Heya! Launces Mechanist here with a project I've been throwing around for a while now, Fire Emblem/Spyro Crossover! Hope you like it!
DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything from the Spyro or Fire Emblem universes, I only own my original OCs.
Now here is the first of three prologues. Introducing a few of the human main characters.
Prologue I: The Midnight Ride
Lightning arced across the sky and rain fell in heavy sheets, thunder boomed with its deafening roar as the rider and his horse galloped madly along the old abandoned road, the horse was white, however, one could not easily tell due to the dark mud and the war-horse's armor covering it, the rider however, hunched forward in the saddle his black rain cloak flapping wildly in the wind of the storm. He cautiously looked back only to see the nine riders following him had not given up their pursuit.
The rider hunched down further as the whistle of an arrow flew by, the horse was tiring, and the riders were getting closer, the last arrow they had fired had just missed the horses left flank, this time the bow knight with them had overshot, however, it would not belong before he got a hit on either the rider or the horse, and stopped their panicked flight.
(No matter what, I cannot let them get this relic, if it fell into the wrong hands, there's no telling what horror would befall us.) Thought the rider as he spurred his horse on. His eyes fell on the name etched into the saddle, George Moss, he blinked away tears, the knight had been shot out of his saddle when they had fled the castle, and with his companion's dying breath, he had urged him to take the horse and run as fast as they could. The question was where to run? The Knightdom of Shildhaven had long since shut its gates to the Empire of Chronos, and the Outlands were no less hostile, the only direction to go was south, and maybe, just maybe he could find a boat to cross the Inland Sea; however, at the rate the horse was tiring, he would be lucky to reach the outskirts of the city.
The rider spared himself a moment to laugh silently, he remembered a time when one of their comrades, Ferdinand, or Ferdy, had heard someone say 'outskirts', and had grabbed one of their healer, Anna's, extra skirts and said; Well you said skirts out, before being hit with the broad end of a 'Mend' staff, sometimes I wish Anna had taken that training to be a War Priestess, she could have channeled that aggression into an axe fairly well. He then remembered how they had both fell, Ferdy catching a tomahawk in the chest and Anna being speared by a javelin while trying to heal him. They had died in each other's arms as lovers should. He blinked away tears, he was the sole survivor of the Silver Knights Mercenaries, and as such he was the legacy of that group. Suddenly, another arrow came in, this time however, it hit the horse, sending it plowing into the dirt and the rider went flying off the saddle and rolled through the mud and rocks for a few feet. As the riders slowly approached, he could hear them laughing. Their laughter filled him with anger, and that anger made him get up and wipe the mud from the spellbook at his side. The riders laughed even harder.
(No matter,) he thought, (let them laugh, I will show them what a Grandmaster of Light is capable of.) He opened the book entitled 'Rex Auralis' a rare book presented only to those who have attained the class and rank of Grandmaster, one who can read battles like a book, can sum an enemy up at a glance, and one accustomed to the trials and tribulations of being a tactician and soldier. He knew how to use both sword and magic and was powerful with both, he had the ability to supercharge his spells and attacks with the Ignis spell ring, and thanks to training with Ferdy, he knew how to use the Sol command as well, he also knew how to send his strength to his comrades via the Spectrum Rally spell. The book was the combination of lightning, fire, ice, wind, and light magic, and he was the only one able to control that much power. He looked at his enemies: one Bow Knight, obviously a veteran and the leader by the looks of his armor, two Great Knights, and the rest were Cavaliers, most likely recruits wanting some last minute glory from the Imperial Civil War, with his death, the last rebel and traitor to Emperor Tyranis the Tenth, would be no more, only the dust would tell of their brave fight, but also how they were betrayed by one of their own.
The man grinned slightly as he singled out the senior knights and knew that if they fell, the young recruits would hopefully turn tail and run. He flipped open the book and stopped on a worn page, it's edges worn with familiarity, 'Auravolt', the ultimate lightning magic, and a creation of his own design. He looked up to see the leader approaching.
