Author's note:
Me: Alright, finally switching to a tablet.
Final: Bout damn time. Why didn't you use one before?
Me: Shut up. Anyway, after this chapter I'll be editing the chapters I did on my phone. There were a lot of mistypes.
Final: Do you even look at the crap you write?
Me: SHUT UP!
Fight ensues
Narrator: We do not own the franchises in this story. All rights go to their respective owners.
"Thank you, Jack. Would you like to listen to the user tutorial?"
I didn't see a reason not to. I still didn't clearly understand how to use this thing. I listened to the entire tutorial. Operating a duel disk was surprisingly simple. It was just like playing the game with a few 'restrictions.' First, after activating the duel disk, I draw five cards and must play with those cards. I am allowed to draw another card after a 'turn' passes or in this case, one minute. After that, everything is like playing a duel. Normal summons, special summons, setting and activating, it was all the same. The rules Adrian had mentioned only applied during a non battle situation. Apparently, the duel disk emitted a power field that protected my monsters from the effects of being in another world. I was relieved that I wouldn't have to relearn the mechanics of a game a spent years playing.
I also learnt that the duel disk a few new features, For one, the duel disk would detect rain and place glass over all the card zones. It was also completely waterproof and had voice commands to turn it on and off. The entire length of the disk was sharpened enough to cut through wood. It even had a built in speaker and could also act as a monitor! The top of the duel disk would glow and a large screen would appear. It was wirelessly connected to my phone so I could use it to watch videos on a larger screen. It's fucking amazing.
After fiddling around with the duel disk for about an hour, I realized I still didn't have a plan of action. I'm still in the Fire Emblem Awakening. I don't even know where I am in the timeline. Could I be at the beginning of the game where Southtown is attack? Am I in the middle of the war against Gangrel? Walhart? Are the Shepherds already fighting Grima? I just couldn't tell. I needed a source of information.
I packed all my belongings and was ready to leave but a thought occurred to me. What would tom think if I show up without Adrian? I couldn't just say that he left in the middle of the night. I'm not even sure that I could summon him yet. I thought about it for a minute before deciding to just ask about the current events. I headed down and saw Tom serving some guests. He caught sight of me and gestured for me to sit at the counter.
"You're up early." Tom said.
"I...didn't have the best sleep."
"Sorry to hear that. Anyway, do you want breakfast?"
"Do I have to pay?"
"Nope. Paid with the room."
I graciously accepted and dined on some mystery meat I had no idea was and asked no questions about. I was too hungry from not eating yesterday to care. After my meal, I remembered that I needed to ask Tom about what was going on. I saw him washing dishes and spoke up.
"Tom?" I asked.
"What is it?
"Well, I'm new to this country and still don't know the events happening now. What's going on in Ylisse?"
"Well... Relationships with Plegia are still strained. And there are still many bandit attacks occurring throughout the countryside."
"What do you mean still strained?"
Another patron of the tavern spoke up.
"It means those damn Plegians are still sore about the Ass-whooping we gave to them years ago!"
The man in question's face was flushed and he walked over to us stumbling, Tom sighed.
"Bartley, why are you drunk? I never gave you any alcohol."
"You're not the only tavern in town! Don't get full of yourself!."
"Fine, but why are you here? You're banned from coming here."
"Fuck your rules. I was a powerful soldier of this country! I can do whatever I fucking desire you old fuck!"
"Who's he?" I asked Tom.
"He's a war veteran from the first Ylissean-Plegian War. Well, I say 'veteran' loosely, he had been enlisted but was recalled by Exalt Emmeryn. Before, he only occupied undefended villages. However, he still acts as if he had fought valiantly in the war and always boasts about how he can do anything he wants because he was a soldier."
"He sounds annoying."
"You have no idea."
"Hey runt! You want to know what we did in Plegia?"
"Actually, I wanted to find out what's happening recen-"
"Well here's what happened! We went over there, killed all those dirty heretics, and we had our way with all the woman we wanted. It was a paradise. It's only a shame that stupid whore who calls herself Exalt had to ruin it all!"
This declaration made all the bar patrons incredibly uncomfortable. I spoke up.
"Well, that was certainly, enlightening, but I think you can stop talking about the past."
"Huh? Why should I!? I'm trying to teach you our glorious past!"
"I appreciate the gesture, but you're making everyone uncomfortable."
"You saying I'm annoying you little shit!? That what you saying!?"
"Just calm down and-"
"Fuck you bastard!" He then swung his fist.
