HELLO ONCE AGAIN MY LOYAL READERS!
I HAVE COME HERE TO DEEPLY APOLOGIZE. THE PAST FEW MONTHS HAVE BEEN THE MOST CHAOTIC MONTHS EVER. SCHOOL JUST TOOK TOO MUCH OF MY TIME AND MY EXTRA CURRICULARS JUST WENT OVERBOARD.
BUT I'M HERE NOW. AND I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. AND I APOLOGIZE.
It is my sole promise that I will not leave this fic hanging, and I am STILL open to comments and suggestions. Feel free to review and DO NOT HESITATE TO PM ME. It is still the BEST way to communicate with me. I am currently getting back up to speed with replies and requests, do despite the looooooooooooooong wait, I hope you guys are still there! And I love all of you. *hands everyone a huge mega choco chip cookie*
I will update as frequently as I can. As for time limits for decisions I will allot 5 days before I make my final decision.
Chapter 12
"RISE AND SHINE, SIS!"
Robyn groaned. She opened one eye to look at her clock.
"It's 6 in the morning." Said Robyn, digging her head back into her pillow. "On a Saturday."
"That's right." Said Robin, yanking off his sister's quilt. "It's Saturday."
Robyn yawned as she sat up. Her brother was once again in his PJs, and once he made sure she was up, he threw her sheets back at her and went to the bathroom.
She wanted to strangle him.
It had been a strange week.
The girl rolled to her side and replayed past events. A new school, meeting some new people, making friends…
She sighed. After hearing her brother's theory, she had contemplated shutting them out. But that would only mean she'd revert back to old Robyn, who walked in her brother's shadow and didn't let anyone in. It was a lonely state of being, which gave her a rather mysterious vibe.
At least, according to that one love letter she found in her locker a year ago. The memory was hazy, but that one sentence stood out.
So Robyn answered the texts. She genuinely liked Cherche, and she felt that Cherche felt the same way. So she replied, and she and Cherche have been together for the rest of the week.
As for Lissa, she replied to her text too. Lissa, no matter the theory, was hard not to love. She had a quirky and cheerful vibe, something Robyn admitted that she needed a dose of every once in a while. Lissa had the ability to make Robyn laugh, and along with Lissa came Maribelle. Lissa was right: Maribelle slowly warmed up to people. Maribelle thought Robyn's meek exterior(Robyn had to giggle at that) was a ladylike attribute, so she felt at ease with Robyn. And Robyn found it entertaining that Maribelle often felt the obligation to teach her brother the ways of a true gentleman.
"You're a good looking young man," she had said, "but that can only take you so far."
Now Maribelle asks Robyn why she hasn't seen her brother for two days straight.
Chrom's text was a different story altogether. She didn't want to ignore Chrom, in fact she quite liked his leadership characteristics, but it was her very slight distrust in boys general, which may have been influenced by Robin. It wasn't as bad as Lon'qu's: the slight distrust was always a temporary thing and was often dormant, but Robin's new theory brought it back to life. She'd learned to let go, but she remembered to be on her guard.
She replied to Chrom's text, but not with her usual ease. For the rest of the week it was always he who initiated conversation, and even her replies were short and not often leading to an actual conversation where she'd stay. She wasn't rude, in fact she'd give him her usual polite smile and allow him to open doors for her. After all, he did invite her today.
With Lon'qu, she had tried to wave off his repulsion towards her by encouraging their time alone together, which the former avoided. It would be hard, but she'd get him to open up.
Gaius was a different story. Every time she'd open her locker, a treat would be waiting for her. What's worse was that her brother actually eats them, which only encouraged Gaius. The boy had a way of staying hidden, so Robyn didn't bother with that.
Robyn got up and carefully pulled out the clothes she had set the night before. After which, she took a quick shower.
Robin entered her room, all dressed and ready as she was drying her hair.
She eyed the rule book he was holding.
"I've finished it." Said Robin proudly.
"So why are you bringing it?"
Robin shrugged. "I don't know. Just feel the need to. So hey, can I put it in your bag—"
"NO."
OoOoOoO
"Robin!" called out Vaike.
"Sup, Teach!" said Robin, fist bumping with the hyperactive blonde. Robin was only ever the one who called him Teach back, so Vaike took a liking to him immediately.
The twins, along with the Ylissean Army, were all in the school parking lot waiting for the van that would take them to their destination. Robin glanced around. Lon'qu was next to him drinking from a juicebox. Cordelia and Frederick were discussing something with Chrom, who sneakily glanced around as well. Cherche and Robyn were together, of course, and Lissa, Maribelle, and Sumia hung around with them. Lissa was talking her ear off. Virion, who he had met two days ago, was flirting with Sully, who was checking something on her phone. He doubted she was even listening.
He hadn't heard from Lucina since the day of the volleyball game, and he was surprised not to see her here today.