"Albert Stahl!" The knight began, "Under the orders of His Imperial Majesty, you are under arrest for High Treason, Conspiring for the attempted assassination of His Majesty, Murdering several members of the Imperial Guards, and also Inciting Rebellion and leading that said rebellion against His Majesty in open warfare." Albert snarled, one of the young cavaliers behind the leader was arrogantly shaking his head and making a 'tsk tsk' sound. Ignoring the whelp, the leader continued.
"However, His Imperial Majesty is not without mercy, under His orders, if you surrender peacefully, your will be granted a swift death, resist, and you shall be taken alive, tortured, and then publicly executed before the peasants you thought you were saving. How do you answer?" Albert looked up, his thumb and forefinger on his chin in mock thought, then he pointed at the leader.
"Auravolt." He said, and in an instant a massive burst of lightning came down and struck the leader, the spell kept the charge up for a second and then dissipated, both horse and rider had been caught in the blast and little remained of both except ashes and the knights armor, thoroughly melted and ruined beyond recognition. The cavaliers realized then what they had gotten themselves into and began to run, the two great knights however, charged. Albert flipped to another spell and raised his hand.
"Bolganone." He incanted and in a flash of blue flames, the great knights were incinerated, they entered the gout of magic flame as living men and came out the other side as charred skeletons, their armor glowing white hot upon their bodies. The cavaliers were galloping at full speed away from the sight as fast as their mounts could manage. Albert turned to see his own horse, sadly dead from the arrow wound.
(Probably poisoned, damned archers,) Albert grabbed his belongings off the horse, and silently apologized to his deceased friend for letting it die, and also for not burying it, however, time was a luxury he did not have. Slinging his pack onto his back, Albert set off on foot, hopeful that he could reach Port Darros before anymore Imperials came after him.
A trip that would have been three hours on horseback, was made into nine, but thankfully Albert reached Port Darros before the sun had gone down, he still kept his hood up, because even by now, news of the failed rebellion would have reached here and the way people think, they would turn him in without warning to the local garrison. As he stepped inside the inn, he paused a moment to wonder if any more rebels had managed to escape, or even if he was the last of the Silver Knights; after all, the battle had been chaotic after Lord Miles had been killed by his own general, Count Friedrich Edmunds, Albert had lost track of the other knights. He may not have been the leader of the knights, but he was one of their most powerful members. He and four others had been accepted into the knights after the Necro Wars in the far off country of Caiber; back then he had been an adventurer with only a modicum of magical knowledge, however he was deadly with a blade. He, Cal, George, Kate, and Felix were called the 'Caiber Rangers', they had grown up together in the forest town of Lumberos, and they had taken it upon themselves to protect the town from the neighboring city-states and clans.
However, that had all changed when a necromancer named Averick had killed the king and sent his undead hordes to raid the land and bring him more 'volunteers' for his army. The rangers had united with the Caiberian Army to fight Averick, however, nothing seemed to phase his troops. Defeat after defeat had hounded the army until nearly all hope was lost, however, one night a massive star fell from the sky and landed just outside their camp. Felix, having some skill as a smith was able to forge five weapons from the star, Albert's sword 'Aegis' was one of the weapons and during one battle Averick had taken the field himself and Albert found himself facing the necromancer, during the fight, he had managed to wound Averick, however wound had healed immediately. Shocked, Averick screamed about how could he wound me when I have 'Imhullu' at my side. This had started Albert on his quest to find the legendary spellbook 'Starlight', and along the way he had met many friends and companions who fought alongside him. His thoughts idly wondered to the woman he had met, Anita, who in reality, was a member of the nearly extinct wolf-clan. Some had called her a werewolf, others a laguz, and some, very rudely, called her sub-human or beast. Those who had disrespected her, he took to task very quickly. An old saying relating to the wolf-clan was, be free to say what you want or think, just don't turn your back after you say it. This saying and her actions on several battlefields silenced all those who mistreated her.
