UPDATE # 7

PROGRESS: FAIR

WARNING: TEMPORAL STRUCTURE FAILING. SEVERAL ANOMALIES DETECTED.

UNKNOWN ENERGY SPIKE DETECTED.

SYSTEM RESTORATION'S STATUS HAS BEEN IMPAIRED WITHIN THE COSMIC BALANCER.

ANALYZING…

ANALYZING…

NOTE: ANALYZING WILL TAKE TIME.

CONTINUE SYSTEM? YES.

SYSTEM CONTINUING…

MODE: OVERVEIW SUB ALTERNATING.

CONTINUATION IN 3…2…1…


"You stand no chance. I'm a conqueror by name and conqueror by nature!"

"Yea yea, blah blah, I have a quick question?" Kind of stupid, but it's been bugging me since I got the game.

"Uh… fine. What is it?" The former twin, Vincent allowed me to speak. Though, he looked very annoyed.

"Knoll?! Whatcha doin?!" Donnel beside me asked. He was pointing his spear shakily at the dude, poor guy.

Yes, self. Somehow after the Universe stole my idea of trying to kill me with my own sarcasm, (I hate you for that, Universe!) we stumbled through Paralogues one through four in the course of two days. We recruited Donnel and saved villagers again and again within those blasted crammed in adventures. Now here I am in the fourth Paralouge where Donnel (Donny) and I were partnered up and sent to the northeastern side of this place, backing up Anna as she looted all of the treasure.

As I/me can see, the boss of this level is now staring at us with an annoyed look in his face, and possibly going to kill all three of us.

The purple twin was tapping his foot. "So what's this bloody question?" Vincent was getting impatient.

"You and… Victor-err, by any chance was he your… brother?"

"What kind of Hoggabaloo of a question is that? Of course he was- no more than that: he was a part of me!" Vincent struck a dramatic and sad pose before quickly pointing at Anna behind us, whom of which was still opening his treasure chests. "Taken by that Witch! Oh I miss you Victor darling…"

"Yeah, see! That's why I'm asking." Everyone, even Anna stopped staring at gold, looked at me with confused faces. "Well I was wondering, because of how ''Brotherly'' you both acted… what type of- oh gosh, sorry. *Inhales* What type of relationship did you have with your brother? "

They all suddenly stare at me as if I just showed them Chrom's poster in his C support with Frederick.

There was a very, very awkward silence, but then Vincent actually opens his mouth to say something!

"One for the bards!" Hey! He suddenly sounds like Virion's Critical- oh snap! Headshot! Vincent drops dead on the floor. We all look to see Virion and Vaike from the direction of the shot.

Virion then starts- well doing what he usually does, "No need for the thanks, my lady, all I ask is tha-"

"Thanks Virion." I say flatly. Virion wanted to say something, but apparently it's interrupt Virion hour.

"Knoll, Donny, Anna? You three alright?" Chrom and the rest of the Shepherds just finished clean up.

Anna comes out of almost nowhere, and grabs both Donny's shoulder and my shoulder. She whispers something sounding like a threat. "That conversation dies with him, OK?" We both nod. "Good." She then goes to Chrom and initiates the cut scene after the level.

Then, just like before, Kellam's voice comes out of nowhere. "Are you two alright?"

"Hunh?" Donny looks around.

"Oh, we are fine Kellam. Just a normal Tuesday in my life."

"But, Knoll?" Kellam said. "It's Friday."


"Were Finally Back! Is anyone still here?" I scream as I open up the doors to the garrison. It feels quite nice to back home. Ugh, thoughts of my real home are coming back up; I need to focus if I want to get back.

"Guys! Your back! Where is Captain?!" Ricken came out running towards us. Lucile and Frederick came out to meet with him.

Frederick got to him first. "Milord is with lady Lissa, talking with The Exalt. What happened Ricken? It looks like you've seen a ghost." (Knoll: *twitch*)

Ricken replied, "Plegians attacked Themis! They also kidnapped Maribelle! We have to save her!"

