Prologue:

"Lady Palutena?" Pit called out. He stood in the center of the courtyard outside of Palutena's Temple. He stared up at the statue of his goddess perched on top of the temple's gates, which were open to reveal the bright, morning sky.

"Right behind you, Pit." Pit turned and found himself face to face with Palutena, the goddess of light. Pit kneeled before her immediately.

"Rise, Pit." she beckoned. "You have done well."

Pit stood up again. His white tunic was wrapped around him and his golden wreath was in his hair. His sandals were tied to his feet and the shin guards were woven around the lace of the greek-styled-shoe. He had leather gauntlets attached to his arms, the left one with two golden rings of light, pulsing with the power of Palutena.

"Pit," the goddess continued. "You have yet another task before you. I am sending you to protect Chrom, a lord who will need your help against the forces of the underworld."

Pit nodded. "I will do what I can, Lady Palutena."

Palutena motioned for him to go. Pit turned and ran out of the courtyard, grabbing his golden bow from against the gate. He leaped out into the sky and stretched his snow white wings. Palutena's powers allowed him to soar out over the clouds and fly into the rapid winds. Pit flew fast, hoping to gain as much distance as possible.

After about four minutes, Pit noticed a small group of monsters flying ahead of him. Pit burst forward as he knew what they were.

"The Army of the Underworld!" he said. Pit drew back his bow as an arrow of pure energy materialized in his fingertips. He loosed the arrow, sending it flying into the tentacle of a Monoeye, which exploded into a purple hued mist.

This alerted the other Monoeyes and Syrens who were trailing it. They immediately turned and attacked, the Monoeyes firing their eye beams and the Syrens launching a spinning maneuver in his direction.

Pit placed both hands on the center of his bow and twisted his hands. The handle split into two as the laser bowstring disappeared and his bow was now two curved, golden blades. Pit spun in a circle towards them, slicing through three Syrens with ease. Pit crossed the blades in front of him as a fourth Syren sunk her claws around his blades. Pit flicked his blades out and kicked the Syren's face. This sent the Syren flying into two Monoeyes behind her.

Pit's wings suddenly began to burn, then stop. Pit's horror struck him as he realized the power of flight was all used up. He yelled out as he fell through the clouds, watching the realm beneath rush in closer and closer. He watched in silence as the land materialized and he saw a green, grassy plain where a horseman and two other humans were walking. He shut his eyes as he hit the ground, blacking out immediately.

Pit lay flat on his back, exhausted by his previous aerial encounter. He had just barely escaped from hell's minions with his life and now, to his surprise, didn't remember why the ambush occurred. Nothing was missing, so far as he could tell, but he couldn't hear Palutena.

"Chrom, we have to do something." Pit slowly started to open his eyes.

"What do you propose we do?" He now could see the two figures before him: a blue-haired noble, Chrom, dressed in white-tinted, lord's armor with a golden sword in the scabbard strapped to his side, and a young, blonde-haired girl, in a yellow dress, holding a staff in her hands.

"I don't know," the girl answered back. Just then, they saw Pit was aware of their presence. The girl let out a sigh of relief.

"I see you're awake now," Pit shook his head a little after hearing the noble's voice.

"Hey there," the girl said. A small smile was present on her face

"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground, you know." Chrom reached out his gloved hand. "Give me your hand."

Pit reached out and held onto the hand in front of him. He pulled himself up with the help of the noble. Pit steadied himself, not as tired as he was a moment ago.

"Are you alright?" Chrom asked.

"Yes, I am," Pit replied. "Thank you. Are you Chrom?"

"Ah, then you know who I am?"

Pit shook his head. "No, actually, I… it's strange, Your name, it just…came to me. I was sent to protect you, for some reason…"

"I can see that you have wings," Chrom observed. "That means you're not human. Who are you, exactly?"

"I'm Pit, servant of the Goddess of Light. Where am I, anyway?"

"You don't remember where we are?"

"Hey, I've heard of this!" the girl interjected. "It's called amnesia!"

"It's called a load of pegasus dung." Pit looked to see a brown-haired knight in pale blue armor standing up behind the noble. The knight held a long, silver lance in one hand and, with the other, was leading a horse in the same color armor as him. "We're to believe you remember your name, milord's name, and your master's name, but not how you wound up here? On top of that, how do we know that you are a servant of a goddess we've never even heard of?"

Pit stretched out his wings. "It's the truth, sir."

"What if it IS true, Frederick?" Chrom continued. "We can't just leave him here, alone and confused. What sort of Shepherds would we be then?"

"All the same, Milord," the knight stated. "I must emphasize caution. 'Twould not do to let a wolf into our flock." At this, the horse snorted as if in agreement.

"Right then," the noble answered. "We'll take him back to town and sort this out there."

"Hold up just a minute!" Pit exclaimed. "Don't I get any say in this matter?"

