Chapter 7- The Lost Shephard

Hey guys, back again. When we last left off… I was under house arrest. That was something I never thought I'd write.

ANYWAY- My time has been absorbed by DFO, Maplestory, and REVIEWING TO FANFICTION I READ. Hopefully I got the point across and no offense to those who have reviewed before. Also, stupidly hyped for the new Fire Emblem. Hoshido all the way! Ahem- On with the story.

FIFIFIFIFIFIFIFIFIFIFI

A broken heart, a new power, and a lost shepherd… Yeah, this can't turn out well. I'm being escorted to the battlefield by Frederick because Chrom doesn't trust me. Can't say I blame him, but now I understand what he meant by not being his sister. He's too emotional. At least he has Sully to butt heads with and keep his mind off things. Those two have been inseperable…

Hehehehe, About time that pairing showed up. Looks like Lissa is pretty close to Lon' Qu (no surprise), Maribelle seems to have roped Gaius, and Sumia keeps casting glances at Frederick while Cordelia is close to Virion. Oh, and Ricken and Nowi are holding hands. Pretty strong starts for pairings.

'Really, you thinking about this now?'

Well, Bib did say that I'm stuck as a self-insert for now. Gotta tell the readers what they want to know.

'It is idiotic. The prince is coming, watch yourself.'

Gods damn it.

"You should hope that you were right about Emerynn, Phlat. If she died for nothing, I'm holding you responsible." –Gulp- One wrong action and he could be the next Walhart. That is not something I want to see. Imagine a Chrom reclassed to Conqueror. –shudder- No thank you.

"Let's see." I manage between shivers, causing him to put a hand on Falchion. I raise my right hand, seeing Robin watching the small conflict, and put up three fingers. "Three, two, one." I point out to the soon to be battlefield and Chrom follows my finger.

Battle cries echo across the landscape as Plegians turn on each other. The men in red and purple attempt to stab, decapitate, maim, or defend themselves from each other. Nearly the entire army is fighting amongst itself and it does not look pretty. I almost miss the simple death animations from the game.

Chrom's eyes widen at the blood bath in front of him. His gaze flashes from me, to the battlefield, and back to me. I can only shrug. "Your sister had a way with words, hehe."

Robin is smiling from the side and the expressions from the rest of the shepherds are a mixed bag. Lissa's wide eyes can be seen clearly, probably amazed at the result of her sister's sacrifice.

The section of army that isn't fighting now has their eyes set on the shepherds and… "It's okay that I'm intimidated, right?" I ask Freddy. The great knight simply levels Luna to the horizon.

"Right…" 'Glyph!'

I pull myself and Freddy back just seconds before a Ruin blast leaves a crater where we were standing. That would not have ended well.

"So, do I finally have your attention!?" 'I' yell from across the battlefield. I can't hold back my facepalm.

"Frederick watch out for the Heroes coming from the forts and stick close to Chrom. Gangrel's weapon of choice is a Levin Sword."

"And where do you think you are going?" I pinch the bridge of my nose in annoyance.

"I have to go kick my own arse."

The battlefield is chaos but I walk through it towards 'me'. 'My' grin is sickening and I can tell 'I' have the intent to kill. Marshall and Reed are going at it just a little ways away and the impacts from the blows would make Goku jealous. Marshall dodges all of Reed's rather slow swipes but even Marshall's punches can't dent Reed's armor. That is going to be a war of attrition if I've ever seen one.

I have to jump to avoid another Ruin blast shot from 'me'. "Stop gawking. You're fight is with me." His tome is glowing violently and his eyes have shifted to crimson.

"Whatever showboat. Let's see how this turns out, shall we?" Several more giant 'X's come flying which I either slide away from or block with my arm glyph. That thing is infinitely more useful than I thought.

"You sure are a slippery one. A greased pig." A quick swipe of his hand and his tome switches to a bright red, his grin switching from sickening to sadistic. "Looks like I'm gonna eat well tonight."

Gods, what is that tome? I see the telltale signs of tome use- the shell of golden light- but nothing flies at me. Wait… Red is fire. Schist. 'Move!'

The glyph is too slow and magical magma catches my coat. Bolganone, how did I not realize it!? I tear off the coat before I can be burnt and glare at 'myself.' "That was my favorite coat."

"Good, I accomplished something then." My shoulders are burning with the mark of the exalt, but something doesn't feel quite right. Maybe it's just the situation.

I force a glyph at the ground where I was just standing and send secondhand Bolganone at 'myself'. He steps out of the way with ease, laughing. "Is that really the best-" His mockery is just off by two more splashes of Bolganone and two Thunder spells flying in from the background. It really is nice to be part of a team.

Miriel and Robin show up with cold resolve in their eyes. A short chuckle escapes me. "Once a shepherd, always a shepherd?"

Robin nods with a smile while Miriel adjusts her glasses.