The Army had been working non-stop all week, training their butts off and going home late. Chrom took it the hardest, and often found escape in hanging out with Robin, which he didn't mind. Robin liked to talk about lots of things, and it seemed Chrom found the abrupt and numerous changes in topic relaxing as opposed to the tension and looming threat of the team getting disbanded under his term as Captain.
Finally, a dark blue van with the golden symbol of F. Emblem Academy marked on its exterior. The driver was a large, dark skinned, grinning bald middle aged man wearing sunglasses.
"Hey, kids!" he called out. "In the van! Victory waits for no one! How's your arm doing, Lon'qu?"
The woman sitting next to the man rolled her eyes as the team piled in. She had his dark skin as well, and a fierce beauty, her golden hair up in a spiky ponytail. "Must you patheticize their nervousness, old man?"
"There's no such word as patheticize." Frowned the driver.
Frederick slid the van's sliding door shut.
"Good morning, Coach Basilio. Coach Flavia." Greeted Chrom politely.
"You may wanna hold on." Whispered Cherche to Robyn.
"To what?" Robyn glanced around the slightly overstuffed van. She was smushed up against the window.
"Good morning Chrom!" greeted the man heartily, hitting the gas pedal so abruptly Robyn felt that she left her stomach back somewhere. "Think we'll win today and get some sponsors to fund a real bus?"
"Th-that is the hope." Replied the captain nervously, holding on to an armrest. Lissa kept her eyes shut tightly.
"Can you not drive smoother, you old croon?" Flavia was livid.
"We may not be the best, but we sure can be the earliest!" the man chuckled good naturedly as he took a sharp turn, which resulted in Frederick getting his head hit against a window. He struggled to keep the yowl of pain trying to surface.
"Is it always this bumpy a ride?" Robin whispered to Vaike, who also held on for his dear life.
"Unfortunately." He winced. Robin glanced at Maribelle, who looked mortified. She sat next to him by mistake, and her posture was rigid. Robin had been avoiding her, but…
"Hey, Maribelle." He grinned. "You don't have to act all ladylike, you know. You can always hold on to me."
"How awfully barbaric!" scolded the lady, but not with her usual grace. Her voice was mixed with uneasiness.
Robin glanced at his sister. Despite the ride's bumpiness, she seemed to be having a good time with Cherche. He felt a tiny twang of jealousy that she didn't need him to feel at ease anymore as much as before. Usually, she'd have automatically sat next to him. But she had actual friends now, and for that he was happy.
OoOoOoO
"Woah." Was all that Robin could say.
The ride was a long one, and it was a good thing they had left early, as the location was more than outside of the town of Ylisse. Coach Basilio's careless driving got them there at record time.
As their van made their way to the designated tunnel entrance, Robin could make out what seemed to be an imposing crumbling castle like structure almost hidden amongst the mass of tall trees.
"Don't tell me that's an actual castle." Said Robin.
"Then I won't tell you." Said Lon'qu, leaning back lazily.
Lissa groaned. "A castle siege? I'm terrible at these. I always get lost."
"Just stick to Chrom." Said Frederick. "Like last time. After all, if his tracker's hit 12 times straight without restructuring…"
"But they always aim to hit my tracker!" complained Lissa. "And since my tracker can only survive six hits Chrom would always be left undefended!"
Robin understood. From what her read in the handbook, each player was equipped with their own 'tracker' that served as their 'life line'. Each tracker had a different life capacity depending on the skill and rank provided by the analysts and officials of the WSG. He estimated that Lissa was probably a level 6. The lifeline of the Team Captain was most important, because his team loses by default once his tracker breaks completely.
Robin shook his head. This team needed a tactician.
Lost in his thoughts, Robin failed to notice that the van was headed into a tunnel far from the castle. In they went, and the ground sloped steeply downward, deep underground.
"Where are we going?" asked Robyn.
"Prep." Replied Cherche.
The van finally parked in what looked like an underground facility. The team got down, and Chrom gestured for the twins to follow him.
"He'll be taking you to the Overseer's den." Said Cherche to Robyn. "I won't be seeing you anymore till after the match."
Robyn gave Cherche's hand a squeeze. "You'll do great."
Cherche gave Robyn a hug and followed the rest of the team.
"Where are they going?" asked Robin.
"The preparation area." Explained Chrom as they followed him. "The warm up areas and the Overseer's den all lead to the Armory, which then leads up to the holding room, where the doors will open when the game begins.
"What's the Overseer's den?" asked Robin.
"It's where you guys can see all the action." Said Chrom. "It's filled with screens and a main screen in the middle. Basically you can see all the camera feed at the same time."
"That's so cool!" said Robin. Chrom nodded and took a set of keys from his pocket. He handed it to Robyn.
"No one else will be able to enter the room." Said Chrom. "Everything's already up and running, fixed by the staff of the Games. Besides them, only you two will have these keys."
Robyn nodded. Chrom tried not to look so affected. He had noticed Robyn's withdrawal, but chose not to say anything. Suddenly he felt a hand on his shoulder.
