THE MANNIS UNLEASHED
Disclaimer : All Characters are owned by George RR Martin and HBO. This is a self insert story set during Robert's Rebellion.
Chapter – 1 Stannis / SI
Kevin looked around the Medevial looking room and found my throat parched . His head was spinning and he felt weak. How did he get here ? Suddenly memories unlike his own played in his mind, a gaunt man looking from the battle ramparts at the huge army besieging his castle. His men does not have the numbers or food stores to last long , yet he will endure. The fat man feasted infront of their castle everyday for the last six months to break their morale. All the food was gone , they butchered all the horses , his little brother Renly was angry with him for killing his pony but stannis knows he was doing his duty. Suddenly Kevin shouted " Stannis ? Renly ? what the hell " he saw his reflection in the nearby mirror deep blue eyes , raven black hair and tall frame "No way this is not a Self Insert fanfiction" he told himself he could not believe an ASB brought him to the fictional word of Ice and Fire novels. "Why this ? and why Stannis ?" he thought loud. This is just a dream I will be in my bed come tommorow he tried to convince himself despite the pain in his head.
Suddenly the door swung open and in came an old maester who he had fond memories of "My Lord you are hurt trying to detain the deserters , you should be resting" the maester said. Now i am convinced this is a fan fiction as the maester poured a sweet potion down my throat and suddenly i fell asleep. I opened my eyes on another plane which looked like a galaxy, facing me is none other than the Mannis yelling "Imposter" "Usurper" and ran at me to tackle me to the ground . Suddenly a strange light forced us back and i looked at the Abomination or a shapeless monstrosity which looked like a LoveCraftian creature , it spoke in a strange voice "You are both bound in the same body and mind hence you will work together to survive" .
I shouted "Are you an ASB ? Why did you bring me here and put me in this body ?" the creature boomed "I am above any ASB in terms of power , i heard you bad mouthing and trolling George for his delays and critiquing harshly the ending of the TV series. So when your mortal body died i brought your consciousness here to this world and merged you with Stannis so you will learn how difficult it is to survive here". "What the hell" Kevin cried "this isn't fair" while the real Mannis raged and cursed the being. Suddenly I remember reading other fan fiction related to Stannis and also people dealing with Cosmic entities and tried to take advantage of the situation. "Oh great being" I agree with your choice though I would like to ask a boon from you to help me survive in this harsh world". I am not my kin and flattery will not get you anywhere but I will aid though forget about asking about any systems , super strength ,healing factors, pet dragons or invulnerability".
Damn it i was counting on one of those but I am not gonna give up. " Please i urge you to help me as you well know I am an average Joe and dont have any great ideas to make innovations nor my mind is filled with knowledge of industrial revolution to make an impact on this feudal land". The creature looked at me and said " alright don't act coy I said I will aid you i can grant you warging abilities as well as power to bring forth lightening bolts as a weapon in case of dangers" i whined " atleast give me a Valerian Steel sword along with some top tier sword fighting skills ". " I cannot give you any valerian steel swords but i will give you some memories where to find some of the lost ones as for sword skills get off your lazy ass and learn some" said the creature. Disappointed I said "atleast don't let me go bald" the creature made a sound akin to a laugh and said " done, but don't run off to lys the first chance you get , remember I will be watching you" I winced and looked at Stannis who was still fuming at me.
I was awaken rudely by Cresden before Stannis kicks my ass in the dream. "Milord Mace Tyrell sends his lords to our gate for negotiations do you want to speak with them ?". I thought for a second before feeling a sudden rage from Stannis but supressed it with a " yes I will".
I reconsidered my position while stuck as Stannis who will be fated to lead a joyless and doomed life obsessing over duty and an ugly iron chair. Hated by Robert and Renly and only a smuggler as a loyal companion. I felt Stannis seething with Fury inside my mind and bristled at my memories of his fate from the TV show as well as the books. I willed myself to ignore him and walked with my guards towards the gates. I looked through the ramparts and saw lord Rowan and lord Fossaway with a peace banner. I did the most non-Stannis thing and smiled widely at them which shocked both the lords " come lord Stannis you fool no one by resisting us you will pay the price when we dish out the kings justice to you" said Rowan. I spoke in a most cheerful tone "Yes my lords i look forward to the day king Robert will drag you before the throne where myself will be beheading you to see justice done" both of them are shocked at my proclamations "you are deluded boy it will be Baratheon line which will be wiped out" said the apple lord. " My lords please for every word you speak before me I will take one more hostage from your houses please my lords give lord Mace Tyrell my regards and tell him to meet me at dawn two days from now" he turned back and nodded towards a guard and suddenly all the deserters were hanged from the gates. The two lords gasped and left without another word.
