Dragon for a Day
a Fire Emblem Gaiden GTS story
Chapter 2: Hard to Port
3-4-2019
by Grey-X, with help from DunamisSolgard1002 and CubedCinder128
Disclaimer: The Fire Emblem franchise is the creation and property of Nintendo and Intelligent Systems. Princess Apple is an original Super Mario Bros. character created by cubedcinder128, and is used with his permission.
Note: This story is a sequel of sorts to CubedCinder128's Super Smash Bros. story, Apple's Smashing Army.
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Celica couldn't help but be awed by seeing Valentia from her new vantage point. As Celica trudged toward toward the rockslide, she stayed as far from the roads as she could, lest her deep footprints render them impassable. Plus, there would be less chance of trampling any people that way. Still, Celica found herself constantly glancing down. The thought of killing anyone through such carelessness chilled her. A downside of being such a towering force.
Yet in between anxious glances down at her feet, Celica allowed herself to admire the breathtaking view. She could see so much more of Valentia from way up here. The mountains to the north seemed a little less daunting now, and flocks of birds that passed by were more like swarms of flies! And most of the trees she passed barely reached up past her hips, let alone came up to her head! It was almost intoxicating, this sense of power. Was it always as heady an experience for Apple, or had she grown used to it?
The sun had risen a bit more, but it couldn't be even close to noon. Yet as Celica looked ahead, taking huge strides with her long, mammoth legs, she could see the outskirts of where that rockslide hit so many months ago! It hadn't been all that long since she left the castle after growing, yet she was closing in on her goal! However, even from her high vantage point, she couldn't spot anything like Alm's entourage. Was he not through the rockslide path yet, or had she somehow missed him by keeping her distance from the roads?
As Celica pondered this, some shrieks from below snapped her back to attention. She looked down just in time to avoid stepping on some people on horseback, who just galloped out of a nearby copse of trees.
"Whoops!" Celica cried, stumbling backwards. Celica could see the horses struggle to keep their footing with each clumsy footfall that rocked the earth. Thankfully, their riders kept their steeds under control. A good thing too, as Celica saw children on some of the horses, along with their adult riders.
Celica took a moment to steady her breathing as her eyes met the anxious, befuddled gazes aimed up at her. "Erm, hello," she said sheepishly, waving down at the riders. "I, errr, hope I didn't frighten you too much..."
Unsurprisingly, it took a moment for someone to work up the nerve to reply. It was a little girl seated in front of who Celica guessed was her mother. "Wait, uhhh... Aren't you, well, the queen?"
Celica smiled warmly. "Why yes, little one, I am."
"Oh my," said the woman riding with the girl. "I've heard stories of your beauty, and that you are the living embodiment of the Mother, but I never imagined..."
Celica smiled again. It looked like her height was having the effect Mycen hoped for. Even now, Celica saw their little faces go from apprehensive to simply awestruck. "I do in fact bear Mila's brand, but what you see me as now..." Celica fumbled for the right words. "Well, let's just say a friend's let me see things from a new perspective. Still, I need a little help."
"H-H-How can we be of service, Milady?" spluttered one of the men on horseback.
"Can any of you tell me if King Alm's entourage has passed by yet?" Celica asked them. "I'm starting to think I somehow missed them entirely."
The riders looked amongst each other for a moment, perplexed by her question. "Uhhh, no Milady. We haven't seen anything like that pass through these parts," said another man. "You supposed the king is in some sort of trouble?"
Celica shook her head. "Nope, I just aim to give him one BIG surprise!" The riders looked even more perplexed. "I suppose I'll run into him eventually. Thank you for your help, and sorry for the scare before!"
With that, she departed, taking a few long strides around them to avoid scaring their horses again. Celica looked back over her shoulder, smiling as she waved good-bye. Even after looking back ahead, she could feel their confused stares on her back. That wasn't quite how Celica wanted her first encounter with subjects outside the castle to go. She wondered how far the rumors and stories about her new stature would spread in the hours to come.
Celica sighed, realizing it wasn't worth fretting over. She still had to track down Alm. As luck would have it, as Celica drew closer to the rockslide, she could better make out the path blasted through it. And from her new vantage point, she could see movement within it, despite still being several miles away. Luckily, a hilly landscape between them probably shielded her from their view. Celica smiled mischievously, trying to decide how best to do this...
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The sun was beating down Alm's back as he led his force through the rockslide, several dozen soldiers strong, back to the castle. It was making him a little uncomfortable, but of course, being the leader, he couldn't show any weakness. Sometimes it was troubling, how easily he viewed things as a Rigelian would, despite being raised in Zofia.
Then again, Rigelian, Zofian... Distinctions that no longer matter, Alm reminded himself. We're at an inflection point in history, and somehow, I've got to chart a new path forward. No, not alone. He had Celica at his side to help him. Except, of course, during those times that required long stints away from the castle, such as what he was returning from. Alm was most eager to see her again, though he wondered if that feeling would be reciprocated.
He hoped it had blown over, Celica's frustration with his insistence he be the one to lead the campaign against the bandits and smugglers. They still butted heads all too often, but Celica seemed to have taken that more personality than other decisions. Was she getting tired of staying at the palace, of the administrative duties? Why? She didn't like warfare in the first place, and (usually) had a cooler head and was eager to keep the peace. What was wrong with the both of them sticking to the tasks they were best suited for?
Alm wondered if he should ask for advice, get another woman's perspective. He turned to his left, where Sonya's horse trotted. Sonya wasn't even looking ahead, but rather up at the rocks around the path, those foreboding, jagged edges looming over them all. She seemed as coldly aloof as she was icily beautiful, but also distracted by other matters. Thankfully, she had done her job well back there. With so many other spellcasters having other duties and plans, including Celica herself, Alm had few other options.