"Oh, isn't this sweet. Three mages. One isn't meant to be here. One is unimportant. One is a pivotal plot point. All teaming up to kill the bad guy." I pull Miriel away from another blast of Bolganone and 'I' switch back to Ruin. I have to pull Robin away as Miriel and him continue to fire off the lesser spells.

'I' am on a role with the banter. "And what? The encyclopedia can't have her own witty banter. She may be bright but she isn't that quick." A thunder flies past his face.

"Silence, simpleton."

"Oh, but I'm just getting started. And poor, poor Robin. So tragic and overdone. Amnesia, now that has to suck. I wonder how the others would react to the truth."

An orb of lightning causes him to jump away and explodes in an X-pattern.

"I am who I choose to be. I am defined by my bonds, not by my past."

"And just what bonds did you give up with that amnesia?" I know it's my face, but I really hate his face. He knows that is a sore subject for Robin.

"Phlat, what is he talking about?"

"Ha! Phlat! That's what you chose for a name!?" He quickly cracks his neck, letting the thunder spell fly past his head.

"Shut up, Fluff." My attention is turned to Robin. "Like I told Chrom, all will be revealed after this battle. The war comes first." I really hope he can tell just how heavy this is on my conscience.

"Bwahahahaha! This is too good! It's amazing how simply you can plant the seeds of doubt." –Eye twitch-

"You really need to go." I threaten, glaring. Why is Robin looking at me like that?

Nevermind. I don't have time to think about this. He needs to go down. Lyon, I want to hurt him.

'You and me both.' Oh, gods, that feels good. What was the stats of Lyon as an Erhenjar again? Lvl 20 Sorcerer or something, right? Oh, this is going to feel great. My back feels like it's on fire but I don't care.

"I am the author, the controller of fate." A ring of exalted motion glyphs appear around 'my' feet, preventing escape, but the color slowly shifts to violet. The mark of the exalt shifts, twisting into the fell-brand.

'I' cackle hysterically. "Finally showing your true colors, eh? Or is that finally Lyon? Either way, they'll never trust you again." Ropes shoot out from the glyphs, encasing 'me' up to the neck. "As long as you're gone, I could care less."

Simultaneously I hear two snaps and a loud splurch. 'My' head lolls sideways, unmoving. His body slowly fades as the energy ropes recede, the glyphs blinking out of existence. The only thing left is the coat that once covered his body.

I claim it as my trophy.

"Urk!" Now what!? Oh…

Marshall is impaled. His body fades into light and a quick warp takes Reed away from the battlefield, the only indication that he was once there the blood that dripped off his blade that now stained the ground and Marshall's discarded armor pieces. He probably thought the weight loss would help him out speed Reed. Poor, poor fool.

"Phlat, what just happened?" Robin asks. I throw on 'my' coat.

"Go help Chrom."

"Phlat. What. Happened?"

"I…" How am I supposed to answer him? This is just impossible. There is no right answer. I'm not prepared for this. I don't do improv and I can't lie. GAAHHH! "Help Chrom."

The familiar mark of the exalt appears on my right shoulder and I pull Chrom away from a Hero whom is soon impaled by Frederick. Looking across the battlefield, Lissa and Maribelle are healing Gaius while Lon' Qu decapitates a fighter. Gangrel is advancing on Chrom with his Wyvern Riders which are being faught back by Ricken, Nowi, and our Pegasus Knights. Most of the mages are down already- so much red- and a good number of the non-advanced classes are also down. Vaike and Virion are fighting a general while Gregor and Panne are taking on a Berserker.

Only now do I realize how competent my teammates are.

Gangrel and Chrom face off as both groups clash around them. Now I know that Awakening should have gotten an anime. The game didn't do this scene justice.

Chrom charges first, a steel blade in hand. Vengeance burns in his eyes at the prospect of avenging his sister. The mad king cackles and raises his sword to the sky, causing arcs of lightning to travel at Chrom who either bats them away or dodges them.

Once in close quarters the two went for old fashioned swordplay. Chrom attacks with ferocity and raw power while Gangrel uses a slipperier style, darting in and out and using quick jabs. Sparks clash with each parry but I can't tell if that is from the swords or from the magic imbued in Gangrel's weapon.

Chrom slides away from a clash, energy filling falchion and glowing like a lamp. "I will not fail!" Chrom yells, echoing throughout the chaos. Gangrel cackles. "Beg for your life! His sword sparks and starts to glow as well.

With a wordless signal both charge. The royals seem to slow down as the moment gets more intense. At the last second they glare at each other and swing.

The entire battlefield goes silent. The royals stand frozen in their places, eyes dark. Chrom falls to one knee with a grunt. Gangrel looks to the sky. One last hysterical cackle echoes throughout the sky. "I am-" and he falls to the ground, face in the dirt. Blood is pouring from the gash across his chest.

"Finished." Chrom supplies for the former mad king.