"Seeing as it's a castle siege and you're just trying to win to survive, stick together as much as possible. The one route tactic is the quickest. Try not to get separated. Even if the goal is to look for something, you have to stick together. You don't have enough fast people in your group. You'll be wiped out so easily. The other team wouldn't expect it. Take a focus group and make sure they stick to their assigned groups. No one goes alone. Finding whatever you have to find is important, but there's no use when more than half your team is wiped out."
Chrom swallowed.
"You'll do great, man!" grinned Robin. "Just remember that you guys are a team."
Chrom nodded nervously. He turned to hurry for the preparation area, when Robyn said, "Good luck."
Chrom turned. He smiled and nodded, and finally hurried away.
Robin turned to his sister with excitement in his eyes. He held out his hand. "Keys, dear sister."
Robyn handed him the keys. Her brother unlocked the door excitedly and turned the handle.
Chrom was right. The place was already up and running. It looked like a master control center, with small screens everywhere and a huge main screen in the center of it all. There were a series of control panels at the center as well, with a comfortable looking chair in the midst of it all.
Robin rushed to it as his sister closed and locked the door behind them.
"This is like a security guard room." Commented Robyn.
"Except a gazillion times more awesome." Robin took his seat. Robyn stood to his right and leaned against the side of the chair.
OoOoOoO
Chrom sat in the holding room in full armor and gear. His tracker, which he chose to be under his right forearm, began to glow a bright blue. It was on. He tried not to look so nervous for his team, but the pressure of it being their last game if they didn't win was…too much to bear. Frederick gave Chrom a pat on the back.
OoOoOoO
Up in the stadium, the crowd surrounding a stage and a larger than life tv screen went wild as a tall, beautiful blonde lady took the stage.
"Good morning, everybody, and welcome to the first War Simulation Games match of the year!" The host smiled and calmly waited for the applause to die down. "I, Pheros, will be your host."
"She really is quite lovely." Said Nah, in her seat next to Emmeryn in the VIP box.
Emmeryn smiled and nodded. "She has hosted the Games for as long as I can remember."
"…! Does that mean she's old, Lady Emmeryn?"
The lady next to Emmeryn chuckled. "Don't let her hear you say that, Nah."
"Why so, Miss Tiki?" asked Nah.
"Lady Emmeryn." Said a silky voice from behind.
They turned. Aversa stood, with a sly grin on her face, flanked by two men in suits.
"Miss Aversa." Nodded Emmeryn. "May I ask what you are doing in the F. Emblem box?"
"I've come to offer a good price." Smiled Aversa. "For all your equipment. Seeing as you wouldn't be needing it after today…"
Tiki glared at her. "That's a bit premature to say, don't you think?
Aversa gave a pitying gaze. "Oh, Miss Tiki. I'm merely being concerned. It's just that North Road High is looking good this year."
"I'm pretty sure that The Ylissean Army will fight better than Northic today!" protested Nah.
"The Match is about to start, Aversa." Said Emmeryn with cold politeness. "I would kindly advise you not only to return to her box, but also to never make your insulting offer again."
Aversa chuckled. "As you wish, Lady Emmeryn." She swiftly turned on her heel and exited along with her two men.
Emmeryn sighed as they turned their seats back to face the screens. "Nah, kindly please tell the men manning the entrance to our box to not let anybody from Plegia in here."
"Right away, Lady Emmeryn." Said Nah, standing and moving quickly. Emmeryn and Tiki paid attention once again to Pheros.
"The goal of today's match is simple." Said the host. "Aside from making sure that your captain stays alive, the first one to steal the other team's banner automatically wins the match!"
"A game of capture the flag." Gulped Tiki. "Our team needs speed."
"Faith, Tiki." Said Emmeryn calmly.
"Alright!" exclaimed Pheros entusistically. "It's time, folks! The door will open in 3…"
In his position at the very front of the doors, Chrom uttered a small prayer.
"…2…"
Robin stared at the screens from his place in the Overseer's Den. Already his mind was calculating blind spots and danger areas. "They better not take the left side. At least, Vaike shouldn't." Robyn only nodded.
"…1…"
Emmeryn closed her eyes.
"And LET THE GAMES BEGIN!"
OoOoOoO
The doors slowly opened.
"I'll steer right to clear out the enemies." Said Frederick. "Cordelia will take the other way. You should be able to have a clear passage. In the center."
"No. No one goes alone." said Chrom, remembering Robin's heed.
"We don't even know where the flag is." Said Cordelia. "The other team's got it all figured out because they have an Overseeing Tactitian. We need to be split up to find the flag. I'm quicker on my own."
"I can protect the flag with Sully." Said Vaike.
"We'll keep our earpieces on." Said Cordelia. "I can map out the grid and when any of us finds the flag, we can just meet in a destined position. We'll be communicating."
Chrom needed to make a decision, quick. The doors were already open, and there was no doubt Northic would be on the move by now.
Should Chrom follow with the logical plan to have people split individually to find the flag or to take Robin's advice and split the group into smaller focus groups?