That night in my sleep stannis whipped up a storm he looked beaten and ranted about the betrayal and refused to believe his life was a work of fiction. I have used my former Customer service skills to console him and assured that both our lives are as real as it gets and lauded him for his will. I pointed out that a cosmic entity have chosen him as a saviour from the evils that are about to destroy Westeros. I pleaded him to give me a change to make stannis as famous and feared as possible. I also assured him aid is coming in the form of a smuggler. After hours of negotiations he relented and agreed to work with me.
That night I walked all around the castles spoke with all the guards and servants and assured them their dedication to the war effort will give us victory. Maester Cressen asked me if I was feeling well and offered to check up on me. I told him I had a change of heart and thanked him for his guidance and hugged him, the old maester beamed with pride as his surrogate son was finally opening up to others. I plan to use Cressen for my experiments later on but for now I have to make Mace 'the Ace' Tyrell my best friend.
In the morning, Stannis flanked by his new guards reached the parley place a 100 yards away from the gates where Mace accompanied by Lord Randall Tarly and Lord Redwyne are waiting for him. He saw a table set up with all types of foods and delicacies to entice me. "Lord Tyrell thank you for accepting my invitation my lords" he said with a smile. " You seem to be in a good cheer for a man who is under a seige my lord" quipped Tarly. " The seige is just an obstacle my lords , once we win the war it will be you who will be bending the knee to king Robert". " Bold words from a man who is surrounded on all sides of his castle , come now do the wise thing and bend the knee to king Aerys" said Redwyne.
"My Lord Tyrell can we speak alone without prying eyes". The fat lord looked at me and blustered " of course Lord Stannis" he asked Tarly and Paxton to stay far and after I sent my guards away mace puffed up and said "So i suppose you want to bend the knee in my presence lord Stannis". I laughed hard then and looked at Mace and said "Come now lord Tyrell I am not delusional to believe Aerys will let me live once i surrender" Mace has the decency to frown.
"Lord Tyrell please listen very carefully to what i have to say, i would think you had it with your mother chastising you all the time and calling all your decisions foolish , every lord knows that Highgarden is ruled by Lady Olenna", red faced Mace looked up to object and I raised my hands to keep him calm " lord mace I know why you have sided with the dragons they have raised your house as Lord Paramounts of the Reach but if by any miracle Robert overthrows the Targaryen empire .." i paused " that is impossible we have sent Robert running with his army in tatters" Mace boasted . " My lord may I remind you that Robert escaped the loyalists and not been beaten yet. I am asking you to imagine for just a second if Robert becomes king what would he do the rebel lords that fought against him lands and hostages aside the Reach may well get a new Lord Paramount" for a second mace shivered and had a frightened look in his eyes. " I know a lot of lords who have connections to House Gardner will be ready to ruin house Tyrell and become overlords of the reach if such a situation arises".
Mace looked completely shocked now and started sweating. " Lord Tyrell I only ask for you to consider the alternative". " You cannot ask me to bend my knee to Robert lord Stannis, that is preposterous" Mace spat. I continued "Of course not right now my lord , don't take my word for it i will meet with you again in two months time if the rebels are winning I ask you to reconsider your alliances and I would make sure to keep you in high regard of the new regime if you consider my proposal , tell your lords I refuse to bend the knee till my brother draws breath. Boast that once Robert loses the gates will be thrown open for your army" Mace looked shocked by the suggestions with mouth hung open so I continued " my lord in case in our next meeting you tend to switch to the winning side we will discuss the prestige and favors House Tyrell will recieve". "You truly believe your rebels can win ?"he asked. I gave Mace a full smile and said " of course my lord our cause is just and OURS IS THE FURY" Mace looked shocked to even nod. " so until next time lord Tyrell" i left without looking back as Tarly and Paxter Redwyne are looking suspiciously at a flushed Mace Tyrell. I smiled as I reentered storms end with a smile as I felt Stannis stay calm in my mind.
That night Stannis was subdued in my dreams as he felt the negotiations may work. A flashing light and the horrific creature appeared towering over the clouds and spoke "Not bad for a first effort, I am impressed , as promised Kevin i will grant you the ability to warg and give you a demonstration , I assume you already. Know the locations of the missing swords" I nodded and for the rest of the night we are amazed by the full abilities of a powerful warg. " Of course you have to practice a lot and mastering it will take some time" said the creature. " You are a benevolent being who is as just as you are powerful" I said " what do you want now Kevin" asked the creature "I only beg to give us one dragon egg as a final favor" the creature made a sound akin to a sigh and said " since you are a shameless flatterer I will give you a memory of a location where you can find dragon eggs, don't say I didn't help you". " Thank you powerful one" I piped happy that I could finally get a win. Stannis looked at me and nodded once.