Launces Mechanist here again, in case ya'll are wondering about the sub-section at the bottom of the last chapter, well a story isn't fun to read if you don't know the whole series. The class/character/weapon guide is my way of bringing people new to 'Fire Emblem' up to speed. And now for something completely different…..

DISCLAIMER: I do not own anything in the Spyro or Fire Emblem series, only my own OC's.

Prologue II: Out of the Frying Pan…

Albert stormed down the hall when he had heard that voice, all signs of his previous fatigue had vanished. He flew down the hallway and there amongst the patrons was Felix, same as always, a beer in one hand and his axe in the other. Upon catching sight of each other, both warriors and friends went wide eyed. Albert was the first to overcome his shock at seeing his lost friend.

"Felix, you old son of a- you're alive!" Felix paused, then he laughed, a rolling sound that echoed throughout the inn, even drowning out the random clap of thunder from the storm.

"What all this about me being alive, hell mate I thought you'd kicked the bucket during that brew-ha-ha at the citadel." Albert paused, remembering what it had been like, his friends had all taken the field as one that morning and by lunchtime, they had been defeated.

"Well, I'm not dead, not yet at any rate. However, I hate to tell you this, but, George fell in battle." Felix did a complete about-face, his expression darkening from the jovial mood he'd been in.

"Oh Lord, not Georgie; h-how was he killed?" Albert steadied himself and out of the corner of his eyes, saw the patrons listening intently.

"He was shot off his horse with an arrow, with his last breath he told me to run; I took his horse and fled the field as fast as I could. However, a few mounted knights broke off from the slaughter and pursued me. They killed the horse with a poisoned arrow, but they ran after I killed their group's leaders. I came the rest of the way here on foot. The bastards also got Ferdy and Anna, One of the bastards got him with an axe, and Anna was speared as she went to try and help him." Albert saw Felix visibly shaking with anger and rage. He had taught Ferdy everything he knew about fighting with an axe, but that apparently hadn't been enough to help the Hero of Villneus.

"Are you certain they fell?" Felix asked. Albert only shook his head solemnly confirming it. "Very well then, one day we shall avenge those who fell that day, as we shall avenge those whom the Empire has unjustly murdered, however, this day will be a day of withdrawal. I will go to my uncle and see if I can get all of us here passage. I will return within the hour." With that Felix pulled up his cloak and walked out into the storm. Meanwhile the old man, who had been sitting quietly, spoke up.

"I think it would be a good idea for all of us here to go home and prepare, take only what you need." One of the drunker patrons laughed.

"Yeah, that'll be easy for you Henry, you ain't hiccup got nothing, short of them old robes and yer books hic." At that, Henry, the old man turned and smiled.

"At least I won't be burdened by all those smithing tools you have Steven. Even in my old age, I could outrun you if it came to it, because I only need one book from my library, the rest, I'll probably use as fuel to burn, no sense in letting the enemy get a hold of them. Especially not my rarer books." Albert sat up.

"What rare books?" The old man looked at him and harrumphed loudly.

"Rare books, that's all I got to say. Although, I may just go ahead and bring them, you never know when they'll come in handy. By the way, I noticed you have a spellbook with you, what do you think about Dark Mages?" Albert stared, then chuckled.

"If you had asked me five years ago, before I began training with magic, I would have said they are the same as necromancers. Now, though, since I trained alongside some in the Academy and fought with some during the war, I really don't have a problem with some. I still, however, don't like those who practice necromancy, that art is unholy and should be forgotten." Henry shook his head lightly.

"Indeed, there are some who practice necromancy, I'll bet though, did you know necromancy got its start during the Black Age? Back then, people wanted to understand the human body, so a few mages got together and soon discovered dark magic was the only force powerful enough to animate a body and study it. Most medical advances of our time, including the creation of the more potent healing magics and weapons have come from these advances. It was only when a sorcerer named Blackheart did necromancy take on its new meaning and purpose which is to create an army of the undead, and thus become the first true necromancer. In fact, Blackheart was an academic more at heart than a conqueror, so most of Dark Magic was advanced by him as well."

Albert looked at the old man as if trying to gauge how he would know so much. The old man cast a wry smile.

"In case you're wondering how I know so much about the subject, during my youth I was apprenticed to a Sorcerer, although he didn't teach me anything, when he died, he left all his books to me, the will said, even though you lack the ability to use such magic, it is still good for an education. Hevold always had a sense of humor, most likely he left me the books so that Academy couldn't get their hands on them. But enough chit-chat, I'm going home to do what that warrior said and pack my books. I suggest you all do the same."

With that, Henry picked up his cane and hobbled out into the rain going home. Steven the blacksmith followed along saying something about 'making sure the old man makes it home', and the rest also filed out shortly after. When the door closed, Mama Marie pulled Albert into a spare room and handed him a change of clothes.