Still, Alm decided against asking her what do to about Celica. Sonya had traveled with Celica on her journey, and might have an idea why his wife was more troubled than usual lately. Yet Alm could sense she had things of her own to work out.
Looking to his right, Alm decided Leon would be of little help as well. He had been in Celica's group far longer than Sonya, but with how self-absorbed he came off as, Alm doubted he could offer any useful insight.
Sighing, Alm just looked ahead, resigned to how he probably had to just face Celica's wrath on his own. The rocks that tumbled down months ago, and the path through them, stretched out before them. But soon, Alm could make out the faint green of the grassy plains ahead, and even some trees. That was welcome. The sooner they were through this deathtrap, the better.
Alm noticed Sonya looking back ahead, then glancing up toward the sun. "D'you suppose we'll be back at the castle before sundown, my lord?" she asked suddenly.
Alm looked to the sun as well. "Mid-afternoon, at the latest, if we keep up this pace," he told Sonya. "Why?"
"Because I have matters of my own to attend to," said Sonya. "While I am humbled that you chose me as both healer and spellcaster for this expedition, Alm, I regret it may be my last foray under your command as well as my first."
"And I must return to Valbar as soon as possible," Leon chimed in. "I understand how you needed speedier troops for this mission, my lord, but I can't bear to think of how the poor dear's gotten along without me..." Alm was a bit befuddled by the caress in Leon's voice. Meanwhile, Alm heard Sonya snort derisively, and could picture her rolling her eyes.
"At least you don't have to worry about Valbar biting your head off upon returning, Leon," Alm muttered under his breath. But not softly enough for Sonya not to overhear.
"Oh, is our king in the doghouse?" Sonya whispered slyly. "Do tell. What, is she getting ideas because I was the priestess who tagged along instead of her?"
"It's not that!" Alm snapped quickly. "Well, maybe a little. Celica wanted to lead this mission herself, but I thought it was more important she stay at the castle. And I just can't figure out..."
A low rumbling swallowed up Alm's words. He held up a fist, signaling for his men to halt. The rumbling was getting louder, and getting closer. Alm had no idea what it could be, but looking down, he saw flecks of rock and dirt shoot up with each tremor. Looking around him, his heart sank upon seeing those jagged rocks vibrate ominously.
"Everyone, forward! Fast as you can! Out from the rockslide path, now!" Alm bellowed, waving for everyone to move. For a moment, thundering hoofbeats and wagons going full speed drowned out the rumbling, but soon it could be heard again, louder than ever.
Thankfully, Alm's force made it out the western side, and Alm heard no rocks tumbling down behind them. His troops were out safely, but what was causing this rumbling? "Sonya, can you sense any magic being used? Is someone trying to trigger another rockslide?"
"I don't... think so," said Sonya. "But there was something unnatural about those tremors. At least they've stopped, for the moment."
"And we don't have to blast through another rockslide, either," added Alm.
"Oh, for sure," came a reverberating voice that seemed to envelop them. "No rockslide is separating the two of us again."
His men looked about wildly, trying to pinpoint the eerie voice. Alm, however, was frozen in his saddle. It took a moment to place that voice, given how different it sounded, but there was no mistaking it...
"Celica!?" he cried out. There was no sign of her anywhere. Of course, with the huge, jagged rocks that had tumbled from the pile behind them, and a few tall trees still standing, there were plenty of hiding spots for her. But what was making her voice sound so funny?
It wasn't helping Sonya and Leon's moods, either. Sonya drew her sword while preparing a fire spell, and Leon had his crossbow out, both expecting trouble. Alm was about to snap at them for getting freaked out over their queen and former commander, but then Celica spoke again.
"Why yes, Alm," boomed her voice, yet it felt like Celica was whispering. "I decided to come greet you here. I've got, well, a BIG surprise for you..."
"What do you mean?" demanded Alm. "Why does your voice sound so funny? And that trembling... What's going on?"
Alm swore Celica giggled, though it sounded more like rumbling thunder. "Well, I suppose I could tell you, Alm. But it'll be more fun to simply show you..."
Out the corner of his eye, over behind a couple huge rocks and a tall tree's canopy, Alm caught a flash of red and white. Something was rising from behind them, something massive!
Whatever it was, it moved out from behind cover. That rumbling went off again, closer and louder than ever. Alm struggled to keep his horse from throwing him off. He heard Sonya and Leon grunt, having to do the same. After sparing a moment to calm his horse, Alm looked up to whatever it was. And up, and up.
There, somehow enlarged to ridiculous proportions, was Celica, towering over his entire force. All his men must've looked like toy soldiers to her! Rays from the still-rising sun behind them gleamed off her white battle dress, not to mention the lustrous, white boots that planted themselves deep in the rocky soil before them with a booming thud. Still, Alm could make out that mischievous, smirking face beaming down at them. Celica had her hands on her hips, relishing their confusion. Alm gulped nervously. If Celica really WAS still mad about his decision...
On either side of him, Alm heard Leon and Sonya's weapons clatter to the ground. No doubt they were just as stupefied. "Hey Sonya," Leon said suddenly. "Does once being a witch have lingering effects, like oh I dunno, spontaneously hitting a serious growth spurt?"
"Ummm, no. No it wouldn't," Sonya said simply.
"OK, just asking," said Leon.
That was a disturbing possibility. Now that Alm thought about it, Celica's voice did sound oddly similar to when she was corrupted by Duma's influence. "C-C-C-Celica, what happened to you!? W-W-W-What are you doing here!?"
"What, shouldn't the queen of Valentia come to welcome back her husband and king after a successful campaign?" Celica asked teasingly. Alm could only stare up the towering redhead. He still had no clue what Celica was really up to, let alone how she got this way.
