Grunts 11
Hello my loyal squaddies!
Severa:…
7: Not. One. Word
Severa: I didn't SAY anything
7: You were thinking it!
Lucina: Even I have to ask 7 why squaddies of all things?
7: My name is Gallian Squad 7 so I thought having a name for my fans would be fun.
Severa: Why didn't you consult ME though! You sound like one of those sci-fi nerds!
7: I'm not a HUGE fan of sci-fi, but I do like the ideas in it so leave me alone!
*Severa and 7 begin bickering*
Lucina: *sigh* Well let's get the ball rolling, while my two friends here bicker hm?
*Reads script* We now move into a side chapter that has two sections to it. The first follows Lucina & Friends on the road to Ylisstol, with some background into the relationship between the elder siblings and Cynthia being a ray of sunshine.
Cynthia: Yay I get to be awesome!
Lucina: Not now Cynthia, go see if Father needs help *continues*
(Play The Evening Wind at My Back Track 12 watch?v=5GunXy4QLbc) Present Day
The second section follows the Shepherds as they move back into Ylisstol to receive the item Emmeryn wants to give them. (It's in the title!)
Memories (Outsiders)
Northern Ylisse, Two days after the tournament.
Lucina, Cynthia, and Severa had settled in for the night after another long day of traveling down one of the lesser used roads in Northern Ylisse. They'd left the night after the tournament ended, but they were still close enough to the Northroad that they'd heard the rumbling of the Shepherds as they rushed to Ylisstol, no doubt in order to save Maribelle.
Lucina and Severa had barely said a word to each other in the past week. Ever since Lucina had taken the chance and kissed Severa, a palpable air of awkwardness and depression hung in the air. Cynthia tried her best to get the two talking, but without knowing the entire story her efforts proved useless.
Sighing as she sat in front of the crackling fire, Cynthia glanced to her left where her sister was sitting, staring up at the night sky. Deciding to talk with her again Cynthia made her way over and sat in front of Lucina, drawing the stargazers' attention.
"Do you need something Cynthi?" She asked with a warm inflection to her voice, slipping into the mother mode that she'd adopted once Sumia died.
"I have something I need to ask you Lucina," Cynthia answered in a surprisingly serious voice, "When did it start?"
Startled slightly at her bubbly sister's sudden personality turn Lucina could only ask, "W-when did what start?"
"You know what I'm talking about sis," Cynthia continued, scooting closer to Lucina. "When did you start liking Severa, and I won't take 'no' for an answer this time Lucina!"
Looking her sister in the eye with all the determination she could muster, Cynthia awaited her answer. Sighing at her insatiable curiosity, but smiling slightly at her obvious determination, Lucina started with a small nod.
"Very well then," Lucina shifted to a more comfortable position while motioning Cynthia to sit beside her, "If you really want to know how this came to be I need to go all the way back to when I and Sev first met each other…"
Ylisstol palace nearly 17 years ago for them
Lucina peeked out from behind her daddy's legs as she saw another person with purple hair approach him. She normally spent this time of the day with her mommy, but mommy wasn't feeling well so she played with daddy today.
"Hello Robin," Daddy greeted the purple haired man. "How's Cordelia doing? Last I heard from you she was enjoying her vacation."
The purple man, as little Lucina now dubbed him, laughed. She pouted a bit at the man's laughter, how dare he make fun of her daddy! Before she could give him a proper scolding he answered.
"She's doing just fine Chrom," the purple man smiled at her daddy before looking at her. Bashful, she tried to hide further behind her daddy. "And who is this little darling? Could this be the little Lucina I held in my arms only a few years ago?" He smiled at her and she found herself feeling more relaxed and moved forward.
Laughing at his daughter's bashfulness, Chrom posed a question to Robin. "This is indeed Lucina, but I see you have someone you'd like to introduce to me?"
Chrom finished his inquiry with a gesture to the small bob of hair poking out from behind Robin's coat. Noticing this Robin gently moved a small child in front of him and introduced them.