FIFIFIFIFIFIFI

Most everyone is celebrating at the news that the war has ended. Most everyone. I hole myself in the Shepherd's barracks back in Ylisstol. Everybody is back in their respective kingdoms and Chrom married Sully, making her the new Queen. Robin is still acting Tactician, currently single. Most of the other shepherds found homes in Ylisstol. Heck, Cordelia married Virion and Frederick married Sumia. At least they're happy.

I'm freaking out. I have no clue how I'm going to tell everyone the truth, Miriel has gotten more curious than usual, Robin won't speak to me, Chrom refuses to look at me, and my interrogation is-

"Phlat, it is time to go." I nod solemnly. It's no surprise they send Miriel to grab me. She's the only one I won't argue with.

The walk to the throne room is tense, uncomfortable, and awkward. Niether of us talk, which is scary considering it is Miriel who is escorting me, and the only noise is our footsteps on the floors. Every door we pass through seems to creak louder than the last. Then the doors to the throne room stand before me. My gulp is audible. Miriel pushes open the door and I walk forward, fate sealed.

Chrom is standing at attention, his Great Lord armor looking brilliantly terrifying. His arms are crossed over his chest, clearing not in the best of moods.

"Talk, mage." Woah, that's new.

"Mage?"

"That man you faced in the final battle. He said you lied about your name." I can see why he wouldn't want to call me Phlat now.

"Fair enough. My real name is Matthew. I still prefer Phlat." Wow, that glare is frigid.

"And the comment on this 'Lyon'?" Chrom asks. Wow, Robin must have an identic memory. I tense slightly but reluctantly reach into my journal. On the back of the cover is a leather pocket. I pull a card from it to show Chrom.

"I've been sharing my body with an Erhenjar since coming here." I shrug like it's nothing while Chrom inspects the card.

"You let the soul of the main villain from the war of the stones inside you willingly?" Lyon flinches at that reminder. That's still a sore subject.

"To be fair, he was possessed by a demon at the time." Chrom just shakes his head in disbelief and hands me back the card. At this point Robin walks in. Behind him are Frederick, Sumia, and Sully. Oh joy.

"Next, how did you know what would happen and what happened, even though the moments hadn't come yet or you weren't there?"

"You wouldn't- okay, maybe you would believe me. I come from a different world." All of them scoff. Sometimes I forget the stupidity of people."

"And you honestly expect us to-" I cut off Sully quickly.

"Master tacticians with amnesia, time traveling girls pretending to be heroes of legend, and undead armies." I rattle in my most deadpan tone possible. Robin and Miriel laugh while Sully and Sumia turn red.

"As I was saying, I come from a different world. I am seventeen years old, was born in the equivalent of western valm, and I'm an author." I have everybody's attention now. "In my world, authors have the special ability to send versions of themselves into stories they have read or created and become part of them. You all were a storybook to me." They look disbelieving.

"I don't blame you all. I would call myself crazy too, Gods, I probably am. –Note to self, ask Libra about that later-" The last part I whispered.

"Agreed." Frederick throws in. "You are crazy."

"And I can see why you say that. Then I found out how many things had changed from the script I read. And I am sorry Chrom, but Emmeryn's death was always there." Chrom's expression hardens again. Heck, I may as well go all the way.

"And by the way Chrom, when can we be expecting little Lucina?" Sully blushes darkly from the corner.

"Or Frederick, what about little Cynthia?" Now Sumia blushes. "Every time somebody read your story there were only slight changes like who married who and such, but most things stayed the same. For example, the female shepherds will always give birth to the same child, despite the husband. Gods, the first time I read the story, Robin was a woman."

Good Robin, sputtering is the correct reaction.

"And so help me if I am lying may Naga smite me where I stand!" Nothing happened. Sometimes I really do enjoy this. It's fun to bring in personal beliefs when trying to convince people.

'You know that isn't very nice.'

Shut it Lyon. I'm being interrogated.

'Well then.'

I think I just pissed off a lvl 20 Sorcerer. –Gulp-

"Well of course he is lying." Gods dammit Freddy!

"Do you have anything to disprove me other than personal disbelief?" The Great Knight growls in response. Try and kill logic with a spear. I dare you. "Honestly, I was expecting this to be more nerve wracking. Am I being sent to the crazy room now? It's honestly what I would expect."

Chrom is steaming in his flashy tin foil of an armor set. "Get out."

"Your highness." I can't help but give him the small bow. "Robin, you know where to find me if you want information." More sputtering, perfect. I'm almost guaranteed a visit from him. Well, this turned out better than expected. I think I'll leave it up to them to decide I'm crazy. Like they would truly vote any other way.

FIFIFIFIFIFI

Well this chapter was fun to write. I forgot how much I enjoyed writing this story. I think from now on I'm going to try and recommend a fic with each chapter. That being said, check out 'Realm of the New God' by ThatOneSelfInsertGuy. You will not be disappointed… hopefully. Review and see you guys next chapter.