Then, without warning, Celica bent over, reaching down for him. Alm could only cry out in confusion and instinctive fear. He heard Sonya ready a fireball and Leon jump down from his horse to retrieve his crossbow, but Celica was too swift, even at that titanic size. Celica plucked Alm right off his horse, her thumb pressing against his chest plate and her fingers at his back.
Alm's legs dangled uselessly as Celica brought him up to her face, helpless in her fist. Giant, glistening gold-red eyes looked him over, as if she wasn't quite sure what to do with him.
"Seriously, Celica, what's going on!?" Alm demanded. "Are you... still mad about not leading the campaign?"
Celica smiled even more broadly, her mouth now impossibly wide. Alm briefly wondered if she was big enough to just gobble him up.
"Oh come now, Alm. You should know I wouldn't hold a grudge over something like that," said Celica. She sounded sincere enough, but there was a coyness to her voice, and it unnerved Alm. "In fact, let me show you how NOT mad I am..."
With that, Celica brought Alm right up to her mouth, which puckered up for a kiss. Alm didn't even have time to yelp in surprise before his face was smothered by her lips. He felt his head getting sucked in, like it was about to pop clean off. Mercifully, Celica soon broke the kiss, only to smush him up against her cheek, nuzzling him like one would a kitten. She wasn't being too rough, but it was still a tad uncomfortable.
Though Celica's huge fingertips blocked most of his view, when Alm looked down, he caught glimpses of the troops. Most were staring up in bewilderment, including Leon, while Sonya looked a little envious. But Alm also heard some snickering from down below. "C'mon Celica! Right in front of the troops!?" Alm managed to get out, his face half-smushed into her cheek.
"Awww, Alm, it's not like our feelings for each other are a secret," Celica teased. Alm felt her voice vibrate through his body on top of it pounding his ears.
If this is Celica's way of 'punishing' me, I suppose it could be a lot worse, Alm thought with a resigned sigh, relaxing a little in Celica's grip.
This didn't go unnoticed by Celica. At last, she pulled him away from her face, looking Alm over again. Celica still held him close enough, however, that Alm saw his reflection in her huge eyes. "See, that wasn't so bad. And I suggest you try getting used to it, husband of mine. I've got about a day to spend in this state, and I intend to savor every second of it with you, Alm."
"Alright, back it up a little," said Alm, wanting some answers. "A whole day like this? Care to spare a few seconds to explain just how you got this way!?"
It looked like Celica was finally ready to stop being coy. She opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by shouts from below. Alm looked back down, noticing a lot of the soldiers were having trouble standing. As if... the ground was shaking again? But Celica's feet were firmly planted! Then he heard more booming footsteps, and they were getting closer.
"Oh great, who else hit a growth spurt?" Alm grumbled. He jerked in Celica's grip to look past her head, toward where he thought the new tremors were coming from. All sorts of dreadful possibilities came to him. However, when he did indeed spot ANOTHER giant woman, it wasn't anyone Alm recognized. A green-eyed girl a few years older than Celica, with brown hair pulled back, wearing a huge crown with some sort of seed fixed in the center.
Before Alm could process all this, he felt something whoosh by. Twisting around in Celica's grip, he saw a pegasus fluttering nearby. Clair had come back, with Mae hitching a ride.
"Oh, Alm, I see you've already learned your wife is about to have, ahh, an interesting day," Clair said sheepishly.
"Oh yes, I am quite aware that something is amiss," Alm muttered.
"C'mon, Alm, it looks like Celica's been pretty gentle with you," scoffed Mae. Alm glared back at the pigtailed priestess. Mae just ignored that and went on. "Seriously, if it had been me instead of the queen... Oh baby, the fun I would have with Boey..."
"If it was you instead of... OK, back up. Can someone finally explain just WHY we've got a super-sized queen now, and who our equally massive guest is!?" Alm spat, swiftly losing patience. "Is this... some lingering bit of Mila's power, some sort of 'blessing'?"
Looking back to Celica's huge face, Alm saw it darken a little. "No Alm, we both know that... the time of Valentia's gods is over," she said somberly.
"Besides, wouldn't a blessing like this be more of Duma's speed anyway?" Mae added.
"As for why your wife can now hold you in the palm of her hand, well, I take full responsibility," said the other giantess cheerfully. She gazed down adoringly at Alm, as if she wanted to scoop him up and snuggle him too.
Alm shuddered a little. It was more than enough to have Celica snuggle him like a plush toy. He looked from the other giantess back to Celica. Smiling, Celica said, "Alm, you remember me telling you about that conflict in a place called Aytolis, remember? And how the tide was turned by a giant princess from a world even farther off, bringing with her an entire smashing army?"
Alm racked his brains, eventually recalling the tale Celica wove. Granted, Alm found it a bit hard to believe back then, but with Celica now towering over the troops, clutching him firmly with one hand...
Celica must've seen it dawn in Alm's eyes. "Alm, allow me to introduce Princess Apple of Giant Land," said Celica, slinging her free arm around the other giantess's shoulders. "I didn't get much time to talk in Aytolis, but we've got a whole day to get to know her better."
Apple's face loomed a little closer to Alm. "It's an honor to meet you, King Alm," she said cheerfully. Celica's friend seemed sincere enough. Still, this would take a LOT of getting used to. Apple would be lumbering around his kingdom for an entire day with Celica? Just what would they get up to?
Suddenly, Sonya called up to him. "My lord, hate to interrupt such a tender moment, but a messenger just rode here from Zofia's main eastern port." Celica turned just enough so Alm could easily look down. A lanky boy on horseback beside Sonya and Leon was, understandably, gaping up at the two titanic girls. "Out with it, boy!" snapped Sonya. "Stop gazing longingly at their legs and spit it out!"