Frederick looked back to all of us, "Everyone! We are needed. It seems like our rest will have to wait a little longer. Gather your equipment and prepare for another march. Lucile and I will go to the Palace and pick up Milord and Milady."

Of course, no rest for the wary.

=Later=

I was walking down the hall with Lucile, Chrom, and Lissa(Streaky was here too), they were discussing how to deal with Gangrel, The Mad King, they also were making sure everyone was ready to march.

Chrom stops and turns to us. "Well then? Is everyone ready to go? It's a long march through the western mountains to the Plegian border."

"Captain! I'm all packed! When do we leave?!"

"Ricken? How did you… Go back inside. You're not old enough for this mission."

Seriously? He has to be like what? Probably the same age as Donny and probably only a few years younger than Lissa? Sure, that makes sense. Seriously, compared to the Miriel, I always preferred Ricken as a better mage.

Poor Ricken, he tries to protest. "You know my skill with magic! You know I can handle myself!"

Chrom inhaled. "… Fine, but you have to stay with long range support, and make sure to follow orders. I mean it: follow the orders like it's the only thing you know how too."

"Alright! I promise to stay with the group captain!"

What? … WHAT?! NO! Chrom You Fool! You weren't supposed to say yes!

Everyone starts to leave Streaky and I in the hall way. When they all get out of sight for a while, I decided to calmly assess my situation, and carefully plan my next move.

"QPOEWJRIOHKJNJBDHBUDBUHYBCHWIBUYBKJBNWIBDDIQOU!-"


"Hey Knoll? Did ja hear?"

I was in a bit of a daze, couldn't concentrate well and the heat wasn't helping either, but I answered Teach. "Uh, what is it?"

Vaike nudged me in the shoulder and continued on. "Well do you remember how the garrison was rumored to be haunted before it was donated to us?"

"Umm… vaguely." I feel like dropping dead now.

"Well, the night before we left, there were some weird and scary sounds that seemed to echo throughout the garrison. It almost sounded inhuman. Not that Teach was scared or anything." I think Teach is referring to my ''tactical assessment'' to my problem last night. "I'm starting to see why it was donated to us."

"Oh, don't worry Teach. I'm sure it was nothing." I tell him, but in the back of my mind… (WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!)

Alright, I know panicking won't help, so I have to think. How to get Ricken to save Maribelle? Hmm… wait Chrom told Ricken that he had to follow orders, no matter what... But what if they were my orders?

I might incur the wrath of Chrom and everyone else, but the lives of the important and timeline outweigh the life of-

Oh gosh… I'm risking my life again aren't I? One of these days my luck will turn around… I hope.

Well, first thing first, gotta find Ricken. "Hey, Teach? Have you seen Ricken around? I need to ask him something."

"What is it?" Vaike asks.

Crud… Ugh! Stupid heat- That's it! "I want to ask him about if he has a spare hat because his hat seems bigger than him. I figured, somehow, he has an extra?" What kind of backwater logic was that? It sounded way better in my head.

"Seems good enough for me. He is over with Miriel" Teach, thank you for being you.

I head over to the mages. I look over to Miriel and say, "Hey can I borrow Ricken for a sec? Thanksbye!" I grab Ricken out and drag to a more secluded area.

Ricken dusts himself a little before talking to me. "So, Knoll what do you need me for?"

"I've been thinking, the enemy has Maribelle captive, and chances are they are going to use her as a hostage. If that happens, and something tells me they will, we will be in an uncomfortable position. So you and I are going to sneak in to enemy territory and save her!" I feel like I have inspired myself with this idea, way to go me.

Ricken smiles wide. "That's great, but why did you choose me?"

Crap in a bucket, I didn't think of that.

"I mean, maybe you and Lon'qu would be better at this stealth mission than me." Ricken brings up a good point.

"Uhhh… Because… you…have a good potential! And… This is a test to see if you can truly handle being a Shepherd!" Smart save! Mean, but smart!

"Then I won't fail you, Knoll!" Ricken eyes light up.

I am so much trouble right now. "Well just get your tome ready and I'll call you before we meet with Gangrel."