"This is my daughter Severa, she's a bit more grown than I believe you remember, but I'm sure she and Lucina will get along very well." He finished his introduction as Lucina took in the sight of the new girl.
She had the prettiest purple hair she'd ever seen and her eyes were really odd looking, though they were still pretty. She wore a small pink dress with frills along the hem and was carrying a small fish plushy in her left arm, while her right held onto her father's coat.
"Well Lucina?" Her daddy whispered with a smile as he scooted her forward. "Go and introduce yourself."
Lucina stood there with her head down as she blushed in nervousness, not saying anything to the other girl who simply gazed at her in curiosity. Letting go of her father's cloak, the little girl walked up to Lucina and said in a curious voice. "My name's Severa. What's yours?"
Lucina glanced up at the girls face and, upon seeing her small, kind smile, answered shyly "My name's Lucina, it's nice to meet you Severa."
Present Day
… and that's when we first met and became friends." Lucina finished her short tale, gazing at the stars with her sister. "I would tell you more about how it grew, but we've a long day tomorrow so for now I wish you good night." Lucina got up and began to move towards her blanket when her sister spoke up.
"You've been friends for so long sis," Cynthia moved to stand beside her sister and gave her a warm, loving hug, "If this is truly how you feel then embrace it, you can only listen to your heart and soul so often in this life…" her embrace tightened around her sister's shoulders as she felt Lucina bury her head into her neck and tears dampen her neck. "No matter who you choose I'll always love you sis, so please, don't give up on Sevry just yet she may surprise you."
They stood there for what felt like hours, younger sister reassuring the older one, until Lucina finally calmed down enough to speak.
"Thank you Cynthia," Lucina choked out through her remaining sobs, "That meant more to me then you'll ever know, and I love you too, you little pony-princess."
Cynthia laughed at the old insult, glad to see her sister come back a bit from her earlier daze, "Yeah well at least my nicknames' cute! If I remember correctly you were called a little ram more than once!" With that last word Cynthia ran away, laughing the entire time, her sister gave a good-natured chase. Neither of them noticed their companion listening from behind a tree.
Severa smiled, happy to see Lucina back to her old self, and that maybe, just maybe, the two of them could work it out after all. Her good mood quickly soured as she watched the two playfully run about.
Tears welled in her eyes as she thought of her own bubbly sister, Morgan. 'Where are you? We've searched everywhere and we still can't find you … please Morgan … be safe'
Quickly stifling her tears, Severa moved back to the campsite to rest, dreams of Morgan and their childhood together clouding her mind throughout the night.
They'd arrive in Ylisstol the day before the assassination attempt, though what awaited them was something none could have predicted.
Ylisstol-Night after the border skirmish
The Shepherds finally reached Ylisstol after a hard and fast march through the wilds of Ylisse, desperate to avoid any and all ambushes that may have been lying in wait for them.
Thundering into the courtyard, Chrom shouted orders for the guard to be redoubled at all checkpoints and for the walls to be patrolled at all hours. The other Shepherds quickly dispersed to rest at Chrom's command. Robin and Chrom followed a serious Emmeryn into the castle.
Going through a long and complicated set of corridors, they eventually reached a long set of spiral stairs that led down to the bowels of the castle. Robin looked about as they descended further into the lower levels. Emmeryn revealed a simple fire tome to light their way. The walls were dank and covered in scratches, like someone had marked each passage long ago.
Eventually they reached the bottom where a large, metal door stood ominously before them. Emmeryn quickly launched her little ball of fire towards the surrounding walls, lighting torches along the walls.
Now that he could see more clearly, Robin found the door to be made of an incredibly shiny stone, rather than metal as he'd originally thought. It appeared to be heavily encrypted with spells, the stone itself bound by chains.
Feeling nervous at the intimidating sight, Robin noticed Emmeryn approach the door and mutter a series of words in an indecipherable language. After she finished the door glowed a brilliant light before the chains fell with a great crash and the door opened.
Chrom seemed unfazed by the incredible sight, and began explaining what the area was before Robin could ask, "This is the royal archives," he began as they moved into the cavernous room, "It holds all of Ylisse's most valuable treasures and weapons."