"W-W-W-Well, errr, th-th-th-that is..." the boy spluttered, unable to take his eyes off Celica and Apple. "The port's gotta be under attack by now! B-B-B-Bandits have regrouped, a-a-a-and... Representatives of that mercenary nation sent a f-f-f-force, b-b-b-but..."
This was not good news. "Oh great," Alm grumbled. "It'll take too long for our force to double back and provide reinforcements in time, not to mention..."
Alm's blood ran cold when he felt Celica's gaze fix on him. He slowly turned in her grip, looking back up at those huge, red eyes. "Let's get it over with, here comes the mother of all 'I told you so's..."
Celica shook her head. "No, Alm. Don't forget, I agreed with your logic. Besides, when I first set sail from the priory, I was set upon by bandits almost immediately. I'm under no delusions that any solution to our pirate problem can be done without some bloody conflict."
Alm sighed in relief. Well, that's one danger averted, so...
"So this time, I'm going back to the port with you," Celica went on.
Alm's eyes widened in shock. "C-C-Celica, what are you..." he began.
"You said it yourself, Alm. It'll take this force too long to get back, but Apple and I can be there within the hour," said Celica. She turned to Apple, Clair and Mae. "Up for a little adventure on the high seas?"
"Whooooo, whoopin' pirate booty again with Celica, just like old times!" Mae cried.
Apple shrugged her shoulders. "A pirate lady once knocked out my husband. Can't say I see any reason to be charitable either."
"Then it's settled," said Celica. Alm felt a rush as Celica raised him up towards her shoulder, then felt her grip loosen. "Hop on, Alm. Use some of my hair to tie yourself down."
Things were moving too fast for Alm to even think of trying to reassert command. Besides, just as Celica admitted she couldn't argue with his logic weeks ago, Alm couldn't offer any real objection to Celica now. They had a quick way to reach the port and beat back the bandits, so why not use it?
Alm jumped onto Celica's shoulder and took some locks of her hair. He marveled at how it still felt soft and silky though much stronger, and tied them around his waist and torso. He felt dizzy looking down from Celica's shoulder, looking for Sonya and Leon. Once he spotted them, he shouted down, "Leon, Sonya, you're in charge now. Just get the men back to the castle, and..." Everything suddenly lurched as Celica took a step forward, over the troops and wagons. He had to squat a little, grabbing some hair for extra support, only to get smacked in the face by Celica's dangling earring. "Celica, easy!" he implored, rubbing his nose. "It's proving to be a bumpy ride up here!"
"Awww, is my little passenger experiencing a little turbulence?" Celica cooed. The tip of her thumb poked through the canopy of red hair encircling him, lightly brushing the side of his head. "Just relax and enjoy the ride, Alm. We'll get you back to cutting down bandits soon enough."
Alm sighed as Celica pulled her hand back. It was still hard to see through all that hair, but Alm saw that Celica had nearly reached the eastern end of the rockslide. She wasn't exaggerating about how fast she could move at this size. He just hoped Celica was quick enough to reach the port in time.
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Saber knew he shouldn't be surprised. The new king had obviously meant to show he meant business, but he couldn't stick around these parts forever. Yet who would have anticipated the bandits striking this port so soon after his departure? It was a show of force of their own, a defiant stand to let people know they wouldn't be pushed around. Luckily, Jesse had anticipated the need for vigilance once Alm left, and had a contingent of sellswords en route. At least now the port had extra defenders. For a price.
"A shame Jesse didn't think of sending more," Saber grumbled as catapult fire from one of the enemy ships pounded the port. Parts of the outer wall had crumbled, so more shots were getting in. A nearby wall exploded into splinters that went flying everywhere. Some flew at Saber's face. Luckily, they rebounded off his metal eyepatch, leaving his good eye unscathed.
Some port dwellers he was trying to shepherd to safety weren't so lucky. One little girl got splinters lodged in her leg. Saber could see blood trickling down it. An elderly man got a sizeable piece lodged in his shoulder.
"This way!" Saber shouted over the din of catapult attacks and roaring fires. He scooped up the injured girl and ran, waving his sword for the others to follow. The further he got these people from the water's edge, the better.
Unfortunately, Saber turned the corner and ran into a dozen or so invading bandits. One immediately charged with an axe. Saber twisted to get the girl out of harm's reach, letting her drop to the ground while raising his sword to deflect the blow. He was more than fast enough for their clumsy, brutish attacks, but there were too many of them.
Just as Saber was about to be overwhelmed, the group of bandits was flanked, by none other than a mercenary force led by Jesse and Kamui. With their speed and skill, it wasn't long until the bandits caught between Saber and the others were cut down.
Saber took a moment to catch his breath, looking over the felled invaders, then at the sizeable group of residents he was trying to get to safety. "We're taking on too many wounded," said Saber gravely. "At this rate, we'll be slowed down too much, unable to get anyone out of the killzone."
"Assuming we get out at all," Kamui said nervously. He pointed his sword down a street, where more bandits were rallying. Saber gulped. With the way the bandits were swarming, it was likely all avenues of escape were cut off.
"And I thought this line of work was tough enough while under Celica's command," Saber spat. Since her husband proved no good at deterring these scum, I sure wouldn't mind having her back. A bit naïve, but excellent with a sword and using magic for crowd control...
As is Mila was still around to answer prayers, just as the bandits charged, a pair of furious howls cut through their cries. A flash of white caught Saber's eye. As it swooped between their two forces, he saw it was a pegasus. It wasn't one of those sisters, but Saber recognized the rider from Alm's forces. The one who was riding with her and jumped down into the melee, however...
Oh well, if we can't have Celica back, go with the next-best thing, Saber conceded, seeing the pink pigtails as she rolled to a stop.