"These are some of my daddy's old mercenary clothes, they're a little old and smell like cabbage, but they are more inconspicuous than those robes and that coat you were wearin'. Can't escape if a wanted prisoner is one of the escapees, they'd hound us to Tellius, Valm and all points beyond if the man who attempted to assassinate the Emperor was among us. Now you may want to get dressed and empty your pockets, these old robes are so dirty they cannot be washed, they'll have to be burned, the coat however, can be saved, but I ain't got the time to wash it now. I'll give you a rucksack to carry your belongings, and you may want to wrap that sword up, if it's recognizable, like your spell book, it may give away the disguise."

Albert thanked her and started changing, his old robes were indeed in a sorry shape, he put on the cloth and leather leggings and the shirt, his steel cuirass was in good condition so he strapped it on, finally he pulled on the leather boots and gloves and to hide his face, donned the sallet helm and lowered the viser. Marie brought him a sack and took away his old robes, he then placed his sword and spellbook in the sack along with his coat. Pulling his cloak over his body, he walked out of the back room and saw Felix sitting at the table with a smile. Marie was asking him if ol' Chester had agreed to help them.

"He said he would love to help all of you, he was getting squeezed by the Empire himself and was hoping for bluer seas. Across the Inland Ocean he's heard of a city called Warfang, weird I know, however, the Empire has no influence across the sea so no need to worries about bounties. All we have to do is get to the harbor and board the 'Radiance', and get the heck out of this country." However, at that moment, one of the patrons ran in.

"Everyone prepare to leave now, that drunk dastard who was here ratted to the garrison, they're on their way here looking for a big arrest, the entire town is up in arms as well hoping to cash in!"

Marie cursed and yelled for her family. A few moments later, her husband Mac came in with his wood axe on his shoulder, Billy, her son came in with the pitchfork, and her daughter Eunice, came out of the kitchen with a butcher knife. Marie went to the shield behind the bar and pulled a bo staff from behind the counter. Albert pulled his sword from the sack and donned it.

"Since we're discovered anyway, no point in holding back." Felix and the others nodded. Then he turned to the people who had come in.

"So I guess you guys are with us?" The man nodded.

"Aye, that I am. Name's Nick, these are my comrades Tom and Harry, we were members of the old city guard before the Empire stationed a garrison here, sadly, we're the only guards who stayed un corrupted, the others were lured by the chance of easy money, most of the people out there are our former guard mates, the rest are just villagers looking to benefit. I will however, personally vouch for these men, Tom was the best archer, and Harry was the second best lancer, as for me, I'm the best swordsman in town." Marie laughed loudly.

"That's really no surprise, he is, after all, a hero in these parts. He was the guard captain before that pompous ass Vincent took over." Felix jumped when she said that name.

"Oh, no! A man named Vincent was heading for the 'Radiance' when I left, I thought he was another refugee. If he does anything to the ship, we aren't going anywhere!" Albert swore loudly and then threw open the door to the storm.

"No more waiting, no more hesitation, we leave now and hope the others will meet us along the way!" Everyone in the inn nodded and followed him out, five soldiers and four villagers against fifteen villagers and seven guardsmen.

Rain poured down into the street and lightning arced across the sky, the storm had died down from what it had been like this morning, nonetheless, the streets were slick and the entire town was dark; but no matter what Albert knew they had to reach the docks and more importantly the ship. Albert drew Aegis just in time as two villagers came around the corner yelling loudly. Although he hated the idea of cutting down civilians, these people would have no qualms about hurting the people with him or holding him up until the garrison arrived.

Quickly relying on his sword training as an Adventurer, he slashed left once, reversed and slashed straight down cutting down both villagers in seconds. He heard a yell and saw Felix bring his axe down on a guardsman wielding a lance, the axe split the lance and cut the man from skull to groin. Then he turned, tomahawk at the ready, and saw a villager who was turning to run, he threw and hit the man square in the back of the skull. Running forward, he pulled the tomahawk free and kept up the charge through the streets. Nick and his guardsmen were tasked with protect the villagers who were with them and they were easing through the streets. Tom had already killed two of the hostile villagers and Harry had killed three villagers and one guardsman. As the group made their way up the street, more villagers however, they were protected by another guard and a woman who was with them. When their eyes met, the guard with them waved his hands wildly, seeing Tom beginning to nock an arrow.

"Captain Nick, stop! It's me Jeff!" Nick stopped and signaled to halt. He then walked up to the group of six with Albert. Albert froze when he saw the woman.

"Kate? Kate, that you?" The woman freezes and looks at Albert confusion turns to surprise and then to relief as she recognizes one of her comrades. She runs forward and hugs Albert.