"Alright, I'll zap them with my elthunder!" Ricken boasts.

What Elthunder? He had Elwind in the game! "Maybe you should use a wind tome instead. You might be able to push people of cliffs adding to the wind current already in the mountain."

Ricken agreed with what I was saying. "That makes sense!"

"Alright then I'll call you again when we this stealth mission starts. Oh and don't tell anyone, it's a secret mission. Go back with everyone." Ricken runs along and I sigh. I'm now expecting things to blow up in my face.

+KNOLL?! IS THIS THING WORKING?!+

Ugh! My head! I said "face" not "head"! What the- that sounded like Chronos.

+Hmm… odd, apparently that sound volume is too much for your cerebral cortex.+

Chronos?!

+Yes, it's me. First, you have to keep up with the group. I'll fill you in as we walk along. Oh one thing, you'll need to think thoughts to communicate; it was hard enough to link up like this in such a way it doesn't peer into your subconscious or private and embarrassing memories. Humans and their so called privacy.+

I hurry back to my post with Vaike. (OK, Chronos, what's the sitch?)

+Hey? Aren't you- never mind. Hiding around in this world has proven to be very difficult, but I think I may have found a place where the Interferer might be.+

(I think I found some info too. The Interferer might be disguised as Black marketer, selling weapons from other worlds!)

+Good info, however, note and remember he is a shift shaper. He tricked me into thinking he was Naga. He may have only taken that form for now. Despite that, there are certain restraints in the cosmic balance that prevent things like guns or nukes from slipping into worlds like these without detection. So I wouldn't worry about that for now.

Back to what my info is. I need to ask you this: is there a place here called the "Mila Tree"?+

(That's the place where Tiki sleeps, the daughter of Naga.)

+… You're kidding me, right? I' am not in the mood for your-+

(Sorry Chronos, I am serious and honest. The Mila Tree here is the place of Naga's duagther.)

+Great… Knoll, the reason I ask is because I believe that The Interferer maybe hiding under the tree. Try and see if you can go there now.+

(Sorry Chronos, if I go now, chances are I will die before I even get there; think you can wait two years?)

+ Why two years? +

(Don't you know anything about this world?! You said you have files on people in different timelines!)

+True, however, this was also one of my fail safes; should I ever come to a place other than the plane of time, my knowledge of the future and past is left there to prevent anyone from prying into something that will damage the timeline. The info I had on you was prepared beforehand because I found out you were chosen before coming here.+

(Great! That means I know more about the story here than my so called "cosmic guide!")

+ Yes, if I recall, this world is a video game in your world. You should know what happens in this world and why.+

(That would be the case, but there are several major mistakes. Not to mention the fact that there are some annoying side quests I get dragged into because the timeline is so messed up. Please note that those side quests are not part of the story.)

+ Things are never easy. That is all I called you for; I just called in to make sure you're up to date on our mission, which is now "Get to the Mila Tree." I'll see if I can find any more information while hiding. One more thing Knoll, I sensed an odd energy spike, be prepared for anything. Good Luck!+

And with that my mental link with Chronos ended. Though, it's still quite a while before we reach the next chapter/ meeting with Garnel. Ugh the heat is getting to me agai- shade? Oh right one of Phila's knights. I forgot a larger army is traveling with us because we're going to meet with Gangrel and they all really want to protect Emmeryn. By the way… where is Streaky? I haven't seen him in a while.

I look over to Vaike. "Hey Teach? Did you see Streaky around here?"

"Teach last saw Streaky go ahead, probably to Chromy or Lucile." He replied.

I thank him and try to catch up with the lead.

Emphasis on try.

Before I can go ahead, one Pegasus Knight descends nearby. And she looks really angry- Oh...Oh…

She then speaks to me. "Are you Knoll, one of the Shepherds?"

"Uh-Uh, Yes?" OK I was not expecting her to be really pretty, oddly enough all Pegasus Knights are hot babes in Fire Emblem.