Once she sprang up, Mae flung lightning at the oncoming horde. That, combined with that pegasus knight charging into their lines, broke their ranks, giving them an opportunity. Jesse raised his sword, giving the mercenaries the order to advance.
"How's it hanging, Saber ol' buddy?" cried Mae. She smirked and drew her own sword as she sauntered up to him. "Smacking sound seafaring bandits... Just like old times."
"Old times that weren't the happiest times," Saber reminded her, watching as his fellow mercenaries clashed with the port's invaders. Even Saber had to recoil a little from the bloody mess. "And no offense, Mae, but if we're getting reinforcements, I was hoping for Celica. Her husband didn't exactly deter these fools, but the lass had a way of putting 'em in their place."
Instead of looking offended, Mae smiled evilly. "Oh don't worry, she's coming. Clair and I are just the advance scouts. And if you though Celica put these scum in their place before, just you wait..."
Not sure what Mae meant by that, Saber looked around. That pegasus knight and his fellow sellswords were breaking up that one force, but another one was moving in, threatening to flank them. Worse, the part of the wall near them crumbled from the force of the pirates' ship-mounted catapults. Too many of Saber's forces were together, an easy target. Saber saw another catapult fire at them...
But in the blink of an eye, something moved in to intercept the flaming projectile, something HUGE! It looked like... a really tall girl!? Her back was turned to them, but Saber took note of her shapely figure, and the long, brown hair done up in a ponytail. Heedless of its heat and fire, she hurled the projectile right back at the ship, smashing the catapult that launched it. Then she turned around, and Saber noticed the crown she wore.
With the way she was glaring down at the invaders, smirking, it was obvious which side she was on. While some of Saber's fellow sellswords were understandably dumbstruck, the bandits looked about ready to lose their minds. They broke up, trying to flee. Saber saw them gaping at something right behind he and Mae, right before a booming tremor made him turn around.
"You wanted Celica back, Saber? You got her!" Mae proudly cried. Saber could only gape up at his former boss, now somehow as tall as that other girl! Celica glanced down at Saber and smiled before glaring at the invaders. Her smile vanished, her hands on her hips. Saber couldn't tear his eyes away, not sure what to think. He had seen quite a bit during his time as a soldier and then a mercenary, but nothing like this!
Some of the bandits tried to bolt down the way Saber had come with escapees. Celica took a step forward, slamming her armored boot down to block their path. Stone tiles crumbled to dust as Celica's foot sank into the street, making the bandits lose their footing. Saber himself nearly fell flat on his ass, though Mae seemed braced for it.
"And where do you think YOU'RE going, gentlemen!?" boomed Celica's voice mockingly. The walls of surrounding buildings shook from the anger dripping from every word. The bandits all blubbered incoherently, flabbergasted by the titanic queen bearing down on them. Saber didn't blame them. He was seeing it, but couldn't quite believe it. Their confusion gave way to mind-numbing terror when Celica drew her sword. Sunlight gleamed off of it as she raised her blade, the tip seemingly touching the sky. For a moment, Saber thought Celica was going to execute the lot of them then and there. Saber certainly wouldn't have shed any tears for them. Instead, Celica leaned forward and brought her sword down alongside a building. Another group of bandits were trying to slip away behind it. "Take a hint, I didn't say any of you could leave," she spat coldly.
"What can I say? The queen cleans up real good," Mae said innocently.
Not that Saber was complaining about Celica and her equally gigantic friend showing up to rout these bandits, but he was as confused as ever. "Yeah, but when did the lass... H-H-How d-d-d-did she..."
"Don't feel bad, Saber. I'm still wrapping my head around all this myself," came a voice from behind them. Saber turned to see none other than Alm walking up, looking a bit flustered and beleaguered. "In any case, your mercenary nation has my gratitude, for coming to the rescue after my obvious failure to dissuade further pirate incursions."
Though it wasn't really his thing, Saber tried to sound humble. "Well, errr, coming back with your wife stomping around might do the trick this time!" cried Saber. "I mean, in no time she'll probably..."
A sharp, echoing cry made them look back to that new breach in the walls. Apple was clutching her shoulder, blood oozing from between her fingers. Saber saw something jutting out from her shoulder as well. Looking to the ship just beyond the breach, Saber's heart sank when he saw it was outfitted with ballistas.
"Wow, in case pegasus knights were on duty here," said Mae. "Gotta hand it to these creeps, they came prepared."
"Apple, switch places!" Celica's voice boomed. "Get the scum over here wrapped up, let me handle the ships!"
Apple didn't need any convincing. As they walked past each other, Saber saw Celica's hands erupt in flames. "Oh great, now they've done it," Saber muttered under his breath.
Some of the bandits Celica had cowed tried to slip away. Even when injured, this Apple was too swift for them. "Oh no, I don't think your queen said you could go anywhere!" she barked, scooping some up. Apple reached back to undo what her hair was tied back with, letting it all tumble down, then used it to bind them up. As rough as Apple was with them, Saber knew it was tame compared to the hell Celica was liable to unleash. The girl came off as naïve, but Saber had quickly learned it was never a good idea to anger Celica...
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Celica stepped through the breach in the port's walls, eyeing the men on the pirate ship coldly. It was fortunate that their ballistas hadn't seriously injured Apple. Fortunate for them.
The ballistas on the starboard side were aimed up at Celica and primed to fire. Celica heard someone on the ship give the word to do so. Knowing those shots could do real harm, Celica raised one hand high, forming the fireball she had primed. She lobbed it at the ship's stern, hoping she wouldn't injure or kill too many of them. She wanted as many as possible to stand trial, especially the ringleaders, as an example.