"Al, is that really you?" Albert nods sharply before gesturing to Felix and her reaction turned completely around.

"Oh, so the 'big boy' with his axe made it out alive too, huh?" Felix laughed aloud when he heard her say this.

"Yeah, I made it, looks like you made it too Kat." Albert nearly laughed when he saw Kate go red faced.

"My name is Kate not Kat, I am not a feline!" Felix laughed again as he saw Kate's reaction.

"Aw come on Kat, you don't remember the pet names we gave each other in Caiber?" Kate's face went redder as she remembered everything from Caiber.

"Yes, I remember. I remember that you were always oblivious to everything around you unless it was wearing a skirt; I also remember how you got slapped more often than George did. Speaking of which, where is he, anyway, he told me that as soon as he found you Al, he was going to meet me back here." Albert's face fell as he told her about George's fate. When she heard, she nearly broke down into tears, but straightened up.

"There will be plenty of time to mourn later, now however, is the time to fight, now that we've united, the Caiber Rangers are back with a vengeance. All we've got to do is find Cal and we're all set." Albert froze at the mention of Cal's name.

"Cal's here?" Kate shook her head.

"No, he's already set sail across the sea, he was headed for a city called Warfang, which is where, I trust, we are heading." Felix then took this chance to intercede.

"Sorry to cut the reunion short Kat, but if we don't get a move on, we won't be going anywhere except the jail." Kat promptly slapped him, then nodded and taking two steps she unsheathed her sword, and cut down three enemy villagers. Nick whistled when he corpses hit the ground and glanced toward Albert.

"She's a right fire brand, that one." Albert just laughed and leaned close so that only Nick could hear.

"If you think so now, wait until Felix ticks her off or she gets drunk, then that's when you watch out. She is a Swordmaster, and she holds one of the star weapons, a katana named 'Zephr', and she is a very deadly opponent. Of course Felix is the same; if Kate gets Felix mad he goes berserk, so word to the wise, do not get her mad." Nick nodded slowly and then they continued to go through the streets.

Soon the group had reached the dock which housed the 'Radiance' and on the dock, Albert saw the crew of the ship fighting to hold back the remaining four hostile villagers and five guardsmen, they were being led by a tall man wearing the armor of the Empire, he was obviously Vincent, the soldier in charge of the guard. As the party surged forward, Vincent caught sight of them and yelled for the villagers to attack, they hesitated, and Albert's group managed to cut them down in moments, however, the soldiers of the guard were tougher opponents, and to make matters worse, a horn blared from the city gates, the Imperial Garrison was arriving through the gates and were charging toward the docks.
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Vincent had believed that a few traitorous villagers would easily be dispatched by his volunteers and his guards, however, he quickly found himself out numbered on the dock. When the horn sounded he thought that the rebels would quickly surrender, however, they renewed their attack with an intense ferocity, he didn't know what to do, then he saw a surprise, old Henry the book keeper was approaching with his granddaughter Ania. He saw his chance and broke from the attack and raised his lance against them; however, suddenly he felt strange, he looked at his feet and hands, they were being dissolved by shadows. The lance dropped from his now skeletal hand, he opened his mouth to scream, but instead, he spewed forth sand and dust, he was growing shorter and shorter, until finally his eyes turned to dust and his consciousness passed into the void.

Albert and the other people were shocked at what had happened, one moment, Vincent was about to strike down the old man and his granddaughter, the next moment, he turned into a pile of dust that was carried away on the wind. For a moment they stood staring at the old man, his body shrouded in old moth-eaten robes and a voluminous black cloak covering his robes, his granddaughter was dressed the same way. Albert went forward and shook the man's hand in greeting.

"I had a feeling that there was more to your story than meets the eye." The old man's eyes twinkled mischievously as he smiled wide.

"Indeed, years ago, I was one of the most powerful Dark Mages in the world. For a time I was indeed apprenticed to a Sorcerer, however, when his ambitions turned evil, I killed him to protect my family and took his place as Sorcerer. As you can see, my granddaughter Ania decided at a young age to follow in my footsteps, I have already had all my spellbooks and devices loaded on board. Now, however, I must ask a favor of you." Albert raised an eyebrow, curious at the old mage's request.

"I need you to take care of my granddaughter." Albert was dumbstruck, why would this powerful Sorcerer ask for his help. The old man picked up on the thought.

