Dun dun. Dun dun dun~! Dun dun dun dun! Dun. Dun. Dun!
…
Zelda theme! Is it relevant? No.
Word of advice. Don't go back to playing Pokemon Ranger games after years of not playing. I played Shadows of Almia for the first time since 2008…*sniff* So. Much. Nostalgia. And so addicting.
That's how delays happen…Catch my drift?
Anyway! Nothing to put here really…
Onto the chapter! Dun. Dun. Dun. Duuuuuun!
Chapter 10: Horses…It had to be horses…
Asuna's PoV
I let out a sigh as I made my way through the forest. It was almost Thanksgiving and that would mean Aunt Maribelle's capture and rescue. That matter wasn't very important though. What would happen on the night of the annual Christmas ball was.
That was, from what Mother had told me, the night Aunt Emmeryn was and will be assassinated…If we didn't do anything. I remember her telling me and Lucina—Lucina and me, Mother would've corrected that—to run through the Gate of Time after giving us that information…Right before…She died at Father's hands…At least…I thought that was him. He died before I was born. Mother was surprised that the stress of it all didn't end my fetus-self's life/development…
She and Father had this whole argument on what my name would be…So in honor of him she named me what he had chosen…Ilithyia. Yeah. I know I said my name was Asuna. It's really a nickname I picked up over the years for my peerless skill with a rapier.
How do we know of Asuna? Simple. Mother and the people from her home told the Shepherds and thus we children know…
The trees began to thin as I neared the entrance to Ylisstol. Lucina's and my mission was to head here and lay low until we were needed. Then we would sneak in with the party guests or go in through that cleft in the wall that Lucina told me about. I believed it. I heard tales of Father breaking things and Lucina was very much the same.
"Ilithyia…" I heard a familiar voice call from the shadows of an alleyway near the entrance to Ylisstol, the once and still grand capital of Ylisse.
I turned to see none other than Lucina.
Wait…There's someone else…Clara?
"Oh! Hey, Sis!" I smiled at her before turning to Clara, "You too, Clara!"
The stern Pegasus Knight frowned before looking away. I couldn't blame her though…She made it her duty to watch over us and keep us safe after her father had passed on. The unfortunate thing was that she shared his serious and sometimes grim countenance. She had also taken over as commander of the royal pegasus knights since Aunt Sumia, Aunt Cordelia and Aunt Violeta were long gone. Well…She isn't dead, but since she's left in the future, she's considered "long gone".
"It seems that you've made it here safely. Do you know if the others are all right?" Lucina asked.
"Of course I did, Luce! Do you really think that I'm unable to protect myself?" I pouted as Clara spoke up.
"You seem to attract trouble, milady."
"Clara, stop with the 'milady' crap! We're friends, not your masters!"
Clara winced, "My father swore an oath to the House of Ylisse and I intend to carry out his wishes! Like it or not, I am not your equal and it is my duty to protect you!"
"THAT'S ALL?! THAT'S THE ONLY REASON YOU STICK AROUND?! TO SATISFY YOUR HONOR?! I-I THOUGHT YOU CARED ABOUT US AS PEOPLE! NOT YOUR CHARGES!" I felt my lip quiver. I've always been this way…Crying at the simplest thing. I guess it's from growing up in an apocalyptic future. Still I try to put on a brave face like Inigo.
…Inigo…
"Ilithyia! Stop this!" Lucina yelled, "You'll only draw attention to us!" I wiped my tears away, "She has her reasons! Now let's go before—!"
We heard the sound of quick footsteps as someone yelled, "Hey, Robin! Did you here that?"
…That voice…
…
…
Mother…
I let out a meep as my tears started again. My spontaneous crying had been happening less and less. It was almost completely gone. But when I think of Mother, I can't help but recall how brutally she died. No sound, no nothing. Just silent acceptance…
"It sounded like…" Robin said, "That 'Marth' girl."
"…'Marth'…" I heard a baritone voice that Lucina winced at, "I've been wanting to speak with her since we met her in the forest."
"Sounds like her voice came from this alley here," Mother said as she poked her head into said alley, "Hey! It is you!" She looked back, "Hey, Chrom! She's down here!"
"Erin, I wish you didn't poke your head down random alleys. You don't know what's lurking there," Father sighed.
"C-Come on!" Lucina said as they bickered, "We have to go!"
"But—!"
"No! We have to go now!" She took my hand and pulled me down the alley as Clara blocked my escape.
"L-Lucina!" I cried.