A good chunk of the ship was blown apart, rocking it violently. The bandits manning the ballistas lost their footing and fell back. Celica used that opening to swing her sword, smashing the ship's weapons to bits. Not to mention completely destroying one of the masts with a second swipe. Not missing a beat, she struck again, stabbing at the bottom of the ship, so it would start taking on water. Another blast of concentrated magical fire blew apart the stern of another nearby ship, preventing its escape.
Celica eyed her handiwork. The ships were already sinking, and at least a quarter of both were ablaze. "Burn, drown, or surrender and live to face justice. Your choice!" Celica shouted to all the terrified bandits eyeing her anxiously from the deck.
When she put it that way, it wasn't too hard a choice. Jesse's force and the port's citizens, thankfully, were getting over the shock of seeing their queen so tall. They gathered at her feet, awaiting the bandits pouring out of their doomed ships, too terrified and confused to offer any resistance under Celica's watchful eye. Celica watched with satisfaction as they took care of the surviving bandits. When she first left the priory, these sea scum had harassed her group at every turn. This was a nice change of pace.
But then, the people at her feet looked anxious all over again. Several scattered as Apple walked up, while some spared glances at Alm, following at her heels. Her long, brown hair was now hanging free. "I rounded up all the pirates still in town that I could. Some men from the port have them covered," said Apple. If that shoulder injury was still hurting badly, Apple showed no sign. "I guess that's it. We made it here in time to keep the devastation to a minimum."
"But not to round up all the barnacle-sucking scum. At least one ship is making a getaway!" came a voice from below. "If you want to make a clean sweep, lass, act fast." Celica looked down to see Saber pointing out toward the water. Indeed, one ship was sailing away. Despite her frustration, Celica smiled. Even now, Saber was determined to mentor her.
"Milady, shall I fetch Mae, so the pair of us can engage them on deck and seize the helm?" Celica turned to see Clair fluttering close to her head.
"Wait, is such a risk necessary?" asked Apple. "Aren't they still in range for your spells, Celica? Can't you freeze the water so they're stuck?"
Celica blinked in surprise. "Freeze the water?" she repeated dubiously.
"Yeah, an ice spell or something," said Apple. "Don't you have something like that?"
"Errr, actually, no," Celica admitted.
"Hmmm, funny, always thought you did," said Apple. "Good thing I came prepared then."
With that, Apple reached into her pocket and pulled out something. It looked like... a small blue flower? With two slits resembling eyes? Before Celica could ask what Apple had planned, her fingers pinched the stem. There was some strange sound and a flash of pale light from Apple's body. When it faded, Celica noticed Apple's red top was now a faded pink, and her whole body was giving off an icy mist.
"Watch my fastball, Your Highness!" cried Apple. She lobbed a snowy ball that formed in her hands. It landed in the water, right behind the fleeing ship's stern. Almost at once, the water around the ship froze, trapping the retreating bandits. As the ones on deck gazed down in disbelief, Apple threw more balls. In no time, she formed an ice bridge between Jesse's force and the trapped vessel. "There, now the king can go lead a force to round up those no-goods and haul them back to the port."
The people at their feet gazed in amazement at Apple's antics, and Celica couldn't blame them. Apple was certainly full of surprises. The first one to get over the shock was Jesse, who turned to Alm. "So, shall we do as Celica suggests? Care to lead the charge?"
"You and your force were here first, Jesse, finishing up where mine failed," said Alm. "It's still your show."
"Very well then, my liege," said Jesse. He raised his sword and turned to his men. "You heard our king, we still have a job to do! We cross this bridge of ice, and round up every last one of these sea-dogs! Now march!"
Celica watched as Jesse led a sizeable group of his mercenaries, with Alm tagging along, across the ice bridge. Clair soon followed on her pegasus, Mae riding with her, neither wanting to miss out on a good scrap. Celica was a bit relieved her part in the battle was over. Now she could turn to other matters. Apple was putting up a tough front, but it was time to tend to that wound of hers. "Princess Apple, please, let me heal that," Celica implored.
Apple looked at her shoulder sheepishly. "Oh, yeah. That. Gimme a second." Apple grit her teeth as she pulled the huge arrow out, chunks of frozen blood breaking free. She let out a yelp of pain, and Celica rushed to her side, softly chanting her healing spell. It was hard to keep her hands close to Apple, what with the cold she now radiated, but soon enough the wound began to close.
"Many thanks, Celica," said Apple, smiling.
"Think nothing of it," said Celica. "B-B-B-But what is this power? That flower..."
"Just a little something I brought from my world, a power-up, since I had no idea what to expect in yours," said Apple. Celica couldn't help but wonder what other 'power-ups' Apple had. "Good thing I did, too. I'm just glad I could do my small part, helping secure peace in your kingdom."
"SMALL part!?" Celica scoffed. "You're the whole reason I'm..."
Apple put a finger to Celica's lips. "Don't be so modest. At least, not here in front of your subjects."
Celica followed Apple's gaze down. The port's citizens were wisely keeping a good distance from their feet, but now stared up at them with reverence and awe, fear more or less absent. As she looked over her miniscule subjects, Celica couldn't help but notice that many were sporting injuries as well. An old man was clutching a bleeding shoulder of his own, while a little girl hobbled on a bleeding leg, and so many others looked bloody and beaten.
"Oh my... Please, all those who were injured in the raid, step forward! Perhaps another spell can help heal you all at once!" Celica implored. The people anxiously backed up as Celica got on her knees, motioning the injured among them to approach. For a moment, they kept their distance, but some brave souls stepped forward, and that encouraged more of the injured to follow suit.
Smiling down at them, Celica wove her healing magic once more. Those who stepped forward gazed anxiously at her gigantic fingers, but soon relaxed as their injuries started to fade. It was so amazing and gratifying... Whereas she could only partially heal one person at a time normally, now she could rejuvenate a score or more at once!
