My first attempt at making a fanfiction. Please don't roast me too much. That being said I hope you enjoy the story!
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this franchise. I cry everytime.
Screams filled the air as the flames continued to grow, spreading from building to building. In the barn livestock clamor to break free of their restraints as a flaming support beam dropped from the rafters, setting the hay ablaze. Many of the shops left open as the proprietors fled for safety along with many of the other citizens, heading for the safe walls of the Church.
Sergeant Colbatts cursed his luck. The day had started pretty routinely for him, besides a few more aching joints, only to turn into a living hell. The sleepy area of Southtown was located near the border of the Halidom of Ylisse and Plegia, enjoying pleasant weather year round and the local forest ripe with wild game and fruits. While there was antipathy between the two countries, Ylisse and Plegia enjoyed a tentative peace for several years.
That peace was broken as the body of a farmer hit the ground, an axe lodged deep into his back. Colbatts grit his teeth in frustration and anger as his grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. Looking around for the other members of the town watch, he was temporarily relieved to see that they had finished escorting the other citizens into the Church.
"Sir," a younger member ran up to his Sergeant. "We've secured the doors to the Church, now we can agh-!"
The young man was cut off as Colbatts shouted "Watch out!" and shoved him to the ground. An axe slammed into the Sergeant's shield with a dull thunk. Looking at the direction the axe came from the Sergeant's blood drained from his face. Easily twenty savage looking men were approaching the members of the town watch, their weapons glinting dangerously among the flames.
"Everyone rally to me!" Colbatts raised his shield into a defensive position. "We must not let them reach the Church!"
The fifteen or so guards ran forward to stand with their Sergeant, weapons at the ready. Colbatts grimaced. There were only four knights that made the Watch, the rest were simple men-at-arms, not formally trained to the extent the knights were. Still, he braced his shield. These men were volunteers to the Watch, ready to fight to protect their homes and loved ones.
One of the axeman raiders his axe, pointing it towards the group. With a gleeful cheer the raiders surged forward, eager to spill blood.
"Do not falter!" Colbatts commanded. "We will not let them harm our loved ones!"
His men roared in agreement. The three other knights surged forward with their Sergeant, tower shields proudly emblazoned with the Ylissean coat-of-arms forming a wall. The next few minutes were a blur as the two sides clashed, sparks flying as blades screeched against armor and blade. There was no dialogue as the roars of battle filled the air while the city was ablaze and the sky choked with black smoke.
Colbatts grunted as a heavy axe slammed into his shield. Swiftly stepping forward he pushed his assailant off balance. As the axeman stumbled backwards Cobatts thrust his sword forward, feeling the jarring sensation as the blade pierced through the tough leather armor. Pulling back he allowed himself a quick glance of the battlefield. His knights were all engaged with several bodies lying ominously still. A majority of the bodies were in the dark green leathers of the Watch.
A roar brought Colbatts back to his senses as a large form barreled into him, knocking the knight to the ground. Colbatts felt the air escape his lungs as he landed, his vision swimming. He struggled to get to his feet as he saw the large assailant begin a downward swing with his heavy war axe. Forgoing his training Colbatts grabbed the edge of his shield and in a desperate motion flung the heavy piece at the axeman. With a hard thwack the shield caught the axeman's leg, throwing his balance off . Colbatts rolled out of the way as the axe slammed into the ground. Quickly scrambling to his feet Colbatts looked around for his men. Calling for them to regroup his heart sank. Only one knight and three men-at-arms managed to rally towards him. All of them were injured. His other knight lost his shield and sword, using a poleaxe in place of his missing armaments.
"This is not how I would've liked my life to end, Sir" the Knight breathed, wincing as pain lanced through his leg. "I would have hoped to at least gather the courage to ask the flower girl out to dinner."
Colbatts chuckled grimly. "You'll never get a ladies attention with that kind of attitude. If you can handle this, being in a relationship is only slightly more taxing."
The defenders readied their weapons as the invaders began moving forward, the leader laughing as they advanced.
"Let's get 'em boys!" The large axeman shouted over the flames. He turned to look over his shoulder, his eyes resting on a smaller figure in a hooded deep purple robe. "You leading the final charge boss?"
The figure shook its head. "You seem to be having fun and I'd hate to ruin your moment."
Shrugging his shoulders the axeman raced forward, his axe raised. As he approached the leader of the defenders ran up to meet him, shield raised. Swinging down the axeman grunted as the shield was raised up to stop his axe from getting proper momentum. Unable to get a powerful swing he was pushed back.
Colbatts was in a trance as his body moved in the ways that had drilled into him since his childhood. Downward left, right side slash, reverse left slice, shield forward, thrust. His sword glittered in the light of the flames, swinging in deadly arcs, driving the leader back. As a couple of the other invaders tried to move forward the were stopped by the younger knight, the poleaxe striking out with lethal force. Swinging out the weapon the axe blade swept through an attacker's leg. As the attacker screamed in pain it was silenced by a swift thrust of the pike tip. The men-at-arms fought furiously alongside the remaining knights, their drive forced out of pure desperation. A glimmer of hope was building as they were holding the line against their assailants. One ran forward to help against one of the attackers, spear ready to thrust forward. The younger knight saw him rush forward and before he could yell for him to regroup a bolt of lightning tore through the man-at-arms, his scream non-existent among the battle. The young knight watched in horror, only to regain his senses and shout to his Sergeant. "Sir! They have a mage!"
Colbatts's heart sank. Having someone providing magical support would tip the scales heavily in their attacker's favor. Unfortunately his lamenting cost him a brief second and pain erupted in his left side as the heavy axe blade slammed into the top corner of the shield. Unable to regain his defense, Colbatts could only struggle vainly as powerful blows rained down on him. As he fell to his knees he could only watch through his blurry vision as the axe raised up.