"You are needed in the presence of Prince Chrom and Exalt Emmeryn. I' am here to bring you to them with Maximillion here." She sounded so emotionless.

Really? I could just walk ahead. "Oh its fine, I can just walk up ahead fast-"

She interrupts me in a scary and monotone voice. "Now."

Since you asked so nicely. I never rode a horse before, let alone a Pegasus. I get on behind her and try to reposition myself, only to accidently bump my head into hers while moving around. Ow.

Vaike stars pointing and holding in a laugh. "Pfft! Ha!" Teach, sleep with one eye open.

The lady simply says, "Don't make any weird movements." She then signals her Pegasus to flyyyyyyyyyyyyyy-

OH WOW! So this is what it's like! That is so cool! Everyone looks like ants down from-

"Please don't move around, or else you'll fall to your death." She obviously read how this was my first time flying. She then quickly steers her Pegasus to the front lines with Emmeryn and Chrom- Hey… Is that Streaky?

The Pegasus Lady lands us nearby, and Phila is the one to speak first. "Thank you Fortuna that will be all."

Fortuna? Why does that sound so familiar? Nah it's probably nothing.

Fortuna bows and she and Maximillion (the) Pegasus go back to patrolling the skies.

After she left, Chrom talks to me. "Knoll? What did I tell you when you first came to the garrison?"

"Was it something about Regna Ferox?"

He just continues to look sternly at me. "No, the other thing. You know… the one where you keep an eye on Streaky?"

"Umm… now that you mention it I have been having problems recently in keeping track of the sneaky fellow."

"Really? Is that why he suddenly came out of nowhere and started licking Emm's feet?"

Uh…

"Chrom it is fine, there is no harm done. I'm actually quite surprised; such a beast can be kind and caring." Emmeryn was kneeling down and petting Streaky.

"I' am so sorry your Grace! I promise to take better care of him." I have no idea why I just apologized.

"It's fine. I think it was rather pleasant; I always wanted a pet. Streaky here gave me a small taste of what it would be like, and I would like to thank you for that." The more I see her now, the more my heart is aching. Though I barely noticed Philia trying to tell Emmeryn not to do such things and reminding here there are no animals (beside pegasi for protection) in the castle.

Chrom started talking to me again, "Knoll, Streaky is also a valued member of the Shepherds, but he is also a wild animal, even though he seems to have some mysterious sense of conscious, I want you to be sure he gets trained properly so he won't do anything that will force us to remove him. Do you understand?" Thankfully he just leaves me with a warning.

"Yes sir, Captain."

Chrom inhales. "Alright get in position with the other Shepherds. We are arriving soon…" He suddenly turns an angry gaze into the horizon and I walk back. Somehow I just know things are going to get bad.


Bad?! Try freaking disaster! When I heard, beforehand, that the scouts located Gangrel, I snuck upward with Ricken.

The idea was still good, but the execution was terrible. I had next to no idea where to go! How on earth did Ricken specifically find everyone here?! "Ok this idea sounded good, but I have no idea where they are."

Rciken huffed for air then said, "I agree, you think they would be in this direction where the army was going."

"If only Maribelle could give us a hint somehow."

Ricken gets excited, "That's it! I have an idea!" He takes something out and puts it near Streaky's nose. "Maribelle once had me make tea with her, as thanks, she gave me one of her old cups, but I've never used it. I figure that maybe Streaky here can find her sent." Wait why did he keep... Aww, I'm rooting for ya brother!

"Well it's all we got now, so come on Streaky!" I say.

Streaky sniffs the air then goes up higher into the cliff. "By jove, I think he's got it!" Ricken and I follow him quickly behind. When we get to a plateau, we find out an enemy camp. There weren't many people, although there were signs a lot more of them were here. Silently following Streaky, and making sure Ricken and I didn't make a sound, we came to a stop nearby an empty cage. Streaky stopped and whimpered softly.

I think I get it. "Alright, I think this was where she was before, but now she isn't." I whispered.

Ricken was a bit distressed. "What do we do now?"

Before I could answer, some obnoxiously loud Plegian soldiers interrupted me.