Satisfied now that these people no longer looked to be in pain, Celica slowly rose, so as not to startle those around her again. The girl who had the lacerations along her leg was the first to find her tongue. "A-A-Are you really the new queen?" she asked anxiously.
Celica smiled again. "Why yes, little one, I am. I'm just glad we made it in time to help."
"B-B-B-But how did you and your f-f-friend get like... t-t-t-this?" the girl went on. "Is it a blessing from Mila herself? Mommy said the Mother had to go away..."
Celica's smile faded a little. How to explain to this little girl that Mila was dead, on top of what really caused her growth spurt, plus Apple herself?
Thankfully, Apple came to the rescue. She slung an arm around Celica's shoulders, pulling her close. Celica had to fight to keep her teeth from chattering, that aura of coldness was quite intense. "Don't mind me, you pretty little thing. I'm just passing through. As for Celica here, I'd say having her as a queen is a blessing in itself, amirite?"
Celica heard some of the people chuckle, and many nodded in agreement. Even with such a destructive bandit raid having only just come to an end, the port's populace seemed to be at ease. Mycen figured spending a day like this would make them feel as if they had a divine protector again. It looked like his idea was starting to work.
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The bandit was big and surprisingly swift, but not too skilled. Swings from his sword came fast and furious, but Alm parried all of his blows with practiced ease. And soon enough, Alm found his opening. The bandit got overeager, lunging too fast and forcefully, and Alm deflected his strike so that he sailed past him. Despite his size, a blow to the back of his head with Falchion's hilt took him down. A kick to his temple after he was floored ensured he stayed down.
Alm looked around the chamber in the lower holds. Obviously, he was close to the stern, given how parts of the wall were smashed through with jagged shards of ice. Slabs of shattered wood littered the floor, along with the bodies of all the scum he had just taken out. None were injured too badly, in his estimation, and Celica could probably heal them. She would want it that way. Though she had no love for pirates, now that she had a means to force their surrender and take them alive, Celica would choose to do so.
Not that Alm had a love for fighting and bloodshed anyway, despite what Celica sometimes said. As much as Celica often chastised him for often choosing the direct approach, sometimes a fight was the only way to solve things quickly, to prevent further carnage. After all, Celica rushing here to throw her CONSIDERABLE weight around probably saved dozens of lives. Alm still couldn't quite believe what this Princess Apple did to her, but it couldn't have happened at a better time.
But what's she going to do now that this bandit incursion is quelled? Alm wondered. According to her, she's still got almost a day left in that state. With no bandits left to fight... Oh great, is she just going to turn her attention back to me? Alm shuddered a little. Celica just wanted to have some fun, but he wasn't exactly looking forward to spending an entire day with his wife doting on him like a little pet.
Footsteps snapped Alm back to attention. He readied his blade, but relaxed upon seeing Mae atop the stairs leading to the exit. "This part of the ship's cleared, I take it?" she asked.
Alm nodded. "There were quite a few, though. These scum were really intent on protecting this part of the ship, despite having no hope of getting clear."
"I think I see why," said Mae, descending the stairs. "This looks like where they've been storing some of their booty. Hmmmm, I wonder what sort of stuff we can 'reappropriate'..."
Alm scowled at Mae. He expected that sort of talk from Jesse and his mercenary force, not the best friend of someone as big-hearted as Celica. Mae ignored it, using her sword to slice apart nets securing and concealing treasure chests, then flipped one open with its tip.
"So Alm, what'd you think of the new, improved queen of Valentia?" Mae asked coyly. She wasn't even looking at him, just absentmindedly sifting through the gold and jewels inside. Quickly growing bored, Mae soon shut the chest and went to the next one.
Alm sighed. "I think by the time I get used to my wife dwarfing Duma's fallen state, whatever Princess Apple did will wear off," he said dryly. "I mean, I love her, Mae, but you don't just show up out of nowhere like that, expecting your husband to not nearly have a heart attack. At least this all happened right when this port needed a couple giant girls stomping pirates."
"Wow, just like Celica says, it's always tactics first and foremost on your mind," said Mae, half-teasing and half-serious.
"Can't argue with the results, can we? She and Apple accomplished in minutes what the force I brought couldn't do over several weeks," Alm said quickly. "The port's still standing, and Celica probably just saved a whole bunch of people from being sold off into slavery. That's what's most important. Wouldn't Celica agree?"
"Sure she would. And she's still got about a day left to have fun at that size. You might as well try to enjoy it too, my lord." Mae flipped open a smaller chest, ignoring Alm's darkening expression. "Like I said, if it was me instead of Celica, oh trust me I'd MAKE Boey enjoy being the center of such attention, and..."
"What's wrong, Mae?" asked Alm, wondering why Mae suddenly stopped needling him.
"You gotta be kidding me. These jackasses even hit the priory!?" Mae spat. "There's no other way they'd have..." Mae slammed the chest shut and grabbed the handle at the side. "Ooooof, this is heavier than it looks! Can I trouble you for a hand, my liege?"
"I don't get it. What's in the chest?" Alm demanded.
"Something Celica will want to see, trust me," said Mae. "And who knows? It may make her forget about giving you another monster bear hug for an hour or two."
Needing no further encouragement than that, Alm grabbed the chest's other handle and helped Mae haul it out of the ship's hold.
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Apple and Celica shared another good laugh as they walked back the way they came. Their business at the port had been wrapped up in just over an hour. Celica's old mercenary friends would deliver all the captured bandits to the palace's dungeons in due time, the injured port dwellers were all healed, and the assets seized would be more than enough to pay for repairs. Celica seemed to want to personally help with repairs while at her size, but Apple convinced her to enjoy as much of her remaining time as she could.