"Peace, friend," the noble replied. "I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town. Now come."

The three "Shepherds," as Chrom put it, lead him down a dirt path that lead out of the field he was in. After a while, Pit asked them, "What do you plan to do with me? Am I to be imprisoned by the very race I am trying to save?"

"Hah!" the noble replied. "You'll be free to go once we establish you're no enemy of Ylisse."

"Is that where we are?" Pit inquired. "Ylisse?"

"You've never heard of the Halidom?" the knight chuckled. "Hah! Someone pay this actor for he plays quite the fool! The furrowed brow is especially convincing..."

"Frederick, please." Chrom turned to Pit. "This land is known as the Halidom of Ylisse. Our ruler, Emmeryn, is called the Exalt. I suppose proper introductions are in order. My name is Chrom, I am the Captain of the Shepherds. The delicate one here is my sister, Lissa."

"I am NOT delicate!" Lissa exclaimed. "Hmph! Ignore my older brother, please. He can be a bit thick sometimes. But you're lucky the Shepherds found you. Brigands would've been a rude awakening! Especially for an angel like you!"

"Sure would've," Pit remarked. He stretched out his wings upon hearing that Lissa knew what he was. "Shepherds? You tend sheep? ...In full armor?"

"Heh," Chrom replied. "It's a dangerous job. Just ask Frederick the Wary here." Chrom nodded at the knight standing behind Pit.

"A title I shall wear with pride," the knight stated. "Gods forbid one of us keeps an appropriate level of caution. I have every wish to trust you, Pit, but my station mandates otherwise."

"I understand," Pit agreed "I myself need to when I am separated from Palutena."

"Palutena?" Chrom asked. "Is that a friend of yours? ...Ah, well. We can discuss it later. We're almost to town. Once we…"

"Chrom, look!" Lissa shouted. "The town!"

Chrom, Frederick, and Pit all looked towards where Lissa was pointing. There stood a town with thick, black smoke pouring out in three separate stacks. The town was on fire! Screams from a villager carried out to their ears. The town was under attack!

"Gods!" Chrom exclaimed. "The town is ablaze! Those blasted brigands, no doubt… Frederick, Lissa! Quickly!"

"What about him?" Frederick inquired.

"Unless he's on fire as well, it can wait!" Chrom replied.

"Aptly put, milord."

"Let's go already!" Lissa stressed. With that, Chrom, Lissa, and Frederick all sped ahead to the town, leaving Pit behind.

"But what about…" Pit called. He ran after them, sprinting to catch up and letting his wings stretch out behind him.

Garrick had achieved what he wanted. He had invaded the small town and set it ablaze, caused havoc in his name, and had plundered the town of all the precious valuables he and his men could find. He was rich! He now stood in front of the flaming cathedral, which stood near the river that flowed through town. The only way across was a ten-foot-wide bridge that his thugs had controlled and the square on the other side of the river was cleared. No one could stop his efforts now, or so he thought as he chuckled to himself, holding his female hostage close.

"Gwa ha ha!" he bellowed. "Get to it, lads! Grab anything shiny, and put the rest to the torch! We gots an example to set for those Ylissean types! Ain't that right, lass?"

"S-Stay away from me!" she screamed. "Please! Somebody! HEEEEEELP!"

Chrom and Frederick screeched to a halt a short distance from the square. Chrom drew his sword and Frederick readied his lance.

"Chrom!" yelled Lissa. "We have to stop them!"

"Don't worry!" Chrom shouted back. "After today, these bandits won't be bothering anyone ever again…"

"Wait!" Pit called out. Pit slid across the ground, stopping right in front of Chrom, who now turned to face him.

"Pit!" Chrom replied. "You followed us! Why?"

Pit extended his right arm, and a golden, double-bladed bow appeared in his hand. "I figured you could use some heavenly help! I know my way around the battlefield, if you'll have me."

Chrom nodded. "Of course, strength in numbers. Just don't act recklessly!"

Pit immediately split his bow into twin blades that looked like extended daggers. "My bow works for close quarters combat and long range attacks. Don't worry about me."

"Bow?" Chrom asked. "You're an archer?"

"Alright boys!" Garrick bellowed. "Ya'll know the routine! Take 'em down and make sure they stay down!"

Chrom, Frederick, and Pit charged forward. As a brigand mage sent a fire spell towards Pit, he spun his blades as they passed through the spell. "Not really," he replied, slashing through the enemy's tome. "I have a vast range of weaponry. My weapons aren't what you're thinking of."

Pit locked the two blades back into bow formation and drew back an arrow of plasma. It flew through two ruffians before landing in the chest of another mage.

Chrom slashed down his first bandit as Pit slew his seventh. "I've got their leader!" Pit shouted at the regal swordsman.

Pit jumped into the air and used his wings to glide over the river, landing on the other side, right in front of Garrick.