During the final battle at Averick's stronghold, the Deadmoon Tower, Albert had faced Averick again and this time was armed with 'Starlight', when he cast the spell, the ancient 'Imhullu' tome burst into flames in Averick's hands and it was 'Aegis' that delivered the final blow through the necromancer's body cutting him in half, and with a swift right cross, Averick's upper half went flying off his tower only to impale himself on one of the spires on the towers below, then the ravens and other carrion birds he had kept as pets descended upon both halves of his corpse. Albert recalled thinking somewhere between horror and queasiness, that the necromancer deserved no better fate, and that the world has a way of getting back at those who defile it. Upon the necromancer's death, his undead legions fell once again as lifeless corpses, but instead of burying them, the bodies were heaped into the castle and the whole thing was burned castle, corpses and all the treasures within. Albert had suggested the treasures be burnt too because there was no way of telling what was cursed by the necromancer and what wasn't. Averick had been very fond of using curses, traps, and hexes, particularly death hexes, on all his items and possessions, even the ashes of 'Imhullu' were cursed, as the unfortunate mage who tried to pick up the charred book found out too late. Afterward, the Rangers were hailed as national heroes, however, the new king saw them as a threat and had the group disband and banished them from the country. That had been ten years ago.
(Ten years,) Albert thought, (I wonder what Anita looks like, or even if she would remember me.) As he walked through the door to the inn, he saw the innkeeper behind the desk and signaled to her. She saw him and smiled a matronly smile.
"Wow, buddy, you look like you got run over by the Imperial Cavalry." Albert silently chuckled, (If only she knew.) Regardless the innkeeper continued.
"Well no matter what happened on the road, ol' Mama Maria has everything right here, if you're thirsty, we've got all sorts of drinks, if you need to rest, I guarantee, we have the softest beds in the whole Empire, we also have the best entertainment, my son Billy here is one of the best players and my daughter Eunice is the best singer and dancer in town. And if you're hungry, well my husband big Mac, can make you the juiciest chicken, pork, turkey, of side of beef this side of the Mercy River." Albert nodded tiredly when she finished.
"I just need a room for the night, a drink and a meal, hot or cold doesn't matter any." Mama Marie nodded and hollered for a 'Coachman Special', and within moments, a platter with sliced pork, a hunk of cheese, three slices of bread and a stein came out. Albert took a sip of the liquid in the stein and set it back down. Mama Marie laughed.
"Like it? That's our homemade honey mead, if you like we also have apple ale, whiskey, regular beer if you want it." Albert shook his head indicating that what he had was enough. Mama Marie nodded, and brought up a piece of paper.
"Okay, now then, a room, and the 'Coachman's Special', that'll run the total to ten gold." Albert was amazed at the low price, normally, inns would charge fifty to a hundred for a customer's room and board.
"Why the low price?" Albert asked tentatively. Mama Marie nodded and leaned close.
"Cause I know what you've been through son, I lost my brother and my two nephews to that dastard tyrant, I know you are a good sort bein' one of them Silver Knights, to be honest, because my family was so ingrained in the rebellion, the Imperial Garrison is makin' our lives a living hell. Most of the patrons you see here are the same way, hell, some of 'um used to be in the rebel army. If you're looking for safety, you might want to keep lookin', heck while I'm thinking about it, I'm already knee deep in trouble with those Imperial types, and you plainly stick out like a dove in a flock of buzzards, so let me give you some clothes that you can keep as a disguise while you're here." Albert nodded his appreciation.
"Thank you ma'am, however, as you said, there is no where safe here, I hope I can find a boat to across the Inland Sea. I don't know what's on the other side of that sea, but I've got no choice but to find out now. I can't go home to Caiber, and the only other nations that I could call safe have sealed their gates. South is the only option for me." At this remark, a man got up from his seat followed by a few of his buddies.