"Oh boy, I bet your old teammates had quite a shock back there!" cried Apple, laughing. "From what you told me about Saber always trying to mentor you, Jesse hitting on you... And the next time they see you, you're all grown up! WAY UP!"
"Yeah, it sure wasn't the reunion any of us imagined," Celica replied, still giggling. "But it was good to see Saber and the others again."
"I'm pretty sure none of your old squadmates would ever imagine seeing you like this," Alm added. Apple turned to Celica, barely able to see Valentia's king through her flowing red hair. Apple absentmindedly fiddled with her own. It still hung free, as she forgot to get her hair tie back after the port was secured.
"Awww, stop sounding so grumpy, my liege," Mae jeered as Clair swooped by. "You've got the best seat in the house!"
"Is the ride still too bumpy, Alm?" asked Celica sincerely. Celica brought her hand up to gently rub Alm's cheek with her fingertip. Alm didn't jerk back, at least, taking it in stride.
"Well, it may get rough," said Apple. "We're back at the rockslide, so we'll have to squeeze through that path again."
"That wasn't so hard last time," said Celica.
"Says the girl with armored boots," scoffed Apple. "Those jagged edges scratched me up good going through last time." She looked down at her bare legs, seeing all the marks left by the rocks.
Celica looked down at Apple's legs, too. Then something seemed to dawn on the queen. "I... might have the solution, Apple, but it'll depend on how much power is left in that bracelet."
Apple raised an eyebrow. "I don't get it. I told you, there's not enough left to enlarge another person."
"But what about a nonliving object?" Celica fished something out, a treasure chest of sorts. "Alm and Mae found this in that ship you froze. Somehow, it must've been stolen from the priory, where it was tucked away and forgotten by the time we set out to track down Mila."
Celica flicked it open with her thumb, revealing a set of armor for a normal-sized person, forged to fit a woman's shape. A breastplate and shoulder pauldrons with ornate designs woven in, their polished orange-red surface glistening in the sunlight overhead. There were also armguards with a sallow color, and most importantly, armored knee-high boots with that same sallow color.
"I still don't follow," said Apple. "What's so special about this?"
"This was one of my old suits, which I trained in regularly, before it got lost," said Celica. "But as a token of my gratitude, Princess Apple, I'd like for you to have it."
"It's... a lovely gift, Celica, but I can't accept it," said Apple. "This was meant to be yours, right? Besides, I'm not sure how much juice my bracelet has left..."
"Why not just give it a shot?" asked Celica. "And I mean, as long as enlarged clothes remain on your person, they won't shrink back, right?"
"I... suppose not. OK, we'll go ahead and try," said Apple. She carefully took Celica's old suit from the chest and laid it on the ground. Flicking her bracelet back open, Apple fired the beam down at it. At once, it expanded until it was big enough for her. Apple was amazed there was enough left to enlarge even nonliving matter, convinced it would shrink back down almost immediately. But moments later, it remained at the perfect size for her.
Deciding not to refuse Celica's gift, Apple began putting the armor on. Good thing I wore short instead of dress. It would've been murder stuffing a dress under this, Apple thought. It was, however, a pain to squeeze her bigger bust into that breastplate. But soon enough, she was nice and snug inside Celica's old armor. Even the cold still flowing from her body hardly affected it. The breastplate and pauldrons frosted up a bit, but otherwise, the metal seemed to weather the cold just fine.
Celica clapped her hands together, smiling. "Well, how does it feel?"
Apple scowled a little, twisting her upper body and swinging her arms. "It's fits fine, more or less, but it's a tad hard to move around in certain ways."
Celica giggled a little. "Not used to wearing armor, I take it?"
"Not like it's easy to find armor my size back home," said Apple.
Both of them giggled again, then Clair's pegasus swooped by. "Well, if I may say so, Princess Apple, you look absolutely radiant in armor, and with your hair down."
Apple smiled at the pegasus knight. "Why thank you, Clair. Hmmm, I can't help but wonder what Hugo would think..."
"At any rate, now you can walk through the rockslide without worry," said Celica.
"Too bad there's still no way to clear away the rocks for good," said Alm.
Celica looked back to the rockslide with an appraising look. At length, she said, "Perhaps there is. Clair, would you be so kind to fly over and check to see if anyone is walking down the path, or is lingering at the other end?"
Clair and Mae looked puzzled, but offered no argument. Apple watched the pegasus fly over the rocks, then asked, "Uhhhh, Celica, what are you planning?"
"You'll see," said Celica airily.
Soon enough, Clair and Mae returned with their report. "Not a soul in sight, Milady," said Clair, looking just as confused as Apple felt. "Why was it so important to..."
Clair fell silent as flames billowed around Celica's arms. She held them forward, and Apple briefly saw a strange mark glow through the glove on Celica's right hand. Celica raised her hands skyward, right before slamming her palms down right at the rockslide's edge, and it was as if thousands of Bob-ombs all blew themselves up at once. A wave of concussive force and fire rippled through the rocks, making them erupt in flame and reducing them to powder, and it began a chain reaction. Within moments, nearly all of the rockslide was cleared away.
"Hmmmm, I guess you didn't need my old suit after all, Princess Apple. But please, do keep it, as a sign of my thanks," said Celica, sounding quite nonchalant about the destruction just unleashed.
Apple said nothing at first, her gaze locked on the scorched earth where the rocks used to be. She had a feeling Alm, Mae and Clair were dumbstruck as well. "And you were impressed by me using that ice flower!?" Apple asked at length.
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Yep, for those who couldn't tell, that was Celica's armor from the original 8-bit game that Apple has donned. Remember, I haven't played the 3DS remake, but I'm going with the new character designs as that's what's become customary and widely accepted, especially Celica's white battle dress. Still, as a nod to the Famicom game that remained lodged in my Retron5 for so damn long, I threw that in.
So long,
Grey-X