valla info, and it'll probably draw the most from there...well, at in the sense that we get to see everyone. Don't worry, it'll be light hearted, cracktastic, romantic...or all of the above!

Corrin will be featured but he's not the main character. Anna is! And in case my other readers are wondering, no this story doesn't mean SWA is on hiatus or something, I just wanted to get the wheels rolling. Expect updates to be slow for now, and once SWA is complete...then I can focus all on this!

Next Time - What's the deal with this chasm?