The younger knight let out a cry as he ran towards his downed Sergeant, only to be thrown aside as bolt of light tore through his side. Unable to even let out a scream of pain he collapsed on the ground. He could hear pounding in his head, getting steadily louder and louder. Before his vision faded he saw the hooded figure raise an arm crackling with lightning, aiming at the Sergeant.
Colbatts knew he had failed. It was a bitter pill to swallow, knowing one failed in their duty to protect their charge. As a lad he always imagined his death would be a tale of valiant deeds and heroism on the field of battle. Not at the hands of bandits while the city that was entrusted to him burned and it's people depending on him to ensure their safety.
"No," he breathed, "I WILL NOT FALL LIKE THIS"
Rising to his feet he grabbed the axe handle, surprising the axeman. Roaring in incomprehensible fury he swiftly grabbed the wrists and slammed his forehead repeatedly into the attacker's face. Wrenching the axe free he swung at the bandits that rushed forward to help their boss. Colbatts no longer relied on the finesse of his training, his savage instinct was now solely focused on killing all the intruders. Through his rage he heard the sound of hoofbeats, growing louder and louder. None of that mattered to him as he refocused on his immediate surroundings. The attackers hesitant to approach the berserker, Colbatts charged the now weaponless leader. His roar was cut short as his charge was interrupted by a bolt of lightning, hitting him square in the stomach. Colbatts legs finally gave out and he was sent crashing into the ground.
The bandit leader walked up and grabbed his axe.
"Stupid fucker" He said through his bleeding mouth. "I'll kill 'im now. Good thing you called for backup boss, even though we didn't need it."
The figure drew a sword from inside the cloak. "I didn't"
Before the bandit leader could ask what he meant he was swept off his feet as a lance appeared to grow from his chest. The momentum of horse and rider was devastating as the body traveled with the pair for several feet before dropping it off in a sickening heap. Turning around the rider charged the remaining bandits. They scattered in panic as the horseman started hunting them down. The hooded figure raised his arm, lightning forming at his fingertips. A sudden shout caused him to turn his head and leap back as a sword hissed past his face. Looking at his new opponent, it could barely get a good look as the new swordsman charged him. Blade clashed against blade as they continued their deadly dance. The hooded figure knew he was outmatched as every clash sent a jarring sensation up his arms. Chanting under his breath he swiped at the swordsman, causing him to momentarily disengage. Using his brief respite the hooded figure unleashed an explosion the swordsman's feet.
The horseman saw this and wheeled his horse towards the hooded figure. "HOW DARE YOU!" He roared. "I SENTENCE YOU TO DEATH! NOW PICK A GOD AND PRAY"
The hooded figure knew his time was up. Activating a charm on his chest he vanished in a flash of purple light.
Wheeling his horse around the horseman looked around. "COWARD! YOU WOULD RUN AFTER WHAT YOU DID?"
Limping painfully towards him the swordsman walked up to him. "Peace, Frederick" He breathed. Our first priority here is to make sure our people are safe."
Frederick looked down. "Of course Milord. Forgive me, I acted on pure rage. It was unfitting as a Knight of my station."
"Chrooooomm," came a feminine voice. "You just left me you doofus! How could you leave your poor sister alone with bad guys around!"
Chrom sighed. "Lissa! Now is not the time for this! These men need healing right away!"
"I know, I'm getting on it" Came the reply.
With a flash the hooded figure appeared, a few miles outside the city. Immediately two figures rushed up to him.
"Well? Well? How did it go?" an eager voice whispered. "Did you get what you wanted"
"Shut up, fool!" the second figure hissed, her gaze not even leaving the figure in front of her. "More importantly, are you injured anywhere?"
The hooded figure chuckled and held up his hands. "Peace, both of you. I appreciate the concern Tharja but I am fine. A little more sore than I imagined. That Prince Chrom hits harder than one expects, and there's that monster of a knight that was with him. I was pretty scared there for a moment."
The figure raised his hands up and pulled back the hood, letting his silver locks free. He enjoyed the faint breeze ruffling his hair. He turned to his companions. "To answer your question Henry, I did get what I needed." He held up a scroll, bound tightly in glowing ribbons.
"Nya ha ha, enchanted ribbon seals huh? Must be important." Henry gushed. "I can't wait to play with this."
The figure looked in amusement as Tharja started to create their transportation circle. "You can undo this right?"
"Nya ha ha we'll see!" came the reply.
"I guess that'll have to do."
"Anyways Robin, you were pretty cruel to our men." Henry opened one eye to look at his friend. "You had no intention of helping them escape did you. Our scouts clearly mentioned the Shepards on patrol."
Robin shrugged. "They were war criminals set free by our dunce of a King. I needed people thirsty for blood and not enough of it to go to their brain."
He looked back towards the smoke rising from the city. "Ylisse, Plegia, I do not care about it's politics. I have no intention of playing my father's game with the Grimleal. I will create a new country out of the ashes of what remains."
Tharja and Henry looked at their friend with respect and understanding. Many years working under him made them the most loyal of friends anyone would be lucky to silence was broken as a smokey black portal appeared behind them. Robin sighed and started walking towards the teleportation gate.
"I will not let anyone stand in my way. Gangarel, Validar, Shepards, Prince Chrom, I invite you to a game of Empires. Will you rise or fall? Lead with valor or mercilessly destroy what's in your way? The stage is set, the die is cast, now we all must play."
Well there is the first chapter. Did you have fun and enjoy it? If so my job is done. I hope to be able to do consistent uploads but I have to write around my schedule which is a tad unforgiving at the moment. However that is neither here nor there. If you have questions, comments, or criticisms please feel free to message me!
-TheIglooGuy