Robin began to look around as they moved deeper in. spotting numerous objects that screamed of wealth and a few weapons that seemed to radiate power. Around him objects gleamed with wealth and ornate weapons radiated power. Emmeryn paid the treasures around them no mind, moving forward with a quiet determination.
Eventually she stopped and picked up a small object that stood upon a pedestal. The thing itself was a simple black-steel key that Emmeryn quickly handed to Chrom, already in the midst of instructing him, "Take this key Chrom," she commanded quietly. Chrom obeyed. "Take it to the alley behind the Golden Eagle inn, there you will find a door to match this key."
She began to move back towards the entrance, the silent Chrom and confused Robin following behind. "Once there enter the key into the lock and enter the door, after that give the merchant you meet this phrase 'Golden trees wither under the burning sun' and bring the others as well."
They exited the room, which Emmeryn quickly sealed, and began to climb back up to the main levels. "Do that and they will lend you all the support they can, leave tomorrow as soon as you're able." With that final order, Emmeryn left the two of them to attend to her other duties before retiring to bed.
Robin was still very confused, but Chrom beat him to the punch once again. "This," he began, motioning Robin to follow him, "is an Outrealm key, it gives us access to different worlds if the stories are to be believed."
Robin was finally able to understand why the item was of such great import, if one could visit other worlds the dangers and rewards were innumerable.
Chrom quickly left the purple haired man, not before giving him orders to wake the next morning, leaving Robin to his thoughts.
'So we're going to visit an Outrealm?' He thought as he moved to his room in the barracks. 'I wonder how this is going to work. Numerous questions and thoughts prevented Robin from sleeping, and when he did he did so fitfully.'
Next Morning
The Shepherds gathered in the center of the merchant district, they'd been given orders to meet there that morning and were now awaiting their commander to come with the day's tasks.
Chrom moved to the front of the large group, noting that all the Shepherds were back to battle condition after a night of rest and healing. He motioned for all of them to follow him behind the Golden Eagle.
As they squeezed into the alleyway, Chrom moved towards a large door made of black-steel. Taking out the key, he nodded once at Robin before inserting the key into the slot. A loud clicking sound rose out from the door, then it began to open with a loud groan, as if it hadn't been opened in years.
Entering the dim hallway beyond the door, the entire contingent moved behind their leader, glancing around warily until their final member passed the threshold. Suddenly, the door slammed shut behind them, causing the group to jump and move into ready positions. A portal appeared before them in a flash, they were gone.
When sight returned to the militia, they found themselves in what appeared to be a large lobby. A number of doors circled them, all identical to the one they'd entered minus the signs above them. What was more eye-catching was the area in the center that seemed to hold a large surplus of numerous items from vulneraries to odd looking weapons that appeared to be made of thin crossed steel.
A woman approached the group, obviously a merchant by her garb, and spoke out to them. "Welcome to the Outrealm Gate travelers!" She greeted with an award winning smile and a great amount of enthusiasm.
"What can I do for you today? I've a number of supplies here, and they're all on sale for reasonable rates!" She pitched her wares to them with a casual air, but then became aware of their cautious expressions.
Frowning at their caution, she seemed to have an epiphany and asked a simple question to them, "Why are you here travelers? Is there a problem where you're from?"
Catching the hint, Chrom quickly answered. "Golden trees wither under the burning sun." The phrase had an immediate effect on the woman, she paled drastically and motioned for the group to follow her, leading them to a quintet of doors. The doors read 'The Golden Gaffe, Exponential EXP, Infinite Regalia, Lost Bloodlines, Rogues and Redeemers' and Robin could guess on their meanings as the merchant began to explain.
"These are the worlds you've been given access to," She stated with a serious face. "I've also given you a serious discount on all the products here, and before you ask, they'll never run out as each sold item gets replaced immediately after the sale."