"So when does the signal go up?" One of them said.

The other one was just as loud, "It goes up when the king says it does. Either that, or when one of them Ylissen dogs die first; especially that annoying one. Me thinks they are down below us."

"Haha! I can't wait to show those dogs how good we are when we shred them from the skies with our wyverns! Good thing the stables are nearby. Speaking of which, what are we going to do with that one wyvern that won't listen to any of us? You know, the one we captured recently?"

"Well I think we'll just kill it, I hear wyvern meat is good in the black market."

"Gross buggers they are there."

Both fools laugh loudly. Ricken tugs my shirt and whispers, "How are we going to get down from here in time? They might be ready to Kill Maribelle!"

I look at him and then I look hear some loud roars. I then smile wide, "I think I have an idea…"

Ricken sighs, "Please don't let it be one of your infamous suicidal plans were we almost die if not for pure luck."

"Uh…"

=Meanwhile back with Chrom=

"You black-hearted devil!" Chrom insulted the Mad King.

"Control your dog, my dear, before someone gets hurt." Gangrel said.

Remembering not to make things worse, Chrom quickly sighed in defeat. "Rrgh…"

Gangrel continues on, "Now then, Your Graceliness. Perhaps we can arrange a trade? You give me the Fire Emblem, and I return Mari Contrary here in one piece."

"You would ask for Ylisse's Royal Treasure? But why?" Emmeryn asked.

Garnel shouted, "Because I know the legend! The Fire Emblem is the key to having all one's wishes realized. I have desired it for years. YEARS!... Yet my birthday comes and goes each year, and nothing from Ylisse. Heheh…"

Emmeryn told him, "Enough! The Emblem's power is meant for a single purpose, King Gangrel: To save the world and its people at their hour of most desperate need. Would you claim a more noble wish?"

"I want what every Plegian wants- a grisly end for every last Ylissean!What could be more noble than that?"

"What?"

"Surely you haven't forgotten what the last exalt did to my people? Your father named us heathens! His "crusade" across Plegia butchered countless of my subjects and my kin!"

"…I have never denied Ylisse's past wrongdoings. But I have sworn never to repeat those mistakes. Ours is now a realm of peace."

"Yours is now a haven for hypocrisy! Now give me the Fire Emblem!"

"NO, Your Grace!" Marribelle screams. "I'd sooner die than act as a bargaining chip for this filthy reprobate!"

"No, Maribelle…" Emmeryn said.

"Ugh… Taaaaaalk talk-talk-talk-talk. It's time to speak louder than words! This negotiation is over, Your Luminosity! I shall have the emblem if I have to pry it from your shiny dead hands!" At this, soldiers come out and try to attack Emmeryn, but Chrom steps in and kills the first warrior.

"Stay back! Or you'll all suffer the same fate!" Chrom screams.

"Now that's a declaration of war if I've ever heard one… A big, messy war that will bleed all you Ylisseans dry! Bwa ha ha!"

Aversa then goes near Maribelle saying, "Poor, stupid girl… Are you really worth fighting a war over? Years from now, you will be remembered only as she who destroyed the House Ylisse."

"No… That's not… Oh, Lissa… Please no…" Maribelle said.

"Well then, any last words?" Aversa prepared a dark magic sphere in her hands.

"HOW DO YOU FLY THIS FREAKING THING?!"

Everyone below suddenly looked up. They saw something swoop into Maribelle and Aversa, but only hit Aversa. Maribelle suddenly disappeared in a blur. When they all once again looked up they saw a large, dark red scaled, sharp horned wyvern with eyes so red it could be seen from below. Riding on the strong, horned wyvern where four figures riding on it.

=In the sky=

"Hey I think I got her!" Ricken said.

"RICKEN?! What are you doing on a Wyvern?!" Maribelle asked? Poor girl this must be as confusing to her as it is to us.

"Knoll and I are here to rescue you!" Ricken said.

"Well yea, but so far it's been one crazy improvised idea after the otheRRRRRR!" The Wyvern suddenly does a hard right turn. "HOOOOLLLLLDDD OONN!" I regain control over the wyvern.