"I'm dying, that's the gist of it, I'm well over ninety years old, hell you might even say I'm almost one hundred. I used my magic for years to extend my life, and now I'm suffering the backlash of it, my body is degenerating rapidly, why just yesterday I could have leapt off the ladder in my library as if I was still a twenty year old man, however, this morning I nearly broke my legs and my hips taking my morning reprieve, stray cats you know, I mean, you can't cuss a cat without getting hair in your mouth there are so many around here, ah I digress. I know the backlash will kill me before tomorrow, and I want to make sure my only surviving family is safe and away from here before I go." The old man held up an old dark magic tome. It's pages yellowed showing extreme age, and the leather binding was cracked and chipped and the words on the cover were faded beyond recognition. Albert looked in askance of the book, to which the old man smiled and calmly replied.

"It was the spellbook I first enchanted years ago, in fact, I met my dear Agnes on the battlefield, she was a healer and I was a Dark Mage, instead of blasting everything in my path, I stayed and protected her and the monastery she was at until the ground around me was red with the blood of the enemies I had slain. It took a long time to court her, but in the end we married. I had set this back in the darkest corners of my library, the magic imbued in the book is almost gone, I've enough power left for two, maybe three spells, and my own reserves are nearly tapped out, I have enough magic to postpone my death for about two hours. Even if I wanted to leave, I couldn't. You, Albert, have given an old man hope that even after my death this rotten, decayed country can still be freed from the people who fatten upon the people's misfortunes. Now go, all of you! Flee the city, and don't mourn me, I know where I'm headed."

Ania hugged her grandfather for a moment before he broke the embrace and guided her to Nick, then he straightened his back, flipped open the old spell book and started walk forward along the dock toward the incoming garrison. As soon as the last person was aboard, the 'Radiance' embarked, sails unfurled and a strong southerly wind blowing pushed the ship along at ten knots. Her last glance of her grandfather was he was casting a powerful dark spell she recognized as 'Waste'.

Henry was busy trying to catch his breath, he knew that if he had told them he barely had an hour to live, they would have stayed and fought to the death. No, their future was thankfully clear to him, and he knew what would happen in Warfang. He heard a noise overhead, and looking up, he saw a murder of crows flying overhead, he sighed and smiled from ear to ear as he had done in his early years.

"Well my old friends, I guess I'm to die for a new 'caw'se, heh. Dear old Agnes really loved those crow jokes. Oh, well; I'll be seeing her soon enough, I might as well take as many of these dastards with me. It's time, for the ultimate dark magic, 'Aversas Nocht'!"

Shadows began to swarm around him and he was started laughing loudly; the laugh echoed throughout the town and the shadows crept through the town, the second the garrison charged into the shadows, they all turned to dust and were blown out to sea by the wind. When the shadows faded all that was left of the old Sorcerer was the smoldering remains of the spellbook and the crows circling overhead.

Okay, Prologue II is done, Prologue III is next.

OC's in this chapter:

Nick Kitson: Hero (Tier 2), Level: 1. Weapon: Steel Sword, Steel Axe. Port Darros Town Guard(old). Sword Skill: B, Axe Skill: C.

Tom Lerros: Archer (Tier 1), Level: 10. Weapon: Steel Bow, Iron Longbow. Port Darros Town Guard(old). Bow Skill: C.

Harry Benson: Soldier (Tier 1), Level: 13. Weapon: Steel Great Lance, Short Spear. Port Darros Town Guard(old). Spear Skill: B.

Jeff Goldwhin: Soldier (Tier 1), Level: 15. Weapon: Silver Lance, Short Spear. Port Darros Town Guard(old). Spear Skill: A.

Kate Alwinn: Swordmaster (Tier 2), Level: 10. Weapon: 'Zephr' star-blade, Killing Edge. Silver Knights/Imperial Rebel Army(defunct), Caiber Knights (5 of 5).Sword Skill: A.

Ania Magios: Dark Mage (Tier 1), Level: 10. Weapon: Flux, Nosferatu. No Affiliations. Skill: C

Fire Emblem Classes:

Hero: A seasoned fighter or mercenary who has performed multiple heroic deeds. Skilled with swords and axes, high strength and defense.

Archer: A soldier skilled in ranged attacks, but vulnerable at close range. Skilled with bows, high attack strength, low defense.

Soldier: A common foot soldier for armies, average abilities but great potential. Skilled with lances, average stats.

Swordmaster: A veteran Myrmidon who has studied the art of the sword and has undergone extreme training, and whose blows are often critical hits. Skilled with swords, high attack, skill and speed.

Dark Mage: A mage who has dabbled in the dark arts, skilled in all forms of magic except light. Uses magic tomes, high magic and HP.

Sorcerer: A dark mage dedicated solely to the dark arts, a master in dark magic skilled in other forms. Uses magic tomes, extremely high HP, Magic, and Resistance.

Adventurer: A veteran journeyman who has been completed many quests, a folk hero to the masses. Uses swords with incredible skill, high HP and Defense.

Weapons:

Star Sword 'Zephr': One of the five star weapons, a beautiful katana type sword with an absolute chance for critical hits.