With that she shoved an odd, gold-colored crest into Robin's hands. He examined the odd item as she began to explain it next to a blue crest she held. "The item I gave you is called a master seal, it allows you to reach new heights by becoming a more advanced 'class' instantly," she then held up the blue seal "This is a second seal, once you've learned all you can from a 'class' this will allow you to become another of the classes you have the aptitude for."
She pointed the seal towards Chrom and said 'activate' before a blue beam shot out and landed on Chrom, swiftly followed by a series of drawn weapons. She ignored them and pointed to an odd projection that came out of the seal.
"You, Lord Chrom, are capable of becoming three different 'basic' classes," she stated, pointing to the three images as they circled the seal "Lord, Archer, and Cavalier are your base classes and hold the potential for any of the 'advanced' classes they can become."
She pointed to a pile of crates filled with the seals and gave a brief overview of the doors before them. "The first three doors are for your use," she continued to go on but she'd lost half the group at seal description.
"Whelp that's all I have for you." She finally finished "The last thing you need to know is that, in these worlds 1 hour in your world is equal to about 2 months here, don't ask!" She stopped the questions before they came, "You will not physically age here, but your bodies will grow until you reach your absolute limits so train as much as you can."
With that, the merchant returned to her table in the center of the supplies, leaving the Shepherds undecided on what to do until Robin convinced them to enter the door labeled 'Golden Gaffe'.
Turning the key in the slot, the Shepherds entered the first world of many they would explore in their lives, beginning their road to becoming true gods and goddesses of combat.
Ch 11 (Side 2) End
Whelp we all know what happens next! Just so everyone knows every Shepherd will become level 20 in all of their classes, thus having all the skills, and master all the weapons they have available to A-rank.
The grunt enemies will still be of casual difficulty, but the commanders will move to match them, with Vasto becoming a Wyvern Lord and Grimleal commanders being highly skilled advance classes, otherwise this would be no fun to write.
Here are everyone's final classes and skills (who are with the Shepherds currently) after the two-day (their time) training. Also I know it's technically deus ex machina, but how else do you explain the DLC maps!
Robin: Grandmaster
Skills: Ignis, Lethality, Pavise, Limit Breaker, Sol
Chrom: Great Lord
Skills: Aether, Dual Guard +, Aegis, Limit Breaker, Luna
Lissa: Sage
Skills: Tomefaire, Galeforce, Renewal, Limit Breaker, Miracle
Frederick: Great Knight
Skills: Luna, Pavise, Aegis, Limit Breaker, Deliverer
Sully: Great Knight
Skills: Luna, Lethality, Astra, Limit Breaker, Aegis
Virion: Sniper
Skills: Bowfaire, Bowbreaker, Lifetaker, Limit Breaker, Swordbreaker
Vaike: Berserker
Skills: Sol, Axefaire, Lethality, Limit Breaker, Locktouch
Stahl: Paladin
Skills: Luna, Lethality, Aegis, Limit Breaker, Astra
Miriel: Sage
Skills: Tomefaire, Lifetaker, Renewal, Limit Breaker, Magic +2
Sumia: Dark Flier
Skills: Galeforce, Luna, Tomefaire, Limit Breaker, Pavise
Kellam: General
Skills: Pavise, Lethality, Luna, Limit Breaker, Movement +1
Lon'qu: Swordmaster
Skills: Swordfaire, Astra, Lethality, Limit Breaker, Swordbreaker
Ricken: Dark Knight
Skills: Lifetaker, Tomefaire, Aegis, Limit Breaker, Luna
Maribelle: Valkyrie
Skills: Tomefaire, Renewal, Galeforce, Limit Breaker, Lifetaker
That's everyone! So far anyway.
Severa: Man they all look like absolute badasses!
Lucina: Sev language!
Severa: Can you blame me! They're awesome!
Lucina: I do admit I feel very proud to have such amazing parents
*Both begin to glow at the sheer pride they feel*
7: MY EYEEEEEEEEEES!
*Falls over screaming in agony, while being ignored by the sparkling pair*
Robin:… I'm just kinda the spare here huh? Any way onto the outro
Thank you all for your support and, as always, Read, Review, Favorite, and Follow!