A HERO'S RETURN

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters or anything else, except this story, on Suikoden IV.

Author's note: The names I chose for the game are as follows; the hero's name is Link, the ship's name is the Dauntless, and the army's name is the Crusaders.

Late warning: I am going to change some of the character endings.

Link decided to ask that one question that everybody has been waiting for since he showed up, "Can I have the Dauntless for a while? I would like to try and bring as many people back together for a little reunion before we tell them everything. Afterwards we can turn it back into the way it was."

Lino was more than eager to answer that question, "Of course. We wouldn't have it any other way." Lino also decided to throw in a little surprise for both the former Crusaders and Link himself.

Flare nodded in agreement, "I could use a little break from command. I want to at least spend the time at sea to get to know my brother more."

Link was pleased with this, "Okay, but you might want to get me up to speed on what happed to everyone else after I left."

Lino agreed to this before commanding Setsu to get a room ready for Link to sleep in for the night.

After they were done getting most of the list done, they agreed to go ahead and turn in early.

Before they left, Lino decided to tell him that one thing before anybody else did. "Link, before you go to sleep," he started, causing Link to turn around, "We put you in the lifeboat because we thought that you really were dead. Dr. Yu couldn't even find a single pulse. Before it got launched, some of the crew decided to put some food with you, because in some crude way, they didn't want you to go hungry, dead or alive."

Link absorbed this, before saying, "And I am truly grateful for that." Then he followed Setsu.

Setsu led Link to his room, "I hope you plan on making Obel your home."

Link just looked at him and smiled, "I'm sure I will, although the Dauntless will probably feel more like home right now."

"No arguments here." Was Setsu's response before he closed the door behind him.

Link removed his swords and placed them by the bed, laid down on the bed, and went to sleep.

In Flare's Room

Flare was lying on her bed, still getting over the shock that Link was her long lost brother.

When she first met him and three of the others in that lifeboat that they had to rebuild from that one island, it was out of pity due the fact that they exiled, and had a close call from their first encounter with Troy. The only thing they wanted to do was try and start a new life, but that wasn't even close to possible, since they found out that Link had that rune on his hand.

Ever since Ramada, Akaghi, and Mizuki tried to take the Rune of Punishment from him, she started to get worried about him, even more when he used it against the Kooluk fleet for the first time. When Tal and Jewel told her and her father about what happens whenever he uses it, they were all afraid that he was the reason that the Kooluk.

When Obel was liberated from the Kooluk, she was surprised to find out that it was Link, not her father, who ended up being the captain of the Dauntless. At first, she thought that her father had made a poor choice, but after she and Setsu joined the crew of the ship, she was even more surprised to see how many different kinds of people there were: Humans, Elves, Nay-kobolds, and even Mermaids. When she talked to all of them, they were more than pleased to serve under someone who was both a brave warrior and a gentle commander.

After Link used the rune to help protect everyone else from the blast at El-Eal castle, she felt so depressed, as did everyone else, even though they were celebrating the end of the Kooluk Empire. There were smiles, although everyone was wishing that their commander was there to enjoy it with them.

Now, she can't wait to see the look on everyone else's faces when they see Link is alive and well again.

She closed her eyes and went to sleep.

In Lino's Room

Lino, on the other hand, was already over the shock that Link really was his son.

The one thing that had him worried was the Rune of Punishment that was still on Link's hand. Even though he said the rune has changed for the good, he still wasn't to sure about that little legend that was told to him.

He would have to ask Link some other time about this, because right now, he just wanted to focus on helping his son out with this little quest of his.

He went straight to sleep.

The morning after

After breakfast, everybody went on the task of getting the Dauntless ready for its return to the big blue sea.

Setsu went to tell Tov to get the ship ready to support a crew again. Tov was more than pleased to acknowledge this.

Flare went to gather a crew, which also led to great results, since a lot of people were willing to serve under "Sir" Link again.

Lino and Link went to ask if their friends would join them.

Here is what happened, (sorry, but no conversations, just what went on)

They found Helga in the forest on the other side of island. As soon as she saw Link, she charged over and gave him a big bear hug, but it took Lino a couple of minutes to get her to let go before he suffocated. As soon as they told her what they were up to, she agreed to go right away.

Next, was Ramada, who was more than eager to come along with them, deciding to trust his employees to run things while he's gone.

Akaghi and Mizuki were both doing a little bit of shopping when both Link and Lino found them. When they asked them, saying no just wasn't an option for them. Plus, Mizuki wanted to see her sister, Kate, again.

Second day in a row, Cedric gets caught by the shirt collar, again by Link, with Rachel right behind him. When asked to join them, Cedric was fast to answer yes, although he was disappointed when Rachel said yes also, but for two reasons: one was to keep an eye on Cedric and the other because she missed being out on the open sea with her friends.

Somehow, they were able to run into Lo Fong, they barely asked her to come before she jumped for joy, because now, she can see her brothers again.

Jango just so happen to be there, with his ship docked for shore leave. He took one look at Link, acting all tough, went up to say hi. As soon as they mentioned the Dauntless's rebirth, so to speak, he offered his ship's services as an escort.

Yu and Carrie joined right away.

Travis wasn't sure, but went along anyway.

Manu wasn't much of a challenge, since he wanted to make sure his elevator stays working.

Nico and Wendel volunteered right away.

Oleg wanted to join, wanting to get some new ideas for inventions.

Perrault wanted to get more stories published.

Adrienne wanted a vacation, since she never had much of a break when she opened up shop in Obel.

Pecola was exploring Obel for the latest trends in that area. She gave Link a hug before agreeing to join them on the Dauntless for the second time.

Chandler was on the island, trying to figure out what to do, but decided to go because he felt like he belonged back on the Dauntless.

Jeremy, Millay, and Trishtan were on the path between the castle and the cave, talking with each other, when Link and Lino came up the path. Upon first glance, all three shook their heads at first, thinking that they might have worked a little bit too hard, but at second glance, they were glad that they weren't.

Millay gave Link a hug and a quick peck on the cheek, while Trishtan and Jeremy gave him a pat on the back. Two minutes later, the guys had to pry her off of Link. After their little chat, they agreed to come along, saying that they wouldn't have it any other way. As soon as Link noticed that look on Millay's face, the kind he could recognize a mile away, he quickly jumped off the cliff, and swam towards the Dauntless as fast as he could. Millay was standing there like a statue, wanting to cry right, while the guys were trying hard not to laugh at this, since she can be just as scary as Kika when she gets angry.

Five minutes later, everybody headed towards the castle, so that they can be ready for the launch tomorrow.

The Next Day

The whole island was excited as they watched the legendary ship of the Crusaders bark off on its second voyage, finally, and to make things even more memorable, the ship had its captain back in command.

Hope you liked the chapter. Kika and her crew makes an appearance, plus a few surprises in the next chapter. R&R.