"Just be quiet! FOR ONCE!" …She blew up. Lucy has blown up.
After that I remained quiet and tried to stop my hysterics as they pulled me away from me and Lucy's parents.
Erin's PoV
"I'm a big girl, Chrom," I mumbled as he entered the alleyway, "I can take care of myself."
"Everyone needs someone to look after them. That's sort of my job in the Shepherds."
"Ah, yes! The charismatic leader of the Shepherds, Prince Chrom of Ylisse, our babysitter!" I snarked, "May we bow to you, Lord Babysitter!"
"Yowch!" I heard Robin say, "Give the poor guy a break!" He paused, "And he could execute you for that! Offending royalty! We sort of need you alive."
"…" Well. Princey is very silent. He turned away from the alley and said with a creepy glint in his eye, "I won't kill her…" I let out a sigh of relief, "…Much."
"WHAT?!" I backpedalled and hid behind Rei…who was significantly shorter than me and laughing hysterically…This reminds me of the laughing sound effect in sitcoms…
I turned to Dylan, Brandon and Miya, seeking help. The three immediately pretended to be occupied with something else.
…Traitors
"Well, fellas! I wish I could stay and hang out…but I've got some stables and horses to clean!" I darted down the streets of Ylisstol and into the military district, turned right and entered the stables.
?'s PoV
"Big Brother?" My little sister said, causing me to look down at her.
"What is it, Noire?"
She clutched her bow and looked ahead as we made our way through the snowy lands of Ferox. From her body language I could tell that she was afraid to ask whatever it was.
"C-Could…y-you…sing…Father's song?"
I stiffened. This would be the first time Noire brought it up since he died. He would sing it to comfort us after Mother went crazy. She still loved us, but…Robin's death had impacted her and she tried desperately to find a way to bring him back. That led to her experimenting on Noire and me. Though I wasn't effected as much. Noire was always Mom's primary test subject.
Oh and Robin isn't our father. She just…has this obsession with him.
"Father's song…Why do you want me to sing it, Noire? We both know you'd sing it much more beautifully."
She looked down sadly and began to reach for her talisman.
I stopped her and sighed, "Fine, just don't touch that wretched thing. You know it's not good for you."
"…Thank you, Zane…"
You Are My Sunshine
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping
I dreamt I held you in my arms
When I awoke, dear, I was mistaken
So I hung my head, and I cried
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
I'll always love you and make you happy
If you will only say the same
But if you leave me to love another,
You'll regret it all one day
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine
You make me happy when skies are grey
You never know, dear, how much I love you
Please don't take my sunshine away
Please don't take my sunshine away
Noire let out a soft cry and leaned into my side. She began to sniffle until full sobs racked her body.
I sighed, "Noire…I thought we were done with this…"
"I-I know…just *sob*….I miss them….so much….*sob*"
I rubbed her back and tried to calm her down, "After we safeguard our Gemstone, we'll find them. I promise."
"Really?"
"Screw what Gerome says. Families should stick together. It's not blood or who spawned who that binds us…It's our bonds that make us family."
"Brother…"
…
…
…
"Thank you…"
Erin's PoV
Scrubbin', scrubbin', scrubbin', the stables! Scrubbin', scrubbin', scrubbin', the stables!
"Clean up~! Clean up~! Everybody, everywhere~! Clean up~! Clean up~! Everybody do your share~!" I scrubbed the walls, swept the floor, and cleaned the horses while singing this song on repeat all the while.
I turned to a random brown horse with white socks and a white line stretching from the center of its muzzle to just below its ears. It had blue eyes, long, wavy brown hair and appeared to be a Clydesdale.
"Wow! Aren't you pretty!" I patted the creature, but abruptly stopped, "Oh no! I feel the horse phase emerging! No, no, no, no, no, no!"
Actually, I was just playing the MLP theme song in your head to screw with you. You're perfectly sane…Or nuts considering that you are hearing voices in your head.
Ohh….
I continued to stroke the horse, "What's your name?" I searched for any sign of a name and recalled Robin saying "There aren't many horses in the stables. Maybe one or two. Their names are carved into the wood of their stalls".
This one doesn't have a name…
It looks like it's a gift from Father…
Father?
Poseidon…It seems that he favors you. He sent this mare.
All of your siblings come from Poseidon? I wouldn't expect Sagittarius, a land lover, to come from the sea god.
Mother was cornered a few times…Eleven in fact. Much like Demeter…
At least she popped out one kid willingly…
I take pride in that…
"How about I name you…Amphitrite?" I said to the horse as she whinnied, "Amph for short. You like that, girl?"