Garrick chuckled. "Well, well, well, if it isn't the Shepherds. Prepare to taste steel, you half-baked-chicken!" He swung his axe downward, just as Pit slid out of the way. Pit took an offensive stance as Garrick reared back for another strike.

"For your information," Pit remarked. "I'm an angel!" At this, Garrick threw his axe at Pit, who spun his twin blades in a figure-eight maneuver that sliced Garrick's axe into a pile of sawdust. The head of the axe flew over Pit and landed in the river. Garrick raised his fists into the air as Pit ran up and planted his foot into the bandit's face, knocking him out. Pit leapt over the leader and kicked him into the mage at the bridge, forcing both bandits into the water. Chrom and Frederick managed to knock out the final two brigands just as the mage's tome landed back on the stone bridge.

"Well, that settles it." Pit announced as his bow disappeared.

"Lucky for the town that we were close by," Lissa stated. "But holy wow, Pit! You were incredible! Swords, sorcery, AND tactics! Is there anything you can't do?"

"You're certainly no helpless victim," Chrom agreed, sheathing his sword. "That much is for sure."

"Indeed," Frederick interjected. "Perhaps you might even be capable of explaining how you came here."

Pit flapped his wings to shake off some loose feathers. "As I told you," he replied. "I am Pit, servant of the Goddess of Light, Palutena. Her goal is to protect humans from total extinction. Palutena usually guides me by speaking through my mind, but I can't hear her voice now. I have no way of knowing my purpose here, but as long as you fight for peace, I would like to aid you any way that I can. I have now shared all that I am certain of."

"You fought to save Ylissean lives," Chrom answered. "My heart says that's enough."

"And your mind, milord?" Frederick turned to his Captain. "Will you not heed its counsel as well?"

Chrom frowned at his knightly companion. "Frederick, the Shepherds could use someone with Pit's talents. We've brigands and unruly neighbors, all looking to bloody our soil. Would you really have us lose such a valuable asset to our cause? I believe Pit, as odd as his story might be."

Pit nodded. "Thank you, Chrom."

Chrom turned to him. "So, how about it? Will you join us, Pit?"

Pit made a short, quick bow. "It would be my pleasure."

Frederick turned back to Chrom. "Did you notice, milord? Their leader spoke with a plegian accent."

Pit tilted his head off to one side. "Plegian? What's that?"

Chrom turned back to Pit. "Plegia is Ylisse's westerly neighbor. They send small bands into our territory hoping to instigate a war."

Lissa clutched her staff tightly. "And it's the poor townsfolk who suffer! Totally innocent, and totally helpless…"

Frederick nodded. He took off his right gauntlet and readjusted it as he gave his reply. "They do have us, milady: Shepherds to protect the sheep. Do not be swept up in your anger, for it will cloud your judgement."

Lissa shook her head. "I know, I know… Don't worry, I'll get used to all of this."

Just then, a villager ran up to them. He had a slight smile on his face. "Milord, please." he panted out. "You must stay the night! We are simple folk of simple means, but we would gladly toast your valor with a feast!"

Frederick turned and shook his head. "A most generous offer, sir, and no doubt your hospitality would be grand… But I'm afraid we must hurry back to Ylisstol." He glanced at Pit and said, "The capital."

Lissa went on as if she didn't hear Frederick. "Dark meat only for me, medium well, and no salt in the soup. I simply…" She stopped. "Wait, what?! We're not staying?!" She turned to Frederick with a sad look on her face. "But, Frederick, it's nearly dark!"

Frederick just shrugged. "When night falls, we'll camp. Eat off the land, make our bed of twigs and the like… I believe you mentioned you would be 'getting used to this'?"

Lissa's face turned to horror as she realized the knight had made up his mind. "Frederick? Sometimes I hate you."

Pit took one look at the knight and chuckled a little. "You've quite the stern lieutenant there."

Chrom nodded. "Frederick only smiles when he's about to bring down the axe."

"Gotcha," Pit noted.

Frederick cleared his throat. "You do realize I AM still present?"

Chrom chuckled. "Oh, we realize." Lissa giggled in agreement.

Frederick frowned. "Milord remains as amusing as ever. Now then, shall we be going?"

Chrom rolled his eyes. "Alright, alright. Ready to go, Pit? The capital isn't far."

Pit nodded. The four heroes now headed out of town, waving good-bye to the villagers they had saved. It was one of many encounters that would plague their journeys.

Author's Note: I am really sorry for what happened to this chapter the first time. I did use HTML, which now I just need to copy and paste. I am sorry for the inconvenience. Regardless, please take another look at this crossover again. I fixed the bug for this chapter, but if it comes up again, please email me at Metalmanblades and give me subject line: FORMAT PROBLEM! I will then correct it as notified. However, DO NOT SPAM MY EMAIL FOR ANY REASON OTHER THAN A FORMATTING ISSUE! Thanks for looking over it again.