"BARK! BARK!"

"ROAR!"

Streaky, I don't know how you're doing it, but please tell me you aren't insulting the thing we are all riding right now.

"Huh? WOAH! Arrows!" I guide the wyvern away and see a large flock of enemy wyverns heading right towards us. Ricken uses his wind magic to knock of some wyvern riders who were right behind us.

"Hey, Knoll! It was a good idea for me to bring wind magic after all!" I'm glad too kid.

I then hear mister ugly universe shout from the ground, "Clip that maggot's wings out of the sky! Make those blasted Shepherds go SPLAT!"

Hmm… I think it's time to finally use that one insult I made up, playing this game the whole time. "HEY GANGREL! I HAVE A MESSAGE FROM FARMERS EVERYWHERE: THEY WANT YOU BACK IN THEIR FIELDS SCARING CROWS AGAIN!"

Haha…

"HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHA!"

I was in shock with what happened just now. Everyone, even the enemies with the recently awakened Aversa, they were all laughing at my not-that-funny insult.

I then heard the demon himself say these next words.

"KIIIIIIILLLLLLLL HHHHIIIIIIIIMMMMM!" Maybe I shouldn't pissed off a guy with a huge army.

Suddenly the laughter died instantly and all of the Plegians, on foot or on wyvern, charged at the Ylissean army.

I guide the wyvern to land nearby the Shepherds.

When we land I look over to Chrom and say, "Mission accomplished Captain! I'll accept my punishment later!"

Both Ricken and Chrom looked at me and said, "Wait, what?!"

"Uh, to be honest, I borrowed Ricken for a duo mission on saving Marribelle… without your permission?" I'll accept punishment later.

"YOU WHAT?!" Both of them yelled at me.

"Yea yea, I am in a world's amount of trouble, but if it means I get to save a friend then I don't mind." (Maribelle: ?) "Look I did something stupid and I tell you a better reasoning for it later, but now we have them to deal with!"

"Bwa ha ha! I now have my war! Captain Orton! Remain here and take down as many Ylisseans as you can. Oh and be sure to kill the one that made a mockery of me slowly and painfully agonizing as possible!" Gangrel taunted from the top of the cliff.

Lucile started to take command, "Everyone! Here they come!" This was my first fight in a war.


Oh my, oh this is so… wrong… The pile of enemy dead bodies, the blood all over the place, and the only true winners seemed to be the vultures.

I guess I should be grateful, because of Lucile's tactical genius, No one in our army died, which would be considered a miracle under usual circumstances, but the blood… I wish I was fighting risen right now.

They weren't kidding back at home. They weren't kidding at all: War is Hell. All those history books on how terrible war was, my imagination was poor in that idea. War is truly a terrible thing. Worst of all, I feel like I'm slowly getting used to all of this as I continue to stare at all the blood. I clench my fist and tighten my grip on the steel sword and iron lance I was given.

"Knoll? … We need help in distributing medicine and Vulneary." Ricken said to me.

"Sure, I'm on it…" I inhale deeply, and then I walk with Ricken back to camp.

The entire fight was a daze… but I remember it clearly. I was slashing and dodging steel, dark magic blast, and falling bodies of wyverns' men and their weapons for what seemed to be forever. I was swinging my arms for almost the whole time, at one point they ached in pain like crazy, and then I couldn't even feel them.

If this is what is to come then I better steel myself. I wonder how they all do it.

"Knoll we need to talk." After helping around for a while Chrom calls me in a private tent, no doubt to scold me for risking a fellow Shepherd, and not telling anyone about my so called plan.

"So do you know why I called you?" Chrom sounds like my dad when he is scolding me.

"Because I needlessly lied to Ricken and risked his and my own life, when I should have at least consulted either you or Lucile on something like that."

"If you understand that, why did you do it?"

"Fear, I guess, though I won't blame anything and just accept punishment for my poor judgement." I wait a little for it.