Like…Father's other wife…
No need to be so cold about it! She happens to be my favorite female immortal being after Athena….a-and you, of course!
She butted her head into my side. I'll take that as a yes.
I looked around for a saddle. I spotted one on the wall and hauled it over along with the necessary tack. I got Amph ready, lead her out and jumped up and onto her back.
…Really?
Yeah…I loved everything involving water. Then I found out my Astrological sign was Aquarius and was like "It makes sense! All of it~!"
Well, don't I feel special…
Clara's PoV
…Such insolence! Some princess she is…No. I can't think of her like that. She's been through too much; just as we all have.
I looked over at both of my companions. The ones I were to always protect, aid and not hinder. Hindrance is a liability. Liability is hindrance. Friendship is meaningless. It is not necessary to carry out this task. My job. No; my livelihood.
Lady Ilithyia sobbed quietly behind a few crates as Lady Lucina tried to calm her while I stood watch. This was…normal in a sense. Lady Ilithyia would be upset by something and her big sister would comfort her as I watched over them from afar.
I know it may seem that I'm emotionless and that my life has no meaning other than watching over the princesses, but that really isn't true. My father's last words were to watch over the royal family. I never had much of a bond with my mother since she was always away on long trips with the pegasus knights to exterminate Risen in the far reaches of the continent…Well, continents.
Ylisse, Ferox, Valm and the half of Plegia that wasn't devoted to Grima joined and formed the Four Nations Alliance. It didn't matter what ethnicity or race you were; you banded together and fought the hordes of Risen. We watched over the young and guarded the weak. The surviving Shepherds raised the next generation of Shepherds that were to carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Literally. After the first generation perished or went missing, Lucina rose to be our strong and courageous leader, much like the late exalt had been. Ilithyia became her cushion and our voice of reason despite her…interesting personality. She seemed to take after her late aunt.
Inigo became our shining sun of cheerfulness, Cynthia became our morale booster, Owain kept us entertained with his 'heroic' stories, Severa was our snark master, Serena kept her in line, Gerome was *snort* Batman, Yarne was, dare I say, our bunny, Brady gave us all tons of 'hit-head-with-staff' therapy, Laurent was the brains, Nah was our little sis, Noire was our 'grenade', Zane was our pessimistic and caring big brother figure, Kjelle kept us fit, Rory was our resident sci-fi nerd, Amelia was our Scot, Tauriel is our cute elfie…and there was Arianna, who was mostly in for the coin, and Bjieta, our valiant cavalier…My head really hurts now. I don't even think I got everyone.
Wait. Morgan…How could I forget the little ball of fun that was our tactician? Morgan, if it wasn't obvious, is Robin's daughter. She went missing a few months before we made the jump to the past. To now. We never knew her fate; just that she couldn't have died. She was strong. Stronger than most and had the brightest smile you would ever see in that apocalyptic hellscape.
Erin's PoV
"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!" I yelled as Amph raced through the training field before coming to a stop near Frederick, who seemed to be…OH NO.
Frederick turned and 'smiled', as much as a Frederick could, evilly, "Ah, so nice of you to join us."
"Huh? Wh-who? M-me?" I slid off the saddle and slapped Amph's butt—I can't think that with a straight face—to tell her to go off on her own.
Robin was lying on the ground, as was the rest of the Zodiac Crew, "D-don't you leave us!" He cried.
I turned to Fredders, "Actually, I have an idea for a more…fun workout," Frederick raised a brow, "How 'bout some VB?" His brow rose higher if possible, "Volleyball?"
…
…
"Mintonette?"
A light bulb seemed to go off in his head and he nodded, "That is a common game played by the soldiers and other residents of the military district.
Really? Hm…I guess I won't have to teach!
LINEBREAK
We began the game…I practically forced them to let me serve. I threatened, I tried to be scary and like the spoiled brat I was, I got my way! YAY! I apologize if none of that made sense.
Actually, the Shepherds, excluding the Zodiac Crew, were terrified. I knew I had a good serve, but…Krypton effect much? I think some were filing restraining orders for the future just in case. I can't blame them though~!
I'm pretty awesome~!
…
Right?
…
Right?!
…
RIGHT?!
…
Ooof! MY PRIDE!
The Shepherds simply watched as I fell to the ground after my mental quarrel, hands to my heart.