"So you're headin' south are ye?" Well all I ask is if you find a ship can we come too; like Mama says, the Empire has it out for all of us, why just this morning, ol' Jeff was found hanging from the apple tree in his yard using an Imperial lynch knot, and salt had been dumped all around the base of the tree. I went out to his orchard and the damn Imperials were stealin' the fruit and puttin' it in their saddlebags, what they couldn't carry, they burned." Mama Marie and her family turned white as sheets.
"Land's sake, that was what all the commotion was about this morning? Well, I guess we're goin' to have to close shop, them apples was the main ingredient in our ale and our hot winter cider. Burnin' them trees has just robbed us of our income. How's Jeff's family takin' the news?" The old man's face darkened.
"I don't know, nobody's seen neither hide nor hair of 'em all day, however, I heard a couple of drunk soldiers talkin' about the 'slave trade'." Albert nearly jumped to his feet.
"Slavery?! That's illegal in nearly every country and continent known to man." The old man nodded sadly.
"I know, however, His Gloriously, Merciful Majesty, is bending the law by saying they are war captives, because their relative fought against the Empire for the rebel army." Albert was nearly red in the face.
"Still, somebody should've caught that!"
"Heh, who would call it? What would they say, 'Just because our uncle was a captain in the rebel army and fought to depose our tyrannical ruler, you have no right to treat this family this way?' The Empire would just as likely spill their guts as anything right now. The entire army is busy trying to root out dissention and traitors; the common people have no defense against these accusations, all someone has to say is 'Hey, so-and-so's fifth cousin, twice removed was the rebel leader's sword boy or horse tender,' and 'whoosh' off goes the entire family and the squealers get a fat reward akin to five thousand gold, or so I've heard. Can you imagine how many problems people can solve when you have five thousand gold? Hell, some people in some cities are turning in their neighbors left and right and making a fortune."
Albert grimaced for he had once been asked 'What do you think the cost of betrayal is' by Lord Miles, the answer had been 'anything that people want, if they need it they'll do anything for it, it doesn't have to be gold, it just has to be valuable to that specific person'. He had honestly thought that Miles had been joking, three hours later however, Albert saw his leader and friend run through on his closest friend and bodyguard's lance.
(Even Edmunds had his price,) thought Albert sadly, (and that price was balanced out with the deaths of hundreds if not thousands, including his entire knighthood. This war was one big bloody mess, I just wish I could have forseen what would happen.) As if reading his mind, the old man patted Albert's shoulder.
"Don't beat yourself up kiddo, it could have happened to any of us, as for the traitors, well, some heroes don't have unbendable wills, or iron resolves, even the holiest and most noble intentions can often be twisted to serve evil. I know I was tempted a few times when my Agnes was alive, but I never did. She was my one true love and I stuck by her, unlike her brother who went from woman to woman until he got caught by one of his lover's husbands and got his throat slit. In the end, we all pay our dues, you want to dance to the music of life? Well, when that song ends you've got to pay the piper." Albert nodded and set the empty stein down on the table, and walked up the hall to his room, and once there, he pulled off his cloak, overcoat and boots and went to sleep at once on the soft warm bed.
Meanwhile down below, the patrons and Mama were still talking.
"So who can we get to help us? I mean we all are in agreement that crossing the Inland Sea is the only option open to us," said Mama worriedly. Everyone nodded, and then the old man spoke up.
"We could ask ol' Chester, he's been hit as bad as we are and I believe his ship the 'Radiance' is still in port, we could load what belongings we have onto the ship and then maybe burn what's left behind. I mean all that's left in this town are traitors and turncoats anyway so what if the whole town goes up. The people here are no more innocent than that fat dastard on the throne, so what do we care?" The rest of the patrons and the innkeeper's family nodded. Then a young man still at his table spoke up.
"Okay, since you are all so willing to leave the Empire behind, I'll go ask ol' Chester for his ship. My belongings are already loaded there anyway." Everyone turned to the man.
"And just who are you and what are you to Chester that makes you certain he'll accept your 'request'?" Asked the old man, curiously.