"… For the next year, you're cleaning the stables and doing all the cleaning chores for two months." Wait… What? But to his point of view: I lied to Ricken, Both he and I could have died needlessly and I pretty much betrayed the trust of my friends! I at least expected to be kicked off the Shepherds for doing something so selfish.

"What? But I betrayed the trust of everyone in that stunt I pulled."

"You did, and you're going to slowly regain that trust. Knoll, I will admit, besides that, today you did two amazing things: one, you made everyone laugh at that dastard Gangrel. Haha! A scarecrow?! Brilliant!... Two: you were honest and took responsibility for your actions. That is an excellent show of character. I've kept my eye on you since you first joined, you've done nothing, but smile goofily and make tired expressions that make us laugh behind your back."

"Wha-"

"Let me finish, But… you also have worked hard, and cared deeply for your fellow Shepherds. You have some of the worst fighting skills I have seen and even though you have remarkable power, rookie soldiers have better combat skills, but you train harder than any of them. Every time you get knocked down in practice or in actual fights, you get back up again with a fiercer look in your eyes. I have never seen that in anyone before. Knoll, we all have faults and thanks to Emm, I'm trying to look past all of that. So, just make sure not to pull a stunt like that again. " He then leaves the tent.

I am in utter awe. For the first time in a very long time: I feel relieved. I guess even before hand, Chrom always tried to be more like Emmeryn before her so called death. I wish there was some way here I could prevent that, or at least, if I ever get the chance, to somehow heal her memories.

I walk out of the tent and look for Ricken. I spot him over distributing vulnerary to soldiers with Maribelle healing with Lissa and Streaky nearby.

"Hey Ricken?"

They all suddenly look at me with blank expressions.

"Look I need to say sorry for tricking you, it was terrible of me, and we could have both needlessly died."

Ricken simply says. "OK, I forgive you." That easy too huh? I promise I will never do something like this again.

"Really sorry still, anyway I can make it up to you?"

Before Ricken can say something, Maribelle tells me something. "Um… Knoll? Was it? I believe I owe you an apology. And I must thank you for rescuing me."

"No problem! It just a regular Friday for me."

"Knoll… It's Tuesday…" Lissa corrects me.

Then all of us suddenly burst into laughter, oh this- this is good.

"Oh hey Knoll! Could ya do me a favor?" Donny comes over.

He looks a bit distressed. I ask him, "What is it?"

Donny asks, "Do you know where that wyvern you rode went?"

"Well after the fight, I removed the armor and gear around him and let him free. Why do you ask?"

Donny seems a bit disappointed. "Aww shoot, I wanted to see one up close. That one was one fierce looking creature."

Ricken agrees to the statement. "Yeah when we first saw it, he was covered in chains and his muzzle was made of steel."

I add along. "Thankfully, Anna gave me a few tips on picking locks and I was able to free it… Only for it to almost breathe fire on us."

"Whoa? Almost?" Lissa commented.

I continue on, "Yeah we were in a pickle, before Streaky jumped in front of us and then the wyvern suddenly stooped."

"By some kind of unique bad luck-good luck curse Knoll has, (Knoll: Hey!) the wyvern and Streaky seemed to actually know one another. Since the moment the wyvern saw Streaky, it stopped immediately." Ricken says.

"So being friends to wyverns is another thing to add to the mysterious enigma known as Streaky?" Lissa jokes.

"Haha yes." I laugh.

"Come now everyone, these poor soldiers won't heal themselves." Maribelle says.

We then help around the others. A little later, I spot two people of interest: Sumia, and she is with the woman… Fortuna was it? I stare a little, Fortuna isn't wearing a helm anymore and she had a nice silky blue hair in a pony tail- Oh gosh, do I have a crush on her? I do don't I? Uh, better just offer some vulnerary and medicine and just be on my way.

"Hey ladies, do you need any Vulnerary for your wounds or are you just fine?" I can't help but feel I think I said something wrong.

"We already are good to go, you better help others, Shepherd, we are already fine." Fortuna tells me.

"Oh don't be so harsh, Fortu, Knoll this is Fortuna, she is an old friend of mine."