Dylan's PoV
Well…That was an interesting development. Someone has, dare I say, problems…
Same with all born under the sign of Aquarius. They tend to be a bit...strong in both mental areas. Smart…but crazy. They also tend to be space cadets.
You said it, Capricorn. Aren't the others hearing this conversation though?
I blocked the communication.
Good. I don't want to be brutally murdered by Rei. She's a bit overprotective
Since that attack on the town that we met Donnel and Anna in, we had each gained a link with our Zodiacs that was strengthened by a necklace or dog tag pertaining to our element. Mine was copper to symbolize earth, I guess. Rei's was sandstone, I believe, while Brandon's was a blue dog tag, Miyaji's was an emerald and Erin's was a cobalt gem.
Days had been slow as we had headed back to Ylisstol. When we would set up camp, I would spar with Lon'qu, chat with the "Zodiac Crew", as Erin had dubbed us, try to figure out these damn earth powers or draw little comics about the Shepherds in a sketchbook I picked up in the village.
"Dilly! Look out!" Rei yelled as I barely dodged out of the way of a rock.
"Rei…" I exhaled sharply before looking down at the petite girl, "Why? Why were you throwing stones?"
"Because deus ex machina!" Rei blurted out before running, "Er…I mean reasons!"
"Rei, what are you talking about?" I asked, but she was already gone.
I let out a sigh and looked at the rock that had been hurtling towards my head only moments before. I bent over to pick it up and get a better look at it. It was interesting and reminded me of those stones that controlled time in Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword.
~That looks like one of Chronos' times stones~
Kronos? You mean the evil Titan of Time?
~No. C-H-R-O-N-O-S. Chronos. The good variation of him~
How can he be good?
~I wouldn't offend my father and the one who gave you that gift~
Father? I would never have thought that…
~That's a story for another time. Now, focus on that stone. With it you can momentarily stop time and only those you wish to freeze will stop moving with it. Though its effects are immediate, it only lasts five seconds. Note that it also has a cool down period of one minute~
That's not very useful…
~It might help you in a pinch~
…
~By the way…I never really blocked communication~
~…And I'd run if I were you~
…You didn't…
"Oh, hello Dylan!" Erin said sweetly with a very creepy smile, "I'd like to have a little chat with Capricorn. Well…not a little chat per se…I want him to feel pain!"
CAPRICORN!
Isn't that Aquarius?
~Yes…~
That means….
~Run!~
I suppose this is a use for the stone….
Brandon's PoV
I'm going to pretend that all is normal and—Cordelia!
The knockout redhead seemed to be sorting weapons in the armory. Thinking she needed help, I slowly approached from behind. I can't leave a gorgeous lady to do all that work now, can I?
"Excuse me, miss?" I said, thankfully remembering that we haven't "met".
She quickly turned and stood, "Who are you? Are you one of the new Shepherds?"
"That I am," I looked at the weapons that were strewn across the floor, "Do you need any help? I couldn't help, but notice you in here after I barely escaped Frederick's Fanatical Fitness Hour."
"That certainly is a living hell," She held out her gauntleted hand, "Where are my manners? I'm Cordelia. Welcome to the Shepherds."
"Brandon, likewise. Er…and thanks…"
I'm not a people person, I'm nervous because of the very…pretty lady in front of me.
"Oh…" She looked at the floor, "I could definitely use that help you offered…All right. Just this once."
Erin's PoV
"Ugggh!" I groaned as he seemed to teleport thousands of feet ahead of me again, "I give up!"
He owns a Timestone. There isn't much you can do.
Isn't much I can do, my ass.
…
…
I'm bored….Off to punch training dummies 'til my hands are broken!
Personally, I'd work on your sword skills…
…Fine…
Now…how is this supposed to work? I know I did well in the tournament, but…Meh. I was just winging it. I don't know if everything I did was correct. So here I am. Wailing at a training dummy until someone comes and corrects me.
AHEM
Until someone comes and corrects me!
…
Deus ex machina…
"Your stance is wrong…" I heard Chrom's voice from behind me.
Oh, how I love plot convenience!
"Spread your feet out more," He continued, walking to the other side of the dummy from who knows where, "And I wouldn't lean that way on your toes," He gestured towards my 'ready' volleyball stance.
"Huh…Oh. Okay…" I said, correcting myself, "Please, Lord Ba—Er, I mean Chrom—teach me your ways~!"
He rose a brow in 'what dafuq' and continued as he moved so he stood shoulder to shoulder with me, "Hold your sword out like this," He held out a practice sword like you would hold out a baseball bat to see if it was a good weight, "If your arm shakes, the sword's too heavy for you to handle."
