Chapter 12: "I know, let's jump off a FLYING HORSE! Come on! It's a great idea!"
Chrom
I swear to Naga, the palace guards are gonna get an earful tomorrow.
Not only did a group of Plegian (I don't really know who they are, actually but I'm pretty sure they're Plegian) assassins break in, but also Grayson's group of four, Albireo's friend and, this just in, a Taguel. Oh, and did I mention that if it weren't for the (admittedly relatively skewed) morals of one of the assassins (though he says he's just a thief), then those Plegians (I don't care what anybody else says, THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY PLEGIAN) would've been all over the palace.
Thankfully, that's not the case and they're stuck in the courtyard, with the only two entrances being blocked off by Robin and Reflet's magic. However, they're doing the same thing so we won't be able to go in, either.
As if sensing my thoughts, Grayson ran up to me "Chrom, are the Pegasus Knights available?"
"Huh? I'd assume they're mostly still asleep but Phila should be able to call them to arms"
"Great, get someone to contact her. We'll need four or five fliers."
"Right" I called to one of the UTTERLY USELESS castle guards (don't tell them I said that though) "You, call Wing Commander Phila, tell her to bring along four of her best knights and report to me immediately" I clapped him on the shoulder "Go!" and he ran off.
Within minutes, he's back along with Phila's squad of five.
"All right, we've got Plegians in the courtyard. Now, I had you called here because Grayson here has a plan" I nodded my head to Grayson who spoke
"Alright, it's simple: You guys take me and four others and drop us off in their formation. We should be able to scatter them, paving the way for a frontal assault" he finished
"Are you crazy!?" Phila protested "If we try to land our pegasi there, we'll get decimated!"
"Woman, what part of 'drop' do you not understand!?"
"Wow, now you're sounding even crazier than before. Still, it might actually work. All right, come on" she led the Pegasus Knights away to ready their mounts while we stayed behind for last-minute instructions
"All right, my team will be the drop squad. Once I call for the signal, you guys storm the front, got it?"
"Yeah but one question: There's only four of us. Who's the fifth man?" Robin asked
"Obviously me" I declared "Now come on, let's get going"
As we ran off to meet the Pegasus Knights, the four members of Grayson's team whispered among themselves, obviously not wanting me to hear it. However, it seemed obvious that Marth is liking what they're talking about and that rarely ever happens so I guess there's that…
We met the Pegasus Knights outside, all saddled up and ready to go. Grayson insisted on riding with the lead flier so he went with Phila, who almost protested before I told her that Grayson would be the leader for this operation. So that left us to fly with the other knights. I ran up to a red-haired flier who I recognized as Cordelia and got on her mount
"Oh, hey there, Cordelia" I greeted casually
"Oh! H-hello, Prince Chrom" she said, voice shaking for some reason
"What's the problem? You nervous?" I asked, placing my hand on her shoulder causing her to yelp in surprise
Damn, this woman is jumpy
"S-something like that, m-milord" I looked around and noticed the other knights looking at us intently. Even Phila gave us a knowing look
"A-anyway, milord" Cordelia gulped "P-please h-hold on"
"Oh, of course" I put my hands on her waist causing her to stiffen up noticeably before she spurred her mount into flight
Within a minute, we were nearing the courtyard
"All right, fliers" Grayson barked over the howl of the wind "Try to fly as low as possible but still over the buildings! Now, Chrom, you drop in last! Cordelia I presume?" Cordelia barked out a quick "Yes, sir!"
"Wait around ten seconds after our drop! We'll try to prep the LZ for our dashing prince over here" he spoke the last few words as if they were directed at Cordelia, not me
"All right, let's do this!" the formation of fliers swooped in, barely clearing the palace roof. As we passed over the courtyard, Grayson, Robin, Marth and their new ally, Lon'qu dropped on the unsuspecting Plegians. As per her orders, Cordelia waited ten seconds, circling around before making another pass
"Alright, this is my stop" I let out a chuckle
"G-good luck, sir" she replied and I dropped off into the fray. That was also the moment that Grayson gave the order for a frontal assault.
Apparently, most of the Shepherds had already arrived (Actually, I didn't really check for each one of them. I just saw Vaike and assumed that if he was there, then everybody was already present by then. It usually works that way). Grayson's team had done a pretty good job disrupting their formation but had suffered some considerable magic damage so they had to pull back
Grayson looked back at me as he retreated and gave me a thumbs-up before walking back into the palace
Don't worry, you've done your part. Leave this to us.