Wait she knows Sumia? I respond to her, "We've… already met and I didn't know you knew her Sumia?"

"Oh yes she, I and Cordelia were in the same squad as rookies. Looking at us now, it's hard to believe I'm with the Shepherds, Cordelia is on border Patrol, and Fortu here is one of Phila's Knights and one of Emmeryn's bodyguards." Sumia reminisces.

"To be honest, I think Cordelia would have done better as one of Phila's Knigh- Wait, do we have to be discussing this in front of him?!" Fortuna said as she pointed to me.

Sumia sighs, "Fortuna don't be so hostile; Knoll here is a good friend, (maybe a little insane), and he really is a good guy."

Did she murmur something in that?

Fortuna stares at me coldly, before sighing and saying, "Alright, if you must know, the three of us seemed to fit quite well together. Excluding Cordelia who isn't here right now, The three of us were a bit of loners. Sumia, here, was a Klutz." Sumia laughs nervously at that and Fortuna continues on, "Cordelia was a genius and a prodigy, but everyone but us two was so cynical and mean to her, and me? I was the weird and stiff girl that scowled a lot, so no one liked me."

Sumia cuts in, "We actually didn't get along with each other first. Fortuna scared me and I started crying, then Cordelia started scolding Fortu, and Fortu, in retaliation, started defending herself and calling Cordelia a know-it-all. The two of them then started to fight while I was still crying. I took Philia ten minutes to calm all three of us down."

"Wow that sounds amazing. So how did you all get along with each other?" I ask.

Fortuna turns all red while Sumia giggles. Sumia then tells me what happened. "We were all so bad, after we Cordelia and Fortuna were bandaged up, we were put in a time out. While there, Cordelia's bandages made her look really fun, so funny infact- (Fortuna: Don't you dare!) Heheh… She burst into laughter and started snorting!" Sumia giggles as Fortuna gets flustered. " When she started to snort, we all suddenly started to laugh… That was the moment we all became inseparable."

Fortuna speaks with a red face and her head down. "That's my most cherished, but my most embarrassing moment." She then looks at me with a red face. "You better not laugh at me for that!" She tries to look angry, but it's hard to take her seriously with a red face.

"Oh no no no. In fact, I think it's kinda cute if you snort when you laugh." I say with a smile and close my eyes. The moment I open them, I see a fist-

…...


AHAHAHA!

Oh poor Knoll; the first time he openly flirts with a girl, he gets punched in the face!

It's too bad we will never know the secret relationship of Victor and Vincent. To be honest, those guys are my favorite chapter bosses because they are so popular they are in two other DLCs and they have a fun personality.

Oh and a few chapters back, I promised to write some references to other cartoons and stuff, but I feel recently I have been lacking, so instead of another reference in every chapter, I am going to randomly place some of these references in random chapters. In here, I put two of them. They aren't that hard to find if you pay attention and find it, but just in case, here a few clues into them.

_ _m _o_s_ _l _

_ _-_ _-_ _!

Back with the story, we finally learn a potential hiding spot of the Interferer who is under the tree. Hmm… that sounded simple let me try again:

"We learned that the enigmatic and obviously evil Evil Interferer has taken shelter within the Blessed Mila Tree! Can Knoll and Choronos stop him in a span of two years?! Will I ever stop talking like this?! Found out next time! On the next sentence!"

I am so sorry. (Not really :( )

And lastly the mysterious and loyal being known as Streaky, has proven once more there is more to him than meets the eye… Oh and Knoll has a potential love interest. So far I like how I wrote both of them. (Wish me luck! This is the first time I'm writing something romantic.)

I liked how I wrote this chapter, compared to my last one. Maybe I should do something like this more often.

Well then thank you for your time and please review.

Oh wait, Chronos did mention an odd power spike... I wonder what that was?


=Somewhere=

*Two gigantic boulders are seen. One is black and one is white. On both rocks there are countless symbols and chains tied to them. A zoom into the center seal of the black rock, and a crack forms, seeping from it shines a pale white light.*