I'm sensing a few movie clichés here, but okay…
I held out my iron sword, "Nope. Seems fine."
"All right. Now move your hands lower. You don't want too much of the pommel exposed, or it'll be harder to make quick motions."
I shifted my hands before turning back to him, "Like this?"
"No, that's too much," He said, seeming to have the patience of the gods, adjusting my hands, "There. Now take a practice swing."
I just stood blinking, spacing out as usual, before I came back to reality, "E-er, right…" and swinging at the dummy and leaving a clean cut where I hit, "Wow! I feel so awesome now…Maybe I can find Dylan and brutally murder him now…"
"W-what? Brutally murder?" Chrom asked.
I patted his shoulder and walked in the direction of the barracks, "It's too complicated for your young mind to understand!"
He replied with a "We're basically the same age…" but I ignored him and continued before remembering my manners.
I turned back briefly, smiled and gave a wave, "Oh and thanks for the pointers! I'll be sure to make use as I—Never mind~! Toodles~!" I turned and faced the barracks again and walked…happily. I dunno why, but I just feel happy…
CAUSE I'M H—Ahem! Author notes time! But! Not buts! I apologize for the lateness and slight shortness of this chapter! I've had VB practice all week 'til five, then I would have dinner and then I had a soreish throat and cold—Who doesn't have a cold?—and my mom made me go to sleep at like eight. EIGHT. Blasphemy! I did get away with a few twelve-o'clockers though. Still not my usual though…And I got Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire…Oh, the nostalgia!
Anyway! Here's some shorts! I may or may not have a few every chapter. Depends on what goes through my mind as I write or what happens with my crew…They inspired some of the ones last chapter. Much like the first one.
Chrom: *cough*
Rei: *cough*
Brandon: *cough*
Dylan: *cough*
Lissa: *cough*
Everyone, but Erin: *cough*
Erin: EBOLAAA!
Shepherds: What?!
Erin: *cough*
…
…
Erin: Oh f—*cough*
Erin: SERVICE! *Serves ball*
Lucas: Guys it's coming in! Get on it! Go—*screams creative words*
Brandon: Ooff….Right in the place where the sun doesn't shine.
Erin: But I'm a creep, I'm a weirdo! What the hell am I doing here? I don't belong here!
Rei: You said it!
Chrom: Frederick?
Frederick: Yes, milord?
Chrom: I think that fort on the Plegian border with the…special people is needed.
Frederick: Already on it, milord
Whoever guesses what the next few ones are referencing is awesome! This show is not on anymore, but was my fav when I was younger...I couldn't let go...
Lissa: You know, there are more important things in life than free meat.
Chrom, Robin and Erin sitting around campfire: Yeah, not really.
Brandon: *duct taped to chair* Why did you tell them where the duct tape was?
Erin: *also duct taped to a chair* I-I don't know! I was trying to be helpful!
Rei: *also, also duct taped to chair* I have no comment...
Rei: It's not in the fridge.
Erin: Ugh! You promised you'd stop drinking milk in the shower!
Rei: You can't change me!
Rei: One spoon! Two spoons! Whoa! Three spoons! Four spoons, five spoons! This is not entertaining!
Random villager: You're crazy! *hits Erin with umbrella*
Erin: *crumples to floor* Ahh!
Erin: Let's get some real money out of this guy…
Rei: Yeah, that's my girl! *Pats Erin's head*
Erin: *speaks some Italian smack at rude person*
Dylan: Where did you learn that?
Erin: My mom likes Italian shows…
Dylan: Of course…
Erin: Like really loves Itali—
Dylan: I got it.
Erin: Well, you just need to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and fresh air! *Opens curtains to thunder storm*
Rei: ….Only things that are fresh are those bolts of lightning…
Rei: *opens random door* Gibbaaaaaaay! 'Sup people!
Chrom: We're going to a mental hospital. *gestures at Erin*
Rei: *pumps fist* Yes!
And that is all…I meant no offense in any of this, so I apologize if anyone was offended. Really. Truly.
…
Really…
*goes into fetal position with 3DS and…*
OH! WAIT. Like I said before, I just got P: AS, so if anyone else has it and wants to battle or trade or whatever, I'll send you my FC via PM. Just ask!
(Note: I haven't had time to read this over, so apologies if I have some glaring mistakes. This was also a bit rushed due to the small window of time that I had every day. I'm a bit behind on my mental update schedule…)