"Quite simple, ol' Chester is my uncle on my mother's side, as for who I am, I am Felix Aricson, wielder of the star-axe 'Bezerka' and member of the Silver Knights." Everyone in the tavern fell silent, and Albert who had been drifting in and out of sleep, shot straight out of the bed and bolted down the hall.
Okay, the first prologue is up and the second is in the works, the second will portain to the escape from the Empire and some new comrades. Please rate and review!
OCs in this chapter (Name, Class (Class Tier 0,1,2,3), Level (although this won't be very important), weapon(s), Affiliation, and weapon levels E(lowest)-A(highest), (again not important unless you want to point out that an archer cannot use an 'A' rank 'Brave Bow', when their skill level is only at 'C' required to use a Steel Bow, and Killer Bow).
Albert Stahl: Grandmaster (Tier 2), Level: 10, Weapon: 'Rex Auralis' spellbook, and 'Aegis' starblade. Silver Knights/Imperial Rebel Army(defunct), Caiber Rangers (1 of 5). Spellbook Skill: A, Sword Skill: A.
Felix Aricson: Warrior (Tier 2), Level: 10, Weapon: 'Bezerka' star-axe, Tomahawk, Killer Bow. Silver Knights/Imperial Rebel Army(defunct), Caiber Rangers (2 of 5). Axe Skill: A, Bow Skill: C.
Marie Thomasson: Villager (Tier 0), Level: 5, Weapon: Bo Staff. No Affiliations. Staff Skill: D.
Mac Thomasson: Villager (Tier 0), Level: 10, Weapons: Spatula, Wood Axe . No Affiliations. Axe Skill: E.
Billy Thomasson: Villager (Tier 0), Level: 1, Weapons: Flute, Pitchfork. No Affiliations. Lance Skill: E.
Eunice Thomasson: Dancer (Tier 1), Level: 1, Weapons: Kitchen Knife. No Affiliations. Knife Skill: E.
Fire Emblem Terms (For those of you who have read this story but never played 'Fire Emblem' before)"
Classes:
Grandmaster: A seasoned and skilled tactician who can read, influence, and predict the tide of battle. Deadly with swords, even deadlier with spells. High HP and Magic; uses swords and spellbooks.
Warrior: A veteran fighter or mercenary whose skill with the axe is unsurpassed. Overwhelmingly high strength, but low defenses; uses axes and bows.
Villager: A commoner found throughout the world, while weak individually, each has the potential for something great. Moderate stats, however, due to lack of training, suffer in combat against experienced enemies; uses various weapons based on their skills, i.e. high magic= mage/healer, high strength= fighter/mercenary, high speed= myrmidon/thief.
Cavalier: Mounted knights on horseback generally used for speed and attack, high mobility and attack but no magic resistance; can use swords, lances, or axes.
Great Knight: Veteran cavaliers or knights who ride forward on armored horses inspiring fear in enemies and relief in allies. Extremely high defense and attack, however due to their heavy armor, mobility suffers. Uses swords, lances and axes.
Bow Knight: Seasoned archers or cavaliers who wield bows into combat, high mobility and attack, but low defense; use swords and bows.
Weapons: (This section details the weapons of the main characters.)
'Rex Auralis': The most complete book of spells mankind has ever created. Only given to the most powerful of mages. Includes every type of magic except dark, and all spells from 'Fire' to 'Bolganone', 'Snow' to 'Blizzard', 'Thunder' to 'Thoron', and 'Wind' to 'Rexcaliber', even includes Light magic such as 'Aura' and 'Starlight', recently included Albert's special magics, 'Auraflame', 'Aurastorm', 'Auravolt', and 'Aurawind'. In the hands of a Grandmaster, has the power to automatically flip to any spell the mage thinks of, and also boosts the wielder's magic to incredible levels.
'Aegis': One of the five star-forged weapons that was used to kill the necromancer Averick. A beautiful longsword/saber that requires great skill to wield, has the ability to always strike twice.
'Bezerka': Another of the five star-forged weapons. A massive, yet beautiful great axe that requires great strength to wield, has massive power capable of cutting anything.