I got out of the way before it hit and started thinking of a plan. Summoning was out. The tavern wasn't built to have dragons in it. I'd have to stop him manually. He readied another punch but I had already sprung into action, By the time he had swung his fist, I had placed the blade of the duel disk right at his throat.
"One wrong move and your life ends now." I said coldly. He could tell that what I was holding up to his neck was sharp. I could see the fear in his eyes.
"Turn around, leave, and don't come back." He complied and the tavern was soon left with silence. For the next couple of seconds, no one made a noise until someone started clapping. Soon, the entire room was filled with applause. I looked back at Tom and saw him smiling.
"Finally, he's gone! He's been a pest for years now!" Tom seemed ecstatic. We talked while the others were celebrating. I found out that I was before the attack on Southtown during the prologue. That gave me a timeframe to work with. I could build up a reputation here and get Chrom to hire me.
But there was one problem with that. I kinda don't really want to go along with the plot. That just makes feel like some self insert in a fanfic. But, I probably will have to go along with this plan for now. At least until Gangrel is defeated, then I can go do something in the two year gap. For now, I need to focus on earning money. I'm completely broke for now and a little pocket money could help in the long run. Me and Tom worked out a deal. I help him with the tavern, he pays me and let's me stay in my room. He let me do this as long as I acted as a sort of bouncer that keeps out troublemakers.
I also had some other jobs on my days off, helping with construction and acting as an assistant for healers. At night, I reread card effects in case of trouble,though I never had to summon. Before I knew it, an two weeks passed. I was starting to worry that the story wouldn't start for a while. On my day off, I decided to go for a walk through the woods, taking in the sights and enjoying the silence. On my walk I noticed something particularly interesting. Someone was sleeping under a tree. I ran to over to confirm my suspicions but I was surprised. There wasn't one persons sleeping under the tree, but two! Either way it was them. Robin. The default male and female models. I moved to wake them up when I heard galloping. I turned to see three people on horses, though two were sharing one. The horse with two people was ridden by prince Chrom with princess Lissa. The other horse was ridden by no other than Frederick the Wary. They caught sight of me and rushed to me. The dismounted and headed to the twins. Though Frederick pointed a spear at my throat.
"Woah! Easy there big guy. No need for violence here!" I raised my hands in surrender.
"Frederick, stop!" Chrom said.
"But milord, he might be dangerous!"
"It doesn't matter if he dangerous now, we have two people who could be injured! Lissa, how are they?"
"They're fine, but it might take a while for them to recover." Chrom sighs.
"What a relief. I guess we should wait for them to wake up."
"Chrom, we have to do SOMETHING."
"What do you propose we do?"
"I... I dunno..."
As Chrom and Lissa talk, both the twins start to awaken. They notice this.
"I see you're awake now." Chrom says.
"Hey there." Lissa says gently.
"There are better places to take a nap than on the ground you know. Give me your hands." He stretches out both his hands and each twin grabs one.
"You two all right?"
"Y-yes... Thank you, Chrom." The female one says
"Ah, then you know who I am?"
"No, actually, I... It's strange... Your name, it just...came to me..."
"Hmm, how curious. Tell me, what are your names? What brings you two here?"
"My name is... It's... Hmm?" The female one says.
"My name is...uhhh." The male one is trying to think.
"You don't know your own names?"
"I'm not sure if... I'm sorry, but where are we, exactly?"
"Hey, I've heard of this! It's called amnesia!"
"It's called a load of pegasus dung. We're to believe you remember milord's name, but not your own? And that both of you conveniently have amnesia?"
"B-but it's the truth!" The female one says
"I'm not lying!" The male one says
"What if it IS true, Frederick? We can't just leave them here, alone and confused. What sort of Shepherds would we be then?"
"Just the same, milord, I must emphasize caution. 'Twould not do to let wolves into our flock. Especially three."
"Three? Ah! Of course, we still haven't talked to you yet stranger. Who are you?"
"My name is Jack. I found these two while on a walk from Southtown and then your knight over here decided to point a spear at me."
"Right, apologies for that, Frederick can be...wary."
"Naga forbid one of us exerts some level of caution." Frederick said.
"Yeah, but you take it one step too far!" Lissa chimed.
"Anyway, the forest is no place to discuss this, let's head back to town and sort it there."
"Wait just one moment. Do we have a say in this?"
"Peace, friends—I promise we'll hear all you have to say back in town. Now come."