Honestly, it wasn't much of a fight.
Most of these guys were apparently mages. No wonder Grayson's unit had been overwhelmed. That also explains why they can't mount a frontal assault like we do. However, up close, their magic was no match for our swords and spears. Still, though, while it was certainly taxing, it was pretty easy
Mostly.
Then their leader (or at least I think he is. He looks especially sinister to me) walks in. Frederick tries to charge him but his horse is tripped over by an unseen force, pinning him down. The same goes for Sully and Stahl. Albireo, Reflet, Miriel and Virion try to barrage him but all their projectiles are stopped by some invisible barrier. Kellam and Vaike try attacking him head-on but Kellam is too slow and Vaike, too reckless. He easily slips between their attacks and, seeing an opening, hit them each with a sphere of dark magic.
"Well, well, well. Look at your Shepherds- all defeated by a single man. Come, princeling, you're next" he said tauntingly. I know I shouldn't have charged but I had no other option.
At the very least, I was able to keep myself from getting hit with that dark magic of his. Every time he was poised to strike, I already had a maneuver readied. The trouble is, so did he.
However, I'm beginning to tire. As much of a pushover as the other assassins were, it was still tiring. Meanwhile, my opponent only kept dodging and dancing around my strikes, the amusement in his eyes growing with every strike I missed.
Suddenly, we were interrupted by a thud- the sound only giving him barely enough time as a spear pierced the air where his head had been.
Cordelia stood there, gripping her spear. The nervous, shaking knight from before now replaced with the very image of skill and determination
"Milord" she said coolly "Let's take him together. One on each side" and with that, she thrust again with her spear while I rolled forward to get behind him, slashing as I stood up.
As if brought on by the arrival of an ally, my body grew energized, each strike giving me more energy instead of exhausting it. Meanwhile, Cordelia unleashed a relentless assault, her strikes so well-timed and perfectly paced that our opponent could not possibly hope to dodge both of our strikes
Bleeding from his multitude of cuts, our opponent spoke "Impossible… This-" he never got to finish his sentence as my sword pierced his chest, at the same time, his stomach was impaled by Cordelia's lance from behind
"Hah… Cordelia" I panted, suddenly exhausted as the adrenaline left me "That was incredible"
Her face matched the color of her hair "Milord, you really think so!?" she said, unbelieving
"Yes… Now… Would you kindly fetch my sister for me?" I said as I dropped to the floor, sprawled out in exhaustion
Grayson
Although we had left the battle earlier than we'd like, our little airborne mission had gone successfully.
Now, the reason I was so eager to drop from the air without a parachute is because of something Stryker had taught us about physical magic: it can also cushion falls.
Also, in addition to our successful assault, we had also succeeded in flustering Cordelia
Hehehe… For such a strong and pretty woman, she sure is hopeless when it comes to Chrom. Shame we can't ship them together…
Well, whoever it is we ship with Chrom- though given that Lucina has access to the Peg Knight pseudo-class and has a sister, there's only one real option- we had better get the same amount of entertainment. Hm… Elaborate pie tricks, perhaps?
"Hey there, Grayson" Albireo walked up to me as I sat in the corner. He was accompanied by two men about his age. One with Asian features and the other with dark skin.
"Hey" I replied "So, these your friends?" he nodded before the black man (I know he's a teenager but DAMN he's manly) spoke
"Hey there, nice to finally meet you in person. I'm Marcus" he offered me his hand which I firmly shook. Turning my attention to the Asian dude, I asked
"And you?"
"I'm Curtis" he answered simply
"Not one for words, huh, Curtis? Anyway, when'd you arrive in Ylisse?"
"Just this morning" I was honestly surprised
"You just came this morning and were already able to fight!?"
"To be honest, I didn't do much in there. But yeah, I'm about as combat-ready as any college student can be. Well, in a fantasy world at least"
"Ha!" Albireo patted him on the back "Remind you of someone?"
"Well, yeah, I guess"
"Huh?" Curtis questioned
"See, Grayson here pulled off some sick ninja tricks in our first battle together"
"Just because I'm half-Japanese does not mean you have to use the term 'sick ninja tricks'"
"Yeah, I know but this guy really did pull some cool shit. Backflips, spinning kicks, all sorts of shit. Basically you if you didn't have the sense not to try anything stupid in the middle of a fight"
"I see. So, was he trained in any way?"
"Well, I'm in- or at least, was in- the Air Force Academy but I'm not sure if that counts"
"So you don't have any actual combat training?" I nodded "Well, damn, I guess we got a contender for you! Curtis here has received some legit ninja training"
"Honestly, does everything I do relate to ninjas? And no, I did not receive ninja training. In fact, I'm only technically officially trained"
"What do you mean?"
"Every summer, my father brings me to Japan where we stay with my grandfather. While I'm there, he hires a private instructor to teach me martial arts, specifically those involving weapons"
"So, what have you trained in?"
"I've received partial training in Sojutsu, Naginatajutsu, Kendo, Nitojutsu and Iaido but due to limited time, I only got the basics down"
"That many!?"
"Yeah, but like I said, limited time, limited capability"
"So, that means you mostly improvised during the fight?"
"Well, yes"
"Dude, that's even better! A more varied style is more unpredictable and harder to counter since it does not fit within any individual technique's guidelines"
"But my limited training-"
"Dude, I had ZERO training and I managed to impress Albireo here. Think of what you can do with THAT kind of training, even if it were limited" he thought on my words before replying
"Alright, I guess" I nodded, satisfied "So anyway, what have you guys been up to?"
"Eh, not much really" Albireo shrugged before Marcus slung an arm over his shoulder
"Li'l Alby's all grown up now! He just had his first date!"
"Dude, what!? Details! DETAILS DAMMIT!" I stood up and grabbed the hem of his shirt and shook him violently until he ceded
"Alright! Just stop shaking me!"
"Hahaha! Sounds to me like someone's whipped!"
"I am NOT whipped!" he protests vehemently before Reflet suddenly comes up to us and towel whips him with a handkerchief causing us to burst in laughter
"Reflet!"
Oh my god Reflet, you're amazing
"Sorry! I just heard someone call my name. Then I heard something about whipping and I went right for it"
"Yeah, but why on me!?"
"I don't know" she shrugs "It's just something about you and whipping that makes perfect sense" she said
And the mic drops
Marcus and I fell to the floor laughing while Curtis tries (and fails) to not double over in laughter. Albireo just covers his face in shame
"Ugh. Somebody kill me already"
"Oh? Well, okay then" Reflet speaks "Albireo Masters, you are hereby sentenced to…" she pauses, waiting for Marcus, Curtis and me to give her our full attention
Oh shit, dis gun be gud
"One hundred lashes!" and she began animatedly whipping Albireo, complete with whipping noises.
At this point, we just lost it
"Leaving already?" Chrom asks me
"Yeah. I really have to catch up to the two of them"
"Alright. Anyway, thanks for the help. Though, are you sure about leaving Lon'qu with us? It seems like you'll really need someone of his skill"
"Don't worry about it, I have a feeling you'll need him more than we will" I said before turning to the other Wanderers
"Alright gotta go. Nice catching up Albireo. And nice to meet you Marcus, Curtis, Dylan" I regarded them in turn before continuing "Oh, and Marcus?"
"Yeah?"
Alright, let's do this. Stryker, take over
Dude, NOW you like me?
Now, I TOLERATE you. Maybe after you do this, THEN I'll like you
Hm. Fine. So, I scare him off?
Yep. Though, try to make it look like ME instead of you
All right then
I took the backseat while Stryker took control. There must've been some visible physical change since Marcus flinched before Stryker did anything. Then, in a low, absolutely murderous tone, he spoke
"Come anywhere near Grace and I'll send your family on a treasure hunt for your body parts" he gulped
"Y-yes, of c-course"
"Yes what!?" Stryker barked
"Y-yes sir!" Marcus said, complete with salute. Behind him, the other Wanderers snickered
Oh my god, Stryker, that was brilliant. Switch out now
I regained control and smirked at Marcus before leaving, vanishing into the halls of the palace
Damn, Stryker, I'll admit, I'm starting to like you better now
Haha, anything for you
…
Dude, are you gay?
I felt a subliminal slap to the back of the head
Shut up
End of Chapter 12
A/N And so, the train wreck that is this story continues. (That statement makes no sense. How can a train wreck keep moving?)
Anyway, first topic, what did Grayson mean by Lucina's parentage? Now, it's glaringly obvious to anyone familiar with her maternal inheritance and possible siblings. Out of four possible S-supports (barring Robin), three give Lucina access to the peg knight class and two give her a sister. Now only one name overlaps both of these lists (and do I really have to tell you?)
Well, that's that… If you have any thoughts on this rubbish heap of a chapter, by all means, please share.
So long and have a nice day!
-NS01 out-
